Saint Estèphe

Release date: 16/6/2023

The 2022 Montrose was picked 2 to 22 September comprising all four grape varieties and all the Cabernet Franc, with 13% pressed wine, matured in 60% new oak. There is 14.5% alcohol this year, whichThe 2022 Montrose was picked 2 to 22 September comprising all four grape varieties and all the Cabernet Franc, with 13% pressed wine, matured in 60% new oak. There is 14.5% alcohol this year, which is less than 2018. It has an extremely pure nose with black cherries and blueberry. Quite floral in style with hints of blood orange percolating through with time. The palate is very precise with exceptional mineralité and tension. Very focused, superb concentration, with what is becoming Montrose's trademark sense of symmetry and sustained aftertaste, this could be the finest Saint-Estèphe in 2022. Drinking range: 2027 - 2052 Rating: 97-99 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2023)

Release date: 16/6/2023

The 2022 La Dame de Montrose represents 43% of production this year and comes from Terrace 3 glacial deposits (the Grand Vin is on Terrace 4 that has more clay). It has a clean and pure bouquet withThe 2022 La Dame de Montrose represents 43% of production this year and comes from Terrace 3 glacial deposits (the Grand Vin is on Terrace 4 that has more clay). It has a clean and pure bouquet with wild strawberry, boysenberry and light marmalade notes percolating through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a succulent entry, fine depth, slightly powdery texture. There is much more grip on the finish compared to the 2021 last year. Excellent. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2023)

Release date: 15/6/2023

This estate's vintage attains levels of alcohol and concentration that are impressive. It nevertheless finds its point of balance thanks to well preserved freshness whose thread of acidity addsThis estate's vintage attains levels of alcohol and concentration that are impressive. It nevertheless finds its point of balance thanks to well preserved freshness whose thread of acidity adds liveliness to the finish in a minty touch. Very long. Rating: 97-98 La Revue du Vin de France (May 2023)

Release date: 15/6/2023

53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Firm, structured and long on the finish. Plentiful tannins but polished and round. Oak a little too manifest at53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Firm, structured and long on the finish. Plentiful tannins but polished and round. Oak a little too manifest at present, the finish drying, but should integrate. (JL) 15% Drinking range: 2029 - 2040 Rating: 16+ James Lawther MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (May 2023)

Release date: 15/6/2023

One of several over-performing second wines in this vintage is the 2022 Le Marquis de Calon-Ségur, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and seamless Saint-Estèphe redolent of minty berries, licorice andOne of several over-performing second wines in this vintage is the 2022 Le Marquis de Calon-Ségur, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and seamless Saint-Estèphe redolent of minty berries, licorice and rose petals. Lively and penetrating, it punches above its weight. Rating: 91-93 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)

Release date: 14/6/2023

This is impressive, big and very structured at the beginning, but then it opens and spreads out with ultra-fine tannins that caress the palate. Really opens at the end and finds its weightless state.This is impressive, big and very structured at the beginning, but then it opens and spreads out with ultra-fine tannins that caress the palate. Really opens at the end and finds its weightless state. Serious. 50% cabernet sauvignon and 49% merlot, 1% cabernet franc. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, The Wine Spectator (May 2023)

Release date: 14/6/2023

The 2022 Cos d'Estournel unwinds in the glass with aromas of sweet berries, plum liqueur and rich spices, followed by a full-bodied, broad-shouldered and muscular palate that's rich and structured,The 2022 Cos d'Estournel unwinds in the glass with aromas of sweet berries, plum liqueur and rich spices, followed by a full-bodied, broad-shouldered and muscular palate that's rich and structured, with a ripe core of fruit and chewy tannins. Harvest dates were relatively early this year, and maturation is occurring in only 50% new oak; yet the 2022's chunky, glass-staining style makes it Ducru Beaucaillou's only rival for the title of most extracted second growth of the Médoc. Rating: 93-95 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)

Release date: 14/6/2023

This is the first true vintage from Christophe Congé who took over here after the Lorenzetti purchase. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, Christophe feeling thatThis is the first true vintage from Christophe Congé who took over here after the Lorenzetti purchase. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, Christophe feeling that the Cabernet Franc worked well on the terroir, and was better for the blend than the Petit Verdot. A dark, focused and sweet sense of concentration on the nose, with layers of sweet dark chocolate, currants, mint and rose petals, the latter elements coming to the fore as part of an attractive, floral bouquet. The palate is immediately glossy and broad, with a rich and polished upper surface, riven with firm, tight-knit and integrated tannins, and a fresh twist of perfumed berry fruits, along with complex layers of dark chocolate, coffee bean, black pepper and black bean. The structure is firm and grippy, appropriate for the vintage, with a long shimmer of ripe, cohesive and tight tannins in the finish. And it is long too. A very good Lafon-Rochet this year, although it does not seem to have moved on from what Basile Tesseron once gave us. Perhaps the new team here need more time to get in the groove. The alcohol is 14.5%. Tasted twice. Rating: 91-93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2023)

Release date: 12/6/2023

Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries, crème de cassis, sweet berries and spices, framed by creamy new oak, the 2022 Phélan Ségur is medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with plentyUnwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries, crème de cassis, sweet berries and spices, framed by creamy new oak, the 2022 Phélan Ségur is medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with plenty of sweet fruit and chewy structuring tannin. It's a persuasive Saint-Estèphe in a more modern, extracted style. Rating: 91-93 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)

Release date: 8/6/2023

Austerity is your friend in an En Primeur sample as long as there is juice and fruit, and here you have both things in abundance. Brilliant wine, absolutely one to look out for, has steely mineralityAusterity is your friend in an En Primeur sample as long as there is juice and fruit, and here you have both things in abundance. Brilliant wine, absolutely one to look out for, has steely minerality that offsets the plump fruit character and intense tannic structure, this is concentrated but understated, everthing in proportion. First time on the Place this year, as before it was sold via an exclusivity. First vintage with new cellar also. Tasted twice, this is a buy. 26hl/h yield, half of usual, 50% new oak for ageing. Drinking range: 2026 - 2042 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2023)

Release date: 6/6/2023

A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2022 Haut-Marbuzet is a beautiful wine in the making, wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries, sweetA blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2022 Haut-Marbuzet is a beautiful wine in the making, wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries, sweet wild berries, cassis, mint and pencil lead, intermingled with hints of licorice. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple thanks to its ripe and velvety tannins, this is a deep, concentrated and vibrant Saint-Estèphe that is likely to number among the more attractive propositions of the en primeur campaign. Rating: 92-94 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2023)

Release date: 1/6/2023

From the Cuvelier family, this is a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, picked from September 12th onwards. The yield was a mere 20.7 hl/ha,From the Cuvelier family, this is a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, picked from September 12th onwards. The yield was a mere 20.7 hl/ha, suggesting some hail damage. It opens with a nose of lifted and delicately mentholated fruits, with blackcurrant, white peach and a touch of smoke. The palate continues with a finely polished sense of sweetness, which persists in the middle of the palate, the plump blanket of fruit draped gently over a core of firmly grained tannins. Sweetly composed, with a firm and delicately drying construct, the tannins nevertheless feel integrated in the middle of the palate, before simmering alongside the curranty fruit and perfumed oak in the finish. This has obvious potential. I suspect even after the élevage this will need some time to come around though. Well done. The alcohol is 14.7%. Tasted twice. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (May 2023)

Release date: 22/5/2023

It was a great visit to Lynch Bages to taste the Cazes family wines. Despite being at the end of a very long day the Ormes de Pez was a real delight to taste, bright and charming. Always a favouriteIt was a great visit to Lynch Bages to taste the Cazes family wines. Despite being at the end of a very long day the Ormes de Pez was a real delight to taste, bright and charming. Always a favourite en primeur the 2022 does not disappoint. With a quite open-knit spread of finely ripe plum and black berries on the attack - this becomes more serious and more textured in the mouth, with fine sophisticated tannic rub, a suede-like scrape on the long finish adds some mineral feel and bright lift. The wonderful Merlot, here at 51%, takes centre stage, resulting in a wine that leads on joy and yet is perfectly poised and sophisticated. The 2022 release from Ormes de Pez is fabulous, but is sadly heavily depleted after the family lost 40% of the fruit here in the devastating June hailstorm. Dig in while you can. L&S (Apr 2023)

Release date: 12/5/2023

It had been some time since we last visited Château Meyney, and it was a great to be back to taste the 2022 vintage here. It was a salient reminder of quite how well placed Meyney is - particularlyIt had been some time since we last visited Château Meyney, and it was a great to be back to taste the 2022 vintage here. It was a salient reminder of quite how well placed Meyney is - particularly in a warm vintage. They must lay claim to being one of the coolest spots in the Medoc, with vines running down to the cooling waters of the Gironde and they're also situated on some of the highest ground around - at a dizzying 13m! Below the gravel lies blue clay in good plots and this also helped retain moisture and add a freshness to the wine. With a generous slug of Petit Verdot too - the alcohol remains low at a very respectable 13.5%, rare in this vintage. Although dark and with a gentle brooding line of savour this remains pure, long and juicily brisk on the palate. Lots of dark forest berries dominate the core and then some hedgerow scents too and citrus kick perk things up and push to a lifted, fresh finish. Good effort. 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 13% Petit Verdot.L&S (Apr 2023)

Release date: 12/5/2023

Tasted at Chateau Pedescalux with winemaker Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen, the Lilian Ladouys is a broad and intense effort in 2022. They had hail here in June and lost about 30% of the crop, this forcedTasted at Chateau Pedescalux with winemaker Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen, the Lilian Ladouys is a broad and intense effort in 2022. They had hail here in June and lost about 30% of the crop, this forced them to up the percentage of Merlot, from limestone plots, which has been very successful adding a fresh undercurrent. Deep and dark there is impressive density and rich feel - but the crunch of blackberries and whiff of Violets tell the story of where this is from with great clarity. Very Saint Estephe - there is a purity and a directness to the fruit, lifted somehow despite the power and breadth. A charmer but more beefy than some although the tannins are super sleek too. The finish is long and has a fresh brush of minerality that drives it onwards. Impressive. Organic conversion began in 2020, with 100% in organic for the first time in 2021, with expected certification in 2024.L&S (Apr 2023)

Release date: 11/5/2023

The 2022 Le Boscq is super-concentrated and yet also vibrant. Dark red/purplish fruit, cigar box, lavender, rose petal, licorice and pomegranate infuse the 2022 with notable depth. Yields were justThe 2022 Le Boscq is super-concentrated and yet also vibrant. Dark red/purplish fruit, cigar box, lavender, rose petal, licorice and pomegranate infuse the 2022 with notable depth. Yields were just 25 hectoliters per hectare after hail in June reduced the potential crop dramatically. This has real potential. Drinking range: 2025 - 2042 Rating: 90-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2023)