Saint Julien

Release date: 11/6/2026

This is a large step up in scale and ambition from the Clos du Marquis tasted just beforehand. Broader, deeper and more serious in tone, it carries itself with the quiet authority that has long madeThis is a large step up in scale and ambition from the Clos du Marquis tasted just beforehand. Broader, deeper and more serious in tone, it carries itself with the quiet authority that has long made this one of the Médoc's most compelling wines. The fruit is densely packed, with layers of blue and black berries wrapped around a core of spice, graphite and stony depth. There is plenty of concentration here, but the wine never feels cumbersome. A fresh, energetic line runs through the middle, bringing lift and precision to all that power. The result is a wine of real grandeur, yet one that remains remarkably composed and finely detailed. Harvest began on 5th September, the earliest on record here, matching 1989. Even so, the wine feels beautifully judged, combining impressive weight with freshness and control. Not the most immediately expressive wine of the vintage perhaps, but one that promises to reward patience handsomely. Give it a decade or two and this should be a wonderfully sophisticated, aristocratic Léoville Las Cases.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 11/6/2026

The 2025 Clos du Marquis is a potent, brooding wine. A rush of dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, licorice, tobacco and scorched earth hits the palate. Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead, and thatThe 2025 Clos du Marquis is a potent, brooding wine. A rush of dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, licorice, tobacco and scorched earth hits the palate. Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead, and that very much comes through in the wine's savory character and structural profile. Lavender, mint, dried herbs and chocolate follow as the 2025 gains volume in the glass. There's a lot of wine here. I am looking forward to tasting this in finished form, given its considerable potential. Drinking range: 2030 - 2040 Rating: 90-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 8/6/2026

The intensity is very impressive on the nose, with black currants, raspberries and graphite. Medium- to full-bodied with a powerful structure of steely tannins that are polished and long. TurnsThe intensity is very impressive on the nose, with black currants, raspberries and graphite. Medium- to full-bodied with a powerful structure of steely tannins that are polished and long. Turns fluid, fine and chewy at the end. Wait and see. A blend of 79% cabernet sauvignon and 21% merlot. Rating: 96-97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2026)

Release date: 5/6/2026

A really great fruit profile here. Terrific balance of freshness and concentration, with a real push on the darker black fruits. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 8 % Cabernet Franc andA really great fruit profile here. Terrific balance of freshness and concentration, with a real push on the darker black fruits. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 8 % Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The September rains really benefitted the Cabernets here, softening their skins, along with the low yields of the vintage, the quality is a real trade off here, with perfect ripeness. The Merlots also performed beautifully with their small berries, bringing great concentration, topped up with the floral notes from the Petit Verdot. It was lovely to hear the estate describe the harvest as "A pleasure - controlled but never endured" - A complete pleasure to tasteL&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 5/6/2026

A tiny yield here in 2025 - but into what little they have - they have packed everything in. This has all the charm and depth you want in Gloria - but also beautiful details, well cut fruit - cocoaA tiny yield here in 2025 - but into what little they have - they have packed everything in. This has all the charm and depth you want in Gloria - but also beautiful details, well cut fruit - cocoa powder and mint lift seasoning the charming red-centered core of deep fruit. Smart Gloria for fans of this evergreen estate.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 4/6/2026

A generous, floral, exotically perfumed Beychevelle from the off. Very cheery. Full of classic notes and straight lines, but detailed and pretty at the same time. Not always one of our top choices inA generous, floral, exotically perfumed Beychevelle from the off. Very cheery. Full of classic notes and straight lines, but detailed and pretty at the same time. Not always one of our top choices in Saint Julien - the 2025 here is fabulous. dark plum and black cherry mingle with violets and crushed licorice. Heady and fine.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 2/6/2026

Lagrange has really hit the mark in 2025. There is plenty of fruit here, but it is delivered with real precision and restraint. Red berry flavours sweep across the palate, followed by a cool stonyLagrange has really hit the mark in 2025. There is plenty of fruit here, but it is delivered with real precision and restraint. Red berry flavours sweep across the palate, followed by a cool stony freshness and a creamy, polished texture that keeps everything moving. The tannins are present but beautifully dressed, providing shape rather than weight. What impresses most is the balance: richness on the attack, freshness on the finish, and a lovely sense of energy all the way through. Matthieu Bordes believes this belongs alongside the estate's excellent 2022, 2016 and 2009 vintages. On this showing, that seems a very fair claim.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 2/6/2026

Liquorice bud, slate, cassis, this is attractive, high acidities but well balanced with ripe fruits, plenty of momentum and pick up through the palate, just a little constricted on the finish.Liquorice bud, slate, cassis, this is attractive, high acidities but well balanced with ripe fruits, plenty of momentum and pick up through the palate, just a little constricted on the finish. Rating: 91 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 22/5/2026

This is a beautifully refined Saint-Julien. Since the arrival of the estate’s new cellar in 2023, all 70 vineyard parcels are now vinified separately, allowing for far greater precision and controlThis is a beautifully refined Saint-Julien. Since the arrival of the estate’s new cellar in 2023, all 70 vineyard parcels are now vinified separately, allowing for far greater precision and control in the blending. In a vintage like 2025 this is clear in the wine’s detail and composure. On the nose, it is wonderfully fragrant and expressive, opening with flowers, roses and pink carnations alongside bright red and pink berry fruit. There is immediate charm and generosity here, but the wine steadily tightens and refines across the palate, finishing with real finesse and precision. Sweet strawberry notes and vibrant red fruit glide effortlessly through the mouth, carried by fresh acidity and an almost weightless sense of movement despite the wine’s concentration. A dusting of finely polished tannin brings just enough grip to keep the wine focused and lithe, while the carefully judged oak (60% new) is beautifully integrated shining a light on the wine’s purity and aromatic detail. The result is a wine that combines richness with remarkable lift and purity - reminiscent, says winemaker Jean-Dominique Videau, 'of the structure of 2022 and the lift of 2016, alongside the clarity and complexity of 2020.' It's certainly a deeply charming Branaire-Ducru. One for everyone's cellars!L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 21/5/2026

Bright and high-toned on the nose, this opens with billowing aromas of red and black fruit, full of energy and airy grace. The palate follows in a similarly expressive style at first, beforeBright and high-toned on the nose, this opens with billowing aromas of red and black fruit, full of energy and airy grace. The palate follows in a similarly expressive style at first, before tightening into a more focused, racy frame. Layers of black fruit and ripe damson are threaded through with a lovely hedgerow leafiness that brings freshness and classic structure. Juicy acidity drives the finish, lifting the nicely judged fruit weight and giving the wine real momentum. A firmer, fresher style in 2025, but one with excellent definition.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 21/5/2026

Really fresh and fragrant aromas, so bright and expressive with violets, blackcurrants and some liquorice. So smooth, tannins here are excellently presented and integrated. Super lifted, bright, fullReally fresh and fragrant aromas, so bright and expressive with violets, blackcurrants and some liquorice. So smooth, tannins here are excellently presented and integrated. Super lifted, bright, full of energy but no overt acidity. A really pleasurable wine that is refreshing but structured and firm with such persistence and liveliness. Feels refined and so easy to like with such sapidity. 30% of production. Ageing no new oak, only one- and two-year-old barrels. Drinking range: 2030 - 2033 Rating: 91 Georgie Hindle - Decanter (May 2026)

Release date: 20/5/2026

The 2025 Léoville Barton feels every inch the classic Saint-Julien — but as ever here - interpreted with fabulous freshness and finesse. On the nose its so expressive - a vibrant spray of red andThe 2025 Léoville Barton feels every inch the classic Saint-Julien — but as ever here - interpreted with fabulous freshness and finesse. On the nose its so expressive - a vibrant spray of red and black berry fruit, lots of crunchy cassis, with subtle layers of violet, fresh herbs and a gentle hit of classic pencil shavings and old humidor adding complexity. Overall there is real purity here, underpinned by a cool, gravelly mineral edge that brings precision and energy. Beautifully proportioned, with a lithe tension that keeps everything focused and alive. The tannins are refined yet quietly grippy, framing the fruit without ever overwhelming it. Sophisticated, poised and completely charming, this is proper Bordeaux in the best sense — classically shaped rather than old-fashioned, and all the more compelling for its restraint and balance. Another superb success for the family this year. 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc,L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 20/5/2026

his year's Langoa Barton is built around an unusually generous proportion of Cabernet Franc, with 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, which gives an open and expressivehis year's Langoa Barton is built around an unusually generous proportion of Cabernet Franc, with 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, which gives an open and expressive character to the fruit and the aromatics. The nose is full of ripe plum and crushed forest berry fruit, generous and inviting without ever feeling too much. There is a lovely gentle depth at its core — a quiet, earthy gravitas that gives the wine real presence. Plenty of vibrant dark fruit is carried by fine, polished tannins and a beautifully judged freshness. A cool, creamy note lingers through the finish, alongside a delicate graphite-like rub that adds definition and poise. Effortless and hugely appealing, this is a particularly seductive Langoa Barton that balances richness with freshness and classic Saint-Julien restraint.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 19/5/2026

All talk was about the special etched bottle this year- which does look very sophisticated and celebrates the 300th vintage of Gruaud Larose - but for us the real joy was inside the bottle.There haveAll talk was about the special etched bottle this year- which does look very sophisticated and celebrates the 300th vintage of Gruaud Larose - but for us the real joy was inside the bottle.There have been some wobbly vintages here recently, that have not won us over - but the 2025 is a stunner. Classic Gruaud feel of strict lines and delicate fruit - but this year there is a wonderful sleek feel and drive here. Perfect plump plum and dark berry flesh are neatly detailed and have a good, classic chalky feel and savoury edge. There are wafts of hedgerow and the perfect pencil lead cut that adds an almost mineral freshness. Lovely intensity and yet a gentle feel. A worthy wine for its special packaging! 2% Cabernet Franc, 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot.L&S (Apr 2026)

Release date: 19/5/2026

The 2025 Sarget de Gruaud-Larose is a gorgeous second wine. Aromatics and fruit are all amplified in the glass, but what distinguishes Sarget from many second wines is the textural finesse of itsThe 2025 Sarget de Gruaud-Larose is a gorgeous second wine. Aromatics and fruit are all amplified in the glass, but what distinguishes Sarget from many second wines is the textural finesse of its tannins. Silky contours wrap around a core of dark red cherry/plum fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint. Merlot plays the leading role, but more than anything the 2025 impresses with its exceptional balance. Floral top notes linger on the sustained finish. I have very high hopes here. Drinking range: 2028 - 2040 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

Release date: 13/5/2026

Exuberant dark fruit. This is structured, with a touch of cedar and polished, fine-grained tannins that are so sophisticated and run the length of the wine. Classy. 78% cabernet sauvignon, 15%Exuberant dark fruit. This is structured, with a touch of cedar and polished, fine-grained tannins that are so sophisticated and run the length of the wine. Classy. 78% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Rating: 96-97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)