Bordeaux Wine

Winemaker Description

Intense color, ruby reflections, shiny. Nose of black fruit, blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry with toasted notes. Authenticity of the terroir through the tannic structure and fruitiness of the wine. The nature of the sandy-gravelly soil acts as a flavor enhancer and is found in the minerality of this wine.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019 

James Suckling 90 Points | Mulberries, dark plums, dried herbs, burdock and cigar box on the nose. Medium body with powdery tannins. Fruity, with fresh acidity and a flavorful, earthy finish. Drink or hold. 

90 Points Wine Enthusiast | From the slopes just west of Castillon, this is a ripe Merlot-dominated wine. A core of tannins and juicy acidity have combined into a savory wine that will be ready from 2023.

Winemaker Description

Founded by the owners of Domaine de Chevalier & Stephane Derenoncourt, one of the top winemakers in France, the Clos des Lunes 2022 is no ordinary Bordeaux.

A blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc located a stone's throw from Chevalier's famed vineyards in Graves. Based on a special selection of vineyard lots handpicked by Deroncourt and vinified by Bernard’s team at Domaine de Chevalier, the Clos des Lunes aims to be little more modern in styling with an excellent quality-price ratio.

Winemaker Notes

This vintage is of a beautiful presence, both in its rather sustained red color, as in its aromatic expression of red fruits and undergrowth with nuances of caramel and spices. On the palate, we find very ripe fruit with a nice freshness, the palate is charming. Round and warm, it benefits from good wood support and ends with a long and suave finish. Balanced, Château Loirac has a marked personalit

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2016

James Suckling writes 90 Points | The blueberry and orange-peel aromas are all here. Medium body, fresh acidity and an attractive aftertaste. A little lean, but should soften by 2021. A blend of 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot.  - 

Neal Martin of Vinous writes |   The 2016 Loirac has a simple but pleasurable bouquet with wild strawberry and briary aromas. It just lacks a little complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with just a touch of greenness on the entry, classic and slightly leafy in style. Pleasant but probably early drinking only. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London.  Vinous

Julia Harding of Jancis Robinson writes 15.5/20 Points |  Deep crimson. Vanilla coating over the blackcurrant fruit. Dry-textured and slightly lacking in flesh but the tannins and freshness are good and this should be fine with a good dose of protein. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot.  Drinking 2020 - 2025.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2011

Wine Advocate 91 points | The dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by loads of cassis and cherry jam notes intermixed with hints of licorice, incense, roasted herbs and underbrush. Full, fleshy and already irresistible, this 2011 should drink well for a decade. One of the finest Simards made in many years, this estate has gotten serious now that proprietor Alain Vauthier is overseeing the winemaking. From a well-placed vineyard planted in decomposed limestone below Pavie, this sleeper of the vintage is a St.-Emilion fruit bomb. Robert M. Parker, Jr.

91 Points James Suckling | A wine with plum, berry and cherry character. Medium body with integrated tannins and a fresh finish. Better after 2015.

Vinous | Bright ruby-red. Sappy, pure aromas of plum syrup, black cherry, graphite and botanical herbs, lifted by a strong floral topnote. Dense, sweet and suave, with intensely flavored, slightly candied red fruit and floral elements. Finishes with rich, spreading tannins and vibrant red berry flavors. When I observed that this is denser and more refined than the very good Simard, I saw Pauline Vauthier's eyes light up: "It's so true: but there's nothing one can do," she said. "The high-density plantings at Haut-Simard [10,000 vines per hectare vs. Simard's 6,000] make all the difference." I would add that in a year like 2011, Haut-Simard's soil, which features more clay and less sand, also place it at an advantage.

Expert Ratings -Vintage 2019 

James Suckling writes:  Blueberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry in the nose with some sweet tobacco and moss. Full-bodied with chewy tannins that are polished and savory. Fruity yet reserved finish. Give this two or three years to open. Try after 2023.  - James Suckling 93

Jane Anson writes:  A Cru Bourgeois Superieur as of the 2018 vintage, giving a good display of understated Médoc charm with its 2019 vintage. Blackberry and black cherry fruits, firm tannins, well measured with an elegant frame. Violet edges to the colour also suggesting bright acidities, a little austere overall at this stage but great potential to develop over the next few years in bottle.  - Decanter 90

James Molesworth writes:  Direct, with a good mix of cassis, bitter plum, savory and tobacco notes. Fresh and focused through the finish, with a lingering hint of chalky minerality. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  - Wine Spectator

