Cellar Fillers

Release date: 12/6/2024

Another strong performance from this bottling, which dependably numbers among Bordeaux's top three or four second wines, the 2023 La Dame de Montrose reveals aromas of cassis, pencil shavings andAnother strong performance from this bottling, which dependably numbers among Bordeaux's top three or four second wines, the 2023 La Dame de Montrose reveals aromas of cassis, pencil shavings and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and dense palate that's polished, pure and layered, with sweet tannins, lively acids and a saline finish. It's a blend of 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Rating: 91-93 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 23/5/2024

The 2023 Les Fiefs de Lagrange represents 52% of the estate’s production this year. Brambly black fruit, briar and light tobacco scents furnish the aromatics, perhaps not the most vigorous amongstThe 2023 Les Fiefs de Lagrange represents 52% of the estate’s production this year. Brambly black fruit, briar and light tobacco scents furnish the aromatics, perhaps not the most vigorous amongst the Saint-Julien wines, but suggestive of an approachable 2023. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly powdery tannins, mainly black fruit and a slight chalkiness toward the finish. It delivers a light peppery note on the aftertaste. Fine. Drinking range: 2027 - 2036 Rating: 87-89 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 15/5/2024

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)

Release date: 15/5/2024

From a 7 Hectare slope in front of Chateau Ausone - the Moulin Saint-Georges is a real winner in 2023. More broad and powerful in feel than some years - this remains an absolute charmer, but aFrom a 7 Hectare slope in front of Chateau Ausone - the Moulin Saint-Georges is a real winner in 2023. More broad and powerful in feel than some years - this remains an absolute charmer, but a charmer with some serious intent. A wonderful mulch of blue and deep-red berries is lifted by floral hits of pink blossom and even a whiff of violets. Imposing but with lovely layers and nuance. Owned by the Vauthier family from Ausone since 1921, this remains a real steal for Grand Cru Saint Emilion with such pedigree and heritage.L&S (Apr 2024)

Release date: 13/5/2024

The aromatics here feel weighed down by lightly caramelised oak and toast from the barrels. Unsurprisingly the palate also presents a rather rich core of oak-infused texture, with a peppery vein ofThe aromatics here feel weighed down by lightly caramelised oak and toast from the barrels. Unsurprisingly the palate also presents a rather rich core of oak-infused texture, with a peppery vein of acidity slicing though it all. The texture feels modestly polished and fresh, with rather low-key layers of dark berry and currant fruits, with liquorice, salted olive and black pepper, all supported by tightly integrated tannins and that fresh acidity which pushes the wine through the middle. This works well, showing a coherent composition and rich grip. A success for Labégorce in this vintage. Tasted twice. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 13/5/2024

This is firm and chewy with a medium to full body, yet it shows succulent fruit underneath. Outstanding depth as well as a crunchy sense to this, with blackberry and graphite. Profound limestoneThis is firm and chewy with a medium to full body, yet it shows succulent fruit underneath. Outstanding depth as well as a crunchy sense to this, with blackberry and graphite. Profound limestone character is giving this real depth and solidity. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 6/5/2024

Yet again Stephane Dief has knocked it out of the park this year. This jewel of a property with its wealth of very old vines has created a masterful 2023. Chiselled and poised - this is upright,Yet again Stephane Dief has knocked it out of the park this year. This jewel of a property with its wealth of very old vines has created a masterful 2023. Chiselled and poised - this is upright, pretty and sophisticated. The fruit concentration is pitch perfect here - with that gentle soft ripeness in tune with the freshness of the year. Beautifully judged and this year with just 35% new oak and a proportion of the juice aged in amphorae the purity is wonderful. Very serious Bordeaux from this (still!) under the radar producer we have been championing for more than a decade. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 8% Petit VerdotL&S (Apr 2024)

Release date: 3/5/2024

This shows structure and finesse with a dusty texture to the tannins. Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of dark fruit and a creamy aftertaste. A little light at the end.This shows structure and finesse with a dusty texture to the tannins. Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of dark fruit and a creamy aftertaste. A little light at the end. Rating: 89-90 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 2/5/2024

This is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, picked from September 8th to the 29th. The nose here offers up sweet dark berries, wrapped in ribbons ofThis is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, picked from September 8th to the 29th. The nose here offers up sweet dark berries, wrapped in ribbons of dark chocolate and toast, and on a second sample also a scented, cedary perfume. This continues on the palate in a convincing style, with sinewy dark fruits, currants and damsons, intertwined with toast and olives, with a juicy but coherent substance, and a fine grip of powdery and nicely knit tannins. This holds together really well, with a dry but coherent substance built from a body of rich, firm, tightly knit tannins, before it finishes with a flourish of savoury fruit but also firm tannin. A good result. Tasted twice. The alcohol is 13.49% on analysis. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 30/4/2024

The 2023 Potensac is a seriously beautiful wine that shows just how complex and nuanced wines from this property can be. Crushed flowers, spice, red/purplish fruit, rose petal and mint are some ofThe 2023 Potensac is a seriously beautiful wine that shows just how complex and nuanced wines from this property can be. Crushed flowers, spice, red/purplish fruit, rose petal and mint are some of the notes that lift from the glass. Bright saline tones underpin the mid-palate and finish. This is one of the most complete young Potensacs I can recall tasting. Drinking range: 2027 - 2043 Rating: 91-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 29/4/2024

2023 marks the 15th anniversary of the Lorenzetti family's first move into the Medoc. Now owners of Pedesclaux, Lafon Rochet and a considerable stake in Chateau d'Issan, Lilian Ladouys may no longer2023 marks the 15th anniversary of the Lorenzetti family's first move into the Medoc. Now owners of Pedesclaux, Lafon Rochet and a considerable stake in Chateau d'Issan, Lilian Ladouys may no longer be there most prestigious estate but it is certainly a real passion project. Run by Manon Lorenzetti, with help from Pedesclaux's winemaker Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen - this estate gets better every year. Now into their third year of organic conversion and benefitting in 2023 from having more parcels on-stream - they have made a beauty. There's a sophisticated and classic Saint Estephe freshness to the crunchy black fruit. For the first time ever Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead on the blend with 57% only reinforcing the upright, pure feel. This has great lines a delicious, ripe mid-palate and all the finesse you could ask for in Saint Estephe. Proper Bordeaux and so well priced. At 12.9% it really does feel like a very classic Claret. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet franc L&S (Apr 2024)

Release date: 29/4/2024

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Good classical frame here. Upright and smartly 'claretty'. The nose is awash with deep plum, dark cherry flesh and intriguing scent of a fine79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Good classical frame here. Upright and smartly 'claretty'. The nose is awash with deep plum, dark cherry flesh and intriguing scent of a fine church. Subtly toasty wood. The palate follows - with density and a firmish feel to the cool dark berry fruit. This will need more time than some - but its all here for the future. Classical, pure and long. 57% new barrels, 43% in second-fill barrels.L&S (Apr 2024)

A 1.67 hectare plot of pure Merlot on the limestone plateau - average vine age of 55 years. Picked by hand on the 4th of October after a severe selection to drop any unsatisfactory grapes. TheA 1.67 hectare plot of pure Merlot on the limestone plateau - average vine age of 55 years. Picked by hand on the 4th of October after a severe selection to drop any unsatisfactory grapes. The destemmed grapes are fermented in wooden vats with temperature control (max 23C), and the malolactic fermentation and élevage take place in 500 litre barrels, of which 31% are new. 6000 bottles will be produced.Winemaker's notes (May 2024)