Red Bordeaux
| 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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| RED | 2025 | Château Poujeaux | 75cl | £188 per case of 12 | Château Poujeaux 2025 / / 75cl £188 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Offering up attractive aromas of petals, dark berries and cigar wrapper, the 2025 Poujeaux is medium-bodied, with a sweet core of fruit and lively acids but surprisingly firm tannins that assert themselves on the chewy finish. Perhaps, like the 2022, it will round out with more time in barrel? It's a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot. 88-91 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Gorgeous aromatics intensity on the nose, lots of perfumed ripe blackcurrants and black cherries with some liquorice and black chocolate. Crunchy and crisp, quite straight and streamlined with the cool acidity driving this wine forward and a layer of chalky, flint and stony texture that lingers on the palate leaving the finish cool and grippy. A little lean and linear, but this should fill out over ageing. Excellent Médoc minty freshness with liquorice and clove spice. A yield of 27hl/ha. 3.78pH. Ageing 16-18 months, 25% new, 45% one year, 30% two years. 92 points" Georgina Hindle, Decanter Magazine------"A serious, balanced Moulis-en-Médoc, the 2025 Château Poujeaux is based on 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot from gravel soils. The nose reveals juicy black cherry, spring flowers, graphite, some minerality, and nicely integrated oak, and it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a fresh, concentrated mouthfeel and good overall balance. It's very much in the fresh, straight, nicely concentrated style of the vintage and will have a long life. 91-93 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2025 Poujeaux, which has a little more Cabernet Sauvignon, was cropped at 27 hl/ha. It has a well-defined bouquet with black fruit tinged with freshly shucked oyster shell. Classical in style, honed and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with quite rounded, malleable tannins. Fine acidity, black fruit in the driving seat, with more red fruit emerging towards the refined finish. This is a superb Moulis that will age for many years. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com ------"Textural, balanced and focused with currants and wild herbs on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Well-built with a dense core of red berries and a compact finish with length. Attractive spice undertones. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2025 Poujeaux is fabulous. Right out of the gate, it offers superb fruit intensity and plenty of structure to match. Dark blue and black-toned fruit, grilled herbs, menthol, lavender and licorice infuse the palate with tremendous depth. Broad swaths of tannin add to an impression of somber intensity. Yields were just 27 hectoliters per hectare. That, along with a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon vis-à-vis most years, has resulted in an especially potent Poujeaux. Tasted two times. 92-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Rauzan Ségla | 75cl | £291 per case of 6 | Château Rauzan Ségla 2025 / / 75cl £291 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Rauzan-Ségla is promising, opening in the glass with notes of cassis, pencil shavings, sweet soil tones and a deft framing of new oak. Medium- to full-bodied, bright and layered, it's vibrant and concentrated, with a chassis of fine tannins and a penetrating, youthfully structured finish. 94-96 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2025 Rauzan-Ségla was picked September 2 to 15 at 29 hl/ha and matured in 60% new oak barrels. This has a slight marine scent on the nose, well defined and marked by pure black fruit laced with violet. Quintessential Rauzan Ségla. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant but firm tannins, just gorgeous caressing black fruit, bright acids that lend an almost sorbet-like freshness and vibrancy to the finish. This is a top-class Margaux and one of the best wines from the estate in recent years. Drink 2031-2060. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Blackberry, dark cherry and crushed stone notes with a medium to full body, chewy tannins and a long finish. Juicy and muscular. Wait and see. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2025 Rauzan-Ségla is totally seamless in the glass. Dark-toned fruit, mocha, new leather, licorice, menthol and dried herbs infuse the palate with tremendous textural depth. The 2025 is of course very young. The year's natural concentration is its most evident signature at this time, but the rest will surely follow. Polished, supremely elegant tannins support the finish. What a stunner. Tasted two times. 2035 - 2065. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"This is luscious and full of wonderfully bright fruits, great concentration, cushion of air underneath, high Cabernet and it comes through in the floral aromatics, clearly a plentiful tannic structure but luscious and layered damson and black cherry. Yes yes yes. 12.10% press wine. 3.62 pH. Tasted twice. 100 years of the Lurtons at Brane. 2034-2044. 97 points" janeanson.com------"Cassis, assorted red and black fruits, spicy wood, tobacco, and graphite all emerge from the 2025 Château Rauzan-Ségla, a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% Cabernet Franc that's being raised 18 months in 60% new French oak. It's concentrated on the palate, has a pure, layered mouthfeel, flawless balance, and a great finish. Checking in at 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.7, it's rockingly good and clearly up with the finest wines in the appellation, as well as the vintage. 96-98 points" jebdunnock.