James Suckling (98)

This is tight and creamy with firm tannins. Extremely long and flavorful red with blackberries and sweet tobacco. Black tea. Dusty and juicy sensation from the tannin. Flavorful finish. Drink in 2022 or later.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2016 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Avizoise derives from lieux-dits Les Robarts and Les Gros Yeux in Avize, two sites that are characterized by deeper clays than those in the parcels that inform Minéral. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of apple blossom, citrus zest, confit orange, freshly baked bread and warm biscuits, it's full-bodied, satiny and layered, with terrific concentration, racy acids and a long, penetrating finish. This concentrated, vinous, chiseled Champagne is a remarkable wine!

Wine Advocate (98)

From old vines in lieu-dit La Fosse that are planted at somewhat lower density (1.2 meters apart) but where there are consequently very few missing vines or replants, Agrapart's striking 2016 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vénus unwinds in the glass with scents of citrus oil, crisp stone fruit, toasted almonds, warm biscuits, orange zest and iodine. Full-bodied, concentrated and tightly wound, with terrific depth at the core, racy acids and a long, intensely saline finish, it's another brilliant wine from this benchmark grower-bottler.

Jancis Robinson (17+)

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Very much in the Alter Ego mould – lively, fruit-driven with that vineyard-fresh feel but with a little more structure than previous years. Pure and appetising but will age. (JL) 13.7%

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2005 Ausone is a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Deep garnet-brick in color, it needs a lot of swirling to coax out the most evocative perfume of Morello cherries, raspberry preserves, redcurrant jelly, and red roses with hints of aniseed, forest floor, truffles, and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, it has a very firm, grainy texture and an incredibly lively backbone. So, so beautifully perfumed, it finishes incredibly long and mineral-laced. This undoubtedly already offers a WOW experience, but I would give it another 5-7 years in bottle to truly let that perfume emerge, then drink it over the following 40-50-years+. Located on the limestone plateau over the town of Saint Emilion, it covers only 17 acres and has been owned exclusively by the Vauthiers (Alain) since the mid-1990s. It is usually composed of 50-60% Cabernet Franc with Merlot making up the rest of the blend.

Situated in breathtaking scenery in the hills above Cromdale, the Balmenach distillery has been described by Jim Murray (Whisky Bible) as "almost the archetypal Speysider", but not necessarily in the way one may expect of the region famed for perfumed, delicate malts.

Founded in 1824 it is known for its ultra-traditional style, condensing their spirit in old-school worm tubs rather than modern shell and tube condensers. The result is a hefty, meaty single malt that has long been jealously sought out by blenders to prop up lighter malts and grains and only very rarely does it get the chance to shine as a single malt.

That is starting to change, though and a number of independent bottlers have seen plenty of success with older-age Balmenach and just last year we had excellent demand for Hunter Laing's magnificent Old & Rare 1989 expression, which flew out at over £300 per bottle!

Tasting Note
Approaching the magical age of 10 years old, this is a phenomenal cask of a classic, yet unique Speysider. It's profile is a relic of a bygone age courtesy of the ultra-traditional production methods. A rich, oily texture, firm, meaty mouthfeel and pungent profile of spicey bourbon and rye characteristics make for a dynamic whisky that has the stuffing, and remarkably high ABV to mature for many years to come as it takes on more mellow, deeply pitched aromatics. This is a strong candidate for finishing in a very active cask as the spirit's body will easily stand up to Oloroso wood or even PX.

Wine Spectator (97)

Fresh and vivid, this red features cherry, raspberry, plum, floral, black tea and mineral aromas and flavors. The well-defined fruit character is nicely balanced by earthy, savory elements, lively acidity and refined tannins. This is complete, with terrific finesse and complexity.

The Real Review (99)

Impressively deep, bright red-purple colour, in great shape for an Australian pinot of its age, then the bouquet arrives with a great complexity of smoked charcuterie, root vegetables, dark cherry and blackberry delivered with great intensity and volume. The concentration and depth are outstanding and it's all delivered with great elegance and refinement. The lightness of touch doesn't contradict the power or persistence. A spectacular pinot noir.

James Suckling (95-96)

A savory and juicy Carruades with softness and notes of ripe berry, cedar and dried tobacco. Like Lafite from the 1980s but more precise. Round and pretty. It really grows on the finish with such sweetness of fruit and length. Pointed, fine tannins at the end. Very long. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot.

James Suckling (99)

Aromas of blackberries, cherries, violets and bark with mahogany. It’s full-bodied and chewy with intense tannins that are layered and focused. The fruit is pure and purposeful, yet not over done. Wonderful strength and purity to this. Class is the word. Try it after 2024.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2019 Valtuille Cepas Centenarias comes from a single plot of ancient vines that could qualify as Vino de Paraje and in the future as Vino de Viña, but they are never going to do it because it's their traditional name and label and one of the most consistent wines from the winery. It is made with field blend with lots of different grapes on clay and sand soils. It fermented with full clusters and indigenous yeasts with a long 60-day maceration and matured in 225- and 500-liter oak barrels (but, in the future, they might move to oval oak foudres) for one year. It has the violets and the perfume from the 2018 vintage but with more dimension, more layers and depth. A stellar performance in 2019 (again!). 3,500 bottles produced, what the plot delivered. It was bottled in June 2021.

Vinous (94)

Cecilia Monte's 2014 Barbaresco Serracapelli is a wine of pure and total refinement. Lifted and gracious on the palate, the 2014 is wonderfully energetic from start to finish. Beams of supporting acidity and tannin give the wine a nervous, edgy feel that will soften with bottle age. Orange peel, exotic spice, tobacco, cedar and amaro herbs add an intriguing upper register of aromatics to this mid-weight, classically proportioned Barbaresco. Cecilia Monte's Barbaresco Serracapelli is one of the dark horses of the vintage.

Wine Advocate (100)

Since I reviewed the 2019 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc last year (98+), I had some doubts about spending the time to re-review it. But one taste had me transfixed. Hints of crushed stone and subtle oak appear on the nose, backed by waves of honeyed pear and pineapple, plus enough invigorating citrus to provide a sense of freshness. Full-bodied and rich without being heavy, this has come into its own, being incredibly long, balanced and ethereal on the finish. Amazing stuff!

James Suckling (94)

A chewy, linear 2018 with very attractive blackberry, chocolate and wet-earth character. Some mushrooms, too. It’s full-bodied, very tight and tannic, yet polished and creamy-textured. Flavorful finish. Very typically Medoc. Needs three years to soften. Try after 2024.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 1982 Chevel Blanc has a medium garnet-brick color and springs from the glass with scents of kirsch, dried cranberries, and pencil shavings, leading to hints of rose oil, rare steak, and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is packed with mature red fruit and earthy layers, textured with satiny tannins and delivering seamless acidity, finishing on a long-lingering mocha note. Still very youthful, this was clearly a very good bottle, coming directly from the Chateau. The yields in 1982 for Cheval Blanc were a whopping 55 hl/ha, according to Pierre Lurton.

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc is terrific and shows the crisp, vibrant style of the vintage yet still manages to bring plenty of richness and concentration. Ripe pears, peach, licorice, and white flowers all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a layered mouthfeel, and integrated acidity. It's another incredibly classy white from this estate that will keep for 10-15 years.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)

20ha of prime St Emilion limestone, punching at the very top of its game. This is muscular, less exuberant than the exceptional 2018 but this is still easily one of the wines of the vintage, salinity and austerity but creamy in texture, with pure, well chiselled blueberry, blackberry and raspberry fruits with peony flowers on the finish. Biodynamic farming, but not certified. 38hl/h yield. 50% new oak, 2% amphoras.

Jeb Dunnuck (97-99)

One of the biggest successes on the upper plateau is the 2020 Château Clos Fourtet, and it does everything right in the vintage. A magical, perfumed bouquet of red plums, black cherries, white truffle, and white flowers just screams Saint-Emilion, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, flawless overall balance, a dense mid-palate, and a liqueur of rocks-like minerality on the palate. Building incrementally with time in the glass, this is thrilling stuff that should offer some up-front appeal in its youth yet benefit from 7-8 years in the cellar and keep for 30 years or more. Bravo! The blend is 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc that’s still resting in 50% new French oak.

James Suckling (97-98)

This is so full of energy. It’s full-bodied with electrified tannins and a long, long finish. So polish and focus here with exquisite balance and length.

