2025 Futures
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Since its takeover in 1998 by Mr De Neipperg (Clos de l'Oratoire, Canon-La Gaffelière, La Mondotte), d'Aiguilhe has been part of the new generation of wines (Domaine de l'A, Montlandrie, Clos Puy Arnaud, etc.) which, in the early 2000s, placed the Côtes de Castillon appellation among the best on the right bank.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Tannin soyeux et grande fraîcheur en bouche, avec une finale qui offre un retour salin bien dimensionné. L’une des réussites du millésime en castillon. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-92/100 « 20 % de cabernet franc. Une belle attaque de bouche, toujours suave, un grain enrobant. Cœur de bouche un peu léger. Deux foudres ont désormais intégré l’élevage pour diminuer les sensations boisées. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 d'Aiguilhe offers an attractive mix of red-toned fruit, cinnamon, blood orange, new leather and rose petal. Medium in body, with vibrant freshness, d'Aiguilhe is a delight in 2024. All the elements are so nicely integrated."
Vinous (N. Martin): 85-87/100 "The 2024 Château d'Aiguilhe, soft red berry fruit, orange pith and light mocha scents form the nose that just needs a little more delineation. The palate is rounded on the entry, very soft and fleshy in texture and a little confit-like on the finish. It just lacks grip and substance on the finish."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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A 6 ha property (92% Merlot) acquired in 2011 by Mr. Thienpont (Pavie-Macquin, Larcis-Ducasse...). After a break-in period, Alcée takes off in 2016, standing out from its neighbours by its emphasis on finesse, minerality and distinction. A wine with more length than breadth.
According to the Guide Bettane & Desseauve 2025, “Alcée has become the favourite vintage of wine lovers looking for excellent value among Bordeaux wines”.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « Une finesse exquise et une texture soyeuse au palais pour ce vin qui se dévoile tout en élégance et en subtilité. Coup de cœur. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Alcée is terrific. Bright vibrant and punchy, the Alcée is strong in 2024. I have to say, this is a style I like a great deal. Aromatic and vibrant, the 2024 has so much to offer. Cedar, sweet pipe tobacco and spice open into a core of expressive red-toned fruit. This is a terrific Alcée."
La Revue du Vin de France : 89-90/100 « Sur ses argiles rouges, le vin prend une certaine puissance, affiche une structure ample, saillante. 93 % merlot et 7 % de cabernet franc. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 86-88/100 "The 2024 Alcée has a simple, slightly rustic bouquet that needs more fruit concentration. It's a little disjointed at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, mainly red fruit laced with cedar, but this lacks flair on the finish. Still, there is adequate freshness here."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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A 4 ha plot selection from Château Rigaud, La Mauriane is not yet another luxurious cuvée on the right bank but a wine built on fine grain tannins where the brilliance and precision of the fruit prevail. A true gem in the right bank !
J-M Quarin : 92/100 « Couleur sombre, intense, aux reflets pourpres. Nez pour l'instant discret. Jolie entrée moelleuse, suivie d'un développement juteux et savoureux et d'une bonne présence générale. Bonne longueur à la tannicité discrète et enveloppée. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2012
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80% Merlot, La Chenade is the almost second wine of the Cruzelles. Designed and conceived by Mr. Durantou (Église-Clinet), this is one of the best quality/price ratios on the entire right bank. In confidence!
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Couleur sombre et intense. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr. En bouche, la douceur tactile se mêle à un fruité optimal. C'est délicieux. Encore plus quand le dernier tiers fait monter la persistance. Un rendu remarquable pour une région qui a connu la grêle dans la nuit du 17 au 18 juin. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-93/100 "The 2024 La Chenade is gorgeous. Deep, pliant and textured, the 2024 has so much to offer Dark red fruit, mocha, espresso, lavender and licorice all meld together in a sumptuous, beautifully layered Lalande-de-Pomerol that hits all the right notes. Floral and citrus overtones perk up the vibrant finish."
Vinous (N. Martin): 88-90/100 "The 2024 La Chenade has a lovely blueberry and violet scents blossom on the nose, fresh and seductive in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, gentle grip, fine backbone and a subtle graphite note on the finish. This will be difficult to resist from the get-go."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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Les Trois Croix is the personal property of Mr. Léon, who was technical director of Mouton-Rothschild for more than 20 years. He is dedicated to producing straightforward, digestible Fronsacs, among the most elegant and distinguished in the sector. The dresses are not the darkest but the power and harmony are there. In confidence!
Bettane & Desseauve : 91/100 « Un 2024 à la trame expressive et à la bouche veloutée grâce à une belle qualité des tannins. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Les Trois Croix has a light bouquet of blackberry fruit and light violet scents mixed with black olives. The palate is medium-bodied, nicely composed and wellbalanced as usual, with ripe tannins and a bright finish that has more concentration than you would expect from the vintage."
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Beau rouge sombre, aux reflets vifs. Nez moyennement intense, fruité et suave. Délicat en entrée de bouche, savoureux au milieu, le vin caresse le palais, juteux, parfumé et élancé. Une jolie construction. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Les Trois Croix has a light bouquet of blackberry and blueberry fruit and light violet scents mixed with black olives. The palate is medium-bodied, nicely composed and well balanced as usual, with ripe tannins and a bright finish that has more concentration than you would expect from the vintage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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In 2008, Denis Durantou fell head over heels for this splendid 12-hectare clay-limestone vineyard, which he purchased the very next year. Located at the top of a hill on the first tier of the Dordogne hillside, Montlandrie is to Castillon (which it directly overlooks) what Ausone is to Saint-Émilion.
As with the family’s other estates (L’Église-Clinet, Les Cruzelles, La Chenade...), Noëmie Durantou applies all her expertise and perfectionism to produce a fresh, floral wine with crisp, juicy fruit: plot-by-plot vinification, low-temperature fermentation, gentle hand-pumping over...
Few Bordeaux wines deserve the description “vibrant wine” as much 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 2028
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Certified organic since 2015 and with a vineyard that is entirely biodynamic, Château de La Dauphine aims, beyond its 350 years of history, to set an example of modern winegrowing that is mindful of environmental issues. The wines, with more finesse than extraction, lack neither substance nor charm. "La Dauphine is clearly one of Fronsac's benchmarks," says Mr Galloni.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « Fruité floral épanoui, tannin distingué, beau volume soyeux, à la fois rigoureux dans sa construction et séduisant dans son aromatique et son équilibre en bouche. Encore une grande réussite. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-93/100 « Beau vin dont se dégage immédiatement une dimension calcaire. Une trame profonde soutenue par un élevage soigné moitié foudres, moitié barriques et amphores. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-93/100 "The 2024 La Dauphine is another impressive wine for the year. In 2024 La Dauphine emerges only from parcels on the limestone plateau, a decision that resulted in only the best 15% being bottled. Darkl cherry, plum, mocha, new leather, licorice and dried herbs all build in the glass, framed by mineral undertones that wrap it all up in style."
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 La Dauphine has a pretty bouquet with light violet scents and neatly integrated oak. The palate is well balanced with supple tannins and a dash of white pepper toward the finish. This is a successful 2024."
J-M Quarin : 89/100 « Couleur sombre et vive. Nez moyennement intense, au fruité mûr. Bouche pour l'instant marquée par le bois. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2015
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In the same family since 1609 (!), Moulin Haut-Laroque offers a disciplined Fronsac: ripe and rich without excess, softened by the sweetness of its Merlot (65%) and by a judicious breeding. A sure value of the appellation.
Remarkable success in 2015 and 2016.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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Started in 2003, the Clos Louie adventure is a textbook case: a dolly vineyard (2.3 ha) on a beautiful clay-limestone terroir of Castillon, careful biodynamic cultivation, double manual sorting during the harvest, low-intervention vinification, gentle maturation in 500-litre demi-muids.
Louison et Léopoldine is the other Clos Louie wine, a tribute to Cabernet Franc (80%) from 50-year-old vines. Clean, bright fruit and remarkable aromatic freshness: a real nugget!More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2012
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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.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 89-91/100 "The 2024 La Vieille Cure is a fruity, delicate wine. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, spice, new leather and cedar all build nicely. This mid-weigh, supple Côtes de Castillon is a winner."
Vinous (N. Martin): 89-91/100 "The 2024 La Vieille Cure has a touch of reduction on the nose, though it is armed with ample red berry fruit and scents of wilted rose petal and orang pith. It just needs a little coaxing. The palate is well balanced with fine tannins, a little grainy in texture but I appreciate its cohesion on the finish. This is one to look for."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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Beautiful vineyard of 10 ha (90% Merlot) in Fronsac, where the owner, Mrs. Rullier, invests herself without counting. We find his energy in Dalem, with wines, full and assertive but also endowed with a real elegance.
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Très beau rouge sombre, grenat et intense. Nez très aromatique, pur, fruité, d'une précision inédite dans cette appellation. Délicat en entrée de bouche, très aromatique au milieu, avec un port velouté et dynamique, le vin plait en finale pour ses arômes précis qui bâtissent la persistance. C'est long et très bon. Le cru joue le raffinement dans un millésime compliqué et c'est très réussi. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Dalem offers very good depth and overall balance. Ripe black cherry, plum, mocha, new leather, chocolate, liquorice and spice meld in the glass. Supple and creamy, with notable persistence, the Dalem is very well made in 2024."
Vinous (N. Martin): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Dalem has a perfumed, floral, Margaux-like bouquet with black cherry, raspberry coulis and violet scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins framing its black, slightly toasty fruit. Yet at least this Fronsac displays cohesion and poise on the finish."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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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.
Bettane & Desseauve : 93/100 « Elégant et bien ouvert avec des arômes de cerise noire, de léger cassis, de poivre blanc et des notes florales. Les tannins frais et mûrs se trament dans un corps dense et arrondi à l’attaque, puis le vin prend de l’énergie. Coup de cœur. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Haut-Carles has a more opulent bouquet than the regular cuvée, although it doesn't quite have the same terroir expression or delineation. The palate has more sweetness and substance, grippier tannins, minerally black fruit and a harmonious finish. This is still a well-crafted wine that will just require a bit longer in bottle."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 88-90/100 "The 2024 Haut-Carles is laced with macerated dark cherry, spice, new leather, cedar and menthol. There's commendable complexity and dynamic energy here. The 20% stems add aromatic presence and vibrancy without dominating the balance. This is nicely done."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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With 12 hectares cultivated in biodynamic farming, certified since the 2008 vintage, Clos Puy-Arnaud is one of the great Côtes de Castillon wines that have nothing to envy to neighbouring Saint-Émilion.
Uncompromising, the great wine that has made the estate's reputation is an authentic cuvée, straightforward, deep and made for laying down.Vinous (A. Galloni): 94-96/100 "The Clos Puy Arnaud 2024 is one of the revelations of the vintage. Deep, powerful and resonant, without any harshness, the 2024 is absolutely magnificent. Dark red fruits, blood orange, spices, pomegranate and rose petals line the palate. Clos Puy Arnaud is without doubt one of the wines of this very difficult year. Considering that the estate is 100% biodynamic, this performance, including yields of 45 hectolitres per hectare, is simply unreal."
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 « Superbe intensité aromatique pour ce vin à la fois plein et délicat. Archétype du bordeaux contemporain, très bel élan en final, très salivant. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 91-92/100 « Un grand classique avec son tannin enveloppant et ce qu’il faut de sève. Texture veloutée très fraîche et déjà bien en place. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2009
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Mr. Durantou (owner of Église-Clinet who died in 2020) produced only 1500 cases per year of his remarkable Lalande de Pomerol Les Cruzelles. Incomparably superior to the neighbouring Pomerol of the same price.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-94/100 "The 2024 Les Cruzelles is laced with blue/purplish fruit, cloves, licorice, menthol, incense and gravel. Ample and broad, with terrific resonance, the 2024 is super-expressive right out of the gate. There's gorgeous resonance and fine balance here."
