Saint-Estephe
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
2018 Chateau Calon Segur 3eme Cru Classe, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
£400 / Case£66.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2023 Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
“The 2023 Tronquoy-Lalande was picked September 6 to 26 and contains more Petit Verdot in the blend this year. It matured in one-third new oak plus some newly-introduced foudres and amphorae.... Blackberry and bilberry fruit surface the nose, plus a fresh punnet of strawberries. This is quite delightful and full of character. The palate is underpinned by fine acidity. Fresh and quite marine-influenced, this has a silky texture on the finish that lingers in the mouth, representing another superb Tronquoy from a rejuvenated estate.” 93-95 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£99 / Case£16.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2025 Chateau Meyney, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
"The 2025 Meyney was picked from 9 to 20 September at 43 hl/ha and matured in French oak for a planned 18 months. It has a bright nose with blackberry and bilberry fruit, cedar and light cigar box... scents in the background, all delivered with commendable delineation. The palate is well balanced with supple tannins, but there is plenty of structure here, very well judged acidity, well-integrated oak with a judicious dash of pepperiness and a floral aspect to the finish. The 14% Petit Verdot just lends a little more malleability to the texture and it should be absolutely delicious once in bottle. If this is released at a good price en primeur, as it has been in the past, then this could represent an astute buy."
93-95 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£117 / Case£19.50 / 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 Calon Segur 3eme Cru Classe, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
"Precise and confident texture to this wine, has higher levels of both Cabernets in 2023 than in 2022, having reached exceptional maturity, and personally I feel that have recaptured the heart and... spirit of Calon. Skilfully made, love the violet peony savoury character, it's sappy and has liqourice root and squid ink salinity, along with tons of cassis and cigar box. The blend for this was built on Cabernet, and you can feel it. My favourite Calon since the 2020 vintage, hands down. 100% new oak, director Vincent Millet." 97 pts., Jane Anson, janeanson.com
£468 / Case£78 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Chateau Ormes de Pez, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
"The 2022 Ormes de Pez is matured in 45% new oak for a planned 16 months. It has a perfumed and floral bouquet, quite sensual for a Saint-Estèphe, developing blue fruit with time in the glass. The... oak is neatly enmeshed. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a high-toned and racy opening. Good acidity, the Merlot (51%) occupies the driving seat and ensures its silky-textured finish, a mote of chalk dust on the aftertaste. Just needs its élevage to knit it all together."
92-94, Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£130 / Case£21.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur