5eme Cru Classe
2020 Chateau Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"The 2020 Batailley is quintessential Pauillac on the nose of very focused black fruit infused with cedar and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins and a fine bead of... acidity. Classic in style, this is lightly spiced, showing impressive depth toward the finish. This estate has enjoyed a good run of form in recent years and this 2020 continues that trend. If you love the style of Batailley, you will love this." 93-95 pts., Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£165 / Case£27.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2016 Chateau Haut-Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"“The 2016 Haut Batailley has a deep garnet-purple color and aromas of baked redcurrants, red plums and cassis with asphalt, fried herbs and earth. The palate is medium-bodied, firm and chewy with an earthy finish.” 92+ pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com
£210 / Case£35 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Chateau Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"Composed of 53% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Alter Ego de Palmer is deep garnet-purple in color and springs from the glass with vivacious black raspberries, black... cherries and crushed blackcurrants notes plus hints of Sichuan pepper, menthol, pencil lead and cardamom. Medium-bodied, the palate is charged with energy, featuring expressive, bright black fruits and firm, fine-grained tannins, finishing long and lively." 92 pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com
£240 / Case£40 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau d’Armailhac 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 D'Armailhac strides confidently out of the glass with classic scents of cassis, warm plums and cedar chest, plus wafts of pencil lead, bay leaves and... kirsch. The medium-bodied palate has a sturdy frame of chewy tannins and plenty of freshness to support the crunchy black and red fruits, finishing savory. The blend this year is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, with an alcohol of 13.3%." 90-92 pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com
£198 / Case£33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Pontet-Canet 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
The 2020 is yet another superb wine from an estate that has hardly put a foot wrong since the mid-1990s. A Château that delivers quality to equal and often surpass that of the super seconds, yet is... available at a much more palatable price tag.
60% cabernet, 32% merlot and 4% cab franc and petit verdot apiece, here is essential Pauillac: lifted, lilac-floral, chocolate and cherry nose; fresh, full-bodied cassis, plum and licorice palate, with layer upon layer of finely grained tannins with a terrific minerality and finish. It’s set for a glorious ageing.
£445 / Case£74.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2022 Chateau Cantemerle 5eme Cru Classe, Haut-Medoc 6x75cl
"The finest wine this estate has produced in some time is the 2022 Cantemerle, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc that bursts from the glass with... aromas of sweet blackberries, violets, rose petals and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with an enveloping core of sweet, perfumed fruit framed by supple tannin, it concludes with a long, mouthwatering finish. The pH is a very healthy 3.6 this year, and yields were low at 29 hectoliters per hectare."
92-94 pts, William Kelley, www.robertparker.com
£133 / Case£22.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Chateau Lynch Bages 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
“The 2022 Lynch-Bages was picked 12 September, around 15 days earlier than usual until 24 September at around 35hL/ha. Aged for 18 months in 75% new oak, it has a backward nose that demands a lot... of encouragement. This is not as immediate as the 2016 or 2019 at the same stage. Powerful blackberry and boysenberry fruit, cedar and light tobacco notes, this feels like an edifice of aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, beautifully balanced, very harmonious yet there is an enormous backbone here that (again) is reminiscent of Mouton. Extremely long on the finish, this will need its barrel maturation to fully knit together and it is going to be a Pauillac for the long haul.” 97 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£636 / Case£106 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Chateau Pontet-Canet 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
“The 2022 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, aging 50% in new oak barrels, 35% in amphoras, and 15% in used barrels. Deep... garnet-purple in color, it needs considerable swirling and coaxing to reveal aromas of damp earth, fragrant soil, crushed rocks, and underbrush, giving way to a profound core of blackcurrant cordial, juicy black plums, and fresh blackberries. The full-bodied palate is laden with nuanced black fruits, slowly releasing earthy and mineral-laced flavors, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. Talk about tasting the place! This is Pauillac in all its powerful, energetic glory.”
