Jancis Robinson (16)

Cask sample. Quite sweet and ripe on the nose. I’m not sure I would pick this as a Chablis blind! Really quite rich with a streak of green and it finishes rather suddenly. It certainly has weight… A big Chablis.

Wine Advocate (96-98)

The more backward of the 2021s was the 2021 Finca Dofí, which was very primary and smelled almost like the fermentation vessels, and it took time in the glass to open up. The blend is higher in Garnacha, and they couldn't use the Picapoll as it didn't work well that cool year, so it's 90% Garnacha, 9% Cariñena and 1% white grapes. It achieved 14.5% alcohol but kept better freshness than in 2020, a constant in the 2021 wines. Very promising. They expect 24,000 bottles. It should be bottled around April 2023.

Wine Advocate (94-96)

The blend of the 2021 Gratallops was higher in Cariñena than in the 2020 (25%), which resulted in a wine with a lower pH (3.37), the tendency that makes the 2021s more vibrant. They used some 40% full clusters for the fermentation (rather than adding the stems like in the past). The wine has acid berry freshness; and right now it's a bit difficult with the tannins and the acidity, but one more year of élevage should make it more polished. It should be long-lived and fresh. The expect some 17,300 bottles to be filled around April 2023.

Indulge your palate with the exquisite Baettig Vino de Vinedo Los Parientes Pinot Noir 2021. This divine Chilean red exhibits complexities of fine Burgundy. Crafted in the revered Casablanca Valley, this gem retains the region's distinct cool-climate characteristics. The skilled baettig family meticulously vinify small batches, using native yeasts and minimal interventionist approach to retain authenticity. Maturation takes place in French oak barrels, imbuing the wine with elegant textural depth.

The result is a luscious expression of Pinot Noir. Delicate undertones of ripe raspberries and strawberries mingle with soft floral notes. Undertones of forest floor and sweet spices further elevate its sophistication. A truly balanced bottle, boasting bright acidity juxtaposed to velvety tannins. This is wine-de-vigneron eloquently portraying the artisanal spirit of Baettig Vino de Vinedo Los Parientes Pinot Noir 2021. A heavenly libation for discerning wine lovers.

James Suckling (97)

Linear drive to this medium-bodied wine now, offering dark berries, mushrooms and some flowers and spices. Tight and racy. Drink or hold.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)

Graphite, smoke, savory herbs, tobacco and licorice all meld together in a huge, powerful, structured wine. Layers of fruit cover every inch of the palate in a dark, brooding wine endowed with serious intensity. Today, the 2010 is absolutely striking in its beauty. Always a big, tannic wine, the 2010 Pluribus is one of the most elegant and refined Cabernet Sauvignons I have ever tasted from this site. The intensely savory, mineral notes typical of the wine are there, but the 2010 also has a level of purity in its fruit that is striking. This is a stunning wine from BOND.

James Suckling (91)

Very pale apricot color with aromas of peaches, sliced apples, jasmine, wet stones and watermelon. It's medium-bodied with bright acidity and succulent layers of ripe fruit. Juicy and packed with flavor, yet fresh and elegant. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

Vinous (92)

The 2010 Chambolle-Musigny is fantastic. It boasts incredible aromatic complexity, gorgeous textural finesse and seemingly endless layers of fruit. Suave yet firm tannins support the fruit through to the highly attractive, delineated finish. This is a great way to start a survey of the domaine's 2010s.

James Suckling (98)

A firm and vivid Champagne with a precise, focused palate. Full-bodied and dry. It’s very layered and bright with light pineapple, peach, praline, cooked-apple and stone aromas and flavors. It’s very subtle and focused at the end. Integrated with richness and high acidity. Good depth. Reminds me of the 1995. Very clean. Solid. Lovely to drink already, but will age nicely.

James Suckling (100)

The nose is phenomenal with perfect aromas of Cabernet Sauvignon with currant bush, blackberries and minerals. A pure expression of Cab. The palate is perfect with a full body, but has perfectly integrated tannins with a texture like the finest cashmere. It's strong but noble with perfect form and beauty. All in harmony. A fabulous wine that everyone who loves Bordeaux should have a bottle or case of. Better in 2020.

James Suckling (97)

A hint of flint and gunpowder with waxed lemon, oyster shell, mango and salted green apples. Quite a textured, saline expression of chardonnay with tangy flavors and a mineral drive. Full-bodied and reductive with phenolic support. Savory, saline and mouthwatering finish. Love the austerity here. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (95)

Attractively briny nose with some cooked lemons, hot stone minerals, yeast, juniper and a hint of bread crust and almonds. Full-bodied yet bright and slightly phenolic on the palate with excellent freshness and power. Transparent, dry and saline in the finish. Delicious and super drinkable. Drink or hold.

Real Review (97)

Intense, dense wine with cassis, blueberry, blackberry, dark chocolate, mixed spice and nutty oak flavours. Concentrated wine that is beautifully structured making it accessible now but with obvious potential

James Suckling (94)

Very complex aromas of ripe berries, sultanas, cedar and hints of chocolate. Full-bodied with round, ripe tannins that are layered and fresh. A delicious combination of mature fruit and mahogany add to the complexity of the wine. Holding on really nicely. Drink or hold.

Vinous (88-90)

The 2021 Chassagne-Montrachet Vergers 1er Cru just misses the mineralité expressed by other cuvées on the nose - a little one-dimensional by comparison. The palate is better with fine "bite" on the entry, moderate depth, perhaps just needing a little more precision on the finish.

Wine Advocate (96)

From an iconic vintage that gave generously to all grape varieties across almost all of Tuscany, this wine ranks high on the Fontodi billboard of greatest hits. The 2010 Flaccianello della Pieve is a rock solid wine that sits firm and begins to peel slowly, each delicate layer at a time. It puts on quite a show with a solid core of dark fruit followed by smoke, spice, tar, licorice and delicate blue flower. On previous tastings of this vintage, I had scored it 97 and 97+ points, respectively. I'm going down one point at this sitting because the wine's fiber has unraveled, ever so slightly, at the edges. It still maintains that solid core, but the wine has taken an important jump forward in its evolution these past three years. Evidently, it is currently in a phase of relaxation and unwinding. Beautifully polished notes of Mediterranean herb and dried mint appear on the long, glossy finish. Giovanni Manetti compares the 2010 vintage to 2006 but considers this vintage slightly more approachable overall.

Vinous (94)

The 2021 Teroldego Sgarzon is an elegant beauty. Roses and cloves complement bright cherries and strawberries. It's silky to the core, balancing sweet red fruits and acidity, creating a perfectly harmonious red. The Sgarzon finishes remarkably fresh yet potent and long, with a framing of gentle tannins, and licorice and mineral hints that linger on. The 2021 is quite possibly the prettiest interpretation of Sgarzon to date.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2010 Nuits St. Georges Les Chaignots wraps around the palate with layers of black fruit, spices and menthol. It shows fabulous depth and richness in a relatively full-bodied, opulent style for the domaine. It comes across as quite open and ready for business, although it is hard for me to see this not shutting down in bottle.

Vinous - Neal Martin (97)

Two bottles of the 2010 Grand Puy-Lacoste were opened, the first showing just a little oxidation. The second has an attractive minty bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit laced with subtle marine/seaweed notes, a touch of graphite developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive tension and wonderful freshness right from the start. There is a sense of coiled up energy here and the finish just leaves you breathless. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

Vinous (93)

The 2021 Morgon Côte du Py, matured in used barrels, has a more complex bouquet than the Corcelette: a melange of red and black fruit, potpourri/lavender, and a faint hint of curry leaf that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a fine backbone considering the growing season. This is very fresh and saline with quite a strict finish. You could attempt this now though I would be intrigued to age this for another two or three years before broaching.

Immerse yourself in the splendour of the Jerome Chezeaux Nuits-Saint-Georges 2021, a masterful impartation of the viticultural excellence of Burgundy, France. Crafted with delicate precision by esteemed vintner, Jerome Chezeaux, each drop is a testament to the region's reputable terroir. The grapes are heartily plucked from robust Pinot Noir vines, bearing the mark of their home with minute evidence of limestone and clay.

The winemaking process is a blend of tradition and innovation, with controlled fermentations in temperature managed cellars. The wine then rests for eighteen months in oak barrels, fostering a robust and expressive character that rings with undeniable sophistication. Jerome Chezeaux Nuits-Saint-Georges 2021 grabs the palate with an enviable complexity, their signature style. Expect a ballet of dark berry fruits, set off by earthy undertones and a touch of spice.

Relish the Jerome Chezeaux Nuits-Saint-Georges 2021, an eventful trip to the heart of authentic French winemaking.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2021 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese is concentrated and fresh on the aromatic nose that is immediately present but also still reductive. Ripe stone fruit aromas intermingle with notes of crushed stones on a deep foundation of aromas from the soil and the fruit of old vines. On the palate, the 2021 is very fine but also intense, savory, saline and lush, leading to a long, intense and highly digestible finish with crunchy and cleansing slate features. Again, this is a fabulous Auslese from Prüm's iconic Sonnenuhr. 7% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in May 2023.

James Suckling (98)

Fresh blueberries and brambleberries take center stage, which is striking for a wine of this age. There are also lots of roasted herbs, such as sage, not to mention floral elements, including lavender and dried violets. Then come cedar, sandalwood and tar. The tannins are incredibly round and soft, without the slightest hint of anything dry. This is among the most elegant of Riojas, where the acidity is wonderfully pronounced and cuts right through any touch of dried fruit. Long and powerful, yet subtle on the finish. Drink now, or hold for a very long time.

James Suckling (98)

Fresh blueberries and brambleberries take center stage, which is striking for a wine of this age. There are also lots of roasted herbs, such as sage, not to mention floral elements, including lavender and dried violets. Then come cedar, sandalwood and tar. The tannins are incredibly round and soft, without the slightest hint of anything dry. This is among the most elegant of Riojas, where the acidity is wonderfully pronounced and cuts right through any touch of dried fruit. Long and powerful, yet subtle on the finish. Drink now, or hold for a very long time.

James Suckling (100)

This red shows such beautiful and ripe aromas of blackberries, orange peel, hazelnuts, and tropical fruits. It's full-bodied, with superb texture of polished tannins that are velvety. The length last for minutes. It's muscular yet elegant. It flexes it muscle yet pulls them back. What gorgeous tone to this young red. Try in 2020.

James Suckling (96)

Loads of tension and form. It can be cellared for decades, but it’s balanced and beautiful already. Lots of blueberry, licorice and blackberry character. Try in 2018.

Jancis Robinson (16.5)

Laroque is a sizeable estate, but less than half of its 61 hectares is deemed worthy of inclusion in this, the grand vin. It’s a blend of 87% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, with just a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon, from the estate’s older vines. Very dark crimson. Pretty smart and rewarding, and very obviously right-bank Merlot. Spicy but with good appetising freshness on the end.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2021 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese (Golden Capsule) opens with a coolish nose with ethereal/herbal and delicate citrus fruit aromas as well as very fine slate notes. Juicy, quite dense and intense on the palate, this is a mouth-filling and textured Spätlese that is still somewhat greenish on the finish that has healthy phenolic grip and excellent aging potential. This is a Sonnenuhr Spätlese that shouldn't be served too early. There are complex talents in this 2021, but they need time to develop class and finesse. 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in May 2023.

James Suckling (99)

Marvelous aromas of crushed berries, tobacco, cedar and mushrooms. Some dried cheese. Then turns to flowers. Very complex. Full and intense with fantastic depth and power. It goes on for minutes. It is a wine that exudes tradition but gives a sense of modernity with precise winemaking. Two years in oak, one in concrete and three or four in bottle. Drink on release and age onwards.