Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2019 Les Perrières, is driven by strong Franc inflections. Mocha, dried flowers, lavender, rose petal and spice lend gorgeous aromatic intensity throughout. Clean veins of saline minerality from these limestone-rich soils give the 2019 a real sense of energy that is absolutely compelling. This is such a gorgeous wine. I would give the 2019 a few years to come together.

Vinous - Neal Martin (92-94)

The 2019 Lilian Ladouys has a powerful, quite burly bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, wine gums, touches of blueberry and violet. It feels more Margaux than Saint-Estèphe! The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, fine grip, just a hint of piquancy and a lovely estuarine/briny influence that defines the classic finish. I prefer the palate to the aromatics at this juncture, but overall this is promising. Tasted thrice with consistent notes.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2019 Le Marquis de Calon Ségur is a terrific second wine. Ample, bold and dramatic, the 2019 packs a huge punch. Black cherry, plum, new leather, graphite and incense build as this flamboyant, opulent Saint-Estèphe shows off its considerable allure. The 2019 is a big wine, but the 15.1% alcohol is not especially evident.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

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.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

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.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

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.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2019 Montrose is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a lot of swirling to unlock a vibrant core of ripe, juicy blackcurrants, freshly picked blueberries, and redcurrants with touches of garrigue, iris, tilled earth, and Sichuan pepper, plus a waft of wood smoke. Medium to full-boded, the palate is taut and muscular, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing very long and achingly perfumed. This is a real head-turner!

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2019 Montrose is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a lot of swirling to unlock a vibrant core of ripe, juicy blackcurrants, freshly picked blueberries, and redcurrants with touches of garrigue, iris, tilled earth, and Sichuan pepper, plus a waft of wood smoke. Medium to full-boded, the palate is taut and muscular, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing very long and achingly perfumed. This is a real head-turner!

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2019 Montrose is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a lot of swirling to unlock a vibrant core of ripe, juicy blackcurrants, freshly picked blueberries, and redcurrants with touches of garrigue, iris, tilled earth, and Sichuan pepper, plus a waft of wood smoke. Medium to full-boded, the palate is taut and muscular, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing very long and achingly perfumed. This is a real head-turner!

Decanter (94)

Intense nose, smells powerful, strong and structured. Excellent energy, this is good quality, quite bold and rich, velvety and clearly powerful with tannins that are at the fore right now and totally cover the mouth. This has a juicy appeal though with bright strawberry and cherry fruit flavours and a minty fresh finish. Lovely overall appeal. One to hold on to for a few years before opening.

Decanter (94)

Intense nose, smells powerful, strong and structured. Excellent energy, this is good quality, quite bold and rich, velvety and clearly powerful with tannins that are at the fore right now and totally cover the mouth. This has a juicy appeal though with bright strawberry and cherry fruit flavours and a minty fresh finish. Lovely overall appeal. One to hold on to for a few years before opening.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is really minerally and salty with spices, such as cloves. Full-bodied, yet tight and beautiful. Chewy, yet focused and bright. Very integrated. Hard not to drink.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is really minerally and salty with spices, such as cloves. Full-bodied, yet tight and beautiful. Chewy, yet focused and bright. Very integrated. Hard not to drink.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is really minerally and salty with spices, such as cloves. Full-bodied, yet tight and beautiful. Chewy, yet focused and bright. Very integrated. Hard not to drink.

James Suckling (98-99)

Really classy red, offering blueberries, minerals, salt, limestone and light fresh herbs. It’s full-bodied, but so refined. Fine layers of fruit and tannins. It’s like millefeuille. The 2018 is more exuberant, but I love the elegance and structure here. Subtle and complex. 78% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)

The 2019 Petit Bocq is a stylish, exuberant Saint-Estèphe to drink now and over the next decade. Plush dark fruit, spice, leather, scorched earth, menthol and chocolate are pushed forward. There is so much to like, starting with the wine's engaging personality.

Decanter (94)

Blackberry notes on the nose, with some herbal perfume touches too that are so appealing. Smooth and softly textured, with chalky nuances and grippy black cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant leaf aspects giving structure and body. Succulent and juicy with mouthwatering freshness. Great vibrancy and drive with life. Super approachable with the same vein of refinement and charm that Figeac does so well.

Decanter (94)

Blackberry notes on the nose, with some herbal perfume touches too that are so appealing. Smooth and softly textured, with chalky nuances and grippy black cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant leaf aspects giving structure and body. Succulent and juicy with mouthwatering freshness. Great vibrancy and drive with life. Super approachable with the same vein of refinement and charm that Figeac does so well.

James Suckling (96-97)

The complexity and depth is fantastic in this beautifully crafted, refined red. Such poise, finesse and length. Yet dense and very compacted. Love the texture precision. Goes on and on. Best ever?

James Suckling (96-97)

The complexity and depth is fantastic in this beautifully crafted, refined red. Such poise, finesse and length. Yet dense and very compacted. Love the texture precision. Goes on and on. Best ever?

Indulge in the opulence of Pipeau 2019, a Bordeaux produced with exemplary precision. Grown in the distinguished vineyards of Saint-Émilion, the fruit for this wine is meticulously cultivated to allow optimum maturity before harvest. The selected grapes are macerated for prolonged periods to extract the robust tannins and reveal the inherent fruity characteristics.

Creating an exquisite blend of predominantly Merlot, the Maison Blanche winery masters a seamless mélange with portions of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Ingeniously aged in French oak barrels, Pipeau 2019 delivers an aromatic complexity with noted essences of ripe dark berries underpinned by subtle oak and earthy nuances.

Pipeau 2019 seeks not to impress but to express. This wine reveals seductive depth, structure, and balance that at once embody the character of Saint-Émilion and the deft craft of Maison Blanche. Revel in Pipeau 2019, a testament to the time-honoured traditions of Bordeaux winemaking.

Emanating from the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux, France, the Plaisance 2019 offers a uniquely captivating wine experience. Conceived by the reputable Plaisance vintners, this exquisite blend mirrors the tradition and mastery inherent in each drop. The Plaisance 2019 bears the hallmarks of an exceptional Bordeaux wine, factoring in its topography, climate, and meticulous winemaking process.

The soil's rich composition, a harmonious fusion of gravel, sand and clay, bestows upon the Plaisance 2019 its distinct flavour profiles. The wine undergoes a thorough vinification process, ensuring character and depth. Aging in French oak barrels lends an additional layer of complexity, introducing a delicate balance of spice and toastiness.

A sip unveils dark fruit flavours, dancing on the palate with hints of blackberry and plum. Subtle tinges of vanilla and tobacco set against robust tannins culminate in a compelling, structured finish. The Plaisance 2019 authenticates its origins, guaranteeing a memorable encounter with the spirit of Bordeaux.

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

I continue to love this wine, and I think it's undervalued in the market. Coming from a walled vineyard near Libourne and managed by the incredible team at Cheval Blanc, the 2019 Château Quinault L'Enclos reveals a deep purple/ruby hue to go with a gorgeous seamless, medium to full-bodied, perfectly balanced profile that epitomizes the style of the vintage. The tannins are flawlessly integrated, it has a great mid-palate, and it offers up a wonderful bouquet of darker cherries, currants, leafy herbs, and chocolate. It can be drunk today with incredible pleasure given its balance and purity, but it’s going to cruise in cold cellars for at least two decades.

James Suckling (96-97)

One of the firmest, most structured Quintus with lots of beautiful fruit and powerful tannins. It’s a very classically structured red with blackberry and blueberry character. Lavender and spice underneath. Extremely intense. 55% merlot and 45% cabernet.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2019 Rocheyron has a gorgeous bouquet of red berry fruit and rose petals, hints of freshly tilled loam coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied, perfectly balanced, poised and harmonious, with seamlessly integrated oak, the Cabernet Franc lending freshness and a hint of bell pepper on the finish. Superb.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2019 Rocheyron has a gorgeous bouquet of red berry fruit and rose petals, hints of freshly tilled loam coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied, perfectly balanced, poised and harmonious, with seamlessly integrated oak, the Cabernet Franc lending freshness and a hint of bell pepper on the finish. Superb.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2019 Rocheyron has a gorgeous bouquet of red berry fruit and rose petals, hints of freshly tilled loam coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied, perfectly balanced, poised and harmonious, with seamlessly integrated oak, the Cabernet Franc lending freshness and a hint of bell pepper on the finish. Superb.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2019 Rocheyron has a gorgeous bouquet of red berry fruit and rose petals, hints of freshly tilled loam coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied, perfectly balanced, poised and harmonious, with seamlessly integrated oak, the Cabernet Franc lending freshness and a hint of bell pepper on the finish. Superb.

Decanter (94)

Black chocolate, baked earth, liquorice root and silky smooth tannins greet you on the first attack of this wine. I've never found this the easiest to love of the Durantou range but it is strikingly successful in 2019. Silky and yet slatey in texture, this both eases you through the palate and pulls you up short, slowing things down. Sparks of fresh minerality accompany the pulsing blueberry and raspberry fruits, and the juicy finish makes this one to look out for.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2019 Le Tertre Roteboeuf is a terrific success from the Mitjaville family. This amphitheatrical vineyard on the clay-limestone slopes of Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, planted with low, cordon-trained vines, has delivered a striking wine that wafts from the glass with aromas of cassis, blackberries and cherries mingled with notions of violets, cigar box, sweet spices and loamy soil. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit, velvety tannins and lively acids, it will richly reward a decade and more of bottle age. Interestingly, proprietor François Mitjaville contended that 2019's distribution of rainfall had tended to invert the usual stylistic distinction between Tertre Roteboeuf and Roc de Cambes, his wine from the Côtes de Bourg; yet, on the day of our tasting, geology trumped weather, because as usual the former was more sensual, the latter blockier and more structured.