Rhone Alert: a huge upgrade to 99-Ponts - bargain price

Platter’s Guide:
Winner – Grenache Blanc of the Year 2026

2026 is going to be a superb year for wine collecting, and we are starting it with something that genuinely stopped us in our tracks when we tasted it. It turns out we were not alone. South Africa’s iconic Platter’s Wine Guide thought so too, naming it one of their Wines of the Year 2026.

Scions of Sinai Gramadoelas Grenache Blanc 2024

When we tasted the lineup of the Scions of Sinai, we were incredibly impressed with the Gramadoelas Grenache Blanc, which carried so much purity and tension that it kept us interested in the wine for a couple of hours of enjoyment. With Platters awarding it as one of their wines of the year 2026, but also backed up with incredible high praise from Neal Martin and Tim Atkin. Now is the perfect time to add this beautiful wine to the collection. With only around 2,000 bottles produced each vintage, we are incredibly humbled to have an allocation of this wine. 2024 is arguably the best yet!

A young talent bursting onto South Africa’s fine wine scene, Bernhard Bredell has rapidly made his mark as one of the most exciting voices in Stellenbosch. His label, Scions of Sinai, was born in 2016 from a mission to save the old, dry-farmed bush vines planted by his grandfather on the rugged slopes of Sinai Hill in the Lower Helderberg. A seventh-generation grower, Bredell channels deep family roots and a modern sensibility into creating honest, expressive wines that reflect the unique soils, climate and history of this special corner of the Cape.

Working in tiny quantities and farming organically, Bredell produces wines defined by purity, texture and restraint, far removed from the heavy-handed styles of old. Each vineyard site, whether Chenin Blanc, Syrah, Pinotage or Cinsault, is treated as a living expression of its terroir, yielding wines that hum with energy and transparency. Alongside producers like Lukas van Loggerenberg, Scions of Sinai stands as a beacon for the new generation of South African winemakers, an artisanal project that honours tradition while propelling the Helderberg’s fine wine reputation forward.

Gramadoelas Grenache Blanc 2024 from Scions of Sinai is a striking, site-driven white from the Klein Karoo. Grown on schist and slate at altitude, it shows wildflower lift, fennel, yellow plum and petrichor. Wholebunch pressing and gentle oak ageing bring texture without weight. Bone-dry, saline and steely, the palate crackles with energy, chalky grip and scalpel-like acidity, finishing long, pure and uncompromising. A serious, mineral expression that rewards patience and clearly reflects its rugged terroir.

We have a small amount available today at €37.95* inc NL VAT per bottle. Once they are gone, they are gone.

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“Winemaker and Bordeaux lover Bernhard Bredell is a vanguard for the new wave of Stellenbosch producers alongside the likes of Lukas van Loggerenberg and Kaapzicht’s Danie Steytler. Under his slightly difficult-to-pronounce Scions of Sinai label his roster of wines exploits some of the most propitious sites in a style far removed from the ponderous over-oaked/overripe wines of old. […]  If you want to taste today’s South African wines from the top drawer Scions of Sinai comes highly recommended"- Neal Martin, Vinous

 

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Scions of Sinai Gramadoelas 2024

€37.95* inc NL VAT per bottle

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96 Points | Platter’s Wine Guide, Malu Lambert

Winner – Grenache Blanc of the Year 2026. Truly remarkable, wildflower-scented grenache blanc on Klein Karoo schist & slate. Thrilling steeliness the hallmark of 2024, intensified by chalky bone-dryness. Majority wholebunch, plus 9 months large oak deliver an intensity that realises the promise of 2023.

94 Points | Vinous, Neal Martin

From the Klein Karoo, the 2024 Gramadoelas, pure Grenache Blanc is partially whole cluster pressed and aged for nine months in 400-litre barrels. This has a finely-tuned yet understated bouquet with hints of fennel, chai and yellow plum, so discreet but it unfolds in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with a keen line of acidity, fresh and quite saline, with a very slight flor-like nuttiness that lends complexity on the finish. Superb.

94 Points | Tim Atkin MW

"Very dry - like Priorat" is how Bernhard Bredell describes the terroir of the Klein Karoo, where this Grenache Blanc is planted at 460 metres on shale and schist soils. Stony, tangy and intense, it has scalpel-like acidity, layers of lime, petrichor and white flowers and a bone-dry, palate-cleansing finish. 2027-31

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

View all wines from Scions of Sinai. 

Label Released for 2023 Mouton Rothschild

98-100 Points - Jane Anson
“ When Cabernet works at Mouton, it is hard to beat, and it's on full display in 2023. One of my clear wines of the vintage. Of any vintage."

It’s always been tradition for collectors to get excited about the annual Mouton label release. While we care most about the wine inside the bottle, the market has consistently responded to these labels, and 2023 is no exception.

