Pauillac

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. Its all about the balance - and this is pitch-perfect. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 29/4/2026

The nose here is immediately intriguing, with softly layered fruit and floral prettiness, subtle hedgerow and leafy notes, and a delicate touch of toasty oak. The palate is vibrant almost ethereal inThe nose here is immediately intriguing, with softly layered fruit and floral prettiness, subtle hedgerow and leafy notes, and a delicate touch of toasty oak. The palate is vibrant almost ethereal in its lift, yet carrying real intensity, with vivid purple fruit, crushed blueberry and blackberry, and a distinctive graphite edge. Fine-grained tannins provide gentle structure, while a savoury, mineral thread brings definition and drive. The finish is cool, fresh and persistent, marked by a lingering bright red fruit notes and stony precision. This impressive 2025 is the result of careful vineyard work, including low training of the vines and thoughtful canopy management, to cope with the season's heat. Harvest began with Merlot from the 2nd to the 15th September, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and finally Petit Verdot from the 21st of September.
In the cellar, extraction was gentle, with a long, measured maceration at moderate temperatures, preserving both purity and finesse. Élevage continues in a thoughtful mix of vessels - just 50% new oak, 15% one-year-old barrels, and 35% in concrete allowing the wine to evolve with precision and restraint. 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc & 1% Petit Verdot. Drinking range: 2033 - 2043L&S (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Carruades de Lafite is a total stunner. It's a great example of how Bordeaux has come along in the last few decades, in that it could have easily been a Grand Vin from anotherThe 2025 Carruades de Lafite is a total stunner. It's a great example of how Bordeaux has come along in the last few decades, in that it could have easily been a Grand Vin from another generation—maybe not from a great year, but from many years. Brisk acids and strong floral overtones immediately convey energy. Hints of lavender, rose petal, graphite and spice box are classic Lafite; all the Carruades lacks vis-à-vis its sibling is the classic Lafite mid-palate. This should blossom beautifully with time, and I would be in no rush to open it. What a delight. Drinking range: 2033 - 2050 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

A juicy and structured Clerc that is very typical with a firmness and brightness. It's medium-bodied with a solid center palate and a linear and racy finish. Just a hint of flint in the end. VividA juicy and structured Clerc that is very typical with a firmness and brightness. It's medium-bodied with a solid center palate and a linear and racy finish. Just a hint of flint in the end. Vivid and pretty. A blend of 62% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, 8% cabernet franc, 1% carmenere and 1% petit verdot. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

