Clearly more intensity and tannic power than the Brulieres there is a violet edging to the damson colour. The tannins are pretty big as I am finding in so many second wines in this vintage as estates make the choice to ensure... Read More

The 2022 Ausone was picked from 5 to 30 September and matured for 20 months in French oak. These aromatics take a little time to open in the glass. Once they do they are precise with wilted iris flowers infusing the black fruit... Read More

While the 2018 Château Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse) doesn't match the 2009 or 2016 it's certainly not far off. I wish every reader could taste this beautiful age-worthy Saint-Emilion and they... Read More

While I don't think the 2019 Château Beausejour (Duffau-Lagarrosse) is going to hit the heights of the 2016 (or maybe the 2018) it's still a brilliant wine from what's clearly a terrific vintage for the Right Bank.... Read More

Dark and sultry this is heady with ripe perfumed fruits that dominate the palate giving vertical layers of freshness acidity and fruit concentration. It has style to it a sleekness to the texture classy with a lovely core of juiciness.... Read More

The 2022 Château Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse) looks to be another brilliant wine from this incredible terroir located just outside the village of Saint-Emilion. Based on 69% Merlot and 31% Cabernet Franc resting in 68% new... Read More

Another beautiful vintage for this cuvée the 2022 Château Belair-Monange is 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc coming from a mix of terroirs on the upper plateau and hillside vineyard just outside of Saint-Emilion. This dense... Read More

I was absolutely blown away by the 2022 Château Brane-Cantenac which looks to be a reference point vintage for this château. Based on 74% Cabernet Sauvignon 23% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc Carmenère and Petit Verdot... Read More

A wine that's going to flirt with perfection the 2022 Château Calon Ségur is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon 24% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot harvested between September 12 and 26 from yields of... Read More

Tasted on three separate occasions (and I thought it had the potential to be a perfect wine on one of those) the 2022 Château Canon is an incredible wine in the making and it might be the finest in the series starting in 2015.... Read More

"The second wine which has soared in quality over the last decade is an outstanding effort displaying a character similar to that of Lafite without the size depth and aging potential of that wine. The 2006 Carruades de Lafite... Read More

Full ruby. Vibrant aromas of crushed blueberry and bitter chocolate are further brightened by a violet quality. Dense sweet and lush with terrific depth and freshness to its dark fruit mineral and violet flavors. This is really... Read More

The 1989 Ausone is a good but not great wine certainly one that ought to have been far better given the benevolent growing season. The nose is well defined with dark berry fruit mocha leather and undergrowth scents fully matured... Read More

The 2000 Ausone was tasted on no less than three occasions during March 2015 once with Pauline and Alain Vauthier. It is a great millennial Saint-Émilion with intense blackberry and cassis fruit laced with cedar and violets.... Read More

What a good wine, and relatively well priced. very classy nose, displaying lots of cedary, pencil-shavings quality, toastiness and really fine fruit. Rich and concentrated, it has lovely focus on the palate with fine, silky tannins... Read More

What a good wine, and relatively well priced. very classy nose, displaying lots of cedary, pencil-shavings quality, toastiness and really fine fruit. Rich and concentrated, it has lovely focus on the palate with fine, silky tannins... Read More

The 2016 Château Belair-Monange (92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Fr

The flagship 2019 Château Belair-Monange checks in as 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from 25-year-old vines and raised in 50% new French oak. It's a magical wine in the vintage and offers more depth and richness than just... Read More

The gunsmoke character is immediately evident on the nose as is richly expressed damson and raspberry fruit. This is pared back and held back right now elegant showing a seductive edge without trying too hard. The texture is softly-brushed... Read More

Cool blue fruit touches on the nose excellent acidity gives a rush of succulent and mouth watering cherry and strawberry fruit before this settles quite quickly revealing the minerality so characteristic of this estate. Chalky... Read More

One of my favorite estates in Saint-Emilion the 2017 Chateau Bellefont-Belcier comes from a 13.5-hectare vineyard on the Cote Pavie (it’s right beside Larcis-Ducasse). Mostly Merlot blended with small amounts of Cabernet Franc... Read More

(the first year this wine was made by the Thienpont/Derenoncourt team) Good medium ruby. Very ripe pure aromas of black fruits truffle and harmonious oak. Juicy sweet and aromatic in the mouth with complex concentrated dark fruit... Read More

Deep bright ruby. Flamboyant nose combines liquid graphite tropical dark chocolate licorice violet and roasted oak. Dense and powerful if a bit youthfully musclebound even monolithic with superconcentrated dark fruit and chocolate... Read More

Deep bright ruby. Flamboyant nose combines liquid graphite tropical dark chocolate licorice violet and roasted oak. Dense and powerful if a bit youthfully musclebound even monolithic with superconcentrated dark fruit and chocolate... Read More

