Saint Julien

Release date: 3/5/2024

A strong effort, the 2023 Connetable de Talbot reveals aromas of plums, berries, dark chocolate and pipe tobacco, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and mouth-filling palate. It will offer aA strong effort, the 2023 Connetable de Talbot reveals aromas of plums, berries, dark chocolate and pipe tobacco, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and mouth-filling palate. It will offer a broad and satisfying drinking window. Rating: 89-91 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 3/5/2024

Jean-Michel Laporte has tweaked the blend this year to give the best vintage expression he could - with about half the usual Petit Verdot quota and Chateau Talbot's highest ever amount of CabernetJean-Michel Laporte has tweaked the blend this year to give the best vintage expression he could - with about half the usual Petit Verdot quota and Chateau Talbot's highest ever amount of Cabernet Sauvignon making up 77% of the blend. This makes perfect sense when you taste, as the Cabernet is just of such a high quality. This is super, with a classic feel and fresh impact early on. Crunch to the dark berries and then a supple depth in the mid-palate where the fruit becomes brighter and more red-centric, with violets and a fresh minty herb note. Really elegant yet - satisfyingly dense feel to the middle. The lovely poised fruit is firm and deep. Lively too with a juicy fresh line to the finish. 13% alcohol. Jean-Michel has really found his stride here now and this Talbot is a great testament to that and a reminder of why the estate's reputation is so strong. A wine that should be in your cellar. 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.L&S (Apr 2024)

Release date: 2/5/2024

Aromas of dark berries, cassis, orange zest and toasty oak introduce the 2023 Moulin Riche, a medium to full-bodied, layered and textural wine that's rich and concentrated, with a dense core of fruitAromas of dark berries, cassis, orange zest and toasty oak introduce the 2023 Moulin Riche, a medium to full-bodied, layered and textural wine that's rich and concentrated, with a dense core of fruit and good integration at this early stage. Rating: 90-92 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 30/4/2024

56 Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 Merlot, 9 Cabernet Franc After a demure introduction, with a subtle fragrance that grows incrementally on the palate and then picks up momentum the moment you take a56 Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 Merlot, 9 Cabernet Franc After a demure introduction, with a subtle fragrance that grows incrementally on the palate and then picks up momentum the moment you take a sip, thereafter, this wine becomes nothing short of mesmerising.  A fair chunk of the vineyards was replanted 15 years ago, and some of these vines are now coming into play.  With a new, dedicated cellar with smaller vats, the team can be absolutely precise when picking. With the ability to cool the harvest before fermentation coupled with little pumping because it is all gravity-fed in the winery, Clos du Marquis has found a different level of sophistication.  I particularly like the detonation of fruit that happens in the mid-palate, which rolls on for minutes.  When I tasted with him, vice-chairman of Domains Delon Jean-Guillaume Prats said, “Don’t reinvent the wheel.”  Although I think he just has. Rating: 18+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2024)

Release date: 30/4/2024

The 2023 Léoville Las-Cases was picked from September 9 to October 2 at 43hL/ha and matured in 80% new oak barrels. This has a very precise bouquet, and, like the Clos du Marquis, it is imbued withThe 2023 Léoville Las-Cases was picked from September 9 to October 2 at 43hL/ha and matured in 80% new oak barrels. This has a very precise bouquet, and, like the Clos du Marquis, it is imbued with an attractive estuarine element—aromatics that transport the imbiber to the banks of the Gironde. The oak is neatly integrated; 80% is much more optimal than 100% would have been. The palate is lightly spiced on the entry, moderately deep and quite lively on the mid-palate. This is a more linear Las-Cases than recent vintages, conveying a sense of "seriousness" toward the almost saturnine finish. Impressive in terms of persistence, this is a worthy follow-up to the magnificent 2022, but it will demand patience. Drinking range: 2030 - 2065 Rating: 95-97 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Pure fruit to this, with blueberries, hazelnuts, walnut and blackcurrants. Just like eating grapes at this stage. It has a full body, juicy tannins and a savory finish. Remains vivid and energetic.Pure fruit to this, with blueberries, hazelnuts, walnut and blackcurrants. Just like eating grapes at this stage. It has a full body, juicy tannins and a savory finish. Remains vivid and energetic. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Branaire-Ducru offers up pretty notes of crushed red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, spice and mint. At this stage, the 2023 comes across as a bit light, even within the context of thisThe 2023 Branaire-Ducru offers up pretty notes of crushed red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, spice and mint. At this stage, the 2023 comes across as a bit light, even within the context of this property, where the wines are always laid back relative to neighboring estates. Perhaps the 2023 will flesh out over time. We will see. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2030 - 2053 Rating: 91-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

The 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a heady, sumptuous Saint-Julien. The aromatics alone are captivating. Truffle, rose petal, blood orange, pomegranate, spice and menthol build in a creamy, lavish Ducru.The 2023 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a heady, sumptuous Saint-Julien. The aromatics alone are captivating. Truffle, rose petal, blood orange, pomegranate, spice and menthol build in a creamy, lavish Ducru. The 2023 is a classic Bruno Borie wine that emphasizes textural opulence. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous floral and spice-driven top notes. The balance of opulence and vibrancy is compelling. Drinking range: 2033 - 2063 Rating: 95-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Blackberries and blueberries with stone and sandalwood undertones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with integrated tannins that are polished and refined. Long finish. Solid and rather muscular. CouldBlackberries and blueberries with stone and sandalwood undertones. It’s medium- to full-bodied with integrated tannins that are polished and refined. Long finish. Solid and rather muscular. Could move up a notch. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Gruaud Larose is a powerhouse. Rich and ample, with striking depth, the 2023 offers notable resonance from start to finish. Black cherry, blackberry, licorice and spice fill out the layersThe 2023 Gruaud Larose is a powerhouse. Rich and ample, with striking depth, the 2023 offers notable resonance from start to finish. Black cherry, blackberry, licorice and spice fill out the layers nicely. The 2023 is a big, potent Gruaud Larose that will need a number of years to be at its best. This is a terrific example of the vintage at its finest. Drinking range: 2033 - 2063 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

