2024 Futures
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Second wine of Lagrange, of an incredible regularity in its quality as in its prices. This classic is an ideal "core of the cellar"!
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Beau rouge sombre, aux reflets pourpres. Nez superbement aromatique, sentant bon les fruits mûrs. Bouche juteuse à souhait, avec du goût, un corps tendre et beaucoup d'arômes dans la persistance. Vin très bien construit et délicieux. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 87-88/100 "The 2024 Les Fiefs de Lagrange comprises a slightly different blend this year, with more Merlot and Petit Verdot. It has a light, violet-scented bouquet with just a touch of Indian ink. The palate is medium-bodied and quite fleshy in the mouth with pliant tannins. The Petit Verdot is neatly assimilated on the lightly spiced finish. This will need 12 to 18 months in bottle and drink well for the next decade."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 47 % merlot, 41 % cabernet sauvignon, 12 % petit verdot
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Second wine of Talbot, creamy and quickly accessible.
Vinous (N.Martin) 87-89/100 "The 2024 Connetable Talbot contains more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend (59% and was matured in used oak barrels. It has a light but agreable nose with tobacco and sous-bois infusing the the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins, fleshy and quite peppery in style, with a nicely composed finish. Quite open event at this early stage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 59 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 41 % Merlot
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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.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Sarget de Gruaud Larose is a bold, juicy second wine that will drink well right out of the gate. Succulent red cherry/plum fruit and sweet spice notes are pushed forward. Soft contours wrap it all together while pretty floral accents lift the finish. This mid-weight Saint-Julien is a delight."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 86-88/100 "The 2024 Sarget de Gruaud Larose has a light but pleasant bouquet with blackberry and wild hedgerow scents. It's quite sedated–in a good way. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, dark berry fruit laced with cedar at its core and a peppery if slightly short finish."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 12.5%
- Blend:
- 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 3% Cabernet franc, 3% Petit Verdot
- Organic certification:
- 2022
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The best cru bourgeois of Saint-Julien (it could easily have been classified in 1855), kept by the Saint-Pierre team, even owner, and in very good shape in the last vintages. The Médoc's best value par excellence.
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr et légèrement fumé. Moelleux en entrée de bouche, savoureux au milieu, avec un déroulé précis et fondant, le vin s'achève séveux sur une tannicité minutieuse. Longueur normale. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Gloria has a light nose with blackberry, leather and loamy aromas that require a bit of coaxing from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with rigid tannins, moderate depth, gentle grip and a slightly blocky finish. It's not close to the peaks that Gloria can achieve (and there have been several in recent years), but this is a swarthy Saint-Julien that should mellow with bottle age."
Vinous (A.Galloni): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Gloria is soft, fruity and very easy to like. Sweet red cherry/plum fruit, rose petal, lavender and mocha are nicely pushed forward. Gloria is very nicely balanced. It's a real charmer in 2024."
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Le côté séduisant, ouvert et friand du vin est ici bien mis en avant avec un fruité qui tapisse le palais et s’allonge bien. Il termine sur des tanins sapides et une pointe saline salivante. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 56 % cabernet sauvignon, 32 % merlot, 5 % petit verdot, 7 % cabernet franc
- Organic certification:
- 2024
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In the shadow of its older brother (Léoville-Barton), Langoa-Barton with a vineyard of barely 17 ha is the smallest and least known of the classified growths of Saint-Julien. Nevertheless, it offers the elegant and graceful fruitiness of Saint-Julien with a remarkable capacity for ageing. And a very reasonable price!
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur noire. Nez intense, au fruité mûr et frais. Délicat à l'attaque, un brin discret en milieu de bouche, le vin repart dans la dernière partie du palais plus aromatique, sur un corps et une longueur moyens. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 89-91/100 "The 2024 Langoa Barton is quite closed on the nose–indeed, General Manager Damien Barton had forwarded that for whatever reason, the samples had aromatically clammed up on a sunny day! The palate is medium-bodied with blach plummy fruit, touches of graphite and cracked black pepper and nice grip on the mid-palate. The 2024 is not as complex as, say, the 2022, but it has an appealing, linear finish."
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-93/100 « Un vin tout en charme et en gourmandise qui combine des notes de fruits rouges, de fleurs. Déjà irrésistible, soyeux et posé, il devrait aussi évoluer sur quelques années. Très équilibré. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 52 % cabernet sauvignon, 40 % merlot, 8 % cabernet franc
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Second wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou. As for the other wines made by Bruno Borie (Le Petit Ducru and Ducru-Beaucaillou), La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou has considerably progressed since 2003 to the point of becoming a direct rival of the 3rd/4th classified growths of St-Julien. Moreover, it now benefits from a contribution of vines purchased from Château Terrey-Gros-Cailloux.
Vinous (A.Galloni) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou is an absolute delight. Pliant and supple, with gorgeous mid-palate creaminess, the 2024 is accessible right out of the gate. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather and spice all flesh out in the glass. Soft, succulent contours wrap it all together. There's terrific depth here, and plenty of substance too. This Merlot-based Saint-Julien offers tons of towards appeal."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou has a precise bouquet with blackberry, wild strawberry and background slate-like aromas. This is finely focused, though more understated than recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied and quite peppery, with grainy tannins, geltle grip and a slightly stony finish. This is a more linear and classically styled Deuxième Vin."
