Embodying the essence of great mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, and the majestic terroir of Pritchard Hill, this wine displays epic depth and complexity. Pure, intense aromas of blackberry, cassis, perfumed violets, graphite,... Read More

Embodying the essence of great mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and the majestic terroir or Pritchard Hill, this wine is gloriously opulent and elegant, immediately demanding attention with aromas of violet, black currant, cassis,... Read More

This comes from selected parcels that are not seen as part of the main Angélus vineyards. The wine is rich and stylish, with layers of black fruits and generous tannins. Freshness in the midst of all this richness gives... Read More

The 2014 Angelus has developed with some panache during its barrel maturation and now in bottle, it conveys attractive blackberry, briary and vanilla pod aromas, the oak neatly integrated. It is not the most powerful bouquet that... Read More

A blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Angelus reveals a deep garnet-purple color and fragrant aromas of crushed red currants, warm plums and pencil shavings with hints of incense, sage, violets and tobacco. Full-bodied,... Read More

Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint,... Read More

The family de Boüard de Laforest, which for eight generations has been solely dedicated to the production of great wines in Saint Emilion, today has taken a step in an alternative direction with the creation of a new wine... Read More

Strength and elegance go together in this wine. It has a pure line of clear berry fruits that float above the tannic core. It is not so much rich as dense the tannins a vivid counterpoint to the fruit. The wine finishes with fine... Read More

The wine is powerful and impressively rich. Its perfumed character is intense from 50% Cabernet Franc. With layers of great, velvety tannins and wonderful juicy acidity, the wine is set to age well.

#5, Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2025

A big wine with rich tannins and a dense structure, the wine is solid, the clay soil showing both in the wine's ripeness and its power. It is a fine wine, concentrated and with layers of black plum flavors. Drink this wine... Read More

Blend: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc

Plenty of fresh plum fruit alongside the bitter chocolate in the nose, but on the palate this retains the Margaux lightness and elegant dryness, the finish just slightly warm. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)... Read More

The 2022 Baron de Brane is a gorgeous second wine. Merlot drives the blend, and that comes through in the wine's plush contours and forward, succulent fruit. Black cherry, plum, licorice and menthol all meld together in an... Read More

Drink: 2024-2064

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Canon la Gaffeliere out of the gate delivers a seductive nose of plum preserves, kirsch and Black Forest cake with nuances of lilacs, underbrush, Indian spices and dusty soil. The... Read More

Lovely density and brightness to this wine with white lilacs, pear blossoms and citrus fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, it has creamy texture and hints of salt and lemon rind. Sliced-pear undertones. There’s a pretty richness... Read More

Medium to deep garnet in color, the 2011 Cheval Blanc features a nose of warm mulberries, preserved plums and figs with suggestions of dried herbs, dusty soil and underbrush plus a touch of Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied,... Read More

This wine has power and density. It also offers a perfumed intensity of black fruits and ripe tannins. The shape of the wine is already there even if it is still very young. Ripe and sweet, the fruit is delicious and open, bringing... Read More

Harvest finished this year on September 25. The 2003 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. It has a deep garnet-brick color and quite an herbal nose with notions of dried Mediterranean... Read More

Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cos d'Estournel features a myriad of wonderfully intense notes, including blackcurrant pastilles, redcurrant jelly, kirsch and blueberry compote with hints of rose hip tea, sautéed herbs,... Read More

The 2000 vintage of this wine was ranked #2 on the Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines of 2003

Cos d'Estournel has become, in the eyes of lovers of fine wines, the archetype of a certain style of masculine elegance in which... Read More

TASTING NOTES:
The rigor of the selection combined with the large proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon has revealed a wine with unique balance, very precise, very pure with a wide-ranging of aromatic complexity, both fruity and spicy.... Read More

A first-growth level wine. With aristocratic ease it conveys nimble energy and sneaky sensuality. Pencil lead, white tobacco, cassis, juicy blackberry and cherry gorgeously delineated with refined tannins providing impressive... Read More

Pale rose color with pretty aromas of lavender, rosehip, strawberries, cherries and cloves. It’s medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a supple, creamy palate. Perfumed and elegant. Drink now.

