Pomerol's counterpart to Petrus, owned by the Thienpont family since 1924. 14-hectare contiguous plot planted 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc; 100th anniversary celebrated in 2024.
Signature wines: vieux-chateau-certan, gravette-de-certan
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2015), Vinous 98 (2018)
Address: Vieux Chateau Certan, 33500 Pomerol, France, Bordeaux
The only Sauternes Premier Cru Superieur, producing botrytised Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc of extraordinary longevity. LVMH-owned; Sandrine Garbay winemaker; average 10 hl/ha yield.
Tasting: Tours and tastings available by appointment; booking through official site.
Signature wines: chateau-dyquem, y-de-yquem
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2001), Wine Spectator 100 (2001)
Historic Saint-Emilion estate of 7 hectares planted 55% Cabernet Franc on limestone plateau; family-owned Vauthier; ultra-limited annual production of around 1,500 cases.
Tasting: By appointment only.
Signature wines: chateau-ausone, chapelle-dausone
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2000), Wine Advocate 100 (2015)
Saint-Estephe second growth with 91 hectares, famous for pagoda-adorned winery. Fully organic since 2024; Michel Reybier owner; produces red, second wine, and a white Sauvignon-Semillon blend.
Tasting: Visits and tastings available through La Maison d'Estournel hotel.
Signature wines: cos-destournel-rouge, les-pagodes-de-cos, cos-destournel-blanc
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2003), James Suckling 100 (2016)
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.
Tasting: By appointment only.
Signature wines: ducru-beaucaillou, la-croix-ducru-beaucaillou
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2010), James Suckling 100 (2016)
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)