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 « Très belle signature des vignobles Borie au travers de ce vin plein, doté d’une matière soyeuse, avec des notes de fruits rouges et noirs juteux, apportées par de beaux merlots. Il persiste longuement. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
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The most serious and regular of the great classified growths of Saint-Julien, and even of the Médoc. Whatever the vintage since 1986, Lagrange never disappoints, with a constancy and an accuracy that force respect!
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre, intense. Nez moyennement aromatique, au fruité mûr, évoluant floral (violette) à l'évolution dans le verre. Charnu en entrée de bouche, savoureux au milieu, avec du goût, le vin monte délicatement en finale, séveux et aromatique. C'est très bon et bien servi par 84 % de cabernet sauvignon, second record après le 2022 (86 %). »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-93/100 "The 2024 Lagrange is quite promising. Deep and vibrant in the glass, with terrific energy, Lagrangeoffers fine depth and plenty of harmony to match. Dark red cherry, spice, new leather, tobacco and incense resonate on the layered finish."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 Lagrange has a tightly-wound bouquet that demands a little more coaxing than the Les Fiefs, though this was on a day when, for some reason, some Saint-Julien samples requiredit. The palate is medium-bodied and obviously driven by the dominant Cabernet, with grainy tannins and black fruit laced with graphite and cedar. Cohesive on the finish with just the right amount of sapidity, this is obviously not in the league of the benchmark 2022, but it constitutes a successful wine for the vintage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 84 % cabernet sauvignon, 10 % merlot, 6 % petit verdot
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Since its purchase by Mr. Maroteaux, Branaire-Ducru has made rapid progress, as did the construction of the new winery, which allows it to work only by gravity, without a pump that could "chew" the wines. Branaire-Ducru is the leader of the appellation's 3-4ème crus classés (Lagrange, Talbot, Beychevelle, Saint-Pierre) and certainly the finest of them.
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez très aromatique, fruité, fin et subtil, évoluant sur le fruit mûr à l'agitation du verre. Délicatement charnu en entrée de bouche, avec de la classe dans la texture et un corps fondant, le vin glisse jusqu'en finale, parfumé, incrachable et très bon. Du bel ouvrage. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Branaire-Ducru is a super-classic Branaire. Medium in body and gracious, the 2024 is defined by its lifted aromatics and silky, polished tannins. The proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon is especially high in 2024, a sign that the fruit harvested on the later side benefited from better conditions, namely a lack of rain. the 2024 possesses lovely purity and exquisite balance. Floral top notes and a burst of red-toned fruit reappear on the finish to round things out in style. It will be especially fine elevage softens the contours. This is a fine effort from proprietor François-Xavier Maroteau and longtime winemaker Jean-Dominique Videau."
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Branaire Ducru has a delightful bouquet with pure blackberry, blueberry and light violet scents percolating through with time. There's just a touch of iodine in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, pretty black fruit laced with cassis and touches of white pepper. There is an elegant framework on the finish so that this Saint-Julien slips down the throat with ease, as I am sure it will once in bottle. Whilst this does not reach the heights of the 2022, this is destined to be a very delicious Branaire Ducru."
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « Le vin possède beaucoup de charme et un joli éclat de fruit. La bouche est souple, friande et servie par un bel équilibre. Précis et défini, il termine sur des tanins fondus. Gourmand. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 72 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 % Merlot, 3.5 % Cabernet Franc et 2.5 % Petit Verdot.
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Saint-Pierre's obvious progress since 2003 now places it as a great rival to its peers in Saint-Julien, even surpassing them in depth of flesh. Magnificent in recent vintages, such as the 2019 rated 95/100 by the Revue des Vins de France "Great success" or the 2020 rated 96/100 "one of the most accomplished and refined ever".
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez moyennement intense, au fruité mûr et suave. Touche fumée. Délicat en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, avec de la classe dans le toucher et un corps fondant, le vin s'étire en finale sur un joli goût de fruits noirs. Tannins discrets et fins. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 92-94/100 "The 2024 Saint-Pierre shows more refinement and complexity on the nose compared to its "sibling", Gloria, this year. Blackberry, crushed stone and light pressed violet aromas unfold in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled tannins, cohesive and poised, with a very appealing and sustained finish. This is a great success in the context of the vintage and could well present up to 20 years of drinking pleasure."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-94/100 "The 2024 Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is a potent, brooding wine. Blackberry jam, graphite, lavender, cloves, licorice and menthol are amplified in a dramatic,statuesque Saint-Julien that is all intrigue. The 2024 possesses notable depth and substance, but it's an imposing wine that will require cellaring."
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-91/100 « Le vin s'avère très serré, avec une bouche longiligne et surtout des tanins abrupts. Il semble assez austère avec une finale bloquée à ce stade. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 85 % cabernet sauvignon, 12 % merlot, 3 % petit verdot
- Organic certification:
- 2024
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Always black with ink, always deliciously fat and sweet, always St-Julien and above all always regular. Supervised by Mr. Derenoncourt since 2009, Talbot has gained in intensity and aromatic precision.