Chateau Mouton Rothschild has unveiled its 2023 artwork by Joana Vasconcelos, the first Portuguese artist ever chosen. Her piece, Paraíso, celebrates the natural forces that shape great wine, continuing the estate’s iconic series featuring artists such as Picasso, Dalí, Warhol, Bacon and Hockney. Label interest often sparks renewed demand, especially in the secondary market.

Mouton Rothschild 2023 is a thrilling, Cabernet-driven wine, hailed by critics as one of the stars of the vintage. It delivers remarkable purity, tension and depth, layering black fruit, graphite, cocoa, violets and smoked earth over refined, velvety tannins. Elegant yet powerful, vibrant yet structured, it is a potential 100-point Mouton built for decades of graceful evolution.

After the initial En Primeur period, interest typically accelerates once the wine becomes physical. Asian buyers, who strongly prefer purchasing stock that is already in bottle, often drive this next wave of demand. Although Asia has been quieter in recent years, our contacts across the trade report that momentum is returning, particularly for the First Growths.

With leading critics such as Jane Anson and Decanter signalling that 2023 could be a perfect 100-Pointed modern Mouton, this may be an ideal moment to secure a case before the market adjusts. Quality at this level, combined with renewed global demand, rarely stays at current release prices for long.

We are offering a special case price this week.

 

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 Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2023

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98-100 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

High Cabernet, and the grape is dominant not just in blend but character, totally delicious, with tension, flesh, and confidence, building layers of black fruits, graphite, cocoa bean, espresso, pomegranate and smoked earth throughout the palate. When Cabernet works at Mouton, it is hard to beat, and it's on full display in 2023. One of my clear wines of the vintage. Of any vintage. 100% new oak for ageing. 40% grand vin, harvest September 7 to 30.

98-99 Points | James Suckling

This is the most structured Mouton since the great 2016, with tannins that start slowly and then take off. It’s muscular and toned. It’s full-bodied but doesn’t come across too heavy. It builds up in intensity and goes on and on and on. It just keeps expanding. I took a double take here. 93% cabernet sauvignon and 7% merlot.

98 Points | Decanter

Gorgeous red and black fruit on the nose, ripe strawberries, cherries and blackcurrants, really fruit forward and expressive, not so much on the mineral or floral side. Smooth and supple, this is agile and has great movement. A sense of life, depth and richness, but this is so suave. The fruit and tannins fill the mouth but with wonderful coolness - blueberry and crisp cherry. Lots of liquorice and wet stones also come through; graphite, chalk, mint, a touch of toastiness on the finish. It has flashes of exoticism, as well as finesse. Structure and seriousness but with bounce, full of texture and nuance. Tannins have built a broad wine and this is a real success with lots of energy and vibrancy throughout but with no harsh acidity or too lean tannins. Stylish, characterful and executed very well. 11% press wine, last year was 17%. 93% Cabernet in the blend, second highest in history after 2010 which was 94%. 75 IPT. 40% grand vin production. A potential 100-point wine.

96-99 Points | Vinous - Antonio Galloni

The 2023 Mouton Rothschild is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintages on the Left Bank. Its balance of intense, super-concentrated fruit and equally imposing structure is spellbinding. Dark red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, pencil shavings and dried herbs gain intensity in the glass. I especially admire its vertical build and overall energy. This is an exciting young Mouton endowed with palpable dynamic energy. It's a superb effort from the team led by Technical Director Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy.

96-99 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

Pulled from just 40% of the production, the 2023 Château Mouton Rothschild is based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot that will see 18 months in new barrels. Tasting like the blood of Cabernet with its smoky red, black, and blue fruits, tobacco leaf, graphite, and cedar-driven aromatics, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a pure, polished, layered mouthfeel, beautiful concentration, and ripe, velvety tannins. Not the massive style of the 2022, it’s more in line with the 2016. This rich, elegant, seamless 2023 will need a decade to hit its prime.

96-98 Points | Vinous - Neal Martin

The 2023 Mouton Rothschild was picked from September 7 to 30 and contains 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, the second highest ever (after the 2010). Matured entirely in new oak as usual, this has an intense, floral bouquet with violet petals infusing the black fruit and touches of licorice loitering just off stage—very fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with extremely refined tannins. Focused and harmonious, it’s velvety smooth with a long and tender finish that has more crispness than the 2022. In fact, I might ultimately end up preferring this over the 2022…it will be interesting finding out in the future!

 

View all vintages of Mouton Rothschild

Bordeaux Bargain: Chateau Rouget 2019

“This sumptuous, flamboyant Pomerol captures all of the natural intensity of the year." - Antonio Galloni

Chateau Rouget stands among the historic names of Pomerol, with records in local archives and land registers tracing its status as one of the first recognised crus of the appellation in the 1700s. Since 1992 it has been in the hands of the Labruyere family, whose experience across Burgundy, Champagne and Beaujolais brings a thoughtful precision to the estate’s work. Their approach has steadily elevated Rouget’s reputation as one of the area’s quiet stars.

