Top Vintages
Top Vintages
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95+)
The 2020 Branaire-Ducru was so alluring en primeur, but is very shy today. That said, some of that youthful exuberance has given way to the characteristic Brainaire finesse. Dark red cherry, spice, grilled herbs, menthol and licorice emerge, but only with great reluctance. Sweet floral and spice notes lift the finish nicely. The 2020 is going to need the better part of a decade to come around.Inc. TAX€337.98 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A very pretty wine, showing blackberry and blackcurrant aromas with crushed stone. Medium to full body with layers of fine-grained tannins. Bright and refined. Lots of dark fruit at the end. Solid weight.Inc. TAX€278.05 -
Decanter (97)
One of the standouts of the vintage that impressed equally on three different occasions. Fragrant and expressive on the nose, lovely scents and dark fruits. Smooth and crisp, silky but concentrated, such precision and detail straight away with succulent and juicy acidity. There’s concentration no doubt, it’s ripe and intense, the dark perfumed blackcurrants and black cherries give a serious backbone and tension to the wine, while the minty, stony freshness carries the flavour and gives the energy and definition. Excellently weighted on the palate, with structure and a mouthwatering sensation that comes in once the weight settles. So well constructed with a beautiful texture and overall integration of all the elements. Exceptional quality and drinkability on offer with a delicious salty, graphite and flint finish that puts you at the estate. Overlook this at your peril. 2.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.65pH. Harvest 12 - 24 September. 60% grand vin production. A yield of 34hl/ha. Tasted three times. This vintage was the first to be made 100% in the new cellar with double the number of vats than were available in 2020 for more precise fermentations. HVE3 certified. Harvest 12 September - 24 September.Inc. TAX€355.67 -
(6x75cl) 2023
James Suckling (95-96)
This has so much lead pencil, stone and blackcurrant character, as well as blackberry. It’s medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a polished finish. Very classy and structured.Expected Price Range€221 - €262 -
Wine Enthusiast (91)
A perfumed wine, it has ripe tannins, soft and full black currant flavors and a solid structure. A dark, brooding character indicates the aging potential. Drink this concentrated wine from 2017.Inc. TAX€448.21 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)
The 2021 Branas Grand Poujeaux was picked from September 29 to October 13 at 38hL/ha and includes some whole-cluster addition; it was matured in 50% new oak. The well-defined bouquet features blackberry, raspberry, white pepper and a hint of undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy entry and gentle grip, the whole bunch working well here, and quite saline on the finish. Excellent.Inc. TAX€336.52 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
Showing beautifully, the 2009 Château Brane-Cantenac is loaded with classic Margaux notes of sandalwood, dried flowers, spice, truffle, and blackcurrants. Based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied and has a beautifully textured, elegant mouthfeel, terrific mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It's a quintessential, elegant yet textured, concentrated Margaux to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years.Inc. TAX€954.78 -
Wine Advocate (96-98)
The 2016 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenere picked from 22 September until 17 October (the tiny parcel of Carmenere picked three days later). The yields came in at 51 hectoliters per hectare and it is matured in 75% new oak and 25% one-year-old barrels, the final alcohol level 13.3%. It has a beautifully defined, very detailed bouquet with mineral-rich black fruit laced with cedar and graphite notes, living up to its nom de plume as the Pauillac of Margaux. The palate is simply the best that I have ever tasted at the estate, without question. This has presence, but also weightlessness, filigree tannin and perfectly pitched acidity, with real intensity and drive. The tension here is outstanding and the persistence is incredibly long. It is not the showiest of all the 2016s by a long stretch, and yet it is everything you could possibly want from a Margaux. Like Beychevelle this year, the 2016 Brane-Cantenac puts recent vintages in the shade, thanks not only to the growing season, but also a new punching down system in their gravity-fed winery that was completed in 2015. The 2016 is a benchmark against which future vintages will be compared.Inc. TAX€581.58 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
While the wood flavors are palpable in this wine, so are the firm tannins and dense black fruit. These elements suggest a wine that will have power and great concentration while also generous blackberry fruits. Drink from 2024.Inc. TAX€447.18 -
