Catalog
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Rothschild (de Lafite) property. Adjacent to Yquem, Rieussec was until 2012 one of the sweetest wines of Sauternes, revealing itself only after a minimum of 10 years of cellaring. First (r)evolution from 2013 towards a more elegant and delicate style, combining richness and finesse.
Second (r)evolution in 2019 with a drastic tightening of the selections, Rieussec thought as the "head cream" of Château Rieussec, accompanied by a total break of the visual codes: new bottle, new labeling, new repositionable cork, new packaging (box of 4 bottles). Rieussec is now positioned on the second step of Sauternes behind Yquem.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - September 2023): 93/100 “It has since opened with saffron-tinged honeyed fruit, dried honey and almond shavings. This example is more vanillary and oaky than previous ones, and that actually distracts from the terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied; again, the new oak feels more prominent than previous bottles, prompting me to lower my score. It's utterly seductive but articulates more of the winemaking than i would like.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2024-2045
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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.The 2010 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (November 2023): 96/100 “The color is already evolved, and so is the nose, but that suits this barsac from the 2010 vintage very well. It opens with saffron, kumquat and bergamot. Lots of noble bitterness. It's an energetic wine with great persistence”.
Vinous (N. Martin - April 2022): 90+/100 "The 2010 Climens has just been a bit variable bottle-to-bottle. This was a transitional Climens as biodynamics was being introduced. Again, I find this subdued at the moment, perhaps going through a sulky adolescent stage. The palate is well balanced with a menthol-tinged entry, fine depth and acidity, more expressive towards the finish with a touch of lemongrass on the aftertaste."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2014-2037
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The most mythical vintage of Bordeaux, among all! Already, in 1855, it was the only cru to be recognized as a premier cru classé supérieur, placing it above the red premiers crus classés.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (December 2023): 99/100 “Marked by a hint of evolution, the 2010 is between wax and honey. A real ball of fruit, this late vintage is still in the thickness of its liquor despite a long, fine muscle. To be forgotten in the cellar”.
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 94/100 "The 2010 Yquem has an attractive bouquet with marmelade, caramelized pear, orange pith and light puff pastry nates. It just needs a little more delineation. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, lightly spiced and impressive focus. Like the aromatics, I would have just liked a little more precision on the finish."
Hachette (Guide 2013): 97/100 “The 2010 perfectly illustrates the classicism of the vintage.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2020-2045
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The most mythical vintage of Bordeaux, among all! Already, in 1855, it was the only cru to be recognized as a premier cru classé supérieur, placing it above the red premiers crus classés.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (December 2023): 99/100 “Marked by a hint of evolution, the 2010 is between wax and honey. A real ball of fruit, this late vintage is still in the thickness of its liquor despite a long, fine muscle. To be forgotten in the cellar”.
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 94/100 "The 2010 Yquem has an attractive bouquet with marmelade, caramelized pear, orange pith and light puff pastry nates. It just needs a little more delineation. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, lightly spiced and impressive focus. Like the aromatics, I would have just liked a little more precision on the finish."
Hachette (Guide 2013): 97/100 “The 2010 perfectly illustrates the classicism of the vintage.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2020-2045
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80% Merlot, La Chenade is the almost second wine of the Cruzelles. Designed and conceived by Mr. Durantou (Église-Clinet), this is one of the best quality/price ratios on the entire right bank. In confidence!
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2030
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80% Merlot, La Chenade is the almost second wine of the Cruzelles. Designed and conceived by Mr. Durantou (Église-Clinet), this is one of the best quality/price ratios on the entire right bank. In confidence!
