Médoc & Haut Médoc

Release date: 22/5/2024

Always an estate that works hard and is often a good bet across a variety of vintage conditions. It works again in 2023, prety austere right now, layers of tannic architecture along with signatureAlways an estate that works hard and is often a good bet across a variety of vintage conditions. It works again in 2023, prety austere right now, layers of tannic architecture along with signature mint leaf and cigar box. No question this will age, don't rush it, needs time to unwind, feels like an impressive Left Bank claret full of classic character, and confident tannic architecture. High propotion of Petit Verdot, 33% new oak for ageing, 38hl/ha yields, after hail on a small prt of the vineyard. Drinking range: 2026 - 2038 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 21/5/2024

I find dark chocolate and toasted oak on the nose, which parts to reveal violets, sweet blackberry, currant and menthol. A very nicely poised start to the palate, fresh and relaxed through theI find dark chocolate and toasted oak on the nose, which parts to reveal violets, sweet blackberry, currant and menthol. A very nicely poised start to the palate, fresh and relaxed through the middle, with a less aggressive extraction here than some, the midpalate a medium-bodied and modestly juicy core of dark fruits with a nice frame of tannins beneath, all working in harmony together. Understated, modest in terms of extraction, the black fruits intertwined with leafy mint and toasted tannins in the finish, which falls away quickly. A decent showing from Beaumont in the context of the vintage, but this won’t be a keeper. Tasted twice. Rating: 88-90 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 17/5/2024

This is very structured and solid with a pretty center-palate of fruit and chewy tannins. Medium- to full-bodied with cool blue fruit and mineral undertones and some stone character. Well done.This is very structured and solid with a pretty center-palate of fruit and chewy tannins. Medium- to full-bodied with cool blue fruit and mineral undertones and some stone character. Well done. Better than 2022. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 16/5/2024

A confident start on the nose of the 2023 Sociando-Mallet, with fragrant red cherry, plum and barrel tobacco on the nose. This is followed by an elegantly silky start to the palate, showing a refinedA confident start on the nose of the 2023 Sociando-Mallet, with fragrant red cherry, plum and barrel tobacco on the nose. This is followed by an elegantly silky start to the palate, showing a refined composure through the middle, modest but attractively sinewy, with the light and powdery backbone of tannins pervading the fruit. It finishes with a little flourish of tobacco oak and powdery tannins. A nice result here, energetic and working within the confines of the vintage rather than against it. It will drink earlier than some examples of vintages of Sociando-Mallet, but should do well. Rating: 89-91 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 15/5/2024

The 2023 Madame de Beaucaillou is a very pretty, aromatic wine. Crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, dried herbs and a kiss of French oak are all nicely delineated. This juicy, perfumed, Merlot-basedThe 2023 Madame de Beaucaillou is a very pretty, aromatic wine. Crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, dried herbs and a kiss of French oak are all nicely delineated. This juicy, perfumed, Merlot-based Haut-Médoc is a fine choice for drinking over the next decade or so. The 2023 is absolutely delicious. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 13/5/2024

The 2023 Mauvesin Barton is a potent, dark wine. A blast of dark cherry, plum, chocolate and gravel gives the 2023 its exuberant profile. I find the tannins a bit imposing and large in scale. It willThe 2023 Mauvesin Barton is a potent, dark wine. A blast of dark cherry, plum, chocolate and gravel gives the 2023 its exuberant profile. I find the tannins a bit imposing and large in scale. It will be interesting to see if this softens with time. Today, it is quite the bruiser. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare—in other words, on the lower side. Drinking range: 2026 - 2038 Rating: 87-89 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 7/5/2024

Ruby red, floral and savoury Cabernet Sauvignon character dominant on the attack with cassis bud, rose stem, on the edge of underipe balanced by spiced herbs and bright autumnal fruit character withRuby red, floral and savoury Cabernet Sauvignon character dominant on the attack with cassis bud, rose stem, on the edge of underipe balanced by spiced herbs and bright autumnal fruit character with fennel, marzipan, raspberry leaf, austere tannins on the finish. 40% new oak. 34hl/ha Drinking range: 2028 - 2038 Rating: 91 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 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: 6/5/2024

Release date: 3/5/2024

The 2023 from Sénéjac opens with a nose of delicately medicinal red cherry, with pomegranate and herbaceous fern. There follows a rather light, loose and juicy start to the palate, which does not The 2023 from Sénéjac opens with a nose of delicately medicinal red cherry, with pomegranate and herbaceous fern. There follows a rather light, loose and juicy start to the palate, which does not really pick up through the middle, wrapping red and acid-spiked red fruits around a core of sappy, powdery tannins. This sample lacks the depth, fruit character and cohesion I am looking for, and will probably be best drunk relatively young. Rating: 86-88 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)

A very confident expression on the nose, with smoked blackberries and smouldering toast from the oak on the nose, with a fresh, delicately floral sidekick. The palate is loosely composed at theA very confident expression on the nose, with smoked blackberries and smouldering toast from the oak on the nose, with a fresh, delicately floral sidekick. The palate is loosely composed at the start, just a touch on the juicy side, the fruit showing more restraint than the aromatics, with fragrant red cherry, bramble, dark chocolate and toast, draped over a good frame of ripe and tightly knit tannins. It keeps a confident texture through the middle and end, supported by those richly knit tannins which persist into the finish. A good result from Cambon la Pelouse, one of the more reliable cru bourgeois properties. Rating: 89-91 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

This presents a charming core of fruit, confident with red cherry, red rose petal and leather. This is followed by an elegantly polished style on the palate, the red cherry and raspberry fruits setThis presents a charming core of fruit, confident with red cherry, red rose petal and leather. This is followed by an elegantly polished style on the palate, the red cherry and raspberry fruits set in a supple and sinewy substance, which is balanced with nice acidity and a ribbon of fresh, tight tannins. This is really well composed for the vintage, and while it won’t send shivers down your spine it does at least present a coherent style, more so than many of its Haut-Médoc peers in this vintage. Rating: 87-89 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Bought by Treasury Wine Estates in October 2022, so this is their first full vintage. this has a savoury feel of dark fruits, a little restrained on the finish with good juice; i feel like here youBought by Treasury Wine Estates in October 2022, so this is their first full vintage. this has a savoury feel of dark fruits, a little restrained on the finish with good juice; i feel like here you want a Medoc, you are getting a Medoc, a good sense of understanding what the appellation means and shoudl deliver. They have done a good job here and it is one to look out for. Slate, cassis, crushed rocks. Eric Boissenot consultant. Drinking range: 2026 - 2038 Rating: 92-100 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)