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 is fabulous. Sensual, silky and exceptionally polished, the 2023 Château Margaux is shaping up to be a classic. Seamless, silky tannins wrap around a core of darkThe 2023 Château Margaux is fabulous. Sensual, silky and exceptionally polished, the 2023 Château Margaux is shaping up to be a classic. Seamless, silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red/purplish fruit. Hints of spice, new leather, menthol, licorice and rose petal fill out the glass. There's a bit of new oak peeking through today, but that won't be an issue in a few years' time. Only Bordeaux can produce wines that offer so much flavor intensity at a low alcohols. Margaux is the least showy of the First Growths, but it is often the most refined. The 2023 is sublime. Drinking range: 2033 - 2073 Rating: 97-100 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 6/6/2024

This takes 30% of the crop, and the blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, principally because Merlot volumes were lower, so it appears less in bothThis takes 30% of the crop, and the blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, principally because Merlot volumes were lower, so it appears less in both cuvées. The sample was drawn from three barrels, and it is worth noting that they use different barrels each week, so the sample changes throughout the primeurs tasting period. The aromatics suggest a beautiful purity which calls to mind crushed chalk and pencil shavings, and not for the first time in this appellation I find an aromatic profile which reminds me very much of the 2016 vintage. It has a lovely cherry, raspberry and peony purity, which translates into a seamless and composed palate, with layers of griottes, raspberry, dark chocolate, violets and toast, with a very polished substance and a fine grip of tannins. Delicious vigour, purity and freshness here; this is a great Pavillon Rouge in the making. One for the cellar. Preferably my cellar. The alcohol on analysis is 13.3%. Rating: 92-94 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 5/6/2024

A Rauzan-Segla with solid tannins that are muscular, well toned and beautiful. Black currants, blueberries and flowers. Chewy finish. One for the cellar. Classic. The cabernet went to the gym. 85%A Rauzan-Segla with solid tannins that are muscular, well toned and beautiful. Black currants, blueberries and flowers. Chewy finish. One for the cellar. Classic. The cabernet went to the gym. 85% cabernet sauvignon, one of highest percentages ever. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 4/6/2024

The 2023 Giscours is one of the real successes of the vintage, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and red fruits mingled with hints of undergrowth, violets and licorice.The 2023 Giscours is one of the real successes of the vintage, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and red fruits mingled with hints of undergrowth, violets and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's seamless and concentrated, with a fleshy core of fruit framed by ripe, powdery tannins and succulent acids, concluding with a long, broad finish. It's a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Rating: 94-96 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 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

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

Fresh, crunchy-fruit character here, with red and dark berries and floral nuances. Some citrus peel, too. It’s medium-bodied with lively tannins that are polished and firm. Bright and juicy finish.Fresh, crunchy-fruit character here, with red and dark berries and floral nuances. Some citrus peel, too. It’s medium-bodied with lively tannins that are polished and firm. Bright and juicy finish. Rating: 91-92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.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 2023 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot (which saw some saignée), 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenère and 1% Petit Verdot, and it completed its malolactic fermentation inThe 2023 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot (which saw some saignée), 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenère and 1% Petit Verdot, and it completed its malolactic fermentation in barrels as has been the rule at this estate since the 1990s. Offering up aromas of dark cherries, cassis and spices framed by creamy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a creamy core of fruit and a long, gently lactic finish. Rating: 93-95 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 22/5/2024

The 2023 Baron de Brane is well-defined on the nose with black cherries, wild mint and pencil box scents that are nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a grippy entry. There'sThe 2023 Baron de Brane is well-defined on the nose with black cherries, wild mint and pencil box scents that are nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a grippy entry. There's backbone on this Deuxième Vin, quite feisty on the finish with decent length. Drinking range: 2027 - 2037 Rating: 89-91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 22/5/2024

Lovely young wine here with a pretty core of berry fruit and bark undertones. Medium body. Crisp, fine and lightly chewy tannins at the end. Quite seamless.Lovely young wine here with a pretty core of berry fruit and bark undertones. Medium body. Crisp, fine and lightly chewy tannins at the end. Quite seamless. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

A fresh and focused red with a medium body and fine tannins. It’s crunchy, with good fruit concentration in the center-palate, showing plum and redcurrant highlights. Bright and firm at the end. FromA fresh and focused red with a medium body and fine tannins. It’s crunchy, with good fruit concentration in the center-palate, showing plum and redcurrant highlights. Bright and firm at the end. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

The 2023 Ferrière is a strong effort, bursting with aromas of dark berries, spices and boot polish, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate with a broad attack, good depth atThe 2023 Ferrière is a strong effort, bursting with aromas of dark berries, spices and boot polish, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate with a broad attack, good depth at the core and sweet structuring tannins. It's a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3.5% Petit Verdot and a touch of Cabernet Franc. Rating: 91-93 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (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

The lead pencil, blackberries and blackcurrants are very intense on both the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and tannins and a creamy, refined texture that turns to a mediumThe lead pencil, blackberries and blackcurrants are very intense on both the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and tannins and a creamy, refined texture that turns to a medium finish. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 11% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (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

An attractively perfumed nose, with some complexity, all rose petal, black tea leaf, tobacco and toast, with a touch of matchstick freshness; I like the aromatic profile, and it comes bolstered by aAn attractively perfumed nose, with some complexity, all rose petal, black tea leaf, tobacco and toast, with a touch of matchstick freshness; I like the aromatic profile, and it comes bolstered by a little sensitively applied high-quality oak. The palate is fresh, delineated and fragrant, with a supple and silky core of fruit, fragrant and perfumed as per the nose, with a medium-bodied and silky presence, draped over a rather firm and modestly grained structure of tannins. There is much to admire here, although the tannic structure lacks a little finesse, and it dries out the finish a little. Perhaps the élevage will polish it up a bit. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 15/5/2024

Well structured, deliciously fragrant rosebud and tomato leaf on the opening, this treads lightly at first and then builds in structure and and power through the palate, widening to show creamyWell structured, deliciously fragrant rosebud and tomato leaf on the opening, this treads lightly at first and then builds in structure and and power through the palate, widening to show creamy raspberry and damson fruit, with a saline kick on the finish. An excellent quality estate that is always worth checking in with. 35% new oak for ageing. Drinking range: 2030 - 2045 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.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 2023 Labégorce has a well-defined nose that leans slightly more toward red than black fruit. It's understated at first but soon coheres and gains intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with veryThe 2023 Labégorce has a well-defined nose that leans slightly more toward red than black fruit. It's understated at first but soon coheres and gains intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with very pliant tannins. Satin-like in texture and very cohesive, with a touch of spice on the finish, this is a classy Margaux that will give a great deal of pleasure over the next 15 to 20 years. Warning through: it will be difficult to resist in its youth. Drinking range: 2027 - 2049 Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 13/5/2024

The 2023 Kirwan was tasted from two bottles as I was unhappy with the first. The second has a ripe red cherry and crushed strawberry nose that almost feels as if there is a touch of carbonicThe 2023 Kirwan was tasted from two bottles as I was unhappy with the first. The second has a ripe red cherry and crushed strawberry nose that almost feels as if there is a touch of carbonic maceration! The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine structure, lightly spiced with a crisp and focused finish. Quite opulent in style, it is not a cerebral Margaux, though it has plenty of exuberance. Drinking range: 2027 - 2047 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)