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2030
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Puyguéraud is the reference of the Côtes de Francs, producing with great regularity wines of very high level. The owner, Nicolas Thienpont, also manages Pavie-Macquin and Larcis-Ducasse in St-Émilion. Always well rated, Puyguéraud proves better than others that it is possible to taste a beautiful and great Bordeaux for less than 15 € a bottle.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2014-2022
- Potential alcohol:
- 14.5%
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Dubourdieu property. Unanimously considered as the best and most distinguished of the red Graves, with a grand cru classé grape variety: 2/3 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1/3 Merlot.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2024-2032
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Roundness, suppleness and depth of flesh are the hallmarks of the consensual red wines produced in Larrivet Haut-Brion, advised by Mr. Rolland until 2014 and then by Mr. Derenoncourt. No link between Larrivet (in Léognan) and Haut-Brion (in Pessac).
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2021-2030
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This 12 ha vineyard is admirably located between its two illustrious neighbours, Chasse-Spleen and Poujeaux. A single watchword for the production of wines, whatever the vintage: the finesse of the tannins. Refined and silky, Branas Grand Poujeaux has been a revelation since 2009. Advised by Mr. de Boüard from 2012, it is now one of the finest bourgeois wines in the Médoc.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N.Martin - June 2021): 91/100 "The 2010 Branas Grand Poujeaux is fresher and more vigorous on the nose than the 2009: blackberry, raspberry, singed leather and minty aromas unfurling with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, cedar and black pepper intermixes with light ferrous notes, though here there is more precision on the finish compared to the 2009. Very fine - perhaps the first to realize the full potential of the estate even if it was iltimately surpassed."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2015-2028
- Potential alcohol:
- 14%
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Although contiguous to Poujeaux, Chasse-Spleen offers another face to Moulis wines, more tannic and, in its first youth, more austere. A great Medoc classic.
Chasse-Spleen expands in 2023 with the acquisition of Brillette, 35 ha of a beautiful terroir of deep gravel in Moulis.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2020-2032
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We no longer present Sociando-Mallet, which should be in a good place in the cellar of any wine lover, as the quality and above all the regularity of its last thirty vintages are so impressive. Without wishing to underestimate the hard work of the late Mr Gautreau since 1969, it must be said that the terroir, against the Gironde on a gravelly ridge comparable to that of Montrose, is indeed that of a Grand Cru Classé. Unavoidable 2016, the greatest wine of Sociando-Mallet since 1996.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 90+/100 "The 2010 Sociando Mallet has a well defined, pure bouquet with blackberry, bilberry and light estuarine scents that gently waft from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a fine bead of acidity and good weight. It just needs more complexity and terroir expression on the finish. Give this another two or three years. This is one wine where I have encountered better bottles."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2024-2035
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The third wine jewel of Bernard Magrez (after Pape Clément and Fombrauge), bought in 1999. After a complete overhaul of the vineyard (it is now the largest Grand Cru Classé in the Médoc with 225 ha of vineyards), La Tour Carnet displays a modern, smooth and powerful style. A formidable competitor in blind tastings.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (S. Tanzer - July 2013): 91+/100 "Bright,dark red. Sexy aromas of black cherry, blueberry, licorice, menthol and flowers seemed to shut down with aeration. Densely packed and fresh, with sound acidity intensifying the pretty, well-delineated black fruit flavors. The wine's firm spine of tannins and acids is nicely supported by its mid-palate concentration. A very impressive vintage for this bottling, and in need of patience."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2025-2036
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The third wine jewel of Bernard Magrez (after Pape Clément and Fombrauge), bought in 1999. After a complete overhaul of the vineyard (it is now the largest Grand Cru Classé in the Médoc with 225 ha of vineyards), La Tour Carnet displays a modern, smooth and powerful style. A formidable competitor in blind tastings.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (S. Tanzer - July 2013): 91+/100 "Bright,dark red. Sexy aromas of black cherry, blueberry, licorice, menthol and flowers seemed to shut down with aeration. Densely packed and fresh, with sound acidity intensifying the pretty, well-delineated black fruit flavors. The wine's firm spine of tannins and acids is nicely supported by its mid-palate concentration. A very impressive vintage for this bottling, and in need of patience."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2025-2036
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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 ».
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (S. Tanzer - July 2013): 90+/100 "Bright ruby-red. Aromas of blackberry, spices and licorice. Pure and nicely delineated, with excellent intensity to its flavors of black fruits and candied rose. Nicely sweet in the mouth but also firmly structured and youthful, with the structure to support mid-term aging."
Wine Advocate: 92/100
Re-tasted 10 years later by La Revue du Vin de France: 92/100 “gourmand, fluid and pleasant [...] A lovely, ready-to-drink Margaux”.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2036
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Under the direction of Henri Lurton, Brane-Cantenac has gained in recent years in fullness and density and has become one of the leading growths of the appellation along with Palmer and Rauzan-Ségla and even the most authentically Margalese of them all. Let there be no mistake, behind a typically Margalaise elegance and delicacy that encourages tasting it too young, Brane-Cantenac needs time to blossom and reveal itself.
Re-tasted 10 years later by the Revue du Vin de France and rated 18/20 "very seductive, with an intense palate, still marked by fresh fruit flavours".
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 93/100 "The 2010 Brane-Cantenac is consistent with previous notes, although I observed an accentuated bell pepper scent on the nose. The palate is very well balanced, typically "classic" in style with quite rigid tannins indicating that this needs a few more years in bottle."
J-M Quarin (September 2023): 95/100 “Dark, intense, purple color, beautiful and slightly evolved. Nose very aromatic, fine, with pure, ripe fruit, evolving complex and noble with shaking of the glass. A touch of toast. Full-bodied on the palate, particularly aromatic in the middle, with a classy touch, the wine grows on the finish, fine, long, tender and tasty. Nevertheless, it retains a slightly lively touch (Cabernet franc?) ”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2036
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By the quality of the selections, and the creation of a 3rd wine from 2009, Pavillon Rouge would have easily been considered as the Great Wine of Château Margaux only 20 years ago.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 92/100 "The 2010 Pavillon Rouge has a delightful, elegant bouquet with wild strawberry, blackberry and cedar aromas, very well defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, veins of blue fruit emerging with time in the glass and with just a touch of salted liquorice towards the finish. This could be à point."
J-M Quarin (January 2022): 94/100 “Slightly discreet nose, with ripe, even sunny fruit. Meaty touch. The palate is a caress. The wine melts and develops airily, deliciously, without any tannic presence.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2015-2028
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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.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 94/100 "The 2010 Gloria has a very attractive and quite intense bouquet with a surfeit of blackberry and wild strawberry scents, cedar and light seaweed coming through with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with supple but firm tannins framing the pure blackberry and bilberry fruit, laced with black pepper and clove. Very complex, very focused and very precise on the finish, this is an outstanding 2010 Saint-Julien."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2024-2036
- Organic certification:
- 2024
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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 !
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - June 2021): 96+/100 "The 2010 Ducru-Beaucaillou, is more backward, sultry compared to the 2009, but there is a payload of black fruit laced with violet and cedar, a very faint ash scent emerging with time. The palate is full-bodied with powerful black fruit, a lovely granular texture and a killer line of acidity. There is a certainly headiness on the finish, atypically more so than the 2009, although it delivers extraordinary perisistence."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2016-2028
- Potential alcohol:
- 13%
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The arrival of Mr. Dhalluin in 2004 not only benefited Mouton-Rothschild, but also the two other classified growths of Barony: d'Armailhac and Clerc-Milon. Their vines occupy the southern (d'Armailhac) and northern (Clerc-Milon) part of the Mouton gravel plateau. D'Armailhac is barely less rich than Clerc-Milon, but it gives the same aromatic nobility of blackcurrant, tobacco and cedar blends.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
En Magnum (2023): 90/100 “A wine with a strong constitution, virile in its texture and its return of tannin, still a little firm and astringent, marked Pauillac character, more cedar than blond tobacco, less harmonious at the moment than the 2009, but impressive and built for ageing.”
