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Inventory updated: Wed, Feb 25, 2026 04:02 PM cst
Bordeaux Bargains: Top Reds Under $100
If you love structured, age-worthy reds but don’t want to cross the $100 mark, there has never been a better time to explore the depth and value of red wines from Bordeaux.
While the region is home to some of the world’s most collectible bottles, the true insider secret lies in its under-$100 offerings. These wines deliver everything that makes Bordeaux iconic: Cabernet-driven structure, Merlot plushness, layered dark fruit, graphite, cedar, and the unmistakable elegance that only this region can produce.
From the Left Bank’s gravelly soils come classically styled blends with cassis, tobacco, and firm, age-worthy tannins. On the Right Bank, Merlot-forward wines offer velvety textures, ripe plum, and polished finishes that are approachable even in their youth. Many of these estates benefit from the same meticulous vineyard practices and winemaking expertise as their more famous neighbors—just without the first-growth price tag.
These are perfect bottles for collectors looking to diversify, for weeknight dinners that deserve something serious, or for cellaring over the next 5–15 years. In strong recent vintages, quality at this level is extraordinary, making now an ideal time to stock up.
The following are the wines remaining from the offer sent on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Please enter your desired quantities and click the 'Add' button.
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Alter Ego de Palmer |
2021 |
Margaux  |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 93 (2/2024): The 2021 Alter Ego is a bright, savory wine driven by Cabernet Sauvignon from light, sandy soils. Intensely aromatic, the Alter Ego is a bit clenched today, but that should not be an issue in a few years' time. Dark red plum, mocha, new leather, spice and cedar build in the glass, lifted by bright acids and a kick of blood orange that adds vibrancy. (Drink between 2026-2041) Neal Martin.
JD 92 (4/2024): The 2021 Château Palmer Alter Ego is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that was aged 12 months in barrel followed by 12 months in foudre. It's another smoking good second wine from this château that has a deep ruby/purple hue to go with perfumed red, blue, and black fruits as well as an incredibly floral character in its leafy herb and graphite aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, supple, elegant, and silky on the palate, it's an impressive Margaux to drink over the coming 15 years. (Drink between 2024-2039) |
|
| Ch. Anseillan |
2019 |
Pauillac |
$89 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Barde-Haut |
2015 |
St. Emilion |
$48 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 96 (3/2020): An awesome Saint Emilion, the 2015 Château Barde-Haut showed even better on this occasion than on release. A huge nose of sweet crème de cassis, jammy blackberries, violets, leather, and dried herbs gives way to a full-bodied wine that has a great mid-palate, ripe, silky tannins, not a hard edge to be found, and a great, great finish. I love it even today, yet it has a full two decades of prime drinking ahead of it.
JS 95 (2/2018): Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, wet earth and black tea. Full-bodied, dense and layered with medium, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows focus and power. Needs three or four years to start coming together.
WA 92 (4/2018): Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Barde-Haut gives up notions of plum preserves, potpourri and baked cherries with underlying Chinese five spice and cigar box hints. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm backbone of grainy tannins and background freshness supporting the spicy black fruits, finishing on a lingering earthy note.
VM 87 (2/2018): The 2015 Barde-Haut is forward, simple and lacking in both depth and structure, just as it showed en primeur. The dark cherry, espresso, plum, licorice and mint flavors are attractive, but there is just not enough textural richness to be compelling. Sadly, the 2015 is short, compact and missing the exuberance and complexity that have been the norm here in the past. |
|
|
2022 |
St. Emilion |
$36.99 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 91-93+ (5/2023): Unwinding in the glass with aromas of plums, wild berries, dark chocolate and creamy new oak, the 2022 Barde-Haut is medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a taut, youthfully structured profile and youthfully firm tannins. Exhibiting attractive purity of fruit and tension, gentler extraction would have seen it score higher.
VM 94-96 (5/2023): The 2022 Barde-Haut is gorgeous. Rich and explosive, the 2022 offers up copious notes of blueberry jam, crème de cassis, lavender, mint and licorice, with pretty jasmine overtones that add exotic beauty. The tannins here are often a bit burly, but in the 2022 much of that is softened. This is an impressive showing. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96-98 (5/2023): I was blown away by the quality of the 2022 Château Barde-Haut, and this 80/20 split of Merlot and Cabernet Franc does everything right in the vintage. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as stunning aromatics of cassis, spring flowers, black cherries, and truffle, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness and delivers fine-grained tannins and flawless balance. Pure, bright, and lively, yet also deep, concentrated, and textured, it's a brilliant bottle of wine in the making. |
|
| Ch. Bellefont Belcier |
2010 |
St. Emilion |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 93 (2/2013): Wonderful aromas of black truffles and berries with hints of wet earth. Full body, with velvety tannins and a rich and chewy finish. Yet the fruit and acidity balance this muscular wine. Try in 2018.
WA 92 (2/2014): The wine offers up notes of jammy black cherries, black currants, licorice, camphor, underbrush and some subtle vanillin. The wine is full-bodied, voluptuously textured and rich, with good acidity, surprising freshness and laser-like definition given its ampleness and length. It can be drunk early on for its beautiful fruit, but look for this wine to hit its stride in 5-7 years and last for two decades. |
|
|
2019 |
St. Emilion |
$54 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 95 (4/2022): A beautiful, elegant Saint-Emilion that will be loved by both modernists and traditionalists out there, the 2019 Château Bellefont-Belcier comes from a south-facing, limestone terroir just beside Château Pavie and Larcis Ducasse. A blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, it starts out reticent and understated yet builds beautifully with time in the glass and has wonderful cassis and black raspberry fruits intermixed with notes of truffle, tobacco, damp earth, and violets. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has silky tannins, perfect overall balance, and a great finish. It's not a powerhouse, but it shines for its purity, finesse, and elegance. Drink bottles over the coming 15-20 years or so.
VM 94 (2/2023): The 2019 Bellefont Belcier is delineated and focused on the nose with pure blackberry, briary, crushed stone and cedar scents, the oak here nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, cohesive and smooth, blackberry and white pepper tinged with cedar towards the finish. This sashays along in style, and it is very promising. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Bellevue |
2003 |
St. Emilion |
$59 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 93+ (4/2006): This 15+ acre estate, situated on a south/southwest-facing slope, has been making sensational wines since 2000, when the management of the vineyard and winemaking were taken over by Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. The 40-year-old, bio-dynamically farmed vineyard is planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The 2003 possesses superb ripeness as well as a stony, mineral liqueur-like intensity, a reticent but promising perfume of black raspberries, sweet kirsch, and blacker fruits, a full-bodied, powerful, concentrated attack and mid-palate, and a blockbuster, long, powerful, moderately tannic finish. It is an infant in terms of development. No doubt this site’s clay and limestone soils were the perfect antidote for the summer’s torrid heat and drought. This superb effort should only be purchased by patient connoisseurs. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025+
VM 88-91 (6/2004): Excellent ruby-red. Black fruits, violet, licorice and bitter chocolate on the nose. Quite juicy in the mouth, even a bit youthfully hard-edged, with very fresh blueberry, black cherry, licorice and mineral flavors. Has the energy of a wine from chalky soil. Vibrant finish features firm tannins and good persistence. This has a reasonable 3.4 grams per liter of acidity and a pH of 3.7, according to winemaker Stephane Derenoncourt. |
|
| Ch. Canon La Gaffeliere |
2019 |
St. Emilion Ex-Negociant |
$79 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 97 (4/2022): The 2019 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière is another brilliantly perfumed wine in the vintage that shines for its complexity, finesse, and nuances. Giving up awesome notes of red and black currants, tobacco, exotic flowers, cedarwood, and loamy earth, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, beautifully polished, integrated tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. This is serious juice that warrants at least 4-5 years of bottle age and will evolve for 30 to 40 years. (Drink between 2026-2067).
WA 96 (4/2022): The 2019 Canon la Gaffelière has turned out brilliantly, bursting from the glass with a dramatic bouquet of wild berries, blood orange, exotic spices, rose petals, violets and burning embers. Full-bodied, ample and layered, it's supple and perfumed, with a deep core of lively fruit, melting tannins and a long, saline finish. This contains the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc of any of Stephan Von Neipperg's wines, which no doubt helps to account for its singular personality.
