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While the top châteaux have established the name and reputation of this great region, there are lots of good value, smaller properties with whom we have long standing relationships who consistently make super “drinking claret”. Tanners Claret is a well-established favourite, still extraordinarily popular. Its consistency, overseen by the house of Sichel, is excellent, as are the pair from J-P Mouiex, our supplier from the Right Bank of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. All three are benchmark wines. You will then find a raft of ‘Petits’ châteaux from the more obscure parts of the region. These are properties that we delight in searching out. They are excellent value for everyday drinking, and tend to be more forward and approachable than some of their better known cousins. Try Grand Jean, Semonlon and Trocard for the round flavours of Merlot dominated claret, d’Argadens if you like a little more Cabernet firmness. Château Montaiguillon is also classically styled, from a satellite region of Saint-Emilion, while Tour de By and Patache d’Aux are from the Médoc, maturing well and showing a lovely ‘pencil-lead’ line so typical of the best from here. If you want a touch more warmth and oak, then Peuy-Saincrit, Laclaverie or Cru Cantemerle should suit you well. In our ‘Cru’ section you will find a raft of superb names from the 2007 and 2006 vintages. The 2007s are recent arrivals, soft and forward for drinking in the mid-term. 2006 look to be well priced as the currency fluctuations have driven prices up for subsequent vintages. Behind them come a selection of more maturing wines, many increasingly rare. Our advice is to stock up while you can, the quality of these is excellent. Stephen Crosland 
2008 - A tricky vintage, initially dismissed by many but the Right Bank in particular has come on well. Some very good mid-term wines were made, overlooked in the hype of 2009s on the horizon.
2007 - A cool vintage, but some good, early drinking, fruity if lighter styles. You had to choose very carefully but there is excellent drinking here. Sauternes in contrast was almost 2001 standard.
2006 - Extremes of weather caused problems. The best properties made very good wines, and they look good value against 2005. Dry whites were outstanding.
2005 - A superb, possibly legendary vintage when everything came together. A year when everyone could have made their best claret ever.
2004 - A classic vintage with fresh fruit and ripe tannins. Their excellent balance will let them start drinking early and wines from low yields will keep well. Very good dry whites; mid-term, fresh Sauternes.
2003 - Big, powerful reds came out of the heatwave, where Saint-Estèphe, Northern Mèdoc and the Right Bank shine. Rich opulent sweet whites. Both are drinking earlier than predicted.
2002 - Needing time to soften, these are attractive, well-structured wines with a classic feel. Lesser names are perfect to drink now.
2001 - In the shadow of 2000, a mid-term drinker that is showing lovely balance and charm, although you should keep the ‘cru’ clarets longer. Sauternes is a wonderful, classic vintage.
2000 - An excellent vintage, very regular and consistent on both left and right banks and throughout the price range. Particularly good for some of the smaller Châteaux where the quality was excellent and the prices did not rise to the extent that they did further up the scale. Long term, balanced wines. Dry whites good too.
1999 - A good, typical vintage which is drinking well across the board.
1998 - A superb year for the Merlot based wines of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol but also some excellent wines from the Médoc.
1997 - A good year and many of the wines are exhibiting lovely fruit and are drinking well already. Prices which seemed high on release now look reasonable. An opportunity to buy first growths at reasonable prices.
1996 - A cool summer but a wonderful autumn saw exceptional quality being harvested, especially in the northern Médoc.
1995 - A very hot, sunny summer led to a vintage with abundant fruit and good, harmonious tannin levels.
1994 - There are some extremely good Saint-Emilion and Pomerols though quality is a little less even in the Médoc. In general, a classic long lived year.
1993 - Ideal for the short and mid term. Modern techniques salvaged some decent to good wines from what otherwise would have been a difficult year.
1990 - A great vintage that produced wonderfully rich, concentrated wines.
1989 - Full bodied, powerful wines that have a touch of the New World to them.
1988 - Fine wines offering excellent drinking.
1985 - Merlot was particularly distinguished in 1985 leading to many delicious wines, enjoyable for their ripe plumpness and harmonious flavours.
1983 - Elegant and long, these clarets are lovely mature wines now.
1982 - A superb vintage, the best continuing to age remarkably well.
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