2eme Cru Classe
2025 Chateau Montrose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
"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 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). "
98-100 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£618 / Case£103 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Chateau Rauzan-Segla 2eme Cru Classe, Margaux 6x75cl
“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Rauzan-Segla is made from 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, aging for 18 months in French oak, 50% of it new. A little swirling... unleashes an explosion of black and red currant jelly, wild blueberries, and chocolate-covered cherries, giving way to a fragrant undercurrent of violets, underbrush, and crushed rocks with a touch of star anise. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house and crafted like a Chanel suit, with a firm backbone of super-ripe, grainy tannins and impressive tension supporting a gorgeous array of floral, spice, and black fruit layers, finishing very long and with impeccable grace. pH 3.7.” 97-99 pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent (May 2023)
£505 / Case£84.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2023 Chateau Pichon Baron 2eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
“Perfumed nose, fragrant and so scented, a touch of blackcurrant leaf, plum, graphite and dark chocolate. Silky soft, bright and so delicately presented. Crunchy and crisp red fruits and ripe black... fruits with some spiced undercurrents and wet stone touches. Much lighter in terms of fruit profile than some - summer berries, tangy and vibrant with super fine tannins giving the structure and support. This has finesse and power - less plushness and richness than last year of course - it’s more sleek and straight, firm and controlled but still has width and layers of flavour and texture. Refined, and definitely cool. ‘Classicism’ with no overt heat on offer. I love the hint of strawberry sweetness and tannins that completely coat the mouth. I think this will be great in time. Maybe not so charming right now but there’s no faulting the finesse and refinement. 44% grand vin production. 12% press. 3.7pH.” 97 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£617 / Case£102.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2021 Chateau Pichon Baron 2eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
£660 / Case£110 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2003 Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint Julien Deuxieme Cru 12x75cl
£1,185 / Case£98.75 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2021 Chateau Doisy Daene 2eme Cru Classe, Barsac 12×37.5cl
"The 2021 Doisy Daene is fabulous. Sweet floral notes, orchard fruit, mint and passion fruit all lend notably flavour intensity. The 2021 is rich and unctuous, but not at all heavy. It is a fabulous example of both the chateau and the vintage. " 93-95 pts., Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
£180 / Case£15 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2021 Chateau Montrose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
"Beautiful perfume on the nose, really fragrant and seductive, deep and heady but beguiling too. You get chunky, chewy fruit here - this is round, plump and filling a consequence of the slightly more... Merlot in the blend than usual - opposed to more Cabernet seen elsewhere. It has a luscious appealing fruitiness then the austerity kicks in, with a vein of salinity and minerality, such a linear, quite strict middle where you get severity in the texture giving it some rigidity but you also have such great depth on the mid palate, the layers of fruit and spice that linger giving such a core of flavour. A sense of power, intensity and concentration but also with acidity keeping everything lifted. A stately wine with lots of potential." 95 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£585 / Case£97.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2023 Chateau Leoville Barton 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
"The 2023 Léoville Barton is a lovely classic in the making, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis and blackberries mingled with notions of pencil shavings, licorice and violets. Medium to... full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's layered, concentrated and suave, with beautifully refined tannins, vibrant acids and a long, penetrating finish. Benefiting from the Barton family's new highly functional winery, as well as experimentation with more discreet cooperage choices, it's somewhat reminiscent of the estate's terrific 2016. The 2023 blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc." 94-96 pts., William Kelley, robertparker.com
£335 / Case£55.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur