Red Bordeaux
| RED | 2025 | Château Les Cruzelles | 75cl | £99 per case of 6 | Château Les Cruzelles 2025 / / 75cl £99 per case of 6 |
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Tasting NotesQuite a dark, heady fragrance full of purple flowers and herbal touches with creamy blue fruit. Juicy and lively with a really mouthwatering but smooth and silky texture. This just brings a smile to your face - not overly complex but clean and pure, so harmonious in terms of fruit, acidity and tannins with a fine structure giving lots of enjoyment. Refined, elegant with lots to like. Ageing 55% new oak. A go-to for price and pleasure. 92 points." (GH) Decanter, Apr '26------"The 2025 Les Cruzelles was picked on August 29 for the Merlot, and September 8 and 12 for the Cabernet Franc, and was raised in 55% new oak. This is neat and tidy on the nose, brisk blackberry, blueberry and violet scents that gain vigour in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins that seem to make this Lalande-de-Pomerol just "glide". Precise and delivering perfect acidity, this is a beautifully crafted Les Cruzelles that lingers in the mouth, with white pepper on the aftertaste. Drinking Window 2030 - 2045. 91-93 points." Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2026------"Medium- to full-bodied with stylish fruit that’s grainy yet concentrated, supported by velvety tannins that will continue to evolve. Well balanced. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. 92-93 points." James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May 2025------"The 2025 Les Cruzelles is another stellar wine in this range from sisters Noëmie and Constance Durantou. There's a bit more clay in this section of the vineyard, which comes through in the wine's broad textures and darker fruit profile vis-à-vis La Chenade. Black cherry, lavender, cloves, menthol and licorice add to an impression of somber gravitas. This will need time in the cellar, as the tannins are formidable. 2030 - 2043. 92-94 points." Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, April 2026------"Compared to the La Chenade, the 2025 Château Les Cruzelles is often more structured and serious in style. It's another Pomerol look-alike that brings ample structure, medium-bodied richness, a nicely focused mouthfeel, and beautiful aromatics of ripe blue fruits, spring flowers, violets, and chocolate on the nose. It's another brilliant wine in the lineup from this family estate. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château L'Evangile | 75cl | £582 per case of 6 | Château L'Evangile 2025 / / 75cl £582 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 L'Evangile is showing well, bursting with aromas of sweet cherries, dark berries, spices and licorice, framed by nicely integrated oak. On the palate, it's medium- to full-bodied, with a rather rich, powerful profile, built around ripe but youthfully structuring tannins. It's a blend of 87% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, some 40% of which is being matured in foudre. The vintage conditions, which produced very small berries (as little as 0.6 grams for Cabernet Franc growing on gravel), have delivered an Evangile of unusual density. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2025 L'Évangile is a very beautiful wine. Silky and medium in body, the 2025 is a classic L'Évangile, which is shocking given the intense heat and drought of the year, along with yields of just 22 hectoliters per hectare in aggregate across the châteaux. Bright red-toned fruit, mocha and rose petal all grace the palate. Touches of blood orange and white pepper lift the brilliant finish. Élevage is 40% new oak, 40% foudre, 15% once-filled barrels and 5% amphora. This is a very precise wine and one of the top Pomerols of the year. 2035 - 2065. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Nice plump roundness on the palate with a touch of strawberry acidity to bring some life and lift. Quite serious, fine tannins, a cool crisp, blue fruit edge with a lot of liquorice and wet stone aspects – a mineral, salty, spiced grip on the finish. I like the frame, not too heavy but it’s still quite tight. I don’t find the density of 2022 or 2023 but there’s definitely charm on offer in a cool, serious way right now with a hint of gloss. Ageing 5% amphora. 40% foudre. 45% new oak. 10% used barrels. 3,7pH. A yield of 22hl/ha. 96 points" Georgina Hindle, Decanter Magazine------"Damson colour, this has a ton of juicy blue and black fruits, well judged density, energy and lift, clear ageing ability, grilled cumin, peony, iris flowers, slate and crushed rocks, 40% new oak, with large oak casks for almost half of the production. Less Cabernet Franc in this blend simply because of the size of the berries. 3.7ph. Blason no longer sold En Primeur, so not tasted here. Juliette Couderc director. Harvest began on August 26 with young Merlot on gravel. 23hl/h overall yield, fascinating to see how they split across different terroirs in the L'Evangile vineyard - on gravel 15hl/ha, on clay 28hl/ha, on sand, 38hl/h all due to size of berries. In practise this meant a lot of intra-plot harvesting, going through four or five times. The result is impressive. 2032-2050. 96 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 L'Évangile has been given new impetus by winemaker Juliette Couderc. It is initially backward, but it really comes forth with a few swirls of the glass: black cherries, mint and juniper berries, just a hint of truffle, quite vibrant and vivacious. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins, a fine bead of acidity, superb minéralité, as if there were a bit of limestone soil, but there is none. Very saline on the aftertaste with impressive length. This is a marvellous L'Évangile given the growing season, and it seems imbued with so much personality. 2032 - 2060. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Lynch Bages | 75cl | £402 per case of 6 | Château Lynch Bages 2025 / / 75cl £402 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Blackcurrant leaf, dark fruit and some black chocolate and dried floral scents. Supple with lovely energy and flex. Grippy but also chewy so you get texture and weight without any dryness or austerity. Juicy, lively, still grippy with a chalky, salty touch to the finish. Nice nuance and approachability while keeping a cool, blueberry element all the way through. ‘Lightly’ presented, certainly nothing overdone here. Bravo. 94 points" Georgina Hindle, Decanter Magazine------"Damson, cassis, bilberry, a wine that doesn't feel so far away from the very top vintages of the estate, clear expansion in the mid palate, with an uncompromising architecture that has the supple tannins of a warm year, with pomegranate, incense, blackberry, cedar, slate, crushed rocks. Excellently put together with juice, promise and personality. 3.68 pH. 75% new oak. Harvest September 9 to 21. Jean-Charles Cazes owner, along with his three sisters, Nicolas Labenne technical director. 2036-2055. 96 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Lynch-Bages wafts from the glass with aromas of dark wild berries, lead pencil and spices, framed by well-integrated new oak. Full-bodied, dense and concentrated, it’s deep and muscular, with a broad-shouldered profile, yet more velvety and precise than usual, showing a touch of freshness through the mid-palate, concluding with a long, cassis-inflected finish. Without departing from its customary style—combining power and generosity in youth—it is more approachable en primeur, with softer, more polished tannins than in recent vintages. This is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, matured with 75% new oak. 94-97 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2025 Lynch-Bages is a wine only very patient consumers should contemplate. Dark and explosive, with incisive tannins, the 2025 is quite the powerhouse. Huge beams of tannin lend serious intensity and power. In many warmer years, this level of richness is accompanied by commensurately high alcohols and viscosity, but the 2025 is built around fairly classic lines, which only reinforces its sheer brawn. 2035-2075. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Currants, smoky oak, chocolate, and hints of violets all define the 2025 Château Lynch-Bages, a remarkably balanced, elegant Pauillac from this estate that has more than a passing resemblance to the 2019. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has ultra-fine tannins and nicely integrated acidity, and it builds beautifully with time in the glass. It should have some reasonable accessibility, but as with most vintages here, the cellar will be your friend. 96-98 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2025 Lynch-Bages was picked 9 to 21 September and matured in 75% new oak barrels. This has a stunning bouquet with exceptionally pure blackberry, cassis and subtle violet scents, the oak seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with finely embroidered tannins, perfect acidity, a touch of cedar and black pepper that dovetails into a peacock's tail finish that “clings” to the mouth. This continues the strongest run from Lynch-Bages since the 1980s and, perhaps with the 2025, it is close to surpassing that. Drinking Window 2032 - 2060. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Lots of great energy, with a precision and focus that sends you down the road to gorgeous dark fruits and mineral nuances. A cool, minty note. Medium- to full-bodied. Racy and intense, with a lightness at the end. Juicy fruit, too. A blend of 66% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Malescot St Exupery | 75cl | £179 per case of 6 | Château Malescot St Exupery 2025 / / 75cl £179 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Dark fruit with notes of cedar and spice. Finely etched tannins, the texture silky and fresh but a firm structure behind. Persistence on the finish. Very fine. 17 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2025 Château Malescot St. Exupéry offers up aromas of sweet blackberries, plums, pencil shavings and licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a sun-kissed core of fruit and powdery structuring tannins, it's a dramatic, generous, crowd-pleasing style of Margaux. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2025 Malescot Saint Exupéry is classic Malescot-dark, powerful and quite brooding. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, licorice, tobacco and dried herbs are delineated with serious concentration and pure, unbridled power. This backward, massively tannic Margaux is a wine for readers who can be patient. Drinking Window 2033 - 2045. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A very structured red with black currants, blackberries and chocolate aromas. It’s full and flexing, with solid tannins and a long finish. Impressive. Better than 2022? 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Margaux | 75cl | £2,034 per case of 6 | Château Margaux 2025 / / 75cl £2,034 per case of 6 |
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Tasting NotesSOLD OUT "The 2025 Château Margaux was picked at 22 hl/ha between 10 and 29 September. This year it represents 37% of the total crop, a little down on recent vintages, and was matured in 100% new oak as usual. The first thing that you notice on this Château Margaux is the purity of fruit, a signature of the First Growth but taken to its maximum in this vintage. Perfumed blueberry, crushed violet and iris flower, a touch of iodine and a distant trace of the estuary. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins, fine delineation and poise. There is backbone to this Margaux but it is disguised under the layers of pure blackberry and blueberry fruit, dovetailing into a lightly spiced but very persistent finish. It fans out wonderfully, completing a very alluring wine in the making. This vintage contains 13.8% alcohol. Drink 2035-2065. 96-98 points." Neal Martin, vinous.com, May '26------"The texture of this wine is exceptional, with black currant, dark plum, chocolate and orange blossom aromas. Full-bodied with round and creamy tannins that fill the mouth and give a caressing texture. Very long and seductive. Gentle at the end. It's lush, velvety and luxurious. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 6% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. 98-99 points." James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, Apr '26------"The 2025 Château Margaux is shaping up to be one of the wines of this young vintage. Dark and layered, almost mysterious in bearing, the 2025 is going to have a lot to say over the coming decades as it grows up. Today, its superb persistence and exceptional balance are the harbingers. Here, too, there's a ton of tannin, but also more than enough fruit and overall density to keep things in balance. 2035-2075. 97-99 points." Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Apr 26------"A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2025 Château Margaux is a deep, authoritative wine that represents some 37% of the estate's production this year. Unwinding in the glass with notes of dark berries, violets, lilac and pencil shavings, framed by a deft touch of new oak, it's medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, with a concentrated core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins and lively acids. This will certainly require some patience, but it is a prodigious Château Margaux in the making. It checks in at 13.8% alcohol and a pH of 3.72. 97-100 points." William Kelley, Wine Advocate, Apr '26------"A heavenly, magical wine that has perfection written all over it, the 2025 Château Margaux is based on 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, raised entirely in new barrels. Similar in its gorgeous aromatics to the Pavillon Rouge, it shows cassis, blue fruits, and spice, but with a touch more freshness and floral character. It's absolutely seamless on the palate, with full body, a deep, layered, pure, graceful mouthfeel, velvety, polished tannins, flawless balance, and sensational length. Hitting 13.8% alcohol with a pH of 3.72, they took a chance harvesting very late in September, finishing on the 29th, and it unquestionably paid off. While many of the wines of the vintage are beautiful in their richness and elegance, this hits another level of opulence and depth. It reminds me of the 2009 on the palate and is a legendary Margaux in the making. 