91-93 Points - Jeb Dunnock. Appellation: Margaux, Classification: Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, Background: The history of this very old vineyard begins in the 13th century. Château la Tour de Mons, formerly Tour de Marsac, took in 1623 the name of its owner Pierre de Mons. Château La Tour de Mons was later sold to the Clauzel Crunchet family and then bought back in 1995 by a group of institutional investors, Crédit Agricole and Caisse des Dépôts and Placements du Québec. Since, very important works

96-97 Points - James Suckling | 94-96 Points - William Kelley Appellation: Saint-Julien Classification: 2e Grand Cru Classé Background: Château Léoville Barton is the smallest portion of the great Léoville estate and has been owned by the Barton family since 1826. There is no château and the wine is made at Langoa Barton. Léoville Barton's 48 hectares of vineyards are located in the east of the St-Julien wine appellation and lie on gravelly-clay soils.  Sign up to become a Cellar Master Plus mem

Ratings: William Kelley 90-92 points, Appellation: Pauillac, Background: Located in the heart of the Pauillac appellation, on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste took its present form in 1855, although it was built as early as the 16th century. The wine estate was marked by the passage of Raymond Dupin from 1930 to 1978. He then sold the property to the Borie family in 1978, who have since carried out numerous renovations. Château Lacoste-Borie is the estate’s Second Wine. Sign up to

Ratings: James Suckling 94-95 Points, Appellation: Saint-Emilion, Classification: Grand Cru Classé, Background: With origins dating back to the 16th century and the first harvest carried out in 1599, the Château Fombrauge is one of the oldest crus in Saint-Émilion. The magnificent estate boasts a 17th-century charterhouse. Under the impetus of the Dumas de Fombrauge family, Château Fombrauge became a true model for Bordeaux viticulture. This Bernard Magrez property now shines among the most beau

Ratings: James Suckling 92-93 points, Appellation: Médoc, Background: This wine ranks naturally alongside the Grand Cru Classé wines of Bernard Magrez: Château Pape Clément, Château La Tour Carnet, Château Fombrauge and Clos Haut Peyraguey. Situated in exceptional terroir and for too many years overlooked, this estate was given a new lease of life by Bernard Magrez. It was a project that he had mulled over for 10 years. During that time, he had searched for that special gem, that outstanding ter

Ratings: William Kelley 90-92 points, Appellation: Saint-Georges Saint-Émilion / Background: The unique style of Château Cap Saint George can be defined by respect for an exceptional terroir, by precise, meticulous vinification and by care to preserve the fruit and all its complexity. Each vintage is a chance to reaffirm an investment in purity and ‘Grand Cru’ techniques. We never chase after excess but rather clearly defined flavours and textures that reveal finesse, with subtle use of oak that

Ratings: James Suckling 95-96 points, Appellation: Saint-Émilion, Classification: Grand Cru, Background: Château Haut-Brisson is located south of the appellation on the 3 villages of Saint-Émilion, Saint-Sulpice de Faleyrens and Vignonet. The diversity of terroirs, combined with vines of an average age of 30 years, allows us to produce wines at optimum maturity that expresses the terroir. Sign up to become a Cellar Master Plus member and receive an additional 5% cashback in Cellar Coins, which c

Ratings: William Kelley 90-92 points, Appellation: Saint-Émilion / Classification: Grand Cru / Background: The name of the illustrious Janoueix family, hailing from the rural French region of Correze, first became associated with Bordeaux wine in 1867, when Jean Janoueix entered the wine business. Jean Philippe Janoueix is the current owner of the domaine; he first started making wine in 1994 with the founding of Château de Chambrun on a small 1.7-hectare plot in Lalande de Pomerol. Quickly, Cha

Ratings: James Suckling 92-93 points, Appellation: Haut-Médoc / Classification: 4e Grand Cru Classé / Background: Château La Tour Carnet, a 4emé Cru Classé property has a long and illustrious history and its wines enjoyed a considerable reputation during the 19th century. La Tour Carnet had a chequered history in the first half of the last century and the wines were mediocre until 1972 when it was bought by Louis Lipschitz. He replanted much of the vineyards and made many long overdue changes to

Ratings: Vinous 92-94 points, William Kelley 90-92 points, Appellation: Saint-Émilion, Classification: Grand Cru Classé, Background: The Despagne family has been making wine in Saint-Emilion for seven generations. François Despagne took the reins in 1996, and his passion and intelligence have made his family property – a grand cru since the original classification in 1955 – one very much to follow. The estate is near Saint-Emilion’s border with Pomerol. There are 30 hectares of vines on a mix of

Ratings: Decanter 94 points, William Kelley 90-92 points, Appellation: Haut-Médoc, Background: Château Sociando-Mallet produces full-bodied wines with a deep, dark colour. Their complex bouquet is usually dominated by black fruit aromas with a touch of minerality and well-integrated, elegant oak. Often somewhat "virile" when young, the wines gain in balance and complexity with age. They are fresh, straightforward, and have a wonderful length. Château Sociando-Mallet has always been a wine with g

Ratings: Decanter 92 points, James Suckling 90-91 points, Appellation: Margaux, Classification: 3e Grand Cru Classé, Background: Château Desmirail, included among the third growths in the 1855 classification, has an outstanding terroir bordering on the Route des Châteaux. The current owner and manager, Denis Lurton, took over from his father, Lucien, in 1992. He has invested in modernising the estate on a regular basis ever since. Château Desmirail produces smooth, elegant wines in the classic M

