
All prices are including VAT but excluding transport.
Please see below "Futures campaign".
The logo "bio" indicates the wine in organic culture in official under reserve of certification after bottling.
The campaign "Futures 2025" will stop on 2027 July 31st, in the limit of the available stock.
Under the leadership of M. Thunevin (Valandraud), La Vieille Cure presents a more greedy and less square profile than before and reveals itself as one of Fronsac's major properties.
Bettane+Desseauve : 90/100 “Intense black fruit and delicate spices intertwine in this expressive Fronsac. The dense yet balanced palate confirms a clear improvement.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 90-92/100 "The 2025 La Vieille Cure feels just a little reticent on the nose and, despite coaxing, refuses to unleash the fruit I was expecting. Maybe just muted on the day? The palate is medium-bodied with smooth tannins and there is more energy here. Fine acidity. Quite focused, with good tension on the finish, it does suggest that the aromatics were just "on stand-by" during my tasting."
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 88-90/100 "The 2025 La Vieille Cure is powerful and inky. There's plenty of fruit intensity, as always, but this needs more attention paid to the tannins, which are rather bruising at this stage."
Selection of the best parcels of Château de Carles (10 ha out of the 20 ha of the estate), certainly the finest and most ambitious wine of Fronsac, making since 2000 equal game with the best classified growths of the slopes of Saint-Émilion. A great wine that should be kept for at least 6 to 8 years.
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.
Couhins' clear progress, seen in white wine since 2009, is now being felt in red wine. Here, it is not power that is sought but balance, aromatic delicacy and palatability.
Bettane+Desseauve : 91-92/100 “Very smoky and mineral on the nose, it combines flavours of ripe black fruit with roundness and vigour in a generous palate that is never excessive. The finish retains its vigour.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 “This wine charms with its fresh fruit and delicate spicy notes. On the palate, it is juicy and elegant, favouring finesse over power. Although less full-bodied than some of its counterparts, it is nonetheless harmonious and promising.”
L'Esprit de Chevalier follows the same path as a great wine: an increasingly fine structure, a remarkable qualitative evolution in recent vintages, and an ever-relevant quality-price ratio.
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2025 L'Esprit de Chevalier is cohesive and well defined on the nose, very focused, with slightly earthy red fruit that gains brightness with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, well balanced, quite sapid in style, with a tang of black olive engaging on the finish. This is a fine Deuxième Vin that should represent great value."
A family estate reawakened in 2011 by the arrival of son Paul Garcin, a former rock musician on the Bordeaux scene. An instant switch to organic and biodynamic viticulture, to produce intuitive, artist's wines that are immediately sapid and have a strong pleasure note. As a deliberate iconoclast, Paul Garcin makes a point of offering different facets to each Haut-Bergey vintage: a classic cuvée vinified and matured in the tradition of Bordeaux's great growths, the more contemporary Cuvée Paul, and single-vineyard cuvées highlighting their respective terroirs.
An approach hailed by the Revue du Vin de France: "A modern vision and the ability to reinvent oneself without betraying: Haut-Bergey symbolises the current vitality of Bordeaux's most historic vineyard".
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 “Haut-Bergey 2025 effortlessly combines density and elegance. The fruit, vibrant and pure, is accompanied by subtle spicy notes. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet never heavy, offering a noble texture and a lovely finish. The balance between power and finesse is particularly well achieved, in a style that respects the terroir and the vintage.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 92/100 “A spicy profile that captivates with its intensity and energy. The lively texture retains plenty of freshness and depth.”
In both large and small years, Latour-Martillac produces each time a remarkably distinctive and balanced wine, the sure value of the appellation. The same regularity being displayed in its prices, Latour-Martillac has become a priority choice in Pessac-Léognan.
Promoted to two stars in the Revue du Vin de France's 2023 guide for the whole of his work, in red as in white!
Bettane+Desseauve : 94-95/100 “Extremely elegant, with precise aromas and an integrated mineral character. The palate is round and refined, underpinned by ultra-fine tannins and great freshness. Long and classic, in the best sense of the word.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 “Latour Martillac confirms its excellent quality with a dense, distinguished wine. The palate, crisp and well-structured, is underpinned by silky tannins and an elegant body. The balance between power and finesse is particularly well achieved, and the fresh, lingering finish reinforces the overall impression. A complete wine, destined to become a benchmark for the estate.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 92-94/100 "The 2025 Latour-Martillac shows a little sur-maturité on the nose, slightly pruney, which detracts from its definition. The palate is medium-bodied, with dry tannins, quite structured and "serious" in style, grippy but just a bit laboured on the finish. I much prefer the white this year."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 89-91/100 "The 2025 Latour-Martillac is quite powerful and imposing but nicely balanced. Dark red/purplish fruit, mocha and floral notes convey quite a bit of brightness to balance the natural intensity of the year. There's gorgeous substance here."
More famous in the 90s for its whites, Carbonnieux has for the last ten years clearly raised the level of its red wine in power, matter and velvety texture, joining the best vintages of Leognan. With its value for money, unquestionable within Pessac-Léognan.
