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Inventory updated: Wed, Sep 09, 2026 04:02 PM cst
2005 Dom. Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes
Vintage: 2005
Region: Burgundy Red
Color/Type: Red
Size: 6x750ML
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs.
Tasting Notes:
VM 95+ (4/2008): Full ruby-red. Pure, complex but restrained nose offers blackberry, black cherry, licorice, spices and black pepper. Wonderfully intense and vibrant, with a compellingly chewy texture and great thrust to the highly concentrated dark fruit and bitter chocolate flavors. The fine-grained tannins spread out to saturate the palate of this powerfully structured Volnay, with the wine's perfume lingering in the mouth for minutes. I asked Frederic when the estate last made a Clos des Chenes as good as this, and he replied that it's the best since the '61. Extended bottle aging may well bring an even higher rating. Volnay doesn't get much better than this.
BH 94 (4/2008): (from 45+ year old vines that sit just above Champans) A beautifully elegant and highly complex nose of extract of dark berry fruit that is both elegant and complex serves as a dramatic introduction to the big-bodied, indeed even robust flavors that are firm, dense and incredibly concentrated, all wrapped in a palate drenching finish that just oozes dry extract and gives a velvety texture to the unbelievably long finale. This is a wonderfully gifted wine that has everything it needs to age gracefully for multiple decades and it will need 12 to 15 years in a cool cellar to really hit its stride. This too is one of those 'wow' wines. Drink 2017+. Outstanding!
WA 93-94 (6/2007): Aromas of smoked meat, freshly-grated ginger, and intensely concentrated cherry and red currant offer a call to the forceful attack mounted on the palate by the Lafarges’ 2005 Volnay Clos des Chenes, incisively reaching every corner. But for all of its brightness as well as obvious tannic structure, this is imposingly creamy in texture, and low tones of dark chocolate, meats (running the gamut from ham hocks to bloody beef), chalk and wet stone emerge - along with subtle and complex spiciness - in an evocative finish. As usual, this will offer a fascinating decade or more of comparison with the Clos du Chateau des Ducs. (The 2004, incidentally, displays cut, clarity, and more concentration than its vintage stable mates - because, says Lafarge, the fruit from this site permitted greater fermentative extraction than that from his other hailed-on Volnay vineyards.)
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Burgundy Red |
| Dom. Michel Lafarge |
2013 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Aigrots (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,010.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2016 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Aigrots (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$769.99 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2018 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Aigrots (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$600.98 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Aigrots (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$643.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Aigrots (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$677.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2013 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,303.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2014 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,419.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2015 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,520.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2017 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$698.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2019 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$967.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves (12x750ML) 
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,877.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 91-94 (4/2023): A more deeply pitched though still equally fresh nose more grudgingly displays its aromas of spice, violet, dark currant and newly turned earth. There is excellent vibrancy to the more concentrated and muscular larger-scaled flavors that still manage to remain relatively refined thanks to the dense but fine tannins shaping the strikingly long, balanced, compact and quite serious finale. This beauty of a Grèves is potentially outstanding and should age accordingly. |
|
|
2021 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,093.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 91-94 (4/2023): A more deeply pitched though still equally fresh nose more grudgingly displays its aromas of spice, violet, dark currant and newly turned earth. There is excellent vibrancy to the more concentrated and muscular larger-scaled flavors that still manage to remain relatively refined thanks to the dense but fine tannins shaping the strikingly long, balanced, compact and quite serious finale. This beauty of a Grèves is potentially outstanding and should age accordingly. |
|
|
2022 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,045.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,877.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2019 |
Bourgogne Passetoutgrain ’L’Exception’ (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$265.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Bourgogne Passetoutgrain ’L’Exception’ (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$432.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 86-89 (4/2022): A peppery and earthy nose features mostly ripe red berry scents. The nicely textured and delicious middle weight flavors possess unusually good depth and persistence in the context of what is typical for the genre. Worth considering. Drink starting 2024. |
|
|
2020 |
Bourgogne Passetoutgrain ’L’Exception’ (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$271.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 86-89 (4/2022): A peppery and earthy nose features mostly ripe red berry scents. The nicely textured and delicious middle weight flavors possess unusually good depth and persistence in the context of what is typical for the genre. Worth considering. Drink starting 2024. |
|
|
2011 |
Bourgogne Rouge (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$758.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 86-89 (4/2013): ( from 40+ year old vines that were once classified as Volnay villages.) There is an interesting smoky character to the earthy red berry fruit aromas that can also be found on the light to barely middle weight flavors that possess a beguiling mouth feel before terminating in a detailed and utterly delicious finish. As it almost always does, this boxes well above its weight and knocks on the door of villages level quality. Drink 2016+. Outstanding Top Value! |
|
|
2018 |
Bourgogne Rouge (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$315.97 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2019 |
Bourgogne Rouge (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$302.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Bourgogne Rouge (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$325.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Pommard 1er Cru Les Pezerolles |
$135 |
3 |
|
| |
| BH 92 (5/2011): A strikingly fresh and highly complex nose is quite cool and restrained and only grudgingly offers up notes of bright red pinot fruit and mineral nuances that characterize the racy, precise and driving middle weight flavors that culminate in a moderately austere finish of beautiful length and impeccable balance. As it typically does, this manages to combine power with finesse. (Drink starting 2020). |
|
|
2018 |
Pommard 1er Cru Les Pezerolles (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,090.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2014 |
Volnay (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,223.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2014 |
Volnay (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$662.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2015 |
Volnay (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,283.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2015 |
Volnay (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$557.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2016 |
Volnay (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,016.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2018 |
Volnay (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$411.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Volnay (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$557.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Volnay 1er Cru (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,843.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2013 |
Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets (6X750ML) |
$1,194 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 92-94 (12/2014): The 2013 Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets is much more introspective and closed on the nose compared to the other Volnays: this bouquet tells you not to be so foolish as to nose it so prematurely. However, it does begin to open with intriguing dried blood/ferrous scents infusing the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red berry fruit, “thicker” tannins than expected that lend this Caillerets the density more than the tension at the moment. This deserves 5 or 6 years at least in bottle.
VM 91-93 (1/2015): Healthy bright red. Riper aromas of black fruits, spices and menthol. The sweetest and roundest of these 2013s to this point, offering rich, suave flavors of red fruits, spices and red licorice. Serious but fine-grained tannins arrive late, allowing the fruit to saturate the palate. This should evolve gracefully.
BH 89-92 (4/2015): (from a parcel measuring 7ouvrees, or around .3 ha of 40+ year old vines.) An overtly spicy and somewhat more deeply pitched nose combines notes of red and dark berry fruit that display a top note of dried flowers. The dense and serious medium-bodied flavors possess a chalky mouth feel that exhibits ample minerality on the mildly austere and ever-so-slightly drying finish. In this case the supporting tannins seem ripe so there is a reasonable chance that the dryness will dissipate once the wine is bottled. Drink 2021+. |
|
|
2014 |
Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$781.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 91-94 (4/2016): (from a parcel measuring 7ouvrees, or around .3 ha of 40+ year old vines.) A gorgeously spiced nose offers up notes of plum, kirsch, earth, lilac and violet nuances. There is excellent mid-palate concentration to the intensely mineral-driven and impressively rich medium-bodied flavors that possess a really lovely sense of underlying tension, all wrapped in a wonderfully complex, persistent and well-balanced finale. This is well worth considering. Drink 2026+. Sweet Spot Outstanding! |
|
|
1997 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes |
$275 |
2 |
|
| |
| BH 91 (2/2010): Earthy and now mature and nicely complex aromas lead to rich, full and delicious middle weight flavors of solid if not truly exceptional depth that are underpinned by now almost completely resolved tannins and fine intensity on the impressively long finish. This is a lovely effort that avoids the excesses of the vintage, particularly the over ripeness that plagues many less successful '97s. While this could be held, it is drinking well now and I would suggest drinking it over the next 5 to 10 years. Except for one very lackluster bottle, I have had consistent notes. |
|
|
2005 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,640.98 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 95+ (4/2008): Full ruby-red. Pure, complex but restrained nose offers blackberry, black cherry, licorice, spices and black pepper. Wonderfully intense and vibrant, with a compellingly chewy texture and great thrust to the highly concentrated dark fruit and bitter chocolate flavors. The fine-grained tannins spread out to saturate the palate of this powerfully structured Volnay, with the wine's perfume lingering in the mouth for minutes. I asked Frederic when the estate last made a Clos des Chenes as good as this, and he replied that it's the best since the '61. Extended bottle aging may well bring an even higher rating. Volnay doesn't get much better than this.
BH 94 (4/2008): (from 45+ year old vines that sit just above Champans) A beautifully elegant and highly complex nose of extract of dark berry fruit that is both elegant and complex serves as a dramatic introduction to the big-bodied, indeed even robust flavors that are firm, dense and incredibly concentrated, all wrapped in a palate drenching finish that just oozes dry extract and gives a velvety texture to the unbelievably long finale. This is a wonderfully gifted wine that has everything it needs to age gracefully for multiple decades and it will need 12 to 15 years in a cool cellar to really hit its stride. This too is one of those 'wow' wines. Drink 2017+. Outstanding!
WA 93-94 (6/2007): Aromas of smoked meat, freshly-grated ginger, and intensely concentrated cherry and red currant offer a call to the forceful attack mounted on the palate by the Lafarges’ 2005 Volnay Clos des Chenes, incisively reaching every corner. But for all of its brightness as well as obvious tannic structure, this is imposingly creamy in texture, and low tones of dark chocolate, meats (running the gamut from ham hocks to bloody beef), chalk and wet stone emerge - along with subtle and complex spiciness - in an evocative finish. As usual, this will offer a fascinating decade or more of comparison with the Clos du Chateau des Ducs. (The 2004, incidentally, displays cut, clarity, and more concentration than its vintage stable mates - because, says Lafarge, the fruit from this site permitted greater fermentative extraction than that from his other hailed-on Volnay vineyards.) |
|
|
2014 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,115.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 90 (4/2017): (from 45+ year old vines that sit just above Champans.)This is also beautifully well-layered with its broad-ranging nose of red currant, pomegranate, earth, floral and spice-suffused aromas. As is usually the case this is both bigger and more powerful if not quite as elegant with a similar level of mid-palate concentration where the copious dry extract does a reasonably good if not perfect job of buffering the firm tannic spine on the impressively long if slightly edgy finish. This has many positive attributes but the balance isn't quite perfect. Drink 2022+. |
|
|
2016 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,491.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2018 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,459.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 94-96 (1/2020): The brilliant 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes offers up an incipiently complex bouquet of dark berry fruit, orange rind, plums, woodsmoke, dark chocolate and rich soil tones. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, reserved and muscular, with excellent depth and concentration, structured around an ample endowment of powdery tannin and succulent acids. The finish is long and nicely defined. As is almost invariably the case, this is a serious wine for the long haul, and it numbers among the wines of the vintage in the Côte de Beaune. |
|
|
2022 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,618.98 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,485.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,534.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2006 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs |
$199 |
4 |
|
| |
BH 92 (4/2009): (from 50+ year old vines; a monopole of the domaine). A mix of ultra pure red pinot fruit and slightly darker fruits that include notes of plum, dark raspberry and currant merges into rich, cool and dusty mouth coating flavors that possess lovely depth and near perfect balance on the persistent and beautifully detailed finish where a subtle mineral streak surfaces. Lovely juice that is perhaps a bit more powerful than usual. Drink 2014+. Outstanding!
VM 92+ (4/2009): Good medium red. Captivating aromas of cherry, spices, minerals and flowers. Fat, broad and deeply spicy, with noteworthy depth of flavor and a tactile mouth feel. At once mouthfilling and vibrant; seamless and lively. The very long finish features thoroughly enrobed ripe tannins and vibrant spicy persistence. It will be fascinating to compare this with the 2007 version in six or seven years.
WA 91+ (12/2009): The Lafarge monopole 2006 Volnay Clos Du Chateau Des Ducs leads with ripe yet tart-edged cherry and red currant; takes on a bitter-sweet cast as licorice and cherry pit intervene on the palate; and retains a refreshing cast even as it caresses with silken texture. Mineral, tea-like, and gamey shadings are lingering in the shadows rather than engaging in intercourse with the fruit, but I'm left wondering whether the relative absence of dynamic here is a a function of the wine's temporary state or of an inherently relatively reticent personality. Certainly one will be able to derive at least a decade of satisfaction from this and - based its track record - longer for those fascinated by wine's life beyond middle-age. |
|
|
2008 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs |
$259 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 92-93 (6/2010): The Lafarge monopole 2008 Volnay Clos Du Chateau Des Ducs leads with striking buddleia perfume, kirsch, and aromatic intimations of oceanic salinity and crustacean savor. Juicy and vibrant; elegant, tenderly-fruited and polished; this is one of those wines that manages to enervate and caress at the same time, and in which bright ripe fruit is allied to a remarkable depth of elements than can only be explicated in animal and mineral terms. Overt suggestions of chalk and cherry pit lend the buoyant finish a measure of austerity, but it is so saliva-inducing and refreshing that severity is not a risk. It should last for at least 15 years.
BH 91-93 (4/2010): A nose of pure pinot and dissolved mineral notes complement to perfection the detailed and stone-driven medium-bodied flavors that possess fine volume and a gorgeously balanced finish. The harmony here is Zen-like. Drink 2018+. Sweet Spot Outstanding! |
|
|
2008 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs Slightly Depressed Cork |
$259 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 92-93 (6/2010): The Lafarge monopole 2008 Volnay Clos Du Chateau Des Ducs leads with striking buddleia perfume, kirsch, and aromatic intimations of oceanic salinity and crustacean savor. Juicy and vibrant; elegant, tenderly-fruited and polished; this is one of those wines that manages to enervate and caress at the same time, and in which bright ripe fruit is allied to a remarkable depth of elements than can only be explicated in animal and mineral terms. Overt suggestions of chalk and cherry pit lend the buoyant finish a measure of austerity, but it is so saliva-inducing and refreshing that severity is not a risk. It should last for at least 15 years.
BH 91-93 (4/2010): A nose of pure pinot and dissolved mineral notes complement to perfection the detailed and stone-driven medium-bodied flavors that possess fine volume and a gorgeously balanced finish. The harmony here is Zen-like. Drink 2018+. Sweet Spot Outstanding! |
|
|
2009 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs |
$265 |
3 |
|
| |
BH 94 (4/2012): This is aromatically a bit less elegant than the Mitans but it is more complex with cool red and blue pinot fruit, violet, earth and stone nuances introducing attractively rich and equally pure middle weight flavors that exhibit real verve on the mouth coating and exceptionally persistent finish. As usual, this is a classic Volnay that is built to age and will need every bit of 12 to 15 years to be at its best. In short, this is a knockout. Outstanding! Drink: 2021+.
WA 93-95 (5/2011): The estate’s 2009 Volnay Clos du Chateau des Ducs saturates the palate with its deep, persistent fruit. The aromas and flavors build in the glass towards the rich, multi-dimensional finish. This shows marvelous staying power and fabulous overall balance. The Clos du Chateau des Ducs is more overtly fruit-driven and structured but perhaps a touch less aromatically expressive than the Mitans. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039.
VM 92 (4/2012): Rather pale red. Highly aromatic, expressive scents of redcurrant, cherry, spices and flowers. Wonderfully suave and fine-grained, in the typically feminine style of this wine--and classic Volnay. Lovely pliant red fruit and licorice flavors saturate the mouth, with a saline element adding interest on the long finish. Shows an attractive light touch and supple tannins. This will go truffley with bottle aging. |
|
|
2012 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs |
$249 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 93-95 (1/2014): The 2012 Volnay Clos du Chateau des Ducs impresses for its pure texture. Silky, generous and enveloping, the 2012 flows with the essence of black cherries, plums, savory herbs and wild flowers, all finely-knit and impeccably balanced. This is one of the more polished wines in the range. Today, it is absolutely singing. Antonio Galloni.
WA 90-92 (12/2013): The 2012 Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs is the 0.57-hectare monopole of Lafarge from an average of 80-year-old vines. Despite coaxing it remains stubbornly reticent on the nose, coquettishly revealing sea cave scents, perhaps a suggestion of what is to come with bottle age. The palate is more expressive with silky tannins, very pure red berry fruit, fine mineralite and a sophisticated, focused finish that lingers in the mouth. This has a wonderful weightless quality to it. Very classy.
BH 88-91 (4/2014): (from 50+ year old vines; a monopole of the domaine.) This was quite firmly reduced but even so the underlying fruit does seem ripe. In the same fashion as the Mitans there is that beguiling sense of underlying tension to the beautifully well-delineated medium-bodied flavors that possess a refined mouth feel, all wrapped in a finish that is once again notably dry. Note that my predicted range offers the benefit of the doubt. Drink 2019+. |
|
|
2016 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,462.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 93-95 (4/2018): Lafarge explained that this was made from fruit that was destemmed by hand using what the Burgundians call a claie en osier, or a lattice made of wicker that was placed on top of a fermenter; this approach was sometimes used in the 19th C). A dazzlingly pure, fresh and soaring nose features notes of essence of red cherry, currant, spice and soft floral scents. While the medium weight flavors do not have the same size and power of the Clos des Chênes, they are notably finer with a sleek muscularity and terrific length on the highly refreshing and energetic finish. This is really lovely stuff and a complete knock-out. Drink 2031+. Don't miss! Outstanding! |
|
|
2017 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,543.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 92-95 (4/2019): Once again an exceptionally fresh and bright nose mixes ultra-pure red berry aromas with those of spice, tea, lilac and rose petal notes. The mouth feel is notably finer than that of the Clos des Chênes as the mid-palate is supple yet the gorgeously textured backend tightens up considerably and displays superb intensity on the very firm and well-balanced finish. It's rare that the Clos du Château des Ducs matches the Clos des Chênes qualitatively but it may well in 2017. Either way, this is terrific. Drink 2032+. Don't miss! |
|
|
2018 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,954.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 98 (11/2021): The 2018 Volnay 1er Clos Du Chateau Des Ducs is more expressive and showy right out of the gate and has a complex, sexy, incredibly impressive style that's a joy to drink. Ripe cherries, mulberries, rose petals, Asian spices, dried herbs, and incense all emerge from this beauty, and it's as seamless and layered as they come, with ripe, velvety tannins, no hard edges, medium to full body, and flawless balance. It's already drinking nicely yet will cruise for 20+ years in cold cellars.
VM 92 (11/2022): The 2018 Volnay Clos du Château des Ducs 1er Cru has a little more transparency and elegance on the nose compared to its peers, brambly red fruit with a touch of sous-bois and tobacco leaf. The palate is well-defined with fine tannins. A crisp line of acidity imparts tension with more sapidity than its peers. Harmonious, fine weight in the mouth with a Pommard-like grip on the finish, this is a finely crafted, commendable Volnay, one that defies the negative tropes of the vintage. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting. Neal Martin. |
|
|
2019 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,354.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,659.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2022 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,541.97 |
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2023 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,859.99 |
1 |
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2017 |
Volnay 1er Cru Les Mitans (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$989.99 |
1 |
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2018 |
Volnay 1er Cru Les Mitans (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,003.99 |
1 |
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| JD 95 (11/2021): The 2018 Volnay 1er Les Mitans comes from a tiny 0.39 hectare of vines planted in 1952 and 1976 and located on a south-facing slope. The soils here are more brown clay with some underlying limestone, and the wine is destemmed and brought up in 15% new French oak. It's another wine that needs air, continuing to show well over the multiple days I had the bottle open. Beautiful ripe black cherry and black raspberry fruits as well as darker, earthy herbs, camphor, and spicy wood all emerge from the glass, and it's medium-bodied, with a wonderfully pure, elegant style, nicely integrated acidity, and outstanding length. As with the other 2018s here, the purity and precision are spot on. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 10-15. |
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2020 |
Volnay 1er Cru Les Mitans (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,141.97 |
1 |
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2023 |
Volnay 1er Cru Les Mitans (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,217.97 |
1 |
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2008 |
Volnay Vendanges Selectionees |
$99 |
1 |
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WA 90 (5/2011): Lafarge’s 2008 Volnay Vendanges Selectionnees is sweet, rich and beautifully layered. It shows superb depth as it sweeps across the palate with generous, expressive fruit. An uneven flowering in 2008 resulted in abnormally low yields. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.
VM 87+ (4/2011): Good full red. High-toned, slightly piney aromas of cherry, spices and mint. Juicy, dry and penetrating, with the minty quality carrying through onto the palate. Finishes firmly tannic, with a saline nuance and slightly spiky acidity. I wanted a bit more verve.
BH 87-89 (4/2010): A much more restrained but more complex nose of dense red berry fruit trimmed in earth and wet stone nuances, both of which can also be found on the more concentrated, naturally sweet and delicious medium-bodied flavors that display firm but not aggressive tannins and good length. There is a hint of dryness here as well though again, it's probably an effect of the considerable CO2 present. Drink 2015+. |
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2018 |
Volnay Vendanges Selectionees (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$461.97 |
1 |
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| | Burgundy White |
| Dom. Michel Lafarge |
2020 |
Beaune 1er Cru Les Aigrots Blanc (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$591.97 |
1 |
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2020 |
Meursault (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,183.99 |
1 |
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2022 |
Meursault (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$435.99 |
1 |
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| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Burgundy Red |
| Dom. d' Ardhuy |
2005 |
Corton Renardes Grand Cru Lightly Scuffed Label; Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 90-93 (1/2007): As one would expect, this is completely different as the game and sauvage notes of a classic Renardes are on parade with rich, full and powerful palate staining flavors that offer excellent depth and Outstanding length. This is a potent but sleekly muscular wine that will also require ample patience. Drink 2017+. |
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| Dom. Robert Arnoux |
2005 |
Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Corvee Pagets |
$275 |
5 |
|
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BH 89-92 (1/2007): This too is heavily reduced and about all that is really discernable is the ample wood spice that can also be found in moderate amounts on the mouth coating and impressively concentrated flavors that are also carrying lots of gas. The finish is chewy, powerful and seriously long and my marks are given on the basis of the quality of the impeccable raw materials as the wine is pretty awkward today. (Drink starting 2013)
VM 89-91 (4/2007): Bright, dark red-ruby. Sexy aromas of dark raspberry, flowers and smoky oak, with a touch of reduction. Rich, pliant and sweet, with lovely breadth to its spicy flavors. Boasts plenty of fat but not quite the purity or fine-grained texture of the Proces. But then this is slower to show itself due to the late end to the malolactic fermentation, notes Lachaux. Stephen Tanzer. |
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|
2005 |
Nuits St. Georges Les Poisets |
$279 |
9 |
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| |
VM 89-91 (4/2007): Dark red. Brooding aromas of dark berries, bitter chocolate and game. Broader and more muscular than the Hautes Maizieres but with a bit less lift, clarity and floral character. A fat, chewy style, very Nuits-Saint-Georges in its density of texture. Stephen Tanzer.
BH 89-91 (1/2007): Deep ruby. A pungent nose of heavy reduction, wood spice and black cherry fruit leads to earthy, rich, sweet and sappy flavors that are intense, well muscled and concentrated and while there is a trace of rusticity, the tannins are relatively fine. Again, Lachaux has crafted a first rate villages. (Drink starting 2013). |
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| Dom. Arnoux-Lachaux |
2005 |
Romanee St. Vivant Grand Cru (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$12,020.99 |
1 |
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| |
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| Dom. Bizot |
2005 |
Vosne Romanee Aux Reas Very Lightly Scuffed Label |
$2,900 |
1 |
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WA 90 (6/2007): Cumin, wood smoke, black tea, roasted meats, and lightly-cooked blackberry scent the 2005 Vosne-Romanee Le Reas. Dense, substantial and meaty, with a faint tannic grit (all factors seeming to reflect its relative proximity to Nuits-St.-Georges), this displays outstanding depth of fruit, a lot of sheer energy, and persistently subtle complexity. It would probably show fascinatingly in 5-7 years.
BH 90-92 (1/2007): In contrast to the expressiveness that borders on exuberance of the first few wines, here the nose is relatively discreet and reserved with Asian spice notes adding nuance and depth to the upper register black fruit and violet aromas that complement to perfection the wonderfully complex, spicy and refined flavors that possess excellent power and striking length. This is a flat out gorgeous villages wine and it displays the class and grace of a fine 1er. Recommended. Drink 2013+. Sweet Spot Outstanding! |
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|
2005 |
Vosne Romanee Les Jachees |
$3,500 |
1 |
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| BH 89-92 (1/2007): (from an obscure 1.3 ha vineyard that is rarely listed on most maps of the commune and is situated directly behind the Domaine sandwiched between La Colombière and Bossières; Bizot owns .7 ha.) A mild touch of reduction detracts only mildly from the earthy dark berry fruit nose that also offers a subtle floral note but in the mouth this is more elegant and refined than the Vieilles Vignes with solidly structured flavors that sport a subtle minerality and a linear, indeed almost strict finish. This will round out however as the material is seriously impressive. Drink 2013+. Outstanding Top Value! |
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| Bouchard Pere et Fils |
2005 |
Chambertin Grand Cru (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,168.98 |
1 |
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| |
| VM 91-94 (4/2007): (this is the only Bouchard Gevrey grand cru from estate fruit?; 100% vendange entier Full ruby-red. Wild, complex aromas of red cherry liqueur, smoked meat, licorice and shoe polish, with a cool veggie nuance. Sweet and stylish but still quite reserved, even cool, with intriguing suggestions of gibiers and toasty oak. Still quite clenched on the back, finishing with building tannins. Classic austere Chambertin. |
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| Pierre Bouree |
2005 |
Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Malconsorts |
$175 |
3 |
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| Dom. Sylvain Cathiard |
2005 |
Vosne Romanee 1er Cru en Orveaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$9,309.98 |
1 |
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BH 91-93 (1/2007): A positively gorgeous mix of exuberantly spicy red and black pinot fruit aromas that offer genuinely striking purity and transparency can also be found on the rich, textured and ultra refined middle weight flavors that are balanced and possess terrific mid-palate fat that completely buffers the rather firm tannic spine. But it's the sheer complexity that really drives this to the next level and it knocks on the door of grand cru quality. In sum, this transcends its usual quality level by a fair margin and should reward up to a decade of cellar time. Outstanding! Drink 2013+.
VM 90+ (4/2008): Good deep red. Smoky, ripe nose shows an almost liqueur-like quality. Fat, sweet and creamy, with superripe black cherry, raspberry and smoke flavors complicated by musky smoke and earth. Today this very rich wine comes off as chunkier than the village offering, with a bit less cut and lift. Finishes with chewy tannins and very good length.
WA 89-90+ (6/2007): From 60-year-old vines high up above Echezeaux, the Cathiard 2005 Vosne-Romanee En Orveaux is the most austere wine on this occasion, with a chalky mineral character and bright but slightly tart red fruit marked by candied and caramelized inflections and a considerable evidence of new wood. Smoked meat character emerges beneath the alternating bright and caramelized black fruits in the finish. Not that this wine is entirely unimpressive - far from it - but could it just be having a bad day, I wonder? Also recommended: 2005 Bourgogne. |
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| Dom. Robert Chevillon |
2005 |
Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Vaucrains (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,601.98 |
1 |
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WA 94-95 (4/2007): Of all the Chevillon wines, their 2005 Nuits-St.-Georges Les Vaucrains - like their Cailles and Les St.-Georges, from roughly 80-year-old vines - displays the greatest density, stoniest minerality, most piquant nuttiness, and deepest, darkest, blackberry and beet root “fruit" character. The overall impression is breath-taking in its sheer concentration, yet rather somber and brooding in personality, with an emphasis on piquancy, bitterness and stoniness. Toasted walnut and hickory, cherry pits, black chocolate, stones, and charred meat inform this wine’s powerful, penetrating finish. Were it not for a persistent primary blackberry juiciness and the great refinement of its abundant tannins, this would border on the hyper-concentrated. If further proof were needed that the Chevillons are in a class by themselves among the major Nuits-St.-Georges landholders, they certainly delivered it this year. Like so many other vintners, they reported backing off on pigeage this year - and heaven knows, the resultant wines don’t lack for concentration. Their Bourgogne Passetoutgrain, Bourgogne, and Nuits-St.-Georges Les Perrieres had all just been sulfured and filtered, so Bertrand Chevillon declined to show them. He was as yet noncommittal, however, about when the other wines would be bottled, although this would probably continue through Spring, and be accompanied by the estate’s usual light filtration.
VM 91-94 (4/2007): Good full ruby-red. Superripe aromas of black raspberry, dark chocolate and leather; a bit less minerally and floral than the Saint-Georges. Powerful, brooding and large-scaled on the palate but currently locked up tight and showing less sweetness than the Saint-Georges. But this big boy really saturates the palate. With its serious tannic clout and leathery soil tones, this is classic Nuits-Saint-Georges.
BH 91-94 (4/2007): This is particularly ripe yet the nose is fresh and expressive with its dark raspberry fruit, earth, violet and slightly sauvage notes but the big, robust and amply muscled flavors are brooding to the point of being intensely primary and borderline backward. This is the most structured wine of the range but there is so much extract that the tannins are almost completely buffered, which will permit a long if slow evolution. This is a dramatic effort that isn't quite as classy as the Les St. Georges or Les Cailles but it is likely to be the last wine standing as it were some decades hence. Drink 2017+. Sweet spot Outstanding! |
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| Joseph Drouhin |
2005 |
Bonnes Mares Grand Cru (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,732.98 |
1 |
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BH 96 (4/2007): A spicy, ripe and pure nose of floral red pinot fruit and rose petals possesses nuances of menthol, earth and a slight whiff of the sauvage that can also be found on the rich, serious and powerful big-bodied flavors that are sleekly muscled and very firmly structured yet they remain balanced, cool and harmonious on the monumentally long finish. This seems less structured than it really is as the abundant sap renders them less prominent if not invisible. While 15 to 20 years should see this at its apogee, this will still be alive and well at 50 years of age. Drink: 2020+
WA 92 (6/2007): Black raspberry with horehound aromas in Drouhin’s 2005 Bonnes Mares lead to a sappy, intense palate of black raspberry and pungent herbal essence with notes of caramel and cocoa, and to a finish of persistent fruit intensity. Here is another of those cases where imposing richness coexists with bright, indeed almost electrically energetic fresh fruit intensity. This lacks the riveting complexity of the best wines here today but will be a force to reckon with in 8-10 years.
VM 90-93 (4/2007): Medium red. Spicy aromas of briary red berries and blueberry, wild herbs, mocha and pepper. Concentrated, powerful and tight, with a medicinal cast and noteworthy energy to the vibrant flavors of briary berries, herbs and spices. Conveys an impression of firm acidity: this is all about energy and thrust today. Finishes firmly tannic and tight, in need of a good eight to ten years of bottle aging. This could hardly be more different in style from the comparatively creamy Amoureuses. |
|
| Bernard Dugat-Py |
2005 |
Bourgogne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$568.99 |
1 |
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| Dom. Dujac |
2005 |
Clos de la Roche Grand Cru (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$12,552.98 |
1 |
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WA 96 (6/2007): The Seysses’ 2005 Clos de la Roche charts new territory in this collection for sheer intensity. Black cherry, kirsch distillate, cedar, incense, iron filings, wet stone, and roasted meats and coffee represent a few of the immediate aromatic suggestions forced on this taster. In the mouth, it is similarly compelling, with an eruption of clear black cherry, cassis, and meat juices, faintly bitter notes of fruit skin and pungent herbal and mineral notes adding complexity. The texture is incipiently velvety, imposingly glossy, and a perfect cover for fine, abundant tannins. Spectacularly rich and reverberative in its multifaceted finish, this sensational wine deserves at least a decade of rest before re-opening.
BH 95 (1/2008): Sweet black cherry fruit, warm earth, spice and a hint of the sauvage leads to focused, intense, vibrant and well-muscled full-bodied flavors that carry ample authority and punch on the complex, broad and superbly long finish. There is real depth of material here and the intensity builds from the mid-palate on back to the explosive if slightly austere finish. There is so much dry extract here that this is a dramatic and powerful wine. A stunner with simply amazing persistence. Drink: 2017+.
VM 94+ (4/2008): Deep red-ruby. Pure but tight aromas of dark raspberry, brown spices and graphite. Dense, fat and rich but quite youthfully reduced, showing notes of smoke and toast. This amazingly chewy and tactile wine needs a lot of patience. Sullen today but very long and strong on the back end, with a powerful impression of dry extract and a finishing note of chocolate. If you invest in a wine like this, don't even think of opening it any time soon (Jeremy Seysses suggests waiting 12 years). |
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| Dom. Michel Gaunoux |
2005 |
Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens-Bas (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,248.99 |
1 |
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| Vincent Girardin |
2005 |
Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,451.97 |
3 |
|
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VM 93 (4/2008): Deep red-ruby. Lovely precision to the aromas of black cherry, blueberry, licorice, minerals and spicy oak. Juicy, penetrating and sweet, with sharply delineated flavors of spicy dark berries and minerals. Here the tannins are sweet and noble, and the finish boasts lovely length and sap. Seems much riper than the 2006, but not at all overripe.