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 Talbot is an attractive, understated Saint-JUlien. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, mocha, dried herbs and incense lend notable aromatic presence. The 2024 is pleasant but also a bit light texturally. Let's see what happens with élevage."
J-M Quarin : 88/100 « Vin fruité, agréable, mais la construction en bouche et le corps manquent. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 « Fidèle à sa réputation, le cru a produit un 2024 très charmeur et accessible mais aussi bien construit, avec une belle pulpe en milieu de bouche. Sa jolie finale déroule des tanins soyeux. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 70 % cabernet sauvignon, 25 % merlot, 5 % petit verdot
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Clos du Marquis is no longer the second wine of Léoville-Las Cases, but a wine in its own right produced on the parcels adjoining Léoville-Poyferré and Lagrange. In any case, his exemplary consistency for more than 30 years now commands respect.
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre, aux reflets grenat. Nez intense, au fruité mûr. Touche suave. Charnu en entrée de bouche, très aromatique au milieu, le vin fond sur le palais, juteux et raffiné. Jolie longueur savoureuse. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 Clos du Marquis has an expressive bouquet with blackberry, blueberry and light violet scents that lend it Margaux-like allure. The palate is medium-bodied with a citric entry thanks to the acidity, edgy tannins and more black fruit laced with cedar and graphite toward the finish. This is slightly leaner, but it maintains focus."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Clos du Marquis is a very pretty, aromatic Saint-Julien. Crushed flowers, mint, lavender, white pepper and slate give the 2024 an attractive upper register to match its mid-weight, nervy personality. There is a bit of dryness on the finish that hopefully will be resolved with elevage."
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 « Le cru possède son charme habituel, avec un velouté de texture superbe et un soyeux de tanins qui signent une grande bouteille. Il ne manque pas non plus de volume, d’ampleur et de profondeur. Concentré mais raffiné. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 65 % cabernet sauvignon, 30 % merlot, 5 % cabernet franc
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Even if their evolution always involves a period of austerity, Léoville-Barton wines have a supreme class and elegance, due as much to the advanced age of the vines as to meticulous work. Always praised by the critics, as in 2015 "fine, sapid and very long, lots of class on the palate, with a juicy side and superb texture", rated 97/100 by the Revue du Vin de France.
La Revue du Vin de France : 95-96/100 « Difficile de ne pas succomber au charme de ce vin au fruité éclatant. La bouche déroule des saveurs de fruits frais avec une grande gourmandise et il termine sur une signature tannique toujours ultra soyeuse. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 93-95/100 "The 2024 Léoville-Barton is a very beautiful wine. Black cherry, plum, lavender, new leather, graphite, crushed rocks, mocha and spice all meld together. A wine of classical build, Léoville-Barton is also wonderfully deep and expressive. Today, all of its energy is directed inwards, but there is a lot of wine here. I can't wait to taste this from bottle."
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez très aromatique, fin, pur, au fruité mûr. Nuances d'encre et de cabernet sauvignon à l'agitation du verre. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, savoureux au milieu, le vin évolue juteux, un brin sur le bois, vers une finale plutôt austère pour le millésime. L'élevage le patinera. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Léoville Barton has an open bouquet with black fruit, potpourri and light sous-bois scents–quintessentially Barton. The palate is medium-bodied, well balanced and sapid in style with slightly powdery tannins on the entry and a little sinew on the finish that should be abraded during barrel maturation. This is a finely crafted Léoville Barton."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 92 % cabernet sauvignon, 6 % merlot, 2 % cabernet franc
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With the help of Michel Rolland, Léoville-Poyferré has gained in depth since 1993, voluptuousness of texture and ability to age. It is now approaching the quality of its prestigious neighbours in which it is landlocked: Léoville-Las Cases and Pichon-Lalande. The competition between the three Léoville is intense but Léoville-Poyferré now prevails with an easier, more voluptuous approach, and a superior quality/price/pleasure ratio.
La Revue du Vin de France : 95-96/100 « Comme à son habitude, le cru est assez flamboyant, épaulé, avec de la puissance et de la richesse, mais il n’est pas dénué de raffinement. Un ensemble charnu, persistant, de bel équilibre. Très prometteur. »
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur noire. Nez intense, fin, fruité, subtil et parfumé. Délicatement moelleux en entrée de bouche, avec du goût et un corps qui se trame lentement, le vin évolue juteux et persistant sur des tannins enveloppés. C'est très bon. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Léoville-Poyferré, quasi-Pauillac in style, offers quite backward black fruit, hints of melted tar and graphite on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied and quite succulent with fleshy ripe tannins, tobacco-laced black fruit, brown spices and light undergrowth. With a fine supple landing on the finish in typical "LP" fashion, this constitutes a delicious, early-drinking Poyferré that will be more approachable than other vintages."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 89-92/100 "The 2024 Léoville-Poyferré offers notable brightness to match its mid-weight personality. Floral and spice notes open into a core of dark red-and black-toned fruit with good persistence, the 2024 is an understated Léoville-Poyferré. Today, it feels a bit compact, which also attenuates the fruit to some degree."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 64 % cabernet sauvignon, 27 % merlot, 8 % cabernet franc, 1 % petit verdot
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Emblematic cru of the Médoc by its architecture as well as by the delicacy of its wines, internationally sought-after. Beychevelle has taken another step up in finesse and aromatic precision with the commissioning in 2018 of its new vat room, and is now on first-name terms with the commune's second growths.
