Grand Vin Pte Ltd
Grand Vin Pte Ltd is a Singapore fine wine importer, distributor and retailer founded in 1996. It represents producers including Champagne Louis Roederer, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), E. Guigal, Domaine Faiveley and Hundred Acre, covering Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy among other regions, and sells to the hospitality trade as well as to collectors through its retail channel. It also carries a small range of spirits and Zalto glassware.
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- [1 Oct] An Elegant Escape to Provence at Atout Restaurant++ per pax Date & Time: Thursday, 1st October 2026. Dinner starts at 7.00pm Location: Atout Restaurant | 40C Harding Rd, Singapore 249548 Speaker(s): Christophe Coppola Renard (Global Brand Ambassador of Domaines OTT) and Patrick Heuberger (Chef-owner of Atout) Expect an unhurried, laughter-filled evening designed for true connoisseurs. We bring you a multi-course Provence-inspired menu curated by Chef Patrick, paired seamlessly with fine vintages from Domaines OTT. Throughout the night, Christophe will pull back the curtain on Domaines Ott's winemaking secrets, sharing stories of Provence’s most celebrated coastlines. Expect rare vintages, incredible food, and captivating conversation in Atout’s warm, welcoming setting. Featured Menu Domaines OTT By.OTT Rosé 2025 Cod Fish Rillette [ Fennel & Japanese Tomatoes Salad ] - Domaines OTT Clos Mireille Rosé 2024 Boston Lobster Squid Ink Pasta [ Fresh Prunes & Basil ] - Domaines OTT Chateau Romassan Bandol Rosé 2024 Pan Seared Atlantic Seabass Filet [ Sauce "Mouclade" ] - Domaines OTT Clos Mireille Blanc de Blancs 2023 Oven Roasted French Yellow Spring Chicken [ Lemon & Thyme Jus, Heirloom Baby Carrots ] - Housemade Mixed Berries Sorbet *Ticket collection is not required. Simply show your proof of purchase upon entry to event location. *Tickets purchased are non-refundable but transferableAsk about this
- [17 Oct] A Taste of Italy's Iconic Terroirs at Botanico, The Summerhouse++ per pax Date & Time: Saturday, 17th October 2026 | Starts at 7.00pm Location: Botanico, 43 Park Ln, Level 2 The Summerhouse, Singapore 798387 Speaker(s): Mr François Barel, Grand Vin's Head Educator Join us for a special dinner where carefully selected Italian wines are paired with European Fusion Grill’s signature gastronomic dishes. François, our head educator, will guide you through each course, unveiling the stories and perfect matches behind every glass and plate. Don’t miss this chance to experience Italy, one exquisite pairing at a time. Featured Menu Focaccia with Olive Tapenade - Montelliana Prosecco DOC Treviso Extra Dry Sashimi Grade Oysters [ Green Apple | Wasabi Tobikko | Smoked Dashi Vinaigrette ] - Nittardi Ad Astra Toscana Rosso 2022 Risotto Fungi [ Locally Farmed Mushrooms | Crispy Sage | Taleggio | Grana Padano ] (Live Station Set-up) - Pio Cesare Gavi DOCG 2024 Charcoal-Grilled Branzino [ Heirloom Tomato | Kalamata Olives | Capers | Aji Verde ] - Pinino Brunello di Montalcino DOC 2020 Wood-fire Black Angus Tenderloin [ Smoked Celeriac Puree | Grilled King Oyster Mushrooms | Porcini Red Wine Jus ] - Table Service Tiramisu [ Zabaglione | Port wine | Savoiardi | Mascarpone | Coco Powder ] *Ticket collection is not required. Simply show your proof of purchase upon entry to event location. *Tickets purchased are non-refundable but transferableAsk about this
- [23 Sep] A Symphony of Rhône at Morton’s Steakhouse++ per pax Date & Time: Wednesday, 23rd September 2026 | Starts at 7.00pm Location: Morton’s Steakhouse | 5 Raffles Ave. Level 3 Mandarin Oriental, S039797 Speaker(s): Clément Vivant, Regional Sales Manager, Southeast Asia; Grand Vin Representative An Exclusive E. Guigal Wine Dinner at Morton’s - For one night only, experience a bespoke multi-course menu paired with the majestic vintages of E. Guigal, one of the world's most revered winemaking dynasties. From vibrant, aromatic whites to velvety, full-bodied reds, each glass has been meticulously paired to illuminate the complex, bold flavors on your plate! Featured Menu E.Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2024 Tuna Tartare, Sliced Cucumber, Wanton Chips, Soy Caramel - E.Guigal Crozes Hermitage Rouge 2022 Oysters Garlic Butter - E.Guigal Saint Joseph Rouge 2021 Miso Seabass Baby Bak Choy, Miso Broth - E. Guigal Cote-Rotie Brune et Blonde 2021 Filet Mignon (6 oz) Truffles Mashed Potato, and Wild Mushroom with Miso Butter - Crème Brulee *Ticket collection is not required. Simply show your proof of purchase upon entry to event location. *Tickets purchased are non-refundable but transferableAsk about this
- [30 Sep] DOMAINES OTT - The 1955 Cru Classé Dinner at L’AMO Bistrò del Mare, METT Hotel++ per pax Date & Time: Wednesday, 30th September 2026 | Champagne reception from 6:45 pm, Dinner served from 7:15 pm Location: L’AMO Bistrò del Mare at METT Hotel | 11 Canning Walk, Singapore 178881 Speaker(s): Christophe Coppola Renard (Global Brand Ambassador of Domaines OTT), Chef Daniele Sperindio (Director of Culinary & F&B at METT Singapore), Shailen Majithia (Curator & Aficionado The Art of Rosé Series) Join us for an exclusive five-course dinner showcasing Domaines Ott, the iconic Provençal rosé from the house of Louis Roederer. Both of its estates, Clos Mireille and Château de Selle are distinguished among the 1955 Cru Classé of Côtes de Provence. This exceptional evening brings together Christophe of Domaines Ott, Chef Daniele of L’Amo at Mett Hotel, and Shailen, curator of The Art of Rosé Series in Singapore. Together, they will present a thoughtfully curated menu designed to complement the elegance, vibrant acidity, and delicate character of Ott’s signature Grenache–Cinsault blend. Limited seats are available reserve now to experience this rare convergence of Provençal heritage and culinary artistry! Featured Menu -Amuse-Bouche- Tartelletta di Zucca, Caprino e Salvia [ Delica pumpkin tartlet, fresh goat cheese, sage ] (D, G, V) Louis Roederer Collection 246 Brut MV -Starter- Crudo di Ricciola, Uva e Mandorla [ Kingfish crudo, Muscat grapes, shaved fennel, almond milk, fig-leaf oil, verjus ] (F, N) BY.OTT Rosé 2025 -Pasta- Gnocchetti Sardi al Granchio [ Blue swimmer crab, braised leek, marjoram, shellfish butter ] (D, G, S) Clos Mireille Rosé 2024 Château de Selle Rosé 2024 Château Romassan Rosé 2024 -Main Course- Anatra, Radicchio e Prugna [ Roasted duck breast, radicchio, plum mostarda, eggplant caviar, duck jus ] (D) Etoile Rosé 2023 -Dessert- Crostata di Fichi, Noci e Gorgonzola [ Fresh fig tart, walnut cream, caramelised milk, Gorgonzola gelato ] (D, G, N, V) Ramos Pinto Tawny Reserva Adriano *Ticket collection is not required. Simply show your proof of purchase upon entry to event location. *Tickets purchased are non-refundable but transferableAsk about this
- [Bundle] 1x 2023 Jean-Marie Fourrier Chambertin Grand Cru + 2x 2023 Jean Marie Fourrier Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru La Perriere — *Arriving Q3 2025This bundle consists of: 1x 2023 Jean-Marie Fourrier Chambertin Grand Cru 2x 2023 Jean-Marie Fourrier Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru La Perriere *Arriving Q3 2025Ask about this
- 2nd Pez — 2021The second wine of Château de Pez. A jovial, lively character! Bordeaux, Saint-Estèphe, laid-back and relaxed. The pleasure of a glass of wine, fruity and smooth. Winemaker notes The wine is fresh, rich and well-balanced on the palate with a precise finish underpinned by delicious tannins. 2021 James Suckling 88-89: A firm and racy wine with blackberry and orange-peel aromas and flavors. Tangy acidity and a bright finish. Vinous 88-90: The 2021 2nd Pez is a rich, full bodied Saint-Estèphe. Cedar, tobacco, savory herbs, leather and menthol build in a deep Saint-Estèphe endowed with real presence. Technical Director Nicolas Glumineau calls the 2nd a 'bistro wine.' It will be a pretty great bistro. This is terrific for a second wine. Decanter 89: Herbal blackcurrant nose, really very Cabernet. The palate is lively with lots of buzzy, zippy fruit. Quite high-toned black fruits with creamy edges, this is youthful and perky, balanced but with a sense of fun to the black cherry and raspberry fruit. Smooth with St-Estèphe typicity so you get a touch of minty, mineral austerity on the finish - real terroir signature. The acidity is apparent, so the fruit feels a little austere but there's plenty of layers to this. Ageing will bring softness and harmony. The third vintage - since its introduction in 2019 - to take young-vine fruit. 2023 Wine Advocate 90: The 2023 Carmes de Rieussec has turned out very well, revealing aromas of white flowers, grapefruit, pineapple and orchard fruits. Medium- to full-bodied, elegant and subtly minty, it is juicy and seamless, offering good depth at the core and concluding with a perfumed, ethereal finish.Ask about this
- 2nd Pez 1500ml — 2020The second wine of Château de Pez. A jovial, lively character! Bordeaux, Saint-Estèphe, laid-back and relaxed. The pleasure of a glass of wine, fruity and smooth. Winemaker notes The wine is fresh, rich and well-balanced on the palate with a precise finish underpinned by delicious tannins. 2020 James Suckling 90-91: A medium-bodied red with blackberries and walnuts and some chocolate and wet-earth undertones. Juicy and approachable already. Decanter 92: Herbs, aniseed and liquorice combined with red and black fruits. Generous, friendly, juicy, supple, but nicely textured and with a lovely balance. Creamy, chalky and also austere, with bright red fruits, acidity and a texture which lingers on the tongue. It’s not plush or mouthfilling, but it is pronounced and gives the gentle definition to the palate. There’s a nice ease to this while still putting you in St-Estèphe. Nothing complex or harsh - such easy drinking. You have the tannins, you have the grip, but it’s gentle, chalky, calm and comfortable. A great value wine. Aged for 12 months, one-third new oak.1500mlAsk about this
- Adrien Renoir Cuvee Le TerroirTasting notes Wine Advocate 93+: Renoir's new NV Extra-Brut Grand Cru Le Terroir has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet pear, orange, white flowers and buttery pasty, followed by a medium to full-bodied, pillowy and vinous palate with a concentrated core of fruit and a racy, chiseled profile, animated by a refined pinpoint mousse.Ask about this
- Aile D'Argent Blanc — 20222022 James Suckling 96-97: So vibrant and minerally with salt and dried apple, peach and pears. Medium to full body. Creamy texture. Some phenolics. Dried fruit skin. Vivid acidity. 3.18 pH. 52% sauvignon blanc, 39% semillon, 8% sauvignon gris, and 1% muscadelle. Vinous 88-91: The 2022 Aile d'Argent (which has been bottled under Diam 30 since 2017) has a silvery hue. It is a little contained on the nose compared to some other Médoc whites, gradually opening with beeswax and honeysuckle scents. The palate is well balanced, with crisp acidity, an attractive waxy texture thanks to the Sémillon, with a little oiliness toward the finish. Very fine.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Chambolle Musigny — 20232023 Burghound 88-91: This is also aromatically fresh and bright with its essence of lightly spiced red berries. In the same fashion as the Bourgogne, the mouthfeel of the medium weight flavors is moderately robust, serious and powerful before terminating in a firm and lingering finish that flirts with rusticity.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru — 20242020 Burghound 93-95: This is also aromatically quite spicy with its combination of ripe and fresh black cherry, leather and warm earth aromas. There is once again excellent density to the big-bodied, equally muscular and quite powerful flavors that possess equally impressive depth and persistence on the very firmly structured and youthfully austere finale. Here too ample patience is advised. Wine Advocate 93-95: Revealing aromas of plummy fruit mingled with peonies, rose petals, orange rind, exotic spices and incense, the 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru is full-bodied, layered and textural, with a deep, concentrated core, bright acids and velvety structuring tannins. Concluding with a long, perfumed finish, it's another classic in the making. Vinous 94-96: The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a very well-defined bouquet, quite mineral-driven with crushed rock and pressed iris flower combined with dark cherry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, very focused with quite a strict and saline finish. There is a sense of class here and it has the substance to age well in bottle. Decanter 97: A wine with a rich cassis fruit, where mineral and earth notes come through. There is great purity of fruit allied to a superbly silky, voluptuous texture. Hudelot-Noëllat is always among my favourite wines from the Clos. The domaine owns a superb 0.70ha at the top of the slope in the lieux-dits of Chioures and La Garenne. Charles van Canneyt was careful to ensure he didn't over-extract: 'We didn't want to do the 2005 vintage over again,' he says. This year, he has succeeded brilliantly. 2023 Burghound 90-93: A whiff of herbal tea sits atop the earthy humus-tinged aromas of mostly red berries and all but inviable oak. The vibrant and detailed, if not especially dense, medium weight flavors flash focused power and excellent length on the somewhat raspy but not really astringent finish. This is on the awkward side today and it's hard to say if it will better harmonize with age though my projected range offers the benefit of the doubt. Wine Advocate 92-94: The 2023 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru opens in the glass with aromas of sweet berries, confit orange and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's a textural, creamy wine with ripe tannins and a spicy, perfumed finish. Vinous 93-95: The 2023 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a slight richer bouquet than the domaine's other cuvées. It has fine delineation and poise, with violet and iris flower notes infusing the dark cherry fruit tones. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, saturated tannins. It's silky smooth but the acidity keeps this on its poise. This is open with hints of blood orange toward the finish. This exudes class.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Meursault Clos des Ecoles — 20232022 Wine Advocate 90: Bursting with aromas of pear, sweet citrus fruit, toasted nuts and spices, the 2022 Meursault Clos des Ecoles is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with lively acids and a complex, gently oak-inflected finish. 2023 Vinous 86-88: The 2023 Meursault Clos des École has quite a honeyed bouquet that feels just a little late-picked. The palate is sweet and again, a little honeyed on the entry, with low acidity. It's open with a charming brioche- and orange pith-tinged finish. This is early-drinking.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Meursault Clos des Ecoles — 20242022 Wine Advocate 90: Bursting with aromas of pear, sweet citrus fruit, toasted nuts and spices, the 2022 Meursault Clos des Ecoles is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with lively acids and a complex, gently oak-inflected finish. 2023 Vinous 86-88: The 2023 Meursault Clos des École has quite a honeyed bouquet that feels just a little late-picked. The palate is sweet and again, a little honeyed on the entry, with low acidity. It's open with a charming brioche- and orange pith-tinged finish. This is early-drinking.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat NSG les Murgers — 20202020 Burghound 92-94 ♥: An interestingly mix is comprised by notes of earth, spice, ripe dark currant and wisps of the sauvage plus a floral top note. The rich and highly energetic larger-scaled flavors possess excellent mid-palate density that coats the palate with sappy dry extract and buffers the very firm tannic spine shaping the intensely mineral-driven, compact and quite serious finale. This is potentially excellent, and better than usual, but patience advised. Wine Advocate 92-94: The 2020 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Murgers unwinds in the glass with aromas of cassis, cherries, dark berries, loamy soil, warm spices and orange rind. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and textural, its broad attack segues into a deep, layered and lively core, concluding with a saline finish.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Richebourg Grand Cru — 202470 years - These Grand Cru reds are very often able to age beautifully. As a general rule, they are not meant to be enjoyed for at least ten years. Sometimes 20 to 30 years. These vibrant reds express all the subtlety and complexity of Burgundian Pinot Noir. Brilliant color: dark ruby, turning carmine with age. A full bouquet of red and black berries, violet, spices, and undergrowth develops over time. On the palate, a clean and powerful body, delicate and sensual, straightforward and complete.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Romanee St Vivant Grand Cru — 20152015 Burghound 93-95: This is both more elegant but also more restrained with its cool red cherry, sandalwood, tea and various floral scents. The lilting, silky and pure middle weight flavors possess a gorgeously refined mouth feel as the supporting tannins are dense but notably fine-grained on the beautifully focused, balanced and lingering finish. This will be approachable young but age quite well too. Wine Advocate 96: The 2015 Romanée Saint-Vivant Grand Cru from Domaine Hudelot-Noëllat is exceptional, bursting from the glass with notes of cherries, wild berries, exotic spice, dried flowers and orange rind. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated and authoritative, built around a bright line of acidity and a fine-grained chassis of satiny tannins. The finish is long, fragrant and racy. Vinous 95: Full, bright red. Alluring aromas of black cherry, raspberry, cocoa powder, licorice and violet hint at the exotic side of the vintage. Wonderfully silky-sweet on the palate, but with its plush, seamless texture given shape by surprising harmonious acidity. This is deceptively accessible today owing to its sheer sucrosité and pliancy, and its utterly suave tannins, but the extremely long finish shows an exhilarating sappiness that suggests this wine will evolve slowly and gracefully in bottle. 2023 Burghound 92-95: Here the elegant nose is cool, airy and beautifully layered with its essence of red cherry, violet, Asian-style tea and hoisin scents. The lacy, even silky, textured middle weight flavors are shaped by wonderfully fine-grained tannins on the moderately austere, balanced and impressively long finale. This does need to develop better depth but that should simply be a matter of exercising some patience. Wine Advocate 93-95: The 2023 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru is deep and structured, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, burning embers, orange zest, petals and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a dense core of fruit framed by powdery structuring tannins, even in this vintage it will demand a little patience. Vinous 96-98: The 2023 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru was the last cuvée to finish its malo. This has a compelling mineral-driven bouquet with intense red berry fruit, razor-sharp delineation and poise. It's perhaps a level-up from the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with a plush entry. It's velvety smooth in texture, with a patina of oak to be subsumed, but there is plenty of weight on the finish and a wonderful peppery aftertaste. It's one of the more powerful wines from the domaine, but it will give many years of pleasure. This is fabulous.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Romanee St Vivant Grand Cru — 20232015 Burghound 93-95: This is both more elegant but also more restrained with its cool red cherry, sandalwood, tea and various floral scents. The lilting, silky and pure middle weight flavors possess a gorgeously refined mouth feel as the supporting tannins are dense but notably fine-grained on the beautifully focused, balanced and lingering finish. This will be approachable young but age quite well too. Wine Advocate 96: The 2015 Romanée Saint-Vivant Grand Cru from Domaine Hudelot-Noëllat is exceptional, bursting from the glass with notes of cherries, wild berries, exotic spice, dried flowers and orange rind. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated and authoritative, built around a bright line of acidity and a fine-grained chassis of satiny tannins. The finish is long, fragrant and racy. Vinous 95: Full, bright red. Alluring aromas of black cherry, raspberry, cocoa powder, licorice and violet hint at the exotic side of the vintage. Wonderfully silky-sweet on the palate, but with its plush, seamless texture given shape by surprising harmonious acidity. This is deceptively accessible today owing to its sheer sucrosité and pliancy, and its utterly suave tannins, but the extremely long finish shows an exhilarating sappiness that suggests this wine will evolve slowly and gracefully in bottle. 2023 Burghound 92-95: Here the elegant nose is cool, airy and beautifully layered with its essence of red cherry, violet, Asian-style tea and hoisin scents. The lacy, even silky, textured middle weight flavors are shaped by wonderfully fine-grained tannins on the moderately austere, balanced and impressively long finale. This does need to develop better depth but that should simply be a matter of exercising some patience. Wine Advocate 93-95: The 2023 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru is deep and structured, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, burning embers, orange zest, petals and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a dense core of fruit framed by powdery structuring tannins, even in this vintage it will demand a little patience. Vinous 96-98: The 2023 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru was the last cuvée to finish its malo. This has a compelling mineral-driven bouquet with intense red berry fruit, razor-sharp delineation and poise. It's perhaps a level-up from the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with a plush entry. It's velvety smooth in texture, with a patina of oak to be subsumed, but there is plenty of weight on the finish and a wonderful peppery aftertaste. It's one of the more powerful wines from the domaine, but it will give many years of pleasure. This is fabulous.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Romanee St Vivant Grand Cru — 20242015 Burghound 93-95: This is both more elegant but also more restrained with its cool red cherry, sandalwood, tea and various floral scents. The lilting, silky and pure middle weight flavors possess a gorgeously refined mouth feel as the supporting tannins are dense but notably fine-grained on the beautifully focused, balanced and lingering finish. This will be approachable young but age quite well too. Wine Advocate 96: The 2015 Romanée Saint-Vivant Grand Cru from Domaine Hudelot-Noëllat is exceptional, bursting from the glass with notes of cherries, wild berries, exotic spice, dried flowers and orange rind. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated and authoritative, built around a bright line of acidity and a fine-grained chassis of satiny tannins. The finish is long, fragrant and racy. Vinous 95: Full, bright red. Alluring aromas of black cherry, raspberry, cocoa powder, licorice and violet hint at the exotic side of the vintage. Wonderfully silky-sweet on the palate, but with its plush, seamless texture given shape by surprising harmonious acidity. This is deceptively accessible today owing to its sheer sucrosité and pliancy, and its utterly suave tannins, but the extremely long finish shows an exhilarating sappiness that suggests this wine will evolve slowly and gracefully in bottle. 2023 Burghound 92-95: Here the elegant nose is cool, airy and beautifully layered with its essence of red cherry, violet, Asian-style tea and hoisin scents. The lacy, even silky, textured middle weight flavors are shaped by wonderfully fine-grained tannins on the moderately austere, balanced and impressively long finale. This does need to develop better depth but that should simply be a matter of exercising some patience. Wine Advocate 93-95: The 2023 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru is deep and structured, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, burning embers, orange zest, petals and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a dense core of fruit framed by powdery structuring tannins, even in this vintage it will demand a little patience. Vinous 96-98: The 2023 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru was the last cuvée to finish its malo. This has a compelling mineral-driven bouquet with intense red berry fruit, razor-sharp delineation and poise. It's perhaps a level-up from the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with a plush entry. It's velvety smooth in texture, with a patina of oak to be subsumed, but there is plenty of weight on the finish and a wonderful peppery aftertaste. It's one of the more powerful wines from the domaine, but it will give many years of pleasure. This is fabulous.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Vosne Romanee — 20232023 Burghound 89-91♥: An exuberantly spicy nose features notes of poached plum, black cherry, exotic tea and a whiff of oak. The vibrant, well-detailed and utterly delicious medium-bodied flavors also conclude in a moderately robust and lingering but not rustic finale. Even so, this solid effort is definitely fashioned in a bigger and more powerful style than is typical for Hudelot.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Vosne Romanee — 2024 *Arriving Q3 20262023 Burghound 89-91♥: An exuberantly spicy nose features notes of poached plum, black cherry, exotic tea and a whiff of oak. The vibrant, well-detailed and utterly delicious medium-bodied flavors also conclude in a moderately robust and lingering but not rustic finale. Even so, this solid effort is definitely fashioned in a bigger and more powerful style than is typical for Hudelot.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Suchots — 20152015 Burghound 91-94♥: Discreet but not invisible wood serves as a relatively neutral backdrop for the exuberantly spicy aromas soy, hoisin, black raspberry, plum and floral scents. The generously proportioned and amply rich medium-bodied flavors brim with dry extract that imparts a sappy mouth feel to the velvety but firm and serious finale that makes clear this is going to require extended cellaring. In sum, this is an excellent Suchots. Wine Advocate 93: The 2015 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots (which hails from a parcel planted in 1910) is excellent, opening in the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis, cherry, smoked duck and burnt orange, elegantly framed by a discrete application of new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, silky and ample, with serious depth and dimension, juicy acids and ripe, fine-grained tannins. While its serious structural chassis is nicely cloaked in concentrated fruit, this Suchots will benefit from a good decade of bottle age. Vinous 91-94 (this vineyard was planted about a hundred years ago, and features a high percentage of millerandage): Bright, dark red. Very ripe but reticent aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and dark chocolate. Densely packed, very ripe, broad and fine-grained but showing little in the way of easy sweetness in the early going. Like the Chambolle Charmes, this is quite closed today and not yet showing its inherent complexity. But the wine's richness of material is already clear. Finishes with substantial tannic clout. "Always a blacker, denser wine than the Beaumonts," notes van Canneyt.Ask about this
- Alain Hudelot-Noellat Vougeot 1er cru Les Petits Vougeot — 20202020 Burghound 91-93 ♥: Cool, airy and admirably pure aromas of dark cherry, spice and floral nuances complement the refined and exceptionally intense medium-bodied flavors that also exude a bracing salinity on the youthfully austere but quite stylish finish. This is a classic LPV that is firm enough to reward a decade plus of cellaring. Wine Advocate 91-93: Aromatically deeper pitched than usual, the 2020 Vougeot 1er Cru Les Petits Vougeot offers up aromas of raspberries, plums, sweet spices and orange rind. Medium to full-bodied, ample and enveloping, with a lively core of fruit and a long, saline finish, it's a worthy follow-up to the 2019. Decanter 94: Very fragrant black fruit, candied red fruit and touches of chocolate. Suave, textured palate with a pastry finish. Already very appealing but will age well. A great premier cru from a great estate.Ask about this
- Albert Bichot Domaine du Clos Frantin Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Malconsorts — 2017Winemaker notes The nose is fine and complex with delicate primary aromas enhanced by a subtle touch of oak. Soft, fruity notes end on a spicy finish. After a few minutes, subtle notes of peppermint and cedar develop. On the palate, all the crispiness of Pinot Noir with very pleasing, smooth, mouth-filling tannic texture. 2017 Wine Advocate 86-88: The 2017 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Malconsorts offers up aromas of earthy currant fruit and spicy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample wine that's both chewy and open-knit. It falls short of what one expects of a Malconsorts. James Suckling 94: A fragrant and complex Vosne-Romanée with deep black-cherry and floral notes on the nose. Then comes the rich and very elegant palate, the tannins almost completely masked by the fruit, until you reach the very powerful yet polished finish. Try in 2023.Ask about this
- Aldo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Conca Tre Pile DOC — 2019The “Conca Tre Pile” is a hilly area in Bussia Soprana whose main vines are Barbera’s with vineyards having a maximum age of 45 years. 2019 Wine Spectator 90: This fluid, focused red is hallmarked by black cherry, black currant and violet aromas and flavors. Well-balanced and enjoyable now, yet with the structure to develop over the next five years.Ask about this
- Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Cicala DOCG — 2017A ripe, dense, and well-proportioned Barolo for wine lovers who like it intense and powerful. This full-bodied wine will pair incredibly well with the succulent and flavourful Lion’s head meatball. Rich savory sauce with powerful yet refined Barolo. 2017 Wine Advocate 91: The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Cicala reveals a deep garnet color with some dark copper. Like the other 2017 wines from this celebrated producer, I can't help but suspect that these areas of Bussia suffered from the heat and some of the other weather challenges associated with this growing season. A clear note of overt ripeness comes across as dried strawberry or sweet crème de cassis. The finish is similarly weighed down by the fruit weight and oak tannins. James Suckling 96: Sweet berries and cherries with strawberries and flowers, such as violets and roses. Full-bodied, yet extremely refined and polished with beautiful finesse and length. Very long and intense. Drink after 2024. Wine Spectator 95: A solid, powerful style, this expressive red is well-marked by new oak, with plum, cherry, cigar box, menthol and sun-kissed hay flavors. Balanced and lively, with refined tannins and a long, spice-infused finish. 2018 James Suckling 95: Aromas of very ripe berries, together with touches of earthy spice and licorice and a hint of balsamic. Full-to medium-bodied and focused with firm, grainy but not chewy tannins that push the fruit and oak-spice through the long finish. Very nicely structured for the vintage. Give it a few years for the wine to blossom. Wine Spectator 95: Mulled plum, leather, sweet tobacco, camphor, tar and oak spice aromas and flavors show fine depth and intensity in this red, which boasts a broad, dense structure, with tannins that dominate the finish for now. Shows fine balance, length and complexity, but needs time.Ask about this
- Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Cicala DOCG — 2018A ripe, dense, and well-proportioned Barolo for wine lovers who like it intense and powerful. This full-bodied wine will pair incredibly well with the succulent and flavourful Lion’s head meatball. Rich savory sauce with powerful yet refined Barolo. 2017 Wine Advocate 91: The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Cicala reveals a deep garnet color with some dark copper. Like the other 2017 wines from this celebrated producer, I can't help but suspect that these areas of Bussia suffered from the heat and some of the other weather challenges associated with this growing season. A clear note of overt ripeness comes across as dried strawberry or sweet crème de cassis. The finish is similarly weighed down by the fruit weight and oak tannins. James Suckling 96: Sweet berries and cherries with strawberries and flowers, such as violets and roses. Full-bodied, yet extremely refined and polished with beautiful finesse and length. Very long and intense. Drink after 2024. Wine Spectator 95: A solid, powerful style, this expressive red is well-marked by new oak, with plum, cherry, cigar box, menthol and sun-kissed hay flavors. Balanced and lively, with refined tannins and a long, spice-infused finish. 2018 James Suckling 95: Aromas of very ripe berries, together with touches of earthy spice and licorice and a hint of balsamic. Full-to medium-bodied and focused with firm, grainy but not chewy tannins that push the fruit and oak-spice through the long finish. Very nicely structured for the vintage. Give it a few years for the wine to blossom. Wine Spectator 95: Mulled plum, leather, sweet tobacco, camphor, tar and oak spice aromas and flavors show fine depth and intensity in this red, which boasts a broad, dense structure, with tannins that dominate the finish for now. Shows fine balance, length and complexity, but needs time.Ask about this
- Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Colonnello DOCG — 2018The vineyard “Colonnello” is about 40-45 years old and, to maintain it, the vines are replanted from time to time. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit and plum, but it also shows a solid framing of iron ore and dark stony mineral. These give the wine greater lift and contoured edges. 2018 James Suckling 96: A tight nose, but the aromas of dark-red berries and violets are very pretty. Some nice forest-floor notes blend in well. Full-bodied with very well-formed tannins that show both polish and finesse, providing a solid backbone to the wine, but without being chewy. The finish is long and controlled, guided by the super tannins. Excellent winemaking. They got the best out of the vintage here. Wine Spectator 94: Sun-kissed hay, cherry, plum, iron and tar flavors are the highlights of this expressive red. Dense and firmly structured, with a tightly knit, tannic finish. 2019 James Suckling 97: Freshly cut flowers with strawberry, peach and orange peel aromas that follow through to a full body with layers of velvety tannins, that have a fine texture and give a refined yet voluptuous mouthfeel. It shows class and harmony for this tannic vintage. Vinous 92: The 2019 Barolo Colonnello from Aldo Conterno is a dark, somber wine. Black cherry, plum, mocha, spice, leather, gravel and a kiss of French oak add to an impression of gravitas. The 2019 possesses a deep core of fruit and the structure to match. Today, it is a bit imposing. A few years in bottle should do the trick. Decanter 97: Tenuta Favot, Aldo Conterno's winery, is one of the most splendid estates in the Langhe. The Colonnello vineyard is a 45- to 50-year-old Nebbiolo in Bussia Soprana. The wine is fermented in stainless steel then aged for 28 months in 25hl Slavonian oak vessels which are replaced every five years. This 2019 has a prominent fennel and dill aroma, restrained strawberry and cherry fruit, dried flowers, and vibrant blood orange and graphite depth. Firm and crisp, it develops on the palate with super-refined, elegant and sweet tannins, and an oaky finish at the moment. Like all great wines, it could be drunk now but with more bottle ageing it will develop even more of this bracing complexity. Wine Spectator 96: There's a youthful exuberance to this polished red, as well as a good dose of new oak that frames the core cherry and raspberry fruit with notes of vanilla and sandalwood, plus a touch of coconut. The elegance, length and vigorous structure reveal this wine's full potential.Ask about this
- Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Colonnello DOCG — 2019The vineyard “Colonnello” is about 40-45 years old and, to maintain it, the vines are replanted from time to time. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit and plum, but it also shows a solid framing of iron ore and dark stony mineral. These give the wine greater lift and contoured edges. 2018 James Suckling 96: A tight nose, but the aromas of dark-red berries and violets are very pretty. Some nice forest-floor notes blend in well. Full-bodied with very well-formed tannins that show both polish and finesse, providing a solid backbone to the wine, but without being chewy. The finish is long and controlled, guided by the super tannins. Excellent winemaking. They got the best out of the vintage here. Wine Spectator 94: Sun-kissed hay, cherry, plum, iron and tar flavors are the highlights of this expressive red. Dense and firmly structured, with a tightly knit, tannic finish. 2019 James Suckling 97: Freshly cut flowers with strawberry, peach and orange peel aromas that follow through to a full body with layers of velvety tannins, that have a fine texture and give a refined yet voluptuous mouthfeel. It shows class and harmony for this tannic vintage. Vinous 92: The 2019 Barolo Colonnello from Aldo Conterno is a dark, somber wine. Black cherry, plum, mocha, spice, leather, gravel and a kiss of French oak add to an impression of gravitas. The 2019 possesses a deep core of fruit and the structure to match. Today, it is a bit imposing. A few years in bottle should do the trick. Decanter 97: Tenuta Favot, Aldo Conterno's winery, is one of the most splendid estates in the Langhe. The Colonnello vineyard is a 45- to 50-year-old Nebbiolo in Bussia Soprana. The wine is fermented in stainless steel then aged for 28 months in 25hl Slavonian oak vessels which are replaced every five years. This 2019 has a prominent fennel and dill aroma, restrained strawberry and cherry fruit, dried flowers, and vibrant blood orange and graphite depth. Firm and crisp, it develops on the palate with super-refined, elegant and sweet tannins, and an oaky finish at the moment. Like all great wines, it could be drunk now but with more bottle ageing it will develop even more of this bracing complexity. Wine Spectator 96: There's a youthful exuberance to this polished red, as well as a good dose of new oak that frames the core cherry and raspberry fruit with notes of vanilla and sandalwood, plus a touch of coconut. The elegance, length and vigorous structure reveal this wine's full potential.Ask about this
- Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia DOCG — 2019Medium-bodied with spicy fruit and mineral flavours, this wine shows a dark but strong quality of fruit that speaks more to the power of this nuanced side of Nebbiolo, slowly coming together to reveal broad layers of dark cherry, cassis and plum. Well-structured with its bright acidity and firm tannins. 2018 James Suckling 93: Pleasant dried red berries, pressed flowers and some brazil nut on the nose. Medium-bodied with spicy fruit flavors. The tannins are more in the back seat this year and this gives the mid-palate quite an open-knit mouth-feel. Finishes a little tighter with good fruit and spice. Wine Spectator 93: A ripe style, this reveals macerated plum, cherry, spice, hay, tobacco and mineral flavors. This has an elegant feel, despite the dense, refined tannins, with a lasting mouthwatering impression. 2019 James Suckling 94: I like the perfumed aromas here with lots of fresh roses to the cherry and strawberry character. Medium-bodied with tight and fine tannins that spread across the palate and deliver brightness and focus. Citrusy aftertaste. Give this four to five years of bottle age. Try after 2027. Vinous 92: The 2019 Barolo Bussia is redolent of crushed red berry fruit, cedar, mint, spice, sweet pipe tobacco and orange peel. Firm and sinewy, with veins of insistent supporting tannin, the 2019 is a terrific example of the vintage and this bottling. Impressive. And gorgeous. Give it a few years to soften.Ask about this
- Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Riserva Granbussia DOCG 1500ml — 2006The Barolo Reserve Granbussia is produced by blending grapes from the oldest vines, from the Romirasco, Cicala, and Colonnello, before fermentation starts, in the following percentages respectively: 70% - 15% - 15%. 2006 Wine Advocate 97: The 2006 Barolo Riserva Granbussia is exceedingly "Piemontese" in character. The wine follows in local tradition with a bouquet that is ethereal and fine, yet powerful and long-lasting at the same time. It is shy and reticent at first, but once it starts to open the wine seemingly never stops. There are notes of black fruit, spice, tar, licorice, pencil shaving and a touch of rusty nail. The wine shows beautiful finesse and will definitely endure a long and prosperous drinking window. The tannins show silky integration and there is an enormous push of power and persistence in the palate. James Suckling 95: A full-bodied red with muscular tannins and hints of dark chocolate, berries and minerals. Full body, chewy tannins and intensity. Fresh and precise. This is a blend of the top vineyards of Bussia. Almost three years in large wooden casks. A pretty, elegant 2006 that shows balance for a tannic vintage. About 4,000 bottles made. Vinous 96 (just 300 cases produced; a 70/15/15 blend of Romirasco, Colonnello and Cicala; 65 days on the skins): Good deep red. Ripe, classic Barolo aromas of black cherry, plum, menthol and mocha, plus a hint of exotic fruits; this seems more youthful on the nose than the 2009 Barolos here. Plush and broad in the mid-palate, with penetrating acidity and savory saline minerality giving the wine extraordinary grip. The great palate-staining finish features outstanding length and an exhilarating note of orange zest. Giacomo Conterno noted that there will be a Gran Bussia bottling from 2008, 2009 and 2010 but not from 2007 or 2011, explaining that Gran Bussia ""needs a classic vintage."" This was bottled in 2011 and will be released early next year.1500mlAsk about this
- Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Romirasco DOCG — 2017Vigna Romirasco is about 50-55 years old and the plants are replanted from time to time. The main variety of Nebbiolo is Lampia and the rootstock is Rupestris du Lot. Beautiful bursting notes of floral and dark cherries with a hint of leather. Met with an exciting palate with polished tannins and an endless finish. 2017 Wine Advocate 94: Opening to a dark color and robust consistency, the Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Romirasco is perhaps the most powerful of the four new releases reviewed here. Wearing broad shoulders and sporting a heavy gait over the palate, the wine sees a solid construction of dark berry and spicy or toasted oak aromas. There is a lot to behold in this bottle, and it definitely shows the potential to soften and relax with more cellar aging. However, you definitely need to put the bottle aside for many years. James Suckling 98: Lots of floral aromas, such as lilacs and roses, with crushed raspberries and strawberries. Sandalwood, too. Full-bodied and very powerful with incredible depth of fruit and chewy tannins. It goes on for minutes. Try after 2026. Wine Spectator 95: Though well-marked by new oak, there's a vibrant quality to this Barolo, along with cherry, raspberry, iron, tar and tobacco flavors. Supple, almost elegant, with a long, spicy aftertaste, this shows plenty of detail and energy. 2018 James Suckling 96: Pretty, floral nose, also offering mushroomy sous-bois notes that give this a real nebbiolo feel from the outset. Full-bodied with firm, fine tannins that are very polished and anchor the wine nicely. Love the focus here. This will need lots of time to evolve and meld together. Wine Spectator 95: Sweet, aromatic spices signal this supple, complex red, which is very elegant overall. Underneath the oak, cherry, plum, iron and menthol flavors are allied to a broad profile. This is solidly built and lingers with savory, spice and mineral elements. 2019 James Suckling 95: A perfumed and fresh Barolo with orange peel, lavender, and white lilac character. Some nutmeg. Full-bodied with chewy tannins yet they are fine and polished. Plenty of reserved character at the finish. Highlights the excellence of the vintage. Drink after 2026. Wine Spectator 97: The floral, cherry, strawberry and iron flavors are shaded by vanilla in this sleek, shimmering red. There's also a flash of black pepper as this builds on the palate to a long, salty aftertaste. Eucalyptus and tobacco round out the profile, backed by a solid structure. Falstaff 100: Intense flint ruby garnet with light rim. Intense nose with notes of white truffle, some leather, then blackberry, plum and dark cherry. Substantial and rich in attack and course, clearly worked out notes of raspberry and plum, dense, interwoven tannin with a silky core, spans a wide arc.Ask about this
- Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Romirasco DOCG — 2018Vigna Romirasco is about 50-55 years old and the plants are replanted from time to time. The main variety of Nebbiolo is Lampia and the rootstock is Rupestris du Lot. Beautiful bursting notes of floral and dark cherries with a hint of leather. Met with an exciting palate with polished tannins and an endless finish. 2017 Wine Advocate 94: Opening to a dark color and robust consistency, the Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Romirasco is perhaps the most powerful of the four new releases reviewed here. Wearing broad shoulders and sporting a heavy gait over the palate, the wine sees a solid construction of dark berry and spicy or toasted oak aromas. There is a lot to behold in this bottle, and it definitely shows the potential to soften and relax with more cellar aging. However, you definitely need to put the bottle aside for many years. James Suckling 98: Lots of floral aromas, such as lilacs and roses, with crushed raspberries and strawberries. Sandalwood, too. Full-bodied and very powerful with incredible depth of fruit and chewy tannins. It goes on for minutes. Try after 2026. Wine Spectator 95: Though well-marked by new oak, there's a vibrant quality to this Barolo, along with cherry, raspberry, iron, tar and tobacco flavors. Supple, almost elegant, with a long, spicy aftertaste, this shows plenty of detail and energy. 2018 James Suckling 96: Pretty, floral nose, also offering mushroomy sous-bois notes that give this a real nebbiolo feel from the outset. Full-bodied with firm, fine tannins that are very polished and anchor the wine nicely. Love the focus here. This will need lots of time to evolve and meld together. Wine Spectator 95: Sweet, aromatic spices signal this supple, complex red, which is very elegant overall. Underneath the oak, cherry, plum, iron and menthol flavors are allied to a broad profile. This is solidly built and lingers with savory, spice and mineral elements. 2019 James Suckling 95: A perfumed and fresh Barolo with orange peel, lavender, and white lilac character. Some nutmeg. Full-bodied with chewy tannins yet they are fine and polished. Plenty of reserved character at the finish. Highlights the excellence of the vintage. Drink after 2026. Wine Spectator 97: The floral, cherry, strawberry and iron flavors are shaded by vanilla in this sleek, shimmering red. There's also a flash of black pepper as this builds on the palate to a long, salty aftertaste. Eucalyptus and tobacco round out the profile, backed by a solid structure. Falstaff 100: Intense flint ruby garnet with light rim. Intense nose with notes of white truffle, some leather, then blackberry, plum and dark cherry. Substantial and rich in attack and course, clearly worked out notes of raspberry and plum, dense, interwoven tannin with a silky core, spans a wide arc.Ask about this
- Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Romirasco DOCG — 2019Vigna Romirasco is about 50-55 years old and the plants are replanted from time to time. The main variety of Nebbiolo is Lampia and the rootstock is Rupestris du Lot. Beautiful bursting notes of floral and dark cherries with a hint of leather. Met with an exciting palate with polished tannins and an endless finish. 2017 Wine Advocate 94: Opening to a dark color and robust consistency, the Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Romirasco is perhaps the most powerful of the four new releases reviewed here. Wearing broad shoulders and sporting a heavy gait over the palate, the wine sees a solid construction of dark berry and spicy or toasted oak aromas. There is a lot to behold in this bottle, and it definitely shows the potential to soften and relax with more cellar aging. However, you definitely need to put the bottle aside for many years. James Suckling 98: Lots of floral aromas, such as lilacs and roses, with crushed raspberries and strawberries. Sandalwood, too. Full-bodied and very powerful with incredible depth of fruit and chewy tannins. It goes on for minutes. Try after 2026. Wine Spectator 95: Though well-marked by new oak, there's a vibrant quality to this Barolo, along with cherry, raspberry, iron, tar and tobacco flavors. Supple, almost elegant, with a long, spicy aftertaste, this shows plenty of detail and energy. 2018 James Suckling 96: Pretty, floral nose, also offering mushroomy sous-bois notes that give this a real nebbiolo feel from the outset. Full-bodied with firm, fine tannins that are very polished and anchor the wine nicely. Love the focus here. This will need lots of time to evolve and meld together. Wine Spectator 95: Sweet, aromatic spices signal this supple, complex red, which is very elegant overall. Underneath the oak, cherry, plum, iron and menthol flavors are allied to a broad profile. This is solidly built and lingers with savory, spice and mineral elements. 2019 James Suckling 95: A perfumed and fresh Barolo with orange peel, lavender, and white lilac character. Some nutmeg. Full-bodied with chewy tannins yet they are fine and polished. Plenty of reserved character at the finish. Highlights the excellence of the vintage. Drink after 2026. Wine Spectator 97: The floral, cherry, strawberry and iron flavors are shaded by vanilla in this sleek, shimmering red. There's also a flash of black pepper as this builds on the palate to a long, salty aftertaste. Eucalyptus and tobacco round out the profile, backed by a solid structure. Falstaff 100: Intense flint ruby garnet with light rim. Intense nose with notes of white truffle, some leather, then blackberry, plum and dark cherry. Substantial and rich in attack and course, clearly worked out notes of raspberry and plum, dense, interwoven tannin with a silky core, spans a wide arc.Ask about this
- Aldo Conterno Barolo Riserva Granbussia DOCG — 2012The Barolo Reserve Granbussia is produced by blending grapes from the oldest vines, from the Romirasco, Cicala, and Colonnello, before fermentation starts, in the following percentages respectively: 70% - 15% - 15%. 2012 Wine Spectator 95: The earthy, woodsy aromas show some evolution in this red, with just a hint of white truffle, yet there's still a hefty dose of spicy oak to be resolved. Rich and sumptuous midpalate, showing plum, cherry, tar and tobacco flavors shaded by vanilla and toasty spices, with firm, dusty tannins laying a grip on the long finish. Give this another year or two in the cellar. 2013 Falstaff 97: Shiny, intense ruby with garnet glints. Very clear nose with intense fruit notes of dark raspberries and blackberries, a hint of ginger in the background. Substantial and gripping, truffles, plums and blackberries, dense, finely meshed tannin, great display, fine savouriness in the finish. Wine Spectator 97: The aromas alone—macerated cherry, plum, menthol, leather, licorice, black pepper and mineral—are worth the price of admission here. Slowly beginning to unfold, this red is still firm and less expressive on the palate, with the addition of oak spice notes. Nevertheless, this is complex, long and sophisticated, with a great future ahead. Best from 2024.Ask about this
- Aldo Conterno Barolo Riserva Granbussia DOCG — 2013The Barolo Reserve Granbussia is produced by blending grapes from the oldest vines, from the Romirasco, Cicala, and Colonnello, before fermentation starts, in the following percentages respectively: 70% - 15% - 15%. 2012 Wine Spectator 95: The earthy, woodsy aromas show some evolution in this red, with just a hint of white truffle, yet there's still a hefty dose of spicy oak to be resolved. Rich and sumptuous midpalate, showing plum, cherry, tar and tobacco flavors shaded by vanilla and toasty spices, with firm, dusty tannins laying a grip on the long finish. Give this another year or two in the cellar. 2013 Falstaff 97: Shiny, intense ruby with garnet glints. Very clear nose with intense fruit notes of dark raspberries and blackberries, a hint of ginger in the background. Substantial and gripping, truffles, plums and blackberries, dense, finely meshed tannin, great display, fine savouriness in the finish. Wine Spectator 97: The aromas alone—macerated cherry, plum, menthol, leather, licorice, black pepper and mineral—are worth the price of admission here. Slowly beginning to unfold, this red is still firm and less expressive on the palate, with the addition of oak spice notes. Nevertheless, this is complex, long and sophisticated, with a great future ahead. Best from 2024.Ask about this
- Almaviva — 2020Almaviva is translated as "Living Soul" in Spanish, "活灵魂" in Chinese. The label also pays homage to Chile's ancestral history, showing three reproductions of a stylised design which symbolises the vision of the earth and the cosmos in pre-hispanic civilisation. Made from a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties, in which Cabernet Sauvignon predominates, Almaviva is the result of a felicitous encounter between two cultures. Chile offers its soil, its climate and its vineyards, while France contributes its winemaking savoir-faire and traditions. The result is an exceptionally elegant and complex wine. Its launch was a major milestone in the development of Chilean wines, both in Chile itself and in the international market. 10-15 years potential ageing and beyond. Winemaker notes 2020: An appealing dark and vibrant ruby color. The nose is pure and layered, displaying a generous and elegant bouquet of blackberry, ripe cassis and wild strawberry, associated to mineral hints and delicate notes of violet, ink, vanilla and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine shows an outstanding balance, full of life, density and structure, roundness and savors. Refined, well ripened and coated tannins grant this wine a voluptuous texture, perfectly balanced by a great acidity, as the evolution leaves an impression of plenitude, length and harmony. An elegant and well-built wine from an excellent and memorable dry vintage. Barrel ageing: 20 months, French Oak (70% new). 2020 Wine Advocate 96: 2020 was exceptionally dry, with 75% less rain than usual in the period between May and September, which resulted in an earlier harvest to produce a 2020 Almaviva with 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère (from Peumo), 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, so with no Merlot this time. The process was as careful as possible, without using any bombs, doing manual and optical sorting of the grapes, pressing in small vertical presses and aging of 20 months in French oak barrels, 73% of them new and the rest second use. The wine reached good ripeness with 14.9% alcohol. It still shows the effect of the élevage a bit, with abundant notes of sweet spices, a creamy touch and some smoke. I tasted it next to the 2019, and the wines have a very similar aromatic palette with a clear note of baked peppers. What was amazing in 2020 was that they harvested the Carmenere almost five weeks earlier than they normally would, and the result is not a green wine at all. James Suckling 98: Fresh and deep nose, full of blueberries, minty cassis, mussels, cigars, dark spice and roasted sesame oak, which will need a year or two to fully integrate. A medium-to full-bodied Almaviva with supple, silky tannins and a wealth of black and blue fruit that provides a lot of charm now. Voluptuous and flattering on the palate, hallmarked by its tension and taut texture. Very long. This is the 25th anniversary bottling. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Falstaff 96: Deep dark ruby with purple reflections and an opaque core, slightly lighter at the rim. Attractive nuances of blackberry, cassis, sweet spices like vanilla and cinnamon, some nougat and some dried herbs. Very powerful, with ripe cherry, taut tannins that still demand some time, and a mineral touch and subtle fruit sweetness on the finish. Promising, and will benefit from bottle ageing. 2022 Wine Advocate 96: The 2022 Almaviva leads with a brooding, woody nose with savory, roasted pepper aromas and pleasing top notes of lavender and dried herbs. The palate is dense, luscious and staining, with considerable concentration and opulence. The finish continues this lush, layered opulence, concluding with supple, firm, unyielding tannins, welcomely braced with fresh acidity and herbal, methol-tinged flourishes. Despite its immediate richness, this is quite wound up, and it will take a few years to integrate its formidable tannins further. But it should be a joy to watch develop over the coming decade and beyond. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Carménère, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak. James Suckling 99: What fabulous perfumed aromas of lavender, blackcurrants, graphite, tapenade and hints of sweet tobacco. So complex and sophisticated. Medium- to full-bodied with tannins that have an incredible finesse and length. It goes on for minutes. It’s all about elegance and class. There’s harmony and freshness for a dry year. Seductive and so long. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 23% carmenere, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but one for the cellar. Drink from 2028. 2023 Wine Advocate 95: The 2023 Almaviva aromatically leads with its Carménère component in this vintage, featuring typical merkén spice notes blended with gravel dust, dried herbs and anise aromas, all set against a bright, red-fruited core. The palate is lush and velvety but supported by a lively, tensile spine, leading to a refined, sturdy finish that emphasizes lush fruit flavors, polished tannins and an oak-derived backdrop. This is a decidedly fruit-driven yet still elegant expression of Almaviva, and its one that will be accessible in its youth as more structured vintages continue to mature in the cellar. This blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot matured for 20 months in 73% new French oak. James Suckling 97: A refined wine showing lovely fruit with less verticality than the 2022, but here the magic is the roundness and smoothness, which is really poised. Subtle cedar, tobacco, olives and paprika on the nose. Sweet berries and fruit on the palate, with a medium to full body and a long, nuanced finish. More precise in terms of tannins this year, with immediate approachability. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 19% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. 73% new oak and the rest is second use. Drink from 2026. Vinous 96: The 2023 Blend Almaviva is composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Sourced from a warm, dry vintage, this reflects the character of the year, though the winery has managed it with notable finesse. The nose delivers aromas of lavender, violet and blood orange, followed by hints of plum, blackberry and soft spices. Generous and juicy on the palate, this offers enveloping volume, fine-grained tannins and a fresh, sustained finish. Exceptionally well-crafted for the vintage, the 2023 once again secures its place among the top wines of Puente Alto. Decanter 96: Rich and heady nose, some bell pepper aromatics with blackcurrant and milk chocolate, black pepper and floral scents. Glossy and thick, lots of flesh and power here with juicy black fruit. Great concentration but refined and focussed. There’s no shortage of power and precision - vertical and layered with mint, aniseed, menthol aspects, minerality and black fruit. Velvety but packing a punch. Give this a good few years but the structure and finesse is there. Classy and captivating - and mouthwateringly moreish. 3% Merlot completes the blend. A joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. Director Manuel Louzada, winemaker Michel Friou. 2024 Wine Advocate 98: The 2024 Almaviva ranks as the most impressive and definitive iteration of the wine I have tasted to date. The nose delivers a degree of nuance, refinement and complexity that other vintages have glimpsed but never fully attained, seamlessly fusing incense, pipe tobacco, sage, sweet red pepper and singed cedar aromas with impeccable harmony and a graceful overall nature. On the palate, a classically suave, gourmand mouthfeel is energized by an uncommon vibrancy, flowing into a reverberant, saturated finish that lingers with filigreed tannins and a strident core of graphite-laden minerality. The blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with about 25% Carmenère, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. James Suckling 98: The 2024 Almaviva shows subtle exuberance with its hallmark restrained sweetness, with good depth of complexity and generosity. A touch of cedar and tobacco with sweet currants, berries and subtlety. Round and medium- to full-bodied, with the depth of cabernet sauvignon marrying the sweet spices from the carmenere. Structured yet fine-grained and polished. Very long finish. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 24% carmenere, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drink after 2027. Vinous 97: The 2024 Almaviva (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carménére, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot) from Puente Alto was aged for 18 months in French oak, 76% new. It opens with a dark-fruited profile of blackberry and blueberry, layered with plum, balsamic notes, chutney-like spice, licorice and fine oak. The warm vintage reinforces this darker, riper aromatic register, in line with the estate's mature style. On the palate, Puente Alto's gravel soils and Andean setting play a defining role, delivering rounded, polished tannins and textural finesse. Broad and slightly indulgent, the wine shows fine, lightly plush yet still reactive tannins, as it was recently bottled, and sustains the finish with delicate fruit. Here, vintage and house style align, resulting in a poised and expressive 2024.Ask about this
- Almaviva — 2022Almaviva is translated as "Living Soul" in Spanish, "活灵魂" in Chinese. The label also pays homage to Chile's ancestral history, showing three reproductions of a stylised design which symbolises the vision of the earth and the cosmos in pre-hispanic civilisation. Made from a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties, in which Cabernet Sauvignon predominates, Almaviva is the result of a felicitous encounter between two cultures. Chile offers its soil, its climate and its vineyards, while France contributes its winemaking savoir-faire and traditions. The result is an exceptionally elegant and complex wine. Its launch was a major milestone in the development of Chilean wines, both in Chile itself and in the international market. 10-15 years potential ageing and beyond. Winemaker notes 2020: An appealing dark and vibrant ruby color. The nose is pure and layered, displaying a generous and elegant bouquet of blackberry, ripe cassis and wild strawberry, associated to mineral hints and delicate notes of violet, ink, vanilla and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine shows an outstanding balance, full of life, density and structure, roundness and savors. Refined, well ripened and coated tannins grant this wine a voluptuous texture, perfectly balanced by a great acidity, as the evolution leaves an impression of plenitude, length and harmony. An elegant and well-built wine from an excellent and memorable dry vintage. Barrel ageing: 20 months, French Oak (70% new). 2020 Wine Advocate 96: 2020 was exceptionally dry, with 75% less rain than usual in the period between May and September, which resulted in an earlier harvest to produce a 2020 Almaviva with 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère (from Peumo), 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, so with no Merlot this time. The process was as careful as possible, without using any bombs, doing manual and optical sorting of the grapes, pressing in small vertical presses and aging of 20 months in French oak barrels, 73% of them new and the rest second use. The wine reached good ripeness with 14.9% alcohol. It still shows the effect of the élevage a bit, with abundant notes of sweet spices, a creamy touch and some smoke. I tasted it next to the 2019, and the wines have a very similar aromatic palette with a clear note of baked peppers. What was amazing in 2020 was that they harvested the Carmenere almost five weeks earlier than they normally would, and the result is not a green wine at all. James Suckling 98: Fresh and deep nose, full of blueberries, minty cassis, mussels, cigars, dark spice and roasted sesame oak, which will need a year or two to fully integrate. A medium-to full-bodied Almaviva with supple, silky tannins and a wealth of black and blue fruit that provides a lot of charm now. Voluptuous and flattering on the palate, hallmarked by its tension and taut texture. Very long. This is the 25th anniversary bottling. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Falstaff 96: Deep dark ruby with purple reflections and an opaque core, slightly lighter at the rim. Attractive nuances of blackberry, cassis, sweet spices like vanilla and cinnamon, some nougat and some dried herbs. Very powerful, with ripe cherry, taut tannins that still demand some time, and a mineral touch and subtle fruit sweetness on the finish. Promising, and will benefit from bottle ageing. 2022 Wine Advocate 96: The 2022 Almaviva leads with a brooding, woody nose with savory, roasted pepper aromas and pleasing top notes of lavender and dried herbs. The palate is dense, luscious and staining, with considerable concentration and opulence. The finish continues this lush, layered opulence, concluding with supple, firm, unyielding tannins, welcomely braced with fresh acidity and herbal, methol-tinged flourishes. Despite its immediate richness, this is quite wound up, and it will take a few years to integrate its formidable tannins further. But it should be a joy to watch develop over the coming decade and beyond. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Carménère, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak. James Suckling 99: What fabulous perfumed aromas of lavender, blackcurrants, graphite, tapenade and hints of sweet tobacco. So complex and sophisticated. Medium- to full-bodied with tannins that have an incredible finesse and length. It goes on for minutes. It’s all about elegance and class. There’s harmony and freshness for a dry year. Seductive and so long. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 23% carmenere, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but one for the cellar. Drink from 2028. 2023 Wine Advocate 95: The 2023 Almaviva aromatically leads with its Carménère component in this vintage, featuring typical merkén spice notes blended with gravel dust, dried herbs and anise aromas, all set against a bright, red-fruited core. The palate is lush and velvety but supported by a lively, tensile spine, leading to a refined, sturdy finish that emphasizes lush fruit flavors, polished tannins and an oak-derived backdrop. This is a decidedly fruit-driven yet still elegant expression of Almaviva, and its one that will be accessible in its youth as more structured vintages continue to mature in the cellar. This blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot matured for 20 months in 73% new French oak. James Suckling 97: A refined wine showing lovely fruit with less verticality than the 2022, but here the magic is the roundness and smoothness, which is really poised. Subtle cedar, tobacco, olives and paprika on the nose. Sweet berries and fruit on the palate, with a medium to full body and a long, nuanced finish. More precise in terms of tannins this year, with immediate approachability. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 19% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. 73% new oak and the rest is second use. Drink from 2026. Vinous 96: The 2023 Blend Almaviva is composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Sourced from a warm, dry vintage, this reflects the character of the year, though the winery has managed it with notable finesse. The nose delivers aromas of lavender, violet and blood orange, followed by hints of plum, blackberry and soft spices. Generous and juicy on the palate, this offers enveloping volume, fine-grained tannins and a fresh, sustained finish. Exceptionally well-crafted for the vintage, the 2023 once again secures its place among the top wines of Puente Alto. Decanter 96: Rich and heady nose, some bell pepper aromatics with blackcurrant and milk chocolate, black pepper and floral scents. Glossy and thick, lots of flesh and power here with juicy black fruit. Great concentration but refined and focussed. There’s no shortage of power and precision - vertical and layered with mint, aniseed, menthol aspects, minerality and black fruit. Velvety but packing a punch. Give this a good few years but the structure and finesse is there. Classy and captivating - and mouthwateringly moreish. 3% Merlot completes the blend. A joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. Director Manuel Louzada, winemaker Michel Friou. 2024 Wine Advocate 98: The 2024 Almaviva ranks as the most impressive and definitive iteration of the wine I have tasted to date. The nose delivers a degree of nuance, refinement and complexity that other vintages have glimpsed but never fully attained, seamlessly fusing incense, pipe tobacco, sage, sweet red pepper and singed cedar aromas with impeccable harmony and a graceful overall nature. On the palate, a classically suave, gourmand mouthfeel is energized by an uncommon vibrancy, flowing into a reverberant, saturated finish that lingers with filigreed tannins and a strident core of graphite-laden minerality. The blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with about 25% Carmenère, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. James Suckling 98: The 2024 Almaviva shows subtle exuberance with its hallmark restrained sweetness, with good depth of complexity and generosity. A touch of cedar and tobacco with sweet currants, berries and subtlety. Round and medium- to full-bodied, with the depth of cabernet sauvignon marrying the sweet spices from the carmenere. Structured yet fine-grained and polished. Very long finish. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 24% carmenere, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drink after 2027. Vinous 97: The 2024 Almaviva (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carménére, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot) from Puente Alto was aged for 18 months in French oak, 76% new. It opens with a dark-fruited profile of blackberry and blueberry, layered with plum, balsamic notes, chutney-like spice, licorice and fine oak. The warm vintage reinforces this darker, riper aromatic register, in line with the estate's mature style. On the palate, Puente Alto's gravel soils and Andean setting play a defining role, delivering rounded, polished tannins and textural finesse. Broad and slightly indulgent, the wine shows fine, lightly plush yet still reactive tannins, as it was recently bottled, and sustains the finish with delicate fruit. Here, vintage and house style align, resulting in a poised and expressive 2024.Ask about this
