One of the very best Chateaux in Fronsac and owned by the same family for three centuries. Deeply coloured and well structured. Rich with superb fruity depth and a great value buy.

One of the very best Chateaux in Fronsac and owned by the same family for three centuries. Deeply coloured and well structured. Rich with superb fruity depth and a great value buy.

Château Meyney 2022 (organic) is “the insider’s St Estephe” says Jane Anson, who scored it an incredible 95 points, saying "it’s definitely one to look out for... a great example of... Meyney... A buy”. “Pure and taut, it is a strong effort ...” William Kelley. “Impressive concentration” James Suckling Meyney is ideally positioned next door to Montrose (which it is often mistaken for in blind tastings). Blessed with a wonderful terroir in close proximity to the Gironde River and its cooling influence, which was undoubtedly one of the keys to the estate’s success in this warm, dry vintage. In recent vintages, under the direction of Anne Le Naour and with Hubert de Boüard as consultant, the estate has been on a steep upward trajectory. Famed for the high proportion and quality of its Petit Verdot in the blend, which adds a wonderfully lively top note of violets in 2022. We were all impressed by the beautifully ripe core of dark fruit and the ripeness of the tannins that reveal the sweetness and finesse of a fine vintage. Unashamedly Saint-Estèphe with that slight savoury, iodine/mussel shell touch, delicious and a bargain. Truly an estate that is punching well above its price point! Château Meyney 2022, despite its modest price possesses the structure for relatively long-term cellaring. This is a must-buy! “A vineyard that should perform strongly in this kind of vintage, because located right next to the river for air conditioning, with a mix of gravel with clear clay sections to retain freshness, and it's definitely one to look out for. Layers of redcurrant, raspberry and blackcurrant fruits, juicy mouthwatering finish, peony, pencil lead, orange peel, 3.75ph. Certainly this is a great example of Meyney. Hubert de Boüard consultant. A buy.” 95 points, Jane Anson Impressive concentration here with compact tannin structure. Medium- to full-bodied. Firm and steady with a long, velvety finish. Minerally and crunchy. 94-95 points James Suckling Opening in the glass with aromas of sweet dark berries, licorice and petals, the 2022 Meyney is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a fleshy core of fruit girdled by sweet but firm tannins. Pure and taut, it is a strong effort that will require a bit of patience. 91-93 points William Kelley

Château Meyney 2022 (organic) is “the insider’s St Estephe” says Jane Anson, who scored it an incredible 95 points, saying "it’s definitely one to look out for... a great example of... Meyney... A buy”. “Pure and taut, it is a strong effort ...” William Kelley. “Impressive concentration” James Suckling Meyney is ideally positioned next door to Montrose (which it is often mistaken for in blind tastings). Blessed with a wonderful terroir in close proximity to the Gironde River and its cooling influence, which was undoubtedly one of the keys to the estate’s success in this warm, dry vintage. In recent vintages, under the direction of Anne Le Naour and with Hubert de Boüard as consultant, the estate has been on a steep upward trajectory. Famed for the high proportion and quality of its Petit Verdot in the blend, which adds a wonderfully lively top note of violets in 2022. We were all impressed by the beautifully ripe core of dark fruit and the ripeness of the tannins that reveal the sweetness and finesse of a fine vintage. Unashamedly Saint-Estèphe with that slight savoury, iodine/mussel shell touch, delicious and a bargain. Truly an estate that is punching well above its price point! Château Meyney 2022, despite its modest price possesses the structure for relatively long-term cellaring. This is a must-buy!

Punching well above its weight, offering great value and great drinking to the discerning consumer. A delightful, highly scored claret and long-time favourite of UK claret drinkers 2022 is almost certainly the best ever Château Poujeaux.

Clearly performing well above its modest pedigree, offering both excellent value and top quality. Made by the highly-regarded Thienpont family (Vieux Château Certan, Le Pin, and l’If. ) with renowned Stéphane Derenoncourt as consultant. Located adjacent to and with the same terroir as the plateau in St Émilion.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the leading estates of Pessac Léognan, renowned for its biodynamic vineyard practices and precision winemaking. The vineyards are planted on gravel soils over... limestone, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, producing wines of depth, structure and aromatic complexity. The 2022 vintage is an exceptional year in Bordeaux, delivering wines with both concentration and balance. At Smith Haut Lafitte this results in a wine of power and refinement, combining ripe fruit with freshness and a strong mineral backbone. Tasting notes Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2022 shows aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and dark cherry, layered with notes of graphite, cedar, spice and a touch of smoke. On the palate the wine is full and structured, with concentrated dark fruit supported by fine, polished tannins. There is a sense of both richness and precision, leading to a long and complex finish with mineral and smoky notes. Critic scores 100 points, James Suckling 99 points, Jane Anson 98–100 points, Jeb Dunnuck 97–99 points, Neal Martin, Vinous A benchmark Pessac Léognan from an outstanding vintage, offering depth, precision and exceptional ageing potential.

