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Please see below "Futures campaign".
The logo "bio" indicates the wine in organic culture in official under reserve of certification after bottling.
The campaign "Futures 2025" will stop on 2027 July 31st, in the limit of the available stock.
In the "Top of the Top" category, we group together the podium (i.e. the dozen or so most exciting wines with the best scores of the vintage) of what we consider to be the most reliable tasters and which we regularly report on:
- Michel Bettane, bettanedesseauve.com
- La Revue du Vin de France
- Jean-Marc Quarin (quarin.com)
- Antonio Galloni (vinous.com)
- Neal Martin (vinous.com)
You will see in good place the most prestigious domains, therefore the most expensive, but also several challengers who create the surprise (as Château Gruaud-Larose for instance...).
In white, Domaine de Chevalier produces a model unique among its peers, made of tension, vivacity and energy. Its mineral side and its capacity to age (30 years and more) bring it closer to the greatest Burgundy whites.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 97-99/100 “The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc gets my vote for the white wine of the vintage. Rich and powerful in the glass, but also beautifully vibrant, the 2025 dazzles from start to finish. Lemon confit, pear, slate, mint, white flowers and tangerine peel are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop over time. The 2025 is quite simply stunning. Don’t miss it!"
Terre de Vins : 96-98/100 Coup de ♥ "The Sauvignon Blanc’s classic characteristics—ranging from citrus to white fruit—are complemented by hints of eucalyptus and a very subtle toasty note. On the palate, the wine displays impeccable structure, being both full-bodied and well-defined, with a balance between savoury flesh, a buttery texture and a hint of salinity that makes the mouth water on the finish. A model of balance and elegance, a white wine in perfect harmony, which is already superb and shows very promising ageing potential.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 96/100 “Complex and subtle, it combines rose, citrus, white fruits and toasty notes in a mineral-driven expression. Dense, full-bodied and lively, the palate impresses with its salinity, length and precision. A great success.”
J-M Quarin : 96/100 “Pale, brilliant colour. Intense nose with fresh fruit. Delicate hints of lemon and orange. Soft on the attack, smooth on the palate whilst remaining fresh, silky in texture; the wine develops juicily with distinguished flavours of orange and citrus. A beautifully long, silky finish that lingers on the palate. It’s superb!”
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-95/100 “With an expressive bouquet blending wild peach, juicy pear and white flowers, this wine charms from the very first sip. The palate confirms this first impression with a texture that is both dense and precise. Complex, deep and distinguished, it effortlessly combines intensity and refinement. Its harmonious structure and underlying freshness make it a complete, elegant wine with a most promising future.”
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc was picked from August 25 to September 6 at 38 hl/ha. It has a more backward, slightly reserved nose than I was expecting. It is keeping its cards hidden for now. The palate is well balanced, with good weight, fine density, touches of freshly sliced pear, stem ginger and lemon peel, though it feels linear and correct on the finish. Very fine, but I suspect it will reveal its true identity after bottling."
Smith Haut Lafitte's white wine has built up a solid reputation over the past 20 years, even though it is not a grand cru classé (but neither are Haut-Brion blanc and Pape-Clément blanc). A happy marriage of wood and fruit, it always delivers a beautiful aromatic complexity, from lime blossom to citrus fruit, and a lively, rich, fine structure.
Terre de Vins : 98-99/100 Coup de ♥ "One is immediately captivated by a lovely creaminess of white fruit with a hint of aniseed: a touch of fennel and star anise, a subtle hint of vanilla enhancing the yellow fruit, all underscored by a briny note; it is an extremely well-rounded wine. It is a (great) white that behaves almost like a (great) red, with its texture, depth and tactile dimension that vibrates on the palate, bringing great complexity to the wine, and finishing with a salty note beneath the white fruit. This is a truly fine wine in the making.”
J-M Quarin : 96/100 “Light and airy from the very first sip, with an elegant mouthfeel and a finely crafted texture combined with a myriad of fruity notes, this very fresh, very savoury wine melts on the palate and fills it with fragrance. It finishes with a long, succulent, energetic and charming aftertaste. It leaves the mouth feeling fresh, just as it does after tasting a great Chardonnay.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 95-96/100 “Predominantly Sauvignon Blanc, yet beautifully ripe, it completely transcends the varietal character of the grape. A wine typical of the terroir, with lovely dynamism on the palate, notes of yellow and white fruits, flowers and fennel, and a finish with noble bitterness and hints of citrus zest. A rich yet balanced wine, with a salty finish and very easy to drink.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 95/100 “Very expressive, with notes of exotic fruit, white peach and sweet flowers, along with smoky undertones. The dense structure achieves superb balance thanks to a lively acidity that lingers on the finish.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 94-96/100 "The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is superb. Rich, creamy and expansive on the palate, with fabulous balance, the 2025 is seriously impressive and very delicious. Dried pear, acacia, chamomile and white pepper open beautifully. The Blanc is quite delicate at first, but it gains breadth through the mid-palate and into the finish. Impeccable."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 94-96/100 "The palate is very well balanced with a rounded texture, a little more weight and density than other whites that I have tasted, quite peppery towards the finish and lingering in the mouth. This is a great success in the context of a warm vintage."
In the commune of Preignac, Suduiraut offers a wine that reflects its geographical position: halfway between Sauternes and Barsac. The latest vintages are dazzling in terms of contained power and aromatic distinction : La Revue du Vin de France awarded the 2016 vintage 99/100, describing it as “masterful”, Vinous (Galloni) awarded the 2023 vintage 100/100: “A model of modern Sauternes, of absolute finesse and smoothness. A timeless wine that ranks among the finest achievements of the year” and according to Bettane & Desseauve (Guide 2025), “Yquem is the only wine that can still do a little better”.
La Revue du Vin de France : 96-98/100 “This wine impresses with its intensity and fullness. The palate is both dense—with a textural richness rarely found in Sauternes sweet wines—and lingering. A proud wine that fills the entire mouth without becoming overpowering; on the contrary, it reveals magnificent notes of freshness on the finish.”
Vinous (N. Martin): 96-98/100 “The 2025 Suduiraut [...] has a fragrant bouquet with wild honey, linseed, saffron and light orange pith scents that blossom in the glass, though I would not describe it as intense, but very pure. The palate is well balanced, with a viscous opening, very pure botrytised fruit and a killer line of acidity. There is no heaviness here, and despite the 158 g/L residual sugar, it feels light on its toes. Oh yes.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 97/100 « Richly structured, it displays impressive length and all the aristocratic depth characteristic of the vintage »
J-M Quarin: 97/100 “Yellow in colour. An intense, fruity and creamy nose. On the palate, it is as light as can be, complex and delicious, with a refined texture and controlled power. A marvellous finish. A long, light and delicate aftertaste. It is very good.”
Vinous (A. Galloni): 94-96/100 “The 2025 Suduiraut is 100% Sémillon picked six weeks later than the dry whites in the three tries, with most of the final blend coming from the last two picks. Tangerine oil, mint, white pepper and passion fruit are some of the notes that grace the palate.”
The arrival of Mr. Denz in 2014 has restored all its luster to this 1er cru classé de Bommes, a perfect synthesis between the elegance and distinction of Barsac and the richness and power of the Haut-Sauternes region.
La Revue du Vin de France : 97-99/100 “In a very consistent vintage, this wine has that certain something extra… The sample is deeply fruity, indulgent and luscious, with an enticing flavour of roasted peach. Very pure, straightforward and progressive on the palate despite its overflowing sensuality, it masterfully balances its rich body (171 g/l, albeit less than the memorable 2022 and 2023 vintages), returning on the finish to a moving closeness to fresh fruit.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 96-98/100 "The 2025 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is the only cuvée this year, there is no second wine. This was cropped at 12 hl/ha between September 16 and October 9 via three tries, one just to clean the vineyard, and comprises 100% Sémillon with 175 g/l of residual sugar. It has a very nuanced bouquet that opens nicely with aeration, dried peach, pear and light waxy scents, a touch of saffron in the background. The palate is beautiful, very well balanced with pure botrytised fruit, a little almond and chamomile towards the finish with very well integrated oak. This is a really classy Sauternes that has a long future ahead."
