Saint-Julien second growth with 75 hectares on the Gironde riverside. Bruno Borie owner and manager; 70% Cabernet Sauvignon blend with 18 months in oak barrels.
Signature wines: ducru-beaucaillou, la-croix-ducru-beaucaillou
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2010), James Suckling 100 (2016)
Address: Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, 33250 Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, France, Bordeaux
Pauillac fifth growth that consistently overdelivers, with 90 hectares planted 67% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cazes-family owned since 1939; 18 months in 75% new oak barrels.
Tasting: Visits, tastings and accommodation at Chateau Cordeillan-Bages; village dining at Cafe Lavinal in Bages.
Signature wines: lynch-bages, echo-de-lynch-bages
Scores: Wine Advocate 97 (2010), Wine Advocate 97 (2016)
Pauillac second growth of 73 hectares owned by AXA Millesimes. Alexandra Lebossé winemaker since 2017; produces grand vin, Les Griffons second wine, and a white from 2022.
Tasting: Visits available; contact chateau for details.
Signature wines: pichon-baron, les-griffons-de-pichon-baron
Scores: Wine Advocate 98 (2016)
Pauillac second growth adjacent to Chateau Latour. 89 hectares with unusually high 32% Merlot for Left Bank; Louis Roederer Champagne owner since 2006.
Tasting: Visits available by appointment.
Signature wines: pichon-lalande, reserve-de-la-comtesse
Scores: Wine Advocate 98 (2019), Decanter 97 (2020)
Pauillac fifth growth leading Bordeaux biodynamics; 81 hectares certified Demeter since 2014 and Biodyvin since 2010. Tesseron family owners; Mathieu Bessonnet technical director since 2020.
Tasting: Visits and tastings available by appointment.
Signature wines: pontet-canet
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2010), Wine Advocate 100 (2012)
Margaux third growth frequently outperforming its classification; 66 hectares certified 100% biodynamic since 2017. Thomas Duroux managing director since 2004.
Tasting: Visits by appointment.
Signature wines: chateau-palmer, alter-ego-de-palmer
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2009), Wine Advocate 100 (1961)
Graves Cru Classe adjacent to Haut-Brion in Talence, sharing the same Domaine Clarence Dillon ownership. 23 hectares producing powerful, structured Cabernet-Merlot blends.
Tasting: Visits by appointment only.
Signature wines: la-mission-haut-brion-rouge, la-mission-haut-brion-blanc, la-chapelle-de-la-mission
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2009), Wine Advocate 100 (1989)
