Pessac-Léognan

Release date: 11/6/2024

A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2023 Haut-Bailly has a pH of 3.75. It is deep garnet-purple in color and it waltzes out with showy scents ofA blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2023 Haut-Bailly has a pH of 3.75. It is deep garnet-purple in color and it waltzes out with showy scents of boysenberry preserves, stewed plums, and fruit cake, followed by underlying suggestions of Indian spices, menthol, graphite, and lavender, with a hint of cardamom. The full-bodied palate is rich and seductively plush, with layers of black fruits and exotic spices, plus mint and floral sparks, finishing long and fragrant. It is so graceful and opulent! Drinking range: 2029 - 2050 Rating: 96-98 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent (May 2024)

Release date: 10/6/2024

Slightly shy and closed for the first sniff, the 2023 Le Thil reveals aromas of dark wild berries, spices and mulberries after time in the glass. Medium-bodied, juicy and elegant, it’s seamless andSlightly shy and closed for the first sniff, the 2023 Le Thil reveals aromas of dark wild berries, spices and mulberries after time in the glass. Medium-bodied, juicy and elegant, it’s seamless and charming with structured tannins and a long, ethereal finish. This blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, matured 30% in new oak barrels, has turned out nicely. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 89-91 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 10/6/2024

The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. This is the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever here, beating the 2019 vintage which was about 65%,The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. This is the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever here, beating the 2019 vintage which was about 65%, but future vintages are likely to stay around this figure given the way the climate is changing. This took about one-third of the crop, which was just 26 hl/ha. Beautifully pure Cabernet fruit on the nose, with fresh blackcurrants, gorse and tobacco from the oak. The palate feels immediately understated but quickly reveals its sinew, substance, polish and longevity, with a great depth of fruit wrapped around the ribbons of beautifully knit-together tannins. There is drive and precision here, great energy, with deliriously dark fruits. A beautiful finish and length. This is a fabulous wine which transcends any doubts you might have about the potential hidden within this vintage – you just need to know where to look. So impressive. Tasted twice. The alcohol is about 14%. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 10/6/2024

The 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte is a powerhouse. In recent years, the Grand Vin has shifted toward a bit more nuance than in the past, but in 2023, small yields and thick skins yielded a somber,The 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte is a powerhouse. In recent years, the Grand Vin has shifted toward a bit more nuance than in the past, but in 2023, small yields and thick skins yielded a somber, explosive Grand Vin. It will need many years to be at its most expressive. Blackberry, gravel, licorice, spice, plum and chocolate are some of the many notes that emerge from the glass. Readers will find a wine of real substance and textural intensity, framed by vibrant acids. A touch of air works wonders here. Drinking range: 2030 - 2053 Rating: 95-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 5/6/2024

The 2023 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is increasingly a wine of seamlessness. Whereas the various components were once easily discernible, today Carmes is most often a wine of total beauty. The 2023 is aThe 2023 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is increasingly a wine of seamlessness. Whereas the various components were once easily discernible, today Carmes is most often a wine of total beauty. The 2023 is a bit shy, especially in its aromatics. In other words, a pretty big departure from so many other recent vintages that have been far showier at this stage. Technical Director Guillaume Pouthier explains that he plans to give the 2023 longer aging, around 24-26 months, so he approached vinification and the early part of aging in a more reductive style than in the past. As always, Les Carmes is marked by its strong presence of Cabernet Franc and use of whole clusters, but as mentioned above, those signatures are less immediately evident than they once were. Les Carmes has been one of Bordeaux's stars over the last few years. I can't wait to see how the 2023 turns out. Drinking range: 2035 - 2073 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 29/5/2024

Grilled oak, deep ruby colour, touch of rose petals on the nose, more floral than many in the appellation, gives a pretty feel to the opening beats. This is on the fresher side of the vintage butGrilled oak, deep ruby colour, touch of rose petals on the nose, more floral than many in the appellation, gives a pretty feel to the opening beats. This is on the fresher side of the vintage but still with ripe fruits, and a cushion of air that runs through the palate, good quality, elegant, medium term drinking, should be good to go within four or five years, just allow the architecture to soften. 40% new oak, 33hl/ha yield. Drinking range: 2028 - 2038 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

The 2023 Domaine de Chevalier was picked from September 7 to 30 and contains 13% alcohol. This is quintessential "DdC" on the nose: black fruit, sous-bois and hints of black olive at first, subtleThe 2023 Domaine de Chevalier was picked from September 7 to 30 and contains 13% alcohol. This is quintessential "DdC" on the nose: black fruit, sous-bois and hints of black olive at first, subtle marine notes emerging with time in the glass. There’s wonderful focus and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with pencil-shaving-tinged black fruit on the entry. Perhaps a bit grippier with more spine than one would expect (especially following the more sensual 2022), this is very traditional in style, with a tremendously long and satisfying saline finish. Superb. Drinking range: 2029 - 2060 Rating: 94-96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 16/5/2024

The 2023 Pape Clément evokes aromas of dark wild berries, spices, licorice and mulberries, followed by a medium to full-bodied, round and ample palate with structuring tannins and a firm,The 2023 Pape Clément evokes aromas of dark wild berries, spices, licorice and mulberries, followed by a medium to full-bodied, round and ample palate with structuring tannins and a firm, concentrated mid-palate that segues into a long, fruity finish. Less oaky than the previous years, this is a more contemporary expression of this great terroir. It's a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Drinking range: 2025 - 2040 Rating: 92-94 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

Very impressive freshness and focus here. Bright and succulent, al-dente fruit right upfront and continuing through the whole length of the wine. Notes of forest floor, sea shell and iodine. MediumVery impressive freshness and focus here. Bright and succulent, al-dente fruit right upfront and continuing through the whole length of the wine. Notes of forest floor, sea shell and iodine. Medium body. It has bright acidity that adds tension and a lot of energy. Fine tannins, already beautifully integrated. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

The solid center-palate and sure nature says La Mission, as it should, being the second wine of the estate. Medium body with a creamy and refined tannin structure that is long and true. Oyster-shellThe solid center-palate and sure nature says La Mission, as it should, being the second wine of the estate. Medium body with a creamy and refined tannin structure that is long and true. Oyster-shell and blackcurrant character, as well as crushed stones. Direct. 48.3% merlot, 39.4% cabernet sauvignon and 12.3% cabernet franc. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

The 2023 La Mission Haut-Brion unwinds in the glass to reveal aromas of ripe red fruits, dark wild berries, spring flowers, burning embers and lilac. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated,The 2023 La Mission Haut-Brion unwinds in the glass to reveal aromas of ripe red fruits, dark wild berries, spring flowers, burning embers and lilac. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it’s layered and textural with a dense core of fruit underpinned by youthfully firm structuring tannins. This blend of 52.7% Merlot, 29.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17.7% Cabernet Franc its likely to become fleshier and more enveloping with barrel maturation. Drinking range: 2025 - 2061 Rating: 94-96 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

Like La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, this presents a nose of powdered chalk, crushed with rose petals, peony and pepper. This has a little more delineation and appeal than La Chapelle, withLike La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, this presents a nose of powdered chalk, crushed with rose petals, peony and pepper. This has a little more delineation and appeal than La Chapelle, with directly drawn fruit, broad and correct, with a little sense of sinew and structure to it. Plenty of firm phenolic grip here, showing though at the end. Lots of structure, but perhaps not quite enough direction here; all the same this is a very nice second wine, although it will need some time to absorb that grip. The alcohol here is 14.2%. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

This is an exceptional Haut-Brion, offering juice and elegant balance alongside classically structured layers, generous but restrained, sense of architecture and building blocks of a truly great LeftThis is an exceptional Haut-Brion, offering juice and elegant balance alongside classically structured layers, generous but restrained, sense of architecture and building blocks of a truly great Left Bank wine. Rippling with sinewy muscles, juicy and controlled, packed with cocoa bean, espresso, liouqorice root, but none of these flavours dominate, knitted together, with a vertical lift. 100% new oak, Jean-Philippe Delmas director, Jean-Philippe Masclef technical director, no outside consultant. Drinking range: 2035 - 2050 Rating: 98-100 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 7/5/2024

Excellent vintage at Malartic, rich plum colour, cocoa bean, black chocolate, anis and fennel, this is skilfully constructed. Peony and iris notes arrive through the mid palate, giving a focus onExcellent vintage at Malartic, rich plum colour, cocoa bean, black chocolate, anis and fennel, this is skilfully constructed. Peony and iris notes arrive through the mid palate, giving a focus on savoury Cabernet, cassis bud, mint leaf, elegant and well measured. You can see the building blocks and feel totally confident about how well it will develop over the next decade and beyond - suggest waiting at least six to eight years before opening. Great stuff from the Bonnie family, who continue to make this an unmissable Pessac. 38.95hl/ha yield. Drinking range: 2030 - 2050 Rating: 95 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Lots of vineyard restructuring work going on here, following terroir studies. Delivers the confident Pessac Léognan swirl of smoky oak, well balanced, enjoyable and easy drinking but high qualityLots of vineyard restructuring work going on here, following terroir studies. Delivers the confident Pessac Léognan swirl of smoky oak, well balanced, enjoyable and easy drinking but high quality wine, lip smacking, excellent bright blueberry fruits with grilled oak. Dourthe Vignobles. Axel Marchal and Chrstophe Ollivier consultants as of the 2023 vintage (they began in 2022 but not across the reds) - half the usual production of 1st wine, as selection becomes more drastic. Great value, a buy. Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)