Overwhelmed this En Primeur?
Consider these alternatives...

This year’s 2009 En Primeur vintage has been receiving a greater than usual coverage in the press, not only for the high quality of the wine but also for the high prices they are achieving. If you are looking to escape the hype this year, don’t forget that there are already outstanding Bordeaux wines available now, and for a lower price than the 2009s.

An excellent alternative is the 2005 vintage. Also hailed as one of the greatest vintages of the last decade, the 2005s are in bottle and available now. This fantastic vintage will age beautifully for many more years, or if you prefer, with a little decantering you can enjoy them now without further cellaring.

Why not consider these great wines:

Chateau Moulin de Clotte 2005
RMB 225

Chateau Du Seuil Grave Rouge 2005
RMB 280

Chateau Marcadis Lalande-De-Pomerol 2005
RMB 280

Frank Phelan Saint-Estephe 2005
RMB 345

Lacoste Borie 2005
RMB 350

Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion 2005
RMB 495

Chateau Grand PUY Ducasse 2005
RMB 675

Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste 2005
RMB 1550

Chateau Cos D'Estournel Grand Cru Class 2005
RMB 2950

Why decant wine?

Do you ever wonder whether or not to decanter a wine? Basically there are two reasons to use a decanter. First, if the wine is old enough that it may have sediment then decanting will prevent the sediment from being poured into the glass. If this is the case then the wine should be decanted only a short while before consuming as the aroma’s and flavours may disappear if it is opened too far in advance.

Secondly, if the wine is big and young it may be very tannic due to its youth and should be decanted. In this case decanting allows the wine to breath and soften. The exposure to oxygen will cause the young wine to become more aromatic and flavourful and will soften the effect of tannins on your palate. A big young wine should be decanted well in advance of consuming.

Decanting is easy: Just pour it into the decanter. For young wines, let them sit for twenty minutes or more before you serve it, and you'll likely notice a dramatic increase in subtlety and complexity. If you have the luxury of time, continue tasting the wine over a period of hours. It may keep evolving and improving.

Ruby Red crystal and glass decanters start from RMB195. Contact us to place your order or to learn more about our entire range of glassware.