thewinesociety.com/openingofferBX0412/1

BORDEAUX 2011 A FIRST OPENING OFFER OF THE TOP 30 PRE-ORDER WINES

Ripe, pure and traditionally-styled ClaretsBordeaux 2011 is one for the record books: meteorologically, it was an unusual year, which proved beyond all doubt thevalue of attentive work in the vineyards and rigorous selectionat harvest. The top-notch properties featured here have thenecessary means and the experience to make stricter grapeselections to ensure the quality of the grand vin when theweather requires. Even so, many have gone still further in2011, so that these wines can truly be called the cream of thisyear’s crop. They represent the most individual expressions ofBordeaux, this year characterised by ripeness balanced byrefreshing purity of fruit and fine, tight-knit tannins that returnto a more traditional style of Bordeaux that many enthusiastshave missed in recent vintages.

2011 is a vintage that does not closely reflect any other inrecent years. Many in Bordeaux suggest ‘a bit like 2001 butbetter’ – high praise considering how good that vintage hasturned out to be. Others suggested somewhere between 2004and 2008, and most agree that the good wines are a significantstep up from the 2007s. No, the wines do not display theconcentration or exuberance of the 2009s and 2010s, but wefound outstanding examples throughout Bordeaux; particularlyin Saint-Julien and Pauillac, and in the most favoured sites inPomerol and Saint-Emilion. In almost every case however, thewines are a fresher, more classically proportioned expression ofBordeaux than the last two vintages, usually with a degree or adegree and a half less alcohol. Whilst prices are still to bereleased by the châteaux, indications are that they will besignificantly more affordable than 2010.

What made 2011?Nature threw every possible challenge at Bordeaux in 2011,and success depended on a combination of nurture, in theinstinctive hands of the true vigneron, and wise, and oftentough, decision-making. Of the highest importance were thesorting of good from bad grapes, and the date of picking,which was crucial to achieve maximum ripeness without losing freshness.

The harvest was early, sometimes by two or three weeks, andbenefited from largely fine weather in September withoutwhich many cabernets would not have been ripe and thevintage would have offered mean pickings indeed. Summercame in spring (the driest since 1949 in the Médoc) and earlyflowering took place under favourable conditions. However, bythen many vines were already suffering the effects of drought,so that the short heat spike of a couple of days over 40°C atthe end of June proved too much, and subsequent ripeningwas irregular. Indifferent weather in August further underlinedthe need for strict selection. As a result, volumes are generallydown, sometimes significantly so on the left bank,compounding the impact of yields already reduced by naturallysmall berries. However, in healthy, ripe fruit, the thick skins andnaturally high levels of acidity and tannins, when sensitivelyhandled in the cellar, produced excellent results that willprovide a great deal of pleasure to lovers of traditionally-styledClarets.

Pre-orders by telephone and website only will be accepted.

To pre-order and for the latest information and prices visit thewinesociety.com/openingoffer or telephone Member Services on 01438 740222

2011 BORDEAUXIN BOND

Château Hosanna, Pomerol

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1. CS8501 Château Clos Fourtet, Saint-Emilion £150 to £375The Cuvelier family have made a delicious 2011: 89% black-cherry-scented merlot, with the addedspicy intensity of 60% new oak, and with wonderful freshness to lift the palate. 2018–2030.

2. CM15821 Château Duhart-Milon, Pauillac £200 to £475Typically tightly-knit Duhart, 75% cabernet, 25% merlot, picked early between 5th and 21stSeptember. The tannins are there but well managed; the balance is well judged, and the palateelegant and long. 2022–2035.

3. CM15791 Château Léoville Barton, Saint-Julien £200 to £375Along with many of their Saint-Julien neighbours, the Bartons made excellent wines in 2011.Léoville is dense and powerful but without heaviness, with fresh red and black-fruit flavour,revealing greater richness and spice on the palate. 2018–2035.

4. CS8411 Château Canon, Saint-Emilion £200 to £425Elegantly honed Claret from the owners of Chanel, with velvety fruit texture and classic tanninstructure. This year's blend follows vineyard plantings, with 70% merlot and 30% cabernet franc.2018–2032.

5. CM15801 Château Léoville Poyferré, Saint-Julien £225 to £400Picked later than Léoville Barton, and with more merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot, this hasrich, plush, fragrant fruit, supported by a solid tannic backbone. Generous but will keep, and needsat least ten years. 2022–2038.

6. CM15811 Château Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan £250 to £475A beautifully elegant, feminine expression of this fine estate, with lovely fresh lift, gently roundedtexture, and consistency and length on the palate. Very fine indeed. 2020–2035.

7. CM15841 Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac £300 to £500Typically polished and classy, rich and creamy textured, with solid, oak-enhanced structure. Majoritycabernet sauvignon (72%), with lovely depth of flavour and balance. A keeper. 2020–2035.