98-100 points." Jeb Dunnuck, Apr '26------"More dense and yet more soft than the Pavillon Rouge, fully anchored in place and yet rising through the palate, with rose petals, pomegranate, cassis and damson fruits, so juicy and full of character, slate and crushed rocks, peony and iris, with volume that is expansive and striking. These guys held on to harvest after the rains and have been rewarded for it - can't have been easy as everyone was picking around them, but this was a great decision that shows just what was capable in this vintage. 22hl/ha yield across the vineyard, harvest September 8 for young Merlot, then Cabernet Sauvignon began September 19 and finished September 29. 14% press wine, so a little less than usual because of the natural concentration. 22hl/ha yield across the vineyard, IPT81,3.76ph. 37% 1st wine. I dont give 100 points En Primeur, but if I did, this would get it. It's a slam dunk. 2036-2055. 98-100 points." Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, Apr '26 |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Margaux - Pavillon Rouge du Margaux | 75cl | £582 per case of 6 | Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge du Margaux 2025 / / 75cl £582 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Pavillon Rouge represents 28% of the volume this year, a little lower than previous years, containing just a little more Petit Verdot (10%), matured as usual in around 60% new oak, though my sample was taken from a new barrel. It has a bright nose, black cherries and blueberry fruit, crushed violet developing in the glass, a hint of black olive. The palate is medium-bodied, with a pleasing rondeur on the entry, a “pillowy” Pavillon Rouge at this stage, a pleasing countervailing bitterness that balances the opulence that comes through on the slightly briny finish. Less jagged than its peers, this will be quite tempting in its youth, yet it certainly has the substance to last. Drink 2030-2045. 90-92 points." Neal Martin, vinous.com, May '26------"The 2025 Pavillon Rouge is a serious, youthfully structured second wine, unwinding in the glass with notes of dark berry fruit mingled with notes of anise, licorice and petals. Medium- to full-bodied, supple and lively, with a deep, tightly wound core of primary fruit and a long, vibrant finish, it will reward a bit of patience. This year, Pavillon Rouge represents 28% of the harvest, and it's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. 91-93 points." William Kelley, Wine Advocate, Apr '26------"The 2025 Pavillon Rouge is a gorgeous, very sexy wine, a Margaux that captures the best the vintage had to offer. Succulent red cherry/plum fruit, mocha and new leather open first. This offers gorgeous mid-palate pliancy and fabulous persistence, not to mention compelling balance all around. It's a very fine Pavillon Rouge, but one that will require cellaring as the tannins are quite imposing.2033 - 2045. 92-94 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Apr '26------"Flavoursome, this is luscious and juicy, with the concentration and ripeness that I was expecting in more of the wines this year. Rose petals, damson, slate, crayon, cocoa bean, mint, DNA of the Margaux appellation on display. Just 2018 and 2022 were higher numbers in terms of phenolic compounds, and the 3.68ph is still low, but the perception is far less intense than in many properties. 22hl/ha yield across the vineyard, harvest September 8 for young Merlot, then Cabernet Sauvignon began September 19 and finished September 29. IPT 78. 28% of the overall production. 2032-2040. 96 points." Jane Anson, Apr '26 |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Meyney | 75cl | £234 per case of 12 | Château Meyney 2025 / / 75cl £234 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Lovely deep colour, impressive grip and lift, austere at this early stage, needs time to open, but well structured, a ton of life ahead of it, lean cassis and bilberry fruits, liquorice root, 43hl/ha yield, 3.75ph. 2030-2042. 93 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Meyney is packed with blue/purplish fruit, lavender, dried herbs, menthol and crushed flowers. Ample, broad and quite powerful, the 2025 builds beautifully with time in the glass. I can’t remember tasting a Meyney with this much sheer purity in its fruit. Impressive.2030 - 2043. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A serious, concentrated Saint-Estèphe, the 2025 Château Meyney reveals darker berries, graphite, chocolate, and hints of tobacco on the nose. It's rich and medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a nicely concentrated, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's clearly an outstanding wine. 92-94+ points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2025 Meyney was picked from 9 to 20 September at 43 hl/ha and matured in French oak for a planned 18 months. It has a bright nose with blackberry and bilberry fruit, cedar and light cigar box scents in the background, all delivered with commendable delineation. The palate is well balanced with supple tannins, but there is plenty of structure here, very well judged acidity, well-integrated oak with a judicious dash of pepperiness and a floral aspect to the finish. The 14% Petit Verdot just lends a little more malleability to the texture and it should be absolutely delicious once in bottle. If this is released at a good price en primeur, as it has been in the past, then this could represent an astute buy. Drink 2031-2050. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A fresh and savory red with ripe currant and raspberry aromas. Medium-bodied with velvety, creamy tannins and a fruity finish. Caressing and pretty. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Montlandrie | 75cl | £168 per case of 12 | Château Montlandrie 2025 / / 75cl £168 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Montlandrie was picked between September 9 and 20 and includes 20% each of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon, raised in 60% new oak. (Did you know that they have 400 olive trees and produce virgin oil from the estate? I didn't.) This is more reticent on the nose compared to the Les Cruzelles, displaying a subtle marine tincture tucked behind the black plum and raspberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with very pliant, fluid tannins, a crisp line of acidity, overtly peppery towards the vivacious finish, which disguises the backbone of this Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux. Great length, there can be few wines from that appellation better than this. Drink 2030-2048. 91-93 points." Neal Martin, vinous.com, May '26------"A well-structured, driven red with plenty of focus. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Well framed and compact in the finish. Salty and white pepper character. A blend of 60% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 20% cabernet sauvignon. 93-94 points." James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, Apr '26------"Supple and fleshy with a chewy and bright aspect. Lots of fun on offer here with plenty of personality — ripe yet also freshly picked, just shy of tart strawberries, cranberries and red cherries. Clean and mineral on the finish with a wet stone element that lingers. Friendly, clean, focused yet still with intensity of fruit and push. A fine showing — zippy and alive, very balanced and refreshing. A yield of 38hl/ha. Ageing 60% new oak. 2027-2040. 94 points." (GH) Decanter, Apr '26------"The 2025 Montlandrie is exceptional. A wine of dimension and energy, Montlandrie screams with energy. Blue/black cherry fruit, lavender, spice and grilled herbs possess notable density and sheer power. There's crazy depth and overall complexity here. I would love to taste this blind in a lineup of wines from more "prestigious" appellations. 2030 - 2045. 93-95 points." Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Apr '26 |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Montrose | 75cl | £618 per case of 6 | Château Montrose 2025 / / 75cl £618 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Montrose is a very quiet, sophisticated Montrose. Silky tannins, lifted aromatics and mid-weight structure are the signatures. Time in the glass brings out lovely red-toned fruit character, along with hints of spice, blood orange, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco. It will be interesting to see how the 2025 develops with élevage. Today, it is a bit on the lighter side relative to the norm here. Some of that may be attributable to winemaking. 2035 - 2065. 95-97 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Apr '26------"Integrated and creamy tannins that are long and polished deliver an impressive palate of medium body, juicy fruit and a refined finish. Character of black and red currants with hazelnuts. Refined. Extremely long and polished, with plenty of Montrose character. Balanced. All there for the vintage. A blend of 77% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. 97-98 points." James Suckling, Apr '26------"Deep and nuanced plum fruit on the opening, vivid ruby in colour with tension, lift and estate signature. An extremely classic Montrose, love the lift with the depth of cassis, cocoa bean, liquorice, crushed mint leaf, squid ink, crayon, a supremely Left Bank wine, very much in the 2023 vein for me, which was a vintage I adored. This has precision and beauty, the kind of En Primeur sample where you feel fresh and energised at the end of tasting it. 60% new oak for ageing, Pierre Graffeuille director. 2035-2055. 97 points." Jane Anson, Apr '26------"A magical, utterly profound wine in the making, the 2025 Château Montrose is a classic blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc that will spend 18 months in 60% new French oak, with 12% press wine included in the final blend. Pure cassis, graphite, liquid violets, and spicy wood define the aromatics, and it's sensationally pure on the palate, with full-bodied richness, beautiful concentration, ripe, polished tannins, incredible class, and a great finish. It reminds me of the 2016 with its finesse... and maybe there's a touch of 1996 here as well. 97-100 points" jebdunnock.com------"A timeless classic in the making, the 2025 Montrose unfurls in the glass with notes of dark berries, black truffle, burning embers and violets, gaining in range and detail with aeration. Full-bodied, dense and elegantly muscular, it's layered and multidimensional, with a prodigiously concentrated core of fruit, exceptional quality of tannin and a long, resonant finish. The 2025 is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, derived exclusively from the estate's historic core on the fourth terrace situated just in front of the château itself. With a pH of 3.65 and 13.4% alcohol, it remains classically balanced despite its impressive power and intensity. Readers will have a fascinating time parsing the nuances of style and quality between the 2025, 2023 and 2022 over the decades to come! 98-100 points." William Kelley, Wine Advocate, Apr '26------"The 2025 Montrose only comes from the Terrace IV, as has been the way since the 2023 vintage. It was picked from August 29 and finished not until September 20, so quite a long harvest, 16 days of picking between those dates. This vintage is matured in 60% new oak. This has another very intense nose with a potent graphite element that infuses the black fruit, beautifully defined but unapologetically classical in style. Wow. The purity of fruit is exceptional. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, very chiselled tannins, exquisite black fruit loaded with minéralité. So much freshness and vibrancy, gentle but insistent grip, very precise and refined on the finish, this is a Montrose that will rank as one for the ages. Wow (again). Drinking Window: 2032 - 2060. 98-100 points." Neal Martin, Vinous, May '26 |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Mouton Rothschild | 75cl | £1,824 per case of 6 | Château Mouton Rothschild 2025 / / 75cl £1,824 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Mouton Rothschild was picked between September 5 and 20 and matured entirely in new oak. It contains the highest Cabernet Sauvignon ever, at 98%. This has a very pure and controlled bouquet, "cool" black fruit, a light estuarine influence (oyster shells shucked down on the beach in Arcachon?) that filter through the blackberry and cassis fruit. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins that feel a little more rounded and suppler than the 2025 Lafite Rothschild tasted just prior. There is a luxuriant aspect, the signature of Mouton Rothschild that differentiates it from the other First Growths, not plush but perhaps a little more flattering at this very early stage thanks to its patina of creaminess. In a sense, it is quintessential Mouton Rothschild and should age extremely well in bottle. 13.1% alcohol. Drink 2035-2065. 95-97 points." Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2026------"The 2025 Mouton Rothschild is dense and brooding. Although naturally very, very young, all the elements are so well put together. The 2025 is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, the most Cabernet ever in the Grand Vin, and that very much comes through in the wine's structure and overall presence. Graphite, lavender, rose petal and menthol build into the rich, heady finish. There's a ton of potential here. 2035 - 2075. 96-98 points." Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, April 2026------"A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot, the 2025 Mouton Rothschild is a dense, powerful wine, unwinding in the glass with aromas of crème de cassis, blueberries, espresso roast, cigar wrapper and violet. Full-bodied, deep and dense, it's rich, layered and concentrated, with prodigious mid-palate presence and a long, youthfully structured finish. Small berries in Cabernet Sauvignon, below one gram even in the older vines, explain this Mouton's remarkable intensity of flavor. The grand vin represents 52% of the production and checks in at 13.1% alcohol. 97-99 points." William Kelley, Wine Advocate, April 2026------"Highest Cabernet Sauvignon on record (since 94% for the 2010 vintage), stately and reserved at first, then totally joyful. The right austerity, coupled with squid ink character and fabulous hidden depths that are going to take their time to fully unroll, with the incense of the oak coming through only after a good 10 minutes in the glass, you barely perceive it on the first tasting. What a beautiful Mouton, great stuff from wine director Jean-Philippe Danjoy. 52% Grand Vin, basically pure old vine Cabernet. And an interesting side note - in September there was no weekend picking, a clear indication that there was no stress about the harvest dates. 3.76pH. Harvest September 5 to 20. 100% new oak. 2036-2055. 98-100 points." Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, April 2026------"A glamorous wine for the vintage, with mesmerizing perfumes of flowers, al dente fruit and citrus flowers. Black currants with some mineral and stone undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and an endless finish. The tannins lead you on a great trip. It is the most cabernet sauvignon ever used in the blend in recent memory. Balanced and structured. 98% cabernet sauvignon and 2% merlot. 99-100 points." James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2026 |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Ormes de Pez | 75cl | £204 per case of 12 | Château Ormes de Pez 2025 / / 75cl £204 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Ormes de Pez is redolent of dark cherry, herbs, menthol, tobacco, cedar and iron. This midweight Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois has a lot to offer. Open-knit aromatics and relatively soft tannins suggest the 2025 will drink well pretty much right out of the gate. 2030 - 2040. 89-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Revealing elegant oak alongside dark wild berries and mulberries, with spices emerging with aeration, the 2025 Ormes de Pez is medium- to full-bodied, structured and somewhat firm at this stage. It shows good length and notable freshness, while retaining a dense, well-defined profile. 90-92 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"Plump and dark fruits, a little sappy and full of vivacity, cherry pit, balanced juices, orange peel, liquorice, plenty of dark colour, good lift. 3.64 pH. 20% new oak. Harvest September 9 to 22, one of earliest harvests since 1989. 40hl/ha yields. 92 points" janeanson.com------"A Merlot-heavy blend of 58% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot that's resting in 20% new oak, the 2025 Château Ormes De Pez is a little gem of a wine that should be snatched up by readers. Ripe currants, plums, smoky tobacco, and chocolate all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, round, supple, and charming, with ample mid-palate volume and length. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"A medium-bodied red with fine tannins and plenty of spice and fruit, with a real sense of St.-Estephe. Juicy and long. Delicious already for barrel. A blend of 58% merlot, 35% cabernet sauvignon, 4% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2025 Ormes de Pez was picked 9 to 22 September and matured in 20% new oak barrels. This is very refined on the nose with brambly black fruit, crushed stone and light humidor scents, focused and classically styled. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit, armed with a fine bead of acidity. Black merges into redder fruit towards the finish with commendable length. This Saint-Estèphe has a newfound fluidity which has taken it up a level. Superb. Drink 2030-2055. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Palmer | 75cl | £1,150 per case of 6 | Château Palmer 2025 / / 75cl £1,150 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Clear spice, cumin, cloves, incense, wonderfully balanced, extremely slow unroll through the palate, floral Cabernet character dominant with crushed rose petals, and aromatics are totally jumping out of the glass. 3.65ph, harvest September 8 to 24. In terms of the blend, 1998 had more Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon in Palmer, so that is a good sign. Thomas Duroux director. The soils here have that layer of gravel but also clay that really comes in useful in dry vintages such as 2025. 2036-2055. 96 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Palmer was picked between September 4 and 26 at just 20 hl/ha (Duroux mentioned how yields have decreased by around 10 hl/ha over the last decade). Matured in 80% new oak and then racked into foudres the following June, it is quintessentially Palmer on the nose with those almost extravagant floral violet scents that blossom in the glass. Wonderful delineation and focus, touches of Indian ink and cassis emerge with time. The palate is very smooth and velvety on the entry, disguising the substance and weight of this wine. Impressive in terms of density, with a little more grip than the Alter Ego, it delivers just the right amount of spice that gives the finish another dimension. One of the longer-term Margaux wines that would benefit from a cellar in its first few years. Drink 2035-2070. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2025 Palmer is unusual in that Merlot drives the blend this year. That results in an unusually juicy Grand Vin. Even so, there's plenty of supporting structure. The blend is 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Black fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice, gravel and chocolate build into a driving, potent finish. There's a lot of gravitas and substance here. I am very much looking forward to tasting this as a finished wine; my impression today is that the 2025 is holding back quite a bit of its potential. 2035 - 2065. 96-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Plush is the word to describe this red. Full-bodied and layered, with velvety tannins and a savory finish. Juicy at the end. Flashy and posh. Plenty of blackberry and black currant aromas and flavors. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"A brilliant, dense purple-hued wine cut from the same cloth as its stablemate, the 2025 Château Palmer offers a massive array of red, blue, and black fruits supported by chalky minerality, liquid violets, and graphite on the nose. Based on 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot that's being raised in 50% new barrels and foudres, it checks in at 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.7. It's full-bodied on the palate, with a round, sexy mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It's much more structured and tannic compared to the Alter Ego, with a slightly more inward style, yet it has enough fruit and texture to offer pleasure early, and it's going to deserve at least a decade of cellaring. 