Notes here on sixty-nine St Emilion 2025s. Looking back at the tastings the striking thing is the consistency. This is a seriously good vintage in St Emilion. The hot and dry vintage conditions have reigned in the alcohols [more on this paradox below] and the evident freshness and structure in the wines has given so many a vital intensity. It is a fascinating vintage to compare with 2022. It doesn’t have the heavenly quality of that vintage, but that is not to damn 2025 with faint praise. If 2022 is a vintage for the heart, 2025 is very much one for the head. In that sense it is a bit like 2009 versus 2010 – but with right bank winemaking and viticultural approaches now very different from those heady, extractive days. These are classical, moreish wines, which are impeccably balanced in the main. So, 2025 is a very exciting vintage indeed on the right bank. It is also one with a lot of value to be had. This is firstly as a lot of less famous estates have made super wine. Secondly, so far many of the best properties are releasing at sensible prices that might encourage an early purchase. This is good news for those of us who got a bit burnt with the pricing of 2022. So, what are the highlights overall from the tastings?

There are a few omissions. I didn’t get to Figeac, Canon, Pavie, Cheval Blanc or Ausone. I hope to catch up with visits to these properties in coming months. I did taste everything the UGCB showed at Château Valandraud, all that the Grand Crus Classes Association showed at Château de Pressac and all the wines that were served blind from St Emilion by the Grand Cercle at Château de la Dauphine. I also augmented this with some trips to other properties.

At the top of the tree are fabulous, if contrasting, wines from Château Valandraud, Château Larcis Ducasse, Château Pavie Macquin and Clos Fourtet. Valandraud is fantastic and nudges perfection. This year marks the transition to 100% ownership of the Lefévère family [proprietors of Château Sansonnet and others] who previously held half of the shares of this trailblazing property, put together over the years by the remarkable genius Jean-Luc Thunevin and his wife Murielle Andraud. It was fitting to taste this wine at Valandraud as they were holding the UGCB tasting event. Jean Luc was about, albeit seemingly ducking the limelight, St Emilion’s most famous magician, at the edge of stage, almost unnoticed it seemed to me by the trade crowd milling around. Thinking on it, that has always been his style. The wines, showy and outstanding in the foreground, while the master darts off behind the curtains to quickly coax the best out of another vat. What an off-beat champion of St Emilion he has been over his remarkable winemaking career. Where would the wine world be without him? Those days of bonkers tastings of myriad wines and hundreds of people all packed in his St Emilion back-street winery now a [fantastic] memory.

I have already written on Château Larcis Ducasse and Château Pavie Macquin in earlier posts. Both have made formidable wines that will need time in bottle. Clos Fourtet looks to have made another beauty. The purity is astonishing. Château La Gaffelière is also seriously good this year too. Behind these are a vivacious set of wines from Nieppergs at Château Canon-la-Gaffelière and a fresh and zesty La Mondotte. Again, more on these in an earlier post. These are definitely lighter than most but have gone for energy over concentration.

Then there are at least a dozen wines or so wines which are super impressive which include Château Bellefont-Belcier, Château Chauvin, Château Laroque, Château La Dominique, Clos Dubreuil, Château La Marzelle, Château Sansonnet, Château Tour St Christophe, Château Villemaurine and Château Yon Figeac. Do search out any of these but really all the St Emilion Grand Crus Classés showed really well and were supremely consistent.

There was also consistency shown in the St Emilion Grand Cru tasted blind at the Grand Cercle event. There were excellent wines from Château Soutard Cadet, L-Archange, Château Monlot, Château La Grâce Fonrazade [very impressive], Château La Voute, Château Pas de l’Ane, Château Rollyand [very enjoyable] and Château Argemonia.

A word on the vintage paradox of 2025 alluded to above. How is it that a hot, dry year produces a set of wines with structure, acidity and slightly lower alcohols? Largely this is because the drought and the heat arrested phenolic ripening and slowed sugar accumulation in the grapes whilst cooler nights preserved freshness. There was just enough water with timely rain between 19th and 21st July and then again 28th to 30th August which will have aided final tannin development. David Suire summed up this paradox when I was with him at Château Laroque. “A bit like us, when we get too hot, we’re not as efficient and likewise with the vines, the conditions, though hot and dry, actually slowed down photosynthesis, and it has kept things fresher. The grapes developed aromatically more slowly, sugars accumulated more slowly and freshness was retained.” So, there you go.