8. CM15851 Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac £300 to £550A fine Pauillac and one of the wines of the vintage once again, which, they are convinced, is dueto biodynamic cultivation of the vineyards. A beautiful wine, scented with black-cherry and headyfloral perfume, yet exquisite freshness. 2020–2038.

9. CM15871 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron, Pauillac £300 to £600With their highest-ever proportion of cabernet sauvignon (82%), much of it from 50-60 year-old-vines, giving perfumed cassis notes, this is a serious, muscular Pauillac which Christian Seely likenedto 2001 but with ‘more fruit and personality’. 2023–2040.

10. CM15881 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac £300 to £600Fleshier and more feminine than Pichon Baron’s muscle, with trademark elegance, style andfragrance, with 12% cabernet franc playing a key supporting role. 2020–2040.

11. CM15891 Château Montrose, Saint-Estèphe £300 to £600Harvested throughout September, this is a sweet and spicy-fruited blend of 63% cabernetsauvignon, 22% merlot, 12% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot, with ripe tannins and silkytexture. A model of restraint, with real finesse. 2020–2035.

Ref Price range, per six

HOW THIS FIRST OPENING OFFER WORKSThe Society is offering a selection of 30 of the most sought-after wines of the vintage in a different way this year,requiring members to pre-order based on a guide price range. The process for our main Opening Offer, which will contain all the other, mostly lower-priced, wines will remain unchanged and this will be available from June or early July as normal.

■ At this stage, members wanting these wines need to place a pre-order. The pre-order will be based on the guide price range that we have specified. Members may, however, indicate a maximum price which they would be prepared to pay within thisprice range.

■ When the actual price of a wine is released by the château (The Society has no control over when this will be) members willbe notified whether they have been successful. If the actual price exceeds the guide price, we will contact the member to askwhether they would still like to order the wine.

■ If your pre-order is successful, we will debit your payment card for the wine shortly after allocation.

■ All the wines in this offer are in six-bottle cases this year.

Pre-order these wines online or by telephone

2011 Bordeaux Opening_D 18/04/2012 12:47 Page 3

12. CS8481 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol £350 to £650A perfectly poised wine defined by its 30% cabernet franc, the highest proportion since 2000 (and 1988 and 1983 before that). Beautifully balanced, very fresh, creamy textured, perfumed anddistinguished. One of our wines of the vintage and will be very fine indeed. 2021–2035.

13. CM15911 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien £375 to £650Saint-Julien boasted a string of stand-out wines this year. Ducru, which made its smallest vintageever in 2011, is dense and rich, with wonderful fresh attack from 85% cabernet, and great depthof flavour; may be the best in the commune in a very strong field. 2025–2040.

14. CM15901 Pavillon Rouge, Margaux £400 to £650Paul Pontallier thinks this exquisitely perfumed Pavillon may be better than the 2005. It weighs inat just 13% and is perfectly proportioned with seductive, silky palate. 2020–2030.

15. CS8431 Château Bélair-Monange, Saint-Emilion £400 to £600Notes on this wine will be added online following tasting in Bordeaux in the week of 16th April; on its recent form we are very likely to include it in our selection here.

16. CS8441 Château Hosanna, Pomerol £400 to £600Notes on this wine will be added online following tasting in Bordeaux in the week of 16th April; on its recent form we are very likely to include it in our selection here.

17. CS8471 Château L'Evangile, Pomerol £400 to £750Pomerol at its most seductive, with heady perfume and velvety texture over a solid, elegant frame.94% merlot, 6% cabernet franc. 2018–2035.

18. CS8421 Château Tertre Rôteboeuf, Saint-Emilion £450 to £700Notes on this wine will be added online following tasting in Bordeaux in the week of 16th April; on its recent form we are very likely to include it in our selection here.

19. CS8461 Château La Fleur-Pétrus, Pomerol £500 to £800Notes on this wine will be added online following tasting in Bordeaux in the week of 16th April; on its recent form we are very likely to include it in our selection here.

20. CM15931 Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac £600 to £1000A complete wine, with ripe cassis and blackberry scented merlot (35%) and wonderful density,structure and balance. Infinitely more approachable than the grand vin at this early stage. 2020–2030.

21. CM15941 Château Palmer, Margaux £600 to £950Beautifully elegant Palmer made from just 20hl/ha, the lowest yield here since 1961. 55% merlot,45% cabernet sauvignon in a much more restrained style than recent vintages, recalling finePalmer vintages of old. Resist for fifteen years. 2026–2040.

22. CM15961 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan £750 to £1750Rich and, for the vintage, generous and dense with velvety tannins and lovely heady perfume,elegantly poised for a long future. 2020–2040.

23. CM15951 Carruades de Lafite, Pauillac £850 to £1500 Classically structured Carruades with the aromas of fresh, but ripe, black fruits and plums, solidstructure and fine length, with splashes of cabernet franc and petit verdot adding silk and spice to this cabernet sauvignon-dominated (55%) blend. 2018–2030.

