Chateau Lespault Martillac 2023

James Suckling: "A layered and rich young wine with a creamy texture and layers of velvety tannins. Pure and enticing, verging on opulent but holds back. The soft tannins are the most impressive thing. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot and 13% petit verdot."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: "The 2023 Lespault-Martillac Rouge is deep garnet-purple in color. Slightly closed notions of cedar chest and iron ore soon open out to a core of ripe plums and fresh blackcurrants plus a waft of bay leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock full of bright, crunchy black fruits, framed by grainy tannins and nice tension, finishing long and savory. This is nicely done! The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot."

Decanter: "Tasted twice, and I am sold on this wine's light fruit basket aromatics with tobacco leaf and dark chocolate, all rather savoury. Rather mouth coating with somewhat tight tannin, but ageing in barrel - 35% new oak - will smoothen that and I think this will be lovely upon release."

Falstaff: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feines Edelholz, zart nach Herzkirschen, etwas Brombeerkonfit, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, elegant, frisch strukturiert, rote Kirschen, feine Tannine, wirkt leichtfüßig, ein facettenreicher Begleiter bei Tisch."

The Wine Cellar Insider: "Lush, round, chocolatey, and creamy, this is loaded with loads of dark, ripe, black, with fresh, red fruits backed with equally dark chocolate, and smoke. This is going to be delicious on release, and will be even better with some time in the cellar, as it will easily age for at least a decade or more. The wine blends 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2027-2039."

Jeb Dunnuck: "Red and black fruits, scorched earth, graphite, and tobacco notes all emerge from the 2023 Château Lespault-Martillac, a quintessential Pessac that's medium-bodied and has a deep, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and outstanding length. The 2023 is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot, aging in 35% new barrels."