"Subtle and profound aromas of blackberries, wet earth and sweet tobacco. Hints of spice, too. Full-bodied and so deep. It's incredibly vertical and long. Just like looking down a well. Firm and powerful tannins, yet polished and balanced. Goes on for minutes. One of the greatest ever. Try after 2025." ---James Suckling

"Violet and iris aromatics curling out of the glass, starting to reach their full expression at 20 years old. Beautifully finessed and elegant, with hints of black truffle, cloves and rich blackberry fruits, this is a vintage that showcases the best of Margaux. It took its time to reach this point but it has been worth the wait, and the wine just gets better and better over a few hours in the glass. Highlights the success of the partnership between owner Corinne Mentzelopoulos and director Paul Pontantallier, with this château delivering some of the most memorable wines of the turn of the century years in Bordeaux. (JA) " (7/2020) -Decanter (100 Points)

100 points - Jeb Dunnuck

100 points - James Suckling

99 points - Robert Parker

"Subtle and profound aromas of blackberries, wet earth and sweet tobacco. Hints of spice, too. Full-bodied and so deep. It's incredibly vertical and long. Just like looking down a well. Firm and powerful tannins, yet polished and balanced. Goes on for minutes. One of the greatest ever. Try after 2025." ---James Suckling

The Macallan Sherry Oak 18-Year-Old is a rich, full-bodied single malt matured exclusively in sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez, Spain, delivering a light mahogany hue with intense flavors of dried fruits, ginger, oak, vanilla, and cinnamon, offering a complex palate with orange zest and clove, culminating in a lingering, spicy finish of fruit and zest.

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."

Vintage 2011/2012/2013/2014/2018/2019

This wine is beautifully structured and well-balanced in a classic style, with surprising body and sparkle. The initial firmness evolves into a rounded, creamy texture, complemented by a subtle sweet and sour note of pink grapefruit!

Delas Domaines Tourettes is a high-quality Hermitage wine from the Rhône Valley in France, produced by Delas Frères. The red version is a 100% Syrah blend from three different terroirs (L'Ermite, Le Sabot, and Bessards), while the white is a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne. Both are known for their powerful, complex, and balanced profiles, with distinct flavor notes and a firm tannic structure that indicates aging potential.

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."

Bollinger R.D. is an Extra Brut vintage Champagne from Champagne Bollinger, meaning it's aged for a long time on the lees before being recently disgorged to preserve its remarkable freshness. Created by Madame Bollinger, it features a high proportion of Pinot Noir, is fermented entirely in oak barrels, and is known for its sophisticated balance of complex aged aromas like toasted nuts and cooked fruit with vibrant, young notes from the recent disgorgement.

Pinot Noir is the main variety planted in the Aube region of Champagne. This wine is right in character: lightly textured, with plenty of fine fruits and crisp apple flavors. This fresh wine is ready to drink. Roger Voss

Powerful and pure, this wine presents fresh orchard fruit, white pepper and tea leaf. Aging in old oak barrels provide notes of nutmeg, fresh vanilla and fresh almond.

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: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 1990-2030

91 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"In weight and texture, the 1981 Margaux is closest in style to the 1979. It is an outstanding wine, even in the company of the monumental wines of 1982, 1983, and 1986, although it does not have the power and weight of these vintages. It is still very dark ruby/purple‑colored. The aromatics suggest ripe cassis fruit, spicy vanillin oakiness, and violets. On the palate, the wine is medium‑bodied, concentrated, tannic, and extremely long. It is just beginning to open and evolve. Anticipated maturity: now–2015”

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: 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: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2020 - 2065

99 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"This has always been one of my favourite wines from the estate… a quintessentially elegant, classic wine of Bordeaux—firm, rigid… with loads of black currants, cedar wood and vanillin, needing 7–8 years of cellaring, and should last for 30+ years.”

Blend: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window for Magnum Size: 2023-2048

94 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2011 Château La Mission Haut-Brion reveals a deep garnet color followed by a complex nose of blackcurrants, cedar, tobacco leaf, and sweet spices. The bouquet is rich and inviting, layered with notes of plum, dark chocolate, and subtle earthiness. On the palate, this wine is medium to full-bodied with a plush, velvety texture. The tannins are firm yet refined, supporting flavors of ripe black fruits, cedar, and graphite. The wine displays excellent balance between concentration and freshness, with bright acidity giving it energy and precision. The finish is long and persistent, with lingering notes of spice and mineral undertones characteristic of the estate’s terroir. This vintage offers a harmonious blend of power and finesse and is expected to develop gracefully over the next 15–20 years.”

Blend: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2027 - 2050

96 Points - James Suckling
“A really flamboyant wine beginning with lots of berries, plums, asphalt and orange peel before turning to blue fruits. Full-bodied and medium round tannins give a softness and drinkability. Long finish."

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: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2030 - 2048

100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
“A sensational Pauillac as well as the finest wine from this château since the 2009 (although the 2010 might have something to say about that), the 2022 Château Pontet-Canet sports a deep purple hue as well as a heavenly perfume of crème de cassis, smoke, incense, leafy tobacco, and chocolate. This beauty has sensational purity, a deep, layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, flawless balance, and incredible precision and detail in its aromas and flavors. Despite its opulence and power, it has a solid underlying structure, and its tannins are sweet and polished; it has remarkable depth and concentration, and it just does everything right. I wouldn't be surprised to see this firm up slightly over the coming 3-5 years, although I don't expect it to truly shut down. It should have 40, 50, if not 60 years of overall longevity. The 2022 is based on 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new barrels, 35% in amphora, and the rest in once-used oak. 2037 - 2097"

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: 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2028 - 2060

98 Points - James Suckling
“This is really luxurious, showing blackcurrants and orange peel with cedar and dried-mushroom aromas following through to a medium to full body that grows on the palate. This has crunchy and lightly chewy tannins that are slightly austere but in an elegant, classical Bordeaux way. Chewy at the end. So much energy and vibe. So complex. Probably the greatest wine ever from here. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 2% malbec and 1% petit verdot. Best after 2028 but already a joy to taste.”

Blend: 63 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 37 % Merlot
Drinking Window: 2024-2042

98 Points - Wine Spectator
“A new paradigm for Bordeaux. Very aromatic and sleek, fresh and pure in feel, with all major varietals performing well; far more consistent than the 2018-2020 trio.”

Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2030 - 2060

97 Points - James Suckling
“Floral character such as orange blossoms and cassis with lead pencil aromas that follow through to a medium body and a lovely balance of fruit and freshness. It’s long and caressing with everything in place. Crisp. Best ever? 60% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 16% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot.”

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.”

Blend: 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2032 - 2065

100 Points - Wine Advocate
“The 2022 Canon has turned out brilliantly in bottle. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of sweet raspberries, wild berries and cherries mingled with hints of violets, pencil shavings, black truffle and rose petals, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a dense, enveloping core of fruit underpinned by a chassis of sweet, suave tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. This is one of the most muscular, broad-shouldered vintages of Canon in recent years, but it retains every bit of its limestone-driven identity. As I wrote two years ago, this is an estate that is delivering its greatest run of vintages since the superb Post War series that preceded the frosts of 1956, and the 2022 is indeed reminiscent of a modern day version of one of those great years. 2030 - 2065”

Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2030 - 2060

94 Points - Wine Advocate
“The 2022 Calon-Ségur is another superb wine from this historic Saint-Estèphe third growth that began a comprehensive renaissance the better part of a decade ago. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis and blackberries mingled with hints of fresh mint, burning embers, licorice and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with terrific depth at the core, supple tannins and a long, saline finish. The blend consists of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Vincent Millet observed that "when you tasted the Merlot, you were under the impression that you were tasting Cabernet.”

Blend: 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2027-2050

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
"Based on 33% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, and 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2024 Château Figeac reveals a classic Figeac nose of ripe blue fruits, sappy tobacco, flowers, and graphite. Medium to full-bodied, it has a fabulous, seamless mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish. To have this level of quality in a vintage like 2024 is mind-blowing, and this is one of the top handful of wines in the vintage."

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.”

The Luce Brunello di Montalcino 2019 is a highly-regarded Brunello, praised for its elegance, concentration, and aging potential. It's described as a medium-plus-bodied wine with fragrant aromas of black cherry, blueberry, and toasted nuts, complemented by floral and lavender notes. The palate features fine, textured tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish. Some experts say it's already enjoyable but will benefit from further aging. 3 bottles, in an elegant black wooden display case.

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: 84% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2030 - 2057

97 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 Troplong Mondot is a total stunner. As has been the case for some years now, the Grand Vin is blended before being barreled down, which means at the time of tasting en primeur, the wine has seen less wood than the vast majority of its peers. That lends this wine a certain raw energy that is impossible to miss. The purity and intensity of the flavors are simply remarkable. Troplong Mondot is one of the standouts of 2024. Even in this vintage, Troplong Mondot possesses remarkable textural presence, but that richness is matched by notable freshness and linear drive. It was deeply impressive on the two occasions I tasted it. Élevage is planned to be 55% in new oak, 26% in 20HL barrels and 19% in once-used barrels."

Blend: 71% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon
Drinking Window: 2027-2050

97 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 Vieux Château Certan contains a higher proportion of Cabernet this year (23% Sauvignon and Franc combined) that was picked at 30 hl/ha between September 20 to October 2. That Cabernet is articulated on the nose: graphite and light tobacco scents percolating through the mainly black fruit. This has plenty of freshness and more fruit than some other Pomerol cuvées. The palate is medium-bodied, but there is much more weight and density on the back palate than nearly all of its peers. Distinctly peppery and quite spicy in style, this is one of the few to transcend the strict limitations of the growing season. In some ways, it is an uncompromising VCC that does not have the finesse of the greatest vintages I have tasted over the years, yet there is flavour and substance packed inside this nascent wine. Deeply impressive. This is one of the very few '24s that will oblige bottle age"

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."

Crafted with elegance and power, Carruades De Lafite 2019-190 offers aromatic intensity featuring truffle, plum, and subtle oak nuances —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

A testament to its prestigious terroir, Pavillon Rouge Du Chateau Margaux 2019-536 offers a full-bodied profile with vibrant acidity and layers of dark fruit —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Blend: 51% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon
Drinking Window: 2027-2055

98 Points - James Suckling
"A really classic Ausone, reminiscent of the great ones of the 1980s. Medium-bodied, it has such clarity and brightness and length. Purity and precision with drive and focus from superb viticulture and winemaking. A blend of 65% cabernet franc and 35% merlot."

Blend: 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2029-2050

97 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 Palmer is wonderfully vivid and expressive. Strong Cabernet Sauvignon inflections make a strong first impression. Blue/purplish fruit, gravel, lavender, incense, licorice and dried herbs all jump from the glass. I imagine the 2024 will drink well on release, which is uncharacteristic for young Palmer. Readers will find a gorgeous wine with tons of character and pedigree to burn. Palmer remains one of the most distinctive wines in all of Bordeaux."