2023 Saint-Estephe

2023 Saint-Estephe

 

Saint-Estephe is probably the most charming Left Bank commune this year, and has been so for years nose. Another lovely vintage. 

 

Personally I really enjoyed the somewhat less bold Calon-Ségur more than the last few vintages, and having enjoyed a 2012, now old school, Calon-Ségur the evening before at Fëte de la Fleur dinner, this is much more in that direction stylewise. 

 

Montrose is a winner this year, one of the great expressions of the vintage and one of my top favourites. 

 

Cos dÉstournel is also a favourite and I just love that they make less extracted and woody wines than ten years back, they are really doing everything right in my book. And the whites are beauties, if you can find them.

 

Haut-Marbuzet is very charming, and Lilian Ladouys and Ségur de Cabanac are probably the finest I have tried from each property. 

 

Lovely Phélan-Ségur and Meyney as well!

 

2023 Château Calon Ségur

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice notes, layered.nuanced and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, nuanced, long finish. Saline and mineral, long. 96-98

 

2023 Le Marquis de Calon-Ségur

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, nuanced, liquorice, Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, minerals, textured behind. 92-94

 

2023 Château Capbern

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, scented, nuanced nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, red berries, detailed, nuanced, layered, minerals, saline, Lovely. 91-93

 

2023 Château Cos Labory

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, blueberries, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries, blueberries, some spices, liquorice, leaner finish. 90-92

 

2023 Château de Pez

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, quite dense nose, blackberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, some spices, nuanced, layered, long. 91-93

 

2023 Château Fleuron de Liot

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, nuanced, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, intense, layered, nuanced, long. 91-92

 

2023 Château Haut-Beausejour

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, good length. 88-90

 

2023 Château Haut-Marbuzet

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, long. Elegant and very charming. 92-94

 

2023 Château La Haye

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits nose, leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, leaner. 87-89

 

2023 Château Lafitte Carcasset

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, juicy, lighter. 87-89

 

2023 Château Lafon-Rochet

Ruby. Vanilla, spices, blackberries, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, detailed, nuanced, elegant texture, long. 91-93

 

2023 Château Le Boscq

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, some herbs, blueberries, leaner finish. 88-90

 

2023 Château Le Crock

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, liquoric nose, some spices. Scented and lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blackberries, detailed, nuanced, intense, long, lovely balance. 92-94

 

2023 Château Lilian-Ladouys

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, blueberries, nuanced and long. 90-92

 

2023 Château Meyney

Ruby. Blackberrties, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, juicy, spices, long finish. 92-94

 

2023 Prieur de Meyney

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, spices, leaner bodied, elegant. 86-88

 

2023 Château Montrose

Ruby. Blackberries, minerals, detailed, nuanced, quite intense, fruit forward nose, layered, spices, floral and lifted nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, firmer, detailed, nuanced, incredible depth, refined, effortless, long finish. 96-98

 

2023 La Dame de Montrose

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, fruit forward, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, detailed, fruit forward, nuanced and long. A wonderful Dame de Montrose. 92-94

 

2023 Château Ormes de Pez

Ruby. Spices, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, blackberries, blueberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, blueberries, liquorice, long finish. 90-92

 

2023 Château Petit Bocq

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, good length. 89-91

 

2023 Château Phèlan Ségur

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries nose, detailed and nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, firmer, structured, quite intense, long finish. 93-95

 

2023 Frank Phélan

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, good length. 87-89

 

2023 Château Ségur de Cabanac

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, minerals, long. Lovely. 91-93

 

2023 Château Tour de Pez

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, some spices, leaner nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, firmer. 88-90

 

2023 Château Tour des Termes

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

 

2023 Château Tour Saint-Fort 

Ruby. Vanilla, spices, liquorice, dark fruits, some spices and herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, leaner finish. 87-89

 

2023 Château Tour Saint-Forth

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, quite herbal. 85-87

 

2023 Château Tronquoy

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, long. 90-92

 

2023 Château Tronquoy blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach, minerals, fruit forward nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, rounded, elegant texture, nuanced, peach, leaner finish. Very elegant. 90-92

 

2023 Cos d'Estournel

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, nuanced, detailed nose, layered. Minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, spices, nuanced, long. Somewhat firmer finish. 95-97

 

2023 Pagodes de Cos

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, some spices, liquorice nose, blueberries nose. Touch minty. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward, long. Juicy. 92-94

 

2023 Cos d'Estournel blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some minerals, detailed, tighter, nuanced, bright nose with depth. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, minerals, nuanced, refreshing, detailed, elegant texture, long finish. Beautiful. 94-96

