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.

Majestic, intense, full bodied and tannic, Cos dEstournel is considered the leading wine of St Estèphe. Highly tannic in its youth, over time it develops much much like the great wines of adjoining Pauillac. The wine is typically a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, consistently displaying immense power and evident breed.

Taking its name from its uniquely rocky terroir (beau caillou translates as beautiful stones), and Bertrand Ducru who purchased the estate in 1795, what we know today as Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou as a wine producing estate, has history stretches back to the 13th century. Owned today by The Borie family (who have long-standing roots of their own in Bordeaux), the Chateau is, according to many, producing the best wines in their history at this very moment. The 2016 vintage has already been hailed as yet another monumental success for the winery with Antonio Galloni praising it as simply magnificent.

The history of Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron is a tale of two estates. The chateau and vineyard known as Pichon Baron was given in dowry to the founders daughter when she married Jacques du Pichon Longueville. After the death of their descendent, the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville, in 1850 the estate was again divided - on his deathbed, he gave what became Chateau Pichon Baron to the men of his family, and what became Chateau Pichon Lalande to the women - resulting in, some say, more masculine and sensuous styles of wine respectively! Between the 1960s and the 1980s, the estate went through a period of rather lacklustre production - however, since 1990, they have been producing, according to many, some of the best wines in their history. The 2016 has earned high praise and glowing comparisons to their legendary 1990 Pichon Baron.

The wine comes with the tag of ''second wine'' from the esteemed Chateau Margaux, though it''s made with the intent to stand on its own two feet. The blend tends to sit around two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one third Merlot, but a seasoning of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc is essential for the fine detail of perfume and flavours expected from this wine. 2010 sees a wine of grace and purity - it''s fruit dominant and supple, fleshy and ample, cuddly and almost nourishing to drink. A wine for admiring and comparing to its great parent too.

DOMAINE MONGEARD-MUGNERET Les Suchots 1er cru, Vosne-Romanee Bordering both Romanee Saint Vivant and Richebourg, the 13.08 hectare premier cru Les Suchots produces wines that are, at their best, beautifully seductive and perfumed wines without quite the structure of the two grand crus that shares its borders. Mongeard Mugneret have a .22 ha plot with vines that are 50 years old and its a wine that will reward at least ten years, if not longer, in the cellar.

LAURENT ROUMIER 1er Cru Les Charmes, Chambolle-Musigny