France

Pristine dark berries with chocolate, black licorice, nut shell and graphite. Some wet stones, too. Full and muscular with an array of well-grained, meaty tannins that unfold seamlessly throughout the bold, dark-fruited palate. So much going on here. Long length with a creamy, chocolaty finish. Try after 2026. – James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com, Score: 94   The 2020 Latour-Martillac has an impressive, quite engaging bouquet with blackberry, incense, graphite and faint touches of black olive. This is very harmonious and well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, very well balanced, quite saline with a...

  91-93 points Vinous  The 2021 Latour-Martillac has an attractive nose: brambly red fruit, loam and light cedar scents. Maybe conservative in style, yet it conveys purity and terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and fine acidity. A slightly more sinewy Pessac-Léognan, yet it coheres in the glass. Its substance suggests that it will repay bottle age. (NM)   (4/2022)   

Pomerol Vinous | Rating: 96 The 2019 Le Bon Pasteur is different in style to previous vintages, and I mean that in a positive sense. This is very elegant and classic in style, pure dark cherry and blueberry fruit entwined with a touch of truffle. The palate is well balanced with gentle grip, slightly chalky in texture with well judged acidity, harmonious with a creamier finish, a hint of salted liquorice lingering on the aftertaste. Excellent. Tasted three times with consistent notes. Drink Dates: 2024-2045 Author: Neal Martin James Suckling | Rating: 96 A tight, focused red with blackberry and dark-chocolate character. It’s...

  94-95 points James Suckling  This is a very balanced and pretty wine with ultra-fine tannins that are integrated and persist through the wine. It’s medium-bodied with lovely length and depth. A focused and thought-provoking wine for the vintage.   (5/2022)  93-95 points Vinous  The 2021 Le Bon Pasteur was impressive both times I tasted it. Vibrant and deep, the 2021 offers up generous red cherry/plum fruit, rose petal, spice, mint and licorice, all with a sense of exoticism that is hard to miss. There's a feeling of real energy and vibrancy I don't recall seeing here previously. The...

96 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: “Aromas of dark berries, ash, tar, blackcurrants and lead pencil, following through to a medium to full body, with firm and integrated tannins and a medium, chewy finish. Needs four to six years to soften and come together. Very tight and nicely structured. Try in 2027 and onwards.” 01/23. Wine Spectator 96 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator: "A bold, strapping young wine, with vivid plum, cassis, kirsch and black licorice notes that meld steadily as they cruise through, carried by a bolt of graphite and finishing with a flourish of violet, anise and apple wood....

Decanter: 94 points “Heady on the nose, perfumed and scented. The palate is alive and playful, delivering high acidity but also focused fruit so it's both lightly framed and fun, but also savoury and serious. Smooth and silky tannins give the gentle frame, letting the strawberry, creamy raspberry and red cherry fruit do the talking. It's unfussy, all the elements to the fore but all well balanced with a charming texture overall and persistence of high-toned red berry fruits with saline sides. Hints of green pepper, black pepper, slate and pencil lead on the finish. I like this a lot! Drinking Window 2026 – 2048.”...

95-96 points James Suckling  This is very typical for St.-Julien with violets, berries, blackcurrants and crushed stone. Medium to full body with very fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Powdery tannins and a rich finish. Velvety texture.  (5/2022)  95 points Decanter  Beautifully fragranced on the nose - floral-edged ripe bramble fruits. Nicely detailed and presents, despite a clear youthful tannic structure this has layers of flavour with ripe and sweet fruit nuances balanced by a mineral grip, salty touches and cool fresh mint leaf notes. It's more of a contemplative wine, needing a few minutes...

JD 98 Rated 98 by Jeb Dunnuck The Grand Vin 2020 Château Léoville Poyferré, which is released in a stylish black bottle commemorating a century for the Cuvelier family, is reminiscent of the 2016 with its powerful, concentrated, yet vibrant and inward style. Pure crème de cassis, melted chocolate, loamy earth, graphite, and some spicy nuances all define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a stacked mid-palate, nicely integrated oak, ripe tannins, and one hell of a great finish. This is another utterly brilliant wine from this team, which has been producing First Growth quality wines for many years...

DC 100 Decanter, January 2023 The best 2020s seem to be confident without showing off or shouting too loudly and this Carmes does just that. Focused and precise, this is complex and characterful, rich yet vibrant with a texture and taste that makes an impact straight away. Fresh black fruits, floral notes and sensational minerality do the talking - it has weight, density and structure - broad and bold yet svelte, it has direction and persistence, building quickly then settling and elongating with such clarity and purity. This is a wine you want to drink. Cool, classic, sharp and decisive with a flawless texture. Whereas 2019 was more...

Wine Advocate 95 points. The 2021 Les Carmes Haut-Brion has turned out beautifully in bottle, though it is more introverted and brooding than it appeared during en primeur tastings, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries mingled with spices, loamy soil, licorice, rose petals, gentian and black pepper. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, with a concentrated core of fruit framed by ripe but abundant structuring tannins and bright acids, it concludes with a long, palate-staining finish. As readers may remember, it's a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. Published:  Feb 09, 2024.

James Suckling 92-93. "Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, faint brightening on rim. Black wild berry fruit underlaid with fine fine wood savouriness, floral nuances, a hint of liquorice and cassis. Juicy, ripe sweet cherry, freshly structured, ripe tannins, lemony-mineral on the aftertaste." - 91/100, Falstaff. #NEW24

Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast Barrel Sample. This full, sumptuous wine brings together ripe tannins and ripe black currant fruits. Its richness, mitigated by the tight acidity and tannins, is full of promise for a long-term future.   Rated 93 by Decanter A new Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, freshly minted this year (from the 2018 vintage). I would put this right up there with the best vintages from Lilian Ladouys. It feels extremely silky, with such plump blackberry fruits that you could almost drink it straight away but there are tannins here, and the body of the wine closes down as it travels through the palate, suggesting it intends to...

This is a very structured red with lots of blackberry, currant, walnut and graphite. Full-bodied and long. Nice chewiness. 72% cabernet sauvignon, the rest merlot. Score: 94 - 95James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 23 May 2021. #20

James Suckling: 98-99 points “Blackcurrants, orange peel, flowers and tar with hints of graphite. Full-bodied with a creamy texture of exquisitely polished tannins. It goes on and on. Intense flavors at the end, too, with lead pencil and lots of blackberry. Very classic and precise.” – James Suckling Review date: June 2021. #LAST

96-97 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "This is really cool to smell, with lead pencil shavings, iron filings and oyster shells. Blackcurrants, too. Full to medium body with layers of firm tannins, but a dusty and powdery texture, too. Lovely finish. 67% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc." 05/22

93-94 points James Suckling  A very fresh and juicy red with a medium body and supple, soft tannins. Vibrant red-berry fruit with pretty spice notes. Raspberries and licorice with some salted chocolate. 67% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot and 1% cabernet franc.   (5/2022)  93 points Decanter  Beautiful aromatics, richly scented with a ton of black fruits on the nose. Bright and fun, this has great fruit expression. It's edging on high toned, so you get that sharp hit of fruit rather than dense and plush but it has such clarity and precision of tannins, fine and softly gripping the mouth. Well worked and...

Rated 95 by Vinous Media The 2021 Malescot St. Exupéry is another terrific wine from a property that has been trending towards finesse. The 2021 represents another step in that direction, helped by the vintage, of course. Red cherry, iron, blood orange, spice, tobacco and cedar build as this mid-weight, savory Margaux shows off its considerable charms. Pretty floral top notes accent the finish. Tasted two times. Rated 95 by James Suckling A tight and focused young red with redcurrant and blackberry character. It’s medium-bodied with racy and fine tannins and a linear, focused finish. Lots going on, yet it’s tight and...

Wine Advocate 94 points.  "The 2020 Mangot has turned out beautifully, bursting with aromas of cherries, wild berries, rose petals, blood orange and bay leaf. Medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, it's pure and vibrant, with a layered core of fruit, velvety tannins and a long, mouthwateringly chalky finish. This is a brilliant wine that sells for a song and which surpasses many of its more well-known neighbors." WK Apr 2023.     92-94 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Composed of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2020...

The Wine Independent 94 points.

St Emilion 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon WA 92-94+ Opaque purple-black colored, the 2019 Mangot strides confidently out of the glass with ripe, expressive scents of baked plums, blueberry compote and Black Forest cake followed by suggestions of allspice, espresso, aniseed and pencil shavings. The full-bodied palate has loads of densely layered black fruit flavors intertwined with spice box and mineral accents and framed by firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and earthy with a slight touch of wood poking through. LPB Jun 2020.    #19

Lisa Perrotti-Brown 94 points. Wine Advocate 91-93 points. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Marjosse comes barreling out of the glass with rambunctious scents of cassis, crushed blackberries and black plum preserves, followed by hints of dark chocolate, anise and tar, plus a fragrant waft of lavender. The medium-bodied palate is soft, juicy and wonderfully refreshing, delivering wonderful poise and expression with a fun burst of pure black fruit on the finish. Delicious!. LPB May 2021.   Marjosse forms part of the Lurton stable, which also includes Yquem and Cheval Blanc. This is one of the best relative value wines one will ever...

Vinous Media 93-95 points.   In the Modern Age, a woman’s options of what to do with her life were very limited. In reality, there were only two socially accepted options: marriage, or dedication to God. In both cases the woman, regardless of her social class, had to give a dowry. That is, a series of assets with economic value that could help with the burdens of marriage. Although these items, which could be houses, land, cash, clothing, furniture or household goods in general, were the property of the woman, they were always managed by the husband. This is how the estate belonging to the family of Mademoiselle Ledoux...

St Emilion Rated 96 by Wine Enthusiast Barrel Sample. This estate is producing some exceptional wines. The latest vintage is solidly structured and dense in black fruits. Bright acidity gives it that fine spark of freshness and balances the power of the wine. It shows good aging potential. WS95 Rated 95 by Wine Spectator Drips with warmed raspberry confiture, plum sauce and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors, delivering light anise, apple wood, sweet bay leaf and black tea notes along the way. The seamless, lengthy finish has very fine detail despite its heft. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. JD95 Rated 95 by Jeb Dunnuck A...

WA 97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2024 The remarkable 2021 Montrose gets my nomination for the title of "wine of the vintage" in the Médoc. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis and dark berries mingled with subtle hints of mint, orange, pencil shavings and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered and multidimensional core of fruit underpinned by beautifully ripe, refined tannins. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, it entirely transcends the limitations of the year. This young classic, reminiscent of the estate's 1996 but far better, is a blend of...

97-98 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "This is from only the old vines in the clay and gravel soils on the plateau. Really fantastic. It’s medium-to full-bodied and the tannins just roll off the palate at the end. Dark fruit and spices. So long. One of the best modern wines from here? 68% merlot and 32% cabernet franc." 05/21 94-96+ Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "A blend of 68% Merlot (harvested 8th to 16th September) and 32% Cabernet Franc (harvested 21st to 23rd September), the 2020 Nenin is aging in French oak barriques, 40% new. It has an alcohol of 14%, a pH of 3.65 and...

Paulliac Owned by Ch Lynch-Bages. James Suckling Notes 92-93 Points, James Suckling: "Plenty of spice and plums on the nose. Full body, round tannins and flavorful finish. Raspberries and hazelnuts at the end." 6/20. Decanter Notes 92 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "Plenty of punch in this Ormes de Pez, full of rich ripe black fruits, traces of exotic spices of cinnamon and saffron from the heat of the summer, and brilliant value if looking for personality and appellation signature in St Estèphe. Blend completed with 3% Petit Verdot." 5/20 #19

Pessac-Leognan WA 96-98+. Composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, the 2019 Pape Clement was harvested from the 18th of September to the 11th of October. Ninety-three percent is aging in French oak barriques, 66% new, and 7% is aging in large foudres. Deep garnet-purple in color, it hits the ground running with bold, expressive notes of warm cassis, boysenberries and black cherries with an undercurrent of clove oil, fertile loam, cedar chest and tar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers a rock-solid foundation of firm, ripe grainy tannins and tons of freshness supporting the densely packed black fruit and earthy layers,...

JS 98 jamessuckling.com, January 2023 Lots of blackberry, iodine and crushed stone here. Some black pepper and graphite, too. Full body and medium, fine tannins that have a powdery texture and open in the mouth. So much going on. Iodine and iron undertones with some raw mushroom bring you back for more. Muscular. This is for the cellar. Drink after 2027.  VN 98 Vinous, February 2023 The 2020 Pape Clément is outrageously beautiful. Dark, virile and imposing, the 2020 is a rare vintage of Pape Clément that is vertical and statuesque in feel. Dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves infuse the palate with...

JS 95 jamessuckling.com, December 2023 This is really polished and beautiful with very fine tannins that caress your palate. Medium body. Refined. Currant, chocolate, hazelnut and black walnut. Some mushroom. Very complex and subtle. Drinkable now but better in a couple of years.    VN 94 Vinous, February 2024 The 2021 Pape Clément is a very elegant, polished wine. Crushed flowers, red cherry fruit, blood orange, menthol and spice all grace this wonderfully layered, expressive vintage of Pape Clément. Pretty floral top notes add freshness and vivacity. The more laid-back house style these days is so appealing. --...

JS 96 jamessuckling.com, January 2024 A very juicy and rounded young 2021 with berry, chocolate, cedar, balsamic, and redwood aromas and flavors. Medium to full body. Velvety tannins. Excellent finish. Extremely well done for the vintage. 79% merlot, 19% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon. Best after 2028.    TWI 95 The Wine Independent, April 2024 The 2021 Pavie Macquin has a deep garnet-purple color. Fragrant notions of star anise, lilacs, and fertile loam give way to a core of juicy plums and mulberries, plus a touch of dried lavender. The medium-bodied palate delivers an impressive intensity of bright, pure red and black...

95-96 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "This is very chewy with dusty tannins and blackberry and blueberry character. Some chocolate, too. Full and layered. Such beautiful violet and black-cherry quality at the end with some raspberries, 56% cabernet sauvignon. 34% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. First year with organic farming. A nice step-up in quality." 05/21. #20

The 2021 Pédesclaux presents strong Cabernet Sauvignon inflections to play off a core of dark red-fleshed fruit. Spice, menthol, tobacco and cedar follow, adding quite a bit of character to this flavorful, savory Pauillac. Antonio Galloni - Vinous Media (90-93).

  94 points Decanter  One of the absolute standouts for me this year. A dark and brooding nose with purity and concentration. The palate is finely textured with mineral-laced tannins that give grip in the mouth but letting the nuances of fruit and acidity play out in harmony. I love the intensity, it's rich but perfectly executed - elegant and finessed with balance and charm but above all a sense of energy and freshness that makes it one of the more memorable wines. Despite the challenges of the vintage, the fruit is ripe and dense and this gives no drop in the mid palate, sustaining pace and directness from start to...

Rated 95 by Decanter Dark and heady on the nose, richly fruited and perfumed, smells serious and deep and totally inviting with dark chocolate, coffee and mocha notes with blackcurrant and black cherry and spiced vanilla, tobacco and cedar. Energetic, lively, vivid and bright on the palate but deep too, such a lovely vibrancy laced with liquorice, tobacco and bitter chocolate. Definitely serious but I love the energy, potency and florality. Structured and intense, totally seductive in a heady way yet still lively with a juicy core of strawberry, red cherry and blackcurrant. Feels nicely constructed and considered. A great second wine.  

"The 2021 Pichon-Baron is a dense, packed wine, its mid-weight structure notwithstanding. There is a lot of wine here, but readers have to be patient. Red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint, rose petal and cinnamon add layers of nuance, but more than anything else, the 2021 stands out for its persistence. 95-97" - Antonio Galloni,  Vinous Media.   "A brilliant achievement, the 2021 Pichon-Longueville Baron opens in the glass with aromas of dark berries, blackcurrants, cigar wrapper, loamy soil, pencil shavings and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's concentrated and penetrating, with terrific...

JS 99 jamessuckling.com, January 2023 Fabulous aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry, crushed stone, graphite and lead pencil. Some violets and other flowers, too. Full-bodied with incredibly encompassing tannins that are like the finest velvet in texture. The structure is superb, with so much tension and focus. Seamless. This could be the new 1990 or better. Try after 2028.  DC 98 Decanter, January 2023 Gentle and delicately aromatic but rich too, full of coffee, mocha, dark chocolate, caramel and medicinal herbs - mint and aniseed with a combination of red, blue and black berry fruits. Lovely density and weight on the palate, really very...

Decanter 92 points. 92 Points, Georgina Hindle, Decanter: "A brooding nose, before chewy tannins - which are immediately noticeable - fill the mouth with ripe fruit, but they have a nice delicacy and texture, too - almost comforting and totally harmonious once the initial texture settles, leaving a density of creamy blackcurrant and sweet strawberry. Lovely cooling elements on the finish - mint and eucalyptus. This displays structure, life, tannic power, fruit density, freshness and acidity. It's on the more overt side but extremely captivating and excellent overall. Tasted twice. Michel Rolland consultancy." 03/22

Rated 98 by Wine Enthusiast Barrel Sample. Aromatic black currant and spice aromas give way to a wine that has richness while having impressive balance. The freshness shines with tannins that give a velvet character to the wine's texture. The fruitiness should not deceive from its longevity, so age this wine for many years. Organic and biodynamic. JS 98 Rated 98 by James Suckling This is integrated, with superb density and beauty, offering blackcurrant, mineral and some bark. Full-bodied, yet so polished and refined. Crushed stone. Lots of expression and texture to this wine. Creamy. Pure and precise. Elegant, yet layered. Slightly...

95-96 James Suckling "Plenty of blackberry and blueberry with wet earth and crushed stone. Some spice,tobacco and lead pencil, too. It’s full-bodied with layered tannins and brightness. Fine and chewy at the end.” 05/22   93-95 Antonio Galloni for Vinous "The 2021 is the most classically Pauillac Pontet-Canet I have tasted in modern times. Medium in body, with striking aromatic presence, the 2021 screams with character. Grilled herbs, incense, leather, lavender and plum open with a bit of coaxing, all framed by beams of tannin and bright, salivating acids that give the wine shape and real sense of direction....

Rated 96 by James Suckling Black cherries, blackcurrants, tobacco, cacao and some licorice on the nose. Firm yet creamy, with very fine tannins that spread across the palate. Medium to full body. So long and beautifully balanced. Try from 2026. WE 95 Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast Barrel Sample. This wine already shows a luscious side with its ripe black fruits and rich tannins. The obverse shows structure and acidity. Both these elements will together give a wine for aging. DC 94 Rated 94 by Decanter Ripe and deeply scented on the nose and palate, a lingering florality follows the dark black fruits from start to finish. This has a...

96 Points, Georgina Hindle, Decanter: "A showstopper of a wine for me in 2021. Wonderful aromatic intensity on the nose filled with perfumed fruits, chocolate and wild flowers. Gorgeous clarity and precision, the tannins are fine and powdery supporting the vibrant and energetic purple and black fruit; zingy blackcurrant, strawberry, cherry and plum with an overall creamy chalky texture and grip. Elegant and glamorous - so much styling on show, it feels polished and pristine with clear markings from the terroir but no harshness or austerity just great acidity and liveliness. Such mouthwatering salivation and lift at the end making you...

Pomerol James Suckling 95-96 points. This is really finely crafted with sleek, polished tannins and beautiful, deep fruit. It’s full-bodied. Flavorful finish. Gorgeous texture. - James Suckling Decanter 94 points. Inky plum colour, clear aromatic concentration and a relatively low yield of 33hl/ha. These levels of concentration are repeated on the palate, and this is one of the more intense Rougets, particularly if comparing to years like 2017 but also more muscle here than the 2018. High quality, with rippling tannic muscle and smoked black fruit, will take its time to come around. Harvest 17 September to 10 October. Drinking Window...

