Médoc & Haut Médoc

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: 30/4/2024

The 2023 Potensac is a seriously beautiful wine that shows just how complex and nuanced wines from this property can be. Crushed flowers, spice, red/purplish fruit, rose petal and mint are some ofThe 2023 Potensac is a seriously beautiful wine that shows just how complex and nuanced wines from this property can be. Crushed flowers, spice, red/purplish fruit, rose petal and mint are some of the notes that lift from the glass. Bright saline tones underpin the mid-palate and finish. This is one of the most complete young Potensacs I can recall tasting. Drinking range: 2027 - 2043 Rating: 91-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

The 2023 Beaumont is an expressive Haut-Médoc. Blackberry, gravel, dried herbs, menthol and licorice are nicely woven together. The 2023 is attractive, if a touch dark and almost somber in feel.The 2023 Beaumont is an expressive Haut-Médoc. Blackberry, gravel, dried herbs, menthol and licorice are nicely woven together. The 2023 is attractive, if a touch dark and almost somber in feel. Frost and warm weather caused dehydration, reducing yields. That comes through in the form of tannins that feel a bit tough and bruising. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 88-90 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 from Belgrave is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. It has a charming and expressive nose, with scents of griottes, violets, fine dark chocolate and roses. The palate shows aThe 2023 from Belgrave is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. It has a charming and expressive nose, with scents of griottes, violets, fine dark chocolate and roses. The palate shows a really attractive texture, modest as per the vintage, but seamless, with violets, coffee bean and liquorice wrapped around a ribbon of velvety-ripe tannins, the latter aspect coming to the fore in the finish, showing its tightly knit appeal. Good cohesion here, with a welcoming if somewhat wound-up texture which holds up in the midpalate, and I can see this evolving well given time. A good value sleeper in this vintage. Tasted three times. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

The first Bordeaux estate to be bought by Treasury Wine Estates, now only produced in much smaller quanties as they used most of the vines in other wines. It's good quality, with cheerful and wellThe first Bordeaux estate to be bought by Treasury Wine Estates, now only produced in much smaller quanties as they used most of the vines in other wines. It's good quality, with cheerful and well balanced red fruits, fresh acidities, easy going. My suggestion is to look to the excellent Lanessan in this vintage, also in the same group. Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 88 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Good structure and focus here with medium body and firm tannins. Juicy berry fruit in the center-palate. Lightly chewy at the end.Good structure and focus here with medium body and firm tannins. Juicy berry fruit in the center-palate. Lightly chewy at the end. Rating: 91-92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

A nicely polished red with redcurrant, blackcurrant and forest-floor character. Medium body with integrated, fine tannins and a reserved, fruity finish. Better than 2022?A nicely polished red with redcurrant, blackcurrant and forest-floor character. Medium body with integrated, fine tannins and a reserved, fruity finish. Better than 2022? Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

A confident start on the nose of the 2023 Sociando-Mallet, with fragrant red cherry, plum and barrel tobacco on the nose. This is followed by an elegantly silky start to the palate, showing a refinedA confident start on the nose of the 2023 Sociando-Mallet, with fragrant red cherry, plum and barrel tobacco on the nose. This is followed by an elegantly silky start to the palate, showing a refined composure through the middle, modest but attractively sinewy, with the light and powdery backbone of tannins pervading the fruit. It finishes with a little flourish of tobacco oak and powdery tannins. A nice result here, energetic and working within the confines of the vintage rather than against it. It will drink earlier than some examples of vintages of Sociando-Mallet, but should do well. Rating: 89-91 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Madame de Beaucaillou is a very pretty, aromatic wine. Crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, dried herbs and a kiss of French oak are all nicely delineated. This juicy, perfumed, Merlot-basedThe 2023 Madame de Beaucaillou is a very pretty, aromatic wine. Crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, dried herbs and a kiss of French oak are all nicely delineated. This juicy, perfumed, Merlot-based Haut-Médoc is a fine choice for drinking over the next decade or so. The 2023 is absolutely delicious. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

The 2023 Chasse-Spleen is a very pretty, aromatic Moulis. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, chalk, mint and white pepper are all nicely lifted in this mid-weight offering Bright acids lendThe 2023 Chasse-Spleen is a very pretty, aromatic Moulis. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, chalk, mint and white pepper are all nicely lifted in this mid-weight offering Bright acids lend freshness to play off the mid-weight structure. Drinking range: 2027 - 2038 Rating: 89-91 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

This is firm and chewy with a medium to full body, yet it shows succulent fruit underneath. Outstanding depth as well as a crunchy sense to this, with blackberry and graphite. Profound limestoneThis is firm and chewy with a medium to full body, yet it shows succulent fruit underneath. Outstanding depth as well as a crunchy sense to this, with blackberry and graphite. Profound limestone character is giving this real depth and solidity. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Poujeaux is plump, juicy and super-inviting right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, sweet spice and floral accents caress the palate, all framed by supple, silky tannins. There's a bit moreThe 2023 Poujeaux is plump, juicy and super-inviting right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, sweet spice and floral accents caress the palate, all framed by supple, silky tannins. There's a bit more Petit Verdot in the blend this year, and that comes through in the wine's dark flavor profile and structural feel. This is a fine vintage for Poujeaux. Tasted four times. Drinking range: 2027 - 2043 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Yet again Stephane Dief has knocked it out of the park this year. This jewel of a property with its wealth of very old vines has created a masterful 2023. Chiselled and poised - this is upright,Yet again Stephane Dief has knocked it out of the park this year. This jewel of a property with its wealth of very old vines has created a masterful 2023. Chiselled and poised - this is upright, pretty and sophisticated. The fruit concentration is pitch perfect here - with that gentle soft ripeness in tune with the freshness of the year. Beautifully judged and this year with just 35% new oak and a proportion of the juice aged in amphorae the purity is wonderful. Very serious Bordeaux from this (still!) under the radar producer we have been championing for more than a decade. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 8% Petit VerdotL&S (Apr 2024)