Offers
Offers
-
Wine Enthusiast (98)
As the first 100% biodynamic Cristal, entirely from Roederer-owned vineyards, this is an important milestone. This latest incarnation is a great Champagne with its density, elegance and poise. Still impressively young, the wine is taut, tightly wound and textured. At the same time, it has pure, ripe white and citrus fruits that are perfumed, and an important part of this wine's long-term future. Drink at the earliest from 2023.$1,190.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (99)
The 2013 Cristal (magnum) is outrageously beautiful. A Champagne of stature and pure breeding, the 2013 is so impressive from the big bottle. There is a timelessness to Cristal in magnum that is so special in how the wine ages at the most gradual pace. The purity of the fruit is striking, as is the added touch of mid-palate richness from extended time on the lees in magnum. Sweet floral and chalk notes run through a core of layered citrus and orchard fruits, all framed by the silkiest of contours. Disgorged 2024.$1,340.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Sourced from 39 plots, the 2014 Champagne Cristal is 60% Pinot Noir and the remainder Chardonnay, with 32% aged in oak, and it has 7 grams per liter dosage. It is highly expressive of classic elegance and purity, revealing aromas of crushed rock, almond croissant, and perfume of citrus blossoms. The palate is hyper-refined in its mousse, with pinpoint bubbles, a subtly rounded mid-palate, an irresistible chalky texture, and energy throughout its long and floral finish. Everything about this feels perfectly tailored. Drink 2024-2044.$1,255.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
The finest rendition of this cuvée that Lécaillon has produced to date—and, indeed, one of the finest wines produced by any of Champagne's important houses in the last two or three decades—is the 2008 Cristal Rosé, a brilliant wine that derives from a mere four of the 45 plots that are candidates for inclusion in Cristal: two blocks of Pinot Noir from Aÿ, one of Chardonnay from Mesnil and another from Avize, and I suspect that its origin in the crème de la crème of Roederer's Cristal-worthy holdings has even more to do with the extra dimension it possesses above and beyond its white counterpart than the delicate infusion of Pinot Noir phenolics that give it its delicate pink hue. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of wild strawberries, tangerine, warm pastry and crisp green orchard fruit, the 2008 is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a racy but beautifully integrated spine of acidity, a multidimensional core and a searingly chalky and laser-focused finish. Impeccably balanced and harmonious, this superb wine represents one of the qualitative peaks of this great vintage. It will be seven or eight years until it truly starts to blossom, but its benchmark quality is already glaringly apparent.$2,435.00 -
Vinous (97)
A wine of sublime delicacy and finesse, the 2009 Cristal Rosé is simply magnificent. The 2009 is surprisingly refined, silky and nuanced for a wine from a warm vintage. The red and floral-infused overtones are quite attractive, but it is the wine's exceptional balance that places it among the best new releases of the year. Over the years, I have had the chance to taste many vintages of Cristal Rosé, a Champagne that needs bottle age to be at its very best. I suspect that will be the case here as well. Don't miss it.$1,325.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Just about as good as it gets, the 2012 Cristal Rosé is a magical effort based on 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay. It’s a powerful, medium to full-bodied, incredibly textured rosé offering a huge amount of salty, chalky minerality as well as awesome notes of white cherries, orange blossom, caramelized apples, and toasted bread. It shows the ripe, rounded richness of the 2012 vintage yet has bright, racy acidity, perfect balance, and a great, great finish. It opens up nicely with air and will ideally be given 2-4 years of bottle age, and it should evolve for 2-3 decades.$1,215.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
The 2013 Cristal Rosé from Louis Roederer is one of the most complete wines to be found in Champagne in this vintage, so utterly pure and precise that I would run the risk of exhausting superlatives trying to express its clarity. Displaying a pale hue, it soars from the glass with a bouquet of kaleidoscopic complexity, featuring notes of tangerine zest, raspberry and rose petals mingling with peeled almonds and spices. Enjoyed from magnum, disgorged in February 2024, the wine’s persistent palate offers a bright, vibrant core of fruit, refined mousse and fine-boned structure, with racy and fresh acidity and a long, chalky finish. “With 2013, I was confident from day one, which was not the case with 2008,” recalls Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, and the result in the glass precludes any argument about it—the 2013 Cristal Rosé is a wine that’s structurally complete, deep and multifaceted, even more spectacular than the white 2013 Cristal. When I asked William Kelley why he gave 99 points to 2013 if he rated the 2008 Cristal Rosé with 100, he for a moment insisted to me that it was the other way around.$1,215.00 -
(1x150cl) 2002James Suckling (99)
An extraordinary champagne experience that you’ll never forget! Tons of white chocolate on the savory nose pulls you into this concentrated and chalky champagne with rich candied citrus and mirabelle fruit. So much oily umami complexity right through the huge breathtakingly vivid finish. Just 10% of each vintage of Cristal gets the extra years of aging for release as Vinotheque. Tasted at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023. Drink or hold.$2,285.00 -
