2024 Futures
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A small vineyard of 8 ha of old vines (70% Merlot), owned by Clos Fourtet. Superb wine, balanced and fruity and tasty, for a very modest price, which rightly became a grand cru classé in 2012. Totally agree with La Revue du Vin de France "The best quality/price ratio in Saint-Émilion".
Vinous (N. Martin) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 Côte de Baleau excludes the sandy stretches of the vineyard this year, so 33% of the production was sacrificed. This has a pretty, fragrant bouquet with red cherry, blueberry and touches of violet. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. A bit pinched at first, it is fresh if just missing substance toward the finish. This is a thoroughly enjoyable Côte de Baleau."
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Beau rouge sombre, intense. Nez très aromatique et fruité. Fondante et séveuse à la fois, avec de la classe dans le toucher et un joli rebond aromatique final. C'est bon ! »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Côte de Baleau is soft and plummy, with good forward fruit and solid balance, all in the understated style of the year. Black cherry, plum, new leather, licorice and chocolate are nicely pushed forward. In 2024 most of the blend is from parcels planted on clay and limestone, while those on gravel were left out. Elevage will be critical, especially in softening the tannins."
La Revue du Vin de France : 87-89/100 « La dominante de merlot est inhabituelle dans ses proportions (95%), car le cabernet franc sur les sables était trop faible pour entrer dans l'assemblage de la famille Cuvelier (Clos Fourtet). Sa tendresse fruitée le rend très avenant. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Blend:
- 95 % Merlot, 05 % Cabernet Franc
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Historically owned by the Malet de Roquefort family (Ch. La Gaffelière) since 1819, but sold in 1959 as part of an estate, Château Puyblanquet was returned to its original owner in 2021. This 19-hectare single vineyard, situated on a clay-limestone ridge to the east of the appellation, now benefits from the same care as its big brother. It's no surprise, then, to find in its wines the charm and finesse of texture that have made Ch. La Gaffelière such a success. According to the Guide Bettane & Desseauve 2025, this is “the greatest revelation in Saint-Émilion in recent years”.
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Puyblanquet has an open and expressive bouquet with black cherries and cassis, quite floral with pressed violet emerging with time. Thepalate is smooth and velvety on the entry with ripe tannins, similar to its stablemate La Gaffelière. It boasts good weight with a slightly powdery finish. Excellent."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
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Fombrauge, the largest vineyard in Saint-Émilion with 57 hectares, has been offering since its purchase by Mr. Magrez (1997) structured wines that do not deny their terroir, full, gourmet and devilishly seductive thanks to a luxurious maturing process.
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Fombrauge se recentre sur trois terroirs de plateaux calcaire et la côte sud de Saint-Émilion. Les 90% de merlot et 10% de cabernet franc sont élevés en bonne part en cuve béton (30%). Une dimension calcaire se profile et accompagne ce vin de bout en bout, en bouche comme en aromatique. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 90-93/100 "The 2024 Fombrauge is supple, forward and open-knit, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking upon release. Supple contours wrap around a core of plum, dark red cherry, spice, new leather, cedar and rose petal. This is a very different style than the past because of the reduction of new oak and gentler winemaking overall. There is a bit of firmness on the finish that needs time to resolve. Hopefully, elevage will take care of that. Aging is 70% in oak (50% new) and 30% in a combination of ceramic, cement and stainless steel."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
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More infused than extracted, finely oaked, with a beautiful balance between fresh fruit and velvety tannins, this sapid and sensual Dragon is more than a second wine.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
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The terraces of Moulin Saint-Georges (7 ha) face those of Ausone (same owner). Thanks to the quality of its terroir and the refined style of its wines, Moulin Saint-Georges is a sure bet in the appellation. As the Revue du Vin de France's 2024 guide points out, "quality has been impressively consistent for over two decades, and prices remain reasonable. The only regret is the quantities available...".
Like all Vauthier vineyards (Ausone, La Clotte, Haut-Simard...), Moulin Saint-Georges began its conversion to organic farming in 2020.J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur vive, d'intensité normale. Nez intense, fin, fruité et subtil, évoluant truffé à l'agitation du verre. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, puis rapidement très aromatique et soyeux, le vin évolue juteux, vers une finale profonde et incrachable. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 88-90/100 « Élaboré depuis les 7 hectares orientés plein ouest en face d'Ausone, ce Moulin cherche la légereté, avec des arômes racinaires et d'orange sanguine. Il conclut sur une allonge vigoureuse. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 89-91/100 "The 2024 Moulin Saint-Georges is all charm. Soft, plummy and forward, the 2024 offers up an attractive mix of blue/purplish fruit, spice, lavender, menthol and violet. There's a touch of sweet oak from the 100% new barrels, but the 2024 has enough depth to handle it. Pliant contours wrap it all together very pretty wine for the year."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 80 % merlot, 20 % cabernet franc
- Organic certification:
- 2023
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Small vineyard of 8.8 ha north-east of Saint-Émilion, property Garcin (Clos l'Église, Barde-Haut) since 2013. Their aim is not to produce yet another "competition animal" but a generously fruity, delicious, creamy, easily and quickly accessible Saint-Émilion.
J-M Quarin : 92/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez très aromatique, fin, subtil, au fruité mûr. Touche originale d'orange confite à l'agitation du verre. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, le vin fond sur le palais, juteux, délicat, persistant et incrachable. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Poesia is higher-toned on the nose than the Barde-Haut, with blueberry and cassis fruit and a touch of blackcurrant pastille. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins that lend a fleshy mouthfeel. There is a little more rondeur towards the finish compared to the Barde-Haut, and more length. Recommended."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 70 % merlot, 30 % cabernet franc
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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.
Vinous (N. Martin) : 86-88/100 "The 2024 Clos de l'Oratoire has a light bouquet with briar, cranberry pencil box aromas. This at least has more character and presence than the Clos Marsalette or d'Aiguihe. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit and delicate tannins, though it does attenuate toward the finish and leaves you wanting more."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2020
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With today 11 ha, the vineyard of Valandraud allows Mr. Thunevin to tighten his selections for the great wine and his second, Virginie de Valandraud (there is a 3rd, Clos Badon, and even a 4th wine!). Rich in colour, always delicious with an elegant tannic structure, Virginie de Valandraud makes those who think that second wines have no soul lie.
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 90-93/100 "The 2024 Virginie de Valandraud is a dense, potent wine. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice and a good dose of new oak lend notable richness to the Virginie. Readers will find a dense, opulent Saint-Émilion. This is in line with the style of the Grand Vin in terms of its flamboyant fruit intensity."
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Beau rouge sombre, intense. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr. Bouche suave, parfumée, évoluant tendre, juteuse et très difficile à cracher. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 88-90/100 "The 2024 Virginie de Valandraud has an intense black plum and cassis-scentend nose driven by the wood at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with raspberry and blackcurrant fruit, pointed acidity and is quite spicy towards the pastille-like finish. Hopefully, this will soak up the oak with bottle age."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 90 % merlot, 5 % cabernet franc, 5 % cabernet sauvignon
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This 17-hectare vineyard, located in the extension of Troplong-Mondot, forms a magnificent south-facing amphitheater. Under the guidance of Hélène Garcin (Poésia, Clos l'Église) and her husband Patrice Lévêque, Barde-Haut offers vintage after vintage intense, rich and opulent wines, without ever falling into the trap of over-ripeness.
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur intense et pourpre. Nez très aromatique, subtil, au fruité mûr et floral comme jamais. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, le vin fond sur le palais, très bien construit. Il évolue sur un gras fin avant de rencontrer un brin de tannicité à fondre à l'élevage. Longueur normale. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Barde-Haut has a light but well-defined bouquet with blackcurrant pastille, raspberry and touches of cassis. The oak is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and lively with supple tannins. It's slightly powdery in texture, with a little attenuation on the finish. It will make a fine, early-drinking Saint-Émilion."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 80 % merlot, 20 % cabernet franc.
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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.
J-M Quarin : 89/100 « Couleur sombre et intense. Nez un peu discret, sentant bon les fruits mûrs. Touche florale. Juteux à l'attaque, savoureux en milieu de bouche, le vin se développe aromatique et très agréable sur une longueur moyenne, mais avec beaucoup de goût. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 87-89/100 "The 2024 Petit Gravet Ainé has a straightforward bouquet with kirsch and blueberry scents that gradually reveal a touch of cola. It just misses some complexity compared to previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied, lightly tannic and fleshly but doesn't have much grip. Though smooth in texture, it doesn't quite translate its 90% Cabernet Franc as well as, say, the 2022."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2011
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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 up of freshness, elegance and controlled, melting power. A “wine of emotion”, as Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve describe it.
Alain Moueix, its director (and former owner), is clearly showing the way forward for the future of Bordeaux's great wines, on all shores.J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre, aux reflets pourpres. Nez intense et très fruité. Gras et minutieux en entrée de bouche, avec un toucher fin, le vin glisse et caresse le palais avant de finir un brin vif dans la persistance. L'élevage le fondra. Bonne longueur séveuse. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 89-91/100 "The 2024 Fonroque has a pretty nose with red cherry and wild strawberry fruit aromas that unfurl nicely in the glass. The oak is neatly integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied, sorbet-fresh and a little edgy with smooth tannins and a spicy finish that lingers. This is a commendable Saint-Émilion for the vintage."
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Un Fonroque (26 % de bois neufs, 39 % foudres, 28 % amphores, 7 % en cuves béton ovoïde), filiforme cette année-là, mené avec tact. Il allie les notes acidulées de fruits rouges. Même sensation en bouche avec une jolie matière diffuse, pleine d'entrain et d'élan. Aucune fermeté, au contraire, déjà une certaine séduction pour ce secteur frais. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 91-93/100 "The 2024 Fonroque is a soft, caressing Saint-Émilion from Alain Moueix. Supple contours wrap around a core of red-toned fruit, cinnamon, blood orange, cedar and pipe tobacco, Floral top notes extend the finish nicely."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Blend:
- Assemblage : 62 % merlot, 38 % cabernet franc
- Organic certification:
- 2006
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From 2005, La Dominique, prestigious terroir adjacent to Cheval Blanc, L'Évangile and La Conseillante, returns in great shape. His velvety and sensual style places him halfway between Saint-Émilion and Pomerol : “the tannin texture is very Pomerol-like, then the silky, floral, firm follow-through continues with the class of the great Saint-Emilions” (Bettane & Desseauve).
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 La Dominique, matured in 50% new oak, is distinctly fresher on the nose than many of its peers. This is nowhere near as complex as the 2022 yet it conveys brightness and a sense of place. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, with crisp, ripe tannins and a marine-influenced finish. It's a little reserved in style. This is not a blockbuster and nor should it be. It's just a well-crafted Saint-Émilion."
La Revue du Vin de France : 88-90/100 « 50% des volumes de la propriété ont été consacrés au grand vin. La tendresse spécifique de La Dominique se profile : chair pulpeuse, allonge suave, avec ce soin apporté au moelleux de tanins. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 91-93/100 "The 2024 La Dominique is a very pretty wine for this reemerging Saint-Émilion estate on the Pomerol border. Creamy and textured, with lovely mid-palate presence and bright fruit, La Dominique is quite attractive. Supple contours wrap around a core of red-toned fruit, blood orange, cinnamon and mocha, building into the soft, caressing finish. Production is down about 50% due to drastic selection."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 15%
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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.
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre, aux reflets pourpres. Nez pour l'instant un peu discret, mais subtil. Joli fruité. Minutieux dès l'entrée en bouche et très vite très savoureux au milieu, le vin fond sur le palais, séveux et long, sur une jolie texture. C'est très bon. Après le grand succès du 2022, Catherine Papon ne lâche rien ! »
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Clos Saint-Julien has a perfumed, Margaux-like bouquet with a mélange of blueberry and blackcurrant fruit. This has fine delineation and the oak is neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, decent weight on the mid-palate and just a bit of grip on the finish that bodes well for the future. This is one to keep an eye on."
La Revue du Vin de France : 87-89/100 « Une certaine suavité se dégage de ce vin, construit sur la légère pente sableuse et calcaire orientée au nord, à l'entrée de Saint-Émilion. Son toucher de bouche tout doux propose une allonge élancée. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 91-93/100 "The 2024 Clos Saint-Julien is a very pretty wine. Black cherry, plum, mocha, new leather, licorice and lavender all meld together. The oak is not totally integrated just yet, but that is a question of elevage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2011
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Dazzling success since 2015 of this great terroir just below Ausone: aromatic precision, superlative but harmonious depth, a big congratulations to Mr. Mallet (owner) and Mr. Derenoncourt (consultant). Since 2010, La Gaffelière is undoubtedly flying from success to success!
"We are here at the heart of what is most sensual and singular in Saint-Emilion", according to the Revue du Vin de France.Vinous (A. Galloni) : 94-96/100 "The 2024 La Gaffelière confirms its place as one of the top properties in Saint-Émilion in this challenging vintage. Bright and dynamic in the glass, with terrific persistence, the 2024 sizzles with tension. Crushed flowers, mint, lavender and crushed rocks open in the glass. The finesse of the tannins is impossible to miss. The 2024 is not a huge wine, but its finesse is evident. Blue/purplish fruit, slate and clean mineral overtones extend the long, sculpted finish."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 93-95/100 "The 2024 La Gaffelière has a very seductive bouquet with black cherries, boysenberry and light Indian ink scents unfolding in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with succulent tannins, impressive mid-weight density and a crisp, mineral finish. La Gaffelière has been on a run of form recently and the 2024 overcomes the challenges of the vintage with style."
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Beau rouge sombre, aux reflets pourpres. Nez moyennement intense, au fruité pur et mûr. Touches de cerise et de fleurs à l'agitation du verre. La bouche se déroule tout en douceur pulpeuse, avec de la classe dans le toucher et un corps fondant. C'est délicieux ! Bonne finale parfumée. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 «Immédiatement, le floral et la réglisse s'expriment au bouquet, dans ce vin profilé comme une flèche. Sa droiture et sa tension le rendent un peu ferme en finale à ce stade. Une sensation pierreuse signe la finale de cet assemblage 60% de merlot et 40% de cabernet franc. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Blend:
- 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc
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An ultra-refined great wine, with a mineral tension that is out of the ordinary in Bordeaux, the fruit of the great terroir of the Côte Pavie, but also of the complicity of Mr Nicolas Thienpont and Mr Stéphane Derenoncourt since 1994.
