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“Just a kiss of oak, of vanilla, of cherry in dark chocolate and a hint of bitter almond make for an exceptional nose. These aromas carry right onto the palate. An edge of phenolics is mouthwatering, the concentration is beautiful. There is a real sense of grilled hazelnut on the finish. Incredibly balanced.”

“A serious nose for a rosé, with some prominent oak spice, then fresh plums and nimble red berries. Full-bodied, dense and tightly wound, with a lovely phenolic structure. Yet, it remains pure. A fine touch of herbal and oak bitterness at the end, with natural, elegant acidity following through.”

“Creamy, toffee, ripe red fruits, rounded and full with soft acid and medium to full body. Fresh enough, with good persistence and a lingering oak influence. Benefits from the extra year of bottle age. Love it or hate it, you can't deny this is impressive.”

“This wood-aged rosé is poised and elegant. Its acidity and red fruits show well against the backdrop of spicy wood and fine perfumes. Dense and maturing well, it is ready to drink.”

“Subtle but fresh. More air lends a note of strawberry icecream. The palate comes with lovely lightness but opens up into gentle, juicy, white peach while hints of white citrus pith lend a subtle hint of spice. Freshness and texture stand out.”

“With pretty aromas of lavender, rosehip, strawberries, cherriers and cloves. It's medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a supple, creamy palate. Perfumed and elegant. Drink now”

“Brilliant peach skin. Red berries and pit fruits on the nose, and a floral nuance in the background. Silky and open-knit, showing good depth as well as energy to the red currant and nectarine flavors, which pick up a refreshingly bitter orange zest quality on the back half. Finishes long and juicy, with a repeating floral note and subtle grip. Don't hate on this wine just because it’s popular.”

“Pastel colours. Sweet cherry, almond milk, marzipan. Taut and juicy on the palate with good density, delicately sweet fruit, racy acidity, a rosé with a lot of traction and tension and with very good mineral underpinning, fresh, pithy finish, and above all, a very good length.”

“Subtle but fresh. More air lends a note of strawberry icecream. The palate comes with lovely lightness but opens up into gentle, juicy, white peach while hints of white citrus pith lend a subtle hint of spice. Freshness and texture stand out.”

“With pretty aromas of lavender, rosehip, strawberries, cherriers and cloves. It's medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a supple, creamy palate. Perfumed and elegant. Drink now”

“Brilliant peach skin. Red berries and pit fruits on the nose, and a floral nuance in the background. Silky and open-knit, showing good depth as well as energy to the red currant and nectarine flavors, which pick up a refreshingly bitter orange zest quality on the back half. Finishes long and juicy, with a repeating floral note and subtle grip. Don't hate on this wine just because it’s popular.”

“Pastel colours. Sweet cherry, almond milk, marzipan. Taut and juicy on the palate with good density, delicately sweet fruit, racy acidity, a rosé with a lot of traction and tension and with very good mineral underpinning, fresh, pithy finish, and above all, a very good length.”

“Pale orange. Displays an array of intensely perfumed red berry and citrus fruit aromas. Along with suggestions of honeysuckle, nectarine and fennel. Juicy and seamless in texture, giving deep pit fruit and raspberry flavors and a bracing touch of orange pith. Echoes the floral note on a wonderfully long, smooth finish that leaves a hint of honey behind.”

“Very stylish, with underlying richness to the mix of wet hay, white peach, lemon pith and pink grapefruit. Reveals a late twinge of fleur de sel, which keeps everything honest through the lengthy finish. Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. Drink now.”

“Quite rich and broad on the nose. Very pretty. Great life and lift. Lemon again. More vibrant and structured than I remember the 2018 being. Neat finish. More refined than the 2018.”

“The 2009 Bâtard-Montrachet (from the Puligny side) is marvelously linear, textured and just plain beautiful. All of the elements come together in this striking, impeccable wine. The Bâtard blossoms on the palate with extraordinary finesse in its fruit, fabulous overall balance and terrific freshness, especially on the finish. It is breathtaking in every way. ”

“Jadot's 2009 Bâtard-Montrachet is rich, layered, sensual and totally beguiling. This is yet another 2009 Jadot white with stunning vibrancy and freshness. Slate, smoke and crushed rocks are some of the notes that develop in the glass, adding complexity to the highly expressive, nuanced fruit.”

“(from vines on the Puligny side): Quite closed on the nose, hinting at creme caramel. A step up in intensity and structure from the Bienvenue, with stone fruit and mineral flavors enlivened by bright lemony acidity. Youthfully imploded wine with terrific steely cut. Impressively taut on the long, rising finish. An excellent Bâtard that should age well.”

“The 2020 Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Le Clos Blanc (Domaine Gagey) is another success this year, bursting with aromas of fresh pear, green apple, crushed mint, buttery pastry and almonds. Medium to full-bodied, ample and satiny, it's lively and precise, with chalky structure and a saline finish.”

“Ripe, open and beautifully composed with mixed nuts, butter and tropical fruits. Expressive and approachable and fairly long on the finish. Tasted in: Burgundy, France. Maturity: Young.”

“Pale green-gold. Very sumptuous nose. Ripe and tense and gorgeous. This is more like it! Just a hint of smoke but no deliberate move to reduction. The first of these Jadot 2013 whites with a touch of creaminess. Although it is not notably persistent.”

“(this fruit comes from three sources): Bright lemon-yellow. Subdued aromas and flavors of crushed stone, menthol, lemon-lime and pear, plus a whiff of metallic minerality. Penetrating and subtle, conveying a layered texture and lovely inner-mouth perfume and lift. Shows the richness of this stony high-altitude site, which has very little topsoil. This complex, very intense wine shows strong extract without any undue weight and will need a long time to unwind.”

“Sexy if reticent nose combines lemon, lime, grapefruit, and smoky minerality. Lovely rich, spicy, floral wine with terrific intensity and exhilarating sweetness. Harmonious acidity gives this premier cru excellent balance and definition from the start. Finishes brisk, precise and very long, with an old-vines concentration. Jadot made about 40 barrels of this wine, which is close to normal production from its two hectares of vines.”

“The 2015 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot Clos de la Chapelle is already quite expressive, wafting from the glass with a lavish bouquet of poached pear, vanilla bean, yellow stone fruit and toasted nuts—very similar to its showing from barrel. On the palate, the wine is textural, full-bodied and rich, with notable chewy extract, impressive mid-palate presence, and ripe acids. While this is an undeniably rich, ripe white Burgundy, everything is in harmony and the wine's considerable reserves of concentration and structure make me wonder if it could surprise with bottle age.”

“This is quite aromatically similar to the Abbaye except here there is a noticeable hint of mandarin orange peel. The lush, opulent and lavishly rich big-bodied flavors coat the palate with extract while delivering excellent length on the markedly powerful finale. This is a big but balanced wine and while it's not elegant, it is impressive in its fashion.”

“Tank sample. Monopole. Neat and nicely balanced with real freshness even if not that much density. Vegetation and polish. Quite long. Drink 2020-2028”

“The 2015 Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot Clos de la Chapelle felt reduced on the nose and was therefore difficult to read. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous opening, less tensile than the 2015 Abbaye de Morgeot, more concentrated and yet showing less delineation. Moderate length in the mouth, this is a Chassagne where I would like to see improvement by the time it is in bottle. Drink 2017 - 2026”

“Cask sample. Tantalising aroma – so young but you can sense the potential. Deep, pure citrus, barely inflected by the creamy oak but given breadth and texture by it. Deep with richness that borders on just-ripe pear even though the lemon purity drives to the finish. It may well age longer but these days I am more cautious with white burgundy. (JH)”

“Aromas of yellow orchard fruit, waxy lemon rind, iodine and smoky new oak introduce the 2016 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (Domaine des Héritiers Jadot), a full-bodied, satiny and nicely layered wine that's deep, concentrated and persistent. It's a youthfully reserved but decidedly impressive Corton-Charlemagne that will reward bottle age.”

“Charlemagne Grand Cru
(Jadot bottled 35 barrels, representing a normal yield; the harvest lasted into the beginning of October): Very pale, bright yellow. Knockout nose combines lemon, ginger, botanical herbs, shiso leaf and crushed-rock minerality. Seriously concentrated wine, showing the juicy side of the 2016 vintage and the impeccable balance that was possible when yields were normal. The sharply delineated citrus, spice and mineral flavors are framed and intensified by harmonious acidity ("which was easy to control because we had so many barrels," according to Barnier). Conveys an impression of outstanding density without weight and finishes with great palate-staining length, herbal lift and salty grip.”