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 “Consistent and reliable, Carbonnieux has produced a wine with crisp fruit and a clear expression. The palate, lively and well-structured, is underpinned by ripe, perfectly integrated tannins. The balance is spot on, the development smooth, and the finish reveals lovely length. The overall impression, harmonious and precise, faithfully reflects the appellation’s style, with clear ageing potential.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 93-94/100 “The harmonious blend of red and black fruit aromas, accompanied by toasty and spicy notes, creates an enticing profile. Round and approachable on the palate, it retains plenty of fruit and a lively finish.”
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-94/100 "The 2025 Carbonnieux packs a pretty substantial punch. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, licorice, dried herbs, menthol and espresso infuse the palate with tremendous depth. The tannins are quite broad and chocolatey, but they are very nicely balanced."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2025 Carbonnieux has a well-defined bouquet with lifted blackberry, cassis and violet scents, showing more harmony and focus than previous vintages that had left me a little underwhelmed. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, fine acidity, upfront black fruit laced with graphite and black pepper towards the finish. This is a step in the right direction for Carbonnieux after a decidedly mixed period."
J-M Quarin: 89/100 “A deep red colour with purple highlights. An intense, refined, fruity, pure and vanilla-scented nose. Meticulously crafted on the palate, flavourful in the mid-palate, and better structured than ever, the wine develops a juicy, even velvety texture, with well-integrated tannins.”
Le Point : 16.5-17/20 Coup de ♥ “Dark fruits, elderberry, liquorice root, firm tannins, savoury, a long, lively finish with a hint of spice.”
The second wine of Haut-Bailly, called La Parde de Haut-Bailly until 2018. In the same style as its big brother, all restraint and finesse, and increasingly charming thanks to an increased proportion of Merlot since 2010.
A second wine of “flawless consistency and unfailing elegance”, according to Bettane & Desseauve (Guide 2025).
Bettane+Desseauve : 92-93/100 “Very fruity and floral, it charms with its round, smooth palate. The fine tannins, the fresh finish and the overall balance enhance its elegant character.”
J-M Quarin: 92/100 “A deep, intense and beautiful red colour. An intense, fruity, ripe nose. Very Graves-like, enhanced by a hint of liquorice. The distinction of Haut Bailly is evident in this wine, with its meticulous structure, delicate aromas and light texture. Delicious and goes down a treat!”
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-93/100 “The 2025 Haut-Bailly II is a gorgeous, wonderfully classy wine. The aromatics are especially prominent. Rose petal, dried herbs, mint, blood orange and cinnamon lend an exotic flair. Medium in body, with silky tannins and fine balance, the Haut-Bailly II is a delight."
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 “The 2025 Haut-Bailly II has a relatively straightforward bouquet with brambly red fruit, cranberry and raspberry, a touch of black olive/iodine and sous-bois in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, touches of graphite infusing the red fruit, a little granular in texture, with a slight balsamic edge on the finish. Give this a couple of years in bottle. Good potential."
Roundness, suppleness and depth of flesh are the hallmarks of the consensual red wines produced in Larrivet Haut-Brion, advised by Mr. Rolland until 2014 and then by Mr. Derenoncourt. No link between Larrivet (in Léognan) and Haut-Brion (in Pessac).
J-M Quarin : 94/100 "Deep, intense color, black and purple. A very aromatic, fruity nose, with hints of wet leather, blackberries, and blueberries. Delicate on the palate at first, very aromatic in the mid-palate, with a slow, lingering finish, a velvety body, and plenty of flavor; the wine lingers on the finish, long and complex. It’s delicious, very fragrant, with a fine texture. Well done!"
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 “Particularly expressive and appealing, the Larrivet Haut-Brion 2025 opens with a generous nose of red fruits and floral notes. On the palate, it is composed and balanced, showcasing fine tannins and a velvety texture. The wine, harmonious and approachable, perfectly captures the spirit of the vintage and the precision of the winemaking. A fine achievement. ”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 92-94/100 "The 2025 Larrivet Haut-Brion offers a compelling mix of power and finesse. Cabernet aromatics confer notable inner perfume to play off a core of dark red-fleshed fruit There's a lot to look forward to."
Bettane+Desseauve : 92-93/100 “The fruit’s ripeness and the oak’s character blend harmoniously here. On the palate, it is full-bodied, rich and has delicious tannins. A charming and well-balanced Larrivet.”
Bought in 1988 and then renovated from top to bottom, Malartic-Lagravière is back to the fine, straight and distinguished style that made it successful in the 1950s and 1960s.