VM 93 (2/2023): The 2019 Canon-la-Gaffelière is quite punchy and bold on the nose. Blackberry and raspberry fruit, cedar and mint emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins, quite plush yet cohesive, fanning out towards the velvety finish with a brush of white pepper on the aftertaste. One of the more approachable Saint-Émilion wines in this vintage. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2024-2040). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Cantenac-Brown |
2018 |
Margaux |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 91-93 (4/2019): The 2018 Cantenac Brown is deep garnet-purple in color and a little coy to begin and then, with coaxing, opens out to lovely red roses, black tea, violets and underbrush scents with a core of warm red and black currants and chocolate-covered cherries. Full-bodied and laden with perfumed red and black fruit layers, it has a firm frame of fine-grained tannins and a long, fragrant finish.
VM 93-96 (5/2019): The 2018 Cantenac Brown is powerful, deep and super expressive, with striking persistence and terrific overall balance. The interplay of fruit intensity, aromatic depth and structure is compelling. In the 2018, the Grand Vin has a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon than in the past, plus drops of Franc, that give an added touch of energy. There is plenty of density and richness, but my impression is that the wine is also a bit less extracted than it has been in the recent past. The blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times. Antonio Galloni.
JS 93-94 (4/2019): This CB has an extremely energetic palate with beautiful elegance and power. Pure and bright. Really lively. Firm and chewy tannins. |
|
| Ch. Capbern |
2019 |
St. Estephe Ex-Negociant |
$32 |
43 |
|
| |
JD 94 (4/2022): I love the nose on the 2019 Château Capbern, a medium to full-bodied, spicy, rich, tobacco and cedar pencil-filled beauty with ripe yet building tannins, a great mix of richness and freshness, and a blockbuster of a finish. It's incredibly impressive, and while it offers pleasure even today, it deserves 5-6 years of bottle age, and I can't imagine it not evolving for two decades. (Drink between 2027-2042).
VM 89 (2/2023): The 2019 Capbern has improved since I tasted it just after bottling. Finally, it has developed a more elegant bouquet, mainly black fruit fused with cedar and undergrowth scents. It has mustered more classicism. The palate is medium-bodied with a strong graphite element on the entry, fine depth, quite fresh with a structured, gritty finish. Fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2025-2045). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Carbonnieux |
2019 |
Pessac Leognan Ex-Negociant |
$37.95 |
40 |
|
| |
JD 94 (4/2022): The 2019 Château Carbonnieux sports a deep purple/ruby hue to go with a brilliant nose of red and black currants, spring flowers, spicy oak, and hints of tobacco. It's beautiful on the palate as well and is medium to full-bodied, has a seamless, elegant texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's the finest wine I've tasted from this estate. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all brought up in 40% new barrels. It’s well worth tracking down some bottles and will keep for two decades. (Drink between 2022-2042).
WA 91 (4/2022): Exhibiting aromas of earthy black fruits, bay leaf, burning embers and forest floor, the 2019 Carbonnieux is medium to full-bodied, rich and enveloping, with a broad attack that segues into a fleshy core of fruit framed by ripe acids and fine, powdery tannins that assert themselves gently on the finish.
VM 90 (2/2023): The 2019 Carbonnieux has quite a showy, pastille-like bouquet with black cherries, blueberry and light violet scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite plush and showy with a touch of white pepper on the finish. This should age well in bottle although it fails to replicate its deeply impressive showing after bottling. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2024-2040). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. de Fieuzal |
2016 |
Pessac Leognan ex-Negociant |
$56.99 |
46 |
|
| |
| JS 94 (1/2019): Very intense red-plum and dark-fleshed peach aromas, plus a hint of pomegranate, make this generous, well-structured Pessac-Leognan red very attractive. However, the full, moderately dry tannins need some time to resolve. Better from 2021, but with a long future ahead of it. |
|
| Ch. de Pez |
2019 |
St. Estephe |
$44.99 |
24 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. de Sales |
1985 |
Pomerol Very Top-Shoulder Fill |
$50 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Des Laurets |
2015 |
Puisseguin-St. Emilion Baron Selection Parcellaire |
$75.65 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (2/2018): The 2015 Les Laurets Baron Edmond de Rothschild Selection Parcellaire is the best Merlot off the estate. Sweet red cherry, raspberry, anise and cedar show a good bit of nuance. Drink this pliant, supple wine over the next few years. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Ch. du Tertre |
2012 |
Margaux |
$59 |
12 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (4/2015): This 125-acre vineyard is beautifully situated in the southern sector of the appellation of Margaux. Dense ruby/purple, with sweet cassis fruit, Du Tertre’s 2012 has a perfumed, elegant, lush, velvety-textured mouthfeel and impressive purity and depth. Drink it over the next 15-20 years. |
|
|
2018 |
Margaux |
$57 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 92 (3/2021): The 2018 Château Du Tertre is solid, offering an attractive bouquet of red and black fruits, vanilla bean, dried flowers, balsam (which I always seem to find in this wine), and sandalwood. It's beautifully complex, has medium-bodied richness, moderate tannins, and a forward, charming, already delicious style that's ideal for enjoying over the coming 15 years. (Drink between 2021-2036).
VM 90 (3/2021): The 2018 Château du Tertre, this estate sold by the Jelgersmar family during my tastings, has an intense bouquet of iris and pencil lead aromas infusing the black fruit, and a touch of ash in the background. I like the chutzpah here. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins on the entry, quite firm and earthy, with just a little dryness on the graphite-tinged finish. This is decent du Tertre that just needs to muster a touch more finesse in bottle. (Drink between 2023-2042). Neal Martin.
WA 90 (3/2021): Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 du Tertre delivers a good intensity of stewed black plums, kirsch and black raspberry notes, plus hints of dried Provence herbs, tobacco leaf and cedar chest. The medium-bodied palate offers plenty of red and black fruit preserves flavors with a soft texture and loads of freshness, finishing with an herbal lift. |
|
|
2018 |
Margaux Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$57 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 92 (3/2021): The 2018 Château Du Tertre is solid, offering an attractive bouquet of red and black fruits, vanilla bean, dried flowers, balsam (which I always seem to find in this wine), and sandalwood. It's beautifully complex, has medium-bodied richness, moderate tannins, and a forward, charming, already delicious style that's ideal for enjoying over the coming 15 years. (Drink between 2021-2036).
VM 90 (3/2021): The 2018 Château du Tertre, this estate sold by the Jelgersmar family during my tastings, has an intense bouquet of iris and pencil lead aromas infusing the black fruit, and a touch of ash in the background. I like the chutzpah here. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins on the entry, quite firm and earthy, with just a little dryness on the graphite-tinged finish. This is decent du Tertre that just needs to muster a touch more finesse in bottle. (Drink between 2023-2042). Neal Martin.
WA 90 (3/2021): Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 du Tertre delivers a good intensity of stewed black plums, kirsch and black raspberry notes, plus hints of dried Provence herbs, tobacco leaf and cedar chest. The medium-bodied palate offers plenty of red and black fruit preserves flavors with a soft texture and loads of freshness, finishing with an herbal lift. |
|
| Ch. Fonbadet |
2015 |
Pauillac |
$43.99 |
48 |
|
| |
VM 93 (2/2018): A totally sexy, voluptuous wine, the 2015 Fonbadet is terrific. A rush of dark cherry jam, wild flowers, mint, espresso and licorice gives the 2015 its decidedly exotic, voluptuous personality. Silky tannins and plush fruit add to the wine's sumptuousness. There is a presence to the 2015 that is hard to describe but that has been present each of the three times I have tasted it so far. Simply put, Fonbadet is gorgeous in 2015. Antonio Galloni.
JS 91 (2/2018): A rich and ripe Pauillac that shows currant and sweet-tobacco character. Full-bodied, rich and layered with a long and flavorful finish. Needs two or three years to mellow out. Try in 2020.