97-99 pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent (May 2023)
£538 / Case£89.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Chateau Haut-Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot aging in French oak barriques, 60% new, the 2020 Haut-Batailley weighs in with 13.6% alcohol, a pH of 3.85 and an IPT of 81. Deep purple-black in... color, it opens with seducing, beautifully pure notes of blackcurrant jelly, juicy blackberries and warm plums, plus hints of chocolate mint, lilacs and forest floor with a touch of ground cloves. The refreshing, medium-bodied palate gives a great burst of crunchy black berries, framed by finely grained tannins, finishing with a minty lift." 92-94 pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertpartker.com
£240 / Case£40 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
Purity and precision have been the hallmarks of this estate under François-Xavier Borie’s stewardship, and the 2020 is no exception. Expressive, delicate yet beguilingly layered and concentrated... on the nose, it follows on the palate with impressive concentration and power, superb depth of juicy black fruit and oh-so-smooth, fruit-coated grippy tannins bringing pinpoint-perfect balance and structure to the whole. The lively acidity brings lifted red fruit notes and carries through on the long finish. Class shines through here, and it is almost surprisingly moreish already at this early stage – though the structure will see it through for many, many years to come.
£304 / Case£50.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 3x75cl
Purity and precision have been the hallmarks of this estate under François-Xavier Borie’s stewardship, and the 2020 is no exception. Expressive, delicate yet beguilingly layered and concentrated... on the nose, it follows on the palate with impressive concentration and power, superb depth of juicy black fruit and oh-so-smooth, fruit-coated grippy tannins bringing pinpoint-perfect balance and structure to the whole. The lively acidity brings lifted red fruit notes and carries through on the long finish. Class shines through here, and it is almost surprisingly moreish already at this early stage – though the structure will see it through for many, many years to come.
£152 / Case£50.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 3x150cl
"The 2020 Batailley is quintessential Pauillac on the nose of very focused black fruit infused with cedar and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins and a fine bead of... acidity. Classic in style, this is lightly spiced, showing impressive depth toward the finish. This estate has enjoyed a good run of form in recent years and this 2020 continues that trend. If you love the style of Batailley, you will love this." 93-95 pts., Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£175 / Case£58.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2022 Chateau Cantemerle 5eme Cru Classe, Haut-Medoc 3x150cl
"The finest wine this estate has produced in some time is the 2022 Cantemerle, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc that bursts from the glass with... aromas of sweet blackberries, violets, rose petals and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with an enveloping core of sweet, perfumed fruit framed by supple tannin, it concludes with a long, mouthwatering finish. The pH is a very healthy 3.6 this year, and yields were low at 29 hectoliters per hectare."
92-94 pts, William Kelley, www.robertparker.com
£150 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2018 Chateau Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
The 2018 Batailley, matured in 60% new oak, is almost identical on the nose as I found it in barrel, decked out with attractive black cherries and cassis notes, the cedar element a little heightened... and freshly rolled tobacco notes developing with aeration. Very fine delineation here, and the oak is well integrated. The balanced palate offers fine tannins that frame the blackberry and bilberry fruit. The salinity comes through nicely on the finish, which is less silky than before, but it waves adieu with a long spicy aftertaste. Very fine and very Batailley. 93 pts., Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£202.50 / Case£33.75 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2001 Chateau Clerc Milon 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 12x75cl
"The 2001 Clerc Milon has a lovely bouquet that puts the 2000 in its place with exuberant black cherry and bilberry fruit, estuarine scents and hints of orange blossom and iodine. Wonderful! The... medium-bodied palate offers succulent tannins and vibrant red berry fruit laced with white pepper and cedar. Very harmonious, with impressive weight toward the finish. This is cruising at its peak, and given this showing, it will continue to offer great pleasure. One to seek out." 92 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£900 / Case£75 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2021 Chateau Lynch Bages 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"The second vintage vinified in the Caze family's new winery, the 2021 Lynch-Bages unwinds in the glass with aromas of minty cassis, sweet berries, loamy soil, black truffle and cigar wrapper, framed... by nicely integrated new oak. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and muscular, it's a serious, layered, powerful, youthfully structured wine that will come together beautifully with maturation in barrel." 93-95 pts., William Kelley, robertparker.com
£510 / Case£85 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2018 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"The 2018 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is fabulous, just as it was from barrel. Strong Cabernet inflections soar out of the glass, giving the wine a compelling aromatic profile laced with the essence of... graphite, dried herbs, menthol and dark fruit. One of the most classic (for lack of a better word) wines in the Left Bank in 2018, Grand-Puy-Lacoste is super-impressive right out of the gate. Grand-Puy-Lacoste is ultimately a wine of tremendous class that remains restrained and aristocratic in breeding. Don't miss it." 96 pts., Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£335 / Case£55.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2021 Chateau Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
“Deep ruby red and simply oozing with spicy toast and forest berries. From a blend in this vintage of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot and 2% each of petit verdot and cabernet franc, skilful... work in the vineyard enabled all the varietals to be harvested at optimum ripeness, and the judicious use of new oak has given a superbly balanced savoury texture to the wine – this really is a very classy Pauillac. It is outstanding now and is destined to provide great enjoyment from the middle of this decade until late in the next." Mr.Wheeler Tasting Note
£165 / Case£27.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2021 Chateau d’Armailhac 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"Succulent and softly supple, this has lots of energy and pace with bright red fruits, raspberries and cherries, alongside sweet spices and perfumed nuances. The acidity is so well judged it lifts... the palate and delivers the individual elements with precision and poise, so you get a playful, friendly and upfront wine offering so much pleasure. I love the clarity here too, the sheer chalky and saline texture on the tongue; it feels clean and clear with a pristine quality. This will be a fabulous wine!" 93 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter,com
£195 / Case£32.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2021 Chateau d’Armailhac 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 3x75cl
"Succulent and softly supple, this has lots of energy and pace with bright red fruits, raspberries and cherries, alongside sweet spices and perfumed nuances. The acidity is so well judged it lifts... the palate and delivers the individual elements with precision and poise, so you get a playful, friendly and upfront wine offering so much pleasure. I love the clarity here too, the sheer chalky and saline texture on the tongue; it feels clean and clear with a pristine quality. This will be a fabulous wine!" 93 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter,com
£97.50 / Case£32.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2021 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 3x75cl
"The 2021 Grand-Puy-Lacoste if fabulous. Bright and punchy, with terrific aromatic presence, the 2021 is a terrific example of the modern classicism of the year at its best. It’s the sort of wine... that needs years or maybe even decades to truly blossom, and yet all the requisites are there for that to happen. There is something about Grand-Puy-Lacoste that is absolutely striking in 2021. I can’t wait to taste it from bottle. Tasted two times."
94-96 pts, Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£150 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2021 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"The 2021 Grand-Puy-Lacoste if fabulous. Bright and punchy, with terrific aromatic presence, the 2021 is a terrific example of the modern classicism of the year at its best. It’s the sort of wine... that needs years or maybe even decades to truly blossom, and yet all the requisites are there for that to happen. There is something about Grand-Puy-Lacoste that is absolutely striking in 2021. I can’t wait to taste it from bottle. Tasted two times."
94-96 pts, Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£300 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2017 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Deep liquorice and black fruit on a cool, brooding nose. This follows on the palate, which shows a prominent cedar note and intense, fresh black-fruit character. The... tannins are rich and muscular but well defined. Tightly wound and full of potential, this is graceful and structured with a savoury, long finish. " 17.5 pts., Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
£326.64 / Case£54.44 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Pontet-Canet 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
The 2020 is yet another superb wine from an estate that has hardly put a foot wrong since the mid-1990s. A Château that delivers quality to equal and often surpass that of the super seconds, yet is... available at a much more palatable price tag.
60% cabernet, 32% merlot and 4% cab franc and petit verdot apiece, here is essential Pauillac: lifted, lilac-floral, chocolate and cherry nose; fresh, full-bodied cassis, plum and licorice palate, with layer upon layer of finely grained tannins with a terrific minerality and finish. It’s set for a glorious ageing.
£445 / Case£74.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur