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 was harvested between September 8 and 20 at 24 hl/ha and matured in 55% new oak for a planned 16 months. This has a fragrant and intense bouquet, with just a hint of lavenderThe 2025 Clos du Marquis was harvested between September 8 and 20 at 24 hl/ha and matured in 55% new oak for a planned 16 months. This has a fragrant and intense bouquet, with just a hint of lavender suffusing the black cherry and blackcurrant scents, more blue fruit surfacing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, with a powerful entry, quite precocious licorice-tinged black fruit. A little "heady" in style, I feel that the warmth of that summer comes through more here compared to the Las Cases. Drinking range: 2032 - 2050 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)

Release date: 8/6/2026

Stunning, nuanced, and just full of joy. Reserved flesh, toasted cumin, fresh blueberries and raspberries with rich seams of cassis, fresh pomegranate, and cappuccino, this is very Ducru in its widthStunning, nuanced, and just full of joy. Reserved flesh, toasted cumin, fresh blueberries and raspberries with rich seams of cassis, fresh pomegranate, and cappuccino, this is very Ducru in its width and breadth, but with a freshness and lift that is very much of the 2025 vintage. Almost certainly this will close down for a number of years, but all is well controlled, with quiet confidence. A wine you will be happy to spend a lot of time with. 3.74 pH. Harvest September 2 to 23, 100% new oak. Bruno Borie owner. Drinking range: 2036 - 2055 Rating: 97 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 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

Balanced, structured and velvety at its core, with currant and bark aromas. It’s medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Juicy fruit on the palate, with a grainy texture and a seductive finish.Balanced, structured and velvety at its core, with currant and bark aromas. It’s medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Juicy fruit on the palate, with a grainy texture and a seductive finish. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.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

Such fragrant and explosive aromatics, full of violets and freshly picked flowers with really ripe blackcurrants. Such a vibrant colour in the glass too – a bright pink colour, really vivid.Such fragrant and explosive aromatics, full of violets and freshly picked flowers with really ripe blackcurrants. Such a vibrant colour in the glass too – a bright pink colour, really vivid. Succulent and so juicy with a lovely zing of cranberry acidity but backed by a cool blueberry, almost creamy and chalky texture. Amazing energy to this, really fleshy and lifted but at the same time there’s plenty of fruit and power. 3.69pH. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Drinking range: 2030 - 2040 Rating: 93 Georgie Hindle - Decanter (May 2026)

Release date: 13/5/2026

(Saint-Julien; 78% Cabernet Sauvignon; 15% Merlot; 4% Cabernet Franc; 3% Petit Verdot; a final yield of 20 hl/ha; 13% alcohol; tasted twice, the second time at the UGCB press tasting at the Cité du(Saint-Julien; 78% Cabernet Sauvignon; 15% Merlot; 4% Cabernet Franc; 3% Petit Verdot; a final yield of 20 hl/ha; 13% alcohol; tasted twice, the second time at the UGCB press tasting at the Cité du Vin and also at Château de Sales). Serious and seriously beguiling, this is much less hedonistic and immediately voluptuous than its stablemate Gloria. It's beautifully made, with the most delicate and fine-grained of tannins contributing to a brilliantly precise, focussed and luminous mid-palate that exudes crystalline clarity. It's not massively expressive aromatically at this early stage but that's not a problem in any sense. But what it does have is a beautifully elegant dark berry fruit and a lovely touch of walnut shell. Rating: 95-97 The Drinks Business (Apr 2026)