Price: $129.99	QTY:
Chateau Teyssier Laforge St Emilion Grand Cru 2005 9 BOTTLES AVAILABLE. Purchased in 1998 from the daughter of the local blacksmith – hence the name – the initial vineyard was primarily based on a gravel outcrop, assembled over the generations with land appropriated in lieu of unpaid bills. Since the acquisition additional vineyards have been purchased on both sandy and clay over limestone soils hugging the town of Saint Emilion. The six-hectare vineyard of the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru uniquely draws together the three terroirs of the Saint-Émilion Appellation. Around ninety percent of the vineyard is composed of old-vine Merlot with the rest being Cabernet Franc. Green harvesting ensures that cropping is low. The grapes are harvested by hand and, after double-triage, are vinified in modern oak vats. The wine is subject to consistent lees suspension during ageing to enhance the body of the wine. Decanter, April 2006 "4 STARS. Concentrated black-red, very rich old-vine Merlot fruit, almost New World in lush voluptuousness held in check by firm, spicy tannins, liquorice flavours, marvellous ripeness with refreshing acidity. Drink 2009-18. (17.5 points) " Gavin Quinney, Wine & Spirit Magazine "91-92 Points - Jonathan Maltus makes Laforge from several parcels with different terroirs and in 2005 the ensemble is a great success. The best Laforge to date: Hedonistic, sumptuous merlot aged in new oak. " Jancis Robinson, April 2006 "17 Points. Drink 2014-21. Very rich and opulent. Full and round and seductive. Quite delicate with fine tannins only on the finish. Sprightly. Not especially deep but energetic and certainly sends out a drink-me message loud and clear. " Neal Martin, Wine Journal, April 2006 "19 Points. A deeper more broody nose that other wines within Jonathan Maltus' wines. Blueberry and violets finally making an entry. The palate is very concentrated with high acidity, a little more angular than I expected, very opulent on the finish. Needs time in barrel to sort itself out. The potential is there though." Steven Tanzer, International Wine Cellar "89-91 Points. Deep ruby-red. Black raspberry, licorice, menthol and mineral on the nose. Dense, rich and fine-grained but uncompromisingly dry and currently a bit unforthcoming in the middle. But this is ripe, balanced and sophisticated wine, finishing with substantial chalky, chocolatey tannins." Wine Enthusiast Online, April 2006 "88-90 Points. A smooth ripe dense wine, with well-integrated fruit, very present acidity, but also powering through with intense flavors of dark cocoa. -R.V." Wine Spectator Online, April 2006 "89-91 Points. Lots of toasted oak and very ripe fruit. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and lots of ripe and wonderful fruit. Solid wine. —J.S." "Very rich and opulent. Full and round and seductive. Quite delicate with fine tannins only on the finish. Sprightly. Not especially deep but energetic and certainly sends out a drink-me message loud and clear. From the Ch Teyssier team." 17 Points Jancis Robinson I don’t know how much it costs locally, but I want to buy a few. It’s Merlot dominant (as you would expect) with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc and as an unreformed Merlot enthusiast..well let’s just say I’m very enthusiastic… Delightful aromatics - black plum and blue fruits, tar, minerals, white flowers, camphor and liquorice all backed up with toasty oak. It’s a veritable shopping list of descriptors all right. In the mouth full bodied, concentrated and strong with plenty of dry tannic extract, fresh acidity and rich ripe fruit that saturates the palate - falling to savoury and earthy rather than sweet. Finishes long and dry with a slick of fine powdery tannin. Authoritative and engaging: a great wine. Drink : 2015 - 2025 95 points Gary Walsh, Winorama