The Wine Independent (100)

The 2018 Ausone is deep garnet purple in color. There is oak to begin, giving way to a great core of baked black plums, chocolate-covered cherries, licorice, and incense, plus Indian spices and violets. Full-bodied, it is rich, concentrated, and decadent in the mouth, with a fantastic backbone of freshness and velvety tannins, finishing very long and layered.

Decanter (99)

A distinctive bouquet with notes of iodine, flowers, fresh fruit and graphite, but its floral character takes on a dominant role with airing. Gorgeously juicy mouthfeel brimming with energy lengthening a finish that consolidates its profound substance but also reveals surprising subtlety and delicacy. This 2018 is perhaps an atypical Calon Ségur in the context of recent vintages, but it joins the ranks of the great ones and should gain in elegance over time. Cellaring may be required for up to twenty-five years.

Wine Advocate (100)

Another perfect wine is the 2015 Ermitage le Meal Blanc. The most decadent, unctuous and layered in the lineup, with to-die-for notes of white currants, toasted nuts, celery seed and licorice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a huge mid-palate and a refreshing, pure, yet blockbuster finish that just won’t quit. If I had to pick a desert island white, this might be it.

Wine Advocate (100)

Another perfect wine is the 2015 Ermitage le Meal Blanc. The most decadent, unctuous and layered in the lineup, with to-die-for notes of white currants, toasted nuts, celery seed and licorice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a huge mid-palate and a refreshing, pure, yet blockbuster finish that just won’t quit. If I had to pick a desert island white, this might be it.

Wine Advocate (100)

Another perfect wine is the 2015 Ermitage le Meal Blanc. The most decadent, unctuous and layered in the lineup, with to-die-for notes of white currants, toasted nuts, celery seed and licorice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a huge mid-palate and a refreshing, pure, yet blockbuster finish that just won’t quit. If I had to pick a desert island white, this might be it.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2019 Cheval Blanc is a blend of 58% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. 41 out of 53 blocks have had a part to play this year, representing 10 different soil types. The Grand Vin in 2019 represents 82% of production. Deep purple-black in color, it needs a lot of swirling to shake loose fragrant scents of Indian spice, potpourri, star anise, and cardamom, over a core of preserved plums, boysenberries, and charcoal with touches of wood smoke and cracked black pepper. Full-bodied, rich and immediately impactful in the mouth, the layered nuances slowly expand, beautifully framed by ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with cascading savory and earth flavors and lots of lingering mineral notes.

The Wine Independent (100)

Deep garnet in color, the 2016 Cos d'Estournel is quite closed to start, requiring a lot of coaxing to bring out profound notions of creme de cassis, wild blueberries, black cherry compote, and rose oil, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, crushed rocks, and dried lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is both opulent and energetic, revealing loads of perfumed black fruit layers and a plush, polished texture, finishing with epic length and depth.

Domaine des Malandes Chablis Envers de Valmur 2019 is an exquisite beacon of French viticulture hailing from the historic vineyards of Chablis. Produced by the revered winegrowers of Domaine des Malandes, this white wine encapsulates their commitment to upholding the elegance and purity of the terroir. On the nose, expect a medley of vibrant, fruit-driven notes, seamlessly harmonised with delicate minerality; unfolding on the palate with exceptional balance and texture.

Harvested meticulously by hand, the rich Chardonnay grapes of Envers de Valmur are pressed in a pneumatic press to safeguard the natural aromas. Subsequently, alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks and maturation on lees for 12 months ensures depth of character, revealing the nuanced complexity of this emblematic wine.

Perfectly embodying the finesse of Chablis, Domaine des Malandes Chablis Envers de Valmur 2019 is a testament to the passion and precision of genuine Burgundian winemaking.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

The 2014 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru has a detailed bouquet that stops you in your tracks. There is genuine mineraité and tension already locked in here, aromatics that are beautifully focused and almost Richebourg-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin, succinctly interwoven new oak so that you barely notice its presence. It gently fans out towards the poised, tensile finish and by that time you are already won over by this outstanding Grand Cru from Dujac.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

The 2014 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru has a detailed bouquet that stops you in your tracks. There is genuine mineraité and tension already locked in here, aromatics that are beautifully focused and almost Richebourg-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin, succinctly interwoven new oak so that you barely notice its presence. It gently fans out towards the poised, tensile finish and by that time you are already won over by this outstanding Grand Cru from Dujac.

