This morning we have a seen a handful of releases, the most eye-catching of which for us is the excellent Barde-Haut at GBP 310. This does not promise to be a vintage for stocking up on ‘lower priced’ wines in general, such was the importance of the best terroir in avoiding the April frosts; but Barde Haut is one wine we will hang our hat on in 2017.
One of the most exciting, delicious and eye-opening wines we tasted on our EP trip back in April was the St Emilion Grand Cru Barde-Haut, which has produced an absolutely superb 2017. This was one of the wines that absolutely bore comparison with the 2016 vintage – and indeed, we tried the 2016 alongside the new release and the younger wine completely stacked up. Tasting this wine was a real ‘wow’ moment for us, which is especially surprising as it was the first tasting of our final morning of the trip! It is a beautifully textured, mineral-driven, pure-fruited wine approachable early but with the balance to age very well.
This isn’t just our view: the scores from the leading critics bear it out, with 92-94 from Neal Martin (the same rating in this vintage as many grander names, and higher than others – Les Forts de Latour for example) and 93-94 from James Suckling.
Helene Garcin's newer property Poesia is also available at GBP 285 – although there is no 2017 D’Arce due to frost damage.
Other wines which are available from today include Branaire Ducru at GBP 410, La Tour Carnet at GBP 252 and a pair of Pessacs from an estate with a growing reputation, La Tour Martillac Rouge and Blanc at GBP 272 and GBP 279 respectively.
Lynch Moussas is also available at GBP 310.