Corney & Barrow 

Anyone driving up the D2 will have been aware of a gentle ascent as one reaches a château, as architecturally incongruous as Brighton Pavilion, Cos (hill) d’Estournel. Classified as a second growth in 1855 it is commonly dubbed a “super second”. With superbly drained, south-facing, gravel slopes, Jean-Guillaume Prats “merely” has to translate this excellent terroir into the finished wine – something which he achieves year on year.

Occupying the same elevation we find Château Lafon-Rochet, classified as a third growth in the 1855 Classification, where considerable investment by Michel Tesseron is producing consistently very fine results. Lafon-Rochet, and indeed Michel Tesseron, have long been Corney & Barrow favourites.

Continuing to the village of St-Estèphe, there are two properties which are extremely different in terms of style but which we follow every year – namely Calon Ségur and Phélan Ségur. The style of the wines reflect very different terroirs, but each punches well above its weight.

Denise Capbern Gasqueton mans the helm at third growth Calon Ségur. We have seen an upward sweep in quality here under her charge and Calon is one of our most highly sought-after wines in every vintage – sadly we never have enough. Thierry Gardinier has been running neighbouring Phélan Ségur, a cru bourgeois, since 1993, coaxing the very best possible, the purest expression of this position and soil. The wines are extraordinarily good in their class. Closer to the river, another second growth, Montrose, has regained its reputation in recent years, producing beautifully balanced, ripe, structured wines.

Château Calon Ségur