Wines

98 Points, Dunnuck's #11 Wine of the Year! The 2020 Château Clinet checks in as a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, brought up in 80% new French oak. It's a rich, yet gorgeous wine with a wonderful sense of freshness in its ripe blue and black fruits as well as tobacco, chocolate, and damp earth. Full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and elegant on the palate, it has perfect tannins, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and one hell of an impressive finish. One of the finest Pomerols in the vintage, it will benefit from just 3-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

98 Points! What a beautiful young wine, showing so much finesse and tension, with ultra-fine tannins and subtle and long flavors and character. It’s medium-bodied with extremely silky tannins that grow on the palate to a seamless finish. Harmonious. Another fine Pomerol for the cellar. Drink after 2027. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

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

98 Points! The Grand Vin from this terrific Pomerol estate, the 2022 Château Clinet checks in as 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 19 months in 80% new barrels. It's a beautiful Pomerol that clearly ranks with the greats from this address, offering a vivid purple hue, classic notes of cassis, leather, graphite, and black cherries, full-bodied richness, and a layered, seamless mouthfeel. It's another remarkable 2022 that brings the richness and depth of the vintage while staying light on its feel and flawlessly balanced. It has plenty of upfront appeal even today, yet there's ample structure here as well, and it's going to evolve beautifully over the coming 30 years or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

96 Points! Streamlined and sleek, silky smooth but also gorgeously textured, clean and clear with grip and interest. Less fleshy and chewy than some, more charming and elegant with tannins that have a weight in the mouth. There is clear power and concentration underneath the juicy acidity with a straight backbone and direct energy from start to finish. Appealing layers of salinity, blackcurrant fruit, creamy vanilla, cool cola touches and crushed stones on the finish. Feels well made and sophisticated. 3.74pH. A yield of 34hl/ha. Earliest harvest ever starting on 6 September for Merlot and 20 and 21 September for Cabernet Sauvignon. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

96 Points! The 2022 Clinet is terrific. Vibrant, aromatic and beautifully sculpted, Clinet is also a terrific example of the energy quality-minded winemakers were able to achieve in 2022. Crushed rose petals, spice, blood orange, mint and white pepper give Clinet a compelling upper register of presence in the bouquet. Wonderfully delineated, Clinet builds effortlessly into the mid-palate and finish, where a closing burst of red/purplish fruit framed by clean mineral notes leaves a lasting impression. This is stellar. Tasted two times. Drinking window : 2030-2052 - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

97 Points! Intense aromas of dark violets and blueberries as well as terra-cotta follow through to a full body, yet it’s tight and focused with beautifully framed fruit from polished tannins and a long and rather endless finish. A complete and fresh Pomerol in 2022. - JamesSuckling.com

96-98 Points Jeb Dunnuck

"Dense purple-hued, the 2025 Château Clinet is a ripe, sumptuous, and seamless beauty with so much to love. Ripe red, blue, and black fruits, violets, smoky tobacco, and chocolate all shine on the nose. Full-bodied, layered, and graceful, with ultra-fine tannins and a great finish. Unquestionably among the crème de la crème of the vintage."

96-98 Points Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

"Deep in color, the wine exudes aromas of licorice, flowers, black cherries, espresso, plums, herbs, and chocolate. The palate is even better, with waves of opulent, lush, soft, polished, expressive, and fresh fruit. The balance among depth, sweetness, flesh, and lift is exactly where it needs to be."

96-98 Points Neal Martin, Vinous

"Perhaps the most elegant and refined Clinet I have encountered at this stage. Vivid red cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry aromas lead to a medium-bodied palate with chiseled tannins, exquisite focus, and a crystalline finish. This is a Clinet I would like in my cellar. Or at the dinner table. Or in my glass."

94-96 Points Antonio Galloni, Vinous

"A dark, brooding wine shaped by its significant presence of Cabernet Sauvignon. Plum, blackberry, gravel, incense, licorice, and scorched earth stain the palate. A powerful and distinctive Clinet."

