Lourens Family Wines - Samll volumes, Big Buzz, Bargain price

Envínate: Redefining Spanish terroir, one wild vineyard at a time.

Envínate is one of Spain’s most dynamic and talked-about wine projects. Founded by four friends—Alfonso, José Ángel, Laura, and Roberto—who met at enology school, the winery has redefined Spanish terroir with their minimal-intervention approach and focus on volcanic, Atlantic-influenced sites. Working across Tenerife, Ribeira Sacra, and Almansa, Envínate champions old vines, wild fermentations, and zero frills. Their wines are raw, pure expressions of place—textured, soulful, and brimming with energy and authenticity. Today we have two wines to present and we love them both:

Envínate Benje Tinto 2022

The 2022 Benje Tinto comes from high-altitude vineyards on the volcanic slopes of Tenerife’s rugged interior. Made primarily from Listán Prieto (Mission) with a splash of other native varieties, it’s fermented with whole bunches and aged in neutral barrels. Smoky, herbal, and red-fruited, it’s both ethereal and gripping, with salty minerality and vivid acidity. Light on its feet yet packed with character, this is a distinctive, island-born red that drinks more like Cru Beaujolais with a volcanic twist.

Envinate Taganan Blanco 2023

The 2023 Taganan Blanco is a vivid, Atlantic-driven white from Tenerife’s rugged north coast. Sourced from ancient, ungrafted vines grown on volcanic soils, this field blend includes Listán Blanco, Albillo Criollo, Gual and others. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in old barrels, it’s textured and saline, with notes of citrus peel, herbs, smoke and crushed stone. A wine of energy and tension, it captures the wild beauty of the Canary Islands.

Both wines come with strong Wine Advocate scores and offer exceptional value for their quality and character. If you're curious about Spain’s new wave or already a fan of vibrant, terroir-driven wines, Envínate is essential drinking. With limited quantities and growing cult status, now is the time to get them added to your collection.

 

---

Envínate Benje Tinto 2022

€22.95* inc VAT per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

94+ Points | Wine Advocate, Luis Gutiérrez

The red 2022 Benje is floral, expressive, clean and elegant, reflecting a very good year in the region, with notes of rose petals and talcum powder, a fine texture and very elegant tannins. This has to be the most elegant Benje to date. 28,000 bottles. It was bottled in July 2023.

Envinate Taganan Blanco 2023

€30.50* inc VAT per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

95+ Points | Wine Advocate, Luis Gutiérrez

The 2023 Táganan Blanco didn't go through malolactic and matured in larger barrels (they are abandoning the 228-liter oak barrels), and the wine seems to have gained in freshness. It's also less reductive—volcanic, yes, but less reductive. It has 11.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.02 with 7.24 grams of acidity. It's vibrant and sharp, clean, light to medium-bodied, with purity and symmetry. This wine is going from strength to strength. 6,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2024.

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

 

See all wines from Envinate

2020 Cantenac Brown

We love finding wines that over-deliver, and Cantenac Brown does exactly that. With a 97-point score from Vinous, the 2020 vintage marks the estate’s highest-rated release to date.

With its striking Tudor-style château and a history dating back to 1806, Cantenac Brown stands out in Margaux for both style and substance. Now led by a new generation and backed by sustainable practices and precision viticulture, the estate is in top form. The wines are bold yet refined, a true reflection of its terroir. Recent vintages show remarkable depth and finesse, marking Cantenac Brown as one of Margaux’s most dynamic rising stars.

The 2020 Cantenac Brown is a thrilling Margaux, praised across the board for its power, precision and ageing potential. It’s a deeply structured wine with layers of dark cherry, cassis, graphite and spice, all wrapped in silky tannins. Sourced partly from newly acquired plateau parcels, it shows both richness and classical restraint.

With major score upgrades from barrel to bottle, this might be a wine that slipped under your radar. Jeb Dunnuck raised his score from 92–94 to 96 points, while Antonio Galloni upgraded it from 94–97 to a full 97 points—making the 2020 Cantenac Brown Vinous’ highest-rated vintage to date, outscoring even the highly regarded 2010 (94 points, now selling for €55+ IB).

“it has terrific purity, and it’s just a brilliant Margaux. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it never put a foot wrong” - Jeb Dunnuck

With critical acclaim pouring in and pricing that still sits well below its top-tier peers, the 2020 Cantenac Brown offers serious pedigree at a smart price. At €39.50 IB per bottle, this is your chance to secure the château’s best-ever release before the rest of the market catches up.