- Almaviva — 2023Almaviva is translated as "Living Soul" in Spanish, "活灵魂" in Chinese. The label also pays homage to Chile's ancestral history, showing three reproductions of a stylised design which symbolises the vision of the earth and the cosmos in pre-hispanic civilisation. Made from a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties, in which Cabernet Sauvignon predominates, Almaviva is the result of a felicitous encounter between two cultures. Chile offers its soil, its climate and its vineyards, while France contributes its winemaking savoir-faire and traditions. The result is an exceptionally elegant and complex wine. Its launch was a major milestone in the development of Chilean wines, both in Chile itself and in the international market. 10-15 years potential ageing and beyond. Winemaker notes 2020: An appealing dark and vibrant ruby color. The nose is pure and layered, displaying a generous and elegant bouquet of blackberry, ripe cassis and wild strawberry, associated to mineral hints and delicate notes of violet, ink, vanilla and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine shows an outstanding balance, full of life, density and structure, roundness and savors. Refined, well ripened and coated tannins grant this wine a voluptuous texture, perfectly balanced by a great acidity, as the evolution leaves an impression of plenitude, length and harmony. An elegant and well-built wine from an excellent and memorable dry vintage. Barrel ageing: 20 months, French Oak (70% new). 2020 Wine Advocate 96: 2020 was exceptionally dry, with 75% less rain than usual in the period between May and September, which resulted in an earlier harvest to produce a 2020 Almaviva with 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère (from Peumo), 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, so with no Merlot this time. The process was as careful as possible, without using any bombs, doing manual and optical sorting of the grapes, pressing in small vertical presses and aging of 20 months in French oak barrels, 73% of them new and the rest second use. The wine reached good ripeness with 14.9% alcohol. It still shows the effect of the élevage a bit, with abundant notes of sweet spices, a creamy touch and some smoke. I tasted it next to the 2019, and the wines have a very similar aromatic palette with a clear note of baked peppers. What was amazing in 2020 was that they harvested the Carmenere almost five weeks earlier than they normally would, and the result is not a green wine at all. James Suckling 98: Fresh and deep nose, full of blueberries, minty cassis, mussels, cigars, dark spice and roasted sesame oak, which will need a year or two to fully integrate. A medium-to full-bodied Almaviva with supple, silky tannins and a wealth of black and blue fruit that provides a lot of charm now. Voluptuous and flattering on the palate, hallmarked by its tension and taut texture. Very long. This is the 25th anniversary bottling. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Falstaff 96: Deep dark ruby with purple reflections and an opaque core, slightly lighter at the rim. Attractive nuances of blackberry, cassis, sweet spices like vanilla and cinnamon, some nougat and some dried herbs. Very powerful, with ripe cherry, taut tannins that still demand some time, and a mineral touch and subtle fruit sweetness on the finish. Promising, and will benefit from bottle ageing. 2022 Wine Advocate 96: The 2022 Almaviva leads with a brooding, woody nose with savory, roasted pepper aromas and pleasing top notes of lavender and dried herbs. The palate is dense, luscious and staining, with considerable concentration and opulence. The finish continues this lush, layered opulence, concluding with supple, firm, unyielding tannins, welcomely braced with fresh acidity and herbal, methol-tinged flourishes. Despite its immediate richness, this is quite wound up, and it will take a few years to integrate its formidable tannins further. But it should be a joy to watch develop over the coming decade and beyond. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Carménère, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak. James Suckling 99: What fabulous perfumed aromas of lavender, blackcurrants, graphite, tapenade and hints of sweet tobacco. So complex and sophisticated. Medium- to full-bodied with tannins that have an incredible finesse and length. It goes on for minutes. It’s all about elegance and class. There’s harmony and freshness for a dry year. Seductive and so long. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 23% carmenere, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but one for the cellar. Drink from 2028. 2023 Wine Advocate 95: The 2023 Almaviva aromatically leads with its Carménère component in this vintage, featuring typical merkén spice notes blended with gravel dust, dried herbs and anise aromas, all set against a bright, red-fruited core. The palate is lush and velvety but supported by a lively, tensile spine, leading to a refined, sturdy finish that emphasizes lush fruit flavors, polished tannins and an oak-derived backdrop. This is a decidedly fruit-driven yet still elegant expression of Almaviva, and its one that will be accessible in its youth as more structured vintages continue to mature in the cellar. This blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot matured for 20 months in 73% new French oak. James Suckling 97: A refined wine showing lovely fruit with less verticality than the 2022, but here the magic is the roundness and smoothness, which is really poised. Subtle cedar, tobacco, olives and paprika on the nose. Sweet berries and fruit on the palate, with a medium to full body and a long, nuanced finish. More precise in terms of tannins this year, with immediate approachability. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 19% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. 73% new oak and the rest is second use. Drink from 2026. Vinous 96: The 2023 Blend Almaviva is composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Sourced from a warm, dry vintage, this reflects the character of the year, though the winery has managed it with notable finesse. The nose delivers aromas of lavender, violet and blood orange, followed by hints of plum, blackberry and soft spices. Generous and juicy on the palate, this offers enveloping volume, fine-grained tannins and a fresh, sustained finish. Exceptionally well-crafted for the vintage, the 2023 once again secures its place among the top wines of Puente Alto. Decanter 96: Rich and heady nose, some bell pepper aromatics with blackcurrant and milk chocolate, black pepper and floral scents. Glossy and thick, lots of flesh and power here with juicy black fruit. Great concentration but refined and focussed. There’s no shortage of power and precision - vertical and layered with mint, aniseed, menthol aspects, minerality and black fruit. Velvety but packing a punch. Give this a good few years but the structure and finesse is there. Classy and captivating - and mouthwateringly moreish. 3% Merlot completes the blend. A joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. Director Manuel Louzada, winemaker Michel Friou. 2024 Wine Advocate 98: The 2024 Almaviva ranks as the most impressive and definitive iteration of the wine I have tasted to date. The nose delivers a degree of nuance, refinement and complexity that other vintages have glimpsed but never fully attained, seamlessly fusing incense, pipe tobacco, sage, sweet red pepper and singed cedar aromas with impeccable harmony and a graceful overall nature. On the palate, a classically suave, gourmand mouthfeel is energized by an uncommon vibrancy, flowing into a reverberant, saturated finish that lingers with filigreed tannins and a strident core of graphite-laden minerality. The blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with about 25% Carmenère, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. James Suckling 98: The 2024 Almaviva shows subtle exuberance with its hallmark restrained sweetness, with good depth of complexity and generosity. A touch of cedar and tobacco with sweet currants, berries and subtlety. Round and medium- to full-bodied, with the depth of cabernet sauvignon marrying the sweet spices from the carmenere. Structured yet fine-grained and polished. Very long finish. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 24% carmenere, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drink after 2027. Vinous 97: The 2024 Almaviva (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carménére, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot) from Puente Alto was aged for 18 months in French oak, 76% new. It opens with a dark-fruited profile of blackberry and blueberry, layered with plum, balsamic notes, chutney-like spice, licorice and fine oak. The warm vintage reinforces this darker, riper aromatic register, in line with the estate's mature style. On the palate, Puente Alto's gravel soils and Andean setting play a defining role, delivering rounded, polished tannins and textural finesse. Broad and slightly indulgent, the wine shows fine, lightly plush yet still reactive tannins, as it was recently bottled, and sustains the finish with delicate fruit. Here, vintage and house style align, resulting in a poised and expressive 2024.Ask about this
- Almaviva — 2024 *Arriving Q1 2027Almaviva is translated as "Living Soul" in Spanish, "活灵魂" in Chinese. The label also pays homage to Chile's ancestral history, showing three reproductions of a stylised design which symbolises the vision of the earth and the cosmos in pre-hispanic civilisation. Made from a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties, in which Cabernet Sauvignon predominates, Almaviva is the result of a felicitous encounter between two cultures. Chile offers its soil, its climate and its vineyards, while France contributes its winemaking savoir-faire and traditions. The result is an exceptionally elegant and complex wine. Its launch was a major milestone in the development of Chilean wines, both in Chile itself and in the international market. 10-15 years potential ageing and beyond. Winemaker notes 2020: An appealing dark and vibrant ruby color. The nose is pure and layered, displaying a generous and elegant bouquet of blackberry, ripe cassis and wild strawberry, associated to mineral hints and delicate notes of violet, ink, vanilla and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine shows an outstanding balance, full of life, density and structure, roundness and savors. Refined, well ripened and coated tannins grant this wine a voluptuous texture, perfectly balanced by a great acidity, as the evolution leaves an impression of plenitude, length and harmony. An elegant and well-built wine from an excellent and memorable dry vintage. Barrel ageing: 20 months, French Oak (70% new). 2020 Wine Advocate 96: 2020 was exceptionally dry, with 75% less rain than usual in the period between May and September, which resulted in an earlier harvest to produce a 2020 Almaviva with 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère (from Peumo), 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, so with no Merlot this time. The process was as careful as possible, without using any bombs, doing manual and optical sorting of the grapes, pressing in small vertical presses and aging of 20 months in French oak barrels, 73% of them new and the rest second use. The wine reached good ripeness with 14.9% alcohol. It still shows the effect of the élevage a bit, with abundant notes of sweet spices, a creamy touch and some smoke. I tasted it next to the 2019, and the wines have a very similar aromatic palette with a clear note of baked peppers. What was amazing in 2020 was that they harvested the Carmenere almost five weeks earlier than they normally would, and the result is not a green wine at all. James Suckling 98: Fresh and deep nose, full of blueberries, minty cassis, mussels, cigars, dark spice and roasted sesame oak, which will need a year or two to fully integrate. A medium-to full-bodied Almaviva with supple, silky tannins and a wealth of black and blue fruit that provides a lot of charm now. Voluptuous and flattering on the palate, hallmarked by its tension and taut texture. Very long. This is the 25th anniversary bottling. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Falstaff 96: Deep dark ruby with purple reflections and an opaque core, slightly lighter at the rim. Attractive nuances of blackberry, cassis, sweet spices like vanilla and cinnamon, some nougat and some dried herbs. Very powerful, with ripe cherry, taut tannins that still demand some time, and a mineral touch and subtle fruit sweetness on the finish. Promising, and will benefit from bottle ageing. 2022 Wine Advocate 96: The 2022 Almaviva leads with a brooding, woody nose with savory, roasted pepper aromas and pleasing top notes of lavender and dried herbs. The palate is dense, luscious and staining, with considerable concentration and opulence. The finish continues this lush, layered opulence, concluding with supple, firm, unyielding tannins, welcomely braced with fresh acidity and herbal, methol-tinged flourishes. Despite its immediate richness, this is quite wound up, and it will take a few years to integrate its formidable tannins further. But it should be a joy to watch develop over the coming decade and beyond. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Carménère, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak. James Suckling 99: What fabulous perfumed aromas of lavender, blackcurrants, graphite, tapenade and hints of sweet tobacco. So complex and sophisticated. Medium- to full-bodied with tannins that have an incredible finesse and length. It goes on for minutes. It’s all about elegance and class. There’s harmony and freshness for a dry year. Seductive and so long. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 23% carmenere, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but one for the cellar. Drink from 2028. 2023 Wine Advocate 95: The 2023 Almaviva aromatically leads with its Carménère component in this vintage, featuring typical merkén spice notes blended with gravel dust, dried herbs and anise aromas, all set against a bright, red-fruited core. The palate is lush and velvety but supported by a lively, tensile spine, leading to a refined, sturdy finish that emphasizes lush fruit flavors, polished tannins and an oak-derived backdrop. This is a decidedly fruit-driven yet still elegant expression of Almaviva, and its one that will be accessible in its youth as more structured vintages continue to mature in the cellar. This blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot matured for 20 months in 73% new French oak. James Suckling 97: A refined wine showing lovely fruit with less verticality than the 2022, but here the magic is the roundness and smoothness, which is really poised. Subtle cedar, tobacco, olives and paprika on the nose. Sweet berries and fruit on the palate, with a medium to full body and a long, nuanced finish. More precise in terms of tannins this year, with immediate approachability. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 19% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. 73% new oak and the rest is second use. Drink from 2026. Vinous 96: The 2023 Blend Almaviva is composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Sourced from a warm, dry vintage, this reflects the character of the year, though the winery has managed it with notable finesse. The nose delivers aromas of lavender, violet and blood orange, followed by hints of plum, blackberry and soft spices. Generous and juicy on the palate, this offers enveloping volume, fine-grained tannins and a fresh, sustained finish. Exceptionally well-crafted for the vintage, the 2023 once again secures its place among the top wines of Puente Alto. Decanter 96: Rich and heady nose, some bell pepper aromatics with blackcurrant and milk chocolate, black pepper and floral scents. Glossy and thick, lots of flesh and power here with juicy black fruit. Great concentration but refined and focussed. There’s no shortage of power and precision - vertical and layered with mint, aniseed, menthol aspects, minerality and black fruit. Velvety but packing a punch. Give this a good few years but the structure and finesse is there. Classy and captivating - and mouthwateringly moreish. 3% Merlot completes the blend. A joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. Director Manuel Louzada, winemaker Michel Friou. 2024 Wine Advocate 98: The 2024 Almaviva ranks as the most impressive and definitive iteration of the wine I have tasted to date. The nose delivers a degree of nuance, refinement and complexity that other vintages have glimpsed but never fully attained, seamlessly fusing incense, pipe tobacco, sage, sweet red pepper and singed cedar aromas with impeccable harmony and a graceful overall nature. On the palate, a classically suave, gourmand mouthfeel is energized by an uncommon vibrancy, flowing into a reverberant, saturated finish that lingers with filigreed tannins and a strident core of graphite-laden minerality. The blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with about 25% Carmenère, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. James Suckling 98: The 2024 Almaviva shows subtle exuberance with its hallmark restrained sweetness, with good depth of complexity and generosity. A touch of cedar and tobacco with sweet currants, berries and subtlety. Round and medium- to full-bodied, with the depth of cabernet sauvignon marrying the sweet spices from the carmenere. Structured yet fine-grained and polished. Very long finish. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 24% carmenere, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drink after 2027. Vinous 97: The 2024 Almaviva (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carménére, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot) from Puente Alto was aged for 18 months in French oak, 76% new. It opens with a dark-fruited profile of blackberry and blueberry, layered with plum, balsamic notes, chutney-like spice, licorice and fine oak. The warm vintage reinforces this darker, riper aromatic register, in line with the estate's mature style. On the palate, Puente Alto's gravel soils and Andean setting play a defining role, delivering rounded, polished tannins and textural finesse. Broad and slightly indulgent, the wine shows fine, lightly plush yet still reactive tannins, as it was recently bottled, and sustains the finish with delicate fruit. Here, vintage and house style align, resulting in a poised and expressive 2024.Ask about this
- Altan d'Aussieres — 2020Altan is named after a wind that blows in from the sea. The grapes are selected from the plots at the base of the slopes that separate the property from the Mediterranean, thus benefiting from the breeze that brings freshness and humidity and tempers the sometimes dry, arid climate. These conditions allow the berries to maintain a good balance and to keep relatively fine skins. Winemaker notes A beautiful concentration of fruit and aromas, Altan d'Aussières is a generous, full-bodied wine that offers a complex palette of flavours from deep within the identity of our terroir, with scents of the garrigue (broom, rock rose), and aromatic herbs (thyme, sage, juniper and rosemary). The batches produced by carbonic maceration give the blend a creamy, velvety and yet firm structure, with an aromatic palette of fresh, very ripe fruit (crushed berries, strawberries). This complex mosaic is easily identifiable, constituting the very specific Corbières identity marker that we wanted to bring out with the techniques used in Altan’s production. Altan d'Aussières thus offers a harmonious expression from the moment it is opened and does not need further bottle ageing. 2020 Decanter 93 (World Wine Awards): Well made, juicy, and sleek, with brightness and restraint. Wild raspberries, red forest fruits, and some dark chocolate. Wine Enthusiast 89: The nose on this wine is inviting, with whiffs of vanilla and dark red fruit. The palate offers concentrated, ripe blackberry and strawberry, with medium tannin and a lingering finish.Ask about this
- Alter Ego de Palmer — 2021Alter Ego was launched with the 1998 vintage, driven by the idea of producing another facet to the estate. Spontaneous, round, generous, and silky, this 'other wine' is both intense and light, rich and delicate. It has the elegance and grain de tanin of its predecessor. Throughout its creation, Alter Ego is led by the same high standards that govern the composition of Château Palmer's great wine. 2019 Wine Advocate 91: Aromas of sweet cherries, raspberries, berry fruit liqueur, licorice and spices introduce the 2019 Alter Ego de Palmer, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping wine with lively acids, melting tannins and a lavish core of ripe, creamy fruit. It's more immediate than the more muscular, powerful grand vin. James Suckling 96: Intense aromas of blackcurrants, cedar and ripe tobacco with hints of violets, following through to a full-bodied palate with extremely refined tannins that are well-integrated into the wine and are long and subtle at the finish. Such precision and harmony with structure. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best after 2023. Vinous 93: The 2019 Alter Ego de Palmer has a classically styled bouquet featuring a mélange of red and black fruit, briar, hints of cedar, and a touch of black tea, all showing lovely delineation. The palate is fresh and vibrant, displaying a touch of sour cherry on the granular-textured opening. There is something very "old school" about this Alter Ego in contrast to the 2018. Very saline toward the finish, with good persistence. Wine Enthusiast 94: Finely perfumed, the wine has ripe tannins and well-crafted textures. The wine's black fruits are forward, showing complex structures and the promise of fine aging. This second wine of Château Palmer will age well. Drink from 2026. Organic and biodynamic. Falstaff 95: Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle edge brightening. Fine black berry fruit, nuances of cinnamon and oak, ripe heart cherry and notes of orange marmalade are in the background. Complex, juicy and elegant, finesse-rich structure, well-integrated tannins, salty minerality on the finish, has great freshness, sure development and certain ageing potential, but can already be drunk. Ten years ago, this would have been the quality of the Grand Vins... 2021 Wine Advocate 92: Bursting with aromas of blackberries, mint, violets and pencil shavings, the 2021 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with impressive density and ripeness for the vintage, its deep core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannin. Like the grand vin, it's a very strong effort this year. James Suckling 93: This bright wine has very pretty fruit, with al dente blackcurrants as well as minerals and clove-like spices. Medium body, crunchy and minerally. Vivid with some iodine too. Decanter 94: Quite a rich, dark heady nose, full of blackcurrants, bramble leaf, raspberry and some dried herbs with floral touches too. Smooth and supple, you can feel the concentration in the mouth but the texture is so silky and fresh too. Bursting with energy and brightness - the fruit has a ripe touch to it - plummy and blackcurrant but the acidity is great giving a real lean and direct frame to the wine and driving it from start to finish. Polished and very enjoyable still with lots of flavour. A real cool element to the dark fruit - it’s not rich and chewy and exuberant and plush, it’s streamlined but full of juicy brightness and then a slick wet slate touch to the finish. Perfumed all the way through with cola, blueberry and liquorice touches as well. Serious and layered. A successful second wine to match the gorgeous grand vin. Wine Enthusiast 95: Lush berry aromas and layers of wood give this second-label wine its rich character. It has black-pepper spice and solid tannins along with structured, opulent black fruits. Drink from 2027. 2022 Wine Advocate 93: The 2022 Alter Ego de Palmer is expressive, even exuberant, bursting with a sweet bouquet of ripe blackberries, minty plums and violets. Full-bodied, layered and velvety, it's suave and unctuous, with a pure, seamless profile. James Suckling 94: Opulent and rich, with luxurious, ripe blackberry and blackcurrant character. It's full-bodied and very layered, with soft, silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Creamy texture at the end. 51% merlot, 43% cabernet sauvignon and 6% petit verdot. This is delicious now, but will age nicely. Best after 2027. Vinous 92: The 2022 Alter Ego, bottled in late July, has a clean and precise bouquet, with touches of violet infusing the black fruit and a nose that you could describe as "cool, calm and collected." The palate is medium-bodied, stricter and more linear than expected, partly due to recent bottling. There is intensity here, a crisp texture and a very graphite-driven finish that lends it a Pauillac-like personality.Ask about this
- Alter Ego de Palmer — 2022Alter Ego was launched with the 1998 vintage, driven by the idea of producing another facet to the estate. Spontaneous, round, generous, and silky, this 'other wine' is both intense and light, rich and delicate. It has the elegance and grain de tanin of its predecessor. Throughout its creation, Alter Ego is led by the same high standards that govern the composition of Château Palmer's great wine. 2019 Wine Advocate 91: Aromas of sweet cherries, raspberries, berry fruit liqueur, licorice and spices introduce the 2019 Alter Ego de Palmer, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping wine with lively acids, melting tannins and a lavish core of ripe, creamy fruit. It's more immediate than the more muscular, powerful grand vin. James Suckling 96: Intense aromas of blackcurrants, cedar and ripe tobacco with hints of violets, following through to a full-bodied palate with extremely refined tannins that are well-integrated into the wine and are long and subtle at the finish. Such precision and harmony with structure. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best after 2023. Vinous 93: The 2019 Alter Ego de Palmer has a classically styled bouquet featuring a mélange of red and black fruit, briar, hints of cedar, and a touch of black tea, all showing lovely delineation. The palate is fresh and vibrant, displaying a touch of sour cherry on the granular-textured opening. There is something very "old school" about this Alter Ego in contrast to the 2018. Very saline toward the finish, with good persistence. Wine Enthusiast 94: Finely perfumed, the wine has ripe tannins and well-crafted textures. The wine's black fruits are forward, showing complex structures and the promise of fine aging. This second wine of Château Palmer will age well. Drink from 2026. Organic and biodynamic. Falstaff 95: Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle edge brightening. Fine black berry fruit, nuances of cinnamon and oak, ripe heart cherry and notes of orange marmalade are in the background. Complex, juicy and elegant, finesse-rich structure, well-integrated tannins, salty minerality on the finish, has great freshness, sure development and certain ageing potential, but can already be drunk. Ten years ago, this would have been the quality of the Grand Vins... 2021 Wine Advocate 92: Bursting with aromas of blackberries, mint, violets and pencil shavings, the 2021 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with impressive density and ripeness for the vintage, its deep core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannin. Like the grand vin, it's a very strong effort this year. James Suckling 93: This bright wine has very pretty fruit, with al dente blackcurrants as well as minerals and clove-like spices. Medium body, crunchy and minerally. Vivid with some iodine too. Decanter 94: Quite a rich, dark heady nose, full of blackcurrants, bramble leaf, raspberry and some dried herbs with floral touches too. Smooth and supple, you can feel the concentration in the mouth but the texture is so silky and fresh too. Bursting with energy and brightness - the fruit has a ripe touch to it - plummy and blackcurrant but the acidity is great giving a real lean and direct frame to the wine and driving it from start to finish. Polished and very enjoyable still with lots of flavour. A real cool element to the dark fruit - it’s not rich and chewy and exuberant and plush, it’s streamlined but full of juicy brightness and then a slick wet slate touch to the finish. Perfumed all the way through with cola, blueberry and liquorice touches as well. Serious and layered. A successful second wine to match the gorgeous grand vin. Wine Enthusiast 95: Lush berry aromas and layers of wood give this second-label wine its rich character. It has black-pepper spice and solid tannins along with structured, opulent black fruits. Drink from 2027. 2022 Wine Advocate 93: The 2022 Alter Ego de Palmer is expressive, even exuberant, bursting with a sweet bouquet of ripe blackberries, minty plums and violets. Full-bodied, layered and velvety, it's suave and unctuous, with a pure, seamless profile. James Suckling 94: Opulent and rich, with luxurious, ripe blackberry and blackcurrant character. It's full-bodied and very layered, with soft, silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Creamy texture at the end. 51% merlot, 43% cabernet sauvignon and 6% petit verdot. This is delicious now, but will age nicely. Best after 2027. Vinous 92: The 2022 Alter Ego, bottled in late July, has a clean and precise bouquet, with touches of violet infusing the black fruit and a nose that you could describe as "cool, calm and collected." The palate is medium-bodied, stricter and more linear than expected, partly due to recent bottling. There is intensity here, a crisp texture and a very graphite-driven finish that lends it a Pauillac-like personality.Ask about this
- Alvaro Palacios Les Aubaguetes — 20162016 Wine Advocate 96: The second vintage of the newer wine in the portfolio, the 2016 Les Aubaguetes was also completing its élevage in oak foudre when I tasted it. The blend is slightly different from the 2015 and is composed of 78% Garnacha, 21% Cariñena and 1% Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo. This is juicier and rounder than the Dofi. It feels a lot better than the 2015, combining the Mediterranean character of Bellmunt with the coolness of the shadowed vineyard that, together with the acidity of the year, makes it stand out and feel like a big step over the initial year. The estimation is they could produce around 1,500 bottles.Ask about this
- Amancaya — 2021Amancaya is the Quechua name of an endemic flower of the Andes found in the Mendoza area. Grapes are sourced from selected plots of old vines in Lujan de Cuyo just outside Mendoza, and also from Altamira, further South. In Lujan, soils are quite varied depending on how close vineyards are to the mountains or Mendoza River, and tend to form alluvial layers of loam, rock, and gravel. In Altamira, vineyards are planted at 1000m above sea level, on the ancient alluvial bed of the Tunuyan River. Winemaker notes 2021: Deep velvety red color with intense ruby hues. Very fruity and fresh on the nose, followed by aromas of red fruit, strawberry and black currant. On the palate, the wine is long, well balanced and pleasant, with refined tannins. Displaying generous aromas of red berries. 2021 James Suckling 93: Classy, cedary oak with incense and cigar box to the black cherries and blackberries. Juicy and generous on the palate with tight yet silky tannins. 69% malbec and 31% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold. Vinous 92: The 2021 Blend Amancaya is 69% Malbec and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon from Altamira & Agrelo, Mendoza, aged 12 months - 50% in French oak barrels and 50% in concrete vats. Dark purple in hue. The fruit-forward nose delivers notes of plums, sour cherry and a faint trace of ash over a layer of oak. Plush and juicy, the balanced flow has finely-grained tannins and a velvety texture. Delicate and savory, it ends with a whiff of thyme. Decanter 92: Ruby-red in hue with purple highlights, the wine has a restrained, refined character featuring notes of forest berries, cherry jam, violets, blackberry, liquorice, and graphite. On the palate, it’s vibrant but balanced, with a medium body and polished, juicy tannins. Amancaya 2021 is a red blend – 69% Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon – for which Bodegas Caro has sourced grapes from Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. Half of the blend was aged for 12 months in oak barrels. Ideal with lamb and other meats.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Cabernet Merlot — 2022Winemaker notes 2022: This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot with portions of Malbec and Petit Verdot adding complexity. A beautifully fragrant nose of cassis and anise with notes of confectionary. The palate displays excellent fruit intensity with forest berries at the fore. Fine dusty tannins support a long elegant structure. Aged in French oak for twelve months. 2022 Ray Jordan 95: This has been a winner for Amelia Park, and I have to say this one is as good as any released to date. The warm vintage suited the ripe generous style. The addition of the aromatic cab franc with a little malbec has lifted the nose and created beautifully exotic perfumes. This takes the cab merlot blend into another zone. Love it. 2023 Ray Jordan 95: Wow. You won’t be able to put this one down. Exotic perfumes of bright red berries with a little minerally earthy nuance before the final lift of violet showing the subtle influence of a small amount of cabernet franc. The palate is pure indulgence with supple fruit wrapped around a fine thread of tannin and a gentle touch of oak. Just bewdiful.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Cabernet Merlot — 2023Winemaker notes 2022: This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot with portions of Malbec and Petit Verdot adding complexity. A beautifully fragrant nose of cassis and anise with notes of confectionary. The palate displays excellent fruit intensity with forest berries at the fore. Fine dusty tannins support a long elegant structure. Aged in French oak for twelve months. 2022 Ray Jordan 95: This has been a winner for Amelia Park, and I have to say this one is as good as any released to date. The warm vintage suited the ripe generous style. The addition of the aromatic cab franc with a little malbec has lifted the nose and created beautifully exotic perfumes. This takes the cab merlot blend into another zone. Love it. 2023 Ray Jordan 95: Wow. You won’t be able to put this one down. Exotic perfumes of bright red berries with a little minerally earthy nuance before the final lift of violet showing the subtle influence of a small amount of cabernet franc. The palate is pure indulgence with supple fruit wrapped around a fine thread of tannin and a gentle touch of oak. Just bewdiful.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Chardonnay — 2023The 2024 Chardonnay is made with fruit from the Wilyabrup sub-region. There are 3 different clones of Chardonnay on the property being the Gin Gin, Davis and Dijon clones. All three parcels were hand-picked on the same day and chilled overnight. The following day the grapes were tipped as whole bunches directly into our press and gently pressed off into a tank. Natural settling occurred overnight and the cloudy juice was then sent to French oak barrels twenty-four hours later. Wild fermentation was completed in a barrel and allowed to mature on its own lees for nine months, with minimal stirring during this time, to maintain freshness and natural acidity. Winemaker notes 2024: This wine is wild fermented in French oak for nine months. It is wonderfully fragrant revealing white peach, fig and jasmine with nutty honey nougat and stoney minerality. The palate is supported by a long line of delicate acidity. Drinks beautifully now and will benefit from cellaring. 2023 James Suckling 94: The nose is pure and expressive with integrated notes of macadamia nuts, lemon peel and gunsmoke. The medium-bodied palate has crisp acidity and long, lingering notes of lime curd, grapefruit rind and sea spray. Refined and polished. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 2024 James Suckling 93: Mineral, refined aromas of white peaches, lemon curd, flint, nougat, sea spray and cashews. The medium-bodied palate has bright acidity and a creamy, finely textured mouthfeel, finishing long with a saline, citrus-driven edge. Focused and elegant. Drink or hold. Ray Jordan 94: This was a pretty warm season in Margaret River, yet the earlier ripening and maturing chardonnay has generally performed very well, and this is a very good example of that. The nose shows plenty of deep stone fruit and a white peachy nectarine character with some lifted florals. On the palate, the richness of chardonnay emerges but is controlled to deliver with precision and length. The crisp acidity supports the focus. This is an excellent example of a chardonnay that offers plenty of richness and depth and fruit concentration while retaining that fine modern linear style.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Chardonnay — 2024The 2024 Chardonnay is made with fruit from the Wilyabrup sub-region. There are 3 different clones of Chardonnay on the property being the Gin Gin, Davis and Dijon clones. All three parcels were hand-picked on the same day and chilled overnight. The following day the grapes were tipped as whole bunches directly into our press and gently pressed off into a tank. Natural settling occurred overnight and the cloudy juice was then sent to French oak barrels twenty-four hours later. Wild fermentation was completed in a barrel and allowed to mature on its own lees for nine months, with minimal stirring during this time, to maintain freshness and natural acidity. Winemaker notes 2024: This wine is wild fermented in French oak for nine months. It is wonderfully fragrant revealing white peach, fig and jasmine with nutty honey nougat and stoney minerality. The palate is supported by a long line of delicate acidity. Drinks beautifully now and will benefit from cellaring. 2023 James Suckling 94: The nose is pure and expressive with integrated notes of macadamia nuts, lemon peel and gunsmoke. The medium-bodied palate has crisp acidity and long, lingering notes of lime curd, grapefruit rind and sea spray. Refined and polished. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 2024 James Suckling 93: Mineral, refined aromas of white peaches, lemon curd, flint, nougat, sea spray and cashews. The medium-bodied palate has bright acidity and a creamy, finely textured mouthfeel, finishing long with a saline, citrus-driven edge. Focused and elegant. Drink or hold. Ray Jordan 94: This was a pretty warm season in Margaret River, yet the earlier ripening and maturing chardonnay has generally performed very well, and this is a very good example of that. The nose shows plenty of deep stone fruit and a white peachy nectarine character with some lifted florals. On the palate, the richness of chardonnay emerges but is controlled to deliver with precision and length. The crisp acidity supports the focus. This is an excellent example of a chardonnay that offers plenty of richness and depth and fruit concentration while retaining that fine modern linear style.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon — 2020Amelia Park's best parcel of cabernet is hand-picked, then destemmed into open fermenters and gently plunged on skins for two months, prior to barrelling down for eighteen months. Earthy forest floor, dark brooding fruits with notes of cedar and graphite. The palate is elegant and seamless with fine dusty tannins. This wine offers excellent cellaring potential. Winemaker notes Our best parcels of cabernet are hand-picked, then destemmed into open fermenters and gently plunged on skins for two months, prior to barreling down for eighteen months. A refined and elegant wine with cassis, leather, forest fruits and graphite notes. It has wonderful line and length with fine tannins. This wine offers excellent cellaring potential. 2021 Ray Jordan 96: Captures the elegance and stylishness of this vintage in Margaret River. Such a bright hi-tone wine with a perfumed nose of blackcurrant laced with red fruits and a little graphite minerality. The palate presents a refined combination of effortlessly fine fruit supported with chalky tannins and fine-grained oak. Still quite tight and has great cellaring potential.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon — 2021Amelia Park's best parcel of cabernet is hand-picked, then destemmed into open fermenters and gently plunged on skins for two months, prior to barrelling down for eighteen months. Earthy forest floor, dark brooding fruits with notes of cedar and graphite. The palate is elegant and seamless with fine dusty tannins. This wine offers excellent cellaring potential. Winemaker notes Our best parcels of cabernet are hand-picked, then destemmed into open fermenters and gently plunged on skins for two months, prior to barreling down for eighteen months. A refined and elegant wine with cassis, leather, forest fruits and graphite notes. It has wonderful line and length with fine tannins. This wine offers excellent cellaring potential. 2021 Ray Jordan 96: Captures the elegance and stylishness of this vintage in Margaret River. Such a bright hi-tone wine with a perfumed nose of blackcurrant laced with red fruits and a little graphite minerality. The palate presents a refined combination of effortlessly fine fruit supported with chalky tannins and fine-grained oak. Still quite tight and has great cellaring potential.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Reserve Chardonnay — 2021Winemaker notes 2022: Amelia Park's best parcels of Chardonnay is reserved for this wine, it is hand-picked, whole bunch pressed and wild fermented. The nose is delicate with white peach, nougat and crushed oyster shells. The palate is delicate and persistent with a beautifully finessed finish. Matured in French oak puncheons for nine months this wine will drink beautifully now or can be cellared for the long term. 2022 Ray Jordan 97: This is one of the very best chardonnays from Amelia Park. There is a deep intensity here that is perfectly harnessed with wild fermentation, whole bunch pressing and maturation in puncheons. Love the white beach, light nectarine and edgy nougat with a trace of lemon rind. Such exquisite balance and poise. Yes, this is a beauty.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Reserve Chardonnay — 2022Winemaker notes 2022: Amelia Park's best parcels of Chardonnay is reserved for this wine, it is hand-picked, whole bunch pressed and wild fermented. The nose is delicate with white peach, nougat and crushed oyster shells. The palate is delicate and persistent with a beautifully finessed finish. Matured in French oak puncheons for nine months this wine will drink beautifully now or can be cellared for the long term. 2022 Ray Jordan 97: This is one of the very best chardonnays from Amelia Park. There is a deep intensity here that is perfectly harnessed with wild fermentation, whole bunch pressing and maturation in puncheons. Love the white beach, light nectarine and edgy nougat with a trace of lemon rind. Such exquisite balance and poise. Yes, this is a beauty.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Reserve Shiraz — 2021A single vineyard in the Frankland River Region for this wine. The region is perfectly suited to producing many red and white varieties due to its continental climate combined with low vigour and moderate ripening conditions. Amelia Park has chosen this particular vineyard for its ability to produce typical Frankland River Shiraz, which as a result of being a cool climate, is intense in colour with ripe flavours yet is elegant in style and structure. Winemaker notes 2021: The bouquet is rich and spicy with cherry, mocha and licorice. The palate is full of plum and berry flavours supported by soft velvety tannins. Aged in French oak for eighteen months, this wine offers excellent cellaring potential. 2021 James Halliday 96: From the exceptional 2018 vintage springs this aromatic, brooding, concentrated and complex shiraz from one of WA's great shiraz regions. Salted mulberry, raspberry, blackberry and licorice, layered with red licorice, bitter cocoa, star anise and that regional stamp of ferrous/red dirt/earth. Ripe acidity weaves in and out of the long finish. This will bring pleasure now, and well into the future. Ray Jordan 96: The cooler ‘21 vintage has produced a raft of excellent wines from Frankland River. Gordon treats this with open fermentation after hand-picking to coax the best from this excellent source of fruit. Strikes a beautiful balance between the primary plummy, mulberry fruit characters and a more earthy rustic nuance that balances delightfully. The velvety tannins contribute to the smooth elegance of the palate. Has everything to support cellaring.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Shiraz — 2021Winemaker notes 2022: This wine is made with fruit from the Frankland River Region of Western Australia, which produces wine with great richness of flavour. Displays lovely mulberry, mocha and spicy notes. The palate is luscious with with cherry and plum flavours, supported by smooth tannins. 2022 Ray Jordan 94: The refinement and elegance of contemporary Frankland River is evident in this marvellous example of the vintage. Bursting with a plummy, mulberry and slightly spicy ironstone lift on the nose. The silky smooth palate with its thread of gravelly tannins is just beautiful A generous and punchy wine striking a perfect oak and tannin balance with the sumptuous fruit.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Shiraz — 2022Winemaker notes 2022: This wine is made with fruit from the Frankland River Region of Western Australia, which produces wine with great richness of flavour. Displays lovely mulberry, mocha and spicy notes. The palate is luscious with with cherry and plum flavours, supported by smooth tannins. 2022 Ray Jordan 94: The refinement and elegance of contemporary Frankland River is evident in this marvellous example of the vintage. Bursting with a plummy, mulberry and slightly spicy ironstone lift on the nose. The silky smooth palate with its thread of gravelly tannins is just beautiful A generous and punchy wine striking a perfect oak and tannin balance with the sumptuous fruit.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Trellis Cabernet Merlot — 2022A wonderfully fragrant wine full of rich red berry fruit with notes of mocha, thyme and some toasty oak spice. The palate is soft and approachable with subtle dusty tannins. Easy drinking and perfect for drinking now. Winemaker notes Classic red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, made in an approachable drink now style. The nose is vibrant with lovely ripe berry fruit characters. The palate is soft, juicy and lingering.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Trellis Cabernet Merlot — 2024A wonderfully fragrant wine full of rich red berry fruit with notes of mocha, thyme and some toasty oak spice. The palate is soft and approachable with subtle dusty tannins. Easy drinking and perfect for drinking now. Winemaker notes Classic red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, made in an approachable drink now style. The nose is vibrant with lovely ripe berry fruit characters. The palate is soft, juicy and lingering.Ask about this
- Amelia Park Trellis Semillon Sauvignon Blanc — 2023The wines embody the essence of the region, they are fruit driven approachable blends made to be enjoyed everyday. A gorgeous nose of fruit salad and pear, the palate is soft yet refreshing. Winemaker notes 2023: This classic white blend is an easy drinking style, made to be enjoyed now. It is fresh and crisp with lovely fruit aromas and a lively palate of citrus and pear. 2023 Wine Advocate 90: This 2023 Trellis Sauvignon Blanc Semillon is loaded with juniper and sweet pea, jasmine and green apple. The wine is a crunchy, lithe, fresh little thing full of crunchy pleasure. It's not complex, but I do really like the feeling of the phenolics in the mouth—chalky and refined, with plenty of flavor. It's good!Ask about this
- Amelia Park Trellis Semillon Sauvignon Blanc — 2024The wines embody the essence of the region, they are fruit driven approachable blends made to be enjoyed everyday. A gorgeous nose of fruit salad and pear, the palate is soft yet refreshing. Winemaker notes 2023: This classic white blend is an easy drinking style, made to be enjoyed now. It is fresh and crisp with lovely fruit aromas and a lively palate of citrus and pear. 2023 Wine Advocate 90: This 2023 Trellis Sauvignon Blanc Semillon is loaded with juniper and sweet pea, jasmine and green apple. The wine is a crunchy, lithe, fresh little thing full of crunchy pleasure. It's not complex, but I do really like the feeling of the phenolics in the mouth—chalky and refined, with plenty of flavor. It's good!Ask about this
- Angelus — 2020In the last thirty years, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest has constantly challenged practices and techniques for the benefit of his land and the unique characteristics of the wines grown on it, enabling Château Angélus to be recognised as one of the foremost properties in its appellation area. This recognition has been documented in one classification after another, the last of which awarded Château Angélus the status of Premier Grand Cru Classé "A". Winemaker notes 2021: "Le Sublime" The wine displays a brilliant, dense, very dark, almost black colour with dark purple tones, mirroring the perfect ripeness of the grapes and their optimal pH level. The nose exhibits intense aromas of juicy black fruits, such as wild cherries and blackberries. Elegant floral notes then come through, such as peony and violets. Refined tannins underpin a long-lasting, spherical, voluptuous structure on the palate, while the flavours linger long, bringing a sensation of freshness and harmony. This vintage displays a seldom-achieved degree of elegance, while the highest levels of purity and precision are reached with this blend of extraordinary Merlot and characterful Cabernet Franc. 2020 Wine Advocate 97: The 2020 Angélus has turned out superbly and underlines this estate's continuing shift to a more elegant, integrated style that offers a purer expression of its terroir. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, it unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, wild berries, rose petals, mint and subtle hints of licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, beautifully layered and vibrant palate that's deep, precise and penetrating, concluding with a mouthwateringly chalky finish. Some 120 hectoliters of Cabernet Franc, amounting to around 20% of the blend, were matured in foudre this year, which no doubt helps to account for the significantly reduced oak impact in the 2020. James Suckling 99: Blackberry and plum character with chocolate, too. Oyster shell. Full and very firm with a linear sensibility. Tight and powerful. Very pure fruit. Tension and energy there. Polished tannins. Some coffee bean and chocolate. Give this at least five or six years. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. Try after 2028. Vinous 96-98: The 2020 Angélus is shaping up to be tremendous. Bright and punchy, with terrific energy, the 2020 is more linear and focused than any recent vintages I can remember tasting. Crushed red berry fruit, iron, smoke, mint, chalk and dried herbs all build in the glass. In 2020, Angélus is less flashy than it can be. That is a very good thing, for those who can wait. Harvest took place between September 18 to 30. One of the major evolutions here in recent years has been the use of foudres to age the Cabernet Franc. Half of the Franc is now raised in large format oak, and that seems to bringing added freshness to the Grand Vin. 2021 Wine Advocate 94+: The 2021 Angélus unwinds in the glass to reveal aromas of dark berries, plums and cherries mingled with rose petals, forest floor, spices and pencil shavings, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and vibrant, it's taut and structured, with a deep core of fruit, chalky tannins and a long, perfumed, vanillin-inflected finish. As readers will remember, it's a blend of fully 60% Cabernet Franc with 40% Merlot, incorporating foudres in addition to 225-liter barriques, and the rich, toasty oak signature of yesteryear is now firmly in the background, even if the wine still carries a youthful patina. The 2021's classically balanced profile will reward a bit of bottle age. James Suckling 95: This is so delicious, with lovely focused cherries, flowers, dried sandalwood and some Indian spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and just a touch of wood to the pure fruit and a subtle and refined finish. 40% merlot and 60% cabernet franc, the most cab franc in a long time. Vinous 93-95: The 2021 Angélus contains 60% Cabernet Franc, the highest percentage ever, and also reflects an increasing use of wooden foudres (half the Cabernet Franc or 30% of the whole blend). It has a more understated bouquet compared to the bravura vintages of the last three years, demanding gentle coaxing to reveal scents of brambly black fruit, potpourri, hints of orange pith and a little sous-bois. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, and quite sapid, the Cabernet Franc lending a slightly more chalky texture and a linear, focused finish. Displaying fine tension throughout, though not astoundingly long, this Angelus deserves 4–5 years in bottle to show its true potential. Decanter 96: Rich and dense aromatics, lovely black cherry and dried flowers, the Cabernet Franc bringing all the aromas. Supple and smooth, so alive in the mouth yet this has density and depth, something to chew on. It’s not plush, but there’s texture from start to finish, with delicacy and finesse to the expression. A highly drinkable Angélus that has really benefited from dialling back on the power. Great freshness and precision, while feeling as if it will age well. Impressively keeps the structure and density but with energy. 2022 Wine Advocate 97+: The 2022 Angélus has turned out beautifully in bottle, reflecting the estate's shift toward a livelier, more integrated style. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet cherries, blackberries and mulberries mingled with rose petals and violets, it's full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, with a deep, enveloping core of succulent fruit, integrated tannins and a long, perfumed finish. It was bottled in the last week of July 2024. James Suckling 99: This is a powerful Angelus, showing incredible depth and intensity as well as tannins that are totally melted into the wine, giving incredible energy for such a young bottle. It makes me think of the great reds of the 1940s or 1950s but with modern precision. Full-bodied but agile, this has endless length, the blackberries and crushed stones, light herbs and dark chocolate showing throughout. Such balance. Al dente. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. So attractive now but will age forever. Vinous 97: The 2022 Angélus is still very contained on the nose, therefore, for this sample, I transferred the wine several times between two glasses in order to pry it open. It has a delineated and tensile bouquet, with blackberry, briar and light marine scents percolating through with time. Hints of oyster shell emerge from the limestone soils. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and saline, with gentle grip, fine tannins and a poised, persistent finish. There is a linearity to this Angélus that I appreciate due to the 40% Cabernet Franc. It's very minerally on the aftertaste. This is an excellent Angélus that will age perhaps more slowly than its peers. 2023 Wine Advocate 95-96: A classic blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Angélus reflects this estate's continuing evolution with regard to ripeness, extraction and élevage choices, offering up attractive aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with hints of mint, potpourri, rose petals, vine smoke and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with a velvety attack that segues into a core of pure, pillowy fruit framed by supple, powdery tannins, it's cool and harmonious, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. This is a terrific effort that foregrounds the vintage and the terroir at their best. James Suckling 97-98: The transparency of fruit and the finesse is really something here. There’s depth and beauty to the pristine, fresh fruit. Full-bodied and muscular with wonderful tannins that provide tension and form. Subtle and weightless, this is a thought-provoking young wine. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. 2025 Wine Advocate 96-98: A blend of equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the 2025 Angélus is already beautifully harmonious, even at this early stage. Unfurling in the glass with notes of sweet dark berries and plums mingled with notions of violets, licorice and spices, it's medium- to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with ripe tannins, lively acids and a long, perfumed finish. Much like its 2022 predecessor, the 2025 underlines that this estate's shift toward greater purity and subtler élevage choices can be sustained even in historically warm years. James Suckling 99-100: The pureness of fruit is exceptional, with a long and linear palate of wonderfully curated raspberry, cherry and blueberry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied. You almost don’t see the tannins, but you know they are there. So silky and endless. It has the core of fruit of the best of the vintage. 50% merlot and 50% cabernet franc. Vinous 95-97+: The 2025 Angélus was picked from September 10 to 20 and Stéphanie de Bouard told me that they halved the pumpovers. The Cabernet Franc is aged half in foudres and half in new barrel, and the Merlot is half in new barrel and half in one-year-old barrels that were used for the 2023 vintage. The alcohol is 14.05% with a pH of 3.6, many grapes showing a gram or more malic acid. This note comes from a narrower Riedel glass that showed the wine in a better and more accurate light. The bouquet opens with blackberry, raspberry, light cassis scents and a touch of iodine, well defined, the oak seated politely in the background. The palate is silky smooth with filigree tannins, very well judged acidity plus palpable underlying sapid notes that come through towards the finish. Fine tension, very focused with a very persistent aftertaste, this is an Angélus with great potential and it should give 25 to 30 years' drinking pleasure. Decanter 97: great wine from Angélus this year. Blackcurrant and blue fruit aromas with some dried flowers and soft herbal aspects. Round and generous, wide and filling with amazing definition and creamy texture that few wines have this year. Energy and depth, purity and focus – this is juicy at its core with strawberry and red cherry, mouthwatering. Not an immediate showstopper but this grows in flavour and depth with intensity but no heaviness. Beautiful delineation with a sharp, precise, forward persistence. The energy and balance is flawless. Really an elegant, elongated wine with such nuance of flavour. I love this and think they've done a super job – juicy, this brings a smile to your face. The last vintage with this high a proportion of Cabernet Franc (reflecting plantings and similar berry size was 2014 and 1995). 3.6pH. A yield of 30hl/ha. 50% Cabernet Franc ageing in foudres, 50% in new barrels; Merlot 70% new oak and 30% in one-year-old barrels.Ask about this
- Angelus — 2021In the last thirty years, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest has constantly challenged practices and techniques for the benefit of his land and the unique characteristics of the wines grown on it, enabling Château Angélus to be recognised as one of the foremost properties in its appellation area. This recognition has been documented in one classification after another, the last of which awarded Château Angélus the status of Premier Grand Cru Classé "A". Winemaker notes 2021: "Le Sublime" The wine displays a brilliant, dense, very dark, almost black colour with dark purple tones, mirroring the perfect ripeness of the grapes and their optimal pH level. The nose exhibits intense aromas of juicy black fruits, such as wild cherries and blackberries. Elegant floral notes then come through, such as peony and violets. Refined tannins underpin a long-lasting, spherical, voluptuous structure on the palate, while the flavours linger long, bringing a sensation of freshness and harmony. This vintage displays a seldom-achieved degree of elegance, while the highest levels of purity and precision are reached with this blend of extraordinary Merlot and characterful Cabernet Franc. 2020 Wine Advocate 97: The 2020 Angélus has turned out superbly and underlines this estate's continuing shift to a more elegant, integrated style that offers a purer expression of its terroir. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, it unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, wild berries, rose petals, mint and subtle hints of licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, beautifully layered and vibrant palate that's deep, precise and penetrating, concluding with a mouthwateringly chalky finish. Some 120 hectoliters of Cabernet Franc, amounting to around 20% of the blend, were matured in foudre this year, which no doubt helps to account for the significantly reduced oak impact in the 2020. James Suckling 99: Blackberry and plum character with chocolate, too. Oyster shell. Full and very firm with a linear sensibility. Tight and powerful. Very pure fruit. Tension and energy there. Polished tannins. Some coffee bean and chocolate. Give this at least five or six years. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. Try after 2028. Vinous 96-98: The 2020 Angélus is shaping up to be tremendous. Bright and punchy, with terrific energy, the 2020 is more linear and focused than any recent vintages I can remember tasting. Crushed red berry fruit, iron, smoke, mint, chalk and dried herbs all build in the glass. In 2020, Angélus is less flashy than it can be. That is a very good thing, for those who can wait. Harvest took place between September 18 to 30. One of the major evolutions here in recent years has been the use of foudres to age the Cabernet Franc. Half of the Franc is now raised in large format oak, and that seems to bringing added freshness to the Grand Vin. 2021 Wine Advocate 94+: The 2021 Angélus unwinds in the glass to reveal aromas of dark berries, plums and cherries mingled with rose petals, forest floor, spices and pencil shavings, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and vibrant, it's taut and structured, with a deep core of fruit, chalky tannins and a long, perfumed, vanillin-inflected finish. As readers will remember, it's a blend of fully 60% Cabernet Franc with 40% Merlot, incorporating foudres in addition to 225-liter barriques, and the rich, toasty oak signature of yesteryear is now firmly in the background, even if the wine still carries a youthful patina. The 2021's classically balanced profile will reward a bit of bottle age. James Suckling 95: This is so delicious, with lovely focused cherries, flowers, dried sandalwood and some Indian spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and just a touch of wood to the pure fruit and a subtle and refined finish. 40% merlot and 60% cabernet franc, the most cab franc in a long time. Vinous 93-95: The 2021 Angélus contains 60% Cabernet Franc, the highest percentage ever, and also reflects an increasing use of wooden foudres (half the Cabernet Franc or 30% of the whole blend). It has a more understated bouquet compared to the bravura vintages of the last three years, demanding gentle coaxing to reveal scents of brambly black fruit, potpourri, hints of orange pith and a little sous-bois. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, and quite sapid, the Cabernet Franc lending a slightly more chalky texture and a linear, focused finish. Displaying fine tension throughout, though not astoundingly long, this Angelus deserves 4–5 years in bottle to show its true potential. Decanter 96: Rich and dense aromatics, lovely black cherry and dried flowers, the Cabernet Franc bringing all the aromas. Supple and smooth, so alive in the mouth yet this has density and depth, something to chew on. It’s not plush, but there’s texture from start to finish, with delicacy and finesse to the expression. A highly drinkable Angélus that has really benefited from dialling back on the power. Great freshness and precision, while feeling as if it will age well. Impressively keeps the structure and density but with energy. 2022 Wine Advocate 97+: The 2022 Angélus has turned out beautifully in bottle, reflecting the estate's shift toward a livelier, more integrated style. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet cherries, blackberries and mulberries mingled with rose petals and violets, it's full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, with a deep, enveloping core of succulent fruit, integrated tannins and a long, perfumed finish. It was bottled in the last week of July 2024. James Suckling 99: This is a powerful Angelus, showing incredible depth and intensity as well as tannins that are totally melted into the wine, giving incredible energy for such a young bottle. It makes me think of the great reds of the 1940s or 1950s but with modern precision. Full-bodied but agile, this has endless length, the blackberries and crushed stones, light herbs and dark chocolate showing throughout. Such balance. Al dente. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. So attractive now but will age forever. Vinous 97: The 2022 Angélus is still very contained on the nose, therefore, for this sample, I transferred the wine several times between two glasses in order to pry it open. It has a delineated and tensile bouquet, with blackberry, briar and light marine scents percolating through with time. Hints of oyster shell emerge from the limestone soils. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and saline, with gentle grip, fine tannins and a poised, persistent finish. There is a linearity to this Angélus that I appreciate due to the 40% Cabernet Franc. It's very minerally on the aftertaste. This is an excellent Angélus that will age perhaps more slowly than its peers. 2023 Wine Advocate 95-96: A classic blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Angélus reflects this estate's continuing evolution with regard to ripeness, extraction and élevage choices, offering up attractive aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with hints of mint, potpourri, rose petals, vine smoke and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with a velvety attack that segues into a core of pure, pillowy fruit framed by supple, powdery tannins, it's cool and harmonious, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. This is a terrific effort that foregrounds the vintage and the terroir at their best. James Suckling 97-98: The transparency of fruit and the finesse is really something here. There’s depth and beauty to the pristine, fresh fruit. Full-bodied and muscular with wonderful tannins that provide tension and form. Subtle and weightless, this is a thought-provoking young wine. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. 2025 Wine Advocate 96-98: A blend of equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the 2025 Angélus is already beautifully harmonious, even at this early stage. Unfurling in the glass with notes of sweet dark berries and plums mingled with notions of violets, licorice and spices, it's medium- to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with ripe tannins, lively acids and a long, perfumed finish. Much like its 2022 predecessor, the 2025 underlines that this estate's shift toward greater purity and subtler élevage choices can be sustained even in historically warm years. James Suckling 99-100: The pureness of fruit is exceptional, with a long and linear palate of wonderfully curated raspberry, cherry and blueberry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied. You almost don’t see the tannins, but you know they are there. So silky and endless. It has the core of fruit of the best of the vintage. 50% merlot and 50% cabernet franc. Vinous 95-97+: The 2025 Angélus was picked from September 10 to 20 and Stéphanie de Bouard told me that they halved the pumpovers. The Cabernet Franc is aged half in foudres and half in new barrel, and the Merlot is half in new barrel and half in one-year-old barrels that were used for the 2023 vintage. The alcohol is 14.05% with a pH of 3.6, many grapes showing a gram or more malic acid. This note comes from a narrower Riedel glass that showed the wine in a better and more accurate light. The bouquet opens with blackberry, raspberry, light cassis scents and a touch of iodine, well defined, the oak seated politely in the background. The palate is silky smooth with filigree tannins, very well judged acidity plus palpable underlying sapid notes that come through towards the finish. Fine tension, very focused with a very persistent aftertaste, this is an Angélus with great potential and it should give 25 to 30 years' drinking pleasure. Decanter 97: great wine from Angélus this year. Blackcurrant and blue fruit aromas with some dried flowers and soft herbal aspects. Round and generous, wide and filling with amazing definition and creamy texture that few wines have this year. Energy and depth, purity and focus – this is juicy at its core with strawberry and red cherry, mouthwatering. Not an immediate showstopper but this grows in flavour and depth with intensity but no heaviness. Beautiful delineation with a sharp, precise, forward persistence. The energy and balance is flawless. Really an elegant, elongated wine with such nuance of flavour. I love this and think they've done a super job – juicy, this brings a smile to your face. The last vintage with this high a proportion of Cabernet Franc (reflecting plantings and similar berry size was 2014 and 1995). 3.6pH. A yield of 30hl/ha. 50% Cabernet Franc ageing in foudres, 50% in new barrels; Merlot 70% new oak and 30% in one-year-old barrels.Ask about this
- Angelus — 2022In the last thirty years, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest has constantly challenged practices and techniques for the benefit of his land and the unique characteristics of the wines grown on it, enabling Château Angélus to be recognised as one of the foremost properties in its appellation area. This recognition has been documented in one classification after another, the last of which awarded Château Angélus the status of Premier Grand Cru Classé "A". Winemaker notes 2021: "Le Sublime" The wine displays a brilliant, dense, very dark, almost black colour with dark purple tones, mirroring the perfect ripeness of the grapes and their optimal pH level. The nose exhibits intense aromas of juicy black fruits, such as wild cherries and blackberries. Elegant floral notes then come through, such as peony and violets. Refined tannins underpin a long-lasting, spherical, voluptuous structure on the palate, while the flavours linger long, bringing a sensation of freshness and harmony. This vintage displays a seldom-achieved degree of elegance, while the highest levels of purity and precision are reached with this blend of extraordinary Merlot and characterful Cabernet Franc. 2020 Wine Advocate 97: The 2020 Angélus has turned out superbly and underlines this estate's continuing shift to a more elegant, integrated style that offers a purer expression of its terroir. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, it unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, wild berries, rose petals, mint and subtle hints of licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, beautifully layered and vibrant palate that's deep, precise and penetrating, concluding with a mouthwateringly chalky finish. Some 120 hectoliters of Cabernet Franc, amounting to around 20% of the blend, were matured in foudre this year, which no doubt helps to account for the significantly reduced oak impact in the 2020. James Suckling 99: Blackberry and plum character with chocolate, too. Oyster shell. Full and very firm with a linear sensibility. Tight and powerful. Very pure fruit. Tension and energy there. Polished tannins. Some coffee bean and chocolate. Give this at least five or six years. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. Try after 2028. Vinous 96-98: The 2020 Angélus is shaping up to be tremendous. Bright and punchy, with terrific energy, the 2020 is more linear and focused than any recent vintages I can remember tasting. Crushed red berry fruit, iron, smoke, mint, chalk and dried herbs all build in the glass. In 2020, Angélus is less flashy than it can be. That is a very good thing, for those who can wait. Harvest took place between September 18 to 30. One of the major evolutions here in recent years has been the use of foudres to age the Cabernet Franc. Half of the Franc is now raised in large format oak, and that seems to bringing added freshness to the Grand Vin. 2021 Wine Advocate 94+: The 2021 Angélus unwinds in the glass to reveal aromas of dark berries, plums and cherries mingled with rose petals, forest floor, spices and pencil shavings, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and vibrant, it's taut and structured, with a deep core of fruit, chalky tannins and a long, perfumed, vanillin-inflected finish. As readers will remember, it's a blend of fully 60% Cabernet Franc with 40% Merlot, incorporating foudres in addition to 225-liter barriques, and the rich, toasty oak signature of yesteryear is now firmly in the background, even if the wine still carries a youthful patina. The 2021's classically balanced profile will reward a bit of bottle age. James Suckling 95: This is so delicious, with lovely focused cherries, flowers, dried sandalwood and some Indian spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and just a touch of wood to the pure fruit and a subtle and refined finish. 40% merlot and 60% cabernet franc, the most cab franc in a long time. Vinous 93-95: The 2021 Angélus contains 60% Cabernet Franc, the highest percentage ever, and also reflects an increasing use of wooden foudres (half the Cabernet Franc or 30% of the whole blend). It has a more understated bouquet compared to the bravura vintages of the last three years, demanding gentle coaxing to reveal scents of brambly black fruit, potpourri, hints of orange pith and a little sous-bois. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, and quite sapid, the Cabernet Franc lending a slightly more chalky texture and a linear, focused finish. Displaying fine tension throughout, though not astoundingly long, this Angelus deserves 4–5 years in bottle to show its true potential. Decanter 96: Rich and dense aromatics, lovely black cherry and dried flowers, the Cabernet Franc bringing all the aromas. Supple and smooth, so alive in the mouth yet this has density and depth, something to chew on. It’s not plush, but there’s texture from start to finish, with delicacy and finesse to the expression. A highly drinkable Angélus that has really benefited from dialling back on the power. Great freshness and precision, while feeling as if it will age well. Impressively keeps the structure and density but with energy. 2022 Wine Advocate 97+: The 2022 Angélus has turned out beautifully in bottle, reflecting the estate's shift toward a livelier, more integrated style. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet cherries, blackberries and mulberries mingled with rose petals and violets, it's full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, with a deep, enveloping core of succulent fruit, integrated tannins and a long, perfumed finish. It was bottled in the last week of July 2024. James Suckling 99: This is a powerful Angelus, showing incredible depth and intensity as well as tannins that are totally melted into the wine, giving incredible energy for such a young bottle. It makes me think of the great reds of the 1940s or 1950s but with modern precision. Full-bodied but agile, this has endless length, the blackberries and crushed stones, light herbs and dark chocolate showing throughout. Such balance. Al dente. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. So attractive now but will age forever. Vinous 97: The 2022 Angélus is still very contained on the nose, therefore, for this sample, I transferred the wine several times between two glasses in order to pry it open. It has a delineated and tensile bouquet, with blackberry, briar and light marine scents percolating through with time. Hints of oyster shell emerge from the limestone soils. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and saline, with gentle grip, fine tannins and a poised, persistent finish. There is a linearity to this Angélus that I appreciate due to the 40% Cabernet Franc. It's very minerally on the aftertaste. This is an excellent Angélus that will age perhaps more slowly than its peers. 2023 Wine Advocate 95-96: A classic blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Angélus reflects this estate's continuing evolution with regard to ripeness, extraction and élevage choices, offering up attractive aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with hints of mint, potpourri, rose petals, vine smoke and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with a velvety attack that segues into a core of pure, pillowy fruit framed by supple, powdery tannins, it's cool and harmonious, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. This is a terrific effort that foregrounds the vintage and the terroir at their best. James Suckling 97-98: The transparency of fruit and the finesse is really something here. There’s depth and beauty to the pristine, fresh fruit. Full-bodied and muscular with wonderful tannins that provide tension and form. Subtle and weightless, this is a thought-provoking young wine. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. 2025 Wine Advocate 96-98: A blend of equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the 2025 Angélus is already beautifully harmonious, even at this early stage. Unfurling in the glass with notes of sweet dark berries and plums mingled with notions of violets, licorice and spices, it's medium- to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with ripe tannins, lively acids and a long, perfumed finish. Much like its 2022 predecessor, the 2025 underlines that this estate's shift toward greater purity and subtler élevage choices can be sustained even in historically warm years. James Suckling 99-100: The pureness of fruit is exceptional, with a long and linear palate of wonderfully curated raspberry, cherry and blueberry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied. You almost don’t see the tannins, but you know they are there. So silky and endless. It has the core of fruit of the best of the vintage. 50% merlot and 50% cabernet franc. Vinous 95-97+: The 2025 Angélus was picked from September 10 to 20 and Stéphanie de Bouard told me that they halved the pumpovers. The Cabernet Franc is aged half in foudres and half in new barrel, and the Merlot is half in new barrel and half in one-year-old barrels that were used for the 2023 vintage. The alcohol is 14.05% with a pH of 3.6, many grapes showing a gram or more malic acid. This note comes from a narrower Riedel glass that showed the wine in a better and more accurate light. The bouquet opens with blackberry, raspberry, light cassis scents and a touch of iodine, well defined, the oak seated politely in the background. The palate is silky smooth with filigree tannins, very well judged acidity plus palpable underlying sapid notes that come through towards the finish. Fine tension, very focused with a very persistent aftertaste, this is an Angélus with great potential and it should give 25 to 30 years' drinking pleasure. Decanter 97: great wine from Angélus this year. Blackcurrant and blue fruit aromas with some dried flowers and soft herbal aspects. Round and generous, wide and filling with amazing definition and creamy texture that few wines have this year. Energy and depth, purity and focus – this is juicy at its core with strawberry and red cherry, mouthwatering. Not an immediate showstopper but this grows in flavour and depth with intensity but no heaviness. Beautiful delineation with a sharp, precise, forward persistence. The energy and balance is flawless. Really an elegant, elongated wine with such nuance of flavour. I love this and think they've done a super job – juicy, this brings a smile to your face. The last vintage with this high a proportion of Cabernet Franc (reflecting plantings and similar berry size was 2014 and 1995). 3.6pH. A yield of 30hl/ha. 50% Cabernet Franc ageing in foudres, 50% in new barrels; Merlot 70% new oak and 30% in one-year-old barrels.Ask about this
- Ao Yun — 2019Ao Yun, the first wine estate of the Himalayas, is born from a dream that began in 2008: to create a unique, world-class fine wine in China. Commissioned by Moët Hennessy, Dr. Tony Jordan embarked on a journey into the unknown and after 4 years of scouring the vast terrain of China he eventually made it to North Yunnan, where he observed an ideal microclimate for a fine cabernet. With each vintage, the Ao Yun team, led by Estate & Technical Director Maxence Dulou, perpetuates this vision. Ao Yun lies near the legendary and remote village of Shangri-La, in the foothills of the Himalayas. Ao Yun’s vineyards are on the banks of the Mekong River, in the UNESCO-protected area of the Three Parallel Rivers and below the sacred Meili snow mountain (6800m). Each of the 4 villages is spread over complementary altitudes from 2100m to 2600m and has different soils, sun exposure and microclimates. 2019 Wine Advocate 96: The 2019 Ao Yun has an intensely deep purple appearance. On the nose, there is already appealing, immensely powerful dark fruit showing abundant cassis, black cherry, bramble, blackberry and blueberry fruit with some subtle, leafy herbaceous character (sage, green bell pepper, mint) combining with very well-integrated new oak notes of vanilla, clove, toast and smoke (note that Ao Yun only sees around 35% new French barriques with the remainder being matured in stoneware vessels and old oak). On the palate, the wine is immensely full-bodied but far from heavy, with vibrant acidity and very coating, ripe, fine-grained and polished tannins. Dulou reports that this was the first vintage when the entire harvest was gravity-fed through their winemaking facility in Adong with much gentler crushing resulting in partially opened berries retaining seeds inside (even through to racking the wine off gross lees). He also now opts to ferment in narrow, higher-filled vessels, which results in easier cap management, a less-aerated cap with less thermal variation. All of which helps explain the refinement and integration of tannin in the 2019. There is a scintillating core of complex fruit, herbaceous character and subtle new oak notes that are harmoniously integrated. With its very long length, the 2019 Ao Yun is unsurprisingly very youthful and will show better from 2023 at the earliest, even if it can already be appreciated. James Suckling 98: Very scented, complex and layered with a classy nose full of ripe currants, smoke and sweet tobacco leaves. Graphite, charcoal, exotic herbs and cigar box. A hint of black truffle and tapenade, too. Full body with fine, silky tannins that highlight the juicy aspect of this wine. Dusty tannins gradually build up on the palate in a crescendo, following through to a juicy, precise and lengthy finish. Super-polished and refined. There is still cabernet verticality on the palate. The finest Ao Yun so far? It has a finish that lasts almost two minutes. 67% cabernet sauvignon, 17% cabernet franc, 10% syrah and 6% petit verdot. This is a blend of 23% of Xidang village, 21% Sinong, 32% Shuori and 24% Adong. Decanter 96: Vivid dark purple in the glass - such a striking, gorgeous dark plum colour with matching scents of damsons, plums, spiced blackcurrant, liquorice, chocolate, fragrant dried rose petals, pot pourri floral elements, hoisin, peppercorns and cola. A riot of aromas on the nose - this smells deep and rich yet fresh also with a salty minerality. Supple and full in the mouth, massy with firm tannins that give a beautifully integrated structure. Mouthwateringly juicy, but really well balanced so the acidity doesn't stick out. Blueberries, blackcurrants and black cherries on the palate, fresh and lively. Quite a powerful, concentrated mouthful but kept lively by the acidity and overall freshness. Bright, focussed, crystalline quality to the fruit with a wonderful juiciness and overall zing. Hints of spiced liquorice, smoke, tobacco, clove, cinnamon and a touch of minerality as well as a fresh mint (menthol and eucalyptus) finish.Ask about this
- Ao Yun (OWC6) — 20202022 Wine Advocate 96: The 2020 Ao Yun is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 6% Syrah and 6% Petit Verdot, with the fruit being sourced from Ao Yun’s four villages in order of rising altitude and percentage terms as follows: 10% from Xidang, 18% from Sinong, 38% from Shuori and 34% from Adong. The wine has a very deep purple appearance and sports a beautifully complex nose of lifted, perfumed dark fruit—cassis, bramble, black cherry, black plum, blueberry, mulberry—with herbaceous notes of mint, green bell pepper and sage, these primary elements marrying beautifully with some subtle, new oak notes of clove, toast, smoke and vanilla. Like the Village Cru red wines, this was matured for 12 months in 30% new, small-format French oak with 30% in older wood and the remainder in Yunnanese stoneware jars. On the palate, this is very full-bodied with super-ripe coating and fine-grained tannins with vibrant acidity—this comes naturally at 3.35 pH—and well-integrated 13.5% alcohol, providing the platform for the concentrated dark fruit and sweet and savory pyrazine and new oak notes. While this wine does not have the immediate "generosity" or sumptuousness of the 2019 vintage, it is undeniably elegant, polished and powerful in its own vintage expression. Decanter 96: Smells wild and strong on the nose, some elements of blackcurrants, damsons and plums, but darkly cool not overly ripe. The meaty, wild Syrah elements come through (even at just 6% of the blend) with a touch of florality from the Cabernet Franc (19%). Really vivid bright purple in the glass too, almost fuschia pink on the rim. Thick and unctuous, this has weight and body with a fleshy, plump texture, almost chewy but bouncy too so you get strength and clear structure but with lift and brightness from the pure fruit and high acidity. I love the styling, feels controlled and purposeful. Suave but still muscular, confident. It's a big wine with plenty to say. Very long and keeps the intensity all the way through. I like the cool mint eucalyptus note on the finish reminding you it's full of Cabernet. I'd still struggle to say where it's from but it's very good. 6% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot complete the blend. The Drink Business 97: A fascinating and deeply engaging wine. Graphite. Black pen ink. Plump wild blueberries. Loganberries. Brambles. A wild gamey meatiness too. Lièvre à la royale. Violet. Lavender. Cedar. I find this very profound and rather beautiful aromatically in its slight austerity and restraint. There is almost something a little Cheval Blanc-like in its character. A glorious shape and texture in the mouth. Architectural. This is quite tight horizontally yet more elongated vertically – a lozenge on its side! Gracious and glacial at first but then bright and dynamic, charged with energy as if fired from below. Fresh. Exciting. Long and perhaps the best vintage yet of this unique wine. Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux 97: The resculpting of Ao Yun over the past few years continues here, wiith medium to full intensity ruby colour coupld with nuanced fragrant spices of rosemary, bay leaf and sage that burst out of the glass. Spring flowers, turmeric, bright berry fruits and a slow and steady lift. Feels like an entirely different expression of classic Bordeaux varieties (Syrah aside) that highlights the impact of altitude, and just brings a ton of personality to the glass. Maxence Dulou winemaker. Shorter ageing also, in a bigger variety of containers - 30% new barrel, 30% neutral barrel, 40% stoneware jar for 12 months followed by 5 months in stainless steel vats. Only 59% of grape harvested entered in Ao Yun, with the rest going into the new village wines, and in this vintage 72% of the blend Ao Yun blend is from the two coolest villages of Adong (2600m) and Shuori (2500m).Ask about this
- Aromes De Pavie — 2021Starting with the 2005 vintage, Château Pavie officially announces the release of a second-label wine under the name of "Arômes de Pavie” which replaces "Château Tour Simard ” because it would be easier for our consumers to recognize this wine among Perse's range. Principally from young vines that are less than ten years old, the final blend also contains numerous barrels that were remaining following the severe selection that is practiced for the first wine. The same care and attention goes into the production of this wine as to Pavie itself. 2021 James Suckling 93: A juicy wine with hints of nuts, berries, salted chocolate and gunpowder. Medium- to full-bodied. From a particular parcel that gives tannin length. Turns a little tight at the end. 50% merlot and 50% cabernet franc. Better after 2028. Vinous 92: The 2021 Arômes de Pavie is just as inviting as it was en primeur. Bold and punchy, with fine balance, the Arômes is a terrific representation of the property. Sweet floral and spice notes meld into a core of red fruit, orange peel and mocha. All the elements are so well balanced. Best of all, the 2021 will drink well on release. It's a very serious Arômes.Ask about this
- Aruma — 2023ARUMA is a pure Malbec made from a blend of grapes from the best terroirs in the Mendoza region. “ARUMA” means “night” in the language of the Quechua, the native Indian population of the Mendoza region. The name suggests the deep darkness of the nights in the Andes and the very pure mountain air: the wines have the same rich, authentic character as their terroir. Winemaker notes 2023: Deep red color with black hues. The nose is expressive with aromas of berries, plum and blackcurrant. On the palate, the wine feels round and velvety, with aromas of blueberry, blackberry and cassis, leading to a smooth and balanced finish. 2023 James Suckling 91: An honest and fruit-driven malbec that shows plump fruit and violet character. Fine-grained tannins on the fruity palate, with a fleshy core of ripe, concentrated purple fruit in the middle. Still fresh and pristine in finish full of fruit. Drink now. Wine Enthusiast 90: A nose of wild berries introduces a smooth palate, featuring enough dark fruit and freshness to make it enjoyable. A dash of herbs marks the close.Ask about this
- Aubert CIX Estate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — 2023The CIX Vineyard Chardonnay embodies everything we seek in a Chardonnay – distinctive aromatics, coupled with Goldridge soil that lends a varied richness and breadth. The aromatics reflect the soil influenced minerals with White Burgundian nuances. Winemaker notes The 2024 CIX Chardonnay is stately and expansive, blossoming aromatically with a beguiling mix of orchard fruits, peach, apple turnover, and almond. Further notes of lemon balm, orange oil, and wildflower honey emerge with time. Broad and profound, on the palate the 2024 CIX expresses a tremendous amount of intensity and power with an upfront wave of ripe apple and lemon flavor, followed by a complex mix of floral and pastry tones. On the finish, the wine showcases the fresh natural acidity and sweet, earthy minerality unique to this cool, late-ripening site, acting as a counterpoint to its upfront richness and volume. This multifaceted cuvée is endowed with all the elements necessary for long, rewarding ageing in the cellar and will continue to develop additional complexity over the next 15 years or more. The wine is slightly hazy, showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. - Mark Aubert 2023 Vinous 96-98: The 2023 Chardonnay CIX Estate is one of the most complete wines in this range. Aromatically intense, textured and silky, the 2023 CIX brings together all the elements that make these Chardonnays so appealing. Lemon oil, hazelnut, dried flowers and lightly honeyed notes all grace this resonant, expansive Chardonnay. The CIX is often one of my favorite Aubert Chardonnays, as it is once again in 2023. Wine Spectator 98: Epic and aromatic, with hints of flint, dried mango, blood orange puree and lemon cheesecake. The acidity provides an appealing backbone for the supple mix of pear pastry, caramelized brown sugar, peach preserves and lemon verbena. The fresh, energetic finish shows hints of white tea. 2024 Vinous 96-98: The 2024 Chardonnay CIX Estate is seriously impressive. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2024 hits the palate with layered, intensely mineral-driven fruit. Orange peel, chamomile and floral-infused honey all build in the glass. Readers will find a deep, potent Chardonnay endowed with tremendous power and textural resonance. This is one of the very finest CIX Chardonnays I have tasted. Magnificent. Lisa Perrotti-Brown 98: The 2024 Chardonnay CIX Estate zips out with eager-to-please notes of lemon tart, Granny Smith apples, and lime blossoms, plus underlying suggestions of wet slate and peaches and cream. The super-concentrated, full-bodied palate is stacked with stone fruit and citrusy layers, supported by a crisp backbone and satiny texture, finishing with incredible length and depth. Wow. Drinking Window: 2027-2042. Wine Spectator 95: Starts off subtle at first, with fresh and juicy Asian pear, crunchy star fruit and Meyer lemon flavors. This expands into a more remarkable and complex wine, with notes of lemon confit, Danish butter cookie, apricot confections and crunchy sea salt. Shows plenty of energy and freshness on the finish. Drink now through 2038. 1,487 cases made.Ask about this
- Aubert CIX Estate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — 2024The CIX Vineyard Chardonnay embodies everything we seek in a Chardonnay – distinctive aromatics, coupled with Goldridge soil that lends a varied richness and breadth. The aromatics reflect the soil influenced minerals with White Burgundian nuances. Winemaker notes The 2024 CIX Chardonnay is stately and expansive, blossoming aromatically with a beguiling mix of orchard fruits, peach, apple turnover, and almond. Further notes of lemon balm, orange oil, and wildflower honey emerge with time. Broad and profound, on the palate the 2024 CIX expresses a tremendous amount of intensity and power with an upfront wave of ripe apple and lemon flavor, followed by a complex mix of floral and pastry tones. On the finish, the wine showcases the fresh natural acidity and sweet, earthy minerality unique to this cool, late-ripening site, acting as a counterpoint to its upfront richness and volume. This multifaceted cuvée is endowed with all the elements necessary for long, rewarding ageing in the cellar and will continue to develop additional complexity over the next 15 years or more. The wine is slightly hazy, showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. - Mark Aubert 2023 Vinous 96-98: The 2023 Chardonnay CIX Estate is one of the most complete wines in this range. Aromatically intense, textured and silky, the 2023 CIX brings together all the elements that make these Chardonnays so appealing. Lemon oil, hazelnut, dried flowers and lightly honeyed notes all grace this resonant, expansive Chardonnay. The CIX is often one of my favorite Aubert Chardonnays, as it is once again in 2023. Wine Spectator 98: Epic and aromatic, with hints of flint, dried mango, blood orange puree and lemon cheesecake. The acidity provides an appealing backbone for the supple mix of pear pastry, caramelized brown sugar, peach preserves and lemon verbena. The fresh, energetic finish shows hints of white tea. 2024 Vinous 96-98: The 2024 Chardonnay CIX Estate is seriously impressive. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2024 hits the palate with layered, intensely mineral-driven fruit. Orange peel, chamomile and floral-infused honey all build in the glass. Readers will find a deep, potent Chardonnay endowed with tremendous power and textural resonance. This is one of the very finest CIX Chardonnays I have tasted. Magnificent. Lisa Perrotti-Brown 98: The 2024 Chardonnay CIX Estate zips out with eager-to-please notes of lemon tart, Granny Smith apples, and lime blossoms, plus underlying suggestions of wet slate and peaches and cream. The super-concentrated, full-bodied palate is stacked with stone fruit and citrusy layers, supported by a crisp backbone and satiny texture, finishing with incredible length and depth. Wow. Drinking Window: 2027-2042. Wine Spectator 95: Starts off subtle at first, with fresh and juicy Asian pear, crunchy star fruit and Meyer lemon flavors. This expands into a more remarkable and complex wine, with notes of lemon confit, Danish butter cookie, apricot confections and crunchy sea salt. Shows plenty of energy and freshness on the finish. Drink now through 2038. 1,487 cases made.Ask about this
- Aubert Eastside Vineyard Chardonnay — 2024Our passion for Eastside begins with its rocky slopes and cobbled soil, and is rewarded with the small, concentrated clusters that these vines struggle to produce each year. The distinctive site-specific undertones and complex fruit-driven overtones of this wine exemplify an Aubert Chardonnay. Winemaker notes The 2024 Eastside Chardonnay is electric. Its abundant energy is framed by the telltale beam of acidity and gravelly minerality that are the hallmarks of this steep, rocky site. A mélange of lime and lemon zest, tea tree oil, tangerine, and green apple emerge from the glass, with flavors that match and add additional elements of ripe stone fruits. Ultimately, the 2024 Eastside is a wine that showcases rare textural precision, with a phenolic backbone that promotes its chiseled, focused structure, and complements the natural richness that is Undeniably Aubert. These structural elements promise a long, fruitful life in the cellar for 10 to 15 years or more. The wine is slightly hazy, showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. - Mark Aubert 2024 Vinous 94-96: The 2024 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard is a potent, tightly wound wine. It is going to need at least a few years to unwind. Citrus confit, white flowers, tangerine oil, crushed rocks, dried herbs and mint are finely sketched. Brisk acids pull it all together on the close. There’s terrific energy here. Jeb Dunnuck 98: The 2024 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard comes from a site planted by Ulises Valdez in 2008. Green apple, lime candy, white flowers, and refined stony earth define this focused and elegant wine. Though among the warmer sites in the portfolio, it possesses a distinctly Burgundian sensibility, emphasizing purity, energy, and mineral precision over sheer power. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers impressive refinement and persistence. Drink 2026-2040. Wine Spectator 95: Focused and linear, with a line drive of concentrated citrus, mineral and stone fruit flavors that expand to fleshy tones of apricot, white peach and pear pastry. Salted lemon bar, sesame seed, dried ginger and cardamom flavors are expressive, with hard lemon candy details on the finish alongside fresh-clipped herbs including vetiver and lemon balm. Drink now through 2040.Ask about this
- Aubert Larry Hyde & Sons Carneros Chardonnay — 2024The vineyard has a simple moniker, “a warm spot in a cool place.” This unique climate allows us to achieve optimally ripe grapes with a vin-de-garde personality. The wine exhibits organic notes derived from the soil, while the palate reveals immense depth and complexity. Winemaker notes The 2024 Larry Hyde & Sons Chardonnay is a case study in complex, soil-driven wine. At once full of generous, ripe apricot and lemon oils, the 2024 Larry Hyde & Sons is equally defined by its spicy, earthy notes of white pepper, crystallized ginger, and buckwheat honey. On the palate the wine continues with notes of lemon thyme, chamomile, and beeswax. Ethereal and graceful, the 2024 Larry Hyde & Sons seemingly dances across the palate. The complexity of this cuvée and textural and aromatic density afforded by old vines on this storied terroir provide the underpinnings for effortless development over the next 10 to 15 years of cellar age. The wine is slightly hazy, showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. 2023 Vinous 94-96: The 2023 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard is super-refined and polished. This was the last pick in 2023. Apricot, dried pear, chamomile, mint, tangerine peel and lightly honeyed notes all grace this exquisite, nuanced Chardonnay. Wine Spectator 98: Remarkable, powerful and complex, with smoked butterscotch, pear, tangerine, white peach, apricot preserves and dried mango, plus floral accents of honeysuckle and orange blossoms. Notes of pineapple upside-down cake, candied ginger and sweet cream add richness and elegance. The freshness from the acidity amplifies the flavors on the epic finish. Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW 100: The 2023 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons rockets from the glass with super-intense notes of lime blossoms, fresh yellow apples, orange peel, and chalk dust, plus hints of struck flint and grapefruit oil. The medium-bodied palate shimmers with citrus and stone fruit flavors, supported by fantastic tension and a satiny texture, finishing long and zesty. If served to me blind, I might mistake it for a Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne. Coming from the Hydes’ small parcel on the south side of the Sonoma Highway, it's planted to the Corton Charlemagne Chardonnay clone on St. Georges rootstock. This is one of the last vineyards to be harvested, hence it benefits from a long hang-time. 2024 James Suckling 100: An intensity of citrus like lime and ginger with hints of hazelnut on both the nose and palate. Brioche as well. Medium-bodied with a light oiliness. Hints of honey and spice. So complex. Incredible depth and intensity. Like a top Corton Charlemagne. Drink or hold. Vinous 93-95: The 2024 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard is wine of total precision and class. Lemon confit, slate, white pepper, apricot, lightly honeyed notes and a kick of reduction are classic Hyde. In 2024, the Hyde is elegant, gracious and a bit ethereal.Ask about this
- Aubert Powder House Estate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — 2023Powder House is the culmination of Mark Aubert’s 30+ years producing Chardonnay. Planted with one of our rarest Chardonnay clones, Powder House highlights the distinct, powdery Goldridge soils on this hilly site. Winemaker notes The 2024 Powder House Chardonnay exemplifies freshness and liveliness, wafting forth with bright tones of lime leaf and lime curd, tuberose, and fleshy nectarine. Tightly coiled, the 2024 Powder House slowly unfolds and unfurls in the glass to reveal its true structural complexity and deceptive richness. On the palate, chalky mineral elements and cooling menthol reinforce this tight composition and further hint at the underlying power and expansiveness. The wine finishes long and multifaceted, with a beam of acidity that carries its citrus tones across the palate for minutes on end. A wine built for ageing, the 2024 Powder House will continue to blossom well beyond a decade with proper cellaring. The wine is slightly hazy, showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. - Mark Aubert 2023 Vinous 97: The 2023 Chardonnay Powder House finds Mark Aubert at the top of his game. Rich and unctuous in the glass, the 2023 has it all. Preserved lemon, white flowers, slate, mint, tangerine oil, lychee, and a kiss of French oak fill out the layers. A flicker of reduction adds freshness as this opulent, large-scale Chardonnay shows off its alluring personality. Wine Spectator 97: Distinctive and aromatic, with notes of fresh-cut Fuji apple, crunchy star fruit, lemon cream, ginger and jasmine. There’s an appealing firmness to the acidity. Toasted, salted hazelnut, toffee and crunchy sea salt gain momentum on the finish, along with touches of toasted green tea and vetiver on the creamy finish. 2024 Vinous 95-97: The 2024 Chardonnay Powder House opens with soaring aromatics. Creamy and viscous, yet also remarkably refined, the 2024 is all class. In this tasting, the Powder House is a bit shy, just a touch reticent. Its long, persistent finish suggests a bright future lies ahead. Jeb Dunnuck 99: The 2024 Chardonnay Powder House Estate reveals aromas of Mt. Eden brioche, wet stones, spice, and green Williams pear. Rich and intense on the palate, it balances its concentration with remarkable purity and freshness. Lime oils, green apple, and a subtle toasty lift emerge. Mark attributes the reductive character to be vineyard-derived rather than oak-driven, and the estate’s two rootstocks contribute both sappy richness and vibrant acidity. Despite reaching 15% alcohol, it carries itself with the finesse and balance of a much lower-alcohol wine. One of the stars of the range. Drink 2026-2045.Ask about this
- Aubert Powder House Estate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — 2024Powder House is the culmination of Mark Aubert’s 30+ years producing Chardonnay. Planted with one of our rarest Chardonnay clones, Powder House highlights the distinct, powdery Goldridge soils on this hilly site. Winemaker notes The 2024 Powder House Chardonnay exemplifies freshness and liveliness, wafting forth with bright tones of lime leaf and lime curd, tuberose, and fleshy nectarine. Tightly coiled, the 2024 Powder House slowly unfolds and unfurls in the glass to reveal its true structural complexity and deceptive richness. On the palate, chalky mineral elements and cooling menthol reinforce this tight composition and further hint at the underlying power and expansiveness. The wine finishes long and multifaceted, with a beam of acidity that carries its citrus tones across the palate for minutes on end. A wine built for ageing, the 2024 Powder House will continue to blossom well beyond a decade with proper cellaring. The wine is slightly hazy, showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. - Mark Aubert 2023 Vinous 97: The 2023 Chardonnay Powder House finds Mark Aubert at the top of his game. Rich and unctuous in the glass, the 2023 has it all. Preserved lemon, white flowers, slate, mint, tangerine oil, lychee, and a kiss of French oak fill out the layers. A flicker of reduction adds freshness as this opulent, large-scale Chardonnay shows off its alluring personality. Wine Spectator 97: Distinctive and aromatic, with notes of fresh-cut Fuji apple, crunchy star fruit, lemon cream, ginger and jasmine. There’s an appealing firmness to the acidity. Toasted, salted hazelnut, toffee and crunchy sea salt gain momentum on the finish, along with touches of toasted green tea and vetiver on the creamy finish. 2024 Vinous 95-97: The 2024 Chardonnay Powder House opens with soaring aromatics. Creamy and viscous, yet also remarkably refined, the 2024 is all class. In this tasting, the Powder House is a bit shy, just a touch reticent. Its long, persistent finish suggests a bright future lies ahead. Jeb Dunnuck 99: The 2024 Chardonnay Powder House Estate reveals aromas of Mt. Eden brioche, wet stones, spice, and green Williams pear. Rich and intense on the palate, it balances its concentration with remarkable purity and freshness. Lime oils, green apple, and a subtle toasty lift emerge. Mark attributes the reductive character to be vineyard-derived rather than oak-driven, and the estate’s two rootstocks contribute both sappy richness and vibrant acidity. Despite reaching 15% alcohol, it carries itself with the finesse and balance of a much lower-alcohol wine. One of the stars of the range. Drink 2026-2045.Ask about this
- Aubert Sonoma Coast ChardonnayWinemaker notes The 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is ebullient, opening with a burst of apple blossom, lemon sorbetto, and nectarine. On the palate, the wine finds harmonic balance between the richness and textural density of the 2022 vintage and the natural tension and refreshing acidity of Chardonnay grown in this special coastal terroir. The wine finishes long and pure, a mélange of citrus oils expanding across the palate long after tasting.Ask about this
- Aubert Sonoma Coast Pinot NoirWinemaker notes The 2022 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is generous and inviting, a perfect introduction to the richness and purity of the vintage. The wine bounds from the glass with aromas of crushed raspberry and bing cherry oil. Tangerine zest and rooibos tea add depth across the luscious, mouthcoating palate. The wine finishes long with sweet forest tones that echo the aromas of California’s coastal redwoods—a reminder of the power and profundity of this special terroir.Ask about this
- Aubert UV-SL Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — 2023We refer to this wine as the “chameleon,” as it evolves and morphs in each glass. The combination of climate, soil, and rare clones planted at UV-SL produce kaleidoscopic, site-driven nuances. Winemaker notes The 2024 UV-SL Chardonnay is all about poise and precision. The wine opens with inviting aromas of citrus blossom, nectarine, and opal apple, but it is the saline coastal elements of crushed seashell, wild fennel, and sea spray that really sing and celebrate this site’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean. On the palate the wine is expansive and texturally fine, especially when allowed time to blossom in the glass, gaining breath and volume quickly. Dynamic, evolving wines like this are a sure bet for graceful and rewarding ageing, and the 2024 UV-SL Chardonnay will continue to develop and unfurl for the coming 10 to 15 years of bottle age. The wine is slightly hazy, showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. - Mark Aubert 2023 Vinous 96: The 2023 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard is a wild, exotic wine. Lifted tropical notes meld info a core of green orchard fruit, mint and lime zest. As is so often the case, the UV SL is defined by its textural presence, layers of fruit and plush, enveloping curves. Wine Specator 96: Offers a stunning mix of crème brûlée, orange curd and peach preserves, with so much depth and complexity to the range of details, including wildflower honey and apricot pastry, plus spicy accents of nutmeg and Saigon cinnamon. Toffee and a touch of smoked salt linger on the finish. Drink now through 2035. 2024 Vinous 95-97: The 2024 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard soars from the glass with captivating aromatics. Freshly cut flowers, slate, mint, chalk and dried herbs lend notable aromatic brightness. This tense, salivating Chardonnay is shaping up to be a jewel of wine. A bit of time in the glass brings out the winds textural richness and overall presence. There's tremendous depth and intensity here. James Suckling 99: The density and layers to this are impressive with a full body and an oily, complex palate. Smoke, ash, gunpowder and white pepper at the end. It pulls together at the finish into greatness. Drink or hold.Ask about this
- Aubert UV-SL Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — 2024We refer to this wine as the “chameleon,” as it evolves and morphs in each glass. The combination of climate, soil, and rare clones planted at UV-SL produce kaleidoscopic, site-driven nuances. Winemaker notes The 2024 UV-SL Chardonnay is all about poise and precision. The wine opens with inviting aromas of citrus blossom, nectarine, and opal apple, but it is the saline coastal elements of crushed seashell, wild fennel, and sea spray that really sing and celebrate this site’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean. On the palate the wine is expansive and texturally fine, especially when allowed time to blossom in the glass, gaining breath and volume quickly. Dynamic, evolving wines like this are a sure bet for graceful and rewarding ageing, and the 2024 UV-SL Chardonnay will continue to develop and unfurl for the coming 10 to 15 years of bottle age. The wine is slightly hazy, showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. - Mark Aubert 2023 Vinous 96: The 2023 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard is a wild, exotic wine. Lifted tropical notes meld info a core of green orchard fruit, mint and lime zest. As is so often the case, the UV SL is defined by its textural presence, layers of fruit and plush, enveloping curves. Wine Specator 96: Offers a stunning mix of crème brûlée, orange curd and peach preserves, with so much depth and complexity to the range of details, including wildflower honey and apricot pastry, plus spicy accents of nutmeg and Saigon cinnamon. Toffee and a touch of smoked salt linger on the finish. Drink now through 2035. 2024 Vinous 95-97: The 2024 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard soars from the glass with captivating aromatics. Freshly cut flowers, slate, mint, chalk and dried herbs lend notable aromatic brightness. This tense, salivating Chardonnay is shaping up to be a jewel of wine. A bit of time in the glass brings out the winds textural richness and overall presence. There's tremendous depth and intensity here. James Suckling 99: The density and layers to this are impressive with a full body and an oily, complex palate. Smoke, ash, gunpowder and white pepper at the end. It pulls together at the finish into greatness. Drink or hold.Ask about this
- Ausone — 2017Château Ausone is the jewel of the estate, a masterpiece of subtle elegance. Like a cathedral, it initially presents a big, powerful, mineral profile of Cabernet Franc. Then comes the Merlot, round and pure with a chiselled texture. Finesse and freshness linger long on the palate, finishing with exquisite balance. This is a monumental wine that travels through time, polished by its loving passage. 2017 Wine Advocate 98: The deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Ausone is a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. It sashays out of the glass with gregarious scents of baked red and black plums, wild blueberries and boysenberries plus touches of violets, espresso, licorice and melted chocolate with wafts of iron ore and tilled soil. Medium-bodied, the palate is an exercise in poise, featuring beautifully ripe, silken tannins and bold freshness to support the fragrant multi-layers, finishing very long and very minerally. James Suckling 94: Rich and succulent, with a wide spectrum of black and blue berry aromas. Lovely balance of fine tannins, restrained richness, lively acidity and just a hint of oak. Long finish that has a delicate touch. Drink or hold. Château Quintus vertical tasting. SP. 2023 Wine Advocate 95-97: The 2023 Ausone reveals an incipient bouquet of violet, smoke, dark wild berries, spices and cherries, all beautifully interwoven with creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a rich chassis of tannin, it has a vibrant core of fruit and a long, mineral, vanillin-inflected finish. At 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, this ranks alongside the 2014 vintage as one of the most Cabernet-dominant Ausone vintages of recent years, and it will mature for 20 months in new oak barrels. James Suckling 98-99: I don't think I have tasted an Ausone like this. The purity of fruit and fluidity is so primary, like perfectly picked grapes with their juice. Then there is citrus freshness. It's muscular, with toned tannins that caress the palate and give a seamless finish. This really could push the boundaries for the character of Ausone, in the way of finesse with structure. Watch it. 60% cabernet franc and 40% merlot. 2025 Wine Advocate 97-99: A blend of 65% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2025 Château Ausone unwinds in the glass with notes of sweet raspberries and mulberries mingled with notions of mint, rose petals and blood orange. Medium- to full-bodied, lively and perfumed, with lovely energy, exquisitely refined tannins and a bright, precise finish, it shows extraordinary potential. Some discreet changes are underway at this address, with picking (between September 2 and 23) broken up plot by plot to a greater degree; a review of the estate's cooperage choices in pursuit of better integration; and, at least this year, no second wine for the first time since 1994—given the quality of Ausone's terroir and vine material, that seems entirely reasonable. The result is one of the most refined, classy Ausone vintages in recent years, and it will be exciting to follow these evolutions over the years to come. - William Kelley Vinous 96-98: The 2025 Ausone represents the entirety of the vineyard this year after trial blends convinced the Vauthiers not to make a Chapelle d'Ausone. There is also 5% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend for the first time, from five tiny plots located on a terrace close to the quarry, so that heat reflects off the wall to ensure ripening. It was picked between September 2 and 23. Almost immediately, I noticed how that soupçon of Cabernet Sauvignon tilts the style of the Grand Vin in a different and, to my mind, positive direction. Beautifully defined, a little more sapid, perhaps just a tad less precocious than usual, there is a sense of classicism in this Ausone that I admire, terroir over growing season perhaps? The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, real depth, silky smooth, with layers of blackberry and raspberry fruit and hints of white pepper and clove. Very long, with a peacock's tail on the finish, this is a fascinating and alluring Ausone that will age with style. - Neal Martin Decanter 96: A beautiful floral fragrance on the nose, smells like a wild meadow with a touch of toasted spice, vanilla and clove along with black chocolate and blackcurrants. Smooth and creamy, round and filling with a really bright core of fresh acidity backed by mouthwatering acidity and a fleshy but really cool finish. The juicy aspect is lovely – this is a fun Ausone dare I say it, with the focus on fruit purity and clarity. Certainly an elegant and finessed wine. Chewy, supple, forward and friendly. It’s not so dense but it is complex. Perhaps a touch hands off, but I love the cool freshness and the sense of direction. Nothing is out of place. Earliest harvest ever, started 2nd September with main harvest on the 8th. The first time to have Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend and no Chapelle this year, the first time since the second wine was introduced in 1994. 3.5pH. Ageing 100% new oak. A yield of 29hl/ha. - Georgina HindleAsk about this
- Aussieres Blanc — 2024Made with special care, Aussières’ “Blanc” is a Chardonnay that combines liveliness, smoothness and fruit. Winemaker notes Beautiful, bright, clear colour with pale yellow and green glints. The nose is full-bodied and rich with an aromatic palette of white fruit and citrus notes mingling with a combination of almond blossom and pink grapefruit. On the palate, the wine is round, fresh, and lively with a hint of acidity and slightly mentholated, aniseedy notes. It has the typical minerality and freshness that constitute the identity of Aussières Blanc.Ask about this
- Aussieres Rouge — 2024Intense colour with purple-red reflection. An expressive and joyful nose with notes of red fruits and sweet spices. On the palate, we find the structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon and the elegance of its tannins, which combine with the greediness of the very sunny Syrah, which offers a bouquet of black fruit such as cherry and blackberry. Good length in the mouth, with a very harmonious and greedy finish with a note of salted butter caramel. Winemaker notes Beautiful deep red colour with garnet highlights. Expressive on the nose with notes of blackcurrant, mild spices and hints of chocolate. Every varietal adds to the generosity of this wine. It is generous on the palate with loads of summery aromas such as red cherry, blackberry and fresh fig.The tannins are soft and harmonious.Ask about this
- Bao Zhuang Cabernet Sauvignon 宝荘宝荘 is created by blending 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from multiple Himalayan villages. Each village is harvested separately and vinified independently before the final blend. The 2018 vintage was composed from three villages. Rather than expressing one place, 宝荘 seeks to reveal the broader natural character of the Himalayas. 2018 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% alc./vol., 35,000 bottles produced. Deep ruby color with cassis, bramble fruit, and subtle mint. Smooth tannins and well integrated oak give balance and length. 2020 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% alc./vol., 55,000 bottles produced. Concentrated dark fruit, blackberry and plum, layered with spice and cedar. Structured, age worthy, with vibrant freshness from high altitude terroir.Ask about this
- Bao Zhuang Chardonnay 宝荘Produced from Chardonnay grown at approximately 2,500 metres above sea level in the Himalayas. At this altitude, abundant sunshine, cool mountain air from the surrounding snow peaks and significant diurnal temperature variation allow the grapes to ripen slowly while preserving freshness and natural acidity. Rather than expressing a single vineyard, Bauzuan White seeks to express the broader character of Himalayan Chardonnay. 2022 100% Chardonnay, 13.8% alc./vol., 7,000 bottles produced. Tasting notes: Crisp and mineral driven, with citrus zest, green apple, and a touch of white flowers. Elegant and precise. 2023 100% Chardonnay, 13.5% alc./vol., 4,967 bottles produced. Tasting notes: Fresh and expressive, with pear, peach, and hints of flint. Smooth texture with lively acidity.Ask about this
- Barolet-Pernot Auxey Duresses Les Clous — 2023 *Arriving Q4 2026A quintessential Côte de Beaune hidden jewel, nestled in a cool, sun-dappled valley tucked behind Meursault where steep, limestone-laden slopes give whites their striking backbone. Fourth-generation grower Romain Barolet-Pernot—who has swiftly turned his family domaine into an up-and-coming star—brings out the absolute best in this prized climat. Taking an organic approach in the vineyard and keeping his family's top-tier fruit in-house, Romain crafts a wine that channels the vibrant energy, chalky minerality, and crisp, high-altitude elegance of Auxey-Duresses like a polished mirror. Winemaker notes A very bright color with some green reflections. On the nose we find a fresh and elegant wine with aromas of fruit and wood. On the palate we have a round wine with a beautiful freshness and minerality.Ask about this
- Barolet-Pernot Beaune 1er Cru Les Teurons — 2024 *Arriving Q4 2026Beaune 1er Cru "Les Teurons" is one of the most celebrated premier crus of the Côte de Beaune, positioned right on the mid-slope sweet spot where deep, iron-rich limestone soils yield whites of remarkable depth and refined structure. Fourth-generation grower Romain Barolet-Pernot—who has rapidly turned his family domaine into a rising star—gives this prized parcel the royal treatment. Harnessing an organic approach in the vineyard and keeping his family's top-tier fruit in-house, Romain translates the rich complexity, seamless balance, and stony elegance of Les Teurons like a polished mirror. Winemaker notes Beautiful freshness offering nuances of lemon, lemon zest, crisp apricot, wildflowers and white flower. The frame is mineral with a romas of crushed stones, embellished with a background texture with chalky notes. The finish is medium-bodied, fresh and lively.Ask about this
- Barolet-Pernot Les Prévoles Beaune Blanc — 2023 *Arriving Q4 2026Beaune Blanc "Les Prévoles" comes from one of Burgundy’s iconic historical crossroads, a site where gentle slopes of limestone and deep clay catch the precise balance of sun and cool breeze. Fourth-generation grower Romain Barolet-Pernot continues his rapid rise as an up-and-coming star, reinterpreting his family’s finest plots with meticulous, hands-on care. Reclaiming their premium fruit—which spent years quietly supplying top houses like Olivier Leflaive—Romain applies a thoughtful, organic-leaning approach to capture the pure, unfiltered personality of this distinct Beaune single vineyard. Winemaker notes Aromas of white-fleshed fruit and citrus fruits on a subtly woody background. It reveals a beautiful balance on the palate.Ask about this
- Barolet-Pernot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Garenne — 2024 *Arriving Q4 2026Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Clos de la Garenne" sits at the absolute pinnacle of Côte de Beaune royalty, a legendary Premier Cru perched high on the slope where limestone-rich soils yield whites of breathtaking precision. Fourth-generation grower Romain Barolet-Pernot—who has rapidly turned his family domaine into a sought-after star—treats this prized parcel with meticulous care. Taking a low-intervention, organic approach in the vineyard and reclaiming his family's top-tier fruit, Romain crafts a wine that captures the noble pedigree, tension, and razor-sharp minerality of this iconic terroir like a polished mirror. Winemaker notes Wine of a mineral and fine structure with notes of hazelnut. The wine is powerful and balanced on the palate, pleasant by its great distinction and its volume.Ask about this
- Barolet-Pernot Puligny-Montrachet La Brelance — 2024 *Arriving Q4 2026Puligny-Montrachet stands as Burgundy’s ultimate benchmark for Chardonnay, a village legendary for its laser-focused precision and deep limestone intensity. From the single vineyard La Brelance, fourth-generation grower Romain Barolet-Pernot continues his rapid ascent as one of the Côte de Beaune’s brightest young stars. Having reclaimed his family’s prime parcels—fruit that long fueled prestigious houses like Olivier Leflaive—Romain applies a thoughtful, organic-leaning approach to capture this parcel's classic Puligny tension, floral purity, and aristocratic elegance. Winemaker notes Delicate nose, complex on white-fleshed fruits, the mouth is tonic and saline.Ask about this
- Barolet-Pernot Saint Romain Blanc — 2024 *Arriving Q4 2026Saint-Romain is a Burgundy insider’s secret, a village shaped like a sunny amphitheater that is hidden behind a series of higher hills in the Côte de Beaune. Fourth-generation grower Romain Barolet-Pernot in a few short years has turned his family domaine into an up-and-coming star. Bringing back their best grapes (previously sold to Olivier Leflaive) and taking a more organic approach in the fields, Romain has transformed these small-batch wines to reflect his home village’s stony energy and high-altitude freshness like a polished mirror. Winemaker notes Beautiful freshness offering nuances of lemon, lemon zest, crisp apricot, wildflowers and white flower. The frame is mineral with aromas of crushed stones, embellished with a background texture with chalky notes. The finish is medium-bodied, fresh and lively.Ask about this
- Barolet-Pernot Saint Romain Rouge — 2023 *Arriving Q4 2026Saint-Romain is a Burgundy insider’s secret, a village shaped like a sunny amphitheater that is hidden behind a series of higher hills in the Côte de Beaune. Fourth-generation grower Romain Barolet-Pernot in a few short years has turned his family domaine into an up-and-coming star. Bringing back their best grapes (previously sold to Olivier Leflaive) and taking a more organic approach in the fields, Romain has transformed these small-batch wines to reflect his home village’s stony energy and high-altitude freshness like a polished mirror Winemaker notes A ruby color of good intensity, the nose is elegant with plenty of fruits (wild strawberry, red plum) as well as floral (cherry blossom) and mineral (crushed stones). The mouth is ample, gourmet. Medium-bodied, lively and fresh.Ask about this
- Beauregard Pomerol — 20192019 Wine Advocate 91: The 2019 Beauregard offers up a rich bouquet of plums, cherries, baking chocolate and licorice, followed by a full-bodied, fleshy and sumptuous palate that's broad and enveloping, with an ample core of fruit, melting tannins and ripe but succulent acids. This is a gourmand, demonstrative Pomerol that's already drinking well. This certified-organic estate on the edge of the Pomerol plateau, opposite Petit Village, has been replanted at higher density and benefits from carefully winemaking.Ask about this
- Beausejour Becot — 20212020 Wine Advocate 95+: A terrific performance for an estate on a continuing upward trajectory, the 2020 Beau-Séjour Bécot unwinds in the glass with a deep bouquet of cherries and blackberries mingled with violets and spices. Medium to full-bodied, pure and layered, it's deep and concentrated, with a vibrant core of fruit, polished tannins and a long, sapid finish. The 2020 is a blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, some two-thirds of which was matured in new oak, with the balance in tanks, amphorae and foudres. Vinous 97: The 2020 Beau-Sejour Becot is a dense, powerful wine. A rush of black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, licorice, spice and sweet oak builds as this towering, vertically explosive Saint-Emilion opens in the glass. This is an especially broad, expansive Saint-Emilion, much of that attributable to the clay in these soils. The 2020 is magnificent in its intensity and overall volume. Superb. 2021 James Suckling 93-94: Lots of blue fruit with violets and a hint of boysenberry. Medium body, integrated and fine tannins and a cool, linear finish. Solid length and brightness. Vinous 96: The 2021 Beau-Séjour Bécot is powerful, dense and quite savory, with the Franc very much in evidence. Dark red cherry, blood orange, spice, mint, rose petal, incense and scorched earth give this deep, layered Saint-Émilion tons of flavor complexity. This is such a distinctive and compelling wine. Decanter 92: Bramble fruit aromas and lovely subtle perfume to the red summer berries. Smooth and supple palate but the wine has such a vibrancy to it. It has a bit of a wild energy with salty earth, sour cherry, ripe strawberry and a touch of crushed stone and tobacco. You get the minerality and a real display of nuance and detail on the palate. This has character: it’s smooth but with satin-textured tannins giving the support and structure in the mouth with a slow build of flavour to a lifted, fresh finish. An excellent and impressive effort from Côtes de Castillon in 2021. No chapitalisation. 7% press wine. 3.5pH. 2022 James Suckling 94: Opulent and rich, with luxurious, ripe blackberry and blackcurrant character. It's full-bodied and very layered, with soft, silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Creamy texture at the end. 51% merlot, 43% cabernet sauvignon and 6% petit verdot. This is delicious now, but will age nicely. Best after 2027. Vinous 100: The 2022 Beau-Séjour Bécot is a total stunner. What a wine! The 2022 was magnificent en primeur, and it is all that from bottle. The aromatics alone are mesmerizing. Crushed rose petal, mint, blood orange, new leather and cedar meld into a core of pliant red-toned fruit. More than anything else, I am so impressed with the wine's precision and finesse. I have never tasted a Beau-Séjour Bécot like this. Decanter 96: Floral notes on the nose. Tangy and sharp, lively and bright straight away, sweet and sour, so energetic and lively with a mineral grip from the fine, firm, grippy tannins. Lovely precision and almost delicate presentation of fruit. You really feel the mineral, salty, tangy aspect of the fruit, nothing feels overworked, all in balance, really quite thrilling and electric. Great purity and focus. Scintillating yet still with a lovely volume and roundness accented by tobacco, clove, liquorice and cinnamon touches. Really well worked and fresh - this feels very modern with such control to the fruit, tannins, acidity giving overall depth and complexity. Elegant but confident, taking the best density from clay density and freshness from limestone. A very singular charm with this wine. 3.55pH. 10% press wine.Ask about this
- Beausejour Duffau2005 Wine Advocate 91: While no one will confuse the 2005 with this estate’s prodigious 1990, it is an outstanding effort from one of St.-Emilion’s finest terroirs. In terms of potential, the vineyard is exceeded only by Ausone, Pavie and Belair for micro-climate and exposition. A beautiful dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by an ethereal nose of blueberry liqueur, spring flowers, melted licorice, raspberries, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied with good acidity, sweet but high tannin, a broad mouthfeel, and admirable elegance as well as freshness, this beauty should age easily for 25+ years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035. Vinous 95: Saturated ruby color. Extravagant aromas of blueberry jam, kirsch, roast coffee and sexy oak; slightly liqueur-like in its huge ripeness (this is reportedly just over 14% alcohol). Wonderfully dense, sweet and powerful, but excellent acidity gives definition to the primary black fruit, earth and mineral flavors. Today the wine's strong acids and huge tannins have not yet come into harmony, but this is a hugely endowed young wine with an extraordinarily creamy middle and great palate-saturating breadth on the back. A great vintage in the making for this property.Ask about this
- Belair Monange — 2014Château Bélair-Monange traces its origins back to Roman times. Situated at the highest point of Saint-Émilion’s famed limestone plateau, it has long been considered one of the region’s very best crus. By 1850 it was ranked by Cocks & Feret as the leading wine of Saint-Émilion, a position it held well into the twentieth century. Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix purchased the iconic Château in 2008. In 2012, Château Magdelaine was merged into Château Bélair-Monange. The name ‘Monange,’ in addition to its literal translation, ‘my angel,’ was the maiden name of Jean-Pierre Moueix’s mother, Anne-Adèle, the first Moueix woman to call Saint-Émilion her home. Château Bélair-Monange combines the terroirs of the most privileged sites of Saint-Émilion. The limestone from the central plateau parcels offers freshness, minerality, and delicate, lingering aromatics, while the dense, blue clay of the slopes provides intensity, length, and a unique elegance to the wine. Winemaker notes A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, and pure, flowery, black raspberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with a hint of chalky minerality. The wine is medium-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and appears to be an aberration in a vintage such as 2013. Kudos to Edouard Moueix and his team for this remarkable success. Drink it over the next 12-15+ years. 2014 Wine Advocate 92: The 2014 Belair-Monange was a slightly perplexing wine when I tasted it from barrel, so I was intrigued to discover how it would perform now in bottle. It has what you might describe as a "straight-laced" bouquet: very direct and nicely delineated, albeit without the frills and nuances of some of the best Saint Emilion wines this vintage. There is an attractive wilted rose petal aroma that emerges with aeration, but I was seeking more intensity. The palate is better than the aromatics: silky smooth in texture, well-judged acidity, genuine depth and gentle grip in the mouth. There is tangible mineralité here, great focus with a sense of tension and "bite" towards the finish. I was probably being parsimonious with my score in barrel, although that is partly vindicated by the nose that needs to get its act together and match the potential of the palate. Let's see how this develops over the next few years. James Suckling 96: Extremely perfumed with rose aromas that turn to strawberries and citrus. Some stones, too. Full-bodied, yet reserved and ultra-refined. It goes on for minutes. Power with finesse. Vinous 93: The 2014 Bélair-Monange has an open, aniseed-tinged bouquet with plenty of ripe red berry fruit. There is something playful and joyful about these aromatics that demand to be noticed. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, firm tannin, quite grippy in the mouth but there are some lovely liquorice and spice notes that come through on the finish. Excellent. Decanter 94: Salty, meaty elements on the nose, quite savoury and toasted with accents of dark blackcurrant, plum, oak and graphite. Silky and a little bit sombre, this has finesse but has lost some of its bright youthful and fun fruity side and now presents a relatively light but still charming body with a juicy core and saline finish. Clean and well defined. Ready to drink but this could age further. Wine Enthusiast 96: With the amalgamation of Château Magdelaine into this one property, the estate is now a considerable 58 acres. The wine is now performing in top gear. Powerful tannins drive the mainly Merlot blend with 10% Cabernet Franc. It still shows signs of the wood aging and these will disappear to leave a richly endowed wine with a fine future. Drink from 2026. 2018 James Suckling 99: Very intense blackberries, black olives, blueberries and dried flowers. Stony minerality. Even some pine. Full-bodied with superb depth of fruit and ultra fine tannins that are intense and polished. The finish is so long and delivers so much flavor, from wet earth to blackberry again. Seamless palate. Try after 2026. Vinous 96: The 2018 Bélair-Monange, so impressive out of barrel, delivers now that it finds itself incarcerated by glass. It is endowed with a seriously impressive nose, delivering blackberry and still that faint warm brick/terracotta scent, shaved black truffle and a touch of clove. You could lose yourself completely in this bouquet. The palate has firmed up a little, displaying more backbone than I recall. The dash of cracked black pepper liberally sprinkled over the finish curiously bears similarities to some of the Pomerols this vintage, and the Cabernet Franc feels much more prominent than its 2% contribution to the blend would suggest. I adore this Saint-Émilion and it is going to benefit from 8–10 years in the cellar... if you can resist temptation that long. Decanter 97: A gorgeous wine, with concentrated power offset by lift and lyricism. It fully expresses the character and personality of its location on the limestone plateau, showing real juiciness and a focussed minerality, with extremely flavourful crushed raspberry and blackberry fruits, and touches of peony and rose on the nose. This is delicious, graceful, spicy and persistent, with notes that spiral both downwards and upwards. The violet reflections are off the chart. Wine Enthusiast 97: Dense layers of black fruits mingle with dusty tannins in this wine. The powerful structure is beautifully balanced with ripe fruitiness in harmony with the concentration of the wine's texture. This wine will age well. Drink from 2027. 2021 Wine Advocate 93+: The ethereal 2021 Belair Monange shows its limestone terroir front and center in this cooler vintage, unwinding in the glass with notes of sweet cherries, minty red berries, raw cocoa and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, suave and polished palate that's pure, lively and mineral, concluding with a saline finish. James Suckling 96: Lots of lush blue and black fruits followed by violets, fresh mint, roasted almonds and black ink with vanilla beans and mocha. Full-bodied, refreshing acidity with firm and racy tannins. Broad and energetic mid-palate with a succulent and layered finish. Superb concentration with depth and tension. It’s difficult not to drink now but your patience will be rewarded. Decanter 95: A bit quiet aromatically. Bright and shiny straight away, juicy with acidity and minerality to the fore - a real coating of liquorice and flint straight away, fruit feels ripe and perfumed with a lean texture and racy acidity - salty, straight and focused. Tannins are slightly grippy and grainy giving the frame and structure. Needs more time to come together but this feels well worked, with a certain fullness. Salty strawberries, herbal raspberries, wet stone, flint and graphite. You really get the terroir effect here and the final flavour leaves you wanting more. Delicate yet determined. I like it a lot. Wine Enthusiast 96: The wine comes from a 64-acre vineyard on the slope leading to the Saint-Emilion plateau. It is dense, its tannins still dominant. The wine's fruit and rich structure are impressive. Drink from 2028. 2022 Wine Advocate 94: The 2022 Belair Monange opens in the glass with aromas of jammy blackberries, licorice, smoked meats and mocha. Full-bodied, layered and dense, with chalky tannins and a carnal finish, the estate's limestone soils translate into the liveliest wine in the Mouiex portfolio this year, despite its super-ripe profile. James Suckling 99: This has an opulence that’s reined in by the crushed-stone and fine-tannin character. It's full-bodied with tight and polished tannins that have energy and precision. Very linear and structured. This comes from great limestone soils that give this wine a freshness and focus. Salty and chalky at the end. Drink after 2030. Vinous 98: The 2022 Bélair-Monange is even better in bottle than it was en primeur. Seamless in the glass, with stunning purity, the 2022 is magnificently complete from start to finish. Brisk acids and cool veins of supporting minerality cut through a core of ripe red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, blood orange and mocha. The 2022 is the most impressive Bélair-Monange under the Moueix family's stewardship. Superb. Falstaff 100: Deep dark ruby in colour with a deep core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, an immensely complex bouquet of delicate truffle, leather, fine dark forest berries, some cherry, liquorice, and nuances of tobacco. The tight-knit, juicy palate has an impressive verticality, with fine fruit, ripe, perfectly mature supporting tannins, and enormous length. Has great potential for ageing, fully exploiting its great terroir this year, this is an outstanding wine with a saline finish that lasts for minutes. 2023 Wine Advocate 94-96: The 2023 Belair Monange is the first vintage from this newly created property that incorporates a balance of fruit from the plateau and fruit from the hillsides, as restructured and replanted parcels are returning to production. Wafting from the glass with attractive aromas of raspberries, violets and kirsch mingled with hints of incense, licorice and rose petals, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a deep and textural core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins, retaining a cool, ethereal profile that foregrounds its limestone origins. James Suckling 97-98: There’s finesse and beauty to this, with blackberry, dark-chocolate, bark, mushroom and forest-floor character. But it’s all class. Caresses your palate. Medium- to full-bodied and very long. Persistent and sophisticated. This shows the true character of the diverse vineyards of this estate. 98% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.Ask about this
- Belair Monange — 2018Château Bélair-Monange traces its origins back to Roman times. Situated at the highest point of Saint-Émilion’s famed limestone plateau, it has long been considered one of the region’s very best crus. By 1850 it was ranked by Cocks & Feret as the leading wine of Saint-Émilion, a position it held well into the twentieth century. Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix purchased the iconic Château in 2008. In 2012, Château Magdelaine was merged into Château Bélair-Monange. The name ‘Monange,’ in addition to its literal translation, ‘my angel,’ was the maiden name of Jean-Pierre Moueix’s mother, Anne-Adèle, the first Moueix woman to call Saint-Émilion her home. Château Bélair-Monange combines the terroirs of the most privileged sites of Saint-Émilion. The limestone from the central plateau parcels offers freshness, minerality, and delicate, lingering aromatics, while the dense, blue clay of the slopes provides intensity, length, and a unique elegance to the wine. Winemaker notes A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, and pure, flowery, black raspberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with a hint of chalky minerality. The wine is medium-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and appears to be an aberration in a vintage such as 2013. Kudos to Edouard Moueix and his team for this remarkable success. Drink it over the next 12-15+ years. 2014 Wine Advocate 92: The 2014 Belair-Monange was a slightly perplexing wine when I tasted it from barrel, so I was intrigued to discover how it would perform now in bottle. It has what you might describe as a "straight-laced" bouquet: very direct and nicely delineated, albeit without the frills and nuances of some of the best Saint Emilion wines this vintage. There is an attractive wilted rose petal aroma that emerges with aeration, but I was seeking more intensity. The palate is better than the aromatics: silky smooth in texture, well-judged acidity, genuine depth and gentle grip in the mouth. There is tangible mineralité here, great focus with a sense of tension and "bite" towards the finish. I was probably being parsimonious with my score in barrel, although that is partly vindicated by the nose that needs to get its act together and match the potential of the palate. Let's see how this develops over the next few years. James Suckling 96: Extremely perfumed with rose aromas that turn to strawberries and citrus. Some stones, too. Full-bodied, yet reserved and ultra-refined. It goes on for minutes. Power with finesse. Vinous 93: The 2014 Bélair-Monange has an open, aniseed-tinged bouquet with plenty of ripe red berry fruit. There is something playful and joyful about these aromatics that demand to be noticed. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, firm tannin, quite grippy in the mouth but there are some lovely liquorice and spice notes that come through on the finish. Excellent. Decanter 94: Salty, meaty elements on the nose, quite savoury and toasted with accents of dark blackcurrant, plum, oak and graphite. Silky and a little bit sombre, this has finesse but has lost some of its bright youthful and fun fruity side and now presents a relatively light but still charming body with a juicy core and saline finish. Clean and well defined. Ready to drink but this could age further. Wine Enthusiast 96: With the amalgamation of Château Magdelaine into this one property, the estate is now a considerable 58 acres. The wine is now performing in top gear. Powerful tannins drive the mainly Merlot blend with 10% Cabernet Franc. It still shows signs of the wood aging and these will disappear to leave a richly endowed wine with a fine future. Drink from 2026. 2018 James Suckling 99: Very intense blackberries, black olives, blueberries and dried flowers. Stony minerality. Even some pine. Full-bodied with superb depth of fruit and ultra fine tannins that are intense and polished. The finish is so long and delivers so much flavor, from wet earth to blackberry again. Seamless palate. Try after 2026. Vinous 96: The 2018 Bélair-Monange, so impressive out of barrel, delivers now that it finds itself incarcerated by glass. It is endowed with a seriously impressive nose, delivering blackberry and still that faint warm brick/terracotta scent, shaved black truffle and a touch of clove. You could lose yourself completely in this bouquet. The palate has firmed up a little, displaying more backbone than I recall. The dash of cracked black pepper liberally sprinkled over the finish curiously bears similarities to some of the Pomerols this vintage, and the Cabernet Franc feels much more prominent than its 2% contribution to the blend would suggest. I adore this Saint-Émilion and it is going to benefit from 8–10 years in the cellar... if you can resist temptation that long. Decanter 97: A gorgeous wine, with concentrated power offset by lift and lyricism. It fully expresses the character and personality of its location on the limestone plateau, showing real juiciness and a focussed minerality, with extremely flavourful crushed raspberry and blackberry fruits, and touches of peony and rose on the nose. This is delicious, graceful, spicy and persistent, with notes that spiral both downwards and upwards. The violet reflections are off the chart. Wine Enthusiast 97: Dense layers of black fruits mingle with dusty tannins in this wine. The powerful structure is beautifully balanced with ripe fruitiness in harmony with the concentration of the wine's texture. This wine will age well. Drink from 2027. 2021 Wine Advocate 93+: The ethereal 2021 Belair Monange shows its limestone terroir front and center in this cooler vintage, unwinding in the glass with notes of sweet cherries, minty red berries, raw cocoa and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, suave and polished palate that's pure, lively and mineral, concluding with a saline finish. James Suckling 96: Lots of lush blue and black fruits followed by violets, fresh mint, roasted almonds and black ink with vanilla beans and mocha. Full-bodied, refreshing acidity with firm and racy tannins. Broad and energetic mid-palate with a succulent and layered finish. Superb concentration with depth and tension. It’s difficult not to drink now but your patience will be rewarded. Decanter 95: A bit quiet aromatically. Bright and shiny straight away, juicy with acidity and minerality to the fore - a real coating of liquorice and flint straight away, fruit feels ripe and perfumed with a lean texture and racy acidity - salty, straight and focused. Tannins are slightly grippy and grainy giving the frame and structure. Needs more time to come together but this feels well worked, with a certain fullness. Salty strawberries, herbal raspberries, wet stone, flint and graphite. You really get the terroir effect here and the final flavour leaves you wanting more. Delicate yet determined. I like it a lot. Wine Enthusiast 96: The wine comes from a 64-acre vineyard on the slope leading to the Saint-Emilion plateau. It is dense, its tannins still dominant. The wine's fruit and rich structure are impressive. Drink from 2028. 2022 Wine Advocate 94: The 2022 Belair Monange opens in the glass with aromas of jammy blackberries, licorice, smoked meats and mocha. Full-bodied, layered and dense, with chalky tannins and a carnal finish, the estate's limestone soils translate into the liveliest wine in the Mouiex portfolio this year, despite its super-ripe profile. James Suckling 99: This has an opulence that’s reined in by the crushed-stone and fine-tannin character. It's full-bodied with tight and polished tannins that have energy and precision. Very linear and structured. This comes from great limestone soils that give this wine a freshness and focus. Salty and chalky at the end. Drink after 2030. Vinous 98: The 2022 Bélair-Monange is even better in bottle than it was en primeur. Seamless in the glass, with stunning purity, the 2022 is magnificently complete from start to finish. Brisk acids and cool veins of supporting minerality cut through a core of ripe red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, blood orange and mocha. The 2022 is the most impressive Bélair-Monange under the Moueix family's stewardship. Superb. Falstaff 100: Deep dark ruby in colour with a deep core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, an immensely complex bouquet of delicate truffle, leather, fine dark forest berries, some cherry, liquorice, and nuances of tobacco. The tight-knit, juicy palate has an impressive verticality, with fine fruit, ripe, perfectly mature supporting tannins, and enormous length. Has great potential for ageing, fully exploiting its great terroir this year, this is an outstanding wine with a saline finish that lasts for minutes. 2023 Wine Advocate 94-96: The 2023 Belair Monange is the first vintage from this newly created property that incorporates a balance of fruit from the plateau and fruit from the hillsides, as restructured and replanted parcels are returning to production. Wafting from the glass with attractive aromas of raspberries, violets and kirsch mingled with hints of incense, licorice and rose petals, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a deep and textural core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins, retaining a cool, ethereal profile that foregrounds its limestone origins. James Suckling 97-98: There’s finesse and beauty to this, with blackberry, dark-chocolate, bark, mushroom and forest-floor character. But it’s all class. Caresses your palate. Medium- to full-bodied and very long. Persistent and sophisticated. This shows the true character of the diverse vineyards of this estate. 98% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.Ask about this
- Belair Monange — 2021Château Bélair-Monange traces its origins back to Roman times. Situated at the highest point of Saint-Émilion’s famed limestone plateau, it has long been considered one of the region’s very best crus. By 1850 it was ranked by Cocks & Feret as the leading wine of Saint-Émilion, a position it held well into the twentieth century. Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix purchased the iconic Château in 2008. In 2012, Château Magdelaine was merged into Château Bélair-Monange. The name ‘Monange,’ in addition to its literal translation, ‘my angel,’ was the maiden name of Jean-Pierre Moueix’s mother, Anne-Adèle, the first Moueix woman to call Saint-Émilion her home. Château Bélair-Monange combines the terroirs of the most privileged sites of Saint-Émilion. The limestone from the central plateau parcels offers freshness, minerality, and delicate, lingering aromatics, while the dense, blue clay of the slopes provides intensity, length, and a unique elegance to the wine. Winemaker notes A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, and pure, flowery, black raspberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with a hint of chalky minerality. The wine is medium-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and appears to be an aberration in a vintage such as 2013. Kudos to Edouard Moueix and his team for this remarkable success. Drink it over the next 12-15+ years. 2014 Wine Advocate 92: The 2014 Belair-Monange was a slightly perplexing wine when I tasted it from barrel, so I was intrigued to discover how it would perform now in bottle. It has what you might describe as a "straight-laced" bouquet: very direct and nicely delineated, albeit without the frills and nuances of some of the best Saint Emilion wines this vintage. There is an attractive wilted rose petal aroma that emerges with aeration, but I was seeking more intensity. The palate is better than the aromatics: silky smooth in texture, well-judged acidity, genuine depth and gentle grip in the mouth. There is tangible mineralité here, great focus with a sense of tension and "bite" towards the finish. I was probably being parsimonious with my score in barrel, although that is partly vindicated by the nose that needs to get its act together and match the potential of the palate. Let's see how this develops over the next few years. James Suckling 96: Extremely perfumed with rose aromas that turn to strawberries and citrus. Some stones, too. Full-bodied, yet reserved and ultra-refined. It goes on for minutes. Power with finesse. Vinous 93: The 2014 Bélair-Monange has an open, aniseed-tinged bouquet with plenty of ripe red berry fruit. There is something playful and joyful about these aromatics that demand to be noticed. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, firm tannin, quite grippy in the mouth but there are some lovely liquorice and spice notes that come through on the finish. Excellent. Decanter 94: Salty, meaty elements on the nose, quite savoury and toasted with accents of dark blackcurrant, plum, oak and graphite. Silky and a little bit sombre, this has finesse but has lost some of its bright youthful and fun fruity side and now presents a relatively light but still charming body with a juicy core and saline finish. Clean and well defined. Ready to drink but this could age further. Wine Enthusiast 96: With the amalgamation of Château Magdelaine into this one property, the estate is now a considerable 58 acres. The wine is now performing in top gear. Powerful tannins drive the mainly Merlot blend with 10% Cabernet Franc. It still shows signs of the wood aging and these will disappear to leave a richly endowed wine with a fine future. Drink from 2026. 2018 James Suckling 99: Very intense blackberries, black olives, blueberries and dried flowers. Stony minerality. Even some pine. Full-bodied with superb depth of fruit and ultra fine tannins that are intense and polished. The finish is so long and delivers so much flavor, from wet earth to blackberry again. Seamless palate. Try after 2026. Vinous 96: The 2018 Bélair-Monange, so impressive out of barrel, delivers now that it finds itself incarcerated by glass. It is endowed with a seriously impressive nose, delivering blackberry and still that faint warm brick/terracotta scent, shaved black truffle and a touch of clove. You could lose yourself completely in this bouquet. The palate has firmed up a little, displaying more backbone than I recall. The dash of cracked black pepper liberally sprinkled over the finish curiously bears similarities to some of the Pomerols this vintage, and the Cabernet Franc feels much more prominent than its 2% contribution to the blend would suggest. I adore this Saint-Émilion and it is going to benefit from 8–10 years in the cellar... if you can resist temptation that long. Decanter 97: A gorgeous wine, with concentrated power offset by lift and lyricism. It fully expresses the character and personality of its location on the limestone plateau, showing real juiciness and a focussed minerality, with extremely flavourful crushed raspberry and blackberry fruits, and touches of peony and rose on the nose. This is delicious, graceful, spicy and persistent, with notes that spiral both downwards and upwards. The violet reflections are off the chart. Wine Enthusiast 97: Dense layers of black fruits mingle with dusty tannins in this wine. The powerful structure is beautifully balanced with ripe fruitiness in harmony with the concentration of the wine's texture. This wine will age well. Drink from 2027. 2021 Wine Advocate 93+: The ethereal 2021 Belair Monange shows its limestone terroir front and center in this cooler vintage, unwinding in the glass with notes of sweet cherries, minty red berries, raw cocoa and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, suave and polished palate that's pure, lively and mineral, concluding with a saline finish. James Suckling 96: Lots of lush blue and black fruits followed by violets, fresh mint, roasted almonds and black ink with vanilla beans and mocha. Full-bodied, refreshing acidity with firm and racy tannins. Broad and energetic mid-palate with a succulent and layered finish. Superb concentration with depth and tension. It’s difficult not to drink now but your patience will be rewarded. Decanter 95: A bit quiet aromatically. Bright and shiny straight away, juicy with acidity and minerality to the fore - a real coating of liquorice and flint straight away, fruit feels ripe and perfumed with a lean texture and racy acidity - salty, straight and focused. Tannins are slightly grippy and grainy giving the frame and structure. Needs more time to come together but this feels well worked, with a certain fullness. Salty strawberries, herbal raspberries, wet stone, flint and graphite. You really get the terroir effect here and the final flavour leaves you wanting more. Delicate yet determined. I like it a lot. Wine Enthusiast 96: The wine comes from a 64-acre vineyard on the slope leading to the Saint-Emilion plateau. It is dense, its tannins still dominant. The wine's fruit and rich structure are impressive. Drink from 2028. 2022 Wine Advocate 94: The 2022 Belair Monange opens in the glass with aromas of jammy blackberries, licorice, smoked meats and mocha. Full-bodied, layered and dense, with chalky tannins and a carnal finish, the estate's limestone soils translate into the liveliest wine in the Mouiex portfolio this year, despite its super-ripe profile. James Suckling 99: This has an opulence that’s reined in by the crushed-stone and fine-tannin character. It's full-bodied with tight and polished tannins that have energy and precision. Very linear and structured. This comes from great limestone soils that give this wine a freshness and focus. Salty and chalky at the end. Drink after 2030. Vinous 98: The 2022 Bélair-Monange is even better in bottle than it was en primeur. Seamless in the glass, with stunning purity, the 2022 is magnificently complete from start to finish. Brisk acids and cool veins of supporting minerality cut through a core of ripe red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, blood orange and mocha. The 2022 is the most impressive Bélair-Monange under the Moueix family's stewardship. Superb. Falstaff 100: Deep dark ruby in colour with a deep core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, an immensely complex bouquet of delicate truffle, leather, fine dark forest berries, some cherry, liquorice, and nuances of tobacco. The tight-knit, juicy palate has an impressive verticality, with fine fruit, ripe, perfectly mature supporting tannins, and enormous length. Has great potential for ageing, fully exploiting its great terroir this year, this is an outstanding wine with a saline finish that lasts for minutes. 2023 Wine Advocate 94-96: The 2023 Belair Monange is the first vintage from this newly created property that incorporates a balance of fruit from the plateau and fruit from the hillsides, as restructured and replanted parcels are returning to production. Wafting from the glass with attractive aromas of raspberries, violets and kirsch mingled with hints of incense, licorice and rose petals, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a deep and textural core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins, retaining a cool, ethereal profile that foregrounds its limestone origins. James Suckling 97-98: There’s finesse and beauty to this, with blackberry, dark-chocolate, bark, mushroom and forest-floor character. But it’s all class. Caresses your palate. Medium- to full-bodied and very long. Persistent and sophisticated. This shows the true character of the diverse vineyards of this estate. 98% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.Ask about this
- Belair Monange — 2022Château Bélair-Monange traces its origins back to Roman times. Situated at the highest point of Saint-Émilion’s famed limestone plateau, it has long been considered one of the region’s very best crus. By 1850 it was ranked by Cocks & Feret as the leading wine of Saint-Émilion, a position it held well into the twentieth century. Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix purchased the iconic Château in 2008. In 2012, Château Magdelaine was merged into Château Bélair-Monange. The name ‘Monange,’ in addition to its literal translation, ‘my angel,’ was the maiden name of Jean-Pierre Moueix’s mother, Anne-Adèle, the first Moueix woman to call Saint-Émilion her home. Château Bélair-Monange combines the terroirs of the most privileged sites of Saint-Émilion. The limestone from the central plateau parcels offers freshness, minerality, and delicate, lingering aromatics, while the dense, blue clay of the slopes provides intensity, length, and a unique elegance to the wine. Winemaker notes A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, and pure, flowery, black raspberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with a hint of chalky minerality. The wine is medium-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and appears to be an aberration in a vintage such as 2013. Kudos to Edouard Moueix and his team for this remarkable success. Drink it over the next 12-15+ years. 2014 Wine Advocate 92: The 2014 Belair-Monange was a slightly perplexing wine when I tasted it from barrel, so I was intrigued to discover how it would perform now in bottle. It has what you might describe as a "straight-laced" bouquet: very direct and nicely delineated, albeit without the frills and nuances of some of the best Saint Emilion wines this vintage. There is an attractive wilted rose petal aroma that emerges with aeration, but I was seeking more intensity. The palate is better than the aromatics: silky smooth in texture, well-judged acidity, genuine depth and gentle grip in the mouth. There is tangible mineralité here, great focus with a sense of tension and "bite" towards the finish. I was probably being parsimonious with my score in barrel, although that is partly vindicated by the nose that needs to get its act together and match the potential of the palate. Let's see how this develops over the next few years. James Suckling 96: Extremely perfumed with rose aromas that turn to strawberries and citrus. Some stones, too. Full-bodied, yet reserved and ultra-refined. It goes on for minutes. Power with finesse. Vinous 93: The 2014 Bélair-Monange has an open, aniseed-tinged bouquet with plenty of ripe red berry fruit. There is something playful and joyful about these aromatics that demand to be noticed. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, firm tannin, quite grippy in the mouth but there are some lovely liquorice and spice notes that come through on the finish. Excellent. Decanter 94: Salty, meaty elements on the nose, quite savoury and toasted with accents of dark blackcurrant, plum, oak and graphite. Silky and a little bit sombre, this has finesse but has lost some of its bright youthful and fun fruity side and now presents a relatively light but still charming body with a juicy core and saline finish. Clean and well defined. Ready to drink but this could age further. Wine Enthusiast 96: With the amalgamation of Château Magdelaine into this one property, the estate is now a considerable 58 acres. The wine is now performing in top gear. Powerful tannins drive the mainly Merlot blend with 10% Cabernet Franc. It still shows signs of the wood aging and these will disappear to leave a richly endowed wine with a fine future. Drink from 2026. 2018 James Suckling 99: Very intense blackberries, black olives, blueberries and dried flowers. Stony minerality. Even some pine. Full-bodied with superb depth of fruit and ultra fine tannins that are intense and polished. The finish is so long and delivers so much flavor, from wet earth to blackberry again. Seamless palate. Try after 2026. Vinous 96: The 2018 Bélair-Monange, so impressive out of barrel, delivers now that it finds itself incarcerated by glass. It is endowed with a seriously impressive nose, delivering blackberry and still that faint warm brick/terracotta scent, shaved black truffle and a touch of clove. You could lose yourself completely in this bouquet. The palate has firmed up a little, displaying more backbone than I recall. The dash of cracked black pepper liberally sprinkled over the finish curiously bears similarities to some of the Pomerols this vintage, and the Cabernet Franc feels much more prominent than its 2% contribution to the blend would suggest. I adore this Saint-Émilion and it is going to benefit from 8–10 years in the cellar... if you can resist temptation that long. Decanter 97: A gorgeous wine, with concentrated power offset by lift and lyricism. It fully expresses the character and personality of its location on the limestone plateau, showing real juiciness and a focussed minerality, with extremely flavourful crushed raspberry and blackberry fruits, and touches of peony and rose on the nose. This is delicious, graceful, spicy and persistent, with notes that spiral both downwards and upwards. The violet reflections are off the chart. Wine Enthusiast 97: Dense layers of black fruits mingle with dusty tannins in this wine. The powerful structure is beautifully balanced with ripe fruitiness in harmony with the concentration of the wine's texture. This wine will age well. Drink from 2027. 2021 Wine Advocate 93+: The ethereal 2021 Belair Monange shows its limestone terroir front and center in this cooler vintage, unwinding in the glass with notes of sweet cherries, minty red berries, raw cocoa and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, suave and polished palate that's pure, lively and mineral, concluding with a saline finish. James Suckling 96: Lots of lush blue and black fruits followed by violets, fresh mint, roasted almonds and black ink with vanilla beans and mocha. Full-bodied, refreshing acidity with firm and racy tannins. Broad and energetic mid-palate with a succulent and layered finish. Superb concentration with depth and tension. It’s difficult not to drink now but your patience will be rewarded. Decanter 95: A bit quiet aromatically. Bright and shiny straight away, juicy with acidity and minerality to the fore - a real coating of liquorice and flint straight away, fruit feels ripe and perfumed with a lean texture and racy acidity - salty, straight and focused. Tannins are slightly grippy and grainy giving the frame and structure. Needs more time to come together but this feels well worked, with a certain fullness. Salty strawberries, herbal raspberries, wet stone, flint and graphite. You really get the terroir effect here and the final flavour leaves you wanting more. Delicate yet determined. I like it a lot. Wine Enthusiast 96: The wine comes from a 64-acre vineyard on the slope leading to the Saint-Emilion plateau. It is dense, its tannins still dominant. The wine's fruit and rich structure are impressive. Drink from 2028. 2022 Wine Advocate 94: The 2022 Belair Monange opens in the glass with aromas of jammy blackberries, licorice, smoked meats and mocha. Full-bodied, layered and dense, with chalky tannins and a carnal finish, the estate's limestone soils translate into the liveliest wine in the Mouiex portfolio this year, despite its super-ripe profile. James Suckling 99: This has an opulence that’s reined in by the crushed-stone and fine-tannin character. It's full-bodied with tight and polished tannins that have energy and precision. Very linear and structured. This comes from great limestone soils that give this wine a freshness and focus. Salty and chalky at the end. Drink after 2030. Vinous 98: The 2022 Bélair-Monange is even better in bottle than it was en primeur. Seamless in the glass, with stunning purity, the 2022 is magnificently complete from start to finish. Brisk acids and cool veins of supporting minerality cut through a core of ripe red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, blood orange and mocha. The 2022 is the most impressive Bélair-Monange under the Moueix family's stewardship. Superb. Falstaff 100: Deep dark ruby in colour with a deep core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, an immensely complex bouquet of delicate truffle, leather, fine dark forest berries, some cherry, liquorice, and nuances of tobacco. The tight-knit, juicy palate has an impressive verticality, with fine fruit, ripe, perfectly mature supporting tannins, and enormous length. Has great potential for ageing, fully exploiting its great terroir this year, this is an outstanding wine with a saline finish that lasts for minutes. 2023 Wine Advocate 94-96: The 2023 Belair Monange is the first vintage from this newly created property that incorporates a balance of fruit from the plateau and fruit from the hillsides, as restructured and replanted parcels are returning to production. Wafting from the glass with attractive aromas of raspberries, violets and kirsch mingled with hints of incense, licorice and rose petals, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a deep and textural core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins, retaining a cool, ethereal profile that foregrounds its limestone origins. James Suckling 97-98: There’s finesse and beauty to this, with blackberry, dark-chocolate, bark, mushroom and forest-floor character. But it’s all class. Caresses your palate. Medium- to full-bodied and very long. Persistent and sophisticated. This shows the true character of the diverse vineyards of this estate. 98% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.Ask about this
- Bellevue Mondotte — 2007Overlooking the Dordogne valley from a height of 80 meters, this estate combines all the necessary characteristics for producing high quality wines: meagre soil, excellent south facing sun exposure, fine natural drainage due to its position on a slope, protection from frost damage, and shelter from northerly winds. The grapes are hand-picked and hand sorted. Alcoholic fermentation is triggered by indigenous yeast in temperature-controlled wooden vats. The wine is kept on the skins for 3 to 5 weeks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel. Château Bellevue-Mondotte is barrel-aged for six months on its lees (100% of new oak) for a total of aproximatively 24 months. Final blending takes place just before bottling, and the wine is neither fined nor filtered. 2007 Wine Advocate 94: Very little wine is produced (about 400 cases) from this tiny 5-acre vineyard, but it is always among the most concentrated and richest of Bordeaux. The inky/purple-colored 2007 offers sweet cassis fruit notes interwoven with notions of graphite, chalk dust, and toast. Full-bodied with terrific purity and intensity (14.5% alcohol), it should drink well for 20+ years. Vinous 93: Saturated ruby. Very dark aromas of black fruits, violet, licorice and bitter chocolate, plus a sexy oak note of hickory smoke. Large-scaled, thick and sweet, with outrageous breadth for the year. Finishes with mouthcoating tannins and palate-staining black fruits. For all its sweetness and size, this wine manages to maintain impressive verve. (I should note that an earlier sample was at least as rich but more porty and roasted, with a distinctly unrefined character. Obviously, my score is for the better sample.)Ask about this
- Beychevelle — 2015Ever since it was first produced, and down through the various vintages, Château Beychevelle has reflected the elegance and finesse of Saint Julien's finest terroirs. Graceful and complex, with a tremendous aromatic richness, Château Beychevelle is made from the best plots in the vineyard and undergoes a rigorous selection process.It reveals its character after about ten years, and can be kept for several decades, depending on the vintage. Winemaker notes 2020: Château Beychevelle 2020 has a bright purple colour. It is a generous wine that is surprisingly accessible even at this early stage. The nose offers seductive notes of blackberries, black cherries and dark chocolate. This is an exceptionnally harmonious wine. It is both powerful and silky; fresh, fruity, and long on the palate. A fine expression of a Grand Terroir. 2015 Wine Advocate 93: The 2015 Beychevelle is a blend of 47% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot aged 18 months in barrel, 50% of which were new and 50% second fill. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it's scented of smoked meats, scorched earth, garrigue and new leather with a core of cassis, cherry cordial and plum preserves. The medium-bodied palate is a little firm but delicate, with lovely vibrancy and a bit of grip on the finish. James Suckling 94: Perfumed red with so much presence and brightness. Flowers, currants and blueberries. Some citrus. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Very fine and vivid. Better in 2022. Vinous 94: The 2015 Beychevelle has evolved since I last tasted it, this bottle showing a pronounced camphor, slightly medicinal scent that threatens to obscure the terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. This is very pliant and fresh, focused, albeit without the bravura of the 2016. Persistent though and with a fine spicy finish, I would cellar this for another couple of years. Tasted at the Beychevelle vertical at the property. Decanter 93: This really does expand outwards in the mouth, with an excellent quality of juicy black fruit on display. This has more potential than the 2014 vintage — contrary to many other wines in this part of the Médoc. 4% Petit Verdot makes up the blend. Wine Enthusiast 95: This elegant estate, with its views down to the Gironde estuary, has produced an excellent 2015. It is properly firm with tannins although this structure is well balanced with the ripe, stylish black-currant fruits and acidity. A juicy finish bodes well for the future. Drink this generous wine from 2025. 2018 Wine Advocate 95: Aged for around 18 months in barrel, 60% new and 40% second fill, the 2018 Beychevelle needs a fair bit of swirling to release classic notes of cassis, plum preserves and ripe blackberries, with emerging suggestions of unsmoked cigars, tilled soil and cedar chest, plus a waft of pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is still very tightly wound, offering finely packed black fruit and earthy layers within a frame of firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. This will need a good 5-6 years to come around and then will drink beautifully over the next 20+ years. James Suckling 94: Currants and blackberries with crushed stone and fresh herbs. Some flower stem, too. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and linear with firm, driven tannins. This needs four or five years of bottle age to open and come together. Try after 2025. Vinous 96: An unabashedly flamboyant, exotic wine, the 2018 Beychevelle possesses tremendous richness and raciness right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, spice, menthol and espresso infuse this sumptuous Saint-Julien with striking aromatic and flavor complexity. Soft contours and silky tannins add to its irresistibly sensual personality. Time in the cellar should help the new oak assimilate, but readers should be prepared for a full-throttle, heady wine. Decanter 93: Gorgeously brushed tannins with a smoked oak nose. This is excellent, firm and bright, layered and nuanced, gently inviting you in, with plenty of promise of life ahead. Has some austerity and although this is not in 2016 territory of 360-degree expansion, it is highly successful. A yield of 55hl/ha, with 50% of production going into the grand vin. 60% new oak. Wine Enthusiast 94: There is attractive tension in this wine between the dry tannins and opulently ripe black fruits. That sets the wine on a course of long-term aging. Bold, dense fruits are matched by the dry core. The wine will take time. Drink from 2027. 2019 Wine Advocate 94: Aromas of raspberries, currants, pencil shavings and sweet spices introduce the 2019 Beychevelle, a medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping wine that's fleshy and seamless, with a generous core of fruit, ripe tannins and succulent acids, concluding with an expansive finish. This is an open-knit, demonstrative Saint-Julien that will offer a broad drinking window. James Suckling 96: Gorgeous aromas of currants, crushed stones, blackberries and flowers. Full-bodied with refined tannins that are long and very polished. Creamy texture. It goes on for minutes. Lovely energy and sophistication to this. Try after 2026. Vinous 96: The 2019 Beychevelle has a very appealing, quite intellectual, pencil box and earthy nose that unfurls in the glass, taut and focused, the oak supremely well integrated. The palate is beautifully balanced with finely-sculpted tannins, wonderful balance, fresh and mineral-driven with a precise and complex finish. Superb sapidity, this is top notch with a long future ahead. Decanter 95: Dark nose, quite serious and seductive. This draws you in from the first smell with lovely florality and delicacy. On the palate it's deep and the power is on show no doubt, there's concentration but also such aromatics and purity of fruit with tannins that are gentle and svelte. Lifted the whole way through, good acidity and a subtle creaminess at the end. A well framed, pretty and powerful style. Great winemaking with precision. Wine Enthusiast 95: Dense and concentrated, this wine is layered in dark tannins, rich chocolate and black fruits. The estate is producing richer wines than in the past without sacrificing the Saint-Julien style. 2020 Wine Advocate 93+: Rich and muscular, the 2020 Beychevelle offers up aromas of cassis, blackberries and baked plums mingled with notions of spices, pencil shavings and toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, thick and fleshy, with an ample core of fruit framed by powdery, generously extracted tannins that assert themselves on the finish, this is a more powerful, chunky Beychevelle than the suave 2019. James Suckling 94: A very polished and refined 2020 with a medium body, integrated tannins and a pretty texture. Nice currant, light chocolate and cedar undertones. Fresh finish. Drink after 2026. Vinous 96: The 2020 Beychevelle is a wild, exotic beauty. Blackberry jam, gravel, crushed rocks menthol and espresso ristretto give Beychevelle its flamboyant personality. All the elements are so well balanced in this full-throttle, hugely enjoyable Saint-Julien. The 2020 is lights out. Decanter 96: Scented and perfumed - violet tones, almost a touch of liqueur fruit to the nose, aromatic with dark chocolate touches too. Bright and shining, this is sleek, quite delicately displayed in terms of texture but this has layers of savoury elements - liquorice, clove, tobacco with bright red fruits and dark bramble fruits. Clean and compelling. Well made with tons of confidence. So complete, juicy in a heady seductive way, this is deeply scented, driven and brooding but perfectly weighted to keep the right side of being too heavy. Refreshing but devilishly charming - it leaves a clean feeling in the mouth where you just want to taste it again. Wine Enthusiast 95: The wine's structure and serious tannins are, happily, balanced by the rich generosity of the fruit flavors. Together, the two elements of this very fine wine will allow it to develop with weight and concentration. 2021 Wine Advocate 92+: The 2021 Beychevelle opens in the glass with notes of sweet berry compote, plums and creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy palate with an unusually sweet core of fruit for the vintage, framed by plenty of chewy tannin, and concluding with a vanillin-inflected finish. James Suckling 91-92: Blueberry and some chocolate and berry character. Medium body, fine tannins and a fresh, medium finish. Vinous 94: The 2021 Beychevelle is elegant, understated and classy. Medium in body and less overt than most recent years, the 2021 is impeccably balanced from start to finish. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, menthol, licorice, spice and new oak build nicely with a bit of time in the glass. This is incredibly harmonious. Decanter 92: Dark chocolate, green peppercorns, blackcurrants, lots of Cabernet markers on the nose. Missing a touch more mid palate depth, starts off juicy and bright but then settles and quietens. It's got a lovely sleek texture, tannins are really well integrated and this isn't at all pushed which is a great effort in 2021 showcasing restraint over trying to make something too hefty. I just wanted some more vibrancy and concentration to follow through. This may just need more time to come together and harmonise. 2025 Wine Advocate 92-93: The 2025 Beychevelle reveals a toasty, oak-marked bouquet of dark wild berries, licorice and spice. Medium- to full-bodied, structured and concentrated, it’s built around an assertive tannic frame, concluding with a long, spicy, licorice-inflected finish. While the wine is marked by both concentration and oak at this stage, élevage may bring greater finesse and a more integrated, enveloping tannic profile. James Suckling 95-96: Spicy, with dark fruit aromas. Angular in style, with a linear profile and precise, focused tannins. It shows clarity, fresh dark fruit and balance that stands out. Vinous 95-97: The 2025 Beychevelle was picked from September 5 to 21 at 31 hl/ha, fairly reasonable for Saint-Julien this year, albeit the second lowest after 2013. Matured in 70% new oak, this has a concentrated nose with blackcurrants, blueberry, inkwell and light violet scents. Very fine definition, a Beychevelle that leans on the more opulent side aromatically, though always controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety smooth entry that lends it sensuality. Extremely precise, exquisite pure fruit, quite mineral-driven with a very long, quite sensual finish. I don't think Philippe Blanc has overseen a Beychevelle as good as this. 13.4% alcohol. Decanter 94: Such a gorgeous fragrance on the nose, so alive, so floral and expressive with milk chocolate, cherries and violets. Grippy and alive in the mouth, fun, bright, certainly full of tannins and grip with a lovely core of black bramble fruit with straight acidity. I like the very hands-off nature, it’s refined and finessed, still young and a little shy but lots of tannins are so well handled by the fruit purity and acidity. It’s a big, powerful, muscular wine but so poised, mouthwatering and charming. It has a spiced kick on the finish which adds to the complexity. 3.6pH. 80 IPT. 13% press wine. 60% of production. Reduced maceration by 5-7 days. Ageing 70% new oak.Ask about this
- Beychevelle — 2018Ever since it was first produced, and down through the various vintages, Château Beychevelle has reflected the elegance and finesse of Saint Julien's finest terroirs. Graceful and complex, with a tremendous aromatic richness, Château Beychevelle is made from the best plots in the vineyard and undergoes a rigorous selection process.It reveals its character after about ten years, and can be kept for several decades, depending on the vintage. Winemaker notes 2020: Château Beychevelle 2020 has a bright purple colour. It is a generous wine that is surprisingly accessible even at this early stage. The nose offers seductive notes of blackberries, black cherries and dark chocolate. This is an exceptionnally harmonious wine. It is both powerful and silky; fresh, fruity, and long on the palate. A fine expression of a Grand Terroir. 2015 Wine Advocate 93: The 2015 Beychevelle is a blend of 47% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot aged 18 months in barrel, 50% of which were new and 50% second fill. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it's scented of smoked meats, scorched earth, garrigue and new leather with a core of cassis, cherry cordial and plum preserves. The medium-bodied palate is a little firm but delicate, with lovely vibrancy and a bit of grip on the finish. James Suckling 94: Perfumed red with so much presence and brightness. Flowers, currants and blueberries. Some citrus. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Very fine and vivid. Better in 2022. Vinous 94: The 2015 Beychevelle has evolved since I last tasted it, this bottle showing a pronounced camphor, slightly medicinal scent that threatens to obscure the terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. This is very pliant and fresh, focused, albeit without the bravura of the 2016. Persistent though and with a fine spicy finish, I would cellar this for another couple of years. Tasted at the Beychevelle vertical at the property. Decanter 93: This really does expand outwards in the mouth, with an excellent quality of juicy black fruit on display. This has more potential than the 2014 vintage — contrary to many other wines in this part of the Médoc. 4% Petit Verdot makes up the blend. Wine Enthusiast 95: This elegant estate, with its views down to the Gironde estuary, has produced an excellent 2015. It is properly firm with tannins although this structure is well balanced with the ripe, stylish black-currant fruits and acidity. A juicy finish bodes well for the future. Drink this generous wine from 2025. 2018 Wine Advocate 95: Aged for around 18 months in barrel, 60% new and 40% second fill, the 2018 Beychevelle needs a fair bit of swirling to release classic notes of cassis, plum preserves and ripe blackberries, with emerging suggestions of unsmoked cigars, tilled soil and cedar chest, plus a waft of pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is still very tightly wound, offering finely packed black fruit and earthy layers within a frame of firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. This will need a good 5-6 years to come around and then will drink beautifully over the next 20+ years. James Suckling 94: Currants and blackberries with crushed stone and fresh herbs. Some flower stem, too. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and linear with firm, driven tannins. This needs four or five years of bottle age to open and come together. Try after 2025. Vinous 96: An unabashedly flamboyant, exotic wine, the 2018 Beychevelle possesses tremendous richness and raciness right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, spice, menthol and espresso infuse this sumptuous Saint-Julien with striking aromatic and flavor complexity. Soft contours and silky tannins add to its irresistibly sensual personality. Time in the cellar should help the new oak assimilate, but readers should be prepared for a full-throttle, heady wine. Decanter 93: Gorgeously brushed tannins with a smoked oak nose. This is excellent, firm and bright, layered and nuanced, gently inviting you in, with plenty of promise of life ahead. Has some austerity and although this is not in 2016 territory of 360-degree expansion, it is highly successful. A yield of 55hl/ha, with 50% of production going into the grand vin. 60% new oak. Wine Enthusiast 94: There is attractive tension in this wine between the dry tannins and opulently ripe black fruits. That sets the wine on a course of long-term aging. Bold, dense fruits are matched by the dry core. The wine will take time. Drink from 2027. 2019 Wine Advocate 94: Aromas of raspberries, currants, pencil shavings and sweet spices introduce the 2019 Beychevelle, a medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping wine that's fleshy and seamless, with a generous core of fruit, ripe tannins and succulent acids, concluding with an expansive finish. This is an open-knit, demonstrative Saint-Julien that will offer a broad drinking window. James Suckling 96: Gorgeous aromas of currants, crushed stones, blackberries and flowers. Full-bodied with refined tannins that are long and very polished. Creamy texture. It goes on for minutes. Lovely energy and sophistication to this. Try after 2026. Vinous 96: The 2019 Beychevelle has a very appealing, quite intellectual, pencil box and earthy nose that unfurls in the glass, taut and focused, the oak supremely well integrated. The palate is beautifully balanced with finely-sculpted tannins, wonderful balance, fresh and mineral-driven with a precise and complex finish. Superb sapidity, this is top notch with a long future ahead. Decanter 95: Dark nose, quite serious and seductive. This draws you in from the first smell with lovely florality and delicacy. On the palate it's deep and the power is on show no doubt, there's concentration but also such aromatics and purity of fruit with tannins that are gentle and svelte. Lifted the whole way through, good acidity and a subtle creaminess at the end. A well framed, pretty and powerful style. Great winemaking with precision. Wine Enthusiast 95: Dense and concentrated, this wine is layered in dark tannins, rich chocolate and black fruits. The estate is producing richer wines than in the past without sacrificing the Saint-Julien style. 2020 Wine Advocate 93+: Rich and muscular, the 2020 Beychevelle offers up aromas of cassis, blackberries and baked plums mingled with notions of spices, pencil shavings and toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, thick and fleshy, with an ample core of fruit framed by powdery, generously extracted tannins that assert themselves on the finish, this is a more powerful, chunky Beychevelle than the suave 2019. James Suckling 94: A very polished and refined 2020 with a medium body, integrated tannins and a pretty texture. Nice currant, light chocolate and cedar undertones. Fresh finish. Drink after 2026. Vinous 96: The 2020 Beychevelle is a wild, exotic beauty. Blackberry jam, gravel, crushed rocks menthol and espresso ristretto give Beychevelle its flamboyant personality. All the elements are so well balanced in this full-throttle, hugely enjoyable Saint-Julien. The 2020 is lights out. Decanter 96: Scented and perfumed - violet tones, almost a touch of liqueur fruit to the nose, aromatic with dark chocolate touches too. Bright and shining, this is sleek, quite delicately displayed in terms of texture but this has layers of savoury elements - liquorice, clove, tobacco with bright red fruits and dark bramble fruits. Clean and compelling. Well made with tons of confidence. So complete, juicy in a heady seductive way, this is deeply scented, driven and brooding but perfectly weighted to keep the right side of being too heavy. Refreshing but devilishly charming - it leaves a clean feeling in the mouth where you just want to taste it again. Wine Enthusiast 95: The wine's structure and serious tannins are, happily, balanced by the rich generosity of the fruit flavors. Together, the two elements of this very fine wine will allow it to develop with weight and concentration. 2021 Wine Advocate 92+: The 2021 Beychevelle opens in the glass with notes of sweet berry compote, plums and creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy palate with an unusually sweet core of fruit for the vintage, framed by plenty of chewy tannin, and concluding with a vanillin-inflected finish. James Suckling 91-92: Blueberry and some chocolate and berry character. Medium body, fine tannins and a fresh, medium finish. Vinous 94: The 2021 Beychevelle is elegant, understated and classy. Medium in body and less overt than most recent years, the 2021 is impeccably balanced from start to finish. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, menthol, licorice, spice and new oak build nicely with a bit of time in the glass. This is incredibly harmonious. Decanter 92: Dark chocolate, green peppercorns, blackcurrants, lots of Cabernet markers on the nose. Missing a touch more mid palate depth, starts off juicy and bright but then settles and quietens. It's got a lovely sleek texture, tannins are really well integrated and this isn't at all pushed which is a great effort in 2021 showcasing restraint over trying to make something too hefty. I just wanted some more vibrancy and concentration to follow through. This may just need more time to come together and harmonise. 2025 Wine Advocate 92-93: The 2025 Beychevelle reveals a toasty, oak-marked bouquet of dark wild berries, licorice and spice. Medium- to full-bodied, structured and concentrated, it’s built around an assertive tannic frame, concluding with a long, spicy, licorice-inflected finish. While the wine is marked by both concentration and oak at this stage, élevage may bring greater finesse and a more integrated, enveloping tannic profile. James Suckling 95-96: Spicy, with dark fruit aromas. Angular in style, with a linear profile and precise, focused tannins. It shows clarity, fresh dark fruit and balance that stands out. Vinous 95-97: The 2025 Beychevelle was picked from September 5 to 21 at 31 hl/ha, fairly reasonable for Saint-Julien this year, albeit the second lowest after 2013. Matured in 70% new oak, this has a concentrated nose with blackcurrants, blueberry, inkwell and light violet scents. Very fine definition, a Beychevelle that leans on the more opulent side aromatically, though always controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety smooth entry that lends it sensuality. Extremely precise, exquisite pure fruit, quite mineral-driven with a very long, quite sensual finish. I don't think Philippe Blanc has overseen a Beychevelle as good as this. 13.4% alcohol. Decanter 94: Such a gorgeous fragrance on the nose, so alive, so floral and expressive with milk chocolate, cherries and violets. Grippy and alive in the mouth, fun, bright, certainly full of tannins and grip with a lovely core of black bramble fruit with straight acidity. I like the very hands-off nature, it’s refined and finessed, still young and a little shy but lots of tannins are so well handled by the fruit purity and acidity. It’s a big, powerful, muscular wine but so poised, mouthwatering and charming. It has a spiced kick on the finish which adds to the complexity. 3.6pH. 80 IPT. 13% press wine. 60% of production. Reduced maceration by 5-7 days. Ageing 70% new oak.Ask about this
- Beychevelle — 2021Ever since it was first produced, and down through the various vintages, Château Beychevelle has reflected the elegance and finesse of Saint Julien's finest terroirs. Graceful and complex, with a tremendous aromatic richness, Château Beychevelle is made from the best plots in the vineyard and undergoes a rigorous selection process.It reveals its character after about ten years, and can be kept for several decades, depending on the vintage. Winemaker notes 2020: Château Beychevelle 2020 has a bright purple colour. It is a generous wine that is surprisingly accessible even at this early stage. The nose offers seductive notes of blackberries, black cherries and dark chocolate. This is an exceptionnally harmonious wine. It is both powerful and silky; fresh, fruity, and long on the palate. A fine expression of a Grand Terroir. 2015 Wine Advocate 93: The 2015 Beychevelle is a blend of 47% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot aged 18 months in barrel, 50% of which were new and 50% second fill. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it's scented of smoked meats, scorched earth, garrigue and new leather with a core of cassis, cherry cordial and plum preserves. The medium-bodied palate is a little firm but delicate, with lovely vibrancy and a bit of grip on the finish. James Suckling 94: Perfumed red with so much presence and brightness. Flowers, currants and blueberries. Some citrus. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Very fine and vivid. Better in 2022. Vinous 94: The 2015 Beychevelle has evolved since I last tasted it, this bottle showing a pronounced camphor, slightly medicinal scent that threatens to obscure the terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. This is very pliant and fresh, focused, albeit without the bravura of the 2016. Persistent though and with a fine spicy finish, I would cellar this for another couple of years. Tasted at the Beychevelle vertical at the property. Decanter 93: This really does expand outwards in the mouth, with an excellent quality of juicy black fruit on display. This has more potential than the 2014 vintage — contrary to many other wines in this part of the Médoc. 4% Petit Verdot makes up the blend. Wine Enthusiast 95: This elegant estate, with its views down to the Gironde estuary, has produced an excellent 2015. It is properly firm with tannins although this structure is well balanced with the ripe, stylish black-currant fruits and acidity. A juicy finish bodes well for the future. Drink this generous wine from 2025. 2018 Wine Advocate 95: Aged for around 18 months in barrel, 60% new and 40% second fill, the 2018 Beychevelle needs a fair bit of swirling to release classic notes of cassis, plum preserves and ripe blackberries, with emerging suggestions of unsmoked cigars, tilled soil and cedar chest, plus a waft of pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is still very tightly wound, offering finely packed black fruit and earthy layers within a frame of firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. This will need a good 5-6 years to come around and then will drink beautifully over the next 20+ years. James Suckling 94: Currants and blackberries with crushed stone and fresh herbs. Some flower stem, too. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and linear with firm, driven tannins. This needs four or five years of bottle age to open and come together. Try after 2025. Vinous 96: An unabashedly flamboyant, exotic wine, the 2018 Beychevelle possesses tremendous richness and raciness right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, spice, menthol and espresso infuse this sumptuous Saint-Julien with striking aromatic and flavor complexity. Soft contours and silky tannins add to its irresistibly sensual personality. Time in the cellar should help the new oak assimilate, but readers should be prepared for a full-throttle, heady wine. Decanter 93: Gorgeously brushed tannins with a smoked oak nose. This is excellent, firm and bright, layered and nuanced, gently inviting you in, with plenty of promise of life ahead. Has some austerity and although this is not in 2016 territory of 360-degree expansion, it is highly successful. A yield of 55hl/ha, with 50% of production going into the grand vin. 60% new oak. Wine Enthusiast 94: There is attractive tension in this wine between the dry tannins and opulently ripe black fruits. That sets the wine on a course of long-term aging. Bold, dense fruits are matched by the dry core. The wine will take time. Drink from 2027. 2019 Wine Advocate 94: Aromas of raspberries, currants, pencil shavings and sweet spices introduce the 2019 Beychevelle, a medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping wine that's fleshy and seamless, with a generous core of fruit, ripe tannins and succulent acids, concluding with an expansive finish. This is an open-knit, demonstrative Saint-Julien that will offer a broad drinking window. James Suckling 96: Gorgeous aromas of currants, crushed stones, blackberries and flowers. Full-bodied with refined tannins that are long and very polished. Creamy texture. It goes on for minutes. Lovely energy and sophistication to this. Try after 2026. Vinous 96: The 2019 Beychevelle has a very appealing, quite intellectual, pencil box and earthy nose that unfurls in the glass, taut and focused, the oak supremely well integrated. The palate is beautifully balanced with finely-sculpted tannins, wonderful balance, fresh and mineral-driven with a precise and complex finish. Superb sapidity, this is top notch with a long future ahead. Decanter 95: Dark nose, quite serious and seductive. This draws you in from the first smell with lovely florality and delicacy. On the palate it's deep and the power is on show no doubt, there's concentration but also such aromatics and purity of fruit with tannins that are gentle and svelte. Lifted the whole way through, good acidity and a subtle creaminess at the end. A well framed, pretty and powerful style. Great winemaking with precision. Wine Enthusiast 95: Dense and concentrated, this wine is layered in dark tannins, rich chocolate and black fruits. The estate is producing richer wines than in the past without sacrificing the Saint-Julien style. 2020 Wine Advocate 93+: Rich and muscular, the 2020 Beychevelle offers up aromas of cassis, blackberries and baked plums mingled with notions of spices, pencil shavings and toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, thick and fleshy, with an ample core of fruit framed by powdery, generously extracted tannins that assert themselves on the finish, this is a more powerful, chunky Beychevelle than the suave 2019. James Suckling 94: A very polished and refined 2020 with a medium body, integrated tannins and a pretty texture. Nice currant, light chocolate and cedar undertones. Fresh finish. Drink after 2026. Vinous 96: The 2020 Beychevelle is a wild, exotic beauty. Blackberry jam, gravel, crushed rocks menthol and espresso ristretto give Beychevelle its flamboyant personality. All the elements are so well balanced in this full-throttle, hugely enjoyable Saint-Julien. The 2020 is lights out. Decanter 96: Scented and perfumed - violet tones, almost a touch of liqueur fruit to the nose, aromatic with dark chocolate touches too. Bright and shining, this is sleek, quite delicately displayed in terms of texture but this has layers of savoury elements - liquorice, clove, tobacco with bright red fruits and dark bramble fruits. Clean and compelling. Well made with tons of confidence. So complete, juicy in a heady seductive way, this is deeply scented, driven and brooding but perfectly weighted to keep the right side of being too heavy. Refreshing but devilishly charming - it leaves a clean feeling in the mouth where you just want to taste it again. Wine Enthusiast 95: The wine's structure and serious tannins are, happily, balanced by the rich generosity of the fruit flavors. Together, the two elements of this very fine wine will allow it to develop with weight and concentration. 2021 Wine Advocate 92+: The 2021 Beychevelle opens in the glass with notes of sweet berry compote, plums and creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy palate with an unusually sweet core of fruit for the vintage, framed by plenty of chewy tannin, and concluding with a vanillin-inflected finish. James Suckling 91-92: Blueberry and some chocolate and berry character. Medium body, fine tannins and a fresh, medium finish. Vinous 94: The 2021 Beychevelle is elegant, understated and classy. Medium in body and less overt than most recent years, the 2021 is impeccably balanced from start to finish. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, menthol, licorice, spice and new oak build nicely with a bit of time in the glass. This is incredibly harmonious. Decanter 92: Dark chocolate, green peppercorns, blackcurrants, lots of Cabernet markers on the nose. Missing a touch more mid palate depth, starts off juicy and bright but then settles and quietens. It's got a lovely sleek texture, tannins are really well integrated and this isn't at all pushed which is a great effort in 2021 showcasing restraint over trying to make something too hefty. I just wanted some more vibrancy and concentration to follow through. This may just need more time to come together and harmonise. 2025 Wine Advocate 92-93: The 2025 Beychevelle reveals a toasty, oak-marked bouquet of dark wild berries, licorice and spice. Medium- to full-bodied, structured and concentrated, it’s built around an assertive tannic frame, concluding with a long, spicy, licorice-inflected finish. While the wine is marked by both concentration and oak at this stage, élevage may bring greater finesse and a more integrated, enveloping tannic profile. James Suckling 95-96: Spicy, with dark fruit aromas. Angular in style, with a linear profile and precise, focused tannins. It shows clarity, fresh dark fruit and balance that stands out. Vinous 95-97: The 2025 Beychevelle was picked from September 5 to 21 at 31 hl/ha, fairly reasonable for Saint-Julien this year, albeit the second lowest after 2013. Matured in 70% new oak, this has a concentrated nose with blackcurrants, blueberry, inkwell and light violet scents. Very fine definition, a Beychevelle that leans on the more opulent side aromatically, though always controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety smooth entry that lends it sensuality. Extremely precise, exquisite pure fruit, quite mineral-driven with a very long, quite sensual finish. I don't think Philippe Blanc has overseen a Beychevelle as good as this. 13.4% alcohol. Decanter 94: Such a gorgeous fragrance on the nose, so alive, so floral and expressive with milk chocolate, cherries and violets. Grippy and alive in the mouth, fun, bright, certainly full of tannins and grip with a lovely core of black bramble fruit with straight acidity. I like the very hands-off nature, it’s refined and finessed, still young and a little shy but lots of tannins are so well handled by the fruit purity and acidity. It’s a big, powerful, muscular wine but so poised, mouthwatering and charming. It has a spiced kick on the finish which adds to the complexity. 3.6pH. 80 IPT. 13% press wine. 60% of production. Reduced maceration by 5-7 days. Ageing 70% new oak.Ask about this
- Bibi Graetz Colore — 2016Colore is the highest expression of Bibi Graetz dream, from very old vineyards of Sangiovese. Poor soils mixed with sand and stone and high altitude create the perfect terroir for a wine that tells a lot about Tuscany and its ancient taste. Only the best few barrels of the whole production will become Colore. Winemaker notes Colore is the wine that amazes you. Old vines are able to create truly incredible wines with an unimaginable complexity. Scents of flowers and black berries make you dream, and a soothing taste makes you relax. The perfect terroir together with old vines over 80 years old - are the victorious elements giving birth to this sublime wine. 2016 Wine Advocate 96+: A blend of Sangiovese (at about 80% of the mix), Canaiolo and Colorino from three far-removed vineyard parcels in different areas of Tuscany, the 2016 Colore is something of a pan-Tuscan wine. This ambitious wine gives voice to three of the region's most important red grape varieties as well as its most diverse territories (Lamole in Chianti Classico, Vincigliata near Florence and Siena province in the southern part of Tuscany). As a result, this is a statement wine with a lot to say to those careful enough to listen. It's important to be attentive to the details, the small berry fruit aromas that intermingle with nuances of spice, granite stone and pressed blue flower. Pure summer cherry is the dominant aroma on first nose, but it slowly disintegrates as the wine takes on more air to reveal those lighter and more delicate aromas at the back. This vintage offers an ideal dose of structure matched against freshness. Bibi Graetz tells me that fruit in 2015 was beautiful, perfect to look. Fruit in 2016, however, appeared more sculpted with more darkness and weight. On some level, those descriptions also apply to the character of these two gorgeous back-to-back vintages. Some 6,000 bottles were made. James Suckling 98: The aromas are always so complex with cherries, blackberries, rosemary, sage and spice. Full-bodied, very tight and polished with a dense and powerful palate, which opens and grows, yet remains agile and beautiful. A solid red. Wonderful segue from the 2015. 80 per cent sangiovese with colorino and canaiolo. Try after 2022. Wine Spectator 95: This is suave and expands on the palate, with cherry, black currant, mineral and woodsy underbrush notes. Shows purity to the fruit, along with support from the fine-grained tannins and lively acidity. Excellent length. Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Colorino. Drink now through 2029. 2022 Wine Advocate 96: The Bibi Graetz 2022 Colore sources its fruit from only two sites in this vintage: from 60-year-old vines in the Olmo vineyard (with 400-meter-plus elevations) and 88-year-old vines in Lamole (Chianti Classico). The vines are mostly south-facing, but the elevations are key. Meanwhile, Testamatta comes from mostly cool, north-facing sites. These results show lots of vertical heft and sharp tones with bright fruit, mineral graphite and blue flower. Bibi seeks transparency in his wines, and although the 2022 vintage delivers heavier fruit aromas overall, the wine does offer a pretty textural lightness. James Suckling 100: Perfection in sangiovese, with cherry blossoms, chalk, seashells, fine sand and violets on the nose and palate. Medium- to full-bodied with focused and poised tannins that are wonderfully integrated and rather endless. Crunchy and chewy at the end. Such presence. You want to spend time with this wine. A top selection from two vineyards Olmo and one in the village of Chianti Classico in Lamole, 60 and 88 years old, respectively. Decanter 98: Colore is the product of old vines in the Chianti Classico hills, in Lamole and Olmo. ‘Colore is my dream from the beginning of working with old vineyards...the vineyard in Lamole is beautiful, it's THE vineyard in Chianti Classico,’ says Bibi Graetz. 2022 was a hot year and so Bibi decided to only use fruit from his north-facing vineyards. ‘The hot year gives me this material, even if it is up in the mountains, north-facing; the fruit has this kick.’ Precisely sculpted and very intense, Colore 2022 is both pillowy and bright. Dark berries, spice and blood orange are gathered up by a lingering, zesty finish. It's more closed than Testamatta at the moment, but should reveal more of its beauty in time.Ask about this
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