 

2023 Pagodes de Cos blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Scented, apples, lemons, some citrus, minerals, detailed, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, apples, peach, minerls, nuanced, elegant texture, long finish. 92-94

 

2023 G d'Estournel (Médoc)

Ruby. Dark berries, some anise, blackberries and some herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, anise, leaner, some herbs, blackberries. Good length. 87-90

2023 primuer, Pauillac

2023 Pauillac

Pauillac has some beauties this year and was less affected by mildew than several other communes. Mouton Rothschild is a superbly crafted and well balanced Mouton, Lafite is somewhat richer than what you expect, but for me the wine of the vintage in Pauillac, and all of Médoc. Duhart is one of the finest ever from that estate, lovely Haut-Bages-Libéral as well. Lovely Fonbadet, even if there is a rumour that they have sold of quite a bit of land.

 

 

2023 Château d'Armailhac

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, spices nose, blueberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, blueberries, nuanced, juicy, long. Saline. 92-94

 

2023 Château Batailley

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, some spices, liquorice nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, somewhat leaner, long finish. 91-93

 

2023 Château Bellegrave

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, floral, fruit forward nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, liquorice, good length. 88-90

 

2023 Château Clerc Milon

Ruby. Blackberries, cassis, scented, detailed, nuanced nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed, long finish. 92-94

 

2023 Château Clerc Milon

Ruby. Tight, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, spices, liquorice nose, firmer. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, detailed, layered, nuanced, lovely balance, long. 93-95

 

2023 Pastourelle de Clerc Milon

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit forward nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, spices, long finish. Juicy. 89-91

 

2023 Château Croizet-Bages

Ruby. Blackberries, some spices, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, leaner bodied, some spices, good length. 88-90

 

2023 Château Duhart-Milon

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, somewhat scented nose, detailed and nuanced, fruit forward. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forward, detailed, layered, minerals, long. A refined Duhart-Milon. 93-95

 

2023 Moulin de Duhart

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, nuanced, long. Saline. 90-92

 

2023 Château Fonbadet

Ruby. Cassis, anise, spices, liquorice, vanilla nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, detailed, liquorice, nuanced, long. 92-94

 

2023 Château Grand Puy-Ducasse

Ruby. Blackberries, coffee, chocolate and spices nose, ripe and rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, long finish. 90-92

 

2023 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, juicy, nuanced, deatiled, nuanced, elegant and lonng, lovely. 94-96

 

2023 Lacoste-Borie

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices, juicy, elegant, good length. 88-90

 

2023 Château Haut-Bages Libéral

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit dstones, blueberries, detailed, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, energetic, detailed, nuanced, layered, long. Mineral finish, chalky and saline.93-95

 

2023 Ceres de Haut-Bages Libéral

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

 

2023 Château Haut-Batailley

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, cassis, some spices nose, liquorice, nuanced.Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, spices, fruit forward, detailed, long finish. 93-95

 

2023 Château Lafite Rothschild

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit forward nose, detailed, firmer nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blackberries, liquorice, detailed, layered, nuanced, spices, firmer, textured, intense, very long finish. 98-100

 

2023 Carruades de Lafite

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit forward nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward, long finish. 92-95

 

2023 Château Latour

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit forward nose, spices. Tifght and firm yet detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, layered, liquorice, nuanced, detailed and long. 97-99

 

2023 Les Forts de Latour

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice and spices, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, blueberries, juicy, long finish. 92-94

 

2023 Pauillac

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, scented, fruit forward nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, some herbs, dark fruits, juicy, long finish. 90-92

 

 

2023 Château Lynch Bages

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, intense, spices, nuanced and detailed nose. Layered and deep.Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, nuanced, detailed and long. 95-97

 

2023 Château Lynch Moussas

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven, detailed nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, blueberries, long finish. 90-92

 

2023 Château Mouton Rothschild

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, exotic, spices, fruit driven, nuanced nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, detailed, nuanced, blackberries, spices, layered, saline, minerals, stuperb balance, long finish. A beauty. 97-99

 

2023 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward, detailed nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, detailed, long and elegant. 92-94

 

2023 Aile d'Argent

Pale lemon yellow. Peach, apples, lemons, minerals, nuanced, bright nose, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, minerals, saline, citrus, detailed, elegant, lovely. 93-95

 

2023 Château Pauillac

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, detailed and juicy. 90-92

 

