France

96–97 Points – James Suckling
“So much energy in this wine, with freshness, vivid cherry and raspberry character, fine tannins and bright acidity. Medium-bodied. How a 2025 should be.”

95 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Ripe black fruit with liquorice, tobacco and cedar aromas. Sleek and polished, this has both brightness and subtle power to it. The tannins are beautifully positioned and integrated. Polished!”

94 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Estate signature, showing inky depths and character, damson, blueberry, espresso, a good quality wine with character and impact. Real potential over ageing.”

96–97 Points – James Suckling
“So much energy in this wine, with freshness, vivid cherry and raspberry character, fine tannins and bright acidity. Medium-bodied. How a 2025 should be.”

95 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Ripe black fruit with liquorice, tobacco and cedar aromas. Sleek and polished, this has both brightness and subtle power to it. The tannins are beautifully positioned and integrated. Polished!”

94 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Estate signature, showing inky depths and character, damson, blueberry, espresso, a good quality wine with character and impact. Real potential over ageing.”

92–94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Red, blue, and black fruits, graphite, crushed stone, and tons of violet nuances all define the rock-solid 2025 Château Faugères, a beautifully polished, layered Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé.”

96–99 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Valandraud is breathtaking. Vibrant and explosive in the glass, the 2025 offers an exotic mélange of dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and mocha. There's gorgeous precision here, much of that coming from more finesse in the tannins. The 2025 is utterly magnificent.”

96–97 Points – James Suckling
“Lots of dark fruit with an edge, supported by chalky tannins. Compact and concentrated, with a fresh medium body. This shows an attractive combination of power, focused tannins, freshness and exuberant fruit.”

95 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“As ever with Valandraud, this has impressive depths and concentration. Inky colour, sea spray aromatics, sandalwood oak, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, powerful iris and violets. This is a great wine and a clear potential upscore in bottle.”

97–99 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Based on 84% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2025 Château Valandraud has captivating aromatics of juicy red, blue, and black fruits, graphite, spring flowers, and an ultra-classic lead pencil character. Concentrated and full-bodied, with incredible purity and a more restrained, elegant style than previous vintages.”

95 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Sultry nose with ripe red fruit and soft jasmine and fragrance – dried flowers, pot pourri. Juicy and filling with a lovely light hand in terms of tannins. Mouthwatering and lifted, nothing feels heavy and you're left with a smile on your face.”

95 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Closed on the nose, elegant with fine but plentiful tannins that layer up fast in the palate. Violet and peony floral notes, clear savoury edge of blue fruits. This is precise, well structured, with huge potential for ageing but also for pleasure.”

93–95 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Cigar wrappers, flowers, cedar, mint leaves, currants, blackberries and licorice scents blend together to create the nose. Elegant, soft, and polished, the layers of fruit with their refined character and lift make this a standout wine.”

94–96 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Lafon-Rochet is classy and polished, as it so often is. Readers will find a Saint-Estèphe of nuance, delineation and understated class. Vibrant blue/purplish fruit, lavender, sage and menthol are some of the many nuances that begin to open with some coaxing. This is classic Lafon-Rochet all the way.”

94 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Wonderful fragrance emitting out of the glass. Fruity and juicy straight away, clean, crisp, bright and fresh with a really cool, wet stone undercurrent. There’s firmness but also finesse with lovely structure and focus. Super long, with that cool fresh grip really extending on the finish. Joyous.”

93–94 Points – James Suckling
“A dense, chocolaty and focused red showing generous fruit and bark on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with ripe, chewy tannins. Textural, with nice concentration and a long, vivid, flavorful finish.”

92–94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A serious, focused wine from this Saint-Estèphe château, the 2025 Château Lafon-Rochet offers darker, juicy blue fruits, leafy herbs, graphite, and liquid violets and spring flowers on the nose. Medium-bodied on the palate, it's structured and concentrated, with integrated acidity and outstanding length.”

93–95 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Flowers, black currants, licorice, spice, mint and cedar aromatics emerge easily in the perfume. Medium-bodied, fresh, vibrant, and energetic, with chewy currants, a touch of cocoa, and classic Saint-Estèphe character on the finish.”

95 Points! I continue to love this wine from Ferraton. Their 2019 Hermitage Les Miaux reveals a medium gold hue as well as a classic bouquet of caramelized citrus, quince, white flowers, marzipan, and white flowers. Rich, medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, and balanced, this is a rock star bottle of wine that's going to drink brilliant for upwards of a decade, and I suspect an extended aged example will also show brilliantly. - Jeb Dunnuck

95–96 Points – James Suckling
“Focused and curated, with very long, fine tannins that take the wine on a journey. Nicely ripe fruit with berry and light hazelnut undertones. Medium-bodied with a linear and long finish. Plenty of dark berry and dark cherry with lead pencil and flint. This is going to be an excellent wine in the bottle.”

94–96 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 La Dominique is terrific. This is one of the best vintages of La Dominique I can remember tasting. Aromatic, silky and exceptionally polished, La Dominique impresses right out of the gate. Bracing saline notes extend the clean, reverberating finish. A sleeper.”

96 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Another excellent vintage from this trusty estate. A cool crystalline nose, cola, liquorice, tar and blueberries. So clean and pure. Crisp and focused from the off, a cooling menthol and blackcurrant element, soft grippy tannins and the most beautiful juicy mid palate that just makes you smile. A happy wine. Powerful yet restrained, vibrant and energetic with exceptional fruit purity.”

93-95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Deep purple-hued, the 2025 Château La Dominique is a reserved yet clearly promising Saint-Emilion based on 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, raised in 50% new barrels, 35% once-used barrels, and 15% amphora. Ripe black fruits, smoky tobacco, gravelly earth, and graphite all define the nose, and on the palate, it's rich and medium to full-bodied, with ample mid-palate volume, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It checks in at 13.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.68 and is very much on the focused, dense, concentrated side of the vintage.”

98–99 Points – James Suckling
“A tight and powerful wine with a precise and structured texture. Restrained, steely and racy. Goes on for minutes. So much intensity. A bright and shining white. Stunning balance.”

97–99 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc gets my vote for the white wine of the vintage. Rich and powerful in the glass, but also beautifully vibrant, the 2025 dazzles from start to finish. Lemon confit, pear, slate, mint, white flowers and tangerine peel are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop over time. The 2025 is quite simply stunning. Don’t miss it!”

97 Points – Decanter
“The cooler microclimate at this estate favours hot and dry weather, and this proved no exception in 2025. Always showing the exciting combination of freshness and white stone fruit fleshiness expressed in a suave palate texture with nuance and refinement, evoking Meursault-like depth and opulence. A great success.”

95–97 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown
“The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc soars from the glass with vibrant notes of grapefruit essence, Granny Smith apples, and passion fruit, leading to a fragrant undercurrent of honeysuckle, lime blossoms, and sea spray. The medium-bodied palate is intense with citrus and tropical fruit layers with a refreshing line and chalky texture, finishing with great length and energy.”

93 Points! This rich version is ripe and hedonistic, particularly for the vintage, offering spiced black currant and grilled mesquite smoke flavors that reveal a bedrock of graphite and a lot of sanguine drive and power. - Wine Spectator

94 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
"This has the intensity and the structure of the vintage, matched by a ton of juice and black fruits, orange peel, black chocolate, slate, crayon. Great potential, if lacking a little in the real luscious tannic quality that you get in Pomerol in the best vintages. Vignobles K, JC Meyrou director. Harvest September 4 to 17. 27 hl/ha yield. 3.51 pH. 100% new oak."

92–94 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"The 2025 Enclos Tourmaline is a selection of the best plots the Kwok family owns in Pomerol. Dark and ample, with tremendous power, the 2025 captures all the natural richness of the year and also remains remarkably balanced. Dark-toned fruit, espresso, chocolate, new leather and licorice build nicely. Enclos Tourmaline is fermented in barrel, an approach that works quite well here."