James Suckling (95-96)
What strikes me about this Brane-Cantenac is the gorgeous center palate of ripe fruit, which gives an impression of generosity, yet it’s tight and reserved at the same time. Fine and polished tannins follow on and drive this gorgeous fruit.Inc. TAX€403.98 -
Wine Advocate (97)
Derived exclusively from the château's holdings on the deep gravel soils of the plateau of Brane, the 2019 Brane-Cantenac has turned out brilliantly and merits a special effort to seek out. Wafting from the glass with aromas of wild berries, pencil shavings, violets, sweet loamy soil and cardamon, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with lively acids, ripe tannins and a beautifully seamless, perfumed profile. Retaining all the estate's signature elegance but with an extra dimension of depth and intensity, it's the finest Brane-Cantenac of the modern era and one of the great successes of the 2019 vintage.Inc. TAX€531.18 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Extremely floral and beautiful with blackberry and blackcurrant aromas that follow through to a full body with a solid core of fruit and loads of dark fruit, sweet tobacco, bark and earth. Chewy, fine tannins. Perhaps the best of the trilogy years.Inc. TAX€499.98 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A medium-bodied, very polished Brane-Cantenac with firm yet fine and textured tannins. Deep and compact core of black fruit, herbs and spices. Pretty licorice and clove notes. Structured and long. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot and 1% carmenere.Inc. TAX€445.67 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)
Easily one of the best wines of the appellation. Red rose petal fragrance, damp earth, rosemary, baking spice, sandalwood, incense, graphite and slate. Exceptional balance, deep chocolate and mint character, with lush damson and cassis fruits. Crushed violet flowers and salted cracker salinity, extremely impressive. Owner Henri Lurton has experience of making wine overseas, in Baja California, which may have given insights into viticultural techniques n the heat, but the real key here is the old vine Cabernet Sauvignon planted in the 1950s and 1960s by his late father Lucien Lurton. 100% new oak, from 8 coopers, and the meticulous approach to oak ageing care of technical director Christophe Capdeville is also important. 42% of production in the 1st wine. All the young vines, even when co-planted in the same rows were picked separately also this year.Inc. TAX€558.47 -
(6x75cl) 2023
Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)
Readers looking for one of the hidden gems in the vintage should jump on the 2023 Château Brane-Cantenac, an incredibly impressive Margaux that does everything right. Cassis, graphite, violets, lead pencil, and leafy tobacco notes all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with classy, integrated oak, flawless balance, and fine tannins. I love its overall purity, as well as its balance, and it should need just 4-5 years of bottle age to show its potential. Tasted twice.Expected Price Range€336 - €399 -
Wine Advocate (98)
This magnificent, dense plum/purple-colored Pessac-Leognan reveals notes of scorched earth, burning embers, blackberries and truffles. Composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from a vineyard gorgeously situated between Malartic Lagraviere and Haut-Bailly, it possesses full-bodied power, a stunningly intense, voluptuous, layered mouthfeel and abundant levels of fruit, glycerin and tannin. The 2009 ranks alongside the magnificent 2000, which is aging at a glacial pace. Unfortunately, proprietress Helene Garcin only produces around 500 cases of this somewhat cult-ish Pessac-Leognan. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.Inc. TAX€1,075.79 -
Wine Advocate (94)
A luxury cuvée from this tiny, 15-acre vineyard in the heart of Léognan owned by the Garcin family, the final blend on the 2012 Garcin is 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot. A big, full-throttle, full-bodied, impressive Pessac-Leognan, with notes of charcoal fires, burning embers, blueberry and blackberry fruit, this full-bodied, rich, supple wine is very impressive, beautifully textured and quite pure and long. This is a star of the vintage and certainly one of the best Pessac-Léognans. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.Inc. TAX€670.42 -
Introducing Brown 2016, a remarkable vintage capturing the essence of the finest vineyards nestled in Napa Valley, California. As an expert wine connoisseur, I can confidently affirm that the Brown 2016 is an exemplar of premium and complex winemaking.
Characterised by an enticing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, Brown 2016 is hand-harvested and aged for 18 months in French oak barriques, lending it a lush, full-bodied profile. Its striking bouquet of ripe blackberries, toasted spices, and a hint of mocha deliver palate-pleasing complexity. The exhilaratingly long finish leaves a lasting impression on the taste buds.
