<rss version="2.0"><channel><title>H&amp;H Bancroft RSS Feed</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx</link><description>H&amp;H Bancroft News</description><ttl>60</ttl><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: Pichon Lalande, Pavie and more</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=114</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: La Mission Haut Brion, Pichon Baron, Palmer and more</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=113</link><description>Bordeaux 2009: La Mission Haut Brion, Pichon Baron, Palmer and moreWe are starting to come to the end of the Bordeaux campaign now, with a whole host of releases this week. The second wine of Ch. Montrose, La Dame de Montrose @ £340 joins the list at the cheaper end. Then we have 2nd Growth Pichon-Baron 2009 @ £1000 and 3rd Growth Ch. Palmer 2009 @ £2,395, which seem good value compared to the expensive investment wines. Even so, La Mission Haut Brion 2009 @ £6,200 has almost sold out but we have managed to get hold of a few more cases.Dame De Montrose 2009, St. Estephe @ £340 ib"The second wine, the 2009 La Dame de Montrose, is an amazing blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. Voluptuously textured, super juicy, and sexy with intense blue and black fruits, decent acids, and silky tannin, this 2009 is already irresistible, and should keep for 10-15+ years. (Tasted once.) Drink 2010-2025. "91-93 Robert ParkerChateau Pichon-Baron 2009, 2nd Growth Pauillac @ £1000 ib"An inky/blue/purple color is followed by aromas and flavors of incense, flowery black currants, and subtle smoke and oak. This full-bodied 2009, which exhibits wonderful intensity, purity, and length, is an exceptional effort, but in this vintage, it must take a back seat to some of its peers, such as Pichon Lalande, Pontet-Canet and Lynch-Bages, not to mention all the first-growths. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful wine that should drink well for 30+ years. (Tasted three times.) Drink 2010-2040 "93-95 Robert ParkerChateau Palmer 2009, 3rd Growth Margaux @ £2395 ib"The black/purple-colored 2009 Palmer exhibits a level of tannin that exceeds anything they have previously produced. The final blend is 52% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Petit Verdot, and the finished alcohol is 13.9%. It is hard to say this 2009 will turn out better than Palmer's extraordinary 2005, but it certainly will be different in style given the alcohol level and power of this vintage. Pure blackberry and black currant fruit notes intermixed with hints of incense, graphite, and wood are followed by an opulent, thick, juicy wine with plenty of structure, and enormous concentration, mass, and length. Four to five years of patience is required, but this beauty should last for three decades or more. (Tasted once.) Drink 2010-2040 "94-96 Robert ParkerLa Mission Haut Brion 2009, Pessac-Leognan @ £6200 ib"La Mission Haut-Brion has made so many great wines over the last 100 years, it would be stupid to say the 2009 somehow exceeds this estate-s great classics, such as 1929, 1945, 1949, 1953, 1955, 1959, 1961, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000, or 2005. Certainly it will take its place in the pantheon of all the great La Mission Haut-Brions ever made. There are 6,000 cases of it, made from a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. The natural alcohol hit 14.7%, which far exceeds the perfect wines of 1982, 1989 and 1990. Opaque purple in color, with an extraordinary nose of blueberry liqueur intermixed with camphor, charcoal, hints of burning embers and truffles, and loads of black berry and black currant fruit, the wine has sublime concentration and purity, a finish that goes well past 60 seconds, and not a hard edge to be found in this sumptuous, almost over-the-top, full-bodied wine of enormous power and massive density and richness. An immortal effort, it should drink well for 50-100 years! "98-100 Robert Parker</description><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: Leoville Barton, Lynch Bages, Lascombes and more</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=112</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bancroft has moved!</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=111</link><description>Bancroft has moved!Bancroft Wines is thrilled to have moved into Woolyard, our great new office space on Bermondsey Street at the heart of London Bridge Quarter (see our Contact page for our new address).Situated next to Delfina Restaurant and opposite the Wine &amp; Spirit Education Trust (home to Bancroft's clients The Hide), Woolyard is an old converted gin factory. The developers havre created a sympathetic space with high ceilings and exposed ceilings.Together with our partner organisations -- Opus Trust, The Peter De Haan Charitable Trust, IdeasTap, National Youth Theatre and London Wildlife Trust -- we have developed a great event space and we look forward to inviting you to some tastings in the near future.</description><pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009 En Primeur: Branaire Ducru, Kirwan, Climens, Croix de Beaucaillou &amp; D'Issan</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=110</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: Prieure Lichine &amp; Grand Puy Lacoste</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=109</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: Cantenac Brown &amp; Echo de Lynch-Bages</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=108</link><description>Bordeaux 2009: Cantenac Brown &amp; Echo de Lynch-BagesChateaux Cantenac Brown 2009 @ £400 which Robert Parker describes as "The greatest Cantenac Brown I have ever tasted" and calls it a "monumental effort". This is typically Margaux in character but bolder than most. 
