This is even more aromatically restrained than the Chambertin at present with its riper aromas of cassis, poached plum, exotic tea and a broad array of floral influences. The sleek, intense and beautifully delineated large-scaled... Read More
A meaty and decadent Lynch with very ripe currant aromas on the nose. Full body, velvety-textured tannins and a powerful finish. It shows so much structure and fruit yet remains polished and focused.
The 2019 Barolo Via Nuova is another gorgeous wine in this tasting. Soaring and broad in its aromatic intensity, the 2019 has it all. The blend of seven sites works so well. Readers will find a seamless, wonderfully complete Barolo.... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Cannubi is flat-out stunning. Rich and beautifully textured, the 2019 dazzles from start to finish. Freshly cut flowers, mint, crushed red berry fruit, orange peel, salt and dried herbs are some of the many notes... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Mosconi is the most potent of the three Barolos in the range. It exudes Monforte darkness and virile intensity from the very first taste. Black cherry, plum, mocha, sage, tar, lavender and spice infuse the 2019... Read More
100% Barbera
Sourced from 3 vineyard sites: Mosconi (55 yr old vines), Gabutti [Serralunga] (15 yr old vines) and Ravera di Monforte (15 yr old vines)
Calcareous clay soils
Eastern exposure
Maceration over approximately one week.... Read More
Seductive, blossoming and subtle, our Hibiki Whisky range celebrates an unrivaled art of blending, fine craftsmanship and a sense of luxury from the House of Suntory.
The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Case Vecie seduces with a beguiling and lifted mix of crushed stone, dusty rose and bright cherry. This is dark and velvety, moody in feel yet seductive and pliant, simply harmonious,... Read More
The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Cavolo is seductive in the glass as a mentholated freshness gives way to medicinal cherries and blackberries complemented by balsamic spice. This is elegant, almost opulent in feel, with that... Read More
Beautiful reflections through the body of this wine, with fresh acidity, and an attractive sense of uplift through the palate, although the actual fruit is a little subdued right now, which as it opens shows damson and bilberry.... Read More
White grape varieties from the Côte de Beaune were hit especially hard in 2021, suffering an 80% grape yield loss. As compared to the Côtes de Nuits, the Côte de Beaune and Burgundy’s white wine crop suffered... Read More
Also brilliant, the 2019 Pinot Noir Joli Coeur is wonderfully complex, with loads of black raspberry, strawberry, spice box, scorched earth, bouquet garni, and sappy flower-like aromas and flavors. I always find this cuvée... Read More
Just a sensational Pinot Noir, the 2019 Pinot Noir En Famille comes from the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation in the northern part of Sonoma. It offers a lifted, beautiful perfume of ripe black cherries and black raspberries as well... Read More
Just a spectacular vintage from this unparalleled, ungrafted old-vine site in the NW corner of the Yamhill-Carlton district. It opens with anise, pencil led and a gamey quality as the dark-colored wine moves slowly around the... Read More
Attractive aromas of ripe red berries with hints of cocoa, hibiscus and dried citrus peel. Juicy and vivid with a medium body and soft texture. Crunchy and fresh. Drink now.
The lieu-dit Les Grands Gouttes sits at the southern edge of Meursault on border with Puligny, just a few hundred meters below the Premier Cru vineyard Les Charmes. It generally has a lighter, racier profile.... Read More
The 2016 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a rich ruby hue yet remains transparent, with savory, layered aromas of red cherry, saddle leather, cedar, damp forest floor, and wild herbs. It is medium to full-bodied, with a ripe yet structured... Read More
An overtly floral-suffused nose features notes of lilac, carnation and acacia blossom that are trimmed in spice, citrus rind and soft wood wisps. The strikingly pure and beautifully defined larger-bodied flavors are not super-dense... Read More
The nose has notes of black cherry, balsamic and a slight hint of mushroom. Scents of eucalyptus tea leaves and violets can be picked up as well. The palate is bone dry with medium acidity. The tannins are soft and well integrated... Read More
The 2020 Pinot Noir Estate comes from the estate vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and was brought up in 25% new French oak. It has a vivid ruby/plum hue to go with a classic bouquet of ripe raspberries, spicy herbs, scorched earth,... Read More
The 2021 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills is the first vintage of Chardonnay from Donnachadh. It was barrel fermented and matured for around 10 months. Its aromas combine bright herbal, green apple and pear tones with underlying savory... Read More
This is so perfumed – the red fruit and flowers just jump out of the glass. So aromatic. Full-bodied, yet the precise, fine tannins just melt into the glass and spread wide across the palate. A gorgeous wine. Drink or hold.... Read More
A candidate for perfection, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale Vignes Centenaire is clearly the greatest wine I have ever tasted from Raymond Usseglio, even eclipsing their remarkable 2007. Don’t be surprised if... Read More
Le Potazzine’s breezy, high-altitude site and stony well-draining soil helped offset 2018's rains and threat of mildew. Nevertheless, the estate produced about 15% less Brunello due to a strict selection. A bit timid,... Read More
Fresh, enticing aromas of sappy red and black fruits, leather, sandalwood, cassis, violets and sweet cedar. Gorgeous on entry, brimming with elegance in its finely delineated fruit notes that lead with blackberry, and black cherry... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Rocche Dell'Annunziata is spectacular. Aged for two years in 25-hectoliter Slavonian barrels, it is flush with woven aromas of licorice, raspberry liqueur, pressed roses, and crushed stones. Full-bodied, with... Read More
Blackberry, mint and black pepper abound here. The palate has serious structure, with an emphasis on liquorice, restrained vanilla, cedar and earth. It's still pretty concentrated and voluptuous. Recorked at the château... Read More
Wonderful rose and currant aromas with hints of mint. It’s full-bodied yet very finely textured, with good fruit concentration and length. Continuing to improve in the bottle.
