Notes

Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

2022 Wynns Coonawarra Estate, V&A Lane Cabernet Shiraz, Coonawarra, South Australia

I recently spent an illuminating couple of hours with Sue Hodder, the chief winemaker at Wynns Coonawarra Estate.  Sue is one of the world’s most respected and knowledgeable wine luminaries, and for countless vintages she has crafted spectacular Cabernets and Shirazes with twelve-point-something-degree-alcohol levels.  Her wines are always hypnotic,…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

APPEAL BY THE INTERNATIONAL WINE ACADEMY TO HEADS OF STATE & GOVERNMENTS

I have been contacted by Véronique Sanders from Château Haut Bailly this morning - here is her important message.  For the first time in its history, the AIV has decided to speak out publicly and unanimously, in response to the growing threat of what is called the “denormalization” of wine initiated by the WHO. Below you will find our…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

Bordeaux En Primeur 2024 – Five Epic Pomerols worthy of universal applause

  2024 Château La Conseillante, Pomerol 80 Merlot, 20 Cabernet Franc: 70% new oak and 30% in second-fill barrels: 13.5% alc: 22 hl/ha: 3.57 pH: Merlot was harvested on the 20, 23, 24 and 25 September, and Cabernet Franc was harvested on 1 and 4 October Marielle Cazaux was typically frank about the ruthless sorting and elimination of sub-standard…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

Reyneke Launch with Johan – 3rd June 2025

A World First available from tomorrow at www.thewinesociety.com Reyneke is one of my favourite wineries in the world, and I have written about, bought, and drunk these wines since my very first visit to South Africa some twenty-five years ago.  Over the last couple of years, Johan Reyneke, with the help of his team, in particular his brilliant…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

2024 Bordeaux En Primeur Highlights – Canon, Clinet, Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Three spectacular wines for your cellar! 2024 Château Canon, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, Saint-Émilion 78 Merlot, 22 Cabernet Franc: 49% new oak for 16 – 18 months including 6% casks: 13.5% alc: 44 hl/ha: 3.35 pH, Harvested between 19 September and 9 October There is a wonderful attack of freshness and brightness that beams from the glass. …
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

A few more top 2024 Bordeaux En Primeur recommendations – Margaux, Lalande & Ducru

Three fascinating and worthwhile trios of wines from Margaux, Pichon Lalande & Ducru-Beaucaillou 2024 Château Margaux (1er Cru Margaux) 93 Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 Merlot, 1 Petit Verdot, 1 Cabernet Franc: 12.8% alc: 30 hl/ha: Harvested between 23 and 29 September with a reduced team and again between 30 September and 8 October with all pickers…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

A 2024 Bordeaux En Primeur fanfare, with three remarkable wines – Pavie, Monbousquet & Léoville Las Cases

Due to be released on Thursday 22nd May 2025 My full report, including notes on all wines that score 16.5/20 and above, will be published on this website very soon. Keep your eyes peeled and don't buy wine without referring to my notes! 2024 Château Pavie, Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A 51 Merlot, 32 Cabernet Franc, 17 Cabernet Sauvignon:…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

Noteworthy Bordeaux En Primeur releases tomorrow – 21st May 2025

There are a couple of noteworthy wines released tomorrow, and here are my favourites! 2024 Château Ausone, Saint-Émilion 65 Cabernet Franc, 35 Merlot: 100% new oak for 20 months in underground quarries: 13.6% alc: The Merlot was harvested on 30 September and 1 October, and the Cabernet Franc was harvested on 4 and 5 October An extreme selection…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

2024 Château Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion & family – En Primeur

released today - Domaine Clarence Dillon wines 2024 Château Haut-Brion Rouge, Pessac-Léognan (1er Cru Graves) 47.2 Cabernet Sauvignon, 37.5 Merlot, 15.3 Cabernet Franc: 75% new oak: 13.2% alc Haut-Brion is always uniquely intriguing, and in 2024, this exquisitely classy wine has all the time-honoured flavours associated with this property,…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

2024 Calon Ségur, Le Marquis & Capbern – En Primeur

  2024 Château Calon Ségur (3ème Cru Saint-Estèphe) 82 Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 Merlot, 8 Cabernet Franc, 1 Petit Verdot: 100% new oak for 20 months: 13.1% alc: 45 hl/ha: 3.60 pH Gérant Vincent Millet has made a siren song to Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon in 2024, and it is a sleek, inky-black, pristine model with a sonorous nose…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

The Spectacular Portfolio from Vignobles Denis Durantou – 2024 En Primeur Notes & Scores

Noëmie Durantou 2024 La Chenade (Lalande de Pomerol – from the Denis Durantou portfolio) 85 Merlot, 15 Cabernet Franc: 52% new oak: 13.3% alc: 10000 bottles were produced: Merlot was picked on the 22 September, and the Cabernet Franc was picked on the 28 September This is a brightly perfumed wine with a red-fruited feel, and the Franc helps…
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