Delicious drinking Clarets...

94 Points - Neal Martin

You cannot escape just how lovely this bouquet is. Touches of white flowers, vanilla pod, custard creme, mango and a touch of lime. Wonderful definition. The palate is medium-bodied, fine tannins, real depth of flavour here with the oak interwoven into the plush, oaky texture (showing less of the petrol aromas it exhibited at birth.) It will need time for that oak to subsume itself entirely, but it is a really beautiful Blanc '07.

91 Points - Robert Parker

A very strong effort from Lagrange in 2006, this estate’s tendency for including a nearly overwhelming oak component in its wines has been tamed in this cuvee, resulting in a better-balanced, potentially complex offering. A deep opaque purple color is followed by aromas of espresso roast, subtle pain grille, black currants, and cigar box. Full-bodied and surprisingly powerful for a 2006, with outstanding purity, texture, and depth, patience will be required for this beauty. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2027.

92 Points - Robert Parker

White currants, and fennel seed/licorice intermixed with ripe grapefruit, honeyed melons and a touch of new oak are all present in this fresh, medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, crisp, dry white Graves. Anticipated maturity: now-2025.

The selection process under proprietor Bruno Borie is so severe at Ducru Beaucaillou that readers should be giving serious attention to the second wine, Croix de Beaucaillou, which sports a dramatic black and gold label. The 2011 exhibits attractive black currant and black cherry fruit, medium body, silky tannins and a lush, round, up-front appeal. Enjoy it over the next decade.

96 Points - Robert Parker

Dense purple, with classic notes of cedar and lead pencil shavings as well as gobs of black currants and licorice, the wine has a full-bodied mouthfeel with fabulous precision and density. It also possesses a long, silky finish with moderately high tannins, but they are ripe and well-integrated. The wood is clearly pushed to the background in this dense, full-bodied Pauillac, which should drink beautifully for 30+ years.

93 Points - Neal Martin

Tasted single blind against its peers. The Château Rieussec 2008 should become an excellent Sauternes for the vintage. It has a floral bouquet with peach, tinned apricot and a touch of marmalade, all with fine delineation, and touches of lemon curd developing with aeration. The palate is mellifluous on the entry, with great depth and a luscious, vanillary note with hints of orange peel, marmalade and quince towards the long finish. Excellent.

95 Points - Robert Parker

One of the superstars of the vintage, this classic Montrose is not as showy or opulent as the 2010, 2009 or 2003, but it offers a dense purple color followed by gorgeously sweet black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with loamy, earthy, forest floor notes, a floral component and a long, full-bodied finish. The 2008 was fashioned from yields of 44 hectoliters per hectare which is slightly less than the 2010's 45 hectoliters per hectare. Forget it for 5-8 years and drink it over the following 20+.

94+ Points - Stuart McCloskey

Mature colour; delicate, rich and attractive bouquet. Soft with beautiful balance. On the palate; velvety, towering yet delicate, rich yet dry. A marvellous wine.

92 Points - Robert Parker

More oaky than most, but showing plenty of buttery, honeyed, complex melony and citrus notes, this wine is medium to full-bodied, tasty, fresh and impressive. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2035.

96+ Points - Robert Parker

The 2010 is a quintessentially elegant, classic wine of Bordeaux – firm, rigid, perhaps slightly lighter than most of the other St.-Juliens, but stylish, potentially complex, and reminiscent of the style of the 1986, but more concentrated and powerful. It is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc with a normal pH of 3.56. It was raised in 75% new oak and the alcohol came to 13.7%. This wine displays loads of black currants, cedar wood and vanillin, but needs a good 7-8 years of cellaring, if not much longer. It should last for 30+ years.