2023 Futures
To find out about the week's releases, go to our Latest News page.
You can also sort all the wines in our selection by release date.
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In 2000, Malescot Saint-Exupéry woke up under the leadership of Michel Rolland. Since then, in a generous and serene style, very rich for a Margaux, he has never ceased to distinguish himself. As the Revue du Vin de France wrote: "In 10 years, it is the wine that has made the most progress among the Margaux wines".
Revue du Vin de France : 93-95/100 « Le château réussit le tour de force de produire un vin à la fois dense, concentré et intensément fruité, mais aussi très élégant et sans lourdeur. Brillant, salin, précis, il termine sur la pulpe du fruit. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 95/100 « Nous retrouvons ce que nous aimons dans se cru, sa franchise, sa droiture, mais aussi sa finesse aromatique et son potentiel de garde, avec l’enveloppe de merlots. Grande réussite. »
Le Point : 16.5/20 « Nez baies noires, note grillée, bouche tendue, serrée, vive, épicée. Fin, tendu, élégant. »
Galloni : 92-94/100 « The 2023 Malescot St. Exupéry is a powerful Margaux that will need a bit of time to come together. Potent tannins wrap around a core of red/purplish fruit, lavender, mint and dried herbs. These days, Malescot is not quite as unyielding as it used to be, but this remains a decidedly old-school Margaux in style and overall philosophy. »
Martin : 92-94/100 « Displaying blackberry and briar on the nose, the 2023 Malescot Saint Exupéry demands some coaxing from the glass. There's just a light, confit-like aroma in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine structure, slightly powdery tannins, modest weight and noticeably fresh acidity and salinity, the latter especially prominent toward the finish. More classically hewn compared to the 2022, this will require five or six years in bottle. Classy. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14%
- Blend:
- 58 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 37 % Merlot, 5 % Petit-Verdot
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Since the arrival of Bruno Borie in 2003, Ducru-Beaucaillou has been flying from success to success. No one has forgotten that, until 1980, Ducru was the greatest of the Médoc's second growths, a position it is now regaining. Bravo !
Revue du Vin de France : 96-98/100 « Le côté voluptueux de Ducru est une fois encore la force de ce 2023 très spectaculaire. L’éclat de son fruit est remarquable ; sa salinité en finale, les notes de graphite signent une grande réussite. Comment résister au soyeux de ses tanins et à la finesse de son grain ? La grande classe. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 96-97/100 ♥ Coup de cœur « Très puissant et intense, avec dans ce millésime de la force et de la profondeur dans le tannin qui en impose de manière magistrale, en attendant ses habituelles nuances de cèdre. Grand avenir. »
Le Point : 18.5/20 « Bouche droite, tanins soyeux. Droit, séveux, classe, très élégant. »
Galloni : 95-97/100 « The 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a heady, sumptuous Saint-Julien. The aromatics alone are captivating. Truffle, rose petal, blood orange, pomegranate, spice and menthol build in a creamy, lavish Ducru. The 2023 is a classic Bruno Borie wine that emphasizes textural opulence. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous floral and spice-driven top notes. The balance of opulence and vibrancy is compelling. »
Martin : 94-96/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with a fresh entry. Showing moderate depth, it's quite linear in style and grippy. A faint touch of bell pepper emerges on the classically styled finish that reminds me of some of the old vintages of Ducru-Beaucaillou. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot Noir
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Named Château Lalande-Borie until 2017, Le Petit Ducru is made from plots of great classified growths. A fine and distinguished Saint-Julien, in the spirit of Ducru-Beaucaillou.
Le Point : 14.5/15/20 « Baies noires, bouche souple, fruitée, tanins moelleux. Gourmand, sera prêt à boire assez vite. »
Galloni : 89-91/100 « The 2023 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou is packed with blackberry, chocolate, licorice, cloves and menthol. A wine of substance and textural richness, Le Petit Ducru shows the more opulent side of a year marked with late-season heat, also revealing some stylistic choices by way of its bombastic personality. This Saint-Julien is certainly not shy. »
Martin : 90-92/100 « The 2023 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru Beaucaillou has a seductive bouquet with pure red fruit, incense and light cedar scents, just a slight minty element emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit and fine structure. There's a dash of black pepper and more fruit concentration on the finish than the Madame de Beaucaillou. Very promising. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
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Vinified in the cellars of Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou, this cuvée benefits from the best care. Its higher proportion of Merlot (68%) makes it a wine of pleasure, gourmet and quickly enjoyable.