Vinous (A.Galoni) 95-97/100 "The 2024 Beychvelle might very well be the wine of the vintage in Saint-Julien. It is certainly among the very best I tasted on the Left Bank. Plush, inky and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2024 is so silky and inviting. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, mocha and spice are some of the many notes that stain the palate. The sustained, resonant finish is a thing of beauty."
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-95/100 « Belle réussite pour ce cru au joli milieu de bouche, avec du charnu. Il enchaîne sur des tanins polis et intégrés. L’ensemble est charmeur et prometteur. »
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur noire. Nez intense, fin, fruité, crémeux insoupçonnable au nez, le vin caresse fond et s'achève un brin ferme. Longueur normale.et subtil. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, très savoureux, avec une touche vive. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Beychevelle has a nicely composed, warm and sensual bouquet with plush blackberry, cassis and touches of violet. The 42% Merlot is very expressive. The palate is medium-bodied with, again, quite luxuriant tannins that lend this Beychevelle more comeliness than you would anticipate given the growing season. Perhaps it just misses a little sustain on the finish, but othrwise, this is a fine Saint-Julien. 13.3% alcohol."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Blend:
- 55 % cabernet sauvignon, 42 % merlot, 3 % petit verdot.
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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!
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et vive. Nez très aromatique, fin, pur et fruité. Délicat en entrée de bouche, délicieux au milieu, avec du goût, un corps fondant, le vin s'étire en finale, parfumé et délicat. C'est très bon. Observez comment le petit degré d'alcool ne pénalise en rien la densité de ce vin. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-94+/100 "The 2024 Gruaud Larose is very fine. Dark and ample, with gorgeous presence, the 2024 has so much to offer. Dark blue/purplish fruit, new leather, gravel, spice, lavender and dried herbs build effortlessly. Readers will find a Saint-Julien endowed with notable textural depth. The finish is perhaps just a touch narrow, but elevage may very well help with that."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Gruaud-Larose has an impressive bouquet for the vintage with pure blackberry, bilberry, cedar and light pressed flower scents. This leans a little toward Margaux in style. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and quite saline, with sappy black fruit laced with notes of black olive tapenade. Not a persistent Gruaud Larose insofar as there is no peacock's tail on the finish, yet it has a statesman-like classicism that you could not find 10 or 15 years ago."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 12.5%
- Blend:
- 81 % cabernet sauvignon, 17 % merlot, 2 % cabernet franc.
- Organic certification:
- 2022
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Since the arrival of Bruno Borie in 2003, Ducru-Beaucaillou has been flying from success to success. No one has forgotten that, until 1980, Ducru was the greatest of the Médoc's second growths, a position it is now regaining. Bravo !
La Revue du Vin de France : 97-98/100 « Cette année encore Ducru est en lice pour la palme du raffinement. Le vin est fantastique de définition et de précision avec un immense respect du fruit. Saluons la qualité des tanins, l’allonge et la rétro-olfaction montante, fruitée, florale et épicée. »
Vinous (A.Galloni) : 94-96/100 "The 2024 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a sleek, elegant wine. Silky tannins give the 2024 its distinctly mid-weight, lithe personality. Readers will find a gracious Ducru built more on persistence and nervy tension than size or opulence. Blue/black fruits, lavender, cloves, menthol and chocolate open over time. It will be fascinating to see how this ages."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 92-94 "The 2024 Ducru-Beaucaillou matured entirely in new oak, as usual. The 100% new wood slightly impedes on the aromatics at the moment, masking some of the attractive blackberry and cassis scents tucked underneath. The palate is medium-bodied and, again, the oak is very vocal at the moment. Quite marine-influenced on the finish, this Ducru-Beaucaillou has impressive sapidity, although the key question is how that wood will assimilate in bottle. Only time will tell."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
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Intended for very long ageing in the cellar (at least 10 years even in small vintages), the wines of Léoville-Las Cases represent in each vintage one of the most perfect and purest expressions of the Médoc vineyard. As Wine Advocate has written, "Léoville-Las Cases looks more and more like Lafite rather than its close neighbour Latour".
Every vintage, Léoville-Las Cases is one of the contenders for the title of "best Bordeaux of the year", as once again with its 2020, rated 98+/100 by M. Galloni "Las Cases is one of the wines of the 2020 vintage, there is no doubt about that" and 99-100/100 by the Revue du Vin de France "a superlative wine for its depth, richness, but above all its definition".