2023 Château Pédesclaux

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, blueberries nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, liquorice, fruit forward, long. 91-93

 

2023 Château Pibran

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, anise, liquorice nose, richer. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, long. 90-92

 

2023 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

 Scented, blackberries, dark fruits, some spices, liquorice, detailed, fruit forward, exotic spices, beautiful nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, nuanced, energetic, long finish. Lovely. 96-98

 

2023 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron

Ruby. Cassis, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, detailed, layered, nuanced, deeper nose, quite intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, spices, detailed and nuanced, layered and long. Lovely Griffons. 93-95

 

2023 Les Tourelles de Pichon Baron

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit driven nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, nuanced, juicy, long finish. 91-93

 

2023 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, vlackberries, fruit forward nose, detailed and layered, lifted.Fresh aciidty, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, detailed, nuanced, lighter bodied, elegant texture, long finish. 96-98

 

2023 Reserve de la Comtesse

Ruby. Blackberries, cassis, red fruits, some spices, detailed, nuanced nose, lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, blackberries, some herbs, detailed, long finish. 90-92

 

2023 Château Pontet-Canet

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, dark fruits nose, nuanced, detailed, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, firmer, intense, blueberries, long finish. Lingering raspberries finish. 94-96

 

2023 Domaine Les Sadons

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, juicy, long. Refreshing style. 89-91

2023 Primeur, Saint-Julien

2023 Château Beychevelle

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices, liquorice notes nose, vanilla. Scented and lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, elegant texture, fruit forward, long finish. 93-95

 

2023 Château Branaire-Ducru

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, spices, nuanced, elegant nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, fruit forward, nuanced, detailed and long. A newfound precission in Branaire-Ducru. Not even sure if this was made in their new cellar.  93-95

 

2023 Château La Bridane

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, fruit driven nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, energetic, saline, detailed. Best La Bridane I have tasted. 90-92

 

2023 Les Trois Canons de la Bridane

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

 

2023 Château du Glana

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruits nose, some spices, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, long if narrow finish. 89-91

 

2023 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, vanilla, liquorice, fruit forward, scented, layered, bright, floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, blueberries, long finish.Rich yet energetic. Seductive. 96-98

 

2023 La Croix de Beaucaillou

Ruby. Blackberries, cassis, dark fruits, lifted and scented nose, detailed and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, fruit forward yet energetic, long finish. 92-94

 

2023 Le Petit Ducru

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, blueberries, fruit forward nose, detailed. Scented and lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, juicy, long. 91-93

 

2023 Madame de Beaucaillou (Haut-Médoc)

Ruby. Blackberries, scented, blueberries, fruit driven and lifted nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, spices, long. 89-91

 

2023 Château Finegrave

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose, fruit forward. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, leaner. 87-89

 

2023 Château Gloria

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, blueberries nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blueberries, elegant texture, long finish. 91-93

 

2023 Château Gruaud Larose

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit forward, nuanced nose, detailed. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, aqnise, dark fruits, liquorice, long finish. 94-96

 

2023 Château Langoa Barton

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, scented, red berries, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced, long finish. Bit leaner. 90-92

 

2023 Château Léoville Barton

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, nuanced, juicy, elegant texture, long finish. A beauty! 94-96

 

2023 Château Léoville Las Cases

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, blueberries, detailed, scented, intense, layered, deep and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, intense, spices, juicy, layered, energetic, layered, minerals, tobacco, graphite, layers and layers and it comes in waves. This goes on forever. One of the best of the vintage. 97-99

 

2023 Le Petit Lion de Leoville las Cases

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed, blueberries, nuanced nose, lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, firmer, textured, long finish. 91-93

 

2023 Château Moulin de la Rose

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, long. Bit lighter. 89-91

 

2023 Château Saint-Pierre

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, nuanced nose, minerals and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, fruit forward, nuanced, long. 92-94

 

2023 Château Talbot

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose.Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, some herbs, long finish. 91-93

 

2023 Château Teynac

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

 

2023 Clos du Marquis

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, nuanced, detailed, lifted, cassis, nuanced, very elegant nose, refined. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, detailed, liquorice, spices, nuanced, intense and long. Superb balance, a very elegant Clos du Marquis indeed. 93-95

 

2023 Evoke

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, blueberries, some spices nnose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, leaner finish. 87-89

2023 Listrac and Moulis en Médoc

2023 Listrac and Moulis

 

Poujeaux has made one of their finest ever, and Chasse Spleen is wonderful. 

