Availability:
Imported Red Wines
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2020 Chateau MontlandrieCastillon Cotes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, FRANCE$57. 99Bottle$695.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2020 Montlandrie is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot was picked between the 18th and the 22nd of September, and the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon were picked from the 23rd to the 25th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.5% and is aging in French oak barrels, 40% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts from the glass with vibrant notes of crushed blackberries, fresh, juicy black plums and mulberries, plus hints of bay leaves, cardamom, ground black pepper and black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate possesses impressive freshness with a solid backbone of soft, rounded tannins and bags of ripe black fruits, finishing long with a peppery kick. 53,000 bottles are expected to be made.
92-94 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (May 2021)The 2020 Montlandrie is powerful, densely constituted and full of character. Inky red/purplish fruit, cedar, spice, mocha and dried flowers are all laced together. Far from an easygoing wine, it packs a serious punch, and I expect it will age wonderfully. In 2020, the Montlandrie may very well be the hidden gem in the Durantou range. (This is the second year in the new winery.)
91-93 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousVery salty and tangy with some white pepper, too, as well as lots of blackberries and blueberries. Medium body with delicate yet firm tannins that show intensity. Firm finish.
92-93 points
James SucklingPlum liqueur, flowers, truffles and crushed stone all make an appearance on the nose. On the medium-bodied palate, the wine is soft, fresh, lively, sweet and round, finishing with lifted, ripe, juicy red plums, licorice, spice and black cherry.
92-94 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider -
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2024 Chateau Montrose Pre-Arrival OfferSaint Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE$280. 00Bottle$3360.00 DozenClosure: CorkThis historic large estate, situated atop the Gironde in Saint-Estèphe, is renowned for producing some of Bordeaux's most exceptional and enduring wines. Over the past 15 years it has enjoyed significant investment, resulting in the establishment of a state-of-the-art winery and cellars. Substantial efforts have also being made in the vineyards. When Olivier and Martin Bouygues acquired Château Montrose from the Charmolüe family in 2006, the property boasted 17 hectares of pre-clonal vines dating back to the early 20th century. Through a meticulous massale selection program 80 promising clones, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, have been identified for replanting purposes. Similar endeavors are now focused on Merlot, utilizing a plot behind the château acquired from Phélan-Ségur. Additionally, experimental cover crops are being introduced, and cultivation techniques are being adjusted to minimize disturbance to the soil microbiome. The winemaking approach remains traditional, with macerations lasting approximately three weeks and maturation taking place in around 60% new oak barrels.
Other Reviews....
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Montrose is a serious, muscular effort that numbers among the wines of the vintage. Unwinding in the glass with notes of cassis, burning embers, cigar wrapper and iris, it's medium to full-bodied, dense and layered, with a lively spine of acidity, rich structuring tannins and a long, penetrating finish. With both the highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon recorded at Montrose and a rather low pH of 3.55, it will surely number among the longest lived 2024 Bordeaux.
93-95 points
William Kelley - Wine AdvocateThe 2024 Montrose has a little more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend due to the yields in various parcels. It was picked between September 23 and October 7 and matured in 60% new oak. The well-defined and very able nose demonstrates classicism, fine delineation and a little more florality than the Terrasse III. The palate is medium-bodied with very finely chiselled tannins and a keen line of acidity. This symmetrical Saint-Estèphe is blessed with an elegant, sapid and reassuringly precise finish that the estate seems to have honed in the last few years. It does not have the unbridled ambition of, say, the 2020 Montrose, but it is exceptionally well crafted and will become a fine Saint-Estèphe. Drink 2032-2058.
94-96 points
Neal Martin - VinousThe 2024 Montrose exudes Cabernet Sauvignon character in its aromatic savoriness and tannic structure. In fact, the 2024 has the most Cabernet Sauvignon ever. Tightly wound today, the 2024 impresses with its energy and focus. There's a bit less mid-palate and overall heft than most years, as well as a brighter fruit profile. Floral, spice and mineral overtones lend brightness throughout. The 2024 is a super-classic, nervy Montrose that will need a number of years to be at its most expressive. Aging is projected to be 18 months, with 60% new oak. Drink 2034-2064.
94-96 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis shows finesse and elegance as well as plenty of subtle red currant and blackcurrant character. Medium-bodied with refinement and length. Tender, vivid and pure. Extremely well done in a difficult year. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 3% cabernet franc.
96-97 points
James SucklingThe 2024 Château Montrose is on another level and clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, it's aging in 60% new barrels. Gorgeous notes of cassis, violets, graphite, and smoky tobacco all emerge from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, it has remarkable purity, fine yet building tannins, and a great finish. Coming in at 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.5, this estate continues to deliver First Growth quality year after year.
94-97 points
Jeb DunnuckConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
There is no minimum order unless stated.
All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2027.
Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
Errors and omissions excepted.
Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page.
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1995 Chateau MontroseSaint Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE$799. 00Bottle$9588.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkThis historic large estate, situated atop the Gironde in Saint-Estèphe, is renowned for producing some of Bordeaux's most exceptional and enduring wines.
Direct ex-chateau release 2024.
Other Reviews...
As I wrote last year, the 1995 Montrose is beginning to drink brilliantly, and this most recent example only confirms that. Wafting from the glass with a classic bouquet of red and black currant fruit, rich loamy soil, cigar box and black truffles, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with terrific concentration, ripe tannins and lively acids. The 1995 took its time, but this rather structured, powerful vintage of Montrose is now beginning to soften. Drink: 2020-2035.
94 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Dec 2023)Here we start to see the slightly austere side of Montrose, and how this helps it to age so gracefully. Exceptionally young at 22 years old, still tightly-structured and richly-scented. Cassis, truffles, cedar, burnished oak, and tobacco are set by lovely placement of tannins that are still fairly bullish and young. Classical and effortless. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Drink: 2017-2035.
93 points
Jane Anson - Decanter -
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2023 La Dame de Montrose Pre-Arrival OfferSaint Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
Another strong performance from this bottling, which dependably numbers among Bordeaux's top three or four second wines, the 2023 La Dame de Montrose reveals aromas of cassis, pencil shavings and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and dense palate that's polished, pure and layered, with sweet tannins, lively acids and a saline finish. It's a blend of 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
91-93 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)The 2023 La Dame de Montrose is a rich, heady wine. Succulent dark cherry, plum, new leather, spice, menthol, licorice and mocha are beautifully amplified. Explosive to the core, the 2023 possesses tons of aromatic intensity and pure volume. This showy, Merlot-based Dame is quite alluring. Drink 2027-2043.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe blackberries and blackcurrants show through beautifully, together with very integrated tannins. Dense and textured. Transparent. Graphite coming through. Second wine of Montrose. 61% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc.
94-95 points
James SucklingThe second wine of the estate is the 2023 La Dame De Montrose, which checks in as 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, raised in mostly used barrels. It's a ripe, forward second wine offering ripe red and blue fruits, tons of floral and spicy nuances, medium to full body, and a round, supple, elegant mouthfeel. This ripe, layered, seamless beauty will drink nicely for 10-12 years or more.
91-93 points
Jeb DunnuckCrisp and crunchy cranberry aromas on the nose, fresh and vibrant - herbal, floral, fruity. Smooth and supple, so lively, bright and acidic, really lifted and almost verging on tart. I love it though, manages to be fresh yet with ripeness of tannins that slowly expand in the mouth while also giving structure and a well-defined outline. Streamlined and straight. Polished and characterful with lovely purity of fruit. Ageing 12 months, using 5% foudre 5% amphora, 10% new oak and the rest aged barrels. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Drink 2028 - 2045.
92 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterOrange blossoms, flowers, red berries, and black cherry aromas show up with ease. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, vibrant, fresh, long, and spicy. The fruits are clean, energized, and lively. This is going to offer its significant charms shortly after release. The wine blends 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2027-2040.
91-93 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2023 Chateau Montrose Pre-Arrival OfferSaint Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE$370. 00Bottle$4440.00 DozenClosure: CorkThis historic large estate, situated atop the Gironde in Saint-Estèphe, is renowned for producing some of Bordeaux's most exceptional and enduring wines. Over the past 15 years it has enjoyed significant investment, resulting in the establishment of a state-of-the-art winery and cellars. Substantial efforts have also being made in the vineyards. When Olivier and Martin Bouygues acquired Château Montrose from the Charmolüe family in 2006, the property boasted 17 hectares of pre-clonal vines dating back to the early 20th century. Through a meticulous massale selection program 80 promising clones, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, have been identified for replanting purposes. Similar endeavors are now focused on Merlot, utilizing a plot behind the château acquired from Phélan-Ségur. Additionally, experimental cover crops are being introduced, and cultivation techniques are being adjusted to minimize disturbance to the soil microbiome. The winemaking approach remains traditional, with macerations lasting approximately three weeks and maturation taking place in around 60% new oak barrels.
Other Reviews....
The 2023 Montrose is another brilliant wine from an estate that's now routinely among Bordeaux's very best, year in, year out. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, derived exclusively from the estate's historic core on the fourth terrace situated just in front of the château itself, it unwinds in the glass with aromas of cassis and wild berries mingled with notions of lilac, violet and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, deep and layered, with a textural attack that segues into a dense, multidimensional mid-palate framed by beautifully ripe tannins and lively acids, it concludes with a long, resonant finish. It will be worth a special effort to seek out.
97-100 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)The 2023 Montrose is focused on the original terroir of the estate, known as Terrace 4, located in front of the river. It comprises 45 hectares, around 12 to 15 hectares less than previous vintages so as to capture the expression of Montrose classified in 1855. Picked from September 5 to 28 and matured in 60% new oak, this has a very intense and focused bouquet: pure black fruit with just a touch of strawberry, hints of violet petals developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins—very pure, with pitch-perfect acidity. This gains depth toward the finish but maintains a sense of linearity that ensures it is one of the vintage’s finest contributions from the Left Bank. Magnificent. Drink 2033-2075.
96-98 points
Neal Martin - VinousThe 2023 Montrose is a dark, brooding powerhouse but with the elegance that is such a signature today. Black cherry, plum, leather, licorice, mocha, spice, tobacco and dried flowers infuse the 2023 with tons of character. The Cabernet Sauvignon is so expressive here. Readers will have to be patient, as this is a wine built for the cellar. It's not especially showy today, but all the ingredients are there. The 2023 is quite the bruiser. In other words, it’s classic Montrose. In the end, that's not terribly surprising, as the winemaking team relied exclusively on the original holdings of about 45 hectares from what the estate calls the 'grand plateau' or 'Terrace 4', essentially the historic core of the property. Harvest ran from September 5 to 28. There was some rain on the 21st, but 15mm of precipitation after a heat spike was not meaningful. The 2023 is magnificent in every way. Drink 2032-2063.
95-97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousWow. This is the essence of Montrose, with blackberry, blackcurrant, crushed stone and earth. I have not tasted a Montrose like this in 42 years of my career. It has a much more vertical nature to it, with layered tannins that go very deep and long, The muscular structure and intensity is something else. This is a new era for Montrose. It is now made from only 45 hectares of vineyards right in front of the chateau, instead of about 60 before. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot and 4% cabernet franc.
99-100 points
James SucklingMade from a strict selection of only the best terroirs (terrace 4) around the estate and the oldest vines, the 2023 Château Montrose is a more Cabernet Sauvignon-driven wine than normal and is based on 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc that will see 18 months in 60% new French oak. The result is a more plush, deep, opulent wine that has classic Montrose darker, almost blue fruits, violets, chocolate, and damp earth-like aromas and flavors. Deep, rich, full-bodied, and expansive on the palate, it has more richness, breadth, and concentration than just about every other wine in the vintage. The 2023 hit 13.5% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.7. It has some similarities to the 2010 (or 2016?) and might end up being the wine of the vintage.
97-100 points
Jeb DunnuckSo floral and aromatic, really inviting and welcoming on the nose, more aromatic than some. Smooth and intense, clearly concentrated but supple and bouncy, there’s movement to this, it’s not strict. So precise, and finessed, you can feel the edges of the fine tannins - well executed with a mineral grip underneath. You can tell there’s power here, it has muscles but sinew also. Quite demonstrative really - it’s flexing but keeps such a clear line of focus and cool blue fruit with graphite and liquorice too. Round and penetrating with an excellent weight and balance of acidity in the mouth while keeping harmony alongside a hint of sweet and just-ripe strawberries mostly with crunchy cranberry too. A lot to like here. Great effort, classy and comfortable - multi-faceted while still being so juicy and approachable. 60% new oak, ageing in barrels only for 18 months. 3.7pH. 13.6% press wine (300 barrels of press split into seven qualities). 35% grand vin in total, mainly from the old vines which is 45% of the vineyard but 35% of the crop. 48hl/ha yield. Drink 2034 - 2050.
98 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterThe complex perfume displays its flowers, crushed rock, black raspberry, and currants with just a swirl or two. There is freshness, with a sense of purity, lift, and elegance on the palate. The wine is long, complex, and refined. This is not a blockbuster styled vintage. Instead, it is focused, harmonious, balanced, and long, with sweetness, spice, and energy that lingers in the finish. The wine is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. 13.6% ABV, pH 3.7. Harvesting took place September 5 - September 28. Drink from 2030-2065.
96-98 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2021 Chateau MontroseSaint Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE$375. 00Bottle$4500.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
A brilliant achievement, the 2021 Montrose is reminiscent of a purer, more precise, modern-day version of the estate's 1996. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of blackcurrants, pencil shavings, sweet loamy soil, black truffle and nicely integrated new oak, it's full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with terrific depth at the core, lively acids and a seamless, harmonious profile. Exhibiting beautifully refined tannins and an impressive sense of completeness, it's a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot—standing out as one of the few top wines of the vintage that actually includes more Merlot and less Cabernet than in recent years.
94-96 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)The 2021 is a fine choice for Montrose fans who want to drink the Grand Vin without waiting for decades. I imagine the slightly high amount of Merlot also helps in giving the Grand Vin a measure of suppleness that is rarely found in Montrose. Gentle extractions bring out gorgeous purity in the fruit. Scorched earth, licorice, rose petal and blood orange develop in the glass, followed by a kick of Montrose structure on the finish. The 2021 is not an especially typical Montrose, but it is an undeniably attractive wine. The 13.1% alcohol has not been seen here in years. Drink 2031-2051.
94-96 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe 2021 Montrose is very clean and precise on the nose. You could almost describe it has clinical, crushed stone infusing the black fruit and briar. It is not as intense as the previous two vintages, which is to be expected, though the Cabernet Sauvignon is expressive. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and fine acidity; a Monrose that is very tensile and focused. Moderate grip and volume, this is a more slimline version of recent vintages, a reflection of the growing season. Maybe it just misses the bravura finish that one has almost come to expect from this estate, yet it has the potential to become an aristocratic, classic Montrose. Drink 2025-2050.
93-95 points
Neal Martin - VinousA very classy and refined Montrose with excellent length and a compact, medium-bodied palate, showing fine, silky tannins and a fresh, bright finish. Lots of currant, blackberry and tar at the end, as well as some graphite. 62% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.
95-96 points
James SucklingThe Grand Vin 2021 Château Montrose comes from a miniscule selection of just 39% of the production and is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Medium to full-bodied, it has a seamless, elegant, incredibly pure mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and some richer plum, spice, and tobacco aromas and flavors. It's certainly in the style of the vintage with its pure, graceful, supple style, but the tannins are impeccably done, it's balanced, and has character. It should benefit from just a few years of bottle age and keep for 20-25 years.
93-95 points
Jeb DunnuckDeep in color, especially for the vintage, you find tobacco leaf, black cherry, pencil shavings, cedar, spice, and dark fruits appearing in the perfume with no effort at all. There is a richness in the palate. The fruit is ripe, fresh, vibrant, and chewy, with lift and energy in the mouth that carries through to the finish. As all fans of Montrose know, the wine more often than not requires decades of age before it is ready to taste, but 2021 is a different beast, allowing you to enjoy it with just a few years before it begins to be fun to taste. The wine was made by blending 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, 13.1% ABV, 3.7. Yields were 38 hectoliters per hectare, with 40% of the harvest going into the Grand Vin. The harvest took place from September 21 to October 6. Drink from 2028-2055.
94-96 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderBeautiful perfume on the nose, really fragrant and seductive, deep and heady but beguiling too. You get chunky, chewy fruit here - this is round, plump and filling a consequence of the slightly more Merlot in the blend than usual - opposed to more Cabernet seen elsewhere. It has a luscious appealing fruitiness then the austerity kicks in, with a vein of salinity and minerality, such a linear, quite strict middle where you get severity in the texture giving it some rigidity but you also have such great depth on the mid palate, the layers of fruit and spice that linger giving such a core of flavour. A sense of power, intensity and concentration but also with acidity keeping everything lifted. A stately wine with lots of potential. Pierre Graffeuille replaces Hervé Berland here, having arrived in March and taking over fully in October. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 39% grand vin. Drinking Window 2026 - 2058.
