Vinous - Neal Martin (92)

The 2020 Château de Camensac has an attractive nose with ample red berry fruit, brown spices, cedar and light earthy aromas. The Merlot is very expressive here (47% of the blend). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and very well judged acidity. This is classic Haut-Médoc, cool and refined with a saline finish that gets the saliva flowing. One of the best wines from the estate in recent years. Highly recommended.

James Suckling (91-92)

Pretty raspberry, currant and spice-box character with some orange zest. Tight, lightly grainy tannins. Medium-bodied and juicy.

James Suckling (91-92)

Pretty raspberry, currant and spice-box character with some orange zest. Tight, lightly grainy tannins. Medium-bodied and juicy.

James Suckling (91-92)

Pretty raspberry, currant and spice-box character with some orange zest. Tight, lightly grainy tannins. Medium-bodied and juicy.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2022 de Camensac is a very serious wine and also a huge overachiever in its peer group. Vertical and explosive in the glass, the 2022 stains the palate with inky dark fruit. Sage, mint, tobacco, incense and licorice are strands in the wine's gorgeous fabric of aromas and flavors. I especially admire the depth, persistence and overall substance here. Superb.

Brimming with distinction, Candale 1983, released by the revered Château de Candale, is a quintessential expression of the esteemed Saint-Émilion terroir. Renowned for its meticulous crafting process, the estate's vineyards are deeply rooted in limestone clay soils, gifting the Candale 1983's Merlot dominant blend with unparalleled sophistication. The 1983 vintage, a standout year in Bordeaux, is imbued with lush plum and ripe berry notes harmoniously woven with subtle spices and velvety tannins, culminating in a stylish, sustained finish.

The grapes for Candale 1983 experienced a traditional vinification process in concrete vats, enhancing their natural characters. Post-fermentation, the wine aged in fine-grained, French oak barrels, adding layers of tantalising complexity. Château de Candale, with centuries of winemaking prowess, has respectfully preserved tradition while embracing innovation, producing the Candale 1983 that connoisseurs the world over rightly applaud.

Decanter (94)

Super expressive on the nose, white peach, pear, lime, apricot and pineapple - smells lively and fresh. Really round and unctuous on the palate, more sombre in terms of outright acidity but this has a lovely, well framed structure with honeyed fruit, quince, apricot and fleshy white peach Certainly a gourmet style, with some hints of bitter lemon too to give nuance and complexity. A great combination of aromatic intensity from the Sauvignon Gris and Semillon with freshness and verve from the Sauvignon Blanc. Charming and characterful. Lovely. One to enjoy now or keep in the cellar to age. A blend of 50% Semillon, 45% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Sauvignon Gris.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)

The 2020 Chantegrive is quite expressive in this tasting. Raspberry jam, gravel, savory herbs and pencil shavings abound. Powerful and driving in the glass, with tons of backing energy, the 2020 is a terrific wine in the making.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)

The 2020 Chantegrive is quite expressive in this tasting. Raspberry jam, gravel, savory herbs and pencil shavings abound. Powerful and driving in the glass, with tons of backing energy, the 2020 is a terrific wine in the making.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)

Juice and rich fruit is more apparent in the 1998 than it was in the 1996, with waves of apricot and nectarine to sink into, spliced by a knife edge of crisp, clean zest that elevates Fargues above most others in the appellation. Grilled toffee also, but more a memory of sweetness than sweetness itself, tarte tatin and white pear. Five weeks of harvest from September 22 through to October 28. François Amirault winemaker.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2001 Château de Fargues has a ton of botrytis on the nose, along with those trademark scents of Manuka honey and quince, Seville oranges and perhaps more delineation than I noticed on previous bottles. The palate has a lovely balance with botrytis-soaked fruit, unctuous in texture with stem ginger and even a hint of rhubarb on the finish. This is firing on all cylinders at the moment and represents the best bottle that I have encountered. Tasted at the Château Figeac dinner.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Heavy. Not quite enough lift. Very, very big. Very dense, but I would like a little more acidity. Massive! For weightlifters.

Wine Advocate (97)

The de Fargues 2007 delivers 13.9% alcohol and 134 grams of residual sugar. Picking commenced on September 11, with slow botrytis formation and recommenced October 2-24, the picking ale to be conducted at a relatively leisurely pace. It has a very typical de Fargues nose that has lost its tongue at first, but it opens up to reveal a slightly spirituous bouquet with clear honey, pressed flowers, almond and a distant scent of the sea. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and outstanding delineation. It is utterly harmonious with a thrilling, edgy finish that expresses the terroir with great clarity. There is an effervescent quality that really takes the 2007 to another level, while the marmalade and white pepper finish is powerful and leaves a lasting impression. This is a fabulous 2007, one of the wines of the vintage. Tasted April 2013.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91-94)

The 2013 de Fargues is deep, powerful and intense. Apricot jam, orange marmalade, spices and wild flowers inform a Sauternes built on real resonance and layers of flavor. White flowers, lychee and mango are some of the many notes that linger on the close. The 2013 is quite rich, yet also maintains a gorgeous sense of transparency.

Wine Advocate (96-98)

The 2015 Chateau de Fargues delivers 153 grams per liter of residual sugar at 13.8% alcohol. It has a complex bouquet with honey, marmalade and quince aromas that are beautifully defined, but will clearly take a few years to reach their full potential. The palate is very sensual on the entry, honeyed and lavish at the beginning, but retaining wonderful precision and persistence on the lightly spiced finish. This is a seriously good de Fargues that should age effortlessly over the next 30-40 years. As usual, this is one for the serious Sauternes-lovers who know that good things come to those that wait.

Wine Advocate (96-98)

The 2015 Chateau de Fargues delivers 153 grams per liter of residual sugar at 13.8% alcohol. It has a complex bouquet with honey, marmalade and quince aromas that are beautifully defined, but will clearly take a few years to reach their full potential. The palate is very sensual on the entry, honeyed and lavish at the beginning, but retaining wonderful precision and persistence on the lightly spiced finish. This is a seriously good de Fargues that should age effortlessly over the next 30-40 years. As usual, this is one for the serious Sauternes-lovers who know that good things come to those that wait.

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 2016 de Fargues has a lively bouquet of dried honey and marmalade scents infused with subtle hazelnut and lanolin aromas; there is fine cohesion and focus on display here. The palate is very well balanced with a supple, viscous opening. The acidity and the level of new oak are extremely well judged, and hints of custard creams and quince appear toward the harmonious finish. What a lovely Sauternes! Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Imbued with the elegant complexity of a well-aged Bordeaux, the Ferrand 2010 is truly a distinguishing choice for devout oenophiles. This unique vintage hails from the prestigious Saint-Émilion region, known for yielding the world's finest Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. Explicit attention to the winemaking tradition is the bedrock of Ferrand's reputation.

Each grape cluster is handpicked, meticulously sorted, and fermented in temperature-controlled concrete tanks, then aged for 18 months in oak barrels. Through this intricate process, Ferrand 2010 develops its sophisticated character, offering a nuanced bouquet of blackcurrants, licorice, and truffle, wrapped in pleasant tannins that speak to its impressive ageing potential.

Reflecting the excellence of its producer, Château de Ferrand, a Grand Cru Classé since 2012, Ferrand 2010 has alluring depth and a characteristically long finish, making it a sublime choice for discerning wine enthusiasts.