The Wine Cellar Insider (94-96)

Crushed rocks, currants, cherries, flowers, licorice, smoke, cocoa and espresso covers all the bases in the perfume. Elegant and edgy, silky, soft and mineral driven, the fruits show a beautiful purity, freshness and refinement on the palate, leaving you with salty tannins and sweet plums that continue to linger and expand in the finish. The wine is made from a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc.

Vinous (87-89)

The 2019 Bourgogne Rouge comes from vines located in Gilly in the Les Bons Batons lieu-dit. It has a well-defined bouquet of black cherries and crushed strawberry fruit. The palate is succulent on the entry with lightly spiced red fruit. Admirable grip and concentration on the finish. Excellent.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-97)

Medium deep red purple with a little bit of spice. Starts gently then it really swells on the palate. All is at the back of the palate with a really classy finish, perfect tension, a very elegant Chambertin.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

Because 2011 was a challenging vintage for Champagne, it would be very easy to over-generalize, as many readers may have had less than ideal experiences elsewhere. But Krug’s 2011 Champagne Millesime Brut is not your average Champagne. With a rounded nose, it pours a medium golden straw hue and is creamy with aromas of orange blossoms, custard, fresh pear, hazelnut, and delicate smoky incense. Medium to full-bodied and refined on the palate, it has a rounded and pristine profile, with ripe, balanced fruit floating through the palate, a pinpoint mousse, and a delicate hint of almond skin on the finish that I would expect to become more pronounced with age. Following the more tension-driven vintage of 2008, which was characterized by a more high-toned and lemon-tinged profile, this wine will be accessible sooner (probably also the case for the future release of 2012) and will undoubtedly provide an open window for drinking over the coming 15 to 20 years. Drink 2028-2048. Krug ID: 322038

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

Bottled end of February/early in March, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is incredible stuff, and while I suspect it’s the best vintage to date, it’s going to be great comparing it to bottles of the 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2015 over the coming 15+ years. This beauty offers a thrilling blend of kirsch, blackberries, smoked earth, graphite, and licorice on the nose. It's full-bodied, deep, pure, ultra-fine, and powerful on the palate and flirts with perfection. It’s a tour de force in Grenache that readers need to snatch up!

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

I was blown away by the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Chaupin, a 100% Grenache release that comes almost exclusively from the Chaupin lieu-dit in the northern part of the appellation. It's never as inky-hued or powerful as the Vieilles Vignes but always screams Grenache with its sexy, ripe, seamless, and remarkably elegant style. The 2020 offers a translucent ruby/purple hue as well as incredible aromatics of blackberries, black raspberries, peppery garrigue, herbes de Provence, and flowers, and it opens up nicely with time in the glass. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, it has silky tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. I finished my note with "a Grenache lover's dream." This is up with the finest vintages produced and will evolve for 15+ years.

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion has a sophisticated, very detailed bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, cedar and graphite. This is very focused and yet at the same time quite controlled and discrete. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, cedar and touches of allspice. I love the depth of this wine and the gentle grip towards the finish. It knows not to push too hard in this growing season and that results in a very classy wine. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Vinous (90)

Persistant tiny bubbles, aromas of lemon pie, lemon curd and a touch of herb and flint. In the mouth, it’s warm and generous. Clementine, grapefruit and pear, with bright swirling acidity. Balanced with a creaminess on the clean finish. Very good value. The blend is 60% Chenin, 20% Chardonnay and 20% Cabernet Franc. Spends 2 years on the lees, with11 grams dosage.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2017 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is another gorgeous wine in this range. Cabernet Sauvignon flavors are really popping today in a wine that is rich, deep and super-expressive. Iron, sweet red cherry, mint, dried flowers and white pepper all run through this gorgeous second wine from Smith Haut Lafitte. The 2017 could use a few years in bottle to fully come together, as the tannins are pretty fierce today. Quite frankly the Le Petit Haut Lafitte could challenge many grand vins in 2017.