BH 91-93 (4/2007): A layered and wonderfully complex spicy red fruit nose introduces big and rich flavors that are impressively scaled if not equal to those of the Chambertin, finally culminating in an intense pure and detailed finish that is strikingly long and deep. This is a beautiful wine but the Chambertin takes the best in cellar award in 2005. Drink 2015+. |
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2005 |
Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,919.97 |
3 |
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2005 |
Le Chambertin Grand Cru (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,041.97 |
2 |
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| Dom. Alain Hudelot-Noellat |
2005 |
Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,675.97 |
1 |
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| VM 93 (4/2008): Good deep red. Musky black cherry, raspberry, fresh herbs and sexy oak on the nose. Sweet, lush and creamy, with a combination of sappiness and roundness giving it great early appeal. In the fruit-driven style of this producer's 2005s, but more pliant and sweet than most of them. |
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2005 |
Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaumonts (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$5,008.97 |
1 |
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VM 92+ (4/2008): Good deep red. Pungent aromas of dark raspberry, rose petal, blood orange and bitter chocolate. Then juicy and precise in the mouth but tight and backward. A wonderfully sappy, vibrant wine whose firm acids will require several years of cellaring. Not at all pliant today-in fact this is distinctly ungiving-and yet I find this wine's energy, cut and floral perfume to be exhilarating.
BH 89-91 (1/2007): The slightly higher-toned nose is even fresher and brighter with a similar nose of spicy black fruit trimmed in obvious minerality that introduces complex, delicious and somewhat more forward middle weight flavors that possess good detail and the same firm mineral streak suggested by the nose. This is classy juice with excellent length and while I like the greater finesse here versus the Suchots, the latter wine has better mid-palate fat and concentration. Drink 2011+. |
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| Louis Jadot |
2005 |
Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru Domaine Louis Jadot (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,248.98 |
2 |
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2005 |
Corton Pougets Grand Cru Domaine des Heritiers Louis Jadot (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,417.99 |
1 |
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2005 |
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques Domaine Louis Jadot (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,041.98 |
2 |
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VM 94 (5/2019): The 2005 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques 1er Cru (magnum) is blessed with a beautiful bouquet of kirsch, wild strawberry, crushed stone and floral aromas, perhaps closer to the essence of Clos Saint-Jacques than the 2001. The palate is medium-bodied with firm grip on the entry. There is fine weight and salinity in the mouth, and plenty of substance toward the sensual but utterly harmonious finish. This will probably benefit from another two or three years in bottle, and then those patient enough to cellar it will surely be rewarded with two decades of drinking pleasure. (Drink between 2021-2040). Neal Martin.
BH 93 (5/2025): A notably pretty if ripe nose features notes of spicy and still relatively primary red berries spiked with hints of leather, humus and a whiff of the sauvage. The intense, dense and full-bodied flavors brim with sappy dry extract before culminating in a stony, palate coating and driving finish that is serious, firm and beautifully persistent. This robust effort remains youthful but not unapproachable and this most recent bottle was quite civilized and showing well.. In a word, impressive. (Drink starting 2030). |
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2005 |
Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,259.97 |
3 |
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BH 92-94 (4/2007): A slightly less elegant but equally complex nose of almost exclusively red berry fruit aromas nuanced by touches of earth, underbrush and a subtle hint of game precede round, rich and generous flavors underpinned by suave tannins and a velvety and dusty finish. At present the tannins are on the chewy side and like the Latricières, this will require a certain amount of patience. Drink 2017+.
VM 88-91 (4/2007): (this is purchased wine, from a blend of old and young vines) Bright red-ruby. Spicy red cherry aroma with a floral topnote. Offers moderate stuffing but very good definition and lift, with a ripe chocolatey note. Has class but the finish shows a slight dryness and could be longer. |
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| Dom. des Lambrays |
2005 |
Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru (6x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,773.98 |
1 |
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BH 94 (1/2008): A much more deeply pitched nose of dark berry fruit, spice, earth, a hint of animale and an overlay of obvious minerality complements perfectly the rich, full and sweet broad-scaled yet elegant flavors that are solidly structured and firm on the detailed and wonderfully intense finish. This powerful, long and serious vintage of Clos des Lambrays is built for the medium plus term, which is to say out to 20 years of improvement followed by another 20 of plateau. Drink: 2017+
VM 93+ (4/2008): Medium red. Riper, darker nose features blueberry, spices and a sexy earthy perfume. Supple and juicy, with excellent spicy lift to the blackberry, blueberry, game and mineral flavors. Sweeter and denser than the village example but more noteworthy for its insinuating soil tones than for sheer size-or is this simply in a shell today? The long, resounding, dry finish features very fine-grained tannins and lovely lift. This, too, seems to be shutting down in the bottle. But it should be long-lived.
WA 91-93 (4/2007): The 2005 Clos de Lambrays leads with hints of cedar and spruce resin (or is that actually ripe Pinot stems?), bitter-sweet florality, pungent spices, black tea, salt spray, iodine and Cote-Rotie-like smoked meats. Plum and cherry - with a strong dose of skins and pits -- almost come as an aromatic afterthought. A subtly bitter, tart edge follows the flowers, meat and minerals onto the palate and helps lend profile and pungent energy to the wine, which sticks tenaciously to the palate as if it were exactly the sort of resin suggested in its aroma. This is serious in a rather somber way, and the abundance of tannin and sheer density of this wine suggest one wait 6-8 years before peeking beneath another cork. But I strongly suggest it will make excellent old bones, so my score could easily mislead. (I find the peppery, spicy, highly satisfying 2004 very nearly as good today, not to mention more charming and a better bet for the short run.) The average age of vines is quite old, incidentally, but Brouin refuses to print “vieilles vignes" on the label because he insists (rightly) that these two unregulated words are grossly abused. |
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| Dom. Leroy |
2005 |
Nuits St. Georges Les Vignerondes (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$27,468.97 |
1 |
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| Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair |
2005 |
Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Reignots (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$60,398.99 |
1 |
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BH 94 (1/2008): (The Liger-Belair vines in this small vineyard run from top to bottom whereas the others are situated in segments; Cathiard is on top, Grivot in the middle and Arnoux at the bottom). Much airier and more elegant floral notes of rose petal and violet aromas plus sweet blue and black pinot fruit notes that can also be found on the mineral-suffused flavors that are precise, linear, focused and cool on the chiseled and beautifully long finish. I very much like this and while it's less generous than the Chaumes, it's classier and absolutely crystalline in its purity. A stunner. Drink 2017+. Outstanding!
VM 94+ (4/2008): Good deep red-ruby. Sappy plum and redcurrant aromas complicated by tobacco and minerals. A step up in sweetness, concentration and floral lift from the Chaumes, this one boasts palate-staining redcurrant, leather and mineral flavors and a powerful impression of extract, not to mention a compelling sappiness for the vintage. Finishes dry and classic, with superb punch. "These vines always produce very small bunches," notes Liger-Belair. A decade of aging may bring an even higher score.
WA 91 (4/2007): From vines (some 80 years old) just above their monopole La Romanee, the Liger Belairs’ 2005 Vosne-Romanee Les Reignots displays vintage-typical notes of black raspberry and blackberry, exotic spices, mocha, vanilla, and a decidedly strong gamey character for a wine so young (but which Liger-Belair seeks to assure me is a passing reductive phase). Savory soy and salty, stony mineral notes add to the undeniably complex impression made by this bright, elegant, texturally spare Pinot, and there are fascinating lingering notes of floral perfume, new wood, forest floor and passing woodland creatures. When best to drink this and where it is headed, I cannot guess. But in the interest of full disclosure I should note that some of my more illustrious colleagues gave this very high marks, at least before bottling. |
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| Virgile Lignier |
2005 |
Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Les Faconnieres Lightly Scuffed Label |
$89 |
2 |
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BH 92 (1/2008): The most aromatically complex wine of this group of '05s with a striking breadth of berry aromas, earth, underbrush, game, tea and even a hint of leather that can also be found on the rich, full and serious medium full flavors that are textured, concentrated and quite finely detailed. This is hugely long and without question, delivers grand cru class and length. Highly recommended and built to age. (Drink starting 2013).
WA 91 (4/2007): From immediately north of Les Millandes, Lignier’s 2005 Morey-St.-Denis Les Faconnieres (the same site that informs Hubert Lignier’s long-running hit, Morey 1er cru) offers diverse black fruits, brown spices, resin and saline notes on the nose, a rich, sappy, sweetly-fruited and formidably dense palate, and an invigorating finish with low-toned meatiness and pronounced chalk and brine minerality. This deserves watching over at least a decade. (And the 2004, incidentally, is a joy to drink now.) |
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| Dom. Moillard |
2005 |
Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts |
$265 |
2 |
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| Dom. de Montille |
2005 |
Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts Christiane (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$16,503.98 |
1 |
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WA 96-97 (6/2007): Vinified to mirror the regular cuvee and named for de Montille’s mother is a separate 2005 Vosne Romanee Les Malconsorts “Christianne" from a half-hectare plot (easy to spot on any detailed vineyard map) that jumps the road and juts into the original La Tache. The result is a totally different wine - and what a wine it is! Subtle brown spices, jasmine, orange rind mingle with moss, mineral nuance, and black fruits. Raw red meat and savory soy notes emerge on the palate. This displays singular textural refinement and elegance, purity and clarity of fruit, and an ineffable complexity of mineral nuances from stem to stern. The billowing richness of folds of black fruits set up a harmonious, almost Riesling-like call and response with minerals. Explore the extraordinary mysteries of this wine beginning in 5-7 years, though one could well imagine it being worth holding for more than twice that time.
VM 93-96 (4/2007): Good deep red. Deeply pitched, somewhat reduced nose hints at darker fruits. Then rounder, larger and deeper on the palate than the "regular" Malconsorts; distinctly spherical in shape, an impression that leavens the sheer size of this wine. Complicating notes of earth and vegetable matter. Finish very long and full, with great finesse of tannins. These vines are from an enclave in La Tache, and yet when I tasted these two samples blind, side by side, this one struck me as having the volume and complicating earth notes of Romanee-Conti while the "regular" Malconsorts was more La Tache-like in its early perfume and higher-pitched fruit. They were quite different in style.
BH 92-95 (4/2007): This is just a flat out sexy and seductive wine with a wonderful panoply of spice nuances, including clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, sandalwood and hoisin that continues onto the rich, velvety and mouth coating medium full flavors that drench the palate in sap and possess a beguiling mouth feel. Like the "regular" Malconsorts, this appears less structured than it really is at present because of the ample sève and impeccable balance. In sum, this clearly justifies having made a separate cuvee and should make for a wonderful 25+ year wine. Don't miss! Drink 2015+. |
|
| Dom. Bernard Morey |
2005 |
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Clos St. Jean Rouge |
$100 |
2 |
|
| |
| BH 88 (5/2007): As it usually is, this is aromatically much more elegant and refined with a pretty and airy mineral-infused lacy red pinot fruit nose that precedes the rich, suave and sophisticated flavors that exude fine detail and a surprising degree of finesse, all wrapped in an understated and pure but again, slightly dry finish. (Drink starting 2011). |
|
| Dom. Henri Perrot-Minot |
2005 |
Morey St. Denis Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru La Riotte Bin-Soiled Label |
$169 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 91-93 (3/2007): Deep ruby-red. Superripe yet cool aromas of cassis, violet, spices and bitter chocolate; this reminded me of a Pomerol. Dense, sexy and very ripe; a step up in ripeness from the preceding samples. Black fruit flavors are complicated by spices, menthol and licorice. This compellingly ripe, sweet sample coats the entire palate with flavor and finishes with big, ripe tannins and terrific persistence.
BH 90-93 (1/2007): Mild reduction detracts from the nose but the flavors are rich, full and generous with a lovely underlying tension to the supple and vibrant middle weight flavors that display impressive finishing intensity and striking length. There is excellent material here and this should amply reward 7 to 10 years of cellar time. (Drink starting 2012). |
|
| Nicolas Potel |
2005 |
Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Aux Echanges (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,586.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 91+ (6/2007): From the 2.3 acre premier cru portion of an obscure and relatively low-elevation site that is the monopole of an investment consortium, Potel’s 2005 Chambolle-Musigny Aux Echanges is one of the few Potel wines that endured a protracted malo, finishing only in December after being transferred to tank. Aromas and flavors of salted cassis and blackberry, wood smoke, tea, narcissus, smoked meat and soy make a highly-concentrated and complex impression. The long finish here is dark and brooding in a vintage-typical way, meaty, smoky and black-fruited. This wine temporarily betrays its recent bottling following such a late malo. |
|
|
2005 |
Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,016.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 92-93 (6/2007): The 2005 Charmes-Chambertin gives a quite raw, carnal and fresh-fruited account of itself, offering plenty of fresh, ripe cherry and strawberry as well. The tannins here are very fine-grained and a silky textural sensation is emerging. Hints of black tea and herbal distillates hover persistently, and the finish is long, juicy and especially bright.
VM 91-94 (4/2007): Good dark red. Sweet, complex aromas of raspberry, minerals, spices and faded rose. Sexy and fine-grained in the mouth, with sweet flavors of kirsch, violet and minerals. Sappy, expressive wine with terrific intensity and lovely length. This has real finesse.
BH 91-93 (1/2007): Subtle wood spice notes set off the mostly red pinot fruit aromas nuanced by hints of game and underbrush that can also be found on the detailed, generous and full-bodied flavors that are generous and frank yet really quite fine on the dusty and palate staining finish. |
|
| Dom. Potinet-Ampeau |
2005 |
Monthelie Rouge ex-Domaine |
$64.99 |
5 |
|
| |
|
|
2005 |
Pommard 1er Cru Les Pezerolles Ex-Domaine |
$159.99 |
16 |
|
| |
|
|
2005 |
Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes ex-Domaine |
$159.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Georges Roumier |
2005 |
Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$7,553.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| BH 92 (1/2008): (From a 1.75 ha parcel of vines averaging 35 to 40 years of age.) A somewhat riper and highly expressive nose that is even more elegant puts on a display of complex aromas of red and black pinot fruit nuanced by distinct floral notes, especially violets, that precede the rich and intensely mineral-inflected medium full flavors carrying a wonderful sense of underlying tension that focuses the precise and explosive finish. A terrific wine that will age for years and highly recommended. Drink 2013+. Outstanding! |
|
| Serafin Pere et Fils |
2005 |
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Corbeaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,198.99 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 90+ (3/2008): Deep, bright red. Complex nose melds wild berries, smoked meat, minerals and animal fur. Supple and sweet but a bit youthfully tight; there's lovely texture and balance here but the wine is not yet expressing itself. Less powerful than the old-vines bottling but perhaps longer. Today this finishes tight and a bit medicinal, with some oak showing. Stephen Tanzer.
BH 89-92 (1/2007): This too is brooding and rather inexpressive just now with somber but ripe berry fruit aromas, game, warm earth and a hint of anise that merge into rich, supple and concentrated flavors that possess more overall depth and power on the chewy and beautifully persistent finish. This is very Gevrey in character with that sort of intense animale element that some 1ers have, particularly Corbeaux.
WA 89-90 (4/2007): The 2005 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corbeaux offers high-toned aromas of black tea, game, maraschino, and black fruits. On the palate, it displays prominent tannins but also an abundance of clear and juicy, bitter-sweet black cherry and raspberry with a caramelized edge. Its finish is more soothing but less gripping than that of the Chambolle and evinces very slight warmth. |
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|
2005 |
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Fontenys (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,667.99 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 92+ (4/2008): Good deep red. Sexy aromas of raspberry, smoke, minerals and roast coffee. Suave and juicy in the mouth, with lovely definition and cut to the concentrated flavors of tangy berries and game. Plenty of energy here. Finishes firmly tannic and long; more a wine of elegance than sheer power (Serafin describes is as "a little Charmes"). Still, this needs time in the bottle: I'd expect it to blossom in eight to ten years. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 92-93 (4/2007): Serafin’s 50-year-old vines rendered an Outstanding 2005 Gevrey-Chambertin Fonteny displaying high-toned fresh and distilled purple plum and black cherry aromas mingled with almond extract and gamey meatiness, a clear, brightly-fruited yet incipiently creamy palate impression, and an impressively long, deeply fruited, marrowy, maple syrup-, caramel- and salt-tinged finish. There is a positively stony sense of minerality displayed as well.
