France

Wine Advocate 94. 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.   Drinking Window:  2023 - 2045 Reviewer Name:  William Kelley Review Date:  6th April 2023

Chateau Mangot Todeschini Distique, which is a parcel selection that uses a completely different blend than their other wines at about 40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot that is aged in 100% new, French oak barrels. This Cuvee was previously known as Mangot Todeschini until the 2018 vintage.   Vinous, February 2023 The 2020 Distique 13 is the best wine I have tasted from Mangot in some time, perhaps ever. Vibrant and explosive, the 2020 offers up blueberry jam, graphite, crushed rocks, lavender, licorice and exotic spice. Distique...    The Wine Independent 94 points. "Rich, concentrated, opulent...

James Suckling 99-100. The aromas in this young Margaux are so primary, reminding me of grape must fermenting in the vat, then turning to perfumes and flowers. Violets and roses. Full-bodied but it comes across as so agile and bright, with vivid acidity that makes the wine crunchy and linear. As Alexis, one of the owners of Margaux said, this really shows the DNA of the estate. Weightless. One of the wines of the vintage. 3.6 pH. Blend of 89% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Review Date:  22nd April 2024 Vinous Media 97-100. The 2023 Château Margaux is fabulous. Sensual, silky and...

The 2022 Marjosse is a blend of 75% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Malbec. Owner Pierre Lurton commented, “We have a lot of chalk and clay at Marjosse, so we never have a problem with freshness. We recently bought a small plot of Cabernet Franc, which did very well. It was a long harvest starting on 5th September and ending at the beginning of October. We had to go very light on the extraction and we couldn't use any of the press juice because it was too powerful.” The wine has a deep garnet-purple color and shoots from the glass with energetic notes of fresh, juicy blackberries, warm plums, and...

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...

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...

James Suckling 99-100 points. Wow. This is the essence of Montrose, with blackberry, blackcurrant, crushed stone and earth. I have not tasted a Montrose like this in 42 years of my career. It has a much more vertical nature to it, with layered tannins that go very deep and long, The muscular structure and intensity is something else. This is a new era for Montrose. It is now made from only 45 hectares of vineyards right in front of the chateau, instead of about 60 before. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot and 4% cabernet franc.   Review Date:  22nd April 2024. Jeb Dunnuck 97-100 points. Made from a strict selection of only the...

Vinous Media 100 points. The 2023 Mouton Rothschild is bright and explosive in the glass. Vibrant, rich, deep and so beautifully expressive, the 2023 Mouton is one of my early candidates for wine of the vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon is bumped up to 93% (the highest ever, just behind the 2010), with 7% Merlot and no Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot in the blend. Time in the glass brings out darker shades of fruit along the wine's complex, dynamic personality. This is a magnificent Grand Vin.   Drinking Window:  2033 - 2073 Reviewer Name:  Antonio Galloni Review Date:  13th March 2026.   Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux,...

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    #BORD

Another brilliant Saint-Estèphe, the 2022 Château Ormes De Pez offers up lots of ripe blue and black fruits as well textbook earth, crushed stone, and graphite. Showing more nuance and floral notes with time in the glass, this medium to full-bodied effort has plenty of mid-palate depth, velvety yet building tannins, and nicely integrated background oak. This serious wine is worth seeking out. Tasted twice. - Jeb Dunnuck This is stylish in the way it captures the warm cassis and mulled plum fruit of the vintage, along with the AOC's telltale warm stone, lilac and iron accents. The long, smoldering finish pulls everything...

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. --...

Falstaff 93 points. 2022 Vintage Tasted: Aug 2023 Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the. Ripe plums, dark wild berries, some cassis, black cherries in the background, some tobacco. Juicy, red cherries, medium complexity, freshly structured, mineral, already accessible, a versatile food wine.

James Suckling 99-100 points. The depth and intensity is really out of this world. The richness is there, but it's all in balance and has an almost weightless feel to it. It's medium- to full-bodied with purity and definition, and the magic of limestone soils keeps the pH low, giving energy, bright acidity and verve. Terrific young red. 51% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 17% cabernet sauvignon.   Review Date:  22nd April 2024.

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...

(52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot)  Exceptional terroir : right between all the most prestigious Pauillac Estates: Lafite, Mouton, Armailhac, Pontet Canet . Classified Growths in 1855 Outstanding   vintage : 2015 (ready to drink yet with ageing potential another 10 years easy! Prestigious management : Mr Christophe Condé (Ex Manager & Winemaker of Lafite-Rothschild for 23 years Wine consultant : Eric Boissenot (consultant for 180+ winerines, including Latour, Margaux, Mouton, Lafite, Léoville Las Cases … Decanter 94 points. A rich and enticing nose, dark and brooding with sweet...

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. #PED

94 Points James Suckling A solid Pedesclaux for the vintage, with lots of blackcurrant and blueberry aromas and flavors. Full-bodied with medium-chewy tannins and a round texture. Racy and structured. Solid. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.   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 (93).   #PED  

  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...

James Sucklong 98-99 points. Wow. This is really excellent, with superb finesse and focus. It has tight density that is almost diamond-like in its brilliance. Medium to full body, with a quality of tannin that is incredibly seamless. Like silk in texture. A top Pichon Lalande. From organic and biodynamically grown grapes. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 3% cabernet franc. May be better than 2022.   Review Date:  22nd April 2024. Wine Advocate 97-98 points The 2023 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a brilliant wine that will be worth a special effort to track down. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of wild berries...

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  ...

  94-95 James Suckling  "A solid Pierre with chocolate, hazelnut, berry and orange peel aromas and flavors. Full to medium body. Juicy tannins and fruity. Poised and fresh finish."     #PIERRE

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...

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, 98-100 points. A wine to convince you of the quality and ripeness of Cabernet Sauvignon in Pauillac in this 2023 vintage, showcasing superbly supple tannins, great balance, depth and savoury blue and black fruit character, bitter cocoa bean, freshly cut herbs, black tea, fennel, all vivid and with purity of character. There is density here but it is not overt, with heightened raspberry leaf, peony and violet aromatics. Vinified in the newly-completed section of the cellars, in egg-shaped wooden vats and sunken qveri-style clay vats. 50% new oak for ageing, with 35% amphora and 15% one year old barrels. One of the...

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....

James Suckling  - "Such beautiful tannins here that are refined and beautiful and bring you deep into the medium to full body. Currants and berries. R   Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider 2022 Vintage Tasted: May 2023 Flowers, blackberries, currants, espresso, and plums with a touch of cocoa form the nose. On the palate, the wine is loaded with lusciously-textured, ripe, polished fruits. There is a solid depth of flavor, good energy, and layers of black and red fruits on the mid-palate and in the creamy, fruit-packed finish. Drink from 2027-2055. 94-96 Pts.

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...

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...

James Suckling 93-94 points. A crunchy and velvety Tronquoy with blackberry, blackcurrant and chocolate aromas. Lots of blackcurrant, berry and cherry character on the medium-bodied palate, with solid tannins that have a powdery texture. 51% cabernet sauvignon, 38% merlot and 11% petit verdot.   Review Date:  22nd April 2024.

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.   #BORD

100 Decanter "A supremely excellent Troplong in 2022 that has the hallmarks of a concentrated vintage but delivered with ultimate poise and precision. A joy to taste and once again one of my favourites. Sharp, sleek, sour, bright and cool - I love the instant freshness and drinkability of this, tannins are fresh and detailed with both a plush and cool texture underpinned by layers of flavour with depth and concentration. Clearly muscular but pixelated - it’s not tense, lean or austere but generous, charming and playful. Supple and succulent, still with ripe strawberry, cherry and raspberry fruit, a mix of bright red and black...

  98-99 points James Suckling "The most structured and impressive Trottevieille I have ever tasted. It is full-bodied yet compacted with a fine velvet texture. Intense finish with super tension and focus. Could move up a notch." (4/2022) 95-97 points Jeb Dunnuck "My rough note on the 2022 Château Trotte Vieille included more than one expletive, and this beauty is straight-up gorgeous. Vivid blue fruits, violets, flowers, and chocolate all make an appearance on the nose, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered texture, perfect tannins, and nicely integrated oak. Based on 50%...

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...

James Suckling 94-95 points. The origin of the name "Trottevieille" dates back several hundred years. Legend has it that there was once a stagecoach stop near the chateau. As soon as a team stopped, an elderly lady trotted down to get the news, hence the name “Trotte Vieille” (meaning “the Trot of the Elderly”). This Premier Grand Cru Classe of Saint-Emilion, Chateau Trotte Vieille, is home to a small parcel of vines rescued from the terrible damage caused by phylloxera during the second half of the 19th century. The vineyard Chateau Trotte Vieille 2021 is a Saint-Emilion wine made from a...

St Emilion Rated 100 by Wine Enthusiast Barrel Sample. This is a dense and luscious wine, the best yet from this estate. Its great structure and tannins show a style that is powerful but all within. This is a magnificent vintage from this Premier Grand Cru Classé estate, and fully deserves to be aged for many years. JD99 Rated 99 by Jeb Dunnuck The local bad boy of Bordeaux, Jean-Luc Thunevin, continues to fashion truly brilliant wines, and his 2019 is no exception. Based largely on Merlot with small amount of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Château Valandraud is a deep purple-hued beauty offering up a...

Wine Advocate 90-92. Sporting a deep purple-black color, the 2020 Vieux Maillet rolls out of the glass with upfront scents of plum preserves, blueberry compote and spice cake, plus hints of black truffles and crushed rocks. The elegantly crafted, medium-bodied palate is chock-full of crunchy black fruits with ripe, rounded tannins and great freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note. LPB Jun 2021. Falstaff 92 points. Deep ruby, opaque core, purple reflections on the rim. Fresh cherry fruit, a hint of cassis underscored with new wood spices. Medium body, fine cherry fruit, fresh, well-structured, integrated tannins, remains...

James Suckling 95 points.   "A very elegant and beautifully balanced wine, in which the interplay of bright acidity, fine dry tannins and oyster-shell minerality is really fascinating. Very long, super bright finish." James Suckling   Passionate about wine and viticulture, Justin Onclin produced his first vintage of Château Villemaurine in 2007, 2 years after his acquisition. He was immediately seduced by the richness and extraordinary potential of Château Villemaurine. The wine has a deep colour, a very concentrated nose, with very smooth fruits, very round tannins. It presents a beautiful and long amplitude...

Wine Advocate 95 points. The 2021 de Fieuzal, a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, has an expressive, sensual bouquet with aromas of blackberries, blackcurrant, rose, licorice and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and refined, pure and crystalline, it’s perfectly balanced with a sapid, tense and ethereal finish. Gourmand and charming, this is a superb rendition of sandy, gravelly soils. Keep it over the next decade. YC Feb 2024.   #BORD

James Suckling 94-95 points Chewy and rich with dried-mushroom, dark-fruit and burnt-orange character. It’s full-bodied with a dense, tannic palate. Smoky, toasty and coffee undertones here, too.   Reviewer Name:  James Suckling Review Date:  3rd June 2020.

JS 96 jamessuckling.com, March 2023 Some black pepper with crushed stone. Black berries, black cherries, and bark. Medium-bodied with lovely fruit and balance, and a gorgeous finish of peaches and tangerines. Fantastic. Drinkable but will age beautifully. JD 94 jebdunnuck.com, March 2023 Another head-turningly good Right Bank is the 2020 Clos De L'Oratoire, which comes from the team of Stephan von Neipperg. This medium to full-bodied, focused, elegant 2020 has good concentration, the vintage's pure, layered profile, classic aromas of black raspberry, cassis, graphite, and flowers, and plenty of chalky minerality on the finish. A...

Jeb Dunnuck 95 points. The 2022 Clos De L'Oratoire is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, and you can expect the quantity of the Cabernet Franc to increase here as the younger vines move into the Grand Vin. Black raspberries, crunchy black cherries, spice, flowers, and a gorgeous sense of minerality all define this beauty. It's medium to full-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It might be the finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted.   Drinking Window:  2030 - 2050 Reviewer Name:  Jeb Dunnuck Review Date:  27th February 2025

93-95 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “The 2020 Clos du Marquis is composed of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, weighing in with an alcohol of 13.57%, a pH of 3.76 and an IPT (tannins index) of 84. The Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested from the 26th to 29th of September, the Merlot from the 11th to the 16th of September and the Cabernet Franc from the 18th to the 29th of September. Deep purple-black in color, it bursts from the glass with flamboyant notes of crushed blackberries, ripe, juicy plums and blackcurrant pastilles, with suggestions of licorice, red roses and espresso....

  Vinous Media 95 points. The 2023 Clos du Marquis is a standout. Dark, deep and explosive, the 2023 possesses serious mid-palate density and exceptional balance. Black cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, incense, lavender and hard candy soar from the glass, building into a sweeping crescendo that explodes on the back end. This is one of the finest vintages of Clos du Marquis I can remember tasting. There's striking depth, density and personality. Clos du Marquis is a real sleeper in 2023.   Drinking Window:  2028 - 2043 Reviewer Name:  Antonio Galloni Review Date:  13th March 2026