Chateau Lafite Rothschild is widely considered one of the great Bordeaux estates, and certainly the upper echelon of the famed Medoc appellation. Owned by Baron Eric de Rothschild, the vineyards are located in the north of Pauillac near the boundary of St Estephe - while the site has allegedly been planted since the 14th century, the wines have been a staple only since the 17th century, and with increasing interest in the provenance more recently, following the Second World War. At 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot in 2010, this is a benchmark release that will be celebrated for generation. Increasing attention in cellar and vineyard has only enhanced the wines and their demand, due to continuing fine-tuning of quality.

A blend of 51% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot from 2010 - the Chateau Pape Clement is located in Pessac covering 32 hectares of vines, planted to red and white varieties. The estate is considered one of the most historical in all of Bordeaux, with history dating back to the 14th century, though its reputation wasn't fully forged until the mid-20th century. Detailed vineyard work is now a motif for the prestigious winery, and winemaking is set to modern with the use of stainless steel and higher ratio of new oak barrels. Though considered Cru Classe Graves, Chateau Pape Clement is considered one of the most collectable and highest quality estates in Pessac-Leognan.

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron has become simply known as

Made for use as a communion wine, it is suitably soft, sweet and approachable.

This wine displays a sustained and brilliant colour of great depth. The nose has already evolved and shows blackcurrant and other black fruit aromas. On the palate tannins are soft and smooth, with a steady balance and a long, fresh finish. Aromas of fruit, tobacco and liquorice harmoniously blend with those from the oak, giving rise to flavours which coat the palate without roughness. Overall a tender wine which has passed through a spirited youth to reveal the elegance typical of Chantemerle's terroir.

Chateau Grand Meynau Bordeaux presents a dark deep ruby red. Intense, ripe fruits such as plum, raspberry and black cherry expose a lovely complexity when the hint of creamy spice surfaces. The palate delivers a harmonious mix of berries and gentle tannins.

Gravel soils make up the primary soil type at Château l'Evangile which is consistent with most of Bordeaux's right bank region of Pomerol. Merlot is the variety of choice in the blend with Cabernet Sauvignon to create a wine full of plushness, vibrant aromatics and smooth, lingering finish. The 2009 vintage was wonderfully kind of all of Bordeaux and Pomerol was no exception with the l'Evangile producing a wine of plushness and warmth as well as one of concentration and power. A classic Pomerol.

A very important estate in St-Émilion, Château Angélus was acquired by the de Boüard de Laforest family in 1924 and merged with the previously owned Château Mazerat. The apostrophe was dropped in 1989 and is now simply known as Angélus. The wines are characterised by a fabulous texture offered by the high component of Cabernet Franc with the plump softness added by the Merlot creating a wine of pleasing plushness.

Château l'Eglise-Clinet is a much sought after Domaine within the right bank district of Bordeaux and can be hard to come by. A majority blend of Merlot to Cabernet delivers a wine of subtlety and plushness and due to the properties long planted vines, the ageability is second to none in the region. After not pulling out vines after the 1956 frost, this Château can boast some of the oldest vine material in Pomerol and that evidence can be found in the 2003 bottle of l'Eglise-Clinet which is still ageing gracefully in the bottle even after a difficult vintage due to heat.

Without a doubt one of Bordeaux's most famous vineyards, Cheval Blanc lies on the border of Pomerol and is also easily the most important estate in St-Émilion. Uniquely a blend dominated by Cabernet Franc, Cheval Blanc's wines have a powerful bouquet which is spicy and rich which is followed by fruit that is soft, mellow and liquorous. Matched only by Pétrus in the realm of vigour and concentration, Cheval's exuberance is not to be missed. With this latest release, the 2009, the wines are bordering on immortal. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, this super-smooth, velour textured and opulent red wine shows rambunctious flavours of raspberries, blueberries, liquorice and a smidge of menthol. Will be fascinating to watch this