93 Points - Wine Spectator. The Pahlmeyer Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from fruit from Pahlmeyer’s mountain-grown vines. It’s a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot, so a classic Bordeaux blend. 2018 was an outstanding vintage, the unusually cool growing season saw the grapes ripen more slowly and gave them the opportunity to develop even more complexity. Once deemed ready, the grapes were harvested at night to preserve their freshness and ensure the aromas

Trimbach’s Geisberg Riesling is one of the jewels in this ancient house’s crown. Geisberg is one of the smallest of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards and is famed for producing fine, fresh and long-lived Rieslings. Geisberg is a steeply sloping vineyard which rises to 320m (1050ft) above sea level but as it is south-facing, the coolness of the altitude is offset an abundant sunshine. Combined with a unique phenomenon called the "Tahlwendala", an overnight local wind which helps cool the grapes overn

The Trimbach Riesling Brand Grand Cru 2020 was produced from fruit grown on the Grand Cru Brand vineyard which sits above the village of Turkheim. Brand sits on steep slopes at the beginning of the Vallée de Munster and its aspect is south/southeasterly, bringing the vines excellent exposure to the sun. Its name comes from the German for fire, a reference to the legend that a dragon and the sun once did battle here and how the sun warms its fine granite soils quickly.  One of the driest sites in

The largest, oldest, and most famous of Alsace’s Grand Cru vineyards, Schlossberg has all the noble Alsatian grapes planted on its steep, lofty slopes, but most producers favour Riesling owing to the spectacular results that can be achieved here. The south and south-easterly aspect of the vineyard means the vines benefit from long exposure to the sun which imparts generosity, while the topsoil’s unusual mix of coarse granitic sand gives the wines their minerally backbone and steely edge. Low rai

Bonarda, or Douce Noir in Eastern France, is a great alternative to Malbec that you must try. Argentina's second most planted variety, it is a lovely easy drinking, fresh and fruit driven wine with great colour and notably soft tannins. Taste Deep and bright colour, juicy dark fruits with a soft and supple finish with great structure. About the Producer Durigutti Family Winemakers: Brothers Hector and Pablo are passionate about expressing the characteristics of Argentina’s various terroirs along

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