96-98+ points" Jebdunnuck.com------"One of the most refined and seamless wines of the vintage is the 2025 Palmer, a blend of 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot that wafts from the glass with aromas of sweet blackberries, plums and licorice complemented by floral accents of violet and wisteria (yes, the window of the tasting room was closed). Full-bodied, suave and layered, with a deep and concentrated core of fruit, bright acids and supple tannins, it's already harmonious and complete, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. At only 13.5% alcohol, this is quite a bit lower than most recent sunny vintages at Palmer. 97-99 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Palmer - Alter Ego de Palmer | 75cl | £325 per case of 6 | Château Palmer Alter Ego de Palmer 2025 / / 75cl £325 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Alter Ego de Palmer unwinds in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums and violets, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated palate defined by lively acids and plenty of sweet, powdery tannin. Checking in at 13% alcohol, it's a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. The low yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare might shock other estates, but Palmer has become much more habituated to such numbers in recent years. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Beautiful deep plum colour, so juicy and mouth watering, with a real energy and momentum, blueberry, cherry pit, love the powerful concentration and sense of lift through the palate, and things really grip as it opens and unfolds. 20hl/h, as with everywhere, 3.65ph, harvest September 8 to 24. 2032-2040. 93 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Alter Ego, aged in 20% new oak for eight months then transferred into foudres, has a quite effervescent, sorbet-fresh bouquet with perfumed black cherry and cassis fruit, becoming more floral with touches of pressed violet mixed with blood orange. Real intensity. The palate is framed by supple and fluid tannins, but there is certainly backbone to this Alter Ego, with gentle but insistent grip towards the finish. It coheres beautifully in the glass, with ample length and is very refined. Lovely. 2030-2055. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Rocking notes of red, blue, and black fruits, roasted herbs, graphite, and chocolate define the 2025 Alter Ego, a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot that's being raised in 20% new barriques and foudres. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, round, and supple, with ripe, chalky tannins. It checks in at 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.65. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2025 Alter Ego is bold, juicy and super expressive right out of the gate. A wine of total pleasure and seduction, this will drink beautifully with minimal cellaring. Soft, plush contours wrap around a core of red plum, mocha, cedar, espresso and cinnamon. All the elements are so well balanced. Floral top notes and a kick of blood orange perk up the brilliant finish. This is such a classy, polished wine—an especially fine Alter Ego. The blend is 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. 2033-2055. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Pape Clement | 75cl | £316 per case of 6 | Château Pape Clement 2025 / / 75cl £316 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Pavie | 75cl | £936 per case of 6 | Château Pavie 2025 / / 75cl £936 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Clear spice, cumin, cloves, incense, wonderfully balanced, extremely slow unroll through the palate, floral Cabernet character dominant with crushed rose petals, and aromatics are totally jumping out of the glass. 3.65ph, harvest September 8 to 24. In terms of the blend, 1998 had more Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon in Palmer, so that is a good sign. Thomas Duroux director. The soils here have that layer of gravel but also clay that really comes in useful in dry vintages such as 2025. 2036-2055. 96 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Palmer was picked between September 4 and 26 at just 20 hl/ha (Duroux mentioned how yields have decreased by around 10 hl/ha over the last decade). Matured in 80% new oak and then racked into foudres the following June, it is quintessentially Palmer on the nose with those almost extravagant floral violet scents that blossom in the glass. Wonderful delineation and focus, touches of Indian ink and cassis emerge with time. The palate is very smooth and velvety on the entry, disguising the substance and weight of this wine. Impressive in terms of density, with a little more grip than the Alter Ego, it delivers just the right amount of spice that gives the finish another dimension. One of the longer-term Margaux wines that would benefit from a cellar in its first few years. Drink 2035-2070. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2025 Palmer is unusual in that Merlot drives the blend this year. That results in an unusually juicy Grand Vin. Even so, there's plenty of supporting structure. The blend is 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Black fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice, gravel and chocolate build into a driving, potent finish. There's a lot of gravitas and substance here. I am very much looking forward to tasting this as a finished wine; my impression today is that the 2025 is holding back quite a bit of its potential. 2035 - 2065. 96-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Plush is the word to describe this red. Full-bodied and layered, with velvety tannins and a savory finish. Juicy at the end. Flashy and posh. Plenty of blackberry and black currant aromas and flavors. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"A brilliant, dense purple-hued wine cut from the same cloth as its stablemate, the 2025 Château Palmer offers a massive array of red, blue, and black fruits supported by chalky minerality, liquid violets, and graphite on the nose. Based on 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot that's being raised in 50% new barrels and foudres, it checks in at 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.7. It's full-bodied on the palate, with a round, sexy mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It's much more structured and tannic compared to the Alter Ego, with a slightly more inward style, yet it has enough fruit and texture to offer pleasure early, and it's going to deserve at least a decade of cellaring. 96-98+ points" Jebdunnuck.com------"One of the most refined and seamless wines of the vintage is the 2025 Palmer, a blend of 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot that wafts from the glass with aromas of sweet blackberries, plums and licorice complemented by floral accents of violet and wisteria (yes, the window of the tasting room was closed). Full-bodied, suave and layered, with a deep and concentrated core of fruit, bright acids and supple tannins, it's already harmonious and complete, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. At only 13.5% alcohol, this is quite a bit lower than most recent sunny vintages at Palmer. 