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

Intense spice and fennel, high aromatics, bitter chocolate and fennel, with a fresh kick on the finish. 25% new oak. Production of Le Thil will be smaller than for the others because more MerlotIntense spice and fennel, high aromatics, bitter chocolate and fennel, with a fresh kick on the finish. 25% new oak. Production of Le Thil will be smaller than for the others because more Merlot here, so more impact by mildew, harvest September 8 to October 5. Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 90 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 10/6/2024

This has a big structure of polished tannins that are energetic and punchy. Medium to full body with beautiful blackcurrants, as well as dark tobacco and wet earth. Chewy at the end, but a pointedThis has a big structure of polished tannins that are energetic and punchy. Medium to full body with beautiful blackcurrants, as well as dark tobacco and wet earth. Chewy at the end, but a pointed and focused finish. More structured than 2022. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. From organically grown grapes. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.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: 95-97 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 5/6/2024

Elderflower and peony aromatics, stunning inky plum colour that is very much a signature of Carmes, where it looks so enticing and ripe visually, and then on the palate you feel this contrastingElderflower and peony aromatics, stunning inky plum colour that is very much a signature of Carmes, where it looks so enticing and ripe visually, and then on the palate you feel this contrasting vibrant lift and drinkability. Back to the signature squid ink flavour that is the key marker of ripe Cabernet in the vintage, and here the grippy slate texture slows everything slows, slowly humming through the palate. Has a sappy, drinkability, with crushed rose petals and salted cracker salinity. 60% whole cluster, harvest September 11 to 25. 3.6ph. Distinctive, intense, one for Carmes lovers to celebrate. Drinking range: 2030 - 2046 Rating: 96 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 29/5/2024

The blackberry and blueberry character comes through clearly here, alongside a hint of stone. Medium-bodied with creamy and polished tannins and a savory finish. Very typical for the appellation.The blackberry and blueberry character comes through clearly here, alongside a hint of stone. Medium-bodied with creamy and polished tannins and a savory finish. Very typical for the appellation. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

Plenty of blackberry, blackcurrant, chocolate and flint aromas that follow through to a full body, yet it’s in check and focused with a beautiful framing of fine tannins. The purity of ripe fruit isPlenty of blackberry, blackcurrant, chocolate and flint aromas that follow through to a full body, yet it’s in check and focused with a beautiful framing of fine tannins. The purity of ripe fruit is impressive with cabernet really showing through. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 16/5/2024

The blend here is 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, picked at a yield of 35 hl/ha. Less use of oak here now, more focus on cement tanks and eggs. TheThe blend here is 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, picked at a yield of 35 hl/ha. Less use of oak here now, more focus on cement tanks and eggs. The fermentation was aided by inoculation using yeasts isolated from the Pape-Clément vineyard. This presents a rather classy nose, with delicately desiccated dark summer berries and finely polished oak, all wrapped in ribbons of toast and tobacco, with some floral rose and peony notes as well. The palate brings a sense of harmony into play, with a polished and sinewy body of dark summer berries, laced with tobacco, leather, toast and dark chocolate too, with a particularly fine, well-knit and rather powdery frame of tannins. These give it a good grip, which works well with the fine acidity of the vintage. This shows delicious potential, and is ahead of many of its Pessac-Léognan peers in this vintage, especially in the finesse of the structure. Tasted twice, including at the château, with the same findings on each occasion. The alcohol is 13.4% Rating: 93-95 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

The 2023 Fieuzal reveals a bright, perfumed bouquet of mulberries and cherries mingled with floral accents of violets, lilac and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, it’s pureThe 2023 Fieuzal reveals a bright, perfumed bouquet of mulberries and cherries mingled with floral accents of violets, lilac and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, it’s pure and seamless, with a fleshy core of fruit, bright acids and powdery, ultra-refined tannins, concluding with a mineral, penetrating finish. This blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot stands out in this challenging vintage for gravelly, sandy terroirs. Under the adept guidance of Stephen Carrier, the estate—positioned on the border of the Pessac-Léognan appellation—has hit new heights in recent years. Drinking range: 2025 - 2055 Rating: 94-96 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

