2025 Futures

See the technical sheet

Bettane+Desseauve : 95-96/100 “Rock powder, incense, fine honey, green pepper and rhubarb combine to create a sensual and refined bouquet. Citrus, white fruits and gooseberries carry this stimulating tension through to a taut and elegant finish.”

J-M Quarin : 95/100 “Delicate on the palate at first, very, very aromatic in the mid-palate, the wine develops into a smooth, elegant finish with a long, delicious aftertaste.”

Vinous (N. Martin) : 93-95/100 "The 2025 Valandraud Blanc was picked between September 4 and 9, with a little more Sauvignon Gris and Semillon this year, and also more aged in terracotta amphorae (30%). This has a complex nose that is engaging, scents of white flowers, yellow plum, almond and light mango. The palate is well balanced, with a keen line of acidity, lightly spiced with a dab of stem ginger, quite linear towards the finish and a twist of lemon rind on the aftertaste, intermixed with lemon thyme. Very fine."

Vinous (A. Galloni) : 93-95/100 « The 2025 Valandraud Blanc is a rare Sauvignon Gris-driven white. Lemon peel, sage, tomato leaf, crushed rocks and slate are all dialed up. The Blanc offers a compelling mix of textural richness and varietal character. Stylistically, it has more tension and energy than the Virginie Blanc."

See the technical sheet

Label. To celebrate the 100th vintage produced by the Lurton family, Brane-Cantenac 2025 features a special label.

J-M Quarin : 99/100 “Hints of blackcurrant never before seen at this age, intertwined with dark fruits. Extremely refined on the palate, with a wonderfully graceful texture and a velvety body, the wine rolls across the palate, revealing meticulous, complex and profound layers. It finishes long and, once again, is simply irresistible. It’s magnificent.”

Vinous (A. Galloni) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Brane-Cantenac is incredibly polished right out of the gate. Floral overtones lead into a core of blue/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, tobacco, lavender and a kiss of French oak. Silky tannins lend shape and finesse. The aromatics alone are so compelling, but everything about the 2025 speaks to balance. It’s a magnificent effort from proprietor Henri Lurton and his team. One of the highlights of the vintage."

Vinous (N.Martin) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Brane-Cantenac was picked from September 2 to 29, finishing with that 1% of late-ripening Carménère, cropped at 32.2 hl/ha. It has impressive purity on the nose, an aspect of the Grand Vin that Henri Lurton and his team have improved immensely over the last decade. Black cherries, bilberry, violet and crushed stone unfold in the glass, classical in style, which is Brane-Cantenac's signature. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, finely sculpted tannins allied with disarming sapidity and brightness. Not powerful like the 2022, yet pixelated with a mineral, tensile, complex finish. Another feather in the cap for Lurton and, moreover, this is often one of the best values on release."

La Revue du Vin de France : 95-97/100 “Yet another display of refinement from Brane-Cantenac, which has produced a wine of great elegance, underpinned by a texture of extreme finesse. The Cabernets, taut and floral, form a juicy and precise structure. The finish, savoury, tangy and full of energy, brilliantly rounds off a wine of great distinction. ”

Bettane+Desseauve : 95/100 “A harmonious Brane of great finesse, with already well-integrated tannins and a clear sense of balance. Another success, true to the estate’s standard of excellence.”

See the data sheet

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!"

See the technical sheet

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!”

See the technical data

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."

See the technical sheet

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."

See the data sheet

Bettane+Desseauve : 96/100 “Ripe fruit, violet, graphite and a hint of pepper combine to create a complex bouquet. Velvety and well-balanced on the palate, it is underpinned by fine tannins and a classy finish.”

La Revue du Vin de France : 94-96/100 “This vintage impresses with the quality of its tannins, offering a high level of refinement. The velvety texture, enhanced by the 45% Cabernet Franc and 15% Sauvignon Blanc, is silky and gives way to a rich minerality, which blends harmoniously and smoothly.” 

Vinous (A. Galloni) : 94-96/100 "The 2025 Canon La Gaffelière is bright and beautifully focused right out of the gate. Orange peel, sage, mint, pipe tobacco, dried flowers and mocha soar out of the glass. Floral aromatics and brisk saline notes are the signatures in a tightly wound Canon La Gaffelière that is going to need a number of years to be at its most expressive. I especially admire the energy here."

Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2025 Canon La Gaffelière includes only 40% Merlot this year, the remainder, 45% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between September 16 and 19. Matured in 30% new oak barrels, this has a tightly wound nose with blackberry, briar and chalky scents, the Cabernet Franc imparting light graphite scents. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins on the entry. licorice-tinged black fruit, again, a little chalky in texture, but there is more suppleness compared to the Clos de l'Oratoire on the finish. Promising."

See the technical sheet

Bettane+Desseauve : 99/100 "With its unique blend, this Ausone marks a turning point. Peony, wild strawberry, Kampot pepper and mineral notes combine to create a fine wine that is delicate, chalky and silky, and built to age for many years."

J-M Quarin : 98/100 “Delicate on the palate from the very first sip, with a subtle richness that coats the palate, the wine is smooth, juicy, meticulous and sophisticated. After the mid-palate, it rises to a finish with a touch of positive austerity. Excellent length.”

La Revue du Vin de France : 96-98/100 "Ausone makes the most of its limestone terroir, delivering a depth and a level of finesse that are rare. With 65% Cabernet Franc, the tannins are perfectly delicate, with a remarkable length reminiscent of elderflower. As the 2025 vintage has yielded a single label, the second wine, Chapelle d’Ausone, will not be produced this year.”

Vinous (N. Martin) : 96-98/100 "The 2025 Ausone represents the entirety of the vineyard this year after trial blends convinced the Vauthiers not to make a Chapelle d’Ausone. There is also 5% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend for the first time. Almost immediately, I noticed how that soupçon of Cabernet Sauvignon tilts the style of the Grand Vin in a different and, to my mind, positive direction. Beautifully defined, a little more sapid, perhaps just a tad less precocious than usual, there is a sense of classicism in this Ausone that I admire, terroir over growing season perhaps? The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, real depth, silky smooth, with layers of blackberry and raspberry fruit and hints of white pepper and clove. Very long, with a peacock's tail on the finish, this is a fascinating and alluring Ausone that will age with style."

Vinous (A. Galloni) : 95-97/100 "The 2025 Ausone is powerful, dense and packed to the core. Readers will have to be patient with the 2025, as it is quite reticent. Time in the glass brings out hints of blood orange, rose petal, mint and raspberry jam. It will be fascinating to see how the 2025 ages."