93–94 Points – James Suckling
“Medium- to full-bodied with a broad expression. Focused, cohesive and well balanced, with precise tannins.”

93 Points – Falstaff
“Dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Ripe plums, blackberry confit, candied orange zest, fine herbal spice, inviting bouquet. Juicy, elegant, red berry texture, fine tannins, good freshness, lingers, a multi-faceted food companion.”

95–97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Deep purple-hued, the 2025 Château Bellefont-Belcier is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that's being raised in 30% new barrels, 30% oval foudres, and the balance in once- and twice-used oak. Coming from a beautiful site just beyond Larcis Ducasse, it has fabulous aromatics of cassis and assorted red and blue fruits, along with spring flowers, graphite, tobacco, and smoke. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with a pure, graceful, remarkably elegant mouthfeel, polished tannins, and integrated tannins. It's an impressive Saint-Emilion that shows just how successful the Côte Pavie hillside can be in the vintage.”

95–96 Points – James Suckling
“The depth and intensity in the center palate makes you think. It’s medium- to full-bodied with very integrated, polished grape tannins. Creamy texture. A curated and transparent effort.”

95 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Sweet berry fruit, shows lovely grip and clear limestone signature without sacrificing flesh. Raspberry, blood orange, pomegranate, wet stones, grilled cumin, incense, oyster shell rise through the palate. Harvest September 5 to 23. 30% new oak. 3.48 pH. Yield 33 hl/ha, JC Meyrou director, Emmanuelle d'Aligny-Fulchi technical director.”

94–96 Points – Wine Advocate (Yohan Castaing)
“The 2025 Bellefont-Belcier stands out once again as one of the highlights in the Vignobles K range. It offers a lively bouquet of cassis, mulberries and cherries mingled with spices and pencil lead. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and seamless, it’s built around a concentrated core of fruit that's animated by bright acidity and framed by velvety tannins. The finish is long, ethereal and perfumed. It's a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, matured one-third in foudres, with a pH of 3.48. This is one of the most accomplished wines produced at this address to date.”

92–95 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Bellefont-Belcier is another step forward for this Saint-Émilion estate. Aromatic and silky but with plenty of power, the 2025 hits all the right notes. Crushed flowers, mint, tobacco, incense and anise present gorgeous layers of aromatic nuance. Silky tannins frame the close. Tasted two times.”

95–96 Points – James Suckling
“Medium- to full-bodied with delineated dark fruit and precise, delicate tannins, showing good freshness, a wonderful silky texture and a subtle saline note in the finish.”

94-96+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Deep purple-hued, the 2025 Château Tour Saint Christophe reveals darker red and blue berries, chocolaty herbs, graphite, and crushed stone, as well as a beautiful floral character. Coming from a picturesque, terraced hillside on the eastern side of Saint-Emilion, it's based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a concentrated, layered, pure mouthfeel, terrific mid-palate depth, and a great finish, it's a concentrated, opulent 2025 that ticks all the right boxes.”

93–95 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Tour Saint Christophe is a stunner. Rich and explosive, the 2025 possesses remarkable depth and pure power. All the elements are so well balanced. Tour Saint Christophe is always a big wine, but the 2025 has an unusual level of finesse. Dark-toned fruit, leather, gravel, chocolate and dried herbs caress the palate. Aging the Francs in 20HL cask seems very well judged in moderating oak impact, something that has also been a signature here in the past.”

93 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Charred cedar on the opening, balanced by lovely grippy tannins, slate and pumice stone, this has plenty of brambled dark fruits to balance out the salinity of the limestone fingerprint. Harvest September 11 to 24. 25% new oak. Yield 27 hl/ha. 3.35 pH.”

94–96 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Lynch-Moussas is so classy. Silky and refined, the 2025 is all charm. All the elements are so well balanced. Readers will find a Pauillac of undeniable appeal. This is so precise. The 2025 is going to need a few years to soften as the tannins are quite imposing, and yet there is so much wine. A major step forward.”

94 Points! Beautiful nose, blackcurrant, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, tobacco, cherries, crushed stones, blue fruit and bramble fruits. Sleek and straight, nice acidity, but this is quite linear with the Cabernet really giving the backbone, length and overall structure. Feels a bit tense, but it does have texture too so it’s not austere or harsh, just strong. Really well built, delivering power no doubt, but keeping a soft juiciness underneath. Very medicinal - clove, liquorice, unmistakable Cabernet speaking here, but feels clean and well worked. Nothing sticking out too much with body, plushness and cool freshness. Good potential, really impressively constructed. 3.7p. Ageing 30% new oak. - Decanter Magazine

94 Points! More Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, the 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot that spent 14 months in 20% new French oak. It's even better than the Les Hauts de Smith and has gorgeous aromatics of black cherries, currants, scorched earth, tobacco, and graphite. This textured, medium to full-bodied, seamless beauty has ripe tannins, a layered, balanced mouthfeel, and a great finish. This matches, if not exceeds, the 2020. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! Aromas of currants and blackberries with orange peel and rose petals follow through to a medium body with racy and polished tannins that go on for a long time. Vivid and energetic. Second wine of Smith Haut-Laffite. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. Give it two to three years. -  JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! The 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is a rich, heady wine. A blast of dark cherry, plum, licorice, menthol, chocolate, tobacco and incense makes a strong opening impression. This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend is all opulence. I would give it a few years to settle down. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

93 Points! This is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, with an élevage lasting 14 months in 20% new oak. A completely different nose to Les Hauts de Smith, which has all that lightly roasted Merlot fruit;this has the same intensity but now in a pure, perfumed, floral Cabernet style, touched with mint and white peach. This continues through into the palate, now joined by darker tones of liquorice, toast, tar and charcoal, with a very pure and finely knit together backbone of tannins. A remarkable wine bearing in mind it is a second label, with dark fruit, high-quality structure and great length. This is a delicious Pessac-Léognan with fine potential. Give it ten years at least. A long grip to this rather solidly built wine. - The Wine Independent

95 Points! Based on 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc from deeper, clay soils, the ruby/plum-hued 2023 Château Grand Village spent a year in 30% new French oak before bottling. It tastes like a mini Pomerol with its ripe, juicy black cherries, damp earth, roasted herbs, and graphite. It's medium-bodied and has a pure, focused, layered mouthfeel and a great finish. Drink 2026-2038. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! Crunchy red fruit and blackberries, dried flowers and an earthy touch. Chalky and vibrant with precise flavors on the medium- to full-bodied palate, leaning toward medium. Fine tannins add definition and structure in the finish. A blend of 91% merlot and 9% bouchet (cabernet franc).  - JamesSuckling.com

93-94 Points! This is a wild GV with so much sliced lemon, green apple and lime, as well as hints of flint. Mussel shells, too. Medium-bodied, tangy and vivid. A blend of 78% sauvignon and 22% semillon. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! The 2022 Gigondas checks in as 78% Grenache, 14% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault and Mourvèdre, raised in foudres, with the Syrah in demi-muids. It's a killer effort offering beautiful darker fruits supported by some meaty, garrigue, and iron-like nuances. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, gamey, exotic, balanced Gigondas that's just about overflowing with character. I love it today, yet it has another 10-12 years of prime drinking. - Jeb Dunnuck

96 Points! This has attractive, glossy, ripe red-plum and licorice aromas with cedar, flowers and red berries, as well as a stony edge. A very fragrant, cabernet-driven nose. The palate has elegance and grace with sleek and charming, balanced style and a discreet tannin structure that holds the finish long and fresh. A blend of 81 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 19 per cent merlot. - JamesSuckling.com

95 Points! The 2016 Giscours is built around 81% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a wonderful bouquet with pure blackberry, crushed violet and mineral scents, with exquisite delineation and poise. The palate is framed by fine tannins and a perfect line of acidity. Slightly grainy in texture, it boasts gentle grip, yet there is real intensity and focus here. The 2016 is only just beginning to open and should be cellared for several years. - Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2024