Dark-berry, black-chocolate and tar aromas follow through to a medium to full body with juicy fruit, as well as asphalt and burnt-orange undertones. Drink or hold. Tasted April 2021

Medium tannins. Earthy and toasty, with prune, black olive, scorched almond and a hint of tawny port.

Earthy and savoury, with black tea, umami soy sauce, liquorice, spiced plum and lengthy medium tannic finish.

The Polish Hill Riesling is muscular and defined in its structure and is routinely possessed of an authority and grace straight off the bat. This 2022 Polish Hill Riesling is mineral and fine, but phenolic and taut, too. The acidity creates tension and life in the mouth, and despite the wine being pristine, it is chalky and pithy, too. The Polish Hill Riesling has a decorated legacy and is prized for its longevity in the cellar. There have been mutterings of similarities between 2022 and the great and fabled 2002 vintage, boding very well indeed for the future of this wine. Riesling mainlines the dirt and takes us to place. This is why we gravitate toward great wine, to be taken to dirt, vineyard and region. Drink 2022-2042.

Awarded top rank, 5 stars. Jeffrey Grosset reckons 2022 is an even better vintage for him thank 2021, which is some statement as 2021 was a cracker. This wine is always reserved when very young, and so it is with 2022. Pale colour, creamy yeasty, waxy, lemon-pith and blossom aromas, discreet and refined, tense and delicate in mouth. Built beautiful perfumes with time in the glass. Racy and lean. Tension is high, the wine is dry but supple and balanced. Harmonious. Long finish, needs time.

With fabulous clarity, the wine shows green apple, lemon zest and white floral notes on the nose, followed by a crisp-dry palate that’s pristine and lingering. Splendidly styled and expressed with finesse and elegance. At its best: 2026 to 2038.

The Knappstein Sparkling Shiraz offers ripe fruit, with soft plump tannins, and a dry finish. Concentration of fruit balances with savoury spice and earthy notes, while waiting for the refreshing hit from the bubbles as they tantalise the palate, leaving a cleansing sensation.

Subtle, silky and restrained for an Oz shiraz. Soft spicy oak with a hint of herb, dark Ghana chocolate, soy umami and a dry finish. Tasted August 2024.

5 Stars/98 Points: An intense crimson hued wine that is very youthful with many heard ahead of it yet. It exhibits great depth, concentration and vibrancy of varietal fruit richness.

Splendidly ripe and perfumed on the nose showing black/blueberry, violet, toasted spice and hazelnut characters, leading to a beautifully weighted palate offering velvety texture and plump mouthfeel. Generous and flavoursome with a lingering silky finish. At its best: now to 2032.

The Mayor's vineyard was planted by a former Mayor of Adelaide in 1969, at 500 meters in elevation on the eastern ridge of Clare Valley. Red loam and slate define the soils here, and that ferrous grunt and minerality go hand in hand in the glass. This 2020 The Mayor's Vineyard Shiraz is an exceptionally savory, layered Shiraz with red dirt, hung deli meat, some oolong tea and salted mulberries at the fore. This is a wonderful wine, at the beginning of its life.''Reviewed Sep 16, 2022

It's full of flavourful with layers of fruit and polished tannins. Serious Shiraz!

Absolute classic big 'n' bold knockout Aussie shiraz. Hugely ripe and generous, with blackcurrant, boysenberry and spiced plum compote. 15.5% ABV. Finishes long and strong with liquorice, white pepper, a hint of eucalyptus and vanillin oak.

Say what you will about the Mollydooker wine style or marketing, there's no denying that Sarah Marquis is able to build wonderful texture into her wines. The 2017 Carnival of Love Shiraz frames powerful dark fruit aromas with strong cedar overtones, but the highlight is the high-end Mollydooker texture's somewhere between heavy cream, plush velvet and Asia's finest silk. As in the Blue Eyed Boy, red raspberry notes emerge on the finish, bringing a sense of freshness and balance to this rich, flavorsome wine.

It's unabashedly full-bodied, with notes of blackberry, blueberry and cassis, yet it retains a savory edge, rich, velvety tannins and a long, intense finish.

Mollydooker's 2018 Carnival of Love Shiraz is more red-fruited and structured than I expected, given the wine's stated 16% alcohol. Raspberries and cedar mark the nose, with hints of chocolate, espresso and baking spices. In the mouth, it's full-bodied, dense and powerful, with ripe but firm tannins supporting the bright berry flavors, then easing into a long, velvety and mouthwatering finish. It should drink well for around a decade, but if you're shy of tannins, you may want to wait another year or two before opening.

A blend of 71% Shiraz (the same juice that goes into Carnival of Love) and 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Enchanted Path features slightly lifted floral and herbal aromatics and hints of cassis on the nose, while the flavors on the palate are slightly brighter and redder. It's full-bodied, richly textured and intense, with ample extract, plenty of oak and well-ripened tannins, all of which lead to a finish that's long and slightly drying at the moment. Give it another year or two in the cellar, and it should drink well for at least the next 5-6 years after that. Drink date 2022 - 2027.

As with so many cabernets, lots of air and time to open up makes such a big difference. This appeared raw and closed at first, with raspy tannins. It then revealed cassis, leafy freshness, dark chocolate, herbs and menthol. A core of sweet fruit works in unison with the cedary oak and while more bottle aged is needed to smooth out the tannins, they are knitted into the body of the wine.

Released with 4 years under its belt yet fresh as can be. The oak has fallen into place, adding extra oomph on the palate. Full-bodied with ample tannins. It's a good place: fruit is still the mix yet savouriness abounds. 

The NV Rosewood Vineyards Muscat appears only slightly less complex than the Muscadelle. Possessing a very pale brown colour with a glint of gold, this wine is quite grapey on the nose with notes of brandied sultanas and spice cake. In the mouth, a very sweet and rich with relatively medium-high acid to balance. The finish is very long with flavors of spicy grape syrup. As with the Muscadelle, this is also an amazing value.

The Rare series has achieved perfection frequently in these pages. Happily nothing has changed. The Non-Vintage Rare Muscadelle is amber/brown approaching black. It offers an ethereal perfume of fig, graham cracker, coconut, caramel, and spice box. Thick, rich, and concentrated, it goes on and on in the finish. Chambers Rosewood Vineyards makes my short list of greatest fortified wine producers. The winery was started in 1858 and continues to be owned by the Chambers family. Some of the material for these blends is over 100 years old. As Robert Parker noted in Issue 168, these wines are the product of solera systems so there is very little, if any, difference from release to release.

This is precise, expressive and fresh, with a wild character, very different from the other Cinsaults. It has a brothy, meaty touch on the palate that makes it very tasty. Clean and precise, with very good grip, 2018 has to be the finest vintage to date for this wine.

Open wine (herbal, black but delicate fruit, complex). Very well done, with freshness and finesse. I love it! It has a mineral expression, with a soft palate and floral flavours. Spicy and delicate finish, a wonderful Cinsault!

Big, inky and earthy. Smoky and gamey flavours with Cuban cigar, black plum, dark chocolate, prune and truffle. 14% ABV. Assertive, yet medium tannins. Long, dry, funky finish.

Big, inky and earthy. Smoky and gamey flavours with Cuban cigar, black plum, dark chocolate, prune and truffle. 14% ABV. Assertive, yet medium tannins. Long, dry, funky finish.

This Pinot Noir-led bubbly from West Sussex bursts from the glass with singular notes of lemon, thyme and fresh hazelnut, then back to more citrus—fresh this time—with an underbelly of cream and a hint of smoke. The palate is equally expressive, the bright, mouthwatering acidity slicing through the gentle toast with a tangy zing of lemon right to the finish. Bracingly refreshing and nothing but class, this is delicious now, chilled for a warm summer's day. 

Anthony Rose for The Real Review: Pale gold in colour, the aromas on this fizz are very nicely evolved and show an understated, if inviting buttered Brazil nuttiness; and the aromas are followed by an expansive, surprisingly youthful mousse containing notes of stone fruit and grilled nuts, with a firm spine of youthful acidity, before dissipating on the tongue with an elegantly tangy dry finish. Tasted July 2023. Drink 2023–2026

It's a blend of pinot noir (50 percent), chardonnay and meunier from the North and South Downs of Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, where the soils are mostly chalk and clay. It's a pretty pink wine with some delicacy to its red-currant flavors, lasting with notes of cardamom and star anise. Pour it with duck rillettes.

The Light Drinker: "Spritz is the way forward. I love Pentire’s botanical spirit substitutes, but there’s something about an orangey, bitter aperitif that really works in a non-alcoholic version. Here,Pentire’s botanicals mix is joined by orange zest which steps up to echo the depth and kick of alcohol while rosemary gives a rounded herbiness. There are a lot of new zero alc aperitifs that use that combination and it’s because it’s a brilliantly balanced one, of strong flavours and zingy contrasts. The extra element here is the addition of oakmoss which offsets the other ingredients with woody, spicy and slightly sweet notes. It’s this ingredient that gives the Coastal Spritz a feel of a slightly bitter Martini Rosso rather than, say, a Campari, and I love it. You can trust Pentire to deliver and they have."

The Light Drinker: Pentire are an impressive performer in the non-alcoholic spirit range. They claim their original drink, Pentire Adrift has the highest rating of any non-alcoholic spirit on the Trustpilot ratings; and they have had some stellar reviews, including from the New York Times. This is their second drink, a zesty, breezy mix of pink grapefruit, sea buckthorn, sea rosemary and woodruff. It’s a grown-up drink: dry, and saliva-inducingly tangy adding layers and depth to a good tonic. Their ads often show people sitting on a headland in Cornwall enjoying the drink round a camp fire. It’s perfectly pitched: the herbal, citrussy flavours speak of short thymy turf and salty breezes. Absolutely delicious with a tonic.  

The Light Drinker: According to the Pentire website, Pentire Adrift has the highest rating of any non-alcoholic spirit on the Trustpilot ratings; they certainly have some very enthusiastic reviews and I agree with all of them.  This is a beautifully crafted drink, no bells or whistles or fancy tricks, just a strongly confident blend of superbly chosen flavours. There’s bright top notes of zesty grapefruit peel balanced by a strongly herbal muskiness of sage which round out the thinness of the citrus,  and the whole is enlivened with the freshness of sea salt and samphire.  It’s fabulous on the nose and, mixed with tonic, is rounded and satisfying, the aromatics performing just as they do in a good gin. There’s a slight sherbetiness in the finish, although there’s no sweetness in the mix, and the whole represents a superb mastery of blending.   If you only have one non-alcohol drink in your cupboard, it might as well be this one.

Bright, even, pale yellow with some depth. This has a lush, attractive bouquet, penetrating with aromas of rose water, Turkish delight, lychee, red apple and delicate spice. Full-bodied, off-dry to taste, aromas of lychee, baked apple and ginger melded with rose water and Turkish delight. The opulent mouthfeel flows with gentle acidity and spice, and carries a moderately long finish. A classic Alsatian Gewurztraminer displaying lush fruit and an opulent mouthfeel. Match with fish curry and liver pate over the next 5+ years. 13.5% alc. 18.5/20 pts (93 pts) Dec 2023

Slight reduction still hovers on this wine's nose but yeasty apple freshness awaits underneath. Yeasty finesse and bright freshness come together on the palate, making for a light-bodied, elegant and dry wine with yeasty resonance. 

Ginger, spice, and honeysuckle notes. A refreshing and juicy acidity with an attractive phenolic grip on the finish.

Hints of wax and crushed almond impart a rich, creamy edge to flavors of yellow apple and pear fruit, salty mineral and anise in this lively, light-bodied white. Drink now through 2025.

This lively wine starts with aromas of ocean spray on rocks. Savory and mineral characteristics come through on the palate, as well as a bright streak of acid and intriguing hint of anise. The acid and salinity make this wine a great pairing for fried foods. 

A hint of sweetness is perfectly balanced by delicately mouth-watering acidity that gives the wine energy and pleasing tension. Elegant rather than blockbuster wine with lime zest, oyster shell and a subtle suggestion of wildflowers. November 2023.

The 2022 Gewurztraminer Orchidées Sauvages is subtly scented with summer blossom and white peach. The palate is rounded, adding ripe, juicy, yellow peach and beautiful freshness. This is like digging into a flower-scented, lemon-dressed peach salad with a beautiful phenolic structure and freshness to balance the gentle sweetness of 10 g/L. The 2022 is wonderfully poised with its scented nature. This is summer in a glass. (Off-Dry) -- Anne Krebiehl MW

A creamy light- to medium-bodied white, with a concentrated core of spicy minerality tightly knit to flavors of ripe green melon, peach skin, slivered almond and candied Meyer lemon peel that expand on the palate. Its depth and focus belie its overall graceful form. Drink now through 2028.

Where is the lobster? The very complex mirabelle-tart and spice nose pulls you into this stunning dry riesling that beautifully balances vibrant acidity and ripeness that borders on the exotic. Very straight and long finish that’s got a lot of mineral subtlety. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.

This sleek, light- to medium-bodied white is richly aromatic, with slate and saline notes that expand on the creamy palate, underscoring flavors of Gala apple, anise, slivered almond and honeysuckle. Lithe and lovely. Drink now through 2029.

Aromas of lilacs, slate and dried apple follow through to a medium body with vivid flavors and intense fruit and citrus at the finish. Tight and exciting. Better in a couple years to come together but rejoice in its youthful vigor. Drink now. Made from organically grown grapes. Demeter approved.

Velvety tannins envelope the licorice-tinged cherry and raspberry flavors in this bold, medium-bodied red, with tangy acidity weaving through the spice and mineral elements. Drink now through 2027.

Fantastic core of dark ruby leading to a bright pale ruby and pink rim. Aromas of fresh dark cherry and brown baking spices, a granitic-like stony mineral quality and dark roses quality. Dry on the palate and quite intense with a core of dark red berry.

Soft, fruity, gamay with mellow, flavours that suggest ripe plum, cherry, and a seasoning of spices. Accessible now but no hurry. Seductive texture, not particularly powerful but delicious to drink. 10 JAN 2024.

A wine built for the cellar, the 2017 Moulin-à-Vent Clos de Rochegrès unfurls in the glass with a rich bouquet of ripe berry fruit, spices, candied peel and dark chocolate. On the plate, it's full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with an ample core of fruit, ripe acids and a chewy chassis of tannin that will require some patience. Impressively, this Moulin-à-Vent has already largely integrated its new wood, and though it's a high wire act in terms of alcohol and extraction, I suspect it will evolve positively in the cellar. Drink 2022-2040 (Tasted 2019)

This wood-aged wine comes from 45-year-old vines in one of the top vineyards in the appellation. Rich and beautifully structured, it has tannins and a firm structure that point to aging. Wait to drink this wine until 2022. Roger Voss

Aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, mulberries and warm spices preface the 2017 Morgon Côte du Py, a deep, full-bodied wine with superb concentration, succulent acids and a richly extracted chassis of powdery tannin that asserts itself on the youthfully chewy finish. This is a Morgon built for the cellar and emphatically not designed for immediate gratification, but the wine's purity and integration confirm the promise it showed from barrel.

Very pretty aromas of crushed berries and spices with some shitake-mushroom undertones. Medium body, light tannins and a creamy texture. Orange-peel and berry aftertaste. Wet-earth nuances.

From Beaune, France, using traditional gamay beaujolais grapes. Spiced plum, a hint of bubblegum, leathery firm tannins, a hint of tobacco and a dry savoury finish. Tasted August 2024.

Concours of Lyon 2023

From the Saint Emilion appellation. Ripe, soft and generous with cassis, black berry fruit, soy, spiced plum, stewed prune and hint of earthiness. 

The 2019 Mondot derives from Merlot growing on newly acquired vineyards on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau that can't be included in the grand vin until the region's new classification is finalized. Offering up aromas of wild berries, rose petals and coniferous forest floor, it's medium to full-bodied, lively and succulent, with a supple, charming profile and a penetrating finish.

Unwinding in the glass with aromas of sweet blackberries and raspberries mingled with hints of rose petal and spices, the 2020 Mondot is medium to full-bodied, ample, and fleshy, with a pure, seamless core of vibrant fruit and a long, succulent finish. Derived from Merlot growing on recently acquired vineyards on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau, some 40% of the blend is matured in the tank, with the rest in once-used barriques.

 Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections. Still somewhat restrained, dark berry fruit, hints of cherries and nougat. Juicy, a touch of figs, but also red berries, fine, ripe tannins, freshly structured, white pepper in the aftertaste.

A fresh and expressive nose of elderflower, gooseberry and green apple. Almost spritzy on the palate, this has great energy with good acidity and flavours of more green apples and pears. Some creamy touches come in on the mid-palate giving nuance to the overall profile. Characterful and easy to enjoy.

From a single vineyard in Chambolle Musigny – 50-60 year old vines. Deep red colours, clear. Red fruits and floral notes, ground spices, mild reduction. Velvet tannins, liquorice, anise, cherry, great acid balance and fine grained mouthfeel. Savoury, gamey meat tones with air and smoked flavours develop, overall lovely balance of tannins, fruit and acidity delivers moderate length and concentration on the palate. - Brandon Nash, May 2023

The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Regnard (négoce) bursts with aromas of plums, peonies, warm spices and soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, it's charming and vibrant, with powdery tannins and a long, sapid finish. Laurent Lignier began his harvest on August 27, reporting below-average yields and finished alcohols between 13% and 14%. Once again, the result is a fine vintage for both his domaine holdings and négociant sources—the latter, amounting to some 3.5 hectares of vines, now clearly distinguished in our reviews. As readers will know, winemaking is pretty classical at this address, with a short cold maceration, two to three weeks' maceration with one pigéage and one rémontage per day and maturation in barrels, some one-third of which are new—if possible, without racking—for fully 22 months in the domaine's cold cellars. The 2020s are more primary and tightly wound than Lignier's 2019s, but they're similar in terms of ultimate quality and are well worth seeking out. (WK)

The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Reniards, which comes from purchased grapes, has a very well defined and quite elegant bouquet that unfolds nicely with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a creamy-texture opening, quite plush and ravishing with maybe just a slight lack of tension and bite on the finish. (NM)

Produced from purchased fruit and vinified with one-third whole clusters, the 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes (négoce) bursts with aromas of raspberries, berries, woodsmoke and sweet soil tones. It's medium to full-bodied, succulent and fine-boned, with a delicate core of fruit framed by powdery tannins.

The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Vielles Vignes, which is completely de-stemmed, has a very open bouquet of raspberry and crushed strawberry aromas, quite sensual in style. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit and fruit grip. Slightly chalky toward the finish, which lingers nicely in the mouth. Very fine.

Deep ruby colour. Reduction flattens the underlying fruit at present though there is both good freshness and verve to the delicious, powerful and admirably concentrated big-bodied flavors that possess a subtle minerality that really comes to the fore on the rustic, serious and built-to-age finish. A classic Chenevery.

There are three barrels of the 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Chenevery, a deep, saturated wine that wafts from the glass with notes of cherries, rose petal and sweet spices. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, with rich structuring tannins, good concentration and tangy balancing acids. There's sufficient substance to suggest it will age with style.

The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis Les Chenevery 1er Cru is completely de-stemmed and matured in mainly used oak. It has a tightly wound bouquet that feels bashful compared to the other crus. The medium-bodied palate offers grainy tannin, a mixture of black and red fruit and a tangible sense of energy on the focussed, very Morey finish. Excellent.

The latest iteration of a cuvée that Lignier regularly purchases, the 2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Didiers (Hospice de Nuits) displays notes of cherries, cassis, grilled game, dark chocolate and toasty new oak. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with fine tannins and good length on the finish. Lignier racks the wine out of the Hospices' barrels and into used cooperage of his own as soon as it's delivered to his winery.

Very generous wood is enough to push the underlying dark berry fruit, earth and toast nuances to the background. The wood is on the palate as well and it's enough to round off the mid-palate of the medium weight flavors while imparting a slightly bitterness to the finish. This is not a bad wine per se but it's carrying far more wood influence than I can countenance.

The 2013 Nuits St Georges les Didiers Cuvée Hospice de Nuits, which is aged entirely in new oak, has an engaging vanilla and coca-tinged bouquet that is well defined. The palate is medium-bodied and clearly showing a lot of oak vanillin at the moment with a long candied finish. It would be nice if there was less new oak here, but that’s the way the Hospice de Nuits rolls. Compared with the 2012, I would probably have bid on last year's barrel.

(this auction item was in 100% new oak until the Ligniers took possession of the barrels in June of 2014): Good deep red with ruby highlights. Totally different on the nose than the wines vinified by the Ligniers, with licorice and violet aromas.

The 2016 Nuits St Georges les Didiers Cuvée Hospice de Nuits had been racked from its new barrel the previous June and put into a used barrel by Laurent Lignier to reduce the impact of the wood. It has a generous bouquet with ample black cherry, blueberry and violet scents, the remainder of its élevage hopefully putting a rein on the oak influence. The palate is medium-bodied and here I must say that the oak exerts too much of an influence, slightly figgy toward the extravagant (for the vintage) finish. Enjoyable but it is certainly cut from a different cloth compared to Laurent Lignier's other cuvées.

A ripe and more deeply pitched nose consists of dark berry fruit, humus, earth, tea and a hint of the sauvage is also trimmed in a gentle application of wood. There is good minerally to the lively middle weight flavors that are underpinned by moderately firm tannins before concluding in a suave and velvety finish that displays just a hint of Nuits rusticity.

A wonderfully fresh and expressive nose is classic aligoté with its spicy green apple and citrusy aromas. The racy, intense and utterly delicious middle weight flavors possess a subtle minerality that seems to build on the bright, dry, linear and chiseled finish. This is a very good example of the genre.

Smoky aromas of apple, pear and lemon rind give way to attractively textured flavors that terminate in a solidly complex, clean, dry and equally refreshing finish. This is also worth a look.

Airy and elegant aromas freely offer up their nuances of exotic tea, spice and essence of white peach. The elegance continues onto the refined, pure and energetic middle weight flavors that exude evident minerality on the balanced and harmonious finish that displays excellent length. This beautiful effort is quite Zen-like. Drink from 2027. (Jun 2022)

More elegant aromas include those of mineral reduction, essence of apple, tidal pool and the hallmark floral elements. The sleeker and punchier medium-bodied flavors possess a lovely mouthfeel as well as an pronounces stoniness that seems to build on the clean, dry and impressively persistent finish. Classy and good.Barrel Sample: 90-93

Fab wine. 100% lightly oaked chardonnay from the traditional Chablis region of Burgundy in France. Vielles Vignes translates as ‘old vines.’ Creamy, rich and very approachable as a young wine.  Ripe apricot and peach, with a hint of Manuka honey and a mineral, tangy long finish.

This is vibrant, evoking notes of lemon and earth, with a saline, mineral element that leaves a mouthwatering finish. Balanced and immediate, with moderate length. Drink now. 

This balanced and classic wine is creamy, with an abundance of citrus accents from lemon curd and lemon blossom to tangerine sorbet. Minerality plays a starring role alongside fine acidity.

Youthful, fruity aromas of peach, apple and bread dough persist as this white plays out on the palate. Moderate length. Drink now.

A dry, medium-plus-bodied delicious mouthful of ripe yellow apple, lemon-lime zest & toasty oak spice.

Vinified and aged in a well-judged combination of used oak and stainless steel, giving both freshness and depth to the palate. Nose of citrus, buttered toast and lemon cough drops. More toasty citrus on the rounded palate, with a creamy texture that’s balanced by poised acidity for a fresh finish. A great food wine. – Julie Sheppard

From steep slopes upper Maconnais, of the village of Fuisé, Solutré, Pouilly, Vergisson and Chaintré, on which the soils are a mixture of clay and chalk from the Jurassic era. Straw colour, clear. Settled, warm with citrus, toast and butter notes. Spice and floral lead to a round, fleshy, oily textured mouthfeel, with butter, marmalade and toast laden palate. Strong barrel fermented character, with charry oak notes, peach and spice, this is one of those wines in a blind tasting one may consider new world regions such as Margaret River and Hawke's Bay in a lineup format. Full bodied, round shaped palate with moderate concentration and complexity, perhaps a little more expressive of the winemaker, less of the specific terroir expression shown in the previous wines here. I mean this in a positive way, this delivers for the oaky, butter and toast Chardonnay fans out there a plenty. - Brandon Nash, May 2023

Deep, clear ruby-red, lighter on edge, youthful. The nose is soft and pure, greeted with red cherry, red berry melded with sweet spice and a hint of earth. Medium-light bodied, aromas of cherry, red berry interweaved vanilla, cinnamon and a hint of earthy, nutty element. The fruit is youthful, supported by gentle, lively acidity. A moderate grip of silky tannin shows a youthful structure. This Côte de Beaune-Villages shows youthful varietal development, with a fine structure and silky grip. Match with duck and pigeon over the next 5 years. Handpicked, hand-sorted, destemmed, cold-soaked for 3-4 weeks in oak cuve and stainless steel vats, aged around 18 months, approx one-third new oak. 13% alc. 18/20 pts

 Like the Volnay, this is sufficiently reduced to render the nose is difficult to assess. The suave, rich yet solidly delineated medium-bodied flavors deliver fine length and better complexity on the moderately tightly wound, firm and youthfully austere finale.

Note: from a miniscule .064 ha parcel of 25+ year old vines; Blanchot-Dessus abuts Montrachet on its southern end. A different aromatic profile is present here with its smoky and spicy array of floral, resin and various white orchard fruit scents. On the palate it's immediately clear that this is a big wine with impressive mid-palate concentration and overt power that continues onto the mouthcoating, gorgeously long and beautifully balanced finish that is very solidly structured. This serious and tautly muscular effort is clearly built-to-age over the longer-term yet it's not so backward that it couldn't be approached after 5 to 7 years of cellaring. *Burghound Sweet Spot Outstanding! June 2023.

This is also sufficiently ripe to partially display fruit from the yellow side of the spectrum along with spice, citrus confit and floral scents. The rich and solidly concentrated medium-bodied flavors are at once succulent yet nicely detailed while delivering impressive persistence on the balanced and youthfully austere finale. Once again, more depth would be beneficial but again, that should reasonably occur. In a word, lovely.

Elegant, pure and airy aromas display notes of passion fruit, honeysuckle, smoky mineral reduction and white peach. The generously proportioned medium-bodied flavors are rich to the point of opulence while exhibiting excellent focus on the sappy, highly persistent and beautifully refined finale. This is both extremely stylish and classy and while it could use a bit more depth, the potential aging curve is such that better complexity will almost certainly develop. In a word, gorgeous.

A fine pale colour. A light stoniness but there is plenty of fruit too. Richer and deeper fruit on the attack, but Cailleret cannot escape its destiny and the stonier side of the fruit returns behind. Just enough flesh on the bones. Drink from 2026-2030. - Jasper Morris October 2022

Cool and much more restrained aromas offer up notes of essence of green apple, plenty of mineral reduction, acacia blossom and pure citrus elements. The ultra-refined and equally pure middle weight flavors brim with an almost pungent minerality that continues on the beautifully detailed, compact and highly energetic finish. This chiseled effort is really quite impressive.

Cool, airy and restrained aromas are composed by notes of mineral reduction, acacia blossom, lemon-lime, exotic tea, especially jasmine and a hint of tangerine peel. The dense, indeed almost thick and unctuous, medium-bodied plus flavors possess unusually good power in the context of what is typical for Perrières, all wrapped in a hugely long bitter citrus-inflected, stony and tightly wound finale. This is stunningly good and absolutely worth your interest. *Burghound Don't Miss Outstanding!*

Pale colour, fine energy, really chiselled, electric backbone, a burst of flavour and indeed some riper floral notes to finish, before some lemon scented oak at the very back. Possibly the faintest touch of something rather exotic to finish. Drink from 2026-2030. - Jasper Morris - October 2022.

A slightly riper mix features notes of both white and yellow peach, acacia blossom and plenty of exotic spice nuances, and in particular jasmine. The sleek, intense and beautifully precise broad-shouldered flavors deliver stunningly good length on the compact and superbly well-balanced finale. This is presently very, very backward, which is just as well as more depth does need to develop but that shouldn't be an issue if at least some forbearance is exercised. Assuming this stunner of a Bâtard fulfills its potential, the word brilliant comes to mind.

Pale lemon colour, the bouquet takes some searching out, but then it arrives, clearly richer than the premiers crus and with a little more oak. At the moment the wood is a little prominent, one of the two barrels being new. The fruit will work out in the end but this may take some time to marry. Drink from 2028-2036. - Jasper Morris, October 2022.

An exuberantly fresh and bright nose speaks mostly of the essence of various red berries and soft spice wisps. The racy lighter weight flavors dance across the palate while offering nice depth and persistence on the balanced finale that is sufficiently firm to suggest that 2 to 4 years should see this at its best.

Here there is enough reduction to push the underlying fruit to the background. On the palate there is a bit more volume to the energetic and detailed medium weight flavors that conclude in a bitter pit fruit, rustic and sneaky long finale. This is very Chassagne in character and a wine that should drink well young while maturing over the next 5-ish years. (4/2023)

The NV Brut Grand Réserve Grand Cru is a pure Pinot Noir from Bouzy. It's pure, fresh, fine and aromatic on the nose and round and delicate on the palate. The fruit-intense finish is chalky-mineral and stimulatingly fresh in its salty finesse and elegant yeastiness. Nice lemon juice flavors give an extra kick of refreshment. This is a picture-book NV Brut. No indication of disgorgement given.

The NV Brut Grand Réserve Grand Cru is a pure Pinot Noir from Bouzy. It's pure, fresh, fine and aromatic on the nose and round and delicate on the palate. The fruit-intense finish is chalky-mineral and stimulatingly fresh in its salty finesse and elegant yeastiness. Nice lemon juice flavors give an extra kick of refreshment. This is a picture-book NV Brut. No indication of disgorgement given.

Aged for six years on the second lees, the yellow-golden NV Brut The V6 Experience is a Bouzy Pinot Noir that displays great purity and intensity but also reduction on the mineral-scented nose. This is deep and complex, but it needs all our patience and perhaps even a decanter or at least a big glass and lots of aeration. The palate is rich and powerful, firmly structured, very tight and still astringent on the finish, but there is so much finesse paired with power, concentration and fruit, which give the V6 a promising future. The wine just starts a bit slowly (like a rocket, which is pictured on the label), but it will most probably go very steep in a couple of years. I have[n't] ever had this cuvée before, so I can only guess, though.

Jeasn-Francois describes pinot noir as entering a phase he dubs 'The Whirlwind' in it's sixth year of maturation. The rest of his inspiration is impossible to put into words, but clicking on 'Cuvée Design Specification' on his website will put you on the right trajectry. For the exhuberance of Bouzy Pinot Noir and not inconsiderable age, the freshness packed into this cuvée is something to behold. Grapefruit tang meetds crunchy red apple fruit, contrasting the generosity and spice of the village and the tension of zero dosage. Get on board. 100% Pinot; 80% 2012, 20% solera of 2008, 2005, 2004 and 2002; agd 72 months on lees; zero dosage here but released with 5g/L dosage based on a liqueur of barrel-aged chardonnay and refined sugar.

Lobenberg Wine Guide: "What does 200 million years of manifest minerality taste like ? Jean-Francois Clouet put the answer in this bottle. A completely new wine in Clouet’s portfolio, bottled in a special white-coated bottle with a matching box in a chalk cliff design. One third of the Chardonnay grapes grow on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims and two thirds on the Côte de Blancs. The base wines of the first wine, which is labeled without a vintage, come from the late-ripening, almost brutally brilliant year 2013 and are aged on the yeast for 7 years in the bottle. Then freshly disgorged in spring 2021 with only 6 grams of sweetness. The Chalky will therefore not be at its best until winter 2021 at the earliest (preferably 5 years later). As the name suggests, Chalky tastes like the salty-chalky purism of the chalk soils of Champagne, but it wouldn’t be a Clouet if it didn’t also exude a wonderful, melting charm and seductive appeal. 200 million years of minerality poured into the bottle as liquid chalk, what a smooth, delicious mineral hammer!"

The NV Brut Grand Réserve Grand Cru is a pure Pinot Noir from Bouzy. It's pure, fresh, fine and aromatic on the nose and round and delicate on the palate. The fruit-intense finish is chalky-mineral and stimulatingly fresh in its salty finesse and elegant yeastiness. Nice lemon juice flavors give an extra kick of refreshment. This is a picture-book NV Brut. No indication of disgorgement given.

Floral, fresh and distinctive with a mix of light red berry fruit aromas, balanced and even autolysis and moderate complexity. Quite delicious on the palate with a red cherry, red apple and fine red strawberry core, baked goods and a whisper of spice.

Tasted from magnum (the 750-milliliter bottle costs $285), the NV Brut (Gold) opens with lovely matured brioche, toast and ripe fruit flavors. Fresh, pure and elegant on the palate, with beautifully matured flavors and an elegant creaminess I don't find in the other cuvées, the Gold is a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier as well as the vintages of 2009, 2010 and 2012. The wine reveals good grip and mineral tension and drinks well as an aperitif or with seafood and fish. Tasted from L09B8, April 2018.

Delicate and elegant dry style, with a restrained palate of poached apple, yeasty croissant, a hint of rock melon and lemon curd.

One of the most refreshing and well-crafted sweet champagnes on the shelves; with acidity and poise to handle its honeyed sweetness. This transforms the clean fruit precison that defines Billecart into candied citrus, lemon drops and glace figs, with a creamy, sweet finish, well toned by balanced acidity.

Billecart's newly released NV Brut Nature exhibits aromas of fresh bread, crisp orchard fruit, almond paste and ripe citrus fruit. Medium-bodied, pillowy and precise, it's crisp and bone-dry, without being in the least austere. (Sep 21)

The wine opens with a slightly floral aspect and a hint of pear tart with lemon overtones. There is a sense of levity, but more air introduces a more brooding, darker notion of candle wax. That lovely but full-flavoured lightness also characterises the palate with wonderfully bright tension. Again that darker, somehow earthy Meunier note adds a hint of waxiness that almost verges onto smokiness – especially on the finish – while the surface remains bright, light and lemony. The mousse is fine and the wine has a pleasant suppleness and this sense of lightness just begs for another sip.

A finely textured Champagne, this is definitely dry, still young, and with great potential. The wine's minerality combines with the texture to give both tension and richness.

A finely textured Champagne, this is definitely dry, still young, and with great potential. The wine's minerality combines with the texture to give both tension and richness.

The 2008 Brut Cuvée Nicolas Francois was disgorged during the third quarter of 2022 with less than three grams per liter. It has a delicate, pure, clean bouquet with aromas of orchard fruits, spring flowers, honey and licorice, with hints of brioche and pastry with aeration. Medium to full-bodied, chiseled and crystalline, with racy acids and a chalky texture, the palate is tense and the finish is long, penetrating and salty. It exhibits perfect Billecart style, yet tension is present, a sign of the vintage. It is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir (sourced from Aÿ, Mareuil and Verzenay) and 40% Chardonnay from Mesnil, Chouilly and Cramant, and it matured 83% in tanks and 17% in old oak barrels.

20+/20. I have never before taken an overseas trip to taste one wine, but something told me that this was a flight worth boarding... This super-deep wine dwells low in the glass with weight and depth of delivery that is completely unhurried.  Vinous, powerful and with a full spectrum of fruit and patisserie, it is remarkable just how little citrus and herb there is on the front end of this staggeringly impressive wine.  It is more layered and exotic than any current release Champagne I can think of, and then when it seems as though the scene is set, everything changes instantly.  The palate drops about three gears revealing arresting zestiness and tanginess that completely engulfs the senses.  I learned that this cuvée’s release was delayed by nearly two years because the back end was so twitchy, nervy and excitable.  As it turns out, the Billecart gurus made the right call here – this is an electrifying wine, and the finish shows that the potential here is incredible.  I am lucky enough to have tasted the 1959 and the 1961 Billecart-Salmon vintage wines, among others, and the DNA and detail in this 2008 are near-identical.  While the top half of this wine is showy, flamboyant and seductive, the lower half is firm, chiselled, rigid and breath-taking.  But that was not all.  I mentioned above that this launch took place at Mirazur, previously voted the finest restaurant in the world, and so over lunch, orchestrated by Mauro Colagreco and his brigade, Billy CEO Mathieu Roland-Billecart opened magnums of 08NF, which were cork-capped during their ageing as opposed to crown-capped, like the bottles.  They were even more exotic on the nose and even more nipped in on the palate (a canny buy for patient folk). 

Disgorged during the second quarter of 2022 with a dosage of 3.75 grams per liter, the 2009 Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Louis Salmon reveals aromas of pear, lemon oil, mandarin oil, white pepper, pastry and almonds. Medium to full-bodied, chiseled and long, it has a crystalline yet vinous texture with a fresh, salty finish. It is a quintessential representation of Billecart's style, characterized by racy acids and a lively palate. It derives from Chardonnay grapes sourced from the villages of Mesnil-sur-Oger, Chouilly and Cramant and was aged exclusively in steel tanks.