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur sombre, pourpre et intense. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité, subtil et même noble. Ultra minutieux en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, le vin fond sur le palais, juteux, délicat et délicieux. Il s'achève sur une nuance étonnante de fruits noirs. C'est très bon. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Les Cruzelles was picked on September 20 and 22 with the Cabernet Franc picked on September 28, and matured in 57% new oak. This has more harmony and sensuality on the nose with a mixture of very pure black cherry and blueberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and very well balanced, with supple ripe tannins and real delineation and poise on the finish. This surpasses many Pomerols in this vintage and, given it potential price, comes highly recommended."
Bettane & Desseauve : 90-91/100 « Soyeux et fruité avec de la gourmandise dans le tannin croquant. Retour floral en finale, avec de l’énergie et de la fraîcheur. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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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 2028
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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 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2012
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Couhins' clear progress, seen in white wine since 2009, is now being felt in red wine. Here, it is not power that is sought but balance, aromatic delicacy and palatability.
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 92-94/100 "The 2024 Couhins is seriously impressive. Dark and pliant, with notable mid-palate intensity. Couhins is terrific. I am tempted to say it surprisingly good, except the level of performance here is no longer a surprise. Dried herbs, lavender, blue/purplish fruit, licorice and light mocha notes linger on the persistent, sculpted finish. Bravo! "
Bettane & Dessauve : 90/100 « Nez élégant, fruité et floral, bouche tendre et souple avec des tannins fins, au fruité intense qui s’achève sur une finale vive. »
J-M Quarin : 89/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et vive. Nez très aromatique, au fruité frais. Délicat en entrée de bouche, aromatique au milieu, le vin caresse le palais avant de prendre un peu plus de fermeté dans la persistance, mais sans dureté. Longueur moyenne. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2022
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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): 90-92/100 "The 2024 L'Esprit de Chevalier has a subtle, well-defined nose, with a mixture of black cherries, blueberries, and hints of cassis. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine grip and a very small attenuation toward the finish but I appreciate the lingering, black olive-tinged aftertaste."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2024
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A family estate reawakened in 2011 by the arrival of son Paul Garcin, a former rock musician on the Bordeaux scene. An instant switch to organic and biodynamic viticulture, to produce intuitive, artist's wines that are immediately sapid and have a strong pleasure note. As a deliberate iconoclast, Paul Garcin makes a point of offering different facets to each Haut-Bergey vintage: a classic cuvée vinified and matured in the tradition of Bordeaux's great growths, the more contemporary Cuvée Paul, and single-vineyard cuvées highlighting their respective terroirs.
An approach hailed by the Revue du Vin de France: "A modern vision and the ability to reinvent oneself without betraying: Haut-Bergey symbolises the current vitality of Bordeaux's most historic vineyard".La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « L’expression aromatique tranche par sa liberté, ses notes de cassis frais et de raisin mûr qu’on a l’impression de toucher du doigt. Matière leste, sans gras mais très franche et savoureuse. On sent un réel aboutissement du fruit dans ce propos qui reste du côté de la délicatesse, de la légèreté. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 90/100 « Arômes de fruits rouges mûrs et de vanille douce, la bouche est généreuse, avec des tannins francs. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2015
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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 : 93/100 « Nez raffiné, fruit délicat et pur, avec des notes florales et minérales. Bouche tendre et savoureuse, tannins fins, finale longue et fraîche. Beaucoup de caractère. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « Si le premier contact est réservé, presque austère, l’échantillon livre peu à peu une personnalité distinguée et subtile. Sans se départir de sa réserve, il développe un beau registre aromatique empreint de classicisme, où pointent tabac, sous-bois, myrtille… La matière est élancée, svelte mais sans creux ; elle prolonge par sa saveur la perception olfactive et fait montre d’une remarquable tenue. L’ensemble est typé par le cabernet-sauvignon (59 % de l’assemblage), mais aussi par le petit verdot (13 %). »
Vinous (N. Martin): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Latour-Martillac has a light nose which offers black fruit, touches of gravel and sous-bois, though I would have liked a bit more brightness. The palate is medium-bodied with light and slightly grainy tannins that frame simple tobacco-tinged black fruit. This is nicely balanced but lacks some grip on the finish."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 88-90/100 "The 2024 Latour-Martillac is attractive, if a touch light in this vintage. Tobacco, dried herbs, mint, licorice and mocha give the 2024 lovely aromatic presence, but there is not as much substance on the mid-palate. Let's see if this fleshes out a bit more with élevage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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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.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Joli nez aux arômes de petits fruits rouges et noirs mûrs, délicatement boisé, bouche franche, nerveuse, aromatique et équilibrée, d’une bonne longueur. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 89-91/100 "The 2024 Carbonnieux has a light nose with brambly red fruit, mocha and earthy tones. It is calling out for a bit more vigor, but it is clean and shows no signs of greenness. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and gentle grip. This Carbonnieux works because it has not been pushed too hard. Though it's short, this retains balance and focus. Fine."
