Pessac-Léognan

Inky plum colour, this is just so effortless, incredible savoury and moreish, salted cracker and cocoa bean, fine plentiful tannins, with plenty of hidden depths. Feels like a wine that you know youInky plum colour, this is just so effortless, incredible savoury and moreish, salted cracker and cocoa bean, fine plentiful tannins, with plenty of hidden depths. Feels like a wine that you know you will be thrilled to be drinking in years to come. High floral aromatics unwind as you sit with the glass, showing purity of rose bud and liquorice, chalky tannins that are supple with finesse and grain. 50% new oak. Harvest September 11 to 29. Drinking range: 2031 - 2048 Rating: 97 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

The 2023 Haut-Brion exhibits a more Cabernet-inflected personality than the richer 2022, offering up a deep but youthfully reserved bouquet of dark wild berries, licorice, smoke and pencil leadThe 2023 Haut-Brion exhibits a more Cabernet-inflected personality than the richer 2022, offering up a deep but youthfully reserved bouquet of dark wild berries, licorice, smoke and pencil lead mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, nicely integrated new oak and spices. Full-bodied, deep and velvety, it’s layered and concentrated, with a deep core of fruit structured around abundant but velvety tannins, concluding with a long, controlled finish. Somewhat reminiscent of the estate's successful 2006, it's a blend of 52.3% Merlot, 38.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9.1% Cabernet Franc. Drinking range: 2025 - 2055 Rating: 95-97 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 La Mission Haut-Brion is a dense, powerful wine. Firm tannins give the 2023 a feeling of sternness—a sense of classical austerity that is beguiling. This is the second-most tannic vintageThe 2023 La Mission Haut-Brion is a dense, powerful wine. Firm tannins give the 2023 a feeling of sternness—a sense of classical austerity that is beguiling. This is the second-most tannic vintage for La Mission, only surpassed by 2010, so readers should plan on being patient. It will be interesting to see what élevage brings. At this stage, the 2023 is quite the bruiser. Hints of mocha, spice, new leather, crushed flowers and red-toned fruit linger. Drinking range: 2033 - 2063 Rating: 92-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

The 2023 Latour-Martillac is a very promising wine. Dark red-toned fruit, gravel, incense and pressed rose petal lend notable complexity. What impresses me most about the 2023 is the quality of theThe 2023 Latour-Martillac is a very promising wine. Dark red-toned fruit, gravel, incense and pressed rose petal lend notable complexity. What impresses me most about the 2023 is the quality of the tannin, something that has been penalizing at times in the past. There's a good bit of structure, but it is nicely integrated. Sweet floral and spice notes lift the finish. Terrific. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2028 - 2043 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Slightly shy and closed for the first sniff, the 2023 Le Thil reveals aromas of dark wild berries, spices and mulberries after time in the glass. Medium-bodied, juicy and elegant, it’s seamless andSlightly shy and closed for the first sniff, the 2023 Le Thil reveals aromas of dark wild berries, spices and mulberries after time in the glass. Medium-bodied, juicy and elegant, it’s seamless and charming with structured tannins and a long, ethereal finish. This blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, matured 30% in new oak barrels, has turned out nicely. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 89-91 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

Guillaume Pouthier and his team have once again crafted one of Bordeaux's most unique and characterful wines. Revealing aromas of mulberries and raspberries mingled with notions of vine smoke, orangeGuillaume Pouthier and his team have once again crafted one of Bordeaux's most unique and characterful wines. Revealing aromas of mulberries and raspberries mingled with notions of vine smoke, orange zest, rose petals and spices, the 2023 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated, with a powerful, vibrant and complete mid-palate, concluding with a long, ethereal and mouthwateringly saline finish. Sensual, suave and seamless, its beautifully refined tannins are, analytically, more abundant than even those of the 2022 vintage, yet they are so brilliantly integrated as to be near-imperceptible. This blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot is crafted for longevity, though its refined structure will make it surprisingly approachable at an early age. It's maturing 70% in new oak barrels, 20% in 18-hectoliter foudres and 10% in amphorae. A creditable yield of 50 hectoliters per hectare represents a decided agronomic success in what was a challenging growing season. Drinking range: 2025 - 2065 Rating: 97-99 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Malartic Lagravière, a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, exudes aromas of dark wild berries, violet, mulberries, spices and licorice,The 2023 Malartic Lagravière, a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, exudes aromas of dark wild berries, violet, mulberries, spices and licorice, complemented with a delicate touch of oak. Medium to full-bodied, supple and elegant with bright acids and a delicate mid-palate, it’s refined and less structured than the 2022 vintage, making it a classic expression from this estate. Drinking range: 2025 - 2040 Rating: 91-93 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Pape Clément is one of the most exciting wines I have tasted here in a long time, maybe ever. Intensely aromatic and layered, the 2023 is simply stunning. Dried flowers, mint, licorice,The 2023 Pape Clément is one of the most exciting wines I have tasted here in a long time, maybe ever. Intensely aromatic and layered, the 2023 is simply stunning. Dried flowers, mint, licorice, mocha, cedar and tobacco soar out of the glass. The purity of the flavors is simply mind-blowing. Plum, pomegranate, blood orange and spice build in the glass, adding notable textural richness and resonance. This is the first vintage vinified with indigenous yeasts. Aging takes place in a combination of concrete tanks, ceramic eggs, Clayvers, 400-liter barrels and 225-liter barriques. For readers who want to taste the “new” Bordeaux, this is it. What a wine! Tasted four times. Drinking range: 2030 - 2053 Rating: 95-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

The 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte is a powerhouse. In recent years, the Grand Vin has shifted toward a bit more nuance than in the past, but in 2023, small yields and thick skins yielded a somber,The 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte is a powerhouse. In recent years, the Grand Vin has shifted toward a bit more nuance than in the past, but in 2023, small yields and thick skins yielded a somber, explosive Grand Vin. It will need many years to be at its most expressive. Blackberry, gravel, licorice, spice, plum and chocolate are some of the many notes that emerge from the glass. Readers will find a wine of real substance and textural intensity, framed by vibrant acids. A touch of air works wonders here. Drinking range: 2030 - 2053 Rating: 95-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Plenty of blackberry, blackcurrant, chocolate and flint aromas that follow through to a full body, yet it’s in check and focused with a beautiful framing of fine tannins. The purity of ripe fruit isPlenty of blackberry, blackcurrant, chocolate and flint aromas that follow through to a full body, yet it’s in check and focused with a beautiful framing of fine tannins. The purity of ripe fruit is impressive with cabernet really showing through. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

A blend of 48.3% Merlot, 39.4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12.3% Cabernet Franc in this vintage, this has a rather wan nose, expressive with layers of smoky red chalk, pomegranate and rose petals, withA blend of 48.3% Merlot, 39.4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12.3% Cabernet Franc in this vintage, this has a rather wan nose, expressive with layers of smoky red chalk, pomegranate and rose petals, with slightly sappy notes of dried current just underneath. A rather pretty palate follows, with quite a loose-knit and sappy style, charming with lovely black cherry, raspberry, plum and strawberry. There is a sense of granularity to it, giving it frame, but otherwise this is a medium-bodied, delicately framed and charming second wine. Once the little frame of tannin has faded this will be ready to go; I can’t see that taking too many years. The alcohol here is 14.3%. Rating: 89-91 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Intensity and focus to this, with length and raciness for the second wine of Haut-Brion, showing polish and a refined texture. It’s medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and an exquisite finish.Intensity and focus to this, with length and raciness for the second wine of Haut-Brion, showing polish and a refined texture. It’s medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and an exquisite finish. Caressing. 55.5% merlot, 40.9% cabernet sauvignon and 3.6% cabernet franc. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. This is the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever here, beating the 2019 vintage which was about 65%,The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. This is the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever here, beating the 2019 vintage which was about 65%, but future vintages are likely to stay around this figure given the way the climate is changing. This took about one-third of the crop, which was just 26 hl/ha. Beautifully pure Cabernet fruit on the nose, with fresh blackcurrants, gorse and tobacco from the oak. The palate feels immediately understated but quickly reveals its sinew, substance, polish and longevity, with a great depth of fruit wrapped around the ribbons of beautifully knit-together tannins. There is drive and precision here, great energy, with deliriously dark fruits. A beautiful finish and length. This is a fabulous wine which transcends any doubts you might have about the potential hidden within this vintage – you just need to know where to look. So impressive. Tasted twice. The alcohol is about 14%. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)