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Carmes Haut-Brion Collection Cases

We've been raving about Les Carmes Haut-Brion recently, and for good reason. The estate is producing incredible wines in a uniquely modern Bordeaux style, at a price point that, for now at least, remains remarkably reasonable.

Today, we're delighted to present three exciting offers from Les Carmes.

The 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages became known as the Trilogie in Bordeaux, marking an extraordinary run of three outstanding years. To celebrate, the estate has assembled a series of beautifully presented collection cases at very attractive prices, offering a perfect introduction to collecting one of Bordeaux's most exciting modern wines.

 

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100 Points - Wine Advocate

"The 2022 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is the finest wine bottled to date at this estate under Patrice Pichet's ownership and Guillaume Pouthier's direction. Unfurling from the glass with aromas of violet, iris, dark wild berries, pencil lead and mulberries, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated with a deep core of fruit beautifully framed by velvety, precise tannins, segueing into a long, saline and perfumed finish. Suave and harmonious"

 

100 Points - Antonio Galloni

"The 2020 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a total stunner. For the first time I can remember, Les Carmes Haut-Brion marries all of its elements so well that nothing stands out. In the past, the high percentage of Franc and/or the whole clusters were evident. The 2020 is the first modern vintage in which all the elements are so well balanced. Dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint, lavender, dried herbs and incense all build in a ravishing Pessac-Léognan that will take your breath away"

 

100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck 

"The 2018 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a rock star of a wine [...]  A dead ringer for a great vintage of Haut-Brion, it is far from unapproachable today yet needs 7-8 years of bottle age for the fireworks to develop and will have 50-years or more of longevity! Hats off to Guillaume Pouthier for a magical, seamless, singular beauty!"

 

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Few estates have captured the imagination of Bordeaux lovers in recent years quite like Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion. Nestled within the city limits of Bordeaux itself, this singular property has become a beacon for modern winemaking in the region. Since Guillaume Pouthier’s arrival in 2012, Les Carmes has undergone a remarkable transformation - its striking winery, bold vision, and boundary-pushing approach marking it out as one of the most exciting names in the Left Bank today.

Les Carmes Haut-Brion stands at the forefront of Bordeaux’s new wave, combining meticulous vineyard work with avant-garde vinification. Whole-bunch fermentation, gravity flow, and amphora ageing are used to craft wines of incredible energy, perfume, and finesse. The blend, often with an unusually high proportion of Cabernet Franc, is shaped to reflect its unique terroir rather than conform to tradition. As a result, Les Carmes is now widely regarded as a rising star producing some of the region’s most original and compelling wines.

Everything is coming directly from Bordeaux.

 

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Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2018, 2019 & 2020 Collection Case

The case contains two bottles of each 2020, 2019 & 2018

Add to Cellar - BUY

€115* IB per bottle
€690* IB per 6x75cl OWC

These are coming directly from the winery so like always, perfect provenance.

 

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Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2020

 

100 Points | Antonio Galloni
The 2020 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a total stunner. For the first time I can remember, Les Carmes Haut-Brion marries all of its elements so well that nothing stands out. In the past, the high percentage of Franc and/or the whole clusters were evident. The 2020 is the first modern vintage in which all the elements are so well balanced. Dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint, lavender, dried herbs and incense all build in a ravishing Pessac-Léognan that will take your breath away.

100 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle
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 generous, this is more classic and easy to understand. An excellent job - seemingly effortless winemaking in 2020 - and a bottle that is sure to be emptied pretty quickly.

98 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
From a bottle purchased stateside, the 2020 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a riviting, utterly classic Pessac-Leognan that offers textbook darker currant fruits, scorched earth, tobacco, lead pencil, and smoky, truffly nuances, as well as a subtle floral hint with time in the glass. Based on 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Merlot that saw a plenty of stems as well as 80% new oak, it's deep plum/ruby hued, has medium to full-bodied richness, a graceful, layered, elegant mouthfeel, polished, fine grained tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's more approachable today than I would have imagined from barrel, and it actually reminds me of the 2019 with its understated elegance. It deserves a solid 7-8 years of bottle age and will be a 30, 40, 50+ year wine. It's another heavenly wine from Guillaume Pouthier that you probably couldn't have too much of in the cellar.

 

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Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2019

 

100 Points |  Antocyanes, Yohan Castaing (whom is now with The Wine Advocate)
Smoky, raspberry, blackcurrant, very floral for a bouquet of magnificent complexity. Great class while maintaining precision and sharpness. In the mouth, juicy, precise very beautiful purity of tannin, crystalline, full of fleshy texture, very vibrant. Note the magnificent bitters, of an exceptional level, which bring an airy and fresh finish. Very impressive in its construction, this wine begins tense and ends denser, more elaborate. This vintage will mark the history of the property. A very great Les Carmes Haut Brion which continues its ascent and gives us a glipse of a new facet of its personality

98 Points | Decanter
One of my favourite wines in 2019, immediately captivating with a lasting impression. Gorgeous dark purple in the glass with blackcurrant notes, perfumed violets, dark chocolate and hints of truffle - the old-vine Bouchet (Cabernet Franc) giving aromatic intensity on the nose and palate. Succulent straight away with ripe cherry, blood orange and pink grapefruit flavours set against soft, mouthwatering acidity and a lovely saline grip to the tannins. It's rich but just giving delicate hints in each direction of fruit, acidity, freshness, structure, mouthfeel and body. Restrained and poised, with a drinkability that makes you want a glass now, but could happily be enjoyed decades from now. Managing director Guillaume Pouthier said he simply 'Wants to make wine that is drunk' and this is eminently drinkable. A blend of 48% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot. 3.60 pH. 80% ageing in new barrel, 9% amphora, 11% foudre. Stéphane Derenoncourt consultant.

98 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
I wasn't able to taste the 2019 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion from barrel, but it certainly brings the goods from bottle. Deep ruby/purple-hued, with a smorgasbord-like array of red, blue, and black fruits as well as violets, candied flowers, tobacco, and sappy herbs, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, concentrated mouthfeel, flawless balance, and that rare mix of power and elegance that truly great Pessac can deliver. Showing the more elegant style of the vintage, it checks in behind the magical, perfect 2018 but is very much in the style of the 2016. Readers will love having this beauty in the cellar, and it will evolve for 40-50 years if stored correctly. Hats off to winemaker Guillaume Pouthier for another thrilling wine.

 

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Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2018

100 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a rock star of a wine and is based on a unique blend of 37% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 29% Merlot that was brought up in 80% new French oak. Offering a deep ruby/purple color as well as a thrilling bouquet of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, violets, damp earth, and truffle, it hits the palate with a full-bodied yet almost understated, building style that carries ripe, supple tannins, gorgeous amounts of smoky black fruits, and an endearing, layered, multi-dimensional texture that keeps you coming back to the glass. A dead ringer for a great vintage of Haut-Brion, it is far from unapproachable today yet needs 7-8 years of bottle age for the fireworks to develop and will have 50-years or more of longevity! Hats off to Guillaume Pouthier for a magical, seamless, singular beauty!

98 Points | Decanter
The march of Carmes Haut-Brion continues in 2018. Once again it stands out for a number of reasons: not least because of its high amount of Cabernet Franc, and also because it is made with 53% whole-bunch fermentation - a brave choice by winemaker Guillaume Poutier and one that pays off hugely in terms of balance and lean muscular build. Even without knowing any of the story behind the bottle, you would be hard-pressed to pass this wine by.

