Search results for: 'Clos Fourtet Saint Emilion 2017 Pre-Arrival'

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

97-99 Points! With a dark, almost purple hue, the wine expresses flowers, licorice, smoke, black cherries, blue fruits, spice, salt and oyster shell. The fruits on the palate are long, rich, elegant, deep, and ripe. There is concentration, silky tannins, vibrancy, length and strong, mineral-influences on the mid-palate, and in the opulent, lively, long and intense finish. This is the first vintage where the parcels of Grandes Murailles were integrated into Clos Fourtet. The wine blends blending 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% ABV, 3.54 pH. The harvest took place, September 9 - September 27. Drink from 2027-2055. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

98 Points! Gorgeous perfume on the nose, roses and violets, floral, expressive and so inviting. Sleek and straight from the start, the grip comes almost straight away - a crushed stone and graphite edge to the tannins giving cool freshness as well as bite. Feels suave and controlled, nothing too much or out of place. Refined and supremely elegant but still with a serious and dark core, it’s powerful and intense but that comes a few minutes after the playful juiciness and lively acidity settles. Complete and cool and puts you in St-Emilion on limestone with an inescapable and intense salty grip. Confident and supremely well made with a light touch. A yield of 36hl/ha. 3.54pH. Ageing 14-18 months; 40% new barrels, 58% second wine, 2% amphora, in underground cellars. Harvest 9 September - 27 September. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

97-98 Points! This is broad and opulent with a full body and fine-grained, velvety tannins. Deep dark fruit, crushed violets and spices. Structured, layered and really long. Wow. So long and refined with great clarity. - James Suckling

96-98 Points! Harvested around the 9th of September and based on 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc (it also includes grapes from the discontinued Grandes Murailles bottling), the 2022 Château Clos Fourtet reveals a vivid purple hue as well as aromatics of black cherries, blackberries, white flowers, and crushed stone. A quintessential Saint-Emilion from the upper plateau, it has an incredible sense of minerality as well as full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, a vibrant sense of freshness, and a great finish. The 2020 was brought up in 40% new barrels, with the balance in once-used oak and a tiny portion in clay amphora. Tasted twice. - Jeb Dunnuck

96-98 Points! The 2022 Clos Fourtet is fabulous. Rich, sensual and layered, the 2022 bristles with the energy found in the best wines of the year. Clean veins of minerality frame a core of red/purplish fruit, lavender, sage, mint, rose petal and mocha. Simply put, the 2022 is a magical Clos Fourtet. This is the first vintage that incorporates fruit from what used to be Grands Murailles. Drinking window : 2032-2052 - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

95-97 Points! The 2022 Clos Fourtet was picked from 9 to 27 September at 36hL/ha and vinified to a maximum of 24-26° Celsius. It has a gorgeous bouquet you could lose yourself in, with crushed strawberry, orange blossom and bunches of violet. The 40% new oak is extremely well integrated. The palate is refined with filigree tannins, one of the most mineral-driven Clos Fourtets I recall at this stage, with a sophisticated and harmonious finish. The prudent approach to the new oak pays rich dividends here. Mathieu Cuvelier and his team have overseen a sublime Saint-Émilion. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

94-96 Points! Now incorporating the vineyards of the former Grand Murailles, the 2022 Clos Fourtet is lovely, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums, rose petals, orange zest and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless, it's deep and complete, with a layered core of vibrant fruit and a long, saline finish. This is another terrific wine from this 19-hectare vineyard situated on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, just outside the village. It's a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. - William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

98 Points! The 2018 Clos Fourtet is one of the most elegant, refined wines of the vintage. Silky and aromatically expressive, Clos Fourtet is all grace. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and sage all lift from the glass. Even with all of the natural richness of the year, Clos Fourtet sizzles with tension and delineation. Then again, that is the magic of the Saint-Émilion plateau. Clos Fourtet is easy to look past in 2018. It is neither exuberant nor exotically ripe. Instead, everything is in reserve. The 2018 is a magical wine, that's all there is to it. Don't miss it. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

97 Points! Easily as good as the 2015 at this estate, the 2018 may even prove to be better after some ageing. There is depth and concentration to the berry fruits, but also a fine quality to the tannins and a softness overall that suggests nothing was pushed, that all of this power is simply what was naturally given by the vintage. It's very good quality, true to the confidence of the estate, pulsating with rich raspberry and damson notes and playing between a seductive gourmet edge and maintaining its limestone freshness. I have enjoyed a number of older vintages of this wine recently, and I feel pretty sure that this will grow into one of those wines that you are so happy to open after a few decades of ageing. 33hl/ha yield. 60% new oak. - Decanter

