The 2019 Alter Ego de Palmer is a vibrant, complex Margaux Bordeaux, known for its intense dark fruit (black cherry, cassis, plum), floral notes (violets), and hints of spice, tobacco, and chocolate, offering a rich, velvety texture with silky tannins, great freshness, and a balanced, energetic profile that delivers depth often associated with a Grand Vin, showcasing a forward, fruit-driven style that's enjoyable young but capable of aging. 

The 2020 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, aging in 50% new French oak barriques, 35% concrete amphorae and 15% in one-year-old barrels. Harvest began on the 14th of September for the Merlot, and the final lot of Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested on 30th September. Opaque purple-black in colour, it needs significant aeration and swirling to coax out evocative notes of black cherry preserves, raspberry pie, blackcurrant pastilles and damp soil, before launching into gorgeous floral and spice notions of red roses, cinnamon stick, star anise and cardamom, with a waft of crushed rocks.

Reflecting centuries of winemaking mastery, Chateau Cantenac Brown 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.

The Château Marquis d'Alesme 2016 is a red Bordeaux wine, noted for its deep garnet-purple color and rich, concentrated flavors. It features notes of plum preserves, crème de cassis, and Black Forest cake, along with hints of potpourri, star anise, menthol, and tapenade. The palate is described as full, rich, firm, and grainy, with good freshness and a long, beautifully fragrant finish.

This second-label wine is a fine reflection of the estate. It is rich, with beautiful tannins and a creamy texture that has soft and generous blackberry fruits

"Aromas of wood and fresh fruit translate to the palate, giving this wine depth and concentration. It is powerful but also balanced and fresh, displaying the elegance of the vintage. While never overpowering, the wine's structure will allow it to age well. Drink from 2024. Roger Voss" - 96/100, Wine Enthusiast

"With its perfumed Cabernet Franc and supple Merlot, this wine is packed with fruit and tannins. It is rich although the fruitiness is most apparent, a juicy wine that hides its structure in the cushioning fruits. Drink from 2024. Roger Voss" - 96/100, Wine Enthusiast

The 2019 La Fleur-Pétrus dares to outshine Trotanoy this year, wafting from the glass with aromas of rich berry fruit, plum preserve, dark chocolate, cigar box and spices. Full-bodied, rich and enveloping, it's broad and layered, with beautifully polished tannins, a ripe core of fruit and a seamless, enveloping profile. This is an elegantly muscular, generous Pomerol whose sumptuous personality reflects the warm, dry vintage. Drink Date 2025 - 2055

The 2020 Echo de Lynch-Bages is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, aging for around 12 months in one year-old French oak barriques. It has an alcohol of 13.03%, a pH of 3.78 and an IPT (tannin index) of 80. Deep garnet-purple in colour, it rolls out of the glass with expressive, upfront notes of baked black and red cherries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial, followed by hints of new leather, tobacco leaf and a medicinal waft. The medium-bodied palate is chock-full of savoury flavours, with a chewy texture and just enough freshness, finishing a little rustic.

Chateau Margaux has a vast history, five centuries in the making. Most know this wine as just "Pavillon Rouge", but with its full name, the origins are clear: This is the 2nd wine of Chateau Margaux, one of the 1855 Classification 1st growths. The flavours and quality are close, yet with the ability to drink a little earlier than its big sister. Typically this wine represents 30% of the grapes harvested for a vintage. The 2019 is comprised of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. With this warm vintage, there is more body in the wine, yet still well balanced. Loaded with black fruit, pencil shavings, tobacco and spices, it is elegant and velvety on the palate with plenty of structure, yet still fresh and fruity. Touted as one of the best vintages for this wine and worth the purchase.

Located in the heart of the Graves, the Chateau is named after the family it belonged to until 1851. Now owned by the Quinn family, although more famous for minerally driven Bordeaux white blends, their red wines are also excellent. The current winemaker is a big believer in translation of terroir: he wants all the wines to have a sense of place. The 2014 Fieuzal is a red blend made with 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc for a ripe and fruity wine with herbal and earthy nuances, underpinned with firm, yet refined tannins and well-balanced acidity. Exellent potential for ageing.