La Revue du Vin de France : 97-98/100 « Le nez profond et frais introduit encore un très grand Las Cases. En bouche, pas de doute, sa précision, son éclat et sa persistance en font un modèle du millésime. Son tour de force consiste à allier une impressionnante puissance et une grande finesse en finale. Il déroule une fantastique allonge. »
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Couleur noire. Nez intense, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Touche inédite de violette. Ample à l'attaque, très savoureux en milieu de bouche, avec de la classe dans le déroulé et un brin de vivacité, le vin s'étire long, juteux et même noble. C'est très bon. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 93-95/100 "The 2024 Léoville Las Cases has a backward, almost surly bouquet with introverted black fruit, cedar, touches of cumin and light sea spray scents. Superb delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with less structure than the last two vintages, yet it upholds wonderful balance with lace-like tannins. With crisp black fruit and beautifully assimilated new oak, this fans out towards the finish. It is paradoxically a more conservative Las Cases in keeping with the limitations of the growing season, but I suspect it will gain weight and sustain with time in barrel."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 84 % cabernet sauvignon, 11 % cabernet franc, 5 % merlot
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Second wine of Grand-Puy Lacoste. Fruity, tender, silky, and always elegant. A classic at a reasonable price.
Variation case
In music, a variation is an evolution based on a defined theme. Grand-Puy-Lacoste has thus chosen to combine 3 different formats in a single case, enabling the evolution of the wine to be followed over time. The "Caisse Variation" thus contains 1 Double-Magnum, 2 Magnums and 4 Bottles, equivalent in volume to 12 bottles.J-M Quarin : 88/100 « Couleur sombre, d'intensité moyenne, aux reflets vifs. Nez intense, fruité et subtil. Bouche suave et aérienne de corps moyen avec de l'éclat dans la persistance. Ensemble difficile à cracher. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 87-89/100 "The 2024 Lacoste-Borie offers light brambly red berry fruit on the nose that's laced with tobacco and pencil box scents. The palate is medium-bodied with a soft entry, grainy texture, light tannins and an easygoing, slightly attenuated finish. This is early drinking."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 62 % cabernet sauvignon, 30 % merlot, 8 % cabernet franc
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Ideally located on the Mouton plateau, next to prestigious crus classés such as d'Armailhac, Clerc-Milon and Pontet-Canet, Pibran is owned by the insurance company AXA and benefits from the expertise of the technical team of Pichon-Baron (same owner). There are only a few unclassified wines left in Pauillac, and Pibran is by far the best of them!
J-M Quarin : 92/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Joli nez très aromatique, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Délicat en entrée de bouche, juteux et savoureux au milieu, avec du corps, le vin évolue parfumé sur une jolie présence en finale. Bonne longueur. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Cette propriété du groupe Axa produit un vin régulièrement délicieux et accessible, misant sur le fruit et la gourmandise. Le 2024 est dans l’esprit, bénéficiant de la belle rondeur d’un merlot juteux et frais. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 Pibran is bright and punchy right out of the gate. Brisk acids and lively floral top notes run through a core of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, cinnamon and blood orange. There's very fine energy and tons of character here."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 87-89/100 "The 2024 Pibran has a pleasant, light, Japanese wakame-scented bouquet with a hint of liquorice. It shows fine delineation, though not powerful. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins, fresh on the entry with a keen thread of acidity and graphite-tinged black fruit on the understated finish."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 54 % merlot, 46 % cabernet sauvignon
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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.
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur rouge sombre, intense. Nez un peu discret, mais fin, au fruité mûr, évoluant légèrement fumé à l'agitation du verre. Minutieux à l'attaque, savoureux au milieu, avec une nuance un peu vive, le vin avance très fruité, vers une finale de longueur normale. L'élevage devrait l'embellir. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 92-95/100 "The 2024 Pédesclaux is one of the finest wines. I have tasted here in some time. The move to increase the Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend over the last 15 years is starting to pay some serious dividends. Expressive savory notes lead into blue/purplish fruit, lavender, sage, menthol and grilled herbs. This is beautifullly done."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-93/100 « Il repose sur une proportion importante de cabernets, sauvignon et franc. Le vin est tendu, avec un fruité acidulé, des notes épicées qui apportent de la complexité à la finale. Il se montre déjà très séduisant, on pourra en profiter rapidement ou l’oublier en cave. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 68 % cabernet sauvignon, 21 % merlot, 10 % cabernet franc, 1 % petit verdot
- Organic certification:
- 2022
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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.
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « Le cru continue sa progression dans l’expression de la finesse, tout en gardant une belle structure. Ce 2024 est tout en équilibre, avec un grain délicat et une jolie finale allongée. Sans aucun doute une affaire pour les amateurs de vins friands et accessibles. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 91-93/100 « The 2024 Haut-Bages Libéral is a classy, polished wine. Silky contours meld around a core of succulent red-toned fruit, white pepper, blood orange and cinnamon. The 2024 is airy and a bit lighter texturally than most vintages, but all the signatures of the property are quite present. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Haut-Bages Libéral has a lucid purple hue. The nose is a little timid at first but opens with a few swirls of the glass, revealing blackberry; wild hedgerow and light tobacco scents. The palate is medium-bodied, reserved in style and grainy in texture, with lighter tannins than the previous vintages and a graphite-infused finish. Unashamedly classic Pauillac in style, this is a successful biodynamic wine taht has a spring to its step."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 94 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 % Merlot, 1 % Cabernet Franc
- Organic certification:
- 2019
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The arrival of Mr. Dhalluin in 2004 not only benefited Mouton-Rothschild, but also the two other classified growths of Barony: d'Armailhac and Clerc-Milon. Their vines occupy the southern (d'Armailhac) and northern (Clerc-Milon) part of the Mouton gravel plateau. D'Armailhac is barely less rich than Clerc-Milon, but it gives the same aromatic nobility of blackcurrant, tobacco and cedar blends.
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 « Le cru est sérieux, avec une belle tension, de la définition dans le fruit qui vibre bien en bouche. On perçoit bien la trame des cabernet-sauvignon et franc, finement enrobée. Un vin classique et racé. »
J-M Quarin : 92/100 « Beau rouge sombre, profond. Nez intense, fin, pur et fruité. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, savoureux au milieu, le vin caresse le palais vers une finale longue et parfumée qui ne marque jamais le tannin. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 Château d'Armailhac has a slightly distant nose at first that demands coaxing fron the glass. This is not its usual outgoing self, though that said, it is well-defined with black fruit and light damp loam scents. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a peppery entry. This lingers nicely in the mouth with fine grip and a pleasant roundness that emerges toward the graphite-tinged finish."
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 d'Armailhac is a very beautiful wine. Dark, layered and intensly aromatic, the 2024 is so expressive. The percentage of Cabernet Franc from 60+ year-old vines is high in this vintage, and that very much comes through in the wine's perfume and saline intensity. All the elements are so well integrated. Dark red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, cedar, and new leather explode on the finish."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 72 % cabernet sauvignon, 14 % merlot, 14 % cabernet franc
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Second wine of Pichon-Comtesse de Lalande: velvety, generous, with well-polished tannins and aromas of ripe fruit with a very Pauillaise cedar note. A reliable and regular value, quickly developed.
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Très beau rouge sombre. Nez intense, au fruité mûr, évoluant sur une touche de vanille bourbon à l'agitation du verre. Bouche délicate et délicieuse, fondante, aimable, avec plus de goût que de corps. Longueur normale. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 89-91/100 "The 2024 Réserve de la Comtesse offers raspberry and mulberry scents, with light damp undergrowth aromas percolating through, almost moss-like. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannins on the entry and some wood tannins present, although there will be less in the final blend. Light cedar notes emerge towards the finish, moderate in length, clean and classic in style."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 12.5%
- Blend:
- 72 % cabernet sauvignon, 24 % merlot, 4 % cabernet franc
- Organic certification:
- 2024
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Grand-Puy-Lacoste is the finest of Pauillac's 5th classified growths, held with competence and care by Mr. François-Xavier Borie and his children. The latest vintages show even greater aromatic precision and tannin nobility, especially the superb 2020 vintage.
Variation Case
In music, a variation is an evolution based on a defined theme. Grand-Puy-Lacoste has thus chosen to combine 3 different formats in a single case, enabling the evolution of the wine to be followed over time. The "Caisse Variation" thus contains 1 Double-Magnum, 2 Magnums and 4 Bottles, equivalent in volume to 12 bottles.J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur sombre, aux reflets noirs. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité et subtil, sentant bon le cabernet sauvignon. Touches de fruits noirs. Moelleux en entrée de bouche et de suite très raffiné au toucher, (la texture évoque le gras fin d'un vin blanc sec), tout fond, subtil, délicat et incrachable. C'est très bon. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 « Ce pauillac bien typé est doté d’une belle matière avec une pointe acidulée qui apporte une touche tonique à la finale. Joli fruit frais et souplesse des tanins, voilà un vin déjà très séduisant. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a light bouquet for this estate, primarily revealing fresh black fruit laced with tobacco and light smoky scents. It is simple but exhibits impressive delineation. You get the feeling that the aromatics are holding something back. The palate is medium-bodied and classic Pauillac in style with all that graphite-tinged black fruit and edgy tannins. This is not a complex Grand-Puy-Lacoste per se, but I admire its balance, charm and gentle grip on the finish. This is classy in an unpretentious way."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is pure charm. This is an especially soft, fruity Grand-Puy-Lacoste with good aromatic presence and fine freshness, if not quite the depth or complexity of the very best years. Floral overtones lift the finish effortlessly. This is a delicate, understated Pauillac that will drink well with minimal cellaring. The balance between the 13% alcohol and 70% new oak is sublime. I won't be surprised if the 2024 turns out to be even better from bottle, especially if it gains a bit of mid-palate pliancy in barrel."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 78 % cabernet sauvignon, 22 % merlot.
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Property Rothschild (Mouton), with d'Armailhac. Apart from the terroir, the main difference between the two crus is the increased proportion of Merlot in Clerc-Milon (35% as opposed to 20%), giving it additional smoothness and richness. Since 2007 Clerc-Milon has benefited from its own vat room, a new winery and a dedicated team of 21 people so that Clerc-Milon can compete qualitatively with Lynch-Bages and Pontet-Canet.
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 « Il est charmeur, introduit par un nez de fruits noirs, de réglisse. La bouche se montre suave, bien remplie en son milieu puis étirée avec élégance. Un ensemble séduisant et équilibré. »
J-M Quarin : 92/100 « Couleur rouge sombre, intense. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr et subtil, évoluant pur et très agréable dans le verre. Juteux à l'attaque, savoureux au milieu, avec un déroulé à la fois velouté et vif, le vin persiste sur une bonne longueur agréable. Touche d'acidité à fondre à l'élevage. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Clerc Milon has a fragant bouquet with blackberry, briar and light iodine scents that unfold nicely in the glass, though it's not as vigorous as the top vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with finely cut tannins. It has moderate weight and density, with a pleasing sweetness of fruit that comes through on the finish. This Clerc Milon has an appealing sense of composure."
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 91-93/100 "The 2024 Clerc Milon is packed with blue/purplish fruit, lavender, sage, dried flowers and mocha. Juicy and forward, Clerc Milon has a lot to go recommend it. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon savoriness to complement the wine's mid-wzight structure. Lovely."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 66 % cabernet sauvignon, 24 % merlot, 8 % cabernet franc, 1 % carmenère, 1 % petit verdot
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Known for producing one of the firmest and tightest (even robust) Pauillacs available, Duhart-Milon has since 2010 refined its style to gradually approach that of Lafite (same owner and same team). New direction and progress amply confirmed, with an unprecedented charm and fatness from the 2015 vintage onwards. Given the quality of its terroir (the only 4th Grand Cru Classé in Pauillac), Duhart-Milon has certainly not finished its progression.
As the latest Bettane & Desseauve guide (2025) points out, “So many changes in recent vintages, with a great wine that has rediscovered the depth and dimension of the greatest Pauillacs”!
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 « Le cru est droit, séveux et bien en place. Dans un esprit de noble classicisme, d’harmonie et d’équilibre. Rien ne dépasse, la bouche est traçante avec des tanins de belle fraîcheur. Délicieux, posé. »
J-M Quarin : 92/100 « Belle couleur sombre. Nez moyennement intense, au fruité mûr, devenant suave à l'agitation du verre. Bouche au corps tendre et particulièrement fruitée, se développant un peu coulante, mais très savoureuse et très parfumée dans la persistance. Longueur normale. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Duhart-Milon opens with strong Cabernet Sauvignon inflections. Blue-toned fruit, lavender, spice and dried herbs open first, all framed by brisk acids and supporting tannins that lend shape. The 2024 includes 14% press wines, about the norm here. This is a very promising Duhart."
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Duhart-Milon was matured in 50% new oak. The aromatics take their time to coalesce. It's a little herbaceous at first although that ebbs away to reveal quite pure blackcurrant, raspberry and Morello scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a mixture of red and black fruit and a dab of licorice toward the finish that just tapers slightly. Overall, this is a decent Pauillac in an old-school style that I approve of."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 78% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 22% Merlot
- Organic certification:
- 2024
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Contiguous to Mouton-Rothschild, Pontet-Canet is in good vintages the very type of great Pauillac, straight and racy. The first of the Grands Crus Classés to be certified "organic" (in 2010), Pontet-Canet has been at the top of the Médoc since 2000.
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-96/100 « Le vin se distingue une nouvelle fois par son élégance et son soyeux, avec une texture délicate mais un cœur de bouche juteux et une finale enrobée, très posée. Un beau classique qui ravira par son équilibre et son harmonie. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 94-96/100 "The 2024 Pontet-Canet is one of the most elegant wines I have tasted here in some time, as in a long time. Brisk acids and beams of tannin shape a mid-weight, classically built Pontet-Canet unlike any I have tasted. The 2024 is not an abvious wine, it does not have the opulence of most recent years, rather it is a wine that impresses with its energy, tension and class. Floral, spice and mineral notes stain the palate in this vibrant, beautifully sculpted Pontet-Canet. The 2024 is seriously impressive, but it is also less immediate than what was once the norm because of shift towards a style that favors greater energy and vibrancy than in the recent past. The evolution here is going to be fascinating to follow in the coming year."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 93-95/100 "The 2024 Pontet Canet has a very pure bouquet with black cherry, wild strawberry, cassis and light violet scents vying for attention. This is not quite as complex as the '22s I tasted a few months earlier. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins on the entry, a keen line of acidity and veins of blue fruit commingling with black pepper and light graphite notes. Cohesive on the finish, there is an attractive linearity to this Pontet Canet, with satisfying sustain that delivers about as much precision as anyone could hope for in this vintage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Blend:
- Cabernet Sauvignon 52% Merlot 43% Petit Verdot 4% Cabernet Franc 1%
- Organic certification:
- 2010
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Apart from the first great classified growths, no other Bordeaux wine is as world famous as Lynch-Bages. Its worldwide success comes as much from its opulent, full-bodied and robust style, from its unfailing regularity since 1975, and from its media promotion orchestrated by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch-Bages was the first wine sent into space (Discovery shuttle in 1985). It is even said that it is him who gave the taste of Bordeaux to the Americans!
