Search results for: 'mostly a one plot'

98 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Honeyed peach, minty herbs, and flowers all define the 2025 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, a brilliant white based on 64.5% Sauvignon Blanc and 35.5% Sémillon that's being raised in 30% new oak, which is slightly less than in past vintages. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's incredibly pure and focused, with juicy acidity and a great finish. It's an absolutely stunning wine that pretty much stopped me in my tracks. Drink 2026-2050.”

98 Points – James Suckling
“A beautiful nose of lemon rind, gooseberries and minerals. Very subtle meringue as well. Medium-bodied but quite chiseled, linear and zesty, with a saline twist following the minerally finish. 65.3% Sauvignon Blanc and 34.7% Sémillon. Drinkable now, but better from 2027.”

95–97 Points – Wine Advocate
“The La Mission Haut-Brion 2025 Blanc reveals a pure, crystalline bouquet that is both fresh and lightly exotic, with notes of ripe white fruits, jasmine, linden and verbena. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and enveloping, it's layered yet vibrant and built around a fleshy core of fruit, supported by bright acidity and elegant tension. Ethereal and finely detailed, it is remarkable in its ability to retain freshness despite the warmth of the vintage. This is one of the most complete expressions of the wine in recent years, combining both density and brightness, and among the finest white wines produced in Bordeaux this year.”

95–97 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
“The 2025 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc offers exceptional aromatic definition with citrus peel, white flowers, crushed stone, and orchard fruit. The palate is beautifully balanced with tremendous tension, mineral drive, and a long, saline finish. A superb expression of the estate.”

97–99 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“White peach, lemon curd, flowers, crushed rocks, green apples, and citrus rind explode from the glass. The palate is energetic, vibrant, and loaded with layers of fresh citrus, orchard fruits, and minerality. There is a remarkable purity and sense of precision here, with incredible length and freshness. One of the top white wines of the vintage.”

Learn More

97-99 Points Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

"Showing a depth of color, at first you are almost overwhelmed by the violets, cherries, and tobacco in the perfume. The initial sip shows off its character with elegance, vitality, and purity. Everything is in balance and harmony here. The silk and velvet finish is almost too much of a good thing. Seamless, weightless, and built to age for decades."

96-98 Points Jeb Dunnuck

"Cassis, assorted red and black fruits, spicy wood, tobacco, and graphite all emerge from the 2025 Rauzan-Ségla. Concentrated on the palate, with a pure, layered mouthfeel, flawless balance, and a great finish. Clearly among the finest wines in the appellation and the vintage."

97 Points Decanter

"Gorgeous violet aromas with remarkable fruit purity. Juicy, alive, approachable, and focused, with layers of fine tannins and brightness. Concentrated yet welcoming, carrying exceptional freshness and energy."

97 Points Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

"Sleek, powerful, and filled with energy and uplift. Rose bud and iris flowers, licorice, and black chocolate are wrapped in a beautifully constructed framework that will age effortlessly for decades."

95-97 Points Antonio Galloni, Vinous

"Totally seamless in the glass. Dark-toned fruit, mocha, new leather, licorice, menthol, and dried herbs infuse the palate with tremendous textural depth. Polished, supremely elegant tannins support the finish. What a stunner."

95-97 Points Lisa Perrotti-Brown

"Perfumed notes of lavender and lilacs lead to fresh black currants, wild blueberries, and black raspberries. Fine-grained texture and lovely freshness support the nuanced fruit layers, finishing on a lingering mineral note."

95-96 Points James Suckling

"Blackberry, dark cherry, and crushed stone notes with a medium to full body, chewy tannins, and a long finish. Juicy and muscular."

94-96 Points Neal Martin, Vinous

"Quintessential Rauzan-Ségla. Pure black fruit laced with violet on the nose, followed by gorgeous caressing fruit, bright acids, and a sorbet-like freshness on the finish. One of the best wines from the estate in recent years."

94-96 Points Wine Advocate

"Opening with notes of cassis, pencil shavings, sweet soil tones, and a deft framing of oak. Bright, layered, vibrant, and concentrated, with fine tannins and a penetrating finish."