Vinous (N. Martin): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Pavie Macquin has an impressive bouquet for the vintage, quite composed and delineated with brambly red fruit, sous-bois and light rose petal scents. The palate is medium-bodied and nicely chiselled compared to its peers, with pliant tannins and a fresh, saline finish. It does not have the persistence of other vintages that fire on all cylinders, but this is a success for 2024."
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « Pavie-Macquin est le métronome de Saint-Émilion. Même dans les millésimes compliqués, ce vin au garde son d'identité unique. Peu flatteur à ce stade, l'assemblage de merlot (85%) et de cabernet franc (15%, une part anormalement basse due à des pertes). Cette part anormalement faible de cabernet franc exprime néanmoins de fines nuances réglissées et florales, et une certaine froideur aromatique. En bouche, il se profile ciselé, avec une grande élégance. Nous ne sommes qu'aux prémices d'un vin promis à de belles années de garde. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 84 % Merlot, 15 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Cabernet Sauvignon
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Owned by Mr. Neipperg (Clos de l'Oratoire, La Mondotte, d'Aiguilhe) at the foot of the hill Ausone.
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « Le vin est issu d'un assemblage judicieux (43% merlot, 43% cabernet franc, le reste en cabernet-sauvignon). Grâce à un élevage qui utilise moins de bois neuf (de 40 à 20%) et 20% de cuves, il exprime un fruité particulier supplémentaire. Ce millésime peu démonstratif convient bien à ce Canon-La-Gaffelière, établi avec une texture cajolante et longue. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 89-91/100 "The 2024 Canon La Gaffelière has a light and airy bouquet with tertiary red fruit and touches of tobacco coming through slowly in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a tiny bit of greenness on the entry, although I feel it will assimilate with time. This just needs more density and grip on the finish, so it is a Canon La Gaffelière that I should broach in the medium term."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 43 % merlot, 43 % cabernet franc, 14 % cabernet sauvignon.
- Organic certification:
- 2014
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Immediate neighbour of Pavia, Larcis-Ducasse was logically promoted to 1st Grand Cru Classé in 2012 due to its full south-facing hillside exposure and the brilliant work of the Thienpont-Derenoncourt tandem.
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 « Un parfum fruité très séduisant, tout en nuances. Il développe une certaine immédiateté au nez, avec ces 85 % de merlot accompagnés de 15 % de cabernet franc venus de la côte sud de Saint-Émilion, voisin de Pavie. On retrouve cette séduction première dans le premier contact tout en douceur de la bouche. Il se prolonge avec une ampleur particulièrement enveloppante, presque une sucrosité. Ce confort en bouche est très appréciable cette année, plus qu'ailleurs. La finale, poudrée et dynamique, s'élance avec beaux amers. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 94-97/100 "The 2024 Larcis Ducasse is dense, powerful and imposing almost surprisingly so. All of the mid-palate. Black cherry, plum, mocha, lavender, chocolate and cinnamon meld together in the glass, but is the wine's mind-blowing balance that stands out most. This is another stellar showing from Larcis Ducasse. There's real potential here."
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur noire, intense et belle. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr et subtil. Joli arôme de mûre. Délicat en entrée de bouche, savoureux au milieu, le vin caresse le palais, sans cesse parfumé, vers une jolie finale persistante qui ne marque pas le tannin. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 Larcis Ducasse offers strawberry and raspberry pastilles intermixed with vanilla on the nose, quite expressive even if it lacks a bit of complexity compared to the best vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly "thick" tannins that lend a bit more grip. The 2024 is a solid Saint-Émilion that lacks a bit of finesse but has flavour and density. It could come around if given a prudent élevage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Blend:
- 85 % Merlot 15 % Cabernet franc
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Exceptional terroir of 4 hectares on a south-facing slope (like Pavie) at the entrance to the village of Saint-Émilion. Taken over in 2014 by the Vauthier family (Ausone), who is committed to highlighting the deep, juicy flesh of her grapes, with a confounding naturalness and a splendid aromatic radiance. La Clotte has everything it takes to quickly become one of the most cult wines of the appellation.
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur rouge sombre, intense et belle. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr. Juteux à l'attaque, très minutieux au développement, avec de la classe dans le toucher, le vin fond au palais, aromatique et distingué. Bonne longueur. C'est superbe. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 92-94/100 "The 2024 La Clotte has one of my favorite aromatics amongst the Vauthier family's cuvées, with delightful wild strawberry, raspberry and iodine aromas, although it's quite tight on the nose at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth, almost silky opening, a fine bead of acidity and impressive precision on the finish. It is not as intense as the 2022 as you would expect, but this is a sophisticated Saint-Émilion."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-93/100 « Le millésime a été dur à la propriété, avec des rendements de 25 hl/ha à cause de la coulure et du millerandage. Mais ce cru emblématique de la splendide vallée de Fongaban révèle une intensité aromatique particulière. Il est établi en demi-corps, d'une retenue qui pousse à l'introspection. La sève calcaire se révèlera avec le temps ! »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 92-95/100 "The 2024 La Clotte is a heady, engaging wine. Aromatic, deep and wonderfully dynamic, La Clotte shows the pedigree of this south-facing site. Rose petal, crushed flowers, mint, spice, cedar and tobacco all soar from the glass. Blood orange, red-toned fruit and white pepper open later. The 2024 is distinguished by its complexity and myriad shades of nuance. It is an especially fine 2024. Saldy, yields are just 22 hectoliters per hectare. As always, La Clotte speaks with eloquance."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Blend:
- 80 % merlot, 20 % cabernet franc
- Organic certification:
- 2023
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Rocheyron is the result of a friendly and professional partnership between Sylvio Denz (Faugères and Lafaurie-Peyraguey) and Peter Sisseck (Pingus). Since 2010, they have been investing in this small 8-hectare vineyard, located entirely on the asteriated limestone plateau characteristic of Saint-Émilion: tilling the soil, conversion to organic farming (certified in 2020), gentle vinification at low temperatures... Rocheyron is constantly progressing, and each year offers wines with an unequalled tannic softness.
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « « Le vin espagnol naît au soleil, le vin de bordeaux naît dans le puits ». Peter Sisseck aime rappeler ce vieil adage pour évoquer ce millésime sauvé des eaux. Mais quelle réussite à Rocheyron ! D'abord de subtiles nuances aromatiques, à la fois florales, réglisse et cerise. C'est le fruité que l'on apprécie tant à ce stade, et pourtant si difficile à retrouver ailleurs. En bouche ? Une silhouette traçante, filiforme, imprégnée de son terroir calcaire tardif. Loin d'être un vin consensuel, c'est une flèche calcaire qui file jusqu'à une finale extrêmement revigorante. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 88-90/100 "The 2024 Rocheyron was picked from September to October 3 at 33 hl/ha, underwent has pumping over during extraction, and was matured in 10% new French oak and 10% in foudre. It offers red plum and crushed strawberry on the nose, with a slight confit-like quality. The palate has a fleshy entry, rounded in texture with pretty red fruit, but it lacks grip and backbone on the finish. As such, this latest iteration will be more for early drinking before broaching the excellent '22."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2020
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Second wine of Angelus, made in the same luxurious and distinguished style that has made the reputation and international success of this wine.
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur très beau rouge sombre, intense et vive. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr. Nuances de fraise. Moelleux en entrée de bouche et de suite très aromatique, le vin caresse le palais, puis monte en finale tout en douceur et avec du goût. C'est délicieux et très agréable. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-93/100 "Creamy and resonant on the palate, the 2024 Carillon is laced with dark cherry/plum fruit, new leather, spice, menthol, espresso and kiss of french oak. There's terrifictextural depth and resonance here. I especially like the way the 2024 explodes on the back end. This is beautiful done."
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Le Carillon d'Angélus has a perfumed, finely delineated and focused bouquet with violet-tinged black and blueberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. Tensile with touches of orange rind and Asian spices, there is decent concentration on the mineral-driven finish."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Blend:
- 90 % merlot, 10 % cabernet franc
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In 2012, Haut-Brion bought and combined two grands crus classés (Tertre-Dauguay and L'Arrosée) on the slopes of Saint-Émilion (Côte Ausone), and put a foot in the right bank, called Quintus because it is their fifth property (after Haut-Brion, La Mission HB, Laville HB and Latour HB).
Their first objective is to make fine, long wines, focusing on freshness and delicacy rather than power or density, more typical of the left bank than the right bank.
Second objective: to shine in the next Saint-Emilion classifications (its immediate neighbours are Ausone, Belair-Monange, Angélus and Canon, all 1st classified grands crus).Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Quintus is streets ahead of the second and third wines on the nose, with pretty black cherry and blueberry fruit, a little Margaux-like in style thanks to the violet scent. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit mixed with blood orange and crushed stone towards the finish. Touches of cracked black pepper and cumin linger on the aftertaste. Very fine."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
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Advised by Mr. Derenoncourt, Clos Fourtet regularly and unobtrusively demonstrates that the upper part of the Saint-Émilion plateau can produce wines as great as the Ausone or Pavie hillsides. Sobriety, depth, finesse and intensity are exemplary.
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur sombre, intense, belle, aux reflets grenat. Nez très aromatique, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, avec du goût au milieu, un corps élancé et savoureux, le vin fond sur le palais, avec un brin de vivacité dans la persistance. Mais c'est réellement incrachable. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 93-95/100 "The 2024 Clos Fourtet is a gorgeous, elegant wine. Medium in body, with terrific persistence and notable purity, Clos Fourtet impresses with its balance more than anything else. Dark Blue fruits, lavender, spice, menthol, licorice and framed by bright chalky notes that lend freshness. In 2024, Clos Fourtet is built more on persistence than overt textural richness, as has, been the case in some recent vintages."
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 « À l'image de la propriété, le vin propose une élégante retenue aromatique, des nuances florales et de réglisse. En même temps qu'il est sombre, froid, presque impénétrable, le bouquet aromatique dévoile beaucoup d'éclat. Le vin, svelte cette année, est moins dense qu'à son habitude. Il évoluera lentement avec sa sensation calcaire particulière. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Clos Fourtet is clearly a level-up from Le Closerie with pure, well defined and focused blueberry, raspberry, and blood orange scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. This is quite linear, keeping with the style of the vintage, so this doen't have a peacock's tail like the 2022. Yet this feels tensile and the limestone terroir shapes the mineral-driven finish. This is a well-crafted and delicious Clos Fourtet, a success given the challenges of the vintage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 84 % cabernet sauvignon, 10 % cabernet franc, 6 % cabernet sauvignon.
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Self-taught, Jean-Luc Thunevin and his wife Murielle got their start in the Bordeaux vineyards when they bought a tiny 0.6 hectare plot in Saint-Émilion, near Pavie-Macquin. Produced in minute quantities, vinified with the means at hand but with meticulous care, Valandraud soon made a name for itself, to the point of giving rise to the 'garage wine' movement in the 1990s.
Now with a vineyard of almost 11 hectares on the cooler limestone terroirs of Saint-Etienne de Lisse (on the eastern edge of the appellation) and a bioclimatic cellar allowing gravity-fed vinification, Valandraud is now a Premier Grand Cru Classé in its own right.J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Couleur noire, aux reflets grenat. Incroyable nez très aromatique, sentant bon les fruits mûrs. Touches de fruits blancs, de cerise et de truffe. Ce n'est qu'à l'agitation du verre que viennent des repères de vin rouge. Voila qui trouble les sens et les savoirs ! Ce qui est la définition même du Grand Vin. Moelleux à l'attaque, juteux en milieu de bouche, avec de la classe dans le toucher, le vin fond sur le palais, puis gagne de la profondeur dans la persistance. Finale séveuse et plus parfumée que jamais. Ensemble difficile à cracher. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 92-95/100 "The 2024 Valandraud is a quite the powerhouse. Dense and explosive, Valandraud packs a huge punch. Macerations reached up to four weeks, long for the vintage, yielding an especially huge, deep Saint-Émilion. Valandraud is atypically concentrated for the year. Let's see what happens with élevage. There is so alluring. This is an especially heady, opulent wine in 2024. That was clearly the intent, and an approach that worked."
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Valandraud can handle the 100% new oak, with a floral style and more red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black cherries and raspberry, showing a firm grip towards the finish with moderate length. It will require three or four years to cohere, but I am concerned about the oak averhelming the fruit, hence my score."
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Avec ses 85% de merlot, le vin est toujours haut en couleur. On sent le résultat d'une réflexion menée de bout en bout. Formidable de droiture, il affiche la forte signature fumée-grillée de l'élevage. Les amateurs de vins au boisé assumé apprécieront. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Blend:
- 85 % merlot, 9 % cabernet sauvignon, 6 % cabernet franc
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Purchased in 1996 by the Chanel group (also in Rauzan-Ségla), Canon required a complete restoration, both of the vines and the cellar/vat room tool. Since 2008, Canon has fully justified its status as a 1er grand cru classé, with brilliant, distinguished wines that draw their energy from the Cabernets francs at the top of the limestone plateau.
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 « Un vin d'un grand raffinement ! 2024 s'inscrit dans le plus pur style de Canon : la fraîcheur du millésime épouse avec brio l'identité du plateau calcaire du cru. Les nuances florales, fraîches, de fruits rouges, animent une bouche d'une immense délicatesse. La structure tannique poudrée le mène avec une douceur magnifique une matière longiligne de bout en bout. Le souffle salin sculpte avec panache la finale de cet assemblage de 78% de merlot et 22% de cabernet franc. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 95-97/100 "The 2024 Canon is superb. One of the standouts of the vintage, the 2024 possesses striking mid-palate depth to match its vertical personality. Chalk, white pepper, mint, lavender, rose petal, slate and blue/purplish fruit all stain the palate. There's gorgeous depth and density here, and yet the 2024 remains a super-classic wine from the property. This is a real stunner. That's all there is to it."
