Surprisingly woodsy, with truffle, cassis, earth, tobacco, cedar chest and blackberry in the developed nose. There is a nice softness to the tannins and fruit. Not yet fully mature, but quite developed for a vintage of Latour at 10 years of age, the wine offers pleasure, refined textures, balance and sweet berries in the finish. Drink now, or wait 5 years for more complexity

Medium to deep ruby red in color. Notes of graphite & chocolate dominate the dark fruit on the nose. The palate is big, rich and concentrated with lots of cassis that is lifted by good acidity. The tannins are huge with good grip, but do not quite close-up the fruit. Alcohol is balanced and the finish has good length. A big wine but with lively fruit & good equilibrium

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.

"Deep, dark, very nearly opaque, purple red color. Aromas have toasty ripe red-plum fruit, tobacco-leaf hints & meaty touches. The palate is a vibrant marriage of red-fruit & chocolate with a silky texture. Tannins are very fine, chocolatey-smooth & underpinned by cedar notes. The mid-palate is of mid-weight & comprises concentrated, opulent cassis & ripe black-cherries. Alcohol is balanced & a long, lean finish combines graphite touches & high-ripeness black-fruit." - 04/22 DCAMW

Always one of the top performers in Margaux, this dense and concentrated wine has a bold, ripe character from the plum and berry fruits. It has the weight to develop. Drink from 2020.

The 2021 Léoville Las Cases has turned out beautifully in bottle and clearly numbers among the very finest wines of the vintage. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated with a deep and multidimensional core of fruit framed by beautifully refined tannins and girdled by lively acids, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Serious and structured without being austere, it's a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and a mere 5% Merlot. Drink 2031-2065.

Polished and refined with a firm, fine and linear tannin structure. Harmonious. Perfumed violets, roses and subtle licorice. All in balance here, with precise layers of black fruit, minerals and pencil lead. Rather seamless. Firm, yet fine and sleek to the end. Very classy. Fine-velvet texture. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

The 2021 Cos d'Estournel is one of the denser, more muscular wines of the vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, charcoal, sweet cigar wrapper and subtle hints of smoked meats, framed by a touch of toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's rich and quite concentrated for the vintage, with a chassis of sweet, generously extracted tannin and a long, lusty finish. Drink 2026-2045.

A serious, age-worthy vintage of La Mission Haut Brion here. With a deep, dark, rich hue, the wine pops from the glass with its smoky essence made even better by its layers of black currants, black plums, tar, herbs, cigar box, and tobacco accents. The palate is full-bodied, powerful, rich, intense, mouth-filling, and long. Everything is in balance, meshing power with precision, purity, freshness, length, and complexity. Like all the great vintages of La Mission Haut Brion , this is going to demand time in the cellar before it unfurls and displays all it has to offer. Drink from 2036-2060. 98 Points

92 points James Suckling:
Outer quote mark This has aromas of blackberries, porcini mushrooms, tobacco and charred bark. It’s medium-bodied with fine, supple tannins. Savoury, with plenty of earth and mineral character. Fresh finish. Inner quote mark

The 2016 Palmer is a blend of 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Opaque garnet-purple colored, it slowly glides out of the glass with compelling notes of blueberry compote, warm cassis and kirsch with emerging hints of violets, cigar box, black tea, sandalwood and Sichuan pepper.

1x Château Margaux 1987/1999/2011

The Year of the Rabbit set from Château Margaux is limited to 100 sets, with each set independently numbered. The set comprises three bottles of Margaux from the Year of the Rabbit, namely 2011, 1999 and 1987. The wines have been stored in the Château Margaux cellars before release. The year 2011 was one of the most intense vintages that the winery has ever produced, and the wine is finally starting to show its full potential now; 1999 is one of the château’s favorite vintage for serving its guests; whereas the charming character of Margaux’s 1987 continues to emanate despite the difficult weather of the year.

Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly knit, very subtle layers of minerals, floral notions and black and red berries, all framed by exquisitely ripe, silt-like tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with epic length and depth.