Enough of the overview. Please find below detailed notes on my tastings in St Emilion in April. I hope you find them useful. They are broadly in alphabetical order. As ever, the notes are more important than the numbers.

Château Argemonia, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Deep and saturated; slightly redder at the edge; slightly more worked aromatics; with some lift and polish: also some Cabernet Sauvignon spices giving an inky influence; works well for me; definitely more Cab influenced than many here; some graphite, spice, meal, quite linear and consistent across the palate; nicely done; has layers and the ink, spicy Cabernet tones work well; bit dry on the finish but nothing overly pushed relative to the fruit. Should work out very well. Great stuff. Tasted blind 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2029-2040. 90-92+

Château Badette, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and dark; dense; ripe; black cherry; some ink; impressive extract; very ripe black cherry; real emphasis on the black cherry: cool entry; nicely supple; black cherry and black fruits; nicely done has freshness and some grip. Works well. Some salinity on the finish. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2029-2040. 90-91+

Château Balestard La Tonnelle, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated look; really deep in the glass; little fig and prune; some wet rock too; quite forward; some fruitcake spice; palate creamy but with quite a bit of prune fruit; lacks a bit of freshness relative to some. Might be the sample. Lots of extract though and sweet fruit and fruitcake spices. Tasted UGCB 21/4/26. Drink 2029-2042. 89-91+

Château Bellefont Belcier, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep; healthy looking; purple at edge; lovely creamy black cherry and summer compote notes; very deep and enticing; firm entry; plenty of extract and matter; quite tight to start with; cool and fresh palate with plenty of substance; has depth and inky intensity; round and ripe tannins. Fresh. Some salinity and punctuation on the end. Satis0fying. Super wine. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting and tasted blind 19/4/26 at Grand Cercle [consistent notes]. Drink 2030-2045. 93-95+

Château Cadet Bon, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep; healthy looking; dark at centre; some pine, spice, camphor and forest floor notes; has complexity but in a more spicy, earthy way; plummy fruit beneath; very good and nicely done; actually lots of plummy black cherry fruit here too; attractive; entry good; lots of briary and black cherry fruits with some salinity; works really well. I like this! Soft and well-handled tannins. Maybe dips a fraction on the end. Good stuff overall. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2029-2041. 91-93+

Château Canon-la-Gaffelière, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Mid depth; has been more deeply coloured but looks healthy and attractive; nice fresh and spicy notes; some savoury tones too; quite a lot of zap and verve; quite a vivacious; spicy wine; some tar; quite elegant styled; has freshness and life; not gone for a heavy style here; I think well-judged for the terroir. Fresh on the end. Works well. Will fill out during élevage. Zappy and fresh on the end. [40% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% new oak, 13% alcohol, organic]. Tasted 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2049. 93-95+

Château Carteau Côtes Daugay, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Deep and saturated; colour vivid and tight to the rim; very perfumed and spicy initially; ripe black cherry aromatics; this faded in the glass somewhat; sweet and sour black cherry; emphasis on the sour; quite zappy and vivacious; works well in a zappy style. Tasted 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2029-2038. 88-90

Château Chauvin, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Purple and fresh at the edge; deep; healthy looking; minerality on the nose; crushed rocks; with some sweet black fruit emerging; attractive in a minerally way; quite classy nose with nicely integrated oak; later the fruit really emerges; sweet ripe black cherry aromatics; this is super as it opens up. Quite tight and intense on the palate; yes there is plenty of juice surrounding these; the crushed rocks; finishes well. Some chew on the end but consistent with the fruit and style. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 93-95+

Clos Badon, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and dark; opaque at centre; colour tight to rim; some eau de vie, prunes, ripe black cherry notes; some molasses; palate creamy and dense; black fruits; prunes, dark cherry notes; some chocolate too; big structure but caressing tannins overall which are present on the finish. Length on the end. A gutsy style! Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 92-94

Château de Pressac, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and bold; very dense colour; totally opaque at centre; colour tight to rim; ripe pure black cherry and plum notes; appreciate the clarity and purity here; has freshness; very black cherry; deep; cool; nice entry on the palate; fresh cool black cherry fruit which really works well; loads of fruit but the tannins are round; lovely mouthful and caressing. Very enjoyable de Pressac. Some tannin on the end but this is needed and will resolve. Freshness too here. Tasted 18/4/26 and 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 93-95+

Clos de l’Oratoire, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and attractive; legs and life; nicely zappy and refreshing appetising aromatics; some minerality; open; but fresh and spicy; high tones but alive; good texture; mineral; quite schist and wet rock; fresh and zappy; nicely fresh with good balance. Nice zap and balance. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% new oak, 13.5% alc, yields 34hl/ha, organic]. Tasted 21/4/26. Drink 2029-2045. 91-93+

Château Clos de Sarpe, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Again deep and bold; saturated look; very opaque at centre; black cherry leaps from the glass; some graphite too; emphasis on the black cherry; layered; black cherry tightly woven; structured and showing some oak influence on the palate [in the structure]; in that sense less seamless than some and the fruit feels a little submerged. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2040. 88-90

Clos de Jacobins, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated but healthy looking and glossy; lovely attractive aromatics of ripe plums with a kiss of sweet oak; very enticing and open aromatics; but has freshness; lovely and seductive; entry firm, lots of extract and density; along with wood tannins; evidently a sample from new oak; plenty of fruit here but also some chew at the back which should resolve. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 91-93+

Château La Commanderie, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; inky looking; colour tight to rim; briary fruits; some complexity; some crushed rock notes; minerality; some fruitcake spice but tight and not loose; intense and dense; lots of matter and quite pent up; there is high tannin but the fruit comes through. Nevertheless, this is a little more compact compared to some of the others. Works but there is density to the tannins on the end. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2032-2045. 90-92

Château Corbin, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; earthy purple at edge; density; lovely, sweet ripe black cherry and plum tones; joyful; very attractive; some mineral and wet rock elements too; spices; cool palate with black cherry, plum and blueberry notes; very blue fruits and quite cool on the palate; like this has juice, freshness and grip too. Nice balance and freshness too. Dips a fraction but I still like this. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 91-93+

Couvent des Jacobins, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deepish; less dense than some but still healthy looking; fresh creamy black cherry and plum tones; lots of freshness; some spice; black fruits; a little minerality too but works nicely; some crushed rocks too; tight, concentrated; black fruits; mineral notes; some spices too. This works well. Quite pent up at present. Freshness too. Very good. Some tannins on the end from the wood but élevage should sort. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2030-2045. 91-93+

Château Croix de Labrie, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and dense; healthy; purple at edge; deep at centre; lifted aromatics; spices; red fruits; crushed rocks; more emphasis on the redcurrant and strawberry notes; quite unctuous but with minerality added to the mix; definite mineral element here with the wet rock notes; tightly woven palate; plenty of fruit as well as structure; some chew on the finish but this works. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2030-2045. 90-91+

Château Dassault, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Bold and healthy looking; opaque at centre; ripe cherry and spicy fruits; feels full and dense; black cherry and plum on aeration; creamy black fruits in fact; opens up well in the glass; cool and attractive; creamy black cherry palate; very pure and emphasis on the purity; has nice freshness too; energy; quite dense but there is punctuation and freshness that keeps the ball in the air. Positive finish. Density to the palate. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2030-2045. 91-93

Clos Dubreuil, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; colour tight to the rim; opaque at centre; some tar, liquorice and saline notes; full and has purity; mineral and saline; morello cherry notes too; pretty intense and saturated in flavour but like this; has a saline edge too on the on the palate; has plenty of extract and freshness; nice texture and well handled in the cellar; works well; comes together on the end. Quite serious. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 91-93+

Château de Ferrand, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and opaque at centre; colour tight to the rim; earthy black fruits; morello cherry and dark chocolate tones; cool and pure; attractive; quite mineral and dense palate; tannins well-handled and ripe; some wood tannins too; quite chewy and dense at present; will soften during élevage. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2030-2040. 89-91

