The Wine Cru

21/06/2026

A week of contrasts.

Talaska Cuvée Weiss 2024 and Talaska Zweigelt 2024 bring something a little different to the line-up, highlighting a producer from a wine region many enthusiasts have yet to explore.

Alongside them are some remarkable Bordeaux wines, including Château Margaux 1966 and 1967, Château Mouton Rothschild 1970, Château Cantemerle 2012 and Château Rieussec 2009.

From emerging wine regions to some of the world's most celebrated estates, it's a fascinating mix of discovery and heritage.

Details via the link in our profile.

21/06/2026

Ridge Vineyard Monte Bello Vintage 2018

In 1886, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the first Monte Bello vineyards were planted, and winery construction begun. A first vintage from the young vines followed in 1892. During Prohibition (1920-1933), the vineyard was not fully maintained; some vines survived into the late 30s, but by the 1940s they were effectively abandoned. Eight acres of cabernet sauvignon were replanted in 1949. These were the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello (1962) and subsequent vintages until 1974 when younger blocks replanted in the 1960s were considered for inclusion. Since then, the historic vineyards on the ridge have gradually been replanted. The 1971 vintage was included in the Judgement of Paris tasting helping to raise the profile of the wine outside of the USA.
Typical blend Cabernet Sauvignon,  Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc. 75cl bottle. 14% Abv

Bottle condition, capsule excellent, label excellent, wine level high fill

Critic tasting note:

The sumptuous vanilla tones of American oak frame the tart blackberry notes on the nose beautifully. The palate comes in with exquisite freshness and more of that alluring, ripe but tart blackberry fruit and baking spice. There is verve and brightness here, and a lovely sinuousness that shows off the elegant, firm tannins and the aromatic nuance of the fruit. Such a classic. AK” - Falstaff

19/06/2026

Clos Du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage 2018

Clos du Val, French for “small vineyard estate of a small valley,” was founded in 1972 in the renowned Stags Leap District. The winery was first recognized for its Cabernet Sauvignon at the famed Judgment of Paris in 1976, establishing its place as one of Napa Valley’s most iconic winery estates. Still family-owned today, Clos du Val farms two estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District and Yountville appellations and continues to craft wines of balance and complexity, showcasing the fruit from the outstanding terroir on which our estate lies.

Critic tasting note:

(2018 vintage) “Lots of dried blackcurrant, dark chocolate and walnut on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, fine tannins. Flavorful finish. Try from 2022.” James Suckling

17/06/2026

Wine Cru Wednesday - we do love a rosé here at The Wine Cru, and as a category it’s grown dramatically. We came across this article that list 10 things to consider when choosing a rosé.🌹🥂

What is you current favourite Rosé

Patrick Schmitt MW gives his views on what makes a good rosé, be it sweet or dry, still or sparkling, and with ice or without.

17/06/2026

Wine Cru Wednesday!

This week a little chat about Chateau Margaux Vintage 1966

Château Margaux is one of Bordeaux’s most famous wine estates, located just east of Margaux itself in the Médoc.It was rated as a first growth in the original 1855 classification.Generally, Margaux is considered as the most elegant of the first growths, and is consistently one of the most expensive wines in the world. 1966 was one of the best vintages of the 1960s

Chateau Tasting Note February 2025

It is a rich wine with a very fine tannic structure, which has now developed lots of finesse and softness on the palate (although somewhat marked by the tannins on the finish). If it does not have the charm of the 1962, it is nonetheless excellent and remains one of the top three vintages of this decade.

14/06/2026

A varied selection this week, bringing together both familiar classics and something a little unexpected.

At the heart of the group is Talaska The Queen's Jewels Brut Vintage 2024, a Polish sparkling wine that's sure to spark curiosity.🥂

Alongside it are Bordeaux favourites including Château Brane-Cantenac 2005, Château Pontet-Canet 2004 and Château Hanteillan 1996, now approaching thirty years of age.🍷

Completing the line-up is Château Doisy-Védrines 2003, showing the richness and complexity that mature Sauternes can offer.

A thoughtful mix this week, spanning styles, regions and stages of maturity.
Details via the link in our profile.

12/06/2026

Chateau Haut Brion Vintage 1970

Château Haut-Brion’s vineyard is located in the commune of Pessac, just a few miles southwest of Bordeaux’s city center. It belongs to the Pessac-Léognan appellation, to the north of the Graves wine-growing region. Château Haut-Brion is the only wine to be both First Growth from the 1855 classification and Classified Growth of the Graves. 1970 was an excellent vintage for Bordeaux and the wines have aged well. This vintage of Chateau Haut Brion was included in The Judgement of Paris tasting which had its 50th anniversary on 24th May 2026!

Typical Blend, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabinet Franc. 75cl bottle Abv not stated.

Bottle condition, Capsule good, label good, wine level near top of emblem

 Tasting Note 27/12/2025 -90 Points

The color was medium garnet with some nice bricking, very normal for a 55 year old wine. The nose was very alluring, showing soft cherry fruit along with chocolate, vanilla, and classic Graves smoke. On the palate, it was soft and elegant, with slightly tart cherry up front and a smoky, earthy mid palate. The finish was medium in length, carrying cigar, cedar, and smoke with mostly well-balanced fruit. A really harmonious bottle where the really complex nose carried straight through to the flavour.

10/06/2026

Wine Cru Wednesday - we were interested to see this article on the resurgence of Talha wines being produced in the Alentejo region of Portugal. On a trip last year we were lucky enough to taste a couple of wines from Beana Mouro made in this way and thoroughly enjoyed them. Not many examples in the UK yet, but if you see a Portuguese wine with Tahla on the label give it a try!

Alentejo’s vinhos de talha tradition claims to date back 2,000 years to Roman times, but what was once a locally consumed curiosity is now enjoying a renaissance as wineries reinterpret the style for today’s wine drinkers. Richard Woodard reports.

10/06/2026

Wine Cru Wednesday 🍷

This week a little chat about Byrd Cotoctin Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage 1986

Byrd Vineyards (often called Byrd Cellars in older references) was one of Maryland’s pioneering premium wineries.

The winery was located in the Catoctin Valley near Myersville, Maryland, an area west of Baltimore and close to the Appalachian foothills. During the 1980s, Byrd was among the producers helping establish Maryland as a serious wine-growing region.

Byrd’s Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings from this era were not always 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. An article discussing the 1984 vintage reported the wine was a Bordeaux-style blend of approximately 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc, even though it was labeled as Cabernet Sauvignon. That was not unusual for American wines of the period.

The winery closed in the early nineties and is not to be confused with a winery of the same name in Virginia.

07/06/2026

A vintage-led selection this week, centred around three Cabernet Sauvignons from 1986.🍷🍇
Allendale Cabernet Sauvignon 1986, Penfolds Bin 707 1986, and Byrd Catoctin Cabernet Sauvignon 1986 each offer a different perspective on how Cabernet develops with time and place.

Joining them are a magnum of Clos du Marquis 2001 and Château Gruaud Larose 2002, two Bordeaux wines continuing their own journey of evolution.

A varied and intriguing group this week, linked by the stories that emerge when wines are given time.

Details via the link in our profile.🔗