A herbal, bramble nose with some meaty tones. This is fun but so refined too, the playful and bright cherry and strawberry fruit is delicious and succulent with sumptuous creamy edges. Effortlessly elegant, it's really not trying too hard but gives fruit, acidity, texture, spice and minerality. Well presented, energetic and classy. Such a pleasure to drink, nothing too over the top but so well worked!

Georgina Hindle on Chateau Corbin Grand Cru Classe, St-Emilion 2021

One of the stars of the vintage, the 2017 Valandraud has turned out even better than I expected. It was magnificent in two separate tastings. Deep and sumptuous, the 2017 possesses off-the-charts intensity and power. Dark red cherry, red plum, chocolate, licorice and spice build as this explosive wine shows off its personality. There are only a few wines in 2017 that are truly exciting and viscerally thrilling. Valandraud is one of them. Don't miss it!

Chateau Valandraud 1er Grand Cru Classe (B), St-Emilion 2017

Intense, ripe dark plums and berries with graphite and stones, as well as fresh, cedary oak. This has powerful yet very seamless and intense fruit presence with a very concentrated array of ripe dark plums and rich, assertive fruit, which builds smoothly on the finish. Impressive poise here. A blend of 90% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 3% cabernet sauvignon. Try from 2025.

Chateau Valandraud 1er Grand Cru Classe (B), St-Emilion 2017

The 2017 Quintus is super impressive today. Sweet floral and spice nuances give the 2017 its striking aromatic upper register. Rich and dense on the palate, Quintus is a bold, hedonistically opulent Saint-Émilion in 2017. Soaring Franc overtones play off the Merlot nicely, adding both aromatic presence and a real feeling of saline intensity that comes through, especially on the finish. Today, the 2017 is a touch exuberant - almost too much so. Another few years in bottle should help it settle down. The 2017 is not at all subtle, but it has a lot to offer. Here, too, élevage has done wonders for the wine.

Chateau Quintus Grand Cru St-Emilion 2017