98 Points | Jane Anson
This powerful, full of complex layers of raspberry, blackberry, smoked earth, rosemary and turmeric spice, but running underneath it all is clear salinity and grip. The personality and poise of this wine overtakes the vintage, not an easy thing to do in a year that is as powerful as 2018 and on a warm site such as Carmes Haut-Brion. Touches of saffron and salt-licked as it opens, sage, freshly grilled dried herbs and gourmet espresso and brioche. Enjoyable. 3.62pH, and harvest at almost 1% ABV higher than you find in the final bottle. Ageing takes place in a mix of 25% new oak, 5% oak casks, and 10% amphoras, with 55% stems during fermentation, and natural yeasts.

 

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Browse Les Carmes Haut-Brion

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

​Las Uvas de la Ira 2024, a Garnacha Bargain:

There is no doubt how influential Daniel Landi and Comando G have been on the Spanish wine scene, helping elevate Garnacha to world-class status. Some of their most sought-after cuvees, such as Rumbo al Norte, now sell for more than €500 per bottle, a reflection of the esteem in which collectors and critics hold their wines.

Today, however, we have something of an insider's pick. The sort of wine that those in the know quietly snap up whenever they see it. A wine that captures the same philosophy of purity, terroir and old-vine Garnacha, but at a fraction of the price of the headline-grabbing cuvees.

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94 Points - Wine Advocate
"The super tasty and expressive 2024 Las Uvas de la Ira was produced with Garnacha from seven vineyards in El Real de San Vicente, fermented separately and matured in concrete and oak vats and foudres"

 

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​The rise of the Sierra de Gredos from relative obscurity to one of Spain's most exciting fine wine regions owes much to Daniel Landi and Fernando Garcia of Comando G. Their work helped redefine Garnacha, showing that the variety could produce wines of extraordinary finesse, freshness and mineral character from Gredos' rugged granite slopes.

Viticola Mentridana represents the next chapter of that story. When Landi chose to focus entirely on Comando G and the Alberche Valley, he entrusted his Tiétar Valley vineyards to childhood friend Curro Barreño. A native of Gredos and co-founder of Fedellos, Curro shared Landi's vision for terroir-driven, old-vine Garnacha and was the natural choice to continue the project.

Today, Curro farms these historic vineyards alongside plots owned by his own family in DO Méntrida, building on the foundations established by Landi while bringing his own experience and perspective. The result is a range of wines that beautifully capture the energy, purity and mountain character that have made Gredos one of Spain's most talked-about regions.

Originally created by Daniel Landi and now crafted by Curro Barreño, Las Uvas de la Ira remains one of the benchmark wines of Gredos. Sourced from old-vine Garnacha around El Real de San Vicente at roughly 850 metres altitude, the 2024 combines wild herbs, floral aromatics and bright red berry fruit with granite-driven minerality, fine tannins and remarkable elegance. A beautifully detailed expression of mountain Garnacha.

This week we have a small parcel available at a very competitive price of €26.50* inc NL VAT per bottle.

If you're a fan of Comando G, then this one is for you.​

 

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Viticola Mentridana Las Uvas de la Ira 2024

€26.50* inc NL VAT per bottle

Buy Viticola Mentridana Las Uvas de la Ira 2024

 

94 Points | Wine Advocate
The super tasty and expressive 2024 Las Uvas de la Ira was produced with Garnacha from seven vineyards in El Real de San Vicente, fermented separately and matured in concrete and oak vats and foudres. It was a very challenging vintage, with mildew and oidium, from a wetter zone than Méntrida village on soils with a very high content in silt. It has some flinty notes and is faintly reductive, with notes of herbs, flowers and small, translucent berry fruit. It is fine-boned, with classical chalky granite tannins. 10,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2025.

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

​2013 Krug: A brand new release of one of the worlds most iconic Champagnes.

The Krug 2013 is the latest release, and at 99 points from Antonio Galloni it is one of the finest vintage Champagnes to arrive on the market this year.

 

99 Points - Galloni
"The 2013 Vintage is a wild, exotic beauty. Apricot, passion fruit, lemon confit, marzipan, baked apple tart and a kiss of French are all amplified in a dramatic, vivid Champagne that captures all the pedigree of this great vintage. The 2013 is wonderfully complex and dynamic from the very first taste. Time in the glass brings out layers of dimension and captivating nuance. This is a fabulous effort"​

 

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Founded in 1843, Krug is one of Champagne's most revered houses, renowned for producing wines of extraordinary depth, complexity and longevity. Unlike many prestige cuvees, Krug Vintage is only declared in years that express a distinctive character worthy of standing on its own, capturing the unique personality of a single harvest through the house's meticulous winemaking approach.

Krug 2013 is a fascinating expression of a late, cool Champagne vintage, combining the house's trademark power with remarkable precision and freshness. Harvested in October after a slow growing season, it offers layers of apricot, quince, lemon confit, baked apple, brioche and toasted nuts. The palate is chiselled and energetic, driven by vibrant acidity and chalky minerality, yet retains the depth, texture and complexity that make Krug one of Champagne's greatest names.

What makes the 2013 particularly compelling is the balance between richness and tension. Aromatically expressive from the outset, it continues to evolve in the glass, revealing notes of citrus oil, passion fruit, marzipan and saline nuances. Antonio Galloni scored it 99 points, describing it as a "wild, exotic beauty", while Wine Advocate awarded 96+ points.

Dynamic, layered and wonderfully age-worthy, this is a Krug Vintage that will continue to reward collectors for decades to come.

We have a small parcel coming in Gift Box at a fantastic price of €275* In Bond per bottle.

 

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Krug Vintage Brut 2013

€275 *In Bond per bottle

Buy Krug Vintage Brut 2013

 

99 Points - Vinous, Antonio Galloni

The 2013 Vintage is a wild, exotic beauty. Apricot, passion fruit, lemon confit, marzipan, baked apple tart and a kiss of French are all amplified in a dramatic, vivid Champagne that captures all the pedigree of this great vintage. The 2013 is wonderfully complex and dynamic from the very first taste. Time in the glass brings out layers of dimension and captivating nuance. This is a fabulous effort. Krug ID: 124011

96+ Points | Wine Advocate​

Originating from an October harvest, Krug’s 2013 Brut has turned out very well, delivering—against the backdrop of the slow, late-ripening season and another high-acid test, qualities rendered all the more evident by the house’s methods—the requisite aromatic plenitude and textural properties. Disgorged in early 2024 with a dosage of five grams per liter, the wine emerges from the glass with a deep bouquet of lemon oil, fresh apricot and quince mingled with nashi pear and brioche crust, complemented by a top note of lightly burnt buttered toast. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, chiseled and racy-fresh, structured around a spine of incisive acidity and chalky extract, concluding with a long, citrus-driven, saline-tinged finish.

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Browse Champagne and Krug

Browse all Champagne → | Browse Krug → | Browse Dom Pérignon →

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

Dr. Loosen - Zach. Bergweiler-Prüm Erben

Ernst Loosen is Riesling royalty, and his latest project pays tribute to his great-grandfather by reviving the winemaking traditions of a bygone era. First released with the 2018 vintage, these remarkable wines are crafted using historic methods from Riesling's golden age, from 130-year-old ungrafted vines. The wines have quickly swept critics off their feet, earning a string of outstanding scores along the way.

