Margaux

Release date: 7/6/2024

This is the first time for many years that we have listed Lascombes en primeur, and it's all down to the arrival here of Axel Heinz in March 2023. Heinz, having been the inspiration behindThis is the first time for many years that we have listed Lascombes en primeur, and it's all down to the arrival here of Axel Heinz in March 2023. Heinz, having been the inspiration behind Ornellaia and Masseto since 2006, was a huge catch for the new owners of the estate. Heinz has turned the whole ethos upside down and we can expect this 2nd growth to begin to regain its rightful place - the 2023 is hopefully just the first step, but it's a big one.L&S (Apr 2024)

Release date: 6/6/2024

The 2023 Château Margaux, which contains 15% vin de presse, is quintessential Château Margaux. It immediately blossoms in the glass with irresistible crushed violets on the nose, instantly demandingThe 2023 Château Margaux, which contains 15% vin de presse, is quintessential Château Margaux. It immediately blossoms in the glass with irresistible crushed violets on the nose, instantly demanding attention—you will gladly give it. Exquisitely defined and very focused with supremely well integrated oak, this is blessed with laser-like precision. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, perhaps a little feistier than expected thanks to a liberal sprinkling of black pepper. Quite structured (like the Pavillon Rouge) and gentle, you can almost overlook its grip. It finishes with a concentrated, graphite-tinged finish that lingers long in the mouth. This First Growth will require ten years in bottle to really show what it is capable of. Drinking range: 2033 - 2070 Rating: 97-99 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 6/6/2024

Very Chateau Margaux, with perfumed violets, currants and other berries, as well as oranges. Medium body with fine, caressing tannins that are tight and vivid. Racy and refined. Brightness and beautyVery Chateau Margaux, with perfumed violets, currants and other berries, as well as oranges. Medium body with fine, caressing tannins that are tight and vivid. Racy and refined. Brightness and beauty to this second wine. Succulent. Refined. One of the best Pavillon Rouges in a while. 30% of the production. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. Rating: 96-97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 5/6/2024

The 2023 Rauzan-Ségla was picked from September 7 until 29 at 30hL/ha, matured in 55% new oak. It contains more Cabernet Sauvignon this year (85%) due to the mildew-affected Merlot being parsed outThe 2023 Rauzan-Ségla was picked from September 7 until 29 at 30hL/ha, matured in 55% new oak. It contains more Cabernet Sauvignon this year (85%) due to the mildew-affected Merlot being parsed out of the blend. This has a very aromatic bouquet of wilted violets, black cherries and hints of camphor, with a faint oyster shell note lingering in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. This is endowed with tension and purity, while a light marine influence imparts character. Armed with an energetic, spicy finish, this is a more classical Rauzan-Ségla that deserves five or six years in bottle. Even so, it already conveys an air of sophistication. Drinking range: 2029 - 2050 Rating: 93-95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 4/6/2024

The 2023 Giscours is the very best wine I have ever tasted here. Giscours has been knocking on the door of Bordeaux's elite for a few years now. Two thousand twenty-three is the year in whichThe 2023 Giscours is the very best wine I have ever tasted here. Giscours has been knocking on the door of Bordeaux's elite for a few years now. Two thousand twenty-three is the year in which Giscours joins the region's big boys and girls. A towering, majestic Margaux, the 2023 dazzles from start to finish. What a wine! Drinking range: 2030 - 2063 Rating: 96-98 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 3/6/2024

More reserved and understated than the Alter Ego on the first nose, with touch of gumoke reduction, but it doesn't take long to understand that this Palmer is full of coiled energy and lift. A ton ofMore reserved and understated than the Alter Ego on the first nose, with touch of gumoke reduction, but it doesn't take long to understand that this Palmer is full of coiled energy and lift. A ton of graphite, crushed rocks, crushed roses and peonies come in waves of aromatics through the palate, along with clearly defined and sculpted blue and red fruits. There is spice too, and a sense of momentum. 32hl/h yield, 55% new oak for ageing during the first year; with the wine then moving in moves into 3000l oak casks for the second year. Drinking range: 2032 - 2048 Rating: 97 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 3/6/2024

Vivid ruby plum colour, great depth of flavour, balancing spiced plum, fennel, rosemary and anis with juicy blackberry and damson fruit, all delivered with a caress of floral aromatics and well-pacedVivid ruby plum colour, great depth of flavour, balancing spiced plum, fennel, rosemary and anis with juicy blackberry and damson fruit, all delivered with a caress of floral aromatics and well-paced momentum. The August and early September heat waves meant lost yield but higher concentration, and this is a structured Alter Ego that stretches out through the palate, with a kick on the finish. September 11 harvest through to October 5, 25% new oak for ageing. Drinking range: 2028 - 2038 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 23/5/2024

