Pessac-Leognan
Located just south of Bordeaux, the Péssac-Léognan AOC is renowned for producing exceptional red and white wines. The area's unique terroir, characterized by gravelly soil, allows for excellent drainage and provides the perfect environment for the cultivation of the region's signature varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for reds and Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon for whites. Château Haut-Brion is amongst the most prestigious First Growth in this appellation. Other renowned wineries in the region include the Super Second Château La Mission Haut-Brion, and the fast ascending Château Smith Haut-Lafitte and Domaine de Chevalier, all of which are known for their exceptional red and white blends.
Pessac-Leognan
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James Suckling (96-97)
A creamy, round texture with ripe yet fresh aromas and flavors, showing apples, pears and hints of peaches. Medium- to full-bodied, polished and satisfying. 65.3% sauvignon blanc and 34.7% semillon.د.إ5,949.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2019 Lascombes is a huge wine packed with black cherry, chocolate, new leather, spice and licorice. Creamy, rich and expansive, Lascombes is endowed with notable power and sheer breadth. As always, Lascombes is a heady Margaux that pushes the edges, but I find all the elements very well-balanced.د.إ848.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)
Deep plum colour, velvety in texture, this is gorgeously measured while still being glamorous and polished. Gives you clear promise of future enjoyment, with its chocolate-dipped cherry notes that are full and welcoming but not hot or overly sweet, balanced by blueberry and bilberry fruits that give a mix of ripe and just-ripe-enough fruit with sufficient juice to carry them home, and a clear tannic construction that isn't constricting. It's marked by the vintage, with some drying notes on the finish, without being overpowered by phenolics, and is a deft handling of the year. 50% new oak, 35% one year barrels, 15% terracotta amphorae for part of the Merlot.د.إ671.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A dense and very deep white with sliced-apple and dried-mango character. Full and layered. Lovely brightness, too. White truffle. Crazy.د.إ1,085.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
I loved the 2019 Château Latour-Martillac, and I under-rated it from barrel. Revealing a dense ruby/plum color as well as a gorgeous bouquet of blackcurrants, black cherry, smoked tobacco, gravely earth, and chocolate, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, supple tannins, and one heck of a finish. It's beautifully done and will cruise for 25+ years in cold cellars. It needs plenty of air if drinking any time soon.د.إ676.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 2020 Latour-Martillac has an impressive, quite engaging bouquet with blackberry, incense, graphite and faint touches of black olive. This is very harmonious and well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, very well balanced, quite saline with a poised and quite persistent finish. Quintessentially Pessac-Léognan, this has a bright future ahead.د.إ700.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 2020 Latour-Martillac Blanc has shut down since tasting from barrel, yet it opens with yellow plum, jasmine and light frangipane scents. I admire the precision here. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, quite taut and well defined. Real precision on the finish that drags you back for one more sip. This is a classy dry white Bordeaux that will give immense pleasure over a number of years.د.إ942.00 -
Wine Advocate (90-92)
The 2016 Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion comes from vines located in the clos over towards Martillac, rather than the vines in the original Les Carmes Haut-Brion vineyard in the Bordeaux suburbs, known as Le Clos des Carmes Haut-Brion up until the 2013 vintage. It is a blend of 51% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvigon and 1% Petit Verdot, matured in 30% new oak and the remainder one year old barrels. This includes 25% whole berry fruit. It offers plenty of brambly black fruit on the nose, crushed violets, fresh fig and a touch of spice that opens nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, neatly integrated oak, a little plushness on the entry thanks to the Merlot, and then it dovetails into a more structured, gently grippy, chalk-textured finish with attractive black fruit. Give this two or three years in bottle just to shave off a little abrasiveness and you will have a fine Pessac-Léognan.د.إ1,400.00 -
Decanter (96)
Beautiful fragrance to the nose, perfumed and delicate yet so expressive, nothing out of balance with cherries and violets bursting out of the glass. Gorgeous smooth mouthfeel with some milk chocolate dusting on the fruit, tannins are delicate and softly mouth filling with a lovely salinity to the palate - creamy and unctuous but at the same time there's lots of acidity. This has a verticality to it, layered but with an aerial quality too, the flavours just glide across the palate with lift on the finish - so satisfying and drinkable. Just a glorious, shining, bright, velvety, succulent glass of wine. Pure elegance. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, 3.55pH.د.إ791.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
Bottled after 24 months' élevage, much of which took place in large foudres, the 2020 Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion offers up aromas of dark berries, plums and spices complemented by hints of rose petal and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, supple and pillowy, with an ample core of fruit framed by melting tannins, it's a suave and charming blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot.د.إ818.00 -
James Suckling (95)
Aromas of forest floor, mushrooms, lavender and violets. Full-bodied, tight and structured with fantastic tannins and focus. Long and layered. Impressively toned. Give it three or four years to come together. Begin drinking in 2023.د.إ2,655.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
A lovely, dense white with pretty phenolic tension and dried-apple and peach character. Medium to full body. Phenolics give this tension.د.إ2,685.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
This has fascinating, smoky, bark, dried-meat and crushed-berry character. It’s full-bodied with crushed stone, tobacco and dried meat. Extremely long and flavorful.د.إ2,815.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Very plush and tannic with full body and lots of structure and intensity. Top second wine. Very solid and quite muscular with fine tannins and texture.د.إ2,765.00 -
The Wine Independent (91-93)
A blend of 55.5% Merlot, 40.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3.6% Cabernet Franc, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2023 is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of shaking to wake up scents of fresh black and red currants, raspberry leaves, and star anise, leading to touches of mossy tree bark and wet slate. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a firm frame of grainy tannins and well knit freshness to support the spritely fruit, finishing with a savory lift.د.إ2,740.00 -
The Wine Independent (91-93)
A blend of 55.5% Merlot, 40.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3.6% Cabernet Franc, Le Clarence de Haut-Brion 2023 is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of shaking to wake up scents of fresh black and red currants, raspberry leaves, and star anise, leading to touches of mossy tree bark and wet slate. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a firm frame of grainy tannins and well knit freshness to support the spritely fruit, finishing with a savory lift.د.إ2,717.00 -
James Suckling (94)
Beautiful aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries and dark chocolate. Some hot stones. Full-bodied, dense and chewy yet polished and juicy. Shows pretty length and density. Very clean and focused. Precise. Better in 2021.د.إ1,125.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a fabulous second wine from Smith Haut Lafitte. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice and cloves give the Petit Haut Lafitte its striking aromatic complexity. Deep, resonant and exquisitely layered, the 2016 is a real joy to taste. I would cellar it for another year or two. The 2016 has enough depth and pedigree to develop beautifully for the next 10-15 years.د.إ2,215.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a fabulous second wine from Smith Haut Lafitte. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice and cloves give the Petit Haut Lafitte its striking aromatic complexity. Deep, resonant and exquisitely layered, the 2016 is a real joy to taste. I would cellar it for another year or two. The 2016 has enough depth and pedigree to develop beautifully for the next 10-15 years.د.إ747.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
Cabernet Sauvignon takes center stage in the 2018 Le Petit Haut Lafitte. A powerful, deep wine, the 2018 possesses terrific energy as well as a good deal of Cabernet savoriness. I would prefer to cellar it for at least a few years as it is tightly wound today. Black cherry, blackberry jam, cloves, licorice and chocolate give this imposing red a real feeling of somber intensity.د.إ714.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2019 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is fabulous. Rich, powerful and vibrant, Le Petit packs a serious punch. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. Black cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, mocha and dried herbs build as this effusive, generous wine shows off its racy, alluring personality. I loved it.د.إ630.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is a gorgeous second wine. Dark cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice, plum, spice and tobacco infuse the 2020 with striking aromatic nuance. Cabernet Sauvignon drives the blend, and that is very much in evidence in the wine's flavor profile and overall structure. There's terrific depth and density here, not to mention tons of character.د.إ1,980.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is a gorgeous second wine. Dark cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice, plum, spice and tobacco infuse the 2020 with striking aromatic nuance. Cabernet Sauvignon drives the blend, and that is very much in evidence in the wine's flavor profile and overall structure. There's terrific depth and density here, not to mention tons of character.د.إ863.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is a gorgeous second wine. Dark cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice, plum, spice and tobacco infuse the 2020 with striking aromatic nuance. Cabernet Sauvignon drives the blend, and that is very much in evidence in the wine's flavor profile and overall structure. There's terrific depth and density here, not to mention tons of character.د.إ706.00 -
James Suckling (92-93)
A dense, layered white with cooked-apple, honey and lemon aromas and flavors. Layered and flavorful with a zingy, mineral finish. 80% sauvignon with 20% semillon.د.إ1,180.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Both fresh and ripe with pleasing notes of green mangoes, papayas, limes and kiwi. Flint and shells, too. Medium-bodied with excellent tension and a textured finish. 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon. From organically grown grapes.د.إ972.00 -
Decanter (93)
A rather opulent nose, with fresh and dried black cherry, raspberry, dark chocolate, liquorice and cigar box notes. Very fine in the mouth with silky tannins and excellent concentration of fruit.د.إ513.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)
Atypical Pessac Léognan with a high degree of Merlot. Even on the nose you see a huge difference with its sibling estate Cantelys. This is riper, black fruits, rounder, touch of liquorice, the form in the mouth is very different, enlarges outwards, less dense. A good sign that the two wines are very different but both excellent.د.إ630.00 -
Wine Advocate (93+)
Made of 45% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet colored 2010 Les Carmes Haut-Brion gives up notes of baked blackberries, blackcurrants, black raspberries and cedar chest with hints of baking spices, black olives, pencil lead and Marmite toast. Full-bodied, the generously fruited palate has a solid backbone of grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting all that tightly-packed brawn, finishing with great length and purity. Still incredibly youthful, I suspect this wine has a lot more to give in the years to come!د.إ3,016.00 -
James Suckling (97)
Very polished and poised with an immensely powerful core of tannin that drives incredible length on the palate. Fruits are deep in the dark-berry spectrum, encapsulating a terrific sense of freshness through the finish. Great wine. Try from 2024.د.إ2,565.00