Winemaker Notes

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

James Suckling writes:  Some nice, floral character to the plum and berry aromas and flavors. Some leaves. Medium-bodied with medium, polished tannins and a medium finish. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 90

Neal Martin writes:  The 2018 Greysac has a well-defined bouquet of wild strawberry and raspberry fruit laced with cigar box and smoky aromas. The finely balanced palate offers sappy red fruit laced with black pepper and tobacco. I admire the cohesion here, and there is fine weight on the finish. Definitely a cut above a lot of Cru Bourgeois Médocs, though it deserves 2–3 years in bottle.  Drinking 2023 - 2030.   - Vinous 

James Lawther MW writes:  Big and bold with plenty of dark fruit and chocolatey oak. Sweet and generous on the palate, the oak again evident but integrated and the fruit present. Perhaps more winemaking than terroir.  Drinking 2023 -2028.  - Jancis Robinson 15.5

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2020 

Roger Voss of the Wine Enthusaist writes 90 Points | A well-balanced wine, this is structured and still young. It has spice and toast as well as juicy black fruits. The wine is on its way, but should not be drunk before 2025. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  The 2022 Clos Des Lunes Lune D'Argent Blanc is a pure, balanced, medium to full-bodied white with clean citrus and floral aromatics, a good spine of acidity, and a clean, lengthy finish. It's a classy Bordeaux Blanc based largely on Sémillon.  - Jeb Dunnuck 90-92

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2022 Lune d’Argent shows notable richness, very much in the style of the year. Orchard fruit, white flowers, mint and tangerine. Pear, mint and chamomile open effortlessly. In 2022, Lune d’Argent offers quite a bit of presence, making it a terrific choice for the dinner table. Readers should expect a rich, layered Sauvignon Blanc. Pretty floral notes liven up the finish.  Drinking 2025 to 2027.  - Vinous 90-92

Zekun Shuai writes:  Fine reduction with flint and matchstick characters that protect the creamed citrus. Pretty full-bodied and broad at the start with a lightly phenolic middle and a flavorful, saline finish. 70% semillon and 30% sauvignon. Try from 2025.  - James Suckling 92

Georgina Hindle writes:  Cool and crisp, clean and nicely weighted on the palate with some creamy and chalky lemon, pear and apricot. An easy-drinking style with nuance and freshness. Lacks a touch of weight and zing, but there’s appealing bitter lemon rind with apricot and peach flavours. Feels clean.  Drinking 2025 to 2030.  - Decanter 90

James Molesworth writes:  This fresh version offers mirabelle plum, quinine and honeysuckle notes that stay bright and nicely defined through the energetic, salted butter–tinged finish. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2026.  - Wine Spectator 90 Smart Buys 

Yohan Castaing writes:  With aromas of pear, peach and menthol, the 2022 Lune d'Argent exhibits a lively, refreshing bouquet followed by a juicy, round and fleshy palate, concluding with a bright, lemony finish. It's a blend of 70% Sémillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Winemaker Description 

Lune d’Argent is the heart of Clos des Lunes’ production. They firmly believe in the future of this legendary terroir and its truly original style. With a touch of French oak, the Sémillon is dense and rich, the Sauvignon Blanc refined and precise. This cuvée of dry white wine promises to convey all the magic of Sauternes. 

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2021

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | Tasted on two seperate occasions, the 2021 Chateau Cote de Baleau reveals a dense ruby hue to go with beautiful aromatics of ripe black cherries, roasted herbs, leather, and smoked tobacco. It's a rich, medium-bodied nicely concentrated, elegant Saint Emilion with a supple, layered mouthfeel, ample tannins, and outstanding length. It's a gorgeous 2021 that readers will love. Drink bottles over 

The Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | Owned by the Cuvelier family, owners of Premier Grand Cru Classé Clos Fourtet, this estate of 44 acres has produced an elegant wine. A fine line of fresh acidity cuts through perfumed black fruits and still firm tannins.

Vinous 91 Points | The 2021 Côte de Baleau is a delight. Plump, juicy and forward, the 2021 is a fine choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Charming. - Antonio Galloni

Expert Review - Vintage 2019 

James Suckling writes 92 Points |  Fruity nose of ripe blackberries, currants, chocolate orange and oyster shell. It’s medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced and fresh with some spicy and salty notes to close. Drink from 2023. 

