New releases from Durfort-Vivens

Second growt Durfort-Vivens releases three new wines with quite distinct personalities. It is a different approach to the classic second wine and it thrills the nerd in me in quite a different way. Durfort-Vivens has about 50 hectares and has vineyards in the communes Cantenac, Soussans, Margaux and Arsac, all in the appellation Margaux. Cantenac and Margaux is the heart of the appellation. The best raw material will still be Château Durfort-Vivens. 

For the cuvée Les Plantes , the youngest wines, from 24 different plots, up to fifteen years of age. It contains 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. 80% in clay jars, 20% barrels. 

2019 Durfort-Vivens Les Plantes

Ruby. Lighter nose, anise, red fruits, spices, blackberries nose, faint herbal touch. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, lighter bodied, anise, good length. 88

For Le Plateau, the grapes are sourced from the Soussans parcels just north of Margaux, here the blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. Rich and fertile soil of sand and deep gravel, 2/3 stored in clay jars, 1/3 in barrique, 10% new. Stored for 16 months before bottling. 

2019 Durfort-Vivens Le Plateau

Ruby. More depth and richness than Les Plantes, a definitive step up, cassis, dark fruits, spices, tobacco, detailed, some floral high notes, scented and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries and spices, nuanced and intense, fine tuned body and texture, long finish. 92 

Third one, Le Hameau is sourced from Cantenac, with 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot. Vineyard of 10 hectares, east/ westexpositipn. Depp gravel. 16 months ageing before bottling, 2/3 in clay jars and 1/3 in barrels, 15% new. 

2019 Durfort-Vivens Le Hameau

Ruby. Dark fruits and deep nose with scented high notes, blackberries and liquorice, layered, not as lifted as Le Plateau but more depth. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice and spices, intense, bit more texture to it, bit firmer, long finish. 92

And then the first wine itself in 2019: 

2019 Château Durfort-Vivens

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, spices, floral, detailed and nuanced nose, liquorice and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, intense and detailed, long finish. 95

I have found Durfort-Vivens underrated in the market for quite some time, maybe this new range of a more terroir personality will open the eyes of collectors to what is going on here. 

2021, the retro vintage

Retro has been a big thing lately, many companies have launched modern takes on their 80’s and 90’s models, especially in the fashion industry. I don’t think the wine producers of Bordeaux planned it, but that is what have turned out. I will not bore you with lengthy details about the weather, I will cut it down to the most important. 

2021 was problematic, frosts and mildew, even if many estates lost quite small percentages, some lost a lot. I recall some producers last summer posting it was 2013 all over again. But the autumn seems to have saved it. It is a vintage that resembles the 80’s and 90’s style, fresher acidity, lighter bodied, lower alcohol, less extraction, yes some are a bit herbal, some even green, but even in 2018 so e were green, so someone always misses the beat. 

I find it a vintage for those that love claret, the classics. Not the top end vintages, even if there were some really beautiful wines even this year, but for those that savour the style that is undeniably Bordeaux. The style no-one else can make. A style you never see from Bolgheri or Napa Valley. The style with blackcurrants more than cassis, with anise rather than liquorice, just less ripeness. Or even over ripeness. 

There is an ongoing debate about the styles of the recent years, well, the recent years since 2009, were lusher, bigger, more alcohol has been the norm. So many wines clocked in just around 13% alcohol this year, and in 2003, that was considered high. Today we say it is low. It is the first time in years people have discussed that they didn’t chaptalise. 

For me the vintage resembles 2001 in acidity, body, extraction of fruit and alcohol. The tannins back then was more robust, even somewhat rustic, the wines needed ten years before people started discovering them, and they still do. Now many say it is better than the 2000 vintage it followed. The tannin structure is very different in 2021 though, much more gently extracted, more fine tuned and fine grained. The entire precision of the wines are different. No one made wines this way in 2001. But the expression is not that far of. 

