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The Drinks Business (94-96)
Beychevelle (St Julien; 57% Cabernet Sauvignon; 38% Merlot; 3% Petit Verdot; 2% Cabernet Franc; 13% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with consistent notes). Dark, glossy and viscous in the glass, with a radiant lilac/pink rim and with good extraction (which, with Beychevelle, you know already is going to be well managed). Chocolate fondant; deep dark bramble compote; graphite and cedar (all very Beychevelle); plump ripe raspberries and freshly hulled wild strawberries; toasted brioche with melted butter. Lovely, with a beautiful vertical lift from the redcurrant and blackcurrant leafiness. Texturally sublime and a little more precise even than usual. Tight, compact, dense and charged with energy and life. Sapid and juicy. Fabulously successful in a challenging vintageInc. VAT£539.69 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95-97+)
I was able to taste the 2022 Château Beychevelle on multiple occasions, and it never failed to impress me. Based on 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that will see 18 months in 70% new oak, it's one of those wines that makes you stop and say "wow" due to its purity, depth, and texture. Sporting a dense purple hue as well as lots of blueberry and black cherry fruits, it's full-bodied and has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, building yet gorgeous tannins, and subtle background notes of crushed violets, flowers, and graphite. This is a sensational effort from director Philippe Blanc.Inc. VAT£586.49 -
(3x150cl) 2023Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)
The 2023 Beychevelle is fabulous. As always, Beychevelle includes quite a bit more Merlot than most wines in the appellation, but the Cabernet is especially high here. Inky dark fruit, crème de cassis, mocha, licorice and lavender build in the glass. This juicy, extroverted Saint-Julien has a ton to offer. The combination of fruit intensity, acid and supporting structure is superb. The 2023 is showy, but not at all overdone. Beychevelle remains one of the most distinctive wines in all of Bordeaux. It is especially classy in this edition. Tasted two times.Expected Price Range£334 - £397 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (92)
The 2016 Bibian has a tightly-wound bouquet that demands more coaxing than its peers, eventually revealing pure blackberries, raspberry, cedar and light mint aromas. The oak here is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very pure and polished with some classy new oak assiduously blended. This is a classy offering and one of the best Cru Bourgeois that I have tasted this vintage. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London.Inc. VAT£138.04 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (86-88)
The 2021 Blason d’Issan has a perfumed blackberry, wild strawberry and iris petal bouquet that unfolds slowly in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, good structure and a brisk, lightly spiced finish.Inc. VAT£420.58 -
James Suckling (94)
Pretty aromas of crushed blueberries, with sliced mushrooms that follow through to a full body and chewy tannins with a lovely depth of ripe fruit. Bright acidity. Superb second wine from L'Evangile. Try in 2016.Inc. VAT£616.84 -
Wine Enthusiast (90)
This is a delightfully perfumed wine, the second wine of Château L'Evangile. Smooth with ripe Merlot flavors, it's full and dense, conveying the sense that it will mature quickly.Inc. VAT£77.05 -
James Suckling (92)
A juicy and chewy young Bordeaux with chocolate, berry and walnut character. Medium to full body and polished tannins. Needs three to four years to soften. Second wine of L’Evangile.Inc. VAT£746.47 -
James Suckling (92)
A juicy and chewy young Bordeaux with chocolate, berry and walnut character. Medium to full body and polished tannins. Needs three to four years to soften. Second wine of L’Evangile.Inc. VAT£573.64 -
James Suckling (92)
A juicy and chewy young Bordeaux with chocolate, berry and walnut character. Medium to full body and polished tannins. Needs three to four years to soften. Second wine of L’Evangile.Inc. VAT£379.24 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
The 2016 L'Evangile Blason de l'Evangile is another brilliant second wine that delivers the goods. Showing a more upfront, fruit-loaded, opulent style, it gives up tons of cassis fruits, tobacco, incense, dried herbs, and graphite. With no hard edges, a full-bodied, rounded, sexy texture, and a great finish, it's a sexy, sexy Pomerol to drink over the coming 10-15 years, if not longer.Inc. VAT£513.64 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
The 2016 L'Evangile Blason de l'Evangile is another brilliant second wine that delivers the goods. Showing a more upfront, fruit-loaded, opulent style, it gives up tons of cassis fruits, tobacco, incense, dried herbs, and graphite. With no hard edges, a full-bodied, rounded, sexy texture, and a great finish, it's a sexy, sexy Pomerol to drink over the coming 10-15 years, if not longer.Inc. VAT£846.04 -