Jane Anson writes 93 Points | On the outskirts of St Julien, making some of the best value wines on the Médoc peninsula. This is a great 2019, really one to look out for, good value and full of blackberry and black cherry fruits, polished with muscular frame, can easily last another decade or more. Eric Boissenot consultant.  - Jane Anson 93

William Kelley of the Wine Advocate writes 90 Points | The 2019 Lanessan continues to perform very well, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet berries, licorice and fresh tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with rich, powdery tannins and a vibrant core of fruit, it's a fine effort from a property with immense potential. 

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 91 Points | The 2019 Lanessan is a powerful, deep wine. Grilled herbs, pepper, sage, mint and tobacco lend notable aromatic intensity. The Cabernet is especially marked here. Lanessan is pretty assertive in 2019. There is quite a bit of Cabernet savoriness and tannin. 

Georgina Hindle of Decanter writes 91 Points | Lovely texture here, deep and intense but also smooth, with high-toned blackcurrant and black cherry. There's a pleasing chalky dryness to the tannins and an appealing minerality that comes through. Solid core, well presented but not hugely long.  Drinking 2022 - 2030.

Jancis Robinson writes 16/20 Points |  Tasted blind. Some lusciousness on the nose. Energy and lift with sleek fruit, good balance and interest. 

Our Professional Review

Rand Sieger of 67Wine.com writes | An approachable and tasty Bordeaux. Merlot is the dominant grape and Cabernet Sauvignon plays a supporting role, adding complexity. There are aromas and flavors of blackberry, blueberry, dark plum, black cherry, licorice, and cedar all with a beautifully persistent finish. Made with organically grown grapes.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Georgina Hindle of Decanter writes 93 Points | A nuanced nose, lots going on, sweet spice, perfume and bramble fruits. Chewy, this is round and plump - opulent but then so precise on the palate with real tension. Cooling blue fruits and liquorice, it's the cool freshness that really gives this life. Yes, the tannins are abundant and mouth coating but they're soft and fine and this has great execution. You can feel the intensity but it's carried very well. A blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc.  Drinking 2023 - 2035. (2019). 

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 90 Points | The 2019 Bel-Air Jean & Gabriel is impeccable. Soft, creamy and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2019 is especially fine for Lussac, where the wines are rarely this polished. Black cherry, chocolate, licorice and dark spice build over time. There is a bit of grip on the finish, but also more than enough fruit to make it all work. (2019). 

Jane Anson writes:  Firm berry fruits, clear austerity on the tannins, set against highly charged smoked oak notes. An enjoyable wine from Lussac, well made and carefully handled.  Drinking 2022 - 2032  - Decanter

Winemaker Description

Bright and pale gold colored wine. Savory nose of blossom, of exotic fruits and white fleshed fruits. The first impression in the mouth comes from the round and rich palate. Then the citrus brings some freshness which make a quite unique balance.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | A ripe wine, this has tropical fruits freshened with kiwi. It is smooth and spicy, with plenty of perfumed richness at the end. (2022). 

Yohan Castaing writes:  Aromas of pear, peach and smoke preface the 2022 Blanc from Château Thieuley. This is a medium-bodied, juicy, tense wine with a pure and fresh finish. It is a blend of 45% Sauvignon Blanc, 12% Sauvignon Gris, 40% Sémillon and, for the first year, 3% Colombard.  Drinking 2023 to 2028.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

James Suckling writes:  Lemongrass, guava and chopped herbs on the nose. Crunchy and fresh with a medium body and green-fruited finish. Sauvignon blanc and semillon. Drink now.  - James Suckling

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  The 2021 Madame De Beaucaillou is a little gem of a wine and has tons to love. Ripe black cherries, spice box, and savory herb notes all define the aromatics, and its medium-bodied, balanced, has terrific ripeness, and a great finish. Drink bottles any time over the coming decade.  Drinking 2024 to 2034.  - Jeb Dunnuck 90

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2021 Madame de Beaucaillou is terrific. Bold and savory, with gorgeous fruit presence, the 2021 turned out beautifully. Crushed flowers, spice, mint and a touch of orange peel all grace this exquisite Haut-Médoc. This is a stellar wine from the Borie family.  Drinking 2025 to 2036.  - Vinous 91

James Suckling writes:  A juicy red with currant, graphite and tobacco character. Medium body. Firm tannins. 71% merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Petit Verdot.  - James Suckling 90-91

