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

An aromatic punch of white and red roses, feels very much in the DNA of the estate, with perfume, richly nuanced cassis, bilberry, tobacco leaf, cigar box. Fine tannins, with energy and clear - andAn aromatic punch of white and red roses, feels very much in the DNA of the estate, with perfume, richly nuanced cassis, bilberry, tobacco leaf, cigar box. Fine tannins, with energy and clear - and this is a 2nd wine that elevates the possibilities of the 2023 vintage. September 11 through to October 5 for harvest, 30% of the production in Pavillon. Drinking range: 2029 - 2042 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 5/6/2024

The blend of Rauzan-Ségla is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Merlot and 1.5% Petit Verdot, the highest ever percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, an assemblage driven by the mildew, as the mildew-hitThe blend of Rauzan-Ségla is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Merlot and 1.5% Petit Verdot, the highest ever percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, an assemblage driven by the mildew, as the mildew-hit Merlot was dropped during the season. The yield was 30 hl/ha, significantly down from the norm, with 60% in the grand vin. A very pure and linear presentation on the nose, with violets over black fruits, especially black cherry and blackcurrant, smoked with minerals and floral elements, and tinged with charcoal and toast. An immediate sense of appeal on the palate here, a delicious sense of harmony, with lightly sinewy forest fruits, bramble and wild black cherry, set in a modest texture, and underpinned by the rich but powdery tannins of the vintage. Supple, correct, elegant, with great drive and the freshness of the vintage, this is a fine Rauzan-Ségla which broadens out on the finish. Tasted twice. The alcohol is 13.5%. Rating: 94-96 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 4/6/2024

The grand vin is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 23% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, picked at a yield of 31 hl/ha, modest for the vintage, with the majority of the crop going into the grandThe grand vin is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 23% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, picked at a yield of 31 hl/ha, modest for the vintage, with the majority of the crop going into the grand vin. A rather dark and perfumed nose, with dark red cherry and blackcurrant, showing some very interesting perfume, violets, fragrant leather and tobacco. The palate develops this rather nicely, holding on to that rather perfumed, floral, fruit-driven character, wrapping it in a lacy and elegant texture, with an undercurrent of tightly integrated tannins and modest texture of fruit. Deliciously composed and integrated, this finishes with a blanket of woven tannins, dry and sappy but poised, feeding into a fresh finish and good length. A fresh, charming, classically styled Giscours in this vintage with good potential. Tasted three times. The alcohol is about 13.5%. Rating: 93-95 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 3/6/2024

The vivid density and structure to this is really captivating, with pure blackcurrant character. Full-bodied with very silky, refined and ultra-fine tannins and an exquisite finish. Caresses everyThe vivid density and structure to this is really captivating, with pure blackcurrant character. Full-bodied with very silky, refined and ultra-fine tannins and an exquisite finish. Caresses every inch of the palate. It's seems like it will be large and overpowering, but it's actually ethereal and cloud-like. The tannin quality is so refined and, in a way, weightless. 50% cabernet sauvignon, 46% merlot and 4% petit verdot. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 3/6/2024

Wafting from the glass with pure aromas of cherries, berries, plums and potpourri, the 2023 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, with a vigorous core of fruit framed byWafting from the glass with pure aromas of cherries, berries, plums and potpourri, the 2023 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, with a vigorous core of fruit framed by supple tannins. It's a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Rating: 92-94 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 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

A rather attractive nose here which takes me by surprise, sweet and nicely delineated, with griottes, violets, dark chocolate and dried raspberry, with a fresh and bright overlay. This is deliciouslyA rather attractive nose here which takes me by surprise, sweet and nicely delineated, with griottes, violets, dark chocolate and dried raspberry, with a fresh and bright overlay. This is deliciously confident while remaining rather Margaux in style. The palate is equally delicious, with a really cohesive substance, a textural core which supports layers of toast, dark chocolate, coffee bean, violets and peony. This has a very attractive composition, with charming texture but also a cohesive panoply of aromas and flavours, and the structure feels ripe, tightly knit and appropriate for the rest of the wine. It finishes with a flourish of tannic grip, which supports a good length. Top work and a strong effort in this vintage, and a bit of a curveball from Cantenac-Brown, which doesn’t have a track record of turning out wines this good. Let’s hope this is maintained when I retaste after bottling. Rating: 93-95 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 22/5/2024

The blend is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Merlot, and 1% each Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, and the fruit for this blend all comes from terrace five. Any young vines were downgradedThe blend is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Merlot, and 1% each Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, and the fruit for this blend all comes from terrace five. Any young vines were downgraded into the Margaux de Brane rather than Baron de Brane. The harvest began September 4th, relatively early for the Médoc, and progressed with a measured pace, with up to three passes through each parcel, finishing October 2nd. The yield was 45.7 hl/ha. A rather dark and smoky nose, the aromas leaping from the glass, loaded with toast and chocolate behind notes of crushed wild flowers, dark berries, currants and acidulous summer fruits. The palate starts with a delightfully fine and polished harmony, with a fine but silky and restrained midpalate texture, loaded with salted liquorice, violets, toast and dark chocolate, with seams of powdery and elegantly extracted tannin underneath it all. This holds together very nicely into the finish, with primary fruit and powdery tannin, each working well with the other. Savoury and long in the finish, a little saline even, this shows very well. This is one of a handful of wines which seemed to get better every time I tasted it. Tasted three times. The alcohol is declared as 13.5%. Rating: 94-96 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 22/5/2024

