Vinous (92)

The Chambolle-Musigny Les Cras shows the more sensual, caressing side of the vintage in its layered contours and soft, tender personality. Today, the is voluptuous and expressive, with no hard edges and fabulous overall balance. The Cras isn't super complex, but it is incredibly delicious, even at this early stage.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

1.75 ha (4.3 acres). Higher vineyard than most, facing south-east but cool air comes down the combe. Terres blanches, ie limestone-rich marl. Low-vigour vines here. Theirs were planted 1931, some replanted 2002. 60% whole bunch, 25% new oak. Barrel sample. Deep crimson. Fabulous nose of ripe red fruit with the perfume of peony. Perhaps also a touch of lavender from the whole bunch. Wild flowers and still so much fruit. Much tighter and more strict than Les Combottes, the tannins more upright and less smooth but still very very fine. More stony. 14.2% but you would not know. And that mineral freshness and energy is outstanding even if the wine is less approachable than some. Rich in fruit, mouth-watering in texture and that minerality gives a tight frame to the fruit.

Vinous (94)

The 2019 Chambolle-Musigny Les Cras 1er Cru has one of the more classically-styled, reserved bouquets amongst its flight. Exhibiting more tertiary elements, this is exquisitely defined by presence rather than horsepower. The palate is very well balanced and lush, but not overpowering, with touches of Kirsch and orange rind, and a sprinkling of white pepper. Quite long and with a soupçon of exoticism toward the finish in keeping with the vintage, this is pure class. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.

Wine Advocate (93-95)

The 2015 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Combottes contains around 40% whole bunch this year. It has a very refined bouquet with dark, almost broody black fruit, a touch of cold granite and graphite, austere and yet blessed with exquisite delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with sorbet-like freshness on the entry, here more blue fruit than the Clos de la Bussière with an elegant, poised finish. The word that sprung to mind? Balletic.

Vinous (90+)

The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Village is positively bulging with black and red fruit on the nose of dense blackberry and bilberry; a light marine influence surfaces with time. The palate is well balanced with firm, grippy tannins that feel more robust and slightly drier than the 2019 compared alongside. A little brusque on the finish at the moment; this will require time.

Burghound (92)

I have never been a huge fan of this wine as I often find it to be somewhat coarse, and while always very good, I am rarely moved by it. However, in 2010, as was the case in 2009, this is much better than it usually is with a relatively perfumed nose that includes notes of earth along with the natural sauvage character of the vineyard. In fact there is even a certain elegance to the attractively layered airy and cool red berry liqueur aromas. There is good richness and fine volume to the moderately robust and muscular flavors that culminate in a balanced and linear finish that evidences mild austerity. I quite like this as the tannins are finer than usual and there is a real sense of harmony and completeness.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Dense and vibrant chock full of dark fruit with a fair amount of leathery tannins. Lots of sinew as well as flesh. Very satisfying. Lots of energy.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2019 Morey-Saint-Denis Clos de La Bussière 1er Cru, which includes 55% whole bunch, has a transparent and distinctly marine-influenced, oyster-shell tinged bouquet. It is a little more floral than previous vintages – delicate, even. The palate is medium-bodied with a quite saline, lightly spiced entry. Touches of white pepper and clove develop toward the finish of what is a superior Clos de la Bussière to the 2018. Very promising.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2020 Chambolle-Musigny Les Véroilles 1er Cru has the richest bouquet with traces of cassis and raspberry fruit, intermixed with violet petals. This is showy and generous. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent sweet and fleshy candied red fruit, almost like a sorbet-fresh Grenache, but it is most definitly Pinot with a beautiful silky finish.

Wine Advocate (91-93)

Mingling notions of cherries, plums and red fruit compote with sweet soil tones and spices, the 2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Chatelots is medium to full-bodied, lively and precise, its bright spine of acidity and powdery tannins cloaked in an incipiently textural core of fruit. Barthod elected to include only the fruit from the domaine's old vines in this cuvée, declassifying the rest into the Chambolle-Musigny Village.

Vinous (91-93)

There are also just two barrels of the 2020 Chambolle-Musigny Les Chatelots 1er Cru this year, though this cuvée works better than the Aux Combettes at the moment. There is more fruit concentration on the nose with attractive blackcurrant, wild strawberry and briary scents. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe black cherry and strawberry fruit, fine mineralité and quite a deep, lightly grippy finish. Very fine.

Burghound (90-92)

Exuberantly fresh aromas of essence of various red berries with a broader array of spice notes leads to detailed, even chiseled, lighter weight flavors that exude both energy and minerality on the understated, firm and moderately austere finale.

Wine Enthusiast (93)

92-94 Château Giscours. A delicious, fresh wine, with some new wood, good red and black fruits, ripe tannins and some dense character. The aftertaste leaves fresh acidity.

Experience elegance in every glass with the Glandien La Leux 2021. Handpicked at peak maturity in France's prestigious Glandien vineyards, the grapes are meticulously sorted and fermented using traditional techniques perfected over generations. This distinctive vintage owes its rich and complex character to the superior terroir of the vineyard, which delivers robust, focused grapes.

