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Expert Review - Vintage 2016

Decanter — 90 Points | Plum, lilac and vanilla, with a touch of toasted cinnamon alongside the bright red fruits. Powerful, even masculine, with chewy but refined tannins and plenty of life ahead.

Tasting Notes

The 2016 Château Castéra is currently at a beautiful stage, showing a compelling blend of ripe fruit and secondary, aged characteristics.

• Aromas: A complex bouquet of ripe blackberries, plums, blackcurrant, and violets, evolving into notes of cedar, tobacco, leather, and baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon).
• Palate: Medium to full-bodied with a structure supported by fine, polished yet present tannins. The fruit is dense and savory, balanced by good acidity and a touch of earthiness typical of Bordeaux.

Pairings: Roast lamb, duck confit, aged cheeses, or a classic Bordelaise steak.

Product Details

• Vintage: 2016
• Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
• Appellation: Médoc, Bordeaux
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
• Region: Bordeaux, France
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Producer: Château Castéra

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023 

Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 Points | A ripe, opulent second wine, the 2022 Amiral De Beychevelle offers lots of black cherry, mulberry, and plum-like fruits as well as some floral, violet, and graphite nuances. It's medium to full-bodied, has elegant, silky tannins, and a great finish. It's one heck of a sexy, already hard to resist second wine that should keep for 10-12 years, if not longer.

James Suckling 91-92 Points | Very refined and pretty already with linear fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Medium body. Attractive finish. 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast 97-99 Points | This is already shaping up to being one of the stars of the vintage. With its great fruit, fully enveloped by the structure and tannins, the wine has been set well for the future. The aromatic black fruits are intense and concentrated. — Roger Voss

Decanter 98 Poinhts | Wonderfully aromatic and expressive, with dark fruit, floral scents, chocolate, cinnamon and liquorice. Smooth, svelte, bursting with energy. Juicy strawberries and cherries have crunch from fine tannins and mineral edges. Calm and controlled, yet quietly powerful. Fruit and oak emerge over time, layering chalky, powdery, ripe, spiced and fresh textures. Ends as joyously as it starts, and very moreish.

James Suckling 98 Points | What a nose with complex aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, graphite and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, this has layers of tannins and intense richness but is framed and held together by the phenolic structure. Vertical and deep, it goes on for minutes on the palate. Great finish. 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% merlot. Give this five to six years to come together more. Best after 2030 and beyon

Expert Reviews 

98 Points Vinous | The 2020 Pape Clément is outrageously beautiful. Dark, virile and imposing, the 2020 is a rare vintage of Pape Clément that is vertical and statuesque in feel. Dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves infuse the palate with tremendous depth. In a word: magnificent. - Antonio Galloni

98 Points James Suckling | Lots of blackberry, iodine and crushed stone here. Some black pepper and graphite, too. Full body and medium, fine tannins that have a powdery texture and open in the mouth. So much going on. Iodine and iron undertones with some raw mushroom bring you back for more. Muscular. This is for the cellar. Drink after 2027.

97+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | I loved the 2020 Château Pape Clément, and this beauty is up there with the top wines in Pessac. Checking in as equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, aged 18 months in 90% barrels and 10% in foudre, it offers a deep purple hue to go with a powerful, concentrated profile displaying both red and black fruits, lots of spicy, chocolate, flowery incense nuances, full-bodied richness, and an almost salty, bloody character on the finish. This beauty shows the concentrated yet utterly classic, focused, elegant style of the vintage and has so much to love.

96 Points Wine Enthusiast | This ancient estate, an oasis in the suburbs of Bordeaux city, offers a wine that is packed with promising tannins. The important and rich black fruits reveal concentration, density and the potential of the development of a fine balance and structure as it matures.

95 Points Decanter | Tannic heft from the get-go, though this does have a lovely fresh, clean and precise core with a narrow, focused frame so the elements come across as quite tight and severe right now but well worked. It has class, no doubt, on the high-toned scale, potent and upfront but there's gorgeous detail and precision to the fruit, acidity and tannins. Slick and classy with lots of glamour that plays to the strengths of the vintage.

95 Points Wine Spectator | This is snazzed up with flashy toast, but there's ample mulberry, cassis and plum compote fruit to soak it up, while notes of licorice and sweet spice fill in the background. A late tug of warm earth keeps this grounded. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

94 Points Robert Parker | Aromas of rich cherries, cassis, burning embers, violets and dark chocolate introduce the 2020 Pape Clément, a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy wine that's ripe, layered and generously extracted but also a touch deeper and more reserved than the flashy 2019. While it would be an exaggeration to say that this estate's red wines are making much of a shift in the direction of restraint, the style is certainly less aspirational than it was a decade ago.

Winemaker Description

This has incredible power and drive with blackberry, black olive and graphite. It’s full-bodied, yet dynamic and agile, with so much polished and muscular tannin. Yet, it remains in harmony and balance. So much character. The head of the chateau calls it diabolical beauty. 25% less production than the 2019. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 99- 100 Points | A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Haut-Bailly was harvested from the 9th to 25th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.3%. Deep purple-black in color, it prances out of the glass with naturally beautiful notions of fresh black cherries, violets, mulberries and boysenberries, giving way to hints of redcurrant jelly, star anise, tilled soil and menthol. The medium to full-bodied palate is delicately crafted with velvety/grainy tannins and fantastic freshness framing the perfumed red and black berry layers, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note. (2020). 

Robert Parker 96-98 Points | A legendary Haut-Bailly in the making, the 2020 sports a dense purple color to go with powerful notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, scorched earth, and graphite. Reminding me of the 2010, it takes plenty of air to show at its best yet is full-bodied, has a seamless texture, massive of ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. It’s one of the most structured, powerful Haut-Bailly I’ve ever tasted, yet it still has the classic elegance, nuance, and length of this terrific terroir. It will need 5-7 years (or more) of bottle age but will have 50 years of overall longevity. The 2020 is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 3% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. (2020). 

Jeb Dunnuck 96-98 Points | Deep, rich and explosive, the 2020 Haut-Bailly is magnificent from the very first taste. Dark fruit, chocolate, licorice and spice give the 2020 a level of unctuousness that is absolutely thrilling. Readers should be patient, as the 2020 is going to need time to come around. Yields are down 25% from 2019, and that richness comes through loud and clear. (2020). 

Vinous 95-97 Points | (Château Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, Red) Rich in texture and colour, this has clear layers and complexity, a wine that you want to take your time with, slow down and enjoy. One that will take its time to age also. This has a precision and a clarity to the aromatics, and a gentle buzz of minerality that gives a physical reaction in the mouth. Less exuberant than the 2018 or 2019, making this a vintage that suits the style of Haut-Bailly. A slight austerity to the tannins on the finish gives a blueberry redcurrant edge. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend (now around eight years old), usually co-fermented with the Cabernet Sauvignon (sometimes with Cabernet Franc). IPT similar to 2016, 2010, 2005, but with a softness that comes from extremely ripe tannins. Strong potential for upscoring when it bottle. (Drink between 2030-2050). (2020),

Nestled in the heart of Pauillac, just north of Château Latour, Château Haut-Bages Libéral occupies one of the appellation's most privileged terroirs — a mosaic of clay-limestone and gravel soils that is atypical for Pauillac, lending the wine a distinctive freshness and minerality that sets it apart from its neighbors. Under biodynamic farming with Demeter certification, the estate has become one of the Left Bank's most compelling stories of terroir-driven winemaking.

