Red wines from Bordeaux

The imposing Château Vieux Manoir was a former hunting house of the Duke of Epernon, and features on the label of this delicious classic, one of our best-sellers because of its elegant, medium-bodied appeal and traditional Merlot/Cabernet blend at an attractively affordable price.

With praise in recent vintages from leading critics as well as a steady haul of competition medals, this is a crowd-pleasing wine that will add a touch of luxury to any meal or gathering.

Those looking for a great wedding wine should snap it up!

A thoroughly impressive Bordeaux from a small five-hectare property, considered to be the original home of its owners, the Martin family, who have lived in Saint-Julien for more than three hundred years.

A pure, deep ruby red colour is matched by intense, elegant aromas of blackcurrant and plum reflecting the predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. There is complexity underlying the fresh fruit character—hints of pencils, tobacco, mocha and vanilla—from at least a year of aging in oak barrels. The texture of the wine is soft and smooth, with lovely depth of fruit and fine-grained tannins that melt into a slightly spicy finish.

The second wine of the estate has appealing fresh red fruit aromas and goes on to reveal its pedigree in racy, crisp black and red fruit flavours that linger on and on through a sustained, lively finish.

Château Lynch-Bages is a favourite name with Irish consumers, even if they haven't had the good fortune to try the top tier of its rich, ripe wines. This is a smooth, succulent and concentrated wine from the sunny and opulent 2009 vintage, with years and years to go. Buy now and treat yourself from 2020 onwards, as it comes into its prime.

‘Performing even better from bottle than it did from barrel, this appears to be the finest Lynch Bages since the 2000, 1990 and 1989. According to the chateau, the 2009 has the highest level of polyphenols ever measured as well as high alcohol (nearly 13.5%). A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest largely Merlot with touches of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it is an expressive, voluptuously textured effort with unctuosity and powerful, juicy, succulent blackberry and black currant flavors, low acids, a layered, massive mouthfeel, but no sense of heaviness or fatigue. This exquisite Lynch Bages should drink well for 30+ years.’
Robert Parker Jr, The Wine Advocate, February 2012 98/100

Still young but already delicious drinking. Dark purple colour and aromas of black fruits, overlaid in a medium-to-full but concentrated palate by notes of cedar and leather that will develop and expand into even greater riches as the years go by. Supple tannins and a juicy finish from an estate whose star seems to be in the ascendant.

Perhaps the best wine I've ever tasted from Lynch Moussas. A healthy dose of cassis, oak, tobacco and spice box create the nose. The wine is medium/full bodied, with ripe, dark red fruits, freshness and length. Clearly, this should be even better with age.

thewinecellarinsider.com 91 points - Tasted Feb 1, 2017

From south-facing slopes at Château Ferrand, this generous wine has a beautiful deep pomegranate colour and typical scents of violets, ripe plums, cherries and blackcurrants. There is plenty going on besides these fruity and floral notes, with suggestions of cedar, old leather, truffles and coffee beans roasting.

In the mouth, there's a delicious, silky smoothness of elegant and perfumed fruit, with, again, supporting flavours of coffee and herbs, with supple tannins in a long, satiny finish.

Considered a star of the vintage, and highly praised in subsequent tastings, this is a plush, complex wine with fresh, ripe, opulent fruit, delicious, lengthy weight and intensity, and supple tannins that shape a long finish.

You could drink it now as an indulgent match for a special meal, or in all probability cellar it until the 2030s.

in stock, details coming soon

‘The 2017 Echo de Lynch Bages is soft, open-knit and easygoing. A rush of sweet red cherry and red plum fruit gives the 2017 its open-knit, distinctive personality…floral and spice notes add an attractive element of suaveness to this lush, supple wine. Drink 2020-2029.’


90/100 Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, March 2020

‘The 2017 Echo de Lynch Bages is absolutely delicious. Pliant and open-knit, the 2017 offers up a compelling mélange of red berry fruit mixed with floral and spice notes. In 2017, Echo has a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon than is typical. I very much admire the wine's creamy, inviting personality. In other words, Echo is exactly what a second wine should be.’

89–91/100 Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, May 2018

‘Black core, purple rim. Intense, pure cassis on the nose – essence of Cabernet. Super-supple, extreme finesse in the tannins and really elegant while still having lots of dark fruit. Complete, refined, and fruity. Fine, dark-fruited finish. Drink 2021-2029’


16.5/20 Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2018

A magnum bottle of a tasty and authentic Bordeaux, perfect for a dinner party and certified vegan-friendly.

From the forward-looking Château Dauzac in Margaux, this is a rich red with gently spicy aromas of ripe red fruit, made from a roughly equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot picked at full maturity to give a supple, satisfying wine.

The winemaking experience of the Château means that there is attention to detail throughout, with carefully shaped tannins and a moreish, balanced finish.

Where fining is needed, it is done using pea proteins, meaning that this is an entirely vegan wine.

‘This has a deep rich ruby colour with powerful dark fruit aromatics. It's smooth, rich and extremely good quality, with an oak smokiness evident but well integrated. It feels at the very beginning of its life, with everything in place but a little overly tight on the finish, although lovely menthol notes come through. The fruit is optically sorted, and following fermentation is aged in 30% new oak. Michel Rolland consults.’
93/100 Jane Anson, Decanter, October 2018

‘Bernard Magrez's 2016 La Tour Carnet is ripe, open-knit and seductive. Super-ripe black cherry, plum, licorice, woodsmoke and tobacco are all beautifully delineated in the glass. A wine of striking inner perfume, sweetness and nuance, the 2016 Tour Carnet has all the elements to develop into a superb overachiever. Sweet, silky tannins add to the wine's considerable sexiness. This is the first vintage made in the new winery, where smaller tanks allowed for the separate vinification of multiple lots. The reduction in new oak is another big positive here. Bernard Magrez makes a number of terrific wines. La Tour Carnet is one of my favorites because of its budget friendly price and the way it ages in bottle. Tasted two times.’
89–92/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2017

‘Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 la Tour Carnet has an earthy nose with tobacco and underbrush over a core of warm plums, kirsch and tea. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing, elegant, juicy and soft with a savory finish.’
91/100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, November 2018

‘
Mid to deep crimson. Ripe, pure black fruit. Intense, lightly charry cassis. Chewy, chocolate tannins that both melt and resist. Bags of fruit, firmly built, just fresh enough.’
16+/20, Julia Harding, Jancis Robinson, October 2018

‘From the first vintage when this vineyard was fully certified biodynamic, this wine reveals an estate in its stride. It has richness and great depths along with a line of black fruits and acidity. Concentrated and tannic, the wine will age. Drink this long-lasting wine from 2026.’
96/100 Roger Voss Cellar Selection Wine Enthusiast, May 2019

‘This is really superb with beautiful density and ripe tannin texture. Full body and a round and polished texture. Rich and impressive but all in class. Made from biodynamic grapes. Almost all Cabernet Sauvignon.’
95–6/100 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com March 2017

‘Now biodynamically certified by Demeter as of the 2016 vintage… This was a great year for Cabernet, certainly as you move further up the Médoc, and it is flexing its muscles here. I just love this, it has a true sense of forward motion but it is also intense, complex and layered. Extremely clear liquorice and tight black spice, with waves of soft floral, almost violet, notes. Sometimes a forgotten estate in Margaux, as far as any 1855 property can be forgotten, but we are going to see the plaudits increase over the next few years, and this is sounding the starting gun. Drink: 2027-2050’
94/100 Jane Anson, Decanter, April 2017

‘The 2016 Durfort-Vivens is gorgeous. Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics and structure play off the natural intensity of the year beautifully. Blackberry, grilled herbs, licorice, leather and crème de cassis are all vividly sketched in this layered, expressive Margaux. Readers should expect a dark, exotic Margaux that stands a bit apart from the norm for the appellation.’
93/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2019

‘The 2012 Rauzan-Ségla (54.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 1.5% Petit Verdot) is a classic Rauzan-Ségla, still relatively backward and tannic, but concentrated and extremely promising. Dense blueberry, blackberry and cassis fruit along with some licorice, vanilla, foresty notes and spice are all present in this full-bodied yet structured and big, beefy style of Rauzan-Ségla . It may turn out to be somewhat atypical for this château in its size and masculine structure, but this is impressive wine, and one of the great successes of the vintage. Give it 5-7 years of bottle age and drink it over the following three decades. Drink: 2022 - 2052.’


94+/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (218), April 2015

‘The 2012 Rauzan-Ségla has a similar colour to the 2015 although it has a hard time competing with the delineation, the crystalline nature of the 2015. Yet it compensates with the sheer aromatic flamboyance. This has really opened up in the last 18 months or so, quite lush and precocious black fruit, loam and iris, just a slight hint of bell pepper emanating from the small amount of Cabernet Franc. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. There is a lovely seam of acidity here that lends the 2012 a sense of focus. It is not a deep or lavish Rauzan-Ségla, in some ways a little more conservative than I recall. There is fine grip on the saline finish, perhaps a Margaux that is just beginning to close up for a while? This still has great potential. Tasted at the Rauzan-Ségla vertical at the château.’


93/100 Neal Martin, vinous.com, April 2019

‘This firmly structured, beautifully crafted wine has a solid backdrop of tannins and plenty of concentration. Beyond that, it is already well balanced, bringing together its dark texture and blackberry fruit flavors with generous acidity.’
94/100 Roger Voss Wine Enthusiast Cellar Selection September 2015

‘The 2012 Rauzan-Ségla is super-classy from start to finish. Sweet floral notes meld into spice, dried flowers, lavender and black cherry. This is a distinctly racy, open Rauzan-Ségla that should drink well with minimal cellaring. Today, the new oak is a bit prominent, but a little more time in bottle should take care of things.’
92+/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous January 2016

‘Powerful black fruits nose; the palate is broad and generous, with splendid concentration. Tannic but not too extracted; power without caricature. Joyous, with very good length.’
Stephen Brook, Decanter Bordeaux 2017

‘The currants and blackberries on the nose are very impressive with wet-earth and lavender undertones. Full body and super-integrated tannins that melt into the wine. The quality of the tannins is incredible with fantastic length and mouthfeel. So much concentration and balance at the same time. Such beauty. From biodynamic grapes. This is the greatest wine ever from here. Drink in 2022.’
99/100 James Suckling, October 2019

‘This vintage is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, matured in 65% new oak barrels. Medium to deep garnet-purple, the 2015 Smith Haut Lafitte has a totally dazzling nose of exotic spices—star anise, fenugreek and Sichuan pepper—over a core of chocolate-covered cherries, wild blueberries, plum preserves, violets and earthy wafts of truffles, moss, tilled black soil and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced and packing a lot of flavor into a relatively modest package, it fills the mouth with spice and herb-laced black and blue fruit layers, supported by very ripe, very finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length. This is already a show-stopping, heart-pounding beauty, but should also age incredibly!’
97/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2018

‘Smith Haut-Lafite sits on free-draining, günz gravel, with the 2015 showing classic smoky, earthy Graves character with herbs, spices and freshness on the palate. On the intense nose, floral notes and subtle new oak support the fruit. Although there is a silky, intense and concentrated core to the fruit, this is not at all showy - just a wonderfully balanced and complete example of Cru Classé Pessac-Leognan.’
96/100 Decanter, December 2019

‘ Another wine from the Cathiard family I was able to taste on multiple occasions is the 2015 Smith Haut Lafitte, and it’s brilliant stuff readers should snatch up. Offering a huge nose of chocolatey dark fruits, roasted herbs, graphite and flowers, this big, rich, opulent beauty has building tannin, loads of structure and great mid-palate. It will drink nicely for 20+ years.’
96+/100 Jeb Dunnuck, November 2017

‘…dense in expressive, dark fruit and solid tannins which give it a rich, enveloping feel. With its spicy score and crisp acidity, there is great potential for aging. ’
96/100 Cellar Selection, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast April 2018

‘This pumps out some serious blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry and black currant fruit flavors, with the texture of compote and a racy edge thanks to a terrific bolt of graphite that runs throughout. Waves of anise, roasted apple wood and tobacco drive the finish, with the fruit keeping pace easily. Destined for a long life. Best from 2025 through 2045.’
96/100 Highly Recommended, Wine Spectator March 2018

Pessac-Léognan is a subregion of Bordeaux that was carved out of the Graves in 1987. Its terroir points to its historical origins as part of the Graves, with the dominant soil type being the gravel (and sand) which gave Graves its name. The northern vineyards of the appellation coexist with the southern suburbs of Bordeaux city, while the southern vineyards are enclosed by the forests which produce the other main export of Graves: timber.

‘Administrator Christian Seeley thinks the 2010 is the greatest Pichon Longueville Baron he has ever made, equaling some of the estate's colossal wines from vintages such as 1989 and 1990. It was certainly showing well when I stopped by the chateau in January. Opaque purple, with loads of charcoal, licorice, incense and some exotic Asian spices along with abundant cassis liqueur, blackberry and hints of roasted coffee and spring flowers, it is full-bodied and opulent, with relatively high tannins, but they have sweetened up considerably and seem less aggressive than they did from barrel. The oak is clearly pushed to the background by the wine's wealth of fruit, glycerin and full-bodied texture. This sensational Pichon Longueville Baron needs 5-6 years of cellaring, and should keep 30+ years.’


97+/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013

‘2010: A prodigious, blockbuster effort from Pichon Longueville Baron, the 2010 is reminiscent of this estate's titanic offerings in 1989 and 1990, but may be even greater with 30 years of longevity. Kudos to proprietor AXA and general director Christian Seeley. It was absolutely compelling on each of the three times I tasted it. Black/purple-colored with super concentration and richness as well as full body, it offers an awesome display of creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, licorice, camphor and spring flowers. Stunningly pure and unctuously textured with high but sweet, well-integrated tannins, this superstar of the vintage is definitely a wine to purchase as a future. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2040.’


