2024 Futures
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Family property of the Dubourdieu family. Always very bouquety and expressive, round with buttered notes, perfect to accompany a cheese platter.
Bettane & Desseauve : 93-94/100 « Robe pâle, nez miellé aux accents de noisette, d’acacia et de fleurs, avec une touche minérale ; bouche pleine, fruitée, onctueuse et énergique, finale longue où des notes boisées apportent de la complexité. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Blanc sec is a very serious dry white. Acacia flowers, lemon peel mint, white pepper and chamomile are some of the notes that grace this exquisite, brisk white that impresses from start to finish. Readers will not want to miss this captivating 2024. The price ? Ridiculously low."
Vinous (N. Martin) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 Doisy-Daëne Grand Vin Sec has a pretty nose, with finely delineated apple blossom, dewy meadow and light white peachy scents emerging with time. The palated is well balanced, with a bright entry that mixes orange rind, nectarine and sour lemon notes, leading to a cohesive and persistent finish. It is very fine and revitalizing."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Grape varieties:
- 100 % Sauvignon blanc
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Built on freshness and tension, and only slightly less vigorous than the Grand Vin, L'Esprit de Chevalier stands out from other second wines in the appellation thanks to its remarkable aromatic richness (green mango, citrus fruits, white peach, etc.). The production of a third wine undoubtedly plays a part in this.
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc has lilting peach skin and Japanese yuzu scents of good intensity and delineation. The palate is well balanced with just a dab of orange rind on the entry. Waxy-textured with zippy acidity, it is a little linear on the finish but this should gain depth during its élevage."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 88-90/100 "The 2024 L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc is a tasty second wine. Pliant and supple, with lovely forward fruit, L'Esprit has a lot to offer. Bright floral top notes extend the fine, saline finish. This is all class."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2023
- Grape varieties:
- Sauvignon blanc 70 %, Sémillon 30%
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Since the 2023 vintage, Doisy-Daëne has been making a confidential cuvée (1,200 bottles) from its oldest Semillon vines, planted on the limestone plateau of Barsac. Entirely vinified in barrels, this 100% Semillon on limestone is an intense, straightforward wine, with intense aromas of vine peach and a lovely sapid freshness on the finish.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 94-96/100 "The 2024 Blanc sec Sémillon syr Calcaire is another mind-blowing dry white from Doisy-Daëne. Rich, creamy and ample, with all the freshness and brilliance conferred by the limestone soils of Barsac, the Sémillon sur Calcaire is positively stellar. Orchard fruit, apricot, white flowers, salt and white truffle build into the resonant, palate-staining finish. This is world-class all the way. Stated simply, Doisy-Daëne's Sémillon sur Calcaire is a new reference point for dry white in Bordeaux."
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « Bouche légèrement perlante mais qui exprime un registre florale marqué, avec des notes de terpènes à la manière d’un riesling, jolie acidité et fruité agréable. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Deuxième millésime de ce pur sémillon de Barsac, contrepoint du sec de sauvignon produit ici depuis 1948. Le boisé est prégnant à ce stade (barrique d’un vin) mais ne masque pas le relief et l’allonge de la matière, d’une densité supérieure, ferme de bout en bout, tendue vers son objectif final, autoritairement borné par une sensation de tranchant crayeux. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Sémillon Sur Calcaire has a more complex and, as you might expect, limestone-influenced bouquet compared to the Doisy-Daëne Grand Vin Sec, with touches of grass clippings and light patisserie aromas on the nose. The palate is well balanced with a brisk opening. It has fine depth with a slightly oily texture, although this needs a little more complexity to come through on the finish. I am intrigued to see how it will show once in bottle."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Grape varieties:
- 100 % Sémillon
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Very pale, crystalline colour, aromatic notes of lemon and grapefruit, lively and delicate on the palate, Carbonnieux is by its refined style the most Medoc style of Pessac-Léognan whites.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Nez délicat et épanoui, légèrement fumé, sur des agrumes et une belle typicité du sauvignon. Bouche en contraste, vigoureuse avec une longue finale vive. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Carbonnieux Blanc is redolent of lemon peel, chalk, slate, mint and white pepper. This brisk, refreshing dry white bristles with tension and saline-infused energy. It will drink beautifully over the next handful of years, maybe more."
La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Bien constitué, tonique, porté par une vivacité franche, ce classique offre un fruit encore assez variétal, veiné de bois frais, relevé de notes de fleur d’acacia et de pointe d’ortie. Tout semble en place. »
J-M Quarin : 88/100 « Couleur pâle. Nez intense et sauvignonné. Bouche caressante, au fruité frais, un brin coulante, mais parfumée dans la persistance. Le boire jeune. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 12.5%
- Grape varieties:
- 67% Sauvignin blanc, 33% Sémillon
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Based on Sauvignon (with a hint of Semillon), Caillou Blanc has been presented for 50 years as the archetype of Médoc dry white wine: pale colour, between delicate freshness and aromatic distinction (lemon, bitter orange, honeysuckle), never too full or demonstrative. A model of elegance, never too lavish or ostentatious, and always reasonably priced.
Vinous (N. Martin): 89/100 "The 2024 Caillou Blanc Talbot was matured in 30% new oak and contains more Sauvignon Blanc this year (83%)due to a new parcel. It has a fresh nore with red apple, tangerine and light chamomile scents that unfold in the glass. The palate is well balanced with an attractive, slightly waxy texture and a fine bead of acidity, with a dash of lemongrass emerging on the finish. This should constitue fine early drinking."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- 83 % Sauvignon Blanc, 17 % Sémillon
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Alongside its famous Sauternes, Suduiraut has been producing a dry white wine for fine dining for 20 years, made from half Sémillon and half Sauvignon (average age of vines 45 years for both grape varieties), aged for 9 months in barrels (12% new). Renamed Suduiraut Vieilles Vignes from 2020 onwards, this cuvée achieves a near-perfect balance between refined fruit (fresh citrus), marked acidity and subtle bitterness on the finish.
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur pâle. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité et subtil. Bouche grasse à souhait, avec de l'éclat dans la saveur et un corps fondant. Ensemble délicieux et bien difficile à cracher. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 93-95/100 "The 2024 Suduiraut Vieilles vignes Blanc Sec emerges from 45-year- old vines. Rich, textured and wonderfully deep, the Vieilles Vignes is seriously impressive. The 2024 is not quite as effusiveas some earlier vintages, but that is probably a good thing for the long term. Readers will find a potent, deep white loaded, with personality. Pear, marzipan, white flowers, mint and chamomile build into the deep, resonant finish. Floral notes and brisk acids resonate on the close."
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « Joli blanc, vif, agréablement fruité, intense, sans excès de tension avec des notes salines. On aime son caractère équilibré qui traduit les prédispositions de ce millésime pour les blancs. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Suduiraut Vieilles Vignes Blanc Sec has a fresh nose with green apple, white peach and subtle chamomile scents that deliver great vigor and delineation. The palate is fresh and crisp on the entry with a keen line of acidity. Surprisingly strict and tensile, it has ample weight with a twist of lime and nettle on the finish. Very good potential."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- Sémillon 56%, Sauvignon blanc 44%
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Like many wines from the Sauternes region, Climens has been producing a confidential 100% Semillon cuvée since 2022. Pressed without destemming, fermented with natural yeasts, and aged for eight months in glass globes, Lilium captures and blends the mineral tension of Climens' limestone terroir with the richness of Semillon, resulting in a perfectly pure (aged in glass) and fresh aromatic expression. A great dry white wine from southern Gironde is born!
Vinous (N. Martin) : 90-92/100 "The 2024 Lilium, which is a selection of juice at the press that is aged in WineGlobes for eight months, has a light but pleasant and finely delineated bouquet with apple blossom, granite and hints of white asparagus. The palate is well balanced fresh and lively, with a brisk opening that gains a little more viscosity towards the finish, where one finds light wild peach notes. This is thoroughly enjoyable."
La Revue du Vin de France : 94/100 "From a sweet wine paragon, Climens has become a pioneer of dry Sauternes whites. At the top of its range, Lilium, aged for nine months in glass globes, arrived in 2022. The wine expresses itself with superior intensity, but with the same graceful clarity as the other cuvées, Asphodèle and Petite Lily, which, like Lilium, are made exclusively from Sémillon grapes. Subtle, its aromatic base of honey and pollen spreads into a delicious lingering finish, promising an original aromatic evolution."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2022
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- 100% sémillon
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Sophisticated white wine from Pape-Clement, with a balance of tone and concentration that is always perfectly defined. Its 2020, precise, intense, discreetly woody and less smoky than usual, will be among the greatest Bordeaux whites of the decade.
Bettane & Desseauve : 95/100 « Nez net et intense, avec un grand fruit et un fumé racé, accompagné de notes de chèvrefeuille et de violette. Bouche dense, franche et ample, offrant une vraie consistance, beaucoup d’arômes et une longue finale vive et minérale. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 94-96/100 "The 2024 Pape Clément Blanc is stellar, rich and deep, the 2024 stands out because of its textural density and almost phenolic feel. The 2024 is being raised in 50% oak (one-third new), 40% foudre and 10% a mix of ceramic, cement and stainless steel. Citrus confit, dried herbs, white pepper and chalk build as this imposing, structured white shows off its distinctive personality."
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur jaune clair, aux reflets verts. Nez intense, fin, fruité et subtil. Touche complexe de framboise et de fruits blancs. Moelleux en entrée de bouche, parfumé au milieu, avec de la grâce dans le toucher, le vin fond au palais, juteux, savoureux et long. Retour des nuances aromatiques décrites au nez. C'est très bon. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Grape varieties:
- 43% Sémillon, 50% Sauv. Blanc, 7% Sauv. Gris
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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.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 95-97/100 "The 2024 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is complex, dynamic and an absolut delight. Everything about the 2024 speaks to class. Brisk acids drive through a core of citrus fruit, almond, mint, chamomile and white pepper. More than anything else, I admire the wine's tension and energy. Clean saline notes extend the dry, bracing finish."
Bettane & Desseauve : 95-96/100 « Nez racé et complexe, avec un fruit pur, une grande minéralité, des notes florales et mentholées. Bouche voluptueuse, pleine de réserve, alliant pureté, allonge, tension, vivacité et une touche d’amertume en finale. »
J-M Quarin : 95/100 « Couleur pâle. Très beau nez, très aromatique, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Touche de citron très rare dans ce cru. Évolution très parfumée dans le verre. Bouche aérienne à souhait, au toucher gracieux, au corps minutieux et fondant. C'est magique et incrachable. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 94-96/100 "The 2024 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc needed a bit of aeration in the glass, eventually revealing scents of Anjou pear, gooseberry, white flowers and light flinty aromas. The palate is well balanced with lilting nectarine, pear and stem ginger notes. Fine weight and depth, with a judicious touch of spice towards the finish. The sapidity and linearity of this impressive Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc mean it should repay cellaring."
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 « L’expression aromatique de cet assemblage, classique pour la propriété (90 % sauvignon blanc, 5 % sauvignon gris et 5 % sémillon), est distinguée – un discours détaillé sans être roboratif. Le déroulé de la matière, cristalline, retient plus encore l’attention, avec une très belle allonge, ponctuée par une impression à la fois de grain tannique et de grain de sel. L’acidité du millésime est incorporée au propos du vin, elle participe à sa construction sans s’imposer au premier plan. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2019
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- 90% Sauvignon blanc, 5% Sauvignon gris, 5% Sémillon
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Ultra-confidential white wine from Cos d'Estournel, with a predominance of Sauvignon Blanc (75%) on a terroir located at the northern tip of the Médoc. The proximity of the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean gives the wine its freshness, its mineral notes and its marine accents.
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur jaune, aux reflets verts. Nez très aromatique, fin, subtil et pour la première fois citronné. Il évolue superbe à l'agitation du verre. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, parfumé au milieu, avec un corps fondant, le vin caresse le palais et s'achève long sur une touche citronnée, savoureuse et originale dans ce cru. C'est très bon. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 93-95/100 "The 2024 Cos d'Estournel Blanc is one of the best editions of this wine I can remember tasting. Rich and ample, the 2024 possesses notable textural richness but also a good bit of moderating vibrancy. The balance here is simply superb. Lemon confit, almond, white flowers and chalk build into the layered, resonant finish."
Vinous (N. Martin): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Cos d'Estournel Blanc has more delineation and tension than the Pagodes on the nose. It's more citrus-driven with touches of yuzu and lime. The palate is fresh and bright on the entry, with a keen line of acidity and an intense lemon peel- and orange zest-tinged finish. This is a very fine Cos d'Estournel Blanc that will be difficult to resist in its youth."
Bettane & Desseauve : 91/100 « Énergie et finesse, c’est l’un des blancs secs dont nous préférons le style dans le bouillonnement actuel du retour de cette couleur en Médoc. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 12%
- Grape varieties:
- 60 % sauvignon blanc, 40 % sémillon
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The dry white wine of Mouton-Rothschild, very confidential (1000 cases produced per year).
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur pâle, aux reflets jaunes. Nez intense, au fruité légèrement compoté, mâtiné de menthol et de sauvignon. Juteux et large dès l'entrée en bouche, puis savoureux au milieu, le vin fond délicat, délicieux, parfumé, uni et néanmoins nerveux. C'est incrachable. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Aile d'Argent is very fine. Silky, aromatic and brisk, the 2024 is impecably done. White pepper, chalk, slate, mint, lemon peel and marzipan are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass. Attractive tropical overtones from the Sauvignon Gris add lift. There's a bit more lees-stirring than in most years, and also a bit of malolactic fermentation, both of wiwh work so well within the wine's framework."
Vinous (N. Martin): 89-91/100 "A little more strict than other Left Bank whites, the 2024 Aile d'Argent has a bright nose with lime flower? Conference pear and light peach skin scents. The palate is well-balanced with a citrus-infused entry, a keen line of acidity and dab of ginger on the finish."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- 84 % cabernet sauvignon, 10 % merlot, 6 % petit verdot
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Straddling Barsac and Sauternes (several of their plots are adjacent to Yquem, Climens or Lafaurie-Peyraguey), Haut-Bergeron enjoys a quality terroir superbly exploited by the Lamothe family for 9 generations (!). It is the artisanal cru and the sure value of Sauternes, of which each vintage wins its share of awards in competitions and guides.
J-M Quarin : 90/100 « Couleur dorée. Nez intense, pur, fruité et vanillé. Ample à l'attaque, riche en milieu de bouche, le vin fond sur le palais, puissant et aérien à la fois. Il s'achève long, très bon, sur des nuances d'agrumes. Difficile à cracher !
Vinous (N. Martin): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Haut-Bergeron has an understated bouquet with acacia honey, peach skin and light beeswax aromas. The palate is smooth and harmonious. This is not a concentrated Sauternes, but it retains admirable balance with an easy-drinking, slightly Germanic finish. Fine, though I have encountered better vintages in the past."
La Revue du Vin de France : 88-92/100 « Riche, glycérolée, la matière est probante. Elle demeure ramassée en bouche, encore très juvénile, avec une timidité aromatique qui, à ce stade, fait ressortir la liqueur. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Grape varieties:
- 80 % Sémillon, 20 % Sauvignon Blanc
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Doisy-Daëne is located at the top of Barsac, between Climens and Coutet. Brilliantly orchestrated by Denis Dubourdieu (nicknamed the ‘pope of Bordeaux whites’) until 2016, his two sons Fabrice and Jean-Jacques are now continuing his work.
Doisy-Daëne is never the sweetest wine in its sector, but it always possesses unrivalled expression and aromatic refinement. Its purity and elegance make it all the more sought-after, especially as its prices remain reasonable.
Vinous (N. Martin): 94-96/100 "The 2024 Doisy-Daëne is a little more backward on the nose than expected, with finely delineated peach skin, beeswax and wild honey scents emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with a very peachy opening, then apricot and quince join the chorus line. As usual, the acidic thread keeps this Barsac on its toes and there is real intensity and sustain on the finish that leaves you wanting more. Bravo."
Bettane & Desseauve : 94-95/100 « Nez sur les notes de pierre à feu ; bouche bien boisée, rôtie, autour de 140 g de sucres, avec une légère amertume et une finale fumée. Bon équilibre dans l’ensemble. »
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur pâle. Nez intense, fruité et botrytisé. Bouche aérienne à souhait, au corps fondant, avec un goût de citron vert dans la persistance. C'est long et très bon. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 « Une liqueur racée, intense, cohérente, d’une classe manifeste. La proximité du fruit signe l’identité du cru ; il suggère ici admirablement la poire fraîche, juteuse, sa chair fondante ou craquante. Le centenaire de l’acquisition de Doisy-Daëne par la famille Dubourdieu, en 1924, est ainsi dignement fêté ! »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-95/100 "The 2024 Doisy-Daëne is redolent of apricot, tangerine oil, baked apple tart, pineapple and spice. Bold and luscious in feel, Doisy-Daëne is quite overt in 2024. It offers ample body to match its abundant curves and sexy, flamboyant profile."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Grape varieties:
- 75% Sémillon - 25% sauvignon blanc
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Mrs Papon-Nouvel is known for her 2 wonderful Saint-Émilion wines: Clos Saint-Julien and Petit-Gravet Aîné. But it also owns Peyrou, a small vineyard (10 hectares) in the Côtes de Castillon region, which is organically farmed and produces a sapid, juicy wine with an obvious and exciting fruitiness (90% Merlot).
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2011
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A 4 ha plot selection from Château Rigaud, La Mauriane is not yet another luxurious cuvée on the right bank but a wine built on fine grain tannins where the brilliance and precision of the fruit prevail. A true gem in the right bank !
J-M Quarin : 92/100 « Couleur sombre, intense, aux reflets pourpres. Nez pour l'instant discret. Jolie entrée moelleuse, suivie d'un développement juteux et savoureux et d'une bonne présence générale. Bonne longueur à la tannicité discrète et enveloppée. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2012
- Grape varieties:
- 72 % merlot, 28 % cabernet franc
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In 2008, Denis Durantou acquired this Château for which he fell in love at first sight. A splendid 12 hectare clay-limestone vineyard on the first line of the Dordogne hillside, Montlandrie is in Castillon (which it directly overlooks) the equivalent of Ausone in Saint-Émilion.
As in his other properties (L'Église-Clinet, Les Cruzelles, La Chenade...), Denis Durantou used all his know-how and perfectionism to produce a fresh and floral wine, with a crisp and juicy fruitiness. Few Bordeaux wines are as deserving of the term "vibrant wine" as Montlandrie.J-M Quarin : 92/100 « Couleur noire. Nez intense, fin, fruité et subtil, se développant parfumé dans le verre. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, le vin avance juteux et fin vers une finale fraîche, mûre et séveuse. C'est très bon. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-94/100 "The 2024 Montlandrie is a potent, deep wine with strong Cabernet character. Dried herbs, licorice, menthol, lavender and blue/purplish Merlot fruit all race across the palate before Cabernet Sauvignon tannins come alive to frame the potent, explosive finish. Superb."