Produced by Brown Estate, a family-owned entity with a rich winemaking heritage, Brown 2016 embodies their commitment to sustainable viticulture and meticulous craftsmanship, transcending ordinary oenological boundaries. This wine exemplifies what can be achieved when tradition meets innovation, a symphony of flavours in a bottle. Savour the Brown 2016 experience, an unmissable addition for discerning collectors and wine enthusiasts alike.
Inc. TAX€366.52 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (86-88)
The 2020 Château Brown was picked from September 15 to October 1, cropped at 35hl/ha and matured in one-third new oak. It offers dark berry fruit on the nose mixed with espresso and light tobacco scents, perhaps lacking a little focus. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. The oak needs to be more in sync with the fruit and there is just a patina of dryness toward the finish. I would aver that the previous two vintages have the upper hand.Inc. TAX€326.92 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (88-90)
The 2021 Brown offers good depth and textural intensity. The aromatics in this barrel sample aren't perfect, but there is plenty of fruit and structure to make me think the 2021 will turn out well.Inc. TAX€353.32 -
Introducing the exemplary Brown Blanc 2020, the epitome of fine craftsmanship from the prestigious Brown Blanc Vineyards. This splendid vintage hails from the renowned wine region of Bordeaux, France, and exhibits the mastery of traditional French viniculture. Brown Blanc 2020 is a masterfully created blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, hand-harvested at their prime.
The vinification process follows time-honoured methodologies, with fermentation in stainless steel vats and maturation in French oak barrels for 12 months. This endows Brown Blanc 2020 with an exceptional complexity and unparalleled depth of flavours. The result: a multi-layered palette of plush blackcurrants fused with subtle whispers of vanilla and spice.
Created by the esteemed wine producer, Maurice Brown, his meticulous focus on quality lends a remarkable exquisiteness to the Brown Blanc 2020. Undoubtedly, this exquisite Bordeaux blend stands as a testament to the producer's unwavering commitment to excellence in winemaking.
Inc. TAX€326.92 -
In the world of fine wines, the Cadet de Gombaude 2019 is a gem from Bordeaux's prestigious Pomerol appellation. This elegant red wine is produced by Château Gombaude-Guillot, a winery with deep roots in the area, renowned for their commitment to organic and biodynamic principles. The Cadet de Gombaude 2019 is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, each grape contributing depth and complexity to the final product. Aged in French oak barrels, the wine embodies rich fruit flavours including blackberries and cherries, underpinned by a beautiful minerality and silky tannins. With its lush texture and a grand long finish, it offers the classic charms of the region with a finesse that speaks of the impeccable winemaking skills of the estate. Meant to be savoured and appreciated, Cadet de Gombaude 2019 is a testament to the incredible potential and refinement of Pomerol wines.
Inc. TAX€354.52 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96+)
The 2014 Calon Ségur is a real show-stopper. Unusually ripe, powerful and seductive, the wine exudes class. Myriad shades of plum, sweet red cherry, pomegranate, spice and blood orange are all on display. Wild flowers, tobacco and host of more aromatic notes develop in the glass. Above all else, though, the 2014 is a wine of pure power and breadth. This is yet another fabulous showing for the 2014 Calon Ségur, a wine that vies for top honors in this vintage. Don't miss it. The blend is 67 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 19 % Merlot, 15 % Cabernet Franc and 2 % Petit Verdot.Inc. TAX€947.58 -
James Suckling (98-99)
Wow. This is the Calon we have been waiting for! Intensity and power. Chewy and polished tannins. Full body, great depth. It goes on for minutes. Shows a classic, historical character that really excites me. The essence of this estate and St.-Estèphe. Best ever?Inc. TAX€1,072.38 -
Wine Enthusiast (96)
This perfumed wine is rich in dark tannins and black currant flavors. It has lifted acidity and a wonderful juicy, balanced character. Very pure and well structured, this will be a great wine for aging. Drink after 2025.Inc. TAX€694.38 -
Decanter (99)
A distinctive bouquet with notes of iodine, flowers, fresh fruit and graphite, but its floral character takes on a dominant role with airing. Gorgeously juicy mouthfeel brimming with energy lengthening a finish that consolidates its profound substance but also reveals surprising subtlety and delicacy. This 2018 is perhaps an atypical Calon Ségur in the context of recent vintages, but it joins the ranks of the great ones and should gain in elegance over time. Cellaring may be required for up to twenty-five years.Inc. TAX€758.87 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)
