As you may have seen, answering requests from various members, our Bordeaux-based correspondent James Lawther MW has been diligently sharing his impressions of vertical tastings at particulary interesting Bordeaux châteaux. Here are links to them in reverse order of publication:
Les Carmes Haut-Brion
Durfort-Vivens
Figeac
Talbot
We wondered whether you would like to suggest any other châteaux you would be particularly interested in? We can’t guarantee to obey your every suggestion but it would be great to hear what would particularly please members.
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Calon Segur, Leoville Barton and Leoville Poyferre
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I love the verticals and hope they are successful in terms of ticking the KPI boxes for the editorial team.
In addition the excellent (where next?) suggestions above, I would be interested to see Ch Laroque and Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre and if going smarter, perhaps Ch Palmer…
Thank you for these suggestions. Kindly note the pretty recent Léoville Poyferré vertical
Rauzan Segla , Domaine de Chevalier , Giscours…actually if we carry on like this you’ll end up with pretty much all the chateaux !!..not a bad thing IMHO
Pretty much all BDX chateaux would be of potential candidates.
Interesting would be chateaux with recent changes in ownership/winemaker (how’s the new team doing) or a change in production method (e.g. gone bio) or change in cuvee or …
Interesting would be chateaux with recent changes in ownership/winemaker (how’s the new team doing) or a change in production method (e.g. gone bio)
That has been our criterion so far…
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I’d like to see a vertical on Montrose. I think it’s one wine that can really be outstanding.
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Great job today by James Lawther in his Gruaud-Larose vertical. Keep them coming please 
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Agreed really appreciate. It is interesting to compare the verticals to the horizontals - the different perspectives help give a rounder view of the wine.
I wonder if a Sauternes vertical could be done. Jancis recently did a vertical which was an interesting read, but I doubt I will ever taste any of those venerable vintages. Wonder about something where there is a reasonable chance of finding the wines (say last twenty years).
Request noted. How many others would be interested in a vertical of a good Sauternes château - Suduiraut perhaps?
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Yes please. Also possibly Rieussec
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Yes please to a Suduiraut vertical. Many years ago I shared a half bottle of their 1958 (my birth year) with my father that was beautifully mature in a way I’d never tasted before in a sweet wine. Don’t worry I won’t expect that year to be reviewed! And many thanks for the Pichon Baron vertical.
A couple of other general suggestions:
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Dry White Bordeaux. Personally I am little confused by dry white Bordeaux aging - so wondering if a vertical or two could help enlighten. Possibly could do a two for one at some chateau: Pessac Leognan for both white and red (Domaine de Chevalier or Malartic Lagraviere would interest me), or a Sauternes chateau could include a vertical of their dry whites. (I am conflicted by dry white from Sauternes, as I do not want them to give up on the special stuff even though it is hard to business justify).
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Quite a few of the recent verticals have been second growths or equivalents. I really appreciate them - as they represent basically the upper limit of where I am aiming for in terms of price and quality. I wonder if some verticals can be done on some good wines that are less expensive too? Fifth growths that are improving, ambitious cru bourgeois etc.
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Meyney, d’Armailhac, Malescot-St-Exupéry and Saint-Pierre are four more that I would like to see. Have really enjoyed reading about the verticals, already undertaken, so thanks.
Loved the Decru vertical - keep them coming!!
Many thanks for the Montrose vertical which, dozily, I have only just spotted! Anyway, after a forensic examination, I have bought 6 bottles of the 2016 which I’m sure will be well worth waiting for.
I remember having a bottle of the 1990 in a restaurant just off the Strand (probably around 2000, or 2005 at the latest) and being mesmerised at the flavours. I’d had in my mind that the 1989 was the star vintage. The owner said “You don’t want it decanted do you?”, “Oh, yes please”! Why I didn’t buy a case after that experience I’ve no idea (obviously stupidity).
Montrose 1990 is/was a famous wine…