Recently promoted from AC Village to a fully-fledged Cru (to rank alongside Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Tavel, Lirac and Chateauneuf-du-Pape), exciting changes are happening in the hamlet of Cairanne. Denis Alary - a quiet thoughtful man and one of the nicest people you are ever likely to meet. The first Alarys arrived to cultivate the vines here in 1692; ten generations on, Denis, supported by his family, produces exceptional wines.

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron has become simply known as

Chateau Ducluzeau is owned by Bruno Borie, owner of the iconic Second Growth Ducru Beaucaillou in St Julien. The 10ha vineyard in Listrac being planted to 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (the highest percentage of Merlot in the entire appellation). Classic Bordeaux through and through - with beautiful notes of liquorice, rose, plum and blackberry.

While a fair share of Bordeaux vineyards can claim significant historical pedigree, few would be able to touch Chateau Figeac - it is one of a select few St Emilion vineyards to have been continuously occupied for over 2,000 years! The estate dates back to the second century when even the ancient Romans who occupied the area were aware of its outstanding terroir. One figure dominates the Chateaus modern era, and that is Thierry Manoncourt who ran the property from 1947 until his death in 2010, just shy of his 93rd birthday. Under his leadership, the Chateau was the first major Right Bank estate to embrace modern techniques such as temperature controlled, stainless steel vats. The traditional-styled Bordeaux has, understandably, gone through a wide range of iterations in its 2,000-plus year history - yet it still manages to surprise and delight. The 2016 earned rave reviews from critics, with Jancis Robinson hailing it as a wine of which ...the Manoncourt family should be very proud.

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 Peymouton is a part of the famed Chateau Laroque, situated about 3.5km east of the medieval town of Saint Emilion. When 27 hectares of Chateau Laroque was elevated to Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé status in 1996, the remaining 31 hectares on the property was designated as Chateau Peymounton - a new Saint Emilion Grand Cru. The Chateau Peymouton parcels are situated on the higher part of the property's plateau, where the soil is composed of fine clay over a limestone base. The wine is made by the same team as Chateau Laroque with the same attention to detail. A blend of 72% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an average vine age of 38 years. Deep dark crimson red, with complex aromatics of blue fruit, cigar box, and hints of violets. Very rich and powerful on the palate, with plush, dense, velvety tannins. A complex, richly flavoured Saint Emilion reflecting its Grand Cru status and the warm vintage.

Complex aromas of red and black fruit, graphite and black truffle with faint marine influence as it unfolds in a glass. Medium-bodied on the palate with brambly note underneath the core of blueberry, acai and boysenberry fruit. Firm tannin with impressive backbone and loads of licorice, bay, tobacco and black tea flavours fill in through the finish.

While Chateau Latour might be proximate to the famed Leoville estate, Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases is individually distinguished for its own unique character, and regularly is called the best wine of St-Julien. Classic Las Cases wines show incredible perfume, a result of lower temperature fermentation and an adherence to around three quarters of their barrels being new oak. The 2010 is as always Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, and shows with elegance, finesse and yet a layered complexity that draws the drinker in. Potential for this wine is immense; a life of 30 to 40 years in cellar should be considered.

An outstanding Cotes de Provence, very elegant, structured and aromatic - the best companion for warm summer nights. On the nose, it smells of fruit, English sweets and redcurrants. On the palate it is fresh and subtle. Overall, it is a structured and aromatic wine best enjoyed as an apertif due to its freshness.