			Echo de Lynch-Bages @ £250 gets its name from Greek mythology that tells us that Zeus, when he wanted to dally with some pretty mortal girl, would entrust Echo with the task of diverting his wife Hera's attention with idle chatter. Discovering the secret game, Hera punished Echo by condemning her to never again be the first to speak and to ceaselessly repeat the last words she would hear. Developed as an echo of the First Wine and enjoying the same attentive care from the vine to the storehouse, "Echo de Lynch-Bages" fits seamlessly in the line of its older brother: like him he has the flavour, aroma and finish characteristic of the wines of Pauillac. It is similarly marked by its roundness and suppleness, thus requiring less storage time in the bottle. Just like the nymph whose name he now bears, he never talks first but combines charm, elegance and seductive power. Chateau La Confession 2009 @ £250 is the well-run St. Emilion property of the talented Jean-Philippe Janoueix, who does such a great job with his generic Bordeaux, Croix Mouton, and Pomerol's La Croix St.-Georges.Blanc de Lynch Bages @ £129 for 6 has been released at the lowest price on the market today for any vintage of white Lynch Bages. If you are looking for a good value 2009 white wine this looks to be a very good buy.Chateau La Confession 2009, St. Emilion @ £250 ib"Dense purple in color with a beautifully sweet nose of charcoal, red, blue, and black fruits, licorice, and a hint of toasty oak, this opaque wine has tremendous density, thick, juicy, fruit, and unctuous texture, and a long, long, finish. It should be relatively approachable in its youth, since the tannin, alcohol, and wood are largely concealed by the overwhelming density of the wine, and last for up to 20 or more years "90-93 Robert ParkerEcho de Lynch-Bages 2009, 2nd wine of Lynch Bages, Pauillac @ £250 ib"Sweet berry and currant on the nose and palate, with hints of mint. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish. This is like Lynch from the 1980s. This is made with more Cabernet Sauvignon than the old second wines of Lynch, and shows more class. "89-92 Wine SpectatorBlanc de Lynch Bages 2009 @ £129 ib per case of 6 ibA small quantity of white wine is made at Lynch Bages. Full of exotic fruit flavours of pineapple and grapefruit with a fresh herbaceous edge and crisp mineralityChateaux Cantenac Brown 2009, 3rd Growth Margaux @ £400 ibLimited stock"The greatest Cantenac Brown I have ever tasted, this monumental effort possesses enormous concentration, with loads of black and blue fruits intermixed with damp earth and forest floor. I have never seen a Cantenac Brown so seamless, so powerful, yet at the same time, so elegant and densely complex. They have certainly done something here that has not been accomplished over the last three decades I have been tasting this estate's wines. Opaque purple in color and full-bodied, this big-time sleeper of the vintage merits serious attention for the first time in my professional career. Kudos to the new ownership and team at Cantenac Brown. This wine should evolve over a 30-year period. (Tasted two times.) Drink 2010-2040. "94-96 Robert Parker</description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: D'Armailhac &amp; Alter Ego de Palmer</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=107</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: Grand Puy Ducasse, Moulin St. Georges, Lafon Rochet &amp; Clerc Milon</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=106</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: Pagodes de Cos and Giscours are released</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=105</link><description /><pubDate>Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: Haut Batailley, Potensac, Larcis Ducasse and Giscours release</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=104</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: Bernadotte, Lacoste Borie, Chasse Spleen &amp; Cantemerle</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=103</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009 En Primeur: Excellent value in Tronquoy Lalande, Bernadotte and Lacoste Borie</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=102</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 31 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: Du Tertre, Poujeaux, Fombrauge, La Tour Carnet and Bon Pasteur!</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=101</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009 En Primeur - Chateau de Fargues and Les Hauts de Pontet Canet</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=100</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009 - Mixed Sauternes Case Offer</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=99</link><description>Bordeaux 2009 - Mixed Sauternes Case OfferDue to the extremely high quality of the Sauternes in 2009, we are pleased to offer a mixed selection of some of our favourites sweet wines from the vintage. We have mixed cases of twelve 75cl bottles (£460) or 24 37.5cl bottles (£460), with an even mix from each Chateau. For those not wanting to buy a full case of Sauternes this year, a mixed case is a great way to sample the best from the vintage.The mixed case includes the following wines:Chateau Rieussec 2009, 1er Cru Sauternes "The minerality and stoniness really comes through on the nose of this Rieussec, more than the 2007. The palate is very well balanced with superb acidity, real tension, steely with great precision with notes of apricot, white peach and honey on the beautifully defined finish. Probably the best Rieussec since the astounding 2001. " 95-97 Points, Neal Martin - Wine AdvocateChateau Coutet 2009, 1er Cru Sauternes"The Coutet 2009 is a sensational effort from Philippe Baly and his team. It has a fragrant nose of honey, vervain tea, pineapple, frangipane and apple-blossom, well defined if needing a little more vigour at the moment. The palate is vibrant on the entry, informed by touches of apricot and orange peel, very focused and tensile towards the long, sensuous, viscous finish. It has the same minerality exuded by Doisy-Daene and reminds me of a stellar '62 tasted just a few weeks previously. A magnificent Coutet. " 96-98 Points, Neal Martin - Wine AdvocateChateau Guiraud 2009, 1er Cru Sauternes"The 2009 Guiraud is very tight on the nose, taking time to unfurl, with notes of apricot, peach, a touch of honeysuckle and quince. Good definition. The palate is impressive: tightly coiled, honeyed fruit, very fine acidity, linear at first then fanning out across the finish with notes of dried apricot, nectarine, a touch of almond and a faint hint of spice. With good length and unctuous on the finish, this Guiraud is impossible to ignore. " 94-96 Points, Neal Martin - Wine AdvocateChateau Suduiraut 2009, Cru Sauternes "One of the outstanding successes of the 2009 vintage, this may surpass the superlative 2007. It has a more understated nose at the moment, but is very well defined with honey, white peach, orange peel and crushed stones. The palate has a viscous entry, is very well balanced, very powerful with great depth and effervescent minerality. Layers of botrytis layer across the mellifluous finish that is beautifully defined and sensuous. Fabulous. " 97 - 99 Points, Neal Martin - Wine AdvocateChateau Rayne Vigneau 2009, 1er Cru, Sauternes "The 2009 Rayne-Vigneau is one of the stars of the vintage. It has a very well defined, almost understated nose with white peach, apricot and lime leaf: very pretty and succinct. The palate is very well balanced, beautifully defined with real minerality showing through the viscous, botrytized fruit. Great tension here, effortlessly counterbalancing the richness to perfection ." 94-96 Points, Neal Martin - Wine AdvocateChateau Doisy Vedrines 2009, 2eme Cru, Sauternes"Shows lots of lemon pie and almond spice, with hints of bitter lemon. Full-bodied, with a nutmeg and honey finish. Racy."92-95 Points, Wine SpectatorMixed Case of 12 x 75cl Bottles - £460 IB(2 bottles of each of the 6 wines above)Mixed Case of 24 x 37.5cl bottles - £460 IB(4 half bottles of each of the 6 wines above)</description><pubDate>Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009 - Monbousquet, Gazin &amp; Goulee</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=98</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: Sauternes's Finest Wines Coming Out</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=97</link><description /><pubDate>Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: A couple of Pomerols and three Sauternes</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=96</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: 3 more leading Chateaux from Sauternes</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=95</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2009: Parker reviews the vintage. High scores for Sauternes</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=94</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BORDEAUX 2009 Release: Drinking Claret Recommendation</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=93</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BORDEAUX 2009 Release: Haut Marbuzet, St Estephe</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=92</link><description /><pubDate>Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>BORDEAUX 2009: A Sweet Start To The Campaign</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=91</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>John Platter Lauds Hartenberg &amp; Cederberg in his 2010 Guide</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=90</link><description /><pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Wine Spectator award Rioja Edición Limitada 2006, Bodegas Lan - 93 Points!</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=89</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>New Spanish Releases from The Rolland Collection</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=88</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>H&amp;H Bancroft Wines Private Client Tasting - Wednesday 3rd February 2010</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=87</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Wine Spectator award Condrieu, Le Grand Vallon 2007, Francois Villard - 93 Points!</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=85</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Hartenberg's Gravel Hill Shiraz 2005 - Tom Cannavan's "Wine of the Month"</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=82</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>New Arrivals from Luigi Bosca!</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=81</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>The Christmas Wine Selection from H&amp;H Bancroft</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=80</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Tom Cannavan reviews the range from Hartenberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=79</link><description>Tom Cannavan reviews the range from Hartenberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa H&amp;H Bancroft is delighted that Tom Cannavan from Wine-Pages.com reviews Hartenberg Esatate, Stellenbosch, South AfricaYou can view Tom's full review hereSauvignon Blanc 2008
	Lovely green pea pod and asparagus nose, hints of tropicality, the palate has great zest and life, with lovely clarity and intensity. Green bean and clear lime fruit. 89/100. Weisser Riesling 2007
	Clean, zesty, herbal nose with hints of wax and a touch of paraffin. The palate has a lovely hint of lemon rind, waxy fatness, with keen acidity and a juicy, concentrated finish. Dry, or just off-dry, but quite tangy and rich. 88/100. Chardonnay 2006
	Plenty of creamy, vanillin new oak. The fruit is good - ripe orchard fruits. The palate has a richness and weighty, creamy texture. Lovely zest here too, with touches of orange and grapefruit. Lovely quality here. 90/100. Eleanor Chardonnay 2005
	Again more creamy, lightly toasty oak of very good quality. Refined tropical fruit and lime beneath. The palate has lovely texture and concentration, with a clean, lime-like acidity giving an edge to sweet, tropical, quite unctuous fruit. Stays very clean and focused. 91/100. Pinotage 2005
	Very nice, creamy black fruit nose, with a chocolate and espresso background, but very subtle. The palate has more of that super-sweet black fruit, that is ripe and creamy, with a nice bite of tannin and spice. Very long and full of flavour - and alcohol at 15.5%. 90/100. Merlot 2006
	Quite earthy, schisty and smoky. Fruit is cool and seems lean. Bursts into life on the palate, with quite decisive cherry and blackberry fruit, but tempered with some tight, juicy tannins and spice, and good acidity. Cabernet Shiraz 2005
	Nice nose with cedar and earth and cool restraint. On the palate the spice and tannins slightly out-punch the fruit, but it is savoury and chewy, and is a good food wine. 87/100. Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
	Tight, refined, cedar, sweet spice and black fruit. The palate has plenty of biting, juicy, vital black fruit with both glossy sweetness and crisp, lithe energy. Tight and sinewy tannins adding texture and grip. 92/100. Shiraz 2005
