Red Bordeaux
| RED | 2023 | 1 case | Château Lafite | 75cl | £2,150 per case of 6 | Château Lafite 2023 / 1 case / 75cl £2,150 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 | 1 case | Château Le Tertre Roteboeuf | 75cl | £770 per case of 6 | Château Le Tertre Roteboeuf 2023 / 1 case / 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 | 1 case | Château L'Eglise Clinet | 75cl | £1,254 per case of 6 | Château L'Eglise Clinet 2023 / 1 case / 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 | 1 case | Château Léoville Poyferré | 75cl | £337 per case of 6 | Château Léoville Poyferré 2023 / 1 case / 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 | 1 case | Château Margaux | 75cl | £2,160 per case of 6 | Château Margaux 2023 / 1 case / 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 |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2023 | 4 cases | Château Montrose | 75cl | £714 per case of 6 | Château Montrose 2023 / 4 cases / 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 | 2 cases | Château Pontet Canet | 75cl | £360 per case of 6 | Château Pontet Canet 2023 / 2 cases / 75cl £360 per case of 6 |
IB | ||||
| RED | 2023 | 3 cases | Château Rauzan Ségla | 75cl | £360 per case of 6 | Château Rauzan Ségla 2023 / 3 cases / 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 | 2 cases | Château Roc de Cambes | 75cl | £260 per case of 6 | Château Roc de Cambes 2023 / 2 cases / 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 | 2024 | Château Angelus | 75cl | £1,074 per case of 6 | Château Angelus 2024 / / 75cl £1,074 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, cropped at a very honorable 40 hectoliters per hectare, the 2024 Angélus has turned out well, offering up aromas of dark berries, minty plums and violet, framed by a deft touch of toasty oak. Medium-bodied, ample and suave, it's polished and textural, with sweet but present tannins and creditable persistence on the finish. 90-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Vivid plum colour, cedar and gunsmoke on the opening, skilfully and carefully put together, slim through the palate, but this is very clearly finessed, sleek, with quiet confidence, and pumice stone texture, cherry pit, squid ink, damson, rosebud, Cabernet Franc dominant in terms of its floral aromatics. 39hl/h yield, 40th anniversary vintage of Hubert de Böuard. This will for sure be ready to drink earlier than many vintages of Angélus, but it is well structured and will age for many years to come. No chaptilisation. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 Angelus is very fine. It is the first vintage I have tasted that captures the newer approach at Angelus, one where the wines are not as extracted as in the past. Black cherry, plum, spice, new leather and menthol fill out the layers effortlessly. Here, too, the wine shows superb balance and real textural presence. The blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, with the Merlot being raised in 80% new oak and 20% once-filled barrels, and the Cabernet Franc in equal parts foudres and new smaller French oak barrels. The 2024 is mid-weight, classy and polished. Drink 2030-2054. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2024 | Château Angludet | 75cl | £242 per case of 12 | Château Angludet 2024 / / 75cl £242 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting NotesFragrant, floral, white flowers, just super sappy and enjoyable, well balanced and carefully constructed, a little dilute through the mid palate but the focus is on the fruit. Sichel family owners, headed up by Benjamin Sichel. 60% barrels and 40% amphoras. 29 hl/ha yield. Biodynamic certified. 91 points" janeanson.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2024 | Château Angludet | Magnum | £260 per case of 6 | Château Angludet 2024 / / Magnum £260 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
| RED | 2024 | Château Beaumont | 75cl | £110 per case of 12 | Château Beaumont 2024 / / 75cl £110 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2024 Beaumont has a perfumed bouquet with black cherry and raspberry scents—it's almost Burgundian in style! The palate is medium-bodied and sapid with grainy tannins, a fine bead of acidity and a fresh, clean, lightly spiced finish that lingers in the mouth. Always a solid performer, this is an enjoyable Beaumont to enjoy over the next decade. Tasted twice with consistent notes. 2027-2037. 88-90 points." Neal Martin------"The 2024 Château Beaumont is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest 5% Petit Verdot. It has a healthy ruby/purple hue as well as attractive aromatics of red and black currants, leafy herbs, and spicy oak. It's balanced, medium-bodied, has a supple, layered, elegant mouthfeel, and ripe tannins, all making for an undeniably delicious Haut-Médoc. 