Decanter (92)

A well-balanced, perfectly ripe, very fresh expression this year. Fine tannins, with good grip, harmonious acidity and dark streak of concentrated fruit into the finish. You'll be glad you bought some of this. Not hugely deep or hugely complex, but beautifully balanced. 30% Grenache, 30% Mourv

Jeb Dunnuck (91)

Bottled a month ago, the 2020 Côtes Du Rhône Coudoulet sports a vivid ruby hue and is a blend of 30% each of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, with the balance Cinsault. It’s a ripe, rounded, medium to full-bodied effort that has lots of ripe red and blue fruits as well as notes of peppery garrigue and leather. Drink this juicy, elegant Côtes Du Rhône over the coming decade.

Famille Perrin Tasting note: A fabulous year for the reds of Coudoulet of Beaucastel. Full-bodied, lush, velvety in texture, featuring notes cherry and plum paste, laced with stony minerality and garrigue accents. Very balanced wine with beautiful tannins. The finish has great length and very complex.

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.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (92)

Layers of sinewy tannins and eucalyptus spice. Opens to show baked earth, tobacco leaf and liquorice, cassis fruits laced with espresso, edges of campfire, a good quality wine that has concentration without strangling. Anthony Yaigre director. A value pick. 28hl/h yield. Harvest September 19 to October 5.

Jeb Dunnuck (88-90)

Deep ruby/plum-hued, the 2023 Château Beaumont offers up a beautiful nose of red and black currants, leafy herbs, spice, and a hint of flowers. It's balanced, medium-bodied, has some classy, chocolaty oak, and ripe tannins. A rock solid Haut-Médoc, it has outstanding potential, if not a tad more.

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.

James Suckling (100)

This is extraordinary. There has never been a wine like this here since the famous 1990 or underrated 1989. Violets, flowers, stones and limestone. Oyster-shell undertones. Full-bodied, muscular and so structured. A phenomenal wine that reminds me of the great Bordeaux of the 1950s. Try in 2026.

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.

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.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90)

The 2015 Belgrave has an attractive blackberry, raspberry and pressed iris bouquet that displays commendable intensity. The palate is quite grippy with slightly hard tannins but there is plenty of fruit with hints of autumn leaves and fennel toward the slightly bitter finish. Enjoy this over the next decade. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Wine Advocate (89-91)

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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (88-90)

The 2020 Belgrave is a promising Haut-Médoc. Graphite, scorched earth, cloves, licorice and lavender create a deep, penetrating bouquet. There is good depth and energy here, even if the 2020 remains just a bit lean. All the Belgrave needs is a bit more midpalate juiciness. Tasted two times.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87)

(a blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 20% petit verdot): Bright, medium red-ruby. Reduced aromas of black fruits, licorice, dark chocolate and tobacco leaf. Supple on entry, then a bit herbal and lean in the middle but with good freshness to the flavors of cassis, redcurrant and cedar. A juicy wine with modest flesh.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90)

Good deep red-ruby. Currant, smoke and roast coffee on the expressive nose. Suave and sweet, with a fine-grained texture and enticing inner-mouth perfume to the flavors of redcurrant and tobacco. Finishes with fine tannins and very good length.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

Powerful, dense and explosive, with notable thrust to the red cherry, plum, leather and licorice flavors, the dramatic, full-throttle 2015 Bellefont-Belcier is every bit as impressive as it was from barrel. Dark red cherry, mocha, new leather and spice build into the racy, voluptuous finish. The tannins need time to soften, but all the elements are in the right place. In a word: terrific.

James Suckling (96-97)

This well-defined and sophisticated wine shows a gorgeous center-palate of near perfectly ripe fruit. Lots of dark berries and minerals with some pine, while the texture is full and compact with layers of well-integrated, fine tannins. The finish is seamless. Just a hint of salt at the end of the pretty fruit. 72% merlot, 18% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon.

Unveiling the character of a masterfully crafted wine, the Bellegrave 2006 is a vintage of distinction and grandeur. Born in the prestigious vineyards of Pauillac, in the heart of Bordeaux, France, this blend is known for its expressive, profound profile. The astute wine producer, Château Bellegrave, has meticulously harvested the finest Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes to achieve an engaging balance of power, richness and finesse.

Enveloped in classy French oak over a 20-month period, Bellegrave 2006 embodies the quintessence of Bordeaux style wines, expressing an intriguing array of black fruits, developed earthy notes, and subtle hints of sweetness. The palate is rewarded with a luxurious, full-bodied texture, articulating fine tannins and lingering depth. One appreciates the admirable marriage between fruit concentration and complex spice nuances that embody the artistry and legacy of this prolong ageing offering.

Bellegrave 2006 is an eloquent testimony to exceptional French winemaking, etching an indelible mark on the landscape of Pauillac wines across the globe.