	Schisty and cool, with blue/black fruit quality. Subtle background oak supports and a hint of juicy ripeness. Lovely, elegant, medium-bodied stuff on the palate with a creamy texture and nice nipping tannins and acidity adding freshness. 90/100. The Mackenzie Cabernet Merlot 2005
	Lovely nose, brimming with ripe, spicy, creamy black fruits with plenty of gloss and succulent depth. The palate has a cool, pure, restrained black fruit quality with a nice tang and life about it. Lovely composure and balance of richness and restraint. 93/100. The Stork Shiraz 2004
	From a specific vineyard on red clay soils. Hugely intense, creamy, black fruit and meat stock nose, yet has roundness and fat. The palate has great presence too, the meaty, bacon fat richness suffused through thick, sweet black fruit. Lovely balance here, with very good concentration and a huge finish. 94/100. </description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>The Wine Doctor reviews the ‘New Agencies from H&amp;H Bancroft</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=78</link><description>The Wine Doctor reviews the ‘New Agencies from H&amp;H BancroftWinedoctor is an online wine resource that started out in 2000. Since that inauspicious beginning, it has grown to become one of the world's most useful individual web resources. Today the site is crammed with hundreds of winemaker and domaine profiles, thousands of tasting notes, detailed regional guides, maps and more.H&amp;H Bancroft is delighted that 'The Wine Doctor' gave his rave reviews to our wines at a tasting!You can view the taster notes here.France -
		
		
		René Geoffroy Brut Premier Cru Expression NV: Lots of bead here, bubbles of a moderate size, and a fairly pale hue. Very mineral on the nose, salty even, with notes of soft and crumbly rock, with a smoky-steely character and elements of pine kernels. A lovely texture on entry, soft but with lovely plump, yellow plum flavours . Minerally too though. Sappy, fading but polished finish, and a good length too. Still very youthful, this will show more evolution of flavour over the next year or two I think. It does have potential for the cellar, nevertheless it is certainly tasty now. 
	
	16+/20 (£23.50)Chateau Bertineau St Vincent (Lalande de Pomerol) 2005: A wine from the Rolland collection, this cuvée - which I have only tasted before in the 2008 vintage - shows an admirable depth of colour. Decanted, it was drinkable within an hour or two, but it remained tannin-bound for several hours more, and it was only after five hours or so in the decanter that it really developed real harmony. The nose is still very reserved and yet primary at the moment, with dark fruits overlaid with fading elements of honey-toasted oak. The palate is mostly tight, dominated by a core of ripe tannins, with good acidity and good substance. There are some perfumed elements to the fruit as the wine opens up, a note of violets amongst the savoury, meaty fruit, but overall this is for the present a withdrawn wine that demands time in the cellar. Really good potential here though, and a real sign of the strength of this vintage. 
	
	17+/20 (£28.85)Spain -
		
		
		Las Colinas del Ebro Garnacha Blanca (Terra Alta) 2008: This wine originates from Grenache vines in this region of Catalonia, in north-east Spain. The fruit is hand-harvested, sees a temperature-controlled fermentation and is bottled under a synthetic closure. The colour is pale and clean, the nose gently aromatic, with clean, fresh and dew-touched herbs, a little nuance of pear skin, and a papery edge. The palate is fresh, moderate in terms of substance, but with a nicely rounded composition. Reserved rather than lean, crisply cornered but with flesh in the middle, and subtle and steely flavours, this makes an attractive foil for summer afternoons and fish dishes. This is ready to drink now. 
	
	15/20 (£7.95)Las Colinas del Ebro Syrah Garnacha (Terra Alta) 2007: As with the white, this is harvested by hand, sees a temperature-controlled fermentation, and is bottled under a synthetic closure. A great colour in the glass, deep but a vibrant, juicy, dark cherry red. The nose is packed with fruit, dark cherry and crunchy cranberry, with a little vein of smoke too. Fresh, rich but well delineated, crunchy but ripe fruit, and lovely definition, this is a real flatterer on the palate. Broad, juicy, crunchy, flavoursome and dry, this is a stylish wine unspoiled by excess of either sugar or oak. Lovely finish, structured, with a gentle coating of savoury, cottony tannins. At the price, this is an absolute bargain. 
	
	17+/20 (£8.20)Bodegas Arrocal Ribera del Duero 2006: Sourced from the estate's Gumiel de Mercado vineyard, this is predominantly Tempranillo but also includes 4% Cabernet (I imagine Sauvignon, although this is unspecified) and 1% Merlot, and has spent six months in oak. A good glossy although dense colour in the glass. The nose still has some elements of oak, little coconutty notes alongside the dark, bright but slightly meaty fruit. Soft, warm and somewhat silky on entry, with the pleasing sweetness of blackcurrant, blueberry and damson jam, but with an element of honeyed grip which builds through the palate and which probably relates to the short period of barrel-ageing. Overall this is really good, albeit very modern and international in style, and although it is very drinkable now it is capable of picking up some interest with a little time in the cellar I think. 
	
	16.5+/20 (£11.95)Bodegas Abanico Eternum Viti (Toro) 2007: Very attractively packaged, white label and silver and black capsule, and bottled under natural cork. Very dark and glossy appearance in the glass, and a very modern style apparent on the nose, as well as on the label which declares 14.5%. Lots of fruit, with a queue of blackberry, roasted plum and damson jam, overlaid with the aroma of honeyed oak, tar and liquorice. Soft on entry, a very creamy composition, full of gently rich substance and texture. There is a tangible but ripe and velvety layer of tannins, some no doubt oak-derived, with moderate acidity too. Lots of lingering substance on the finish too. Altogether this is a very attractive wine which has many good points, and which will appeal most to fans of modern, oak-influenced cuvées. I think I would keep it a year or two to see if the wood integrates a little more though. Good.
	 16+/20 (£11.10)South Africa - 
		
		
		Hartenberg Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch) 2008: The fruit for this wine was harvested in stages over a two-week period and then fermented in steel, with four hours of skin contact and four months on the lees, with bátonnage. The nose is loaded with very typical Sauvignon fruit, some of which no doubt owes its existence to the methylpyrazines from the earlier pickings, with notes of yellow pepper, green pepper and a pungent, grassy gooseberryishness. The palate has a good impact, full-flavoured, with some fatness and texture from the lees-stirring, nicely counterbalanced by the vibrant, tingling acidity which starts out on entry and runs right through to the finish. A good style, full-on and very true to the variety. 
	
	16/20 (£10.90)Hartenberg Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz (Stellenbosch) 2005: This wine has a rich, dark plum hue in the glass. The nose is quite straightforward and laden with fruit, blackcurrant and smoky damson, with a somewhat sweet and jammy feel to it. There are also notes of coffee, dark chocolate and coconut, some of which may reflect the wines élevage in French oak for 12 months. The palate is soft, slightly sweet, full of jammy plum, damson and blackcurrant fruit, with soft and ripe tannins and a low level of acidity. There is some spice and grip towards the finish, and overall this ranks well as a sweet little crowd-pleaser.
	
	15/20 (£10.30)</description><pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Hartenberg Estate launches The Gravel Hill Shiraz 2005</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=77</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Ca' Rugate wins two "Tre Bicchieri" Awards!</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=76</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>The Eyrie Vineyards Wines at H&amp;H Bancroft Wines</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=75</link><description /><pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Just In at a great price Bollinger Rosé</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=72</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Win a free night at a Hotel du Vin of your choice</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=68</link><description /><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Mathew Jukes - 100 Best Australian Wines 2009</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=67</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>The Wine Gang Give Golden Reviews</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=65</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Reschke Wines sponsors Princes’ Polo Day</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=64</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Cederberg wins Decanter Trophy ...(Again!)</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=63</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Summer Rose Offer - Savings of up to £48/cs</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=62</link><description>Summer Rose Offer - Savings of up to £48/cs
The Wimbledon Championships are here, the sun is out and the temperature's rising. Just the moment to put a chilled rosé in the fridge to enjoy in the sunshine. 