 

---

Cantenac Brown 2020

€39.50* In Bond per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

97 Points | Vinous - Antonio Galloni

The 2020 Cantenac Brown is a knock-out. A Margaux of towering intensity, the 2020 is dense and vertical at the same time. It’s a combination that works so well. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves all saturate the palate. There's real depth and concentration here from the summer heat and small size of the berries, but at the same time the 2020 has more freshness and energy than some recent years. There have been quite a few changes here in recent years, starting with a new parcel on the Margaux plateau that entered the blend in 2019 and move towards lower toast levels in the barrels. Cantenac Brown remains a potent, opulent Margaux, but 2020 has a measure of classicism as well. Superb. Drinking Window: 2026 - 2040

96 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 Château Cantenac Brown showed beautifully and is a serious, concentrated, powerful Margaux that's going to need bottle age. Ripe blackcurrants, toasty oak, ripe tobacco, and dried flower notes all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, balanced mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It shows the more focused, slightly understated style of the vintage, yet everything is in the right place, it has terrific purity, and it’s just a brilliant Margaux. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it never put a foot wrong. It will hit its prime drinking window in 7-8 years and evolve for two decades.

96 Points | The Wine Cellar Insider, Jeff Leve

Deep, dark and rich, the wine is packed from start to finish with layers of lush, polished, ripe, sweet, pure, black and dark red fruits, flowers, espresso, hints of chocolate and oceanic influences. There is a beautiful sense of symmetry, purity, freshness, length and lift that already expresses its essence. The finish continues with its layers of ripe, opulent, yet refined fruits. This is a top vintage for Cantenac Brown that will age gracefully for 2-3 decades. Drink from 2026-2055.

94+ Points | Wine Advocate, William Kelley

A fine follow-up to the excellent 2019, the 2020 Cantenac Brown incorporates newly acquired holdings of Cabernet Sauvignon from the plateau of Margaux. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries, cassis, burning embers and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with good depth at the core, supple tannins and terrific purity of fruit. Concluding with a long, penetrating finish, it underlines the fact that this is the appellation's fastest-improving estate.

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

 

See all wines from Cantenac Brown

Bodegas Chacra
98-Pointed Patagonia Chardonnay made by Burgundy royalty Jean-Marc Roulot

Founded by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta (Sassicaia Family) in 2004, Bodega Chacra is a remarkable Patagonian estate dedicated to biodynamic viticulture and purity of expression. Nestled in Río Negro, it cultivates Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from old, ungrafted vines planted in the 1930s. With a commitment to sustainability and minimal intervention, Chacra wines are transparent reflections of place. The wines combine Burgundian finesse with Argentine vitality, offering a unique taste of South America’s southern frontier.

Chacra’s Chardonnays are crafted in partnership with Jean-Marc Roulot, one of Burgundy’s most revered winemakers. While Piero Incisa della Rocchetta takes the lead on Pinot Noir, Roulot has complete creative freedom on the Chardonnay—it’s 100% made by him. Sourced from Gualtallary’s high-altitude, calcareous soils, the wine is whole-bunch pressed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and matured in seasoned oak. There’s no battonage, no new oak, and minimal sulphur, resulting in a wine of remarkable purity, tension, and mineral-driven finesse.

The ‘Chacra’ Chardonnay is the flagship white of the range—precise, layered and deeply mineral. Aged in large-format barrels and concrete, it combines citrus purity with saline tension and refined texture. Think Puligny with Patagonian clarity: bright, structured and built to age. James Suckling awarded it 98 points, calling it “probably the finest answer to Puligny or Meursault in Argentina... all about texture and purity. Also intellectual.” With Roulot’s Pulignys now exceeding €350 per bottle, this is a rare chance to enjoy world-class Chardonnay at a fraction of the price of his Burgundy domaine.

The Mainqué Chardonnay offers a vibrant and expressive style, blending Roulot’s finesse with Patagonia’s sun-kissed fruit. Aged partly in stainless steel, it’s fresher and more immediate than ‘Chacra’ with notes of lemon zest, orchard fruit and gentle toast. Lively, textured and irresistibly drinkable, it delivers immense quality at a more approachable price. In 2022, both Decanter and Suckling declare this to be the finest rendition of this cuvee yet - a worthy starting point for those who have not tried the wines yet.

When we tried the wines, we loved them and have wanted to share this tip for a while, so here we are. Classic styled Chardonnay lovers, don’t hesitate. These really are some of Argentina’s finest rendition of this grape. Don’t miss them.

Photo: the lineup from our lunch with Pierro a few years ago

 

---

Chacra 'Chacra' Chardonnay 2022

€89.50* inc VAT per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

98 Points | James Suckling

This is probably the finest answer to Puligny or Meursault in Argentina and it will be hard to pass by. Beautiful brioche notes give a fine creaminess with mineral, fine reduction, beeswax and a hint of white sesame to the lemon curd. Extremely textured and tense on the palate with fresh, medium acidity and a long, long finish. This is all about texture and purity. Also intellectual. Drink or hold. From biodynamically grown grapes.

96 Points | Decanter

Although initially shy, the 2022 unfurls with delicate layers of seashells, Meyer lemon and apple pie. Its acidity is taut as a tightrope, yet enveloped in flesh and quiet power. Complex, crystalline and my favourite vintage yet.

