| |
Inventory updated: Sat, Dec 06, 2025 11:00 AM cst
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Argentina |
| Bodega Catena Zapata |
2016 |
Catena Alta Historic Rows Malbec |
$39 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2019 |
Adrianna Vyd. Fortuna Terrae Malbec |
$129 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Bodega Chacra |
2018 |
Cincuenta y Cinco Pinot Noir |
$69 |
6 |
|
| |
|
| Altos las Hormigas |
2013 |
Paraje Altamira Malbec |
$60 |
18 |
|
| |
|
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Barde-Haut |
2022 |
St. Emilion  |
$36.99 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 91-93+ (5/2023): Unwinding in the glass with aromas of plums, wild berries, dark chocolate and creamy new oak, the 2022 Barde-Haut is medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a taut, youthfully structured profile and youthfully firm tannins. Exhibiting attractive purity of fruit and tension, gentler extraction would have seen it score higher.
VM 94-96 (5/2023): The 2022 Barde-Haut is gorgeous. Rich and explosive, the 2022 offers up copious notes of blueberry jam, crème de cassis, lavender, mint and licorice, with pretty jasmine overtones that add exotic beauty. The tannins here are often a bit burly, but in the 2022 much of that is softened. This is an impressive showing. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96-98 (5/2023): I was blown away by the quality of the 2022 Château Barde-Haut, and this 80/20 split of Merlot and Cabernet Franc does everything right in the vintage. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as stunning aromatics of cassis, spring flowers, black cherries, and truffle, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness and delivers fine-grained tannins and flawless balance. Pure, bright, and lively, yet also deep, concentrated, and textured, it's a brilliant bottle of wine in the making. |
|
| Ch. Batailley |
2008 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$828.99 |
1 |
|
| |
NM 91 (1/2012): Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. This has a rounded, intense nose with ample brambly black fruit, touch of raspberry leaf and cedar with good definition. Very bright and lively compared to its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy entry. Very supple tannins and a caressing mouthfeel considering the vintage. There are lush ripe red fruits intermingling with sous-bois on the finish. The Merlot if expressive and very attractive here. Just give this a few years to come into its own.
WA 90 (5/2011): Wood spice, earth, black currant and sweet cherry characteristics are found in this elegant, medium to full-bodied, surprisingly rich, well-textured effort. From the bottle, it confirms the high quality I noted two years ago from barrel. More forward than usual for Batailley, it is a dark plum-hued wine that requires 2-4 years of bottle age, but should easily last 15+ years.
WS 90 (12/2011): Nicely firm, with a bold iron streak and lots of cedar embedded into the core of red and black currant fruit and tobacco notes. Focused and long, with a pure beam of fruit driving through the grippy finish. Best from 2013 through 2018. 20,000 cases made. |
|
| Ch. Branaire-Ducru |
2009 |
St. Julien |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (2/2012): Haut couture becomes a wine! This dense purple wine has the tell-tale notes of flowers and pencil shavings, and its broad aromatics are intense and totally captivating. Powerful, rich, and full, but less tannic than the 2005 and more opulent, this is a dazzling Branaire to drink between 2017-2035.
JS 95 (2/2012): Gorgeous aromas of dark berries and wet earth, with hints of graphite. Full body, with juicy, chewy tannins and a long rich, fruity, and succulent finish. Best ever from here. Try in 2019.
VM 93+ (7/2012): Bright, deep ruby. Superripe, brooding aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate and licorice. Sweet, concentrated and fine-grained, with terrific depth to the plush cassis and coffee liqueur flavors. Serious dusty, fine tannins will not stand in the way of early approachability but this wine has the structure for a 20+-year life in bottle.
WS 93 (3/2012): A ripe, chewy, muscular style, with good cut despite the hefty tar, blackberry, roasted fig and singed apple wood notes. The long, anise-stained finish lets the tarry edge play out, though this shows a touch more finesse than some of its colleagues. Best from 2015 through 2025. 12,000 cases made.
NM 92 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Branaire Ducru ‘09 seems more forward than other wines, a touch of VA informing the sweet red fruits. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly jammy redcurrant and cranberry fruit laced with soy. The finish is missing some of the tension and purity of its peers although it appears to meliorate in the glass. |
|
|
2018 |
St. Julien |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 97 (1/2021): Very attractive aromas of currants, tile and sandalwood with black and red currants. It’s full-bodied with a tight, dense center-palate that remains closed in and tight. Yet there is underlying seriousness and length to this. Perhaps the greatest Branaire-Ducru ever made. Try after 2026.
VM 96 (3/2021): The 2018 Branaire-Ducru is every bit as captivating as it was en primeur. Ripe, silky tannins give the 2018 a striking air of sensuality that only grows as the wine sits in the glass. Succulent red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint, spice and gravel inflections all open more over time. Even with all of its natural radiance, Branaire remains a model of grace. It is unquestionably one of the under the radar wines of the year. Antonio Galloni.
JD 94 (3/2021): A beautiful Saint-Julien, the 2018 Château Branaire-Ducru reveals a deep purple color as well as ample, earthy cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with sous bois, earth, lead pencil, and cedar. With that classic Saint-Julien pure fruit, sumptuous aromas and flavors, sweet yet present tannins, and a solid spine of acidity, it's going to need 5-7 years to hit maturity yet should keep for 20-25 years or more. I don't think it's going to match the blockbuster 2009 (it's more in the pretty, elegant style of the 2016), but it's a gorgeous, elegant wine you will love to have in the cellar.
WS 94 (3/2021): Pure and driven, with expressive cassis and plum puree aromas and flavors carried by a graphite edge and backed with applewood, licorice root and tobacco notes. Lovely energy throughout. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2037. 18,000 cases made.
WA 93 (3/2021): The 2018 Branaire-Ducru has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and an upfront, expressive nose of baked black plums, boysenberries and Morello cherries with an undercurrent of dried mint, spice box and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate packs a very pleasant fruit wallop, featuring juicy black fruits and a firm, grainy frame, finishing long with lovely purity. |
|
|
2019 |
St. Julien |
$53.95 |
10 |
|
| |
WA 95 (4/2022): The 2019 Branaire-Ducru unwinds in the glass with aromas of raspberries, blackcurrants, sweet soil tones and hints of cigar wrapper, rose petals and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's youthfully tightly wound, with terrific concentration, tangy acids, powdery tannins and a long, saline finish. While this is a little reserved out of the gates, its energy and classical proportions will richly reward bottle age.
JD 94-96 (6/2020): Beautiful blue fruits, tobacco, damp earth, and floral notes all emerge from the 2019 Château Branaire-Ducru. It's medium to full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, has silky tannins, and shows the quality of the vintage perfectly. A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and cruise for two decades or more. It reminds me of the 2009.
VM 94 (2/2022): The 2019 Branaire-Ducru is one that I was eager to re-taste in bottle. Deep in color, it has a very well-defined nose of tightly packed dark berries, the tobacco element less obvious than before, and slightly more floral, with light sous-bois notes developing with aeration. The 60% new oak is neatly integrated. The palate shows real vivacity and tension on the entry and delivers crunchy black fruit, touches of blue fruit and a little iodine. Sappy from start to finish, this has a real saline tang that urges you back for another sip. There is definitely is more substance compared to previous vintages, and I wager that this represents the best Branaire-Ducru in recent years. |
|
|
2020 |
St. Julien |
$49.95 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 93+ (3/2023): Showing beautifully, the deeper purple/ruby-hued 2020 Château Branaire-Ducru offers a deep, masculine bouquet of blackcurrants, plums, smoked tobacco, and iron. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, nicely balanced Saint-Julien with plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, integrated tannins, and a great finish. Give bottles 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more.
WA 91-93+ (5/2021): The 2020 Branaire-Ducru displays a deep garnet-purple color and pronounced blackcurrant cordial, plum preserves and boysenberries scents, plus hints of sauteed herbs, unsmoked cigars and graphite. The medium-bodied palate has a lot of verve, delivering appealing tension among the tightly wound black fruits and grainy tannins, finishing with an herbal lift.
JS 93-94 (4/2021): A polished, creamy red with blue fruit, such as blackcurrants, and pretty, ripe and fine tannins that fill your mouth. |
|
|
2022 |
St. Julien |
$59 |
9 |
|
| |
JD 95-97 (5/2023): An absolute gem of a Saint-Julien, the 2022 Château Branaire-Ducru clocks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Pure cassis, black raspberries, spicy wood, and dried flower notes all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a silky, elegant, beautifully balanced mouthfeel, and terrific tannins. In addition, it has a sense of freshness and purity that keeps you coming back to the glass. It's clearly the finest wine I've tasted from this château, which going forward merits serious attention.
VM 94-96 (5/2023): The 2022 Branaire-Ducru is a powerhouse, almost unnaturally so for this Saint-Julien, which is usually a more understated wine. A blast of dark plum fruit makes a pretty strong first impression. Licorice, cloves, spice, menthol and chocolate fill out the layers. Readers should expect a concentrated, virile Saint-Julien with compelling aromatic presence. In this warm, low-yielding vintage, Branaire is quite the brooding powerhouse. It will be interesting to see if more finesse develops in time. Impressive. Tasted two times. Antonio Galloni.
WA 95-97 (5/2023): A brilliant wine that's the finest young vintage I've tasted at this Saint-Julien estate, the 2022 Branaire-Ducru wafts from the glass with aromas of violets, blackberries, sweet cassis, licorice and pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional palate that's succulent, sapid and perfumed, framed by supple tannins and concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. It's a blend of 60.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.5% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Petit Verdot that checks in at a healthy pH of 3.65. Why is it so good this year? In addition to the quality of the vintage, the new gravity-flow winery means fruit can be handled more gently, and picked more precisely, sub-block by sub-block, as the team now have fully 63 vats at their disposal, almost double their capacity through 2020. Given the Maroteaux family's sensible approach to pricing, this is likely to number among the must-purchase wines of the 2022 vintage, and it comes warmly recommended. |
|
| Ch. Brane-Cantenac |
2015 |
Margaux |
$105 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 96 (2/2018): The 2015 Brane-Cantenac is powerful, structured and explosive in feel. A deep, resonant wine, the 2015 boasts off the charts ripeness allied to formidable structure and tannic heft. I imagine the 2015 is going to need a number of years to become approachable and more than that to be at its best. The dark stone fruit, smoke, tobacco, spice and leather flavors pack a huge punch, but it is the wine's balance that places it among the elite on the Left Bank in 2015. Brane-Cantenac is a total pleasure bomb. I can't wait to taste it with a little bottle age. Antonio Galloni.
JD 94 (11/2017): The 2015 Château Brane-Cantenac checks in as a mix of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Carmenere brought up in roughly 75% new French oak. This medium to full-bodied beauty excels on all accounts and gives up gorgeous notes of blackcurrants, lead pencil, spice and hints of toasted bread. Polished, impeccably balanced, concentrated, and with ripe tannin, it’s a rock star in 2015 that can be drunk young or cellared for 20-25 years. Bravo!
WA 94 (2/2018): The 2015 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carménère. As usual, this Margaux takes a little time to open up in the glass, eventually revealing scents of blackberry, cedar, mint and a light sprinkling of pencil shavings. That minty element becomes more prominent with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a fine line of acidity. I adore the harmony and texture of this Brane-Cantenac: very svelte and silky on the surface but underneath there is backbone and very fine focus. The finish has a touch of chalkiness, quite saline in the mouth with a long, persistent finish. What an outstanding Margaux this is going to be although like many great vintages it will require several years in bottle. |
|
|
2018 |
Margaux |
$77 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 95+ (3/2021): A quintessential Margaux as well as one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate, the 2018 Château Brane-Cantenac is based on 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all aged in 70% new French oak. Beautiful cassis and mulberry fruits as well as notes of leafy tobacco, spice, cedarwood, and spring flowers emerge from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and elegant, it has loads of fruit, a seamless texture, and a good spine of acidity. Give bottles 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 30 years or more. (Drink between 2025-2055).
VM 95 (3/2021): The 2018 Brane-Cantenac opens with a super-classic bouquet of dried herbs, pencil shavings, licorice and mint. Medium in body and wonderfully nuanced, Brane-Cantenac marries the natural richness of the year with a classic structural feel. This is one of the most elegant, restrained 2018s readers will come across. I loved it. (Drink between 2028-2048). Antonio Galloni.
WA 93+ (3/2021): The 2018 Brane-Cantenac is medium to deep garnet-purple in color, leaping from the glass with vibrant notes of kirsch, black raspberries and warm cassis, plus suggestions of roses, forest floor and cinnamon stick with a waft of cedar chest. The medium-bodied palate is wonderfully elegant and refreshing, weighing in at just 13.5% alcohol, while not scrimping on the interplay of red and black fruits. It has lovely soft tannins and a long, perfumed finish. Impressive! |
|
|
2021 |
Margaux |
$61 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Canon |
2020 |
St. Emilion |
$149 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 98-100 (5/2021): The 2020 Canon is a blend of 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Franc, aging for 18 months in French oak, 50% new. It weighs in with 14.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.53. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts from the glass with vivacious notes of Morello cherries, redcurrant jelly, wild blueberries and black raspberries, plus hints of powdered cinnamon, clove oil, star anise and dusty red soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is an exercise in grace, delivering exquisitely ripe, finely pixilated tannins and bold freshness to support the tight-knit black, red and blue fruit layers, finishing long with loads of exotic spices and mineral sparks. An exhilarating triumph!
VM 96-98 (5/2021): The 2020 Canon nailed it this year, the best since the benchmark 2015/2016 vintages. It has one of those bouquets that stops the clock thanks to its breathtaking delineation and focus, fragrant black cherries, bilberry, shucked oyster shell and crushed rock aromas. It is cool, calm and collected. The palate possesses exquisite definition, armed with simply crystalline red fruit matched with a perfect silver bead of acidity. There is tangible tension from the start and it fans out gloriously toward the pixelated finish. This brilliant Canon should offer 20–30 years of drinking pleasure, probably more. Chapeau! NEal Martin.
JD 96-98 (5/2021): The 2020 Château Canon is another brilliant wine in a long line of brilliant wines from this incredible team and consistent estate. Coming from the upper plateau (unquestionably one of the finest terroirs on the upper plateau) and 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Franc, it offers a perfumed, ethereal nose of red and blue fruits, violets, white flowers, and unsmoked tobacco. With riveting purity, full-bodied richness, flawless balance, and a great, great finish, it’s going to push the upper limits of my scale. The tannins here are incredible as well, and this beauty should drink well for 20-30 years. Hats off to technical director Nicolas Audebert and his team for another insanely good wine.
JS 98-99 (4/2021): Wow. This is really exceptional with super density of fruit that remains clear and agile. Blackberries, currants, violets and spice, as well as some chalk and salt. It really goes on for minutes. Best of the trilogy? |
|
| Ch. Cantemerle |
2010 |
Haut Medoc |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94+ (2/2013): The wine needs a good 7-10 years of cellaring and should keep for 30 more years, but this is the finest Cantemerle I have encountered in my professional career of tasting young vintages (dating back 34 years now). Stunningly deep ruby/purple, with a beautiful nose of spring flowers intermixed with perfumed raspberry and blueberry notes, it exhibits a sort of cool-climate character. Broad, rich and intense on the palate, the wine has plenty of tannins, but they are sweet and well-integrated. Everything is delicately entwined into this beautiful, medium to full-bodied, dense purple wine, which shows stunning character and a prodigious potential for development. This is definitely a major sleeper of the vintage and even better than I thought from barrel.
JS 94 (4/2011): Layered and rich with lots of blueberry character and ripe velvety tannins. Lovely texture. Best wine from here in years.
WS 91 (3/2013): Offers a sappy feel, with deliciously pure notes of kirsch and blackberry preserves. Lightly toasted spice and singed anise accents lead to the long, graphite-fueled finish. Should age gracefully. Drink now through 2022. 33,333 cases made.
VM 90+ (7/2013): Good full ruby-red. Musky aromas of black cherry, blueberry, espresso, menthol and licorice, lifted by a cool floral element. Densely packed and savory, displaying sappy energy to its intense dark berry flavors. With a serious structure and no easy sweetness today, this vibrant wine will need a good five to seven years in the cellar and should last well. This may eventually merit an even higher score.
NM 90 (1/2014): Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Cantemerle 2010 has a floral bouquet that is akin to a Margaux - crushed violets intermingling with blackberry and wild hedgerow all with fine definition. The palate is medium-bodied with tart cherry fruit on the entry, before segueing into a powdery mid-palate and structured, more masculine finish. The fruit needs to be more expressive but I think this is just entering a sulky patch and deserves several years in bottle. |
|
|
2015 |
Haut Medoc |
$39.95 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 91 (11/2017): Based on 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the inky colored 2015 Château Cantemerle offers a terrific bouquet of black currants, smoked herbs, earth, and hints of charcoal. Ripe, concentrated, rounded, and undeniably delicious, with ripe tannin, it's a terrific vintage for Cantemerle to drink anytime over the coming 10-15 years. |
|
|
2022 |
Haut Medoc |
$27.95 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 92-94 (5/2023): The finest wine this estate has produced in some time is the 2022 Cantemerle, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc that bursts from the glass with aromas of sweet blackberries, violets, rose petals and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with an enveloping core of sweet, perfumed fruit framed by supple tannin, it concludes with a long, mouthwatering finish. The pH is a very healthy 3.6 this year, and yields were low at 29 hectoliters per hectare. |
|
| Ch. Cheval-Blanc |
2011 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,190.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 96 (6/2019): A vintage that’s being drunk with abandon in France these days, the 2011 Chateau Cheval Blanc showed beautifully, and the firm tannins that define this vintage are nowhere to be found here. Sweet black fruits, spice, incense, and exotic flowers define the bouquet and it has classic Cheval Blanc complexity. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, with sweet tannins and a great finish, it’s a beautiful Saint-Emilion to drink over the coming 2-3 decades.
WA 94 (8/2018): Medium to deep garnet in color, the 2011 Cheval Blanc features a nose of warm mulberries, preserved plums and figs with suggestions of dried herbs, dusty soil and underbrush plus a touch of Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, taut and muscular in the mouth, it has a solid frame of chewy tannins supporting the restrained fruit and a long earth and Provence herbs-layered finish.
VM 94 (12/2019): The 2011 Cheval Blanc has a classic nose with blackberry, briary, cedar and pine aromas. The Cabernet Sauvignon makes its mark. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, still a little chalky as I remember, hints of blue fruit emerging with time. I admire the symmetry and poise of this Cheval Blanc and despite some broodiness on the finish, this is turning into a very promising wine from an oft-overlooked vintage. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at Berry, Brothers & Rudd. Neal Martin.
WS 94 (3/2014): Offers a loamy, dense feel, with the vintage's briary grip tumbled with dark plum, blackberry and black currant fruit. Anise and tobacco notes fill out the finish, which expands steadily with air, showing added range and echoes of bittersweet cocoa and tobacco. Seems to have a lot in reserve. Best from 2016 through 2030. 7,915 cases made.
JS 94 (1/2014): A beautiful nose of ripe black fruits such blackberries, as well as cocoa, black truffle and mint. Full body with a solid core of very refined tannins that lasts for minutes. Very refined texture, especially for the vintage. 57% cabernet franc and 43% merlot. Try after seven to eight years. |
|
|
2016 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,510.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (11/2018): The 2016 Cheval Blanc is blended of 59.5% Merlot, 37.2% Cabernet Franc and 3.3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose is incredibly youthful yet not so shy as some other 2016s at this stage, giving wonderfully intense scents of red currants, black cherries, wild blueberries and violets with nuances of star anise, cinnamon stick, rose hip tea, cigar box and wood smoke plus a touch of beef drippings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has jaw-dropping elegance and depth, offering up layer upon layer of fragrant red and black fruits plus an extraordinary array of mineral sparks, supported by a rock-solid grainy texture, finishing with epic persistence and an edifying perfume. This is a very different style from the rich, opulently hedonic 2015, yet this wonderfully fragrant, beautifully poised and intellectually compelling 2016 is equally extraordinary.
VM 98 (8/2020): The 2016 Cheval Blanc has an exquisite bouquet of pixelated black and red fruit, crushed stone, violets and seamlessly integrated new oak; this is utterly seductive. The medium-bodied palate reveals a hint of marmalade on the entry. Powerful and dense, this is an impressive, almost heady nascent wine with plenty of grip and sinew toward the finish. Maybe it lacks that crystalline detail at the moment, but it is clearly a long-term proposition. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Neal Martin.
JD 97 (2/2019): The grand vin 2016 Château Cheval Blanc checks in as 60% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in new barrels, and this is the first year a replanted block of Cabernet Sauvignon has made the top cuvee. Compared to the 2001 by Pierre Lurton, it displays stunning aromatic fireworks with notions of blackcurrants, forest floor, iron bar, graphite, and spice all soaring from the glass. It develops more floral nuances with time in the glass and, as always with this cuvee, it’s all about complexity and elegance. More medium to full-bodied, with beautiful tannins and perfect balance, it’s a decidedly classic, focused, elegant wine from this estate that will keep for 3-4 decades.
WS 97 (3/2019): This has turned into a very dense wine, with waves of cassis, plum reduction and blackberry paste forming the core. Wrapped tightly in layers of tobacco and loam for now, while singed alder, incense, black tea and bergamot notes peek in here and there. The finish rumbles like thunder for now, with the swath of tannins, and there's just a twinge of drought-induced austerity. But there's acidity and drive too, and this will cruise in the cellar for some time. Best from 2025 through 2045.
JD 99 (1/2019): Wet earth and sliced, fresh mushrooms. Menthol. Dark berries, such as blackberries and blueberries. Full-bodied, dense and whole, but you don’t feel the tannins, even though it is so powerful and structured. Detailed and defined. Cashmere. Wonderful finish. Glorious young Cheval. Try after 2025, but so wonderful already. |
|
| Domaine de Chevalier |
2019 |
Pessac Leognan |
$74 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 94-96+ (6/2020): Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Domaine de Chevalier was harvested from the 23rd of September to the 13th of October. The alcohol weighed in at a modest 13%. It is aging in French oak barrels, 35% new, for around 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, it shoots from the glass with vibrant, intense scents of warm blueberries, blackberry preserves and fresh blackcurrants plus hints of spice box, violets, crushed rocks and pencil lead with a hint of menthol. The medium-bodied palate gives an appearance of weight from its sheer energy, offering bags of fresh, crunchy berry layers and a solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and pure.
VM 95-97 (6/2020): The 2019 Domaine de Chevalier has the potential to be one of the wines of the vintage. Regal and soaring in the glass, with tremendous intensity, the 2019 is pure magic. An exotic melange of ripe red plum, gravel, spice, cured meats and incense develops with time in the glass. Effortless and wonderfully nuanced, the 2019 is a fabulous wine in the making. Don't miss it. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96-98+ (6/2020): Reminding me of the 2016, the 2019 Domaine De Chevalier checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that was brought up in 35% new French oak. Its vivid purple color is followed by a classy bouquet of crème de cassis, damp earth, tobacco leaf, and spring flowers. With medium to full-bodied richness, stunning purity of fruit, silky tannins, and a good spice of acidity, this beautiful, classic, quintessential Chevalier will need 5-7 years of bottle age yet keep for 4-5 decades in cold cellars. Tasted twice.
JS 96-97 (6/2020): The chocolate, walnut, dark-fruit and stone character is attractive. It’s full-bodied and very tight and linear with chewy yet polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Lots of intensity and complexity here, as always. |
|
| Le Clarence de Haut Brion |
2011 |
Pessac Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,328.97 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Clerc Milon |
2017 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,164.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Cos d'Estournel |
2004 |
St. Estephe (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,841.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94 (11/2018): The 2004 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet in color with a touch of brick, the nose is still very youthful, sporting notions of plum preserves, blackcurrant cordial and Black Forest cake with hints of garrigue, wild sage, charcuterie, black olives and unsmoked cigars. The medium to full-bodied palate is generously fruited with bags of earthy and black fruit preserves layers, framed by chewy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long.
WS 94 (3/2007): Loads of currant and blackberry, with hints of Indian spices. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Round and generous for the vintage. Best after 2011. 15,000 cases made.
VM 91 (6/2007): Deep red-ruby. Aromas of cassis, plum, licorice and coconutty oak. Round, suave and ripe, with lovely depth of flavor and a pliant, full texture for the year. This doesn't have quite the thrust of the 2006, but it's lively and fresh, and finishes ripely tannic and long. Stephen Tanzer. |
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|
2004 |
St. Estephe (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$939.99 |
1 |
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| |
WA 94 (11/2018): The 2004 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet in color with a touch of brick, the nose is still very youthful, sporting notions of plum preserves, blackcurrant cordial and Black Forest cake with hints of garrigue, wild sage, charcuterie, black olives and unsmoked cigars. The medium to full-bodied palate is generously fruited with bags of earthy and black fruit preserves layers, framed by chewy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long.
WS 94 (3/2007): Loads of currant and blackberry, with hints of Indian spices. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Round and generous for the vintage. Best after 2011. 15,000 cases made.
VM 91 (6/2007): Deep red-ruby. Aromas of cassis, plum, licorice and coconutty oak. Round, suave and ripe, with lovely depth of flavor and a pliant, full texture for the year. This doesn't have quite the thrust of the 2006, but it's lively and fresh, and finishes ripely tannic and long. Stephen Tanzer. |
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|
2009 |
St. Estephe |
$314 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 100 (11/2020): Another magical wine from this property, the 2009 Château Cos D'Estournel reminds me slightly of the 2005 with its incredibly rich, powerful, opulent style married to stunning finesse and elegance. Still youthful yet with a touch of maturity, its deep ruby/plum color is followed by classic Saint-Estèphe notes of blackcurrants, dried tobacco, loamy earth, Asian spices, and licorice. Deep, full-bodied, and massive on the palate, it's flawlessly balanced and has building tannins hiding under its wealth of fruit, with no hard edges and a great, great finish. This tour de force is still 5-7 years away from maturity and is a legendary wine to follow over the coming 40-50 years.
WA 100 (3/2019): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cos d'Estournel features a myriad of wonderfully intense notes, including blackcurrant pastilles, redcurrant jelly, kirsch and blueberry compote with hints of rose hip tea, sauteed herbs, underbrush, pencil shavings and Indian spices. Full-bodied, rich and opulently fruited in the mouth, it has beautifully plush tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and very spicy.
JS 98 (3/2019): A very bold, ripe and complex wine with excellent concentration and a warm, engaging personality (cinnamon and allspice) that's hard to resist. With aeration a hint of dried fruit character emerges. Massive, yet polished finish. It’s been rated 100 in the past. We will see. Drink or hold.
WS 97 (7/2016): This shows why everyone loves the vintage. Features a gorgeous display of perfectly melded plum, red currant and blackberry fruit that flows beautifully over very creamy tannins. Still nearly all fruit, with flecks of warm stone and iron on the finish. This could easily sit in this phase for some time, but will be hard to resist. Totally modern and beautifully done.—Non-blind Cos-d'Estournel vertical (December 2015). Best from 2020 through 2040. 20,830 cases made. |
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| Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou |
2005 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,082.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97 (4/2008): The 2005 Ducru Beaucaillou is a 10,000-case blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot (they used to produce 18,000-20,000 cases). It is an exceptionally powerful wine with a dense purple color, superb intensity, and a beautiful, sweet nose of spring flowers, raspberries, blueberries, graphite, and creme de cassis. Full-bodied with fabulous concentration, exceptionally high tannin, good acidity, and massive layers of richness that build incrementally on the palate, this monumental effort is more structured than their Outstanding 2003. It may be the finest wine produced at this estate since the 1982 and 1961 Ducrus. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2050.
WS 95 (3/2008): Aromas of blackberry, currant and toasty oak, with a hint of spice, lead to a full-bodied palate, with plenty of blackberry, chocolate and Indian spices. Balanced, refined and very pretty, with a velvety texture and a long, beautifully textured finish. Best after 2013. 10,000 cases made.
VM 94 (6/2008): Good deep ruby-red. Wonderfully sweet, aromatic nose combines currant, chocolate and cedary oak. Fat, lush and silky, with atypical volume to the flavors of plum, tobacco and chocolate. Wonderfully supple, plump wine with layers of flavor, thoroughly sweet tannins and compelling aromatic persistence. Today the wine's substantial baby fat is masking its impressive underlying power. According to Borie, this 2005 combines the best traits of the chateau's 2003 and 2000. |
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|
2008 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,090.97 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 95+ (5/2011): One of the stars of the vintage, and a remarkable achievement in 2008, with impressive richness, this dense purple colored wine is almost as opaque as the 2010. Spring flowers, crushed rocks, creme de cassis and some subtle oak are followed by a full-bodied, concentrated wine that transcends the vintage character in its power, richness, and aging potential. It also exhibits tremendous precision, purity, and depth of character. It is more forward than the 2010 is likely to be, but probably not as sumptuous as the 2009 will turn out to be. This is a wine to buy. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.
JS 94 (12/2010): Wow. This is really impressive for the vintage, with a solid core of raspberry, currants and spices. Full and round, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Superb winemaking for the vintage. Try after 2013.
VM 92+ (8/2011): Ruby-red. Pungent, vibrant aromas of cassis, bitter chocolate and graphite. Silky and seamless, but with terrific lift to the tight core of raspberry, mineral and chocolate flavors. Strong but integrated acidity gives superb vinosity to the wine's racy fruit. Finishes brisk, perfumed and long, with suave, dusty tannins. This wine went into a shell with aeration, suggesting that it will need at least several years of bottle aging. I would not be surprised if it merited an even higher score ten years down the road.
WS 92 (4/2011): This is dark and brooding, with a tarry wall holding the black currant, melted licorice and espresso notes at bay for now. Extra roasted sage, cedar and briar push in on the finish, which shows an old-school hint. Rock-solid. Best from 2013 through 2021. |
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| La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou |
2019 |
St. Julien |
$39.95 |
1 |
|
| |
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| Ch. L' Eglise Clinet |
2011 |
Pomerol |
$135 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (4/2014): With a dense ruby/purple color is followed by a pure nose of mulberries, cherry liqueur and spring flowers, but no hint of oak, this full-bodied, opulent, rich beauty exhibits impressive purity, texture, richness and length. Not as structured or tannic as Trotanoy, it moves more in the direction of the opulence and flashy, showy fruit of Hosanna and Petrus. It should drink well for 15-20 years. |
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| Ch. Figeac |
2015 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,768.98 |
2 |
|
| |
| JD 100 (11/2017): A hold onto your hat wine, the 2015 Château Figeac is pure perfection and one of the wines of this terrific vintage. A blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, its deep purple color is followed by a huge nose of crème de cassis, black raspberries, smoked earth, and graphite. This is followed by a full-bodied, opulent and incredibly concentrated Saint-Emilion that has everything in the right places, no hard edges, thrilling purity of fruit, and a great, great finish. This is one of those rare gems that carries huge intensity and richness, yet still glides across the palate with no sense of weight or heaviness. Winemaker Frédéric Faye thinks the 2016 is even better but that certainly isn’t stopping me from giving this crazy good wine a triple digit score. Everyone owes it to themselves to try and taste this wine at least once! |
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| Les Forts de Latour |
2017 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,110.97 |
6 |
|
| |
JD 94 (3/2021): The true second wine of the estate is the 2015 Les Forts De Latour and it's slightly more Cabernet dominated with 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35.6% Merlot, and then less than one percent each of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. This ripe, sunny sexy vintage delivers loads of terrific wines and the 2015 reveals a vivid purple/opaque color as well as fabulous cassis and jammy currant fruits intermixed with lots of cedarwood, leafy herbs, earth, and graphite. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and nicely structured, it has a wealthy of fruit, building yet sweet tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. This is a stunning Les Forts de Latour that can be drunk today or cellared for 20-25 years or more.
VM 94 (3/2020): Powerful and dark in the glass, the 2017 Les Forts de Latour is super-impressive. Black cherry, plum, spice, chocolate and leather are just some of the many aromas and flavors that flesh out as this ample, heady Pauillac shows off its considerable personality. Medium in body, yet with terrific depth and substance, the Forts de Latour is an absolute winner in 2017. Antonio Galloni.
WA 94 (3/2020): A blend of 65.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 0.8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Les Forts de Latour is deep garnet-purple in color and strides confidently out of the glass with classic notes of plum preserves, warm cassis and pencil shavings with nuances of mulberries, pencil lead, Indian spices and forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate packs a lot of fruit into a very elegant, tightly knit palate, delivering expressive blackberry and spicy flavors with a firm frame of grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long with a peppery kick.
WS 93 (3/2020): Bright and fresh, featuring floral, cassis and plum aromas and flavors allied to a sleek, iron-tinged frame. Racy tension through the finish lets the fruit play out while the minerality blossoms. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2038. |
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| Ch. Fourcas Dupre |
2015 |
Listrac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$353.98 |
1 |
|
| |
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| Ch. Le Gay |
2012 |
Pomerol (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,625.99 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 95 (1/2016): The 2012 Le Gay is beautifully seductive, powerful and layered from start to finish. A wine of crystalline precision and nuance, the 2012 literally sparkles with striking aromatic presence and fabulous overall balance. Lavender, slate, mint and crème de cassis are some of the many notes that blossom in a silky Pomerol that has it all. I imagine the 2012 will reward readers with many years of fine drinking.
WA 93+ (4/2015): This is a beautiful, dense, meaty, purple-colored wine, with loads of earth, iron, blackberry and cassis fruit. It is full-bodied, rich and opulent with great length, terrific purity and surprisingly sweeter tannin than I would expect from this terroir that tends to produce a masculine style of wine. Impressive and backward, this Le Gay should drink well for at least 20 years.
WS 92-95 (12/2013): A polished, suave style, with alluring plum sauce, melted black licorice and fruitcake notes backed by a solidly built finish of plum skin and black tea. Shows ample stuffing.
NM 92-94 (4/2013): In this year, Le Gay has undergone micro-vinification in barrel (Darnajou) for the first time. It is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc cropped at 30hl/ha between 8th and 11th October. It has a very pure, natural, refined bouquet with redcurrant, raspberry, wild hedgerow and a touch of orange blossom. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite tart on the entry with a touch of piquancy. This is a more compact Le Gay compared to the 2011 at the moment, but it will mellow and gain volume throughout its maturation. There is very good focus on the finish – a fine mid-term Le Gay to drink between 7 and 15 years.
JS 92 (2/2015): This is dense and polished with refined tannins and beautiful fruit. Full-bodied yet reserved and elegant. Very long and attractive. Better in 2018. |
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| Ch. Gazin |
2015 |
Pomerol (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,166.98 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 95+ (11/2017): A straight up smokin’ red from this vintage is the 2015 Château Gazin and it’s a big, powerful, stacked 2015 that’s for those with patience. Made from almost all Merlot (I think it’s 100%), my notes on this beauty start - and end - with “love it.” Cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, forest floor, and tons of minerality all soar from the glass of this sensationally rich, concentrated, medium to full-bodied 2015 that has building tannin, a seamless texture, and a blockbuster finish. Forget bottle for 5-7 years and enjoy over the following two to three decades.
JS 97 (12/2018): Lots of cedar, tea-leaf and hazelnut character and ripe fruit aromas. Citrus peel, too. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. Smoky undertone. This is structured and so complex. Drink in 2023. |
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|
2019 |
Pomerol |
$85 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 95-97 (6/2020): The 2019 Gazin is tightly wound at first and needs coaxing from the glass. Broody dark berry fruit, truffle and smoke eventually emerge, flanked by a discrete marine influence. The palate is very promising with saturated tannins that belie the structure of this Pomerol. The freshness is very impressive, lighting up the senses. The finish is imbued with wonderful tension and traces of iron on the aftertaste. Quintessentially Gazin, this is a superb wine. Neal Martin.
JD 94-96 (6/2020): The 2019 Château Gazin checks in as 89% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Cabernet Franc. I'm not sure it's going to match the 2018, but it's certainly not far off and has a wonderful mix of freshness, richness, and complexity that's the hallmark of this great vintage. Lots of ripe red and black fruits, tobacco, mocha, and spring flower notes all emerge from the glass, and it's beautifully balanced, building nicely with time in the glass, and just has everything in the right places. This gorgeous Pomerol in the making will be accessible in its youth and drink brilliantly for 15-20 years.
JS 95-96 (6/2020): A tight, focused red with blackberry and blueberry character, as well as chocolate. It’s full and compact with soft, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Harmonious. |
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| Ch. Giscours |
2009 |
Margaux |
$89 |
3 |
|
| |
JS 95 (2/2012): Aromas of blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Very beautiful. Full body, with a solid core of fruit and firm tannins. Balanced and refined. This is ultra-refined. Best wine from here since 1970. One of the great values of the vintage. Best after 2018.
WA 94 (2/2012): The finest Giscours in my professional career (I said the same thing from barrel), this dense purple wine has a stunning nose of burning embers, charcoal, creme de cassis, new saddle leather and damp, forest floor notes. It is full-bodied, with exceptionally sweet, well-integrated tannins and a multi-dimensional, almost skyscraper-like mid-palate and finish. With its low acidity and remarkable substance and depth, this gorgeous wine should age beautifully for 20-30 years.
WS 93 (3/2012): This is alluring, with lots of incense, warm espresso and roasted mesquite notes leading the way for a sleek core of mouthwatering black currant and blackberry fruit. The long finish lets the mesquite edge linger, with well-embedded grip. Rock-solid. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2014 through 2029. 21,665 cases made.
VM 91 (7/2012): Good dark red. Blackberry, licorice, leather, chocolate and a whiff of peat on the nose. Intensely flavored, fine-grained and lively, with noteworthy energy to its dark berry and dark chocolate flavors. A firmly built wine in a rather cool style for the year, finishing with chocolatey tannins, a lightly herbal quality and very good length. Very well done.
NM 91 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Giscours '09 has a pleasant, savoury bouquet with good definition - hints of beef stock coming through. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, dusky black fruit with hints of spice and pain grille. It is quite masculine and foursquare on the finish - but it shows good length. |
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|
2009 |
Margaux Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$89 |
1 |
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| |
JS 95 (2/2012): Aromas of blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Very beautiful. Full body, with a solid core of fruit and firm tannins. Balanced and refined. This is ultra-refined. Best wine from here since 1970. One of the great values of the vintage. Best after 2018.
WA 94 (2/2012): The finest Giscours in my professional career (I said the same thing from barrel), this dense purple wine has a stunning nose of burning embers, charcoal, creme de cassis, new saddle leather and damp, forest floor notes. It is full-bodied, with exceptionally sweet, well-integrated tannins and a multi-dimensional, almost skyscraper-like mid-palate and finish. With its low acidity and remarkable substance and depth, this gorgeous wine should age beautifully for 20-30 years.
WS 93 (3/2012): This is alluring, with lots of incense, warm espresso and roasted mesquite notes leading the way for a sleek core of mouthwatering black currant and blackberry fruit. The long finish lets the mesquite edge linger, with well-embedded grip. Rock-solid. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2014 through 2029. 21,665 cases made.
VM 91 (7/2012): Good dark red. Blackberry, licorice, leather, chocolate and a whiff of peat on the nose. Intensely flavored, fine-grained and lively, with noteworthy energy to its dark berry and dark chocolate flavors. A firmly built wine in a rather cool style for the year, finishing with chocolatey tannins, a lightly herbal quality and very good length. Very well done.
NM 91 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Giscours '09 has a pleasant, savoury bouquet with good definition - hints of beef stock coming through. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, dusky black fruit with hints of spice and pain grille. It is quite masculine and foursquare on the finish - but it shows good length. |
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|
2010 |
Margaux Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$89 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 95 (11/2013): Aromas of mint and currants with hints of fresh herbs. Then turns to plum jam. Full body, with well-integrated tannins and pretty fruit. Long and caressing. This is really Outstanding. Better in 2017.
WS 94 (3/2013): Features a lightly firm, singed alder frame around a core of dark plum, cherry and cassis bush notes. Taut tar and warm paving stone notes fill in on the finish. Shows serious, well-embedded grip, and the core of fruit is spot on. This has the range, length and cut for the cellar. Best from 2014 through 2030.
NM 93 (6/2015): Tasted at the Château Giscours vertical, the 2010 Château Giscours is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot picked between September 27 and October 14. I contrasted this directly against the superb 2009, but I still maintain that this has the upper hand, albeit in a different style. The aromatics are very focused with black fruit, violets, fig and mineral scents that are very well defined. But you need patience - this is not as immediate as the previous vintage. The palate delivers, delivers and delivers brilliant delineation and poise, more freshness than it knows what to do with, an intensity that is supremely well focused and length in the mouth. There is even a dab of mint chocolate making a surprise appearance on the aftertaste. This is a very impressive Giscours.
VM 90+ (7/2013): Bright ruby-red. Cassis, blackberry and licorice pastille on the nose. Then sweet, juicy and energetic in the mouth, with complex flavors of plum, currant, cedar, tobacco and spices along with a gamey nuance. Firmly built but not hard. Finishes with serious but fine-grained tannins and a note of licorice. Still a bit strict today, this wine has the structure to repay aging. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2016 |
Margaux |
$74 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 96 (1/2019): This has attractive, glossy, ripe red-plum and licorice aromas with cedar, flowers and red berries, as well as a stony edge. A very fragrant, cabernet-driven nose. The palate has elegance and grace with sleek and charming, balanced style and a discreet tannin structure that holds the finish long and fresh. A blend of 81 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 19 per cent merlot. Try from 2023.
JD 93 (2/2019): The 2016 Château Giscours is fabulous stuff, offering a beautiful, complex (and classic Margaux) perfume of smoke tobacco, black currants, truffly earth, and spring flowers. Finesse-driven, medium-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it has ultra-fine tannins and no hard edges, and is already drinking beautifully. Nevertheless, it’s going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 20-25 years or more. The blend of the 2016 is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot and it’s well worth a case purchase.
WA 93 (11/2018): Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Giscours gives up aromas of cassis, chocolate, earth, tar, pepper and hoisin with touches of flowers and a meaty nuance. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with a great core and a long finish.
WS 92 (3/2019): This is on the darker side of the ledger, with well-melded black currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit, infused with brambly energy and allied to a graphite spine on the anise-tinged finish. Features a light woodsy echo at the very end, but there's plenty of flesh here. Best from 2022 through 2032. 34,667 cases made. |
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| Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste |
2020 |
Pauillac |
$73 |
6 |
|
| |
VM 95-97 (5/2021): The 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a very refined, almost understated bouquet at first, but it opens in glorious fashion to offer precise blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, crushed stone and wild mint, gaining intensity at its own pace. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine-grained tannins, a keen thread of acidity, layers of intense black fruit and quite a spicy, vibrant and certainly persistent finish. This is a brilliant GPL from the Borie family. Neal Martin.
WA 91-93 (5/2021): Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Grand-Puy-Lacoste offers notes of freshly crushed black and red currants, fresh blackberries and mulberries, plus hints of pencil lead, damp soil and black olives. The medium-bodied palate is delicately styled and refreshing, delivering soft, skillfully managed tannins and just enough freshness to frame the juicy black fruits, finishing savory.
JD 92-95 (5/2021): The 2020 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is a more fleshy, textured Pauillac that still plays in the concentrated, focused, structured style of the vintage. Ripe black cherries, currants, toasty oak, chocolate, and tobacco leaf notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, richly textured 2020 that has velvety tannins, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 20-25 years or so.
JS 96-97 (4/2021): This full-bodied red builds on the palate in a fantastic way with tight, compact tannins that grow and grow on the finish. Plenty of blackcurrant and graphite character and a flavorful finish. Same level as the excellent 2016. |
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| Ch. Haut Bages Liberal |
2016 |
Pauillac Very Lightly Scuffed Label |
$50 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 94-95 (4/2017): Very chewy and long already with ripe tannins and plenty of fruit suggesting tobacco and blackcurrant character. Long finish. From biodynamic grapes.
WS 91-94 (4/2017): Seriously focused, with a bolt of graphite coursing through, while waves of fig, blackberry and black currant fruit follow along. Offers a long, sleek, mineral-driven finish. A strong showing. |
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| Ch. Haut Bailly |
2008 |
Pessac Leognan Very Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (5/2011): A candidate for the -wine of the vintage,- the 2008 Haut-Bailly possesses incredible complexity. Tell-tale notes of lead pencil shavings, charcoal, damp earth, black cherries and black currants intermixed with a hint of subtle barbecue smoke are present in this classic, quintessential Graves. Medium-bodied with an emerging, precocious complexity, it is a super-pure, beautifully textured, long wine that can be drunk now or cellared for 20-25 years. Bravo!
JD 94 (2/2019): The 2008 Château Haut Bailly is brilliant and shows the purity and finesse-driven style of this estate beautifully. Pure Cabernet notes of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, and gravelly minerality all emerge from this medium to full-bodied effort that has remarkable freshness and focus. At the early stages of its drinking plateau, enjoy it any time over the coming 10-15 years.
