The 2020 Pavie, which oddly is the first time that I have tasted it in bottle (likely due to Covid) has a lovely touch of shucked oyster shell on the nose that is extremely delineated and focused. The oak is (again)...

Blackberries with lavender, cedar, sandalwood and flowers. Very subtle aromas. It’s medium- to full-bodied with a very tight palate of fine, structured tannins that run the length of the wine. Closed at the end. Shows...

The 2015 was perhaps the first Quintus under the new regime where you really began to feel the potential of this limestone-dominant site, and while it is still young there is a juicy, mouthwatering quality, with a kick of...

Darker cherries, tobacco, and white truffle notes define the 2014 Château Bellevue. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced on the palate, it has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel and solid depth. This ripe, textured, and...

The second wine of Château Pavie is dense with dark tannins and superripe fruit. Bold and concentrated it still highlights the fruitiness of the vintage. Although it has big tannins and great potential, the wine also...

This is precise, carved, confident, with palma violets, peonies and crushed roses floating out of the glass, luscious and yet carved, creamy fruits that are encased in steel. This one is nowhere near ready. A wonderful...

(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 Belair-Monange is made from 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a lot of coaxing to unleash aromas of baked black plums, blackberry compote, and dark chocolate, leading to...

The 2020 Bélair-Monange has a more backward nose with dense black fruit. There is a very noticeable cedar/Cabernet element here that indicates that it might be Lafleur. The palate is medium-bodied with fine...

(96-98 points) Ripe cherries, graphite, crushed flowers, and assorted blue fruits all define the 2025 Château Canon, another great wine from this team, which checks in at 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc and will spend...

The 2018 Canon La Gaffeliere has a deep garnet purple color. It needs a little coaxing to reveal notes of kirsch, black raspberries, and cedar, with hints of pencil lead and lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is...

Young and structured, with fine tannins are are fully in control, this remains pretty serious in its construction as it ticks on towards the 10 year mark. Black cherry and damson fruit, orange zest, pomegranate, slate...

While the 2018 vintage got plenty of buzz, following the less heralded 2017, I remain less enthusiastic when compared to the stellar 2016. The 2018 has a more roasted fruit profile, albeit with impressive (and seductive)...

The 2015 Clos la Madeline is a noteworthy little gem that’s from a beautiful hillside parcel in St. Emilion. It’s deep ruby/purple-colored, with sweet black cherry and black currants fruits, smoked herbs, graphite and a...

The 2015 Tertre Roteboeuf is medium to deep garnet in color. It bursts with a first wave of profound black fruit preserves - prunes, boysenberries, and blackberry jelly - before slowly unfurling to uncover notes of...

The 2008 Pavie is deep garnet with a touch of brick. It is a tad shy to begin, needing a bit of shaking to wake up an impressive perfume of black cherry compote, plum preserves, and wild blueberries followed by hints of...

The deep, meaty and earthy nose pulls you into this concentrated and beautifully balanced St.-Emilion. Stunning interplay of fine and graceful tannins with restrained richness. Very long, fresh and light-footed finish...

(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...