I also think 2021 may resemble 1985 in a few years, I think it will always charm you, and that you will think it is ready to drink sooner than it will be, or at least, it will always outlast your perception of its longevity. The acidity (pH) will give these wines a long life, I’m sure. Some say 1988, I think 1988 is greener, more rustic, some say 1986, I think those have somewhat higher concentration and definitely very different tannin structure. 

2014 I hear as well, I think those have a different and purer or maybe rather brighter fruit expression, while maybe somewhat less complex. I also find the acidity in 2014 less lively. But it really doesn’t resemble any vintages fully, I don’t think any vintage has had this combination of texture, tannin structure, acidity, body and general behaviour. 

It seems the knowledge and speed at which the wine growers spotted, decided and were able to treat mildew had a great impact, some seems to have called in every single employee and their grand parents to do vineyard work at seven in the evening on a Sunday if that needed be. Frost also seems to have affected the normally warmer and therefore often classified estates less. Yet again. 

And it seems everyone biodynamic is hit much harder by mildew than those conventional. Mildew is no longer a problem some said, we have treatments for it. While others lost a lot due to the same problems, meaning the cannot treat with something effective enough. Especially if they discovered it just a bit to late. Then they were behind all throughout the growing season, several told me. 

It is a classic style, retro vintage, a style that we all used to love from Bordeaux, this resembles the classic vintages much more than 2018 ever will, yet it is clear it is not a great vintage, but I will say it is a good one. I gave no perfect scores, but quite a few estates were given high scores. Many have been tasted twice, some even three or four times with very similar tasting notes. 750 wines was tasted during two weeks, so a fairly comprehensive feel to the vintage. I think some will adore the classic style while others will regret that it doesn’t have more power. 

There are some excellent dry whites, but I don’t find all of the dry whites as great as some seems to do, heterogeneous vintage here as well, some are just shining! Sauternes was super difficult, some lost almost all, most lost a lot. Suduiraut making just 5000 liters or so, just 3 hl per hectare at Fargues. Maybe four barrels! of Myrat, that is 1200 bottles… Those I tasted was a bit leaner yet refreshing and elegant. 

Many thanks to all who organised private tastings for me! 

2021 Saint-Emilion

2021 Château Angelus

APR 22 60CF 40M Ruby. Blackberries, scented, nuanced, detailed, layered, floral, elegant nose, refined. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, nuanced, detailed, layered, intense, bright. Long finish. 94-96

2021 Carillon d’Angelus

APR 22 80M 20CF Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, juicy, spices, nuanced, detailed, lovely energy to it, smooth, long finish. 91-93

2021 No 3 d’Angelus

APR 22 85M 10CF 5CS Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, juicy, detailed, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Ausone

MAY 22 65CF 35M Ruby. Scented, delicate, nuanced, bright, layered, floral and intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, silky smooth, velvet, detailed, elegant and refined, the texture is unbelievable in this wine, beautiful! A very graceful wine. 12,7% alcohol. About 8000 bottles made. 96-98

2021 Chapelle d’Ausone

MAY 22 75CF 25CF. Ruby, cassis, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced and detailed, lovely balance, silky texture, long finish. Minerals, detailed. 12,7% alcohol. Stunning balance. About 2000 bottles made. 93-95

2021 Château Badette

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, refreshing, dark fruits, nuanced, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Balestard La Tonnelle

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, vanilla, spices, fruit driven nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, juicy, long finish. 90-91

2021 Château Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse

APR 22 Ruby. 73M 27CF Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced and detailed nose, dark fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced, minerals, detailed, long finish. 93-95

2021 Château Belair-Monange

APR 22 Ruby. Anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced, blackberries nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, liquorice and spices, long. 94-96

2021 Château Bellefont-Belcier

APR 22 70M 25CF 5CS Ruby. Blackberries, cassis, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, juicy, blueberries, long finish. 90-92

2021 Château Bellevue

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, spices, dark fruits, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, dark fruits, long leaner finish. 90-92

