James Suckling (94-95)

Blackberry and blackcurrant with some licorice and tar on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with intense yet polished tannins and a long, beautiful finish. The quality of the tannins is an upgrade here.

Revel in the exquisite taste of the Marsau 2020, a sterling example of France's famed Bordeaux wine collection. This exquisite vintage was crafted meticulously in Marsau, located in the heart of Bordeaux, renowned for its desirable grape-growing conditions. Cherished for its perfect synthesis of Merlot grapes, Marsau 2020 delivers a luscious tapestry of flavours.

Following the philosophy of precision viticulture, the producer carefully selected each grape, ensuring the highest quality, and this meticulous attention to detail radiates throughout every sip. Aged only in French oak barrels, the Marsau 2020 synthesises traditional and innovative techniques to enhance its character and complexity.

The palate unfurls into a harmonious balance of blackberries and ripe cherries, with undernotes of chocolate and spicy oak, vibrantly echoing the richness of Bordeaux’s terroir. This sumptuous wine commands a delightful finish, making Marsau 2020 a captivating choice for any fine wine admirer.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)

The 2020 Maucaillou is a beautiful and promising wine. The Maucaillou is not as boisterous as many 2020s, but it more than makes up for that with its sophisticated, polished feel and overall persistence. Sweet red cherry, cedar, pipe tobacco and mint all grace this wonderfully classy Moulis.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)

The 2020 Maucaillou is a beautiful and promising wine. The Maucaillou is not as boisterous as many 2020s, but it more than makes up for that with its sophisticated, polished feel and overall persistence. Sweet red cherry, cedar, pipe tobacco and mint all grace this wonderfully classy Moulis.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)

The 2020 Maucaillou is a beautiful and promising wine. The Maucaillou is not as boisterous as many 2020s, but it more than makes up for that with its sophisticated, polished feel and overall persistence. Sweet red cherry, cedar, pipe tobacco and mint all grace this wonderfully classy Moulis.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)

The 2020 Maucaillou is a beautiful and promising wine. The Maucaillou is not as boisterous as many 2020s, but it more than makes up for that with its sophisticated, polished feel and overall persistence. Sweet red cherry, cedar, pipe tobacco and mint all grace this wonderfully classy Moulis.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)

The 2020 Maucaillou is a beautiful and promising wine. The Maucaillou is not as boisterous as many 2020s, but it more than makes up for that with its sophisticated, polished feel and overall persistence. Sweet red cherry, cedar, pipe tobacco and mint all grace this wonderfully classy Moulis.

Decanter (92)

Melanie Barton has now been in charge at Mauvesin-Barton for 10 years, and there is a real feeling of the wine having found its voice - a gentle, fruit-forward Moulis with finesse if not a huge amount of power. Delicate with vibrancy, plenty of blackberry fruits with well-defined but soft tannins, they have really done a great job in the vintage, a value pick and I can't remember tasting a better example of this wine during en primeur. They suffered badly from frost in 2021.

Decanter (92)

Melanie Barton has now been in charge at Mauvesin-Barton for 10 years, and there is a real feeling of the wine having found its voice - a gentle, fruit-forward Moulis with finesse if not a huge amount of power. Delicate with vibrancy, plenty of blackberry fruits with well-defined but soft tannins, they have really done a great job in the vintage, a value pick and I can't remember tasting a better example of this wine during en primeur. They suffered badly from frost in 2021.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2020 Mazeyres is bright, beautifully lifted and super-expressive. Bright red cherry/plum, spice, mint, blood orange and cinnamon are all deftly woven together in a wine that dazzles with superb purity and nuance. Strong Cabernet Franc inflections add tons of character. This is so nicely done.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2020 Mazeyres is bright, beautifully lifted and super-expressive. Bright red cherry/plum, spice, mint, blood orange and cinnamon are all deftly woven together in a wine that dazzles with superb purity and nuance. Strong Cabernet Franc inflections add tons of character. This is so nicely done.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2020 Mazeyres is bright, beautifully lifted and super-expressive. Bright red cherry/plum, spice, mint, blood orange and cinnamon are all deftly woven together in a wine that dazzles with superb purity and nuance. Strong Cabernet Franc inflections add tons of character. This is so nicely done.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2020 Mazeyres is bright, beautifully lifted and super-expressive. Bright red cherry/plum, spice, mint, blood orange and cinnamon are all deftly woven together in a wine that dazzles with superb purity and nuance. Strong Cabernet Franc inflections add tons of character. This is so nicely done.

