Bordeaux 2020

A truly great Yquem – stunning definition, concentration and vibrancy here. Attention grabbing. Layers of honey-soaked apricot, saffron, mango and ginger shimmer in the glass. There is a constant movement to this wine, rich and unctuous yet somehow ethereal. Notes of honeydew melon, spiced pear, confit orange skin and sea salt coat the palate. A wine of perfect balance with the characteristic fine, delicate bitterness that accents the endless length.

A truly great Yquem – stunning definition, concentration and vibrancy here. Attention grabbing. Layers of honey-soaked apricot, saffron, mango and ginger shimmer in the glass. There is a constant movement to this wine, rich and unctuous yet somehow ethereal. Notes of honeydew melon, spiced pear, confit orange skin and sea salt coat the palate. A wine of perfect balance with the characteristic fine, delicate bitterness that accents the endless length.

Tasted April 2024. 100% Merlot. 14.6% ABV. 30% new barrels. Expressive and refreshing, with blackberry, aromatic plum, violet and delicate spice. Medium-bodied, smooth and generous at this early stage.

Tasted April 2024. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. 12.9% ABV. Vibrant fresh lemon, apple and grapefruit on the nose, with lip-smacking, tangy acidity. Pithy and textural on the palate, with surprising weight as it develops, before a long, saline finish.

Tasted April 2024. The 2023 vintage marks a new era at Chateau La Garde, with a significant reduction in production of this, their first wine. It concentrates on Cabernet from the highest terrace, with deep gravel. Concentrated and pure with blackcurrant, plum, and a broad feel to the tannins on the palate that are ripe and grippy. Refreshing and gourmand on the palate with savoury notes towards the finish and subtle herbal notes.

Tasted April 2024. One of the best Haut Medoc wines we tasted this vintage, with fragrant perfume and tension. There's dark plum, cherry, amaro herbs on the nose and palate, with fine tannins and a dense feel on the palate suggesting it will age well. Fresh with mineral complexity on the finish. Basile Tesseron is taking this humble estate to new heights.

Tasted April 2024. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. 12.9% ABV. Vibrant fresh lemon, apple and grapefruit on the nose, with lip-smacking, tangy acidity. Pithy and textural on the palate, with surprising weight as it develops, before a long, saline finish.

Tasted April 2024. 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 13.3% ABV and 50% new barrels. Aromatic blackberry and blueberry fruit with savoury spice, fresh mint, and white pepper on the nose. Fresh on the palate, with silky tannins and creamy vanilla. Elegant and fine on the finish.

Tasted April 2024. 84% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. 14.1% ABV. Pure and expressive, with the explosive aromatics of the vintage matched by the natural density of the Troplong Mondot terroir. Rich and spicy on the palate, tempered by mineral tones and grippy but elegant tannins. There's inate power here but reined in effortlessly by the textural complexity the team have created.

Tasted April 2024. 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 13.7% ABV and 75% new barrels. Spicy and structured, with savoury dark fruit and delicate dried herbs. Fresh acidity and tons of densely packed tannins. Built to age, with power and intensity.

Tasted April 2024. 78% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13.5% ABV. This vintage the Cabernet Franc is especially singing, and there's savoury depth throughout the wine. Tension on the palate with ripe, linear tannins. Fresh, savoury-tinged dark fruit, bramble and plum, with strong herbal notes.

Tasted April 2024. 52.7% Merlot, 29.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.7% Cabernet Franc. Restrained and savoury dark bramble fruit on the nose with tobacco and graphite complexity. Grippy, broad tannins further contribute to this savoury style. Elegant and long on the palate.

Tasted April 2024. 69% Sémillon, 31% Sauvignon Blanc. White peach on the nose with citrus and acacia flowers. Zesty on the palate with lively acidity and broad texture from the large proportion of Sémillon. Complex and tense finish.

Tasted April 2024. 57% Semillon, 43% Sauvignon Blanc. 13.8% ABV and barrel fermented with 12% new oak. Textural and complex, Somm heaven

The first year where Semillon equals Sauvignon Blanc in the blend, the wine has been aged for 12 months in 80% one year old barrels previously used for Château d'Yquem and 20% new oak. On the palate the wine gives notes of white grapefruit, white peach and almond blossom. There is a real sense of salinity and freshness to the wine with accents of fennel and mandarin skin on the finish.

Tasted April 2024. 81% Sauvignon Blanc, 11% Semillon, 8% Muscadelle. 13.2% ABV and 50% new barrels. Pithy with lemon, grapefruit and crisp apple.

Tasted April 2024. 56.3% Sauvignon Blanc, 43.7% Semillon.

A truly great Yquem – stunning definition, concentration and vibrancy here. Attention grabbing. Layers of honey-soaked apricot, saffron, mango and ginger shimmer in the glass. There is a constant movement to this wine, rich and unctuous yet somehow ethereal. Notes of honeydew melon, spiced pear, confit orange skin and sea salt coat the palate. A wine of perfect balance with the characteristic fine, delicate bitterness that accents the endless length.

Tasted April 2024. 65.3% Sauvignon Blanc, 34.7% Semillon. Lemon barley and delicate aromatic peach aromas. Zesty acidity with herbal notes on the finish.

2023 is the second vintage of G de Guiraud with ex-Chateau d'Yquem Sandrine Garbay in charge, and this year's conditions have created an expressive, rounded wine with punchy aromatics. Pink grapefruit, sweet orange and white flowers dominate the nose, and there's a long, mouthwatering finish with a seam of zesty acidity. It's 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, from dedicated plots in the Guiraud estate. Partial malolactic fermentation gives some extra body and texture, as does some careful use of old oak barrels.

Tasted April 2024. Fresh exotic pineapple and ginger on the nose. Energetic on the palate, with lemon barley, dried pineapple and mango. Delicious, mouth-cleansing acidity.

Tasted April 2024. Fresh exotic pineapple and ginger on the nose. Energetic on the palate, with lemon barley, dried pineapple and mango. Delicious, mouth-cleansing acidity.

The second vintage release of this 'Second Vin' of Pavillon Blanc, it is a wine of freshness, tension and floral complexity. The nose opens with fresh jasmine and nectarine with white grapefruit and ocean spray. The palate has a roundness and creaminess adding complexity yet also a vibrant line of acidity at its core. The finish is very well defined, long and refreshing.

Tasted April 2024. 58.2% Sauvignon Blanc, 41.9% Semillon. Pure with steely notes on the nose, along with lemon and fresh apple. Zesty acidity, with some sappy texture on the palate, and some subtle weight from Semillon that will no doubt leave this ageing beautifully for many years to come.

Tasted April 2024. 58.2% Sauvignon Blanc, 41.9% Semillon. Pure with steely notes on the nose, along with lemon and fresh apple. Zesty acidity, with some sappy texture on the palate, and some subtle weight from Semillon that will no doubt leave this ageing beautifully for many years to come.

Tasted April 2024. Sémillon 65%, Sauvignon Blanc 35%. 13.8% ABV and 90% new barrels. Rich with botrytis character, with honey, spice, subtle mushroom, and marmalade. Then cascading freshness and precision on the palate with a bright finish.

Tasted April 2024. 80% Sémillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc. Unctuous initially, with cascading refreshing acidity. Fresh orange, lemon, and pear.

Tasted April 2024. Unctuous initially, with cascading refreshing acidity. Fresh orange, lemon, and pear.

Tasted April 2024. 95% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon. 13.6% ABV and 70% new barrels. The team at Larrivet Haut Brion are convinced this is the best vintage of white wine they have ever produced. Expressive and full of intense yellow fruit and a hint of cream on the nose. Intense and concentrated on the palate too with zesty citrus, and exotic fruit, with a refreshing mineral finish.

Tasted April 2024. 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Semillon. 14% ABV. An excellent Domaine de Chevalier Blanc with a brilliant interplay of weight on the palate and saline complexity. Textural and zesty initially, it then becomes razor sharp with a steely, salty finish.

Tasted April 2024. 100% Semillon. 14% ABV and 50% new barrels. Lots of depth, marmalade flavours, fresh tangerine, apricot and delicate white flower notes. Seriously impressive and concentrated this vintage.