95 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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2014 Chateau MontroseSainte Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenClosure: CorkThis historic large estate, situated atop the Gironde in Saint-Estèphe, is renowned for producing some of Bordeaux's most exceptional and enduring wines. Over the past 15 years it has enjoyed significant investment, resulting in the establishment of a state-of-the-art winery and cellars. Substantial efforts have also being made in the vineyards. When Olivier and Martin Bouygues acquired Château Montrose from the Charmolüe family in 2006, the property boasted 17 hectares of pre-clonal vines dating back to the early 20th century. Through a meticulous massale selection program 80 promising clones, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, have been identified for replanting purposes. Similar endeavors are now focused on Merlot, utilizing a plot behind the château acquired from Phélan-Ségur. Additionally, experimental cover crops are being introduced, and cultivation techniques are being adjusted to minimize disturbance to the soil microbiome. The winemaking approach remains traditional, with macerations lasting approximately three weeks and maturation taking place in around 60% new oak barrels.
Direct ex-chateau releases 2024.
Other Reviews...
The brilliant 2014 Montrose is the fruit of a harvest that stretched out for almost a month, ending on October 17. One of the wines of the vintage, it opens in the glass with aromas of cassis and plums mingled with burning embers, licorice, sweet loamy soil and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's concentrated and tightly wound, with sweet tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Drink: 2026-2054.
96+ points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Dec 2023)The 2014 Montrose has an engaging and complex bouquet with black fruit, a pencil box, pressed violet and warm earth scents, gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with excellent tannins that frame the mineral-rich black fruit (in fact, this is one of the most mineral-laden 2014 Left Banks I tasted.) The oak is seamlessly integrated, and the finish has real panache. Beautifully, and it's just entering its drinking window. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting. Drink: 2025-2055.
96 points
Neal Martin - VinousIncredible aromas of currants, blackberries, slate and flowers. Full-bodied yet so tight and beautiful with superb polish and brightness. The length is fantastic. Truly superb. Drink in 2021.
97 points
James SucklingAnother contender for wine of the vintage. Here things get a little deep and fleshy, with crushed damson fruit that holds its integrity. Tannins are big and bold, oak influence clear but not offputting, just giving boots to slip your feet into. Your mouth responds to these tannins, reminds you that wine tasting us a physical activity. Great quality, what a brilliant wine. Drink: 2022-2045.
97 points
Jane Anson - DecanterThis is seriously built, with an admirable core of red and black currant paste and bitter plum fruit inlaid with notes of tobacco, bay and smoldering charcoal. The finish is ramrod straight thanks to an iron girder supporting everything with ease. A tremendous effort for the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2035.
95 points
James Molesworth - Wine SpectatorI loved the 2014 Montrose and it has an incredible purity and elegance that sets it apart from its peers. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it offers a deeper, richer profile with gorgeous cassis and currant fruits intermixed with licorice, chocolate, graphite and beautiful minerality. A spitting image of class on the palate, with fine tannin, integrated acidity, and medium to full-bodied richness, this terrific 2014 is up with the crème de la crème of the Médoc and keep for two to three decades. Drink: 2020-2050.
95 points
Jeb Dunnuck -
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2005 Chateau MontroseSaint Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE$699. 00Bottle$8388.00 DozenABV: 13.2%Closure: CorkThis historic large estate, situated atop the Gironde in Saint-Estèphe, is renowned for producing some of Bordeaux's most exceptional and enduring wines.
Direct ex-chateau releases 2024.
Other Reviews...
The 2005 Montrose continues to show brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with notes of blackcurrant, red fruits, loamy soil, black truffles and cigar ash. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's still brooding and tannic, with lively acids and an imposing chassis of structuring—and artery-cleansing—extract. Still an adolescent, it's one of the last unrepentantly old-school vintages of Montrose, and Médoc purists couldn't own enough. While this remains a very youthful wine, it is now apparent that the 2005 will, at maturity, surpass the 1989 and 1990. Drink: 2025-2065.
98 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Mar 2022)The 2005 Montrose is spectacular. Bright, perfumed and vertically explosive, the 2005 possesses remarkable energy right out of the gate. In 2005, Montrose doesn't quite have the heft that it can, but that actually works to its advantage. Readers will find a wine that marries elegance with power so well. Gravel, dried herb, lavender and mocha lend striking complexity to the dark fruit in this gorgeous, regal Montrose. If anything, the 2005 still needs more time in bottle! Drink: 2025-2055.
97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis continues to be very tight yet I loved drinking it the other night at dinner. Loads of spices, berries, meat, cloves and chocolate on the nose. Full body with soft, silky tannins and lots of rich fruit. Still chewy. This is just starting to open up now. Drink or hold.
96 points
James SucklingHere we are fully crossing the threshold into younger, more primary aromatics, but they are also well integrated, beautifully softened and gorgeous. This is sappy with a chalky minerality and fully pliable tannins. It's powerful, with a smile-inducing purity of fruit expression and excellent persistency of exotic coffee notes. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot. Drink: 2017-2042.
98 points
Jane Anson - DecanterThis is still a bit dark and brooding, with a charcoal frame around well-steeped fig and black currant fruit. The long finish lets a deep river of smoldering tobacco and warm stone notes course through. Austere and seemingly taciturn, yet thoroughly beautiful. May not be your style, but this is undeniable.—Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Best from 2022 through 2042.
95 points
James Molesworth - Wine SpectatorA big, rich, gorgeous Montrose, the 2005 reveals a deep ruby/plum hue as well as classic Saint-Estephe notes of darker currants and cassis interwoven with graphite, leather, and violet nuances. It’s a big, rich, concentrated, medium to full-bodied effort that has a terrific sense of freshness, flawless balance, and remarkable purity and precision. It’s just now starting to show a kiss of maturity and it looks to be in the early phases of its prime drinking window. It’s also the finest bottles I’ve had, pointing to this starting to round the corner and show its full potential. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and a splash of Petit Verdot, it’s not far off the style of the 2010, although maybe with a touch more accessibility. It should cruise for another 30 years in cold cellars. Drink 2024 - 2054.
97 points
Jeb Dunnuck (April 2024) -
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- Nick's Import
2023 Chateau Montviel Pre-Arrival OfferPomerol, Bordeaux, FRANCE$71. 99Bottle$863.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2023 Montviel is a juicy, plump Pomerol to drink over the medium-term while the fruit remains vibrant. Succulent red plum, cedar, tobacco, mint and blood orange meld together in a juicy, racy Pomerol that is all charm. Silky, plush tannins wrap it up in style. Montviel is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, aged in once-used barrels from Le Gay and La Violette. It's hard to go wrong here. Drink 2028-2043.
91-93 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousVelvety and caressing already, with lovely tannins and outstanding depth of fruit. Medium to full body. Juicy finish.
94-95 points
James SucklingRed plums, spicy incense, and spring flower notes all emerge from the 2023 Château Montviel, a medium-bodied, supple, elegant 2023 offering beautiful ripeness, ultra-fine tannins, and a good spine of acidity. It's very much in the more lively, elegant style of the vintage while still bringing plenty of ripeness. It should easily be outstanding.
90-92 points
Jeb DunnuckSweet, juicy, fresh, black cherries, with licorice, and a touch of cocoa in the nose and on the palate. Medium-bodied, bright, and vibrant, with a soft, elegant touch in the finish. The wine will offer pleasure on release. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV. Drink from 2026-2037.
90-92 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2020 Chateau Moulin Du CadetSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$67. 99Bottle$815.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Moulin du Cadet springs from the glass with lively scents of plum preserves, wild blueberries and black raspberries, plus suggestions of menthol, chargrill, Indian spices and tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of ripe, juicy black and blue fruits, framed by velvety tannins and a racy backbone, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note. A property clearly on the upward swing, this is one to watch!
This 2.85-hectare vineyard was acquired by the Lefévère family in 2015, owners of the nearby Sansonnet and Soutard Cadet. The 100% Merlot vines have an average age of 35+ years and are planted at a density of 6,000 vines per hectare. The soil is a mix of fine clay and limestone.
92-94+ points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (May 2021)The 2020 Moulin du Cadet possesses tons of energy and vibrancy to complement its racy red/purplish berry fruit. Rose petal, mint, cedar, spice and sweet floral notes develop with a bit of coaxing in the glass, all framed by clean mineral notes that extend the finish. It’s nice to see a less pushed style here, as the purity of the fruit is impressive. The 2020 might be the most refined Moulin du Cadet of recent times, or ever. It's a jewel of a wine, that much is certain. Tasted two times.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousImpressive sample. This is really fine with long, refined and linear tannins that are so polished and beautiful. Full-bodied, tight and refined. Goes on for minutes.
94-95 points
James SucklingAnother gem, the 2020 Château Moulin Du Cadet boasts a deep purple hue to go with full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe currants, black cherries, crushed stone, and classy oak. A total blockbuster on the palate, it brings gorgeous richness and depth while still showing the pure, fresh, precise style of the vintage nicely. With ripe, polished tannins, impeccable balance, and a great finish, it should be snatched up by readers.
94-96+ points
Jeb Dunnuck -
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2023 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pre-Arrival OfferPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$999. 00Bottle$11988.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Mouton Rothschild holds a unique place in the history of Bordeaux, being the only property to have its ranking changed since the introduction of the 1855 Classification. Originally listed as a Second Growth, through the tireless efforts of Baron Philippe Rothschild to make a wine he truly believed could match the best in the world, the property was upgraded to First Growth in June 1973. Known as the most flamboyant of the First Growth wines, Mouton Rothschild shows the rich and exotic side of Pauillac. Plantings on the 75 hectare property are a mix of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.
Other Reviews....
Aromas of crème de cassis and dark berries mingled with pencil shaving, espresso roast and violets introduce the 2023 Mouton Rothschild, a medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy wine with a creamy core of ripe but lively fruit, sweet tannins and an expansive finish. In terms of parcels, the 2023 is quite different in origins from the 2022, favoring plots that are better-drained rather than those resistant to drought. It's a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, without either Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot featuring in the blend, and it attained 13.3% alcohol.
94-96 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)The 2023 Mouton Rothschild is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintages on the Left Bank. Its balance of intense, super-concentrated fruit and equally imposing structure is spellbinding. Dark red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, pencil shavings and dried herbs gain intensity in the glass. I especially admire its vertical build and overall energy. This is an exciting young Mouton endowed with palpable dynamic energy. It's a superb effort from the team led by Technical Director Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy. Drink 2023-2073.
96-99 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis is the most structured Mouton since the great 2016, with tannins that start slowly and then take off. It’s muscular and toned. It’s full-bodied but doesn’t come across too heavy. It builds up in intensity and goes on and on and on. It just keeps expanding. I took a double take here. 93% cabernet sauvignon and 7% merlot.
98-99 points
James SucklingGorgeous red and black fruit on the nose, ripe strawberries, cherries and blackcurrants, really fruit forward and expressive, not so much on the mineral or floral side. Smooth and supple, this is agile and has great movement. A sense of life, depth and richness, but this is so suave. The fruit and tannins fill the mouth but with wonderful coolness - blueberry and crisp cherry. Lots of liquorice and wet stones also come through; graphite, chalk, mint, a touch of toastiness on the finish. It has flashes of exoticism, as well as finesse. Structure and seriousness but with bounce, full of texture and nuance. Tannins have built a broad wine and this is a real success with lots of energy and vibrancy throughout but with no harsh acidity or too lean tannins. Stylish, characterful and executed very well. 11% press wine, last year was 17%. 93% Cabernet in the blend, second highest in history after 2010 which was 94%. 75 IPT. 40% grand vin production. A potential 100-point wine. Drink 2033 - 2060.
98 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterCuban cigars, blackberries, flowers, smoke, espresso, spice, fruitcake, licorice, roasted nuts, and currants are a treat in the perfume. The palate offers layers of energetic, long, deep, fruits with a racy edge. The wine builds as it lingers with the fruit moving from red, to black, and back to red, with a refreshing sprig of mint, a touch of chocolate, and a dash of spice, adding to the complexity. The key to the vintage initial heat spell in August helped propel the grapes to phenolic ripeness. The ability to wait for the moment of their choice, allowing for a longer hangtime for the Cabernet played a major role this year. The wine blends 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Merlot. Only 2010 had more Cabernet in the blend. 13.3% ABV, 3.79 pH. The harvest took place September 7 - September 30. Drink from 2030-2065.
97-99 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderHigh Cabernet, and the grape is dominant not just in blend but character, totally delicious, with tension, flesh, and confidence, building layers of black fruits, graphite, cocoa bean, espresso, pomegranate and smoked earth throughout the palate. When Cabernet works at Mouton, it is hard to beat, and it's on full display in 2023. One of my clear wines of the vintage. Of any vintage. 100% new oak for ageing. 40% grand vin, harvest September 7 to 30.
98-100 points
Jane Anson - Inside BordeauxConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2010 Chateau Mouton RothschildPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$2199. 00Bottle$26388.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkChateau Mouton Rothschild holds a unique place in the history of Bordeaux, being the only property to have its ranking changed since the introduction of the 1855 Classification. Originally listed as a Second Growth, through the tireless efforts of Baron Philippe Rothschild to make a wine he truly believed could match the best in the world, the property was upgraded to First Growth in June 1973.
Known as the most flamboyant of the First Growth wines, Mouton Rothschild shows the rich and exotic side of Pauillac. Plantings on the 75 hectare property are a mix of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.
Ex-Chateau release 2023.
Other Reviews....
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Mouton Rothschild is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal notes of baked black cherries, crème de cassis, blackberry compote and bouquet garni with suggestions of sweaty leather, pencil lead, cedar chest and black truffles plus a hint of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, the palate is solidly constructed of super firm, ripe, grainy tannins and lively acidity, framing the densely packed black fruit, finishing on a persistent mineral note. Drink 2023 - 2060.
98 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (March 2020)A wine of noble bearing and exceptional beauty, the 2010 Mouton Rothschild is a flat-out stunner. The aromatics alone are beguiling. On the palate, the wine is every bit as thrilling, with myriad layers of flavor that continue to open up in the glass. Graphite, gravel, smoke, plum, black cherry and savory herbs are all strikingly delineated throughout. Vivid and crystalline, the 2010 is a jewel of a wine, but it is impossibly young now. Readers who can be patient will be treated to a fabulous wine. Today, the 2010 reminds me of a more civilized version of the 1986. The 2010 is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon (the highest amount of Cabernet ever here). Dollops of Merlot round out the blend. Harvest took place between September 29 and October 13. Drink 2025-2060.
100 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous (Jan 2016)Clearly a perfect wine that shows incredible depth of fruit with currants, dark chocolate, minerals and licorice. Full-bodied, tight and wound up with ripe tannins that let go and seduce you. Makes me want to drink it now. But this is a wine for the long term. Extraordinary. 94% cabernet sauvignon. Better in 2020.
100 points
James Suckling (March 2015)You can put the 2010 Château Mouton Rothschild up with the crème de la crème of this great vintage, and it shows the more masculine, structured style of the year while bringing that classic Mouton opulence and sexiness. Blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, graphite, and spring flower notes all shine here, and this beauty is full-bodied, has a flawlessly layered, balanced mouthfeel, and a blockbuster finish. This is classic Mouton magic, and it’s one of the most textured, seamless wines out there. Drink 2025-2050.
100 points
Jeb Dunnuck (June 2025)Smoked grilled tar on the nose, it feels both very 2010 and supremely Mouton - accomplished and confident. A more glamorous, enticing edge than the other Pauillac Firsts at this 10 year window. There are plentiful tannins but they are lined with air, and the overall feel is of plush, plumped fruits, like being rolled-up in luxurious sheets. It is very different in character to the other two Pauillac Firsts, but no less enjoyable. It feels higher in alcohol, more Cos than Lafite in terms of personality, in the way that Pichon Baron is more Latour than Comtesse, but it is nuanced and clever and surprising. Drink 2025 - 2050,
100 points
Jane Anson - Decanter (Jan 2020)Incredible in every sense of the word, this has everything you could want in a Pauillac and from Mouton Rothschild. Just as good, but different in style from the opulence found in the 2009, here you find incredible levels of intensity, density, richness, vibrancy and lift. The wall of fruit is perfectly ripe, expressing its purity along with crushed rocks, flowers, spice box, lead pencil, currants, cassis, blackberries, and Cuban cigars. The racy finish is seamless and crosses the 60-second mark with ease. This is not a wine for today. This is for the future. Your children can enjoy it at maturity. Drink from 2030-2080.
100 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider (July 2022) -
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2022 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pre-Arrival OfferPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$1599. 00Bottle$19188.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Mouton Rothschild holds a unique place in the history of Bordeaux, being the only property to have its ranking changed since the introduction of the 1855 Classification. Originally listed as a Second Growth, through the tireless efforts of Baron Philippe Rothschild to make a wine he truly believed could match the best in the world, the property was upgraded to First Growth in June 1973.
Known as the most flamboyant of the First Growth wines, Mouton Rothschild shows the rich and exotic side of Pauillac. Plantings on the 75 hectare property are a mix of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.
