Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Merlot (13%)
Drinking Window: 2035-2065

98-99 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A commanding Château Pichon Baron that perfectly expresses the power, precision and nobility of Pauillac. Intense aromas of cassis, blackberries and dark cherries are layered with violets, graphite, cedar, cigar box and hints of dark chocolate and exotic spices. Full-bodied and impeccably structured, the palate delivers remarkable concentration wrapped in velvety, ultra-fine tannins. A vibrant mineral backbone and fresh acidity provide exceptional energy and balance, carrying the wine through seamless layers of pure dark fruit and savory complexity. The finish is extraordinarily long, refined and persistent, confirming its place among the elite wines of the vintage with outstanding aging potential.”

Blend: 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Sémillon
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2038

98 Points - Vinous
“A full-bodied white that’s 60% sauvignon blanc and 40% semillon. Very bright acidity with creamy wood influence. Intense kiwis, green stone fruit and guavas. Long, intense, textured and so vibrant, with a lasting, mouthwatering finish.”

Blend: 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Sémillon
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2038

98 Points - Vinous
“A full-bodied white that’s 60% sauvignon blanc and 40% semillon. Very bright acidity with creamy wood influence. Intense kiwis, green stone fruit and guavas. Long, intense, textured and so vibrant, with a lasting, mouthwatering finish.”

Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly knit, very subtle layers of minerals, floral notions and black and red berries, all framed by exquisitely ripe, silt-like tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with epic length and depth.

Blend: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the remainder Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2022-2055

98 Points - Neal Martin, Vinous
"The 2015 Pichon Lalande is richly layered and impeccably balanced. It opens with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, rose petals, and toasted oak. On the palate, it is full-bodied and lush, with velvety tannins and bright acidity that lift the fruit. Complex notes of graphite, licorice, and spice weave through the dense core of dark fruit. The finish is long and elegant, showcasing the wine’s harmonious texture and purity. A superb vintage that combines power with finesse.”

Blend: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window for Magnum Size: 2028–2060

98 Points - James Suckling
"The 2018 Pichon Lalande is rich and opulent with expressive aromas of blackberries, black cherries, rose petals, and toasted spices. The palate is full-bodied and dense with silky tannins and layers of ripe fruit supported by fine acidity. Flavors of dark chocolate, licorice, and graphite add complexity, while the finish is long and persistent. This is a powerful yet elegant wine with excellent ageing potential, showcasing the hallmark finesse of Comtesse de Lalande.”

Blend: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2056

98 Points - James Suckling
"The 2018 Pichon Lalande is rich and opulent with expressive aromas of blackberries, black cherries, rose petals, and toasted spices. The palate is full-bodied and dense with silky tannins and layers of ripe fruit supported by fine acidity. Flavors of dark chocolate, licorice, and graphite add complexity, while the finish is long and persistent. This is a powerful yet elegant wine with excellent ageing potential, showcasing the hallmark finesse of Comtesse de Lalande.”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (83%), Merlot (14%), Cabernet Franc (3%)
Drinking Window: 2035-2065

98-99 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A magnificent Pichon Comtesse de Lalande that combines power, elegance and extraordinary precision. Intense aromas of cassis, blackberries, violets and graphite unfold alongside hints of cedar, cigar box and exotic spices. The palate is layered and seamless, with remarkable purity of fruit supported by ultra-fine tannins and vibrant freshness. Concentrated yet weightless, it delivers exceptional depth and complexity while maintaining a sense of grace and refinement. The finish is incredibly long, mineral-driven and persistent, confirming its place among the elite wines of the vintage.”

Blend: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2028-2050

96 Points - Decanter
"This wine offers pure, sophisticated aromatics of blueberries, blackcurrants, peony, and iris, with crayon and inky notes. Smooth and silky, it delivers great energy and intensity, balancing delicate chew, fleshiness, and fine, muscular tannins. Structured yet tight, it reveals iodine, salty graphite, cool blue fruit, mint, and cola. The texture grows on the second taste, gaining mass and flesh, with juicy sweetness on the mid-palate, evolving into a chewy finish. Tobacco, clove, liquorice, dark chocolate, and cedar add complexity. Mouthwatering acidity and precise balance showcase Nicolas Glumineau's skill, creating a svelte, energetic wine with a lot going on. 16% press. 50% production. 65% new oak. 3.7pH."

