Cellar Fillers

Release date: 4/6/2025

78 Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 Merlot: 70% new oak: 38 hl/ha: 55% of the property went into the Grand Vin: Harvested between 25 September and 8 October There is always a sense of composure coupled with78 Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 Merlot: 70% new oak: 38 hl/ha: 55% of the property went into the Grand Vin: Harvested between 25 September and 8 October There is always a sense of composure coupled with excellence at GPL. Nothing is hurried, nothing is panicked, and there is never a hair out of place. While many were losing their heads around this idyllic estate, a shrug of the shoulders and business as usual has resulted in a fabulously harmonious and balanced wine. There is more amplitude and depth here than I expected, with velvety Cabernet fringed with a glorious, redcurrant-driven Merlot border. Bright, floral, silky and alluring, this is a thrilling, medium-weight wine, and the tannin flourish on the finish is gorgeously fine-grained and teasing. GPL always rewards, and 2024 is no exception to this rule. Rating: 18.5/20 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Jun 2025)

Release date: 27/5/2025

Perfumed, refined cassis with touches of black fruit, graphite, paprika and olives. Good purity of fruit, with bright acidity, a medium body and fine, polished tannins. Pretty long and linear, with aPerfumed, refined cassis with touches of black fruit, graphite, paprika and olives. Good purity of fruit, with bright acidity, a medium body and fine, polished tannins. Pretty long and linear, with a nuanced finish. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 27/5/2025

Inky plum, floral aromatics, slate-textured tannins with cherry pit and pomegranate fruits. 40% of the usual production after hail in June, 3.5ph, aged across amphoras, barrels and large oak casks,Inky plum, floral aromatics, slate-textured tannins with cherry pit and pomegranate fruits. 40% of the usual production after hail in June, 3.5ph, aged across amphoras, barrels and large oak casks, harvest September 24 to October 4. Organic and biodynamic certified. Lovely juicy finish, good value. Drinking range: 2026 - 2034 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2025)

Release date: 21/5/2025

Going long on cloves and gently grilled cedar, this definitely has oak impact, and some sappy tannins, they are carefully building a wine with more ambition to age than many in the vintage; but itGoing long on cloves and gently grilled cedar, this definitely has oak impact, and some sappy tannins, they are carefully building a wine with more ambition to age than many in the vintage; but it remains tight on the finish and a little soft on fruit. Drinking range: 2029 - 2040 Rating: 91 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2025)

Release date: 19/5/2025

The 2024 Les Cruzelles was picked on September 20 and 22 with the Cabernet Franc picked on September 28, and matured in 57% new oak. This has more harmony and sensuality on the nose with a mixture ofThe 2024 Les Cruzelles was picked on September 20 and 22 with the Cabernet Franc picked on September 28, and matured in 57% new oak. This has more harmony and sensuality on the nose with a mixture of very pure black cherry and blueberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and very well balanced, with supple ripe tannins and real delineation and poise on the finish. This surpasses many Pomerols in this vintage and, given its potential price, comes highly recommended. Drinking range: 2028 - 2045 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2025)

Release date: 16/5/2025

More somber and brooding than in previous vintages, the 2024 Joanin Bécot opens with aromas of cassis, violet, iris and dark berries followed by a moderately weighted, supple and juicy palate, framedMore somber and brooding than in previous vintages, the 2024 Joanin Bécot opens with aromas of cassis, violet, iris and dark berries followed by a moderately weighted, supple and juicy palate, framed by vibrant acidity, concluding with a long, ethereal finish. Despite the challenges of the vintage, Juliette Bécot has crafted a perfumed, punchy and elegant expression of Castillon that stands out for its finesse and energy. Drinking range: 2025 - 2034 Rating: 89-91 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2025)

Release date: 15/5/2025

A ripe, plush merlot with lots of dark cherries, plums and berries on the nose. Quite bright on the palate, with lovely dark fruit and freshness. Fine tannins, with a medium body and a lengthyA ripe, plush merlot with lots of dark cherries, plums and berries on the nose. Quite bright on the palate, with lovely dark fruit and freshness. Fine tannins, with a medium body and a lengthy finish. 98% merlot and 2% cabernet franc. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2025)

Release date: 6/5/2025

Sitting down with Claire Villars Lurton is always one of the highlights of our primeur trip to Bordeaux. Fascinatingly honest and open about the vintage, she explains with clarity the ups and downsSitting down with Claire Villars Lurton is always one of the highlights of our primeur trip to Bordeaux. Fascinatingly honest and open about the vintage, she explains with clarity the ups and downs of life as a bio-dynamic farmer in Bordeaux. 2024 was not without its tests - and yet, she has made some wonderful wines this year. The 2024 Haut Bages Liberal is a winner in this complicated year. After a moment in the glass this is pretty, with lovely floral aromatics - hedgerow flowers and red pops of fruit. To the palate there is a lovely wash of red berries - peppy and bright with smashed raspberries and red cherry juiciness. Its not broad or powerful - a more zippy, energetic feel. Very Pauillac - but not emphatic. Claire reminds us that this juicy energy is not just a result of a cool summer - much more a reflection of the limestone that is a key note for one of her plots down near the river. This is charmingly sophisticated. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.L&S (Apr 2025)

Release date: 6/5/2025

Claire Lurton Villars' brilliant Margaux has long been one of our 'under the radar' picks en primeur. Its not always the easiest wine to taste young - loaded as it is with dark fruit, charming gripClaire Lurton Villars' brilliant Margaux has long been one of our 'under the radar' picks en primeur. Its not always the easiest wine to taste young - loaded as it is with dark fruit, charming grip and a serious, line of firm black berries. There's a charry, brooding intensity. And yet there is real charm here too and with patience drinkers will find great joy after at least 6-7 years. Once again in 2024 Claire has made a great Margaux that suggests good value for the commune. Tis is one of the few wines that has not been chaptalised in 2024 - and there is an honest freshness and energy that is very enticing here. It also means this is weighing in at just 12.2% alcohol - but it remains no push-over. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.L&S (Apr 2025)

Release date: 24/4/2025

The northern stretches of the Médoc appellation were a challenging place to be in 2024, with high acidities and a risk of dilution. If anyone can cope with it, it's Stephane Diéf and this isThe northern stretches of the Médoc appellation were a challenging place to be in 2024, with high acidities and a risk of dilution. If anyone can cope with it, it's Stephane Diéf and this is definitely one of the brighter spots in the appellation, but even here you find a wine that goes long on lean, vivid blue fruits, sappy salinity, finely tuned muscles... you get the picture. Supremely well made, a lot to enjoy, but don't expect exuberance. 5% press wine, September 25 to October 9 for harvest, 55% new oak for ageing, 3.47ph, 72IPT. 18ha of vines in Saint-Christoly de Médoc and Couquèques. Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 24/4/2025

The 2024 Clos Puy Arnaud is one of the revelations of the vintage. Deep, powerful and resonant, with no hard edges, the 2024 is positively stellar. Dark red fruit, blood orange, spice, pomegranateThe 2024 Clos Puy Arnaud is one of the revelations of the vintage. Deep, powerful and resonant, with no hard edges, the 2024 is positively stellar. Dark red fruit, blood orange, spice, pomegranate and rose petal stain the palate. Clos Puy Arnaud is without question one of the wines of this very challenging year. Considering that the property is 100% biodynamic, this performance, including yields of 45 hectoliters per hectare, is simply unreal. Élevage will be about 12 months in a combination of demi-muid, barrique, amphora and porcelain. The blend is 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, quite a bit more Franc than usual. Drinking range: 2029 - 2039 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2025)

Release date: 24/4/2025

Owner, François-Xavier Maroteaux is the new president of the Union de Grands Crus de Bordeaux - and has tried to generate some energy in the campaign with this well considered early release. WeOwner, François-Xavier Maroteaux is the new president of the Union de Grands Crus de Bordeaux - and has tried to generate some energy in the campaign with this well considered early release. We tasted twice and found a good, classically shaped Branaire. Very much in the house style but with a lightness in feel and intensity that comes in 2024. The nose delivers good brooding promise with smart oak and dark savour. Some classical shadows to the well presented fruit bundle. This leads to a bright and juicy attack with mouth-watering freshness revealing a firm line of chiseled red flesh. Perky bites with cherry skin notes and a summer-pudding smashed fruit mix. Successful in the vintage with a softL&S (Apr 2025)