Bordeaux 2023 En Primeur
VIEW OUR FULL BORDEAUX 2023 EN PRIMEUR OFFER HERE
At the end of April, we tasted several hundred wines from the 2023 vintage, visited thirty-five top châteaux and, most importantly, discussed the wines with dozens of châteaux owners and winemakers. As is invariably the case, by the time we came home our understanding of the vintage was completely different from our expectations.
2023 was the hottest autumn and the second-hottest year on record in France, but not in Bordeaux, with its Atlantic influences. Peak temperatures were lower than in '22 and rainfall was much higher. The widely reported issues with mildew were not evident in the wines we tasted. Top estates have the resources to combat the issue or to reduce yields where necessary.
We started our tastings in Pessac-Léognan, with Daniel Cathiard of Smith Haut Lafitte, still a bit giddy from hosting a visit by King Charles' during the harvest. The ripeness and aromatic intensity of the Cabernet Sauvignon here was echoed next at Haut-Bailly, where we met with Veronique Saunders and her Technical Director Gabriel Vialard.
Very quickly a theme emerged, of perfectly balanced, elegant wines with moderate alcohol (usually 13-13.5% on the left bank) and fresh fruit, wrapped up with firm, structured tannins, giving many of the wines a thoughtful, austere character. The word 'Atlantic' seems to sum up their style, especially when you factor in the pronounced mineral and saline notes we found at many estates.
In Pomerol and St-Emilion we met some beautiful wines at L'Evangile, Cheval Blanc, Figeac, Le Pin, Canon, Ausone and Le Tertre Rôtebeouf, with Vieux Château Certan producing another show-stopper. In some cases, the reduced Merlot crop had led to increased intensity, but more often the theme of elegance and freshness continued. L'Eglise Clinet was definitely a contender for wine of the vintage, a defining moment for winemaker Noemie Durantou.
Tasting in St-Estèphe and Pauillac, we found tremendous expressions of terroir, far more so than in the more homogenous 2022 vintage, with endless variations on crushed rock and mineral notes in St-Estèphe. Particular highlights were Phelan-Segur (with a superb lunch!), Cos d'Estournel and Calon-Segur. Montrose epitomized the direction of winemaking in the region, with fruit for the 2023 coming solely from vines on 'Terrace 4' gravel, the terroir that forms the heart of the estate (and many other top Médoc vineyards), producing a more linear, less broad-shouldered wine than in previous vintages. The sense of terroir was almost as evident in Pauillac, with highlights including Pontet-Canet, Pichon-Lalande, Clerc-Milon and Duhart-Milon.
The theme of terroir continued in Margaux, with the silkiest of tannins and wonderful elegance at Palmer and Margaux, both of which have produced potentially perfect wines. We also found numerous beautiful wines in St-Julien, although this was perhaps the most heterogeneous commune. Léoville Las Cases, already released with a huge 40% reduction on the '22, is one of the success stories, with the other Léovilles not far behind, and Beychevelle has surely made one of its best wines in years. As for Ducru-Beaucaillou, Xavier Borie has demonstrated his maverick tendencies once again, producing an inexplicably opulent wine which nevertheless has superb balance.
For us, 2023 is a very good vintage, but the best wines reach greatness. Quality is increasingly variable at Cru Bourgeois level and below, where estates may have lacked resources to respond to mildew. The key words from our notes are terroir, elegance, balance, moderate alcohol and 'Atlantic'. Precision and purity also feature heavily, but this is more a feature of modern winemaking using precision viticulture and vinification in small vats. Quality has improved immeasurably, even in just the last decade. Contemporary winemaking techniques also mean that the wines will be drinking earlier than in the past, but will also age for several decades.
With many wines releasing with 20-40% discounts making them at or even below 2019 prices, we think there is every reason to add them to your cellar.
It looks like the releases will be very early this year, with some big names due out in late April and many others in May.
The 2023 Growing Season in Bordeaux
Our summary of the growing season in 2023 is taken from an excellent report prepared by the Oenology Research Unit of the University of Bordeaux[i] for the UGC.
- Winter 2022/3 was cool, with low sunshine and adequate rainfall, but lower than in previous hot years like 2022 and ’20.
- The cool winter meant bud break was not too early, preventing frost damage.
- A humid spring led to widespread mildew, a major challenge, especially for Merlot; but the impact on both left and right banks varied, from major to negligible, causing a disparity in yields between different estates.
- May was sunny, warm, and dry, with good vine growth and a very even flowering. Estates not hit by mildew had the promise of very good yields.
- June to mid-August was slightly warmer than average but a bit dull; dry but with regular storms.
- Period to 15 August full of contrasts - slightly warmer than average, a bit dull, dry, but with regular storms
- From 16 August, a heatwave arrived. Unusually, the vines responded by stopping their vegetative growth (conserving moisture and nutrients) and put their energy into fruit ripening. Ripening conditions were excellent, with the exception of young vines on well-drained soils or grapes over-exposed to sunshine.
- Merlot harvest began in the first week of September. Heavy rain on 20 September - brought forward the Cabernet harvest at some estates. Other estates chose to wait until after the rain (which was less heavy than forecast).
- An "Indian summer" gave plenty of time to pick the last red grapes without fear of rot.
- The white wine harvest was excellent for both dry and sweet white wines. The cooler start to the summer produced excellent acidity levels. In Sauternes, alternating wet/dry spells were ideal for botrytis, which developed earlier than in previous vintages. Warm dry weather in October allowed for repeated ‘tries’ in the vineyard.
[i] Prof. Laurence Geny, Elodie Guittard, Dr. Valérie Lavigne and Prof. Axel Marchal Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences of Bordeaux University, Oenology Research Unit, ‘The 2023 vintage in Bordeaux’
| RED | 2023 | Château Angelus | 75cl | £1,560 per case of 6 | Château Angelus 2023 / / 75cl £1,560 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Angélus is the traditional blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. It aged for 20 months in new oak with just over half the Cabernet Franc aged in foudres (the Merlot is apparently less receptive to this larger vessel). It has a crisp and precise bouquet, not powerful, a light marine influence coming through with background scents of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. There’s a pleasant saline edge to this Angélus, perhaps a little more compact on the mid-palate than usual, with touches of white pepper toward the finish. It needs a little more persistency on the aftertaste. This will deserve five of six years in bottle. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A classic blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Angélus reflects this estate's continuing evolution with regard to ripeness, extraction and élevage choices, offering up attractive aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with hints of mint, potpourri, rose petals, vine smoke and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with a velvety attack that segues into a core of pure, pillowy fruit framed by supple, powdery tannins, it's cool and harmonious, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. This is a terrific effort that foregrounds the vintage and the terroir at their best. 95-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The transparency of fruit and the finesse is really something here. There’s depth and beauty to the pristine, fresh fruit. Full-bodied and muscular with wonderful tannins that provide tension and form. Subtle and weightless, this is a thought-provoking young wine. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Angludet | 75cl | £288 per case of 12 | Château Angludet 2023 / / 75cl £288 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A polished and in-check red with blackberry, dark-chocolate and walnut aromas and flavors. It has a medium body, creamy and round tannins and a savory finish. Well done for this estate. Better than 2022. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Angludet | Half bottle | £313 per case of 24 | Château Angludet 2023 / / Half bottle £313 per case of 24 |
IB | |||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Ausone | 75cl | £2,640 per case of 6 | Château Ausone 2023 / / 75cl £2,640 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Density and well-cushioned fruit, another stunning vintage of a wine that somehow manages to make an effortless impression, edges of cloves and grilled sandalwood, full of nuance and capturing the aromatics depths and heights of the vintage, gorgeous. 100% new oak. Philippe Baillarguet cellar master, Vauthier family owners, organic certified in the vineyard. 97 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Ausone was picked September 14 to 30 and matured for a planned 20 months. It has a wonderful bouquet that is very floral in style and perfectly controlled, perhaps more refined than the 2022 (which incidentally had a degree more in alcohol). The palate is medium-bodied with a silky smooth entry, finely tuned with impressive mineralité. It just gently "rolls out" on the languorous finish. This is a more understated Ausone compared to recent vintages, but it exudes sophistication and could easily surpass the Vauthiers' 2022. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"I don't think I have tasted an Ausone like this. The purity of fruit and fluidity is so primary, like perfectly picked grapes with their juice. Then there is citrus freshness. It's muscular, with toned tannins that caress the palate and give a seamless finish. This really could push the boundaries for the character of Ausone, in the way of finesse with structure. Watch it. 60% cabernet franc and 40% merlot. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Beaumont | 75cl | £110 per case of 12 | Château Beaumont 2023 / / 75cl £110 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Aromas of sweet cassis and plums framed by a touch of creamy oak introduce the 2023 Beaumont, a medium-bodied, supple, soft and giving blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. While this estate suffered from frost and mildew, for now it retains attractive purity of fruit in an easygoing style. 87-89 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Beaumont has a generous bouquet with a mixture of blackberries, red plums and sous-bois. It's not as powerful as the previous vintage, but there is always a sense of "honesty" about this claret that I appreciate. The palate is medium-bodied with powdery tannins and fine acidity, quite smooth in texture, with a touch of savoriness on the finish. Enjoy it over six to eight years. 88-90 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com ------"Deep ruby/plum-hued, the 2023 Château Beaumont offers up a beautiful nose of red and black currants, leafy herbs, spice, and a hint of flowers. It's balanced, medium-bodied, has some classy, chocolaty oak, and ripe tannins. A rock solid Haut-Médoc, it has outstanding potential, if not a tad more. 88-90 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Notes of dark berry and walnut here. It’s medium-bodied with a grainy texture and some good fruit at the end. 89-90 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Beausejour Becot | 75cl | £258 per case of 6 | Château Beausejour Becot 2023 / / 75cl £258 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Beau-Séjour Bécot has the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc to date after the introduction of vines planted with a north-south orientation eight years ago, from a massal selection. The Merlot was picked from September 7 until October 4, a long harvest. It underwent a ten-day cold pre-fermentation to fix the aromatics and enhance volume, then it was matured in 55% new oak—25% one-year old and 20% foudres. It has a crisp, well-defined bouquet with lifted red cherry, wild strawberry and crushed limestone aromas. This is classy and complex. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid red fruit, fine acidity and moderate grip. The texture is slightly chalky and reminds me of Troplong Mondot, which is no surprise given the similarities in their respective terroirs. Just a touch of salinity surfaces on the finish. This is a sophisticated and quite cerebral Saint-Émilion that should age with style. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com-----"Ruby red, glass staining, peony and violet flowers on the aromatics, plush velvety tannins that cushion plump damson and pomegranate fruits through to a juicy salinity on the finish. Estate identity in full effect here, shot through with the sheer pleasure of limestone, harvest September 7 to 28 for the Merlot, with Cabernet Franc through to October 4. 39hl/h yield. 55% new oak for ageing. First year in the new cellar, Jean de Cournuaud technical director. 95 points" janeanson.com------"The first vintage produced in the estate's highly functional new winery, the 2023 Beau-Séjour Bécot has turned out beautifully and looks likely to rival or surpass the brilliant 2022. Unfurling in the glass with notes of raspberries, dark berries and minty cherries mingled with notions of iris, wisteria and lilac, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety, with a suave attack that prefaces a cool, complete core of fruit that's pure, perfumed and mineral, concluding with a long, saline finish. It's a blend of 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc that was harvested from September 7 to October 4, sub-block by sub-block. 96-98 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"A wine with very bright and al-dente fruit. Aromas and flavors of redcurrants and minerals with lavender and chalk. Medium to full body and a solid core of tannins integrated with the dark fruit. Toned-muscle quality to the tannins. Fresh and vibrant at the end. Pure fruit. Energy. 77% merlot and 23% cabernet franc. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com------"A blend of 77% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 Beau-Sejour Becot has a pH of 3.5. It is ageing in 55% new oak barriques, 20% one-year-old barrels, and 25% in a mix of amphorae and 20 hl oak casks. It has a deep garnet-purple color and comes galloping out of the glass with notes of crushed plums, black raspberries, and Morello cherries, opening out to a delicate undercurrent of garrigue, crushed rocks, violets, cranberry sauce, and pencil shavings. The medium-bodied palate is breathtakingly elegant and racy, with intense red and black berry layers and a fine-grained texture, finishing with energetic mineral sparks. 95-97+ points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2023 Beau-Séjour Bécot is fabulous. Rich, opulent and explosive to the core, the 2023 offers up a heady mélange of dark red/purplish fruit, spice, lavender, rose petal, blood orange and bright saline notes. As always, Cabernet Franc plays an important role in shaping the aromatic and flavor profile. The 2023 is an absolute stunner. It’s the first vintage made in the new cellar. That's of course not enough of a track record to make any definitive assessments, but in the 2023, I see a wine with more aromatic presence, greater precision and more refined tannins than any recent vintage I can recall. In a word: magnificent. Tasted two times. 95-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Beychevelle | 75cl | £359 per case of 6 | Château Beychevelle 2023 / / 75cl £359 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Beychevelle was picked from September 13 through October 6 over 17 days of harvest, partly because of the size of the crop and not having to rush. It has the highest proportion of Merlot under winemaker Philippe Blanc (35%), and it matured in 70% new oak. This has a notably floral and tightly-knit bouquet, leaning a little more toward blue fruit than other Saint-Julien wines tasted from barrel. The oak is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with strict tannins that impart a sense of linearity. Very saline, this is a saliva-inducing Beychevelle, lightly spiced with a structured, almost Pauillac-like finish. Excellent. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Beychevelle has turned out especially well this year, exhibiting a more integrated, seductive style than recent vintages that were constructed in a punchier, more extracted register. Offering up aromas of cassis and plums mingled with notions of pen ink, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with a deep core of fruit and a classy, suave profile that foregrounds the estate's prime vineyard holdings on the plateau around Ducru-Beaucaillou. It's a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot that represents 50% of the estate's production. 93-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Pure fruit to this, with blueberries, hazelnuts, walnut and blackcurrants. Just like eating grapes at this stage. It has a full body, juicy tannins and a savory finish. Remains vivid and energetic. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com------"From a château that seems to have hit another gear over the past five to seven years, the 2023 Château Beychevelle is based on 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, pulled from 60% of the total production, and will see 18 months in 70% new French oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by a deep, rich, medium to full-bodied Saint-Julien loaded with ripe red and blue fruits, leafy herbs, truffle, iron, and spring flowers. It's medium to full-bodied, has a remarkable sense of freshness and purity, velvety tannins, and outstanding length. The 2023 hit 13.3% alcohol with a rock-solid pH of 3.67. 93-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2023 Beychevelle is fabulous. As always, Beychevelle includes quite a bit more Merlot than most wines in the appellation, but the Cabernet is especially high here. Inky dark fruit, crème de cassis, mocha, licorice and lavender build in the glass. This juicy, extroverted Saint-Julien has a ton to offer. The combination of fruit intensity, acid and supporting structure is superb. The 2023 is showy, but not at all overdone. Beychevelle remains one of the most distinctive wines in all of Bordeaux. It is especially classy in this edition. Tasted two times. 2033-2063. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Branaire Ducru | 75cl | £193 per case of 6 | Château Branaire Ducru 2023 / / 75cl £193 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Branaire Ducru was picked from September 12, on the same day as last year, albeit with a longer harvest, as they finished on October 4. Yields were 53hL/ha, and the blend is almost the same as the 2022. This is the second vintage made in the new winery. My sample came from a new-oak barrel, but the final blend will include 60%. Lucid purple in color, it has a charming, very pure bouquet, perhaps less opulent than some of its Saint-Julien peers, yet precise. Delicate floral scents permeate the predominant red fruit, never bursting from the glass but unfurling with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly edgy tannins that impart tension, veering slightly more to black fruit on the mid-palate. This is certainly one of the most elegant Branaire-Ducru vintages to date, but it has more weight on the finish (something that has been addressed in recent years.) Understated and sapid, it should be open for business a little earlier than others, but it will age well over 20 to 25 years. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com-------"The 2023 Branaire-Ducru has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass with classy aromas of dark berries, plums, pencil shavings and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, cool and layered palate that's seamless, complete and enveloping, with terrific depth and vibrancy of fruit, refined tannins and a long, suave finish. At 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc and 3.5% Petit Verdot, it's almost the same blend as the 2022, though at 13.1% alcohol and a pH of 3.63, it's more classically proportioned. Harvest began on September 12 and dragged on through October 4, parcel by parcel, with the vintage's healthy yields meaning the team could use their new winery, equipped with 63 smaller tanks, to keep all those components separate. 93-94 points." William Kelley. Wine Advocate------"Bright fruits, slate tannins, peony florals, black tea, tobacco and tons of St Julien finesse. Cabernet dominant in aroamtics and fruit character, a delicious Branaire. 53hl/ha yields. 94 points." Jane Anson, Apr------"This has so much lead pencil, stone and blackcurrant character, as well as blackberry. It’s medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a polished finish. Very classy and structured. 95-96 points." James Suckling, Apr '24 |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Brane Cantenac | 75cl | £267 per case of 6 | Château Brane Cantenac 2023 / / 75cl £267 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Brane-Cantenac was picked from September 4 to October 2 at 45.7hL/ha with the highest IPT (Indice de Polyphénols Totaux, a measurement of tannin) ever with respect to the Merlot, which underwent some saignée in tank. Matured entirely in new oak, it has wonderful delineation on the nose, quite floral with pressed violets infusing the lifted black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky-smooth entry and a silver bead of acidity. Pure black fruit infused with graphite lends this Pauillac-like attributes, sustained on the finish, as usual. This is a very classical Brane-Cantenac— a worthy follow-up to the 2022. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot (which saw some saignée), 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenère and 1% Petit Verdot, and it completed its malolactic fermentation in barrels as has been the rule at this estate since the 1990s. Offering up aromas of dark cherries, cassis and spices framed by creamy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a creamy core of fruit and a long, gently lactic finish. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"This shows very pretty fruit and ultra-fine tannins that have an almost al-dente sense to them. It has a medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. The tannin quality is exceptional. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com------"A great aromatic hit on the opening beats, giving way to silky tannins, spiced plum, rhubarb and slate, cassis and bilberry fruit, all showing depth and intensity. Such an accomplished wine, once again showing how it's done. 100% new oak for malolactic and ageing, 8 coopers, 28 different toasts. 45.7hl/h yields, which is generous for this vintage in the Margaux appellation. Harvest September 14 to October 2. 3.59ph. 96 points" janeanson.com------"Readers looking for one of the hidden gems in the vintage should jump on the 2023 Château Brane-Cantenac, an incredibly impressive Margaux that does everything right. Cassis, graphite, violets, lead pencil, and leafy tobacco notes all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with classy, integrated oak, flawless balance, and fine tannins. I love its overall purity, as well as its balance, and it should need just 4-5 years of bottle age to show its potential. Tasted twice. 95-97 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Calon Ségur | 75cl | £468 per case of 6 | Château Calon Ségur 2023 / / 75cl £468 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Calon Ségur was picked September 6 to 30 at 45hL/ha. As usual, it is being aged entirely in new oak for a planned 20 months. It has a tight, cohesive bouquet of predominantly black fruit intermixed with wild hedgerow, tobacco and melted tar. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive grip on the entry—quite fresh, with a subtle marine tincture and a touch of Japanese nori in the background. It gently fans out on the finish, but it remains controlled and especially linear for Calon-Ségur, perhaps less swayed by the Merlot (15% of the blend). Classy. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Calon-Ségur is another en primeur success for this resurgent Saint-Estèphe third growth. Wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, wild berries and plums, it's medium to full-bodied, cool and layered, with a deep and integrated core, terrific concentration, lively acids and refined structuring tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that checks in at 14% alcohol. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Calon Ségur is a wine for readers who can be patient. In many recent years, Calon Ségur has been quite showy, but this is not one of them. Bold acids and huge tannins dominate at this stage. Bright red-toned fruit is a signature, but the 2023 is a powerful, young Calon Ségur that will clearly need time to come together. Bright acids extend the finish beautifully. 2033-2063 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2023 Calon Segur has a deep garnet-purple color. After a swirl or two, notes of fresh blackcurrants, juicy blackberries, and redcurrant jelly leap from the glass, followed by hints of rose oil, cumin seed, and mint tea. The medium to full-bodied palate is bursting with bold red and black fruit flavors, supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long and spicy. Nicely done! 95-97 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Blackcurrant, blueberry, cedar, pine needle and black truffle here. I don't think much about the nose with barrel samples, but this is splendid. It's medium-bodied with very fresh acidity and fine, linear tannins that are long and lively. Energy here. Refined. Salty character at the last minute. I may like this better than 2022. A blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 12% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com------"Precise and confident texture to this wine, has higher levels of both Cabernets in 2023 than in 2022, having reached exceptional maturity, and personally I feel that have recaptured the heart and spirit of Calon. Skilfully made, love the violet peony savoury character, it's sappy and has liqourice root and squid ink salinity, along with tons of cassis and cigar box. The blend for this was built on Cabernet, and you can feel it. My favourite Calon since the 2020 vintage, hands down. 100% new oak, director Vincent Millet. 97 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Canon | 75cl | £537 per case of 6 | Château Canon 2023 / / 75cl £537 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Canon was picked from around 6 September to 6 October at 45hL/ha and matured in 50% new oak. It has a perfumed bouquet with pure black cherries and touches of cassis and violet. The oak is beautifully integrated. Perhaps if I have to quibble, it is not quite as complex as the very best recent vintages, but that's a high bar nowadays. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black cherry fruit laced with iodine, and veins of blue fruit. There is a sorbet-like freshness embroidered throughout this Canon, and it delivers a lovely cracked black pepper note on the finish. Excellent. Again. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Finesse and saline limestone character on full display, spiced plum, textural as ever, with finely boned architecture, in the line of great Canon vintages, with density to the black fruits and the mouthwateringly precise tannic grip and oyster shell salinity. 50% new oak for ageing, harvest September 6 through to October 4 (with Merlot going right through until the end, unlike many places, here they really waited). 45hl/ha yield, in organic conversion. Tasted twice. 96 points" janeanson.com------"Wafting from the glass with aromas of mulberries and raspberries mingled with spices, rose petals, licorice and violets, the 2023 Canon is another brilliant wine from a property whose excellence can almost be taken for granted. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's seamless and concentrated, its vibrant core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins and girdled by lively acids, concluding with a long, mineral finish. 96-98 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"A blend of 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Canon has a pH of 3.42 and it will age in barriques for 16-18 months, of which 50% are new. It is deep garnet-purple in color and sails out of the glass with bold notions of juicy blueberries, fresh plums, and Bing cherries, giving way to hints of black pepper, fragrant soil, and violets. The medium to full-bodied palate shimmers with energetic black and blue fruits, framed by super-satiny tannins and compelling tension, finishing long and fragrant. Absolutely ethereal! 98-100 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"This is so elegant and sophisticated already, with a really electric presence and length that goes on and on. It's medium- to full-bodied with an intensity of tannins. It remains weightless and energetic. The pH is 3.41, making this a vivid and lively wine. Currant, orange and stone. Sea salt, too. The limestone soils created a unique wine here in 2023. A blend of 71% merlot and 29% cabernet franc. 99-100 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Capbern | 75cl | £200 per case of 12 | Château Capbern 2023 / / 75cl £200 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2023 Capbern has a deep garnet-purple color. It is a little grumpy to start, offering notes of black pepper and sassafras before opening out to notions of plum preserves and stewed strawberries, with a waft of tree bark. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and light on its feet, with lightly chewy tannins and a peppery finish. 88-90 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2023 Capbern was picked from September 6 to 20 at 45hL/ha, matured in 60% new oak. Alcohol is stated at 14.6%. It has a ripe, plush bouquet with brambly red fruit, raspberry confit and just a hint of orange rind coming through with aeration. The palate is well-balanced and cohesive, with slightly powdery tannins, gentle grip and a touch of warmth on the spice box-tinged finish. The acidity (pH is 3.7) keeps this on an even keel, but I would be inclined to drink it after two or three years. 89-91 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Capbern is a plush, sensual wine. Juicy dark plum, spice, mocha, gravel and incense are all amplified in this racy, wonderfully inviting Saint-Estèphe. Soft, supple tannins wrap it all together in style. Readers looking for an affordable wine to drink over the next 10-12 years will adore this. Superb. 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A serious, brooding wine, the 2023 Capbern offers up aromas of cassis and dark berries mingled with licorice and spices. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with good depth and concentration, it's built around lively acids and powdery tannins. It's a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon (an unusually high proportion for Capbern) and 29% Merlot with the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"There is clarity and freshness to this, with crunchy dark fruit, cedar and blackberry. It’s medium-bodied, racy and fine. Lead pencil at the end. More precise than 2022. 69% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 1% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Carlmagnus | 75cl | £110 per case of 12 | Château Carlmagnus 2023 / / 75cl £110 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Château Carlmagnus is mostly Merlot, offering textbook notes of juicy cherry and strawberry fruit as well as medium-bodied richness and depth on the palate. This charming, forward, easygoing 2023 is going to be best drunk in its youth. 86-88 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2023 Carlmagnus is aromatic and vibrant in the glass. Crushed flowers, red berry fruit, mint and white pepper lend a good bit of aromatic nuance. There's a bit of edginess in the tannin that hopefully will resolve. 87-89 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Fresh acidities, but closes down quickly on the palate with concentrated and intense tannic grip and grilled oak. There are autumnal fruits here, and a limestone scrape, needs a little time to reveal the joy. 89 points" janeanson.com------"Crafted from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 Carlmagnus possesses a somber, reduced bouquet with pleasant notes of spices, dark wild berries, violet and cherries. Less chunky than usual, the wine on the palate is medium to full-bodied, layered and rich with structured tannins and a long but a bit firm finish. It will evolve with grace over the next decade. 89-91 points" RobertParker.com ------"Juicy red with fresh red and dark berries and a hint of citrus peel. Medium-bodied with firm but fine tannins. Crunchy finish. 90-91 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2023 Carlmagnus has a punchy bouquet with iodine-infused block cherry and blueberry fruit, perhaps lacking a bit of definition, but I appreciate the concentration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, powdery tannins, fresh and bright with a very controlled and persistent finish. This is a fine, perhaps earlier-drinking Fronsac. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Cheval Blanc | 75cl | £2,340 per case of 6 | Château Cheval Blanc 2023 / / 75cl £2,340 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Cheval Blanc is uncharacteristically backward on first meeting, and it takes time to really fire up its engines. Quite strict and focused (surprisingly so), the bouquet reveals black fruit, a touch of bilberry, with just a whiff of iris flower. The palate has wonderful symmetry, outstanding mineralité and ample tension. It's extremely pure, with less weight than the 2022 but perhaps a touch more nerve. Modestly grippy on the finish, this "serious" Cheval Blanc will deserve several years in bottle. It's cerebral…and I like that. The 2023 is very different from the 2022—a beautiful minor chord. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Contrasts intensity and depth with nuance and softly spoken character. Lift and tension, precisely placed cocoa bean, liqourice root, tomato leaf, tannins, violet and peony florals and slate, sinewy, slow-tug tannins, powerful with lift off. Has plenty to say and demands that you slow down to hear it. 40hl/h yield, 75% of overall production (no press wine as ever), harvest September 6 to October 3. Pierre-Olivier Clouet director. 98 points" janeanson.com------"This is so cabernet, with blackcurrants, blackberries, crushed stone, graphite and lead pencil. Full-bodied with tight, chewy tannins that remain fine yet energetic. Winemaker Pierre-Olivier Clouet says this wine is a benchmark for Cheval Blanc. Reminds me of the great 1983. 13.8% alcohol. 52% merlot, 46% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com------"One of the most profound wines of the vintage is the 2023 Cheval Blanc, a striking wine that stands out for its strong sense of identity and seamless integration at such an early stage in its life. Wafting from the glass with notes of mulberries, lilac, dark fruits, iris root and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, with a gourmand core of cool, vibrant fruit that entirely conceals its sweet structuring tannins, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. It's a blend of 52% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, drawing on fully 46 of the blocks that make up Cheval Blanc, and it attained 13.8% alcohol. 98-100 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Clerc Milon | 75cl | £330 per case of 6 | Château Clerc Milon 2023 / / 75cl £330 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Clerc Milon was picked from September 7 to 29 and is matured in 55% new oak. It has much more fruit concentration on the nose than the Pastorelle—quite precocious, with blackberry and cassis fruit. It's floral and more flamboyant than the d'Armailhac. The palate is very well balanced with a slightly creamy texture and a lovely mouthfeel. Its concentration is neatly counterbalanced by the acidity, and it feels very harmonious and long on the finish. Superb. If Mouton-Rothschild is beyond your budget—yes, I am familiar with that feeling—then this is where you should look. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Revealing aromas of red berries, cherries and blackcurrants mingled with hints of pencil shavings and new oak, the 2023 Clerc Milon is medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy, with a layered core of fruit, sweet velvety tannins and a seamless, succulent profile. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6.5% Cabernet Franc and the balance Carmenère and Petit Verdot. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"This has a great finish, with blackcurrant, chocolate, hazelnut and salt undertones that run the length of the wine. Full-bodied and dense, and then it lifts off at the end. Chalky undertone, coming from the limestone terroir here. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot, 6.5% cabernet franc, 1.5% carmenere and 1% petit verdot. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Clerc Milon - Pastourelle de Clerc Milon | 75cl | £0 per case of 12 | Château Clerc Milon Pastourelle de Clerc Milon 2023 / / 75cl £0 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A salty undertone to the blackberry and terra-cotta character. Dark fruit. Medium to full body, layered tannins and an intense finish. Excellent density. Special this year. 63% merlot, 29% cabernet sauvignon, 5% cabernet franc, 2% carmenere and 1% petit verdot. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Château Climens | 75cl | £645 per case of 6 | Château Climens 2023 / / 75cl £645 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Clinet | 75cl | £345 per case of 6 | Château Clinet 2023 / / 75cl £345 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Clinet was picked from September 13 to 26 at 42hL/ha and aged in 80% new oak. It has a very appealing bouquet, quite pure with vivacious red cherries, crushed strawberry and violet scents. The oak is neatly integrated. This is almost Saint-Émilion in style. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a fine bead of acidity, lightly spiced with a crisp and linear finish. This is a delightful, composed Clinet that should drink well after four to five years. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Rich and layered, the 2023 Clinet wafts from the glass with aromas of dark berries, spices and licorice, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and complete, with a rich chassis of powdery tannin underpinning its sweet core of fruit, it concludes with a broad, vanillin-inflected finish. As is routinely the case at this address, it's a successfully rendered Pomerol in a more modern style. 94-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Deep rich plum in colour, great balance and careful extraction, you are held by steady hands here. Cloves, cocoa bean, liqourice, freshly cut dried herbs, thyme and fresh sage, slow-build and slow progress with slate-textured tannins. A great quality Clinet, well judged appellation typicity, and floral kick on the finish. 80% new oak, 42hl/ha yields. 95 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Clinet is powerful and racy right out of the gate. Crushed flowers, spice, mocha and a kiss of French oak meld into a core of dark red- and black-toned fruit. This modern, stylish Pomerol is so expressive. Hints of graphite, lavender, crushed rocks and pencil shavings linger on the substantial finish. Tasted two times. 2030-2048 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"This is full-bodied yet tight and poised, with a pretty, pure center-palate of ripe fruit and fine, integrated tannins. Classy presence. May be better than 2022. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2023 Clinet has a deep garnet-purple color. It slowly emerges from the glass with wonderfully fragrant scents of dark chocolate, violets, plum preserves, and blueberry compote, leading to hints of kirsch and rose oil. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers energetic black and blue fruit layers, with a velvety texture and lively backbone, finishing long and perfumed. Beautiful! 95-97 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Cos d'Estournel | 75cl | £720 per case of 6 | Château Cos d'Estournel 2023 / / 75cl £720 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Cos d'Estournel, picked from September 12 to 29 and matured in 50% new oak, blossoms in the glass. The aromatics deliver nearly immediate gratification: black cherries, wild strawberries, crushed violet petals and vanilla pod. It’s all quite sumptuous but very well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled, slightly powdery tannins. It’s beautifully balanced with a very pure and seductive finish. This is a notably composed and assured Cos d'Estournel, almost a lesson in how less can be more. It’s only a couple of steps behind the previous vintage. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A contemporary classic in the making, the 2023 Cos d'Estournel has turned out beautifully, reflecting a lighter touch with extraction that has delivered more sensuality and harmony without the loss of any of the estate's signature power and authority. Wafting from the glass with deep aromas of cassis, wild berries, orange zest and exotic spices, framed by well-integrated new wood, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a concentrated core of fruit, beautifully suave tannins and a cool, seamless profile. It's a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that attained 12.9% alcohol and is being matured in 50% new oak. 95-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The Grand Vin 2023 Château Cos D'Estournel checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and a splash of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, resting in 50% new French oak. This beauty brings everything up a notch, with awesome crème de cassis, graphite, violets, spicy oak, and chocolate-driven aromatics. Rich, full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it has the fresher yet ripe style of the vintage, beautiful tannins, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's a beautifully elegant yet powerful wine in the making from this team. 95-97 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Step into Cos d'Estournel, with its richness, depths and layers of cocoa bean, liquorice, espresso, chocolate, exceptional chewiness on the tannins, making things fairly serious at this early stage, with a promise of slow-revealed pleasure over the decades ahead. First time doing green harvest in the vineyards since 2008, causing some worries over the late heat waves on already ripening grapes, but they have retained balanced alchols here, and there is plenty of juice to lift things up on the finish. Harvest September 12 to 29 (last year finished September 22). 50% new oak for ageing, 53% 1st wine. In organic conversion (that began in 2021, but have had to extend after addition of a few more plots to the vineyard). 97 points" janeanson.com------"The finesse is pretty phenomenal here, with such complexity of fruit and vivid, bright flowers. Lavender and rose. Seductive. Ever-so long and precise. Lead pencil and graphite. Reminiscent of old, great Cos, such as 1955 or 1982, but with so much more form and modernity. A renaissance of Cos. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot, 1% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Cos d'Estournel - "G" d'Estournel | 75cl | £211 per case of 12 | Château Cos d'Estournel "G" d'Estournel 2023 / / 75cl £211 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Château Cos d'Estournel - Château Cos d'Estournel Blanc | 75cl | £720 per case of 6 | Château Cos d'Estournel Château Cos d'Estournel Blanc 2023 / / 75cl £720 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Cos Labory | 75cl | £342 per case of 12 | Château Cos Labory 2023 / / 75cl £342 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Château Coutet | 75cl | £360 per case of 12 | Château Coutet 2023 / / 75cl £360 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A Barsac with dried-apple, apricot and spice character. The botrytis comes through with a healthy and clean nature to it. Medium-bodied and medium-sweet with a spicy finish. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2023 Coutet has a tightly-wound bouquet that demands more coaxing than its peers. It typically already possesses laser-sharp focus and is less flamboyant than fellow Barsacs, underpinned and sharpened by its limestone soils. The palate is well balanced with intense botrytised fruit, lightly spiced dried honey and orange rind notes, just a hint of apricot in the background, stretching out on the finish that lingers on the tongue. I am not sure it is the best Coutet in recent years, but it is certainly a very fine contribution to the vintage that should age well in bottle. 94-96 points." Neal Martin, Vinous------"Beautiful aromatics, fresh acidity that picks things up from the first moment, crisp citrus, mango, pineapple, grated ginger, and a twist of bitter aniseed on the finish. Richly concentrated, reflecting small yields, but once again a wine that shows the huge potential of this style in the 2023 vintage. Harvest between September 20 and October 11. 96 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Château Coutet | Half bottle | £395 per case of 24 | Château Coutet 2023 / / Half bottle £395 per case of 24 |
IB | |||||
| RED | 2023 | Château d'Armailhac | 75cl | £204 per case of 6 | Château d'Armailhac 2023 / / 75cl £204 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 d'Armailhac is a plump, juicy wine that very much captures the generous side of the year. Succulent red plum, spice, new leather, rose petal and pomegranate are nicely amplified. Armailhac can have a slight edginess in its tannin profile, but today, that is not especially evident. This is a very sexy, almost opulent d'Armailhac, despite having the most Cabernet Sauvignon ever in the blend. 2028-2043. 90-92 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Apr '24------"The 2023 d'Armailhac was picked from September 7 to 30 and aged in 50% new oak. It contains the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon to date. Its tightly wound bouquet demands encouragement from the glass, perhaps just missing the panache that elevated the previous vintage. You could argue that this seems more "serious. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a firm backbone. It's a little pepperier than previous vintages, closing with a streamlined finish. Give this two or three years in bottle. 2028-2043. 91-93 points." Neal Martin, Apr '24------"The 2023 d'Armailhac is an attractive effort, bursting with aromas of cherries, raspberries, licorice and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and succulent, with a pretty core of fruit, sweet powdery tannins and lively acids, it's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot—which is a rather high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon for this address. 92-93 points." (WK) Wine Advocate------"There’s a powdery and open texture to this red. Full-bodied and layered with a pretty and weightless texture. Blackcurrants and blueberries and an orange-peel undertone. Velvety texture at the end. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 13% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com------"High Cabernet, as is the story of the vintage on the Left Bank. A wine that also continues the new story of Armailhac following serious investment in vineyards and cellar, and technical director Lucie Lauilhé. Bright and vivid from the first moment, layered cassis, crushed mint, liqourice root, crushed rocks, an excellently precise, structed and textured Armailhac. Love it. Harvest September 7 to 30. 80ha in production, 50% new oak barrels for ageing. 94 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château de Fieuzal | 75cl | £240 per case of 12 | Château de Fieuzal 2023 / / 75cl £240 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
| RED | 2023 | Château d'Issan | 75cl | £225 per case of 6 | Château d'Issan 2023 / / 75cl £225 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting NotesThe 2023 d’Issan was picked from September 18 to October 2. It was cropped at 30hL/ha, lower than usual due to mildew pressure and less rain in August, causing hydric stress during the summer heat wave, especially in the Merlot vines. It was harvested a little later than the other cuvées to benefit from the Indian summer, September 20, and matured in 50% new oak. It has a very pure bouquet with black cherries, cassis and blueberry fruit, though I feel that other recent vintages have shown a touch more complexity. The palate is well balanced and cohesive with fine and quite edgy tannins. There is an impressive symmetry to this d'Issan with a very poised and quite persistent finish. It improves with aeration and all the time, the aromatics seem to muster more energy (hence, I raised my score). One to watch. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 D'Issan shows excellent potential, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, pen ink and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping palate that's rich, fleshy and charming, with lively acids, good depth at the core and a long, sapid finish. It's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"First time not to have Malbec in the main Issan wine since the purchase of the neighbouring estate Pontac Lynch in 2020. 50% new oak, 32hl/h yield. Fine tannins, well balanced, inky and powerful but with oyster shell salinity. Chalky tanins with touch of En Primeur asterity, well constructed, full of cocoa bean, cassis, liqourice root, classical balance. 30hl/h yield. 95 points" janeanson.com------"The purity of the fruit is really wonderful here, with blackcurrants, orange peel and raspberries. Aromatic. Full body, chewy tannins and a juicy finish. But it remains linear and vivid. The quality of the tannins and the powdery texture are really alluring. Silky. And so precise. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 2.5% cabernet franc and 2.5% petit verdot. 13.83% alcohol. 3.66 pH. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Château Doisy Daene | 75cl | £372 per case of 12 | Château Doisy Daene 2023 / / 75cl £372 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"There’s a refined focus and beauty to this, with spice and honey character. Medium-bodied, sweet and poised. Flavorful at the end, in an elegant way, with density and tension. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com------"Pale gold with vibrant edging, starts with concentrated and intense clove spices, luscious apricot fruit, opening to show juicy, sculpted slivers of steel and lime juice. A return to form for this excellent Barsac wine after the succulent but unbalanced 2022. Great stuff from this legendary Dubourdieu property, although once again the yields are extremely low and the character is more concentrated than you find in vintages like 2021. Ageing starts with 10 months in oak barrels, followed by 9 months in stainless steel tank before bottling. 95 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Doisy-Daëne, a blend of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, takes time to unfurl on the nose. Notes of lemon curd, dried peach and a touch of marmalade are all nicely defined, developing subtle pithy elements with aeration. The palate is just wonderful. Very harmonious with perfectly judged acidity, it’s extremely pure with a tensile finish. This is Barsac in full flight. It will be outstanding once bottled. Bravo! 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Ducru Beaucaillou | 75cl | £744 per case of 6 | Château Ducru Beaucaillou 2023 / / 75cl £744 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou, matured in 100% new oak for a planned 18 months, has a less forceful bouquet than the 2022 last year and, consequently, shows more refinement and poise. The scents don't come barging out of the blocks, but they creep up on you. The palate is medium-bodied with a fresh entry. Showing moderate depth, it’s quite linear in style and grippy. A faint touch of bell pepper emerges on the classically styled finish that reminds me of some of the old vintages of Ducru-Beaucaillou. This is the strictest vintage I have encountered in some time. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Glass-staining violet. A serious Ducru, delivered with precision and balance, with plenty of concentration and a slow, long build, layered, fine and sappy tannins. Proof again that this is a great Cabernet year in this corner of Bordeaux, less velvet concentration than the 2022 Ducru perhaps, but more finesse and packed full of nuance, and a saline mouthwatering finish. 41hl/h yield, 100% new oak, with long seasoning of up to five years, nine different coopers. 96 points" janeanson.com------"This has aromas of blackberries and blackcurrant, as well as graphite and flint. Some gunpowder. It’s full-bodied with extremely refined tannins, a creamy character and al-dente fruit at the finish. Crunchy, succulent and linear. Mineral edge to it, like licking a stone. Energetic. 83% cabernet sauvignon and 17% merlot. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Duhart Milon | 75cl | £342 per case of 6 | Château Duhart Milon 2023 / / 75cl £342 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon (picked late, between September 25 and October 3) and 20% Merlot, the 2023 Duhart-Milon has turned out beautifully, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, cherries and dark berries mingled with hints of mint, cedar and spice box. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, it's deep and concentrated, with an ample core of cool but ripe fruit, sweet tannins and a long, penetrating finish. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Duhart-Milon was picked September 7 to October 3 and contains 15% pressed wine, matured in 50% new oak. It has a much more backward bouquet than the Moulin, displaying well-defined yet tightly coiled graphite-infused black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins that belie the backbone of this Pauillac. That graphite element is accentuated in the mouth and controls the classic finish that could only come from this appellation. This is excellent, but patience is required. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"So much pure graphite and lead pencil here, together with blackcurrant and iodine aromas and flavors. Mediumbodied with creamy and velvety tannins that are very polished. Cedar and some tobacco box. Deep and layered. Al-dente tannins. Precise. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com------"Inky plum, far deeper in texture and intensity than the Moulin de Duhart (in contrast to 2022, when both 1st and 2nd wines were intensely coloured). Classical Duhart on the attack, reserved and a little subdued, then in comes the waves of cassis, liqourice root, spiced plum, ink, tobacco and cigar box. High Cabernet in the blend, and it suits the style and character of Duhart. Has a ton of ageing potential, classical styled with precision, fully showcasing the enjoyment of 2023 in the right spots. Around 65% first wine, 45hl/h yield, 15% of press wine. Harvest September 7 to October 3. A buy. 95 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Durfort Vivens | 75cl | £478 per case of 12 | Château Durfort Vivens 2023 / / 75cl £478 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Durfort-Vivens is a very pretty, understated wine. In 2023, Durfort is marked by a brighter profile than usual: red fruit, blood orange and flowers. Medium in body and persistent, with good energy and very fine balance, the 2023 is promising. Even though it’s showing a touch of oak at this stage, this layered and sumptuous offering is showing well. Drink 2031-2053. 92-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Durfort Vivens is once again dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which represents 92% of the blend. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of minty cassis, plums and berries mingled with hints of pencil shavings and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with good concentration, sweet tannins and a long, penetrating finish. With a pH of 3.66 and 13.7% alcohol, it's a resounding success. 94-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Wonderfully fragrant aromatics that climb through the palate, this has the juice and power that 2023 does so well in the right hads, majoring on squid ink and cassis, with clear expansion through the palate, liqourice, sage, saffron, pomegrante, orange zest and salt-scrape. Harvest September 11 to October 4, 35hl/h yield, 3.66ph, 66% new oak, 33% amphoras for ageing. Right up there with the best of Margaux. 95 points" janeanson.com------"This has very fresh, lively and almost al-dente fruit. It’s mouthwatering and juicy. Medium-to full-bodied, refined and seamless. Long, with a firm backbone of tannins that are very fine and polished. Crunchy and structured. Chewy at the end. 92% cabernet sauvignon and 8% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Figeac | 75cl | £894 per case of 6 | Château Figeac 2023 / / 75cl £894 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Château Figeac is Merlot-dominated but includes 32% Cabernet Franc and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the élevage all in new French oak. Classic Figeac purple fruits, tobacco, leafy herbs, violets, and graphite all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium to full body, a remarkable sense of purity and precision, fine-grained tannins, and a gorgeous finish. Hitting 13.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.68, it's a beautiful wine in the vintage that shows the absolute class of this château today. 94-97 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2023 Figeac is gorgeous. Seamless and vibrant, with captivating elegance, this is an absolute beauty. What I admire most is its exceptional balance. Everything is in the right place. Time in the glass brings out hints of gravel, dried herbs, licorice, tobacco and cedar that add dimension. Although it is early, Figeac is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. 95-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A brilliant classic in the making, the 2023 Figeac unwinds in the glass with aromas of cassis and mulberry mingled with notions of iris, cigar wrapper, pencil shavings, burning embers and spices. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, it's deep and concentrated, with an enveloping core of fruit that's framed by powdery tannins and lively acids, concluding with a broad, atypically mineral finish. It's a blend of 41% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon that attained 13.5% alcohol. 96-98 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"A blend of 41% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 Figeac has a pH of 3.68 and it is deep garnet-purple in color. It prances out of the glass with out-going scents of black raspberries and fresh blackcurrants, opening out to reveal an undercurrent of pencil shavings, rose bud tea, iron ore, and wood smoke. The medium-bodied palate delivers a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and beautiful tension supporting the taut, muscular black fruits, finishing with a long-lingering mineral firework display. 96-98 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"he 2023 Figeac was cropped at 45hL/ha from September 6 until October 5, one of the longest harvest periods ever. It matured in 100% new oak, as usual. My samples included the 5% vin de presse. This has a very perfumed bouquet: red fruit rather than black, iris flower rather than violet, light sous-bois and tobacco scents deriving from the Cabernets. The palate is medium-bodied, and the Cabernets really "sing" on the entry. Black fruit mixes with graphite and light tobacco notes, surging with fresh acidity and real brightness, or what the French call éclat. There’s gentle grip here—classic Figeac from start to finish, with a subtle marine influence toward the close. This will be a wonderful Saint-Émilion that ranks amongst the best wines of the vintage. Chapeau! 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The density and finesse to this is terrific, offering blackberry, dark chocolate, walnut and hazelnut, as well as currant and sandalwood. Orange peel, too. Full-bodied and compact with a superb core of thick, velvet-textured tannins and a juicy finish. Extremely long. 41% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 27% cabernet sauvignon. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"Fragrant floral aromatics straight off the bat, peony and violet, and a vibrant juiciness that travels through the palate. Savoury dark fruit character, with flint and textural interest, full of Figeac finesse. 130th vintage of the Manoncourt family at Figeac, and the first vintage where they knew they were Premier Grand Cru Classé A from the start of the season, as it was announced in September 2022. 130mm of rain lower than average over the growing season here, allowing a long slow harvest from September 6 to October 5, 45hl/h yield. 98 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Giscours | 75cl | £246 per case of 6 | Château Giscours 2023 / / 75cl £246 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Giscours was picked between September 6 and October 6, a month-long harvest at an average of 31hL/ha, lower than usual due to the loss of Merlot. This has a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (71%). No sulfites were added until fermentation, and the élevage includes 50% new oak. This sample was taken from a foudre that represents a combination of barrels; I tasted it three times thereafter. It has a classically styled bouquet, less open and concentrated than the 2022, but well-defined with graphite-tinged black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a bright entry, a crisp line of acidity and fresh black fruit, with a noticeable marine/briny influence that guides the finish. This is not a powerful Giscours and doesn't quite have the persistence of the previous vintage, but I admire its linearity and classicism. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Giscours is one of the real successes of the vintage, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and red fruits mingled with hints of undergrowth, violets and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's seamless and concentrated, with a fleshy core of fruit framed by ripe, powdery tannins and succulent acids, concluding with a long, broad finish. It's a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"This really expands in the mouth, with tight tannins that are polished and velvety. The fruit shows depth and purity. Medium to full body. Juicy center-palate. Like the ripe fruit in the center palate. The quality of the tannins in this rises to a new level. The tannins pull you through the wine. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc and the rest merlot. 96-97 points" winespectator.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Gloria | 75cl | £275 per case of 12 | Château Gloria 2023 / / 75cl £275 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Gloria presents a deep purple hue. It has a succinct bouquet with black cherries, red plum and pronounced floral aromas that emanate from the Petit Verdot. The palate is medium-bodied with bright blackberry and raspberry fruit, quite a minerally Gloria with a more linear, stricter finish than the 2022, as you would expect. There’s also fine salinity here. This is a classy Gloria that just misses the panache of recent vintages (and of the 2023 Saint-Pierre). 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Love this inky depths of the plummy fruits and deep rich chcolate notes, great quality with depths and balance. Last year of organic conversion. 93 points" janeanson.com------"Blackberries and blueberries with stone and sandalwood undertones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with integrated tannins that are polished and refined. Long finish. Solid and rather muscular. Could move up a notch. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com------"Cassis, violets, spicy wood, espresso, and a kiss of graphite all emerge from the 2023 Château Gloria, an incredibly pure, medium to full-bodied, ripe, balanced Saint-Julien. It shows the pure, elegant style of the vintage, has ripe tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This château hasn't put a foot wrong in some time, and they certainly did well in 2023. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Grand Puy Ducasse | 75cl | £288 per case of 12 | Château Grand Puy Ducasse 2023 / / 75cl £288 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Grand Puy Lacoste | 75cl | £273 per case of 6 | Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2023 / / 75cl £273 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Grand Puy Lacoste was picked September 11 to 28 at 48hL/ha and matured in 75% new oak. It has a classic "GPL" bouquet with blackberry, pencil box and light marine scents, obviously not as powerful as the previous vintage, yet in typical style, beautifully defined and focused. Just a touch of cracked black pepper surfaces with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle but insistent grip, just a light bitter edge lending tension and nerve. I perceive good depth here, but this is not a powerhouse of a Pauillac (is GPL ever?). It fans out toward the finish whilst maintaining control. There’s an impressive linearity to this wine, and thus I suspect it will require less bottle-age compared to recent vintages. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Aromas of cassis, cigar wrapper, pencil shavings and violets introduce the 2023 Grand-Puy-Lacoste, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple wine that's seamless and sensual, with good depth at the core, beautifully integrated tannins and a lively, charming profile. It's a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot that was picked between September 11-28. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Beautiful purity and freshness to the blackcurrants and blackberries with subtle notes of cedar and graphite. Medium- to full-bodied. So polished and silky, almost weightless. It’s very long. 77% cabernet sauvignon and 23% merlot. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Gruaud Larose | 75cl | £358 per case of 6 | Château Gruaud Larose 2023 / / 75cl £358 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Gruaud Larose was picked from September 11 to October 3 at 42hL/ha and matured in 95% new oak with 15% vin de presse. There was no saignée. There is a large difference between the Sarget and the Grand Vin this year: There’s much more complexity and purity here. Layers of blackberry, cedar and floral scents surface in the glass, all very composed with beautifully integrated oak (perhaps better than previous vintages). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins—quite crisp and commendably saline, which really comes through toward the finish. This is a classic Gruaud Larose that confirms the ongoing improvement at this estate. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Vibrant colour that speaks of a great En Primeur wine, with the bright acidities that seem typical in these appellations of 2023. More subdued than some sibling St Juliens, this has a serious feel, with the Cabernets very much on the savoury, stately side, sinewy and with touches of raspberry leaf and peony, fragrant and floral. Plenty of ageing capacity ahead, but don't feel that you will have to wait too long to begin drinking. Old school and delicous. The Cabernet levels are above 80% as has been true for the last few years, a result of the vines coming in to the right age after extensive replanting. 95 points" janeanson.co------"Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Gruaud Larose leaps with vibrant notes of cassis, fresh blackberries, and mulberries giving way to nuances of tapenade, iris, pencil shavings, and iron ore. The palate is light-bodied and airy, with beautiful poise and soft silky tannins, delivering a lively burst of mineral and red berry notes on the finish. This is nicely done! The blend is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, and 2.5% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.80. 94-96 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2023 Gruaud Larose is a powerhouse. Rich and ample, with striking depth, the 2023 offers notable resonance from start to finish. Black cherry, blackberry, licorice and spice fill out the layers nicely. The 2023 is a big, potent Gruaud Larose that will need a number of years to be at its best. This is a terrific example of the vintage at its finest. 2033 - 2063 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Château Guiraud | 75cl | £480 per case of 12 | Château Guiraud 2023 / / 75cl £480 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Guiraud, now made by former Yquem winemaker Sandrine Garbay, has a rather reticent nose at first, opening with orange pith and pear aromas. It just needs a bit more intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with a tangy opening. It’s a little spicier than its peers—marmalade and stem ginger, with more peachiness toward the finish. It feels harmonious and poised, but I would wait until the aromatics open, so give it four to five years after bottling. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Vivid gold in colour, laced with white peach juice, grilled pear, stone fruits, lime juice, opulent but with sculpted lift and zest, this extends outwards and upwards through the palate, capturing the pleasure of 2023 sweet wines in Bordeaux. Has spice and character, gorgeously expressive even now, and will age with ease. Sandrine Garbay, long time winemaker of Yquem, is director at this 128ha estate, that has been farmed organically since 2011. Harvest began on September 27 and continued through to October 13. 96 points" janeanson.com------"You really see the class and botrytis character here with clarity and focus. Notes of spice, mushroom powder, subtle apricot and honey. It’s medium-bodied, fresh and bright with nice sweetness at the end. A modern and precise Sauternes. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Haut Bages Liberal | 75cl | £306 per case of 12 | Château Haut Bages Liberal 2023 / / 75cl £306 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Intense and crunchy blue and black fruits, delivering tons of Pauillac character, reserved and well judged, juicy cassis, liqourice root, slate and cocoa bean. Delicous, a lovely vintage of this wine. Harvest September 12 to 30. 53hl/h yield, just a little higher than the already high yield of Pauillac in this vintage, no mildew. 3.48ph, 40% new oak, with the rest of one year old, pls concrete eggs and amphora. Claire Villars-Lurton owner. 93 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Haut-Bages Libéral was picked at 53hL/ha between September 12 and 30, matured for 16 months in 40% new oak. The nose was quite backward when I tasted it, though Claire Villars-Lurton commented that it had just closed down the week that I visited. It will be more open once in bottle. The palate is more indicative: clean, fresh, linear and nicely focused, with more grip than the Ferrière. Touches of graphite linger on the finish. This is very classically styled, and there is nothing wrong with that-a wine for Pauillac purists and those seeking wines with less sulfites. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Haut-Bages-Libéral is very promising, bursting with aromas of dark berries, cassis, pencil shavings and violets, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and suave palate with an enveloping core of fruit, lively acids typical of this limestone terroir, and sweet, powdery tannins. It's a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot with a low pH of 3.48. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Haut-Bages Libéral is fabulous. Deep, layered and exquisitely beautiful, the 2023 bristles with tension. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, leather, menthol and licorice grace a wine of depth, richness and sensuality. It's a terrific effort from proprietor Claire Villars-Lurton. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A very pure and beautiful HBL with blackcurrant and mineral notes, like crushed stones, as well as a vivid freshness. Purity and brightness in the center-palate, with essence of cassis and a crunchy minerality from part of the vineyard in limestone. 86% cabernet sauvignon and 14% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2023 Château Haut-Bages Liberal is gorgeous, with classic Pauillac cassis, cedar, and graphite notes as well as a beautiful sense of minerality. More medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a round, supple, yet focused mouthfeel, classy tannins, and a great finish. It's a stunning bottle of wine that will have some early accessibility yet also age gracefully. 94-96+ points" Jebdunnuck.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Haut Bailly | 75cl | £540 per case of 6 | Château Haut Bailly 2023 / / 75cl £540 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting NotesA blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon (harvested from the 20th to the 29th of September), 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2023 Haut-Bailly offers up aromas of mulberries, cassis, dark wild berries, pencil lead, licorice and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and rich palate that is both layered and seamless, its deep mid-palate animated by lively acids, concluding with long, mineral, penetrating finish. Although it displays a darker, more brooding profile character than in previous years, it remains highly representative of its terroir and will benefit from some patience. It's being matured in 50% new oak. 94-96 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Haut-Bailly was picked from September 11 to 29 at 40.5hL/ha. It is being raised in 50% new oak for a planned 14 months, plus another three in vats. Véronique Sanders told me that there is 6% vin de presse in the blend this year. This has a beguiling bouquet that instantly switches on a metaphorical neon sign that announces you are in the presence of a very serious wine. Extremely pure and delineated, the nose presents aromas of blackberry mixed with wild strawberry, cedar and light sous-bois. It's much more classical in style compared to the 2022. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins that frame the blackberry, raspberry, cedar and graphite-infused fruit. It boasts more grip and persistency on the finish than its peers, with a residual subtle pinch of black pepper. This ranks as one of the standout wines in Pessac-Léognan, perhaps in Bordeaux itself. Outstanding. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"I am thinking about the purity of fruit here, with blackcurrants, cassis and lead pencil. There's an underlying character of mineral and flint. The palate is dense, focused and precise, with very fine tannins that are ultra-fine and layered and go vertically down the palate. Everything is in the right place. So much polish and a svelte nature. Then hints of hazelnut and walnut to the refined texture. Sophisticated. 58% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Haut Batailley | 75cl | £432 per case of 12 | Château Haut Batailley 2023 / / 75cl £432 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Haut-Batailley is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot that increasingly resembles its stablemate Lynch Bages in style. Offering up aromas of dark berries, plums, pencil shavings and creamy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with plenty of generously extracted, youthfully chewy tannin and a long, lusty finish. 91-93 points." (WK) Wine Advocate, Apr '24------"The 2023 Haut Batailley was picked from 14 September and matured in 65% new oak. It has a harmonious and focused bouquet with blackberry, graphite and iris flower scents. The oak here is neatly integrated. It's actually stylistically not dissimilar to the Mouton Rothschild! The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins—quite rounded in the mouth, but there is backbone here. A subtle white pepper note mixes with pencil shavings on the classically styled finish, completing this refined Pauillac. 2028-2050. 91-93 points." Neal Martin, Vinous, Apr '24------"This shows structure and focus, with creamy, powdery tannins and a very pretty, silky texture. Medium to full body with a solid line of tannins running through the wine. Blackberries and currants with a hint of crushed stone. Better than 2022? 94-95 points." James Suckling, Apr '24------"The 2023 Haut-Batailley is another impressive wine from this Chateau. There's plenty of the typical dark fruit and overall breadth that is such a signature, but the tannins show greater finesse than in some prior years—a very positive evolution that continues here. Black cherry, plum, lavender, cloves, leather and licorice are all beautifully amplified. The 2023 marks another major step forward for Haut-Batailley. 2028-2043. 93-96 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Apr '24"The 2023 Haut-Batailley is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot that increasingly resembles its stablemate Lynch Bages in style. Offering up aromas of dark berries, plums, pencil shavings and creamy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with plenty of generously extracted, youthfully chewy tannin and a long, lusty finish. 91-93 points." (WK) Wine Advocate, Apr '24------"The 2023 Haut Batailley was picked from 14 September and matured in 65% new oak. It has a harmonious and focused bouquet with blackberry, graphite and iris flower scents. The oak here is neatly integrated. It's actually stylistically not dissimilar to the Mouton Rothschild! The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins—quite rounded in the mouth, but there is backbone here. A subtle white pepper note mixes with pencil shavings on the classically styled finish, completing this refined Pauillac. 2028-2050. 91-93 points." Neal Martin, Vinous, Apr '24------"This shows structure and focus, with creamy, powdery tannins and a very pretty, silky texture. Medium to full body with a solid line of tannins running through the wine. Blackberries and currants with a hint of crushed stone. Better than 2022? 94-95 points." James Suckling, Apr '24------"The 2023 Haut-Batailley is another impressive wine from this Chateau. There's plenty of the typical dark fruit and overall breadth that is such a signature, but the tannins show greater finesse than in some prior years—a very positive evolution that continues here. Black cherry, plum, lavender, cloves, leather and licorice are all beautifully amplified. The 2023 marks another major step forward for Haut-Batailley. 2028-2043. 93-96 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Apr '24 |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Haut Brion | 75cl | £1,890 per case of 6 | Château Haut Brion 2023 / / 75cl £1,890 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Haut-Brion exhibits a more Cabernet-inflected personality than the richer 2022, offering up a deep but youthfully reserved bouquet of dark wild berries, licorice, smoke and pencil lead mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, nicely integrated new oak and spices. Full-bodied, deep and velvety, it’s layered and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit structured around abundant but velvety tannins, concluding with a long, controlled finish. Somewhat reminiscent of the estate's successful 2006, it's a blend of 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9.1% Cabernet Franc. 95-97 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Haut-Brion was picked at the same time as the La Mission Haut-Brion, albeit the secateurs sheathed one day later, on October 6. The nose is less immediate than the La Mission and the fruit is a little darker: blackcurrant, juniper, hints of black olive and a light cedar scent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grip and tension. This has superb energy, presenting a crescendo of flavors toward a complex and persistent finish that lingers in the mouth. There is real pedigree to this First Growth, and it will certainly give 30 to 40 years of drinking pleasure. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"This is tight, yet so upright and proper, with a vertical line of fine tannin that runs true and deep. It’s medium- to full-bodied with an exquisite texture and a long, structured finish. 52.3% merlot, 38.6% cabernet sauvignon and 9.1% cabernet franc. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com------"This is an exceptional Haut-Brion, offering juice and elegant balance alongside classically structured layers, generous but restrained, sense of architecture and building blocks of a truly great Left Bank wine. Rippling with sinewy muscles, juicy and controlled, packed with cocoa bean, espresso, liouqorice root, but none of these flavours dominate, knitted together, with a vertical lift. 100% new oak, Jean-Philippe Delmas director, Jean-Philippe Masclef technical director, no outside consultant. 98-100 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Haut Brisson | 75cl | £0 per case of 12 | Château Haut Brisson 2023 / / 75cl £0 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Another very focused 2023 St.-Emilion with berry, chocolate and earth notes. It’s medium- to full-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a bright, vivid and very long finish. Well-integrated tannins. This is one to watch. 95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc. Better than 2022. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Kirwan | 75cl | £0 per case of 12 | Château Kirwan 2023 / / 75cl £0 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Kirwan was tasted from two bottles as I was unhappy with the first. The second has a ripe red cherry and crushed strawberry nose that almost feels as if there is a touch of carbonic maceration! The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine structure, lightly spiced with a crisp and focused finish. Quite opulent in style, it is not a cerebral Margaux, though it has plenty of exuberance. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Kirwan is dense, resonant and impeccably balanced. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, menthol, spice, lavender are all dialed up in this decidedly intense Margaux. Kirwan packs quite the punch, but it is also neatly proportioned, not to mention incredibly delicious. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"This shows notes of ripe dark berries with hints of licorice and orange peel. It’s very polished and refined with a solid center-palate. Medium-bodied and creamy on the finish. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com------"Another brilliant wine from Margaux, the 2023 Château Kirwan reveals a deep blue/purple hue to go with a nicely oaked profile of ripe black fruits, leafy herbs, iron, violets, and spice. It's balanced, medium to full-bodied, has a supple, layered mouthfeel, remarkable purity, and a great finish. As with most 2023s, it's going to shine with just a few years of bottle age. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château La Chenade | 75cl | £150 per case of 12 | Château La Chenade 2023 / / 75cl £150 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 La Chenade is pure Merlot. Last year contained 20% Cabernet Franc, but this year, Noëmie Durantou blended it into the Les Cruzelles cuvée. Picked on September 13 and matured in 40% new oak, this is noticeably reductive on the nose. It’s quite intense, although perhaps missing amplitude usually bestowed by the Cabernet Franc. The palate is medium-bodied with a lovely texture and a keen line of acidity, lightly spiced with gentle grip on the slightly savory finish. Very satisfying in the mouth, this is a sensual La Chenade that will provide for delicious early drinking. 89-91 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 La Chenade, 100% Merlot this year, opens with gorgeous aromatics. Medium in body and vibrant, with terrific energy, the 2023 is all class. Cedar, tobacco and dried herbs add an attractive savory/floral character, while bright acids that pull it all together on the close. This is beautifully done. 2028-2038 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2023 La Chenade shows a dark, somber profile, evoking aromas of gentian, licorice, mulberries and violet. Medium-bodied with a layered and rich palate, it’s creamy and enrobing with velvety tannins and a long, firm finish. It was made entirely from Merlot grapes that are matured in new oak barrels, comprising 40% of the total. 90-92 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"La Chenade has depth and layering with lots going on. Crunchy blackberry and raspberry fruit character and round tannins. 100% merlot. Better than 2022. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château La Conseillante | 75cl | £894 per case of 6 | Château La Conseillante 2023 / / 75cl £894 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 La Conseillante is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Medium in body and silky, with exceptional balance, the 2023 impresses from start to finish. Crushed flowers, lavender, spice, mocha and tobacco are some of the many nuances that emerge over time. More than anything else, the 2023 impresses with its balance and total class. It's a wine that marries the elegance of La Conseillante with a bit more mid-palate resonance and sustain through the finish than some recent vintages. Yields were 43 hectoliters per hectare. Élevage consists of 70% new oak, 27% used barrels and 3% amphora. Tasted two times. 2033-2063. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"From yields of 43 hectoliters per hectare, the 2023 Château La Conseillante checks in as a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in 70% new French oak, with 3% in amphora. This deep purple-hued beauty offers up a classic Conseillante nose of red and blue fruits, spring flowers, violets, and spice box, and it's such a great example of the complexity and elegance this estate delivers today. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and elegant, it has plenty of tannins, integrated acidity, and a gorgeous finish. This utterly classic, floral Conseillante will need 5-7 years to hit maturity and have 30 years of longevity. The 2023 hit 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.68. 95-97 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"A punch of floral aromatics sets the scene for this gorgeous wine, and this is a brillant La Conseillante with textured powerful depths to the blueberry and blackberry fruit, laced with cocoa bean and espresso, and a fame of juicy tannins on the giving structure and lift. Easily among the most successful wines of Pomerol in the vintage. Started picking September 7 and finished October 2. 3.6ph. 3% of amphora, 43hl/h yield. 70% aged in new oak. Marielle Cazeaux director 97 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 La Conseillante was picked from September 7, with the final Cabernet Franc brought in on October 2 at 43hL/ha. There were just six days of picking over 3.5 weeks. Matured in 70% new oak, it has a very well-defined bouquet with black cherries, wild strawberries, touches of violet and a hint of crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with a captivating, edgy opening. Just slightly granular in texture thanks to the tannin structure, it’s very harmonious and poised, with a sophisticated, mineral-driven finish. This is an exceptional La Conseillante from Marielle Cazaux and her team. It will rank alongside the 2022 even if it is very different stylistically. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Wow. What beauty, elegance and length in this young wine, with medium body and vivid, bright acidity that gives energy and greater length. The tannins are extremely fine-grained, with an endless, silky texture. Another al-dente wine with brilliance. Goes on for minutes. 88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 La Conseillante pounces from the glass with playful scents of Morello cherries, wild blueberries, and juicy plums leading to fragrant suggestions of violets, dark chocolate, rosebud tea, and star anise. The medium-bodied palate is wonderfully elegant and graceful, with super-sleek kitten-soft tannins and spectacular tension that delivers an electric feel, although the finish purrs. 85% of this year's crop went in to the First Wine, a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc with pH 3.68. 97-99 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"One of the great wines of the vintage, and one that can rival its 2022 counterpart, the 2023 La Conseillante wafts from the glass with a strikingly floral bouquet of violets, lilac, raspberries, exotic spices, candied orange, pipe tobacco and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, its textural attack segues into a layered and enveloping core of pure, vibrant fruit framed by sweet tannins and concluding with a long, precise finish. It's a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, some 30% of which is maturing in amphorae. Harvest began on September 7, lasting until October 2, block by block. 98-100 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château La Gaffeliere | 75cl | £270 per case of 6 | Château La Gaffeliere 2023 / / 75cl £270 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Love the depth and the vibrant fruit character here, and the vivid reflections to the colour. Chalky, fresh, extremely vibrant, real mineral pumice stone textire, and a clear reminder of its limestone soils. Aged in barrels and large oak casks. Tasted twice. Now withdrawn from the St Emilion classification. Alexandre de Malet-Roquefort owner. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The center-palate reflects excellent terroir, with blackberry, black-olive and walnut aromas and flavors. Tight centerpalate with firm but creamy tannins and a flavorful, classy finish. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2023 La Gaffelière is very pure and floral on the nose, with black cherries intermingling with violet and iris flower scents. The new oak is neatly integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and layers of lightly spiced black fruit. Cedar and graphite furnish the poised but persistent finish. This is another in a succession of impressive wines from this estate that just oozes sensuality. Superb. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"One of the stars of the vintage, the 2023 Château La Gaffelière checks in as 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc resting in 50% new barrels. Cassis, smoked black fruits, graphite, and crushed stone all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered, concentrated mouthfeel, plenty of tannins, and a great finish. It has a lot of oak but more than enough fruit and texture. It's serious stuff. 94-97 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château La Lagune | 75cl | £330 per case of 12 | Château La Lagune 2023 / / 75cl £330 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A subtle yet plush La Lagune with black olives, blackberries and hints of chocolate and hazelnut. Medium body with fine, polished tannins and a savory finish. There's a crunchy feel to it and it’s layered and deep at the end. 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot. No petit verdot. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château La Mission Haut Brion | 75cl | £1,110 per case of 6 | Château La Mission Haut Brion 2023 / / 75cl £1,110 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 La Mission Haut-Brion was picked between September 5 until October 5, a relatively long picking, at 50hL/ha. It has a wonderful bouquet with brightness and verve: very well-defined red and black fruit, a little floral in style, maybe not as rambunctious as recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins. A perfect line of acidity counterbalances the creamy texture, turning quite plush toward the finish, but it is amazingly well-focused. This is a generous La Mission Haut-Brion that will probably drink earlier than say, the 2022, as winemaker Jean-Philippe Delmas agreed. It’s very fine and very delicious, but I would not place it within the canon of top vintages. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 La Mission Haut-Brion unwinds in the glass to reveal aromas of ripe red fruits, dark wild berries, spring flowers, burning embers and lilac. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it’s layered and textural with a dense core of fruit underpinned by youthfully firm structuring tannins. This blend of 52.7% Merlot, 29.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17.7% Cabernet Franc its likely to become fleshier and more enveloping with barrel maturation. 94-96 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"Red roses, powdery chalky tannins, grip and lift, this is savoury, concentrated, full of lift and vibrancy, with layers of lush ripe red and black fruits, with the inky stamp of the Cabernet in the vintage, and the caressing tannins that La Mission does so well. Harvest started early and finished late, through to October 5. 96 points" janeanson.com------"The classy mouth-feel and length to this is really gorgeous, and it seduces you with its texture of fine silk and finesse. Lasts for a long, long time. Medium body with medium, creamy and round tannins and a layered, textured finish. Shows blackcurrants, lead pencil and crushed stone at the end. 52.7% merlot, 29.6% cabernet sauvignon and 17.7% cabernet franc. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"One of the finest wines in the vintage, the 2023 Château La Mission Haut-Brion is based on 52.7% Merlot, 29.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's one hell of a gorgeous wine offering a massive nose of black raspberries, graphite, liquid flowers, scorched earth, and chocolate-like aromas and flavors. It delivers remarkable purity, full-bodied richness, no hard edges, and fine-grained, sweet tannins. The overall balance paired with opulence here is something to behold, and it’s incredible to find this level of quality in the vintage. 96-100 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château La Petite Eglise | 75cl | £204 per case of 6 | Château La Petite Eglise 2023 / / 75cl £204 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 La Petite Eglise comes from two plots near the village of Pomerol, augmented by the youngest vines in front of the château. It comprises 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, picked from September 9 to 14, the Franc on the last day. Matured in 82% new oak, this is initially quite backward on the nose, demanding a bit of aeration in the glass. Quite pure and floral, it only reluctantly opens. The palate is medium-bodied and very pure, with fine-boned tannins. The new oak is vocal toward the finish, lending a smooth veneer that will be subsumed with time in bottle. This is very fine, but allow it a few years in bottle. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"As usual, the 2023 La Petite Eglise is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that checks in at 14.4% alcohol. Wafting from the glass with aromas of plums and cherries mingled with notes of dark chocolate and truffle, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and succulent, with a rich core of fruit, sweet tannins and good depth at the core, concluding with a broad, oak-inflected finish. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"So delicious, a seriously impressive wine combining juicy spiced plum and damson fruits, bitter black chocolate and espresso, serious and reserved, with the creamy texture of Pomerol fruits emerging after a few minutes in the glass. Noëmie Durantou winemaker. Harvest September 1 to 18. 42hl/h yield. 93 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 La Petite Eglise is a serious, deep wine. It is one of the few second wines in Bordeaux that needs some time in bottle to be at its best. Dark-toned fruit, graphite, leather, menthol, spice and incense lend this large-scaled Pomerol a ton of distinction. A dollop of Franc (10%) adds tension and vibrancy. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A firm and racy red with blackberry, black olive, and orange peel. Just a hint of salt. Medium to full body. Tight center-palate with lovely tannins and a savory finish. Fresh and balanced at the end. Crunchy. Open. 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Lafite | 75cl | £1,230 per case of 3 | Château Lafite 2023 / / 75cl £1,230 per case of 3 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Lafite-Rothschild was picked September 7 to 29 at 45hL/ha and matured in 90% new oak. This is more discrete on the nose—one of the tropes of this First Growth—even when compared to the more immediate Carruades. This takes time to unfurl in the glass, slowly revealing black fruit laced with pencil box and just a touch of pressed violet. There's wonderful precision here. The palate is medium-bodied with a cashmere texture, very pure (again) with a judicious dab of cracked black pepper. The finish is very sleek, thanks to its almost filigree tannins, seeming to glide across the palate. It's not a grippy or sinewy Pauillac, and on reflection, it is technically perfect. Yet, I find myself searching for a bit more...soul. Perhaps a few rough edges would captivate the emotions. This is a delicious Lafite- Rothschild no doubt, but I want it to move me once in bottle. Maybe it will. 2030-2070. 95-97 points." Neal Martin, Vinous, Apr '24------"The 2023 Lafite•Rothschild races out of the glass with notable textural intensity. Explosive and deep, with striking balance, Lafite dazzles in this vintage. The 2023 is a somber, virile Lafite endowed with remarkable depth and tons of sheer character. Plum, blackberry, gravel, pencil shavings, graphite, mocha and lavender build into the intense, palate- staining finish. The blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. 2023-2073. 95-97 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Apr '24------"The purity of cabernet sauvignon is so evident here. It mesmerizes you with aromas of black and red currants, cedar, tobacco and bark. It's full-bodied yet there's very impressive weightlessness and agility, as well as subtlety and focus. Some iron and terra-cotta. Cedar and sandalwood undertones. Juicy and plummy at the end. 12.9% alcohol. 3.75 pH. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. 97-98 points." James Suckling, Apr '24------"The finest of the first growths this year appears to be the 2023 Lafite Rothschild, a terrific effort that unwinds in the glass with deep and incipiently complex aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, lilac and violets mingled with hints of cigar wrapper and mint. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's vibrant and refined, with a deep core of fruit, plenty of sweet structuring tannin and a compelling marriage between energy and plenitude. It's a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot that reminds me of 2019's tannins combined with 2016's unimpeachable classicism. 97-99 points." (WK) The Wine Advocate, Apr '24-----"This hits you right off the first nose, driven by slate and crushed rocks, setting the tone and the architecture, guiding the fruit through the palate. Cassis, bilberry, tobacco leaf, graphite, crushed mint, finessed and sculpted, this is a gorgeous Lafite, with fine tannins and the squid ink character that seems to be present in all of this stable of wines except Moulin de Duhart. Hidden power, where nothing is too much and yet everything is concentrated, once again proving that the terroir at this particular spot has its own personality that stands out every year. High Cabernet as ever, combined with around 15% press wine. Not the concentration of 2022, but in many ways showcasing the essence of Lafite more squarely, and this will delight anyone lucky enough to own it in future years. 45hl/h yield, highest since 2015, harvest September 7 to 29. 100% new oak. New cellar underway, due for completion in 2027. I am giving it 10 years to begin entering its opening window, a little less than usual but it will make no difference to how long you can cellar it. 98-100 points." Jane Anson, Apr '24 |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Lafite | 75cl | £2,460 per case of 6 | Château Lafite 2023 / / 75cl £2,460 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Lafite-Rothschild was picked September 7 to 29 at 45hL/ha and matured in 90% new oak. This is more discrete on the nose—one of the tropes of this First Growth—even when compared to the more immediate Carruades. This takes time to unfurl in the glass, slowly revealing black fruit laced with pencil box and just a touch of pressed violet. There's wonderful precision here. The palate is medium-bodied with a cashmere texture, very pure (again) with a judicious dab of cracked black pepper. The finish is very sleek, thanks to its almost filigree tannins, seeming to glide across the palate. It's not a grippy or sinewy Pauillac, and on reflection, it is technically perfect. Yet, I find myself searching for a bit more...soul. Perhaps a few rough edges would captivate the emotions. This is a delicious Lafite- Rothschild no doubt, but I want it to move me once in bottle. Maybe it will. 2030-2070. 95-97 points." Neal Martin, Vinous, Apr '24------"The 2023 Lafite•Rothschild races out of the glass with notable textural intensity. Explosive and deep, with striking balance, Lafite dazzles in this vintage. The 2023 is a somber, virile Lafite endowed with remarkable depth and tons of sheer character. Plum, blackberry, gravel, pencil shavings, graphite, mocha and lavender build into the intense, palate- staining finish. The blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. 2023-2073. 95-97 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Apr '24------"The purity of cabernet sauvignon is so evident here. It mesmerizes you with aromas of black and red currants, cedar, tobacco and bark. It's full-bodied yet there's very impressive weightlessness and agility, as well as subtlety and focus. Some iron and terra-cotta. Cedar and sandalwood undertones. Juicy and plummy at the end. 12.9% alcohol. 3.75 pH. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. 97-98 points." James Suckling, Apr '24------"The finest of the first growths this year appears to be the 2023 Lafite Rothschild, a terrific effort that unwinds in the glass with deep and incipiently complex aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, lilac and violets mingled with hints of cigar wrapper and mint. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's vibrant and refined, with a deep core of fruit, plenty of sweet structuring tannin and a compelling marriage between energy and plenitude. It's a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot that reminds me of 2019's tannins combined with 2016's unimpeachable classicism. 97-99 points." (WK) The Wine Advocate, Apr '24-----"This hits you right off the first nose, driven by slate and crushed rocks, setting the tone and the architecture, guiding the fruit through the palate. Cassis, bilberry, tobacco leaf, graphite, crushed mint, finessed and sculpted, this is a gorgeous Lafite, with fine tannins and the squid ink character that seems to be present in all of this stable of wines except Moulin de Duhart. Hidden power, where nothing is too much and yet everything is concentrated, once again proving that the terroir at this particular spot has its own personality that stands out every year. High Cabernet as ever, combined with around 15% press wine. Not the concentration of 2022, but in many ways showcasing the essence of Lafite more squarely, and this will delight anyone lucky enough to own it in future years. 45hl/h yield, highest since 2015, harvest September 7 to 29. 100% new oak. New cellar underway, due for completion in 2027. I am giving it 10 years to begin entering its opening window, a little less than usual but it will make no difference to how long you can cellar it. 98-100 points." Jane Anson, Apr '24 |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Lafite - Carruades de Lafite | 75cl | £930 per case of 6 | Château Lafite Carruades de Lafite 2023 / / 75cl £930 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, the 2023 Carruades de Lafite is lovely, bursting with aromas of minty blackberries, cassis and cigar box, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate that's creamy and textural, its generous core of fruit largely concealing its powdery structuring tannins, concluding with a long, resonant finish. 91-93 points." (WK) The Wine Advocate------"The 2023 Carruades de Lafite is a very pretty, sensual wine that very much captures the personality of the Grand Vin, naturally in a more approachable style. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, with no Franc or Petit Verdot. I have to say, there is something very direct about the QOQ3—something frank that is really evident. I admire its purity. Succulent red plum, spice, cedar, tobacco and a lifting touch of white pepper open first, while beautifully persistent saline undertones extend the finish. 2027-2047. 92-94 points." Neal Martin, Vinous, Apr '24------"Medium intensity ruby, fairly austere right now, structured, with the same mint leaf and ink quality as Lafite. The sweet brambled black fruits only come in through the mid palate, this is well paced, unrolls slowly, a serious and concentrated Carruades that has its eye on the future. 12% pres wine, harvest September 7 to 29, unusually only using Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. 94 points." Jane Anson, Apr '24------"A savory and juicy Carruades with softness and notes of ripe berry, cedar and dried tobacco. Like Lafite from the 1980s but more precise. Round and pretty. It really grows on the finish with such sweetness of fruit and length. Pointed, fine tannins at the end. Very long. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Lafon Rochet | 75cl | £330 per case of 12 | Château Lafon Rochet 2023 / / 75cl £330 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Generous and layered, the 2023 Lafon-Rochet offers up aromas of blackberries, cassis, incense and burning embers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and enveloping palate that's gourmand and charming, concluding with a gently minty finish. Like the 2023, this represents a richer, more demonstrative style for this Saint-Estèphe property, where Christophe Congé and his team are rehabilitating the vineyards. 91-93 points." (WK), Wine Advocate, Apr '24------"The 2023 Lafon-Rochet was picked from September 13 to October 5 at 42hL/ha with no saignée. It contains 4% Petit Verdot, as there was more water during the growing season (which Petit Verdot needs—. Matured in 40% new oak, this has quite an intense bouquet with mainly black fruit, hints of graphite and chimney soot, nicely focused though it needs time to absorb the wood. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that frame the layered blackberry and raspberry fruit laced with white pepper and pencil shavings. This errs slightly toward Pauillac on the finish, which is no surprise given its proximity. Displaying moderate length, this is a fine but grippy, denser Lafon-Rochet that should give 20 years or more of drinking pleasure. 2029-2047. 91-93 points." Neal Martin, Vinous, Apr '24------"This is very St.-Estephe, with blackcurrant, lead pencil, graphite and crushed stone. Medium-bodied, linear and structured. Excellent finish. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 4% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc. 13.35% alcohol. 3.75 pH. 93-94 points." James Suckling, Apr '24------"2023 Lafon-Rochet is a promising wine. Today, it shows terrific depth, driven by an elevated presence of Cabernet Sauvignon and a healthy dollop of Petit Verdot. Dark blue-toned fruit, lavender, licorice and dried herbs show tons of character. There's plenty of Lafon-Rochet finesse, but with an added kick of textural richness not found in the wines made during the Tesseron era. This comes together beautifully with a bit of time in the glass. 2030-2055. 93-95 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Apr '24 |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Langoa Barton | 75cl | £354 per case of 12 | Château Langoa Barton 2023 / / 75cl £354 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Langoa Barton was picked from September 12 until October 2 at around 50hL/ha, with some "late" saignée for half the vat–when it has some “serious color,” according to Damien Barton. Two vats were chaptalized out of a total of 42, the highest at 15%, yielding an average alcohol of 13%. Matured in 60% new oak, it has a very perfumed bouquet with black plum, boysenberry and a touch of mint. This is notably forward and unabashed. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a sorbet-fresh Langoa with a bright, almost pastille-like finish that lingers in the mouth. Very seductive and vivacious, I appreciate the nascent energy here. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Solid tannins, gorgeous iris and violet reflections, blueberry and cassis fruits, shot through with cigar box, this is a fairly old school Langoa in the best possibly way, juicy, sapppy, nuanced, with chalky tannins that lift through the palate. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Langoa Barton is a very accomplished wine, the family's new winery having permitted more precise, parcel-by-parcel winemaking as well as gentler handling of the fruit to deliver a wine with all this estate's customary intensity of flavor but more polish and refinement. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis and plums mingled with hints of pencil shavings and dried rose petals, it's medium to full-bodied, with an inky core of fruit, vibrant acids and plenty of suave structuring tannin. This classic blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc is sure to number among the intelligent purchases of the en primeur campaign. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"There’s depth of fruit here with blackberries, blackcurrants and hints of cedar and tobacco. The tannins are very solid and polished with juiciness and depth. Pristine. Bright acidity. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot and 3% cabernet franc. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Larcis Ducasse | 75cl | £300 per case of 6 | Château Larcis Ducasse 2023 / / 75cl £300 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Laroque | 75cl | £240 per case of 12 | Château Laroque 2023 / / 75cl £240 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Exhibiting aromas of dark, minty berries, bay leaf and creamy new oak, the 2023 Laroque is medium to full-bodied, with a sweet core of fruit, powdery tannins and a penetrating, mineral finish. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"This is full and substantial, with firm tannins and a crunchy finish. Lots of blue fruit, blackberry, crushed-stone and mineral character. Very structured. 99% merlot and 1% cabernet franc. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com------The 2023 Laroque has an outstanding bouquet that shades many of its peers. It conveys transparency and mineralité at a higher level and leaves you wanting more. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins that frame the pure black cherry and raspberry fruit. There is structure here, and the finish is notably longer than other wines of its class. This is very impressive, and I can imagine it aging with style. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Le Tertre Roteboeuf | 75cl | £770 per case of 6 | Château Le Tertre Roteboeuf 2023 / / 75cl £770 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Tertre-Rôteboeuf is a potent, backward wine. Dark-toned fruit and huge, sweeping tannins make a strong first impression. The 2023 is a somber, brooding Tertre-Rôteboeuf that will need at least a few years to come into its own. It's difficult to say whether the searing tannins will ever fully soften; I would say that is a 50/50 proposition at this stage. En primeur at Tertre-Rôteboeuf is more akin to Burgundy than Bordeaux; wines are tasted straight from barrel rather than from prepared samples, so there is always a bit of variability. I observed this in the two barrels I tasted. 2030-2043 91-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Tertre Rôteboeuf was picked from September 26 with a normal duration of picking. It has a typical bouquet for this Saint-Émilion that plays by its own rules: black cherries, dark chocolate, a touch of melted tar and licorice, well-defined and actually gaining precision as it opens in the glass. The palate is very smooth and a little savory in style, displaying hints of meat juices and white pepper, almost garrigue-like toward the finish. There's an appealing dash of black pepper on the aftertaste that seems to linger temptingly. Those who love this Chateau will love the 2023. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Le Tertre Roteboeuf offers up aromas of crème de cassis, blueberry liqueur, kirsch, espresso roast and creamy new oak, followed by a full-bodied, rich and layered palate that's sweet, dense and concentrated, somewhat reminiscent of François Mitjaville's 2011. When I tasted it, the wine had only been in barrel for a matter of weeks, as the 2023 took an unusually long time to ferment to dryness. 92-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The juice, the salinity, the plump fruits and the pleasure bursting out of this glass are off the scale. Expect waves of fleshy red cherry, raspberry, squid ink, tar and smoked grilled caramel, tannins full of sinew. All picked in one day, Henri Mitjavile winemaker alongside his father François Mitjavile. 100% new oak for ageing. 97 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Tertre Roteboeuf is deep garnet-purple in color. It erupts from the glass with powerful notes of plum preserves, juicy ripe blackberries, and licorice leading to suggestions of charcoal, black olives, cumin seed, lavender oil, and crushed rocks with a waft of iron ore. The full-bodied palate vibrates with energetic black fruits and savory accents, supported by beautifully velvety tannins and wonderful tension, finishing long and minerally. This is a stunning expression of the vintage! 96-98 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château L'Eglise Clinet | 75cl | £1,254 per case of 6 | Château L'Eglise Clinet 2023 / / 75cl £1,254 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 L'Eglise Clinet unwinds in the glass with brooding aromas of dark berries and cherries mingled with baking chocolate, pipe tobacco and toasty new oak. Full-bodied, layered and muscular, with a sweet core of fruit framed by rich, powdery, generously extracted tannin, it's broad-shouldered and powerful, concluding with a long, expansive finish. It's a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that checks in at 14.6% alcohol. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 L’Eglise-Clinet is fabulous. Rich, deep and vertical in structure, this is all poise. Nothing in particular stands out, as all the elements are impeccably balanced. Time in the glass helps this open a bit, but the 2023 is a wine of reserve—a wine that is not showing all its cards. Gravel, incense, tobacco, dried herbs and mocha open with some coaxing. This will be stellar in time. 2030-2053 94-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Rises through the palate, intense and concentrated with cloves, pomegranate, black pepper, cumin, rosemary, rich black fruits balanced and given lift and contrast by nuanced and fresher raspberry leaf, tomato leaf, saline squid ink, and fresh citrus peel acidities. This has cohesion, precision, lift and character. Noëmie Durantou winemaker. Harvest September 1 to 18. 42hl/h yield. 97 points" janeanson.com------"The purity and precision tof this young Eglise Clinet is exceptional, with finesse, intensity and fine tannins that last for minutes on the palate. It grows slowly and then builds and continues. The energy is terrific. Finishes long and confident. All about structure with finesse. The tannins really are refined and tightly woven. 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2023 L'Eglise-Clinet was picked between September 10 and 14 and matured in 82% new oak. It has a stunning bouquet with enthralling delineation and focus, very intense with blackberries, raspberry, crushed stone, Earl Grey and a touch of blood orange. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins and a dash of cracked black pepper. It's very harmonious and fans out brilliantly on the finish. It is surely going to vie with the stupendous 2022, and this ranks as one of the best wines of the vintage. Tasted on two visits at the beginning and end of my Bordeaux tastings. 98-100 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Léoville Barton | 75cl | £336 per case of 6 | Château Léoville Barton 2023 / / 75cl £336 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Léoville Barton was picked from September 12 to October 2 and aged in 60% new oak. This takes a long time to settle in the glass, unfolding with black fruit, wild mint and a subtle seaweed scent. This Saint-Julien gains cohesion with aeration—a bit of pep. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. A touch of dark chocolate infuses the black fruit, harmonious with a patina of new oak that will integrate with time. This is classic Léoville Barton from tip to toe, and whilst it does not match the imperious 2022, it is a very impressive follow-up due to its interwoven elegance. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Château Leoville Barton is another terrific wine from this château, and it plays in the fresh, vibrant, lively style of the vintage beautifully. Utterly classic blackcurrants, ripe tobacco, graphite, and cedar pencil notes define the aromatics, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied, has terrific concentration, the pure, focused, mineral-driven style of the vintage, building yet ripe tannins, and a great finish. It has plenty of acidity as well as tannins and is built for the cellar. The blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, raised in 60% new oak. Harvest dates were the 12th of September to the 2nd of October. 93-95+ points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2023 Léoville Barton is a lovely classic in the making, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis and blackberries mingled with notions of pencil shavings, licorice and violets. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's layered, concentrated and suave, with beautifully refined tannins, vibrant acids and a long, penetrating finish. Benefiting from the Barton family's new highly functional winery, as well as experimentation with more discreet cooperage choices, it's somewhat reminiscent of the estate's terrific 2016. The 2023 blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The tannins here are cashmere-like. You can touch it, but at the same time it is weightless and beautiful. Medium- to full-bodied and textural. Soars at the end. This is really seamless and dialed in. Third year using the cellar. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot and 3% cabernet franc. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com------"Step into the heart of what St Julien does best here, firm and muscular but thoroughly juicy tannins, concentrated blackberry and cassis fruits that are mature but full of finesse, with just the right amount of precision and tension. This is a wine where a single glass will not be enough, and reminds you that in 2022 the wines were exceptional but atypical for many Bordeaux lovers. Here you get an understated gloriously drinkable St Julien from long-term owners the Barton family that will go the distance. 60% new oak for ageing. 97 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Léoville Las Cases | 75cl | £831 per case of 6 | Château Léoville Las Cases 2023 / / 75cl £831 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and only 4% Merlot, the 2023 Léoville Las Cases is one of the more serious, structured wines of the vintage, reminiscent of a modern-day version of the estate's excellent 2001. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries, cassis and plums mingled with hints of licorice, mint and creamy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a taut core of fruit, lively acids and plenty of fine, youthfully firm tannins. It will require and reward patience. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Léoville Las-Cases was picked from Septemer 9 to October 2 at 43hL/ha and matured in 80% new oak barrels. This has a very precise bouquet, and, like the Clos du Marquis, it is imbued with an attractive estuarine element-aromatics that transport the imbiber to the banks of the Gironde. The oak is neatly integrated, 80% is much more optimaI than 100% would have been. The palate is lightly spiced on the entry, moderately deep and quite lively on the mid-palate. This is a more linear Las-Cases than recent vintages, conveying a sense of "seriousness" toward the almost saturnine finish Impressive in terms of persistence, this is a worthy follow-up to the magnificent 2022, but it will demand patience. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Exceptional quality of cabernet comes through here, with a lot of graphite, lead pencil, crushed stone, walnut and currant fruit. It grows and expands on the palate, remaining in focus at the same time. Refined and seamless with beautiful tannins that show power and intensity. It rolls across the palate with verve. 86% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc and 4% merlot. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"Structured and powerful, this is not as forbidding as En Primeur in many vintages of Las Cases, showing both flesh and florality, but the tannic walls of this great estate remain fully in place, coupled with layers of cassis and bilberry fruits, subtle hints of bitter aniseed, fennel, cola, espresso, squid ink, textured slate tannins. Expect inky depths and unashamed austerity, a wine that will take its time to open, making no excuses for demanding patience. So so good, with a balance and classicism that delivers on the best of the vintage. 80% new oak, 6.6% press wine, 3.79h, harvest September 9 to October 2, 43hl/h yield. First year in the new cellars, with 43.5ha going into the main wine from the historic walled vineyard site. 98 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Léoville Poyferré | 75cl | £337 per case of 6 | Château Léoville Poyferré 2023 / / 75cl £337 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Aromas of cassis, plums, pencil shavings and toasty new oak introduce the 2023 Léoville Poyferré, a medium to full-bodied, rich and chunky wine with a deep core of succulent fruit framed by sweet, generously extracted tannins. It's a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that saw some saignée and osmosis for additional concentration. As usual, it's the creamiest, most "modern"-styled of the three Léovilles. Harvest began on September 14 and concluded on October 5, with fermentations a little cooler than usual, perhaps an intimation of a stylistic evolution in progress. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"This is already very pretty and polished with plenty of currant and plum character. Medium- to full-bodied with creamy, round tannins and a juicy finish. Caressing. Very refined. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2023 Léoville-Poyferré was picked from September 14 until October 5 at 52.78hL/ha and aged in slightly less new oak than usual, simply because of the large volume. In fact, some of the lots commenced their malolactic fermentation in vat rather than barrel. This has an intense bouquet with black cherries and iodine, becoming more floral with aeration. The palate opens with a medium body and pliant tannins, fleshy and ripe, dovetailing into a dense and multi-tiered mid-palate. Typical Poyferré in style, blood orange and light graphite notes are embroidered into the ripe black fruit, and there is noticeable glycerol on the finish. It is perhaps the most opulent of the three Léovilles, and yet it arrives with a modest 13.1% alcohol. This is a contender for the best Saint-Julien in show. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Brilliant Poyferré, deep ruby colour, setting the scene for ink, campfire, espresso, mint, cassis and damson. Concentrated but with a delicious balance, this feels effortless and is truly a wine for Bordeaux lovers to seek out. Harvest September 14 to October 5. 80% new oak, 52hl/h yields, biggest since 2004, with more 1st wine than usual because the old Cabernet Sauvignon plots gave quality and quantity (after three low quantity years). Alix Combes new vineyard manager, replacing long time manager Bruno Clenet. 98 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Les Carmes Haut Brion | 75cl | £456 per case of 6 | Château Les Carmes Haut Brion 2023 / / 75cl £456 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is increasingly a wine of seamlessness. Whereas the various components were once easily discernible, today Carmes is most often a wine of total beauty. The 2023 is a bit shy, especially in its aromatics. In other words, a pretty big departure from so many other recent vintages that have been far showier at this stage. Technical Director Guillaume Pouthier explains that he plans to give the 2023 longer aging, around 24-26 months, so he approached vinification and the early part of aging in a more reductive style than in the past. As always, Les Carmes is marked by its strong presence of Cabernet Franc and use of whole clusters, but as mentioned above, those signatures are less immediately evident than they once were. Les Carmes has been one of Bordeaux's stars over the last few years. I can't wait to see how the 2023 turns out. 2035-2073. 94-96 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Apr '24------"Elderflower and peony aromatics, stunning inky plum colour that is very much a signature of Carmes, where it looks so enticing and ripe visually, and then on the palate you feel this constrasting vibrant lift and drinkablity. Back to the signature squid ink flavour that is the key marker of ripe Cabernet in the vintage, and here the grippy slate texture slows everything slows, slowly humming through the palate. Has a sappy, drinkablity, with crushed rose petals and salted cracker salinity. 60% whole cluster, harvest September 11 to 25. 3.6ph. Distinctive, intense, one for Carmes lovers to celebrate. 96 points." Jane Anson, Apr '24------"A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot, Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2023 has a pH of 3.62. It was fermented with 60% whole bunches and it is aging in 70% new oak barrels, 20% new oak vats of 18 hl, and 10% amphorae. It has an opaque purple-black color and needs a little swirling and coaxing to bring out fabulously pure, well-defined notes of juicy black cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, ripe juicy blackberries, and licorice, leading to hints of tar, peonies, wet slate, and black olives, with a touch of Sichuan pepper. The light to medium-bodied palate is airy and refreshing, with a solid backbone of very fine-grained, prancing tannins and bold freshness supporting the pristine black fruit flavors, finishing long and minerally. I had to spend a good 15 minutes with this wine to allow it to grow: it is incredibly tight to begin but expands to become something powerful. A beguiling 2023 with fully ripe black fruit characters and a paradoxical airiness, it really makes your head spin in the best possible way! 96-98 points." Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May '24------"Guillaume Pouthier and his team have once again crafted one of Bordeaux's most unique and characterful wines. Revealing aromas of mulberries and raspberries mingled with notions of vine smoke, orange zest, rose petals and spices, the 2023 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated, with a powerful, vibrant and complete mid-palate, concluding with a long, ethereal and mouthwateringly saline finish. Sensual, suave and seamless, its beautifully refined tannins are, analytically, more abundant than even those of the 2022 vintage, yet they are so brilliantly integrated as to be near-imperceptible. This blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot is crafted for longevity, though its refined structure will make it surprisingly approachable at an early age. It's maturing 70% in new oak barrels, 20% in 18-hectoliter foudres and 10% in amphorae. A creditable yield of 50 hectoliters per hectare represents a decided agronomic success in what was a challenging growing season. 97-99 points." Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate, Apr '24------"This is a fantastic wine and very, very exciting, with purity and brightness to the floral, spicy and blackberry notes. It’s full and deep with agility and weightless. You feel the greatness in this. The winemaker says this is more concentrated and structured than the 2022. Lightly salty. 60% whole-berry fermentation. 50% cabernet franc, 30% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot. From organically grown grapes. 98-99 points." James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2024 |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Les Cruzelles | 75cl | £193 per case of 12 | Château Les Cruzelles 2023 / / 75cl £193 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Les Cruzelles initially presents a slightly oaky aroma, which transitions to a more floral essence upon aeration. Then it evokes aromas of dark wild berries, spices and mulberries. Medium-bodied, round and charming, it has velvety tannins and a dense, elegant mid-palate, with a long, rich and fruity finish. It's a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc matured in 55% new oak. 90-92 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Les Cruzelles is the same blend as last year. Though it includes fruit that went into La Chenade in 2022, the volume of Merlot was higher, so it remains 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. When Noemie Durantou tasted through the tanks, she found it easy to pick out the wines from Les Cruzelles. Harvested between September 11 and 18 and matured in 52% new oak, this has a delineated and focused bouquet. A hint of incense infuses the black fruit, while a subtle citric element tucks in underneath. The palate is wonderful, certainly more complex and mineral-driven than the La Chenade, possessing gentle grip and perfectly pitched acidity. it fans out with chutzpah on the peppery finish. Excellent. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A vintage where the gap between Cruzelles and La Chenade is wide, and even on the nose it is clear that there are more depths and density to this wine. Love the texture, the depth of raspberry and damson fruits, shot through with black tea, sage and fennel. This is really a brilliant Cruzelles, 55% new oak. Harvest September 1 to 18. 42hl/h yield. Noëmie Durantou winemaker. 93 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Les Cruzelles is a potent, deep wine. The 2023 has all the Cabernet Francs from the Lalande-de-Pomerol estate blended with Merlots that were particularly abundant. Pretty floral and savory notes from the Franc give this mid-weight, dynamic, vibrant Lalande-de-Pomerol tons of charm. I especially admire its energy. Readers will want to give this a few years in bottle. 2028-2043 91-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"This is one of the best young Lalande de Pomerols I have had. It is very deep and complex on the palate, with pure fruit, spice and chocolate. Lovely tannins, too. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château L'Evangile | 75cl | £948 per case of 6 | Château L'Evangile 2023 / / 75cl £948 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Wafting from the glass with deep aromas of dark berries, spices, licorice and petals, framed by a sweet patina of new oak, the 2023 L'Evangile is medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a textural attack that segues into a supple, integrated core that's framed by sweet, powdery tannins. It's a blend of 78% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, checking in at 13.5% alcohol, that was harvested between September 4 and 28. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 L'Évangile was picked from September 4 to 28 at 42hL/ha, which is the highest for many years. Matured in 50% new oak (including 15 foudres) and 8% in amphoras (my sample only from used barrels), this has a very floral and precise bouquet with dark red fruit, blueberry, hints of blood orange and light sous-bois scents. It's very L'Evangile. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins. Crisp and precise, there’s fine tension toward the finish with a lingering black pepper note. This is a lovely L'Évangile that deserves five or six years in bottle. It will be worth the wait. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A fascinating exercise in terroir, as this shows the same alcohol as the Blason, but the density, fruit character and even the IPT (tannin) count are very different. You see the impact of clay soils in the building of the powerful architecture and the plush damson and black cherry fruits. There is density but tenderness to the tannins, with grilled caramel that gives a beautiful Pomerol signature. Violet floral edging arrives towards the finish, as things open up, and this is an impressive L'Evangile that can age with ease. 42hl/h yield, a record in recent years here. Certified organic since 2021. Great stuff from technical director Juliette Couderc. 96 points" janeanson.com------"A fine line of tannins runs through this medium- to fullbodied wine. Chocolate, walnut and lead pencil on very fine tannins. Classy and focused, providing elegance with strength. Tight at the end. 78% merlot, 21% cabernet franc and 1% cabernet sauvignon. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Lilian Ladouys | 75cl | £144 per case of 12 | Château Lilian Ladouys 2023 / / 75cl £144 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"After four Merlot-dominant vintages, the 2023 Lilian Ladouys, with 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, reflects what will be the new norm for this estate as restructured parcels return to production. Offering up aromas of dark berries, lilac and licorice, it's medium-bodied, fleshy and suave, with a charming, supple profile and attractive purity and precision. Some 20% of the blend is maturing in larger 400-liter barrels. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"A crunchy wine with blackcurrant, blueberry and crushedstone aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, creamy and polished. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc. 92-93 points" jamessuckling.com------"Juicy black fruits, concentrated without being overdone, well judged in its balance and drinkability, with plenty of firm St Estèphe tannic architecture and a liqourice root signoff. 400l barrels for ageing, 30% new oak. Previously a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, but they have now stepped back from the ranking. Last year of organic conversion, to be certified in 2024, with an impressive 50hl/h yield. Give it three or four years after bottling to fully soften. 93 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Lynch Bages | 75cl | £420 per case of 6 | Château Lynch Bages 2023 / / 75cl £420 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Lynch-Bages takes some time to really settle, so I gave it 5-10 minutes in the glass. On the nose, glossy black fruit mixes with touches of cassis, graphite, violets and blood orange, perhaps demonstrating more horsepower than I anticipated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, saturated tannins. There is a lovely symmetry to this Pauillac (not unlike Latour), armed with a cashmere texture and plenty of backbone on the finish, even though I would not describe it as a "grippy" Lynch-Bages. There’s plenty of graphite character on the aftertaste. Excellent. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"As usual one of the chunkier, broader-shouldered wines of the Médoc, the 2023 Lynch-Bages exhibits aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with pencil shavings, licorice and pipe tobacco, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, it's deep, concentrated and generously extracted, with plenty of youthfully chewy tannin to carry it along in the cellar. The 2023 is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Blackberry, black cherry, crushed stone and graphite. Lead pencil, too. It’s full-bodied with juicy, chewy tannins. Vertical and layered with lovely length. Quite plush. Chewy tannins at the end. Cabernet sauvignon driven. Showing excellent potential. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Malescot St Exupery | 75cl | £390 per case of 12 | Château Malescot St Exupery 2023 / / 75cl £390 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Malescot Saint Exupéry was cropped at 38hL/ha, picked a day later than the previous year. Lea Zuger told me that they now use six foudres installed in November, meaning there is 60% new oak—less than other vintages. Barrel-maturation will be 14 to 16 months. Whereas in 2022, nearly all the estate’s fruit went into the Grand Vin, this year it represents 75% of the volume. Displaying blackberry and briar on the nose, this demands some coaxing from the glass. There’s just a light, confit-like aroma in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine structure, slightly powdery tannins, modest weight and noticeably fresh acidity and salinity, the latter especially prominent toward the finish. More classically hewn compared to the 2022, this will require five or six years in bottle. Classy. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"One of the most suave, classy vintages from this estate in some years, the 2023 Malescot St. Exupery is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries, berries, licorice and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and succulent, with good depth at the core, supple tannins and a harmonious, integrated profile. Part of the blend is maturing in foudre. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"This has a very deep and beautiful palate with cherries, chocolate, hazelnut and orange peel. Pretty blackcurrants and blue berries, too. Medium body. The finish has gorgeous al-dente fruit at the end and is always subtle. Open tannins. A blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot, and 5% petit verdot. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Margaux | 75cl | £2,160 per case of 6 | Château Margaux 2023 / / 75cl £2,160 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Château Margaux shows considerable promise, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, violets, spring flowers and sweet tobacco, framed by a deft touch of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's taut, concentrated and classically structured, with sweet, refined tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. It's a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that attained 13% alcohol. 95-97 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Vibrant peony and ruby red colour, this hums with movement and energy through the palate, a complex bloom of lavendar and white rose flowers, fresh and dense at the same time. Classical Margaux, with the savoury quality of the best wines of the year, a ton of fine tannins with a reserved sculpted architecture. The drinkability of this vintage is such a welcome return, and this is exceptionally good quality, and a real pleasure to taste. Superb winemaking from Philippe Bascaules. 41hl/h yield (compared to 25hl/h last year), 41% of the production in this 1st wine. 98 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Chateau Margaux, accounting for 41% of this year's crop, is deep garnet-purple in color. A little shy to begin, it needs some swirling before notes of black cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, and anise emerge from the glass, leading to suggestions of fragrant soil, lilacs, and cardamom with a touch of iron ore. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly crafted, with fabulous tension creating an exhilarating sense of energy in the mouth, offset by firm fine-grained tannins to support the vibrant red and black berry layers, finishing long and perfumed. So fragrant and graceful, this could only be Chateau Margaux! The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, with pH 3.60. "There is a little more Cabernet Franc this year. More and more has been making it into the First Wine. We have been grafting over some vines to Cabernet Franc and planting more." 97-99 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2023 Château Margaux, which contains 15% vin de presse, is quintessential Château Margaux. It immediately blossoms in the glass with irresistible crushed violets on the nose, instantly demanding attention—you will gladly give it. Exquisitely defined and very focused with supremely well integrated oak, this is blessed with laser-like precision. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, perhaps a little feistier than expected thanks to a liberal sprinkling of black pepper. Quite structured (like the Pavillon Rouge) and gentle, you can almost overlook its grip. It finishes with a concentrated, graphite-tinged finish that lingers long in the mouth. This First Growth will require ten years in bottle to really show what it is capable of. 97-99 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Château Margaux is fabulous. Sensual, silky and exceptionally polished, the 2023 Château Margaux is shaping up to be a classic. Seamless, silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red/purplish fruit. Hints of spice, new leather, menthol, licorice and rose petal fill out the glass. There's a bit of new oak peeking through today, but that won't be an issue in a few years' time. Only Bordeaux can produce wines that offer so much flavor intensity at a low alcohols. Margaux is the least showy of the First Growths, but it is often the most refined. The 2023 is sublime. 97-100 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The aromas in this young Margaux are so primary, reminding me of grape must fermenting in the vat, then turning to perfumes and flowers. Violets and roses. Full-bodied but it comes across as so agile and bright, with vivid acidity that makes the wine crunchy and linear. As Alexis, one of the owners of Margaux said, this really shows the DNA of the estate. Weightless. One of the wines of the vintage. 3.6 pH. Blend of 89% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. 99-100 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Château Margaux - Pavillon Blanc du Margaux | 75cl | £1,440 per case of 6 | Château Margaux Pavillon Blanc du Margaux 2023 / / 75cl £1,440 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Pavillon Blanc was picked from August 23 to 30 during the heat wave, so the fruit was picked only in the morning. The yield clocked in at 37hL/ha. It has a crisp nose with green apples, nettle and grass clippings, perhaps not as complex as I expected. The palate is well balanced with touches of melon and orange rind on the entry. Modest in depth and quite fresh with a touch of lemongrass, it is a fine and comparatively opulent Pavillon Blanc, even if I would not place it on the mantelpiece with the great vintages in recent years. 88-90 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Pavillon Blanc is quite powerful in this vintage, marked by a combination of creamy, textured fruit, bright acids and an almost phenolic feel that adds pseudo-tannic structure. I imagine the 2023 will need a few years in bottle. Pavillon Blanc is usually more immediate and racier, but the 2023 looks like more of a long-distance runner. Lemon confit, almond and white flowers unfurl in the glass. 2025-2035 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Pavillon Blanc from Château Margaux, harvested during the morning hours of the August 23-30 heatwave, possesses a deep, complex bouquet of spring flowers, lemon oil, ripe orchard fruits, lemongrass and sweet gooseberries, followed by a medium to full-bodied, round and concentrated palate that's animated by lively acids, concluding with a long, taut, delicately phenolic finish. This bottling amounts to only 45% of the entire crop, the rest being relegated to a second wine. 93-95 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of fresh grapefruit, pineapple, and white peaches leading to hints of honeysuckle, orange blossom, and coriander seed with a waft of yuzu. The medium-bodied palate has vivacious citrus and tropical fruit flavors with a racy backbone and long chalky finish. This is delicious! The yield was 37 hl/ha and the pH 3.15. 94-96 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"White peach flesh on the opening gives an opulent start that quickly narrows inwards to flint and steel. An exceptional white wine, with sculpted charm, showcasing citrus, lime zest, green apple, anis and sage. Harvest August 23 to 30, yields 37hl/h compared to 15h/h in 2022. 96 points" janeanson.com------"This is quite a big Pavillon Blanc with sliced pineapple, ripe apple, lemon and stone. It's full-bodied, layered and phenolic with a ripe sense to it, but then it’s citrusy and salty. Like fresh oysters. Reminds me of vintages from the 1980s, but with more freshness and clarity. 100% sauvignon blanc. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Margaux - Pavillon Rouge du Margaux | 75cl | £720 per case of 6 | Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge du Margaux 2023 / / 75cl £720 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Representing 30% of the crop, the 2023 Pavillon Rouge has a very pure and floral bouquet, with crushed violets and blue fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins and moderate depth, quite linear and structured in style with white pepper and a touch of brine on the saline finish. There’s good length, even if it’s missing the amplitude of the previous vintage. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Pavillon Rouge is a deep, intense wine. Bright acids drive a core of dark red-toned fruit, spice and flowers. There's a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, which makes structural elements stand out, but the tannins are on the lower side analytically. I would give this a few years to come together. Pavillon Rouge represents 30% of the château's production. 2025-2043 90-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"An aromatic punch of white and red roses, feels very much in the DNA of the estate, with perfume, richly nuanced cassis, bilberry, tobacco leaf, cigar box. Fine tannins, with energy and clear - and this is a 2nd wine that elevates the possibilities of the 2023 vintage. September 11 through to October 5 for harvest, 30% of the production in Pavillon. 93 points" janeanson.com------"Somewhat reminiscent of a cooler-fruited version of the lovely 2019, Château Margaux's 2023 Pavillon Rouge wafts from the glass with aromas of cassis, raspberries, licorice and pipe tobacco, deftly framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a sweet core of fruit, ripe tannins and a lively, succulent profile, it's a blend 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc that attained 13.3% alcohol. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux accounts for 30% of this year's production. Deep garnet-purple in color, it pops from the glass with vibrant notes of red and black currants followed by hints of rosebud tea, crushed rocks, dried Provence herbs, and Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate delivers an impressive mid-palate of ripe, juicy red and black berry flavors with soft fine-grained tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing with a spicy lift. The blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.60. 92-94+ points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Very Chateau Margaux, with perfumed violets, currants and other berries, as well as oranges. Medium body with fine, caressing tannins that are tight and vivid. Racy and refined. Brightness and beauty to this second wine. Succulent. Refined. One of the best Pavillon Rouges in a while. 30% of the production. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Mauvesin-Barton | 75cl | £144 per case of 12 | Château Mauvesin-Barton 2023 / / 75cl £144 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Mauvesin Barton has an attractive bouquet with black plum, cassis and light floral scents. This is nicely defined. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and modest weight, but the oak is a little conspicuous toward the finish. It doesn't quite have the ambition or complexity of the 2022, though it represents a fine, perhaps earlier-drinking Moulis-en-Médoc. 89-91 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com ------"Coming from a vintage where the estate experienced mildew, frost, and a touch of hail, the 2023 Château Mauvesin Barton is deep purple-hued and reveals solid aromatics of pretty red berries, raspberries, sappy flowers, and subtle tobacco and herbal notes. A pretty, medium-bodied, elegant Moulis with bright acidity and fine yet building tannins, the blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, hitting 13.4 alcohol, raised in one-third new oak. Harvest here stretched from the 14th to the 26th of September. 89-91 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"This is firm and chewy with a medium to full body, yet it shows succulent fruit underneath. Outstanding depth as well as a crunchy sense to this, with blackberry and graphite. Profound limestone character is giving this real depth and solidity. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Meyney | 75cl | £228 per case of 12 | Château Meyney 2023 / / 75cl £228 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Aromas of dark berries, cassis, vanilla pod and spicy new oak introduce the 2023 Meyney, a medium-bodied, lean and compact wine with a somewhat drying finish. 87-88 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Meyney is surprisingly backward on the nose with blackberry, kirsch, touches of black pepper and loamy aromas. It remains understated in the glass yet gains purity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Maybe a little conservative in style, it stays within the confines of the vintage, but it feels harmonious. What is missing is just a bit of grip and density on the finish. Let's see if this will "kick on" during its barrel-maturation. Maybe this Meyney has something up its sleeve? 89-91 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Meyney is terrific. Silky and polished, the 2023 shows a side of Meyney I have not seen before. There's also terrific freshness and overall brightness. Dark red plum, blood orange, chalk, mint and dried herbs are all beautifully delineated. More than anything else, I admire the wine's poise. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A very solid Meyney with a firm tannin frame that holds the wine together. Medium body. Juicy finish. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com------"Often a benchmark wine for me in a vintage, and it is a good sign for the Left Bank in 2023 that Meyney is tasting great. A punch of inky plum and blackberry fruit, good lift and freshness, plenty of tannic grip, an excellent wine. A buy. CA Grands Crus owners. 94 points" janeanson.com and spice. Fine build towards a menthol-tinged finish, winemaker Anne La Nour has conjured a very commendable Saint-Estèphe from a tricky growing season. If release prices match your wallet, I'd stick a case (or two) in the cellar. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Montlandrie | 75cl | £164 per case of 12 | Château Montlandrie 2023 / / 75cl £164 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A blend of 55% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon matured 50% in new oak, the 2023 Montlandrie offers up aromas of flowers, wild dark berries and mulberries with a touch of reduction. Medium to full-bodied, dense and rich with a concentrated core of fruit, it’s enrobing and charming with structuring tannins and a long, licorice and smoke-inflected finish. It will offer a broad drinking window. 90-92 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"This is a serious Montlandrie, has far more Cabernet Sauvignon than usual, and shows a gorgeously savoury ethereal quality, with slow burn release of black fruits, oyster shell salinity, raspberry leaf and peony aromatics, precise, a slow burn, enjoyable. 36hl/h yield. Noëmie Durantou winemaker. 92 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Montlandrie is a rich, expansive wine. In 2023, the blend includes more Cabernet Sauvignon than in the past, and that comes through in the wine's textural breadth. Succulent dark plum, crème de cassis, lavender, spice, leather, tobacco, incense and dried herbs build effortlessly in the glass, culminating in a broad, resonant finish that is quite striking. This Montlandrie is such a gorgeous and complete wine. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Sophisticated for the appellation, with blackberries, hazelnuts and a hint of salt. It's medium-bodied and polished, with refinement and length. Nice energy. 92-93 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2023 Montlandrie sees a change in composition, as a plot of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that Noëmie Durantou planted in 2021 enters the blend for the first time. She found the first-pressed wine for the Cabernet Sauvignon impressive, so she also added that to the blend. The result is 55% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between September 18 and 30 and matured in 50% new oak. This new makeup certainly gives it a different aromatic profile than previous vintages: black cherries, cedar and pencil shavings, very focused, more Left-Bank-meets-Right-Bank in style. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. It’s beautifully structured and judiciously spiced with gentle grip on the finish. Together with Les Cruzelles, these wines represent outstanding value for money. This will certainly age well in bottle. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Montrose | 75cl | £714 per case of 6 | Château Montrose 2023 / / 75cl £714 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Montrose is a dark, brooding powerhouse but with the elegance that is such a signature today. Black cherry, plum, leather, licorice, mocha, spice, tobacco and dried flowers infuse the 2023 with tons of character. The Cabernet Sauvignon is so expressive here. Readers will have to be patient, as this is a wine built for the cellar. It's not especially showy today, but all the ingredients are there. The 2023 is quite the bruiser. In other words, it’s classic Montrose. In the end, that's not terribly surprising, as the winemaking team relied exclusively on the original holdings of about 45 hectares from what the estate calls the 'grand plateau' or 'Terrace 4', essentially the historic core of the property. Harvest ran from September 5 to 28. There was some rain on the 21st, but 15mm of precipitation after a heat spike was not meaningful. The 2023 is magnificent in every way. 2032-2063. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Montrose is focused on the original terroir of the estate, known as Terrace 4, located in front of the river. It comprises 45 hectares, around 12 to 15 hectares less than previous vintages so as to capture the expression of Montrose classified in 1855. Picked from September 5 to 28 and matured in 60% new oak, this has a very intense and focused bouquet: pure black fruit with just a touch of strawberry, hints of violet petals developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins—very pure, with pitch-perfect acidity. This gains depth toward the finish but maintains a sense of linearity that ensures it is one of the vintage’s finest contributions from the Left Bank. Magnificent. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Gorgeously dark and vibrant fruit, with gunsmoke and campfire, concentrated cassis and blackberry pastille, grilled almond, saffron and pomegrante, luscious but measured, showing the inky character that seems to be at the heart of the best Cabernets of this vintage, with their ripe but not overly exuberant classicism. Organic conversion, to be certified 2025. The first vintage this 1st wine of Montrose is coming only from the section of the vineyard located on Terrace 4 of the Médoc gravel banks that line the Garonne river along the peninsula. Following soil studies from Pierre Becheler, this comprises 35% of the overall production in 2023, or 45ha of vines, and is the historic heart of the property. Pierre Grafeuille director, Vincent Decup technical director. 98 points." Jane Anson------"Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Montrose gallops out of the glass with intense scents of crushed blackcurrants, fresh blackberries, and raspberries along with nuances of licorice, crushed rocks, and mossy tree bark plus a hint of iron ore. The medium-bodied palate has impressive tension and tight-knit black and red berry flavors intertwined with mineral accents, framed by fine-grained tannins, finishing long and sparkly. The first wine accounted for only 35% of the estate's production this year. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.70. 97-99 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Made from a strict selection of only the best terroirs (terrace 4) around the estate and the oldest vines, the 2023 Château Montrose is a more Cabernet Sauvignon-driven wine than normal and is based on 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc that will see 18 months in 60% new French oak. The result is a more plush, deep, opulent wine that has classic Montrose darker, almost blue fruits, violets, chocolate, and damp earth-like aromas and flavors. Deep, rich, full-bodied, and expansive on the palate, it has more richness, breadth, and concentration than just about every other wine in the vintage. The 2023 hit 13.5% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.7. It has some similarities to the 2010 (or 2016?) and might end up being the wine of the vintage. 97-100 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2023 Montrose is another brilliant wine from an estate that's now routinely among Bordeaux's very best, year in, year out. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, derived exclusively from the estate's historic core on the fourth terrace situated just in front of the château itself, it unwinds in the glass with aromas of cassis and wild berries mingled with notions of lilac, violet and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, deep and layered, with a textural attack that segues into a dense, multidimensional mid-palate framed by beautifully ripe tannins and lively acids, it concludes with a long, resonant finish. It will be worth a special effort to seek out. 97-100 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Wow. This is the essence of Montrose, with blackberry, blackcurrant, crushed stone and earth. I have not tasted a Montrose like this in 42 years of my career. It has a much more vertical nature to it, with layered tannins that go very deep and long, The muscular structure and intensity is something else. This is a new era for Montrose. It is now made from only 45 hectares of vineyards right in front of the chateau, instead of about 60 before. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. 99-100 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Mouton Rothschild | 75cl | £2,034 per case of 6 | Château Mouton Rothschild 2023 / / 75cl £2,034 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Aromas of crème de cassis and dark berries mingled with pencil shaving, espresso roast and violets introduce the 2023 Mouton Rothschild, a medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy wine with a creamy core of ripe but lively fruit, sweet tannins and an expansive finish. In terms of parcels, the 2023 is quite different in origins from the 2022, favoring plots that are better-drained rather than those resistant to drought. It's a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, without either Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot featuring in the blend, and it attained 13.3% alcohol. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"This is the most structured Mouton since the great 2016, with tannins that start slowly and then take off. It’s muscular and toned. It’s full-bodied but doesn’t come across too heavy. It builds up in intensity and goes on and on and on. It just keeps expanding. I took a double take here. 93% cabernet sauvignon and 7% merlot. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com------"High Cabernet, and the grape is dominant not just in blend but character, totally delicious, with tension, flesh, and confidence, building layers of black fruits, graphite, cocoa bean, espresso, pomegranate and smoked earth throughout the palate. When Cabernet works at Mouton, it is hard to beat, and it's on full display in 2023. One of my clear wines of the vintage. Of any vintage. 100% new oak for ageing. 40% grand vin, harvest September 7 to 30. 98-100 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Mouton Rothschild - Le Petit Mouton | 75cl | £822 per case of 6 | Château Mouton Rothschild Le Petit Mouton 2023 / / 75cl £822 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Aromas of dark berries, cassis and cigar wrapper introduce the 2023 Le Petit Mouton, a medium-bodied, fleshy wine with good depth and density, its lively core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins, concluding with a penetrating finish. It's a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. 91-93 points." (WK) Wine Advocate, Apr '24------"Slate and grip, clear again here that this is not the most exuberant of vintages, it's classical with a serious backbone. That doesn't mean that Petit Mouton isn't out to make you happy, and you can expect plenty of black chocolate, damson, black cherry, signature cocoa bean, espresso and salted cracker, but the tannins are pretty fierce. Harvest September 7 to 30 (but 2/3 of grapes coming in after September 21), 39% of production. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Le Petit-Mouton is fabulous. It could easy be a Grand Vin at another address. Rich, ample and beautifully resonant in the glass, the 2023 impresses with its notable palate presence. Dark red cherry, pomegranate, cinnamon, rose petal and new leather are some of the many notes that build. The 2023 is seriously impressive. Wow! 93-95 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, Apr '24------"This is a tighter and more compact Petit Mouton with a full-bodied, compact palate that is framed nicely by the tannins. Savory and juicy. Structured. Contained. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Better than 2022? 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Palmer | 75cl | £0 per case of 12 | Château Palmer 2023 / / 75cl £0 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Palmer represents two-thirds of the crop this year, raised in barrel (50% new) until July, then racked into 3,000-liter foudres for another 12 months. My sample was representative of the new oak ratio. The nose is very intense, as normal, loaded with blackberry, boysenberry, violet and veins of blood orange in the background. Powerful, though not in the same way as the barnstorming 2022, it manages to retain focus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grip on the entry. This is quite a deep Palmer with touches of licorice-tinged black fruit. It’s more opulent than almost all other Margaux wines this vintage, furnished with black pepper and allspice on the finish. It will require several years in bottle. The 2023 Palmer is one of the most long-term, serious wines on the Left Bank. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Director Thomas Duroux and his team elected to harvest late in pursuit of full maturity, beginning with the Merlot on September 11 and finishing the Cabernet Sauvignon on October 5 to produce a beautiful 2023 Palmer, redolent of cherries, wild berries, rose petals and violets. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, it's medium to full-bodied, plush and enveloping, with a cool core of fruit, succulent acids, ultra-refined tannins and a seamless, complete profile. 96-97 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The vivid density and structure to this is really captivating, with pure blackcurrant character. Full-bodied with very silky, refined and ultra-fine tannins and an exquisite finish. Caresses every inch of the palate. It's seems like it will be large and overpowering, but it's actually ethereal and cloud-like. The tannin quality is so refined and, in a way, weightless. 50% cabernet sauvignon, 46% merlot and 4% petit verdot. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Palmer - Alter Ego de Palmer | 75cl | £354 per case of 6 | Château Palmer Alter Ego de Palmer 2023 / / 75cl £354 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Alter Ego represents one-third of the crop, coming exclusively from gravel soil and picked at 32hL/ha. It displays a very deep purple hue. The bouquet is notably opulent, with the Merlot very expressive and shaping the aromatics at the moment. Hints of cassis and violets lurk beneath, perhaps needing a little more delineation. The palate is actually cut from a slightly different cloth, more restrained and a touch spicier than expected. Graphite and tobacco emerge toward the finish, as if the reins have been passed over to the Cabernet component. This will be fascinating to revisit in bottle—I would just like to see more aromatic composure. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Composing one-third of the production, the 2023 Alter Ego De Palmer is based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. It's an inky hued second wine that has a round, medium to full-bodied, ripe, downright sexy profile as well as ample red and blue fruits, some violet and graphite notes, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I'd be thrilled to drink this gorgeous 2023 any time over the coming 15-20 years. While I don't think 2023 is the best vintage for the second wines, this is brilliant. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Wafting from the glass with pure aromas of cherries, berries, plums and potpourri, the 2023 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, with a vigorous core of fruit framed by supple tannins. It's a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"This is dense and velvety with a creamy texture. Blackberry, blueberry and stone aromas and flavors. Layered. Very primary and focused. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot and 4% petit verdot. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Pape Clement | 75cl | £354 per case of 6 | Château Pape Clement 2023 / / 75cl £354 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Inky depths to the plum colour; as is often the case with Pape Clement even under the new regime of the past few vintages where new oak has been lowered. Delivers an exuberant, confident estate signature, supple texture, roasted black cherry and cherry pit, cocoa bean, espresso, a cushion of air helps give a lift on the finish to what is a fairly highly charged architecture. 35hl/ha yield. 93 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Pape Clément evokes aromas of dark wild berries, spices, licorice and mulberries, followed by a medium to full-bodied, round and ample palate with structuring tannins and a firm, concentrated mid-palate that segues into a long, fruity finish. Less oaky than the previous years, this is a more contemporary expression of this great terroir. It's a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. 92-94 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Pape Clément is the first vintage fully employing crème de levures, using native yeasts in the vineyard to start the fermentation and improve balance, together with two native yeasts regularly employed since 2012 (to maintain some consistency). It was picked from September 5 to October 3 and matured in 60% new oak, including foudres. The 2023 is cut from a very different cloth compared to recent vintages. It’s much more classic in style, almost reserved, with tightly wound black fruit mixed with briar and light gravelly scents. The palate is medium-bodied with a light entry, just a pinch of spice and moderate depth. The silky, peppery, finish is more tertiary than you would expect to find on what was once quite a bombastic Pessac-Léognan. One sample had a soupçon of herbaceousness, whilst another at the château had none at all. Very fine. I like this new direction. though I would not regard this as a benchmark for future vintages. This will be interesting to revisit after bottling. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Pape Clément is one of the most exciting wines I have tasted here in a long time, maybe ever. Intensely aromatic and layered, the 2023 is simply stunning. Dried flowers, mint, licorice, mocha, cedar and tobacco soar out of the glass. The purity of the flavors is simply mind-blowing. Plum, pomegranate, blood orange and spice build in the glass, adding notable textural richness and resonance. This is the first vintage vinified with indigenous yeasts. Aging takes place in a combination of concrete tanks, ceramic eggs, Clayvers, 400-liter barrels and 225-liter barriques. For readers who want to taste the “new” Bordeaux, this is it. What a wine! Tasted four times. 2030-2053 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"This is really classy with length and polish that shine brightly. Also, you see blackberry, bark, currant and mushroom character. Full-bodied with wonderfully polished tannins and a seamless finish. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Château Pape Clement Blanc | 75cl | £546 per case of 6 | Château Pape Clement Blanc 2023 / / 75cl £546 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Pavie | 75cl | £1,392 per case of 6 | Château Pavie 2023 / / 75cl £1,392 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Plus damson and black cherry fruits, rich and ripe but balanced by tomato leaf, pumice stone. This is intense and concentrated, skilfully constructed showing fragrant cumin and turmeric spice that lifts through the palate, opening to show black tea, blood orange, cocoa bean, mint leaf, totally delicious and speaks clearly of its limestone soils. Feels at the top of its game. Harvest September 18 to October 5, 72% new oak for ageing, Gerard Perse owner. 96 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Pavie was picked from September 18 to October 5 at 32.76hL/ha, with some Cabernet Franc actually picked after the Cabernet Sauvignon. Raised in 72% new French oak plus one-year-old barrels, this has a very well-defined and fresh bouquet that articulates the terroir with some style. It is completely different from the Pavie wines I tasted at the estate 10 to 15 years ago—more classical and sophisticated. The palate is medium-bodied with a clean and precise entry. It's lightly spiced with a subtle marine influence—shucked oyster shells and seaweed are embroidered through the black fruit. There's a dash of black pepper toward the finish that remains focused and feels long in the mouth. This is an excellent Pavie in the making. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Pavie is fabulous. Rich, dense and explosive in the glass, it offers up generous dark red fruit, cedar, spice, pipe tobacco, menthol and mocha. The 2023 impresses with its notable density and sheer palate presence. Naturally, this needs time to be at its best, but it is already incredibly expressive. This is a superb vintage for Pavie. 95-97+ points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Pavie was picked from September 18 to October 5 at 32.76hL/ha, with some Cabernet Franc actually picked after the Cabernet Sauvignon. Raised in 72% new French oak plus one-year-old barrels, this has a very well-defined and fresh bouquet that articulates the terroir with some style. It is completely different from the Pavie wines I tasted at the estate 10 to 15 years ago—more classical and sophisticated. The palate is medium-bodied with a clean and precise entry. It's lightly spiced with a subtle marine influence—shucked oyster shells and seaweed are embroidered through the black fruit. There's a dash of black pepper toward the finish that remains focused and feels long in the mouth. This is an excellent Pavie in the making. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The depth and intensity is really out of this world. The richness is there, but it's all in balance and has an almost weightless feel to it. It's medium- to full-bodied with purity and definition, and the magic of limestone soils keeps the pH low, giving energy, bright acidity and verve. Terrific young red. 51% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 17% cabernet sauvignon. 99-100 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Phelan Ségur | 75cl | £186 per case of 6 | Château Phelan Ségur 2023 / / 75cl £186 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2023 Phélan Ségur offers up aromas of cassis, dark berries, licorice and toasty new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and nicely concentrated palate with plenty of powdery structuring tannin and good length on the finish. It's a strong effort. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Phélan Ségur was picked September 18 to October 11 at 52hL/ha and matured in 55% new oak. This has a very pure bouquet. You can actually tell that there is less SO2 being employed here since it displays that strong crushed strawberry fruit, almost confit-like character, turning more floral with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins. This is very well balanced, though not a Phélan Ségur laden with huge concentration (the analytical alcohol is a more restrained 13.54%). There is just a touch of balsamic that perks up the finish, while graphite notes join the chorus line toward the close. Quite an "involving" wine in the cards, this will be fascinating to revisit once in bottle. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Standout quality, delivering squid ink, cocoa bean, espresso, fresh cut herbs, sculpted and impressively confident, with frame and architecture while remaining succulent, and appealing. Will be ready to drink within four or five years of bottling but go for decades. Harvest began here on September 18, with the Cabernets coming in early October, finishing on the 11th (longest harvest on record, 18 days picking over one month). Native yeasts for fermentation after an extensive programme combining many wild yeasts from their vineyard, under the direction of the team Luc Peyronnet and Stéphane Rougé. An exciting estate right now, Philippe Van de Vyvere owner, Veronique Dausse director. Really one to look out for. If you follow my notes I hate saying this, but truly believe this is the best Phélan Ségur that I have tasted En Primeur. 55% new oak for ageing. 95 points" janeanson.com------"The polish and intensity of this wine is beautiful for the vintage, with blackcurrant, lead pencil and light chocolate character. It’s medium- to full-bodied with well-integrated fruit and tannins, and a long finish. Velvet texture. Excellent potential. Fermented from selected yeast from the various parcels. 58% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 1.5% petit verdot, and 1.5% cabernet franc. Let’s see which is better in the end, 2022 or 2023. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Pichon Baron | 75cl | £616 per case of 6 | Château Pichon Baron 2023 / / 75cl £616 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Pichon Baron was picked September 12 until October 4 and matured in 70% new oak. Now, this is a conspicuous level up over the Les Griffons. Perhaps the quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon, comprising 80% of the blend, exaggerates the difference between the two cuvées. It seems to gain intensity with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins that frame the graphite-infused black fruit. It’s very focused, fresh and quite sapid in the mouth, with a subtle strictness that codifies this as Pichon Baron. The 2023 is a quintessential Pauillac that will age gracefully over the next 30 or 40 years. It reminds me a little of the 2019. Classic "P.B." 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, the 2023 Pichon-Longueville Baron is a terrific effort from this estate, unwinding in the glass with aromas of crème de cassis, dark berries, pencil shavings, cigar wrapper, violets and burning embers. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, it's deep and concentrated, with sweet structuring tannins and a long, resonant finish. The charm and vibrancy of the vintage lends this considerable appeal, without effacing Pichon Baron's more serious, Cabernet-driven personality. 95-97 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Pichon Baron is stellar. It is another wine in this lineup that impresses with its finesse and nobility. Dark and enveloping, with terrific freshness, this Grand Vin is so expressive. The 2023 is an understated, wonderfully refined Pichon Baron. Dark fruit, violet and mocha build into the resonant finish. 2033-2063 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The freshness and brightness of the blackcurrant and orange-peel fruit give a real al-dente feel. Some stone and spice underneath. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a refined finish. A PB with tight, linear tannins. 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Pichon Lalande | 75cl | £660 per case of 6 | Château Pichon Lalande 2023 / / 75cl £660 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande was picked from September 6 until 29, with some rain on September 20 in the middle of Cabernet picking. But, Nicolas Glumineau remarked that the vineyard/fruit was in good condition; one day of rain did not affect the quality. The 2023 has a quintessential Comtesse bouquet, displaying pure and expressive black fruit laced with violet and graphite, delivered with impressive delineation. The palate is very refined on the entry. This is armed with beguiling symmetry—poised yet intense on the finish. It doesn’t exert huge grip because it knows it doesn't need to, and it fans out gloriously. Outstanding. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a brilliant wine that will be worth a special effort to track down. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of wild berries and cassis mingled with licorice, lilac, iris root, violet, burning embers and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, seamless and complete, with a deep, layered core of cool fruit that largely conceals it's ultra-refined structuring tannins. At a very measured 13% alcohol and 3.67 pH, it unites all Pichon Comtesse's sensuality with unimpeachable Pauillac classicism. The 2023 is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. 97-99 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Wow. This is really excellent, with superb finesse and focus. It has tight density that is almost diamond-like in its brilliance. Medium to full body, with a quality of tannin that is incredibly seamless. Like silk in texture. A top Pichon Lalande. From organic and biodynamically grown grapes. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 3% cabernet franc. May be better than 2022. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Pontet Canet | 75cl | £394 per case of 6 | Château Pontet Canet 2023 / / 75cl £394 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Pontet Canet, which underwent à 34 day harvest...has a very pure bouquet with dark cherries, blackcurrant and touches of vanilla, cohering over the course of ten minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, with very supple tannins matched by a keen line of acidity. There is plenty of creaminess on the mid-palate, fine grip and a pinch of black pepper toward the finish. Moderate in length, there's lovely linearity here and an underlying salinity that becomes evident with continued aeration. Very fine. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"With the 2023 vintage, this estate has crafted a wine of unprecedented aromatic intensity and precision that marks a significant evolution. Revealing an elegant, fresh bouquet of mulberries and cassis mingled with notions of violets, gentian and menthol, the 2023 Pontet-Canet is medium to full-bodied, seamless and multidimensional, with a pure and precise core of fruit that's framed by ultra-refined tannins and a powerful but controlled profile, concluding with long, mineral, licorice-inflected finish. It's the result of more daring harvest decisions than in previous years: By picking the Merlot earlier to highlight fresh, fruity notes rather than baked, sun-kissed flavors and simultaneously delaying the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest until after September 28 to refine tannins, the 2023 Pontet-Canet marks a significant evolution at this renowned estate. At this early stage, its élevage appears to be more discreet, too. This wine, which I'd be delighted to own, is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, matured in 50% new oak barrels, 35% amphorae and 15% once-used barrels. 96-98 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"A very structured Pontet-Canet that expands in the mouth with a gorgeous combination of beautifully ripe fruit and intense tannins. Very structured for the vintage. Fullbodied with excellent presence and length. So much raw pencil shavings to the blackcurrants. Graphite and tar. Fresh and vivid. They picked cabernet at the right time at the end of September. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"A wine to convince you of the quality and ripeness of Cabernet Sauvignon in Pauillac in this 2023 vintage, showcasing superbly supple tannins, great balance, depth and savoury blue and black fruit character, bitter cocoa bean, freshly cut herbs, black tea, fennel, all vivid and with purity of character. There is density here but it is not overt, with heightened raspberry leaf, peony and violet aromatics. Vinified in the newly-completed section of the cellars, with sunken qveri-style cement vats (and egg-shaped wooden vats coming for the 2024 vintage). 50% new oak for ageing, with 35% amphora and 15% one year old barrels. One of the wines of the vintage. New lighter bottle as of the 2022 around 490g, down from 815g in the past, 30 tonnes of CO2 saved just in terms of production. Harvest September 7, one day earlier than 2022, then slow picking through to October 10, later than many in Pauillac - and normal yields of around 40hl/h. 98-100 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Potensac | 75cl | £180 per case of 12 | Château Potensac 2023 / / 75cl £180 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Potensac is a solid effort, offering up aromas of dark berries, cherries, loamy soil and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium-bodied, fleshy palate that's taut and penetrating, with good depth at the core. 89-91 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Potensac has a well-defined nose: predominantly black fruit, with touches of seaweed in the background. I warm to it more with acquaintance, and it gradually coheres. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a fine line of acidity. Silky-smooth in texture, you can tell that there is some quality new oak on the finish, which is simpatico with the fruit. It's a good, solid Potensac that will require three or four years in bottle. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Concentrated and intense, fragrant spicy notes of green peppercorn, liqourice root, smoked earth, freshly cut herbs and black tea. Plenty of lift, a little serious and austere, but this is a well balanced and enjoyable wine. Harvest Setepbmer 18 to 29, 20% new oak for ageing. No 2nd wine of Potensac since 2021, since they pulled out more than 20ha of vines to retain only the most high quality parts of the vineyard. 92 points" janeanson.com------"Beautiful dark fruit with purity and freshness. Medium- to full-bodied, seamless and compact. Outstanding quality of tannins, so fine and dense. It’s muscular and taut on the mid-palate. Lingering, too. Plenty of energy. Close to 2022. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Rauzan Ségla | 75cl | £360 per case of 6 | Château Rauzan Ségla 2023 / / 75cl £360 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Rauzan-Ségla was picked from September 7 until 29 at 30hL/ha, matured in 55% new oak. It contains more Cabernet Sauvignon this year (85%) due to the mildew-affected Merlot being parsed out of the blend. This has a very aromatic bouquet of wilted violets, black cherries and hints of camphor, with a faint oyster shell note lingering in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. This is endowed with tension and purity, while a light marine influence imparts character. Armed with an energetic, spicy finish, this is a more classical Rauzan-Ségla that deserves five or six years in bottle. Even so, it already conveys an air of sophistication. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Rauzan-Ségla shows considerable promise, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries, dark berries and plums mingled with hints of pencil shavings and violets. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's deep and fleshy, with terrific purity of fruit, supple tannins and a long, resonant finish. This classic in the making is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Merlot and 1.5% Petit Verdot. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Inkier and more luscious in texture than the Ségla, this has rich layers to its aromatic palate, showing rhubarb, savoury cassis and blueberry, peony, rose petals, soot, gunsmoke, graphite, flint, weight and texture, spiralling upwards. Wonderful expression of a wine that seems supremely Margaux and supremely Rauzan Ségla. 50% new oak. 96 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Rauzan-Segla is deep garnet-purple in color. It prances out with flamboyant notes of Morello cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, violets, and licorice giving way to suggestions of rosebud tea, crushed rocks, and Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate delivers amazing tension to offset the shiny black and red berry layers, framed by velvety tannins, finishing long and perfumed. This is gorgeous! The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Merlot, and 1.5% Petit Verdot, aging 18 months in oak, 55% new, with pH 3.61 and yield 30 hl/ ha. 95-97 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2023 Rauzan-Ségla is fabulous. Rich, dense and explosive, the 2023 soars out of the glass with captivating aromatics. Readers will find a vertical, deep Margaux endowed with tremendous character and nuance. All the elements are so well-balanced. Crushed rocks, plum, blood orange, spice and leather are some of the notes that explode into the finish. In 2023, the Grand Vin is distinctly red-fruited and vibrant. Rauzan-Ségla is one of the most memorable wines of the vintage. It was nothing short of stellar on the four occasions I tasted it. 96-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Rauzan-Segla with solid tannins that are muscular, well toned and beautiful. Black currants, blueberries and flowers. Chewy finish. One for the cellar. Classic. The cabernet went to the gym. 85% cabernet sauvignon, one of highest percentages ever. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Roc de Cambes | 75cl | £260 per case of 6 | Château Roc de Cambes 2023 / / 75cl £260 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Roc de Cambes delivers oodles of black cherries and cassis fruit on the nose. It’s very floral and extravagant yet retains delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with licorice-tinged black fruit, hints of Indian spice and marmalade. This is quite a tangy Roc de Cambes with a persistent, figgy finish. 89-91 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"High intensity of tannins, a ton of grip and energy through the palate, black fruits and liquorice notes are exuberant with clear personality. Delicious, and should be excellent value. 91 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Roc de Cambes opens with a super-distinctive, exotic bouquet. Super-ripe black cherry, kirsch, hard candy, chocolate, spice, amaro herbs, menthol and worn-in leather infuse the palate with tremendous depth. Roc de Cambes is a quirky wine, but it certainly doesn’t lack character. Drink 2025-2037. 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Roc de Cambes bursts with gregarious notes of juicy black cherries and black raspberries followed by hints of violets, tar, and wood smoke with a touch of garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut, with dense muscular fruit framed by firm grainy tannins and beautiful tension, finishing long and minerally. This is impressive! 92-94 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Saint Pierre | 75cl | £389 per case of 12 | Château Saint Pierre 2023 / / 75cl £389 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Saint-Pierre contains no Cabernet Franc and it will not be blended into the Grand Vin henceforth. This has a bit more animation and vigor than the Gloria, precise and fresh with plenty of black fruit and a lovely graphite note underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins but there is clearly more concentration compared to the Gloria (this was actually done partly in the winery). A touch of soy towards the finish completes an attractive Saint-Pierre. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A strong effort, the 2023 Saint-Pierre unwinds in the glass with aromas of cassis, dark berries and incense, framed by a deft touch of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with good mid-palate density, powdery tannins and lively acids, it's a classically proportioned Saint-Julien that will age with grace. The blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Saintayme | 75cl | £121 per case of 12 | Château Saintayme 2023 / / 75cl £121 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A 100% Merlot, the 2023 Saintayme evokes aromas of dark wild berries, mulberries, licorice and pencil lead, followed by a round, supple and juicy palate with a fleshy core of fruit and dense, rich tannins that assert themselves with a structured finish. 88-90 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Saintayme is pure Merlot, as usual, picked between September 27 and October 4 and matured in 30% new oak. This is quite lush on the nose with black plum and light blueberry scents and fine purity. It clocks in at 14.6% alcohol, but that is nicely disguised. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly powdery texture, moderate weight and good balance. There’s perhaps slightly less complexity on the finish compared to the 2022 at this stage last year. 89-91 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Medium intensity ruby, austere tannins on the opening, this has lemongrass and slate, juicy raspberry and grilled spice notes, slow and steady unrolling through the palate. Plenty to love. 92 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Saintayme, 100% Merlot, is a deep, serious wine. There's a real core of inner strength here. Dark red fruit, cedar, spice and dried flowers open with some coaxing, but the 2023 impresses most with its overall poise. Pretty floral overtones add brightness. The 2023 is a very fine Saintayme. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Lovely freshness and balance with berries, orange peel and crushed stone. It's medium-bodied with nice, round tannins. Pure merlot. 92-93 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Sénéjac | 75cl | £138 per case of 12 | Château Sénéjac 2023 / / 75cl £138 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"This shows structure and finesse with a dusty texture to the tannins. Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of dark fruit and a creamy aftertaste. A little light at the end. 89-90 points" jamessuckling.com------"A blend based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 Sénéjac exhibits notes of dark berries, red cherries and pipe tobacco, followed by a medium to full-bodied, lively and fleshy palate that's bright, supple and charming. It's a strong effort. 89-91 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Sénéjac has a somehow "distant" bouquet that requires aeration to open up, with graphite/pencil shavings littered over the light black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a bright, slightly bitter entry that at least has decent tension. It is not a powerful Haut-Médoc-quite linear, strict and classical in style. I don't quite engage with this Sénéjac as much as other vintages, yet it evidences thoughtful winemaking and should broaden out during barrel- maturation. This may end up at the top of my banded score. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Soft but plentiful tannins from the first moment, this is lovely, with a real sense of grip and life, rises gently through the palate, touches of tomato leaf and liqourice root coupled with ruby brambled fruit and an overall sense of balance and cheer, Haut Medoc typicity, austere tannins on the finish, but in a way that suggests ability to age, and an ability to bring you out of the glass and into the place and the terroir. Nancy Bignon Cordier, also owner of Château Talbot in St Julien. A value, one to look out for. 92 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Siran | 75cl | £252 per case of 12 | Château Siran 2023 / / 75cl £252 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Siran is a rich, earthy Margaux. Cherry, tobacco, dried herbs and scorched earth add to an impression of rustic, wild power. This Siran has a ton of power, but incisive tannins give an impression of untamed intensity. Tasted two times. 87-89 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Exhibiting aromas of dark berries and sweet new oak, the 2023 Siran is medium to full-bodied, dense and youthfully structured. It's a solid effort. 89-91 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Siran, picked September 11 to 29, has a well-defined bouquet that is not as complex as the previous vintage. It is focused and delineated, with black fruit mixed with graphite and melted tar, almost Saint-Julien in style. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, quite minerally and lively without the depth of the 2022, yet rather elegant and refined on the finish. This constitutes a very gracious Margaux and as I tried second and third bottles towards the end of my trip, it just seemed to get better and better. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"An enjoyably sculpted Siran, plenty of depth to the tannins, balanced, juicy and inky, with crushed pure liqourice root, bluebuerry and cassis pastille, rose petals and mint. This is delicious, with tension and a mouthwatering finish, great stuff from owner Edouard Miaihle and winemaker Marjolaine Defrance. 35% new oak for ageing. A buy. 94 points" janeanson.com------"Wow. This is really well done with plenty of al-dente fruit character, bright acidity and firm, fine tannins that are already well integrated. Medium-bodied. Crunchy. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc | 75cl | £702 per case of 6 | Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2023 / / 75cl £702 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Aromas of white fruits, crisp orchard fruits, spices, smoke, spring flowers and pear introduce the 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, a medium to full-bodied, layered and textured wine with a fleshy core of fruit and racy acids, concluding with a mineral, fresh and long finish highlighted by delicate notes of thyme and garrigue. Comprising 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris and matured in 50% new oak, this blend is among the finest white wines produced at this address. 94-96 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc was picked from August 23 to September 9 at 36hL/ha and matured in 50% new oak. It has a reticent bouquet at first, requiring a few swirls of the glass to reveal touches of orange pith, peach skin, wild fennel and light pressed white flower scents. The palate is very well balanced with a lovely creamy texture, counterbalanced by the taut line of acidity. Very poised and focused, it's somehow almost Corton-Charlemagne-inspired on the finish (perhaps due to the umami). This is a seriously fine white Pessac-Léognan. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Another exceptional vintage for Smith-Haut-Lafite Blanc. It’s so complex and structured, offering a palate that feels similar to the texture of a red wine with a velvety tannin structure. There’s a lot going on here. Spice, crushed seashell and citrus blossom. Salty, too. Weightless and so long. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% sauvignon gris and 5% semillon. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Château Suduiraut | 75cl | £260 per case of 6 | Château Suduiraut 2023 / / 75cl £260 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Suduiraut is pure Sémillon that was picked from the end of September with more passerillage berries. After the rain, the first botrytis picking began on October 1 and lasted over the next 12 days, when botrytization was rapid. Seventy percent of the crop was picked on this date, which was essential for maintaining purity of fruit. The harvest concluded on October 17 after three tries through the vineyard. Matured in 50% new oak, it has a lovely, beguiling bouquet with dried honey, quince, almond and saffron aromas that are beautifully defined. The palate is well balanced with a spicy, tensile opening. Very impressive richness matches with a silver bead of acidity here. This is armed with immense purity on the finish that effortlessly manages the 150g/L residual sugar. Supremely gifted Suduiraut, ahoy. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The purity of the botrytis grabs your attention, with density and intensity to the dried fruit, sweetness and length. Very spicy and long. Almost oily. Really rich. 150g/L residual sugar. 100% semillon. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"Killer juice, the 2023 Château Suduiraut has a drop-dead gorgeous nose of honeyed orange, white flowers, warm croissant, and spice. This carries to a full-bodied Sauternes with a round, layered mouthfeel, terrific sweetness of fruit, and bright acidity. 96-99 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2023 Suduiraut (100% Sémillon) is a real stunner. Light on its feet yet wonderfully deep, the 2023 offers up a heady mix of tangerine oil, mint, white flowers, apricot and passion fruit. Readers will find a Sauternes that is more finesse than power. The 2023 is essentially a blend of three picks. The first was done at the end of September and accounted for 20% of the crop. The core of the vineyard, about 75%, was picked in a day ten window in October, following the September rains. A smaller third pick rounded out the harvest. 2026 - 2043 98-100 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Château Suduiraut | Half bottle | £275 per case of 12 | Château Suduiraut 2023 / / Half bottle £275 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Suduiraut is pure Sémillon that was picked from the end of September with more passerillage berries. After the rain, the first botrytis picking began on October 1 and lasted over the next 12 days, when botrytization was rapid. Seventy percent of the crop was picked on this date, which was essential for maintaining purity of fruit. The harvest concluded on October 17 after three tries through the vineyard. Matured in 50% new oak, it has a lovely, beguiling bouquet with dried honey, quince, almond and saffron aromas that are beautifully defined. The palate is well balanced with a spicy, tensile opening. Very impressive richness matches with a silver bead of acidity here. This is armed with immense purity on the finish that effortlessly manages the 150g/L residual sugar. Supremely gifted Suduiraut, ahoy. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The purity of the botrytis grabs your attention, with density and intensity to the dried fruit, sweetness and length. Very spicy and long. Almost oily. Really rich. 150g/L residual sugar. 100% semillon. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"Killer juice, the 2023 Château Suduiraut has a drop-dead gorgeous nose of honeyed orange, white flowers, warm croissant, and spice. This carries to a full-bodied Sauternes with a round, layered mouthfeel, terrific sweetness of fruit, and bright acidity. 96-99 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2023 Suduiraut (100% Sémillon) is a real stunner. Light on its feet yet wonderfully deep, the 2023 offers up a heady mix of tangerine oil, mint, white flowers, apricot and passion fruit. Readers will find a Sauternes that is more finesse than power. The 2023 is essentially a blend of three picks. The first was done at the end of September and accounted for 20% of the crop. The core of the vineyard, about 75%, was picked in a day ten window in October, following the September rains. A smaller third pick rounded out the harvest. 2026 - 2043 98-100 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Talbot | 75cl | £462 per case of 12 | Château Talbot 2023 / / 75cl £462 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Talbot contains the highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon to date, at 77%. It was picked from September 13 to October 6 at 54hL/ha according to winemaker Jean-Michel Laporte. Matured in 60% new oak, this has a fragrant bouquet that, like one or two fellow Saint-Julien wines, discretely unfolds in the glass. Quite precise with blackberry, cedar and light pencil box scents, there is a Pauillac-like tincture here. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled, grainy tannins. It’s overtly classic in style, albeit with more mid-weight depth compared to some vintages of Talbot. Displaying fine cohesion and sapidity, this fans out on the finish, with a deft touch of white pepper livening things up. This is a very promising Talbot, and I may actually prefer it to the previous vintage. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Offering up aromas of dark berries, baking chocolate, plums, espresso roast and crushed mint, the 2023 Talbot is medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy, with a rich but lively core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Harvested over the course of fully four weeks, it's a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot that attained 13% alcohol. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"A medium- to full-bodied red with very fine tannins. It’s firm and structured, showing a bright, dark-fruited character. Focused, with a good center-palate and a lingering finish. Really polished. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Tour Saint Christophe | 75cl | £0 per case of 12 | Château Tour Saint Christophe 2023 / / 75cl £0 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The quality of fruit and salty undertones from the limestone soil are really delicious and exciting. Medium to full body and very fine, velvety tannins that spread across the palate. Bright and crunchy at the end. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Tronquoy | 75cl | £198 per case of 12 | Château Tronquoy 2023 / / 75cl £198 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Tronquoy is quite elegant in this vintage. Crushed flowers, mint, dried herbs, tobacco and cedar lend lovely aromatic complexity. There's more Petit Verdot in this year's blend, which comes through in the wine's aromatic presence, and also less Merlot, which is noticeable in the mouthfeel. It's a style I like a lot—more Saint-Estèphe and less of the rusticity that marked some years. This is a very pretty and promising Tronquoy, not to mention one of the most finessed vintages of this wine I can remember tasting. 2027-2038. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Containing an unusually high 51% Cabernet Sauvignon this year (complemented by 38% Merlot and 11% Petit Verdot), the 2023 Tronquoy offers up aromas of dark berries, cherries, burning embers and violets, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and refined palate with good depth at the core, lively acids and a persistent finish. Foudres are now complemented barriques for élevage. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Medium to full intensity ruby plum colour, higher Petit Verdot than usual in the blend, and it comes through in sappy, lively black pepper spice and dark fruit character, good quality, a little austere. In organic conversion, to be certified 2024. Harvest September 6 to 26. 93 points" janeanson.com------"A crunchy and velvety Tronquoy with blackberry, blackcurrant and chocolate aromas. Lots of blackcurrant, berry and cherry character on the medium-bodied palate, with solid tannins that have a powdery texture. 51% cabernet sauvignon, 38% merlot and 11% petit verdot. 92-94 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2023 Château Tronquoy is based on 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that will see 12 months in one-third new barrels, with a touch in foudre. Ripe red plums, blueberries, spring flowers, espresso, and liquid violets all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a round, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and outstanding length. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2023 Tronquoy-Lalande was picked September 6 to 26 and contains more Petit Verdot in the blend this year. It matured in one-third new oak plus some newly-introduced foudres and amphorae. Blackberry and bilberry fruit surface the nose, plus a fresh punnet of strawberries. This is quite delightful and full of character. The palate is underpinned by fine acidity. Fresh and quite marine-influenced, this has a silky texture on the finish that lingers in the mouth, representing another superb Tronquoy from a rejuvenated estate. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Château Troplong Mondot | 75cl | £534 per case of 12 | Château Troplong Mondot 2023 / / 75cl £534 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A blend of 84% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Troplong Mondot unwinds in the glass with aroma of black raspberries, mulberries and cherries mingled with notions of iris, licorice, black tea and spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's textural and mouthfilling, with the mid-palate density so typical of this terroir, its concentrated core of fruit framed by beautifully polished tannins and succulent acids. 95-97 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Troplong Mondot was harvested from September 5 to October 9, with 60-70% picked within nine or ten days; other parcels were "stragglers" that required more time. There is actually 4-5% whole clusters in the blend,and according to Aymeric de Gironde, it works like the vin de presse, glueing components of the wine together. Sulfur is only added when the wine is put into barrel. The 2023 has a very well-defined and focused bouquet with pure blackberry, raspberry, ground chalk and light sea cave scents. The palate is medium-bodied with a very crisp and mineral-driven entry. It's chalky in texture and quite tensile in the mouth, with a dash of black pepper on the finish. This is an individualistic Saint-Émilion that will fill out during its élevage. Very long. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A tight and very focused young Troplong with freshness and finesse that adds plenty. Medium to full body, ultra-fine tannins and a vivid finish. Lots of blackberry and blueberry character. It really opens and envelops your palate, caressing every square inch. Cashmere-like texture. The limestone comes through beautifully. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Clos du Marquis | 75cl | £462 per case of 12 | Clos du Marquis 2023 / / 75cl £462 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Clos du Marquis is a rather serious, structured wine, evocative of cherries, dark berries and kirsch, framed by a touch of creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied and fleshy but structured, it's a taut, concentrated wine that will reward some patience. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 Clos du Marquis was picked from September 6 to October 5 at 44hL/ha and matured in 50% new oak. It has a complex bouquet, comprising a mélange of red and black fruit, cedar and subtle touches of violet-very charming. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grip. It's a little creamy in texture on the entry, but there is solid backbone and a saline finish. This is very promising. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Squid ink, cassis, bilberry, roses, love the intensity and gorgeous salinity of this wine. Captures the sense of energy and florality in the best Cabernets of 2023, although retains the austerity that you expect from this site in its early years. First vintage in the new cellars, moving from 40 vats to 80 vats, with 30 microvinification vats. Harvest September 6 to October 5, 50% new oak for ageing, 44hl/h yields. 94 points" janeanson.com------"This offers beautiful blackcurrants and blackberries with hints of chocolate and walnuts. Medium- to full-bodied with vivid acidity that adds tension and freshness to the mid-palate. It’s full of life and vibrancy, very fine and polished, and with nicely integrated tannins. Long finish. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot and 9% cabernet franc. What will be better between 2022 and 2023? 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Domaine de Chevalier | 75cl | £275 per case of 6 | Domaine de Chevalier 2023 / / 75cl £275 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Always one of the benchmark wines of a vintage, and here showcasing the quality of Cabernet Sauvignon in 2023 (as well as the potential for varying yields, as they are down at 30hl/h here). Well balanced, great depth of ink, cassis, bilberry and damson fruits, rises through the palate, with tannic grip and plenty of grilled but carefully judged oak. A great Chevalier, not perhaps at the very top of recent vintages here, but one that will give huge amounts of pleasure, and captures the great classicsm of the year. 35% new oak for ageing, Bernard family owners. 95 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Domaine de Chevalier was picked from September 7 to 30 and contains 13% alcohol. This is quintessential "DdC" on the nose: black fruit, sous-bois and hints of black olive at first, subtle marine notes emerging with time in the glass. There’s wonderful focus and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with pencil-shaving-tinged black fruit on the entry. Perhaps a bit grippier with more spine than one would expect (especially following the more sensual 2022), this is very traditional in style, with a tremendously long and satisfying saline finish. Superb. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Domaine de Chevalier reveals a perfumed, incipiently complex bouquet of dark wild berries, cassis, rose petals, spices and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and rich, with a fleshy core of fruit framed by powdery tannins and bright acids, it concludes with a long, saline, gently oak-inflected finish. This blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc is maturing in 40% new barrels. 94-96 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"Plenty of blackberry, blackcurrant, chocolate and flint aromas that follow through to a full body, yet it’s in check and focused with a beautiful framing of fine tannins. The purity of ripe fruit is impressive with cabernet really showing through. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| WHITE | 2023 | Domaine de Chevalier Blanc | 75cl | £455 per case of 6 | Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2023 / / 75cl £455 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc was picked from August 28 to September 6 at 45hL/ha. It’s a blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon. This has wonderful purity on the nose, revealing scents of lime, green apple and crushed stone—one of the most precise I have encountered at this early stage. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity that lends this white Pessac-Léognan superb focus. There’s real intensity here, building with a sense of nascent confidence toward the mineral, almost slate-like finish. Very long and tender, this is a white Domaine de Chevalier from the top drawer. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Got to be the most consisent of all Pessac Léognan whites, sets out its stall immediately with fresh acidities and fennel spice, giving a kick and lift, classically nuanced and structured. White pear, sage, liqourice root, savoury as all hell, and so moriesh. Working with Stéphane Derenocourt since 2018 on the whites (longer on the reds). 96 points" janeanson.com------"This is layered and complex with an impressive mineral tension and depth. Medium- to full-bodied, very long and persistent. It has oyster shell, crushed stone and citrus peel character with racy acidity coming through, adding to its length and tension. Very long and firm at the end with a backbone of fine tannins for a white. 70% sauvignon blanc and 30% semillon. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | La Croix Ducru Beaucaillou | 75cl | £364 per case of 12 | La Croix Ducru Beaucaillou 2023 / / 75cl £364 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou marries sophistication with the textural richness that is such a signature here. All the elements are so well balanced. Jammy dark red fruit, pomegranate, blood orange, spice and mocha infuse the 2023 with tons of nuance. Supple tannins wrap it all together. This Saint-Julien screams with character. 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2023 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou has a very perfumed and floral bouquet: plush red berry fruit, vanilla, cedar and blood orange, well-defined with deftly integrated new oak (60%). The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins that lend this La Croix a bit more backbone than recent vintages. It's very fresh; white pepper and thyme complement the bright red fruit, leading to an overtly peppery finish, with a touch of graphite on the aftertaste. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com ------"The true second wine of this great château, the 2023 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is 58% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot, resting in a mix of mostly once-used oak. It has a more Cabernet nose of ripe red, blue, and black fruits as well as subtle tobacco, iron, sappy flowers, and graphite notes. Medium-bodied, balanced, and elegant on the palate, it has fine tannins and a great finish. It shines for its overall balance as well as purity. This beauty hit 13.5% alcohol, with a pH of 3.71 and a massive IPT of 91. 91-93 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The purity of fruit is so beautiful here with blackcurrants and violets, as well as freshly shaved lead pencil. It’s medium-bodied with refined tannins that are wonderfully polished and give plenty of texture. Goes on for minutes. Second wine of Ducru. 58% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 2% petit verdot. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | La Dame de Montrose | 75cl | £288 per case of 12 | La Dame de Montrose 2023 / / 75cl £288 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 La Dame de Montrose has a light and slightly tertiary nose, with touches of tea leaves infusing the black fruit. The palate is soft and supple on the entry, with licorice-tinged black fruit and a rounded, cracked-black-pepper-tinged finish. There’s good body for a Deuxième Vin. This will give a decade of drinking pleasure. 89-91 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Silky tannins with grip and intensity, a lovely balance of texture and fresh acidities. Slate and pummice stone grip, this is delicious, with appellation typicity in its powerful black fruits, but measured with a saline kick on the finish. In organic conversion, to be certified 2025. 92 points." Jane Anson------"The 2023 La Dame de Montrose is deep garnet-purple in color. The nose is so floral, with notes of iris and lavender opening out to a core of black raspberries and mulberries plus hints of dusty soil and fallen leaves. The medium-bodied palate is tight-knit and lively, with lightly chewy tannins and a ferrous finish. The blend is 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.50. 91-93 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Another strong performance from this bottling, which dependably numbers among Bordeaux's top three or four second wines, the 2023 La Dame de Montrose reveals aromas of cassis, pencil shavings and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and dense palate that's polished, pure and layered, with sweet tannins, lively acids and a saline finish. It's a blend of 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2023 La Dame de Montrose is a rich, heady wine. Succulent dark cherry, plum, new leather, spice, menthol, licorice and mocha are beautifully amplified. Explosive to the core, the 2023 possesses tons of aromatic intensity and pure volume. This showy, Merlot-based Dame is quite alluring. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The blackberries and blackcurrants show through beautifully, together with very integrated tannins. Dense and textured. Transparent. Graphite coming through. Second wine of Montrose. 61% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. 94-95 points." James Suckling |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Les Pagodes de Cos | 75cl | £396 per case of 12 | Les Pagodes de Cos 2023 / / 75cl £396 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Les Pagodes de Cos, representing 47% of the volume of the château, has a plush crushed strawberry, cassis and violet-scented bouquet that displays some prudent use of oak. The palate is svelte and silky in texture and harmonious, with a judicious pinch of white pepper and graphite. A nicely poised, persistent finish wraps things up in style. This is a classy Les Pagodes that should give 12 to 15 years of drinking pleasure. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Les Pagodes de Cos has turned out beautifully, offering up aromas of cassis, orange zest, vine smoke and incense, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and polished palate with a deep core of fruit, supple tannins and a lively, mouthwatering finish. It's a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Based on 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2023 Pagodes De Cos is a gorgeous effort offering lots of ripe red and black fruits, some graphite, toasted spice, and savory tobacco notes, medium to full body, and ripe tannins. It has a savory, firmer edge and will need some time. 91-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2023 Les Pagodes de Cos makes a strong statement out of the gate. A blast of intense dark fruit, leather, spice, menthol, game, licorice, dried herbs and chocolate infuses the palate with remarkable textural intensity. Ample and resonant in the glass, with fabulous balance, Les Pagodes is exceptionally fine in 2023. The long, sustained finish is a thing of beauty. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The polished and creamy texture here is extremely attractive, with blueberry, blackcurrant and crushed-stone aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with linear tannins, showing polish and finesse. Creamy mouth-feel. Second wine of Cos. 12.9% alcohol. 51% cabernet sauvignon, 45% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Pichon Comtesse Reserve | 75cl | £201 per case of 6 | Pichon Comtesse Reserve 2023 / / 75cl £201 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Réserve de la Comtesse has a lovely bouquet, discrete initially, then opening with cassis and light violet fruit. It never shouts too loudly at this early stage. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins on the entry. There’s also a stronger graphite element than I have noticed in recent vintages, due to the higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%). This is a classically styled Réserve. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A terrific second wine, the 2023 Resèrve de la Comtesse wafts from the glass with a pure bouquet of blackcurrants, dark berries, lilac and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety, it's sensual and vibrant, with melting tannins and a deep core of cool fruit framed by polished but present tannins. This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc marks the 50th anniversary of this second wine's production. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The success of Pichon over recent years extends to its second wine also, and this delivers waves of cassis bud and red roses on the opening beats, followed up by vibrant raspberry and and blackberry fruits, easier drinking than the powerhouse 2022. A vintage that sees 50 years of Pichon Comtesse Reserve (once known, of course, as Reserve de la Comtesse). 55% of the production, more than usual because they were focusing so much on Cabernet for the main wine. Nicolas Glumineau director. 93 points" janeanson.com------"I like the freshness and linear character to this second wine of Pichon Lalande. It's medium-bodied with creamy and polished tannins that are fine at the end. It is linked from start to finish. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | Vieux Château Certan | 75cl | £1,110 per case of 6 | Vieux Château Certan 2023 / / 75cl £1,110 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Vieux Château Certan was picked from September 18 to 29. This year, there is no Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend as the fruit did not reach full ripeness, according to winemaker Guillaume Thienpont. The fruit was cropped at 43hL/ha as they suffered no mildew, there were one-third fewer pump-overs, and this vintage matured in two-thirds new oak. It has a well-defined bouquet, a little sultry at first: black cherry, iodine, violet flower and a touch of crushed stone. This unfurls beautifully in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. Broader in the mouth compared to the Le Pin that I tasted right before, this is slightly more savory in style thanks to the 18% Cabernet Franc, landing gently on the finish. This is an elegant, slightly earthier VCC that will age beautifully in the bottle. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2023 Vieux Château Certan bursts from the glass with demonstrative aromas of dark berries, pencil shavings, violets mingled with notions of burning embers, iris, crushed mint and black tea. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and sensual, with a gourmand attack that segues into a layered, enveloping mid-palate, it's polished and perfumed, with a sweet core of fruit and a long, gently oak-inflected finish. This year's blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc checks in at 14% alcohol and a pH of 3.74. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Fresh floral heights to the aromatics, then dark berry fruits and a core of muscles of the palate, classically-weighted with grip and texture, white pepper spice and salted cracker salinity on the finish. Stretches out through the palate, feels gloriously old school, full of hidden depths and pleasures. 43hl/h yield, harvest September 18 through to 29. Youngest vines here are 1988, which helps give the complexity that is so celebrated at VCC. 96 points" janeanson.com------"The 2023 Vieux Château Certan is like a drug. Its exotic aromatics, deeply layered fruit and sublime textures are just captivating. I tasted the 2023 from an assembled base blend and four core components. Every wine was nothing short of breathtaking. When I think of the archetypes of greatness in Bordeaux, VCC is one of them. The 2023 is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Like all producers, Alexandre and Guillaume were forced to decide whether to pick their Cabernets before or after the September rains. As it turned out, none of the lots picked before the rain made it into the Grand Vin. Only those picked later were deemed of high enough quality. 96-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A very fine and polished young VCC with subtle density and a racy backbone of tannins. Compact with well-toned muscles and a persistent finish. Very silky. Really grows at the end. 82% merlot and 18% cabernet franc. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"A blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc, Vieux Chateau Certan 2023 has a pH of 3.74 and it is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of fresh blackberries, juicy plums, and black cherries slowly emerge from the glass, opening out to fragrant notes of violets, star anise, and black truffles, followed by wafts of wood smoke and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is taut and muscular with firm, rounded tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with many, many layers of earth, spice, and floral notes. This is pure latent power. 97-99+ points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent |
|||||||||||
