Imperials Of Blue Chip Bordeaux - Scores Up To 100 Points

We are delighted to offer a spectacular array of blue-chip Bordeaux, all in highly-desirable and collectable 6L Imperials. Together, the 2016 Mouton Rothschild, 2018 Haut Brion, 2019 La Mission Haut Brion and 2020 Les Carmes Haut Brion are a stunning quartet, any of which would improve even the most complete of cellars.

The 2016 vintage of Mouton Rothschild is one of the great wines of recent Bordeaux history. For Lisa Perrotti-Brown, it is a 100-point superstar and “densely packed with layer upon layer of black fruit preserves and perfumed floral and exotic spice accents”. The 2018 Haut Brion is potentially perfect at 98+ points, with Perrotti-Brown calling it “a beautiful monster, framed with firm, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and exotic”.

From 2019 we have the La Mission Haut Brion, a 99-point scorer for William Kelley, who calls it “rich and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit, bright acids and fine, powdery tannins”. Finally, from 2020 we have the 100-point Carmes Haut Brion, a cult-collectable gem “that will take your breath away” for Antonio Galloni.

Details are below:

2016 Chateau Mouton Rothschild

6L Imp (1*600cl OWC) @ £5,850 per Imperial in bond

100 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown

A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Mouton Rothschild has a pH of 3.62 and a very deep purple black color. It is very closed to begin, requiring a lot of swirling to unleash a powerful wall of crème de cassis, juicy black plums, and scents of boysenberries, followed by nuances of star anise, incense, violets, crushed rocks, and camphor, plus emerging iron ore and rose oil hints. The medium to full-bodied palate is densely packed with layer upon layer of black fruit preserves and perfumed floral and exotic spice accents, framed by beautifully ripe, plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with an epically long fruit and mineral firework display. Gorgeous! (2022) www.thewineindependent.com Drink 2027-2065

2018 Chateau Haut Brion

6L Imp (1*600cl OWC) @ £3,700 per Imperial in bond

98+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2018 Haut-Brion is deep garnet-purple in color. It offers up notes of stewed plums, baked blackberries, and crème de cassis, plus hints of Chinese five spice, tobacco, and dusty soil, with a waft of dried herbs. Full-bodied, the palate is a beautiful monster, framed with firm, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and exotic. (2023) www.thewineindependent.com Drink 2027-2065

2019 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion

6L Imp (1*600cl OWC) @ £2,800 per Imperial in bond

99 points William Kelley

The 2019 La Mission Haut-Brion unwinds in the glass with aromas of inky berry fruit, wild plums and cherries mingled with notions of warm spices, burning embers and creamy new oak. Full-bodied, deep and layered, it’s rich and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit, bright acids and fine, powdery tannins. Powerful and tightly wound, this is less sumptuous and demonstrative out of the gates than its sibling Haut-Brion, but I suspect it possesses even greater potential. (2022) www.robertparker.com Drink 2033-2070

2020 Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion

6L Imp (1*600cl OWC) @ £1,485 per Imperial in bond

100 points Antonio Galloni

The 2020 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a total stunner. For the first time I can remember, Les Carmes Haut-Brion marries all of its elements so well that nothing stands out. In the past, the high percentage of Franc and/or the whole clusters were evident. The 2020 is the first modern vintage in which all the elements are so well balanced. Dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint, lavender, dried herbs and incense all build in a ravishing Pessac-Léognan that will take your breath away.

The 2020 is 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot, picked between September 14 to 26, which is early here. Whole cluster was 55%. Vinification took place over five weeks, using very gentle extraction, with no pumpovers or punchdowns. Aging was 80% new oak, 11% 18hL foudres and 9% amphorae. In tasting, the 2020 is simply magnificent. There are no soloists, just the most exceptionally vivid, breathtaking orchestra imaginable. The 2020 is a masterpiece from Technical Director Guillaume Pouthier and his team. Don’t miss it! (2022) www.vinous.com Drink 2030-2070

Offered subject to final confirmation. All available from our cellars in London except the Carmes Haut Brion which will arrive in 8-12 weeks.

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