BH 90-92 (1/2007): Subtle wood spice notes serve to highlight more elegant and airier black and blue berry fruit aromas that merge into rich, intense, delineated and pure flavors that are generous, indeed almost fleshy yet possess a beautiful sense of balance on the explosive finish that does a slow build from the mid-palate to the finale. Lovely. Drink 2013+. Outstanding! |
|
| Dom. Comte de Vogue |
2005 |
Musigny Grand Cru Cuvee Vieilles Vignes (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$8,799.98 |
2 |
|
| |
BH 99 (1/2008): Prepare to be transported. A positively brilliant nose of violet and rose petal shines against a background of intensely spiced extravagant red and black pinot fruit nuanced by hints of earth and stone and this minerality continues onto the surprisingly supple flavors that convey a remarkable sense of energy and power on the almost unbelievably intense, focused and structured finish that seems to go on and on without end. And the '05 VV has what all truly great burgundies have which is that extra dimension of power without weight as this carries terrific punch and power yet delivers that explosiveness with impeccable class and grace. While I am duly mindful of the many legendary wines this domaine has produced (see the database for all vintages reviewed dating to 1919), the 2005 could very well join the list of the all time greats, there is really that much potential here. Whether it will ultimately transcend the heights achieved by the 1919 or the 1949 (among many others) remains an open question, I have zero doubt that 2005 will be a genuinely great vintage for this wine. Brilliance personified and absolutely a 'wow' wine, in fact, this merits a double 'wow'.
WA 96-98 (4/2007): My notes on the 2005 Musigny Vieilles Vignes represent a composite impression from a selection of barrels. There can be little question that this deep, dark wine displays its class of origin, indeed a class of its own in this year’s collection. Fresh black raspberry, pomegranate, blackberry, and iris dominate the nose and stain the palate. A wealth of spice, mineral, chalky and bitter-sweet floral nuances persistently wreath the fruit at all stages. This shows lovely creaminess of texture in counterpoint to the persistent freshness of fruit. The intensely rich yet refreshing palate saturation and tenacious cling exhibited auger well for extended cellaring yet don’t detract from an impression of utmost elegance and refinement. The domaine will begin bottling the wines in spring and all will, as usual, receive “the minimum, gentlest possible" filtration. Francois Millet notes that skin-to-juice ratios this year were as formidably high as those of 2003, yet thanks to relatively mild temperatures, the fruit retained what he terms a “sorbet-like presentation." |
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| Dom. Joseph Voillot |
2005 |
Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,564.99 |
2 |
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| |
|
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Baron de Brane |
2019 |
Margaux Ex-Negociant |
$32.99 |
29 |
|
| |
VM 92 (2/2022): The 2019 Baron de Brane is a gorgeous second wine. Succulent black cherry, plum, spice and leather are front and center. This racy Margaux offers a compelling interplay of bright red-toned fruit and silky contours. Drink it over the next handful of years. Tasted two times.
JA 89 (10/2026): Inky plum colour, deep and rich damson and raspberry fruits, with touches of peony aromatics. This is good quality, confident stuff. An upscore from En Primeur.
JD 88 (4/2022): The second wine of Brane-Cantenac, the 2019 Baron De Brane is more Merlot-dominated and has a fleshy, medium-bodied, supple style as well as rock-solid aromatics of black cherries, cedar pencil, and chocolaty herbs. It's already drinking nicely yet should keep for a decade. |
|
|
2023 |
Margaux ex-Negociant |
$35.99 |
55 |
|
| |
JA 92 (4/2024): Baron de Brane once again sets the bar high once again in terms of 2nd wines, with fragrant floral aromatics, nuance and depth from the attack and continuing through the mid palate, firm tannins and concentrated black fruits. 20% new oak.
Decanter 92 (4/2024): Ripe and floral notes on the nose, really quite expressive and open aromatically. There’s a richness to the scents with ripe blackcurrants, cherries and touches of rose and violets too with some milk chocolate. Supple and tart, high acidity, juicy and ripe fruit, with crunchiness, quite lean but there’s great length with freshly picked mint and some cedar and herbal aspects. Crisp and clean, lovely purity and precision. Not so layered or plush but it’s fresh and inviting with lift and a lovely mineral undertone. Accessible. Ageing 12 months, 20% new oak. 14.5 press wine. Almost 100 IPT. 40% of production. (Drink between 2027-2038) |
|
| Ch. Boyd-Cantenac |
2020 |
Margaux |
$49 |
58 |
|
| |
| JA 95 (11/2025): Inky purple in colour with a fist of toasted oak on the aromatics, but here it is skilfully coupled with a punch of cassis and blueberry fruits, and a lift of violet flowers, and creamy smoked caramel. It's exceptionally good, for me the best of the lineup, with clear precision on show. One to look out for, easy to recommend. 80% new oak. Lucien Guillemet owner and winemaker. No external consultant. |
|
| Ch. Capbern |
2019 |
St. Estephe Ex-Negociant |
$32 |
32 |
|
| |
JD 94 (4/2022): I love the nose on the 2019 Château Capbern, a medium to full-bodied, spicy, rich, tobacco and cedar pencil-filled beauty with ripe yet building tannins, a great mix of richness and freshness, and a blockbuster of a finish. It's incredibly impressive, and while it offers pleasure even today, it deserves 5-6 years of bottle age, and I can't imagine it not evolving for two decades. (Drink between 2027-2042).
VM 89 (2/2023): The 2019 Capbern has improved since I tasted it just after bottling. Finally, it has developed a more elegant bouquet, mainly black fruit fused with cedar and undergrowth scents. It has mustered more classicism. The palate is medium-bodied with a strong graphite element on the entry, fine depth, quite fresh with a structured, gritty finish. Fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2025-2045). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Cos Labory |
2018 |
St. Estephe ex-Negociant |
$49 |
16 |
|
| |
VM 93 (3/2021): The 2018 Cos Labory is fabulous. An extra kick of richness from the warm year and a bit more Petit Verdot than usual result in a Cos Labory that is wonderfully savory, powerful and layered. Black cherry, plum, cloves, chocolate and dried herbs build as this potent, exotically ripe Saint-Estèphe opens in the glass. Today, the 2018 is dark, brooding and in need of cellaring. Cos Labory is a bit wild, but that just adds to its considerable allure. (Drink between 2025-2043). Antonio Galloni.
WA 93 (3/2021): The 2018 Cos Labory has a deep garnet-purple color, bursting from the glass with bold notes of warm cassis, blackberry compote and Morello cherries, plus suggestions of roses, unsmoked cigars and tree bark. The medium-bodied palate has a very sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins and tons of freshness supporting the rather delicately played fruit, finishing long and earthy/minerally. The structure stands out a little now, which I enjoy, but for those preferring softer, rounder expressions, give this a good 3-5 years in the cellar and drink it over the next 15-20 years.
JD 90 (3/2021): Lots of rich red and black currants, tobacco, savory spice, and new leather notes emerge from the 2018 Château Cos Labory, a medium-bodied Saint-Estèphe with terrific overall balance, ripe, velvety tannins, lots of character, and outstanding length. It's well worth cellaring and drinking any time over the coming 15+ years. |
|
| Ch. de Francs |
2018 |
Francs Cotes de Bordeaux |
$20 |
12 |
|
| |
| JD 88 (3/2021): Bright cherry and mulberry fruits, a touch of cedary oak, and tobacco all emerge from the 2018 Château De Francs. Medium-bodied, with good overall balance and a clean finish, this is a solid, bistro-style drinker to enjoy over the coming 4-6 years. (Drink between 2021-2027) |
|
| Ch. de Pez |
2019 |
St. Estephe |
$44.99 |
18 |
|
| |
JD 93 (4/2022): Currants, plums, new leather, and cedar pencil notes all emerge from the 2019 Château De Pez, a nicely balanced, medium to full-bodied Saint-Estèphe that has plenty of classic character as well as class. With ripe, polished tannins and terrific purity, it can be drunk any time over the coming 20-25 years. (Drink between 2022-2047)
VM 92 (2/2022): The 2019 de Pez has gained tremendously in weight, power and substance. A wine of breadth and pure power, Pez possesses tremendous resonance and intensity, right out of the gate. Scorched earth, incense, plum, menthol and tar hit the palate. This rich, heady Saint-Estèphe has a ton to offer. Antonio Galloni.
WA 92-94 (6/2020): This year's blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 de Pez comes tumbling out of the glass with an astonishingly beautiful perfume of lilacs, black cherries and black raspberries over a core of stewed plums, clove oil, dark chocolate and Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate is jam-packed with energetic black fruits, supported by a firm foundation of ripe, grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and perfumed. I love where this once-malingering château is headed—bravo to winemaker Nicolas Glumineau from Pichon Lalande! |
|
| Ch. Fonbadet |
2019 |
Pauillac (375 ML) Ex-Negociant |
$22.99 |
22 |
|
| |
JD 93 (4/2022): Blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and some cedary, spicy, lead pencil notes all emerge from the 2019 Château Fonbadet, a medium to full-bodied, rich, mouth-filling Pauillac with plenty of tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, good concentration, and outstanding length. It will evolve for 20+ years if stored properly. (Drink between 2022-2044).
VM 93 (2/2022): The 2019 Fonbadet, impressive from barrel, has a delineated bouquet of blackberry, bilberry and touch of licorice that gains intensity with aeration; this is a Pauillac with ambition. The palate is medium-bodied with grip and density, broad shoulders and a very saline finish. This should age supremely well. (Drink between 2025-2050). Neal Martin.
WA 90 (4/2022): From a 12-hectare estate sandwiched in between Pontet Canet, Pédesclaux and Lafite, the 2019 Fonbadet offers up aromas of cassis, plums, cocoa nib and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, lively and creditably concentrated, it's built around powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully chewy finish. |
|
| Ch. Haut Simard |
2012 |
St. Emilion ex-Negociant |
$39.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (1/2016): The 2012 Haut-Simard offers good mid-palate depth for the vintage, with a distinctly gamy, pleasantly rustic personality that distinguishes it in the Vauthier family's range of wines. Tobacco, savory herbs, leather and dark-fleshed fruits open into the finish. The tannins are a bit rough around the edges, but otherwise this is a fine effort. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Ch. Joanin Becot |
2018 |
Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux ex-Negociant |
$29.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 93 (3/2021): Emerging from the team of Beau-Séjour Bécot, the 2018 Château Joanin Bécot is based on 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc coming from the limestone soils of the Côtes de Castillon region. Lots of black cherry and redcurrant fruit as well as leafy herbs, dried flowers, chalky minerality, and camphor emerge on the nose. This carries to a medium-bodied, seamless 2018 with terrific overall balance, ripe yet present tannins, and outstanding length on the finish. Tasting like a topflight Saint-Emilion, it will benefit from a year or so in the cellar and impress for at least a decade. Readers looking for a brilliant Right Bank wine to put in the cellar should jump on this beauty. (Drink between 2021-2033).
WA 92 (4/2023): A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Joanin Bécot exhibits delicate aromas of blueberries, flowers and violets with touches of tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, it’s a lively, rather delicate wine with a fleshy core of fruit and a crystalline texture overlaid with a fresh, penetrating finish that has racy acidity. The wine will offer a broad tasting window.
VM 89 (3/2021): The 2018 Joanin Bécot has retained the earthy, cedar-tinged bouquet that takes a few swirls of the glass to emerge. There is crisp black fruit here, pine fresh. The medium-bodied palate delivers fine grip on the entry and dusky black fruit mixed with tobacco and sage. Almost Left Bank in style toward the graphite-tinged finish. This is fine Joanin that should drink well for 8–10 years. (Drink between 2021-2030). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. La Gurgue |
2016 |
Margaux |
$39 |
26 |
|
| |
| JS 93-94 (4/2017): Tight and chewy with currant and blueberry character. Medium body, a lovely center palate and a subtle finish. Pretty continuation to the 2015. |
|
| Ch. Labegorce |
2016 |
Margaux ex-Negociant |
$42.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JA 94 (3/2023): Concentrated but restrained with old school charm and an abundance of muscular tannins, it's easy to feel the heart of this wine, packed with liqourice, slate, black chocolate, cassis, brambled hedgerow, aniseed and fennel, with plenty of grip. Years ahead of it, an impressive wine in this exceptional vintage, offering good value. Harvest September 4 to October 21. 50% new oak, technical director Marjolaine de Coninck.
JD 94 (2/2019): From an estate on the uptick and showing beautifully on two separate occasions, the 2016 Château Labégorce is a head-turner of a Margaux that’s based on 52% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that was brought up in 45% new oak, with the balance in once-used barrels. Sexy notes of blackcurrants, black raspberries, crushed flowers, sandalwood, and incense all flow to a medium to full-bodied, fabulously textured Margaux that carries ripe tannins, loads of fruit and richness, and a great finish. Since arriving in 2009, Marjolaine de Coninck has resurrected this estate and the wines now play with the top in the appellation. Give bottles 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more. (Drink between 2022-2042)
WA 93+ (11/2018): The 2016 Labégorce is composed of 52% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, aged in 45% new and 55% one-year-old French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps out of the glass with gregarious cassis, kirsch and black raspberries, candied violets, dark chocolate and spearmint. Medium-bodied, elegant, fresh and with exciting intensity, it delivers a fantastically long, fragrant finish. 12,000 cases produced.
VM 93 (4/2026): The 2016 Labégorce has a very pretty nose with blackberry, briar, cedar and well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins, a little more acidity than its peers, segueing into a savoury, black pepper-tinged finish that shows admirable persistence and sapidity. This is a classy Margaux that is ageing with style. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. (Drink between 2027-2042). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Lilian Ladouys |
2018 |
St. Estephe ex-Negociant |
$27.50 |
60 |
|
| |
JA 93 (7/2021): Owed by Jacky Lorenzetti (new owner also of Ch Lafon Rochet in the same appellation), this is one of those surefire estates that delivers St Estèphe power with a touch of luxury. There are layers of ripe black fruits and chewy tannins here, so it will benefit from a few more years in bottle or a serious carafing before drinking. 48hl/h yield, 35% new oak with both 225l and 400l barrels. Converting to organic farming as of 2020.
VM 92 (3/2021): The 2018 Lilian Ladouys is showing nicely now that the wine is in bottle. It has a riper bouquet compared to, say, the Calon-Ségur, more lush – a 2018 with wider appeal, featuring blueberry and cassis scents that soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that disguise the backbone of this Saint-Estèphe. It is not the most powerful Lilian Ladouys in recent years, safeguarding its linearity and strictness all the way through to the finish. But it conveys a sense of classicism and has abundant freshness that should see it age well over the next two decades. (Drink between 2023-2040). Neal Martin.
JD 92 (3/2021): A year-in, year-out value, the 2018 Château Lilian Ladouys checks in as 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that was brought up in 35% new oak. Jammy blueberries, ripe cherries, damp earth, tobacco, and spicy wood notes define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a plump, rounded texture, opulent aromas and flavors, and a great finish. (Drink between 2021-2036) |
|
| Ch. Marsau |
2019 |
Francs Cotes de Bordeaux |
$29.95 |
60 |
|
| |
| Decanter 93 (1/2022): A svelte, seductive and seriously appealing 100% Merlot grown atypically on clay-dominant soils on one of the highest points of the Francs Côtes de Bordeaux. Wild strawberries, Morello cherries and subtle spices on the nose and palate, softly sweet, generous, round, plump, juicy and mouth filling, all harmoniously packaged and carefully balanced with freshness from start to finish. Complete and evocative with purity of expression. Seek it out. (Drink between 2023-2031) |
|
|
2022 |
Francs Cotes de Bordeaux 2023 en Primeur Release |
$29.95 |
12 |
|
| |
WA 92-94 (5/2023): This medium to full-bodied 2022 Marsau is an attractive wine produced from 100% Merlot. It has a delightfully pure bouquet of peony, violet, iris, menthol and cassis, followed by a crunchy and juicy yet fresh texture and then by a mineral-driven finish of remarkable purity, expressing elegant notes of licorice and pencil lead. Anne-Laurence and Mathieu Chadronnier have produced a red wine that punches above its weight. Bravo!
JA 92 (5/2023): Floral notes on the aromatics, shows the heavy spice of the vintage with black pepper, rosemary and turmeric notes, begins to lift through the palate as it opens. An unusual spot in Franc Côtes de Bordeaux with a lot of clay in the soils, and this is powerful and concentrated, with a flash of heat on the finish. 12ha vineyard, entirely clay, entirely Merlot, organic since 2018, no till farming, 25hl/h yield. Harvest September 7 to 12, to be aged 80% large oak casks (no new oak), 10% one year old, 10% neutral oak and amphora. |
|
| Ch. Pibran |
2020 |
Pauillac Ex-Negociant |
$39 |
18 |
|
| |
JD 93 (3/2023): Based on 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon that saw 50% new oak, the 2020 Château Pibran is a classic wine in the vintage that has a pure, layered, medium to full-bodied style as well as textbook notes of darker berries, cassis, irone, and tobacco. With ripe tannins, a good spine of acidity, and plenty of texture, it's going to evolve for 15-20 years in cold cellars. (Drink between 2023-2043).