94-95 Points James Suckling

"A composed, well-structured and precise Pomerol showcasing red berries and baking spices. Plush tannins, fresh acidity, and impressive energy drive the focused finish."

94 Points Decanter

"Fragrant floral aromatics with mint, blackcurrant leaf, pepper, and tobacco. Supple and generous, combining plush fruit with freshness, chalky tannins, and excellent lift. Elegant, refined, and full of character."

96 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“A great Pomerol in the making. Really floral and so perfumed with violets and iris notes. Juicy and bright with strawberry and red cherry, the acidity up front while the fine tannins gently coat the sides of the mouth in a chalky powderiness. Monumental precision and freshness.”

96 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Packed full of muscular tannins, each strand feeling luscious and silky, deep intense fruit, this is Pomerol at its heart, black chocolate, cocoa bean, olive tapenade, red rose petals, creamy blueberry fruits.”

95–97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A Merlot-heavy blend of 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 Clos Du Clocher has a brilliant nose of juicy red and blue fruits with notable complexity in its spicy wood, flowers, and graphite-like nuances. Rich and medium to full-bodied, with wonderfully polished tannins and a great finish.”

94–96 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“The intense floral aromatics promise to capture your attention. The palate is silky, vibrant, and fresh with lift and refinement to all the sweet red berries and pit fruits. The finish is refined, long, and lifted.”

94–96 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown
“The 2025 Clos du Clocher bursts with vivacious notes of juicy black plums and boysenberry preserves, opening out to reveal hints of crushed rocks, tapenade, and espresso. Very bright, shimmery Pomerol and a real head-turner.”

97 Points! The old vine cuvée that incorporates more stems with the goal of longer aging potential, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Cuvée Du Papet is deep ruby-hued and offers ripe red and black berry fruits, black olive, pepper, and crushed stone-like minerality. Based on 80% Grenache with 10% each Syrah and Mourvèdre from the La Crau, Bois Dauphin, and Montalivet lieux-dits, it was partially destemmed and aged in a mix of large foudres, demi-muids, and clay jars. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it shows the vintage's more polished style with ripe underlying tannins and outstanding length. It's very much in the forward, charming style of the vintage yet still has plenty of structure. With roughly 1,000 cases produced, give it 3-4 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following two decades. It's certainly up there with the crème de la crème of the vintage. - Jeb Dunnuck

95-98 Points Jeb Dunnuck

"Deep purple-hued, the 2025 Clos L'Église is a beast of a Pomerol with a powerful nose of ripe black fruits, liquid violets, gravelly earth, and chocolate. Full-bodied with remarkable power, ripe and beautifully integrated tannins, a dense, stacked mid-palate, and a great finish."

95-97 Points Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

"Deeply colored, with chocolate-covered plums, flowers, forest floor, leafy greenery, and spice box aromatics. Elegant, concentrated, silky, and deep, with ample lift and freshness. The extensive finish displays chocolaty plums, licorice, and spice from beginning to end."

94-96 Points Lisa Perrotti-Brown

"Powerful notes of plum preserves, boysenberries, and blackberry pie are accented by licorice, tar, and chargrill. Dense black fruit preserves fill the palate, framed by firm tannins and seamless freshness with a lingering anise finish."

97-99 Points Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

"Smoke, licorice, charcoal, black raspberries, espresso, dark chocolate, and floral aromatics open the perfume. Elegant, energetic, deep, and long, with layers of sweet, polished fruit, espresso, licorice, and a profound mineral essence."

96-98 Points Antonio Galloni, Vinous

"Elegant, polished, and super refined. Bracing mineral notes cut through dark red and blue-toned fruit, spice, mocha, leather, and licorice. Seamless and profoundly elegant with magnificent balance and a gorgeous sustained finish."

96-98 Points Jeb Dunnuck

"Ripe currants, black cherries, graphite, scorched earth, and chocolate define the bouquet. Full-bodied with deep, layered richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Loaded with potential."