A very strong effort for this estate, the 2020 D'Issan wafts from the glass with aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of violets and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vibrant, with good depth at... Read More

The 2021 D'Issan offers up attractive aromas of wild berries, violets, fresh mint and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, polished and seamless palate that's layered and suave, with a pretty core of fruit... Read More

This is a big white with sliced apple, pineapple and lychee fruit. It’s full-bodied and dense with lots of fruit and phenolics on the mid-palate. A roundness and power at the end. From the same plots as Yquem. Harvested... Read More

Pale to medium gold colored, the 2009 d'Yquem bursts from the glass with gregarious crème caramel, allspice, dried apricots, mandarin peel and pineapple upside down cake scents plus a fragrant undercurrent of fungi,... Read More

Pale to medium lemon-gold color, the 2010 d'Yquem has retreated into its shell at this youthful stage, offering spritely suggestions of lemon curd, lime cordial and green mango with wafts of honeysuckle, spice cake, sea spray... Read More

Pale to medium lemon-gold color, the 2010 d'Yquem has retreated into its shell at this youthful stage, offering spritely suggestions of lemon curd, lime cordial and green mango with wafts of honeysuckle, spice cake, sea spray... Read More

A blend of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2022 d'Yquem is a strong candidate for the title of wine of the vintage. Exhibiting a remarkably delicate, complex and energetic bouquet of rose, confit citrus, exotic... Read More

Matured 100% in foudres, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape from Château de Beaucastel evokes aromas of dark wild berries, dark cherries, spices and licorice mingled with a touch of chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, deep and dense,... Read More

Tasted from foudre, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin is approximately 60% Mourvèdre (from the same parcel, year after year), with the balance a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Counoise. Ripe plums... Read More

Ripe raspberry, pressed violets, licorice and dried herbs compose the multifaceted aromatic profile of the 2022 Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel. Shaped gently by soft tannins, this refined red contains solid... Read More

Already bottled (I believe, anyway), the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Demoiselles checks in as 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah that was all destemmed and aged in a mix of concrete tanks and very old barrels. It has a medium-bodied,... Read More

A pink appearance like raspberry, expressive nose with notes of little red berries. On the palate, the wine is very balanced and in line with the nose. The palate is full with a long length. Good acidity provides a tense finale.... Read More

Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Doisy Daëne is a little closed, opening out to reveal lime blossoms, Mandarin peel, candied lemon peel and peach blossoms scents with hints of spice cake and crème brûlée.... Read More

This blend of Malbec with 5% Merlot is made in a style that is easy and ready to drink relatively young. A fruity wine, it’s full of black-currant and plum flavors, with fresh acidity at the end. The wine is ready now.... Read More

A sleeper, Du Tertre's 1996 exhibits a black ruby/purple color, a sweet black fruit-scented nose, medium to full body, well-integrated tannin, and fine purity and depth. This wine should age nicely, yet have a degree of accessibility... Read More

Powerful and muscular, the 2019 Ducru-Beaucaillou offers up aromas of cassis, raspberries and cherries mingled with notions of violets and iris, framed by a generous application of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, velvety and concentrated,... Read More

Distinctive, with atypical (for St.-Emilion) force and drive to the black currant, roasted cedar and maduro tobacco flavors, which are supported by a dense, loam-tinged structure. Terrific roasted espresso, ganache and fig paste... Read More

The tasting

Nose

The nose gives off elegant, fruity and floral fragrances.

