Chateau Suduiraut in Sauternes

For the last few Sundays we’re gone deep into the Vinopolis Cellar to bring you great discounted prices of amazing Bordeaux wines. What people don’t know is that Bordeaux produces almost 900 million bottles of wine annually, a quantity that dwarfs any other fine wine growing region in the world. The region is far more complex, rich with winemaking diversity, and value driven than consumers realize.  As we’ve put these wines on sale it’s become clear how much more Bordeaux we should all be drinking given the immense quality that persists across all price bands and appellations in the region.

This week we’re continuing by featuring wines that reside outside the typical bounds of the “Left and Right Banks”. The Gironde Estuary is the defining feature of the Bordeaux wine region, and its river system more or less dictates the borders of many top appellations and winemaking styles. The two rivers that split from the Gironde are the Dordogne and the Garonne, the vineyards and wineries that exist on the right of the Dordogne are known as the “Right Bank”, while those to the left of the Garonne and further North are the “Left Bank”. Everyting in the middle, to the south, and to the east are sub-appellations that don’t get nearly as much airtime but produce phenomenal wines.

 

Indeed, beyond this bilateral division of territory there are wine growing areas that offer incredible quality and value for the savvy wine consumer. In Graves and Pessac-Leognan you’ll find wines with similar blends to those prestigious chateau on the Left Bank, but often softer tannin structure and more high-toned aromatics. Further south are the wonderful sweet wines of Barsac and Sauternes, which can age indefinitely and dazzle at the dinner table with elegant desserts and special occasions. The wild thing is that while previously considered the most collectible and limited wines on the planet, these bottles have become outrageously affordable as dry wine puritanism continues to plague palates around the world. Be a rebel. Change the curve. These wines can be yours at 10% off with a few clicks.
 

 

5% off any 3-5 bottles of in-stock wines featured below
10% off any 6 or more bottles of in-stock wines featured below
 
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Discount ends Wednesday, August 28th at 9 am Pacific

 

Reds In Stock and On Sale:

Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion ‘Le C des Carmes’, Pessac-Leognan 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $34.50, that’s $32.78 at 5% off and $31.05 at 10% off, 29 bottles in stock now
Decanter 96 points “Beautiful fragrance to the nose, perfumed and delicate yet so expressive, nothing out of balance with cherries and violets bursting out of the glass. Gorgeous smooth mouthfeel with some milk chocolate dusting on the fruit, tannins are delicate and softly mouth filling with a lovely salinity to the palate – creamy and unctuous but at the same time there’s lots of acidity. This has a verticality to it, layered but with an aerial quality too, the flavours just glide across the palate with lift on the finish – so satisfying and drinkable. Just a glorious, shining, bright, velvety, succulent glass of wine. Pure elegance. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, 3.55pH. Drinking Window 2022 – 2046”

Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion ‘Le C des Carmes’, Pessac-Leognan 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “Smells rich with perfumed blackcurrants. Clean and crisp on the palate, a smooth and silky texture but with crunchy and bright, almost sharp fruit – dark cherries, plums and figs edged with a chalky, minerality. Clearly charming, this is succulent, supple and so easy to like with excellent drinkability. Refreshing and totally moreish.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Bottled after 24 months’ élevage, much of which took place in large foudres, the 2020 Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion offers up aromas of dark berries, plums and spices complemented by hints of rose petal and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, supple and pillowy, with an ample core of fruit framed by melting tannins, it’s a suave and charming blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot.”

Chateau Goubau ‘La Source’, Cotes de Castillon 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $18, that’s $17.10 at 5% off and $16.20 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The second wine of Chateau Goubau comes from the vineyard parcels facing south and south-west on the slopes bordering the domain’s natural source. Made from a blend of 95% Merlot grapes and 5% Cabernet Franc grapes, the wine is spicy and fresh with aromas of red fruits, plums and spice. On the palate the wine is crunchy and fruity with black fruit flavours and a touch of spice; the finish is lively and appealing. Drink now for next three years.”

