Médoc & Haut Médoc

Release date: 22/5/2024

The 2023 Poujeaux is plump, juicy and super-inviting right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, sweet spice and floral accents caress the palate, all framed by supple, silky tannins. There's a bit moreThe 2023 Poujeaux is plump, juicy and super-inviting right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, sweet spice and floral accents caress the palate, all framed by supple, silky tannins. There's a bit more Petit Verdot in the blend this year, and that comes through in the wine's dark flavor profile and structural feel. This is a fine vintage for Poujeaux. Tasted four times. Drinking range: 2027 - 2043 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

I find dark chocolate and toasted oak on the nose, which parts to reveal violets, sweet blackberry, currant and menthol. A very nicely poised start to the palate, fresh and relaxed through theI find dark chocolate and toasted oak on the nose, which parts to reveal violets, sweet blackberry, currant and menthol. A very nicely poised start to the palate, fresh and relaxed through the middle, with a less aggressive extraction here than some, the midpalate a medium-bodied and modestly juicy core of dark fruits with a nice frame of tannins beneath, all working in harmony together. Understated, modest in terms of extraction, the black fruits intertwined with leafy mint and toasted tannins in the finish, which falls away quickly. A decent showing from Beaumont in the context of the vintage, but this won’t be a keeper. Tasted twice. Rating: 88-90 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 17/5/2024

The 2023 from Belgrave is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. It has a charming and expressive nose, with scents of griottes, violets, fine dark chocolate and roses. The palate shows aThe 2023 from Belgrave is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. It has a charming and expressive nose, with scents of griottes, violets, fine dark chocolate and roses. The palate shows a really attractive texture, modest as per the vintage, but seamless, with violets, coffee bean and liquorice wrapped around a ribbon of velvety-ripe tannins, the latter aspect coming to the fore in the finish, showing its tightly knit appeal. Good cohesion here, with a welcoming if somewhat wound-up texture which holds up in the midpalate, and I can see this evolving well given time. A good value sleeper in this vintage. Tasted three times. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 16/5/2024

The 2023 Sociando-Mallet is a deep, powerful wine. Black cherry, incense, blackberry, licorice and cloves add to an impression of somber gravitas. Unctuous and rich, the 2023 shows the naturalThe 2023 Sociando-Mallet is a deep, powerful wine. Black cherry, incense, blackberry, licorice and cloves add to an impression of somber gravitas. Unctuous and rich, the 2023 shows the natural intensity of the Merlot in this vintage. Sociando is pretty heady in this vintage. Drinking range: 2030 - 2043 Rating: 89-91 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 15/5/2024

59 Merlot, 37 Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 Petit Verdot: 13% alc: 3.6 pH: 89 IPT Madame is starting to sort herself out by gaining a newfound identity, which includes desirable traits such as pristine,59 Merlot, 37 Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 Petit Verdot: 13% alc: 3.6 pH: 89 IPT Madame is starting to sort herself out by gaining a newfound identity, which includes desirable traits such as pristine, vibrant fruit, brightness and definition and momentary hints of flamboyance that never get out of hand. Prim acidity and crisp tannins complete the picture, and by comparison to hosts of local competitors, this wine is nigh on best in show! It helps to have Ducru deportment lessons and a dedicated team of helpers. Still, this assistance would be fruitless if this wine failed to deliver, and I, for one, am happy to champion its refreshing modernity and seamless delivery. 17/20 Rating: 17 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2024)

Release date: 13/5/2024

The 2023 Mauvesin Barton shows a dark, somber character with aromas of licorice, smoke and spices. Medium-bodied, rich and firm, it's tannic and somewhat austere.The 2023 Mauvesin Barton shows a dark, somber character with aromas of licorice, smoke and spices. Medium-bodied, rich and firm, it's tannic and somewhat austere. Drinking range: 2025 - 2030 Rating: 87-88 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 7/5/2024