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Roc de Cambes | 75cl | £264 per case of 6 | Château Roc de Cambes 2025 / / 75cl £264 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Rich, ripe and exotic with confit fruit and toasted notes. Good tension on the palate all the same. Round and gourmand but firmly structured, the tannins grippy on the finish. 16.5 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"The 2025 Roc de Cambes, blended with 20% Cabernet Franc, has a quintessential Mitjavile-style nose with precocious red berry fruit, dark chocolate and subtle minty aromas. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins, white pepper mixed with fennel and dried herbs. Good complexity towards the slightly savoury finish, this is an engaging and delicious Roc de Cambes. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Salinity and signature roasted plum fruits, estate signature, a ton of sinew, coffee, espresso, olive pit, great stuff. 100% new oak, September 16 to 18. 93 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Roc de Cambes (80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers up a heady mélange of blue and black fruit, gravel, sage, mint, tobacco, dried herbs, new leather and incense. A kick of new French oak adds polish to round out some of the wilder edges. This really explodes on the back end. All the elements are so well balanced. The 2025 is a captivating Roc de Cambes. It's classic François Mitjavile all the way. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A bigger, richer effort than the Domaine de Cambes, the 2025 Roc De Cambes offers ripe cassis, sweet tobacco, and spicy oak on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a ripe, layered mouthfeel and building tannins. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Saint Pierre | 75cl | £186 per case of 6 | Château Saint Pierre 2025 / / 75cl £186 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) does not quite possess the delineation or clarity of the Gloria this year, perhaps summer warmth just impinging on the aromatics more, quite high-toned and opulent. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, powdery in texture, slightly chalky, but it coheres nicely on the finish. Good backbone and plenty of freshness, there is a dash of white pepper on the finish. Excellent. Drink 2030-2055. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Lovely wine, attractive with lift and bright fruits, great quality, sappy, a lot of slate and pumice stone, roasted coffee beans, intense and concentrated, plenty of ageing ability. Yield 20 hl/ha. 2034-2044. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is superb. Crème de cassis, graphite, licorice, cloves, lavender and inky dark fruit saturate the palate. Cabernet Sauvignon speaks with striking intensity from start to finish. This full-bodied, explosive Saint-Julien delivers the goods, big time. Tasted two times. 2033 - 2045. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Exuberant dark fruit. This is structured, with a touch of cedar and polished, fine-grained tannins that are so sophisticated and run the length of the wine. Classy. 78% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Saintayme | 75cl | £123 per case of 12 | Château Saintayme 2025 / / 75cl £123 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Fragrant, creamy vanilla floral and red fruit scents on the nose. Juicy and bright with a nice immediate kick of mouthwatering cranberry and salty raspberries plus a chalky, grippy liquorice base. A little tight still with lots of dried herbs and Cabernet aspects – quite streamlined but with purity and focus. First year of Cabernet Franc in the blend from new plantations that over-performed. Ageing 30% new oak. 2028-2036. 92 points." (GH) Decanter------"The 2025 Saintayme is a gorgeous Saint-Émilion from the Durantou sisters. This is the first year in which the blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc as opposed to the 100% Merlot of past years. Intense red-toned fruit, flowers, citrus and spice—all Franc signatures—soar across the palate. The 2025 is vibrant and so expressive right out of the gate. It's a total delight. 2030 - 2040. 91-93 points. Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, April 2026------"Coming from cooler limestone soils and harvested between September 10th and 18th, the 2025 Saintayme is still resting in 30% new oak. It sports a deep ruby hue as well as classic aromatics of ripe black raspberries, currants, chalky minerality, graphite, and violets. On the palate, it's rich and medium to full-bodied, with a concentrated mouthfeel and outstanding length. I'd certainly be happy with a case or more in the cellar, and the tannins of the vintage are beautifully managed here. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Full-bodied with plenty of flesh and dark fruit throughout. Very attractive richness, with fine-grained, polished tannins that persist through the finish. Solid and unique. 94-95 points. James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2026 |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Smith Haut Lafitte | 75cl | £411 per case of 6 | Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2025 / / 75cl £411 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte is a very classy, elegant wine. Lavender, spice and mint open first, followed by a burst of black/purplish fruit. Medium in body, with terrific freshness, the 2025 is impeccably done. The lighter style vis-à-vis most years is quite attractive. 2033 - 2045. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte was picked between September 3 and 30 at 28 hl/ha and raised in 50% new oak. It has a well-defined bouquet with mainly black fruit intertwined with Earl Grey, sous-bois and cigar box scents, a much more classical style of Smith Haut-Lafitte compared to recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a subtle tobacco note that percolates through the black fruit, more structure coming through towards the sapid finish with a dash of black pepper on the aftertaste. This will fill out in barrel and should become a refined and quite delicious Smith Haut-Lafitte that will repay time in bottle. Drink 2031-2055. 