Red Bordeaux
| RED | 2024 | Château Haut Brion | 75cl | £1,440 per case of 6 | Château Haut Brion 2024 / / 75cl £1,440 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Medium to full intensity, takes its time to open, this is carefully built, slow and steady in its expression, textured, restrained, cocoa bean, espresso, redcurrant, orchard, sage, bilberry. Very much a classical style of Haut-Brion that will I am sure give great pleasure after a decade in bottle - not as monumental as some, but don't count this out - there are all the bones of this exceptional wine, and the tannic architecture will widen over ageing. 1.7% press, 75% new oak, 26hl/h yield, Jean-Pierre Masclef technical director and Jean-Pierre Delmas estate director. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 Haut-Brion is more perfumed than La Mission Haut-Brion, unfurling in the glass with aromas of raspberries, cassis, dark berries and spices mingled with elegantly floral touches. Medium to full-bodied, layered and sappy, it has a firm texture and powdery tannins, leading to a long, spicy and lead pencil-inflected finish. Composed of 47.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37.5% Merlot and 15.3% Cabernet Franc, this vintage features one of the highest proportions of Cabernet Franc in recent years—comparable to vintages such as 1993, 2004, 2010, 2011 and 2020—and should gain harmony with the élevage. In the context of the vintage, this is a notable success, owing in large part to Haut-Brion’s intramural position in Pessac, where the estate’s terroir benefits from slightly warmer average temperatures than properties located outside the city, contributing to more complete ripening of the grapes. 93-95 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Haut-Brion, which contains more Cabernet Franc this year from a high-performing vat, has an altogether more polished, powerful and fruit-driven bouquet than La Mission at the moment. Black and blue fruit, black olive and subtle sea spray scents emerge with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, vibrant and focused, with fine tannins and an engaging underlying sapidity coming through with more weight and sustain on the finish. This is a very capable Haut-Brion that will not kowtow to the challenges of the 2024 season—rather, it seems to relish them. 2030 - 2055. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Haut-Brion is dark and brooding in demeanor, but obviously not as tannic or forbidding as it can be in the early going. All the Haut-Brion signatures are very much present, but they're portrayed in a decidedly understated style that speaks to the personality of the year. Black fruit, scorched earth, spice, tobacco and leather build with time in the glass. The 2024 is a super-classy Haut-Brion. There's gorgeous substance here. 2034 - 2054. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Needs a lot of shaking to wake up scents of crushed black currants, red currant jelly, and boysenberries, followed by hints of Sichuan pepper, garrigue, and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate has a firm texture of ripe, fine-grained tannins and great freshness framing the tightly wound, mineral-laced fruits, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. 95-97 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent ------"I wouldn't be surprised to see the 2024 Château Haut-Brion be the wine of the vintage, and while it's not going to make you forget any of the recent truly great releases, it has more depth, suppleness, and charm than the vast majority of wines in the vintage. Ripe blackcurrants, scorched earth, graphite, crushed stone, and violets all define the aromatics, and it has nicely integrated oak, a layered, ripe, seamless mouthfeel, and building tannins. It's a beautiful, layered, elegant Haut-Brion. 95-97 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"This year, the style of Haut Brion shows through with transparency, beautiful balance and precision. Fine austerity, with excellent minerality, dark olives and red and dark berries. Structured on the mid-palate. Beautiful depth for the vintage, with really fine-grained tannins and a lengthy finish that lingers. So much vibrancy and finesse. A classic vintage. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château La Chenade | 75cl | £144 per case of 12 | Château La Chenade 2024 / / 75cl £144 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 La Chenade offers up aromas of pepper, pencil shavings, dark berries and licorice. Medium-bodied, structured and firm, it's layered with a good chassis of tannins built around tangy acids, concluding with a grippy, short finish. 85-87 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"Redcurrant, blueberry and white pepper, with gentle earthy notes. Less 'Pomerol-adjacent' than in some vintages, but this has charm, and a sense of precision and lift, 35hl/h yield after hail. No chaptilisation, harvest September 22 to 28, 57% new oak. 88 points" janeanson.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Notes of fresh black and red plums and wild strawberries spill from the glass, followed by hints of damp soil and black pepper. The light to medium-bodied palate is soft with black and red berry flavors with soft acidity and a peppery finish. 87-89 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent ------"The 2024 La Chenade was picked on September 22 and September 28 for the Merlot and Cabernet Franc, respectively. It then matured in 52% new oak. Lovely blueberry and violet scents blossom on the nose, fresh and seductive in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, gentle grip, fine backbone and a subtle graphite note on the finish. This will be difficult to resist from the get-go. Drink: 2027-2038. 88-90 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, named after the lieu-dit in Lalande-de-Pomerol, the 2024 Château La Chenade is deep purple-hued and has impressive aromatics of juicy black cherries, violets, red plums, and tobacco. This upfront, juicy, medium-bodied, round, lush 2024 is a crowd pleaser. 89-91 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 La Chenade is gorgeous. Deep, pliant and textured, the 2024 has so much to offer Dark red fruit, mocha, espresso, lavender and licorice all meld together in a sumptuous, beautifully layered Lalande-de-Pomerol that hits all the right notes. Floral and citrus overtones perk up the vibrant finish. 2026-2034. 90-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A linear and crunchy red with mineral and stone character. Medium body, fine tannins and a lightly chewy finish. A blend of 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. 92-93 points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château La Conseillante | 75cl | £707 per case of 6 | Château La Conseillante 2024 / / 75cl £707 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 La Conseillante was picked over six days at 22 hl/ha between September 20 and October 4. This has a clean and focused bouquet, with quite pure scents of blackberry, boysenberry and light blueberry. This is clearly without the flamboyance of a warming vintage, yet with ample freshness and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and balanced, with slightly grainy yet fine tannins. This is a La Conseillante that wisely stays within its means. Quite strict on the finish, it's a nimble Pomerol that will drink earlier than say, the 2020, 2022 or 2023. 2028 - 2048. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Dark cherry in colour, vivid, the fruits have beautiful clarity on the aromatics and the opening notes, and density through the palate. Velvety texture with lift, cocoa bean, espresso, damson, excellent quality. Michel Rolland consultant., 100% new oak, 85% of production in La Conseillante. One of the success stories in Pomerol. Harvest 20 September to 4 October, 30hl/ha when it came in from the vineyard, 22hl/h after density sorting. 3.57ph. 94 points" janeanson.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Slowly unfurls to reveal wonderfully pure notes of wild blueberries and black raspberries, giving way to hints of camphor, violets, pencil lead, and black olives. The medium-bodied palate delivers a solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and lively acidity to frame the crunchy black fruit flavors, finishing long and mineral-laced. 93-95 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2024 La Conseillante is one of the wines of the vintage this year, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries and violets mingled with hints of pipe tobacco, vine smoke and spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with beautifully refined, integrated tannins, impressive intensity of flavor and a long, penetrating finish, this suave, sensual Pomerol represents the quintessential Conseillante. It's a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that produced 22 hectoliters per hectare after extensive sorting. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"A really refined Conseillante. Medium-bodied with very fine, high-quality tannins that run the length of the wine, giving a subtle drive and energy. You almost want to drink it now. Pretty is the word. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com------"Coming from minuscule yields of just 22 hectoliters per hectare, the 2024 Château La Conseillante is based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, aging in 70% new barrels. It offers a beautiful perfume of red, blue, and black fruits intertwined with spring flowers, violets, tobacco, and spicy wood. Medium to full-bodied, it has a seamless, pure, and remarkably layered mouthfeel, with outstanding length. This is a stunning achievement in 2024 and a wine readers will love to have in the cellar. 95-97 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 La Conseillante is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Vertical and explosive, with spectacular depth, the 2024 is an eye-opening wine, with regard to both the potential of the property and the vintage. In 2024, La Conseillante separates itself from the pack by a wide margin. It may ultimately not merit the very highest of scores, but it will almost certainly come close. Dark blue fruit, violet, spice, new leather, menthol and licorice stain the palate all the way through the creamy finish. Conseillante is a very serious wine. Technical Director Marielle Cazaux made all the right choices in a very challenging year in which yields were reduced by 50% in the field and then through strict selection in the cellar. Tasted two times. 2034 - 2054. 95-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château La Gaffeliere | 75cl | £213 per case of 6 | Château La Gaffeliere 2024 / / 75cl £213 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Unwinding in the glass with a gently oaky bouquet of dark berries, spices, mulberries and licorice, the 2024 La Gaffelière is medium to full-bodied, lively and tense. Its incisive mid-palate is framed by brittle tannins that assert themselves in a short, chalky finish. Time will likely tame its slight rusticity. 90-92 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"Smoky oak impact on the opening, dense fruit to accompany, with lilac and iris, chalky palma violets, good quality and texture, cloves and cassis. Austerity comes in pretty strongly through the mid palate, this is one to look out for after ageing, and is a potential upscore in bottle. Third vintage since they stepped back from the classification. Harvest 25 September to 7 October. 50% new oak. Tasted twice. 93 points" janeanson.com------"Rose petals, some black cherries and red berries. A hint of coffee beans. Fleshier on the palate than many of its counterparts, showing medium body and bright acidity. Good length to close. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com------"Based on 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, and aging in 50% new oak, the 2024 Château La Gaffelière sports a deep purple hue and reveals darker cherries, blue fruits, graphite, and floral nuances. Medium-bodied and nicely concentrated, it has a focused, elegant mouthfeel, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 La Gaffelière was picked from September 24 to October 8 at 42 hl/ha, aged in 60% new oak including 10% in 500-liter casks. This has a very seductive bouquet with black cherries, boysenberry and light Indian ink scents unfolding in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with succulent tannins, impressive mid-weight density and a crisp, mineral finish. La Gaffelière has been on a run of form recently and the 2024 overcomes the challenges of the vintage with style. 2029 - 2050. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2024 La Gaffelière confirms its place as one of the top properties in Saint-Émilion in this challenging vintage. Bright and dynamic in the glass, with terrific persistence, the 2024 sizzles with tension. Crushed flowers, mint, lavender and crushed rocks open in the glass. The finesse of the tannins is impossible to miss. The 2024 is not a huge wine, but its finesse is evident. Blue/purplish fruit, slate and clean mineral overtones extend the long, sculpted finish. Tasted three times. 2034-2054. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château La Mission Haut Brion | 75cl | £870 per case of 6 | Château La Mission Haut Brion 2024 / / 75cl £870 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Medium to full intensity, vibrant plum colour, this is elegant and balanced, with the same juicy orchard apple character that you find in La Chapelle, along with cloves, incense, slate, crayon and baking spice, lots of complexity and balance. The aromatics are a little subdued right now but this has ageing ability and estate signature. 5.3 press, 75% new oak, 26hl/h yield. 94 points" janeanson.com------"Notes of dark berries, spices, mulberries and discreet hints of new oak preface the 2024 La Mission Haut-Brion, a medium to full-bodied, dense and attractively seamless wine for the vintage, with a textural mid-palate that's underpinned by a firm chassis of tannins, concluding with a long, broad and rather ripe finish. Slightly austere at this stage, it is likely to flesh out with élevage, developing into a structured and serious La Mission with promising aging potential. Like its sibling Haut-Brion, the estate benefited from its intramural location in Pessac, which allowed for more complete ripening in a year that posed greater challenges for some other Pessac-Léognan properties. 93-95 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 La Mission Haut-Brion is such a classy wine. Strong floral and savory notes meld into a core of plum, blackberry, gravel, spice, leather, tobacco and incense. Medium in body, with no hard edges, the 2024 is a delight. It offers lovely freshness and energy throughout. There is a bit of graininess in the tannin, a reminder of the challenges of the growing season. Drink 2038-2039. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Red and black currants, cold fireplace, violets, and a beautiful tobacco and lead pencil quality all emerge from the 2024 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, a medium-bodied Pessac based on 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46.5% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's pretty and perfumed, with good intensity and a seamless, layered mouthfeel. The tannins are fine and integrated, giving it a graceful, approachable style that still holds to the classic La Mission profile. Compared to the more inward and structured Haut-Brion, this is more open-knit and front end-loaded. It should offer plenty of early appeal yet still have the class to evolve gracefully. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 La Mission Haut-Brion has a beautifully defined bouquet with pure, mineral-led black fruit, hints of blueberry and a subtle sea spray influence. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins. Fresh and vibrant, this La Mission feels very cohesive and sophisticated. No, there is not the depth and persistence of a top-drawer vintage, but its noticeable complexity is a cut above. 2031 - 2050. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Needs a little patient swirling to bring out evocative scents of juicy black plums, fresh blackberries, and kirsch, plus nuances of lilac, star anise, and fragrant soil. The medium-bodied palate is satiny textured with great energy and freshness, delivering layers of blackberries and floral notes, finishing long and perfumed. 94-96 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent |
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| RED | 2024 | Château La Petite Eglise | 75cl | £204 per case of 6 | Château La Petite Eglise 2024 / / 75cl £204 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 La Petite Eglise offers up aromas of dark berries, spices and licorice, followed by a medium-bodied, compact palate with tangy acids and firm structuring tannins. 88-90 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 La Petite Eglise is really in a class by itself when it comes to the second wines of Pomerol. Dark and sumptuous in the glass, the 2024 exudes attractive inner perfume and fabulous balance. Inky dark red fruit, pomegranate lavender, spice, menthol, incense and rose petal stain the palate. This racy, striking Pomerol is lights out. I would be thrilled to own it. 2026-2034. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2024 La Petite Eglise was picked between September 20 and 28 and matured in 70% new oak. This was showing a bit of reduction on the nose that made it a little harder to read, but there is certainly decent fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and impressive structure given the vintage and that this is a Deuxième Vin with plenty of mineral-driven black fruit on the vivacious finish. It is excellent. 2027 - 2040. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The colour here is vibrant ruby and violet, this has so much precision and energy, sapidy, cherry pit, violets, again the textural side of the vintage is at the fore, coffee beans, espresso and black chocolate, notes that I have not written in many wines this year, No chaptilisation, 3.62ph, 70% new oak, harvest september 20 to 28. Love this, has a sense of vibration that might make this the 2nd wine of the vintage. If this comes out at a good price, run don't walk, as they say. 93 points" janeanson.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Sashay out with eager-to-please scents of kirsch, fresh mulberries, and red plums, followed by hints of rose bud tea and underbrush. The medium-bodied palate has fantastic freshness with impressive intensity and fine-grained tannins, finishing long and minerally. Nice! 92-94 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Medium-bodied with caressing, cashmere-textured tannins that are very pretty. Hints of chocolate and spices. The richness comes through beautifully in the pure fruit finish. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Lafite | 75cl | £1,713 per case of 6 | Château Lafite 2024 / / 75cl £1,713 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"A blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2024 Lafite Rothschild offers up aromas of minty blackcurrants, violets, incense, loamy soil and cigar box, followed by a medium-bodied, pillowy and open-knit palate built around tangy acids and powdery tannins, concluding with a discreetly herbal finish. Harvest began on September 24 and concluded on October 4, delivering a Lafite in something of a throwback style, nodding to the wines made here in the 1970s. 91-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Rich texture, this stands head and shoulders above many in the vintage, with graphite, crayon and cassis bud rather than exuberant black fruits. This is precise, savoury, delineated, floral, gunsmoke, juicy, captures the effortless elegance that Lafite does so so well, and it totally delivers. Harvest 23 September to 7 October, 32hl/h yield, above the Pauillac average, 16% press wine included in the blend. Director Eric Kohler's 33rd year in Pauillac. I am giving a slightly earlier begin drinking date than usual, but I am certain this will age exceptionally well as Lafite always does. 95 points" janeanson.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Lafite - Carruades de Lafite | 75cl | £714 per case of 6 | Château Lafite Carruades de Lafite 2024 / / 75cl £714 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Carruades de Lafite is a blend of 47% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet France and 2% Petit Verdot. Unwinding in the glass to reveal aromas of dark berries, plums, lilac and tobacco leaf, it's medium-bodied, lively and open-knit, with a moderately persistent finish. 89-91 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Gorgeous deep plum colour, very juicy, extremely well handled, savoury and mouthwatering, cassis bud, roses, crayon, shorter on the finish than a typical Carruades, but this has plenty of subtle pleasure and will be ready to drink sooner than usual. Harvest 23 September to 7 October, 32hl/h yield, 47% of the harvest is in this wine, 12% press. 92 points" janeanson.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Langoa Barton | 75cl | £157 per case of 12 | Château Langoa Barton 2024 / / 75cl £157 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Langoa Barton was picked from September 29 to October 5 and matured in 60% new oak. This is quite closed on the nose—indeed, General Manager Damien Barton had forewarned that for whatever reason, the samples had aromatically clammed up on a sunny day! The palate is medium-bodied with black plummy fruit, touches of graphite and cracked black pepper and nice grip on the mid-palate. The 2024 is not as complex as, say, the 2022, but it has an appealing, linear finish. Drink: 2029-2050. 89-91 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Ripe black cherries, spicy herbs, and nicely integrated oak all define the 2024 Château Langoa Barton, a charming, medium-bodied, nicely balanced, elegant Saint-Julien based on 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. I love its overall balance, and it has ripe, polished tannins and outstanding length. 89-92 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 Langoa-Barton is such a pretty wine. Floral and bright, with lovely mid-weight structure, Langoa is a total charmer. Rose petal, crushed red berry fruit, spice, orange peel and mint are beautifully lifted. Bright saline undertones extend the finish. The 2024 is a promising Langoa. Tasted two times. 2029-2039. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Floral peony and lilac aromatics on the Langoa, and the fruit character keeps things finessed and soft - think red cherry, cherry pit, tobacco, black tea, thoroughly charming, just a little short on the finished compared to the exceptional 2022 or 2023 vintages. The difference in the blends between the two Barton St Julien wines is significant this year, with just over 50% here of Cabernet Sauvignon compared to over 90% in Léoville. Harvest 24 September to 5 October. 