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98 Points - Decanter 
"This has such a rich texture, thick and viscous, like a syrup but with the most lively, juicy, bright and lifted core that just makes you sit up and smile and then want another glass straight away. Dense and rich yet mouthwatering with great clarity as well as a little bit of creamy, vanilla and peach aspects to the finish. Absolutely stunning"

​97 Points - Wine Advocate
"Round and lush on the palate, this is a light yet intense and supple, remarkably refined and saline Riesling with fine, crystalline acidity (9.1 grams per liter) and no palatable sweetness. This is a highly gastronomic Auslese from ancient vines. It is still young but already irresistible."​

 

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Zach. Bergweiler-Prüm Erben is a deeply personal project for Ernst Loosen, created to honour his maternal great-grandfather, Zacharias Bergweiler-Prüm, one of the Mosel's respected growers during Riesling's golden age.

Run as a separate estate, the project focuses on a tiny parcel of 130-year-old ungrafted vines in the famed Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard. The wines are crafted as they would have been in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with hand harvesting, careful selection, basket pressing in a restored 1910 press, spontaneous fermentation and long ageing in traditional Mosel Fuder barrels.

Production is exceptionally small. Just one Fuder is produced of each wine, a dry Riesling GG, a Kabinett and an Auslese, resulting in only around 1,200 bottles of each release. Each wine carries its own historic label, reinforcing the connection to the estate's heritage.

Following two years on lees in barrel and several more years in bottle before release, the wines offer a rare glimpse into how great Mosel Riesling was made more than a century ago, while showcasing the remarkable purity and longevity of the Wehlener Sonnenuhr terroir.

Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese

This old-school Auslese showcases the timeless partnership of sweetness, acidity and slate-driven minerality that defines great Mosel Riesling. Drawn from 130-year-old ungrafted vines, it offers notes of candied citrus, orchard fruit, bergamot and wet stone. Rich and textural yet brilliantly fresh, it balances concentration with remarkable poise, promising decades of evolution while remaining captivating even in its youth.

Wehlener Sonnenuhr Dry Riesling GG

Produced from some of the oldest ungrafted vines in the Wehlener Sonnenuhr, this remarkable Grosses Gewächs combines the vineyard's famed elegance with extraordinary depth and precision. Aged for two years in Fuder and four years in bottle, it delivers layers of citrus peel, chamomile, crushed slate and smoky minerality. Concentrated yet weightless, it is a profoundly age-worthy expression of Mosel Riesling.

​Production is so small that they only sell these in 3x75cl OWC and we're lucky to have these at such a wonderful price.

If you're a Riesling fan, then don't hesitate.​

 

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Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2019

€56* In Bond per bottle

Buy Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2019

 

98 Points | Decanter

Caramelised oranges, baked caramel, white chocolate, lemon zest, candied lemons and baked lemon pie. Zesty and sherbet like straight away. This has such a rich texture, thick and viscous, like a syrup but with the mot lively, juicy, bright and lifted core that just makes you sit up and smile and then want another glass straight away. Dense and rich yet mouthwatering with great clarity as well as a little bit of creamy, vanilla and peach aspects to the finish. Absolutely stunning. Another great wine with such mass appeal that offers pleasure now but will continue to grow and change and get better over the next few decades. The second vintage for three wines in this range on the Place de Bordeaux that is an homage to the historical winemaking traditions of Ernst Loosen's family.

​98 Points | James Suckling

Not only rich in the honeyed sense that’s normal for the category, but also wonderful textural complexity that’s hard to resist. Incredible density without the feeling of weight, this has a relentless yet gentle power that drives the enormously long finish. Drink from release.

​97 Points | Wine Advocate

The vivid yellow-colored 2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Vieilles Vignes opens with a fascinatingly intense yet refined and elegant, saline and flinty bouquet of ripe and fresh pineapples, Burundi bananas and hints of caramel. Round and lush on the palate, this is a light yet intense and supple, remarkably refined and saline Riesling with fine, crystalline acidity (9.1 grams per liter) and no palatable sweetness. This is a highly gastronomic Auslese from ancient vines. It is still young but already irresistible. 9.5% stated alcohol and 53 grams per liter of residual sugar. Natural cork. Tasted in October 2025.

 

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Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2018

€56* In Bond per bottle

Buy Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2018

 

97 Points | James Suckling

An old-fashioned Auslese that has a wonderful combination of restrained ripeness and elegant mineral character, this tiptoes over the barely medium body with just a hint of wood. Very long, beautifully balanced finish. A historical reconstruction using basket pressing of grapes from very old vines, then two years maturation on the lees before bottling. Limited production. Drink or hold.

​95+ Points | Wine Advocate

From ungrafted, 130-year-old vines, the 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Vieilles Vignes Riesling Auslese was made from very ripe clusters that were about 50% affected by botrytis. Picked along with the dry grand cru (GG) and about two weeks later than the Kabinett, the 2018 Auslese is rich yet also fine and multi-layered on the elegant, delicately slatey nose. Dense and rich on the palate and definitely sweet yet also spicy, with delicate acidity and a savory slate note, this is a tasty and generous but still not a little playful Sonnenuhr that will gain finesse and complexity over many years. It should be given this time, i.e., about a decade. There are notes of black tea in relation to the delicate tannins as well as the bergamot aromas. In the long term, this might be a fabulous interpretation and the finest of the 2018s that will all be released in November this year. It was bottled with 10% stated alcohol plus a moderate 39.8 grams per liter of residual sugar. I doubt whether she really “drinks like water” in 10 or 15 years' time, as Ernst Loosen cheerfully remarked; but if the master means the speed with which his old-fashioned Auslese is drunk, he is likely to be proved right. Natural cork. Tasted in October 2024.

​95 Points | Vinous

The 2018 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Vieilles Vignes has 39.8 g/L of residual sweetness and 8.5 g/L of acidity. Flint flickers reductively on its citric nose. The palate brings forward notes of earth, dusty slate and creamy apple with a gorgeous acidity. These elements expand in the mouth, astonishing with their immense brightness and freshness. Erni Loosen has made two important points with this wine: it shows Riesling's transformation with just a few years of age and demonstrates what an Auslese can be—even at moderate sugar levels. (Medium)

 

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Wehlener Sonnenuhr Dry Riesling GG 2019

€52.50* In Bond per bottle

Buy Wehlener Sonnenuhr Dry Riesling GG 2019

 

98 Points | Vinous

The 2019 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Im Laychen Grosses Gewächs Réserve is from Loosen's oldest vines in the site that are well over 100 years old. It spent two years on lees in Fuder and four years in bottle. Dried hayflower and chamomile frame dried sultana and lemon peel aromas. All is lift on the nose, but the palate is balm. This has super smooth emollience, beautiful direction and bright acidity. Its exquisite, supple concentration still brims with chamomile and rings eternally on the finish. The elegance of the Sonnenuhr is clearly manifested here. (Bone-dry)

​96 Points | Wine Advocate

From a single fuder and aged for 24 months on the full lees, the 2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling GG Vieilles Vignes offers a generous, very intense and lemony bouquet of concentrated Riesling berries. Very elegant and fresh on the palate, this is a full-bodied, textural and vivacious, tight and mineral, firmly structured Sonnenuhr with a long, complex, saline, very stimulating finish. It is incredibly young and full of expression. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in October 2025.