Le Point : 15/20 « Epices, fruits noirs, bon équilibre, gourmand. Un vin facile, savoureux, bien à sa place dans sa gamme. »
Galloni : 90-92/100 « The 2023 Madame de Beaucaillou is a very pretty, aromatic wine. Crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, dried herbs and a kiss of French oak are all nicely delineated. This juicy, perfumed, Merlot-based Haut-Médoc is a fine choice for drinking over the next decade or so. The 2023 is absolutely delicious. »
Martin : 88-90/100 «The 2023 Madame de Beaucaillou has a delightful bouquet with brambly red fruit, rose petals and cedar. Less Petit Verdot in the blend means it is less floral than the 2022. The palate is grippy and quite peppery on the entry-a little angular at the moment, but barrel-maturation will smooth the edges. That cracked black pepper element reappears toward the finish that needs more persistency. Give it three to four years in bottle if you can. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 59% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
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The arrival of Mr. Derenoncourt as a consultant in 2002 relaunched Prieuré-Lichine, giving it first of all a better aromatic dimension thanks to a more mature grape. The limitation of yields since 2009 has resulted in additional density and volume, which he lacked to compete with his peers. Progress hailed by the Revue du Vin de France, notably for its 2020, rated 95/100 « the most complete in a long time ».
Revue du Vin de France : 92-93/100 « Le cru a retrouvé toute sa densité et signe un 2023 de belle intensité, avec un cœur de bouche juteux et du volume. La finale est un rien resserrée. Il pourrait bien évoluer. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 93-94/100 ♥ Coup de cœur «Le meilleur des échantillons présentés montre le corps dense donné par ce millésime de cabernet, ainsi qu’un fruit profond et mûr. Le vin est encore dans sa phase d’extrême jeunesse. »
Le Point : 16.5-17/20 « Forte proportion de cabernet-sauvignon dans cet assemblage, et cela lui va bien. Fruits noirs, sureau, bouche ronde, tanins moelleux, gourmand, long, finale relevée. »
Quarin : 91/100 « Belle couleur sombre. Nez intense, au fruité mûr et subtil. Bouche délicate et suave, avec un gras fin parcourant le palais. Le vin évolue savoureux sur une belle longueur et un déroulé rarement vu aussi uni depuis le millésime 2005. Un renouveau. »
Galloni : 91-93/100 « The 2023 Prieuré-Lichine offers up copious red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint. This is very nicely perfumed. Silky tannins add to an impression of finesse. There is just a touch of dryness on the finish, which is the only real question mark here. Tasted two times. »
Martin : 91-93/100 « The 2023 Prieuré-Lichine has a well-defined and quite detailed bouquet with pretty black cherries, cedar and wilted violet aromas. The palate is medium-bodied, with light tannins matched by a crisp bead of acidity. It doesn't possess a dense or concentrated finish, yet there is balance here, and it will provide very pleasant drinking for 15 to 18 years. This is just a delicious Margaux wine in the making. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 64% Cabernet sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Petit verdot
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Impossible to resist the unspeakable complexity of its bouquet, floral and fruity, spicy and liquorice, as well as the incredible depth of its fresh and sumptuous finish. Great art, all the glory of Cabernet Franc on a limestone hillside. Alain Vauthier and his children, Pauline and Édouard, manage the 7 hectares of Ausone like a (very) great Burgundy wine. Magistral!
