Hetre is the Cotes de Castillon estate of Jacques Thienpont and his wife Fiona Morrison MW. Jacques is the man behind Le Pin, the legendary Pomerol micro-chateau that redefined what a single hectare of Merlot could be worth. At Hetre, the couple apply the same obsessive attention to terroir and viticulture to a limestone-and-woodland site in Castillon, producing wines of genuine class at a fraction of the price. La Raison d'Hetre is the estate's second wine, and 2023 marks its first year of full organic certification.

This is a very approachable blend of 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc. Deeply coloured and medium-bodied, with a smoky, fruit-forward nose of dark berries, bramble and spice underscored by a subtle chalky minerality. Smooth and well-balanced on the palate, with gentle tannins, harmonious fruit-oak integration and a savoury, lingering finish that reflects the limestone terroir of Castillon.

Georgina Hindle of Decanter awarded 91 points: "Lovely fragrance on the nose, the Cabernet Franc leaping out of the glass. Silky smooth, with a nice combination of bright acidity and pure fruit. Lots of spiced edges and some herbal notes come through: thyme, mint and crushed stones. Easy, crisp, juicy, still with a bit of flesh. Very drinkable." Neal Martin of Vinous added 89 points, calling it "a classy second wine" with "pure and perfumed" fruit and "fine delineation."