Learn More

99–100 Points – James Suckling
“Intense aromas of sweet tobacco, dark cedar, cigar humidor, mushroom, roses, and wet earth follow through to a medium to full body with firm, velvety tannins and a driven, intense finish. Very structured with bones. Reminds me of Lafite from the 1980s.”

98–100 Points – The Wine Independent (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Lafite Rothschild waltzes out of the glass with flamboyant notes of warm cassis, fresh black plums, and iris, giving way to nuances of star anise, fertile loam, and underbrush, with a touch of black truffles. The light-bodied palate offers an exhilarating texture of silky yet firm tannins with incredible tension and mineral persistence.”

98–100 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
“The 2025 Lafite-Rothschild possesses a deliriously intoxicating nose with nuanced blackberry, bilberry and estuarine scents, all beautifully defined and seamlessly integrated with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiselled tannins and extraordinary harmony. A very succinct and refined Lafite-Rothschild.”

97 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Gorgeous and sculpted, showcasing the ability to remain Lafite through so many differing vintage conditions. Slate and rosebud notes with a sappy and highly drinkable character. One of the smallest yields on record at 27hl/ha.”

96–98 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2025 Château Lafite Rothschild sports a classic, deep ruby hue as well as a complex and classic nose of cassis, spicy wood, tobacco, violets, and graphite. Quintessential Lafite on the palate with class, ripe yet polished tannins, and beautifully integrated acidity.”

95–97 Points – Wine Advocate (William Kelley)
“The 2025 Lafite Rothschild unwinds with a deep and brooding bouquet of dark berries, violets, rose petals and pencil lead. Medium- to full-bodied, supple and layered, with suave tannins, bright acidity and excellent concentration.”

97–99 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Flowers, black currants, cedar, tobacco leaf, graphite, cigar wrappers, and crushed stones define the perfume. The palate is refined, elegant, fresh, and vibrant, with layers of silky fruits, polished tannins, and remarkable purity. One of the wines of the vintage.”

 

Learn More

96-98 Points! Displays potent, mineral-accented dark berry preserve, olive paste and incense aromas that are complemented by floral oil, pipe tobacco and exotic spice flourishes. Chewy, densely packed and sharply focused on the palate, offering intense, spice-laced blackberry, blueberry, bitter cherry, violet pastille and smoky bacon flavors that turn livelier with air. Closes on an emphatic mineral note, with solid thrust, gripping tannins and superb, floral-tinged persistence. - Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media

Learn More

99 Points! The 2019 Figeac is without question one of the wines of the vintage. All the promise it showed as a young barrel sample, is all there in bottle, too. Estate Director Frédéric Faye crafted a towering, statuesque Figeac built on vertical energy and a feeling of vibrancy that never lets up. Deep layers of red/purplish fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and dried flowers are framed by a super-classic expression of structure that keeps things in balance. There is a bit more Cabernet Franc in this year's blend, and that definitely comes through. Readers who can find the 2019 should not hesitate, as it is truly majestic. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

98 Points! The 2019 Château Figeac checks in as 36% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot, and it's another brilliant wine from Frédéric Faye. This deep purple-hued effort offers a beautiful Pauillac-like bouquet of ripe black cherries, cassis, damp earth, leafy herbs, chocolate, and smoked tobacco. It has classic Figeac herbal, earthy goodness (no doubt due to its high percentage of Cabernet) and is medium to full-bodied on the palate, has perfect tannins and flawless balance, all making for a brilliant Saint-Emilion that brings richness and power paired with finesse and elegance. Give bottles 4-5 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 30+. - Jeb Dunnuck

Learn More

98 Points! Wild blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, tobacco and dark spice on the nose. Dried violets, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins and a creamy texture. Intense, yet restrained and refined, with a solid core of dark berries and bitter chocolate. Really focused and crafted with exemplary Napa cabernet character. Try from 2024. - JamesSuckling.com

97 Points! The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is based on 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 90% new French oak. It’s a beautiful wine that shows the vintage’s pure, elegant, yet concentrated style perfectly. Gorgeous crème de cassis, violets, blueberries, and cedar pencil notes emerge from the glass, and this beauty builds incrementally on the palate, with full-bodied richness, a lively, pure, layered texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It can be enjoyed any time over the coming 20-25 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

97 Points! The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is every bit as impressive today as it was last year. It might very well be the finest Private Reserve I have ever tasted. More than anything else, the 2018 impresses with its energy and total sense of finesse. It's a wine that marries power with vibrancy in grand style. As always, most of the fruit is sourced from Beringer's ranches on Howell Mountain. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Learn More

98 Points! There are 236 cases of the 1999 Shiraz Roennfeldt Road (also from 65-year-old vines). Although it pushes ripeness to the limit, it does not reveal any raisiny/pruny characteristics. It offers wonderful freshness, good acidity, superb intensity, and copious quantities of blackberry, cassis, crushed rock, floral, and spicy new oak notes. Massive and concentrated with perfect equilibrium, it can be drunk now and over the next 25 years. Kudos to one of the world’s finest wine producers! - Robert Parker, October 2005 Learn More

98 Points! Coming from Oakville, the 2018 Au Paradis gives up a deep ruby/purple hue as well as full-bodied aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, green tobacco, lead pencil, sandalwood, and dried flowers. Flawlessly balanced, full-bodied, with silky yet present tannins, it's one of those elegant, seamless wines that surprise you with its richness and depth. It reminds me of a great vintage from Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou and is a brilliant, elegant, complex Cabernet that will evolve for two decades or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

Learn More

98 Points! Coming from Oakville, the 2018 Au Paradis gives up a deep ruby/purple hue as well as full-bodied aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, green tobacco, lead pencil, sandalwood, and dried flowers. Flawlessly balanced, full-bodied, with silky yet present tannins, it's one of those elegant, seamless wines that surprise you with its richness and depth. It reminds me of a great vintage from Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou and is a brilliant, elegant, complex Cabernet that will evolve for two decades or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

Learn More

98 Points, Dunnuck's #1 Cabernet Value of 2019! A blend put together by Bevan from the single vineyards, the Ontogeny cuvée is year-in, year-out one of the greatest values in Cabernet Sauvignon. His 2019 Ontogeny is no exception, revealing a dense purple hue as well as rock star notes of crème de cassis, violets, tobacco leaf, and chocolate. It’s a big, classic Bevan wine and has remarkable purity, silky, polished tannins, and not a hard edge to be found. Don’t miss it! - Jeb Dunnuck

Learn More

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

95-96 Points! Very good poise, tension and depth, with a light peppery, mineral and citrusy touch to the fruit. Good fruit here, with medium to full body and elastic, chalky tannins. There is something quite pure and transparent in the middle. So elegant, al-dente and long. An excellent wine from this difficult vintage. 70% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Picking between September 26 to October 8. - Zekun Shuai, James Suckling

92-94+ Points! A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2024 Château Bellefont-Belcier is deep purple-hued and opaque, showing remarkable purity in its black and blue fruits, graphite, crushed stone, and violet notes. Medium-bodied and concentrated on the palate, it has a pure, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and integrated acidity. This château continues to never put a foot wrong, and their 2024 will absolutely be worth your time and money. - Jeb Dunnuck

 

Learn More

90 Points! It is in the most difficult vintages that you see the winemaker's hand; the length on this wine comes not from the depth of the fruit but from the gentle spicy notes of nutmeg and white pepper. Raspberry leaf and smoked earth comes through as things open. Helped in this vintage by the fact that the Seillans live on site at Serilhan, making it easier to treat at weekends, and this was a vintage when you certainly needed to do that. - Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine, May 2021

