Pauillac

Release date: 4/6/2024

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, the 2023 Pichon-Longueville Baron is a terrific effort from this estate, unwinding in the glass with aromas of crème de cassis, dark berries, pencilA blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, the 2023 Pichon-Longueville Baron is a terrific effort from this estate, unwinding in the glass with aromas of crème de cassis, dark berries, pencil shavings, cigar wrapper, violets and burning embers. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, it's deep and concentrated, with sweet structuring tannins and a long, resonant finish. The charm and vibrancy of the vintage lends this considerable appeal, without effacing Pichon Baron's more serious, Cabernet-driven personality. Pichon Baron these days has more in common stylistically with the depth and structure of Latour than it does with the perfumed sensuality of its sibling, Pichon Lalande, and in quality, it's clearly one of contemporary Bordeaux's greatest wines. The 2023 vintage is a terrific success at this address: the team harvested block by block, trying to combine lots with a similar tannin profile in vat, and extracting gently. The result is a classical Pichon, but with enough charm to offer a broader-than-usual drinking window. Rating: 95-97 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 3/6/2024

I like the freshness and linear character to this second wine of Pichon Lalande. It's medium-bodied with creamy and polished tannins that are fine at the end. It is linked from start to finish. 60%I like the freshness and linear character to this second wine of Pichon Lalande. It's medium-bodied with creamy and polished tannins that are fine at the end. It is linked from start to finish. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 3/6/2024

The 2023 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is deep garnet-purple in color. It slowly emerges from the glass with compelling restraint, offering glimpses at scents of cassis, kirsch, and freshThe 2023 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is deep garnet-purple in color. It slowly emerges from the glass with compelling restraint, offering glimpses at scents of cassis, kirsch, and fresh blackberries followed by nuances of violets, graphite, and cedar chest. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound and energetic, with a firm frame of grainy tannins and beautifully knit freshness, finishing long and earthy. This is a classic. The blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Rating: 95-97+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent (May 2024)

Release date: 23/5/2024

The 2023 Lacoste-Borie was picked September 11 to 28 at 48hL/ha. It bursts with red fruit on the nose—raspberry and wild strawberry—forward and quite generous in keeping with the vintage. The palateThe 2023 Lacoste-Borie was picked September 11 to 28 at 48hL/ha. It bursts with red fruit on the nose—raspberry and wild strawberry—forward and quite generous in keeping with the vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins on the entry. Moderately deep, it tapers slightly toward the graphite-infused finish. This Deuxième Vin has an easy-drinking sensibility and should be broached over the next decade. Drinking range: 2026 - 2035 Rating: 88-90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 23/5/2024

We are in classic Grand Puy Lacoste territory here, great balance, good freshness, Pauillac typicity, less concentration than 2022, showing instead bright cassis and blackberry fruits, salted crackerWe are in classic Grand Puy Lacoste territory here, great balance, good freshness, Pauillac typicity, less concentration than 2022, showing instead bright cassis and blackberry fruits, salted cracker edge, liquorice, graphite, spiced cocoa beans, and flashes of fresher redcurrants on the close of play. Great quality, and you can see the fine ageing potential stretching ahead. 75% new oak, rest one year old, around 60% of production in this 1st wine (this is similar each year, as here the vineyard footprint has not changed since 1855). Harvest September 11 to 28. Drinking range: 2030 - 2046 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

The 2023 Haut-Bages Libéral is fabulous. Deep, layered and exquisitely beautiful, the 2023 bristles with tension. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, leather, menthol and licorice grace a wine of depth,The 2023 Haut-Bages Libéral is fabulous. Deep, layered and exquisitely beautiful, the 2023 bristles with tension. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, leather, menthol and licorice grace a wine of depth, richness and sensuality. It's a terrific effort from proprietor Claire Villars-Lurton. Drinking range: 2030 - 2053 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

This is mainly young-vine fruit, and a higher proportion of Merlot at 55% of the total, reflecting a handsome Merlot yield, with 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. An immediately appealingThis is mainly young-vine fruit, and a higher proportion of Merlot at 55% of the total, reflecting a handsome Merlot yield, with 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. An immediately appealing nose, of black cherry, currant, blackcurrant ripple, toast and dark chocolate. This all comes across very well on the palate, which has an immediately pleasing texture, supple and polished, and is riven with tightly grained but certainly firm tannins. A juicy style but with lovely fruit and a touch of density, and the fresh acidity of the vintage, this is another smart second wine from the team at Lynch-Bages. I suspect it will need a year or three after the élevage to show its best. The alcohol is 13.6% on analysis. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

