Jeb Dunnuck (99)

The 2020 Château Calon Ségur is pure gold and another masterpiece from this estate. Harvested all in September and pulled from their 48 hectares of vines, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 20 months all in new French oak, and it hit 13.2% natural alcohol. My notes started and ended with "wow," and this riveting Saint-Estèphe offers a heavenly bouquet of red and black currants, truffly earth, iron, espresso, and tobacco leaf. With incredible purity of fruit, full-bodied richness, and ultra-fine tannins, it's a deep, pure, layered 2020 that deserves at least 7-8 years of bottle age and will cruise for 40-50 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Calon Ségur.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

The 2020 Château Calon Ségur is pure gold and another masterpiece from this estate. Harvested all in September and pulled from their 48 hectares of vines, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 20 months all in new French oak, and it hit 13.2% natural alcohol. My notes started and ended with "wow," and this riveting Saint-Estèphe offers a heavenly bouquet of red and black currants, truffly earth, iron, espresso, and tobacco leaf. With incredible purity of fruit, full-bodied richness, and ultra-fine tannins, it's a deep, pure, layered 2020 that deserves at least 7-8 years of bottle age and will cruise for 40-50 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Calon Ségur.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

The 2020 Château Calon Ségur is pure gold and another masterpiece from this estate. Harvested all in September and pulled from their 48 hectares of vines, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 20 months all in new French oak, and it hit 13.2% natural alcohol. My notes started and ended with "wow," and this riveting Saint-Estèphe offers a heavenly bouquet of red and black currants, truffly earth, iron, espresso, and tobacco leaf. With incredible purity of fruit, full-bodied richness, and ultra-fine tannins, it's a deep, pure, layered 2020 that deserves at least 7-8 years of bottle age and will cruise for 40-50 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Calon Ségur.

Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)

Readers looking for an off-the-charts value should snatch up the 2020 Château Capbern, which emerges from the same team as Calon Ségur. Offering a vivid bouquet of cassis, leafy tobacco, violets, damp earth, and chocolate, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, perfectly ripe fruit (not overripe, not underripe), ultra-fine, integrated tannins, and the mix of freshness and richness that’s part of all great wines. It’s a hidden gem in Saint-Estèphe.

James Suckling (97-98)

This is a very refined, polished Cos with superb finesse and length. Medium-to full-bodied, very fine and persistent. Really long with beautiful tannins. Rich, but fresh and linear. Yet, the alcohol is around 13.5%. 62% cabernet and 38% merlot.

James Suckling (97-98)

This is a very refined, polished Cos with superb finesse and length. Medium-to full-bodied, very fine and persistent. Really long with beautiful tannins. Rich, but fresh and linear. Yet, the alcohol is around 13.5%. 62% cabernet and 38% merlot.

James Suckling (97-98)

This is a very refined, polished Cos with superb finesse and length. Medium-to full-bodied, very fine and persistent. Really long with beautiful tannins. Rich, but fresh and linear. Yet, the alcohol is around 13.5%. 62% cabernet and 38% merlot.

James Suckling (97-98)

This is a very refined, polished Cos with superb finesse and length. Medium-to full-bodied, very fine and persistent. Really long with beautiful tannins. Rich, but fresh and linear. Yet, the alcohol is around 13.5%. 62% cabernet and 38% merlot.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2020 La Dame de Montrose is fabulous. Rich, dense and expansive, the 2020 offers notable vibrancy and a good bit of energy too. Bright acids cut through a core of red/purplish fruit in what is an intense, wonderfully saline Dame. The 2020 finishes with remarkable elegance and sophistication.

Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 2020 Haut-Marbuzet is open and attractive on the nose, less heavy and toasty than recent vintages. Pure black cherry and raspberry fruit with light iris petal and Indian ink scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite lithe and supple, gently building to a prudently spiced finish. Excellent.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2020 Lafon-Rochet represents the essence of classicism in Bordeaux. Medium in body and finely-cut, Lafon-Rochet is one of the classiest, more refined Saint-Estèphes readers will come across. Dark fruit, earthiness, lavender, licorice, menthol and cloves add nuance, but it is the wine's balance and vibrancy that impress most. Give the tannins a few years to melt away. Superb.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2020 Lafon-Rochet represents the essence of classicism in Bordeaux. Medium in body and finely-cut, Lafon-Rochet is one of the classiest, more refined Saint-Estèphes readers will come across. Dark fruit, earthiness, lavender, licorice, menthol and cloves add nuance, but it is the wine's balance and vibrancy that impress most. Give the tannins a few years to melt away. Superb.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2020 Lafon-Rochet represents the essence of classicism in Bordeaux. Medium in body and finely-cut, Lafon-Rochet is one of the classiest, more refined Saint-Estèphes readers will come across. Dark fruit, earthiness, lavender, licorice, menthol and cloves add nuance, but it is the wine's balance and vibrancy that impress most. Give the tannins a few years to melt away. Superb.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2020 Le Crock is dense, rich and super-concentrated. It’s a style that works so well for this wine. Ripe red plum, tobacco, cedar, mint, dried herbs, blood orange and white pepper all run through this gorgeous, wonderfully inviting Saint-Estèphe. Savory and earthy notes frame the finish very nicely. The 2020 is an absolute delight.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

This estate continues to deliver the goods, and the 2020 Château Lilian Ladouys is another smoking wine readers will love. Lots of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and damp earth give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, textured, beautifully balanced red that will drink well for 20 years or more.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

This estate continues to deliver the goods, and the 2020 Château Lilian Ladouys is another smoking wine readers will love. Lots of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and damp earth give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, textured, beautifully balanced red that will drink well for 20 years or more.

James Suckling (93-94)

This is spicy and juicy with blackberry, bark and some spices. Full and chewy. Flavorful finish. Some lead pencil and iodine. Second wine of Calon.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Full bottle 1,350 g. Cask sample taken 26 April. 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot. Merlot was picked 16 to 24 September, Petit Verdot was picked 23 September, Cabernet Sauvignon was picked 24 September to 1 October. Cold soak and some malo took place in new barrels. Matured in barriques (35% new). Dark, lustrous crimson. Really very glamorous indeed. Ripe but fresh nose with an interesting balsam note. Smooth as satin initially on the palate with the savoury tannins (actually there in abundance) just nudging onto the palate at the end, which is dry but not drying. Very long and rather splendid on the finish with St-Estèphe’s stoniness evident. Very smart indeed with no concessions to simple sweetness.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Full bottle 1,350 g. Cask sample taken 26 April. 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot. Merlot was picked 16 to 24 September, Petit Verdot was picked 23 September, Cabernet Sauvignon was picked 24 September to 1 October. Cold soak and some malo took place in new barrels. Matured in barriques (35% new). Dark, lustrous crimson. Really very glamorous indeed. Ripe but fresh nose with an interesting balsam note. Smooth as satin initially on the palate with the savoury tannins (actually there in abundance) just nudging onto the palate at the end, which is dry but not drying. Very long and rather splendid on the finish with St-Estèphe’s stoniness evident. Very smart indeed with no concessions to simple sweetness.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Full bottle 1,350 g. Cask sample taken 26 April. 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot. Merlot was picked 16 to 24 September, Petit Verdot was picked 23 September, Cabernet Sauvignon was picked 24 September to 1 October. Cold soak and some malo took place in new barrels. Matured in barriques (35% new). Dark, lustrous crimson. Really very glamorous indeed. Ripe but fresh nose with an interesting balsam note. Smooth as satin initially on the palate with the savoury tannins (actually there in abundance) just nudging onto the palate at the end, which is dry but not drying. Very long and rather splendid on the finish with St-Estèphe’s stoniness evident. Very smart indeed with no concessions to simple sweetness.

Wine Advocate (100)

Surpassing the 2019 and rivaling the 2016 as this estate's finest vintage of the last few decades, the 2020 Montrose is a monument in the making. Wafting from the glass with aromas of violets, dark berries, licorice, loamy soil, black truffle and subtle spices, it's full-bodied, deep and layered, with a seamless, elegantly muscular profile, terrific purity and energy, beautifully powdery tannins and a long, resonant finish. It checks in at 13.7% alcohol, the same as the superb 2009, but it is even deeper, more vibrant and more complex than the 2009. This will be worth a special effort to seek out and only confirms Montrose's status as one of the contemporary M�doc's leading estates and a de facto first growth.