The 2023 Baron de Brane offers up dark-fleshed fruit, new leather, tobacco and incense. There's a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon than in most years, and the Merlot was saignéed. All of these elementsThe 2023 Baron de Brane offers up dark-fleshed fruit, new leather, tobacco and incense. There's a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon than in most years, and the Merlot was saignéed. All of these elements yield an attractive wine that is still coming together. Today, the Baron is a bit of a bruiser. Drinking range: 2025 - 2030 Rating: 88-90 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 22/5/2024

The 2023 Marquis de Terme is a dense, powerful Margaux. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, espresso and cloves are all amplified, lending the 2023 tons of textural volume and richness. AllThe 2023 Marquis de Terme is a dense, powerful Margaux. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, espresso and cloves are all amplified, lending the 2023 tons of textural volume and richness. All the elements are so well balanced. This is a fine vintage for Marquis de Terme, a wine that has improved markedly in recent years. Tasted three times. Drinking range: 2030 - 2048 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and fully 13% Petit Verdot, the 2023 La Gurgue exhibits aromas of dark berries, licorice and boot polish, followed by a medium-bodied, fleshy palateA blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and fully 13% Petit Verdot, the 2023 La Gurgue exhibits aromas of dark berries, licorice and boot polish, followed by a medium-bodied, fleshy palate built around powdery tannins. Rating: 88-90 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

The 2023 Ferrière was picked at 40hL/ha between September 13 and October 2 and matured in 40% new oak. It has a very precise bouquet, understated in style, with blackberry and bilberry fruit lacedThe 2023 Ferrière was picked at 40hL/ha between September 13 and October 2 and matured in 40% new oak. It has a very precise bouquet, understated in style, with blackberry and bilberry fruit laced with cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp black fruit on the entry, quite spicy and peppery in style. It’s a more vivacious Ferrière compared to other vintages, closing with a smooth and harmonious finish. This is a lovely Margaux from Claire Lurton. Drinking range: 2026 - 2044 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

The 2023 Durfort-Vivens is a very pretty, understated wine. In 2023, Durfort is marked by a brighter profile than usual: red fruit, blood orange and flowers. Medium in body and persistent, with goodThe 2023 Durfort-Vivens is a very pretty, understated wine. In 2023, Durfort is marked by a brighter profile than usual: red fruit, blood orange and flowers. Medium in body and persistent, with good energy and very fine balance, the 2023 is promising. Even though it’s showing a touch of oak at this stage, this layered and sumptuous offering is showing well. Drinking range: 2031 - 2053 Rating: 92-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.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 is a powerful, dense wine, especially for a property where the wines tend to be more understated. A rich, muscular Margaux, the 2023 d'Issan exudes intensity in all of itsThe 2023 d’Issan is a powerful, dense wine, especially for a property where the wines tend to be more understated. A rich, muscular Margaux, the 2023 d'Issan exudes intensity in all of its dimensions. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2023 is going to need a number of years to shed some of its considerable baby fat. Dried herbs, tobacco, incense and bold, dark-toned fruit flow into the deep, resonant finish. Drinking range: 2033 - 2063 Rating: 93-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 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

Fleshy and demonstrative, the 2023 Prieuré-Lichine offers up aromas of sweet berries, plums and smoke, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and textural, with good depth andFleshy and demonstrative, the 2023 Prieuré-Lichine offers up aromas of sweet berries, plums and smoke, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and textural, with good depth and persistence, it's a strong effort that will offer a broad drinking window in a more modern style. Rating: 91-92 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 13/5/2024

This has a fresh and juicy fruit character, showing currant and citrus-peel notes. It’s medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins. Bright and chewy at the end.This has a fresh and juicy fruit character, showing currant and citrus-peel notes. It’s medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannins. Bright and chewy at the end. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 13/5/2024

Subdued on the first nose, again showing that parts of Margaux need a little bit of coaxing in this vintage to open up at this early stage. When it does, you find sculpted and deliciously spicySubdued on the first nose, again showing that parts of Margaux need a little bit of coaxing in this vintage to open up at this early stage. When it does, you find sculpted and deliciously spicy fruit, rose petals, cocoa bean and cassis, with tannic grip that slowly builds though the palate. 32hl/h yield, 62.5ha in production, 25% new oak barrels for ageing, with the rest one year old. Marjolaine de Coninck technical director, Nathalie Perrodo owner. Drinking range: 2028 - 2038 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 13/5/2024

A core of sweet fruit on the nose here, perhaps with some lightly confected edges, and some leafy notes as well. Sweet and rather plump cherry and plum skins at the very start, with nuances ofA core of sweet fruit on the nose here, perhaps with some lightly confected edges, and some leafy notes as well. Sweet and rather plump cherry and plum skins at the very start, with nuances of angelica and bay leaf coming in next. The palate runs with the sweet and fragrant fruit, all pressed plum and strawberry, with those same leafy notes, leading to a delicately sappy finish. A light extraction here, so what tannic structure there is stays fairly well buried within the substance of the wine, and ultimately this is a rather charming and juicy example of Kirwan, which has modest potential for the cellar. Tasted twice. Rating: 88-90 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)