J-M Quarin: 95/100 “A dark red color—intense, deep, and beautiful. Intense, fruity, refined, and subtle on the nose, evoking the Pessac terroir. Meticulous on the attack, bursting with fruit in the mid-palate, with a classy texture and plenty of flavor, the wine melts on the palate, offering notes of licorice and flowers, with a hint of smoky pine. It is long, smooth, and very aromatic.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 94-95/100 “Ripe fruit, delicate floral notes and hints of cedar combine to create an elegant bouquet. The palate is silky and refined, with firm yet supple tannins, leading into a robust finish with excellent ageing potential.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 “The complex nose reveals a beautiful array of fresh black fruits, enhanced by delicate spicy notes. The palate, juicy and well-structured, is characterised by silky tannins and a precise texture. The balance between structure and freshness is perfectly mastered. The long, harmonious finish confirms the estate’s consistency in producing refined and expressive wines.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 92-94/100 "The 2025 Malartic Lagravière has a pretty nose with pure blackberry, cedar and graphite notes, turning more floral and Margaux-like with time in the glass. The oak is very well integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, gentle grip, fine acidity and a smooth finish that has a patina of new oak that needs to be integrated with a couple of years in bottle. Promising, but has it got something extra up its sleeve?"
Mr. Derenoncourt's arrival as a consultant in 2006 has given the Domaine de Chevalier an extra touch of charm and softness, while preserving its distinguished finesse. Its success has been dazzling in recent vintages, gradually raising it to the pinnacle of the appellation.
Bettane+Desseauve : 96-97/100 “Precise, elegant and with beautifully pure fruit, it develops aromas of red berries, plum, liquorice, truffle, menthol and smoke. The creamy palate retains superb vigour, supported by refined tannins and a noble, very lively finish.”
Vinous (A. Galloni): 95-97/100 “The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier is a total stunner. The oak imprint is a bit strong, but the 2025 possesses notable richness and textural depth to handle it all. Signature red-toned fruit and floral overtones soar through the layered, expansive close."
Vinous (N. Martin): 94-96/100 "This is perfumed on the nose with raspberry, cassis and light iris flower scents, just a touch of truffle in the background. You need to wait because this "grows" in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with granular tannins. Very harmonious, quintessentially Pessac, gravel-tinged black fruit, almost pillowy in texture, yet there is certainly decent structure here with just the right amount of grip towards the finish. It will require less bottle age than, say, the 2020 or 2022, yet it is endowed with real complexity and classicism. It is Domaine de Chevalier, after all."
J-M Quarin: 95/100 “A beautiful, deep, intense red. A very aromatic, refined, fruity and smooth nose. Delicate on the palate at first, flavourful in the mid-palate, the wine develops a juicy character with a refined texture, leading to a slightly tight but aromatic and lingering finish.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-95/100 “From the very first sip, the wine charms with its smooth texture and delicate velvety quality. The palate, harmonious and composed, favours finesse of expression over a display of power. The tannins, fine and perfectly ripe, accompany a long, caressing finish. Less spectacular than some vintages, it captivates with its precision, its understated elegance and its impeccable balance, in keeping with the estate’s style. ”
For 40 years, Pape-Clément has undoubtedly been one of the greatest classified growths on the left bank (alongside Léoville, Pichon, etc.). With the characteristic pine resin aromas of Graves, Pape-Clément combines the power of its terroir, comparable to that of the greatest Pauillacs. This natural power allows it to easily overcome “small” vintages (such as 2021) and to outperform much more expensive wines in the greatest vintages.
Terre de Vins : 96-98/100 Coup de ♥ "Pape Clement brilliantly reaffirms its signature style. The wine has gained in precision and the fruit is very distinct, even in its youth. On the palate, it immediately reveals an extraction process that has been perfectly conceived and tailored to the vintage: supple tannins, with a slight grip, yet without any harshness, intriguing and well-integrated. The Merlots are aged in large oak casks to preserve the fruit and roundness, whilst the Cabernets are aged in barrels to develop structure. These techniques have been skilfully employed. The result is a full-bodied wine with a fine structure, yet supple and velvety, with intact, luscious fruit. The peppermint finish adds a touch of freshness.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 96/100 “With great aromatic finesse, characterised by subtle fruit notes, as well as hints of fresh flowers, tobacco, violet and the smoky character typical of the vintage. Dense and full-bodied on the palate, with refined tannins and a fresh, lively and well-balanced finish.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Pape Clément is magnificent. The aromatics alone are captivating. Strong floral and savory notes soar from the glass. Lavender, rose petal, sage, mint and mocha lead into a core of wonderfully vibrant red/purplish fruit. Medium in body and deep, Pape Clément is positively stellar in 2025. The Cabernets and Petit Verdot add tons of aromatic presence. "
Vinous (N. Martin) : 93-95/100 "It has quite an opulent bouquet, with luxuriant black cherries, blueberry and blood orange scents, a touch of peppermint emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied and delivers quite a grip on the entry, with layered black fruit, quite compact on the mid-palate, a little hard-edged on the finish, though that should soften during the barrel maturation. Quite dense on the finish, this is an impressive Pape Clément but it needs to foment more charm by the time of bottling."
Haut-Bailly is the most delicate of the Graves wines with a particularly silky tannic structure.
Terre de Vins : 98-99/100 Coup de ♥ " “Holistic” is the word chosen by the Haut-Bailly team to describe this vintage. That speaks volumes about their confidence in the result. We wholeheartedly agree, as this 2025 proves immediately seductive with its palette of blackcurrant and graphite, its floral notes adding a touch of freshness and brilliance to the emerging aromatic density. This density is reflected on the palate, creamy and silky, framed by tannins of the purest definition. The whole unfolds on a finely mentholated base, just tinged with a hint of saltiness and sap in the finish, lingering at length to our great delight.”
J-M Quarin: 98/100 “A deep, intense red colour. A very aromatic, refined and pure nose, with a hint of wet leather. It gains complexity when swirled in the glass. Hints of liquorice and cherry. Extremely delicate on the palate, with an incredible grace of texture; the wine unfolds slowly, full-bodied, complete and juicy, offering a mysterious sensation of delicate power. A long, subtle finish, with great flavour and tannins that feel almost weightless. A delightful wine.”
Vinous (N. Martin): 96-98/100 “A mixture of brambly red fruit, briar, a touch of cassis and orange rind that is beautifully delineated. The palate is exquisite: very fine tannins, tangible minéralité, very cohesive and focused, with a very complex, peppery finish that goes on and on and on. Svelte, harmonious and tender, this ranks amongst the best vintages from Haut-Bailly in recent years."
La Revue du Vin de France : 96-97/100 “Haut-Bailly delivers a wine of remarkable purity, driven by vibrant, clearly defined fruit. The gentle extraction emphasises finesse and reveals high-quality, silky tannins that are perfectly integrated. The palate, fluid and harmonious, unfolds naturally, without ever feeling forced. The long, elegant finish confirms the estate’s consistency and distinguished style. Shielded from extreme weather, the terroir expresses itself perfectly, giving rise to a refined and balanced wine that will go down in the château’s history.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 96-97/100 “Remarkably complex, combining notes of red fruit, smoke, flowers and spices in a style of rare delicacy. Dense from the very first sip, the palate impresses with its controlled power, elegant tannic structure and a fresh, mineral finish of great length. A great Haut-Bailly.”
Vinous (A. Galloni): 95-97/100 “The 2025 Haut-Bailly is fabulous. Here, too, the purity of the fruit is remarkable. Dried herbs, crushed flowers, blood orange, pomegranate, mint and star anise give the 2025 a gorgeous and palpable sense of exoticism. The 2025 impresses with its elegance and finesse. Floral and savory overtones linger on the clean, supremely polished finish. Very fine."
Virtually abandoned in 1993 when Mr and Mrs Cathiard bought it, Smith Haut Lafitte now shines brightly among the elite of Bordeaux's left bank. The progress made is admirable, as the Cathiards spared no effort: restoring the vineyard, building a vat room and an underground cellar, introducing state-of-the-art equipment, converting to organic farming... The latest vintages demonstrate increased structural finesse and aromatic delicacy. Bravo!
J-M Quarin : 98/100 “Smooth on the palate at first, highly aromatic on the mid-palate, with one of the most indulgent textures ever encountered here; the wine caresses the palate before opening up after the mid-palate whilst continuing to melt away endlessly. A rare expression of this vintage.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 96-97/100 “It immediately captivates with its superb fruit profile, featuring notes of raspberry and blackberry, with a hint of mint that refreshes the finish. Lively, with a pronounced minerality, a graphite-like structure, and a fine, powdery texture on the palate. A Smith brimming with elegance despite its underlying power.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 96-97/100 “The aromatic subtlety here impresses with its precision, revealing notes of ripe fruit, tobacco, spices, graphite and menthol. Dense and velvety on the palate, it is underpinned by well-defined tannins and a salty finish carried by a great sense of freshness. A Smith Haut-Lafitte full of energy and vibrancy.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte has a well-defined bouquet with mainly black fruit intertwined with Earl Grey, sous-bois and cigar box scents, a much more classical style of Smith Haut-Lafitte compared to recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a subtle tobacco note that percolates through the black fruit, more structure coming through towards the sapid finish with a dash of black pepper on the aftertaste. This will fill out in barrel and should become a refined and quite delicious Smith Haut-Lafitte that will repay time in bottle."
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 93-95/100 "The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte is a very classy, elegant wine. Lavender, spice and mint open first, followed by a burst of black/purplish fruit. Medium in body, with terrific freshness, the 2025 is impeccably done. The lighter style vis-à-vis most years is quite attractive."
Although Les Carmes is adjacent to Haut-Brion and its vines were once part of those of Haut-Brion, the wines produced there are radically different from those of its prestigious neighbour. Due to a particular subsoil with the presence of clay, the vines are mainly Cabernet Franc (42%) and Merlot (40%) and the wines, deep and tasty, have an immediate generosity more typical of the right bank than the left bank. The new team set up following the acquisition in 2010 immediately propelled Les Carmes to the top of the Pessac-Léognan's wines.
J-M Quarin : 100/100 “Full-bodied on the attack, immediately rich and powerful with a majestic development, this smooth and noble wine unfolds gently, slowly and with great opulence, before relaxing into a lighter, more airy finish, all the while becoming more intricate, remarkable for its balance, uniqueness and complexity. It finishes with a famous touch of tannin and an extraordinary, lingering length that leaves you speechless! Wow! Magnificent!”
Terre de Vins : 98-99/100 Coup de ♥ "A deep, intense Carmes with a sensual density, whose subtle, zesty bouquet reflects the 54% Cabernet Franc and 65% whole-bunch fermentation. A briny freshness emerges, enhancing the floral notes of the aroma. On the palate, it offers incredible texture, with ultra-powdery tannins that fill the mouth with a satiny, salty sensation, accompanying every millimetre of the succulent flesh. It is at once airy, full-bodied, rich yet luminous, full of flavour, long-lasting and – importantly – joyful. A wine that brings a smile to your face and makes you want to drink it! A great success from 2025.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 97-98/100 “True to its unique style, Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2025 reaffirms its identity with a blend dominated by Cabernet Franc (54%) and a high proportion of whole-bunch fermentation (65%). The wine captivates with its powdery, almost tactile texture and a very pronounced salty and mineral character. Elegant bitter notes and umami nuances enrich the palette, adding depth and complexity. The whole, intense and vibrant, powerfully expresses the terroir’s limestone character, in a refined and contemporary style. ”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 96-98/100 "The 2025 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a huge, powerful wine that is going to need many years to come into its own. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, incense, melted road tar and licorice make a bold entrance."
Bettane+Desseauve : 96-97/100 “Supreme refinement and aromatic precision define this great Carmes, dominated by Cabernet Franc. Dense yet exceptionally refined, the wine impresses with its velvety texture, its freshness and its immense potential. A top choice from this vintage.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Les Carmes Haut-Brion takes time to open on the nose: blacker, darker fruit than the Le C, black plum and touches of iris flower. Very pure, very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins on the entry, crunchy in the mouth, black fruit interlaced with Earl Grey, subtle ash-like notes. Linear towards the finish but very sustained in the mouth, there is plenty of energy in this Les Carmes-Haut-Brion and it should age with style and grace. More sapidity on the finish than the Dead Sea."
Second red wine of Haut-Brion, named as such since 2008 (previously Ch.Bahans Haut-Brion). To underline the stylistic kinship with his big brother, Le Clarence is put in the same very special bottle.
Bettane+Desseauve : 94/100 “Intense and a true expression of its terroir. The balance of the wine and its aromatic precision make for a particularly impressive result.”
J-M Quarin: 94/100 “A deep, intense, purplish red colour. A very aromatic, refined and subtle nose, reminiscent of Haut-Brion with its smoky notes, yet distinct from La Mission or Chapelle due to the absence of raspberry. More sunny when swirled in the glass. Meticulous on the palate, very fragrant in the mid-palate, with a lively flavour and a slightly firm structure, the wine lingers for a long time, rich in its aromas. A delight.”
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-94/100 “The 2025 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is seamless and layered. Dark red-toned fruit, spice, new leather, mocha and plum race across the palate. Deep, ample and super expressive, Le Clarence has a ton to offer. This is very much the younger sibling of the Grand Vin."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 “The 2025 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has a little more comeliness than the La Chapelle de la Mission, perhaps due to the higher percentage of Merlot (66.5%). Dark cherries, sous-bois, a touch more minéralité coming through by direct comparison. Just a very marginal ash-like scent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins, firm in the mouth, a tad more backbone than expected. Delineated and delivering quite a potent, granular-textured finish, you can feel the mouth tingling with red peppercorns on the aftertaste. Great potential and a very fine Deuxième Vin."
Haut-Brion is the most famous of all the Bordeaux growths, having twice been classified as 1er grand cru, in 1855 and again in 1959 (Graves classification). Haut-Brion is both the oldest of the Grands Crus, with more than five centuries (since 1509) behind it, and the most innovative, introducing stainless steel vats as early as 1960 and green harvesting as early as 1980.
Its particular situation within the Bordeaux agglomeration makes it the earliest Premier Cru on the left bank, a clear advantage in less mature vintages. For this reason, Haut-Brion's consistency is a benchmark for the whole of Bordeaux, with the intense bouquet of fresh earth, smoke and pine resin so characteristic of the appellation.
Fortunately, the unique silhouette of its bottle has disrupted the Asian market and has not triggered the same speculative interest there as it has for the other 1er grands crus classés. Haut-Brion is today without question the most qualitative and the least expensive of the premiers.
J-M Quarin: 100/100 “A very aromatic, refined, fruity, deep and highly complex nose, accompanied by a hint of ink reminiscent of the great Médocs. Full-bodied and meticulous on the attack, more restrained here than La Mission, the wine settles slowly in the mid-palate, develops structure, takes on vibrant aromas and suddenly surges on the finish, proving at once very powerful, delicate and, above all, immensely long. Never have I seen a Haut-Brion fill the mouth with such precision and power between the mid-palate and the finish. Magnificent!”
Vinous (N. Martin): 98-100/100 “The 2025 Haut-Brion has a very pure and elegant bouquet with ebullient brambly red fruit, crushed stone, potpourri and touches of Earl Grey. Wonderful delineation and a little more refined than, say, the 2020 or 2022. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, and there is more complexity here than La Mission, more depth and minéralité. Fresh and marine-tinged towards the finish that makes you want to come back. This year, the First Growth has put a bit of distance between itself and La Mission."
La Revue du Vin de France : 98-99/100 “The 2025 vintage at Haut-Brion is one of modest quantity (26 hl/ha) but exceptional quality; its freshness is surprising, with fruit that is ultra-expressive, juicy and delicious. Yet the wine is 62% Merlot – which is not all that common – but without the slightest heaviness and with an alcohol content capped at 13%. It boasts an endless velvety finish that bursts open like a peacock’s tail, releasing waves of fruit. A truly great Haut-Brion with a classic profile, built to stand the test of time.”
Terre de Vins : 98-99/100 Coup de ♥ "Airy and floral, displaying perfectly ripe fruit whilst retaining a subtle hint of incense and violet, this 2025 Haut-Brion sets the bar high right from the start. The palate is incredibly velvety, its enveloping roundness tinged with fine tannins that bring liveliness, energy and salivation: this is haute couture, flavourful, savoury, persistent and full of moving details in both texture and aroma. It is a meeting of the sensual and the intellectual, much to our delight.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 97/100 « Porté par un grand volume et une matière impressionnante, son caractère aromatique exprime la race du cru, même si l’élégance habituelle demande encore à se révéler pleinement. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 96-98/100 “The 2025 Haut-Brion is quite the powerhouse. Black fruit, cloves, new leather, tobacco, chocolate and menthol open before a wave of huge tannins and incisive acids take over. Haut-Brion can be rather dark and somber. That is very much the case with the 2025, a wine that speaks with sepia-toned, baritone inflections. It also conveys more obvious ripeness than La Mission Haut-Brion at this stage."
A family property since the 1950s, the arrival of a new generation has awakened this 32-hectare cru bourgeois in Cussac-Fort-Médoc, between Saint-Julien and Margaux. Revealed in 2012, du Retout climbs another notch in 2018 and 2019 with enthusiastic, sincere and tasty Haut-Médoc, full of fruit and carried by fresh tannins. Congratulations!
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « A deep, intense red color with purple highlights. The nose is highly aromatic, fruity, and more subtle than ever. Delicate on the palate at first, juicy and velvety in the middle, with a lovely texture and tannins that have never been so well-integrated, the wine unfolds on the finish, which is long, flavorful, and even complex. Although very full-bodied, I have never seen this wine so smooth at this age. A great success. »
Vinous (N.Martin) : 89-91/100 "The 2025 Château du Retout has an expressive and well-defined bouquet with lifted black cherry, blueberry and violet scents. The oak is neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins. It feels like a "solid" Haut-Médoc, though I am seeking a little more flair and charm on the finish at the moment. Perhaps that will come with time?"
Second wine of Clos Manou, the Médoc as we like it: generous, sweet and balanced by a good vivacity. A real treat!
Léoville-Barton did not have any attached cru (such as Potensac and Léoville-Las Cases, Pibran and Pichon-Baron, etc.). This "gap" was filled in 2011 with the acquisition of a beautiful historical cru bourgeois de Moulis, Mauvesin, immediately renamed Mauvesin-Barton to show the Barton family's involvement in this new challenge. In all confidence!
Bettane+Desseauve : 92/100 “Open and sincere in character, it charms with its vibrant fruitiness and pleasant freshness. Clear progress in this vintage, following in the footsteps of the family’s great successes in Saint-Julien.”
La Revue du Vin de France: 90–91 “With its appealing suppleness and elegance, this wine showcases lovely, fresh and approachable fruit. The palate is harmonious, supported by mellow tannins and a silky texture. The delicate, smooth finish makes this a particularly pleasant wine to enjoy whilst still young.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 89-91/100 "The 2025 Mauvesin Barton is packed with black fruits, mocha, gravel, chocolate and baking spices. This is a pretty extroverted vintage for the Mauvesin, a wine with notable textural depth and richness. There is some edginess in the tannins that needs to soften, but élevage should help with that."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 88-90/100 "The 2025 Mauvesin Barton is matured in one-third new oak. It has a fairly straightforward bouquet with black plum and a light pressed flower note. It just needs a tad more energy. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a fine, cohesive middle and an edgy, tobacco-tinged finish. Just a bit on the rustic side and needing a tad more precision."
Dubourdieu property. Unanimously considered as the best and most distinguished of the red Graves, with a grand cru classé grape variety: 2/3 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1/3 Merlot.
Vinous (N. Martin) : 90-92/100 "The 2025 Clos Floridène has a pretty nose with vivacious brambly black fruit, briar and light sous-bois scents. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, beautifully balanced and, even at this early stage, it just slips down the throat with ease. This will be difficult to resist once in bottle."
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 90-92/100 « The 2025 Clos Floridene is especially fine. Silky, bold and fruity, with tons of sheer intensity, Clos Floridéne is a delight. Plum, black cherry, new leather, mocha and licorice fused together seamlessly. Superb. »
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Black in color. The nose is intense, refined, fruity, pure, and subtle. Hints of licorice emerge when the glass is swirled. Delicate on the palate at first, flavorful in the mid-palate, with a smooth body, the wine develops a long, elegant finish »
Vinified in the cellars of Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou, this cuvée benefits from the best care. Its higher proportion of Merlot (68%) makes it a wine of pleasure, gourmet and quickly enjoyable.
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 90-92/100 "The 2025 Madame de Beaucaillou is absolutely delicious. Bright and fresh in the glass, Madame captures all the vibrancy of this distinctive vintage. Red-toned fruit, blood orange, chalk and mint are beautifully delineated. Picking early ahead of the rains yielded an especially taut, nervy red that is quite contemporary in style and likely to find many fans. Cabernet Sauvignon is quite prominent in the blend this year."
With remarkable consistency, Potensac has been one of the most regular crus bourgeois in the northern Médoc for 30 years, proof of the know-how of the Léoville-Las Cases team (same owner). Its ability to age is always surprising, even and especially in the "early years".
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-93/100 “This particularly accomplished vintage captivates with its bold, juicy dark fruit. The well-balanced freshness adds depth to a well-integrated tannic structure. The result is a wine that is both dynamic and harmonious, making for a delicious and highly appealing wine.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 92-93/100 “Rich and serious, this Médoc wine proudly embraces its classic style and boasts a structure built for long-term ageing. Its reserved character in its youth suggests it will develop beautifully with cellaring.”
J-M Quarin : 92/100 "Delicate on the palate, with a subtle richness that coats the mouth, the wine melts on the palate and lingers long and flavourful; admittedly a touch oaky at the moment, yet overall I have never found it so delicious. I am delighted that Potensac has returned to such heights."
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 91-93/100 "The 2025 Potensac has a lot to offer. Dark and savory, the 2025 presents an attractive mélange of strong savory/earthy inflections and dark-fleshed fruit. A burst of floral notes punctuates the finish. The 2025 will need a few years in bottle, but it has quite a bit of potential."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 91-93/100 "The 2025 Potensac has quite a flamboyant bouquet with layers of black cherry, blueberry and violet, almost Margaux-like in style, with a touch of pencil shavings underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannins on the entry, quite powerful, a little sapid, good density and a muscular finish that should be tempered during its élevage plus bottle age. Long-term Potensac."
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.
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94 “Clos Manou is consistently excellent and never disappoints. The bouquet is remarkably clean and centred on vibrant fresh fruit. On the palate, velvety and harmonious, it displays an enveloping texture without any heaviness. Already very appealing, the wine shines for its balance and richness, offering immediate pleasure. ”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 92-94/100 "The 2025 Clos Manou is racy, elegant and polished from start to finish. Plush contours wrap around a core of red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mocha and new leather. This mid-weight, juicy Médoc is impeccable."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 92-94/100 "The 2025 Clos Manou was cropped at 45 hl/ha after sorting. This has a sublime bouquet that you really have to just sit and savour, with beautiful blackberry, briar and subtle sous-bois scents, and, like others, it becomes more floral with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a slightly more powerful and assertive Clos Manou, but there is control and focus. As such, it is one that I would cellar for two or three years because you can see the potential already. Bon vin."
J-M Quarin: 92/100 “Deep, intense red color with purple highlights. A very aromatic nose, with fresh, ripe, and subtle fruit notes. Delicate on the palate at first, with a creamy texture in the mid-palate; the wine caresses the palate and lingers with hints of red fruit in the finish. Good length with well-integrated tannins.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 92/100 "True to its usual high standard, this Médoc combines precision, structure and expert ageing. A classic that comes highly recommended for lovers of fine, traditional Médoc wines offering remarkable value for money."
Although contiguous to Poujeaux, Chasse-Spleen offers another face to Moulis wines, more tannic and, in its first youth, more austere. A great Medoc classic.
Chasse-Spleen expands in 2023 with the acquisition of Brillette, 35 ha of a beautiful terroir of deep gravel in Moulis.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2025 Chasse-Spleen is a deep, potent Moulis-en-Médoc. Intense dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, new leather, licorice and chocolate build through to the, palate-staining finish."
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "It has a mixture of redcurrant, blackcurrant and very subtle ferrous scents on the nose, well defined and focused though it takes a few swirls of the glass to really cohere. The palate is medium-bodied, with a little chewiness on the entry. There seems to be a little more extraction in this Moulis, quite dense and arguably just missing the precision of, say, Poujeaux or Branas Grand Poujeaux. But it is a "solid" Chasse Spleen and its élevage will just shave its edges."
We no longer present Sociando-Mallet, which should be in a good place in the cellar of any wine lover, as the quality and above all the regularity of its last thirty vintages are so impressive. Without wishing to underestimate the hard work of the late Mr Gautreau since 1969, it must be said that the terroir, against the Gironde on a gravelly ridge comparable to that of Montrose, is indeed that of a Grand Cru Classé. Unavoidable 2016, the greatest wine of Sociando-Mallet since 1996.
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 92-95/100 "The 2025 Sociando-Mallet is a total head-turner. What a wine. Dark and explosive, with tons of energy, the 2025 is fabulous right out of the gate. Supple contours and plush dark fruit announce an important wine of tremendous pedigree and character. Dark red/blue fruit and exotic spice tones lend richness and vibrancy, while brisk acids convey salivating energy."
J-M Quarin: 94/100 “Deep, intense black color. A very aromatic nose with ripe fruit notes. Hints of resin. Full-bodied on the attack, with a nuanced development, very aromatic, and a lush, supple texture; the wine melts on the palate, showing consistency and depth, both structured and charming. It’s superb!”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 92-94/100 "The 2025 Sociando-Mallet has an attractive nose: well defined blackberry and wild strawberry scents, undergrowth and a light black olive scent, almost Graves-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine depth, cohesive, with a fresh, classically styled finish that lingers in the mouth. This sample arrived at the end of a long day's tasting, but its qualities still stood out."
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94 “Characterised this year by a high proportion of Merlot (66%), due to low yields of Cabernet, Sociando-Mallet is a full-bodied, rich wine. The generous texture nevertheless retains a lovely vibrancy, without any hint of cloying sweetness. The wine as a whole captivates with its tension, energy and a particularly juicy finish. A dynamic and very contemporary Sociando.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 92-93/100 “With a more approachable and fruit-driven style than usual, it retains its freshness despite an unusually high proportion of Merlot. A surprising Sociando, with a rich and immediate profile.”
Renowned for having the best terroir of the Margaux unclassified growths, La Tour de Mons is one of the rare true Margaux Crus Bourgeois at a sweet price, with a faultless regularity for more than 15 years. Bought at the end of November 2019 by the Perrodo family (Ch. Labégorce, Ch. Marquis d'Alesme).
Vinous (N. Martin) : 91-93/100 "The 2025 La Tour de Mons is very understated on the nose compared with its peers, but there is adequate freshness, with cedar-tinged black fruit and a touch of allspice. The palate is medium-bodied, with supple tannins that exert just the right amount of grip; it is well balanced, fresh and sapid, with decent length on the finish. Good potential and far better than the '24, one of the best La Tour de Mons that I have tasted."
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 91-93/100 "The 2025 La Tour de Mons is a bold, juicy Margaux. Inky dark fruit, mocha, new leather, licorice and espresso are packed into this sumptuous, bold offering from the Perrodo family. La Tour de Mons offers tons of immediacy but also has plenty of structure."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-92/100 “Dense and well-structured, La Tour de Mons displays notes of dark fruit and spices. On the palate, it is balanced and smooth, with well-defined tannins on the finish.”
J-M Quarin : 88/100 “Moderately aromatic on the nose, with ripe fruit notes. On the palate, it is fruity, flavourful and fragrant, with a lively finish.”
Totally surrounded by classified growths, La Gurgue enjoys a privileged terroir, and the attentive care of Mrs Villars (also owner of Ferrière, classified growth of Margaux, and Haut-Bages-Libéral, classified growth of Pauillac), voted Winemaker of the Year 2024 by La Revue du Vin de France. Certainly the best quality/price/pleasure ratio in the appellation.
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-92/100 “Staying true to its ethos, La Gurgue focuses on fruit and approachability. This straightforward, easy-drinking wine offers immediate pleasure with its simple, well-balanced style.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 90-92/100 "The 2025 La Gurgue is wonderfully fresh and vibrant in the glass. Crushed raspberry, blood orange, chalk and slate are pushed forward. The 2025 is juicy and supple but offers a great deal of energy and tension. It’s a style I personally find quite appealing. All this needs is time to come together."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 88-90/100 "It has a tightly wound nose, fresh and crisp, blackberry with a touch of black olives. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, powdery in texture, graphite-infused black fruit and an off-dry finish. Give this two or three years in bottle."
Second wine of Brane-Cantenac, Baron de Brane demonstrates even more than his big brother the progress made in this château over the last 15 years. With a silky smooth 2016, deliciously crisp and juicy on the finish, Baron de Brane is now more than a second wine, it is a brand in its own right!
J-M Quarin : 94/100 “What a thrill to discover this wine! A magnificent deep, intense red colour with black highlights. A very aromatic, delicate, fruity and subtle nose, redolent of black fruits. When swirled, it reminds me of the 2010 Brane Cantenac. Extremely delicate on the palate, very refined in texture, with a devilishly fruity brilliance; the wine melts on the palate, lush, deep and distinguished. It’s incredible!”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 90-92/100 "The 2025 Baron de Brane is an absolute delight. Bright, juicy and wonderfully vibrant, the 2025 is a gorgeous second wine to drink on release. The purity of the fruit is exuberant and so compelling."
Vinous (N.Martin) : 90-92/100 "The 2025 Baron de Brane has a more tertiary nose than its peers, but there is dark berry fruit here, tinged with black tea. The palate is medium-bodied, with plenty of freshness and transparency on the entry. Fine-boned tannins, a keen line of acidity, gentle grip on the slightly chalky finish, with a pinch of black pepper on the aftertaste. Very fine."