VM 93 (2/2023): The 2020 Pibran is a potent wine. Black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and chocolate are nicely dialed up in this rich, heady Pauillac. Soft, plush and exuberant, Pibran is a total charmer. Best of all, it will be ready to drink with minimal cellaring. Bright acids and floral notes lift the finish. (Drink between 2025-2035). Antonio Galloni.
WA 90+ (4/2023): Aromas of cassis, raw cocoa, licorice and loamy soil introduce the 2020 Pibran, a medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety wine framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish. |
|
| Ch. Sociando Mallet |
2020 |
Haut Medoc |
$38 |
48 |
|
| |
JS 94 (12/2022): This has a pretty nose with dark spices, nut shell and cedar notes with a dark fruit backbone, following through to a medium body with firm and finely polished tannins that go on and on. Refined and nicely balanced with velvety texture. Lingering and chalky finish. Try after 2026.
VM 93 (2/2023): The 2020 Sociando Mallet has retained its impressive aromatics from its showing in barrel with beautifully defined blackberry and raspberry fruit, pressed violet and light cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with firm backbone, a little powdery in texture, fine backbone with ample freshness and tension towards its graphite-infused finish. Bravo! Neal Martin. |
|
| Clos Sainte Anne |
2018 |
Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux ex-Negociant |
$16.99 |
40 |
|
| |
|
| Esprit de Chevalier |
2020 |
Pessac Leognan ex-Negociant |
$28.99 |
26 |
|
| |
VM 92 (11/2024): The 2020 L'Esprit de Chevalier has a tad too much wood influence on the nose, but there is sufficient fruit to absorb it. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, fleshy, lively and detailed, with a dash of white pepper toward the finish. This is another delicious, classically styled Pessac-Léognan. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Drink between 2026-2042). Neal Martin.
JD 91 (3/2023): The 2020 L'Esprit De Chevalier is more restrained aromatically, yet has outstanding purity in its red and black fruits as well as notes of dried herbs, tobacco, chocolate, and damp earth. It's a medium-bodied, elegant, balanced, and certainly delicious second wine that will benefit from just a year or two of bottle age and shine for a decade. (Drink between 2023-2033)
WA 90 (4/2023): Fleshy and demonstrative, the 2020 L'Esprit de Chevalier bursts with aromas of sweet berries, plums and petals. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with polished tannins and an expansive finish, it will drink well young. |
|
| Fleur de Pedesclaux |
2019 |
Pauillac ex-Negociant |
$32.95 |
25 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (2/2022): The 2019 Fleur de Pédesclaux, matured in 30% new oak, has been increasing its Cabernet Sauvignon since 2009, when it was pure Merlot (and also undergoing organic conversion since 2013). Raspberry, blackberry, cedar and light tobacco scents unfurl in the glass. The palate is still quite fleshy and rounded, and lightly spiced, retaining that hint of Chinese five-spice toward the tender finish. A lovely second wine. (Drink between 2023-2033). Neal Martin. |
|
| G. d' Estournel |
2020 |
Medoc ex-Negociant |
$32.99 |
39 |
|
| |
JA 92 (1/2023): So interesting tasting this against a wide range of AOC Médoc wines. It's a more expensive bottle than many of them, but it is confident, crafted and full of personality. Cocoa bean, espresso, plentiful berry fruit, touches of mandarin peel and lemongrass to lift things on the finish, slate texture tannins, good stuff.
JD 89 (2/2023): A terrific wine, the 2020 Goulee By Cos D'Estournel sports a healthy ruby/purple hue as well as ripe aromatics of currants, sandalwood, damp earth, and leafy tobacco. This medium-bodied, silky, juicy, ready-to-go Médoc is perfect for enjoying over the coming 7-8 years. (Drink between 2023-2031)
VM 89 (2/2023): The 2020 Goulée by Cos d'Estournel is very pretty and aromatic. Élevage has filled out the layers nicely, but this remains a decidedly aromatic, mid-weight vintage for the château's Médoc. Sweet pipe tobacco, leather, mint, cinnamon and dried cherry build nicely in the glass. The 2020 has come together nicely. (Drink between 2024-2035). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Le C des Carmes Haut Brion |
2022 |
Pessac Leognan ex-Negociant |
$44.95 |
60 |
|
| |
WA 94 (3/2025): The 2022 Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion is punching above its weight this year. Unfurling in the glass with a gourmand, lively and vibrant bouquet of raspberry, mulberries, rose, violet and cassis, it's medium to full-bodied, seamless and layered with refined, velvety tannins and a deep core of fruit, concluding with a harmonious, elegant profile that avoids any excess, enhancing its distinctive personality. Guillaume Pouthier, Guillaume Deschepper and their team have done a fantastic job at this address, delivering an exceptional wine.
JD 94 (2/2025): The 2022 C Des Carmes Haut-Brion is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and the rest 1% Petit Verdot that was fermented with 30% whole clusters and aged 12 months in a new foudre (there's a small part in used barrels) followed by four months all in concrete tanks. There are fewer stems in this cuvée as the vines are younger, and it has a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a spicy, peppery, complex perfume of darker berry and plum fruits, spring flowers, tobacco leaf, and a beautiful sense of minerality. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, elegant, and loaded with character, it's a singular Pessac-Léognan that will have two decades of longevity. (Drink between 2025-2045).
VM 92 (2/2025): The 2022 Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) from gravelly soils, will be kept for one year in bottle before release. It has 13.3% alcohol, reduced by the 30% whole cluster contribution with infusion rather than maceration, using a coffee plunger concept to push down the cap in the vat. It aged for one year in barrel and one year on foudres. The nose presents blackberry, clove and curry leaf aromas, with a touch more mint than before. The medium-bodied palate has slightly chalky tannins and is fresh thanks to the whole bunch contribution. Quite linear and a little Syrah-like towards the finish, this lovely wine will age well over the next 12 to 20 years. (Drink between 2028-2048). Neal Martin. |
|
| Les Fiefs de Lagrange |
2010 |
St. Julien (375 ML) |
$32 |
58 |
|
| |
| WA 89-91 (5/2011): A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot, this has a very fine nose of blackberry, briary and a touch of black tea. Good definition and purity. The Petit Verdot add a little edginess to this wine that has fine tension if lacking a little length on the saturated, slightly chewy finish. Very good purity and precision though. |
|
| Les Griffons de Pichon Baron |
2019 |
Pauillac Ex-Negociant |
$49 |
20 |
|
| |
JD 94 (4/2022): The second wine of this great estate, the 2019 Les Griffons De Pichon Baron is a more Merlot-dominated release and is 59% Merlot and 41% Cabernet Sauvignon that saw 40% new oak. It has a gorgeous nose of ripe blackcurrant and darker cherry fruits as well as tobacco, smoked herbs, violets, and freshly sharpened pencils. Vibrant, pure, and complex aromatically, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, has the vintage's pure, elegant character, terrific depth on the mid-palate, and outstanding length. It's a wonderful, already approachable Pauillac that will deliver the goods over the coming 20+ years. (Drink between 2022-2044).
VM 90 (2/2023): The 2019 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron has a slightly evolved nose, red fruit mixed with melted tar and mixed herbs. The palate is better with firm tannins, fine acidity, quite a solid wine with admirable grip on the finish. Enjoy this over the next 10 to 12 years. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2025-2035). Neal Martin. |
|
| | Bordeaux White |
| Baron de Brane |
2023 |
Bordeaux Blanc ex-Negociant |
$25.95 |
32 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. de Rayne-Vigneau |
2014 |
Sauternes (375 ML) ex-Negociant |
$34.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 95 (2/2017): A rich, exotic Sauternes, the 2014 de Rayne Vigneau exudes class. A mélange of apricot jam, wild flowers, mint and lemon confit fills out the wine's frame effortlessly. Ample, powerful and super-inviting, the 2014 shows beautifully today. This is one of the more over, extroverted Sauternes of the vintage. (Drink between 2017-2029). Antonio Galloni.
WA 94-96 (4/2015): The Château Rayne-Vigneau 2014 could be one of the standouts of the vintage. It was showing a little new oak on the nose, though readers should note that this sample was taken from a new Burgundy barrel. There are touches of vanilla infusing the honeyed fruit. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry. This is very balanced and poised with superb tension, energetic but classy, a sophisticated Sauternes that feels persistent and long in the mouth. Talented winemaker Anne Le Naour has crafted another beauty from this estate that deserves more respect. |
|
| Ch. Rieussec |
2024 |
"R" de Rieussec Bordeaux Blanc Sec ex-Negociant |
$39.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JA 94 (4/2025): This is succulent and precise, definitely one to look out, plenty of energy and lift through the palate, elderflower, citrus, white pepper, sage, lime zest, apricot, nectarine, saffron, steel and slate. Great stuff from Rieussec in this vintage. 3.15ph. |
|
| | Burgundy Red |
| Dom. Michele and Patrice Rion |
2023 |
Bourgogne Bons Batons ex-Domaine |
$39.95 |
22 |
|
| |
VM 88-90 (1/2025): The 2023 Bourgogne Rouge Bon Baton comes from a parcel adjacent to Ghislaine Barthod's on stonier soils, aged mostly in one-year-old barrels. Lightly perfumed on the nose, this conjures raspberry, strawberry and wild hedgerow scents, more complex than your common or garden Bourgogne Rouge. The palate is medium-bodied with satisfying concentration, not weighty or dense but light on its feet with commendable purity and grip on the finish. Traces of tobacco emerge on the aftertaste. Village Cru in quality. (Drink between 2026-2031). Neal Martin.
JM 87-89 (10/2024): An even purple colour. A very attractive stylish perfumed floral nose, with a little more body than the regular. Not massively concentrated but distinguished in its length. Sound acidity. The flavours stay with you. Drink from 2026-2030.
BH 86-89 (1/2025): A slightly riper and more deeply pitched nose features aromas of dark cherry, poached plum and freshly turned earth. The delicious if not especially dense flavors do possess a lovely sense of underlying tension before culminating in a youthfully austere, lingering and mildly austere finale. This is also very good for its level and worth checking out. Drink 2027+. Outstanding! |
|
| Dom. Patrick Javillier |
2023 |
Pernand Vergelesses Rouge ex-Domaine |
$39.99 |
50 |
|
| |
BH 89 (4/2025): Here too there is a mentholated top note to the fresh and more deeply pitched nose of poached plum, dark berries and more subtle earth nuances. There is better volume to the solidly concentrated middle weight flavors that possess both a finer texture and a discreet bead of minerality on the balanced, youthfully austere and slightly firmer finale. This is a quality Pernand villages. (Drink starting 2028).
JM 87-89 (12/2024): An even light crimson colour. While there is less fruit evident on the nose, there is more concentration than expected on the palate, with a certain density towards the back, in a crunchy strawberry raspberry style. Once the bouquet develops this will, become an interesting wine. |
|
| Patrice Rion |
2023 |
Bourgogne Pinot Noir ex-Domaine |
$32.99 |
44 |
|
| |
JM 86-87 (10/2024): A fine red to crimson colour, with an agreeable immediate red fruit nose, no great concentration but nicely made. Perfumed with some cherries, a slight hardness at the finish still needing time to soften – recently racked – and good acidity. Some young vines in this. Drink from 2026-2028.
BH 86-89 (1/2025): (from Chambolle vines.) An expressive and fresh nose offers up notes of red and blue pinot fruit laced with earth and discreet spice nuances. The supple, delicious and fleshy middle weight flavors conclude in a refreshing and long finish where a touch of rusticity eventually surfaces. Solid quality here. Outstanding! |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes de Nuits Villages Vieilles Vignes ex-Domaine |
$39.95 |
32 |
|
| |
VM 89-91 (1/2025): The 2023 Côte de Nuits-Villages comprises two-thirds fruit purchased from Clombanchien, and the rest Domaine fruit from En Luret lieu-dit. Blackcurrant and raspberry combine nicely on the nose, not concentrated per se, yet showing decent clarity and purity. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly granular texture on the entry, lightly peppered though there are no stems in the blend. Focused and harmonious toward the finish, this is a worthy follow-up to the 2022. (Drink between 2027-2037). Neal Martin.
JM 89-90 (10/2024): A mix of their own vines, one third from Au Leurey, and the rest purchases in Comblanchien. There is more depth to the purple colour here. A perfumed nose with a more sensual and floral bouquet redolent of the sunshine. Good acidity behind, medium density, some length. Drink from 2027-2030.
BH 88-91 (1/2025): (mostly from Belle-Vue in Comblanchien with small amounts of Les Loges, Les Leurey and Vaucrains.) This is aromatically similar to the Bon Bâtons but with notably more spice influence. The supple, delicious and energetic medium weight flavors possess a highly seductive, even velvety, texture while displaying very good length and depth on the balanced bitter pit fruit-inflected finish. Drink 2028+. |
|
| Pierre Boisson |
2023 |
Hautes Cotes de Beaune Rouge |
$39.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| | Burgundy White |
| Anne Boisson |
2023 |
Bourgogne Aligote |
$33.95 |
24 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Bourgogne Blanc Les Clous Perrons |
$47.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Bessin-Tremblay |
2023 |
Chablis ex-Domaine |
$37.99 |
47 |
|
| |
BH 89-91 (10/2024): Cool and airy aromas include those of Granny Smith apple, citrus rind and ample Chablis character, especially seaweed. The delicious middle weight flavors possess a lovely texture, especially for a villages Chablis, while displaying a subtle materiality on the youthfully austere and lingering finale. Lovely. (Drink starting 2027).
JM 88 (6/2025): Bottled in March 2025. Pale lime green. Fresh and chiselled nose, some lime blossom all as minerals, Plenty of energy, not at all too fleshy, backward. Drink from 2025-2027. |
|
| Dom. des Malandes |
2023 |
Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu Ex-Domaine |
$49.95 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 91 (7/2025): The 2023 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru has a well-focused, quite animated bouquet that unfolds in the glass with touches of orchard fruit and grassy meadow. The palate is balanced with a fine bead of acidity. This is lightly spiced but just needs a little more tension on the finish. Overall, it's a very well-made Mont de Milieu that should age nicely in bottle. Tasted blind at the BIVB offices in Chablis. Neal Martin.
BH 88-90 (10/2024): (from a parcel of .26 ha). A funky nose of leesy reduction and lactic character. By contrast there is good freshness to the rich, generously proportioned and succulent medium-bodied flavors that culminate in a delicious if somewhat short finish. This should improve once it’s racked but it’s awkward today. Drink 2027+ |
|
|
2023 |
Chablis 1er Cru Vau de Vey Ex-Domaine |
$46.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 90 (7/2025): The 2023 Chablis Vau de Vey 1er Cru, aged 50% in used oak, has a light, fresh apple blossom- and pear-scented nose with hints of pressed white flowers. The palate is well balanced with slightly honeyed citrus fruit and modest weight, though it needs more Neal Martin.
BH 89-91 (10/2024): (from a 3.52 ha parcel aged in 30% wood). A fresh, ripe and expressive nose reflects good Chablis typicity that includes quinine, sea breeze, lemon rind and cool white fleshed fruit. There is fine density to the delicious, intense and solidly voluminous flavors that offer better depth and persistence on the youthfully austere finale. Drink 2028+ |
|
| Dom. Patrick Javillier |
2022 |
Bourgogne Cuvee des Forgets ex-Domaine |
$43.99 |
60 |
|
| |
BH 87 (6/2024): Bright aromas of just sliced citrus, white peach and pretty floral nuances are complemented by delicious middleweight flavors that are supported by lemon-tinged acidity on the vibrant, lingering and refreshing finale. Moreover, this is not your usual 'pop and pour' Bourgogne as it has the legs to repay 4 to 7 years of keeping. Worth checking out. Drink 2027+. Outstanding Top Value!
JM 87-89 (10/2023): A similar colour, pale primrose perhaps. A little bit crisper and more classic in bouquet. Delicious white fruit, very balanced, feel the limestone, enough flesh yet with precision as well. A longer and more mineral finish than Forgets. |
|
|
2023 |
Bourgogne Cuvee des Forgets ex-Domaine |
$41.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JM 89-91 (12/2024): To bottle in the New Year. A fine mid lemon yellow with an engaging generosity of fruit already apparent on the nose. The Javilliers have manged to harness freshness with ripeness in a most engaging fashion. Apple and plum fruit throughout, with a fine long finish. Drink from 2026-2029.
BH 87 (6/2025): Smoky aromas include those of apple, pear and a pretty floral top note. There is fine density, particularly in the context of the 2023 vintage, to the attractively textured and punchy flavors that conclude in a supple and lingering finish that is perhaps a bit less dry than usual. Even so, this is lovely and worth considering. (Drink starting 2026).
