The first vintage of this wine, the 03, was the top selling red at restaurant Gordon Ramsay, which at the time was the only three Michelin star in London.
This deep, dark red was made from ripe Merlot grapes, selected from the best three plots of the vineyard, near the Château. Just ten French oak barrels were chosen for the final blend of this limited edition cuvée - a total of just 250 cases.
This full-flavoured yet elegant Bordeaux will be at its best between 2009 and 2015. Decant before serving.
Gavin Quinney, winemaker: "It's a full-bodied but drinkable Bordeaux, and it was aged in new and one-year-old French oak barrels. We always decant it to soften the tannins somewhat (it's a bit young for my taste) but it's not essential. A London wine merchant, who sells to upmarket restaurants and City caterers, thought it was 2006 Chateau Palmer when he tasted it blind. On being told what it was, with Palmer '06 at over £100 a bottle, he bought up most of our remaining stock. The same wine from a different batch of similar barrels - all but identical, therefore - is the top selling red, for £50, at restaurant Gordon Ramsay, the three Michelin star diner in London."
