Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)

Depth and power through the mid palate, good quality tannins, this is classically restrained St Estèphe power, with savoury yet juicy black fruits. Living up to its potential En Primeur, one to look out for, and a strong 2nd wine that beats out many 1st wines in the vintage. If you liked the Dame de Montrose 2010, get on board with this.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2020 La Dame de Montrose is fabulous. Rich, dense and expansive, the 2020 offers notable vibrancy and a good bit of energy too. Bright acids cut through a core of red/purplish fruit in what is an intense, wonderfully saline Dame. The 2020 finishes with remarkable elegance and sophistication.

James Suckling (92-93)

A fine and silky St.-Estephe with medium body and supple, fine tannins. Fresh. Pretty blue and purple fruit with stone and some ash notes. Refined and elegant. 53% merlot, 38% cabernet sauvignon, 6% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (92-93)

A fine and silky St.-Estephe with medium body and supple, fine tannins. Fresh. Pretty blue and purple fruit with stone and some ash notes. Refined and elegant. 53% merlot, 38% cabernet sauvignon, 6% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (94-95)

Wonderful freshness and brightness to this with currants and red berries, as well as chocolate and hints of coffee. Full and layered with round tannins and a fresh and vivid finish. Lemon rind underneath it all. It has lots of length for being mostly merlot. 71% merlot, 23% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot, and 1% cabernet franc. From organically grown grapes.

James Suckling (94-95)

The blackberries and blackcurrants show through beautifully, together with very integrated tannins. Dense and textured. Transparent. Graphite coming through. Second wine of Montrose. 61% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (94-95)

The blackberries and blackcurrants show through beautifully, together with very integrated tannins. Dense and textured. Transparent. Graphite coming through. Second wine of Montrose. 61% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (94-95)

The blackberries and blackcurrants show through beautifully, together with very integrated tannins. Dense and textured. Transparent. Graphite coming through. Second wine of Montrose. 61% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (94-95)

The blackberries and blackcurrants show through beautifully, together with very integrated tannins. Dense and textured. Transparent. Graphite coming through. Second wine of Montrose. 61% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (94-95)

The blackberries and blackcurrants show through beautifully, together with very integrated tannins. Dense and textured. Transparent. Graphite coming through. Second wine of Montrose. 61% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (94-95)

The blackberries and blackcurrants show through beautifully, together with very integrated tannins. Dense and textured. Transparent. Graphite coming through. Second wine of Montrose. 61% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2015 de Pez is dark, powerful and super-inviting. A rush of black cherry, plum, chocolate, gravel and smoke run though this gorgeous, delineated Saint Estèphe. Today, the Pez is virile, tannic and imposing, with noble character and personality to burn. The 2015 has really grown since I last tasted it. This is superb effort for the vintage, but my impression is that the best is yet to come for this chateau, where quality continues to grow. The 2015 is 51% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.

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.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90)

The 2017 de Pez is a pleasant Saint-Estèphe to drink now and over the next handful of years. Élevage (12 months in 30% new oak) has brought out a level of finesse the 2017 did not show from barrel. At the same time, while the 2017 has gained in elegance it has also lost some of the richness it showed en primeur. The 2017 is floral, gracious and medium in body, with tobacco and cedar as well as sweet red berry fruit and floral notes that add brightness on the subtle, silky finish. The 2017 is very nicely done, but I find it a bit light in structure; this is a wine to drink on the young side.

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.

Decanter (94)

Lovely fragrance of floral and dark bramble fruit on the nose. Smooth and supple, succulent and mouthwatering. Really lovely, juicy and bright, light and lean, but there’s texture too, softly grippy tannins that give the St-Estèphe minerality. Cool, crisp, lifted, lovely freshness with blue fruit and lots of pencil led and mint. Balanced, easy, not too sharp not too edgy or hard. I like this a lot, chewy cherry and lean strawberry and crisp cranberry. Great balance, ends a little lean but it’s the minerality that captures and I love it.

