Bronze Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards. A huge, powerful wine from the Toro region, this Tempranillo is packed with a massive concentration of ripe red fruit, complemented by generous use of expensive oak and a noticeable high alcohol content. Full-bodied and intense, it’s a bold expression of the land’s character, offering a rich, tannin-driven structure with layers of complexity. A wine that demands attention and offers exceptional depth. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Mar 2025) Wine Press Ratings Bro

97 Points - Falstaff. Gruaud Larose is Bordeaux wine royalty. The label bears the inscription, 'The wine of kings, the king of wines' and in spectacular vintages such as 2018 it's hard to argue with this. The Wine Advocate awarded it 95-97, one of the highest scores Gruaud Larose has ever managed, and with some bottle aging it's clearly showing that the final score will be at the upper end of this. Open and let it breathe for a few hours and expect a massive, exotic, powerful mouthful of Bordeau

90 Points - Decanter. From the personal estate of Pierre Lurton — the man behind Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem — this 100% Merlot cuvée captures the essence of his meticulous winemaking. Sourced from the oldest vines on his Entre-Deux-Mers estate, it’s a wine of depth and finesse, shaped by Lurton’s hallmark precision and quiet confidence. Taste Ripe black cherry, plum and cassis lead the way, lifted by hints of cedar, graphite and subtle spice. The palate is supple and refined, with concentr

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast. A rare chance to buy a mature Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé for an affordable price. Neighbouring Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Château Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarosse belongs to the elite of the Saint Emilion appellation. A Saint Emilion premier grand cru classé, this château produces perfectly balanced, elegant wines of consistent high quality. With magnificent aromas of black fruit and truffles and flavours of plums, cherries, earth and savoury oak and drying mi

90 Points - Jeff Leve. Chateau La Croix St. Georges is one of Pomerol's lesser-known stars, but a star it is. 2017 produced wines that were soft and luscious, something that suited this 95% Merlot wine well.  Plump and juicy, the bouquet is that classic Pomerol mix of cherries, plums, vanilla and Asian spices, while the palate is gloriously soft and enveloping, nicely supported by the rounded tannins and clean, strawberry acidity. Drink now and over the next 5-10 years with everything from mushr

From high-altitude vineyards, La Forge showcases the elegance and finesse of Chiroubles. The granitic soils and careful vinification bring out vibrant, expressive fruit with a refined, polished character. Taste Bright and aromatic, with fresh red berries, floral hints of violet, and a touch of spice. Silky tannins and lively acidity bring balance and freshness, leading to a long, refined finish. A beautifully pure and elegant Chiroubles. About the Producer Nestled in the heart of Chiroubles, Dom

91 Points - Jeff Leve. Clos Manou 2019 is a fantastic example of a great value Medoc. 2019 was a sublime vintage throughout Bordeaux and the low release prices meant they are still relative bargains. Clos Manou was founded in 1998, and as the vines get older, so the wines get better. This is an awful lot of wine for the money, and one that's worth buying by the case so you can see its development over the next decade. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Apr 2025)  Wine Press Ratings 91 Points - Jeff Leve (2019

From vines averaging over 60 years old, Nicole Chanrion crafts a Côte-de-Brouilly that truly reflects its granitic terroir. Certified Terra Vitis and HVE3, the estate follows sustainable practices to preserve both vineyard and tradition. Expect a refined and structured Gamay, with depth, freshness, and the ability to age beautifully. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Mar 2025) Wine Press Ratings 16.5 / 20 - Jancis Robinson (2022 Vintage) Taste Rich and powerful on the palate, bursting with ripe raspberry and

Savvy Saint-Emilion lovers often look to the neighbouring commune of Montagne Saint-Emilion. Tasting the Clos de Bouard Dame de Bouard Montagne Saint-Emilion 2017, the second wine of it's easy to see why. Packed with juicy red and black berries, black cherries, chocolate, and a touch of clay minerals to the finish, it's a lot of wine for sensible money. Drink now with cured meats, pizza, pasta or meatballs. Vivino Rating: 4.0 (Apr 2025) Blend: 66% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 9% Cabernet Sauvi

92 Points - Jane Anson. Bordeaux's Saint Estephe is littered with undiscovered gems, and the Chateau Segur de Cabanac is one of our favourites. Being heavy on Cabernet Sauvignon, it enjoyed a hugely successful 2016, producing a 92-point wine according to leading critic Jane Anson. Rich and spicy with a lovely depth of flavour, bottle age has brought harmony and finesse to this cracking wine.   Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Oct 2025) Wine Press Ratings 92 Points - Jane Anson (2016 Vintage) 91 Points - Wine

93 Points - Jane Anson. A rare find indeed, the Chateau Bouscaut Blanc 2013 is a glorious example of a fully mature fine white Bordeaux. Scoring 93/100 from Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux), its vibrant citrus fruits of youth have been replaced by richer, mellower tones of apricots, dried pears, almonds and peach stones. Superb on its own, it's the perfect partner to poultry, game birds, pate, and blue cheeses. Vivino Rating 4.1 Wine Press Ratings 93 Points - Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux (2013 Vinta

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast. The Chateau Bouscaut 2018 is one of the stars of the magnificent 2018 Bordeaux vintage. In common with its Grand Cru Classe peers, the Chateau Bouscaut 2018 is a rich, ripe, succulent wine that exudes style and class. Drinking well now, its bouquet is full of smoked black fruits, dusty minerals, cherries and Chinese spices. The palate is medium-bodied, multi-layered, broad and packed with blackcurrant, plum, earth notes, and highlights of red berries. The tannins are

The Petit Manou is another great example of the value of buying second wines in great Bordeaux vintages. The Petit Manou 2018 is the second wine of the 91-point Clos Manou 2018, and it shares many of its big brother's qualities, being big, bold, well-extracted and packed with black and red fruits backed by notes of cedar, mocha and minerals. At its drinking peak now, enjoy this with grilled meats, creamy cheeses, tomato-based dishes or as a satisfying solo sipper. Vivino Rating: 4.0 (Apr 2025) A

92 Points - Falstaff. The La Chapelle de Bages Pauillac 2018, the second wine of Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal, is a great buy for all lovers of fine red Bordeaux. Showing the ripeness that was this glorious vintage's signature, the La Chapelle de Bages Pauillac 2018 is now drinking well and offers plush blackcurrant, cherry, and plum fruit, pencil lead, cigar box, and crunchy mineral touches. Scoring a whopping 92 in Falstaff Magazine, this is a wine to buy by the case and enjoy over the coming de

Second wines in great years have always been a great way for Bordeaux wine lovers to enjoy something special without breaking the bank. The Pavillon du Glana 2020 is a prime example of this. Produced at Chateau du Glana, the close neighbour of Chateau Beychevelle, it shows the vintage's generosity and style in a more approachable way.  Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Oct 2025) Blend : 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot Taste With its classic bouquet of cassis, pencil lead, and violets and ripe, saturated pa

Finca La Mascota were recognised by the IWSC as best Argentine Producer 2014. Vineyards based in Cruz de Piedra, part of the 'Primera Zona', the traditional premium area in Mendoza, their Malbec, aged for 15 months in new French and American oak has lovely, sweet ripe and full-bodied fruit with elegantly balanced oak. Intense purple-red colour with ruby hues. Aromas of black fruits, jam and vanilla, with a subtle liquorice touch. Sweet and full bodied tannins, with a long and pleasant finish. Ex

It's rare to find an affordable Pomerol, but it's almost unheard of to find a mature affordable Pomerol, but that's what we have with the Chateau Guillot Clauzel 2013. 2013 was a tough year for winemakers, and the harvest was small due to problems with rot, but the best worked hard to bring in a small crop of fresh, elegant wines that are now at their peak. The Guillot Clauzel 2013 is a fine example of this. The winemaking team didn't try and force the extract, rather, they let the gentle red an

90 Points - James Suckling. The Chateau Pavillon Beauregard hails from Lalande de Pomerol, a commune of Bordeaux that made the most of the fantastic 2019 vintage. Lalande de Pomerol's best wines share many of the characteristics of the wines from its more famous neighbour, while offering great value for money - something no one could accuse Pomerol of doing. The Chateau Pavillon Beauregard 2019 received 90 points from The Wine Independent, and it's easy to see why. With its plump nose of crushed

A lesser-known Bordeaux property, the Chateau Le Thil Comte Clary 2013 was rated highly by Decanter's former Consultant Editor, Steven Spurrier, who said it possessed, 'Fresh crunchy fruit, (a) good lifted Pessac-Léognan with character and charm. Now mature, it's taken on that lovely smokey, undergrowth character that is so attractive in mature red Bordeaux. Enjoy this on its own or with roast pork, venison, or cheeses. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Apr 2025) About the Producer Château Le Thil Comte Clary

92 Points - Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux. The Chateau Andron-Blanquet Saint-Estephe 2016 is a must-buy for any Bordeaux wine lover. With a host of major awards to its name, this brilliant estate offers exceptional value for money, particularly in fine vintages such as 2016. A classic blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it offers a seductively soft and fruity nose that's bordered by tones of smoke, peppers and violets. Rich, ripe, and mouth-filling, the palate is full of black fruits wi

92 Points - Tim Atkin, MW. The Relais de la Dominique is the second wine of Chateau La Dominique Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe and neighbour of the mighty Cheval Blanc. The Relais de la Dominique 2015 proves the value of second wines in great vintages - a second wine that scores 92 from Tim Atkin MW is worth seeking out. Now mature, its bouquet is a fascinating mix of cherries, flowers, mint, earth and spices. On the palate, it shares La Dominique's open, gentle style with its beauty and brilli

91 Points - James Suckling. Second wines in great years have always been a great way for Bordeaux wine lovers to enjoy something special without breaking the bank. The Petit Corbin-Despagne Saint-Emilion 2018 is a prime example of this. The second wine of the Grand Cru Classe, Chateau Grand Corbin-Despagne, it shares much of its big brother's class and style, but being made from younger vines it's approachable young. Leading critic James Suckling gave the Petit Corbin-Despagne Saint-Emilion 2018

Bordeaux's Fronsac wines are famed for their power and intensity, and the Chateau Tour du Moulin 'Les Terres Rouges' 2022 delivers this beautifully. Very deeply coloured, with a nose of plums, black cherries, purple flowers and star anise, in the mouth it's full, youthful, well-fruited and satisfying. While it will develop in bottle over the coming years, it's such a joy now with dishes such as sausages, lasagne, pizza or a Sunday roast, it's hard to resist it. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Apr 2025) Tast

93 Points - Decanter. After an enforced eight-year break in the early 2010s, where they were prohibited from making Zinfandel, Orin Swift Cellars delved into various grape varieties in California to great success. The 2021 vintage of Eight Years in the Desert is the fifth instalment of a rare and cherished wine. This exceptional Zinfandel boasts a deep maroon core and opens with captivating aromas of wild blackberry, pepper, oatmeal raisin cookie, forest floor, bay leaf, and spices. The taste is