VM 87 (3/2025): The 2023 Bourgogne Côte d'Or Cuvée des Forgets has a light grass clipping- and apple blossom-scented nose. The palate is fresh with admirable weight, more expressive than the aromatics at the moment, with citrus peel and a hint of apricot on the finish. Drink over the next five years. (Drink between 2025-2030). Neal Martin. |
|
|
2023 |
Bourgogne Cuvee Oligocene ex-Domaine |
$39.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 89 (3/2025): The 2023 Bourgogne Côte d'Or Cuvée Oligocène has a little more evidence of oak on the nose and a touch more yellow fruit than the Cuvée des Forgets. The palate is fresh and lively, mixing citrus lemon with orange rind and a dash of lemongrass towards the finish. Great value as always, this comes recommended. (Drink between 2025-2032). Neal Martin.
JM 89 (12/2024): Bottled end November. A slightly paler lemon yellow. Oligocene proposes a more cerebral aspect after the joyous Forgets. Ther is still an excellent concentration of ripe fruit, with a clear limestone backbone. Very good tension here with some lime notes as well as ripe lemon. Balanced and classy. Drink from 2026-2029.
BH 87 (6/2025): A more layered nose is comprised by notes of petrol, various white orchard fruit, acacia and a whiff of citrus confit. There is a bit more volume to the vibrant and utterly delicious middle weight flavors that retain a fine sense of detail on the drier, longer and more complex finale. This is an excellent Bourgogne and warmly recommended. (Drink starting 2027). |
|
| Dom. Potinet-Ampeau |
2018 |
Bourgogne Aligote ex-Domaine |
$29.99 |
59 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Bourgogne Blanc Ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
28 |
|
| |
|
| Patrice Rion |
2023 |
Bourgogne Chardonnay ex-Domaine |
$32.99 |
60 |
|
| |
BH 86-88 (6/2025): Fresh and bright aromas include those of pear and apple compote, citrus rind and a hint of spice. There is equally good verve to the delicious and acceptably dense flavors that possess a succulent mid-palate that contrasts mildly with the youthfully austere and balanced finale. This could use better depth so a year, or perhaps two, of cellaring should help. (Drink starting 2026).
JM 86-87 (10/2024): A fine red to crimson colour, with an agreeable immediate red fruit nose, no great concentration but nicely made. Perfumed with some cherries, a slight hardness at the finish still needing time to soften – recently racked – and good ac |
|
| Pierre Boisson |
2022 |
Macon-Villages au Poirier Chanin |
$46.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Macon-Villages Blanc |
$31.99 |
24 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Rully Blanc Les Cailloux |
$42.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Pierre Morey |
2023 |
Bourgogne Aligote |
$31.99 |
20 |
|
| |
VM 88 (3/2025): The 2023 Bourgogne Aligoté, which had been bottled, offers lilting citrus peel and clementine scents on the nose that just need a little coaxing from the glass. The palate is well balanced with an underlying sapidity, slightly viscous in texture with veins of lemongrass towards the persistent finish. This is a fine upstanding Aligoté from Anne Morey. (Drink between 2025-2030).
BH 87 (6/2025): A textbook aligoté nose is comprised by notes of various citrus elements, spice and ripe green apple. The seductive, even suave, middle weight flavors possess excellent punch as well as an almost pungent minerality that seems to build on the bone-dry, youthfully austere and borderline rustic and tannic finale. This is an old school effort that will need a year or two of keeping first. A quality aligoté. (Drink starting 2027). |
|
| | Rhone Red |
| Dom. Coursodon |
2021 |
St. Joseph Rouge l’Olivaie ex-Domaine |
$39.99 |
60 |
|
| |
Decanter 92 (9/2022): Sparky herbal notes on the nose, with thyme and rosemary. There’s some roundness on the palate thanks in part down to the oak, which isn't overly dominating. Good presence on the palate thanks to the firm tannins, and a fairly long finish. A good option in 2021. 60-year-old vines, all destemmed, 15% new oak.
JD 90-92 (12/2022): The 2021 Saint Joseph L'Olivaie is rock-solid, offering pretty darker cherry and fresh fig-like notes as well as spice, game, and flowery incense nuances. This medium-bodied, supple, nicely balanced, and textured effort has outstanding potential and will certainly drink nicely right out of the gate. |
|
|
2022 |
St. Joseph Rouge l’Olivaie ex-Domaine |
$41.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 93 (5/2025): All Syrah aged 15 months in barrel (15% new), the 2022 Saint Joseph Olivaie offers red and black fruits, leafy herbs, sappy flowers, and spicy wood. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced, with ripe tannins, it's a layered, elegant, and impressively made wine in a classic style. Drink bottles over the coming 8-10 years. Drink 2025-2035.
VM 91 (1/2025): The 2022 Saint-Joseph L'Olivaie mixes leafy accents with graphite, black cherry and a touch of cedar on the elegant aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, round and refreshing, the 2022 is a delicious Saint-Joseph that’s already starting to drink well. Drink between 2025-2030. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2023 |
St. Joseph Rouge l’Olivaie Ex-Domaine |
$49.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 93-95 (5/2025): All Syrah, the 2023 Saint Joseph L'Olivaie brings another level of concentration, offering cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and classy oak on the nose. It has terrific purity, medium to full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. The overall balance and purity here are exceptional.
VM 90-92 (1/2025): Cedar, black cherry, wood smoke and pencil shaving introduce the 2023 Saint-Joseph L'Olivaie, a medium-bodied, deeply hued Northern Rhône Syrah. Touching the palate with elevated flavor concentration, the 2023 handles the oak well. I look forward to tasting the bottled version. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2020 |
St. Joseph Rouge Silice ex-Domaine |
$31.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 93 (12/2022): Saturated violet color. Displays fresh-mineral-accented aromas of fresh red and blue fruits and candied flowers, with hints of savory herbs and black pepper in the background. Juicy and lithe on the palate, offering appealingly sweet cherry and boysenberry flavors and a touch of licorice. Finishes long and smooth, with resonating red fruit character and round, even tannins that come on late. Josh Raynolds.
JD 91 (12/2022): A great introduction to the wines of this terrific vigneron, the 2020 Saint Joseph Silice has classic darker berry fruits as well as peppery herbs, violets, and some obvious minerality on both the nose and palate. These carry to a medium-bodied effort with good acidity, firm yet ripe tannins, and outstanding length.
JS 91 (2/2022): An interesting nose of blackberries and blueberries with some graphite and leather adding interest. Robust structure for a St.-Joseph with plenty of pepper and spice, but the fruit is more than adequate to carry all this. Good length, if not tremendously complex. Sustainable. Drinkable now, but best from 2023. |
|
|
2021 |
St. Joseph Rouge Silice ex-Domaine |
$28.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 91-93 (12/2022): The 2021 Saint Joseph Silice is also beautiful, with a round, supple, layered style that shines in the vintage. Black raspberries, spice box, dried flowers, and hints of violets give way to a medium-bodied, up-front, charming, layered 2021 that certainly stands out in the vintage.
Decanter 91 (9/2022): Neat, well-balanced and fresh, with sappy acidity. It's a relatively light St-Joseph, as is common for the vintage, but they've found a good balance and reflected the vintage as well as it could be. Gently herbal streak and a touch of juniper. |
|
|
2022 |
St. Joseph Rouge Silice ex-Domaine |
$29.99 |
28 |
|
| |
JD 94 (5/2025): Showing the least amount of oak in Coursodon's lineup, the 2022 Saint Joseph Silice offers blackberries, peppery herbs, damp earth, and sappy flowers, all with remarkable purity and complexity. All Syrah, destemmed and aged 12 months in barrel, this cooler-fruited effort is terrific. Drink bottles over the coming 8-10 years. Drink 2025-2035.
VM 92 (1/2025): The 2022 Saint-Joseph Silice unfolds with ripe black cherry, pencil shaving, black tea, crushed violet and gently leafy subtleties. Medium-bodied at most, the 2022 is a classic, age-worthy Silice that’s gently structured by ripe tannins. Drink between 2025-2035. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2023 |
St. Joseph Rouge Silice Ex-Domaine |
$31.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 92-94 (5/2025): The 2023 Saint Joseph Silice shows beautifully, with a pure, balanced, medium to full-bodied style as well as classic Saint Joseph minerality, the vintage's ripe red and darker, almost blue fruits, lots of spice and floral nuances, integrated oak, and outstanding length. All Syrah, destemmed and aged 12 months in barrel, it should shine right out of the gate
VM 90-92 (1/2025): The 2023 Saint-Joseph Silice evokes a classic aromatic profile so typical of the appellation. This accentuates its Syrah elegance through delicate graphite, red and black plum notes as well as spicy subtleties. The medium-bodied 2023 is shaping up to be a refreshing Saint-Joseph, closing with a resonant echo on the bright finish. It is very complete, even at this early stage. Drink between 2025-2033. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
| Dom. de Mourchon |
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Family Reserve Grenache ex-Domaine |
$36.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (2/2025): Almost all Grenache the 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Séguret Family Grenache was totally destemmed and spent 18 months in wooden conical trunk vats and barrels. It's a ripe, sexy, concentrated Grenache that has a rocking bouquet of black raspberries, black cherries, sandalwood, and peppery herbs. Reminding me of a great Gigondas, it offers medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, building tannins, and a great finish. It will shine over the coming 10-12 years. |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Family Reserve Grenache ex-Domaine |
$36.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (11/2025): This is gorgeous stuff offering black raspberries, violets, blood orange, and tons of peppery garrigue, as well as a beautiful sense of minerality. Based on 98% Grenache and aged 18 months in 600-liter oak containers, the 2023 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Seguret Grenache Family Reserve is medium to full-bodied and has a pure, layered mouthfeel with remarkable purity and fine tannins. It will stand up to just about anything in the region, and there are 375 cases produced. Drink 2025-2040. |
|
|
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Family Reserve Syrah Ex-Domaine |
$36.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (11/2025): A bigger, richer wine, the 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Seguret Syrah Family Reserve offers blackberries, chalky minerality, pepper, and gamey, meaty nuances. Based on 98% Syrah from vines planted in the 1950s and aged 18 months in oak barrels, it's medium to full-bodied and has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel with ripe tannins. It will continue to drink nicely over the coming decade, and there are 333 cases produced. Drink 2025-2035. |
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|
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Grande Reserve Ex-Domaine |
$27.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (2/2025): The 2022 Cotes du Rhone Villages Segurey Grande Reserve is based on 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. Black raspberries, peppery herbs, spicy wood, and some meaty nuances all shine here, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a broad, layered mouthfeel, plenty of tannins, and a great finish. I love it today yet it's going to have a solid 10-12 years of prime drinking. |
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|
2025 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Loubie Rose ex-Domaine |
$16.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2024 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Nana ex-Domaine |
$17.50 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2025 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Soubois Rose ex-Domaine |
$22.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Tradition Ex-Domaine |
$18.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 89 (2/2025): Blackberries, darker cherries, peppery garrigue, and plenty of curshed stone-like notes define the 2022 Cotes Du Rhone Seguret Tradition, a medium-bodied, structured, yet elegant Seguret that has tons of character. |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Tradition ex-Domaine |
$18.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 88 (11/2025): The classic cuvée of this terrific estate, the 2023 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Seguret Tradition offers red and black fruits, crushed stone, garrigue, and pretty floral nuances. Based on 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah and aged 20% in trunconic oak vats with 80% in concrete vats, it's medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, with fine tannins and a good finish. This charming, balanced, elegant Seguret will keep for 5-7 years, and there are roughly 3,250 cases produced. Drink 2025-2032. |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Tradition (1.5 L) ex-Domaine |
$41.99 |
24 |
|
| |
| JD 88 (11/2025): The classic cuvée of this terrific estate, the 2023 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Seguret Tradition offers red and black fruits, crushed stone, garrigue, and pretty floral nuances. Based on 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah and aged 20% in trunconic oak vats with 80% in concrete vats, it's medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, with fine tannins and a good finish. This charming, balanced, elegant Seguret will keep for 5-7 years, and there are roughly 3,250 cases produced. Drink 2025-2032. |
|
| Dom. Duclaux |
2020 |
Cote Rotie La Chana ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
29 |
|
| |
JD 89-91 (2/2022): Starting with the 2020 Côte Rôtie La Chana, which includes 7% Viognier, this has a ripe, up-front, charming style as well as classic Côte Rôtie black raspberry fruits mixed with spice and bacon fat nuances. It's going to drink nicely right out of the gate.
WA 89-91 (1/2022): Blended from several parcels and barrels for my evaluation, the 2020 Cote Rotie La Chana usually contains approximately 7% Viognier and sees no new wood. It shows attractive aromas of raspberries and apricot on the nose, a medium to full-bodied feel on the palate and a savory finish that nicely balances mouthwatering acids and softly dusty tannins. It should drink well for the rest of this decade. |
|
|
2022 |
Cote Rotie La Chana Ex-Domaine |
$49.99 |
53 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Cote Rotie La Germine ex-Domaine |
$46.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| Decanter 92 (10/2022): Spiced raspberry fruits on the nose, with a touch of blood orange. A dry, neat, compact style that will drink well young. Fine tannins reveal a gentle, light-bodied style with a good sense of freshness, if not concentration. Vines on gneiss, blonde soils. 20% whole bunch. Vinified in open concrete tanks. |
|
|
2022 |
Cote Rotie La Germine Ex-Domaine |
$48.99 |
44 |
|
| |
JD 93 (5/2025): Incorporating 3% Viognier, the 2022 Côte Rôtie La Germine reveals a concentrated, rich, nicely structured profile of ripe black and blue fruits, crushed stone, and floral, sappy, gamey nuances. Medium to full-bodied, with plenty of mid-palate depth and a great finish, it was vinified with 20% whole clusters and aged 20 months in barrels and demi-muids (15% new). It, too, should have 10-15 years of longevity. Drink 2025-2035.
VM 89 (1/2025): The 2022 Côte-Rôtie La Germine evokes a fairly simple aromatic profile, opening with red and black cherry notes alongside touches of violet and spice box. Medium-bodied and refreshing, the 2022 is an elegant, early approachable Côte-Rôtie culminating with brightness on the moderately long finish. (Drink between 2025-2030). NIcholas Greinacher. |
|
| Dom. Vincent Paris |
2020 |
Cornas Granit 30 |
$44.99 |
20 |
|
| |
JD 93-95 (2/2022): Starting with what could be considered the entry level cuvée, the 2020 Cornas Granit 30 comes from further down the slope, from vines closer to the village. That's obviously not a bad thing, since this plump, full-bodied, beautifully textured Cornas has remarkable purity and elegance as well as richness. Blackberries, blueberries, subtle smoke, graphite, and violets all emerge from the glass, and it has a seamless, incredibly elegant texture.
VM 93 (12/2022): Dark violet color. Dark berry preserve, licorice, olive and exotic spice aromas, with a hint of espresso in the background. Sappy and broad on the palate, offering spice-tinged cherry-cola, blueberry and candied violet flavors with a spicy snap of black pepper. The floral note carries through a very long, dark fruit-driven finish, where gently chewy tannins add shape and closing grip. Josh Raynolds.
