"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 2020 Angélus has turned out superbly and underlines this estate's continuing shift to a more elegant, integrated style that offers a purer expression of its terroir. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, it unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, wild berries, rose petals, mint and subtle hints of licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, beautifully layered and vibrant palate that's deep, precise and penetrating, concluding with a mouthwateringly chalky finish. Some 120 hectoliters of Cabernet Franc, amounting to around 20% of the blend, were matured in foudre this year, which no doubt helps to account for the significantly reduced oak impact in the 2020. 2027 - 2060

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.

Dark, almost opaque in colour, the wine opens with a cornucopia of scents; spice-box, dark Cuban cigar wrapper, flowers, creme de cassis, blackberry espresso, mint and a drop of dark chocolate. Concentrated, full-bodied, deep, long, intense and complex, texturally, the wine is opulent, plush and velvety. But there is also more than ample lift to keeping everything upbeat. The seamless finish is perfectly balanced, with all its layers of polished, sensuous, silky fruits in the right place for over 60 seconds! The wine blends 84% Cabernet Sauvignon,13% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, 13.1% ABV, pH 3.8. Yields were low at 32 hectoliters per hectare with only 49% of the harvest going into the Grand Vin, so not much wine was made.

Picture walking into a flower show with a basket of fresh berries and a lit Cuban cigar, and while that is not quite PC, it is the aromatic profile here. The wine is fresh, bright, vibrant, lifted, and floral on the palate. The wine is elevated, refined, soft, and silky, with a refreshing, silky edge to the fruits in the finish. The wine is pure elegance. There is nothing between you and the fruits. There is intensity, length, and a striking sense of purity. The wine lingers seamlessly for 60 seconds or longer..

Cigar box, smoke, herbs, cassis, espresso and blackberries with a savoury edge open the wine aromatically. The palate offers freshness, layers of ripe, spicy currants and peppery blackberries with chewy tannins that hang with you, providing length, vibrancy and refinement in the finish. This is going to age and evolve for decades.

A mild and very wet winter led to an early and even budbreak. The damp weather lasted all the way through Spring accompanied by some very cool temperatures. Miraculously, full flowering took place between the 7th and the 11th of June which was a 5-day period of lovely weather and relatively hot temperatures. These conditions encouraged a quick and uniform flowering followed by a good return of fruit. The midpoint of the colour change of the berries happened around the 10th of August, with excellent uniformity across all the grape varieties. Despite these unpredictable swings of Nature; the heat and the absence of rain, the vines could maintain a healthy foliage right up to the beginning of the harvest thanks both to the water reserves and to the ploughing of the plots. Harvesting started 8 days late. Light showers at the beginning of September and a lovely Indian summer during the picking meant that all the grape varieties achieved perfect ripeness and a healthy condition placing the 2016 vintage among the great vintages.

This Chateau in St. Emilion was purchased in 2011 by Clarence Dillon, and renamed to Chateau Quintus. The 'V' as used in Quintus is the Roman numeral 5 that characterises the slopes and plots of the vines facing four cardinal points and bowing before the sky, yet also depicting the 5th winery owned within the Domaine Clarence Dillon family. The dragon statue with a 6-metre wingspan that sits atop the promontory, has become a symbol for the estate and is depicted on all the bottles of Chateau Quintus. The 2015 was warm and sunny and with this ideal weather, has become one of the greatest vintages of the Right Bank. A red wine blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc, the nose has a rich, complex bouquet of blackberries, currants and spicy plums with a touch of graphite. Perfectly balanced with plush tannins, stony minerality and a long finish. Ready to drink, but can be aged for another 10-15 years.

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.

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.

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!

"This great St.-Estephe estate has turned out a succession of brilliant wines. The 2005, a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, has put on weight over the last year. An opaque ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a sweet nose of earth, smoke, cassis, and cherries as well as a textured, full-bodied mouthfeel. While the tannin is high, there is beautifully sweet fruit underlying the wine's structure. It will require 8-10 years of cellaring after release, and should drink well for three decades."

Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot 94 Points- Wine Enthusiast A solid effort, this is a wine with great fruit and firm structure to support it. Ripe and full in the mouth, it’s a firm and complex wine with a delicious juicy aftertaste.

93 Points- Wine Spectator This offers beguiling aromas of bergamot, roasted sandalwood and black tea, before giving way to a well-endowed core of plum, blackberry and raspberry reduction notes. The structure is remarkably fine-grained, showing seamless integration through the long finish. A really great showing.

93 Points -Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2012 Cantenac Brown, one of the most impressive Margaux I tasted, is the complete package – from the initial attack to the layered, rich finish. Dense ruby/purple-hued with notes of licorice, mulberries, black currants, asphalt and spring flowers, this medium to full-bodied, concentrated, rich effort does not reveal an excess of rusticity or astringency.

92 Points-James Suckling This is very intense for the vintage in the Médoc with blueberry, mineral and blackcurrant character. Full and chewy. Needs two or three years to soften but already there.

"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

"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

93 points Vinous: "The 2016 Lascombes is grown into a gorgeous wine. Blackberry jam, chocolate, new leather, espresso and copious new oak all flesh out in this ample, resonant wine. As always Lascombes is done in a style that brings out the more lush, flamboyant side of Margaux. In this vintage, all the elements meld together effortlessly, something that isn't always the case. (AG)" (1/2019)

"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

Haut-Medoc holds some incredible value when it comes to Bordeaux. Don’t underestimate these wines! A typical H-M blend of 50/50 merlot and cabernet, it’s just right with attributes of red fruits, flint, cedar, and pepper spice.

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.

93 points Neal Martin for Vinous: "The 2016 La Lagune has a classic tobacco and cedar bouquet with fine delineation and nicely integrated oak. The medium-bodied palate offers gentle grip on the entry and plenty of tarry black fruit. A touch of mint emerges toward the linear but impressively focused finish. I like the vivacity and penetration here. This should drink well over the next two decades." (01/2019)

92 points - Robert Parker

The Le Clarence Haut-Brion is the 2nd wine of the first growth Chateau Haut-Brion. It was in 2007 that this wine was renamed Le Clarence Haut-Brion as a tribute to Clarence Dillon, who acquired the property in 1935. The 2016 vintage is a blend of 51% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. It has a beautiful nose of cassis, violets, graphite and crushed rocks. Medium to full body, it has good concentration, grainy tannins and finishes with a long mineral note. Drink until 2036.

98 points -Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "Deep purple-black colored, the 2016 Pavie Decesse bursts boldly out of the glass with confident blackcurrant preserves, baked blackberries, baked plums and sandalwood notes with touches of Indian spices, mocha and lilacs plus touches of cedar chest and pencil lead. Big, concentrated and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, it has a truly impressive structure of very firm, finely grained tannins and racy freshness lifting all that densely packed fruit to a very long, multilayered finish. Wow! (LPB)" (3/2019)

99 points - James Suckling

94 points - Wine Spectator

Chateau Quintus (St. Emilion) - With a good dollop of Cabernet Franc in the blend it gives it a dense, perfumed structured character. There is beautiful rich blackberry, violet, cassis, new leather and toasted spices on the nose and palate. The Chateau has made a considerable stride with this vintage. Drink now through 2026

"A consistently perfect wine every time I've had it, the 2009 Château Pontet-Canet is the greatest wine from this address to date as well as one of the greatest Pauillacs out there. Still youthfully ruby/purple and with a gorgeous perfume of blackcurrants, lead pencil, graphite, crushed rocks, and damp earth, it's still youthful but is just now starting to show more nuance and complexity. Full-bodied on the palate, with a powerful, concentrated mid-palate, incredible depth of fruit, and flawless balance, Bordeaux simply does not get any better." (11/2020) -Jeb Dunnuck (100 points)

100 points - Robert Parker

99 points - Wine Enthusiast

Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2028 - 2058

Tasting notes
An elegant wine with aromas of black fruits, spices and cocoa. The attack is silky in the mouth, rich and ample with nice roundness and generous tannins. The finish is long with lovely aromas of cherries and currants. 80% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Description
For more than a century, Chateau Bel-Air Eiffel has been the property of the descendants of Gustave Eiffel, the famous builder of the Eiffel Tower. On the most beautiful gravel lands of the Graves de Vayres appellation, between the city of Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion, this 40 acre estate combines Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vinification
The vines are cultivated organically and adhere to a gentle vinification to extract the very intense aromas of this terroir. With long macerations and oak aging for 12 months in French oak, 35% of which are new.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2018-2038

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: 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: 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"