When choosing the wines for the WSI offer, it was natural to choose those that I had particularly liked during the “en primeur” tastings, wines that had not only impressed me for their intrinsic quality, but what had also stood out amongst their peers.  In making the selection there were, of course, some choices and I tended to choose the wines that represented for me the best value for money as well as the best value for pleasure, which is what I do for my own cellar.   Here is what I selected.

Chateau Rollan de By, Medoc

This is a superb estate right in the north of the Medoc, where the gravelly soils match those of the more famous appellations in Pauillac and Margaux.  The wines are classy and polished and very modern in style.

Chateau Lanessan, Haut Medoc

A magnificent estate on the southern borders of Saint-Julien, which might well have been a Cru Classe in 1855 had the owners bothered to enter their wines into the tasting.  Owned by the Bouteillier family, who used to own Chateau Pichon-Longueville  Baron de Longueville, which they sold, preferring to keep Lanessan, which always performs above its weight.

Chateau Capbern-Gasqueton, Saint-Estephe

Owned by the 3^rd growth Chateau Calon-Segur and made to the same impeccable standards, this is a brilliant Saint-Estephe from vineyards that are superbly placed, surrounded by Crus Classes.  A wine of depth, charm and class.

Chateau Haut-Batailley, Pauillac.

One of the two famous Batailley estates, both classified 5^th growth in 1855, the vines are a stone’s throw from those of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild.  Pauillac wines are often sturdy and robust and take many years to open up, while Haut-Batailley is always elegant and ready sooner.

Chateau Gloria, Saint-Julien

This estate was created from small parcels of vines all touching the famous Crus Classes in Saint-Julien, the person who put it all together was for three decades the general manager at the First Growth Chateau Latour.  Gloria is well-rated classic, always under-priced for the quality.

Chateau du Tertre, Margaux

One of the finest estates in the southern part of the famous Margaux commune, under  the same ownership as Chateau Giscours, a third growth, whereas du Tertre is a fifth growth, less prestigious but almost as fine.

Chateau Latour-Martillac, Pessac-Leognan

One of the original Crus Classes of the Graves, the classification dating from 1959, whose vineyards go back several centuries.  Always very elegant and one of my favourite wines in 2009.

Chateau La Dauphine, Fronsac

The wines of the Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac appellations were very famous in the 19^th century and often sold for higher prices than their neighbours in Saint-Emilion.  Not so today and these wines are great bargains, as the quality is still there, a perfect blend of Merlot and Cabernet grapes.

Chateau Rouget, Pomerol

In the tiny (just 900 hectares out of Bordeaux’s 115,000 hectares) commune of Pomerol one finds two of the world’s most expensive red wines – Petrus and Le Pin.  Rouget is their neighbour and it is the epitome of rich Merlot grapes grown on a soil with lots of iron.  Quite superb.

Chateau Siaurac, Lalande de Pomerol

The adjoining commune to Pomerol, less famous but with some wonderful wines, also Merlot-dominated.  The chateau at Siaurac is one of the most beautiful in Bordeaux and is still in family hands.  The wine has charm and elegance, like its owners.

Chateau Fonroque, Saint-Emilion

Owned by Alain Moueix, cousin to Christian Moueix, the largest owner of Grand Crus Classes chateaux in Saint-Emilion, this estate is bio-dynamically farmed so that the grapes can totally express their “terroir”,  a magnificent, understated wine.

Chateau Doisy-Vedrines, Sauternes

The only white wine in the selection and the only sweet wine from an historic estate classified 2^nd growth in 1855 and worthy of being a 1^st growth today.  Very honeyed and rich, very concentrated, even exotic fruit flavours.