Bordeaux
Chateau Le Doyenne 2019 Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux
Spice and blackcurrant lead the nose, with a lightly earthy, savoury edge. The palate is medium-bodied and direct, centred on firm, dry structure and bright red-plum fruit. Juicy acidity lifts the wine through the finish, keeping its ripe fruit focused and giving the close a fresh, lightly herbal turn.
Château de la Chapelle 2019 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
Rated 95 points by Decanter, this focused Bordeaux red opens with blackcurrant and cassis, followed by subtle meat, pepper and savoury spice. The palate is rich and mouth-filling, but well-managed tannins keep its generous fruit composed and clearly defined. A firm, polished finish gives it useful length. Serve with roast beef, lamb or mushroom dishes.
Chateau Rousselle 2020 Cotes de Bourg
Blackcurrant and black cherry lead a ripe, creamy profile, with licorice and mint adding lift and savoury detail. The palate is generous and supple, balancing dark fruit with fresh structure rather than heavy extraction. Merlot provides roundness, supported by Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Give it a little air, then serve with roast lamb, grilled beef, mushrooms or firm cheeses.
Croix Mouton 2016 Bordeaux Superieur
Crushed violet, ripe black cherry and cassis give the bouquet an elegant, perfumed lift. Medium-bodied and fresh, the palate layers sappy black fruit over well-judged acidity, with saline and black olive notes adding savoury definition. The finish remains bright and poised, making this an easy match for roast lamb, duck or grilled mushrooms.
Le Grand Verdus 2018 Essentiel Natural
Garnet in colour, with red berry and blackberry aromas shaped by freshness and a light earthy note. The palate is concentrated yet smooth, with supple, rounded tannins coating pure Merlot fruit. Its sulphite-free style feels bright and composed rather than rustic, finishing clean and energetic. Serve with roast chicken, beef carpaccio, mushroom dishes or dark chocolate.
Château La Croix Bonnelle 2019 Saint-Émilion
Warm blackberry and red berries sit at the centre, joined by vanilla and gentle baking spice. The palate is full and composed, with ripe dark fruit carried by firm, well-developed tannins. Freshness through the mid-palate keeps the structure balanced, and the finish remains savoury and persistent rather than heavy. Serve with roast beef, lamb shoulder, lentils or aged hard cheese.
Château Bolaire 2019 Bordeaux Supérieur
Deep garnet-purple, with crushed black and red cherries, warm plum and violet rising from the glass. Cocoa, eucalyptus and peppery spice add savoury definition. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with concentrated dark fruit, ripe grainy tannins and enough freshness to keep the wine composed. A long, spicy finish suits steak, mushrooms or braised beef.
Chateau Croix Mouton 2018 Bordeaux Superieur
Juicy raspberry and crushed blackberry lead, joined by fresh red fruit and a subtle touch of oak and cocoa. The palate is full but easy-moving, with ripe fruit, smooth texture and enough structure to stay composed. It finishes clean, savoury and ready to drink. A dependable match for burgers, roast beef, lamb chops or lentil stew.
Peyrabon 2019 Haut Medoc
Medium- to deep-garnet, with cassis, blackberry and blueberry framed by cinnamon, clove, pepper and a graphite-like mineral note. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, combining vibrant black fruit with measured tannins, bright acidity and a soft, polished texture. Savoury herbs and spice carry through the long, composed finish.
Château Clos du Roy 2019 Fronsac
Blackberry, mulberry and dark plum meet dried herbs, cocoa and a restrained touch of toast. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, with fine tannins bringing shape to juicy dark fruit and a subtle graphite note. Balanced rather than heavy, it closes with quiet savoury detail, gentle spice and a polished finish.
Cap De Faugeres 2019 Castillon
A smooth right-bank Bordeaux red with dark berries, blackcurrant and wild fruit at the centre. Notes of cardamom and tonka bean add warm aromatic detail without overwhelming the fruit, while the palate remains balanced and supple. Rounded through the finish, it is a comfortable match for roast beef, grilled lamb, mushrooms or slowly braised dishes.
Chateau Feret-Lambert 2022 Bordeaux Superieur
Medium to deep garnet in the glass, with ripe cassis, cherry and plum on the nose, joined by gentle oak and a subtle butterscotch note. The palate is medium-bodied and composed, carrying dark fruit through soft extraction and rounded tannins. A clean line of freshness keeps the texture lively, while the finish is fine and persistent. Serve with roast lamb, duck or mushroom dishes.
Croix Mouton 2019 Bordeaux Superieur
Smoky plum and blackberry form a dense, dark-fruited core, with subtle spice, cocoa and liquorice adding savoury depth. Full and rounded on the palate, the mainly Merlot blend carries ripe fruit through tannins that are beginning to soften. The finish remains earthy and generous. Pair with braised beef, lamb or grilled mushrooms.
Château Beaumont 2019 Haut-Médoc
Blackberry, cassis and plum meet briar, light tobacco and a restrained touch of sandalwood. Medium to full-bodied, the palate balances ripe fruit with grainy, well-shaped tannins and fresh acidity. Black coffee and subtle spice add savoury depth before a charming, composed finish. A classic partner for roast beef or hard cheese.
Mejean 2019 Graves
A structured Graves with blackberry and cassis, joined by sweet spice, hazelnut and a lightly earthy bark note. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, with succulent dark fruit framed by firm, polished tannins. Flavourful and composed on the finish, it is a natural partner for grilled beef, roast lamb, mushrooms or aged hard cheese.
Larrivaux 2019 Haut Medoc
A structured Haut-Médoc with intense blackcurrant and bramble aromas, followed by dark cherry and a light leather note. Parma violet brings an aromatic lift to the palate, while ripe tannins give the fruit shape and persistence. Balanced and savoury through the finish, it is a natural partner for roast beef, lamb, mushrooms or aged hard cheese.
Doyac 2021 Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois
Château Doyac produces a charming, well-balanced Haut-Médoc that has garnered praise in recent years. The wine is fruit-rich and finely tuned – overflowing with plump dark fruits (black cherry, cassis) yet kept lively by good freshness and structure. On the nose it shows aromas of ripe blackberry and plum along with subtle notes of peppery spice, cedar, and cocoa.
The palate is rounded and rich, with a refined, silky texture and supple tannins that give gentle structure. Layers of juicy Merlot-driven fruit are complemented by hints of dark chocolate, sweet spice, and a touch of graphite minerality. Despite the ripeness of fruit, Doyac remains elegant and medium-bodied, not heavy. The finish is impressively long and smooth, with soft tannins and lingering blackcurrant and vanilla notes.
In short, Château Doyac offers lots of fruit, balance and finesse – a modern Haut-Médoc that is full of charm, approachable when young (thanks to its polished tannins), yet with enough depth and acidity to age a bit. The overall impression is one of harmony: a fine core of ripe fruit, gentle oak influence, and a long, elegant close.
Doyac 2021 Le Pélican Haut-Médoc
Le Pélican is the special cuvée or second wine of Château Doyac, crafted to be open-knit and earlier-drinking while retaining the estate’s polished style. It shares Doyac’s modern, fruit-forward character with an extra level of approachability.
In the glass, Le Pélican offers vivid aromas of red and black berries (raspberry, currant, blackberry) along with hints of oak spice and floral notes. The palate is medium-bodied and smooth – expect juicy, punchy fruit flavors that are fresh and easy-going. The tannins here are softer and more immediately supple, allowing the wine’s creamy dark fruit and subtle vanilla-cocoa notes to take center stage. A touch of peppery spice or graphite from the terroir adds interest.
The wine has good balance, with a lively acidity keeping the ripe fruit in check, and a rounded, silky finish that leaves impressions of sweet blackberry and a whisper of oak. As a whole, Le Pélican de Doyac is seductive and crowd-pleasing – it delivers the essence of the Haut-Médoc (cassis, cedar, fine tannin) in a more relaxed, ready-to-enjoy package, making it perfect for drinking while the grand vin ages.
Château Caronne Sainte-Gemme 2019 Haut-Médoc
Dark and classically structured, with blackberry, blackcurrant and briar framed by cedar, pencil shaving and a touch of loamy earth. The palate is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with sappy dark fruit, fine powdery tannins and fresh acidity. Dark chocolate, tobacco leaf and white pepper carry the savoury, composed finish.
Pontoise Cabarrus 2019 Haut Medoc
A Cabernet-led Haut-Médoc with fresh blackberry and blueberry over toasty vanilla spice. The palate is rich but balanced, with dark fruit carried by firm structure and a measured oak note. Give it a little air, then serve with roast beef, grilled lamb, braised dishes or mushrooms; the finish is warm, polished and savoury.