According to the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, Château Montrose, a benchmark estate in Saint-Estèphe, holds the heady Second Growth ranking, but critics widely regard it as a de facto First Growth. Nicknamed the “Latour of Saint-Estèphe”, this high esteem is down to its consistently high scores and contemporary style, with wines displaying precision, power, and longevity, thanks to deep gravel terroir and meticulous parcel-by-parcel vinification. Refined and layered, with dark, inky cassis and minerality with hints of iron, some of the top vintages include 2022, 2023, 2009, and 2010. You’re not alone in your appreciation of this wine – this Bordeaux has received perfect scores from the likes of Jeb Dunnuck, William Kelley, and Jeff Leve.

You’re in good company with your admiration of cult Tuscany Merlot, Masseto; Monica Larner gave the 2015 the perfect 100 points, noting it took the qualities of the best past vintages and “confines those qualities to this single, spectacular bottle”. Hailing from a single vineyard on the iconic Bolgheri coast, this Super Tuscan is crafted from famed blue clay soils and maritime breezes through laser-focused, gravity-flow vinification. The result is a luxuriant yet elegant red with velvety dark fruit, spice, graphite, and a satiny mouthfeel. Age-worthy, collectable, and precise, we can further recommend the 2006, 2010, and 2019.

Another Super Tuscan is a favorite in 2025. The legendary Sassicaia, a luxury wine that changed Italy’s wine fortunes forever with its Bordeaux varietals achieving world-class finesse outside of France, is one of Italy’s most distinguished and influential wines. Created on the Bolgheri coast from gravelly “Sassicaia” soils, sea breezes, and intricate parcel-by-parcel vinification, it displays a perfect blend of power and elegance. Featuring layered cassis, herb, cedar notes, and refined minerality, this much sought-after red offers timeless poise. Monica Larner gave the 2016 a perfect score, commenting that it stood “next to the epic 1985 vintage that set the ultimate benchmark for vino Italiano”. Westgarth Wines can also suggest the 2008, 2019, and the 2021 vintages.

Sparkling wine is an all-year favorite, and Cristal is no stranger to your list of favorite wines; it appeared on the 2024 list, where it was in 8th position. No surprise it’s moved up one place this year since this luxurious Champagne is a benchmark label, created in 1876 for the Tsar, no less. Produced with the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from vineyards in the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs, and enjoying extended cellar aging, this Champagne offers tones of citrus, white florals, and signature brioche in an opulent, layered, silky palate. James Suckling awarded the 2008 a score of 100, describing it as “a standout vintage” and “super-elegant and tightly structured with a hint of creaminess.” We also suggest the 2016 and 2002 vintages.

Appearing in the 2023 top wine list and returning this year, Unico is the only Spanish wine to grace 2025, admired and enjoyed for its ripe pomegranate, dark cherry, satiny tannins, and fresh acidity in a harmonious palate with impressive structure. Produced by Vega Sicilia, one of Spain’s most historic Ribera del Duero wineries, this flagship blend is led by Tempranillo with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, and sees a decade of aging between French and American oak barrel and bottle. Jeb Dunnuck gave the 2015 a perfect score, saying its “length and structure are remarkable” and commenting on its potential to age for decades. We can also recommend the 2009 and the 2010 vintages of this layered, explosive, finessed red.

You’re not alone in your love of this classic Left Bank Bordeaux blend; it was sought after by the European royalty of the 19th century and today, Jeb Dunnuck didn’t hesitate to award the 2022 a 100-point score. Crafted from old vines, this red typically features around 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by a good portion of Merlot and smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Spending 18 months in 50% new oak, it’s rich yet refined with notes of cassis, florals, graphite, and tobacco hints in a concentrated, velvety mouth with a long, impressive finish. Easily able to be cellared for decades, so perfect both to enjoy now or join your collectible wines, Dunnuck wrote of the 2022, “it's as good a Cos d'Estournel as has ever been made”. The 2019 is also a commendable vintage.

Pontet-Canet is no stranger to the list of Westgarth Wines' favorite names. It appeared in both 2023 and last year, each time in the top five. The 2010 vintage received perfect scores from both Lisa Perrotti-Brown and James Suckling for its raisin cake notes, spice, balsamic, roasted nut, tobacco, and earthy hints in a medium to full body. Pontet-Canet produces some of the most sought-after Bordeaux, a fifth growth widely regarded as meriting a higher ranking. Plot-by-plot vinification and ageing for 16 to 20 months result in finessed, precise, Cabernet Sauvignon-led reds. Of the estate’s top-tier soils, Suckling wrote that Pontet-Canet displays “an amazing transparency that shows you all the elements of the wine's unique terroir”. The 2016 and 2022 are also recommended.

With roots dating to the mid-17th century, Léoville Las Cases is a Second Growth in Saint-Julien. You appreciated this classic Left Bank Bordeaux blend for its dense cassis, violet hints, cigar, and oaky tones, thanks to 18 to 20 months of oak ageing, in a full-bodied, precise, harmonious mouth with a long, impressive finish. You aren’t alone in your admiration of this red. The 2022 vintage garnered three perfect scores from William Kelley, James Suckling, and the Wine Cellar Insider team, with Kelly writing “this striking Saint-Julien really is one of the wines of the vintage”. The 2005 and 2018 are also outstanding examples of this classic blend.

A Californian icon, Dominus Estate, is noted for being founded around Napanook, one of Napa Valley’s earliest 19th-century vineyards, and for producing rich, deep Bordeaux-style reds with majority Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruit is dry-farmed to preserve water, a process that also promotes flavor concentration. This red was your second-favorite wine in 2025 for its tight core of black fruit, hot stone, iodine, and earthy hints in a full yet weightless body with seamless tannins and a velvety mouth. The 2018 received 100 points from both James Suckling (who described it as a “magic-carpet wine”) and Jeb Dunnuck, while the 2015 and 2016 are also notable vintages we’d highly recommend for your cellar.

For the third year running, one of the classic Champagnes takes the #1 slot in your list of favorite wines: Dom Perignon, with the 2008 vintage being particularly sought-after. This year garnered five near-perfect scores from critics that included Antonio Galloni, James Suckling, with the former describing it as “nothing short of magnificent”, and James Suckling calling it the “best Dom since 2002”. Showcasing baked apple tart, citrus, marzipan hints, and notes of honey, a touch of reduction, and its effervescent freshness adds to a great vintage and a consistent favorite for fans of bubbly. We can also suggest the legendary 2002, 2012, and 2013 Dom Perignon vintages.