Bettane & Desseauve : 91/100 « Du muscle bien proportionné, un tannin franc et énergique avec de la fraîcheur qui équilibre tout en finale. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Montlandrie has a more low-key bouquet than the Les Cruzelles with tightly wound black plum and tertiary aromas. The palate is more expressive with smooth tannins and a keen line of acidity, though it is more linear on the finish than the aforementioned Lalande-de-Pomerol."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- 65 % merlot, 20 % cabernet sauvignon, 15 % cabernet franc
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Certified organic since 2015 and with a vineyard that is entirely biodynamic, Château de La Dauphine aims, beyond its 350 years of history, to set an example of modern winegrowing that is mindful of environmental issues. The wines, with more finesse than extraction, lack neither substance nor charm. "La Dauphine is clearly one of Fronsac's benchmarks," says Mr Galloni.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « Fruité floral épanoui, tannin distingué, beau volume soyeux, à la fois rigoureux dans sa construction et séduisant dans son aromatique et son équilibre en bouche. Encore une grande réussite. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-93/100 « Beau vin dont se dégage immédiatement une dimension calcaire. Une trame profonde soutenue par un élevage soigné moitié foudres, moitié barriques et amphores. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-93/100 "The 2024 La Dauphine is another impressive wine for the year. In 2024 La Dauphine emerges only from parcels on the limestone plateau, a decision that resulted in only the best 15% being bottled. Darkl cherry, plum, mocha, new leather, licorice and dried herbs all build in the glass, framed by mineral undertones that wrap it all up in style."
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 La Dauphine has a pretty bouquet with light violet scents and neatly integrated oak. The palate is well balanced with supple tannins and a dash of white pepper toward the finish. This is a successful 2024."
J-M Quarin : 89/100 « Couleur sombre et vive. Nez moyennement intense, au fruité mûr. Bouche pour l'instant marquée par le bois. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2015
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- 75 % Merlot, 25 % Cabernet Franc
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Started in 2003, the Clos Louie adventure is a textbook case: a dolly vineyard (2.3 ha) on a beautiful clay-limestone terroir of Castillon, careful biodynamic cultivation, double manual sorting during the harvest, low-intervention vinification, gentle maturation in 500-litre demi-muids.
Louison et Léopoldine is the other Clos Louie wine, a tribute to Cabernet Franc (80%) from 50-year-old vines. Clean, bright fruit and remarkable aromatic freshness: a real nugget!More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2012
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Under the leadership of M. Thunevin (Valandraud), La Vieille Cure presents a more greedy and less square profile than before and reveals itself as one of Fronsac's major properties.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 89-91/100 "The 2024 La Vieille Cure is a fruity, delicate wine. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, spice, new leather and cedar all build nicely. This mid-weigh, supple Côtes de Castillon is a winner."
Vinous (N. Martin): 89-91/100 "The 2024 La Vieille Cure has a touch of reduction on the nose, though it is armed with ample red berry fruit and scents of wilted rose petal and orang pith. It just needs a little coaxing. The palate is well balanced with fine tannins, a little grainy in texture but I appreciate its cohesion on the finish. This is one to look for."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- Merlot 80%, Cabernet Franc 17%, Cabernet Sauvignon 3%
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Mr. Durantou (owner of Église-Clinet who died in 2020) produced only 1500 cases per year of his remarkable Lalande de Pomerol Les Cruzelles. Incomparably superior to the neighbouring Pomerol of the same price.
Vinous (A. Galloni): 91-94/100 "The 2024 Les Cruzelles is laced with blue/purplish fruit, cloves, licorice, menthol, incense and gravel. Ample and broad, with terrific resonance, the 2024 is super-expressive right out of the gate. There's gorgeous resonance and fine balance here."
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur sombre, pourpre et intense. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité, subtil et même noble. Ultra minutieux en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, le vin fond sur le palais, juteux, délicat et délicieux. Il s'achève sur une nuance étonnante de fruits noirs. C'est très bon. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 Les Cruzelles was picked on September 20 and 22 with the Cabernet Franc picked on September 28, and matured in 57% new oak. This has more harmony and sensuality on the nose with a mixture of very pure black cherry and blueberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and very well balanced, with supple ripe tannins and real delineation and poise on the finish. This surpasses many Pomerols in this vintage and, given it potential price, comes highly recommended."
Bettane & Desseauve : 90-91/100 « Soyeux et fruité avec de la gourmandise dans le tannin croquant. Retour floral en finale, avec de l’énergie et de la fraîcheur. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Grape varieties:
- 85 % merlot, 15 % cabernet franc
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Mr Derenoncourt, Bordeaux's most sought-after consultant, is also a producer. Obviously, he (with his wife) applies in his vineyards the methods that have made his success: respect for the terroir and biotope, subtle vinification and maturation, wines of great aromatic precision.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92-93/100 « Il séduit par le soyeux de sa texture en toucher et une belle profondeur. La finale est étirée par un grain calcaire. Coup de cœur. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
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Started in 2003, the adventure of Clos Louie is a textbook case: doll's vineyard (2.3 ha) on a beautiful clay-limestone terroir of Castillon, very old vines (150 years old!) mostly Merlot and red tail malbec, careful biodynamic cultivation, double manual sorting during the harvest, little interventionist vinification, gentle maturing in 500-litre demi-muids. A true artist's wine, absent from the guides but that informed amateurs know well.
La Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 « Très belle approche florale, une aromatique aérienne, et surtout cette délicatesse de texture d’entrée de jeu. Un beau délié et un certain raffinement tannique. Une belle réussite. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 89-90/100 « Beaucoup de fruit et des touches florales qui commencent à apparaître pour ce premier millésime effectué en collaboration avec les équipes de Thomas Duclos. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 89-90/100 "The 2024 Clos Louie is a rich, burly Côtes de Castillon. A blast of dark fruit, espresso, licorice, spice and menthol races across the palate. This potent 2024 could turn out to be quite good if the tannins are polished with elevage."
Vinous (N. Martin): 86-88/100 "The 2024 Clos Louie has a light nose with dark plum and briar scents that have a pleasant edginess to them. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly dry tannins, but I appreciate the blackberry, cassis fruit and the composure on the finish. Fine."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2012
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L'Esprit de Chevalier follows the same path as a great wine: an increasingly fine structure, a remarkable qualitative evolution in recent vintages, and an ever-relevant quality-price ratio.
Vinous (N. Martin): 90-92/100 "The 2024 L'Esprit de Chevalier has a subtle, well-defined nose, with a mixture of black cherries, blueberries, and hints of cassis. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine grip and a very small attenuation toward the finish but I appreciate the lingering, black olive-tinged aftertaste."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2024
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- Cabernet Sauvignon 63 %, Merlot 30%, Petit Verdot 5 %, Cabernet Franc 2 %
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A family estate reawakened in 2011 by the arrival of son Paul Garcin, a former rock musician on the Bordeaux scene. An instant switch to organic and biodynamic viticulture, to produce intuitive, artist's wines that are immediately sapid and have a strong pleasure note. As a deliberate iconoclast, Paul Garcin makes a point of offering different facets to each Haut-Bergey vintage: a classic cuvée vinified and matured in the tradition of Bordeaux's great growths, the more contemporary Cuvée Paul, and single-vineyard cuvées highlighting their respective terroirs.
An approach hailed by the Revue du Vin de France: "A modern vision and the ability to reinvent oneself without betraying: Haut-Bergey symbolises the current vitality of Bordeaux's most historic vineyard".La Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « L’expression aromatique tranche par sa liberté, ses notes de cassis frais et de raisin mûr qu’on a l’impression de toucher du doigt. Matière leste, sans gras mais très franche et savoureuse. On sent un réel aboutissement du fruit dans ce propos qui reste du côté de la délicatesse, de la légèreté. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 90/100 « Arômes de fruits rouges mûrs et de vanille douce, la bouche est généreuse, avec des tannins francs. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2015
- Potential alcohol:
- 12%
- Grape varieties:
- 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, et 3% Petit Verdot.
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In both large and small years, Latour-Martillac produces each time a remarkably distinctive and balanced wine, the sure value of the appellation. The same regularity being displayed in its prices, Latour-Martillac has become a priority choice in Pessac-Léognan.
Promoted to two stars in the Revue du Vin de France's 2023 guide for the whole of his work, in red as in white!
Bettane & Desseauve : 93/100 « Nez raffiné, fruit délicat et pur, avec des notes florales et minérales. Bouche tendre et savoureuse, tannins fins, finale longue et fraîche. Beaucoup de caractère. »
La Revue du Vin de France : 92-94/100 « Si le premier contact est réservé, presque austère, l’échantillon livre peu à peu une personnalité distinguée et subtile. Sans se départir de sa réserve, il développe un beau registre aromatique empreint de classicisme, où pointent tabac, sous-bois, myrtille… La matière est élancée, svelte mais sans creux ; elle prolonge par sa saveur la perception olfactive et fait montre d’une remarquable tenue. L’ensemble est typé par le cabernet-sauvignon (59 % de l’assemblage), mais aussi par le petit verdot (13 %). »
Vinous (N. Martin): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Latour-Martillac has a light nose which offers black fruit, touches of gravel and sous-bois, though I would have liked a bit more brightness. The palate is medium-bodied with light and slightly grainy tannins that frame simple tobacco-tinged black fruit. This is nicely balanced but lacks some grip on the finish."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 88-90/100 "The 2024 Latour-Martillac is attractive, if a touch light in this vintage. Tobacco, dried herbs, mint, licorice and mocha give the 2024 lovely aromatic presence, but there is not as much substance on the mid-palate. Let's see if this fleshes out a bit more with élevage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot
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The second wine of Haut-Bailly, called La Parde de Haut-Bailly until 2018. In the same style as its big brother, all restraint and finesse, and increasingly charming thanks to an increased proportion of Merlot since 2010.
