2025 Futures
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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.
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur très sombre, aux reflets pourpres et grenat. Nez moyennement aromatique, fruité et fumé, devenant plus fin et plus subtil à l'agitation du verre. Moelleux en entrée de bouche, particulièrement savoureux au milieu, accompagné d'un joli toucher et du goût, le vin s'achève savoureux et long. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a very beautiful second wine. Dark and pliant, with terrific nuance, the 2024 is a delight. Cabernet Franc is quite high in this vintage. It's a style that works so well. All the elements are impecably balanced. Time in the glass brings out notable aromatic presence and body."
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Mince et étiré, longiligne, très frais, avec des tanins légèrement à vif mais savoureux et sains, le second vin du château Haut-Brion fait parfaitement écho à son grand frère. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has a tad more cohesion and nuance compared to the La Chapelle de la Mission at the moment, with bright blackberry and bilberry scents laced with oyster shells. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple tannins, satisfying fluidity and a minerally finish. This will do nicely."
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- Available early 2028
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Occupying the southern flank of the Haut-Brion gravelly hillside and capable of exceptional success in "small" vintages, La Mission is a powerful first growth in a more fleshy and opulent register than Haut-Brion. Proof of this is its formidable 2017 rated 96/100 by M. Galloni (Vinous) "Effortless, graceful and wonderfully nuanced, this 2017 simply has everything going for it. What a wine". As for the 2016, rated 99/100 by N. Martin (Vinous), critics compare it to the dazzling 1989, no less!
Bettane & Desseauve : 96/100 « Nez intense et racé, centré sur le fruit, avec des notes fumées et d’aiguille de pin. Bouche généreuse, beau milieu de bouche, tannins harmonieux, saveur, énergie et belle persistance aromatique. Un Mission élégant, plein de charme et de vigueur. »
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Superbe couleur sombre, aux reflets noirs. Nez intense, fruité, subtil, pur et noble. Touche crémeuse à l'évolution dans le verre. Ample à l'attaque, caressant et juteux en milieu de bouche, le vin évolue savoureux et fin avec de la grâce dans le toucher et le déroulé. Il va loin juteux et noble. Quel goût ! »
Le Point : 17/20 « Fruits rouges, bouche droite, fraîche, élégante, tanins vifs, nerveux en finale accrocheuse. Joyeux. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 93-95/100 "The 2024 La Mission Haut-Brion has a beautifully defined bouquet with pure, mineral-led black fruit, hints of blueberry and a subtle sea spray influence. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins. Fresh and vibrant, this La Mission feels very cohesive and sophisticated. No, there is not the depth and persistence of a top-drawer vintage, but its noticeable complexity is a cut above."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 93-95/100 "The 2024 La Mission Haut-Brion is such a classy wine. Strong floral and savoty notes meld into a core of plum, blackberry, gravel, spice, leather, tobacco and incense. Medium in body, with no hard edges, the 2024 is delight. It offers lovely freshness and energy throughout. There is a bit of graininess in the tannin, a reminder of the challenges of the growing season."
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « La différence de profil avec Haut-Brion est particulièrement nette en 2024, beaucoup plus que sur le millésime 2023. L’échantillon se livre sans se faire prier, avec une ouverture aromatique et une disponibilité remarquables, un corps charnu, en largeur sans être véritablement puissant, un fruit frais mais aux accents suaves, une structure relativement discrète et une allonge harmonieuse mais moindre que celle de Haut-Brion. Tout est en place et on sent beaucoup de bonne volonté dans ce vin qui semble décidé à exprimer rapidement ses qualités. »
2.15.1.0More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028
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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.Bettane & Desseauve : 97-98/100 « Nez complexe et pur, racé, avec des fruits mûrs, des touches de rose et de fumée. Belle profondeur, tannins enrobés et élégants, alliant fraîcheur et longueur dans une parfaite harmonie. Très réussi et bien dans son style. »
Le Point : 17.5-18/20 "Baies noires, bouche veloutée, large, belle matière onctueuse, intense, finale relevée, une sensation de maturité."
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Magnifique couleur sombre et intense, aux reflets grenat. Nez intense, fin, fruité, subtil et même complexe que je mettrais bien volontiers dans le Médoc tant le cabernet domine l'expression. Dense dès l'entrée en bouche, avec de la classe dans le toucher, le vin évolue juteux, savoureux, sur une texture impeccable et un goût unique. Longueur normale. Ensemble encore plus éblouissant si l'on considère qu'il y a là 51 % de la récolte. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 94-96/100 "The 2024 Haut-Brion is dark and brooding in demeanor, but obviously not as tannic of forbidding as it can be in the early going. All the Haut-Brion signatures are very much present, but they're portrayed in a decidedly understated style that speaks to the personality of the year. Black fruit, scorched earth, spice, tobacco and leather build with time in the glass. The 2024 is a super-classy Haut-brion. There's gorgeous substance here."
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-96/100 « Il faut reconnaître à ce vin le talent de dépasser le propos habituel du millésime sans surjouer la partition. La dégustation est dominée par la distinction de la structure tannique, serrée, exigeante mais finement tramée, très longue. Elle est suivie par une veine acide qui fait ressortir l’éclat ténébreux d’un fruit plus noir que rouge. La chair est en retrait, mince mais sans creux. Cette impression de sveltesse, de fluidité, n’empêche pas le vin d’apparaître complet, racé et armé pour la garde. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 93-95/100 "The 2024 Haut-Brion has an altogether more polished, powerful and fruit-driven bouquet than La Mission at the moment. Black and blue fruit, black olive and subtle sea spray scents emerge with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, vibrant and focused, with fine tannins and an engaging underlying sapidity coming through with more weight and sustain on the finish. This is a very capable Haut-Brion that will not kowtow to the challenges of the 2024 season-rather, it seems to relish them."
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- Available early 2028
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Second wine of Clos Manou, the Médoc as we like it: generous, sweet and balanced by a good vivacity. A real treat!
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- Available early 2028
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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 : 89/100 « Couleur noire, aux reflets pourpres. Nez moyennement intense, mais précis et subtil. Il sent bon les fruits mûrs. Délicat en entrée de bouche et immédiatement savoureux, le vin caresse le palais. Puis il fond vers une finale de longueur normale, à la tannicité enrobée et même parfumée. »
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- Available early 2028
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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!
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 89-91/100 "The 2024 Mauvesin Barton is a soft, fruity Moulis-en-Médoc to drink now and over the next handful of years. Blackberry, gravel, incense, licorice and dark spice are front and center. This is an especially virile almost somber Moulis. Merlot suffered frost damage, so the wine is a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon-drivent in 2024. That is very much in evidence."
J-M Quarin : 88/100 « Beau rouge sombre, intense. Nez un peu discret, au fruité mûr. Bouche moelleuse et savoureuse, à la tannicité bien enrobée et même parfumée. Ensemble très agréable. »
Vinous (N. Martin) : 87-89/100 "The 2024 Mauvesin Barton has a pleasant bouquet with more complexity than its peers, offering brambly red fruit, hints of sage and cedar. The oak is deftly utilised here. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and modest weight, classically styled as usual with a fresh if short finish."
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- Available early 2028
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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.
J-M Quarin : 89/100 « Couleur sombre, aux reflets pourpres. Nez moyennement intense et fruité. Délicat en entrée de bouche, aromatique au milieu, le vin fond sur le palais sur une saveur de fruits noirs. Longueur normale et sans angle tannique. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 87-89/100 "The 2024 Clos Floridène is aromatic and fruity. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, cinnamon and a kiss of French oak lend exuberance. Elevage will be critical, as the 2024 is on the lighter side. The challenge will be to preserve as much fruit and freshness as possible, not an easy task, as neither is abundant in this vintage."
Vinous (N. Martin): 86-88/100 "The 2024 Clos Floridène has a pretty nose with mocha-tinged red berry fruit. Not complex, but it has presence. The palate is medium-bodied, with blackberry and light saline notes on the entry. This is tannic on the mid-palate, with a hardness on the finish that will hopefully soften during its barrel maturation."
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- Available early 2028
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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): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Madame de Beaucaillou is an attractive, aromatic Haut-Médoc from Bruno Borie. Dried herbs, mint and flowers meld into a core of bright red/purplish-toned fruit. The 2024 Madame is a very pretty wine with lovely forward fruit and ample depth for the year. This is a gorgeous offering that should come with an equally attractive price tag."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-92/100 « Cette marque est signée par l’équipe de Ducru-Beaucaillou dans un style qui évoque celui du grand vin, à savoir une très belle finesse et un côté fruité très expressif. Un vrai vin de gourmandise. »
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- Available early 2028
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Bought in 2008 by M. Cuvelier (Clos Fourtet), a new era is beginning at Poujeaux under the leadership of Messrs Thienpont and Derenoncourt.
With its racy elegance, natural velvetiness and delicate yet deep texture, Poujeaux is the most Saint-Julien of the Moulis wines, and a model of style for all the crus bourgeois of the Médoc. The vintage is making steady progress, as evidenced by the 94/100 rating awarded by the Revue du Vin de France for its 2020 vintage « voilà un vin très séveux et prometteur ».