l’Hetre, Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $29.50, that’s $28.03 at 5% off and $26.55 at 10% off, 36 bottles in stock now
PRE-ARRIVAL ETA SEPTEMBER
Jancis Robinson “L’Hêtre 2016 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux is the first release of this wine from the organically farmed estate perched at 100 m on the end of the St-Philippe d’Aiguilhe limestone plateau, the highest point in Bordeaux…‘Rich in blackcurrant fruit with a savoury dark glow to make it more than just fruit. Just a touch of smoky char even though the oak is well in the background, a seductive fruit sweetness. On the palate, this is beautifully balanced, the alcohol perfectly integrated in the tannic structure and fruit core with a fresh tang that runs through the middle. There’s a cool fluidity to it even with its depth and length. Fine, dry, lingering and savoury aftertaste. Impressive first vintage with a promising future in the bottle. I opened this on a Sunday evening and it was still tasting fresh and vibrant four days later. This is a very classy wine, and the tannins tell you everything: fine, definite, building in the mouth but in perfect balance with the fruit and freshness. Blue-blooded Castillon. Catch it while you can.'”

Chateau Soubian, Pessac-Leognan 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $28, that’s $26.60 at 5% off and $25.20 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Importer Notes “This hidden gem of a property lies just to the west of the village of Léognan on a beautiful hillock of gravel, and noted historically for its unique setting and propensity for exceptional wines. The Château has been owned since 1930 by the Célérier family, a line of Bordeaux negociants, who have recently sought to revitalize the vineyard by entrusting its operation to the astute Bernard family, of neighboring Domaine de Chevalier fame. Olivier Bernard and his team have overseen the conversion to organic production of this 4-hectare vineyard, which is composed of gravel soils on clay-gravelly subsoil, perfectly-suited to the cepage of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot..The 2019 Soubian offers a quintessential expression of the velvety, ripe and fresh 2019 vintage, with its own individual expression of forward red and black fruits, with spicy, slightly-peppery aromas.”

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge, Pessac-Leognan 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Absolutely pure gold and reminding me of the 2009 (or is it the 2010?), the 2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte sports a dense purple hue to go with incredible aromatics of blackberries, blueberries, scorched earth, wood smoke, and acacia flowers. One of the most concentrated, rich, and sexy wines in the vintage, this massive and extraordinarily opulent 2020 shows the vintage’s pure, elegant profile yet backs it up with sensational levels of fruit and texture. Based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it already offers pleasure given its wealth of fruit, but it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40-50 years. Not enough can be said about the quality of these wines. Bravo to Florence and Daniel Cathiard, as well as to director Fabien Teitgen, for another incredible achievement.”
Wine Advocate 98-100 points “A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aging in 60% new barriques, the very deep purple-black colored 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte makes an impactful entrance, opening with flamboyant notes of blackcurrant pastilles, chocolate-covered cherries and molten licorice, leading to nuances of ground cloves, woodsmoke, crushed rocks and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with opulent black fruit preserves and shimmering mineral sparks, framed by exquisitely ripe and fantastically firm tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epically long-lasting earthy and savory layers. This is the singular voice of Smith Haut Lafitte at its finest, and wow-oh-wow is it worth a listen. This 2020 has an alcohol of 14.5% with a pH of 3.65. The tannins this year were a little higher than 2018 and 2019. A little less than a third of production went into this grand vin.”


Whites In Stock and On Sale:
 
Chateau Les Charmes-Godard Blanc, Francs Cotes de Bordeaux 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $24, that’s $22.80 at 5% off and $21.60 at 10% off, 20 bottles in stock now
Vinous 92 points “The 2021 Les Charms Godard is mostly Sémillon in this vintage, with smaller pieces of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris. In 2021, Les Charmes Godard is brighter and more focused than in the past. Time in bottle will help release some its underlying texture, but readers won’t find the softer contours that are typical here. As has been the custom for a number of years, it was vinified and aged in 500-liter barrels, but with the malolactic fermentation blocked. In 2021, the last parcels were harvested on September 23 and 24, exceedingly late by today’s standards.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “Zingy and pure, with a nice chiseled feel to the mix of lemon pith, honeysuckle and white peach flavors. Reveals a light quinine echo through the breezy finish. Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris. Drink now through 2024. 1,300 cases made.”

