Organic Wines

Release date: 10/6/2024

This takes half the crop, the remainder split between the two second wines, and the blend is 90% Sauvignon Blanc, with 5% each Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon. I don’t usually comment on colour anThis takes half the crop, the remainder split between the two second wines, and the blend is 90% Sauvignon Blanc, with 5% each Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon. I don’t usually comment on colour an primeurs, but the density of pigment here stands out compared to Les Hauts and Le Petit. The fruit comes with some honeyed overtones on the nose, smoked peach and orange, complexities which are carried onto the palate, which is rich with the flavours of gorse, freesia, peach, orange, mango and pear. Beneath I see honeyed veins and infused minerals, with streaks of bitterness. There is grip and structure here, and great persistence too, the finish and length shimmering with deliciously bitter phenolics. And yet it has freshness and drive too. A superb white Smith-Haut-Lafitte. One for the cellar. Tasted twice. The alcohol is around 14%. Rating: 96-98 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 10/6/2024

As usual a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. This seems more reticent on the nose than Les Hauts, with powdered chalk, green pear and orange peel, the Semillon dampening down theAs usual a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. This seems more reticent on the nose than Les Hauts, with powdered chalk, green pear and orange peel, the Semillon dampening down the expression a little I think. Nevertheless it shows beautiful texture and presence through the palate, with supple texture, finely veined phenolics and a fresh core of acidity. This will, I suspect, need some time to open up, through the élevage or in bottle, but it should be very good when it gets there. The alcohol is around 14%. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 3/6/2024

Wafting from the glass with pure aromas of cherries, berries, plums and potpourri, the 2023 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, with a vigorous core of fruit framed byWafting from the glass with pure aromas of cherries, berries, plums and potpourri, the 2023 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, with a vigorous core of fruit framed by supple tannins. It's a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Rating: 92-94 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 15/5/2024

The 2023 Ausone reveals an incipient bouquet of violet, smoke, dark wild berries, spices and cherries, all beautifully interwoven with creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated,The 2023 Ausone reveals an incipient bouquet of violet, smoke, dark wild berries, spices and cherries, all beautifully interwoven with creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a rich chassis of tannin, it has a vibrant core of fruit and a long, mineral, vanillin-inflected finish. At 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, this ranks alongside the 2014 vintage as one of the most Cabernet-dominant Ausone vintages of recent years, and it will mature for 20 months in new oak barrels. Drinking range: 2025 - 2055 Rating: 95-97 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

This has very fresh, lively and almost al-dente fruit. It’s mouthwatering and juicy. Medium-to full-bodied, refined and seamless. Long, with a firm backbone of tannins that are very fine andThis has very fresh, lively and almost al-dente fruit. It’s mouthwatering and juicy. Medium-to full-bodied, refined and seamless. Long, with a firm backbone of tannins that are very fine and polished. Crunchy and structured. Chewy at the end. 92% cabernet sauvignon and 8% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

The 2023 Ferrière is a strong effort, bursting with aromas of dark berries, spices and boot polish, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate with a broad attack, good depth atThe 2023 Ferrière is a strong effort, bursting with aromas of dark berries, spices and boot polish, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered palate with a broad attack, good depth at the core and sweet structuring tannins. It's a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3.5% Petit Verdot and a touch of Cabernet Franc. Rating: 91-93 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

The 2023 Haut-Bages Libéral was picked at 53hL/ha between September 12 and 30, matured for 16 months in 40% new oak. The nose was quite backward when I tasted it, though Claire Villars-LurtonThe 2023 Haut-Bages Libéral was picked at 53hL/ha between September 12 and 30, matured for 16 months in 40% new oak. The nose was quite backward when I tasted it, though Claire Villars-Lurton commented that it had just closed down the week that I visited. It will be more open once in bottle. The palate is more indicative: clean, fresh, linear and nicely focused, with more grip than the Ferrière. Touches of graphite linger on the finish. This is very classically styled, and there is nothing wrong with that–a wine for Pauillac purists and those seeking wines with less sulfites. Drinking range: 2028 - 2046 Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 24/5/2024

Juicy and fresh red with medium body and firm tannins. Hints of vivid fruit and wet stones in the finish. Slightly chewy at the end.Juicy and fresh red with medium body and firm tannins. Hints of vivid fruit and wet stones in the finish. Slightly chewy at the end. Rating: 91-92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

Sappy and enticing ruby red fruit character, black pepper spice, fragrant cumin, good uplift through the palate. 25hl/h yield, impacted not by frost or midlew but by the heat in September on theSappy and enticing ruby red fruit character, black pepper spice, fragrant cumin, good uplift through the palate. 25hl/h yield, impacted not by frost or midlew but by the heat in September on the young vines, 3.6ph. Harvest September 13 to October 2. Drinking range: 2027 - 2038 Rating: 89 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 3/5/2024

A subtle yet plush La Lagune with black olives, blackberries and hints of chocolate and hazelnut. Medium body with fine, polished tannins and a savory finish. There's a crunchy feel to it and it’sA subtle yet plush La Lagune with black olives, blackberries and hints of chocolate and hazelnut. Medium body with fine, polished tannins and a savory finish. There's a crunchy feel to it and it’s layered and deep at the end. 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot. No petit verdot. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 15/5/2024

The density of fruit grabs your attention, showing fullness and richness with blue fruit and a hazelnut undertone. Chewy at the end of the polished and solid palate. Structured young wine.The density of fruit grabs your attention, showing fullness and richness with blue fruit and a hazelnut undertone. Chewy at the end of the polished and solid palate. Structured young wine. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 3/6/2024

Director Thomas Duroux and his team elected to harvest late in pursuit of full maturity, beginning with the Merlot on September 11 and finishing the Cabernet Sauvignon on October 5 to produce aDirector Thomas Duroux and his team elected to harvest late in pursuit of full maturity, beginning with the Merlot on September 11 and finishing the Cabernet Sauvignon on October 5 to produce a beautiful 2023 Palmer, redolent of cherries, wild berries, rose petals and violets. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, it's medium to full-bodied, plush and enveloping, with a cool core of fruit, succulent acids, ultra-refined tannins and a seamless, complete profile. Rating: 96-97 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 30/4/2024

The 2023 Pontet-Canet is a powerful, impressively constituted wine. Dark, vibrant and sensual in the glass, the 2023 is somber and mysterious in bearing. Black plum, gravel, lavender, graphite andThe 2023 Pontet-Canet is a powerful, impressively constituted wine. Dark, vibrant and sensual in the glass, the 2023 is somber and mysterious in bearing. Black plum, gravel, lavender, graphite and licorice all meld together in the glass. More than anything else, the 2023 is incredibly well put together. In this vintage, the wine was blended at the beginning of élevage rather than at the end, as was the custom in the past. This is a gorgeous and hugely promising Pontet-Canet. I especially admire its finely cut precision and soaring aromatics. Drinking range: 2030 - 2048 Rating: 94-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 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: 10/6/2024

Structured and pretty serious Petit SHL, focusing on blue and black fuits, good structure and tension, showcases the quality of this year's Cabernet Sauvignon, highlighting the nuance and inkyStructured and pretty serious Petit SHL, focusing on blue and black fuits, good structure and tension, showcases the quality of this year's Cabernet Sauvignon, highlighting the nuance and inky character of the grape in 2023, harvest September 8 to October 5. Drinking range: 2027 - 2038 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)