In 1969, Michel Bécot acquired the château and brought the area under vine up to 18.50 hectares thanks to the purchase of neighbouring vineyard plots with the same terroir. He also turned seven hectares of former underground limestone quarries into a storage cellar where tens of thousands of bottles age under ideal conditions. His work in improving and embellishing the estate went on until his retirement in 1985. His two sons, Gérard and Dominique, have followed in their father’s footsteps while introducing numerous technical innovations to both the cellars and the vineyard. Only the ripest, healthiest grapes are now harvested, and then sorted one by one. Gérard’s daughter, Juliette, started working at the château in 2001 in order to market wines from the family estate.95-97 points Wine Advocate Displaying a deep purple-black color, the 2020 Beau-Sejour Becot prances out of the glass with showy scents of preserved plums, chocolate-covered cherries, wild blueberries and raspberry preserves, plus suggestions of rose oil, ground cloves and licorice. The elegantly crafted, medium-bodied palate shimmers with energy, offering a fantastic intensity of crunchy red and black fruits, supported by fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and perfumed. Simply stunning. (5/2021)

94-96 points Jeb Dunnuck The vivid purple-hued 2020 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot is another ethereal, incredibly perfumed, mineral-laced Saint-Emilion, which is common from wines from the upper, limestone plateau. Gorgeous cassis and black cherry fruits as well as floral notes, violets, and chalky minerality all define the nose, and it’s medium-bodied, has wonderfulness and purity, and reveals a liqueur of rocks-like minerality on the finish. It’s another thrillingly complete wine from this team that shines for its purity, elegance, and complexity. (5/2021)

J. Suckling : 96-97/100

Anthocyanes / Y.Castaing : 98-100/100

Terre de Vins : 98-98/100

Decanter : 95/100

Jeb Dunnuck : 94-96/100

Wine Advocate : 95-97/100

Vinous – N.Martin : 92-94/100

Castillon's limestone plateau is the "seamless" extension of the fabled Saint-Émilion (Oz Clarke), and these days any vineyard in the area that comes up for sale is snapped up by big Bordeaux names. They've finally latched on to the fact that little Castillon produces wines just as good as its grand neighbour! We were very lucky to get Colombe when we did, and we are excited to share its majestic wines with you. Like La Clarière, it's a silky Merlot-rich blend, and aged only briefly in oak, so it's fruitrich and supple and drinking beautifully now. It's a regular Gold-medal winner (11 Golds in the last five vintages) and is a must for any fine Bordeaux fan.

Located in the heart of Medoc, Château La Gorre has been a family-owned estate since 1937. Confirmed Cru Bourgeois in the 2003 classification, it's a property renowned for the quality of its terroir, the authenticity of its wines and the consistency of its vintages. This is their first wine; vinified from the oldest plots and aged in oak barrels for 12 months, it's a wine that will continue to improve, if you wish to cellar it.

2016 was a classic vintage too, not as fruit forward and accessible as 2015, but one that has aged very well. This silky Bordeaux made primarily from Merlot and Cabernet is a real charmer and will cellar for another few years. Decant an hour before serving. It'll be a fine match with lamb or a rich veggie casserole.

Not many wines can boast 23 top Gold medals in six years, but that’s the triumphant haul for this claret, 2015 to 2020. It’s from a small estate in Saint-Germain du Puch, between Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion. The estate grows Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet on clay and limestone soils typical of the greater Saint-Emilion region. Owners Agnès and Alexandre Sueur and winemaker Gregory Dalla Longa make wines that reflect this special terroir and the unique character of each vintage.

And Bordeaux 2020, with its long, warm summer, was certainly high quality. "Bordeaux has another terrific vintage on its hands with 2020" wrote Jeb Dunnock, "outstanding quality level" put Suckling. Decant at least an hour prior to serving it with roast lamb or duck.

Château Pavie Macquin was founded by in the 19th century by Albert Macquin, the man credited for introducing grafted vines to France thus saving the country's vineyards from destruction by phylloxera.

In 2021, winemaker Nicolas Thienpont waited patiently for perfect ripeness, harvesting the grapes as late as October 19th. The resulting wine is a stunning expression of this exceptional vintage and terroir. Intense black and blue fruit aromas mingle with captivating floral notes of violets and iris. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with polished, tensile tannins that beautifully balance the wine's exuberant fruit. There is excellent drive and elegance through the long, compelling finish, suggesting this Pavie-Macquin will age gracefully for years to come. A profound Saint-Émilion that exemplifies the heights of this celebrated appellation.

94-95 points James Suckling

"Lots of blackberry and inky character to this year. Always refined and polished with lovely length and medium body. 79% merlot, 19% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon." (6/2022)

93-95 points Wine Advocate

"Another success in this challenging year is the 2021 Pavie Macquin, a promising effort that offers up aromas of sweet berries, Indian spices, licorice and bay leaf. Medium to full-bodied, layered and incisive, it's a tensile, tightly wound wine that's concentrated and penetrating, concluding with a mineral finish. Its low pH profile means that this is always an estate that gains a lot from élevage, but even at this early stage, it's clear that this has excellent potential. (WK)" (4/2022)

94 points Decanter

"Bramble, coffee and caramel notes on the nose. Juicy and vibrant on the palate, this has a gentle coursing of strawberry and blackcurrant fruit with blackcurrant leaf giving a savoury, almost herbal edge, while the crushed stone and slate bring in minerality and salinity on the finish. Detailed and nuanced - I like the overall texture, there is grip and aromatic interest with density, chew and a gorgeous core of acidity that keeps things playful and joyous. Supremely alive and thriving on the palate with a persistence that doesn't let up. I love this and think it will be excellent after ageing. Tasted twice. (GH)" (3/2022)

Accolades:

Robert Parker 93-95/100

Bettane & Desseauve 95-96/100

Wine Spectator 92/100

J. Suckling 96/100

Vinous - A. Galloni 94+/100

The Wine Independent 92-94/100

Alexandre Ma 95-97/100

Vinous Neal Martin 93/100

Our Buyer for Bordeaux, Jean-Marc Sauboua, praises this wine as "Lovely mellow maturity to this well-aged Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, a sibling to Château Plaisance", their flagship Grand Cru.

The 65-year-old vines are planted on prized gravel and sandy soils in the southwest of Saint-Émilion, which means they are very well drained and the grapes at harvest time are exceptionally concentrated. The fruit is hand-picked and meticulously selected.

This opulent Gold-winning Grand Cru is a Merlot dominant blend (80%) with the balance made up of Cabernet Franc (10%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). A careful hand in the vineyard and the cellar, along with 14+ months' ageing in new oak, ensure pretty fruit with enough power and structure to age. Indeed, it’s rare to obtain a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru with over 10 years’ age and at such a sensible price!

Enjoy aromas of mature red fruits, tobacco, earthy undergrowth, as well as tertiary elements of leather. Over 10 years cellaring has resulted in a silky palate of mellow red fruit, earthy tobacco and gentle spice oak notes. Stand the bottle upright a few hours, so that any sediment there is will drop to the bottom. Then carefully decant. Serve with simple dishes to show it at its best – roast duck or crisp pork belly works best.