VM 93 (2/2018): The 2008 Haut Bailly has long been one of the knockout wines of the vintage. Now at ten years of age it retains its youthful appearance. It has a stunning bouquet with billowing, pure blackberry and bilberry fruit tinged with brine and iodine, very well defined and one of the most intense you will find in 2008. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. This feels lithe and silky smooth in the mouth: intense black fruit, a splash soy and a more structured finish. Just superb. (Tasted at the château and at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual vertical tasting.) Neal Martin.
JS 92 (12/2010): Wonderful nose of decadent fruit and chocolate, with hints of meat and flowers. Full bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a spicy, silky and long finish. Tight now, but so fine and dense. Give it four to five years of bottle age. So lovely. Best after 2013. |
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|
2012 |
Pessac Leognan Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$99 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 94 (10/2023): In the same ballpark quality-wise as the 2006, 2008, and 2014, the 2012 Château Haut-Bailly has beautiful ripeness in its sweet red and black fruits as well as notes of smoky tobacco, tapenade, and damp earth. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a broad, rounded mouthfeel and shows the inherent elegance that's the hallmark of this terroir. It's still youthful but drinking brilliantly. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 15+ years.
VM 93 (4/2022): The 2012 Haut-Bailly has more charm and fruit concentration than the 2011. it offers a mixture of red and black fruit, forest floor and hints of wild mushroom. The palate is built around quite firm tannins that soften with aeration. Fleshier than expected with a subtle savoury character segueing into a peppery and quite sustained finish. This is just reaching its drinking plateau. Excellent. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château. Neal Martin.
WA 94 (7/2017): The 2012 Haut Bailly is a brilliant wine for the vintage. It has a very intense bouquet with scents of blackberry, bilberry, cedar and a touch of pencil lead. This is very well defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin, certainly one of the most structured Pessac-Léognan wines that I have encountered, yet it is struck through with wonderful balance and focus. It tightens up a little on the finish, a 2012 built for long-term drinking pleasure, and as such, I would afford it five or six more years in bottle if wishing to experience this in full flight. |
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|
2019 |
Pessac Leognan |
$109 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 97-99 (6/2020): Composed of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Haut-Bailly was harvested from the 23rd of September to 11th of October. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps from the glass with vivacious notes of blackcurrant cordial, black raspberries and plum preserves with a tantalizing undercurrent of candied violets, dark chocolate, menthol and licorice plus a touch of Chinese five spice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is achingly elegant, showing off perfumed black fruit layers with a firm frame of very fine-grained, silt-like tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with incredible persistence and fragrance. Just magic.
VM 96-98 (6/2020): The 2019 Haut-Bailly was picked 23 September to 10 October. After 10-15 minutes in the glass the wine gradually unfurls to reveal beautiful red berry fruit, crushed stone, wilted rose petals and faint hints of blueberry. The palate is quite brilliantly balanced, the tannins extremely fine and framing the slightly earthy black fruit laced with salt. Though Veronique Sanders suggests that it bears a semblance to the 2009 with more depth, I cannot see that verisimilitude. To me, it is a less flamboyant and more terroir expressive Haut-Bailly that has an effortless allure and a sense of sophistication. Wonderful. Neal Martin.
JD 96-98 (6/2020): A stunning wine in the making, the 2019 Château Haut-Bailly sports a deep purple hue as well lots of smoky black and blue fruits, unsmoked tobacco, cedar pencil, violets, and gravelly earth. Showing the quintessential elegance and purity of this terroir, it's medium to full-bodied, has no hard edges, and delivers wonderful purity of fruit and a great, great finish. It reminds me of a slightly more elegant 2009 and is a beautiful, singular wine from this estate, which is being run brilliantly by Veronique Sanders. It will benefit from just short-term cellaring yet drink well for 40+ years.
JS 98-99 (6/2020): Such totally graceful perfumes to this, showing currants, dried flowers and stones, as well as hints of forest fruit and subtle tar, asphalt and smoke. Full-bodied, yet the texture is pristine with intense, polished and fine-grained tannins. So long, flavorful and ever so beautiful. The finish is never ending. This really is something special. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. |
|
|
2020 |
Pessac Leognan |
$115 |
6 |
|
| |
VM 97 (2/2023): The 2020 Haut-Bailly has developed into an elegant, richly-textured wine with all its elements in balance. Classy and polished to the core, the 2020 is a Haut-Bailly that favors finesse over power. It's a wine of extreme precision and persistence more than anything else. Red-toned fruit, dried flowers, spice and blood orange are some of the many notes that open over time. The 2020 spent 15 months in barrel, with 50% new oak. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96 (3/2023): The 2020 Château Haut-Bailly is a quintessential expression of this terroir and shines for its incredible purity, balance, and elegance. Revealing a ruby/purple hue as well as a terrific bouquet of ripe red and black fruits, Asian spices, smoked tobacco, and leafy herbs, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, and a layered, seamless mouthfeel. Reminding me slightly of the 2016 with its pure, balanced, classical style, give bottles just 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two to three decades. President and CEO Véronique Sanders continues to do incredible job at this Château, and you won’t find a more classy, elegant wine out there.
JS 99-100 (4/2021): This has incredible power and drive with blackberry, black olive and graphite. It’s full-bodied, yet dynamic and agile, with so much polished and muscular tannin. Yet, it remains in harmony and balance. So much character. The head of the chateau calls it diabolical beauty. 25% less production than the 2019. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.
WA 96-98+ (5/2021): A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Haut-Bailly was harvested from the 9th to 25th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.3%. Deep purple-black in color, it prances out of the glass with naturally beautiful notions of fresh black cherries, violets, mulberries and boysenberries, giving way to hints of redcurrant jelly, star anise, tilled soil and menthol. The medium to full-bodied palate is delicately crafted with velvety/grainy tannins and fantastic freshness framing the perfumed red and black berry layers, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note. |
|
| Ch. Haut Beausejour |
2012 |
St. Estephe (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$337.99 |
5 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Haut-Brion |
2018 |
Pessac Leognan (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,933.99 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 100 (3/2021): The 2018 Haut-Brion is composed of 49.4% Merlot, 38.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11.9% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, the wine needs a lot of swirling before it begins to release a whole complex melody of notes, one at a time to begin: tilled earth, followed by pronounced licorice, then crushed rocks, then the preserved plums. Eventually, it all comes together into a fascinating crescendo of intense crème de cassis, rose oil, wild blueberries and kirsch notes, giving way to quiet, persistent leitmotif scents of cinnamon stick, truffles and redcurrant jelly. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers all this and more, revealing tightly wound black fruit, red berry and exotic spice layers within a solid, wonderfully plush frame and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and loads of earth and mineral sparks. This is a profound, highly intellectual, multilayered baby, which will require a good 7-8 years to begin to sing its incredible song, then should cellar a further 40 years at least. By way of reference, think 1989 with more restraint and even greater purity.
JS 99 (2/2021): Aromas of currants, leaves, fresh mushrooms, oyster shell, tobacco, and dried flowers, following through to a full body, yet ever so refined and polished and it grows on the palate. Lovely, energetic finish. Subtle and driven at the end of the palate. Drink in 2026 and onwards.
JD 98 (3/2021): A quintessential expression of this terroir, the 2018 Château Haut-Brion checks in as 49.4% Merlot, 38.7% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. Ripe and sexy, yet also offering subtle aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, smoked earth, tobacco leaf, truffle, lead pencil, and minerals, it takes its time opening up but reveals a full-bodied, concentrated, multi-layered style carrying gorgeous tannins, flawless balance, and just a wonderful symmetry and elegance paired with beautiful richness. This noble, gorgeous Haut-Brion will benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age and cruise for 40 years or so.
WS 98 (3/2021): Waves of cassis, cherry puree and blackberry paste roll through in this showstopper, with notes of tea, sandalwood, iron and anise providing an entourage for the fruit. A subtle warm earth accent underscores the finish without intruding on the texture. A large-scaled yet eminently refined wine. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2045.
VM 97 (3/2021): The 2018 Haut-Brion is an infant, but its balance and potential are both amply evident. Rich and deep in the glass, the 2018 opens to reveal tremendous complexity and nuance, qualities that only grow with time. The 2018 is not a huge Haut-Brion, nor is it massively endowed, but it is so elegant and classy. I loved it. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Ch. d' Issan |
2012 |
Margaux |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (4/2015): The 2012 Château d’Issan, builds on the richness of the second wine and adds more body, structure and density. It has an inky purple color and a stunning nose of spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry fruit as well as touches of incense and graphite. Medium to full-bodied and stunningly concentrated, this 2012 is a great success in the vintage, one of the superstars. Moreover, its precociousness suggests it could be drunk in the next 4-5 years or cellared through 2025. I underrated this wine dramatically in my report of April, 2013
JS 92 (3/2015): This is an excellent red now with sweet tobacco, truffles and berries. Full body, vevlety tannins and a savory finish. This shows the Issan character of decadence and richness.
WS 89 (3/2015): This has a strong roasted alder note leading the way, followed by lively plum and red currant fruit. The tightly focused and energetic finish lets the sanguine and iron accents stretch out. A solid effort, with an old-school edge. Drink now through 2019. 7,500 cases made.
VM 87-89 (5/2013): Bright red-ruby. Subdued but pure nose offers blueberry, violet, licorice, menthol and grilled herbs. Enters the mouth fresh and clean, then turns austere, with nicely integrated acidity framing delicate dark berry and herbal flavors. Finishes firm and fresh, with fine-grained tannins and a hint of herbaceousness. A juicy, brisk, classic Bordeaux red with no shortage of energy and lift. I'm always a big fan of Issan, but I wonder if this vintage's relatively modest quantity of ripe fruit will last
NM 87-89 (4/2013): Cropped between 1st and 17th October, the d’Issan is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot cropped at 37hl/ha. It has a tight, quite reticent bouquet – quite stern but focused. This is almost Pauillac in style with a faint tang of seaweed. The palate is medium-bodied with a structured entry. There is a rigid backbone here, again, lending it a Pauillac-like structure with a slight saltiness towards the finish. It needs to offer a little more flesh by the time of bottling. |
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|
2015 |
Margaux |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 96 (2/2018): Very complex aromas of currants, blackberries and iodine with hints of dried mushrooms and flowers. Full-bodied, very fine and silky with a very, very long finish. Shows tension and finesse. Structured yet shows an ultra-fine texture. Deep, dense center palate, yet it's all so polished. A wine for the future. Drink in 2022.
VM 95+ (2/2018): The 2015 d'Issan is a total knock-out. Spectacularly ripe and intense, the 2015 exudes richness in all of its dimensions. Super-ripe dark plum, lavender, spice, savory herbs, iron, smoke and new leather add myriad shades of nuance to this super-ripe, decidedly hedonistic Margaux. A powerful, dense wine, the 2015 is going to need a number of years before it is close to being ready to drink. I was quite impressed with d'Issan both times I tasted it. The 2015 has really come along nicely. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, aged in 50% new oak. Eric Boissenot consults. Antonio Galloni.
JD 95 (11/2017): A powerhouse offering from proprietor Emmanuel Cruse (with consulting advice from Eric Boissenot) is the 2015 Château d'Issan which in 2015 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot brought up in just over 50% new barrels. Offering a spectacular bouquet of blackcurrants, lead pencil, chocolate and espresso, this full-bodied, incredibly sexy Margaux boast sweet, sweet tannin, lots of oak, a stacked mid-palate and a huge finish. It’s a tour de force that’s going to benefit from 5-6 years of cellaring and keep for three decades. As I’ve stated numerous times in this report, Margaux was the place to be in 2015 and I suspect numerous estates have made their best wines to date. |
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|
2016 |
Margaux |
$76.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 94+ (2/2019): I loved the 2016 Château d'Issan and this is a certainly a wine to seek out. Made from a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot from yields of 55 hectoliters per hectare, aged 18 months in 50% new oak, it has a beautiful perfume of blue fruits (cassis, blueberries, etc.) as well as hints of graphite, subtle oak, and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, with integrated acidity, a terrific mid-palate, and perfect balance, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age and is going to cruise in good cellars for 20-25 years or more. It’s a beautiful, elegant, seamless wine that’s very much in the style of the vintage.
VM 94 (1/2019): The 2016 d’Issan, matured in 50% new oak and bottled at the end of May, was impressive out of barrel, and thankfully, it is the same in bottle. The very well defined bouquet features blackberry, tobacco, pressed violets and a subtle estuarine tang, almost a marshland scent of salty air. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, good focused and just the right amount of salinity. My feeling is that this Margaux will close up for a while, so cellar it for several years if you can. Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Kirwan |
2020 |
Margaux |
$45 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 91-93+ (5/2021): Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Kirwan prances out of the glass with pretty scents of redcurrant jelly, black raspberries and Morello cherries, followed by hints of lavender, black tea and dried Provence herbs, with a touch of tree bark. The medium-bodied palate has fantastic tension and fine-grained tannins framing the tightly wound red fruit and savory layers, finishing long and refreshing.
JD 92-94 (5/2021): The deep purple 2020 Château Kirwan offers a rocking bouquet of jammy blackberries, blueberries, violets, cedary oak, and sappy flowers. Playing in the medium to full-bodied, rich, concentrated end of the spectrum, on the palate it shows the more focused and elegant style of the vintage, with wonderful tannins and impressive purity of fruit. This is another strong showing by Château Kirwan that will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and have more than two decades of longevity.
JS 94-95 (4/2021): Extremely exotic on the nose with crushed blackcurrants, raspberries and peaches, following through to a full-bodied palate with wonderful, refined tannins that are creamy and velvety in texture. Very long and persistent with a caressing finish. Best of the trilogy? |
|
| Ch. Lafite Rothschild |
2018 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,050.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (3/2021): The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is blended of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot and has 13.3% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock intoxicating scents of blackcurrant cordial, baked plums and black cherry compote with an undercurrent of dark chocolate, licorice, cast-iron pan, cedar chest and fertile loam, plus a waft of pencil lead. The delicately crafted, medium-bodied palate is dripping with class, featuring layers of mineral-laced black fruits and exquisitely ripe, singularly Lafite tannins, finishing with epic length and depth. This simply stunning, delicately crafted expression of 2018 with its singularly evocative imprint of Lafite will require a good 7-8 years in bottle, then should continue to inspire awe over the following 40+ years.
JS 99 (1/2021): Wow. The aromas are so intense and refined at the same time, offering gorgeous blackcurrant, lead-pencil and orchid character. Such purity of fruit. Sleek and finely polished with a fine cut to the tannins that provide such grace and glamor. Yet, it’s got the power and structure to age for decades. On and on. Try after 2029.
JD 98 (3/2021): Checking in as a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot, the 2018 Château Lafite-Rothschild is one of those magical Lafites that offers an already up-front, complex, nuanced style yet has the class and balance to evolve for 40-50 years. As always, this wine is never about sheer power, and the 2018 offers a full-bodied, incredibly elegant and weightless style that carries textbook blackcurrant fruits, lead pencil shavings, green tobacco, cedarwood, and camphor aromas and flavors. I compared this wine to a more elegant version of the 2016 from barrel and I think that comparison still holds. Incredibly up-front and charming, and already drinkable with sweet tannins, it will unquestionably pick up more complexity and nuance over the coming 4-6 years. It should hit maturity around age 10 and evolve for 75 years or more given its perfect balance. This is a beautiful, quintessential Lafite that exudes elegance and charm.
VM 98 (3/2021): The 2018 Lafite-Rothschild is a stunning wine. Silky and floral, the 2018 offers all the signatures of the Grand Vin, but amplified by the radiance of the year. In the glass, Lafite is rich and exotic, yet it also retains tremendous vibrancy. The interplay of Merlot picked early and Cabernet Sauvignon harvested late makes for wine of extraordinary dimension, complexity and class. Graphite, dark red fruit, spice and leather linger on the huge finish. Magnificent! Antonio Galloni.
WS 97 (3/2021): Very pure, with a sleek and extremely focused beam of cassis, black cherry puree and blackberry preserves streaming through, lined along the edges with savory, sweet bay leaf and black tea details. Those extra notes assert themselves through the finish, but without intruding too much on the fruit, letting it play out over a long iron spine. Hums with precision. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2030 through 2045. |
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| Ch. Lafleur |
2021 |
Pomerol (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,060.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Lagrange |
2020 |
St. Julien |
$49 |
6 |
|
| |
JD 95+ (3/2023): Coming from depressingly low yields of just 26 hectoliters per hectare (the lowest since 1991), the 2020 Château Lagrange checks in as 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot that was raised in 60% new French oak. It's a gorgeous, complete Saint-Julien offering remarkable purity in its cassis, violets, chocolate, and leafy tobacco-like aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with terrific balance, a pure, focused mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and beautifully integrated oak, it's going to benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and cruise over the following 2+ decades in cold cellar.
VM 94 (2/2023): The 2020 Lagrange is fabulous, just as it was from barrel. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, cedar and new leather are all amplified in this gorgeous, striking Saint-Julien. Soft and racy, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, Lagrange is a winner. Antonio Galloni.
JS 94 (12/2022): Attractive nose of blackberries, blackcurrants, walnuts, ink and kaffir leaves. It’s medium- to full-bodied, firm and structured, with chewy and tight tannins. Dark and intense, with a long and persistent finish. Turns to graphite and cedar. Needs time to open and soften. Try from 2026.
WS 92 (3/2023): Very sleek, with a racy iron edge driving through in lockstep with cassis and cherry coulis flavors. Reveals a subtle black tea accent on the finish, with the minerality eventually holding center stage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2036. 11,200 cases made, 1,100 cases imported.
WA 94-96 (5/2021): Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Lagrange leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of redcurrant jelly, ripe blackcurrants and minted blackberries, followed by nuances of dark chocolate, star anise and mossy tree bark. The medium-bodied palate is both super intense and super elegant, featuring exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness to frame the bright, crunchy black and red fruits, finishing long and mineral laced. |
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|
2022 |
St. Julien |
$54 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 91-94 (5/2023): The 2022 Château Lagrange is more mid-weight than I expected, yet it's nicely balanced and certainly elegant. Based on 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot pulled from just 40% of the total production, it has a pretty nose of cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as some floral and spicy nuances. Its oak is nicely integrated, it's medium to full-bodied, and it has fine tannins. The barrel review will seem low if this puts on weight over the course of its élevage.
VM 95-97 (5/2023): The 2022 Lagrange was picked between 8 and 30 September, it ages in 60% new oak for a planned 21 months. It has an almost clinical bouquet, with very well defined blackberry and blueberry fruit, graphite and crushed stone. Quite a gap in quality between this and the Fiefs de Lagrange this year. The palate is extremely pure with cashmere tannins, black cherry fruit infused by blood orange, lightly spiced, hints of white pepper toward a very concentrated, fine-boned finish. This will require several years in bottle, but it will be worth waiting for. A serious and very able Lagrange that should not be under-estimated. Neal Martin.
WA 94-96+ (5/2023): The 2022 Lagrange is brilliant, ranking alongside the 2020, 2019 and 2016 as one of this over-performing estate's finest recent vintages. Revealing aromas of dark cherries, cassis, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with a deep core of fruit, beautifully refined but youthfully assertive tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish. It's a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot with a very healthy pH of 3.63. |
|
| Ch. La Lagune |
2009 |
Haut Medoc |
$99 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 96 (3/2015): Fabulous aromas of licorice, flowers and blackcurrants follow through to a full body with wonderful silky and caressing tannins and a long, flavorful finish. It’s complex and exceptional. Better in 2018 but so enjoyable to taste and drink now.
WA 95 (2/2012): It is not unusual that the 2009 La Lagune is a spectacular effort given the fact that this estate has been making terrific wines over the last decade or more. It boasts a dense purple color as well as a beautiful perfume of blueberries, mulberries, cassis, white chocolate and subtle toasty oak. Notes of Chinese black tea, cedarwood and forest floor also make an appearance in the singular aromatic and flavor profiles. This sumptuous, full-bodied La Lagune possesses low acidity, abundant but ripe, sweet tannin and a long, 45-second finish. Give this beauty 5-7 years of bottle age and drink it over the following three decades. |
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|
2022 |
Haut Medoc |
$39 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 92-94 (5/2023): One of the best Haut-Médoc out there, the 2022 Château La Lagune reveals a dense purple hue as well as a classic Médoc bouquet of blackcurrants, leafy herbs, fresh earth, and chocolate. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a layered, concentrated mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. A stunning wine, it will have 30 years of longevity if properly stored.
VM 92-94 (5/2023): The 2022 La Lagune really takes a while to settle in the glass. It eventually sheds its veneer of oak to reveal attractive blackberry, sous-bois and pencil box aromas, and an exotic element loitering just off-stage. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins that lacquer the mouth. Quite dense and muscular, yet it retains definition and plenty of freshness on the finish. It will require bottle age, but it should evolve into a fine La Lagune. Neal Martin.
WA 93-95 (5/2023): Reminding me, like the 2019, of a modern-day version of the lovely 1990, the 2022 La Lagune bursts with aromas of dark berries, cassis, licorice and violets. Medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, it's a broad, sensual wine with velvety tannins and a suave, charming profile. With 13.8% alcohol, it remains classically proportioned, with a rather high pH of over 3.8 likely contributing to its open, giving style this year. |
|
| Ch. Langoa Barton |
2009 |
St. Julien |
$84 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 94 (3/2019): The 2009 Langoa-Barton has a gorgeous bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, cedar and light tobacco aromas that blossom from the glass. This feels so composed and pure. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine-grain tannin, beautifully judged acidity and a svelte, languorous finish that fans out with style. What a gorgeous and utterly seductive Saint-Julien. It turns out to be Langoa Barton, a wine that I have rated very highly in the past. Neal Martin.
WS 93 (3/2012): Very dense and still rather reserved, with dark blueberry, blackberry and fig notes rolled together, framed by freshly brewed espresso and Black Forest cake notes. Long and tarry through the finish, with a melted licorice snap note hanging on at the very end. Best from 2014 through 2030. 10,000 cases made.
JS 93 (2/2019): A rich and fleshy wine, yet it remains decisively dry. Attractive blueberry aroma and impressive supple tannins make this very harmonious. If it was slightly brighter in the nose this would rate even higher. Drink now.
