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The second wine of Chateau Margaux came about partly due to misfortune - when an attack of phylloxera decimated the vineyards, necessitating a replanting of the majority of their vineyards. The lack of grapes eliminated the possibility of a First Growth Quality wine and led to the production of their second wine - the Pavillon Rouge de Chateau Margaux, the first official vintage of which was released in 1906. Renowned as a sterling example of a second wine, the 2016 has been hailed as a particularly superb vintage. Medium-bodied, silky, intense and tannic, it continues its impressive trajectory year upon year.

An upswing in quality over the past decade or so, has resurrected Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte's position amongst Bordeaux Chateau. New ownership breathed life into exceptionally positioned vineyards, now farmed with less chemicals, with a more sympatico approach in winery. Famed winemaking consultant Michel Rolland is an additional feather in Smith-Haut-Lafitte's cap, enhancing the wines concentration, power and depth, while maintaining a finesse. Though full-bodied, the wine from 2010 will be approachable a little earlier than most other fine Bordeaux, with more moderate tannin - that being said, it's life will stretch several decades too.

While it is true that lovers of Pauillac wines can sometimes be divided over their love of the wines from Lynch-Bages, it will go without question that the wines produced from the magnificent 2009 vintage are sure to be coveted by all. Vintage conditions were simply perfect and have allow this Pauillac producer to embrace its love of plush, fruit forward wines and yet deliver a wine of immense power and structure.

Château Léoville-Las-Cases is classified as a 2nd Growth, but can rightfully claim to produce wines equal and superior to some 1st growths. Léoville's label (Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases) doesn't mention the

Bellevue Mondotte is a small jewel of a vineyard that is perfectly located, just east of the picturesque St. Emilion village. Even though the vineyard is quite small, it is divided into 3 main parcels which are two different terroirs with half the vineyard planted in clay with limestone and the other half of the vineyard planted in pure, deep limestone. Due to drastic green harvesting and selection, this property has some of the lowest yields of any Right Bank Bordeaux wine estate. After harvesting and intense sorting at Bellevue Mondotte, vinification starts naturally in temperature-controlled, oak wood vats. This initial step is followed by a long maceration can, between five and seven weeks. Malolactic fermentation then takes place in barrels. The wine of Bellevue Mondotte is aged in 90%, new, French oak barrels for up to 24 months. During the first six months of aging, the wine remains on its fine lees. The final blend takes place just before bottling, which is done without fining or filtering. Very little Chateau Bellevue Mondotte is produced each year. In an average vintage, production hovers at close to 350 to 400 cases of wine per year. The wine is not as powerful as one might expect, given the owners and winemaking team, coming in at 15%. A sensational, rather massive example for a 2010, this opaque purple wine offers up notes of subtle barbecue smoke, blackberry and cassis as well as a hints of lead pencil shavings and a confiture of red and black fruits in the mouth. Full-bodied, unctuously textured and excruciatingly tannic, this is a big, blockbuster style of wine meant for 10-50+ years of cellaring. - Robert parker, Wine Advocate, March 2013, 95+ Points