The Chateau Lynch Bages 2019 ( one of the most famous 5th growths) is in line with the previous wines of the property with a blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), along with the addition of 24% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. This great Bordeaux wine offers a characteristic fruity nose with fresh and spicy notes, as well as fine woody notes. The smooth and balanced palate is supported by a beautifully dense and powerful tannic structure, providing plenty of precision and fruit. Put this one away for awhile. Drink from 2029 and will age for the next 30 years. A perfect score given from Jeb Dunnuck.

Chateau Haut Bailly is one of the most loved and most prestigious wine estates in all of Bordeaux. This Cru Classe of Graves has been owned by the Wilmers familiy since 1998, even though it has been in existence since 1530 and passed down the Bailly family line. With the investment made by the Wilmers family, the winery was custom built to a contemporary building, which allows them to carry out precision work in optimal conditions- that was debuted with the 2021 vintage. This 2019 is a red blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Cabernet France and 4% Petit Verdot. The aroma is elegant and complex with blackcurrants, earth, cigar box and pencil shavings with full body, ripe tannins and lively acids. This vintage received scores of 96+ from many critics.

Chateau Angelus in St. Emilion, Bordeaux's right bank has been in existence since 1782. Now operated by Stephanie de Bouard-Rivoal, who represents the 8th generation of the Bouard de Laforest family. Her goal is to ensure the Angelus name continues to represent excellence and timelessness. Although the estate has been farming organically, they are going through the process to obtain official organic certification. The 2019 Angelus is a red blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Full and powerful the blackfruits of black cherry, cassis, plum, dried flowers and forest floor are evident with ripe tannins, medium+ body and a full, long finish. This wine is sure to age for 30 or more years.

The 2016 Château Haut-Simard is a well-structured Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, known for its rich dark fruit (plums, cherries), hints of chocolate, spice, and earth, with velvety tannins and a fresh finish, offering complexity and aging potential from a stellar vintage. It's praised for being balanced, juicy, and expressive, showing classic Bordeaux character with notes of herbs, violets, and sometimes a peppery edge.

Winemaker Notes

A wine of good density ruby red, with brown, mahogany, biscuit hints. The rim is fairly thick and the legs are fine, clear, abundant and regular. At once expressive, forthright and complex. There are notes of all families of fragrance: fruit, flowers, and spices. The attack is forthright, round and suave, soothing even. The intense aromas initially recall the complexity of the nose. There is leather and lightly charred wood, and roasted notes. The beauty of the wine is revealed by its elegance rather than its full-flavor. The wine has an attractive aromatic range with a finish of remarkable elegance.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 64%, Merlot: 31%, Cabernet Franc: 4%, Petit Verdot: 1%
Drinking Window: 2021 - 2048

97 Points - James Suckling
"The 2017 Pontet-Canet is a vibrant and polished wine with aromas of black cherries, cassis, forest floor, and hints of violet. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers a rich and plush texture, supported by fine-grained tannins and lively acidity. The palate showcases layers of ripe dark fruit, mineral complexity, and subtle spices. The finish is long and elegant, reflecting the vintage’s balance between concentration and freshness. Ready to enjoy now but built for several years of further ageing.”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 65%, Merlot: 30%, Cabernet Franc: 4%, Petit Verdot: 1%
Drinking Window: 2019 - 2050

98 Points - Neal Martin, Vinous
"The 2014 Pontet-Canet is a captivating example of biodynamic Bordeaux at its best. It offers an intense and complex nose of blackcurrants, blackberries, crushed stones, and cedar with hints of graphite and spice. The palate is full-bodied, richly textured, and beautifully balanced, with ripe tannins that provide structure without heaviness. Layers of dark fruit, mineral notes, and a subtle earthiness develop seamlessly, culminating in a long, precise finish. This is a profound wine with great ageing potential.”

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."

Reflecting centuries of winemaking mastery, Chateau Giscours 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.

The Château Talbot 2020 is a powerful yet elegant Saint-Julien Bordeaux, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, offering deep color and complex aromas of blackberry, cassis, tobacco, and licorice, with firm tannins, fresh acidity, and notes of graphite and spice, promising excellent aging potential with a balanced, savory, and persistent finish, considered a great success for the château. 

Embodying an iconic legacy, Chateau Latour Martillac 2020 offers aromatic intensity featuring truffle, plum, and subtle oak nuances —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot 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.

