Saint Estèphe

Release date: 12/6/2026

A timeless classic in the making, the 2025 Montrose unfurls in the glass with notes of dark berries, black truffle, burning embers and violets, gaining in range and detail with aeration. Full-bodied,A timeless classic in the making, the 2025 Montrose unfurls in the glass with notes of dark berries, black truffle, burning embers and violets, gaining in range and detail with aeration. Full-bodied, dense and elegantly muscular, it's layered and multidimensional, with a prodigiously concentrated core of fruit, exceptional quality of tannin and a long, resonant finish. The 2025 is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, derived exclusively from the estate's historic core on the fourth terrace situated just in front of the château itself. With a pH of 3.65 and 13.4% alcohol, it remains classically balanced despite its impressive power and intensity. Readers will have a fascinating time parsing the nuances of style and quality between the 2025, 2023 and 2022 over the decades to come! Rating: 98-100 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2026)

Release date: 12/6/2026

A brightness and freshness, with red currants and oyster shells. Medium body, with fine tannins and a crunchy, crisp finish. A blend of 82% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 3%A brightness and freshness, with red currants and oyster shells. Medium body, with fine tannins and a crunchy, crisp finish. A blend of 82% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 10/6/2026

The most firmly constructed wine of the Calon stable of course, but it still delivers the combination of finesse and concentration that is typical of the best wines in 2025. Much more graphite andThe most firmly constructed wine of the Calon stable of course, but it still delivers the combination of finesse and concentration that is typical of the best wines in 2025. Much more graphite and slate on the texture of this main wine, this is one of the wines that really showcases the highest potential of the vintage, and it is an exceptional Calon. So layered, iris bud, cassis, crushed violet flowers, espresso and cocoa bean. A slow unroll. 100% new oak. 3.6 pH. Yield 35 hl/ha, Harvest September 4 to 20 Rating: 98 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 10/6/2026

A firmness and length to this red, with blackberries and spice such as cinnamon on the nose and palate. It's medium-bodied with silky tannins and a vivid finish. 67% merlot, 31% cabernet sauvignonA firmness and length to this red, with blackberries and spice such as cinnamon on the nose and palate. It's medium-bodied with silky tannins and a vivid finish. 67% merlot, 31% cabernet sauvignon and 2% cabernet franc. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 10/6/2026

A rich and tannic red with blackberry and blueberry character. Medium-bodied and slightly chewy, but should soften with age. Like eating small berries.A rich and tannic red with blackberry and blueberry character. Medium-bodied and slightly chewy, but should soften with age. Like eating small berries. Rating: 91-92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 4/6/2026

The 2025 Phélan Ségur is a gorgeous but quiet wine. Hints of dark raspberry, rose petal, mint, spice, mocha and blood orange fill out the layers. The fruit profile is more red-leaning than in manyThe 2025 Phélan Ségur is a gorgeous but quiet wine. Hints of dark raspberry, rose petal, mint, spice, mocha and blood orange fill out the layers. The fruit profile is more red-leaning than in many years, while the 2025 is on the lighter side structurally. It will be interesting to see what élevage brings. Savory overtones from the Cabernets suggest a bright future. There's certainly plenty to look forward to. Drinking range: 2033 - 2055 Rating: 91-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 1/6/2026

This year's Meyney is a bright, lifted and joyous iteration of this stalwart Saint Estephe estate. Always a solid performer - a reliably satisfying 'Englishman's claret', but in 2025 it reaches newThis year's Meyney is a bright, lifted and joyous iteration of this stalwart Saint Estephe estate. Always a solid performer - a reliably satisfying 'Englishman's claret', but in 2025 it reaches new levels of finesse. There is grip and juice and a lovely weighty, dark fruited core - but this has some edge and some cut and lovely swirl of floral aromatics too. One for the cellar in Magnums perhaps for cosy kitchen supper parties in about 10 years' time. 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot & 14% Petit Verdot.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 21/5/2026

Ormes de Pez is in very good form this year, and another real success from our tasting with the Cazes family. The wine has a bright, immediately appealing character, with lively red fruit, a touch ofOrmes de Pez is in very good form this year, and another real success from our tasting with the Cazes family. The wine has a bright, immediately appealing character, with lively red fruit, a touch of sweet cream and plenty of freshness and energy. Aromatically, there's attractive floral notes of peony alongside a crunchy, leafy Cabernet hit that brings lift and definition. In the mouth, the feel is supple and easy-going, with sweet, delicate fruit and a soft, approachable structure that makes it am instant win!L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 18/5/2026

The 2025 Cos d'Estournel is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Grand, dramatic and sweeping, with notable textural intensity, the 2025 hits all the right notes. Even in the very earlyThe 2025 Cos d'Estournel is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Grand, dramatic and sweeping, with notable textural intensity, the 2025 hits all the right notes. Even in the very early going, the 2025 is magical. Dark red/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, tobacco, lavender and mocha build effortlessly in the glass. More than anything else, I am blown away by the wine's magnificent balance. A masterpiece. Drinking range: 2035 - 2075 Rating: 96-99 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 18/5/2026

The 2025 Les Pagodes de Cos is fragrant and floral on the nose, with violet and iris petals, and light iodine aromas infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, with silky tannins on theThe 2025 Les Pagodes de Cos is fragrant and floral on the nose, with violet and iris petals, and light iodine aromas infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, with silky tannins on the entry, very harmonious, with blue fruit and black pepper towards the sensual finish. This will require three or four years in bottle but should mature well over 15 to 18 years. Drinking range: 2031 - 2050 Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)

Release date: 18/5/2026

More aromatics on the nose than Pedesclaux which we tasted just beforehand - but more clout too. Really intense, nicely concentrated. Clean and crisp tannins - really smart feel - adds lift and freshMore aromatics on the nose than Pedesclaux which we tasted just beforehand - but more clout too. Really intense, nicely concentrated. Clean and crisp tannins - really smart feel - adds lift and fresh coolness. Fruit aromas are pretty - and jolly with smashed strawberry and a darker line of pure plum essence. Nice ripeness but really measured and the lick of juicy acidity is super at lifting the feel and adding real energy.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 18/5/2026

We are fans of this over-performing estate in Saint Estephe - however, this year's samples (tasted on 2 separate occasions) were quite firm and hairy. Well stacked with good structure and a tidy,We are fans of this over-performing estate in Saint Estephe - however, this year's samples (tasted on 2 separate occasions) were quite firm and hairy. Well stacked with good structure and a tidy, concentrated core of pretty fruit for the future, but not the most showy or charming at this stage. L&S (Apr 2026)