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-92/100 « Le cru offre un caractère élégant, avec un fruité frais, rond et des tanins au grain fin. Ce vin en demi-puissance séduit par son côté harmonieux et fondu. »
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Couleur sombre, aux reflets grenat. Nez intense, au fruité mûr. Bouche caressante, savoureuse et parfumée, évoluant sur un corps normal, avec de l'allonge dans la persistance. C'est bon. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Poujeaux is quite bold and savory, largely because of the elevated presence of Petit Verdot in the blend. Dried flowers, lavender, spice and licorice lend dark tonalities to the bouquet. In 2024 Poujeaux is quite reticent, despite its mid-weight structure and modest 12.5% alcohol. I would cellar it for a few years, as this needs time to come together. I find the 2024 a bit a raw and unformed at this stage, and yet it has plenty of depth to make me cautiously optimistic about the future."
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- Available early 2028
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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 : 91-92/100 « C’est un Potensac serré et sérieux, marqué par des cabernets (sauvignon et franc). Le vin est droit et doté d’une belle allonge et de tanins musclés qui lui garantiront un bon potentiel. À ouvrir d’ici cinq ans. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 90-91/100 « Un vin bien structuré, à la fois élégant et frais, doté d’un joli volume en bouche et d’un bel équilibre. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 89-91/100 "The Potensac is laced with hints of cedar, tobacco, dried herbs and leather. The 2024 shows good aromatic presence and fine depth, especially for the year. Clean saline notes extend the finish. As is so often the case, Potensac is an under-the-radar gem."
J-M Quarin : 89/100 « Beau rouge sombre, aux reflets noirs. Nez un peu discret, au fruité mûr. Bouche juteuse, fondante, savoureuse, un poil vive dans la persistance (plus haut pourcentage de cabernet franc et cabernet sauvignon). L'élevage le fondra. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 86-88/100 "The 2024 Potensac was tasted twice. The first time, it came across a little green. The second tasting, at the château, was far better, with red berry fruit, incense and a touch of pencil box in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with powdery tannins, balanced with just a slight attenuation toward the finish."
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- Available early 2028
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The incessant work of Mr. and Mrs. Dief since 2000 is bearing fruit today: in a tense and distinguished style, Clos Manou shines with a vibrant, deep energy, with pure and radiant fruit, combining length and density. Undoubtedly the most beautiful revelation of the northern Médoc in recent vintages.
En Magnum (May 2025): "Brilliant and subtle, the products of this slightly off-the-beaten-track Médoc estate display a profoundly Médoc character, between straightforwardness and aromatic freshness. Capable of ageing gracefully, but also accessible now, the latest vintages are models of style that every wine-lover should have in their cellar. They are sure to make an impact."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Clos Manou has a wonderful bouquet for the vintage, which I expected from this producer. It's delicate, but there is real presence. The palate is vibrant, tensile and quite mineral-driven with a complex, persistent finish. It shows a lot of the more aggrandizing Grands Crus how it's done. This is superb."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-92/100 « Ce cru du nord du Médoc s’appuie sur de jolis merlots et livre un vin dans l’air du temps, avec un côté friand et onctueux. Il est posé, les tanins sont présents mais souples. Une belle cuvée à déguster autour de ses cinq ans. »
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez moyennement intense, au fruité pur et mûr. Subtil. Evolution vanillée et suave dans le verre. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, avec un joli toucher, un corps fondant, le vin caresse le palais. Il avance doucement, bien enveloppé vers une jolie finale aromatique. Découvert il y a 20 ans maintenant, le cru n'a jamais faibli ! »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 86-88/100 "The 2024 Clos Manou is tasty Médoc. Dark fruit, chocolate, leather, incense and blackberry make a strong opening statement. The mid-palate is a bit light, but there may be just enough to pull this together with elevage."
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- Available early 2028
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Located at the northern tip of the Médoc, the vineyard of Château La Goulée was abandoned in 2007 when Cos d'Estournel acquired it. The aim was to produce an intensely flavoursome, tasty and charming wine thanks to an almost (90%) pure Merlot grape variety.
The contract was perfectly fulfilled with this magnificent 2019, a real delicacy rated 92/100 by M. Galloni (Vinous).
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Gd'Estournel is impressive. Deep, powerful and virile, the G is endowed with notable textural presence. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, licorice, mocha, lavender and spice are all amplified. This hearty Haut-Médoc has a ton to offer. Gorgeous."
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Couleur intense et belle. Nez très aromatique et pour la première fois suave et plus parfumé que de coutume. Jolie bouche au déroulé bien construit, évoluant savoureuse, séveuse, parfumée, sur un toucher très agréable. C'est bon ! Remarquez le petit degré d'alcool très plaisant. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 87-89/100 "The 2024 G d'Estournel has quite an opulent bouquet in the context of the vintage, with conspicuous cassis and dark chocolate scents that percolate through the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins. It's a little 'rigid' at the moment, with moderate lenght and a tannic finish. This deserves a couple of years in bottle to shave its edges."
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- Available early 2028
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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): 88-90/100 "The 2024 Chasse-Spleen is perhaps a bit firm, but it offers very good energy and persistence. Expressive savory inflections meld into a core of plum, new leather, incense, spice, tobacco and dried herbs. This mid-weight Moulis is promising."
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- Available early 2028
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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.
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-93/100 « Ce millésime s’appuie sur un peu plus de merlot qu’à l’ordinaire (57 %). Le vin est donc logiquement assez rond, charnu et finalement charmeur, avec un joli fruit, de l’épice et une bonne constance en bouche. Il s’étire sur des tanins fins. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Un vin avec de la classe, une structure ferme, un style chic et une certaine austérité maîtrisée. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Sociando-Mallet is elegant, polished and very sophisticated. Fine tannins wrap around a solid bas of dark plum, lavender, mocha, licorice and mint the 100% new oak is barely perceptible. Floral and saline undertones shape the long beautifully persitent finish. This is a super-impressive Sociando."
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Beau rouge sombre, aux reflets pourpres. Intense. Nez moyennement intense, au fruité précis. Délicat à l'attaque, savoureux au milieu, le vin caresse le palais, juteux, parfumé et sans angle tannique. Longueur normale. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 87-89/100 "The 2024 Sociando-Mallet has a light, slightly gravelly, herbaceous bouquet that needs to muster more fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and typical of the estate's style–maybe a bit green around the edges, but there is an attractive core of red fruit and a touch of spice on the finish. Those who like this château will appreciate this wine, though it is not a long-term prospect."
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- Available early 2028
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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).
Bettane & Desseauve : 90/100 « Bien construit, il allie puissance, fraîcheur et élégance, avec un beau corps et une expression complète. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 86-88/100 "The 2024 La Tour de Mons feels a bit one-dimensional on the nose, though it is nonetheless fresh and delineated. The palate id medium-bodied with firm, dry tannins and some attenuation towards the saline but short finish."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 85-88/100 "The 2024 La Tour de Mons is soft, fruity and easygoing. Dark red cherry, plum, mocha and spice are nicely pushed forward. Elevage will be everything here."
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- Available early 2028
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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 « Ce petit cru de Claire Villars-Lurton est régulièrement délicieux et accessible. Un vin tendre et délié avec un fruit savoureux et un équilibre très digeste. Il pourra se boire sur sa jeunesse. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 90-92/100 « The 2024 La Gurgue is still coming together in elevage. It offers very good depth, even if the tanins need time to fully integrate. Yields were punishingly low at 12HL per hectare. Claire Villars-Lurton chose not to chaptalize the 2024. Time in the glass brings out pretty floral overtones that complement a core of red-toned fruit. There’s good potential here. »
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- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2015
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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 : 91/100 « Beau rouge sombre, aux reflets vifs et grenat. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité, pur, subtil et vanillé. Remarquablement élégant pour ce vin à cet âge. Délicat à l'attaque, suave au développement, minutieux dans son déroulé, avec du charme, le vin fond en finale, délicat, délicieux et persistant. C'est très bon. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Baron de Brane is aromatic and brisk in its first impression. Strong floral and savory notes lead into a core of dark blue/purplish fruit. Lavender, spice, dried herbs and menthol open with a bit of time in the glass. In 2024, the Baron is gracious and inviting. Production will be down by about 50% because of selection, with many of the lots going into Margaux de Brane, the château's thrid wine."
Vinous (N. Martin): 87-89/100 "The 2024 Baron de Brane has a straightforward nose, classic in style, pencil lead infusing the black fruit, just a touch of tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, crisp acidity, the Cabernet more expressive than the Merlot toward the graphite finish."
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- Available early 2028
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A small estate (12 ha), carefully tended and vinified with constant regularity, Deyrem Valentin is one of the most typical Margaux crus. Distinguished by the Revue du Vin de France among the hidden nuggets of the Médoc, "its Margaux wines draw a delicious balance".
Promoted to "Cru Bourgeois Supérieur" in 2020.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Deyrem Valentin is packed with inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, incense, mocha and espresso. Ample and generous, Deyrem Valentin has plenty to offer. The 2024 is not exactly subtle, but then again, Deyrem Valentin seldom is. Readers who like flamboyant wines will adore this."