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-95/100 « Le vin affiche une admirable concentration, beaucoup de profondeur et de précision dans le fruit. On retrouve la patte du cru, très suave et avenant mais avec une définition et une précision qui ne cessent de progresser. Déjà sacrément bon, il ira aussi fort loin. »
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Beau rouge sombre, aux reflets pourpres. Nez très aromatique, pur, fruité et subtil, évoluant légèrement fumé dans le verre. Moelleux à l'attaque, juteux en milieu de bouche, avec du goût et sans perte de velouté, le vin fond sur le palais très parfumé, sur des tannins bien enrobés. C'est très bon. »
Vinous (A.Galloni) : 93-95/100 "The 2024 Lynch-Bages is packed. Cedar, scorched earth, licorice, incense and pipe tobacco weave through a core of dark, sepia-toned fruit. I especially admire the long, polished finish and overall balance here. The 2024 is a virile Lynch Bages with a bright future."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Lynch-Bages has some initial reduction that is shaken off after several minutes. Very pure blackberry and blueberry fruit emerges with hints of melted tar and graphite, and iodine eventually lends more complexity. The palate is medium-bodied and quite focused with grippy tannins that are impressive for their fineness. The 2024 possesses palpable mineralité and a poised finish. Though this does not touch the skyscraping heights that have been achieved in recent years, it is a "capable" Lynch-Bages."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 70 % cabernet sauvignon, 24 % merlot, 3 % cabernet franc, 3 % petit verdot
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Bought in 1986 by the AXA group, initially under the leadership of Mr. Cazes (Lynch-Bages), Pichon-Longueville Baron regained its best form in the powerful and distinguished style of the great Pauillac. It must be said that a small half of its vines are located next to those of Latour, on a first growth terroir! For the Revue du Vin de France: "Pichon-Baron is at the top in the last vintages".
La Revue du Vin de France : 95-96/100 « Le vin affiche une grande race et beaucoup de profondeur. Un Pichon à la trame sérieuse, avec beaucoup de volume et une belle chair qui l’enrobe. Les tanins sont mûrs, avec un grain fin. L’allonge est admirable. Il ira loin. »
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Beau rouge sombre, aux reflets pourpres. Nez intense, fin, pur et fruité. Nuances de violette et réglisse zan à l'agitation du verre. Moelleux en entrée de bouche, puis de suite très savoureux, avec du corps et un déroulé très enrobé et même suave, le vin s'achève long, sur une tannicité présente, mais parfumée. Qu'il est agréable de retrouver du tannin et du bon en finale, c'est si rare cette année. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 94-96/100 "The 2024 Pichon Baron is a very sexy wine. Deep and layered on the palate, with fine depth, the 2024 exudes balance. Sumptuous black cherry, mocha, new leather, licorice, menthol, lavender and pine are all dialed up. There's gorgeous breadth and overall presence here. The Cabernet Sauvignon is quite high at 87%, but it is really the wine's balance that speaks loudest. Here, too, the reduction of new oak to 70% really helps wine speak with precision."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 92-94/100 "The nose of the 2024 Pichon Baron is immediate and well-defined, with mineral-driven black fruit, a touch of pencil box and subtle estuarine scents. It is quintessential Pichon Baron. The palate is fresh and delineated on the entry, endowed with a core of sapid black olive tapenade-infused black fruit. I appreciate the energy that comes through, especially towards the second half, which maintains a sense of symmetry. It will be earlier drinking compared to the 2020 or 2022, but it is a successful Pauillac in the context of the challenging growing season, though it might require a little more time in bottle."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 12.5%
- Blend:
- 87 % cabernet sauvignon, 13 % merlot
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Mr Rouzaud (Champagne Roederer) acquired it in 2007 and has since strengthened the technical team by adding the advice of Mr Boissenot. Pichon-Comtesse remains faithful to the style that has made it so successful, as dense, suave, charming, enchanting and above all endearing.
La Revue du Vin de France : 95-96/100 « La grande classe ! le vin est étincelant et précis, dans la veine des derniers millésimes, servi par des cabernets qui fournissent la colonne vertébrale. Cette colonne est enrobée par une chair finement moelleuse. Très grande allonge avec une pointe mentholée. »
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Très beau rouge sombre et intense. Nez très aromatique, fin, pur, sentant bon le cabernet sauvignon. Profond à l'agitation du verre. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, avec un corps au dessin de cabernet sauvignon, du goût et un déroulé impeccable, le vin finit long, juteux, séveux, sur une persistance de fruits noirs. »
Vinous (A; Galloni): 94-96/100 "The 2024 Pichon Comtesse de Lalande is plush, sensual and inviting. Succulent dark-toned fruit, sweet spice, new leather, mocha, chocolate and lavender build nicely. Here, too, the tannins are so polished, so refined. The 2024 is an especially elegant Pichon-Comtesse. It's also very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Bravo."
Vinous (N. Martin): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Pichon Comtesse de Lalande is clearly driven by Cabernet Sauvignon on the nose. Predominantly black fruit, freshly rolled tobacco and light cedar scents unfold in the glass, resolutely classic in style, strict yet focused and defined. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins, evidencing the much lighter extraction exacted by Nicolas Glumineau. This results in an impressive balanced Pichon-Comtesse, lightly spiced with hints of cracked black pepper towards the finish, dare I say, cut in a "Lafite" style. Though without the ambition of the '22, this keeps within the limitations set by the growing season. I can imagine this Pauillac slipping down the throat with ease in its flush of youth."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 12.5%
- Blend:
- 83 % cabernet sauvignon, 14 % merlot, 3 % cabernet franc
- Organic certification:
- 2024