Bordeaux 2013 – Pauillac

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For a list of all our articles, see Bordeaux 2013 – a guide to our coverage.

Expectations for Pauillac are always highest among tastings of the Bordeaux appellations. Whether that is a justified presumption could be argued ad infinitum – but in 2013 at least, it seems to be vindicated. There are some pretty high scores here.

The tasting notes are listed in alphabetical order.

Ch d'Armailhac 2013 Pauillac

59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Pure black cassis fruit, light style on the palate. Slightly simple on the mid palate, though the spiciness is very charming on the finish. Correct balance, easy drinking – especially for Pauillac. (RH)
Drink
2015
2025
16.5

Ch Batailley 2013 Pauillac

Sweet fruit, but with a very slight herbal edge to give a savoury twist. Dry, furry texture, but plenty of refreshing acidity to balance. Nicely made – not too ambitious, but offers lots of drinking pleasure. (RH)
Drink
2016
2026
16.5

Ch Clerc Milon 2013 Pauillac

58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenère. Rich, juicy black fruit – very modern and smooth. Light, plasticine tannins, soft and easygoing. The tannins outweigh the body slightly. (RH)
Drink
2017
2027
15.5

Ch Croizet-Bages 2013 Pauillac

Milk chocolate, blackcurrant, firm but spherical tannins. Toasted and smoky on the finish. Bright acidity. (RH)
Drink
2015
2023
16.5

Ch Duhart-Milon 2013 Pauillac

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. Glossy cabernet fruit, and a tell-tale hint of greenness. Fine but grippy tannins on the finish. Slightly medicinal on the finish. Has an attractive structure, though not huge concentration. (RH)
Drink
2018
2025
16.5

Ch Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Lacoste Borie 2013 Pauillac

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Aniseed and fennel. Lots of liquorice. Lovely black fruit on the mid palate. Savoury, with classic Pauillac cedar and sandalwood. Attractively bitter notes on the finish. Fully ripe, good length, soft tannins. (RH)
Drink
2017
2027
17 +

Ch Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2013 Pauillac

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. Vibrant purple. Compact, tight nose, but superbly supple on the palate – sieved tannins, milk chocolate, just a little bit light on the finish. Very attractive and sensitively made – very powerful, very Pauillac. (RH)
Drink
2020
2033
17 +

Ch Haut-Bages Libéral 2013 Pauillac

Menthol and blackcurrant nose – very pleasant and fragrant. Just enough chew to give definition without intruding on the palate. Attractive, minty finish. (RH)
Drink
2018
2028
16.5 +

Ch Haut-Batailley 2013 Pauillac

76% Cabernet Sauvignon 24% Merlot. Ripe, juicy cassis, sappy oak but well integrated. Finely ground tannin that really grips the finish. Fine, traditional Pauillac, with lovely balance and good persistence. (RH)
Drink
2017
2027
17 +

Ch Lafite Rothschild, Carruades de Lafite 2013 Pauillac

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Impressive, wonderfully toned cassis and cedar. Softest tannins, and very light body. I expect it will develop quite nicely in the short to medium term, but it doesn’t have the strength to last into old age. (RH)
Drink
2017
2023
16.5

Ch Lafite Rothschild 2013 Pauillac

98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot. Closed nose. Bold black fruit on the palate, moderate tannins on the mid palate that become pretty strong on the length. This is very classic Pauillac with excellent fruit clarity – but in the context of the price and provenance, it’s clear that 2013 is a levelling vintage. (RH)
Drink
2018
2028
17 +

Ch Latour 2013 Pauillac

Sumptuous, gorgeous fruit on the nose – really a big step up from the Forts, this year. Fine but very persistent tannins. Has great fruit and intensity, but stops short of widescreen greatness. (RH)
Drink
2020
2033
17 +

Ch Lynch-Bages 2013 Pauillac

Cassis, chocolate, fine-grained tannins that are pretty jaw-clampingly potent on the finish. Very traditionally moulded. Needs lots of time to resolve – yet doesn’t have the body for very long life. (RH)
Drink
2023
2030
17 +

Ch Lynch-Moussas 2013 Pauillac

Blackcurrant, tomato stalk, cedar and tobacco – couldn’t be more classic in terms of flavour profile. Pert tannins with good acidity. Masterful, clever winemaking. Encapsulates tradition, and masters a tricky vintage. Very good. (RH)
Drink
2018
2033
17.5

Ch Mouton Rothschild, Le Petit Mouton 2013 Pauillac

93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot. Grand cassis scent – lovely purity. Incredibly soft tannins – far more accessible than you’d ever expect for young Pauillac. A little toastiness to finish. Absolutely ready to drink now, and offers a lovely classic savoury claret experience with plenty of bright fruit. (RH)
Drink
2015
2023
16.5

Ch Mouton Rothschild 2013 Pauillac

89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Sweet, ripe fruit. Finely tuned balance with very gentle tannins. Surprisingly gentle. They match the light body, however, and make it approachable in youth. Straightforward, fruity and digestible – though there is a length and concentration that suggests grander development awaits. (RH)
Drink
2018
2028
17 +

Ch Pédesclaux 2013 Pauillac

Very deep, dramatic purple. Lots of floral, violet scent. Black cherry fruit, fine but prominent tannins. Smooth and sumptuous – but short too. (RH)
Drink
2018
2028
16

Ch Pibran 2013 Pauillac

52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot. 50% new oak. Tiniest hint of reduction, then rather luscious and succulent fruit that slides over the palate. Lovely soy note. Some toastiness to finish. (RH)
Drink
2016
2024
17

Ch Pichon Baron, Les Tourelles de Longueville 2013 Pauillac

63% Merlot, 30% Cabernet sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot. 30% new oak. Little bit of reductive rubberiness. Quite light tannin, considering the appellation. Gentle, tip-toe balance and just slightly light on the finish. (RH)

Drink
2017
2024
16.5

Ch Pichon Baron 2013 Pauillac

82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot. Ripe cherry, dry and tender with a light body and pretty chalky tannin. Much firmer than the Comtesse. Needs plenty of time, I suspect – unusually for 2013s. (RH)

Drink
2020
2033
17.5

Ch Pontet-Canet 2013 Pauillac

40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot. 50% new oak. Mushy red fruit that reminds me of great Pinot. Fantastic sweet vanilla oak and really broad, brooding nose. The palate doesn’t quite match the nose for complexity – but that may well come, and the balance is really accomplished – supple tannins, medium body, high, integrated acid. But it’s the nose that really distinguishes this wine. Tremendous. (RH)
Drink
2017
2033
18