Château Destieux, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated look; colour tight to edge; creamy black fruits; quite sweet; not as precise as some but round and enveloping; plums and ripe black cherry tones; sweet and ripe; structured and intense but with an attractive softness to the tannins in this vintage; supple and savoury note too on the end. This works. I like this property. Works well on the palate. Nice depth, Good twist of acidity on the finish. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2030-2040 91-93

Château Faugères, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Mid depth; looser at edge than some; sweet and attractive; forward and supple style; some ripe red fruit notes [strawberry and raspberry]; open and sweet on the nose; forward style; spicy oak notes and soft fruits; nicely done in an easy style; not the densest by any means – quite soft and easy going. Should be ready sooner than many. This is a forward, open style for the vintage. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2030-2040. 90-92+

Château Fonroque, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Mid depth; healthy; earthy purple at edge; saline and black cherry aromatics; nice purity; creamy and enticingly cool fruit tones; very pure, creamy black cherry notes; love the purity here; some spicy notes alongside ripe black cherry and plum notes; has delicacy on the palate and freshness. I like this a lot. Nice freshness and zap on the end. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. 92-94+

Clos Fourtet, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated look; opaque at centre; colour tight to rim; plummy; deep and pure; perhaps a little reticent at first; some evident minerality; juicy palate with really open plummy aspect; wonderful purity; this has great delicacy; works a treat; real delicacy and with great length on the end. Will fill out and be closer to the upper end of the scale. Tasted UGCB 21/4/26. Drink 2032-2055. 96-98+

Château Franc Mayne, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; colour tight to rim; opaque at centre; lovely bright plum and black cherry fruit; really enticing and cool; some salinity and minerality too; layered and impressive; sweet and ripe entry; super ripe plums and black cherry; sweetness; attractive; really juicy – works a treat. Nice fresh finish works well. Later some wood on the palate and dryness – needs to settle. 100% Merlot [replanting the rest – will take three years]; yields lower at 37hl/ha]. Tasted UGCB 21/4/26. Drink 2029-2045. 91-93

Château Godeau, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Deep and saturated; impressive colour; tight to rim; opaque at core; legs; creamy black cherry and plum tones; nice and fresh; lifted with some zap; attractive; nice; has nice supple tones, freshness and salinity; some spices and undergrowth elements too; quite a lot of extract and feels a bit pushed on the finish at present. Should settle during élevage. Has ambition. Tasted 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2029-2040. 90-92+

Château Grand Corbin, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Mid depth; more translucent in the middle; sturdy and straightforward aromatics; some stalky black fruits; doesn’t have the density, complexity or purity of the best; opens up a bit in the glass; nice cherry and plum tones; spices; I take some of this back as the wine has opened up nicely in the glass; entry positive; soft entry; cool black fruits and spices; has a certain satin elegance that works here. It doesn’t have the density of some but is soft and nicely handled. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2029-2040. 88-90+

Château Grand Corbin Despagne, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Mid depth; not as concentrated colour as some; some spice; black fruits; quite elegant compared to others Crus Classés; briary fruit notes; ripe plums; nice fresh entry; plummy palate; sone tar; actually quite punchy on the palate a tannic twist at the end. Quite punchy overall. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting and Grand Cercle. Drink 2030-2045. 90-91

Château Grand Mayne, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; not as dense as the Gaffeliere immediately before but impressive; leafy, spices red fruits with lift; attractive; some unctuousness; has lots of depth and structure evident on the nose; creamy, slight walnut note but has spice and depth; spices and wood to integrate but this works. Extract and coffee on the finish. Tiny bit drying on the very end. Tasted UGCB. Drink 2029-2040. 91-93+

Château Haut Sarpe, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Mid depth; fresh purple at edge; spicy and savoury aromatics; some freshly sawn wood notes; little whiff of green; rather astringent; quite tight and lots of wood tannin; not showing well; very odd choice of sample – somewhat hard, marked by wood with subdued fruit. Will try and source another sample. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink TBC 84-87?