La Revue du Vin de France : 89-91/100 « Échantillon discret, au nez un peu réducteur mais à la matière ouverte, bien équilibrée et d’une densité appréciable sans que la trame ne devienne trop serrée. La structure demeure légère mais une certaine chair l’entoure. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) 86-88/100 "The 2024 Carbonnieux is floral and aromatic but also very light, with only modest structure and complexity."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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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).
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-93/100 "THe 2024 Larrivet Haut-Brion is a pretty wild, idiosyncratic wine. A dollop of stems in the Merlot gives the 2024 strong aromatic presence. Deep and pliant, with terrific persistence, Larrivet has quite a bit potential. The challenge in élevage will be preserving the vibrancy of the fruit while keeping the stem component from gaining so much that the aromas and flavours become vegetal, all while maintaining the wine's essential delicacy. Today, I am cautiously optimistic."
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Fruit fondu et boisé délicatement toasté ; bouche ronde, tendre et fondante, à la fois fruitée et fraîche en finale. Un bel équilibre, du charme et une vraie buvabilité. »
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur sombre, pourpre et vive. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr et subtil. Touches de fruits blancs et de cassis. Délicat en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, le vin fond sur le palais. Il évolue caressant, sur une trame tannique précise et enrobée. Longueur normale. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 84-86/100 "The 2024 Larrivet Haut-Brion feels muddled and a bit green on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with green notes on the entry. Hard and unyielding, this feels a bit hollow on the finish. It comes across like a wine upended by the challenges of the growing season."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-93/100 « Très belle profondeur de fruit, paré de notes distinguées de graphite et d’iris noir. Une bouche assez dense et surtout sapide, souple, sobre mais entraînante, ouverte mais distinguée. Une interprétation heureuse du millésime. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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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).
J-M Quarin : 92/100 « Couleur rouge vif, d'intensité normale. Beau nez intense, au fruité mûr, frais et subtil. Touche de cerise. Délicat à l'entrée, très aromatique au milieu, avec un déroulé fondant et élégant, le vin s'achève long et parfumé. C'est superbe ! »
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Nez délicat sur des fruits rouges frais et des épices. Texture suave, tannins tendres, avec beaucoup d’arômes, de gourmandise et une belle fraîcheur. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Haut-Bailly II is soft, open-knit and gracious. Silky tannins wrap around a core of macerated cherry, blood orange, spice and new leather. Medium in body and nicely layered, the Haut-Bailly II is all class. The 2024 is aromatic and deicate, with lovely inner perfume and fine balance."
La Revue du Vin de France : 89-91/100 « Clair, détendu, très souple, tout en légèreté, le second vin de Haut-Bailly affirme son style sans coup férir dans le millésime 2024, moins fondé sur le merlot (45 %) que le précédent. La matière est fluide mais parfumée, charmante, à la limite de l’évanescence et cependant de saveur assez persistante. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 88-90/100 "The 2024 Haut-Bailly II has a light bouquet that's well defined, with a mixture of red and black fruit and gravel scents percolating through with time. The 30% new oak is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh with grainy tannins, black pepper and tobacco notes. This is a little drier than anticipated, but it has fine balance."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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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. Malartic-Lagravière continues its ascent has earned the 2018 vintage unanimous critical acclaim: 93/100 from the Revue du Vin de France and 94/100 from En Magnum « il faut plus que jamais compter avec Malartic parmi les incontournables de l'appellation ».
