2025 is another wonderful vintage in Bordeaux. It started off quite well with a warm winter. January was filling up the water reserves in the soil, February and March however were already dry. Some cold spells in the early months of the year delayed budburst, which occurred early April. Ideal conditions in spring promoted the start of flowering at the end of May. Flowering as well as véraison were early and homogeneous therefore contributing to uniform ripening. However fruit set was rather difficult influencing the low yields in 2025. A number of heat waves were putting the vines under stress and resulted in a smaller berry size. The heat waves started as early as June and ended on August 20th only were some rain brought the relief. It was just the right amount to promote further ripening but not causing any fungal danger. The tannins found the time to have their physiological ripeness and harvest date was crucial. In the cellar a careful fermentation and maceration with focus on less extraction and more fruit continued the trend already seen in the last two years. Bordeaux goes back to a more classic style with lower alcohol levels (fort the reds between 12.5% and 13.5% ABV) which show a lot of fruit and freshness and are very appealing at a young stage. But the high values of polyphenols will guarantee an excellent and long lasting evolution over a long time in the bottle. The fruit is absolutely charming and will be able to win the heart of younger consumers but the excellent structure, freshness and promising potential will make this vintage also ideal for collectors. In fact, Bordeaux is back to its roots with elegance and freshness, leaving the 15% ABV wines just a memory in the past. 2025 is a vintage of excellent quality but very little quantity.

The arrivage tasting of the 2023 vintage from Bordeaux has confirmed the tasting results from the “en primeur tasting” in spring 2024.

A new wine at La Place De Bordeaux.

Vinexpo Paris was hold in early February 2026. Some new wines, which have attracted my attention.

Four wineries with six wines faithful to their origin and terroir yet interpreted in a contemporary way have been tasted today. Very exciting tasting with excellent typicity.

A visit at Château Lascombes in early October offered the chance to taste the vintages 2022 and 2023 and the new wine of the Château, "La Côte“. A new wine has to bring something new to the table”, expresses Axel Heinz. "La Côte" is fully in line with this philosophy. The plot of 5 hectares features a very special terroir, clay-limestone soil with veins of blue clay. The parcel was planted with Merlot in the 1980s presenting an ideal base for great wine. The result is a single varietal Cuvée based on Merlot only, quite unusual for the Médoc area. However the result is more than convincing.

Some new wines on the place de Bordeaux.

Founded in 1956 by his father, Paolo Marchi took over Isole e Olena in 1976. He transformed the estate to one of the leading wine producers in Italy. The observation of his vineyards, the promotion of Sangiovese as the estate's leading variety, lower yields, denser plantation and Massale selection for the Sangiovese were his key to success. As the DOC rules of the time did not allow to produce a Chianti Classico with 100% Sangiovese he invented Ceparello, a Super-Tuscan but pure Sangiovese, unheard at that time. 2022 was the last vintage of Paolo Marchi, he sold the estate to the French EPI group, also owner of -amongst others- Champagne Piper Heidsieck and the Tenuta Biondi-Santi. In 2023 Emanuele Reolon took over the management of the estate, a gifted vintner with the aim to continue the extraordinary work which as done by Paolo Marchi.

Hot and sunny days yet cool nights have created an ideal situation for elegant and persistent wines. There is ripe fruit as well as appealing freshness in the vintage 2021 as shown by the two wines tasted from Vidal-Fleury. The house, founded in 1781 and therefore the oldest still existing winery in the Rhône valley, proves its skills for wines typical for its vintage and terroir.

Domaine de Baronarques has released its 2023 vintage with a new brand, La Capitelle de Baronarques in white to celebrate the 20th jubilee of the estate.

Three wines arrived just for the summer season from Italy. The ideal partners for a relaxed moment during the holidays.

Thomas Cheurlin is deeply rooted in the magnificent wine landscape of Champagne. Here, where Jura limestone shapes the landscape and the terroir, he produces Champagne at a high level. He relies on his diverse vineyards, which are located in the small valleys known as “Vaucelles”. These valleys also served as the inspiration for the name of his new line.