Leslie Williams - Bordeaux & Napa Valley

CHÂTEAU GRESSINA CUVÉE PIERRE BLANCHE, 2018

"The Saint Émilion satellite village of Blaye (and neighbouring Bourg) is an excellent place to bargain hunt. Merlot is king here and you can smell the chocolatey plum notes in this solid example - dark purple hue, rounded and full with the tannins only loosely binding the dark blackberry and blueberry fruits in place, blackcurrants dominate the decently long finish. Decanting will open it up a little more."

FROG’S LEAP ESTATE GROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2017

"Frog's Leap winemaker, John Williams, was in the cellar when the winning red wine at the Judgement of Paris was made - Stags Leap Cabernet. Frog's Leap has its own following these days and is fairly priced. Still youthful but drinking beautifully, this has bright plum and blackcurrant fruits on the nose, chocolate, black olive  and darker fruit flavours on the palate and a long finish."

CHÂTEAU MARTINET, 2018

"Another 2018 which is showing its youth but also drinking nicely - dark purple centre and dark red edges, blackcurrants and vanilla-edged dark fruits with some toasty oak touches. A little firm but with generous ripe fruits to compensate, open and lively. Also watch for Le Conseiller 2015 for €25 which is fruity and lithe with lovely sweet blackberry fruits and good length."