Decanter 93 (10/2021): Very herbal, with leafy herbs like tarragon alongside woody herbs such as rosemary. Blueberry and liquorice too. Middleweight style, good concentration of fresh, juicy berry fruit and good persistence. Fresh, intense, gently saline and well-balanced. A good value pick this year. From 10-year-old vines, all destemmed. (Drink between 2022-2028) |
|
| Domaine les Goubert |
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Sablet ex-Domaine |
$16.99 |
30 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Gigondas Cuvee Florence ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
37 |
|
| |
| JD 91-93+ (10/2023): Slightly deeper hued, the 2021 Gigondas Cuvée Florence has a terrific nose of darker berries, sandalwood, white chocolate, and pepper. It's a concentrated, medium-bodied, balanced 2021 offering solid mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. Based on Grenache and Syrah that sees an extended élevage in barrels, it should benefit from just a year or two of bottle age and have a solid decade of prime drinking. |
|
|
2024 |
IGP Vaucluse Principaute d’Orange Miss Grenouille ex-Domaine |
$19.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Jean-Luc Jamet |
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Rouge l’Enclave Ex-Domaine |
$34.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Rouge l’Enclave ex-Domaine |
$35.99 |
33 |
|
| |
|
|
2022 |
IGP Collines Rhodaniennes Rouge Syrah Valine Ex-Domaine |
$29.99 |
28 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Vin de France Syrah Valine ex-Domaine |
$31.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Mourchon |
2022 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Ex-Domaine |
$45.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (11/2025): A cuvée whose quality has soared over the past four to five years, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a brilliant effort in an arguably more challenging, heatwave-driven vintage. Sporting a ruby translucent hue, it boasts a brilliant perfume of ripe black cherries, redcurrants, peppery garrigue, and loamy earth with beautiful aromatic complexity. On the palate it's medium to full-bodied, has a ripe, layered mouthfeel, soft tannins, and a great finish. It's very much in the ripe, forward, sexy style of the vintage yet stays pure, graceful, and is just impossible to resist. It's not a long-term ager, so drink bottles over the coming 7-8 years. Drink 2025-2032. |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Ex-Domaine |
$14.99 |
54 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (11/2025): Lots of peppery red and black berry fruits, garrigue, and spice-driven aromatics emerge from the 2023 Côtes Du Rhône, with a hint of flowers. It's medium to full-bodied, has a round, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a juicy finish. It's one seriously good Côtes du Rhône that you could pretty much put up against anything in the appellation – count me impressed. This should have 10-12 years of prime drinking as well, and I'd be happy with a case in the cellar. Drink 2025-2037. |
|
|
2024 |
Cotes du Rhone ex-Domaine |
$14.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| | Rhone White |
| Dom. Coursodon |
2021 |
St. Joseph Blanc Silice ex-Domaine |
$29.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (12/2022): The 2021 Saint Joseph Silice Blanc has a Burgundian-like sense of reduction as well as beautiful quince, white flowers, honeyed minerality, and a kiss of background spice and toastiness. It's medium-bodied and has a clean, classy style that's going to evolve for 7-8 years in cold cellars. |
|
|
2023 |
St. Joseph Blanc Silice ex-Domaine |
$43.99 |
44 |
|
| |
JD 92 (5/2025): Based on 100% Marsanne, the 2023 Saint Joseph Silice Blanc reveals melon, honeyed flowers, spice, and toasted notes, showing impressive purity and cleanliness. It's fleshy on the palate, with beautiful balance and good purity, and while it has a slightly hazy color, it remains an impressive white. Drink bottles over the coming 4-6 years. Drink 2025-2031.
WA 91 (3/2025): Fresher and livelier than its Paradis Saint-Pierre counterpart, the 2023 Saint-Joseph Silice Blanc reveals aromas of confit citrus, spring blossoms and pear. Moderately weighted and delicately enveloping, it's juicy and layered with bright acids, concluding with a mouthwatering, floral finish.
VM 90 (1/2025): Flinty elements introduce the 2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc Silice, accompanied by notes of cedar, ripe pear, white peach and lemon flesh. Full-bodied, round and generous, the 2023 bundles vibrant energy and checks out with persistence on the sapid finish. This is an exquisite white Saint-Joseph. Drink between 2025-2027. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2024 |
St. Joseph Blanc Silice Ex-Domaine |
$38.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. de Mourchon |
2024 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Soubois Blanc Ex-Domaine |
$22.99 |
20 |
|
| |
| JD 90 (11/2025): Based on 90% Viognier and 10% Roussanne and aged in demi-muids with weekly bâtonnage for six months, the 2024 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Seguret Soubois Blanc shows a light gold hue and offers crisp stone fruit, honeyed flowers, and a hint of orange blossom. It's medium-bodied, fresh, focused, and crisp, with terrific purity and balance. There are 191 cases produced. Drink 2025-2029. |
|
|
2025 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Soubois Blanc ex-Domaine |
$22.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. du Tunnel |
2024 |
Saint Peray Cuvee Prestige Ex-Domaine |
$48.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 97 (2/2026): Honeyed melon, crushed stone, mint, and hints of orange blossom all define the 2024 Prestige, an incredibly pure Saint-Péray that has so much to love. It's medium-bodied, has undeniable minerality, and outstanding length. You could put this up with the crème de la crème of the vintage, and while it plays in the fresher style of the vintage, it brings tons of character. Drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2026-2041. |
|
|
2024 |
Saint Peray Marsanne Ex-Domaine |
$37.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (2/2026): All Marsanne, the 2024 Saint-Péray Marsanne offers a gorgeous nose of honeyed quince, sappy white flowers, spice, and crushed stone. It's medium-bodied and has a focused, juicy, yet still nicely concentrated mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and outstanding length. It plays in the fresh, juicy, focused style of the vintage and will evolve gracefully over the coming decade. Drink 2026-2036. |
|
|
2024 |
Saint Peray Roussanne Ex-Domaine |
$45.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (2/2026): Orchard fruits, honeyed mint, and sappy herb/floral nuances emerge from the 2024 Saint-Péray Roussanne, which is medium-bodied, juicy, fresh, and focused on the palate. I love its overall purity, and it picks up a beautiful sense of salinity with time in the glass. It has another decade or more of longevity ahead of it. Drink 2026-2036. |
|
| Dom. Duclaux |
2021 |
Condrieu Les Caillets ex-Domaine |
$46.99 |
26 |
|
| |
|
| Jean-Luc Jamet |
2021 |
Cotes du Rhone Blanc Couzou ex-Domaine |
$25.99 |
12 |
|
| |
| JD 89 (5/2024): The 2021 Côtes du Rhône Couzou Blanc is based on Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier, all from more granitic soils. It has a light gold hue as well as a subtle nose of ripe stone fruits, honeyed orange, and spice, and it's medium-bodied, nicely textured, and nicely balanced on the palate. It has a good sense of freshness, but it's certainly a rich white that's going to shine on the dinner table. |
|
|
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Blanc Couzou Ex-Domaine |
$26.99 |
43 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Blanc Couzou ex-Domaine |
$34.99 |
36 |
|
| |
|
| Mourchon |
2024 |
Cotes du Rhone Blanc La Source Ex-Domaine |
$16.99 |
25 |
|
| |
|
|
2025 |
Cotes du Rhone Blanc La Source ex-Domaine |
$16.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| | Southern France |
| Ch. de Pibarnon |
2020 |
Bandol ex-Chateau |
$44.99 |
15 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (7/2026): Under seven years of age, this 2020 Bandol Pibarnon keeps all its promises. It has taken time to develop and grow more complex, with delicate oak notes and others more smoky and typical of the terroir: sour cherry jam, leather, and precious wood. The texture is frank, coating, broad, and round, and the balance will confirm itself over the next 10-15 years. Best from 2027-2035. Antoine Petrus |
|
|
2021 |
Bandol ex-Chateau |
$46.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (5/2026): The 2021 Bandol leans fully into a classical style, opening with licorice, dried herbs, blackberry and peppery undertones as a beautiful spiciness grows steadily in the glass. Medium- to full-bodied, it is shaped by gently chalky tannins that lend real composure. The savoury finish is marked by pepper, subtle fleshiness and understated authority. (Drink between 2028-2046). Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2021 |
Bandol ex-Chateau |
$46.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (5/2026): The 2021 Bandol leans fully into a classical style, opening with licorice, dried herbs, blackberry and peppery undertones as a beautiful spiciness grows steadily in the glass. Medium- to full-bodied, it is shaped by gently chalky tannins that lend real composure. The savoury finish is marked by pepper, subtle fleshiness and understated authority. (Drink between 2028-2046). Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2023 |
Bandol Blanc ex-Chateau |
$49.99 |
27 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (7/2024): The elegant and perfumed 2023 Bandol Blanc from Château de Pibarnon is a real success this year, despite a challenging vintage in the region. It evokes aromas of citrus, spring flowers, curry leaves and white fruits mingled with spicy notes. Medium-bodied, perfectly balanced and fleshy, it has a fleshy core of fruit, bright acids and a long, mineral and saline finish. This blend of 55% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc and the rest of a mix of other white grapes is an outstanding wine. |
|
|
2022 |
Bandol Rose ex-Chateau |
$36.99 |
60 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2023): The citrusy, mentholated 2022 Bandol Rosé was crafted with a blend of 65% Mourvèdre and 35% Cinsault and matured six months in barrels. It displays aromas of pomegranate, citrus, spring flowers, iodine, jasmine and crushed stones, followed by a beautifully defined texture, a fleshy core of fruit and racy acids that underpin a delicate, well-delineated and calcareous finish. It's going to drink nicely in its youth, but I suspect it will also age gracefully over the next 2-5 years.
VM 91 (5/2023): The 2022 Rosé is savory and sweet with a rich blend of rosemary, sage and tomato leaf, giving way to dried cherries. It's silky-smooth and round with a buzz of minerality and brisk acidity up front as ginger-spiked nectarine forms toward the close. This tapers off with a salty flourish. Spice and citrus notes keep the mouth watering. Eric Guido. |
|
|
2023 |
Bandol Rose ex-Chateau |
$34.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 93 (5/2025): The 2023 Bandol Rosé is a powerful, classy Rosé that delivers the proverbial “iron fist in a velvet glove.” Deep and rich, the 2023 takes its time in the glass, gradually unfurling layers of waxy cherry fruit, Mediterranean herbs, raspberry liqueur, , crushed oyster shell and dried apricot. There’s an impressive phenolic core and a wealth of complexity here, not to mention a long, long finish. This is a very serious wine with the stuffing to improve in the cellar. Billy Norris.
WA 92+ (7/2024): A blend of 65% Mourvèdre and 35% Cinsault, the 2023 Bandol Rosé from Château de Pibarnon offers up a delicate, complex bouquet of spices, licorice, red berries, lemon, spring flowers and herbs. Medium-bodied, enveloping and beautifully structured, it’s round and juicy with a delicate, lively core of fruit and a mineral, calcareous finish. This is a classical rosé wine from Bandol. |
|
|
2024 |
Bandol Rose ex-Chateau |
$37.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (6/2025): The 2024 Bandol Rosé is another stunning wine from Provence. Revealing a complex, fresh bouquet of red berries, pomegranate, grapefruit and spices, it's medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and round, with a supple, elegant core of fruit supported by moderate tannins, finishing long and delicately saline. |
|
|
2021 |
Bandol Rose Nuances ex-Chateau |
$47.99 |
14 |
|
| |
| JD 95 (7/2026): With the 2021 Bandol Nuances, Pibarnon produces a near-perfect rosé. The pale ruby color leads into spiced, smoky aromas of white pepper, redcurrant jam, and peppery touches, while numerous fine tannins coat the palate to provide power, character, and length. Drink now. Antoine Petrus. |
|
|
2022 |
Bandol Rose Nuances ex-Chateau |
$46.99 |
40 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Le Roc des Anges |
2016 |
Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes Asterolide |
$31 |
15 |
|
| |
|
| Les Restanques de Pibarnon |
2021 |
Bandol ex-Chateau |
$38.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Bandol ex-Chateau |
$38.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| | Alsace |
| Klipfel |
2012 |
Riesling Cuvee Louis Klipfel |
$18 |
18 |
|
| |
|
| | Champagne |
| Charpentier |
NV |
Tradition Brut Champagne |
$38.99 |
57 |
|
| |
|
| | Other France |
| Dom. Richard Rottiers |
2023 |
Moulin a Vent Ex-Domaine |
$24.99 |
54 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (4/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent was bottled a month before my visit. This has fine purity on the nose. The 20% used oak knits everything together nicely, though not as powerfully as the 2022. The palate is medium-bodied and silky, with fine tannins and red cherry and crushed strawberry notes leading to a smooth, easy-drinking finish. The 2023 is very fine. Neal Martin. |
|
|
2023 |
Moulin a Vent Champ de Cour Ex-Domaine |
$26.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 92 (4/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Champ de Cour was bottled one month before my visit. It has a lifted and more intense bouquet than the Mortperay, with floral scents of rose and violet emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied and well balanced, with supple tannins and a precise, graceful finish that lingers in the mouth. The 2023 is superb. Neal Martin.
WA 90+ (3/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Champ de Cour, aged in oak barrels, stands out as the most lavish offering of the lineup, showcasing deep sappy notes of prunes, cherries, licorice and cacao powder. However, it maintains a poised balance thanks to a refreshing edge of ginger spice and graphite. Full-bodied and with ripe acidity, the wine exhibits a firm structure that signals its aging potential with tightly woven, youthful tannins. |
|
|
2023 |
Moulin a Vent Dernier Souffle Ex-Domaine |
$27.99 |
59 |
|
| |
VM 93 (4/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Dernière Souffle is bottled a couple of months later than other cuvées. It has redcurrant and cranberry aromas on the nose, with light earthy scents in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red berry fruit, more grip than the Champ de Cour and more substance on the finish. This positively brims with potential. Neal Martin.
WA 91 (3/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Dernier Souffle is a luscious fruit-forward wine, yet one of refinement, with notes of rose petals, juicy cherries, vine smoke and sweet spices. It's full-bodied, with ripe acidity and a concentrated, sappy-fruited core. This richness is framed by smoothly integrated tannins that impart a velvety texture, with a dimensional finish toned with graphite. This is a generously proportioned wine that will undoubtedly benefit from time in the bottle or, at the very least, a spell in the decanter to unwind. |
|
|
2022 |
Moulin a Vent Mortperay ex-Domaine |
$24.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (4/2024): The 2022 Moulin-à-Vent Mortperay comes from clayey soils just below Fleurie; the vines here are 70 years old. It aged in old barrels sourced from Chablis. It has another mineral-driven nose but with more roundness and depth than the classic bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, very well-balanced and poised, touches of freshly rolled tobacco on the finish. Excellent. Neal Martin. |
|
|
2023 |
Moulin a Vent Mortperay Ex-Domaine |
$26.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 90 (4/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Mortperay comes from a parcel next to Fleurie on clay soils. It was bottled in January and offers Morello cherry, rose petal and cassis scents on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with finely knit tannins. This is pure and elegant in style, with touches of sour cherry and raspberry . Neal Martin.
WA 90 (3/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Montperay, slated for release in 2025, comes from 80-year-old vines located at the periphery of the Clos de la Roilette in Fleurie. The wine unfurls with a lush bouquet of stewed blueberries and cherries, accented by mocha spice and sweet soil. On the palate, the layered wine unfolds along a horizontal trajectory with subdued acidity that imparts a certain softness and density to its texture. |
|
| Pascal Aufranc |
2018 |
Julienas Les Cerisiers ex-Domaine |
$15.99 |
15 |
|
| |
|
| Richard Rottiers |
2023 |
Brouilly Ex-Domaine |
$24.99 |
20 |
|
| |
VM 89 (4/2025): The 2023 Brouilly comes from purchased fruit grown on granite soils. Pretty red cherry and crushed strawberry aromas blossom in the glass. The palate is well balanced and transparent, with light tannins. It's a little fleshier than expected, featuring brambly red berry and bergamot notes on the finish. It's lovely, though not long-term. Neal Martin.
