This family owned Domaine has a prestigious location: they are the only Domaine located inside the walls of Clos Vougeot itself. They are the largest owners of land with 5.5ha, many of these with Pinot Noir vines that were planted in 1910. Although they always farmed organically, they received their certification in 2021. This 2019 Pinot Noirs shows tightly packed black and red fruit accented with notes of violets, mineral, earth and wild herbs. This is powerful and rich, with firm tannins, lots of body, and the ability to age almost indefinitely. Try from 2026

A legend throughout the entire Cote-d'Or, Henri de Villamont can be easily spotted from miles around due to its famous Guettes Tower and beautiful manor house, which has drawn wine lovers on a Burgundy pilgrimage for many decades. Located in the heart of one of the region's prettiest villages, Savigny les Beaune, Henri de Villamont is a magical place, surrounded by high walls and scores of Premier Cru vineyards. The property is owned by a major Swiss family company who have been in the wine business for over 20 years. A shy nose that very slowly releases precise red berries. Eventually this rounds in the mouth, has a hint of salt too. This has decently understated concentration and real grand cru complexity here. Understated, sometimes subtle, but excellent.

Seguin-Manuel has undergone a major rejuvenation since its acquisition by Thibaut Marion in 2004, 180 years after its foundation in 1824. Coming from a ten-generation family of winegrowers, Chanson Père & Fils, Thibaut started his career -- and honed his skills for seven years -- at the family winery in Beaune. Today, he puts his experience, passion and energy at the service of the great wines of Burgundy. The range has thus been considerably extended through the acquisition of new vineyards et new grape suppliers. Every effort has been made at Seguin-Manuel to let the wines express their natural balance and each cuvée is crafted with the intention of reflecting its terroir with panache. Seguin-Manuel's vineyards are grown organically with no use of chemicals, certified since 2015. "Les Cazetiers" typically shows a dark purple colour. The bouquet is precise, stylish and intense. Black fruit aromas are mingled with a hint of toasted and spicy notes. It is both powerful and precise with fine and elegant tannins. Very long aftertaste. To be paired with a leg of lamb, braised ham or a matured cheese. The aging potential of this wine indicates its best after 7 to 10 years, and more than 15 years for the great vintages.

The La Tour Carnet from Haut-Medoc is a blend of 68% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot to add that backbone structure. Dark red cherries, plums, smoke, leather, and cedar abound with silky tannins and fresh acidity. Although this is ready to drink now, give it ample time in a decanter for optimal drinking experience!

Chateau Leoville-Barton (Saint Julien)- this wine is massive and powerful with the bulk of this coming from 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc providing the lift. It has a solid core of cassis, blueberry compote, sweet oak and plum flavours wrapped with licorice and pencil lead. Muscular, yet lean, drink from 2025-2035. 

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.

A rich, balanced, long-lasting and incredibly harmonious red wine, dark in colour with a touch of purple in the reflections. Its powerful and complex bouquet contains notes of dark berries, with hints of cherry alongside peppery and liquorice spices. On the palate it is aromatic, with velvety tannins and soft ripe fruit, and a long finish.

It is arrayed in an intense, bright garnet red hue flecked with purple. The charming and pleasant nose offers a lovely bouquet of red fruit and liquorice. The equally expressive palate combines aromatic freshness and fruity intensity, interpinned with a velvety texture. A succulent, elegant wine, smooth and well-balanced.

A Red wine from Bordeaux Superieur, Bordeaux, France. Made from Merlot 50%,Cabernet Sauvignon 50%

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.

" 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

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

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:

"The 2010 Pontet-Canet offers a very deep garnet color. Whoa—the nose explodes with a vast array of black fruit preserves and savory nuances: plum preserves, blackcurrant cordial, black cherry coulis and licorice with wafts of dried lavender, melted chocolate, charcuterie, black olives, truffles and camphor plus a hint of sandalwood. The full-bodied palate is completely filled with black fruits, exotic spices and earthy nuances with a firm foundation of ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. So much more expressive and seductive than a lot of 2010s at this stage, and yet it is still incredibly youthful! (LPB)" (5/2020) -100 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

100 points - James Suckling

98 points - Jeb Dunnuck

The second label of First growth Chateau Latour is just as impressive as its big brother, and at 12 years old, if there is more than one bottle in the cellar, time to see how it's evolving. Not an epic vintage, but well made, nonetheless. The tannins are fresh, there is good weight in the mouth and the typical flavours of cassis, cedar and graphite are here in this iconic Pauillac.

96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: Medium to deep garnet colored, the nose slowly, measuredly emerges with notions of preserved Morello cherries, baked blackcurrants and blackberry compote, giving way to nuances of pencil shavings, unsmoked cigars, Chinese five spice and sandalwood plus ever so subtle hints of cardamom and eucalyptus. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black and red fruit preserves with a firm, grainy-textured frame and fantastic freshness, finishing with a veritable firework display of lingering spices and minerals. This is a more restrained, relatively elegant vintage of Latour that may not have that "iron fist in a velvet glove" power of the greatest vintages but nonetheless struts its superior terroir and behind-the-scenes savoir faire with impressive panache. It is drinking nicely now with suitably rounded-off, approachable tannins, and the tertiary characters are just beginning to bring some more cerebral elements into the compote of temptingly primary black fruits. But, if you're looking to drink it in full, flamboyant swing, give it another 5-10 years in bottle and drink it over the next 20-25 years+. (LPB) 96+ (3/2020)

97 points - Decanter

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.

Blend: Merlot (73%), Cabernet Franc (27%)
Drinking Window: 2035-2060

98-99 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A captivating Château Palmer with extraordinary precision and elegance. Aromas of blackberries, cassis, violets, graphite and subtle spices lead to a palate of remarkable purity and depth. The texture is silky yet structured, with ultra-fine tannins seamlessly woven into layers of dark fruit and mineral complexity. Fresh acidity brings energy and length, while the finish lingers effortlessly for minutes. A refined and harmonious Palmer that perfectly balances power, finesse and terroir expression.”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (84%), Cabernet Franc (11%), Merlot (5%)
Drinking Window: 2036-2070

99-100 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A monumental Léoville-Las Cases that perfectly captures the aristocratic character of Saint-Julien. The bouquet is intensely complex, revealing layers of cassis, blackberries and dark cherries intertwined with violets, graphite, cigar box and crushed stones. The palate is remarkably precise and structured, delivering extraordinary concentration wrapped in impeccably fine tannins and vibrant acidity. A profound mineral backbone lends energy and definition, allowing the wine to unfold with effortless elegance despite its power. The finish is exceptionally long, seamless and multidimensional, confirming this as one of the most compelling and age-worthy wines of the vintage.”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), Merlot (34%), Petit Verdot (2%), Cabernet Franc (1%)
Drinking Window: 2033-2060

97-99 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A brilliantly refined Rauzan-Ségla that captures the elegance and complexity of great Margaux. Fragrant aromas of cassis, blackberries, wild cherries and violets are layered with graphite, cedar, rose petals and subtle exotic spices. The palate is silky yet remarkably structured, revealing exceptional purity of fruit supported by ultra-fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Beautifully balanced, it combines depth, precision and mineral tension with effortless grace. The finish is exceptionally long, seamless and aromatic, confirming this as one of the standout wines of the vintage with outstanding aging potential.”

Blend: Merlot (84%), Cabernet Franc (15%), Cabernet Sauvignon (1%)
Drinking Window: 2033-2060

96-98 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A beautifully sculpted Pavie Macquin that captures the purity and limestone-driven elegance of Saint-Émilion. Fragrant aromas of blackberries, black cherries and violets are intertwined with notes of crushed stone, graphite and sweet spices. The palate is rich yet remarkably poised, revealing layers of vibrant dark fruit supported by silky tannins and energetic acidity. Precision and minerality define its character, creating a seamless balance between concentration and finesse. The finish is long, refined and intensely persistent, highlighting the estate’s exceptional terroir and outstanding aging potential.”

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (86%), Merlot (14%)
Drinking Window: 2035-2065

98-99 Points – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
“A magnificent Ducru-Beaucaillou that combines remarkable precision with effortless elegance. Aromas of cassis, blackberries, violets and crushed stones are layered with graphite, cedar, cigar box and delicate exotic spices. The palate is concentrated yet impeccably refined, showcasing a seamless core of pure dark fruit supported by ultra-fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Powerful without excess, it displays exceptional balance, mineral tension and depth, unfolding gracefully toward an extraordinarily long and polished finish. A classic Saint-Julien of outstanding pedigree and exceptional aging potential.”

The 2020 Château Potensac is a vibrant, structured red wine from the Médoc AOC on Bordeaux's Left Bank. Crafted by the Delon family (who also own the legendary Léoville Las Cases), this vintage over-delivers, offering a quality and complexity typical of a Classified Growth.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (34%), Cabernet Franc (1%)
Drinking Window: 2032 - 2040

96-98 Points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com
“The 2025 Echo de Lynch-Bages is a pretty serious second wine that is going to need a number of years to soften. Quite frankly, I don't think I have ever tasted an Echo with this much power and overall structure. Dark-fleshed fruit, gravel, incense, licorice and scorched earth convey gravitas. There's a lot of wine here, but patience is required.”

Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas "Terres Brulées" (Burnt Earth) is a premium 100% Syrah red wine from the Northern Rhône Valley, known for being powerful yet refined. It features intense aromas of black fruit (blackberry, cassis), violets, licorice, and savory olive/earth notes, with a structured, velvety palate and long, peppery finish.

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.

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.

Guigal Hermitage Rouge is a prestigious, full-bodied red wine from the Northern Rhône Valley in France, crafted exclusively from Syrah grapes. A benchmark for Hermitage wines, it is known for its intense color, robust tannins, and ability to age for decades.

Blend: Pinot Noir 100%

The 2022 Côte d'Or Pinot Noir from Bruno Desaunay-Bissey is a refined expression of Burgundy elegance. Aromas of red cherry, raspberry, and hints of forest floor lead to a silky, medium-bodied palate featuring bright red fruit, subtle spice, and soft, integrated tannins. The finish is smooth, fresh, and lingering, reflecting the character of the Côte d'Or terroir.

Perfect with roast poultry, game birds, or mushroom dishes.

Blend: Pinot Noir 100%

The 2022 Grands Échezeaux Grand Cru from Bruno Desaunay-Bissey is a wine of exceptional power, elegance, and complexity. The nose reveals concentrated red and black cherry, raspberry, floral nuances, and subtle spice. On the palate, it offers silky, layered red fruit, refined tannins, and a mineral-driven structure, culminating in a long, precise, and age-worthy finish.

A Grand Cru of outstanding finesse, ideal for pairing with game, roast poultry, or fine mushroom dishes.

Blend: Pinot Noir 100%

The 2022 Vosne-Romanée from Bruno Desaunay-Bissey is a graceful and expressive Pinot Noir. Aromas of ripe red cherry, raspberry, and subtle violet notes lead to a silky, layered palate with bright red fruit, gentle spice, and delicate earthy undertones. The finish is long, elegant, and refined, showcasing the finesse of Vosne-Romanée.

Perfect with roast poultry, charcuterie, or mushroom-based dishes.

Blend: 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2020-2060

98 Points - Robert Parker
“The 2010 Ausone struck me as another brilliant, potentially perfect wine, which should come as no shock to people who have been following Vauthier's work over the last decade or more. Backward and intense, this wine offers up notes of crushed chalk/rock mineralilty interwoven with blueberry, black raspberry and cassis as well as some graphite and vanillin. It is incredibly rich but at the same time precise, fresh and vivacious. This is a super wine, but it will require enormous patience from its potential suitors. Forget it for a decade and drink it over the following 50+ years."

Drinking Window: 2000-2035

90 Points - Robert Parker
"Tasted from my cellar, the 1986 has consistently been outstanding, falling short of being sublime. The spicy, peppery bouquet reveals aromas of dried herbs and red currant fruit. Medium-bodied, austere, but youthful, vigorous, and concentrated, this wine still requires 4-5 years of cellaring. It is surpassed in this vintage (which favored the northern Medoc and Cabernet Sauvignon) by its rivals, Lafite-Rothschild and Mouton-Rothschild."

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 75%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Petit Verdot 1%
Drinking Window: 2003-2030

A Pauillac Grand Cru Classé that has matured to perfection. This distinguished vintage reveals remarkable depth and complexity, with layers of dark fruit, earth, and subtle spice, complemented by a refined, silky texture and long finish. A prized choice for collectors and wine enthusiasts, it embodies the artistry and heritage of one of Bordeaux’s most respected estates.

88 Points - Wine Advocate
“A solidly made effort, the 1982 Pontet Canet reveals some pink at the edge, but it remains a medium-bodied wine offering hints of menthol and red as well as black currants. Although it lacks concentration, the sensuality and suppleness provided by the vintage character are still appealing.”

Blend: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Merlot
Drinking Window: 1992-2030

Discover the timeless elegance of Château Lagrange 1982, a rare and celebrated Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé. This iconic vintage has matured gracefully over decades, revealing layers of dark fruit, cedar, and subtle spice, with a silky texture and remarkable depth. Perfect for collectors and connoisseurs alike, it embodies the pinnacle of Bordeaux craftsmanship and is a prized addition to any wine cellar or special occasion.

94 Points - Wine Spectator.
“One of the sleepers of the vintage. Traditional and rich. Dark ruby-colored, with a slight garnet rim. Masses of berry, chocolate and raspberry character. Full-bodied and very tannic, packed with fruit. Lengthy finish. A youthful and concentrated wine; a relatively good value.”

Blend: 56% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2028 - 2060

95 Points - James Suckling
“A very structured red for Phelan Segur with incredibly powerful tannins that are long and linear. At the same time, there's deep, dark fruit underneath. Blackcurrants and blackberries. Medium-bodied with lots of grape phenolics and a palate full of dried spices. It's very muscular yet toned and balanced. 56% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon, 2% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. A Phelan for the long term. Old-school in a modern way. Best after 2029.”

Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2024-2060

100 Points - Wine Enthusiast
"This great estate in southern Pauillac, facing the Latour vineyard, is at the top of its game. In this release, the tannins are as impressive and dense as the black fruits. Together they form a harmonious ensemble, richly structured, concentrated from the many old vines in the blend, and very age-worthy. Drink from 2027. Cellar Selection.”

The 2010 Château Léoville-Las Cases in 1.5L magnum is a legendary, full-bodied Saint-Julien second-growth wine (82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc) known for its immense, long-term aging potential and structural perfection. It features intense cassis, graphite, dark berry, and cedar notes, exhibiting polished tannins, fresh acidity, and remarkable concentration.

Blend: 89.9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9.2% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2065

97 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2014 Latour is one of the very finest wines of a vintage that favored the northern Médoc. Mingling aromas of wild berries and cassis with hints of cigar wrapper, loamy soil, black truffles and classy new oak, it’s full-bodied, rich and concentrated, its broad attack segueing into a deep, tightly wound mid‑palate that’s framed by powdery, chalky tannins and bright acids, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. This classically balanced, youthfully structured young wine looks set to enjoy prodigious longevity. It’s reminiscent of a modern-day version of a cooler vintage such as 1996, though of course these days maturity is more complete and selection even more rigorous than was the case two decades ago.”