L-Archange, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Deepish but more red at edge than the vivid purple; briary and undergrowth notes; satin; quite complex and attractive; black cherry notes too; like this; works well; attractive and open briary and red fruits; has black cherry notes, some espresso; quite sweet and sour notes; has freshness on the finish. Works. Quite a lot of extract on the end but has length and works. Tasted blind 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2029-2038. 90-91+

Château La Confession, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and dark; saturated; some fig and saturated notes; some eau de vie; lifted; quite dominated by oak at present; it needs to settle; has depth and chew but a bit lacking in integration currently. Should come good but very freshly cut wood currently dominating. Dry on the finsh. Hopefully will settle and swallow up the oak during élevage. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2030-2040. 86-88+

Château La Couspaude, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; little looser at the edge than some; liquorice notes; sweetness; ripe fruits; heady; fruitcake spices and some eau de vie; opens up to show more super ripe black cherry and plum tones; nice depth and lift; soft palate; plenty of density but has a supple edge and refine tannins; works well and should be a very enjoyable bottle of St Emilion. Nice texture on the end. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2029-2045. 92-94+

Château La Croizille, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; colour tight to edge; opaque at centre; deep; layers of black fruit and some mineral tones; attractive and fresh with the emphasis on the summer fruit pudding notes; nice entry on the palate; plenty of black cherry and plum fruit with oak influence; creamy fruit. Works well. Spicy finish with some freshness. Works. Has zap and freshness on the end. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 19/4/26 and at Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26 with consistent notes. 90-92+

Château La Dominique, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and bold; opaque at centre; colour tight to edge; ripe black fruits with some spicy notes; enticing and with depth; opens up nicely; quite intense with some cereal notes and spicy intensity; lovely and moreish; spicy; deep and fresh; lively and vivacious on the palate with spicy notes and freshness; has a real lightness of touch which works nicely. Little dry on the finish but this is the stage. Will fill out. Tasted UGCB 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2050. 93-95+

Château La Gaffelière, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated colour; opaque at centre and colour tight to the rim; tar and fruitcake spice; deep and intense; very deep and layered; this is impressive; some mineral too; sweet entry; some oak influence; tannins from the wood slightly masking the fruit on the palate currently but this should settle during élevage; has density and intensity; lots of extract and structure here; sone chew at the back and espresso notes on the finish. Tasted UGCB 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2050. 93-95+

Château La Grâce Fonrazade, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Good depth; legs; dark at centre; deeper and more savoury Cabernet influenced aromatics; like a baby Trottevieille! Smoke, gunpowder spice, meal notes; blackcurrants; nicely composed; like this; this is clean; nice entry; very left bank in feel; lots of Cabernet Sauvignon influence [50% Cabernet Sauvigon planted in the vineyard]; has nice intensity; inky freshness; good depth and sap. This works very well. Like this. Nice punctuation on the end. Some lapsang tea notes on the finish. Impressive. Tasted blind 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2029-2040. 91-93+

Château La Marzelle, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated but also bright and healthy looking; sweet and ripe black fruits; quite pure and enticing; some menthol and saline notes too; has a certain minerality; and density; sweet entry; nicely handled; cool black cherry and plum notes; lots of fruit and nicely expressed; works well and I like the purity; some mineral, wet rock notes on the end; this works very well. Some chew on the finish and density to the tannins [drought] but should work well with 5-10 years. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2030-2045. 92-94+

La Mondotte, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe, 2025

Deep and saturated colour; dense in the middle; opaque at centre; deep; layered; some tar and menthol; very deep; lovely seam of black fruit; very precise and intense; layered and intense; nicely dense; has minerality; depth; some salinity; zappy and appetising at the same time. Fresh and nice finish. Very appetising. [70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 30% new oak, 13.5% alc, yields 26hl/ha, organic]. Tasted 21/4/26. Drink 2032-2050. 95-97+

Château La Serre, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated look; earthy purple at edge; some perfumed oak; lifted note; lots of briary fruit beneath – quite well integrated; opens up to reveal creamy plum and black cherry fruit very attractive; spices too; more oak on the palate [new oak sample]; which will integrate; currently tiny bit disjointed but this is early days. Bit chewy on the finish. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2030-2043. 90-91+