60% new oak, 30hl/h yield. 93 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 Langoa Barton is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet blackberries and plums mingled with notions of licorice, pencil shavings and lilac. Medium to full-bodied, with lively acids and good depth and density, it's pure and refined. This is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, picked between 24 September and 5 October. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"A firm and refined red with blackcurrant and mineral character. Medium-bodied, chewy and polished, suggesting well-selected grapes for the vintage. Well done. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Lascombes | 75cl | £249 per case of 6 | Château Lascombes 2024 / / 75cl £249 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Reserved aromatically but fresh and appealing. Supple fruit and finely integrated tannins. Firm and persistent on the finish with marked length. Vertical in expression. Should age. 17 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"Aromas of cassis, lilac and nicely integrated creamy new oak introduce the 2024 Lascombes, a medium to full-bodied, dense and youthfully structured young wine underpinned by a bright spine of acidity and concluding with gently chewy tannins. This was cropped at 38 hectoliters per hectare and saw a combination of tank bleeds and reverse osmosis to amp up its concentration. Maturation is in 60% new oak, with lighter toasts than was formerly the case at this address. 89-91 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Lascombes was picked between September 23 and October 9 according to ripeness levels in parcels at 38 hl/ha. This vintage is aged in barrels with less heavy toasting (60 % new), 80hl foudres and amphorn. The wine is usually finished in the last two or three months in those foudres, though Axel Heinz said that might be omitted this year. It has an elegant and pure bouquet with bright black cherry and cassis fruit. There is remarkable underlying mineralité in this wine. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite crisp and linear like many other Margaux wines. Light on its feet and very fresh with impressive precision on the finish, the 2024 is a "nimble" Lascombes that you would never have seen in the 1990s or 2000s. This is a very commendable, classically-styled wine that will give pleasure after three or four years. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"This has elegance, fine tannins, a clear expression of how Cabernet Sauvignon can perform in the vintage, rosebud, peony, slim, savoury, with fine and attractive aromatics, lovely salinity on the finish, nuanced and mouthwatering. Rises above the reputation of the vintage. Axel Heinz director. As of this vintage, only the original 1855 plots are in the wine Harvest 23 September to 9 October. 38 hl/ha yield, Julien Viaud consultant. Tasted twice. 60% new oak for ageing, 38 hl/ha, harvest 23 September to 9 October. 94 points" janeanson.com------"Based largely on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, and aging in 60% new oak, the 2024 Château De Lascombes is deeper hued than the Chevalier de Lascombes and offers more cassis, graphite, classy oak, and scorched earth. Medium-bodied, it has remarkable purity, ripe, building tannins, solid mid-palate depth, balance, and length. It's another brilliant effort by technical director Axel Heinz at this château that's up there with the crème de la crème of the vintage. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 Lascombes represents another important step for Lascombes under its current leadership. Silky and elegant, with notable depth, the Grand Vin impresses with its textural resonance and persistence. New leather, licorice, lavender and incense weave through a core of dark-toned fruit. Lascombes is shaping up to be one of the sleepers of 2024. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. Impressive. Tasted three times. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A touch of warm bread, graphite and fresh blackberries with a touch of black pepper. Richer and more concentrated than many from this vintage, this has excellent depth, full body and very complete, fine-grained tannins. Long, broad and juicy. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 5% cabernet franc and petit verdot combined. Around 60% new oak with lighter toast now. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Le Tertre Roteboeuf | 75cl | £770 per case of 6 | Château Le Tertre Roteboeuf 2024 / / 75cl £770 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Le Tertre Roteboeuf offers up aromas of ripe berries mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, espresso roast, orange zest, smoked meats and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, it's unusually rich and broad for the vintage, framed by oak tannins that assert themselves on the somewhat carnal finish. 89-92 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Deep ruby red, this has profound ink, damson and liqourice notes on the aromatics and opening, good grip and tension, only slowly opening to show its gourmet side, with cassis and raspberry pureee. Smoked sandalwood, incense and cherry pit add further layers, but this needs time to build. Harvesting first five days of October. 93 points" janeanson.com------"Tasted from multiple barrels, the 2024 Tertre Roteboeuf will easily be an outstanding wine, and it brings more richness and breadth than most. Ripe darker berries, framboise, and spicy wood notes all show on the nose, and it's a classic Mitjavile wine with its richer, layered, balanced, and fleshy style on the palate. As with all 2024s, it's not going to make you forget the recent slew of great vintages, but it's a solid success in the vintage that will offer ample pleasure with the clear signature of the château. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 Tertre Rôteboeuf is a classic wine from Francois Mitjaville. Texturally, Tertre-Rôteboeuf is unlike any wine in Bordeaux, especially in its mid-palate creaminess. Sweet floral and spice notes meld into macerated cherry, kirsch, blood orange, menthol and sweet French oak. In 2024, Tertre-Rôteboeuf is perhaps a touch Iighter than other years, but it largely makes up for that with its persistence and a saline-infused finish laced with high-toned red fruit notes. As always, Tertre-Roteboeuf is the last site Mitjaville picks. All of this fruit was brought in during the first days of October. Tertre Rôteboeuf remains one of the most idiosyncratic wines in Bordeaux. The 2024 is a fine edition. 2034-2054. 94-96 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous |
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| RED | 2024 | Château L'Eglise Clinet | 75cl | £1,062 per case of 6 | Château L'Eglise Clinet 2024 / / 75cl £1,062 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 L'Eglise Clinet reveals a dark, brooding, gently reductive bouquet of incense, dark berries, smoke and oak mingled with floral accents of iris. Medium-bodied, layered and firm, it's built around tangy acids, with a lively mid-palate framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves on the spicy, youthfully chewy finish. This blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc will mature in 85% new oak. 90-92 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"Based on 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, and aging in 80% new barrels, the 2024 Château L'Eglise Clinet is one of the deeper-hued Pomerols in the vintage. It offers rocking aromatics of dark berries, black cherries, graphite, scorched earth, and violets. Medium-bodied on the palate, it brings serious richness, with ripe, round, layered tannins and a great, mineral-laced finish. This is one of the denser, more concentrated wines in the vintage, yet it stays balanced and precise. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 L'Eglise-Clinet was picked on September 21, 23 and 24 apropos the Merlot and September 23, 24 and 28 for the Cabernet Franc, which constitutes 10% of the blend. It matured in 85% new oak (90% Darnajou and 10% Taransaud). This takes time to unfurl generous black cherry, mint and cassis aromas that blossom in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with chiseled tannins that frame the mineral-driven black fruit. It's not the most powerful L'Eglise-Clinet I have ever tasted at this stage, but you have to admire the manner in which this just builds toward the finish whilst retaining poise and tension. The 2024 is a wonderful Pomerol that will age effortlessly in bottle. 2030 - 2060. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2024 L'Eglise-Clinet is brilliant and intensely aromatic in its first impression. Vibrant red-toned fruit, blood orange, cinnamon, cedar and rose petal soar from the glass. Readers will find a vertical, explosive L'Eglise-Clinet that impresses with its poise and balance. The 2024 deftly marries finesse and power to a degree I have seldom seen here in the past. Superb. 2034 - 2054. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Elegant, slow unrolling of black fruit flavours, beautiful precision, get a lot of fennel here, even a touch of marzipan, coffee grounds, savoury and juicy, black fruits, cassis and blueberry, violets, powdery rose petals. This is just exceptional within the vintage, such a deeply felt and deeply chiselled wine, and I can unhesitatingly recommend. No chaptilisation, 3.59ph, 85% new oak. Harvest September 21 to 28, 45hl/h yield, Noëmie Durantou winemaker and co-owner. Clearly will age with elegance and finesse. Red wine of the vintage for me. 97 points" janeanson.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. After a little shaking, notes of fresh red currants, black cherries, and boysenberries jump from the glass, giving way to touches of spearmint, lilac, and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound and superbly graceful with firm, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and layered. Nicely done! 95-97+ points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Really impressive concentration for the vintage with dusty tannins that give density and intensity. Medium-bodied, this shows dark fruit and chocolate plus walnut and hazelnut undertones. Juicy and flavorful but always in reserve. Winemaker Noemie Durantou Reilhac likens it to the 2015 but with finesse. 90% merlot and the rest cabernet franc. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Léoville Barton | 75cl | £288 per case of 6 | Château Léoville Barton 2024 / / 75cl £288 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Léoville Barton was picked from September 24 to October 5 and contains just a little more Cabernet Sauvignon than previous vintages. Matured in 60% new oak, this has an open bouquet with black fruit, potpourri and light sous-bois scents—quintessentially Barton. The palate is medium-bodied, well balanced and sapid in style with slightly powdery tannins on the entry and a little sinew on the finish that should be abraded during barrel maturation. This is a finely crafted Léoville Barton that should age with grace. Drink: 2030-2060. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Château Léoville Barton is based on 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's a classic Léoville Barton that brings to mind the vintages of the 1980s and 1990s, but with greater purity and precision. Aromas of cassis, ripe cherries, graphite, spicy wood, and loamy earth all emerge from the glass. Medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, it has fine tannins, integrated acidity, and a seamless mouthfeel. 91-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Stands out for the elongated and supple shape and texture of the tannins, builds complexity over the palate and this is well structured, with elegant, finessed, savoury but carefully extracted cassis and bilberry fruits, with cocoa bean and cigar. One of the wines in the vintage with definition and ageing ability, and retains clear Léoville Barton character. Harvest 24 September to 5 October. 60% new oak for ageing. 94 points" janeanson.com------"A serious wine that will delight patient purists, but which also showcases the new levels of purity and precision that this estate has been attaining since completion of the new winery, the 2024 Léoville Barton is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Unwinding in the glass with notes of cassis, plums, pencil shavings and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and impressively concentrated, with a taut but nicely integrated profile, concluding with a pure, penetrating finish. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Léoville Barton is a very beautiful wine. Black cherry, plum, lavender, new leather, graphite, crushed rocks, mocha and spice all meld together. A wine of classical build, Léoville Barton is also wonderfully deep and expressive. Today, all of its energy is directed inwards, but there is a lot of wine here. I can't wait to taste this from bottle. Tasted two times. Drink 2034-2049. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A classic Bordeaux that shows finesse and poise. This is understated, with a medium body, lovely texture and acidity, freshness and brightness. It shows firm tannins that aren't chewy. Very long and honest, with pure fruit. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% merlot and 2% cabernet franc. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Léoville Las Cases | 75cl | £573 per case of 6 | Château Léoville Las Cases 2024 / / 75cl £573 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Medium to full intensity, vivid plum with vibrant violet around the rim, ink, black tea, chamomile flowers, slate, graphite, redcurrant, rose petals, cassis, bilberry, raspberry leaf, delivers the texture, tension and complexity that you expect from this level of estate in any vintage, and it is a success, reserved, slim and savoury with ageing potential. Arnaud Delon now at the estate, working alongside his father Jean-Hubert Delon. 31hl/ha yield. New cellars now in operation for the winemaking, 75% new oak. 3.60 pH. 31 hl/ha. 6.3% press wine. Harvest 30 September to 9 October. 94 points" janeanson.com------"One of the wines of the vintage, and certainly one that's likely to number among the longest-lived, is the 2024 Léoville Las Cases, a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot that attained 13.1% alcohol. Unwinding in the glass with a pure, intense bouquet of cassis, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, with terrific mid-palate density and concentration but also a seamless integration of tannin and acidity that's especially rare this year, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Jean-Hubert Delon observes that the 2024 shares "the aromas and flavors of the 1986," defined by Cabernet Sauvignon ripened at the end of the growing season, though of course the 2024, lacking the huge power and structure of that vintage, is much more amiable than the 1986. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Léoville Las Cases was picked between September 30 and October 9 at 31 hl/ha (compare that to 11 hl/ha next door at Latour!). It is aged for 18 months in 75% new oak barrels with 6.3% pressed wine. It has a backward, almost surly bouquet with introverted black fruit, cedar, touches of cumin and light sea spray scents. Superb delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with less structure than the last two vintages, yet it upholds wonderful balance with lace-like tannins. With crisp black fruit and beautifully assimilated new oak, this fans out towards the finish. It is paradoxically a more conservative Las Cases in keeping with the limitations of the growing season, but I suspect it will gain weight and sustain with time in barrel. 2031 - 2050. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Sashays out of the glass with gregarious notes of red currant jelly and fresh black cherries, plus nuances of iris, camphor, fragrant soil, and graphite with a touch of underbrush. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and elegantly knit with very fine-grained tannins and bold red berry flavors, finishing long and minerally. 94-96 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2024 Château Léoville Las Cases is another incredibly classy wine from this team. It's a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, coming in at 13.1% natural alcohol and aging in 75% new barrels. Cassis, spicy oak, graphite, and tobacco all emerge on the nose, and it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a focused, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and the notable yet integrated acidity that marks the vintage. Complete and layered, this elegant Las Cases brings to mind the great vintages of the 1980s and 1990s. It will benefit from just a few years in bottle, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it evolve for decades. 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2024 Léoville Las-Cases is gorgeous. All the Las-Cases signatures are present, just dialed down a touch. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, grilled herbs, graphite and menthol are all beautifully delineated. The 2024 is distinguished by its precision and total class. Time in the glass brings out the wine's intensely floral, spice-inflected aromatics. Brisk acids and bracing mineral notes wrap it all together in style. I can't wait to taste this from bottle. 2034-2054. 94-96 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Complex, refined and truly mineral, this has natural vibrancy and freshness as well as excellent depth. Light midpalate concentration but also no sweetness at all. Medium- to full-bodied with chalky, stony tannins and a long, very tense finish. A vintage of delicacy and finesse. If you seek less alcohol and less power, this will be a great year to buy. 84% cabernet sauvignon, 11% cabernet franc and 5% merlot. 97-98 points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Léoville Poyferré | 75cl | £283 per case of 6 | Château Léoville Poyferré 2024 / / 75cl £283 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Offering up aromas of jammy berries and toasty oak, the 2024 Léoville Poyferré is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Medium-bodied, dense and blocky, it's firm, tannic and chewy, with some green characteristics vying with its creamy patina of new wood. Harvest took place between 24 September and 10 October, and some lots saw some reverse osmosis. 89-91 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Léoville-Poyferré offers notable brightness to match its mid-weight personality. Floral and spice notes open into a core of dark red- and black-toned fruit. Medium in body, with good persistence, the 2024 is an understated Léoville-Poyferré. Today, it feels a bit compact, which also attenuates the fruit to some degree. 2032 - 2044. 89-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Léoville-Poyferré was picked from September 24 to October 10 at 26.42 hl/ha. There was some reverse osmosis on the Merlot and Cabernet Franc varieties. Quasi-Pauillac in style, it offers quite backward black fruit, hints of melted tar and graphite on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied and quite succulent with fleshy ripe tannins, tobacco-laced black fruit, brown spices and light undergrowth. With a fine supple landing on the finish in typical "LP" fashion, this constitutes a delicious, early-drinking Poyferré that will be more approachable than other vintages. Drink: 2028-2050. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Deep garnet-purple in color. Needs a little swirling to coax out notes of fresh black and red currants and pencil shavings, giving way to nuances of iris, black olives, and damp soil. The light to medium-bodied palate delivers a sturdy structure of firm, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness to match the muscular black and red fruit flavors, finishing with good length if a little grippy. 92-94 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"A bit closed and almost steely at the moment. At the same time, there is depth and huge structure, showing black cherries, mulberries, fine spices and violets. Full-bodied, this has heaps of very small-grained, dusty tannins on the palate and a long finish. A concentrated wine. Wait and see. 94-95 points." (ZS) JamesSuckling.com------"Impressive texture, slate wrapped in silky tannins, with real depth of flavour, black cherry and damson fruit, no dip through the mid palate, and a long finish. Maintains estate signature, shows generosity and confidence, one of the wines of the vintage. Alix Combe vineyard director, Isabelle David oenologist. Harvest 24 September to 10 October. 3.71 pH. 26.42 hl/ha. 95 points." Jane Anson------"Looking at the Grand Vin, the 2024 Château Léoville Poyferré is based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It shows deep purple hues and classic notes of cassis, lead pencil, graphite, crushed stone, and violets. Pure, polished, and elegant on the palate, it has perfectly ripe tannins and plays in the forward, charming style of the vintage while still delivering plenty of depth and richness. It's aging in 80% new French oak for 18 to 20 months. 94-96 points" Jeb Dunnock.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Les Carmes Haut Brion | 75cl | £354 per case of 6 | Château Les Carmes Haut Brion 2024 / / 75cl £354 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Inky depths to the colour, touch of reduction on the opening as is often the case with En Primeur Carmes, this delivers energy, density, clarity. Austerity on the finish, but plenty of interest, savoury and muscular juicy black fruits, expect a wine that is built around about texture, architecture and savour, which is not something that I have found in many bottles in the vintage. 90% new oak, split between barrels and casks, 11% amphoras. Harvest 17 to 27 September. 3.61 pH, clay and limestone, 60 years old average vine age. 46hl/H yield in vineyard, 41hl/h after picking selection, then 24hl/h after cellar selection. All press used, no chaptilisation. 94 points" janeanson.com------"One of the most impressive wines of the vintage, the 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a striking effort that sets itself apart with seamless integration, even at this early stage, and a strong sense of identity. Poised, precise and unmistakably singular, it opens in the glass with a perfumed bouquet of iris, violet, dark berries, cherries, vine smoke and gentian. Medium to full-bodied, supple and notably fleshy for the vintage, it’s layered and textural, with a sappy, enveloping core of pure, vibrant fruit framed by finely grained, velvety tannins, culminating in a long, precise and gently stemmy finish. This is one of the rare wines of the vintage where sappiness is expressed with such finesse and charm, thanks in no small part to meticulous vineyard work and severe sorting in the winery. The blend is composed of 48% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot, and it's maturing in a combination of 70% new oak, 19% foudres and 11% amphorae. 93-96 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion contains more Cabernet Franc at 48% of the blend. Picked between September 17 and 27 using 52% whole bunch, this is aged in 70% new barrels, 19% new foudres and 11% amphora. This has impressive fruit concentration on the nose with redcurrant and blackberry fruit, hints of cassis and a dab of dark chocolate. Fine delineation. After time, there is something that nods to the Northern Rhône without losing typicité. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh with fine tannins, a subtle pepperiness imparted by the whole bunches and a tingle of pain d'épices towards the finish. Very harmonious and very delicious, this should provide 20 to 25 years of drinking pleasure. 13.2% abv. 2031 - 2060. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Slowly unfurls to reveal classic Franc notes of red currant jelly, fresh blackberries, and pencil shavings, followed by hints of rose oil, fragrant soil, and crushed rocks. The light to medium-bodied palate shimmers with electric red and black berry flavors, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. Nice! 60-year-old vines on clay and limestone. 48% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot. 52% whole bunches. pH 3.61. Aging 70% in new oak barriques, 19% in vats of 18 hl and 11% in amphorae. 95-97 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Seamless and silky in the glass, with superb balance, the 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is one of the wines of the vintage. All the elements are so well balanced, always a sign of a superior vintage at this address. Floral notes, spice, leather and mocha run through a core of layered, beautifully persistent dark red fruit. Harvest took place between September 17 and 25, during one of the rare windows with little rain. As always, Les Carmes is done with a high percentage of stems (52%), specifically 100% for the Cabernet Franc, 50% for the Merlot and 20% for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Aging is 70% new oak barrels, 19% 18HL foudre and 11% amphora. New oak is already very nicely integrated, another sign of a superb vintage. The 2024 is a brilliant effort by the team led by Technical Director Olivier Pouthier. 2034 - 2054. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"This is always an idiosyncratic wine. This year it’s stunning, with a unique floral aspect and excellent depth of pure blue fruit, mulberries, dried herbs and white pepper. So juicy and mouthwatering on the palate, with a medium to full body and fine tannins. There is a crystalized mouthfeel, but the tannins are fresh and well knit. This is already delicious, which indicates its superb balance. 48% cabernet franc, 29% cabernet sauvignon and 23% merlot. points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Les Cruzelles | 75cl | £96 per case of 6 | Château Les Cruzelles 2024 / / 75cl £96 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Les Cruzelles is shy and introverted, offering up aromas of pepper, oak and incense. Moderately weighted, supple and lively, it's built around tangy acids and powdery tannins. 85-87 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Pops out of the glass with notes of juicy plums and Morello cherries, giving way to hints of garrigue and tilled soil. The medium-bodied palate delivers lightly chewy tannins and a good amount of expressive black and red fruit flavors, finishing earthy. 88-90 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"There is austerity here, as is classic in the vintage, but beautifully handled and balanced, with muscles, touch of cloves and again this white pepper character, with white plum, fine tannins, mouth-watering salinity on the finish. No chaptilisation, 57% new oak for ageing. 91 points" janeanson.com------"The flagship from this 9-hectare site, the 2024 Château Les Cruzelles is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc vinified all in tank and aged in 50% new oak. Ripe black cherries, red plums, violets, sappy herbs, and graphite all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, with a nicely balanced, concentrated mouthfeel, ripe yet firmer tannins, and outstanding length. 90-92 points" Jeb Dunnock, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Les Cruzelles was picked on September 20 and 22 with the Cabernet Franc picked on September 28, and matured in 57% new oak. This has more harmony and sensuality on the nose with a mixture of very pure black cherry and blueberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and very well balanced, with supple ripe tannins and real delineation and poise on the finish. This surpasses many Pomerols in this vintage and, given its potential price, comes highly recommended. Drink: 2028-2045. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Dried peonies and roses with ripe cherries and berries on the nose. Quite structured and tight, with a medium to full body and a flavorful, medium-long finish. Tannins are slightly sinewy. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. 92-93 points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com------"The 2024 Les Cruzelles is laced with blue/purplish fruit, cloves, licorice, menthol, incense and gravel. Ample and broad, with terrific resonance, the 2024 is super-expressive right out of the gate. There's gorgeous resonance and fine balance here. 2026 - 2036. 91-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château L'Evangile | 75cl | £570 per case of 6 | Château L'Evangile 2024 / / 75cl £570 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 L'Évangile offers good up-front intensity but then loses some of its depth on the mid-palate and finish. Black fruit, espresso, licorice, cloves and mocha confer an impression of gravitas. Élevage is 50% new oak, 25% foudre, 8% amphora and the rest in once-used barrels. Something about the oak profile does not feel optimal, as if the oak is mismatched to the wine. Élevage will be critical here, as the 2024 is quite forbidding at this stage. Even so, this is strong showing in a challenging year for a vineyard with relatively young vines that was largely replanted between 2002 and 2010. 2032-2049. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Savoury plum, soft tannins, a touch of chalk, graphite, lovely fragrant florals, and extremely finessed. A wine that will age with grace. In the cellar, this was one of their longest macerations on record, up to 28 days, carefully measured, Harvest 18 September to 2 October, 22hl/h yield. Zero press wine, 45% new oak for ageing, plus 25% in large oak casks, 7% amphora. Juliette Couderc winermaker. Blason de l’Evangile is not being sold En Primeur. 93 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 L'Evangile has turned out beautifully, reflecting this estate's recent evolution (refining barrel choices and integrating foudre into the cellar) and its comparatively young vineyard's propensity to perform well in years with minimal hydric stress. Offering up aromas of cassis and blackberries mingled with notions of violets and black tea, it's medium to full-bodied, lively and layered, with a velvety attack, good depth at the core and a persistent finish. This blend of 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon attained 13.5% alcohol. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2024 l’Evangile leaps with vibrant notes of kirsch and black raspberries with underlying suggestions of wild thyme, lavender, and mossy tree bark. The medium-bodied palate delivers refreshing red berry and savory flavors with a lively line and a pleasant chewiness to the tannins, finishing with a real skip in its step. 93-95 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"The 2024 L'Évangile was picked from September 18 to October 2. This has a "cool" bouquet with blackberry and bilberry scents and a little marine influence with a hint of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with expressive Cabernet that imparts subtle graphite and tobacco notes. Again, this is fresh, quite structured, not long and perhaps a little tannic on the finish, but it will flesh out during its élevage in 50% new oak. 2029 - 2045. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Looking at the Grand Vin, the 2024 Château L'Evangile is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc aging in 50% new oak, 25% foudre, 8% in amphora, and the rest in used barrels. It's a smoking effort with a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a stunning Pomerol bouquet of red and blue fruits, damp earth, smoky tobacco, and lead pencil. Playing in the medium-bodied end of the spectrum, it's beautifully balanced, has a layered, elegant mid-palate, and ripe, firm, yet polished tannins. It's one hell of an impressive 2024! 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Wow. This is really something for the vintage. Such a long finish, while being subtle and sophisticated with wonderfully silky tannins that are so fine and very long. It's medium-bodied with a beautiful, compact palate from the beginning to the end, including the mid-palate. The finish shows walnut, hazelnut and dark-chocolate character. Exceptional. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Lynch Bages | 75cl | £360 per case of 6 | Château Lynch Bages 2024 / / 75cl £360 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Cropped at 30 hectoliters per hectare (the lowest yield at this address since 1991), the 2024 Lynch-Bages is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Opening in the glass with aromas of minty berries and creamy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, dense and heavily extracted, with firm, chalky tannins that assert themselves on the mouth-puckering finish. Lynch-Bages has historically performed well in challenging vintages, but the 2024 will demand considerable patience. 87-89 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Lynch-Bages was cropped at just under 30 hl/ha and aged in 75% new oak for a planned 18 months. It has some initial reduction that is shaken off after several minutes. Very pure blackberry and blueberry fruit emerges with hints of melted tar and graphite, and iodine eventually lends more complexity. The palate is medium-bodied and quite focused with grippy tannins that are impressive for their fineness. The 2024 possesses palpable mineralité and a poised finish. Though this does not touch the skyscraping heights that have been achieved in recent years, it is a "capable" Lynch-Bages that might warrant two or three years in the cellar and drink well for up to 15 years or possibly longer. Drink: 2030-2048. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Ruby with violet edging, opens to show chalk and slate tannins, giving a sense of restraint and grip, this is savoury and juicy with plenty of cassis fruits, delivers Pauillac consistency in an inconsistent vintage, and also it is just rather delicious. 75% new oak. 3.67 pH. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2024 Lynch-Bages is packed. Cedar, scorched earth, licorice, incense and pipe tobacco weave through a core of dark, sepia-toned fruit. I especially admire the long, polished finish and overall balance here. The 2024 is a virile Lynch Bages with a bright future. Tasted two times. Drink 2034-2054. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2024 | Château Margaux | 75cl | £1,620 per case of 6 | Château Margaux 2024 / / 75cl £1,620 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2024 Château Margaux has turned out beautifully, unfurling in the glass with notes of cassis, violets, cigar box and iris. Medium to full-bodied, deep and vibrant, with excellent density and concentration for the vintage, it's lively and layered, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. This is a serious, youthfully tightly wound blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc that attained 12.8% alcohol. 93-95 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Château Margaux is quite soft and delicate. It shows fine delineation in its aromatics and on the palate, but it's distinctly on the lighter side, even for Château Margaux. The mid-palate and finish are a touch compact, while there is a bit of edginess in the tannins that needs time to resolve. Bright acids and the lack of fruit pliancy expose the tannins at this stage. Élevage will be everything. Château Margaux is a bit of a question mark. Drink 2034-2054. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Château Margaux is similarly deep purple-hued, with a more inward, closed, yet impressive style. Crème de cassis, graphite, spring flowers, and subtle spicy nuances all define the aromatics. It's medium-bodied with a concentrated, ripe, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and nicely integrated background oak. It's going to need time, but this is unquestionably a beautiful, elegant Margaux. The 2024 is 12.8% alcohol with a pH of 3.62. 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Representing 46% of the total crop (a little higher than recent years due to higher yields in the best Cabernet blocks), the 2024 Château Margaux contains slightly less Merlot (5%). It has a sophisticated bouquet in the context of the growing season, with black fruit, pressed violet and hints of pencil box that almost lend a Pauillac-like allure. Very fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and modest depth. This is clearly a leaner Château Margaux compared to, say, the 2020 or 2022, but it is razor-sharp with superb tension and mineralité. Unapologetically classic in style with modest length, this noble First Growth will benefit from four to five years in bottle. 2030 - 2055. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Such a floral wine, aromatics that really take hold and grip on through the palate, raspberry, black cherry, edges of rosebud, chalk, white tea, crayon, chalk, iris, has real precision, and a slow-burn unspooling of flavours, salted cracker salinity on the finish. 46% of the overall production is in Château Margaux, 30hl/ha yield after sorting through the year as needed. Harvest September 23 to October 8. Philippe Bascaules director, 3.62ph. Excellent quality, one of the wines of the vintage, with a slightly earlier starting date for drinking than usual, eight years following harvest. 96 points" janeanson.com------"Deep garnet-purple colored. After a little swirling, notes of fresh blackberries, red currants, and mulberries slowly emerge from the glass, plus nuances of pencil shavings, wild thyme, and crushed rocks. The light-bodied palate is tightly wound with mineral-spiked red and black berry flavors, framed by firm, very fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and earthy. Very pretty. 94-96+ points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"Really impressive depth, concentration and perfume this year, with fine tannins. Lots of violets, red flowers, black cherries and currants. Full-bodied and seriously structured, with impeccable freshness and a very long finish. Dense and powerful for the vintage, with tension, vibrations, good concentration and a tannin framework. 93% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 1% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. 97-98 points" Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com |
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