The 2019 Calon Ségur is a wine of soaring vertical intensity and pure power. That's the good news. The not so good news is that it won't be ready to drink any time soon. Exotic spice, pencil shavings, crème de cassis, mocha and licorice are some of the nuances that develop in the glass, but those descriptions can't even begin to capture the sheer beauty of what is in the glass. I loved the 2019 from barrel and I love it just as much from bottle.Inc. TAX€802.38 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
The 2020 Château Calon Ségur is pure gold and another masterpiece from this estate. Harvested all in September and pulled from their 48 hectares of vines, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 20 months all in new French oak, and it hit 13.2% natural alcohol. My notes started and ended with "wow," and this riveting Saint-Estèphe offers a heavenly bouquet of red and black currants, truffly earth, iron, espresso, and tobacco leaf. With incredible purity of fruit, full-bodied richness, and ultra-fine tannins, it's a deep, pure, layered 2020 that deserves at least 7-8 years of bottle age and will cruise for 40-50 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Calon Ségur.Inc. TAX€756.78 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (95-97)
The 2021 Calon Ségur was cropped at 36hL/ha and aged entirely in new oak for a planned 20 months. This year, the gap between the Grand Vin and the Marquis is blatantly obvious, to the extent that they are practically different wines, which is how Vincent Millet and his team treat them. The Cabernet is firmly in the driving seat here, with detailed, graphite-infused black fruit and a background florality that comes through with aeration. The medium-bodied palate displays very fine tannins, superb acidity (pH 3.65) and impressive harmony. This has exemplary build in the mouth, fine weight on the finish and a persistent aftertaste. An outstanding Calon-Ségur, elevated by the risks taken in de-leafing in June and waiting to pick. Bravo. 12.9% alcoholInc. TAX€740.87 -
(6x75cl) 2023
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)
Precise and confident texture to this wine, has higher levels of both Cabernets in 2023 than in 2022, having reached exceptional maturity, and personally I feel that have recaptured the heart and spirit of Calon. Skilfully made, love the violet peony savoury character, it's sappy and has liqourice root and squid ink salinity, along with tons of cassis and cigar box. The blend for this was built on Cabernet, and you can feel it. My favourite Calon since the 2020 vintage, hands down. 100% new oak, director Vincent Millet.Expected Price Range€569 - €676
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95+)
The 2020 Branaire-Ducru was so alluring en primeur, but is very shy today. That said, some of that youthful exuberance has given way to the characteristic Brainaire finesse. Dark red cherry, spice, grilled herbs, menthol and licorice emerge, but only with great reluctance. Sweet floral and spice notes lift the finish nicely. The 2020 is going to need the better part of a decade to come around.In Bond€263.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A very pretty wine, showing blackberry and blackcurrant aromas with crushed stone. Medium to full body with layers of fine-grained tannins. Bright and refined. Lots of dark fruit at the end. Solid weight.In Bond€213.00 -
Decanter (97)
One of the standouts of the vintage that impressed equally on three different occasions. Fragrant and expressive on the nose, lovely scents and dark fruits. Smooth and crisp, silky but concentrated, such precision and detail straight away with succulent and juicy acidity. There’s concentration no doubt, it’s ripe and intense, the dark perfumed blackcurrants and black cherries give a serious backbone and tension to the wine, while the minty, stony freshness carries the flavour and gives the energy and definition. Excellently weighted on the palate, with structure and a mouthwatering sensation that comes in once the weight settles. So well constructed with a beautiful texture and overall integration of all the elements. Exceptional quality and drinkability on offer with a delicious salty, graphite and flint finish that puts you at the estate. Overlook this at your peril. 2.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.65pH. Harvest 12 - 24 September. 60% grand vin production. A yield of 34hl/ha. Tasted three times. This vintage was the first to be made 100% in the new cellar with double the number of vats than were available in 2020 for more precise fermentations. HVE3 certified. Harvest 12 September - 24 September.In Bond€274.00 -
(6x75cl) 2023
James Suckling (95-96)
This has so much lead pencil, stone and blackcurrant character, as well as blackberry. It’s medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a polished finish. Very classy and structured.Expected Price Range€221 - €262 -
Wine Enthusiast (91)
