Bordeaux 2025 En Primeur

Great nose, very inviting black fruit, then superb shape on the palate with a dab of spice and ripe black fruit propped up by a coat of fine St-Estèphe tannin. This is benchmark stuff, once again a great wine to drink or keep.

Pleasing fragrant aromas of violets lead to a core of plum, cherry, and black raspberry fruit notes. Medium bodied and quite seamless in style it delivers a refreshing tangy lick of acidity, whilst the hints of toasty mocha on the finish reveal the use of 60% new oak.

A wealth of black plum, blackberry and black cherry and hint of spice leap out before your palate is enveloped by more black fruit, dark chocolate and mocha notes. Some grippy tannins give it some backbone whilst some lifted acidity gives it a sappy, salivating character. Well built, this has all the ingredients to age very nicely.

Very appealing aromas of mocha coffee greet you before you are enveloped in an intense, black fruit core of damson and plum. Showing notable power and structure, the grippy tannins soon give way to long satisfying finish. Well balanced, this is one to watch!

Lespault has done really well in 2025. There's a cool, pure blue fruit nose that continues in the mouth, integrated tannins bringing shape with quite a silky finish. You get lovely sweet blueberry fruit as an aftertaste, long and lush but quite tempered and gentle. Good, harmonious, drinking claret.

With the obvious might of the Léoville-Las-Cases stable behind it, pretty Potensac is balanced, juicy, fresh and pure. The whole is very harmonious, a good bet in this 'solar' vintage.

An enticing nose with sweet fruit, almost creamy, then a burst of currant and mulberry. Fresh on the palate, with a bit more blueberry and purity on the finish. Good Pauillac power, this feels like it will take on more texture and weight with age. Straightforward but looks good value, just lacks a bit of recognition. 3-9 years. 13.5%

Super blackcurranty pastille nose, very enticing, followed by a fresh fruit core, tempered by fine tannin and a smooth finish. This is very attractive, almost sensual in structure, a good bet this year.

There’s plenty of crunch in this Cruzelles! Expressive aromas of black cherry, mint and liquorice quickly lead to oodles of sumptuous purple and black fruits and bitter, dark chocolate notes. Whilst it needs some time to calm down, I simply love the vigour and potential. Excellent!

Generous dark brambly fruit on the nose with violets behind. There's good concentration on the palate, soft and elegant from concrete egg and big foudres, a very charming and inviting style of wine this year, very much 'Margaux' for the medium term.

Elegant and fine with bright red fruits on the palate and fresh acidity coming through on the finish. There is good weight here and round, soft tannins too. This is more than the second wine of Grand Puy Lacoste these days with the grapes coming from their own plots behind the château.

Blackcurrant, black cherry and aromas of cassis lead to a generous mid-palate of plum, damson and dark cherry. A big wine, the tannins are initially grippy but the fresh acidity and abundant core fruit power through leaving hints of toasty oak and espresso on the long lingering finish.

The new winery here has immediately paid dividends making a great and approachable wine. Super aromatic nose, this is intense and striking, black fruit core with a really pure and juicy feel. Silky tannins, soft textured, will drink early but such a lovely mouthful.

There's a lovely freshness and purity this year, still feels quite Saint-Estèphe with a touch of stone at its heart but the whole is very fluid and seductive in the mouth with plenty of plum and damson, cassis behind and held together by silky tannins. A very swish and appealing Meyney this year, a top recommendation.

Evident crushed purple plum, damson aromas on the nose give way to a well-balanced core of ripe black berry, cherry and mulberry. Not a blockbuster, it's pretty and elegant, absorbing the 50 % new oak easily. A polished Pomerol which should age gracefully.

Presented in a wooden case Soft and graceful this vintage, the shape on the palate is hugely attractive. Mid weight, this is one of the most complete Margaux's on offer, with elegance and finesse. A beautifully crafted mid-term wine of some quality in 2025.

We like the progress at this property, more skill and finesse rather than the rather solid, tannic wines of the past. Lots of ripe damson fruit, a swirl of fine tannin. All in balance and nicely expressed. Sociando-Mallet is coming back to the fold.

A fabulous second wine with lovely luscious red plum notes behind a floral aroma, lush again on the palate, generous and full with light grip holding everything together. Serious, age worthy, very good length in this category and a bit of a stand-out.

A property that is on the up in our minds, with a winemaker from the Lafite stable bringing more class to the party. This wine is handsome and charming in character, damson and spice merging into a suave, sophisticated tannin structure. The length and shape of the wine is excellent, the finish smooths over a full-bodied centre. Top recommendation.

Some lovely minty notes creeping in here, then bright and fresh on the palate with underlying firm texture and good concentration and depth of fruit. Blackberry and blueberry at the centre, then typically stony in the finish. Attractive, muscular but clean and juicy. Very good.

Good full colour, then black fruit on the nose. Cool and blackberry in the mouth in character, Restrained tannins are supple but give presence. Some pretty oak cuts in on the finish to balance the weight. Silky and cool in style, very genuine Pauillac.

A very complete Domaine de L’Eglise. Evident power and intensity from the off with bucket loads of damson and dark plum fruit notes on the nose. Subtle mocha aromas are followed by a broad, generous mouthfeel. Salivating with fine, ripe tannins, this punches above its weight, delivering a very harmonious, mid-weight Pomerol.

Intense dark fruit notes with coffee and mocha coming into play. Slender in feel with harmony and balance, a classy line throughout and purity in the finish. A property on the rise.

Red fruit character from the underlying limestone here gives you a Pauillac with more grace and tension. It is a lovely shape with soft fruit and silky tannins, the whole feeling very complete, drinkable and fresh. This is Pauillac with real elegance and finesse.

The oak is quite pronounced at present on the nose while there's lots of black fruit coming through on the palate with good concentration from old vines and a supple, gentle feel with silky tannins. One of the best Ferrieres we've tasted recently.

There’s an enticing inky intensity to start then aromas of red plum, crushed red fruits and floral notes soon follow. Nice and pure on the palate, it possesses an appealing sleekness and tempered acidity that leave no hard edges. The tannins are fine and ripe and a juicy core of black fruit and hint of spice round off a fine release.

Lots of deep damson fruit on the nose, dense yet supple on the palate with black fruit concentration, tight tannic texture at the core but a supple finish. Quite a muscular style for the mid-term, plenty of depth and character too.

Very seductive and open brambly nose, then plum and cassis forge through on the palate. Big again, like the Grand Vin, but softer layers, more mellow in the mouth with a fine, juicy end to it. Very enjoyable.

Stood out at the Mouton tasting as much closer to the bigger names, and as good as we've see here. Plums and damsons run through it, good finesse, really good swirly feel in the mouth, classy with a smooth, pure finish. Excellent.

A super Phélan, very refined and well balanced but also with great depth and intensity. A great combination of fruit, elegance and style with the concentration, minerality and depth you'd expect from St-Estèphe. 

Very pretty aromas of violets, damson and a hint of pepper lead to a very juicy core of beautiful, clean black cherry and red plum notes. Fresh acidity makes this an energetic, vibrant Berliquet, whilst the ripe, refined tannins give it the structure to cellar for a decade or more.

Tasted twice and each time it impressed. Not shy on the nose it exuded damson, red plum and herby notes whilst the mid-palate delivered a generous mouthfeel. Well-structured with evident grippy tannins giving it a more serious edge, but overall, nicely balanced with a hint of toasty oak to finish. One of the best Bourgneufs we’ve tried.

Lots of blue fruit, juicy and well balanced with more density from then Petit Verdot, bit spicy too in the centre. Long, smooth but the plummy feel increases with a bit of extra power behind. Another terrific Talbot, bang on the money.

Yes! Made from two small parcels, this delivers a gorgeous bouquet of damson, dark plum, black cherry and wild hedgerow. Super balanced it offers up a really juicy mid-palate and refreshing acidity whilst hanging it all on a framework of finely polished tannins. There’s a noticeable nuttiness and toast on the finish, delicious.

Quite a pronounced herby edge to the nose. Very elegant and precise, this is a classic from Chevalier, not hugely powerful but sound, well balanced tannin and with finesse in the mouth. Pure plummy fruit with a lick of acidity in the finish, wants a bit of time to show it's best, but all the parts are there and the value is excellent.

This is a gloriously supple and succulent wine this year, well-knit and as ever perfectly crafted with a fine, precise feel to it. A thrilling line of tannin, muscular character behind, but dances with poise and precision. Lovely length, textbook claret.

Inviting aromas of ripe black berry, plum, spice and cherry leap out before a rich core of black berry, purple plum and polished tannins. Quite sleek and elegant this is a seamless Gaffelière with a very promising future.

Jeb Dunnock 'Cassis, graphite, liquid violets, and tobacco all define the 2025 Château Brane-Cantenac, a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 1% each Cabernet Franc, Carménère, and Petit Verdot that's being raised in 100% new French oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with a focused, elegant mouthfeel, beautiful concentration and depth, integrated acidity, and a great finish. Hitting 13.3% alcohol, it's a brilliant success in the vintage and should be snatched up by readers.' (96-98 Points JebDunnock.com)

Seductive aromas of ripe, crushed black and purple fruit, violet and graphite lead to a velvety core of more black cherry, damson and truffle. Fine-grained tannins, and a good lick of acidity keep this fresh and moreish. The finish is long, poised and satisfying. Overall, this is silky smooth and generous, possessing everything you look for in a Pomerol.

Super nose, very polished and pure, juicy too, all continuing into the palate which is silky, creamy and pure on the finish. Expressive at its core with a lovely floral note, gentle with length and purity. Delicious.

Big colour and then pronounced blueberry aroma with some floral aspects coming through behind. Deliciously drinkable on entry, then quite dense, very fine tannins and a pure finish. Good finesse and purity are the key components here, and very well done.

Very attractive aromatics, strong on blackcurrant, mulberry and a touch of cinnamon that swing into a very plush palate, fine tempered tannins backed by a lick of oak. It is succulent and pure this year, seamless through the mouth and very long in the finish. Great effort.

Opening up with clean, fresh aromas of ripe red cherry, cherry jelly, and lifted floral tones, underpinned by Cabernet Franc–driven herbal spice and white pepper nuance. The palate is structured with ripe tannins, balancing supple texture and underlying density. Delivering charm and depth, this has real energy with further evidence of red berries and subtle savoury spice on the long finish.

An intense and layered nose of violets, blackberry, cassis and dark plum, intertwined with clove spice, fine oak and a touch of nougat are followed by a very juicy, powerful core of ripe, concentrated black fruit. Structured with firm, well integrated-tannins, there’s a signature density and texture with hints of vanilla, spice and mineral salinity on the finish. Excellent.

Very expressive and floral, cassis and blackcurrant attack. Richness too that extends in the mouth. This is a seductive Rauzan with beautiful poise and texture - the fruit weight on the mid palate is exceptional. Juicy, long, a wonderful wine.

Soft, seductive and very alluring nose with immediate charm and succulence in the mouth. Round and soft tannins, some freshness in the finish. Mid weight and approachable early.

A star. Dark and inky in the glass with some lovely toasty oak in the background. Bramble jelly on the palate, defined and well structured yet fleshy and supple. Graceful and pure in the finish, very complete, a glorious glass of wine.

Bready notes with raspberry and black cherry. Supple but structured on entry with a lovely filled out middle palate and power coming through behind. Tannins are quite chewy but well-knit, and clean acidity features in the finish.

Dark in colour, intense aroma and dense on the palate. Pontet is powerful; supple and concentrated with plenty of silky tannins and their trademark organic acidity with brings lift and vivacity. It's an impressive wine that will age well and has lots of substance.

Calm, cool and seductive with intensity but an easy and approachable, plush style. Tannins are balanced and silky, this is a joyful glass of wine with poise and panache, certainly at the top of its game.

One of our wines of the vintage starts with a superb nose, classy and alluring - cinnamon behind lovely ripe plum and cassis. Glorious in the mouth with super texture and balance, superb length of integrated fruit and swish tannins, all wrapped up in the merest hint of oak. Beautiful.

A very fine Lynch-Bages, more subdued than in the past but better for it. Profound and intense black fruit, real purity of flavour, big tannins are refined and support the density well. Classy in the mouth, generous and clean in the finish.

Plenty going on in the nose - orange, blossom, cedar, then real purity and tension on the palate, a fluid, if chalky structure and then brilliant length and vibrancy on the finish. A charmer.

Beautiful aromas of ripe plum, mulberry, damson and violets greet you before a very pure palate delivers more creamy dark fruit, bitter chocolate and minerality. The acidity is on the right side of fresh, balancing out the dense core of fruit and refined tannins. Salivating with a long finish, this promises to be a memorable Canon.

Unfettered aromas of black cherry, plum, cocoa and toast are followed by a generous, full-bodied mouth feel of dark berry fruit, spice and sheer juicy richness. Tense and energetic, this is powerful with a long lingering finish. Unapologetically full-bodied, this has guts a plenty!

Lovely indulgent nose, pronounced and juicy. Dark fruit on the palate, damsons and plums, ripe and pure with good structure underneath. Seamless finish, this is well made and the best wine produced here for a number of years. 

The nose is initially restrained but refined, revealing layers of blackberry compote, ripe cherry with a delicate floral lift emerging in the background. On the palate, the wine is generous, juicy and impeccably balanced, showing dark berry fruit, fine extract sweetness and silky, well integrated tannins. The texture is velvety yet precise, supported by freshness and a polished structure. A long, seamless finish with a hint of nutty toast, sign off a fine Belair-Monange.

Very refined fresh mulberry and blackberry nose. The palate is dense and intense with a muscular side of structured tannins and ripeness, then sleek power expressed in the finish with good length. Built to last.

Subtle notes of plum, black cherry and violets lead onto a saturated mid-palate of red plum, damson, mulberry and hint of mocha. Nicely integrated tannins combine with fresh acidity to make this a supple La Fleur-Pétrus, nothing forced, very harmonious.

Dense black fruit on the nose, then a deep core of black fruit with a round shape, good substance and density. Generous but quite savoury, more of a blockbuster than some, there's a big feel to it but lots of composure too. Wonderful length, firm finish. Feels like a keeper.

Cassis and currant dominate the nose, both ripe and yet cool and pure, mirrored on the palate. Seriously refined and well-knit, a fleshy feel yet the fruit is precise and integrated with the silky tannins. The finish is a bit chalky and the salinity comes through, but this is an imposing Palmer with presence and breeding. Fabulous.

Real intensity on the nose with some beef stock and cassis coming through behind juicy black fruit. Mouton is a gorgeous, generous shape this year, loads of freshness behind lovely indulgent ripe fruit. Intense is the word. Power behind, firm tannins and a clean finish. Superb.

Surprisingly subdued on the nose which emerges stealthily with plum and damson parts and an undertone of spice. Composed with ripe red plum singing on the palate, lightly chalky tannic frame and power that builds on the finish. A savoury end, all in control with the finesse and poise being the factors driving this wine.

Generous plum, black cherry, violet and floral notes dominate this solid Courlat. With fresh acidity and ripe tannins, there’s further hints of cocoa, expresso and gentle spice on the palate. Satisfying and very enjoyable, this is perfect for short to mid-term drinking.

Lovely fresh nose, good aromatics, very attractive.Soft damson fruit on the palate. Good texture and weight - the ripeness against the soft tannins is impressive. Fresh and pure in the finish, Cissac is on top form. Approachable soon, there is also the structure to age for a few years too.

A wine full of soft black fruits, blackcurrants and cherries, rich and supple, with plenty of ripe tannins to give structure. There is great depth here but it is also elegant and fresh and this balance means that it can be drunk young or will keep for an extended period.

Full and fruity nose, plenty of ripe damson flavour, then an excellent balance and well-knit feel in the mouth. There's oak coming through but it is very harmonious and good length on the finish. Another good effort from then Talbot stable.

Intense, sweet, plummy aromas give way to a deliciously juicy mid core of red fruit notes. With buoyant acidity, this Saintem is on the right side of fresh. Damson notes and a hint of bitter dark chocolate finish off a very fine wine.

Very appealing aromas of crunchy raspberry, red mulberry and hints of spice and violets lead you into mid-weight core palate of mulberry, damson and a little bitter dark chocolate. Fresh, nicely structured and very satisfying this a very fine Peymouton.

Bright fresh cherry nose with red plum behind that cascades on the palate. Soft yet lively fruit character, generous and juicy, some chalky tannins to finish. An excellent example of really good winemaking in 2025, big recommendation.

Subtle smoky and savoury aromas combine with dark plum, violet and cassis. Initially some grippy tannins then the fresh acidity and a wealth of black fruit and spice follow on. More precise than broad, this is polished with a hint of toasty oak on the finish.

Full-on, pronounced nose with mulberry and cassis coming through. Medium bodied with a fluid, soft core of plummy fruit, then chalky tannins behind holding it all together. Feels round but quite forceful, plenty of wine here and as good as we've seen. Very good, a bit of a keeper.

Pretty aromas of violets and rose mix with graphite, fresh tobacco and damson. Very pure and clean on the palate. The Cabernet Franc provides redcurrant notes and super freshness, whilst the Merlot delivers a wealth of raspberry, red plum and mulberry. The tannins give a little grip but they are refined, rounding off a juicy, accessible Cheval that finishes with hints of saline minerality and bitter chocolate notes.

A wine full of soft black fruits, blackcurrants and cherries, rich and supple, with plenty of ripe tannins to give structure. There is great depth here but it is also elegant and fresh and this balance means that it can be drunk young or will keep for an extended period.

Good full colour, then black fruit on the nose. Cool and blackberry in the mouth in character, Restrained tannins are supple but give presence. Some pretty oak cuts in on the finish to balance the weight. Silky and cool in style, very genuine Pauillac.

Lovely fresh nose, good aromatics, very attractive.Soft damson fruit on the palate. Good texture and weight - the ripeness against the soft tannins is impressive. Fresh and pure in the finish, Cissac is on top form. Approachable soon, there is also the structure to age for a few years too.

Lovely fresh nose, good aromatics, very attractive.Soft damson fruit on the palate. Good texture and weight - the ripeness against the soft tannins is impressive. Fresh and pure in the finish, Cissac is on top form. Approachable soon, there is also the structure to age for a few years too.

Soft and graceful this vintage, the shape on the palate is hugely attractive. Mid weight, this is one of the most complete Margaux's on offer, with elegance and finesse. A beautifully crafted mid-term wine of some quality in 2025.

A wine full of soft black fruits, blackcurrants and cherries, rich and supple, with plenty of ripe tannins to give structure. There is great depth here but it is also elegant and fresh and this balance means that it can be drunk young or will keep for an extended period.

A delightful wine with fresh raspberries and redcurrants all in harmony on the nose with hints of sweet spice. Perfectly ripe blackcurrant to taste with crunchy red fruits complementing pomegranate and blood orange freshness. Elegant and supple, the delicate tannins resolve to a mouth-watering red fruited finish 50% was aged in amphorae to accentuate the fruit. The property is in conversion to biodynamic viticulture and great steps are being taken to promote biodiversity in the vineyards. As always this is a big favourite of the team and comes highly recommended. 3-9 years