The estate’s eighteen hectares sit beside l’Eglise Clinet and la Croix de Gay, with two thirds of the vines circling the property and 1/3 planted near Trotanoy and Le Pin. Merlot dominates with a touch of Cabernet Franc, planted at a dense seven thousand five hundred vines per hectare. Organic farming, certified from the 2023 vintage, supports the winemaking philosophy of plot-by-plot definition and gentle, integral fermentation in barrel before blending the wines back together in classic Pomerol style.

The 2019 captures everything that makes Rouget such an exciting proposition. Critics highlight its vibrant red fruit, potpourri lift, dark chocolate depth and a seductive interplay of richness and finesse. The wine shows supple tannins, bright energy and a natural sense of balance, with notes ranging from smoked raspberry to kirsch and sweet tobacco. It is already charming but will benefit from further cellaring, revealing the full promise of a vintage shaped by both power and elegance.

Across the board, the 2019 vintage was outstanding for Pomerol and with both Decanter and Galloni scoring Rouget higher than usual, this is very much an under-the-radar overperformer.

Wines from Pomerol usually command a high price, but at €38.50* In Bond per bottle and coming in cases of 3x75cl OWC, these are an absolute steal.

 

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Chateau Rouget 2019

€38.50* In Bond per bottle

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95 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

Ripe and dried red berry fruit on the nose, raisins, freshly picked raspberries and blueberries. Some wonderful potpourri perfume too. Great grip and hold from the start - this is tannic and they coat the mouth but with such a bright and juicy aspect too. Real energy here, a lighter if you can say that (as still 14.5%) style, with focus on delicate red fruits, perfume and dark chocolate. Rich to start with, muscular with a bold immediate taste then the delicacy comes in. A wonderful aerial style that is all in balance but still needs some time. It will reward cellaring. Great potential here and quality winemaking on show. Tasted twice.

94 Points | Vinous - Antonio Galloni

The 2019 Rouget is bold, plush and racy to the core. Raspberry jam, spice, kirsch, leather, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco all meld together effortlessly. This sumptuous, flamboyant Pomerol captures all of the natural intensity of the year.

93 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

Seductive floral aromatics, fresh acidities giving a mouthwatering feel from beginning to end, with smoked raspberry and blackberry notes, and a touch of sour plum salinity on the finish. Owner Edouard Labruyère works with a small amount of stems during the winemaking but with fully ripe grapes, giving a textured push and pull of exuberance and restraint. 33hl/ha yield.

 

View all wines from Bordeaux.

M3 Chardonnay 2023 from Shaw + Smith

The M3 remains one of Australia’s most polished and reliable Chardonnays. The price is also more than fair at €25* In Bond per bottle.

Shaw + Smith is one of the great modern success stories of the Adelaide Hills, a place where cool climate purity meets thoughtful, precise winemaking. Founded in 1989 by cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW, the winery has helped define the region’s identity. Their focus is tightly curated, producing only varieties that thrive in the Hills’ altitude, long ripening season and mineral rich soils. You may recognise their names, as they are also the duo behind Tolpuddle in Tasmania.

M3 Chardonnay has become a benchmark for cool climate Australian Chardonnay, combining finesse, texture and understated power. Sourced from high altitude sites in Lenswood, the wine shows white peach, citrus zest and gentle savoury notes, shaped by beautifully integrated French oak. Long, cool ripening brings tension and drive, giving M3 its hallmark balance of richness and freshness. It remains one of Australia’s most reliable fine Chardonnay buys.

Shaw + Smith’s M3 Chardonnay 2023 is a beautifully composed cool climate wine, balancing citrus purity with refined savoury depth. Lime curd, white peach, pineapple and subtle smoke glide across a precise, finely structured palate.

Elegant, mineral and vibrant, it shows why M3 remains one of Australia’s most polished and reliable Chardonnays.

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Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2023

€25* In Bond per bottle

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95 Points | James Suckling

Wonderfully constructed, showing polished aromas of lime curd, lemon balm, orange blossoms and gun smoke on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with precise acidity and a generous mouthfeel, giving notes of fresh pineapple, white peaches, lime curd and shortbread. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

95 Points | The Real Review

Light, bright yellow hue with a gentle trace of smoky reduction on the lemony bouquet, the palate delicate and refined with lemon and grapefruit, malt biscuit, a kiss of fresh oak, and an extended aftertaste of lovely balance.

94 Points | Halliday Wine Companion

A mellow and understated chardonnay but with plenty of detail in spice, gentle savouriness and winemaking seasoning, cool acidity, a tightly wound fruit profile, general minerality and high drinkability. Overall, elegant and refined, sleek across the palate and quite compact with a light juiciness in tow. Nougat, lime curd, green apple and ginger in the bouquet, a similar set of descriptors to taste, with a lively trail of spice following on. High in the pleasure stakes, this continues to be an impressive Hills chardonnay.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

2015 Figeac

Jane Anson has just released her top wines of 2025, and rather than naming a single winner, she highlights a collection of remarkable bottles, from Mouton 1945 and Latour 1966 to Haut Brion 1921. Many are impossible to find today, but one standout we can secure is Figeac 2015, which she flags as a top 5 recommendation in her article.

Jane Anson has awarded Figeac a perfect 100 points only once, and that honour goes to the 2015 vintage. Even the much-admired 2009, 2010 and 2022 reached 98 points, underscoring just how special 2015 truly is.

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100 Points - Jane Anson
“Tasted at the 10 Years on Tasting in February in London, and again at home later in the year. I still remember how electric it was tasting this wine during En Primeur, and it's such a thrill to see it delivering so much pleasure now”

100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
“A hold onto your hat wine, the 2015 Château Figeac is pure perfection and one of the wines of this terrific vintage […] Everyone owes it to themselves to try and taste this wine at least once!”

Chateau Figeac stands as a timeless jewel of Saint-Émilion, revered for its elegance and history. With origins tracing back to the 2nd century, it is among the region’s oldest estates, renowned for its unique gravel-dominated terroir. This exceptional 40-hectare vineyard, favouring equal proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, yields wines of remarkable finesse and longevity. Figeac’s reputation as a benchmark for sophistication and balance solidifies its place among Bordeaux’s most iconic names.

Recent years have marked a renaissance at Chateau Figeac under winemaker Frédéric Faye. State-of-the-art advancements, including optical laser sorting, vibrating tables, and meticulous barrel selection from seven different coopers, have refined the estate's winemaking. These innovations ensure precision and polish while preserving Figeac’s classic identity. The results are evident in recent vintages, which showcase enhanced ripeness and seamless balance. Figeac has firmly positioned itself as one of Bordeaux’s most exciting properties and in 2022 the property was finally promoted to Saint-Emiion Premier Grand Cru Classé A.

Figeac 2015 is a electrifying wine that unites power, grace and precision in remarkable harmony. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc delivers vibrant cassis, plum, spice and graphite with a sensual, layered perfume. Silky yet structured, it glides effortlessly while carrying immense depth and energy. Critics praise its purity, balance and longevity, marking it as one of the standout Right Bank wines of the decade.

Jane Anson has awarded Figeac a perfect 100 points only once, and that honour goes to the 2015 vintage. Even the much-admired 2009, 2010 and 2022 reached 98 points, underscoring just how special 2015 truly is. The same sentiment rings true for Jeb Dunnuck who has only scored two vintages of Figeac 100-Points and they are 2015 and 2022.

Today, we have the 2015 available at a competitive price of €187.50* In Bond per bottle. This is one wine you won’t regret having in the cellar.

 

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Figeac 2015

€187.50* In Bond per bottle

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100 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

Tasted at the 10 Years on Tasting in February in London, and again at home later in the year. I still remember how electric it was tasting this wine during En Primeur, and it's such a thrill to see it delivering so much pleasure now. This is brambled, fleshy, reserved yet electric, with grip, precision and verve. So good. Harvest September 21 to October 15, 100% new oak for ageing. Romain Jean-Pierre technical director, Frederic Faye managing director.

100 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

A hold onto your hat wine, the 2015 Château Figeac is pure perfection and one of the wines of this terrific vintage. A blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, its deep purple color is followed by a huge nose of crème de cassis, black raspberries, smoked earth, and graphite. This is followed by a full-bodied, opulent and incredibly concentrated Saint-Emilion that has everything in the right places, no hard edges, thrilling purity of fruit, and a great, great finish. This is one of those rare gems that carries huge intensity and richness, yet still glides across the palate with no sense of weight or heaviness. Winemaker Frédéric Faye thinks the 2016 is even better but that certainly isn’t stopping me from giving this crazy good wine a triple digit score. Everyone owes it to themselves to try and taste this wine at least once!

97+ Points | Wine Advocate

The recent leaps and bounds in improvements that have occurred at this great estate, equating to a dramatic increase in intensity and complexity—without compromising the husky, soft-spoken, sultry voice that is Figeac—is a monumental achievement. Kudos to Frederic Faye and his team for so beautifully expressing what was clearly an extraordinary vintage at Chateau Figeac! Blended of 29% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Figeac reveals vibrant black cherries, cassis, red currants, black plums and licorice notes with touches of cigar boxes, bouquet garni, potpourri, damp soil and black pepper. Medium-bodied, delicately crafted and with nuanced, quietly intense layers of vivacious red and black fruits, the palate features a solid frame of polished, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and minerally.

97 Points | Vinous - Neal Martin

The 2015 Figeac is a step up from the 2014 with exquisite scents of red berry fruit, incense, rose petal and crush stone. Pixelated with wonderful precision. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, wonderful backbone allied with a sense of symmetry. It is more saline than previous vintages, with saliva flowing after the wine has exited. One of the standouts from the Right Bank in this vintage. Tasted at the château.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

View all wines and vintages of Figeac.

2020 Tronquoy

You may have never heard of Tronquoy before, and that’s because they weren’t making great wine before. Since Montrose acquired the estate, quality has soared, and things are starting to align for them. 2020 is arguably a breakout vintage for them, and the best part is that it still offers exceptional value.

95 Points - Neal Martin
“The 2020 Tronquoy-Lalande puts in the surprise performance of the tasting with a quite stellar showing. It has superb mineralité on the nose, very well defined and full of vigor—perhaps the most sophisticated within the flight of Saint-Estèphe wines"

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Tronquoy, formerly known as Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande until a rebrand three years ago, has quickly become one of Saint-Estephe’s most exciting names, building a reputation for wines of depth, elegance, and exceptional value. You may not have heard of Tronquoy before, and that’s because, until recently, they weren’t making wines of this calibre.

Purchased by the Bouygues family in 2006 owners of the illustrious Chateau Montrose, the estate has since undergone a remarkable transformation, benefiting from the same meticulous vineyard management, precision winemaking, and significant investment in both cellar and vineyard technology. Its gravel and clay soils, perfectly suited to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, now produce wines that combine ripe fruit, freshness, and structure, embodying the authentic spirit of Bordeaux’s northern Médoc.

Originally founded in the 18th century, Tronquoy’s long history is deeply rooted in the Saint-Estephe landscape, yet recent decades have brought a modern revival. Under Bouygues’ guidance, the estate has embraced sustainable viticulture, gentle extraction, and a laser focus on expressing its unique terroir.

During the Southwold tasting, Neal Martin scored the 2020 Tronquoy 95 points when tasted blind, an impressive result compared to its Saint-Estèphe peers. It matched the score of Cos d'Estournel and even outperformed Calon Segur, yet comes at only a fraction of their price. The scores from the tasting were:

Saint-Estephe tasted blind by Neal Martin in the Southwold tasting:

As well as being one of the best in its sub-region, Tronquoy also contends with the big boys from Pauillac and Pomerol, which were also part of the blind tasting. Very impressive in our opinion!

Jeb Dunnuck followed suit, awarding it 95 points as well, going as far as to say that “I'd wager this is one of the finest vintages of this cuvée to date”.

Crucially, Tronquoy does not release during the En Primeur campaign, making this the brand-new release direct from the chateau. At just €26.50 In Bond per bottle, it remains a genuine bargain given its quality. Prices won’t stay this low forever, be ahead of the curve and add it to your cellar now.

 

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Tronquoy 2020

€27.00* In Bond per bottle

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95 Points | Vinous, Neal Martin

The 2020 Tronquoy-Lalande puts in the surprise performance of the tasting with a quite stellar showing. It has superb mineralité on the nose, very well defined and full of vigor—perhaps the most sophisticated within the flight of Saint-Estèphe wines. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. It's a "solid" and structured wine, but it also conveys delineation and tension toward the hoisin-tinged finish. Very persistent on the finish, this is a class act. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Drinking Window: 2030 - 2060

95 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

Coming from a vintage compared to 2016 and 2019 by the château, the 2020 Château Tronquoy-Lalande checks in as 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, hitting 13.5% alcohol. Beautiful cassis, plums, damp earth, and chocolate notes all emerge from this beauty, which is a layered, medium to full-bodied, gorgeously textured Saint-Estèphe. The tannins are present yet polished, and it has a great mid-palate and outstanding length. I'd wager this is one of the finest vintages of this cuvée to date. It has the purity of fruit and opulence to shine even today, yet I suspect it won't hit prime time for 7-8 years, and it should have 20 years of prime drinking at that point.

93 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

Seriously impressive, close to 2016 in feel, richly texured, combining the power of St Estèphe with reserve and pared-back elegance, a ton of black fruits. It remains tight on the finish for now, but the tannins are confident rather than restrictive, suggesting long ageing potential. Higher Cabernet Sauvignon than usual, partly because of the mildew that impacted the Merlot, and partly because the Cabernet Sauvignon reacted so well to the vintage conditions. 3.74ph, harvest September 11 to 28.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

View all wines from Tronquoy.

We’ve all wished we’d secured allocations from top domaines like Ramonet, Leflaive, DRC—or Clos Rougeard—before the scores soared and the prices followed. Today, we have that rare opportunity to get in before the crowd. Sylvain Dittière of La Porte Saint Jean is being tipped as the next Clos Rougeard, and his wines are still under the radar. Critically praised and beautifully priced, this is your chance to get in early on something truly special.

“Sylvain doesn't need any support anyway; his wines are very much sought after and don't need any scores or maybe not even comments as long as they sell that quickly” - Wine Advocate, Stephan Reinhardt

Few young winemakers in France have made waves quite like Sylvain Dittière. At just 23, he launched La Porte Saint Jean in the heart of Saumur, drawing on formative stints with greats like Thierry Germain, Clos Rougeard, and Domaine Gauby. From a modest cellar in Montreuil-Bellay, Sylvain crafts some of the Loire’s most thrilling, age-worthy wines—refined, precise, and unmistakably terroir-driven. His dedication to organic farming and low-intervention winemaking has garnered a cult following for good reason.

Working with limestone-rich vineyards in Saumur and Saumur-Champigny, Sylvain produces focused, elegant wines that shimmer with minerality and energy. His Cabernet Franc is savoury, structured, and pure, while his rare white cuvées—from Chenin planted on tuffeau soils—rival top-flight Burgundy in texture and longevity. Everything is done by hand, from harvesting to bottling, with a philosophy rooted in patience and precision. Long élevage in used barrels and a refusal to rush the process result in wines of remarkable detail and tension—an uncompromising vision that’s redefining the Loire’s potential.

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We’re pleased to offer allocations of several wines from La Porte Saint Jean:

Saumur-Champigny 2022

Saumur-Champigny Les Cormiers 2022

Saumur Les Pouches Rouge 2020

 

La Perlée Blanc 2022

Les Pouches Blanc 2022

Quantities are limited, demand is rising, and once the world catches on—as it did with Clos Rougeard—these wines won’t stay at these prices. Whether you're buying to drink, cellar, or simply to be part of the story from the start, this is your moment. Secure your bottles of La Porte Saint Jean while you still can.

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 What the wine critics say:

“Nowadays, there are certainly a few contenders to the Cabernet Franc throne… like Antoine Sanzay, who shares a link to the Foucault family and cultivates a bigger part of the Poyeaux site. Domaine de Collier of course, Guiberteau as well. But for me, and also for Loire aficionado Jim Budd, the estate most in the spiritual mould of the old Clos Rougeard estate, is La Porte St Jean, run by Sylvain Dittiere, the son in law of Charlie and Francoise Foucault”  - Greg Sherwood MW

“Sylvain doesn't need any support anyway; his wines are very much sought after and don't need any scores or maybe not even comments as long as they sell that quickly. Surely his wines will not have become less interesting 10 years after Sylvain started the domaine in Montreuil-Bellay after he had studied agriculture and learned winemaking at some of my favorite domaines in France, i.e. Gérard Gauby and Cyril Fahl in the Roussillon and Marc Tempé in Alsace and in Saumur at Thierry Germain and Clos de Rougeard. Charly Foucault's son Antoine from Domaine du Collier is a big guy—not only when it comes to wine but also to whisky and life in general. Of the 8.5 hectares, the eminent part is dedicated to Cabernet Franc, but Sylvain also produces Chenin Blanc and even Sauvignon Blanc (which I haven't tasted yet). Sylvain's wines age in oak for a pretty long time since he is happy to have a perfect subterranean cellar where the temperature is constantly between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius. The Chenin Blanc is aged for 30 months on the lees and is not racked except for bottling” - Wine Advocate, Stephan Reinhardt

 

View all wines from La Porte Saint Jean (Sylvain Dittiere)

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Red’s

Saumur-Champigny Les Cormiers 2022

 

€49.50* inc VAT per bottle

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Crafted from 60‑year-old vines rooted in Jurassic limestone, this flagship sees six-week open-top ferment and 26 months in new oak. Expect concentrated blackcurrant, pepper, and game aromas, with a silky, structured palate and precise tannins—grand cru-like Cabernet Franc at its finest.

 
Saumur Les Pouches Rouge 2020

€36.50* inc VAT per bottle

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From clay-limestone vineyards in Montreuil‑Bellay, this Cabernet Franc sees long fermentation in wooden vats and 24 months in 50% new oak. Layered with dark berry, smoky spice, and savory graphite, it delivers structured elegance, fine tannins, and clear sense of place—classic Saumur rouge.

 
Saumur-Champigny 2022

€32.95* inc VAT per bottle

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From 30- to 40-year-old vines on limestone-rich soils, this Saumur-Champigny is delicate yet concentrated, offering ripe cherry, tobacco, and spice on the nose. Fermented in concrete with no remontage or pigéage, then aged 18 months in seasoned Bordeaux barrels, it delivers silky texture, fine tannins, and a long, saline finish of great finesse.

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Whites

La Perlee Blanc 2022

€40.50* inc VAT per bottle

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La Perlée is crafted from 60–80-year-old Chenin vines rooted in clay-limestone soils on the Saumur-Anjou border. Fermented and aged on lees for 30 months without racking, it offers aromas of lemon oil, crushed stones and wet chalk. The palate is rich yet weightless—textured, saline, and lifted by fine tannins and electric citrus tension.