Indulge your senses with the impeccable 'Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2020', heralding from the renowned vineyards of Southern Rhone, France. This red gem is expertly crafted by Le Vieux Donjon, a small-scale producer beholden for their expressive, opulent wines. Balancing tradition with innovation, this unique vintage traverses conventional vinification, expertly fermented in large oak foudres and aged in used barrels for a distinctive complexity.

The result is a robust, full-bodied blend where Grenache predominates, married with Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. Emanating aromatic richness of blackberries, kirsch, and peppery spices with a touch of garrigue, the Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2020 expresses an elegant concentration of flavours, veiled in velvety tannins - a testimony to the mastery of winemaking. Limited production retains exclusive magnificence, making this wine, a real connoisseur's treasure.

Experience the quintessence of fine wine with the Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2020. A symphony of taste awaits.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)

Brilliant Poyferré, deep ruby colour, setting the scene for ink, campfire, espresso, mint, cassis and damson. Concentrated but with a delicious balance, this feels effortless and is truly a wine for Bordeaux lovers to seek out. Harvest September 14 to October 5. 80% new oak, 52hl/h yields, biggest since 2004, with more 1st wine than usual because the old Cabernet Sauvignon plots gave quality and quantity (after three low quantity years). Alix Combes new vineyard manager, replacing long time manager Bruno Clenet.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-98)

A fine crimson colour. The bouquet is immediately appealing showing a distinction not yet apparent in the Chapelle-Chambertin, though that will come. This is the more structured of the two, possibly even a little bit stern, but with a wealth of high-class fruit behind where the refinement begins to show. Drink from 2032-2040+. Tasted: October 2023.

James Suckling (98-99)

Wow. Blackcurrants, blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Full-bodied with beautifully integrated tannins that melt into the wine. Persistent and precise. A fantastic wine for the cellar. 66% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.

James Suckling (99)

There is ripeness and opulence to this, in an almost exotic and sassy way. Crushed berries with chocolate and spice. Floral and cashmere undertones. This starts off slowly and just rolls off the palate with beautifully polished tannins and a salty, minerally note to the long, extended tannins. Really brilliant. So classy. Structured. Try after 2025.

Wine Advocate (100)

Surpassing the 2019 and rivaling the 2016 as this estate's finest vintage of the last few decades, the 2020 Montrose is a monument in the making. Wafting from the glass with aromas of violets, dark berries, licorice, loamy soil, black truffle and subtle spices, it's full-bodied, deep and layered, with a seamless, elegantly muscular profile, terrific purity and energy, beautifully powdery tannins and a long, resonant finish. It checks in at 13.7% alcohol, the same as the superb 2009, but it is even deeper, more vibrant and more complex than the 2009. This will be worth a special effort to seek out and only confirms Montrose's status as one of the contemporary M�doc's leading estates and a de facto first growth.

Wine Advocate (99-100)

The 2022 Montrose is such a compelling wine that assigning it a bracketed score seems a mere formality. A brilliant terroir, impeccable viticulture, perfectly timed harvest dates and judicious extraction have aligned to deliver a monument in the making, reminiscent of a far purer, more precise, modern-day version of the 1990 vintage at this address. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, violets, iris, pencil lead and cigar wrapper, it's full-bodied, deep and authoritative, its velvety attack segueing into a layered, elegantly muscular core that's framed by supple, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, resonant finish. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, this only confirms Montrose's status as a de facto first growth and unquestionably one of the contemporary Médoc's very greatest estates.

The Wine Independent (100)

A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Mouton Rothschild has a pH of 3.62 and a very deep purple black color. It is very closed to begin, requiring a lot of swirling to unleash a powerful wall of crème de cassis, juicy black plums, and scents of boysenberries, followed by nuances of star anise, incense, violets, crushed rocks, and camphor, plus emerging iron ore and rose oil hints. The medium to full-bodied palate is densely packed with layer upon layer of black fruit preserves and perfumed floral and exotic spice accents, framed by beautifully ripe, plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with an epically long fruit and mineral firework display. Gorgeous!