Day four on the primeurs trail saw me return to the right bank. There is no doubt that 2015 is at its most consistent and impressive in St Emilion. Arriving at Château Pavie, appropriately enough I thought in a Napa Valley-like fog, it was actually interesting to see how they had opted for comparatively modest […]

There is no doubt that Château Haut-Brion and Château La Mission Haut-Brion occupy two of Bordeaux’s most remarkable vineyard spots. Situated in what has become the urban sprawl of Pessac, divided between a busy main road, these two properties, Haut-Brion to one side, La Mission on the other, and the gnarled, muscular vines that surround them, are […]

Address: 33650 Martillac Telephone: +33 (0)5 57 83 11 22 E-mail: f.cathiard@smith-haut-lafitte.com Website: www.smith-haut-lafitte.com This estate has rebounded in the last decade or so and in recent vintages Château Smith Haut Lafitte has made excellent wines. The estate owes its name in part to a Scottish navigator who owned the estate in the 18th century. […]

Address: 20, rue des Carmes, 33000 Bordeaux Administrative offices: 20-24, avenue de Canteranne, 33600 Pessac Telephone: +33 (0)5 56 93 23 40 E-mail: chateau@les-carmes-haut-brion.com Website: www.les-carmes-haut-brion.com A tiny estate in close proximity to Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion which shares a similar terroir, Les Carmes Haut-Brion has an excellent reputation. 2009 and 2010 look very strong here.