Gorgeous fragrance on the nose really so inviting and scented. Smooth and supple crisp and fresh lovely purity of expression here still quite subtle and delicate salty tangy wild herbs liquorice clove and dark chocolate. Not bright... Read More

Gorgeous nose so expressive with tobacco dark chocolate blackcurrants and roses. Ripe and juicy this has a lovely energy to it but also quite a mouthcoating tannic frame fine but firm well integrated but definitely present and... Read More

This fully mature gorgeous 2003 Branaire Ducru possesses silky tannins lots of cedary spice box floral black cherry forest floor and velvety leather-like notes full body and an opulent complex yet elegant style. A beauty of complexity... Read More

(63% cabernet sauvignon 30% merlot 4% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc; 3.79 pH; 12.9% alcohol): Dark ruby with a pale rim. Strong notes of torrefaction initially; with aeration the nose turns richer and more complex with deep... Read More

A beautiful Saint-Julien the 2018 Château Branaire-Ducru reveals a deep purple color as well as ample earthy cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with sous bois earth lead pencil and cedar. With that classic Saint-Julien pure... Read More

"A lean and firm wine with racy tannins that give it a sleek and exciting texture. Medium to full body plus currants and cedar character. Needs more time to soften. Best in 2016."

Deep plum in colour lovely silky texture to the fruit black pepper and rosemary spice again you find the touches of a dry vintage in the fruit character but well balanced with fresh mint and liquorice root. Concentrated austere... Read More

Medium to deep garnet-brick in color the 2014 Brane-Cantenac leaps with vivacious notes of kirsch and redcurrant jelly followed by hints of dried mint forest floor and black pepper. The medium-bodied palate is vibrant and refreshing... Read More

Deep and generous blackberry fruits and rich chocolate there is good balance here with depth and interest and a ton of flavour. Really good stuff with juice and a drive forward through the palate. 1% Petit Verdot makes up the... Read More

Creamy black fruit and dark chocolate alongside hints of coffee on the nose. Lovely sumptuous texture here chewy with bite and grip. This has high acidity on the palate with tannins that are plush but focussed. This is glossy... Read More

Heady and expressive on the nose seductive tones of ripe fruit and perfumed flowers. Gorgeous intensity on the palate rich round and ripe - gently chewy - but cool and refreshing too. This has a dynamic undercurrent with tannins... Read More

Hints of meat pan juices to the nose fail to materialise on the palate which has surprisingly rich ripe inky depths. Well-knit blackcurrant and berry fruit are layered into the tannins making for an even focused finish edged with... Read More

Full ruby-red. Sexy high-toned nose shows a very sweet maraschino cherry quality. Then juicy and energetic with a vinosity that almost comes as a shock following the nose. The subtle flavors of currant graphite and minerals linger... Read More

The 2016 Château Canon is another beautiful wine from this estate made in a more streamlined elegant style compared to the richer sexier 2015. Checking in as a blend of 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc all from a magical terroir... Read More

Bright full ruby-red. Knockout nose offers black raspberry coffee minerals flowers tobacco and nutty oak. Densely packed and vibrant with terrific energy to its tightly coiled flavors of dark fruits and minerals. Here too the... Read More

The 2009 Cantenac Brown repeats the solid showing six years ago. It has a clean and precise very focused bouquet with intense blackberry and bilberry fruit hints of sandalwood and mint emerging with time. This is very elegant.... Read More

Juicy succulent and supple this has lovely bright energy and impact straight away. Tannins are on the chalky mineral side mouthcoating but with a salty tang so they don't appear too ripe heavy or rustic but give width and... Read More

Happily the 2011 seems to be a return to that former excellence as the wine delivers superb complexity on both the nose and palate this year. The very fine bouquet delivers scents of dark berries black raspberries coffee bean... Read More

Always a fabulous nose of black fruit dark chocolate nuts and spices. It's full-bodied with beautifully dense tannins reminiscent of cashmere. A long long finish rounds out this beautiful wine. It would be better to leave... Read More

"Good bright deep red. Captivating scents of cassis violet minerals bitter chocolate and wild herbs. Extremely fine-grained but also very dense and chewy for young Cheval Blanc showing great cabernet franc lift and perfume and... Read More

"A Cheval with a depth and finesse that reminds me of the 1998. Full body ultra-fine tannins and amazing length and beauty. Such finesse and harmony. Super silky and classic for Cheval Blanc."

"This is very powerful Cheval with searing tannins and bright fruit acidity and mineral undertones. Full and muscular yet beautifully formed and polished. It’s all about the form to this. Better than 2015."

By Andy Howard MW Chateau Clarke 50th anniversary 3/30/2023 (See more on Decanter...)95 points (Château Clarke Merlot Listrac-Médoc Bordeaux France Red) Still youthful on the nose a little closed but huge potential. Sweet ripe... Read More

By Jane Anson Bordeaux in bottle 2018 11/10/2020 (See more on Decanter...)96 points (Château Clerc Milon Pauillac Bordeaux France Red) This is an extremely successful Clerc Milon in a run of great vintages at the property. Lovely... Read More

The 1989 Clinet is the vintage that put this Pomerol estate on the map thanks to a perfect score from you-know-who. While I have never encountered a perfect bottle myself a magnum hinted that it was not beyond the realm of possibility... Read More

Clinet is always an enjoyable wine to taste and at 10 years old it is starting to approach its perfect moment particularly in this relatively early-drinking vintage. You are not going to be disappointed it has polish verve attack... Read More

Love this a beautifully characterful wine that is hugely appealing as it opens the fruit is brambled gourmet and well crafted with a generous Pomerol spirit. The tannins have softened their grip at 11 years old. On the edge of... Read More

Haut-Brion's 2001 possesses an unmistakable nobility as well as a burgeoning complexity. It reveals pure notes of sweet and sour cherries black currants licorice smoke and crushed stones. Medium-bodied with excellent purity... Read More

Gorgeous blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, gravelly earth, and spicy notes all define the 2005 Château Cos D'Estournel, a deep, full-bodied, powerful expression of this terroir that does everything right. Massively... 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 structure... Read More

Packed with tannins new wood and a dense character this is going to be a wine for the long-term. It has all the power although with a softer side in the final fruitiness.

Gorgeous aromas of crushed currant flowers and Indian spice. Full-bodied with fine tannins. A little tight still. Give this time to show what it really has.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2007. 21000 cases... Read More

A masterclass in purity and delicacy for this 2020 vintage which manages to convey the beauty and allure of Yquem in a toned down, subtle and beguiling way. Aromas of white blossom and honeysuckle, gently caramelised Mirabelle... Read More

Dreamy, subtle aromas of dried fruit such as apricots and mangoes, but also fresh lemons and pears. Then there are caramel and tart tatin undertones with some bananas, pineapple, tangerines and other tropical fruit. Full-bodied,... Read More

Dreamy, subtle aromas of dried fruit such as apricots and mangoes, but also fresh lemons and pears. Then there are caramel and tart tatin undertones with some bananas, pineapple, tangerines and other tropical fruit. Full-bodied,... Read More

Dreamy, subtle aromas of dried fruit such as apricots and mangoes, but also fresh lemons and pears. Then there are caramel and tart tatin undertones with some bananas, pineapple, tangerines and other tropical fruit. Full-bodied,... Read More

Another wine I was able to taste multiple times the 2016 Château Dassault is 73% Merlot 22% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that was brought up in 70% new oak. This deeply colored beauty boasts a rocking bouquet of crème... Read More

Lots of cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as dried flowers spicy oak and obvious minerality emerge from the 2018 Château Dassault a brilliantly balanced medium to full-bodied Saint-Emilion with loads of character. Offering... Read More

A beautiful classic wine from this appellation located south of Bordeaux the 2018 Château De Fieuzal reveals a dense purple hue as well as textbook notes of ripe black cherries currants smoked earth tobacco and chocolate. Textbook... Read More

"Tasted with Jean-Luc Thunevin in Saint Emilion the 2006 Valandraud is pure Merlot since he told me that the Cabernet Franc had not ripened sufficiently that year. It offers an attractive matured bouquet with cough candy and star... Read More

Jean-Luc Thunevin’s blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc spent 25 months in barrel prior to being bottled. The color is a saturated dense purple and the expressive aromatics include sweet mulberries black cherries cassis spring... Read More

The year that Valandraud was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé B going straight to the position from Grand Cru (the only other one to do so is Mondotte). This makes it a particularly special wine to be tasting at 12 years... Read More

Very opaque and dark. Quite closed, with a dark blueberry and black cherry fruit, but very tight. Smooth, rich, very seamless core of silky black fruit on the palate. Smooth textured and glossy, with a ripeness of tannins that... Read More

Very opaque and dark. Quite closed, with a dark blueberry and black cherry fruit, but very tight. Smooth, rich, very seamless core of silky black fruit on the palate. Smooth textured and glossy, with a ripeness of tannins that... Read More

"A monster in its infancy. Almost black in color with intense cassis herb and mint aromas and superrich dense cassis and licorice flavors. May last forever."

"Floral notes intermixed with raspberries black currants minerals and a hint of new oak emerge from the dense purple-colored 2000 Ducru-Beaucaillou. The wine is sweet dense and medium to full-bodied with undeniable elegance and... Read More