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

A testament to its prestigious terroir, Aile D'Argent Blanc 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.

Embodying an iconic legacy, Chateau Pape Clement Blanc 2018 offers aromatic intensity featuring truffle, plum, and subtle oak nuances —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Reflecting centuries of winemaking mastery, Aile D'Argent 2019 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.

Crafted with elegance and power, Chateau Clerc Milon 2018 offers silky tannins interwoven with flavors of blackberry, tobacco, and graphite —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Armailhac 2015 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.

Crafted with elegance and power, Chateau Cheval Blanc 2005 offers aromatic intensity featuring truffle, plum, and subtle oak nuances —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Embodying an iconic legacy, Chateau Margaux 1996 offers a structured palate with notes of cassis, spice, and cedar —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Calon Segur 2005-571 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 testament to its prestigious terroir, Chateau Armailhac 2010 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.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Armailhac 2011 offers silky tannins interwoven with flavors of blackberry, tobacco, and graphite —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

A testament to its prestigious terroir, Croix De Beaucaillou 2016 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 Leoville Poyferre 2016 1.5L 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.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2016 6L offers aromatic intensity featuring truffle, plum, and subtle oak nuances —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

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.

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.

Reflecting centuries of winemaking mastery, Chateau Brane Cantenac 2016 1.5L offers a structured palate with notes of cassis, spice, and cedar —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

The Château Angélus 2016 is a powerful, complex, and age-worthy Saint-Émilion, celebrated for its deep color, intense dark fruit (blackberry, plum, cherry), layers of spice (anise, clove), and floral notes (violet, rose), all supported by firm yet polished tannins, velvety texture, and exceptional length, revealing notes of tobacco, earth, and chocolate with freshness, promising greatness for decades. 

Reflecting centuries of winemaking mastery, Chateau Pape Clement Blanc 2017 offers a structured palate with notes of cassis, spice, and cedar —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Blend: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot Drinking Window: 2029-2050 98 Points - James Suckling "Complex, refined and truly mineral, this has natural vibrancy and freshness as well as excellent depth. Light midpalate concentration but also no sweetness at all. Medium- to full-bodied with chalky, stony tannins and a long, very tense finish. A vintage of delicacy and finesse. If you seek less alcohol and less power, this will be a great year to buy."

Blend: 51% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon Drinking Window: 2027-2050 96 Points - James Suckling "A very precise Pavie, this has a compacted palate of blue fruit as well as raspberries and hints of sandalwood. Medium-bodied with a tight, linear finish. Racy and fresh at the end. A blend of 51% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 17% cabernet sauvignon."

Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc Drinking Window: 2028-2045 95 Points - James Suckling “This vintage shows lovely minerality and excellent red currants, red cherries and stones. Such vibrancy, youthfulness and energy. Not a wine of immense depth, but I like the chalky tannins that provide vibration and length. Mostly cabernet sauvignon with merlot, malbec and petit verdot.”

Blend: 76% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon Drinking Window: 2027-2045 96 Points - Vinous “The 2024 Pavie Macquin is positively gorgeous. Silky, layered and voluptuous, the 2024 is so impressive right out of the gate. Plush contours wrap around a core of purplish fruit, lavender, licorice, spice, menthol and chocolate. All the signatures of this site come through loud and clear. Savory and floral notes supported by clean veins of salinity extend the persistent finish. Pavie Macquin shows what was possible in 2024. The choice to harvest everything in October (from the 3rd to the 8th) paid off big time. Aging is in French oak, with about 15% in larger 500-liter barrels, 45% new wood overall. Tasted three times.”

Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot Drinking Window: 2026-2045 96 Points - James Suckling “Fine cocoa powder, cedar, minerals, currants and blue fruit. Juicy and medium- to full-bodied with fresh, firm tannins and a long, crunchy finish. It lingers well.”

Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc Drinking Window: 2028-2050 96 Points - James Suckling “A classic Bordeaux that shows finesse and poise. This is understated, with a medium body, lovely texture and acidity, freshness and brightness. It shows firm tannins that aren't chewy. Very long and honest, with pure fruit. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.”

Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot Drinking Window: 2028-2048 96 Points - Vinous “The 2024 Pichon Baron is a very sexy wine. Deep and layered on the palate, with fine depth, the 2024 exudes balance. Sumptuous black cherry, mocha, new leather, licorice, menthol, lavender and pine are all dialed up. There's gorgeous breadth and overall presence here. The Cabernet Sauvignon is quite high at 87%, but it is really the wine's balance that speaks loudest. Here, too, the reduction of new oak to 70% really helps the wine speak with precision.”

Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot Drinking Window: 2029–2040 The 2024 vintage of Duhart-Milon emphasizes finesse over sheer power, offering fresh blue fruit, supple texture, and fine-grained tannins. This lighter expression is elegant, with a medium body and a graceful, medium-long finish. 94 Points - James Suckling "A lighter vintage that highlights finesse rather than power or concentration. Fresh blue fruit with a medium body and fine-grained tannins. Fresh but supple in a refined, medium-long finish. 78% cabernet sauvignon and 22% merlot."

Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot Drinking Window: 2029–2040 The 2024 vintage of Duhart-Milon emphasizes finesse over sheer power, offering fresh blue fruit, supple texture, and fine-grained tannins. This lighter expression is elegant, with a medium body and a graceful, medium-long finish. 94 Points - James Suckling "A lighter vintage that highlights finesse rather than power or concentration. Fresh blue fruit with a medium body and fine-grained tannins. Fresh but supple in a refined, medium-long finish. 78% cabernet sauvignon and 22% merlot."

Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc Drinking Window: 2030–2040 A refined and complex Gruaud Larose showing purity and structure. Notes of cassis, violets, and pencil shavings lead to a suave, seamless palate with a long, persistent finish. A standout from Saint-Julien in 2024. 94 Points - Vinous "The 2024 Gruaud Larose is very fine. Dark and ample, with gorgeous presence, the 2024 has so much to offer. Dark blue/purplish fruit, new leather, gravel, spice, lavender and dried herbs build effortlessly. Readers will find a Saint-Julien endowed with notable textural depth. The finish is perhaps just a touch narrow, but élevage may very well help with that."

Blend: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc Drinking Window: 2028–2045 Elegant and refined, the 2024 Haut-Bailly impresses with its aromatic complexity and graceful texture. Despite the challenges of the vintage, this wine shows remarkable poise, layered red fruit, and finely etched tannins. 95 Points – Vinous “The 2024 Haut-Bailly was picked from September 25 to October 4 and matured in 50% new oak, possibly with a shorter élevage. As usual, it deserves patience at this stage as it gradually opens and coheres with aeration. This has a perfumed bouquet built around redcurrant, cranberry and wild strawberry fruit. It's quite floral in style with finely delineated touches of freshly-rolled tobacco and wilted rose petal. The palate is creamy on the entry and velvety in texture, with finely chiseled, lace-like tannins. It is very well balanced with one of the few sensual vintages that you will find from this year. This will be much earlier drinking than other vintages, but that does not detract from what will be one of the most pleasurable 2024s to drink.”

Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot Drinking Window: 2029–2055 A deeply structured and powerful Pauillac, the 2024 Lynch-Bages offers a bold expression of its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend. Expect pulpy dark fruit, signature grip, and excellent ageing potential, underscored by its brooding personality and dense tannins. 95 Points - James Suckling "A brooding nose, showing pulpy blackberries, ripe mulberries, peppercorns and violet extract. The signature Lynch-Bages tannin structure with good concentration of fruit helps deliver an almost full-bodied, structured red and a long, fruity finish. Wait and see."

Blend: 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris, 5% Sémillon Drinking Window: 2026–2045 A dynamic, layered white Bordeaux bursting with citrus, minerals, and herbs. The 2024 delivers exceptional energy and salinity with a textured, broad finish. A benchmark white from Pessac-Léognan. 98 Points - James Suckling "Minerals, smoke, tarragon and bright lemons on the nose. An almost full-bodied, textured white that delivers lots of freshness, weight and brightness on the palate. There is attractive salinity at the end before a long yet broad finish. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% semillon and 5% sauvignon gris."

Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot Drinking Window: 2030–2042 A sleek and polished Saint-Julien, Talbot 2024 delivers focused fruit, creamy texture, and fine tannins. Hints of chalk, berries, and chocolate emerge through its medium-bodied frame, offering early charm and mid-term cellaring potential. 94 Points - James Suckling "Focused, dense and creamy with berries and chocolate on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Chalky, with crunchy berries and a flavorful finish."

This wine is full-bodied, with notes of dark red fruits, earth, cedar and touch of spice. An easy drinking style of wine that Usseglio believes is a great introduction to his wines. Pair with beef, mature cheese, or lamb.

This medium bodied, waxy, white wine shows notes of white flowers like hawthorn, honeysuckle and lemon verbena. Subtle fruit expressions of peach and apricot balance out the wine.

Such pure and beautiful aromas of blackberries and black cherries with violets and red roses. So aromatic and enticing. Full-bodied with extremely integrated tannins that are velvety and curated. Fresh and sweet fruit at the end with an orange-peel undertone. Crushed stone and sandalwood, too. This is a very beautiful second wine of Ausone. 60% cabernet franc and 40% merlot. Drink after 2025.

The 2016 Barbaresco Manzola is a brilliant wine. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, mint, chalk and white pepper all pulse through the 2016. A Barbaresco of energy and tension, the 2016 is a bit nervous in feel, and yet it also has terrific depth, not to mention exceptional balance. The 2016 is one of the finest Manzolas I can remember tasting. In this range, the Manzola is distinguished by its saline minerality and drive.

Arnaldo Rivera was a local primary school teacher, mayor of his village for 36 years, and founder in 1958 of the Terre del Barolo winery, which still today is the only direct cooperative wine cellar in the entire supply chain in the Barolo production area. Verduno might be one of the 12 communes allowed to put ‘Barolo’ on the label, yet besides the great grape Nebbiolo, they are famous for the native Pelaverga grape, which you can find most locals drinking in caffes. Rustic and slightly opaque on the nose, it is expertly worked to give complexity in addition to the floral matrix. Hints of wet geraniums, hot stone and ginseng root set the main scene. Medium body, soft little extracted tannins and vibrant acidity from the midpalate onward. Drink now.

Now benefiting from its own dedicated winery, the 2021 Le Carillon d'Angélus is no longer a "second wine" per se, but rather draws on some 25 hectares of dedicated vineyards, emphasizing Merlot from the cool terroirs of Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, complemented by holdings in the gravelly Figeac sector and on clay soils near Angélus itself—with anything that doesn't make the cut relegated to the No. 3 d'Angélus. Exhibiting aromas of raspberries, plums, warm spices and nicely integrated new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and polished, with lively acids, refined tannins and a long, penetrating finish. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Offering up wild, exotic aromas of blackberries, cloves and Indian spices mingled with notions of rose petal, bruised orchard fruit and cherry pit that evolve rapidly in the glass, the 2021 Pontet-Canet is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a layered mid-palate and refined tannins that assert themselves on the firm, saline finish. Always one of the Médoc's most singular, idiosyncratic wines, it will be interesting to see how it performs in bottle.