Château Pontoise Cabarrus is hoofdzakelijk samengesteld uit Merlot en Cabernet Sauvignon, aangevuld met een weinig Cabernet Franc en Petit Verdot. Deze wijn heeft een diepe, donkerrode kleur. Zeer typerend Haut Médoc. Ronde, volle structuur met zeer veel fruit en heerlijke bosaroma’s. De stevige tannines worden mooi ondersteund door fijne zuren, waardoor deze wijn een aanzienlijk bewaarpotentieel krijgt. Deze rijke en perfect gebalanceerde wijn is steeds te verkrijgen aan een klein prijsje. Vele liefhebbers kunnen getuigen dat Château Pontoise Cabarrus na een aantal jaren flesrijping (8 jaar) een ware delicatesse is.

Château Pontoise Cabarrus is hoofdzakelijk samengesteld uit Merlot en Cabernet Sauvignon, aangevuld met een weinig Cabernet Franc en Petit Verdot. Deze wijn heeft een diepe, donkerrode kleur. Zeer typerend Haut Médoc. Ronde, volle structuur met zeer veel fruit en heerlijke bosaroma’s. De stevige tannines worden mooi ondersteund door fijne zuren, waardoor deze wijn een aanzienlijk bewaarpotentieel krijgt. Deze rijke en perfect gebalanceerde wijn is steeds te verkrijgen aan een klein prijsje. Vele liefhebbers kunnen getuigen dat Château Pontoise Cabarrus na een aantal jaren flesrijping (8 jaar) een ware delicatesse is.

Vinous – 96/100
Deep ruby. Displays intensely perfumed red and blue fruit preserves,
licorice, exotic spice, potpourri, smoky minerals and cured meat scents.
Stains the palate with sweet boysenberry, cherry-cola, fruitcake and black
cardamom flavors that smoothly meld depth and vivacity. Round, even
tannins lend shape to the impressively long finish, which strongly repeats
the floral and mineral notes.

Vinous – Antonio Galloni – 93-95/100
The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is compelling. Soft, silky and caressing,
the 2020 is all charm and seduction. Ripe pear, apricot, white flowers, mint
and a touch of new oak are all deftly woven together. Best of all, the 2020
will drink well pretty much upon release. It’s a gorgeous wine in the
making.

Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate – 94-96+/100
The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Sémillon. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak, 50% new, within which it will age for 12 months on lees with bâtonnage before spending a further two to three months in tank. It prances out of the glass with vivacious notes of lime blossoms, Golden Delicious apples and green mango, plus hints of coriander seed, shaved ginger and wet pebbles. The medium-bodied palate possesses lovely harmony even at this nascent stage, featuring bright apple and citrus flavors with soft acidity and a chalky finish.

Vinous – Neil Martin – 96/100
The 2020 Rauzan-Ségla is more open on the nose than when I tasted it
from barrel. Quite intense with blackberry, crushed violet, oyster shell and
just a touch of pencil box. It actually pulls back a little with aeration, almost
as if it is (to quote The Specials) showing too much, too young. The palate
is pixelated on the entry, perfectly proportioned with seamlessly
integrated oak, a silver bead of acidity. Not ostentatious in any way, but
streamlined and holding something back on the finish, which bodes well
for the future. This is deeply impressive.

Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate – 96-98+/100
Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Rauzan-Ségla is aging for 18 months in French oak barrels, 60% new. It has an alcohol of 13.5% and a pH of 3.74. Deep purple-black colored, aromas of blackcurrant cordial, stewed red and black plums, chocolate-covered cherries and raspberry coulis erupt from the glass, leading to an undercurrent of tar, licorice, red roses and menthol, plus a hint of unsmoked cigars. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and yet manages seriously impressive intensity, which is well-sustained throughout the mid-palate and finish. Refined and refreshing, delivering beautifully soft, silt-like tannins and bags of bright red and black fruits, it finishes with amazing length and a stunning perfume. Between this and Château Canon, Nicolas Audebert and his team have knocked it out of the park this vintage.

Vinous – Antonio Galloni – 94/100
The 2018 Phélan Ségur is just as convincing from bottle as it was en
primeur. Deep and beautifully layered, with exceptional finesse and tons
of personality, the 2018 delivers the goods big time. Dark blue/black fruit,
gravel, spice, menthol, licorice and dried herbs all build as the 2018 shows
off its allure. There is plenty of vintage 2018 richness, but a good deal of
supporting structure as well. The 2018 is just exquisite.

Vinous – Neil Martin – 94/100
The 2020 Phélan Ségur, which was picked 16 September to 1 October, and
is the first vintage with four varieties in the blend i.e. Cabernet Franc and
Petit Verdot as well as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It fulfils the
promise that it showed from barrel. Not quite as intense on the nose, yet it
has retained that Pauillac-inspired allure thanks to those subtle pencil box
and cedar scents infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied
with a cohesive, well-knit entry. Lovely texture, very pure, this is one of the
most seductive Phélan that I can recall at this stage and I adored the
classicism and graphite note that lingers on the aftertaste. Superb.

Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate – 90-92+/100
Displaying a medium to deep purple-black color, the 2020 Phélan Ségur offers up intense notions of crushed red and black currants, black raspberries and fresh mulberries, plus suggestions of charcuterie, pencil shavings and cinnamon toast. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled and refreshing, delivering a firm, grainy texture to support the crunchy red and black fruits, finishing with a peppery kick.

Vinous – Neil Martin – 93/100
The 2020 Sociando Mallet has retained its impressive aromatics from its
showing in barrel with beautifully defined blackberry and raspberry fruit,
pressed violet and light cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with
firm backbone, a little powdery in texture, fine backbone with ample
freshness and tension towards its graphite-infused finish. Bravo!

Vinous – Neil Martin – 93/100
The 2020 Sociando Mallet has retained its impressive aromatics from its
showing in barrel with beautifully defined blackberry and raspberry fruit,
pressed violet and light cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with
firm backbone, a little powdery in texture, fine backbone with ample
freshness and tension towards its graphite-infused finish. Bravo!

Vinous – Antonio Galloni – 93-95/100
The 2020 Malartic Lagravière is a powerful, tightly wound wine. There is
perhaps a bit less opulence than in years past, but that just gives the wine
an extra kick of energy and vibrancy that is quite attractive. Inky red cherry
fruit, rose petal, spice, cedar and cinnamon all grace this beautifully taut
wine from the Bonnie family. Tasted three times.

Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate – 92-94/100
The deep purple-black 2020 Malartic Lagraviere leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of Bing cherries, black raspberries, ripe plums and boysenberries, plus suggestions of pencil lead, wild sage and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate has lovely energy and freshness, offering a solid backbone of grainy tannins to support the lively red and black fruit layers, finishing savory. The tentative blend is 50.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47.8% Merlot, and 1.8% Cabernet Franc, with only 38% of production going into the grand vin. The alcohol is 14% this year. Commencing with the 2020 vintage, the estate has chosen a new bottle for the grand cru and second vin, highlighted by an engraved ship, the symbol of the estate.

Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate – 91-93/100
Very deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Olivier offers vibrant notions of wild blueberries, blackberry preserves and cassis, plus hints of clove oil, cinnamon stick and tree bark, with a waft of dusty soil. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly played with soft tannins and seamless freshness supporting the restrained black and blue fruit flavors, finishing earthy.

Vinous – Neil Martin – 89-91/100
The 2020 Olivier, matured in 35% new oak, has a comparatively rich and
opulent bouquet of macerated black cherries, blueberry and black plums,
although I find it needs a little more delineation and I would like the oak to
be more assimilated by the time it is bottled. The palate is medium-bodied
with ripe tannins, a seam of dark chocolate/cocoa infusing the black fruit,
and hints of black olive toward the finish. An assertive Olivier; hopefully it
will develop the refinement that is missing at the moment.

Vinous – Neil Martin – 90-92/100
The 2020 Ormes de Pez, which has gradually moved to a more Merlotdominated blend over the last decade, is aged for 16 months in 45% new oak. It has a nicely detailed bouquet of a mélange of red and black fruit –
cranberry, blackberry and a touch of blueberry – accompanied by cedar
and subtle wild mint aromas; it is actually quite Pauillac-like in style. The
palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins and chewy in the mouth,
quite compact at first. A strong saline, almost briny element comes
through toward the finish, which is more quintessential Saint-Estèphe. This
is a more backward and less finessed wine compared to the Cazes family’s
Lynch-Bages or Haut-Batailley, but there is commendable length and
character, not to mention a very attractive openness, to this wine.

Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate – 90-92/100
Composed of 54% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, to be aged for around 16 months in French oak barriques, 45% new, the 2020 Ormes de Pez has an alcohol of 13.17%, a pH of 3.69 and an IPT of 79. Deep garnet-purple colored, it springs from the glass with notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote and Morello cherries, plus hints of graphite, wild mushrooms and sautéed herbs. The medium-bodied palate delivers plenty of herbs-laced black fruits with a pleasant chewiness to the texture and lovely freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note.

Vinous – Neil Martin – 90-92/100
The 2020 Ormes de Pez, which has gradually moved to a more Merlotdominated blend over the last decade, is aged for 16 months in 45% new oak. It has a nicely detailed bouquet of a mélange of red and black fruit –
cranberry, blackberry and a touch of blueberry – accompanied by cedar
and subtle wild mint aromas; it is actually quite Pauillac-like in style. The
palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins and chewy in the mouth,
quite compact at first. A strong saline, almost briny element comes
through toward the finish, which is more quintessential Saint-Estèphe. This
is a more backward and less finessed wine compared to the Cazes family’s
Lynch-Bages or Haut-Batailley, but there is commendable length and
character, not to mention a very attractive openness, to this wine.

Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate – 90-92/100
Composed of 54% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, to be aged for around 16 months in French oak barriques, 45% new, the 2020 Ormes de Pez has an alcohol of 13.17%, a pH of 3.69 and an IPT of 79. Deep garnet-purple colored, it springs from the glass with notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote and Morello cherries, plus hints of graphite, wild mushrooms and sautéed herbs. The medium-bodied palate delivers plenty of herbs-laced black fruits with a pleasant chewiness to the texture and lovely freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note.

Vinous – Antonio Galloni – 90-92/100
The 2020 Lanessan is impressive, to say the least. Dark, layered and
mysterious, the 2020 packs serious punch, the blackberry jam, incense,
scorched earth and leather all melding together. I especially admire the
wine’s depth and textural intensity. Beautifully done.

Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate – 89-91/100
Sporting a deep purple-black color, the 2020 Lanessan has a lively nose of crushed redcurrants, black raspberries and blackcurrant preserves, plus hints of dried Provence herbs and pencil shavings. The medium-bodied palate has plenty of energetic red and black berry flavors, supported by grainy tannins, finishing deliciously refreshing.

Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate – 91-93/100
The 2020 de Fieuzal Blanc gives up scents of lemon tart, fresh, crunchy pears and white grapefruit with hints of crushed rocks, coriander seed and white pepper. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and elegantly styled with a quiet intensity of citrus and pear flavors and a chalky finish.

Vinous – Neil Martin – 89-91/100
The 2020 Château de Fieuzal Blanc works much better than its red
counterpart this year. It has a straightforward, clean nose of lime, orange
pith and light touches of grapefruit. The palate is well balanced with a
rounded entry, soft and supple, offering pure peach and apricot notes and
fanning out nicely toward the quite luscious but focused finish. Drink over
8–12 years

Vinous – Antonio Galloni – 91-93/100
The 2020 Labégorce is a dark, brooding Margaux. Black cherry, gravel,
licorice, spice and bittersweet chocolate play off the wine’s considerable
density and pure power. Labégorce is not exactly subtle, but it sure packs
plenty of punch. This is an especially plush style, and it works well.

Robert parker – The Wine Advocate – 89-91/100
The 2020 Labégorce is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, aging in French oak barrels, 40% new. The alcohol is 14%. Medium to deep purple-black in color, it slides out of the glass with open-knit scents of redcurrant jelly, kirsch and black raspberries, plus hints of bay leaves and lavender. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and elegant with plenty of vivacious red berry flavors and a soft texture, finishing with an herbal lift.