Palate

Round and smooth, this wine seduces the palate with its intense fruity expression, its fine tannins and its great freshness.... Read More

The 2016 Fleur Cardinale is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and bursts from the glass with crushed blackberries, mulberries and chocolate-covered cherries with hints of spice cake, dried herbs and fragrant soil. The palate... Read More

Aged in high quality oak barrels, the wine acquires its complexity over a period of months, subtly combining aromas of dark fruit and spices with the tannins in the wood, to reach a sublime balance. The complex blending procedure,... Read More

This firm wine shows the tannic side of the vintage. Those tannins are dusty, enriched with black-currant fruits and a dense backdrop. The wine is concentrated and elegant, very ageworthy and not likely to be ready before 2025.... Read More

#1, Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2025

A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot, the 2022 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a brilliant classic in the making, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, violets and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied,... Read More

The 2020 Haut-Brion is more aromatically demonstrative than La Mission Haut-Brion, bursting with aromas of blackberries and raspberries mingled with licorice, cigar wrapper, pencil shavings and nicely integrated new oak. Full-bodied,... Read More

Much more Semillon-based compared to its stablemate, the Haut-Brion Blanc, the 2019 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is 70% Semillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. It's a much more subdued, classic Semillon, offering ripe... Read More

The 2019 La Mission Haut-Brion unwinds in the glass with aromas of inky berry fruit, wild plums and cherries mingled with notions of warm spices, burning embers and creamy new oak. Full-bodied, deep and layered, it's rich... Read More

The aromas of cherry and blackcurrant are balanced by sweet spices including cinnamon. The elegant cherry continues on the palate, supported by fine tannins and a long, refreshing finish.

A solid step up over the Le Gay, the 2020 Château La Violette reveals a vivid purple hue to go with a jaw-droppingly good bouquet of pure black cherry and cassis-like fruits supported by complex notions of iron, violets,... Read More

Baron Eric de Rothschild, chairman of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (DBR), described Château Lafite Rothschild and its terroir as a viticultural tour de force with the power to, “turn bare earth into heaven.”... Read More

One of the greatest wines produced in Bordeaux this year is the 2019 Lafite Rothschild, an impeccably balanced classic of immense charm and grace. Wafting from the glass with arresting aromas of cassis, blackberries and cherries... Read More

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Lagrange sashays out of the glass with notions of candied violets, cassis, underbrush and warm black plums with waves of Black Forest cake, cedar chest and yeast extract scents. Medium to full-bodied,... Read More

Vivid and racy cassis, blueberry puree and damson plum coulis flavors show serious cut and drive, while mouthwatering bramble and sweet tobacco notes fill in.

2010 was a very dry vintage of exceptional quality, producing incredibly structured and complex wines that are a little formidable when young but should age incredibly. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose of the 2010 Les Forts... Read More

This is the first vintage to not be offered En Primeur, meaning this is the first commercial release for this wine. It is composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it opens... Read More

Composed of 65.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.9% Merlot, and 2.3% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Les Forts de Latour is deep garnet-purple in color. It opens with classic scents of cedar, cassis, and plum preserves, followed by suggestions... Read More

The dark plum sauce, blackberry coulis and steeped cherry fruit is laced with hints of with iron, roasted cedar and sweet tobacco. Well-coiled acidity helps the finish spring to life. Has some grip, but quite enjoyable overall.... Read More

Blended of 97.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.6% Merlot and 0.3% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Latour is exquisitely perfumed, displaying fragrant notes of crushed black cherries, raspberry preserves, cassis and black... Read More

The 2017 Latour is a blend of 92.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.8% Merlot and 0.1% Petit Verdot with 13.3% alcohol and an IPT of 66. Deep garnet-purple in color, it starts off a little broody before exploding from the glass with powerful... Read More

Château Lauriga is owned by Languedoc superstar Paul Mas, whose mission has been to elevate the prestige of his home territory to compete with other top French regions. This wine comes from the estate's top parcels.... Read More

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Bon Pasteur offers up expressive notions of baked red and black cherries, mulberries and warm blueberries with hints of licorice, chocolate box and menthol. The full-bodied palate has great... Read More

Another absolutely perfect wine in this incredible vintage, the 2020 Château Tertre Roteboeuf comes from a tiny hillside vineyard (5.6 hectares) and is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc raised all in new Radoux barrels.... Read More

A blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc.