95 Points | Vinous, Joaquín Hidalgo

The 2022 Chardonnay, vinified in 50% oak and 50% amphorae, hails from Mainqué in Río Negro. Yellow-hued, with a greenish sheen, the 2022 offers enticing aromas of cream, corn and green apple, underscored by hints of lime, herbs and green tea. Dry and creamy, the saline-driven, refreshing palate lingers long on the fruit notes. This is quite a complex, oxidative, pure Chardonnay.

 
Chacra Mainque Chardonnay 2022

€47.50* inc VAT per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

97 Points | James Suckling

Such a flinty nose that delivers a full package of minerality. Quarry, chalk, gun powder and lime. The nose really speaks to you. Creamy and textured on the palate with bright but chiselled acidity and real tension. One of the best Mainque’s ever? Chacra’s answer to fine Chablis. Drink or hold. From biodynamically grown grapes.

93 Points | Vinous, Joaquín Hidalgo

The 2022 Chardonnay Mainqué hails from Río Negro. Yellow-hued, with a greenish sheen in color, it offers reductive aromas of gun powder, honey and ripe pear, accented by hints of chamomile. Dry and refreshing, the round, creamy palate lingers long, finishing with a saline touch. This is a transparent and delicate Chardonnay.

93 Points | Decanter

Arguably the finest vintage of Mainqué to date. Broad yet focused, the 2022 offers a honeyed texture cut by a spine of acidity. A hint of gunflint on the nose gives way to flavours of white peach, camomile and sea spray. Lively and complete.

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

 
See all available wines and vintages of Chacra.

2022 Boekenhoutskloof Semillon

98-Points - “One of the Cape's greatest whites”

Founded in 1776 and revitalised in the 1990s, Boekenhoutskloof is one of South Africa’s most revered wine estates. Tucked away in Franschhoek, it balances heritage and innovation under the guidance of winemaker Marc Kent. Known for producing the iconic Chocolate Block and outstanding single-varietal wines, the estate champions site-specific expression and minimal intervention. Boekenhoutskloof has become a benchmark for South African wine, crafting elegant, age-worthy bottlings from both heritage vineyards and cutting-edge viticulture.

Boekenhoutskloof’s 2022 Semillon is a profound expression of ancient Franschhoek vineyards planted in 1902, 1936, and 1942. With 98 points from Tim Atkin MW, it marries layers of saffron, lanolin, gunflint, and citrus with remarkable texture and vibrancy. A small addition of early-picked Muscat adds lift, while ageing in amphora, concrete, and new oak builds depth. Elegant yet powerful, this is one of South Africa’s greatest white wines—ethereal, age-worthy, and utterly captivating in every detail.

Outside of Bordeaux, there are only a handful of truly great Semillons in the world—and this is unquestionably one of them. Scoring 98-Points from Tim Atkin MW and coming in at a modest price tag of €31.50* IB per bottle, we can’t recommend this enough.

Semillon truly comes into its own with age, so add these to your collection, tuck them away, and let time do the work. You won’t regret it.

 

---

Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2022

€31.50* In Bond per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

98 Points | Tim Atkin MW

"Wow!". That sums up what I feel about the latest vintage of this stunning Semillon from three parcels in Franschhoek, planted in 1902, 1936 and 1942. One of the Cape's greatest whites, made by one of its most talented winemakers in Gottfried Mocke, it has aromas of saffron, lanolin and nutmeg, stylish 70% new wood, a touch of petrichor and aniseed and layers of citrus, lemongrass and gunflint.

19 Points | Matthew Jukes

This ancient vine Semillon (with its hints of blushing Muscat) has never looked more alluring. The expansive but slender chassis gives way to a brittle, teasing finish, and the floral, silver needle, and jasmine notes are overwhelmingly rhythmic and hypnotic. 2022 Boek Sem experience is like no other Semillon on earth.

95 Points | Decanter

This stunning Sém is made from some of South Africa's oldest vines: two vineyards planted in 1902 and 1942 in the ancient Franschhoek riverbed and the La Colline vineyard, planted in 1936 on a slope further up the valley. The blend also contains a small percentage of early-picked Muscat of Alexandria from the 1902 vineyard, to add acidity rather than aromatics. It is skin-fermented and matured in amphora, while the Semillon ages for 14 months in 70% new French oak barriques and 30% in concrete eggs, allowing texture to develop. Such purity and vibrancy to the golden citrus aromatics, with zesty grapefruit and honeyed nuttiness. Complex and concentrated palate, driven by a streak of minerality, with layers of pristine citrus and stone fruit, hints of nuts, apple and chamomile; a touch of salinity too. Textured and long, this will continue to deliver with time in bottle.

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

 

See all available wines from Boekenhoutskloof

Lokoya is Napa Valley’s ultimate expression of mountain terroir, producing rare, powerful Cabernet Sauvignons from four of the region’s most exalted elevations. Since its founding in 1995, Lokoya has captivated collectors with single-vineyard bottlings from Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and Diamond Mountain—each showcasing the tension, structure, and intensity that only high-altitude vines can deliver. Crafted by winemaker Christopher Carpenter, these wines are age-worthy, complex and bold, yet refined. With low production and cult status, Lokoya is one of California’s most prized producers of site-specific Cabernet.