Georgina Hindle writes:  Some blackcurrant liqueur touches with perfumed aromatics. Smooth and round, this shows weight on the tongue with richness in terms of the blackcurrant and black cherry flavours. A lovely concentration and persistence with freshness at the end. No hollow mid-palate, really giving a consistency that goes all the way through. A soft chew from the tannins and tangy acidity, but all presented with refinement. Appealing and approachable, but still with intensity.  Drinking 2024 to 2039.  - Decanter 

Jane Anson writes:  Violet-edged, bright berry in colour, clear redcurrant and cassis fruits. It is sappy with clarity to the flavours, leaner than recent years with emphasis on floral notes, ready to drink fairly soon. 20% new oak.  Drinking 2024 to 2034.   -  Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

William Kelley writes:  From 50 hectares of vineyards in Listrac and Cussac, the 2021 Madame de Beaucaillou offers up aromas of dark berries, rich spices and loamy soil, followed by a medium-bodied, lively and charming palate that's underpinned by tangy acids. It's a Merlot-dominant blend complemented by 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Petit Verdot. Around one-third of the production was sold off in bulk to guarantee the quality of the assemblage.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Winemaker Description 

Branded under the Bordeaux appellation, Ronan by Clinet is a vision of a new Bordeaux genre. This 100% merlot wine is crafted by the team from CLINET in our new, state-of-the art winery located in the heart of Pomerol.

Terroir-driven, Ronan by Clinet wines are sourced carefully from selected properties situated close to our Pomerol chais in appellations that include Côtes de Castillon, Côtes de Bourg, Lussac St-Emilion and Bordeaux.

Ronan by Clinet is bright ruby in colour, delicately spiced and fruit-forward with aromas of cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant. It is a soft and fresh wine with a balanced texture and a persistent, flavoursome finish.

Winemaker Description 

Attractive dark ruby-red and brilliant this classic Bordeaux is explosive, intense and complex at the same time. The palate entices due by its ampleness, richness, fullness as well as by the aromatic finish on the palate. Harmonious and long, the ideal accompaniment to a game such as leg of lamb with herbs or goat’s cheeses. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2016

James Suckling 91 Points | A firm, lightly chewy Bdx with currant and wet-earth character. Some walnuts, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with juicy fruit and tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink or hold. (2016). 

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Roger Voss of the Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | A tradition of grape growing at this estate goes back to the 14th century. This 2019 vintage is now gently textured and full of ripe, smoky fruits. With a balanced character, fruit and acidity bring freshness at the end. Drink the wine now.  

Wine Spectator 89 Points | Presents dark cherry and plum compote flavors that lead the way, with tobacco and savory hints filling in. The focused, fine-grained finish has a pretty iron hint. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2029. 40,000 cases made, 5,000 cases imported.

Winemaker Description

Château Blaignan’s vineyard is planted of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. The wine matures for 18 months in vats and in oak barrels. The wine is of an intense colour. The nose is fruity with pronounced notes of blackcurrant, black cherries and a hint of spice. Full bodied, Château Blaignan shows structure and velvet tannins on the palate, that make it a wine to drink young or to keep a few years in cellar (to be kept between 3 to 12 years). 

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2019

Wine Spectator 93 points | A solid, slightly burly version, featuring streaks of tar and bay leaf mixed with dark plum and black currant preserve flavors. The finish is underscored by a warm paving stone note, which adds cut, drive and a hint of old school. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024. (2019). 

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points |  From a reliable estate, this wine is firm in feel. It also has open black fruits that pair alongside the generous tannins. It is good long-term aging. Barrel Sample: 93-95Wine Advocate 92 points Deep purple-black in color, the 2019 Meyney strides confidently out of the glass with classic notes of cassis, warm plums and baked blackberries plus hints of cedar chest, bay leaves, pencil lead and clove oil plus a waft of underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate has a generous core of ripe black fruits with a slight touch of oak poking through and a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins, finishing with impressive length. (2019).