James Suckling (99)

This is so aromatic with blackcurrants, black berries and raspberries. Pure fruit, together with coffee and nutmeg. Really fresh and clean with bright spices. Full-bodied, yet reserved and tight with fantastic structure. So long. This is a great Cos for the cellar. A real benchmark for the true character. Needs at least five or six years to open and come around. Try after 2029.

Jeb Dunnuck (97+)

The tiny production 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Maya is another thrilling wine. The normal blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in two-thirds new French oak, it offers a full-bodied, concentrated, yet sensationally elegant style as well as fab notes of crème de cassis, chocolate, graphite, and scorched earth. It’s a primordial example of this cuvée that has ripe tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a great, great finish. Do your best to give bottles 4-6 years of bottle age.

If you crave a full-bodied, magnificently complex wine, the Damilano 1752 Barolo Cannubi Riserva Special Selection Case NV is your perfect choice. Exclusively made by Damilano, a revered producer in the famous Barolo region of Piedmont, Italy, this top-tiered wine is meticulously crafted from Nebbiolo grapes sourced from the esteemed Cannubi vineyard.

The wine-making process for the Damilano 1752 Barolo Cannubi Riserva Special Selection Case is precise and traditional. The grapes undergo a prolonged maceration period, before being aged in large oak barrels for approximately 60 months. In the glass, this Barolo presents an intense ruby red colour. The aroma spells an opulent bouquet of red fruits, intertwined with delightful hints of vanilla, tobacco, and spices.

Upon savouring, it satiates the palate with rich tannins, perfectly blended with vibrant acidity, culminating in a lingering, persistent finish. The Damilano 1752 Barolo Cannubi Riserva Special Selection Case NV unequivocally showcases Damilano's commitment to exceptional quality.

Wine Advocate (99)

While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future.

Vinous - Neal Martin (97)

The 2019 Domaine de Chevalier has a precise and complex bouquet with blackberry, cedar and tobacco scents, quite Médoc-like in style. This is thoroughly engaging. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, exquisitely integrated oak, fleshy and fine-boned with a precise finish. This is outstanding. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

The Grand Vin 2020 Domaine De Chevalier ratchets everything up another notch and will be one of the legendary wines from this address. Notes of pure cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and scorched earth define its incredible aromatics, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. This is pure, classic, regal Pessac-Léognan is as good as anything in the vintage. Give bottles 4-6 years and it will evolve for 50, 60, 70+ years. I absolutely love this wine. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2023 Domaine de Chevalier has turned out beautifully in bottle, offering aromas of sweet cherries, dark wild berries, licorice, mulberries and peony. Medium- to full-bodied, it is rich yet supple, layered and textured, framed by powdery tannins and concluding with a long, precise and perfumed finish. A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, it should gain an additional dimension of depth and complexity with time in the cellar.

Jeb Dunnuck (99+)

Checking in as a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc that hit 14.3% alcohol, the 2012 Dominus is a sensational wine that certainly ranks with the all-time greats of this cuvée and is reminiscent of the 1991. Ripe, flamboyant, and incredibly sexy, it nevertheless shows the classic style of this estate, has nothing out of place and just glides across the palate. Blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, cedar box, new leather, and an almost garrigue-like character all emerge from this full-bodied, silky, seamless effort that has fine tannin, perfectly integrated acidity, tannins, alcohol, and a great, great finish. Drink it any time over the coming 2-3 decades. It's a tour de force in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and one of the greats.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The 2015 Dominus is a flawless, perfect wine as well as a legend in the making. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Franc, from dry-farmed vines and brought up in just 40% new French oak, its ruby/purple color is followed by an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, crème de cassis, damp earth, smoke tobacco, and spring flowers. Reminding me of the 2015 Château Margaux with its incredible mix of elegance and power, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, stunning purity of fruit, building tannins, and awesome length. This sensational textured and voluptuous Dominus drink well today yet will evolve for 25-30 years or more.

James Suckling (100)

This is incredible on the nose, offering hot stones, blackcurrants, iodine and wet earth. Full-bodied with a tight center palate, then it opens with a tannin structure that is weightless and spreads across the palate. Totally integrated on the palate. This is a magic-carpet wine. Really incredible. One of the reference points for the vintage. Drinkable now and please try a bottle, but it’s one for the cellar.