Bettane & Desseauve : 93-94/100 « Délicatesse des arômes, fruit bien défini, fleurs suaves, fumé, tout est harmonieux, la bouche est dans le même esprit, avec des tannins fondants, de l’allonge et une belle fraîcheur. Pointe de salinité en finale. »
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Beau rouge sombre, aux reflets vifs et pourpres. Nez très aromatique, fin, subtil. Touche d'encre et de cabernet sauvignon. Nuances fumées à l'agitation du verre. Délicat en entrée de bouche, très aromatique au milieu, avec du goût et beaucoup de précision dans le déroulé, le vin glisse jusqu'en finale, séveux et parfumé. C'est incrachable. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Malartic Lagravière has quite a forward nose with blackberry and raspberry fruit. The aromatics lack the delineation and complexity of the 2022, but they do cohere nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, linear and nicely focused with quite firm tannins, a little more grip than its peers and a saline/black olive tapenade-tinged finish."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-93/100 "The 2024 Malartic-Lagravière is packed with dark cherry, cedar, new leather, rose petal, incense and mocha. Deep and voluptuous, with good complexity, the Malartic-Lagravière is terrific for the year. There are some rough edges, but élevage should take care of that."
La Revue du Vin de France : 89-91/100 « Sans être très profonde, la teinte de ce vin très axé cabernet-sauvignon (84 %) est vive, le nez déjà expressif, très net, prodigue en notes réglissées et d’épices douces. Pointue mais peu tannique, la bouche est guidée par un fil d’acidité dominant, quoique sans verdeur ni dureté. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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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 : 95-96/100 « Puissant et délicat, avec un grand fruit, une minéralité marquée et des notes fumées. Bouche franche, d’une belle densité avec des tannins délicats et une fraîcheur superbe en finale. Long, équilibré, harmonieux, racé et naturel. »
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur sombre, intense, aux reflets pourpres. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr. Subtil. Délicat à l'attaque, savoureux en milieu de bouche, le vin se développe juteux, allongé et parfumé, vers une finale légèrement vive, malgré une saveur de fruits noirs. A fondre à l'élevage. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Domaine de Chevalier is soft, fruity and relatively simple, given its typical personality. Plum, black cherry, licorice, chocolate and sweet oak are pushed forward in this open-knit, easygoing Pessac-Léognan. There may be more here than meets the eye. We will see. Today, the 2024 is on the light side."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Domaine de Chevalier is almost Burgundian in style, with a fragrant bouquet revealing pure blueberry and blackcurrant aromas alongside crushed violet and iris flower scents emerging with aeration. It is very comely and alluring. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. It's very harmonious and already in this prenatal stage, seductive. With finely chiseled tannins ans more mineralité compared to the l'Esprit, this seems to glide on the finish. Just a lovely Pessac-Léognan for the vintage, though this year it must accept the silver medal as Olivier Bernard's white takes the gold."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-93/100 « La teinte est relativement intense, l’expression aromatique déjà formée, piquante, distinguée, le fruit dialogue avec des notes épicées et empyreumatiques. La matière est bien proportionnée, cohérente, savoureuse. Cette expressivité n’est pas supportée par beaucoup de gras et le fruit demeure à l’arrière-plan par rapport aux notes humiques et épicées qui jalonnent le passage en bouche. Le vin est distingué mais ne semble pas posséder autant de fond que le très réussi 2021. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2024
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Second red wine of La Mission Haut-Brion, created in 1991 and greatly improved since 2006 by the addition of the entire vineyard of La Tour Haut-Brion.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Nez délicat, fruité, floral et légèrement fumé. Bouche charnue, délicate, aromatique et tonique à la fois. Très plaisant. »
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur sombre et intense. Nez très aromatique, fin, pur et subtil. Touche un peu moins mûre à l'agitation du verre. Vanille bourbon. Juteux à l'attaque, tout à la fois suave et un peu vif, le vin fond sur le palais avant de s'achever un peu plus soyeux dans la persistance. Tannicité douce. Saveur unique, très attachante et difficile à décrire. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion is soft, open-knit and juicy, all qualities that will make it a fine choice for drinking on release. Unusually, Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead in 2024. It's a style that works quite well. Macerated cherry, plum, spice, new leather and tobacco all build nicely in the glass."
La Revue du Vin de France : 89-91/100 « Pur et frais, avenant, le fruit exprime un joli velouté en attaque avant de s’amincir dès le milieu de bouche. Comme dans le cas du Clarence de Haut-Brion le profil du grand vin est ici répercuté avec beaucoup de fidélité. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 88-90/100 "The 2024 La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion has a reserved bouquet of tertiary black fruit with touches of smoke and cigar box. The palate is medium-bodied and quite sapid in the mouth with grainy tannins and seaweed note on the aftertaste. The 2024 is a little taut at the moment, but if it gains a little flesh it should turn out fine."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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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.
Bettane & Desseauve : 95/100 « Nez exubérant mais racé, avec des fruits rouges mûrs, des épices douces et de la pivoine, accompagnés de notes de silex et de truffe. La bouche est puissante, savoureuse, avec du gras, des tannins harmonieux et une finale longue et dynamique. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 94-96/100 "The 2024 Pape Clément is unusual in that Cabernet Sauvignon drives the blend. That is evident in the wine's strong savory profile and overall structural feel. A reduction in the oak imprint emphasizes fruit and overall vibrancy. The 2024 is not as showy or easy to taste as most vintages, but the style here has also undergone a pretty radical transformation. It was vinified in oak, steel and concrete. A significant portion of the wine saw malolactic fermentation in tank rather than oak, as had been the case in the past. That adds up to a vibrant, nervy Pape Clément that represents a new era here."
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez moyennement aromatique, au fruité mûr. Délicat à l'attaque, juteux en milieu de bouche, le vin fond sur le palais, agréable, velouté et parfumé. Longueur normale. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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Haut-Bailly is the most delicate of the Graves wines with a particularly silky tannic structure.
Bettane & Desseauve : 96-97/100 « Nez exubérant et noble, très parfumé, sur des fleurs suaves, des fruits rouges frais et mûrs, et une touche de rose. Bouche profonde aux tannins fins et ciselés avec une longue finale fraîche. Harmonieux, subtil, et promis à un bel avenir, il est impressionnant de charme. »
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Couleur rouge bordeaux, intense, aux reflets pourpres. Nez intense, fin, fruité, subtil et noble. Magnifique entrée en bouche, très aromatique, à la texture de rêve. L'ensemble, complexe et noble, fond sur le palais, délicat, délicieux et incrachable. Un monde brillant de minutie. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 93-95/100 "The 2024 Haut-Bailly has a perfumed bouquet built around redcurrant, cranberry and wild strawberry fruit. It's quite floral in style with finely delineated touches of freshly-rolled tobacco and wilted rose petal. The palate is creamy on the entry and velvety in texture, with finely chiseled, lace-like tannins. It is very well balanced with one of the few sensual vintages that you will find from this year. This will be much earlier drinking than other vintages, but that does not detract from what will be one of the most pleasurable 2024s to drink."
Vinous (A. Galoni): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Haut-Bailly is an elegant, classy wine. Soft sensual contours lend notable charm. The 2024 is an especially aromatic, perfumed Haut-Bailly. Its mid-weight structure is best described as Burgundian, for lack of a better term. Silky tannins frame it all in style. Readers should expect a decidedly understated, quite Haut-Bailly."
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « L’aspect visuel est plutôt tendre. L’expression aromatique conjugue un fruit très frais, framboisé, suggestif, avec de jolies notes chlorophylliennes, de tabac aromatique, cadrées par un boisé frais qui reste à bonne distance. La matière est certes mince mais savoureuse et surtout harmonieuse, témoignant d’un travail tout en délicatesse, jusqu’à la finale, délicatement armée par de petits tanins, à peine saillants. À aucun moment le vin ne cherche à surjouer le millésime. Grâce lui en sera rendue au fil de son évolution, une sagesse interprétative dont le bien-fondé est accrédité par la dégustation du 2021 aujourd’hui ! »
Le Point : 17.5/20 "Fruits noirs, mûre, baies sauvages, velouté, tanins fins, enrobés, vin tout en longueur, très élégant."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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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.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 95-97/100 "Seamless and silky in the glass, with superb balance, the 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is one of the wines of the vintage. All the elements are so weel balanced, always a sign of a superior vintage at this address. Floral notes, spice, leather and mocha run through a core of layered, beautifully persistent dark red fruit. Harvest took place between September 17 and 25, during one of the rare windows with little rain. New oak is already very nicely integrated, another sign of a superb vintage. The 2024 is a brilliant effort by the team led by Technical Director Olivier Pouthier."