48.3 Merlot, 39.4 Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.3 Cabernet Franc: 21.2% new oak: 14.3% alc This is a startlingly precise La Chapelle with pristine sour cherry and plum notes and layers of rose petals and48.3 Merlot, 39.4 Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.3 Cabernet Franc: 21.2% new oak: 14.3% alc This is a startlingly precise La Chapelle with pristine sour cherry and plum notes and layers of rose petals and violet over an immovable acidic core, which refreshes the palate while making the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. At all moments, this is a riveting wine with smooth fruit and honed tannins right up until the finish, which is white knuckle tense and in need of a decade to soften. Please don’t say I didn’t warn you that this is an action-packed drop! Rating: 18+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

52.7 Cabernet Sauvignon, 29.6 Merlot, 17.7 Cabernet Franc: 69.5% new oak: 14.5% alc The nose is soaked with Cabernet Franc, and the tannins on the finish are amazingly Cabernet Sauvignon dominant. 52.7 Cabernet Sauvignon, 29.6 Merlot, 17.7 Cabernet Franc: 69.5% new oak: 14.5% alc The nose is soaked with Cabernet Franc, and the tannins on the finish are amazingly Cabernet Sauvignon dominant. Perhaps this is not surprising given the make-up of this wine is a little over 70% Cabernets. These two grapes conspire to bookend the discreet ripeness of the Merlot heart. Earthiness underpins plushness, and the most remarkable thing is that despite this beautiful young wine's apparent sternness and angularity, it still manages to show control and calm among the power and muscle. While it does its best to act like an elemental golem, this gentle giant has a very long life ahead. The power will eventually be tamed, but only when the acidity abates. The tannins will leave the stage when they are ready, but the acidity gives this wine such a firm character, and you must be patient to allow this battery pack to wind down. This complex cocktail of flavours directly results from the intricacies of the extraordinary 2022 vintage, and they have made La Mission a serious keeper. Rating: 19++ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

The 2023 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a heady wine. Here, the tannins are especially polished, almost uncharacteristically so, even through they are very much present. Black cherry, plum, chocolate,The 2023 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is a heady wine. Here, the tannins are especially polished, almost uncharacteristically so, even through they are very much present. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, new leather and gravel build effortlessly in the glass. Bright acids punctuate the finish. The 2023 is a showy Clarence with tons of character. Drinking range: 2026 - 2045 Rating: 91-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 14/5/2024

This is a blend of 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9.1% Cabernet Franc, and it was picked from September 6th, finishing on October 3rd. The nose is savoury, rich, and floral, with blackThis is a blend of 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9.1% Cabernet Franc, and it was picked from September 6th, finishing on October 3rd. The nose is savoury, rich, and floral, with black cherry, damson, coherent and bright, and this proceeds a palate which is sinewy, savoury and correct. There is dark fruit aplenty here, blackcurrant, damson, blackberry and toast, with seams of savoury and toasted tannins, the dark, lithe and sinewy fruit draped very nicely over the tannic structure which lends the palate a significant degree of grip. All the same, a rather finessed interpretation of the Haut-Brion style here. Very promising, but not head-and-shoulders above the rest of the appellation for sure – it’s more of a photo finish – but still exceptionally good. The alcohol is 14.6% in analysis. Rating: 95-97 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 7/5/2024

The blend is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot (more than usual) and 1% Cabernet Franc. A very confident set of aromatics on the nose, perfumed, sweet and focused, with red cherry,The blend is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot (more than usual) and 1% Cabernet Franc. A very confident set of aromatics on the nose, perfumed, sweet and focused, with red cherry, crystalline raspberry and other summer berries, with traces of bay leaf, leather and tobacco. The palate presents a medium-bodied and sinewy style, with delicate fruits draped over a core of fresh and tightly knit tannins, with nice acidity giving it a sense of vigour and sinew. It holds together well in an understated style, the tannins nicely controlled throughout, continuing to a rather charming and modestly textured finish. A good result, with understated potential. The élevage will be in 60% new oak. Tasted twice. The alcohol is 13.18% on analysis. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 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)