James Suckling (94)

A chewy, linear 2018 with very attractive blackberry, chocolate and wet-earth character. Some mushrooms, too. It’s full-bodied, very tight and tannic, yet polished and creamy-textured. Flavorful finish. Very typically Medoc. Needs three years to soften. Try after 2024.

James Suckling (93-94)

This is a medium-to full-bodied red with berry and tile character to the ripe, creamy tannins that are fine-grained and long at the finish. Seriously crafted.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2016 Millery is one of the most rapturously beautiful, seductive wines I tasted during my December trip to Bordeaux. Thierry Manoncourt, the late owner of Figeac, purchased this small property in 1942, when he was in the French Army. The tiny vineyard spans less than one hectare and is planted to 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. For decades, Millery remained more of a small family property, its wine destined for personal consumption, rather than a commercial venture. There are just about 4,000 bottles made each year, and most of it disappears very quickly. A wine of pure and total finesse, Millery is simply exquisite. The dark red fruit, floral, licorice and spice notes show the delineation of a pencil sketch in their fine lines and precision. Figeac Technical Director Frédéric Faye made the 2016 with input from consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos, who has helped Canon, Troplong Mondot and other estates make huge strides in quality in recent years. Most importantly, though, the 2016 is flat out delicious. Run, don't walk. And you heard it here first....

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2018 Millery is magnificent. Rich, layered and sumptuous, Millery dazzles from the very first taste. The warm vintage has given this typically reserved Saint-Émilion an extra kick of richness that works so well here. Inky red fruit, blood orange, mint, spice, cedar and new leather are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop in the glass. Silky, perfectly ripe tannins wrap it all together. This is such a sexy Saint-Émilion.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)

Lovely aromatics of ripe black fruits edged with violet flowers and smoked cedar. This is powerful, you feel the punch and the sense of momentum, impressive grip that opens up to show charcoal, chocolate and slate, lovely balance and character, young but starting to open up, full of class and appellation signature. One of the values of the tasting. Harvest September 20 to October 18, lasting almost a full calendar month.

Experience the superior quality craftsmanship of 'De Pez 2019', a testament to true Bordeaux mastery from one of St. Estephe's oldest vineyards. Meticulously produced at Château de Pez, a keen emphasis is laid on environmentally friendly agriculture and hand harvesting to inspire, realise and winnow the best produce. Devotion in every detail results in a wine that mirrors the terroir's authenticity.

Alluringly deep ruby in appearance, the De Pez 2019 presents a complex blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Matured in French oak barrels, it exudes profound notes of ripe red fruits adorned with hints of tobacco and spicy undertones. On the palate, it delivers a captivating combination of deep fruitiness mingled with polished tannins, culminating in an alluringly long finish. This full-bodied red orchestrates a symphony of taste, true to its Bordeaux lineage.

Unquestionably, De Pez 2019 is a benchmark exemplar of refined winemaking; a timeless choice for devotees of exceptional Bordeaux wines.

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

Juicy red, blue, and black fruits, sappy herbs, violets, and chocolate notes all emerge from the 2022 Château De Pez, a ripe, full-bodied, opulent Pez that has a balanced, layered style that's already hard to resist. I love how this has come together since En Primeur, and this is well worth a case purchase. It’s going to deliver the goods any time over the coming two decades or more.

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

Classic Saint-Estèphe darker fruits, damp earth, coffee, and leafy herbs all emerge from the 2023 Château De Pez, a little gem of a wine that's based on 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc and aged 15 months in 50% new barrels. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a focused, layered, elegant mouthfeel, beautifully integrated tannins, and a great finish. Give it 3-4 years and enjoy bottles over the following 20 years or more. Drink 2029-2046.

James Suckling (96-97)

Great texture to this wine with creamy, firm tannins that are so polished. Full and gorgeous. Very enticing. 96% merlot and 4% merlot.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91)

The 2017 du Glana has a well defined and focused bouquet with blackberry, cedar and light tobacco aromas. There is elegance and refinement here. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity with a pinch of black pepper towards the finish. Whilst not the most high profile Saint-Julien property, this du Glana is impressive and might represent the "insiders’ choice".

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)

The 2016 Le Pape is a gorgeous wine to drink now and over the next decade or so. Ripe and luscious in the glass, with terrific depth and character, the 2016 offers tremendous near and medium-term appeal. Black cherry, plum, licorice, leather, spice and smoke add to an impression of darkness in this supple Pessac-Léognan.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

The 2017 Le Pape is soft, refined and super expressive. Dried flowers, mint, cedar, tobacco and mocha add pretty aromatic top notes to this precise, understated Pessac-Léognan. Medium in body and wonderfully nuanced, the 2017 is absolutely gorgeous. Bright floral and red fruit notes add brilliance with a bit of time in the glass. This is such a compelling, understated wine, not to mention an overachiever and a terrific value.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)

The 2018 Le Pape is surprisingly gracious in this vintage. Floral notes lift sweet red berry fruit, cedar, licorice and mocha flavors as this stylish, mid-weight Pessac-Léognan shows off its considerable allure. Even with all of the natural richness of the year, Le Pape remains elegant and nuanced. I would cellar the 2018 for at least a few years to allow the tannins to soften. If enjoyed young, a few hours of aeration will do wonders.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)