Revue du Vin de France : 96-98/100 « Là où de nombreux vins se livrent avec une certaine évidence et facilité dans ce millésime, Ausone conserve son âme impénétrable. Une fraîcheur mentholée éblouissante, signature des cabernets francs (60 %). Un moelleux de texture inimitable conjugué à une fraîcheur éblouissante. Une densité que nous ne retrouvons nulle part ailleurs. Un vin plein, nourrissant, baroque, empli de saveurs. [...] Intemporel. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 96-97/100 ♥ Coup de cœur « Toucher de tannin brillant, bouche complexe, dense, racée et élancée sur fond de fleurs poivrées qui se mêlent à un fruit d’une grande pureté. On le jugera sur le temps long mais cet ausone s’est montré plus expressif que ses pairs lors des dégustations primeurs. »
Le Point : 18/20 « Fruits noirs, poivre, cassis, bouche élégante, tanins veloutés, beaucoup de délicatesse, finale relevée. »
Quarin : 98/100 « C'est superbe ! Ultra minutieux en entrée de bouche, avec tout à la fois un toucher cristallin et une suavité jamais vue jusqu'alors avec un tel pourcentage de cabernet franc, le vin fond sur le palais. Délicatement gras et puissant, élancé et pour autant charnu, il s'étire long, profond et complexe. »
Galloni : 96-98/100 « The 2023 Ausone is a powerful, heady wine. Dark, layered and explosive, the 2023 possesses tremendous depth and tons of sheer resonance, something that becomes increasingly apparent with time in the glass. [...] The savory, mineral-drenched finish is eternal. All the 2023 needs is time. Readers lucky enough to own it should be thrilled. »
Martin : 96-98/100 « It has a wonderful bouquet that is very floral in style and perfectly controlled, perhaps more refined than the 2022. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky smooth entry, finely tuned with impressive mineralité. It just gently "rolls out" on the languorous finish. This is a more understated Ausone compared to recent vintages, but it exudes sophistication and could easily surpass the Vauthiers' 2022. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Organic certification:
- 2023
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The terraces of Moulin Saint-Georges (7 ha) face those of Ausone (same owner). Thanks to the quality of its terroir and the refined style of its wines, Moulin Saint-Georges is a sure bet in the appellation. As the Revue du Vin de France's 2024 guide points out, "quality has been impressively consistent for over two decades, and prices remain reasonable. The only regret is the quantities available...".
Like all Vauthier vineyards (Ausone, La Clotte, Haut-Simard...), Moulin Saint-Georges began its conversion to organic farming in 2020.Bettane & Desseauve : 91/100 « Belle générosité dans le tannin avec un fruit pur déjà épanoui, c’est un vin qui plaira à l’amateur. »
Le Point : 16.5/20 « Nez boisé agréable, bouche ample, savoureuse, longue, droite, classe, juteux. »
Quarin : 92/100 « Nez intense, tout à la fois fin et puissant. Fruité bien mûr. Délicat en entrée de bouche, savoureux au milieu, avec un gras fin qui parcourt le palais et de la minutie dans la réalisation, le vin marque des points en finale, un brin plus puissant. Très belle longueur savoureuse. Beaucoup d'énergie. »
Galloni : 90-93/100 « The 2023 Moulin Saint-Georges emerges from a small, 7-hectare property in front of Ausone. The richer side of the year comes through in the wine's dark blue/purplish fruit profile, lavender, licorice and spice notes. There's a bit of tannin here, but élevage should help this come together. »
Martin : 90-92/100 « The élevage shapes this Saint-Émilion nicely. It's a little woody at first, but that dissipates nicely with a few swirls of the glass, revealing a refreshing, marine-influenced bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth entry, quite a sensual and fleshy Moulin Saint-Georges, though the new oak is quite vocal and dominates the finish. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet franc
- Organic certification:
- 2023
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Selection of the best parcels of Château de Carles (10 ha out of the 20 ha of the estate), certainly the finest and most ambitious wine of Fronsac, making since 2000 equal game with the best classified growths of the slopes of Saint-Émilion. A great wine that should be kept for at least 6 to 8 years.
Bettane & Desseauve : 89-90/100 « Beaucoup de gourmandise et un tannin qui se montre plus distingué que par le passé. »
Quarin : 89/100 « Couleur noire. Nez aromatique, au fruité mûr. Touche de goudron. Caressant à l'attaque, savoureux en milieu de bouche, avec un gras fin qui parcourt le palais, le vin s'étire en finale, encore marqué par son élevage en bois. Déroulé plus précis que jamais »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Blend:
- 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
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A small estate (12 ha), carefully tended and vinified with constant regularity, Deyrem Valentin is one of the most typical Margaux crus. Distinguished by the Revue du Vin de France among the hidden nuggets of the Médoc, "its Margaux wines draw a delicious balance".
Promoted to "Cru Bourgeois Supérieur" in 2020.
Quarin : 88/100 « Couleur sombre et pourpre. Nez moyennement aromatique, au fruité mûr et crémeux. Bouche caressante et suave, un peu légère, mais parfumée. Longueur normale. »
Galloni : 92-94/100 « The 2023 Deyrem Valentin is a terrific surprise. Rich, ample and explosive, Deyrem Valentin has a ton to offer. To be sure, readers should expect a dense, opulent style, but it works quite well here. Succulent red/purplish fruit, spice, rose petal and citrus peel build into the deeply satisfying, resonant finish. Well done. »
Martin : 92-94/100 « The 2023 Deyrem-Valentin has a quintessential Margaux bouquet that is extremely well defined. Pure black cherry and blueberry fruit tones gently unfurl in the glass. The oak here is neatly integrated. The palate is wonderfully balanced with gentle grip, sapid black fruit and veins of blueberry, harmonious and poised with an insistent tug on the finish. This over-performs given its status and comes highly recommended. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
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On the terroir of Pez, known to be the best in St-Estèphe (excluding classified growths), the Cazes family uses the same recipes here as those that made Lynch-Bages so successful: generous fruit and opulent texture. Ormes de Pez is an'almost' Lynch-Bages but at a quarter of the price!
Revue du Vin de France : 91-93/100 « Il joue dans le club des grands séducteurs, avec une bouche bien fruitée et suave, qui s’étire sur des tanins souples et intégrés, avec un côté très digeste et fluide en bouche. Tout à fait dans l’esprit du cru. »
Le Point : 17/20 « Baies noires, note épicée, bouche droite, épicée, belle matière, tanins enrobés. Long, séduisant avec du fond. »
Quarin : 91/100 « Beau rouge sombre. Nez intense, au fruité mûr. Nuance de goudron. Touche crémeuse. Bouche immédiatement juteuse, se développant très fruitée, avec du corps, de la tendreté sans affaiblir le déroulé général. Longueur normale. Ensemble très réussi. »
Galloni : 91-93/100 « The 2023 Ormes de Pez is a powerful, bold Saint-Estèphe. Black cherry, gravel, incense, chocolate, tobacco, licorice and cured meat infuse the 2023 with tons of Saint-Estèphe personality. Burly and rustic, in a good sense, the 2023 has tons of character. The Merlots feel pretty ripe and exuberant in this sample. »
Martin : 91-93/100 « The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and well balanced with gentle grip. The new oak (45%) is well integrated. Suffice it to say, this is much more promising. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Blend:
- 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
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The best cru bourgeois of Saint-Julien (it could easily have been classified in 1855), kept by the Saint-Pierre team, even owner, and in very good shape in the last vintages. The Médoc's best value par excellence.
Revue du Vin de France : 91-93/100 « Le cru signe encore une belle réussite, avec une belle mise en avant de son fruité légèrement acidulé et très juteux. Un ensemble de bel équilibre, à la fois digeste et persistant en finale. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 91-92/100 « Excellent fruit, très ouvert, très typé de son secteur, boisé presque insensible et vrai caractère saint-julien. »« Nez intense, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, charnu au milieu et surtout très aromatique dans le dernier tiers du palais, le vin glisse, suave et gras vers une finale séveuse et charmante. C'est très bon. »
Le Point : 17/20 « Ronce, framboise sauvage, bouche élégante, bonne matière. Long, fin, droit. »
Quarin : 92/100 « Nez intense, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, charnu au milieu et surtout très aromatique dans le dernier tiers du palais, le vin glisse, suave et gras vers une finale séveuse et charmante. C'est très bon. »
Galloni : 91-93/100 « The 2023 Gloria is bright, punchy and super-expressive. Red-toned fruit, crushed flowers, white pepper and mocha are nicely dialed up. this super-classic Saint-Julien delivers the goods. Best of all, it should be a great value. »
Martin : 90-92/100 « It has a succinct bouquet with black cherries, red plum and pronounced floral aromas that emanate from the Petit Verdot. The palate is medium-bodied with bright blackberry and raspberry fruit, quite a minerally Gloria with a more linear, stricter finish than the 2022, as you would expect. There's also fine salinity here. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.3%
- Blend:
- 50% Cabernet sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Petit verdot, 5% Cabernet franc
- Organic certification:
- 2024
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Like many Sauternes crus, Climens has been producing a confidential 100% Semillon cuvée since 2022. Thanks to precision work during pressing and ageing in glass globes, Lilium expresses with a great purity the aromatic richness of this emblematic Sauternes grape variety, in a great gourmet white wine with a silky texture.
