Bordeaux

95 Points! A very elegant and polished Margaux with great structure and an attractive touch of herbal freshness, then a delicate touch of sweetness at the long, fine finish. A blend of 38 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 52 per cent merlot, six per cent cabernet franc and four per cent petit verdot. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! From an estate on the uptick and showing beautifully on two separate occasions, the 2016 Château Labégorce is a head-turner of a Margaux that’s based on 52% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that was brought up in 45% new oak, with the balance in once-used barrels. Sexy notes of blackcurrants, black raspberries, crushed flowers, sandalwood, and incense all flow to a medium to full-bodied, fabulously textured Margaux that carries ripe tannins, loads of fruit and richness, and a great finish. Since arriving in 2009, Marjolaine de Coninck has resurrected this estate and the wines now play with the top in the appellation. Give bottles 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

96–97 Points – James Suckling
“A juicy and fine tannin texture with currant, raspberry and bark aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied and well structured with a caressing finish, all in balance. Very fine and attractive.”

94–96 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Gazin is a fabulous wine. It's deep, rich and powerful but also wonderfully layered in the glass, with real finesse and tons of nuance. Dark red-toned fruit, lavender, mocha, spice and licorice open beautifully. The 2025 impresses with its captivating energy, finely sketched details and sublime balance. Magnificent.”

94–96 Points – Wine Advocate
“Aromas of dark berries, cherries and flowers introduce a medium- to full-bodied, layered and velvety wine with polished tannins and excellent persistence.”

95–97 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Flowers, truffles, chocolate, plums, cherries, and licorice provide the aromatics. Concentrated, plush, and polished, there is a fabulous depth of flavor, and juiciness to the fruits, as well as a long, intense sapid finish. Give the wine just a few years to age, and it could be even better. In fact, this is the best wine Gazin has produced in years.”

Bottom Line
A polished, terroir-driven Pomerol with elegance, depth, and excellent aging potential. One of the smarter buys in the appellation.

97–98 Points – James Suckling
“The aromas of blackberries, black olives and hints of tobacco and dried fruit are fascinating and enticing. It’s medium- to full-bodied with creamy and polished tannins and a savory finish. Turns refined and focused after the layered fruit. Classic in character, with a caressing texture and balance. Hints of ripe fruit and freshness at the same time.”

96–98 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
“The 2025 L’Évangile has been given new impetus by winemaker Juliette Couderc. It is initially backward, but it really comes forth with a few swirls of the glass: black cherries, mint and juniper berries, just a hint of truffle, quite vibrant and vivacious. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins, a fine bead of acidity, superb minerality and a very saline aftertaste with impressive length. A marvellous L’Évangile.”

95–97+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A Merlot-heavy blend of 86% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon harvested between August 26th and September 15th, the 2025 Château L'Evangile will spend time in 40% new barrels, 40% foudre, 5% amphora, and the rest in once-used barrels. It has lots of cassis and juicy cherry fruit intermixed with graphite, lead pencil, violets, and classy oak on the nose, and it's medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with a pure, focused mouthfeel, fine tannins, and outstanding length. Checking in at 13.7% alcohol with a pH of 3.75, it's a serious, concentrated 2025 that brings considerable structure, remarkable purity, and a great finish.”

94–96 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 L’Évangile is a very beautiful wine. Silky and medium in body, the 2025 is a classic L’Évangile. Bright red-toned fruit, mocha and rose petal all grace the palate. Touches of blood orange and white pepper lift the brilliant finish. This is a very precise wine and one of the top Pomerols of the year.”

96 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Nice plump roundness on the palate with a touch of strawberry acidity to bring life and lift. Fine tannins, a cool crisp blue fruit edge with liquorice and wet stone aspects. Mineral, salty, spiced grip on the finish. A serious, refined style with charm and structure.”

96 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Damson colour, with a ton of juicy blue and black fruits, well judged density, energy and lift. Grilled cumin, peony, iris flowers, slate and crushed rocks. Clear ageing ability and impressive precision across the vineyard.”

95 Points – Decanter
“Rose petals, milk chocolate and red cherries, such fragrance on the nose. Silky smooth, juicy and succulent, such immediate joy to be found with this wine. Great intensity of flavour, extremely fruity with crisp raspberries, cherries and blueberries alongside quite clear acidity, a citric touch, with such length. Amazing brilliance, purity and delicate. Tannins give structure and soft support but really blend into the background letting the fruit shine. Gorgeous. Fun, lifted, fresh and juicy.”

94-96+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Beautiful black raspberry, cassis, violets, and graphite all emerge from the 2025 Château Mangot, a gorgeous Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé with a pure, graceful mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a layered, seamless mouthfeel. It's a beautiful wine from this team.”

