A Review of our Recent Tasting - An Introduction to Bordeaux on 25th September 2025

After a gloriously warm and sun dappled perfect late September’s day, it seemed rather fitting that merry conveners should assemble to taste the vintages of summer’s gone by and what a feast of delights we were to be rewarded with over the course of two fabulous hours. An introduction to Bordeaux nonetheless.

The tasting started with the Grand Bateau Bordeaux Blanc 2023 (£12.99) white wine, which, with its characteristic floral and delicate citrus notes was a delicious way to ease into the evening. This was followed by its red counterpart, the  Grand Bateau Bordeaux Rouge 2022 (£12.99), an excellent everyday Bordeaux that would go well with just about anything. 

Hot on its heels came the very drinkable Château La Petite Roque 2021 (15.99). Gears shifted up with a wine made from within touching distance of a much more famed and pricey region, Château Pierrefitte 2022 (£21.00), a baby Pomerol from Lalande de Pomerol, exhibiting much of the famed plummy flavours of its rather more expensive brother. 

One of the stars of the night and very reasonably priced for what one finds in the bottle was the Château de Courlat 2021 (£21.00) from Lussac-Saint-Emilion. It is an incredibly drinkable and approachable wine that would furnish any table with aplomb, a real winner that performed well above its price range and had its drinkers rushing for the order form. 

Slightly towards the more special end were the Amiral de Beychevelle vintages (2018 and 2022). Both were utterly delicious, also, they were a remarkable example of just what a difference a year can make in winemaking. The 2022 vintage was much more red fruit led, bursting with exuberance and the 2018 perhaps far more what you expect from a typical Saint Emillion, drier, but with glorious, heady aromas.  

Unsurprisingly, the eminence gris of the evening was the Château Talbot 2012 (£110.00). It did not disappoint, delivering everything one could hope from a venerable bastion of the ‘gout Anglais’. Think cedar, leather, perhaps the whiff of a gentleman’s club, an old labrador by an aga… maybe that is a step too far, but one gets the message. It was absolutely delicious and would go incredibly well with almost anything but in particular perhaps a roast haunch of meat on a special occasion. 

To finish, the evening was rounded off in great style with a wonderful and utterly delicious Sauternes pudding wine. The Lions de Suduiraut 2020 (£18.69 for a half bottle and £34.00 for a full bottle) was everything one might hope from the perfect pudding wine, rich, honeyed, with flavours of marmalade, apricot and joy in a bottle. The perfect way to end any meal or indeed a hugely convivial evening.

Much was gently learnt, laughter filled the room and all accompanied by fabulous wines, delicious charcuterie and cheese. To top it all the evening was hosted with great elan by Richard Royds, the newly appointed Wine Buyer for the business.

Bravo as they say in that part of the world.

Did you know that we regularly host tastings and events at our shops in Liphook and Petersfield, and we also collaborate with customers to create special gatherings at their own venues. Visit our website for the latest updates.