Lokoya sources fruit exclusively from the upper reaches of Napa’s most rugged mountain AVAs: Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and Diamond Mountain. These high-altitude vineyards—ranging from 1,200 to 2,600 feet—offer poor, rocky soils, cooler temperatures, and dramatic diurnal shifts. The result? Wines of intensity, structure, and freshness, with deep colour, fine tannins, and remarkable ageing potential. Each site is vinified separately, capturing the essence of its elevation and geology. At Lokoya, altitude isn’t just a feature—it’s the foundation.

 

---

We've attached a few photos from our visit below:

 

New vintage release:  Cult South African Chenin from rising star Sakkie Mouton

98 Points - Greg Sherwood MW
“This is undoubtedly a statement wine, a wine that demands attention and then delivers in bucket loads. The slight hint of added exoticism definitely suits Sakkie’s winemaking style! I am simply blown away by this new release!“

“The 2024 Crayfish Chenin Blanc is a very impressive creation boasting a rich, golden bronzed yellow hue in the glass. In this vintage, Sakkie seems to have shifted to a higher gear with a far more elaborate peacock’s tail array of exotic aromatics. Noticeably richer and more intense”Last year, we raved about the 2023 vintage of Revenge of the Crayfish by Sakkie Mouton—easily one of our favourite new white discoveries. If you enjoy the purity and texture found in the wines of Alheit, you’ll absolutely love what Sakkie is doing.

Greg Sherwood MW agreed, awarding the 2023 vintage 97 points and calling it “one of the most delicious and mouthwatering whites I have drunk all year.” High praise from one of South Africa’s top wine authorities, who added: “My admiration for this young winemaker grows with every subsequent vintage!”

Now in 2024, Sherwood raises the bar again, scoring the new vintage 98 points and calling it “a statement wine that demands attention and then delivers in bucket loads.” He adds, “I am simply blown away by this new release.” It’s safe to say Sakkie Mouton has arrived.

Compared to last years release that was more about purity, the 2024 steps it up a gear with a richer body and a completely different set of aromatics. Sherwood writes: “there are layers of dried apricot, white peach, pineapple, and green apple with top notes of white blossom and tangerine citrus peel. The pithy pineappley fruit intensity does initially mask some of the maritime salinity and gravelly minerality but linger over your glass a little longer”

The story of Sakkie Mouton:

Originally from Vredendal, Sakkie Mouton grew up along South Africa's west coast before studying winemaking at Elsenburg College, graduating in 2014. At just 27, Sakkie founded his own winery, focusing on small-batch, natural wines that reflect the unique coastal terroir. His debut wine, Revenge of the Crayfish, quickly earned acclaim for its purity and minimal-intervention approach. Sakkie’s dedication to showcasing the rugged west coast’s character has made him a rising star in the South African wine scene. On its debut a few years ago, Greg Sherwood MW boldly declared that Sakkie Mouton was ‘One of the most exciting talents since Eben Sadie hit the wine scene”. Sherwood goes on to elaborate that:

“Finally his vision and dreams have met reality after making his maiden release white wine… which for me is one of the most profound Chenin Blancs produced in South Africa since Eben Sadie conjured up Skurfberg and Skerpioen in his old vine series.”

Don’t be put off by the name, we love it and think it’s playful and fun. This isn't just another bottle from your local natural wine shop; it's the real deal. From what we’ve been able to gather, last year’s production was just 133 cases—equating to only 1,596 bottles worldwide if counted in 12s. That makes this wine exceptionally rare. To put it in perspective, Sakkie’s very first release totalled just 370 bottles, making it even rarer still.

We have a minuscule selection available on our website which are for sale first come first served! Don’t miss your opportunity to secure your allocation of this hard to find wine before it’s too late.

 

---

Sakkie Mouton Revenge of the Crayfish 2024

€49.50* inc VAT per bottle

Add to cellar - BUY

98 Points | Greg Sherwood MW

The 2024 Crayfish Chenin Blanc is a very impressive creation boasting a rich, golden bronzed yellow hue in the glass. In this vintage, Sakkie seems to have shifted to a higher gear with a far more elaborate peacock’s tail array of exotic aromatics. Noticeably richer and more intense, there are layers of dried apricot, white peach, pineapple, and green apple with top notes of white blossom and tangerine citrus peel. The pithy pineappley fruit intensity does initially mask some of the maritime salinity and gravelly minerality but linger over your glass a little longer and these Weskus hallmarks eventually reveal themselves. The palate shows incredible depth and explosive intensity, fleshy and broad with lashings of tangy yellow orchard fruits, tart pineapple chunks, peaches in honey, salted caramel, and crystallised green apple on the finish. I don’t know if Sakkie has discovered a few new tricks in the cellar or if the vintage has played into his hands with graceful precision, but I suspect it’s a combination of both. This is undoubtedly a statement wine, a wine that demands attention and then delivers in bucket loads. The slight hint of added exoticism definitely suits Sakkie’s winemaking style! I am simply blown away by this new release! Drink now to 2035+.

