Indulge in the exquisite Monregard La Croix 2015, an exemplar of the artistry attainable in the revered Pomerol vineyards of Bordeaux, France. This resplendent red blend encompasses the region's hallmark varietals, primarily Merlot with dashes of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Hand-harvested from 50-year-old vines, the grapes endure a meticulous vinification process in temperature-controlled structured steel vats. Post-fermentation, the Monregard La Croix 2015 slumbers for 18 months in French oak barrels, developing nuances that speak of plums, black cherries and captivating chocolate tones.

A masterpiece by the revered Chatelain family, who holds paramount respect for viticultural tradition dating back to 1761, Monregard La Croix 2015 offers an extraordinary journey for the palate. Expect a wine that bravely treads the line between power and elegance, delivering layers of succulent fruit underscored by velvety tannins and a lengthy, pleasing finish. Buy this wine to unravel its complex narrative sip after soul-stirring sip.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91-93)

Raspberry jam, sweet spices, crushed flowers and smoke meld together in the 2013 Montviel. The oak is not yet totally integrated, but there is nevertheless a lot to like in the 2013, a wine that brings together expressive fruit and a terrific sense of focus. There is a lot to like here. Tasted twice.

Wine Spectator (93)

Very grapey on the nose, with mineral, tarragon and fresh flowers. Full-bodied, with very well-integrated tannins and a light vanilla, berry and milk chocolate aftertaste. Subtle and balanced. The best Nenin in years. Best after 2012. -JS

Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 2017 Nénin only comes from the plateau as frost devastated the lower reaches. It has a well-defined bouquet, nicely focused with blackberry, briary and crushed stone aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very refined, not as deep or as opulent as the previous vintage but chiseled and very focused on the peppery finish. Very fine, a Nénin that does not show off like the 2018 because (whisper it quietly), this is better.

Wine Spectator (92-95)

This is sexy, with beautiful ripe fruit and spices. Full bodied, with focused fruit and a long finish. Racy. So focused. Class. Best ever? Score range: 92-95 -JS

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (87-90)

The 2013 Petit-Village fleshes out nicely in the glass. There is good depth and intensity to the fruit, even if some slightly angular contours remain. Crushed flowers, raspberries and sweet aromatic spices add nuance on the finish. It will be interesting to see how the 2013 develops over the coming year. Right now there is a battle between the juiciness of the fruit and the slightly drying tannins. The blend is 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2013, production is down a whopping 50%. Tasted three times.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (88)

Deep, bright ruby-red. Musky, rather wild aromas of black raspberry, espresso, chocolate, leather and meat. Sweet, soft and stuffed with raspberry, plum and leather flavors. A pliant midweight that finishes with a fine dusting of tannins and lingering notes of leather and pepper.

Wine Advocate (92)

This opulent, sexy 2009 Rouget is composed of primarily Merlot blended with a touch of Cabernet Franc. Sandy, loamy soil notes interwoven with kirsch and Provencal garrigue jump from the glass of this full-bodied, opulent, rich Pomerol. Abundant fruit on the attack, mid-palate and finish characterize this over-achiever. Consume it over the next 15 years.

James Suckling (93)

Spicy nose with coffee, mulberries and milk chocolate. Bright red fruit on palate with a wonderful sweetness and fine soft tannins. Dense and profound but very subtle at the same time. Beautifully structured and with good length. Very enjoyable now, but tannins will soften over the next two to three years. Better in 2016.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

The 2017 Rouget is a total knockout. Aromatically explosive, deep and just so compelling in its beauty, the 2017 has so much to offer. A rush of inky dark fruit, lavender, bittersweet chocolate, spice and licorice build as this sumptuous, exotic beauty shows off all of its allure. The 2017 is not at all subtle, but it sure is gorgeous. Rouget was stellar en primeur. It is every bit as impressive from bottle.

Indulge in the refined pleasures of Taillefer 2010, a fine example of Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion from Bordeaux's coveted right bank. Crafted by Chateau Taillefer, a storied estate held by the Moueix family for several generations, this sumptuous blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc is aged 12 months in French oak barrels.

With a sparkling ruby hue, the Taillefer 2010 presents an expressive bouquet of ripe black fruits, tobacco, and velvety vanilla notes. On the palate, it reveals a profound complexity, striking a balance between power and finesse. The Merlot's soft, round texture skillfully complements the Cabernet Franc's intrinsic spiciness and structure.

This opulent wine's formidable tannic backbone and lasting finish signal its outstanding ageing potential. Described by fine wine critics as a 'textbook Saint-Émilion', the exceptional Taillefer 2010 is a worthy addition to any discerning cellar. Truly a testament to the crafting prowess and terroir of the esteemed Chateau Taillefer.

A hidden gem from Pomerol's sun-lit vineyards, Tour Maillet 2008 elegantly reflects the quintessence of its distinguished terroir. This majestic Merlot-dominated blend is meticulously nurtured by the biodynamic principles of revered producer Vignobles Chatonnet. Enriched by the ripe vintage of 2008, the wine provides an expressive voyage into sumptuous bouquets of blackcurrant, plum and savoury spice.

Created by masterful traditional methods, each grape is handpicked at optimum ripeness to infuse an alluring complexity. Prolonged barrel-ageing in French oak amplifies the patrician character and mouthfeel, resulting in layers of silky tannins, exquisite structure, and impressive longevity. The Tour Maillet 2008 is a sublime testament to organic winemaking that truly embodies the spirit of Pomerol.

Whether savoured as a standalone treat or a refined complement to luxurious meat dishes, the Tour Maillet 2008 bestows a uniquely arresting experience for discerning wine connoisseurs.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-92)

The 2018 Tour Maillet (Lagardere) offers plenty of complexity. Dark cherry, coffee, leather, cedar and new oak give the wine its generous, racy personality. There is quite a bit of torrefaction and new oak character, and yet the wine seems to have the textural depth to handle it.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 1989 Vieux Château Certan has long been one of my favorite wines of that decade. The bouquet shows no signs of relinquishing that title with gorgeous black truffle, bay leaf, warm gravel and briary scents that are simply beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine line of acidity, warm earth on the entry, leather and truffle, great depth here with sublime precision on the finish, which is bridled with hints of mushroom and cloves. Maybe this is reaching its peak? Then again, it shows absolutely no signs of reaching the end of its plateau. This is nothing short of a wondrous Pomerol from Alexandre Thienpont. Tasted January 2016.

Wine Spectator (94)

Fabulous aromas of crushed berries, vanilla and chocolate, with pure fruit. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. All in texture. A gorgeous and seductive young wine. This is 25 percent Cabernet Franc (normally it's 15 percent). Best after 2009. 4,585 cases made. -JS

Wine Spectator (95-100)

This has a beautiful core of berry, coffee and chocolate fruit. Full yet very balanced, with a velvety mouthfeel and a long, long finish. Extremely well made, with everything in proportion. Makes you want to drink it now. I haven't found many wines like this. 75 percent Merlot and 25 percent Cabernet Franc. Score range: 95-100

Wine Enthusiast (94)

In this dense wine, dusty tannins ride over spice and black currant fruits, giving weight and concentration while retaining the natural stylish character of the château.

James Suckling (100)

This is a wine that had extreme intensity of electrifying tannins and acidity, with supercharged fruit. Full-bodied, yet agile and lively. It touches every taste bud on your palate. Chocolate mousse and fruit. I am lost for words. Legendary 1950 all over again. Try it in 2020.

Wine Advocate (100)

The 2010 Vieux Château Certan is deep garnet in color, and—POW—the nose opens as a complete spice-bomb, featuring notes of fenugreek, cumin seed and cinnamon stick over a core of Black Forest cake, plum preserves and blueberry pie with hints of fragrant earth and crushed stones. Full-bodied, rich and seductive in the mouth, it is laden with layers of black and blue fruit preserves, framed by super plush tannins, finishing epically long and perfumed.

Wine Advocate (96)

One of the stars of the vintage, the 2011 Vieux Château Certan was brilliant from barrel (I vividly remember tasting it as a student), and it is beginning to show all of that potential in bottle. Wafting from the glass with inviting aromas of mulberries, cherries, vine smoke, bitter chocolate, violets and spices, framed by a deft application of classy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with terrific concentration, powdery tannins and a long, sapid finish. Even better, this terrific wine remains notably undervalued in the market today.

The Wine Independent (98)

The 2012 Vieux Chateau Certan is medium to deep garnet-purple colored. It charges out with impressively pure, laser-precise, and intense scents of blueberry compote, chocolate-covered cherries, and warm plum, plus hints of cinnamon toast, dried roses, and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, rich, and oh-so-classy in the mouth, the palate delivers velvety tannins and compelling tension, finishing very long and opulent. The blend this year is 87% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine Advocate (92)

The 2013 Vieux Château Certan has plentiful fruit on the nose considering the vintage: raspberry coulis, crushed strawberry and a touch of blackcurrant pastilles. The palate is medium-bodied and while it might not rank with the greatest VCC's of recent years in terms of complexity, there is admirable depth and purity with a crisp, almost edgy finish that leaves you wanting another sip. This comes recommended for the vintage and I suspect it will give 12-15 years of drinking pleasure.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97+)

One of the unquestioned stars of the vintage, the 2014 Vieux Château Certan soars out of the glass with aromatic intensity, bright acids and finely sculpted fruit. Cool, intense but very much reserved in the style of the year, the 2014 exudes class. The flavors are intense and vibrant throughout. Dark red and purplish-hued stone fruit, lavender, mint and spice lead into the striking finish. The 2014 is just as impressive today as it was from barrel. As always, Vieux Certan has the rare ability to confer power without excess weight. The 2014 is a magical bottle. Readers who can find it should not hesitate. The blend is back to classic proportions of 80 % Merlot and 20 % Cabernet Franc.

The Wine Independent (100)

In 2016 it was extremely dry at Vieux Chateau Certan so they had to delay the harvest. They marked the vines on which the berries had dried and didn't harvest them. The blend in 2016 was 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon and it has a deep garnet-purple color. It pops with scents of vibrant black plums, juicy blackberries and redcurrant jelly, leading to hints of licorice, wood smoke, crushed rocks, and violets, plus a hint of cumin seed. Full-bodied, rich and seductive, the palate has a firm frame of ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness supporting the dense, muscular fruit, finishing long. The fruit is so primary - it's in a time capsule. This was the first vintage bottled using their own bottling line.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)

The 2021 Vieux Château Certan is a spectacular tour de force from Alexander and Guillaume Thienpont. What a wine. Vibrant and magnificent in its precision, the 2021 races across the palate, revealing seemingly endless layers of nuance over time. Dark blue/purplish fruit, cinnamon, new leather, graphite, lavender and crushed rocks all build effortlessly. The Cabernets are dialed up in 2021 and that comes through in the wine's flavor profile and overall feel. The purity of the flavors is just mind-bending. Harvest took place between September 25 and October 4. The blend is 67% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Readers who can find the 2021 should not hesitate, as it is truly magical.