Blend: Merlot 95%, Cabernet Franc: 5%
Drinking Window: 2008 – 2040

98 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"This 1998 vintage of Petrus is dense and powerful, with aromas of black currant, plum, and a touch of graphite. It is structured and muscular, showcasing a firm tannic backbone that promises long ageing potential. The palate features concentrated dark fruit, a touch of earthiness, and hints of licorice and espresso. The wine is dense and full-bodied, with a long finish that echoes the layered fruit and mineral complexity. A slightly more reserved but very promising vintage.”

Blend: Merlot 95%, Cabernet Franc: 5%
Drinking Window: 2006 – 2035

98 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 1994 Petrus is one of the most expressive and opulent wines of the vintage. It opens with a seductive nose of blackberries, cassis, graphite, and hints of smoky incense. On the palate, it is powerful yet refined, boasting tremendous depth and concentration. The tannins are firm but polished, supporting a complex core of dark fruit and mineral notes. The finish is long and nuanced, revealing layers of spice, cedar, and dark chocolate. A classic Petrus that will continue to evolve beautifully.”

Blend: Merlot: 95%, Cabernet Franc: 5%
Drinking Window for Magnum Size: 2001 – 2047

98 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 1986 Petrus is a masterpiece of balance and elegance. It offers an intense bouquet of black cherries, plums, violets, and subtle hints of truffle and earth. The palate is full-bodied, rich, and lush, with beautifully integrated tannins and a remarkable length that lingers in the finish. The wine has aged gracefully, showing layers of complexity with hints of leather, tobacco, and forest floor emerging. A sublime expression of Merlot’s potential at its peak.”

Blend: Merlot: 88%, Cabernet Franc: 12%
Drinking Window: 2011-2027

97 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2007 Château Le Pin is a beautifully poised wine with aromas of ripe blackberries, blueberries, violets, and a touch of cedar. It is medium to full-bodied with a dense, velvety texture and fine tannins. The palate delivers a balance of dark fruit, mineral notes, and subtle spice, framed by elegant acidity. The finish is long and refined, showcasing the wine’s purity and precision. A classic Le Pin that combines power with grace, promising excellent ageing potential.”

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

98 Points - Robert Parker, 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.”

Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot
Drinking Window for Magnum Size: 2028–2070

99 Points - James Suckling
"Alluring ripe fruits—blackberry, dark cherry, mulberry, plum—with espresso, cedar and slate minerality; fine, plush tannins”

Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot
Drinking Window for Magnum Size: 2025–2060

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast
"Rich, generous and structured—black currant essence and elegant tannin combine superbly for long-term aging.”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 66%, Merlot: 19%, Cabernet Franc: 13%, Petit Verdot: 4%
Drinking Window: 2000-2060

99 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The late Michel Delon always thought that this was the greatest vintage he had produced. We often tasted it side by side with the 1982… the 1986 is a monument to classicism, with great tannin, extraordinary delineation, and a huge, full‑bodied nose of sweet, ripe cassis fruit intermixed with vanilla, melon, fruitcake, and a multitude of spices. The wine has always been phenomenally concentrated, yet wonderfully fresh and vigorous. It still seems young… a great example of Léoville‑Las Cases.”

Blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2018-2047

96 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2012 Lafite Rothschild is a well-structured, precise wine with aromas of blackcurrants, cedar, graphite, and spices. The palate is medium to full-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. The flavours are layered with dark fruit and mineral notes, leading to a long, elegant finish. This vintage is classic Lafite in style and offers excellent aging potential.”

Blend: 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2020-2055

96 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2014 Château Cheval Blanc is a beautifully balanced wine with fresh aromas of blackcurrant, plum, tobacco, and a hint of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with excellent definition and finesse, offering vibrant dark fruit flavors supported by polished tannins and a mineral-driven finish. It has a silky texture and a bright acidity that provides energy and length. This is a precise and elegant vintage, combining richness with restraint, and will develop gracefully over the next 15–20 years."

Blend: Merlot 55%, Cabernet Franc 45%
Drinking Window: 2012-2040

97 Points - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
"The 2006 Château Cheval Blanc is an exquisite example of this legendary Saint-Émilion estate. It opens with an intensely floral bouquet of crushed violets, potpourri, and fresh spring flowers. These aromatics are layered with deeper, more complex notes of leather, cigar box, and truffle that develop with time in the glass. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied but resolute, showing remarkable precision and finesse. Flavours of dense cassis, plum, and dark cherry are underscored by a vibrant mineral backbone and bright acidity. The tannins are fine-grained and persistent, coating the mouth with a gripping, almost tooth-dusting texture. The finish is long and refined, lingering with subtle spice and earthy undertones. Initially reserved and tightly wound, this wine reveals complexity and balance that make it a truly majestic vintage. The structure promises excellent aging potential, with a maturity window spanning from 2015 to at least 2035, and some critics suggest it may evolve gracefully for even longer."