J-M Quarin : 96/100 “A hint of oak. On the palate, it has a delicate texture and is highly aromatic, developing notes of mandarin liqueur. A very refined palate despite the immense richness of residual sugars. A long, flavourful finish.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 94-96/100 “Powerful and full-bodied, admittedly a little less developed or open than others at this stage, but knowing the estate, there is no doubt about its class and potential.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 94-96/100 "The 2025 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is airy and gracious right out of the gate. Orange confit, candied ginger, passion fruit and tangerine oil are some of the notes that grace this understated, silky Sauternes endowed with regal finesse and class."
Haut-Bailly is the most delicate of the Graves wines with a particularly silky tannic structure.
Terre de Vins : 98-99/100 Coup de ♥ " “Holistic” is the word chosen by the Haut-Bailly team to describe this vintage. That speaks volumes about their confidence in the result. We wholeheartedly agree, as this 2025 proves immediately seductive with its palette of blackcurrant and graphite, its floral notes adding a touch of freshness and brilliance to the emerging aromatic density. This density is reflected on the palate, creamy and silky, framed by tannins of the purest definition. The whole unfolds on a finely mentholated base, just tinged with a hint of saltiness and sap in the finish, lingering at length to our great delight.”
J-M Quarin: 98/100 “A deep, intense red colour. A very aromatic, refined and pure nose, with a hint of wet leather. It gains complexity when swirled in the glass. Hints of liquorice and cherry. Extremely delicate on the palate, with an incredible grace of texture; the wine unfolds slowly, full-bodied, complete and juicy, offering a mysterious sensation of delicate power. A long, subtle finish, with great flavour and tannins that feel almost weightless. A delightful wine.”
Vinous (N. Martin): 96-98/100 “A mixture of brambly red fruit, briar, a touch of cassis and orange rind that is beautifully delineated. The palate is exquisite: very fine tannins, tangible minéralité, very cohesive and focused, with a very complex, peppery finish that goes on and on and on. Svelte, harmonious and tender, this ranks amongst the best vintages from Haut-Bailly in recent years."
La Revue du Vin de France : 96-97/100 “Haut-Bailly delivers a wine of remarkable purity, driven by vibrant, clearly defined fruit. The gentle extraction emphasises finesse and reveals high-quality, silky tannins that are perfectly integrated. The palate, fluid and harmonious, unfolds naturally, without ever feeling forced. The long, elegant finish confirms the estate’s consistency and distinguished style. Shielded from extreme weather, the terroir expresses itself perfectly, giving rise to a refined and balanced wine that will go down in the château’s history.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 96-97/100 “Remarkably complex, combining notes of red fruit, smoke, flowers and spices in a style of rare delicacy. Dense from the very first sip, the palate impresses with its controlled power, elegant tannic structure and a fresh, mineral finish of great length. A great Haut-Bailly.”
Vinous (A. Galloni): 95-97/100 “The 2025 Haut-Bailly is fabulous. Here, too, the purity of the fruit is remarkable. Dried herbs, crushed flowers, blood orange, pomegranate, mint and star anise give the 2025 a gorgeous and palpable sense of exoticism. The 2025 impresses with its elegance and finesse. Floral and savory overtones linger on the clean, supremely polished finish. Very fine."
Virtually abandoned in 1993 when Mr and Mrs Cathiard bought it, Smith Haut Lafitte now shines brightly among the elite of Bordeaux's left bank. The progress made is admirable, as the Cathiards spared no effort: restoring the vineyard, building a vat room and an underground cellar, introducing state-of-the-art equipment, converting to organic farming... The latest vintages demonstrate increased structural finesse and aromatic delicacy. Bravo!
J-M Quarin : 98/100 “Smooth on the palate at first, highly aromatic on the mid-palate, with one of the most indulgent textures ever encountered here; the wine caresses the palate before opening up after the mid-palate whilst continuing to melt away endlessly. A rare expression of this vintage.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 96-97/100 “It immediately captivates with its superb fruit profile, featuring notes of raspberry and blackberry, with a hint of mint that refreshes the finish. Lively, with a pronounced minerality, a graphite-like structure, and a fine, powdery texture on the palate. A Smith brimming with elegance despite its underlying power.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 96-97/100 “The aromatic subtlety here impresses with its precision, revealing notes of ripe fruit, tobacco, spices, graphite and menthol. Dense and velvety on the palate, it is underpinned by well-defined tannins and a salty finish carried by a great sense of freshness. A Smith Haut-Lafitte full of energy and vibrancy.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte has a well-defined bouquet with mainly black fruit intertwined with Earl Grey, sous-bois and cigar box scents, a much more classical style of Smith Haut-Lafitte compared to recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a subtle tobacco note that percolates through the black fruit, more structure coming through towards the sapid finish with a dash of black pepper on the aftertaste. This will fill out in barrel and should become a refined and quite delicious Smith Haut-Lafitte that will repay time in bottle."
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 93-95/100 "The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte is a very classy, elegant wine. Lavender, spice and mint open first, followed by a burst of black/purplish fruit. Medium in body, with terrific freshness, the 2025 is impeccably done. The lighter style vis-à-vis most years is quite attractive."
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!
J-M Quarin : 100/100 “Full-bodied on the attack and immediately rich, with incredible power and a myriad of sparkling aromas, the wine comes alive on the palate. It unfolds with confidence, depth and substance, building to a long, powerful and fragrant finish, followed by a beautiful aftertaste. It’s simply incredible.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 97-99/100 "The 2025 La Mission Haut-Brion is one of my early favorites in this vintage. Aromatic and vibrant, with striking purity, the Grand Vin is magnificent. Red-toned fruit, blood orange, pomegranate, mint and cinnamon soar from the glass. Beams of supporting tannin lend energy and shape. In a word: compelling. One of the wines of the vintage."
La Revue du Vin de France : 97-98/100 “Like its neighbour Haut-Brion, La Mission is predominantly made from Merlot (62%). The wine has a slightly more full-bodied attack, which is its hallmark, but it also possesses wonderful freshness, vibrancy and great elegance. It is perfectly balanced and devilishly refined on the finish, carried by very fine-grained tannins. A very aristocratic, ‘restrained’ wine that also promises a very bright future.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 96-97/100 “Immediately harmonious and approachable, it captures with great precision all the depth and nobility of its terroir. Brilliant!”
Vinous (N.Martin) : 94-96/100 "The 2025 La Mission Haut-Brion was picked from August 28 until September 19 at around 23 hl/ha, lower than Haut-Brion, perhaps due to higher density of planting and less competition between vines. There is less new oak, at around 59%, the same as Haut-Brion, down from around 80% in recent years. This has a perfumed bouquet, one of the most floral that I can recall, beautifully defined with black cherries, blueberry and crushed violet scents. The palate is medium-bodied with chiselled tannins, a silver thread of acidity, quite linear in style with a strict, tensile, graphite-tinged finish. Yeah, it has to play second fiddle to Haut-Brion this year, but it is still a great La Mission."
Haut-Brion is the most famous of all the Bordeaux growths, having twice been classified as 1er grand cru, in 1855 and again in 1959 (Graves classification). Haut-Brion is both the oldest of the Grands Crus, with more than five centuries (since 1509) behind it, and the most innovative, introducing stainless steel vats as early as 1960 and green harvesting as early as 1980.
Its particular situation within the Bordeaux agglomeration makes it the earliest Premier Cru on the left bank, a clear advantage in less mature vintages. For this reason, Haut-Brion's consistency is a benchmark for the whole of Bordeaux, with the intense bouquet of fresh earth, smoke and pine resin so characteristic of the appellation.
Fortunately, the unique silhouette of its bottle has disrupted the Asian market and has not triggered the same speculative interest there as it has for the other 1er grands crus classés. Haut-Brion is today without question the most qualitative and the least expensive of the premiers.
J-M Quarin: 100/100 “A very aromatic, refined, fruity, deep and highly complex nose, accompanied by a hint of ink reminiscent of the great Médocs. Full-bodied and meticulous on the attack, more restrained here than La Mission, the wine settles slowly in the mid-palate, develops structure, takes on vibrant aromas and suddenly surges on the finish, proving at once very powerful, delicate and, above all, immensely long. Never have I seen a Haut-Brion fill the mouth with such precision and power between the mid-palate and the finish. Magnificent!”
Vinous (N. Martin): 98-100/100 “The 2025 Haut-Brion has a very pure and elegant bouquet with ebullient brambly red fruit, crushed stone, potpourri and touches of Earl Grey. Wonderful delineation and a little more refined than, say, the 2020 or 2022. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, and there is more complexity here than La Mission, more depth and minéralité. Fresh and marine-tinged towards the finish that makes you want to come back. This year, the First Growth has put a bit of distance between itself and La Mission."
La Revue du Vin de France : 98-99/100 “The 2025 vintage at Haut-Brion is one of modest quantity (26 hl/ha) but exceptional quality; its freshness is surprising, with fruit that is ultra-expressive, juicy and delicious. Yet the wine is 62% Merlot – which is not all that common – but without the slightest heaviness and with an alcohol content capped at 13%. It boasts an endless velvety finish that bursts open like a peacock’s tail, releasing waves of fruit. A truly great Haut-Brion with a classic profile, built to stand the test of time.”
Terre de Vins : 98-99/100 Coup de ♥ "Airy and floral, displaying perfectly ripe fruit whilst retaining a subtle hint of incense and violet, this 2025 Haut-Brion sets the bar high right from the start. The palate is incredibly velvety, its enveloping roundness tinged with fine tannins that bring liveliness, energy and salivation: this is haute couture, flavourful, savoury, persistent and full of moving details in both texture and aroma. It is a meeting of the sensual and the intellectual, much to our delight.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 97/100 « Porté par un grand volume et une matière impressionnante, son caractère aromatique exprime la race du cru, même si l’élégance habituelle demande encore à se révéler pleinement. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 96-98/100 “The 2025 Haut-Brion is quite the powerhouse. Black fruit, cloves, new leather, tobacco, chocolate and menthol open before a wave of huge tannins and incisive acids take over. Haut-Brion can be rather dark and somber. That is very much the case with the 2025, a wine that speaks with sepia-toned, baritone inflections. It also conveys more obvious ripeness than La Mission Haut-Brion at this stage."
No other vintage can better express the magical association that is so difficult to obtain simultaneously finesse and power. A first growth without rival in its style!
J-M Quarin : 100/100 “When swirled, the aromatic intensity is incredible. Extremely refined on the palate, with the creamiest texture ever seen at Château Margaux, a supremely elegant structure, a record-breaking vibrancy of flavour and an incredibly smooth mouthfeel, the wine develops with great flavour. It adds a layer of ultra-delicate, mysterious fullness on the finish, such is the controlled power that defies comprehension. It is marvellous.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 98-100/100 “One of the standout wines of the vintage. A truly magnificent, classic wine, embodying the pure, ethereal spirit of Margaux. The immense delicacy of the fruit, which gently coats the palate, is complemented by subtle notes of roses. The purity of the Cabernets is admirable, with a silky texture and a resonance of fruit on the palate that lingers. Without a doubt, a benchmark Château Margaux.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 97-99/100 "The 2025 Château Margaux is shaping up to be one of the wines of this young vintage. Dark and layered, almost mysterious in bearing, the 2025 is going to have a lot to say over the coming decades as it grows up. Today, its superb persistence and exceptional balance are the harbingers. Here, too, there's a ton of tannin, but also more than enough fruit and overall density to keep things in balance."
Bettane+Desseauve : 97-98/100 “The château’s characteristic floral bouquet comes through here with great purity and refinement. Its admirable body, delicate tannins and the perfect ripeness of the grapes make this one of the standout wines of the vintage.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 96-98/100 "The first thing that you notice on this Château Margaux is the purity of fruit, a signature of the First Growth but taken to its maximum in this vintage. Perfumed blueberry, crushed violet and iris flower, a touch of iodine and a distant trace of the estuary. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins, fine delineation and poise. There is backbone to this Margaux but it is disguised under the layers of pure blackberry and blueberry fruit, dovetailing into a lightly spiced but very persistent finish. It fans out wonderfully, completing a very alluring wine in the making."
Of all the second classified growths in St-Julien, Gruaud-Larose is the most vigorous and massive in young wine. But, the magic of the terroir, it acquires softness and finesse if it is given time to age. Its quality/price ratio puts it ahead of the other second classified growths of St-Julien!
Anniversary. With the 2025 vintage, Gruaud-Larose celebrates the 300th anniversary of the Château, founded in 1725 by Joseph-Stanislas Gruaud and his cousin, the Chevalier de Larose. To mark the occasion, the wine will be presented in a black-and-gold screen-printed bottle.
Bettane+Desseauve : 97-98/100 “Superb in both its aroma and texture, it impresses with the harmony of its composition. A new must-buy thanks to its exceptional quality and consistently reasonable pricing.”
J-M Quarin: 97/100 “Deep black colour. An intense, refined nose with lovely notes of black fruit. A creamy texture. Delicate on the palate at first, particularly aromatic on the mid-palate, velvety; the wine caresses the palate flawlessly right through to the finish. It finishes long, deep and complex in flavour.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 95-97/100 “2025 marks the estate’s 300th vintage. It lives up to expectations, confirming the fine consistency of recent vintages here. A wine with a lovely brilliance, well-rounded on the palate and refined, which is a joy to drink. Its harmony and approachability should not obscure its potential and depth. ”
Vinous (A. Galloni): 95-97/100 “The 2025 Gruaud Larose is rich, ample and exotic right out of the gate. Dark-toned fruit, graphite, licorice, mocha and lavender are all dialed up. The 2025 has a lot to offer, but will need a number of years to be at its finest. There's a lot of wine here. "
Vinous (N. Martin): 93-95/100 “Fine delineation and firmly classical in style. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins. A more tertiary Gruaud Larose, hints of dark powdered chocolate combine with black fruit, leading to a more structured vintage that lingers nicely in the mouth. Perhaps slightly less deep than some of its peers, this has a tendency to gain weight during élevage. Englishman's claret!"
With the help of Michel Rolland, Léoville-Poyferré has gained in depth since 1993, voluptuousness of texture and ability to age. It is now approaching the quality of its prestigious neighbours in which it is landlocked: Léoville-Las Cases and Pichon-Lalande. The competition between the three Léoville is intense but Léoville-Poyferré now prevails with an easier, more voluptuous approach, and a superior quality/price/pleasure ratio.
Terre de Vins : 98-99/100 Coup de ♥ “An enticing nose of immense beauty, ranging from rose to violet, and from cherry to crushed strawberry. This exceptional 2025 offers a perfectly crafted attack; everything is delicate, silky and refined. Powdery tannins coat the palate, lending it immense charm. 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot combine to create a truly exceptional wine, which is a delight even in its youth and possesses great ageing potential. A sure-fire winner.”
J-M Quarin : 98/100 “Delicate on the palate at first, particularly aromatic in the mid-palate, with a graceful texture and a noble development, the wine evolves into a refined, deep, juicy and complex finish. A long, flavourful and fragrant finish.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 96-97/100 “A wine of exemplary elegance, without the slightest hint of heaviness. The precision of the extraction brings out the fruit’s remarkable clarity. The supple, perfectly integrated tannins contribute to an overall harmony that captivates with its finesse and brilliance.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Léoville-Poyferré is quintessential Poyferré on the nose, quite sensual and pure in style, with layers of ripe black fruit, black plum, a hint of camphor and violet. Wonderful delineation. The palate is framed by fine tannins, beautifully balanced, again quite minerally in style, with a precise and persistent graphite-tinged finish. If you love Poyferré, then you are going to adore this."
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 94-96/100 "The 2025 Léoville-Poyferré is gorgeous. Rich and juicy, with striking mid-palate pliancy, the Grand Vin shows the vintage at its finest. That is immediately evident in its plush contours and impeccable balance. Dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, menthol and mocha flesh out in the glass, filling out the layers effortlessly. The 2025 is a sensual Grand Vin."
Bettane+Desseauve : 94-95/100 “Full-bodied and complex, still slightly behind some of its peers at this stage of the tasting, but with excellent substance and structure.”
Even if their evolution always involves a period of austerity, Léoville-Barton wines have a supreme class and elegance, due as much to the advanced age of the vines as to meticulous work. Always praised by the critics, as in 2015 "fine, sapid and very long, lots of class on the palate, with a juicy side and superb texture", rated 97/100 by the Revue du Vin de France.
J-M Quarin : 98/100 "Black in colour. An intense, refined, fruity and floral nose, underpinned by notes of fresh black fruit. Extremely delicate on the palate at first, with a refined texture, this juicy wine melts on the palate, revealing complex and deep aromas. It unfolds beautifully, finishing with a long, elegant aftertaste, where the aromatic intensity (of violets) outshines the tannins. Well done!"
Bettane+Desseauve : 97-98/100 "An exceptional wine from this vintage, combining perfect body, impressive density and remarkable progress in the integration of oak. An absolute must-buy for en primeur purchases."
Terre de Vins : 96-98/100 Coup de ♥ "Camphor and mint deliver an immediate burst of freshness. The attack is full-bodied, with a mouthful of black fruit coating the palate. Pure and balanced, this wine embodies the nobility of the Médoc that has made its reputation worldwide. The tannic structure suggests immense ageing potential. This blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc produces a great wine, a classic of the Saint-Julien style, and even more so a classic of the world of fine Bordeaux wines.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 96-97/100 "Consistently impressive, Léoville Barton has produced a full-bodied and lively wine. The palate is rich and creamy, brought to life by juicy fruit and a perfectly integrated texture. The refined tannins underpin an intense yet approachable structure. The result is a wine that is both powerful and harmonious."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Léoville Barton [...] has an exquisite bouquet already, with ebullient blackberry and bilberry scents, beautifully integrated oak, keeping the DNA of Léoville Barton despite the warm summer. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, gentle grip, very pure fruit and a "cool" and focused finish. With lower alcohol, between 13.0 and 13.5%, the terroir really shows through here. Superb."
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 94-96/100 "The 2025 Léoville Barton is one of my early favorites of the vintage. It carries all the textural intensity and richness of a vintage with paltry yields. As such, it is not an especially classic Léoville Barton, but it is undeniably gorgeous. Black fruit, gravel, chocolate, new leather and licorice add to an impression of gravitas. As always, there's a healthy amount of press wine in the blend. Readers will have to be patient with the 2025, but there's a lot of potential."
Since the arrival of Bruno Borie in 2003, Ducru-Beaucaillou has been flying from success to success. No one has forgotten that, until 1980, Ducru was the greatest of the Médoc's second growths, a position it is now regaining. Bravo !
La Revue du Vin de France : 97-98/100 “Flamboyant without ever veering into excess, Ducru-Beaucaillou shines with its crystalline purity. The fruit, juicy and smooth, expresses itself deliciously with notes of raspberry, cherry and blackberry. The palate, with its sustained intensity, unfolds seamlessly into a lively, sparkling finish. A wine that is both timeless and irresistibly charming.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 97-98/100 “This year’s rigorous selection has produced a powerful Ducru-Beaucaillou with a perfectly defined, classic style characterised by notes of cedar. The future looks very promising.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 94-96/100 "The 2025 Ducru-Beaucaillou is fabulous. Vibrant red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, mint and blood orange are all beautifully sculpted. The purity of the fruit is just remarkable. New oak is 100%, but lower toast levels and a more dialed-in approach here are palpable. Gorgeous floral and savory Cabernet top notes lift the finish. Superb, and one of the highlights of the year, Ducru is absolutely stunning in 2025."
J-M Quarin : 95/100 “Delicate on the palate at first, smooth in the middle, the wine caresses the palate slowly, velvety and very pleasant. A finish of good length, with a fine, fragrant texture. It’s lovely!”
Intended for very long ageing in the cellar (at least 10 years even in small vintages), the wines of Léoville-Las Cases represent in each vintage one of the most perfect and purest expressions of the Médoc vineyard. As Wine Advocate has written, "Léoville-Las Cases looks more and more like Lafite rather than its close neighbour Latour".
Every vintage, Léoville-Las Cases is one of the contenders for the title of "best Bordeaux of the year", as once again with its 2020, rated 98+/100 by M. Galloni "Las Cases is one of the wines of the 2020 vintage, there is no doubt about that" and 99-100/100 by the Revue du Vin de France "a superlative wine for its depth, richness, but above all its definition".
J-M Quarin : 100/100 “Even more nuanced when swirled in the glass. The hint of fresh black fruit evokes the finest fruity expression of the vintage. Delicate on the palate at first, it quickly becomes full-bodied, dancing across the palate as it slowly unfolds. After the mid-palate, it develops a rich, deep texture, remaining consistently precise and refined.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 98-99/100 “Very close to perfection thanks to its harmony, the elegance of its texture and the masterful integration of oak. The vintage seems perfectly suited to the vineyard.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 98-99/100 “The first vintage under Arnaud Delon’s stewardship, this Las Cases immediately impresses with its mastery. Produced from extremely low yields, it displays a natural concentration and the depth that is the hallmark of this estate. The wine’s definition, the brilliance of the fruit and the aromatic freshness make this 2025 a major success. The finish, endless and aristocratic, speaks volumes about its potential.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 96-98/100 "The 2025 Léoville Las Cases is powerful, tightly wound and very shut down—in other words, classic Las Cases. In some recent vintages, the Grand Vin has shown somewhat softer contours, but the 2025 is really a throwback to a more muscular, classically austere style. It offers tremendous persistence and sheer power, but beyond that, the wine is pretty hard to read in the early going, certainly much more so than any of the other wines in the Delon stable. I expect this will need many years to be at its most rewarding. Based on this en primeur sample, the 2025 is a wine for readers who have actuarial tables on their side."
Vinous (N.Martin) : 96-98/100 "The 2025 Léoville Las Cases has another intense nose, quite flamboyant for Las Cases due to the warmth of the summer, with hints of pencil shavings and cigar box coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied but very concentrated. Real depth and density here, very primal, with an intense, multi-layered finish that coats the mouth. Not a subtle Las Cases, nor should it be, though I aver that it will oblige long-term ageing."
Apart from the first great classified growths, no other Bordeaux wine is as world famous as Lynch-Bages. Its worldwide success comes as much from its opulent, full-bodied and robust style, from its unfailing regularity since 1975, and from its media promotion orchestrated by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch-Bages was the first wine sent into space (Discovery shuttle in 1985). It is even said that it is him who gave the taste of Bordeaux to the Americans!
Vinous (N. Martin) : 96-98/100 "The 2025 Lynch-Bages [...] has a stunning bouquet with exceptionally pure blackberry, cassis and subtle violet scents, the oak seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with finely embroidered tannins, perfect acidity, a touch of cedar and black pepper that dovetails into a peacock's tail finish that “clings” to the mouth. This continues the strongest run from Lynch-Bages since the 1980s and, perhaps with the 2025, it is close to surpassing that."
Vinous (A.Galloni) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Lynch-Bages is a wine only very patient consumers should contemplate. Dark and explosive, with incisive tannins, the 2025 is quite the powerhouse. Huge beams of tannin lend serious intensity and power. In many warmer years, this level of richness is accompanied by commensurately high alcohols and viscosity, but the 2025 is built around fairly classic lines, which only reinforces its sheer brawn."
La Revue du Vin de France : 95-97/100 “Spectacular in its depth of flavour and powerful attack. It consistently unfurls waves of black fruit and fresh mint, with an intense and highly expressive character. Intense, precise and full-bodied, it is underpinned by perfectly integrated tannins and lingers on a juicy and very persistent finish.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 95-96/100 “Explosive on the nose with ripe fruit, cedar and minty notes, offering great density and depth. The imposing tannic structure is perfectly controlled, underpinned by rich body, fruit and immense length. A great wine with excellent ageing potential.”
J-M Quarin : 95/100 "Full-bodied on the attack and on the palate, with good flavour and a tight yet delicious tannic structure, the wine melts on the finish. It ends with a lovely, fragrant length and a touch of positive austerity."
Mouton-Rothschild's upgrade in 1973 from second to first grand cru classé was as legitimate as it was deserved in view of the quality of its terroir, a plateau of 90 hectares of deep gravel to the north of Pauillac, with Lafite-Rothschild as a neighbor. Despite this promotion, and even though it regularly tops the rankings in tastings, Mouton-Rothschild remains to this day the least expensive of the Médoc's premier crus classés. Its powerful, full-bodied style and its ability to age well have led Mr. Bettane to write "perhaps the most formally perfect wine in the Médoc...".
Terre de Vins : 98-99/100 Coup de ♥ "98% Cabernet Sauvignon, a historic record for Mouton Rothschild. The prince of the Médoc reigns supreme in the blend of this 2025, and his signature is unmistakable: intense, deep, powerful and distinguished, unfolding a velvety blackcurrant flavour edged with notes of graphite, peony and Indian ink. The palate is superbly balanced between creaminess and vitality, structured around a highly precise tannic framework, supported by a mentholated freshness that accompanies the body throughout, right to the delicately powdery finish. The length is remarkable.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 97-98/100 “A superb nose of perfectly ripe Cabernet Sauvignon, oscillating between black and red berries. The full body and vibrant finish are already impressive. A great wine that will require patient ageing.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 97-98/100 “A great Mouton was born in 2025. With an unprecedented level of Cabernet (98%), it captivates with an incredibly juicy and refined profile, blending sumptuous creaminess with delicately smoky notes of great elegance. On the palate, it impresses with its class, its balance and its remarkable smoothness. A major asset: an exceptionally savoury finish, at once minty, lingering and intensely fruity.”
J-M Quarin : 97/100 “Meticulous on the palate, highly aromatic on the mid-palate, with a refined texture, the wine develops powerfully and is slightly more austere than expected. It has a long, lively finish, with a touch of tannic astringency sitting on top of the fresh, creamy flavour rather than beneath it.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 96-98/100 "The 2025 Mouton Rothschild is dense and brooding. Although naturally very, very young, all the elements are so well put together. The 2025 is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, the most Cabernet ever in the Grand Vin, and that very much comes through in the wine's structure and overall presence. Graphite, lavender, rose petal and menthol build into the rich, heady finish. There's a ton of potential here. »
Vinous (N.Martin) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Mouton Rothschild has a very pure and controlled bouquet, "cool" black fruit, a light estuarine influence (oyster shells shucked down on the beach in Arcachon?) that filter through the blackberry and cassis fruit. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins that feel a little more rounded and suppler than the 2025 Lafite Rothschild tasted just prior. There is a luxuriant aspect, the signature of Mouton Rothschild that differentiates it from the other First Growths, not plush but perhaps a little more flattering at this very early stage thanks to its patina of creaminess. In a sense, it is quintessential Mouton Rothschild and should age extremely well in bottle."
Appointed cellar master in 1994, Mr. Chevallier focused on developing Lafite-Rothschild wines without losing any of the characteristic bouquet of blackcurrant, graphite and cedar. This objective was quickly achieved, placing Lafite at the top of the 1st classified growths (this was already the case in 1855), and revered as such by the Chinese market. The incredible qualities of Lafite's terroir make it a unique vintage and give Cabernet Sauvignon (more than 90% present each year) its most beautiful aromatic expressions.
The great 2020 vintage was awarded the supreme score of 100/1000 by the Revue du Vin de France: "Spectacular, bordering on perfection".
J-M Quarin : 100/100 “A style reminiscent of Pessac wines. Ultra-full-bodied on the attack, complex as it develops, rich on the mid-palate and, above all, very, very aromatic, with a noble finish; the wine caresses the palate with a creamy texture evoking raspberries. It never lets up, elegant, deep and utterly irresistible. An incredible presence given the low alcohol content of just 12.5%. Pure seduction!”
Terre de Vins : 99-100/100 Coup de ♥ "Impressive. Deep and vertical, vibrant and precise in its multifaceted character—such is Lafite 2025. A harmonious blend of the best of all worlds (2022, 2020, 2016, 2010) in a truly complete package. On the palate, it’s like static electricity: a volume of substance that strikes immediately with a punch, à la Muhammad Ali. Powerful yet light on its feet, it strikes and dodges on a quivering tannic texture, like a wave of salty pixels, leaving a dotted line of powdery sensations, evoking menthol and graphite.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 98-100/100 "The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiselled tannins. It is blessed with extraordinary harmony and it is so well balanced that you almost overlook the weight and minéralité towards the finish. Just a dab of graphite lingers on the aftertaste. This is a very succinct and refined Lafite-Rothschild that I suspect will drink earlier than the 2022, yet will age with equal grace in bottle. I admit that, upon returning to my car, it was only then that I realised what a brilliant wine the 2025 Lafite-Rothschild is destined to become."
Bettane+Desseauve : 98/100 “Extremely refined, masterful in its perfect balance and the already remarkable integration of oak. The terroir comes through with rare clarity in a style of immense distinction.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 97-99/100 "The 2025 Lafite-Rothschild is powerful and explosive in the glass. Dark cherry/plum fruit, graphite, new leather, graphite, licorice and lavender race across the palate. A Pauillac of mid-weight structure, the 2025 impresses with its tension and deep, layered personality. Even in the early going, the Grand Vin is so vivid, so expressive. I can't wait to taste it in finished form. For those who love data."
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-95/100 “Once again, Lafite stands out for its elegance and airy style, which is particularly fresh, subtle and easy to drink (12.5% ABV). The purity of the fruit and the precision of a laser-sharp palate make an immediate impression. The balance is masterful, the finish long, briny, refined and of immense complexity. Whilst it may not be the most powerful, it undoubtedly takes the prize for distinction.”
After 43 vintages, Mr Charmolüe sold the estate to Mr Bouygues in 2006. The change of ownership was accompanied by a spectacular project designed to bring Montrose into the 21st century: use of geothermal energy, installation of photovoltaic panels, recycling of CO2 from alcoholic fermentation...
There has also been a change of style in the wines, with a move towards greater aromatic complexity and textural refinement. Montrose nevertheless remains a wine of great breed, resting on a powerful tannic architecture and reserved for the most patient connoisseurs.
J-M Quarin : 99/100 “Extremely delicate on the palate, with a refined texture, a soft, velvety mouthfeel and a full-bodied, powerful structure, the wine melts on the palate, offering a long, complex and elegant finish. It has a wonderfully long, flavourful finish, with consistently smooth and aromatic tannins. It’s superb!”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 98-100/100 "The 2025 Montrose only comes from the Terrace IV, as has been the way since the 2023 vintage. This has another very intense nose with a potent graphite element that infuses the black fruit, beautifully defined but unapologetically classical in style. Wow. The purity of fruit is exceptional. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, very chiselled tannins, exquisite black fruit loaded with minéralité. So much freshness and vibrancy, gentle but insistent grip, very precise and refined on the finish, this is a Montrose that will rank as one for the ages. Wow (again)."
La Revue du Vin de France : 97-98/100 “This is a first in the vineyard’s history: the harvest began in August (on the 29th). The Merlot and Cabernet grapes have reached full maturity, whilst retaining their acidity and crispness. On tasting, the wine displays a palate of great class, very typical of the vineyard, with the Cabernet setting the tone and providing the wine’s length. Tension and brilliance on the finish. Very complete.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 96-97/100 “Produced from the remarkable Terrace 4 on the banks of the estuary, it combines full-bodied power, refined tannins and great length. A true and elegant expression of the Montrose terroir.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Montrose is a very quiet, sophisticated Montrose. Silky tannins, lifted aromatics and mid-weight structure are the signatures. Time in the glass brings out lovely red-toned fruit character, along with hints of spice, blood orange, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco. It will be interesting to see how the 2025 develops with élevage. Today, it is a bit on the lighter side relative to the norm here. Some of that may be attributable to winemaking."
The very high quality of Cos d'Estournel's recent vintages is impressive, placing it undoubtedly among the first great classified growths of the Médoc. A single qualifier comes to mind when we think of Cos d'Estournel: monumental, for its wines as well as for its cellar.
J-M Quarin: 99/100 “Deep black color. Intense, refined, fruity, pure, and complex on the nose. Hints of spices, dried fruit, and cream when swirled in the glass. Full-bodied from the first sip, complex on the mid-palate, with a refined richness that coats the palate and incredible power; the wine melts in the mouth. It evolves slowly, with a long finish, slightly tannic, but with a breathtaking finish that remains powerfully intense, very enveloping, and above all, delicious.”
Terre de Vins : 98-99/100 Coup de ♥ “The proverbial creaminess of Cos d’Estournel is clearly evident, with a broad, calm and deep nose, where an oceanic menthol note lurks beneath the dark fruit. A dimension that is at once powerful, tender and velvety, which is found on the palate: the wine’s velvety texture is built upon a meticulously crafted tannic framework, which supports, revitalises and energises the enveloping body. Whilst embracing its caressing and sensual dimension, the wine does not deny its athletic muscularity, right through to the finish, which tightens very subtly on a note somewhere between graphite and roasted pepper.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 96-99/100 "The 2025 Cos d'Estournel is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Grand, dramatic and sweeping, with notable textural intensity, the 2025 hits all the right notes. Even in the very early going, the 2025 is magical. Dark red/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, tobacco, lavender and mocha build effortlessly in the glass. More than anything else, I am blown away by the wine's magnificent balance. A masterpiece."
La Revue du Vin de France : 96-98/100 “In keeping with recent vintages, Cos 2025 is a wine of great refinement; deep and dense, certainly, but with a lovely, preserved elegance and obvious, natural fruit. The ageing has also integrated very well without masking the fruit’s lovely vibrancy. One to watch closely.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 96-97/100 “Rich colour, impressive body and perfectly balanced tannins characterise this Cos, which remains true to the estate’s powerful style. Another success that lives up to expectations.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 95-97/100 "There is just a touch of CO2 on the nose that soon dissipates, gorgeous black plum and damson aromas, pencil lead and light iodine scents all delivered with impressive delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a hint of cracked black pepper and pencil lead that infuse the layered black fruit. There is a real crescendo of flavours in this Cos d'Estournel, fanning out gloriously towards the sustained finish. This is a serious Saint-Estèphe that will age supremely well in bottle."
One of the appellation's ripest and most hedonistic crus until 2000, Clinet has since gained in distinction and refinement through successive touches (15% Cabernet in the vines, state-of-the-art technical equipment...). All this without losing the aromatic intensity and depth of flesh that are its hallmarks. Today, Clinet is unquestionably one of Pomerol's finest wines.
J-M Quarin: 97/100 “Deep black color. Intense, fruity, and subtle on the nose. A hint of resin. Full-bodied on the attack, juicy on the mid-palate, with rich flavor and abundant, refined body, the wine slowly evolves into a long, complex, dense, airy, fresh, and smooth finish.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 96-98/100 « TNow this has a delightful nose, perhaps the most elegant and refined that I have encountered at this stage: vivid red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry scents, neatly embroidered oak, more floral in style. The palate is medium-bodied with chiselled, fine tannins, bright and tensile, exquisite focus, with a peacock's tail on the finish. Quite crystalline on the finish, this is a Clinet that I would like in my cellar. Or at the dinner table. Or in my glass. »
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 94-96/100 « The 2025 Clinet is a dark, brooding wine, largely because of the significant presence of Cabernet Sauvignon—a rarity in Pomerol, but a tradition here dating back to vines that were planted in the 1930s and 1950s. Plum, blackberry, gravel, incense, licorice and scorched earth stain the palate. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-96/100 “The Clinet style suits this vintage well, offering a creamier texture than the appellation average, with a soft, harmonious structure and aromas of ripe black fruit without being overpowering, accompanied by delicate floral notes. The 20% Cabernet contributes finely grained, lingering tannins.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 92/100 “Blackberry, plum, cocoa and spices combine to create a rich bouquet. The structured palate still seems somewhat one-dimensional at this stage, but should continue to develop.”
Delicately perfumed (the aromatic bouquet is always very floral, with violets and peonies in the lead) and elegantly suave whatever the vintage, La Conseillante occupies a special place among the greatest Pomerols, perhaps the most endearing of them. Its finesse and superiorly sensual and refined texture are reminiscent of the great wines of the Côte de Nuits (on the Vosne-Romanée side). However, behind the apparent friendliness of La Conseillante lies a wine of great energy and excellent ageing potential.
Bettane+Desseauve : 98/100 “The power of the vintage has been perfectly restrained. Ripe black fruits, floral notes and Sichuan pepper combine to create a great wine with a distinct character: silky, taut, deep and exceptionally refined.”
Vinous (A. Galloni): 96-98/100 “The 2025 La Conseillante is shaping up to be magnificent. Rich and luscious in the glass, the 2025 offers up an exotic mélange of inky dark fruit, cloves, new leather, licorice and mocha. This is the first vintage that sees the return of Cabernet Sauvignon, historically a part of the blend from at least 1871 to 1956, when frost devastated many vineyards in Pomerol. "
La Revue du Vin de France : 96-97/100 “Marielle Cazaux plays the elegance card and clearly offers a standout interpretation within the appellation. La Conseillante captivates with its refined aromas and its powdery, precise and well-integrated tannins. The salty finish highlights an ethereal, velvety texture and great length.” ”
Vinous (N. Martin): 95-97/100 “The 2025 La Conseillante has a very pure nose with black cherries, blueberry and wild strawberry fruit, just a little Burgundy-like in style. A hint of orange rind loiters in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, a silver thread of acidity, quite linear and strict on the entry, gentle grip with a dash of black pepper towards the finish. A second glass that happened to have been opened for an hour revealed some of its opulence that will surely be enhanced during the élevage. It will deserve four to five years in bottle but will have a long life ahead and will give a lot of pleasure."
A talented and demanding winemaker, Mr. Durantou, at the service of a great terroir flush with Pomerol's church (between Lafleur and Clinet), has revealed and propelled L'Église-Clinet among Pomerol's finest crus. L'Église-Clinet is undoubtedly one of the most subtle in terms of aromatic precision, fine grain and satiny texture. Much too soon lost in 2020, Mr. Durantou fortunately has three daughters, united and determined to continue their father's work with brio.
J-M Quarin : 98/100 “Extremely delicate on the palate at first, full-bodied in the mid-palate, with a slow, lingering development, the wine unfolds with depth, complexity and nobility, leading to a long, succulent finish. An unbeatable combination of refined power, followed by rich notes of liquorice and violet in the aftertaste. It’s superb!”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 96-98/100 "The aromatics are timid at first, but unfurl in the glass, revealing enticing scents of raspberry, wild strawberry, truffle oil and cedar. The oak is beautifully integrated, and it gains delineation with each swirl. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine tannins, one of the most mineral-driven L'Eglise-Clinet wines that I have tasted from barrel, gaining cohesion and poise, with perfectly judged acidity and a gentle but insistent grip on the finish. There is a verticality to this Pomerol that gives it a more cerebral slant compared to the 2022, but it is still quite delicious. That said, I would still give it a few years in bottle."
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 L'Eglise-Clinet is totally seamless. Crème de cassis, lavender, licorice, mocha, pomegranate and jasmine caress the palate. Impossibly fine, silky tannins frame the mid-palate. Time in the glass brings out the wine's textural richness and all the gravitas that is such a signature here. Gravel, dried herbs, mocha and lavender shape the huge, dramatic finish."
La Revue du Vin de France : 95-97/100 “With 90% Merlot, this 2025 is one of the plateau’s finest achievements. Its class is striking. The understated nose gives way to a palate of great purity, framed by rich yet well-integrated tannins, thanks to gentle maceration. The finish delights with its aromatic notes and flavours of delicious fresh fruit.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 95-96/100 “The silky texture on the palate gives way to a floral, earthy and sophisticated wine. Complex, refined and delicious, it will age with great elegance.”
A doll-like vineyard comprising 4 pure Merlot parcels, located between Lafleur-Pétrus, Le Pin and Trotanoy. Henri Parent, owner and son of the late Mme Péré-Vergé, is committed to producing at La Violette the most melting, radiant and exuberant version of Pomerol. All this under the guidance of oenologist Michel Roland, who has made La Violette a showcase for his expertise: the search for the most accomplished maturity, manual de-stemming grain by grain, complete vinification in barrel, etc. The critics have succumbed to the charm of La Violette.
Critics succumb to La Violette's charm: “A great wine of emotion that touches the heart as much as the mind” for M. Bettane, “More than ever, La Violette offers a unique experience in Pomerol” for La Revue du Vin de France.
La Violette is undoubtedly the most sensual and extrovert Pomerol, but also one of the rarest (800 cases per year).
J-M Quarin : 99/100 “A highly aromatic nose, with ripe fruit notes, combined with a floral nuance never before detected in this wine at this age. Even purer and more distinguished when the glass is swirled. Meticulously full-bodied on the attack, rich in the mid-palate and more fragrant than ever, the wine melts on the palate, gaining power and flavour. It finishes with a long, textured and complex finish. It is remarkable for its smoothness and structure.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 97-98/100 “Wild blackberry and peony give way to a velvety touch of tannin. Dense, smooth and magnificent on the finish, it coats the palate with a rare richness.”
Terre de Vins : 96-98/100 Coup de ♥ “It is intensely aromatic right from the nose; the 2025 vintage has a sunny character where the charm of the fruit takes centre stage. The genius, right from the first sip, lies in having mastered this warmth—thanks both to the fine gravel terroir and the winemaking process—to retain only the fruit, its purity and its freshness. This 100% Merlot offers notes of mint, blackcurrant and violet. The velvety tannins bring a smile to the face; we know this wine will be a delight even in its youth.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-96/100 “La Violette is remarkable for its ability to retain a zesty freshness despite the scorching heat of the vintage, thanks in particular to a carefully adapted whole-cluster vinification process and its old vines. The bouquet delights with its refinement. The palate is enveloping without heaviness, framed by polished tannins and a subtle, beneficial bitterness. ”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 93-95/100 "The 2025 La Violette, 100% Merlot, is a dense, powerful wine. Blackberry, gravel, bittersweet chocolate, licorice and espresso are all dialed up. The 2025 possesses off-the-charts fruit richness and tannins to match. As usual, this vintage will not be released for many years, so there is plenty of time for it to come together. It is one of the wines on the Right Bank that are defined by minuscule yields. Production will be around 1,500 bottles, about a third of the normal amount."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 91-93/100 "The 2025 La Violette has a pretty nose with comely Morello cherry, cassis and violet scents that deliver the plushness that is La Violette's signature. The palate is very smooth on the entry, with rounded, velvety tannins and just about sufficient countervailing acidity. There is a little headiness on the finish, where I would just like to see a little more grip. Just a little warmth here, yet still an enjoyable Pomerol for those seeking hedonism."
Like Pétrus, Le Pin is 100% Merlot. But if Pétrus has adopted a more classic style in recent years, Le Pin remains a hedonistic wine, often exuberant, sometimes even exotic. And unlike Pétrus, Le Pin is much rarer (500 cases per year).
J-M Quarin : 98/100 “The enigmatic, marvellous smoothness of Le Pin is evident in this 2025. Its delicate texture, hedonism, lack of tannins and airy character make it incredibly easy to drink.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 97-98/100 “Ripe blueberries, dark chocolate and Kampot pepper herald a sensual richness that coats the palate. The minty finish adds freshness and depth to this heady, magnificent wine.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 96-97/100 “A fine wine from Le Pin, displaying a sense of great maturity perfectly balanced by a rich, particularly rounded tannic structure, whilst retaining the vintage’s characteristic freshness. The wine captivates with its harmony, smoothness and savoury finish.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Le Pin is a wild, exotic beauty. Deeply layered spice overtones and a kiss of French oak lead into a core of vibrant dark-fleshed fruit. In this tasting, Le Pin comes across as a bit heavy and monolithic, largely because of yields that were just 20 hectoliters per hectare"
Vinous (N. Martin) : 94-96/100 "The 2025 Le Pin takes time to unfold on the nose, with red berry fruit, black truffle and veins of graphite. The oak is very discretely used here. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins, fine depth, though this is more a linear, vertical Le Pin rather than the more flamboyant 2022. A tingle of white and black pepper, a dab of licorice towards the finish that lingers temptingly. I suspect this will demand three to five years to really show its mettle."
Dazzling success since 2015 of this great terroir just below Ausone: aromatic precision, superlative but harmonious depth, a big congratulations to Mr. Mallet (owner) and Mr. Derenoncourt (consultant). Since 2010, La Gaffelière is undoubtedly flying from success to success!
"We are here at the heart of what is most sensual and singular in Saint-Emilion", according to the Revue du Vin de France.
J-M Quarin : 98/100 “Full-bodied on the attack, rich and complex on the palate, with plenty of flavour and a refined texture, the wine develops slowly with a velvety mouthfeel. It finishes with increasing depth, noble, profound and flavourful, with a long, lingering finish of violets. A sumptuous success.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 97-99/100 "The 2025 La Gaffelière soars out of the glass with magnificent intensity. Strong Cabernet Franc overtones and bright saline notes from the clay-limestone plateau are finely sketched with tremendous precision. The 2025 bristles with tension from start to finish. It's a phenomenal wine by any measure."
Bettane+Desseauve : 97/100 “Blackberry, graphite and aromatic herbs combine to create a complex bouquet. Velvety, well-structured and with a salty finish, the palate combines depth with a mineral edge.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 La Gaffelière [...] continues a strong run of form for this rejuvenated Saint-Émilion, with quite ebullient raspberry and wild strawberry scents, a dash of black pepper and brown spices, the Cabernet Franc shaping the aromatics and giving it a Pomerol-like personality. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, impressive weight, quite peppery and tensile; this maintains density and grip through to the long finish. This is a great wine that has great personality and charm."
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-96/100 “The success of the limestone terroirs of the Saint-Émilion plateau in 2025 is confirmed by this resplendent Gaffelière. The nose is composed, precise and well-integrated, with velvety tannins, and the wine is dynamic overall. One of the best buys of this vintage.”
Le Point : 18/20 Coup de ♥ “Delicate nose, black fruits, liquorice, very elegant, deep, refined tannins, plenty of freshness, well-balanced, lingering. ”
Immediate neighbour of Pavia, Larcis-Ducasse was logically promoted to 1st Grand Cru Classé in 2012 due to its full south-facing hillside exposure and the brilliant work of the Thienpont-Derenoncourt tandem.
Terre de Vins : 98-99/100 Coup de ♥ "“Light and freshness” is how the team describes the 2025 vintage, and one can hardly disagree. A burst of fruitiness bursts from the glass, releasing a fragrance that is both floral and heady. On the palate, it unfolds with a silky texture, a juicy delicacy. The texture, both airy and grounded, is a model of its kind, given a twist by a finish that is both salty and blood-orange, adding an extra touch of character. Yet another great success for this estate.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 97/100 “The concentration of the grapes and the terroir provide a perfect expression of the tannins and aromas. The Cabernet Franc enhances a peppery, floral and very promising finish.”
J-M Quarin : 97/100 “Deep black colour with purple highlights. Intense, fruity nose. Hints of fresh black fruit. Complex when swirled in the glass. Meticulous on the palate at first, flavourful in the mid-palate, with a delicate richness coating the palate; the wine develops into a full-bodied, juicy, noble wine, leading to a long, complex finish with deep aromas. It’s superb! I haven’t tasted it like this since the 2016 vintage.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 95-97/100 « It clearly stands out for the quality of its sparkling fruit, complemented by delicate floral notes and a subtle hint of limestone. The tannins are very well-defined, enveloped in a velvety texture that brings out a minerality which gives the wine a long finish. The full-bodied structure envelops the whole beautifully. ”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 95-97/100 “The 2025 Larcis Ducasse is another exceptional wine from one of the most under-the-radar estates in Saint-Émilion. Dark red-fleshed fruits, rose petal, lavender, mocha, licorice, sage and graphite are all seamless in the glass. The 2025 marries power with finesse to a degree that is exceptionally rare. Lively acids and lifted floral overtones brighten the long, resonant finish."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 95-97/100 “The 2025 Larcis Ducasse has a gorgeous bouquet already, with pure blackberry and cassis fruit, seamlessly integrated new oak, retaining focus and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, with very fine lace-like tannins, perfectly judged acidity, bright acids towards the finish upholding tension and a silky texture that is totally disarming. Outstanding."
Beau-Séjour Bécot is now in the hands of the third generation, represented by Juliette Bécot and her husband Julien Barthe. These dynamic forty-somethings have no shortage of inspiration when it comes to producing “modern” wines, adapted to climatic challenges and consumer expectations: replanting in a north/south direction to avoid overheating the grapes, the choice of a new consultant oenologist (Thomas Duclot) who favors wines that are not overly demonstrative, early harvesting and measured extractions to preserve the freshness of the fruit, less new wood (55%) and the use of tuns and jars (20%) to lighten the tannic structure...
Since the construction of the new winery in 2023, the wines have excelled thanks to their elegant, uncluttered structure, their gourmet, fruity and floral aromas, and their dynamic, sapid finishes. For the Revue du Vin de France, as for us, “this is the archetypal Bordeaux that can be enjoyed now, but also put away in the cellar”.
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 98-100/100 "The 2025 Beau-Séjour Bécot has all the requisites to take its place alongside the 2022 and the other extraordinary wines of 2025. Aromatic and layered, with striking presence, the 2025 is majestic. Deep, dark red fruit, pomegranate, mint, chalk, white pepper, rose petal and lavender soar from the glass. Bright saline notes drive through the mid-palate and into a finish marked by intense fruit and vibrant minerality. The purity here is just off the charts. There are good wines, exceptional wines, and then emotional wines. Beau-Séjour Bécot falls into the third category. Unforgettable."
J-M Quarin : 97/100 “Hints of strawberry. Delicate on the palate at first, very, very aromatic in the mid-palate, with a rich texture; the wine develops into a complex, deep, noble, precise and very flavourful wine. A lovely, rounded finish.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 96/100 “The wine’s vitality gives it a silky, floral character and an almost Burgundian charm. Its freshness bursts forth in a chalky finish that is very true to the terroir. A real favourite.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 94-96/100 "Mineral-rich black and red fruit, clearly limestone-driven, touches of graphite and briny scents emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid red fruit, mainly raspberry with some white-tipped strawberry. Like others, the limestone really comes through in this wine that could almost be described as "rocky". Linear and correct on the finish, again, it will gain more flesh during its barrel maturation and it will become an extremely fine and classy Saint-Émilion."
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-95/100 “20% Cabernet Franc. The nose is characterised by small berries and delicate floral notes. The palate is refined, reflecting the rocky terroir with prominent chalky tannins that do not dry out, and a fresh raspberry acidity. Good length.”
A small estate located near Troplong-Mondot and Valandraud, acquired in 2009 by Jacques Thienpont (already owner of Ch. Le Pin). A wine that is as exceptional as it is confidential (6 hectares)!
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 97-99/100 "The 2025 L'If is a total stunner. It's like no other vintage I have tasted thus far, perhaps because of the high percentage (25%) of Cabernet Franc. Chalk, mint, white pepper, blood orange and jasmine are some of the many notes that gradually open in the glass. A saline edge shapes the brisk mid-palate and brilliant, chiseled finish. Magnificent. The best L'If to date."
J-M Quarin : 97/100 “Delicate on the palate at first, very, very aromatic in the mid-palate, with a rich texture; the wine melts on the palate, juicy and flavourful, with just a hint of oak. Excellent length.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 95-96/100 “Dark and red fruits create a deep bouquet. Dense yet light on the palate, it finishes with a velvety, lingering aftertaste of refined elegance.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 “Typical of the La Mondotte appellation, L’If is more mineral than fruity. It has a refined texture and restrained power, with a tangy freshness and fine, well-integrated tannins, prolonged by a chalky intensity, with very subtle aromas and hints of orchard fruit and blackcurrants.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 92-94/100 "The 2025 L'If is a mélange of red and blueberry fruit on the nose, hints of iris flower and just a hint of blood orange. Fine definition, quite understated in style. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy tannins on the entry, citrus-fresh and the limestone element shapes the profile on the finish. Bright acids, very tensile. It will be fascinating to revisit this L'If after bottling."
Purchased in 1996 by the Chanel group (also in Rauzan-Ségla), Canon required a complete restoration, both of the vines and the cellar/vat room tool. Since 2008, Canon has fully justified its status as a 1er grand cru classé, with brilliant, distinguished wines that draw their energy from the Cabernets francs at the top of the limestone plateau.
J-M Quarin: 100/100 “Deep black colour. An intense, refined, fruity and, above all, profound nose—the same depth found in Latour or Cheval Blanc. Hints of fresh black fruit. A base note of blackberries. The wine becomes more floral, more refined and even more beautiful when the glass is swirled. Full-bodied on the attack, bursting with fruit on the mid-palate, with a classy texture, and suddenly, a change of pace in the development; the wine gains body and offers extraordinary depth of flavour, whilst remaining measured and smooth. Immense, complex length, brilliant and bursting with fruit. It’s magical. ”
Terre de Vins : 99-100/100 Coup de ♥ "Is 2025 the perfect vintage for Canon to fully express its identity? It’s hard to say, given how consistently impressive the estate is year after year, but there’s no denying that here, it ticks all the boxes for ‘Canon’s DNA’: that silky density, that airy, powdery bouquet, that mineral verticality, that precision in both the aromatic brilliance and the chalky texture – these are all hallmarks that signify the greatness of this wine. Everything is in balance, and there is subtlety too in the definition of its many facets; once again, it stands at the top of the podium, floral, luminous, Apollonian.”
Bettane+Desseauve : 97/100 “The tannins, which are bright from the first sip right through to the finish, burst forth on the palate with rare subtlety. The finish seems to go on forever: this wine will rank among the finest of the vintage.”
La Revue du Vin de France : 96-98/100 “A wine destined to become a legend at the estate. The nose is exquisitely refined, with hints of sweet spices. The balance on the palate is remarkable, both for its ability to convey the site’s distinctive limestone character with intensity, and for the quality of its fruity texture, enhanced by the remarkable tannins provided by the 24% Cabernet Franc. The finish is of the highest calibre, both in its persistence and its complexity.”
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 98-100/100 "The 2025 Canon is a total stunner. Deep and sumptuous in the glass, it offers tons of the vintage's textural intensity along with all the vibrant, saline energy that is such a signature here. Dark-fleshed fruit, mocha, new leather, herbs and dried flowers build gradually in the glass, leading to a huge, dramatic finish laced with hints of blood orange, pomegranate and chalk. The interplay of finesse and power is dazzling."
Vinous (N. Martin): 96-98/100 "The 2025 Canon was picked between August 28 and September 18 at 40 hl/ha. This is very pure and refined on the nose, with wonderful delineation, not as flattering as, say, the 2015 or 2019 at this stage, yet very focused and mineral-driven. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, quite sapid, with a pinch of cracked black pepper. Like its "sister", Berliquet, the limestone terroir comes through and seems to "tingle" on the finish. Maybe not a crowd-pleaser, but I like its uncompromising nature that reflects its place of birth"
Troplong-Mondot and its formidable terroir dominate Saint-Émilion both literally (the commune's water tower adjoins the winery) and figuratively. Led by Aymeric de Gironde (formerly of Pichon-Baron and Cos d'Estournel) and benefiting from generous investment from reinsurer SCOR since 2016, Troplong-Mondot shines brightly, producing wines that are consistently fresh, flavourful and refined despite their high concentration.
Vinous (A. Galloni) : 97-99/100 "The 2025 Troplong Mondot is one of the most finessed wines I have ever tasted here. Dark, ample and explosive, with mind-blowing purity, the 2025 simply has it all. Hints of dried herbs, chocolate, menthol, licorice and blackberry infuse the wine with remarkable concentration and pure power. Even with all its natural richness, the 2025 is not at all heavy. A totally stunning Saint-Émilion, Troplong Mondot is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage."
Bettane+Desseauve : 97/100 “Blackcurrant, cedar and smoky notes open up an intense bouquet. The concentrated palate unfolds gracefully, with a perfectly balanced richness. A great success in this vintage.”
Vinous (N. Martin) : 96-98/100 "The 2025 Troplong Mondot is has a very intense bouquet with black cherries, cassis and iris flower scents, and a hint of inkwell. Very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins, plenty of tension and minéralité. Vivacious and yet linear and correct, it delivers plenty of fruit but in a very controlled fashion. You can feel the tongue tingling on the finish. Classy and sophisticated, this will rank as one of the finest Troplong Mondots to date."
La Revue du Vin de France : 94-96/100 “It plunges into the local clay soils, with an intense mineral character, all delivered with aromatic precision and well-defined tannins. The texture is full-bodied and airy, with a crisp sensation, prolonged by an intense chalky salinity and hints of dried herbs.”