93-95 points Vinous  The 2021 Sansonnet is once again a stand out. Blackberry jam, crème de cassis, chocolate, new leather, licorice and espresso give this large-scaled Saint-Émilion tons of depth. As always, Sansonnet is an extrovert, but in 2021 it benefits from a kick of acidity that balances things out nicely. It was impressive both times I tasted it. (AG)   (5/2022)  92-95 points Jeb Dunnuck  Tasted on numerous occasions, the 2021 Château Sansonnet is another beauty, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it come in close to the 2017 in terms of quality. A blend of 91% Merlot, 6%...

93 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2020 Sociando Mallet has retained its impressive aromatics from its showing in barrel with beautifully defined blackberry and raspberry fruit, pressed violet and light cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with firm backbone, a little powdery in texture, fine backbone with ample freshness and tension towards its graphite-infused finish. Bravo!" 12/22. James Suckling 93-94 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "Blackberries, blackcurrants and flowers on the nose and palate. Medium body, firm tannins and a long, fresh finish. Linear, refined tannins. Subtle now." 05/21. #20

James Suckling 92-93 points. The estate Overlooking the Gironde estuary for almost three centuries, Château Sociando-Mallet is one of the most respected properties in Haut-Médoc. Owned by Sieur Sociando in the 17th century, the Mallet family added their name following their acquisition of the estate in the 19th century. Since 1969, the Gautreau family has endowed this iconic left-bank property with their passion and energy. The vineyard Château Sociando-Mallet is a Haut-Médoc wine that stems from a 77-hectare vineyard located at the top of the Baleyron hill, in the commune of...

"Flowers, herbs, juicy, red pit fruits and cocoa pop in the nose. Medium-bodied, fresh and fruity, with a lifted, creamy, spicy, cherry-packed, polished finish. Drink from 2023-2037." -  91/100 ,  Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider.   WA 90 Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Tour Maillet is a little oaky to begin, giving way to a core of kirsch, black raspberries and mulberries, plus touches of underbrush, Sichuan pepper and pencil shavings. The medium to full-bodied palate is also wearing its oak a little heavy, revealing a core of crunchy black and red berries with plenty of spicy sparks and a very firm, sturdy...

93-95 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Tour Saint Christophe stampedes out of the glass with powerful scents of baked blackberries, stewed black plums and boysenberries, followed by suggestions of cedar chest, mocha, tar and fertile loam, with lifted wafts of licorice and cardamom. The full-bodied palate is rich and densely packed with juicy black fruits, supported by velvety tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and opulent." 05/21. 95-96 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: “Full-bodied and creamy with lots of spice and walnut character....

Rated 100 by Decanter A sensational Troplong. Vibrant and vivid, this makes you smile from the first smell: milk chocolate, floral notes of roses and lavender, wet stones, liquorice, cinnamon and ripe bramble fruits. Round and thrilling on the palate, tannins are abundant with a chalky blueberry coolness while a salty tang settles around the mouth. Lovely precision and purity of fruit; you feel the sharp definition - still linear which makes it less immediately charming than the 2019 but giving undeniable complexity. Deep but not heady, this remains pure and detailed, with a leanness from the terroir really setting this apart. After a few...

VM 96 Vinous, February 2024 The 2021 Troplong Mondot is fabulous. It offers up a rush of dark red-toned fruit, crushed rocks, leather, menthol, cedar and blood orange. As always, Troplong Mondot is marked by a strong presence of Cabernet Sauvignon that seems to add brooding intensity, muscle and power. I tasted it three times. A bottle given a brief decant of about 20 minutes showed best. The 2021 spent 13 months in oak (two months less than normal), in a mix of 60% new, 21% 20-hectoliter cask and 19% once-used. The 2021 is a Troplong Mondot of extreme purity and class. -- Antonio Galloni.  

99James Suckling Fantastic texture and structure to this wine with firm, silky tannins that go on and on. Love the crushed blackberries, blueberries and salt. Floral and mineral character, too. Full and tight with great length. Chewy at the very end, indicating real structure. All about structure and length. 50% cabernet franc, 49% merlot, and 1% cabernet sauvignon.Barrel Sample: 98-99 D96Decanter xcellent grip and tension through the palate, a well-judged and well-balanced Trottevieille, doing exactly as well as expected in a vintage that favours clay and limestone soils that keep freshness and focus. Elegant and sleek, plenty of tight...