Composed of 56% Merlot, 37.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6.5% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Haut-Brion is deep garnet in color. The nose beings with simple licorice notes before slowly unfurling to deliver growing scents of creme de cassis, plum preserves, dark chocolate, and lilacs, followed by suggestions of crushed rocks, tar, black truffles and cardamom. The full-bodied palate is a tightly coiled spring, taut with black fruit preserves and earthy layers and framed by very firm, grainy tannins, delivering a burst of freshness to carry the long, long, long finish. This will need a good 7-10 more years to fully blossom, and it will be well worth the wait.

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.

The wine has a rich colour with a garnet hue. The nose opens on blackberry notes mingled with refined hints of roasted coffee beans. With airing, noble and delicate notes of graphite, flint and cocoa round off this very attractive array of aromas.

Like Brane-Cantenac, Cantenac Brown is one of the big outperformers in Margaux this year. Is it better than the 2009? It is probably more a question of taste. The 2010 wine is characterised by ripe black fruits well woven together into a sweet oak framework. This is a classic ‘silky’ Margaux but with very present refreshing acidity. Good length. A really successful wine this and with Brane-Cantenac surely a must buy in this vintage.

This is really excellent with creamy tannins and a lovely berry, currant and blueberry character. Full and luscious for the vintage. Superb. Second wine of Ausone.

The 2020 Pichon-Longueville Baron is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot aging for an estimated 18 months in French oak barrels, 70% new. The production of the grand vin represents 48% of the harvest this year. Opaque purple-black in colour, it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notions of blackberry pie, preserved plums and crème de cassis, plus suggestions of Chinese five spice, chocolate mint, graphite and cedar chest with a touch of violets. The medium-bodied palate is built like a brick house, featuring firm, ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness to support the taut, muscular black fruits, finishing long and spicy.

Flowers, leafy herbs, mint, espresso, cherries, plums and a hint of blueberries come alive in the aromatic profile. But the best is yet to come with its array of minerals, rocks, stones and salt-tinted red and black fruits that cross your palate with length, lift, precision, purity and soft, smooth textures. It is difficult to believe that this is their second wine.

100/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The 2016 Cheval Blanc is blended of 59.5% Merlot, 37.2% Cabernet Franc and 3.3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose is incredibly youthful yet not so shy as some other 2016s at this stage, giving wonderfully intense scents of red currants, black cherries, wild blueberries and violets with nuances of star anise, cinnamon stick, rose hip tea, cigar box and wood smoke plus a touch of beef drippings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has jaw-dropping elegance and depth, offering up layer upon layer of fragrant red and black fruits plus an extraordinary array of mineral sparks, supported by a rock-solid grainy texture, finishing with epic persistence and an edifying perfume. This is a very different style from the rich, opulently hedonic 2015, yet this wonderfully fragrant, beautifully poised and intellectually compelling 2016 is equally extraordinary."

The 2016 is a red wine blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The wine has notes of black fruit and cocoa bean on the noes with a dense texture and elegant tannins. The palate is full-bodied with notes of black currant, pencil shavings and spice that lead into a very pleasant long finish. Drink from 2026-2036.

This wine has a tightly-knit tannic texture and a beautiful, long,aromatic aftertaste. It is fruity, spicy and oaky (the oakiness is normal at this early stage).2012 Quintus starts out quite smooth on the palate, going on to showripe fruit and a freshness that might be referred to as mineral which is very typical of the terroir.

Chateau Montrose is a 2nd growth in the Saint Estephe appellation of the left bank of Bordeaux. The location itself is exceptional, facing the Gironde Estuary which means the 95ha vineyard benefits from the moderating influence of this body of water during hot summers and harsh winters. This red blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and scored over 95 by many of the critics. All typical Medoc aromas and flavours of blackcurrant, licorice, pencil lead, crushed stones, warm spices and violets. Balanced and impressive, give this a decade before opening and age for the next 30+ years.

Without a doubt, Chateau Troplong Mondot has one of the most enviable and unique terroirs on the St. Emilion appellation on Bordeaux's Right Bank. Specifically located on the highest point of Saint-Emilion's famous limestone plateau, the 43ha estate has ideal soils and exposure. The resulting wines combine strength and elegance, complexity and precision. This 2014 Bordeaux red blend consisting of 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc The wine has a rich fruit basket of blackcurrants, blackberries and raspberries accompanied by graphite, espresso and earth. The palate is fresh and precise that is rich, classy and elegant. Drinking well now, but certainly has 20 years of life left in it!

"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

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)

" The 2016 Haut-Bages Libéral has turned out beautifully. Rose petals, lavender and sweet red cherry are some of the notes that grace this fine, translucent Pauillac. Medium in body and precise, with exquisite finesse and nuance, the 2016 is incredibly expressive today. This is a fabulous showing from proprietor Claire Villars Lurton. (AG)" (1/2019) -Vinous 95 points

Lush, round, medium bodied and packed with fresh, ripe red fruits, licorice, earth and mocha, the wine is forward, elegant and supple textured in the fruit filled finish. ---The Wine Cellar Insider:

94 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate" Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it absolutely sings of red roses, black tea and tilled black soil with a core of crushed blackberries, Morello cherries and cassis plus a hint of cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of ripe black berries and floral layers, framed by soft, silken tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. (LPB)" (11/2018)

94 points - James Suckling

93 points - Wine Enthusiast

The nose displays plenty of menthol, blackberry and blackcurrant aromas. On palate, this medium-bodied wine is fresh and ripe with a long, clean, mineral and herbal finish. An incredibly food-flexible wine!

The 2019 Château L'Eglise-Clinet is a premier, highly acclaimed Pomerol, renowned as the last masterpiece produced by the late Denis Durantou. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, it offers immense concentration, power, and elegance, featuring notes of black fruit, violet, truffle, and graphite with refined tannins.

The 2017 Le Pin is a highly sought-after, 100% Merlot Pomerol known for its exceptional elegance, depth, and balance, offering complex notes of black fruit (cherries, plums, raspberries), floral hints (violets, lilacs), earthy tones (truffle, forest floor, ironstone), and spice, all carried by silken tannins and vibrant freshness for a long, fragrant finish, showcasing remarkable complexity for the challenging vintage.

The 2004 Le Pin is a highly-rated, opulent Pomerol known for its plush, fleshy texture and complex aromas of ripe black fruits (plum, cherry), cassis, espresso, vanilla, and earthy notes, offering a luxurious experience with smooth tannins that can be enjoyed young or aged, showcasing the vintage's quality despite challenges.

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.

The Château Haut-Simard 2014 is a well-structured Saint-Émilion Grand Cru known for its elegant balance of ripe dark fruits (black cherry, plum, blackberry) with notes of spice (cinnamon, cloves), earth, and subtle oak, offering a smooth, medium-bodied palate with supple tannins and a fresh finish, reflecting classic Right Bank Bordeaux character. Primarily Merlot with some Cabernet Franc, it's considered an attractive, harmonious wine that's enjoyable now but has mid-term aging potential.

Château Lagrange's "Parcellaire Haut Bois" is a special, limited-release single-plot Cabernet Sauvignon from their Saint-Julien estate, known for intense black fruit (cherry, cassis) mixed with spicy, earthy notes, floral hints (violet, rose), and a powerful yet silky structure, often with tobacco, mint, and liquorice undertones, built for aging and showcasing a specific terroir's character, distinct from the main Château Lagrange blend .

The Château Lagrange Heritage Collection 2023 is a limited-edition Saint-Julien red wine created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the estate's acquisition by the Japanese Suntory group in 1983. This unique cuvée is a modern reinterpretation of the estate's historical blend from that era.

The 1983 Château Lagrange, a Saint-Julien Third Growth (3ème Cru Classé), is described as a classic, savory Bordeaux with firm tannins, earthy notes, and mature black fruit (plum, cassis), showing complexity with hints of leather and pencil shavings, holding up well with age but benefiting from decanting to reveal its depth, reflecting the era when Suntory began its major revitalization of the estate.

The 2022 Château Le Pin is a highly acclaimed, 100% Merlot Pomerol, described as an elegant, full-bodied, yet balanced wine with intense aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, violet, and spice, plus notes of cedar, truffle, and mocha. It features velvety tannins, seamless integration, and a long, fresh, spicy finish with layers of dark fruit, earth, and minerality, offering both immediate appeal and aging potential, often compared to a luxurious, weightless texture.