Wine Advocate (91-93)
.Inc. VAT£666.29 -
Decanter (94)
Expressive nose filled with softly perfumed red fruit with touches of blackcurrant and black cherries. Great acidity, prominent and clear giving such freshness on the palate. Feels quite delicate, lightly framed, not a huge volume in the mouth but still densely flavoured. Each element is well presented with integrated tannins and a lovely vein of almost creamy mint chocolate-laced blackcurrants and a wet stone minerality that lingers.Inc. VAT£558.29 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)
The 2021 Blason de L'Évangile is marked by bold, racy fruit and terrific energy. Crushed red berry fruit and lively floral notes abound in a classy, refined Blason. All the elements are impeccably balanced. Pretty floral accents grace the lifted, perfumed finish. The 2021 is a gorgeous Blason.Inc. VAT£517.49 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)
The 2021 Blason de L'Évangile is marked by bold, racy fruit and terrific energy. Crushed red berry fruit and lively floral notes abound in a classy, refined Blason. All the elements are impeccably balanced. Pretty floral accents grace the lifted, perfumed finish. The 2021 is a gorgeous Blason.Inc. VAT£506.69 -
(12x37.5cl) 2023James Suckling (95-96)
The depth of fruit and creamy tannin structure show the class and beauty of this wine. It’s rich in ever-so-polished tannins that caress every inch of your palate. Medium to full body. Lovely finish. 95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc.Expected Price Range£213 - £253 -
James Suckling (95-96)
The depth of fruit and creamy tannin structure show the class and beauty of this wine. It’s rich in ever-so-polished tannins that caress every inch of your palate. Medium to full body. Lovely finish. 95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc.Inc. VAT£302.69 -
James Suckling (95-96)
The depth of fruit and creamy tannin structure show the class and beauty of this wine. It’s rich in ever-so-polished tannins that caress every inch of your palate. Medium to full body. Lovely finish. 95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc.Inc. VAT£296.69 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2014 Bonalgue is ripe, racy and voluptuous, all of which make it pretty hard to resist. Dark red cherry, espresso, grilled herbs, French oak and menthol caress the palate. All the elements have come together beautifully in this overt, flamboyant yet midweight Pomerol. Silky tannins add to the wine’s early and medium-term appeal. Another year or two in bottle should help the oak integrate a bit further, but this will always be in a forward, giving style. Tasted two times.Inc. VAT£518.47 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (92)
The 2018 Bonalgue has one of the most backward bouquets that I encountered from the appellation in this vintage from bottle, requiring at least an hour’s aeration to reveal blackberry, loamy and truffle scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Here it picks up, offering lively black fruit and fine mineralité on the finish. This is an excellent Bonalgue, a great success for the estate. Just be patient with the aromatics.Inc. VAT£508.18 -
Decanter (94)
Ripe and concentrated on the nose, darkly perfumed with red cherries and blackcurrants at the fore. Smooth and satisfying on the palate, this has a lovely bright expression to the summery red berry fruits and a velvety-textured tannic grip that is edged with sweet liquorice and dark chocolate. Powerful but poised with a sense of Pomerol class.Inc. VAT£618.58 -
Wine Spectator (94)
Beautiful aromas of blackberry, forest fruits and hints of cream. Full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins and a long, delicious finish. Lovely. This is very balanced. Score range: 92-94Inc. VAT£843.67 -
Decanter (95)
Excellent clarity and linearity here, this is direct and precise with a focus all the way through. A core of cool, fresh and mint-licked red fruit is joined by coffee bean and liquorice touches, going from start to finish gliding across the palate supported by firm but well-integrated tannins. Tense, hefty and complex, but also completely captivating.Inc. VAT£467.09 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2020 Bourgneuf has closed up a little on the nose post-bottling: blackberry, graphite, subtle loamy aromas and just a whiff of sea spray. Fine delineation and commendable complexity. The palate is medium-bodied, quite structured and perhaps more "serious" than its showing from barrel. Generous helpings of cracked black pepper enliven the second half, firm grip with a very nicely proportioned finish. This is an excellent Bourgneuf that should give 20+ years of drinking pleasure.Inc. VAT£480.04 -
James Suckling (92-93)
Very fine tannins with plum, currant and berry character. Medium body. Integrated and polished texture. Fine finish.Inc. VAT£497.09 -
James Suckling (92-93)
A fresh and fruity red with blackberry, walnut and mushroom aromas and flavors. Iodine undertones. Full body, silky tannins and a clean finish.Inc. VAT£322.84 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)
The 2020 Boutisse is stellar. Bright and vibrant in the glass, the 2020 bristles with energy from start to finish. Inky red fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all driven by the wine's vibrancy. The 2020 balances richness and tension so well. It is one of the more compelling recent vintages I can remember tasting.Inc. VAT£291.89 -
Wine Advocate (78)
For some reason, Boyd-Cantenac tends to be a hard, sometimes dull wine and the 1986 has these characteristics plus diluted flavors, no doubt caused by the excessive vineyard yields, as well as a lenient selection process at the chateau. This medium-bodied, rather tannic wine should be consumed early in its life because of the lack of extract. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/90.Inc. VAT£530.83 -
As an exquisitely aged course, Boyd-Cantenac 1988 embodies excellence from the the prestigious Margaux appellation. Harvested in the iconic Bordeaux region of France, it distinctively intertwines decades of winemaking sophistication with the intricate essence of its terroir. Unveiling a palatial symphony of dark fruits, seamlessly layered with nuanced aromas of spices and aged leather, Boyd-Cantenac 1988 exemplifies the quintessence of Bordeaux's unique varietal blend. The wine is painstakingly crafted from meticulously handpicked Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot grapes, providing an unmatched structure and complexity. Lush yet harmonious, its enduring finish lingers and enthralls with each enduring sip. Château Boyd-Cantenac, the esteemed producer, persists in upholding traditional viniculture practices, yielding robust wines indicative of their heritage. The transcendent character of Boyd-Cantenac 1988 is a testament to the producer's enduring commitment to quality and respect for the land from which it was born.
Inc. VAT£846.07
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The Drinks Business (94-96)
Beychevelle (St Julien; 57% Cabernet Sauvignon; 38% Merlot; 3% Petit Verdot; 2% Cabernet Franc; 13% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with consistent notes). Dark, glossy and viscous in the glass, with a radiant lilac/pink rim and with good extraction (which, with Beychevelle, you know already is going to be well managed). Chocolate fondant; deep dark bramble compote; graphite and cedar (all very Beychevelle); plump ripe raspberries and freshly hulled wild strawberries; toasted brioche with melted butter. Lovely, with a beautiful vertical lift from the redcurrant and blackcurrant leafiness. Texturally sublime and a little more precise even than usual. Tight, compact, dense and charged with energy and life. Sapid and juicy. Fabulously successful in a challenging vintageIn Bond£430.50 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95-97+)
I was able to taste the 2022 Château Beychevelle on multiple occasions, and it never failed to impress me. Based on 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that will see 18 months in 70% new oak, it's one of those wines that makes you stop and say "wow" due to its purity, depth, and texture. Sporting a dense purple hue as well as lots of blueberry and black cherry fruits, it's full-bodied and has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, building yet gorgeous tannins, and subtle background notes of crushed violets, flowers, and graphite. This is a sensational effort from director Philippe Blanc.In Bond£469.50 -
(3x150cl) 2023
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)
The 2023 Beychevelle is fabulous. As always, Beychevelle includes quite a bit more Merlot than most wines in the appellation, but the Cabernet is especially high here. Inky dark fruit, crème de cassis, mocha, licorice and lavender build in the glass. This juicy, extroverted Saint-Julien has a ton to offer. The combination of fruit intensity, acid and supporting structure is superb. The 2023 is showy, but not at all overdone. Beychevelle remains one of the most distinctive wines in all of Bordeaux. It is especially classy in this edition. Tasted two times.Expected Price Range£334 - £397 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (92)
The 2016 Bibian has a tightly-wound bouquet that demands more coaxing than its peers, eventually revealing pure blackberries, raspberry, cedar and light mint aromas. The oak here is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very pure and polished with some classy new oak assiduously blended. This is a classy offering and one of the best Cru Bourgeois that I have tasted this vintage. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London.In Bond£99.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (86-88)
The 2021 Blason d’Issan has a perfumed blackberry, wild strawberry and iris petal bouquet that unfolds slowly in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, good structure and a brisk, lightly spiced finish.In Bond£312.00 -
James Suckling (94)
Pretty aromas of crushed blueberries, with sliced mushrooms that follow through to a full body and chewy tannins with a lovely depth of ripe fruit. Bright acidity. Superb second wine from L'Evangile. Try in 2016.In Bond£498.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (90)
This is a delightfully perfumed wine, the second wine of Château L'Evangile. Smooth with ripe Merlot flavors, it's full and dense, conveying the sense that it will mature quickly.In Bond£61.00 -
James Suckling (92)
A juicy and chewy young Bordeaux with chocolate, berry and walnut character. Medium to full body and polished tannins. Needs three to four years to soften. Second wine of L’Evangile.In Bond£590.00 -
James Suckling (92)
A juicy and chewy young Bordeaux with chocolate, berry and walnut character. Medium to full body and polished tannins. Needs three to four years to soften. Second wine of L’Evangile.In Bond£462.00 -
James Suckling (92)
A juicy and chewy young Bordeaux with chocolate, berry and walnut character. Medium to full body and polished tannins. Needs three to four years to soften. Second wine of L’Evangile.In Bond£300.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
The 2016 L'Evangile Blason de l'Evangile is another brilliant second wine that delivers the goods. Showing a more upfront, fruit-loaded, opulent style, it gives up tons of cassis fruits, tobacco, incense, dried herbs, and graphite. With no hard edges, a full-bodied, rounded, sexy texture, and a great finish, it's a sexy, sexy Pomerol to drink over the coming 10-15 years, if not longer.In Bond£412.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
The 2016 L'Evangile Blason de l'Evangile is another brilliant second wine that delivers the goods. Showing a more upfront, fruit-loaded, opulent style, it gives up tons of cassis fruits, tobacco, incense, dried herbs, and graphite. With no hard edges, a full-bodied, rounded, sexy texture, and a great finish, it's a sexy, sexy Pomerol to drink over the coming 10-15 years, if not longer.In Bond£689.00 -
Wine Advocate (91-93)
.In Bond£536.00 -
Decanter (94)
Expressive nose filled with softly perfumed red fruit with touches of blackcurrant and black cherries. Great acidity, prominent and clear giving such freshness on the palate. Feels quite delicate, lightly framed, not a huge volume in the mouth but still densely flavoured. Each element is well presented with integrated tannins and a lovely vein of almost creamy mint chocolate-laced blackcurrants and a wet stone minerality that lingers.In Bond£446.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)
The 2021 Blason de L'Évangile is marked by bold, racy fruit and terrific energy. Crushed red berry fruit and lively floral notes abound in a classy, refined Blason. All the elements are impeccably balanced. Pretty floral accents grace the lifted, perfumed finish. The 2021 is a gorgeous Blason.In Bond£412.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)
The 2021 Blason de L'Évangile is marked by bold, racy fruit and terrific energy. Crushed red berry fruit and lively floral notes abound in a classy, refined Blason. All the elements are impeccably balanced. Pretty floral accents grace the lifted, perfumed finish. The 2021 is a gorgeous Blason.In Bond£403.00 -
(12x37.5cl) 2023
James Suckling (95-96)
The depth of fruit and creamy tannin structure show the class and beauty of this wine. It’s rich in ever-so-polished tannins that caress every inch of your palate. Medium to full body. Lovely finish. 95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc.Expected Price Range£213 - £253 -
James Suckling (95-96)
The depth of fruit and creamy tannin structure show the class and beauty of this wine. It’s rich in ever-so-polished tannins that caress every inch of your palate. Medium to full body. Lovely finish. 95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc.In Bond£233.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
The depth of fruit and creamy tannin structure show the class and beauty of this wine. It’s rich in ever-so-polished tannins that caress every inch of your palate. Medium to full body. Lovely finish. 95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc.In Bond£228.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2014 Bonalgue is ripe, racy and voluptuous, all of which make it pretty hard to resist. Dark red cherry, espresso, grilled herbs, French oak and menthol caress the palate. All the elements have come together beautifully in this overt, flamboyant yet midweight Pomerol. Silky tannins add to the wine’s early and medium-term appeal. Another year or two in bottle should help the oak integrate a bit further, but this will always be in a forward, giving style. Tasted two times.In Bond£400.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (92)