JD 90 (11/2017): Tasted on three separate occasions, the 2015 Château Fonbadet is a rock-solid effort in the vintage, as well as a terrific value. A medium to full-bodied, mouth-filling, ripe Pauillac that has good acidity, classic notes of plums, mulberries, spice and dried tobacco, moderate tannin, and outstanding length, drink it anytime over the coming 10-15 years. |
|
|
2019 |
Pauillac (375 ML) Ex-Negociant |
$22.99 |
33 |
|
| |
JD 93 (4/2022): Blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and some cedary, spicy, lead pencil notes all emerge from the 2019 Château Fonbadet, a medium to full-bodied, rich, mouth-filling Pauillac with plenty of tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, good concentration, and outstanding length. It will evolve for 20+ years if stored properly. (Drink between 2022-2044).
VM 93 (2/2022): The 2019 Fonbadet, impressive from barrel, has a delineated bouquet of blackberry, bilberry and touch of licorice that gains intensity with aeration; this is a Pauillac with ambition. The palate is medium-bodied with grip and density, broad shoulders and a very saline finish. This should age supremely well. (Drink between 2025-2050). Neal Martin.
WA 90 (4/2022): From a 12-hectare estate sandwiched in between Pontet Canet, Pédesclaux and Lafite, the 2019 Fonbadet offers up aromas of cassis, plums, cocoa nib and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, lively and creditably concentrated, it's built around powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully chewy finish. |
|
|
2019 |
Pauillac Ex-Negociant |
$41 |
14 |
|
| |
JD 93 (4/2022): Blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and some cedary, spicy, lead pencil notes all emerge from the 2019 Château Fonbadet, a medium to full-bodied, rich, mouth-filling Pauillac with plenty of tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, good concentration, and outstanding length. It will evolve for 20+ years if stored properly. (Drink between 2022-2044).
VM 93 (2/2022): The 2019 Fonbadet, impressive from barrel, has a delineated bouquet of blackberry, bilberry and touch of licorice that gains intensity with aeration; this is a Pauillac with ambition. The palate is medium-bodied with grip and density, broad shoulders and a very saline finish. This should age supremely well. (Drink between 2025-2050). Neal Martin.
WA 90 (4/2022): From a 12-hectare estate sandwiched in between Pontet Canet, Pédesclaux and Lafite, the 2019 Fonbadet offers up aromas of cassis, plums, cocoa nib and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, lively and creditably concentrated, it's built around powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully chewy finish. |
|
| Ch. Fonplegade |
2015 |
St. Emilion Ex-Negociant |
$59 |
23 |
|
| |
VM 94 (2/2018): Even better from bottle than it was from barrel, the 2015 Fonplégade is absolutely gorgeous. Rich and sumptuous, but superbly refined, the 2015 exudes class. The dark cherry, plum, espresso, rose petal and blood orange notes open up effortlessly. Time in the glass brings out the wine's underlying brightness, tension and energy. Everything about the 2015 speaks to balance. This is a superb showing from proprietors Stephen and Denise Adams and their team, which includes both Stéphane Derenoncourt and Michel Rolland. (Drink between 2023-2035). Antonio Galloni.
JD 94 (11/2017): Almost all Merlot (there's 5% Cabernet Franc) from a terrific site situated between Angelus and Pavie (this is prime Saint-Emilion terroir!), the 2015 Château Fonplegade is a rich, opulent beauty that comes across as amazingly elegant and weightless for a wine of this size. Cassis, toasted spices, dried earth, and lots of floral nuances all emerge from this full-bodied Saint-Emilion that has notable purity and freshness, ripe tannin, and a great finish. It's blockbuster stuff that needs to be snatched up by readers. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years. Tasted twice. (Drink between 2020-2040).
WA 92+ (2/2018): Made almost exclusively from Merlot with just a 5% splash of Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Fonplegade is deep garnet-purple in color with a very pretty nose of red and black currants, wild thyme, charcuterie, earth and floral notes plus a fair amount of cedary notions in the background. Medium to full-bodied, it's wonderfully elegant, fine and fresh in the mouth with arresting purity and depth, finishing just a little woody. Give it 3-5 years for the oak to marry and the fruit to come to the forefront, and drink it over the next 10 to 15+ years. |
|
|
2019 |
St. Emilion Ex-Negociant |
$44.99 |
16 |
|
| |
JD 94 (4/2022): From a great terroir on the south-facing hillside just outside of the village, the 2019 Château Fonplégade has pretty notes of ripe black cherries, cassis, spring flowers, sandalwood, and classy oak. I love the nose, and while it's still young and relatively unevolved, it already has hints of complexity and nuance, and the purity is spot on. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a great mid-palate and sweet, velvety tannins, it already offers pleasure yet will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age, and I'd be shocked if it didn't evolve nicely for at least 15-20 years. (Drink between 2026-2048).
VM 91 (2/2023): The 2019 Fonplégade has a cohesive and well-defined nose of red berry fruit, sous-bois and dry tobacco, the oak neatly folded into the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a little chewiness on the entry, fine acidity, maybe a little rustic compared to others but it has freshness and charm. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2024-2038). Neal Martin.
WA 91 (4/2022): Aromas of ripe cherries, licorice, crème de cassis, burning embers and loamy soil introduce the 2019 Fonplegade, a medium to full-bodied, muscular wine that's rich and powerful, reflecting its clay-rich soils. It's a fleshy, generous wine that represents a fine success in a more impactful style. |
|
| Ch. Fontenil |
2010 |
Fronsac |
$35 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 92 (2/2013): This is rich and round with a juicy, savory palate of crushed berries. Minerals too. Full body, with velvety tannins and a delicious finish. So delicious now but better in 2016.
WA 91 (2/2013): The 2010 Fontenil displays loads of crushed rock and floral notes intermixed with raspberries, red currants and some darker fruits such as blueberries. It is medium to full-bodied, with relatively soft tannins but good acidity, ripeness and focus. It should drink nicely for at least a decade.
VM 90 (8/2013): Bright, full red-ruby. Sexy nose combines raspberry, flowers, menthol and crushed rock accented by licorice and mint. Juicy, spicy and firm, with sound acidity enlivening the flavors of blueberry and licorice. Not at all overdone; in fact, a bit youthfully disjointed today owing to its acidity. Finishes fresh and persistent, with serious, dusty tannins spreading out to coat the incisors. I'd wait four or five years before pulling the cork. |
|
| Ch. Gazin |
2019 |
Pomerol |
$85 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 95-97 (6/2020): The 2019 Gazin is tightly wound at first and needs coaxing from the glass. Broody dark berry fruit, truffle and smoke eventually emerge, flanked by a discrete marine influence. The palate is very promising with saturated tannins that belie the structure of this Pomerol. The freshness is very impressive, lighting up the senses. The finish is imbued with wonderful tension and traces of iron on the aftertaste. Quintessentially Gazin, this is a superb wine. Neal Martin.
JD 94-96 (6/2020): The 2019 Château Gazin checks in as 89% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Cabernet Franc. I'm not sure it's going to match the 2018, but it's certainly not far off and has a wonderful mix of freshness, richness, and complexity that's the hallmark of this great vintage. Lots of ripe red and black fruits, tobacco, mocha, and spring flower notes all emerge from the glass, and it's beautifully balanced, building nicely with time in the glass, and just has everything in the right places. This gorgeous Pomerol in the making will be accessible in its youth and drink brilliantly for 15-20 years.
JS 95-96 (6/2020): A tight, focused red with blackberry and blueberry character, as well as chocolate. It’s full and compact with soft, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Harmonious. |
|
| Ch. Gloria |
2018 |
St. Julien Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$48 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (3/2021): A youthful, unevolved 2018 with lots of up-front blue and black fruits as well as cedary herbs, violets, and scorched earth, the 2018 Château Gloria is medium to full-bodied and has a beautifully balanced, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and both richness and freshness. The purity of fruit is spot on. It's another brilliant wine from this estate that readers will love. It's going to benefit from 2-4 years in the cellar and cruise for two decades in cold cellars. |
|
| Ch. Grand Pontet |
2015 |
St. Emilion Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$45 |
6 |
|
| |
JD 89+ (11/2017): I found the 2015 Grand Pontet to be hard to read, with lots of oak and chocolate, yet also lots of fruit. I just never really came together in the glass and is a head-scratcher. I think it will settle down with 2-3 years of bottle age and certainly has potential. (Drink between 2021-2031).