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Couleur sombre et intense. Nez un peu discret, au fruité frais et mûr. Délicat en entrée de bouche, particulièrement aérien au milieu, avec du goût et de la classe dans le toucher, le vin finit long, ascendant et savoureux, avec une touche suave dans la persistance. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Canon has a bouquet well defined with pure black cherry, raspberry and a subtle marine influence that develops in the glass, though I find the Troplong Mondot tasted alongside has more amplitude. The palate is medium-bodied and pliant with fine tannins and finesse. One bottle at the château had more weight on the finish than others that feel attenuated and missing a bit of substance."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Blend:
- 78 % merlot, 22 % cabernet franc
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Bought out in 2017 by the reinsurer SCOR, a page is turned in Troplong-Mondot, a formidable terroir in Saint-Emilion. Up to and including 2016, these are the richest in extract and most generous wines of the appellation, made by Christine Valette and her husband, under the aegis of Michel Rolland.
Radical break in style from the 2017 vintage, with less dense but oh so precise, elegant and racy wines, confirmed in 2018 by Mr. Galloni (vinous) "The 2018 is regal, refined and absolutely exquisite", rated 97/100.
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 95-97/100 "The 2024 Troplong Mondot is a total stunner. As has been the case for some years now? The Grand Vin is blended before being barreled down, which means at the time of tasting en primeur, the wine has seen less wood than the vast majority of its peers. That lends this wine a certain raw energy that is impossible to miss. The purity and intensity of the flavors are simply remarkable. Troplong Mondot is one of the standouts of 2024. Even in this vintage, Troplong Mondot possesses remarkable textural presence, but that richness is matched by notable freshness and linear drive. It was deeply impressive on the two occasions I tasted."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 93-95/100 "The 2024 Troplong Mondot offers minerally, tightly wound black fruit, blueberry and light chalky scents. Very fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant yet tensile tannins. Like the Mondot, it is peppery in style, pretty and sapid towards the finish. Not a huge amount of persistence, yet this is still a serious Saint-Émilion that could well end up at the top of my banded score."
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 « Un élevage à moitié en barriques neuves et une part intéressante de foudres (26 %), voilà l'équation brillante pour Troplong. Derrière sa jolie robe éclatante, le vin dévoile un bouquet aromatique lumineux et une bouche pleine de panache : beau délié de matière, en demi-puissance en cœur de bouche, sans creux. Dynamique, la finale provoque une salivation intense qui ponctue cette interprétation contemporaine de Bordeaux. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
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A small estate located near Troplong-Mondot and Valandraud, acquired in 2009 by Jacques Thienpont (already owner of Ch. Le Pin). A wine that is as exceptional as it is confidential (6 hectares)!
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Beau nez très aromatique, fin, pur, sentant bon les fruits noirs. Immédiatement délicieux dès l'entrée en bouche, très savoureux, avec du goût, de l'équilibre et une présence allongée, le vin glisse sur le palais, long, suave et complexe dans la persistance. C'est superbe ! Une grande réussite du millésime. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 L'If has a fragrant bouquet, with mainly red fruit and slate-like scents. The palate is medium-bodied and balanced, with slightly chalky tannins and a little flesh on the mid-palate. Lightly spiced on the finish, this is a comparatively straightforward L'If compared to previous vintages that will serve as a fine earlier drinking Saint-Émilion."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 85 % merlot, 15 % cabernet franc
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Become a first grand cru classé in 2012, just reward for 20 years of effort by Mr. Neipperg (Canon-La Gaffelière, Clos de l'Oratoire) on this small vineyard of 4.5 ha adjoining Troplong-Mondot. A very large Saint-Émilion, fleshy, intense and penetrating, but with a confidential production.
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « On retrouve indéniablement le calcaire dans ce cru signé par 80% de merlot et 20% de cabernet franc. Après son habituelle retenue aromatique, il installe cette force naturelle, avec une droiture crayeuse, fougueuse, et un charme qui confine à la sucrosité. Traçant comme une flèche, il s'adresse aux amoureux de vins frais, septentrionaux. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 93-95/100 "The 2024 La Mondotte is punchy and energetic, but it also needs to be approached with an open mind and palate. At 13% alcohol, the lowest I can remember here, La Mondotte is driven by strong limestone inflections and brisk acids more than anything else. Elevage will be everything. The combination of the growing season along with a move towards more freshness in the wines here yielded a Mondotte unlike any I can recall tasting."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 La Mondotte has the best aromatics amongst the cuvées in the Van Neipperg stable, with redcurrant and wild strawberry fruit, rose petal and light incense aromas. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a bit more weight on the mid-palate than the preceding Canon-la-Gaffelière, just a bit of piquancy and a tender raspberry finish."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2014
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Second wine of Ausone, rare (1 ha in production out of the 7 ha of the Ausone vineyard), slightly less powerful but just as racy and energetic as the Grand Vin. And like it, it has a remarkable capacity for ageing.