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.

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.

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.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

Seemingly a perpetual smoking wine as well as a great value, the 2020 Château Monbousquet is no exception and has a deep, inky hue to go with pure, rich, powerful notes of smoky black fruits, chocolate, scorched earth, and subtle floral nuances. It’s a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, even tannic, yet pleasure-bent beauty I’d be thrilled to drink any time over the coming 15+ years. The blend is 70% Merlot and 15% each of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the alcohol is 14.6% with a pH of 3.75.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

Seemingly a perpetual smoking wine as well as a great value, the 2020 Château Monbousquet is no exception and has a deep, inky hue to go with pure, rich, powerful notes of smoky black fruits, chocolate, scorched earth, and subtle floral nuances. It’s a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, even tannic, yet pleasure-bent beauty I’d be thrilled to drink any time over the coming 15+ years. The blend is 70% Merlot and 15% each of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the alcohol is 14.6% with a pH of 3.75.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

Seemingly a perpetual smoking wine as well as a great value, the 2020 Château Monbousquet is no exception and has a deep, inky hue to go with pure, rich, powerful notes of smoky black fruits, chocolate, scorched earth, and subtle floral nuances. It’s a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, even tannic, yet pleasure-bent beauty I’d be thrilled to drink any time over the coming 15+ years. The blend is 70% Merlot and 15% each of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the alcohol is 14.6% with a pH of 3.75.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

Seemingly a perpetual smoking wine as well as a great value, the 2020 Château Monbousquet is no exception and has a deep, inky hue to go with pure, rich, powerful notes of smoky black fruits, chocolate, scorched earth, and subtle floral nuances. It’s a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, even tannic, yet pleasure-bent beauty I’d be thrilled to drink any time over the coming 15+ years. The blend is 70% Merlot and 15% each of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the alcohol is 14.6% with a pH of 3.75.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2020 Monbrison is a beautiful wine. Savory and pungent in the glass, the 2020 exudes terrific aromatic intensity, with plenty of floral, spice, black pepper and dried herbs. The 2020 is vibrant and maybe just a bit firm, but not in an unpleasant way. Monbrison is a wine that demands the taster's attention. It certainly has mine.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2020 Monbrison is a beautiful wine. Savory and pungent in the glass, the 2020 exudes terrific aromatic intensity, with plenty of floral, spice, black pepper and dried herbs. The 2020 is vibrant and maybe just a bit firm, but not in an unpleasant way. Monbrison is a wine that demands the taster's attention. It certainly has mine.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2020 Monbrison is a beautiful wine. Savory and pungent in the glass, the 2020 exudes terrific aromatic intensity, with plenty of floral, spice, black pepper and dried herbs. The 2020 is vibrant and maybe just a bit firm, but not in an unpleasant way. Monbrison is a wine that demands the taster's attention. It certainly has mine.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90)

The 2020 Mondot comes from the new parcels acquired by the estate of pure Merlot on limestone soils. Around 40% of the élevage was in tank. It has quite a fresh, precocious bouquet, with black plum and a touch of licorice, powerful and wanting to make an impression. The palate is medium-bodied with a soft texture, open and easygoing but with plenty of depth. The aging in tank plays a role here, rendering the finish pliant and accessible. Not long-term, yet quite delicious.