Other Reviews....
A brilliant wine that likely sits somewhere between the 2019 and 2020 in quality, the 2022 Mouton Rothschild is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot. Unwinding in the glass with complex aromas of minty cassis, cigar wrapper, violets and subtle hints of loamy soil, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered core of fruit and a fleshy, elegantly muscular profile. Broad-shouldered and seamless, it concludes with a long, resonant finish. This year the grand vin represents some 49% of the estate's production.
96-99 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)The 2022 Mouton Rothschild, built around 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, is a little reticent at first, as I noticed at primeur. It just requires several swirls of the glass to reveal its core of blackcurrant, cassis and violet scents. Underlying crushed stone and iodine notes join the chorus line later. The palate has exquisite balance. It is very concentrated, as you would expect, and perhaps a little more so than out of barrel—layers of black fruit fill and lacquer the mouth. Rich but effortlessly controlled, the 2022 fans out with decadence on the persistent finish. This is an audacious Mouton Rothschild that will offer decades of drinking pleasure. Drink 2032-2075.
97 points
Neal Martin - VinousWow. The aromas here are so complete with blackcurrants, asphalt, violets, lead pencil, orange blossoms and black truffles. A perfect nose. It's full-bodied yet tied down with seamless tannins that run the length of the wine and give such a seductive mouthfeel and persistence. A vintage with one of the highest percentages of cabernet sauvignon ever. Quintessential, great Bordeaux with no limits. Drink after 2028.
100 points
James SucklingMoving to the flagship, the 2022 Château Mouton Rothschild is a massive, full-bodied, incredibly powerful 2022 that takes no prisoners with its ripe black and blue fruits, chocolate, graphite, and smoked tobacco-driven aromas and flavors. Deep, unctuous, and concentrated, with velvety tannins, this legendary Mouton is based on 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot that's still resting in new barrel. It will unquestionably play with the top wines in the vintage. Harvest here began the 1st of September and finished on the 26th, and the final wine hit 14% natural alcohol, with a pH of 3.89 and an IPT of 76.
98-100 points
Jeb DunnuckOne of my favourite 2022s, technically very brilliant but it’s the texture that wows, generous, fruity, sleek, supple, it gives stone and graphite touches putting the terroir in the glass and overall this just screams elegance and finesse and above all drinkability! Smooth and shiny, silky, sleek, delicious from the first sip. Mouthwatering acidity combined with tannins that have the perfect balance of flinty grip, fleshy fruit and cool minerality. Certainly not shouting, they haven't pushed too far at all, more restrained and refined while still delivering a gorgeous mouthful of wine. Classy and refreshing. Concentrated but clean, pure and vibrant. Wonderful, magical - giving the concentration of the hot vintage which is want you want, but this is moreish and so succulent. One you'll want to finish the glass and then have more immediately. 16.4% press - 4% above normal, usually at 12-13%. 49% grand vin. 3.89pH. 76 IPT. Aged 100% in new barrels. Drink 2031 - 2050.
98-100 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterDark in color, and equally dark in fruit, this is a flamboyant, ostentatious, opulent, velvet-textured Mouton that is on the exotic side. Perhaps, this is a modern version of the 1982? The wine exudes its blackberry, boysenberry, chocolate, Asian spice, tobacco leaf, licorice, smoke, and cigar wrapper notes in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is incredibly dense. There is so much fruit, you wonder if it would be better eating this with a spoon, before taking another sip? The finish is rich, intense, velvety, long, and close to seamless, holding court for over 50 seconds. I love the touch of spice that shines before the wine fades from your palate. The wine blends 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot. 14% ABV, 3.89 pH. The harvest took place September 1 - September 26. Yields were 32 hectoliters per hectare. Only 49% of the harvest was used to produce the Grand Vin. Drink from 2030-2065.
98-100 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2025.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2021 Chateau Mouton RothschildPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$1349. 00Bottle$16188.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Mouton Rothschild holds a unique place in the history of Bordeaux, being the only property to have its ranking changed since the introduction of the 1855 Classification. Originally listed as a Second Growth, through the tireless efforts of Baron Philippe Rothschild to make a wine he truly believed could match the best in the world, the property was upgraded to First Growth in June 1973.
Known as the most flamboyant of the First Growth wines, Mouton Rothschild shows the rich and exotic side of Pauillac. Plantings on the 75 hectare property are a mix of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.
Other Reviews....
The 2021 Mouton Rothschild is a terrific wine in the making, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cherries and wild berries mingled with notions of violets, espresso roast, pipe tobacco and mint. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, it's a layered, enveloping wine that's ample and concentrated, with succulent acids, melting tannins and a long, resonant finish. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc that attained 13.1% alcohol, this is a demonstrative, sensual Mouton that's the fruit of extreme selection, and that may well make my score seem conservative with further élevage. Bravo to the talented Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy and his team.
95-96 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)The 2021 Mouton Rothschild is a potent, tightly wound Pauillac that will need a number of years to come together. Driving in its intensity, with searing tannins, the 2021 comes across as a bit severe today, with less of the charm and sensuality that is such a Mouton signature. That said, I was not thrilled with the quality of either of the two samples of the Grand Vin I tasted. Drink 2033-2051.
94-96 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe 2021 Mouton Rothschild marks a return to the classic style of this First Growth after three hot vintages. Unsurprisingly, the Cabernet Sauvignon takes control and expresses cigar smoke and graphite aromas. This is very well defined, yet examining the wine over several minutes, I was searching in vain for that "magic touch" exuded in recent vintages. The palate is beautifully-knit, quite edgy on the opening, comparatively slender and markedly sapid. Unapologetically linear on the finish, it is as if the growing season snipped off the frills that defines a great Mouton-Rothschild. This is a very fine First Growth, yet I hope it just gains a bit of weight and, to use a more accurate word, "presence", during the remainder of its barrel maturation. 13.1% alcohol. Drink 2027-2050.
93-95 points
Neal Martin - VinousA firm and compact Mouton with a powerful tannin frame for the vintage, yet it remains fine and precise as it opens to a velvety texture. Black fruit with tar, pencil lead and tobacco. Driven and firm. A little angular and tight at the moment. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot and 1% cabernet franc.
96-97 points
James SucklingThe 2021 Château Mouton Rothschild is terrific, and while it plays in the more medium-bodied, elegant style of the vintage, it's perfectly balanced and has plenty of richness as well as texture. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, brought up in new barrels, it's a charming, balanced, elegant, forward Mouton.
93-95 points
Jeb DunnuckDeep garnet with purple accents around the rim. Asian spice, cedar, tobacco leaf, cocoa, licorice, flowers and blackberries, with black cherry and light notes of espresso show up with ease on the nose. The wine is full-bodied, with incredible polish, plushness and supple textures, yet it remains classic in style and character. Balanced on the corners of freshness, length, character and complexity. This is not a Mouton Rothschild that is about concentration, flamboyance and power. Instead it is focused on its purity, energy and refined, silky tannins. It is also not a vintage that will demand decades to develop into maturity. It should be gorgeous to drink with perhaps a decade of age, and will evolve for at least 2-3 decades after that with ease. The wine blends 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, 13.1% ABV. The harvest took place September 25, finishing October 6. Drink from 2030-2060.
95-97 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderGorgeous deep pink purple rim to the glass. The nose is bright and intense, heady with perfumed aromatics and edges of graphite, cocoa and sweet red cherries. Such clarity on the palate, excellent tension from the get go with beautifully expressed cherry and strawberry fruit that has a soft, ripe fleshy core. The tannins are fine but plentiful, coating the mouth providing the structure and frame. This has such a sense of quiet confidence - it's not shouting so much but gently showing off its many layers of fruit, acidity, minerality and freshness. This really grows on you, expanding and deepening as the flavours travel across the palate, coming in waves. Understated and introverted at the moment but still harmonious and classy. I love it. Just 41% of grand vin. 3.73pH. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050.
96 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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2022 Chateau Nenin Pre-Arrival OfferPomerol, Bordeaux, FRANCE$170. 00Bottle$2040.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
A blend of 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Nenin delivers aromas of cherries, violets, sweet berries and rose petals, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy palate that's rich, succulent and seamless, its ample core of fruit largely concealing its sweet, powdery tannins.
93-95 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)The 2022 Nénin is terrific. Pliant, rich and creamy in the glass, the 2022 is a formidable example of the year. Soft, plush contours wrap around a core of red/purplish berry fruit. Touches of blood orange, mint, cinnamon and rose petal lend nuance to this sensual, alluring Pomerol from the Delon family. The 2022 is beautifully done. Drink 2028-2042.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousA juicy and crunchy red with blackberry, chocolate, hazelnut. Mocha. Full to medium body with a creamy texture. Lots going on here. 64% merlot and 36% cabernet franc.
94-95 points
James SucklingRipe black cherries, red plums, spice, dried herbs, and chocolate all emerge from the 2022 Château Nenin, an incredibly ripe, sexy, full-bodied Pomerol revealing a broad, opulent mid-palate and velvety tannins. Based on 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Franc, this is another concentrated, inky-hued, powerful 2022 that's going to demand bottle age.
92-94 points
Jeb DunnuckIntensely fragrant and floral, ripe fruit with milk chocolate, vanilla, caramel, roses, violets and strawberries. Juicy and slender, this is sleek and beautifully supple on the palate, moving with grace and depth but not heavy or too rich. There’s an intensity to the fruit flavours though, with hints of liquorice, clove and cedar, not a light easy wine, there’s power and concentration but so well delivered with balanced acidity. Long finish with lingering clarity. 3.69pH. 65IPT. A yield of 33hl/ha.
94 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2025.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2020 Chateau NeninPomerol, Bordeaux, FRANCE$175. 00Bottle$2100.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
A blend of 68% Merlot (harvested 8th to 16th September) and 32% Cabernet Franc (harvested 21st to 23rd September), the 2020 Nenin is aging in French oak barriques, 40% new. It has an alcohol of 14%, a pH of 3.65 and an IPT (tannin index) of 76. Deep purple-black in color, it glides effortlessly out of the glass with wonderfully pure notes of crushed blueberries, fresh blackberries and ripe red and black plums, plus suggestions of lavender, star anise and Ceylon tea with a waft of cast-iron pan. The medium-bodied palate is fantastically elegant and beautifully poised, featuring exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the perfumed red and black fruit layers, finishing long and mineral laced. A real head-turner!
94-96+ points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (May 2021)The 2020 Nénin now comes exclusively from the Pomerol plateau. It was picked September 8–16 for the Merlot and September 21–23 for the Cabernet Franc, and raised in 40% new oak. Whereas the Fugue de Nénin is open and expressive, clearly the Grand Vin cares little for showing its wares at this early stage, remaining tight-lipped for an hour before almost reluctantly opening with blackberry, thyme and gravelly scents, all well defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and a fine bead of acidity. The Cabernet Franc imparts welcome pepperiness toward the latter half – not a million miles away from Trotanoy. This trait turns more toward a pencil lead note with continued aeration. A serious Pomerol that deserves 5–7 years in the cellar, but has the substance to give 30 years of drinking pleasure.
92-94 points
Neal Martin - VinousThis is from only the old vines in the clay and gravel soils on the plateau. Really fantastic. It’s medium-to full-bodied and the tannins just roll off the palate at the end. Dark fruit and spices. So long. One of the best modern wines from here? 68% merlot and 32% cabernet franc.
97-98 points
James SucklingA blend of 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Franc raised in 40% new oak, the 2020 Château Nenin brings the intensity up a notch, offering a rock star nose of cassis and darker berries as well as crushed stone, graphite, chocolate, and violets. The purity is spot on and it has a precise, focused texture that's very much in the vintage, flawless balance, and a great finish. It's another gem of a Pomerol in the vintage readers will love to have in the cellar. For the tech geeks out there, the alcohol reached 14% and the pH was 3.65 with an IPT of 76.
94-97 points
Jeb Dunnuck -
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- Nick's Import
- Biodynamic
2023 Chateau Palmer Pre-Arrival OfferMargaux, Bordeaux, FRANCE$699. 00Bottle$8388.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Palmer has been one of the most consistent and highly regarded wines in Bordeaux for many years, and also one with fantastic ageing potential. Situated in Margaux and covering 66 hectares, the vineyard is planted to 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. Soils here are a mix of gravel, clay, and sand. Interestingly their greatest parcel of land that is situated just behind the Chateau was not part of the property at the time of the 1855 classification, and explains in part why Palmer was only granted Third Growth status.
Other Reviews....
Director Thomas Duroux and his team elected to harvest late in pursuit of full maturity, beginning with the Merlot on September 11 and finishing the Cabernet Sauvignon on October 5 to produce a beautiful 2023 Palmer, redolent of cherries, wild berries, rose petals and violets. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, it's medium to full-bodied, plush and enveloping, with a cool core of fruit, succulent acids, ultra-refined tannins and a seamless, complete profile.
96-97 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)A breathtaking wine, the 2023 Palmer is sensational. Inky, rich and explosive, the 2023 is a real head-turner. Readers will find an extroverted, dense Palmer that is immediately captivating. Here, too, the balance is mind-blowing. Ample and resonant, the 2023 is striking in its beauty. Waves of layered fruit rush out first, building through to the back end with stunning aromatic intensity. There is no other wine like Palmer in Bordeaux. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of a great Pomerol, as heretical as that might sound! If I could pick only one wine to own from the 2023 vintage, Palmer might very well be it. Drink 2033-2063.
98-100 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe 2023 Palmer represents two-thirds of the crop this year, raised in barrel (50% new) until July, then racked into 3,000-liter foudres for another 12 months. My sample was representative of the new oak ratio. The nose is very intense, as normal, loaded with blackberry, boysenberry, violet and veins of blood orange in the background. Powerful, though not in the same way as the barnstorming 2022, it manages to retain focus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grip on the entry. This is quite a deep Palmer with touches of licorice-tinged black fruit. It’s more opulent than almost all other Margaux wines this vintage, furnished with black pepper and allspice on the finish. It will require several years in bottle. The 2023 Palmer is one of the most long-term, serious wines on the Left Bank. Drink 2030-2065.
95-97 points
Neal Martin - VinousThe vivid density and structure to this is really captivating, with pure blackcurrant character. Full-bodied with very silky, refined and ultra-fine tannins and an exquisite finish. Caresses every inch of the palate. It's seems like it will be large and overpowering, but it's actually ethereal and cloud-like. The tannin quality is so refined and, in a way, weightless. 50% cabernet sauvignon, 46% merlot and 4% petit verdot.
97-98 points
James SucklingAs to the Grand Vin, the 2023 Château Palmer checks in as 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. It too is inky hued but is much more inward, with gorgeous blue fruits, graphite, charcoal, liquid violets, and crushed stone-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, incredibly concentrated, and powerful on the palate, it has ultra-fine tannins, remarkable purity, and a great, great finish. It's up with the creme de las crema of the vintage and is about as sexy and seamless as the vintage gets. I wouldn't be surprised to see this top out (or surpass) the barrel rating when all is said and done.
96-98 points
Jeb DunnuckWhat a Palmer in 2023! Crazy aromatics, full and bright, packed with intense scents of pink and purple flowers, damson fruit - clearly ripe no doubt, but no overt heat with some graphite and liquorice on the nose too and the dried herb Cabernet notes. Rich, layered and voluptuous, one you could use the word opulent to describe, full of flavour and really fruit forward. Not as overtly juicy as some, more harmonious and balanced, the tannins are perfectly integrated with the fruit and acidity with the added plushness that the Merlot gives to the blend. Powered and structured, but less serious than some with great energy, generosity and charm on show in terms of texture but it’s focussed too with a long length. Something very captivating about this. Lots of cool classicism on the finish with a salty, mineral, oyster shell undercurrent. 55% new oak for the first year in barrel then one year in 30hl foudre. 3.75pH. 13% press. 32hl/ha yield. Drink 2033 - 2050.
98 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterViolets, tobacco, blackberries, cigar box, spice, and black cherries form the perfume. On the palate, the wine is silky, lush, polished, and fresh. There is length, purity, velvety tannins, and a racy, energetic, fruit-packed finish, with an exotic touch of cardamon in the backend that adds even more of an edge. The almost seamless finish resonates for 50 seconds. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. 14% ABV, 3.75 pH. The harvest took place September 11 - October 5. Waiting the few extra days in September made the difference in the wine this year. Yields are a scant 32 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2029-2065.
97-99 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2023 Alter Ego de Palmer Pre-Arrival OfferMargaux, Bordeaux, FRANCE$185. 00Bottle$2220.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
Wafting from the glass with pure aromas of cherries, berries, plums and potpourri, the 2023 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, with a vigorous core of fruit framed by supple tannins. It's a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.
92-94 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)The 2023 Alter Ego is plump, juicy and super-expressive. Soft, silky tannins enshroud a core of plum, red cherry, spice, menthol and mocha. All the elements are so nicely balanced. A burst of red-toned fruit and spice lingers on a finish lifted by bright acids. This is such a sensual Alter Ego. Drink 2028-2043.
