Bordeaux

This new discovery is almost too good to be true. Chateau Chadenne's La Fleur is a gorgeous Fronsac from the famed 2009 vintage, a wine that I fell head over heels for when tasting a few months back and couldn't wait to share with folks at K&L. It's now here and stands tall as one of the best buys in Bordeaux, the kind of combination of value, vintage, and age that you really don't see anywhere else. Just as when I first tasted it, I'm enamored with how fresh and lively this 2009 is. When I think about how the style and panache of the 2009 vintage should evolve with time, it tastes like this. Floral and wild berry aromas lead to a palate that's full of red-to-black fruit, terrific acid lift, and well-integrated tannins that follow through to a finish with a stony, mineral edge that feels very much at home in Fronsac's clay-limestone hills, along with a touch of spice. A beautiful combination of freshness and richness, it hits all the hallmarks of this celebrated vintage. A remarkable wine that defies its low price, this is one to buy by the case. It will impress wine drinkers of all stripes and, given how fresh, composed, and vibrant it remains today, should continue to evolve gracefully for another ten to twenty years. This is a modern classic and a not-to-be-missed value.

Capacious blackcurrant, blueberry and dark cherry fruit cradled in a coffee, cacao richness which fortifies the weighty structure and strident tannins. Oozing substance and charisma. (DWWA)

The 2022 Château Tronquoy is the finest vintage of this cuvée ever produced, offering fabulous aromatics of cassis, graphite, violets, flowers, chocolate, and earthy nuances. Full-bodied and beautifully rich and textured on the palate, with sweet tannins and a seamless, concentrated mouthfeel, it’s already hard to resist, and as I said from barrel, it shows the ripeness of the vintage while staying pure, balanced, and seamless. It’s going to benefit from just 4-6 years in the cellar and drink well for 25+ years.

A huge success in the vintage is the 2015 Château Suduiraut and this gem goes a long way towards showing how successful the sweet wines were in 2015. Offering a massive array of orange peel, honey, marmalade, flowers, and toasted nuts, this incredible wine hits the palate with a thunderous display of opulence, richness, and length, all while staying fresh, elegant, and seamless. It has a huge mid-palate and is reminiscent of the 2003, only with more freshness and delineation.

Readers will find a rich, flamboyant wine in the 2016 Barde-Haut. There is not a ton of subtlety here, but I am not sure that matters all that much given how immensely pleasing the 2016 is. Crushed rocks, graphite, lavender, blackberry, plum, and violet infuse a Saint-Émilion that offers tremendous textural richness as well as vibrancy. Most importantly of all, the 2016 is flat-out delicious. This is a decidedly opulent, dark Saint-Émilion with all of the elements impeccably balanced. I loved it. (AG)

An awesome Saint Emilion, the 2015 Château Barde-Haut showed even better on this occasion than on release. A huge nose of sweet crème de cassis, jammy blackberries, violets, leather, and dried herbs gives way to a full-bodied wine that has a great mid-palate, ripe, silky tannins, not a hard edge to be found, and a great, great finish.

The precision, hewn and cut tannins, wet stones, black tea, anis, liquorice root, bilberry and blackcurrant fruit, juicy tannins, understated power, settling in to itself at 10 years old, a superb wine that captures Margaux finesse with the more blunt power and concentration of the year.

A blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Laroque is deep garnet-purple in color. A little subdued to begin, offering subtle notes of crushed rocks and damp soil, it opens out to a core of ripe black and red plums and fresh blackberries, plus a fragrant waft of lilacs. The full-bodied palate is bursting with taut, muscular black fruits and amazing tension, framed by ripe, rounded tannins, and finishing with great length and depth. (LPB)

Château Canon has been taking off over the past few years, and here you see why. Just so much complexity, depth, power, interest in the whole thing. This buzzes with life, rises above the palate, full of gunsmoke, truffle, raspberry, blueberry, so delicious. Needs time but already showing it will be worth the wait. 45hl/h, 3.5ph, Harvest September 11 to October 4, 50% new oak. Thomas Duclos consults.

This is a very classically structured Bordeaux with blackcurrant, walnut, cedar and hints of toasted oak. It’s reserved now, but shows very serious, polished tannins. Persistent and powerful with fantastic length. Very precise.

Juicy and drinkable, mint leaf, tobacco, savoury blue fruit, cumin and incense, creamy as it opens up. This kept on delivering, really holding up over several hours of being open and enjoyed. No Malbec in rhe more ecent blends of Gruaud Larose, but this was during the beginning of vineyard restructuring under Suntory (owners since 1989) and a reminder of the 19th century years when this was the dominant grape of the Médoc. Tasted out of magnum, Philippe Carmaigac cellar master, 35% new oak.

