Yesterday afternoon saw the release of Palmer. Officially a third growth, grouped with the super seconds, but behaving more like a first growth, the 2012 is actually a real contender to the crown of Margaux - if not the whole of Bordeaux. With very low yields - just 28 hl/ha - and a final blend of 48% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, this densely textured yet very polished wine has been causing quite a stir, and many tasters rated it above Chateau Margaux.

Just across the road, Gonzague Lurton's Durfort-Vivens will no doubt, once again, be the least expensive second growth on offer. This was their latest and fastest harvest to date and with two thirds of the vineyard now biodynamic it coped well with the difficult conditions. The wines here are never manipulated in order to show well early on but they develop beautifully with age. Gonzague's wife Claire Villars is hot on his heals: Haut-Bages Liberal is among the best values in Pauillac in 2012.

The pace of the campaign now seems to have slowed as the market awaits the release of Parker's scores. This could change everything... /AR

Offered subject to availability for shipment spring 2015

Halves & magnums £10 extra per 9 litre case; other formats on request