Château La Tour Figeac, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; earthy purple at edge; deep at centre; fresh and bright; briary fruit; attractive and supple; bright and attractive; black cherry with a vivacious kick; creamy palate; nice sap and fruit; quite high tones but works; has some chew and depth; freshness and spicy notes. Grip too. Works well if a bit furry at present on the palate. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2030-2045. 90-92+

Château La Voute, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Deep and vivid at the edge; vibrant purple and colour tight to the meniscus; ripe plums; sweetness; ripe; has some salinity too; solid st Emilion in a nice fresh style; nice palate; positive; fresh fruit; summer compote notes; like this; medium balanced with good grip and freshness. Has some grip on the end but works. Tasted blind 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2029-2040. 89-91+

Château Laroque, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep colour; glossy in the glass; briary and menthol fruit; genuine depth; some graphite notes too; super depth with evident structure; bright and fresh; with graphite and iodine tones; quite structured feel with nice acidity on the palate; crushed rocks and salinity on the end. Very classical. Structure, density and freshness. Excellent wine. Will need time in bottle but this is deep and thoughtful Laroque. [99% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, alcohol 13.8%, pH 3.4, yield 31hl/ha, 66% selection of the crop into the grand vin, mixture of élevage in barriques [50% new] and larger casks]. Tasted 20/4/26 at the Chateau. Drink 2032-2045. 93-95+

Château Laroze, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep colour; tight to rim; spicy red fruits, some lift; very attractive; nice purity beneath; like this; cool purity; nicely seductive entry on the palate; layered and plush but plenty of satin and plushness here; good texture and works well on the finish. Bit chewy [might be my accumulation of tannins]. Works well. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 19/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 91-93+

Château Laniote, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated look; colour tight to the edge; bright and lifted aromatics; some oak accent initially; creamy plum and black cherry notes beneath; spicy oak and briary fruit need to integrate a bit more but this has the elements; oak influence is evident on the palate; this sample has not quite absorbed the oak; but this will probably come good in the elevage. Plenty of extract. Bit chewy on the finish currently. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting. Drink 2030-2040. 89-91+

Château Larcis Ducasse, St Emilon Premier Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; formidable colour; minerals and crushed rocks initially on the nose; some pretty perfume too in the glass; has genuine intensity and feels quite pent up; with some coaxing it opens to reveal tar and liquorice notes; also camphor and menthol; there is a real seam of intense black fruit too – plums and black cherries; lots of finesse to the fruit on the palate; it is tight and intense; lots of mineral and crushed rock notes again but enveloped in an essence of plum and cherry; really strong but will need time akin to 2005 and 2015 in style here. It’s coiled up like the universe at the point of the Big Bang. Lots of finesse and length. This is a steely vintage with a muscular, sinewy style. Sappy/spicy freshness on the very end. Lots of length. Remarkable. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, alcohol 13.8%, yield 40hl/ha, pH 3.5]. Tasted 20/4/26 & 21/4/26. Drink 2035-2055. 96-98+

Château Larmande, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and healthy looking; opaque at centre; tight to rim with a healthy purple hue; spices, black fruits; some briary notes as well as crushed rocks; this works well; briary and crushed rocks; sweet entry to the palate; fresher plummy tones; really cool and attractive with some structural elements too supporting the cool flesh; nice texture and fruit; has juicy qualities alongside the structure with some freshness and salinity. Works well. Tasted UGCB. Drink 2030-2045. 91-93+

Lynsolence, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Deep and saturated; really tight to rim; opaque at centre; vibrant at edge; intense and layered aromatics; this could be a cru classé no problem; nicely interwoven oak and fine fruit; polished and accomplished effort; still works well after being opened; really very polished; quite worked on the palate and a bit hard currently but this should come round well in the cellar. A tad more extracted and oak influenced on the palate – ends up a bit drying on the end. Should settle during élevage but will keep its chunky style I expect. Tasted blind 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2030-2040. 89-91

Château Montlabert, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; colour tight to the rim; some oak influence on the nose; plenty here; quite pent up; some red fruits too beneath; opens up; quite fruity with the oak; needs to resolve the evident new oak on the sample; has plenty of fruit here but currently marked by oak. Plenty of extract and density – just a bit disjointed currently. Sample tasted blind at Grand Cercle was more integrated showing more olive, liquorice and herbal notes alongside the black fruits and the oak seemed more absorbed in the wine. Score here reflects better showing. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 19/4/26 and Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 91-93+

Château Montlisse, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated look; colour tight to edge; redder at edge than some; spices; red fruits; ripe raspberry and strawberry tones; certain unctuousness; has depth and concentration; some mineral and crushed rock notes; quite dense; some toasty oak elements somewhat ahead of the fruit; has density and depth; sweetness to the fruit and evident depth. This works nicely. Some tannins in the end but these will resolve. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 90-92+

Château Monlot, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Deep and saturated; opaque at centre; tight to rim; black cherry; deep; iodine; salinity; quite full; some stalks too; bit new car interior later; bit boiled sweet/cassis notes too; cool black cherry and plum tones; nice and clean and pure; this works on the palate; has nice clarity and purity. Good sap and depth; nice balance between the appetising; has zest. Good stuff. Tasted blind 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2029-2040. 90-92

Château Moulin du Cadet, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated look; colour tight to edge; tarry and dense at first; smoky and savoury note; quite saturated palate; lots of fruit and extract but currently quite simple; will integrate and the fruit has good tannin profile. Lots of extract on the end but this works. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2040. 90-92+

Château Pas de l’Ane, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Deep and saturated; opaque at centre; legs; fresh, stalky briry fruits; has live and vivacity; some spicy fruit tones; quite fruit driven; creamy briary fruits; nicely done with excellent purity; crystal clear; like this; bit of grip and acidity on the finish but this makes for a positive and refreshing wine; nice extract and grip with lots to enjoy. Good stuff! Tasted blind 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2029-2040. 90-91+

Château Pavie Macquin, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and dense; opaque at centre; colour tight to rim; really tarry and intense with lots of pent up fruit and power; a wine for the ages; gum, tar and camphor; liquorice but this feels all terroir based; graphite; tight but intense on the palate; textured; plenty of extract and fruit but it has gloss and polish; spices. Works really well. Super depth and concentration; very impressive; lots of depth and intensity. Super powerful. [78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.1% alcohol, 3.23 pH, yield 30hl/ha]. Tasted 21/4/26. Drink 2033-2055. 96-98+

Château Peby-Faugères, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Mid depth; good colour; earthy red at edge; not as saturated as some; inky; mineral; dense; quite formidable; quite mineral; opens up to reveal blue fruits – plums and black cherry; saline too; intense on the palate; lots of density and depth; quite serious; structured; plenty here; quite steely and mineral on the palate with some freshness too. Needs to unfurl. Ambitious. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 92-93+

Château Petit Faurie de Soutard, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and good colour; earthy purple at edge; fresh and bright black cherry and plum aromatics; some mineral notes; but this has zappy purity; cool plummy tones; really enticing; quite fresh and stalky but there is zap and energy; works well; has good texture on in the middle. Works well. Has drive and energy and zap. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 91-93+

Château Ripeau, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Good colour; slightly less saturated than some; bright, fresh, spicy briary aromatics; joyful and lively; really fresh and good; emphasis here on the primary fruit expression; sappy fruit on the palate; has freshness and some bite olus extract [but not extracted]; works really well. Like the purity here. Works well. Perhaps a little straightforward but should work well. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2029-2044. 91-93

Château Rol Valentin, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Deepish; slightly more earthy red at edge less concentrated colour than some; strawberry jam; lifted; attractive; satin notes beneath; soft entry; some lift; supple and generous if lacking in tightness in the middle; perhaps a little soft overall and lacks a bit of definition on the palate; little dry on the finish too curiously. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 19/4/26. Drink 209-2040. 89-91+

Château Rollyand, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Deep and concentrated; more emphasis here on the briary, summer fruit compote notes; black cherry and plum notes; nice and vibrant and vivacious though; also very enjoyable, plummy St Emilion; more caressing entry on the palate; briary and fruit driven with attractive balance. Spicy and zappy finish. Works well. Tasted blind 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2030-2040. 90-92+

