Château Olivier Pessac-Léognan rouge 2019 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This magnificent estate on the outskirts of Bordeaux has managed to preserve, in addition to its 55-hectare vineyard, a large portion of forests and meadows. In the early 2000s, the Bethmann family undertook major renovations and entrusted the management of the estate to Laurent Lebrun. His meticulous approach and keen analysis of the terroir have led to a significant leap in the quality of the wines. The white wine, which traditionally contains a good proportion of Sémillon, has become complex and elegant, with a well-defined personality—the 2017 vintage truly impressed us. The reds, now vinified much more skillfully, express their excellent terroir with greater precision; they are expressive and vibrant.

Decanter

About the wine:

An expressive nose of bright red cherries and strawberries. This wine is quite juicy and lively, but the fruit is still a bit too pronounced at this stage and is overshadowed by dominant spicy oak notes. This wine is powerful, precise, fruity, and crisp, but it needs more time to soften and come together. The finish is peppery and quite flavorful. 2024–2039

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

In just ten years, this Graves cru classé has undergone one of the most significant transformations in the appellation. Under the leadership of Laurent Lebrun, the wines have reached an excellent standard, and the commitment of Alexandre de Bethmann, the owner, is undeniable. He has invested significant financial resources to restructure the vineyard. It must be said that this estate is absolutely magnificent! Nestled in the middle of a wooded area, it is built on a gravel terroir situated on a splendid, well-ventilated hilltop—ideal for producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. The most recent vintages bear witness to this new momentum.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

The 12th-century fortified castle is now the home of the Bethmann family. This latest vintage attests to the high quality of the estate’s wines. Rich in tannins and featuring a dense structure, the wine is full of juicy acidity. Its texture and dry core promise a long aging potential. Best enjoyed starting in 2026. — Roger Voss

James Suckling

About the wine:

Tobacco, blackcurrant, and minerality. Hints of ash, too. Full-bodied with very polished, juicy tannins that are firm. A wonderful finish. Give it 3 or 4 years to come together.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

The nose, with its understated elegance, reveals soft citrus aromas. The palate, with its vibrant energy, displays great aromatic expressiveness, offering layers of varied flavors—from fruity notes to mineral notes. Full of presence and panache.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

Blackcurrant and blackberry among the dark fruit notes on the nose, very fresh. On the palate, the wine reveals its roundness, with a magnificent, taffeta-like tannic texture. Its substantial body hints at its contained energy and great aging potential. The palate is concentrated, featuring small dark berries and slightly spicy tobacco box notes, and lingers on the finish with a delicate peppery note. A vintage among the greats, in which Château Olivier capitalizes on one of its plots on compact gravel soils, cleared in 2004 by Laurent Lebrun: the Cabernets exhibit greater definition, intensity, and freshness.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

This is a superb vintage for Château Olivier. Rich, silky, velvety, and refined, the fruit tastes as good as it smells on the palate. Elegant, fresh, and pure, it offers length, energy, and complexity, with a fabulous sensation of richness on the palate that carries through to the finish. Give it a few years in the cellar, and it should really start to shine. 2024–2039