VM 88 (2/2018): The 2015 Grand-Pontet is powerful and dense, but also quite extracted to the point I am not sure the tannins will soften before the fruit starts to fade. Black cherry, mocha, licorice, grilled herbs, blackberry, new leather and smoke all run through a burly Saint Émilion with searing, dry tannins. Tasted two times. (Drink between 2020-2027). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Ch. Grand Puy Ducasse |
2020 |
Pauillac |
$38 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 87-89 (5/2021): The 2020 Grand-Puy-Ducasse reveals a deep purple-black color and notes of crème de cassis, blackberry pie, espresso and black olives, giving way to nuances of cedar chest, graphite and wild sage, with a suggestion of Sichuan pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with a sturdy frame of chewy tannins and just enough freshness, taking a bit of a flavor-dip in the mid-palate, finishing a little short and firm.
VM 92-94 (5/2021): The 2020 Grand Puy Ducasse is another fabulous wine from a château that has been on an impressive streak over the last few years. Red fruit, graphite, mint, dried herbs and blood orange. The interplay of richness and energy is compelling. Even as a very young barrel sample, the oak is so well integrated. The 2020 is a striking wine loaded with potential. The long, seamless finish is a thing of beauty. Tasted two times. I very much like the energy here. Antonio Galloni.
JD 93-96 (5/2021): The deep, inky-hued 2020 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse has a seriously impressive, balanced, full-bodied, structured style that's going to reward patience. Pure crème de cassis, black raspberry, graphite, lead pencil, and spring flower notes all define the bouquet, and it has plenty of background oak, a dense, chewy mid-palate, lots of tannins, and a great finish. It's going to need to be forgotten for 7-8 years but will evolve for 30 years or more.
JS 97-98 (4/2021): Blackberry and asphalt with cool minerals and a hint of mint. It’s full-bodied and chewy with intense flavors and a long, flavorful finish. Lots of chalk and an almost salty undertone. |
|
| Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste |
2020 |
Pauillac |
$73 |
4 |
|
| |
VM 95-97 (5/2021): The 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a very refined, almost understated bouquet at first, but it opens in glorious fashion to offer precise blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, crushed stone and wild mint, gaining intensity at its own pace. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine-grained tannins, a keen thread of acidity, layers of intense black fruit and quite a spicy, vibrant and certainly persistent finish. This is a brilliant GPL from the Borie family. Neal Martin.
WA 91-93 (5/2021): Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste offers notes of freshly crushed black and red currants, fresh blackberries and mulberries, plus hints of pencil lead, damp soil and black olives. The medium-bodied palate is delicately styled and refreshing, delivering soft, skillfully managed tannins and just enough freshness to frame the juicy black fruits, finishing savory.
JD 92-95 (5/2021): The 2020 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a more fleshy, textured Pauillac that still plays in the concentrated, focused, structured style of the vintage. Ripe black cherries, currants, toasty oak, chocolate, and tobacco leaf notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, richly textured 2020 that has velvety tannins, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 20-25 years or so.
JS 96-97 (4/2021): This full-bodied red builds on the palate in a fantastic way with tight, compact tannins that grow and grow on the finish. Plenty of blackcurrant and graphite character and a flavorful finish. Same level as the excellent 2016. |
|
| Ch. Grand Tayac |
2005 |
Margaux Wine-Stained Label |
$59 |
7 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Haut Bages Liberal |
2020 |
Pauillac |
$49 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 93-95 (5/2021): The 2020 Haut-Bages Liberal is a powerhouse in its first impression. Veins of bright mineral notes give the 2020 its textural feel and persistence. Bright red fruit, cedar, dried flowers, mint, spice and sweet tobacco. Time in the glass brings out very pretty floral notes that add finesse and considerable aromatic presence. Antonio Galloni.
JS 95-96 (4/2021): Unique character to this with mushroom, wet-earth, spice, and black-tea character on the nose and palate. It’s full and layered with chewy tannins that are plush and pure. Rose-bush and bark undertones to the fruit. Old merlot vines showing through! 72% cabernet sauvignon and 28% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Demeter certification. |
|
| Ch. Haut Brisson |
2005 |
St. Emilion La Reserve |
$59 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2015): This well-run property of the Kwok family has produced some great wines in their short tenure as owners. The 2005 La Réserve is an open-knit, sexy, opulent style of wine. Very forward, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color and plenty of crème de cassis, kirsch, licorice and new saddle leather. Spicy and full-bodied, it is best drunk over the next 7-10 years. This will not be one of the longer-lived wines of the vintage.
VM 91 (4/2021): The 2005 La Reserve from Haut-Brisson is a dense, packed wine. Black fruit, espresso, chocolate, leather and licorice abound. This is a decidedly heady, extracted style. While the 2005 has aged relatively well, it is also a bit one-dimensional. I would prefer to drink it over the next handful of years, before the slightly mature notes that are present today become overly dominant. Time in the glass brings out attractive floral and blood orange accents that add just enough complexity to make the 2005 interesting. (Drink between 2021-2027). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Ch. Haut Marbuzet |
1989 |
St. Estephe Very Heavily Water/Wetness-Stained Label; Very Heavily Tattered Label; Vintage Label destroyed, believed 1989 |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 86 (2/1997): In this recent blind tasting, Haut-Marbuzet's 1989 revealed considerable amber to its color, as well as a pronounced nose of cedar, jammy cherry fruit, seaweed, and spice. The wine tasted fully mature, low in acidity, round, and sweet. Based on this bottle, which did not exhibit any evidence of exposure to heat, I would opt for drinking the 1989 Haut-Marbuzet over the next 5-6 years. |
|
|
2005 |
St. Estephe |
$59 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 89 (6/2015): Proprietor Henri Duboscq made a delicious, sexy style of St.-Estèphe in 2005. Dark plum/ruby/purple, with notes of smoky oak, espresso, medium body and lots of fruit, it is a relatively lush, heady style of St.-Estèphe that is far more seductive and accessible than most wines of this appellation in 2005. Drink it over the next decade. |
|
| Ch. Haut Sarpe |
1964 |
St. Emilion Top-Shoulder Fill; Slightly Depressed Cork; Nicked Capsule; Bin-Soiled Label |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
1964 |
St. Emilion Very Top-Shoulder Fill; Bin-Soiled Label |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
1964 |
St. Emilion Very Top-Shoulder Fill; Bin-Soiled Label; Nicked Capsule |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
1964 |
St. Emilion Very Top-Shoulder Fill; Slightly Raised Cork; Bin-Soiled Label |
$70 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Haut-Bages Monpelou |
2017 |
Pauillac |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 87 (2/2020): The 2017 Haut-Bages-Monpelou is missing a little definition on the nose compared to its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. It feels chewy at the moment, slightly heavy in extraction but it does convey a sense of purity on the finish. Give it a couple of years in bottle. (Drink between 2021-2030). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Joanin Becot |
2019 |
Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux ex-Negociant |
$21.95 |
7 |
|
| |
JD 92 (4/2022): Mulberries, ripe cherries, tobacco leaf, and chalky mineral notes all emerge from the 2019 Château Joanin Bécot, another pure, incredibly elegant, balanced beauty from this family. Readers who love vibrant, elegant, yet still concentrated and impeccably made Bordeaux will love this medium-bodied, seamless 2019 that can be drunk any time over the coming 10-15.
VM 90 (2/2023): The 2019 Joanin Bécot has quite a precise nose, a mélange of red and black fruit laced with cedar and graphite. It unfurls nicely in the glass though never achieves the complexity of the 2019 Carignan. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, plenty of graphite infused black fruit, a bit old school yet harmonious and delineated. This has potential - it just requires time in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Neal Martin. |
|
|
2020 |
Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux Ex-Negociant |
$22.95 |
37 |
|
| |
WA 93 (4/2023): The 2020 Joanin Bécot offers up notes of cherries, dark berries, violet and flower aromas with delicate hints of peony flowers. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, precise and fresh, with bright acidity and a delicate, crystalline and fine texture; in a word: exquisite.