Offering up aromas of minty cassis, dark berries and pencil shavings, the 2023 Chasse-Spleen is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and youthfully structured, with good depth at the core and a penetratingOffering up aromas of minty cassis, dark berries and pencil shavings, the 2023 Chasse-Spleen is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and youthfully structured, with good depth at the core and a penetrating finish. It's a strong effort. Rating: 89-91 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 6/5/2024

Yet again Stephane Dief has knocked it out of the park this year. This jewel of a property with its wealth of very old vines has created a masterful 2023. Chiselled and poised - this is upright,Yet again Stephane Dief has knocked it out of the park this year. This jewel of a property with its wealth of very old vines has created a masterful 2023. Chiselled and poised - this is upright, pretty and sophisticated. The fruit concentration is pitch perfect here - with that gentle soft ripeness in tune with the freshness of the year. Beautifully judged and this year with just 35% new oak and a proportion of the juice aged in amphorae the purity is wonderful. Very serious Bordeaux from this (still!) under the radar producer we have been championing for more than a decade. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 8% Petit VerdotL&S (Apr 2024)

Release date: 6/5/2024

Release date: 3/5/2024

This shows structure and finesse with a dusty texture to the tannins. Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of dark fruit and a creamy aftertaste. A little light at the end.This shows structure and finesse with a dusty texture to the tannins. Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of dark fruit and a creamy aftertaste. A little light at the end. Rating: 89-90 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 30/4/2024

48 Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 Merlot, 17 Cabernet Franc Potensac has never had so much care and attention lavished on it, and with recent warmer vintages, it appears to be having a profound effect on48 Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 Merlot, 17 Cabernet Franc Potensac has never had so much care and attention lavished on it, and with recent warmer vintages, it appears to be having a profound effect on this property.  While the fruit is spectacular, the freshness and vibrancy on the finish catapult this wine up the ladder of excellence.  One might have imagined that this vintage would have made somewhat bigger, heftier wines, but the opposite is true.  There is scintillating purity here, and with an average vine age of over 55 years, there is incredible depth of fruit, too.  It feels like Potensac has made a perfect fusion of ancient and modern in 2023, and I cannot recommend it enough.  I hope the pricing is reasonable so keen collectors can add this delicious wine to their inventory! Rating: 18+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2024)

The first Bordeaux estate to be bought by Treasury Wine Estates, now only produced in much smaller quanties as they used most of the vines in other wines. It's good quality, with cheerful and wellThe first Bordeaux estate to be bought by Treasury Wine Estates, now only produced in much smaller quanties as they used most of the vines in other wines. It's good quality, with cheerful and well balanced red fruits, fresh acidities, easy going. My suggestion is to look to the excellent Lanessan in this vintage, also in the same group. Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 88 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

This presents a charming core of fruit, confident with red cherry, red rose petal and leather. This is followed by an elegantly polished style on the palate, the red cherry and raspberry fruits setThis presents a charming core of fruit, confident with red cherry, red rose petal and leather. This is followed by an elegantly polished style on the palate, the red cherry and raspberry fruits set in a supple and sinewy substance, which is balanced with nice acidity and a ribbon of fresh, tight tannins. This is really well composed for the vintage, and while it won’t send shivers down your spine it does at least present a coherent style, more so than many of its Haut-Médoc peers in this vintage. Rating: 87-89 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Bought by Treasury Wine Estates in October 2022, so this is their first full vintage. this has a savoury feel of dark fruits, a little restrained on the finish with good juice; i feel like here youBought by Treasury Wine Estates in October 2022, so this is their first full vintage. this has a savoury feel of dark fruits, a little restrained on the finish with good juice; i feel like here you want a Medoc, you are getting a Medoc, a good sense of understanding what the appellation means and shoudl deliver. They have done a good job here and it is one to look out for. Slate, cassis, crushed rocks. Eric Boissenot consultant. Drinking range: 2026 - 2038 Rating: 92-100 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)