Wine & Spirit Magazine (90)

Black and unyielding up front, with the scent of the dark skin of currants, this young wine emphasizes its stony tannins. The finish opens up with air, a curtain rising on cassis flavors that slowly take precedence over the tannin. Firm and polished, this should age well.

Wine & Spirit Magazine (92)

Bernard Audoy usually makes a gracious, middleweight wine at his property across from Cos d'Estournel, at the southern border of St-Estèphe. This 2005 is more powerful, with jasmine and bergamot scents buzzing over serious tannins. The fruit is completely hidden, as black as the tannins that coat the mouth in mineral flavors, neither ripping nor softened up. Sleek and expansive, this is set to age for ten years or more.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90)

The 2014 Cos-Labory has a slightly pinched bouquet at first, gradually opening with blackberry and briary scents, just a touch of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, sappy black fruit laced with graphite and black pepper, quite harmonious with a crisp and poised, satisfying finish. Excellent, traditional Saint Estèphe and perhaps one of the best Cos-Labory I have tasted thus far. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Exuding French elegance, Couhins Blanc 2016 is a compelling redefinition of excellence in viticulture. This White Bordeaux varietal is meticulously crafted in Pessac-Léognan, a lauded subregion of Graves. Couhins Blanc 2016 is from Château Couhins, a producer bestowed with Cru Classé status for its white wine. The exceptional terroir, with gravelly soil interspersed with clay, deftly infuses complex flavour profiles into the wine.

The vintage underwent meticulous vinification, with the savvy use of oak for ageing balancing the vivacious Sauvignon Blanc’s acidity, and eliciting a resinous, toasty charm. This bestows the Couhins Blanc 2016 with a multifaceted character, marrying ripe citrus fruits and acacia flower undertones, robed in creaminess from the judicious malolactic fermentation.

A stellar embodiment of the Château's commitment to traditional viticultural methods, every sip reaffirms the calibre of Couhins Blanc 2016, an absolute delight for the discerning palate. This is not just a wine, but a symphony of craftsmanship in a bottle.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (87-90)

The 2019 Coutet is a high toned and very aromatic mid-weight wine with notes of pineapple, passion fruit and exotic white flowers. The 2019 is very pretty but a bit eccentric, especially in its aromatics, which are somewhat diffuse.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90+)

Highly aromatic but youthfully subdued aromas of peach blossom, fresh pineapple, minerals and spicy oak; offers lovely lift and purity. Smooth, thick and spicy, with lively acidity giving it a light touch. Fruit salad flavors complicated by notes of spice, vanilla and grilled nuts. Finishes suave and long. A very elegantly styled wine with the structure to evolve slowly.

Wine Spectator (95)

Offers fascinating aromas of cooked apple, clove and honey that follow through to a full body, with superlively acidity and spicy blanched almond and honey character on the palate. Long and powerful, showing amazing botrytis character, with so much spice and richness, yet also freshness. Even better than the superb 2006. Best after 2015. -JS

Wine Advocate (92)

Tasted single blind against its peers. This has a very floral, exuberant bouquet with white peach and grapefruit soaring from the glass. It is very pure and vivacious. The palate is harmonious with what feels like more sucrosity than on previous occasions. It is not viscous in texture, suggesting high acidity to slice through all that sweetness (a typical Coutet trait, as it turns out.) The finish displays touches of ginger and dried orange rind that linger nicely in the mouth, although the general impression is that it needs several years to “calm down.” Tasted January 2012.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2010 Coutet has quite an intense bouquet with linseed oil and wax resin infusing the dried honey aromas, then orange pith and a touch of saffron. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. Harmonious and extremely well focused, this conveys a sense of energy on the finish that makes you want to return for another sip. Excellent. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

Wine Advocate (95)

With coaxing, the pale lemon colored 2016 Coutet slowly unfurls to give a myriad of preserved lemons, pineapple pastry, almond croissant, fresh ginger and lime blossoms scents with nuances of chalk dust, white pepper, star anise and cedar. Rich, seductive and yet exquisitely balanced, the satiny-textured palate has layer upon layer of citrus and savory notions, finishing very long and spicy.

Classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé “B” in St-Émilion, there is talk of a potential upgrade to the promised land of Classé “A” just next year – a testament to the extraordinary quality of Château Canon over the past few vintages. A whopping 90% of Canon’s vines are planted on the plateau of St-Émilion, 70% of which is Merlot with the rest Cabernet Franc. A stunningly picturesque vineyard as it happens, workers during the harvest here are treated to gorgeous views of two church spires including the ancient St-Martin-de-Mazerat. This beauty is certainly translated through the vineyard’s terroir into a wine of transcendent polish and lifted elegance.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94-96)

The 2019 La Croix Ducru Beaucaillou is endowed with a gorgeous, quite sumptuous bouquet loaded with black plum, tobacco, smoke and Earl Grey aromas that burst from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very pliant tannin, harmonious and velvety in texture, gradually building towards a detailed and mineral-driven finish. Maybe less opulent than the 2018 by comparison, yet a Deuxième Vin full of breeding.

The Croque Michotte 1990 is a true embodiment of the timeless grace and complexity of Bordeaux wines. This revered vintage was meticulously crafted from 15% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 70% Merlot grapes, grown in the distinguished Saint-Émilion region of France. As its creators, the esteemed Chatonnet family kiss a rich history of leadership in vine cultivation. The family's commitment to organic farming imparts a unique purity and depth to the Croque Michotte 1990.

