Cellar Fillers

Release date: 21/5/2026

An attractive red with aromas of sliced strawberries and cherries with a hint of herbs, perhaps from the carmenere. Medium-bodied with firm and silky tannins. Hints of minerals and crushed stones andAn attractive red with aromas of sliced strawberries and cherries with a hint of herbs, perhaps from the carmenere. Medium-bodied with firm and silky tannins. Hints of minerals and crushed stones and a crisp finish. Nice bitter lemon undertone in the finish. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 20/5/2026

Mélanie Barton has a remarkable ability to preserve freshness in her wines, and despite the warmth of the season, that signature energy remains beautifully intact in the stellar Mauvesin 2025. At theMélanie Barton has a remarkable ability to preserve freshness in her wines, and despite the warmth of the season, that signature energy remains beautifully intact in the stellar Mauvesin 2025. At the same time, she has fully embraced the vintage’s natural depth and fine-grained texture, creating a wine that feels both complete and effortlessly charming. On the nose this is bright and inviting, led by fresh cherry fruit with layers of red plum beneath. The palate follows with a sleek flow, combining soft, juicy fruit with plenty of life and lift. Fine chalky tannins bring shape and definition through the finish, adding just enough structure to balance the wine’s generous, approachable style.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 20/5/2026

A wonderfully intense and vibrant Labegorce. Margaux has a had a really good year in 2025 - and even some of the less well known Chateau have knocked it out of the park. Labegorce is superb. Deep inA wonderfully intense and vibrant Labegorce. Margaux has a had a really good year in 2025 - and even some of the less well known Chateau have knocked it out of the park. Labegorce is superb. Deep in colour and with a shade more grunt than some - the fruit here is dense and wonderfully intense with a dark brooding air. There is plenty of grippy structure - but a feel of creaminess builds and this is deeply satisfying and smartly built. A very grown-up Bordeaux for classicists. Power and grace here in spades. Bravo. Just 30% New Wood this year. (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc & 4% Petit Verdot.) Drinking range: 2032 - 2042L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 18/5/2026

We had a great tasting here with Christophe Congé - who seemed very much at home and confident the wines were in their groove after 3 years at the helm having arrived from Chateau Lafite. ImmediatelyWe had a great tasting here with Christophe Congé - who seemed very much at home and confident the wines were in their groove after 3 years at the helm having arrived from Chateau Lafite. Immediately as you approach the glass - the Pedesclaux smells very smart. Very inviting a richness and a sophisticated charm, waving you in. Great gloss and flow to the mid-palate - but a good, serious edge too - real concentration here (more than 2015 says the Christophe). 2015 was too much ripeness and too late by contrast to 2025 he says - this year the fruit is better... he compares 2025 to 2010.. quite some accolade!)Great drive at the back of the palate, real energy and a gently tightening grip - but long fresh finish. Impressive.69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit VerdotL&S (May 2026)

Release date: 12/5/2026

The winemaking here seems to have been on a seriously upward trajectory in recent years - and now with the arrival of their new cellars - this is the best we hasted from Cantemerle en primeur.The winemaking here seems to have been on a seriously upward trajectory in recent years - and now with the arrival of their new cellars - this is the best we hasted from Cantemerle en primeur. Intense and vivid with classic lines of dark plum, and hedgerow blooms. You know immediately you are on the left bank, with upright frame and sophisticated pencil-lead and graphite etched on the lovely creamy flowing fruit core. Brambling, savoury and loaded with charm. A great success.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 7/5/2026

The 2026 Chateau Belgrave is a seriously smart release from this low-key address. Pure and focused on the palate. The smartly rounded black fruit is delivered with precision and measured power. PureThe 2026 Chateau Belgrave is a seriously smart release from this low-key address. Pure and focused on the palate. The smartly rounded black fruit is delivered with precision and measured power. Pure essence of blackberries and blueberries and then some high-toned raspberry notes keeping it lifted and juicy. Good intensity - gently delivered. Highly recommended if the price makes sense, this will drink really well for a least ten years once it wakes up from a few years in your cellar. Drinking range: 2031 - 2041L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 5/5/2026

Lovely floral aromatics on the nose. Very scented - delicate. Great pure energetic kick from the off. Polished middle - with good density and lovely concentration of red fruit.. such good, juicyLovely floral aromatics on the nose. Very scented - delicate. Great pure energetic kick from the off. Polished middle - with good density and lovely concentration of red fruit.. such good, juicy bounce. Raspberry and tart strawberry, with the note of juice from firm plums. Superb. Pep and great weight, smart stuff. Really good equilibrium. Clearly the fruit of a hot year, you feel that in the concentration - but this remains cool and balanced with joyous density and lift. Drinking range: 2031 - 2041L&S (May 2026)

Release date: 5/5/2026

Our tasting of Mangot 2025 left us a little lukewarm which is surprising, as this is usually a wine that wins us over from the first sip. As we see other reviews come in - it seems we had a less goodOur tasting of Mangot 2025 left us a little lukewarm which is surprising, as this is usually a wine that wins us over from the first sip. As we see other reviews come in - it seems we had a less good sample bottle. Such a shame not to have had a perfect insight into this perennial pleaser - we are trying to source a fresh sample and will keep you updated! In the meantime critics seem to admire it as ever.60 % Merlot, 38 % Cabernet Franc & 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Rating: 5 L&S (May 2026)

Release date: 30/4/2026

Another strong release from Batailley this year. Capturing the wondrous depth of the vintage - with a refined, grandiose Pauillac feel and super freshness to the deep red and pert darker berryAnother strong release from Batailley this year. Capturing the wondrous depth of the vintage - with a refined, grandiose Pauillac feel and super freshness to the deep red and pert darker berry fruit. It's all about the balance - and this is pitch-perfect. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 28/4/2026

Since 1947 the Grande Côte comes from a single block planted in 1947, just after the second world war, it was a time with no nurseries and so the vines and clones are a real mix of whatever theySince 1947 the Grande Côte comes from a single block planted in 1947, just after the second world war, it was a time with no nurseries and so the vines and clones are a real mix of whatever they could get their hands on. Pierre believes the make up to be 1/3 Cabernet Franc, 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mainly Merlot - with some odd white varieties in there too.. as he says it is the 'Cote Rôtie of Saint Emilion'!
Since 2022 he picks it all together, on the same day as a true field blend. A rare practice these days - but one that really works, especially in 2025. Once a gain he captures a super richness to the fruit again - lovely depth and ripeness - but with no thickness - no dragging weight. Baked plum, red cherry and then a more herbal, wild hedgerow character seeps in. Its quite the journey on the palate - there is a primary fresh crunch to the fruit - and great structure too - finely grained grip and super fresh poise and long energetic finish make this a very complete and totally compelling release.Its no surprise that Pierre is really happy with this vintage. we agree this is probably the best results yet - and, he says - it was easy too! In the cellar his skill was to be really relaxed - no 'rack and return' no punching down. Super gentle handling and minimal extraction were paramount in creating a wine that is so measured. He adds - this 'new style' of wine-making is very low-fi.. and really rather relaxing!L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 28/4/2026

We had a great visit to see Pierre Taïx in his bucolic corner of Saint Emilion. The rolling hills of Puisseguin always give us a breath of fresh air - and a return to a more scruffy normality afterWe had a great visit to see Pierre Taïx in his bucolic corner of Saint Emilion. The rolling hills of Puisseguin always give us a breath of fresh air - and a return to a more scruffy normality after the pristine lawns and raked gravel drives of the grandees in the heart of Saint Emilion itself. However, the wine is remarkable. Nothing scruffy about this pitch perfect beauty. The 2025 Mauriane is made up with 50% of plateau fruit and 50% from Coteaux - a mix of 65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc. As we expect here - Pierre has let the fruit fully ripen, no panic after the August rains to bring it all in - he picked in mid September and you can sense that perfect balance, wonderfully concentrated, with no heaviness. deep layers of aromatic complexity give a full, expressive nose - loaded with dark berries and an upbeat charm immediately. tasting after the La Mitote, there is more grip and grunt unsurprisingly - but this has lovely depth of plush fruit too - then that line of freshness - and a good mineral kick from the plateau fruit. This is full-on charm - incredible balance between the lush fruit kaleidoscope and the wonderful fresh limestone kick that makes you want to come back for more. One for the cellar, that you will never regret buying - this will repay 3 years in the cellar after arrival - but will be fun drinking for the next 10-12 years easily. Drinking range: 2031 - 2045L&S (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Joanin-Bécot is fabulous. Dark and sumptuous, with gorgeous fruit purity, the 2025 is positively stellar. I don’t think I have tasted a Joanin-Bécot with this much intensity and sheerThe 2025 Joanin-Bécot is fabulous. Dark and sumptuous, with gorgeous fruit purity, the 2025 is positively stellar. I don’t think I have tasted a Joanin-Bécot with this much intensity and sheer textural presence. Inky dark red/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, dried flowers and lavender open first, followed by a range of floral and savory Cabernet Franc overtones. Clay-rich soils lend notable breadth and presence. The resonant, expansive finish is stunning. Drinking range: 2028 - 2040 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)