Another of the cru classé properties outside the big-name appellations, but rather better-known, and a long-term reliable source of good left-bank Bordeaux. The nose has real interest, with notes of grilled currant, leather, freshly pressed tea leaves and tobacco leaves, fragrant and perfumed. It does not suggest great concentration or richness here, perhaps a little surprising for the vintage, but it nevertheless has undeniable appeal. Texturally it feels very relaxed, yet precisely defined, lightly peppery, with evident threads of cigar box and tobacco running alongside the maturing fruit. A rather cool style, especially for this vintage, with a tightly grained structure of ripe and finely grained tannins, which sits within a finessed and delineated substance. The tannins only really show through after the finish, but they are there. Charming and fresh, full of tobacco and leather complexity, draped over a slow fade of tannins, this has a lot going for it, now and into the future.

The quality of the fruit and tannins are very pretty here. It’s full-bodied, with round velvety texture and a delicious finish. Very impressive.

Our Discovery Series has arrived! At the core of this program is a mission to showcase wines of impeccable quality, unmistakable regional typicité, and exceptional value. As I often say, we’re not just placing a label on someone’s latest release—we’re curating standout selections from our deep, trusted network of sources. Each wine must rise above its peers, often outperforming bottles at multiples of the price. Only those that meet this high bar make it into the lineup. For many, including myself, 2016 is the “Goldilocks” vintage in Bordeaux—everything in just the right proportions. It will long be remembered as one of the great reference-point vintages for the region, but perhaps even more distinctly in the Northern Médoc, where nearly every top château produced an epic bottling. That is one of the many reasons I fell so deeply for this wine. The other is its source: a producer we’ve long admired, making a wine I would happily feature at full price. As part of our Discovery Series, it stands out as an extraordinary value. Now, at nearly ten years past the vintage, the wine is in full voice. Aromatically, it shows a floral and mineral lift surrounding layers of dark red fruit. On the palate, it is textured and generous, with enough structure to express the typicité of St-Estèphe, while remaining open and approachable. With striking precision, impressive depth of flavor, and a vivid expressiveness right from the first sip, this is a brilliant expression of Bordeaux—and still a bargain at twice the price. I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.

At the core of the Discovery Series is a mission to showcase wines of impeccable quality, unmistakable regional typicité, and exceptional value. As I often say, we’re not just placing a label on someone’s latest release—we’re curating standout selections from our deep, trusted network of sources. Each wine must rise above its peers, often outperforming bottles at multiples of the price. Only those that meet this high bar make it into the lineup. And speaking of high bars, we just set the standard for remarkable value in the Discovery Series, with a delicious St-Emilion with over fifteen years of bottle age for under $15. Only a dollar a year, which is an incredibly high standard at any stage in the game. I adored this opportunity when we first tasted it, and through tough negotiations, and even after a round of tariffs, I'm still shocked that we're able to offer a wine this solid, with this kind of age, all for this price. It is a generous expression of St-Emilion, but the broad, delicious quality of the vintage also shines through. Approaching maturity with a long life ahead, it carries beautiful aromatics of red fruits, leather, and florals, with a palate that has a core of plum and cassis, wild berry, and a soft, easygoing finish. Everything is in place, and I'm certain there's not a better buy in today's market for a perfectly aged Bordeaux from a signature vintage.

The 2016 Château Mouton Rothschild is nothing short of magical. It instantly begins to impress as it opens to seductive aromatics of blackberries and black currants woven together with espresso, charcoal, spring flowers, leather as well as hints of spice and gravel all taking shape in the glass. This continues to impress on the palate with its remarkable overall balance, concentration and silky, polished texture, which is beautifully underlined with a lovely trace of acidity. It shows wonderful precision and finesse through the finish, which leaves behind a long lasting impression. Overall, this is everything you want in a first growth Pauillac and it already showing exceptionally well. This is a simply breathtaking wine that should go down as one of the greatest vintages of Mouton ever made. (JD)

Bright, lifted, so clean and smooth, silky almost but creamy too with a nice weight and texture to the fine, softly powdery tannins. Generous and well controlled with some savoury liquorice and wet stone tang that gives accent and nuance. Lovely acidity and just an excellent expression with delicacy, control and appeal. Really very drinkable, floral, fruity with a gentle salty, savoury undercurrent. A top buy. (GH)

Awesome levels of blackcurrants, darker cherries, roasted herbs, chocolate, and scorched earth all emerge from the 2022 Château Malartic-Lagravière, an incredibly concentrated, rich, layered beauty that has velvety tannins, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. It's easily the finest I've tasted from this château and is a riveting 2022 that deserves 4-6 years in the cellar and will keep for two decades or more. The 2022 is based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, with the élevage spanning 20 months in 60% new French oak. There are a little over 8,000 cases of this brilliant wine.

