(96-98 points) Deep purple-hued, the 2025 Château Pontet-Canet showed beautifully both times I tasted it, with incredibly classic Pontet-Canet notes of cassis, violets, iris, and gravelly earth and graphite. Based on 56%...

(96-98 points) Currants, smoky oak, chocolate, and hints of violets all define the 2025 Château Lynch-Bages, a remarkably balanced, elegant Pauillac from this estate that has more than a passing resemblance to the 2019...

(94-97 points) As to the Grand Vin, red, blue, and black fruits, intermixed with spring flowers, iris, graphite, and sappy tobacco, all define the 2025 Château Giscours, giving it a beautiful Cabernet-driven style. Based...

(97-99 points) Sporting a stunning deep purple hue, the 2025 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot reveals cassis, graphite, liquid violets, and black raspberry on the nose, with a liquid rock-like minerality that speaks to this...

The 2019 Relevant Cabernet Sauvignon matured for 20 months in new, once- and twice-filled French oak barrels. Deep ruby, it features pure aromas of cassis, grilled meats, warm chocolate, dried herbs, roasted peppers and...

A graceful and understated red that appeals without rhapsody, offering layered aromas of dried herbs, mushroom powder, gravel and apple wood, while the palate is nuanced, with olive-accented blackberry and plum flavors...

A more sauvage influence suffuses the nose of poached plum, spicy red currant and newly turned earth. The rich, delicious and caressing medium weight flavors flash evident minerality that continues onto the bitter pit...

A blockbuster of a Les Forts, the 2020 Les Forts de Latour is based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26.5% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and aged 18 months in 60% new French oak. Its deep ruby/plum hue is followed by...

(97-99 points) Since 2020, this estate has been fashioning absolutely brilliant releases, and the pure, graceful 2025 Château Troplong Mondot does everything right. Black raspberry, crushed stone, spicy graphite, and...