95-97 points." Neal Martin, vinous.com, May '26------"So aromatic and expressive, with pure currants and mint, plus some chocolate. Fennel too. Wow. Medium- to full-bodied with very deep fruit, fine, velvety tannins and a long, fine texture. The precision and depth are impressive. More fruit-driven than usual. It grows on the palate and is compact at the end. Very cabernet in the end. Almost like St.-Julien and Pauillac in nature. A blend of 68% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. 97-98 points." James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May '25------"This is so good, so much energy and depth, slate and wet stones holding interest and the palate expands, showing fragrant capsicum pepper, crushed mint, toasted spices, cumin, liquorice, cassis, cocoa bean, fully in the DNA of Smith Haut Lafitte. Harvest 1 to 30 September, and here they paused over that rain of September 23, as did Château Margaux - both estates were richly rewarded for this choice. 50% new oak for ageing. Last vintage of Daniel Cathiard, and expect a label commemorating the remarkable impact he had on this brilliant estate. 2035-2055. 98 points." Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, Apr '26------"One of my favorite wines in the vintage, the 2025 Château Smith Haut Lafitte is based on 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, raised in 50% new oak, 45% old barrel, and 5% foudre. Beautiful darker fruits, scorched earth, smoky tobacco, chocolate, and graphite all define the aromatics, and on the palate, it's full-bodied, with a deep, concentrated mid-palate, beautiful tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. It brings beautiful ripeness as well as a balanced, textured, seamless style. 97-99 points." Jeb Dunnuck, Apr '26 |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Talbot | 75cl | £216 per case of 6 | Château Talbot 2025 / / 75cl £216 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Bright and harmonious, the 2025 Talbot wafts from the glass with aromas of mulberries, violet, cassis, dark cherries and spice, framed by well-integrated oak. Medium- to full-bodied, it’s concentrated and dense, built around a massive core of fruit framed by structured, youthful tannins and concludes with a somewhat firm, gently bitter finish. It's a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot. 91-93 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"This is good quality, this has lovely power, black fruits, edges of enjoyable campfire and grilled sandalwood, enjoyable clear quality. Yield 28 hl/ha. 60% new oak. 2034-2044. 93 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Talbot is a huge, potent wine. Blackberry, gravel, incense, dried herbs, menthol, licorice and dark spice soar out of the glass. Huge swaths of tannin frame it all effortlessly. Talbot is a beast in 2025. It needs time to settle down. 2033 - 2055. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Ruby-hued, the 2025 Château Talbot is a beautiful Saint-Julien based on 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 9% Petit Verdot that's being raised 16 months in 60% new French oak. Its pretty nose of spicy red and black fruits, dried flowers, and graphite is followed by a medium-bodied Talbot with soft tannins, wonderful balance, and a great finish. I love its overall balance, and it's an impeccably made, elegant effort that has tons to love. 92-94+ points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2025 Talbot contains the highest ever Petit Verdot (9%) this year due to more generous yields. Picked from September 5 to 22, a little quicker than expected as Laporte spotted some botrytis, at 28 hl/ha, this is matured in 60% new oak barrels. It has a generous bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit intermixed with mocha and light undergrowth scents, typical Talbot. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, well judged acidity, satisfying weight and density on the mid-palate that had been lacking in vintages past. A little more grip on the grainy-textured finish, lightly spiced with a hint of powdered chocolate, if you seek a classic Saint-Julien and, it must be said, often at a reasonable price, then look no further. Drink 2031-2050. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"This is juicy and incisive, with expressive dark fruit and fine-grained, almost grainy tannins. A savory quality in the long finish. Persistent and cohesive. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Château Troplong Mondot | 75cl | £438 per case of 6 | Château Troplong Mondot 2025 / / 75cl £438 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Intensity and power, deep cassis and bilberry fruit, very much in character of this unusual, singular site, olive pit and wet stones, drawn out and slow crawl through the palate, rooted to its sense of place and an extremely impressive wine. Harvest August 28, earliest ever, until September 25, so almost exactly one months. 70m altitude of difference between the lowest and highest part of the Troplong vineyard. 27hl/ha yield (particularly impacted by the heat of the early August wave). 3.43 pH, Aymeric de Gironde director. 2030-2042. 96 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Troplong Mondot is raised in 50% new oak, 40% foudres and 10% in one-year-old barrels. It has a very intense bouquet with black cherries, cassis and iris flower scents, and a hint of inkwell. Very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins, plenty of tension and minéralité. Vivacious and yet linear and correct, it delivers plenty of fruit but in a very controlled fashion. You can feel the tongue tingling on the finish. Classy and sophisticated, this will rank as one of the finest Troplong Mondots to date. Drink 2032-2055. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A very structured wine with blackberry, hazelnut, dark chocolate, violet and some black licorice aromas. Full-bodied but in a reserved way, with super framing of the fine tannins. Elegant and structured. Fun to taste. 13.9% alcohol. 85% merlot, 13% cabernet sauvignon and 2% cabernet sauvignon. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com------"Since 2020, this estate has been fashioning absolutely brilliant releases, and the pure, graceful 2025 Château Troplong Mondot does everything right. Black raspberry, crushed stone, spicy graphite, and assorted floral notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a pure, layered mouthfeel, beautiful mid-palate concentration, and a great finish. It's one of those rare wines that brings remarkable intensity and depth with no sensation of weight, and this comes closest in style to the 2020. 97-99 points" jebdunnock.com------"The 2025 Troplong Mondot is one of the most finessed wines I have ever tasted here. Dark, ample and explosive, with mind-blowing purity, the 2025 simply has it all. Hints of dried herbs, chocolate, menthol, licorice and blackberry infuse the wine with remarkable concentration and pure power. Even with all its natural richness, the 2025 is not at all heavy. A totally stunning Saint-Émilion, Troplong Mondot is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Harvest started on August 28 (the earliest ever) and wrapped up nearly a month later on September 25, which illustrates how diverse the terroirs are here. Aging was in 50% new oak, 40% 20HL foudre and 10% once-filled barrels. Tasted two times. 2035 - 2075. 97-99 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Picked between August 28 and September 25 (surely one of the broadest ranges in Bordeaux this year, but logical considering the estate's different altitudes and aspects), the 2025 Troplong Mondot is one of the wines of the vintage. Exhibiting a deep bouquet of blackberries and plums complemented by floral accents of lilac, iris and subtle spices, it's full-bodied, deep and dense, with a brooding core of fruit girdled by bright acids and sweet but abundant tannins. A blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, it will rival the 2022, though in vintage signature the two years are very different. 98-100 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Clos du Marquis | 75cl | £207 per case of 6 | Clos du Marquis 2025 / / 75cl £207 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Clos du Marquis is a potent, brooding wine. A rush of dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, licorice, tobacco and scorched earth hits the palate. Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead, and that very much comes through in the wine's savory character and structural profile. Lavender, mint, dried herbs and chocolate follow as the 2025 gains volume in the glass. There's a lot of wine here. I am looking forward to tasting this in finished form, given its considerable potential. 2030-2040. 90-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2025 Clos du Marquis was harvested between September 8 and 20 at 24 hl/ha and matured in 55% new oak for a planned 16 months. This has a fragrant and intense bouquet, with just a hint of lavender suffusing the black cherry and blackcurrant scents, more blue fruit surfacing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, with a powerful entry, quite precocious licorice-tinged black fruit. A little "heady" in style, I feel that the warmth of that summer comes through more here compared to the Las Cases. Drinking Window 2032 - 2050. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.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. 2032-2050. 93 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Clos du Marquis is a serious wine that will reward patience. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, crème de cassis, violets and burning embers, it's medium- to full-bodied, deep and layered, with bright acids and a chassis of ripe, powdery but abundant tannins. The blend this year is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"Deep purple-hued and almost glass-staining, the 2025 Clos Du Marquis is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc that's being raised 16 months in 55% new barriques. Ripe black and blue fruits, graphite, and a crushed stone-like minerality all define the aromatics, and on the palate, it's full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, with ripe, polished tannins and a beautiful overall sense of purity and balance. It checks in at 13.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.57. 93-95 points" jebdunnock.com------"Well framed, focused, textured and refined. Aromas of currants, dried herbs, baking spices and some bark. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins. Nice concentration that remains elegant and in control. Tight tannins. Lively finish. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Clos Puy Arnaud | 75cl | £195 per case of 12 | Clos Puy Arnaud 2025 / / 75cl £195 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2025 Clos Puy Arnaud feels a little late-picked on the nose, with a very slight acetic element. Revisited at a négociant tasting, thankfully this is not evident. The palate is very sweet, lacking energy and rather monotone on the finish. I actually preferred the previous vintage. A slipped catch? (sic) 84-86 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Dark and somber, the 2025 Clos Puy Arnaud reveals aromas of smoke, gentian, spices and dark berries. Medium- to full-bodied, dense, structured and firm, it is built around an assertive tannic frame that leads to a brooding, introverted and somewhat dry finish. This is a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. At this stage, it feels out of step with the estate’s stylistic evolution in recent vintages; this will merit reassessment in bottle. 86-88 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"Bright at its core with a juicy and well-balanced expression. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Supple and ripe with a pulpy finish. 90-91 points" jamessuckling.com------"The inky glass staining colour is immediately apparent here, and this holds the fingerprint of limestone lightly, very much a juicy, slate-strewn, tiptoe through the palate kind of wine, with joy and lift, great stuff that is just joyful. Will take a few years to fully soften, but there is so much reserved energy waiting to be released. Highly floral violet and peony, rose stem. This is one to look out for, a buy for me. Malbec and very high Cabernet Franc, clear austerity at this early moment but will be worth the wait for limestone junkies. Harvest September 1/3 in barrels of which 10% is new. 3.30 pH. Thierry Valette, former co-owner of Château Pavie, Nicolas Legrand winemaker. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Clos Puy Arnaud is fabulous. Strong floral and savory top notes meld into dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mocha and spice. The two Cabernets are elevated in this year's blend, adding strong savory accents that are quite pronounced, but there's plenty of depth and richness to pull it all together. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Domaine de Cambes | 75cl | £185 per case of 6 | Domaine de Cambes 2025 / / 75cl £185 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Confit fruit, the ripeness taken to the limit. But structured with fine, grainy tannins. Luscious as in Mitjavile fashion. Will probably hold up better than imagined. 16 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"The 2025 Domaine de Cambes has an open-knit, quite Pinot-like bouquet that leans towards red cherry and white-tipped strawberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, with a punchy, black and white pepper-infused entry that imparts good vigour. Moderate depth, well-balanced, with a vibrant, licorice-tinged finish, this is a fine, flavoursome Côtes de Bordeaux courtesy of the Mitjaviles. Drinking window 2028-2042. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Cocoa bean, ripe fruit, tight tannins, opens up to show firm backbone with eucalyptus notes. 100% new oak. 88 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Domaine de Cambes offers up a heady mix of vibrant red-toned fruit, chalk, cedar, white pepper and dried herbs. This is a serious Merlot with tremendous underlying structure and fabulous balance. Time in the glass releases a whole range of perfumed floral overtones intermingled with a hint of exotic spice and macerated cherry. Drinking window 2028-2040. 91-93 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A stunning wine for its purity and elegance, the 2025 Domaine De Cambes reveals ripe currants, chocolaty spice, tobacco, and lead pencil on the nose. It's ripe and medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a beautifully layered, elegant profile and outstanding length. 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2025 | Domaine de Chevalier | 75cl | £216 per case of 6 | Domaine de Chevalier 2025 / / 75cl £216 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Beautiful depths, precision and clarity on the aromatics, delivers juice and depth with clarity of cassis and blackcurrant flavour. There is still the grip of the vintage in terms of its structure, but this is an estate where you can feel totally confident that things will widen and deepen over ageing. 3.71pH. Harvest September 3 to 29. 30% new oak. In organic conversion. Derenoncourt Consultants, Olivier Bernard owner working with his sons Adrien and Hugo. Tasted twice. 2030-2040. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier, a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, was harvested between September 11 and 26—an unusually early finish—with yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare. It reveals a bouquet marked by oak, with notes of spice, dark berries, lead pencil and licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and deep, it’s built around a substantial chassis of tannins and framed by powdery, youthful structure, concluding with a long, firm and structured finish, reflecting the wine’s inherent density. 93-95 points" Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com------"The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier was picked from 11 to 26 September at 38 hl/ha with an alcohol level of 12.5%. This is perfumed on the nose with raspberry, cassis and light iris flower scents, just a touch of truffle in the background. You need to wait because this "grows" in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with granular tannins. Very harmonious, quintessentially Pessac, gravel-tinged black fruit, almost pillowy in texture, yet there is certainly decent structure here with just the right amount of grip towards the finish. It will require less bottle age than, say, the 2020 or 2022, yet it is endowed with real complexity and classicism. It is Domaine de Chevalier, after all. 2030 - 2060. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier is a total stunner. The oak imprint is a bit strong, but the 2025 possesses notable richness and textural depth to handle it all. Signature red-toned fruit and floral overtones soar through the layered, expansive close. 2035 - 2075. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The depth of fruit comes through clearly, with a medium body and plenty of berry, chocolate, walnut and bark aromas. Creamy and polished, with a lovely texture and a long and rather endless finish. Soft and precise. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 5% petit verdot. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
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