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 91/100 "The 2010 d'Armailhac has a clean and well-defined bouquet with blackberry, raspberry coulis, cedar and brown spices, quite complex and nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. This feels quite savoury at ten years of age with black pepper and just a hint of soy developing on the finish. Very Fine."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2036
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Apart from the first great classified growths, no other Bordeaux wine is as world famous as Lynch-Bages. Its worldwide success comes as much from its opulent, full-bodied and robust style, from its unfailing regularity since 1975, and from its media promotion orchestrated by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch-Bages was the first wine sent into space (Discovery shuttle in 1985). It is even said that it is him who gave the taste of Bordeaux to the Americans!
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - June 2021): 95/100 “The 2010 Lynch-Bages has a tightly wound nose: introverted black fruit, cedar and mint. Touches of iris flower and pencil box both emerge with aeration. These aromatics say: "Come back later." The palate is medium-bodiedwith sappy black fruit, fine acidity and firm grip. It feels linear towards the finish but is fresh with an attractive underlying marine note that enlivens and lends complexity to the finish. This is outstanding, but it is only for those with patience.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2040
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Contiguous to Mouton-Rothschild, Pontet-Canet is in good vintages the very type of great Pauillac, straight and racy. The first of the Grands Crus Classés to be certified "organic" (in 2010), Pontet-Canet has been at the top of the Médoc since 2000.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (December 2021): 96/100 “The wine shows a beautiful richness managed by a framework of quality tannins that stretch the palate and give it relief. This is a serious wine, still fleshy, with many years ahead of it."
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 92/100 "The 2010 Pontet-Canet is noticeably deep in colour compared to its peers. This is unusually ripe and sweet on the nose, more red than black fruit, maybe a little jammy and confit-like. I would never guess this was a 2010 Left Bank. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy mouthfeel, plenty of graphite tinged red fruit. Approachable in style and sensually fulfilling, it just lacks a bit of grip backbone on the finish. I have fonder memories of previous bottles but I could not identify any specific fault."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2023-2040
- Organic certification:
- 2010
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Contiguous to Mouton-Rothschild, Pontet-Canet is in good vintages the very type of great Pauillac, straight and racy. The first of the Grands Crus Classés to be certified "organic" (in 2010), Pontet-Canet has been at the top of the Médoc since 2000.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (December 2021): 96/100 “The wine shows a beautiful richness managed by a framework of quality tannins that stretch the palate and give it relief. This is a serious wine, still fleshy, with many years ahead of it."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2023-2040
- Organic certification:
- 2010
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Bought in 1986 by the AXA group, initially under the leadership of Mr. Cazes (Lynch-Bages), Pichon-Longueville Baron regained its best form in the powerful and distinguished style of the great Pauillac. It must be said that a small half of its vines are located next to those of Latour, on a first growth terroir! For the Revue du Vin de France: "Pichon-Baron is at the top in the last vintages".
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 96/100 "The 2010 Pichon-Baron is simply one of the greatest wines produced under Christian Seely's tenure. It has a stunning bouquet with penetrating black fruit, wilted violet and a touch of sea spray, a distinctive marine note verging on shucked oyster shells. The palate is very well balanced with fine grain tannins, layers pf graphite infused black fruit and a very detailed, captivating finish. Brilliant."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2035
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Mr Rouzaud (Champagne Roederer) acquired it in 2007 and has since strengthened the technical team by adding the advice of Mr Boissenot. Pichon-Comtesse remains faithful to the style that has made it so successful, as dense, suave, charming, enchanting and above all endearing.
The 2020 vintage in the reviews :
La Revue du Vin de France (2024 Guide) : 99/100 "Pure class! This 2020 unfurls a subtle, silky, meticulous texture, with vibrant berry notes and an absolute delicacy in its mouthfeel. Velvety tannins bring supreme refinement to the finish."
