Chateau Pierbone Vertical Case

From the much heralded 2010 vintage this is showing plenty of development in the glass with good depth and a brick-red rim. The nose is gorgeous with all the dried-plum, cranberry and graphite notes associated with mature claret. The palate still shows good richness of fruit, with fine dusty tannins and an appetisingly dry finish. Ideal alongside some hard, aged cheeses or with a classic beef Sunday roast.

A benchmark expression of a vintage that shows classic Bordeaux character, and just 12.5%. It still shows plenty of life and depth of colour with smoked meat and wild herbs aromas coming in. The palate is lighter than that of the 2010 but no worse for it, with grippy tannins sealing in the redcurrant and blackcurrant fruit on the palate. Certainly, one to have alongside something fatty, pork belly perhaps, to counter that grip. Or left to soften for another year or two.

The 2015 is a perfumed and enticing, medium-bodied cabernet-dominant blend with bags of character and appeal. Despite the generosity of the vintage, there’s no shortage of elegance here with red-fruit notes on the palate and a long cool finish.

From the outstanding 2016 vintage and an ideal introduction to mature claret this has been offered to us at an amazing price that surely makes it one of the best value wines in our range. Now starting to show notes of development with cigar box and graphite alongside cherry and damson fruit and a rich core that defines this much heralded vintage. Best decanted before drinking the palate is supple and rounded with great length and, whilst delicious now, will continue to improve for the next two-to-three years. Price available while stocks last.