Here are some of our favourite rosés from our range all at discounted prices. Do stock up so you have plenty of rosé for the summer!Kind regards,The Fine Wine Team @ H&amp;H BancroftCabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2008, Julio Bouchon, Chile(12x75cl) @ £7.00 £5.60/bt (£67.20/cs inc.VAT)French style with South American panache from Chile’s Maule Valley - refreshing red berry fruit and delightful well-balanced acidity.Rosé Vin de Pays d'Oc 2008, Cabrials, Languedoc(12x75cl) @ £8.10 £5.95/bt (£71.40/cs inc.VAT)From the 140 hectares of vineyards run owned by Bernard Julien near Beziers in Languedoc-Roussillon comes a rosé that is well made and refeshing. The flavours are dry and delicate with light aromas of apple and strawberry followed by a palate of summer fruits. This represents great value.Touraine Rosé 2008, Alain Marcadet, Loire(12x75cl) @ £7.90 £6.25/bt (£75.00/cs inc.VAT)A steal at this price for this light pink Loire rosé with aromas of strawberry and a crisp mouthful of apples and raspberry.Malbec Rosé 2008, Finca La Linda, Argentina(12x75cl) @ £8.25 £6.50/bt (£78.00/cs inc.VAT)Vibrant nose and plenty of rounded, fresh strawberry fruit on the palate. Medium bodied and with a wonderful crisp finish full of ripe fruit from one of the Rhone’s greatest estates. Bergerie de L'Hortus Classique Rosé 2008, Languedoc(12x75cl) @ £10.50 £8.50/bt (£102.00/cs inc.VAT)A wonderful blend of flavours on the nose and palate - aromas of strawberries and raspberries; mouthfuls of elegant dry cranberry fruit; a luxuriant long finish with a hint of lime - everything you would want from a rosé, this is wonderful wine.Sancerre Rosé Le Grand Moulin 2007, Pierre Girault, Loire (12x75cl) @ £14.55 £13.10/bt (£157.20/cs inc.VAT)Classic Loire valley rosé. Chilled, it is the perfect antidote to Spring heat with ripe, refreshing dry fruit, crisp acidity and lingering finish. At this price it represents a bargain.Tavel Rosé 2007, Domaine de la Mordorée, Rhone (12x75cl) @ £12.95 £10.95/bt (£131.40/cs inc.VAT)Big and bold with excellent freshness and intensity, full of ripe flavours and medium-bodied. Very fruity and quite long on the finish. This Tavel has to be the most serious rosé on the market.Cases are all 12x75cl</description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Julio Boucohon's "Mingre" 2006. 91+ Points, Robert Parker</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=60</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>UK RELEASE: Rolland Wines 2008 - including Bon Pasteur (93-96,RP)</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=59</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2008: Croix de Beaucaillou &amp; Brane Cantenac Release</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=58</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2008: Lagrange &amp; Grand Puy Lacoste Are Out</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=57</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2008: La Mission Haut Brion Released</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=56</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2008: Calon Ségur, Talbot, Palmer &amp; Alter Ego Are Out</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=55</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2008: Lafite, Pavillon Rouge &amp; Rieussec Offer @ Amazing Prices</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=53</link><description /><pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2008: Pichon Lalande, Lynch Bages, Du Tertre &amp;  Rieussec Offer</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=54</link><description /><pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2008: Gruaud Larose Released</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=52</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2008 En Primeur - Bargain Leoville Barton Released</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=51</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Easter Wine Offer - Discounts of up to 25% on every wine</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=50</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Rhone 2007 Vintage Report and Offer</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=49</link><description /><pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>New Agency - The Rolland Collection Comes To The UK</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=48</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>New Agency - Hartenberg Estate Joins H&amp;H Bancroft Wines</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=47</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Luigi Bosca - Argentina's 'Number One Luxury Brand' + Parker Scores!</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=46</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Jancis Robinson Sparkles In The FT</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=45</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>New Champagne House - René Geoffroy</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=43</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>New Champagne House - René Geoffroy</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=44</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>H&amp;H Bancroft's October Newsletter - 15% Off Spanish Rioja</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=42</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>News from the vineyards</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=41</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Luigi Bosca Sales Promotion at Gaucho Grill</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=40</link><description /><pubDate>Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Reschke - Official Wine to the Cartier International Polo Day 2008</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=39</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Ca’ Rugate Exclusive to H&amp;H Bancroft</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=38</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: D'Yquem 2007"...a perfect wine." 97-100, Wine Spectator</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=37</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: Léoville Las Cases</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=36</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: Mouton is released!