Stunning aromas of blackcurrants, dark mushrooms and black cherries with forest-floor notes. Full body that fills your mouth with fine, caressing tannins and dark, flavorful fruit. The tannins are very intense and structural, spreading across the palate in layers and giving intensity and energy. Plenty of energy and verve here. This has gravity, too.

Truly flavorsome, the blackberry, raspberry puree and rich black cherry fruits here are dense, generous and fully ripe, but manage to retain a savory rosemary, coffee bean and black olive edge. It makes you smile involuntarily, in that way that great wine does. You almost want to forbid people from eating anything with this wine, at least for the first glass, and certainly forbid them from putting it on a table with other trophy wines where its impact will be softened. It demands - and should receive - full concentration. Textured slate runs through the mid-palate and brings a jolt of minerality through the finish. You could drink this today after carafing but you just know that it's barely out of the starting blocks. (JA)

It is hard to call Petrus a “sleeper of the vintage,” but the 2008 will merit more attention than most consumers would think. Low yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare resulted in only 25,000 bottles of this beauty. A wine of great intensity (possibly the most concentrated wine of the vintage), this 100% Merlot boasts a dark purple color as well as a sweet perfume of mocha, caramel, black cherries, black currants, earth and forest floor. Deep, unctuously textured, full-bodied and pure, it will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and should drink well for 25-30+ years. (RP)

This is the essence of Le Pin with incredible silk texture and beautiful fruit. A berry, sweet-tobacco, chocolate and dusty undertone. It reminds me of many wonderful and underrated Le Pins of the 1980s like 1985 or 1986. What a wine. Better in 2018. But who can wait? Cystal clear. It’s like the 2001 that was always better than 2000.

Big rich, powerful wine with pencil lead precision. This is a brilliant wine, I loved it En Primeur and it is delivering on expectations. It's big, as is Langoa in this vintage, with damson and black cherry fruits, and tons of gourmet notes from brioche to bacon rind to chocolate shavings. The tannins are going to need a good decade to soften, but when it is ready, this is going to be such a fun wine to share with friends.

Ripe and seriously fragranced on the nose, heady and inviting. A bit more strict and tight than the 2015, plenty of juice, but this has tension and is constricted a little bit by the frame and the saltiness. 2015 is more expressive, this is quiet and still hiding a little. Lovely form and structure, you can feel the sinew and the construction, graceful and shining. It's absolutely gorgeous, the clarity and the purity really transport you, beautiful, impressive, charming and characterful. Needs more time but with a good airing you could enjoy this today. I like the delicacy to the tannins, the integration with the fruit and the edges of sweet and savoury spice as well as the estate minerality underneath. Feels compelling. A fabulous wine. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. (GH)

One of the highlights of the vintage, the 2023 Coutet is exquisite, revealing aromas of pear, white peach, beeswax, pineapple and ripe apricot intertwined with spices and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and concentrated yet without heaviness, it is fleshy and generous, built around an enveloping, vibrant core of fruit framed by racy acidity that extends into an endless, ethereal finish. Marrying the inherent vivacity of Barsac’s limestone terroirs with the concentration of the year, this ranks among my favorite renditions and may well be one of the finest wines produced here in recent times. (YC) 98+

I loved the 2009 Château Barde-Haut. (This vintage always seems to rank in the top tier in any retrospective I do.) Still ruby/purple-hued with a huge nose of blackcurrants, black cherries, unsmoked tobacco, toasted spices, and loamy earth, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, no hard edges, sweet tannins, and remarkable purity of fruit.

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2015 La Parde de Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan ((92-94WE), 93JS, 92VN). Wine Enthusiast: "(Barrel sample.) This wine has a fine, dense texture that is impressive with its smooth velvet character. The tannins are dark, solid and show a dry side to balance the beautiful juicy fruit. Although this is a second wine, it does have the structure of a wine more senior than that. (RV)" (04/2016)

Bid on this bottle of 1970 Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac (94VN, 92JA, 90RP). Vinous: "The 1970 Lafite-Rothschild is a vintage I have not encountered for many years, and frankly, I never expected it to perform so well. There's lovely delineation and vitality on the nose with candied orange peel infusing the pretty and pure red fruit, scents of graphite surfacing with time. There is a wonderful sweet core of red fruit on the palate. This is a fine-boned First Growth with panache and verve. More tender than Latour, more complex than Mouton, this might be my First Growth de choix in 1970. (NM)" (09/2023)

Bid on this 3-magnum lot of 1993 Saint-Pierre, St-Julien (1.5L).