The 2025 d'Armailhac is powerful and tightly wound. Brisk acids and incisive tannins shape a young Pauillac that is going to need at least a few years in bottle to come together. There's gorgeousThe 2025 d'Armailhac is powerful and tightly wound. Brisk acids and incisive tannins shape a young Pauillac that is going to need at least a few years in bottle to come together. There's gorgeous energy and tension here. It's a classic d'Armailhac that leans into Cabernet Sauvignon, with an extra burst of red and blood orange-tinged fruit that really comes alive over time. That's a very appealing combination in my book. Drinking range: 2033 - 2045 Rating: 89-91 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Duhart-Milon offers a captivating mix of brilliant red-toned fruit, blood orange, pomegranate and wild flowers. Readers will find a Duhart that bristles with energy. The purity of theThe 2025 Duhart-Milon offers a captivating mix of brilliant red-toned fruit, blood orange, pomegranate and wild flowers. Readers will find a Duhart that bristles with energy. The purity of the flavors is just captivating. It's one of my favorite recent vintages here because of its vibrancy and textural finesse. The blend is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot, picked from early to mid-September, always a few days later than at Lafite. Drinking range: 2030 - 2040 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Excellent GPL, medium- to full-bodied with a great expression of dark fruit that is evenly distributed. It’s fresh and precise with grainy, integrated tannins that should only integrate more. A blendExcellent GPL, medium- to full-bodied with a great expression of dark fruit that is evenly distributed. It’s fresh and precise with grainy, integrated tannins that should only integrate more. A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon and 24% merlot. Rating: 96-97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Haut-Bages Libéral is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Bright acids and beams of tannin are front and center. In this tasting, it is driven and also very shut down. The saline-drenched finishThe 2025 Haut-Bages Libéral is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Bright acids and beams of tannin are front and center. In this tasting, it is driven and also very shut down. The saline-drenched finish reverberates with tension. Intense red-toned fruit, chalk, mint, white pepper and blood orange fill out the layers. Drinking range: 2035 - 2065 Rating: 93-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Medium- to full-bodied with well-placed tannins, a savory element and firm yet fine-grained tannins that add definition. Juicy and precise finish.Medium- to full-bodied with well-placed tannins, a savory element and firm yet fine-grained tannins that add definition. Juicy and precise finish. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Lafite-Rothschild is powerful and explosive in the glass. Dark cherry/plum fruit, graphite, new leather, graphite, licorice and lavender race across the palate. A Pauillac of mid-weightThe 2025 Lafite-Rothschild is powerful and explosive in the glass. Dark cherry/plum fruit, graphite, new leather, graphite, licorice and lavender race across the palate. A Pauillac of mid-weight structure, the 2025 impresses with its tension and deep, layered personality. Even in the early going, the Grand Vin is so vivid, so expressive. I can't wait to taste it in finished form. For those who love data Drinking range: 2035 - 2075 Rating: 97-99 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Lynch-Bages is a wine only very patient consumers should contemplate. Dark and explosive, with incisive tannins, the 2025 is quite the powerhouse. Huge beams of tannin lend serious intensityThe 2025 Lynch-Bages is a wine only very patient consumers should contemplate. Dark and explosive, with incisive tannins, the 2025 is quite the powerhouse. Huge beams of tannin lend serious intensity and power. In many warmer years, this level of richness is accompanied by commensurately high alcohols and viscosity, but the 2025 is built around fairly classic lines, which only reinforces its sheer brawn. Drinking range: 2035 - 2075 Rating: 95-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Lynch Moussas is so classy. Silky and refined, the 2025 is all charm. All the elements are so well-balanced. Readers will find a Pauillac of undeniable appeal. This is so precise. The 2025The 2025 Lynch Moussas is so classy. Silky and refined, the 2025 is all charm. All the elements are so well-balanced. Readers will find a Pauillac of undeniable appeal. This is so precise. The 2025 is going to need a few years to soften, as the tannins are quite imposing, and yet there is so much wine. A major step forward Drinking range: 2033 - 2050 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Mouton Rothschild is dense and brooding. Although naturally very, very young, all the elements are so well put together. The 2025 is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, the most Cabernet ever in theThe 2025 Mouton Rothschild is dense and brooding. Although naturally very, very young, all the elements are so well put together. The 2025 is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, the most Cabernet ever in the Grand Vin, and that very much comes through in the wine's structure and overall presence. Graphite, lavender, rose petal and menthol build into the rich, heady finish. There's a ton of potential here. Drinking range: 2035 - 2075 Rating: 96-98 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Silky, aromatic and layered in the glass, the 2025 Pichon Baron is a total stunner. What a wine. Sweet red cherry/plum fruit, blood orange and rose petal are some of the many notes that caress theSilky, aromatic and layered in the glass, the 2025 Pichon Baron is a total stunner. What a wine. Sweet red cherry/plum fruit, blood orange and rose petal are some of the many notes that caress the palate. Hints of pomegranate, mint and exotic spice appear later, adding layers of nuance. The wine's striking mid-palate sweetness and overall balance are the stuff dreams are made of. This is exquisite. Yields were just 24 hectoliters per hectare. The 2025 is expected to spend 18 months in French oak, 70% new. Drinking range: 2035 - 2065 Rating: 96-98 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Lots of purity, with freshness and a linear, evenly distributed dark fruit profile. There is elegance and a chewy texture that’s precise and focused, with good definition.Lots of purity, with freshness and a linear, evenly distributed dark fruit profile. There is elegance and a chewy texture that’s precise and focused, with good definition. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

A solid wine with firm and racy tannins, with dark berries, cherries and black currants. Medium-bodied with creamy tannins and an intense finish. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot and 1% cabernetA solid wine with firm and racy tannins, with dark berries, cherries and black currants. Medium-bodied with creamy tannins and an intense finish. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot and 1% cabernet franc. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

This is concentrated and medium- to full-bodied, with detailed, linear fruit complemented by precise, focused tannins. Savory finish with a cedar note. Fine tannins. 68% cabernet sauvignon, 24%This is concentrated and medium- to full-bodied, with detailed, linear fruit complemented by precise, focused tannins. Savory finish with a cedar note. Fine tannins. 68% cabernet sauvignon, 24% merlot and 8% cabernet franc. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

Open and juicy with a plush nature as well as a noticeable ripeness, yet it's only 13% alcohol. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, velvety tannins and a savory, flavorful finish. Juicy and layered.Open and juicy with a plush nature as well as a noticeable ripeness, yet it's only 13% alcohol. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, velvety tannins and a savory, flavorful finish. Juicy and layered. Structured. Plenty of blackberry and blueberry character. A blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Réserve de la Comtesse is all class, all finesse. Open-knit floral overtones and silky, polished tannins announce a Réserve that is more about restraint than power. Rose petal, dark redThe 2025 Réserve de la Comtesse is all class, all finesse. Open-knit floral overtones and silky, polished tannins announce a Réserve that is more about restraint than power. Rose petal, dark red cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and licorice build with time in the glass. There's plenty of textural depth in this captivating Réserve. Drinking range: 2030 - 2040 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a total stunner. A wine of depth and intensity, it soars out of the glass with layers of nuance and complexity. The 2025 has it all: aromatics,The 2025 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a total stunner. A wine of depth and intensity, it soars out of the glass with layers of nuance and complexity. The 2025 has it all: aromatics, fruit density and structure to match. Pichon Comtesse is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drinking range: 2035 - 2075 Rating: 96-98 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)