A wine I was able to taste on multiple occasions, the 2015 Troplong Mondot is a tour de force that readers need to snatch up. This cuvee comes from the cool, clay and limestone soils on the upper plateau (it’s the highest...

As it was recently bottled the nose is a little closed right now, but with a minute in the glass this starts to drum roll, building up flavour and layers of texture. This is going to age beautifully. Just 38hl/ha were...

Subtle and complex aromas of dried flowers, berries, blackberries and black olives. Minerals, limestone and rust to boot. Full-bodied, layered and tannic, yet the phenolic structure is all about strength with finesse. It...

Sweet floral aromas, as well as potpourri, earth-dusted dark berries and cassis. The palate’s dusty tannins are bathed in rich, dark berry and plum flavors. Great plushness and intensity here. A weighty finish. Drink or hold.

Still inky in color as you might expect, the wine pops with its smoky, floral, licorice, truffle and chocolate covered boysenberry, or is that cherry, or is that plum? There are so many different fruits on display here...

Inviting dark violets on the nose with a fresh earthy undercurrent and intense blueberries, cassis and blackberry fruits. Some orange peel, too. The palate’s silky, smooth, supple and seamless. Superb. Drink or hold.

Attractive ripe dark berries and some darker chocolate, no to mention sweet earth and violets. The palate has impressive density and depth, not to mention great length and weight. Mulberry and dark-cherry flavors hold...

94+ A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new French oak for 18 months, the 2015 Badette is deep garnet-purple in color with pronounced baked plums, crème de cassis and chocolate-covered cherries on...

Impressive dark plums and mulberries with nicely intertwined spices and violets. Attractive leafiness and sweet, earthy depth. The palate has suave, flowing tannins that carry a plush, plump core of dark-plum and mulberry...

(93-94 points) Dense and powerful red with a chewy mouthfeel and loads of ripe fruit. Full body. Velvety tannins. 75% merlot, 25% cabernet franc.

(93-94 points) Dense and powerful red with a chewy mouthfeel and loads of ripe fruit. Full body. Velvety tannins. 75% merlot, 25% cabernet franc.

There’s a very fresh and expressive feel to the nose here. It has a wealth of spiced blueberries and fresh violets. The palate delivers immense concentration of ripe dark plums and black cherries, while the oak sits...

From the get-go, this is so sexy. Voluptuous, sensuous, silky and exotic, the fruit is perfectly ripe. There is concentration and lift, with a perfume you cannot get enough of. On the palate, the red fruits offer...

Incredibly dense nose of cocoa powder and savory notes. Hard to imagine how a red wine could be more delicious than this beauty, which glides effortlessly over your palate. In spite of all the richness, this is filigree...

(95 points) From an estate owned by the Grégoire family and managed by Julien Salles that’s seeing huge investments and renovation, the 2015 Château Ripeau checks in as 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up all in...

(95 points) From an estate owned by the Grégoire family and managed by Julien Salles that’s seeing huge investments and renovation, the 2015 Château Ripeau checks in as 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up all in...

Subtle and complex aromas of dried flowers, berries, blackberries and black olives. Minerals, limestone and rust to boot. Full-bodied, layered and tannic, yet the phenolic structure is all about strength with finesse. It...

The level of richness and fruit power captured in this elegant, silky St.-Emilion is impressive. Dark plums, roasted coffee and baking spices are wrapped up in solid, silky tannins. Great depth. Best from 2020.

The 2015 La Closerie de Fourtet is silky, perfumed and quite pretty. Sweet red cherry, tobacco, dried cherry and mint grace this second wine of Clos Fourtet.