Bettane & Desseauve : 91-92/100 « Des nuances de fruits noirs frais et d’iris et une fraîcheur tonique pour ce cru qui se distingue par sa structure équilibrée et son intensité poivrée en finale. »
J-M Quarin : 89/100 « Beau rouge sombre, intense. Nez très aromatique, au fruité pur, mûr et subtil. Délicat en entrée de bouche, savoureux au milieu, le vin évolue agréable, avant de montrer des tannins un peu fermes en finale. C'est Soussans. »
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- Available early 2028
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Labégorce was born of the merger of Châteaux Labégorce and Labégorce-Zédé, brought together under a single entity by the Perrodo family (Tour de Mons, Marquis d'Alesme). Since 1989, every effort has been made to produce a Margaux that is harmonious, charming and brilliantly fruity.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Labégorce is laced with succulent dark cherry fruit, mocha, new leather, espresso and licorice. Copious new oak works well for this wine. Labégorce offers quite a bit of immediacy in a pliant, flamboyant style."
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Labégorce has a nicely poised bouquet with crushed violet-tinged black fruit. The oak is nicely integrated in this Labégorce, a little "fuller" than its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. The 2024's fine backbone lends sastifying grips and weight, even if it doesn't quite have the complexity of the best recent vintages. It might well improve by the time of bottling."
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité et mûr. Joli fond de bois de chêne. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, très aromatique au milieu, avec un joli déroulé, le vin monte en finale, séveux, persistant et très bien construit. Une réussite du millésime. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 89-90/100 « Le nez est généreusement fruité, avec une note épicée qui le rehausse. En bouche, la matière est noble, avec de la rondeur et une belle chair. Le bois le couvre encore et marque la finale à ce stade. »
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- Available early 2028
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Even though it is not classified, Siran has been in competition with the classified growths of Margaux for the last ten years, with wines that are at once delicate, firm and full-bodied with age. Aligning successes since 2015, Siran is now at its best, 2020 being its best vintage ever and hailed as such by the Revue du Vin de France: « réussite majeure pour le cru », rated 95/100.
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-93/100 « Le cru est fidèle à son style, avec un vin qui offre de l'élégance et de la structure. Très joli velouté de tanins et milieu de bouche charnu, c’est un Siran assez classique et aristocratique. »
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur rouge sombre. Reflets grenat. Nez intense, fin, fruité et subtil. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, très bien construit, avec une qualité d'équilibre supérieure, un boisé nuancé et une extraction douce, le vin finit long et très agréable. Une réussite du millésime. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Siran is bold and juicy to the core. Succulent red fruit, spice, new leather, blood orange, menthol and mocha all flesh out in the glass. A wine of substance and textural presence, Siran delivers the goods in 2024"
Bettane & Desseauve : 90-91/100 « Un vin bien fait, souple, avec un caractère séveux et de la profondeur, la finale est très plaisante. »
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The arrival of Mr. Derenoncourt as a consultant in 2002 relaunched Prieuré-Lichine, giving it first of all a better aromatic dimension thanks to a more mature grape. The limitation of yields since 2009 has resulted in additional density and volume, which he lacked to compete with his peers. Progress hailed by the Revue du Vin de France, notably for its 2020, rated 95/100 « the most complete in a long time ».
Bettane & Desseauve : 93-94/100 « Un vrai margaux bien défini, floral, tendre, avec un bon support tannique. Recommandation évidente pour l’achat en primeur. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « Ce 2024 confirme la belle forme du château qui produit des vins de grande élégance, sans pour autant manquer de fond. La bouche est bien construite, charnue et la finale particulièrement fondue. »
Le Point : coup de ♥ 16/20 "Réglisse, bouche veloutée en attaque, très fruits noirs, tanins serrés mais avec de l'enrobage. L'échantillon dégusté souffrait un peu de la prise de bois, qui conférait au vin un aspect assez massif, pas dans le style des derniers millésimes du domaine, qui n'a cependant utilisié que 35% de barriques neuves. Ce vin, plutôt réussi, va s'affiner à l'élevage. À noter que son prix, très correct en primeur, le rend attractif."
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez moyennement aromatique, au fruité mûr, accompagné d'une jolie touche de chêne. Délicat en entrée de bouche, parfumé au milieu, le vin fond sur le palais. Il offre une construction nouvelle et bien plus équilibrée que parfois. Finale margalienne, aromatique, séveuse et sans acidité. C'est très bon. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Prieuré-Lichine is an attractive wine, but it does show the lighter side of the year, accented by fact that Prieuré-Lichine is never a big wine. Dark red/black fruit, mocha, licorice and spice all meld together in the glass, with good mid-palate pliancy and promising balance."
Vinous (N. Martin): 86-88/100 "The 2024 Prieuré-Lichine offers violet-infused black fruit on the nose. It is simple and lacks a bit of bandwidth but remains clean. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, a bit hard on the mid-palate, with a peppery finish. This is just missing a bit of elegance and complexity, but it should provide 10 to 12 years of drinking pleasure."
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A small Margaux classified growth (24 ha), Ferrière is a traditional Margaux, frank and pleasant, moderately powerful but perfectly balanced. Its capacity for ageing is undeniable. Certified organicsince 2015, Ferrière was doubly certified biodynamic in 2018, with the Biodyvin and Demeter labels. Awarded Best Winemaker of the Year 2024 by Revue du Vin de France, Claire Villars-Lurtonet has pushed her Margaux cru to the top. Bravo!
Bettane & Desseauve : 93-94/100 « Assez intense et concentré, sans manque de maturité, tannin ferme et droit, vin bien constitué et qui devrait vieillir correctement. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 « Avec ses 12,2° d’alcool, le vin est particulièrement friand, souple et délicieux. Il déroule une bouche tout en équilibre. Tout à fait dans le sens de l’année, délicatement épicé en finale, c’est un margaux très accessible, dans l’air du temps. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Ferrière is a potent, savory wine. Petit Verdot plays an important role in this blend, as it did relatively well in 2024 in terms of yields. Dark blue-toned fruit, dried herbs, white pepper, lavender, sage and spice lend notable complexity throughout."
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Ferrière has more Petit Verdot, which makes up 18% of the blend. I find this much more successful than its stablemate La Gurgue on the nose with blueberry and blackberry aromas. It's quite floral in style, with touches of violet coming through with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grip on the entry. This is a gutsy Ferrière, which I mean in a good way, with a deft pepperiness on the finish. It is worth seeking out."
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- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2015
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With a winegrowing past dating back to the 17th century and classified as a 3rd growth in 1855, Château Marquis d'Alesme has nevertheless fallen into decline as it has been bought up (many times).
The Perrodo family (Labégorce, Labégorce-Zédée, La Tour de Mons) acquired it in 2006 in a poor state of repair, with solid ambitions: redistribution of the small 15-hectare vineyard, meticulous work in the vineyard, and a state-of-the-art winery... The vineyard has regained its credentials in recent vintages, as confirmed by the critics' notes and comments.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Vin net, droit, sans manque de maturité avec des nuances aromatiques qui continueront d’apparaître. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Marquis d'Alesme has a clean, fresh and well-defined bouquet with pure black cherry and blueberry fruit. Hints of crushed violet develop in the glass. This has the composure of its "sibling", the Labégorce. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and crisp with pliant tannins and a very harmonious, poised finish. This is promising, and hopefully the quality will be replicated in bottle."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Marquis d'Alesme is solid, if not particularly exciting. Floral overtones meld into red-toned fruit, cinnamon, blood orange, mocha and espresso. The 2024 is a technically accomplished wine, but one that does not convey anything particularly distinctive."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-92/100 « Le vin est doté d’une matière précise et élégante. Au moment de la dégustation, il était aussi très marqué par le bois qui, en dehors de lui apporter un caractère épicé, serrait les tanins en finale. »
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In 2000, Malescot Saint-Exupéry woke up under the leadership of Michel Rolland. Since then, in a generous and serene style, very rich for a Margaux, he has never ceased to distinguish himself. As the Revue du Vin de France wrote: "In 10 years, it is the wine that has made the most progress among the Margaux wines".
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Ferme, coloré, net, un peu d’une seule pièce pour le moment, mais avec du style. Le tannin va s’harmoniser avec l’élevage. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Malescot Saint Exupéry has a cohesive nose with ample scents of blackberry, raspberry, light violet and just a touch of cedar in the background-backward, for sure, but it unfurls in the glass. The medium-bodied palate has firm tannins, a little chewy in a pleasant way with composure and bite on the finish. This is a thoroughly enjoyable fresh Margaux."
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez moyennement aromatique, fruité. Plus crémeux à l'agitation du verre. Délicat à l'attaque, suave en milieu de bouche, avec un toucher fin, le vin se développe parfumé, sur une trame tannique distinguée. Longueur normale. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 88-91/100 "The 2024 Malescot Saint-Exupery is a bit brawny and rough around the edges at this early stage. Elevage will play a determinant tole here. There'sgood energy, but the 2024 is also edgy in its contours and fragile in its balance today."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-93/100« L’assemblage fait la part belle au merlot qui représente 53 % de l’assemblage, ce qui est rare ici. Le vin est logiquement suave, rond, avec beaucoup de charme mais un peu moins de densité qu’à son habitude. »
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Since 2006, Cantenac-Brown has returned to the forefront of the Margaux scene with wines that are fuller-bodied and deeper than most of its neighbors. A direct competitor of Giscours. "The rising star of Margaux," according to the Revue du Vin de France! The arrival of the new owners in 2019 (Le Lous family) marks a new qualitative progression, with the acquisition of 10 additional hectares and the complete renovation of the winery.
Bettane & Desseauve : 95-96/100 « Les nouvelles installations ont permis d’affiner les vinifications et le vin est remarquable par son harmonie, la qualité de sa texture, la précision de l’intégration du tannin et l’affirmation de son caractère margalais. Une priorité d’achat. »
Le Point : 17.5/20 "Pâte brisée, baies noires, bouche droite, moelleuse, épicée, juteuse. Relevé en finale. Cantenac Brown évolue de plus en plus vers la finesse, et ce millésime le confirme"
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-95/100 «Le cru signe une belle réussite du millésime, avec un vin sérieux et profond. Dès l’attaque, il se montre spectaculaire, avec du volume, mais surtout un grand raffinement. Les jolis tanins prolongent une longue finale. »
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Très beau rouge sombre, aux reflets noirs. Nez intense, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, ravissant au milieu, avec un toucher doux et beaucoup de goût, le vin fond délicatement velouté sur le palais. Bonne longueur séveuse et aromatique. C'est très bon. Depuis la mise en service de son nouveau chai, le cru nous gratifie d'une texture à la minutie inédite. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Cantenac Brown is a classic wine from the château. Even in this vintage, all the signatures are present. Opulent dark fruit, new leather, incense, cloves, new leather and chocolate are dialed up. Tachnical DirectorJose Sanfins and his team did a terrific job capturing all the elements of the house style, which is about as strong a compliment as is possible in this vintage. The 2024 will be fascinating to taste in a vertical some years down the road. New oak is 60%"
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Neighbour of Palmer and 3rd Grand Cru Classé like him, Issan offers wines that are clearly different, straighter and crisper. Since 2004, Issan wines have grown in size and body without losing their elegance or denying their Margalais origins.
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-96/100 « Le cru se montre impressionnant de droiture, d’expression du fruit, avec une matière de belle ampleur, un milieu de bouche rempli et beaucoup de distinction. Il est persistant, séveux et doté de très jolis tanins qui se fondent dans une finale fraîche. »
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur rouge sombre et profonde. Nez intense, fin, subtil, sentant bon les fruits mûrs. Moelleux à l'attaque, juteux et très savoureux à partir du milieu de bouche, le vin glisse, caresse et prend du goût sur un joli déroulé qui va loin en finale. Tannicité superbement enveloppée. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-94/100 "The 2024 d'Issan is pretty closed in on itself. Issan is usually a showier wine at this stage, but the 2024 is decidedly virile, almost somber in feel. Floral, spice and earthy notes open with some coaxing and yet the Grand Vin is only showing a fraction of what it has so offer. I do admire its strong character, however. 2024 will be a fascinating Issan to follow."
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Château d'Issan has a quintessential Margaux nose with crushed violet permeating the black fruit, fine delineation, focus and satisfying vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with a surprisingly sweet entry and decent grip. Blueberry infuses the mid-palate and a dash of white pepper and a little graphite emerge toward the finish. This d'Issan probably has the legs to mature in bottle for up to 20 years, though its lack of substance means that I would be more inclined to drink this in its flush of youth."
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In organic conversion from 2013, Durfort-Vivens was one of the very first classified growths in the Médoc to claim and display organic certification from 2016. M. Bettane is one of its most fervent defenders: "the quality/price ratio remains absolutely unique at this level of quality of terroir and work.
Bettane & Desseauve : 94-95/100 « Dense, racé, très bien constitué mais avec un tannin pour le moment un peu strict qui se fondra avec l’élevage. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-95/100 « La belle série se poursuit et le cru défend son style, réussissant encore en 2024 à combiner un admirable raffinement de tanins avec un toucher de taffetas et une structure solide en milieu de bouche. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Durfort-Vivens is laced with dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, licorice, spice and mocha. It offers gorgeous texture and fine balance. The pliant, creamy mid-palate is especially appealing. The 2024 is naturally still coming together, but it is a striking, beautifully rendered wine."
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- Available early 2028
- Organic certification:
- 2016
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Back in top form since the early 2000s, the great Giscours estate has once again become one of the major Margaux growths, in its own distinctive style: very colourful, full-bodied and richly fruity for a Margaux. Its ageing ability has made its reputation as much as its always wise prices.
“The latest vintages are all priorities for the wine-lover,” emphasizes Bettane & Desseauve in its latest guide (2025).
Bettane & Desseauve : 95/100 « Grande couleur, excellent corps, texture complète pour le millésime, qui va demander encore un peu de temps pour se fondre. Grand potentiel et style affirmé. »
Le Point : 17-17.5/20 "Fermé, un peu de réduction qui disparaît à l'aération, fruits noirs, un milieu de bouche soyeux. Vin complet, droit, frais, équilibré."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 93-95/100 "The 2024 Giscours is impressive. Elegant and sleek, with fine balance, Giscours is all class. The bouquet alone is so enticing. Small red berry fruit, spice, tobacco, mint and cedar are all finely sketched in a mid-weight, nervy Giscours that is quite showy right out of the gate. There is a bit of edginess in the tannins, but that's not anything that can't be addressed with elevage. A closing burst of aromatics leaves a long-lasting impression."