Revue du Vin de France : 91-93/100 « La douceur du fruit est une caresse dans ce sec de sémillon gracieux, au corps aérien, à la saveur nuancée de verveine et de guimauve, abricotée au point qu’elle pourrait évoquer celle d’un condrieu. Une proposition très originale et séduisante, dont la liberté de ton peut surprendre. »
Galloni : 91-93/100 « Rich, creamy and beautifully textured, the 2023 offers up scents of apricot, passion fruit, pineapple and exotic white flowers. It's an especially tropical style of Sémillon, but bright acids provide a lovely counterpoint. »
Martin : 89-91/100 « The 2023 Lilium, the pure dry Sémillon from Climens, has a delightful, pretty, finely delineated bouquet with lemon rind and orange blossom scents. The palate is a little more honeyed on the entry compared to other dry Sauternes-a tad richer, with lemon curd and vanilla scents. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 12.5%
- Blend:
- 100% Sémillon
- Organic certification:
- 2022
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Climens has been, for more than 50 years, the finest, the fruitiest and the most endearing of the Sauternes wines. Almost discreet in its first youth, Climens does not cease to develop and to refine itself in bottle. Biodynamic since the 2014 vintage. Magnificent 2016 "a fruit of an exemplary purity" noted 99/100 by the Revue du Vin de France.
Following 4 years of almost no production (none in 2017, 2018 and 2020, barely 1200 bottles in 2019), Climens changed hands in 2022.Bettane & Desseauve : 96/100 ♥ Coup de cœur « Grands arômes citronnés avec de la richesse en liqueur, beaucoup de caractère de terroir qui a besoin de temps pour donner la pleine mesure de son grand potentiel. »
Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur jaune clair. Nez intense, fruité et légèrement fumé. Très jolie entrée en bouche minutieuse, puis le vin fond avant de se montrer légèrement austère entre le milieu et la finale. L'expression manque. »
Galloni : 93-96/100 « The 2023 Climens is a dense, racy Barsac. Today is embryonic, but the potential is there. A wine of textural resonance, Climens offers up an exotic mélange of dried apricot, pear, spice, dried flowers, orange peel and passion fruit. I am very much looking forward to tasting this in bottle. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
- Blend:
- 100% Sémillon
- Organic certification:
- 2016
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In 2012, Haut-Brion bought and combined two grands crus classés (Tertre-Dauguay and L'Arrosée) on the slopes of Saint-Émilion (Côte Ausone), and put a foot in the right bank, called Quintus because it is their fifth property (after Haut-Brion, La Mission HB, Laville HB and Latour HB).
Their first objective is to make fine, long wines, focusing on freshness and delicacy rather than power or density, more typical of the left bank than the right bank.
Second objective: to shine in the next Saint-Emilion classifications (its immediate neighbours are Ausone, Belair-Monange, Angélus and Canon, all 1st classified grands crus).Revue du Vin de France : 90-91/100 « Une prise de bois, une note grillée insistent au nez. En bouche, une recherche d’onctuosité. Une constitution plutôt classique de Saint-Émilion. Un vin sérieux, un peu mat, bien façonné, sans pour autant nous procurer une émotion particulière. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 94-95/100 « On sent sur ce millésime une évolution vers plus de précision dans l’allonge et la délicatesse du tannin, avec un cœur de bouche plus étoffé. La finale bien étirée par le cabernet franc a de la classe. »
Le Point : 16.5/20 « Floral, violette, bouche serrée, pimentée, milieu de bouche délicat, plus en finesse que dans les millésimes précédents. »
Quarin : 95/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez très aromatique, fin, pur, fruité, subtil. Nuance de vanille. Ample à l'attaque, charnu en milieu de bouche, avec un superbe toucher, le vin se développe ascendant, puissant, tout bordé d'arômes scintillants. C'est long, complet et délicieux. »
Galloni: 94-96/100 « The 2023 Quintus is a rich, racy Grand Vin. Ample and resonant, the 2023 offers up copious dark-toned fruit, cedar, mint, tobacco, incense and French oak. There's tons of power and breadth but also more freshness than the early vintages, even if the oak is a touch present today. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 15%
- Blend:
- 78% Merlot, 22% Cabernet franc
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More infused than extracted, finely oaked, with a beautiful balance between fresh fruit and velvety tannins, this sapid and sensual Dragon is more than a second wine.
Quarin : 92/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez très aromatique et fruité. Touche subtile de gelée de mûres. Délicat en entrée de bouche, moelleux au milieu, sans cesse juteux, le vin fond au palais avant de prendre de la puissance et du gras dans la persistance. Il y a dans ce vin une précision aromatique hors pair qui modifie la perception de la structure elle-même. C'est passionnant à observer. »
Galloni: 90-92/100 « The 2023 Le Dragon de Quintus is a gorgeous, vibrant Saint-Émilion. Crushed flowers, red plum, spice, new leather and cedar lend notable energy and brightness. The 2023 is a fine Dragon with plenty of the breadth that is typical here, but in a slightly more restrained style than in past vintages. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.1%
- Blend:
- 72% Merlot, 28% Cabernet franc
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Second red wine of Haut-Brion, named as such since 2008 (previously Ch.Bahans Haut-Brion). To underline the stylistic kinship with his big brother, Le Clarence is put in the same very special bottle.
Revue du Vin de France : 91-93/100 « Distingué, frais et tendu, c’est un vin racé et longiligne, réservé, bien marqué par la structure tannique mais qui se montre nettement plus abordable que Haut-Brion. Bien dans le ton du millésime et fidèle à ce qu’on attend de l’expression du lieu. »
Le Point : 16.5/20 « Fruits noirs, bouche onctueuse, droite, fraîcheur. Bien équilibré. Joli vin. »
Quarin : 93/100 « Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez très aromatique, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Touches d'encre et de goudron. Moelleux en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, avec de la classe dans le toucher, le vin monte en arômes entre le milieu et la finale, ce qui est particulièrement plaisant. L'élevage pourrait le changer. Un brin de plus de charnu m'aurait permis de plus m'enthousiasmer. »
Galloni : 91-93/100 « 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. »
Martin : 90-92/100 « The 2023 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is well-defined on the nose with blackberry, cedar and a subtle mint aroma, showing a little more fruit concentration than the La Chapelle. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip on the entry and fine backbone. It's a little granular in texture, sorbet-fresh and pliant, with redcurrant and cranberry fruit. This is very enticing, even at this early stage. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14%
- Blend:
- 55,5% Merlot, 40,9% Cabernet sauvignon, 3,6% Cabernet franc
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Second red wine of La Mission Haut-Brion, created in 1991 and greatly improved since 2006 by the addition of the entire vineyard of La Tour Haut-Brion.
Revue du Vin de France : 90-92/100 « Très sombre, épicée, exubérante, fruit noir et épices douces, La Chapelle garde cette année le cap d’une expression solaire et volubile, davantage que La Mission. Sans caractère massif, on apprécie la richesse du goût, jusque dans les tanins. »
Le Point : 16/20 « Nez marqué par la prise de bois, bouche tendre, élégante, cabernet, tension, nervosité, finale relevée. »
Quarin : 91/100 « Couleur sombre. Nez très aromatique, pur, frais et fruité, sentant bon la gelée de mûres. Délicat en entrée de bouche, savoureux au milieu, accompagné d'un toucher raffiné, le vin évolue juteux et distingué. Il s'achève parfumé sur des saveurs persistantes de Pessac Léognan. Jolie longueur séveuse. »
Galloni : 90-92/100 « The 2023 La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion is a potent yet accessible second wine. Soft contours add to its considerable appeal. Crushed flowers, spice and sweet pipe tobacco lift a core of red-toned fruit in this racy, sensual Chapelle. Attractive floral and cinnamon notes linger. The 2023 is all charm-I expect it will drink well with minimal cellaring. »
Martin : 89-91/100 « The 2023 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion, has a fragrant nose with black plum, cedar and light tobacco scents that gently unfurl. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple opening that suggests you could drink this Deuxième Vin now! Open and expressive with mainly red fruit mixed with subtle white pepper and graphite notes, this is a nicely controlled, quite elegant La Chapelle. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.3%
- Organic certification:
- 48,3% Merlot, 39,4% Cabernet sauvignon, 12,3% Cabernet franc
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With a winegrowing past dating back to the 17th century and classified as a 3rd growth in 1855, Château Marquis d'Alesme has nevertheless fallen into decline as it has been bought up (many times).
The Perrodo family (Labégorce, Labégorce-Zédée, La Tour de Mons) acquired it in 2006 in a poor state of repair, with solid ambitions: redistribution of the small 15-hectare vineyard, meticulous work in the vineyard, and a state-of-the-art winery... The vineyard has regained its credentials in recent vintages, as confirmed by the critics' notes and comments.
