Thursday, February 2nd, 2023
Dear Artisans,

It's last call for two of the best mid-range Left-and-Right-Bank Bordeaux buys of the incredible 2018 vintage.

From Left Bank: It's not a second label. It's the incredible new era of Chateau de Pez. Take advantage of the 'Dark Horse' of Saint-Estephe's renaissance!
94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"a gorgeous 2018 that should be on every Bordeaux lover's radar..."

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
“The wine has weight and density that need aging..."

93 Points - James Suckling:
“...really polished tannins and a refined and pretty finish. So fine..."

92 Points - Vinous:
“This is one of the best Château de Pez that I have tasted..."

92 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
“...leaps from the glass with vibrant black cherries, ripe blackberries and blackcurrant pastilles notes..."

92 Points, Smart Buy - Wine Spectator:
"...with the fruit and minerality in lockstep as a touch of cedar appears, leaving a mouthwatering edge."

92 Points - Decanter:
"Always an extremely classy St-Estèphe, and this is an excellent wine that has restraint but punch..."

Since 2005, they restructured their vineyards and implemented the same practices done at the Grand Vins. In 2018 they constructed a completely new vat room and barrel cellar.

That's not all that's changed. They're owned by 100-pt powerhouse Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, and have been made by a First-Growth veteran:
Representing the Right Bank is a Saint-Emilion Stunner. There are only 25 bottles left, and Jeb Dunnuck sums this up perfectly:

"The second wine of the estate, the 2018 La Dame De Gaffelière is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It has exactly what you want from a second wine and is plush, up-front, and delicious, with lots of red and black fruits, dried herbs, spice, and subtle wood-like aromas and flavors. This medium-bodied, rounded, textured, fruit-forward beauty can be drunk any time over the coming decade."
If you haven't heard: 2018 is among Bordeaux's BEST:

  • Vinous Media, 95-97 points; "The best 2018s are aromatically intense, deep, dark wines that beautifully marry fruit intensity with structure. A strong vintage for the Left Bank"

  • Wine Spectator, 96 points; "The best reds are dense and tannic, with slightly higher alcohol and lower acidity, but terrific drive and definition"

  • Wine Advocate, 96 points; "Rich, already flamboyant fruit and beautifully plush tannins with seamless acidity mean many of the successful wines will be approachable relatively early."

All my best,
—James Tran
2018 Chateau de Pez Saint-Estephe

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"From the team of Nicolas Glumineau at Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, the 2018 Château De Pez is a gorgeous 2018 that should be on every Bordeaux lover's radar (and should be a great value as well). Notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, candied violets, and graphite define the bouquet, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, rockingly polished tannins, terrific purity, and a great finish. It's terrific and is going to have 15-20 years or more of longevity. The blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc." (3/11/21)

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
“Under the same Rouzaud family ownership as Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac, this estate has produced a structured wine. It offers dense and solid tannins, rich with a firm texture and black currant fruits. The wine has weight and density that need aging. Drink from 2026.” - Roger Voss (5/1/21)

93 Points - James Suckling:
“Spices and dark berries with some nutmeg and cedar. Medium to full body, really polished tannins and a refined and pretty finish. So fine. Tight yet balanced. Give it three or four years to open. Try after 2023.” (8/3/21)

92 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
“A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 de Pez leaps from the glass with vibrant black cherries, ripe blackberries and blackcurrant pastilles notes, giving way to nuances of black olives, lavender and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate offers nicely rounded tannins and a lively backbone to counter the bold fruit, finishing savory.” -LPB (3/31/21)

92 Points - Vinous:
“The 2018 Château de Pez was shut when I tasted it from cask with winemaker Nicolas Glumineau, so much so that I felt it was inappropriate to score it because I felt there was a great wine lurking behind that door. And so it turned out. Now in bottle, this has a gorgeous bouquet of lifted blackberry, graphite and flinty aromas, razor-sharp in terms of delineation. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine-grained tannins and a subtle marine influence that becomes more prominent with aeration. The oak is wonderfully integrated and the focus very finished. This is one of the best Château de Pez that I have tasted, but it clearly needed to wait until it was in bottle to show its potential.”

92 Points, Smart Buy - Wine Spectator:
"Fresh red currant and bitter cherry notes are laced with floral and chalk notes. Piercing in feel through the finish, with the fruit and minerality in lockstep as a touch of cedar appears, leaving a mouthwatering edge. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2032." - JM (3/31/21)

92 Points - Decanter:
"(Always an extremely classy St-Estèphe, and this is an excellent wine that has restraint but punch, and plenty of cassis and blackberry fruits, with a governing hand of tannins that are never overdone. Drink between 2023-2036."
  • 37 bottles left of the vintage

Elsewhere: $64.99 btl
  • $56.97 btl (1-5)
  • $54.97 btl (6-11)
  • $49.97 btl (12+)
2018 Chateau La Gaffeliere 'Dame de Gaffeliere'
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
This is the second wine of classed growth Château la Gaffelière. Dominated by Merlot, the wine has weight as well as a rich, velvety texture supporting the powerful black fruits. As befits a second wine, this should develop relatively quickly and generously. Drink from 2025

90-91 Points - James Suckling:
A juicy and savory young wine with berry and tobacco character. Some chocolate, too. Medium body and firm, silky tannins.

90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
A juicy and savory young wine with berry and tobacco character. Some chocolate, too. Medium body and firm, silky tannins.

90 Points - Vinous:
The 2018 La Dame de Gaffelière has a very elegant and pure bouquet with red cherries, wild strawberry, rose petal and just a faint touch of liquorice. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and well judged acidity. This feels harmonious and focused. Discrete mineral notes emerge towards the finish. This is a well-crafted and quite delicious Deuxième Vin. Recommended, especially for those unable to grab the marvelous Grand Vin.
  • 25 bottles left of the vintage

Lowest CA: $44.99 btl
$39.99 btl
Below are more Bordeaux we strongly recommend.
Click on their images:
This incredible Chateau is credited with saving not only Saint-Emilion, but all of Bordeaux from complete devastation from the nonstop phylloxera attack that destroyed the world’s vineyards in the late 1800s. $189.97 btl

👉 From 2015, Among the Greatest Vintages EVER in Bordeaux
👉 98 Points and described as “HEAD-SPINNING, STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL, POSITIVELY STELLAR, EXPLOSIVE”

8 Bottles Left - Chateau Pavie Macquin Saint-Emilion 2015
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