 

Fourcas-Dupré is another great one for the estate

 

 

2023 Château Clarke

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balckberries, anise, spices, tighter, structured, good length. 88-90

 

2023 Château Caroline

Ruby. Vanilla, anise, cassis, blackberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, anise, good length. 87-89

 

2023 Château Chasse-Spleen

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, lifted nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven, spices, nuanced, juicy, lovely Chasse-Spleen! 92-94

 

2023 Château Chemin Royale

Ruby. Vanilla, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, some spices, red fruits, long. Probably the most energetic Chemin Royale made. 88-90

 

2023 Château Dutruch Grand Poujeaux

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit driven nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, somewhat hollow mid palate, leaner finish. 86-88

 

2023 Château Fonreaud

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

 

2023 Château Fonreaud

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

 

2023 La Légende Fonreaud

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, cassis, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, good length. 87-89

 

2023 Château Fonreaud Le Cygne

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some citrus, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, leaner, refreshing, good length. 88

 

2023 Château Fourcas Dupré

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, blueberries notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, juicy, detailed, nuanced, intense for Dupré, long finish. 90-92

 

2023 Château Fourcas Hosten

Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, dark fruits, some spices, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruits, spices, long finish. 89-91

 

2023 Château Granins Grand Poujeaux

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, juicy, long finish. 90-92

 

2023 Château La Garricq

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, juicy, long. 89-91

 

2023 Château Lestage

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blackberries, some spices nose, dark fruits. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, somewhat leane rfinish. 87-89

 

2023 Haut Lestage

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, bit jammy. 86-88

 

2023 Château Lestage La Mouette

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, apples, some citrus, saline, fruit forward if leaner. 86

 

2023 Château Martinho

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, red fruits, leaner. 88-90

 

2023 Château Maucaillou

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, fruit driven nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise and spices, leaner bodied, good length. 88-90

 

2023 Château Mauvesin Barton

Ruby. Scented, red berries, dark fruits, spices, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries anise, spices, blueberries, juicy. 89.91

 

2023 Château Poujeaux

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, spices, nuanced and detailed nose, liquorice, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balckberries, anise, spices, dark fruis, nuanced, detailed, long finish. A wonderful Poujeaux, and probably the greatest since the legendary 1928. 93-95

 

2023 Château Saransot-Dupré

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, juicy. 87-89

 

2023 Château Saransot-Dupré blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach, fruit forward nose, leaner. Fresh acidity, apples, leaner, refreshing. 86

2023 Primeur, Margaux

2023 Margaux

This commune always differ more, and soils also varies more than in the other top Médoc communes. We have gotten used to Brane-Cantenac being one of the top estates, vintage after vintage, and now Durfort-Vivens also seem to have settled in the top leage, after the stunning 2022. Two of my absolute favourite expressions this year. Baron de Branne is probably the best one to date.

 

There is such finesse in Cantenac Brown this year, for me one of their most refined ever. 

 

Château margaux has been a bit bold and alcoholic for a few vintages, so if you love the Château Margaux´s of past, this will be the newest vintage in that style. Bright, detailed, refreshing, superbly balance, a stunning expression. 

 

Dauzac seems to be climbing as well, as does Siran. Both made one of their best in recent vintages. 

 

Château Palmer also shows one of their more utterly seductive wines in the last vintages, and it isn’t that Palmer hasn’t been seductive, but they have also been on the bold side. The energy and brightness in 2023 is borderline spellbinding, and great Bordeaux should always have that. Everyone can make big fruit, that is not what Bordeaux is famous for. 

 

Rauzan-Ségla is also gorgeous this year. 

 

2023 Château Angludet

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, nuanced and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruits, liquorice, nuanced, elegant. Lovely Angludet. 91-93

 

2023 Château Boyd-Cantenac

Ruby. Blackberries, vanilla, spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, blackberries, leaner finish. 88-90

 

2023 Château Brane-Cantenac

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, nuanced, lifted, scented, detailed nose, bright. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, liquorice, dark fruits, spices, blueberries, juicy, detailed, anise, layered, long. Wonderful.96-98

 

2023 Baron de Brane

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, fruit forward, liquorice, long. 90-92

 

2023 Château Cantenac Brown

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, blueberries, fruit forward nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, detailed, more precise than any vintage before it from Cantenac Brown, lovely balance and texture, long. 95-97

 

2023 Château d'Issan

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, leaner finish. 92-94

 

2023 Blason d'Issan

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, some herbs, leaner finish. 87-89

 

2023 Château Dauzac

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, anise, spices, fruit forward, layered and long. Probably best Dauzac to date. 92-94