Bid on this bottle of 2003 Pétrus, Pomerol (98WS, 96WE, 93RP, 93ST, 92VN). Wine Spectator: "Extraordinary nose of berry, chocolate and flowers. Amazing, jaw-dropping quality. Full-bodied, with supersilky, seductive tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Out of this world. (JS)" (03/2006)

Bid on this bottle of 2007 Le Pin, Pomerol (89RP, 88VN), from the Thienpont family’s legendary tiny estate, one of the three great names of Pomerol alongside Pétrus and Lafleur and the original cult “garage” wine of Bordeaux, produced in minuscule quantities and among the most sought-after bottles in the world. Made from 100% Merlot, the 2007 shows Le Pin’s signature seductive, almost Burgundian charm, with a pure bouquet of bilberry, blueberry and crushed stone alongside neatly integrated new oak. The fine-boned palate has a supple, caressing texture, with black cherry and cassis fanning out toward the finish. Neal Martin judges it ready to drink now and good for another decade. A rare opportunity to own one of Bordeaux’s most iconic and collectible wines.

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2015 de Chantegrive Rouge, Graves (92JS, 91JD). James Suckling: "This shows plenty of brash woodwork on the nose with an undercurrent of cassis and blackcurrant. The palate has an assertive core of fresh, lithe and long tannins forming a focused, flavor-drenched finish. Try from 2022." (02/2018)

Bid on this bottle of 2012 Haut-Vigneau, Pessac-Léognan. Château Haut-Vigneau is owned by Eric Perrin, the son of the late Anthony Perrin of Chateau Carbonnieux fame. This property is one of the best value reds in all of Bordeaux. The 2012 is absolutely delicious--soft and elegant with tons of ripe red fruit flavors on the mid-palate. Enjoy with a nice rack of lamb. (Clyde Beffa, K&L Co-Owner and Bordeaux Buyer)

Bid on this bottle of 2001 Latour, Pauillac (97DC, 96JD, 96TWI, 96VN, 95JA, 95RP, 95WS). Decanter: "Classic Latour, with a savoury, meaty note to the ripe plummy fruit and a hint of leather at the end. Although August was hot, there was rain at harvest and the team didn't begin to pick until October in an effort to wait it out. The final blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. The grand vin is made with just over half of the grapes from the estate. The result has bright, fresh fruit, lots of tannin and impressive reserves of extract. Surprisingly long. (CC)" (03/2022)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2017 Malescot-St-Exupéry, Margaux (94JS, 93DC, 93RP, 93VN, (91-93WE), 93WS, 91JD). James Suckling: "Aromas of blueberries and stone with some dried-flower notes. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, silky tannins and a medium finish. Linear and refined with a very fine line of tannins running through it." (01/2020)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2019 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien (98JD, 97CK, 97JA, 96DC, 96RP, 96TWI, 96VN, 96WS, 95JS). Jeb Dunnuck: "The flagship 2019 Château Léoville Poyferré is based on 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot. It's one of the bigger, richer wines in the vintage and has a gorgeous, thrilling, full-bodied style as well as notes of crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, violets, and chocolate. While many estates seem to be playing it safe and focusing on so-called elegance and balance, I love that Poyferré continues to make a ripe, sexy, beautifully textured wine that always offers more opulence and sexiness than most in the vintage. Ranking with the crème de la crème of the vintage, this gorgeous Poyferré can be enjoyed any time over the coming 40-50 years. Bravo!" (04/2022)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2018 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien (97JA, 97JD, 97JS, 97WE, 97WS, 96VN, 94RP). Wine Enthusiast: "In this wine, fine and rich tannins partnerwith powerful black-plum and black-currant fruits. Densely textured while also having swathes of rich fruits, the wine shows both a firm side and one that offers total deliciousness. As it matures, both these aspects will come together. *Editors' Choice* (RV)" (03/2021)

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 2020 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien (97JS, 95JD, 94RP, 94WE, 93JA, 93VN). James Suckling: "This is very linear and structured, with blackcurrant, pine-needle, graphite and cedar aromas and flavors. Intense. Full-bodied, chalky and intense. Superb. Best of the trilogy." (05/2023)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2017 Giscours, Margaux (96WE, 94DC, 94JS, 92VN, 91WS, 90RP). Wine Enthusiast: "This wine is rich with tannins and ripe black fruits. A core of lusciousness gives the wine weight and density. It will be a fine wine to drink from 2024. *Cellar Selection* (RV)" (01/2020)

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 2019 Feytit-Clinet, Pomerol (97JD, 97JS, 95DC, 95JA, 95TWI, 95VN). James Suckling: "Rich and layered red with black olive and walnut on the nose, as well as blackberry. Full-bodied and powerful with superb depth and richness. Walnut and chocolate, too. Opulent, yet fresh." (02/2022)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2018 Cantenac-Brown, Margaux.