The Château Haut-Bages Libéral Pauillac Biodynamic 2020 750ml is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot, from biodynamically farmed vines on clay-limestone and gravel, with a parcel sandwiched between Pichon-Baron and Lynch-Bages. The 2020 vintage is exceptional: focused, elegant, and concentrated, with a vivid purple hue, a beautiful perfume of cassis, plum, licorice, and violets, and a palate of remarkable depth and length. Built for the cellar, yet already showing its class. Drink from 2027 through 2050.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

• James Suckling — 97 Points: "Blackcurrant, orange peel and green coffee bean aromas follow through to a full body with medium, round tannins. Citrusy, juicy and rose bush finish. Chewy and intense. Some old vine character with bark and dark mushroom. Solid! One for the cellar. Try after 2027."
• Wine Enthusiast — 95 Points: "Vibrant and bright yet it is possible to sense the depth of the tannins. Its tannins underline the line of acidity and lightness that gives the wine a fine structure."
• Jeb Dunnuck — 94 Points: "Beautiful perfume of cassis and plum-like fruits interwoven with licorice, violets, damp earth. Focused, elegant mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and outstanding length. Enjoy through 2050."
• Wine Advocate — 94 Points: "Supple and seamless, bursting with aromas of sweet dark berries, petals and licorice. Succulent and polished, it will offer a broad drinking window."
• Decanter — 91 Points: "A ton of blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, chewy and concentrated, with a shot of acidity that picks everything up on the finish."

Wine Details

• 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot
• Pauillac AOC, Bordeaux, France
• Biodynamic — Demeter certified
• Clay-limestone & gravel soils, north of Château Latour
• Vintage: 2020 | Drink 2027–2050
• 750ml

Winemaker Description

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. Average age of the vines is 44 years. Replanting of these vines takes place in lots. 222 acres producing 22,000-30,000 cases.

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 97 Points | Rather tight, with an alluring whiff of cocoa that lures you in before disappearing into the core of steeped plum, roasted fig and blackberry coulis notes. Sandalwood, black tea and loam elements fill in on the long and expansive finish. This seems to be lying in wait for what could be a very long time in the cellar before unfurling fully. Best from 2018 through 2045. 15,833 cases made.

Wine Enthusiast 100 points | Almost black in color, this stunning wine is gorgeous, rich and dense. It s grand and powerful, with a strong sense of its own importance. The beautiful tannins and the fragrant black currant fruits are palpable. It s a great wine, with huge potential.

Wine Advocate 98 Points | The 2010 Lafite Rothschild, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot (a 3% difference from the barrel sample shown two years ago), achieved relatively high alcohol of 13.32%, according to administrator Charles Chevalier. The wine is very impressive, not as fleshy, flamboyant and massive as the 2009, but nevertheless, a big, rich, full-throttle Lafite-Rothschild meant to age a half century or more. Deep purple, with notes of white chocolate, mocha, cedar and charcoal as well as hints of vanillin and creme de cassis, the wine is full-bodied yet has that ethereal lightness that makes it a Lafite. Rich, with good acidity, precision and freshness, this is a slightly zestier version of the 2009 as well as more restrained and structured than that particular vintage. It will need at least 10-12 years of cellaring and keep for 50+ years.

Winemaker Description

The weather in 1953 was very favourable to vine growth and the crop was both plentiful and of excellent quality.

The growing season began with a warm, wet April, followed by a very warm, but dry month of May.  June and July were cool and rainy, whereas August and September were dry and slightly warmer than average.

Flowering went very well in May because it did not rain very much. Even though June and July were cool, which slowed down the growth cycle somewhat, the harvest was able to begin on the 21st of September. The grapes were excellent because August and September we very dry and hot.  Yields were high, but 1953 Cheval Blanc shows that quantity and quality are not incompatible.
Degree of alcohol: 12°.

This is a great vintage for Cheval Blanc. The wine is very well-balanced and still elicits enormous praise.

Château Simard | Saint-Émilion AOC | Bordeaux, France | 2015

Château Simard has a history rooted in the very foundations of Saint-Émilion. The estate takes its name from Johan de Las Symas, a Jurat of Saint-Émilion in the 15th century who founded the village of Simard — where the Vauthier family's two estates are currently located. The vineyard was purchased in 1954 by Claude Mazière, and in 2008 his nephew Alain Vauthier — the celebrated proprietor of Château Ausone, one of Bordeaux's most iconic estates — took the reins. The estate has thus remained in the same family for seven decades, and the Vauthier connection to Ausone brings world-class winemaking expertise to every vintage.

Located in the southern valley of Saint-Émilion running down to the plain, the 40-hectare estate is planted on a patchwork of clay-limestone, sand, and gravel soils. The blend is 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon — though the 2015 is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. After manual harvesting and meticulous berry sorting, the wine is fermented and aged primarily in concrete and stainless-steel tanks to preserve freshness and roundness, with approximately 30% oak. The result is a wine of pure fruit, concentration, and generosity — the very definition of Saint-Émilion's accessible, pleasure-driven style.

The 2015 is a superb vintage for Saint-Émilion. Medium to deep garnet-purple in the glass. The nose is vibrantly scented with red currants, black cherries, warm plums, violets, oranges, lemons, and fragrant earth. On the palate, medium-bodied, very fine, fruity, and elegant — ripe, fine-grained tannins, wonderful freshness, and a red cherry lift on the finish. Silky, juicy, and delicious. Ready to drink now or hold.

Pair with roast lamb, duck confit, beef bourguignon, mushroom dishes, and aged hard cheeses.

• Producer: Château Simard (Vauthier Family / Château Ausone)
• Appellation: Saint-Émilion AOC, Bordeaux, France
• Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
• Vintage: 2015
• Vinification: Concrete & stainless-steel tanks; ~30% oak aging
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2015

• Wine Advocate — 91 pts: Vibrantly scented of red currants, black cherries and warm plums with hints of violets and fragrant earth. Medium-bodied, very fine, fruity and elegant with ripe, fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness. Finishes with a red cherry lift.
• James Suckling — 91 pts: Oranges and lemons with blackberry and dark-earth character. Full-bodied, round, juicy and silky. Delicious and soft. A gorgeous wine. Drink now or hold.
• Vinous Media — 90 pts: Intense and dark — succulent jammy fruit with exotic spice, leather and rose petal overtones wrapping around the juicy finish. An attractive, early-drinking Simard.