WA 89 (3/2025): The 2023 Brouilly, from purchased grapes near Odenas, is a classic bistro wine. It's juicy, with notes of lilacs, raspberries and plums and tones of crushed stones that give the wine some dimension. It's medium to full-bodied, with a balanced density of fruit and bright acidity that keep it fresh. |
|
| | Germany |
| Weingut Georg Gustav Huff |
2020 |
Niersteiner Hipping Riesling Trocken |
$39.99 |
20 |
|
| |
|
| | Italy |
| Antonio Vallana & Figlio |
2020 |
Gattinara |
$43.99 |
22 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (2/2025): Vallana's 2020 Gattinara is powerful, rustic and a bit rough around the edges, and yet it conveys so much genuine, uncomplicated character. Dark fruit, new leather, licorice, dried herbs and mint are some of the notes that take shape as this rambunctious Gattinara gradually opens in the glass. Don't look for finesse here. (Drink between 2025-2035). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Cantina Tibaldi |
2023 |
Langhe Favorita ex-Domaine |
$23.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2024 |
Langhe Favorita ex-Domaine |
$24.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Langhe Nebbiolo ex-Domaine |
$25.99 |
19 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Roero Arneis Bricco delle Passere Riserva ex-Domaine |
$24.99 |
29 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Roero Arneis Bricco delle Passere Riserva ex-Domaine |
$26.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Roero Roccapalea ex-Domaine |
$29 |
34 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Roero Roccapalea ex-Domaine |
$33.99 |
60 |
|
| |
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| Caprili |
2023 |
Rosso di Montalcino |
$21.99 |
21 |
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| JD 90 (1/2025): The bright ruby 2023 Rosso Di Montalcino jumps from the glass with bright mixed berry fruit, peaches, crushed flowers, and sweet tea. The palate is juicy, with a snap of fresh acidity, fine tannins, and a clean finish. This is a total charmer of a Rosso to drink now or over the next 5-6 years. (Drink between 2025-2031). Audrey Frick. |
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| Cavallotto |
2022 |
Barbera d’Alba Superiore Vigna Cuculo ex-Domaine |
$36.95 |
33 |
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2023 |
Barbera d’Alba Superiore Vigna Cuculo ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
60 |
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| JD 93 (4/2026): The 2023 Barbera D'Alba Superiore Vigna Cuculo pours a youthful red/purple hue and was fermented in stainless steel before aging 18 months in large Slavonian oak casks. It opens with wild black cherries, delicate rustic earth, incense, and violets. Medium-bodied, it’s vibrant and well-balanced, with fine tannins and a savory citrus lift that carries through the finish. A traditionally raised Barbera with both energy and structure, about 8,000 bottles were produced. Drink 2026-2036. Audrey Frick. |
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2022 |
Langhe Nebbiolo ex-Domaine |
$37.99 |
55 |
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2023 |
Langhe Nebbiolo ex-Domaine |
$42.99 |
60 |
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| JD 91 (4/2026): The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo is aged for 18 months in large Slavonian oak casks and pours a youthful ruby red color. It offers a ripe perfume that’s a bit shy, but the palate really shines, offering ripe red berries, a bit of rustic earth, fresh tobacco, and incense. Medium-bodied, zesty, and refreshing, with a good balance of sunny pure fruit, fine tannins, and refreshing acidity, it’s a very appealing Nebbiolo to drink now or over the next 8-10 years. A star in this category, no doubt, it’s delicious and I would snap it up. Drink 2026-2036. Audrey Frick. |
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| Luigi Maffini |
2021 |
Cenito Cilento Aglianico |
$43.99 |
14 |
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| |
| VM 93+ (5/2024): Wilted violets and ground cloves complicate a burst of dried wild blueberries and exotic spice as the 2021 Cenito smolders up from the glass. This is pure elegance—silky and polished, yet lifted and energetic, with a textural wave of ripe red and black fruits that flow across a stream of vibrant acidity. A caking of salty minerals mingles with fine tannins as the 2021 tapers off with staining length and youthful structure, leaving a tart blackberry concentration that puckers the cheeks. (Drink between 2026-2034). Eric Guido. |
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|
2024 |
Kratos Fiano |
$24.99 |
45 |
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| VM 93 (8/2026): Quite mineral-driven in style, the 2024 Fiano Kratos wafts up with salty sea air, crushed rocks and lemon-spiked green apples. The palate is zesty, with a bump of riveting acidity on the entry to energize its tart orchard fruits. It tapers off with sour lime and a saline saturation. Eric Guido. |
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| Sottimano |
2023 |
Langhe Nebbiolo ex-Domaine |
$23.99 |
60 |
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| |
| VM 93 (10/2025): The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo, all young vines from Basarin, is terrific. Pliant and expressive, the 2023 is a superb choice for readers looking for a wine that overdelivers. Macerated cherry, plum, lavender and blood orange open first. Exotic floral and spice overtones develop with a bit of time in the glass. More than anything else, I am so impressed with the wine's textural depth and balance. The 2023 was done a modified, light style of submerged cap maceration for about a week that worked wonders. Élevage was nine months in cask. And the young vines are now nearly 30 years old! Antonio Galloni. |
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|
2023 |
Langhe Nebbiolo (1.5 L) ex-Domaine |
$49.99 |
20 |
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| |
| VM 93 (10/2025): The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo, all young vines from Basarin, is terrific. Pliant and expressive, the 2023 is a superb choice for readers looking for a wine that overdelivers. Macerated cherry, plum, lavender and blood orange open first. Exotic floral and spice overtones develop with a bit of time in the glass. More than anything else, I am so impressed with the wine's textural depth and balance. The 2023 was done a modified, light style of submerged cap maceration for about a week that worked wonders. Élevage was nine months in cask. And the young vines are now nearly 30 years old! Antonio Galloni. |
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| Tenuta Cocci Grifoni |
2024 |
Tara Pecorino |
$15.99 |
37 |
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| Tenuta di Carleone |
2022 |
Chianti Classico |
$34.99 |
20 |
|
| |
WA 94 (10/2025): This is one of the most original wines from the appellation. The Tenuta di Carleone 2022 Chianti Classico sees partial whole-cluster fruit and up to three months of extended fermentation. The wine opens to a medium-garnet color with a shiny element to its appearance. The bouquet is similarly bright and punchy with lots of tart red and blue fruits. Fruit for this 55,000-bottle release is sourced from across this 32-hectare estate in Radda in Chianti. This wine is extremely giving and bright at the moment.
VM 92 (7/2025): The 2022 Chianti Classico is gracious, elegant and polished, as these wines so often are. Crushed flowers, herbs, mint, pine and light citrus overtones exalt the natural brightness of Sangiovese. This translucent, weightless Chianti Classico is a real beauty. (Drink between 2025-2037). Antonio Galloni. |
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| Tenuta Santome |
NV |
Prosecco Brut |
$13.50 |
28 |
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| |
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| Ultima Pietra |
2025 |
Gemina Rose |
$40 |
23 |
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| |
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| | Port |
| Quevedo |
2006 |
Late Bottled Vintage Port |
$29.99 |
52 |
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| |
|
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2010 |
Quinta Vale d’Agodinho Port |
$49.99 |
15 |
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| |
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| | USA Red |
| Behrens Family (Erna Schein) |
2005 |
Herrick-Moulds Cabernet Sauvignon |
$50 |
14 |
|
| |
| VM 91-94 (6/2007): Medium ruby. Aromatic nose combines currant, iron, mocha and pepper. Sweet, silky and pliant, with a captivating sugar/acid balance. This really vibrates on the palate. Finishes with suave tannins and terrific sappy, peppery length. This has the suavity and balance to age gracefully for a decade or more. |
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| de Negoce |
2017 |
OG N. 123 Napa Valley Merlot |
$15 |
12 |
|
| |
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2022 |
OG N. 480 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel |
$15 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| DeLille Cellars |
2011 |
Doyenne Grand Ciel Vyd. Syrah |
$25 |
12 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (6/2014): Slightly richer and more concentrated than the Signature Syrah, yet still playing in the elegant, seamless style of the vintage, the 2011 Doyenne Syrah Grand Ciel Vineyard is 100% Syrah that was aged in 35% new French oak. Possessing beautiful black raspberry, currants, licorice, crushed rock-like minerality and hints of graphite, this beauty flows onto the palate with full-bodied richness, fabulous purity of fruit and a seamless, silky texture that carries through the finish. Give it a year or two and drink bottles through 2024. |
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|
2012 |
Doyenne Grand Ciel Vyd. Syrah |
$25 |
13 |
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| |
WA 93 (6/2015): A similar purple/ruby, semi-opaque color to the Signature Syrah, the 2012 Doyenne Syrah Grand Ciel Vineyard has more minerality (no doubt due to coming from Red Mountain) to go with lots of blackberry, graphite, pepper and crushed violet notes. Like the Signature Syrah, it shows the vintage nicely with lots of concentration, integrated acidity and a big finish, where the wine's structure becomes more apparent. It will benefit from short-term cellaring and have 10-15 years of overall longevity.
VM 92+ (11/2015): Good dark red. Lovely perfume of cherry, cranberry, white pepper, spices and dusty flowers. Lovely fine-grained Syrah with a savory restraint to its highly aromatic red berry and spice flavors complicated by a hint of game. Made from a slow-to-ripen Entav clone. Finishing quite firm, even a bit youthfully sullen, this already complex Syrah needs time to evolve. (Drink between 2019-2028). Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Donelan |
2013 |
Cuvee Moriah Proprietary Blend |
$50 |
12 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (7/2017): The 2013 Cuvee Moriah is 87% Grenache and 13% Syrah that’s all from the Dry Stack Vineyard in the Bennett Valley. It has a gorgeous (as well as complex) bouquet of ripe cherries, cranberry, dried flowers and incense. This carries to an ethereally textured, elegant Grenache that that has sweet fruit, medium-bodied richness and a great finish. It’s not going to make old bones, but it’s going to be impossible to resist over the coming 4-5 years. This may be my favorite vintage of this cuvee to date. |
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| Failla |
2012 |
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir |
$45 |
12 |
|
| |
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| Girasole |
2019 |
Mendocino Pinot Noir |
$16.99 |
16 |
|
| |
|
| Kutch |
2013 |
Falstaff Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$45 |
12 |
|
| |
VM 91 (1/2015): Rose petals, mint, spices and sweet red berries are all laced together in the 2013 Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard. This is the most lifted and aromatic of the wines in this range. The 2013 is intensely saline, lifted and perfumed. It will appeal most to readers who enjoy aromatic, mid-weight Pinots. The 2013 is all about precision and nuance. It is also a bit light, even within the context of this style. (Drink between 2015-2025). Antonio Galloni.
BH 91 (10/2015): Notes of dried rose petal, anise, herbal tea, red currant and a hint of cinnamon introduce silky-textured medium-bodied flavors that deliver fine length on the dusty, balanced and lingering finale. This too will need a few years but less than either the Sonoma Coast or Bohan, as the overall palate impression is notably finer. Note however that the balance should allow this to age, and improve, gracefully for up to a decade. (Drink starting 2019). |
|
| Matthews |
2010 |
Blackboard Colombia Valley Red Wine |
$15 |
12 |
|
| |
|
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2006 |
Colombia Valley Claret |
$25 |
12 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (12/2009): Dark red. Expressive aromas and flavors of currant, plum, tobacco, graphite and chocolatey oak. Supple and juicy, with moderate sweetness and flesh. Slightly tart acidity gives shape and lift to this blend, which finishes with dusty, building, oak-driven tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Colombia Valley Syrah |
$20 |
20 |
|
| |
| VM 91+ (12/2013): (15.4% alcohol; aged in once-used puncheons and once-used barriques ): Saturated bright ruby. Very primary, dark aromas of blackberry, licorice and illegal resiny herbs, lifted by a high-pitched violet perfume. Dense, juicy and suave but quite tightly wound in the style of the vintage. Dark berry and bitter chocolate flavors work more savory than sweet. This very young, long wine finishes with very fine-grained, suave tannins and a hint of bitter chocolate. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Newton |
2019 |
The Puzzle Red Wine |
$49 |
55 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (2/2023): The 2019 Red Blend The Puzzle checks in as mostly Cabernet Sauvignon but includes 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, and 1.5% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot. This vivid blue-hued 2019 has a great nose of both black and blue fruits as well as sappy green herbs and crushed stone. Almost austere on the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, has firm tannins, good mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. I’d give bottles at least 3-4 years in the cellar. (Drink starting 2026). |
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| Sojourn Cellars |
2022 |
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (6/2024): The 2022 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast was raised in 50% new French oak and was entirely destemmed. Pouring a youthful, ripe ruby color, it’s highly aromatic with floral and fruity aromas of sweet cola spice, mixed berries, and preserved flowers. Medium-bodied, it retains good energy and freshness as well as wonderful purity on the palate, with fine tannins and a clean, chalky textured finish. It is a beautiful entry to the range and is going to have a wide window for enjoyment over the next 6-8 years. Audrey Frick. |
|
| Sullivan |
2003 |
Estate Reserve Merlot |
$50 |
16 |
|
| |
|
| Varner |
2014 |
Spring Ridge Vyd. Upper Picnic Bloc Pinot Noir |
$45 |
53 |
|
| |
VM 95 (8/2018): The 2014 Pinot Noir Upper Picnic is all class. Silky tannins and expressive, perfumed aromatics give the wine unreal finesse. Just as compelling on the palate, the 2014 is absolutely exquisite in its understated, nuanced expression of the Santa Cruz Mountains. What a gorgeous wine it is. The Upper Picnic is the most elegant of these four Pinots. (Drink between 2018-2026). Antonio Galloni.
JD 94 (2/2019): I loved the 2014 Pinot Noir Upper Picnic Block Spring Ridge Vineyard. This beauty boasts fabulous red fruits, spice, dried flowers, and rose petal notes, with a hint of California bay leaf developing with time in the glass. Possessing a silky, rounded, elegant texture, medium body, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish, it’s a truly thrilling Pinot Noir that can be drunk today or cellared for 7-8 years. (Drink between 2018-2026). |
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| Vincent Wine Co. |
2017 |
Bjornson Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$35.99 |
18 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (8/2020): Brilliant red. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red fruits, potpourri, exotic spices and candied rose, along with a hint of smoky minerality. Juicy and seamless in texture, offering penetrating raspberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that show fine definition and back-end lift. Intensely flavored and finely delineated, with an impressively long, perfumed finish that delivers firm mineral cut and resonating florality. (Drink between 2022-2029). Josh Raynolds. |
|
| | USA White |
| Bevan Cellars |
2021 |
Dry Stack Vyd. Sauvignon Blanc |
$35 |
13 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (8/2022): A blockbuster of a Sauvignon Blanc, Bevan's 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Stack Vineyard comes from an Italian clone planted in gravelly soil in the Bennett Valley and is raised, I believe, in barrel. Bottled unfiltered so it has touch of haziness in its gold hue, it offers a heavenly bouquet of caramelized lemon zest, mint, orange blossom, honeyed flowers, and brioche. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, it has incredible concentration, a layered, pure mouthfeel, good freshness, and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It's not for those craving lightweight aromas and flavors and has the weight and richness of a great Chardonnay. Drink this beauty over the coming 2-3 years. |
|
| Bunnell Family Cellar |
2012 |
Helene Yakima Valley White Wine |
$20 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Convene (Dan Kosta) |
2021 |
Russian River Valley Chardonnay |
$48.99 |
50 |
|
| |
| Decanter 98 (2/2024): Dan Kosta and Shane Finely have worked together since 2006, when Finley, at age 26, began working in the cellar at Kosta Browne. These guys are having a lot of fun with Convene, the label Kosta launched in 2019. After their entry-level bottlings, the Convene label represents the 'Premier Cru' level wines, while DK Grail is the 'Grand Cru' tier. They are unquestionably 'Holy Grail' worthy. Finley and Kosta are big fans of longer ageing and extended lees contact with their Chardonnays. We tasted in February 2024, and they'd just bottled their 2022s. Super expressive nose with wonderful ripe fruit flavours alongside butterscotch and toasty brioche. Wonderfully rich and full-bodied with plenty of salty mineral tension. Partial malolactic fermentation means the wine retains great tension, vibrancy, and freshness. Flavours run the spectrum from Meyer Lemon to apricots and white peaches. Crushed Marcona almonds are entangled in the finish, and I find this a balanced expression of California Chardonnay with the right amount of toasty richness and acidity. |
|
| DeLille Cellars |
2016 |
Chaleur Estate Blanc |
$30 |
16 |
|
| |
|
| Gambal Work |
2017 |
Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay ex-Domaine |
$43.99 |
45 |
|
| |
|
| Girasole |
2019 |
Mendocino Chardonnay |
$10 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Hourglass |
2024 |
Estate Sauvignon Blanc |
$33.99 |
24 |
|
| |
JD 94 (12/2025): Based on 86% Sauvignon Blanc/Musque and 14% Semillon from Napa and Sonoma County fruit and aged six months with 30% in oak barrels, the 2024 Sauvignon Blanc offers classic, fresh lime, ripe citrus, mint, and stony minerality aromatics. It's medium-bodied, has a bright, fresh, focused, pure mouthfeel, beautiful balance, and outstanding length. There are roughly 2,600 cases produced. Drink 2025-2035. (Drink between 2025-2035).
VM 90 (11/2025): The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc is an airy, gracious, aperitif-style white drink now and over the next few years. Citrus peel, sage, tomato leaf and mint are all finely sculpted. (Drink between 2025-2029). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Lewis Cellars |
2016 |
Sonoma County Chardonnay |
$36 |
19 |
|
| |
|
| Scherrer Winery |
2019 |
Scherrer Vyd. Chardonnay |
$43.99 |
14 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (1/2022): The 2019 Chardonnay Scherrer Vineyard is a powerful, wild wine. Soaring aromatics and a deep structure give this Alexander Valley Chardonnay tons of character. Orchard fruit, mint, tangerine oil and dried flowers all open in the glass. There's something exotic about the 2019 that is undeniably appealing. The creamy, substantial finish is a thing of beauty. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Sojourn Cellars |
2023 |
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ex-Domaine |
$41.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Stony Hill |
2024 |
Chardonnay |
$43.99 |
36 |
|
| |
| Decanter 94 (2/2026): Fruit from 1967-planted vines, the oldest Chardonnay vines in the Napa Valley, is at Haynes and Quartz Creek on alluvial soils. This wine balances plush fruit, fleshy pears, 30% new oak for 10 months, and only partial malolactic fermentation. This is a wine of elegance that balances white peach flesh, mineral-driven, mountain Chardonnay, and is oh so fresh. (Drink between 2026-2034). |
|
| | Other White |
| Quevedo |
2011 |
Oscar’s White Douro |
$9.99 |
31 |
|
| |
|
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