A second wine of “flawless consistency and unfailing elegance”, according to Bettane & Desseauve (Guide 2025).
J-M Quarin : 92/100 « Couleur rouge vif, d'intensité normale. Beau nez intense, au fruité mûr, frais et subtil. Touche de cerise. Délicat à l'entrée, très aromatique au milieu, avec un déroulé fondant et élégant, le vin s'achève long et parfumé. C'est superbe ! »
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Nez délicat sur des fruits rouges frais et des épices. Texture suave, tannins tendres, avec beaucoup d’arômes, de gourmandise et une belle fraîcheur. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 89-91/100 "The 2024 Haut-Bailly II is soft, open-knit and gracious. Silky tannins wrap around a core of macerated cherry, blood orange, spice and new leather. Medium in body and nicely layered, the Haut-Bailly II is all class. The 2024 is aromatic and deicate, with lovely inner perfume and fine balance."
La Revue du Vin de France : 89-91/100 « Clair, détendu, très souple, tout en légèreté, le second vin de Haut-Bailly affirme son style sans coup férir dans le millésime 2024, moins fondé sur le merlot (45 %) que le précédent. La matière est fluide mais parfumée, charmante, à la limite de l’évanescence et cependant de saveur assez persistante. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 88-90/100 "The 2024 Haut-Bailly II has a light bouquet that's well defined, with a mixture of red and black fruit and gravel scents percolating through with time. The 30% new oak is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh with grainy tannins, black pepper and tobacco notes. This is a little drier than anticipated, but it has fine balance."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
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Bought in 1988 and then renovated from top to bottom, Malartic-Lagravière is back to the fine, straight and distinguished style that made it successful in the 1950s and 1960s. Malartic-Lagravière continues its ascent has earned the 2018 vintage unanimous critical acclaim: 93/100 from the Revue du Vin de France and 94/100 from En Magnum « il faut plus que jamais compter avec Malartic parmi les incontournables de l'appellation ».
Bettane & Desseauve : 93-94/100 « Délicatesse des arômes, fruit bien défini, fleurs suaves, fumé, tout est harmonieux, la bouche est dans le même esprit, avec des tannins fondants, de l’allonge et une belle fraîcheur. Pointe de salinité en finale. »
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Beau rouge sombre, aux reflets vifs et pourpres. Nez très aromatique, fin, subtil. Touche d'encre et de cabernet sauvignon. Nuances fumées à l'agitation du verre. Délicat en entrée de bouche, très aromatique au milieu, avec du goût et beaucoup de précision dans le déroulé, le vin glisse jusqu'en finale, séveux et parfumé. C'est incrachable. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Malartic Lagravière has quite a forward nose with blackberry and raspberry fruit. The aromatics lack the delineation and complexity of the 2022, but they do cohere nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, linear and nicely focused with quite firm tannins, a little more grip than its peers and a saline/black olive tapenade-tinged finish."
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-93/100 "The 2024 Malartic-Lagravière is packed with dark cherry, cedar, new leather, rose petal, incense and mocha. Deep and voluptuous, with good complexity, the Malartic-Lagravière is terrific for the year. There are some rough edges, but élevage should take care of that."
La Revue du Vin de France : 89-91/100 « Sans être très profonde, la teinte de ce vin très axé cabernet-sauvignon (84 %) est vive, le nez déjà expressif, très net, prodigue en notes réglissées et d’épices douces. Pointue mais peu tannique, la bouche est guidée par un fil d’acidité dominant, quoique sans verdeur ni dureté. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Grape varieties:
- Cabernet-Sauvignon 84%, Merlot 12%, Cabernet-Franc 4%
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Mr. Derenoncourt's arrival as a consultant in 2006 has given the Domaine de Chevalier an extra touch of charm and softness, while preserving its distinguished finesse. Its success has been dazzling in recent vintages, gradually raising it to the pinnacle of the appellation.
Bettane & Desseauve : 95-96/100 « Puissant et délicat, avec un grand fruit, une minéralité marquée et des notes fumées. Bouche franche, d’une belle densité avec des tannins délicats et une fraîcheur superbe en finale. Long, équilibré, harmonieux, racé et naturel. »
J-M Quarin : 94/100 « Couleur sombre, intense, aux reflets pourpres. Nez très aromatique, au fruité mûr. Subtil. Délicat à l'attaque, savoureux en milieu de bouche, le vin se développe juteux, allongé et parfumé, vers une finale légèrement vive, malgré une saveur de fruits noirs. A fondre à l'élevage. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 92-94/100 "The 2024 Domaine de Chevalier is soft, fruity and relatively simple, given its typical personality. Plum, black cherry, licorice, chocolate and sweet oak are pushed forward in this open-knit, easygoing Pessac-Léognan. There may be more here than meets the eye. We will see. Today, the 2024 is on the light side."