Like all Vauthier vineyards (Ausone, La Clotte, Moulin Saint-Georges, Haut-Simard...), Chapelle d'Ausone began its conversion to organic farming in 2020.
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur vive, intense et sombre. Nez sentant bon la framboise, évoluant intense dans le verre, fin, subtil, complexe et noble. Minutieux à l'attaque, doté d'une texture ravissante et d'un corps fondant, le vin évolue raffiné, racé et distingué dans la persistance. Une qualité de déroulé et d'arômes unique induit par 85 % cabernet franc et 15 % cabernet sauvignon. La magie des jeunes vignes d'Ausone. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Chapelle d'Ausone, like the 2021, contains no Merlot. It has an intense bouquet with brambly red berry fruit, blueberry and light violet scents. This is finely delineated, although the 2022 was more complex. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth entry, a linear style and more black fruit compared to say, La Clotte."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Blend:
- 85 % cabernet franc et 15 % cabernet sauvignon
- Organic certification:
- 2023
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On a subsoil of deep gravel (alluvium of the Isle), Figeac has logically opted for a grape variety more Medoc than Libourne: 70% Cabernet (half Sauvignon and half Franc), 30% Merlot. Hence a naturalness, a freshness and a distinction unparalleled in Saint-Emilion. The latest 2022 classification has rightly corrected the omission of the previous one by granting Figeac the title of 1er grand cru classé A.
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-95/100 « Très jolie robe soutenue, d'une superbe complexité aromatique mêlant nuances florales, finesse végétale et framboise. Une palette aromatique fraîche aux allures océaniques. L'élevage, réalisé à 100 % en bois de neuf, est déjà parfaitement fondu, témoignant du travail minutieux de sélection des barriques. L'ensemble présente un équilibre élancé, tenu par une épine dorsale fine, où le trio cabernet-sauvignon (39%), merlot (33%) et cabernet franc (27%) déploie un relief aromatique énergique, fidèle à la signature de Figeac. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 93-96/100 "Silky and aromatic, with velvety tannins, the 2024 Figeac is sublime. Floral and savory aromatics meld into a core of blue/purplish fruit, spice, licorice, lavender and menthol. All the elements are so well balanced. The blend is 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, with 8% press wines. Not surprisingly, the 2024 is a very Cabernet-driven Figeac. Production is 60,000 bottles, or 50% of normal, because of low yields and further selection in the cellar."
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Superbe nez très aromatique, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Délicieux en entrée de bouche, avec une texture minutieuse et de la grâce dans le toucher, le vin évolue sur un corps fondant, moelleux et parfumé, vers une longue finale séveuse et complexe. Une touche de vivacité reste à fondre à l'élevage. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 93-95/100 "The 2024 Figeac is matured entirely in new oak. That wood is neatly assimilated on the nose with blackberry, raspberry and light pine resin scents, all fashioned with wonderful delineation. Later, a hint of wilted rose petal emerges from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and a keen line of acidity. This is very elegant and classical Figeac in style. There is a little more linearity, but this feels quite effortless overall. Its buvabilité is perhaps higher than other vintages, even if the likes of the 2020 or 2022 might have longer legs. This becomes spicier with aeration, which seems to prolong the finish."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 12.5%
- Blend:
- 39 % cabernet sauvignon, 33 % merlot, 28 % cabernet franc.
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Brilliant even in small vintages (1992 was a masterpiece), Angélus has become a world star in 20 years by producing dense, fleshy and superbly velvety wines while remaining distinguished.
Great class!J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Beau rouge sombre, intense. Nuances vives. Nez très aromatique, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Touches de truffe et de cerise à l'agitation dans le verre. Moelleux en entrée de bouche et de suite très savoureux, le vin glisse sur le palais, très charmeur, avec de la classe dans le toucher et beaucoup de goût. C'est long et très bon. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 93-95/100 "The 2024 Angélus is very fine. It is the first vintage I have tasted that captures the newer approach at Angélus, one where the wines are not extracted as in the past. Black cherry, plum, spice, new leather and menthol fill out the layers effortlessly. Here, too, the wine shows superb balance and real textural presence."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Angélus has an intriguing bouquet that deserves a little more reflection than some of its peers. A touch of fish scales commingles with black olive tapenade alongside dark berry fruit in what you might describe as a "cool" nose. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. The 2024 is certainly a more linear Angélus, saline with a liberal sprinkling of black pepper. It gains modest depth on the graphite-tinged and Cabernet-driven finish, which is drier than previous vintages (as expected in this vintage). There is fine salinity with a shorter aftertaste than you would find in a warm vintage. This is well-crafted and just needs more flesh on the slender finish. Maybe that will develop during its élevage? It will be an enjoyable Angélus rather than a profound one destined for long-term aging."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Blend:
- 60 % merlot, 40 % cabernet franc.