Cellar Fillers

Release date: 3/5/2024

The 2023 from Sénéjac opens with a nose of delicately medicinal red cherry, with pomegranate and herbaceous fern. There follows a rather light, loose and juicy start to the palate, which does not The 2023 from Sénéjac opens with a nose of delicately medicinal red cherry, with pomegranate and herbaceous fern. There follows a rather light, loose and juicy start to the palate, which does not really pick up through the middle, wrapping red and acid-spiked red fruits around a core of sappy, powdery tannins. This sample lacks the depth, fruit character and cohesion I am looking for, and will probably be best drunk relatively young. Rating: 86-88 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 2/5/2024

This is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, picked from September 8th to the 29th. The nose here offers up sweet dark berries, wrapped in ribbons ofThis is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, picked from September 8th to the 29th. The nose here offers up sweet dark berries, wrapped in ribbons of dark chocolate and toast, and on a second sample also a scented, cedary perfume. This continues on the palate in a convincing style, with sinewy dark fruits, currants and damsons, intertwined with toast and olives, with a juicy but coherent substance, and a fine grip of powdery and nicely knit tannins. This holds together really well, with a dry but coherent substance built from a body of rich, firm, tightly knit tannins, before it finishes with a flourish of savoury fruit but also firm tannin. A good result. Tasted twice. The alcohol is 13.49% on analysis. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 30/4/2024

The 2023 Potensac has a well-defined nose: predominantly black fruit, with touches of seaweed in the background. I warm to it more with acquaintance, and it gradually coheres. The palate isThe 2023 Potensac has a well-defined nose: predominantly black fruit, with touches of seaweed in the background. I warm to it more with acquaintance, and it gradually coheres. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a fine line of acidity. Silky-smooth in texture, you can tell that there is some quality new oak on the finish, which is simpatico with the fruit. It's a good, solid Potensac that will require three or four years in bottle. Drinking range: 2028 - 2040 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 29/4/2024

2023 marks the 15th anniversary of the Lorenzetti family's first move into the Medoc. Now owners of Pedesclaux, Lafon Rochet and a considerable stake in Chateau d'Issan, Lilian Ladouys may no longer2023 marks the 15th anniversary of the Lorenzetti family's first move into the Medoc. Now owners of Pedesclaux, Lafon Rochet and a considerable stake in Chateau d'Issan, Lilian Ladouys may no longer be there most prestigious estate but it is certainly a real passion project. Run by Manon Lorenzetti, with help from Pedesclaux's winemaker Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen - this estate gets better every year. Now into their third year of organic conversion and benefitting in 2023 from having more parcels on-stream - they have made a beauty. There's a sophisticated and classic Saint Estephe freshness to the crunchy black fruit. For the first time ever Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead on the blend with 57% only reinforcing the upright, pure feel. This has great lines a delicious, ripe mid-palate and all the finesse you could ask for in Saint Estephe. Proper Bordeaux and so well priced. At 12.9% it really does feel like a very classic Claret. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet franc L&S (Apr 2024)

Release date: 29/4/2024

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Good classical frame here. Upright and smartly 'claretty'. The nose is awash with deep plum, dark cherry flesh and intriguing scent of a fine79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Good classical frame here. Upright and smartly 'claretty'. The nose is awash with deep plum, dark cherry flesh and intriguing scent of a fine church. Subtly toasty wood. The palate follows - with density and a firmish feel to the cool dark berry fruit. This will need more time than some - but its all here for the future. Classical, pure and long. 57% new barrels, 43% in second-fill barrels.L&S (Apr 2024)

A 1.67 hectare plot of pure Merlot on the limestone plateau - average vine age of 55 years. Picked by hand on the 4th of October after a severe selection to drop any unsatisfactory grapes. TheA 1.67 hectare plot of pure Merlot on the limestone plateau - average vine age of 55 years. Picked by hand on the 4th of October after a severe selection to drop any unsatisfactory grapes. The destemmed grapes are fermented in wooden vats with temperature control (max 23C), and the malolactic fermentation and élevage take place in 500 litre barrels, of which 31% are new. 6000 bottles will be produced.Winemaker's notes (May 2024)