89-91 points." Jeb Dunnuck------"The 2024 Beaumont is a very pretty and expressive Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois. Floral, savory and earthy top notes give the 2024 lovely aromatic presence to match its mid-weight personality. All the elements are so nicely balanced. This is a terrific showing, made all the more notable by highly challenging conditions that included a very rare bout of hail during harvest. Tasted two times. 89-91 points." Antonio Galloni------"Nicely done, with fine tannins and attractive fruit that deliver currant and dark cherry character. Shows potential. 91-92 points." JamesSuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2024 | Château Beychevelle | 75cl | £347 per case of 6 | Château Beychevelle 2024 / / 75cl £347 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Aromatically expressive. Red- and dark-berry fruit to the fore. Palate fresh and harmonious with integrated tannins. Structured. Classic in style. 16.5 points." (JL) Jancisrobinson.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Black cherries, fresh red currants and mulberries scents slowly emerge from the glass, plus hints of wild sage and pencil lead. The light to medium-bodied palate delivers red berry and savory flavors with great tension and lightly chewy tannins, finishing with a skip in its step. 92-94 points." Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2025------"A pure, balanced, absolutely classy Saint-Julien, the 2024 Château Beychevelle is deep purple-hued with ample red, blue, and black fruits intermixed with notes of graphite, lead pencil, and background oak. It's balanced, medium-bodied, has polished tannins, the fresher, juicy acidity of the vintage, and a great finish. The blend is 55% Cabernet, 42% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot checking in at 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.57 and an IPT of 75. 92-94 points." Jeb Dunnuck------"Good depth and complexity here from this light, acid-driven vintage. Violets, fresh herbs, blackcurrants, berries and a touch of paprika and white pepper. Bright and succulent on the palate with firm, crunchy tannins and a structured finish. 94-95 points." (ZS) JamesSuckling.com------"The 2024 Beychevelle might very well be the wine of the vintage in Saint-Julien. It is certainly among the very best I tasted on the Left Bank. Plush, inky and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2024 is so silky and inviting. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, mocha and spice are some of the many notes that stain the palate. The sustained, resonant finish is a thing of beauty. Tasted two times. 2032 - 2054. 95-97 points." Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, April 2025 |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2024 | Château Branaire Ducru | 75cl | £159 per case of 6 | Château Branaire Ducru 2024 / / 75cl £159 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Lovely bright plum colour, slim blue and black fruits, coffee bean and cedar oak notes, carefully constructed with balance, a little short on the finish compared to the excellent recent vintages at Branaire. 55% new oak. 41.5 hl/ha, this is the first vintage with the new cellars, François-Xavier Maroteaux owner and new president of the Union de Grands Crus de Bordeaux. 91 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 Branaire Ducru was cropped at a respectabe 415 hl/ho between September 20 ond October 9. It has a delightful bouquet with pure blackberry, blueberry and light violet scents percolating through with time. There's just a touch of iodine in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, pretty black fruit laced with cassis and touches of white pepper. There is an elegant framework on the finish so that this Saint-Julien slips down the throat with ease, as I'm sure it will once in bottle. Whilst this does not reach the heights of the 2022 this is destined to be a very delicious Branaire Ducru. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Branaire-Ducru offers up a pretty and precise bouquet of cassis, violets and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, supple and suave, with polished tannins and tangy acids, it's a fine-boned, delicate wine from Branaire that was harvested between 20 September and 9 October. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that attained 12.8% alcohol, and it's being raised in a touch less new oak than usual. 90-92 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Branaire-Ducru is a super-classic Branaire. Medium in body and gracious, the 2024 is defined by its lifted aromatics and silky, polished tannins. The proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon is especially high in 2024, a sign that the fruit harvested on the later side benefited from better conditions, namely a lack of rain. The 2024 possesses lovely purity and exquisite balance. Floral top notes and a burst of red-toned fruit reappear on the finish to round things out in style. It will be especially fine if élevage softens the contours. This is a fine effort from proprietor Francois-Xavier Maroteau and longtime winemaker Jean Dominique Videau. Tasted two times. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2024 | Château Brane Cantenac | 75cl | £213 per case of 6 | Château Brane Cantenac 2024 / / 75cl £213 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Brane-Cantenac exhibits aromas of sweet berries, vanilla pod and toasty new oak, followed by a medium-bodied, fleshy and youthfully tannic palate that's lent a creamy, lactic quality by its malolactic fermentation in new barrels. 89-91. points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Brane-Cantenac was picked between September 17 and October 8. No Petit Verdot or Carménère were included in the blend this year. It was cropped at 46.6 hl/ha and matured in 80% new oak. This has a refined bouquet, understated at first, opening with black fruit, graphite and deft touches of wild mint. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit on the entry. With fine grip and very fresh, this is a Brane-Cantenac leaning more toward Pauillac in style as it is sometimes wont to do. Lightly peppery on the finish, this is an elegant Margaux that should be broached before its 2020 or 2022 counterparts. 2029 - 2050. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Brane-Cantenac is shaping up to be a gem. Blood orange, crushed flowers, spice, mint and chalk confer notable brightness. The 2024 is marked by a strong red-fruit character, bright acids and mid-weight structure, all of which make for a super-classic, if somewhat nervy, Brane-Cantenac. There's quite a bit of potential here. Tasted two times. Drink 2032-2049. 93-95 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April '25------"A linear and focused wine with blackcurrants, cherries and crushed stones. Medium-bodied with polished tannins. Classy finish. 94-95 points." JamesSuckling.com, April 2025------"Tons of energy, stone fruits, cherry pits, damson, a lovely feeling of fruit that has plenty of life ahead it, fresh and juicy with sapidity. not trying too hard just full of pleasure. Edge of grilled campfire, graphite, generosity, easily one of the wines of the vintage. 11.3% press wine, 3.53pH, 46.6hl/ha yield. Harvest 17 September to 8 October, 80% new oak for ageing. 95 points." Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, April 2025------"The Grand Vin is based on 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc that included 11.3% of press, saw malolactic fermentation in barrel, and will spend 18 months in 80% new barrels. Its deeper ruby/purple hue is followed by a beautifully pure, layered, elegant, and medium-bodied Margaux that has both red and blue fruits, some violet, spicy wood, and cedar pencil nuances, fine, polished tannins, and outstanding length. This hit 12.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.53. 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2024 | Château Calon Ségur | 75cl | £360 per case of 6 | Château Calon Ségur 2024 / / 75cl £360 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Beautiful red ruby expression. A slimmer more finessed expression of Calon than in recent years, that gives it less estate signature than some, but this has beautiful cassis bud, rose petals, peony, iris, cocoa bean and graphite. Subtle but with real charm. 3.60 pH. 45 hl/ha. 100% new oak. Vincent Millet director, Harvest 23 September to 9 October. 92 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 Calon Ségur was picked from September 23 until October 9 at 45 hl/ha with no breaks between those dates. It then matured in 100% new oak, as usual, for 20 months. This has a well-defined bouquet, with more prominent wood than previous recent vintages, which consequently obscures the property's DNA. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit tinged with black olive. It's quite lively, with a liberal sprinkling of white pepper and thyme. I admire the freshness of this Saint-Estèphe and there is decent length on the finish. This is not a top-ranking Calon-Ségur, but it should still provide up to 20 years of drinking pleasure. 2029 - 2048. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. It's a little shy to start off, needing some swirling to bring out notes of black raspberries and red cherries, followed by wafts of cassis, mint tea, and milk chocolate with a hint of pencil lead. The light to medium-bodied palate delivers very good tension and bright, red berry flavors with savory sparks and fine-grained tannins, finishing with a refreshing lift. 92-94 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent ------"As to the Grand Vin, the 2024 Château Calon Ségur checks in as 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot, hitting 13.1% alcohol and a pH of 3.6, all resting in 100% new oak. It brings more richness and depth, with beautiful cassis fruit intermixed with spring flowers, violets, lead pencil, and a terrific sense of minerality. Medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, and reasonably concentrated, it's all about finesse, elegance, and balance. It's a brilliant wine in the vintage. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 Calon-Ségur is a terrific effort. A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon (picked late, between October 2 and October 9), 9% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, it unwinds in the glass with notes of plums, cassis and iris mingled with hints of burning embers and incense. Medium to full-bodied, supple and layered, it's suave and seamless, with good depth at the core, powdery tannins and beautifully integrated acids. At pH 3.50 and 13.1% alcohol, it's also one of the most classically proportioned vintages this estate has produced over the last decade. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Calon Ségur is shaping up very nicely. Dark and ample, with terrific balance, the 2024 is another strong wine from the team led by Technical Director Vincent Millet. Readers will find a Calon Ségur of inner strength, its deceptively mid-weight structure notwithstanding. The 2024 is a wine of restraint and class more than power, never a bad thing at this property. The 100% new oak is very nicely balanced, even in the early going. This has great potential. Drink 2034-2054. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A fruity wine that’s approachable but still serious and complex, with cocoa, currants, paprika and berries. Medium- to full-bodied. The tannins are taut, chalky, caressing and superbly knit with the fruit. Really juicy and long, and there aren't any hard edges. 82% cabernet sauvignon, 9% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. 96-97 points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2024 | Château Canon | 75cl | £426 per case of 6 | Château Canon 2024 / / 75cl £426 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2024 Canon was picked from September 19 to October 9, a harvest that I witnessed firsthand while joining the pickers on one afternoon. It aged in 49% new oak and 6% casks for between 16 and 18 months. The bouquet is well defined with pure black cherry, raspberry and a subtle marine influence that develops in the glass, though I find the Troplong Mondot tasted alongside has more amplitude. The palate is medium-bodied and pliant with fine tannins and finesse. One bottle at the château had more weight on the finish than others that feel attenuated and missing a bit of substance. 2029 - 2050. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"78% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc. pH 3.35. Aging 16-18 months in 49% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored. Prances out to the glass with eager-to-please scents of Morello cherries, fresh raspberries, and bay leaves, leading to hints of graphite and tree bark. The medium-bodied palate is subtle and lively with just enough red berry flavors and a chalkiness on the finish. 93-95 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2024 Canon is shaping up brilliantly, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet cherries, blackberries and raspberries mingled with notions of rose petals and spices. Medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with tangy acids (the pH is a very low 3.35) and ultrarefined tannins, it concludes with a long, mineral finish. A blend of 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc, it's the estate's first year of organic certification. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"This is a gorgeous Canon, with the austerity of limestone on full display, as you would expect in this vintage, but a creamy edge comes in through the mid palate. Clear precision, flesh pared from flesh, peony, peach pit, cherry stone, damson, blueberry, graphite, crayon, pumice, lemongrass, gunsmoke, this has tons of layers and waves of complexity, classical and balanced. 44hl/ha yield, organic certified. 3.35 pH. 49% new oak. Harvest 19 September to 9 October. 95 points" janeanson.com------"The Grand Vin 2024 Château Canon is 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc that will spend 16-18 months in 49% new oak, with a small amount in foudre. Black raspberries, graphite, crushed stone, and violet notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, fresh, has a vibrant, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. It's a classic Canon with its minerality, focused, elegant mouthfeel, and outstanding length. Tasted multiple times with consistent results. 