This is tight but has creamy, round tannins and a juicy character. Blackberries, chocolate and spices on the medium-bodied palate. Chewy and polished.This is tight but has creamy, round tannins and a juicy character. Blackberries, chocolate and spices on the medium-bodied palate. Chewy and polished. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

There’s depth of fruit here with blackberries, blackcurrants and hints of cedar and tobacco. The tannins are very solid and polished with juiciness and depth. Pristine. Bright acidity. 60% cabernetThere’s depth of fruit here with blackberries, blackcurrants and hints of cedar and tobacco. The tannins are very solid and polished with juiciness and depth. Pristine. Bright acidity. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot and 3% cabernet franc. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Step into the heart of what St Julien does best here, firm and muscular but thoroughly juicy tannins, concentrated blackberry and cassis fruits that are mature but full of finesse, with just theStep into the heart of what St Julien does best here, firm and muscular but thoroughly juicy tannins, concentrated blackberry and cassis fruits that are mature but full of finesse, with just the right amount of precision and tension. This is a wine where a single glass will not be enough, and reminds you that in 2022 the wines were exceptional but atypical for many Bordeaux lovers. Here you get an understated gloriously drinkable St Julien from long-term owners the Barton family that will go the distance. 60% new oak for ageing. Drinking range: 2033 - 2048 Rating: 97 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

The 2023 Léoville-Poyferré is positively stellar. Medium in body, vibrant and beautifully persistent, the 2023 is all class. It also signals a shift away from the richer (but equally successful)The 2023 Léoville-Poyferré is positively stellar. Medium in body, vibrant and beautifully persistent, the 2023 is all class. It also signals a shift away from the richer (but equally successful) style favored here in the recent past, now moving toward an approach that favors more vibrancy. Dark red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, mocha and cedar infuse the 2023 with notable freshness and verve. The new Léoville-Poyferré is quite the stunner. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2028 - 2063 Rating: 95-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

The 2023 Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is packed with blackberry jam, gravel, lavender, dried herbs, spice and crushed rocks. There’s a ton of character here. Incisive tannins and bright acids pull itThe 2023 Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is packed with blackberry jam, gravel, lavender, dried herbs, spice and crushed rocks. There’s a ton of character here. Incisive tannins and bright acids pull it all together in style. Give this at least a few years to soften. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2030 - 2045 Rating: 93-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Some 52% of the estate's production was consecrated to the 2023 Les Fiefs de Lagrange, an attractive, medium to full-bodied wine redolent of cassis, licorice and plums. With good depth at the coreSome 52% of the estate's production was consecrated to the 2023 Les Fiefs de Lagrange, an attractive, medium to full-bodied wine redolent of cassis, licorice and plums. With good depth at the core and sweet, powdery tannins, it's a vibrant Saint-Julien that will age with grace. A further 6% of Lagrange's output was bulked out to maintain the quality of this cuvée, and that shows. Rating: 89-91 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

The 2023 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou marries sophistication with the textural richness that is such a signature here. All the elements are so well balanced. Jammy dark red fruit, pomegranate, bloodThe 2023 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou marries sophistication with the textural richness that is such a signature here. All the elements are so well balanced. Jammy dark red fruit, pomegranate, blood orange, spice and mocha infuse the 2023 with tons of nuance. Supple tannins wrap it all together. This Saint-Julien screams with character. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

This comes from 25 hectares from the western part of the appellation, although about 10 hectares is currently being replanted. It takes fruit from the La Croix vineyards as well though. The blend isThis comes from 25 hectares from the western part of the appellation, although about 10 hectares is currently being replanted. It takes fruit from the La Croix vineyards as well though. The blend is 72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. A sweet and fragrant nose, with perfumed black cherry and a charcoal-laced mineral notes. This translates into a linear and beautifully delineated palate, with dark fruit, sinewy and lithe as the vintage should be, underpinned by a firm and fine line of tannins, and showing plenty of freshness and grip, with a long wrap of tannins in the length here. Tension, expression, vigour and grip here; this is bound to offer some great (and great value) drinking. The alcohol level is about 13.7%. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

This year Sarget is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40.5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3.5% Petit Verdot. It takes about 40% of the crop. A quite enticing dark fruit nose, with ribbons ofThis year Sarget is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40.5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3.5% Petit Verdot. It takes about 40% of the crop. A quite enticing dark fruit nose, with ribbons of powdered chalk and cedar. This precedes an enticing palate, sinewy and fresh, well delineated, with a supple upper surface of blackcurrant and toast, with griottes, chalk and violets, over a rich and modestly grained core of tannins. Fresh, bright, with a loose and juicy poise through the middle, this leads to a richly gripped finish. Gorgeous fruit here, just the tannin quality setting it apart, especially in the finish where they grain the palate. The alcohol is 12.92% on analysis. Rating: 88-90 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)