Bettane & Desseauve : 95-96/100 « Expression très racée, immédiatement noble et distinguée, très verticale et dense, avec un tannin fin et énergique. Finale sur les notes de graphite et de cassis, signée par des grands cabernets francs. De la vinosité, de la finesse et une belle évolution à prévoir. »
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Couleur sombre et presque noire. Nez intense, fin, pur, fruité et légèrement fumé. Moelleux en entrée de bouche, suave au milieu, avec de la classe dans le toucher, le vin glisse, fond jusqu'en finale où il rebondit profond, un tantinet austère, mais sans se départir de son gras. Persistance normale. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 94-96/100 "The 2024 Les Carmes Haut-Brion contains more Cabernet Franc at 48% of the blend. This has impressive fruit concentration on the nose with redcurrant and blackberry fruit, hints of cassis and a dab of dark chocolate. Fine delineation. After time, there is something that nods to the Northern Rhône without losing typicité. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh with fine tannins, a subtle pepperiness imparted by the whole bunches and a tingle of pain d'épices towards the finish. Very harmonious and very delicious, this should provide 20 to 25 years of drinking pleasure. 13.2% abv."
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-96/100 « Cette interprétation du millésime est à la fois fidèle et ambitieuse. « Le propriétaire nous a donné les moyens de sélectionner », affirme Guillaume Pouthier, et cela se ressent dans la densité pleine de nuances de la robe, l’évidence du fruit et une forme de plénitude gracile. Les merlots ayant coulé, la dominante cabernets (48 % de franc et 29 % de sauvignon) est marquée ; la vendange entière appliquée sur plus de la moitié des raisins. La prise de bois canalise la bouche, en même temps que l’élan donné par la veine acide, sans que le naturel du fruit (impression “ligérienne” ?), supérieur à tout ce que nous avons goûté dans le millésime, n’en soit affecté. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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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!
Bettane & Desseauve : 95-96/100 « Nez intense et élégant, bouche dense, marquée par de la droiture avec des tannins présents et une longue finale minérale, saline et fraîche. »
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Couleur rouge sombre, intense, aux reflets pourpres. Nez très aromatique, fin, pur, fruité, subtil et complexe. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, très aromatique au milieu, avec un gras fin qui parcourt le palais, le vin caresse, puis monte en finale, long et complexe. Ensemble délicieux et surtout déjà incrachable. »
Le Point : 17-17.5/20 "Fruits noirs, baies sauvages, mûre, bouche onctueuse, tanins enrobés, en longueur, bonne matière, bouche qui s'étire en longueur, finale fraîche."
Vinous (N. Martin): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Smith Haut Lafitte has an understated bouquet that I appreciate, with schents of blackberry, raspberry, light rose petal and India ink that gradually unfurl in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, extremely well balanced and very refined, with a linear and correct finish. This is a classy Smith Haut Lafitte that will provide up to 20 years of drinking pleasure."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-94/100 "The 2024 Smith Haut Lafitte is raw and not fully formed. Today the tannins are imposing. There's good energy and depth in the glass, but the 2024 is very backward. Floral and spice notes emerge with air, but for the time being. Smith Haut Lafitte is a bit of mystery."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-93/100 « La robe est très vive sans être saturée. La qualité du fruit est patente dès le premier nez, les petites baies rouges se détaillent avec netteté, fondues à des suggestions humiques, chlorophylliennes et épicées fort distinguées. On retrouve cette expression en bouche, portée par une matière svelte, des tanins fins et étirées, une allonge sur la menthe fraîche et le graphite, mais aussi une sensation de canalisation par le bois frais de la barrique. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2019