Blend: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2028-2050

96 Points - Decanter
"This wine offers pure, sophisticated aromatics of blueberries, blackcurrants, peony, and iris, with crayon and inky notes. Smooth and silky, it delivers great energy and intensity, balancing delicate chew, fleshiness, and fine, muscular tannins. Structured yet tight, it reveals iodine, salty graphite, cool blue fruit, mint, and cola. The texture grows on the second taste, gaining mass and flesh, with juicy sweetness on the mid-palate, evolving into a chewy finish. Tobacco, clove, liquorice, dark chocolate, and cedar add complexity. Mouthwatering acidity and precise balance showcase Nicolas Glumineau's skill, creating a svelte, energetic wine with a lot going on. 16% press. 50% production. 65% new oak. 3.7pH."

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Merlot 20%
Drinking Window: 2020-2050

94 Points - Robert Parker
"The 2014 Pichon-Longueville Baron was broody at first, as if a big No Entry sign had been placed in front of the aromatics. But peeking underneath are some wonderful blackberry, cedar and graphite aromas that just sing of Pauillac and exude typicity. The palate is medium-bodied with very impressive depth and concentration on the entry, a superb line of acidity and outstanding precision on the finish. This is clearly fulfilling its potential that it showed from barrel. The only drawback is that it might be unfairly overshadowed by the 2015 Pichon Baron! This will be one of those over-performing Pauillacs, perhaps like the 1990 Pichon Baron, that will delight for years to come."

Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot
Drinking Window for Magnum Size: 2026 – 2055

95 Points - James Suckling
"Irony and smoky intensity on the very youthful nose. Really rich and tannic, but as it flows over your palate it becomes more and more suave and complex. This is a concentrated, long‑term wine that demands some patience but should richly reward it.”

Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2028-2048

96 Points - Vinous
“The 2024 Pichon Baron is a very sexy wine. Deep and layered on the palate, with fine depth, the 2024 exudes balance. Sumptuous black cherry, mocha, new leather, licorice, menthol, lavender and pine are all dialed up. There's gorgeous breadth and overall presence here. The Cabernet Sauvignon is quite high at 87%, but it is really the wine's balance that speaks loudest. Here, too, the reduction of new oak to 70% really helps the wine speak with precision.”

Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2030 - 2065

98 Points - Wine Advocate
“Aromas of sweet dark berries and cherries mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, pencil shavings and licorice introduce the 2022 Pichon-Longueville Baron, a full-bodied, layered and multidimensional wine that's deep, dense and lively, with terrific concentration, sweet tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Integrated and serious, this hints at the lavishness inherent to the vintage, while remaining classic and controlled. This blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot was bottled in June. 2032 - 2065"

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Montrose 2020 offers silky tannins interwoven with flavors of blackberry, tobacco, and graphite —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2032–2050

A true classic in the making, Montrose 2024 is firm, precise, and deeply layered, highlighting its record-setting proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. Vivid cassis, cigar wrapper, and mineral notes meet refined tannins and remarkable length.

97 Points - James Suckling
"This shows finesse and elegance as well as plenty of subtle red currant and blackcurrant character. Medium-bodied with refinement and length. Tender, vivid and pure. Extremely well done in a difficult year."

The remarkable 2021 Montrose gets my nomination for the title of "wine of the vintage" in the Médoc. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis and dark berries mingled with subtle hints of mint, orange, pencil shavings and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered and multidimensional core of fruit underpinned by beautifully ripe, refined tannins. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, it entirely transcends the limitations of the year. This young classic, reminiscent of the estate's 1996 but far better, is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Drink 2031-2065.

Chateau Montrose is a 2nd growth in the Saint Estephe appellation of the left bank of Bordeaux. The location itself is exceptional, facing the Gironde Estuary which means the 95ha vineyard benefits from the moderating influence of this body of water during hot summers and harsh winters. This red blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and scored over 95 by many of the critics. All typical Medoc aromas and flavours of blackcurrant, licorice, pencil lead, crushed stones, warm spices and violets. Balanced and impressive, give this a decade before opening and age for the next 30+ years.

The 2020 Cos d'Estournel is composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot. The harvest took place September 10– 24, yielding 39 hectoliters per hectare. The alcohol weighs in at 13.46% with a pH of 3.9 and an IPT (total phenolic index) of 80. It is being aged in French oak barrels, 55% new. Deep purple-black in colour, it pops with explosive scents of ripe red and black currants, black cherry preserves and black raspberries, followed by sparks of violets, wild sage, pencil lead and clove oil, with emerging hints of iron ore and damp soil. The medium-bodied palate has amazing elegance and grace contrasted by jaw-dropping energy, featuring a firm frame of finely grained tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with a whole firework display of mineral nuances.