​96 Points | James Suckling

This has crazy, flinty minerality and terrific herbal freshness. The white peach aromas and touch of oak of this site slowly emerge as it aerates. Totally focused and energetic, this is only just beginning to show what it’s made of. Drink from release.

 

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

2025 Montrose Releases En Primeur! Our Wine of the Vintage!

When we released our vintage report, before any of the critics had published their scores, we said that if you buy just one wine from this campaign, make sure it's Montrose. We awarded it a perfect score ourselves. Turns out this wine has left its impression on everyone, and we have 5 potential perfect scores from the wine critics.

Do yourself a favour and don’t miss this one.

 

5x 100-Point Scores

 

98-100 Points - Neal Martin
“This has another very intense nose with a potent graphite element that infuses the black fruit, beautifully defined but unapologetically classical in style. Wow. The purity of fruit is exceptional. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, very chiselled tannins, exquisite black fruit loaded with minéralité. So much freshness and vibrancy, gentle but insistent grip, very precise and refined on the finish, this is a Montrose that will rank as one for the ages. Wow (again).”

 

98-100 Points - Wine Advocate
“A timeless classic in the making, the 2025 Montrose unfurls in the glass with notes of dark berries, black truffle, burning embers and violets, gaining in range and detail with aeration. Full-bodied, dense and elegantly muscular, it's layered and multidimensional, with a prodigiously concentrated core of fruit, exceptional quality of tannin and a long, resonant finish”

 

98-100 Points - Jeff Leve
“Montrose is on quite the run. Just when you think they cannot produce a better wine, they come out with the 2025!”

 

97-100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
A magical, utterly profound wine in the making, […]  It reminds me of the 2016 with its finesse... and maybe there's a touch of 1996 here as well”

 

100 Points - Falstaff
“Complex, full-bodied, highly elegant, freshly structured, ripe, supporting tannins, blackberries, nougat and cherries on the finish, lingers for a long time, sure maturity potential”

 

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Montrose has firmly established itself as one of Bordeaux's greatest estates. Situated on Saint-Estephe's famed Terrace 4 overlooking the Gironde estuary, the vineyard possesses one of the most remarkable terroirs in the Medoc. In recent years, the estate has reached extraordinary heights, producing a succession of wines that many collectors now place alongside the very best wines of Bordeaux.

The 2025 is produced entirely from the historic core of Terrace 4, a site that now forms the sole source of the Grand Vin. Built around 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, it offers intense aromas of cassis, graphite, violets, cedar and crushed stone. The palate is beautifully layered and precise, combining concentration and structure with remarkable purity, freshness and mineral tension.

What makes Montrose 2025 so compelling is not simply its power, but its sense of inevitability. Everything feels perfectly in place, from the purity of the Cabernet Sauvignon to the remarkable mineral drive that carries the finish.

There is no excess here, just layer upon layer of detail unfolding across the palate. It is the sort of wine that reminds you why Montrose has become one of Bordeaux's benchmark estates.

 

Comparison of top vintages of Montrose:

 

Released today at €119* In Bond per bottle, which is lower than expected for its 5x 100-Point rating!

En Primeur pricing often attracts criticism, but Montrose has done a fantastic job here, giving collectors plenty of incentive to add one of the standout wines of the vintage to their collection.

We have cases of 3x75cl OWC and 6x75cl OWC available on the website.

If there is one wine from the 2025 campaign that we would back without hesitation, it is this.

 

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Montrose 2025

€119* In Bond per bottle

Buy Montrose 2025

 

98-100 Points | Neal Martin

The 2025 Montrose only comes from the Terrace IV, as has been the way since the 2023 vintage. It was picked from August 29 and finished not until September 20, so quite a long harvest, 16 days of picking between those dates. This vintage is matured in 60% new oak. This has another very intense nose with a potent graphite element that infuses the black fruit, beautifully defined but unapologetically classical in style. Wow. The purity of fruit is exceptional. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, very chiselled tannins, exquisite black fruit loaded with minéralité. So much freshness and vibrancy, gentle but insistent grip, very precise and refined on the finish, this is a Montrose that will rank as one for the ages. Wow (again).

98-100 Points | Wine Advocate, William Kelley

A timeless classic in the making, the 2025 Montrose unfurls in the glass with notes of dark berries, black truffle, burning embers and violets, gaining in range and detail with aeration. Full-bodied, dense and elegantly muscular, it's layered and multidimensional, with a prodigiously concentrated core of fruit, exceptional quality of tannin and a long, resonant finish. The 2025 is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, derived exclusively from the estate's historic core on the fourth terrace situated just in front of the château itself. With a pH of 3.65 and 13.4% alcohol, it remains classically balanced despite its impressive power and intensity. Readers will have a fascinating time parsing the nuances of style and quality between the 2025, 2023 and 2022 over the decades to come!

98-100 Points | The Wine Cellar Insider, Jeff Leve

Cherries, cedar, Cuban cigar wrappers, blackberries, flowers, smoke and black raspberries provide the aromatic nuances. The palate is even better. Concentrated, deep, dark, and energetic, there is a sophisticated, lushness that delivers its regal tendencies while coating your mouth and palate with multiple layers of supple, rich, waves of black fruits, spice, and chocolate. Montrose is on quite the run. Just when you think they cannot produce a better wine, they come out with the 2025! This is the third vintage produced entirely from vines planted in Terrasse 4. The wine blends 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. 13.4% ABV, pH 3.65 pH. Harvesting took place August 29 - September 20. This is the earliest start to harvest in the history in the history of the estate. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2032-2070.

97-100 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

A magical, utterly profound wine in the making, the 2025 Château Montrose is a classic blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc that will spend 18 months in 60% new French oak, with 12% press wine included in the final blend. Pure cassis, graphite, liquid violets, and spicy wood define the aromatics, and it's sensationally pure on the palate, with full-bodied richness, beautiful concentration, ripe, polished tannins, incredible class, and a great finish. It reminds me of the 2016 with its finesse... and maybe there's a touch of 1996 here as well.

100 Points | Falstaff

Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Candied violets, scent of roses, fine cassis, incredibly seductive, delicate notes of precious wood, underlaid with black forest berries. Complex, full-bodied, highly elegant, freshly structured, ripe, supporting tannins, blackberries, nougat and cherries on the finish, lingers for a long time, sure maturity potential.

98-100 Points | Fine Wine Library

We said it last year and will say it again in 2025: if there is one wine to buy from the campaign, make sure it is Montrose. Wow, what a wine. Amazing purity, very precise and not overly big. Great structure, length and balance. An intoxicating nose of spice and floral aromas. On the palate, everything was there - fruit, spice, floral, cedar on the mid palate, and a long salty finish, which is a trademark of Montrose in very good vintages. For us, this was a perfect wine, and we would score it as such. Montrose itself compared it to the fantastic 2016, which was a 3x 100-point vintage.

97-98 Points | James Suckling

Integrated and creamy tannins that are long and polished deliver an impressive palate of medium body, juicy fruit and a refined finish. Character of black and red currants with hazelnuts. Refined. Extremely long and polished, with plenty of Montrose character. Balanced. All there for the vintage. A blend of 77% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot and 4% cabernet franc.

97 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

Vibrant purple colour in the glass. Amazing fragrance, so pure and crystalline – blackcurrants and violet notes. Silky and glossy, packed full of cherry and strawberry fruit with quite massy tannins but keeping a really cool and compact form. Structured with layers of elements but also a little granular, tight and spiced. Liquorice, cool cola and wet stone edges. Maybe less overtly charming and filling than in previous years, but this has a distinctly cool mineral edge and slightly grippy tannins on the finish. I like the style, it’s quite serious and terroir transparent. Ageing should soften this and relax a little. 3.65pH. 80 IPT. 12% press wine. Ageing 18 months, 60% new oak.

95-97 Points | Antonio Galloni

The 2025 Montrose is a very quiet, sophisticated Montrose. Silky tannins, lifted aromatics and mid-weight structure are the signatures. Time in the glass brings out lovely red-toned fruit character, along with hints of spice, blood orange, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco. It will be interesting to see how the 2025 develops with élevage. Today, it is a bit on the lighter side relative to the norm here. Some of that may be attributable to winemaking.

 

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

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2025 Leoville Las Cases releases En Primeur!

Leoville Las Cases 2025 releases with potential perfect 100-point scores and is arguably one of the finest releases from Saint-Julien in 2025.

 

97-100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
“the 2025 Château Léoville Las Cases is one of the wines of the vintage and just has an incredible sense of class, balance, purity, and richness. […] If this doesn't make your eyes roll back in your head, nothing will”

96-98 Points - Wine Advocate
“One of the most serious, brooding wines of the vintage is the 2025 Léoville Las Cases”

 

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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. Its vineyards border Chateau Latour at the edge of Pauillac, a detail that helps explain the power, structure and longevity that have become hallmarks of the wine. Recent vintages such as 2016, 2018 and 2022 rank among the greatest wines ever produced at the estate, further cementing its reputation as one of Bordeaux's benchmark properties.

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. Recent investments in a state-of-the-art winery have further enhanced precision and parcel selection, helping refine a wine already renowned for its depth, mineral tension and remarkable ageing potential.

Leoville Las Cases 2025 is a return to a more classical expression of this great estate. Built around 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, it combines cassis, graphite, pencil shavings and dark berries with remarkable concentration, structure and mineral tension. Powerful yet precise, the wine is defined by its extraordinary tannins, saline freshness and relentless persistence. A serious, age-worthy Las Cases that will reward decades of patience.

Today’s release comes in at €127* In Bond per bottle, and it’s arguably one of the finest releases from Saint-Julien in 2025.

 

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Leoville Las Cases 2025

€127* In Bond per bottle

Buy Leoville Las Cases 2025

 

98-100 Points | The Wine Cellar Insider, Jeff Leve

Deep and dark in color, it takes less than a second to know this is a wine that meshes power with concentration, sports a regal bearing, and delivers layer after layer of vibrant blackberries, cassis, currants, and black cherries with ease. The finish is long, expansive, mouth-filling, and powerful, with a strong mineral essence that adds sapidity. This is another Leoville Las Cases that will age and evolve for over 50 years. The wine blends 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Merlot. 13.6% ABV, 3.56 pH. Harvesting took place from September 5 to September 20. Yields were 23 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2032-2075.

99 Points | Falstaff, Peter Moser

Deep dark ruby ​​garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Nuances of blackberries, cassis, blueberries and some nougat, fine precious wood spice, multi-faceted bouquet. Complex, taut, red berry nuances in the texture, ripe, present tannins, mineral, lemony-salty on the finish, has great animating power, red heart cherries in the aftertaste, will benefit from maturity.

97-100 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

Based on a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Merlot that's resting in 80% new barrels, the 2025 Château Léoville Las Cases is one of the wines of the vintage and just has an incredible sense of class, balance, purity, and richness. Harvest began on September 5th, the earliest ever for this estate, wrapping up on the 20th. Cassis, graphite, liquid minerality, and freshly sharpened pencil all define the nose, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a round, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. If this doesn't make your eyes roll back in your head, nothing will. It checks in at 13.65% alcohol with a pH of 3.56.

98-99 Points | James Suckling

The texture is fantastic, with superb aromas of graphite, blackberries and blueberries. Medium- to full-bodied with tannins that are pure and primary, like eating perfectly ripe grapes. It’s the high quality of the tannins. A very classic Las Cases. 82% cabernet sauvignon, 12% cabernet franc and 6% merlot.

98 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

Deep, violet-hued in the glass, this barrel sample opens with remarkably expressive aromatics of cool blue fruit and ripe cassis, layered with hints of hawthorn and integrated oak spice, signaling this estate's pedigree. The attack is immediate, initially juicy with mid-palate fruit that swiftly yields to a formidable structure. The tannins are powerful (IPT 82), dense and commanding, their presence further accentuated by a relatively low pH of 3.56. At this stage, the balance clearly favors Pauillac styled power over St Julien charm, with the fruit somewhat restrained by the sheer scale of the tannic frame. The Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend combined with low yields of 23 hl/ha due to the tiny grapes harvested underscores the wine’s concentration and depth. Élevage is expected to extend up to 22 months in 80% new oak, a choice that should help absorb and refine the structure. A distinct mineral, saline edge emerges on the finish, though presently dominated by the tannic grip. This is the first vintage produced in the estate’s new six-story cellar, equipped with 120 fermentation tanks in oak and stainless steel (up from 40), enabling highly precise parcel-by-parcel and intra-parcel vinification. The addition of a vinothèque reflects the estate's long-term vision. Under the direction of Arnaud Delon, marking his first vintage alongside his father, Jean-Hubert Delon, the technical precision is evident in the glass. A wine of impressive scale and clear potential, though one that will require patience to fully harmonize. (PK)

96-98 Points | Neal Martin

The 2025 Léoville Las Cases is the earliest harvest since 1989, starting on September 5 until September 20. Yields are 23 hl/ha, with a soft extraction using air pumps introduced in 2019, and it was matured in 80% new oak. It is the third vintage made in the new, impressive facility. This has another intense nose, quite flamboyant for Las Cases due to the warmth of the summer, with hints of pencil shavings and cigar box coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied but very concentrated. Real depth and density here, very primal, with an intense, multi-layered finish that coats the mouth. Not a subtle Las Cases, nor should it be, though I aver that it will oblige long-term ageing.

96-98 Points | Wine Advocate, William Kelley

One of the most serious, brooding wines of the vintage is the 2025 Léoville Las Cases, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums, pencil shavings and creamy new oak, it's medium- to full-bodied, deep and dense, with prodigious reserves of sweet but assertive tannin, lively acids and a long, muscular finish. This will require patience.

96-98 Points | Antonio Galloni

The 2025 Léoville Las Cases is powerful, tightly wound and very shut down—in other words, classic Las Cases. In some recent vintages, the Grand Vin has shown somewhat softer contours, but the 2025 is really a throwback to a more muscular, classically austere style. It offers tremendous persistence and sheer power, but beyond that, the wine is pretty hard to read in the early going, certainly much more so than any of the other wines in the Delon stable. I expect this will need many years to be at its most rewarding. Based on this en primeur sample, the 2025 is a wine for readers who have actuarial tables on their side.

97 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

A serious but classic Las Cases style with a fragrant nose of roses and violets, blackcurrant and plum. Grippy from the off, the Cabernet playing its part in giving structure straight away – so well defined. Power and focus, it’s ripe no doubt but with no dryness thanks to this fresh, mouthwatering fruit in the background – raspberry and cranberry, almost tart. Striking and quite a unique style: supple, energetic and vibrant yet still super coiled and tight. One to wait for with ageing for sure. Has the polish and lots of star power here – refined and focused. 3.56pH.

 

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

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2025 Vieux Chateau Certan releases En Primeur!

We are fortunate to taste many of the world's greatest wines during En Primeur, often on the same day, and Vieux Chateau Certan was one of the wines that truly stood out in Pomerol.

Alexandre Thienpont described the 2025 as a blend of the qualities found in both the 2020 and 2022. This is a bold, powerful and deeply seductive VCC, embracing the richer side of Pomerol while remaining beautifully balanced and remarkably fresh.

 

98-100 Points - Jeff Leve
“it is on the palate that the wine truly steals the show. Full-bodied, deep, concentrated, opulent, and palate-staining, the wine coats your mouth, teeth, and gums with layers of plums and cherries drenched in dark chocolate. The finish is intense, long, full, rich, deep, and seamless, and you will notice it in your glass”

 

98 Points - Decanter
“An outstanding VCC this year and one of the picks of Pomerol. […] Absolutely beautiful, hedonistic and so long”

 

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Vieux Chateau Certan remains one of Pomerol's greatest estates, producing wines that combine power, elegance and complexity in a way few others can match. The 2025 is built around 80% Merlot, supported by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, delivering aromas of violets, dark berries, cocoa, spice, truffle and graphite. Despite its concentration, the wine remains wonderfully fresh, lifted and energetic, with layers of flavour that seem to unfold endlessly across the palate.

What impressed us most was the sheer completeness of the wine. There is density and richness here, but it never feels heavy. Floral notes, peppery spice, dark fruit, mineral tension and juicy acidity are all beautifully woven together. It is one of those rare wines that manages to be both intellectual and deeply pleasurable at the same time, rewarding analysis whilst remaining impossible to resist.

With scores reaching as high as 100 points and critics describing it as one of the wines of Pomerol, VCC has once again delivered a benchmark release. Jane Anson called it "a gorgeous wine that deserves attention", while Decanter described it as "absolutely beautiful, hedonistic and so long". This is a wine that will undoubtedly be talked about for decades to come.

Released today at €155* In Bond per bottle. We’re doing 3x75cl and 6x75cl OWC cases.

If there is one wine that reminded us why Pomerol remains such a special place, it was this.

 

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Vieux Chateau Certan 2025

€155* In Bond per bottle

Buy Vieux Chateau Certan 2025

 

98-100 Points | Jeff Leve

Violets, iris, black cherries, blue fruits, chocolate, cocoa, licorice, mint leaves, and truffles create the wine's complex aromatics. However, it is on the palate that the wine truly steals the show. Full-bodied, deep, concentrated, opulent, and palate-staining, the wine coats your mouth, teeth, and gums with layers of plums and cherries drenched in dark chocolate. The finish is intense, long, full, rich, deep, and seamless, and you will notice it in your glass. Part of the wine's success in 2025 was blending fruit from young vines planted in 2015, which helped achieve the drinkability you already find in your glass. The wine blends 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14% ABV, 3.75 pH. The harvest took place September 8 - September 18. Yields were only 22 hectoliters. Drink from 2030-2065.

99 Points | Falstaff

Deep, dark ruby-garnet color, opaque core, violet highlights, delicate lightening at the rim. Delicate notes of black cherries, a hint of strawberry jam, ripe plums, a touch of candied orange zest, underpinned by delicate nougat. Complex, extract-driven sweetness, black berry jam, a hint of licorice, ripe, substantial tannins, a subtle chocolate note on the finish, very good length, assured aging potential.

98-99 Points | James Suckling

Subtle and pure, with aromas of blackberries, black cherries, pencil shavings and touches of raspberries, flowers, oyster shells and iodine. Medium-bodied with subtle and integrated tannins that run the length of the wine and make you want to drink it. The length and finesse are sublime. A mineral, stone and light cement texture. It grows beautiful in the great finish. 80% merlot, 15% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon.

98 Points | Jane Anson

Fragrant, full of energy, dense with silky tannins, steals up on you as it opens, and this is a gorgeous wine that deserves attention. Chamomile, cumin, cassis, blackberry, cocoa bean, espresso, fresh thyme, tobacco, layered and luscious. This really stayed with me, and I absolutely recommend it, one of the wines of Pomerol in the vintage. Harvest September 8 to 18. Estate signature, 22hl/h yield, 3.75ph. The first year with Guillaume Thienpont fully in charge, although still working alongside his father Alexandre (who began with his own father in 1985).

98 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

An outstanding VCC this year and one of the picks of Pomerol. Deep aromatics of dark black fruit that stays cool with some liquorice and cola, plus a soft floral fragrance and chocolate creaminess. Inky and really vibrant colour in the glass. Smooth and supple, both creamy and chalky with black fruit and a heady savoury spiced aspect. I love the stickiness – there’s a chew but it remains cool and lifted, nothing heavy, more comforting like a big hug – velvety, charming and almost sensuous. Acidity doesn't stick out, the focus is on complexity and remarkable texture with ripe tannins. Density is there yet it doesn't feel heavy. Ends so cool with lots of cola, a touch of iron and stones, fresh mint and savoury herbaceousness. Absolutely beautiful, hedonistic and so long. 3.75pH. A yield of 22hl/ha. Ageing two thirds new oak, one third one-year-old barrels.

95-97 Points | Neal Martin

The 2025 Vieux Château Certan was picked from September 8 to 15 at 22 hl/ha and includes two conjoining parcels normally used for the La Gravette. It is raised in two-thirds new oak, the remainder one-year-old. The Merlot sculpts the bouquet with perfumed red cherries, raspberry, cassis and pressed violet scents that gain intensity in the glass. The oak is seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied, with powdery tannins on the entry. This must be one of the most peppery VCCs that I have tasted, poivre noir from the Cabernet Franc component. Quite structured, with chalky tannins on the finish, almost as if it came from more limestone soil. Not a crowd pleaser like the 2022, but an intellectual, vertical VCC that will flesh out in barrel. 14.01% alcohol.

94-96 Points | Wine Advocate, William Kelley

Bursting with aromas of violets, crème de cassis, dark berries and creamy new oak, the 2025 Vieux Château Certan is medium- to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with a sun-kissed core of fruit, ripe acids and a dense, unctuous palate, concluding with a heady finish. A blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is quite serious and structured, with sweet tannin, and it checks in at 14% alcohol.

95-97+ Points | Jeb Dunnuck

Deep purple-hued, the 2025 Vieux Château Certan is a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that's being raised in 66% new French oak with the balance in once-used barrels. Harvested from yields of just 22 hectoliters per hectare, it hit 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.75. The aromatics are powerful and concentrated, with ripe black and blue fruits, graphite, scorched earth, and violets all defining the nose. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a balanced, layered mouthfeel, rock-solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It's a serious Vieux Château Certan that's going to be great, but it's going to need time.

93-96 Points | Antonio Galloni

The 2025 Vieux Château Certan is not in the mood to show all its cards. Today, the 2025 shows tons of textural richness and body, but not quite the delineation or energy of the best vintages. Black-toned fruit, gravel, incense, mocha and chocolate are generous in the glass. Ripeness feels pushed to the edge, with fruit perhaps picked a bit later than ideal. But this is a barrel sample, with the wine racked just three weeks prior to my visit. I won't be surprised if this shows better from bottle, but today, this is my impression.

 

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

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Explore our full range of Buy Vieux Chateau Certan wines available in bond and for immediate delivery

2025 Chateau Margaux Released at a fantastic price!

When we walked out of Chateau Margaux after tasting the 2025, we immediately thought: this is going to be hard to allocate. The wine was phenomenal, with the balance, purity and precision of a future multiple 100-point scorer.

Even more impressive was the level of selection. Only 37% of the harvest made it into the Grand Vin after Chateau Margaux made the bold decision to harvest later than many of its neighbours and wait for optimum ripeness. The result is one of the standout wines of Bordeaux 2025.

 

6x 100-Point Ratings

 

98-100 Points - Jane Anson
“I dont give 100 points En Primeur, but if I did, this would get it. It's a slam dunk”

 

97-100 Points  Wine Advocate
“the 2025 Château Margaux is a deep, authoritative wine that represents some 37% of the estate's production this year. Unwinding in the glass with notes of dark berries, violets, lilac and pencil shavings, framed by a deft touch of new oak, it's medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, with a concentrated core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins and lively acids. This will certainly require some patience, but it is a prodigious Château Margaux in the making”

 

98 Points - Decanter
“Easily one of the wines of the vintage and clear contender for a 100-point wine […] So delicate for so much concentration – really a powerful yet almost understated wine with plenty of Margaux charm, ripe but cool fruit and aromatic purity. So perfect and nothing missing”

 

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Chateau Margaux remains one of Bordeaux's most iconic estates and the standard bearer of its appellation. Situated on deep gravel soils close to the Gironde estuary, it consistently produces wines that marry power with elegance better than perhaps any other estate in Bordeaux. The hallmark of Chateau Margaux has always been its ability to combine perfume, finesse and longevity in a way few wines can match.

The 2025 is built around an impressive 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the highest proportions in recent memory. Following a long harvest and exceptionally strict selection, only 37% of the crop made it into the Grand Vin, one of the lowest proportions in the estate's history. The result is a wine of extraordinary purity, with aromas of violets, rose petals, cassis, black cherry and pencil shavings layered over a palate that is both intensely concentrated and remarkably weightless.

What makes Chateau Margaux 2025 so special is the combination of concentration and elegance. The wine possesses all the perfume, charm and refinement that define great Margaux, yet beneath the surface lies serious structure, freshness and ageing potential. Powerful but never heavy, it is a wine that seems to float across the palate while leaving a lasting impression.

The critics have been almost unanimous in their praise. Jane Anson called it a "slam dunk", Falstaff awarded a perfect 100 points, while William Kelley, Neal Martin and Jeff Leve all went as high as 98-100 points. Several critics have already identified it as one of the leading wines of the vintage.

With only 37% of production making the final blend, this is one of the most selective Chateau Margaux releases in recent memory

Released today at €392* In Bond per bottle, we’ve got some 1x75cl OWC and 3x75cl OWC’s available on the website.

Very Limited, so jump on it quickly if you’re a fan of the estate.

 

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Chateau Margaux 2025

€392* In Bond per bottle

Buy Chateau Margaux 2025

 

100 Points | Falstaff, Peter Moser

Deep dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate rim brightening. Ripe heart cherries with a delicate floral underlay, fine cassis, rose petals, multi-faceted bouquet, a hint of precious wood, multi-layered aromas. Textured, elegant, fine extract sweetness, fine fruit, silky, supporting tannins, incredibly complex, mineral, freshly structured, lingers for minutes, sure aging potential for many decades. The ideal image of a classic Margaux for the new era.

98-100 Points | Jane Anson

More dense and yet more soft than the Pavillon Rouge, fully anchored in place and yet rising through the palate, with rose petals, pomegranate, cassis and damson fruits, so juicy and full of character, slate and crushed rocks, peony and iris, with volume that is expansive and striking. These guys held on to harvest after the rains and have been rewarded for it - can't have been easy as everyone was picking around them, but this was a great decision that shows just what was capable in this vintage. 22hl/ha yield across the vineyard, harvest September 8 for young Merlot, then Cabernet Sauvignon began September 19 and finished September 29. 14% press wine, so a little less than usual because of the natural concentration. 22hl/ha yield across the vineyard, IPT81,3.76ph. 37% 1st wine. I dont give 100 points En Primeur, but if I did, this would get it. It's a slam dunk.

98-100 Points | The Wine Cellar Insider, Jeff Leve

The vast array of floral aromas doesn't require a single swirl before you're ensconced in their bouquet. Black cherries, cocoa, exotic spices, currants, espresso, and blackberries follow aromatically. On the palate, length, width, and depth are present in spades. The concentration is intense, yet the wine feels almost weightless on your palate. The fruits, with an almost racy quality, paired with sweetness, energy, and length, hit all the right notes. Balanced between cerebral and opulent, this is a great vintage of Chateau Margaux. The hallmark of the vintage is the fruit's ability to provide ripeness with density. The wine blends 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. 13.8% ABV. 3.72 pH, 14% press wine. Yields were only 22 hectoliters per hectare. Picking took place September 8 - September 29. Drink from 2032-2075.

97-100 Points | Wine Advocate, William Kelley

A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2025 Château Margaux is a deep, authoritative wine that represents some 37% of the estate's production this year. Unwinding in the glass with notes of dark berries, violets, lilac and pencil shavings, framed by a deft touch of new oak, it's medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, with a concentrated core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins and lively acids. This will certainly require some patience, but it is a prodigious Château Margaux in the making. It checks in at 13.8% alcohol and a pH of 3.72.

98-99 Points | James Suckling

The texture of this wine is exceptional, with black currant, dark plum, chocolate and orange blossom aromas. Full-bodied with round and creamy tannins that fill the mouth and give a caressing texture. Very long and seductive. Gentle at the end. It's lush, velvety and luxurious. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 6% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.

96-100 Points | The Wine Independent

Intense and deep nose, full bodied, round and creamy wine with lots of blackberry-infused elegant fruit and a fine layer of cassis underneath. This is a fine, fresh and juicy vintage of Château Margaux and a wine that will provide nice drinking early on. Very smooth, very soft and very velvety with lots of cassis filled fruit and well integrated tannins. Also this vintage has a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon than before as that grape nowadays reaches full maturity due to the climate changes. This means that the chateau does not need so much Merlot in the blend to even out any harsh or green cabernet

97-99 Points | Antonio Galloni

The 2025 Château Margaux is shaping up to be one of the wines of this young vintage. Dark and layered, almost mysterious in bearing, the 2025 is going to have a lot to say over the coming decades as it grows up. Today, its superb persistence and exceptional balance are the harbingers. Here, too, there's a ton of tannin, but also more than enough fruit and overall density to keep things in balance.

98 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

Easily one of the wines of the vintage and clear contender for a 100-point wine that benefited from slightly later picking after the rain with the Cabernets harvested from the 19 September. So floral, what a wonderful bouquet of aromas with wild flowers, medicinal herbs and touches of eucalyptus. Crushed velvet, round and enveloping, so balanced with energy and flair. Juicy and alive, bright with fresh strawberries and cherries and a chalky backbone. Grippy with lovely salinity and focus. Feels incredibly sophisticated, a touch firm but pure and precise with refinement. You can feel the structure – it has concentration but an almost aerial quality that just glides over the tongue. So delicate for so much concentration – really a powerful yet almost understated wine with plenty of Margaux charm, ripe but cool fruit and aromatic purity. So perfect and nothing missing. 37% grand vin (lowest production since 1856 with yields of just 22hl/ha). 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.72pH. 81 IPT.

