Wines from the Week | 28th June - 4th July 2021
Truly a week full of wonderful offers and new releases, here are our top picks for wine investors, collectors and drinkers.
Our Recommendations
La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion 2020 | Outscoring most second wines from the First Growths yet available at a fraction of the cost. Our top recommendation of the week
The second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion, La Chapelle 2020 is yet another stellar EP release. Earning an impressive 92-94 points from the Wine Advocate and a highest-ever 94 points from Jane Anson, it could potentially be this cuvée’s greatest ever vintage. Anson admires the “confidence and sheer easy appeal” that oozes out of La Chapelle 2020, emphasising that the second wine “rivals plenty of first wines in this vintage”. Antonio Galloni (Vinous) cites the exceptional balance of La Chapelle 2020, finding that to be extremely impressive and calling it “an especially fine La Chappelle”.
Krug Grande Cuvée 169th Édition NV | This is no ordinary NV Champagne. Composed of 146 wines across 11 vintages, an uncommon score of 18.5/20 from Jancis Robinson MW should pique every buyer’s interest
Krug Grande Cuvée is no ordinary NV Champagne, with no other Maison blends as many wines, from as many years as Krug
Édition 169 is an astonishing blend of 146 wines across 11 years constituting the final wine, of which 2013 is the lead and 2000 the eldest. Hailed as “a Chardonnay year par excellence” by Michael Edwards (Decanter), Édition 169 reflects the exceptional harvest from 2013.
Expressing the fullness and elegance of 2013, Édition 169 is a “sleek and fresh and truly spring-like" Champagne, according to Jancis Robinson MW who awards the wine 18.5/20 points. Beguilingly complex as all the greatest Krug Champagnes are, 169 cannot help but “play the intellectual card” and gives drinkers reason to pause and contemplate.
Petrolo Galatrona 2016 | A worthy rival to the likes of Pétrus, Le Pin and Masseto, this is an iconic Merlot-based Super Tuscan representing some of the best value in Italy
Galatrona is the prestige cuvée from Petrolo. The undisputed king of these hills, this wine is sourced from a small vineyard of the same name. Planted in the 1980s with low-yielding Bordeaux clone Merlot vines, the vineyard’s soil is an archetypal composition of deeply rich clay with veins of schist, marl and sandstone imbuing stunning minerality to the effortlessly generous and elegant fruit. Inspired by the great producers of Pomerol, Galatrona has established itself as a worthy rival to the likes of Pétrus, Le Pin and Masseto.
In 2016, a legendary vintage for many regions, Petrolo produced a truly profound expression of Merlot in Galatrona. “A masterpiece to behold” in the words of Monica Larner (Wine Advocate), the 2016 unfurls with unfathomably layered and generous notes of gorgeous dark fruit, chocolate and hauntingly perfumed violets as well as wilted rose. As powerful and deceptively integrated as any world-class Merlot, Antonio Galloni (Vinous) was deeply impressed by the wine’s “serious fruit intensity and energy”, whilst providing collectors with the stern warning that patience should be exercised in respect for Galatrona’s structure, stating that “opening a bottle now is a crime”.
Wines from the Week | 28th June - 4th July 2021
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Bordeaux | 3 | 98+ (WA) | $608.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (98+)Composed of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Le Dome has a drop dead gorgeous perfume of violets, black forest cake, rose hip and red jelly with touches of lavender, spice cake and earth. The palate is medium to full-bodied and super intense with super ripe, super fine-grained tannins, wonderful freshness and a very long perfumed, mineral-laced finish. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (WE) | $405.00 | |||||
Wine Enthusiast (97)Aromas of crushed mint, pressed rose and perfumed berry mingle with warm spice in this dazzling red. Thanks to some of the highest vineyard altitudes in the denomination, it boasts vibrancy and finesse in its flavors of ripe black cherry, juicy blood orange, licorice and crushed mint. Taut, elegant tannins and fresh acidity keep it balanced and focused. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (FS) | $1,025.00 | |||||
Falstaff (100)Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on rim. Fine oak, a hint of nougat, dark berries underneath, some cardamom, dark cherries, a hint of candied oranges. Powerful, taut, tightly meshed, fresh acidity, spicy, supporting tannins, a hint of chocolate on the finish, convincing balance, mineral and very long lasting, cherries on the finish, a vin de garde, can also be tasted young with a few hours in the carafe, enormous future potential. |
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Rhone | 1 | 98+ (JD) | $791.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)Another brilliant year at this estate, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Centenaire displays a deeper hue than the 2022 and 2023 and is based on 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, completely destemmed and aged 24 months in concrete. It has a blockbuster nose of kirsch liqueur, roasted garrigue, licorice, iron, and some bloody nuances. These carry to a full-bodied Châteauneuf that has beautiful balance, ripe, building, firm tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It needs another 5-7 years, but this is a beautiful, layered, truly great Châteauneuf. Drink 2030-2050. |
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 94 (VN) | $147.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2020 Viognier The Age of Grace has a subtle, well-defined bouquet of detailed lemon sherbet, lemon thyme and crushed pebble scents, poised and, yes, graceful. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, and linear and quite steely toward the almost Chenin-like finish. This is not a flamboyant, Rhône-like Viognier – it’s is far more tensile and racy. It should age extremely well in bottle. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 96 (TA) | $1,205.00 | |||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)This comes from southern-facing vines and possesses an exotic collection of aromas. Among them are bananas, rainwater, sweet spice and dried flowers. Gorgeously scented with an equally perfumed palate that haunts the long finish, this is very much a beckoning, come-hither kind of wine. Again, the various appellations of Corton just crush it in this vintage! 2022-34 |
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Coastal Region | 2 | 95 (CE) | $161.00 | |||||
Christian Eedes (95)W.O. Swartland. 44% Grenache Noir, 31% Cinsault and 25% Syrah. 80% whole-bunch fermentation. Whereas quite a few New Wave red wines sacrifice fruit depth for freshness, Lourens seems to achieve both. The nose shows top notes of lavender and fynbos before red and black berries, oliver, pepper and spice. The palate is medium bodied with fresh acidity and chalky tannins. Good fruit definition, lots of intricate flavours, the finish intensely savoury. |
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Scotland | 1 | - | $11,345.00 | |||||
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Founded in 1817, legendary Lowland distillery Bladnoch is one of the oldest distilleries in the country and the oldest operating Lowland distillery since the closure of Littlemill which held both titles.
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Scotland | 1 | - | $8,680.00 | |||||
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Founded in 1817, legendary Lowland distillery Bladnoch is one of the oldest distilleries in the country and the oldest operating Lowland distillery since the closure of Littlemill which held both titles.
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Scotland | 1 | - | $10,550.00 | |||||
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Founded in 1817, legendary Lowland distillery Bladnoch is one of the oldest distilleries in the country and the oldest operating Lowland distillery since the closure of Littlemill which held both titles.
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (WS) | $1,870.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (96)Textbook, with mouthfilling and slightly gutsy black currant, fig and blackberry fruit flavors bound together by singed cedar, iron and tobacco notes. Features a tug of loam followed by a second wave of fruit through the finish. This is just starting to stretch out.—Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Best from 2020 through 2040. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 99 (JS) | $601.00 | |||||
James Suckling (99)A beautifully layered red with blackcurrant, hazelnut and lead-pencil character and fine, velvety tannins. Full-bodied and reserved. It’s like a tightly knit ball of polished tannins that are cashmere in texture. So very long and impressive. Give this time. A terrific Lynch. Better after 2027. |
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Campania | 1 | 96 (JS) | $324.00 | |||||
James Suckling (96)Super-elegant but really tight aglianico here with lightly peppery black fruit, colored with inky and spicy notes. With aeration, you move into the herbal zone, with fresh bay-leaf, chai and light rosemary. The palate is medium-to full-bodied and you feel all the aromas pent-up, ready to burst out. The tension here is palpable and this will need several more years before the firm tannins soften, allowing the wine to open up and flood your palate. Still be patient. Try from 2024. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (JA) | $201.00 | |||||
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)This is savoury, dry in the best possible way, with a ton of red fruits, dried roses and herbs, and waves of fragrance. It’s a successful blend where the Sangiovese is dominant, conferring the wine with its warm personality but the Cabernet Sauvignon adds a touch of austerity to the tannins and a sense of quiet confidence. Turmeric and olive tapenade as it opens, alongside raspberry, red cherry and smoky oak, the whole thing both extremely delicate and intensely fragrant. Can drink now with a short carafe - there are tannins here but they are well defined and finely layered - but it will also age. Small amounts of the 2018 were released last winter, but this September sees the first proper release through the Place de Bordeaux. Ageing 18 months in small French oak barrels, 70% new, plus four months in concrete tanks afterwards. One to look out for - great stuff from the Mazzei family, that has been making wine in Tuscany since the 15th century. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 99 (VN) | $410.00 | |||||
Vinous (99)The 2019 Siepi continues a trend towards greater finesse and nuance in this wine. Crème de cassis, lavender, spice, licorice and plum meld together effortlessly in the glass. Dense and layered, with striking detail, the 2019 is so impressive. The flavors are bright, bold and punchy. An exceptionally beautiful and riveting wine, the 2019 is rich and concentrated, but not at all heavy. What a total knock-out. |
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Loire | 1 | 93 (VN) | $311.00 | |||||
Vinous (93)Produced from a flint site that needed to be blown up to make the terroir and made from relatively young vines, this is initially a tender and supple style with a whiff of gunsmoke/flint, a taut line of precision that runs through its core, a mere hint of green herbs reminding you that Pouilly is a Sauvignon producer and even a hint of white pepper. It's a powerful style that has an attractive sense of bitterness holding it together. At just 13%, this is wonderfully balanced, aromatic and driven in this vintage. You may even feel this sense of spice that warms the palate, almost like you've had a warming Indian curry - it's not the alcohol but something else - maybe it's the lint. Unique and intriguing. |
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Bordeaux | 4 | 98 (WCI) | $609.00 | |||||
The Wine Cellar Insider (98)Deep and shiny in color, tobacco leaf, cedar wood, pencil shavings and dark fruits appear with no effort at all. Full bodied, lively, vibrant and juicy fruits, this wine is long and intrepid with a strong tannic backbone. The tannins are perfectly polished and there is an established purity of fruit and a structure to age for decades. Like all the top vintages of Montrose, you will need to allow it time in the cellar, at least 10 to15 years, which in the world of Montrose is almost forward. The wine was made from blending 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, reaching 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.65. The Grand Vin was made from 37% of the harvest, which took place September 12 to September 29. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (JD) | $676.05 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (100)You can put the 2010 Château Mouton Rothschild up with the crème de la crème of this great vintage, and it shows the more masculine, structured style of the year while bringing that classic Mouton opulence and sexiness. Blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, graphite, and spring flower notes all shine here, and this beauty is full-bodied, has a flawlessly layered, balanced mouthfeel, and a blockbuster finish. This is classic Mouton magic, and it’s one of the most textured, seamless wines out there. Drink 2025-2050. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) | $441.00 | |||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)"The hardest wine to make," says Andrea Mullineux of this Chenin Blanc from a nutrition-poor vineyard on the Kasteelbeg. But the effort is certainly worth it. Showing aromas of white flowers and gunflint, it has amazing focus, salinity and depth with linear acidity and notes of green apple, kitchen spices and umami. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) | $501.00 | |||||
Tim Atkin MW (97)My pick of the three top Mullineux Syrahs in 2018, this world-class red is the most perfumed and alluring of the trio right now. Combining fruit from the Kasteelberg and Roundstone, this has violet and lavender aromas, some sap and grip from 100% whole bunches, incredible focus and grip and a plush, seductive mid palate. |
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Burgundy | 2 | 93-95 (BH) | $620.00 | |||||
Burghound (93-95)Very ripe aromas of cassis, black berry liqueur, violet and anise precede the equally broad-shouldered flavors that also coat the palate with dry extract on the powerful, hugely long and very serious finish that is shaped by a markedly firm tannic spine. This is a buy and forget you own it wine as I would suggest not touching a bottle for at least 10 years. With that said, this is most impressive. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94 (JS) | $568.00 | |||||
James Suckling (94)A red with very deep and intense fruit character, yet rich tannins to back it all up. Full-bodied, layered and powerful. The second wine of Cos d’Estournel is serious again in 2016. Try from 2025. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | - | $676.00 | |||||
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The 2016 Palmer Historical XIX, a vintage now widely recognised as one of the greatest vintages in modern times in both Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley. Jancis Robinson suggests that 2016 is “the best Bordeaux vintage I will probably ever taste” across her extensive career as a Master of Wine.
More Info
Château Palmer was the pinnacle of success in 2016 achieving four perfect 100-point scores, giving Bordeaux collector’s even more reason than normal to eagerly add this sought-after wine to their collection. This wine offers a rare, unique and fascinating historical insight into the history of Bordeaux. It is a collector’s gem, with around 4,500 bottles made. |
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Rhone | 3 | 18+ (MJ) | $187.00 | |||||
Matthew Jukes (18+)Yet another beautiful 2020, Thalabert is deep, dark and brooding in this vintage, and it has an almost Italianate liquorice and black-fruited theme underpinning its Syrah characters. This makes it an indulgent treat, and the palate is more velvety and forward than any young Thalabert I have tasted. In addition, it has the stuffing to age well, too. What more could you ask for? |
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Bordeaux | 12 | 100 (VN (AG)) | $491.00 | |||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)The 2020 Pavie Macquin is sensational. Rich, dark and explosive, the 2020 balances the natural richness that is such a signature of the estate with a level of energy and vibrancy I have not seen here in the recent past. The result is a towering, imposing Pavie Macquin that hugely delivers. In this vintage, regisseur Nicolas Thienpont did not use the Cabernet Sauvignon, so the blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with the Franc lending aromatic presence, energy and depth. What a total knock out! |
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Galicia | 3 | - | $333.00 | |||||
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Pazo Senorans Rias Baixas Albarino Seleccion Anada 2012 is the latest released vintage of the wonderful white, and we can rest assured that it is a wine of immense personality. Awarded 98 points from the Peñin Guide, the leading wine magazine in Spain, this sings with fascinating notes of “white fruit, citrus fruit, fine lees, petrol”. It possesses a richly flavourful and elegant palate ending with a lengthy finish.
More Info
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) | $196.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)So aromatic with crushed currants, raspberries and blackberries with hints of graphite and lead pencil. Full-bodied and very tight with beautiful tannins and a long, flavorful finish. The tannins really build at the end of the palate. Try from 2024. |
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South Australia | 1 | 20 (JR) | $1,985.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (20)Delivers absolutely everything you want from Grange: the fruit is knee-weakeningly gorgeous, the oak fits in beautifully, and there's endless length that gives a thoughtful, engaging aftertaste. |
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South Australia | 3 | 96 (JS) | $134.00 | |||||
James Suckling (96)A very fresh, piercing nose of sliced lemon with plenty of sweet perfume, too. The palate is similarly intense and vibrant with white stone-fruit and lemon flavors, delivered in an impressively intense and balanced mode. Drink or hold. Screw cap. |
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