Tasting-notes: Saint-Julien
2023
Refined, rich and expressive, the nose reveals its delightful notes of black fruits, spices, with fine woody notes and subtle toasted notes. Full, dense mouth with a beautiful aromatic intensity. Very well structured and balanced. The tannins are firm and are accompanied by a fresh acidity. Finish full of elegance, fruit, freshness and length. A very beautiful Beychevelle.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 95-97/100
2022
Intense et captivant, le nez s'ouvre sur d'élégantes notes de fruits noirs, assorties de notes de tabac et d'épices. La bouche est très bien structurée, fraîche, avec une profondeur aromatique impressionnante. Des tanins polis accompagnés d'une belle acidité, qui procurent au vin un équilibre qui frôle la perfection. La fin de bouche est remarquable de longueur et d'élégance.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2023.
Score: 97-98/100
2020
The nose is deep and refined, revealing delightful notes of black fruits, spices, chocolate and subtle floral notes. On the palate, the wine is generous, smooth and perfectly structured. A silky tannic weave that comes to line the mouth with its elegance, supported by an irresistible tension, the balance is perfect. The finish is persistent and remarkably fresh. A wine that will be enjoyed earlier than usual and for many years.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 96+/100
Amiral de Beychevelle (second vin)
A refined nose of red fruits, spices with a subtle note of tobacco. An opulent mouth, refined and very well structured. The wood is very well integrated, the tannic texture is clean and elegant. The finish is persistent and remarkably fresh. A second wine that has a certain foundation. Can be enjoyed today, but will still enjoy a guard of 4-5 years to express themselves in the most beautiful ways.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 93/100
2018
The nose is elegant and of a beautiful intensity, offering notes of black fruits, spices with delicate vanilla notes. A seductive mouth, full of finesse, with remarkable complexity and a beautiful structure. The tannic texture is wonderfully supple and supported by a nice tension, which gives a lot of freshness. The finish is elegant, full of charm and remarkable persistence. An exceptional wine, no doubt, 2018 will mark the decade of its imprint.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 97/100
2014
Amiral de Beychevelle (second vin)
Fine nose, complex and very expressive, you can easily perceive its pretty notes of black fruits mixed with licorice, tobacco, with a hint of vanilla. The attack on the palate is delicate, refined, with aromatic depth. The wine gains in volume as and when. The tannins are fine, elegant and supported by a fine acidity. Fresh finish and a very pleasant length. A second wine worthy of its elder that can be tasted today.
Dégusté en avril 2024.
Score: 92/100
2013
The nose reveals nice fruity, woody and spicy notes. The mouth is certainly leaner than usual, but it remains properly structured and well balanced. The tannic texture is firm but supported by a slight tension. The finish is long and quite elegant considering the vintage. A great success for the appellation. To be enjoyed today.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 93/100
2009
A rich and mesmerizing nose on notes of black fruits, tobacco accompanied by subtle woody notes. A rich, complex and charming mouth with remarkable structure. Fine tannins that fill the palate with elegance. The finish is refined and superb length. A wine with considerable potential. To be enjoyed today, but it will win if desired again. A very large Beychevelle.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 96/100
2001
The nose is seductive and of great intensity. The palate is like what you can expect from a wine of this age, deep, refined and still very well structured. The tannins are remarkably fine and accompanied by a nice tension. The finish is persistent and elegant freshness. To be enjoyed over the next 5-6 years to make the most of it.
Tasted in November 2022.
Score: 95/100
2023
Racy, elegant and full of freshness, we perceive intense notes of black fruits, spices, a delicate woody with its subtle notes of roasting. On the palate, it is very well structured by a tannic texture of fine firmness supported by a nice tension. The balance is ideal. Fruity, refined, fresh finish with a delightful persistence.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 95-96/100
2022
On the nose there are superb notes of black fruit, vanilla and subtle notes of roasting. The mouth is ample, rich and of a beautiful depth. Soft tannins as well as a correct acidity, the balance is ideal. A harmonious wine, with great freshness. The finish is elegant and of a sublime length.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2023.
Score: 96-97/100
2018
Duluc de Branaire-Ducru (second vin)
The nose is expressive and delicate, revealing beautiful notes of black fruits and spices. On the palate, the wine is smooth, elegant and well structured. The tannins are round and accompanied by a correct acidity. The finish is fresh and nice length. A very nice approach to the castle on a very flattering vintage.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 92/100
2017
Elegant, complex and of a beautiful depth, the nose offers us its superb notes of black fruits, pepper, with its fine woody notes, vanilla, chocolate and subtle notes of tobacco. Full, dense mouth, with a remarkable expression of the fruit, a beautiful structure and a very nice balance. The tannins are fine, racy, elegant and are accompanied by a beautiful acidity. Fresh, fruity, persistent but above all remarkably refined.
Tasted in July 2024.
Score: 93+/100
2015
Duluc de Branaire-Ducru (second vin)
The nose is racy with notes of red and black fruits accompanied by fine toasted notes. In the mouth, the wine is delicate, ample with a beautiful aromatic intensity. Round tannins and slight acidity give a nice balance. The finish is an elegant length. A wine that can be tasted very well today.
Tasted in October 2022.
Score: 92/100
2012
The nose is flattering and of a beautiful aromatic intensity, offering an elegant bouquet of black fruits, subtle floral notes as well as fine woody notes. A dense, refined and very well balanced mouth. A net tannic weave of remarkable finesse. The finish is fresh, elegant and of a beautiful persistence. A very nice success on this vintage. To be tasted today.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 93/100
2018
The nose is of a beautiful aromatic intensity, revealing nice notes of cassis, blackberries, spices and subtle floral notes. The attack on the palate is pure, clean and perfectly confirms the promises made to the nose. The tannins are round and accompanied by a fine acidity. The finish is very long. A very good value for money on the appellation, it begins to taste today but will gain more after a minimum of 2-3 years.
Tasted in September 2022.
Score: 93/100
2017
The nose reveals elegant notes of black fruits and liquorice after a slight opening. The mouth is like the nose, carried on the fruit, greedy, refined, generous and well structured. The tannins are still a little firm but are accompanied by a nice acidity. A harmonious finish, fine and with a nice length. This 2017 vintage, somewhat criticized, is nevertheless one of the vintages that will be appreciated very well from their youth but which will also be desired for a few more years.
Tasted in January 2022.
Score: 91/100
2023
Nose sharp, deep with notes of black fruits, with a subtle woody and fine spicy notes. Juicy, elegant attack on the palate that gains in volume in the middle of the mouth, with a beautiful expression of the fruit. Well structured and well balanced. The tannins are firm and are accompanied by a fine acidity. Final both fresh, refined and of a nice length. A very beautiful Gloria.
Dégusté en avril 2024.
Score: 94-95/100
2022
Dark fruits, chocolate and fine floral notes are revealed on the nose. The attack on the palate is clean, elegant and fresh. The tannins are round, the acidity correct, which gives a nice balance. The finish is of a charming persistence.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2023.
Score: 94-95/100
2023
Rich, elegant and expressive, the nose reveals its delightful bouquet of black fruits, with fine spicy notes, very delicate oaky and subtle toasted notes. Delicate, refined attack on the palate with a beautiful material. Very well structured and balanced. The tannins are noble, firm and are accompanied by a fine tension that brings a lot of freshness. Elegant finish and a very nice persistence.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 95-96/100
2022
The nose reveals a very nice bouquet of black fruits, spices and fine floral notes. In the mouth, it is all that one expects from a vintage of this magnitude, it is dense, deep, with a beautiful structure. A beautiful balance between round tannins and sublime tension, which brings a lot of freshness. A refined, persistent finish of remarkable elegance.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2023.
Score: 96-97/100
2023
Fresh, complex and with a nice depth, on the nose, we can perceive elegant notes of black fruits, fine spicy notes and a very subtle woody. Full, dense mouth with an expression of the fruit full of purity. Very beautiful structure and superb balance. Tannic texture of noble firmness supported by a very nice acidity. Fresh, elegant and beautiful persistence. Another successful vintage for the Lagrange teams.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 95-96/100
2022
The nose is refined and of a beautiful depth, opening on notes of black fruits, spices as well as delicate herbaceous notes. The palate is opulent, elegant, deep and very fresh. The tannins are remarkably flexible, the balance is perfect. The mouth ends on a sublime persistence. Château Lagrange hits the mark with this superb 2022.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2023.
Score: 96-97/100
2020
Les Fiefs de Lagrange (second vin)
The nose is of a delightful aromatic intensity, revealing superb notes of red and black fruits. In the mouth, the wine is of a very beautiful structure, ample. The ideal balance between tannins of a lovely roundness and an acidity that gives great freshness. The finish is fruity, elegant and very long. A wine with incredible drinkability from its youth, however, a little aging will do it the greatest good.
Tasted in March 2023.
Score: 92/100
2015
The nose is charming and very deep. The attack in the mouth is fleshy, deep and gains volume in the middle of the mouth. Perfectly structured, the tannins are velvety and accompanied by a nice acidity, elegance is at the rendezvous. The finish is harmonious and of remarkable persistence. Begins to taste today, it will gain complexity over time. To be rediscovered in 3-4 years.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 95/100
Les Fiefs de Lagrange (second vin)
The nose is very seductive and in line with what we expect from a beautiful Saint-Julien, that is to say fruity with a fine woody, proof of a perfectly mastered breeding. In the mouth, the wine is of a beautiful aromatic intensity, well structured with a superb balance between round tannins and a fine tension. The final is of a correct length. This second wine is an immediate pleasure that it would be regrettable to sulk. To taste today, it will easily keep for another 5-6 years.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 92/100
2005
Bewitching, deep, the nose reveals wonderful notes of black fruits, truffles, spices with subtle woody notes. A lively mouth, ample and very sweet, the wine has a superb structure. The tannins are fine, racy and supported by a nice tension. The finish is persistent and remarkably elegant. For lovers of advanced wines, this 2005 Lagrange still has a very good aging potential.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 94/100
2023
Racy, rich and deep with notes of black fruits, spices with delicate woody notes and subtle toasted notes. Mouth ample, dense and of great purity. Very beautiful structure and balance. The tannins are noble, firm and supported by a fine acidity. Fruity, fresh and very long finish.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 95-96/100
2022
Charming and sublime depth, the nose reveals elegant notes of blackberries, cassis, flowers and a hint of tobacco. In the mouth, the wine is ample, rich, very well structured and perfectly balanced. The tannins are of a lovely flexibility. A fresh, refined and wonderfully long finish.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2023.
Score: 95-96/100
2015
A dazzling nose with notes of red fruits, blueberries and subtle vanilla notes. On the palate, it is ripe, deep and perfectly structured. Refined tannins supported by an elegant acidity. The finish is persistent and of a charming freshness. A wine that will be enjoyed without hesitation over the next 15 years.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 94/100
2023
Expressive nose with notes of black fruit, spices, with a delicate oaky. Well-structured and well-balanced mouth. Firm tannins, fine tension. Fruity finish, fresh and of a correct length.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 90-91/100
2023
Aerial, complex and very expressive, the nose offers us a delightful bouquet of black fruits, spices, with a subtle woody and a very delicate toasted. Delicate, refined attack on the palate, with a beautiful aromatic expression. A remarkable structure brought by pure and firm tannins, which are supported by an elegant tension. Finish of great intensity of fruit, freshness, refinement and persistence.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 97-98/100
2022
Seductive and comforting, the nose offers intense notes of black fruits such as cassis, blackberry and blueberry, accompanied by notes of chocolate, tobacco and delicate floral notes. The attack on the palate is ample, dense, perfectly structured and of a remarkable finesse. With great aromatic depth, the tannins are of outstanding flexibility, supported by a nice tension. The finish is fresh and remarkably long.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2023.
Score: 97-99/100
2017
The nose is radiant with its fruity and subtle woody notes. The mouth is deep, refined and perfectly balanced. The tannins are fine and accompanied by a nice acidity. A persistent finish, fresh and great elegance. Without a doubt, one of the great successes of the vintage. To be enjoyed from 2025 until 2037.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 95/100
1993
The nose is of a very beautiful intensity, revealing delightful notes of black fruits, licorice, tobacco and subtle notes of leather. The attack in mouth is delicate, and of a nice depth. The tannins are perfectly blended with, again, a small slightly noticeable acidity. The finish is refined but lacks length. Despite a slight lack of concentration and persistence, this wine proves perfectly that even on the so-called "complicated" vintages, great properties stand out.
Dégusté en juin 2022.
Score: 93/100
2023
Bewitching, full of charm and elegance, we perceive intense notes of black fruits and spices, subtle floral notes with a very delicate woody. Mouth ample, dense, expressive and of considerable elegance. Very beautiful structure brought by tannins of extreme nobility. Final full of balance, freshness, refinement and length. The grand winner of the vintage is here.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 97-98/100
2022
Opulent, complex and elegant, the nose exudes superb notes of cassis, blackberry, tobacco, a hint of licorice and subtle vanilla notes. In the mouth, the wine is dense, elegant and perfectly structured. A superb balance between polished tannins and a beautiful acidity. The finish is refined and extremely long.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2023.
Score: 97-98/100
2017
Pavillon de Poyferré (second vin)
The nose is fresh, fruity, with notes of black fruits, spices and subtle toasted notes. A silky mouth full of charm. A beautiful structure, the tannins are round and supported by a fine acidity. A fresh, elegant wine with a persistent finish. The kind of fruity wine that can be enjoyed today. A great success on a vintage that is quite criticized with less potential than the 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020. However, in my eyes, it is a vintage on which we can enjoy, it would be a shame to miss it.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 91/100
2015
The nose is radiant and of exceptional intensity revealing delightful notes of black fruits, spices and fine woody notes. The palate is ample, rich and remarkably concentrated. The aromatic palette is of a delightful depth. The tannic texture is straight and wonderfully fine. The finish is voluptuous and of considerable length. A still young vintage, but with exceptional potential. You will have to be patient and come back in 3-4 years.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 98/100
2016
A charming nose and a beautiful aromatic richness, it reveals delightful notes of black fruits and spices. In the mouth, the wine is ample, dense and very well structured. The tannins are polished and accompanied by a fine tension that gives a nice freshness. The finish is all in elegance and persistence. A wine that is beginning to be appreciated but which, however, requires a bit of patience to enjoy at its peak.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 94/100
2009
On the nose, it is intense and concentrated, revealing superb notes of ripe black fruits, spices, with subtle underbrush and mushroom notes. A rich, silky, voluptuous mouth with a lovely structure. A straight tannic texture, elegant and supported by a nice acidity. The finish is slender, refined and of a delightful length. If tasted nowadays, it has, that said, a superb potential for keeping.
Tasted in October 2023.
Score: 94/100
2023
Clean and fresh nose with notes of black fruits, spices and subtle toasted notes. Well-structured and well-balanced mouth. Firm tannins and fine acidity. Fresh finish and a correct length.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 90-91/100
2023
Racy, refined and of a beautiful depth, the nose offers us its very nice notes of black fruits, spices and its fine woody. Delicate, expressive and very well structured mouth attack. The tannins are firm and supported by a fresh acidity. Fruity, fresh and with a nice persistence.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 95-96/100
2022
Refined and of a very beautiful intensity, the nose offers delightful notes of blackberry, blackcurrant and spices. In the mouth, it is rich, very well structured with a nice depth. A remarkable balance thanks to polished tannins and a nice tension. The finish is fresh, elegant and of a beautiful persistence.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2023.
Score: 95-96/100
2023
Deep, elegant and of a beautiful intensity, we discover notes of black fruits, spices, with subtle toasted and woody notes. On the palate, it is both ample, dense, delicate and very expressive. Very well structured and balanced. The tannins are firm and accompanied by a fine tension. Finish full of freshness, elegance and persistence. A very nice vintage for Château Talbot.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 95-96/100
2022
The nose is fine and expressive with notes of blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, spices and subtle floral notes. Opulent, concentrated and very well structured, the palate is of great elegance. Polished tannins, a beautiful acidity, the balance is perfect. Harmonious and very refined, the mouth ends with a delightful length.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2023.
Score: 96-97/100
2015
A refined nose and a beautiful richness. The palate is of remarkable elegance, sensual, concentrated with a beautiful structure; the tannic texture is clear and remarkably flexible. The finish is a wonderful length. A wine with remarkable aging potential that still needs a few years before being revealed in the most beautiful way.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 95/100
Connétable de Talbot (second vin)
A fruity, oaky and very charming nose. In the mouth, the wine is of a beautiful aromatic intensity, well structured, with a nice balance between soft tannins and a subtle tension. The finish is fresh and of a correct length. A wine ready to taste.
Tasted in September 2023.
Score: 92/100
2023
Fine, deep and expressive, the nose reveals its beautiful notes of black fruits, spices, with its very delicate oaky. On the palate, it is well structured and well balanced. The tannins are firm and are supported by a fine acidity. Fruity, elegant and long finish. A very beautiful Saint-Julien that will make people talk about him in the next few years.
Tasted en primeurs in April 2024.
Score: 92-93/100
2022
Seductive, elegant with richness and depth, the nose offers us its wonderful notes of black fruits, spices, vanilla, with a floral touch full of refinement. The mouth is both delicate, generous with a beautiful aromatic intensity. A fine and racy tannic texture gives all the structure of the wine, the perceived fine acidity, on the other hand, brings the freshness that comes to balance the whole. Elegance and persistence for a final that reminds us that we are in Saint-Julien.
Tasted in February 2025.
Score: 93/100