Château Lassègue, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 2012. £55.90, VINVM
Floral notes of rose and violet are balanced by subtle leather and tobacco, red berry fruit and an earthy palate of truffle, blackcurrant and vanilla pod. Opulent and elegant.
Splash-out:
Château Angélus, Saint-Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classé AOC, 2016. £380, Laithwaites
One of Saint Emilion’s megastar producers, this is rich, ripe and complex with notes of smoky cedar, wild strawberry compote and brooding plum, dried tomato and spice.
Red – Left Bank
Château Lalande Borie, St Julien, 2015. £23.68, Justerini & Brooks
Exceptionally pretty floral nose giving way to a velvety palate of blueberry, blackcurrant and wild strawberry, wrapped up in toasty vanilla.
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac, 2013, £44.99, Majestic
One of the oldest properties in Médoc, this is classic cassis and cedar with a cool minerality and graphite finish.
Splash-out:
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, 2ème Cru St-Julien, 2006, £135, House of Townend
One of the famous ‘Super Second’ wines, this is the benchmark St-Julien style with its deep colour, graphite and earthy notes and powerful, richly dark fruit.
Sweet
Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes, 2013, £12.99, Majestic HALF BOTTLE
The second wine of Château Suduiraut, this is a great value, elegant wine with fragrant notes of orange blossom, honey and spice.
Château Climens Cyprès de Climens, Barsac, 2015, Honest Grapes HALF BOTTLE
Another second label wines with great lime-citrus vivacity, white blossom on the nose and a seductive apricot, lime and honey palate.
Read more wine articles, reviews and guides by Helena Nicklin here.