Château Pipeau is a fourth-generation estate founded in 1929 in Saint-Émilion, on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, where many of the world’s greatest Merlot-based wines are produced.

Winemaker Jean Mestreguilhem, son of the current owners, worked at Château de Fieuzal in Pessac-Léognan and Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley before returning to his family estate.

The property includes 25 hectares of clay-limestone and deep sandy soils planted to 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, with an average vine age of 40 years.

Grass grows naturally between the vine rows, while careful debudding and green harvesting limit yields and maximize quality. Canopy management and early harvesting help preserve freshness. The grapes are sorted first on the vine and then again on a sorting table.

“This is an intriguingly delicious wine, starting off with a waft of warm nutmeg and cinnamon. The palate is balanced but assertive, with ripe black plum and bramble fruit.”

—Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer

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This expressive Saint-Émilion Grand Cru comes from a historic, family-owned estate situated at the foot of the Saint-Émilion hillside on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Founded by Georges Mestreguilhem in 1929, Château Pipeau has remained in the same family for four generations and is now directed by Jean Mestreguilhem with the support of his father, Richard. The estate has grown from its original seven hectares to approximately 25 hectares of vines located just three kilometers from the village of Saint-Émilion.

The vineyard is planted predominantly to Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The vines average approximately 40 years of age and are rooted in a combination of clay-limestone soils and deep sands. These contrasting soils help produce a wine that combines the generosity and plush fruit of Merlot with freshness, structure, and aromatic complexity.

Château Pipeau follows environmentally conscious vineyard practices and holds Haute Valeur Environnementale certification. Grass is maintained between the vineyard rows to encourage healthy soils and biodiversity, while careful debudding, green harvesting, and leaf removal are used to control yields and promote even ripening. The grapes are harvested both manually and mechanically before undergoing precise optical sorting at the winery.

Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, with gentle macerations lasting approximately three to four weeks and daily pump-overs to extract color, flavor, and tannin without sacrificing finesse. A traditional vertical press is used to preserve the integrity of the fruit. Most of the wine is then matured for 12 to 14 months in new French oak barrels, while a smaller portion remains in stainless steel to retain freshness and vibrant fruit character.

The 2022 vintage opens with generous aromas of ripe black plum, crushed blackcurrant, raspberry, and wild strawberry. Layers of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, tobacco, and subtle toasted oak add depth and complexity. The palate is rich and assertive, yet balanced by freshness, with ripe dark fruit, bramble, warm spice, and polished tannins carrying through the finish. A professional tasting of the vintage also noted its deep, fresh aromatic profile and awarded it 90 points.

Approachable in its youth with decanting, this wine also has the concentration and structure to develop further in the cellar. It is an excellent match for roast lamb, grilled steak, beef tenderloin, duck, braised short ribs, mushroom dishes, and firm aged cheeses.

Appellation: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Region: Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 2022
Grape Varieties: 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Soils: Clay-limestone and deep sand
Average Vine Age: Approximately 40 years
Farming: Environmentally responsible; HVE certified
Vinification: Temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with gentle maceration
Aging: Approximately 12–14 months, primarily in new French oak
Bottle Size: 750ml

Serving Recommendation: Serve at approximately 60–65°F. Decant for one to two hours when drinking young to allow the fruit, spice, and tannins to fully open.

Château Mondot Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2021

Perched atop a singular hill overlooking the ancient village of Saint-Émilion, Château Mondot has stood as an understated beacon of exceptional terroir since its creation in 1700. The estate — the second wine of the legendary Château Troplong Mondot — occupies a position like no other in the appellation, its lofty elevation and unique soil profile setting it apart from its neighbors on the limestone plateau.

The secret lies beneath the surface: Mondot's hill is one of the only places in Saint-Émilion where ancient Agenais Molasse clays, formed during the region's geological creation, have survived erosion to great depths, overlying the astéries limestone so characteristic of the appellation. This rare clay-over-limestone profile is the defining signature of Mondot's wines — lending them structure, freshness, and a distinctive mineral tension that sets them apart.

The 2021 Mondot holds a special place in the estate's history: it is the last vintage produced exclusively from Merlot grown on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau — a milestone worth cellaring. Bright and vibrant in character, the wine reflects the cool, precise nature of the 2021 vintage with crystalline energy and elegant restraint.

Deep ruby in the glass, the wine opens with floral wildflower and crushed flower aromas, followed by red cherry, blackberry, currant, orange peel, cola, mint, and white pepper, with a touch of toasted oak and blue fruit. The palate is refined and focused — not plush or heavy — with pure acidity, a gorgeous tannic structure, and a mouthwatering, saline finish with notes of liquorice and wet stone. Drink from 2027.

Wine Enthusiast — 93 pts
"Floral wildflower aromas. Partial wood aging has produced a wine with light toast and pure acidity. Black-currant flavors are dominant with bright acidity as well as structure. Drink from 2027." (Vintage 2021). 

Decanter — 93 pts
"Beautifully delicate and fragrant — a touch of cola, blue fruits and salt with green pepper and toasted oak. Refined and focussed, crisp and mouthwatering, excellent energy and sense of life with a delicious moreish liquorice, wet stone finish. A serious, well-constructed wine with depth but no heaviness." (Vintage 2021). 

James Suckling — 92 pts
"A vivid and bright red with currant, orange peel and some light spices. Medium body and fine tannins that turn dusty in the finish." (Vintage 2021).

Vinous — 91 pts
"A bright, vibrant wine. Crushed flowers, red cherry fruit, orange peel, mint and white pepper abound. A wine of crystalline energy and tension — super-impressive." (Vintage 2021).

Wine Advocate — 90 pts
"Charming and expressive, bursting with aromas of blackberries, plums, orange zest and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and velvety, seamless and suave, with succulent acids and a mouthwateringly saline finish. The last rendition of Mondot produced exclusively from Merlot growing on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau." (Vintage 2021).

Varietal: 100% Merlot (final vintage)
Appellation: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru AOC, Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 2021
Format: 750ml
Scores: 93 WE | 93 Decanter | 92 JS | 91 Vinous | 90 WA

Winemaker Description

Owned and operated by the highly-acclaimed Château Peybonhomme-Les Tours. This is an entirely biodynamic estate and the winemaking is very low intervention. This bottling is 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet-Franc, and 5% Malbec.

Memo Summary Notes

Château La Grolet 2022 is a standout "natural" Bordeaux from the Côtes de Bourg (located on the Right Bank, across the river from Margaux). Owned by the Hubert family (who also own Château Peybonhomme-Les Tours), this estate is a pioneer in sustainable viticulture, having been certified biodynamic for over 20 years.

Pair with 

Classic: Grilled lamb chops with rosemary or a traditional beef stew (Bœuf Bourguignon).

Rustic: Hearty lentil stews, tourtière (meat pie), or roasted root vegetables.

Cheese: Pairs exceptionally well with Comté or aged Cheddar.

