"The 2016 Durfort-Vivens is gorgeous. Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics and structure play off the natural intensity of the year beautifully. Blackberry, grilled herbs, licorice, leather and crème de cassis are all vividly sketched in this layered, expressive Margaux. (AG) " --- Vinous (1/2019)

96 points - James Suckling

Blend: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2029-2050

98 Points - James Suckling
"Complex, refined and truly mineral, this has natural vibrancy and freshness as well as excellent depth. Light midpalate concentration but also no sweetness at all. Medium- to full-bodied with chalky, stony tannins and a long, very tense finish. A vintage of delicacy and finesse. If you seek less alcohol and less power, this will be a great year to buy."

Blend: Merlot (73%), Cabernet Franc (27%)
Drinking Window: 2035-2060

98-99 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A captivating Château Palmer with extraordinary precision and elegance. Aromas of blackberries, cassis, violets, graphite and subtle spices lead to a palate of remarkable purity and depth. The texture is silky yet structured, with ultra-fine tannins seamlessly woven into layers of dark fruit and mineral complexity. Fresh acidity brings energy and length, while the finish lingers effortlessly for minutes. A refined and harmonious Palmer that perfectly balances power, finesse and terroir expression.”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), Merlot (34%), Petit Verdot (2%), Cabernet Franc (1%)
Drinking Window: 2033-2060

97-99 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A brilliantly refined Rauzan-Ségla that captures the elegance and complexity of great Margaux. Fragrant aromas of cassis, blackberries, wild cherries and violets are layered with graphite, cedar, rose petals and subtle exotic spices. The palate is silky yet remarkably structured, revealing exceptional purity of fruit supported by ultra-fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Beautifully balanced, it combines depth, precision and mineral tension with effortless grace. The finish is exceptionally long, seamless and aromatic, confirming this as one of the standout wines of the vintage with outstanding aging potential.”

Blend: 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2020-2060

98 Points - Robert Parker
“The 2010 Ausone struck me as another brilliant, potentially perfect wine, which should come as no shock to people who have been following Vauthier's work over the last decade or more. Backward and intense, this wine offers up notes of crushed chalk/rock mineralilty interwoven with blueberry, black raspberry and cassis as well as some graphite and vanillin. It is incredibly rich but at the same time precise, fresh and vivacious. This is a super wine, but it will require enormous patience from its potential suitors. Forget it for a decade and drink it over the following 50+ years."

Blend: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2020-2052

95 Points - Robert Parker
"The 2010 Pichon Lalande is performing extremely well and at the top of the range I predicted several years ago. A final blend dominated much more by Cabernet Sauvignon than usual (66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot), the wine is a tighter, more tannic and structured version of this famed Pauillac, which often tends to have more of a St-Julien-like personality than most Pauillacs. Structured, backward and tannic, yet showing a fat mid-palate that is more savory, broader and more expansive than I remember from barrel, this wine is somewhat reminiscent of the 1986, given the Cabernet Sauvignon domination of the blend. Full-bodied, impressively endowed, and less sexy and velvety than normal, this is a somewhat different style of Pichon Lalande than most readers have been used to. Whether you like it more or less will depend on your point of view, but this wine, unlike most Pichon Lalandes, needs a good 5-7 years of cellaring and should keep for 30+ years."

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 70%, Merlot: 30%
Drinking Window: 2014-2045

96 Points - Neal Martin, Vinous
"The 2009 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux is a splendid example of this second wine’s quality. It presents an expressive bouquet of dark fruits, floral notes, and cedar. On the palate, it is full-bodied and well-balanced with velvety tannins and a seamless texture. Layers of blackcurrant, plum, and subtle spice build through to a long, refined finish. This wine is seductive yet structured, demonstrating excellent ageing potential and the hallmark elegance of Margaux.”

The 2010 Château Léoville-Las Cases in 1.5L magnum is a legendary, full-bodied Saint-Julien second-growth wine (82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc) known for its immense, long-term aging potential and structural perfection. It features intense cassis, graphite, dark berry, and cedar notes, exhibiting polished tannins, fresh acidity, and remarkable concentration.

Blend: 89.9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9.2% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2065

97 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2014 Latour is one of the very finest wines of a vintage that favored the northern Médoc. Mingling aromas of wild berries and cassis with hints of cigar wrapper, loamy soil, black truffles and classy new oak, it’s full-bodied, rich and concentrated, its broad attack segueing into a deep, tightly wound mid‑palate that’s framed by powdery, chalky tannins and bright acids, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. This classically balanced, youthfully structured young wine looks set to enjoy prodigious longevity. It’s reminiscent of a modern-day version of a cooler vintage such as 1996, though of course these days maturity is more complete and selection even more rigorous than was the case two decades ago.”