Vinous (Neal Martin - November 2024) : 99/100 and #3 of the Top 100 wines of 2024 "The 2020 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has one of the more opulent aromatic profiles amongst the flight of Pauillac wines, displaying black cherries, cassis, graphite and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins and a silver bead of acidity. Silky smooth in texture, this retains impressive composure toward the finish, handling the weight of fruit with class. It imroves with each swirl, though the bottle I tasted just after bottling had a touch more precision. Nevertheless, this a fabulous Pauillac that flirts with perfection."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 3 to 5 years
- Apogée:
- 2022-2040
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Mr Rouzaud (Champagne Roederer) acquired it in 2007 and has since strengthened the technical team by adding the advice of Mr Boissenot. Pichon-Comtesse remains faithful to the style that has made it so successful, as dense, suave, charming, enchanting and above all endearing.
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 94/100 "The 2010 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is again, very deep in colour. It has a compact nose that demands aeration, opening up with blackberry, raspberry coulis, graphite and light iris aromas, all well defined but implying that it has more to give in the future. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a little peppery in style with a smooth and harmonious, more Saint-Julien like finish. it is an extremely charming and drinkable Pauillac though."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2040
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Mouton-Rothschild's upgrade in 1973 from second to first grand cru classé was as legitimate as it was deserved in view of the quality of its terroir, a plateau of 90 hectares of deep gravel to the north of Pauillac, with Lafite-Rothschild as a neighbor. Despite this promotion, and even though it regularly tops the rankings in tastings, Mouton-Rothschild remains to this day the least expensive of the Médoc's premier crus classés. Its powerful, full-bodied style and its ability to age well have led Mr. Bettane to write "perhaps the most formally perfect wine in the Médoc...".
The 2012 vintage « a major success of the vintage » has obtained 94/100 by Wine Advocate.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 3 to 5 years
- Apogée:
- 2028-2050
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
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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!
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 91/100 "The 2010 Les Ormes de Pez has a ripe and fruit-driven bouquet with tons of wild strawberry and undergrowth notes, well defined if not quite as complex as its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. Good acidity, nicely proportioned with a touch of spice on the finish, this constitutes one of the more approachable Saint-Estèphe wines."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2024-2036
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Second wine of Cos d'Estournel, probably the best second wine of the Médoc after those of the first classified growths (for half or even a quarter of the price).
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2033
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After 43 vintages, Mr Charmolüe sold the estate to Mr Bouygues in 2006. The change of ownership was accompanied by a spectacular project designed to bring Montrose into the 21st century: use of geothermal energy, installation of photovoltaic panels, recycling of CO2 from alcoholic fermentation...
There has also been a change of style in the wines, with a move towards greater aromatic complexity and textural refinement. Montrose nevertheless remains a wine of great breed, resting on a powerful tannic architecture and reserved for the most patient connoisseurs.The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N.Martin - May 2024): 99/100 “The 2010 Montrose has a show-stopper nose with powerful, intense, mineral-rich black fruit, becoming quite with aeration. Potpourri hints complement tobacco notes. The palate is fresh, vibrant and weighty, yet paradoxically, it has wonderful finesse. There is a symmetry about this Montrose, coupled with a tremendous length that leaves you wanting more. Brilliant.”
J-M Quarin (February 2023): 97/100 “Dark, intense, very slightly evolved color. Nose remarkable for its ripeness and freshness. Smells of black fruits. Elegant woody nuances. Blind tasting, the palate is reminiscent of Château Latour. Fat, powerful, full-bodied, with lots of fruit, it's a marvel. Very tasty finish, legitimately firm, because too young. A chalky nuance in the final persistence. If not, wait two or three years."
En Magnum (2022): 95/100 “Very rich in color and texture, nobly mentholated, with a particular velvety texture where we feel the influence of Jean-Bernard Delmas and the style developed at Haut-Brion. Long, complex, perhaps a little less northern Grand Medoc than the 2018s and 2020s will be.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2025-2045