James Suckling (94-95)

Wow. The shows a new level of excellence with mint, mineral and currant character. Full body, super fine tannins and a savory finish. New definition here. Precision. New second wine from this estate moved up the quality.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is very structured and dense with lots of fruit and tannin, yet it’s tight and long. Linear and racy. Muscular.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is classically structured with a wonderful finish of extremely polished tannins and an ultra long finish. So much blackcurrant, spice and cedar. Seamless. 70% cabernet sauvignon and 26% merlot, the rest cabernet franc and petit verdot.

James Suckling (93-94)

Subtle aromas of currants and fresh flowers with some tar and graphite. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. Very typical and bright for Pauillac. Linear and fine. Solid and tight. Well age nicely.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

You want to know what Pauillac tastes like, roll up and enjoy this vintage of Batailley. Squid ink, slate, cassis, bilberry, slate, crayon, black chocolate, plenty of tannic grip, a smudge of grilled cedar oak and a squeeze of mint, it's all here. 57% new oak for ageing. Harvest September 12 through to October 5, Axel Marchal consultant, Philippe and Frederic Castéja owners.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (87-90)

The 2016 Beau Soleil is a bit blowsy at first, but then finds its balance in the glass. Forward and open-knit, it is made in a style best suited for near- and medium-term drinking. Dark cherry, plum, espresso, wildflowers and rose petals all meld together. The new oak is a bit much at this stage, but otherwise the 2016 is nicely done. Tasted two times.

Indulge in the exquisite experience that is the Beau Soleil 2018. This spectacular red wine hails from the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux, France. A product of meticulous winemaking, Beau Soleil 2018 is a fine blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. These were given the perfect exposure to the sun, nurturing the grapes to full maturity. Expert vintners from the highly respected Château Beau-Soleil leveraged traditional methods of harvesting and fermentation to craft a wine of outstanding calibre.

As soon as you uncork a bottle, you are emboldened by the layered complexity of dark fruits, light spices intertwined with an undertone of oak. Beyond the nose, Beau Soleil 2018 teases the palate with robust tannins extending to a smooth, long finish. This wine encapsulates the best of the Bordeaux terroir, harmonising the power of bold fruit forwardness with subtle complexity. The Beau Soleil 2018 is undeniably a distinguishable gem in any fine wine collection.

Wine Enthusiast (94)

92-95 A big wine, with bitter chocolate flavors, and packed ripe fruit. It is intense and very dark, a great success.

Wine Advocate (94+)

My favorite Beau-Sejour-Becot to date, this sumptuous, dense blue/purple-hued 2009 reveals a blockbuster nose of blueberry pie, black fruits, licorice, forest floor, spring flowers and a hint of mocha. A blend of 70% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon made from tiny yields of 27 hectoliters per hectare, this big, inky, powerful, tannic wine is sensationally concentrated. With an unctuous texture, full-bodied power and tremendous levels of tannin (largely concealed behind a cascade of rich fruit), this is a fabulous effort from a beautifully situated St.-Emilion premier grand cru classe. It will need 5-8 years of cellaring, and should keep for three decades.

The Wine Cellar Insider (96)

Fleshy, sensuous, polished and packed with all the ripe black fruits, licorice, smoke, crushed rock and truffle you could ask for. Full-bodied, silky and rich, with a long, fruit-intensive finish, hold your bottles for a decade and this is going to be star!

Wine Spectator (96-99)

Juicy and forward in feel, with fresh plum, blackberry and anise notes. Dense, but still silky and refined in feel, revealing a long mineral echo through the finish. This is so pure, it seems almost too easy to drink already, just as you realize how ridiculously long it is.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2019 Beau-Séjour-Bécot is a powerful, explosive wine. Dark fruit, chocolate, cured meats and earthy notes lend quite a bit of depth. Compared with its neighbors, Beau-Séjour-Bécot is dark, broad and broodingly tannic, sometimes more power than finesse. There is plenty of character, though. That much is evident. Beau-Séjour-Bécot speaks with authority as it commands attention.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)

The 2019 Beaumont impresses on the nose with intense blackberry and briary aromas, sous-bois and tobacco, all whilst maintaining its delineation. The palate is supple and silky on the entry. There is well judged acidity, plenty of cedar and seaweed, tinged black fruit and a spicy finish. Now, this is a bloody great Beaumont.

James Suckling (92-93)

A linear and polished young red with compact, silky tannins that are polished and beautiful. Lots of blackberry, blackcurrant, mushroom and spice character. Very solid wine from here.

James Suckling (89-90)

Notes of dark berry and walnut here. It

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (95)

Vivid ruby. Captivating aromas of blackcurrant, red cherry, sweet spices and minerals are complemented by a strikingly pure violet nuance. Enters the mouth lush and concentrated, offering sweet dark berry and coffee flavors lifted by notes of black pepper, graphite and Asian spices. Turns more austere on the back half but remains very pure, hinting at uncommon depth and complexity. This classic, elegantly styled BDL finishes long and crisp, with very polished tannins and floral and mineral echoes.

Wine Advocate (94+)

Another brilliant wine of great nobility and finesse, the 2011 Beausejour-Duffau reveals a saturated chalky minerality as well as plenty of blue and black fruits, and fabulous precision and purity. It possesses a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and a distinctive/singular style only possessed by the greatest wines. Give it 4-5 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades. It promises to be one of the longest lived wines of the vintage. At 14.7% alcohol, this is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93-95)

The 2013 Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is one of the most exciting wines of the vintage. Dark, rich, powerful and creamy, the 2013 boasts stunning overall balance. An exotic, beguiling bouquet melds into dark fruit in an utterly impeccable, vivid wine loaded with personality. Sweet rose petals, spices and mint wrap around the highly expressive finish. This is one of the highlights of the vintage, a year that had more than its share of challenges. The old-vine Merlot was quite vulnerable to coulure, while the later-ripening Cabernet Franc suffered from poor late-season weather. The blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Tasted twice.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Cassis, crushed rocks, graphite, and liquid violet notes all emerge from the 2016 Château Beauséjour, one of the magical wines in this great, great vintage. Possessing full-bodied richness, building tannin, world-class purity of fruit, and an incredible finish, it’s one of those “iron fist in a velvet glove” wines that carries awesome richness and depth, yet just glides over the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness. This legendary Saint-Emilion needs 6-7 years of cellaring and will keep for 3-4 decades. Don’t miss this wine!

Wine Advocate (97)

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse) prances out of the glass with energetic notes of crushed black and red plums, black cherries and black raspberries plus wafts of potpourri, oolong tea and lavender. The medium-bodied palate is oh-so-pretty with bags of fragrant fruit and a firm, plush frame, finishing long and perfumed.

Immerse yourself in the lavish experience that is the Bel Air 1983. This robust Bordeaux blend truly is a celebration of French viticulture at its finest. Cared for in the esteemed region of Pomerol, this wine is an exquisite product of the revered Château Belair winery. This vintner has been crafting wines redolent with charisma since the 17th century.

Bel Air 1983 offers an expressive nose of blackcurrant, plum, and leather, intermingled with subtle notes of vanilla and spice gained from maturation in oak barrels. This wine tells the story of its exceptional vintage - a year marked by a perfect balance of sun and rain, producing optimally ripe, high-quality grapes.

Sip by sip, Bel Air 1983 offers complexity, longevity, and a distinct sense of place, living testament to its rich terroir and masterful vinification. This wine is not simply tasted, it's a journey - an indulgence in heritage and meticulous craftsmanship.

Wine Advocate (94+)

A deep, brooding and rather powerful wine by the standards of this estate, the 2010 Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre unwinds in the glass with aromas of black cherries, wild berries, licorice, asphalt and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's rich and concentrated, with an ample core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins. From my cellar, this is still the better part of a decade away from its peak, and if approached today, it benefits from several hours in a decanter.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (86)

Moderately saturated medium red. Redcurrant and tobacco on the nose. Vinous and fresh but on the lean side; where's the beef? Not especially long on the back, but not dry either.

James Suckling (91-92)

Very structured for here with chewy tannins and a blackberry and dark chocolate character. Full and velvety.