Wine Advocate (100)

Surpassing the 2019 and rivaling the 2016 as this estate's finest vintage of the last few decades, the 2020 Montrose is a monument in the making. Wafting from the glass with aromas of violets, dark berries, licorice, loamy soil, black truffle and subtle spices, it's full-bodied, deep and layered, with a seamless, elegantly muscular profile, terrific purity and energy, beautifully powdery tannins and a long, resonant finish. It checks in at 13.7% alcohol, the same as the superb 2009, but it is even deeper, more vibrant and more complex than the 2009. This will be worth a special effort to seek out and only confirms Montrose's status as one of the contemporary M�doc's leading estates and a de facto first growth.

Wine Advocate (100)

Surpassing the 2019 and rivaling the 2016 as this estate's finest vintage of the last few decades, the 2020 Montrose is a monument in the making. Wafting from the glass with aromas of violets, dark berries, licorice, loamy soil, black truffle and subtle spices, it's full-bodied, deep and layered, with a seamless, elegantly muscular profile, terrific purity and energy, beautifully powdery tannins and a long, resonant finish. It checks in at 13.7% alcohol, the same as the superb 2009, but it is even deeper, more vibrant and more complex than the 2009. This will be worth a special effort to seek out and only confirms Montrose's status as one of the contemporary M�doc's leading estates and a de facto first growth.

Decanter (93)

Blueberry, raspberry and cassis, there is concentration but also juice. Merlot-dominant (following a restructuring of the vineyard to better align grapes with terroir) with bite and freshness. A lovely smoky edge here, this is another successful vintage for Ormes de Pez. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.69ph. 45% new oak. A yield of 42hl/ha which was not as low here as at Lynch Bages because of more clay in the soils, and because the Merlot was less impacted by the drought than the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Decanter (93)

Blueberry, raspberry and cassis, there is concentration but also juice. Merlot-dominant (following a restructuring of the vineyard to better align grapes with terroir) with bite and freshness. A lovely smoky edge here, this is another successful vintage for Ormes de Pez. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.69ph. 45% new oak. A yield of 42hl/ha which was not as low here as at Lynch Bages because of more clay in the soils, and because the Merlot was less impacted by the drought than the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Decanter (93)

Blueberry, raspberry and cassis, there is concentration but also juice. Merlot-dominant (following a restructuring of the vineyard to better align grapes with terroir) with bite and freshness. A lovely smoky edge here, this is another successful vintage for Ormes de Pez. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.69ph. 45% new oak. A yield of 42hl/ha which was not as low here as at Lynch Bages because of more clay in the soils, and because the Merlot was less impacted by the drought than the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jancis Robinson (17)

58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Structured and fresh with present but unaggressive tannins. Fruit bright and lifted. Upright and classic in its demeanour and clearly with ageing potential. (JL) 13.3%

Jancis Robinson (17)

58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Structured and fresh with present but unaggressive tannins. Fruit bright and lifted. Upright and classic in its demeanour and clearly with ageing potential. (JL) 13.3%

James Suckling (95-96)

Bright and perfumed with some chocolate, berry, sandalwood and cedar. Very elegant and fine, medium to full-bodied palate with very integrated tannins and refined, polished texture. The tannins melt into the wine. Long finish with serious structure. Vivid and refined. Class here. Very Bordeaux. 54% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot.

Indulge in the celestial brilliance of Tour Marbuzet 2020, a delicate but lavish expression from Saint-Estèphe in France. Known for its prestige and consistent superiority, Château Tour Marbuzet meticulously selects its grapes from mature vines, cultivated on garonne gravel-soil. Embodying a dexterous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, Tour Marbuzet 2020 radiates a beautiful deep garnet colour, evoking notes of smoky oak and dark berries.

Produced under the experienced hands of Hervé Duboscq, this vintage wine's well-structured tannins and robust body gracefully integrate with its generous fruit character and spicy undertones, leaving an impressively long and savory finish. Behind each bottle of Tour Marbuzet 2020 is a testimony to Duboscq's dedicated winemaking technique, ensuring every sip is a symphony of balanced intensity and aromatic complexity.

Marvel at Tour Marbuzet 2020, an epitome of Saint-Estèphe's class, precision and craft. A delight for the seasoned connoisseur, adding elegant charm to any fine wine collection.