This is showing an array of almonds, frangipani, dried lemons, apricots, pastries and white chocolate, evolving to salted caramel. Fantastic complexity and all in balance, with firm focus yet open and delicious. Creamy, very fine bubbles. Salty, turning chalky and mineral at the end. Drink or hold.

The 2008 Brut Cuvée Nicolas Francois was disgorged during the third quarter of 2022 with less than three grams per liter. It has a delicate, pure, clean bouquet with aromas of orchard fruits, spring flowers, honey and licorice, with hints of brioche and pastry with aeration. Medium to full-bodied, chiseled and crystalline, with racy acids and a chalky texture, the palate is tense and the finish is long, penetrating and salty. It exhibits perfect Billecart style, yet tension is present, a sign of the vintage. It is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir (sourced from Aÿ, Mareuil and Verzenay) and 40% Chardonnay from Mesnil, Chouilly and Cramant, and it matured 83% in tanks and 17% in old oak barrels.

20+/20. I have never before taken an overseas trip to taste one wine, but something told me that this was a flight worth boarding... This super-deep wine dwells low in the glass with weight and depth of delivery that is completely unhurried.  Vinous, powerful and with a full spectrum of fruit and patisserie, it is remarkable just how little citrus and herb there is on the front end of this staggeringly impressive wine.  It is more layered and exotic than any current release Champagne I can think of, and then when it seems as though the scene is set, everything changes instantly.  The palate drops about three gears revealing arresting zestiness and tanginess that completely engulfs the senses.  I learned that this cuvée’s release was delayed by nearly two years because the back end was so twitchy, nervy and excitable.  As it turns out, the Billecart gurus made the right call here – this is an electrifying wine, and the finish shows that the potential here is incredible.  I am lucky enough to have tasted the 1959 and the 1961 Billecart-Salmon vintage wines, among others, and the DNA and detail in this 2008 are near-identical.  While the top half of this wine is showy, flamboyant and seductive, the lower half is firm, chiselled, rigid and breath-taking.  But that was not all.  I mentioned above that this launch took place at Mirazur, previously voted the finest restaurant in the world, and so over lunch, orchestrated by Mauro Colagreco and his brigade, Billy CEO Mathieu Roland-Billecart opened magnums of 08NF, which were cork-capped during their ageing as opposed to crown-capped, like the bottles.  They were even more exotic on the nose and even more nipped in on the palate (a canny buy for patient folk). 

Disgorged during the second quarter of 2022 with a dosage of 3.75 grams per liter, the 2009 Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Louis Salmon reveals aromas of pear, lemon oil, mandarin oil, white pepper, pastry and almonds. Medium to full-bodied, chiseled and long, it has a crystalline yet vinous texture with a fresh, salty finish. It is a quintessential representation of Billecart's style, characterized by racy acids and a lively palate. It derives from Chardonnay grapes sourced from the villages of Mesnil-sur-Oger, Chouilly and Cramant and was aged exclusively in steel tanks.

This is showing an array of almonds, frangipani, dried lemons, apricots, pastries and white chocolate, evolving to salted caramel. Fantastic complexity and all in balance, with firm focus yet open and delicious. Creamy, very fine bubbles. Salty, turning chalky and mineral at the end. Drink or hold.

The 2006 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François is showing superbly, bursting with aromas of warm bread, citrus oil, wild berries, smoke and gingerbread. On the palate, it's full-bodied, broad and voluminous, with a concentrated and fleshy core, chalky dry extract a

The 2008 Brut Cuvée Nicolas Francois was disgorged during the third quarter of 2022 with less than three grams per liter. It has a delicate, pure, clean bouquet with aromas of orchard fruits, spring flowers, honey and licorice, with hints of brioch

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 mousse. Both structure and softness here. Citrus fruit brightness on a beautifully elegant and seamless finish. 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. 150 months on lees. 2.9g/L dosage.

This new wine was made to ‘capture the essence of Billecart-Salmon', according to seventh generation owner Mathieu Roland-Billecart. From 92% Pinot Noir, 4% Chardonnay and 4% Pinot Meunier, this is a blend of eight grands crus from the Cote des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, including the 1ha Pinot Noir vineyard of Le Clos St-Hilaire in Mareuil-sur-Ay. Exceptional reserve wines from 2000, 2003, 2008 and 2012 were vinified half in steel and half in old oak casks, with a dosage of 4.5g/l, making it an extra brut style. It has a hugely expressive nose of red apple, nougat and citrus, with the hallmark 'old rose' fragrance from Clos St-Hilaire. There's an elegant mousse with very fine, fast-streaming bubbles and powerful, juicy flavours of baking spices, praline, and tart apples. A smoky mineral note and bright acidity offer real refreshment through the long finish, and while drinking beautifully now, it has the structure to last and will improve with age. To mark the year of the house's founding, just 1,818 magnums were made, along with 18 jeroboams. Drinking Window 2018 - 2035

This new wine was made to ‘capture the essence of Billecart-Salmon', according to seventh generation owner Mathieu Roland-Billecart. From 92% Pinot Noir, 4% Chardonnay and 4% Pinot Meunier, this is a blend of eight grands crus from the Cote des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, including the 1ha Pinot Noir vineyard of Le Clos St-Hilaire in Mareuil-sur-Ay. Exceptional reserve wines from 2000, 2003, 2008 and 2012 were vinified half in steel and half in old oak casks, with a dosage of 4.5g/l, making it an extra brut style. It has a hugely expressive nose of red apple, nougat and citrus, with the hallmark 'old rose' fragrance from Clos St-Hilaire. There's an elegant mousse with very fine, fast-streaming bubbles and powerful, juicy flavours of baking spices, praline, and tart apples. A smoky mineral note and bright acidity offer real refreshment through the long finish, and while drinking beautifully now, it has the structure to last and will improve with age. To mark the year of the house's founding, just 1,818 magnums were made, along with 18 jeroboams. Drinking Window 2018 - 2035

Incorporating fully 10% still red wine, Billecart's 2009 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is showing beautifully, delivering fragrant aromas of plums, stone fruits, petals, sweet spices and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and elegant, it's seamless and pillowy, with bright acids and a pure, precise profile, concluding with a bright, saline finish. In 2009, it was vinified entirely in stainless steel. Drink 2022 - 2035.

Incorporating fully 10% still red wine, Billecart's 2009 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is showing beautifully, delivering fragrant aromas of plums, stone fruits, petals, sweet spices and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and elegant, it's seamless and pillowy, with bright acids and a pure, precise profile, concluding with a bright, saline finish. In 2009, it was vinified entirely in stainless steel. Drink 2022 - 2035.

Incorporating fully 10% still red wine, Billecart's 2009 Brut Rose Cuvee Elisabeth Salmon is showing beautifully, delivering fragrant aromas of plums, stone fruits, petals, sweet spices, and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and elegant, it's seamle

A slightly flinty and vibrant bouquet alongside complex aromas of red berries, herbs and lemon, with fresh menthol notes coming through with some air. The palate is wonderful and elegant, with a vinous texture and a superb, calcareous finish. A blend of 45% Chardonnay and 55% Pinot Noir (including 9% vinified as red wine), this Champagne, which has a dosage of 7g/L, is made for ageing. Tasted 7 November, 2022.

The latest rendition of NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude is excellent, offering up aromas of lemon oil, wet stones and white flowers. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, bright and precise, with good concentration, racy acids, an ultra-fine mousse and a long, chalky finish. As usual, this is a classy introduction to the Larmandier-Bernier range.

The 2016 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Terre de Vertus unwinds in the glass with aromas of citrus zest, crisp yellow orchard fruit, brioche, honeycomb and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's bright and chiseled, with excellent depth at the core, racy acids and a long, penetrating finish. The Larmandier family invariably excel in cooler, more classic vintages, and this wine is no exception to that rule. As I've written before, Larmandier-Bernier numbers among the Côte de Blanc's—and Champagne's—finest estates. Based in Vertus, the Larmandier family farms organically and harvest late, vinifying the resulting wines in wood. The result is vinous, elegantly muscular Champagnes that are concentrated but precise. In a region that still produces far too many meager, brittle wines, Larmander-Bernier reminds us of the plenitude and texture of which great Champagne is capable. The range begins with two non-vintage Blanc de Blancs: Latitude, broad and charming; and Longitude, more chiseled and incisive. Next come three vintage cuvées: Vieille Vigne de Levant, from Cramant; Les Chemins d’Avize, from the eponymous village; and the Terre de Vertus. Two perfumed rosé de saignée cuvées complement the portfolio, now joined by small quantities of still red and white Côteaux Champenois. This year sees the release of a one-off Blanc de Noirs, produced from grapes deemed too ripe for rosé production in the 2015 vintage.

Like a broad arrow, burnished, powerful, driving smoke and cracked caramel from beginning to end with tremendous purpose. Roasted oatmeal. So much density it’s almost more of a meal than a drink. Warm, gingery spices. Salt and sour butter and bitter orange peel. A wine that challenges you, broad-chested heart to rib-caged heart. A wine with rhythm, beat, purpose. All-encompassing. 

The latest rendition of NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude is excellent, offering up aromas of lemon oil, wet stones and white flowers. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, bright and precise, with good concentration, racy acids, an ultra-fine mousse and a long, chalky finish. As usual, this is a classy introduction to the Larmandier-Bernier range.

The golden-yellow coloured 2007 Vieilles Vignes de Cramant Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut is sourced from up to 90-year-old vines in the Bourron du Levant lieu-dit in Cramant. It offers a deep, intense, powerful and complex nose that reminds me of great wines from Burgundy or Jura. Rich, intense and endlessly juicy but also highly finessed and thus seemingly weightless, this is a very complex, persistently mineral and structured Cramant with great tension, finesse and generosity. It sounds like a paradox, but this is the old-vines Cramant from the Larmandier family.

The 2007 Extra Brut Grand Cru Vieille Vigne Cuvee Levant is 100% Chardonnay from 48-70 year old vines. Lemon oil, white flowers and mint are some of the notes that open up in the 2007 Extra Brut Grand Cru Cramant Vieilles Vignes de Levant, which emerges from a parcel of 50-70 year-old vines in Cramant. Here the interplay of bright aromatics and vertical, old-vine structure come together beautifully. Next to some of the other wines in the lineup, the 2007 is a bit compact, but it is quite pretty just the same. The Vieilles Vignes is fermented and aged in a combination of neutral barriques and foudres. 

The latest rendition of NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude is excellent, offering up aromas of lemon oil, wet stones and white flowers. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, bright and precise, with good concentration, racy acids, an ultra-fine mousse and a long, chalky finish. As usual, this is a classy introduction to the Larmandier-Bernier range.

An average of five and a half years old, and a blend of Grande and Petite Champagne, H by Hine is light amber, with a pretty nose of iris and buttered brioche. On the palate, it's light and fresh, offering notes of nougat and candied orange, and some wood on the finish.

An average of five and a half years old, and a blend of Grande and Petite Champagne, H by Hine is light amber, with a pretty nose of iris and buttered brioche. On the palate, it’s light and fresh, offering notes of nougat and candied orange, and some wood on the finish.

From Grande Champagne and aged an average of 20 years. Light copper in colour, with a subtle nose redolent of fresh flowers at first, but as it opens there are more expressive notes of fruit pastry, which carry on to the full-bodied palate. Pear tart, hazelnuts and a bit of spice and tobacco on the finish.

Deep, ruby-black with a slight garnet rim. The nose is full, enveloping aromas of ripe plums & berries, sweet liquorice, floral and earth. Medium-full bodied, aromas of plum compote, dried blackberry and rose interweaved liquorice, black pepper and earth. A fine grip of tannin overlying fruit, lingering black tea, herb and spice to a sweet-fruited finish. This Gamay possesses ripe fruit, rose and earthy elements on a firm tannin framework. Match with venison and hare over the next 4 years. Handpicked, hand-sorted, mainly destemmed, macerated over 3-4 weeks, indigenous yeast fermentation, 13% alc, aged a short period in new and old French oak barrels, a total of 10 months spent in the historic cellar. November 2022

Elegant and silky, but with a chalky mineral crunch behind the notes of persimmon, vanilla spice, daisy and honeydew. Hints of cardamom and savory mineral add to the complexity as this firms up on the long, mouthwatering finish. Best from 2022 through 2033. 

Right at the dry end of the useful scale on the back label of the bottle, this wine is, however, soft and full of fruit. With its acidity still developing, the wine's future is assured. Drink from 2021.

Bight, pale yellow with depth, lighter on the rim. Bubbles are subtle and fine with persistence. This has a vibrant and elegant entry; lemon and pineapple aromas are slightly honied, melded with lemon peels, creamy autolysis and a hint of almond. Medium-bodied, aromas of pineapple, Meyer lemon intermix apricot and a touch of honey; unfolding whipped cream and toasted almond. The wine is harmonious with generous fruit and yeasty autolysis complexity. The mouthfeel is coated with chalky phenolics, integrated with lively acidity, carries the flavours to a long, refined finish. This is a serious Mehtode Ancestrale (pétillant naturale) with excellent purity of fruit and minerals, lively acidity and creamy feature. Match with pork cheek croquette and seafood in cream sauce over the next 3 years. Handpicked Chenin Blanc from old vines, zero dosage added. 13% alc, organic certified. 18.5+/20 pts

On the 2018: Elegant and silky, but with a chalky mineral crunch behind the notes of persimmon, vanilla spice, daisy and honeydew. Hints of cardamom and savory mineral add to the complexity as this firms up on the long, mouthwatering finish.

On the 2018: Vincent Caréme is one of the most dynamic producers in the Vouvray appellation, where a good number are content to rest on Vouvray's reputation concentrating on making mediocre sparkling wine for the supermarkets.

Bright, even, pale yellow with a light green hue. The bubbles are vibrant and consistent. The bouquet is full, creamy, underlying stonefruit, citrus, floral and yeasty elements. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, aromas of peach, apricot and lemon melded with ginger, bread dough and whipped cream. Chalky minerals cling to the side of the palate and leave a silky mouthfeel. The fruit shows purity and balanced ripeness; creamy features broaden the body and weight. This L'Ancestrale is well-made, shows excellent fruit and mineral details, and has a creamy, pleasing finish. Match with creamy chicken pie and white fish with beurre blanc over the next 2-3 years. 100% Chenin Blanc, made from Methode Ancestrale, 13% alc.

A very attractive Vouvray that offers a pleasurable contrast of ripe (apricot) and less ripe (green apple) flavours as well as a contrast between moderate sweetness and refreshing acidity. Great cellaring potential.

Fudge and apple-pie nose – rich and seductive. Yet much tighter and fresher in the mouth. The apple-pie and buttery flaky-pastry notes are cut with lime, under-cut by lime leaf and cobnuts. A lovely savoury underlay. And galangal: root, spice, tang, cool-heat. Lots of texture, like the tug of an old silk curtain. And edgy, baobab-tangy mouth-filling acidity. Seville oranges sewing in a fine seam of bitterness, fresh blanched almonds bringing cream and density. Complex, exciting, beautifully balanced, and beautifully refreshing. The perfect pork-roast wine (failing that, a packet of top-quality pork scratchings will do…). 

Bright, pale yellow, even colour throughout. This has a gentle, calming bouquet, with aromas of stonefruit, apple and citrus, underlying floral, minerals and lanolin. Medium-bodied, stonefruit, apple and lemon aromas are well-proportioned, melded with ginger, cardamom, honeysuckle, lanolin and minerals. The mouthfeel is voluptuous and unctuous, made of chalky minerals and ripe phenolics. Beautifully gentle acidity and a creamy texture carry the flavours and minerals to a lengthy finish. This is a textural Chenin Blanc shows excellent fruit, spice and minerals on a voluptuous palate. Match with smoked oysters and pork head terrine over the next 5-8 years. Estate vineyard, 100% Chenin Blanc, 30-50 y.o. vine age, handpicked, indigenous yeast fermented in amphorae and aged on fine lees for 6 months. 

Aged for twelve months in 400 l barrels, this well-born cuvée will allow you to fully enjoy it over the next decade. In a very dark colour with amethyst reflections, it delivers a very beautiful nose mixing small red and black fruits (morello cherry, raspberry, blueberry) with fresh minty notes. On the palate, the greediness is there. A suave and generous flesh coats silky tannins with just the right amount of freshness. A nice wine to lay down.

Bright, yellow with a gold sheen, slightly lighter edged. The bouquet is softly penetrating stonefruit, citrus, white blossom and a hint of mineral. Medium-bodied, the palate is mineral-driven, entwined with white peach, lemon and pink grapefruit, rich white floral enriched the presence along with graphite. The palate is crisp and crunchy, reflects acid tension and mineral textured mouthfeel. The fruit is pure with balanced ripeness and acidity. This is a neat Chardonnay with pure fruit expression, rich floral and a crunchy mineral line. Match with butterfish and pork dumplings over the next 3 years.

Rated from xtraWine.

Smoky, spicy, and youthfully ripe. Flavours of cassis, black currant, dark berry fruits and a funky gaminess. 12% alcohol.

Made from a unique clone of Gamay Noir known as "Saint Romain" from the northwest of Lyon. Ripe, rounded and soft with black cherry, cassis and savoury barnyardy hints.

 This estate, close to Mont Sainte-Victoire, has produced a rich, densely textured wine. It is full of tangy fruits, mixing red berry flavors and kiwi. 

Five varieties go into this ripe and full-bodied blend. The red fruits have a tang of pepper as well as perfumed acidity.

This wine is a rich, smooth blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. The ripe, smooth texture gives intensity and complexity to this wine that should be ready to drink from late 2019.

An equal-parts' blend of Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes Blanc is a top-notch effort. One-fourth was barrel-fermented—just enough to provide a sense of richness to the crisp lime and orange flavors without obscuring the briny, fresh nature of the finish.

 Really gorgeous, in an extroverted style with a lot of range, this white oozes mango, yellow peach and honey-coated apple flavors. A vein of invigorating minerality drives tension, with a quinine bitterness that punctuates the lush profile, while notes of acacia, brioche and sea salt echo on the long finish. Rich and full, with a lot of complexity and definition.

Wine Advocate  Produced from roughly equal proportions of six varieties, co-fermented in stages, as each one is deemed ripe and picked, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is atypically plush and ripe (it's close to 15% alcohol), marked by pineapple, white peach and tangerine notes. It's full-bodied and round, deceptively easy to drink yet concentrated and long on the finish.

Black fruited nose with nuances of graphite. Rich and warm, with tightly wound tannins. Long finish.

Aromas and flavours of fresh and preserved plums, a mix of blackberry fruits then clay and mineralised soil qualities. There’s also a mix of red flowers and peppery spices. Dry with medium+ body/weight, acidity and tannins deliver just the right level of structure and mouthfeel for the fruit and spice flavour qualities. Balanced and well made, ready to drink and an easy option for food pairing. Best drinking from 2024 through 2028+.

The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsaut. It displays moderately intense aromas of predominantly red fruits, slightly cooked, as well as some leafiness. Medium to full-bodied, the well-structured palate delivers juicy fruit. Balanced by fresh acidity, it concludes with a bright finish. (Nicolas Greinacher)

The classic white grape of the Rhône, this viognier is dry and elegant at 13.5% ABV. Subtle flavours of poached pear, triple sec, clover honey and blond tobacco, with a hint of baking spice. 

A perfectly executed white wine blend with a lifted bouquet of white fleshed fruits and dry stone mineral qualities, then flavours of the apple and lemon, apricot and white spices, there’s a saltiness from the Marsanne and Roussanne varieties as well as white apricot and a whisper of pepper and dried herb. Dry, plenty of weight with some fruit tannins for mouthfeel, medium+ acid line and a balanced persistent flavours on the finish. Best drinking with food from day of purchase through 2027.

A perfectly executed white wine blend with a lifted bouquet of white fleshed fruits and dry stone mineral qualities, then flavours of the apple and lemon, apricot and white spices, there’s a saltiness from the Marsanne and Roussanne varieties as well as white apricot and a whisper of pepper and dried herb. Dry, plenty of weight with some fruit tannins for mouthfeel, medium+ acid line and a balanced persistent flavours on the finish. Best drinking with food from day of purchase through 2027.

Bright, pale yellow with depth and a gold hue, even colour throughout. The nose is appealing and pure, with aromas of honeysuckle, tropical fruit and stonefruit. Light-bodied, aromas of honeysuckle and blossom intertwined with apricot, lychee and honey. The fruit is pure with blossom and exotic aromas, supported by lively acidity and a lightly vicious flow. Serve chilled and match with pavlova and panna cotta over the next 2-4 years. Muscat a petits grains, 15% alc, organic farming. Nov 2022

Aromas and flavours of apples and fresh stone minerals, some white spice and lees complexities, lemon and white peach. There’s some fresh citrus and white fleshed orchard fruit qualities. Saline, dry, plenty of weight with a satin texture, fine tannins and elevated acid line. Well made, complex and lengthy with a floral saline finish. Best drinking from 2023 through 2029+.

A 50-50 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne from Chassis, in the heart of the appellation, the 2016 Crozes Hermitage Domaine Mule Blanche is forward and fresh, marked by toasted-grain notes and pineapple fruit. There’s ample weight and concentration in this medium-bodied white, which should live a reasonable length of time for a white Crozes. - Joe Czerwinski

A 60-40 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne that aged exclusively in concrete, the 2020 Hermitage Blanc Le Chevalier de Sterimberg features some slightly leesy aromas, plus hints of underripe pear, anise and citrus. Picked early and weighing in at only 13% alcohol, it's a crisp, medium-bodied, tight, yet elegant effort that bears little resemblance to most modern-day white Hermitages.

Jasmine, white peaches, apricots, bananas, crushed stones, almonds and lemon pith on the nose. Shells too. It's medium- to full-bodied with a fresh, vibrant palate. Firm and mineral. From organically grown grapes. Try from 2023.

Almond, apricot, lemon juice with a surprising zinginess. Delicious fruit, in a lighter style than most Hermitage. There's excellent mealy texture, finished with that tangy acid again. 

Almond, apricot, lemon juice with a surprising zinginess. Delicious fruit, in a lighter style than most Hermitage. There's excellent mealy texture, finished with that tangy acid again. 

The classic red grape of the Rhône. Ripe and soft syrah with hints of white pepper, anise, black cherry, mocha and a hint of dry sherry. 

Full wild-blackberry aromas, plus some meaty character welcome you to the Rhone kingdom of syrah. Thanks to the open fruit, moderate tannin structure and creamy texture on the mid-palate, this is already a very appealing Crozes-Hermitage. Only at the finish are the tannins a bit more obvious, but the mineral freshness there is more forthright. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

From 25-year-old vines in Tournon, the 2020 Saint Joseph Domaine de la Croix des Vignes features scents of crushed stone, cassis and blackberries. It’s full-bodied but restrained, almost austere, without being hard or unwelcoming, then finishes long and silky. This could use some time, but it looks to be a beauty and one of the better values among the Jaboulet lineup. May 2024

Stunning nose of wild flowers and wild herbs with touches of graphite and licorice. This isn’t quite as austere as some examples of this appellation, but you need to like tannins and stony minerality to appreciate this sleek and highly structured Northern Rhone syrah. So much mineral freshness at the long, expressive finish. Limited production. From biodynamically grown grapes.

Pretty, with a supple opulence enveloped in fat tannins and ripe fruit. Delivers plum, blackberry and black cherry character. Tight and firm for now, even closed. Needs time. Best from 2003 through 2010. 7,500 cases made.

Quite dark but not very evolved. Quite meaty nose. Very dry and slightly dusty without a real core of fruit. As though it has been kept in oak a bit too long. Very traditional, even a bit rustic. Serviceable but no ingredient X.

Sourced from the granitic western portion of the appellation, the 2016 Hermitage La Chapelle features mouthwatering aromas of black olives and charred beef. It's full-bodied and creamy-velvety in texture, incredibly lush without being overtly fruity. In fact, it's largely savory, with elegant shadings of leather and spice on the long, silky finish. Yet despite being delicious now, this still has the granite backbone to age through 2040.

Very spicy and peppery with blue-granite aromas plus hints of grilled and smoked meat. Cloves and nutmeg. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a super spicy finish that almost burns with so much character yet turns fine and focused at the end. A beauty.

An excellent wine, with classic aromas of crushed stone, cassis, espresso and black olives. It's full-bodied, fine and silky, giving an impression of great elegance on the lingering finish.

Almond, apricot, lemon juice with a surprising zinginess. Delicious fruit, in a lighter style than most Hermitage. There's excellent mealy texture, finished with that tangy acid again.

The 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle comes from the firm's vineyards on the western half of the Hermitage slope, primarily Le Méal, but with substantial contributions from Les Rocoules and Les Bessards. Classic notes of cassis, black olives, mocha and roasted meat are joined by hints of baking spices in a wine that's full-bodied, deep, dense and rich, with a velvety texture and a lingering finish. It's lower in alcohol than the 2018, less voluptuous and maybe just a step behind that monumental wine, but it's still a serious collectible with three decades of evolution ahead of it.

The 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle showed incredibly well and is a brilliant wine that's reminiscent of a richer, denser 2011. Loads of sun-kissed dark fruits, leather, graphite, and flowers, with ample spice and sandalwood nuances, give way to a full-bodied, pure, deep, multi-dimensional Hermitage that’s just about as good as it gets. The balance, length, and depth of this is something to behold, and while it unquestionably offers pleasure today, it has another 20-30 years of prime drinking ahead of it. Best After 2022

An excellent wine, with classic aromas of crushed stone, cassis, espresso and black olives. It's full-bodied, fine and silky, giving an impression of great elegance on the lingering finish.

Almond, apricot, lemon juice with a surprising zinginess. Delicious fruit, in a lighter style than most Hermitage. There's excellent mealy texture, finished with that tangy acid again.

The first vintage where the new team was firmly in place, the 2006 Hermitage la Chapelle offers that classic, smoky, meaty La Chapelle bouquet to go with loads of fruits, medium to full-bodied richness, impressive mid-palate density and sweet tannin. This was easily the best showing I’ve had from this bottle, which often shows a much more rustic, evolved character.

Last year, I giddily speculated whether the 2019 Hermitage La Chapelle would warrant a 100-point score. While close—and I wouldn't completely discount it reaching that pinnacle in another decade or two—I'm not sure this wine is as good as I thought. It boasts exciting aromas of roasted meat, mocha, crushed stone, plum and cassis on the nose. It's full-bodied, concentrated, richly tannic and velvety in texture. It's long and complex on the finish, adding hints of cracked pepper and salted licorice. And yet, as much as I enjoyed tasting it and as undeniably great it is, angels didn't sing from the heavens. Maybe next bottle.

Distinctly closed at the time of tasting, with some underlying smoky hints. Not terribly full-bodied, but certainly intense and focused on the palate. Some hard tannins on the finish that will take a long time to adequately soften, and there's a hint of bitterness - I'm keen to taste this again in bottle to see the finished blend. Has good balance and vibrancy overall, though the alcohol is a little raised.

The 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle comes from the firm's vineyards on the western half of the Hermitage slope, primarily Le Méal, but with substantial contributions from Les Rocoules and Les Bessards. Classic notes of cassis, black olives, mocha and roasted meat are joined by hints of baking spices in a wine that's full-bodied, deep, dense and rich, with a velvety texture and a lingering finish. It's lower in alcohol than the 2018, less voluptuous and maybe just a step behind that monumental wine, but it's still a serious collectible with three decades of evolution ahead of it.

The 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle showed incredibly well and is a brilliant wine that's reminiscent of a richer, denser 2011. Loads of sun-kissed dark fruits, leather, graphite, and flowers, with ample spice and sandalwood nuances, give way to a full-bodied, pure, deep, multi-dimensional Hermitage that’s just about as good as it gets. The balance, length, and depth of this is something to behold, and while it unquestionably offers pleasure today, it has another 20-30 years of prime drinking ahead of it. Best After 2022

Dried fig and cassis are layered with earth, iron and charred mesquite notes in this densely packed red. Delivers dusty tannins with a slightly bitter edge on the nicely structured finish. Drink now through 2025.

Seems a little shy at the moment, but you can tell that this has serious poise and pedigree with subtle clove, crushed-brick, iron, black-cherry and plum-skin character. It’s full-bodied, yet very tight and reserved with super refined tannins that are so fine-textured, yet intense. Give this three or four years to show its true self. From organically grown grapes. Better after 2023.

A pleasant, expressive Hermitage, showing a ripe character, with lovely plum, blackberry, lead pencil and leather notes. The tannins are well integrated but still firm. Long finish.--La Chapelle vertical.

Healthy brick colour – quite pale. This smells like an old wine rather than a Rhône. Could be a 1971 burgundy almost! Flattering, delicate, gentle drink. Mellow, tannins much in abeyance.

Green-fruit sensation on the nose. Then really pretty rich on the palate! Climate change is alive and well in this bottle; it's so ripe it almost tastes a little sweet. But it's also super-charming, so long as you dismiss from your mind the archetypal mineral, bone-dry, classic Sancerre. Very charming wine that was definitely well made.

Grown on the famed Kimmeridgian chalk of Sancerre, this wine is intense, tightly wound with young fruits and acidity. With its power, dense green-fruit flavors and steely edge, the wine is set for aging. Drink from 2022. Organic and biodynamic.

Green-fruit sensation on the nose. Then really pretty rich on the palate! Climate change is alive and well in this bottle; it's so ripe it almost tastes a little sweet. But it's also super-charming, so long as you dismiss from your mind the archetypal mineral, bone-dry, classic Sancerre. Very charming wine that was definitely well made.

A special wine right from the start, this glistens with pure papaya, mango, white peach and mirabelle plum, joined by elder flower honey, toasted macadamia nut and orange blossom notes. Ends with a remarkably long finish. Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now.

Dried fruit, pure and direct. Succulent and juicy, super-concentrated length. Lighter than usual, but no compromise on the complexity. It has the magic of Yquem in a slim-fit package. Not the most hedonistic, but certainly in the top class of Sauternes.

A special wine right from the start, this glistens with pure papaya, mango, white peach and mirabelle plum, joined by elder flower honey, toasted macadamia nut and orange blossom notes. Ends with a remarkably long finish. Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now.

Dried fruit, pure and direct. Succulent and juicy, super-concentrated length. Lighter than usual, but no compromise on the complexity. It has the magic of Yquem in a slim-fit package. Not the most hedonistic, but certainly in the top class of Sauternes.

A special wine right from the start, this glistens with pure papaya, mango, white peach and mirabelle plum, joined by elder flower honey, toasted macadamia nut and orange blossom notes. Ends with a remarkably long finish. Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now.

Dried fruit, pure and direct. Succulent and juicy, super-concentrated length. Lighter than usual, but no compromise on the complexity. It has the magic of Yquem in a slim-fit package. Not the most hedonistic, but certainly in the top class of Sauternes.

Bright, medium straw-yellow, even colour throughout. The nose is gently full and lightly oxidative in style, with aromas of tropical fruit, dried flowers and honey. Medium-bodied, aromas of melon and papaya intertwined with a hint of lemon, dried floral and honey. The mouthfeel is light textural with dusty, soft phenolics; ripe acidity carries freshness to a grounded, dry closing. Match with poultry and smoked fish over the next 2-3 years. Made from Mauzac, Loin de l'oeil and Muscadelle from Gaillac in the southwest of France, grown in biodynamic principles, indigenous yeasts fermented to 12.5% alc, lightly sulphured before bottling. 18+/20 pts (91pts) Oct 2023.

Full, dark ruby-red with a purple hue, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is gently full, with attractive, aromatic aromas of blackberry and black cherry, leading to floral hints and fruit cake. Medium-bodied, aromas of blackberry and cherry are fresh and vibrant, melded with a hint of floral, spiced fruit cake and farmyard. Soft, powdery tannin holds some power and lively acidity carries a juicy, sustained finish. Match with beef brisket and bolognese over the next 2-3 years. Made from a blend of local varieties, grown in biodynamic principles, indigenous yeasts fermentation, 13% alc, lightly sulphured before bottling. 18/20 pts (90pts) Oct 2023.

A fine herbal aroma flatters the nose with subtle notions of mint and chervil. On second inhalation the fragrance is extended by hints of minerality and yellow fruit. The taste opens with a generous sweet and juicy expression of nectarine and grapefruit, embellished by a fine sprinkling of exotic spice and just a dash of brown sugar. Obviously sweeter than the Helden Kabinett, which, maybe just for now, masks the complexity a little bit.

The 2022 Riesling Lieserer Niederberg Helden Spätlese opens with an initial yeasty funk, slowly revealing creaminess and a sense of tender, ripe yellow plum. The palate adds flesh to these aromatic bones, with juicy texture and sweetness bedded into the fruit, serene, textured. A grapefruit tinge balances this pure, airy vision of ripe stone fruit flesh alongside slate, anchoring this in a salty base. The 80-85g/L of sugar just seems to disappear in this salty, citric marvel. (Sweet)

The Lieser 2019 Niederberg Helden Riesling GG is clear and intense on the remarkably fine, flinty and herbal nose. Full-bodied, lush and intense, with fine crystalline acidity and slate astringency, this is an elegant, round, finessed and mouth-filling Helden. It is as fine and elegant as rarely seen before and is carried by lingering salinity and even hidden tannins. It's almost as part was vinified in oak, which would be a more than tolerable stylistic change since it would be for the better. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.

Greenish tinge to the pale straw. Heavier, nuttier nose than some of its stablemates. Though overall it's still sprightly, it's just a little bitter on the finish. Drink 2021 - 2027.

The 2020 Wehlener Sonnenuhr GG opens with a clear, deep, refined and herbal/floral bouquet of very fine slate aromas and lovey purity and freshness. Crystalline and salty on the palate, this is a lean and salty, finely grippy, quite powerful Riesling with very ripe fruit aromas on the finish. Intense but not really long this year. Tasted in Wiesbaden in August 2021. Drink 2026-2037.

Intriguing nose draws you in with a promise of things to come. More complex than the Juffer Sonnenuhr. The acid level is quite searing at the moment and the minerality is clearly buried deep inside this dry, still slightly chewy wine. I'd wait for it to unfurl but it's clearly very well made.

The 2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Lange Goldkapsel is clear, bright and subtle on the delicate and highly refined nose. Piquant and slaty on the pure and playful palate, this is a beautifully detailed and frisky Auslese with a long, stimulatingly salty and refreshing finish. Drink 2030 - 2070.

Tense and intense on the nose – though by no means expressive yet. Very lively and juicy still with some light astringency but with massively beguiling honey and green-apple flavours piling on the layers. Super-fresh and clean. Drink 2027 - 2047.

The 2020 Niederberg Helden Riesling GG shows a coolish, even minty nose of broken slate and ripe, rich and intense fruit. Full-bodied, dense and structured on the palate, this is a dense and more muscular Helden that needs some years to refine and open up.

Slightly funky, but brimming with blossom and berry aromas, this is concentrated, finely etched and super-mineral, with a breathtaking finish that makes you think you are drinking slate. Drinkable now, but best from 2023.

The great gin boom of the 21st century shows no sign of slowing as the world remains thirsty for juniper. At the Whisky Exchange, we’ve always prided ourselves on finding the best spirits for our customers, so we’ve assembled a panel of experts to determine the Gin of the Year 2023. This year’s shortlist contains modern interpretations of classic styles and boundary-pushing new innovations. The winner is Stranger & Sons Gin, offering an aromatic and exotic take on the classic spirit, utilising locally-sourced botanicals to create a fragrant Indian gin.

The elegance of angelica root aromas lead onto a warming palate and pleasing mouthfeel. Citrus notes balance well with spices that linger enjoyably. Well balanced, and also a great length to flavours.

The great gin boom of the 21st century shows no sign of slowing as the world remains thirsty for juniper. At the Whisky Exchange, we’ve always prided ourselves on finding the best spirits for our customers, so we’ve assembled a panel of experts to determine the Gin of the Year 2023. This year’s shortlist contains modern interpretations of classic styles and boundary-pushing new innovations. The winner is Stranger & Sons Gin, offering an aromatic and exotic take on the classic spirit, utilising locally-sourced botanicals to create a fragrant Indian gin.

Big and generous with a savoury oak backbone. The classic wine of Abruzzo in Italy, an italian red made from the Montepulciano grape variety. This wine is ripe and almost sweet with boysenberry, cassis, spiced plum, almond and leather. Medium to firm tannins. Hints of soy and truffle.

A classic expression, showing fresh pear, lemon pith, green tea and oatmeal nuances, leading to a finely flowing palate that's juicy and vibrant. Elegantly structured by crisp acidity, finishing lingering and mouth-watering. At its best: now to 2025.