JD 91 (3/2023): I always love this cuvée, and the 2020 Château Joanin Bécot shows the class of the vintage with its limestone-driven aromatics of black raspberries, framboise, rose petals, iris, and exotic flower-driven aromatics. With medium-bodied richness on the palate, it has silky tannins, a pure, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This is just pure, classic Right Bank goodness to enjoy over the coming decade or so. (Drink between 2023-2033).
VM 89 (11/2024): The 2020 Joanin Bécot has a ripe and bold bouquet with blackberry, cedar and tobacco scents. It is strangely reminiscent of say, a Saint-Julien, with just a touch of morels. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannins, a light-styled Right Bank. It's fleshy and generous toward the finish but without the same complexity and grip as its peers. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Drink between 2026-2039). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Kirwan |
2020 |
Margaux |
$45 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 91-93+ (5/2021): Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Kirwan prances out of the glass with pretty scents of redcurrant jelly, black raspberries and Morello cherries, followed by hints of lavender, black tea and dried Provence herbs, with a touch of tree bark. The medium-bodied palate has fantastic tension and fine-grained tannins framing the tightly wound red fruit and savory layers, finishing long and refreshing.
JD 92-94 (5/2021): The deep purple 2020 Château Kirwan offers a rocking bouquet of jammy blackberries, blueberries, violets, cedary oak, and sappy flowers. Playing in the medium to full-bodied, rich, concentrated end of the spectrum, on the palate it shows the more focused and elegant style of the vintage, with wonderful tannins and impressive purity of fruit. This is another strong showing by Château Kirwan that will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and have more than two decades of longevity.
JS 94-95 (4/2021): Extremely exotic on the nose with crushed blackcurrants, raspberries and peaches, following through to a full-bodied palate with wonderful, refined tannins that are creamy and velvety in texture. Very long and persistent with a caressing finish. Best of the trilogy? |
|
| Ch. La Gurgue |
2016 |
Margaux |
$39 |
47 |
|
| |
| JS 93-94 (4/2017): Tight and chewy with currant and blueberry character. Medium body, a lovely center palate and a subtle finish. Pretty continuation to the 2015. |
|
| Ch. La Lagune |
2022 |
Haut Medoc |
$39 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 92-94 (5/2023): One of the best Haut-Médoc out there, the 2022 Château La Lagune reveals a dense purple hue as well as a classic Médoc bouquet of blackcurrants, leafy herbs, fresh earth, and chocolate. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a layered, concentrated mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. A stunning wine, it will have 30 years of longevity if properly stored.
VM 92-94 (5/2023): The 2022 La Lagune really takes a while to settle in the glass. It eventually sheds its veneer of oak to reveal attractive blackberry, sous-bois and pencil box aromas, and an exotic element loitering just off-stage. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins that lacquer the mouth. Quite dense and muscular, yet it retains definition and plenty of freshness on the finish. It will require bottle age, but it should evolve into a fine La Lagune. Neal Martin.
WA 93-95 (5/2023): Reminding me, like the 2019, of a modern-day version of the lovely 1990, the 2022 La Lagune bursts with aromas of dark berries, cassis, licorice and violets. Medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, it's a broad, sensual wine with velvety tannins and a suave, charming profile. With 13.8% alcohol, it remains classically proportioned, with a rather high pH of over 3.8 likely contributing to its open, giving style this year.
JA 94 (5/2023): Impressive La Lagune, with depth and reach, manages to deliver intense tannic architecture, with Left Bank power and concentrated cassis and bilberry fruits, with fresher pomegranate, citrus zest, mandarin oil, tobacco, cigar box all adding complexity. Supple tannins also, and plenty of them, with bitter almond notes adding focus on the finish. Ageing potential here, and an impressive vintage for the property. Harvest September 9 to 26. Owner Caroline Frey. |
|
| Ch. La Tour Figeac |
2018 |
St. Emilion Ex-Negociant |
$59 |
12 |
|
| |
JD 93 (3/2021): A 70/30 split of Merlot and Cabernet Franc that saw 40% new oak, the 2018 Château La Tour Figeac reveals a deep ruby/purple color to go with a classy nose of spiced currants, black cherries, loamy soil, leather, and dried tobacco and herbal notes. It has a savory, complex nose yet brings plenty of sweet fruit and opulence on the palate, with ripe and polished tannins, a rounded, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length on the finish. The balance is spot on, it has a great mid-palate, and I suspect it will have 15-20 years of overall longevity. (Drink between 2021-2041).
WA 91 (3/2021): Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 La Tour Figeac bursts from the glass with bold notes of baked blackberries, stewed plums and boysenberries, plus hints of tilled soil, pencil lead and spice cake. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a thirst-quenching line of freshness with soft tannins and bags of black fruits, finishing with a peppery kick.
VM 90+ (3/2021): The 2018 La Tour Figeac has a slightly pinched nose that demands coaxing, almost reluctantly offering blackberry, briary, undergrowth and light earthenware scents. The medium-bodied palate is fresh and tensile, with supple tannins, licorice-tinged red fruit and a touch of mint toward the finish, which just attenuates slightly. Needs a little time to find its voice. (Drink between 2023-2045). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Lafon Rochet |
2019 |
St. Estephe (375 ML) Ex-Negociant |
$27 |
31 |
|
| |
| JS 93-94 (6/2020): The purity of fruit and balance in this young St.-Estephe is really beautiful with crushed-currant, stone and orange-peel aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with fine tannins and a pretty finish. We will see if this is better than the 2018 or not. |
|
|
2020 |
St. Estephe ex-Negociant |
$38.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 92-94 (5/2021): The 2020 Lafon-Rochet was picked September 15–20 and marks the first collaboration between consultants Jean-Claude Berrouet and Eric Boissenot, who both worked on the blending. It has a really lovely bouquet of blackberry, briar and faint estuarine scents, hints of crushed iris flower emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and modest depth, and quite fleshy; lip-smacking salinity urges you to take another sip. Intriguingly, it comes across a tad Pomerol-like on the finish, completing a top-notch Lafon-Rochet that may well end up at the top of my banded score. NEal Martin.
JD 93-95+ (5/2021): I loved the 2020 Château Lafon-Rochet, a rich, powerful, concentrated Saint-Estèphe that stays beautifully balanced and elegant. Lots of pure cassis and darker currant fruits as well as tobacco, chocolate, and damp herb notes define the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with plenty of mid-palate depth, building tannins, and a great finish. It's going to take 7-8 years to hit the early stages of maturity, but it's a brilliant wine. The blend is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, with an alcohol of 13.5 and a pH of 3.68. Tasted twice.
JS 93-94 (4/2021): Blackberry and spice with firm, chewy tannins that show polish and focus. It’s medium-to full-bodied with excellent energy. Blackberry and blackcurrant character on the finish with a touch of cedar and spice. |
|
| Ch. Langoa Barton |
2018 |
St. Julien (375 ML) Ex-Negociant |
$29 |
5 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Le Prieure |
2015 |
St. Emilion |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 90-92 (4/2016): The 2015 Château Le Prieuré is more understated on the nose than its peers - gentle raspberry coulis and wild strawberry scents furnished a touch of fig. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin. There is a lucidity to this Saint Émilion, a brightness and vivacity, and it comes armed with plenty of energy and a finish that suggests a prosperous future. This is an excellent Château Le Prieuré from the Guichard family and I might head for this rather than their Pomerol, Vray Croix de Gay this year. |
|
| Ch. Leoville Poyferre |
2021 |
St. Julien |
$85 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Marsau |
2022 |
Francs Cotes de Bordeaux 2023 en Primeur Release |
$29.95 |
36 |
|
| |
WA 92-94 (5/2023): This medium to full-bodied 2022 Marsau is an attractive wine produced from 100% Merlot. It has a delightfully pure bouquet of peony, violet, iris, menthol and cassis, followed by a crunchy and juicy yet fresh texture and then by a mineral-driven finish of remarkable purity, expressing elegant notes of licorice and pencil lead. Anne-Laurence and Mathieu Chadronnier have produced a red wine that punches above its weight. Bravo!
