2022 Futures
The label « bio » indicates wines from biological viticulture or viniculture, subject to the official certification after the bottling.
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This classified growth, owned by INRA, has grown considerably since the Institute's researchers decided to apply the results of their most advanced research to it, and the arrival of Mr Derenoncourt as an advisor. In a rather lively and tense style, Couhins is today by its price the best deal among the white classified growths of Pessac-Léognan.
Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Direct, équilibrant une pointe de douceur par une bonne vivacité, ce pur sauvignon (dont 5% de sauvignon gris) se développe en bouche de façon linéaire mais sans creux ni mollesse. Il y a en finale une sensation de fraîcheur presque crayeuse qui donne du relief à la dégustation. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 91/100 «Nez vif et pur (notes minérales, exotiques, d'agrumes et de tilleul), bouche ronde, chaleureuse, avec beaucoup de fruit et une finale vive.»
Le Point : 15/20
Quarin : 92/100 « Nez très inattendu, qui rompt avec de nombreux millésimes sentant le citron. Ici, l'expression est très fruitée, subtile et plus florale. Délicat en entrée de bouche, le vin se développe aromatique, floral et gras, vers une finale savoureuse, aux nuances d'agrumes bien mûrs, sans manquer de tension. C'est très bon. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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The white wine of Smith Haut Lafitte has built up a solid reputation over the last 10 years, even if it is not a grand cru classé (but Haut-Brion blanc and Pape-Clément blanc are not either). A happy marriage of wood and fruit, it always delivers a beautiful aromatic complexity, from lime blossom to citrus, and a lively, rich and fine structure.
Quarin : 97/100 « Minutieux en entrée de bouche, très parfumé, avec un corps aérien et de la grâce dans le toucher, le vin ne cesse de fondre, sur une texture noble qui s'étire longtemps, séveuse, solide, délicate, profonde et complexe. Une superbe réussite. »
Galloni : 94-96/100 « The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is airy, weightless and gracious. Thre's lovely richness and texture but without the opulence of most warm, dry years. The 2022 will be a gorgeous wine at the dinner table. »
Martin : 94-96/100 « It has a very perfumed nose with yellow plums, jasmine, walnut and touches of fennel. Waxy in texture, with hazelnut and white pepper toward the saline, almost creamy finish. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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Mrs Papon-Nouvel is known for her 2 wonderful Saint-Émilion wines: Clos Saint-Julien and Petit-Gravet Aîné. But it also owns Peyrou, a small vineyard (10 ha) of the Côtes de Castillon in organic farming. Excellent and highly recommended.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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A 4 ha plot selection from Château Rigaud, La Mauriane is not yet another luxurious cuvée on the right bank but a wine built on fine grain tannins where the brilliance and precision of the fruit prevail. A true gem in the right bank !
Quarin : 93/100 « Beau nez intense, fin, fruité, pur, mûr. Bouche fondante, aérienne, savoureuse et parfumée, avec de la classe dans le toucher et une longue finale séveuse. C'est très bon. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
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Certified organic since 2015 and with a vineyard that is entirely biodynamic, Château de La Dauphine aims, beyond its 350 years of history, to set an example of modern winegrowing that is mindful of environmental issues. The wines, with more finesse than extraction, lack neither substance nor charm. "La Dauphine is clearly one of Fronsac's benchmarks," says Mr Galloni.
Revue du Vin de France : 92-93/100 « Une fine retenue aromatique annonce un vin tout en élégance. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 93-94/100 ♥ Coup de cœur « Un Fronsac soyeux, d'excellente facture, avec un tannins frais et étiré et beaucoup de classe en finale. Charme et raffinement, on tient là le meilleur la Dauphine de l'histoire. »
Le Point : 15/20
Quarin : 90/100 « Nez intense, au fruité mûr, voire très mûr. Heureuse présence plus fraîche à l'agitation du verre. Caressant à l'attaque, tendre en milieu de bouche, le vin évolue bien constitué, savoureux, sur une finale à la présence boisée soutenue. Longueur normale. »
Galloni : 90-92/100 « Unctuous and deep to the core, La Dauphine 2022 is shaping up beautifully. »
Martin : 91-93/100 « The 2022 Château de la Dauphine has a very ripe and generous bouquet with iodine-infused blue fruit, showy and opulent but retains sufficient delineation and freshness. Commendable in terms of substance and length, this should age with style. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
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Started in 2003, the Clos Louie adventure is a textbook case: a dolly vineyard (2.3 ha) on a beautiful clay-limestone terroir of Castillon, careful biodynamic cultivation, double manual sorting during the harvest, low-intervention vinification, gentle maturation in 500-litre demi-muids.