97 Points Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

"Fragrant, intense and vivid with rose bud and violet flowers. Powerful chalky tannins build slowly across the palate. Concentrated, elegant, savory and incredibly satisfying."

97 Points Decanter

"Supple and juicy with beautiful acidity, ripe strawberries, blueberry notes, chalk, flint, and graphite. Friendly, balanced, smooth and full of energy and elegance. A real wine of its place."

96-97 Points James Suckling

"A deep and layered red with chocolate, berry, cherry, orange peel, and limestone aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with lovely fruit and a tangy, vivid finish."

94-96 Points Wine Advocate

"Dark berries, plum, and kirsch mingle with iris and anise. Full-bodied, layered, multidimensional, with tangy acids and a long penetrating finish."

94-96 Points Neal Martin, Vinous

"Bright aromas of red and black fruit, orange rind, and crushed limestone. Succulent ripe tannins, citrus freshness, graphite and white pepper emerge on a long, satisfying finish."

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

97 Points! The 2022 Clos Lunelles comes from vines just outside the (St. Emilion) appellation, just across from Faugères, and is based on 80% Merlot and 10% each Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Black raspberries, crushed stone, flowers, and chocolaty nuances all shine in this brilliant Castillon, another riveting wine from this team that brings full-bodied power and richness while staying elegant and seamless. You can put this up with the best in Saint-Emilion and it will do just fine. - Jeb Dunnuck

95 Points! A fresh and vivid red with lots of black fruits and blueberries as well as violets and other flowers. It's full-bodied with very silky and fine tannins. Flavorful finish. Lots going on. Made from only nine hectares. Impressive for the appellation. 80% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Drink after 2027. - James Suckling

97 Points! A giant amongst the 2021 Grand Cru red Burgundies, but still a sleeping giant. In spite of the stunning concentration on the rather full-bodied palate for the vintage, the stony minerality and bright acidity gives this great drive at the very long finish. A hint of green pepper from the use of whole clusters on the nose. Try from 2026. - JamesSuckling.com

97 Points! Costanti's 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is stunning. Dark, powerful and mysterious in the glass, the 2010 captivates all the senses with its breathtaking beauty and layered, multi-dimensional personality. Lavender, violets, savory herbs, smoke, plums and graphite flow through to the rich, explosive finish. There is a prism-like sense of transparency allied to pure power in the 2010 that is impossible miss. Readers who can find the 2010 should not hesitate; it is a must-have. While many 2010s are approachable today, the Costanti's 2010 is not; it is a wine for the cellar. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

99 Points! Fabulous aromas of blueberries, blackcurrants, sage and mint. Lead pencil and graphite, too. Full body and ultra-fine tannins that are slowly transformed to ripe and beautiful fruit. Super polished and textured. Great finish. - JamesSuckling.com

98 Points! A fabulous young wine with a long career ahead. Showing the angular nature of youth, a little bony in terms of tannins, but so concentrated, firm, juicy and full. Beautiful dark cherries, blueberries and dark chocolate with nuances of oak spices, cedar and cinnamon. Best from 2030. - JamesSuckling.com

97+ Points! The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is showing very well for a wine that was bottled just a few months ago. Sweet floral and spice notes open first, conferring notable freshness and vibrancy. Medium in body and beautifully persistent, the 2021 impresses with its finesse more than anything else. Time in the glass brings out hints of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender and spice. The Cornell Cabernet Sauvignon usually needs a few years to blossom post bottling, as I once again saw with the 2018 that I opened at home recently. I expect that will be the case here as well. In a word: regal. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

97 Points! Dried tropical fruits like mangoes and green papaya, with lemons and green apples. Limes, too. Full-bodied yet tight and compacted with great length and persistence. Muscular yet fresh. 66% sauvignon blanc and 34% semillon. Drinkable but needs five or six years to soften. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

96 Points! Ripe and expressive on the nose, aromatically complex with notes of carmalised lemons, honey, peach and wet stones. Clarity and precision from the start, such a well defined palate with striking high acidity, crisp and sharp citrus fruits and a salty undertone. Soft spicing comes in towards the finish suggesting this needs more time and will have a long life ahead but the nuanced bitterness, freshness and lift are all so appealing. Excellent weight and balance too with a bright and long finished - a gourmet style with plenty to like. - Decanter Magazine

96 Points!  The 2020 Château Cos D'Estournel Blanc, a blend of 66% Sauvignon Blanc and 34% Semillon, brings another level of density as well as complexity. Honeyed pineapple, melon, crushed stone, and spicy, savory herbs notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a beautifully layered, elegant mouthfeel and a great finish. It's a gem of a white and ranks with the crème de la crème of the vintage. It should keep for 10-15 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

97-98 Points! This shows real precision and sophistication. Tight and dense palate that is concentrated but not heavy, with intensity and minerality. Sea salt and white pepper at the end. This is really at the top level of dry white Bordeaux now. 70% sauvignon blanc and 30% semillon. - JamesSuckling.com

95-97 Points! The 2023 Château Cos D'Estournel Blanc includes slightly more Semillon and checks in as 70% Sauvignon and 30% Semillon, raised in just 7% new French oak, with the rest in once-used barrels. A selection made mostly in the cellar, it has a vivid gold hue as well as a stunning nose of ripe lemon, honeyed flowers, mint, crushed stone, and subtle hints of toast. Gorgeously textured, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, with the bright, almost racy acidity of the vintage, it's pure class. - Jeb Dunnuck

98–99 Points – James Suckling
“A density to this, yet it remains balanced and complex, with well-integrated tannins and a juicy finish. Intense yet subtle blackberries, lead pencil and hazelnuts. Persistent and reserved at the end. Great potential.”

98–99 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Cos d'Estournel is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Grand, dramatic and sweeping, with notable textural intensity, the 2025 hits all the right notes. Dark red/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, tobacco, lavender and mocha build effortlessly in the glass. A masterpiece.”

98 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Plush, plump and chewy yet serious in a tight, cool blue fruit and graphite way. Lots of gravelly minerality keeps this focused and straight with lovely fine layers of flavour and fruitiness. Refined but well built and definitely not overripe.”

97–99 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Cassis, currants, smoky tobacco, chocolate, and graphite all define the 2025 Château Cos D'Estournel, a powerful, ripe, concentrated beauty. Full-bodied, with a pure, layered mouthfeel, integrated oak, and a great finish. I'd happily put this up with the crème de la crème of the vintage.”

97–99 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Dark in hue, without fanfare, the aromatics showcase black cherries, flowers, licorice, smoke, raspberry, and spice-filled nuances. The palate is even better, with a vivid display of sweet, energetic, lingering fruits, licorice, oceanic influences, dark chocolate, and Indian spices. There is richness, density, lift, and length. Balanced and harmonious, this wine will offer an extraordinary tasting experience.” 

97 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Incense and sandalwood aromatics combine the density and concentration of a hot vintage with the freshness and balanced alcohols of a cooler vintage. A real breadth and wide spectrum of possibilities are contained here.”

96–98 Points – Wine Advocate (William Kelley)
“The 2025 Cos d'Estournel appears to be one of the finest wines this property has produced in the last decade. Full-bodied, ample and velvety, with beautifully fresh, concentrated flavors contained within very classical proportions.”

95–97 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
“Gorgeous black plum and damson aromas, pencil lead and iodine scents delivered with impressive delineation. There is a real crescendo of flavours in this Cos d'Estournel, fanning out gloriously towards the sustained finish.”

96–98 Points – The Wine Independent (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“The medium-bodied palate has fantastic energy with vivacious black fruit flavors and a lively line, framed by firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and minerally.”

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

97 Points! A hidden gem of a wine that doesn't get the recognition it deserves, the 2022 Château Couhins Blanc is 93% Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Sauvignon Gris brought up in 18% new barrels, with the balance in used oak and tank. Bright citrus, honeyed lime, mint, sappy flowers, and chalky minerality all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with gorgeously clean acidity and a great finish. Savvy readers should snatch up this ripe, voluptuous, sensationally layered, textured, complex white. It's always hard to predict how these concentrated dry whites will age, yet this should benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it still drinking beautifully at age 20. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! Clear, pure and mineral with sour cream, white fruit and a touch of gooseberries. Medium-bodied on the palate, this has fresh medium acidity. Dissolved yet grainy in texture with a lengthy finish. Drink now. - Zekun Shuai, James Suckling

94 Points! The 2022 Couhins Blanc is superb, especially in the way it balances its brisk, saline character with notable mid-palate depth. White flowers, citrus peel, white pepper, sage and mint are all beautifully delineated. Intensely saline, mineral undertones support the persistent finish. This is commendable. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

97 Points! Quivering with fragrant florals, fresh orchard fruits and passionfruit nuance that enrobes the soft, succulence of the palate. Expressive and complex with a fine seam of grapefruit acidity that carries the finely-tuned aromas to the finish. - Decanter World Wine Awards

93 Points! Intense Key lime, lemongrass and pear flavors are fleshy, bright and precise in this white, showing details of tangerine, kiwifruit and grapefruit, with sleek notes of saline and green tea, plus a hint of white pepper on a mouthwatering frame. - Wine Spectator

96 Points! The 2019 Château Croix De Labrie is gorgeous and jumps out in the vintage. Almost all Merlot brought up in new barrels, it offers a beautiful bouquet of red and black currants, spicy oak, dried herbs, and flowers, with a beautiful loamy earth and chalky minerality emerging with time in the glass. With remarkable purity and finesse, it's full-bodied, has a great mid-palate, silky tannins, and a great finish. It could be drunk today with a decant but will ideally be given 4-5 years of bottle age. I suspect it will have 20-25 years of overall longevity. - Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com

98 Points! Fabulous aromas of blackberries, blueberries, pine needles and spices, such as nutmeg and allspice. White pepper, too. Full-bodied and very tight with a solid core of fruit and ultra-fine yet powerful tannins. It’s got so much energy and drive. Vibrant at every level. Precise and not overpowering, yet so structured. 97% merlot and 3% cabernet sauvignon. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. This needs time to soften. Try after 2026. - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

97 Points! Floral character such as orange blossoms and cassis with lead pencil aromas that follow through to a medium body and a lovely balance of fruit and freshness. It’s long and caressing with everything in place. Crisp. Best ever? 60% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 16% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. - JamesSuckling.com

96 Points! Rocking levels of darker currants, chocolate, tobacco, and spicy notes all emerge from the 2022 Château D'Armailhac, a blockbuster from this château that has ripe, velvety tannins, a beautiful mid-palate, and outstanding length. Based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, this is easily the finest Armailhac I’ve tasted. It already offers pleasure today yet deserves 4-6 years of bottle age and will evolve for 20-30 years if well stored. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! The 2022 Chateau d'Armailhac was picked from 8 to 27 September and matured in 50% new oak. This has a very pure and sensual bouquet with precocious black plum, cassis violet and espresso scents. The palate is medium-bodied with muscular tannins on the entry, though I find just a little more complexity compared to the Clerc Milon this year. There's a gently and discrete crecendo toward its delineated and minerally finish. Excellent. This is more like the d'Armailhac that I was familiar with, say, ten years ago. It will surely be irresistible once it reaches its peak. You've been warned. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

94 Points! Deep garnet-purple colored, it gallops out with powerful notes of black currant jelly and plum preserves, followed by hints of dusty soil, dried lavender, and tapenade. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers plenty of black fruit preserves flavors with seamless freshness and grainy tannins, finishing satisfyingly earthy. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW