G d'Estournel 2023

Blackberries, black cherries, chocolate, and licorice pop effortlessly. The medium-bodied palate is easy to like, forward, fresh, and mildly chalky, with a fun, peppery accent on the finish. This is the first vintage to include their new parcels, bringing the vineyard to 24 hectares of vines. You can enjoy this on release. The wine blends 64% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2026-2034. 90-92 pts.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle edge brightening. Fresh black heart cherry, a hint of plum, subtle herbal savoriness. Juicy, elegant, fresh cherry on the palate, integrated tannins, fresh and persistent, a finely savory food companion with a delicately leafy finish.

Delicately fine red-berry bouquet with subtle notes of lilac and tarragon. On the elegant palate, a soft texture, lively nervy freshness and a medium, sinewy body. The focused, finely aromatic finish shows black berries, light tobacco and fine-grained extract.

A serious G d'Estournel to celebrate its 20th vintage, well balanced, with plenty of spice alongside blueberry fruits. A touch soft through the mid-palate, but great freshness and juiciness. An extra 4ha of vines have been added to G over the past few years, with more clay and limestone to help retain acidity in increasingly hot summers, taking the vineyard to around 25ha. Yield of 45hl/ha, harvest from September 13 to October 2, 20% new oak for ageing. In organic conversion.

Smells cool and blue-fruited, quite ripe as well, extremely fragrant with plenty of oak accents on the nose. Quite tart, high acidity on the palate, bright red fruits underpinned by a clear minerality that leaves a graphite and liquorice note on the tongue. A little lean, quite straight and a touch strict, with acidity that sticks out. I like the cleanness, the sense of coolness and the elongated finish. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Ageing 20% new oak. In organic conversion.