The 2020 Le Pape was picked September 9–15. It is initially tight on the nose and only opens about an hour after opening (I spent the time chatting to Véronique Sanders via Zoom) to offer blackberry and wild hedgerow intermixed with light incense and pressed iris scents, all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, beautifully balanced and very harmonious. There is a tincture of white pepper sprinkled over the finish that veers toward more red fruit in its final few bars. Excellent.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)

One of the unquestioned Sleeper jewels of the year, the 2016 Le Prieuré is off the charts beautiful. Silky and impossibly refined, the 2016 is a wine of pure and total precision. Today, the 2016 is a bit more restrained than it was from barrel, when it was a more overt wine. That is not a bad thing, though, as I suspect the 2016 is going to need a number of years to be at its finest. Dark, beautifully perfumed and gracious, Le Prieuré represents the height of finesse in Saint-Émilion. Jean-Claude Berrouet consults for the Artemis Group, which is now the sole owner of Le Prieuré. The 2016 is a fabulous wine by any measure. Don't miss it.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)

One of the unquestioned Sleeper jewels of the year, the 2016 Le Prieuré is off the charts beautiful. Silky and impossibly refined, the 2016 is a wine of pure and total precision. Today, the 2016 is a bit more restrained than it was from barrel, when it was a more overt wine. That is not a bad thing, though, as I suspect the 2016 is going to need a number of years to be at its finest. Dark, beautifully perfumed and gracious, Le Prieuré represents the height of finesse in Saint-Émilion. Jean-Claude Berrouet consults for the Artemis Group, which is now the sole owner of Le Prieuré. The 2016 is a fabulous wine by any measure. Don't miss it.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2020 Le Prieuré is so elegant and nuanced. As always, readers will find a Saint-Émilion built on linear intensity and vibrancy more than size. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, mocha and crushed rocks are all beautifully delineated. The clean, intensely mineral finish is absolutely striking. This is such a gorgeous wine.

Decanter (93)

A rather opulent nose, with fresh and dried black cherry, raspberry, dark chocolate, liquorice and cigar box notes. Very fine in the mouth with silky tannins and excellent concentration of fruit.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)

Atypical Pessac Léognan with a high degree of Merlot. Even on the nose you see a huge difference with its sibling estate Cantelys. This is riper, black fruits, rounder, touch of liquorice, the form in the mouth is very different, enlarges outwards, less dense. A good sign that the two wines are very different but both excellent.

Wine Advocate (94-96)

Made from 100% Merlot, the 2018 Les Gravieres is deep garnet-purple and rocks up with gregarious blueberry pie, chocolate-covered cherries and plum preserves scents with nuances of violets, spice cake and mocha. Big, full and decadently fruited, it has a firm frame of super ripe, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and layered.

Wine Advocate (94-96)

Made from 100% Merlot, the 2018 Les Gravieres is deep garnet-purple and rocks up with gregarious blueberry pie, chocolate-covered cherries and plum preserves scents with nuances of violets, spice cake and mocha. Big, full and decadently fruited, it has a firm frame of super ripe, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and layered.

The Wine Independent (94)

The 2020 Les Gravieres, 100% Merlot, is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of blueberry compote, baked plums, and blackberry preserves leap from the glass, giving way to hints of violets, dark chocolate, and menthol. The medium-bodied palate is beautifully poised, with lively black fruits and a fine-grained texture, finishing long.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 1982 Chevel Blanc has a medium garnet-brick color and springs from the glass with scents of kirsch, dried cranberries, and pencil shavings, leading to hints of rose oil, rare steak, and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is packed with mature red fruit and earthy layers, textured with satiny tannins and delivering seamless acidity, finishing on a long-lingering mocha note. Still very youthful, this was clearly a very good bottle, coming directly from the Chateau. The yields in 1982 for Cheval Blanc were a whopping 55 hl/ha, according to Pierre Lurton.

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 2001 Cheval Blanc has a slightly more expressive and less feral bouquet compared to the 2000, perhaps better defined, although I miss the menthol aspect that develops on the previous vintage. But give it an hour's aeration and it coheres magnificently, gaining more intensity as it manifests dark berry fruit mixed with potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, quite firm and (for this estate) quite austere and strict, though yet again, after an hour it mellows, gaining more rondeur and sensuality. Whereas initially I leaned toward the millennial Cheval Blanc, the 2001 has its nose in front by the end. Tasted at Cheval Blanc.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Rich, smoky and with powerful fruit, this structured wine also has an impressive perfumed character. Spice, blackberry fruits and rich tannins give wonderful firmness that will allow the wine to age well. Drink this already beautiful wine from 2025.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2010 Cheval Blanc is deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. Broody to begin, offering wafts of tar, chargrill, and smoked meats, after considerable swirling the nose reveals a fragrant perfume of Morello cherries and violets, with a touch of star anise. The concentrated, full-bodied palate is packed with tightly knit, impactful black fruits, framed by firm, yet plush, tannins and bags of freshness, finishing very long and earthy.