Ratings: James Suckling 95-96 points, Appellation: Saint-Émilion, Classification: Grand Cru, Background: Château Tour Saint Christophe is located in Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes at the frontiers of Saint-Émilion. The vineyard is a unique feature in Saint-Emilion, as it is partly planted on narrow terraces where the vineyard is tended in tight rows. This cascading landscape unfolds on the hillside of Cassevert overlooking the Saint Laurent valley. Château Tour Saint Christophe was acquired by Pete

Ratings: Decanter 93 points, William Kelley 90-92 points, Appellation: Saint-Julien / Background: Chateau Gloria is the creation of one man, Henri Martin, who with passion created a 50 hectare vineyard over the course of several decades through the acquisition of parcels exclusively from Grands Crus classified in 1855. Today, the vineyard is renowned and carries within it the terroir and grape varieties typical of Saint-Julien. Manual harvesting and traditional winemaking wine produce powerful w

Ratings: William Kelley 93-95 points, Appellation: Saint-Émilion, Classification: Grand Cru Classé, Background: Château Bellefont Belcier is a Grand Cru Classé property that’s situated on Saint Émilion’s southern slopes, close to the prestigious vineyards of Châteaux Pavie, Larcis Ducasse and Tertre Roteboeuf. In this enviable position, Bellefont Belcier produces intense wines, with superb balance, depth and longevity. Sign up to become a Cellar Master Plus member and receive an additional 5% ca

Ratings: William Kelley 93-95 points,  Appellation: Margaux / Classification: 3e Grand Cru Classé / Background: Although Château Cantenac-Brown has changed hands many times since it was built in 1806, winemaker Jose Sanfins has been a constant of the last decade. His respect for its historic land shines through in his wines, all grapes and hand-picked and sorted with a great degree of care. His wines are made with a real potential to age, making them a favourite among keen collectors. Sign up to

Ratings: William Kelley - 93-95 points, Appellation: Pauillac, Classification: 5e Grand Cru Classé, Background: Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac estate which has for many years been consistently outperforming its classification. Grand-Puy-Lacoste is located a couple of kilometres west of the town of Pauillac and is owned and run by François-Xavier Borie. Sign up to become a Cellar Master Plus member and receive an additional 5% cashback in Cellar Coins, which can be spent

Ratings: William Kelley 93-95 Points, Appellation: Saint-Julien / Classification: 2e Grand Cru Classé / Background: Château Léoville Poyferré was the Léoville that got left in the starting blocks in terms of reputation and in the quality of its wines. Léoville Poyferré has been owned by the Cuvelier family (who also own Château Le Crock) since 1921, yet it was not until the 1970s, when Didier Cuvelier took control at the château, that quality began to improve. In the last 20 years, Didier, with

Ratings: William Kelley 92-94 Points, Appellation: Pessac-Léognan / Classification: Grand Cru Classé de Graves / Background: Château Pape Clément is a Cru Classé Graves property that has one of the oldest documented histories of any Bordeaux vineyard, having been planted in 1300 by Bernard de Groth, the future Pope Clément V. In 1939 the estate was bought by the Montagne family and is now owned and run by Léo Montagne. Sign up to become a Cellar Master Plus member and receive an additional 5% ca

Appellation: Sauternes, Classification: 2e Cru Classé Background: Since 1611, the d'Arche family has been deeply rooted in Bordeaux, beginning their wine journey with Etienne d'Arche, a regent doctor at the University of Bordeaux. His great-grandson, François d'Arche, Advisor to the King, acquired the Braneyre cru in 1733, which was later renamed Château d'Arche. Despite the upheavals of history, including the French Revolution, the estate has endured. In 1855, it was classified as the 2nd grand

94-95 Points - James Suckling. Appellation: Saint-Estephe, Background: Château Haut-Marbuzet, one of the oldest estates in the Saint-Estèphe appellation, boasts a rich history dating back to 1770. Hervé Duboscq acquired the estate in 1952, driven by the ambition to produce exceptional wines that showcase the full potential of the renowned terroirs on Bordeaux's left bank.  Sign up to become a Cellar Master Plus member and receive an additional 5% cashback in Cellar Coins, which can be spent on y

91-94 Points - William Kelley. Appellation: Pomerol, Background: Situated on the northern edge of the plateau of Pomerol, nestled between Château Gazin and Château La Fleur-Pétrus, this wine has been produced by Ets. Jean-Pierre Moueix since 1976 for the Borderie family, owners since 1930. Eminently approachable, even in its youth, Lafleur-Gazin is a delightful expression of the lighter style of Pomerol wines.  Sign up to become a Cellar Master Plus member and receive an additional 5% cashback i

93-95 Points - William Kelley. Appellation: Pomerol, Background: Owned by the Vayron family since 1821, this lovely vineyard is situated in the heart of Pomerol’s most prestigious terroirs, with Château Trotanoy as its neighbor. Since 2008, the wine is made by the youngest Vayron to join the family venture, Frédérique, the daughter of current owners Xavier and Dominique. Situated in one of the warmest parts of Pomerol, Château Bourgneuf produces wines that are deep and dense, layered and complex

92-94 Points - William Kelley. Appellation: Pomerol, Background: Latour à Pomerol, which draws its name from the tower that adorns this charming château, was acquired by Mme Loubat, who also owned Château Pétrus, in 1917. Etablissements Jean-Pierre Moueix has farmed the vineyard from 1962 to 2023 and bought it in 2024. Château Latour à Pomerol is known for producing generous, concentrated wines that strike a perfect balance between elegance and power.  Sign up to become a Cellar Master Plus memb