(1x75cl) 2002James Suckling (99)
An extraordinary champagne experience that you’ll never forget! Tons of white chocolate on the savory nose pulls you into this concentrated and chalky champagne with rich candied citrus and mirabelle fruit. So much oily umami complexity right through the huge breathtakingly vivid finish. Just 10% of each vintage of Cristal gets the extra years of aging for release as Vinotheque. Tasted at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023. Drink or hold.$1,145.00 -
(1x150cl) 1990James Suckling (98)
This now has such a concentrated nose of toffee, roasted hazelnut, butterscotch, nutmeg, cocoa, spice box, dried fruit, dried apricot and marmalade on toast. Rich and intense, with a mellow and creamy palate. Soft bubbles. Immediate pleasure. Drink now.$670.00 -
(1x150cl) 1995Decanter (98)
A most subtle hint of toastiness is expressed as grilled hazelnut on the rather shy nose. Later on, a hint of crushed lemon balm adds to the citric aroma. The palate has a vivid mousse that carries very bright, vibrant lemon notes to the nose, backed and supported by a chalky depth. That line of acidity is luminous, scented, pure, lasting and rather linear, but it is balanced by notions of riper fruit, ripe Mirabelle plum, even apricot. There is something saline, long, absolutely citrus-focused here; exquisite. There is just so much fruit, which is always framed by citrus. Exquisitely long. Tasted from magnum.$670.00 -
Decanter (98)
A most subtle hint of toastiness is expressed as grilled hazelnut on the rather shy nose. Later on, a hint of crushed lemon balm adds to the citric aroma. The palate has a vivid mousse that carries very bright, vibrant lemon notes to the nose, backed and supported by a chalky depth. That line of acidity is luminous, scented, pure, lasting and rather linear, but it is balanced by notions of riper fruit, ripe Mirabelle plum, even apricot. There is something saline, long, absolutely citrus-focused here; exquisite. There is just so much fruit, which is always framed by citrus. Exquisitely long. Tasted from magnum.$274.00 -
(1x150cl) 1996Decanter (99)
Just hints of smoky lemon play on the nose before a touch of grilled cashew appears, seemingly propelled by lifting scents of smoky lemon zest. Incredibly scented. The palate adds a completely new dimension of flavour with an expressive note of lemon peel that is as salty as it is ripe. A profound note of chalk seems to pull you into the coolest of depths. The mousse still sparkles with lemony brightness, and the legendary 1996 acidity is electric, luminous, incandescent. This is incisive, deliciously uncompromising, wonderfully complex, utterly concentrated yet twirling weightlessly on tiptoe like a prima ballerina. You cannot help but want more of that endless, mouthwatering length. Incredibly youthful and endless. Tasted from magnum.$670.00 -
Decanter (97)
A touch of Mirabelle plum is framed by strident lemon on the nose. Smoky echoes seem to appear with more air, alongside freshly picked chestnut mushrooms. Later on, there is a real note of honey. The palate is bundled in its lemon expression: pure, heightened, linear, alive with lemon zest, almost like freshly squeezed Amalfi lemon juice tempering ripe Mirabelle plums. Yet there are shadows of grilled nuts, of deep chalk, of subtle smokiness - the bubbles still burst, carrying all these flavours. The finish presents a lovely note of peppery rye crumb. A very complex and compelling wine. You want to go back because every time you do, new things happen. Wow. Tasted from magnum.$550.00 -
Decanter (97)
A touch of Mirabelle plum is framed by strident lemon on the nose. Smoky echoes seem to appear with more air, alongside freshly picked chestnut mushrooms. Later on, there is a real note of honey. The palate is bundled in its lemon expression: pure, heightened, linear, alive with lemon zest, almost like freshly squeezed Amalfi lemon juice tempering ripe Mirabelle plums. Yet there are shadows of grilled nuts, of deep chalk, of subtle smokiness - the bubbles still burst, carrying all these flavours. The finish presents a lovely note of peppery rye crumb. A very complex and compelling wine. You want to go back because every time you do, new things happen. Wow. Tasted from magnum.$274.00 -
Decanter (97)
The merest touch of caramel pops up on the nose – or is it a tone of apple with a touch of maple syrup? Later on, lovely smokiness sets a reductive accent. The palate has a very textural presence, a very lively mousse, almost urgent and certainly vivid. That textural element is also expressed in flavours of wet chalk, countering bright lemon and being complemented by rounded ripeness of fruit. The lemony length is endless, mouthwatering, with an edge that is reminiscent of apricot or Mirabelle plum skin, underlining the mouthfeel before that lemon zestiness takes over again on the long finish. Tasted from magnum.$587.00 -
Decanter (97)
The merest touch of caramel pops up on the nose – or is it a tone of apple with a touch of maple syrup? Later on, lovely smokiness sets a reductive accent. The palate has a very textural presence, a very lively mousse, almost urgent and certainly vivid. That textural element is also expressed in flavours of wet chalk, countering bright lemon and being complemented by rounded ripeness of fruit. The lemony length is endless, mouthwatering, with an edge that is reminiscent of apricot or Mirabelle plum skin, underlining the mouthfeel before that lemon zestiness takes over again on the long finish. Tasted from magnum.$259.00 -
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.$161.00 -
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.
