Saint Estèphe

Release date: 12/6/2026

The 2025 Montrose only comes from the Terrace IV, as has been the way since the 2023 vintage. It was picked from August 29 and finished not until September 20, so quite a long harvest, 16 days ofThe 2025 Montrose only comes from the Terrace IV, as has been the way since the 2023 vintage. It was picked from August 29 and finished not until September 20, so quite a long harvest, 16 days of picking between those dates. This vintage is matured in 60% new oak. This has another very intense nose with a potent graphite element that infuses the black fruit, beautifully defined but unapologetically classical in style. Wow. The purity of fruit is exceptional. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, very chiselled tannins, exquisite black fruit loaded with minéralité. So much freshness and vibrancy, gentle but insistent grip, very precise and refined on the finish, this is a Montrose that will rank as one for the ages. Wow (again). Drinking range: 2032 - 2060 Rating: 98-100 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 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

Aromas of ripe black currants, yet menthol and other fresh herbs come through. Medium body, with firm and slightly chewy tannins and a savory finish. Plenty going on here. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17%Aromas of ripe black currants, yet menthol and other fresh herbs come through. Medium body, with firm and slightly chewy tannins and a savory finish. Plenty going on here. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.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 blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 Capbern now sports a new label that reflects its historic links to Calon-Ségur. Offering up notes of violets, darkA blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 Capbern now sports a new label that reflects its historic links to Calon-Ségur. Offering up notes of violets, dark berries and a deft touch of creamy new oak, it's medium- to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with supple, powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully structured finish. It checks in at 13.8% alcohol. Rating: 91-93 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (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 was picked between September 3 and 19 and matured in 50% new oak, the analytic alcohol at 13.25%. There is just a touch of CO2 on the nose that soon dissipates, gorgeousThe 2025 Cos d'Estournel was picked between September 3 and 19 and matured in 50% new oak, the analytic alcohol at 13.25%. There is just a touch of CO2 on the nose that soon dissipates, gorgeous black plum and damson aromas, pencil lead and light iodine scents all delivered with impressive delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a hint of cracked black pepper and pencil lead that infuse the layered black fruit. There is a real crescendo of flavours in this Cos d'Estournel, fanning out gloriously towards the sustained finish. This is a serious Saint-Estèphe that will age supremely well in bottle.
“Dry and hot conditions arrived in early April,” winemaker Dominique Arangoïts told me, “which meant that vines could adapt to the situation and preserve water by making smaller leaves and berries. We had some rain in the quantity and at the time that we needed. The first was between April 19 and 21, when there was 115 mm of rain. Flowering took place in incredible conditions, while warm temperatures in June accelerated precocity. There was 25 mm of rain on July 21 at the beginning of véraison so we could avoid blockage. It was dry until the end of August, and there was rain between August 28 and 31. After that, we did not have hot temperatures. We commenced picking on September 3, the earliest since 1982. This vintage combines a dry year and ripe tannins with cooler-toned elements such as lower alcohol—the Cos d’Estournel is 13.25% with a pH around 3.68. We cropped at 29 hl/ha, the same as in 2024 but for different reasons.” Drinking range: 2032 - 2060 Rating: 95-97 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)

Release date: 18/5/2026

A juicy and velvety second wine of Cos, with spices and hazelnuts that highlight the dark fruit in this wine. It’s medium- to full-bodied with juicy fruit and a flavorful finish. Shows structure, butA juicy and velvety second wine of Cos, with spices and hazelnuts that highlight the dark fruit in this wine. It’s medium- to full-bodied with juicy fruit and a flavorful finish. Shows structure, but is integrated and polished. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot and 11% cabernet franc. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 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)