The 2018 Bonalgue has one of the most backward bouquets that I encountered from the appellation in this vintage from bottle, requiring at least an hour’s aeration to reveal blackberry, loamy and truffle scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Here it picks up, offering lively black fruit and fine mineralité on the finish. This is an excellent Bonalgue, a great success for the estate. Just be patient with the aromatics.In Bond£385.00 -
Decanter (94)
Ripe and concentrated on the nose, darkly perfumed with red cherries and blackcurrants at the fore. Smooth and satisfying on the palate, this has a lovely bright expression to the summery red berry fruits and a velvety-textured tannic grip that is edged with sweet liquorice and dark chocolate. Powerful but poised with a sense of Pomerol class.In Bond£477.00 -
Wine Spectator (94)
Beautiful aromas of blackberry, forest fruits and hints of cream. Full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins and a long, delicious finish. Lovely. This is very balanced. Score range: 92-94In Bond£671.00 -
Decanter (95)
Excellent clarity and linearity here, this is direct and precise with a focus all the way through. A core of cool, fresh and mint-licked red fruit is joined by coffee bean and liquorice touches, going from start to finish gliding across the palate supported by firm but well-integrated tannins. Tense, hefty and complex, but also completely captivating.In Bond£370.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2020 Bourgneuf has closed up a little on the nose post-bottling: blackberry, graphite, subtle loamy aromas and just a whiff of sea spray. Fine delineation and commendable complexity. The palate is medium-bodied, quite structured and perhaps more "serious" than its showing from barrel. Generous helpings of cracked black pepper enliven the second half, firm grip with a very nicely proportioned finish. This is an excellent Bourgneuf that should give 20+ years of drinking pleasure.In Bond£384.00 -
James Suckling (92-93)
Very fine tannins with plum, currant and berry character. Medium body. Integrated and polished texture. Fine finish.In Bond£395.00 -
James Suckling (92-93)
A fresh and fruity red with blackberry, walnut and mushroom aromas and flavors. Iodine undertones. Full body, silky tannins and a clean finish.In Bond£253.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)
The 2020 Boutisse is stellar. Bright and vibrant in the glass, the 2020 bristles with energy from start to finish. Inky red fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all driven by the wine's vibrancy. The 2020 balances richness and tension so well. It is one of the more compelling recent vintages I can remember tasting.In Bond£224.00 -
Wine Advocate (78)
For some reason, Boyd-Cantenac tends to be a hard, sometimes dull wine and the 1986 has these characteristics plus diluted flavors, no doubt caused by the excessive vineyard yields, as well as a lenient selection process at the chateau. This medium-bodied, rather tannic wine should be consumed early in its life because of the lack of extract. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/90.In Bond£429.00 -
As an exquisitely aged course, Boyd-Cantenac 1988 embodies excellence from the the prestigious Margaux appellation. Harvested in the iconic Bordeaux region of France, it distinctively intertwines decades of winemaking sophistication with the intricate essence of its terroir. Unveiling a palatial symphony of dark fruits, seamlessly layered with nuanced aromas of spices and aged leather, Boyd-Cantenac 1988 exemplifies the quintessence of Bordeaux's unique varietal blend. The wine is painstakingly crafted from meticulously handpicked Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot grapes, providing an unmatched structure and complexity. Lush yet harmonious, its enduring finish lingers and enthralls with each enduring sip. Château Boyd-Cantenac, the esteemed producer, persists in upholding traditional viniculture practices, yielding robust wines indicative of their heritage. The transcendent character of Boyd-Cantenac 1988 is a testament to the producer's enduring commitment to quality and respect for the land from which it was born.
In Bond£673.00
Bordeaux's relatively diverse weather, particularly its rainfall, means that vintage variation can be quite broad between some years. However advances in wine making techniques, technology and investment has meant that many chateaux are still able to create very good wines in "lesser vintages". From the best vintages wines are made that are clambered for all over the world and mature excellently for many years.
This is a selection of some of our favourite vintages from Bordeaux over the last few decades, as well some more recent ones.
