Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)

The 2023 Giscours is the very best wine I have ever tasted here. Giscours has been knocking on the door of Bordeaux's elite for a few years now. Two thousand twenty-three is the year in which Giscours joins the region's big boys and girls. A towering, majestic Margaux, the 2023 dazzles from start to finish. What a wine!

Vinous - Neal Martin (90)

The 2017 Grand Tayac has a bold bouquet with vigorous blackberry, wild strawberry and crushed rose petal aromas - aromatics that do not hold back! The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. Perhaps the oak comes across a little too much on the finish, but there is good structure with an appealing velvety finish. Very fine.

Vinous - Neal Martin (85)

The 2018 Grand Tayac has a rather smudged, slightly oaky nose that dampens the fruit and terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, quite dense for a Margaux and just missing some delineation on the rather monotone finish. It needs more flair and personality.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

Just as it was from barrel, the 2017 La Gurgue is a rich, powerful wine. Dark red cherry, red plum, cedar, spice, tobacco, licorice and mocha give this hearty Margaux plenty of character as well as personality. I especially admire the wine's density and sheer depth.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-92)

Full ruby color. Vibrant, deep aromas of cassis, blackberry, minerals, licorice and smoky oak. Large-scaled and impressively rich in the mouth; chewy and very concentrated. A rather powerfully structured, nicely delineated wine that should be long-lived. Another Margaux chateau that has improved dramatically over the last few years.

Wine Advocate (89+)

The dense ruby/purple-colored, chunky, rich, slightly masculine 2011 Kirwan is medium-bodied and fleshy. It reveals excellent extraction of fruit and flavor, sweet, but noticeable tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel as well as finish. While it may not be an archetypical Margaux, it is impressively endowed. Still young, it should hit its prime in 5-6 years and have 15-20 years of upside ahead of it.

Wine Advocate (89+)

The dense ruby/purple-colored, chunky, rich, slightly masculine 2011 Kirwan is medium-bodied and fleshy. It reveals excellent extraction of fruit and flavor, sweet, but noticeable tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel as well as finish. While it may not be an archetypical Margaux, it is impressively endowed. Still young, it should hit its prime in 5-6 years and have 15-20 years of upside ahead of it.

Wine Advocate (89+)

The dense ruby/purple-colored, chunky, rich, slightly masculine 2011 Kirwan is medium-bodied and fleshy. It reveals excellent extraction of fruit and flavor, sweet, but noticeable tannins and a nicely textured mouthfeel as well as finish. While it may not be an archetypical Margaux, it is impressively endowed. Still young, it should hit its prime in 5-6 years and have 15-20 years of upside ahead of it.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (88-90)

Dark ruby. Bright blackcurrant and cherry aromas are complicated by violet and cedar: strikes me as deeper and richer nose than usual for Kirwan. Then somewhat more brooding in the mouth, with an austere quality but sneaky concentration to the herbal and inky dark fruit flavors. I like this wine's very fresh delivery of fruit, but the mouthcoating, building tannins keep the score down a bit.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

This is a dense wine, firm with tannins and packed with fruit. It is dark, concentrated and boasts an impressive balance of tannins and blackberry fruit.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

This is a dense wine, firm with tannins and packed with fruit. It is dark, concentrated and boasts an impressive balance of tannins and blackberry fruit.

Wine Enthusiast (94)

Layers of black currant fruit and ripe tannins give this wine an elegant character. It is not powerful, but is certainly balanced and full of fruit. It will age well over the medium-term, meaning it will be ready to drink from 2023.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)

Well-placed, sappy and succulent damson, blackberry and cassis fruits. This is graceful and well-balanced, with a lingering, gently spiced finish that stretches out with a satisfyingly juicy feel that has deepened over ageing. First vintage where you find a touch of Carmanère in Kirwan. Technical director Philippe Delfaut, this is an upscore this En Primeur.

James Suckling (94-95)

Extremely exotic on the nose with crushed blackcurrants, raspberries and peaches, following through to a full-bodied palate with wonderful, refined tannins that are creamy and velvety in texture. Very long and persistent with a caressing finish. Best of the trilogy?

Jeb Dunnuck (93-95)

Another brilliant wine from Margaux, the 2023 Château Kirwan reveals a deep blue/purple hue to go with a nicely oaked profile of ripe black fruits, leafy herbs, iron, violets, and spice. It's balanced, medium to full-bodied, has a supple, layered mouthfeel, remarkable purity, and a great finish. As with most 2023s, it's going to shine with just a few years of bottle age.

The La Cloitre Prieure Lichine Margaux 2020 is an exemplar expression of the celebrated Margaux appellation. Inspired by the 12th-century legacy of the Prieuré-Lichine estate, this wine is crafted with utmost precision at every stage. Born of the ideally draining gravelly soil and favourably tempered microclimate of Bordeaux, France, it encapsulates the quintessence of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape blend.