Lots of aromas of roasted fruit, such as blueberries and raisins, and spices. It has full body with plenty of velvety tannins and a long, slightly chewy finish. Needs another two or three years to come together but outstanding... Read More
The 2006 Pichon Lalande, which blows away the 2005, represents a return to the velvety-textured, rich, sexy style most readers would associate with Pichon Lalande. This blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot no Petit Verdot... Read More
Always showing well, this bottle of 2005 Château Pontet Canet was just about pure perfection in a glass. Still youthful ruby/purple-hued, with a gorgeous core of pure cassis and darker currant fruits, it's full-bodied... Read More
Bright ruby-red. Superripe, soil-driven aromas of currant, plum, cherry pie, mocha and minerals; almost liqueur-like in its ripeness, in a 1947 way. Then huge, sweet and plush, with great volume and depth to its flavors of cassis,... Read More
Not as rich or concentrated as I was expecting, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes still delivers ample layers of dark fruit, hints of cola, mint and spice elements. It's full-bodied, silky and long, but it looks... Read More
100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) from the Sasella vineyards of Rocce Rosse, Nuova Regina and Ultimi Raggi
50-100-year-old vines
400-500 meters elevation
South/southeast exposure
120-day maceration on the skins
Aged 18 months in 50HL... Read More
Medium ruby, the 2019 Pinot Noir Estate offers impressive aromatic layering and detail, evolving as it spends time in the glass from cranberry and burnt orange peel to violet, tea leaves, pipe tobacco and aniseed. The medium-bodied... Read More
An estate with a gathering sense of excitement around it, and once again proves why with the 2019. Sleek and flavourful, with the insistent tug of limestone slowing things down and allowing the juice and the tension to really... Read More
The second wine of Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is the 2015 Reserve De Comtesse De Lalande and it’s a beautiful wine in 2015 that surpasses most Château’s grand vin. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon,... Read More
Beautifully rich even on the nose, this makes you smile from the first moment. On the palate things are intense and concentrated, as you might expect with an 11hl/ha yield (mildew-related). Upfront flavours major on big bitter... Read More
Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has a deep garnet-purple color, requiring a little coaxing before it spills out of the glass with fantastically showy blackberry preserves,... Read More
Harvested between the end of September and beginning of October, Altesino’s Montosoli bottling was reduced by 50% due to a strict selection of grapes. The nose divulges appealing vanilla, cedar and truffle nuances which... Read More
Utterly gorgeous freshness and zip, with intensity of flavour. It has a little more Sémillon than usual, due to frost affect the Sauvignon Blanc, which seems to mean the aromatics of the Muscadelle are a little more prominent... Read More
The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Prime Donne opens with a stunning display of floral-laced black cherry, becoming dark and deeper in the glass, as notes of brown spice, balsamics, leather and air-dried meats develop. On the palate,... Read More
A full-bodied Brunello with lots of plums and cherries, as well as orange-peel character. It’s creamy and round-textured. Soft and chewy tannins. Shows the warmth and ripeness of the 2017 vintage. Drink after 2023.... Read More
Opening slowly in the glass, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino lifts up with a spicy bouquet of cinnamon-spiced cherries and dusty rose. This is pure elegance on the palate, silky and pliant, gaining a lovely tension as mineral-laced... Read More
This wine shows a deep, rich purple robe in the glass with distinct aromas of wild berries, herbs and spices, bitter almond, cloves and star anise. Smooth on the palate and of fine structure. Bewitching to the finish.... Read More
Equal parts fresh, high-toned fruit and warm earth, this has layers of crushed cherry, cassis and vanilla-edged plum flavors seamlessly woven with hay, crushed rock and dried flowers. Supple and approachable, with juicy acidity... Read More
Limited edition, only 70,000 bottles made in honor of the brand’s 70th anniversary
Made with only wild grown agaves and a collector expression for those searching for a profile illustrative of what premium Tequila started... Read More
The iconic Napa producer fermented this Sauvignon Blanc in French oak, small stainless steel barrels, clay amphora, and ceramic and concrete cuves. Intense sweet peach aromas leap forth, followed by tarragon, sea foam and lemon... Read More