 

2023 Château Desmirail

Ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, spices, nuanced, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, firmer, lots of wood, but concentration packs it in better than usual. 92-94

 

2023 Château Deyrem Valentin

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, fruit forward, spices, richer nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward, detailed, has some energy to it, long. 91-93

 

2023 Château du Tertre

Ruby. Blackberries, vanilla, spices, liquorice, bit smoky nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, dark fruits, liquorice, long finish. 91-93

 

2023 Château Durfort-Vivens

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, nuanced, fruit forward nose, lifted, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, liquorice, juicy, detailed, intense and firm, layered, deep, another great success at Durfort-Vivens. Lovely. It seems to have settled in a new league. 96-98

 

2023 Château Ferriere

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, nuanced, juicy, a very fine Ferriere. 91-93

 

2023 Château Giscours

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, dark fruits, spices, nuanced nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, dark fruits, nuanced, detailed and long. Fruit forward Giscours. 92-94

 

2023 Château Haut-Breton Larigaudiére

Ruby. Jammy, spices, herbs, woody nose. Medium acidity, flat, fat, woody. 85-87

 

2023 Château Kirwan

Ruby. Blueberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries nose, fruit forward. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, fruit driven, long finish. 91-93

 

2023 Château La Gurgue

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forard, long. 89-91

 

2023 Château Labegorce 

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, fruit driven nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, fruit forward, long finish. 91-93

 

2023 Château Larruau

Ruby. Herbs, anise, some dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied. 83-85

 

2023 Château Lascombes

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries niose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, juicy, detailed, elegant, long finish. 93-95

 

2023 Chevalier de Lascombes

Ruby. Blackberries, red fruits, anise, some spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, liquorice, spices, leaner. 88-90

 

2023 Château Le Coteau

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, long finish. 89-91

 

2023 Château Malescot St.Exupery

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, blueberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, touch jammy, long finish. 93-95

 

2023 Château Margaux

Ruby. Cassis, anise, dark fruits, blackberries, spices, fruit forward nose, detailed, layered, scented, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, layered, nuanced, deep, long finish. After a few vintages with a rather bold expression for Margaux, this is more recognisably seductive. The Château Margaux style we all love. 97-99

 

2023 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, spices, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, vanilla, spices, some vanilla, detailed, nuanced and long. 92-94

 

2023 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux

Pale lemon yellow. Peach, apples, some citrus, vanilla, nuanced, detailed, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, apples, peach, citrus, grilled lemons, saline, detailed, long. 94

 

2023 Château Marquis d'Alesme Becker

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, liquorice, fruit forward nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, juicy, fruit forward, detailed, long finish. 93-95

 

2023 Château Marquis de Terme

Ruby Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit driven and fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, elegant texture, long finish. 91-93

 

2023 Château Monbrison

Ruby. Some herbs, anise, spices, liquorice, blueberries notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, blackberries, anise, leaner finish. 88-90

 

2023 Château Palmer

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, nuanced, fruit forward nose. Floral, nuanced, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice, detailed, nuanced, minerals, blackberries, soft texture, detailed, nuanced, refined, salinity, long. So seductive. 97-99

 

2023 Alter Ego 

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, dark fruits, blueberries, detailed and long, lovely softness to it, like velvet. 91-93

 

2023 Château Pouget

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, herbs, leaner. 87-89

 

2023 Château Prieuré-Lichine

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, spices, a very fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, dark fruits, liquorice, leaner finish. 89-91

 

2023 Château Rauzan-Gassies

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, good length. Easy going. 88-90

 

2023 Château Rauzan-Ségla

Ruby. Cassis, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, spices, nuanced nose, lifted.Pure, almost a faint citrus hint. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red berries, blackberries, detailed, nuanced, elegant texture, long finish.So lively and refreshing. Superb. 95-97

 

2023 Segla

Ruby. Scented, red berries, floral, nuanced, detailed nose, lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, blueberries, detailed, long finish. 90-92

 

2023 Château Siran

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, detailed nose, lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, juicy, fruit forward, long finish. Superb Siran! One of the great vintages from here, and during primeurs I was reminded how well these are made. A superb 1914 was served at one dinner, and a beauty (94 points), super smooth. And I vividly recall a wonderful 1959 from a few years back. 93-95

 

2023 Château Tayac

Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, nuanced, elegant if leaner, structured. 88-90

 

2023 Château Tour de Mons

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruits, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, some spices, liquorice, energetic, probably best Tour de Mons ever. 89-91