Château Sansonnet, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; colour super tight to rim; sweet and ripe; some mineral notes; lush fruit; some fruitcake spices; really attractive and sexy; deep; some black cherry and prune notes; layered and deep; lots going on here; full and fresh on the palate; this is fresh and has life and works very well indeed. Some ink and freshness on the finish. Punctuation. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26 and tasted blind Grand Cercle 19/4/26 [consistent notes]. Drink 2030-2045. 93-95+

Château Soutard, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; colour tight to rim and opaque at core; nice briary fruit, some crushed rock mineral note; works well; plenty of plummy fruit in support; nicely dense; spicy notes; some fruitcake spice but with life and zap; entry sweet; ripe black fruits, plummy notes with briary fruit tones and plenty of zap and extract. Work well. Softness to the tannin profile and not extracted. Works super well. Tasted UGCB 21/4/26. Drink 2029-2045. 92-94+

Château Soutard Cadet, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Deep and saturated; vibrant looking; very opaque at centre with fine legs; vivid; liquorice and Pontefract cake note; more the latter on aeration; oak and fruit interwoven; full entry; plenty of plum and black cherry fruit; some minerality; has freshness and minerality; works well; this has nice drive and good punctuation; little bit pushed on the very finish [dryness]. Some Cabernet Franc influence in this blend? Tasted blind 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2029-2038. 90-91+

Château Tauzinat L’Hermitage, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Good depth; legs; dark at centre; nice attractive St Emilion; ripe, plummy Merlot with some sweetness; some vegetal whiff which blew off to reveal creamy plum notes; good textured palate with sweet ripe fruit; uncomplicated but satisfying St Emilion. Has freshness and brightness too. Nice finish. Tannins well handled. Works nicely. Tasted blind 19.4.26 at Grand Cercle. Drink 2029-2040. 89-91+

Château Tour Baladoz, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; opaque at centre; some meal and walnut notes initially; some earthy notes too; feels ok; black fruits emerge; inky but feels enticing and ripe; caressing and nicely judged on the palate; plenty of fruit here; has texture and acidity; works well. Some tannin on the end. Walnut aromatic note on both samples. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 19/4/26 and at Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2040. 90-91+

Château Tour de Pressac, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Solid colour; bold and dark at centre; creamy black cherry with some saline notes; has salt and mineral; some iodine; intense; dark chocolate; black cherry; nice mouthfeel; has zap and juice; well done. Sappy and fresh on the end. This works in a fresh, black cherry way. Mid weight in the end. I might be underrating this. Tasted blind 19/4/26. Drink 2028-2035. 89-91+

Château Tour St Christophe, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated look; colour dense to the rim; attractive and impressive; sweetness to the aromatics; less blue tones little more towards the red, some strawberry lift; attractive and sexy on the nose; lush; concentrated palate; plenty of extract but nicely handled extraction; plenty of depth; a mouthful but nicely polished. More minerality on the end with some tannins to resolve at the back – but very much of the vintage. Super stuff. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 92-94+

Château Valandraud, Premier St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated; deep at centre; super opaque at centre; lovely voluptuous notes on the aromas; velvet; this could be David Lynch’s Blue Velvet; layered, cool and deep; lovely entry on the palate; really great concentration but wonderful lightness of touch; this is a wine with its feel on the ground but its head in the heavens. Wonderfully. Super balance. Exceptional stuff. Good extract on the end. Lovely length. Will be super. Tasted UGCB 21/4/26. Drink 2032-2055. 96-98+

Château Villemaurine, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and saturated look; lovely aromatics; seductive; black fruits but really nicely integrated with the oak; creamy and delightful quality here; plush; lovely palate creamy palate with lush fruit; lots of texture and density; works well; very full and well made. Very nicely done. Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 92-94+

Château Yon Figeac, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Good colour; earthy red at edge; sweet and enticing plummy aromatics; very deep, pure and enticing; really lovely depth and lots of juice; fresh palate; quite tight at present but lots of life and zap; plums, black cherry and lots of extract. This is impressive. A little drying on the finish but has lots of texture and zap. Satisfying overall with nice balance between acidity and ripe fruit. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 19/4/26 and Grand Cru Classé de St Emilion Tasting 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 92-94