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Structured, balanced and textured, it has aromas of red berries and pine needles. It’s medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Rather seamless. Long, juicy finish with salty limestone undertones. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2024 Canon is superb. One of the standouts of the vintage, the 2024 possesses striking mid-palate depth to match its vertical personality. Chalk, white pepper, mint, lavender, rose petal, slate and blue/purplish fruit all stain the palate. There's gorgeous depth and density here, and yet the 2024 remains a super-classic wine from the property. This is a real stunner. That's all there is to it. Tasted four times. 2034 - 2059. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
|||||||||||
| RED | 2024 | Château Capbern | 75cl | £174 per case of 12 | Château Capbern 2024 / / 75cl £174 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"Deep garnet-purple colored. Shoots from the glass with vibrant notes of fresh red and black currants and wild sage, giving way to hints of graphite, fertile loam, and charcoal. The light-bodied palate is crisp and lightly chewy with bright red berry flavors and an herbal lift on the finish. 87-89 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Enticing aromatics on this wine, soft waves of rose petals, blackberry fruit, crayon and pencil lead, with measured oak use. Acidity puts the tannins into a little overly-focused position on the finish, and the austerity that needs to be softened over ageing. Fairly old school, with charm. 3.60 pH. 45 hl/ha. 60% new oak. 91 points" janeanson.com------"Made by the team from Calon Ségur with the same technique, the 2024 Château Capbern is based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc aging in 60% new oak. It shows the purity and elegance of this team in 2024 with its lively cherry, currant, and juicy cassis fruit as well as a beautiful floral character, medium body, a soft, supple, layered mouthfeel, and ultra-fine tannins. 90-92 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 Capbern aged in 60% new French oak for 18 months and contains a little more Cabernet than usual. It has a fresh bouquet with blackberry, cranberry, incense and pencil shaving aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with strict tannins. This is armed with satisfying freshness, brightness and hints of allspice and cumin in the background. This is cohesive on the modest, sapid finish. Although this is not the best Capbern that I have encountered in recent years, it is certainly a decent wine for the vintage. Drink: 2028-2039. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Made by the team from Calon Ségur with the same technique, the 2024 Château Capbern is based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc aging in 60% new oak. It shows the purity and elegance of this team in 2024 with its lively cherry, currant, and juicy cassis fruit as well as a beautiful floral character, medium body, a soft, supple, layered mouthfeel, and ultra-fine tannins. 90-92 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, the 2024 Capbern is a polished classic, offering up notions of cassis, lilac, licorice and pencil shavings, followed by a medium-bodied, supple and polished palate with good underlying cut and grip. It checks in at 12.9% alcohol. 90-92 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Capbern is a very pretty, delicate Saint-Estèphe. Cabernet Sauvignon takes the leading role in this elegant, nuanced wine. Crushed flowers, spice, new leather, cedar, licorice and incense are all delineated in the glass. Vibrant floral notes reappear on the long, persistent finish. 2026 - 2036. 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Good depth on the nose with a juicier palate this year, with a mixture of berries, red peppers and cherries. The chalky tannins are still quite firm and the wine delivers lots of fruit, with a long finish. Tight and tense. 70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% merlot. 93-94 points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com |
|||||||||||
Our long history of buying wines en primeur direct from Bordeaux means we have excellent relationships with the châteaux and negociants. As one of the first UK wine brokers, we buy widely from among our contacts with private collectors, Oxbridge Colleges and other institutions. All wines are priced to the latest fine wine market prices.
E-mail sales@richardkihl.ltd.uk to order
No minimum order. All prices exclude carriage and UK VAT. Wines listed 'IB' (in bond) exclude UK duty. All wines offered subject to confirmation of stock availability, condition and price, E&OE. Full terms & conditions.
YOU MUST BE 18 AND OVER TO PURCHASE AND CONSUME WINE AND ALCOHOL