Decanter 93 points | One of the wines I use as a marker of how good the vintage is in St Estèphe, because it isn't classified but is in a brilliant location right next door to Montrose. And this is good, extremely concentrated, pure cassis and bilberry flavours, tons of tannins, clear austerity and fairly high acidity as I am getting in a lot of these 2019s. Not the same luscious character as 2018, but in many ways that makes it more typical of the appellation, and the alcohol seems less over the top than in 2018. Lots to enjoy here, not quite up to 2016 standard but not far. Tasted two weeks apart, and if anything its expression had deepened second time around.  Barrel Sample: 93Jeb Dunnuck 94 points This estate has been on a roll of late, and the 2019 Château Meyney is a terrific wine. Beautiful notes of crème de cassis, spicy oak, dried flowers, and dried tobacco all emerge from the glass, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied, with a seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. Count me impressed. Not a powerhouse, it should drink nicely right out of the gate yet also evolve for 20 years or more. Range: 92-94 Points. (2019).

James Suckling 92 Points |  Aromas of ripe berries, licorice and chocolate with a touch of mushroom and some dustiness. Silky, polished texture with medium body and firm tannins. Holds long and even, with a lingering sensation of crushed stones. Hold for a couple of years. Second wine of Meyney. Best after 2023.

Vinous 95 points The 2019 Meyney has a divine bouquet, so pure and winsome with floral red berry scents, beautifully integrated new oak and superb precision. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy to the point where you can almost overlook the backbone of this Saint-Estèphe. It could have been blowsy, yet it retains superb balance and feels luxuriant and long on the finish. This is a stellar showing easily eclipsing its performances either in barrel or just after bottling. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.  —  Neal Martin. (2019).

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 92 Points | This shows a lot of floral notes, such as lilacs and violets, together with aromas of dark fruit, cloves and bark. It has medium body and a soft, polished-tannin structure. Juicy, lingering fruit and firm, fine-grained finish.

Wine Spectator 87 Points | Delivers a compact core of plum and black cherry flavors, which are framed by singed cedar on the direct finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2025. 12,000 cases made.

Winemaker Description 

The modernity and fruitiness of a Second Wine with a savoury and charming structure, recalling the elegance typical of Margaux. Produced from younger vines, it is harvested, vinified and aged with the same care as the Grand Cru. A dominant Merlot blend, which favors roundness and a silky touch on the palate. The numerous qualities of the vintage can be found in Confidences 2020, whose gourmet expression and velvety structure ensure immediate drinking pleasure.

The modernity and fruitiness of a Second Wine with a savoury and charming structure, recalling the elegance typical of Margaux. Produced from younger vines, it is harvested, vinified and aged with the same care as the Grand Cru. A dominant Merlot blend, which favors roundness and a silky touch on the palate. The numerous qualities of the vintage can be found in Confidences 2020, whose gourmet expression and velvety structure ensure immediate drinking pleasure.

Winemaker Description

Intense, bright red and balanced. Ideal for festive occasions, an easy-drinking wine. Full bodied and rich with cassis, blueberry and blackberry anchored by oak influenced vanilla and a cedary accent. Fine tannins provide texture on the finish.

Château L'Escart is located with its 26ha of vineyards east of Bordeaux near Saint Loubès. The vineyards are planted with the traditional Bordeaux grape varieties: Merlot (50%) Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Cabernet Franc (15%) Malbec (7%) and Petit Verdot (3%). 

Expert Ratings 

Wine Enthusiast Points 93-95 Points | The combination of powerful tannins and equally generous black fruits is a fine harbinger for this wine's development. Big, bold and juicy with a dense structure, the wine is for longterm aging. (2020). 

Decanter 93 Points | Juicy, well balanced, plenty of personality, with enough juice through the mid palate to balance out the big tannins that are pretty inescapable in any wines of ambition in 2020. The finish closes in sharply, but this is an enjoyable wine from the Lorenzetti-owned Lilian Ladouys (and for me one of the clear leaders of the new Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel category). (2020). 

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Seemingly always terrific, the 2020 Chateau Lilian Ladouys shows the class of the vintage and has a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, yet silky, perfectly balanced style with tons to love. Darker fruits, damp earth, truffle, and beautiful spice-driven aromatics define this beauty, and while it's already accessible, I'm sure will evolve gracefully for 10-15 years. Best After 2023.

James Suckling 92 Points  | This is a young 2020 that is back ended with a serious finish of solid and polished tannins and plenty of juicy fruit. Medium body. Racy structured. Excellent length at the end. Try after 2025. (2020). 

Robert Parker 91+ Points | The 2020 Lilian Ladouys offers up aromas of cassis, licorice and a deft touch of creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rather rich and broad palate framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish. It's a touch more structured than the demonstrative 2019 and will require a little patience. Best after 2027. Rating: 91+

Winemaker Description

Medium bodied right bank Bordeaux with heavy tannins and a dry finish. Dark fruit flavors of blackberry, black cherry and raspberry are balanced with oak, earth, bramble and graphite notes. 

Winemaker Notes

Deep purple colour with intense aromas of red and black fruits, crushed violets and a touch of mocha. The palate has generous ripe fruits and a plush, velvety texture supported by vibrant acidity, with fruits and spices that linger on the finish. Extreme refinement.

Critic Notes

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  The 2019 Le Petit Ducru De Ducru-Beaucaillou is also Merlot-dominated and includes 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. It offers classic Saint-Julien elegance and purity in its darker currant and cherry fruits as well as notes of tobacco, violets, and lead pencil. With medium-bodied richness on the palate, it has wonderful tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It needs air to show at its best and is just a charming, elegant, layered 2019 to enjoy over any time over the coming decade.  Drinking 2022 to 3032.  - Jeb Dunnuck 91

Georgina Hindle writes:  Lovely, fresh, delicate and fruity nose; smells quite rich and ripe. Good push of plush fruit, bright cherry straight away then darkens to something more serious and sensual. Tannins are overpowering, just so abundant, covering the tongue and cheeks but they're soft - you need that structure to give it life. Feels sculpted if a little excessive right now, but good freshness and drive, and round on the mid-palate with no angles. Some spice at the end. From the western part of the appellation, a parcel of about 25ha purchased in the 1970s. 10ha in the process of being replanted - so 15ha in production. This is the third wine and receives declassified fruit from the higher wines, although produced with the same philosophy.  Drinking 2023 to 2031  - Decanter 90

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2019 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou is plush, creamy and open-knit, all of which give it considerable immediacy, not to mention tons of charm. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha and licorice lend nuance in this racy, Merlot-based blend. The Petit Ducru is a new wine meant to be the third selection from the château.  Drinking 2025 to 2029.  - Vinous 92

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Wine Enthusiast 96 Points |  Barrel Sample. This wine is poised between great ripeness and a mineral, textured character, while also showing a robust tannic structure. Its richness is tempered by the freshness of the vintage. There is plenty of long-term aging potential in this wine that continues the great improvements at the estate. (2019).

James Suckling 95 Points | Wonderful aromas of dried orange, blackcurrant and crushed stone follow through to a full body with beautifully polished tannins that are composed and fine. Lots of subtle and complex character on the finish. Extremely well done here. Drink after 2025. (2019) 

Vinous 95 Points | The 2019 Prieuré-Lichine is impeccable. Creamy, layered and resonant in the glass, the 2019 hits all the right notes. Sweet red cherry/plum, lavender, rose petal, spice, mint and blood orange all build effortlessly. Over the last handful of years Prieuré-Lichine has been the single most under the radar wine in Margaux. The 2019 is another fine edition. Class, polish and sensuality make Prieuré-Lichine absolutely irresistible. (2019). 

Decanter 93 Points | Minerality on the nose, wet stone, graphite and liquorice. This is tasty, with a creaminess to the fruit that some of the others don't have. It feels round with fine but grippy tannins that see the wine through. It's clearly powerful and concentrated but wrapped up well delivering freshness and intensity. Cool blue fruit flavours and menthol notes dominate. Will be absolutely delicious in time. (2019). 

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | Readers looking for a complex, nuanced Margaux should check out the 2019 Château Prieuré-Lichine. Giving up a beautiful floral bouquet that includes red and blue fruits, sappy herbs, and flowery incense, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, plenty of mid-palate depth and sweet tannins, and a great finish. This complex, layered Margaux needs just 2-4 years of bottle age and should see its 20th birthday in fine form. (2019). 

Robert Parker 93 Points | The 2019 Prieuré-Lichine is supple and generous, bursting with aromas of blackberries, currants, licorice, spices and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, it's round and enveloping, with ripe acids and a rich, seamless profile. This is showing well out of the gates. This heavily morcellated estate (amounting to some 125 different parcels) is clearly benefitting from a more rigorous selection and better attention to detail regarding harvest dates. (2019). 

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Presents lush plum and blackberry preserve flavors that gush through, flanked by a twinge of singed sandalwood to give it form. The finish is dotted by dark licorice, ganache and earth accents. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2034. 18,000 cases made. (2019). 

Expert Review - Vintage 2014 

Jane Anson writes:  Intense, smoky, plenty of black fruit, who doesn't love this 2nd wine of Château Montrose? It's a vintage that is often overlooked, particularly after the run of great years Bordeaux has had recently, but it's at a great moment to open right now, and delivers a ton of St Estèphe and Left Bank typicity, with crayon and graphite. Harvest September 22 to October 16.  - Jane Anson 94

Antonio Galloni writes:  A gorgeous second wine, the 2014 La Dame de Montrose is soft, open-knit and very pretty. Bright floral notes add lift and a measure of elegance to the dark-fleshed fruit. Medium in body, with good depth and fine overall balance, the 2014 is just about as good as it gets for a second wine. I won't be surprised if it is still delicious at age 20, although I think its best drinking will take place earlier than that.  Drinking 2018 - 2029  - Vinous 92+

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  As to the 2014s, these are beautiful wines and certainly a match for the 2015s. The 2014 La Dame de Montrose offers a deep purple color and classic Cabernet Sauvignon notes as well as a touch of violets, spring flowers and leafy herbs. This medium-bodied, elegant, spicy, complex 2014 has loads of charm yet should keep nicely for 15+ years.  Drinking 2018 - 2038  - Jeb Dunnuck 90

Steven Spurrier writes:  An even Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend: lots of spice, deep cassis fruit and incredible freshness. Will show soon and last well.  - Decanter 90

James Molesworth writes:  Offers a brisk, racy feel, with red currant, damson plum and Campari notes coursing through, carried by a bright iron spine through the savory-flecked finish. Very pure and firmly grounded in terroir. Best from 2018 through 2026. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.  - Wine Spectator 90

Neal Martin writes:  The 2014 La Dame de Montrose lagged a long way behind the superlative Grand Vin at primeur, but has since made up some ground. Now in bottle, it has a nicely poised bouquet with red cherries, bilberry and crushed violets. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, tightly wound and linear, a conservative La Dame de Montrose that I suspect will age better than I originally thought.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 

Test of Endurance: Bordeaux 2014 Ten Years On (Mar 2024)

Neal Martin writes:  The 2014 La Dame de Montrose is more precocious than Lafon-Rochet on the nose, with hints of dried cherries and black olive compote infusing the black fruit, touches of humidor and red brick. The palate is medium-bodied with dusky black fruit, fine tannins and a little austerity towards the finish, though at least it does exude Saint-Estèphe DNA. Give it a year in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.  - Vinous

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

James Suckling 94+ Points | This is a fantastic Blason with deep and dark fruit with hazelnut and chocolate aromas and flavors. Full-bodied with juicy tannins and a structured finish. What a second wine. 55% merlot, 44% cabernet sauvignon and 1% petit verdot.

Decanter 92 Points | Beautiful aromatics, fresh and floral dark blackcurrant fruit, milk chocolate. Intensely concentrated, a real bite to the fruit with powdery, firm and filling tannins. A gorgeous mouthfeel, fresh but straight and tense, keeps the focus and direction. You can feel his has been well worked with balanced ripeness and acidity. Feels nicely focussed and detailed, juicy and concentrated with purity and strength. Impressive and persistent. This will be great in 5 - 10 years. 1% PV planted in 1982. 14% press wine. Percentage of production: 46%. Total acidity: 3.62. 35% new barrels. 3.60pH.

The Wine Advocate 89+ Points | An attractive effort that shares some of the style and personality of the grand vin this year, the 2022 Blason d'Issan exhibits aromas of sweet blackberries, violets, loamy soil and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium to full-bodied, sweet and fleshy palate built around powdery tannins.

Vinous 89+ Points | The 2022 Blason d'Issan is a soft, easygoing wine that shows the more charming side of the vintage off to great effect. Crushed red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal, lavender, mint and a touch of spice all grace a Blason that will delight readers for a number of years upon release.

Jeb Dunnuck 89+ Points | Lots of red and black fruits, sandalwood, and spicy notes emerge from the 2022 Blason D'Issan, a blend of 55% Merlot and 44% Cabernet Sauvignon. This medium to full-bodied, up-front, charming, and undeniably delicious second wine is going to drink nicely right out of the gate.

Winemaker Description

The nose shows forest fruits and crushed strawberry notes. The mouth is rich and silky with dense, supple tannins. 

Our Professional Review 

Starts out with sweet, slightly stewed red plum and cherry fruit on the nose and on entry, then opens up to baking spice, medicinal herbs, and crushed flowers.  Medium bodied, and very satisfying on the palate with finely etched but assertive tannins.   

Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer

Winemaker Description

The 2016 Peyrabon has a finely detailed bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, pressed flower and mineral aromas. This exudes class. The palate is well balanced with fine grain tannin, one of the more saline Cru Bourgeois with touches of oyster shell and spice towards the poised, edgy finish. Very fine. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2016

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 96 Points |  Intense graphite and violet character with lead pencil. It’s full and firm with chewy and balanced tannins. Iodine coming through. So intense. Super second wine. Like the grand vin of Lynch from the 1980s. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | The first vintage made at the new facility, the 2020 Echo De Lynch-Bages checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot that was raised all in once-used barrels. It’s a big, mouth-filling, serious second wine revealing classic Pauillac lead pencil and tobacco notes., plenty of ripe black fruits, velvety tannins, and a great finish. One of the more opulent, expansive wines in the vintage, it has loads to love as well as more than a hint of the style of the Grand Vin.

Decanter 92 Points | A serious Echo, one that has walls and depths to its tannins, and will take time to open up. Black pepper, cassis, cassis bud and liquorice, I would give this four or five years before opening. 3.8pH. Yields were down to around 22hl/ha. First harvest in the new gravity-fed cellars.

Vinous 92 Points | The 2020 Echo de Lynch Bages is fabulous. A compelling second wine, Echo offers all the aromatic sensuality, red fruit and silkiness of the Grand Vin, but in an open-knit style that can be enjoyed upon release. All the elements are so impeccably balanced. Everything about the 2020 speaks to class and refinement.

Winemaker Description

Blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon  - with a twist -this one sees oak treatment, which is not common in Bordeaux.  The Semillon and oak make this wine big and rich, while the Sauvignon Blanc gives it its crispness.  It's a perfect winter wine!  Bordeaux, France

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | Aged for seven months in wood, this ripe wine has power as well as richness. Its spicy character chimes with the dense white fruits from old Sémillon. Drink from 2025. (2022).

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

91 Points Decanter | This is open overall in terms of its tannic structure, and there are lovely plum and blackberry fruits, with a slate texture through the finish. Enjoyable, with St Estèphe character. 40% new oak. Drinking Window 2023 - 2038

91 Points James Suckling | Blackcurrants, brambleberries, walnut husks, dried leaves and dark spices on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Fresh and structured. Crushed stone comes through in the aftertaste. Better from 2024.

Winemaker Description 

Château Laffitte Carcasset benefits from the mild climate typical of the great terroirs on the left river bank of the estuary.

The average age of the vineyard is 30 years old, composed of 60% of Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% of Merlot and 5% of Cabernet Franc.

Faithful to Saint-Estèphe’s style, Château Laffitte Carcasset produces complex and fruity red wines with a beautiful tannic structure giving a very good aging potential. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Neal Martin of Vinous writes 94+ Points | The 2022 Gloria was picked from 12-26 September and matured in 40% new oak, slightly less than the Saint-Pierre. It has a perfumed, floral nose with crushed violet infusing the black cherry and blueberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous tannins that belie the structure underneath. With pure fruit and well-judged acidity, this 2022 is sensual with a persistent and lightly spiced finish. Superb.

Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "A gem in the vintage is going to be the 2022 Château Gloria, which comes from 50 hectares of vines and is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. Harvested between September 14 and 26, with yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare, it offers an inky purple hue to go with medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of crème de cassis, ripe black cherries, spicy oak, and graphite. Hitting 13.8% alcohol and aging in 60% new French oak, it's a pure, layered, elegant yet concentrated Saint-Julien that readers will love. Tasted twice." 5/23
James Suckling
94-95 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "A linear and very fine wine with blackberry, blueberry and currant character. Hints of cedar and stone. Medium to full body. Linear and fine finish. Very well done." 04/23

Producer Description 

This is poised and elegant with notes of bitter chocolate, crushed walnuts, black peppercorns, blackberries and blackcurrants. It’s medium-bodied with silky tannins and layers of fresh black fruit. Classy. Try from 2026.

Expert Review

Wine Spectator 88 Points | Juicy and direct, with plum and blackberry fruit leading the way, while light anise and applewood notes add energy through the finish. Accessible now. Drink now through 2025. 4,200 cases made, 400 cases imported. 

Winemaker Description

Dark red in color with aromas of cherry, cocoa, black olive and toasted hazelnut on the nose. On the palate, mellow tannins with a spicy vanilla and chocolate finish.