Revue du Vin de France : 93-94/100 ♥ Coup de cœur « Le cru gagne encore en distinction. Il combine la grande finesse margalaise et l’intensité des saveurs. Mention pour la belle finale sapide aux tanins délicats et soyeux. Une très belle réussite. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 94/100 « Excellent corps, arômes fins, il affiche un caractère margalais très marqué. Très recommandable. »
Quarin : 92/100 « Couleur sombre et pourpre. Nez intense, fin, pur, fruité et subtil, évoluant à la fois frais et mûr dans le verre. Délicatement pulpeux en entrée de bouche, juteux au milieu, le vin évolue suave et parfumé sur une puissance modérée. Jolie finale savoureuse valorisant les arômes plus que le corps. Vin margalien. »
Galloni : 93-95/100 « The 2023 Marquis d'Alesme is impressive. Raspberry jam, blood orange, white flowers, mint and lavender abound. Silky, elegant tannins wrap it all together in style. A closing burst of bright acids and lifted floral notes lends the last kick of resonance. Classy, elegant and polished, the 2023 is one of the best recent editions I have encountered. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
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Even if their evolution always involves a period of austerity, Léoville-Barton wines have a supreme class and elegance, due as much to the advanced age of the vines as to meticulous work. Always praised by the critics, as in 2015 "fine, sapid and very long, lots of class on the palate, with a juicy side and superb texture", rated 97/100 by the Revue du Vin de France.
Revue du Vin de France : 97-98/100 « Ce 2023 est fantastique de définition et de puissance. La matière, tout en muscle, est éclatante, juteuse et les tanins sont parfaitement extraits. Mais c’est une fois encore la finale qui impressionne par son allonge et son éclat. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 94-95/100 ♥ Coup de cœur « Excellent corps, boisé mieux intégré que dans les millésimes précédents, grâce à un travail intelligent sur l’origine des bois. La finale doit encore se fondre mais le vin a du style et même du panache. »
Le Point : 18.5/20 « Impeccable Barton. D'une régularité horlogère, ce cru géré par la famille Barton-Sartorius nous régale encore d'un vin superbe. Fruits noirs, bouche en fraîcheur et en tension, équilibre, harmonie, densité et élégance. »
Quarin : 95/100 « Nez très aromatique, fin, pur, fruité et subtil. Fond de fleurs et de fruits noirs. Délicat en entrée de bouche, suave au milieu, avec un beau toucher, le vin fond au palais, juteux et raffiné. Finale à la saveur profonde et légèrement réglissée. Tannicité très bien enveloppée. »
Galloni : 93-95/100 « The 2023 Léoville-Barton marries the classicism the château is so well-known for with an extra kick of textural intensity from the heat of the year. It's powerful, dark and serious, with compelling notes of black cherry, lavender, spice and blackberry. This is an especially dense, somber Léoville-Barton endowed with tremendous presence. »
Martin : 92-94/100 « A touch of dark chocolate infuses the black fruit, harmonious with a patina of new oak that will integrate with time. This is classic Léoville Barton from tip to toe, and whilst it does not match the imperious 2022, it is a very impressive follow-up due to its interwoven elegance. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 87% Cabernet sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet franc
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In the shadow of its older brother (Léoville-Barton), Langoa-Barton with a vineyard of barely 17 ha is the smallest and least known of the classified growths of Saint-Julien. Nevertheless, it offers the elegant and graceful fruitiness of Saint-Julien with a remarkable capacity for ageing. And a very reasonable price!
Revue du Vin de France : 92-93/100 ♥ Coup de cœur « Ce cru réputé pour ses vins délicieux, soyeux et gourmand est au rendez-vous. Le 2023 offre une très jolie expression acidulée du fruit, un côté crémeux, des tanins tendres et une finale croquante. »
Bettane & Desseauve : 92/100 « Bon corps, grain de tannin encore sur la réserve qu’il faudra revoir à la fin de l’élevage. »
Le Point : 17/20 ♥ Coup de cœur « Avec ce millésime, il fait presque jeu égal avec son frère pas tout à fait jumeau, Léoville. Nez ouvert, floral et fruits rouges, bouche soyeuse, élégante, tanins d'une belle finesse, glissants avec une pointe de croquant, finale relevée. »
Quarin : 92/100 « Délicat à l'attaque, savoureux au milieu, avec un corps tendre, le vin avance prudent dans la dernière partie du palais, où la finale reste réservée, mais sans marquer le tannin. »
Galloni: 91-93/100 « The 2023 Langoa Barton is packed with dark red cherry, plum, spice, cedar and tobacco. Over the last few years, an updated style of vinification in a new cellar has yielded a bit more mid-palate sweetness, pliancy and resonance than in the past. It will be interesting to see where this goes, but clearly, we have entered into an era of Langoa. »
Martin : 91-93/100 « The palate is medium- bodied with pliant tannins, a sorbet-fresh Langoa with a bright, almost pastille-like finish that lingers in the mouth. Very seductive and vivacious, I appreciate the nascent energy here. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
- Blend:
- 60 % Cabernet sauvignon, 37 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet franc
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Léoville-Barton did not have any attached cru (such as Potensac and Léoville-Las Cases, Pibran and Pichon-Baron, etc.). This "gap" was filled in 2011 with the acquisition of a beautiful historical cru bourgeois de Moulis, Mauvesin, immediately renamed Mauvesin-Barton to show the Barton family's involvement in this new challenge. In all confidence!