Blend: 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2010-2033

96 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2001 Lafite Rothschild is a structured, refined wine with aromas of black cherry, cedar, tobacco, and spice. It is medium to full-bodied with firm tannins and vibrant acidity. The palate is layered with black fruit and mineral notes, showing excellent balance and finesse. The finish is long and graceful, reflecting the wine’s aging potential.”

Blend: 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2020-2047

96 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2012 Château Cheval Blanc is an exceptional wine from this renowned Saint-Émilion estate. It displays a deep, vibrant ruby color and a complex bouquet that combines aromas of ripe black cherries, blackcurrants, and plums with hints of graphite, fresh tobacco, and spice. Floral notes of violets and subtle hints of cedar and sweet baking spices emerge with aeration. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with silky, well-integrated tannins providing a plush texture. The wine shows remarkable purity and freshness, combining vibrant fruit intensity with an elegant structure and an underlying minerality characteristic of the estate’s terroir. Flavors of black fruit are layered with nuances of dark chocolate, licorice, and a touch of earthiness. The finish is long, refined, and persistent, with balanced acidity giving the wine excellent aging potential. This vintage is a classic example of Cheval Blanc’s finesse and power and is expected to evolve beautifully over the next two decades."

Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2027-2045

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
"The Grand Vin is based on 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc that included 11.3% of press, saw malolactic fermentation in barrel, and will spend 18 months in 80% new barrels. Its deeper ruby/purple hue is followed by a beautifully pure, layered, elegant, and medium-bodied Margaux that has both red and blue fruits, some violet, spicy wood, and cedar pencil nuances, fine, polished tannins, and outstanding length. This hit 12.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.53."

Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2029-2055

98 Points - James Suckling
"Really impressive depth, concentration and perfume this year, with fine tannins. Lots of violets, red flowers, black cherries and currants. Full-bodied and seriously structured, with impeccable freshness and a very long finish. Dense and powerful for the vintage, with tension, vibrations, good concentration and a tannin framework."

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider: "It was a close call picking a favorite here between LMHBB and HBB, but, perhaps the La Mission has just a bit more going here. The perfume is packed with honeysuckle, lemon rind, pomelo, white peaches and herbs, with a touch of spice cover all the bases. Full-bodied, rich, fleshy and deep, the wine fills your palate with wall of ripe, yellow and orange citrus, crushed rocks, mango and a dab of honey, with ample acidity to keep everything up-beat and fresh. Drink from 2025-2040." 97 Points

Rich and dramatic, the 2019 Valandraud bursts with aromas of berry fruit, plums and licorice, framed by a lavish but far from exaggerated application of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, fleshy and sensual, it's broad and enveloping, its lavish core of fruit framed by ripe, polished tannins and succulent balancing acids.

A fleshy cuirassier with notes of licorice, spices, and dark fruits. Cherry, currant, and blueberry blend harmoniously, creating a velvety and sweetly ripe taste with splendidly integrated tannins. San Rocco exudes great power and austerity, with an incredible aging potential. A pure complexity and strong character, this wine is monumental.

Château des Quarts was created in 2012 through a joint partnership between two old friends, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin.

For over a decade, Olivier had tasked himself with sourcing and making wine from the best sites within Pouilly-Fuissé and bottling them under his own label. After buying grapes from Clos des Quarts for several vintages, he was first approached with the news that it was for sale. Having been already convinced of the terroir's integrity he jumped on the opportunity.

The vineyard is located in Chaintré, the southernmost village of Pouilly-Fuissé. At just over 2 hectares, the oldest vines are almost a century old and are planted on clay-limestone soils.

Pairs well with: Grilled chicken, Summer salad and Turkey

Sangiovese, aka Brunello is grown all over Italy, but most prevalent in Tuscany. Valdicava wine estate produces some of the highest quality wines in the world by showing different expressions of this opulent grape variety. Located in the valley of Montosoli, to the north of Montalcino, the winery only produces two wines: a Rosso and Brunello, with the single vineyard, Madonna del Piano only produced in the very best vintages. This 2016 has attractive aromas of cherry nib, violet, tomato leaf, walnut, and orange rind. Full bodied with dusty tannins and a long, linear finish. 

from the famed Valdicava winery, this single vineyard wine is only produced in the most excellent vintages. 2007 was a stellar year with perfect conditions for ripening of the Sangiovese grape. Beautifully knit together, this wine has deep, concentrated notes of blueberries and blackberries, leather, and tobacco. Deeply textured, yet with smooth tannins, and layers and layers of flavour. This will undoubtedly just get better in the bottle. If drinking now, decant or hold until 2030-2035.

Produced from 314 plots totaling nearly 28 hectares (75 acres) of vineyards. Ao Yun vineyards range in altitude from 2,200 to 2,600 meters, enabling the cabernet sauvignon grape to express the full refinement of this unique terroir. Local farmers have worked these lands for centuries, adapting their farming techniques to the steep mountainsides. To respect time-honoured local tradition, the grape harvest and winemaking are done entirely by hand. The Ao Yun terroir enjoys exceptional climatic conditions, with temperatures similar to those of Bordeaux

Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild is a Second Wine from the famed First Growth, Château Mouton Rothschild, that offers an opportunity for oenophiles to experience its sensuous winemaking style at a great value. Château Mouton Rothschild was initially ranked as a Second Growth during the Official 1855 Classification, and in 1922, the estate was acquired by Baron Phillippe de Rothschild, a true renaissance man who added his name to the label. The Baron was a successful winegrower, a playwright, a screenwriter, a theatrical producer, a poet, and a Grand Prix racecar driver. He also referred to Château Mouton Rothschild’s Second Growth classification as a “monstrous injustice.”

Pairs well with: Beef, Lamb and Venison

Second label of Chateau Latour.

Critic tasting note: "There is a velvet touch to this smooth, rounded wine. With some dark tannins as well as blackberry fruits, it is rich with some concentration. At the same time, the acidity shoots through the wine to give a really fruity aftertaste." - 94/100, Wine Enthusiast

There is 52% Merlot in the blend and it shows in an enticing, opulent aroma of plum and blackberry. A little more backward than the other wines in the Haut-Brion stable so far, but all the ingredients are there to make a brilliant wine. There is a great depth of ripe fruit, impressively fine tannins, lovely balance and excellent length. It is superbly fresh and has exceptional potential for the future.
(52% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot)

Château d’Issan 2015 is an elegant and refined Margaux from one of Bordeaux’s historic classified estates. The bouquet is fresh, floral, and expressive, revealing blackcurrant, black plum, and dark cherry with subtle notes of liquorice and spice. The palate is beautifully structured, with generous fruit, silky refined tannins, and vibrant freshness. Rich yet graceful, it displays the classic finesse of Margaux and finishes long, polished, and persistent. An excellent accompaniment to roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck, game, and mature cheeses.

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.”

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.

Blend: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2032 - 2055

98 Points - James Suckling
“A great, powerful and proportional Ducru with everything in the right place. The aromas and flavors are very precise and beautiful with blackberry, raspberry and citrus undertones. Full-bodied and structured, it has polished electric tannins that are finely layered, well formed and very long. Remains cool on the palate. 82% cabernet sauvignon and 18% merlot. Drink after 2029 but will age beautifully."

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Merlot (22%), Cabernet Franc (1%)
Drinking Window: 2033-2060

96-98 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A brilliant Brane-Cantenac that showcases the finesse and aromatic complexity of Margaux. Fragrant notes of blackcurrants, wild berries, violets and crushed stones are interwoven with hints of graphite, cedar and exotic spices. The palate is elegant yet concentrated, with remarkable precision, silky tannins and a vibrant core of fresh fruit. Beautifully balanced, it combines energy and depth with exceptional purity and persistence. The finish is long, refined and mineral-driven, confirming its status as one of the standout wines of the vintage.”

The 2021 Léoville Las Cases has turned out beautifully in bottle and clearly numbers among the very finest wines of the vintage. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated with a deep and multidimensional core of fruit framed by beautifully refined tannins and girdled by lively acids, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Serious and structured without being austere, it's a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and a mere 5% Merlot. Drink 2031-2065.

Blend: Merlot (90%) and Cabernet Franc (10%)
Drinking Window: 2032–2050

96-97 Points - Jeff Leve
“Black cherries, plums, violets, licorice, espresso, caramel, black raspberries, licorice, and a hint of mint pop in the nose. Creamy, opulent, sweet, powerful, and also fragrant, fresh, and light on its feet. The palate is drenched in fruits, accompanied by a mineral essence that adds in the length, and the vibrancy to the long, intense finish. One of the wines of the vintage, this is in contention for the best vintage ever produced in the history of Larcis Ducasse. The wine blends 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc. 13.8% ABV. 3.5 pH. Harvesting took place September 10 - September 19. Yields were 40 hectoliters per hectare. Aging is taking place in a combination of New, French oak barrels, 500 liter barrels, and foundres. Drink from 2030-2065.”"

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (35%), Cabernet Franc (7%), Petit Verdot (3%)
Drinking Window: 2032-2058

95-97 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A beautifully expressive Malescot St-Exupéry that captures the richness and elegance of Margaux. Aromas of cassis, blackberries, ripe cherries and violets are layered with notes of graphite, cedar, rose petals and delicate spices. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is silky and concentrated, revealing vibrant dark fruit supported by polished, fine-grained tannins and lively acidity. Seamless and harmonious, it balances power with finesse, while a refined mineral backbone carries through to a long, graceful finish. A sophisticated Margaux with excellent aging potential and remarkable purity.”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (6%), Petit Verdot (2%)
Drinking Window: 2031-2052

94-96 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A beautifully composed Clos du Marquis with impressive precision and Saint-Julien finesse. Aromas of cassis, blackberries and ripe cherries are layered with violets, graphite, cedar and subtle baking spices. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is vibrant and finely structured, revealing a core of pure dark fruit framed by silky, polished tannins and fresh acidity. Elegant yet concentrated, it displays remarkable balance, mineral freshness and understated power. The finish is long, refined and persistent, making this a sophisticated wine with both early appeal and excellent aging potential.”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (2%), Petit Verdot (1%)
Drinking Window: 2034-2062

97-99 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A brilliantly refined Smith Haut Lafitte with exceptional purity, depth and energy. Aromas of cassis, blackberries and black cherries are layered with violets, graphite, cedar and subtle smoky nuances, reflecting the estate’s distinctive gravel terroir. Full-bodied and impeccably balanced, the palate combines concentrated dark fruit with silky, fine-grained tannins and vibrant freshness. A pronounced mineral core and elegant oak integration add complexity without overwhelming the wine’s precision. The finish is remarkably long, polished and persistent, revealing outstanding harmony and the potential for decades of graceful evolution.”

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: Cabernet sauvignon 83 %, Merlot 15 %, Cabernet franc 1 %, Petit verdot 1 %
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2055

96 Points - Decanter
"Gorgeous deep pink purple rim to the glass. The nose is bright and intense, heady with perfumed aromatics and edges of graphite, cocoa and sweet red cherries. Such clarity on the palate, excellent tension from the get go with beautifully expressed cherry and strawberry fruit that has a soft, ripe fleshy core. The tannins are fine but plentiful, coating the mouth providing the structure and frame. This has such a sense of quiet confidence - it's not shouting so much but gently showing off its many layers of fruit, acidity, minerality and freshness. This really grows on you, expanding and deepening as the flavours travel across the palate, coming in waves. Understated and introverted at the moment but still harmonious and classy. I love it. Just 41% of grand vin. 3.73pH. Drinking Window: 2027-2050"

Blend: 65,8 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 31,9 % Merlot, 2,3 % Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2025-2050

95 Points - Vinous
"The 2019 Forts de Latour is a tannic, backward wine, as it has always been. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, graphite, sage and mocha open with a bit of coaxing. Even so, the 2019 is incredibly tight at this stage. Despite its imminent release, I would not dream of touching a bottle any time soon. Rain just before harvest in this warm vintage helped keep things in check and resulted in fairly generous yields of 45 hectoliters per hectare. At the same time, the mid-palate is a bit compact, while the tannins are imposing."

Blend: 84% cabernet sauvignon, 10% carmenere, 3% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot
Drinking Window: 2026-2037

95 Points - James Suckling
"Refined sweet tobacco, black olives and hints of paprika, cedar, iron and anchovy-like savoriness. Refined sweet berries on the palate with a lovely savoriness. Medium-bodied and restrained, plush and generous, with fine tannins and a lengthy finish. 84% cabernet sauvignon, 10% carmenere, 3% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Drink or hold"

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: 97.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.6% Merlot and 0.3% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window for Magnum Size: 2018-2055

95 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"A blend of 84.5 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 % Merlot and 0.5 % Petit Verdot, the 2011 Latour represents only 34 % of the crop. It hit 13.1 % natural alcohol. One of the vintage’s most compelling wines, it possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet, open‑knit personality with ripe tannin, superb intensity, good purity and harmony, a medium to full‑bodied mouthfeel, and lots of crushed rock, floral and black as well as blue fruit notes in addition to hints of ink and forest floor. This beautifully rich, savory Latour will be surprisingly drinkable in 4–5 years, and should age easily for two decades or more.”

Blend: 57.5% Merlot, 42.5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Drinking Window for Magnum Size: 2024-2080

98 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2016 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Magnum is a spectacular expression of this prestigious estate, showing intense aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries, tobacco, graphite, and spice. The nose is beautifully layered with hints of cedar, fresh herbs, and dark chocolate. On the palate, it is full-bodied and concentrated, boasting firm yet silky tannins that support a rich core of black fruit flavors intertwined with mineral and earthy nuances. The wine has a lively acidity that provides freshness and balance to the dense fruit, culminating in a long, complex, and persistent finish. This magnum bottle preserves the wine’s vibrancy exceptionally well and is expected to age gracefully for decades, offering a remarkable drinking experience.”