96-98 Points | Neal Martin

The 2025 Château Margaux was picked at 22 hl/ha between 10 and 29 September. This year it represents 37% of the total crop, a little down on recent vintages, and was matured in 100% new oak as usual. The first thing that you notice on this Château Margaux is the purity of fruit, a signature of the First Growth but taken to its maximum in this vintage. Perfumed blueberry, crushed violet and iris flower, a touch of iodine and a distant trace of the estuary. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins, fine delineation and poise. There is backbone to this Margaux but it is disguised under the layers of pure blackberry and blueberry fruit, dovetailing into a lightly spiced but very persistent finish. It fans out wonderfully, completing a very alluring wine in the making. This vintage contains 13.8% alcohol.

 

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

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2025 Haut-Brion Releases En Primeur! 

There is a sense of controlled intensity here, as though the wine is holding something in reserve for the decades ahead.

98-100 Points - Neal Martin
“Wonderful delineation and a little more refined than, say, the 2020 or 2022. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, and there is more complexity here than La Mission, more depth and minéralité. Fresh and marine-tinged towards the finish that makes you want to come back. This year, the First Growth has put a bit of distance between itself and La Mission.

 

98-100 Points - Wine Advocate
“While still tightly knit at this stage, it possesses considerable depth—IPT (an alaytical measure of tannic concentration) levels exceeding 100, rarely observed—that is perfectly controlled and will require extended cellaring. Recent refinements in the estate’s approach, notably in viticulture, are translating into fruit of greater balance and freshness, even under the warm, dry conditions of 2025. It stands as one of the more impressive renditions of Haut-Brion in recent years”

 

97-100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
“Gorgeous black cherries, graphite, scorched earth, and smoke all define the bouquet, and on the palate it's remarkably pure, with polished, serious tannins, and incredible length. Its purity, concentration, and overall sense of class are riveting”

 

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Haut-Brion occupies a unique place in Bordeaux. The only First Growth located outside the Medoc, it has been producing some of the region's most distinctive and age-worthy wines for centuries. Sitting on deep gravel soils in Pessac-Leognan, Haut-Brion has always combined power and concentration with an unmistakable sense of refinement. In recent years, continued improvements in both vineyard and cellar have only strengthened its position as one of Bordeaux's benchmark estates.

Haut-Brion 2025 is a magnificent expression of the estate's singular style. Aromas of cassis, black cherry, graphite, tobacco, spice and crushed stone lead into a palate of remarkable depth and precision. Despite its concentration and structure, there is an effortless freshness running throughout, supported by fine tannins, mineral tension and exceptional balance.

With scores ranging from 97 to 100 points and praise from every major critic, Haut-Brion 2025 stands among the leading wines of the vintage. Neal Martin went as far as to suggest that this year the First Growth has opened a noticeable gap over La Mission Haut-Brion.

Released today at €322 In Bond per bottle. Cases of 3x75cl and 6x75cl OWC are available on the website.

For collectors seeking one of the reference-point wines of Bordeaux 2025, this is an easy recommendation.

 

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Haut-Brion 2025

€322 In Bond per bottle

Buy Haut-Brion 2025

 

98-100 Points - Neal Martin

The 2025 Haut-Brion was picked from September 1 (slightly later than La Mission) to September 18 at 29 hl/ha. Aged in 59% new oak, this has a very pure and elegant bouquet with ebullient brambly red fruit, crushed stone, potpourri and touches of Earl Grey. Wonderful delineation and a little more refined than, say, the 2020 or 2022. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, and there is more complexity here than La Mission, more depth and minéralité. Fresh and marine-tinged towards the finish that makes you want to come back. This year, the First Growth has put a bit of distance between itself and La Mission.

98-100 Points - Wine Advocate

The 2025 Haut-Brion is, as usual, more reserved and austere at this stage than La Mission, unwinding in the glass to reveal notions of dark wild berries mingled with spices, pencil leaf and licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, it’s built around a multidimensional core of fruit framed by structuring yet well-integrated tannins, delivering a notably controlled expression of power and concluding with a long, perfumed, subtly ethereal finish. While still tightly knit at this stage, it possesses considerable depth—IPT (an alaytical measure of tannic concentration) levels exceeding 100, rarely observed—that is perfectly controlled and will require extended cellaring. Recent refinements in the estate’s approach, notably in viticulture, are translating into fruit of greater balance and freshness, even under the warm, dry conditions of 2025. It stands as one of the more impressive renditions of Haut-Brion in recent years.

97-100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

A Merlot-forward blend of 62% Merlot, 26.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11.8% Cabernet Franc aged in 60% new French oak, the 2025 Château Haut-Brion is slightly more dense and structured compared to its sibling, La Mission. Gorgeous black cherries, graphite, scorched earth, and smoke all define the bouquet, and on the palate it's remarkably pure, with polished, serious tannins, and incredible length. Its purity, concentration, and overall sense of class are riveting.

98-99 Points - James Suckling

Haut-Brion delivers a red with great structure and length and superb intensity and power. It is a full-bodied red with character and depth, giving it endless length. Muscular yet polished and agile. Juicy at the end. 62% merlot, 26.2% cabernet sauvignon and 11.8% cabernet franc.

97-99 Points - The Wine Cellar Insider, Jeff Leve

At the moment, it takes a bit of effort to fully appreciate the aromatics. But with swirling, you find flowers, Cuban cigars, black pit fruits, blackberries, smoke, mesquite, blue fruits, herbs, and exotic spices. On the palate, the fruit purity will knock out any wine taster. Elegant, silky, long, and precise, the seamless finish starts slowly and builds from there. Seamless in its delivery, this is a sublime vintage for Haut Brion. The wine was shaped in part by its dry summer and August rains, which lowered the ABV level and provided more lift to the concentrated berries. The wine blends 62% Merlot, 26.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11.8% Cabernet Franc. 13% ABV, 3.7 pH. Picking took place September 1 - September 18. Yields were 29 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2030-2075.

98 Points | Falstaff

Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate rim brightening. Nuances of cassis, tobacco, delicate hints of precious wood, some cardamom and cinnamon, blackberry jam, very multi-faceted bouquet. Complex, elegant, ripe heart cherries, dark wild berry confit, fine, ripe tannins, rich in finesse and elegant, has great length and elegance, already appears well developed and will quickly guarantee great drinking pleasure.

96-98 Points | Antonio Galloni

The 2025 Haut-Brion is quite the powerhouse. Black fruit, cloves, new leather, tobacco, chocolate and menthol open before a wave of huge tannins and incisive acids take over. Haut-Brion can be rather dark and somber. That is very much the case with the 2025, a wine that speaks with sepia-toned, baritone inflections. It also conveys more obvious ripeness than La Mission Haut-Brion at this stage.

97 Points | Jane Anson

Such a taut, slate-strewn journey through the palate here, slow burn, love it. An exceptional Haut-Brion, with beautiful toasted cumin and sandalwood notes, cloves, cassis, pomegranate and cocoa beans. Muscular, structured, brooding, this is going to run and run. 59% new oak. 27hl/ha yield. Alcohols among lowest on record, and yet intensely concenrated. 3.72ph Harvest September 1 to 18. 59% new oak. 62% of production in this 1st wine.

 

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

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Bordeaux 2025 Vintage Report → | Buy 2025 Wines → | En Primeur Explained →

Explore our full range of Buy Haut-Brion wines available in bond and for immediate delivery