Vinous (N. Martin): 91-93/100 "The 2024 Domaine de Chevalier is almost Burgundian in style, with a fragrant bouquet revealing pure blueberry and blackcurrant aromas alongside crushed violet and iris flower scents emerging with aeration. It is very comely and alluring. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. It's very harmonious and already in this prenatal stage, seductive. With finely chiseled tannins ans more mineralité compared to the l'Esprit, this seems to glide on the finish. Just a lovely Pessac-Léognan for the vintage, though this year it must accept the silver medal as Olivier Bernard's white takes the gold."
La Revue du Vin de France : 91-93/100 « La teinte est relativement intense, l’expression aromatique déjà formée, piquante, distinguée, le fruit dialogue avec des notes épicées et empyreumatiques. La matière est bien proportionnée, cohérente, savoureuse. Cette expressivité n’est pas supportée par beaucoup de gras et le fruit demeure à l’arrière-plan par rapport aux notes humiques et épicées qui jalonnent le passage en bouche. Le vin est distingué mais ne semble pas posséder autant de fond que le très réussi 2021. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Organic certification:
- 2024
- Potential alcohol:
- 12.5%
- Grape varieties:
- 65% Cabernet Sauvignon - 30% Merlot - 5% Petit Verdot
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Second red wine of La Mission Haut-Brion, created in 1991 and greatly improved since 2006 by the addition of the entire vineyard of La Tour Haut-Brion.
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Nez délicat, fruité, floral et légèrement fumé. Bouche charnue, délicate, aromatique et tonique à la fois. Très plaisant. »
J-M Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur sombre et intense. Nez très aromatique, fin, pur et subtil. Touche un peu moins mûre à l'agitation du verre. Vanille bourbon. Juteux à l'attaque, tout à la fois suave et un peu vif, le vin fond sur le palais avant de s'achever un peu plus soyeux dans la persistance. Tannicité douce. Saveur unique, très attachante et difficile à décrire. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 90-92/100 "The 2024 La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion is soft, open-knit and juicy, all qualities that will make it a fine choice for drinking on release. Unusually, Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead in 2024. It's a style that works quite well. Macerated cherry, plum, spice, new leather and tobacco all build nicely in the glass."
La Revue du Vin de France : 89-91/100 « Pur et frais, avenant, le fruit exprime un joli velouté en attaque avant de s’amincir dès le milieu de bouche. Comme dans le cas du Clarence de Haut-Brion le profil du grand vin est ici répercuté avec beaucoup de fidélité. »
Vinous (N. Martin): 88-90/100 "The 2024 La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion has a reserved bouquet of tertiary black fruit with touches of smoke and cigar box. The palate is medium-bodied and quite sapid in the mouth with grainy tannins and seaweed note on the aftertaste. The 2024 is a little taut at the moment, but if it gains a little flesh it should turn out fine."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Grape varieties:
- 56,3 % cabernet sauvignon, 29,2 % merlot, 14,5 % cabernet franc
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For 40 years, Pape-Clément has undoubtedly been one of the greatest classified growths on the left bank (alongside Léoville, Pichon, etc.). With the characteristic pine resin aromas of Graves, Pape-Clément combines the power of its terroir, comparable to that of the greatest Pauillacs. This natural power allows it to easily overcome “small” vintages (such as 2021) and to outperform much more expensive wines in the greatest vintages.
Bettane & Desseauve : 95/100 « Nez exubérant mais racé, avec des fruits rouges mûrs, des épices douces et de la pivoine, accompagnés de notes de silex et de truffe. La bouche est puissante, savoureuse, avec du gras, des tannins harmonieux et une finale longue et dynamique. »
Vinous (A. Galloni): 94-96/100 "The 2024 Pape Clément is unusual in that Cabernet Sauvignon drives the blend. That is evident in the wine's strong savory profile and overall structural feel. A reduction in the oak imprint emphasizes fruit and overall vibrancy. The 2024 is not as showy or easy to taste as most vintages, but the style here has also undergone a pretty radical transformation. It was vinified in oak, steel and concrete. A significant portion of the wine saw malolactic fermentation in tank rather than oak, as had been the case in the past. That adds up to a vibrant, nervy Pape Clément that represents a new era here."
J-M Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez moyennement aromatique, au fruité mûr. Délicat à l'attaque, juteux en milieu de bouche, le vin fond sur le palais, agréable, velouté et parfumé. Longueur normale. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2027
- Grape varieties:
- 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot