A bigger, richer wine, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes has a similar style in its peppery garrigue, lavender, scorched earth, and licorice aromatics. It’s slightly darker fruited than the base cuvée... Read More

Régnard, one of the oldest and most prestigious houses in Chablis, was founded by Zéphir Régnard in 1860.
In 1984, Baron Patrick de Ladoucette purchased Régnard and has perpetuated the style and tradition... Read More

Note: from 7 different lieux-dits. A distinctly earthier and much more sauvage-suffused nose is comprised by notes of plum and various wild red berries. There is impressive density and volume to the medium-bodied flavors that... Read More

No Renaissance was produced in this vintage. Reminding me of the 2017, the 2022 Cornas reveals gorgeous red and black fruits, violets, bouquet garni, and gamey, iron-like nuances. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has fine... Read More

Subtle and complex with blackberries, violets, lilacs, roses and hints of ink. So floral, yet subtle on the nose. Full-bodied with incredible polish and beauty, the silky tannins running the length of the wine and going on and... Read More

On the slopes of Côte de Brouilly, this 100% Cotton reveals the true character of Gamay, offering a bright, fruit-forward profile with subtle depth. Fresh raspberries and strawberries lead the charge, while delicate spice... Read More

A great Cheval Blanc that stands up to the potential that I found during en primeur. Extremely restrained and classic in its construction, shot through with points of mint, liquorice, raspberry and eucalyptus. The fresh aromatics... Read More

Floral and dark-fruited aromas of black cherries, potpourri, licorice, blood oranges and fresh plums. The palate is mineral-driven and tactile, with fine-grained tannins, focused acidity and a chalky mouthfeel. Flavors of graphite,... Read More

Practicing organic
100% Pinot Noir
From a 1 ha parcel in “Les Combes”, a lieu-dit that is at the bottom of the Corton slope, directly adjacent to Corton “Les Chaumes”
Planted in 1942
Grown on clay and limestone... Read More

Black fruit coulis, intense spice aromas and some smoke on the nose. Powerful and robust in the best possible way, the tannins are remarkably polished for a Rhone red with stacks of mourvedre in it. Very compact core, but also... Read More

Tasting note: Slightly more prominent wood sets off slightly riper aromas of white orchard fruit, floral wisps and a similar hint of lemon zest. There is even better volume to the less refined medium weight flavors that also terminate... Read More

Lovely dark red fruits on the nose, a gorgeous sultry florality to it, something a little bit savoury too, pencil led and smoke - extremely welcoming. Great succulence on the palate, juicy and alive, really fresh with the charm... Read More

The 2020 Château Mangot Todeschini Distique has a similar celery/vegetal nuance, and although it’s more integrated, it's still a head scratcher. A blend of 40% each of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with the balance... Read More

I was able to taste three wines from Domaine Santa Duc. Starting with the 2020 Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits, which spent 18 months in 36-hectoliter Stockinger foudres, it has a floral, elegant, medium-bodied profile as well as lots... Read More

Usually a benchmark for the appellation, Droin's Chablis has a lot more density and concentration than the Petit Chablis. More structure and minerality here. Will be very good and a classic example.

The refined, delicious and caressing middleweight flavors possess very good punch on the firm, balanced, moderately dry and bitter lemon-inflected finish. This markedly stony effort is also quite good and worth considering. *Sweet... Read More

An incredibly impressive wine in 2022 shaping up to be the wine of the vintage not only as it seems to defy the hot and dry conditions in every way but delivers such confidence and charm it makes it hard to resist. Gorgeous aromatic... Read More

One of my favorite wines at this address, the 2022 Les Hauts-Lieux, derives from vines planted on a cooler, higher elevation on calcareous soils. These grapes, including more Mourvèdre (20%), are picked 15 days later than... Read More

Smoky floral and essence of pear aromas are trimmed in discreet spice and citrus wisps. There is better mid-palate density to the vibrant and attractively textured medium-bodied flavors that possess slightly better depth and persistence... Read More

Looking at the reds, the 2020 La Chapelle De La Mission Haut-Brion is flat-out stunning and unquestionably a great wine in its own right. Cassis, black raspberries, tobacco, and sandalwood are just some of its nuances, and it's... Read More

Excellent vibrancy here, with just a bit more mid-palate density than in 2018. Exciting tension, power and ripe red fruit leading to a salivating and long finish. Although young, try with garlic-infused, roasted leg of lamb.... Read More

When young, Carbonnieux white wines are delightfully refreshing and pure with a fruity, floral intensity. When mature they develop hints of dried and candied fruits giving scope for a large range of gastronomic pairings. The batches... Read More

Fabio and Claire Gazeau-Montrasi direct this 6 ha domaine perched high above the village of Fuissé. Fabio Gazeau told me that 2022 definitely easier to manage than either 2020 or 2021 though this isn't to say that there... Read More

With high expectations that this will be classified at the next round in 2022, and the new winery by Sir Norman Foster nearly completed, it's fair to say that this is a good moment for Le Dôme. The high Cabernet Franc... Read More

The 2023 Chasseignes is already a delight to drink. There's no need to wait: it offers a warm welcome with a round and immediately charming entrance before tightening up as it moves through the mouth. There’s a belt... Read More

Note: from a .37 ha parcel; 100% stainless. Ripe yet attractively fresh aromas are comprised by notes of citrus confit, apple, spice and iodine. There is a really lovely texture to the refined and lightly stony middleweight flavors... Read More

The 2023 Puligny-Montrachet Champs Gain 1er Cru offers plenty of tropical notes of passionfruit, nectarine and white peach on the nose. It's simpatico with delineation and typicité, though still identifiable as a Puligny.... Read More

Tasting note: Perfumed and very pretty aromas of red and dark cherry, violet and crushed anise lead to beautifully textured and attractively vibrant middleweight flavors that also exude a subtle minerality on the youthfully austere... Read More

Tasting note: Smoky aromas of acacia blossom, just sliced apple and a whiff of grated zest are complemented by more voluminous and richer medium weight flavors that possess a succulent mid-palate that contrasts mildly with the... Read More

Vinified in 300 and 600 liters, the 2022 Cuvée Antan is an aromatically restrained, barrel-fermented Sancerre. The palate gives more flavor than the nose suggests, filling the mid-palate with fresh apricot, lees-derived... Read More

The 2023 Chablis Village has a crisp, stony bouquet that feels a little neutral in style. The palate is well balanced with a keen line of acidity and citric notes of mandarin and grapefruit. This has fine weight on the finish,... Read More

The 2018 Brut Vintage is absolutely delicious, just as it was last year. Floral and citrus notes give the 2018 lovely aromatic lift to play off its mid-weight personality. This is a classy, polished Vintage Champagne marked by... Read More

One of the greatest Rose's from the Loire!

5-Star Producer of Sancere, a very limited wine.

100% Pinot Noir
80+ year old vines
Direct press rosé
Indigenous yeast
Fermented in large ancient demi muids (80+ years old)... Read More

The La Maratre bottling from Domaine du Nozay is considered their flagship wine. The estate was founded in 1971 and has been biodynamic since 2017. To me this is textbook Sancerre. Flinty undertones coming from the chalk soils,... Read More

Very rich and spicy, with impressive concentration and stacks of fine, soft tannins on the full-bodied palate. There’s licorice and meaty intensity in the crescendo finish. A cuvee of 60% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourvedre... Read More

Grape Variety : 100% Chardonnay

Dosage : between 2 and 4 g/L - Extra Brut

Harvest : 2018

Bottling and disgorgement : according to the moon cycles

T E R R O I R

Vineyard located in Festigny and Le Breuil

Soil : clay and limestone... Read More

The 2013 Extra Brut Les Empreintes is a wine of extraordinary beauty. Vivid and precise, the 2013 is just so expressive today. The blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir works beautifully here. Like so many of the wines in this tasting,... Read More

Tasted from an ex-château bottle at BI Wine & Spirits Calon-Segur dinner in London, the 2005 Calon Segur is on par with the wonderful 2000. The only real difference is that this needs more time in bottle. It has a captivating... Read More

The 2016 Latour is a vintage that I have tasted a couple of times post-bottling. On one occasion, it warranted a perfect score, but that was then moot since this vintage had not been released. Now that it is due to hit the shelves... Read More

Rich black cherry and strawberry fruit, with impressive density and palate weight. The balance is good, with fur-coat tannins and admirable freshness. Yet again, this vintage turns out a wine seemingly far too good for the climatic... Read More

The 2019 Les Forts de Latour appears to have tightened up a little since I last tasted it a few years ago. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of sweet cassis fruit mingled with hints of cedar, iris, orange zest and new oak, it's... Read More

This Burgundian beauty exudes charm and intensity with ripe fruits, bright aromatics, and the structure to age gracefully. It's a welcome introduction to an exciting year in Burgundy and an ideal choice for your Easter table!... Read More

A blend of 60% Grenache and 20% each Mourvèdre and Syrah, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu Cuvee des Galets spent only eight months in concrete prior to bottling. Scents of sunbaked stones, dried herbes de... Read More

The 2022 Château Cheval Blanc Le Petit Cheval Blanc comes from vines just across the road from the château and is 70% Sauvignon and 30% Semillon brought up in a mix of demi-muids and foudre for 20 months. Green citrus,... Read More

Isabel Ferrando and her daughter Guillemette own this biodynamic property in the Rhone Valley. This delicate wine is 90% Grenache with 5% Syrah and 5% Cinsault and is aged for 6 months in concrete. This is a super fresh and feminine... Read More

Tasting note: There is a whiff of spice sitting atop the ripe aromas of black raspberry coulis, violet and earth. The caressing middleweight plus flavors manage to be at once succulent yet powerful before culminating in an equally... Read More

An exceptionally pretty and overtly floral-suffused nose freely reveals its aromas of acacia blossom, lemon-lime, crushed anise and a hint of exotic tea character. There is noticeably better volume to the medium-bodied flavors... Read More

The 2020 Gazin is a wine of total precision and class. Vibrant, with tremendous nuance, the 2020 is so impressive. Dark red cherry, iron, tobacco, white pepper and crushed flowers abound. The 2020 is a standout Gazin.

François de Nicolay succinctly described the 2022 growing season as hot and dry but with no disease pressure to speak of, which always makes things easier to manage. However, fruit maturities spiked at the end and it was... Read More

Jean-Guillaume Bret, who with his brother Jean-Philippe manages this 12 ha domaine, and which buys in another 8 to 10 ha of organically farmed must and/or fruit which they sell under the Bret Brothers label (see herein), enthusiastically... Read More

Peaches, fresh crushed strawberries and roses on the nose. Full-bodied and generous. Fine tannins that frame the wine beautifully and set it up for a fresh finish. Some fruit tea and cedar undertones. Enticing finish with hints... Read More

Plenty of blackberry, blueberry, lead pencil and violet aromas here that follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins that run the length of the wine. So integrated and polished.Changes a lot in the glass. Thoughtful... Read More

This refined Bordeaux blend encapsulates the essence of the renowned Saint Emilion appellation. With a storied history of excellence spanning over a century, the estate produces wines that elegantly express lush red fruit, gentle... Read More

The 2020 Tour Saint Christophe opens in the glass with aromas of sweet cherries, raspberries and petals, followed by a medium to full-bodied, lively and pure palate that's rich and fleshy, with generously extracted tannins... Read More

From a château that deserves more recognition in the market, the 2020 Château De Fieuzal is a brilliant Pessac- Léognan based on 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot raised in 60% new... Read More

Composed of 77% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an alcohol of 14.5% and a pH of 3.57, the deep purple-black colored 2020 Fleur Cardinale bursts from the glass with powerful notes of crushed blackberries,... Read More

A touch of stewed plum fruit, though quite reserved aromatically. There's some welcome body and fruit here, and the alcohol is relatively mild. Finishes dry and savory. Well balanced and very drinkable.

Juicy and upfront, this has nice energy and life with good acidity and clear texture. Nicely framed with a toasty touch balanced by a hint of sweetness to the blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with some floral accents. Oak and... Read More

▪ Krug Collection 1995 reveals a lustrous pale gold colour. ▪ On the nose, aromas of cocoa, orange marmalade, and biscuits. ▪ On the palate, refreshingly contrasting notes of delightful pastry, madeleine with butter, and candied orange... Read More

Like the Lavières, there is a touch of post-bottling reduction but there is excellent freshness and underlying tension on the palate of the rich and wonderfully textured bigger-bodied and tautly muscular flavors that culminate... Read More

The 2021 Condrieu Invitare shows the fresher style of the vintage while still bringing plenty of classic Viognier texture and richness. Flowers, apricots, and orange-tinged aromas and flavors all emerge from the glass, and it's... Read More

Magnificent wine – the best ever under the Chanel regime. Beautifully fragrant with dark fruit, spice and floral notes. Plentiful but fine tannins provide a velvety texture and there’s great persistence on the finish.... Read More

Careful and seductive oaking, this develops and builds in power and finesse over the palate, and is a seriously enjoyable Pomerol, just packed full of appellation typicity. A yield of 35hl/ha, vinified in new oak barrels, and... Read More

An overtly floral-suffused nose speaks of red cherry, raspberry and a hint of herbal tea. The supple, caressing and succulent medium-bodied flavors possess a lovely sense of underlying tension on the lightly stony, focused and... Read More

One of the world’s greatest expressions of Grenache year-in and year-out, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is all varietal that was brought up in larger foudre. This cuvée comes from the Charbonnieres... Read More

One of the very finest wines produced in this less heralded vintage is Egly's 2014 Brut Grand Cru Millésime, a strikingly vinous and enveloping Champagne that wafts from the glass with aromas of pear, mirabelle plum,... Read More

A much more powerful wine based on 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Deus-Ex Machina reminds me slightly of the 2011 with its spicy, perfumed, complex bouquet of red and black fruits, dried flowers,... Read More

The purity of Botrytis in this wine is so impressive with dried fruits such apple and mango. And then spicy character. Full body and very sweet but it is incredibly fresh and lively. Such class and elegance. Perfectly manicured... Read More

The 2021 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits Les Dames Huguette is initially quite bashful on the nose, dark berry fruit intermingling with brown spices and orange blossom, gently unfolding with aeration. The palate is well... 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 cherry damson red in colour, clear depth. Touches of kicking spice right from the start, I like the surprise of the battle between richness and bitterness. It feels like a heavy blanket of fruit which is burrowing down but... Read More