Pessac-Léognan

Release date: 9/6/2026

The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte is a very classy, elegant wine. Lavender, spice and mint open first, followed by a burst of black/purplish fruit. Medium in body, with terrific freshness, the 2025 isThe 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte is a very classy, elegant wine. Lavender, spice and mint open first, followed by a burst of black/purplish fruit. Medium in body, with terrific freshness, the 2025 is impeccably done. The lighter style vis-à-vis most years is quite attractive. Drinking range: 2033 - 2045 Rating: 93-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 9/6/2026

A structure and long red with beautiful cabernet fruit, currants and hazelnuts. It's medium- to full-bodied with a firm and slightly chewy texture and a persistent finish. 60% cabernet sauvignon andA structure and long red with beautiful cabernet fruit, currants and hazelnuts. It's medium- to full-bodied with a firm and slightly chewy texture and a persistent finish. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2026)

Release date: 9/6/2026

There is an effortless grandeur and power that draws you in here. The nose is wonderfully inviting, packed with tightly wound blue and black fruit and a quiet sense of confidence. There is nothingThere is an effortless grandeur and power that draws you in here. The nose is wonderfully inviting, packed with tightly wound blue and black fruit and a quiet sense of confidence. There is nothing flashy about it, but plenty of depth. On the palate, the wine feels grand and beautifully constructed, an edifice of dark fruit and stony intensity. The tannins arrive as a fine scrub rather than a wall, bringing freshness and firmness in equal measure. For such a big wine, it moves remarkably well, with clean lines and impressive focus throughout. Powerful, certainly, but even more impressive in the way it carries that power. A very serious Haut-Brion - grand and full.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 9/6/2026

Structured yet refined, with polished tannins that run the length of the wine. Dark berries, smoke and cedar on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with very integrated tannins. Classy second wineStructured yet refined, with polished tannins that run the length of the wine. Dark berries, smoke and cedar on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with very integrated tannins. Classy second wine from Haut Brion. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 4/6/2026

Oh boy - he's done it again. The endlessly charismatic Guillaume Pouthier has captured the vintage and the essence of his wine perfectly in 2025. His idiosyncratic approach capturing place and timeOh boy - he's done it again. The endlessly charismatic Guillaume Pouthier has captured the vintage and the essence of his wine perfectly in 2025. His idiosyncratic approach capturing place and time perfectly. This is immediately captivating. So much fruit seems to burst from the glass, with sweet strawberries, blackberries and red blossom notes combining to create an irresistibly charming first impression. On the palate, however, the wine quickly reveals a more serious side. The fruit is joined by a clear mineral thread that brings focus, energy and a real sense of place. Red berries and blackcurrant flow through the middle, while subtle saline notes on the finish add freshness and complexity. There is plenty of intensity here, but it is delivered with precision rather than weight. A blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot, from vines averaging 60 years of age, this is a beautifully expressive Carmes Haut-Brion. Refined, vibrant and full of character.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 3/6/2026

Checking in as a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2025 Château Haut-Bailly is a sensational Haut-Bailly all about finesse and elegance. RipeChecking in as a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2025 Château Haut-Bailly is a sensational Haut-Bailly all about finesse and elegance. Ripe black cherries, currants, smoky tobacco, violets, spice, and flowers all define the bouquet, and on the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with a pure, graceful mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a very long, elegant finish. It's not a blockbuster, but it's exactly what this terroir yields with its complex, nuanced, layered, graceful style. You should buy this.Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (May 2026)

Release date: 3/6/2026

The 2025 Haut-Bailly II is a gorgeous, wonderfully classy wine. The aromatics are especially prominent. Rose petal, dried herbs, mint, blood orange and cinnamon lend an exotic flair. Medium in body,The 2025 Haut-Bailly II is a gorgeous, wonderfully classy wine. The aromatics are especially prominent. Rose petal, dried herbs, mint, blood orange and cinnamon lend an exotic flair. Medium in body, with silky tannins and fine balance, the Haut-Bailly II is a delight. Drinking range: 2028 - 2045 Rating: 91-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 2/6/2026

When we tasted with winemaker Jean-Philippe Delmas, he described 2025 as a vintage of contrasts, and that feels spot on here. The 2025 La Mission Haut-Brion manages to be both powerful andWhen we tasted with winemaker Jean-Philippe Delmas, he described 2025 as a vintage of contrasts, and that feels spot on here. The 2025 La Mission Haut-Brion manages to be both powerful and remarkably fresh, with real depth but also a brightness that keeps drawing you back. The nose is immediately impressive, packed with deep red fruit and plenty of gravitas. On the palate, the wine quickly gathers momentum, with layers of crushed berries, a darker mineral edge and plenty of finely judged grip. The fruit is there, certainly, but it feels tucked away for now behind the structure. What stands out most is the energy - a tangy, vibrant freshness that runs from start to finish and keeps the considerable power perfectly in check. A very accomplished La Mission.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 2/6/2026

The 2025 La Chapelle is a wine that makes a strong first impression. The nose is bright and aromatic, with clipped, precise red fruit and a lovely sense of freshness. On the palate, there is plentyThe 2025 La Chapelle is a wine that makes a strong first impression. The nose is bright and aromatic, with clipped, precise red fruit and a lovely sense of freshness. On the palate, there is plenty of structure, with firm, well-defined tannins giving the wine shape and direction. Yet it never feels severe. The fruit remains vibrant and energetic throughout, bringing a freshness that keeps everything in balance. There is a smartness to the wine, a sense of polish and control, but also a moreish quality that makes you want to return for another taste. A focused, well-crafted claret with plenty of appeal.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 18/5/2026

This wine evinces pleasing refinement, with clean fruit and a composed feel on the palate. Aromas of ripe cherry and blackberry come through clearly, complemented by subtle floral hints of violet,This wine evinces pleasing refinement, with clean fruit and a composed feel on the palate. Aromas of ripe cherry and blackberry come through clearly, complemented by subtle floral hints of violet, along with touches of vanilla and a faint note of eucalyptus leaf. The attack is supple and well–defined, with a slightly austere edge at this stage that should integrate further with barrel ageing (16 months, 35% new oak). There’s an appealing interplay of red and black fruit, giving the mid–palate a vibrant, lifted character, supported by fine, velvety tannins that lend structure without heaviness. Despite the warmth of the vintage, the wine retains a welcome freshness, bringing tension and precision. The finish is harmonious and clean, if not especially long, but it remains elegant and well–balanced overall. Drinking range: 2030 - 2040 Rating: 94 Georgie Hindle - Decanter (Apr 2026)

Release date: 12/5/2026

The quality of the tannins shows through nicely, with black currants, orange peel, crushed stones and a hint of fresh herbs. It's medium-bodied with a creamy texture and lots of polish. Long,The quality of the tannins shows through nicely, with black currants, orange peel, crushed stones and a hint of fresh herbs. It's medium-bodied with a creamy texture and lots of polish. Long, complete and succulent, with a touch of salt. A blend of 57.5% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 3% petit verdot and 0.5% cabernet franc. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2026)

Release date: 11/5/2026

A powerful second wine with orange peel, apple, pineapple and crush stone character. It's full-bodied and layered, with framing phenolics. Extremely long and complete. A blend of 70% sauvignon blancA powerful second wine with orange peel, apple, pineapple and crush stone character. It's full-bodied and layered, with framing phenolics. Extremely long and complete. A blend of 70% sauvignon blanc and 30% semillon. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2026)

Release date: 11/5/2026

The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier is a total stunner. The oak imprint is a bit strong, but the 2025 possesses notable richness and textural depth to handle it all. Signature red-toned fruit and floralThe 2025 Domaine de Chevalier is a total stunner. The oak imprint is a bit strong, but the 2025 possesses notable richness and textural depth to handle it all. Signature red-toned fruit and floral overtones soar through the layered, expansive close. Drinking range: 2035 - 2075 Rating: 95-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 11/5/2026

Grilled cedar and sandalwood, characterful damson fruits, with some of the squid ink salinity that is such a lovely marker of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon on the Left Bank of Bordeaux. Harvest September 4Grilled cedar and sandalwood, characterful damson fruits, with some of the squid ink salinity that is such a lovely marker of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon on the Left Bank of Bordeaux. Harvest September 4 to 26. Quinn family owners. Rating: 94 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 7/5/2026

Well structured fruits and tannins, nothing too intrusive, enjoyable balance, good length and grip, unfussy and easy to recommend. A clear example of how much work is being done at La Garde rightWell structured fruits and tannins, nothing too intrusive, enjoyable balance, good length and grip, unfussy and easy to recommend. A clear example of how much work is being done at La Garde right now. 3.5ph, 39hl/ha yields, 30% new oak. Penelope Godefroy's first full vintage at Dourthe as director (a great year to read the difference between the terroirs). Harvest September 8 to 24. Drinking range: 2030 - 2048 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 7/5/2026

The 2025 Pape Clément was picked between September 3 and 25, fermented using their own yeast strains and matured in 85% barrel (one-third new) and the remainder in foudres. A large amount of theThe 2025 Pape Clément was picked between September 3 and 25, fermented using their own yeast strains and matured in 85% barrel (one-third new) and the remainder in foudres. A large amount of the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked after the rain on September 20, using optical sorting, and underwent a gentle extraction with a shorter maceration up to 26°C. It has quite an opulent bouquet, with luxuriant black cherries, blueberry and blood orange scents, a touch of peppermint emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied and delivers quite a grip on the entry, with layered black fruit, quite compact on the mid-palate, a little hard-edged on the finish, though that should soften during the barrel maturation. Quite dense on the finish, this is an impressive Pape Clément but it needs to foment more charm by the time of bottling. Drinking range: 2032 - 2055 Rating: 93-95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)