France

96 Points! A very lush and exotically floral gewurz with tremendous concentration and plenty of rose hip and caramel alongside the restrained papaya character. Very long creamy finish with a beautifully integrated sweetness that pulls you back for more. Still quite tight at the finish. Fermented for almost a year and may well show better after more bottle age. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2024. - JamesSuckling.com

95+ Points! The Alsace grand cru 2021 Furstentum Gewurztraminer is very clear and precisely aromatic on the bright, elegant and intense nose that combines ripe and concentrated lychee aromas with delicate flint, pastry and orange blossom notes. Full-bodied, rich and savory on the palate and based on a tight yet elegant structure with a fine acidity and tannin complex, this is a substantial, stimulating saline, grippy-mineral and still youthful but very promising Gewürztraminer that will benefit from further bottle age. 13% stated alcohol. Diam cork. Tasted at the domaine in April and at home in August 2024. - Stephan Reinhardt, robertparker.com

93-95 Points! Wild strawberries, raspberries, spring lowers, sandalwood, and Provençal spice notes all emerge from the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Sables De La Crau, a beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied Châteauneuf du Pape based on 100% Grenache that was fermented with some stems and brought up all in used barrels. It shows the ripe yet still fresh, elegant style of the vintage beautifully. - Jeb Dunnuck

The classic 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Tradition (95% Grenache and 5% Syrah) from Jean-Marie Royer reveals a vivid ruby hue as well as a beautiful nose of fresh raspberries, spring flowers, and Provençal spices. It's medium-bodied, supple, juicy, and elegant. It should be an outstanding wine and is a terrific example of the style – and quality – of the vintage. - Jeb Dunnuck

91 Points! Juicy and vivid, this red shows notes of sweet cherries, raspberries and sweet spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Succulent, with plenty of fruit character and a spicy lift in the lively finish. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

90 Points! Provençal red and black fruits, meaty spice, and peppery herbs all emerge from the 2023 Cairanne Les 2 Arbres, an equal blend of Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah aged in cement tanks with less than 5% in neutral barrels. It's medium-bodied, round, and supple, with a nicely textured mouthfeel that's ripe and satisfying. - Jeb Dunnuck

91 Points! 70% Syrah, 30% Grenache. Complex bouquet of cherries, spices, tobacco and olives. Ripe fruits and herbal notes on the palate, fine grained tannins and a long, succulent finish. - Decanter World Wine Awards

95+ Points! Still in tank at the time of tasting, Charvin’s 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape shows a less flamboyant profile than last year, opening with aromas of menthol, spices, cassis and mulberries. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, it reveals a lively, tensile core of fruit framed by velvety tannins, concluding with a finish marked by real freshness. Matured for 21 months, this blend of 82% Grenache Noir, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 4% Vaccarèse and the balance Counoise is another impressive success from Laurent Charvin, emphasizing precision and vibrancy over sheer opulence. - Yohan Castaing, robertparker.com

94 Points! Fermented with lots of stems and aged entirely in concrete tanks, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape brings textbook aromatics of ripe red and black fruits, sappy garrigue, leather, and damp flowers, as well as black pepper. It has a deep ruby/plum hue and offers medium body, a pure, focused, elegant mouthfeel, ripe yet certainly building tannins, and a great finish. This is a textbook Châteauneuf with complexity, nuances, richness, and elegance. - Jeb Dunnuck

92 Points! Disgorged in December 2024 with a dosage of one gram per liter, Dehours’s NV Brut Grande Réserve is built on the 2022 vintage and bolstered by 40% to 50% reserve wines from a perpetual cuvée initiated in 1998, it opens with expressive aromas of pear, peach, orange zest and honeysuckle. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and ample, underpinned by vibrant acidity. Demonstrative and approachable, this wine promises immediate pleasure. - Kristaps Karklins, robertparker.com

95 Points! Gorgeous plump blueberries swell and bound across the nose and palate with tightly wound tar-infused tannins and a refreshing acidity. Exuding effortless charm and elegance. - Decanter World Wine Awards

97 Points Decanter
"Crushed tobacco, violets, and a seamless interplay of red and black fruit. Remarkable energy and vivacity with depth and lift. A fabulous expression of site and vine age, and a standout in Saint-Émilion."

96-98 Points Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
"Intense, deep, concentrated, and vibrant. Rich, creamy, and powerful, yet balanced and harmonious. The finish delivers waves of sweet, supple fruit and expanding mineral complexity."

95-97 Points Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"Powerful yet understated, with black cherry, lavender, sage, menthol, licorice, and espresso. Limestone-driven energy and broad, chocolatey tannins support a long, explosive finish."

94-96 Points Jeb Dunnuck
"A limestone-driven beauty offering red and black fruits, liquid violets, chalk, and graphite. Medium-bodied and focused with fine tannins, beautiful balance, and outstanding length."

94-96 Points Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Palate
"Juicy black plums, boysenberries, sandalwood, Indian spices, and crushed rocks. Supported by velvety tannins and lively freshness, finishing long and opulent."

93-95 Points Neal Martin, Vinous
"Mineral-rich black fruit, graphite, and tobacco define this more classical interpretation of La Mondotte. Lovely texture, tensile energy, and a brisk, peppery finish suggest excellent aging potential."

Jeb Dunnuck – 95-97 Points

Cassis, blueberries, smoky tobacco, and the classic Margaux spice and complexity all define the 2025 Pavillon Rouge Du Château Margaux, which has more than a passing resemblance to the Grand Vin. Based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc that's being raised in 60% new barrels, it's rich and medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a deep, layered mouthfeel, remarkable ripeness and purity, and a great finish. Checking in at 13.9% alcohol with a pH of 3.68, it's incredibly textured and is really a great wine in its own right.

Decanter – 96 Points (Georgina Hindle)

Fresh prune, some balsamic notes, fresh rose petals. Fragrant and dark notes, a touch of spice, some soft minerality. Juicy and succulent – there's acidity for sure but what stands out is the texture, so soft and creamy on the palate with bright but cool blueberry acidity, some liquorice spice, violet touches and a lot of graphite and pencil lead salinity on the finish. Clearly structured but so generous in terms of fruit purity. Quite a serious Pavillon. Started harvesting young vines on September 8, Merlots on September 11 and Cabernets on September 19, finishing on September 29. A yield of 22hl/ha. pH 3.68. IPT 78. 28% second wine production, usually 30%. 12% press wine. 4% Cabernet Franc completes the blend.

Jane Anson – 96 Points

Flavoursome, this is luscious and juicy, with the concentration and ripeness that I was expecting in more of the wines this year. Rose petals, damson, slate, crayon, cocoa bean, mint, DNA of the Margaux appellation on display. Just 2018 and 2022 were higher numbers in terms of phenolic compounds, and the 3.68 pH is still low, but the perception is far less intense than in many properties. 22hl/ha yield across the vineyard, harvest September 8 for young Merlot, then Cabernet Sauvignon began September 19 and finished September 29. IPT 78. 28% of the overall production.

The Wine Palate – 94-96 Points (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux sings of bright black currants and fresh blackberries, leading to suggestions of dried mint, dark chocolate, and vanilla with a touch of cardamom. The medium- to full-bodied palate delivers taut, muscular black fruit with firm, grainy tannins and a refreshing line, finishing long with a compelling floral lift. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. It has a pH of 3.68 and the alcohol is 13.9%. This is 28% of production—it is usually around 30%.

The Wine Cellar Insider – 93-95 Points (Jeff Leve)

Boysenberries, flowers, cocoa, espresso, and black cherries create the aromatic profile. The elegant, medium-bodied, and fresh palate delivers layers of sweet, zesty fruits, with character. Lift is the name of the game here, along with length and volume, providing a long, sweet, fruit-filled, vibrant, refined finish. The wine was made from blending 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. 13.9% ABV. Drink from 2029-2045.

98-99 Points James Suckling
"Bright, vibrant aromas of sliced apples, pears and lemons with acacia and flint. Dense and tight on the palate with so much chalk and oyster shell character. Extremely long and pure, with vivid energy and precision. Sharp and driven by acidity."

96-98 Points Jeb Dunnuck
"Honeyed citrus, orange blossom, mint, crushed stone and brioche define the bouquet. Medium to full-bodied with rich, layered fruit and a lengthy, seamless finish. One of the whites of the 

96 Points Jane Anson
"Bright citrus, mint leaf, liquorice, sea spray, oyster shell, wet stones and white tea. The most structured and reserved of the estate's white wines, with impressive aging potential."

96 Points Decanter
"Vanilla, honey, flint, white peach and apple aromas. Gorgeously clear and sophisticated with more tension, drive and energy than recent vintages. Beautifully delineated and balanced."

96 Points Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
"White peaches, orange rind, pineapple, pears and flowers lead to a palate filled with sweet ripe fruit, creamy textures and vibrant freshness. Rich, expressive and beautifully balanced."

94-96 Points Neal Martin, Vinous
"White peach, Mirabelle plum, jasmine and pressed flowers. Rounded and textured with excellent density and freshness. A great success in the context of a warm vintage."

94-96 Points Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"Rich, creamy and expansive with fabulous balance. Dried pear, acacia, chamomile and white pepper notes build beautifully through the palate. Impeccable."

95 Points! The 2008 Brut Blanc de Blancs, picked in the Côte des Blancs, underwent full malolactic fermentation and spent over ten years on lees. Lemon and wet chalk are distinct yet subtle on the nose, with their salty, bright, precise trail continuing onto the palate, where deeper saltiness reigns. This wine manages to be rich, smooth and sinuously slender and linear at the same time, with deep, delicious, umami-resonant savoriness. It is a wonderful wine of great elegance, with superb freshness and youthfulness. Lovely now, with nuance and even an overtone of licorice, but certain to evolve. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. - Anne Krehbiel, Vinous

95 Points! A seductive, textural and well-crafted blend of grenache, syrah and mourvedre. It exhibits aromas of currants, dried herbs, roasted meat, mushrooms and orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with fine-grained tannins. So velvety and refined on the palate. Poised and complete with a bright, succulent and long finish. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! Decidedly savory, with tugs of tar, dried sausage and warm soil surrounding plum, melted licorice and anise. Lifted and smooth, with gentle tannins paving the silky finish. Shows depth without heaviness, while sandalwood smoke drifts from beginning to end. Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. - Wine Spectator

96 Points – Decanter
"A beautifully crafted Saint-Estèphe with impressive depth, precision, and freshness. Dark fruits, graphite, cedar, and mineral notes are framed by fine tannins and excellent persistence."

96–97 Points – James Suckling
"A refined and focused Phélan Ségur with blackcurrants, graphite, crushed stones, and floral undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with polished tannins and a long, energetic finish."

94 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
"Fresh, vibrant and classically styled, with cassis, cedar, tobacco leaf, and crushed rock minerality. Excellent balance and aging potential."

93–95 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
"The 2025 Phélan Ségur offers lovely delineation with blackberry, cassis, graphite, and subtle floral aromas. The palate is structured and persistent with fine tannins and excellent precision."

92–95 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
"Black currants, blackberries, tobacco leaf, cedar, graphite, and crushed rocks form the aromatic profile. The wine is fresh, energetic, and loaded with classic Saint-Estèphe character, finishing with excellent length and minerality."

97-99 Points. Jeb Dunnuck
"A Merlot-heavy blend of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 Château Feytit-Clinet is just brilliant, with a full-bodied, deep, and layered profile packed with blue and black fruits, chocolate, and tobacco. Concentrated and powerful yet weightless and flawlessly balanced, with velvety tannins and a great finish. This is up with the crème de la crème of the Right Bank, as well as Bordeaux in general."

95-97 Points Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
"Violets, licorice, truffle, smoke, black cherries, and chocolate create the perfume. Polished, plush, fresh, and creamy, the wine is packed with ripe, sweet, energetic fruits, chocolate, and espresso. This is among the best vintages of Feytit-Clinet ever produced."

94-96 Points Neal Martin, Vinous
"The 2025 Feytit-Clinet reveals enticing blackberry and bilberry fruit, hints of truffle oil and black pepper. Silky smooth tannins, perfectly judged acidity, and a long finish make this perhaps the insider's Pomerol of the vintage."

94-95 Points James Suckling
"Cohesive, with precise tannins and a beautiful expression of dark fruit. Velvety and elegant with a bright finish."

93-95 Points Lisa Perrotti-Brown
"Ripe blueberries and black plums leap from the glass alongside hints of camphor, anise, and fertile loam. The palate delivers energetic black fruit and fine-grained tannins with seamless freshness and a minty kick to the finish."

97–98 Points – James Suckling
“A serious Aile d'Argent with sliced green mangoes, pears and green apples. Full-bodied. Framed with phenolics and minerals. Complex and real. A touch of flint and cedar at the end. Super finish. A blend of 63% Sauvignon Blanc, 29% Sémillon, 7% Sauvignon Gris and 1% Muscadelle.”

94–96 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent
“The 2025 Aile d'Argent pops from the glass with vivacious notes of Bosc pears, white peaches, and pink grapefruit, giving way to hints of honeysuckle, orange peel, and beeswax with a touch of jasmine tea. Medium-bodied, the palate is satiny-textured and crisp with intense orchard fruit flavors and a long, fragrant finish. The blend is 63% Sauvignon Blanc, 29% Sémillon, 7% Sauvignon Gris, and 1% Muscadelle. It has a pH of 3.13 and the alcohol is 13.6%. It is due to age in French oak barrels for 9 months, 45% new. No malolactic was performed this year.”

93–95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A blend of 63% Sauvignon Blanc, 29% Sémillon, 7% Sauvignon Gris, and a splash of Muscadelle, the 2025 Château Mouton Rothschild Aile D'Argent Blanc offers bright green citrus, crushed stone, minty herb, and savory aromatics, with an incredibly mineral-driven character. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, with bright, racy acidity and a clean finish. This exotic, complex, perfumed white is going to benefit from a few years in the cellar and I suspect have a long drinking window.”

94–95 Points – James Suckling
“A beautifully structured and polished La Chapelle with layers of dark fruit, graphite, and crushed stones. Medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins, excellent balance, and a long, focused finish. A superb second wine.”

92–95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A beautiful, layered second wine from this team, the 2025 La Chapelle De La Mission Haut-Brion checks in as 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28.3% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and a splash of Petit Verdot. Ripe black cherries, graphite, red plums, smoke, and tobacco are just some of the nuances on the nose, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a pure, layered mouthfeel, fine and polished tannins, and a great finish.”

92–94 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion prances out with gregarious notes of fresh black cherries, juicy raspberries, and cassis, plus hints of lavender oil and pencil shavings with a waft of tree bark. The medium-bodied palate delivers fine-grained tannins and great tension to match the bright black and red berry flavors, finishing minerally. The blend is 28.3% Merlot, 52.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.1% Petit Verdot, and 18% Cabernet Franc. The alcohol is 14.1%.”

93–95 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Flowers, tobacco leaves, black cherries, cassis, smoke, and crushed rocks create the aromatic profile. The wine is fresh, vibrant, and energetic with a beautiful sense of purity to the fruit. The finish combines minerality, freshness, and length, making this one of the strongest vintages of La Chapelle in recent years.”

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.”

96–98 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Deep purple-hued, the 2025 Arômes De Pavie has a gorgeous, Cabernet-like nose of red and black fruits, smoky tobacco, crushed stone, and chocolaty, truffly nuances. It's rich and powerful on the palate, with full-bodied richness, a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, flawless balance, and a great finish. You'd be excused for mistaking this for the grand vin of a few years ago, and it's more in the style of the classic Pavie than the Grand Vin in 2025.”

95–97 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Flowers, black cherries, black raspberries, licorice, smoke, espresso, and crushed rocks create the perfume. Rich, supple, and energetic, the wine combines depth, freshness, and minerality with layers of ripe fruit and a long, vibrant finish. This is one of the finest vintages ever produced for Les Arômes de Pavie.”

94–95 Points – James Suckling
“This shows density and beauty in the integration of tannins and fruit. Medium-bodied with attractive blue fruit and a dark, earthy finish. Lightly salty. 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc.”

93–95 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent
“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2025 Arômes de Pavie features fragrant notes of blackberry preserves, fresh black plums, and aniseed, plus touches of garrigue, pencil lead, and lavender. The medium- to full-bodied palate is chock-full of bright black fruit flavors, framed by firm, grainy tannins and a crisp line of tension, finishing long and chalky. Impressive! The blend is 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc. The alcohol is 14.25% and the pH is 3.5.”