This is stylish, with perfumy black tea and smoldering charcoal aromas followed by lightly mulled plum, fig and blackberry fruit. An echo of juniper shows on the mineral-edged finish. Drink now through 2024. — JM

2010 Lalande-Borie has a feisty and animated bouquet, more red fruit than black, with attractive pencil lead scents coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, tobacco and graphite, quite...

Another excellent year, the 1995 and 1996 vintage have definitely held up in colour and structure. The 1995 perhaps has the markings of a slightly hotter year in terms of the fruit ripeness, which veers towards fig...

The 2023 Léoville-Poyferré was a serious proposition when I tasted it from barrel. Now, in bottle since June '25, it has a typically sensual and very pure bouquet that seems to give the olfactory senses a metaphorical...

Stolid at first, this is inky, dark and tightly wound, but violet and iris notes steadily emerge as a core of cold cassis, plum paste and blackberry puree slowly awakens. The finish is dusted with cold charcoal, and a...

The 2023 Branaire-Ducru is a very pretty, delicate wine. Floral and gracious, the 2023 is an understated, classy Saint-Julien. It offers lovely understated depth and fine overall balance. Crushed red/purplish berry...

Extremely perfumed, with violets, lavender, black currants, blueberries and light orange peel. Hints of lead pencil. It's medium-bodied and so poised, showing ultrafine, polished tannins. Seductive and caressing, with a...