A nose of sweet and delicately confected fruit characterises the 2023 Monbrison, showing a core of toasted berries with an overlay of caramelisation. The palate presents a light and rather juicyA nose of sweet and delicately confected fruit characterises the 2023 Monbrison, showing a core of toasted berries with an overlay of caramelisation. The palate presents a light and rather juicy substance, although it carries a rather dry and simple style of fruit, laced with toast, old desks, driftwood and white pepper. It finishes dry and rather old-school, with a leafy edge to the fruit. For those who prefer their Margaux on the more herbaceous side. Rating: 86-88 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 23/5/2024

First year in the new 100% gravity-fed cellar for this superb estate that is increasingly making its presence felt - helped not just by the new eco-concious winery but by the extra 10ha of excellentFirst year in the new 100% gravity-fed cellar for this superb estate that is increasingly making its presence felt - helped not just by the new eco-concious winery but by the extra 10ha of excellent Margaux terroir, complete with old vine Cabernet Sauvignon on fine gravel, bought in 2020. It's a clear success in 2023, and you'll find plenty of vibrant fruit, majoring on spiced plum and cassis, sinewy tannins, liqourice bud, tobacco, mint and campfire smoke. Conveys coiled energy and will age well. An excellent example of a 94 point 'buy' signal. José Sanfins director. Drinking range: 2030 - 2044 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, Decanter (May 2024)

Release date: 22/5/2024

The 2023 Brane-Cantenac is a sensual, silky wine. There's plenty of depth and structure behind that, but the first impression is most definitely one of elegance. Crushed flowers, spice and driedThe 2023 Brane-Cantenac is a sensual, silky wine. There's plenty of depth and structure behind that, but the first impression is most definitely one of elegance. Crushed flowers, spice and dried herbs meld into a core of super-expressive, dark, red-toned fruit. The 100% new oak is impeccably balanced within the wine’s frame. Brane-Cantenac remains one of the best relative values in Bordeaux, or anywhere, for that matter. This is a fine effort from proprietor Henri Lurton and his team. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2033 - 2063 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 22/5/2024

A crunchy sense to this, with stone, blackcurrant and blackberry character. Medium body. Mineral and spice coming through on the palate. Creamy-textured finish. 48% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot, 7%A crunchy sense to this, with stone, blackcurrant and blackberry character. Medium body. Mineral and spice coming through on the palate. Creamy-textured finish. 48% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot, 7% cabernet franc, 1% carmenere and 1% petit verdot. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 22/5/2024

Glass-staining rich plum colour, this has clear structure and concentration, very much classic Left Bank in its fruit chracter and tannic grip, good balance, enjoyable, austere right now but willGlass-staining rich plum colour, this has clear structure and concentration, very much classic Left Bank in its fruit chracter and tannic grip, good balance, enjoyable, austere right now but will fill out through the mid palate over ageing, and has fennel and black pepper spice to round things off with a punch. This year includes the Marojallia vines for the first time. Drinking range: 2030 - 2045 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

A property Claire Villars-Lurton has owned since 2000, the wines now made at Château Ferrière. The vines are in Soussans, on gravelly soil. The blend is 62%Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 13%A property Claire Villars-Lurton has owned since 2000, the wines now made at Château Ferrière. The vines are in Soussans, on gravelly soil. The blend is 62%Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 13% Petit Verdot, the latter coming from the estate’s 3 hectares of Petit Verdot vines. Rose-infused fruit on the nose, with a touch of chocolate. This is followed by a light and juicy palate, with the linear substance of the vintage and a rather peppered edge, underpinned by a little frame of pithy tannins which flourish with a touch of bitterness in the finish. This one will probably be for drinking relatively young. The alcohol is 13.6% on analysis. Rating: 86-88 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

A Lurton estate since 1988, when they acquired it from the Ferrière family; prior to that it was farmed by the team at Lascombes. Their first vintage after that was in 1992. The blend is 68% CabernetA Lurton estate since 1988, when they acquired it from the Ferrière family; prior to that it was farmed by the team at Lascombes. Their first vintage after that was in 1992. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3.5% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Cabernet Franc, much from old vines, managed using biodynamic methods. The yield is 40 hl/ha this year, the highest for many years. This sample comes rom concrete tanks, and does not include anything from the 40% of the blend which is in wood. An attractive nose, red plum and red rose petals, with fragrant gravel, all rather attractive. This is sinewy and fine on the palate, with a linear frame and rich notes of cedar and currant. This has lovely charm on the palate, a touch juicy perhaps, underpinned by abroad and rich frame of tannins, which persist through the finish. The alcohol is 13.2% on analysis. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

Wonderfully fragrant aromatics that climb through the palate, this has the juice and power that 2023 does so well in the right hads, majoring on squid ink and cassis, with clear expansion through theWonderfully fragrant aromatics that climb through the palate, this has the juice and power that 2023 does so well in the right hads, majoring on squid ink and cassis, with clear expansion through the palate, liqourice, sage, saffron, pomegrante, orange zest and salt-scrape. Harvest September 11 to October 4, 35hl/h yield, 3.66ph, 66% new oak, 33% amphoras for ageing. Right up there with the best of Margaux. Drinking range: 2033 - 2048 Rating: 95 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 17/5/2024

As this estate's extensive restructuring begins to come to fruition, the 2023 du Tertre contains fully 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, as replanted parcels begin to be included in the grand vin, complementedAs this estate's extensive restructuring begins to come to fruition, the 2023 du Tertre contains fully 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, as replanted parcels begin to be included in the grand vin, complemented by 15% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot. Offering up aromas of dark berries, licorice, lilac and mint, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy, with a notably concentrated, serious core by this estate's typically charming standards, revealing sweet structuring tannins and a succulent, seamless profile. In short, du Tertre's renaissance continues. Rating: 92-94 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 16/5/2024

The 2023 D'Issan shows excellent potential, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, pen ink and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping palateThe 2023 D'Issan shows excellent potential, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, pen ink and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping palate that's rich, fleshy and charming, with lively acids, good depth at the core and a long, sapid finish. It's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Rating: 93-95 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 15/5/2024

This has a very deep and beautiful palate with cherries, chocolate, hazelnut and orange peel. Pretty blackcurrants and blue berries, too. Medium body. The finish has gorgeous al-dente fruit at theThis has a very deep and beautiful palate with cherries, chocolate, hazelnut and orange peel. Pretty blackcurrants and blue berries, too. Medium body. The finish has gorgeous al-dente fruit at the end and is always subtle. Open tannins. A blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot, and 5% petit verdot. Rating: 96-97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 15/5/2024

The 2023 Prieuré-Lichine offers up copious red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint. This is very nicely perfumed. Silky tannins add to an impression of finesse. There is just a touch ofThe 2023 Prieuré-Lichine offers up copious red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint. This is very nicely perfumed. Silky tannins add to an impression of finesse. There is just a touch of dryness on the finish, which is the only real question mark here. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2028 - 2038 Rating: 91-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 13/5/2024

A rather tense but richly expressed style of fruit on the nose, with smoky bramble fruits, toast and dusty rose petal notes. Medium-bodied on the palate, this shows a rather tense, silky but alsoA rather tense but richly expressed style of fruit on the nose, with smoky bramble fruits, toast and dusty rose petal notes. Medium-bodied on the palate, this shows a rather tense, silky but also charming texture, supporting a core of peppery wild berries, rose petals and creamed raspberry. A modest but rather taut composition, textured but fresh with plenty of enlivening acidity, this finishes with a flourish of dry and well-knit tannic grip which dominates the end of the palate. A confident showing from both samples, with texture and ripe depth,. Surely this is going places. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 13/5/2024

The aromatics here feel weighed down by lightly caramelised oak and toast from the barrels. Unsurprisingly the palate also presents a rather rich core of oak-infused texture, with a peppery vein ofThe aromatics here feel weighed down by lightly caramelised oak and toast from the barrels. Unsurprisingly the palate also presents a rather rich core of oak-infused texture, with a peppery vein of acidity slicing though it all. The texture feels modestly polished and fresh, with rather low-key layers of dark berry and currant fruits, with liquorice, salted olive and black pepper, all supported by tightly integrated tannins and that fresh acidity which pushes the wine through the middle. This works well, showing a coherent composition and rich grip. A success for Labégorce in this vintage. Tasted twice. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 13/5/2024

This shows notes of ripe dark berries with hints of licorice and orange peel. It’s very polished and refined with a solid center-palate. Medium-bodied and creamy on the finish.This shows notes of ripe dark berries with hints of licorice and orange peel. It’s very polished and refined with a solid center-palate. Medium-bodied and creamy on the finish. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)