Bordeaux 2024 En Primeur
Bordeaux 2024 En Primeur.
After our annual cask-tasting visit to Bordeaux, we are still digesting our notes on the 2024 vintage. Quality was very uneven, but through careful tasting, we still managed to find wines made to a very high standard.
2024 was one of the most difficult vintages in recent times, due to a wet summer. In the vintages of thirty and twenty years ago, weather like this would have shown through in the glass, producing dilute wines with unripe tannins and probably a distinct whiff of musty dampness. This brings back memories for Antony of working a stage in Margaux in the 1994 vintage, and for Tim of visiting Bordeaux as an MW Student to taste the 2004 vintage and hearing about controversial winemaking trends like reverse osmosis, used to concentrate dilute wines.
In general, the 2024s show how far winemaking practices have come since then, so banish the wines of those days from your mind. Even the poorer Cru Bourgeois and less successful Cru Classé were miles ahead of vintages like '94 in terms of quality (and it's worth remarking that '94 did produce wines that have aged well, like the bottle of Brane Cantenac which we opened recently!).
Tasting the 2024s, we generally found attractive floral and fruit aromas, clean fruit flavours, and ripe tannins, with fresh, balancing acidity. What was harder to find was the level of fruit concentration and, above all, the palate length and complexity that our customers should rightly expect of wines at the prices charged these days by top estates. We had to make a very rigorous assessment, selecting a much smaller-than-usual range of wines that represent what we feel is the very best of 2024, wines that will live for a long time and that deserve a place in your cellar.
The wait is now on to see what will happen regarding pricing. Some Bordeaux merchants are hoping for a drastic return to price levels of a decade ago. We expect to see the first releases next week!
| RED | 2024 | Château Montrose | 75cl | £507 per case of 6 | Château Montrose 2024 / / 75cl £507 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Montrose is a serious, muscular effort that numbers among the wines of the vintage. Unwinding in the glass with notes of cassis, burning embers, cigar wrapper and iris, it's medium to full-bodied, dense and layered, with a lively spine of acidity, rich structuring tannins and a long, penetrating finish. With both the highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon recorded at Montrose and a rather low pH of 3.55, it will surely number among the longest lived 2024 Bordeaux. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Beautifully deep colour, this shows chalk, violet flowers, peony, fragrant and enticing floral profile compared to so many in the vintage, this is excellent, cocoa bean, cassis, depth, layers and concentration - one of the wines of the vintage. 15% press wine, a little more than usual. Harvest 23 September to 8 October, Pierre Grafeuille estate director. 95 points" janeanson.com----"The 2024 Montrose exudes Cabernet Sauvignon character in its aromatic savoriness and tannic structure. In fact, the 2024 has the most Cabernet Sauvignon ever. Tightly wound today, the 2024 impresses with its energy and focus. There's a bit less mid-palate and overall heft than most years, as well as a brighter fruit profile. Floral, spice and mineral overtones lend brightness throughout. The 2024 is a super-classic, nervy Montrose that will need a number of years to be at its most expressive. Aging is projected to be 18 months, with 60% new oak. 2034-2064. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Montrose has a little more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend due to the yields in various parcels. It was picked between September 23 and October 7 and matured in 60% new oak. The well-defined and very able nose demonstrates classicism, fine delineation and a little more florality than the Terrasse III. The palate is medium-bodied with very finely chiselled tannins and a keen line of acidity. This symmetrical Saint-Estèphe is blessed with an elegant, sapid and reassuringly precise finish that the estate seems to have honed in the last few years. It does not have the unbridled ambition of, say, the 2020 Montrose, but it is exceptionally well crafted and will become a fine Saint-Estèphe. 2032 - 2058. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Château Montrose is on another level and clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, it's aging in 60% new barrels. Gorgeous notes of cassis, violets, graphite, and smoky tobacco all emerge from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, it has remarkable purity, fine yet building tannins, and a great finish. Coming in at 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.5, this estate continues to deliver First Growth quality year after year. 94-97 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"This shows finesse and elegance as well as plenty of subtle red currant and blackcurrant character. Medium-bodied with refinement and length. Tender, vivid and pure. Extremely well done in a difficult year. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 3% cabernet franc. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Mouton Rothschild | 75cl | £1,521 per case of 6 | Château Mouton Rothschild 2024 / / 75cl £1,521 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Deep purple hue. Purity on the nose with notes of dark fruit and spice. Rich and full for the vintage with a fine grain of tannin. Structured and long. Good potential. 17.5 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"Harvested between September 23 and October 5, the 2024 Mouton Rothschild is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot that attained 12.9% alcohol. Offering up aromas of crème de cassis, cigar wrapper and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, dense and layered, with a muscular, monolithic style built around austere, chalky tannins. Somewhat reminiscent of the estate's 2001 vintage (which is just coming around today at age 24), this structured, youthfully angular Mouton will require patience. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Savoury and juicy, this is full of crushed rose petals, generosity of spirit even if it shows the austerity of the vintage, wrapped by bitter chocolate, cloves and spiced rosemary. Slate texture, delicious and understated, with clear ageing capacity. 3.71ph,give a good eight to ten years before drinking. Harvest 23 September to 5 October. 3.71 pH. 100% new oak. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 Mouton Rothschild is embryonic. Dark, powerful and imposing, the 2024 is deeply intriguing, but also a wine that is going to need time to be at its best. Today, the tannins feel a bit brooding, the wine's mid-weight structure notwithstanding. The 100% new oak needs to integrate, but this is a barrel sample. Drink 2034-2054. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Mouton Rothschild, which has a little more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, was picked between September 23 and October 5 and aged for 18 months in 100% new oak. This has an understated bouquet with blackberry, cedar and graphite scents that take their time to unfold. The nose possesses very fine delineation though the oak is a little more prominent at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied and quite linear in style with fine tannins. A less flamboyant Mouton Rothschild in keeping with the style of the vintage, the 2024 discretely gains depth towards the finish and reveals a dash of white pepper on the aftertaste. Classy, very classy. 2031 - 2059. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"One of the wines of the vintage, if not the wine of the vintage, the 2024 Château Mouton Rothschild checks in as a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, hitting 12.9% alcohol and a pH of 3.71, that's resting in 100% new barrels. It sports a dense purple hue as well as absolutely rocking aromatics of blackcurrants, freshly sharpened pencils, graphite, and smoked tobacco. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a layered, opulent mouthfeel, velvety tannins, ample mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It's an incredible achievement in the vintage that will need just 4-6 years of bottle age and have a broad, lengthy drinking window. Hats off to technical director Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy and the entire Mouton team. 95-97 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"This shows plenty of drive with dusty and creamy tannins that run the length of the wine and builds at the end. It’s medium-bodied showing a focus and energy. Dark currants and flowers flavor. This really has length and it has the depth to improve with age. 93% cabernet sauvignon and 7% merlot. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Phelan Ségur | 75cl | £188 per case of 6 | Château Phelan Ségur 2024 / / 75cl £188 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Phélan Ségur was picked between September 30 and October 14 at 30 hl/ha, and will be matured in 55% new oak barrels. There is 12.9% alcohol (analytical). Cabernet Sauvignon clearly exerts the most influence over its understated bouquet with blackberry, cedar and light graphite scents. The nose displays fine delineation, though obviously not the intensity of, say, the 2022 vintage. The palate is medium-bodied and linear in style with lighter tannins than in recent vintages and an attractive sapid note that runs from start to finish. The strict, black-olive-tinged finale seems almost Pauillac-like. There is an appealing classicism to the 2024, and it should drink well for a couple of decades. Drink: 2028-2045. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Deep garnet-purple in color. Skips out with bright notes of black raspberries, red currant jelly, and dried roses, followed by hints of powdered cinnamon and fertile loam. The light to medium-bodied palate is elegant and soft-spoken with approachable tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing fragrant. 92-94 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Harvested between September 30 and October 14, one of the latest harvests in the Médoc, the 2024 Château Phélan Ségur is impressive, with a remarkable sense of purity and finesse. Currants, violets, ripe cherries, and spicy herbs all define the aromatics. It's medium-bodied and seamless on the palate, with a pure, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, from yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare, and it will spend 16 to 18 months in 55% new French oak. It comes in at 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.72. This is an incredibly successful Médoc that should evolve gracefully over the next two decades. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 Phélan Ségur is an absolute delight. Dark and ample, the 2024 offers up a compelling mix of black cherry, leather, game, incense, licorice, gravel and pipe tobacco. All the elements are so well balanced. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, in other words, a very high percentage of Cabernet. That comes through nicely in the wine's aromatic finish. Phélan Ségur is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the year. Tasted four times. 2028 - 2039. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A structured and tannic wine that frames the fruit nicely, with a medium body and a juicy finish. Some lemon character at the end. 93-94 points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Pichon Baron | 75cl | £489 per case of 6 | Château Pichon Baron 2024 / / 75cl £489 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Pichon-Longueville Baron opens in the glass with aromas of cassis, blackberries, cigar wrappers and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, lively and layered, with a dense core of fruit, tangy acids and powdery tannins, this blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot is a serious young Pauillac that will demand patience. 90-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Pichon Baron was aged in 70% new oak. The nose is immediate and well-defined, with mineral-driven black fruit, a touch of pencil box and subtle estuarine scents. It is quintessential Pichon Baron. The palate is fresh and delineated on the entry, endowed with a core of sapid black olive tapenade-infused black fruit. I appreciate the energy that comes through, especially towards the second half, which maintains a sense of symmetry. It will be earlier drinking compared to the 2020 or 2022, but it is a successful Pauillac in the context of the challenging growing season, though it might require a little more time in bottle. 2030 - 2055. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Majors on the fragrant, slim and precise side of Cabernet Sauvignon, waves of cassis bud, rose stems, tobacco leaf and a mouthwatering finish. Don't expect the intensity of 2022 or 2023 at this excellent Pauillac estate, and yet there is impact and slow build through the palate. One of the highest proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon on record, will be ready to drink within five to six years compared to the usual ten to 15. 3.71pH, 70% new oak for ageing, 52% of overall production in the first wine. Harvest 15 September to 10 October, Pierre Montegut technical director, Christian Seely CEO. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 Pichon Baron is a very sexy wine. Deep and layered on the palate, with fine depth, the 2024 exudes balance. Sumptuous black cherry, mocha, new leather, licorice, menthol, lavender and pine are all dialed up. There's gorgeous breadth and overall presence here. The Cabernet Sauvignon is quite high at 87%, but it is really the wine's balance that speaks loudest. Here, too, the reduction of new oak to 70% really helps the wine speak with precision. 2034-2054. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A dense wine with good richness and concentration. Slightly chewy, with an almost full body and a tight-grained finish. Long, structured and powerful. Not a lighter year for Pichon Baron, thanks to the low yield of just around 20 hectoliters per hectare. 87% cabernet sauvignon and 13% merlot. 95-96 points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Pontet Canet | 75cl | £360 per case of 6 | Château Pontet Canet 2024 / / 75cl £360 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Vibrant ruby in colour with violet edging, this is beautifully measured, with a careful release of black fruits. Puts the focus on the floral side of Cabernet Sauvignon, with rose petals, chamomile, fragrant tomato leaf and lilac. There is austerity on the opening, with tight architecture but as it opens juice begins to flow through the pumice and slate-textured tannins, and this delivers a finessed, slim-style of Pauillac, with plenty of ageing potential and quiet confidence. One of the successes of the vintage. Harvest September 26 through to October 11. 3.8ph, 50% new oak, 35% concrete amphoras. Tasted twice. 2032-2046. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 Pontet Canet was picked between September 26 and October 11. It matured in 50% new oak, 15% used oak and 35% in concrete amphoras. It has a very pure bouquet with black cherry, wild strawberry, cassis and light violet scents vying for attention. This is not quite as complex as the '22 I tasted a few months earlier. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins on the entry, a keen line of acidity and veins of blue fruit commingling with black pepper and light graphite notes. Cohesive on the finish, there is an attractive linearity to this Pontet Canet, with satisfying sustain that delivers about as much precision as anyone could hope for in this vintage. Give this two or three years once in bottle, and drink over the next 15. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Pontet-Canet is one of the most elegant wines I have tasted here in some time, as in a long time. Brisk acids and beams of tannin shape a mid-weight, classically built Pontet Canet unlike any I have tasted. The 2024 is not an obvious wine, it does not have the opulence of most recent years, rather it is a wine that impresses with its energy, tension and class. Floral, spice and mineral notes stain the palate in this vibrant, beautifully sculpted Pontet Canet. The 2024 is seriously impressive, but it is also less immediate than what was once the norm because of a shift towards a style that favors greater energy and vibrancy than in the recent past. The evalution here is going to be fascinating to follow in the coming years. Tasted three times. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Pontet-Canet underlines the fact that daring to harvest late paid dividends in this challenging vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, black raspberries and plums mingled with accents of rose petals, licorice and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and integrated, with mid-palate density that's all too rare this year, it's layered, suave and seamless, concluding with a long, sapid finish. Picking began on September 26 and concluded on October 11, with the heart of the estate's old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon coming in between the seventh and the ninth, well after many châteaux had finished their harvest. Greater reactivity during the season means that Pontet-Canet's vineyards are gaining in vigor, while in the winery, a lighter touch with extraction, systematic climate control and a wholesale refinement of the estate's cooperage choices have brought new harmony and sensuality to this estate's wines. That has combined with a willingness to take risks with harvest dates to deliver what is clearly one of the wines of the vintage. The blend is roughly half Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Poujeaux | 75cl | £170 per case of 12 | Château Poujeaux 2024 / / 75cl £170 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Berry fruit with a minty freshness. Attractive, aromatic fruit on the palate. Fresh, juicy and harmonious. Some potential. 2028-2038. 16 points." (JL) Jancisrobinson.com------""Based on 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot resting in 30% new barrels, the 2024 Château Poujeaux is deep purple-hued with solid Cabernet notes of darker currants, blackberries, scorched earth, and graphite. Medium-bodied, with a focused, structured mouthfeel, ripe yet building tannins, and a good finish, it should easily end up being an outstanding wine. 88-90 points." Jeb Dunnuck------"The 2024 Poujeaux includes less Merlot but more Petit Verdot this year. It was picked from September 27 to October 9 and matured in 33% new oak for a planned 12 months. The 2024 has a straightforward bouquet with blackberry and briar scents, a little conservative compared to the fireworks in the '22, though the bottle at the chateau shows more complexity and nuance. The palate is medium-bodied with strict tannins, tertiary black fruit and graphite notes, classic in style with more tobacco notes towards the composed finish. This is an early- drinking Poujeaux with the substance to give 15 to 18 years of drinking pleasure. 2028-2038. 88-90 points." Neal Martin, Vinous------"Medium intensity deep plum colour, fragrant cumin and turmeric spice, this is enjoyable, sappy, a little leafy for sure but manages to capture the old school charm of a cooler Médoc vintage, and will deliver pleasure for a long time to come. Harvest September 27 to October 9. 33hl/h yield, 3.85ph, Mathieu Cuvelier owner. Tasted twice. 