 

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

View all wines from La Porte Saint Jean (Sylvain Dittiere)

2019 Leoville Las Cases

98 Points - Wine Advocate
“The 2019 Léoville Las Cases is a brilliant young wine that will delight Bordeaux purists. […] Concentrated and serious, much like its immediate neighbor Château Latour, it is likely to emerge as one of the vintage’s longest lived—and greatest—wines.”

Chateau Leoville Las Cases is one of the most prestigious estates in Saint-Julien, often considered a "Super Second" due to its consistent First Growth-like quality. With origins dating back to the 17th century, the estate boasts one of Bordeaux’s finest terroirs, situated on deep gravel soils near the Gironde Estuary. Under the stewardship of Jean-Hubert Delon, Leoville Las Cases has maintained its reputation for producing structured, age-worthy wines with incredible depth, power, and finesse.

What truly sets Leoville Las Cases apart is the extraordinary terroir of its walled Grand Clos, a parcel often compared to the finest sites in Pauillac. Here, deep Gunzian gravel overlies clay and limestone, giving Cabernet Sauvignon perfect drainage, slow ripening and remarkable concentration. Proximity to the Gironde moderates temperatures, protecting the vines from frost and helping achieve optimal maturity. The result is a wine of profound structure, precision and mineral drive, capable of ageing for decades.

Table: Price comparison of top-scoring vintages of Leoville Las Cases. Accurate as of blog posting.

The 2019 Leoville Las Cases is a towering expression of Saint Julien, uniting immense structure with remarkable finesse. Built around 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, it delivers layers of cassis, black cherry, graphite, slate and violets, wrapped in ultra-fine, weightless tannins. Critics praise its precision, mineral depth and soaring tension, noting its kinship with neighbouring Latour. This is a profound, long-lived wine that will unfold beautifully over the coming decades.

We have a small parcel available at €169* In Bond per bottle. With outstanding scores, glowing commentary from every major critic and a price that still sits well below other top vintages, this is a clear opportunity.

If you don’t already have it in your cellar, now is the moment to make sure it’s there.

 

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Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2019

€169* In Bond per bottle

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100 Points | Falstaff, Peter Moser

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on rim. Fine oak, a hint of nougat, dark berries underneath, some cardamom, dark cherries, a hint of candied oranges. Powerful, taut, tightly meshed, fresh acidity, spicy, supporting tannins, a hint of chocolate on the finish, convincing balance, mineral and very long lasting, cherries on the finish, a vin de garde, can also be tasted young with a few hours in the carafe, enormous future potential.

99+ Points | The Wine Independent, Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Made from 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Leoville Las Cases is deep garnet-purple in color. It bursts from the glass with seductive scents of black cherry compote, creme de cassis, violets, and dark chocolate, leading to wafts of cedar and star anise. The full-bodied palate has amazingly fine tannins and great tension supporting the mineral-accented black fruits, finishing very long.

98 Points | Wine Advocate, William Kelley

The 2019 Léoville Las Cases is a brilliant young wine that will delight Bordeaux purists. Unwinding in the glass with scents of cassis, dark berries, cigar wrapper and pencil shavings, it’s full-bodied, layered and tightly wound, with a deep core of fruit, lively acids and an abundance of rich, powdery tannins. Concentrated and serious, much like its immediate neighbor Château Latour, it is likely to emerge as one of the vintage’s longest lived—and greatest—wines.

98 Ponts | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

This is just a great Las Cases where the structure expands upwards and outwards, making your tastebuds sit up and pay attention. The scraping minerality almost feels like you are on limestone instead of gravel soils, until the tannins kick in and you hit a wall of slate, spice, liquorice, rosebud, violet. Dark autumnal fruits of blackcurrant and bilberry are set against smoke and flint, giving no ground, demanding you slow down and take your time. It opens up, but you need to work for it. Exudes authority, a wine that delivers the essence of the property. Harvest September 18 to October 8. 3.67pH, 90% new oak.

98 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

Wet stone, smoke and floral aspects to the aromatic profile - seriously inviting. Density and power here, but cooling and all in balance, full of blackcurrant and black cherries with obvious minerality. It gives such plushness in terms of roundness and grip of tannins, but also layers of perfumed fruit, ripe fruit and cooling slate and liquorice elements. A distinguished wine with a seamless tannic structure and excellent length. Lots of life here and also a real, almost sweet acidity that gives life and lift. Lots going on now but designed for long and steady ageing.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

View all vintages of Leoville Las Cases.

Thistledown Single Vineyard Grenache

“McLaren Vale Grenache, at the height of its powers, can be all things in one glass: supple and fine, powerful and statuesque, silky and structured, long and deep. This is a superstar, make no mistake” - Erin Larin, Wine Advocate

Thistledown has become one of Australia’s most exciting voices for site-driven, small-batch Grenache. Founded by Giles Cooke MW and Fergal Tynan MW, the winery champions old vines, cool sites and gentle winemaking that lets each parcel speak for itself. Their approach is meticulous yet restrained, favouring concrete fermenters, whole bunch layers and minimal extraction to preserve perfume and purity. The result is a range of wines that capture Australia’s finest expressions of Grenache with clarity, texture and finesse.

