Pessac-Léognan

Release date: 9/6/2026

So aromatic and expressive, with pure currants and mint, plus some chocolate. Fennel too. Wow. Medium- to full-bodied with very deep fruit, fine, velvety tannins and a long, fine texture. TheSo aromatic and expressive, with pure currants and mint, plus some chocolate. Fennel too. Wow. Medium- to full-bodied with very deep fruit, fine, velvety tannins and a long, fine texture. The precision and depth are impressive. More fruit-driven than usual. It grows on the palate and is compact at the end. Very cabernet in the end. Almost like St.-Julien and Pauillac in nature. A blend of 68% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2026)

Release date: 9/6/2026

The 2025 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte has a slightly earthier bouquet with red berry fruit, gravel and light tobacco scents unfolding in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on theThe 2025 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte has a slightly earthier bouquet with red berry fruit, gravel and light tobacco scents unfolding in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry, very Cabernet-driven with black fruit laced with tobacco and graphite notes towards the finish. It will flesh out during its barrel maturation (10% new) and should drink well for a decade or more. Drinking range: 2029 - 2039 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.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

The 2025 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has a little more comeliness than the La Chapelle de la Mission, perhaps due to the higher percentage of Merlot (66.5%). Dark cherries, sous-bois, a touch moreThe 2025 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion has a little more comeliness than the La Chapelle de la Mission, perhaps due to the higher percentage of Merlot (66.5%). Dark cherries, sous-bois, a touch more minéralité coming through by direct comparison. Just a very marginal ash-like scent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins, firm in the mouth, a tad more backbone than expected. Delineated and delivering quite a potent, granular-textured finish, you can feel the mouth tingling with red peppercorns on the aftertaste. Great potential and a very fine Deuxième Vin. Drinking range: 2030 - 2048 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 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

The 2025 Haut-Bailly is fabulous. Here, too, the purity of the fruit is remarkable. Dried herbs, crushed flowers, blood orange, pomegranate, mint and star anise give the 2025 a gorgeous and palpableThe 2025 Haut-Bailly is fabulous. Here, too, the purity of the fruit is remarkable. Dried herbs, crushed flowers, blood orange, pomegranate, mint and star anise give the 2025 a gorgeous and palpable sense of exoticism. The 2025 impresses with its elegance and finesse. Floral and savory overtones linger on the clean, supremely polished finish. Very fine. Drinking range: 2035 - 2065 Rating: 95-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 3/6/2026

A very fine-tannined young red with blackberries, black currants and crushed stone character. It is medium-bodied with a lovely finish. Very classy for a second wine. 50% merlot, 40% cabernetA very fine-tannined young red with blackberries, black currants and crushed stone character. It is medium-bodied with a lovely finish. Very classy for a second wine. 50% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon, 6% petit verdot and 4% cabernet franc. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.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

Enjoyable, sappy, plenty of lift and dark fruit, incense and sandalwood, you can see the structure and shape of the tannins and it is very much a wine where the acidity is controlled, giving a reallyEnjoyable, sappy, plenty of lift and dark fruit, incense and sandalwood, you can see the structure and shape of the tannins and it is very much a wine where the acidity is controlled, giving a really juicy mouthfeel, great energy, definition and precision. Excellent job. 38 hl/ha yield. Drinking range: 2034 - 2044 Rating: 95 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 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

Tasted three times, including at the UGCB press tasting at the Cité du Vin). Gorgeous. Plump red berry fruits, freshly plucked and hulled - strawberry and raspberry, with a little mulberry, hazelnutTasted three times, including at the UGCB press tasting at the Cité du Vin). Gorgeous. Plump red berry fruits, freshly plucked and hulled - strawberry and raspberry, with a little mulberry, hazelnut shell and even a hint of frangipane. This is cool at the core and the product of a most gentle extraction. Crystalline and radiant when retasted at the UGCB press tasting. This is fresh but perfectly ripe and feels both vivid and lively on its feet. One of the most dynamic recent vintages of Domaine de Chevalier and one I love, though elévage will be important as this is lighter on its feet and does not have the density or viscosity of, say, 2022 or 2023 Rating: 95-97 The Drinks Business (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

A solid La Garde with aromas of blackberries, black cherries, crushed stones and spices. It is sophisticated and chic. 59% cabernet sauvignon and 41% merlot.A solid La Garde with aromas of blackberries, black cherries, crushed stones and spices. It is sophisticated and chic. 59% cabernet sauvignon and 41% merlot. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 7/5/2026

Really floral on the nose, expressive with ripe red and black fruit, incense perfumed scents and a rich headiness with such aromatic purity. Supple and velvety, round and lively with quite a delicateReally floral on the nose, expressive with ripe red and black fruit, incense perfumed scents and a rich headiness with such aromatic purity. Supple and velvety, round and lively with quite a delicate style here where the focus is on the clarity of the blueberry fruit and the lifted aspects rather than fleshiness or power. Almost understated, a word not often used with Pape. A soft salty, wet stone and chalky aspect on the finish. Definitely fresh with lots of energy here. Elegant and precise with a soft chew on the finish and ripe fruit. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.68pH. A yield of 29hl/ha. Ageing 85% in barrels (1/3 new) and 15% in foudres. Harvest 3–25 September. Drinking range: 2028 - 2045 Rating: 96 Georgie Hindle - Decanter (Apr 2026)