2024 Futures
Under the name « gems », we refer to unsung producers who make admirable wines due to their excellent vineyards and their own talent.
These wines are always produced in very small amounts, in vineyards maintained as gardens by gifted and meticulous wine-growers. Even if they do not make the headlines of magazines, they highly deserve to be discovered and tasted for their exemplary quality.
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This classified growth, owned by INRA, has grown considerably since the Institute's researchers decided to apply the results of their most advanced research to it, and the arrival of Mr Derenoncourt as an advisor. In a rather lively and tense style, Couhins is today by its price the best deal among the white classified growths of Pessac-Léognan.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 94-96/100 "The 2024 Couhins Blanc is a regal, elegant wine. Readers who want to enjoy a world-class dry white that is still affordable will delight in this gorgeous, sculpted offering from Couhins. Slate, chalk, mint and white pepper drive through a core of citrus-inflected fruit. Couhins Blanc is one of the finest dry whites of the year. If recent past vintages are any indication, it should also be a steal."
Bettane & Desseauve : 91-92/100 « Nez très agréable, aux notes fleuries et miellées. Bouche généreuse et riche, avec de la salinité et une belle vivacité. Bien fait, plein de caractère. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « L’acidité tranchante, l’éclat citronné font presque oublier l’indéniable profondeur de matière de ce pur sauvignon sur substrat calcaire, tendu comme une arbalète. »
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Couleur jaune pâle. Nez intense, fin et fruité. Bouche au port très élancé, se développant savoureuse et dynamique, vers une finale longue et parfumée. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2022
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Mrs Papon-Nouvel is known for her 2 wonderful Saint-Émilion wines: Clos Saint-Julien and Petit-Gravet Aîné. But it also owns Peyrou, a small vineyard (10 hectares) in the Côtes de Castillon region, which is organically farmed and produces a sapid, juicy wine with an obvious and exciting fruitiness (90% Merlot).
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2011
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In 2008, Denis Durantou acquired this Château for which he fell in love at first sight. A splendid 12 hectare clay-limestone vineyard on the first line of the Dordogne hillside, Montlandrie is in Castillon (which it directly overlooks) the equivalent of Ausone in Saint-Émilion.
As in his other properties (L'Église-Clinet, Les Cruzelles, La Chenade...), Denis Durantou used all his know-how and perfectionism to produce a fresh and floral wine, with a crisp and juicy fruitiness. Few Bordeaux wines are as deserving of the term "vibrant wine" as Montlandrie.J-M Quarin : 92/100 « Couleur noire. Nez intense, fin, fruité et subtil, se développant parfumé dans le verre. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, le vin avance juteux et fin vers une finale fraîche, mûre et séveuse. C'est très bon. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-94/100 "The 2024 Montlandrie is a potent, deep wine with strong Cabernet character. Dried herbs, licorice, menthol, lavender and blue/purplish Merlot fruit all race across the palate before Cabernet Sauvignon tannins come alive to frame the potent, explosive finish. Superb."
Bettane & Desseauve : 91/100 « Du muscle bien proportionné, un tannin franc et énergique avec de la fraîcheur qui équilibre tout en finale. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Montlandrie has a more low-key bouquet than the Les Cruzelles with tightly wound black plum and tertiary aromas. The palate is more expressive with smooth tannins and a keen line of acidity, though it is more linear on the finish than the aforementioned Lalande-de-Pomerol."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- 65 % merlot, 20 % cabernet sauvignon, 15 % cabernet franc
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Mr Derenoncourt, Bordeaux's most sought-after consultant, is also a producer. Obviously, he (with his wife) applies in his vineyards the methods that have made his success: respect for the terroir and biotope, subtle vinification and maturation, wines of great aromatic precision.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « Il séduit par le soyeux de sa texture en toucher et une belle profondeur. La finale est étirée par un grain calcaire. Coup de cœur. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
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Started in 2003, the adventure of Clos Louie is a textbook case: doll's vineyard (2.3 ha) on a beautiful clay-limestone terroir of Castillon, very old vines (150 years old!) mostly Merlot and red tail malbec, careful biodynamic cultivation, double manual sorting during the harvest, little interventionist vinification, gentle maturing in 500-litre demi-muids. A true artist's wine, absent from the guides but that informed amateurs know well.
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 « Très belle approche florale, une aromatique aérienne, et surtout cette délicatesse de texture d’entrée de jeu. Un beau délié et un certain raffinement tannique. Une belle réussite. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 89-90/100 « Beaucoup de fruit et des touches florales qui commencent à apparaître pour ce premier millésime effectué en collaboration avec les équipes de Thomas Duclos. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 89-90/100 "The 2024 Clos Louie is a rich, burly Côtes de Castillon. A blast of dark fruit, espresso, licorice, spice and menthol races across the palate. This potent 2024 could turn out to be quite good if the tannins are polished with elevage."
Vinous (N. Martin): 86-88/100 "The 2024 Clos Louie has a light nose with dark plum and briar scents that have a pleasant edginess to them. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly dry tannins, but I appreciate the blackberry, cassis fruit and the composure on the finish. Fine."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2012
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The incessant work of Mr. and Mrs. Dief since 2000 is bearing fruit today: in a tense and distinguished style, Clos Manou shines with a vibrant, deep energy, with pure and radiant fruit, combining length and density. Undoubtedly the most beautiful revelation of the northern Médoc in recent vintages.
En Magnum (May 2025): "Brilliant and subtle, the products of this slightly off-the-beaten-track Médoc estate display a profoundly Médoc character, between straightforwardness and aromatic freshness. Capable of ageing gracefully, but also accessible now, the latest vintages are models of style that every wine-lover should have in their cellar. They are sure to make an impact."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Clos Manou has a wonderful bouquet for the vintage, which I expected from this producer. It's delicate, but there is real presence. The palate is vibrant, tensile and quite mineral-driven with a complex, persistent finish. It shows a lot of the more aggrandizing Grands Crus how it's done. This is superb."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-92/100 « Ce cru du nord du Médoc s’appuie sur de jolis merlots et livre un vin dans l’air du temps, avec un côté friand et onctueux. Il est posé, les tanins sont présents mais souples. Une belle cuvée à déguster autour de ses cinq ans. »
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez moyennement intense, au fruité pur et mûr. Subtil. Evolution vanillée et suave dans le verre. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, avec un joli toucher, un corps fondant, le vin caresse le palais. Il avance doucement, bien enveloppé vers une jolie finale aromatique. Découvert il y a 20 ans maintenant, le cru n'a jamais faibli ! »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 86-88/100 "The 2024 Clos Manou is tasty Médoc. Dark fruit, chocolate, leather, incense and blackberry make a strong opening statement. The mid-palate is a bit light, but there may be just enough to pull this together with elevage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 12.5%
- Grape varieties:
- 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet sauvignon, 3.5% Petit verdot, 2.5% 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. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 91/100 « Beaucoup de grâce aromatique et de fraîcheur, tendre pour le millésime mais sans faiblesse, impeccable réussite. »
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%
- Grape varieties:
- 54 % merlot, 46 % cabernet sauvignon
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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.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Petit Gravet Ainé, mostly Cabernet Franc, is so distinctive. Mocha, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco and macerated cherry lift the bouquet nicely. The 2024 is a bit strict on the palate, but that may change with élevage. This is very nicely done, if a touch reticent."
Bettane & Desseauve : 91-92/100 « Grande fraîcheur aromatique de l’attaque à la finale, donnant du tonus à la bouche élancée et subtile. »
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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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.
Bettane & Desseauve : 93-94/100 « Nez poivré et floral, typique des cabernets francs. On retrouve cette aromatique dans une bouche énergique, parfaitement structurée. »
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 (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."
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. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2011
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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)!
Bettane & Desseauve : 95/100 « Combinaison de fruits noirs mûrs (cassis, cerise noire, myrtille) et de notes plus subtiles de fruits rouges frais (framboise, fraise des bois). Des arômes de violette et de rose sauvage apportent une touche florale délicate. Les tannins sont subtils et parfaitement intégrés. »
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 (A. Galloni): 92-94/100 "The 2024 L'If is an elegant, sleek wine. Crushed flowers, tobacco, cedar, incense, dried herbs and menthol give the 2024 lovely aromatic presence. L'If is light on its feet, with a bit less overt concentration than most years, but there's more than enough persistence to compensate for that, shaping the wine in a style that favors linear energy over volume."
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%
- Grape varieties:
- 85 % merlot, 15 % cabernet franc