93-95 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Aromas of dark berries, cherries and plums, mingled with subtle hints of licorice and violet, introduce the 2025 Château Mangot, a medium- to full-bodied, layered and velvety wine that's intensely flavored, vibrant and penetrating. Mangot has enjoyed a formidable run in recent years, but the 2025 gives every indication of ranking alongside the 2022 as the estate's best to date. It's a blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.”

94 Points – Falstaff
“Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Delicate notes of roses and violets, black forest berries, dark cherries, fine nougat, delicate hints of raspberries, inviting bouquet. Juicy, good complexity, black fruit, ripe, supporting tannins, mineral and fresh on the finish, good length, sure aging potential.”

97–99 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A Merlot-heavy blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 Château Larcis Ducasse sports a dense purple hue as well as incredible aromatics of ripe currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with smoky tobacco, graphite, and crushed stone. Deep, rich, and full-bodied on the palate, it has a broad, layered mouthfeel, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It might end up being in the top handful of wines in the vintage.”

98–100 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Black cherries, plums, violets, licorice, espresso, caramel, black raspberries, and a hint of mint pop in the nose. Creamy, opulent, sweet, powerful, and also fragrant, fresh, and light on its feet. The palate is drenched in fruits, accompanied by a mineral essence that adds length and vibrancy to the long, intense finish. One of the wines of the vintage, this is in contention for the best vintage ever produced in the history of Larcis Ducasse.”

95–97 Points – Wine Advocate (Yohan Castaing)
“The 2025 Larcis Ducasse reveals an elegant, vibrant and gourmand bouquet of violet, dark berries, dark cherries and flowers, accented by delicate spicy notes. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and seamless, it’s built around a ripe core of fruit framed by velvety tannins, concluding with a floral, harmonious and ethereal finish. One of the most accomplished renditions produced here to date.”

95–97 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Larcis Ducasse is another exceptional wine from one of the most under-the-radar estates in Saint-Émilion. Dark red-fleshed fruits, rose petal, lavender, mocha, licorice, sage and graphite are all seamless in the glass. The 2025 marries power with finesse to a degree that is exceptionally rare. This is a stellar effort.”

95–97 Points –  Lisa Perrotti-Brown
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Larcis Ducasse prances out of the glass with showy notes of ripe, juicy plums, blueberry pie, and crushed black cherries, giving way to hints of violets, sassafras, and sandalwood. The medium-bodied palate is bright and juicy with great tension and firm yet velvety tannins, finishing long and perfumed.”

95–97 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
“The 2025 Larcis Ducasse has a gorgeous bouquet already, with pure blackberry and cassis fruit, seamlessly integrated new oak, retaining focus and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, with very fine lace-like tannins, perfectly judged acidity, bright acids towards the finish upholding tension and a silky texture that is totally disarming. Outstanding.”

Points – James Suckling
“Well composed, balanced, seductive and vivid. Medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Well shaped, with an inspired and focused mid-palate. Flavorful and lingering finish.”

95–97 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Black cherries, licorice, flowers, chocolate, smoke, and mint leaves create the perfume. The multiple layers of fruit grab your attention with their elegance, purity, and energy, finishing with a refreshing touch of chocolate-mint and a light touch of sea salt, adding sapidity.”

95 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Beautiful aromatics, floral notes and Chinese five spice with sweet red berry fruit. Juicy and lifted, with a calm, chiselled frame and velvety tannins. Balanced and poised with lovely layering of texture and aromatic complexity.”

94–96 Points – The Wine Independent (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2025 Canon-la-Gaffelière slowly emerges with notes of lavender and lilacs, red currant jelly, fresh blackberries, mossy tree bark, tar, and cardamom. Tightly wound with mineral-laced fruit layers and a savory lift.”

94 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“High pumice stone grip, certainly very much on the limestone character, attractive and with plenty of lift and grip, with attractive drama from grilled sandalwood and incense oak notes.”

94–96 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Canon La Gaffelière is bright and beautifully focused right out of the gate. Orange peel, sage, mint, pipe tobacco, dried flowers and mocha soar out of the glass. I especially admire the energy here.”

92–94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A lighter, more herbal-styled wine offering juicy red fruits, sappy flowers, graphite, tobacco, and a kiss of minerality. Medium-bodied, with fine, polished tannins and a good finish.”

98–100 Points – Wine Advocate (William Kelley)
“A blend of 51% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2025 Château Cheval Blanc stands out once again as among the finest wines of the vintage in Bordeaux. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with terrific mid-palate density, sweet tannins and a long, vibrant, violet-inflected finish.”

98–100 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Purple in hue, the wine explodes with an array of flowers, smoky truffles, black plums, black cherries, blue fruits, orange rind, tobacco leaf, licorice, and chocolate in the perfume. The palate perfectly balances hedonistic tendencies with a touch of restraint. There is length, intensity, opulence, and lift with seamless silk and velvet tannins throughout the extensive finish.”

97-99 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Cheval Blanc is seamless and textured. A wine of mystery and seduction, the 2025 dazzles. Sage, mint, lavender, cloves and cool blue-toned fruit all build in the glass. More intellectual than exuberant, this is a Cheval Blanc that will require years in bottle to fully reveal itself.”

96 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Of all the wines I tasted in the 2025 En Primeur season, this is the one that I have thought about the most. Deep plum colour, intense, slate, graphite, carved tannins, campfire, chamomile, bitter chocolate, cassis, mint leaf and crushed rocks. Stunning and impressive with extraordinary ageing potential.”

96 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“One of the lowest yields of Cheval Blanc ever at just 15hl/ha with no Petit Cheval made this year. Supple and fleshy, round and enveloping yet softly chalky. Generous yet reined in, glossy, bright with lovely acidity. Complex, charming, soft, pretty and delicious without trying too hard.”

95–97 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
“The 2025 Cheval Blanc includes all 47 plots on the estate except one that was sold off. Blackcurrant, raspberry, strawberry and blueberry fruit mingle with tobacco and graphite. Medium-bodied with sapid red berry fruit and a structured, vertical finish driven by Cabernet Franc. An uncompromising Cheval Blanc that will require patience.”

95–96 Points – James Suckling
“The quality of the tannins shows through nicely, with black currants, orange peel, crushed stones and a hint of fresh herbs. It's medium-bodied with a creamy texture and lots of polish. Long, complete and succulent, with a touch of salt.”

94–96 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Bright cassis, graphite, candied violets, and exotic flower nuances all emerge from the 2025 Château Malartic-Lagravière. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a pure, focused mouthfeel, fine, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's a beautiful, layered, pretty Pessac-Léognan with remarkable charm and character.”

95 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Enjoyable, sappy, plenty of lift and dark fruit, incense and sandalwood, you can see the structure and shape of the tannins and it is very much a wine where the acidity is controlled, giving a really juicy mouthfeel, great energy, definition and precision. Excellent job.”

94–96 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Flowers, tobacco leaves, cigar box, dark cherries, blackberries and a touch of espresso create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is elegant, fresh, refined, and long. Everything is in balance, with a lingering finish that tastes as good as it feels. If you can wait, give it a few years of bottle age, and it should evolve for 2 decades with ease.”

97–98 Points – James Suckling
“The depth of fruit comes through clearly, with a medium body and plenty of berry, chocolate, walnut and bark aromas. Creamy and polished, with a lovely texture and a long and rather endless finish. Soft and precise.”

95–97 Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge strides confidently out of the glass with notes of cassis and fresh plums, followed by hints of pencil shavings, wild sage, and lilacs. The medium-bodied palate is velvety and refreshing with black fruit and floral layers, finishing long and fragrant.”

95–97 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Domaine de Chevalier is a total stunner. The oak imprint is a bit strong, but the 2025 possesses notable richness and textural depth to handle it all. Signature red-toned fruit and floral overtones soar through the layered, expansive close.”

95 Points – Decanter
“Aromas of plum, raspberry, loam and wet stone minerality suggest the pedigree beneath. The palate is decidedly structured, almost reminiscent of grape skins tasted at harvest, with a firm, tightly wound tannic frame. A more muscular style of Domaine de Chevalier. The freshening acidity both lifts and accentuates the abundant tannins. For now, it remains firm, but the underlying material is strong and should harmonise with élevage.”

96 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Really floral on the nose, expressive with ripe red and black fruit, incense perfumed scents and a rich headiness with such aromatic purity. Supple and velvety, round and lively with quite a delicate style here where the focus is on the clarity of the blueberry fruit and the lifted aspects rather than fleshiness or power. Almost understated, a word not often used with Pape. A soft salty, wet stone and chalky aspect on the finish. Definitely fresh with lots of energy here. Elegant and precise with a soft chew on the finish and ripe fruit.”

95–97 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Pape Clément is magnificent. The aromatics alone are captivating. Strong floral and savory notes soar from the glass. Lavender, rose petal, sage, mint and mocha lead into a core of wonderfully vibrant red and purplish fruit. Medium in body and deep, Pape Clément is positively stellar in 2025. The Cabernets and Petit Verdot add tons of aromatic presence.”

95–96 Points – James Suckling
“A linear and very tight red with black currant, blackberry and hazelnut undertones. It's medium- to full-bodied with firm and racy tannins and a savory finish. Lots of tannins, but they are very fine textured and show outstanding length.”