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.

Deep, dark, almost opaque ruby-red color with hints of purple at the rim. There are lovely licorice notes overlaying the bursting dark-fruit on the nose. The palate combines juicy dark fruit, licorice and some earthy grip. The wine has good acidity, warming alcohol & a very smooth texture on the finish. The fruit on the finish is ripe in character with black-cherry and black olive flavors.

Château de la Vieille Tour Reserve Tradition 2020 is a dense, dark-fruited organic Bordeaux red blend (typically 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon). This 14.50% ABV wine balances velvety tannins with deep, ripe berries, making it an excellent, structured addition to your cellar.

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.

"This impressive wine is structured yet well balanced by an attractive fruitiness that parallels the tannins and the smokiness from wood aging. The density of the palate is countered by fresh acidity that shines through. Drink 2024. Roger Voss" - 95/100, Wine Enthusiast

The watchword for this wine is style. Tannins underline the fruit. This rich structure, while not losing the swaths of berry flavors and crisp black currants, presents the balance between the ripeness and freshness of the vintage. Drink this wine from 2024. Roger Voss

Offering up aromas of rich cassis and blackberry fruit mingled with burning embers, loamy soil and cigar wrapper, the 2019 La Tour Carnet is medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping, with a broad attack that segues into an ample core of fruit that's framed by ripe, powdery tannins and lively acids. This is a seamless, rather giving Médoc that has turned out very well. Best After 2023

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!

91 points -Jeb Dunnuck "The outstanding 2016 Château Marquis de Terme is an attractive, elegant wine that has classic Margaux character. Black cherry and blackberry fruits, hints of graphite and smoke earth, and plenty of tobacco leaf all emerge from this medium-bodied effort, which has some firm tannins and a great finish. Give bottles 3-4 years to let these tannins chill out, and it should drink beautifully for 15+ years. " (2/2019)

This underrated wine is made by the Chateau Cheval Blanc team, so it's no slouch. With 74% merlot, 14% cabernet sauvignon and 12% cabernet franc, this medium bodied wine is pure and balanced with cherry, plum, tobacco, leafy herb, and chocolate notes. Enjoy this wine now!

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (86%), Merlot (12%), Cabernet Franc (2%)
Drinking Window: 2034 - 2044

97-99 Points - Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com
“A Cabernet-dominant blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 Château Léoville Barton checks in at 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.6. Crème de cassis, smoked tobacco, liquid violets, iron, and an incredible sense of graphite all define the aromatics of this brilliant, deep, pure, and layered beauty. On the palate, it's full-bodied, inward, and powerfully structured, and reminds me slightly of the 2010 with its deep, concentrated style. It has enormous potential.”

Blend: 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
"This attractive Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend is balanced with wood-aging layers of black fruits and acidity. The fine wine has an aging potential with ripe tannins. Drink from 2025"

Blend: Merlot 90%, Cabernet franc 10%
Drinking Window: 2027 - 2050

94 Points - Decanter
"Scented red berries on the nose, creamy, floral, perfumed, juicy and fresh, with savoury herbal aspects too. Sleek and so refined, this is fresh and captivating but with weight and density. Mouthwatering acidity gives the life and the spark straight away, with firm but fresh and cool tannins supporting the fruit, present but not too much, giving the frame and the nuance. Tannin management is excellent with blue fruits, liquorice and subtle sweet tobacco notes. Bright, shining and sleek, this is both juicy and layered, mineral and fruity, while retaining freshness and bite. Leaves a lingering impression and has great ageing potential."

Blend: 80% Merlot and 20% Cab Franc

Winemaker's Notes
“The blend of the 2015 is 80% Merlot and 20% Cab Franc, the vines (average age of 31 years) are located in the south of the Saint Emilion village where the soils are clay based with sand and gravel. Fermentation and ageing in concrete vats and then another 12 months in barrels. The winery converted to full organic farming in 2020."

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: 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: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2028-2059

98 Points - James Suckling
"This year, the style of Haut Brion shows through with transparency, beautiful balance and precision. Fine austerity, with excellent minerality, dark olives and red and dark berries. Structured on the mid-palate. Beautiful depth for the vintage, with really fine-grained tannins and a lengthy finish that lingers. So much vibrancy and finesse. A classic vintage."