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

95-96 Points! A gorgeous vivid red with lead pencil and black berry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with plenty of fine tannins. Black olives and dark fruit. Tight and structured. Muscular and formed, but not overbearing. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. From organically grown grapes. - James Suckling

93-95 Points! The 2022 Clos de l'Oratoire is blended of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc and is aging in 30% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it prances out of the glass with gregarious notes of juicy plums and blueberry preserves with underlying hints of kirsch, red roses, and star anise. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is vivacious and fragrant with lovely plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and perfumed. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

93-95 Points! Licorice, violets, black plums, incense, black raspberries, smoke, and leafy herbs open the nose. On the palate, the wine is creamy, fresh, rich, and loaded with black fruits, crushed stone, and spice. The oak is already close to fully integrated. The wine blends 80% Merlot, with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2045. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 Points! Black raspberries, cassis, leafy herbs, leather, and even some blue fruits emerge from the 2022 Clos De L'Oratoire, an elegant medium to full-bodied, silky Saint-Emilion. It has solid tannic grip, but the balance is there, the fruit is clean and pure, and it's a gem of a wine in the making. - Jeb Dunnuck

92-94 Points! The 2022 Clos de l'Oratoire includes fully 20% Cabernet Franc this year, which has brought more depth and structure to the blend. Offering up aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with vine smoke, petals and sweet soil tones, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vibrant, with a sweet core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, saline finish. - William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

92-94 Points! The 2022 Clos de L’Oratoire is rich, sensual and super-expressive. The blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with the Franc adding dynamic energy, aromatic presence and structure. Complex and beautifully layered, Clos de L’Oratoire is showing beautifully today. Succulent red cherry, blood orange, spice, tobacco, cedar and dried herbs build, with clean, saline notes that extend the finish. Drinking window : 2032-2047 - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

93 Points! Smells bright and concentrated, rich and intense, lovely aromatics, perfumed and darkly fruited on the nose. Nice depth and generosity on the palate, round and juicy, supple and mouthwatering. Gorgeous intensity - sharp and lean, but chalky and creamy too, a lovely spiced vein of liquorice, tobacco and clove with some salty elements too. Juicy and fun, a friendliness and complexity to this makes it really quite charming. Bright and vibrant, balanced and easy to drink. Great structure and composure, finessed but still with strength. Yield: 47hl/ha. 30% new oak barrels. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

95-97 Points! The 2022 Clos Saint-Julien shows the magic of Saint-Emilion's famed plateau. Bright saline and mineral notes cut through a core of red/purplish fruit, with touched of lavender, spice and mocha that come alive in the glass. The 2022 is one of the most exquisite wines I have ever tasted here. This salivating and wonderfully vibrant Saint-Emilion is lights out. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

94-96 Points! What stands out here is the minerality, giving all the deep, ripe, sweet fruits, licorice, flowers and spice a distinctive salty edge. The wine has length, depth, and a uniqueness of character that stands out. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Franc with 50% Merlot, 14% ABV. Drink from 2027-2045. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

92-93 Points! Notes of dark berries, cedar and spices. Medium to full body. Firm and lightly chewy tannins. Concentrated dark-fruited character and a lingering finish. - James Suckling

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

90-93 Points! The Moulin Saint-Georges is quite rich and dense in this vintage, as is to be expected. Super-ripe red cherry fruit, blood orange, menthol, spice and leather fill out the layers in a Saint Emilion that boasts tons of fruit density and the tannins to match. All the elements are very nicely balanced. Readers should expect a Moulin Saint-Georges that is more power than dinesse. I imagine the 2022 will age beautifully on its fruit. It could very well turn out to be a sleeper in this vintage. The blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc picked between September 19 and 26. Aging is projected to be 18 Months in French Oak. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

93-95 Points! Rocking Merlot notes of ripe black cherries, currants, smoked tobacco, and melted chocolate all emerge from the 2022 Château Moulin Saint Georges, a ripe, full-bodied, opulent, seamless 2020 based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. It has the density and structure of the vintage and will have 15-20 years of overall longevity. - Jeb Dunnuck

92-93 Points! This is tight and fine-tannined with a medium body, lightly rounded tannins and a fresh and bright finish. Structured and long. Polished. - JamesSuckling.com