2021 Château Bernateau

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, some herbs, liquorice, leaner finish. 88-90

2021 Château Cadet-Bon

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, leaner. 88-90

2021 Château de Candale

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, liquorice, dark fruits, some vanilla and spices, blueberries, fruit driven and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruits, vanilla and spices, blackberries, juicy, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Canon

APR 22 Ruby. Scented, floral, bright red fruits, nuanced and detailed, layered nose, vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed and layered, long finish. 94-96

2021 La Croix de Canon

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries, lighter, smooth, rounded, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Canon La Gaffelière 

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, scented, dark fruits, anise and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, juicy, refreshing, bit short finish. 90-92

2021 Château Cantin

APR 21 Ruby. Red fruits, anise, blackberries, vanilla, chocolate and coffee nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, vanilla, quite intense, long finish. 89-91

2021 Château Cantin La Chapelle

MAY 22 Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, bit narrower finish. 89-91

2021 Château Cap de Mourlin

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, firmer, long finish. 89-91

2021 Château Carteau Côtes Daugay

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, herbs, leaner bodied. 86-88

2021 Château Chauvin

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, vanilla, spices, fruit driven, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, dark fruits, anise. 86-88

2021 Château le Chatelet

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, leaner bodied. 86-88

2021 Château Cheval-Blanc

MAY 22 52CF 43M 5CS Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices, layered and nuanced, detailed, deep nose, some violets nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, fresh, lively, lovely energy to it, detailed, smooth, nuanced, long finish. 13,25% alcohol. 94-96

2021 Le Petit Cheval

MAY 22 60M 33CS 7CF Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, juicy, detailed, nuanced and long. 13,1% alcohol. 92-94

2021 Clos Dubreuil

MAY 22 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, vanilla and apices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, leaner bodied, good length. 88-90

2021 Clos Fourtet

APR 22 90M 7CS 3CF Two bottles tasted. Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, vanilla, rich yet nuanced nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, nuanced, layered and detailed, nuanced, minerals, long finish. 13,5% alcohol. 94-96

2021 Clos les Grandes Versannes

MAY 22 Ruby. Herbs, anise, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, herbal, thin. 84-86

2021 Clos des Jacobins 

APR 22 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, vanilla, scented nose, dark fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, long finish. 90-92

2021 Château Clos des Prince

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, herbs nose. Bit thin. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, somer herbs, red fruits, good length. 86-88

2021 Clos Saint-Martin

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise leaner, anise and spices nose. Herbal. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries and spices. 87-89

2021 Château Clos de Sarpe

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, liquorice nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries and spices, fairly juicy. Good length. 87-89

2021 Château La Clotte

MAY 22 85M 15CF Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark fruits, anise and spices, liquorice, long finish. Super smooth. 12,5% alcohol. 91-93

2021 Château La Commanderie

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries and spices, juicy, long finish. 90-92

2021 Château Corbin

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, leaner finish. 88-90

2021 Château Côte de Baleau

APR 22 90 M 10CF Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries and spices, fruit driven, riper and sweeter notes. 13,8% alcohol. 89-91

2021 Château La Couspaude

APR 22 Ruby. Vanilla, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose, blackberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, lively acidity, long finish. 89-91

2021 Couvent des Jacobins

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose, if leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruits, blackberries, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Croix Cardinale

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Croix de Labrie

MAY 22 Ruby. Anise, spices, liquorice, minerals, nuanced and detailed nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed, nuanced and long. 94-96

2021 Château La Croix Younan

MAY 22 Ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla and spices, liquorice nose. Wood. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, vanilla and spices, good length. 88-90

2021 Château La Croizille

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, vanilla, red fruits, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, juicy, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Dassault

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced, long. 89-91

2021 Château Daugay

MAY 22 Ruby. Vanilla, spices, dark fruits, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, leaner bodied. 87-89

2021 Château Destieux 

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, red and dark fruit, bit skinny. 85-87

2021 Château La Dominique

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, vanilla, nuanced nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruits, spices, juicy if leaner, long finish. 90-92

2021 Relais de la Dominique

MAY 22 Ruby.blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, good length. 86-88

2021 Château Faurie de Souchard

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, leaner bodied, good length. 87-89

2021 Château Faugeres

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red and dark fruits, juicy, nuanced, good length. 88-90

2021 Château de Ferrand

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, vanilla and herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, red fruits, vanilla, good length. 85-87

2021 Château Figeac

MAY 22 40CS 31CF 29M Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, intense nose, layered, minerals, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, detailed, juicy and playful, elegant texture, long and layered. A very precise Figeac. Long. One of the more firm wines this vintage, fine grained tannins. 13% alcohol, pH of 3,65. 95-97

2021 La Fleur d’Arthus

MAY 22 Ruby. Anise, spices, dark fruits, some herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, good length. 87-89

2021 Château Fleur Cardinale

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, vanilla, detailed and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy and nuanced, long. 92-94

2018 Château La Fleur Chantecaille

APR 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, rich and intense nose, some spices, alcohol nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, high alcohol (15%). 88

2021 Château Fleur de Lisse

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, red fruits, some anise and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, elegant. 87-89

2021 Bien-Aimée de Fleur de Lisse

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, some nettles, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, herbs, lighter bodied, good length. 86-88

2021 Château La Fleur Morange

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, vanilla, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, spices, blackberries, good length. 88-90

2021 Château La Fleur Perey

Ruby. Cassis, vanilla, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, leaner bodied, almost thin. 83-85

2021 Château Faugeres 

MAY 22 Ruby. Dark and red fruits nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, blackberries and morellos, leaner finish. 87-89

2021 Château Fombrauge

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, liquorice, leaner but energetic. 88-90

2021 Fonfleurie

MAY 22 Ruby. Anise, spices, liquorice, leaner, red fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, red fruits, anise. 87-89

2021 Château Fonplegade

APR 22 Ruby. Liquorice, anise, spices, blackberries, dark fruits, vanilla, nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries and anise, juicy, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Fonroque

APR 22 Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, detailed and long. 90-92

2021 Château Franc Bigaroux

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Franc Mayne

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, rich nose, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, detailed, juicy and nuanced long finish. 90-92

2021 Château Franc Pipeau

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Franc La Rose

MAY 22 Ruby. Anise, herbs, dark fruits and nettles nose. Medium acidity, dark fruits, anise, leaner bodied, good length. 86-88

2021 Château La Gaffelière 

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, vanilla, fruit driven nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries and spices, liquorice, detailed, layered and nuanced, long. 94-96

2021 Château La Grace Fonrazade

MAY 22 Ruby. Blueberries, blackberries, anise, spices, minerals, nuanced nose, faint minty note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruits, liquorice, some spices, long finish. 89-91

2021 Château La Grace Fonrazade blanc

MAY 22 100SG (Sauvignon Gris) Straw yellow. Apples, peach, tropical fruits, some vanilla nose. Creamy palate, rounded, medium acidity, fruit driven, good length. 88-90

2021 Gracia

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, red berries, leaner bodied. 88-90

2021 Les Angelots de Gracia

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, leaner finish. 87-89

2021 Château Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice and spices, long finish. 88-90

2021 Château Grand Corbin

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced, leaner, long. 91-93

2021 Château Grand Corbin Despagne

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice and spices nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries, spices, juicy, long finish. 90-92

2021 Château Grand Mayne

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, long finish. 91-93

2021 Château Les Grandes Murailles

APR 22 100M Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven, intense nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, nuanced, dark fruits, detailed, minerals, juicy, long finish. 13,5% alcohol, only 6500 bottles made. 91-93

2018 Château La Grangere

APR 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, some spices and coffee. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, vanilla and spices , bit hollow mid palate and finish, some herbs. Wood is overshadowing the fruit. 88

2021 Château Haut-Brisson

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, darker fruits, rounded and elegant, nuanced, long finish. 90-92

2021 Château Haut-Sarpe

APR 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, leaner, some herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, leaner, good length. 86-88

2021 Château Jean Faure

APR 22 Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, good length. 87-89

2021 Château Laniote Saint-Emilion

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, quite energetic, lively. 88-90

2021 Château Larcis Ducasse

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, blackberries, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Larmande

APR 22 Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, juicy and long. 90-92

2021 Château Laroque

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, structured and nuanced, detailed and long. 91-93

2021 Chateau Laroze

APR 22 60CF 40M Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries and spices, vanilla, long finish. 89-91

2021 L’If

APR 22 79M 21CF Around 10.000 bottles made. Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, violets, scented and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, detailed, layered and nuanced, long. 13,5% alcohol. 94-96

2021 Lynsolence

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, vanilla and spices, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Magrez Fombrauge 

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, red berries, leaner finish. 88-90

2021 Château Mangot

MAY 22 75M 20CF 5CS Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, liquorice nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, juicy, refreshing and playful, long finish. 91-94

2021 Château Mangot Todeschini Distique 14

MAY 22 100CF 10.000 bottles made. Ruby. Blackberries, anise, cassis, scented, some vanilla and spices, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, spices, detailed, fruit driven, bright, almost crunchy, lovely balance, long. A wonderful Cabernet Franc! 93-95

2021 Château La Marzelle

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries and liquorice, nuanced, long. 90-92

2021 Château Monlot

MAY 22 Ruby. Anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark fruits, lacks a bit of direction. 86-88

2021 Château Montlabert

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice and anise nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, firmer, structured, long finish. 89-91

2021 Château La Croix de Montlabert

MAY 22 Ruby. Scented, blackberries, floral, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, red fruits, anise, good length. 86-88

2021 Château Montlisse

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, cherries and spices nose, dark fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, detailed and nuanced, lovely fruit, long, 89-91

2021 Château Moulin du Cadet

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, red fruits, anise, spices, leaner finish, good length. 88-90

2021 Château du Paradis

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, some herbs, leaner, good length.87-89

2021 Chateau Pas de l’Ane

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, vanilla, fairly intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruit, more lively and less rustic texture than usual from here, good length. 87-89

2021 Château Pavie Macquin

APR Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries, fruit driven, intense, juicy, long finish. 92-94

2021 Château Peby Faugeres

MAY 22 Ruby. Liquorice, anise, herbs and lots of wood nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, lighter bodied, some spices, good length. 86-88

2021 Le Merle de Peby Faugeres

MAY 22 Ruby. Liquorice, dark fruits, anise, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, leaner bodied. 86-88

2021 Château Petit Faurie de Soutard

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, some herbs, leaner, good length. 86-88

2021 Château Petit Val

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, liquorice and vanilla nose. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, long. 92-94

2021 Muse du Val

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rounded, dark fruits, and spices, liquorice, detailed, creamy and long. 91-93

2021 Château Petit Val Margo Cuvee de Coeur

MAY 22 100CF Ruby. Spices, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise and spices. All the proceeds of this wine goes to cancer research program. 90-92

2021 Château Peymouton

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, leaner but elegant. 86-88

2021 Château Pierre 1er

MAY 22 Ruby. Dark fruits, some vanilla, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, some herbs, good length. 86-88

2021 Château Pindefleur

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, cassis and spices nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, elegant texture, good length. 88-90

2021 Château de Pressac

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, nuanced, long. Around 13,5% alcohol. 91-93

2021 Château Tour de Pressac

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, red fruits, anise, some spices nose. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red and dark fruits, quite lively. 88-90

2021 Château Quinault L’Enclos

MAY 22 59M 23CF 18CF Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, nuanced, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, dark fruits, anise, long finish. 92-94

2021 Château Quintus

MAY 21 68,2M 31,3CF 0,5 Malbec Ruby. Blackberries, cassis, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose, nuanced. Detailed nose. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, blueberries, detailed, nuanced, blackberries, minerals, layered and long. 13,4% alcohol. 94-96

2021 Le Dragon de Quintus

MAY 21 82,7 M 14,5CF 2,8 Malbec. Ruby. Blackberries, scented, anise, spices, liquorice, blackberries and minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark and red fruits, anise, spices, juicy, detailed, elegant texture, minerals, long finish. 13,2% alcohol. 92-94

2021 Saint-Emilion de Quintus

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose, nuanced, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, minerals, elegant texture, long finish. 89-91

2021 Château Ripau

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries and spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Rol Vallentin

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some herbs, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, bright, red fruits, elegant, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Roylland

MAY 22 Ruby. Vanilla, spices, dark fruits, some liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla and spices, liquorice, good length. 87-89

2021 Château Saint Georges Côte Pavie

APR 22 Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2021 Saintem Saintayme

MAY 22 100M Ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, floral, nuanced, bright nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, liquorice, nuanced, long finish. 89-91

2021 Château Sansonnet

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries and spices, good length. Leaner. 87-89

2021 Château La Serre

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, leaner bodied, good length. 86-88

2021 Château Soutard

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, scented, dark fruits, spices, nuanced and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries, spices, long finish. 89-91

2021 Château Soutard-Cadet

MAY 22 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, vanilla, red berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, leaner finish. 86-88

2021 Château Tauzinat l’Hermitage

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose, wood. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, juicy with a bit of wood up front, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Tertre Roteboeuf 

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits, some toast and coffee nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed and intense, long finish. 94-96

2021 Château Tour Baladoz

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red and dark fruits, leaner palate. 86-88

2021 Château La Tour Figeac

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven, liquorice, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, long finish. 89-91

2021 Château Tour Perey

MAY 22 Ruby. Vanilla, wood, spices nose. Fresh acidity, leaner bodied, lots of wood. 82-84

2021 Château Tour Saint Christophe

MAY 22 80M 20CF Ruby. Blackberries, anise, red fruits, spices nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruits, vanilla, detailed, nuanced, juicy, elegant, long. 91-93

2021 Château Trianon

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, long finish. 89-91

2021 Château Trimoulet

MAY 22 Ruby. Anise, herbs, dark fruits, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, some herbs, liquorice, good length. 87-89

2021 Château Troplong Mondot

MAY 22 85M 13CS 2CF Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, scented, tight, minerals and violets nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, firmer, long finish. 13,5% alcohol. 93-95

2021 Mondot 

MAY 22 100M Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, nuanced, scented nose, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, richer yet firm, rounded, long finish. 13,5% alcohol. 90-92

2021 Château Valandraud 

MAY 22 85M 9CF 6CS Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, vanilla, spices nose, detailed, intense and layered. Chocolate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, intense, refreshing, lovely energy, detailed, dark fruits, long finish. 13,5% alcohol. 96-98

2021 Virginie de Valandraud

MAY 22 80M 15CF 5CS Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, dark fruits, some vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, smooth, velvety, rounded, intense, nuanced and long. 13,5% alcohol. 92-94

2021 Valandraud Blanc

MAY 22 50SG 35SB 15S 3500 bottles made. Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some light tropical notes, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, rounded, detailed, apples, citrus, creamy, long finish. 93-95

2021 Virginie de Valandraud Blanc

MAY 22 70SB 30S Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, minerals, fresh nose. Fresh acidity, some peach, apples, pears, citrus, elegant and rounded, long finish. 89-91

2021 Château Villemaurine

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, vanilla, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, minerals, juicy, nice energy to it, long. 90-92

2021 Château La Voute

MAY 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, some herbs, good length. 87-89

2021 Château Yon-Figeac

APR 22 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits and vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries and spices, good length. 87-89