90 points." Jane Anson------"The 2024 Poujeaux is quite bold and savory, largely because of the elevated presence of Petit Verdot in the blend. Dried flowers, lavender, spice and licorice end dark tonalities to the bouquet. In 2024, Poujeaux is quite reticent, despite its mid-weight structure and modest 12.5% alcohol. I would cellar it for a few years, as this needs time to come together I find the 2024 a bit raw and unformed at this stage, and yet it has plenty of depth to make me cautiously optimistic about the future. Tasted two times. 2028-2044. 89-91 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous------"Good depth on the nose for this vintage, showing smoked herbs and dark cherries. Fluid in the middle with firm, chewy tannins and a tight-grained finish. 91-92 points." James Suckling |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Rauzan Ségla | 75cl | £283 per case of 6 | Château Rauzan Ségla 2024 / / 75cl £283 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"A blend of 63.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Rauzan-Ségla offers up aromas of minty cassis, pencil shavings and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium-bodied, soft and pillowy palate that's supple and open-knit, concluding with a melting, discreetly herbal finish. 89-92 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Rauzan Ségla, picked between September 23 and October 11, was aged for 18 months in 50% new oak barrels. It has a fuller bouquet than the Deuxième Vin, with pure black fruit, a hint of violet and a splash of India ink—refined rather than powerful. The palate is medium-bodied and tensile, with lighter tannins than the '20 or '22, poised and quite linear in style. A dash of black pepper and graphite emerges towards the liquorice-tinged finish. Clearly, this is a more approachable Rauzan-Ségla that should provide up to 20 years of drinking pleasure. Drink: 2029-2055 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A juicy, fruity wine with lovely berry and cherry aromas. Bright and vibrant, with a medium body and lightly chewy tannins. Supple in the middle, with a firm, medium-long finish. 63.5% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 2% petit verdot and 0.5% cabernet franc. 93-94 points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com------"Inky colour here, one of the deepest in the appellation, lovely precision, great quality, the cool spirit of the vintage comes through in the sappy fruit, blue rather than black in character if not in colour, with black tea, espresso, chalk, lots of finesse, and still delivers flesh through the mid palate, with a touch of bitter cocoa bean on the finish. 22% press wine, 50% new oak, 3.7ph. This is the first organic certified vintage. 30hl/h yield, 55% of production in the main estate wine. 94 points" janeanson.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Strides confidently out of the glass with classic black currants and red currant scents, leading to a core of cedar chest, underbrush, and damp soils, plus a touch of red roses. The medium-bodied palate is vibrant with exquisitely ripe tannins and beautifully knit tension framing the red and black berry layers, finishing long and fragrant. This is a finished blend, completed 2 months ago. 63.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. 30 hl/ha, 3.7 pH. 95-97 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2024 Rauzan-Ségla is magnificent. One of the top wines of the Left Bank, Rauzan-Ségla possesses tremendous textural density and mind-blowing balance. Dark fruit, lavender, spice, licorice and new leather are all dialed up in a potent, layered Margaux that offers stunning harmony and incredible purity. At this stage, Rauzan-Ségla is one of the wines of the vintage in Bordeaux. Elegant yet powerful, the 2024 is simply magnificent. Tasted four times. 2043 - 2054. 95-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Saintayme | 75cl | £132 per case of 12 | Château Saintayme 2024 / / 75cl £132 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"From Durantou's sister, the 2024 Saintayme exhales an introverted bouquet of dark berries and spices, followed by a round, compact and moderately weighted palate with a good chassis of firm tannins, leading to a spicy finish. This pure Merlot will mature in 30% new oak. 86-99 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com ------"The 2024 Saintayme was picked between September 24 and October 6 and was matured 30% in new oak. It has a slightly more fruit-driven nose compared to its peers, with ripe red cherries, wild strawberry and veins of cassis. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins on the entry, fresh and quite strict compared to previous vintages, with a slightly grainy finish. Give this a year once in bottle. Drink: 2027-2036. 87-89 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com "Bright, chalky red fruits, nice lift and gentle grip without overdoing things, a little austere on the finish. Harvest September 23 to October 6, yields here were relatively normal at at around 40hl/h, and by the beginning of September they had deleafed on both sides to help ripening. Well handled from Noëmie Durantou. 89 points" janeanson.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Zips out of the glass with spritely notes of juicy raspberries and cranberries, opening out to hints of mint tea and wet slate. The medium-bodied palate delivers plenty of bright, fresh red berry flavors with a grainy texture and refreshing finish. 88-90 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2024 Saintayme is based on 100% Merlot from clay soils that was harvested from 23rd September to the 6th of October. Its deeper ruby hue is followed by classic Saint-Émilion limestone notes intermixed with crunchy black cherries, framboise, and sappy spring flowers. It's medium-bodied, has a pretty, elegant mouthfeel, and a good finish. This juicy, crunchy, vibrant 2024 will drink nicely right out of the gate. 89-91 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 Saintayme is quite elegant and refined. Floral overtones, bright red-toned fruit and a kick of blood orange lift this gorgeous, mid-weight Saint-Émilion. Understated and classy to the core, Saintayme is a winner in 2024. 2029 - 2039. 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Juicy, showing orange peel and sesame seeds with red-berry character. Medium-bodied, it has crunchy fruit and a clean finish. Pure merlot. 92-93 points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Sénéjac | 75cl | £120 per case of 12 | Château Sénéjac 2024 / / 75cl £120 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Sociando Mallet | 75cl | £222 per case of 12 | Château Sociando Mallet 2024 / / 75cl £222 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Sociando-Mallet has a light, slightly gravelly, herbaceous bouquet that needs to muster more fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and typical of the estate's style - maybe a bit green around the edges, but there is an attractive core of red fruit and a touch of spice on the finish. Those who like this château will appreciate this wine, though it is not a long-term prospect. 87-89 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A blend of 57% Merlot and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2024 Sociando-Mallet offers up aromas of cassis, plums and pencil shavings, followed by a medium-bodied, suave and lively palate with good depth and balance. It represents a very strong performance in this challenging vintage. 90-91 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Saciando-Mallet is elegant, polished and very sophisticated. Fine tannins wrap around a solid base of dark plum, lavender, mocha, licorice and mint. The 100% new oak is barely perceptible. Floral and saline undertones shape the long, beautifully persistent finish. This is a super-impressive Sociando. 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Attractive aromatics here, this has gentle smoke, grilled cedar and cloves, clear oak influence but one that is extremely well handled, adding a layer of interest and complexity over the soft berry fruits. Great job from Sociando in this challenging vintage, and fans of this wine will find plenty of estate typicity. 92 points" janeanson.com |
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| WHITE | 2024 | Château Suduiraut | 75cl | £237 per case of 6 | Château Suduiraut 2024 / / 75cl £237 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"This really is charming, full of marmalade and orange zest, saffron and lime, bitter finish in the best way, gives focus and rises up through the palate. 4.1 TA. 3.83 pH. 130 g/l. 50% new oak. Four passes through the vineyard through to 3rd week of October, with 2nd and 3rd being the heart. Pierre Montegut technical director across both Suduiraut and Pichon Baron. 11.3hl/h yield. Lovely, softly spoken, not the intensity of 2022, but just thoroughly appealing. Eric Boissenot consultant, as at Pichon and at Noval in Portugal. 95 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 Suduiraut offers up a beguiling mix of passion fruit, mango, pineapple and tangerine oil. Even with 130 grams of residual sugar, the 2024 is not an especially opulent Sauternes. I especially admire its freshness. What a beautiful and expressive wine. 2030-2054. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| WHITE | 2024 | Château Suduiraut | Half bottle | £257 per case of 12 | Château Suduiraut 2024 / / Half bottle £257 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Talbot | 75cl | £194 per case of 6 | Château Talbot 2024 / / 75cl £194 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Talbot is a blend 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Offering up aromas of minty cherries, cassis, burning embers and new oak, it's medium-bodied, taut and youthfully angular. 88-90 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Finely constructed tannic frame, sappy, good clarity of autumnal berry fruit but lacking some punch. St Julien finesse in evidence, possible upscore in bottle. Yield just under 40hl/h, Nancy Bignon-Cordier owner. 60% new oak. 90 points" janeanson.com----"The 2024 Talbot is an attractive, understated Saint-Julien. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, mocha, dried herbs and incense lend notable aromatic presence. The 2024 is pleasant but also a bit light texturally. Let's see what happens with élevage. 2032 - 2049. 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Talbot was picked between September 18 and October 7 at a respectable 39 hl/ha for the vintage. It will be matured in 70% new oak from 12 cooperages with various toastings. The wine has a light bouquet at first that upholds the Talbot style, mainly featuring red berry fruit intermixed with mocha and light cedar scents. It shows fine delineation but is certainly not a powerful wine. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. I like the brightness and vivacity of this Saint-Julien. It's cohesive with a discrete, peppery finish that gently fans out. Worth seeking out, though it would need more grip and substance to merit a more generous score. Drink: 2029-2055. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Focused, dense and creamy with berries and chocolate on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Chalky, with crunchy berries and a flavorful finish. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Troplong Mondot | 75cl | £432 per case of 6 | Château Troplong Mondot 2024 / / 75cl £432 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Troplong Mondot is a beauty, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries and licorice mingled with hints of violet and lavender. Medium to full-bodied, dense and deep, it's one of the more layered and muscular wines of the vintage, a quality this terroir seems to invariably deliver, with sweet tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, expansive finish. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Troplong Mondot was matured in 55% new oak, 26% in 20-hectolitre foudres and 19% in used barrels. It offers minerally, tightly wound black fruit, blueberry and light chalky scents. Very fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant yet tensile tannins. Like the Mondot, it is peppery in style, pretty and sapid towards the finish. Not a huge amount of persistence, yet this is still a serious Saint-Émilion that could well end up at the top of my banded score. 2032 - 2068. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A crunchy and vivid red with blackberry, black olive and walnut character. It’s medium- to full-bodied with medium-round tannins and a creamy, textured finish. I like the citrus and chalk undertones. 85% merlot, 13% cabernet sauvignon and 2% cabernet franc. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com------"This has the Troplong terroir and intensity visually, immediately clear, with violets, squid ink, slate, roses, liquorice root. Love the chalky oyster shell salinity on the finish, delivers exceptional balance and lift, with interesting texture that is grippy with pumice stone tannins. No chaptilisation, because this is a location with natural density and you really see it here. Brilliantly silky, this has depth and yet is savoury, touch of whole cluster winemaking. 55% new oak, with 19% oak casks and the rest one year old. 95 points" janeanson.com------"The Grand Vin 2024 Château Troplong Mondot is deeper hued than the Mondot and is based on 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, aging in 55% new wood with portions in foudre and used barrels. It's a classic wine from this Château today that shows the focus on purity, precision, and elegance without being dilute or mid-weight. Black raspberries, spring flowers, spicy wood, and graphite all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, has a pure, seamless, elegant mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It's one of the standouts in the vintage on the right bank. 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Needs a lot of shaking to wake up wonderfully pure notes of red currant jelly, fresh blackberries, and licorice, plus hints of cardamom, mint tea, and lilacs. The light to medium-bodied palate shimmers with vibrant red and black berry flavors, supported by fine-grained tannins and fantastic tension, finishing long and minerally. Seriously good! 95-97 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2024 Troplong Mondot is a total stunner. As has been the case for some years now, the Grand Vin is blended before being barreled down, which means at the time of tasting en primeur, the wine has seen less wood than the vast majority of its peers. That lends this wine a certain raw energy that is impossible to miss. The purity and intensity of the flavors are simply remarkable. Troplong Mondot is one of the standouts of 2024. Even in this vintage, Troplong Mondot possesses remarkable textural presence, but that richness is matched by notable freshness and linear drive. It was deeply impressive on the two occasions I tasted it. Élevage is planned to be 55% in new oak, 26% in 20HL barrels and 19% in once-used barrels. 2026 - 2030. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Clos Puy Arnaud | 75cl | £195 per case of 12 | Clos Puy Arnaud 2024 / / 75cl £195 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Clos Puy Arnaud feels a bit exaggerated on the nose, as if overcompensating for the shortfalls of the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with red cherry and strawberry fruit laced with orange zest, finishing in a fresh style that partly compensates for the aromatics. Hopefully it will improve in barrel. 85-87 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Based on 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Clos Puy Arnaud Grand Vin reveals ripe red and black fruits, classy vanilla oak, and floral, spicy notes. Medium-bodied, it has a charming, forward, pure, satisfying style that will drink well right out of the gate. 86-88 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Clos Puy Arnaud is a great effort this year, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, mulberries, flowers and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, layered and lively, it's framed by structured tannins that conclude with a long, resonant finish. The vintage’s fresh acidity brings energy and appeal without compromising the wine’s underlying seriousness and almost classical austerity. 89-91 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Clos Puy Arnaud is one of the revelations of the vintage. Deep, powerful and resonant, with no hard edges, the 2024 is positively stellar. Dark red fruit, blood orange, spice, pomegranate and rose petal stain the palate. Clos Puy Arnaud is without question one of the wines of this very challenging year. Considering that the property is 100% biodynamic, this performance, including yields of 45 hectoliters per hectare, is simply unreal. Élevage will be about 12 months in a combination of demi-muid, barrique, amphora and porcelain. The blend is 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, quite a bit more Franc than usual. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Domaine de Chevalier | 75cl | £192 per case of 6 | Domaine de Chevalier 2024 / / 75cl £192 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Domaine de Chevalier reveals a spicy, brooding bouquet of oak, dark berries and gentian. Medium to full-bodied, juicy and round, it's firm and has an assertive tannic frame, concluding with a somewhat chewy finish. Despite a respectable yield and a clear stylistic shift toward less oak influence, the estate’s sandy terroirs struggled to achieve full ripeness in this delicate vintage. 90-92 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"Stands out for its deep ruby red colour, soft grilled cedar and sandalwood aromatics, and its slow build through the palate, with juice and character, a ton of gorgeous slate and liquorice. Not at the peak of 2023 or 2022, but this has depth and balance, and estate character. Great job from the team at Domaine de Chevalier. Harvest 20 September to 8 October. 30% new oak for ageing, Olivier Bernard owner. 92 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 Domaine de Chevalier was cropped at 48 hl/ha between September 20 and October 8. This is almost Burgundian in style, with a fragrant bouquet revealing pure blueberry and blackcurrant aromas alongside crushed violet and iris flower scents emerging with aeration. It is very comely and alluring. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. It's very harmonious and already in this prenatal stage, seductive. With finely chiseled tannins and more mineralité compared to the L'Esprit, this seems to glide on the finish. Just a lovely Pessac-Léognan for the vintage, though this year it must accept the silver medal as Olivier Bernard's white takes the gold. 2031 - 2048. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Domaine de Chevalier is soft, fruity and relatively simple, given its typical personality. Plum, black cherry, licorice, chocolate and sweet oak are pushed forward in this open-knit, easygoing Pessac-Léognan. There may be more here than meets the eye. We will see. Today, the 2024 is on the light side. Tasted two times. 2032 - 2049. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Deep garnet-purple in color. Pops from the glass with wonderfully fragrant notes of red roses, cardamom, and mossy tree bark, leading to a core of cassis and red currant jelly. The light-bodied palate is energetic and shimmery, delivering fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and minerally. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. 3.62 pH. 93-95+ points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Fine cocoa powder, cedar, minerals, currants and blue fruit. Juicy and medium- to full-bodied with fresh, firm tannins and a long, crunchy finish. It lingers well. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 5% petit verdot. 95-96 points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com |
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