Alluring and complex aromas of fresh herbs, baked lemons, peaches, hazelnuts and a hint of olive oil. Medium-bodied with wet-stone mineral character. Linear, balanced and long. Supple texture. Notes of chamomile tea and straw... Read More
The 2019 Barbaresco Serraboella remains elegant while taking on more spiced aromatics in its notes of licorice, red cherry, and blood orange. Possessing balance and linear structure, it has angular yet fine tannins, a fresh spine... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Monvigliero is stunning. What a wine. Rich, heady and explosive, the 2019 is a gorgeous, spherical Barolo that dazzles right out of the gate. Aromatically broad and expansive, the 2019 fleshes out beautifully in... Read More
Another pale ruby Barolo, the 2019 Barolo Lazzarito is from a 2.5-hectare parcel of the cru and reveals a hint of purple flowers, with a mix of red and blue fruit berries. It has more expansiveness on the palate, with more broadness,... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Cerequio is a worthy follow up to the stellar 2018. Aromatic and deeply pitched, the 2019 races across the palate with remarkable depth and intensity. Crushed red berry fruit, rose petal, mint and cinnamon all... Read More
Putting my nose in the glass of the 2007 El Puntido Gran Reserva transported me to the classical Riojas from yesteryear. The wine has a fully developed nose with all the textbook descriptors of a good aged Rioja—forest floor,... Read More
Opulent and very sexy with perfume, cedar, dried flowers and dried strawberries and just a hint of nutmeg. It’s medium-to full-bodied with round and finely velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. So seductive. Drink after... Read More
Argiano's oldest site, Vigna del Suolo boasts 65-year-old vines of very rare Sangiovese clones. Recent soil mapping with Chilean specialist Pedro Parra has also revealed significant limestone underpinnings in the vineyard.... Read More
This is the principal Barolo of the estate, at least in terms of quantity produced. The vineyard is the Gabutti cru and the exposure is south to southwest. After an extended fermentation and considerable aging in the classic “botte”... Read More
This beautifully aromatic wine leaps out of the glass with concentrated notes of red currant, boysenberry, cassis, roasted coffee and dark chocolate, along with savory undertones and notions of sweet oak. On the palate it is rich... Read More
The 2021 Chardonnay Marena is a fabulous introduction to this range. Airy and lifted, with tons of energy, the 2021 has so much to offer. Floral and mineral notes play off a core of citrus fruit in an engaging, mid-weight Chardonnay... Read More
A light and crisp, dry wine that showcases tropical aromas of stone fruit, white peach, lychee, guava, and honeysuckle. Its delightfully creamy mid-palate brims with zesty citrus and minerality, balanced by flavors of pink grapefruit,... Read More
The first swirl in the glass releases fragrances of white peaches, lime zest, delicate white pineapple and ripe stone fruit. Upon entry, the creamy texture is buoyed by bright acidity. Ruby red grapefruit, white blossoms and citrus... Read More
WINEMAKER'S TASTING NOTES: Intense and multi-layered, the bouquet is dominated by mineral, vine blossom, yellow nettle blossom, honeysuckle, white vine rose, hawthorn, lemon, lime, white peach, completed by acacia honey and... Read More
We like this neighborhood. Elliot Vineyard tucks itself between Hellenthal Vineyards and the easternmost boundary of the Hirsch Vineyard. We were drawn to this site, planted in 1981 to the Mt. Eden clone of Pinot Noir, partly... Read More
Really starting to get into its stride under the new direction of Jacques Lurton. I have always enjoyed this wine and long found it to be the one of all the Andre Lurton wines to live up to the potential of the terroir. This is... Read More
Lastly, the 2020 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is another legendary wine from this château that has been on an incredible run over the past decade. A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot that was brought up all... Read More
Deep purple – almost blue – in color, the 2020 Château Léoville Barton offers up an exotic, vibrant, perfumed nose that carries loads of pure cassis fruit interwoven with violets, sappy green herbs, and... Read More
Smooth, seductive and finely textured, this is both sleek and strict, with a savoury, crushed stone saline tang alongside tobacco, tar, ripe black cherries and soft floral scents; the Cabernet really makes its mark. Sexy and rich,... Read More
The inky hued 2020 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron checks in as a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot that spent 18 months in 70% new barrels. It's a dense, rich, powerful 2020 offering loads of pure cassis... Read More
The fruit for The Plow 2021 comes from the three upper blocks with a special massal selection of PN777 on Gelderman-Jory soils, with a layer of large gravels that impart extra energy to the vines and create more complex flavors.... Read More
The 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley has a medium ruby color and is bursting with a combination of unabashedly gregarious berry fruit and loads of alluring, earthy undertones. The medium-bodied palate features a balance of... Read More
The 2020 Chardonnay UV - El Diablo Vineyard is extraordinarily impressive, particularly given the multitude of challenges this vintage. It was matured for 12 months in 33% new French oak and finished with six months in stainless... Read More
The 2020 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard comes from vines planted in the 1970s. It was matured for 12 months in 35% new French oak and finished with six months in stainless steel. This shows the impressive concentration and generosity... Read More
The 2020 Chardonnay Russian River Valley was matured for 12 months in 20% new French oak barrels and finished with six months in stainless steel. Like many of the 2020s from Arista, it is inviting and ready to drink, with white... Read More
The 2021 Chardonnay Casteel is complex and alluring, offering dynamic aromas and flavors as it unfurls with oxygen over several days. The nose offers lemon peel and panna cotta, spicy, honeyed undertones and streaks of flint.... Read More
A more reserved yet even more complex aromatic profile offers a broad spectrum of fruit types along with game, warm earth, underbrush, smoke and wet stone, all of which add depth to the intensely soil-driven big-bodied, powerful... Read More
I loved the nose on the 2020 Chardonnay Ma Princesse, which has a captivating array of white peach, pineapple, minty herbs, and flowers. Coming from older vines in the Ritchie Vineyard in the Russian River, it’s full-bodied,... Read More
The Woolsey Road Vineyard property is owned by the Martinelli family, but the Chardonnay was planted exclusively for Ramey with old Wente cuttings from the Hyde Vineyard of Carneros. The 2019 Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard was... Read More
The 2020 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard is mineral-driven and powerful and offers a strong sense of place. Its aromas segue from iodine and saline to creamy citrus. The medium-bodied palate explodes with concentrated, savory fruit and... Read More
This has a beautiful nose of lemon curd, cream, sliced green apples and cardamom buns. Some toasted hazelnuts, too. It’s medium- to full-bodied with a deliciously creamy, gently spicy palate, married with vibrant acidity.... Read More
Dusty rose and raspberry notes combine with licorice and white pepper nuances as the 2019 Estate Blend blossoms in the glass. It's softly textured with brisk minerality. A chalky tannin coasting frames tart wild berry fruits.... Read More
This part of the Grand Chemarin vines results in the finest, most elegant expression in our range of Sancerre wines. Citrus flavours and aromas – mandarin in particular – are characteristic of this terroir. Lovely... Read More
A blend of wines hailing from two types of terroirs – marls and stony calcareous caillottes – lends this wine all of its complexity. The finesse and fruit from the caillottes wines are complemented by the power and... Read More
The standout wine of the tasting (as expected). Opulent, concentrated with intense cassis notes on both the nose and palate, with a deep-purple hue in the glass (although not quite as deep as the 1995). Mint, cool, menthol on... Read More
In the 19th century, it was a common practice of the time to “hermitage” the wines. Bordeaux chateaux would add to their wines a certain quantity of wine from the Rhone - notably from the region of Hermitage –... Read More
La Moussière is the estate’s flagship cuvee, its richness, energy and precision defining the Alphonse Mellot style. This 100% Sauvignon white wine has a floral and fruity nose combining white flowers with citrus fruits,... Read More
Le Clos du Château is essentially a vineyard of approximately five hectares that sits in front of the Château de Puligny and is entirely enclosed by walls. This facilitates their biodynamic farming methods. Classified... Read More
This too is intensely floral in character with nuances of rose petal, violet and lavender to the subtle spicy red berry fruit scents. There is both excellent precision and verve to the beautifully textured medium weight flavors... Read More
Extremely perfumed with strawberries, flowers, cherries and hints of ash and tar. Medium to full-bodied with tightness and raciness to the tannins. Polished, too. Very, very persistent.
Vogelzang is a tremendous site. We have leased several acres here since 2009, and these wines have been some of our most decorated and long-lived wines – as much as the reds! Vines are now over 20 years old, reducing yields... Read More
Rich and concentrated with violet reflections and a wall of tannins. Well structured, it sets its feet deep in the ground and will need time to soften and develop. Good quality with depth. The tannins are far more present than... Read More
Production:50 hl/hectare
Vinification:fermentation at 15º C for 15-20 days
Maturation:for 12 months, 80% in stainless steel, 20% in French oak barrique
Color:straw yellow
Nose:highly complex, sweet and spicy, noticeable acacia... Read More
‘Bricco delle Viole is the vineyard that taught us patience and naturally guided the style of our craft,’ said Aldo Vaira about this MGA. Both graceful and austere, it has sweet violet, and pomegranate aromas, restrained... Read More
Made from old plots of Chardonnay, this Mâconnais cru is a rich wine. Brioche aromas are expressed on the nose. On the palate, the opulence of ripe fruit is enhanced by notes of lime blossom and jasmine. It is certainly... Read More
Expressive aromas of kaffir lime, honeydew melon and guava fuse beautifully with a delicately textured palate of lemongrass, luscious citrus and tropical fruit.
A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Château Poesia is more open and showy compared to the Barde Haut, offering fabulous limestone-like character in its kirsch and currant fruits and notes of dried herbs,... Read More
A youthful, energetic wine with notes of ripe black plums and a bit of liquorice and spice. The texture is silky and soft, lacking the density of the other wines in the cellar, yet there is finesse to spare. 2020 was the first... Read More
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon was just bottled this past summer. It is of course a very young wine, but possesses tremendous aromatic nuance and freshness to play off a core of huge dark fruit. Readers will have to be patient with... Read More
Our Appellation Series wines exemplify our commitment to exploration and passion for crafting soulful and thoughtprovoking wines that celebrate some of the world's great terroirs.
Sixty-five miles north of our winery in Sebastopol,... Read More
Salty and tangy, this has excellent energy and persistence, really driving from start to finish in a straight line, giving expression and nuance. Well delivered, good bitter edges as well as bright and shiny citrus - a real mix... Read More
The 2018 Gattinara Molsino emerges from a relatively warm, sunny spot on the estate at 400 meters in elevation. It presents myriad shades of dark cherry/plum fruit, sage, menthol, new leather and dark spices. Potent and virile... Read More
The 2018 Gattinara Valferana is explosive right out of the glass. Supporting veins of tannin carry a core of red fruit, cinnamon, rose petal, blood orange, mint and white pepper. The Valferana is complex and wonderfully deep from... Read More
The 2020 Barbera D'Alba Vigna Scarrone takes on a deeper, more layered character, with floral boysenberry, violet, and cedar. It has medium to full body, with a stony mouthfeel and notes of mocha, turned earth, and fresh black... Read More
Packed with kirsch, the 2020 Barbera D'Alba Vigna Vecchia Scarrone has another gear, noted with lavender and black pepper. On the palate, it has a supple, silky mouthfeel, with blackberry, black cherry, crushed stones, and... Read More
2013 was a cooler vintage, serene with little rain. Temperatures in the valley during the summer in the valley averaged 26°C instead of the usual 36°C (79°F instead of the usual 97°F). When they arrived in the... Read More
The 2019 Campo di Tenaglia is elegant, silky and wonderfully polished. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint, spice, incense and rose petal are all finely sculpted in a Cabernet Franc that impresses with its delineation and... Read More
This has lovely freshness and minerality with bright lemon, white-grapefruit, oyster-shell and thyme notes. Medium-bodied with bright acidity. Precise and focused. 75% sauvignon blanc and 25% semillon, fermented in barrique.... Read More
Amazing aromatics, balsamic, caramelised red fruits, sweet almost marzipan/frangipane with lovely peonie floral elements alongside smoke and coffee. Pure and clean but given depth by a leathery savouriness and slightly grippy,... Read More
The collaboration features a limited edition ‘ready-to-wear’ version of the masterpiece carafe specially imagined by Kim Jones. The Hennessy X.O Limited Edition, encased in an aluminum second skin, stays true to the... Read More
A deft application of wood can be found on the vaguely exotic aromas of white peach, lemon-lime and pretty floral whiffs. The sleek, intense and finer, if less concentrated and powerful, middle weight flavors also possess a beautiful... Read More
Inky purple hues with dark plum, black cherry, cedar, cola and sweet toasted oak on the nose. A full-bodied entry with black berry, cocoa powder, brown spices and peppermint on the palate. Layered textures and focused tannins... Read More
The 2019 Barbaresco Masseria Roncaglie is the best Barbaresco I have ever tasted from Vietti. Bright, translucent and full of energy, the 2019 is stunning from the very first taste, and it was poured after all the Barolos in the... Read More
The 2019 Barolo Brunate is a powerhouse. Black cherry, plum, spice, lavender, mocha, gravel and scorched earth all build as this virile, potent Barolo struts its stuff. The Brunate, is another super-impressive wine in this range.... Read More
A cooler, more restrained and more elegant nose reflects notes of Granny Smith apples, lemon-lime, iodine and tidal pool wisps. The medium-weight flavors aren't quite as concentrated, but they are markedly finer with more... Read More
An exuberantly floral nose freely reveals its aromas of spice, seashore, apple and enough wood influence to mention. The focused and beautifully refined flavors ooze minerality on the almost painfully intense, bone-dry and strikingly... Read More
Bouland's 2021 Morgon Bellevue Sable opens in the glass with scents of cherries, plums, peonies and vine smoke. Medium to full-bodied, supple and giving, the sandy soils (and younger vines) from which it derives naturally... Read More
There are roughly 6,000 cases of the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Vaso, a more forward, plush, sexy wine that's already drinking brilliantly. Loaded with red and black fruits as well as leafy herbs, violets, and tobacco notes,... Read More
An Extra Brut Champagne
Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
Vintage champagne
Always a vintage champagne, this cuvee comes from two selected vineyard blocks (Bionnes in CRAMANT and Champbouton in AVIZE) with the same geological profile.... Read More
The youngest wine we had in the vertical, and clear evidence of how the 10 year rule for classified Bordeaux is far too soon for first growths in great vintages. For Lafite, this was the last great vintage before 2016 came around,... Read More
Very thick fruit for this appellation with a lovely texture – one of the best and most complete Bourgogne Rouges that I have ever tasted. Long, persistent, orange caramel fruit with a nutty, buttered finish.... Read More
Impressive aromas of fresh herbs from the Tuscan coast, such as sage, mint, rosemary and thyme. Blackcurrants, too. Full-bodied with fine, chewy tannins that show beautiful length and consistency. Racy and beautiful, with lots... Read More
A blend of 89% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, and 2% Viognier, the 2020 No 9 was 50% destemmed and will see 22 months in 65% new French oak. Full-bodied and powerful, with lots of chocolaty black fruits, ground pepper, and assorted... Read More
The idyllic seaside town of Cassis is justly celebrated as a vacation destination, but its wines are arguably the most finesse-driven examples of Provence rosé in the entire region; however, with fewer than a dozen producers... Read More
Even with the vivacious fruit of the 2021 vintage, the liveliness that we love about the Eola-Amity Hills comes through decisively in this year’s Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée. Bright and floral on the nose with an explosive... Read More
Ravishing pineapple and orange-peel nose with a hint of mint wafting over the deep fruit. Stunning combination of juiciness, concentration and vibrancy that runs right through the very long finish. So uplifting with great aging... Read More
This medium-bodied, well-balanced wine from the Pellegrini family's vineyard offers tasty but subtle vanilla, fig, poached pear and toast flavors that blend beautifully on the palate, supported by a tangy, apricot note and... Read More
Still very young, but so deep and complex on the nose, the aromas ranging from green beans to white chocolate via all colors of pepper. Concentrated and polished on the medium-bodied palate, the balance reminds me of the great... Read More
Located on south-facing slopes by Nénin, this 2.5ha estate is one to watch. Has an old-school and understated Pomerol feel, with silky, enrobed tannins, a crushed mint leaf finish and a sense of pleasure without trying... Read More
The careful assembly of old Chardonnay vines, all planted in soils marked by limestone, gives birth to a harmonious wine. The finely mineral notes, balanced on a delicately woody touch, underline the refined elegance of the wine.... Read More
A smaller St-Julien that again proves that this is an appellation to look out for in 2018. A race of heat through the finish but backed up by dense black fruits and a mint-leaf finish. One to note.
Bramble berries on the nose, quite rich. Lovely texture, bright, bold and charismatic - great charm, this shines bright in the glass and on the palate, lovely and round full of rich flavours with enough body and structure to give... Read More
It’s such an honour to be able to make wine from these old, organically farmed vines at this historic vineyard owned by Ken and Karen Wright of Ken Wright Cellars. The vines were planted on their own roots back in 1983.... Read More
The Maresh bottling is one I feel very deeply entrained with each year, and more so with each vintage. These vines planted on their own roots in 1970. This time spent each year working in these blocks has changed me. I have the... Read More
This is my third Pinot produced from Weber Vineyard, a beautiful vineyard just down Worden Hill Road from Maresh Vineyard that I have prized for a very long time. The vines in this block were planted in 1983 on their own roots.... Read More
A firm, linear red with cherry, plum and hints of chocolate, as well as bark. Some fruit-tea leaves as well. It’s full-bodied and layered, chewy and intense. Fine tannins.
Blue and black fruit with spices and licorice on the nose. Graphite, too. Full and dense, but compact on the palate, with a plush yet tight, velvety texture and a long, fantastic finish. Needs four to six year to start to open.... Read More
Wow. Very intense and aromatic nose with crushed currants and blueberries with hints of nuts and dried flowers. Full body, with very refined tannins and a lovely undercurrent of fruit. Balanced and juicy. Better in 2018.... Read More
Argiano is back on track with this excellent value 2018 Brunello. Packed with flavour, it shows the vintage well: while colour is scarce - pale garnet in hue - aromas are vivacious and enticing with spiced cherry and Mediterranean... Read More
Aromas of stone, pine needle and bark with blackcurrant and blackberry. Full-bodied with wonderfully concentration, yet it remains so refined and beautiful. So long with incredible forest-floor, light chocolate and wet-earth complexity... Read More
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon La Place Vineyard comes from a site in Calistoga and is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, all brought up in new oak. Rocking levels of crème de cassis, violets, white flowers, and a... Read More
Quiet complexity that needs time in the glass. While it is brooding and deep, there is also a perfumed, floral and herbal aspect that makes it so attractive and unforgettable, even at such an embryonic stage. Freshly crushed blueberries,... Read More
A return to form in my eyes for Calon Ségur after the atypical 2018, rippling with elegance, balance and savoury blue fruits of Cabernet, with rose and peony flowers. Concentrated, chiselled and juicy, this has clear personality... Read More
Produced from grapes hand-harvested from sand-infused soils in the Valmaggiore vineyard site in the village of Vezza d’Alba, just north of Alba. This is a half-hectare vineyard that faces south at 340 meters altitude. The... Read More
Lovely precision and drive to this with aromas of lemon curd, brioche, praline, apricots, pomelos, mandarin zest and salted caramel. It’s held together by a sharp, citrusy backbone of acidity, balanced with a fine, silky... Read More
Aldea means “village” in Gallego; thus, this is Envínate’s “village wine”, produced from a combination of –minimum- 60-year-old plots located in the ancient vineyard region of Ribeira... Read More
The 2020 El Escolladero and the La Condenada feel more backward than the rest of the 2020s. This comes from a zone known as El Meadero (not a very nice name in Spanish, I wouldn't bother putting it on the label), from a 0.95-hectare... Read More
The 2020s feel very elegant, and the 2020 Paso Las Mañas, which mentions the Paraje El Chorro in Samaniego where the vines are, is no exception. It has a very lively palate that is effervescent with freshness and chalky... Read More
Moving to the reds, the 2019 Relevant is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance 10% Merlot and 5% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec. A ripe, fat, opulent, pleasure-bent effort, it has full-bodied aromas and flavors, lots of dark,... Read More
A slightly riper and more deeply pitched aromas of plum, dark cherry and more prominent floral elements. There is both better volume and richness to the delicious medium-bodied flavors that possess impressive intensity on the... Read More
The iconic Ameztoi Rubentis rosé is a field blend of the local, indigenous Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza varieties, grown on traditional trellises high on the slopes rising above Getaria, an ancient Basque fishing... Read More
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon 1555 Oakville wafts sensuously out of the glass with redcurrant jelly, black raspberries and rose oil scents, followed by a cassis and black plums core, with emerging suggestions... Read More
Kosta Browne is taking great care of this former Saints bury vineyard source. A brilliant vein of black cherries and sour cherries weaves through black tea, redwood duff and subtle oak spices in this medium- to full-bodied wine,... Read More
Readers looking for a smoking value in Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County will love the 2021 Diatom. Offering a light gold hue as well as a juicy array of ripe melon, pineapple, honeyed flowers, and chalky minerality, it hits... Read More
The Camp Gros 2016 shines for its crystalline aromatic purity: light and leafy, it has pomegranate, camphor, violet and balsamic depth. Firm but polished, the palate is crisp and graceful, with a sumptuous mid-palate and an extremely... Read More
Fresh and crunchy pinot with aromas of fresh strawberries, peppercorns, green olives, freshly turned soil and rosemary stems. Lovely silky texture, yet firm too, with tight-grained tannins and bright acidity. Delicious balance... Read More
The cuvee opens with inviting notes of white florals and sweet spice which lead into juicy pink grapefruit, white peach and jasmine on the palate. Fresh apricot and a bracing salinity frame the finish.
A potential candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2019 Hermitage is a massive, full-bodied, yet mineral-laced and undeniably classic wine from this estate. All of the components showed incredibly well, with the Le Méal... Read More
The 2021 Chardonnay Bien Nacido emerges from own-rooted vines planted in 1973. Airy and gracious in feel, the 2021 is super-expressive right out of the gate. Lemon peel, candied lime, mint, white flowers and light tropical accents... Read More
Just 3.9 acres of Chardonnay are planted at Hirsch, and from this we produce one white wine per year. Originally planted by David Hirsch for Williams Selyem, we now keep all the Chardonnay grapes for the estate. 2021 was a cool... Read More
Very floral nose with bright red berries, some cedary oak and and an exotic hint of musk. Medium-to full-bodied with intense, spicy fruit flavors against a backdrop of lightly firm and lightly grainy tannins that together produce... Read More
Lovely wild-strawberry, raspberry and red-cherry fruit on the nose, together with mineral tinges. Medium-bodied and fresh with good intensity, despite the lighter structure this year. The tannins provide enough support to keep... Read More
Our ever-so-popular Rosé is back in stock, so get it while you can! This is Rosé of Pinot Noir, from a high-elevation vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains. Lush and fruity with a hint of eucalyptus.... Read More
The flagship 2020 Cornas is a beauty! Clearly in the same league as recent top vintages, it has a wild bouquet of black and blue fruits, liquid violets, game, and iron, with some incense and spice thrown in for good measure. It's... Read More
Pretty and cool yet definitely ripe aromas reveal notes of various dark berries, violet and rose petal. The suave and seductively textured medium weight flavors possess very fine density while the youthfully austere and moderately... Read More
So complex, with hibiscus, orange peel, dark strawberry, sandalwood, and rose hip on the nose. Medium to full body with a linear, intensely fresh and minerally finish. Crushed stone and chalk. Give this at least three years to... Read More
This is restrained to the point of being all but aromatically mute though aggressive swirling eventually coaxes notes of green fruit, citrus peel and oyster shell nuances to reveal themselves. There is both excellent volume and... Read More
I loved the 2020 Cornas Renaissance, a ripe, fleshy, supple, and already undeniably delicious Cornas. Darker berries, plums, garrigue, and peppery game notes all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, with... Read More
Intense colour, with seductive black fruits on the attack. Quickly expands outwards in the mouth, so much depth with tiny pulses of electric flavour and grip. Feels very Haut-Bailly in its balance, energy and lift, with a clear... Read More
SELECTION OF OLD VINEYARDS
In the philosophy of our company, the aging of wines has always played a role of crucial importance. It is for this reason that today we are proud to be able to market the most aged vintages directly... Read More
This graceful Champagne offers hints of smoke and toasted brioche that transition to patisserie apple and blackberry fruit, candied ginger and mandarin orange peel notes. Seamlessly knit and mouthwatering, with a minerally underpinning... Read More
Pure, bright hue. An intensely fruity, expressive and generous wine. The palate is round and fleshy with aromas of yellow fruits such as peach, apricot and mirabelle plum. A rich and indulgent wine with good texture that can be... Read More
Starts off subtle and taut, with crunchy citrus and pear flavors, flinty minerality and peppery white flower aromatics. Gains momentum and torque on the long finish, expanding into lemon zest and more mineral-driven nuances. Drink... Read More
The 2020 Barbera d'Alba is another wine that shows the greater refinement at Sandrone these days. Even so, there's plenty of richness in the ripe red cherry, plum, mocha and spice flavors. Soft, silky contours wrap it... Read More
Flinty reduction with “sharpened” lemon zest to the nose and a palate that attacks you with its brightness. Bone-dry and slightly demanding, but extremely fresh and zippy for trebbiano. Lots of lime juice in the end... Read More
The 2019 Torre Muga is always a more powerful, ripe expression of Rioja that never loses its sense of place. Deep ruby/purple, with a glorious bouquet of cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and crushed stone, it hits the... Read More
Brilliant scarlet color. Spice-tinged black raspberry and cherry scents are complicated by suggestions of potpourri, musky earth and smoky minerals. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering chewy red/dark berry, bitter cherry... Read More
Wines from Meursault are typified by aromas and flavors of ripe melon, hazelnut, and lemon custard, and tend to be broader and more textural than wines from neighboring villages. Aging in 15-20% percent small French oak barrels... Read More
The 2019 Au Sommet Cabernet Sauvignon is magnificent. A classic mountain wine, the 2019 offers up an exciting mix of dark fruit, gravel, graphite, savory herbs, chocolate and menthol. The bouquet alone is mesmerizing, but there... Read More
October 2022, we visited Maker’s Mark Distillery in Kentucky to select a single barrel. Maker’s Mark does their barrel program differently from any other distillery, such that one isn’t... Read More
Luc Morlet has 100 Muscadelle vines, planted in 1953, which he co-ferments with the Sauvignon Blanc to produce this stunning wine. This is all barrel fermented with native yeast. This barrel sample of 2019 La Proportion Doree... Read More
I always find the wines of Domaine du Cayron to be singular and exotic, and I love them, but admittedly, they’re not for everyone. Their 2020 Gigondas checks in as 78% Grenache, 14% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault and Mourvèdre... Read More
