The 2025 Bordeaux tasting notes for the Left Bank’s Graves and Pessac-Léognan regions, curated by Simon Field MW, highlight the nuances and characteristics of both red and white wines produced in this vintage.
Graves / Pessac-Léognan Blanc
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Château Carbonnieux Cru Classé (55% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Sémillon)
An elegant white with a high alcohol level (14%) balanced by notes of limestone, citrus, nougat, and stone fruit, making it an excellent value. | 93–94 -
Domaine de Chevalier Cru Classé (70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillon)
With complex citric and chalky notes, this vintage showcases depth and texture, highlighted by an early harvest. | 94–95 -
Château de Fieuzal Cru Classé (70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillon)
This vintage seeks to reclaim historical glory with a pleasing nose of white plum and spices, offering a well-structured finish. | 92–93 -
Château Haut-Brion 1er Cru (51.5% Sémillon, 48.5% Sauvignon Blanc)
This wine exhibits floral aromas and a textured complexity with an aging potential coupled with rich flavors. | 95–96 -
Château La Mission Haut-Brion Cru Classé (65% Sémillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc)
Featuring restrained flavors that evolve gracefully with aeration, this wine is noted for its vibrant acidity and potential. | 94–95 -
Château Smith Haut Lafitte (90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris)
This vintage presents a fruit basket of flavors with a powerful finish, influenced by biodynamic practices, enhancing root penetration. | 94–95
Graves / Pessac-Léognan Rouge
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Château Carbonnieux Cru Classé (45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot)
This wine is characterized by concentration and fresh flavors akin to Mediterranean vintages. | 94–95 -
Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion Cru Classé (54% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot)
With a distinct terroir, this wine’s aging in a mix of new barrels and amphorae contributes to its freshness and complexity. | 96–97 -
Domaine de Chevalier Cru Classé (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot)
Showcasing an organic profile, this wine balances dark fruit with herbal notes and elegant tannins. | 94–95 -
Château Haut-Bailly Cru Classé (55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot)
This wine, reminiscent of prior exceptional vintages, melds dark fruit with subtlety and complexity. | 95–96 -
Château La Mission Haut-Brion Cru Classé (59% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc)
Rich in complexity and texture, this wine highlights restraint while allowing dark fruits and spices to shine. | 94–95 -
Château Pape Clément Cru Classé (60% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot)
Focused on purity, this vintage balances fruit and tannins artfully, reflecting the vineyard’s heritage. | 94–95
These notes illustrate the distinct qualities and ambitions of the 2025 Bordeaux wines, emphasizing balance, complexity, and an evolution towards more refined winemaking practices.