Woodlands, established in 1973, has emerged as one of the regions important producers of Cabernet Sauvignon. The original, dry-grown 3.2 hectares, planted between 1973 and 1976, has now expanded to 10.5 hectares. The sandy and gravelly red/brown loams over lateritic sub-soils are well suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Organic and biodynamic principles are gradually being introduced. Batch-vinification in open and closed, stainless-steel fermenters with minute parcels of Malbec optimises fruit complexity. Typically the wine shows cassis/ black fruit/ cedar aromas, fine-grained tannins and underlying savoury oak.

Beychevelle is often described as the Versailles of Bordeaux, due to its spectacular château and gardens. Beychevelle’s origins go back to the mid-1400s and the estate was renovated and rebuilt in the second half of the 18th Century. It is now owned (since 2011) by the Japanese Suntory company in partnership with Pierre Castel, head of Castel Freres. The 75ha of St-Julien vineyards are planted on deep, gravelly soils – 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot – and increasingly farmed organically. A striking new glass-walled winery was completed in 2016. Chateau Beychevelle, classified Quatrième Cru (Fourth Growth), is a traditionally-styled Bordeaux wine full of cassis, earth, spice and tobacco notes that ages well.

With a history dating back to 1152, Château d'Issan was established as a third growth in the 1855 classification. By 1945 when the Cruse family purchased this storybook Margaux property with its 17th century Château and moat, it was a shadow of its former self with just 2ha in production. With 44ha planted to 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot, the Cruse family sold 50% to Jacky Lorenzetti in 2013. D'Issan is now firing on all cylinders, producing a wine that is both fleshy and structured. Up to 40% of the production is declassified into a second wine (Blason d’Issan).

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.

Very precise and focused with tight, sleek yet firm tannins, framing a fresh core of black fruit, gravel and tobacco. Crushed stones and tea leaves, too. Savory and medium-bodied. Driven and linear. Lots of cabernet character. Chewy tannins. Rather muscular. But polished texture. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot and 3% petit verdot.

Established as a ‘Super Second’ Château Rauzan-Segla is amongst the best properties in Margaux. Aged in 60% new oak for 18 months. Round and intense with deep aromas of red blackcurrant fruits with notes of coffee, tobacco and forest floor. Elegant, full-bodied and well-structured, this is a classic Margaux.

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.