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2018 Canon-la-Gaffelière, St-Emilion (97VN, 96JS, (94-96WE), 96WS, 95CK, 95DC, 95JD, 95RP, 95TWI). Vinous: "The 2018 Canon La Gaffelière is bright, punchy and full of character, just as it was from barrel. Sage, blood orange, mocha and spice add pretty aromatic top notes to a core of inky red/purplish berry fruit. All the elements are so well balanced in this super-expressive Saint-Émilion. Bright floral and savory Franc notes punctuate the salivating finish, mineral-drenched finish. The 2018 needs a lot of air to open, but when it does, it is dynamite. (AG)" (03/2021)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Brane-Cantenac, Margaux (96WE, 95JA, 95JD, 95JS, 95TWI, 95VN, 93RP). Wine Enthusiast: "This is now performing as one of thetop Margaux estates. Their latest release showsstructure, elegant black fruits and rich tannins.Densely textured and vibrantly fruity, the winehas a fine future. Drink from 2027. *Cellar Selection* (RV)" (03/2021)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Beau-Séjour Bécot, St-Emilion (96JD, 96JS, 96VN, 96WE, 95JA, 94DC, 94RP, 94WS). Vinous: "The 2018 Beau-Séjour Bécot has really closed down since I tasted it en primeur. Inky red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and blood orange gradually open in the glass, all framed by veins of chalky minerality. The 2018 is a fabulous wine in the making, but readers have to be patient. Time in a decanter or simply in the glass helps to bring out the wine's considerable depth. (AG)" (03/2021)

Bid on this bottle of 1982 Pichon-Lalande, Pauillac (100DC, 100JA, 100JD, 100JG, 100RP, 100VN, 98WS). Vinous: "Another dazzling wine, the 1982 Pichon Lalande is utterly profound from the very first taste. In the glass, the 1982 is powerful and explosive, with seemingly endless layers of flavor that continue to unfurl over time. Vivid, intensely aromatic and seamless, the 1982 has enough pedigree and depth to drink well for at least several decades. What a wine! (AG)" (06/2017)

Bid on this 2-half-bottle lot of 2016 d'Yquem, Sauternes (375ml) (99JD, 99JS, 98RP, 97DC, (95-97WE), 95VN, 94WS). James Suckling: A very classic Yquem. Breathtakingly wide spectrum of floral honey, exotic fruit (passion fruit, mango and pineapple), caramel and marzipan aromas. But none of this is a jot too much. In fact, the wine is extremely precise and finely nuanced. Wonderful freshness and textural complexity, in spite of the considerable concentration and extravagance. Very suave and sensual finish that goes on and on. (02/2019)

Coming from a vintage compared to 2016 and 2019 by the château, the 2020 Château Tronquoy-Lalande checks in as 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, hitting 13.5% alcohol. Beautiful cassis, plums, damp earth, and chocolate notes all emerge from this beauty, which is a layered, medium to full-bodied, gorgeously textured Saint-Estèphe. The tannins are present yet polished, and it has a great mid-palate and outstanding length. I'd wager this is one of the finest vintages of this cuvée to date. It has the purity of fruit and opulence to shine even today, yet I suspect it won't hit prime time for 7-8 years, and it should have 20 years of prime drinking at that point.

The 2011 Pétrus is another utterly magical example of the vintage that will take plenty of cellaring before it fully blossoms, but will eventually outpace the more powerful 2010 at this estate. Olivier Berrouet commented that “with the 2011 having between ten and fifteen percent more tannins than the 2010, its elevage in new oak will be shorter this year as a result.” The team at Pétrus emphasized that “this was a vintage to restrain oneself in the vineyards and do nothing, so that the vines that were already suffering from the hydric stress would not be further shocked by any human intervention.” The wine has turned out brilliantly and will be a classic in fifteen or twenty years, as it offers up a deep and intense nose of black plums, black cherries, raw cocoa, woodsmoke, a beautiful base of soil, a touch of fresh herbs and a very suave and understated base of new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and impressively opulent in the mid-palate, with great focus and balance, ripe, substantial tannins and very long, pure, primary and perfectly balanced finish. A great Pétrus in the making.