It was after 1955 that the wines of Pierre Gimonnet et Fils began to demonstrate the character that we see in them today. At this time Michel, Pierre's son, set about creating a range of Champagnes which would typify the exclusively Chardonnay Gimonnet style. Recognising the quality of the vineyards at hand, Michel raised the standard of the wines to match, and this has been continued through the next generation who continue to run the domaine today; Olivier and Didier Gimonnet, Michel's sons.
They have continued to pursue their ethos of focusing on specific vineyard sites and expressions of terroir. Their meticulous data collecting and attention to detail ensure individual Champagne of the highest quality.
Champagne Pierre Gimonnet Premier Cru 'Cuis' NV @ £22.50 ex VAT
In the official wine classification of 1855 Château Colombier-Monpelou, by some quirk of fate, was left out. That particular sin of omission did not deter the present owner, Bernard Jugla, from acquiring the property thirty years ago, since when he has brought his considerable knowledge and skill to constantly improving the quality of this wonderful wine.
The Château shares the Pauillac landscape with some impressive neighbours – Lafite-Rothschild & Mouton-Rothschild; who have recently aquired the 25 hectare estate, Grand Puy Ducasse and Pedesclaux - and if that is not recommendation enough, then the fact that Monsieur Jugla is President of the Paulliac producers should be. He is greatly respected by his peers and his wine-making skills ensure full-bodied, opulent wines with a rich and intense colour, ideal for laying down and keeping as they are best drunk at full maturity.
The 2000 vintage is hailed as a “grande année” for the wine producers of Bordeaux and is drinking well now.
Cru Bourgeois de Paulliac Château Colombier Monpelou 2000 @ £17.95 per btl (£20.64 inc VAT)
It must be said that most of Earle Wines’ customers buy wine from us to drink, if not immediately, then at least eventually. However we do keep our eye on Bordeaux en primeur (wine bought before it has been estate bottled, of which will be aged at least 2 years in oak barrels beofre being released). The 2009 Bordeaux vintage is certainly well-worth buying en primeur for the pleasure it will bring when it starts maturing but there is another reason why you might consider laying some down for the future.
Quite simply, the return for money invested in wine can and very often does out-perform the top ten performing FTSE shares. Profits from wines are free of both capital gains tax and income tax and, unlike stocks and shares, you can choose whether to sell at a future date for profit, or to keep some or all of your investment and enjoy the considerable pleasure of drinking it. Your pleasure can be stretched even further if you add the smugness factor - knowing you are drinking a wine that is worth a lot more than you paid for it!
There are risks in investing in wine just as there are investing in anything else because, for example the élevage in barrel and bottling can go wrong. However modern wine-making techniques do make these eventualities less likely nowadays and there is the added interest in the vintage being the latest harvest ever both on the Right and Left bank.
Earle Wines have been working closely with François Janoueix, one of the top wine producers & negociants in the Libournais, and we have put together a group of wines which qualities are comparable to their first growth neighbours and therefore represent good value for money. We have of course, a unique list of Cru Classé and Cru Bourgeois.
Please do not hesitate to telephone or e-mail us if you would like to discuss buying wine en primeur or Bordeaux wines in greater depth.