Blend: 78% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2027-2045

97 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 Canon is superb. One of the standouts of the vintage, the 2024 possesses striking mid-palate depth to match its vertical personality. Chalk, white pepper, mint, lavender, rose petal, slate and blue/purplish fruit all stain the palate. There's gorgeous depth and density here, and yet the 2024 remains a super-classic wine from the property. This is a real stunner. That's all there is to it. Tasted four times."

Blend: 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
Drinking Window: 2028-2045

99 Points - James Suckling
"Wow. This is really something for the vintage. Such a long finish, while being subtle and sophisticated with wonderfully silky tannins that are so fine and very long. It's medium-bodied with a beautiful, compact palate from the beginning to the end, including the mid-palate. The finish shows walnut, hazelnut and dark-chocolate character. Exceptional."

Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2027-2050

98 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 La Conseillante is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Vertical and explosive, with spectacular depth, the 2024 is an eye-opening wine, with regard to both the potential of the property and the vintage. In 2024, La Conseillante separates itself from the pack by a wide margin. It may ultimately not merit the very highest of scores, but it will almost certainly come close. Dark blue fruit, violet, spice, new leather, menthol and licorice stain the palate all the way through the creamy finish. Conseillante is a very serious wine. Technical Director Marielle Cazaux made all the right choices in a very challenging year in which yields were reduced by 50% in the field and then through strict selection in the cellar. Tasted two times."

Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2027-2050

98 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 La Conseillante is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Vertical and explosive, with spectacular depth, the 2024 is an eye-opening wine, with regard to both the potential of the property and the vintage. In 2024, La Conseillante separates itself from the pack by a wide margin. It may ultimately not merit the very highest of scores, but it will almost certainly come close. Dark blue fruit, violet, spice, new leather, menthol and licorice stain the palate all the way through the creamy finish. Conseillante is a very serious wine. Technical Director Marielle Cazaux made all the right choices in a very challenging year in which yields were reduced by 50% in the field and then through strict selection in the cellar. Tasted two times."

Blend: 30% merlot and 5% cabernet franc and petit verdot combined
Drinking Window: 2028-2045

96 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 Lascombes represents another important step for Lascombes under its current leadership. Silky and elegant, with notable depth, the Grand Vin impresses with its textural resonance and persistence. New leather, licorice, lavender and incense weave through a core of dark-toned fruit. Lascombes is shaping up to be one of the sleepers of 2024. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. Impressive. Tasted three times."

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: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46.5% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2029-2049

97 Points - James Suckling
"As to the Grand Vin, the 2024 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is based on 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, resting in 100% new oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by a terrific 2024 that defies the challenges of the vintage. Pure cassis, darker currants, graphite, crushed stone, and sappy violet notes all emerge on the nose. It's medium-bodied, with a beautifully layered, concentrated mid-palate, ripe yet velvety tannins, and a great finish. This classic Saint-Julien will benefit from bottle age and is another brilliant effort from the team. It's one of the richer, more structured wines in the vintage, yet it remains balanced, precise, and never overdone."

Blend: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46.5% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2027-2055

97 Points - James Suckling
"A precise, classic vintage showing depth of fruit, but with beautiful austerity and minerals. Mostly red fruit, with touches of dark cherries and currants. Medium- to full-bodied with very fine-etched tannins and lots of brightness. So long and refined in the finish, showing restraint. 51% cabernet sauvignon, 46.5% merlot and 2.5% cabernet franc."

Blend: 59% Semillon, 41% Sauvignon Blanc
Drinking Window: 2026-2047

98 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, which has more Sémillon in the blend, was reticent on the nose and demanded more coaxing than usual, (reluctantly) offering scents of red apple, lime flower and crushed stone. The palate is more expressive with impressive weight and density. The 2024 is fresh and vibrant with palpable tension, revealing a tingle of lemongrass and stem ginger towards its sustained finish. When I returned to my glass after 20 minutes, the aromatics had burst open and shown their true colours, with hints of chai and popcorn and wonderful mineralité. This might turn out to be one of the best white La Missions in recent years."

Blend: 59% Semillon, 41% Sauvignon Blanc
Drinking Window: 2026-2047

98 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, which has more Sémillon in the blend, was reticent on the nose and demanded more coaxing than usual, (reluctantly) offering scents of red apple, lime flower and crushed stone. The palate is more expressive with impressive weight and density. The 2024 is fresh and vibrant with palpable tension, revealing a tingle of lemongrass and stem ginger towards its sustained finish. When I returned to my glass after 20 minutes, the aromatics had burst open and shown their true colours, with hints of chai and popcorn and wonderful mineralité. This might turn out to be one of the best white La Missions in recent years."

Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2027-2055

96 Points - James Suckling
"Good, pure fruit with scented violets, black cherries and some currants. Full-bodied and richer than most from the vintage, with lots of fresh, dusty tannins and impressive concentration. Fresh, pure, compact and long."

Such pure and beautiful aromas of blackberries and black cherries with violets and red roses. So aromatic and enticing. Full-bodied with extremely integrated tannins that are velvety and curated. Fresh and sweet fruit at the end with an orange-peel undertone. Crushed stone and sandalwood, too. This is a very beautiful second wine of Ausone. 60% cabernet franc and 40% merlot. Drink after 2025.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Review - Rated 96:

The 2020 Masseto now sees new DNA with a touch of Cabernet Franc added to this celebrated Merlot-based icon wine. This is a vintage of enormous richness and density, and everything about the wine is taken up a notch or two (including the bottle glass weight and the 15% alcohol content). But Axel Heinz and his team are well prepared for the hot vintages like 2020, and changes to farming and canopy management ensure even ripening. This wine is always hard to analyze in its youth. It needs many more years to soften and flesh out. Give it time.

Extremely floral with blackberry and blueberry character plus hints of violets. Full-bodied yet always in check and reserve with fine tannins and bright acidity that goes on for minutes. Limestone undertones. The finish is particularly long this vintage. Super Clerc. Try in 2021.

The vineyard of Vosne-Romanée covers about 240 ha on Vosne-Romanée and Flagey-Echezeaux. The village of Vosne-Romanée, situated at the heart of the Côte de Nuits, is comprised of six fabulous Grands Crus such as Romanée-Conti, Tâche, Richebourg… whereas its neighbor, Flagey-Echezeaux, shelters Echezeaux and Grands-Echezeaux. The production of Grands Crus represents ¼ of the vineyard. Les Echezeaux itself covers only 34.8 hectares, at an altitude varying between 230 and 300 meters above sea level, with a rather complex mixture of soils: limestone, red silt, marl…

The SLV has generous dark fruit aromas of black currant, plum, candied fig and cocoa dust. The palate is dense, yet polished with tannins that meld with layers of dark fruit, fig and violet. The structure and tannins of this wine point to its ageability. Lay this one down for a few years and drink from 2026-2039. This too scored high - 99 points from Wine Enthusiast. Because we also carry the 2018, this is a great opportunity to create a mini-vertical.

The history of Smith Haut-Lafitte dates back to the 14th century, when George Smith, a Scottish wine merchant, acquired the property in the mid-18th century, giving it his name. After changing hands again in 1958, it was in 1990 that the Cathiard couple fell in love with the Chateau, purchased, and spent the next three years renovating the estate. Their constant philosophy is to make the best possible wine from each vintage to showcase the magnificent terroir. 2011 is a bit of a surprise here following the epic vintages of 2009 2010, but this is equally brilliant. The red wine blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot shows a big nose of cassis, licorice and oak, while the palate has silky and elegant tannins with a juicy texture. This is ready to drink now, but will age another 5-10 years.

Opaque black/red colour and purple rim. Aromas seamlessly blend raspberry, cassis, cocoa-butter, vanilla & oak. Elegant silky, supple tannins. Fresh acidity lifts the fruit & alcohol is balanced. Finishes with cassis & raspberry flavours

98+/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-purple in colour, the Cabernet Sauvignon Estate needs a lot of swirling and coaxing to unlock notions of blackcurrant pastilles, warm black plums and mulberries, plus hints of black olives, tilled soil, mossy tree bark and violets with emerging baker's chocolate and star anise hints. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and with impeccable poise, it has beautifully ripe, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing epically long and earthy.

98/100 James Suckling

Gorgeous blackberry and currant aromas with hints of herbs. Wonderfully varietal character. Full-bodied with tannins that frame the wine so nicely and create a long, lightly chewy finish. Fantastic wine.

Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc (Pessac-Leognan) - a blend of 72% Semillon and 18% Sauvignon Blanc. The Semillon provides richness and acidity with the Sauvignon adding an array of citrus and stone fruits. White wine luxury - who says white wines can't age? Drink now to 2030.

From the tiny appellation of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 13 grapes are allowed in the blend, yet with grenache, syrah and mourvedre dominant. The Domaine de Cristia is a typical blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre with a brooding, intense deep colour. The bouquet is an elegant mix of black currant, blackberries, violets, deli meats and hints of leather and pepper. The palate is well balanced with fine-grained tannins and a long, powerful finish. This wine will cellar well for the next 10-15 years.