Chateau Rauzan-Segla Margaux (Grand Cru Classe) 2010

The 2010 Rauzan-Segla is a wonderfully polished effort; it has succulent fruit and great poise and balance and ranks as one of the finest Rauzan-Seglas we have tasted. The structure is well-built, but the integration of tannin and oak is superb. Its length in mouth promises a long future; this is highly seductive.

Award:
96 Wine Enthusiast
96 The Wine Advocate
17.5/20 Jancis Robinson MW
94-97 Wine Spectator
VIVINO 4.4

Chateau Leoville Las Cases Clos du Marquis Saint-Julien 2014

The 2014 Clos du Marquis, a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, has kept that same level of opulence that was observed when it was in barrel; it has layers of blackberry, raspberry coulis, incense and iris emerging from the glass whilst maintaining superb delineation.

The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip on the entry. Graphite-infused red and black fruit on the front palate whilst the back is adorned with just a hint of blue fruit that lends this a more feminine allure. There is lovely balance here, fresh and focused with a touch of graphite borrowed from over the border in Pauillac.

Award:
95  James Suckling
16.5/20 Jean Marc Quarin
92 Jeff Leve
91 Vinous
92 Wine Advocate
94 Wine Enthusiast
91 Wine Spectator
VIVINO 4.2

Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint-Julien (Grand Cru Classe) 2015

The crunchy, ripe and fresh fruit is wonderfully attractive here. Gloriously fresh and appealing, there is some coolness too. The wine is very dark, the nose expresses red fruits, truffles and hints of oak, while the palate is nicely concentrated, with fleshy full-bodied fruit and appealing silky tannins on the finish.

Award:
94 The Wine Advocate
16.5+/20 Jancis Robinson MW 
95-96 James Suckling
95 Decanter
VIVINO 4.3

Chateau Gruaud Larose Saint-Julien (Grand Cru Classé) 2016

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with notes of red and black cherries, warm plums and freshly crushed black currants plus hints of violets, oolong tea, aniseed and tilled soil with a waft of garrigue. Medium-bodied, the palate struts tons of elegantly fragrant red and black fruit flavors with a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and perfumed. This famous and historic Saint-Julien 2nd Grand Cru Clasé is popular throughout the world and is usually released at the most reasonable price of all the so-called “super-seconds”.

Chateau Lascombe Grand Cru Classe Margaux 2015

The 2015 Lascombes has a dense, rich bouquet with licorice and cigar box-infused black fruit and a touch of wilted violet. It feels rather tight-fisted compared to its peers in the Margaux appéllation. The palate is very smooth on the entry, plenty of new oak here, balanced but for want of a better word, missing some personality - especially on the finish that feels just a little labored.

Award:
94Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
92 Wine Spectator
96 Wine Enthusiast
86 Tim Atkin
18/20 Bettane et Desseauve
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson
VIVINO 4.3

Chateau Brane-Cantenac Margaux (Grand Cru Classe) 2015

This estate is always one of my favourite red Bordeaux and it is beautifully harmonious and quintessentially Margaux in 2015. A Second Growth of real complexity, its attractive nose has a wonderful floral perfume. The well-integrated tannins and nicely judged acidity combine to produce a benchmark palate. There is real potential here. The racy freshness of the vintage is present and the coolness on the finish is rewarding. Ever so generous, delicious, fresh and juicy.

Award:
97 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
93 Wine Spectator
96 Wine Enthusiast
93 Tim Atkin
17.5/20 Jancis Robinson
18/20 Bettane et Desseauve
VIVINO 4.2

Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac (Grand Cru Classe) 2009

Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a little reticent to begin, slowly giving way to notions of warm black cherries, blackcurrant cordial, stewed plums and sautéed herbs with hints of damp soil, tobacco and beef drippings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly wound black fruit and earthy layers, framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness making for a long, lively finish. Classic!

Award:
94 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
97 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
95 Wine Enthusiast
92 Tim Atkin
16/20 Bettane et Desseauve
VIVINO 4.5

Chateau Montrose La Dame de Montrose Saint Estephe 2015

La Dame de Montrose 2015 is a deep ruby-purple, has character and is fruity with blackcurrant and mineral on the nose. The palate also noticed these flavours with fine tannins and a fruity finish.

Award:
VIVINO 4.1