PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes Rich, intense color. An expressive nose, a sophisticated combination of pure black and red fruits. The palate is wonderfully smooth with powerful intensity, maintaining its fineness and elegance. A beautiful acidity, propelling the wine on a long finish. About Winery Chateau Branaire-Ducru's 120 acres is located in the St. Julien region of France and has such famous neighbors as Cheateau Gruaud-Larose, Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou and Chateau Beychevelle.The name, given by the former owner Monsieur Ducru, means "beautiful pebbles". One of the main features of the vineyard is its richness in pebbles which contribute to the greatness of so many wines of the Medoc. Just before the war, the vineyard became run down and many Bordeaux critics felt it no longer deserved its rank as a Second Growth. During the Medoc Classification of 1855, the Chateau was rated as a Fourth Growth. In 1942 the Borie family purchased the vineyard completely revamped the vineyard and it began receiving top ratings amongst the Second Growths. Successive generations of the Borie family oversee all winemaking operations.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The vintage 2019 was born under favorable auspices. The dry and warm summer conditions remind us of the Great Vintage 2018. The hydric pressure allowed us to reach remarkable levels of maturity on each one of our varieties. With an exceptional sanitary state, the merlots were collected from September 24thto 28th and the entirety of Cabernets, Sauvignon and Franc as well as the Petit Verdot between September 30th and October 9th.This vintage offers once more a complex aromatic palette, floral and fruity, with a freshness going along with silky, refined and elegant tannins. A new vintage at competition with 2016 and 2018… About Winery Château Calon Ségur, located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux, boasts a rich history spanning centuries. The estate, known for its red wine, was once part of the vast Ségur family holdings, including Château Lafite, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild. The heart-shaped label, a symbol of the estate's enduring legacy, is a direct result of the Marquis de Ségur's famous declaration: "I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is in Calon". 

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The 2019 Canon La Gaffeliere is described as a medium to full-bodied wine with notes of red and black currants, tobacco, exotic flowers, cedarwood, and loamy earth. The palate features a medium to full-bodied richness, with beautifully polished, integrated tannins and a long finish. It also exhibits aromas of black raspberries, Morello cherries, jasmine, and Sichuan pepper, along with notes of ripe black plums, wild blueberries, and dark chocolate. About Winery Located on the famous slope (and the foot of the slope) south of the medieval village of Saint-Emilion, Chateau Canon La Gaffelière has belonged to the Counts von Neipperg since 1971. Representing some eight centuries of family winegrowing tradition, Count Stephan von Neipperg has succeeded in placing Chateau Canon La Gaffelière among the top Grands Crus Classés of Saint-Emilion thanks to a winegrowing philosophy that gives priority not only to quality, but also respect for the environment.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes Nose slightly vanilla with deep aromas of cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, and old rose. Ample and wide attack. Voluminous and supple mouth with velvety tannins, marked by new wood at this stage. Long and fruity persistence. Wait 2025 to taste with an ageing potential to 2045.  About Winery Château Chasse-Spleen is the leading Moulis estate along with Château Poujeaux.Although it is classified only as a Cru Bourgeois, it regularly outperforms many ofthe Médoc's more renowned classed growths. There are two theories behind thechâteau's rather unusual name: firstly, that, when Lord Byron visited the estate in1821, he remarked `Quel remède pour chasser le spleen`. Secondly, that it isnamed after Baudelaire's poem, Spleen. Chasse-Spleen's wines were always noteworthy, though the quality improveddramatically with its acquisition by the Taillan Group, which also owns ChâteauHaut-Bages-Libéral, in 1976. It was run by Bernadette Villars until she and herhusband were killed in an accident while hiking in the Pyrénées in 1992. Theproperty is now run by her daughter Claire.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The wine is a crimson-hued garnet red. Elegant and refined, the nose exudes floral aromas, going on with airing to develop notes of blackcurrant and licorice root. The full and smooth attack reveals an alluring and complex array of flavors in which ripe fruit is magnificently set off by notes of toasted cereals and violet. The mid-palate is underpinned by high-quality close-knit and creamy tannins, leading into a saline and slightly minty finish which lingers on hints of chocolates. About Winery An 1855 Classified Growth, Château Clerc Milon is in a unique location in Pauillac. Bordering two Classified First Growths, it has 41 hectares (100 acres) of vines in a single sweep, mostly on the beautiful Mousset outcrop overlooking the Gironde. The estuary and its sea breezes moderate temperature variations while the geological formation encourages natural drainage and optimises the vines’ exposure to the sun. The soil comprises deep, sandy gravel over a clay-limestone base which crops out in the eastern part of the estate. The vineyard’s slopes and proximity to the Gironde estuary create a unique topography and microclimate. The vineyard, mostly comprising plots first planted in the early 20th century, offers a singular genetic heritage and rich biodiversity. It has five grape varieties typical of the region: Cabernet Sauvignon (51.5%), Merlot (37%), Cabernet Franc (8%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Carmenere (1.5%), including a parcel planted in 1947. Pastourelle de Clerc Milon is the estate’s second wine, in which Merlot predominates. Baron Philippe de Rothschild (1902-1988) acquired Château Clerc Milon in 1970. His values and know-how are now embodied in the third generation of the family, represented by Camille and Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild, who continue to develop Château Clerc Milon with the same enthusiasm and quest for modernity. Thanks to the work carried out over the last 50 years and more, and with the help of a dedicated team endowed with cutting-edge technical facilities, Château Clerc Milon is more than ever a benchmark for excellence in the Médoc. Château Clerc Milon is a beautifully balanced, elegant and precise wine with considerable ageing potential.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes Silky, delicate and immensely profound, the 2019 vintage embodies the quintessence of Cos d’Estournel. Multi-faceted, it delivers aromas of cinnamon and jasmine alongside fine mineral notes and a touch of spice that perfectly structures the wine through its finish. A dazzling expression of the estate’s terroir, exceptional and full of grace, Cos d’Estournel 2019 is an alluring vintage with universal appeal that promises many wonderful years of cellaring. About Winery Chateau Cos d'Estournel is a Grand Cru vineyard located in St. Estephe. Its oriental facade is adorned with three pagoda turrets, all cast in a soft golden sandstone. Chateau Cos d'Estournel today covers 170 acres separated from Chateau Lafite, along the southern edge, by the stream between St. Estephe and Pauillac. The gravelly soil, over a flint, limestone and silicate subsoil low in nitrogen, has eroded over centuries to form steep ridges which perfectly drain the vineyards. The vineyards are planted 60 percent in Cabernet Sauvignon vines, 2 percent of Cabernet Franc, and 38 percent in Merlot. Naturally, the percentage of Cabernet or Merlot in the composition of each vintage depends on the climate which favors one grape variety or the other.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes Crimson, deep and very bright appearance. The nose is powerful and complex with perfectly controlled oak. Cocoa, chocolate, roasted and floral notes, roses. An astounding attack on the palate with exceptional follow-through. This wine combines delicacy and power. Notes of freshly broken country bread. About Winery Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou is named after the beautiful, large stones found in its unique wine-growing terroir. This exceptional ecosystem produces fine, elegant, tasty wines with a long finish - in short, archetypical Saint-Julien wines. Perched on an exceptional site with incomparable views over the Gironde estuary, in the center of a hundred-year-old park, Ducru-Beaucaillou is a majestic, Victorian-style castle, which has, over time, become one of the great symbols of the Médoc. Unusual for Bordeaux, it is built directly above the barrel cellars, enveloping its owners, who have lived here for over sixty years. Today, the estate is managed by the company Jean Eugène Borie SA, which is owned by Mrs Borie, her daughter Sabine Coiffe and her son Bruno-Eugène, CEO since 2003, the third generation of the Borie family to head the estate. There are very close links between this estate and the five families who have been its successive owners.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The 2019 Chateau Figeac is a highly acclaimed vintage, praised for its deep color, intense aroma, and exceptional balance. The winemaker notes highlight a deep, brilliant, amaranthine red hue with bright purple glints, indicating the fruit's ripeness. The nose is intensely aromatic, revealing notes of blueberries, Mara Des Bois strawberries, redcurrant jelly, blackcurrants, and blackberries, with underlying hints of chocolate box, lavender, and crushed rocks. The palate is described as delicious and dense, with a gentle, enveloping texture from the Merlot, leading to a long, balanced finish that showcases the fine, mineral texture of the Cabernets. About Winery Figeac is a very ancient property. In the 2nd century, the Figeacus family gave its name to the estate. Traces of this Gallo-Roman villa still exist today. In the 15th century, FIGEAC was one of five noble houses in Saint-Emilion and passed from the Lescours family, who at that time also owned Ausone, into the hands of the Cazes family, who transmitted it through marriage to the Carles in the 17th century. After the Manoncourt family acquired the property in 1892, FIGEAC was mainly managed by agricultural engineers. However, in 1943, the year in which Thierry Manoncourt made his first vintage, a period of resurgencebegan for Figeac. Thierry Manoncourt realised in that year the huge potential of FIGEAC’s terroir and urged his mother, a Parisian, to hold on to the estate. In 1955 CHATEAU-FIGEAC became a First Great Classified Growth.  Today, Madame Manoncourt and her daughters are ably supported by highly skilled wine-growing teams and are as eager as ever to guarantee the long-term continuity of FIGEAC.

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Winemaker NotesGrand-Puy-Lacoste 2019 is once again remarkable by the high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in its blend: 83% which expresses all the character and typicity of the fine gravel soils of Pauillac. This wine has an intense purple colour; deep yet bright. The aromas of powerful black fruits, in particular the bigarreau cherry, explode on the nose, underlining the characteristics of very ripe grapes whilst retaining good freshness. The whole is enhanced with a hint of spice and menthol. On the palate, the attack is very dense, precise, and complex long; an extremely aromatic and balanced mid-palate and finish paired with a bright freshness. The whole is supported by tannins which combine power and elegance already in great harmony. Once again, we find in this splendid vintage the expression of the great terroir of Grand-Puy-Lacoste expressed in all its richness and complexity. It will undoubtedly be one of the great successes of the property adding to the collection of the great vintages produced here. About Winery5th classified growth in 1855. The name of Grand-Puy comes from the old expression "puy" which means "hill, little hill", and this land is mentioned in documents dating from the Middle Ages. Indeed, the vineyard extends on one of the ridges of land which were made the first wines of the Medoc. Since the sixteenth century, the thought has passed from generation to generation and, by way of alliances between families, he stayed within the same descent until 1920, before resuming a destiny with Borie family in 1978. Under the leadership of François-Xavier Borie (Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou), GP Lacoste is the perfect example of a classic Pauillac, tannic and full bodied. A wine for keeping, which makes part of the top of the Medoc wines.  

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The 2019 Château La Lagune, a 3ème Cru Classé wine from Haut-Médoc, is known for its medium-bodied, balanced style with notes of black fruit, baking spice, and minerality. It features a deep garnet-purple color with a bouquet of blackcurrants, raspberries, and other fruit notes. The palate offers a combination of black fruit, spice, and mineral layers, with a firm but elegant structure About Winery Château La Lagune, a prestigious Bordeaux winery, is a captivating story of enduring heritage and revitalized tradition. From its 16th-century beginnings, the estate evolved through various hands, including the Seze family and the Frey family, who continue to nurture its reputation. 

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The character of our unique terroir and our technical team’s expertise have allowed this vintage to surpass itself. It boasts both phenolic richness and freshness in the fruit. This is a powerful, creamy, smooth wine. With a record 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Lagrange 2019 blend will go down in history. The expressive, aromatic nose opens with black cherry, blackcurrant, and licorice. In the palate, the entry is silky and plump with powerful, velvety tannins. This distinguished and elegant 2019 will take its place among our iconic vintages. The ageing potential is simply remarkable! About Winery Château Lagrange's story is one of enduring quality and resilience, stretching back to the Middle Ages. It began as the Noble House of Lagrange Monteil, a large estate with a church, hospital, and housing. Over the centuries, it saw ownership shifts, including the Branne family from Bordeaux, who expanded the vineyard significantly. The estate was also known for its innovative approaches, like Count Duchatel's introduction of a drainage system. While facing challenges in the 20th century, including periods of decline, Château Lagrange was purchased by Japanese liquor giant Suntory in 1983, ushering in a new era of investment and revitalized quality. Suntory's commitment led to significant renovations and improvements, ultimately leading to the successful revival of the estate and its wines. 

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The 2019 Chateau Larcis Ducasse, a Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion from Bordeaux, is a rich, full-bodied red wine made from a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. The wine is noted for its deep garnet-purple color and aromas of redcurrant jelly, blackberry preserves, and black raspberries, with hints of licorice and pencil shavings. The palate is full-bodied, with a savory-laced fruit profile, supported by grainy tannins and a lingering mineral note. The wine is also described as having a classical style, with notes of tobacco and cedar infusing the black fruit, and a slightly austere yet stately character.  About Winery Château Larcis Ducasse's story is one of long family ownership, dedicated stewardship, and ultimately, elevated wine quality, culminating in its 2012 promotion to Premier Grand Cru Classé status within Saint-Émilion. The estate has been in the hands of the Gratiot Alphandéry family since 1893, and since 2002, under the management of Nicolas Thienpont, the vineyard has been undergoing significant improvements, focusing on precision viticulture and innovative winemaking. 

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The profile of the 2019 vintage is one that is balanced, quite atypical, already very pleasant, a high level of tannins whilst being silky, a wonderful freshness, and persistent black fruit characteristics. About Winery With origins dating back to 1638, Léoville was the largest vineyard in the Médoc region at the time of the French Revolution. Léoville Poyferré springs from various divisions and successions in 1840. Its outstanding quality wines gained early recognition when it was ranked 2nd Growth in the 1855 classification. Château Léoville Poyferré was acquired in 1920 by the Cuvelier family. Château Léoville Poyferré was the Léoville that got left in the starting blocks in terms of reputation and in the quality of its wines. Léoville Poyferré has been owned by the Cuvelier family (who also own Château Le Crock) since 1921, yet it was not until the 1970s, when Didier Cuvelier took control at the château, that quality began to improve. In the last 20 years, Didier, with the assistance of Michel Rolland since 1995, has turned Léoville-Poyferré into one of StJulien's finest estates. Now up with the best of the St-Juliens but still selling at nonscary prices. Léoville Poyferré is classified as a 2ème Cru Classé

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes For this great vintage, Bordeaux and its climate imposed an important technical effort in the aesthetic quest for balance, in a context where the need for intervention was an important key to success. 2019 is thus proving to be a typical balanced A quit in vintage, rich, dense and elegant, despite the extreme conditions incurred. About Winery Château les Carmes Haut Brion, the only Bordeaux property in the city of Bordeaux. It’s tiny vineyard, called the Clos des Carmes, is located in the heart of Bordeaux and date back from the 16th century. This is in 1584 that the Carmelite, Reverend Fathers inherit the Crespiac mill where they stayed for around 2 centuries. We’ve then to wait 1855 to see the Colin family being the new owner, which then by branch comes under the Chantecaille family. In 2010, Patrice Pichet and its family acquires the estate, called by a few merchants and negociants the “sleeping beauty of Bordeaux”. The arrival of the Pichet family marked the beginning of a transformative chapter for this historic Bordeaux estate, where the Château underwent significant modernization and investments. This renewal started with the vineyard itself: missing elements were replanted, slopes were corrected, and the mix of grape varieties was updated to bring back Cabernet Franc which is now, since 2013, always the main variety in the blend. Also, vine cultivation is guided by an environmentally friendly approach: horses are used for all the works of the soils. Nature is not constrained here, it is revealed

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes A delicate Malescot which makes it a gourmet wine despite a tight tannic structure. We will have to wait for this vintage to fully express the freshness of its cabernets supported by a body full of merlots. As for the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, they are like salt and pepper which densify and reveal this wine.  About Winery The estate already produced wine in 1608. In 1697, it was sold by Louise Simon Ecoisses Malescot, consul of King Louis XIV at the Parliament of Bordeaux. He gave his name to the property, and his descendants took good care of Malescot and added a large dwelling house and numerous outbuildings, but after the revolution, the property was divided several times between different descendants and sold to different buyers before becoming the property of Count Jean-Baptiste Saint-Exupéry in 1827 who added his name to that of Malescot. In 1855 Chateau Malescot Saint Exupéry was ranked third grand cru before being sold to a banker from Bordeaux named Fourcade, who renovated the winery and enlarged the vineyard. The chateau passed again through the hands of various owners including Mr. Boissac who built the current castle in 1885 but sold it again in 1901. Many owners succeeded again, and the estate slowly declined until, on 1st June 1955, Paul and Roger Zuger bought it with only seven hectares of vines left. After nearly 30 years of sustained efforts and attention, the blason of Malescot regained its rank and its desire to go ever higher. Today, the son of Roger, Jean-Luc Zuger, is at the head of the estate that was extended to 23.5 hectares, and he continues the work begun by his grandfather and his father.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The wine is an intense garnet red with purplish hue. Fresh, highly expressive and precise on the nose, it reveals blackberry, black cherry and licorice aromas with a slightly mineral cast. It is smooth and opulent on the palate, with an attractive sweetness, enfolding superbly patrician, rounded and powerful tannins. Beautifully rich overall, it culminates in a stylish, succulent and very harmonious finish. About Winery Chateau Mouton Rothschild, a Premier Cru Classé from the Bordeaux region and one of the world's greatest wines, is owned by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild. The estate includes 205 acres of vines at Pauillac planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Merlot (11%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Petit Verdot (2%). In 1853, Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild bought Chateau Brane-Mouton. In 1922, his great-grandson Baron Philippe de Rothschild (1902-1988) decided to take the future of the estate into his own hands. His 65 years at Mouton bear witness to the strength of his personality, his spirit of enterprise and his sense of innovation. In 1922, he was the first to introduce chateau bottling. In 1926, he built the famous Grand Chai, the majestic 100-meter first year cellar, which has become a major attraction for visitors to Mouton. 1945 marked the start of a fascinating collection of works of art, created every year for the Mouton label by famous painters. In 1973, after a twenty-year battle, Baron Philippe obtained a revision of the 1855 classification and Mouton was officially recognized as a First Growth. In 1988, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild succeeded her father Baron Philippe. She has become the guarantor of the quality of an illustrious wine whose motto proudly proclaims, "First I am, second I was, I Mouton do not change."

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Winemaker Notes The attack is forthright, round and suave, soothing even. The intense aromas initially recall the complexity of the nose. There is leather and lightly charred wood, and roasted notes. The beauty of the vintage is revealed by its elegance rather than its full-flavor. The wine has an attractive aromatic range with a finish of remarkable elegance. About WineryChateau Pape Clément owes its name to its most illustrious owner. A man of the cloth born in 1264, Bertrand de Goth became Bishop of Comminges, in the Pyrenees Mountains, at the age of 31; he later became Archbishop of Bordeaux in 1299. He then received as a gift the property in Pessac, the Vineyard de La Mothe. Taken by a passion for the vine, he continually took part personally in equipping, organizing and managing the domain in accordance with the most modern and rational practices. Nevertheless, on 5 June 1305 the cardinals met in a conclave in Pérouse and appointed him to succeed Pope Benedict XI, who had passed away prematurely after only eleven months of reign. Bertrand de Goth took the name of Clement V. Supported by Philip IV, it was he who decided in 1309 to move the papal court to Avignon, thus breaking with Rome and its battles of influence. During this same period, the weight of his responsibilities led him to relinquish his property, giving it to the Archbishop of Bordeaux. Henceforward, the vineyard was to be known to posterity under the name of this enlightened pope. Management under the clergy brings modernity The grateful Church perpetuated Pope Clement's work. Each archbishop in turn turned to modernity and technical progress, to the point of the wine estate becoming a model vineyard. In addition to especially early harvests, which remain one of its special characteristics, Chateau Pape Clément is without a doubt the first vineyard in France to align vine stock to facilitate labour. At the end of the 18th century, the Archbishop of Bordeaux was dispossessed of his property. The papal vineyard became part of the public domain. 8 June 1937 was a dark day in the vineyard's history, when a violent hailstorm destroyed virtually the entirety of the estate. Two years later, Paul Montagne bought it and gradually brought it back to life. Thanks to his efforts, the vineyard returned to its former rank and stood up to the surge in urbanization. His descendents, Léo Montagne and Bernard Magrez, perpetuate this secular tradition so that Chateau Pape Clément wines continue to delight the wine-lovers of today and tomorrow.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker NotesChâteau Pichon Baron 2019 reveals a beautiful dark garnet colour with purple hues. The bouquet is precise and very intense, revealing a wide aromatic palette of ripe black fruits and spices. The body is fleshy, creamy, and powerful. The tannins are present and plentiful, without astringency, silky and sleek. It has a beautiful fleshy tension in the mouth, with a sunny and charming style. The finish is elegant, distinguished, with a bright fruitiness. A great wine for ageing as it develops a generous, rich, and elegant fullness. About Winery The Estate was founded in the late 17th Century. This period was known as the Grand Siecle, or "great century", in reference to Louis XIV's 1661 accession to the French throne. In 1689 Pierre Desmezures de Rauzan, an influential wine merchant and steward of the prestigious Latour and and Margaux estates, bought plots of vines close to the Latour estate to create Enclos Rauzan. These vines were part of his daughter Therese's dowry when she married Baron Jacques Pichon de Longueville in 1694, the year in which the Pichon Baron estate was founded. An illustrious estate, with an enduring reputation, was born. It remained in the same family for generations. In 1850 the property was divided in two. Baron Raoul Pichon de Longueville's section became the Pichon Baron estate. The second section, belonging to his three sisters, became Pichon Comtesse. Baron Raoul was proud of his prestigious property, and in 1851 he commissioned the imposing chateau inspired by Renaissance architecture that we know today. This uniquely charming and romantic chateau, with its two emblematic turrets, has stood proudly at the vineyard's heart ever since. During the Universal Exhibition of 1855, the wine was classed as a Second Grand Cru Classe according to the ranking system requested by Emperor Napoleon III, who wished to showcase Bordeaux's great wines. In 1933, the Pichon de Longueville family sold the property to the Bouteiller family, who managed the chateau for over 50 years.  In 1987 the estate was bought by AXA Millesimes, whose aim is to enable great wines from the vineyards with a glorious past to achieve their full potential. An architectural competition was launched in collaboration with the Paris Pompidou Centre to provide the estate with new operational buildings. The comprehensive reconstruction of the fermenting room and cellar, and renovation of the chateau, began in 1988. Since then, the 19th century chateau's image has been reflected in an ornamental pool stretching majestically before it.. And since 2008, its silvery expanse conceals an underground cellar, reminiscent of Jules Verne's Nautilus, with view of both the water and sky. The barrel cellar complements a production process in which excellence is paramount, in the finest tradition of great Pauillac wines.

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Winemaker Notes The wine displays a very attractive, intensely dark colour with purple glints. The nose adds to the appeal, offering a magical array of aromatics ranging from graphite and cedar-wood notes to aromas of wild fruit. The depth of flavour on the palate is underpinned by soft tannins and lovely acidity. The finish, which reveals subtle smoky notes, is amazingly long. In this vintage,  Pontet-Canet shows once again that natural refinement is its finest jewel. 2019, without doubt, is a promise of voluptuousness for all wine lovers. About Winery Chateau Pontet Canet Pauillac 5th Grand Cru Classé, has enjoyed an irresistible rise to become one of the Médoc's most emblematic names. Managed by Justine and Alfred Tesseron, Château Pontet-Canet has established itself as one of the pioneers of biodynamic viticulture in the Pauillac appellation, with results that exceed all expectations. Vintage after vintage, the estate has established itself as one of the finest references on Bordeaux's Left Bank.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes A rather "approachable" wine, powerful, broad-based, and concentrated with a smooth texture that caresses the palate. The mid-palate is full-bodied and equally concentrated, paving the way for a lovely long aftertaste. A decidedly delicious and lively wine combining power, concentration, and smoothness! The aftertaste is very long, showcasing great complexity where spices and empyreumatic notes typical of the terroir nicely balance out fruity overtones. About Winery Château Smith Haut Lafitte's history spans centuries, starting in 1365 with the Verrier Du Boscq family planting vines on a gravelly plateau named Lafitte. In the 18th century, the Scottish merchant George Smith acquired the property, adding his name and building the Carthusian monastery. Later, Lodi Duffour-Dubergier, Mayor of Bordeaux, elevated the estate to Grand Cru Exceptionnel status in 1842. The Louis Eschenauer company purchased the estate in 1958, and in 1990, Daniel and Florence Cathiard bought it, investing heavily in both the property and the wines. At the end of the 18th century, the Archbishop of Bordeaux was dispossessed of his property. The papal vineyard became part of the public domain. 8 June 1937 was a dark day in the vineyard's history, when a violent hailstorm destroyed virtually the entirety of the estate. Two years later, Paul Montagne bought it and gradually brought it back to life. Thanks to his efforts, the vineyard returned to its former rank and stood up to the surge in urbanization. His descendents, Léo Montagne and Bernard Magrez, perpetuate this secular tradition so that Chateau Pape Clément wines continue to delight the wine-lovers of today and tomorrow.

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes The 2019 Château Taillefer is a Pomerol red wine known for its rich, full-bodied character with notes of dark fruit, spices, and a touch of vanilla. The wine features a deep garnet-purple color and aromas of baked blackberries, plum, and oolong tea, alongside hints of black olives and truffles. It offers a balanced palate with a long, savory finish.  About Winery Château Taillefer in Pomerol, Bordeaux, has a history dating back to at least 1785. It was one of the first properties acquired by the Moueix family, a prominent Bordeaux wine dynasty, in 1923. Antoine Moueix, a wine merchant, purchased the estate, which remained in the family's hands until today. 

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Winemaker Notes Ruby in colour. Floral yet rich with dark fruit. Aromas of blackberries, anise, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, and juicy dark fruits. The palate is lush and structured, detailed and layered. A balanced and long finish. About Winery Château Troplong Mondot, located in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, boasts a rich history dating back to the 17th century. Initially part of the estate of Abbe Raymond de Seze, the iconic château was built in 1745. The estate was later named after Raymond Troplong, who expanded the vineyards to their current size in the mid-1800s. The property has seen various owners, including Georges Thienpont and Alexandre Valette, before becoming family-owned in 1936. In 2017, the estate was acquired by SCOR insurance company. 

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PRE-ORDER Winemaker Notes Purplish purple. Finesse and elegance are the first two adjectives that come to mind when smelling the bouquet of Clos Fourtet 2019. Inviting notes of raspberries and cherries as well as floral nuances. Touch of black pepper and liquorice. On the palate the wine is marked by freshness. It has finesse, length and displays a beautiful tannic structure. The tannins are tight, perfectly integrated and in phase with the acid structure. A Clos Fourtet built on finesse and persistence. Very nice success.  About Winery Clos Fourtet is a story of terroir and legacy, a narrative woven through generations of viticulture and winemaking. Its history stretches back to the Middle Ages, when the site was a defensive settlement, and its wines were known as "Camp Fourtet," guarding Saint-Emilion. The estate's reputation grew under the Rulleau and De Carles families, Lords of Figeac, and later the Lurton family, who increased the Merlot ratio and modernized the winery. In 2001, Philippe Cuvelier purchased the property, further investing in its potential and elevating the wines to new heights. Today, Clos Fourtet, managed by the heirs of Vincent Cuvelier, continues to refine its traditional and modern techniques to produce exceptional vintages, embodying the refinement and elegance of Saint-Emilion. 

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Winemaker Notes The 2019 Soul of a Lion is a blockbuster vintage that showcases how Bordeaux varieties are remarkably suited to the terroir of DAOU Mountain. This wine explodes from the glass with a kaleidoscope of aromas and flavors, including blackberry, blueberry, black currant, dark cherry, sweet tobacco, and licorice. An added floral dimension imparts an integrated sense of elegance and freshness. While full-bodied with ultra-high phenolic levels, this wine maintains its evenness and poise through an extraordinarily long finish. Structured, balanced, and powerful, the 2019 Soul of a Lion will reveal its full magnitude after several years of careful cellaring. About Winery In the golden, oak-studded hills of Paso Robles' fabled west side, not far from William Randolph Hearst's magnificent castle, there is a man with a Homeric vision. His name is Daniel Daou and he is devoting his life and every imaginable resource to creating, first and foremost, a Cabernet Sauvignon that rivals the very best in the world. Gracefully perched atop a stunning promontory at 2,200 feet, the DAOU Spanish Colonial style winery is embraced by a tangible serenity. Hawks wheel and bank while the all-day sun caresses close planted rows of lush, emerald green vines. The 100 percent calcareous soil makes no sound as it passes out nourishment and only a gentle breeze flows up through the Templeton Gap from the Pacific. The quiet is bewitching; you want to lay down roots here, just as the four-year-old vines have done. But the sense of peace belies the serious industry at work on this 100 acre estate. No effort is spared to create the luscious varietals and blends that flow from this limited production winery. This kind of synergy happens rarely: superlative climate and terroir, super intensive vineyard culture, and cutting edge viticultural practice. You're more likely to find it in Bordeaux than Central California. Coupled with the infectious passion and gracious, family style hospitality of the Daou brothers, Georges and Daniel, the result is pure magic. The kind of magic that comes in a bottle.

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