Tasting notes highlight nuances of exotic spice, dried fruit, and supple leather, enveloped within firm, well-structured tannins. This wine boasts impressive ageing potential, with its intensity and balance remaining unscathed even after three decades. A revered critic note shares that "the taste evolves in the mouth on a silky texture, revealing the elegance of this finely sculpted wine." Savour the profound, intricate sensations brought forth by the Croque Michotte 1990, a true testament to Saint-Émilion’s wine-producing prowess.

James Suckling (93)

Intense aromas of sliced mushrooms, blackberries and spices follow through to a full body, with sweet, ripe fruit, velvety tannins and a fresh clean finish. Tangy and fresh. Best ever from here and one of the values of the vintage. Best in 2016.

James Suckling (93)

This is so good already. What an amazing precision of fruit for this wine, with a blackberry and blueberry character as well as minerals. Full and super silky with lovely fruit. Gourmand. Tasty. I want to drink it. Always great value!

Wine Spectator (90)

Juicy red. Plenty of tobacco, berry and currant character in this. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a long finish. Best after 2008. 15,415 cases made. -JS

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90-92)

Saturated ruby-red. Crystallized dark berries, licorice, violet and a hint of game on the nose. Dense and thick but bright, with lively, cabernet-driven flavors of crushed dark berries, licorice, tobacco leaf, fresh herbs and earth. Offers unusually full volume for Armailhac, with lots of stuffing to buffer its firm spine of acids and sweet tannins. A superb vintage for this wine.

Wine & Spirit Magazine (92)

Located in the north of Pauillac, between Mouton and Pontet-Canet, this 123-acre estate is also part of G.F.A. Baronne Philippine de Rothschild. The aroma balances meaty fruit and mineral scents, and while the pungent red fruit is always there, the tannins seem to increase their intensity with air. They cover the pure black cherry flavor like a powerful skin, deep and plush with an iron-knuckle punch. The tannins don't go away, but their inner velvet eventually wins out. This has improved significantly since the en primeur tastings and will continue to evolve for ten to 15 years in the bottle.

Wine Advocate (90)

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London.The 2006 Château d'Armailhac has a feisty bouquet with tobacco and sage-infused red berry fruit that seem open for business, unlike some of the other 2006 Pauillac wines. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite supple tannin. There is good weight in the mouth with mint-infused blackberry fruit, fine structure with admirable precision on the finish. All it lacks is the persistence of some of its peers, yet it still constitutes a very fine Pauillac that I probably under-rated out of barrel. Tasted January 2016.

Chateau d’Armailhac is typically light in style for Bordeaux yet with plenty of Pauillac character. The 2009 is higher in Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a deeper ruby colour with more spice and cedar notes. Wine from this great vintage will improve for well over a decade.

James Suckling (92)

The wine has a lovely softness to it with a chocolate, currant and blueberry character. Full body, with velvety tannins and juicy finish. Savory wine. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

A very pretty wine for the year, the 2012 d'Armailhac is plush, open and seductive. Dark red cherry, tobacco, wild herbs, smoke, leather and game are all pushed forward in a pliant, supple Pauillac that is already quite open and expressive. Dark red cherry, plum, tobacco, smoke and licorice meld into the pliant finish, all with sweet floral overtones that add to the wine's considerable appeal.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2014 d'Armailhac is bright, precise and finely sculpted. Expressive red stone fruit, flowers, mint, chalk and citrus abound in this vibrant, beautifully delineated Pauillac. Open-knit and expressive, with good depth and silky tannins, the wine exudes class. The fresh, invigorating style is classic 2014. This is a lovely showing. Tasted two times.

James Suckling (93-94)

Opulent and powerful for d’Armailhac with blackcurrants, blackberries and black olives. Full-bodied, tannic and extremely muscular. Very well done indeed.

Decanter (94)

Wonderful florality on the nose, perfumed and full of black cherries. Great freshness here, such good juice content, immediately so alive and fresh, there is a real buzz to this wine with some creamy/chalky edges that are so refreshing. Great personality with vibrant fruit. Rich and layered, super concentrated but with this fun lively aspect. Tannins are chewy and ripe because of the weather but there's a great lift and sense of life to this. I really like it. A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

Wine Enthusiast (95)

94-96 A very structured wine, retaining great acidity and freshness. The tannins cut right to the heart of the wine. The aftertaste is solid and chunky.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2012 Château d’Issan, builds on the richness of the second wine and adds more body, structure and density. It has an inky purple color and a stunning nose of spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry fruit as well as touches of incense and graphite. Medium to full-bodied and stunningly concentrated, this 2012 is a great success in the vintage, one of the superstars. Moreover, its precociousness suggests it could be drunk in the next 4-5 years or cellared through 2025. I underrated this wine dramatically in my report of April, 2013 (Issue 206).

James Suckling (93-94)

This sneaks up on you with a pretty density of ripe fruit such as plums and strawberries. Full body, layered and ripe tannins set this young wine up for a tannic and fruity finish.

James Suckling (96-97)

This is a very pure expression of cabernet sauvignon with blackcurrants, blackberries and tar. Wet earth, too. It’s full-bodied, yet very tight and reserved. Extremely racy, intense finish. This is super precise. Classical.

James Suckling (97-98)

Extremely floral and fruity with currants and blackberries. It’s full-bodied and very layered with delicious, dense character. Full-bodied with dusty, layered tannins. Rich, but not heavy. Long and chewy on the finish. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, 2% petit verdot and 1% malbec.