Bright, medium ruby-red, lighter on the rim. The nose is fresh, with aromas of strawberry, sour cherry, elegant floral fragrance, spice hints and minerals. Medium-light bodied aromas of strawberry and cherry entwined with floral, delicate spice and a touch of earthy minerals. The mouthfeel is soft with supple tannin extraction and flows with bright acidity to a fresh finish. Match with pasta and pork over the next 3 years. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, 13% alc. 17.5+/20 pts (89 pts) July 2023

Deep, purple with a ruby-black core, lighter on the rim. The nose is gentle with aromas of cherry, blackberry intermixed barnyard and herb. Medium-bodied, aromas of cherry and blackberry have weight and concentration on the palate, unfolding a hint of cocoa, almond and savoury barnyard nuance. The wine features smooth, dusty tannins flowing along a tangy acid line. Balanced flavours, acid and texture lend a lingering rounded closing. This Dolcetto shows juicy cherry and blackberry fruit, savoury barnyard and a smooth palate. Match with wild boar and game over the next 3-5 years. 100% Dolcetto, controlled temperate fermentation, 4-5 days maceration, 13% alc, rested in stainless steel cask for 6-7 months. 17.5-/20 pts (87 pts) June 2022

Full, deep purple, even colour throughout. The nose is gently full, with succulent cherry, blackberry, autumn leaves, mushroom and spice aromas. Medium-bodied, dark cherry and blackberry aromas melded with savoury mushroom, autumn leaves and subtle spice. Powdery tannins lightly framed with black fruit, unfolding savoury details and spice with lacy acidity lend an appetizing finish. Match with pork chops and sautee mushroom over the next 3-5 years. 14.5% alc. 18.5/20 pts (93 pts) July 2023

The 2021 Barbera d'Alba Piani is a knock-out. Creamy and ample, with striking depth, the 2021 has a ton to offer. Succulent red/purplish fruit, cedar, spice, new leather and a kiss of sweet French oak all build in this effortless, engaging Barbera.

The 2020 Barbaresco Nubiola is lifted, aromatically expressive and a real delight. Cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, mint, dried flowers and crushed red berry fruit give the 2020 its high-toned personality. There's plenty of fruit and structure behind it. Give this a few years in bottle. The tannins are a bit present today, but that is always the style of this wine. A few years in bottle should do the trick. Giorgio Pelissero presented a superb set of new releases this year. As always, Pelissero has a very clear idea of what he is going for, and that has proven to be a winning strategy over time. The wines are texturally rich and intense, with fine balance and tons of up-front appeal, but also a touch more verve than in the past. In 2020, the Barbarescos aren't quite as differentiated as they can be. Those nuances may very well emerge with more time in bottle.

The 2020 Barbaresco Vanotu is another terrific wine from Giorgio Pelissero. More than anything else, I admire the wine's balance. Dark-toned fruit, mocha, spice, leather and chocolate are nicely dialed up. The French oak is better integrated here than in most years. Quite simply, the 2020 is a stand out. Drink: 2026 - 2038. Giorgio Pelissero presented a superb set of new releases this year. As always, Pelissero has a very clear idea of what he is going for, and that has proven to be a winning strategy over time. The wines are texturally rich and intense, with fine balance and tons of up-front appeal, but also a touch more verve than in the past. In 2020, the Barbarescos aren't quite as differentiated as they can be. Those nuances may very well emerge with more time in bottle.

Medium ruby-red, slight on the rim. The nose is gentle and elegant, with penetrating aromas of plum, redberry tart, cola nut, leather and spice. Medium-full bodied, juicy fruit of redberry, young red plum, cola nut melded with a hint of leather and subtle spice. The red-fruited core possesses juicy acidity and brightens the fine-weaved tannin structure. This Primitivo is juicy with vibrant red fruit and a ripe tannin framework. Match with beef cannelloni and pork chop over the next 3-4 years. 13.5% alc. 17.5/20 pts (88 pts) Apr 2023.

Dark salmon almost blood orange hues lead to a bouquet and palate filled with flavours of pink grapefruit and orange peel, there’s flavours of fermented plum then raspberry. Dry, satin-textured with a core of fruit and old roses, some mineral qualities and balanced, even finish. A distinctively different expression - worth exploring. Best form 2023 through end of summer 2025.

Seduces with a rich and sweetly scented bouquet of crushed black cherries, dried roses, and cloves. It’s silky in texture, enveloping all that it touches with ripe red fruits and spices, nicely framed by saturating minerality, as inner violet florals form toward the close. There are tannins here, but they don’t get in the way; instead, they create a perfectly dry platform where notes of lavender, plum and allspice hover above.

Expressive and decidedly gentle and harmonious in the main profile, it shows notes of black plums, marjoram, lavender, hibiscus, black olives, strawberries, geraniums and white pepper. Medium body, creamy tannins of splendid elegant shape, perfectly polymerized and a finish of commendable beauty. Drink now.

Nerello Mascalese planted in 1946 on a steep, south-facing site on compacted sandy clay at 760 m. First made in 2011. This used to be a particularly big wine but from 2018 onwards the grapes were picked deliberately a bit earlier. Bright, deep crimson. Sweet nose reminiscent of rose petals then a certain jujube quality to the fruit before a really grainy grip on the palate. Long with a very dry finish. It really built towards the finish. 14.5% Drink 2023 – 2033

70-year-old Nerello Mascalese vines, part ungrafted, in deep soils at 730 m in Randazzo. First made in 2015. Deep crimson. Intense with a hint of molasses. Really rich and deep-flavoured. Long and satisfying but desperately in need of food to go with it. 14.5% Drink 2022 – 2032

  "I like the aromas of vine bark, rose stem, light parsley, and red fruits that follow through to a medium body, with white pepper and cloves with a fresh and vivid finish. Tight and tannic. Shows tightness and focus. Best after 2025 but already fascinating to taste. (8/4/23)"

 "Lovely cool berry, orange blossom, pumice, smoke and lava aromas, but subtle and complex. Bark and mushroom, too. Full-bodied and very structured with powerful tannins that are polished and thought-provoking. This needs time to soften. Clearly one for the cellar. Best after 2026. (8/4/23)

A blend of ungrafted Nerello Mascalese from Cornelissen's three highest vineyards (hence vigne alte): Tartaraci at 1,000 m at Bronte, Barbabecchi at 910 m and Rampante Soprana at 870 m at Solicchiata. First made in 2010. Bright crimson with a restrained nose. Backward and very tannic. Not to my taste – too introverted and tough at the moment – but it may get there in the end. Certainly ambitious! 14.5% Drink 2025 – 2035

A blend of ungrafted Nerello Mascalese from Cornelissen's three highest vineyards (hence vigne alte): Tartaraci at 1,000 m at Bronte, Barbabecchi at 910 m and Rampante Soprana at 870 m at Solicchiata. First made in 2010. Bright crimson with a restrained nose. Backward and very tannic. Not to my taste – too introverted and tough at the moment – but it may get there in the end. Certainly ambitious! 14.5% Drink 2025 – 2035

Ungrafted Nerello Mascalese vines planted in 1910 at 870–910 m above Solicchiata in the contrada Barbabecchi. First made in 2001 and from 2007 from this site. Complex nose with many more layers than the Munjebel crus of the same vintage. Flattering and broad. Very satisfying, complete, and exceptionally persistent.

"The Frank Cornelissen 2020 Sicilia Nerello Mascalese Vigna Barbabecchi Magma is a creative and original wine that is a lot of fun to drink and dissect. Fruit comes from a vineyard site at about 1,000 meters in elevation above the Contrada Rampante. This 2.5-hectare site was planted in 1910, and more than half of the fruit goes toward this production. The wine offers ample richness and volume with dark berry, campfire ash, grilled herb and cola."

So much blue fruit to this with raspberry and blue berry aromas as well as cranberries and pomegranate. Citrus, too. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a fresh and tensioned finish. It’s very long and very cool in its nature. Shows lovely ripeness and balance at the end. Wonderful intensity. Drink or hold. Tasted 2023.

 Voluptuous and silky. Intense flavours of cassis, fruitcake, black berry fruits and a core of medium tannins. Ripe and seductive.

The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino wafts up with a classic mix of earth tones, Tuscan dust and bright strawberries. It’s silky yet cool-toned in feel with inner violet and lavender tones over a core of tart wild berry fruit. The 2020 leaves a coating of youthfully grippy tannins, yet it keeps the mouth watering as sweet minty herbs slowly fade. This is a fun and fruit-focused Rosso that maintains wonderful balance, and I love how savory, almost salty it is at times.

Very Sangiovese, this red combines both fruit and savory elements -- cherry, strawberry, hibiscus, wet hay, iron and tobacco -- with a firm structure. Expressive, balanced, vibrant and long, with stiff tannins on the finish. Best from 2025 through 2042

Masses of crushed cherries and cloves give way to nuances of spiced citrus peels and cedar as the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino comes to life in the glass. This is round and pliant on the palate, with a balanced inner sweetness contrasting its mineral-tinged acids and tart wild berry fruits. Grippy tannins mount toward the close, yet fail to slow the 2018's momentum, as notes of salted licorice are left to resonate under an air of dried roses. This is a deep and characterful rendition of Col d'Orcia's Brunello, but patience will be required to unlock all of its charms.

This sinewy Brunello features blood and iron notes, with earth, plum, cherry and leather flavors. Leans toward the balsamic side, with a long, savory, tannic finish. Displays character and typicity. Drink now through 2033. Drink 2020 - 2033. (15/10/2020).

Tasted blind. Mid ruby with orange tinges. Minerally nose and soft, zesty, lively fruit. Great depth and length and with delicious, chewy tannins. Drink 2020 - 2028. (12/02/2020)

“…bright berry aromas and a touch of sour cherry on the finish.  Col d'Orcia is a winery in a unique position.  Because a good part of the vineyards are located on the lower, southern side of the Montalcino appellation, fruit ripens faster and shows bolder characteristics.  At the same time, the house style is classic and unembellished.  These two factors don't normally jive together, but this estate does a great job of making sure they do, thanks to rigorous green harvesting and fruit selection.  The bouquet is redolent of wild berries, white cherry, dried raspberry and spice.  At the back, you'll find delicate tones of cola and rosemary.”

Shows aromas of stewed fruit, with dried flowers and hints of fresh leather. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a delicate finish. A bit rustic, but delicious. Best after 2008. 15,000 cases made.

Blueberry, forest berry and a delicate floral touch round off richly toasted notes that glide smoothly over a harmonious whole. It lacked some of the building blocks to see it through the years, but we saw this as a gentle, easy wine to enjoy now with roasted or grilled meats.

Sincere and enveloping it opens slowly in the glass with scents of ash, cinchona, rhubarb, wood slats, star of anise and orange rind. It is spicy and intact 40 years after the harvest, still exciting and with a naturally beautiful profile. The tannins have been polymerized with the action of time but the freshness of the acidity remains vibrant and crunchy. Drink now or hold. Raffaele Vecchione – tasted 2021

The Le Macchiole 2020 Bolgheri Rosso is 50% Merlot, 20% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a powerhouse wine that has become a steady little engine for the estate economy, growing from a production of 36,000 bottles to 140,000 bottles made annually today. This vintage does a terrific balancing act with dark fruit and concentration on the one hand and an accessible easy-drinking personality on the other. Black fruit cedes to baked brioche, spice and toasted aniseed. The wine finishes for 10 months in a combination of second, third and fourth-year barrique, and about 30% of the total goes into cement. The finish is polished and fresh, and you get good value.

A very different style from the Sartori [tasted previously] this wine is more savoury and assertively tannic - with soy, cigar, liquorice and earthy, spicy flavours. Match with spicy tomato based vegetarian or beef dishes.

You could argue that this wine changed Italian wine, because it was the first to fully embrace the potential of Cabernet Franc in the bel paese. The Le Macchiole 2018 Paleo has a spicy and tangy personality with dark fruit, bitter chocolate and tarry smoke. Coming back to my open bottle 24 hours later, I got some green olive and rosemary essence. The mouthfeel fleshes out considerably, and there is beautiful structure to hold it firmly together. Other vintners in Bolgheri have told me of their difficulties with Cabernet Franc in the 2018 vintage, which saw rain toward the end of the season. This wine feels magically immune to those issues and probably means that the expert vineyard team harvested at the right moment.

Powerful, flint ruby with light purple shimmer. Opens on the nose with notes of tobacco and blackberry, plus some sandalwood. Really emerges on the palate with lots of juicy fruit, dark cherry and mulberry, opens with dense, fine-meshed tannin and has fine drinking flow.

The Three Graces of Le Macchiole are Messorio, Scrio and Paleo (Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, respectively). Of these three top-tier releases, my favorite is the 2017 Paleo. This is an upright and direct expression of the grape that carefully sheds some dusty or mineral aromas before opening the way for determined black fruit, charred meat, spice and cured tobacco or cigar. There is quite a bit of oak, but it works beautifully against the natural intensity and rich concentration of the hot vintage. More unexpected are those pretty tones of lilac, blue flower and aniseed that add to the detailed rendering and complexity of the bouquet. This wine won my heart. Drink 2022 - 2045. (31/10/2020).

The 2017 Paleo Rosso is superb. It is also the wine in this range that seems to have handled the rigors of 2017 best. Then again, that is the magic of Cabernet Franc on the Tuscan Coast. The aromatics alone are so alluring. Sweet pipe tobacco, mocha, dried flowers, mint, sage and cedar give Paleo its aromatic lift. Some varietal character has been baked out because of the heat of the year. In exchange, readers will find a Paleo Rosso that will drink well with just a year or two in bottle.

The 2013 Scrio is an opulent, generous and engaging wine. It reveals an all-Syrah personality with ample layers of dark fruit, blackberry, spice, cured meat, leather and bacon fat. Its integration is absolutely seamless. Scrio is dark and impenetrable in terms of appearance and presentation. The bouquet and the mouthfeel are long and luscious. You can count the length of the finish in many, many long seconds. Only 5,000 bottles are made. In terms of its aging potential, this Tuscan Syrah has the inner energy to last two decades or more.

The 2018 Scrio is a pure expression of Syrah and one of the wines that broke the mold on this grape grown in coastal Tuscany (I would put the Syrahs from Tua Rita and Duemani in the same category). This is such a delicious wine and you want to bite into it, sip after sip, as if it were food. There is sweetness here, ample spice, tons of dark fruit and a long, luscious finish. I came back to the open bottle a day later and discovered Christmas spice and savory leather. This Tuscan Syrah shies away from the more prominent white pepper or smoked bacon aromas that you sometimes get from this grape, especially in New World expressions. I'm all about Le Macchiole's Syrah.

The 2018 Scrio is different from recent vintages as Le Macchiole no longer manages some of the old vines of Syrah dedicated to this wine. However it's still a delicious, aromatic red to drink now. Its ester-y nose, with bright cassis and green pepper is supported by crisp almost zesty acidity, graceful tannins - despite the extraction - with cassis and black olive flavour...

The 2014 Messorio (100% Merlot) was slightly shy and slow to open when I tasted it as a barrel sample some eight months previous to this tasting. I can't say that the wine has opened much since then. It continues to show a tight and slightly austere bouquet with dark fruit, spice and leather. You don't get that quintessentially soft side of the grape. Instead, this Merlot feels a bit thorny and prickly in places due to the much cooler growing conditions. The mouthfeel is less opulent and layered compared to the warmer vintages we have seen in the past. This wine definitely will not be ready to drink for a few more years.

The Le Macchiole 2017 Scrio is a pure expression of Syrah that shows more similarities to the variety when grown in France than it does California, Australia or even the rest of Tuscany for that matter. Instead of the peppery charred meat or barbecued aromas you often get in New World Syrah, this wine points to blackberry, some black olive, rum cake, crème de cassis or chocolate-covered cherries. Although the wine is varietally pure, it doesn't really scream Syrah in any sort of obvious or banal manner. The tannins are more gripping in this hot vintage, and the wine spreads over the palate with a creamy, almost waxy texture that is enduring and deep. Drink 2022 - 2040. (31/10/2020)

Le Macchiole's 2018 Messorio is soft and rich with impressive depth and intensity, all delivered with the softness that only the Merlot grape can manage. This important wine unfolds first to rich cherry and blackberry and then yields softly to secondary notes of spice, baker's chocolate and toasted almond. There is some youthful tightness in the mouth, with Merlot tannins that are hitched to firmness and softness, while showing impressive length all the while. The mouthfeel is most impressive, thanks to its seamless and supple nature that glides smoothly over the palate.

According to Cinzia Merli, producer of Le Macchiole, 2018 vintage is not her favourite. 'We can't compare it with the more red fruited 2017 and the concentration of 2019 is another matter,' she said. Having said that, this is one of her best Messorios of the last few years. On the nose it comes across as slightly herbal, with the leafy character of Merlot, loaded with restrained cassis, lead pencil and earthy clay minerality. Open-knit aromas of menthol are also present. The attack is smooth and velvety, with huge presence on the mid-palate where oaky tannins are still present. Full and refreshing with extremely youthful character. Drinking Window 2021 - 2048

Messorio is a wine that beautifully reflects the characteristics of the vintage and is a very accurate measuring stick of how any single vintage will eventually perform both in terms of near-term accessibility and long-term cellar aging. That said, the Le Macchiole 2017 Messorio plays its strongest cards in terms of mouthfeel and texture, revealing a robust structure and firmly integrated tannins that come from both the richly concentrated fruit and the careful use of oak. The wine shows a heavy center of gravity and a solid base of dark fruit that is enhanced by caramel, brown sugar, spice and creamy blackberry preserves. It does offer immediate appeal, but I'd wait a few more years to give this 2017 Messorio more time to flesh out and evolve. drink 2022 - 2040. (31/10/20).

The Le Macchiole 2019 Scrio benefits from reductive winemaking that is intended to lock in the natural fragrances and elegance of this versatile grape. It is fermented in stainless steel and cement and is partially aged in more oxygen-prone tonneaux. The rest goes into truncated cement vat and ceramic vessels. With Le Macchiole, you don't get a flabby over-extracted Syrah; instead, you get a polished and extremely elegant wine with a tight (trim but not lean) mouthfeel and beautifully integrated tannins. Only 3,800 bottles were made, and in case you were wondering, the suggested tasting order of Cinzia Merli's three IGT wines is Paleo, Scrio and then Messorio.

Bright, intense ruby with a pronounced purple hue. Opens on the nose with notes of undergrowth, some pepper and galangal, then plum and some graphite. Stretches out really well on the palate with grippy, finely meshed tannins in the multi-layered core, has drive and juice, lots of plum on the finish.

The 2017 Paleo Rosso is superb. It is also the wine in this range that seems to have handled the rigors of 2017 best. Then again, that is the magic of Cabernet Franc on the Tuscan Coast. The aromatics alone are so alluring. Sweet pipe tobacco, mocha, dried flowers, mint, sage and cedar give Paleo its aromatic lift. Some varietal character has been baked out because of the heat of the year. In exchange, readers will find a Paleo Rosso that will drink well with just a year or two in bottle.

The stunning Le Macchiole 2019 Messorio is all Merlot from a special 2.5-hectare plot with a classic mix of Bolgheri soils featuring clay, silt, sandstone and limestone. The wine ferments in concrete and finishes in new barrique for 18 months. I spoke with proprietor Cinzia Merli about Merlot, and she concedes that this early-ripening grape suffers the most because of climate change. However, the winemaking team works extra hard for balance and elegance notwithstanding. This beautiful wine releases perfumes of cherry, blue flower, iris root, crushed stone and slate. Well-balanced oak tones add power and texture to the full-bodied close. 11,000 bottles were released.

Bright, even, pale yellow gold. The nose is softly full and fragrant, with citrus, Nashi pear, straw and blossom aromas. Medium-light bodied, aromas of lemon and grapefruit lead the palate, followed by Nashi pear, hay and rich blossom. The mouthfeel is textural, lightly oily with a mineral texture. Moderate acidity compliments the fruit and carries a dry, clean finish. Match with white fish and calamari over the next 2-3 years. Fermented to 13% alc. 17.5/20 pts (88 pts) May 2023

A broad, muscular red, this reveals black cherry, blackberry, earth, tobacco and wild herb flavors, turning leaner and slightly sinewy on the finish. Pugnitello, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.

This bright red features cherry, raspberry, floral and spice aromas and flavors allied to a silky texture. Iron, sanguine and toasty accents add complexity. Firm and built to age, with a terrific finish. Best from 2022 through 2040.

The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Poggio Rosso is a powerful, bold wine that captures all the natural intensity of Castelnuovo Berardenga. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, espresso, lavender and French oak are all amped up. Exuberant and generous in the glass, with superb richness, the 2016 has so much to offer. The style is extroverted - there is no doubting that - but all the elements are impeccably balanced.

Editor's Choice - Widely available, this easy Prosecco offers fresh aromas of citrus, stone fruit and honey. It’s elegantly packaged with a light blue label that would look gorgeous at a lunchtime table set by the pool.

Organic sparkler from Friuli, Italy. Fresh, frothy and fruity with a bit of sweetness and flavours of crisp apple. 11% ABV. Tasted August 2024.

In the late 1800's Sartori's trattoria was the place to frequent if you were a merchant, trader or weary traveller hunting for hearty food, good wine and a comfy place to camp. As the family concentrated more on wine, hospitality remained their focus, which is why their prosecco's are especially friendly. Wild apple and acacia aromas with lemony, creamy characters, a biscuity backbone and cloud-like complexity - it's outstanding with sweetcorn and basil polenta, cherry tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella.

In the late 1800's Sartori's trattoria was the place to frequent if you were a merchant, trader or weary traveller hunting for hearty food, good wine and a comfy place to camp. As the family concentrated more on wine, hospitality remained their focus, which is why their prosecco's are especially friendly. Wild apple and acacia aromas with lemony, creamy characters, a biscuity backbone and cloud-like complexity - it's outstanding with sweetcorn and basil polenta, cherry tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella.

From Italian garganega grapes. Fermented and aged in oak. Full-bodied but flinty and dry. Pear, peach, a hint of anise spice and an almost astringent dry finish. Tasted August 2024.

Bright, pale peach pink, even colour throughout. The bead is moderately fine, vibrant and persistent. The nose is soft with faint aromas of red berry, stonefruit, orange and creamy lees. Medium-light bodied, aromas of red berry melded with nectarine, orange zest and a creamy lees complexity. The wine is dry with subtle, with a clean, buoyant palate, and subtle fruit notes linger with fine acidity. This Prosecco Rosé is elegantly presented with a dry, fresh palate and a lightly creamy mouthfeel. Serve as an aperitive or match with kingfish crudo over the next 2-3 years. A blend of Glera 85% and Pinot Noir 15%, made by Charmat Method with second fermentation in tank, left in tank on lees for 60 days minimum. 11% alc. 18+/20 pts (91 pts) Apr 2023.  

An intense, sweet Veronese red traditionally made from grapes left to dry in the sun on racks before pressing and fermentation. A blend of obscure native Italian grape varieties is used to make this 13.5% alcohol in a ruby port style. Flavours of black cherry, spice muscatel and toasted almond. Food match: Almond cake, desserts and biscotti.

Powerful, bright ruby with fine garnet shimmer. Very open, also slightly oxidative nose of dried figs, raspberry cordial and cut apple. At the palate only marked by sweetness, without any play from the tannin.

Honestly, this is one of the best reds, local or imported, that I have sampled in a long time. Reminds me very much of Montepulciano Brunellos that I was lucky enough to sample in Tuscany many years ago. Soft and gorgeous. Supple and ripe with spiced cherry, dark plum, baba rhum, almond toffee and a hint of tawny port. Buy now. Before I do. Food match - Italian tomato-based pasta. Or by itself.

Inviting aromas of black-skinned berry, warm spice and tobacco emerge from the glass. The savory, balanced palate delivers blackberry jam, ripe raspberry and star anise alongside fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2028.

The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Corte Brà is coy in the glass, with a nuanced bouquet of lavender and violet pastille giving way to dried blueberries. This sweeps across the palate with silky textures and a wave of mineral-tinged red and black fruit that slowly saturates toward the close. It finishes with admirable length and a chewy concentration as a pleasantly bitter tinge of dark chocolate gradually fades.

A blend of sauvignon blanc 80% and chardonnay 20% from the Beqaa Valley. A creamy-textured wine with toast, melon and nut flavours. It seems quite developed but has a rustic charm. Drink 2021 - 2022. (26/02/2021) Bone-dry white wine with grapefruit, green apple, oyster shell, baked earth, and dried herb aromas. Quite austere - it deserves to be matched with food. Ready for drinking. A blend of sauvignon blanc (80%) and chardonnay (03 NOV 2022)

The domaine’s ‘reluctant second wine’, B-Qā de Marsyas, with its herby za’atar notes, is good value.

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot from the Saade family’s beautiful vineyards in the western Bekaa. Fine nose of dark fruits with hints of menthol and liquorice. Structured and elegant in the mouth, with grippy tannins and fresh, ripe cedary fruit. Well balanced and wears its 15% alcohol lightly. Still youthful, with scope to develop further. The domaine’s ‘reluctant second wine’, B-Qā de Marsyas, with its herby za’atar notes, is good value. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2030

Victoria Wells, Editor for DrinksBiz Magazine: "I tried your new Margarita Habanero last night and it is delicious!! Love the heady spice on the aroma and the punchy lime hit up front on the palate. I found the habanero heat to be really well balanced – a delicious, steady, mouth-filling heat but not overwhelming. I bet this will be a hit!"

European Spirits Challenge 2023 Gold Medal

European Spirits Challenge 2023 Gold Medal

Fruity, fresh, bright. Lots of spritz with red fruits of cherry and some plum, a light salivating quality with a crispness and refreshing palate appeal. Balnaced and well made in a ready to drink expression.

Aromas and flavours of white fleshed fruits and citrus, some apple spice and white flowers, a leesy mineral and floral highlights. There’s a fine savoury seam linked to the acidity and natural fruit tannins, this builds complexity on the palate and adds length to the finish. A youthful taut wine with a nice palate squeeze and dry finish. Best drinking from late 2024 through 2027+. Also, an ideal partner with fresh summer fare and seafood.

Dark ruby-red, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is fresh, packed with succulent aromas of red cherry, raspberry, spice, thyme and a hint of earth. Medium-bodied, red cherry and raspberry aromas entwined with liquorice, nutmeg, thyme and earth. The wine is fresh with fine acidity and packed with red fruit and spice; supple tannin extraction contributes to a smooth mouthfeel. This appealing Pinot Noir pack a punch of red fruit and spice on a soft, approachable palate. Match with sticky pork ribs and lamb koftas over the next 3 years. 17+/20 pts (86 pts) Feb 2023 RRP $34.99.

Soft and silky, with black cherry, lapsang souchong smokiness, red liquorice and spiced plum compote.

The fleshy, finely textured 2022 vintage (5*) was grown in the Cromwell Basin (55 per cent) and at Gibbston (45 per cent). Most of the blend (95 per cent) was fermented and matured for four months on its yeast lees in stainless steel tanks; 5 per cent was handled in seasoned French oak barriques. Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouth-filling, savoury and fully dry (2 grams/litre of residual sugar), with concentrated, ripe stonefruit flavours, gentle spicy notes, a touch of complexity, balanced acidity, and excellent vigour and harmony. Best drinking 2024+.

A classic expression of Otago Gris with flavours of white fleshed fruits, some citrus peel and spice qualities. The mineral side of the wine shows as stone and schist-like flavours, then a touch of preserved lemon and white florals. There might be a whisper of residual sweetness yet the core fruit flavours and acidity easily contrast this aspect adding texture and length on the palate. Best drinking from 2023 through 2026.

If you like Pinot Gris then this wine should also be on your list. Aromas and flavours of white and green pear, quince and some apple spice-cider qualities. Crisp and dry with a mineral steel stone undercurrent, flavours of citrus and white fleshed stone fruit, apple and a touch of spice. Dry on the finish with best drinking from 2024 through 2027.  

Moderately deep ruby-red, lighter on the rim. The nose is softly full with a sweet tone of cherry, blackberry, herbs and spice dusting, Medium-bodied, aromas of blackberry, cherry melded with thyme, oregano and cinnamon. The dusty mouthfeel carries the sweet fruit with poise, integrated acidity and herbs leave a longing for more. This Pinot Noir is harmonious with a beautiful balance, flaunting sweet fruit and herbs on a fine-textured palate. Match with duck breast and lamb loins over the next 5-7 years. The fruit is from Lowburn (70%), Gibbston (18%) and Bannockburn (12%), fermented with 100% indigenous yeasts to 13% alc, aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 10% new oak. Unfined, vegan friendly. ) Aug 2023 18.5/20pts, (93pts) Gold Medal, Perfect to Outstanding

This wine is a blend of three barrels from Bannockburn, Lowburn and Gibbston. It was 43.5% whole-bunch fermented.Delicately scented wine with greater intensity and riper flavours than the regular label. Clearly a “cool climate” wine with bright, fresh flavours and plenty of energy. Approachable now but should develop well with bottle age. (Screwcap).

Full-bodied, and creamy, with inteste flavours. Could be mistaken for a Chardonnay. Nectarine, red apple skin, dried fig, dried apricot and yeasty croissant.

Bright, even, pale salmon with depth and a burnt orange hue. The nose is fresh and soft with red berry and raspberry aromas melded with rose petals, a hint of herb and cream. Medium-full bodied, red berry and raspberry aromas interweaved with black liquorice, blackcurrant vine and rose petals. The wine is mouth-filling with creamy weight. Savoury, herbaceous elements linger with black liquorice to a refreshing closing. Serve as an aperitif or match with pork cheek croquettes over the next 2 years. A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Viognier, fermented to 12.5% alc. 17/20 pts (85 pts) May 2023 

Mellow, medium-bodied merlot with cherry, berry, dried herb, cigar-box and subtle spicy flavours. Although fruit flavours are evident, the wine is more vinous than fruity with hints of leather, wood-smoke and liquorice. A satisfying red that offers good value at this price. 2021-2025. (17/03/21)

 Great wine from a difficult vintage when Cyclone Gabrielle blitzed many vineyards in Hawke's Bay. Soft. tannins, red cherry, plum jam, and dark chocolate with a hint of raspberry and a hint of toffee apple.

 Ripe, fleshy, varietal and inviting bouquet of wild peach and apple, there’s a layer of citrus and lees, a distinctive mineral quality with shape and form. On the palate a wine of texture and mouthfeel, flavours of citrus and lees autolysis, a fine chalky quality, white peach and a light waxy quality. Plenty of acidity with a light yoghurt MLF note. Balanced, medium-weighted, well made, dry on the finish and delicious. Best drinking from 2024 through 2029+.  

Youthful, taut, mineral and ripe with a citrus focussed bouquet. Aromas and flavours of grapefruit and sandstone, white peach and apple flesh. There's power and lots of energy both on the nose and palate, a wine with a taut youthful structure, some great core fruit flavours, chalky mouthfeel and lengthy finish. This wine is made in a sandstone jar. The combination of lees aromas and textures can suggest an oak presence where there is none. The qualities this wine displays are of complexity and purity with a textured mouthfeel and lengthy finish. Best drinking from late 2023 through 2029+.

Ripe, pure and very enticing bouquet of black berry fruits and dark plums, sweet toasty barrel spices and violets. There’s a mix of clay and stone earthy scents and a brooding power. Lovely weight and teniosn on the palate, core fruit flavours mirror the bouquet with tannins and acidity delivering a youthful tautness. Barrel and fruit flavours fill the mid palate perfectly, a wine of substance and power with best drinking from 2025 through 2035. Outstanding.

Soft, ripe, and fantastic. Drink now. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Spicy plum, raspberry, sandalwood, black cherry, fruitcake and a hint of bubble gum.

Ripe, varietal and fruity with a core of blackberry and dark plum fruits, there are layers of mineral and barrel spices, stone and hard clay earthy qualities, a touch of cigar tobacco and bacon with clove and toasted-vanilla scents. A youthful firm textured wine touches the palate first with a core of blackberry and dark plums, boysenberry and baking spices. tannins are firm and textured with acidity delivering a firm structure overall. This wine will develop well over the next 3-6 years with best drinking from 2026 through 2040.

A model of restraint and elegance, the 2014 Ceresia Merlot-Cabernet Franc is that polite, charming dinner guest who never offends but, on the other hand, is never the life of the party. Subdued black cherry and herbal shadings ease into a medium-bodied palate that's silky, smooth and linear, ending on a supple note. Pair it with simple roast beef or lamb.

Full-coloured, it is youthful, but already drinking well, with mouthfilling body, vibrant, ripe blackcurrant and plum flavours, showing good concentration, well-integrated oak, finely balanced tannins and good potential.

Bright, yellow gold with a light green hue, even colour throughout. The nose is rich and toasty, with aromas of roasted hazelnut, hay, popcorn, citrus preserve and flinty elements. Medium-full bodied, aromas of citrus preserve and melon underlined popcorn, toasted hazelnut, spice and flint. The oily mouthfeel accompanies the rich palate, packed with aged characters and complexity. Enlivening acidity provides freshness and vitality to a sustained finish. Match with pistachio-crusted grouper and grilled pork chops over the next 3 years. A blend of Chardonnay and Viognier, 13.7% alc. 18.5/20 pts (93 pts) Oct 2023.

Made from grapes grown on De La Terre's Hill Country Estate, a cluster of limestone terraces. A satisfyingly rich, weighty arneis with ripe citrus, orange peel and savoury, nutty yeast lees. 29 APR 2022.

Grunty and savoury at 14% ABV. Flavours of black cherry, black currant, dark berry fruits, black olive, dark chocolate, leather and Cuban cigar. Very much on the spicy/savoury spectrum rather than dark and fruity.  Rich and complex at 14% ABV, with stewed plum, black pepper, vanillin oak, savoury grilled mushroom, a tad of liquorice and a dry firm finish.

Wild herbs, crushed roses, and ripe fleshy Doris plums capture the expression of the low-yielding handpicked fruit from the Havelock Hills. Soft acid is balanced by the supple and delicate flavours of freshly picked boysenberries and dried, sweet strawberries. As the wine unfolds, savoury note s of black tea and a light smokiness are revealed alongside well-structured tannins, giving the wines a lovely lindering richness. Herbal, earthy, and complex in teh best possible way. - Alena Kamper Young Winemaker of the Year 2023

Intense Chenin Blanc with impressive depth and an almost chewy texture. Youthul wine with locked-in flavours suggesting green apple, cashew nuts and ginger. The wine shows promise for bottle development and deserves to be left for at least 4-5 years before opening.

Intense chardonnay with a strong mineral thread that adds power and a Chablis-like character. Oak is a little dominant but should mellow and integrate with time. Serious chardonnay with moderate ageing potential. Tasted 03 Aug 2024. Drink 2024–2030

Deliciously fruity wine in a pinot-esque sort of way. Cherry/berry and subtle fresh herb flavours supported by fine tannins that give a pleasantly dry finish. Simple, accessible wine that's about as serious as gamay gets.

This is from the Mangatahi district, up-river and inland from the main winegrowing areas of the Ngaruroro. La Niña weather patterns led to a hot summer with autumn rains, requiring strict fruit selection. The 100% whole-bunch fermentation and short two-week cuvaison has resulted in a particularly perfumed and more delicate syrah. Slightly herbal nose with bay leaf and dried mint, light inflections of black fruit, fenugreek and crushed seed spices with mocha undertones. Subtle and delicate. The palate continues this thread of lightness, adding some floral notes and coriander seed to the mildly herbal finish. Light-weight flavours float elegantly across the palate while very fine tannins work with fresh acidity to give a sense of airiness and lift. A good effort from a challenging vintage. For mid-term ageing. (Screwcap) (Jan 08, 2025)

Bright, even, pale yellow. This has a reserved, savoury bouquet with penetrating aromas of stonefruit, apple and pear, lemongrass and minerals. Medium-bodied, expressive on the palate, with aromas of stonefruit, apple, pear and grapefruit intertwined with lemongrass, white spice and stony minerals. The mouthfeel is almost chalky, driven by an elegant tension to a savoury, dry finish. This textural, mineral-driven Sauvignon Blanc has zesty fruit and good energy. Match with blue cod and steamed clams over the next 3-5 years. Fermented to 13.5% alc. 18.5/20 pts (93pts) Dec 2023.

Bright, even, pale straw yellow. The nose is delicate and softly full, with aromas of white blossom and dusty spice overlying stonefruit, citrus, apple and flinty minerals. Full-bodied, aromas of grapefruit melded with peach, apple, white floral and cardamom. Stony minerals cling to the side of the palate, leaving a chalky, fine texture. Acid tension drives with good energy on a lightly creamy mouthfeel. This elegant Chardonnay shows fine details with elegance and power on a fine-textured palate. Match with smoked quail and grouper over the next 5+ years. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) Dec 2023

Richly spicy and savoury, it's complex on the nose showing dried cherry, smoky bacon, tapenade and toasted almond nuances. The palate offers soothing mouthfeel and silky texture, well framed by fine grainy tannins, leading to a lengthy engaging finish. At its best: now to 2023. Jan 2022.

