Unusually this vintage will tick all boxes, for drinkers and collectors alike. The freshness, silky tannins and charming fruit will make it nearly impossible to resist early on. Many of the more serious wines on the left bank, and the best of St Emilion have got the concentration and structure to age – I think this will be a fascinating vintage to watch over the next two decades. There will be many recommendations this vintage, but we’ve listed some of our highlights below, which we think are well worth keeping an eye out for.

Merlot on cooler soils of clay and limestone have done well, but unfortunately where Merlot has ripened too soon and missed out on the later spells of heat there is some dilution to the wines. However, some properties were able to increase Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blends to counter this and have created well balanced wines that will put smiles on faces. Cabernets, particularly on the left bank, as well as Merlots on the best sites in St Emilion show oodles of class, impressive structure and finesse.

“Although the focus of the en primeur releases from Bordeaux is naturally on the reds, the whites aren’t to be missed either. They have a vibrancy at all price points and the best are amongst some of the most enticing and outright delicious white Bordeaux I’ve tasted young.”
John Cawood, Davy’s Wine Merchants 

The ‘money’s no object’ top ten

• Ch. Margaux
• Ch. Pichon Lalande
• Ch. Lafite Rothschild
• Ch. Montrose
• Ch. Leoville Las-Cases
• Ch. l’Eglise Clinet
• Ch. Cheval Blanc
• Vieux Chateau Certan
• Ch. Figeac
• Ch. Ausone

The ‘sweet spot’ top ten (value meets world-class quality)

• Ch. Carmes Haut Brion
• Ch. Rauzan Segla
• Ch. Leoville Barton
• Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste
• Domaine de Chevalier
• Ch. Giscours
• Ch. Pavie Macquin
• Ch. Larcis Ducasse
• Ch. Canon
• Ch. Beausejour

Top ten values (expected under £200 per 6 bottles)

• Ch. Batailley
• Ch. Moulin Riche (Leoville Poyferre)
• Ch. Potensac
• Ch. Lagrange
• Ch. Langoa Barton
• Ch. George 7
• Ch. Fonplegade
• Ch. Branaire Ducru
• Ch. Larrivet Haut-Brion
• Ch. Laroque

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