Revue du vin de France : 90-92/100 « Délicieux, tel est le terme qui qualifie ce 2023 au fruité savoureux et à la bouche très soyeuse. Un vin très charmeur et élégant qui devrait offrir beaucoup de plaisir dans sa jeunesse. »
Le Point : 16/20 « Nez baies noires, bouche sérieuse, un vin moins flatteur que certaines années mais solide, droit, juteux. »
Galloni : 87-89/100 « The 2023 Mauvesin Barton is a potent, dark wine. A blast of dark cherry, plum, chocolate and gravel gives the 2023 its exuberant profile. I find the tannins a bit imposing and large in scale. It will be interesting to see if this softens with time. Today, it is quite the bruiser. »
Martin : 89-91/100 « The 2023 Mauvesin Barton has an attractive bouquet with black plum, cassis and light floral scents. This is nicely defined. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and modest weight, but the oak is a little conspicuous toward the finish. It doesn't quite have the ambition or complexity of the 2022, though it represents a fine, perhaps earlier- drinking Moulis-en-Médoc. »More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.40%
- Blend:
- 56% Cabernet sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 1% Cabernet franc
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Straddling Barsac and Sauternes, Haut-Bergeron enjoys a quality terroir superbly exploited by the Lamothe family for 9 generations (!). It is the artisanal cru and the sure value of Sauternes, of which each vintage wins its share of awards in competitions and guides.
Martin : 92-94/100 « The 2023 Haut-Bergeron has a clean and precise bouquet with saffron-tinged white peach and apricot aromas, quite restrained but well-defined. The palate is excellent: very citrus-fresh on the entry, a superb line of acidity and a vivid, marmalade- and quince -driven finish that urges you back for more. Recommended. This is a Sauternes that punches above its weight. »
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
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Amazing story as that of Dominio de Pingus. Created in 1995 by Peter Sisseck, a Danish (!), this estate a few kilometres from Vega Sicilia has become a cult in less than 15 years.
Pingus is the great wine, made from the 4 ha of the estate, 100% tempranillo aged 70 years, biodynamic since 2000. 450 cases per year (an average yield of 10hl/ha, not counting small vintages, such as the 2002, totally downgraded in Flor de Pingus).
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
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Amazing story as that of Dominio de Pingus. Created in 1995 by Peter Sisseck, a Danish (!), this estate a few kilometres from Vega Sicilia has become a cult in less than 15 years.
Flor de Pingus is the second wine, coming from the Dominio de Pingus and neighbouring parcels acquired by fermage, 100% tempranillo 35 to 50 years old, biodynamic since 2005. Delicious and elegant, Flor is a modern vision of Ribera del Duero.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
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PSI (Peter Sisseck Initiative?) is the wine of a group of producers brought together by Mr. Sisseck according to precise specifications: tempranillo plots at least 30 years old, necessarily biodynamically grown, gentle extractions, long macerations and maturing practically without wood. A superior fruity wine, fine and with a great tannic softness.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
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Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.
Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.A true Bandol, almost pure Mourvèdre, taking with ageing accents of Cabernet Sauvignon. Very long ageing potential (20 years or more).
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14%
- Blend:
- 95% Mourvèdre, 5% Grenache
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Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.
Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.In addition to his classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Michel Tardieu produces an original cuvée, the Cuvée Spéciale, 100% century-old Grenache, which is incredibly rich and voluptuous. A superlative wine aged in barrels in barrels of at least one wine (no new barrels to best express the sweetness of old grenaches).
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Blend:
- 99% Grenache, 1% autres cépages
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Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.
Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.In addition to his classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Michel Tardieu produces a cuvée Vieilles Vignes, a blend of grenache (80 to over 100 years), mourvèdre (60 to 80 years) and syrah (50 years), more tense and spicier (pepper, clove, laurel), an interminable finish, a wine of great style and long ageing potential.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Blend:
- 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah
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Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.
Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.Built like a "small" Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this Gigondas is just as velvety, just as fruity, but slightly softer. Very strong majority of grenache (vines aged from 60 to more than 100 years), completed with syrah and mourvèdre.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Blend:
- 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre
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Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.
Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes: a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, firm and earthy vigour, in a style comparable to that of the Gigondas.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Available early 2026
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Blend:
- 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre