Savoury in Bordeaux

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Savoury

Originally the second wine of Pavie, now an independent brand since 2018 sourced from a dedicated 11-hectare east-plateau parcel. Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend of medium body with dark cherry, espresso and salty-mineral character; approachable on release.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

The most distinctive of the Saint-Estephe grands crus classés, with an unmistakable oriental spice and incense aromatic signature absent in Pauillac wines. Merlot-rich for Saint-Estephe, delivering seductive suppleness alongside the appellation's characteristic mineral-tannic power.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Rustic · Savoury

The benchmark Canon-Fronsac red from 6.75 hectares of 65-year-average-age vines, farmed biodynamically and organically. Merlot with 5% Malbec produces a fragrant, perfumed wine with remarkable freshness for the Right Bank.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Savoury

Francois Mitjavile's Cotes de Bourg cult wine, modelled on the exacting principles of his Saint-Emilion estate Tertre-Roteboeuf: very late harvesting, low yields, and 100% new oak since 1996. Pushed the Cotes de Bourg to its quality ceiling.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Rustic · Savoury

The benchmark Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel of Moulis: Cabernet-dominant with dark fruit, pencil lead and licorice, offering genuine structure and ageing potential well beyond its humble classification.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold

The great unclassified Médoc: Sociando-Mallet produces wines of classed-growth quality from Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, with muscular Cabernet-Merlot structure, minty cassis, and a distinctive saline minerality.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

A revived Fifth Growth finding its stride under the Merlaut family: Cabernet-forward Haut-Médoc structure with dark fruit, cedar and characteristic menthol freshness from deep gravel soils near Saint-Julien.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Savoury · Elegant

The second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion, incorporating grapes from younger vines and since 2006 from the former La Tour Haut-Brion vineyard. Shares the Talence gravel terroir; accessible dark fruit with cedar and spice, drinkable earlier than the grand vin.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

The second red of Haut-Brion, renamed from Bahans Haut-Brion in 2007. Merlot-dominated in most vintages with the same Pessac terroir as the grand vin, but more approachable in youth, showing red plum, blueberry, and mineral freshness.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Savoury

The second red wine of Smith Haut Lafitte, sharing the estate's Martillac gravel terroir. A Cabernet-Sauvignon-led blend with cassis, fresh herbs, and pencil-shaving notes in an approachable medium-bodied style suitable for earlier drinking.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Savoury

Second wine of Cos d'Estournel since 1994; previously sold as Marbuzet. Shows a more Merlot-forward profile than the grand vin, with the estate's distinctive spice character in a more accessible format.