2012 Les Angelots de Gracia

Average Score

Critic Notes

Opaque purple, with an absolutely exquisite nose of blueberry liqueur, blackcurrants and acacia flowers, the sensational aromatics are followed by a wine still marked somewhat aggressively by new oak. It is medium to full-bodied and has a nobility and underlying power that are very high quality. This wine (90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc) is one of the few 2012s that needs another 3-4 years of bottle age and should drink well for 15-20 years. Sadly, production was a micro 1,500 bottles. Apr 2015, www.robertparker.com

Score: 93-/100Robert Parker

Château Ausone: The Ethereal Estate of Saint-Émilion

Visiting Chateau Ausone during En Primeur Week, we were fortunate enough to spend some time with owner Alain Vauthier and his son Edouard (who has grown up working at the Chateau) to discuss the changes afoot at Saint-Emilion’s most prestigious address. Chateau Ausone has, without question, been producing some of the finest wines in the world for many decades, but ...

ON April 12, 2019

Isabel Ferrando on finding the 'Saint Prefert identity'

"Proprietress Isabel Ferrando has taken her Saint Prefert estate to France’s highest level, and she’s unquestionably making some of the most profound wines on earth today, including both reds and whites." So said Rhone expert Jeb Dunnuck on release of the 2016 vintage. The names Isabel Ferrando and Saint Prefert have indeed become synonymous with Southern Rhone of the highest ...

ON July 25, 2019

How to Spend 24 Hours in Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara Hills in Southern California (situated just north of LA, beyond Malibu) are currently producing some of the most exciting wines in the whole of California. Whilst less established than Napa Valley or Sonoma further North, this wilder territory has attracted a young generation of winemakers who are not scared to experiment. Just a few decades since the ...

ON March 29, 2019

Tuscany Wine Journal, Day Three: Biondi Santi

Introducing the latest installment of FINE+RARE buyer Jessica Bryans’ Tuscany Wine Journal, documenting her whistle-stop tour of all the region has to offer. Day One · Day Two** ** Day Three: Meeting the Godfather of Brunello Another great day, tasting great Brunelllo. I started the morning with Brunello for breakfast at the estate of Gianni Brunelli – run by the lovely Laura Brunelli. With her new ...

ON October 23, 2015

Discover Santa Barbara Wine Country with The Hilt's Matt Dees

Santa Ynez, Santa Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon – these are all wine growing AVAs in the Santa Barbara region of Southern California which, over the last few decades, has seen itself become one of the most interesting and diverse wine growing regions in the US. Despite being further South than the likes of Napa and Sonoma, it is in fact ...

ON March 29, 2019

Country

France

Region

Bordeaux

Sub-region

Saint Emilion

Colour

Red

Taste

Dry

Alcohol %

Product Type

Still wine

Product Subtype

Drinking Window