</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=35</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: Haut Brion (91-94,RP) &amp; La Mission (90-92,RP)</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=34</link><description /><pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: Pichon Lalande, Pavillon Blanc &amp; Margaux!</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=33</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: Grand Puy Lacoste</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=32</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: Palmer &amp; Alter Ego</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=31</link><description /><pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: Leoville &amp; Langoa Barton Released!</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=30</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: Cut In Price On Vieux Chateau Certan</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=29</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: Pontet Canet Released</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=28</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: Gruaud, Talbot &amp; Fonbel Released</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=27</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: White Bordeaux Is The Highlight of 2007</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=26</link><description>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: White Bordeaux Is The Highlight of 2007You can often forget just how good white Bordeaux can be, but in 2007 we certainly had a reminder at the UGC Tastings. One of our favourites in terms of quality and value was Chateau Larrivet Haut Brion. Our tasting note reads,"60% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon, 5% Muscadelle. Slightly restrained nose but on the palate there is plenty of rounded grapefruit and crisp minerality. A lovely long finish. This is really rather good. Drink from 2010" 91/100, HHBChateau Larrivet Haut Brion blanc, Graves @ (12 x75cl) @ £225.00/csOther wines we recommend are listed below:Red Wines:- Chateau Kirwan, 3rd Growth, Margaux @ £255.00/cs"Never looks like a bad buy for 3rd Growth claret. Good drinking to be found here this year." HHB (89-92,RP)Sweet Wines:Chateau de Fargues, Sauternes @ £720/cs"d'Yquem's other property...lovely cloying fruit that just goes on and on. This wine really is spectacular." HHB (94-96,NM)Chateau Doisy-Vedrines, 2eme Cru, Sauternes @ £210/cs"Château Doisy-Védrines 2007 is perhaps the real over-achiever" 94-96pts.NMChateau Rieussec,1er Cru, Sauternes @ £515/cs"Has to be one of the best wines of the year." HHB. (19/20,JR)Chateau La Tour Blanche,1er Cru, Sauternes @ £350/cs"Beautiful balance and intensity. Excellent length and finish." HHB (90-93pts.WS)For further information on the these wines please contact the team:Contact The Fine Wine Team
	Tel: +44 (0) 20 7232 5440
	Fax: +44 (0) 20 7232 5451
	Email: The Fine Wine Team</description><pubDate>Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: Kirwan &amp; De Fargues Released</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=25</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: A Sweet Start To The Week</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=24</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 En Primeur: The First Serious Sauternes Release</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=23</link><description /><pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bordeaux 2007 - "Keeping it simple in 2007"</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=22</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>New Burgundy Listing: Domaine du Château de Chorey-Lès-Beaune</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=21</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>HHB Bin-End Offer Jan 2008</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=20</link><description /><pubDate>Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>International Wine &amp; Spirit Competition - Gold Best in Class</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=18</link><description /><pubDate>Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>New Australian Listing Just In ...</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=17</link><description /><pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Exclusive Spanish Listing at H&amp;H Bancroft</title><link>http://www.bancroftwines.com/news.aspx?nid=16</link><description>Viña Pedrosa, among Ribera del Duero’s most prestigious estates, is now exclusively available through H&amp;H Bancroft Wines. One of the region’s founding estates, the winery was established in 1980 by the three Pérez Pasquas brothers. The vineyards are considerably older, however, having been planted in the 1940’s. The original vines, mainly Tinto Fino together with a little Cabernet Sauvignon, are over 60 years’ old and lie at over 800m above sea level surrounding the picturesque town of Pedrosa de Duero. The newer vineyards are themselves over 20 years old. 
					The maturity of the vineyards gives huge depth to the wines, which are able to soak up a proportion of new oak while retaining an extraordinary level of expressive fruit. The young wood also helps to soften the underlying structure, giving wines that are refined, packed with fruit, and immensely drinkable. The wines are aged between 12 and 24 months in cask replaced every three years. Viña Pedrosa makes two styles of wine: the more modern Cepa Gavilán with its contemporary labelling, as well as the more classically labelled Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. There is also the Perez Pascuas Gran Selección, the ultimate expression of Ribera del Duero. </description><pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>