This is likely to be a big week for Bordeaux En Primeur and we are started this morning with one of the very biggest names: Leoville Las Cases. The wine is available now at GBP 2172. And baby Las Cases, Le Petit Lion, was released at GBP 479.

The Las Cases 2018 has picked up some of the highest ratings of the campaign with potential for 100 points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown in The Wine Advocate, James Molesworth in Wine Spectator, Jeb Dunnuck, and James Suckling; Matthew Jukes (who scores out of 20) awarded it a massive 19.5+, stating “there is every sign that this will turn out to be one of the truly great vintages for Las Cases.”

This was shortly followed by another heavyweight: 2018 Ducru Beaucaillou at GBP 1728. Whilst Ducru has gained a reputation for being one of the most hedonistic, sensous wines of St Julien, the 2018 is a wine of absolute class and panache, with extraordinary elegance and restraint. Indeed it was one of the most enjoyable wines to actually taste on the EP trip, already displaying incredible layers of mineral, spiced complexity and a phenomenal silken texture.

A wine whose 2018 promises to be one of the best ever, Pichon Lalande, was released this afternoon at GBP 1656. It wasn't just us who loved this Pichon, the critics did too: Jane Anson (“up there with one of the most seductive Comtesses on record”) James Molesworth (“One of the high water marks of the vintage.”) and Jeff Leve all give potential for the perfect score, and Lisa Perrotti-Brown is only a point behind at 97-99. If it hits the top of that spread it will be the highest-scoring Pichon Lalande from The Wine Advocate to date. Pichon's second wine, Reserve de la Comtesse 2018 was also released at GBP 402.

And finally, one of the ‘must-have’ wines of Bordeaux, Smith Haut Lafitte was released at GBP 978. “it reminds me of the 2009 with its opulent, powerful style… up with the top wines in the vintage.” 97-100pts Jeb Dunnuck. Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2018 was also released at GBP 1020.