The Petit Lion shares the philosophy of its two elder siblings; it is vinified and aged in order to preserve its fresh, ripe fruit flavours throughout its life. However, it is designed as a second wine, and is therefore made to... Read More

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a wine that harmonizes radiance, power, and depth. This stunning expression of Pessac-Léognan terroir has a hefty amount of Cabernet Franc, which is unusual for the Left Bank. The... Read More

As often quoted in the Médoc, There is no great vineyard which cannot see the river. As all the best Grands Crus from the Médoc area, Château Loudenne's vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir: two gravelly hills that... Read More

While the 2022 Château Lynch Bages Blanc had been bottled just prior to my visit, it wasn't showing any worse for wear and has a terrific perfume of honeyed lime, white flowers, citrus, and chalky minerality. Based on... Read More

This has a nice generous feel, with cassis and damson plum unfurling easily, backed by light floral and iron notes through the fresh finish.

A true classic from this estate, the 2019 Lynch-Bages has turned out brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis and sweet blackberry fruit mingled with licorice, mint, cigar wrapper and loamy soil. Full-bodied,... Read More

#3, Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2023!

This wine is crisp, fruity and zesty, with a mineral texture. Its herbal character dominates, bringing in green fruits and a beautiful grassy character.

The Chateau expands over a 28-hectare vineyard spread over the most beautiful terroirs of the Margaux appellation, with soils of Pyrenean gravel. At the tasting, the Chateau Malescot Saint Exupéry 2018 presents an expressive... Read More

The 2015 Chateau Margaux is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Medium garnet-purple colored, the nose features oh-so-seductive notes of warm blackberries, cassis and black forest... Read More

Is the 2019 Château Margaux the wine of the vintage? A strong case in its favor could certainly be made. Soaring from the glass with aromas of blackberries, raspberries, rose petals, violets, pencil shavings and vine smoke,... Read More

Plenty of berries, walnuts and light dried tobacco and herbs. Medium body, lightly chewy tannins and a flavorful finish.

Château Meyney’s vineyard is planted of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot, on a perfectly-drained gravel soil that provides ideal conditions for grapes ripening. This unusually high share of Petit... Read More

The red wines produced on this exceptional terroir of this estate of 33 hectares (82 acres) in one block are rich, with a great complexity, with aromas of ripe fruit.

Intense nose with red fruit aromas combined with complex smokiness. Tight and focused tannins on the palate. Enjoyable now but requires a few years of bottle maturation to fully integrate aging notes. Very elegant and refined... Read More

The 2016 vintage of Château Moulin de Canhaut is dark in color and offers floral aromas, as well as dark berries, licorice, chocolate and sweet cherries. Round, fleshly, forward and fresh, the voluptuous mouth mixes freshness... Read More

The 2019 Mouton Rothschild is the most dramatic of the Médoc first growths, soaring from the glass with aromas of cassis, blackberries and violets mingled with rich aromas of cedar, cigar wrapper, licorice, loamy soil and... Read More

A sensational effort, the 2006 Mouton Rothschild exhibits an opaque purple color as well as a classic Mouton perfume of creme de cassis, flowers, blueberries, and only a hint of oak. Dalhuin told me that in whisky barrel-tasting... Read More

The finest Nenin in many decades, the dense ruby/purple-colored 1998 exhibits aromas of coffee, melted caramel, vanilla, plums, and black cherry jam. It is full-bodied, with an unctuous texture, superb purity, and a silky, seamless... Read More

Taste: Red Cherry, Blackberry, Oak
Food Pair: Hard Cheese, Lamb, Beef

Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Palmer delivers a beguiling array of black fruit—warm plums, cassis and black cherry compote—with kirsch and wild sage sparks plus profound suggestions of fragrant earth, black truffles,... Read More