Organic Wines

Another exceptional vintage for Smith-Haut-Lafite Blanc. It’s so complex and structured, offering a palate that feels similar to the texture of a red wine with a velvety tannin structure. There’s aAnother exceptional vintage for Smith-Haut-Lafite Blanc. It’s so complex and structured, offering a palate that feels similar to the texture of a red wine with a velvety tannin structure. There’s a lot going on here. Spice, crushed seashell and citrus blossom. Salty, too. Weightless and so long. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% sauvignon gris and 5% semillon. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

As usual a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. This seems more reticent on the nose than Les Hauts, with powdered chalk, green pear and orange peel, the Semillon dampening down theAs usual a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. This seems more reticent on the nose than Les Hauts, with powdered chalk, green pear and orange peel, the Semillon dampening down the expression a little I think. Nevertheless it shows beautiful texture and presence through the palate, with supple texture, finely veined phenolics and a fresh core of acidity. This will, I suspect, need some time to open up, through the élevage or in bottle, but it should be very good when it gets there. The alcohol is around 14%. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

This 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.This 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. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Durfort-Vivens is a very pretty, understated wine. In 2023, Durfort is marked by a brighter profile than usual: red fruit, blood orange and flowers. Medium in body and persistent, with goodThe 2023 Durfort-Vivens is a very pretty, understated wine. In 2023, Durfort is marked by a brighter profile than usual: red fruit, blood orange and flowers. Medium in body and persistent, with good energy and very fine balance, the 2023 is promising. Even though it’s showing a touch of oak at this stage, this layered and sumptuous offering is showing well. Drinking range: 2031 - 2053 Rating: 92-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

A Lurton estate since 1988, when they acquired it from the Ferrière family; prior to that it was farmed by the team at Lascombes. Their first vintage after that was in 1992. The blend is 68% CabernetA Lurton estate since 1988, when they acquired it from the Ferrière family; prior to that it was farmed by the team at Lascombes. Their first vintage after that was in 1992. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3.5% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Cabernet Franc, much from old vines, managed using biodynamic methods. The yield is 40 hl/ha this year, the highest for many years. This sample comes rom concrete tanks, and does not include anything from the 40% of the blend which is in wood. An attractive nose, red plum and red rose petals, with fragrant gravel, all rather attractive. This is sinewy and fine on the palate, with a linear frame and rich notes of cedar and currant. This has lovely charm on the palate, a touch juicy perhaps, underpinned by abroad and rich frame of tannins, which persist through the finish. The alcohol is 13.2% on analysis. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

This is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, the recently planted Petit Verdot not yet old enough to go into the blend. The yield was 53 hl/ha this year, remarkable for a biodynamicThis is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, the recently planted Petit Verdot not yet old enough to go into the blend. The yield was 53 hl/ha this year, remarkable for a biodynamic estate, and this takes about 60% of the crop. A dark and smoky nose, with perfumed currant and rose. This precedes a palate which is sinewy and bright, with a juicy and linear frame, with tense blackcurrant and cherry stone, rose and violet, supported by a delicious frame of tannins which add a mouth-watering grip in the middle, turning a little sappy in the finish. A rather elegant and fragrant style of Pauillac, a little Margaux-esque perhaps, with a dry grip for length. The alcohol is 13.5% on analysis. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and fully 13% Petit Verdot, the 2023 La Gurgue exhibits aromas of dark berries, licorice and boot polish, followed by a medium-bodied, fleshy palateA blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and fully 13% Petit Verdot, the 2023 La Gurgue exhibits aromas of dark berries, licorice and boot polish, followed by a medium-bodied, fleshy palate built around powdery tannins. Rating: 88-90 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 3/5/2024

The 2023 La Lagune is a serious wine, but it is also quite backward. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, leather and dried herbs open with some coaxing. The 2023 is going to need time to come together. ItsThe 2023 La Lagune is a serious wine, but it is also quite backward. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, leather and dried herbs open with some coaxing. The 2023 is going to need time to come together. Its aromatic intensity and overall persistence suggest it has a bright future. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2028 - 2048 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

The blend of Mangot is 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, vinified with a cold soak for eight days, after which there was a slightly shorter post-fermentation maceration. AThe blend of Mangot is 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, vinified with a cold soak for eight days, after which there was a slightly shorter post-fermentation maceration. A very pure and expressive nose, but evidently dry and savoury, with notes of blackberry and damson, laced with liquorice, tar, slate and dark chocolate. The palate follows with a gently creamed texture, rich with notes of slate, chocolate and blackberry, with deliciously savoury substance, plenty of juicy texture, a saline minerality and spice supporting the fruit. This is an another impressive sample from the Todeschini family, with a sappy grip which persists in the finish. The élevage will be in a mix of barrels (new and used), foudres and amphorae. The alcohol is around 14.5%, although probably slightly lower than that on analysis. Rating: 92-94 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

More reserved and understated than the Alter Ego on the first nose, with touch of gumoke reduction, but it doesn't take long to understand that this Palmer is full of coiled energy and lift. A ton ofMore reserved and understated than the Alter Ego on the first nose, with touch of gumoke reduction, but it doesn't take long to understand that this Palmer is full of coiled energy and lift. A ton of graphite, crushed rocks, crushed roses and peonies come in waves of aromatics through the palate, along with clearly defined and sculpted blue and red fruits. There is spice too, and a sense of momentum. 32hl/h yield, 55% new oak for ageing during the first year; with the wine then moving in moves into 3000l oak casks for the second year. Drinking range: 2032 - 2048 Rating: 97 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 30/4/2024

A 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 fruitA 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, with sunken qveri-style cement vats (and egg-shaped wooden vats coming for the 2024 vintage). 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. Drinking range: 2035 - 2055 Rating: 98-100 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 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)

The 2023 Le Petit Haut Lafitte reveals fresh and dark aromas of licorice, smoke, dark wild berries and violet. Medium to full-bodied, it is more structured and serious than Les Hauts de Smith, with aThe 2023 Le Petit Haut Lafitte reveals fresh and dark aromas of licorice, smoke, dark wild berries and violet. Medium to full-bodied, it is more structured and serious than Les Hauts de Smith, with a layered, structured mid-palate, a fleshy core of fruit and a long, saline, chalky finish. Classically composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, it is matured in 30% new oak barrels. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 90-92 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)