With every sip, expect a cascade of luscious blackcurrant, dark cherry, and velvety tannin notes. The 18-month maturation in oak barrels adds a delicate hint of vanilla, rounding up a sophisticated palate. This bottle epitomises the acumen of Ballarin family and winemaker Stephane Derenoncourt, whose philosophy of minimal intervention and sustainable viticulture empowers the terroir to flourish, sculpting the uniqueness of La Cloitre Prieure Lichine Margaux 2020.

Committed to remarkable quality and longevity, this wine continues to evolve in the bottle, promising a compelling journey of sensory discovery for the discerning connoisseur.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2019 La Couronne de Terme is a soft, easygoing second wine to drink now and over the next handful of years, while the red berry fruit remains vibrant. Pretty floral accents open this charming, effusive Margaux nicely.

Hailing from the renowned Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, La Dame d'Angludet 2017 is the second wine of the illustrious Château d’Angludet, reflecting the estate’s commitment to excellence. Supremely crafted by the Sichel family, this Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominant blend basks for 12 months in a ratio of one-third new French oak barrels from the Adour forests, etching a symphony of elegance.

Harvested from 31-year-old vines cultivated on gravelly soils, La Dame d'Angludet 2017 displays an alluring tapestry of charming red fruited notes, nuanced by subtle spice undertones. Graced with a beautiful, dark crystalline hue, it's an exemplary French masterpiece that reflects remarkable precision and captivates by its sheer depth of texture and impressive ageing potential.

Exquisite, complex, and imbued with Bordeaux's respected winemaking traditions, La Dame d'Angludet 2017 is an invitation to experience the rhythm of superb craftsmanship and terroir authenticity.

The La Tour de Mons 1979 vintage is a fascinating encounter with the prestige of Bordeaux's terroir. Originating from the Margaux appellation, renowned for producing wines of depth and elegance, it is a rare specimen. The château itself, built in the 13th century, has been producing esteemed wines for years, utilising both traditional and modern winemaking techniques.

This wine is a blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, punctuated with the opulence of Merlot and a whisper of Petit Verdot. Matured in carefully selected oak barrels, the La Tour de Mons 1979 presents a complex palette of ripe dark fruit icons interlaced with hints of cedar and spice. Its aromatic depth and velvety tannins age gracefully, maintaining a fresh and well-balanced appeal.

La Tour de Mons 1979, with its storied provenance and delicate craft, unequivocally stands as a testament to the authentic expression of Margaux. Truly, a profound statement of French viticulture heritage.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89)

The 2017 La Tour de Mons is an attractive, perfumed Margaux with lovely red berry fruit and floral aromatics. Pliant and understated, the 2017 will be easy to enjoy upon release. It is perhaps a little light, but quite pretty just the same.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (87-89)

Medium-deep ruby. Still quite closed nose slowly yields aromas of rhubarb, mint and dark plum, but conveys an impression of depth. More open on the palate, with a fleshy texture to the red cherry and spicy plum flavors. Finishes long and smooth, with a lingering note of black pepper and watermelon.

James Suckling (95)

A very elegant and polished Margaux with great structure and an attractive touch of herbal freshness, then a delicate touch of sweetness at the long, fine finish. A blend of 38 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 52 per cent merlot, six per cent cabernet franc and four per cent petit verdot.

James Suckling (95)

A very elegant and polished Margaux with great structure and an attractive touch of herbal freshness, then a delicate touch of sweetness at the long, fine finish. A blend of 38 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 52 per cent merlot, six per cent cabernet franc and four per cent petit verdot.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2017 Labégorce is powerful yet nuanced, and wonderfully complete. Cedar, tobacco, mint, dried herbs and licorice grace this wine of tremendous complexity. While it is towering in its size, richness and intensity, the 2017 is also surprisingly elegant. Creamy, ample and flavorful, this is a very good wine with rather pretty floral notes that grace the exquisite finish.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2017 Labégorce is powerful yet nuanced, and wonderfully complete. Cedar, tobacco, mint, dried herbs and licorice grace this wine of tremendous complexity. While it is towering in its size, richness and intensity, the 2017 is also surprisingly elegant. Creamy, ample and flavorful, this is a very good wine with rather pretty floral notes that grace the exquisite finish.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)

Another winner from Margaux is the 2018 Château Labégorce, which is an interesting blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (although I was given slightly different blends for the two samples tasted). Aging in 40% new oak, this deeply colored effort offers a beautiful perfume of blueberries, raspberries, flowers, and spice. It’s medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity, and fine tannins, and should be approachable right out of the gate. It’s worth mentioning this estate has been managed by Marjolaine de Coninck since 2009, and it’s a rocking value in the market today. Tasted twice.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2019 Labégorce was the first vintage vinified in the new cellar and also the first to use Cabernet Franc from the north part of the appellation, on more limestone soils, a massal selection from an organic producer in the south of France. Matured in 40% new oak, this has a voluminous, multifaceted bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, cedar and perhaps more rose petal than violet at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, very well balanced, and a little spicier than I found from barrel, leading to a detailed, tensile finish.