97-99 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Phelan Ségur | 75cl | £206 per case of 6 | Château Phelan Ségur 2025 / / 75cl £206 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Phélan Ségur is a gorgeous but quiet wine. Hints of dark raspberry, rose petal, mint, spice, mocha and blood orange fill out the layers. The fruit profile is more red-leaning than in many years, while the 2025 is on the lighter side structurally. It will be interesting to see what élevage brings. Savory overtones from the Cabernets suggest a bright future. There's certainly plenty to look forward to. 2033 - 2055. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Damson colour, rich gourmet toasted style, this is great quality, plum, damson; black cherry, cocoa bean, hard to argue with. So much floral character, jumping out of the glass, flavourful and easy to recommend. Véronique Dausse is doing an excellent job at this estate, and once again it is showing at the very top of the appellation, holding up against the classified growths. Harvest September 10 to 26, 3.73 pH. 29 hl/ha yield, 55% new oak for ageing. Tasted twice. 2032-2044. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Phélan Ségur was picked between September 10 and 26 at 29 hl/ha, matured in 55% new oak barrels. Again, this is a Saint-Estèphe that is cut in a more mellow and classical style compared to the 2020 or 2022, for example. Mainly black fruit, the Cabernet-dominated scents of cedar and tobacco emerge within a couple of swirls, with just a light touch of tea leaves in the background. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine-boned tannins matched by a silver thread of acidity. Very well balanced and unequivocally in the more elegant style, without the concentration or voluptuousness of the 2022. This is more sleek and refined, ergo, an earlier-drinking Phélan Ségur that delivers elegance and refinement. Just a lovely Saint-Estèphe that was presumed vanquished by global warming. Drink 2030-2055. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A gorgeous effort from this team, the 2025 Château Phélan Ségur is based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot that's being raised 18 months in 55% new barrels. Cassis, spring flowers, graphite, and spicy nuances all shine on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with gorgeous tannins and a velvety, perfectly balanced mouthfeel. I love the overall balance here, and it checks in at 13.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.73. This is up there with the finest vintages from this château to date. Bravo. 94-96 points" jebdunnock.com------"Well composed, structured and nicely framed, with a medium to full body and fine, firm tannins. Textural and slightly chalky on the palate. Solid and focused, with a long, driven finish. A elegant, refine and holistic wine. The shows depth structre and finesse. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, and 2% petit verdot. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Pichon Baron | 75cl | £544 per case of 6 | Château Pichon Baron 2025 / / 75cl £544 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Restrained power, elegant fine grained tannins, gentle extraction at 26C, rosebuds evident. This has clear Pauillac character, coupled with the finesse and drinkability of the vintage. Again the anis and slate that I have seen in a number of the best wines this year. Very impressive. 70% new oak. 3.72 pH, 24hl/ha, 2nd year in a row with such low yields. 2034-2048. 97 points." Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, Apr '26------"A Cabernet-dominant blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot that will spend 18 months in 70% new barrels with the balance in once-used oak, the 2025 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron sports a deep purple hue as well as a ripe bouquet of cassis, blueberries, crushed stone, and liquid violets. On the palate, it's full-bodied, with a round, layered, sexy mouthfeel, tons of fruit, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. Checking in at 13.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.72, it's one of the more sunny, voluptuous, sexy wines in the vintage. 96-98 points." Jeb Dunnuck, Apr '26------"Silky, aromatic and layered in the glass, the 2025 Pichon Baron is a total stunner. What a wine. Sweet red cherry/plum fruit, blood orange and rose petal are some of the many notes that caress the palate. Hints of pomegranate, mint and exotic spice appear later, adding layers of nuance. The wine's striking mid-palate sweetness and overall balance are the stuff dreams are made of. This is exquisite. Yields were just 24 hectoliters per hectare. The 2025 is expected to spend 18 months in French oak, 70% new. 2035 - 2065. 96-98 points." Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Apr '26------"A brilliant achievement, the 2025 Pichon-Longueville Baron, a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot (70% new oak), features a notably high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon for a warm vintage, exceeding that of 2020 and 2022. It reveals a refined bouquet of dark wild berries, cassis, spice, lead pencil and licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, it’s built around a fleshy, finely structured core of fruit with a distinctly Cabernet-driven profile, combining freshness and tension with notable depth. It should age gracefully over the next two to three decades. 96-98 points." Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate, Apr '26 |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Pichon Lalande | 75cl | £597 per case of 6 | Château Pichon Lalande 2025 / / 75cl £597 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is showing well, opening in the glass with notes of cassis, blackberries, cigar wrapper and iris, becoming more fragrant with aeration. Medium- to full-bodied, deep and layered, with plenty of powdery tannin that asserts itself on the youthfully structured finish, it's a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Expands through the palate from beginning to end, raspberry puree, blackberry, loganberry, crushed rocks and bitter black chocolate, wrapped up in smoky coffee beans. Excellent build and architecture, has tension and grip, with a mouthwatering finish, and delivers a joyful expression of the vintage. 73 IPT. Cabernet Sauvignon only for the press wine. Harvest began August 28 (earliest on record) until September 24. 52% 1st wine, 48% Réserve. 3.7 pH. Harvest August 28 to September 24. 2036-2055. 96 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande was picked from August 28, the earliest ever, finishing on September 23, matured in 66% new oak, the rest one-year-old. It has a taut and linear nose, very classic in style, graphite/pencil lead scents that permeate the black fruit. Beautiful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins. A little more structured and austere than the more Merlot-driven vintages of old. Yet as it unfurls in the glass, it reveals the level of sophistication and precision you now come to expect from this Pauillac Second Growth. At 13.1% alcohol, this is lower than other recent vintages. Drink 2032-2060. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2025 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a total stunner. A wine of depth and intensity, it soars out of the glass with layers of nuance and complexity. The 2025 has it all: aromatics, fruit density and structure to match. Pichon Comtesse is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. 2035 - 2075. 96-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A bight and vivid red with so much perfume. Aromas of black currants and violets that follow through to a medium body with fine, linear tannins that are long and very refined. Tannin-driven but caressing. Racy and elegant, with structure. 81% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"Pure cassis, leafy herbs, spring flowers, and graphite all emerge from the 2025 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse De Lalande, a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, has a flawlessly balanced mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and an incredible finish. The balance, length, complexity, and pure class here are exceptional. It hit 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.7 and an IPT of 73. Hats off to director Nicolas Glumineau for another absolutely sensational Comtesse! 97-99 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Pontet Canet | 75cl | £378 per case of 6 | Château Pontet Canet 2025 / / 75cl £378 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Inky but vivid bright plum colour, tannins at the front of the mouth, a ton of energy, if reserved at this early stage. Expect graphite and crayon, lovely lift and floral Cabernet Sauvignon character; low yields like much of Pauillac and small berries ensuring the tannins are plentiful. Walks the line of fresh and juicy flavours alongside a brooding concentrated architecture, huge ageing potential with cold ash and gunsmoke nuance. Although there was some rain at end of June and July, this was still a dry vintage, and vineyard work including braiding the vines for shade and applying chamomile as sunscreen, so they coped better than in 2022 overall. Harvest September 2 to 23, indigenous yeasts that are specific to the vintage, 40% new oak, 35% clay amphoras, 15% one year old barrels. Extended maceration, low SO2 with zero added until after fermentation. 96 points" janeanson.com------"A precise and beautiful wine with total integration of the fruit and polished tannins that give a caressing and seductive mouthfeel. It’s medium-bodied with lovely fruit, a gentle nature and an overall softness and gorgeousness. Yet structured. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2025 Pontet-Canet is a wine of exquisite class. Silky, aromatic and vibrant, the 2025 is all finesse. Crushed red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and a gentle hint of spice are all wonderfully knit together. Pontet-Canet is one of the more refined, sublimely beautiful wines of the year. This could turn out even better than my note suggests. Tasted two times. 96-98+ points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that weighs in at 13.3% alcohol, the 2025 Pontet-Canet is one of the finest wines this estate has produced. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet cassis, wild berries and plums mingled with notions of violet and burning embers, it's full-bodied, ample and velvety, with a degree of structural polish and sensuality that is rare in the Médoc, ripe acids and a long, penetrating finish. Over the last handful of years, technical director Mathieu Bessonnet and his team have revitalized Pontet-Canet's vineyards with well-timed soil work and precise phytosanitary treatments; and since 2023, the careful use of "pieds de cuve" in the winery, along with early blending, more refined barrel choices and cooler temperatures in the chai—plus more precise bottling practices—have conspired to take this estate to new heights of quality and consistency. In 2025, the team formed lower-than-usual "ponts" (whereby the canopies of adjacent vines are braided together in an arch) to retain denser foliage to protect the fruiting zone from sunshine, and they waited to pick late in pursuit of full maturity in Cabernet Sauvignon, finishing on September 23. The result is one of the wines of the vintage. 98-100 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Potensac | 75cl | £186 per case of 12 | Château Potensac 2025 / / 75cl £186 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Vibrant, vivid, deep brambled autumnal fruits, good lift and character, sappy if slightly raw tannins that will soften over ageing, all the building blocks are there. 28hl/ha. 20% new oak. 3.57 pH. 12.1% press wine. Winemaker and cellar master Sébastien Herfray, overall technical director across the Las Cases properties of Michael Georges. Tasted twice. 92 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Potensac has a lot to offer. Dark and savory, the 2025 presents an attractive mélange of strong savory/earthy inflections and dark-fleshed fruit. A burst of floral notes punctuates the finish. The 2025 will need a few years in bottle, but it has quite a bit of potential. 2031 - 2043. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"This estate is always reliable, but I was taken aback by just how good the 2025 Potensac is. A blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot, from vines averaging over 60 years of age, it offers up aromas of dark berries, crème de cassis and iris, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, layered and concentrated palate with excellent density, high-quality tannins and a long, perfumed finish. The 2025 may well be the best wine ever produced at this estate. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2025 Potensac was cropped at 28 hl/ha between September 12 and 22. Matured in 20% new oak barrels, this has quite a flamboyant bouquet with layers of black cherry, blueberry and violet, almost Margaux-like in style, with a touch of pencil shavings underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannins on the entry, quite powerful, a little sapid, good density and a muscular finish that should be tempered during its élevage plus bottle age. Long-term Potensac. Drink 2030-2050. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A Merlot-forward blend of 41% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 22% Cabernet Franc that's being raised 12 months in 20% new barrels, the 2025 Château Potensac comes from a château that does well in ripe vintages, and this is no exception. Its deep purple hue is followed by a great nose of ripe cherries, currants, sappy tobacco, and graphite. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, with a pure, focused, nicely balanced mouthfeel, good acidity (the pH is 3.57), and ripe, polished tannins. Readers should buy a case or more of this for drinking over the coming 30 years. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The polish and integration of fruit and tannins are very impressive, with a caressing texture and a fruity finish. It’s balanced and transparent. Brightness shines through. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
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