Bordeaux 2019 preview: Jean Marc Quarin's awards
Jean-Marc Quarin He is a renowned wine critic, recognized among the very best, and possesses a distinct advantage over other tasters for this 2019 vintage: living less than 100 km from the Bordeaux châteaux! This is why he is among the first critics to regularly publish his notes on this 2019 vintage en primeur. A highly anticipated vintage that certainly knows how to keep us waiting… We invite you to discover with us the first impressions of this great wine critic and, above all, his rankings, which we will update as new wines are published.
What is the quality of this 2019 vintage?
Jean-Marc Quarin emphasizes the "class" of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Estates predominantly using this grape variety stand out from the rest. This is therefore a vintage that should favor the Left Bank of Bordeaux, the wines of Medoc.
On the right bank, once again the terroir plays a crucial role. The Merlots can be very good and the Cabernet Francs remarkable.
However, this vintage remains uneven. Some wines lack mid-palate depth, while others are magnificent. The tannins are present but perfectly integrated. These are wines that can be enjoyed young but also possess great aging potential. Overall, Jean Marc Quarin describes the red Grands Crus Classés as "rich and flavorful." The wines exhibit "a refined tannic structure and rarely seen black fruit flavors." It certainly makes our mouths water!
The Top 10 Bordeaux 2019: A sneak peek
| Name | Name | Grades out of 20 | Scores out of 100 |
| Château Margaux | Margaux | 19 | 98 |
| LAFLEUR red | Pomerol | 19 | 98 |
| PALMER red | Margaux | 18,75 | 97 |
| GRAND PUY LACOSTE | Pauillac | 18,5 | 97 |
| MOUTON ROTHSCHILD | Pauillac | 18,5 | 97 |
| PICHON LONGUEVILLE BARON | Pauillac | 18,5 | 97 |
| PICHON LONGUEVILLE COUNTESS OF LALANDE | Pauillac | 18,5 | 97 |
| CARMES HAUT BRION (LES) | Pessac-Léognan red | 18,5 | 97 |
| CHURCH CLINET (L') | Pomerol | 18,5 | 97 |
| ANGELUS | Saint-Emilion Grand Cru | 18,5 | 97 |
The Premiers Grands Crus Classés (and equivalent) are included in this classification, with a slight advantage for the Château Margaux And Lafleur. Château Margaux 2018 is described as a "marvel of delicacy" and Lafleur with its great purity of flavors, simply like a "great wine".
Our favorite little gem is also featured in this ranking. Carmes Haut Brion which he describes as "intense, subtle" with a score of 97. Grand Puy Lacoste receives a 97, the same score as the 2016 and proves to be "unspittable"!
Top ratings awarded first by château
In the 2019 vintage, Jean-Marc Quarin had some pleasant surprises and some real favorites. Certain wines received the highest score from this critic, across all vintages:
| Name | Name | Grades out of 20 | Scores out of 100 |
| RED PAVILION | Margaux | 17,5 | 95 |
| SOUTARD | Saint-Emilion Grand Cru | 17 | 94 |
| ALTER EGO de PALMER | Margaux | 17 | 94 |
| GRIFFON (THE) | Pauillac | 17 | 94 |
| COS D'ESTOURNEL WHITE | White Bordeaux | 17 | 94 |
| COS PAGODS | Saint-Estèphe | 16,5 | 92 |
| CAPBERN | Saint-Estèphe | 16,25 | 91 |
| COS PAGODS | White Bordeaux | 16 | 90 |
The Red Pavilion of Château Margaux receives the same rating as the 2016 vintage. A brilliant wine,
Complex and delicate. "A marvel!"
What a surprise for the Château Soutard, which is described as graceful and majestic. The white wines are sumptuous this year and the Cos d'Estournel And les Pagodes de Cos white wines receive very good scores.
These initial tasting notes are very promising. We eagerly await the opportunity to taste these 2019 Bordeaux wines en primeur and will be sure to share our first impressions with you.
Go to Cavissima to discover these exceptional bottles!