JA 92 (5/2023): Floral notes on the aromatics, shows the heavy spice of the vintage with black pepper, rosemary and turmeric notes, begins to lift through the palate as it opens. An unusual spot in Franc Côtes de Bordeaux with a lot of clay in the soils, and this is powerful and concentrated, with a flash of heat on the finish. 12ha vineyard, entirely clay, entirely Merlot, organic since 2018, no till farming, 25hl/h yield. Harvest September 7 to 12, to be aged 80% large oak casks (no new oak), 10% one year old, 10% neutral oak and amphora. |
|
|
2022 |
Francs Cotes de Bordeaux (1.5 L) 2023 en Primeur Release |
$59.95 |
19 |
|
| |
WA 92-94 (5/2023): This medium to full-bodied 2022 Marsau is an attractive wine produced from 100% Merlot. It has a delightfully pure bouquet of peony, violet, iris, menthol and cassis, followed by a crunchy and juicy yet fresh texture and then by a mineral-driven finish of remarkable purity, expressing elegant notes of licorice and pencil lead. Anne-Laurence and Mathieu Chadronnier have produced a red wine that punches above its weight. Bravo!
JA 92 (5/2023): Floral notes on the aromatics, shows the heavy spice of the vintage with black pepper, rosemary and turmeric notes, begins to lift through the palate as it opens. An unusual spot in Franc Côtes de Bordeaux with a lot of clay in the soils, and this is powerful and concentrated, with a flash of heat on the finish. 12ha vineyard, entirely clay, entirely Merlot, organic since 2018, no till farming, 25hl/h yield. Harvest September 7 to 12, to be aged 80% large oak casks (no new oak), 10% one year old, 10% neutral oak and amphora. |
|
| Ch. Ormes de Pez |
2020 |
St. Estephe Bin-Soiled Label |
$29 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 92 (11/2024): The 2020 Ormes de Pez has a more open nose than its peers, leaning more toward red fruit as hints of potpourri and rosemary lend complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins. There's quite a lot of extraction noticeable in this Saint-Estèphe, as well as a grippy, saline finish. It will require cellaring for several years before it entertains drinkability. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Drink between 2030-2055). Neal Martin.
JD 92 (3/2023): A blend of 54% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2020 Château Ormes De Pez offers up a great perfume of red and black currants, sweet tobacco, sandalwood, and spice. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with ripe tannins and good overall balance, it's another terrific 2020 that offers pleasure even today yet will evolve for 15+ years if well stored. (Drink between 2023-2038). |
|
| Ch. Pedesclaux |
2014 |
Pauillac |
$47.99 |
12 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (3/2017): The 2014 Pedesclaux has a tightly wound bouquet with redcurrant and crushed strawberry fruit, cedar and cigar box aromas filtering through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, plenty of black fruit laced with cedar and black pepper, though it does not quite deliver the complexity that I think the 2015 will on the finish. Still, it is a very capable vintage from the rejuvenated château that is certainly going places in the same way that Pontet-Canet did in the 1990s. Tasted twice with consistent notes. |
|
|
2015 |
Pauillac |
$49.99 |
11 |
|
| |
JS 94 (2/2018): Currants and blueberries with hints of flowers and perfume. Stones, too. Full body, a dense center palate, layers of ripe tannins and citrus rind. Layered and structured. Plush. A very serious wine from this estate. Best ever? We will see. Try in 2022.
JD 90 (11/2017): From an estate on the upswing, the 2015 Château Pedesclaux is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated effort that includes a big chunk of Merlot (42%) and a small amount of Petit Verdot. It offers a medium-bodied, beautifully balanced and silky personality as well as top-notch notes of blackberries, dried flowers, and cedary spice. With fine, polished tannin, no hard edges, and impressive purity of fruit, drink it anytime over the coming two decades. |
|
|
2016 |
Pauillac Bin-Soiled Label |
$51 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 94 (2/2019): An estate that’s unquestionably on the upswing, the 2016 Château Pedesclaux is made from 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc that spent 18 months in 60% new oak. In the past, the wines from this estate have been slightly chunky, but that started to change around 2014, and I think this 2016 is the best yet. Beautiful blue fruits, violets, spicy oak, and a touch of minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied Pauillac, which has fine, polished tannins, a seamless texture, and a great finish. With purity and finesse as well as richness and depth, it’s already reasonably approachable today, but it’s going to evolve for three decades or more.
JS 95 (1/2019): So aromatic with crushed currants, raspberries and blackberries with hints of graphite and lead pencil. Full-bodied and very tight with beautiful tannins and a long, flavorful finish. The tannins really build at the end of the palate. Try from 2024.
VM 94 (1/2019): The 2016 Pedesclaux is the first vintage to include all four grape varieties planted in the vineyard, according to Emmanuel Cruse. It has a very focused, concentrated bouquet of blackberry, graphite, hints of tobacco and a slight granitic scent - très Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannin, impressive depth, gentle grip and a killer line of acidity. I adore the harmony and precision of this Pedesclaux, which is probably the best to date. Highly recommended. 13.3% alcohol. Neal Martin.
WA 93 (11/2018): The 2016 Pedesclaux is composed of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. It aged for 18 months in 60% new and 40% one-year-old French oak. It has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed red and black currants and blackberries with cigar box, new leather, pencil lead and crushed rocks. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant, fresh and lively with loads of mineral nuances and a lovely earthy finish. Around 15,000 cases produced. |
|
| Ch. Pibran |
2020 |
Pauillac Ex-Negociant |
$39 |
41 |
|
| |
JD 93 (3/2023): Based on 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon that saw 50% new oak, the 2020 Château Pibran is a classic wine in the vintage that has a pure, layered, medium to full-bodied style as well as textbook notes of darker berries, cassis, irone, and tobacco. With ripe tannins, a good spine of acidity, and plenty of texture, it's going to evolve for 15-20 years in cold cellars. (Drink between 2023-2043).
VM 93 (2/2023): The 2020 Pibran is a potent wine. Black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and chocolate are nicely dialed up in this rich, heady Pauillac. Soft, plush and exuberant, Pibran is a total charmer. Best of all, it will be ready to drink with minimal cellaring. Bright acids and floral notes lift the finish. (Drink between 2025-2035). Antonio Galloni.
WA 90+ (4/2023): Aromas of cassis, raw cocoa, licorice and loamy soil introduce the 2020 Pibran, a medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety wine framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish. |
|
| Ch. Picque-Caillou |
2018 |
Pessac Leognan Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$36 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 86 (3/2021): The 2018 Pique Caillou has an attractive nose of raspberry and blackberry fruit, plus touches of black olive and iodine. There is a breeziness, a sense of joie-de-vivre. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly hard tannins. This Pessac suddenly gets all serious and where I am seeking more flesh it feels a bit sour and dry. (Drink between 2022-2028) |
|
| Ch. Prieure Lichine |
1982 |
Margaux Signs of Old Seepage; Heavily Bin-Soiled Label |
$100 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 74 (9/1995): The last several times I tasted this wine it exhibited considerable dilution, seemed disjointed, and perhaps heat damaged. None of it came from my cellar. In the most recent tasting, the wine appeared at the end of its useful life. The color revealed considerable amber. The nose offered roasted herb notes but very little fruit. Perhaps this was not the finest example available, but earlier tastings have consistently revealed a light-bodied, uninspiring wine. Drink it up. |
|
| Ch. Quinault l'Enclos |
2006 |
St. Emilion La Reserve |
$55 |
4 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Rauzan-Gassies |
2021 |
Margaux |
$44 |
5 |
|
| |
VM 92 (2/2024): The 2021 Rauzan Gassies turned out beautifully. Dark and layered, with lovely mid-palate balance and creaminess, the 2021 is super-expressive today. Black cherry, leather, spice, menthol, licorice and mocha build effortlessly. This dark, pliant Margaux has much to offer. (Drink between 2027-2041). Antonio Galloni.
WA 88 (2/2024): The 2021 Rauzan-Gassies opens in the glass with aromas of dark berries, burning embers and baked plums, followed by a medium to full-bodied, reasonably fleshy wine built around powdery tannins and lively acids. It's not a profound wine, but it's much better than the samples I tasted en primeur led me to believe.
JD 87 (4/2024): Mulberries, earthy cherries, green herbs, and cedar notes all emerge from the 2021 Château Rauzan-Gassies, a more medium-bodied, lean, yet elegant effort that has soft tannins and a good finish. It's not one of the top Margaux in the vintage, but it has a classic, enjoyable style. |
|
| Ch. Rauzan-Segla |
2021 |
Margaux |
$73 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Rol Valentin |
2010 |
St. Emilion |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (2/2013): A strong showing from this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that hit 14.7% natural alcohol, the 2010 Rol Valentin exhibits oodles of sweet black currant and black raspberry fruit along with some toasty oak and a note of charcoal embers in a full-bodied, opulent, showy, even flamboyant style that seems to beg comparison to 2009. This wine should drink beautifully for 10-15 years. |
|
| Ch. Rouget |
1982 |
Pomerol Very Top-Shoulder Fill; Scuffed Label; Corroded Capsule; Slightly Depressed Cork |
$100 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 86 (6/2000): Soft, fully mature, and beginning to crack up, this medium-bodied Pomerol exhibits caramel, roasted coffee, strawberry, dried herbs, and black cherry fruit as well as noticeable, somewhat dusty tannin. Drink it up. |
|
| Ch. Sansonnet |
2018 |
St. Emilion Very Lightly Scuffed Label |
$49 |
1 |
|
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| Ch. Sociando Mallet |
2003 |
Haut Medoc Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$65 |
1 |
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JS 93 (3/2015): Lots of ripe and dark fruit with hints of almonds and dark chocolate on the nose. Full body with juicy fruit and a long, caressing finish. Lovely texture to this young wine. This hot year was excellent in the Northern Medoc. A special barrel selection from Sociando Mallet. Drink or hold.
VM 91 (6/2006): Good medium ruby-red color. More grilled on the nose than the 2004 or 2005: superripe black fruits and bitter chocolate. Then liqueur-like verging on confectionery in the mouth, but with surprisingly healthy acids giving shape to the dominant black fruit flavors. At once velvety and quite powerful, with the fine-grained tannins currently conveying a rather soft impression. This is deceptively drinkable right now but should evolve positively in bottle for the next 10 or 15 years. This has more power but the 2005 offers more finesse, notes Gautreau.
WA 90 (8/2014): This fresh Northern Medoc demonstrates how strong the 2003 vintage can be in this sector of Bordeaux. The tannins have softened considerably, and the wine reveals a youthful dense ruby/purple color. Notes of white flowers, blackberries and black currants are found in this still youthful, medium- to full-bodied, rich wine that is just approaching full maturity. It should provide plenty of pleasure over the next decade. |
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2016 |
Haut Medoc |
$47 |
4 |
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| JS 93-94 (4/2017): Tight and chewy yet polished and beautiful. Medium to full body, a pretty core of fruit within the center palate and a flavorful finish. Better than 2015 and on the same level as the excellent 2014. |
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| Clos des Jacobins |
2005 |
St. Emilion |
$69 |
3 |
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JD 91 (4/2024): Ripe black fruits, sweet black cherries, leather, savory herbs, chocolate, and earthy nuances all emerge from the 2005 Clos Des Jacobins, a medium-bodied, classic, complex, incredibly satisfying effort. It's drinking beautifully today yet should keep through 2030 with ease. (Drink between 2024-2030).
WA 89+ (6/2015): This is a fruit-driven, medium to full-bodied St.-Emilion, with a dark ruby/purple color, ripe plum and black cherry fruit, good spice and earthiness. This 2005 represents the beginning of the resurrection of this famous estate, which was once owned by the huge Cordier firm, but now produces wine under the auspices of the brilliant consultant Hubert de Boüard. Anticipated maturity: now-2028 |
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| Clos du Marquis |
2020 |
St. Julien Ex-Negociant |
$59 |
7 |
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JD 94 (3/2023): I always love this wine. While it never has the regal elegance of the Leoville Las Case, it always brings beautiful depth and richness. The 2020 Clos Du Marquis is no exception and is a concentrated, medium to full-bodied Saint-Julien delivering lots of ripe tobacco, graphite, and crushed stone aromatics, a great mid-palate, fine tannins, and a terrific core of bright cherry and darker currant fruits. A terrific wine, it will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and cruise over the following two decades. (Drink between 2027-2047).
WA 93+ (4/2023): The 2020 Clos du Marquis wafts from the glass with aromas of rich berries, cherries, orange zest, pencil shavings and crushed mint. Medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a sweet core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully firm finish, it's a serious wine that will require and reward patience.
VM 93 (2/2023): The 2020 Clos du Marquis is a rich, explosive wine. Super-ripe dark cherry, red plum, dark spice and pomegranate give the 2020 its effusive, open-knit personality. There's terrific energy and tons of class here. The purity of the fruit is very fine, yet the tannins are a bit imposing at this stage. Give this a few years to come together. (Drink between 2025-2035). Antonio Galloni. |
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| Clos l' Eglise |
2018 |
Pomerol Ex-Negociant |
$99 |
1 |
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WA 95 (3/2021): The 2018 Clos l'Eglise is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with energetic scents of Morello cherries, fresh black plums, boysenberries and lavender, plus underlying nuances of crushed rocks, woodsmoke and black truffles. The full-bodied palate is packed with perfumed black fruit, supported by ripe, velvety tannins and tons of freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note.
JD 94 (3/2021): A pretty, elegant wine from this terroir, the 2018 Château Clos L'Eglise reveals a ruby/purple color as well as smoking good notes of black cherries, blueberries, white truffle, damp earth, and a little bit of iron and bloodiness that emerge with time in the glass. With medium to full-bodied richness on the palate, it has ripe tannins, a balanced texture, and just a ripe yet elegant, fleshy profile. Give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 10-15 years. (Drink between 2025-2040).
VM 93 (6/2022): Just a few weeks after my round of in-bottle tastings, the 2018 Clos l’Eglise replicates its performance at the property. The bouquet is bright and vivacious with raspberry and crushed strawberry, those mocha, dark chocolate and espresso scents present but politely waiting in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. The acidity is well judged with a smooth, velvety texture that fans out confidently towards the finish. I suspect this will drink in its youth, but it has the substance to age. Tasted at the Clos l’Eglise vertical. (Drink between 2023-2042). Neal Martin. |
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| Clos Sainte Anne |
2018 |
Premiere Cotes de Bordeaux ex-Negociant |
$16.99 |
60 |
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| Fleur de Pedesclaux |
2019 |
Pauillac ex-Negociant |
$32.95 |
60 |
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| VM 90 (2/2022): The 2019 Fleur de Pédesclaux, matured in 30% new oak, has been increasing its Cabernet Sauvignon since 2009, when it was pure Merlot (and also undergoing organic conversion since 2013). Raspberry, blackberry, cedar and light tobacco scents unfurl in the glass. The palate is still quite fleshy and rounded, and lightly spiced, retaining that hint of Chinese five-spice toward the tender finish. A lovely second wine. (Drink between 2023-2033). Neal Martin. |
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| La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou |
2018 |
St. Julien |
$51.99 |
32 |
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| JD 94 (3/2021): The second wine of this great domaine is the 2018 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou. A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, this ripe, opulent beauty boasts a dense purple color to go with a sexy, full-bodied style showing loads of blackcurrants, cassis, spice, candied violet, and tobacco-like aromas and flavors. Plush, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, this is one big, sumptuous Saint-Julien that's going to evolve for 15-20 years or more. |
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| La Dame de Montrose |
2022 |
St. Estephe 2023 en Primeur Release |
$46 |
15 |
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JD 93-95 (5/2023): The second wine of Château Montrose, the 2022 La Dame De Montrose, tastes like a Grand Vin. More Merlot-dominated (71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc), the terrific purity in its cassis and blue fruits give way to complex floral, forest floor, and violet aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, balanced, and elegant, I'd be happy to drink a bottle any time over the coming 15 years.
VM 92-94 (5/2023): The 2022 La Dame de Montrose is deep, pliant and rich. All of the intensity of this warm, very dry vintage comes through in the wine’s sheer size and ripe, dark profile. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and espresso are all amplified in this decidedly intense, concentrated La Dame. Qualitatively, there is little question this could have easily been a Grand Vin in a preceding generation. The 2022 is a stunning La Dame. Antonio Galloni.
WA 92-94 (5/2023): A second wine that would embarrass numerous classified growths, the 2022 La Dame de Montrose unfurls in the glass with aromas of blackberries, violets, rose petals, charcoal and loamy soil, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy palate of striking concentration, energy and dimension. Seamless and complete, it's a blend of 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
JA 92 (5/2023): Higher proportion of Merlot than usual in the blend, this is deep ruby red in colour and opens to sandalwood, cedar, black pepper and rosemary notes, alongside ripe blackberry and creme de cassis fruits. A lucky vineyard located next to the river at one of the widest points of the Estuary, this is impactful and confident, with the fingerprints of the vintage. 31hl/h yield. 30% new oak. |
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| Les Fiefs de Lagrange |
2001 |
St. Julien Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$35 |
1 |
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2010 |
St. Julien (375 ML) |
$32 |
58 |
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| WA 89-91 (5/2011): A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot, this has a very fine nose of blackberry, briary and a touch of black tea. Good definition and purity. The Petit Verdot add a little edginess to this wine that has fine tension if lacking a little length on the saturated, slightly chewy finish. Very good purity and precision though. |
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| Les Griffons de Pichon Baron |
2019 |
Pauillac Ex-Negociant |
$49 |
51 |
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JD 94 (4/2022): The second wine of this great estate, the 2019 Les Griffons De Pichon Baron is a more Merlot-dominated release and is 59% Merlot and 41% Cabernet Sauvignon that saw 40% new oak. It has a gorgeous nose of ripe blackcurrant and darker cherry fruits as well as tobacco, smoked herbs, violets, and freshly sharpened pencils. Vibrant, pure, and complex aromatically, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, has the vintage's pure, elegant character, terrific depth on the mid-palate, and outstanding length. It's a wonderful, already approachable Pauillac that will deliver the goods over the coming 20+ years. (Drink between 2022-2044).
VM 90 (2/2023): The 2019 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron has a slightly evolved nose, red fruit mixed with melted tar and mixed herbs. The palate is better with firm tannins, fine acidity, quite a solid wine with admirable grip on the finish. Enjoy this over the next 10 to 12 years. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2025-2035). Neal Martin. |
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| Les Pagodes de Cos |
2018 |
St. Estephe |
$56 |
1 |
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| WA 93+ (3/2021): The 2018 Les Pagodes de Cos (14.51% alcohol) is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, aging in 20% new barriques. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts from the glass with bold notions of Morello cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, plum preserves and spice cake with suggestions of pencil shavings and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with spicy black fruits, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering savory note. |
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2020 |
St. Estephe Ex-Negociant |
$47.95 |
1 |
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JD 94 (3/2023): Showing even better from bottle than barrel, the 2020 Pagodes De Cos checks in as 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34 % Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Remarkably elegant and balanced, it has a great nose of red and black fruits, sandalwood, tobacco leaf, and spice as well as medium to full-bodied richness on the palate. It's shockingly good and up with the top second wines out there. It will evolve for at least two decades. (Drink between 2024-2044).
VM 89 (11/2024): The 2020 Pagodes de Cos has an enticing, vigorous nose, with redcurrant, cranberry, loam and forest floor scents coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins (for a Saint-Estèphe). It's powdery in texture with a bit of austerity on the finish. This just needs to flesh out a little. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Drink between 2027-2040). Neal Martin.
WA 89 (4/2023): The 2020 Les Pagodes de Cos is fleshy and dramatic, bursting with aromas of crème de cassis, lilac, spices and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and textural, it's an unctuous, ripe, modern-styled red that will drink well young. |
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| Lilian Ladouys |
2018 |
St. Estephe ex-Negociant |
$27.50 |
60 |
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JA 93 (7/2021): Owed by Jacky Lorenzetti (new owner also of Ch Lafon Rochet in the same appellation), this is one of those surefire estates that delivers St Estèphe power with a touch of luxury. There are layers of ripe black fruits and chewy tannins here, so it will benefit from a few more years in bottle or a serious carafing before drinking. 48hl/h yield, 35% new oak with both 225l and 400l barrels. Converting to organic farming as of 2020.
VM 92 (3/2021): The 2018 Lilian Ladouys is showing nicely now that the wine is in bottle. It has a riper bouquet compared to, say, the Calon-Ségur, more lush – a 2018 with wider appeal, featuring blueberry and cassis scents that soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that disguise the backbone of this Saint-Estèphe. It is not the most powerful Lilian Ladouys in recent years, safeguarding its linearity and strictness all the way through to the finish. But it conveys a sense of classicism and has abundant freshness that should see it age well over the next two decades. (Drink between 2023-2040). Neal Martin.
JD 92 (3/2021): A year-in, year-out value, the 2018 Château Lilian Ladouys checks in as 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that was brought up in 35% new oak. Jammy blueberries, ripe cherries, damp earth, tobacco, and spicy wood notes define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a plump, rounded texture, opulent aromas and flavors, and a great finish. (Drink between 2021-2036) |
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| Pichon Comtesse Reserve |
2020 |
Pauillac (375 ML) Ex-Negociant |
$28 |
55 |
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JD 93 (3/2023): The second wine from this talented team, the 2020 Pichon Comtesse Reserve is worth seeking out. I always find this wine to offer loads of pleasure. Possessing the elegance and purity of the vintage (as well as this estate), it has a pretty perfume of red and blue fruits , some spring flowers and graphite on the nose, ultra-fine tannins, and an already accessible, delicious profile. It's perfect for drinking over the coming 10-12 years. (Drink between 2023-2035).
VM 92 (11/2024): The 2020 Reserve de Pichon Comtesse has quite a concentrated bouquet—blackberry and raspberry fruit, a touch of cassis, just a soupçon of exoticism. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine balance, plenty of freshness and a breezy, well-defined finish. Delightful. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Drink between 2028-2050). Neal Martin.
WA 91 (4/2023): Much like the grand vin, the 2020 Resèrve de la Comtesse is charming and polished, bursting with aromas of dark berries, plums, rose petals and mint. Medium to full-bodied, suave and enveloping, it will drink well on release. |
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| Sarget de Gruaud Larose |
2019 |
St. Julien Ex-Negociant |
$36 |
5 |
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| VM 89 (2/2023): The 2019 Sarget de Gruaud-Larose has a well-defined bouquet with tertiary red berry fruit, understated initially but gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, quite tarry with a fair proportion of tobacco and black pepper on the finish. There is quite a lot going on in this wine and it should age well in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2026-2040). Neal Martin. |
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| Ch. Malartic Lagraviere |
2016 |
Pessac Leognan |
$55 |
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Sold Out
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JS 96 (1/2019): I love the deep and complex nose, in which the cassis and mint of cabernet sauvignon are beautifully married to the more generous blackberry of ripe merlot and the vanilla and toasty notes from the oak are marvelously integrated. On the palate it creeps up on you slowly; the first impression is ripe yet delicate, then the fine-grained tannins charge through and light up the sky. Very long finish. Drink or hold.
VM 95 (1/2019): The 2016 Malartic-Lagravière has a wonderful bouquet of perfumed, mainly red fruit laced with potpourri, black olive tapenade and light brine-like aromas - a bouquet full of personality. The fresh, harmonious palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity and just the right amount of salinity toward the loam-tinged finish. Bon vin from the Bonnies. Neal Martin.
JA 95 (12/2018): The colour is rich and deep but with luminosity that gives nuance and fresh air. It's a lovely 2016, poised but not as powerful as some in the vintage, yet every inch the sophisticated reflection of the appellation.
JD 94 (2/2019): As to the red, the grand vin is the 2016 Château Malartic-Lagravière (53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot). Aged in 80% new barrels and hitting 13.5% natural alcohol, it offers a deep purple color with beautiful cassis, tobacco, crushed rocks, and subtle incense aromas and flavors. Balanced, medium to full-bodied, and straight-up seamless on the palate, it’s another brilliant Graves that offers ample pleasure today yet will keep for 20+ years or more. |
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