Complex and new, fragrant and layered. Aromas of flowers and clay earth mineral qualities, wild red berries from the forest then quietly spoken aromas of oak and mild toasty wood attributes. The bouquet is youthful and high energy, but also complex and enticing. Dry on the palate this is a wine of complexity and charm as well as youthful and vibrato. Tannins and acidity at the core of the structure and dominate the wine’s texture base. There’s also core fruit flavours that reflect the bouquet. This wine needs time to settle more and find its harmony with best drinking from 2026 through 2036+.

The impressive 2018 vintage (5*) was hand-picked in the Brancott Valley and handled entirely in tanks. A distinctive wine, it is fragrant, fresh and full-bodied, with concentrated tropical-fruit flavours, a herbaceous undercurrent, and a long finish. An age-worthy wine, it is full of personality.

Not the big, punchy typical Marlborough stye. Light, elegant and subtle at 12.5% ABV. Fresh-squeezed blackcurrant, cape gooseberry. Dry, clean mandarin citrus finish.

Pristine and elegantly lifted, the bouquet shows grapefruit, Granny Smith apple, nectarine and lime peel aromas, leading to a brightly expressed palate displaying focus and fine texture. It's beautifully structured by vibrant acidity, finishing long and crisp-dry. At its best: now to 2023. (March 2021)

Not the big, punchy typical Marlborough stye. Light, elegant and subtle at 12.5% ABV. Fresh-squeezed blackcurrant, cape gooseberry. Dry, clean mandarin citrus finish.

Crisp, lean, dry and elegant. Subtle floral citrus aromas. Minerality, raw almond, light oaky spice, apricot, quince, lemon and nectarine. Bone dry finish.

A co-fermented field blend of 30% sauvignon blanc, 25% chardonnay, 25% albarino, 12% semillon, 3% sauvignon gris, 3% petit manseng and 2% muscat. An appealing medley of tree fruit, citrus fruit and subtle floral flavours underpinned with ripe acidity. Bright, fresh and tangy wine.

A typical albariño coastal character with saline/oyster shell, orange zest and wildflower flavours threaded with taut acidity that gives the wine real energy. This is at least one alien grape variety that seems perfectly at home in Northland. 2024–2027 (05 Mar 2024)

From the Far North, an elegant blend of classic Rhone valley white grapes: marsanne, rousanne, vermentino, viognier and muscat à petit grains. Dry, elegant, crisp and floral. With jasmine, honeysuckle, beeswax and frangipane tart.

"Ripper Rosé" - Mostly syrah with viognier and mourvèdre. The blend has produced a bone-dry and perfectly balanced wine that can be enjoyed with or without food. Deliciously accessible now with floral and summer berry flavours. 2024–2027. (05 Mar 2024) 

5 stars. From Johner Estate, an absolute bargain. Buy before I do! Very smoky, ripe and juicy with umami soy and tar. Ripe blackberry, plum and dark berry fruits. Medium tannic lengthy finish. 

Bright, fresh, wine with appealing purity and cherry, spicy oak, vanilla, dried herb and hedgerow flavours. High-energy wine that deserves a little bottle age but is accessible now. Tasted 27 June 2024. Drink 2024–2030

This is immensely complex and engaging, showing spiced cherry, dried herb, cedar, game and olive characters on the nose. The palate exhibits wonderful concentration and depth, well complemented by velvety texture and fine grainy tannins. Multi-layered and seductively appealing. At its best: now to 2028.

This Silver Medal winning Pinot Noir is from our Lime Hill Vineyard which is on the outskirts of Masterton, set on 1.3 Ha on a gently sloping hill with a thin layer of clay on limestone.  This terroir produces a Burgundian style Pinot Noir from vines established in 2013. Incredible value and the potential of cellaring for another 8 years.

This is seriously good; the elegantly fragrant bouquet shows poached pear, lemon peel, crunchy apple and white floral nuances, followed by a delightfully flavoursome palate offering excellent fruit purity together with creamy texture and vibrant acidity, finishing persistent and structured. At its best: now to 2033.

This is simply delicious, aromas and flavours of fresh red cherry with a lick of maraschino, strawberry and chilled red fruits tea. Crisp, dry, fine chalky-textured tannins and salivating line of acidity with a touch of salt alongside the core of red fruits that reflect the bouquet. A wine perfect on its own or with fresh fare from tuna sashimi or tataki to red beet risotto and fresh cheeses. Best drinking from day of purchase through end of summer 2026.

Medium ruby-red with a garnet hue, lighter on the rim. The bouquet is integrated, gently lifting sour cherries, dried strawberries and a hint of plums, pine interweave mushroom and forest floor. Medium-light bodied, vibrant acidity carries sour cherries, dried strawberries and plums, unveiling medicinal herbs, lavender, mushroom and forest floor. The flavours are delicate and enticing; lively, lacy acidity draws a long line with powdery minerals and supple tannins to a long, peppery finish. This hauntingly beautiful Pinot Noir shows delicate fruit, acid precision, and complex alluring development. Match with foie gras stuffed pigeon and smoked duck over the next 2-4 years. 13% alc. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) May 2022.

Medium ruby-red with a garnet hue, lighter on the rim. The bouquet is integrated, gently lifting sour cherries, dried strawberries and a hint of plums, pine interweave mushroom and forest floor. Medium-light bodied, vibrant acidity carries sour cherries, dried strawberries and plums, unveiling medicinal herbs, lavender, mushroom and forest floor. The flavours are delicate and enticing; lively, lacy acidity draws a long line with powdery minerals and supple tannins to a long, peppery finish. This hauntingly beautiful Pinot Noir shows delicate fruit, acid precision, and complex alluring development. Match with foie gras stuffed pigeon and smoked duck over the next 2-4 years. 13% alc. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) May 2022.

In a funky 1 litre bottle. Made from hand-harvested indigenous baga grapes. Very approachable, soft and ripe at 11.5% ABV. Spice, poached plum, cherry almond and umami earthy mushroom. Would pass for a pinot noir in a blind tasting. Chill for summer sipping.

Light and with perfumed hints along with spice, this is a smoothly textured wine. Its burst of acidity goes well with the sweet aftertaste.

A drier style of white Port, its richness coming from concentrated flavors of spice, almond and vanilla. There is some good acidity to give the wine a refreshing aftertaste, leaving a flavor of dried oregano along with the spirit. Heady, perfumed wine, like a fortified Muscat from the south of France. It's rich and sweet, despite its dry descriptor. A delicious wine, but certainly not for mixing.

The NV 10 Years Old White Port is a field blend bottled in 2018 with a long cork. Drier than usual this year, it is still not austere. There's a hint of richness and sugar on the finish. That may blow off as time goes on, to some extent. What's impressive here is the concentration and the power. This is a lot of wine for a 10 Year White. Dirk Niepoort said to me that this could easily last 50 years, but it may certainly change in character. Let's start here and see where it goes. We'll reconvene around 2060 or so and see how it is doing. This is about as good as a 10 Year White gets.

This fresh, powerful ruby features lots of plush dark plum and sweet cherry flavors, with notes of milk chocolate. The spicy finish is fresh, juicy and balanced.

Deep crimson. Intense red fruit on the nose, but spicy too and some rocky Douro character. Very smooth, sweet and gentle, slips down. Lots of fruit and freshness and then although it is sweet, is has a lovely dry, balancing tannic texture. Almost more like a Douro red and VGV.

Shows good power to the dried raspberry, cherry and brambly flavors, with focused accents of milk chocolate. Offers a broad, spicy finish.

Bright orangey red. Smells nutty and a little like marmalade. Tastes drier than its twin Ruby Dum and has more finesse in its texture but is slightly spirity (not surprising for a young port) but a great introduction to the tawny style.

This is a lovely 10 Year Tawny, elegant in the mid-palate, but complex, precise and focused. There's a bit of a bite on the finish, giving it some length to go with the flavor. The next day it was more about power, with considerable intensity of old-tawny flavor as well, more than I normally see in a 10 Year Old. This is a fine one for the category.

A lively, energetic Port, with lots of brambly grip and warm fruitcake notes carrying the core of steeped plum, raspberry and blackberry flavors. Licorice snap, apple wood, violet and mint accents add range through the finish. There's lots to like in this bright, slightly high-pitched style. Best from 2030 through 2050. (JM)

Dark ruby ​​garnet, violet reflections, delicate brightening of the edges. Black berry jam underlaid with spicy slate, notes of blueberries, tobacco nuances, still somewhat restrained bouquet. Complex, close-knit, firm, fine sweetness, ripe tannins, a touch of chocolate, pickled cherries, delicate figs in the finish, mineral-salty finish, sure maturity potential for many years. (Peter Moser)

A harmonious, powerful young thing. Super aromas of flowers and berries, with hints of wet earth and tobacco. Full-bodied and racy, with loads of silky tannins and a long, long finish. Medium sweet. It builds on your palate and then, wham. Serious stuff. Best after 2011.

Smudgy deep ruby. Intensely red fruited on the nose. So much bright fruit even now. Plus an attractive earthy duskiness. A thick layer of fine-grained, dry-textured tannins. Dark and rocky on the palate, full of Douro savoury terroir and the sweetness almost inconsequential.

Medium bodied and dry, with ripe plum, spice, cassis, Cuban cigar, kalamata olive and toasty oak.

Bright, medium yellow with depth, a slight green hue, and even colour throughout. The nose is full, with underlying power, aromas of ripe stonefruit, melon interweave smoke, flint and minerals. Full-bodied, aromas of melon, papaya and ripe stonefruit melded with smoky flint, clay minerals and spice. There is a savoury element that contributes to weight. An unctuous mouthfeel added volume. This is a weighty, powerful Chenin Blanc with ripe fruit, minerals and flint on a savoury, textural palate. Match with roasted turkey and pork over the next 3-5 years. Fruit from Swartland, 100% Chenin Blanc, dry farmed, average vine age 40 y.o., handpicked, whole bunch pressed, wild yeast fermented to 13% alc, 3 g/l RS. Fermentation and aging took place for nine months on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks (40%), wooden tank (40%) and 500-litre new French oak barrels (5% new wood). Vegan friendly. 18.5-/20 pts (92 pts) Sep 2022 RRP $45

Made from a blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Cinsault, the 2018 Le Rouge captures the essence and purity of each varietal. Aromas of black pepper, smoked herbs and roasted meats flutter with dusty dark fruit aromas from the Shiraz, whereas the high-toned and red-fruited nature of Cinsault adds notions of black raspberry, wild strawberry and cherry skin and a subtle hint of dusty, wild brush. Medium-bodied, the 13.5% alcohol wine shows true, displaying layers of red and black fruit mingling on the mid-palate with black spice and potpourri flavors. Showing a balanced structure with succulent tannins, the wine concludes with a slightly spicy finish, proving it's an instant success and should drink well for the next 7-8 years.

This has enticing range, with hints of nectarine and white peach out front, followed quickly by a saltier profile of chalk, quinine, Brazil nut and citrus oil. The long, vigorous finish has lovely spine, leaving a fleur de sel note echoing.

Shows a lightly honeyed edge, with beeswax and paraffin notes lining the core of lemon curd, white peach, meringue and sunchoke. The long, floral-filled finish is lacy and alluring.

Mid straw. Much older and more rancio than most Manzanillas. A strong statement! Fairly low acid but with masses of character. A food Manzanilla rather than an aperitif. Lots of chew. Medium persistence.

An intense yet balanced dessert Sherry, with a burnt aroma that, along with the alcohol, almost singes the nose. Bittersweet chocolate, raisin and a shiso leaf herbaceousness keep the flavors interesting. The finish is sweet, yet clean and long.

Thick, rich demerara sugar and molasses with a tar and fig aroma too. Not just sugary, this has proper flavour. Thick, rich, lengthy, intense, powerful, incredibly sweet yet there is enough flavour and interest to make it interesting and vinous.

Lightly pungent, with salted caramel, hazelnut husk and toasted almond notes that are fuller than most finos, backed by a briny edge on the bone-dry finish.

Orangey straw colour. Broad and smoky. Seriously tangy. Obviously quite concentrated in cask. Really refreshing – like a poke with a stick! Bready sensation on the end.

The NV Antique Oloroso is open and expressive in the nose, with a predominant note of hazelnuts and varnished wood, a sweet touch of spices, brandy filled chocolates and orange rind. The perfectly balanced palate shows intense, clean, pure flavours and great length.

Aromas and flavours of dark berries and licorice, baking spice and aged meats, dried herbs and crushed violets, grey stone mineral and some lees and barrel spice qualities. Raspberry and plum, black berry and ash-like mineral qualities. Fine tannins in abundance and medium+ acid line. Great balance and length, well made and ready to drink from 2022 through 2032.

The Morning Claret

This aromatic cava features hints of vanilla and spice accenting ripe fruit notes of apricot, guava and tangerine. This is fresh and lively without being exuberant, and offers good texture throughout.

Chalky nose with brioche and green apples. Creamy perlage with a medium body and subtle flavors. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink now.

 Guia Penn.

Intensely fruity, fine-grained and very balanced. It will age well, but is already perfect for drinking now.

They added the press skins from Gewurztraminer to bring a touch of orange. This is bright, fruity, and pithy with pretty pear and table grapefruit and some tangy cherry and lime fruit. Has brightness and a little bit of structure. Very expressive, with a pithy, slightly bitter aftertaste.

A pale, peach-hued orange with subtle fizz introduces this thirst-quenching ‘pétillant naturel.’ The fruity citrus notes meld with the botanical edge the sauvignon blanc lends to this blend. A beautiful nose of quince, orchard fruits and white florals. Long, refreshing and highly textured palate that would sing at a summer garden party.

Still a fairly deep crimson. Heady, richly spicy nose that recalls some reds grown in nearby Lebanon. Powerful but balanced and with a streak of sweet balsamic running through it (but it's not remotely vinegary!). Tannins nicely receded and sufficient acidity. Tasted 9 Jul 2024. Drink 2022–2030.

This wine is rich, opulent with aromas of ripe green apple, peach, mulled spice, toasty vanilla cream and orange zest on the nose. The flavors on the palate are yellow apple, allspice and white grapefruit that transform into orange sherbet, mineral and a long, silky finish. Pair with weekday meals. — Tonya Pitts

Best Buy: This rich wine is full of lush aromas of caramelized pear, apple and orange cream, with notes of toasted oak. The flavors on the palate are peach, fruit cocktail and grilled blood orange slices. Strong minerality punctuates a supple silky finish.

Delicious blackberry, blueberry and dark-chocolate flavors are wrapped in thick but soft tannins. This is a full-bodied wine, with a mouthcoating texture. (4/1/2021)

This full-bodied, hardy red maintains an element of freshness throughout. An underlying herbaceous and earthy tone balances out the rich, ripe fruit structure. Find notes of black cherry, black plum, licorice, cacao, fresh fennel, dried tobacco, cumin and black tea. — Stacy Briscoe

 8th consecutive year Best Buy! Flavours of cranberries and raspberries leading to notes of Marionberry pie, and baking spices.

Straw colour. Aromas and flavors of pineapple upside down cake, apple tart, and praline with a supple, bright, fruity medium body and a smooth, charming, medium-length finish with touches of tropical fruit salad and vanilla cream with well-integrated, fine, fruit tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A juicy, fruity, Chardonnay pleaser. Highly Recommended/Best Buy.

A hint of sweetness and soft tannins. Ripe, light, and juicy, with cherry, strawberry and red berry fruit flavours at a deceptive 13.9% alcohol.

This wine is fresh, bright with aromas of yellow apple, pear, honeysuckle and vanilla cream on the nose. The midpalate has flavors of grilled orange slices, baked pear and green apple, with wildflower honey wafting through the mineral, dry finish. Pair with spicy calamari. (July, 2024)

Aromas of plums, redcurrants, baking spice and dried roses. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Vibrant acidity articulates the juicy red fruit and berries. A hint of herbal character adds pleasant savoriness, too. Drink now.

 

Elegantly structured and featuring concentrated cherry tart and raspberry pastry flavors that are loaded with toasty richness. Creamy and spice-filled finish is backed by firm acidity and tannins.

Opened for 45 minutes before tasting. From the iconic Three Palms Vineyard, which delivers structured, elegant and long-lived Merlot. This vintage has 89%, plus 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged 18 months in 75% new French oak. Resonant and explosive aromas belie any preconceived notions of the Merlot grape: heavenly black berries, plums and Chinese five spice. The palate boasts robes of silken black fruit, satiny blueberry and lavish oak spice infused with vanilla. With more time in the glass, elegant floral notes emerge, with long, fine-grained tannins buttressed by tangy acidity. The Cathedral of Merlots, with imposing structure and a towering presence – a sheer joy to drink. Drinking Window 2021 - 2035

Juicy and well-defined, delivering ample range and length, this offers up cassis, crushed plum and red licorice flavors backed by roasted apple wood and red tea notes, all harnessed by a tug of iron through the well-structured finish. Should unwind nicely in the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc

Elegantly structured and featuring concentrated cherry tart and raspberry pastry flavors that are loaded with toasty richness. Creamy and spice-filled finish is backed by firm acidity and tannins.

Opened for 45 minutes before tasting. From the iconic Three Palms Vineyard, which delivers structured, elegant and long-lived Merlot. This vintage has 89%, plus 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged 18 months in 75% new French oak. Resonant and explosive aromas belie any preconceived notions of the Merlot grape: heavenly black berries, plums and Chinese five spice. The palate boasts robes of silken black fruit, satiny blueberry and lavish oak spice infused with vanilla. With more time in the glass, elegant floral notes emerge, with long, fine-grained tannins buttressed by tangy acidity. The Cathedral of Merlots, with imposing structure and a towering presence – a sheer joy to drink. Drinking Window 2021 - 2035

Fragrant, with orange blossom, lemon zest, lime sherbet and fresh pear flavors that are elegant and precise, while accents of sesame seed and sea salt minerality linger on the smooth finish. Drink now. 20,700 cases made

A linear and tight white with sliced lemon and green apple, as well as hints of honeysuckle. Medium body with a creamy texture and a salty, jasmine undertone to the fruit at the finish. Solid. Phenolics.

This has racy, mouthwatering acidity coursing underneath the core notes of mulberry, bitter cherry and blackberry. Shows the streamlined tang of a coulis, while offering a range of additional bramble, anise and savory tea details through the finish. Delicious. Drink now through 2029. 27,000 cases made.

This has nice tension and tannic framing. Full-bodied, firm and lightly chewy with freshness, and spicy character to the ripe strawberry and cherry on the finish.

The darling fuchsia cans of sparkling wine that come with a matching bendy straw. Sometimes I forget how good something is until I get a chance to revisit it and that’s just what I did. Effusive and fun, candied white fruit, minerals and cheekily bubbly it is fresh and gently sweet unlike the heavier, toasted aromas of classic Champagne. This is a fun little sipper, always a favorite! Sofia Blanc de Blancs in its girly pink can is cheeky and effusive with sweet orchard fruit and tiny bubbles.

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Red Label 2018 Zinfandel is perfumed and rich on the nose with ripe dark plum, blueberry, red berry and spicy aromas and is lush and smooth on the palate with ripe, dark and red berries, cherry, baking and toasty oak spice with a waft of smoky vanilla. Finishes long and juicy on the palate with food-friendly acidity. Enjoy with saucy pork ribs and gourmet burgers.

Silky, rich and layered, with a touch of vanilla, mocha, fleshy plum and cherry. Complex and easy to enjoy.

2016 - 95 Points - The Coppola winery has been on fire in recent vintages and there doesn’t seem to be any letup in sight. The Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon from the Alexander Valley shows a distinctive minerality, ripe blackberry fruit and supple tannins.

95 Points - 2016

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Archimedes is deep ruby with cassis and roasted blackberries on the nose accented by menthol, cedar, loamy earth and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied with rich, dark fruits supported by a firm, lightly chalky frame, and it finishes long with just enough freshness. 1,000 cases produced. Drink Date: 2020-2030.

The 2018 Chardonnay is powerful and hedonistic, with a touch less aromatic purity than its excellent 2019 counterpart. It opens with flinty aromas that segue to white peaches, baked apples, beeswax, roasted almonds and baking spices. The medium-bodied palate is textural and concentrated with flinty accents and rounded acidity, finishing with lots of savory layers and a compelling hint of dried sage.

The 2017 Syrah Californio Hyde Vineyard is a powerful, expansive wine endowed with tremendous breath. Silky tannins add to its sheer appeal. Dark blue/purplish fruit, spice, licorice and menthol are some of the many notes that open in the glass. This distinctly Pinot-leaning Syrah delivers the goods. - March, 2021, Antonio Galloni

Aromas of blackcurrants and sweet tobacco with some dried earth. Hints of dried herbs, too. Medium-to full-bodied with black olive and blueberry and hints of firm, chewy tannins. Fresh and juicy finish. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. Very drinkable now, but will age.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Ygnacia comes from five massal selections in the Hyde Vineyard, planted in 2020. It was made with destemmed grapes and matured for 18 months in 20% new French oak. It has a medium ruby-purple colour and expressive cranberry sauce, red cherries, orange peel, forest floor and mushroom aromas. The light-bodied palate is fresh and chalky, with pure, flinty fruits and a long finish.

Winemaker Michael Silacci commented that usually the blends are finished in January or February after the vintage. This year, with the 2019s, he was still tweaking the blend, but he did mention that this is "pretty close to the final blend." Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Opus One leaps from the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, Morello cherries, mulberries and fresh blackcurrants plus hints of licorice, wilted roses, Sichuan pepper and iron ore. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black, blue and red fruits, framed by velvety tannins and background freshness, finishing on a compelling earthy/mineral note. Tasted as a barrel sample, this is a truly magnificent Opus One in the making!

Transparent crimson - much paler than the average Napa Cab blend. Heady, complex nose with very many more layers than the Overture launched at the same time, September 2022 on the Bordeaux Place. Hints of tobacco leaf as well as very ripe fruit. Really high toned; this could double as a nasal decongestant, I think. Much more pronouned cassis flavours than the Overture even though the proportion of Cabernet is much lower. Sweet palate entry but a real lift and kick on the finish. No heaviness at all. A little less bordelais than the 2018: richer but not concentrated or overripe in the stereotypical Napa Cab idiom. I'd love to see this blind in a line-up with other Napa Cabs. Tannins very well managed with a tiny chewiness on the very end. You could drink it already, but on past performance one has to believe it has ageing potential.

The iconic 2012 Proprietary Red Opus One is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 2% Malbec aged 18 months in French oak. A classy, complex, suave and savory 2012 Opus One, with notes of toasty oak and crème de cassis. This Pauillac lookalike, made by the staff at Mouton Rothschild, is a beauty. They have continued to strengthen the quality of wine and seem to have produced a brilliant, world-class wine. I imagine the 2013 may even eclipse this, but this 2012 is one of their great ones, with a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood all present in this beautiful, full-bodied wine that should drink well for 25-30 years.

This bold, rich and assertive red is firm and concentrated, displaying a mix of dried currant, blackberry, wild berry and spice flavors, ending with loamy earth and melted black licorice notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. Best from 2014 through 2025. 22,500 cases made.

Dense ruby colour. Sweet oak, sweet fruit – very juicy and opulent. Not too heavy, but certainly generous. Very nubile tannins. Primary and juicy – but not very complex. 

Opus One had picked 91% of their fruit before the fires started in 2017, and only two lots were eliminated from consideration. The 2017 Opus One, bottled in July 2019, is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Merlot and 1% Malbec. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly grows on the nose, revealing compelling notes of baked black cherries, mulberries, black raspberries, warm cassis and blackberry pie with nuances of spice cake, yeast extract, tapenade, licorice and dusty soil with a waft of wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lively skip in its step, featuring bags of juicy raspberry and cassis-laced fruit and a refreshing line, supported by ripe, plush tannins, finishing long and graceful.

A glorious perfume of sweet charcoal, truffle, black currants and spice box soars from the glass of the saturated purple-colored 2010 Opus One. The gorgeous aromatics are followed by a beautifully knit, full-bodied red blend (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.5% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec) displaying lots of spicy black currant fruit, medium to full body, velvety tannins, and not a hard edge to be found. The texture, length and richness are all impressive. This estate has been making great Cabernet-based wines for nearly a decade ... and this is another one. Drink it over the next 20+ years.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Promontory has a wonderfully fragrant nose of baked blackberries, plum preserves and black currant pastilles with an undercurrent of star anise, violets, espresso and tilled earth. Medium to full-bodied, it is soft-spoken and elegantly styled in the mouth, featuring skillfully managed, grainy tannins and bags of juicy black fruits, finishing long, earthy and remarkably energetic. This is certainly among the most profound of the 2017 Napa Cabernets and for followers of this vineyard, not one to be missed.

Many years ago, Bill Harlan told me he wanted to show me something. He took out a set of maps and rolled them out on a table in the original Promontory winery. He talked of a place that sounded mystical, right out of a fairy tale. He called it 'the territory.' The place was Promontory. Whereas Harlan Estate and Bond remain very linked to the specific eras when they were founded, Promontory is all new. It is where vineyard and winery experiments happen first. Promontory has ascended into the stratosphere in a very brief period of time.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst is composed of 77.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.4% Cabernet Franc, 4.1% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot and 3.8% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in colour, it skips out of the glass with lively blueberries, red currants and kirsch scents, plus hints of cedar chest, fragrant earth and rose hip tea. Medium-bodied, elegant and lively in the mouth, the palate is chock-full of bright and crunchy red and black fruits, finishing long and earthyThe 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst is composed of 77.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.4% Cabernet Franc, 4.1% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot and 3.8% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in colour, it skips out of the glass with lively blueberries, red currants and kirsch scents, plus hints of cedar chest, fragrant earth and rose hip tea. Medium-bodied, elegant and lively in the mouth, the palate is chock-full of bright and crunchy red and black fruits, finishing long and earthy.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 89.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc and 4.0% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in colour, it needs of lot of swirling to unlock the most gorgeous perfume of bright black and red cherries, fresh blueberries and blackcurrant pastilles with hints of roses, cinnamon stick and orange peel. Medium-bodied, elegant and tightly wound, the palate shimmers with SO MUCH energy, featuring layer upon layer of floral, savory and crunchy black fruit notes, finishing long and minerally. This is a remarkably poised, seemingly effortless beauty that cannot fail to make your jaw drop. Forget it in the cellar for a good 3-5 years, at least, to allow all those nuances to fully emerge and then savor it over the next 30 years+.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is another incredible wine from this reference point estate in the Valley. Based on 89.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot that was raised in 65% new French oak, it has that classic Spottswoode refinement and elegance as well as medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of cassis, tobacco, sandalwood, and flowers. I don’t think this hits the heights of the 2013 or 2016, but it shines for its flawless balance, remarkable purity, and great finish. It's going to have 30 years of prime drinking.

Made of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in colour and prances out of the glass with vivacious blackberries, crushed black cherries, warm black currants and red currant jelly scents plus exotic hints of cassia, cardamom, fenugreek and star anise with a waft of underbrush. Medium-bodied, the palate has fantastic energy and beautiful poise, with bags of bright, crunchy black and red fruit plus a firm, fine-grained texture, finishing long and spicy. (31/10/2019)

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 89.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc and 4.0% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in colour, it needs of lot of swirling to unlock the most gorgeous perfume of bright black and red cherries, fresh blueberries and blackcurrant pastilles with hints of roses, cinnamon stick and orange peel. Medium-bodied, elegant and tightly wound, the palate shimmers with SO MUCH energy, featuring layer upon layer of floral, savory and crunchy black fruit notes, finishing long and minerally. This is a remarkably poised, seemingly effortless beauty that cannot fail to make your jaw drop. Forget it in the cellar for a good 3-5 years, at least, to allow all those nuances to fully emerge and then savor it over the next 30 years+.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is another incredible wine from this reference point estate in the Valley. Based on 89.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot that was raised in 65% new French oak, it has that classic Spottswoode refinement and elegance as well as medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of cassis, tobacco, sandalwood, and flowers. I don’t think this hits the heights of the 2013 or 2016, but it shines for its flawless balance, remarkable purity, and great finish. It's going to have 30 years of prime drinking.

Restrained and elegant in the subtly oaked Chablis style (unusual for a Californian wine), with a deceptive 14.5% alcohol. Shy aromas but opens up on the palate with hazelnut oak, almond biscotti, and dry grapefruit marmalade,with a yeasty pizza crust tang. Match withseafood or creamy pasta.

This is an opulent, structured and mineral-driven white wine, richly layered and robustly built with weight and ample body. Brioche, honeycomb and baked apple meet a complement of fresh acidity and a lasting note of stone.

In front of me now I have the 2018 Stag’s Leap Hands of Time Cabernet Blend. Wow, it's drinking beautifully at this moment. Blue fruits, hints of cinnamon and light spice, plush, beautiful velvet tannins, blue/grey slate, power.  - Puneet Dhall, June 2023

Aromas of cassis, cigar box and cocoa. Concentrated palate, with chocolate-covered cherry fruit flavours and fine-grained tannins. Lovely acidity.

A barrel sample, the 2017 Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon is very deep purple-black coloured with pronounced notes of crème de cassis, mocha, plum preserves and unsmoked cigars with touches of dried herbs, fragrant soil and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a great intensity of ripe black fruit and grainy tannins with just enough freshness and a long, slightly chewy finish. (LPB) 93-95+ Tasted October 2019.

Prior to the 1990 vintage, Cask 23 was a selection of the finest blocks of the SLV Vineyard. Then, with the acquisition of the neighbouring Fay Vineyard, this bottling transitioned into a blend of the finest parcels of both. This 2017 vintage (with 21 months in oak, as with both the single-vineyard bottlings) combines close to equal parts of the two sites, showing the brightness and energy of Fay with the brooding power of SLV. Aromas of coffee, clay and cedar precede a ripe but balanced palate and a long, driving finish. Drinking Window 2020 - 2045.

A lively, precise and well-composed pinot with notes of sour cherries, red currants, crushed roses and mild spices on the nose, followed through to a medium body with bright acidity. It’s crisp and spot-on, with succulent wild berries at the center and verve throughout. Drink or hold.

Graceful and expressive, featuring multilayered cherry and blueberry flavors, laced with green tea accents and building structure toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2024.

Bright red. An intensely perfumed bouquet displays ripe red/blue fruit, baking spice, incense qualities and a strong, mineral overtone. Offers sweet, penetrating raspberry, blueberry, cherry pit, lavender pastille and spicecake flavors that show serious depth as well as vivacity. Displays impressive clarity and spicy thrust on the finish, which features smoothly interwoven tannins and suave, clinging floral and mineral notes.

This dramatically steep site delivers a wine of real personality and distinctiveness. The nose has a very layered mix of red cherries and berries with some plums, leaves, dry stones, forest wood and a wealth of sweetly fragrant spices. The palate holds such intensity and concentrated flavor with striking focus and drive. Mouthwateringly fresh red-cherry flavors are delivered in essence-like mode and hold long, on a super vibrant, explosive finish. The star of 2018 at Cristom and indeed for Willamette Valley pinot per se. Drink or hold. (05/07/2021)

Medium ruby, the 2019 Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard is pure, delicate and so pretty! It has layered aromas of raspberries and blueberries with tangerine peel, aniseed and an array of earthy accents. Bursting with juicy acidity and super silky in texture, the palate has a weightless feel despite its intense, layered flavors, and it finishes with tremendous length.

Dark garnet. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red and blue fruits, Asian spices, botanical herbs and potpourri, and a smoky mineral top note builds in the glass. Sweet, broad and supple on entry and then tighter in the midpalate, offering bitter cherry, Chambord, spice cake and floral pastille flavors that show sharp delineation and vibrant lift. The cherry note carries strongly through the impressively long, subtly tannic finish, which leaves lavender and baking spice notes behind. 45% whole clusters and 42% new French oak.

Deep scarlet. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes spice-tinged raspberry liqueur, cherry and potpourri, along with a deeper cola nuance and a hint of smoky minerality. Velvety and seamless on the palate, offering expansive red and blue fruit, lavender pastille and spicecake flavors underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Shows impressive delineation and finishes extremely long and spicy, with polished tannins and resonating floral and cherry notes. Drink 2023 - 2032.

Pale ruby-purple coloured, the 2014 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard displays a beautiful perfume of violets, lavender and kirsch with suggestions of black raspberries, tilled earth, wild thyme and black pepper. Light to medium-bodied, it fills the mouth with delicate red fruit and earthy layers, framed by firm, grainy tannins, finishing with an herbal lift.

Medium ruby coloured, the 2016 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard is a touch reticent on the nose, opening to broody scents of black cherries and licorice with notes of herbs, bergamot and grated baking spice with earthy touches of soil and wet leaves. Medium to full-bodied and wonderfully silky in the mouth, it's packed with layers of ripe fruit, spice and earth. It gives fine, firm tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing very long and very layered. This is wonderfully complex with loads of layers—give it some time in bottle to show its best. Drink date 2019 - 2028.

Dark garnet. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red and blue fruits, Asian spices, botanical herbs and potpourri, and a smoky mineral top note builds in the glass. Sweet, broad and supple on entry and then tighter in the midpalate, offering bitter cherry, Chambord, spice cake and floral pastille flavors that show sharp delineation and vibrant lift. The cherry note carries strongly through the impressively long, subtly tannic finish, which leaves lavender and baking spice notes behind. 45% whole clusters and 42% new French oak.

Straightforward and easy to drink, the great-value 2020 Chardonnay Grand Estates reveals a soft mouthfeel and layers of buttered brioche, crème brûlée and banana on the palate. Enjoy this polished new white wine over the next few years. (Owen Bargreen).

Deep-tinted, full-bodied red with blackcurrant compote, black-fleshed plum and a suggestion of dried herbs supported by sweet, ripe tannins and tangy acidity. Accessible now. Slightly porty.

Full, deep ruby-red with a purple hue, lighter on the rim. The nose is lush and full, with ripe blackberry, dark plum, Kirsch and spice aromas. Full-bodied, blackberry, dark plum aromas are ripe, unfolding Kirsch, nutmeg, and cedar. The wine is bold with dark fruit and alcohol power; the ripe fruit is melded with ripe tannins and lends a rich, dry finish. Match with lamb burger and smoked brisket over the next 3+ years. 14.5% alc. 18+/20 pts (91 pts) July 2023

The aromas start out reductive, with notes of asphalt. Behind that are pleasing notes of raspberry and chocolate. Plump, chocolate filled flavors follow. The velvety feel ups the appeal. Once the reduction clears up, it's delightful.

The aromas start out reductive, with notes of asphalt. Behind that are pleasing notes of raspberry and chocolate. Plump, chocolate filled flavors follow. The velvety feel ups the appeal. Once the reduction clears up, it's delightful. 

The 2020 Merlot Grand Estates is darkly floral and earthy with hints of animal musk and crushed blackberries. This washes across the palate with juicy acids that enliven its tart wild berry fruits. It leaves a mark of minerality along with a chewy blueberry skin concentration and hints of mocha. This is an excellent entry to the "value category" of Washington State Merlot.

The 2020 Syrah Grand Estates impresses with a dusty mix of dried flowers, blackberries and sage. It's silky and round on the palate, traversing both savory and sweet with mineral-tinged black fruits and hints of licorice. This finishes lightly structured with round tannins while tapering off with pretty violet florals and hints of licorice. There's a lovely balance as the 2020 really aims to please.

Sleek and multilayered, with appealing black cherry, mocha and toasty spice flavors that finish with zesty tannins. Drink now

Compared with previous vintages, the oak has been pulled way back here. The aromas of blackberry and plum show a bit of reduction. Lightly sweet plum flavors follow. The tannins give a light grip. There's much enjoyment to be had.

Unmistakable on the nose, the 2019 Syrah The Deal Sundance Vineyard offers aromas of black fruit, roasted plums, hints of black pepper and smoked meat while roasted herbs and wilted red flowers sway out of the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the wine displays balance and a delightful texture before revealing fine-grained tannins over the mid-palate. The 100% whole-cluster Syrah lingers with a long finish and is not overcomplicated by excessive oak usage, allowing this Syrah to conclude with a burst of floral and succulent fruit essences.

Black tea, blackberry, redcurrant and sage on the nose. Full-bodied with fine, tight tannins. Bright acidity lifts up the dark-fruit profile and brings energy and drive to the lengthy palate. Ground spice and dark chocolate turn the experience savory by the end. Well structured. Excellent depth of flavor. 

Juicy blue fruits, leafy tobacco, violets, and orange blossom notes all emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Cs and it's medium to full-bodied, has a beautifully balanced, fruit-forward style, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's no simple fruit bomb and has notable structure, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It reminds me of a top Cru Bourgeois from Bordeaux and represents a stunning value. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.