This château produces full-bodied, rounded wines that reveal fruity flavours and aromas of black fruit, mocha and liquorice. The wines are aged for 18 months before being bottled. A nephew of the famous German composer Mendelssohn was the owner of this beautiful vineyard at the outbreak of the First World War. The French government confiscated the property and sold it at auction. It was bought by a textile entrepreneur who, following the crisis in 1929, was obliged to sell it again, but divided the property into several parts. The buildings in Margaux were sold as one lot, and the vineyard was split into two. The name disappeared. It was not until 1981 that Lucien Lurton, having patiently reassembled the pieces of the puzzle and acquired beautiful premises in Cantenac, decided to relaunch Desmirail. As at his other properties, he installed stainless steel vats and a barrel cellar. The second wine is sold under the Château de Fontarney label.

A famous 5th growth Bordeaux from the classic appellation of Pauillac that has undergone many name changes over its life. Starting life as Mouton d'Armailhac before changing in 1956 to Mouton Baron Philippe which changed to Baronne to commemorate the Baron's second wife. In 1991, the Baron's daughter decided to give the Château an original name to separate it from the other Mouton's and Château d'Armailhac was born. Situated across the road from the famous Mouton, the estate is run separately, but with equal care. Wines of great concentration and intensity are produced, as one would expect from such pedigree. The 2009 is the perfect example of this with a wine of fantastic intensity and concentration. One of the finest d'Armailhac's is living memory, swathes of blueberry, roasted meats and espresso coffee characters are present early and will only further develop with careful ageing over the next 20 years.

Sweet, blackcurrants and cream sort of nose – really quite harmonious. Fresh too. Nicely judged and very smooth, even if not for the very long term. Score: 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson

World Best Syrah Competition 2015 - No1 World Best Syrah!!. A nice and intense ink color. The nose is expressive, with black fruit. It shows aromas of cedar and intense tanins. A grand wine : balance, density, texture, structureIt embodies elegance and delicacy.