93-95 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis is dense and velvety with a creamy texture. Blackberry, blueberry and stone aromas and flavors. Layered. Very primary and focused. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot and 4% petit verdot.
95-96 points
James SucklingComposing one-third of the production, the 2023 Alter Ego De Palmer is based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. It's an inky hued second wine that has a round, medium to full-bodied, ripe, downright sexy profile as well as ample red and blue fruits, some violet and graphite notes, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I'd be thrilled to drink this gorgeous 2023 any time over the coming 15-20 years. While I don't think 2023 is the best vintage for the second wines, this is brilliant.
92-94 points
Jeb DunnuckGorgeous nose, so full, voluptuous, intensely aromatic, violets, blackcurrants, damsons, cherries, plums, tobacco and liquorice and cedar spice. Deep pink purple rim too. Nice weight straight away but with tension - you get clearly ripe fruit with such high acidity. Balanced, relatively lean but still juicy, certainly full and intense but streamlined ending on a real graphite and wet stone note. Slightly more lean and austere than some but not harsh, just not as fleshy as normal. It’s got body and style, nice movement and energy, a hint of fleshiness and subtle chew to the tannins. I like this, feels a real mix of ripe and cool with freshness on the finish. 3.75pH. 14% press. Drink 2027 - 2039.
93 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterTobacco, cedar, savory herbs, flowers, currants, cocoa, spice, and licorice pop without asking in the nose. On the palate, the wine is even better. Medium-bodied, racy, fresh, vibrant, and also loaded with fresh, vivid, black, red, and blue fruits, spice, mint, and dark chocolate. The end note lingers with the perfect blend of refreshing acidities, and lush, silky, velvety fruits. The wine is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. 13.9% ABV, 3.75 pH. Drink from 2028-2043.
92-94 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2022 Alter Ego de Palmer Pre-Arrival OfferMargaux, Bordeaux, FRANCE$210. 00Bottle$2520.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2022 Alter Ego is a total pleasure bomb. Ripe and sensual, with caressing tannins, the 2022 is exceptionally beautiful. Floral and spice top notes lend tons of aromatic presence. More than anything, though, I am so impressed with the wine’s exceptional balance. Especially the tannins. Nothing in particular stands out, as the wine’s balance is nothing short of magnificent. The 2022 is pure and total sensuality. Drink 2027-2042.
93-95 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe minerality and intensity to this wine is very impressive with blackberry and blue berry aromas and flavors. Salt and pepper. It’s full and linear with a brightness and freshness. Compacted center palate.
96-97 points
James SucklingI always love the second wine from this estate, and their 2022 Alter Ego De Palmer should be terrific. Based on 61% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, aged in 25% new oak, it's a deeply hued Margaux with lots of ripe red and blue fruits, some classic chalky minerality, and floral notes. It shows the vintage's powerful, concentrated style and is full-bodied, with terrific balance.
93-95 points
Jeb DunnuckConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2025.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2022 Chateau Palmer Pre-Arrival OfferMargaux, Bordeaux, FRANCE$899. 00Bottle$10788.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Palmer has been one of the most consistent and highly regarded wines in Bordeaux for many years, and also one with fantastic ageing potential. Situated in Margaux and covering 66 hectares, the vineyard is planted to 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. Soils here are a mix of gravel, clay, and sand. Interestingly their greatest parcel of land that is situated just behind the Chateau was not part of the property at the time of the 1855 classification, and explains in part why Palmer was only granted Third Growth status.
Other Reviews....
As is the case at neighbor Château Margaux, the 2022 Palmer is one of the most powerful wines this estate has ever produced. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, it offers up aromas of blackberries, burning embers, violets, iris and sweet soil tones, followed by a full-bodied, broad and expansive palate, its velvety attack segueing into a rich and layered core. Supple, seamless and concentrated, it checks in at 14.4% alcohol and a rather high pH of 3.79.
95-97 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)The 2022 Palmer was cropped at just 22hL/ha due to the berries being 25-30% smaller than usual. It bursts forth on the nose with precocious black cherries, blueberry, violet and touches of marmalade and tobacco in the background. Complex and expressive. The palate is structured, with the tannic backbone, that winemaker Thomas Duroux talked about, lending this Palmer a sense of verticality. Hints of black pepper emerge with time, multi-layered, a powerful Margaux and yet the IPT is actually lower than elsewhere (76). Quite linear on the tobacco-infused finish, which is just quintessential Palmer. Do reserve a bin in your cellar for this and let it gather dust for at least a decade. 14.4% alcohol. Drink 2035-2080.
96-98 points
Neal Martin - VinousThe 2022 Palmer is all class. Blackberry, mocha, spice, leather and espresso all meld together in a seamless, elegant Palmer that impresses with its sublime balance. All the elements are impeccably put together throughout. The only thing this is missing is perhaps a touch more energy. Even so, the 2022 is an exceptional Palmer. Yields were a minuscule 22 hectoliters per hectare. Small berries yielded a deep wine that needs time to fully emerge. As has been the case for a few years now, both Palmer and Alter Ego spend a year in small barrel and a second year in wood, a majority of that (65%) in cask. Drink 2032-2062.
98 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousLots of creme de cassis with cedar, dried flowers, blackberries and dark cherries. Opulent and flamboyant. Full-bodied and layered, this grows with plush, velvety tannins that caress every inch of your palate. Extremely long and attractive in the finish. Well-designed in this ripe year. 51% merlot, 45% cabernet sauvignon, and 4% petit verdot. Best after 2029.
98 points
James SucklingThe 2022 Château Palmer is utterly brilliant, so much so that I questioned in my notes if this would challenge the 2018. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, from tiny yields of 22 hectoliters per hectare, its mammoth-sized personality offers layers of blue and black fruits, notes of melted chocolate, crushed stone, and spring flowers, building, velvety tannins, and a great, great finish. While many estates commented that they extracted less in the vintage, Palmer went in a different direction and extracted more during the vinifications to provide a solid backbone to match the concentration and power of the vintage. It appears to have worked brilliantly, and hats off to Thomas Duroux for having the confidence to go his own path. He has produced a truly Grand Vin in 2022. The alcohol here is a normal 14.4%, and the pH is a healthy 3.79.
97-99 points
Jeb DunnuckSharp, energetic, racy and electric. The power and concentration is evident in the dark, rich, concentrated fruit with tannins that grip and take hold with a crushed stone texture, liquorice, graphite, tobacco and cool mint spice. The expression is exceptionally delineated with focus and push from start to finish. Quite bold and charged, but I love the succulence, the perfumed fruit, chalky sensation and overall sense of confidence. In high definition in terms of sharpness and tang to the fruit. A big wine but delivered with poise. 3.79pH. 13% press wine. Harvest took one month from 7 September to 5 October. 70% grand vin, 30% Alter Ego. Drink 2030 - 2050.
97 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterWith a dark, radiating purple, black hue, the wine explodes from the glass with its bouquet of lilacs, violets, roses, white flowers, cinnamon, and clove perfume. The wine is pure silk in texture, blending its salty, minerality with sweetness in the black and red fruits. But here, it its the texture, length, and purity in the fruits that stand out. The elegant, sensuous finish moves from red to black to red, with a refreshing mint note that holds your focus for over 50 seconds. The wine blends 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. 14.4% ABV, 3.79 Ph. The harvest took place September 7 - October 5, making this one of the longer harvests at Palmer. Yields are a scant 22 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2027-2065.
97-99 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2025.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2021 Chateau PalmerMargaux, Bordeaux, FRANCE$760. 00Bottle$9120.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Palmer has been one of the most consistent and highly regarded wines in Bordeaux for many years, and also one with fantastic ageing potential. Situated in Margaux and covering 66 hectares, the vineyard is planted to 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. Soils here are a mix of gravel, clay, and sand. Interestingly their greatest parcel of land that is situated just behind the Chateau was not part of the property at the time of the 1855 classification, and explains in part why Palmer was only granted Third Growth status.
Other Reviews....
The late-ripening, low-yielding vintage has delivered a beautifully balanced wine of striking intensity in the 2021 Palmer. Unwinding in the glass with complex aromas of blackberries, exotic spices, licorice, violets and burning embers, it's full-bodied, layered and enveloping, with a deep, concentrated core of fruit, ripe tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, expansive finish. If recent vintages of Palmer have set new records in their power and richness, the 2021 marks a return to the classical proportions of the 1990s—with all the additional concentration and precision that Thomas Douroux's pioneering viticulture and thoughtful winemaking have brought to the equation at this address in the interim. The grand vin is a blend of 56% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, picked between September 24 and October 15. Tasted twice.
95-97 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)The 2021 Palmer is one of the truly epic wines of the year. It's not the 2018, but it is in that vein, albeit at 13% in alcohol. There's tremendous richness and sheer extract here. Blackberry jam, chocolate, smoke, licorice, lavender and mocha notes possess remarkable primary intensity, more like a young must than a wine with a few months of age. Readers will find a Palmer that offers a compelling mix of opulence and energy. Drink 2031-2061.
94-97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe 2021 Palmer has a discrete bouquet that demands patience. This does not race out of the blocks, rather it unfurls with subtle graphite scents, blackberry, hints of cassis, plus some of the briny aromas that I noticed on the Alter Ego. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins that frame the cedar and graphite infused black fruit. Quite strict for a Palmer, yet fresh with a cerebral, saline finish that is almost Pauillac-like in style despite the majority from old Merlot vines that are situated on some of its finest gravel terroirs. Very long, very suave on the finish. Superb. Drink 2030-2065.
94-96 points
Neal Martin - VinousDeep ruby, garnet in color, the wine shows off its flowers, cocoa, black plum and dark cherry, with a Cuban cigar note coming in at the end of the nose with ease. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh, sweet, poised and vibrant. The wine offers a lush, dark chocolate, plum, currant and coffee bean tinted mid-palate in the vibrant, lifted finish. The wine is blend of 56% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. 13.4% ABV, pH 3.72. Yields were low at a paltry 22 hectoliters per hectare. 55% of the harvest was placed into the Grand Vin. Picking took place September 24 - October 14. Drink from 2028-2055.
94-96 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderPerfumed chocolate cherries with bramble tones on the nose. This has a rich and round mouthfeel, clear structure on show but also with life and lift - a sweet, bright cherry element given definition by strict but fine tannins. You have a really beautiful, delicate opening, quite wide and airy then the depth arrives on the mid palate, with chalky tannins and red fruits coming into play before the spiced liquorice enters on the finish. The texture is striking, velvet-like with layers and a sublime verticality of freshness and minty aeration. It may be less glamourous and overtly plush and seductive than bigger previous vintages but I love the classicism on show - a focus, precision and sophistication. Superb winemaking from Thomas Duroux who successfully navigated the difficult vintage conditions in 2021. Drinking Window 2027 - 2049.
96 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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2020 Chateau PalmerMargaux, Bordeaux, FRANCE$799. 00Bottle$9588.00 DozenCellar: 10 - 30 Years (2033-2053)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkChateau Palmer has been one of the most consistent and highly regarded wines in Bordeaux for many years, and also one with fantastic ageing potential. Situated in Margaux and covering 66 hectares, the vineyard is planted to 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. Soils here are a mix of gravel, clay, and sand. Interestingly their greatest parcel of land that is situated just behind the Chateau was not part of the property at the time of the 1855 classification, and explains in part why Palmer was only granted Third Growth status.
Midnight black dark red heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. The wonderfully perfumed nose offers up intoxicating scents of violets, red currant, red cherry and earth which are complimented by graphite, subtle tobacco, dried herb and spicy cedar notes. Rich red to black currant and liquorice fruits flood the palate with great force yet the overwhelming feeling is one of grace and refinement. Earth, tobacco, dried herb, subtle black olive and spicy cedar elements are ingrained through the back half. A beautiful framework of muscular tannins lend firmness to a long, deeply layered finish that shows remarkable freshness and eloquence.
Cellar 10-30 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews....
Aromas of raspberries, cassis and cherries mingle with hints of violets, raw cocoa and hints of truffle in a perfumed bouquet. The 2020 Palmer is a full-bodied, layered and seamless wine that's deep and concentrated, with a vibrant core of beautifully pure and perfumed fruit, lively acids and ultra-refined tannins. This suave but authoritative Palmer is one of the high points of the vintage. Drink 2027 - 2060.
97 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)The 2020 Palmer is exceptional. Soft, seamless and ample, the Grand Vin caresses the palate with stunning depth and intensity. Super-ripe black cherry, licorice, cloves, menthol and chocolate meld together in the glass. As always, Palmer is made from blocks on gravelly/clay soils (as opposed to the more gravelly/sandy soils for Alter Ego) which gives the wines the breadth and creaminess to match its exotic personality. There is a restrained exuberance here that is so appealing. Drink 2030-2060.
98 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousGreat aromas of blackcurrants, black truffles, blueberries, lead pencil and hints of cedar. Full-bodied and powerful with fantastic tannin backbone giving it great length and power. Muscular. Toned. Flexing. This needs time. Best after 2028.
98 points
James SucklingThe flagship 2020 Château Palmer checks in as 48% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot that's aged one year in 50-60% new barrels before moving to foudre. It's another ripe, sexy, yet incredibly pure wine from this team offering loads of black and blue fruits, some iris flower, spice, iron, and obvious mineral nuances, full-bodied richness, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It's easily one of the most opulent, sexiest wines from the Médoc, and while it's already just about impossible to resist, it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40+ years.
97 points
Jeb DunnuckAn irresistible wine from Palmer in 2020, sumptuous and voluptuous, open and appealing yet with all the elements so very carefully set in their place. Rich and evocative on the nose, dark and brooding with softly perfumed violet and rose aromas but it’s the texture that captivates on the palate with soft and seductive velvety tannins that immediately expand in the mouth giving power but also refinement. Mouthwatering and juicy but rich at the same time, so approachable you could drink this right now and just marvel in its nuance, structure and ease - and the oak integration is seamless. I love the liquorice bite and chalky sensation alongside vibrant black fruit though a sense of heat and menthol, liquorice freshness at the finish reminds you this is a serious wine that is built to last. This really carries the Margaux beauty and charm. A long life ahead but once opened this will disappear out of the bottle instantaneously. Drink 2028 - 2059.
98 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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2022 Chateau Pape Clement Pre-Arrival OfferPessac Leognan, Bordeaux, FRANCE$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenClosure: CorkNamed after its most famous owner, Pope Clement V, Chateau Pape Clement in Pessac Leognan makes both red and white wine from their 32.5 hectare vineyard. Vineyards for the red wine is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, while the soils here are a complex mix of gravel and clay over a base of clay, limestone and sandstone. Maturation takes place in 100% new French oak, and while Bernard Magrez has refined the style since taking over winemaking duties the wines are still rich and lush in style with a concentration of ripe fruit.
Other Reviews....
The 2022 Pape Clément is a classy, elegant wine. Soaring aromatics open first. On the palate, the 2022 is vibrant and explosive, with terrific depth and exceptional balance. Today's wines here are simply striking because of their energy and verve. Those qualities help make Pape Clément one of the most changed wines in Bordeaux over the last decade or so. Red/purplish fruit, blood orange, cinnamon, new leather and sage are some of the many notes that linger on the sustained finish. The 2022 is a superb Pape Clément. Tasted three times. Drink 2028-2047.
97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis is a very structured 2022 with powerful tannins that run the length of the wine. Yet it’s perfumed and fresh with flowers and subtle undertones of stone. Pure. It’s full but not heavy with backbone and structure. Lots of crushed stone and currants. One of the most transparent you Pape’s I have tasted. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet sauvignon.
97-98 points
James SucklingA full-bodied, concentrated, awesome Pessac, the 2022 Château Pape Clément offers up loads of spiced red and black fruits, some leafy tobacco, gravelly earth, and graphite aromatics, building, ripe, polished tannins, and a stacked mid-palate. Beautifully done, with remarkable purity and a great finish, it's going to rank with the crème de la crème of the vintage and is well worth seeking out.
96-98+ points
Jeb DunnuckFocussed and charming, good weight and depth, the tannins come into play almost straight away coating the mouth in fine but plump, fleshy black fruit with cool blue fruit touches and high acidity giving a different, lighter nuance. Well made, with good definition. Not as lively as some, but has supreme complexity and shine, everything feels well worked with touches of oak, liquorice spice and clove that dot the palate. Strong and serious but confident and controlled. A thoroughbred. Tightly knitted but still showing glamour. Harvest 7-27 September. Bee friendly, HVE3 certified. Celebrating 770 vintages in 2022. Michel Rolland and Julien Viaud consultants. Drink 2025 - 2045.
95 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterDark, almost opaque in color, the wine grabs your attention with its showy display of flowers, cinnamon, chocolate, spice, tobacco, blackberries, and black cherries in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is rich, lush, sweet, deep, and intense. There is a wealth of flavor in the black cherries, white pepper, dark chocolate, and espresso on the palate. The endnote sticks for almost 50 seconds, delivering a peppery, orange rind, refreshing note in the finish. The wine blends 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14% ABV, 3.6 pH. The harvest took place September 7 - September 28. Yields were 35 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2026-2055.
96-98 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2025.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2021 Chateau Pape ClementPessac Leognan, Bordeaux, FRANCE$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenClosure: CorkNamed after its most famous owner, Pope Clement V, Chateau Pape Clement in Pessac Leognan makes both red and white wine from their 32.5 hectare vineyard. Vineyards for the red wine is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, while the soils here are a complex mix of gravel and clay over a base of clay, limestone and sandstone. Maturation takes place in 100% new French oak, and while Bernard Magrez has refined the style since taking over winemaking duties the wines are still rich and lush in style with a concentration of ripe fruit.
Other Reviews....
The 2021 Pape Clément exhibits notions of sweet berries and cherries mingled with rich aromas of espresso roast, black truffles, toasty new oak and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, deep and quite extracted in style, it's a rich, fleshy wine that gained in integration and harmony over the the three weeks I spent in Bordeaux. Tasted three times.
91-94 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)The 2021 Pape Clément is a very elegant, polished wine. Crushed flowers, red cherry fruit, blood orange, menthol and spice all grace this wonderfully layered, expressive vintage of Pape Clément. Pretty floral top notes add freshness and vivacity. The more laid-back house style these days is so appealing. Drink 2031-2051.
94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis is really polished and beautiful with very fine tannins that caress your palate. Medium body. Refined. Currant, chocolate, hazelnut and black walnut. Some mushroom. Very complex and subtle. Drinkable now but better in a couple of years.
95 points
James SucklingThe 2021 Château Pape Clément checks in as a blend of 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, and splashes of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc that was brought up in barrels and tuns. Its deeper ruby/plum hue is followed by a beautifully layered, round, medium-bodied Péssac offering ripe black cherry and currant-driven fruit, some textbook scorched earth and tobacco notes, a round, layered, expansive mouthfeel, and ripe yet integrated tannins. It's one of the gems from Péssac that will shine for 15 years. Drink 2024-2039.
93 points
Jeb DunnuckConcentrated and intense nose with subtle violet and perfume flecks. Quite chewy and grippy on the palate, this has more of a chunky frame than many others with mouthwatering acidity, plush tannins and a good dose of strawberry, blackcurrant and black cherry fruit edged by eucalyptus and liquorice. You get the liveliness but also the density and the gentle power and I love the minerality at the end, a touch of salinity as well as cedar, clove, bitter dark chocolate and slate. You've got a lot going on with this wine and it's one of the more confident wines from the Bernard Magrez stable in the vintage. This could be very excellent. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Tasted twice. Drinking Window 2025 - 2045.
94 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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2020 Chateau Pape ClementPessac Leognan, Bordeaux, FRANCE$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenClosure: CorkNamed after its most famous owner, Pope Clement V, Chateau Pape Clement in Pessac Leognan makes both red and white wine from their 32.5 hectare vineyard. Vineyards for the red wine is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, while the soils here are a complex mix of gravel and clay over a base of clay, limestone and sandstone. Maturation takes place in 100% new French oak, and while Bernard Magrez has refined the style since taking over winemaking duties the wines are still rich and lush in style with a concentration of ripe fruit.
Other Reviews....
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Pape Clement comes barreling out of the glass with bold notes of cassis, plum preserves and licorice, giving way to scents of cedar chest, crushed rocks, charcoal and pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly coiled with beautiful tension and a firm, finely grained texture locking in the layers of black fruits and minerals, finishing with great length and energy. The blend this year is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, aging mainly in French oak barriques, 66% new, with about 10% aging in large oak foudres. The wine will spend approximately 18 months in barrels.
96-98 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (May 2021)The 2020 Pape Clément, which I afforded an hour’s aeration, has a very precise bouquet of pure blackberry, cedar, mint and violet aromas, quite discreet but paradoxically intense; these aromas are very seductive. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, lithe tannins framing wonderfully pure black fruit laced with crushed stone and a judicious touch of white pepper. Seamless in texture, this is a sophisticated Pape Clément in the making, an outstanding wine that should age brilliantly in bottle.
95-97 points
Neal Martin - VinousSuperb aromas of blackberries, crushed stones, iodine and graphite. Full-bodied with ultra fine tannins and a balanced finish. Such length and beauty. Very close to the 2019 in quality.
97-98 points
James SucklingRanking with the top wines of the vintage, the dense purple-hued 2020 Château Pape Clement offers a sensational bouquet of pure crème de cassis interwoven with notes of liquid violets and classy oak. Possessing flawless balance, full-bodied richness, and ultra-fine tannins, it excels in this vintage and has a pretty, elegant, yet also layered and concentrated profile. It will drink well with just short-term cellaring yet evolve gracefully for 20-30 years. I was able to taste this on multiple occasions, and it always checked in near the upper end of the scale. This is a gorgeous wine in the making.
97-99 points
Jeb Dunnuck -
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2017 Chateau Pape ClementPessac Leognan, Bordeaux, FRANCE$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenClosure: CorkNamed after its most famous owner, Pope Clement V, Chateau Pape Clement in Pessac Leognan makes both red and white wine from their 32.5 hectare vineyard. Vineyards for the red wine is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, while the soils here are a complex mix of gravel and clay over a base of clay, limestone and sandstone. Maturation takes place in 100% new French oak, and while Bernard Magrez has refined the style since taking over winemaking duties the wines are still rich and lush in style with a concentration of ripe fruit.
Other Reviews....
The current blend of the 2017 Pape Clement is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of crushed black cherries, black raspberries and mulberries with hints of lilacs and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied with a firm, grainy frame and wonderful freshness, it possesses great elegance and effortless intensity with a mineral-tinged finish.
92-94 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate #236 (April 2018)This has solid ripeness, with plum and cassis notes flowing through, along with an ambitious oak regimen that results in ample toasted vanilla hints. This clamps down a touch on the finish, but there’s good purity and freshness, with fresh acidity buried within, leaving me optimistic.—J.M.
91-94 points
Wine SpectatorThis is very dense for the vintage on the center palate and then rolls out on the palate. Full-bodied, tight and tannic. Very polished and refined at the end. Precise. A little more cabernet sauvignon in the blend gives this the tension.
95-96 points
James SucklingThis is a hugely dense, extracted wine, possibly too much so, displaying a hard edge that smothers the ripe fruit. Giving it the benefit of the doubt, it certainly will not be drinkable before 2024.
90-92 points
Wine EnthusiastThe 2017 Pape Clément was not touched by the frost and was picked from 15 September to 3 October, manually de-stemmed berry by berry with some of the ripe stems added back into the blend (like Les Carmes Haut-Brion down the road). Malolactic is done in barrel where it aged for 18 months. It offers intense black cherry, raspberry, fig and sous-bois scents on the nose, tightly coiled at the moment with just a hint of cedar and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, a mixture of red and black fruit, touches of cedar and white pepper, leading to a structured and fresh finish that leaves a spicy aftertaste. Classic in style, this Pape Clément will benefit from several years in bottle.
92-94 points
Neal Martin - VinousThe 2017 Pape Clément is fabulous. One of the rare 2017s with a real sense of structure, Pape Clément possesses dazzling intensity from start to finish. A rush of dark cherry, plum, chocolate and grilled herb notes hits the palate as this majestic, towering wine shows off its personality. Time in the glass brings out a brighter and more floral set of flavors. The 2017 is the first vintage made with a portion of whole clusters, an inspiration Bernard Magrez takes from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where he recently bought a small property. Quite simply, the 2017 Pape Clément is a magnificent wine by any measure. Don't miss it. The only problem with the 2017 is that yields are down 40% because of frost.
94-97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe Grand Vin 2017 Château Pape Clément is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot still aging in 60% new French oak. Harvest ran from the 15th of September to the 3rd of October, and I was able to taste this beauty on three separate occasions. Its deep purple color is followed by a blockbuster bouquet of ripe black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, graphite, and licorice. One of the more powerful, concentrated wines in the vintage, this medium to full-bodied effort has terrific purity of fruit, a mouthfilling texture, and present, ripe tannin. Too many 2017s lack excitement, but that’s not the case here. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 15+ years.
94-96 points
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2021 Chateau PavieSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$749. 00Bottle$8988.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Pavie is the largest and most technically advanced of the Grand Cru Classe A properties in Saint-Emilion, but also the most polarising. From the flashy new Chateau and guest reception area, to the opulent, rich and saturated wines, Chateau Pavie continues to divide opinion. What is clear though is since Gerard Perse bought the property in 1998 his efforts to replant the vineyard and renew the winemaking facilities (twice!) have resulted in some of the best wines in their history.
Today the 42 hectare vineyard is one contiguous block, a rarity in Bordeaux, and is planted to 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Soil profiles vary across this large area, but the best plots are behind the Chateau on deep, rich limestone and clay.
Other Reviews....
The 2021 Pavie is a wine of tremendous potential. Naturally, it shows the more mid-weight style of the year and yet there is plenty of depth as well as energy that starts to emerge with a bit of time in the glass. Bright saline notes shape the wine while extending the finish and adding so much drive. The 2021 is shaping up to be a very special wine. All it needs is time. Drink 2031-2061.
95-97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe 2021 Pavie was picked at 33hL/ha from 28 September until 12 October and matured in 75% new oak, the rest one-year. Team Pavie decided to wait to pick the Cabernet until after the rains just prior to harvest. This is clean and precise on the nose, the Cabernet components (48% of the blend) imparting graphite and light cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins that frame layered limestone-infused black fruit, quite vibrant and conveying a sense of energy towards the finish. This has the most persistency of Gérard Perse's wines, and whilst I do not hold it up as the greatest Pavie in recent years, it is clearly top of the tree among his portfolio this year. Superb. 14.14% alcohol. Drink 2026-2060.
93-95 points
Neal Martin - VinousDeep black and blue fruit with cocoa and tar character. Compact and full-bodied with firm, ripe tannins that are very textured and interwoven into the wine. This has a lot of structure to go a long way. Yet it remains in balance with finesse. 52% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 18% cabernet sauvignon.
95-96 points
James SucklingOne of the darkest colored wines of the vintage, the wine kicks off with black, blue and dark red fruit. Spicy, long, and fresh, with strong oceanic influences, espresso, chocolate, flowers, herbs and salty, wild cherries in the perfume. The wine has equal amounts of richness, freshness, length and energy, with a finish that showcases its deep, limestone soils. There is tension and ample dark, red fruits that carry through to the endnote. The wine blends 52% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.14% ABV pH 3.67. Harvesting took place September 28 - October 12. The lateness of vintage is due to waiting for the Cabernets to ripen, which was a key to wines success. Drink from 2028-2060.
94-96 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider -
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2020 Chateau PavieSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$850. 00Bottle$10200.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Pavie is the largest and most technically advanced of the Grand Cru Classe A properties in Saint-Emilion, but also the most polarising. From the flashy new Chateau and guest reception area, to the opulent, rich and saturated wines, Chateau Pavie continues to divide opinion. What is clear though is since Gerard Perse bought the property in 1998 his efforts to replant the vineyard and renew the winemaking facilities (twice!) have resulted in some of the best wines in their history.
Today the 42 hectare vineyard is one contiguous block, a rarity in Bordeaux, and is planted to 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Soil profiles vary across this large area, but the best plots are behind the Chateau on deep, rich limestone and clay.
Other Reviews....
Composed of 50% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 Pavie weighs in with an alcohol of 14.82% and a pH of 3.61. It is aging in French oak barriques, 75% new. Opaque purple-black colored, notes of plum pudding, blueberry pie and dark chocolate-covered cherries charge out of the gate, followed closely by hints of eucalyptus, star anise, unsmoked cigars and fertile loam with a hint of cedar chest. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, offering very firm yet wonderfully ripe, velvety tannins and seamless freshness to support the densely laden, muscular black and blue fruits, finishing very long and with loads of mineral-laced layers. As hedonic as it is cerebral this year, it is a beautiful paradox.
97-99 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (May 2021)The 2020 Pavie is very clearly one of the wines of the year. Rich, inky and wonderfully vibrant, it pulses with energy from start to finish. All the elements are well balanced. Soaring Cabernet Franc aromatics lead into a core of finely knit yet deep fruit in a wine that feels endless. Harvest for the reds started on September 17, paused briefly during some rain on the 25th and 26th, and then wrapped up by the end of the month. The blend is 50% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, so more Cabernets than in the past, the result of a large replanting program that began in the early 2000s. A real head-turner. Magnificent!
97-99 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe aromas are already exceptional, showing crushed-stone, limestone and salt character to the dark fruit and bark. It’s full-bodied, yet agile. Floats on the palate, then kicks in with loads of ultra fine tannins. The intensity and verve of this wine promises true greatness.
99-100 points
James SucklingA wine that’s going to flirt with perfection, the 2020 Château Pavie is another magical wine from the genius of Gerard Perse and is 50% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, brought up in 75% new French oak. The style here has unquestionably shifted from the blockbuster style of the 2000, 2005, 2009, and 2010 to a more elegant, refined style today that still brings plenty of fruit yet certainly stays more focused and precise. Is the new style better? I’m not sure, and there are certainly times I miss the opulence and decadence of the old style. Nevertheless, the wines today are magical Saint-Emilion that still show a rare mix of power and elegance. The 2020 is full-bodied and beautifully concentrated on the palate, offering a mouthful of cassis, black cherry, and mulberry fruits as well as a liqueur of rocks-like minerality, leafy herbs, and truffly earth. It doesn’t lack structure and has silky, polished tannins and flawless balance. Give bottles at least 7-8 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 3+ decades.
96-98 points
Jeb DunnuckAphotic ink with purple accents in color, the intense sensation of crushed rocks and stones, flowers, licorice, truffle, wet forest, smoke, plums, black and blue fruits with oceanic smells captivate your interest. Full-bodied, concentrated, lush and palate-staining, with all its depth of flavor, the wine remains light on its feet. The fruit coats your palate with layers of opulent, sensuous, salty fruits that hold on to you for at least 60 seconds. Leave this in the cellar for 12-15 years and enjoy the thrills for the next 3 decades. The wine blends 50% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.82% ABV pH 3.61. Harvesting took place September 21 - September 30. Yields were low at 31 hectoliters per hectare.
98-100 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider -
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2024 Chateau Pavie Macquin Pre-Arrival OfferSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$125. 00Bottle$1500.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2024 Pavie Macquin offers up attractive aromas of raspberries, violets, rose petals and spices, framed by a discreet 45% new oak. Medium to full-bodied, ample and pure, it's built around a tangy, somewhat assertive spine of acidity that lends this wine an angular, edgy profile. Of course, that may integrate with additional élevage.
88-90 points
William Kelley - Wine AdvocateThe 2024 Pavie Macquin is positively gorgeous. Silky, layered and voluptuous, the 2024 is so impressive right out of the gate. Plush contours wrap around a core of purplish fruit, lavender, licorice, spice, menthol and chocolate. All the signatures of this site come through loud and clear. Savory and floral notes supported by clean veins of salinity extend the persistent finish. Pavie Macquin shows what was possible in 2024. The choice to harvest everything in October (from the 3rd to the 8th) paid off big time. Aging is in French oak, with about 15% in larger 500-liter barrels, 45% new wood overall. Tasted three times. Drink 2034-2054.
94-96 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousWhat a bright, racy wine showing beautiful chalky tannins and mid-palate fruit of good density. Minerally, with blue and red fruit. Taut on the palate, with a medium to full body supported by tense, chalky tannins. The long and really succulent finish goes on for a while. Precise. 84% merlot, 15% cabernet franc and 1% cabernet sauvignon.
96-97 points
Zekun Shuai - JamesSuckling.comIncorporating slightly less Cabernet Franc than usual, the 2024 Château Pavie Macquin checks in as 84% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, resting in 40% new barrels, with 10% in larger barrels. It has a classic Pavie Macquin nose of dark cherries, cassis, graphite, and spring flowers, with a subtle, cooler-toned edge that always seems to come through from this terroir. This carries to a medium-bodied Saint-Émilion with a focused, nicely structured, balanced mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and juicy acidity that carries through the finish. It's a beautiful, vibrant 2024 and one of the few in the vintage that's going to really benefit from bottle age. Tasted multiple times with consistent results.
92-94 points
Jeb DunnuckConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
There is no minimum order unless stated.
All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2027.
Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
Errors and omissions excepted.
Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page.
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2021 Chateau Pavie MacquinSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$189. 99Bottle$2279.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
Another success in this challenging year is the 2021 Pavie Macquin, a promising effort that offers up aromas of sweet berries, Indian spices, licorice and bay leaf. Medium to full-bodied, layered and incisive, it's a tensile, tightly wound wine that's concentrated and penetrating, concluding with a mineral finish. Its low pH profile means that this is always an estate that gains a lot from élevage, but even at this early stage, it's clear that this has excellent potential.
