Château Clinet is a rising star in the small Right Bank region of Pomerol. With its gravely soil mixed with sand, Château Clinet has gradually increased the Merlot component of the wine to produce a voluptuous, smooth and yet still complex red wine that is both pleasing upon release and turns into a read star with a few years in the cellar.

Serious, self-assured. A generous fleshiness persists across the palate. Wild black cherries, cola, sarsaparilla. Sage leaves fried in nut-brown butter over grilled calves’ liver. Pistachio terrine. A fine graphite core and cherry succulence. Seamlessly woven tannins. The interplay between the oak, tannins and acid results in an even mouthfeel, a textural sheen. Cranberry acidity and succulence provide a lovely balance. Surprisingly approachable, given the varietal temperament. One to watch, will evolve beautifully over the next two/three decades.Bin 407 offers varietal definition and approachability, yet still with structure and depth of flavour. Textbook cabernet sauvignon, the varietally expressive Bin 407 highlights the rewards of Penfolds multi-region, multi vineyard blending, with a core of ripe fruit supported by sensitive use of French and American oak.

Ring in the Year of the Dragon with one of the world's most celebrated wines. The first commercial release of Grange coincided with the Year of the Dragon, bringing a unique sentiment to this release. Continuing an unbroken lineage from the very first experimental release, the 2019 Grange is full-bodied, powerful, and perfectly balanced - a gift that is sure to be treasured for years to come. Aromas; Automatically recognisable - formic and glacial higher notes. Beneath, a more familial oaked nuttiness recedes to reveal aromas of black licorice/anise/black olive. A shroud of condensed glazed fruits surrenders to reveal a fresher disposition … a coulis of berries and stone fruits; boiled beetroot. Upon sitting, a sprinkle of lavender and exotic spices almost completes the aromatic package - well, at least for another minute or two. Early days. Palate; Cohesion, vigour, sheen, poise. Fresh and balanced. Neither exaggerated nor over-ripe – lively blueberry and other youthful blue/black fruits bely the maturation timeline of this alluring blend. Certainly befitting this style, unmistakable barrel-ferment characters are undoubtedly more pronounced on palate than nose. If the mid-palate is somewhat formidable (ably supporting a thick/dense core), by contrast the back-palate is creamy and caressingly endearing. Expansive and full – washing away all ahead of it. Texturally, chewy/grainy tannins and just-right acidity. Peak Drinking: 2029 - 2065 Awards: • 98+ Points - Andrew Caillard MW • 98 Points - Tyson Stelzer • 98 Points - Ken Gargett • 98 Points - Jeni Port • 19+/20 Points - Matthew Jukes

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with this Limited Release Grange 2020 vintage Snake Edition. NOSE An instant proclamation of identity – formics and barrel-ferment notes propelling Shiraz spoils.Whilst these Shiraz markers highlight heady elutions of aniseed/liquorice/wintergreen/fennel, primal aromatics of squashed damson plum do prevail.And beneath, wafts of pan scrapings/pan juices support all that is entwined above.100% new oak is all but totally absorbed, yet it does conspire to complex, weave and intrigue. In this aromatic tussle fruit remains the champion.Not unlike ‘Champagne character’, ‘Grange character’ aromatically “just is”. Immediately understood, immediately recognised. PALATE The first sip seduces, the second reminds …Up front red fruits and maraschino cherry flavours quickly transition to the ‘Noir-ish’ – Black Forest cake, blackberry, black cherry, black …Sitting softens. A Christmas pudding mix of soaked fruits and rind offers a friendly hand.Similarly talc-like/velvety tannins are non-aggressive, politely acting as a conveyance. They almost appear coupled with cocoa/dark chocolate dust.Texturally woven, with all components well integrated and absorbed… inducing a sensory perception of roundness, of a lush film coated across the palate. Again, oak (sandalwood nuances, not cedar) sensitively stands to one side – its supporting role well scripted.Assured and distinctive, this Grange will appease and reward. Peak Drinking: 2025 - 2055. Awards: • 98 Points - Andrew Caillard, MW • 98 Points - Jeni Port. • 98 Points - Tyson Stelzer

The bouquet brims with bright cassis fruit clad for now in smoky oak. The fruit pleases via a lingering coulis-style sweetness. The palate bears rolling richness, a fluid tone to the content, black berry fruits on display, the tannins ripe, layered. This holds good, proven fruit. A wine which calls for patience, and which should be enjoyed, for expression of its full potential, at between 5 and 10 years of age. ‘There's a pleasant little blackcurrant jam note on the nose here. Lightly spiced, medium-bodied, juicy and with very fine tannins, there's a lovely sense of elegance in the wine, with very good acidity. Not as powerful as his cuvée classique, but a greater sense of finesse, balance and drinkability. Long finish.’ MATT WALLS, decanter.com

Carruades de Lafite, the second wine of the esteemed Château Lafite Rothschild in Bordeaux, France, exemplifies the winery's commitment to excellence and offers a compelling expression of the Pauillac appellation. Sourced from the same vineyards as its grand vin counterpart, Carruades de Lafite showcases a refined and approachable style, characterized by elegant fruit flavors, harmonious structure, and a notable sense of finesse. While it may not possess the same depth and longevity as the grand vin, it remains a highly regarded and sought-after wine, providing wine enthusiasts with a captivating glimpse into the renowned heritage of Château Lafite Rothschild.

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).