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

 

See all available wines and vintages of Sakkie Mouton.

La Conseillante 2024 has been released!

“it has a seamless, pure, and remarkably layered mouthfeel, with outstanding length. This is a stunning achievement in 2024 and a wine readers will love to have in the cellar.” - Jeb Dunnuck

Few estates in Pomerol can match the precision and charm of La Conseillante. With its iconic purple capsule and prime location beside Petrus and Cheval Blanc, the estate has long been admired for its seamless blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wines are graceful yet deep, defined by floral aromatics, fine structure, and impressive ageing potential. Under winemaker Marielle Cazaux, La Conseillante continues to thrive, producing some of the Right Bank’s most alluring and elegant wines.

When we visited in April, it was clear the team had poured heart and soul into the 2024 vintage. Instead of the usual marketing spiel, they spent their time talking about vineyard work—4am starts, meticulous canopy management, and relentless attention to detail. And the results speak for themselves. The 2024 La Conseillante is a triumph, earning 95–98 points from Galloni, who calls it “vertical and explosive.” This is serious Pomerol—refined, perfumed, and full of finesse.

Despite the season’s challenges, La Conseillante has delivered a wine of great clarity and charm. With just 22hl/ha yields, it’s a rare and concentrated expression—80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc—with notes of dark fruit, violet, menthol and spice. Critics agree: Jeb Dunnuck called it “stunning,” while James Suckling praised its silky tannins and seamless elegance. Decanter described it as “bright, succulent and creamy”—a wine that’s both structured and seductive.

Released at €140 In Bond per bottle, this is one of the Right Bank’s highlights. According to both Galloni & Jeb Dunnuck, it’s the highest-scoring Pomerol of the 2024 vintage.

We tasted it and loved it. Don’t miss out.

Photo: Ben at the vats of La Conseillante

 

---

La Conseillante 2024

€140* In Bond per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

95-98 Points | Vinous - Antonio Galloni

The 2024 La Conseillante is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Vertical and explosive, with spectacular depth, the 2024 is an eye-opening wine, with regard to both the potential of the property and the vintage. In 2024, La Conseillante separates itself from the pack by a wide margin. It may ultimately not merit the very highest of scores, but it will almost certainly come close. Dark blue fruit, violet, spice, new leather, menthol and licorice stain the palate all the way through the creamy finish. Conseillante is a very serious wine. Technical Director Marielle Cazaux made all the right choices in a very challenging year in which yields were reduced by 50% in the field and then through strict selection in the cellar. Tasted two times.

95-97 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

Coming from minuscule yields of just 22 hectoliters per hectare, the 2024 Château La Conseillante is based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, aging in 70% new barrels. It offers a beautiful perfume of red, blue, and black fruits intertwined with spring flowers, violets, tobacco, and spicy wood. Medium to full-bodied, it has a seamless, pure, and remarkably layered mouthfeel, with outstanding length. This is a stunning achievement in 2024 and a wine readers will love to have in the cellar.

95-96 Points | James Suckling

A really refined Conseillante. Medium-bodied with very fine, high-quality tannins that run the length of the wine, giving a subtle drive and energy. You almost want to drink it now. Pretty is the word. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc.

95 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

This La Conseillante captivates with perfumed aromatics of ripe, concentrated dark fruit, soft spices, and dark chocolate. Plump and juicy, it’s sleek, joyous, and fun, with strawberry and cranberry fruit. The texture is light yet fresh, with purity, lift, and exceptional balance. Energetic and focused, it has a touch of sexiness and creaminess, not weight. Bitter orange and salty stone notes add depth. Succulent, clean, and charming, it tapers slightly but remains super bright and accessible, with a touch of chew. Soft, polished tannins, 3.57pH, blended since January, ageing in 70% new oak and 30% second-fill barrels. Great stuff.

Fine Wine Library:

The vineyards managers of La Conseillante highlighted that they spent weekends, evenings and early mornings working in the vineyard in 2024, and it certainly shows in the wine. Merlot did struggle a but across the board, but not at Conseillante. A classic blend of 80% merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc was used in 2024. They compared the 2024 to 2012 and 1988 in terms of vintage. Lashings of violets, licorice, spice, lots of red and dark fruit backed up by a very silky mouthfeel with good structure and lots of freshness. Very fine tannins. A modern classic for Conseillante. Congrats to the team for all their hard work, it certainly shows.

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

 

See all available wines and vintages of La Conseillante

Pichon Lalande 2024 releases with a -18% discount to 2023

“Smooth and silky, it delivers great energy and intensity, balancing delicate chew, fleshiness, and fine, muscular tannins. Structured yet tight, it reveals iodine, salty graphite, cool blue fruit, mint, and cola.” - Decanter

Pichon Comtesse de Lalande is Pauillac’s queen of elegance, producing some of the most sensuous wines on the Left Bank. Known for its higher Merlot content and signature silky texture, the estate consistently delivers wines that balance power with grace. In recent years, under the guidance of Nicolas Glumineau, quality has soared—firmly re-establishing Pichon Lalande among Bordeaux’s elite. A Super Second in every sense.

The house style of Pichon Lalande is one of a silky texture and 2024 lives up to that. It was the silkiest that we tried on the left bank. Pichon Comtesse 2024 is a triumph of precision and elegance in a challenging vintage. With 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, it shows fragrant cassis, blueberry, iris, and graphite, wrapped in a sleek, silky texture. Layers of sweet spice, crushed stone, and savoury blue fruit build towards a long, mineral finish. Critics have praised its poise, polish and fine tannins—“one of the most polished and complete wines of the year,” says Matthew Jukes. A truly refined, expressive Pauillac.

Releasing at €105 In Bond per bottle, a discount of 18% to the 2023 vintage, this is a compelling offer for one of Pauillac’s most refined expressions—a wine that captures the grace of the estate and the quiet confidence of a First Growth pretender.

 

---

Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2024

€105* In Bond per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

96 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

This wine offers pure, sophisticated aromatics of blueberries, blackcurrants, peony, and iris, with crayon and inky notes. Smooth and silky, it delivers great energy and intensity, balancing delicate chew, fleshiness, and fine, muscular tannins. Structured yet tight, it reveals iodine, salty graphite, cool blue fruit, mint, and cola. The texture grows on the second taste, gaining mass and flesh, with juicy sweetness on the mid-palate, evolving into a chewy finish. Tobacco, clove, liquorice, dark chocolate, and cedar add complexity. Mouthwatering acidity and precise balance showcase Nicolas Glumineau's skill, creating a svelte, energetic wine with a lot going on. 16% press. 50% production. 65% new oak. 3.7pH.

19+ Points | Matthew Jukes

Winemaker Nicolas Glumineau was justifiably proud of the trio of glorious wines he showed during Primeurs week. This Grand Vin was the second tasted (de Pez is always last because of its tannin profile), and it is a resplendent parent to the charmingly forward and flattering Réserve. Pichon Lalande, by contrast, is a more intense and rich version, summoning up the trademark power that Cabernet brings to the party. It is entirely captivating, and it appears that while Merlot and Cabernet Franc form a full 17% of this wine, they are merely decorative, adding filigree detail to the statuesque structure of Cabernet Sauvignon (only Cabernet Sauvignon press wine was used). This wine embodies the vintage, viewed through a Lalande lens, resulting in a sophisticated, unhurried creation with rare class and breeding. It is worth noting that the finest wines in 2024 are separated by the also-rans by a gulf in quality, and this is one of the most polished and complete. The finish is so discreet and sensitively handled that it barely registers a tannic warning on my sensors. Brilliant and intuitive, this is Pichon Lalande at its finest, even in the most challenging conditions.

95-96 Points | James Suckling

The length and linear nature of this wine make it outstanding. Medium-bodied with polished and refined tannins that caress the palate. Extremely well done. The length and finesse are impressive.

94-96 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

The Grand Vin from this reference point Pauillac château, the 2024 Château Pichon Longueville Comtess De Lalande checks in as 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc hitting 12.7% alcohol with a pH of 3.7 and an IPT of 70. Beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon notes of cassis, graphite, freshly sharpened pencil, and crushed stone all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a concentrated, layered, wonderfully textured mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and outstanding length.

94-96 Points | Vinous - Antonio Galloni

The 2024 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is plush, sensual and inviting. Succulent dark-toned fruit, sweet spice, new leather, mocha, chocolate and lavender build nicely. Here, too, the tannins are so polished, so refined. The 2024 is an especially elegant Pichon-Comtesse. It’s also very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Bravo. Tasted four times.

94 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

Fragrant cassis bud, rose petals, and peony. Great definition, mouthwatering on the finish, savoury blue and black fruits, less concentration than the past few vintages, but this uses slate textured tannins, cold ash smoke and well-judged salinity to compensate and build interest and engagement. Harvest September 22 through to October 9. 66% new oak. Low yields of around 30hl/h. 16% press wine, 52% of the overall production (with the rest in Pichon Comtesse Reserve, no 3rd wine). 3.7 pH. IPT 70,

Fine Wine Library

The house style of Pichon Lalande is one of a silky texture and 2024 lives up to that. It was the silkiest that we tried on the left bank. Lots of freshness with aromas of plum, cassis, blackberry, vanilla, licorice, light oak - you name it, Lalande had it. Light on it’s feet but great structure overall. It was our last stop of the tasting week and brilliant way to end. They also let us taste some secret white wine projects that they have are working on. It will be exciting to see what happens in the future on those.

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

 

See all wines available from Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Chateau Margaux 2024 wines are released!