Louison et Léopoldine is the other Clos Louie wine, a tribute to Cabernet Franc (80%) from 50-year-old vines. Clean, bright fruit and remarkable aromatic freshness: a real nugget!More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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With 12 hectares cultivated in biodynamic farming, certified since the 2007 vintage, Clos Puy-Arnaud is one of the great Côtes de Castillon wines that have nothing to envy to neighbouring Saint-Émilion.
Uncompromising, the great wine that has made the estate's reputation is an authentic cuvée, straightforward, deep and made for laying down.Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « On a le tannin parmi les le plus frais de l'appellation. Avec de la distinction et une persistance sur les fleurs poivrés.»
Galloni : 94-96/100 « The 2022 Clos Puy Arnaud is a real stunner, and one of the great under the radar gems on the Right Bank. Clos Puy Arnaud could easily challenge many more illustrious names on the Right Bank. »
Martin : 87-89/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, saturated tannins and a firm grip. A dense blueberry-tinged finish will require three to four years in bottle. Fine. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 14%
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Started in 2003, the adventure of Clos Louie is a textbook case: doll's vineyard (2.3 ha) on a beautiful clay-limestone terroir of Castillon, very old vines (150 years old!) mostly Merlot and red tail malbec, careful biodynamic cultivation, double manual sorting during the harvest, little interventionist vinification, gentle maturing in 500-litre demi-muids. A true artist's wine, absent from the guides but that informed amateurs know well.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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Couhins' clear progress, seen in white wine since 2009, is now being felt in red wine. Here, it is not power that is sought but balance, aromatic delicacy and palatability.
Revue du Vin de France : 89-91/100 « C'est un échantillon de bonne constitution, avec un registre de cabernet-sauvignon très mûr, mentholé, allant jusqu'à l'eucalyptus. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 90-91/100 « Joli nez au fruit bien défini, marqué par les fruits rouges, texture charnue avec des tannins francs, une bonne allonge et de la fraîcheur. Classique et bien réalisé. »
Le Point : 15/20
Quarin : 93/100 « Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité, pur et subtil. Fond de cerise. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, juteux au milieu, avec un corps fondant et beaucoup de goût, le vin évolue profond, savoureux, long, frais et même joyeux. Incroyable ! »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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A family estate reawakened in 2011 by the arrival of son Paul Garcin, a former rock musician on the Bordeaux scene. An instant switch to organic and biodynamic viticulture, to produce intuitive, artist's wines that are immediately sapid and have a strong pleasure note. As a deliberate iconoclast, Paul Garcin makes a point of offering different facets to each Haut-Bergey vintage: a classic cuvée vinified and matured in the tradition of Bordeaux's great growths, the more contemporary Cuvée Paul, and single-vineyard cuvées highlighting their respective terroirs.
An approach hailed by the Revue du Vin de France: "A modern vision and the ability to reinvent oneself without betraying: Haut-Bergey symbolises the current vitality of Bordeaux's most historic vineyard".Revue du Vin de France : 90-93/100 « Très svelte, peu extrait, particulièrement frais ( mais peu acide...) dans le contexte du millésime, Haut-Bergey doit encore trouvé son unité mais singularise d'ores et déjà par son naturel. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 91/100 « Nez épanoui de fruits noirs à grande maturité, des notes d'épices douces, une bouche facile, avec une texture souple, des tannins frais et une bonne suite. Gourmand et équilibré. »
Galloni : 87-89/100 « The 2022 Haut-Bergey is a dense, potent Pessac-Léognan. Super-ripe dark fruit, spice, leather and tobacco are front and center. »2.15.0.0More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
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Practically abandoned in 1993 when Mr. and Mrs. Cathiard bought it, Smith Haut Lafitte is today one of the 10 greatest vintages of the Bordeaux left bank. The road they have travelled is truly admirable, and the Cathiards have spared no effort: restoration of the vineyard, construction of a vat room and underground cellar, introduction of state-of-the-art equipment, conversion to organic viticulture...
Quarin : 98/100 « Nez intense, fin, nuances de fruits noirs, mûr, pur, subtil et noble. Ouh là, là ! Le gras, le toucher noble, la présence huileuse, le fruit noir et juste après le milieu, une finale qui monte encore, se parfume, se raffermit et vient finir grasse, complexe et profonde. Un arôme de noisette parcourt ce vin et le rapproche tellement d'un grand vin blanc. Bravo ! »
Galloni : 95-97/100 « The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte is a regal, elegant wine. In many vintages, the Grand Vin is more immediate and alluring. The 2022 is quite reticent. »
Martin : 95-97/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, very elegant and focused, fine-boned with an exceptionally pure and caressing tobacco-tinged finish. This is going to grow to be a wonderful, delicious Smith-Haut-Lafitte. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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Totally surrounded by classified growths, La Gurgue enjoys a privileged terroir, and the attentive care of Mrs Villars (also owner of Ferrière, classified growth of Margaux, and Haut-Bages-Libéral, classified growth of Pauillac), distinguished in the Top 25 of the best producers of the Bettane&Desseauve 2020 guide. Certainly the best quality/price/pleasure ratio in the appellation.
Le Point : 14,5/20
Quarin : 92/100 « Bouche moelleuse et confortable à souhait, avec dans son fond une énergie propre à ce terroir gravelo-sableux, sans argile. C'est long et très bon. »
Galloni : 90-92/100 « The 2022 La Gurgue is plump an djuicy, full of 2022 radiance. This open-knit, plush Margaux is sure to be a crowd pleaser. I very much admire the purity here. »
Martin : 90-92/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with a soft and pliant entry, lightly spiced, harmonious with a saline finish. Fine length and probably destined to be one of the most approachable wines of the appellation. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
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The smallest classified growth of Margaux (8 ha), Ferrière is a traditional, straightforward and pleasant Margaux, moderately powerful but perfectly balanced. Its ageing capacity is undeniable. Same owner as Haut-Bages-Libéral. In organic conversion since the 2012 vintage, certified from the 2015 vintage, and now in the list of the 25 best French producers for the Bettane&Desseauve 2020 guide. Bravo !
Revue du Vin de France : 95-97/100 « Le fruit est dynamique en bouche et l'élevage en bois, cuves et amphores permet de préserver la structure, tout en apportant la rondeur. Un vin à la fois puissant et maîtrisé. »
Quarin : 95/100 « Nez intense, au fruité mûr, avec des nuances complexes. La bouche évoque le jus de raisin velouté et savoureux. Après un milieu plein, apparaît une trame fine et séveuse suivie d'une grande longueur. C'est très bon. »
Galloni : 90-92/100 « The 2022 Ferrière is deep, inky and quite potent, but at the same time there is some aggressiveness, especially in the tannins. I am cautiously optimistic, mostly based on how strong recent vintages have been, but the 2022 is not an easy wine to taste at this stage. »
Martin : 92-94/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with great depth, smoothness and gentle grip. This is fairly plush, keeping with the style of the vintage, and has a persistent finish. This represents one of the best wines from Ferrière that I have tasted in a bloomin' long time. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
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In organic conversion from 2013, Durfort-Vivens was one of the very first classified growths in the Médoc to claim and display organic certification from 2016. M. Bettane is one of its most fervent defenders: "the quality/price ratio remains absolutely unique at this level of quality of terroir and work.
Revue du Vin de France : 95-96/100 ♥ Favourite « Le cru a la côte en ce moment et c'est mérité. [...] Le vin est posé, évident dans sa définition et serein en bouche, porté par une matière de grande précision. Il est intense, digeste, minéral et pur. Énergique. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 96/100 « Droit et racé, il offre cette complexité et cette élégance naturelle, tout à fait dans la lignée des dernière impréssionantes réussites du domaine. »
Le Point : 17,5/20 « Nez fruits noirs, bouche tendue, fraîche, serrée, joli fruit, droit, tanins fins, bonne longueur. »
Galloni : 92-94/100 « The 2022 Durfort-Vivens is a wild, exotic wine that very much shows the natural opulence of the year. There's a bit more Merlot in this year's blend, and that seems to come through in the win's overall fruit intensity. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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Second wine of Gruaud-Larose. In a rather powerful and tight register, Sarget is a serious and convincing Saint-Julien, with substance, at its best after 5 to 7 years of ageing.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « Une révolution dans ce second vin avec beaucoup de charme aromatique et une grande qualité de texture. Vivement recommandé pour attendre le grand vin. »
Le Point : 14,5-15/20
Quarin : 92/100 « Minutieux en entrée de bouche, raffiné au toucher, très aromatique, le vin évolue gras et puissant, avec beaucoup de goût. Longue finale savoureuse, à la tannicité enveloppée. Un rendu et une construction remarquables. »
Galloni : 89-91/100 « The 2022 Sarget de Gruaud is plump, juicy and wonderfully giving, in other words everything a second wine should be. The Sarget is a dense second wine that captures all of the natural radiance of the year. »
Martin : 88-90/100 « The nose bodes well with raspberry and wild strawberry scents. There's afaint mocha scent in the background. Overall, the nose is well-defined and focused. Quite open toward the finish, this will be a decent Deuxième Vin with drinkability from its youth. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
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Of all the second classified growths in St-Julien, Gruaud-Larose is the most vigorous and massive in young wine. But, the magic of the terroir, it acquires softness and finesse if it is given time to age. Its quality/price ratio puts it ahead of the other second classified growths of St-Julien!
Bettane & Desseauve : 97-98/100 « Le vin continue d'exprimer avec force et éloquence son terroir, grâce à une qualité d'extraction raffinée, lui apportant des sensations tactiles d'une rare distinction. [...] Rapport qualité-prix unique à ce niveau. »
Le Point : 18/20 « Nez floral, bouche souple, fraîche, élégante, bonne longueur, frais et fin, bien tramé. Beaucoup d'élégance. »
Quarin : 97/100 « Nez très aromatique, fin fruité, pur, subtil, mûr, frais et floral. Texture minutieuse dès l'entrée en bouche, le vin se développe très aromatique au milieu, avec une grâce douce et moelleuse unique sur cette appellation. Elle me rappelle le 1947. Le vin fond au palais, tout en rebondissant en finale, long, séveux et envoûtant. »
Galloni : 93-95/100 « This full-throttle Saint-Julien is not exactly subtle, but its balance is impeccable. You should expect an unctuous, dense wine with tons of concentration, a good deal of new oak and all the pedigree to hold it all together. »
Martin : 95-97/100 « I am impressed by its delineation and focus; frankly, these are the nicest aromatics I've encountered for a while at this address. I cannot remember a Gruaud at this nascent stage that exhibits this level of energy and tension deriving from the Cabernet Sauvignon extracted at the beginning of vinification. There's much more precision here. Gruaud reborn. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
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Since 2010, Claire Villars (also at Ferrière and La Gurgue), puts back in the saddle Haut-Bages Liberal. With a qualitative terroir (adjacent to Latour), this certified organic wine since 2019 has become, for a reasonable price, the good deal of Pauillac.
Revue du Vin de France : 94-96/100 « Le vin est brillant, avec un superbe éclat et des notes de cerises rouges gourmandes. Presque "bourguignon" dans l'expression de son fruit, avec un côté aérien et très digeste. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Coloré et généreux, agréablement classique. »
Le Point : 17/20
Quarin : 94/100 « Nez intense, fin, fruité et pur. Ultra minutieux en entrée de bouche, un gras fin conduit la dégustation sur un profil droit et un beau toucher. Noble dans sa saveur et pas du tout pauillacais dans son profil, ce vin fond au palais, juteux et profond dans la persistance. Construction impeccable. C'est très bon. »
Galloni : 93-96/100 « The 2022 Haut-Bages Libéral is shaping up to be a jewel. A wine of dynamic energy and drive, Haut-Bages Libéral is super-impressive in this tasting. I can't wait to taste this from bottle. »
Martin : 94-96/100 « The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and saline with sculpted tannins, stunning balance and a mineral finish. This is outstanding, vivacious 2022 from proprietor Claire Villars-Lurton. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
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Since 2009 and the acquisition by Mr. Lorenzetti, we can talk about a new vintage wine classified in Pauillac. Unworthy of his ranking, Pédesclaux had until then disappeared from the Bordeaux scene. The ambition and resources of the new owner are there: complete overhaul of the installations, acquisition of new plots of land ideally located. The first vintages offer the image of a supple and easily accessible Pauillac, at a price that defies all competition in the appellation.
Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 « Mission bien remplie en 2022 avec un vin de belle trame, juteux. La finale est saline et salivante, très "minérale". »
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100
Le Point : 16,5-17/20
Quarin : 95/100 « Nez intense, fin, fruité, pur, subtil et profond. Jamais la texture de ce vin n'a été aussi précise. Jamais le corps n'a été aussi ample. Jamais le toucher n'a été aussi caressant. L'ensemble finit long et bouleversant, sur un tannin fin. »
Galloni : 92-94/100 « The 2022 Pédesclaux is terrific. It shows a level of finesse that has not always been present here. There's plenty of richness and power, but also better balance than in some years. This is a fine vintage for Pédesclaux. »
Martin : 91-93/100 « The palate is medium-bodied slightly chalky tannins, good tension, gentle grip with a graphite infused, powdery-textured finish. A hint of brine on the aftertaste. Vey fine. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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This beautiful 24-hectare estate has been run by Alain Moueix since 1992. He applies the same philosophy and methods as at Fonroque (Saint-Émilion): organic farming since 2015, biodynamic certification in 2018, search for freshness and elegance through controlled extractions... Mazeyres offers delicate and measured wines, without blush, with a great finesse of flavor that increases even more in recent vintages.
Revue du Vin de France : 92-95/100 ♥ Coup de cœur « 2022 illustre le niveau d'excellence et de sûreté stylistique qu'atteint désormais le vaste cru dirigé par Alain Moueix. Ouvert, harmonieux, il suggère un raisin juste cueilli, sensuel, gorgé de soleil mais encore turgescent et réactif. Déjà très gourmand et délicieusement frais dans le contexte de millésime ! »
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « Ce vin se met en place sur un tannin parmi les plus frais de l'appellation. Son registre floral pure s'exprime du début à la fin de bouche et marque la singularité du cru. »
Quarin : 92/100 « Nez intense, au fruité mûr. Vin tout en pulpe ravissante, avec un toucher suave, un corps fondant, de minutieuses saveurs de framboise, un grain délicat et une finale parfumée. C'est superbe. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
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As its name indicates, Bellegrave is on the crown of alluvial gravel of the Isle. With application, Mr. Bouldy has been offering for 40 years a true artisanal Pomerol, fresh, with velvety, energetic tannins and excellent keeping qualities.
Revue du Vin de France : 89-91/100 « Le terroir n’est pas surjoué, le vin s’exprime avec spontanéité, franchise, dans une veine légère, privilégiant la douceur du fruit et ses inflexions florales. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 91/100 « Le vin déploie un fruit tendu et suave à la fois, la matière reste fournie et intense ; déjà très charmeur, il évoluera de la meilleure des façons. »
Le Point : 16,5-17/20More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 14%
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As well maintained as Canon-La Gaffelière (same owner), under the direction of Mr. Derenoncourt, Clos de l'Oratoire offers practically the same fullness and intensity for half the price.
Bettane & Desseauve : 93/100 « Plus de cabernet franc dans ce millésime donne un éclat nouveau et de la fraîcheur dans le tannin de ce qui est sans doute le meilleur vin de l'histoire de la propriété. »
Le Point : 17-17,5/20
Martin : 90-92/100 « It has a nicely composed, floral bouquet with red cherries, crushed stramberry and orange rind. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and well balanced, with a gentle grip on the entry, grainy tannins and a lively and overly peppery finish that lingers in the mouth. More structured than the d'Aiguilhe [same owner]. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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An oenologist by training, Ms. Papon-Nouvel owns two tiny properties at the bottom of Saint-Émilion near Canon-La Gaffelière: Petit Gravet Aîné (2.4 ha) and Clos Saint-Julien (1.3 ha), where the vines are mainly old cabernets francs. From the vine to the cellar, she manages all the stages in the production of her wines on her own and, whatever the vintage, her talent as an instinctive winemaker gives wines of natural elegance and exemplary sweetness.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « Rebond final harmonieux pour ce vin plus en structure qu'en arômes dont on mesure le potentiel. »
Galloni : 94-96/100 « Floral, perfumed and exceptionally vivid, the 2022 Petit Gravet Aîné is sublime. All the elements are so well balanced. In 2022, the Petit Gravet Aîné is exquisite. »
Martin : 90-92/100 « The 2022 Petit Gravet Aîné feels a bit "hemmed in" on the nose at the moment, but it opens with aeration with blackberry, iodine and light briny scents. The palate is medium-bodied, with succulent red fruit, blood orange and orange rind. Fresh with a lively, what feels like a slightly carbonic finish. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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The amateur looking for fine and easily digestible classified great wines should be interested in Fonroque. In organic cultivation since 2006 and biodynamic cultivation since 2008, Fonroque offers an original vision of the terroir of the Saint-Émilion plateau, made of freshness, elegance, controlled and melting power. Alain Moueix, its owner, clearly shows the way forward for the future of the great wines of Bordeaux, all shores combined.
Revue du Vin de France : 92-93/100 « Certains vins, comme celui-ci ont cette capacité à faire saliver, à donner envie de les goûter encore et encore. La sincérité de saveurs de Fonroque et son équilibre pulpeux et dynamique le placent parmi les plus stimulants de l'appellation. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 95/100 « La menthe sauvage porte le fruit et donne de l'élégance à la profondeur. Superbe équilibre. »
Le Point : 15/20
Quarin : 95/100 « Nez intense, fin, fruité, profond. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, complet au milieu, avec un gras fin et beaucoup d'arômes de fruits noirs, le vin évolue velouté, sur des saveurs profondes et plein d'énergie. Pour autant, le tannin est particulièrement bien couvert. Une expression remarquable et différente à Saint-Emilion. Troublant ! »
Galloni : 90-92/100 « The 2022 Fonroque is laced with super-ripe red fruit, kirsch, blood orange and spice. Today, it comes across as quite exotic, with ripeness pushed to the edge. »
Martin : 89-91/100 « The 2022 Fonroque is very intense and missing a little delineation. There's decent length, but it doesn't fully engage as much as others. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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Mrs Papon-Nouvel's other grand cru (with Petit Gravet Aîné). Same organic culture, same sensitivity, same style, with extra flesh and depth. Great wine! Great wine, logically promoted to grand cru classé in 2022.
Quarin : 94/100 « Nez intense, fin, fruité et mûr. Pulpeux en entrée de bouche, ample au milieu, avec du gras partout, le vin évolue puissant, long et très parfumé. »
Galloni : 95-97/100 « The 2022 is one of the most exquisite wines I have ever tasted here. This salivating and wonderfully vibrant Saint-Émilion is lights out. »
Martin : 91-93/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a gentle build in the mouth. There's a fresh Cabernet Franc-driven finish. The more I sip this, the more I like it. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.
Promoted two stars in the 2021 Revue du Vin de France guide.The Côtes-du-Rhône Cuvée Spéciale is made with Grenache, a wine with soft tannins and a fruity character.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
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Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.
Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes: a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, firm and earthy vigour, in a style comparable to that of the Gigondas.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
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Amazing story as that of Dominio de Pingus. Created in 1995 by Peter Sisseck, a Danish (!), this estate a few kilometres from Vega Sicilia has become a cult in less than 15 years.
Flor de Pingus is the second wine, coming from the Dominio de Pingus and neighbouring parcels acquired by fermage, 100% tempranillo aged 50 years, biodynamic since 2005. 4000 cases produced per year.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025
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Amazing story as that of Dominio de Pingus. Created in 1995 by Peter Sisseck, a Danish (!), this estate a few kilometres from Vega Sicilia has become a cult in less than 15 years.
Pingus is the great wine, made from the 4 ha of the estate, 100% tempranillo aged 70 years, biodynamic since 2000. 450 cases per year (an average yield of 10hl/ha, not counting small vintages, such as the 2002, totally downgraded in Flor de Pingus).
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available 1st quarter 2025