Mid-pale cherry. A slightly lighter nose and fruit. Really very clean and precise. Charming. (MH) Drink 2027-2032 16+ points Jancis Robinson The majority of the vines are in the climat of Pierre... Vivant at the top of the slope above the grand cru of Clos Saint Denis. Fresh, ripe and aromatic, this has lovely, red cherry fruit and carefully extracted tannins. Rich and harmonious with a persistent finish. Morey is by far the best value village in the Cote de Nuits.

Mid-pale cherry. A slightly lighter nose and fruit. Really very clean and precise. Charming. (MH) Drink 2027-2032 16+ points Jancis Robinson The majority of the vines are in the climat of Pierre... Vivant at the top of the slope above the grand cru of Clos Saint Denis. Fresh, ripe and aromatic, this has lovely, red cherry fruit and carefully extracted tannins. Rich and harmonious with a persistent finish. Morey is by far the best value village in the Cote de Nuits.

0.77-hectare plot planted in 1999 in En Grands Champs, which borders La Burie, Pressonnier and Croix de Champs. Vibrant and expressive, with aromas of raspberry, strawberry, cherry fused with floral violet. Bright, energetic, juicy with ripe, round tannins and superb purity of fruit. A mini Gevrey-Chambertin. Drink 2024-2029

From five hectares of 45-85 year old vines, planted in eight different parcels, on light gravelly soils. Fine flinty dark berries with violet on the nose. Beautifully aromatic. Chiselled palate with blackberry fruit and exotic spice, firm, fine tannins, enlivened by poised acidity. Substantial and tactile on the finish. Drink 2027- 2035

Le C des Carmes Haut Brion 2022 is the second wine of Château Les Carmes Haut Brion, one of the most distinctive and sought after estates in Bordeaux. Produced in very limited quantities,... allocations of both Le C and the grand vin are consistently tight, reflecting the estate’s growing reputation and meticulous vineyard selection. Unlike many second wines in Bordeaux, Le C des Carmes Haut Brion has its own identity rather than simply being a lighter version of the grand vin. The blend is led by a high proportion of Cabernet Franc, which brings freshness, perfume and precision to the wine. The grand vin itself also contains an unusually large amount of Cabernet Franc by Left Bank standards, but with greater depth, structure and ageing potential due to stricter parcel selection and élevage. Production remains small by Bordeaux standards, with the grand vin typically around 40,000 bottles annually and Le C produced in similarly limited quantities depending on the vintage and selection. The 2022 vintage is an exceptional year in Bordeaux, producing wines with both concentration and freshness. At Les Carmes Haut Brion this results in a wine that combines ripe fruit with energy and refinement, showing far more character and complexity than many second wines. Tasting notes Le C des Carmes Haut Brion 2022 shows aromas of black cherry, cassis and plum, with notes of violet, graphite and subtle spice. On the palate the wine is polished and expressive, with fresh dark fruit supported by fine grained tannins and lively acidity. The Cabernet Franc brings floral lift and freshness, leading to a refined and persistent finish with impressive precision. Critic scores 94 points, James Suckling 93 points, Jane Anson 92–94 points, Jeb Dunnuck A refined and highly individual Pessac Léognan that combines freshness, texture and aromatic complexity, offering a style that stands apart from more traditional Left Bank Bordeaux.

One of the great Italian bargains; Produttori de Barbasesco owns some of the best vineyards in this famous Northern Italian appellation and has the deserved reputation of being one of the fineset... Co-operatives in the world. Its wines are consistently high quality and very reasonably priced. Their Barbaresco 2022 is from an excellent vintage - the wine is surprisingly soft and juicy, with beautifully scented fruit and elegant structure without the dominant tannins normally associated with Nebbiolo - they are closer to those found in top Pinot Noirs The perfume is enchanting, which continues through to its long finish. It is irresistible to drink straight away or happily sit in your cellar for another 5-7 years. Critics Reviews "Bright and overtly fruity, this is full of intoxicating violets, cinnamon, blood oranges and black cherries, expressing mint and balsamic depth. Full-bodied with a soft, smooth attack, dusty yet velvety tannins and brilliant acidity. The chocolaty finish shows licorice and a mouth-coating texture. Delicious and balanced. Drink or hold." James Suckling 94pts. "Bright and overtly fruity, this is full of intoxicating violets, cinnamon, blood oranges and black cherries, expressing mint and balsamic depth. Full-bodied with a soft, smooth attack, dusty yet velvety tannins and brilliant acidity. The chocolaty finish shows licorice and a mouth-coating texture. Delicious and balanced. Drink or hold." Galloni, 93pts.