Eden Valley offers a rare style of Australian Grenache shaped by elevation, rocky quartz soils and cool nights that preserve lift and fragrance. At around 500 metres above sea level near Pewsey Vale, sites like Fool on the Hill give intensely aromatic wines, full of rose petals, blood orange and redcurrant. Gentle concrete fermentation protects its silky texture and powdery, rocky tannins, delivering a bright, finely etched expression of high grown Grenache.

Blewitt Springs in McLaren Vale is widely regarded as one of Australia’s grand terroirs for Grenache, defined by deep sand, ironstone and old bush vines. These elevated, wind-influenced slopes produce wines that are supple yet powerful, with seamless fruit, spice and beautifully pliant tannins. Sands of Time captures this character perfectly, offering sapid red fruit, savoury depth and an effortless balance that shows why Blewitt Springs sits at the pinnacle of Australian Grenache.

Both wines have received some of the highest praise yet, each earning an impressive 97 points from The Wine Advocate. It is a strong endorsement of what Thistledown is achieving, and a reminder that Australia’s greatest Grenache is now defined as much by finesse, nuance and site expression as by sheer ripeness.

These are standout releases that show just how far the variety has come.

 

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Thistledown Fool on the Hill Grenache 2024

 

€45.50* In Bond per bottle

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97 Points | Wine Advocate

The 2024 Fool on the Hill Grenache is from Eden Valley, and the wine is abundantly aromatic and eloquent of its place. The tiered vineyard site is up near Pewsey Vale and overlooks the Barossa from its vantage point of 500 meters above sea level. The wine is aromatically soft, textural and plump in the mouth, with rose petals and blood orange, red apples and redcurrants. With a hint of pomegranate molasses, the quartz comes through, and there's an integrated base of savory flavor that balances the exuberance of it. It's a highly attractive, gorgeous wine that speaks of the Eden in its splay of rocky tannin. It is chewy and powdery and fills the mouth with floral perfume. It fermented in concrete, which was a "layer cake of whole bunch and whole berry," says founder and winemaker Giles Cooke MW. The ferment received no pumping over, i.e., a very gentle extraction. Post ferment, it matured for 10 months in three- to five-year-old French puncheons. When I think of the three Grenache wines, I, perhaps controversially, given the others are from McLaren Vale, admire the tannin structure of this one the most. They all are magnificent wines.

96 Points | Halliday Wine Companion

Fermented in concrete pyramid with 20% whole bunches; 11 months in seasoned French oak. This from a new site to the brand, the Trial Hill vineyard, now owned and managed by Joel Mattschoss. This speaks the Thistledown dialect, expressly pure fruited yet intrinsically savoury, floral, elegant yet deep, finely but properly structured. There’s the usual cohort of red fruits, but it’s a little more earthy and spicy than its Vale peers. Day two is when this truly shines, becoming more fragrant with musk and souk spices. This is a wine to watch.

 
Thistledown Sands of Time Grenache 2024

€45.50* In Bond per bottle

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97 Points | Wine Advocate

Looking at this lineup of 2024 Grenaches, it is evident that 2024 was not a high-color year. However, the wines are abundantly aromatic, fresh and imbued with fine pliable structure, so with one we accept the other. So here, the 2024 Sands of Time Old Vine Single Vineyard Grenache penetrates the palate with sapid fruit flavors; the tannins "roll" more than they "shape," and they pervade every dark corner of the fruit. Everything here is in such lithe balance, and it truly is a pleasure to drink. McLaren Vale Grenache, at the height of its powers, can be all things in one glass: supple and fine, powerful and statuesque, silky and structured, long and deep. This is a superstar, make no mistake. The fruit was handpicked from Sue Trott's home vineyard and fermented wild with 30% whole bunches in concrete pyramids. It matured in both concrete and oak. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

97 Points | Halliday Wine Companion

From Sue Trott’s Blewitt Springs vineyard, planted in '52 to deep Maslin Sands. The Trott vineyard typically throws a slightly darker fruit profile, and this wine can be a little slower to emerge after bottling, but this year it’s open, perfumed and engaging from the beginning. That’s not to say it’s simpler – far from it. Refined, elegant, suffused with pressed florals and dark spice notes, rosehip tea, dried black cherry, iron, fennel seed and warm stone, the shape and drive reminiscent of nebbiolo, though more Valtellina than Langhe. That comparison is just for communication, as this is strikingly its own thing, another arrow finding the bullseye to show why modern Australian grenache is one of world wine’s most exciting categories. Sublime.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

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