Chateaux Margaux 2024 has listened to the market, releasing at €322 per bottle — a 23% saving compared to the 2023 vintage.

 

A true First Growth icon, Chateau Margaux is the epitome of Left Bank elegance and refinement. With origins dating back to the 12th century and a reputation for producing some of Bordeaux’s most aromatic, graceful, and long-lived wines, Margaux is a benchmark of class. Its gravel-rich terroir delivers wines of precision and perfume, with the Grand Vin prized for its floral complexity, silky tannins, and remarkable ageing potential.

“Excellent quality, one of the wines of the vintage”- Jane Anson

“A tremendous effort from Margaux in 2024. […]  this is sleek and like layers of silk on top of each other, a glossy feel and so confident. Blue cherry, cola, crushed blueberries, salty touches, liquorice and dark chocolate - everything balanced. Beautiful, this is just what you expect from Margaux, precision and perfection” - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

 

---

Chateaux Margaux 2024:

Chateau Margaux 2024 is a masterclass in precision and poise. With 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, it delivers floral aromatics, vivid cassis, crushed stone and chalky tannins in a sleek, structured frame. The palate shimmers with tension and elegance—layers of silk, dark fruit, and subtle spice. Critics praise its refined power, exceptional balance, and classical styling. A wine of purity and detail, this is unmistakably Margaux and one of the standout First Growths of the 2024 vintage.

Scoring 97 points from Decanter—one of the highest of the vintage—Chateau Margaux 2024 is clearly a standout. Jane Anson echoed the praise with 96 points, calling it “one of the wines of the vintage.” Jeb Dunnuck was equally impressed, awarding 94–96 points and describing it as “unquestionably a beautiful, elegant Margaux.” Neal Martin also gave 94–96 points, praising its “razor-sharp” structure, mineralité, and unapologetically classic style that will reward 4–5 years in bottle.

Releasing at a price of €322 In Bond per bottle with a discount of -23% from the 2023 vintage, the price is strong whilst the quality is undeniable—a rare alignment for a First Growth of this stature. Margaux 2024 offers collectors the chance to secure one of the most refined wines of the year at a compelling price.

 

---

Pavillon Blanc 2024:

Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux 2024 is a dazzling expression of pure Sauvignon Blanc. Bursting with citrus, white flowers, passion fruit and a mouthwatering saline edge, it offers precision, energy and finesse. Less batonnage has preserved its tension and lifted its elegant frame, while 2024’s brilliant white wine conditions shine through in its clarity and length. With multiple 97+ scores, it’s one of the most refined and refreshing Pavillon Blancs yet—vibrant, layered, and built to impress. This was our white wine of the vintage. Add it to the collection before it’s too late!

 

---

Margaux 2024

 

€322* In Bond per bottle

-23% discount to 2023

Add to Cellar - BUY

97-98 Points | James Suckling

Really impressive depth, concentration and perfume this year, with fine tannins. Lots of violets, red flowers, black cherries and currants. Full-bodied and seriously structured, with impeccable freshness and a very long finish. Dense and powerful for the vintage, with tension, vibrations, good concentration and a tannin framework. 93% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 1% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.

97 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

A tremendous effort from Margaux in 2024. Fragrant Cabernet notes on the nose, blackcurrant leaf, blackcurrants, cherries, some tobacco touches, dark fruits with aromatic nuances on the nose. Wild flower meadows with ripe cherries and blackcurrants. Glossy and so smooth, incredibly well textured, not demonstrative, this is sleek and like layers of silk on top of each other, a glossy feel and so confident. Blue cherry, cola, crushed blueberries, salty touches, liquorice and dark chocolate - everything balanced. Beautiful, this is just what you expect from Margaux, precision and perfection with a lively acidity and crushed stone chalkiness on the finish. 1% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. 13% press wine. 46% grand vin production.

96 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

Such a floral wine, aromatics that really take hold and grip on through the palate, raspberry, black cherry, edges of rosebud, chalk, white tea, crayon, chalk, iris, has real precision, and a slow-burn unspooling of flavours, salted cracker salinity on the finish. 46% of the overall production is in Château Margaux, 30hl/ha yield after sorting through the year as needed. Harvest September 23 to October 8. Philippe Bascaules director, 3.62ph. Excellent quality, one of the wines of the vintage, with a slightly earlier starting date for drinking than usual, eight years following harvest.

94-96 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

Based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Château Margaux is similarly deep purple-hued, with a more inward, closed, yet impressive style. Crème de cassis, graphite, spring flowers, and subtle spicy nuances all define the aromatics. It's medium-bodied with a concentrated, ripe, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and nicely integrated background oak. It's going to need time, but this is unquestionably a beautiful, elegant Margaux. The 2024 is 12.8% alcohol with a pH of 3.62.