A perfumed wine, it has ripe tannins, soft and full black currant flavors and a solid structure. A dark, brooding character indicates the aging potential. Drink this concentrated wine from 2017.In Bond€351.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)
The 2021 Branas Grand Poujeaux was picked from September 29 to October 13 at 38hL/ha and includes some whole-cluster addition; it was matured in 50% new oak. The well-defined bouquet features blackberry, raspberry, white pepper and a hint of undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy entry and gentle grip, the whole bunch working well here, and quite saline on the finish. Excellent.In Bond€258.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
Showing beautifully, the 2009 Château Brane-Cantenac is loaded with classic Margaux notes of sandalwood, dried flowers, spice, truffle, and blackcurrants. Based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied and has a beautifully textured, elegant mouthfeel, terrific mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It's a quintessential, elegant yet textured, concentrated Margaux to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years.In Bond€777.00 -
Wine Advocate (96-98)
The 2016 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenere picked from 22 September until 17 October (the tiny parcel of Carmenere picked three days later). The yields came in at 51 hectoliters per hectare and it is matured in 75% new oak and 25% one-year-old barrels, the final alcohol level 13.3%. It has a beautifully defined, very detailed bouquet with mineral-rich black fruit laced with cedar and graphite notes, living up to its nom de plume as the Pauillac of Margaux. The palate is simply the best that I have ever tasted at the estate, without question. This has presence, but also weightlessness, filigree tannin and perfectly pitched acidity, with real intensity and drive. The tension here is outstanding and the persistence is incredibly long. It is not the showiest of all the 2016s by a long stretch, and yet it is everything you could possibly want from a Margaux. Like Beychevelle this year, the 2016 Brane-Cantenac puts recent vintages in the shade, thanks not only to the growing season, but also a new punching down system in their gravity-fed winery that was completed in 2015. The 2016 is a benchmark against which future vintages will be compared.In Bond€466.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (95)
While the wood flavors are palpable in this wine, so are the firm tannins and dense black fruit. These elements suggest a wine that will have power and great concentration while also generous blackberry fruits. Drink from 2024.In Bond€354.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
What strikes me about this Brane-Cantenac is the gorgeous center palate of ripe fruit, which gives an impression of generosity, yet it’s tight and reserved at the same time. Fine and polished tannins follow on and drive this gorgeous fruit.In Bond€318.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
Derived exclusively from the château's holdings on the deep gravel soils of the plateau of Brane, the 2019 Brane-Cantenac has turned out brilliantly and merits a special effort to seek out. Wafting from the glass with aromas of wild berries, pencil shavings, violets, sweet loamy soil and cardamon, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with lively acids, ripe tannins and a beautifully seamless, perfumed profile. Retaining all the estate's signature elegance but with an extra dimension of depth and intensity, it's the finest Brane-Cantenac of the modern era and one of the great successes of the 2019 vintage.In Bond€424.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Extremely floral and beautiful with blackberry and blackcurrant aromas that follow through to a full body with a solid core of fruit and loads of dark fruit, sweet tobacco, bark and earth. Chewy, fine tannins. Perhaps the best of the trilogy years.In Bond€398.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A medium-bodied, very polished Brane-Cantenac with firm yet fine and textured tannins. Deep and compact core of black fruit, herbs and spices. Pretty licorice and clove notes. Structured and long. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot and 1% carmenere.In Bond€349.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)
Easily one of the best wines of the appellation. Red rose petal fragrance, damp earth, rosemary, baking spice, sandalwood, incense, graphite and slate. Exceptional balance, deep chocolate and mint character, with lush damson and cassis fruits. Crushed violet flowers and salted cracker salinity, extremely impressive. Owner Henri Lurton has experience of making wine overseas, in Baja California, which may have given insights into viticultural techniques n the heat, but the real key here is the old vine Cabernet Sauvignon planted in the 1950s and 1960s by his late father Lucien Lurton. 100% new oak, from 8 coopers, and the meticulous approach to oak ageing care of technical director Christophe Capdeville is also important. 42% of production in the 1st wine. All the young vines, even when co-planted in the same rows were picked separately also this year.In Bond€443.00 -