The 2021 Cos d'Estournel is one of the denser, more muscular wines of the vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, charcoal, sweet cigar wrapper and subtle hints of smoked meats, framed by a touch of toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's rich and quite concentrated for the vintage, with a chassis of sweet, generously extracted tannin and a long, lusty finish. Drink 2026-2045.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (39%), Petit Verdot (1%)
Drinking Window: 2034 - 2050

98-99 Points - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A density to this, yet it remains balanced and complex, with well-integrated tannins and a juicy finish. It seems to be a wine with lots of fruit, but then it diffuses and shows open-grained, velvety tannins. Intense yet subtle blackberries, lead pencil and hazelnuts. Some flint. Persistent and reserved at the end. Great potential. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot and 1% petit verdot.”

Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2028-2050

98 Points - Vinous
“The 2024 Cos d'Estournel could very well be one of the wines of the vintage. Bright and vibrant in the glass, with tons of energy, the 2024 impresses with its vertical structure, depth and overall balance. Blue/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, lavender and mocha are beautifully delineated throughout. The 2024 is super-classic. The modest 12.8% alcohol is notable, especially because that also means there is less extraction of wood. Cos is one of my early favorites in 2024.”

Super perfumed, attractive violets with a thread of fresh blueberries, cassis, blackberries and dark plums, delivering a very enticing impression. Beautiful ripeness here. The tannins are perfectly ripe and layers meld into each other, carrying deep, graceful and plush, velvety dark fruit long into the vibrant and seductive, chocolate-laced finish. Great potential. Try from 2024.

Once again, this wine is of first-growth quality, not only from an intellectual perspective, but in its hedonistic characteristics. More open-knit inaccessible than the 1996, Ducru's 1995 exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color folowed by knock-out nose of blueberry and black raspberry/cassis fruit intertwined with minerals, flowers, and subtle toasty new oak. Like its younger sibling, the wine possesses a sweet, rich mid-palate (from extract and ripeness, not sugar), layers of flavors good delineation and grip, but generally unobtrusive tannin and acidity. It is a classic, compelling example of Ducru Beaucaillou that should not be missed. Drink 2003-2025.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (86%), Merlot (14%)
Drinking Window: 2035-2065

98-99 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A magnificent Ducru-Beaucaillou that combines remarkable precision with effortless elegance. Aromas of cassis, blackberries, violets and crushed stones are layered with graphite, cedar, cigar box and delicate exotic spices. The palate is concentrated yet impeccably refined, showcasing a seamless core of pure dark fruit supported by ultra-fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Powerful without excess, it displays exceptional balance, mineral tension and depth, unfolding gracefully toward an extraordinarily long and polished finish. A classic Saint-Julien of outstanding pedigree and exceptional aging potential.”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 74%, Merlot 23%, Cabernet Franc 1%, Petit Verdot 1%, Carmenere 1%
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2065

94 Points - Robert Parker
“The 2022 Brane-Cantenac has turned out nicely in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis and plums mingled with hints of cigar wrapper, violets and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, layered and velvety, with a lively core of fruit framed by rich, chalky tannins, it displays excellent energy and persistence. This blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc, Carmenère and Petit Verdot was bottled in July 2024.”

Reflecting centuries of winemaking mastery, Chateau Gruaud Larose 2016-506 offers aromatic intensity featuring truffle, plum, and subtle oak nuances —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2030–2040

A refined and complex Gruaud Larose showing purity and structure. Notes of cassis, violets, and pencil shavings lead to a suave, seamless palate with a long, persistent finish. A standout from Saint-Julien in 2024.

94 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 Gruaud Larose is very fine. Dark and ample, with gorgeous presence, the 2024 has so much to offer. Dark blue/purplish fruit, new leather, gravel, spice, lavender and dried herbs build effortlessly. Readers will find a Saint-Julien endowed with notable textural depth. The finish is perhaps just a touch narrow, but élevage may very well help with that."

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (8%), Petit Verdot (3%), Malbec (2%)
Drinking Window: 2028 - 2040

96 Points - Peter Moster, Falstaff
“Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque, almost inky core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Notes of licorice and hibiscus, hints of cassis, dark wild berries, fine herbal spice, some precious wood. Taut, complex and elegant, pure black forest berries, silky tannins, mineral-salty, very good length and freshness, remains very persistent, has definite ageing potential."

Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2028-2050

96 Points - James Suckling
“A classic Bordeaux that shows finesse and poise. This is understated, with a medium body, lovely texture and acidity, freshness and brightness. It shows firm tannins that aren't chewy. Very long and honest, with pure fruit. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (64%), Merlot (27%), Cabernet Franc (8%), Petit Verdot (1%)
Drinking Window: 2033-2062

97-98 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A superb Léoville Poyferré that combines power, precision and refinement. The nose reveals intense aromas of cassis, blackberries, violets and graphite, accented by hints of cedar, dark chocolate and exotic spices. Full-bodied and beautifully layered, the palate delivers remarkable concentration while maintaining freshness and balance. Fine-grained tannins provide structure without heaviness, supporting a core of vibrant dark fruit and mineral complexity. Long, polished and remarkably persistent on the finish, this is a sophisticated Saint-Julien with outstanding aging potential.”

Blend: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2030 - 2055

100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
“Reminding me of the 2018 (as well as the 2009), if not slightly more concentrated, the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré is one of the most opulent and flamboyant wines out of the Médoc in 2022, and it has incredible intensity while staying light on its feet and graceful. Its dense, glass-staining purple hue is followed by a sensational perfume of crème de cassis, graphite, darker chocolate, scorched earth, and flowers. Full-bodied on the palate, it brings extravagant levels of fruit as well as a seamless mouthfeel, beautifully integrated oak, tannins, and acidity, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. It shines even today, yet it has beautiful underlying structure and will evolve gracefully over the coming 30+ years. The 2022 is based on 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged 18-20 months in 80% new oak. 2025 - 2055”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (84%), Cabernet Franc (11%), Merlot (5%)
Drinking Window: 2036-2070

99-100 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A monumental Léoville-Las Cases that perfectly captures the aristocratic character of Saint-Julien. The bouquet is intensely complex, revealing layers of cassis, blackberries and dark cherries intertwined with violets, graphite, cigar box and crushed stones. The palate is remarkably precise and structured, delivering extraordinary concentration wrapped in impeccably fine tannins and vibrant acidity. A profound mineral backbone lends energy and definition, allowing the wine to unfold with effortless elegance despite its power. The finish is exceptionally long, seamless and multidimensional, confirming this as one of the most compelling and age-worthy wines of the vintage.”

"Deep, dark, very nearly opaque, purple red color. Aromas have toasty ripe red-plum fruit, tobacco-leaf hints & meaty touches. The palate is a vibrant marriage of red-fruit & chocolate with a silky texture. Tannins are very fine, chocolatey-smooth & underpinned by cedar notes. The mid-palate is of mid-weight & comprises concentrated, opulent cassis & ripe black-cherries. Alcohol is balanced & a long, lean finish combines graphite touches & high-ripeness black-fruit." - 04/22 DCAMW

Always one of the top performers in Margaux, this dense and concentrated wine has a bold, ripe character from the plum and berry fruits. It has the weight to develop. Drink from 2020.

Vivacious, bright, yellow citrus, lime, green apple, tangerine, and honeysuckle notes are there for the taking on the nose and palate. Crisp and energetic, with a long blast of zesty green apples, lemon peel and a hint of vanilla in the finish. This is among the best vintages of Cos d'Estournel Blanc ever produced. The wine blends 66% Sauvignon Blanc and 34% Semillon.

93 points Vinous: "The 2016 Lascombes is grown into a gorgeous wine. Blackberry jam, chocolate, new leather, espresso and copious new oak all flesh out in this ample, resonant wine. As always Lascombes is done in a style that brings out the more lush, flamboyant side of Margaux. In this vintage, all the elements meld together effortlessly, something that isn't always the case. (AG)" (1/2019)

Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (56%), Sémillon (44%)
Drinking Window: 2027 - 2038

98-99 Points - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“An incredible wine with electrifying acidity and great depth and concentration. It’s full-bodied and full of character, showing fresh and dried citrus, then honeysuckle and other white flowers. The palate takes off with bright, intense acidity. A pH of just over 3 gives a unique combination of tangy acidity and ripe fruit. Special white. 56% sauvignon blanc and 44% semillon. Best ever?”

This is a prodigious effort. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot and Cabernet Franc (only 37% of the crop qualified for Las Cases), this dense ruby/purple wine has a stunningly pure bouquet of dark fruit, wet rocks, graphite, and subtle background toast/vanillin. Full-bodied, masculine, and very deep and concentrated, this titanic effort is at least 8-10 years away from its plateau of maturity. The Delon family have produced another legend. Anticipated maturity: 2023-2050+.

Blend: 74% Sauvignon Blanc, 26% Sémillon
Drinking Window: 2023 - 2035

97 Points - James Suckling
“Pretty and rich white peach, pear and apple aromas and flavors. Full-bodied with plenty of fruit and bright acidity. Chalky and stony. Happy to watch.”