93-95 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)The 2021 Pavie Macquin is a rich, heady wine, as it typically is. Dark red fruit, leather, smoke, licorice, mocha and espresso build nicely in the glass. The tannins are a bit firmer than they usually are, but there's plenty of creaminess and texture lurking beneath. The 2021 needs time to fully come together. In some tastings it was a bit austere, while in other moments, the trademark Pavie-Macquin sensuality was more in evidence. Tasted three times. Drink 2031-2046.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe 2021 Pavie Macquin was picked from 4 to 19 October at 37hL/ha, the Grand Vin representing around 80% of the crop. Matured in 50% new oak, it clearly has the most fruit concentration amongst Nicolas Thienpont's portfolio with black cherries, blueberry and bilberry fruit, just a faint touch of orange rind in the background. The palate is fresh and well-structured on the entry, insistent grip and a pleasant seam of sapidity running through this Saint-Émilion. More "vertical" than usual, this is nicely focused with a delineated, quite mineral-driven finish that showcases its asteriated limestone terroir. Excellent. Drink 2029-2055.
92-94 points
Neal Martin - VinousLots of blackberry and inky character to this year. Always refined and polished with lovely length and medium body. 79% merlot, 19% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon.
94-95 points
James SucklingTasted on multiple occasions, the 2021 Château Pavie Macquin is a more forward, textured, charming wine from this estate that still has plenty of classic Pavie Macquin class, freshness, and minerality, which is the hallmark of this terroir. Coming from a cooler site just above Château Pavie, the 2021 is a blend of 79% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, from a selection of 80% of the production. Harvest here started on the 4th of October for the Merlot and finished on the 19th of October for the Cabernet, and the wine spent 30-35 days on skins in a mix of open top wood and concrete tanks and is currently resting in 50% new French oak barrels. Its deep purple hue is followed by terrific aromatics of blue fruits, violets, and chalky minerality, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, rounded tannins, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This cuvée always needs bottle age, but I suspect this will be one of the more approachable vintages for this wine.
93-95 points
Jeb DunnuckFlowers, plums, espresso, licorice, and dark cherries with a touch of leafy herbs are in the nose. The wine is fresh, bright, crisp, and with a salty, savory, olive-tinted edge on the palate, as well as in the mineral driven finish. Give the wine a few years in the cellar to soften and fill out. The wine was produced from blending 79% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13.5% ABV. The harvest took place October 4 - October 19. Drink from 2026-2043.
92-94 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderBramble, coffee and caramel notes on the nose. Juicy and vibrant on the palate, this has a gentle coursing of strawberry and blackcurrant fruit with blackcurrant leaf giving a savoury, almost herbal edge, while the crushed stone and slate bring in minerality and salinity on the finish. Detailed and nuanced - I like the overall texture, there is grip and aromatic interest with density, chew and a gorgeous core of acidity that keeps things playful and joyous. Supremely alive and thriving on the palate with a persistence that doesn't let up. I love this and think it will be excellent after ageing. Tasted twice. Drinking Window 2025 - 2045.
94 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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2023 Chateau Peby Faugeres Pre-Arrival OfferSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$285. 00Bottle$3420.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2023 Péby-Faugères, 100% Merlot, is a powerful, explosive wine. Inky dark fruit, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice, truffle and sweet scents of new French oak soar out of the glass. In 2023, Péby-Faugères offers a beguiling mix of dense fruit, captivating inner sweetness and bright acids. The aromatics aren't totally focused just yet, but there is potential here. Tasted two times. Drink 2030-2048.
92-95 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousAn eye-opener. This really takes off at the end, with blackberry, tapenade, chocolate powder and cedar. It’s full-bodied and tight with solid tannins that are fine and less velvety than previous vintages. Less new wood than in the past. Crunchy. 100% merlot.
97-98 points
James SucklingThe flagship from this brilliant estate, the 2023 Château Péby Faugères comes from the eastern side of the appellation and is all Merlot, raised in plenty of new barrels. Its deep purple hue is followed by powerful aromatics of red and blue fruits, graphite, candied violets, and spicy wood. With full-bodied richness, a plush, expressive, opulent style, and gorgeous tannins, it certainly makes the most of the vintage and is for those who love ripe, seamless, sexy wines that deliver incredible pleasure.
94-96 points
Jeb DunnuckSmoke, truffle, crushed rocks, licorice, chocolate, black cherries, espresso, and blackberries are everywhere here, in the nose, and on the palate. The wine is concentrated, lush, creamy, polished, dark, and deep. One of the more opulent wines of the vintage, the finish lingers with its layers of fruit. The amount of oak used used in the aging process has declined, which is a good thing here, allowing the fruit to show more purity, and freshness. The wine is produced from 100% old vine Merlot. Harvesting took place September 8. Drink from 2029-2050.
95-97 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2022 Chateau Peby Faugeres Pre-Arrival OfferSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$365. 00Bottle$4380.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2022 Peby Faugères, 100% Merlot, is a rich, heady wine. A blast of black cherry, plum, lavender, licorice, sage, grilled herbs and menthol stains the palate. This sumptuous, explosive Saint-Émilion packs a pretty serious punch. There's a lot of wine here. This is a gorgeous, stylish offering from Silvio Denz. Drink 2030-2052.
96 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis is very powerful and rich, with layers of fruit and loads of fine tannins that are silky and caressing, reminiscent of Napa. It's full and intense with plums, chocolate and lots of redcurrants. This is a wine that harks back to the early 2000s. Juicy and flavorful. Pure merlot. Best after 2028.
94 points
James SucklingThe 2022 Château Péby Faugères is a bold, full-bodied effort showcasing ripe red, blue, and black fruits, chocolate, and graphite-driven aromas and flavors. A spicy saddle leather nuance adds complexity to this lush and weightless effort, and it brings a fruit bomb-like style while still holding everything together nicely. Brought up in plenty of new wood (beautifully integrated), it will evolve well for 20+ years. Drink 2025-2045.
95 points
Jeb DunnuckConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2025.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2022 Chateau Pegau Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee SetierCotes du Rhone Villages, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkRich and chewy finishing firmly tannic and rustic yet long.
Château Pegau is Laurence and Paul Féraud’s 60 hectare estate, located in Sorgues, less than 6 km from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines regularly over deliver, showcasing the estate’s excellent terroir, with the unmistakable imprint of Pegau. Made by Laurence Feraud in the recently built cellar at the estate, the Cuvee Setier is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mouvèdre & 20% Syrah.
Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Lifted black raspberry and liquorice aromas are complimented by leather, black cherry, scorched earth and peppered dried herb notes. Rich and chewy, the palate features black raspberry and liquorice fruits framed by muscular tannins. Scorched earth, leather, dried herb and peppered meat elements extend across the back half which also picks up a grippy feel. Finishes firmly tannic and rustic yet long.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews....
Roughly the same blend as the 2021—60% Grenache and 20% each Mourvèdre and Syrah—the 2022 Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Setier is more perfumed and more concentrated, with floral, violet-like notes joining hints of roasted meat, road tar and dark, plummy fruit. Full-bodied and velvety, it should drink well for at least a decade. Drink 2024-2033.
91-93 points
Joe Czerwinski - Wine Advocate (May 17, 2024)A dense, well-structured and focus Cotes-du-Rhone Villages with aromas of dark berries, grilled meat, stones and wild herbs with some baking spices. Medium-bodied with chalky tannins. Textural and slightly chewy on the palate, with focus and a serious character. Well built with a firm finish. 60% grenache, 20% syrah and 20% mourvedre. Drink or hold.
92 points
James SucklingThe 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Cuvee Setier checks in as 60% Grenache and 20% each Syrah and Mourvèdre. It's a slightly more concentrated, richer wine than the Côtes Du Rhône and has a beautiful sense of purity in its smoky black fruits, ground pepper, and crushed stone. Rich, tannic, medium-bodied, and concentrated, it’s going to need a year or two.
91+ points
Jeb Dunnuck -
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2022 Chateau Pegau Cotes du Rhone Cuvee MacluraCotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkRich and exuberantly fruited with muscular tannins and a long chewy conclusion.
A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault. Deep dark red black tinged colour with a dark red hue. Intense black cherry, liquorice and blackberry aromas waft from the glass followed by some black raspberry, scorched earth and peppered dried herb notes. Rich exuberant black raspberry, liquorice and black cherry fruits fully encompass the mouth. Superb concentration and power with the wonderfully deep fruit profile framed by muscular tannins. Infusions of herbs du Provence, scorched earth and peppered meats the undercard. Concludes long, opulent and chewy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews....
A solid, driven and nicely made Cotes-du-Rhone blend of 60% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 10% cinsault, showing aromas of sweet cherries, raspberries and sweet spices. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Well-built and sophisticated, this has a vivid, peppery and focused finish. Drink now.
93 points
JamesSuckling.comStill in tank last summer, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Maclura boasts charming layers of blueberries, raspberries and black cherries. A blend of approximately 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% each Cinsault and Mourvèdre, it's full-bodied and nicely concentrated, with a taut feel on the palate and a long, dusty finish. Drink 2024-2030.
90-92 points
Joe Czerwinski - Wine Advocate (May 17, 2024)I loved the 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Cuvée Maclura, which would be one heck of a great house red. Spicy red and black fruits, peppery garrigue, leather, and herbes de Provence all give way to a medium-bodied, supple, nicely textured, savory, focused red that’s absolutely loaded with character.
92 points
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- Reduced
2023 Chateau Pegau Pink Pegau RoseSouthern Rhone, FRANCEReduced from $24.99$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now (2025)ABV: 11.5%Closure: CorkA dry, tangy French Rose – Drink up.
The Chateau Pegau releases come from estates located just across the southern border of Chateauneuf du Pape, along the eastern bank of the Rhone River. The wines are made by Laurence Feraud in Pegau's recently completed new cellar at the estate. Sourced from vines between 35-60 years in age it's produced from a blend of 70% Cinsault, 20% Grenache, and 10% Carignan.
Salmon orange tinged colour. Peach, blood orange, spiced pear and strawberry scents sail through the nostrils with whiffs of wet slate also evident. On the palate peach and blood orange fruits are underpinned by tangy acidity with some nectarine, spicy melon and wet stone elements lingering through the back half. Nicely rounded mid palate finishing dry with a tangy blood orange freshness.
Drink now.
Alc. 11.5%
Other Reviews....
A dangerously refreshing rosé from the Southern Rhone with a rare elegance for this category. Very crisp and precise finish that takes your breath away and pulls you back for more. Subtle nose of nectarines and red berries. A pure cinsault with just 11.5% alcohol. Drink now.
92 points
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2020 Chateau Pegau Cotes du Rhone Cuvee MacluraCotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2023-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkA blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault. Deep dark red colour with a dark red hue. Pronounced ripe black raspberry and liquorice aromas mix with black cherries, scorched earth and peppered herb notes. Lush black cherry and liquorice fruits are delivered with terrific richness, backed by a ripe chewy tannin structure. Lingering in the background are scorched earth, peppered dried herb and subtle leather characters. Grippy mouthfeel. Excellent depth with a robust yet generously endowed conclusion.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
A pretty complex nose of cherries, berries, dried herbs, cola and baking spices. It’s medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. Round and juicy with a bright core of cherries and some chocolate undertones towards the finish. Balanced and delicious with a vivid finish. Drink or hold.
92 points
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2023 Chateau Phelan Segur Pre-Arrival OfferSaint Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2023 Phélan Ségur offers up aromas of cassis, dark berries, licorice and toasty new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and nicely concentrated palate with plenty of powdery structuring tannin and good length on the finish. It's a strong effort.
91-93 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)The 2023 Phélan Ségur was picked September 18 to October 11 at 52hL/ha and matured in 55% new oak. This has a very pure bouquet. You can actually tell that there is less SO2 being employed here since it displays that strong crushed strawberry fruit, almost confit-like character, turning more floral with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins. This is very well balanced, though not a Phélan Ségur laden with huge concentration (the analytical alcohol is a more restrained 13.54%). There is just a touch of balsamic that perks up the finish, while graphite notes join the chorus line toward the close. Quite an "involving" wine in the cards, this will be fascinating to revisit once in bottle. Drink 2029-2045.
92-94 points
Neal Martin - VinousThe 2023 Phélan Ségur is a powerful, brooding wine. Black cherry, plum, gravel, incense, licorice, dried herbs, lavender and mocha infuse the 2023 with striking complexity. Persistent saline notes lend energy, dimension and shape. The Cabernet Sauvignon really screams with intensity here. Tasted two times. Drink 2028-2043.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe polish and intensity of this wine is beautiful for the vintage, with blackcurrant, lead pencil and light chocolate character. It’s medium- to full-bodied with well-integrated fruit and tannins, and a long finish. Velvet texture. Excellent potential. Fermented from selected yeast from the various parcels. 58% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 1.5% petit verdot, and 1.5% cabernet franc. Let’s see which is better in the end, 2022 or 2023.
96-97 points
James SucklingThe Grand Vin 2023 Château Phelan Ségur checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. It too is deep ruby purple-hued and offers a brilliant nose of pure cassis, sappy tobacco, flowers, and hints of leather. It's medium to full-bodied, brings good mid-palate concentration, and has integrated tannins and acidity, as well as outstanding length. It's a beautiful, concentrated, elegant 2023 with tons to love. Tasted multiple times, with one sample rating 95, but I'm being conservative with the rating. This has terrific potential.
92-94 points
Jeb DunnuckAn excellent Phélan. Darkly fragrant, herbal and softly floral with blackcurrant, red cherry and coffee bean accents. Smooth and supple, gorgeous approachability in the juiciness and sense of life. So easy to enjoy this, cool and classic scents of blue fruits and crisp red fruit. Layered, clean and finessed. Svelte, not much muscle but there’s underlying power in the long finish with hints of mint. Extremely balanced and juicy, with a touch of sweetness and freshness and then the cleaning minerality comes through giving a powdery soft ending with elements of wet stone and graphite. Very St-Estephe and very successful. 52hl/ha yield. 60% grand vin, 40% second wine. Two thirds of the wine is vinified with with indigenous yeasts to give more terroir identity. Longest harvest ever at the estate, beginning on September 18 until October 11. 1.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Drink 2028 - 2045.
95 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterFlowers, black raspberries, cherries, mint, and Asian spices fill the nose. There is richness, freshness, balance, and complexity. The wine finishes with minerality, red berries, and a touch of minty, chalk on the back end. This should be quite nice shortly after release. Drink from 2027-2047.
92-94 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2023 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Pre-Arrival OfferPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$320. 00Bottle$3840.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Pichon-Longueville Baron was formed when Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville finally passed in 1850 after managing the large estate for 70 years, dividing it amongst his children. Two fifths of the estate went to his two sons and became Pichon Baron as we know it today, while three fifths went to his three daughters and became Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. While the 73 hectare estate is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the last two varietals are used exclusively on the second wine; Les Tourelles de Longueville. Annual production is around 18,000 cases.
Other Reviews....
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, the 2023 Pichon-Longueville Baron is a terrific effort from this estate, unwinding in the glass with aromas of crème de cassis, dark berries, pencil shavings, cigar wrapper, violets and burning embers. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, it's deep and concentrated, with sweet structuring tannins and a long, resonant finish. The charm and vibrancy of the vintage lends this considerable appeal, without effacing Pichon Baron's more serious, Cabernet-driven personality.
95-97 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)The 2023 Pichon Baron is stellar. It is another wine in this lineup that impresses with its finesse and nobility. Dark and enveloping, with terrific freshness, this Grand Vin is so expressive. The 2023 is an understated, wonderfully refined Pichon Baron. Dark fruit, violet and mocha build into the resonant finish. Drink 2033-2063.
95-97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe 2023 Pichon Baron was picked September 12 until October 4 and matured in 70% new oak. Now, this is a conspicuous level up over the Les Griffons. Perhaps the quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon, comprising 80% of the blend, exaggerates the difference between the two cuvées. It seems to gain intensity with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins that frame the graphite-infused black fruit. It’s very focused, fresh and quite sapid in the mouth, with a subtle strictness that codifies this as Pichon Baron. The 2023 is a quintessential Pauillac that will age gracefully over the next 30 or 40 years. It reminds me a little of the 2019. Classic "P.B." Drink 2029-2060.
94-96 points
Neal Martin - VinousThe freshness and brightness of the blackcurrant and orange-peel fruit give a real al-dente feel. Some stone and spice underneath. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a refined finish. A PB with tight, linear tannins. 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot.
96-97 points
James SucklingThe Grand Vin 2023 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron checks in as a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, raised in 70% new French oak, with the balance in once-used oak. Cassis, black raspberries, spice oak, graphite, and almost a bloody, salty, incredibly mineral character are followed by a medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, and concentrated red, with a deep purple hue, nicely integrated acidity, and beautiful yet building tannins.
95-97 points
Jeb DunnuckPerfumed nose, fragrant and so scented, a touch of blackcurrant leaf, plum, graphite and dark chocolate. Silky soft, bright and so delicately presented. Crunchy and crisp red fruits and ripe black fruits with some spiced undercurrents and wet stone touches. Much lighter in terms of fruit profile than some - summer berries, tangy and vibrant with super fine tannins giving the structure and support. This has finesse and power - less plushness and richness than last year of course - it’s more sleek and straight, firm and controlled but still has width and layers of flavour and texture. Refined, and definitely cool. ‘Classicism’ with no overt heat on offer. I love the hint of strawberry sweetness and tannins that completely coat the mouth. I think this will be great in time. Maybe not so charming right now but there’s no faulting the finesse and refinement. 44% grand vin production. 12% press. 3.7pH. Drink 2034 - 2050.
97 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterIf you like a great cigar, you came to the right place as the first thing you notice is the cigar box, and tobacco wrapper nuances before moving to the smoke, leafy herb, creme de cassis, blackberries, spice, flowers, and forest floor in the perfume. The palate is even better with its multiple layers of black, with red fruits, mouthfuls of fresh, ripe, chewy, red berries, Indian spice, and a lingering finish that holds your focus for at least 50 seconds. The key to the vintage was patience during harvesting to achieve phenolic ripeness. This is the quintessential example of a classic, modern Bordeaux. The wine blends 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Merlot. 13.2% ABV, 3.7 pH. The harvest took place September 17 for the Merlot, ending October 4 with the Cabernet. 44% of the harvest went into the Grand Vin. Drink from 2030-2065.
96-98 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2023 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pre-Arrival OfferPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$340. 00Bottle$4080.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is the sister property to Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron, formed upon the death of Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville in 1850. The parcel of vines we now know as Pichon Lalande were passed to the Baron’s three daughters, and today is one of the most elegant wines in the Haut Medoc. This elegance should not be confused with being underweight, as the wines have enormous richness and intensity, and age extremely well. Plantings on the large property include a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.
Other Reviews....
The 2023 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a brilliant wine that will be worth a special effort to track down. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of wild berries and cassis mingled with licorice, lilac, iris root, violet, burning embers and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, seamless and complete, with a deep, layered core of cool fruit that largely conceals it's ultra-refined structuring tannins. At a very measured 13% alcohol and 3.67 pH, it unites all Pichon Comtesse's sensuality with unimpeachable Pauillac classicism. The 2023 is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.
97-99 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)The 2023 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande was picked from September 6 until 29, with some rain on September 20 in the middle of Cabernet picking. But, Nicolas Glumineau remarked that the vineyard/fruit was in good condition; one day of rain did not affect the quality. The 2023 has a quintessential Comtesse bouquet, displaying pure and expressive black fruit laced with violet and graphite, delivered with impressive delineation. The palate is very refined on the entry. This is armed with beguiling symmetry—poised yet intense on the finish. It doesn’t exert huge grip because it knows it doesn't need to, and it fans out gloriously. Outstanding. Drink 2029-2060.
96-98 points
Neal Martin - VinousThe 2023 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande marries elegance, power and sophistication. Soft, ripe tannins wrap around a core of inky dark fruit, licorice, spice, pencil shavings, lavender and menthol. Bright acids pull it all together on the finish. In 2023, Pichon Comtesse blends Merlot picked early for freshness and Cabernets picked later for tannin ripeness and flavor complexity. Readers will have to be patient, but the 2023 holds considerable promise for those who can wait. This is another stellar effort from the team led by General Manager Nicolas Glumineau. Tasted three times. Drink 2033-2073.
95-98 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousWow. This is really excellent, with superb finesse and focus. It has tight density that is almost diamond-like in its brilliance. Medium to full body, with a quality of tannin that is incredibly seamless. Like silk in texture. A top Pichon Lalande. From organic and biodynamically grown grapes. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 3% cabernet franc. May be better than 2022.
98-99 points
James SucklingThe Grand Vin 2023 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande checks in as 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's a beautiful, elegant wine offering incredible finesse and elegance in its darker, almost blue fruits as well as graphite, violets, and crushed stone-like minerality. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, with silky tannins, as well as outstanding length, it brings that classic Comtesse round, seductive, sexy style and is another gorgeous wine from this remarkable team.
95-97+ points
Jeb DunnuckThis smells divine, lovely lush blackcurrant and black cherry characters on the nose with pencil led, graphite, liquorice and menthol elements - very Pauillac on the nose. Gorgeous weight, supple and agile, great movement and energy to this. Acidity makes this buzzy, tangy and bright but not over the top, this keeps its structure and retains a serious directness from start to finish. Generous licks of minerality adds some cool classicism to it. Sleek and refined, precise and very drinkable. One of a number of brilliant Pauillac wines in 2023. Winemaker Nicolas Glumineau wants it to be racy and it’s certainly racy. 50% grand vin production, 50% second. 3.67pH, 14.7% press wine only Cabernet. Ageing 19 months, 60-65% new oak and then one wine barrels. Drink 2033 - 2049.
98 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterCuban cigars, cocoa, espresso, currants, blackberries, flowers, truffles, and smoke. On the palate, the wine is as complex as the nose. This gem is silky, sensuous, polished, fresh, and alive. The cherries, and currants, are pure. There is depth and sweetness. The wine is medium-bodied, but not light. According to the chateau, the 2023 represents their version of Back to the Future. I see their point. The wine will age effortlessly for decades, yet it is going to be fabulous to drink, even in its youth. The wine blends 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. 13% ABV, 3.67 pH. The harvest took place September 6 - September 27. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Only 50% of the harvest goes into the Grand Vin. Drink from 2029-2065.
96-98 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2022 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Pre-Arrival OfferPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$420. 00Bottle$5040.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Pichon-Longueville Baron was formed when Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville finally passed in 1850 after managing the large estate for 70 years, dividing it amongst his children. Two fifths of the estate went to his two sons and became Pichon Baron as we know it today, while three fifths went to his three daughters and became Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.
While the 73 hectare estate is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the last two varietals are used exclusively on the second wine; Les Tourelles de Longueville. Annual production is around 18,000 cases.
Other Reviews....
Aromas of sweet dark berries and cherries mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, pencil shavings and licorice introduce the 2022 Pichon-Longueville Baron, a full-bodied, layered and multidimensional wine that's deep, dense and lively, with terrific concentration, sweet tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Integrated and serious, this hints at the lavishness inherent to the vintage, while remaining classic and controlled. This blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot was bottled in June. Drink 2032-2065.
98 points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe 2022 Pichon Baron is one of the most elegant, polished wines I have ever tasted here. Silky and refined, the 2022 is super-impressive right out of the gate. The aromatics alone are mesmerizing. Blood orange, herbs and floral notes lend notable delineation to a core of Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. As I did en primeur, I find the wine's balance nothing short of exquisite. There's more freshness and vibrancy here than in the past, along with a noticeably lower oak imprint and more sensual tannins that lend notable sophistication throughout. The Grand Vin spent 16 months in French oak barrels, 70% new, and then two months in wood vats prior to bottling. Drink 2030-2062.
98 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousWhat a nose with complex aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, graphite and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, this has layers of tannins and intense richness but is framed and held together by the phenolic structure. Vertical and deep, it goes on for minutes on the palate. Great finish. 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% merlot. Give this five to six years to come together more. Best after 2030 and beyond.
98 points
James SucklingI loved the Grand Vin 2022 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron, which is based on 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot that will spend 18 months in 70% new oak. It's not the most showy or exuberant 2022, yet it shines for its incredible class and purity, as well as balance. It has a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated profile (no surprise) with its focused, precise, inward style that still brings gorgeous depth and richness. Cassis, graphite, espresso roast, crushed stone and spring flowers are just some of its nuances, and where many 2022s are broad and mouth-filling, this stays tight, compact, and focused, with a wonderful mix of elegance, concentration, and richness. The 2022 is pulled from 48% of the total production, and it's going to warrant 7-8 years of bottle age and have 50+ years of overall longevity.
96-98 points
Jeb DunnuckBeautiful fragrance, lots of fresh and ripe black and red bramble fruit - so alive and expressive on the nose with liquorice, wet stones and cedar spicing. Smooth, ample and full in the mouth, but not overly textured or plush. There’s a real refinement to the tannic structure, clearly giving the frame to the wine but detailed and precise with edges of liquorice, slate, dark chocolate, cedar and tobacco. It balances richness, intensity and concentration with sleekness, bright acidity and a real charm to the juicy fruit. Rich and tense, just giving a hint of it’s potential, clearly powerful but totally seductive too. A sublime wine in the making. Ageing 18 months in French oak, 70% new, 600% one wine. Drink 2030 - 2047.
97 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterWith a solid depth of color, the wine jumps from the glass with its show display of licorice, black fruits, lead pencil, currants, lavender, cocoa, and spice in the aromatics. The show-stopping palate is rich, intense, long, concentrated, spicy, and most importantly, concentrated and pure. While your palate bathes in the wine, the sensation is all about its freshness, purity and length. The first vintage produced with the efforts of the estates new Technical Director, Pierre Montegut is a resounding success. This is clearly one of the best vintages in the history of Pichon Baron! The wine blends 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot. 14.3% ABV, 3.63 pH. The harvest took place September 8 - October 3. Yields were 34 hectoliters per hectare. 48% of the harvest went into the Grand Vin. Drink from 2028-2065.
97-99 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2025.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2021 Chateau Pichon-Longueville BaronPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$370. 00Bottle$4440.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Pichon-Longueville Baron was formed when Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville finally passed in 1850 after managing the large estate for 70 years, dividing it amongst his children. Two fifths of the estate went to his two sons and became Pichon Baron as we know it today, while three fifths went to his three daughters and became Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.
While the 73 hectare estate is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the last two varietals are used exclusively on the second wine; Les Tourelles de Longueville. Annual production is around 18,000 cases.
Other Reviews....
A brilliant achievement, the 2021 Pichon-Longueville Baron opens in the glass with aromas of dark berries, blackcurrants, cigar wrapper, loamy soil, pencil shavings and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's concentrated and penetrating, with terrific concentration and a beautifully refined, classy profile. A blend of fully 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot, it represents the wine this great estate could have produced in 1996. One of the real successes of the vintage, readers who overlook this wine will live to regret it.
94-96+ points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)The 2021 Pichon-Baron is a dense, packed wine, its mid-weight structure notwithstanding. There is a lot of wine here, but readers have to be patient. Red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint, rose petal and cinnamon add layers of nuance, but more than anything else, the 2021 stands out for its persistence. Drink 2031-2061.
95-97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe 2021 Pichon-Longueville Baron (which, incidentally, has been the legal name since 2021!) is matured in 70% new oak. It opens up nicely in the glass, revealing a straight-down-the-line, floral bouquet of violets intermingled with graphite notes. There is a delicacy about the aromatics that distinguishes it from recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very pure and "athletic.” No extra fat here; instead, perhaps, slender like the Mouton-Rothschild, which is not a bad thing. Nimble might be a better word. Very fine. Drink 2026-2055.
93-95 points
Neal Martin - VinousBlackcurrant, blueberry, violet and blackberry notes, as well as plenty of spices. Medium to full body with plenty of richness and blackcurrant and ink character. Tar and graphite, too. Precise and structured. Very Pichon Baron in nature here. 88% cabernet sauvignon.
96-97 points
James SucklingAs to the Grand Vin, the 2021 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot that's a selection of 50% of the total production and is resting in 70% new barrels. This straight, pure, incredibly focused and impressive 2021 has deep blue fruits as well as notes of cassis, graphite, chalky minerality, and hints of tobacco. It's elegant and balanced, with ripe tannins as well as good acidity and density.
93-95 points
Jeb DunnuckProduced using the highest percentage of Cabernet in the history of the estate, the wine blends 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot. Here you find, espresso, cigar box, cedar, soy=, lead pencil and red with black currants on the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh, bright, vibrant, spicy and racy. The tannins are soft, the fruit carries a peppery edge, finishing with layers of sweet, chewy red fruits. This is a perfect example of what a good, classically styled Pauillac should taste like. This is also the finial vintage produced by the incredibly talented, long-time technical director, Jean-Rene Matignon. Drink from 2028-2055.
93-95 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderThe highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon ever in the blend at 88% completed by 12% Merlot. Cool red and blue fruits on the nose, smells so welcoming with blueberry, vanilla and cola notes. A soft succulence straight away so you know there is good acidity but the structure and the delicate tannins take over and fill the mouth, giving great Cabernet savoury and herbal aspects, filling and expansive while delivering the crystalline purity on the tongue in terms of texture. Tannins are so fine, but this is rich in its depth yet still so focussed and straight. The mid palate has weight but there’s such drive and energy. The lick of stone is welcoming, giving the salinity and yet another element to taste and contemplate. Mighty, thrilling and a joy to taste. Elegant and classic in the best way - this will need some time but will be excellent. Drinking Window 2027 - 2048.
95 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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2022 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pre-Arrival OfferPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$530. 00Bottle$6360.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is the sister property to Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron, formed upon the death of Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville in 1850. The parcel of vines we now know as Pichon Lalande were passed to the Baron’s three daughters, and today is one of the most elegant wines in the Haut Medoc. This elegance should not be confused with being underweight, as the wines have enormous richness and intensity, and age extremely well.
Plantings on the large property include a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.
Other Reviews....
The 2022 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is one wine where a comparison with this estate's magical 1982 doesn't appear to be far-fetched. Wafting from the glass with deep aromas of cassis, plums, violets, rose petals, tobacco leaf and pencil shavings, it's full-bodied, supple and fleshy, with a layered, seamless core of fruit that largely conceals its chassis of powdery structuring tannin. Concluding with a long, expansive and beautifully perfumed finish, it's a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc that has the potential to equal or even surpass the 2019 and 2016 vintages at this address. It checks in at a very classical 13.6% alcohol and a rather high pH of 3.80.
97-99 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)The 2022 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has a very sensual, perfumed, floral bouquet with crushed violets and licorice infusing the black fruit. It needs time to really open in the glass, manifesting more underlying graphite scents with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins and quicksilver thread of acidity. It offers the sensuality of this Pauillac Classed Growth with structure and poise, just firming up a little with time, which is not a bad thing. This estate has enjoyed a scintillating run of form in recent years, and this latest bottled vintage shows that there is no end in sight. Drink 2029-2065.
98 points
Neal Martin - VinousWhat perfect aromas of blackcurrants, lead pencil, violets, blood oranges and blood. Some iron. Medium- to full-bodied, this has incredible tannins that are completely loaded and integrated, melting into the wine with such a glorious mouthfeel. The finish goes on and on, lightly austere in the most sophisticated way. Racy and rigorously focused. 78% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 5% cabernet franc. Try after 2030, but already a new benchmark for this estate.
99 points
James SucklingOne of the gems from Pauillac is unquestionably the 2022 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande, which is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. A hypothetical blend of the 2019 and 2020, it's a full-bodied, concentrated, opulent Comtesse offering beautiful blue fruits, some chocolate, leafy herbs, and undeniable minerality, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. Despite the higher Cabernet Sauvignon component, this stays silky, expansive, and incredibly sexy. It's going to be drinkable with just 4-5 years of bottle age but should have a lengthy drink window. Hats off to director Nicolas Glumineau for another legendary wine from this château.
97-100 points
Jeb DunnuckOne of my favourite wines from 2022, utterly seductive from the first sip, this is a stunning effort that shows the power of Pauillac in 2022 delivered with elegance and class. Heavily scented on the nose, full of dark fruits, savoury notes of salty chocolate and floral scents. Smooth and so appealing in the mouth, the texture stands out, deep and rich but soft and chalky, tannins have a subtle powderiness that spreads the mouth, cooling and refreshing giving the minerality while the cool black and blue fruits linger in layers expanding vertically. This is so refined and polished - it's serious no doubt, not super fun, but it doesn’t need to be, it’s rich and sumptuous with sweet blue fruits balanced by high acidity that keeps the focus and energy. Bright, bold, well worked, clean, crystalline and pure. Somehow delicate and punchy at the same time. A mind-blowing wine that you just have to marvel at with intensity, brightness and vibrancy, building as it goes. A long, clean finish leaves you wanting more, salivating for that next sip. 3.8pH. A potential 100-point wine. 3.8pH. 50% grand vin. Tasted twice. Drink 2030 - 2050.
98 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterWith an inky, dark, garnet hue, the wine asks for a bit of coaxing before its leather, cedar, spice, flowers, truffle, mint, currants and dark cherries show in the perfume. The wine is pure silk on the palate. There are no edges or corners. Everything feels in place. It is completely seamless. The wine is pure, fresh, and expansive. The mid-palate picks up its currants and plums, while the finish holds them in place, and expands in all 4 directions, with perfect balance in its 60-second plus finish. This is the best vintage of Pichon Comtesse ever produced! If you have the extra money, this is the wine to buy as it will provide dividends for decades as it ages and evolves. The wine blends 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. 13.65% ABV, 3.80 pH. The harvest took place September 6 - September 27. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Only 50% of the harvest goes into the Grand Vin. Drink from 2027-2065.
98-100 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2025.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2024 Chateau Pontet Canet Pre-Arrival OfferPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenClosure: CorkToday Chateau Pontet Canet is one of the most popular and collectable wines in all of Bordeaux, and much of this success has come from the extraordinary quality of wines made in the last two decades. While ranked as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Classification, today the property would easily be regarded as a Second Growth as the wines often rival the best in the region. Much of the emphasis at Pontet Canet is in the vineyard, and the property has converted to 100% biodynamics as of 2005. The vineyard is next to Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, and is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.
Other Reviews....
The 2024 Pontet-Canet underlines the fact that daring to harvest late paid dividends in this challenging vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, black raspberries and plums mingled with accents of rose petals, licorice and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and integrated, with mid-palate density that's all too rare this year, it's layered, suave and seamless, concluding with a long, sapid finish. Picking began on September 26 and concluded on October 11, with the heart of the estate's old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon coming in between the seventh and the ninth, well after many châteaux had finished their harvest. Greater reactivity during the season means that Pontet-Canet's vineyards are gaining in vigor, while in the winery, a lighter touch with extraction, systematic climate control and a wholesale refinement of the estate's cooperage choices have brought new harmony and sensuality to this estate's wines. That has combined with a willingness to take risks with harvest dates to deliver what is clearly one of the wines of the vintage. The blend is roughly half Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
94-96 points
William Kelley - Wine AdvocateThe 2024 Pontet-Canet is one of the most elegant wines I have tasted here in some time, as in a long time. Brisk acids and beams of tannin shape a mid-weight, classically built Pontet-Canet unlike any I have tasted. The 2024 is not an obvious wine, it does not have the opulence of most recent years, rather it is a wine that impresses with its energy, tension and class. Floral, spice and mineral notes stain the palate in this vibrant, beautifully sculpted Pontet-Canet. The 2024 is seriously impressive, but it is also less immediate than what was once the norm because of a shift towards a style that favors greater energy and vibrancy than in the recent past. The evolution here is going to be fascinating to follow in the coming years. Tasted three times. Drink 2032-2044.
94-96 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousVibrant ruby in colour with violet edging, this is beautifully measured, with a careful release of black fruits. Puts the focus on the floral side of Cabernet Sauvignon, with rose petals, chamomile, fragrant tomato leaf and lilac. There is austerity on the opening, with tight architecture but as it opens juice begins to flow through the pumice and slate-textured tannins, and this delivers a finessed, slim-style of Pauillac, with plenty of ageing potential and quiet confidence. One of the successes of the vintage. Harvest September 26 through to October 11. 3.8ph, 50% new oak, 35% concrete amphoras. Tasted twice. Drink 2032-2046.
94 points
Jane Anson - Inside BordeauxConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
There is no minimum order unless stated.
All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2027.
Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
Errors and omissions excepted.
Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page.
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2023 Chateau Pontet Canet Pre-Arrival OfferPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenClosure: CorkToday Chateau Pontet Canet is one of the most popular and collectable wines in all of Bordeaux, and much of this success has come from the extraordinary quality of wines made in the last two decades. While ranked as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Classification, today the property would easily be regarded as a Second Growth as the wines often rival the best in the region. Much of the emphasis at Pontet Canet is in the vineyard, and the property has converted to 100% biodynamics as of 2005. The vineyard is next to Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, and is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.
Other Reviews....
With the 2023 vintage, this estate has crafted a wine of unprecedented aromatic intensity and precision that marks a significant evolution. Revealing an elegant, fresh bouquet of mulberries and cassis mingled with notions of violets, gentian and menthol, the 2023 Pontet-Canet is medium to full-bodied, seamless and multidimensional, with a pure and precise core of fruit that's framed by ultra-refined tannins and a powerful but controlled profile, concluding with long, mineral, licorice-inflected finish. It's the result of more daring harvest decisions than in previous years: By picking the Merlot earlier to highlight fresh, fruity notes rather than baked, sun-kissed flavors and simultaneously delaying the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest until after September 28 to refine tannins, the 2023 Pontet-Canet marks a significant evolution at this renowned estate. At this early stage, its élevage appears to be more discreet, too. This wine, which I'd be delighted to own, is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, matured in 50% new oak barrels, 35% amphorae and 15% once-used barrels. Drink 2025-2055.
96-98 points
Yohan Castaing - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)The 2023 Pontet-Canet is a powerful, impressively constituted wine. Dark, vibrant and sensual in the glass, the 2023 is somber and mysterious in bearing. Black plum, gravel, lavender, graphite and licorice all meld together in the glass. More than anything else, the 2023 is incredibly well put together. In this vintage, the wine was blended at the beginning of élevage rather than at the end, as was the custom in the past. This is a gorgeous and hugely promising Pontet-Canet. I especially admire its finely cut precision and soaring aromatics. Drink 2030-2048.
94-97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousA very structured Pontet-Canet that expands in the mouth with a gorgeous combination of beautifully ripe fruit and intense tannins. Very structured for the vintage. Full-bodied with excellent presence and length. So much raw pencil shavings to the blackcurrants. Graphite and tar. Fresh and vivid. They picked cabernet at the right time at the end of September. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.
97-98 points
James SucklingThe longest harvest ever at this estate, and it paid off magnificently: lovely red berry and mint freshness, the Cabernet Franc coming to the fore. On the palate, it shows freshness and gorgeous wet stone salinity that rises above many other Pauillac peers. The acidity is very well managed and felt in a tangy (rather than tart) fashion and the wine exhibits superlative ripe Cabernet Sauvignon with tannic finesse as well as structure for the long haul. Normally the estate needs three or four days to harvest the Merlots but extra care was a taken - picking over a 10 day period for the Merlots - to obtain only the very best for the blend, resulting in veritable juiciness, too. Drink 2030 - 2055.
97 points
Panos Kakaviatos - DecanterA wine to convince you of the quality and ripeness of Cabernet Sauvignon in Pauillac in this 2023 vintage, showcasing superbly supple tannins, great balance, depth and savoury blue and black fruit character, bitter cocoa bean, freshly cut herbs, black tea, fennel, all vivid and with purity of character. There is density here but it is not overt, with heightened raspberry leaf, peony and violet aromatics. Vinified in the newly-completed section of the cellars, in egg-shaped wooden vats and sunken qveri-style clay vats. 50% new oak for ageing, with 35% amphora and 15% one year old barrels. One of the wines of the vintage. New lighter bottle as of the 2022 around 490g, down from 815g in the past, 30 tonnes of CO2 saved just in terms of production. Harvest September 7, one day earlier than 2022, then slow picking through to October 10, later than many in Pauillac - and normal yields of around 40hl/h.
98-100 points
Jane AnsonConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2026.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2022 Chateau Pontet Canet Pre-Arrival OfferPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$285. 00Bottle$3420.00 DozenClosure: CorkToday Chateau Pontet Canet is one of the most popular and collectable wines in all of Bordeaux, and much of this success has come from the extraordinary quality of wines made in the last two decades. While ranked as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Classification, today the property would easily be regarded as a Second Growth as the wines often rival the best in the region. Much of the emphasis at Pontet Canet is in the vineyard, and the property has converted to 100% biodynamics as of 2005.
The vineyard is next to Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, and is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.Other Reviews....
The 2022 Pontet-Canet is a super-refined wine from the Tesseron family. It is perhaps a touch less opulent than in years past, but in exchange, it boasts more energy, focus and cut, all qualities that are so welcome here. Bright red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and mocha all build effortlessly in the glass. In 2022, Pontet Canet is shaping up to be an absolute gem. Drink 2028-2042.
97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe concentration of dried herbs such as thyme, sage and mint with blackcurrants and Spanish cedar is mesmerizing. Full-bodied with a dense and intense palate, this has creamy, crunchy tannins and a long and flavorful finish that goes on for minutes. Punchy and rich with lots of power. The real identity of Pontet-Canet comes through despite the hot and dry growing year. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best after 2029.
99 points
James SucklingThe 2022 Château Pontet-Canet is brilliant and should easily be up with the crème de la crème from the Médoc. Based on 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it was vinified mostly in concrete (there's a small part in wood), and the aging is in 50% new French oak, 35% in amphora, and the rest in once-used barrels. It has an incredibly pure bouquet of cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and scorched earth. This carries to a full-bodied Pauillac with a deep, layered mid-palate, building tannins, and a great finish. It has the purity, richness, and structure that makes this vintage so compelling and is going to be drinkable with just 4-6 years of bottle age but have an incredibly long life.
97-99+ points
Jeb DunnuckDark and ripe on the nose, with deep blackcurrant, cocoa powder, and espresso notes alongside fragrant dried herbs, adding a savoury elegance. The palate is clean and crisp, offering a streamlined weight and a lovely bite to the tannins — powdery yet refined, with hints of milk chocolate and bitter orange. Restrained power meets finesse, with a touch of spice and soft warmth on the finish. Still youthful and compact, but incredibly detailed, with pure, bright fruit shining through. One of the finest Pontet-Canets in years - round, complete, and beautifully textured. Bright, finessed, and highly accessible. Drink 2029-2050.
97 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterDeep purple with a blue hue in color, the wine is almost opaque in color. Cassis, flowers, plums, licorice, and tobacco leaf aromas adorn the perfume. It is already clear that with this wine, it is the purity in the fruit that stands out. The palate is equally pure, with its layers of glycerin-filled blackberries, and plums. The wine is lush, as well as refined. The finish meshes concentration with elegance, power with purity, lift and length. The peppery, spicy note, along with the resounding minty-freshness, and a touch of anise in the long, finish is what stands out here. There is no sensation of heat or over ripeness in this wine in the mid-palate or in the finish. The wine blends 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot.14.7% ABV, pH 3.8. Harvesting took place September 8 - September 28. This is longest harvest and the earliest harvest in the history of the estate. The wine is aging in a combination of 50% new, French oak, and 35% Amphora. Pontet Canet is often a slow starter in barrel. My score could go higher when the wine is in bottle. Drink from 2028-2060.
96-98 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2025.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page. -
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2021 Chateau Pontet CanetPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenClosure: CorkToday Chateau Pontet Canet is one of the most popular and collectable wines in all of Bordeaux, and much of this success has come from the extraordinary quality of wines made in the last two decades. While ranked as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Classification, today the property would easily be regarded as a Second Growth as the wines often rival the best in the region. Much of the emphasis at Pontet Canet is in the vineyard, and the property has converted to 100% biodynamics as of 2005.
The vineyard is next to Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, and is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.
Other Reviews....
Offering up wild, exotic aromas of blackberries, cloves and Indian spices mingled with notions of rose petal, bruised orchard fruit and cherry pit that evolve rapidly in the glass, the 2021 Pontet-Canet is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a layered mid-palate and refined tannins that assert themselves on the firm, saline finish. Always one of the Médoc's most singular, idiosyncratic wines, it will be interesting to see how it performs in bottle.
91-93 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)The 2021 is the most classically Pauillac Pontet-Canet I have tasted in modern times. Medium in body, with striking aromatic presence, the 2021 screams with character. Grilled herbs, incense, leather, lavender and plum open with a bit of coaxing, all framed by beams of tannin and bright, salivating acids that give the wine shape and real sense of direction. There's a bit more Petit Verdot in this year's blend, and that comes through in the wine's intensely savory profile. Aging is 50% in new wood, 35% in amphora and 15% in one year-old barrels. The 2021 was impressive all three times I tasted it. Drink 2031-2046.
93-95 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe 2021 Pontet Canet is quite perfumed on the finely delineated nose of blackberry, briar and pressed iris flower, a touch of inkwell coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a pinch of white pepper on the entry and gentle grip. Not as enormously deep as other vintages, as you would expect, but it displays a fine bitter edge and a graphite-infused finish. This should drink earlier than other vintages yet has the substance to mature in bottle. Drink 2025-2050.
91-93 points
Neal Martin - VinousPlenty of blackberry and blueberry with wet earth and crushed stone. Some spice,tobacco and lead pencil, too. It’s full-bodied with layered tannins and brightness. Fine and chewy at the end.
95-96 points
James SucklingThe wine opens with flowers, tobacco leaf, currants, herbs, and a touch of spice. Medium/full-bodied, elegant, refined, fresh, and vibrant, there is a gorgeous sense of purity to the red fruits along with vivid freshness and a touch of spice in the endnote. The wine is aging in a combination of 50% new, French oak, and 35% Amphora. The wine is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2028-2055.
94-96 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderGorgeous fragrance on the nose, so perfumed and floral - really vibrant - you can smell the Cabernet and the Petit Verdot on the nose. Juiciness straight away from a burst of high acidity focussed on blackcurrant and black cherry with both a fragrance, spice and minerality following. This really hits you square on - it's not opulent but it’s so fully flavoured, forward and upfront. Tannins are fine-grained but plentiful, they hold the structure and give the frame while the creaminess and freshness gives an expansive aspect to the palate. There's refinement and an aerial quality here despite the clear Pauillac power. The Cabernet fruit is in full shine mode, giving a eucalyptus, perfumed berry and black pepper touch. Structured and supple with grape and terroir characteristics. If you love Pontet, and classic Pauillac claret, this is an impressive reference point. Skilled winemaking from technical director Mathieu Bessonet. 4% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Drinking Window 2026 - 2050.
95 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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2020 Chateau QuintusSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$275. 00Bottle$3300.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2020 Quintus is a blend of 62.5% Merlot and 37.5% Cabernet Franc, weighing in with an alcohol of 15.4%. Displaying a deep purple-black color, it leaps from the glass with bold notes of crushed blackberries, boysenberries and stewed plums, plus suggestions of chocolate mint, clove oil, lilacs and star anise. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with rich black fruits and floral accents, framed by well-balanced acidity and finely grained tannins, finishing with great length and impressive energy. Judging from this barrel sample, this is the finest, most complex and complete Quintus yet—bravo!
95-97 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (May 2021)The 2020 Quintus is wonderfully promising. Soft contours and generous fruit give it tons of immediate appeal. Blueberry, mocha, lavender, spice and new leather are some of the aromas and flavors that emerge over time. More than anything else, though, Quintus impresses with its harmony. The 2020 is one of the finest vintages I have tasted here. Drink: 2028-2040.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousWow. This is very chalky and salty with lots of mineral character. It shows lots of purple fruit and firm tannins. Racy and bright. Chewy yet fine tannins. Gorgeous. Gets better and better.
97-98 points
James SucklingA big, velvety textured wine, especially in the vintage, the 2020 Château Quintus offers a gorgeous array of pure crème de cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as leafy herbs, graphite, and chocolate. These all carry to a full-bodied Saint-Emilion with a round, mouth-filling texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This estate has been firing on all cylinders of late, and this should be in the same realm as the 2016, 2018, and I suspect, the 2019.
94-96 points
Jeb DunnuckDeeply colored, the wine is packed with nuances of crushed rocks, black raspberries, flowers, plums and forest leaves. Extremely poised and polished, the silky palate offers purity in the fruit, length and the sense of minerality, finishing with an array of red pit fruits, cocoa and salty tannins. The wine blends 62.5% Merlot with 37.5% Cabernet Franc, 15.2% ABV.
95-97 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar InsiderExuberant and confident, with powerful damson and black cherry fruit flavours on the nose. Chocolate and liquorice run through the palate from beginning to end, and this is full of signature St-Emilion glamour. It has a round and supple texture through the mid palate, but the alcohol hides some of the limestone nuance at this point - it will no doubt emerge more clearly with 8 to 10 years in bottle. Harvest 11th September for the Merlot grapes and 23rd September for the Cabernet Franc. Drink: 2029-2044.
93 points
Jane Anson - Decanter -
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2016 Chateau QuintusSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$290. 00Bottle$3480.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2016 Chateau Quintus, of course under the umbrella of Domaine Clarence Dillon (Haut Brion, La Mission Haut Brion), is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc picked between 3 and 20 October. This is the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc since the debut in 2011. Matured in just under 30% new oak, it has a slightly broody bouquet at first with black fruit and hints of allspice and clove. The palate is nicely structured, with the Cabernet Franc lending this impressive backbone (more than the 2015) and a slightly masculine, grippy finish that suggests it will be a long-term proposition. Excellent.
92-94 points
Neal Martin eRobertParker.com #230 (Apr 2017)A tight and concentrated young Quintus with blackberry, blueberry and salt character. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and lightly chewy. Grows on the finish.
94-95 points
James SucklingRipe and structured, this is a concentrated wine from the Clarence Dillon group. The black currant core and bright acidity of the vintage wonderfully balance the palate concentration. It delights in its exuberant freshness, with a grounding base of tannin.
93-95 points
Wine EnthusiastOne of the real surprises of the vintage, the 2016 Quintus is superb. Creamy and ample on the palate, with striking depth to its dark, fleshy fruit, it possesses exceptional balance. All of the previous vintages have been good, but each of them has lacked something. The 2016 is the first vintage in which I can say Quintus is not missing anything. Now, what remains to be seen is how high this wine can go. The 2016 is exceptionally vivid and nuanced, with seemingly endless layers of fruit that virtually cover the tannins, and a long, sublime finish.
93-96+ points
Vinous