Renowned for its remarkable finesse and depth, the Glandien La Leux 2021 bears the hallmark of Glandien's expert winemaking prowess –a balance of nuanced flavour and vibrancy. Intense aromas of ripe red berries and delicate floral notes are underpinned by a refined mineral streak, enhanced by a hint of spice. The wine's luxurious palate and lasting, elegant finish echo the meticulous care invested in its creation.

The Glandien La Leux 2021 is an exceptional testament to the passion and dedication of the producer, and simply a must-have for lovers of exquisite fine wine.

Indulge in the superb quality of Glandien Les Ecully 2021, an elegantly complex white originating from the esteemed vineyards in Burgundy, France. Birthed by the heritage Glandien winery, reputed for their exceptional winemaking prowess, this vintage warrants the commendation of any discerning oenophile. The meticulous, traditional approach to vinification ensures an expressive character, deftly combining the crisp freshness of citrus undertones with the buttery richness of biscuit nuances.

Blessed by the favourable 2021 season, the Chardonnay grapes were handpicked at their prime, capturing the essence of the limestone-and-clay terrains to deliver a harmonious minerally profile. Ageing on lees introduces ambrosial elements of toasty vanilla, amplifying the wine's depth and sophistication.

The Glandien Les Ecully 2021 embodies the soul of Burgundy's terroir, presenting a beguiling mosaic of flavours in every sip. This captivating vintage is, indeed, a refined testament to the mastery that defines Glandien's vinticulture.

Vinous (93)

The 2009 Echézeaux wraps around the palate with layers of bright red fruit. This is a beautiful, vibrant 2009 with plenty of upper register notes and energy. Mint, sweet spices and raspberries wrap around the finish. The ripeness of the year comes through but that element is nicely balanced by the wine's focus and energy. My sense is that the 2009 will be even better once it drops some baby fat.

The Gros Frere et Soeur Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Chaumes 2022 is a masterstroke in fine French winemaking from the esteemed Côte de Nuits region, Burgundy. This exquisite Premier Cru red, harvested from acclaimed Les Chaumes vineyard, boasts meticulous vinification - handpicked grapes followed by traditional winemaking methods, detailing rigorous selection and oak-ageing. The producer, Gros Frère et Soeur, carries an esteemed Burgundian lineage, universally respected for its consistent, high-quality terroir-driven wines.

Expect an opulent nose of wild berries, hints of clove, and vital earthiness. Balanced acidity dovetails beautifully with the gracefully concentrated tannins and rich, succulent fruit, encapsulating the essence of Pinot Noir. The Gros Frere et Soeur Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Chaumes 2022 brings together the vineyard's distinctive minerality with robust fruit characters, grounding the wine in its coveted terroir. A sophisticated, cellar-worthy choice for the discerning collector.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (91+)

(64% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot; IPT 74; 13% alcohol): Dark ruby. Deep, brooding nose hints at dark plum, blackcurrant, coffee and lavender accented by cinnamon and nutmeg. Enters bright and fresh, then turns richer in the middle, with accessible plum, herb and coffee flavors persisting nicely on the peppery finish, which features chewy tannins. This is at once more herbal and more forward than the 1995. It's also better than I remember it, and although still quite young it offers plenty of appeal. The wine's harmonious acidity makes it seem lighter-bodied than it is. About 40% of the malolactic fermentation was carried out in barriques, compared to a normal one-third. Note that the label states 12.5% alcohol, but the data given to me by the estate shows 13% alcohol.

This case contains

1x75cl: La Landonne 2019 - 98-100 Jeb Dunnuck
1x75cl: La Turque 2019 - 98-100 Jeb Dunnuck
1x75cl: La Mouline 2019 - 97-100 Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous (96)

Bright purple. Explosive aromas of ripe dark berries, licorice, incense, vanilla and Indian spices, joined by a smoky nuance as the wine opens up. Deeply concentrated yet impressively lively and precise on the palate, offering intense, finely etched black and blue fruit, cherry liqueur and floral pastille flavors complemented by hints of olive paste and star anise. Smoothly blends richness and finesse, offering wonderful clarity and no rough edges. Shows superb energy and thrust on the dark-fruit-dominated finish, which features building tannins that add shape and closing grip.

Wine Advocate (95+)

While the 2014 Cote Rotie La Landonne looked like the pick of the litter from barrel, now that it's in bottle, it's closed down a bit and is showing more of its stemmy, whole-bunch character. Medium to full-bodied, it's the most potent and concentrated of the La Las but considerably less charming at this point in time, with brooding, dark fruit, hints of espresso and black olive on the palate and a chewy, tannic finish. Give it at least 5 years in the cellar before checking in on it.

Wine Advocate (99)

The darkest, most concentrated and tannic of the 2016 La Las, the 2016 Cote Rotie La Landonne boasts hints of smoked meat and scorched coffee on the nose, waves of cassis fruit and hints of olives and herbs. Medium to full-bodied, this is packed with tannin, ripe fruit and intricate nuances of savory complexity. Rich and velvety, with terrific texture and impressive length, it's a sure bet to evolve gracefully for the next 20-25 years.