The 2023 Lynch-Bages is a dark, brooding wine. In so many vintages, Lynch-Bages is a wine of sensuality, but in 2023, it is quite the powerhouse. Formidable tannins wrap around a core of black fruit,The 2023 Lynch-Bages is a dark, brooding wine. In so many vintages, Lynch-Bages is a wine of sensuality, but in 2023, it is quite the powerhouse. Formidable tannins wrap around a core of black fruit, spice, menthol, licorice and gravel. This is a somber, introspective Lynch-Bages with a ton of Cabernet Sauvignon character. I can't wait to taste this from bottle. Drinking range: 2033 - 2073 Rating: 94-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 7/5/2024

Vibrant violet reflections, great definition on the palate, with a streak of freshness from beginning to end, sculpted cassis and bilberry, crayon and graphite. Pedesclaux going from strength toVibrant violet reflections, great definition on the palate, with a streak of freshness from beginning to end, sculpted cassis and bilberry, crayon and graphite. Pedesclaux going from strength to strength under the new regime. Second vintage certified organic, 17 days of harvesting from September 13 through to October 4, 65% new oak for aging. Drinking range: 2030 - 2048 Rating: 94-100 L&S (May 2024)

Release date: 6/5/2024

70 Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 Merlot, 13 Cabernet Franc, 2 Petit Verdot: 50% new oak for 18 months: 13.5% alc: 3.75 pH: Harvested 7 – 30 September The weather in Pauillac was not as challenging as70 Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 Merlot, 13 Cabernet Franc, 2 Petit Verdot: 50% new oak for 18 months: 13.5% alc: 3.75 pH: Harvested 7 – 30 September The weather in Pauillac was not as challenging as some said.  You only have to look at the beautiful Lafite Rothschild rainfall ‘artwork’ in this Report to see that it was not too pressured.  In fact, only 15% more rainfall than average fell in June, so mildew was not too much of a problem, particularly if you could keep your vineyards ‘clean’.  The heat spell in the third week of August assimilated some of the malic acid, and by early September, Merlot was ready to harvest.  They started on the 7th but only brought in a few plots as most of the thicker sins needed more hang time.  As it turned out, there was below-normal rainfall in September, and the 30mm that fell in the middle of the month reset the Merlots at 14.5-15% and stopped them ripening further instead of diluting flavours.  By the morning of the 23rd, they had only picked 32% of the crop: Merlot, some Cabernet Franc, and some younger vine Cabernet Sauvignon. All the Cabernet was picked under high pressure, with decent daytime temperatures balanced by cool nights. Some delicious Merlot made the cut, but the blend is built around a superb Cabernet Sauvignon core; in fact, it is the joint highest Cabernet Sauvignon recipe alongside the 2002 vintage. All the old vine Cabernet Franc was used, so just taking the varietal mix into account, this is a fabulously Cabernet-dominant wine, and the tannins are as firm as you would expect.  This modern classic has lithe flanks and a sleek feel throughout, topped with active acidity and integrated tannins.  It is not as dark as the Mouton duo, with some lovely red fruited highlights, and there is a coolness and faint mintiness, which refreshes the taste buds and perks up the senses. As a postscript – I heard a great analysis of the critical human decisions made in September from Technical Director Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy. He noted that if you had a well-drilled vineyard team, you could confidently roll the dice in September. There would be a severe threat of botrytis if the predicted 90mm fell mid-month.  Even if 90mm did fall, great teams would have a small window to get in and harvest their crop.  D’Armailhac (including Mouton and Clerc Milon) can move fast, so there was no panic at all.  As it turned out, only 30mm fell, and as the fruit benefitted from a longer hang time, they trusted their vineyards and teams to let it all hang out!  All the great-tasting fruit across these estates was harvested at the end of September, so skill, experience and confidence won through!  Of course, Jean-Emmanuel hinted that these decisions depend on your psychology as much as your nerve, but he said it wouldn’t be fun without a bit of jeopardy thrown in for good measure, and this is why 2023 d’Armailhac is such an impactful wine. Rating: 18+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2024)

Release date: 6/5/2024

This has a great finish, with blackcurrant, chocolate, hazelnut and salt undertones that run the length of the wine. Full-bodied and dense, and then it lifts off at the end. Chalky undertone, comingThis has a great finish, with blackcurrant, chocolate, hazelnut and salt undertones that run the length of the wine. Full-bodied and dense, and then it lifts off at the end. Chalky undertone, coming from the limestone terroir here. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot, 6.5% cabernet franc, 1.5% carmenere and 1% petit verdot. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 6/5/2024

Lots of flesh and density in this excellent Petit-Mouton. Much of the Cabernet was picked in late September, giving it maximum maturity and black cherry freshness. Very elegant and everything inLots of flesh and density in this excellent Petit-Mouton. Much of the Cabernet was picked in late September, giving it maximum maturity and black cherry freshness. Very elegant and everything in harmony here. Terrific length too.L&S (May 2024)

Release date: 6/5/2024

A beautifully structured, toned Mouton. Very fine tannins and layers of soft black fruit. A really lovely 1st Growth, very correct and demonstrative of how their Cabernet has performed for them inA beautifully structured, toned Mouton. Very fine tannins and layers of soft black fruit. A really lovely 1st Growth, very correct and demonstrative of how their Cabernet has performed for them in 2023. L&S (May 2024)

Release date: 2/5/2024

The 2023 Lynch-Moussas was picked from September 12 to October 5 and matured in 58% new oak according to Frédéric Castèja. Quite lucid in color, the concentrated nose opens immediately withThe 2023 Lynch-Moussas was picked from September 12 to October 5 and matured in 58% new oak according to Frédéric Castèja. Quite lucid in color, the concentrated nose opens immediately with blackcurrant, cedar and violets, albeit lacking the precision of the Batailley. The palate has a velvety entry and a fine line of acidity, cohesive with a finish that seems to glide. Maybe it doesn't have the density of a great Lynch-Moussas, but this will be a very drinkable Pauillac. It will benefit from three or four years in bottle. Drinking range: 2028 - 2045 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 2/5/2024

The 2023 Lafite-Rothschild races out of the glass with notable textural intensity. Explosive and deep, with striking balance, Lafite dazzles in this vintage. The 2023 is a somber, virile LafiteThe 2023 Lafite-Rothschild races out of the glass with notable textural intensity. Explosive and deep, with striking balance, Lafite dazzles in this vintage. The 2023 is a somber, virile Lafite endowed with remarkable depth and tons of sheer character. Plum, blackberry, gravel, pencil shavings, graphite, mocha and lavender build into the intense, palate-staining finish. The blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Drinking range: 2023 - 2073 Rating: 95-98 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 2/5/2024

So much pure graphite and lead pencil here, together with blackcurrant and iodine aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with creamy and velvety tannins that are very polished. Cedar and some tobacco box.So much pure graphite and lead pencil here, together with blackcurrant and iodine aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with creamy and velvety tannins that are very polished. Cedar and some tobacco box. Deep and layered. Al-dente tannins. Precise Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 2/5/2024

The 2023 Carruades de Lafite is a very pretty, sensual wine that very much captures the personality of the Grand Vin, naturally in a more approachable style. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon andThe 2023 Carruades de Lafite is a very pretty, sensual wine that very much captures the personality of the Grand Vin, naturally in a more approachable style. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, with no Franc or Petit Verdot. I have to say, there is something very direct about the 2023—something frank that is really evident. I admire its purity. Succulent red plum, spice, cedar, tobacco and a lifting touch of white pepper open first, while beautifully persistent saline undertones extend the finish. Drinking range: 2028 - 2043 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 30/4/2024

A very structured Pontet-Canet that expands in the mouth with a gorgeous combination of beautifully ripe fruit and intense tannins. Very structured for the vintage. Full-bodied with excellentA very structured Pontet-Canet that expands in the mouth with a gorgeous combination of beautifully ripe fruit and intense tannins. Very structured for the vintage. Full-bodied with excellent presence and length. So much raw pencil shavings to the blackcurrants. Graphite and tar. Fresh and vivid. They picked cabernet at the right time at the end of September. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 29/4/2024

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Good classical frame here. Upright and smartly 'claretty'. The nose is awash with deep plum, dark cherry flesh and intriguing scent of a fine79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Good classical frame here. Upright and smartly 'claretty'. The nose is awash with deep plum, dark cherry flesh and intriguing scent of a fine church. Subtly toasty wood. The palate follows - with density and a firmish feel to the cool dark berry fruit. This will need more time than some - but its all here for the future. Classical, pure and long. 57% new barrels, 43% in second-fill barrels.L&S (Apr 2024)

This is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, the latter from young vines which made it into the grand vin for the first time. This feels immediately convincing on the nose, notThis is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, the latter from young vines which made it into the grand vin for the first time. This feels immediately convincing on the nose, not that common in this vintage, with dark and convincing crystalline fruits, laced with black pepper and tar. The palate takes it up a notch with a really charming texture, with a juicy and lightly creamed body of fruit wrapped loosely around a spindle of firm tannins. Juicy, bright, open and expressive, this culminates in a finish of rich grip and peppery tannins. This shows rather well, with a cohesive substance and plenty of peppery grip, and the powdery substance of a fine vintage. Good potential here. Tasted three times. The alcohol is 13.2% on analysis. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Pibran includes fully 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, as restructured parcels start to come into production and contribute to the blend. Offering up aromas of plums, red berries and pencil shavings,The 2023 Pibran includes fully 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, as restructured parcels start to come into production and contribute to the blend. Offering up aromas of plums, red berries and pencil shavings, it's medium-bodied, fleshy and supple, with a pretty core of fruit framed by powdery tannins. Rating: 89-91 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)