Pauillac

Release date: 4/6/2024

The 2023 Pichon Baron is stellar. It is another wine in this lineup that impresses with its finesse and nobility. Dark and enveloping, with terrific freshness, this Grand Vin is so expressive. TheThe 2023 Pichon Baron is stellar. It is another wine in this lineup that impresses with its finesse and nobility. Dark and enveloping, with terrific freshness, this Grand Vin is so expressive. The 2023 is an understated, wonderfully refined Pichon Baron. Dark fruit, violet and mocha build into the resonant finish. Drinking range: 2033 - 2063 Rating: 95-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 3/6/2024

The success of Pichon over recent years extends to its second wine also, and this delivers waves of cassis bud and red roses on the opening beats, followed up by vibrant raspberry and and blackberryThe success of Pichon over recent years extends to its second wine also, and this delivers waves of cassis bud and red roses on the opening beats, followed up by vibrant raspberry and and blackberry fruits, easier drinking than the powerhouse 2022. A vintage that sees 50 years of Pichon Comtesse Reserve (once known, of course, as Reserve de la Comtesse). 55% of the production, more than usual because they were focusing so much on Cabernet for the main wine. Nicolas Glumineau director. Drinking range: 2028 - 2040 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 3/6/2024

Wow. This is really excellent, with superb finesse and focus. It has tight density that is almost diamond-like in its brilliance. Medium to full body, with a quality of tannin that is incrediblyWow. This is really excellent, with superb finesse and focus. It has tight density that is almost diamond-like in its brilliance. Medium to full body, with a quality of tannin that is incredibly seamless. Like silk in texture. A top Pichon Lalande. From organic and biodynamically grown grapes. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 3% cabernet franc. May be better than 2022. Rating: 98-99 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 23/5/2024

Medium intensity ruby red, good grip and slightly old schol tannins, but this has real charm and juice, savoury and easy to drink, good Pauillac typicity. 42% new oak (reduced down from 50% over lastMedium intensity ruby red, good grip and slightly old schol tannins, but this has real charm and juice, savoury and easy to drink, good Pauillac typicity. 42% new oak (reduced down from 50% over last few years). Drinking range: 2029 - 2040 Rating: 91 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 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

A very pure and beautiful HBL with blackcurrant and mineral notes, like crushed stones, as well as a vivid freshness. Purity and brightness in the center-palate, with essence of cassis and a crunchyA very pure and beautiful HBL with blackcurrant and mineral notes, like crushed stones, as well as a vivid freshness. Purity and brightness in the center-palate, with essence of cassis and a crunchy minerality from part of the vineyard in limestone. 86% cabernet sauvignon and 14% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 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

Concentrated, intense and muscular, not a word that I have used very often in 2023 Bordeaux. You get a deeply-rooted tannic grip, with soot, squid ink, cassis, blackberry, bilberry, liqourice root,Concentrated, intense and muscular, not a word that I have used very often in 2023 Bordeaux. You get a deeply-rooted tannic grip, with soot, squid ink, cassis, blackberry, bilberry, liqourice root, slate scrap, pummice stone and mint. Lynch Bages seems to be wrought from a different place than it was a decade ago, impressive, powerful Pauillac, with an eye on long ageing. 75% new oak, Jean-Charles Cazes owner, Nicolas Labenne technical director. Drinking range: 2033 - 2048 Rating: 96 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.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

High Cabernet, as is the story of the vintage on the Left Bank. A wine that also continues the new story of Armailhac following serious investment in vineyards and cellar, and technical directorHigh Cabernet, as is the story of the vintage on the Left Bank. A wine that also continues the new story of Armailhac following serious investment in vineyards and cellar, and technical director Lucie Lauilhé. Bright and vivid from the first moment, layered cassis, crushed mint, liqourice root, crushed rocks, an excellently precise, structed and textured Armailhac. Love it. Harvest September 7 to 30. 80ha in production, 50% new oak barrels for ageing. Drinking range: 2030 - 2046 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 6/5/2024

Pauillac was close to normal rainfall, with less mildew than other parts of the region, helping to usher in the excellent crop of wines that you will find in the appellation in 2023. This joins thePauillac was close to normal rainfall, with less mildew than other parts of the region, helping to usher in the excellent crop of wines that you will find in the appellation in 2023. This joins the best of them with its superb quality, and a real sense of excitement and drive. Expect vivacity and tension in the blue and black fruits, with liqourice root, squid ink, salted cracker, white pepper spice and freshly cut herbs. September 7 to 29 for harvest, 55% new oak barrels for ageing. Carmanère dating from 1947 is in this 1st wine, with the massal selection descendents in Pastourelle. Caroline Artaud director. Drinking range: 2030 - 2046 Rating: 96 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 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

This hits you right off the first nose, driven by slate and crushed rocks, setting the tone and the architecture, guiding the fruit through the palate. Cassis, bilberry, tobacco leaf, graphite,This hits you right off the first nose, driven by slate and crushed rocks, setting the tone and the architecture, guiding the fruit through the palate. Cassis, bilberry, tobacco leaf, graphite, crushed mint, finessed and sculpted, this is a gorgeous Lafite, with fine tannins and the squid ink character that seems to be present in all of this stable of wines except Moulin de Duhart. Hidden power, where nothing is too much and yet everything is concentrated, once again proving that the terroir at this particular spot has its own personality that stands out every year. High Cabernet as ever, combined with around 15% press wine. Not the concentration of 2022, but in many ways showcasing the essence of Lafite more squarely, and this will delight anyone lucky enough to own it in future years. 45hl/h yield, highest since 2015, harvest September 7 to 29. 100% new oak. New cellar underway, due for completion in 2027. I am giving it 10 years to begin entering its opening window, a little less than usual but it will make no difference to how long you can cellar it. Drinking range: 2033 - 2055 Rating: 98-100 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 2/5/2024

The 2023 Duhart-Milon was picked September 7 to October 3 and contains 15% pressed wine, matured in 50% new oak. It has a much more backward bouquet than the Moulin, displaying well-defined yetThe 2023 Duhart-Milon was picked September 7 to October 3 and contains 15% pressed wine, matured in 50% new oak. It has a much more backward bouquet than the Moulin, displaying well-defined yet tightly coiled graphite-infused black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins that belie the backbone of this Pauillac. That graphite element is accentuated in the mouth and controls the classic finish that could only come from this appellation. This is excellent, but patience is required. Drinking range: 2030 - 2060 Rating: 93-95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 2/5/2024

The blend here is 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between September 7th and October 3rd. A very reserved nose, de rigueur for these particular Rothschild wines, with a mineral wrappingThe blend here is 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between September 7th and October 3rd. A very reserved nose, de rigueur for these particular Rothschild wines, with a mineral wrapping of gravel and stone, wrapped around fine desiccated currant fruits, with slowly emerging floral notes, lightly expressed, the focus here being reserve and tension. The palate really steps up though, with a taut and mineral line of currant and berry fruits, underpinned by a finely knit and ripe core of tannins, supporting the savoury and lightly bitter fruits through the middle and finish. This has a fine sense of savoury poise, the fruit almost sour such is its reserve, but the structure is integrated and charged, with a long and tense wrapping of tannins at the end. A very correct Carruades this year. The alcohol is 13%. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 30/4/2024

This is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, with picking from September 7th for the Merlot, followed by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot on the 20thThis is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, with picking from September 7th for the Merlot, followed by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot on the 20th and Cs on the 28th. No declaration on the yield here, Alfred Tesseron choosing to keep this figure to his chest, which only makes me wonder if the vines really suffered with the mildew here. There is no second wine here, although Alfred tells me some (volume not disclosed) was sold off in bulk. A sample on which the cork was popped as I arrived, before Alfred showed off his new bottle, 300 g lighter (starting with the 2022 vintage in fact). The 2023 Pontet-Canet starts with a nose of dark fruits, certainly in a pointed style, also a little high-toned and dusty; the élevage in those cement amphorae coming through? It carries the sinewy and juicy style of the vintage on the start of the palate, with a modest midpalate, restrained and fresh, with a rich undercurrent of dense, ripe and taut tannins. Draped over this are the smoked and high-toned fruits of the vintage, before it finishes with a sense of harmony, with a powdery, tobacco-infused grip. Very much a wine in the style of the vintage, with plenty of ripe tannic grip evident, the lighter texture of 2023 perhaps allowing it to show through. The alcohol this year is about 13.5%. Rating: 92-94 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.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)

The 2023 Haut-Batailley is another impressive wine from this Chateau. There's plenty of the typical dark fruit and overall breadth that is such a signature, but the tannins show greater finesse thanThe 2023 Haut-Batailley is another impressive wine from this Chateau. There's plenty of the typical dark fruit and overall breadth that is such a signature, but the tannins show greater finesse than in some prior years—a very positive evolution that continues here. Black cherry, plum, lavender, cloves, leather and licorice are all beautifully amplified. The 2023 marks another major step forward for Haut-Batailley. Drinking range: 2028 - 2043 Rating: 93-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

This is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Merlot, a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, as it was in the 2021 vintage. It has some red cherry and rose petal fruit on the nose, with a littleThis is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Merlot, a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, as it was in the 2021 vintage. It has some red cherry and rose petal fruit on the nose, with a little toast and leather. A beautifully presented sample, cool, fresh, floral and bright, with the delicate linearity of the vintage, draped over a core of nicely ripe and polished tannins. A little sappy in the finish, but this is a pretty, entry-level Pauillac. The alcohol on analysis is 13.1%. Rating: 89-91 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)