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

95-96 Points! Iodine, crushed stone, salt, oyster shell, ink pot. Fascinating. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with a firm framing of fruit, with fine tannins and electric acidity. Exceptional. pH of 3.48 with just under 15% alcohol. Still thinking about this. - James Suckling

94-96 Points! Another great wine from this château, the 2022 Château Tour Saint Christophe checks in as 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc brought up in 25% new French oak. It has a great nose of red plums, cassis, chalky minerality, and spice, and this full-bodied Saint-Emilion is impeccably balanced, with a pure, graceful mouthfeel, fine tannins, and outstanding length. The purity of fruit here is truly terrific. - Jeb Dunnuck

92-94 Points! The 2022 Tour Saint Christophe comes across as quite laid back in this vintage. Beams of saline energy run through a core of dark-toned fruit, with spice, leather and licorice hints that add complexity throughout. The 2022 is very good, but not as exuberant as it has been in some years. Tasted three times - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

97-98 Points! Redcurrants with dark chocolate and hints of fresh herbs like basil and thyme on the nose. Full-bodied with a beautiful center palate and a lovely fine tannin texture. Extremely long. Classy. 35% cabernet franc, 15% cabernet sauvignon and 50% merlot, From organically grown grapes. - James Suckling

96-98 Points! Deep, and dark in color, the wine opens with flowers, oceanic influences, plums, smoke, licorice, and black cherries. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, opulent, polished, vibrant, silky and fresh, finishing with multiple layers of chocolate-covered, plums, black cherries, espresso, crushed stones and spices. What makes everything work here is the balance, freshness, and purity in the fruits. The wine blends 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.2% ABV. Drink from 2027-2055. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97 Points! The 2022 Canon la Gaffeliere is blended of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields were 47 hl/ha and it is aging in 40% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with a fantastically flamboyant nose of kirsch, wild blueberries, and red currant preserves, followed by hints of lavender oil, fallen leaves, and licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate is coated with taut, muscular black fruits with a firm frame of ripe, fine-grained tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long with a spicy lift. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

95-97 Points! The 2022 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière is brilliant stuff and should be snatched up by readers. Black cherries, iron, tapenade, and exotic floral notes all define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a layered, opulent mouthfeel, gorgeous tannins, and no shortage of mid-palate depth or length on the finish. A blend of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon that will see 40% new oak, it's a flawlessly balanced, incredibly impressive Saint-Emilion that will have no problems competing with the 2019 and 2020. - Jeb Dunnuck

94-96 Points! A blend of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Canon la Gaffelière exhibits aromas of raspberries and plums, complemented by notions of iris, rose petals, incense and burning embers. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's supple, suave and sophisticated, with a lively core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, saline finish. - William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

94-96 Points! The 2022 Canon La Gaffelière is bright, punchy and full of character. Blood orange, rose petal and spice overtones brighten a core of red/purplish fruit in Saint-Émilion that impresses with its saline intensity, energy and focus. If tasting this blind, I would never say it is a wine from a warm, drought year. It will be interesting to see if the 2022 retains its youthful vibrancy through élevage. This is super promising. Drinking window : 2032-2052 - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

93-95 Points! The 2022 Canon La Gaffelière was picked from 6 to 22 September at 47hL/ha, with more Merlot this year and matured in 40% new oak. This lovely bouquet shows red cherry, wild strawberry, blood orange and light cedary scents. Utterly charming, as this Saint-Émilion so often is. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, slightly chalky in texture, and fresh with a vibrant limestone-driven finish. Excellence from a Saint-Émilion that just never lets you down. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

95 Points! Ripe perfumed, floral and black fruits on the nose. Intense and concentrated, with tobacco, cherries, violets and crushed stones. Full, chewy and round, plushly textured but keeping a cool and savoury touch to the palate with balancing acidity that keeps the interest and movement. Dynamic and structured, lovely detail and density to this, you have richness but there’s also a vein of sweetness and tension that focuses the wine and gives the definition. Smooth and elegant, not the most vibrant, but the composure and overall character is lovely. Higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon than usual in the grand vin. A yield of 47hl/ha. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. A yield of 29hl/ha. A yield of 47hl/ha. 40% new oak barrels. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

92-93 Points! This is already nicely salty and chalky with crushed stones. Medium-to full-bodied with medium, firm tannins and a medium, juicy finish. - JamesSuckling.com

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

95-97 Points! Clearly one of the new superstars in the appellation, Château Laroque is located on the cooler, eastern edge of Saint-Emilion and consists of pure, classic upper plateau limestone soils. The estate covers a whopping 54 hectares, which gives director Davie Suire ample flexibility when putting together the Grand Vin. Looking at the 2022 Laroque, it's a blend of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc from healthy yields of 41 hectoliters per hectare, representing just 45% of the total production, and it will spend 16-18 months in 50% new French oak. This deep purple-hued beauty offers a classic Saint-Emilion bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, tobacco, and a liquid rock-like sense of minerality. It’s medium to full-bodied, has incredible purity, and ultra-fine tannins. It’s unquestionably another beautiful vintage for this chateau that readers will love. - Jeb Dunnuck

94-96 Points! Showing a dark hue, the wine is all about its perfect balance between intensity, concentration, freshness, and elegance. The red pit fruits are sweet, refined, pure, and supple. The finish is long, creamy, pure and while powerful, it is elegant as well, leaving you with a saltiness on the backend, providing lift and precision. The wine was made with 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, 14.55% ABV. Drink from 2026-2045. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 Points! Another impressive performance from this estate, the 2022 Laroque offers up aromas of sweet berries, violets, iris and exotic spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered palate with a rich core of fruit that's framed by lively acids, concluding with a taut, chalky finish. Once again, it's the result of a strict selection that sees only 45% of the production released as the grand vin. - William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

93-94 Points! A very classic Bordeaux with medium to full body, firm tannins and crunchy character, with a linear nature. Currants and blackberries. Sandalwood, too. Fresh. - James Suckling

92-94 Points! The 2022 Laroque is bright, focused and full of energy. In this vintage, Laroque is especially refined. Dark plum, graphite, licorice, spice, lavender and mocha are nicely laced together in this gracious, finely cut Saint-Emilion. Bright saline accents lend notable brightness throughout. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

94+ Points! This property is owned and managed by the Vauthier family of Château Ausone. The 2015 Moulin Saint-Georges is blended of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 85% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it reveals a gorgeous plum preserves, licorice and blackberry pie-laced nose with touches of cedar chest, cigar box, black olives and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and very firmly textured with grainy tannins, it has a lively backbone supporting the generous black fruit, finishing with lingering savory notes. Give it a good 5 years or more in bottle and drink it over the next 20+ years.- Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

94-96 Points! The 2022 Château Cote De Baleau is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc raised in barrels. It's a pure, elegant, classic Saint-Emilion with obvious minerality as well as notes of black raspberries, chocolate, gravelly earth, and truffle. This medium to full-bodied, layered, elegant barrel sample has terrific tannins, perfect ripeness, and outstanding length. Tasted twice. - Jeb Dunnuck

93 Points! Super perfumed on the nose. Sharp, just shy of sour blackcurrant and black cherry on the nose and palate, vibrant. Lovely crushed stone and powdery texture to the tannins - they're prominent giving some tightness on the mid palate with a liquorice and dark chocolate edge to the frame towards the finish. Serious but well worked, lean but detailed, just a bit tense right now though does feel sculpted with a cool minty freshness on the finish. Tasted twice and kept the higher score. Rolland & Associés consultants. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

93-94 Points! Juicy fruit here with dark berry, slate and sea salt aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with linear and fine tannins, and a juicy finish. - James Suckling

92-94 Points! The 2022 Côte de Baleau has a well-defined bouquet with black cherries, bilberry and floral scents, quite complex and focused. The oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with more pliant tannins than many of its peers, lending it a rounded texture, beautifully balanced with a minerally finish. This represents a big step up from the 2021. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

91-93 Points! Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Cote de Baleau bursts forth with bold notes of plum pudding, baked blackberries, and cedar chest, plus wafts of Indian spices and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers mouth-coating black fruits with ripe, rounded tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and spicy. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

91-93 Points! Flowers, black raspberries, licorice, espresso, and black cherries form the core of this wine. Medium-bodied, soft, elegant, forward, and already delicious to enjoy due to all of its supple, sweet, polished, ripe, fresh fruits, this is going to be a pleasure to enjoy on release. The wine blends 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2025-2036. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92 Points! The 2022 Côte de Baleau is quite racy and extroverted in this vintage, as one might expect. Bright red-toned fruit, chalk, mint and white pepper lend notable brilliance to this mid-weight Saint-Émilion. Côte de Baleau is usually pretty forthcoming. The 2022 might need some time to come together. Drinking window : 2025-2037 - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

96-98 Points! Flowers, wild cherries, plums, spices,, and crushed rocks show in the nose. On the palate, the wine is lively, crisp and fresh, but there is also a depth of flavor. The berries are ripe, sweet, and energetic. But with the 2022, you can really feel the influence of the limestone. The wine is upbeat, and vibrant, with an elegant textures and a spicy tone to the finish. This remains one of the new stars of St. Emilion, and is a wine to follow before prices jump. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc, 14.3% ABV, pH 3.51. The harvest took place September 14 - September 26. Drink from 2027-2055 - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 Points! Coming from the limestone plateau of Saint-Emilion, the 2022 Château L'If is based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc raised in 50% new oak. This is a mineral-bomb, delivering ample black raspberry fruit and floral nuances, full-bodied richness, a layered, ripe, textured mouthfeel, and outstanding length. Harvested from September 14-26, with an alcohol level of 14.3% and a pH of 3.52, it's an utterly classic Saint-Emilion that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and have 20-25 years of overall longevity. This might be the finest vintage I've tasted. - Jeb Dunnuck

93-95 Points! The 2022 L'If, a blend of 20% Cabernet Franc from fourth-leaf vines and 80% Merlot, was picked on 14 and 26 September at 35hL/ha. The limestone soils percolate through nicely on the nose with mineral-rich blackberry and bilberry fruit, quite estuarine (even if it doesn't border the Gironde!) The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit and blueberry notes. It's finely structured with a touch of licorice popping up on the finish, overtly spicy on the aftertaste. This is a very well-crafted Saint-Émilion from Jacques Thienpont and team - no wonder it is gaining a loyal following like Le Pin. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

93-95 Points! The 2022 L'If, 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. It swans out of the glass with gregarious notions of juicy raspberries, plum preserves, and fresh blackberries, followed by hints of roses, star anise, and smoked meats. The medium to full-bodied palate is charged with energy, delivering a firm fine-grained backbone of tannins and lovely tension, finishing long and fragrant. pH 3.52. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

93-95 Points! The 2022 L’If is a powerhouse. An exotic mélange of blackberry jam, bittersweet chocolate, licorice, cloves and menthol saturates the palate, all backed up by huge, imposing tannins. This brooding, virile Saint-Émilion packs a huge punch. It will be interesting to see if this softens with élevage. The blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Drinking window : 2032-2052 - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

93-95 Points! Aromas of raspberries, cherries, spices and bay leaf introduce the 2022 L'If, a medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy wine that's taut and vibrant, built around lively acids and fine, chalky tannins. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the decision to halve the volume of pump-overs have delivered a suave Saint-Émilion, even in this structured vintage. - William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

95-96 Points! This offers beautiful blackcurrants and blackberries with hints of chocolate and walnuts. Medium- to full-bodied with vivid acidity that adds tension and freshness to the mid-palate. It’s full of life and vibrancy, very fine and polished, and with nicely integrated tannins. Long finish. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot and 9% cabernet franc. What will be better between 2022 and 2023? - James Suckling

93-95 Points! The 2023Clos du Marquis might very well be the best Clos du Marquis I have ever tasted. A wine freshness and verve, the 2023 is all nuance. Sweet red plum, blood orange, spice, flowers, mint and white pepper are finely cut. The 2023 shows more vibrancy, less oak extraction and more refined tannins than in the past. It's a glorious wine in every way. This early tasting is hugely promising. Clos du Marquis could turn out to be one of the real surprises of 2023. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

92-94 Points! A beautiful Saint-Julien from the team of Léoville Las Cases, the 2023 Clos Du Marquis offers a deep purple hue as well as terrific aromatics of red and black fruits, saddle leather, graphite, and dried flowers. I love its complexity, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a concentrated, layered style. It brings plenty of density and mid-palate depth, has ripe tannins, and outstanding length. - Jeb Dunnuck

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

94-96 Points! The 2022 Grand Mayne is a fabulous example of the year. Rich and radiant, it offers up sweet red cherry/plum fruit, spice, graphite, mocha, dried flowers and a kiss of sweet French oak. This generous, plush Saint-Émilion deftly marries textural richness with energy as it shows off the unique balance that makes the best wines of this vintage so alluring. There is a bit of new oak that needs to integrate, but there is more than enough depth for that to happen. The 2022 is beautifully put together and poised in the early going. It’s a superb Grand Mayne in the making. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

93-95 Points! The 2022 Grand Mayne was picked from 8 to 20 September and needed time to settle in the glass. Black cherries, crushed strawberry, graphite and licorice aromas appear with time. This needs its barrel maturation to cohere the aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet, slightly vanilla entry. The new oak is prominent at the moment, although there is sufficient fruit to soak that up. Indeed, a second sample demonstrates much more precision and sophistication on the finish. Bon vin. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

94-95 Points! Full-bodied yet fresh and linear with bright fruit and firm, fine tannins. Crunchy and minerally. Fresh. - James Suckling

93-95 Points! Elegant, floral, fresh, and loaded with sweet, ripe, plums, cherries, licorice, and cocoa, the wine is medium-boded, refined, vibrant and silky and while it can be enjoyed in its youth, it is only going to get better with age. Drink from 2025-2045. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 Points! The 2022 Grand Mayne is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of black cherries, blueberry pie, and sassafras slowly emerge from the glass, giving way to touches of garrigue, Sichuan pepper, and unsmoked cigars. The full-bodied palate delivers firm, rounded tannins and a lively backbone, jam packed with black fruit preserves flavors, finishing long and peppery. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

93 Points! Plump and nicely weighted on the palate. Lovely fragrance and black fruit characters which are clean and pure and inviting. The tannins are almost chewy, powdery and gently fleshy, well integrated, coating the mouth with a crushed stone, liquorice freshness that is really appealing. You can feel the power underneath, clearly concentrated but delivered with precision and detail. A touch 'hot' and spiced on the finish, but there's lots to like here. Still a little compact and reserved but excellent ageing potential. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

98-99 Points! The most structured and impressive Trottevieille I have ever tasted. It is full-bodied yet compacted with a fine velvet texture. Intense finish with super tension and focus. Could move up a notch. - James Suckling

98 Points! A striking and seriously impressive Trotte Vieille in 2022. Serious and strong aromatically, fully expressive with dark ripe bramble fruits, softly fragrant with gentle perfumed nuances. Bright and alive in the glass, has some tension, a sense of linearity and focus, with not much expansiveness at this point but the tannin detail and definition is exceptional with a soft creamy, chalky, powdery and firm texture. So refined, feels almost light in the mouth but there’s concentration and power underneath with mouthwatering acidity keeping the sense of life. Extremely well constructed with poise and a sense of definition to the overall frame. Very precise and totally moreish in a brooding way. A very complete wine with so much to like. 100% new oak. 60% grand vin. 30hl/ha. 3.70pH. First vintage fully operating in the new gravity fed cellar. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

96-98 Points! The 2022 Trotte Vieille is composed of 50% CS, 45% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc - less Cabernet Franc this year because the Cabernet Sauvignon was so good. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts from the glass with evocative notes of redcurrant jelly, warm cassis, baked plums, and candied violets, giving way to suggestions of licorice, tar, and black truffles. The full-bodied palate explodes with vibrant, expressive black berry and earthy flavors, framed by beautifully ripe, plush tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and fragrant. This is stunning. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

95-97 Points! My rough note on the 2022 Château Trotte Vieille included more than one expletive, and this beauty is straight-up gorgeous. Vivid blue fruits, violets, flowers, and chocolate all make an appearance on the nose, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered texture, perfect tannins, and nicely integrated oak. Based on 50% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, it remains to be seen if this will ultimately match the magical 2020, but we're not far off. This is a château readers need to have on their radar. - Jeb Dunnuck

94-96 Points! The 2022 Trotte Vieille represents the first year when all the Cabernet Sauvignon entered the Grand Vin (5%). Picked from 2 to 27 September, it is aged entirely in new oak. It has an intense bouquet that is well-defined albeit coated with the oak at the moment - this will be subsumed with time. There is an underlying orange pith/tangerine element lending nuance. The palate is very harmonious on the entry with pliant tannins. Very precise, silky smooth in texture thanks to the use of their new cuveries equipped with smaller vats. The acidity is nicely judged, opulent yet controlled with a touch of white pepper right on the finish. Very stylish. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

96-98 Points! Almost opaque in color, the wine pops with black cherries, tobacco leaf, flowers, plums, smoke, and chocolate in the aromatics. The palate is silky, vibrant, and plush. The fruits are deep, intense, long, vibrant, and most importantly, pure. There is length, complexity, opulence, balance and a strong sensation of crushed stones, blackberries, chocolate, and plums in the finish you can taste and feel. TrotteVieille has been on an incredible roll lately. Perhaps, with the aid of their new cellars, this is the best vintage in the history of the estate! The wine blends 50% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.14.5% ABV. The harvest took place September 8 - September 27. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2055. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 Points! The 2022 Trotte Vieille is a hugely intriguing wine. The aromatics alone are wonderfully alluring. Sweet red-toned fruit, mint, blood orange, spice, licorice and rose petal infuse the 2022 with compelling inner perfume. Layered and complex, with tons of character, Trotte Vieille is shaping up to be terrific. In 2022, Trotte Vieille is not as bombastic as it has been in some recent years, and that is a positive. Drinking window : 2028-2052 - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

94-96 Points! The quality of the 2022 Trotte Vieille took me by surprise, but clearly more diligent viticulture, combined with a new winery equipped with fully 26 vats for the estate's 11 hectares of vineyards, is beginning to pay off, as this is the most complete, integrated young wine I have ever tasted at this address. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, rose petals, violets and incense, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a deep core of vibrant fruit, beautifully refined tannins and a long, saline finish. A blend of fully 50% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot, it derives exclusively from Trotte Vieille's historic clay-limestone walled vineyard. - William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

93-94 Points! A rich wine with lots of tannins that are very fine and velvety, with deep fruit. Full and flavorful. Slightly salty and irony. Remains fresh and minerally. Some white pepper. Lead pencil. - James Suckling

92-94 Points! Purple flowers, black cherries, licorice, and cocoa create a showy nose. On the palate, the wine dark, lush, silky, and fresh. The fruits are ripe, creamy, and vibrant, with touches of spice, chalk and sweet, opulent black cherries. 2022 marks the 30th vintage of Monbousquet under the ownership of the Perse family. The wine blends 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.28% ABV, 3.83 pH. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2025-2042. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 Points! The 2022 Monbousquet is gorgeous. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2022 offers up an exotic melange of sumptuous red/purplish fruit, lavender, mint and rose petal. Curvy and sumptuous, with striking fruit purity, Monbousquet is super-impressive in this tasting. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

92-95 Points! From tiny yields due to the frost, the 2022 Château Monbousquet is based on 70% Merlot and 15% Each of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. This ripe, medium to full-bodied, voluptuously styled beauty offers classic richness in its cassis and black cherry fruits as well as notes of chocolate, espresso, and leafy herbs. Beautifully balanced and concentrated, with velvety tannins, it's shockingly good. - Jeb Dunnuck

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

96-98 Points! The 2022 Pavie Macquin, 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, is deep garnet-purple in color. It is quite closed to start off, revealing scents of cedar chest and dried roses before giving way to a fragrant undercurrent of blackberry pie, Morello cherries, and boysenberry preserves, plus suggestions of Indian spices and cast-iron pan. The full-bodied palate is super-taut and muscular, delivering a firm frame of ripe, grainy tannins and fantastic tension to support all the tightly wound layers, finishing very long and minerally. Likely to require considerable patience before it hits its stride, its a Pavie Macquin for marathon runners, not sprinters. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

97-99 Points! Dark garnet in color, the wine offers its nose of cherry blossoms, licorice, black fruits, orange rind, olives, and tobacco leaf profile with ease. The perfect blend of power, elegance, and oceans of fruit, there is a beautiful balance, and harmony here. The opulent, silky fruits deliver purity, length, and freshness that is close to seamless. The sensations linger on the backend long after the wine has left the glass. The wine blends 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.7% ABV, 3.4 pH. The harvest took place September 14-September 20. Drink from 2027-2055. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98+ Points! Another wine that's going to flirt with perfection is the 2022 Château Pavie Macquin, and this might be the finest vintage I've ever tasted from this address. A blend of 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, it reveals an inky purple hue as well as a stunning bouquet of pure cassis, liquid black raspberries, truffle, scorched earth, and graphite. Full-bodied, concentrated, and massive on the palate, it may be the largest-scaled Pavie Macquin ever produced. But don't let that scare you off – it stays flawlessly balanced, has pure, fine-grained tannins, and a great finish. I'll be a buyer. 96-98+ - Jeb Dunnuck

95-97 Points! The 2022 Pavie Macquin is a gorgeous wine, not quite as exotic as it can be, which will no doubt please those who find this wine on the richer side within the context of Saint-Émilion. Dark red fruit, chalk, mint, white pepper and spice all race across the palate. Given the small size of the berries and the heat, the winemaking team led by Nicolas Thienpont opted for gentler vinification with fewer punchdowns than the past. The result is a decidedly linear, vibrant Pavie Macquin that bristles with the chalky, saline energy that is a signature of this part of Saint-Émilion, but that has not always been present in a wine that in the past has been more about textural opulence. The blend is 80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasted four times. Drinking window : 2030-2052 - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

94-96 Points! This site can deliver such powerful, tannic wines that I was left especially impressed by the supple, harmonious style of the 2022 Pavie Macquin. Unwinding in the glass with notions of sweet wild berries, rose petals, spices, violets, bay leaf and new oak, it's full-bodied, deep and vibrant, with a layered core of fruit, bright acids and a long, penetrating finish, where powdery structuring tannins make themselves felt but without any asperity. Of course, this remains a deep and powerful wine, but Nicolas Thienpont and his team continue their shift toward more judicious extraction, with excellent results. - William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

92-94 Points! The 2022 Pavie-Macquin was picked 14 to 27 September at 31hL/ha. Black cherries, crème de cassis, crushed violets on the nose. This is the most opulent amongst Nicolas Thienpont's portfolio, though I find just a touch more terroir expression on the Larcis-Ducasse. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, satin-like in texture. A little more tertiary in its second half, with white pepper liberally-sprinkled toward the finish. Quite understated in style, I suspect it will spread its wings during its élevage. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

96 Points! Perfumed and aromatic, smells rich but not too intensely with roses and soft purple flowers. Succulent and really quite crisp and clear, such clarity to the fruit, with both a sharpness of acidity and mineral bite to the tannins. Liquorice, blue fruits, cool chalky tones, You get a sense of the power and structure, it’s wide and full, thick but keeping the freshness and tension with super high acidity giving the mouthwatering nature and a touch of austerity. Precise and detailed with energy and tension as well as depth and clarity. Great potential. A yield of 31hl/ha. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

93-94 Points! Very bright and clear with dark chocolate and citrus. Medium body. Lightly chewy, fine tannins. Well-structured. Vivid. - James Suckling

92-94 Points! A terrific Saint-Emilion in the making, the 2022 Château Haut-Brisson excels in the vintage. Giving up lots of smoky red and black fruits, graphite, and leather on the nose, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, nicely balanced mouthfeel, quality tannins, and outstanding length. - Jeb Dunnuck

90-92 Points! The 2022 Haut-Brisson is a sensual, mysterious wine. Soft contours wrap around a core of black cherry, mocha, lavender, licorice and cedar. This open-knit, vibrant Saint-Émilion is surprisingly restrained for the year. Tasted two times. Drinking window : 2025-2037 - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

90-92 Points! A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Haut-Brisson reveals aromas of dark berries, spices and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and succulent palate framed by powdery tannins and concluding with a long, saline finish. It's a successful wine from the Vignobles K portfolio. - Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

97-98 Points! Blackberry, iron, hazelnut, crushed stone, hints of salt and spice. Medium to full body. Fresh and vivid. Very sophisticated and classy. The tannins are silky and so fine, but then it opens up at the end of the palate. - James Suckling

96-98 Points! Flowers, plums, espresso, mint leaf, spice, cedar and blackberries create the nose. On the palate, the wine is silky, elegant, refined, and packed with the essence of minerality adding complexity to its layers of cherries and plums. The fruits express purity and symmetry in the finish. The wine blends 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.15% ABV, 3.45 pH. Harvesting took place September 7 - October 6. The wine is aging in 30% new French oak barrels, 30% in foudres and 40% in used oak barrels. Drink from 2027 - 2050. - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 Points! This estate's renaissance continues, and the 2022 Bellefont Belcier is both the finest and most elegant wine that the team has produced today. Mingling aromas of plums and sweet berries with notions of rose petals and bay leaf, it's medium to full-bodied, with a deep core of vibrant fruit, beautifully refined tannins and a suave, seamless profile. Readers will remember that this derives from a beautifully situated hillside vineyard, sandwiched between Larcis Ducasse and Tertre Roteboeuf on either side, with holdings belonging to Pavie and Troplong Mondot on the plateau above. The 2022 is a blend of 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. - William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

93-95 Points! The 2022 Château Bellefont-Belcier is a lively, medium to full-bodied Saint-Emilion that shines for its vibrancy and purity while still bringing beautiful depth of fruit. A blend of 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a terrific sense of minerality in its red and blue fruits as well as notes of graphite, woodsmoke, and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this ripe, concentrated, yet incredible elegant 2022 stays nicely focused, has fine grained tannins, and outstanding length. Tasted multiple times with consistent notes. - Jeb Dunnuck