97/99+/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

‘The 2010 Pichon-Baron is simply one of the greatest wines produced under Christian Seely's tenure. It has a stunning bouquet with penetrating black fruit, wilted violet and a touch of sea spray, a distinctive marine note verging on shucked oyster shells. The palate is very well balanced with fine grain tannins, layers pf graphite infused black fruit and a very detailed, captivating finish. Brilliant. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. Drink: 2023-2055’


96/100 Neal Martin, vinous.com, April 2020

‘Château Pichon Baron 2010 is very intense in colour with purple glints. The nose reveals aromas of fresh red and dark fruit, followed by an aromatic range that leads into mild spices and notes of menthol and cocoa. Powerful and explosive on the palate, the tannins are intense yet refined and delicate. Lots of volume with fleshy flavour. The finish is long and lively. This distinguished vintage has excellent ageing potential.’
Jean-René Matignon - Technical Director - May 2018

‘Dense colour, concentrated cassis nose, all the meaty richness from these well-placed vineyards and a good future. Drinking window 2016 - 2024.
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87/100 Steven Spurrier, Decanter

‘I was very taken by Ch Meyney 2012 St-Estèphe in this vertical…This is a vintage of Meyney with a particularly high proportion of both Merlot, and Petit Verdot, this late-ripener demonstrating just how ripe the grapes were this year…The wine is still a dense, youthful crimson but is absolutely classic aromatic ‘stony’ St-Estèphe on the nose. On the palate the wine is more obviously generous (thanks to all that Merlot?) with lovely flattering roundness, almost but not quite obliterating the promising tannins on the end. I suggest ideally drinking it between 2020 and at the very least 2035 but you could certainly enjoy it already with chewy food such as roast meat. But this is a wine that offers classed-growth quality at a very reasonable price.’
Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com, July 2017

‘A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec, the 2015 Clos Rene has a perfumed raspberry preserve and crushed strawberry-scented bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannin, a mixture of red and black fruit with a very refined, pastille-like, spicy finish. This is a lovely Pomerol to enjoy over the next 10-15 years, certainly one of the best offerings from the sandier soils on the western sector of the appellation.’
91–93, Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, April 2016

‘The clarity to this wine is impressive. Wealth of dark-plum and black-fruit essence not to mention orange citrus. Everything is dialed up to the limit here but then dialed in on the palate. Such impressive depth and suave, ripe, fluid tannins that deliver impressive length. Great wine. Such polish. Superb. Try from 2022.’


99/100 James Suckling

‘As with the white, the 2015 Château Pape Clément is up at the top of the hierarchy and is a tour de force in Red Bordeaux that should be snatched up by readers. Coming from a 50-hectare parcel of the gravelly soils and harvest between September 25th and October 15th, it’s a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc that saw a long maceration (30-40 days) and 18 months in 80% new French oak. With a deep ruby/plum color and awesome notes of currants, black cherries, truffles, chocolate and graphite, this beauty hits the palate with a massive, full-bodied, opulent, sexy, yet never heavy style. With terrific concentration, perfect balance, and ripe tannin, as well as plenty of oak, give bottles 4-5 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following 2-3 decades. Tasted three times.’


97/100 Jeb Dunnuck

‘The 2015 Pape Clement is blended of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, matured in 80% new and 20% one-year-old French oak barrels for 18 months. Medium to deep garnet-purple, it opens with profound notes of crushed red and black currants, black cherries and cassis with touches of mocha, baking spices, menthol and lavender plus a hint of new leather. Medium-bodied, firm and concentrated with tons of tightly wound black fruit and earth layers, it has a grainy frame and refreshing lift on the long finish.’

96/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Pessac-Léognan is a subregion of Bordeaux that was carved out of the Graves in 1987. Its terroir points to its historical origins as part of the Graves, with the dominant soil type being the gravel (and sand) which gave Graves its name. The northern vineyards of the appellation coexist with the southern suburbs of Bordeaux city, while the southern vineyards are enclosed by the forests which produce the other main export of Graves: timber.

‘Another contender for wine of the vintage. Here things get a little deep and fleshy, with crushed damson fruit that holds its integrity. Tannins are big and bold, oak influence clear but not offputting, just giving boots to slip your feet into. Your mouth responds to these tannins, reminds you that wine tasting us a physical activity. Great quality, what a brilliant wine.’
97/100 Decanter

'This is a very fine wine showing a new level of quality at Montrose. With its almost velvet tannins inside the intense black fruits, the wine is rich, smooth and generous. Blackberry and black-plum fruits are to the fore along with the fine acidity and great structure. A wine to age for decades, it will be ready to drink from 2027.’
97/100 Wine Enthusiast, February 2017

‘Incredible aromas of currants, blackberries, slate and flowers. Full-bodied yet so tight and beautiful with superb polish and brightness. The length is fantastic. Truly superb.’
97/100 James Suckling, February 2017

'Tasted at the château, the 2014 Montrose builds on the promise it showed in barrel with gorgeous blackberry, raspberry, cedar and orange sorbet scents that are extremely pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very precise acidity and layers of crisp black fruit laced with vanilla from the new oak at the moment. That will be subsumed in time. What you have here is a very precise, multi-layered, almost sensual Montrose that is going to delight many for years to come. This is highly recommended—one of the finest Left Bank wines this vintage.’
96/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, September 2016.

'This is seriously built, with an admirable core of red and black currant paste and bitter plum fruit inlaid with notes of tobacco, bay and smoldering charcoal. The finish is ramrod straight thanks to an iron girder supporting everything with ease. A tremendous effort for the vintage.’
95/100 Wine Spectator, March 2017

‘The 2009 Calon-Ségur is deep garnet in color and opens with a beautiful fragrance of redcurrant preserves, cassis, black cherry compote and red roses plus nuances of cigar box and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied and wonderfully elegant in the mouth, it has a compelling line of very ripe, fine-grained tannins and oodles of freshness supporting the fragrant layers, finishing long and perfumed. 2020 - 2049.'
96/100, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate #241, March 2019

‘Good dark red. Musky, highly complex nose offers plum, blackcurrant, camphor, menthol, violet and lavender. Remarkably silky and fine-grained, combining outstanding subtle concentration and terrific inner-mouth energy. This very rich but classically dry Saint-Estephe finishes with lush, noble tannins and outstanding complexity. A great vintage for this estate, and a classic claret in a traditional style’
94/100, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, July 2012

‘Dark crimson. Wonderful electric vitality on the nose. Great vibrancy. Great integrity in the same way as Pontet-Canet is seamless right through the palate - great line. Pure and dense and polished. Really vibrant. Lovely minerality on the finish. Complete. Date tasted 1st April 2010. Drink 2018-2030.’
18/20, Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2010

‘Delivers gorgeous aromas of blackberry, blueberry and licorice, with hints of tobacco and spice. Full-bodied, offering a lovely texture and refinement. Very long and beautiful, with tangy acidity and lively fruit. A rich, yet very balanced, Calon. This is almost all Cabernet Sauvignon instead of the normal blend with 40 percent Merlot. The château is now using 100 percent new wood. Like the changes.’
93-96/100, Wine Spectator (barrel sample)

‘The wine shows plenty of tobacco and vanilla character with chocolate and berries. Full body, with super fine tannins. It’s so long and refined. This is a beauty and needs at least three years of bottle age.’
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, December 2010 93/100

‘Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. I have criticized recent vintages over the alcohol levels, but I have no agenda against what is after all, one of the first properties I ever visited. And the 2008 is turning out to be a little beauty. It has a lovely floral bouquet with vibrant red fruit, cassis and violets that soar from the glass. It displays deftly integrated oak with Asian spices beginning to come through. The palate is full-bodied and tannic, very grippy with spice, black olive and blackberry. There is some fine, earthy Cabernet Franc here and shows good structure on the finish. It deserves a decade in the cellar. Tasted January 2012.’
Neal Martin, robertparker.com, May 2012 93/100

The château was built in 1745 on land owned by the aristocratic de Sèze family, at the time owners of many other properties in the region.

Raymond Troplong bought the estate in 1850, giving it independence; and his 33 hectares, of which 29 are vineyards, remain its extent today. Raymond's nephew Édouard succeeded him and added Troplong to the name of the property.

The estate entered its contemporary period when it was acquired by Paris wine merchant Alexandre Vallette. Further significant progress came when his great-granddaughter Christine took the reins in 1980, joined by her husband Xavier Pariente ten years later. Their years of work to improve the vines, cellar and château itself were rewarded in 2006 with the elevation of Troplong Mondot to 1er Grand cru classé status.

Subsequent developments included the addition of a guest house in 2010 and Michelin awarded restaurant ‘Les Belles Perdrix’ in 2012. The death of Christine in 2014 left M Pariente as CEO, and in July 2017 the estate was bought by insurance company SCOR Group for a sum later revealed to be of the order of €178 million.