James Suckling (97-98)

Lots of black-olive, crushed-berry and wet-earth aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, yet polished with a very fine, velvety texture from the tannins. It’s long and structured with a blue-fruit and stone undertone to the palate. Some sage, too. More balanced than in the past. Extremely persistent on the palate. 83.5% merlot, 16% cabernet franc and 0.5% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (97-98)

Lots of black-olive, crushed-berry and wet-earth aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, yet polished with a very fine, velvety texture from the tannins. It’s long and structured with a blue-fruit and stone undertone to the palate. Some sage, too. More balanced than in the past. Extremely persistent on the palate. 83.5% merlot, 16% cabernet franc and 0.5% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (98-99)

This is so floral and pure, showing crushed-grape character with some walnut and crunchy seeds. It’s full-bodied, juicy and fresh. Purity of fruit. Juicy and long. 88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (98-99)

This is so floral and pure, showing crushed-grape character with some walnut and crunchy seeds. It’s full-bodied, juicy and fresh. Purity of fruit. Juicy and long. 88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (98-99)

This is so floral and pure, showing crushed-grape character with some walnut and crunchy seeds. It’s full-bodied, juicy and fresh. Purity of fruit. Juicy and long. 88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (98-99)

This is so floral and pure, showing crushed-grape character with some walnut and crunchy seeds. It’s full-bodied, juicy and fresh. Purity of fruit. Juicy and long. 88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (98-99)

This is so floral and pure, showing crushed-grape character with some walnut and crunchy seeds. It’s full-bodied, juicy and fresh. Purity of fruit. Juicy and long. 88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (98-99)

This is so floral and pure, showing crushed-grape character with some walnut and crunchy seeds. It’s full-bodied, juicy and fresh. Purity of fruit. Juicy and long. 88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (96-97)

A pure, creamy and well-structured yet very fine Evangile. Long and caressing. Very fine tannins. Lots of fresh dark fruit and savory, mineral character. Understated and classy. 69% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 1% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (96-97)

A pure, creamy and well-structured yet very fine Evangile. Long and caressing. Very fine tannins. Lots of fresh dark fruit and savory, mineral character. Understated and classy. 69% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 1% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (96-97)

A pure, creamy and well-structured yet very fine Evangile. Long and caressing. Very fine tannins. Lots of fresh dark fruit and savory, mineral character. Understated and classy. 69% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 1% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (96-97)

A pure, creamy and well-structured yet very fine Evangile. Long and caressing. Very fine tannins. Lots of fresh dark fruit and savory, mineral character. Understated and classy. 69% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 1% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (96-97)

A pure, creamy and well-structured yet very fine Evangile. Long and caressing. Very fine tannins. Lots of fresh dark fruit and savory, mineral character. Understated and classy. 69% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 1% cabernet sauvignon.

The Wine Independent (96-98)

The 2022 L'Evangile is composed of 82% Merlot, 17.5% Cabernet Franc, and 0.5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a lot of swirling to coax out notes of juicy black plums, boysenberry preserves, and black raspberries, followed by hints of garrigue, clove oil, lilacs, and licorice. The full-bodied palate is chock full of rich, multi-layered black fruits with velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and minerally.

The Wine Independent (96-98)

The 2022 L'Evangile is composed of 82% Merlot, 17.5% Cabernet Franc, and 0.5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a lot of swirling to coax out notes of juicy black plums, boysenberry preserves, and black raspberries, followed by hints of garrigue, clove oil, lilacs, and licorice. The full-bodied palate is chock full of rich, multi-layered black fruits with velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and minerally.

The Wine Independent (96-98)

The 2022 L'Evangile is composed of 82% Merlot, 17.5% Cabernet Franc, and 0.5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a lot of swirling to coax out notes of juicy black plums, boysenberry preserves, and black raspberries, followed by hints of garrigue, clove oil, lilacs, and licorice. The full-bodied palate is chock full of rich, multi-layered black fruits with velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and minerally.

Decanter (97)

Fragrant redcurrant and cranberry. Milk chocolate, vanilla, creamy, fruity and fresh with cherry and plum fruit. Cool and crisp, so much freshness straight away and so sleek, the weight is there in the density of the ripe fruit but this keeps a very slick frame. Lovely movement and energy, softly vibrant but also quite rich - a spectrum of cranberry and blackcurrant and plum fruit gives lots of different expressions with liquorice and tobacco on the finish. Chalky and stony, a lovely mineral grip too. Feels sophisticated, with balance, nothing sticks out, suave and elegant. I love it’s gentle expression though, doesn’t shout but this will be so great to drink and enjoy. I love it. Everything seems to be balanced delicately on a tightrope, with tenderness, density and tension. Really great and more finessed than some Pomerols. 3.8pH. Ageing 8% amphora, 50% new oak, 15% foudre, the rest used barrels. 42hl/ha yield. Green harvests were performed to drop 15-20% of the potential yield, given the team 'had never seen so many grapes on the vines'.

Decanter (97)

Fragrant redcurrant and cranberry. Milk chocolate, vanilla, creamy, fruity and fresh with cherry and plum fruit. Cool and crisp, so much freshness straight away and so sleek, the weight is there in the density of the ripe fruit but this keeps a very slick frame. Lovely movement and energy, softly vibrant but also quite rich - a spectrum of cranberry and blackcurrant and plum fruit gives lots of different expressions with liquorice and tobacco on the finish. Chalky and stony, a lovely mineral grip too. Feels sophisticated, with balance, nothing sticks out, suave and elegant. I love it’s gentle expression though, doesn’t shout but this will be so great to drink and enjoy. I love it. Everything seems to be balanced delicately on a tightrope, with tenderness, density and tension. Really great and more finessed than some Pomerols. 3.8pH. Ageing 8% amphora, 50% new oak, 15% foudre, the rest used barrels. 42hl/ha yield. Green harvests were performed to drop 15-20% of the potential yield, given the team 'had never seen so many grapes on the vines'.

Decanter (97)

Fragrant redcurrant and cranberry. Milk chocolate, vanilla, creamy, fruity and fresh with cherry and plum fruit. Cool and crisp, so much freshness straight away and so sleek, the weight is there in the density of the ripe fruit but this keeps a very slick frame. Lovely movement and energy, softly vibrant but also quite rich - a spectrum of cranberry and blackcurrant and plum fruit gives lots of different expressions with liquorice and tobacco on the finish. Chalky and stony, a lovely mineral grip too. Feels sophisticated, with balance, nothing sticks out, suave and elegant. I love it’s gentle expression though, doesn’t shout but this will be so great to drink and enjoy. I love it. Everything seems to be balanced delicately on a tightrope, with tenderness, density and tension. Really great and more finessed than some Pomerols. 3.8pH. Ageing 8% amphora, 50% new oak, 15% foudre, the rest used barrels. 42hl/ha yield. Green harvests were performed to drop 15-20% of the potential yield, given the team 'had never seen so many grapes on the vines'.

Indulge in the exquisite, velvety taste of the Oriel Exception 2002, a Bordeaux blend renowned for its mastery and quality. Crafted in the respected vineyards of Bordeaux, France, this sophisticated wine encompasses classic red Bordeaux style imbued with intoxicating flavours of blackcurrant, cassis, and exotic spices. Cultivated by the esteemed producer Château Les Hauts Conseillants, its pedigree is thoroughly assured.

This exclusive vintage is a testament to the blending of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc grapes, hand-harvested at their utmost maturity. The vinification process involved rigorous selection and traditional Bordeaux methods of maceration and fermentation at controlled temperatures. Subsequently, the wine matured in exclusively French oak barrels for 12 to 14 months, ensuring the development of its rich, complex character.

The Oriel Exception 2002 showcases an aromatic, dark-fruit bouquet elegantly laced with earthy undertones; a true embodiment of Bordeaux's distinct terroir. This fine wine whispers of decadence, poised to elevate any occasion with its robust elegance.

Wine Advocate (96)

Tasted blind at the 10-Year On Tasting in Sauternes. The 2005 L’Extravagant de Doisy Daëne has 3.9grams of acidity, 192 grams per liter of residual sugar and 12.3% alcohol. The 2005 has a powerful bouquet with honey, mandarin, a touch of petrol and yellow flowers on the nose, later developing that seductive marzipan scent that draws you in like a tractor beam. The palate is unctuous in the mouth that is probably going to be sugar-coated for the next year or two, but there are some gorgeous peach and citrus notes that flourish on the finish. It is more a force of nature than a wine!

Vinous - Neal Martin (98)

The 2007 L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daëne has a ripe and generous bouquet with orange pith, apricot, crème brûlée and quince, unfurling beautifully in the glass. The palate is supremely well balanced with fine definition, wonderful acidity and a composed, almost Tokaji-like finish that lingers with enticing marmalade and quince notes. So precise. So delicious.

Wine Advocate (98)

Pale to medium gold colored, the 2009 L'Extravagant drifts sensuously from the glass with evolving notions of burnt sugar, apple pie, crème caramel and praline plus hints of honey-coated walnuts and powdered ginger. Very sweet, rich, full-on unctuous and densely laden in the mouth, the palate possesses almost electric freshness supporting layer after layer of dried fruit and nut notions, finishing very long. It won’t cellar for as long as some of the 2009s, but this sure is delicious right now.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

One of the undisputed stars of the vintage, the 2014 Doisy-Daëne L'Extravagant is a real stunner. Plush and beautifully textured, with lovely brightness and impeccable overall balance, the 2014 simply has it all. Lemon confit, baked apple tart, brioche and coconut are all pushed forward in this sensual, exquisite Sauternes. The 2014 is deep, but also quite silky and never a wine of excess. All the elements are simply in the right place.

Wine Advocate (97-99)

Pale to medium gold in color, the 2019 L'Extravagant is a powerhouse from start to finish. The nose is such a complex cocktail, it nearly blows you over with scents of pineapple upside-down cake, preserved mandarin peel, candied ginger and mango pudding plus nuances of acacia honey, beeswax, baker's yeast, wild fungi and burnt sugar. The palate is full-on pedal to the metal unctuousness with the rich sweetness beautifully offset by refreshing acidity and layer upon layer of savory, tropical fruit and earthy flavors, finishing with a long-lingering zesty lift. Strap yourselves in for this thrill ride and do not even attempt to drink anything else after this!