The Elegance of Sichel House's Maison Sichel Saint-Estephe 2020

Discover the elegance of Maison Sichel Saint-Estephe 2020, a premium Bordeaux wine that exemplifies the rich viticultural heritage of the Saint-Estèphe appellation. The Sichel family are truly expert winemakers, and this Saint-Estèphe is no exception. This exceptional vintage showcases the unique terroir of the northern Médoc, marrying tradition with modern winemaking techniques to create a wine with fine elegance, structure, and balance.

Bordeaux Blend Composition

50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot. This classic Bordeaux blend combines the best characteristics of each varietal, creating a wine with complexity, depth, and aging potential.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Deep crimson
Aroma: Bramble fruit, blackcurrant, capsicum, cocoa, and cedar. Enticing bouquet of dark fruits and subtle earthy undertones
Palate: Layers of ripe blackberry and plum, complemented by hints of cedar and spice. Blackcurrant, capsicum, cocoa, and cedar. Smooth yet structured tannins. Fine elegance, structure, and balance
Finish: Balanced finish that lingers pleasantly

Aging Potential

Still young, this vintage will develop for many years with flavors of leather and cinnamon, truffle and clove starting to emerge. This remarkable depth and aging potential make it perfect for cellaring or enjoying now with decanting.

Maison Sichel - Six Generations of Excellence

Maison Sichel is a Bordeaux-based, family-owned and run négociant of six generations. The Sichel family have been a significant presence in Bordeaux since 1883 and have continued to expand operations by purchasing several properties in Bordeaux including Château Angludet and Château Argadens.

Château Palmer Partnership

The Sichel family also joined with three other families in 1938 to purchase the now legendary Château Palmer, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious estates. This partnership demonstrates the family's commitment to excellence and their deep roots in Bordeaux winemaking.

Expanded Portfolio

Maison Sichel continued to expand their operations outside of Bordeaux and have several high-quality own-label wines such as the Domaine Peter Sichel, Sichel Sauternes, and the Sichel Margaux. Each wine represents the family's dedication to quality and terroir expression.

Saint-Estèphe Appellation

Saint-Estèphe, located in the northern Médoc, is renowned for producing robust and complex red wines. The appellation's gravelly soils with clay subsoil create ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, resulting in wines with structure, power, and exceptional aging potential.

2020 Vintage Quality

This specific vintage showcases the unique terroir of the area, with exceptional fruit quality translating to remarkable flavor profiles. The 2020 vintage in Bordeaux produced wines of excellent concentration and balance, making this an outstanding example of Saint-Estèphe.

Fine Elegance, Structure & Balance

A wine with fine elegance, structure, and balance. The wine's tannins are smooth yet structured, ensuring a balanced finish that demonstrates the craftsmanship and expertise of the Sichel family's winemaking.

Expert Winemakers

The Sichel family are truly expert winemakers with over 140 years of experience in Bordeaux. In every sip, one can sense the passion and craftsmanship that Maison Sichel embodies, from vineyard management to final bottling.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This vintage stands out not only for its rich flavors but also for its remarkable depth, making it a perfect partner for various dishes:

• Rich stews and braised meats
• Grilled meats and steaks
• Roasted lamb and beef
• Game meats
• Aged cheeses
• Hearty cassoulet
• Mushroom-based dishes

Perfect for Celebratory Occasions

For wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike, this bottle represents an ideal choice for celebratory occasions or a sophisticated addition to any cellar. The wine's elegance and structure make it suitable for special dinners and important moments.

Bordeaux Heritage Since 1883

Maison Sichel has long been synonymous with premium Bordeaux wines, each bottle a testament to the region's rich viticultural heritage. The Sichel family's significant presence in Bordeaux since 1883 ensures authenticity and quality in every bottle.

Northern Médoc Terroir

The unique terroir of the northern Médoc, with its gravelly soils and maritime influence, creates wines with distinctive character. This Saint-Estèphe showcases the power and structure that the appellation is famous for, while maintaining elegance and finesse.

Tradition Meets Modern Winemaking

This wine exemplifies the marriage of tradition with modern winemaking techniques. The Sichel family honors Bordeaux's winemaking heritage while employing contemporary methods to ensure optimal quality and expression of terroir.

Developing Complexity

With flavors of leather and cinnamon, truffle and clove starting to emerge as the wine develops, this Saint-Estèphe offers both immediate enjoyment and long-term cellaring potential. The wine will continue to evolve and reveal new layers of complexity over the years.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot | Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux / France
Vintage: 2019  |  Size: 750ml  |  Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel · 90+ Rated

Château Le Crock is one of Saint-Estèphe’s most distinguished estates, owned by the Cuvelier family — the same family behind the legendary Léoville-Poyferré in Saint-Julien. Spread across 32 hectares of deep gravel beds overlooking the Gironde Estuary, the vineyard benefits from the river’s natural thermal regulation and soils that express all the power and complexity of the Saint-Estèphe terroir. With an average vine age of 50 years — many planted before the Second World War — and organic farming trials introduced since 2015, this is an estate that takes the long view.

The 2019 is a powerful, classic Saint-Estèphe. Blackberries, currants, loamy soil, cigar wrapper, and a rush of scorched earth, licorice, and tobacco on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, broad and fleshy, with an ample core of succulent dark fruit, ripe powdery tannins, and a long, complex finish with notes of cast iron, dark walnut, and bitter citrus. A wine built for the cellar — best from 2024 through 2035.

“Wafting from the glass with aromas of blackberries, currants, loamy soil and cigar wrapper, it’s medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with an ample core of succulent fruit underpinned by ripe, powdery tannins.”
— Wine Advocate, 92 Points. (Vintage 2019). 

“Leads off with sweet bay leaf, tobacco and warm earth hints, which are quickly met by a core of steeped plum and black currant fruit. Shows subtle charcoal dusting and a note of cast iron that add fuel to the finish. Best from 2023 through 2035.”
— Wine Spectator, 92 Points. (Vintage 2019). 

“A powerful, burly Saint-Estèphe… rich, virile and packed, the 2019 is big, hearty wine that shows the savory personality of Saint-Estèphe. There is certainly a lot of wine here.”
— Vinous, 92 Points. (Vintage 2019). 

“Lots of blackcurrants and spices with some dried flowers follow through to a medium body with firm, silky tannins and a bitter-citrus and dark-walnut aftertaste. Needs time to soften.”
— James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2019). 

Pairs with: Roast lamb, duck confit, beef tenderloin, aged hard cheeses, or classic Bordelaise dishes.

Winemaker Description

Dark red with delicately organ-colored edge the color, the nose reminiscent of ripe, dark stone fruit. In the mouth, notes of spices join in. The fellow drinker dreamed a club from the deer with cranberries.

Promesse is the second wine from Chteau Franc Maillet and represents wonderful value. This estate is located very close to the Pomerol plateau and bears all the hallmarks for which the region is celebrated for.

On the nose, it has notes of violets and a touch of truffle and black berries, whilst on the palate it is silky and velvety with a rich long voluptuous finish.

Pair with roast beef, lamb, mushrooms or truffles, for an elegant drinking experience

Grape variety: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet franc

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

This Montagne Saint-Emilion Château Grand Moulin Macquin has a red ruby color; the black cherry aromas, red berries and cinnamon; firm tannins, balanced, harmonious finish.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | The 2022 Château La Tour Blanche is juicy and lively, with an exotic nose of honeyed orange, white chocolate, flowers, and hints of mint. It's a rich, unctuous, fleshy, full-bodied Sauternes that brings incredible opulence while staying nicely balanced and relatively light on its feet.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

This fresh herbal wine is full of tangy, zesty fruits. It is bright, with a tight texture that will open out. Drink this attractive wine from late 2021.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck writes 97-100 Points |  I was blown away by the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré, which is a classic blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Harvest spanned from the 8th to the 28th of September, the vinification is in tronconique tanks (parcel by parcel), and the élevage will span 18-20 months in 80% new barrels. This inky hued beauty offers that rare mix of power and elegance and offers ample cassis and assorted blue fruits, full-bodied richness, an opulent, concentrated, yet flawlessly balanced mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and plenty of classic Saint-Julien violets, espresso roast, and crushed stone-like minerality. Despite its incredible concentration and depth, it stays beautifully balanced. In a region that seems to only talk about finesse and elegance, it's a relief to still have producers such as this producing powerful, intense, singular wines. Hats off to the Cuvelier family and their team.

James Suckling 96-97 Points | A very solid LP with black berry, blackcurrant, crushed stone and lavender character. Full and really well structured with a linear length to it. Focused and so polished. Thoughtful. 58% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot.

Neal Martin of Vinous 95-97 Points | The 2022 Léoville Poyferré was picked 8 to 28 September at 33.4hL/ha and matured in 80% new oak. It has a high IPT of 93 and 14.4% alcohol (half a degree less than the 2018). It is quintessentially LP on the nose, with those extravagant and sensual black and blueberry fruit, intermingling with crushed violet and iris. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very harmonious and focused, perhaps more linear than expected with a velvety-smooth finish. This is a very classy, sophisticated Saint-Julien that may well rest at the top of my banded score once in bottle.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points | The 2022 Château Fleur Cardinale is a blend of 78% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, vinified with a cold pre-fermentation maceration and raised for 12-14 months in 72% new French oak, 18% one-year-old barrels, 7% large foudres, and 3% amphora. It's a full-bodied, layered Saint-Émilion exhibiting dark berries, graphite, crushed stone, and truffly earth-like nuances on the nose. This ripe, yet flawlessly balanced Saint-Emilion has moderate acidity, silky tannins, and a seamless, polished texture. A slightly modern-styled expression, it’s nevertheless lush, opulent, and utterly compelling, showing both depth and finesse.

James Suckling 95 Points | Spiced cherries, cedar, white pepper and dark mushrooms on the nose. Almost full-bodied on the palate, with ripe, dusty, caressing tannins that are evenly packed. Juicy, long and complete. Really well balanced and already appealing, but better after 2026.

Vinous 95 Points | The 2022 Fleur Cardinale is pure and total sensuality. Silky and nicely layered, this medium-bodied Saint-Émilion is a delight. Elegant tannins complement a core of dark-toned fruit. Lavender, espresso, licorice, dried herbs and menthol lead into the long, sustained finish.

Memo Summary Notes

The Chateau Fleur Cardinale 2022 is widely considered by critics to be one of the estate's most successful vintages to date. It captures the extreme intensity of the 2022 Bordeaux growing season while maintaining a surprising level of freshness and elegance.

Château Picard — Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois 2020

Situated in the heart of the village of Saint-Estèphe, Château Picard is one of the appellation’s most respected Cru Bourgeois estates — classified as such since 1932. Acquired by the prestigious négociant house Mähler-Besse in 1997, the 8-hectare estate has been meticulously renovated, with gravity-fed harvest entry and Napoleon III-style cellars restored to their former glory.

The terroir is quintessential Saint-Estèphe: clay-dominant soils loaded with calcified cockle and sea urchin remains, delivering wines of structure, depth, and distinctive mineral character. The 2020 vintage — one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated in recent memory — shows deep ruby color with a dark, rich nose of intense berry and Indian spices. Full-bodied on the palate with a solid core of fruit, silky tannins, and a beautifully balanced, polished finish.

• Producer: Château Picard / Mähler-Besse, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux
• Vintage: 2020
• Classification: Cru Bourgeois
• Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Dark berry, Indian spices, mineral, silky tannins, polished finish
• Cellar Potential: Drink 2024–2035+
• Best Paired With: Roast lamb, duck confit, aged hard cheeses, beef tenderloin

A serious Saint-Estèphe from a landmark Bordeaux vintage — structured, elegant, and built to age gracefully.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Lisa Perrotti-Brown of the Wine Advocate writes 92-94+ Points | Opaque purple-black colored, the 2019 Larrivet Haut-Brion charges out of the gate with wonderfully fragrant scents of black raspberries, Morello cherries and wild blueberries with suggestions of blackcurrant pastilles, candied violets, chocolate mint and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with red and black fruit layers, framed by firm, exquisitely ripe, velvety tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Just stunning!.

Winemaker Description 

The 2019 vintage was marked by a dry, mild winter. April showers were followed by cool, rainy May and June. The year was also notable for its exceptionally hot summer, with irregular rainfall. A dry, warm September helped to balance out the slow veraison. Harvesting took place from September 19 to October 12. 

The 2019 vintage is a blend of three grape varieties, composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc. This vintage is notable for its brilliant garnet color. The typical nose of this wine is the expression of the Cabernet Sauvignon of our terroir, powerful and deep, releasing notes of black fruit stewed with spices and zan sticks. On the palate, the wine is opulent, sustained by an explosion of black fruits such as blackcurrant and morello cherry. The powerful tannic structure accompanies the gourmand sensation throughout the entire length. 2019 is one of the great Bordeaux vintages of 2018, 2019 and 2020. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points | From one of my favorite estates in Pomerol, the 2018 Château Le Gay knocks it out of the park and has that classic Pomerol mix of sexy opulence paired with an incredible sense of finesse. Offering an already complex bouquet of crème de cassis, black cherries, white truffle, camphor, tobacco, and acacia flowers, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, expansive texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. I'd be thrilled with bottles in the cellar. It's going to put a smile on any wine lover's face over the coming 20-25 years.

James Suckling 97 Points | Aromas of plums, violets and mushrooms with earthy notes. Fleshy and succulent texture to the full body with round, firm tannins and a salivating, savory finish. Very persistent. Opulent and reserved at the same time. Contrastive wine. Drink after 2025.

Wine Advocate 95 Points | Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Le Gay has a beautifully perfumed nose of lavender essence, chocolate-covered cherries and preserved plums, leading to a fragrant undercurrent of kirsch, licorice and fertile loam. The concentrated, full-bodied palate (15% alcohol) delivers bold, black fruit flavors with compelling red berry sparks and a plush texture, finishing long with just enough freshness.