(6x75cl) 2023
Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)
Readers looking for one of the hidden gems in the vintage should jump on the 2023 Château Brane-Cantenac, an incredibly impressive Margaux that does everything right. Cassis, graphite, violets, lead pencil, and leafy tobacco notes all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with classy, integrated oak, flawless balance, and fine tannins. I love its overall purity, as well as its balance, and it should need just 4-5 years of bottle age to show its potential. Tasted twice.Expected Price Range€336 - €399 -
Wine Advocate (98)
This magnificent, dense plum/purple-colored Pessac-Leognan reveals notes of scorched earth, burning embers, blackberries and truffles. Composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from a vineyard gorgeously situated between Malartic Lagraviere and Haut-Bailly, it possesses full-bodied power, a stunningly intense, voluptuous, layered mouthfeel and abundant levels of fruit, glycerin and tannin. The 2009 ranks alongside the magnificent 2000, which is aging at a glacial pace. Unfortunately, proprietress Helene Garcin only produces around 500 cases of this somewhat cult-ish Pessac-Leognan. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.In Bond€878.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
A luxury cuvée from this tiny, 15-acre vineyard in the heart of Léognan owned by the Garcin family, the final blend on the 2012 Garcin is 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot. A big, full-throttle, full-bodied, impressive Pessac-Leognan, with notes of charcoal fires, burning embers, blueberry and blackberry fruit, this full-bodied, rich, supple wine is very impressive, beautifully textured and quite pure and long. This is a star of the vintage and certainly one of the best Pessac-Léognans. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.In Bond€540.00 -
Introducing Brown 2016, a remarkable vintage capturing the essence of the finest vineyards nestled in Napa Valley, California. As an expert wine connoisseur, I can confidently affirm that the Brown 2016 is an exemplar of premium and complex winemaking.
Characterised by an enticing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, Brown 2016 is hand-harvested and aged for 18 months in French oak barriques, lending it a lush, full-bodied profile. Its striking bouquet of ripe blackberries, toasted spices, and a hint of mocha deliver palate-pleasing complexity. The exhilaratingly long finish leaves a lasting impression on the taste buds.
Produced by Brown Estate, a family-owned entity with a rich winemaking heritage, Brown 2016 embodies their commitment to sustainable viticulture and meticulous craftsmanship, transcending ordinary oenological boundaries. This wine exemplifies what can be achieved when tradition meets innovation, a symphony of flavours in a bottle. Savour the Brown 2016 experience, an unmissable addition for discerning collectors and wine enthusiasts alike.
In Bond€283.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (86-88)
The 2020 Château Brown was picked from September 15 to October 1, cropped at 35hl/ha and matured in one-third new oak. It offers dark berry fruit on the nose mixed with espresso and light tobacco scents, perhaps lacking a little focus. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. The oak needs to be more in sync with the fruit and there is just a patina of dryness toward the finish. I would aver that the previous two vintages have the upper hand.In Bond€250.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (88-90)
The 2021 Brown offers good depth and textural intensity. The aromatics in this barrel sample aren't perfect, but there is plenty of fruit and structure to make me think the 2021 will turn out well.In Bond€272.00 -
Introducing the exemplary Brown Blanc 2020, the epitome of fine craftsmanship from the prestigious Brown Blanc Vineyards. This splendid vintage hails from the renowned wine region of Bordeaux, France, and exhibits the mastery of traditional French viniculture. Brown Blanc 2020 is a masterfully created blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, hand-harvested at their prime.
The vinification process follows time-honoured methodologies, with fermentation in stainless steel vats and maturation in French oak barrels for 12 months. This endows Brown Blanc 2020 with an exceptional complexity and unparalleled depth of flavours. The result: a multi-layered palette of plush blackcurrants fused with subtle whispers of vanilla and spice.
Created by the esteemed wine producer, Maurice Brown, his meticulous focus on quality lends a remarkable exquisiteness to the Brown Blanc 2020. Undoubtedly, this exquisite Bordeaux blend stands as a testament to the producer's unwavering commitment to excellence in winemaking.
In Bond€250.00 -
In the world of fine wines, the Cadet de Gombaude 2019 is a gem from Bordeaux's prestigious Pomerol appellation. This elegant red wine is produced by Château Gombaude-Guillot, a winery with deep roots in the area, renowned for their commitment to organic and biodynamic principles. The Cadet de Gombaude 2019 is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, each grape contributing depth and complexity to the final product. Aged in French oak barrels, the wine embodies rich fruit flavours including blackberries and cherries, underpinned by a beautiful minerality and silky tannins. With its lush texture and a grand long finish, it offers the classic charms of the region with a finesse that speaks of the impeccable winemaking skills of the estate. Meant to be savoured and appreciated, Cadet de Gombaude 2019 is a testament to the incredible potential and refinement of Pomerol wines.
In Bond€273.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96+)
The 2014 Calon Ségur is a real show-stopper. Unusually ripe, powerful and seductive, the wine exudes class. Myriad shades of plum, sweet red cherry, pomegranate, spice and blood orange are all on display. Wild flowers, tobacco and host of more aromatic notes develop in the glass. Above all else, though, the 2014 is a wine of pure power and breadth. This is yet another fabulous showing for the 2014 Calon Ségur, a wine that vies for top honors in this vintage. Don't miss it. The blend is 67 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 19 % Merlot, 15 % Cabernet Franc and 2 % Petit Verdot.In Bond€771.00 -
James Suckling (98-99)
Wow. This is the Calon we have been waiting for! Intensity and power. Chewy and polished tannins. Full body, great depth. It goes on for minutes. Shows a classic, historical character that really excites me. The essence of this estate and St.-Estèphe. Best ever?In Bond€875.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (96)
This perfumed wine is rich in dark tannins and black currant flavors. It has lifted acidity and a wonderful juicy, balanced character. Very pure and well structured, this will be a great wine for aging. Drink after 2025.In Bond€560.00 -
Decanter (99)
A distinctive bouquet with notes of iodine, flowers, fresh fruit and graphite, but its floral character takes on a dominant role with airing. Gorgeously juicy mouthfeel brimming with energy lengthening a finish that consolidates its profound substance but also reveals surprising subtlety and delicacy. This 2018 is perhaps an atypical Calon Ségur in the context of recent vintages, but it joins the ranks of the great ones and should gain in elegance over time. Cellaring may be required for up to twenty-five years.In Bond€610.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)
The 2019 Calon Ségur is a wine of soaring vertical intensity and pure power. That's the good news. The not so good news is that it won't be ready to drink any time soon. Exotic spice, pencil shavings, crème de cassis, mocha and licorice are some of the nuances that develop in the glass, but those descriptions can't even begin to capture the sheer beauty of what is in the glass. I loved the 2019 from barrel and I love it just as much from bottle.In Bond€650.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
The 2020 Château Calon Ségur is pure gold and another masterpiece from this estate. Harvested all in September and pulled from their 48 hectares of vines, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 20 months all in new French oak, and it hit 13.2% natural alcohol. My notes started and ended with "wow," and this riveting Saint-Estèphe offers a heavenly bouquet of red and black currants, truffly earth, iron, espresso, and tobacco leaf. With incredible purity of fruit, full-bodied richness, and ultra-fine tannins, it's a deep, pure, layered 2020 that deserves at least 7-8 years of bottle age and will cruise for 40-50 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Calon Ségur.In Bond€612.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (95-97)
The 2021 Calon Ségur was cropped at 36hL/ha and aged entirely in new oak for a planned 20 months. This year, the gap between the Grand Vin and the Marquis is blatantly obvious, to the extent that they are practically different wines, which is how Vincent Millet and his team treat them. The Cabernet is firmly in the driving seat here, with detailed, graphite-infused black fruit and a background florality that comes through with aeration. The medium-bodied palate displays very fine tannins, superb acidity (pH 3.65) and impressive harmony. This has exemplary build in the mouth, fine weight on the finish and a persistent aftertaste. An outstanding Calon-Ségur, elevated by the risks taken in de-leafing in June and waiting to pick. Bravo. 12.9% alcoholIn Bond€595.00 -
(6x75cl) 2023
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)
Precise and confident texture to this wine, has higher levels of both Cabernets in 2023 than in 2022, having reached exceptional maturity, and personally I feel that have recaptured the heart and spirit of Calon. Skilfully made, love the violet peony savoury character, it's sappy and has liqourice root and squid ink salinity, along with tons of cassis and cigar box. The blend for this was built on Cabernet, and you can feel it. My favourite Calon since the 2020 vintage, hands down. 100% new oak, director Vincent Millet.Expected Price Range€569 - €676