Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau De Valandraud 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.

Dark ruby. Slight funk on the nose, but ripe red fruit and spice permeates. Intense flavours of ripe red Cherry, raspberry, strawberry, lemon salt, cinnamon, nutmeg. Dry, medium bodied. Good acidity and low, soft tannins. ABV 13.5%. Juicy, fruity, and fresh. Natural wine that has rusticity.

A third growth in the 1855 Classification, Chateau Desmirail is located in the Margaux appellation on the left bank of Bordeaux. The name of this Chateau is unique as the property does not bear the name of its original owner, Marguerite Rauzan du Ribail, but rather that of her husband, Jean-Baptiste Desmirail. It is also one of the few chateaux with an ancient "Medocain" system - a gravity operated vat room that is still well-preserved. The red blend consists of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot and this 2014 is attractive and ready to drink now.

Medium-bodied and fresh with a plummy quality, this wine is focused on red fruits and sweet-smelling earth. Bright and a little strict, give this a few years to come around and soften.

An organic expression of red Cahors that was matured in oak for up to 18 months it offers complex aromas of plums, cherries and spice. The dry, full and smooth palate is full of crunchy blueberry fruits, plums, cherries and spices and has a long satisfying finish. Pairing: grilled steaks, pasta with chorizo, lamb cutlets

100% Malbec. Dark red colour. A very fruity nose, both powerful and elegant, it is perfectly round and soft on the palate with great fruit intensity. Enjoy this wine by itself, or pair with cheese, pizzas, grilled meat or pastas.

At the tasting, the wine reveals a dress of a pretty peach pink, pale and bright. Its delicate aromas bring very refreshing fruit notes such as pink grapefruit, vine peach and red berries. On the palate, the wine expresses freshness and greed through a subtle balance. The finish, elegant and refined, revives the taste buds.

Chateau du Tertre is a 5th growth in the 1855 Classification, located in the Margaux appellation on the left bank of Bordeaux. The chateau itself is 1000 years old, stretching over 52ha. In 1961, the estate was acquired by Phillipe Gasqueton who restored the vineyards and chateau after WWII. After his death in 1995, his widow sold the property to the neighbouring owners of Chateau Giscours, a 3rd Growth. In 1997, the estate was restructured and redesigned by the current Dutch owners of Albada-Jelgersma. The 2014 is a red blend with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. The Petit Verdot provides a tannic, structured lift to frame the raspberry, baked cherries, potpourri and forest floor aromas. Excellent ageing potential here, drink from 2024-2040.

Chateau du Tertre is a 5th growth in the 1855 Classification, located in the Margaux appellation on the left bank of Bordeaux. The chateau itself is 1000 years old, stretching over 52ha. In 1961, the estate was acquired by Phillipe Gasqueton who restored the vineyards and chateau after WWII. After his death in 1995, his widow sold the property to the neighbouring owners of Chateau Giscours, a 3rd Growth. In 1997, the estate was restructured and redesigned by the current Dutch owners of Albada-Jelgersma. This red blend has mainly cabernet sauvignon, with the balance of merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot. A typical Margaux style with elegant floral and red fruits on the nose, yet with plenty of tobacco, cedar and dried herbs with a soft texture, and fresh acidity. Wait a couple of years to enjoy this and drink from 2025-2040.

Harvest took place this year from 23rd September to 8th October. The wine was aged for around 12 months in two-thirds new oak. Medium brick-brown in color, the 1990 Ducru-Beaucaillou is quite evolved, offering notions of incense, tree bark, tilled soil and tobacco with nuances of preserved plums, kirsch, tapenade and leather. Medium to full-bodied, the palate still possesses a good amount of earth-laced savory fruit with a bit of chew to the texture and a stewed tea finish.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2020 is a powerful, concentrated, and elegant Saint-Julien Bordeaux, praised as a legendary vintage with incredible purity, featuring notes of cassis, violets, graphite, and tobacco, built on a backbone of ultra-fine tannins, requiring significant cellaring (best after 2030-2035) for its full expression, often compared favorably to the iconic 2010

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 30%
Drinking Window: 1992-2042

Experience the extraordinary Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 1982, a Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé that exemplifies Bordeaux excellence. This iconic vintage has aged gracefully, revealing layers of blackcurrant, cedar, and fine spice, with a silky texture and impressive length. Perfect for collectors and connoisseurs, it is a rare and highly coveted wine that captures the elegance and tradition of one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious estates.

97 Points - Wine Advocate
“The harvest lasted 16 days from the 16th September," proprietor Bruno Borie mentioned about the 1982 Ducru-Beaucaillou. Medium brick colored, it comes galloping out of the glass with bold, expressive notes of Black Forest cake, preserved plums and mincemeat pie with hints of cigar box, star anise, eucalyptus and espresso plus wafts of roasted nuts and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, generous and opulent, the palate has beautifully ripe, fine-grained tannins and tons of youthful fruit, finishing with epically long-lasting layers of preserved black fruits and exotic spices.”

This medium-bodied wine is fully mature, presenting a harmonious blend of cassis, cranberry, earth, tobacco, cedar, and forest floor notes. While displaying a hint of rusticity in its tannins and subtle green nuances in the red berry finish, it appeals to aficionados favoring a more traditional style. Successful for its vintage, it leans slightly towards the classic and austere end of the style spectrum. Given its current state, there is no need for further aging, making it ready to enjoy now.

The nose is élégant and offers power (in finesse/controlled), a beautiful racy grain and a good definition. It reveals notes of boysen berry, fleshy/juicy strawberry, small notes of small wild fruits associated with fine touches of cornflower, pulpy/juicy violet plum as well as fine hints of tobacco, very discreet hints of cuben pepper, tonka bean, caramelized almond and an imperceptible hint of coffee (in the background). The palate is elegante, very finely tight, racy and offers a good definition, complexity, a beautiful silky/delicate touch, a beautiful finesse of the suavity/fat, tension, a racy power (in finesse/controlled) as well as a good guideline and finesse of the tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of blackberry, cassis, small notes of wild strawberry associated with small touches of small ripe/crushed red berries as well as hints of mild tobacco, tonka bean, mocha, cardamom, a subtle hint of zan, juicy violet plum, discreet hints of coffee, vanilla and an imperceptible almost saline hint (in the background). Tannins are precise, structuring, coating. Good length. Like a square of silk, we perceive thousands of small grains/threads that melt in the mouth.

The history of Chateau Duhart-Milon is not as well known as it should be. In the 18th century the wines of Milon became the "second" wine for Chateau Lafite. The 1855 classification awarded Duhart-Milon the only 4th growth in Pauillac, recognizing it for the quality of its soil. Sometime between 1830-1840 35 acres was left to the Casteja family who subsequently possessed a 99 acre vinyard name Duhart-Milon. Over the years the property changed hands many times and suffered a decline in the quality of the wines. The property was acquired in 1962 by the Rothschild family who totally overhauled the vineyards and brought back the quality of the wine as a 4th growth. This 2011 is a red blend from Pauillac in Bordeaux that is composed of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, this is a medium bodied wine with finesse and purity showing ripe berries, tobacco, spice and leather with an excellent freshness on the palate. This wine is ready to drink now, and should age for a few more years yet.

The 2016 Château Duhart-Milon is a highly-rated, elegant 4th Growth Pauillac blend (typically ~67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot) featuring a deep, dark ruby color. It offers intense aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, and violets. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with silky, well-integrated tannins, excellent freshness, and a long, savoury finish. 

"Medium-bodied, forward, soft, classic and floral, the red fruit is sweet, fresh and juicy, with a good sense of purity and refinement." - 92/100, Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

The history of Chateau Duhart-Milon is not as well known as it should be. In the 18th century the wines of Milon became the "second" wine for Chateau Lafite. The 1855 classification awarded Duhart-Milon the only 4th growth in Pauillac, recognizing it for the quality of its soil. Sometime between 1830-1840 35 acres was left to the Casteja family who subsequently possessed a 99acre vinyard name Duhart-Milon. Over the years the property changed hands many times and suffered a decline in the quality of the wines. The property was acquired in 1962 by the Rothschild family who totally overhauled the vineyards and brought back the quality of the wine as a 4th growth. The 2019 Duhart-Milon is a red Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with an up front fruity nose of black currant and blackberry, along with typical Pauillac nuances of pencil shavings, forest floor and cedar. Round, layered and creamy through the palate this wine has excellent potential for great ageing Drink from 2025-2045.

The 2021 Duhart-Milon has turned out beautifully, offering up incipiently complex aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of orange zest, burning embers, pencil lead and iris. Medium to full-bodied, suave and polished, with a layered core of fruit, supple tannins and a long, sapid finish, it will offer a broad drinking window. Drink Date: 2027 - 2045

The history of Château Durfort-Vivens is linked to the Durfort-Duras family. The consecration of Château Durfort-Vivens took place in 1855 with the obtaining of the prestigious title of Second Cru Classé. The owners who have succeeded one another until today have never ceased to improve the quality of the wine and extend the reputation of the château. The vinification is in cement and wood vats. Aging in 40% new barrels for 18 months. The result is a Margaux full of finesse and freshness.

The bouquet of Durfort-Vivens 2014 opens with clear aromas of black fruits such as cherry and blackberry to evolve towards more subtle aromas of truffle. In the mouth, the wine is revealed, silky and elegant. It is definitely a wine that carries the colors of the prestigious Margaux appellation.

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

"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

A testament to its prestigious terroir, Chateau Durfort Vivens 2016 3L-341 offers aromatic intensity featuring truffle, plum, and subtle oak nuances —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

"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

95 points - James Suckling "The nose is redolent with ripe plums and dark cherries, as well as abundant red and purple flowers and a faint, blonde-tobacco edge. The palate delivers an ultra-rich and flavorful palate with polished, sinewy tannins that will carry this wine for some time to come. Freshness and balance, finishing taut and youthful. Full of promise, this is one of the finest recent releases from here. Try from 2023. "

Reflecting centuries of winemaking mastery, Chateau Ferriere 2016-347 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.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is a little broody and reticent at this very youthful stage, slowly unfolding to reveal profound plum preserves, crème de cassis, black raspberries and star anise with hints of moss-covered bark, truffles and tilled loam plus a waft of red currants and raspberry leaves sparks.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Figeac 2020 offers rich aromas of ripe berries, dark cherries, and delicate floral hints —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

A wine that transcends the vintage's challenges, the 2021 Figeac is performing brilliantly in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries and cherries mingled with striking top notes of violet, rose petal, iris and mint. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and suave, it's pure and vibrant, its enveloping core of fruit framed by ultra-refined tannins, concluding with a long, floral finish. Readers in the habit of drinking top grand cru Burgundy are liable to find themselves seduced by this immensely elegant, perfumed Saint-Émilion, a wine I'll definitely be adding to my own cellar. It's the result of gamble that paid off, as Figeac's team chose to wait to pick their Cabernet Sauvignon despite the menace of forecast rain—a menace that, in fact, scarcely transpired. The 2021 saw a somewhat shorter-than-usual élevage of 16 months in barrel without fining. Drink 2027-2050.

Jane Anson 96 Points for Inside Bordeaux: "The 2016 Fleur Cardinale is a muscular, beautiful and profound wine full of olive tapendade, tar, smoked earth, and tons of liquorice, bitter chocolate shavings, cassis and blueberry fruits. Things close in to a slate textured finish that gives balance and makes your mouth water, and as things open you get clearer peony floral aromatics curling out of the glass. This was the point at which the Decoster family were really making me sit up and take notice of what was happening at Fleur Cardinale, and it is starting to sing as five years old." (11/2021)

The jury is out on this wine from St. Emilion, whether to drink or hold. If you're looking for a Merlot dominant wine, look no further than this blend of 90% with added 10% Cabernet France for structure and concentration. As one would expect, it's soft and fleshy with plum and blackberry fruits, laced with clove, walnut, and black tea. This will still evolve over time but can be enjoyed now.

93-95 Barrel sample. The estate is American owned by the Adams family. The wine has concentration that will bring out dark fruits and structure, but it also has great freshness among all the richness.

Chateau Gazin is a high quality winery located in the Pomerol AOC on the right bank of Bordeaux, representing five generations of owners and growers. With 23ha of vineyards, the clay-gravel plateau is perfect for merlot and cabernet franc. The 2019 is a blend of 89% merlot, 7% cabernet sauvignon and 4% cabernet franc. A solid Pomerol that has spicy red and black cherry fruit, notes of cedar, violets and plum with a vull-bodied, velvety and textural palate. This will no doubt age incredibly over the long haul!

Another well known Chateau from Margaux, this popular third growth of the 1855 Classification offers great value/quality from Margaux. With a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 20% Merlot, this is a ‘pretty' wine with floral and black tea notes interwoven with the plum, red cherry, cassis, cedar, and graphite. A classy wine that can be enjoyed now.

Chateau Giscours is a famous third growth located in the Margaux appellation of the left bank of Bordeaux. Documents indicate that the estate has been around since 1330. After World War II, it was purchased by Nicolas Tari who set about mondernizing the estate. Here there are 83ha of vineyards that make four labels, including a rose. The 2019 is made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, this a serious wine with high intensity aromas of spicy cumin and cloves, black cherry and blackcurrant with a full bodied palate that is layered and concentrated, bright acidity and a great. long finish. Hold for the next couple of years, and age for the enxt 10+ years.