Vinous 94 Points | The 2018 Le Gay is unusually reticent today. Lavender, rose petal, mint, blood orange and crushed red berry fruit emerge over time. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the 2018 packs serious punch. It is one of more sensual wines of the vintage in Pomerol, but readers will have to be patient, as the 2018 is in no mood to show its cards just yet.

Wine Spectator 93-96 Points | Plum, boysenberry and açaí berry flavors give this a slightly exotic character, with a polished texture and lingering anise notes. Shows latent grip on the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 

Producer Description 

The wine is a crimson-hued garnet red. The nose reveals red berry fruit aromas combined with delicate floral notes of peony and fresh mint. A dense and muscular attack leads into a full-bodied mid-palate whose juicy and expressive substance is underlined by well-rounded, silky tannins. The long and balanced finish lingers on notes of spice, especially white pepper.

Expert Reviews - 2021 Vintage

James Suckling 95 Points | This is surprisingly full-bodied and round, reflecting the warmth and sunny exposure of the vineyard around the chateau. Tangy and vivid with currants, fresh flowers and plenty of energy and length. Delicate yet ripe. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 19.5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 0.5% petit verdot. Needs two or three years to come together completely. Drink after 2027.

Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 Points | The second wine of this great estate, the 2021 Le Petit Mouton De Mouton Rothschild checks in as 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.5% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new barrels. It has plenty of class and charm, with pure Cabernet notes of cassis, graphite, tobacco, and damp earth. These carry to a medium-bodied, balanced, elegant, seamless wine with fine tannins, integrated oak, and a great finish.

Vinous 90-92 Points |  Representing 40% of the total volume, a little more than usual, the 2021 Le Petit-Mouton, is aged in 50% new oak. A very Cabernet nose with conspicuous graphite scents infusing the black fruit, a little Earl Grey in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy opening, not amazingly complex but well balanced with fine tannins and just a pinch of black pepper on the finish. Classic in style, it should give 15-20 years of drinking pleasure.

Decanter 92 Points | Beautifully fragrant strawberries and red cherries, just so perfumed and appealing, really a very lovely nose drawing you in. An excellent Petit Mouton in 2021; serious intensity here but also such a liveliness as well as creaminess. It has weight and layers while having fruit intensity and a core of aromatics. There's a softness and delicacy in terms of the tannins and frame - beguiling - but a real base of concentrated blue, red and black fruits - strawberries, red cherries and blackcurrants. You get the stony tones and the clove on the finish but this feels round, expansive and approachable. It's uber glamorous, still with freshness and lift. A gorgeous wine with lots going on! 0.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.73pH. 14% press wine.

Wine Advocate 89-91 Points | Since Mouton-Rothschild itself this year derives exclusively from the two plateaus that always make up the core of the blend, the 2021 Le Petit Mouton benefits from the inclusion of parcels that often make it into the grand vin. Exhibiting aromas of crème de cassis, mint, cigar wrapper, violets and espresso roast, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy, with a rich core of fruit, powdery tannins, succulent acids and a persistent finish. Characterful and beautifully made, I wonder if I'm being a little severe with my score?

Expert Reviews

Expert Reviews

98 Points Wine Enthusiast | This firmly structured wine with its high percentage of Merlot is powerful and dense. The bold black fruits and perfumed density are impressive.

97+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | A clear step up over the 2019, the 2020 Château Troplong Mondot is mostly Merlot yet includes 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, all of which was raised in 65% new French oak, with the balance in once-used barrels. The level of purity and finesse here is remarkable, and it reveals a deep ruby/purple hue as well as incredible aromatics of cassis, ripe black cherries, graphite, gunpowder, and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has building, perfectly ripe tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. Certainly light years away from the riper, more opulent style of the 2000's, the wines today under consultant Thomas Duclos are much more about finesse and elegance. While I certainly miss the sexy, riper style of the past, there is no denying the incredible quality from this château today. 

97 Points Robert Parker | The 2020 Troplong Mondot is composed of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, harvested from 4th September and lasting for about three weeks. The pH is 3.53, the IPT (tannin index) is 75 and the alcohol is 14.5%. Opaque purple-black colored, it opens with a vivacious burst of black fruits—stewed plums, baked blackberries and boysenberries—giving way to a fragrant undercurrent of licorice, ground cloves, cinnamon stick and lilacs, with a touch of bouquet garni. The full-bodied palate is chock-full of plump, juicy black fruits and savory sparks, framed by fantastically ripe, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and opulent. 

97 Points James Suckling | A soft and round red with plum and milk chocolate. Hazelnuts. Full-bodied and layered. Juicy. Hints of sea salt. Power is there. Turns firm and vivid. So attractive now. Savory. Needs three to four years to open.

93 Points Decanter | This sets out its stall as a wine from a specific plot of pure limestone soils straight away, and this is a second wine to savour. As with last year, this is a masterclass in the impact of this particular soil type, with a bright violet colour, juicy blueberry fruits and touches of redcurrant. It has a tingling finish with a whoosh of salinity that gives tension and balance. 30% aged in barrels, the rest stays in stainless steel. 3.53pH. Still 100% Merlot as last year, but that will probably change in 2021 when some Cabernet Franc should be added. Not sold as an En Primeur, the 2018 has just been released onto the market. September 4 was the first day of picking.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 97 points From an estate that is delivering its greatest run of vintages since the superb Post War series that preceded the frosts of 1956, the 2022 Canon is a magical wine that will be worth every effort to track down. Wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, wild plums and cherries mingled with hints of bay leaf, spices and violets, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with huge levels of concentration, vibrant acids and beautifully refined tannins. Concluding with a long, saline finish, this pure, perfumed and ineffably complete Canon is built for the ages, even if its structural polish is such that it will be approachable at a surprisingly early age. 99 Points Wine Advocate, April 28, 2023

Expert Reviews

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | This wine is now mature, showing richness while also preserving elegance. Earthy, herbal tones are laced through the wine’s juicy fruit texture. Enjoy now for best enjoyment.

Wine Spectator 90-93 Points | Still very primal, but enticing, with sappy raspberry, sweet spice, melted licorice and linzer torte notes that have yet to stretch out fully. There's racy acidity as well, so this should knit nicely.

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Expert Review

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Surprisingly tannic for such an old wine, but a lovely drink allthe same, with smoky aromas and concentrated blackberry flavors. Will the tannins soften? Try around 1995.--Mouton-Rothschild vertical.   –PM 

Château Haut Grignon is a small, family-owned estate in the Médoc, belonging to Bruno Segond, who also owns the neighboring Château Lousteauneuf — a well-regarded Cru Bourgeois distributed across Europe, Japan, and Canada. With just four hectares of vines, Haut Grignon is a boutique property that practices sustainable agriculture and focuses on producing wines that reflect the classic character of the Médoc appellation with precision and authenticity.

The estate's vineyards are planted on clay and gravel soils typical of the Médoc, with vines averaging 25 years of age and planted at a density of 5,000 vine stocks per hectare. Yields are kept deliberately low at approximately 45 hectoliters per hectare, concentrating flavor and ensuring quality. The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), complemented by Merlot (31%) and a touch of Petit Verdot (2%).

Vinification takes place in stainless steel vats to preserve freshness and fruit expression. The wine is then aged in a combination of 60% vats and 40% French oak barrels, building structure and complexity while maintaining the lively, fruit-forward character that defines the estate's style. Total production is limited to approximately 30,000 bottles per vintage.

The 2019 opens with a bouquet of black fruit, cassis, and cedar, with a touch of warm spice. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with firm, well-integrated tannins, bright black-currant acidity, and a clean, spiced finish. Densely structured yet fresh and approachable, with the depth to reward further cellaring. 2019 is an outstanding vintage in Bordeaux, and this Cru Bourgeois delivers exceptional value for the appellation.

"Under the same ownership as neighboring Château Lousteauneuf, this property offers a densely structured wine that is also fresh from black-currant acidity. The current dryness will soften to give a rich, always textured wine. Drink from 2023."
— Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon 67%, Merlot 31%, Petit Verdot 2%
Region: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Médoc, Cru Bourgeois
Vintage: 2019
Vine Age: ~25 years
Élevage: 60% vats, 40% French oak barrels
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Roast beef, lamb, duck confit, game, aged hard cheeses, and classic Bordelaise preparations.

Château Magnol is one of the Haut-Médoc's most distinguished Cru Bourgeois estates, with a certified classification dating back to 1932. Situated at the southern end of the appellation, close to the city of Bordeaux, the estate benefits from a privileged terroir and the guidance of Hubert de Boüard de Laforest — owner of the legendary Château Angélus — who serves as consulting winemaker. The estate is also certified vegan friendly, reflecting a commitment to both quality and responsible production.

The vineyards are planted on the classic gravelly, clay-limestone soils of the Haut-Médoc, producing a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. This traditional Bordeaux assemblage delivers the structure, depth, and aromatic complexity that define the appellation's finest wines.

In the cellar, de-stalked grapes undergo careful optical sorting before alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures (22–26°C) with gentle daily pump-overs. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in 350-liter French oak barrels, with 30% new oak, imparting refinement and depth while preserving the wine's natural freshness and fruit character.

The 2023 opens with a deep, bright ruby color and an intense yet refined aromatic profile of ripe plums, black currants, and figs, interwoven with elegant notes of vanilla, cinnamon, licorice, and a delicate hint of menthol. On the palate, the wine is broad and expansive with velvety, beautifully ripened tannins, concentrated dark fruit, and well-integrated oak leading to a long, polished finish.

"A solid and structured red with medium body and very fine, compact tannins. Succulent and lively with good focus and length."
— James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2023). 

"This estate's vineyards at the southern end of the Haut-Médoc region close to the city of Bordeaux has produced a smooth, ripe wine. The spice and licorice aroma lead to black currant flavors and balanced juicy acidity, with touches of the wood aging coming through at the end. Drink from 2028."
— Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points. (Vintage 2023). 

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Region: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Vintage: 2023
Élevage: 12 months in 350L French oak barrels; 30% new oak
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Red meat, game, and ripe cheeses. Try with Pyrénées cheese, black cherry jam, and walnut bread. Best served at 16–18°C (60–64°F).

Château Bel Orme Tronquoy-de-Lalande is one of the Haut-Médoc's most storied family estates, with origins dating to the late 18th century. The property was designed in 1750 by Victor Louis — the celebrated architect of the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux — and acquired its full name when the Tronquoy-de-Lalande family elevated the vineyard to prominence in the 19th century. In 1936, Lucienne Quié famously chose this charming manor overlooking the Gironde estuary over Château Pichon Baron, and the estate has remained in the Quié family ever since. Today, the third generation — Anne-Françoise, Jean-Philippe, and Paul-Henri — stewards the property with the same passion and commitment to quality, and since 2012 the estate has been united in destiny with Château Rauzan-Gassies. The Château holds the prestigious Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label, awarded in spring 2024 in recognition of its commitment to ecologically sound agriculture.

The estate's 30-hectare vineyard sits on the finest hillsides of the village of Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, within a Natura 2000 biodiversity site on the banks of the Gironde. The vineyard is planted with 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, farmed according to virtuous, sustainable agriculture with parcel-specific soil management. Clay soils lend the Merlot roundness and vivid, savoury fruit, while drier, draining soils allow the Cabernet Sauvignon to reach optimal maturity with ripe, velvety tannins — the authentic signature of Haut-Médoc.

Each parcel is vinified individually with meticulous attention to terroir expression. The wine is crafted to reflect the natural character of the vintage and the estate's distinctive clay-gravel soils, with careful extraction to build structure without sacrificing freshness or elegance.

The 2020 opens with aromas of blackberries, graphite, and black currant, precise and focused. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with compressed, chewy tannins that are fine and structured, showing excellent concentration and length. A serious, cellar-worthy Haut-Médoc from an outstanding vintage that rewards patience.

"A chewy and tight wine with blackberries, graphite and currant aromas and flavors. Medium body. Compressed and solid with chewy tannins that are focused and fine. Give it two or three years to open. Drink after 2025."
— James Suckling, 92 Points. (Vintage 2020). 

Grape: Merlot 65%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%
Region: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Haut-Médoc
Vintage: 2020
Vineyard: Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, 30 hectares
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Roast lamb, duck confit, braised short ribs, game, aged hard cheeses, and classic Bordelaise preparations.

Château d'Arvigny is a well-regarded estate in the Haut-Médoc appellation, situated on the left bank of the Gironde between the prestigious communes of Margaux and Saint-Julien. The estate benefits from the deep gravel soils that define the finest terroirs of the Haut-Médoc — soils that drain freely, warm quickly, and encourage the deep root systems that produce wines of natural finesse and character. The property is committed to responsible viticulture, following integrated farming practices that prioritize quality and environmental respect.

The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), complemented by Merlot (30%) and Cabernet Franc (10%) — a classic Bordeaux assemblage that delivers the structure and aromatic complexity the Haut-Médoc is known for. Each variety is vinified separately before blending, allowing the winemaking team to select the best lots for the final wine.

The 2022 vintage is one of the finest in recent Bordeaux memory — a warm, dry growing season that produced grapes of exceptional ripeness, concentration, and natural balance. The wines of 2022 are characterized by ripe, generous fruit, supple tannins, and excellent structure, making them approachable young while retaining the depth to evolve with time.

The 2022 d'Arvigny is soft, supple, and fruit-forward, with inviting aromas and flavors of red berries, plum, and gentle spice. On the palate, the wine is smooth and elegant with soft tannins and well-balanced acidity — a polished, approachable Haut-Médoc that delivers genuine Bordeaux character at an accessible price.

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 10%
Region: Bordeaux, France
Appellation: Haut-Médoc
Vintage: 2022
Bottle Size: 750ml

Pairing: Roast lamb, grilled beef, duck, mushroom dishes, and aged hard cheeses. Drink now or cellar through 2030.

CHÂTEAU LA GARDE PESSAC-LÉOGNAN 2015 | 750ML

🇫🇷 France — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot | Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

With more than a decade of bottle age, Château La Garde 2015 is entering a beautiful window of maturity. The bouquet opens with violet, blackberry, black currant, and dark cherry, accompanied by crushed stone, cedar, tobacco, graphite, and subtle spice — the classic mineral signature of Pessac-Léognan. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, linear, and precise, with concentrated dark fruit, fresh acidity, and finely integrated tannins. Secondary notes of tobacco, earth, and cedar are becoming increasingly expressive. Decant for 45–90 minutes and serve at 60–65°F.

The estate occupies one of the finest gravel outcrops in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Dourthe acquired Château La Garde in 1990, recognizing the exceptional potential of its terroir, and has invested significantly in both vineyard and cellar to produce wines of precision, balance, and refined structure. The 2015 blend is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot.

93 Points — James Suckling
“Violet, dark-berry and stone aromas follow through to a medium to full body. Linear and very fine. Tight and fresh. Precise and beautiful. A serious young red.” (Vintage 2015). 

91 Points — Wine Enthusiast
Firm tannins, fresh acidity, and layered blackberry and black-currant fruit. (Vintage 2015). 

Pairs well with: Grilled or roasted beef, rack of lamb, duck breast, braised short ribs, wild mushrooms, aged cheeses.

Grapes: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
Region: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 2015
Format: 750ml
Scores: 93 pts James Suckling | 91 pts Wine Enthusiast

Bordeaux Red & White Bundle — $40

Two classic Bordeaux expressions — one white, one red — curated to showcase the full range of the region. Together they save you $19.98 off individual bottle pricing and make an ideal gift, dinner pairing, or introduction to the world's most storied wine region.

Chateau Graville Lacoste Graves Blanc 2024

A vibrant white Bordeaux with crisp citrus, white peach, and subtle floral notes layered over bright minerality. Fresh and elegant, perfect with seafood, goat cheese, or light summer dishes.

Chateau Haut Queyran Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2018

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points — Classic Left Bank Bordeaux showing blackcurrant, plum, cedar, and hints of spice, with firm structure and polished tannins. A beautifully balanced red for roasted meats, lamb, or aged cheeses.

• Bundle Includes: Chateau Graville Lacoste Graves Blanc 2024 + Chateau Haut Queyran Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2018
• Bundle Price: $40.00
• Compare-at Value: $54.98 (Save $19.98)
• Region: Bordeaux, France
• Style: White Bordeaux + Left Bank Red

A 91-point Left Bank red and a crisp Graves Blanc — two bottles, one great price, endless occasions.

Château Fontenil, established in 1986, is the home estate of celebrated Bordeaux oenologists Dany and Michel Rolland. Before purchasing this Right Bank property, the Rollands worked as consultants to numerous producers throughout the region.

Their 11 hectares in Fronsac are planted predominantly to Merlot on a south-facing slope of clay and limestone overlooking the Isle River and the town of Libourne.

The vineyards are sustainably farmed and manually harvested. The average vine age is more than 45 years, and yields are carefully limited.

“Comes on with aromas of warm, ripe plum fruit beginning to show some stewed character, followed by a hint of tobacco. The palate is juicy, with some wood and spice on the finish.”

—Rand Sieger, 67 Wine Buyer

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Château Fontenil 2016 is a polished, expressive Right Bank Bordeaux from the Fronsac appellation, produced at the home estate of renowned Bordeaux oenologists Dany and Michel Rolland. The couple acquired the property in 1986 after years of consulting for estates throughout the region, naming it Fontenil after one of the vineyard’s original parcels.

The estate occupies approximately nine hectares in the commune of Saillans, on a south-facing hillside overlooking the Isle River and the town of Libourne. The vineyards are rooted in Fronsac’s distinctive clay-and-limestone soils, which are particularly well suited to Merlot and help produce wines with generous fruit, mineral freshness, and naturally structured tannins. The vines used for the 2016 vintage averaged more than 45 years of age.

Produced from 100% Merlot, Château Fontenil represents the rich yet refined character for which Fronsac is increasingly admired. The grapes were harvested by hand and subjected to double sorting to ensure that only healthy, fully ripe fruit entered the winery. Vinification took place in small temperature-controlled wooden and stainless-steel vats, as well as in new French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation was also carried out in new oak, followed by 15 to 18 months of maturation in French barrels, approximately 40% of which were new.

The 2016 vintage displays a deep ruby-purple color and an expressive bouquet of black cherry, raspberry, plum, currant, and wild blueberry. With air, the wine reveals additional layers of violet, dried flowers, cinnamon, licorice, fine chocolate, tobacco leaf, cedar, subtle toast, and forest floor.

On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, round, and supple, combining ripe dark fruit with bright red-fruit freshness. The tannins are silky and beautifully integrated, providing structure without heaviness. Notes of raspberry, black cherry, pepper, spice, and gently toasted oak carry into a long, harmonious, and savory finish.

The strength of the 2016 vintage lies in its balance. It offers the ripe fruit and velvety texture associated with Michel Rolland’s approach, while retaining the freshness, elegance, and mineral definition of its Fronsac terroir. Published reviews praised the wine for its perfume, vibrancy, purity, and polished tannins. Falstaff awarded the vintage 93 points, describing a fresh, balanced wine with dark berries, cherry, licorice, chocolate, and well-integrated oak.

The Guide Hachette des Vins also highlighted its combination of black fruit, raspberry, pepper, and integrated toasted notes, along with a rounded palate, silky tannins, and a long, flavorful finish.

Now entering a very attractive stage of maturity, Château Fontenil 2016 can be enjoyed today after a brief decant, while still possessing enough fruit and structure for additional cellar development. It is an excellent value for drinkers seeking the plushness and depth of Merlot-based Right Bank Bordeaux without the pricing of neighboring Pomerol or Saint-Émilion.

Appellation: Fronsac
Region: Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 2016
Grape Variety: Predominantly Merlot
Vineyard Size: Approximately 9 hectares
Soils: Clay and limestone over Fronsac molasse
Average Vine Age: More than 45 years
Harvest: Hand harvested with double sorting
Vinification: Small temperature-controlled wooden and stainless-steel vats; partial vinification in new French oak
Malolactic Fermentation: In new French oak barrels
Aging: 15–18 months in French oak, approximately 40% new
Alcohol: 13%
Critical Acclaim: 93 Points, Falstaff
Bottle Size: 750ml

Food Pairings: Roast lamb, grilled steak, duck breast, braised beef, short ribs, pork tenderloin, mushroom dishes, lentils, and firm aged cheeses.

Serving Recommendation: Serve at approximately 60–65°F. Decant for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the fruit, spice, and mature savory notes to fully open.