Learn More

98 Points! This is an incredible Etna white with the depth and intensity of a grand cru Burgundy, showing sliced cooked apples, cream, flint, oyster shells and spices. Full-bodied and layered with super length and finish. Weightless and true. A triumph. A pure carricante grown at 700 meters. Drink now or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! The most mineral-driven of these new releases from Maugeri is the 2023 Etna Bianco Superiore Contrada Praino Frontemare. This is a young winery with enormous promise ahead of it. Grapes for this 3,300-bottle release come from a vineyard site on the east side of the volcano that faces the sea and has steep stone terraces on sandy, mineral-rich soils and yellowish clay. The wine spends eight months on the fine lees (with no malolactic fermentation and no bâtonnage). The result offers salty flavors folded into white pomelo fruit and unripe peach. This beautiful wine is considerably more angular and firm in character. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

Learn More

98 Points! The 2023 Syrah Sonoma Hillsides is one of the greatest wines I have tasted from Pax Mahle. The Hillsides is a blend of the best sites in the range, fermented in cement with whole clusters and also aged in cement. The long growing season resulted in a rich, heady wine with intense fruit and perfectly ripe tannins. Magnificent. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

97 Points! The 2023 Syrah Sonoma-Hillsides is a blend from the best parts of their vineyard sites, fermented and aged in concrete, with the only oak it sees coming from portions of the barrels of the vineyard designates. In the glass, it pours a deep purple color, revealing aromas of lavender oils, blackberry preserve, and sweet sage. At this tasting, the focus is more on its fruit than its savory tones, but these will undoubtedly emerge as it matures. It has a rich and noble structure, with full body, ripe tannins, and a long-lasting finish. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

Learn More

94 Points! Bright, with crushed-stone and floral character on the nose. Medium body with a firm core, expanding through the palate. Vivid and bright. Lots of good energy. Crushed-stone and lightly chalky character at the end. Needs two or three years to come around. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

92 Points! The 2019 Potensac is fabulous. Bright and focused, the 2019 impresses with its energy, balance and total class. Crushed flowers, mint, cinnamon, crushed rocks and blood orange all open in the glass. The 2019 is class personified I love the purity here. The 2019 is a standout, and should be a terrific value, too. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

#BordeauxBlowout

Learn More

97–98 Points – James Suckling
“The aromas of blackberries, black olives and hints of tobacco and dried fruit are fascinating and enticing. It’s medium- to full-bodied with creamy and polished tannins and a savory finish. Turns refined and focused after the layered fruit. Classic in character, with a caressing texture and balance. Hints of ripe fruit and freshness at the same time.”

96–98 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
“The 2025 L’Évangile has been given new impetus by winemaker Juliette Couderc. It is initially backward, but it really comes forth with a few swirls of the glass: black cherries, mint and juniper berries, just a hint of truffle, quite vibrant and vivacious. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins, a fine bead of acidity, superb minerality and a very saline aftertaste with impressive length. A marvellous L’Évangile.”

95–97+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A Merlot-heavy blend of 86% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon harvested between August 26th and September 15th, the 2025 Château L'Evangile will spend time in 40% new barrels, 40% foudre, 5% amphora, and the rest in once-used barrels. It has lots of cassis and juicy cherry fruit intermixed with graphite, lead pencil, violets, and classy oak on the nose, and it's medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with a pure, focused mouthfeel, fine tannins, and outstanding length. Checking in at 13.7% alcohol with a pH of 3.75, it's a serious, concentrated 2025 that brings considerable structure, remarkable purity, and a great finish.”

94–96 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 L’Évangile is a very beautiful wine. Silky and medium in body, the 2025 is a classic L’Évangile. Bright red-toned fruit, mocha and rose petal all grace the palate. Touches of blood orange and white pepper lift the brilliant finish. This is a very precise wine and one of the top Pomerols of the year.”

96 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Nice plump roundness on the palate with a touch of strawberry acidity to bring life and lift. Fine tannins, a cool crisp blue fruit edge with liquorice and wet stone aspects. Mineral, salty, spiced grip on the finish. A serious, refined style with charm and structure.”

96 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Damson colour, with a ton of juicy blue and black fruits, well judged density, energy and lift. Grilled cumin, peony, iris flowers, slate and crushed rocks. Clear ageing ability and impressive precision across the vineyard.”

Learn More

98-99 Points James Suckling
"Subtle and pure, with aromas of blackberries, black cherries, pencil shavings and touches of raspberries, flowers, oyster shells and iodine. Medium-bodied with subtle and integrated tannins that run the length of the wine and make you want to drink it. The length and finesse are sublime."

98 Points Decanter
"An outstanding VCC and one of the wines of Pomerol. Smooth and supple, both creamy and chalky with black fruit, floral notes, cola, mint, and savory spice. Absolutely beautiful, hedonistic and so long."

98 Points Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
"Fragrant, full of energy, dense with silky tannins. Chamomile, cumin, cassis, blackberry, cocoa bean, espresso, fresh thyme and tobacco. One of the wines of Pomerol in the vintage."

95-97+ Points Jeb Dunnuck
"Ripe black and blue fruits, graphite, scorched earth and violets define the bouquet. Medium to full-bodied with a balanced, layered mouthfeel, rock-solid mid-palate depth and a great finish. A serious Vieux Château Certan that will need time."

95-97 Points Neal Martin, Vinous
"Perfumed red cherries, raspberry, cassis and pressed violet scents gain intensity in the glass. Structured and intellectual, with peppery Cabernet Franc character, chalky tannins and impressive precision."

94-96 Points William Kelley, Wine Advocate
"Bursting with aromas of violets, crème de cassis, dark berries and creamy new oak. Rich and concentrated, with ripe acids, sweet tannins and a dense, unctuous palate that concludes with a heady finish."

Learn More

98 Points! One of my favorite wines (although it's hard to find), La Violette makes a rich, sexy, yet always elegant and seamless style of Pomerol. Their 2019 Château La Violette is deep purple-hued and offers an incredible perfume of blue fruits, iron, tobacco, spice box, flowers, and loamy earth. Full-bodied on the palate, it shows the pure, elegant style of the vintage, has beautiful tannins, perfect balance, and a great, great finish. There's lots of creamy background oak that needs time to integrate, but this is another remarkable release from this team. Give it a few years and enjoy over the following 20-25. - Jeb Dunnuck

95 Points! The 2019 La Violette offers typical ravishing scents of blueberry, crème de cassis and violet (of course), modern yet irresistible and well-defined, and better than in previous years. The palate is medium-bodied, fleshy yet balanced, with supple tannins, copious, lightly spiced red fruit and a pure, concentrated finish. A delicious Pomerol that offers hedonic pleasure. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Learn More

98 Points!This is a compact cylinder of ripe and fresh fruit with currant, fresh-herb and dry-earth character on the palate. So solid. Full-bodied yet refined and checked in every way. Well-defined, formed and perfect. Just a hint of volcanic salt and iron. Contemplate this one. Try after 2026. - JamesSuckling.com

96+ Points! The 2016 L'If, 100% Merlot in this vintage, is going to need a number of years to be at its very best. The allure the 2016 showed as a young barrel sample has been replaced with huge structure and prominent yet well balanced tannins that both give the wine its strong-voiced personality. Readers should be prepared to be patient with the 2016, as it is going to need a number of years to be at its very best. Even so, the 2016 is super-impressive in the early going, not to mention a fabulous wine in the making. Cyrille Thienpont gave the 2016 14 months in French oak, 50% new. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Learn More

98 Points! The 2022 Pinot Noir The Traveler is captivating. It is also one of the most dense, powerful wines in this range. Blue/purplish fruit, menthol, lavender, mocha and licorice are all amplified. Time reveals more delicacy, while soft, silky contours wrap it all together. This is inky and plush, with seamless balance and mind-blowing intensity. What a wine! - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

98 Points! The 2022 Pinot Noir The Traveler is a deep magenta ruby hue and is entirely from a suitcase clone that is now referred to as the "Wayfarer Clone." In the glass, it reveals a complex and layered nose of ripe cherries, wildflowers, black raspberries, forest herbs, and blood orange. It’s driving on the palate, with refined tannins and coiled, bright acidity throughout, and it’s fully ripe but has a persistently long finish. Not a wine for the faint of heart, it’s built for the long haul and is going to show its best if given time in the cellar. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

Learn More