94-96 Points | Vinous - Neal Martin

Representing 46% of the total crop (a little higher than recent years due to higher yields in the best Cabernet blocks), the 2024 Château Margaux contains slightly less Merlot (5%). It has a sophisticated bouquet in the context of the growing season, with black fruit, pressed violet and hints of pencil box that almost lend a Pauillac-like allure. Very fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and modest depth. This is clearly a leaner Château Margaux compared to, say, the 2020 or 2022, but it is razor-sharp with superb tension and mineralité. Unapologetically classic in style with modest length, this noble First Growth will benefit from four to five years in bottle.

Fine Wine Library:

Elegance, elegance, elegance. It was a test of tolerance as to how late Chateau’s would pick with the best wines being picked later September onwards. Margaux started 23rd September with some small parcels but picked the majority of their best plots in October. This means they reached the crucial ripeness. The 2024 has great weight, good grip and structure with fine tannins. The nose was beautiful with a bouquet of floral notes: rose, peonies balanced out by blackberry, cherries, liquorice and savoury oak. Very fine and elegant overall with a long finish.

 

---

Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 2024

 

€105* In Bond per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

95-96 Points | James Suckling

Good, pure fruit with scented violets, black cherries and some currants. Full-bodied and richer than most from the vintage, with lots of fresh, dusty tannins and impressive concentration. Fresh, pure, compact and long. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 11% merlot, 9% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.

93 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

Gorgeous violet purple rim. Sandalwood, cesar aromas with blue cherries and violets. Delicate aromas on the nose, softly floral and fruity. Clean and alive, such purity to the juice here, great acidity, gently presented but still with a softly chalky texture to the tannins. Clean and super polished. Expressive on the palate. You can feel the acidity for sure, but that’s what makes these wines so interesting. No mid palate drop, no dilution. Complete and charming. Salty blue cola, liquorice and graphite edges on the finish. Great. Less Merlot than usual because of mildew and more Cabernet Franc, the first time to have so much because of increased plantings. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 12.5% press. 3.63pH. 28% second wine. Drinking Window: 2029 - 2040

93 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

High floral aromatics on the nose, marked by peony, white roses, lilac, chalky tannins, lovely purity of expression, complex aromatics that reflect berry fruits that are ripe without being heavy, with focus and precision. 3.62ph, 12.5% press wine, 30hl/h yield after sorting. Harvest September 23 to October 8. Less Merlot than usual both in Pavillon and in Margaux, and more Cabernet Franc (9%) in this, as a result of plantings a decade ago.

 

---

Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux 2024

 

€280* In Bond per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

98-99 Points | James Suckling

Really pure and precise, with a fascinating mineral drive to the fruit. Bright but textured on the palate, with a medium to full body. There is a subtle saline twist but it’s refreshing and driven, with excellent weight and length. The acidity really brightens it. 100% sauvignon blanc.

19 Points | Matthew Jukes

The folks at Margaux think this is one of their most impressive wines to date, and I am inclined to agree. 2024 is undoubtedly a cracking vintage for white wines, and many of them relished the momentary rainfall at harvest, which refreshed the fruit while retaining flavour concentration. While the acidity level here is slightly lower than in recent years, the tension and poise are spectacular. The nose is incredibly perfumed with white florals, ripe honeysuckle tones and even some hints of exoticism. While the nose is impressive, the finish is extraordinarily long and cool, with mint, pith and luscious blonde oak all in perfect harmony. Interestingly, the vineyards are situated approximately 12 km west of the Château, near Castelnau. While 50% of the wine is classified as Margaux and 50% as Haut-Médoc, this wine bears a Bordeaux AC classification. The key to this wine’s epic balance is that they stopped batonnage much earlier than usual, as this preserved the wine’s fitness while maintaining the beautiful, slender lines of this delicious wine.

96-98  Points | The Wine Independent

Passion fruit and grapefruit notes jump from the glass, followed by hints of chalk dust, elderflower, and gooseberries. The light to medium-bodied palate has a satiny texture with fantastic tension and intense tropical and citrus fruit flavor layers, finishing long and minerally. So good.

97 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

Crisp green apple, and lively gooseberry with elderflower florality. Peach, passionfruit and citrus. Clean and focused, this has drive from the start - succulent and mouth watering with hints of tropical fruit balanced by stone fruit and then salty, bitter lemon and orange touches on the finish. Pineapple - lively, and bright but also not too sharp at all. Great fat and acidity. Less batonnage than in most years. Feels more delicate than most Pavillon Blancs, yet it retains the complexity and nuance. Crisp and refreshing but with a lively character. Easy to drink. Picked 2-8th September. A yield of 30hl/ha. 3.2pH.

97 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

Anis, fennel, white tea, citrus, lemon zest, kiwi, slate, a balanced and generous nose, and a ton of juicy mouthwatering waves that hit pretty much immediately, and keep on coming. 20% new oak, in 400l casks. Perhaps ready to drink a little earlier than the 2021 - this is generous and deliciously sappy and appealin. Harvest 2 to 8 September, 3.2ph. Philippe Bascaules estate director.

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

 
See all wines from Chateau Margaux.