Situated west of the village of Wigtown in the Gallovidian countryside, Bladnoch has the distinction of being the southernmost distillery in Scotland - closer to Belfast than Edinburgh - and its spirit in some ways bears a semblance to the softer malts of Ireland, though it eschews the triple distillation practiced by its Irish cousins and other Lowland neighbours.
The classic house style of Bladnoch is gentle and combines a fruit-forward malt profile with elements of spice and earth which celebrate a variety of wood types including the classic PX and Oloroso sherries, with a number of exceptional expressions thriving in less intrusive Bourbon wood for those who prefer the character of the distillate to shine more clearly.
A stop-start attempt to reopen the distillery under independent ownership faltered in the early 2010s but in 2017 the stills at last roared back into life and with new packaging and a vision for the future Bladnoch made a strong statement of intent that they were ready to take centre stage as the top player in the Lowlands. In 2019 they took another step in reinstating Bladnoch as a premier single malt when Dr Nick Savage took over as Master Distiller after previously serving in the same post with none-other than The Macallan.
Extremely rare on the cask market, we have secured a number of new make casks filled in 2019 & 2020 into world class bourbon barrels, sherry hogsheads and a very limited number of Oloroso & PX butts. All produced under the stewardship of Dr. Savage offered below £12 IB per bottle they are incredible value and with the future of the Bladnoch brand being rosy as it is, they offer remarkable upside.$11,345.00 -
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.
Situated west of the village of Wigtown in the Gallovidian countryside, Bladnoch has the distinction of being the southernmost distillery in Scotland - closer to Belfast than Edinburgh - and its spirit in some ways bears a semblance to the softer malts of Ireland, though it eschews the triple distillation practiced by its Irish cousins and other Lowland neighbours.
The classic house style of Bladnoch is gentle and combines a fruit-forward malt profile with elements of spice and earth which celebrate a variety of wood types including the classic PX and Oloroso sherries, with a number of exceptional expressions thriving in less intrusive Bourbon wood for those who prefer the character of the distillate to shine more clearly.
A stop-start attempt to reopen the distillery under independent ownership faltered in the early 2010s but in 2017 the stills at last roared back into life and with new packaging and a vision for the future Bladnoch made a strong statement of intent that they were ready to take centre stage as the top player in the Lowlands. In 2019 they took another step in reinstating Bladnoch as a premier single malt when Dr Nick Savage took over as Master Distiller after previously serving in the same post with none-other than The Macallan.
Extremely rare on the cask market, we have secured a number of new make casks filled in 2019 & 2020 into world class bourbon barrels, sherry hogsheads and a very limited number of Oloroso & PX butts. All produced under the stewardship of Dr. Savage offered below £12 IB per bottle they are incredible value and with the future of the Bladnoch brand being rosy as it is, they offer remarkable upside.$8,680.00 -
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.
Situated west of the village of Wigtown in the Gallovidian countryside, Bladnoch has the distinction of being the southernmost distillery in Scotland - closer to Belfast than Edinburgh - and its spirit in some ways bears a semblance to the softer malts of Ireland, though it eschews the triple distillation practiced by its Irish cousins and other Lowland neighbours.
The classic house style of Bladnoch is gentle and combines a fruit-forward malt profile with elements of spice and earth which celebrate a variety of wood types including the classic PX and Oloroso sherries, with a number of exceptional expressions thriving in less intrusive Bourbon wood for those who prefer the character of the distillate to shine more clearly.
A stop-start attempt to reopen the distillery under independent ownership faltered in the early 2010s but in 2017 the stills at last roared back into life and with new packaging and a vision for the future Bladnoch made a strong statement of intent that they were ready to take centre stage as the top player in the Lowlands. In 2019 they took another step in reinstating Bladnoch as a premier single malt when Dr Nick Savage took over as Master Distiller after previously serving in the same post with none-other than The Macallan.
Extremely rare on the cask market, we have secured a number of new make casks filled in 2019 & 2020 into world class bourbon barrels, sherry hogsheads and a very limited number of Oloroso & PX butts. All produced under the stewardship of Dr. Savage offered below £12 IB per bottle they are incredible value and with the future of the Bladnoch brand being rosy as it is, they offer remarkable upside.$10,550.00 -
James Suckling (99)
Sophisticated aromas of lead pencil, graphite and blackcurrant. Hints of black olives and herbs, too. Full-bodied, yet tight and deep, with super precision and intensity to the tannins. Incredible balance of structure and finesse to this. Give it time in the cellar. Better after 2027.$449.00 -
James Suckling (94)
Lots of blue fruit, graphite and stone aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with tight and linear tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. Punchy, yet fine, suggesting two to four years of bottle will soften the wine.$213.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
I absolutely adore this wine on every emotional and intellectual level. I can still taste it today, weeks after my first sampling. The Luciano Sandrone 2016 Barolo Le Vigne is a stirring and profound expression that pulls on your heartstrings. I found it to be unforgettable, quite literally, inspiring one of those celebrated "wow" moments that we wine lovers so desperately seek in bottle after bottle. Le Vigne is a clever blend of fruit from Baudana in Serralunga d'Alba (offering the power), Villero in Castiglione Falletto (shaping the precision), Vignane in Barolo (adding to the purity of the aromas) and Merli in Novello (that helps to flesh out the fruit). This intersection of various vineyards spanning the appellation creates a pyramid of perfection and beauty. The wine shows large construction, but that fruit weight is balanced against the vivid cherry, spice, aniseed and campfire ash that gently lift from the bouquet.$1,245.00 -
Burghound (89-92)
A moderately toasty nose reflects notes of cassis, wild red currant and soft floral wisps. The sleek, muscular and broad-shouldered flavors make quite a contrast with the slightly skinny and lean finish where the wood toast telegraphed by the nose resurfaces. Again, this may come together but that is far from a certainty.$2,875.00 -
Burghound (93-96)
Ripe aromas include those of plum, dark cherry, warm earth and a whisper of the sauvage. The supple, delicious and dense big-bodied flavors flash enormous power and drive that really builds from the mid-palate to the explosively long and sappy finish where the only nit is a hint of warmth. Note that this is very firmly structured and in need of at least a decade of keeping and should reward almost two.$2,752.00 -
Vinous (94-97)
Good medium ruby. High-pitched violet perfume lifts the aroma of ripe black cherry. Wonderfully suave, intense and refined, with a pungently fresh quality that reminded me of cut grass. This highly concentrated wine has perfectly integrated acidity, as well as a stronger limestone character than usual. In a rather masculine style but also seamless and suave. Finishes with outstanding length and class, the tannins totally buffered by fruit and minerals. Mounir Saouma noted that this wine has been great since the beginning.$3,315.00 -
Burghound (90-93)
Reduction knocks down the underlying fruit though wisps of spice escape the funk. More positively are the racy and highly energetic middle weight flavors that brim with minerality on the markedly firm but balanced and persistent finish that will need to add depth to reach the upper end of my projected range.$2,505.00 -
Burghound (93-95)
This too is firmly reduced. There is almost painful intensity to the beautifully delineated and mineral-driven broad-shouldered flavors that possess a highly refined textured before culminating in an almost crisp, moderately austere and wonderfully persistent finale that is quite firmly structured. This is a bit atypical but no less attractive for it and a Bèze that should amply reward a decade plus of cellaring. Lovely.$2,816.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020Burghound (91-93)
Once again firm reduction buries the fruit and its nuances. There is excellent volume and mid-palate density to the quite full-bodied flavors that possess almost as refined a texture though the underlying muscle seems more obvious on the sappy, austere and built-to-age finale. This is very Baudes in character with its robust yet reasonably refined delivering.$1,020.00