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « Le cru change d’expression depuis quelques millésimes, avec une droiture plus marquée et l’expression d’un fruit plus juteux. On retrouve ces marqueurs dans le 2024, à l'expression de fruits rouges et à la bouche tendue, presque sur le fil. Très subtil. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Giscours has a forward and generous bouquet with ripe red cherry, kirsch and cassis scents, with a touch of pencil shavings in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with firm and grainy tannins that frame mainly black fruit. Overall, this is a Giscours cut in a classical style, although the finish needs to cohere and muster more precision during its barrel maturation. An enjoyable Giscours for sure, even if it does not reach the heights of recent vintages."
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- Available early 2028
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Under the direction of Henri Lurton, Brane-Cantenac has gained in recent years in fullness and density and has become one of the leading growths of the appellation along with Palmer and Rauzan-Ségla and even the most authentically Margalese of them all. Let there be no mistake, behind a typically Margalaise elegance and delicacy that encourages tasting it too young, Brane-Cantenac needs time to blossom and reveal itself.
Bettane & Desseauve : 96-97/100 « Le millésime est largement dépassé : nez élégant, corps harmonieux, tannin délicat mais bien présent, un vin raffiné qui devrait convaincre les détracteurs habituels des vins de Bordeaux. Parfaite sélection et vinification. »
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Couleur sombre, pourpre et intense. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité, subtil, pur et complexe. Un des plus raffinés du millésime. Nuances de cerise et de réglisse à l'agitation du verre. Corps minutieux dès l'entrée en bouche, se développant très aromatique au milieu, avec de la classe dans la texture et un port élancé qui fond, fond, puis se trame tout en douceur, long et subtil, avec beaucoup de goût et de noblesse. C'est incrachable. Avec son petit degré d'alcool de 12°6, ce vin fera un malheur sur les tables ! »
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-96/100« Une fois encore, il affiche un style explosif et spectaculairement fruité. Un vin superbe de précision, dessiné par des cabernets purs et ciselés, avec des tanins en dentelle et une finale juteuse. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 93-95/100 "The 2024 Brane-Cantenac is shaping up to be a gem. Blood orange, crushed flowers, spice, mint and chalk confer notable brightness. The 2024 is marked by a strong red-fruit character, bright acids and mid weight structure, all of which make for a super classic, if somewhere nervy, Brane-Cantenac. There's quite a bit of potential here."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Brane-Cantenac, with no Petit Verdot or Carménère included in the blend this year, has a refined bouquet, understated at first, opening with black fruit, graphite and deft touches of wild mint. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid black fruit on the entry. With fine grip and very fresh, this is a Brane-Cantenac leaning more toward Pauillac in style as it is sometimes wont to do. Lightly peppery on the finish, this is an elegant Margaux."
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An exceptional terroir classified in 1855 at the top of the second classified growths (with Mouton-Rothschild). Classicism in its purest form, an exemplary Margaux and certainly the cru classé whose style is the closest to that of Château Margaux.
Bettane & Desseauve : 96-97/100 « Magnifique coup de nez floral, texture élégante, tannin raffiné, peut être le vin le plus complet de son appellation dans ce millésime. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 95-98/100 "The 2024 Rauzan-Ségla is magnificent. One of the top wines of the Left Bank, Rauzan-Ségla possesses tremendous textural density and mind-blowing balance. Dark fruit, lavender, spice, licorice and new leather are all dialed up in potent, layered Margaux that offers stunning harmony and incredible purity. At this stage, Rauzan-Ségla is on wines of the vintage in Bordeaux. Elegant yet powerful, the 2024 is simply magnificent."
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-96/100 « Le vin impressionne par son ampleur et sa définition. Le nez ouvre sur une corbeille de fruits rouges et la bouche enchaîne avec une belle vivacité, une touche d’épices, du volume et des tanins au grain très fin. Un futur classique qui ne craindra pas les années. Le château est certifié bio depuis 2024. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Rauzan-Ségla has a fuller bouquet than the Deuxième Vin, with pure black fruit, a hint of violet and a splash of India ink–refined rather than powerful. The palate is medium-bodiedand tensile, with lighter tannins than the '20 or '22, poised and quite linear in style. A dash of black pepper and graphite emerges towards the liquorice-tinged finish. Clearly, this is a more approachable Rauzan-Ségla."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2028