24. CM15991 Château Margaux, Margaux £1250 to £2500The lowest yield here since 1991 and the earliest harvest since 1893, Margaux is a beacon ofquality, purity and balance this year. The blend is similar to 2010 but the wine is quite different:poised, restrained, fragrant and very fine. 2022–2045.

25. CS8511 Château Cheval Blanc, Saint-Emilion £1250 to £3000The first to be made in the stylish new cellar, which allows each small plot to be handledindividually, adding greater precision at every stage. Real elegance here, creamy and persistent on the palate, with 52% cabernet franc and 48% merlot. 2020-2040.

26. CM15971 Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan £1500 to £2500Richly structured Haut-Brion, less fleshy and charming than the La Mission at this point, buteverything in proportion. Jean-Philippe Delmas likened it to the 2008 but believes it will beapproachable earlier. 2022–2045.

27. CM15981 Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac £1500 to £2500Silky and generous Mouton showing plenty of flesh on the bone, blossoming to greater complexity on the palate, with fine-grained tannins rounded by sweet, toasty oak. 2022–2045.

Ref Price range, per six

continued over...

Pre-order these wines online or by telephone

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The International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society Limited. Registered Office: Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2BT Register Number: 1824R (IP)

Website thewinesociety.comEnquiries 01438 741177Orders 01438 740222

The Society’s GuaranteeDrinking wine bought from The Wine Society should be a pleasurable experience. If at any timeyou are dissatisfied, we would like to hear from you. Contact us and we will be pleased to help.

facebook.com/TheWineSocietytwitter.com/TheWineSociety societygrapevine.com thewinesociety.com/app

Notifications by e-mail and text messageThe Society is able to send transactional correspondence includingnotification of wines allocated for opening offers, and subsequent invoices,by e-mail and in some cases, text message.

If demand exceeds supplyAlthough pre-ordering reduces the likelihood, there is still a chance that somewines may be oversubscribed. In the event of this occurring, we will share out(as far as is practical) the available stock equally amongst ordering members.If this still does not allow every member to have some wine, then as a finalresort we divide members into groups depending on their level of support forThe Society (quantity of wine bought, spend, orders placed etc). Memberswho have given greater support to The Society will have a better chance (but no certainty) of being allocated wine, and those who have given lesssupport will have a lesser chance (but still a chance).

Members’ ReservesThe Society’s Members’ Reserves is a purpose-built, temperature-controlledfacility offering members access to optimum storage conditions. The annualrental charge (currently £7.92 per dozen if paid by direct debit, £9.12 if not)includes VAT and insurance at replacement value. Any wine bought from The Society, by the unmixed or pre-mixed dozen, may be added or removedat any time. Members using the facility receive an annual account which listswines held, along with The Society’s recommended drinking dates for each.

For information and to order from offer please contact The Society on 01438 740222, or visit thewinesociety.com/openingoffer

Ref Price range, per six

28. CM16011 Château Latour, Pauillac £1800 to £3000The most challenging of the first growths to taste early, this is a lithe, muscular Latour with strongbackbone and well-honed, fine-grained tannins from close to 85% cabernet sauvignon, with just a drop of petit verdot, and the balance merlot. 2025–2048.

29. CS8491 Château Ausone, Saint-Emilion £2000 to £4000A wine of exquisite, almost Burgundian, finesse, perfumed with sweet fruit, and incomparablepurity lifted by perfectly balanced freshness. Only 1,500 dozen produced. 55% cabernet franc,45% merlot. 2018–2035.

30. CM16001 Château Lafite, Pauillac £2250 to £2750Dense, classically-framed Lafite solidly built on a majority of cabernet sauvignon (80%), with 20%merlot. Real breeding and purity of fruit here. 2022–2045.

What the price includes:■ Prices shown include delivery to a UK address. They do

not include excise duty or VAT.

■ Payment of duty and VAT, at the prevailing rate (currently £22.81 duty per 12 75cl-bottle case, £11.40per six-bottle case and 20% VAT payable on wine andduty) will be requested once the wines arrive atStevenage. This is expected to be summer 2014.

■ Once the wines arrive at Stevenage, members may opt tohave them delivered within the UK or stored in duty-paidMembers’ Reserves. Should a member not provide The Society with their instructions when requested, wineswill automatically be placed in The Society’s duty-paidMember Reserves, and the member will be charged oneyears’ non-refundable reserve rental at the prevailing rate.

Notes ■ Members, especially those living overseas, should note

that only unmixed cases may be exported or transferredto an outside bond.

■ Wines are offered in cases of six bottles as indicated.

■ Please note that these wines cannot be collected fromour showroom in Montreuil.

We encourage members to place their order as soon as possible as once a particular wine’s price isreleased by the château, no more pre-orders will be taken for that wine.

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