Closerie du Pelan Blanc, 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $36, that’s $34.20 at 5% off and $32.40 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Importer Notes: “Comprising a miniscule portion of the estate’s total production, the Closerie du Pelan Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, vinified and aged in steel, with malolactic fermentation having occurred without inducement. This 2016 is ripe but bright, with notes of preserved lemon and a hint of salt–a supremely satisfying and unfussy white Bordeaux.”

Chateau de Fieuzal Blanc Pessac-Leognan 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “This has a rich, toasty nose of cooked pear, dried pineapple, hazelnut and marmalade. It’s full-bodied with bright acidity. Dense and powerful. Better from 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “A wine that will take time to balance out, this has dense, dark and dry tannins at this stage. These underline the richness of the black fruits and acidity, giving a wine that will need to age to lose its firm edge. Drink from 2025. -Roger Voss”

Chateau Lynch Bages Blanc de Lynch Bages 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “A balanced, juicy, slate-filled mineral edge here, with a crisp shot of mint. Has a lovely balance of rich texture and acidity, with lime blossom and citrus. Drinking Window 2020 – 2028.”

Chateau Pape Clement Pessac-Leognan Blanc 2012 750ml Displayed Price: $189, that’s $179.55 at 5% off and $170.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “It has a light gold color and is a gorgeously full-bodied, multi-dimensional wine with great texture in its notes of rose petal, honeysuckle, crystallized/caramelized tropical fruits, mandarin orange and honeyed lemon. Aged 15 months in mostly new French oak, this is another brilliant achievement for proprietor Bernard Magrez from this tiny white wine vineyard, although I would rate it slightly below his perfect 2009. Anticipated maturity: now-2030.”
45% Sauvignon Blanc, 44% Semillon, 6% Muscadelle & 5% Sauvignon Gris


Dessert Wines In Stock and On Sale:

Chateau Coutet, Barsac 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 29 bottles in stock now
Chateau Coutet, Barsac 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $51.90, that’s $49.31 at 5% off and $46.71at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Chateau Coutet, Barsac 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 22 bottles in stock now
(2015) Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “A heavenly dessert wine, the 2015 Château Coutet boasts a huge nose of caramelized citrus, crème brûlée, tangerine, and honeysuckle. With huge richness and sweetness, moderate acidity, a thick, fat mouthfeel and a blockbuster finish, it’s borderline over the top yet holds it together. It will be interesting to see how this evolves, but it’s undeniably gorgeous today.”
(2016) Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “One of the top sweet wines in this report is the 2016 Château Coutet, which has the vintage’s plush, opulent style as well as thrilling purity and good acids. Pineapple, white flowers, sugared peach, and honeyed notes all emerge from this full-bodied, layered, balanced Barsac that’s already impossible to resist yet will evolve gracefully 2+ decades.”
(2020) Vinous 94 points “The 2020 Coutet is much more refined and light on its feet than it was from barrel. Tangerine peel, mint, passionfruit, white flowers and a hint of marzipan all grace this airy, wonderfully refined Barsac.”

Chateau Suduiraut, Sauternes 2010 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “One of the highest points of this vertical tasting, the 2010 Suduiraut reveals a dense, powerful bouquet of ripe apricots, exotic fruit, mango, pineapple, saffron and spices. More solar than the 2009 and with a full-bodied structure, it’s rich and concentrated, layered and seamless with a fleshy core of fruit and stunning controlled power, finishing long and mineral with bright acids. This stunning blend of 90% Sémillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, harvested between September 22 and November 9 in five tries, was matured for 20 months in oak barrels (50% new, 50% one year) and contains 145 grams per liter of residual sugar.”
Vinous 96 points “The 2010 Suduiraut, picked from 22 September until 9 November in five tries through the vineyard, has a drop-dead gorgeous bouquet that is delineated and detailed. There are copious scents of dried honey, apricot, white peach and just a hint of melted candle wax. The palate is very well balanced with great depth. It boasts layers of rich botrytised fruit, you can feel the weight here but not the heaviness thanks to that killer line of acidity. This 2010 has long been one of the finest Sauternes of the vintage and continues to amaze. Fabulous, even if not quite up there with the imperious 2009. 13.8% alcohol, 145gm/L residual sugar. Tasted at the Suduiraut vertical at the château.”