Decanter (94)

Lovely fragrance of floral and dark bramble fruit on the nose. Smooth and supple, succulent and mouthwatering. Really lovely, juicy and bright, light and lean, but there’s texture too, softly grippy tannins that give the St-Estèphe minerality. Cool, crisp, lifted, lovely freshness with blue fruit and lots of pencil led and mint. Balanced, easy, not too sharp not too edgy or hard. I like this a lot, chewy cherry and lean strawberry and crisp cranberry. Great balance, ends a little lean but it’s the minerality that captures and I love it.

Decanter (94)

Lovely fragrance of floral and dark bramble fruit on the nose. Smooth and supple, succulent and mouthwatering. Really lovely, juicy and bright, light and lean, but there’s texture too, softly grippy tannins that give the St-Estèphe minerality. Cool, crisp, lifted, lovely freshness with blue fruit and lots of pencil led and mint. Balanced, easy, not too sharp not too edgy or hard. I like this a lot, chewy cherry and lean strawberry and crisp cranberry. Great balance, ends a little lean but it’s the minerality that captures and I love it.

Wine Spectator (92)

Extremely pretty and perfumed, with velvety tannins and rich, spicy blueberry flavors. Not a huge wine, but gorgeous. Drink after 1997. 18,500 cases made.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (87-90)

Good full red. Spicy, oak-influenced aromas of luscious ripe plum, mocha and coffee. Juicy and sweet in the mouth, with harmonious acidity framing the chewy red fruit and dried violet flavors. Finishes with serious, slightly dusty tannins and excellent length. Impressively fruity, but I worry about this wine's tannic bite. Hopefully, the tannins with smooth out enough over time.

Vinous - Neal Martin (92+)

Tasting, the 2014 Haut Marbuzet has a potent marine influence on the nose, hints of kelp and mudflats infusing the blackberry and bilberry fruit, becoming more brine-like with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with dusty tannin, moderate acidity, finally mustering some fleshiness towards the peppery finish. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Wine Enthusiast (93)

The structure of this wine is firm, in a classic Saint-Estèphe style. Yet at the same time, the fruit is so generous, with a ripe layer of black currants and contrasting acidity.

Wine Enthusiast (93)

The structure of this wine is firm, in a classic Saint-Estèphe style. Yet at the same time, the fruit is so generous, with a ripe layer of black currants and contrasting acidity.

Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 2020 Haut-Marbuzet is open and attractive on the nose, less heavy and toasty than recent vintages. Pure black cherry and raspberry fruit with light iris petal and Indian ink scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite lithe and supple, gently building to a prudently spiced finish. Excellent.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2021 Haut-Marbuzet is another fabulous wine from the Duboscq family. Potent and layered, with terrific precision, Haut-Marbuzet is loaded with personality. Red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, hard candy, mint and rose petal come alive in the glass. The 2021 possesses striking inner sweetness and terrific balance. I loved it.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2021 Haut-Marbuzet is another fabulous wine from the Duboscq family. Potent and layered, with terrific precision, Haut-Marbuzet is loaded with personality. Red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, hard candy, mint and rose petal come alive in the glass. The 2021 possesses striking inner sweetness and terrific balance. I loved it.

Wine Spectator (91)

Concentrated wine. Intense aromas of grilled meat, spice and plum skin. Full-bodied, with big silky tannins and lots of fruit. Long and chewy. Best after 2007. 11,165 cases made. -JS

Wine Advocate (91)

Dense ruby/purple and still youthful and exuberant, with oodles of cassis and incense, the 2005 Lafon-Rochet is medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannin and a long finish. Just becoming approachable, this wine should continue to drink well for another 10-15 years.

Jancis Robinson (17)

63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Started organic viticulture and moving towards biodynamics – but still not certified. Very deep crimson. Exotic and polished nose. Inky and sweet and rather gorgeous. Lots of energy here. Good tannin quality. Long and opulent. Not the most characteristic of the appellation but lots of pleasure.