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On the rise and rise, Chateau Troplong-Mondot is increasingly considered a peer amongst the 1er Grand Cru Classe producers and perseveres with its lavish, luscious, strking wine styles. The wine is produced by Christine Valette in collusion with famed winemaking consultant Michel Rolland, who has been working with the estate since the 1980s, explaining some of the density and power now found in the wine. This 2010 iteration is 90% Merlot and finishes with a balance of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernt Franc. Consider the wine full-flavoured, dense and rich, but with a grace that belies its 15% alcohol

Chateau Leoville-Poyferre''s reputation as a 2nd growth of note has been buoyed by the engagement of renowned consultant winemaker Michel Rolland, whose work has been an influence at the estate since the mid 1990s. Prior, the reputation had struggled until the 1970s and the arrival of Didier Cuvelier, whose labour has helped create a greater reputation, more befitting the Leoville name. The wine has increasingly become one of the finest modern examples of St-Julien, with a move towards later harvests, fuller body, deeper concentration and exceptional length of flavour. 2010 reinforces that Chateau Leoville-Poyferre is a St-Julien wine to relish and cellar for up to and beyond another 30-plus years.

From the smallest parcel of the Leoville estate, comes Chateau L?oville-Barton, a once mid-tier level 2nd Growth that has accelerated in quality and interest since the reinvigoration of current proprietor Anthony Barton in the mid 1980s. The rich, gravel-and-clay soils host a predominately Cabernet Sauvignon base of vines, though Merlot and Cabernet Franc also factor. New oak use is kept to around 50%, and the wines are notable for their purity yet power. 2010 is no exception, with a wine that drives with authority across the palate, while providing the baseline for a long time of pleasurable cellaring. Rightfully called one of the most exciting producers of St-Julien.

The old school of the UK wine market have long loved the wines of Chateau Talbot, and the 2010 would have them purring. Chateau Talbot is a producer that occupies a large (102 hectares) swathe of land under vine in Medoc and makes wines that are set to a more traditional style, including rich wood scents, firm tannins, some rustic charm and a cassis-meets-violet fruit profile. This is a superb release of the wine, reminscent of classic Talbots that are sinewy when young, but still approachable, and for enthusiasts, glorious with cellar time.

Planted in 1300, the estate is the oldest planted vineyard in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, ranked among the Premiers Crus for red wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1959.

This is a complex blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc finished with Carmenere and Petit Verdot - flavours and perfume are thus layered, intense, detailed and glorious. A cavalcade of fruit, spice, earth, savouriness and beautiful wood handling. The estate is managed by Patrick Leon, whose talents are writ large in the finesse of handling the complex array of fruit, and judicious use of winemaking technique to elicit this most elegant yet finely wrought style. It's relative approachability is another key to this wines excellence.

A stones throw from the famed Chateau Beychevelle, the estate is set in the south of the St Julien appellation and notable for vitality, finesse and elegance. The wine here is produced by Patrick Maroteaux whose increasingly influence is in turn elevating the quality and reputation of these wines.

Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint Emilion, ranked Premier Grand cru classe in the Classification of Saint Emilion wine.

A dark purple colour already shows the depth of this vintage. Refined and floral aromas on the nose with red fruits combined with a delicate and precise oak. Dense, silky and fleshy on the palate with a great elegance of fine tannins. A deep length finishing with black fruits. This racy Talbot is very promising!