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

With Gold medals galore, Thierry Ferlay has made wine all over the world but remains fondest of the warm, ripe reds of the southern Rhône. He also adores their chief grape, Grenache – the most important variety in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In fact he’s in charge of winemaking at this renowned appellation’s only co-operative winery, where all the growers are part-owners of the enterprise. Naturally, maximising quality is at the forefront of their minds, which explains this wine’s exceptional flavour and value.

Made purely from Grenache, it has irresistible raspberry fruit, hints of spice and a peppery edge. Enjoy with ratatouille, lamb chops and homemade burgers. And because it’s so smooth and not too heavy, it’s ideal sipping on its own, too.

Jean-Marc Diffonty’s flagship red is a rich, opulent, no-holds-barred style of Châteauneuf. It offers layers of dark, smoky, red berry fruit complexity, with a rich seam of spice. From the superb 2021 vintage, it scored 92-94 points from Decanter.

Château Puech-Haut is the prized property of Gérard Bru, a passionate champion of the Languedoc.

His vineyards occupy exceptional sites, with clay and limestone soils, topped by large galet stones (just like Châteauneuf-du-Pape). That and the warm Mediterranean climate results in a very luscious style.

He has employed some top-name consultants from the start – first Bordeaux's Michel Rolland, now Philippe Cambie.

He also boasts the largest barrel in the world – so big that there's a shop inside! Critic Andrew Jefford called Gérard Bru "a dark horse", whose grandfather used to swap wine for potatoes!

Using classic grapes Roussanne, Marsanne and Viogner, barrel fermented in new oak, with bâtonnage, this is luscious, mouthfilling style.

Formerly known as Capbern Gasqueton, this Cru Bourgeois Saint-Estèphe estate has been in the same family for 10 generations. It's the same family that owns 3ème Cru Classé Calon Ségur. It lies in one of the finest parts of the appellation, between Phelan Ségur and Meyney, and every aspect is given Grand Cru care. Hand picking of the 41 hectares of vines, with ageing in top-quality oak, all adds up to the exceptional quality.

This vintage has gathered many top scores from wine critics such as Jeb Dunnuck and James Suckling, who called it "full-bodied with a deep character". Two thirds Cabernet with almost the same in new oak, it has “gorgeous cassis, violets, classy oak, with beautiful tannins” (Jeb Dunnuck). One to cellar for a few years.