WA 91 (3/2019): The medium to deep garnet colored 2009 Langoa Barton is scented of warm red and black plums, dried mulberries and blackcurrant cordial with touches of dried mint and new leather. Medium to full-bodied with a solid frame of grainy tannins and bold freshness, it has loads of red and black berry preserves layers on the long, savory finish. |
|
|
2020 |
St. Julien |
$44 |
6 |
|
| |
JD 95 (3/2023): Tasted on multiple occasions, the 2020 Château Langoa Barton comes from a mix of different sites in Saint-Julien, which makes it a great representation of the vintage and appellation. The blend is 53.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue to go with a beautiful bouquet of red and black cherries, currants, leafy tobacco, and cedar pencil, with a touch of damp earth that emerges with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, and elegant on the palate, it has plenty of mid-palate depth and richness, velvety tannins, and a great finish. This plush, up-front, expansive, wonderfully textured Saint-Julien will benefit from just a few years of bottle age and cruise for two decades. It's the finest example from this château I've tasted. Bravo!
VM 93 (2/2023): The 2020 Langoa Barton has quite a plush, violet-tinged bouquet, higher-toned than the Léoville Barton, though without the same unerring complexity. This just wants to go out and have fun. The palate has an irresistible rondeur, velvety smooth with black plum, hints of cassis and a sweet and persistent finish. Joyful. Neal Martin.
JS 93-94 (4/2021): Very pretty blackberry and blueberry character with blackcurrants and mint. It’s medium-to full-bodied with linear, tight tannins that are polished and fine. |
|
| Ch. Larcis-Ducasse |
2019 |
St. Emilion |
$79 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 95 (4/2022): The 2019 Larcis Ducasse has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries, wild berries, burning embers, spices and licorice. Full-bodied, sumptuous and enveloping, with a fleshy core of fruit, ripe tannins and succulent acids, it's a giving, generous wine that's softer and rounder than Pavie Macquin, its stablemate. This beautiful vineyard, managed by Nicolas Thienpont, is located on the limestone slopes of Saint-Émilion, sandwiched between Pavie and Bellefont-Belcier.
VM 95 (2/2023): The 2019 Larcis-Ducasse is classically-styled on the nose with tobacco and cedar infusing the black fruit, a little austere at first, yet there is a sense of stature. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, slightly candied in style but there is commendable structure behind this Saint-Émilion with a dash of black pepper on the finish. Exquisite. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2025-2045.)
JD 94 (4/2022): Moving to the Grand Vin, the 2019 Château Larcis Ducasse sports a deep ruby/plum color as well as a reserved bouquet of ripe black cherries, leafy tobacco, graphite, and damp earth. Medium to full-bodied and nicely concentrated, with clean, ripe tannins, it's holding things relatively close to its vest and is going to benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age. I don't see it matching the greats from this estate, but it's a beautiful wine. The blend is 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, and there are just under 3,000 cases produced. (Drink starting 2027.) |
|
| Ch. Latour-a-Pomerol |
2012 |
Pomerol |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93+ (4/2015): A very strong effort from this estate in the Jean-Pierre Moueix stable, this 2012 (14.5% natural alcohol) has a dense ruby/purple color, a big, sweet kiss of mocha, blackcurrants, and black cherries, and notes of truffle and earth. Full-bodied, ripe and one of the great successes from this estate over recent decades, the 2012 is a must-purchase for Pomerol enthusiasts. Silky tannins, superb concentration and a long, long finish suggest a good 20+ years of evolution at minimum. Bravo!
VM 93 (1/2016): The 2012 Latour a Pomerol is intensely aromatic and beautifully layered in the glass. Sweet herbs, tobacco, raspberry jam, mint and roasted coffee beans are all laced together. Sensual and inviting, the 2012 is all about subtlety and nuance. Super-ripe black cherries, iron, smoke and tobacco add further complexity. The 2012 deftly balances unctuous richness with terrific aromatic presence and delineation. The Cabernet Franc is particularly expressive today. Antonio Galloni.
WS 93 (3/2015): Bay, tobacco and mesquite notes lead the way, with a lush core of fig, boysenberry and plum fruit filling in quickly behind. Serious tobacco, charcoal and loam notes give the finish a hefty feel, but there's purity and polish here, too. Cellar for maximum effect. Best from 2017 through 2027. 1,333 cases made.
JS 92 (2/2015): A dense and layered red with dried strawberries, cocoa powder, chocolate and shelled walnuts. Full body, round and chewy tannins. Dense and deep. Needs three or four years to soften and come together. Excellent texture. Better after 2018. |
|
| Ch. Leoville Las Cases |
2000 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,309.97 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 100 (5/2012): This is a classic Las Cases, with masses of mineral, floral, and blueberry character. Full and chewy, with so much power. Please don’t touch this for another seven to nine years. Otherwise decant this for two hours.
WS 100 (3/2003): (Wine Spectator #5 wine of 2003) Absolutely fantastic. This is one of the most exciting young reds I have tasted in a long, long time. It shows intense aromas of berries, currants and minerals, with hints of mint. Full-bodied and packed with fruit and tannins, its long finish is refined and silky. A benchmark for the vintage. Las Cases has always wanted to make first-growth quality in a top-notch vintage, and it certainly did in 2000. Best after 2012. 15,000 cases made.
JD 99 (6/2019): The 2000 Leoville Las Cases is another brilliant wine and, like most 2000s, appears to just now be at the early stages of its drink window. Smoky black fruits, crushed rocks, lead pencil, and menthol notes all emerge from this brilliant, blockbuster beauty that still tastes like it's just 5-6 years old. Beautifully concentrated, ripe, sexy, and seamless, it has the classic elegance and regal quality of this domaine front and center. It has another 3-4 decades of longevity.
WA 98 (8/2022): The 2000 Léoville Las Cases takes time to unwind in the decanter and glass, but when it begins to show all its cards, the display is spectacular. Mingling aromas of dark berries and red fruits with aromas of pencil shavings, loamy soil, cedar box, bitter chocolate, dried rose petals and licorice, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered, complete mid-palate that's rare in this vintage, powdery tannins and a long, resonant finish. An uncompromising classic, even as it closes in on its 22nd birthday, the 2000 Las Cases remains an infant in terms of evolution.
VM 97 (9/2021): The 2000 Léoville Las Cases is a vintage that I have encountered a dozen or so times. Jean-Hubert Délon oversaw a magnificent wine in this year. The nose of graphite-infused black fruit is still vivacious and very complex, very Pauillac-like, and supremely well focused. Hints of licorice develop with aeration. The medium-bodied palate features sappy black fruit and perfectly judged acidity. Complex and delineated, with marine-tinged mulberry and black currant notes given a deft Oriental touch on the finish. Bottles are only just beginning to drink perfectly now and will last another 30 or more years. |
|
| Ch. Leoville Poyferre |
2018 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$732.99 |
1 |
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| |
WA 94-96+ (4/2019): Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Leoville Poyferre begins sporting a veil of cedar, opening out to reveal profound notions of crème de cassis, warm kirsch, Black Forest cake and Indian spices plus hints of chargrilled meats and Sichuan pepper. Full-bodied and built like a brick house, the taut, muscular black fruit has a solid frame of firm, ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with loads of savory nuances. Aging is anticipated to be for 18 months in barriques, 80% new. The current blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc.
WS 95-98 (4/2019): This is brimming with plum, blackberry and blueberry reduction flavors, backed by grippy, energetic bramble, licorice and apple wood notes. Chockablock with stuff but defined and balanced. A no-brainer for the cellar.
VM 94-97 (5/2019): The 2018 Leoville-Poyferre is a stunning wine that shows a very distinct shift in style under the leadership of Sara Lecompte Cuvelier towards greater energy and vibrancy. The 2018 soars out of the glass with stunning aromatic presence. In its latest incarnation, Leoville-Poyferre is marked by a distinct emphasis on freshness and less extraction than in the past, with sweeter, riper tannins than is the norm. It will be interesting to see if that is an expression of the vintage, or a move toward a gentler approach to winemaking, but I suspect much of it is the latter. Dark red cherry, menthol, pine and wild flowers abound in a stunning, vibrant Saint-Julien that will leave readers weak at the knees. Tasted three times. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96-99 (5/2019): One of the gems in the vintage will be the 2018 Château Leoville Poyferre, which is a powerful, incredibly sexy wine based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, representing just 45% of the total production. In the same ballpark as the 2000, 2005, 2009, and 2010, its deep purple color is followed by a rich, opulent bouquet of sweet black and blue fruits, tobacco, and graphite. Both intellectually and hedonistically satisfying, it fills the mouth with fruit, has remarkable purity and precision for such a powerful wine, sweet tannins, and a finish that goes on for nearly a minute. It's similar in character to the 2009 and will keep for three decades or more. This wine checks in at 14.4% alcohol, with a pH of 3.7, and a massive (one of the highest in the vintage) IPT value of 90. Tasted twice.
JS 97-98 (4/2019): This is so powerful and dense with amazing tannin quality that reminds me of dense clouds, because they are agile and light. Multilayered. Extremely long, too. Punchy! One of the best wines I have ever had from here. |
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|
2021 |
St. Julien |
$85 |
2 |
|
| |
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| Ch. Lynch Bages |
2001 |
Pauillac (3.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$888.98 |
1 |
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| |
NM 92 (3/2011): Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 10-Year On horizontal. The first bottle of this was denuded of vitality and out of sorts (indeed this is a major problem with this vintage.) Not corked, but previous experience old me that it was not “happy” bottle. Fortunately I stayed for another to be opened and this far more representative. Ripe, dark berried fruits on the nose with touches of mulberry, briary, graphite and sous-bois. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp entry, tarry black fruits on the entry, sharp acidity, very tight but that is probably because this bottle had just been opened. Very fine.
VM 90+ (6/2004): Bright red-ruby. Currant, herbs and smoke on the nose. Rich and suave on entry, then rather closed and austere in the middle palate, with moderately ripe, nicely delineated flavors of currant, cherry, smoke and mint. Best today on the back end, which features broad tannins and subtle lingering flavor.
WS 90 (3/2004): Clean and sleek, with tobacco, berry and plum character, medium body and a silky, fresh finish. Firm and balanced Lynch. Best after 2007. 40,830 cases made.
WA 88 (8/2011): The fully mature 2001 exhibits aromas of tapenade, bay leaf, licorice, red and black currants, damp earth and new saddle leather. Medium-bodied and atypically elegant and charming for a Lynch Bages with soft, fully resolved tannin and a moderately long finish, it is much lighter than a great vintage such as 2000. |
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|
2011 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$782.99 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 93 (2/2014): A dense, chewy wine for the vintage, with plum, currant and blackberry character. Full body, polished tannic texture and a bright finish. Very pretty indeed. This needs time to soften. Try in 2019.
WS 92 (3/2014): This has solid guts, with plum, currant and blackberry fruit melded together at the core, while notes of charcoal, warm tobacco and singed iron form the backdrop. Should be very solid when it comes together after some cellaring. Best from 2016 through 2028.
VM 89 (7/2014): Good bright ruby. Dark aromas of cassis, licorice, violet and vanilla. Penetrating and well-delineated, showing a light touch to its intense if slightly lean dark fruit and spice flavors. Finishes with very good grip and length, but a bit tart for me. A wine of very good but not Outstanding concentration. Ian d'Agata.
WA 90 (4/2014): The medium-bodied 2011 Lynch Bages possesses a saturated ruby/purple color as well as beautiful creme de cassis notes, a generous, concentrated, well-made, medium to full-bodied style and supple tannins. A successful effort in 2011, it should be drinkable in 3-4 years and last for 15+. It is a sleeper of the vintage. |
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|
2018 |
Pauillac |
$139 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 98+ (3/2021): One of the finest vintages I've ever tasted from this address, the 2018 Château Lynch-Bages has everything you look for in a great wine: incredible aromatics, richness without weight, perfect balance, and a purity of fruit that's just about off the charts. Dense purple, it reveals a glorious perfume of blackcurrants and blackberry fruits, a deep, unctuous mouthfeel, building tannins, and a complex array of cedar pencil, tobacco, wood smoke, and chocolate. A true blockbuster in every sense, with masses of fruit and tannins as well as moderate acidity, it will probably merit a triple-digit score in a decade and is a 50+-year wine from this team.
WS 97 (3/2021): Vibrant, with a violet and cassis lead-in that then expands to include steeped black cherry and plum fruit as well as extra savory, iron and licorice root notes. Nice latent grip too, with a mouthwatering tug of earth at the very end. The fruit is so vibrant, it's a tease now, but there's structure here for the long haul, so be patient. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2040.
JS 97 (1/2021): Aromas of blackberries, cloves, licorice, dried leaves, graphite and black olives. It’s full-bodied with firm, tight tannins. Structured and tannic with beautiful austerity and a long, mineral and layered finish. The tannins grow on the palate. Try from 2026.
VM 96 (3/3021): An utterly fabulous wine, the 2018 Lynch-Bages captures all of the richness and generosity that make the year so appealing, and yet doesn’t stray too far from its classic feel. Rose petal, lavender, spice, sweet red berry fruit and mint are all beautifully lifted in the glass. Racy and silky to the core, the 2018 is a real head-turner from the very first taste. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. Readers will have a very hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. Antonio Galloni.
WA 96 (3/2021): Composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Lynch-Bages was aged in 75% new barriques. Deep garnet-purple in color, it soars out of the glass with a magnificently expressive nose of blueberry compote, black cherry preserves and blackcurrant pastilles, plus suggestions of dark chocolate, licorice, tar and violets with a waft of hoisin. The medium to full-bodied palate is just as impactful as the nose, coating the mouth with juicy black berry and spicy layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with a refreshing earthiness coming through at the end. |
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2019 |
Pauillac |
$129 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 95-97 (6/2020):
JS 96-97 (6/2020): A tight and very focused young red with redcurrant, tile and blackberry undertones. Lead pencil, too. It’s full-bodied with very polished, creamy tannins and lots of intense dark fruit. Compact fruit and tannins. Structured. |
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| Ch. Malartic Lagraviere |
2012 |
Pessac Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$630.98 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94 (4/2015): This large estate of 131 acres has been run brilliantly by a Belgian family, the Bonnies since their acquisition a number of years ago. The quality of the white and red have soared to exceptional heights, and this is certainly still one of the more realistically priced wines of Pessac-Lèognan and classified crus. The 2012 is a beauty, with a dense ruby/purple color, a fabulously plush, opulent texture and medium to full-bodied flavors of cassis, spicy earth and blueberry. Quite rich, yet light on its feet, this is an absolutely textbook Pessac-Lèognan, with wonderfully velvety tannins. Drink it now, or drink it in 25 years. This is a brilliant wine.
WS 92 (3/2015): Solid, with dense layers of fig sauce, plum cake and blackberry confiture, laced with graphite and warm tar details. The long finish ripples with spice hints and black fruit, leaving a mouthwatering feel despite the heft. Best from 2017 through 2022. 8,330 cases made.
JS 92 (2/2015): This shows lots of precision and focus with blueberry, mineral and dried fruit character. Full body, fine tannins and a silky finish. Refined and composed. Better in 2019. |
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| Ch. Malescot St. Exupery |
2009 |
Margaux |
$119 |
3 |
|
| |
JS 97+ (11/2011): Lots of blueberries and blackberries with hints of dark chocolate. Full bodied, with gorgeous fruit. Loads of dried strawberries with dark chocolate. I love the texture of the velvety tannins. What length and beauty here. Superb. Best ever from this estate. Try after 2019.
WA 96 (2/2012): An inky/purple color is followed by notes of Asian plum sauce, forest floor, creme de cassis, black raspberries and a floral component that is unusual for a Margaux. A wine of exceptional intensity and purity with a full-bodied, sumptuous texture, lots of fresh vibrancy and excellent definition, this beautiful 2009 exhibits high but sweet tannin. It is more sexy than the 2005 was at a similar age, although their level of extract and concentration is relatively equal. Something about the 2009 reminds me of a Margaux version of St.-Julien's Leoville Poyferre ... if that makes any sense. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.
WS 94 (6/2012): This is beautiful, with smoldering tar, espresso and tobacco leaf notes fully melded together, while the core of crushed plum, steeped black currant and blackberry fruit sits in reserve. A twinge of iron adds extra length and definition on the finish. Very suave. Approachable now, but with plenty of stuffing and balance for the cellar as well. Best from 2013 through 2030. 9,580 cases made.
VM 91+ (7/2012): Inky ruby. Ripe aromas of plum, blackberry jam and sweet balsamic vinegar. Rich and ripe in the mouth, with lively acidity lifting the creamy black fruit flavors and extending the wine's lightly peppery, very suave finish. Not the most refined or subtle Margaux you'll ever taste but immensely drinkable, and with plenty of depth and concentration to its aromas and flavors. |
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2015 |
Margaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$825.97 |
1 |
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| |
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2019 |
Margaux |
$59 |
6 |
|
| |
VM 95-97 (6/2020): The 2019 Malescot St. Exupery is richer and more flamboyant on the nose compared to its Margaux peers with ravishing red berry fruit, vanilla, iodine and touches of cassis, becoming increasingly floral with aeration. The palate has a cashmere texture on the entry matched by well judged acidity. Wonderful cohesion here, harmonious and focused with veins of black pepper and allspice towards the finish that feels reassuringly long. Deee-licious! Neal Martin.
JS 96-97 (6/2020): Wow. This is so perfumed and mesmerizing with currant, floral and blackberry character. It’s full-bodied, yet so refined and polished with wonderfully fine-grained and crafted tannins. The finish goes on and on. |
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2020 |
Margaux |
$59 |
12 |
|
| |
JS 97 (12/2022): Lots of blackcurrants and blueberries on the nose, together with walnuts and chocolate. Full-bodied and very layered, with super depth and plushness, offering currant, crushed-stone and bitter-chocolate flavors. Very lush for this wine, but velvety and structured at the same time. Needs four to six years of bottle age. Try after 2027.
VM 95 (2/2023): The 2020 Malescot Saint Exupéry is absolutely gorgeous. Deep and silky (that is not a typo) Malescot shows a level of finesse that is truly remarkable. There is still plenty of textural intensity, but also greater elegance than in the recent past. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, incense and blood orange all run through this wonderfully sumptuous, expressive Margaux. Give this a few years in bottle. Superb. Antonio Galloni.
JD 94+ (3/2023): Beautiful cassis, smoky oak, graphite, blackberries, and scorched earth notes emerge from the 2020 Château Malescot Saint Exupéry, another incredibly impressive wine from Margaux in the vintage. With medium to full-bodied richness, it has plenty of mid-palate depth, the building, firmer tannins of the vintage, fabulous purity of fruit, and a great finish. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years.
WS 92 (3/2023): A ripe, slightly flashy style, with a lovely core of mulled plum and blackberry fruit laced with black tea and singed sandalwood. Reveals a very caressing feel through the finish, with hints of mocha and dark tobacco filling in. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2036.
WA 95-97 (5/2021): Sporting a deep purple-black color, the 2020 Malescot St. Exupery prances out of the glass with showy scents of ripe black and red currants, black cherries, raspberry leaves and ground cloves, plus wafts of lilacs and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black and red fruit layers with a firm, grainy texture and well-balanced acidity, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note. |
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| Ch. Margaux |
2008 |
Margaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$6,493.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 97 (2/2019): One of the wines of the vintage, the 2008 Château Margaux is a beauty and has everything you could want from a wine. A huge nose of cassis, Asian spices, dried flowers, and incense all soar from the glass, and on the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied and pure, with ripe tannins and a great finish. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot made from an incredibly strict selection (only 36% of the production made it into the top wine), this elegant, regal, incredibly classic Chateau Margaux is thrilling today, but will drink well for another 20-30 years.
WA 94 (5/2011): This is a stunning Chateau Margaux, made in a sexy, up-front, elegant style, with deep creme de cassis fruit intermixed with spring flowers, a solid inner core of richness and depth, but again, very sweet tannins as well as striking minerality and elegance. One of the most seductive Chateau Margauxs given its recent bottling, this blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest tiny quantities of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot should drink beautifully for the next 25-30 years. Remarkably, a mere 36% of the entire production was selected for the 2008 Chateau Margaux.
VM 94 (2/2018): The 2008 Château Margaux has an attractive bouquet of mulberry, red plum, briary, a hint of rose petal rather than its signature note of violets. It gains intensity with aeration, but to my surprise it feels quite forward for a 10-year old First Growth. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite Pauillac in style thanks to that graphite seam that surfaces towards the finish. It is a precise, classic Château Margaux that really delivers its intensity in the final quarter. I came away with the impression that it just does not quite slip from fourth to fifth gear. Neal Martin.
JS 94 (12/2010): This is so subtle and refined on the nose with amazing perfumes of rose petal, blueberries and blackberries. Full but very tight and fresh with a lovely length that goes on and on. Starts off slowly with a solid core of fruit, then grows denser and denser. This is shy at first, needs at leat five years of bottle age.
WS 91 (11/2014): Shows a lightly sinewy edge, with coiled notes of damson plum, red currant preserves, rooibos tea, singed balsa wood and iron, lacking the vintage's typical crisp edge. The fine-grained finish is approachable already, but this will age gracefully and should develop a more perfumed than rich profile. Drink now through 2020. |
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|
2010 |
Margaux (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,256.98 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 100 (2/2013): This was phenomenal from barrel and remains so. The aromas are spellbinding. It smells like a bouquet of pink roses and then goes to currants, berries and citrus. Full body, with wonderfully refined tannins. It starts discretely and then grows to different levels and dimensions like a slow but big high tide. The texture is so beautiful. Try it in 2020 or beyond.
WA 99 (2/2013): The 2010 is a brilliant Chateau Margaux, as one might expect in this vintage. The percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the final blend hit 90%, the balance Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and only 38% of the crop made it into the Chateau Margaux. Paul Pontallier, the administrator, told me that this wine has even higher levels of tannin than some other extraordinary vintages such as 2005, 2000, 1996, etc. Deep purple, pure and intense, with floral notes, tremendous opulence and palate presence, this is a wine of considerable nobility. With loads of blueberry, black currant and violet-infused fruit and a heady alcohol level above 13.5% (although that looks modest compared to several other first growths, particularly Chateau Latour and Chateau Haut-Brion), its beautifully sweet texture, ripe tannin, abundant depth and profound finish all make for another near-perfect wine that should age effortlessly for 30-40 years.
WS 98 (3/2013): A mouthwatering tobacco leaf note leads the way, quickly followed by steeped black currant and fig fruit, with dark tar and ganache on the back end. Roasted alder and juniper hints hang in the background. Extremely backward, with a firm, tannic structure, this is girded for the long haul. Judging from the finely beaded acidity and lilting echo of lilac that peeks in now, this should acquire sensational aromatics and incredible grace with age. Best from 2018 through 2040.
VM 95+ (8/2013): Saturated ruby-red. Deep aromas of blackberry, licorice and bitter chocolate, complicated by nuances of loam and coffee extract. Dense, thick and sweet, but with harmonious acidity giving shape and lift to the pungent cassis, spice and tobacco flavors. Youthfully chewy wine with terrific underlying structure and a very long, sappy finish featuring broad tannins and a hint of licorice. This has improved considerably since the Primeurs, but I still think the 2009 Margaux is the superior wine. |
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| Ch. Montrose |
2014 |
St. Estephe |
$139 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 97 (2/2017): The 2014 Montrose is without question one of the standout wines of the vintage. Black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and lavender are some of the many aromas and flavors that open up in the glass. But the 2014 is a much deeper wine than just a bunch of descriptors can conjure. In 2014, Montrose is a wine of exceptional finesse and polish. The late-ripening vintage allowed for perfect maturation of the tannins and resulted in a silky wine that exudes class and pedigree. The 2014 is not an obvious or bombastic Montrose, but rather a wine of sublime enchantment. Don't miss it! Antonio Galloni.
JS 97 (3/2017): Incredible aromas of currants, blackberries, slate and flowers. Full-bodied yet so tight and beautiful with superb polish and brightness. The length is fantastic. Truly superb. Drink in 2021.
WA 96 (3/2017): Tasted at the château, the 2014 Montrose builds on the promise it showed in barrel with gorgeous blackberry, raspberry, cedar and orange sorbet scents that are extremely pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very precise acidity and layers of crisp black fruit laced with vanilla from the new oak at the moment. That will be subsumed in time. What you have here is a very precise, multi-layered, almost sensual Montrose that is going to delight many for years to come. This is highly recommended—one of the finest Left Bank wines this vintage.
WS 95 (3/2017): This is seriously built, with an admirable core of red and black currant paste and bitter plum fruit inlaid with notes of tobacco, bay and smoldering charcoal. The finish is ramrod straight thanks to an iron girder supporting everything with ease. A tremendous effort for the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2035. |
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|
2014 |
St. Estephe (6.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,210.97 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 97 (2/2017): The 2014 Montrose is without question one of the standout wines of the vintage. Black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and lavender are some of the many aromas and flavors that open up in the glass. But the 2014 is a much deeper wine than just a bunch of descriptors can conjure. In 2014, Montrose is a wine of exceptional finesse and polish. The late-ripening vintage allowed for perfect maturation of the tannins and resulted in a silky wine that exudes class and pedigree. The 2014 is not an obvious or bombastic Montrose, but rather a wine of sublime enchantment. Don't miss it! Antonio Galloni.
JS 97 (3/2017): Incredible aromas of currants, blackberries, slate and flowers. Full-bodied yet so tight and beautiful with superb polish and brightness. The length is fantastic. Truly superb. Drink in 2021.
WA 96 (3/2017): Tasted at the château, the 2014 Montrose builds on the promise it showed in barrel with gorgeous blackberry, raspberry, cedar and orange sorbet scents that are extremely pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very precise acidity and layers of crisp black fruit laced with vanilla from the new oak at the moment. That will be subsumed in time. What you have here is a very precise, multi-layered, almost sensual Montrose that is going to delight many for years to come. This is highly recommended—one of the finest Left Bank wines this vintage.
WS 95 (3/2017): This is seriously built, with an admirable core of red and black currant paste and bitter plum fruit inlaid with notes of tobacco, bay and smoldering charcoal. The finish is ramrod straight thanks to an iron girder supporting everything with ease. A tremendous effort for the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2035. |
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|
2022 |
St. Estephe |
$189 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 98-100 (5/2023): The 2022 Château Montrose is a classic blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, all of which was brought up in 60% new oak from a variety of coopers. Another absolutely brilliant wine in the vintage, it offers a saturated purple hue as well as an essence of Montrose-like bouquet of currants, blueberries, damp earth, violets, graphite, and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied, incredibly concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless has a riveting sense of purity, precision, and finesse that's hard to believe. Given its balance and purity of fruit, as well as the quality of the tannins, it's going to offer incredible pleasure with just 4-6 years of bottle age (a decade would be best) yet be just about immortal if well stored.
VM 97-99 (5/2023): The 2022 Montrose was picked 2 to 22 September comprising all four grape varieties and all the Cabernet Franc, with 13% pressed wine, matured in 60% new oak. There is 14.5% alcohol this year, which is less than 2018. It has an extremely pure nose with black cherries and blueberry. Quite floral in style with hints of blood orange percolating through with time. The palate is very precise with exceptional mineralité and tension. Very focused, superb concentration, with what is becoming Montrose's trademark sense of symmetry and sustained aftertaste, this could be the finest Saint-Estèphe in 2022. Neal Martin.
WA 99-100 (5/2023): 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. |
|
| Ch. Mouton-Rothschild |
1998 |
Pauillac (6x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$6,438.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (4/2001): Like many of its peers, the 1998 has filled out spectacularly. Now in the bottle, this opaque black/purple-colored offering has increased in stature, richness, and size. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc (57% of the production was utilized), it is an extremely powerful, super-concentrated wine offering notes of roasted espresso, creme de cassis, smoke, new saddle leather, graphite, and licorice. It is massive, with awesome concentration, mouth-searing tannin levels, and a saturated flavor profile that grips the mouth with considerable intensity. This is a 50-year Mouton, but patience will be required as it will not be close to drinkability for at least a decade. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050.
VM 93+ (8/2011): (86% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot and 2% cabernet franc; pH 3.82; IPT 76; 12.3% alcohol; a 57% selection): Very deep saturated ruby. Archetypical cabernet sauvignon-dominated nose offers fresh blackcurrant, lead pencil and flowers complicated by strong spice notes. Bright and juicy on entry, with very pure flavors of dark berries, underbrush and dried herbs, then slightly austere and linear in the middle palate. Finishes with a lingering saline nuance and very good length. A very refined and impeccably balanced Mouton, but I would have liked a little bit more concentration and opulence for an even higher score. This classic Mouton possesses relatively high acidity and a solid tannic structure; it offers early accessibility but should age effortlessly for another 15 or 20 years. In 1998, after a couple years of experimentation, Mouton began to de-leaf in a systematic fashion on both sides of the vine rows. Another vintage with a large crop, 1998 featured an unsettled September with rain falling during the cabernet sauvignon harvest (one of the reasons why 1998 is widely considered a Right Bank year.) Ian d'Agata.
NM 92 (11/2010): Tasted at the Claret Club Mouton-Rothschild dinner. The 1998 Mouton has a very deep garnet hue. The nose has good intensity and fine definition with blackberry, cassis, graphite and a touch of sous-bois. The palate is tight at first..."a dense ball of Pauillac stubbornness" are the exact words that I wrote. But it unwinds nicely: graphite and cedar interlacing the black fruit, almost brutal towards the finish that needs more persistency. This will been another 4-5 years in bottle.
WS 91 (12/2009): Blackberry and violets on the nose, with hints of roses. Sweet tobacco too. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and round tannins. A little tight and reserved now. Give it time.—'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective. Best after 2011. 22,915 cases made.
JS 91 (11/2015): This is spicy and peppery with dried fruits and currants. It's full and velvety on the palate, showing pretty berries and toasted coffee beans. Long, long finish. |
|
|
2006 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$7,034.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98+ (2/2009): A sensational effort, the 2006 Mouton Rothschild exhibits an opaque purple color as well as a classic Mouton perfume of creme de cassis, flowers, blueberries, and only a hint of oak. Dalhuin told me that in whisky barrel-tasting vintages such as 1989 and 1990, Mouton was aged in heavily-toasted barrels, and they have backed off to a much lighter toast for the barrels’ interior. I think this has worked fabulously well with the cassis quality fruit they get from their Cabernet Sauvignon. The full-bodied, powerful 2006 possesses extraordinary purity and clarity. A large-scaled, massive Mouton Rothschild that ranks as one of the top four or five wines of the vintage, it may turn out to be the longest-lived wine of the vintage by a landslide. The label will undoubtedly be controversial as a relative of Sigmund Freud, Lucian Freud, has painted a rather comical Zebra staring aimlessly at what appears to be a palm tree in the middle of a stark courtyard. I suppose a psychiatrist could figure out the relationship between that artwork and wine, but I couldn’t see one. This utterly profound Mouton will need to sleep for 15+ years before it will reveal any secondary nuances, but it is a packed and stacked first-growth Pauillac of enormous potential. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2060+.
VM 96+ (6/2009): Bright ruby-red. Vibrant aromas of cassis, blueberry, cedar and graphite. Wonderfully pure and silky in the mouth, with great subtle, slow-building intensity and superb energy and thrust. A real essence of cabernet sauvignon and Mouton terroir This one really rattled my brain-in the gentlest way. As silky as it is, it possesses bottomless depths. Finishes with big but noble tannins and Outstanding length. I loved this wine the spring after the harvest, and it's even more impressive today. This should go on for decades, but today it's hard to imagine this wine going through an extended sullen stage. By the way, I'm a great fan of Lucien Freud's work, but his label for this wine does not do justice to the juice inside the bottle.
WS 94 (3/2009): Complex aromas of crushed berries, cedar, mahogany and sweet tobacco follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a long finish. There's also lots of coffee. Balanced and very beautiful already. Best after 2015. 15,830 cases made. |
|
| Les Pagodes de Cos |
2019 |
St. Estephe |
$45 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 92-94 (6/2020): The 2019 Les Pagodes de Cos (14.03% alcohol) is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, aging in 20% new barriques. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, notions of wild blueberries, boysenberries and redcurrant jelly come bounding out of the glass, followed by a profound core of warm cassis, licorice and bouquet garni with a touch of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate bursts with bright, expressive black and red fruit flavors, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness, finishing on a lingering spicy note.
JD 92-94 (6/2020): Moving to the Saint-Estèphe releases, the 2019 Pagodes De Cos is based on 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot, which is very close to the blend of the 2018. It sports a vibrant purple color as well as classic Saint-Estèphe dark currant fruits interwoven with plenty of damp earth, cedar box, tobacco, and graphite. It's beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, has silky tannins, and great balance. It's a serious second wine.
JS 94-95 (6/2020): This is really minerally and salty with spices, such as cloves. Full-bodied, yet tight and beautiful. Chewy, yet focused and bright. Very integrated. Hard not to drink. |
|
| Ch. Pape-Clement |
2012 |
Pessac Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,134.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97 (4/2015): The iconic 2012 Pape Clement is a candidate for near-perfection as well as one of the wines of the vintage. From proprietor Bernard Magrez, this is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. This extraordinary vineyard (a few miles to the west of Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion) has hit all the highlights of this vintage. Interestingly, the quality of the Pomerols and Graves wines in 2012 is closer to what one would consider a great vintage than the general image of 2012. This is truly great wine and not far off their magnificent 2005 and 2010. Full-bodied, with rich cassis, subtle burning embers and spice followed by velvety, well-integrated tannins, the wine is lush, expansive, savory and profound. This is a remarkable wine that could be drunk at a reasonably young age, but should cellar brilliantly for a quarter-century. Yields were modest at 37 hectoliters per hectare from this 132-acre estate. The alcohol level came in at 13.5%.
WS 94 (3/2015): Densely packed, with lots of dark steeped currant, fig and blackberry fruit, slowly melding with muscular licorice snap, bramble, singed bay and ganache notes. The long, dark, ganache-coated finish isn't shy, but an enticing rusticity keeps this honest. A large-scaled wine that has really powered up since the barrel tasting. Best from 2018 through 2027. 12,500 cases made.
NM 92-94 (4/2013): Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. The Grand Vin is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon that was cropped between 4th and 18th October at 37hl/ha. There is a lot of oak to be absorbed on the nose, although there appears to be plenty of brambly dark berry fruit to soak it up. It is slightly broody compared to the 2011 last year and will hopefully open up after bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy, plump, ripe tannins and crisp acidity. It is harmonious and focused, good volume here, with a strict finish that displays good tension, although there is a slight dryness coming through on the aftertaste.
JS 93 (2/2015): This is rich and decadent with lots of wet earth, tobacco, berries and hints of cedar. Full body, round and velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Better in 2018. |
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|
2020 |
Pessac Leognan |
$85 |
5 |
|
| |
VM 98 (2/2023): The 2020 Pape Clément is outrageously beautiful. Dark, virile and imposing, the 2020 is a rare vintage of Pape Clément that is vertical and statuesque in feel. Dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves infuse the palate with tremendous depth. In a word: magnificent. Antonio Galloni.
JS 98 (12/2022): Lots of blackberry, iodine and crushed stone here. Some black pepper and graphite, too. Full body and medium, fine tannins that have a powdery texture and open in the mouth. So much going on. Iodine and iron undertones with some raw mushroom bring you back for more. Muscular. This is for the cellar. Drink after 2027.
WS 95 (11/2022): This is snazzed up with flashy toast, but there's ample mulberry, cassis and plum compote fruit to soak it up, while notes of licorice and sweet spice fill in the background. A late tug of warm earth keeps this grounded. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2028 through 2038.
JD 97+ (3/2023): I loved the 2020 Château Pape Clément, and this beauty is up there with the top wines in Pessac. Checking in as equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, aged 18 months in 90% barrels and 10% in foudre, it offers a deep purple hue to go with a powerful, concentrated profile displaying both red and black fruits, lots of spicy, chocolate, flowery incense nuances, full-bodied richness, and an almost salty, bloody character on the finish. This beauty shows the concentrated yet utterly classic, focused, elegant style of the vintage and has so much to love. It's going to be even better with 4-6 years of bottle age and will see its 30th birthday in fine form.
WA 96-98 (5/2021): Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Pape Clement comes barreling out of the glass with bold notes of cassis, plum preserves and licorice, giving way to scents of cedar chest, crushed rocks, charcoal and pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly coiled with beautiful tension and a firm, finely grained texture locking in the layers of black fruits and minerals, finishing with great length and energy. The blend this year is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, aging mainly in French oak barriques, 66% new, with about 10% aging in large oak foudres. The wine will spend approximately 18 months in barrels. |
|
| Ch. Pavie Macquin |
2019 |
St. Emilion |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 95-97 (6/2020): Composed of 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Pavie Macquin was harvested from the 23rd of September to the 11th of October. Yields were 47 hectoliters per hectare this year with about 90% of the production going into the grand vin. Deep garnet-purple in color, the wine opens with the most tantalizing perfume of lavender, lilacs and forest floor, giving way to a core of crushed blackberries, baked plums and blueberry preserves plus wafts of licorice and bay leaves. The full-bodied palate offers layer upon layer of black fruits and earthy nuances, sporting a solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and tons of freshness, finishing with great length and depth. About 5,500 cases are anticipated to be made.
VM 95-97 (6/2020): The 2019 Pavie Macquin feels very tight on the nose at first and certainly from my sample bottle, I allowed it 15-20 minutes to open. Eventually it reveals very intense scents of black cherries, cassis and crushed violet, touches of blood orange in the background. The palate has a satin-like texture, almost Vosne-Romanee-like, with extraordinarily pure blue and black fruit. Seamless! There is fine tension on the finish with impressive persistence. This is a seriously good Pavie-Macquin from Nicolas Thienpont and his team. Neal Martin.
JD 95-97 (6/2020): While this cooler terroir always yields a more austere wine that requires bottle age, the 2019 Château Pavie Macquin has a wonderful elegance and plushness to its fruit that gives surprisingly upfront appeal. Nevertheless, it has bright acidity, good concentration, and rocking purity of fruit, all pointing toward a good decade before it hits maturity. Dense purple, with lots of cassis, violets, spring flowers, crushed stone, and graphite, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, stunningly polished, silky tannins, and a great, great finish. I'll be a buyer.
JS 98-99 (6/2020): Really classy red, offering blueberries, minerals, salt, limestone and light fresh herbs. It’s full-bodied, but so refined. Fine layers of fruit and tannins. It’s like millefeuille. The 2018 is more exuberant, but I love the elegance and structure here. Subtle and complex. 78% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon. |
|
| Ch. Pichon-Longueville Baron |
2011 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$960.99 |
2 |
|
| |
NM 93-95 (4/2012): A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot picked from 12th September until 28th or something (according to a vague Mr. Seely.) It sports a ripe, more extrovert nose than some of its neighbours, with lush blackberry, boysenberry, a touch of cherry liqueur and underneath, typical Pauillac traits of graphite and tobacco. Leaving the glass for five minutes it unwinds nicely and shows great purity. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins on the entry, good grip and weight, a 2011 with real substance and chutzpah. The more I leave this in my glass, the more I like it. Very harmonious with layers of ripe blackberry and a touch of white pepper, the finish forgetting it is 2011 and not 2009. This is an Outstanding Pichon Baron for the vintage. Tasted three times with consistent notes.
JS 92 (3/2015): A Pichon Baron with currants and cocoa powder. It’s a little lean but shows lovely full body, bright fruit and polished tannins. Lovely race and finesse. Better in 2018.
WS 92 (3/2014): Shows a taut feel for now, with lots of cassis and blackberry fruit, lined with iron and bramble notes. Dark and well-toasted yet integrated overall, this should stretch out after moderate cellaring, as there's an ample core of dark, fleshy fruit. Best from 2016 through 2028. 15,000 cases made
WA 91 (4/2014): The dense ruby/purple-colored 2011 Grand Puy Lacoste exhibits a charming, open-knit bouquet of red and black fruits. It is a savory, medium-bodied, flavorful, well-endowed Pauillac from Xavier Borie that can be enjoyed over the next 10-15+ years.
VM 88+ (8/2014): Inky purple. Smoky aromas of dark berries, coffee and cocoa, with a peppery topnote; strong element of torrefaction. At once chewy and a bit tart on the palate, offering spicy redcurrant and ripe blackberry flavors along with strong suggestions of mocha and coffee. The broad finish features slightly chewy tannins. I'd have liked a bit more definition here, but it's probably just a matter of time. Cellar this for five years and see where it's headed. Ian d'Agata. |
|
| Ch. Pontet Canet |
2005 |
Pauillac Very Lightly Scuffed Label |
$195 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 98 (8/2021): Always showing well, this bottle of 2005 Château Pontet Canet was just about pure perfection in a glass. Still youthful ruby/purple-hued, with a gorgeous core of pure cassis and darker currant fruits, it's full-bodied and has a stacked mid-palate, building tannins, and textbook Pauillac graphite, lead pencil, and subtle tobacco and cedar aromas and flavors. It's a big, rich, powerful 2005 with flawlessly integrated tannins, remarkable purity, and a finish that won't quit. While it's still another 5-10 years away from being completely mature, it unquestionably offers incredible pleasure today.
WA 97 (7/2016): Tasted at the Pontet-Canet vertical in London, the 2005 Château Pontet-Canet has long been one of the stars of the vintage and this might well be the best of over a dozen showings of this wine. However, do not expect ostentation on the nose. This is 2005 and like many wines of this vintage, even with considerable decanting, it remained broody and introspective on the nose, as if it is checking you out and seeing if you are worthy. Once you have been accepted, then it swings the doors open to reveal gorgeous scents of blackberry, briary and cassis fruit, perhaps a little more sous-bois than I have noticed compared to previous bottles. The palate is medium-bodied, but dense and structured—certainly a more masculine Pontet-Canet built for long-term ageing. Yet it retains marvelous freshness and vitality all the way through to the pencil-lead, quite saline finish. I suspect that the 2009 Pontet-Canet is more approachable than the 2005, so heeding Robert Parker's sage advice, afford this up to ten years in your cellar and then reap the rewards of patience.
WS 96 (12/2017): Warm, fleshy and inviting, featuring a gush of blackberry, fig and boysenberry compote flavors that are both primal and approachable, with light anise, sweet tobacco and ganache notes filling in behind. Shows a serious, deeply buried iron and cedar spine, as the fruit is just pumping forth now. Drink now through 2035. 20,830 cases made.
VM 96 (4/2021): The 2005 Pontet-Canet is a heady, exotic wine. Inky dark fruit, mocha, chocolate, licorice, spice and tobacco are front and center. Readers will find an unabashedly opulent, full-throttle 2005 with quite a bit more oak influence and overall extraction than is the norm these days. Even so, the 2005 is a young, young wine with a bright future. This is one sexy Pauillac, that's for sure. Antonio Galloni. |
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|
2015 |
Pauillac |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 98 (1/2018): So much floral and dark-fruit character with almonds and walnut shell. Full body and ultra-fine tannins. Powerful. Classic style with a harmony and energy. Goes on for minutes. A superb wine with great fruit. Real Bordeaux. Try in 2025.
VM 97+ (2/2018): Proprietor Alfred Tesseron and winemaker Jean-Michel Comme produced an absolutely stellar Pontet-Canet in 2015. Sumptuous, racy and totally inviting, the 2015 is all class. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, spice and exotic floral notes build as the 2015 shows off its alluring personality. Even with all of its raciness, the 2015 speaks with authority and power. Fine tannins extend the persistent, highly nuanced finish. The 2015 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot aged 50% new oak, 4% in terra cotta and 15% in neutral oak. Tasted three times. Antonio Galloni.
WA 97 (5/2020): Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Pontet-Canet comes charging out of the glass with fantastically expressive notes of black cherry preserves, black raspberries and blackcurrant pastilles plus touches of kirsch, wilted roses, tobacco, camphor and cinnamon stick with a waft of fragrant soil. Full bodied, the palate is laden with black and red fruit layers, supported by very firm, very finely grained tannins and provocative freshness, finishing with incredible length and stunningly perfumed.
JD 95+ (11/2017): The 2015 Pontet Canet is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot brought up in 50% new oak, and 35% in amphora. With textbook Pauillac notes of lead pencil shavings, tobacco leaf, smoke, and licorice, as well as a core of pure crème de cassis fruit, this beautiful, full-bodied, impeccably balanced is one of the few 2015s that’s going to demand cellaring. The tannin are high, yet sweet, and like its bright acidity, nicely integrated into the wine. Forget bottles for 5-7 years and enjoy over the following three decades. I don’t put this as the level of the 2009 and 2010, but it’s still a beautiful wine. Tasted three times.
WS 94 (3/2018): This sports a lovely core of gently steeped plum, blackberry and black currant fruit, carried by velvety structure, while smoldering tobacco and charcoal notes fill in through the finish. Fleshes out steadily in the glass, revealing more juniper, bay leaf and loam accents. Best from 2022 through 2035. |
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|
2015 |
Pauillac Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 98 (1/2018): So much floral and dark-fruit character with almonds and walnut shell. Full body and ultra-fine tannins. Powerful. Classic style with a harmony and energy. Goes on for minutes. A superb wine with great fruit. Real Bordeaux. Try in 2025.
VM 97+ (2/2018): Proprietor Alfred Tesseron and winemaker Jean-Michel Comme produced an absolutely stellar Pontet-Canet in 2015. Sumptuous, racy and totally inviting, the 2015 is all class. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, spice and exotic floral notes build as the 2015 shows off its alluring personality. Even with all of its raciness, the 2015 speaks with authority and power. Fine tannins extend the persistent, highly nuanced finish. The 2015 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot aged 50% new oak, 4% in terra cotta and 15% in neutral oak. Tasted three times. Antonio Galloni.
WA 97 (5/2020): Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Pontet-Canet comes charging out of the glass with fantastically expressive notes of black cherry preserves, black raspberries and blackcurrant pastilles plus touches of kirsch, wilted roses, tobacco, camphor and cinnamon stick with a waft of fragrant soil. Full bodied, the palate is laden with black and red fruit layers, supported by very firm, very finely grained tannins and provocative freshness, finishing with incredible length and stunningly perfumed.
JD 95+ (11/2017): The 2015 Pontet Canet is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot brought up in 50% new oak, and 35% in amphora. With textbook Pauillac notes of lead pencil shavings, tobacco leaf, smoke, and licorice, as well as a core of pure crème de cassis fruit, this beautiful, full-bodied, impeccably balanced is one of the few 2015s that’s going to demand cellaring. The tannin are high, yet sweet, and like its bright acidity, nicely integrated into the wine. Forget bottles for 5-7 years and enjoy over the following three decades. I don’t put this as the level of the 2009 and 2010, but it’s still a beautiful wine. Tasted three times.
WS 94 (3/2018): This sports a lovely core of gently steeped plum, blackberry and black currant fruit, carried by velvety structure, while smoldering tobacco and charcoal notes fill in through the finish. Fleshes out steadily in the glass, revealing more juniper, bay leaf and loam accents. Best from 2022 through 2035. |
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|
2020 |
Pauillac |
$89 |
8 |
|
| |
JS 98 (1/2023): Aromas of blackcurrants and black cherries with hints of crushed walnuts, grilled thyme, cocoa powder and graphite. It’s full-bodied with layers of ultra-fine, silky tannins that elegantly coat your palate, allowing the juicy and vibrant fruit to shine. Delicate and pristine, yet compact with lots of energy and power to uncover in the coming years. It lasts for minutes and is delicious now. The purity of fruit is really impressive. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. 50% new oak 15% old oak and 35% concrete amphorae. Try after 2027.
JD 97+ (3/2023): The flagship from this estate, the 2020 Château Pontet-Canet is a beauty based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new oak, with 35% in amphora. Deep purple-hued with a great nose of dark currants, plums, tobacco leaf, and truffly earth, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless mouthfeel and a great finish. The higher Merlot content here really shows in its overall sexy, supple, seamless style, and while this already offers pleasure, it's going to be one for the ages as well.
VM 94+ (2/2023): The 2020 Pontet-Canet is a potent, brooding wine that really seems to reflect the richness of the year in its flavor profile and overall feel. Today, the 2020 is quite dark and somber, although aeration gradually brings out floral top notes that convey freshness. The 2020 is an exotic Pontet-Canet that that will require time. The 2020 spent 14-16 months in the cellar, in the combination of 50% new oak, 35% amphora and 15% once-used barrels. Antonio Galloni.
WA 96-98+ (5/2021): The 2020 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, aging in 50% new French oak barriques, 35% concrete amphorae and 15% in one-year-old barrels. Harvest began on the 14th September for the Merlot, and the final lot of Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested on 30th September. |
|
| Chapelle de Potensac |
2015 |
Medoc (6x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$399.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Rauzan-Gassies |
2021 |
Margaux |
$44 |
6 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Rauzan-Segla |
2020 |
Margaux |
$104.99 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 96-98+ (5/2021): Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Rauzan-Segla is aging for 18 months in French oak barrels, 60% new. It has an alcohol of 13.5% and a pH of 3.74. Deep purple-black colored, aromas of blackcurrant cordial, stewed red and black plums, chocolate-covered cherries and raspberry coulis erupt from the glass, leading to an undercurrent of tar, licorice, red roses and menthol, plus a hint of unsmoked cigars. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and yet manages seriously impressive intensity, which is well-sustained throughout the mid-palate and finish. Refined and refreshing, delivering beautifully soft, silt-like tannins and bags of bright red and black fruits, it finishes with amazing length and a stunning perfume. Between this and Château Canon, Nicolas Audebert and his team have knocked it out of the park this vintage.
VM 95-97 (5/2021): The 2020 Rauzan-Segla is all reserve and nowhere near as showy as the last few vintages. Don't be fooled though, this tightly-coiled, brilliant wine has the potential to be magnificent, but it needs time. Sweet floral, spice and cedar nuances open with a bit of coaxing, but the 2020 is in no mood to show all its cards yet. The 2020 is a super-classic Rauzan-Segla that will delight readers in search of restrained elegance, something that is not so easy to find in Bordeaux these days. Antonio Galloni.
JD 95-97+ (5/2021): The 2020 Château Rauzan-Segla checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It's one of the more inky, backward wines I can recall from this address and has brooding notes of blackcurrants, spring flowers, tobacco, graphite, and crushed stone. A big, rich, concentrated 2020, it's medium to full-bodied, has ripe, building tannins, fabulous purity, and a great finish. There's a certain austerity here that makes me think this will be one for the cellar.
JS 97-98 (4/2021): Full-bodied and layered with velvety layers of tannins that are beautifully interspersed with ripe fruit and dark-chocolate notes. Silky and lightly chewy texture. Very long, solid finish. |
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|
2021 |
Margaux |
$73 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Reserve de la Comtesse |
2015 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$383.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (11/2017): The second wine of Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is the 2015 Reserve De Comtesse De Lalande and it’s a beautiful wine in 2015 that surpasses most Château’s grand vin. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it reveals a deep ruby/purple color as well as medium to full-bodied notes of cassis, plums, ground herbs and spring flowers. This is a ripe, sexy, opulent second wine that’s ideal for drinking over the coming 10-15 years. |
|
| Ch. Sansonnet |
2018 |
St. Emilion Very Lightly Scuffed Label |
$49 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte |
2020 |
Pessac Leognan |
$139 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 100 (3/2023): Absolutely pure gold and reminding me of the 2009 (or is it the 2010?), the 2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte sports a dense purple hue to go with incredible aromatics of blackberries, blueberries, scorched earth, wood smoke, and acacia flowers. One of the most concentrated, rich, and sexy wines in the vintage, this massive and extraordinarily opulent 2020 shows the vintage's pure, elegant profile yet backs it up with sensational levels of fruit and texture. Based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it already offers pleasure given its wealth of fruit, but it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40-50 years. Not enough can be said about the quality of these wines. Bravo to Florence and Daniel Cathiard, as well as to director Fabien Teitgen, for another incredible achievement.
VM 97 (2/2023): The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte is every bit as captivating as it was from barrel. Ample, rich and explosive, the 2020 offers up an exciting mélange of dark fruit, chocolate, spice, gravel, leather and dried herbs, with a touch of new oak that adds raciness. This towering, vertical Smith Haut-Lafitte won't be ready to drink for a number of years, but it is super impressive. Even with all of its intensity, the 2020 retains terrific freshness and energy. Antonio Galloni.
WS 95 (3/2023): Exotic and lush in feel, with well-steeped plum, boysenberry and blackberry fruit flavors rolling through, scored with hints of espresso crema, dark tobacco and black licorice along the way. Very polished in feel, but with a late flicker of savory and a subtle tug of earth to keep this honest in the end. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2037. 10,000 cases made, 2,400 cases imported.
JS 99-100 (4/2021): So much blackcurrant, graphite and iodine character. Full-bodied. Incredible quality to the tannins. They are polished yet powerful. It’s so long and complete with such depth and toned muscles. Vertical. Very fresh and energetic. Will it be better than the famous 2015? Maybe the best ever. From organically grown grapes. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.
WA 98-100 (5/2021): A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aging in 60% new barriques, the very deep purple-black colored 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte makes an impactful entrance, opening with flamboyant notes of blackcurrant pastilles, chocolate-covered cherries and molten licorice, leading to nuances of ground cloves, woodsmoke, crushed rocks and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with opulent black fruit preserves and shimmering mineral sparks, framed by exquisitely ripe and fantastically firm tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epically long-lasting earthy and savory layers. This is the singular voice of Smith Haut Lafitte at its finest, and wow-oh-wow is it worth a listen. This 2020 has an alcohol of 14.5% with a pH of 3.65. The tannins this year were a little higher than 2018 and 2019. A little less than a third of production went into this grand vin. |
|
| Ch. du Tertre |
2015 |
Margaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$639.98 |
1 |
|
| |
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| Ch. Troplong Mondot |
2005 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,074.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 99 (4/2008): This estate was justifiably elevated to a Premier Grand Cru Classe in the new St.-Emilion classification thanks to the exceptional efforts of proprietress Christine Valette over the last two decades. The 2005 is one of the monumental wines of the vintage, and may eclipse their prodigious 1990. Inky/blue/purple-colored with an exceptional bouquet of Asian spices, blueberries, blackberries, truffles, cold steel, graphite, and charcoal, it hits the palate with exceptional purity, laser-like precision, a compellingly concentrated, multilayered mouthfeel, a broad, savory texture, terrific acidity, and substantial, but sweet tannins. It lives up to everything it revealed in barrel, and appears set to live for a half century or more. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2050.
VM 96 (6/2008): Full ruby-red. Spectacularly ripe nose offers plum jam, minerals, licorice, mocha and a whiff of game, all lifted by exotic flowers. Explosively ripe and sweet in the mouth, with uncanny fullness and depth to the flavors of raspberry, smoke and milk chocolate. A blockbuster of a wine with a three-dimensional texture and Outstanding weight but with almost magically ripe acidity giving great precision to the flavors and drawing out the finish. Incredible melting tannins saturate the palate and front teeth. Wonderfully suave wine, the best I've ever tasted from this chateau.
WS 96 (3/2008): Exhibits aromas of coffee, ripe fruit, wild mushroom and blackberry. Dark and very complex. Full-bodied and chewy, yet velvety and beautiful, with intense flavors of blackberry, chocolate and tobacco. Very, very long This is layered and gorgeous. Best after 2016. 6,250 cases made. |
|
| Vieux Chateau Certan |
1986 |
Pomerol (1.5 L) Heavily Bin-Soiled Label |
$475 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (3/1996): This wine is one of the finest efforts from Bordeaux's right bank in the 1986 vintage. The wine remains deep ruby-colored, with a complex nose suggesting cedar wood, fruitcake, Asian spices, roasted herbs, and black currants. In the mouth, there is moderate tannin as well as impressively concentrated flavors that roll across all the palate's sweet spots. Medium to full-bodied and rich, this 1986 admirably marries power with finesse. The wine is still youthful, but is soft and developed enough to be enjoyed immensely. Anticipated maturity: Now-2012. |
|
| | Bordeaux White |
| Ch. Rieussec |
2007 |
Sauternes (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$655.97 |
2 |
|
| |
WS 93-96 (4/2008): Balanced and very spicy, with almond paste and apricot. Full-bodied, medium sweet, with a long, fruity, tangy finish. Layered and stylish. Score range: 93-96
WA 93 (2/2012): Tasted single blind against its peers. The Rieussec 2007 has a subtle nose of dried honey, pear, a touch of quince and crushed stone on the nose, the oak better integrated than last year. The palate is well-balanced with stem ginger and honeycomb on the entry. It is linear compared to its peers, there is no flourish on the finish as yet, but it has fine definition and hints of tangy marmalade and lemongrass that should become more accentuated with time. Tasted January 2011.
VM 90-93 (8/2008): Bright, pale yellow-gold. Aromas of very ripe peach, honey and vanilla are a bit youthfully disjointed. Sweet, supple and fat, currently showing more spice than fruit. Finishes broad and spicy, with a suggestion of minerality. |
|
| Ch. Suduiraut |
2011 |
Sauternes (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$404.99 |
3 |
|
| |
JS 95-96 (4/2012): A Sauternes that grows on the palate with beautiful dried pineapple, honey and spice character. Full and compacted with a dense palate and a sweet palate. 150 grams of residual sugar. Long and very intense with so much going on. Lively. Subtle and changes all the time in the glass.
WA 93-95 (4/2012): Picked over three tries through the vineyard from September 12 until October 5, the Suduiraut 2011 has 150 grams per liter residual sugar counterbalanced by a pH of 3.7. It has an intense nose, albeit one that takes time to unfurl in the glass, offering attractive notes of citrus lemon, minerals, apricot and quince suffused with great tension. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, citrus-led fruit mingling with apricot and quince. It has less bravura and ambition than the 2009 or 2010, and you might consider it a Barsac-like Suduiraut due to its racy acidity. It has wonderful focus and satisfying length, and it should drink well both early and with age. Drink 2014-2035.
WS 94-97 (4/2012): Superlively, with orange blossom, white cherry, pineapple, apricot and peach flavors all bouncing off one another. The long, piecrust-framed finish lets it all hang together nicely. |
|
| | Burgundy Red |
| Dom. Louis Boillot et Fils |
2014 |
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Champonnets |
$69 |
1 |
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| |
|
|
2014 |
Gevrey Chambertin Les Evocelles |
$69 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Bouchard Pere et Fils |
2010 |
Beaune 1er Cru Greves Vigne de L’Enfant Jesus (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,437.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 93 (4/2012): ( from a 4 ha parcel.) Noticeable though not overt wood influence sets off a very ripe nose composed of liqueur of plum, cassis and wild raspberry aromas. There is excellent richness to the round and relatively powerful medium weight flavors blessed with an abundance of dry extract that buffers the otherwise very firm, long and serious finish. This is also notably austere and extremely compact at present and as such it seems reasonably clear that it will not be a good candidate for early drinking. Drink 2020+. Don't miss! Outstanding! |
|
|
2019 |
Chambertin Grand Cru (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,266.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| J.-F. Coche-Dury |
2020 |
Auxey-Duresses Rouge |
$350 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Monthelie |
$275 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Volnay 1er Cru |
$425 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Eugenie |
2010 |
Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,350.98 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Fourrier |
2010 |
Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,377.99 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 91 (3/2013): Good bright, full red. High-pitched aromas of tangy red and darker berries and rose petal, complemented by lower-toned earth and smoke notes. Boasts terrific volume for village wine: dense, salty and soil-driven, with raspberry fruit complicated by earth and minerals. Really stimulates the taste buds on the smooth, long, lightly saline finish. Terrific village wine.
WA 90-92 (2/2012): The 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is striking. Attractive floral aromatics meld into expressive fruit in this sweet, perfumed wine. Dark red cherries, freshly cut flowers, mint and hard candy wrap around the sensual, fragrant finish. This is a very classy showing. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.
BH 89-91 (1/2012): (from Champs Perrières in Brochon.) This is also exceptionally fresh and complex and the composition of the aromas is much the same as the Aux Echezeaux except perhaps here they are ever-so-slightly more elegant. The textured, intense and solidly well-concentrated medium weight flavors possess real verve on the delineated, balanced and focused finish. This also is an excellent villages that is built to age and is also worthy of your consideration. Drink 2018+. Outstanding! |
|
|
2014 |
Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$897.99 |
1 |
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| |
|
|
2018 |
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Cherbaudes Vieilles Vignes (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,401.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Jean Grivot |
2010 |
Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,113.98 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Robert Groffier |
2016 |
Gevrey Chambertin Les Seuvrees (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$923.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Louis Jadot |
2007 |
Vosne Romanee 1er Cru les Beaux Monts (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$777.97 |
1 |
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| |
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| Dom. des Lambrays |
2015 |
Morey St. Denis |
$119 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Georges Lignier |
2015 |
Bonnes Mares Grand Cru (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,489.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Meo-Camuzet |
2022 |
Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,258.99 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Mongeard Mugneret |
2018 |
Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Petits Monts (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,413.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. JF Mugnier |
2011 |
Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Clos de la Marechale |
$195 |
1 |
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| |
| BH 92 (1/2014): Here too the nose seems to lack its usual freshness though there is good complexity to the red berry fruit that is liberally laced with earth and spice hints. There is a lilting mouth feel to the energetic, intense and equally pure medium-bodied flavors that possess plenty of that beguiling sense of underlying tension that makes wines like this a joy to drink. Drink 2018+. |
|
|
2015 |
Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$9,640.99 |
1 |
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| |
|
| Dom. de la Pousse d'Or |
2012 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos des 60 Ouvrees |
$109 |
1 |
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| |
| BH 89 (4/2014): A more deeply pitched nose features aromas of dark currant, spiced plum, earth and wet stone. There is a beautifully refined, even silky mouth feel to the attractively energetic middle weight flavors that culminate in a delicious if again ever-so-mildly dry finish that clips the length just slightly. Drink 2020+. |
|
|
2015 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos des 60 Ouvrees |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Joseph Roty |
2022 |
Bourgogne Rouge (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$502.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Gabriel Tortochot |
2018 |
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St. Jacques (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$463.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Jean & Jean Louis Trapet |
2021 |
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru La Petite Chapelle (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,063.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| | Burgundy White |
| Dom. Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey |
2022 |
Chassagne Montrachet Les Ancegnieres (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,253.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Joseph Drouhin |
2019 |
Le Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche Grand Cru (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,594.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. William Fevre |
2018 |
Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$696.98 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Cote Bouguerots (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$802.98 |
7 |
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| |
|
| Louis Jadot |
2018 |
Batard Montrachet Grand Cru (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,542.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93-95 (1/2020): The 2018 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, which comes from the Puligny side, is much more reserved and austere compared to the showier Bienvenue, although it is still very well defined with impressive mineralite. The palate is saline on the entry, and touches of menthol and marmalade develop in the mouth. Nicely structured and harmonious, though I would have liked more mineralite on the finish. Still, this has great potential. Neal Martin. |
|
| Dom. Hubert Lamy |
2023 |
St. Aubin 1er Cru Derriere Chez Edouard (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$649.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Leflaive |
2019 |
Bienvenues Batard Montrachet Grand Cru
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,264.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2019 |
Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,349.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2019 |
Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,060.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Comte de Vogue |
2018 |
Musigny Blanc Grand Cru
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,494.99 |
1 |
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| |
|
| | Champagne |
| Billecart-Salmon |
2006 |
Cuvee Nicolas Francois Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$851.99 |
11 |
|
| |
|
| Bollinger |
2012 |
Grande Annee Champagne Bin-Soiled Label |
$145 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (3/2020): Disgorged in July 2019, Bollinger's 2012 Brut La Grande Annee is showing well, offering up an incipiently complex bouquet of crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, orange oil, toasted walnuts and dried apricot that's still quite reserved with less than a year on cork. Full-bodied, deep and muscular, the 2012 is blockier and broader-shouldered than its 2008 predecessor, with a weightier and even more concentrated palate built around a bright spine of acidity, concluding with a chalky finish that carries appreciably dry extract. This isn't quite as elegant as the exquisite 2008, but it is a superb effort and obviously built to age.
VM 94 (12/2019): The 2012 Grande Annee is vibrant and wonderfully nuanced. Citrus peel, orchard fruit, brioche, dried flowers and chamomile are all finely knit in a Grand Annee built on energy and persistence more than size. Readers will find a restrained Grand Annee in 2012. There is plenty of the textural richness that is such a signature of the house style, but I am also struck by the wine's freshness. Best of all, the 2012 will drink well right out of the gate. It is quite expressive today, even in the early going. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Krug |
NV |
Brut Grande Cuvee 164th Edition Champagne (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,923.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Pierre Moncuit |
2008 |
Brut Millesime Grand Cru Champagne Very Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$68 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| | Italy |
| Brovia |
2021 |
Barolo Rocche di Castiglione (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,655.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Dott G. Cappellano |
2008 |
Barolo Otin Fiorin Pie Rupestris (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,429.96 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Giacomo Conterno |
2000 |
Barolo Monfortino Riserva (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,433.96 |
1 |
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| |
WA 97 (6/2011): Conterno’s 2000 Barolo Riserva Monfortino gives an impression of accessibility only because it is so open relative to some of the surrounding vintages of this great, legendary Barolo. The 2000 has tons of fruit backed up with considerable tannic heft. With time in the glass sweet, balsamic notes make an appearance, but this is one of the few 2000s that needs considerable cellaring to show all of its cards. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040.
WS 96 (12/2007): Dark ruby red in color. Subtle and reserved on the nose, with blackberry, tea, sandalwood and blueberry. Opens to coffee and vanilla bean. Full-bodied, with an amazing, condensed palate of ultraripe fruit and silky tannins. Fresh and superlong. Very tight and fresh. Needs so much time to open and come around. Like a genie in the bottle. Best after 2014. 750 cases made.
VM 93 (12/2007): Medium red-amber. Slightly high-toned aromas of truffle, tobacco, mocha, cedar and mellow oak, with a whiff of exotic fruits. Lush, creamy and suave but with a surprising spine of acidity and enticing minerality keeping it fresh. Best today on the back half, which is impressively sweet and long. |
|
|
2013 |
Barolo Monfortino Riserva (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,107.99 |
1 |
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| |
VM 99 (11/2018): The 2013 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is a huge, towering wine marked by serious fruit intensity and a backbone of firm, classically austere tannins. Certainly next to the 2014 and 2015, the sheer tannic clout of the 2013 is impossible to miss. Sage mint, tobacco and dried flower notes add striking shades of aromatic nuance, but the 2013 is ultimately distinguished by its huge, potent personality. It is sure to thrill those who own it for many decades to come. In 2013, Roberto Conterno did not bottle his Barolo Francia. Instead, he chose to use all of the fruit for the flagship Barolo Monfortino, which up until the present, he had only done once before, in 2002. Antonio Galloni.
JS 99 (1/2019): Warm aromas of plums, rose petals and spices with hints of sandalwood. Some tar. Full body, dense center palate with glorious fruit and a fantastic finish. Very, very polished and fine tannins. Vertical and deep. A great Monfortino. Try in 2023.
WA 98 (6/2019): I have been tasting this wine from barrel for the past two years and now finally, abracadabra, the 2013 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is safely housed in bottle. The wine was bottled in June of last year and will hit the market this upcoming October. The Barolo Francia was not produced in 2013 because Roberto Conterno diverted all fruit from that vineyard to this wine. Monfortino was not produced in 2011 or 2012, meaning that this 2013 edition follows directly after the absolutely stunning 2010 vintage (which earned a perfect 100-point score). The two vintages (2010 and 2013) are very similar, strikingly so, but the 2013 vintage registers at a slightly lower structural threshold. The tannins are slightly looser, or softer in the case of this wine. With up to six years in botte, the 2010 vintage is still crunchy and super sharp, while this wine is slightly more succulent and earthy. Some 20,000 bottles, 2,500 magnums and 400 three-liter bottles were made. |
|
| Angelo Gaja |
1997 |
Barbaresco Sori Tildin (3.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,470.96 |
1 |
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| |
WA 99 (6/2001): The awesome 1997 Sori Tilden (10,000 bottles produced) is a candidate for perfection. The saturated purple color is followed by a dense, full-bodied wine possessing extraordinary vibrancy for such a heavyweight, muscular Nebbiolo. It offers a super-sweet entry, a boatload of glycerin, and notes of earth, licorice, cedar, blackberry and cherry liqueur, and a touch of blueberries. Extremely full, gorgeously pure, with a seamless texture, this spectacular 1997 will enjoy three decades of cellaring.
WS 97 (12/1988): (WS #5 wine of 1988) A majestic wine, beautifully harmonious, seamless and integrated, with magnificent fruit, matchless complexity and stunning depth of flavor. Hints of violet, toast and nutmeg enrich the plummy raspberry fruit. Long and tight on the finish.
VM 95-96 (11/2000): Full ruby. Profound yet rather reticent nose hints at blackberry and violet; less roasted than the Costa Russi and more precise. Lush, thick and large-scaled, with great penetrating sweetness. Voluptuous and mouthfilling yet sharply delineated at the same time. Amazingly thick, seamless Barbaresco, finishing with lush tannins and uncanny persistence. This too has filled out and harmonized since the first time I tasted it. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Azienda Agricola Falletto di Bruno Giacosa |
2000 |
Barolo Falletto Vigna le Rocche Riserva (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$5,572.96 |
1 |
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| |
|
|
2004 |
Barolo Falletto Vigna le Rocche Riserva (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$9,100.96 |
1 |
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| |
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|
2007 |
Barbaresco Asili (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,523.96 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94 (10/2009): The 2007 Barbaresco Asili is a striking, elegant wine. Sweet roses, minerals, flowers, menthol and minerals emerge from this firm yet intensely perfumed Barbaresco. The wine reveals gorgeous weight and textural richness in a firm style that requires patience. Beginning with the 2007 vintage, the vineyards delimitations in Barbaresco have been re-drawn. As a result, Giacosa’s parcel in Rabaja is now considered part of Asili, which means there will be no more Barbaresco Rabaja from Bruno Giacosa after 2005. In 2007, the white label Asili is roughly 80% juice from the old ‘Rabaja’ parcel and 20% Asili from the vines Giacosa has always used for his Asili. Curiously, the 2007 Asili is a very soft wine, considering it is made mostly from vines that informed such majestic Rabajas as the 2001 and 2004. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032.
VM 93+ (12/2009): Medium bright red. Rather brooding aromas of medicinal red cherry. Layered, fleshy, deep and sweet but youthfully backward, even a bit reduced, with an almost liqueur-like quality to its flavors of red fruits and candied rose. A lush and silky wine that finishes chewy and long, with powerful ripe tannins. For all its size and power, this shows the elegance of a Barbaresco from sandy soil.
JS 93 (3/2011): A subtle and refined red, with blackberry and dark chocolate character on the nose and palate. Full and very velvety, with a long juicy finish. Builds on the palate. Pull the cork in 2015.
WS 90 (4/2011): This elegant red is highlighted by flavors of ripe cherry, verging on cherry jam, along with flowers and mineral. Though solidly structured, this is well-integrated and fresh on the finish. Drink now through 2020. 392 cases made. |
|
| Le Macchiole |
2018 |
Paleo Rosso (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$837.96 |
1 |
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| |
| VM 96 (2/2021): Le Macchiole's 2018 Paleo Rosso is an unbelievably beautiful wine. It is also very young. The aromatics are total seduction, but otherwise the 2018 is quite reticent. Bright floral notes and red-toned fruit give the 2018 considerable energy and verve as varietal Franc aromas and flavors start to take shape over time. Readers will have to be patient. The 2018 needs at least a few years in bottle to fully blossom. Even so, it is pretty appealing today. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello |
2017 |
Barolo Monprivato Riserva Ca’ d’Morissio (2x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,332.99 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Poggio di Sotto |
2013 |
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,786.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97 (1/2019): Poggio di Sotto reaches lofty new heights with the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. I spent a lot of time studying this wine and I tasted it at different intervals and from different bottles. Fruit ripened slowly over a long period of time over the course of this cool vintage, resulting in bright acidity and a firm tannic backbone. This wine follows the classic promise of traditional Brunello that, above all, softens and improves with age. This wine will meet those important goals. The bouquet offers evolved tones of dried cherry and crème de cassis with lovely spice, tar, licorice and balsam herb that culminate in increased complexity and persistence. I also taste some of the sharpness of the vintage, although it should subside with time. That point of tannic thorniness (that I associate with 2013) is the only thing preventing this wine from scoring even higher. Only 2,700 bottles were produced.
WS 95 (6/2019): Full of ripe, sweet fruit, this red evokes plum, cherry, iron, sanguine and Indian spice flavors. Firm yet harmonious, with a beam of vibrant acidity driving the long finish. Very classy and graceful. Best from 2021 through 2040. 233 cases made, 25 cases imported.
VM 94 (3/2019): Luminous deep red. Scented aromas of raspberry and blueberry lifted by violet, incense and cinnamon. Wonderfully sweet and penetrating but light on its feet, showcasing real class and energy, not to mention powerful minerality to the densely packed flavors of red berries, pomegranate, tobacco and wild herbs. Finishes very long, suave and subtle, with tannins that are very fine.
JS 90 (1/2019): Quite brashly pitched oak and spicy wood notes here. The palate has a thread of cedar and berry flavor and a herbal kick at the finish. Drink now. |
|
| Luciano Sandrone |
2010 |
Barolo Cannubi Boschis (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$553.96 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 97 (6/2014): The single-vineyard 2010 Barolo Cannubi Boschis speaks in confident tones at high volumes. First produced in 1985, Cannubi Boschis is among the first single vineyard cru expressions made in Barolo. Thirty-five-year-old vines enjoy south and southeast exposures at 250 meters above sea level. The long 2010 growing season has favored optimal tannin ripeness and fine complexity on the bouquet. This is one of the standout wines of this celebrated vintage. It is well worth putting this wine at the back of your cellar where it will be untouched for years. Drink: 2017-2030.
VM 97 (2/2020): The 2010 Barolo Cannubi Boschis is just starting to show the first signs of aromatic maturity. Dark and dense on the palate, the 2010 remains massively tannic in feel, though. Tasting the 2010 next to the current releases shows the style prevalent at the time that favored more overt fruit, greater extraction and heavier oak signatures. Black cherry, espresso, chocolate, menthol and dried flowers all develop as the 2010 opens up with time in the glass. This is dark, virile and powerful in style; I would wait a few years, as it is going through a phase of closure today. (Drink between 2020-2035). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2014 |
Barolo Aleste (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$592.99 |
5 |
|
| |
|
| Canalicchio di Sopra |
2019 |
Brunello di Montalcino (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$408.99 |
10 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Brunello di Montalcino (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$408.99 |
10 |
|
| |
|
| Tenuta San Guido |
2006 |
Sassicaia
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$496.96 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97 (8/2009): The 2006 Sassicaia may very well go down as one of the all-time great recent vintages for this Tuscan thoroughbred. The year started off very warm but by August evening temperatures had moderated, leaving the fruit with a stunning combination of ripeness, perfume, acidity and tannin. The wine is simply glorious, that’s all there is to it. Layers of dark fruit meld into smoke, leather, violets, menthol, earthiness and tar as this profound wine opens up in the glass. The creamy, silky finish lasts an eternity, as waves of fruit caress the tannins with breathtaking elegance. Everything is in the right place in this magical Sassicaia. This is one for the ages. In a word: Awesome. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2031.
VM 95 (10/2010): (85% cabernet sauvignon and 15% cabernet franc) Bright red-ruby. Complex nose melds red cherry, blackcurrant, minerals, dried herbs and a delicate oaky vanillin nuance; the fruit aromas show an almost roasted quality without going over the top. Sweet, concentrated and nicely fresh, with an impression of strong extract and a hint of exotic fruits to the flavors of ripe red and dark berries, chocolate, plum and wild herbs. The candied fruit quality carries through on the long, smooth finish, where there's a trace of heat and hints of menthol and minerals. A very successful Sassicaia but, in my notebook, just a little below the lofty heights of the 2001 or 2004. But given the quality of this wine, that's quibbling. Ian d'Agata.
JS 95 (4/2012): Sweet tobacco and berry with hints of currants. Full, soft and silky. Lots of fruit and a long finish. It's subtle, dense and sophisticated. Please give this another five years to really show what it has.
WS 94 (10/2009): Displays sweet tobacco, plum and berry aromas, with a jammy undertone, turning to licorice on the palate. Full-bodied and balanced, with silky tannins, a lovely texture and plenty of fruit. Outstanding Sassicaia, with structure and finesse. 85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 15 percent Cabernet Franc. Best after 2013. 20,000 cases made. |
|
| Vietti |
2010 |
Barolo Ravera (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$761.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 100 (1/2014): The 2010 Barolo Ravera is one of the greatest wines I have ever tasted from Vietti. Stunning. It's as simple as that Freshly cut flowers, mint, spices, crushed rocks and pine jump from the glass in a vivid, crystalline wine endowed with captivating purity, clarity and finesse. The 2010 takes hold of the palate and never lets up, gaining body, breadth and volume over time. A breathtaking, perfumed finish rounds out the finish. The Ravera represents a bit of a stylistic departure for Vietti and a return to a more traditional style of winemaking. The 2010 was done entirely in cask, with minimal racking. In its early years, it was virtually impossible to taste as the reductive winemaking style gave a wine with closed aromatics and searing tannin. Today, the 2010 is beginning to blossom into an epic Barolo. The 2010 Ravera may well be the single greatest Barolo Luca Currado has ever made. It is also a wine that, along with the Barolos of Elvio Cogno, show just how much potential the hills of Ravera have to offer. Readers who can find the 2010 Ravera should not hesitate. It is a legendary, benchmark Barolo in the making. As an aside, a bottle of the 1999 I tasted last year was extraordinary, and it was made in the slightly more modern style that was typical at Vietti during that era. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2010 |
Barolo Brunate (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,737.96 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| | Loire |
| Dom. Couly-Dutheil |
2016 |
Chinon Baronnie Madeleine |
$19 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| | Rhone Red |
| Ch. de Beaucastel |
2015 |
Chateauneuf du Pape |
$109 |
3 |
|
| |
WS 97 (2/2018): A stunner from the get-go, with waves of thoroughly seductive boysenberry, plum, blueberry and raspberry reduction forming the core, while roasted apple wood, rooibos tea, bergamot, and anise notes flash throughout. This has plenty of bass, with a Turkish coffee accent and a hint of alder driving underneath. Everything moves in lockstep through the seriously long finish. Best from 2020 through 2045. 12,500 cases made.
JD 96 (3/2018): The 2015 Chateauneuf Du Pape is a blend of 30% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise and the rest a mix of permitted varieties. It's unquestionably one of the successes of the vintage. Black cherries, currants, garrigue, crushed rocks, and tapenade all soar from the glass of this beautiful, layered, ripe, decadent red that’s going to keep for 2-3 decades.
WA 96 (10/2017): Bottled in late July, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is an amazing effort, especially when one considers the production volume. Loaded with black cherry fruit and cola-like spice, this full-bodied, richly textured wine never seems heavy or warm, while exotic Indian spice notes linger on the finish. It should drink well for at least 20 years.
JLL ***** (10/2017): Dark robe. The nose has an oak-varnish top air, a good, serene inset of black berry fruit which is stylish, also shows tobacco, white pepper. The palate is crisp, purposeful, holds very good juice running with freedom; it takes on gummy tannins with a touch of firm intent. It ends solidly, surely. There is a good swish of content for the first half. Take your time with this - from 2021. The length is good, very Mourvèdre-inspired. Bottled July 2017.
JS 97 (1/2018): All 13 grapes. This has a dark fruited, blueberry and blue plum nose with wide swinging tannins. Some white peppery elements, violets, brooding dark spices, blue fruits and dark plums. Builds from the ground up. Dark stones. Impressive, powerful. wine. Drink from 2025. |
|
|
2015 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Wine-Stained Label |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 97 (2/2018): A stunner from the get-go, with waves of thoroughly seductive boysenberry, plum, blueberry and raspberry reduction forming the core, while roasted apple wood, rooibos tea, bergamot, and anise notes flash throughout. This has plenty of bass, with a Turkish coffee accent and a hint of alder driving underneath. Everything moves in lockstep through the seriously long finish. Best from 2020 through 2045. 12,500 cases made.
JD 96 (3/2018): The 2015 Chateauneuf Du Pape is a blend of 30% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise and the rest a mix of permitted varieties. It's unquestionably one of the successes of the vintage. Black cherries, currants, garrigue, crushed rocks, and tapenade all soar from the glass of this beautiful, layered, ripe, decadent red that’s going to keep for 2-3 decades.
WA 96 (10/2017): Bottled in late July, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is an amazing effort, especially when one considers the production volume. Loaded with black cherry fruit and cola-like spice, this full-bodied, richly textured wine never seems heavy or warm, while exotic Indian spice notes linger on the finish. It should drink well for at least 20 years.
JLL ***** (10/2017): Dark robe. The nose has an oak-varnish top air, a good, serene inset of black berry fruit which is stylish, also shows tobacco, white pepper. The palate is crisp, purposeful, holds very good juice running with freedom; it takes on gummy tannins with a touch of firm intent. It ends solidly, surely. There is a good swish of content for the first half. Take your time with this - from 2021. The length is good, very Mourvèdre-inspired. Bottled July 2017.
JS 97 (1/2018): All 13 grapes. This has a dark fruited, blueberry and blue plum nose with wide swinging tannins. Some white peppery elements, violets, brooding dark spices, blue fruits and dark plums. Builds from the ground up. Dark stones. Impressive, powerful. wine. Drink from 2025. |
|
|
2016 |
Chateauneuf du Pape |
$159 |
4 |
|
| |
JD 96+ (8/2018): Being bottled the day of my visit, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape checks in as a blend of 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties. It offers a ripe, sexy, rounded style that quickly shows more structure, minerality, and tannin with time in the glass. Blackberries, blueberries, smoked earth, violets, and garrigue all give way to a full-bodied, deep, structured Beaucastel that's going to benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age and keep for two decades. It reminds me of the 2001.
WA 95-97 (10/2017): No surprise, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape takes the quality of the Coudoulet and ratchets it up a notch (or two!). I tasted the preliminary blend from foudre and was blown away by its potential. At 35% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Counoise, 5% Cinsault and 10% other permitted varieties, it shows amazing purity in its scents of dark fruit and licorice, richness and weight without any excess of alcohol and a finish that goes on and on.
JLL ***** (10/2017): Dark red, black and purple tints. The nose has a soft, squeezy black berry fruiting, mulberry and raspberry in the second register - they provide a milder note. There’s a rather stylish sweetness, an implication of rosemary, herbs and lamb stock. There’s a good box of varied tricks to come. This is immediately enjoyable on the palate, is running with squelchy, wavy mixed berry fruits. The tannins are ripe and deep, and approachable, fleshy. This is Beaucastel in the more modern recent style. There is velvet wine within an actually firm casing; it has more foundation than the 2015.
VM 93-95 (7/2018): Deep bright-rimmed ruby. Cassis, cherry pit, licorice, garrigue and an intense mineral overtone on the deeply perfumed nose. Intense, palate-staining bitter cherry and dark berry flavors show outstanding depth and become sweeter and more lively with aeration. Picks up a spicy quality on the youthfully tannic finish, which shows superb clarity and dark-fruit-driven persistence. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Clos des Papes |
2011 |
Chateauneuf du Pape |
$85 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2013): One of the stars of the vintage and coming from absurdly low yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape is a full-bodied, seamless effort that exhibits copious kirsch, ground pepper, dried flowers and underbrush as well as incredibly fine tannin, great mid-palate concentration and ample length on the finish. Relatively forward by this estate’s standards, it will be approachable at an earlier age than normal. Nevertheless, it will have 20+ years of evolution and is an awesome effort in the vintage. Drink 2015-2030.
WS 95 (11/2013): Delivers a beautifully pure and velvety note of cassis that holds sway over an ample range of blackberry paste, blood orange, singed apple wood and bergamot notes. The long finish shows succulent flesh and a buried iron accent. The grip is integrated, the acidity mouthwatering and the depth impressive for the vintage. Best from 2015 through 2030. 9,000 cases made.
VM 93 (2/2014): Vivid ruby. Smoky cherry, red berry and potpourri scents show excellent clarity and pick up spiciness with aeration. Stains the palate with intense black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors, with a sexy floral pastille quality adding complexity. Finishes with impressive energy and thrust, firmed by fine-grained tannins and piquant minerality. Avril thinks that this will be an ager based on its balance.
JD 92-95 (9/2012): As is normal here, I was able to taste the 2011 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape from numerous foudres and assorted blends, as well as from a single foudre that contains a rough equivalent of the final blend. While 2011 is certainly a more difficult vintage, this estate excelled and has a rare level of depth in concentration, with each sample showing solid intensity on the nose, medium to full-body, and a rich, concentrated mid-palate. I do not think it will compete with the ’06, ’07, or ’10, but will easily be a mid 90-point wine that will delight Clos des Papes lovers.
JLL ***[*] (11/2013): Plum red colour, fair depth. There is a fragrant top note to an open, plum-fruited aroma that proffers a curve of ripeness, a sprinkle of herbs such as rosemary, fennel. The attack feels some of its inherent power - there is that line of near spirit-led glow through it. This has a misleading youth - there are kirsch and similar Mirabelle plum flavours, not young ones. It needs leaving until its middle age, such as 2018. Bosky and sous-bois, damp forest floor notes and tobacco beckon. This isn’t particularly ensemble as it stands; its matter doesn’t show a full façade - I find it facile. With its Pinot Noir implications, here the Southern Rhône is taking the Burgundian route - this works better in the Northern Rhône, where the alcohol levels are much lower. |
|
|
2014 |
Chateauneuf du Pape |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93 (10/2016): Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to taste Vincent’s 2015 from foudre, but his 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape is certainly one of the wines of the vintage. And while it possesses terrific notes of peppery herbs, Provençal spice, kirsch and darker berry fruits, it’s on the palate where this beauty shines! Medium to full-bodied, incredibly balanced, seamless and pure, with beautiful fruit, it has present tannin, terrific mid-palate depth and a great finish. It won’t be the longest lived wine from the estate, but it’s beautiful and will certainly drink well for a decade
WS 93 (5/2017): Shows a lightly mulled edge. The warm raspberry and boysenberry confiture notes mingle with cedar, cinnamon, black tea and tobacco details. Everything pulls together on the finish, extended by a shiso leaf echo. Very refined. Drink now through 2030. 6,000 cases made.
JD 92 (10/2017): The 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape from Clos des Pape offers an exotic, complex style and has more richness than most in the vintage. Black cherries, olive, tobacco leaf, earth and saddle leather characteristics all give way to a beautifully textured, layered 2014 that has plenty of depth and density. It’s a forward, supple, charming effort from Paul-Vincent to enjoy over the coming decade.
JLL ****[*] (10/2015): OVERALL: Tasty and nicely cool, sustained wine, based on a good mix of southern and northern qualities. “It has kept gaining through its barrel raising,” Vincent Avril. |
|
|
2017 |
Chateauneuf du Pape |
$85 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 98+ (8/2019): One of the strongest wines in the vintage is the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Vincent Avril. This beauty has everything you could ask for. As with the 2018, the blend is heavily shifted toward Mourvèdre, and it offers a mammoth bouquet of black cherries, graphite, cured meats, Asian spices, and assorted garrigue-like nuances. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated, it stays straight and focused on the palate (whereas the 2016 is more expansive and voluptuous), with a stacked mid-palate, ripe, silky tannins, and fabulous length. You’re going to want bottles of this in the cellar, and comparing the 2007, 2010, 2016, and 2017 over the coming two decades is going to be a treat.
WA 96 (8/2019): As predicted last year by Paul-Vincent Avril, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 45% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, about 10% Syrah and the rest other permitted varieties. It boasts a cool, fresh nose of strawberries, cola and tree bark, yet it's full-bodied and tannic on the palate. Dense and chewy, albeit with a mouthwatering sense of freshness, this will need a few years to relax and unwind, but it looks very promising.
WS 94 (2/2020): Supple and alluring in feel, with a silky edge to the mix of anise, plum sauce and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors. A twinge of roasted apple wood shows on the finish, followed by an echo of lavender. Displays lovely range. The texture makes this approachable now, though there's no rush. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2038. 700 cases imported.
JLL ***** (10/2018): Full, dark red colour. Blackberry, cedary cigar smoke, violets mix attractively together on the nose. Black raisin and date airs show along with fragrance - that floral touch important. There’s a good cool thread all along the palate, which carries good spine, runs really straight, has structure with stylish gras potential around it, leading into a smoky, lasting finish which shows pebbly tannins. There are salted moments and a good, complete run here, and this wine’s freshness is superior to most 2017s. The empty glass has an air of cherry stone. “It a very profound year,” Vincent Avril. Down from 100,000 b to 60,000 b this year. |
|
| Ch. de St. Cosme |
2009 |
Gigondas Valbelle |
$79 |
9 |
|
| |
|
| Saint Cosme |
2019 |
Cotes du Rhone |
$19 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Domaine de Cristia |
2007 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance |
$89 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 95+ (3/2012): A seriously concentrated, full-bodied Châteauneuf-du-Pape that has hardly budged since release, the 2007 Domaine de Cristia Renaissance (60% tank aged Grenache and 40% barrel aged Mourvèdre) is still primary and youthful, with blockbuster aromas of blackberry liqueur, vanilla, graphite, mineral, roasted meats, and subtle garriuge on the nose. Thrilling stuff on the palate, with awesome purity, decadent fruit, and solid underlying structure, this thrilling 2007 needs another 3-4 years of bottle age, and should drink well over the following two decades.
WS 95 (9/2009): Very plump and ripe, with black cherry, plum and blackberry fruit flavors that verge on jammy, before fresh spice, star anise and floral notes chime in to give added definition and length. Flaunts the showy side of the vintage. Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2025. 500 cases made.
WA 94+ (10/2009): The monster wine is the inky purple-colored 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Renaissance. This wine has only been made by Baptiste in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007. It is a blend of 60% Grenache and 30% Mourvedre, with the balance Syrah from 50- to 100-year-old vines. Despite the fact that there is only 30% Mourvedre in the blend, it seems to be the Mourvedre that dominates the wine at this stage of its development. It is very tannic, but the tannins are sweet and ripe, and the color an opaque purple. The wine displays notes of roasted meats, incense, and flowers, in a super-powerful, layered, multi-dimensional style. However, patience is required, despite the fact that this is a softer, more supple version of the behemoth that Cristia produced with this cuvee in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.
JLL **** (11/2008): Full red with black tints; the bouquet carries compact, sealed in black fruit - simmered berries here, with a top smokiness - has rather handsome potential. The palate fruit is good and classy, clear and smooth. Oak emerges later on. It is a touch dry and overly oaked on the finish now. Good balance - this will flow well from late 2011. |
|
| Domaine Durieu |
2016 |
Chateauneuf du Pape |
$30 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| La Ferme du Mont |
2015 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Cotes Capelan |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 94-97+ (10/2016): Even better than the Vendange cuvee, and I suspect one of the wines of the vintage, Stephane’s 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Côtes Capelan is the top wine of the estate and is made from 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, raised 70% in concrete and 30% in barrels. There’s under 500 cases of this beauty and it reveals a deep purple color as well as decadent notes of blackberries, blackcurrants, crushed rocks and melted licorice. Full-bodied, thick, unctuous and massively concentrated, with ripe tannin and a killer finish, don’t miss it! |
|
| Dom. de la Janasse |
2017 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
| JD 97+ (8/2019): Deeper colored, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Chaupin comes mostly from the Chaupoin lieu-dit yet always has small parts from La Janasse and a sandy part of the La Crau lieu-dit. Blackberries, ground herbs, graphite, and new leather notes all emerge from this concentrated, rich, powerful wine that stays tight, focused, and elegant on the palate. It's a killer wine, but it's going to need time. |
|
| Bernard Levet |
2021 |
Cote Rotie Maestria (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$331.98 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 92 (3/2024): The 2021 Côte Rôtie Les Journaries (Maestria in Europe) comes from La Landonne, Côte Rozier, and Côte Blonde and was partially destemmed and brought up in 20% demi-muids. It brings more iron and black pepper, with a core of bright plum and black cherry fruits, medium body, ripe tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. It's not massively concentrated, but I love its overall balance, and it has a good sense of freshness and outstanding length.
VM 83 (1/2025): The 2021 Côte-Rôtie Les Journaries / Maestria is a little too rustic for my taste. Barnyard elements and leather are front and center, accompanied by black plum and a touch of cedar. Balanced by fresh acidity, the moderately concentrated 2021 is built around astringent tannins, taking away the elegance. (Drink between 2025-2028). Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
| Dom. du Pegau |
2016 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee |
$74 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 98 (4/2020): Reminding me of a fresher version of the 2003, the 2016 Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Reservee is another magical wine from Laurence Feraud that could come from nowhere else. I still remember tasting (and loving) this beauty from barrel. It doesn’t quite have the sheer over-the-top decadence of the 2003, but it does have more elegance, while not giving up an inch with regard to texture and opulence. Dark ruby/plum-hued with a monster display of Provençal goodness in its garrigue, lavender, violets, kirsch, plums, and Asian spices, this full-throttle, ripe, sexy Châteauneuf du Pape has silky tannins, flawless balance, and a heavenly texture. It’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and drink well for at least 20-25 years.
JLL ****[*] (10/2017): Healthy dark red robe. The nose brims up with abundant, soaked black fruits, blackberry and prune. There are enjoyable, discreet airs of rose and violet. The palate is rich, varied, presents good and true Grenache plum fruit with some late spicing. The tannins weave a mineral fix into the wine, and the aftertaste is pebbly, pretty fresh, as a result. This has character, and is genuine Châteauneuf, the palate more interesting than the nose.
WA 95+ (8/2019): Every year that I've tried the 2016 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee, I've liked it better than the year before, so I've gone ahead and peremptorily added the + sign to this year's rating. Black cherries and licorice pick up a hint of chocolate in this full-bodied, rich, velvety wine that should evolve nicely for at least 12-15 years.
VM 94 (12/2019): Deep ruby. Assertive aromas of black raspberry, potpourri and spicecake pick up a bright mineral nuance and a hint of cured meat with air. Juicy and impressively concentrated, showing real energy and spicy lift to the sappy red berry, bitter cherry, spicecake and floral pastille flavors. Fine-grained tannins build on the finish, adding shape and grip to lingering, spice-accented raspberry liqueur, smoked meat and licorice flavors. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2017 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee |
$69 |
10 |
|
| |
JD 95 (10/2020): Lastly, and tasted from bottle, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Reservee showed brilliantly, with the beautiful, Provençal character of the vintage as well as classic Pegau notes of red and black currants, smoked herbs, cured meats, new leather, and ground pepper all front and center. More in the style of the 1999 or 2005 than say the 2007 or 2009, it’s medium to full-bodied, has beautiful concentration, ample structure and tannins, and a focused, backward mouthfeel that’s going to benefit from bottle age. This beauty will evolve for 30 years or more.
WA 95 (9/2020): Pegau's distinctive violet and garrigue aromas are on full display in the 2017 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee, backed by plummy fruit and velvety tannins. It's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and rich, with ample length and hints of mocha and licorice on the finish. Not as sexy out of the gate as some vintages, I'd give it another year or two in the cellar, then drink it over the next decade or so. |
|
|
2019 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee |
$55 |
1 |
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JS 95 (2/2022): This youthful Chateauneuf has a very complex nose of graphite, raw meat and lilies. With aeration the black-cherry note steadily grows in intensity. Bold, leathery and earthy palate with fine tannins that build steadily on at the extremely long and straight mineral finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.
WA 95-97 (5/2022): The 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée looks set to rival the best examples of this bottling. Made up of approximately 80% Grenache, with 6% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and smaller amounts of other permitted varieties, it's impressively complex on the nose, with scents of black cherries, blackberries and black olives, plus mysterious wafts of violets and garrigue. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it finishes long and velvety, a sure-fire bet for cellaring. |
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| Dom. Santa Duc |
2018 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges |
$59 |
2 |
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2018 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Pied de Baud |
$65 |
2 |
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2018 |
Gigondas Clos Derriere Vieille |
$45 |
1 |
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2018 |
Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues |
$55 |
1 |
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| Dom. St. Prefert |
2009 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud |
$99 |
1 |
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WS 96 (10/2011): This gushes forth, with loads of plum, blackberry and cassis that saturate the palate, while apple wood, tobacco and perfumy incense keep everything fresh and alluring through the very lengthy finish, where a lively peppery hint leaves a mouthwatering feel. Best from 2013 through 2024. 750 cases made.
WA 95+ (10/2011): What I tend to think of as the top cuvee, although it is not that certain when you taste these wines next to each other, is the Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud. The 2009, which is showing better from bottle than it did last year, is a wonderfully complex wine made from 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre. (The Grenache comes from 80-year-old vines aged in concrete, and the Mourvedre from 60-year-old vines aged in 600-litre demi-muids). This wine was utterly perfect in 2007, and I think the 2009 is another fabulous wine. Complex notes of licorice, incense, lavender, new saddle leather, blackberry and kirsch along with some tree bark and roasted meats are all present in this complex, fragrant wine, which is full-bodied, dense, rich and capable of improving for another 5-10 years and lasting two decades.
JD 95 (9/2011): Explosively perfumed on the nose, the 2009 Domaine Saint Prefert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud sports an almost Rayas like profile with kirsch, underbrush, white pepper, garrigue, and licorice- driven aromatics on the nose. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied, seamless wine that has an open, ripe personality, good freshness and focus, and a very long finish. Already accessible, this should evolve for 3-4 years, and have 15 years of prime drinking.
VM 94 (2/2012): Opaque ruby. Deeply pitched dark berry and cherry on the nose. Lush, palate-coating blueberry and cherry-cola flavors are lifted by zesty acidity, picking up exotic floral pastille and apricot qualities with air. Pretty wild stuff. The seamless finish clings with excellent tenacity, repeating the floral and blueberry notes. This alluring wine has the concentration to age but there's nothing to get in the way of drinking it on the young side.
JLL ***[*] (3/2011): Plum red robe. Red jelly, blackberry first air that involves licorice and a little biscuity vat-like influence. Sweet, round debut to the palate, comes with a raisin-prune flavour. A classic of the now “old school" of Much Power . Rather too sweet and date-like at the end for me, one for the Sweet Tooth Brigade. From 2013. |
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2012 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier |
$79 |
1 |
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VM 95 (4/2015): Opaque ruby. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes red fruit preserves, smoky Indian spices and incense, with a suave floral element gaining power with air. Fleshy, seamless and deep in the mouth, offering intense black raspberry and cherry liqueur flavors braced and lifted by juicy acidity. The spicy note comes back slowly as the wine opens in the glass. Smooth tannins arrive late on the sweet, strikingly long finish, which leaves floral pastille and anise notes behind. Josh Raynolds.
WA 94 (10/2014): Deeper and more concentrated, with medium to full-bodied richness and depth, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier (70% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 5% Syrah and the rest Mourvedre) has fabulous purity in its blackberry, currants, black licorice, roasted herbs and assorted meatiness. Possessing ultra-fine tannin and building underlying structure, it will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar and evolve gracefully through 2027.
WS 94 (11/2014): Shows ample ripeness, with a fleshy feel to the melted licorice, warmed fig and plum cake flavors that pump along, carried by pastis, roasted apple wood and fruitcake notes. Features lots of well-embedded grip. Should cellar well. Best from 2016 through 2028. 0110 cases made. |
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2016 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Classique |
$59 |
2 |
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WA 94 (8/2018): Loaded with scents of roses and exotic spices, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is a super entry-level effort. It's 85% Grenache aged in concrete, with the balance Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Syrah that's aged in demi-muids. Full-bodied, velvety and long, it delivers opulent black raspberry fruit framed by silky tannins.
JD 92+ (8/2018): The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a good introduction into the wines of this estate. Darker fruits, scorched earth, chocolate, and obvious minerality all emerge from this rich, structured, tannic 2016 that's going to benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 10-15 years.
WS 92 (11/2018): Intense raspberry and blackberry puree flavors stream through, with dark tea and melted licorice notes. A good graphite spine holds the finish. A fruit-driven style that will have a lot of fans. Best from 2019 through 2031. 2,000 cases made, 113 cases imported. |
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2017 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier |
$59 |
2 |
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| JD 99 (8/2019): Just about perfection in a glass, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier reveals a deep purple color as well as extraordinary notes of blackcurrants, blackberries, smoked meats, incense, and dried flowers. Always based on Grenache yet with 10-15% Cinsault, this full-bodied, deep, opulent Châteauneuf Du Pape tastes like the essence of Provence, is incredibly complex, has sweet tannins, and despite all its richness and depth, stays pure, fresh, and light on its feet. It’s one of the finest vintages of this cuvee to date! |
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| Pierre Usseglio |
2016 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Mon Aieul |
$99 |
5 |
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JD 100 (8/2018): Getting more than one exclamation in the notes, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee de Mon Aïeul is a deep, rich yet vibrant red that offers a kaleidoscope of kirsch liqueur, garrigue, crushed flowers, Asian spices, and cured meats. It's more opulent and sexier than the 2010, fresher and purer than the 2007, has deep, full-bodied aromas and flavors, and a huge finish. It's a sensational, heavenly Châteauneuf-du-Pape that tops out my scale. This cuvee is 100% Grenache that was not destemmed and was aged in 20% demi-muids and the balance in concrete tanks.
WA 97 (8/2018): All Grenache, all whole cluster and from parcels in the lieux-dits of La Guigasse, Le Crau and Les Serres, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul has evolved beautifully since I tasted it last year, showing vibrant floral and tea-like notes, raspberry fruit and hints of licorice. It's full-bodied, rich and velvety, with overtones of spice cake on the long, crisp finish. Tasting it, I was surprised to find out what the alcohol level was, because it showed no obvious heat—a testament to how much else is going on here.
VM 96 (12/2019): Limpid ruby-red. Intensely perfumed, spice-accented aromas of ripe red and blue fruits, potpourri and incense expand steadily with air. Palate-staining raspberry and boysenberry flavors are complemented by an exotic floral pastille quality and suggestions of star anise and allspice. Rich but bright and energetic as well, showing superb finishing clarity, smooth, well-knit tannins and persistent florality. Made entirely with whole clusters and aged in a 60/40 combination of concrete vats and oak demi-muids. Josh Raynolds. |
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| Le Vieux Donjon |
2017 |
Chateauneuf du Pape |
$67 |
1 |
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JD 95+ (8/2019): The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a beautiful, elegant wine that also makes the most of this terrific vintage. Deep, rich, yet fabulously pure notes of blackcurrants, ground pepper, garrigue, and crushed flowers all emerge from the glass, followed by medium to full body, a stacked mid-palate, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. It's still backward and holding things a little close to its vest, yet it's a magical wine in the making. Give bottles 3-5 years of cellaring (although it's far from unapproachable today) and enjoy over the following two decades. It's as classic as it gets. The 2017 is a classic blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and the balance Cinsault, brought up all in foudre.
WA 95 (8/2019): One of the few estates where the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape actually eclipses the 2016, this is a top-flight effort. Black cherries and red raspberries combine with dried spices in a complex swirl of fruity and savory elements, garnished with sprigs of garrigue. Full-bodied, round and rich, this velvety wine should drink well through at least 2035.
VM 94 (12/2019): Limpid ruby-red. A highly perfumed, expansive bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, garrigue and exotic spices, and a smoky mineral note emerges as the wine opens up. Sweet and broad on the palate, offering juicy raspberry, cherry compote, spicecake and candied lavender flavors that tighten up slowly on the back half. Conveys both power and finesse and betrays no rough edges. Fine-grained tannins come in late on a very long, spicy finish that leaves suave floral and red fruit preserve notes behind. Josh Raynolds. |
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| Dom. du Vieux Telegraphe |
2016 |
Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau |
$92 |
8 |
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JS 98 (7/2018): Impressive, complex array of wild cherries, raspberries, garrigue herbs, lightly spiced pastry and stony, chalky minerals. Super-fresh florals. The palate has superb texture, roundness, completeness, depth and detail. Powerful yet elegant with powdery tannins and essence-like red fruit. Super-fleshy, supple and dense core, then strong at the edges. Layer upon layer peels away on the finish. Resounding finesse and equilibrium, showing the full potential of the plateau La Crau. Drink or hold.
JD 97 (8/2018): Bottled just last week, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape offers a classic, gorgeous bouquet of black raspberries, currants, violets, salty minerality, nori (seaweed wrapper) and licorice. Full-bodied, pure, incredibly elegant, with fine tannin, and a huge finish, this is classic Vieux Telegraphe all the way that has the balance to drink now. |
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| | Rhone White |
| Domaine Durieu |
2017 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc |
$40 |
2 |
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| Paul Jaboulet Aine |
2020 |
Hermitage La Chapelle Blanc (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,410.99 |
1 |
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| Andre Perret |
2018 |
Condrieu (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,176.99 |
1 |
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| | Southern France |
| Dom. de Baronarques |
2012 |
Limoux Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$30 |
1 |
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| WA 93 (4/2015): Made from 60% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and the rest a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Malbec, the 2012 Limoux knocks it out of the park with its Bordeaux-like bouquet of lead pencil shavings, toasted spice and sweet black raspberry and cassis-scented fruit. Medium to full-bodied, supple and elegant, it doesn't lack for concentration or structure, and should age beautifully. The elevage here was 12 months in 25% new French oak and the balance in 1-3-year-old barrels. This is an estate to watch! |
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2014 |
Limoux |
$30 |
3 |
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| WA 90-92 (4/2016): Leading off the reds, the 2014 Limoux Domaine de Baron'Arques is a blend of 46% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 13% Syrah, 9% Malbec and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in 25% new French oak (the balance was in one- to three-year-old barrels), it offers a ripe, full-bodied array of black raspberries, blackberries, currants, licorice and smoked earth, as well as a terrific texture, Outstanding concentration and a big finish. This is one classy red that has the fruit and texture to drink nicely on release, yet the balance, structure and class to evolve for over a decade. |
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2015 |
Limoux |
$30 |
3 |
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| WA 91 (5/2018): Smelling like a classy Right Bank Bordeaux, the 2015 Grand Vin is a blend of 57% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 13% Syrah, 11% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cigar box and cassis notes lead the way, followed by hints of pencil shavings, charred barrel and dark chocolate. It's medium to full-bodied, with a fine, long and slightly dusty finish that suggests around a decade of ageability. |
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2016 |
Le Chardonnay |
$39 |
3 |
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WA 92 (5/2018): An impressive Chardonnay from the limestone soils of Limoux, the 2016 Grand Vin Blanc could rival a decent Meursault. It's buttery and toasty up front, but it backs those oaky notes with plenty of plump pear and melon fruit. Medium-bodied, it's intense, concentrated and long, finishing with bright citrus and a lingering note of pencil shavings.
WS 91 (12/2018): Fresh and elegant, this medium- to full-bodied white offers pear and peach flavors, with a honey-tinged edge. Details of floral and baking spice emerge on the crisp, minerally finish. Chardonnay. Drink now through 2021. 3,554 cases made, 400 cases imported. |
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| Puech Haut |
2014 |
Coteaux du Languedoc Quercus |
$40 |
1 |
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| | Spain |
| R. Lopez de Heredia |
2007 |
Vina Bosconia Rioja Reserva |
$69 |
1 |
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| Bodegas El Nido |
2004 |
El Nido Scuffed Label |
$175 |
1 |
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WA 99 (2/2007): The consulting winemaker at Bodegas El Nido is Chris Ringland of Barossa Valley fame. Amazingly, the 2004 El Nido is even better. It is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell sourced from the same vineyards as its sibling but from the tenderloin portions, and it received the same oak treatment. Similar in color, the nose offers a beautiful perfume of pain grille, vanilla, forest floor, black currant, and blackberry liqueur. The wine is more elegant on the palate with a velvety texture, layers of spicy black fruits, and great depth and balance. It admirably marries elegance and power. Cellar this fabulous wine for 3-4 years and drink it over the following 10-15.
VM 94 (10/2007): Ruby-red. Spicy, sharply focused raspberry and blackberry on the nose, with exotic anise and incense adding complexity. Taut and fat-free, with powerful dark fruit flavors and a dusty tannic frame. Minerals build on the very long, strikingly spicy finish. This delivers wonderful energy.
WS 91 (11/2007): Rich and plush, this modern red delivers ripe, mouthfilling flavors of blackberry, cassis, licorice, cola and mineral. The tannins are well-integrated, and lively acidity balances the sweetness of jammy fruit and toasty oak. Cabernet Sauvignon and Monastrell. Drink now through 2012. 283 cases made. |
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| Numanthia |
2004 |
Numanthia Toro |
$79 |
1 |
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| WA 98 (2/2007): Any aspiring collectors should add a case of this to their stash. The 2004 Numanthia comes from a different terroir with a different clone of Tinta de Toro. The vines for this cuvee range from 70-100 years of age with tiny yields of 1 ton of fruit per acre. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in barrel followed by 19 months in new French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. The wine is a glass-coating opaque purple with a killer nose of mineral, pencil lead, wild blueberry, and blackberry liqueur that roars from the glass. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, dense, and already beginning to show complexity within its layers of spicy black fruits. There is immense power, well-concealed ripe tannin, and the well-delineated finish lasts for over one minute. This is a sensational effort which in a perfect world should be cellared for a decade and enjoyed over the following 25+ years. However, the elderly among us should not feel guilty about opening a bottle now. |
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| Raul Perez |
2021 |
Ultreia de Valtuille Bierzo Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$63 |
1 |
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2021 |
Ultreia el Rapolao Bierzo Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$63 |
1 |
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| Adega Familiar Eladio Pineiro |
2017 |
Solo Albarino, Doble Lias Frore de Carme Albarino |
$39 |
3 |
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| Dominio de Pingus |
2004 |
Flor de Pingus Bin-Soiled Label |
$175 |
1 |
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| VM 93 (9/2006): Inky ruby. Exotic aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, roasted coffee, dark chocolate and cured tobacco. Lush, sweet and smoky, with a supple texture to the deep dark berry liqueur flavors. No edges here, just luscious dark fruits and a wild smoky quality that carries into the finish. Impressively powerful and rich on the back end, with a lingering blackberry quality that won't quit. Josh Raynolds. |
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2005 |
Flor de Pingus |
$159 |
3 |
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2012 |
Pingus (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,114.99 |
1 |
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|
|
2018 |
Flor de Pingus (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,410.99 |
1 |
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| Vega Sicilia |
2004 |
Unico Ribera del Duero (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,349.99 |
2 |
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WA 97 (8/2014): Moving on to the big guns, the 2004 Unico is truly spectacular, in line with the 1970 and 1994. It’s a blend of 87% Tempranillo and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon. Unico has a unique long aging, in the case of the 2004, 15 months in 20,000-liter vats, 25 month in new barrels, 17 months in used barrels and a further 26 months in the big oak vats. It has complex notes of tobacco, cedar wood and blackberries, and shows very good balance between power and elegance as well as perfect ripeness. It has a similar profile to the 1994, but there’s ten years difference in experience and technical knowledge. There is nuance; there is detail, filigree, balance, harmony and complexity. There is a fine texture. In short, it is a great, world-class wine, a superb vintage for Unico. 87,500 bottles, 2,229 magnums, 150 double magnums and 5 Imperials were filled with this extraordinary wine. This is approachable now, but it’s a shame to drink so soon. It will age for a very long time, as it has the balance and harmony to do so, and it will develop more complexity with time. Drink 2016-2029. But if the single harvest Unico is fantastic, the multi-vintage blend could be even better as it also plays with the benefit of extra aging time.
VM 96 (9/2014): (roughly 85% tempranillo and 15% cabernet sauvignon; aged for a total of seven years in large oak vats, new small barrels, used small barrels and large oak vats to rest before bottling, in that order): Inky ruby: doesn't look like a ten-year old wine. A heady, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, vanilla, pipe tobacco, new leather and potpourri, with a subtle mineral flourish. Spicy, sweet and expansive, offering palate-staining cherry compote and cassis flavors with exotic violet and chewing tobacco qualities. Deepens and gains spiciness on the smooth, gently tannic finish, which lingers with superb focus and tenacity. Josh Raynolds.
WS 94 (10/2014): This expressive red shows lacy notes of floral, cedar, tobacco, spice and orange peel that mingle in a lean, firm texture and linger on the long, spicy finish. Delivers backbone and grace, in a traditional style. Drink now through 2024. 7,000 cases made. |
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