“One of the finest values in the range is the 2019 Ladoix Le Clou d'Orge (Domaine Gagey), a bright and chiseled wine that evokes pear, waxy citrus peel, struck match and vanilla pod. Medium to full-bodied, layered and incisive, it concludes with a saline, mouthwatering finish.”

“The 2016 Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières is the first vintage that is domaine, as Jadot now owns the vineyard instead of buying in the fruit. It has a straightforward bouquet with lime flower, smoke and walnut coming through with aeration. The palate is well balanced with good acidity, quite rich in style although I am seeking more stoniness, more mineralité to come through on the finish and define it as a Perrières. This is one where I feel it might have been better to pick a day or two earlier.”

“(2016 was the first year the Jadot team farmed this plot; the yield was full in 2016, as in Narvaux and other high sites in the village, noted Barnier; two of the five barrels were new): Bright lemon-yellow. Less fruity and floral on the nose than the Genevrières, hinting at almond and spicy oak. Then concentrated and harmonious in the mouth, showing a ripe pineapple flavor and a seductive balance of sweetness and acidity. The salty, palate-saturating finish boasts sneaky length and lift. This wine comes across as a bit riper than the Charmes, and will rely as much on its mineral underpinning as on its acidity for longevity. Barnier told me that the Jadot team will force the vines' roots deeper over the next several years in search of greater minerality.”

“(two of the five barrels were new): Healthy bright lemon-yellow. Slightly high-toned aromas of lemon liqueur and vanillin oak, with hints of tropical fruits. Lovely sweetness to the flavors of white peach and nectarine complicated by oak notes of vanilla and char. The wine's sucrosite is nicely counterpointed by healthy acidity. Finishes juicy, brisk and quite long, dusty but not phenolic and enlivened by an edge of lemony acidity. Very nicely balanced, and not a particularly austere version of Charmes.”

“Actually, the acidity overrides the charm at this point. This is clearly made for the long term. It's a little more open and broad than the Tillets but it's playing its cards close to its chest. Very well judged. Drink 2015-2021??”

“The 2012 Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes has an attractive lifted nose, a little leesy at the moment with a spicy core developing in the glass. The palate is nicely balanced with a rounded, generous, quite rich opening - very charming as the name suggest, though I would like more minerality to be in situ toward the finish.”

“The 2020 Meursault 1er Cru Charmes (Domaine Louis Jadot) exhibits aromas of popcorn, green apple, pear and orange oil. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's a rich, open-knit rendition of this site, derived from the holdings of the erstwhile Domaine Prieur-Brunet.”

“A slightly fuller yellow, plumper, some vanilla, offering the expected Charmes amplitude, rounded, with pear and peach notes, not over exotic but a full mouthful nonetheless. Tasted: November 2021”

“The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Garenne 1er Cru has an impressive bouquet of green apples, fresh pear and touches of petrichor, developing light walnut aromas so that it becomes almost Meursault-like. The palate is taut and fresh with a menthol undercurrent, and quite concentrated, displaying good definition and a palpable sense of energy toward the finish. This is excellent.”

“Noticeably yellower, though there is considerable elegance in the vineyard. There is a gorgeous sensuality to this, a cashmere texture and several waves of flavour, and a lovely persistent finish with just a faint acidity. Tasted: November 2021”

“Passerillage-inflected aromas of orange oil, peach, barley sugar, apricot and freshly baked bread preface the 2020 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Garenne (Duc de Magenta), a medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy wine that's ample and enveloping, with lively acids and a long, saline finish.”

“The 2015 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières, under the "Domaine Héritiers du Jadot" label, was more reserved than the Puligny Clos de la Garenne when I tasted them side by side, but it opens with attractive limestone and granitic aromas. The palate is crisp on the entry with vibrant acidity, well balanced with orange zest and a touch of tangy marmalade lending complexity on the taut and focused finish. Excellent - this is one of Jadot's best whites this vintage. Drink 2018 - 2028”

“Bright light yellow. High-pitched scents of steely crushed stone and flowers. Juicy and flavorful without any impression of weight, with its energetic white peach and lemon flavors offering excellent definition. Finishes persistent and firm-edged, with a lovely sweet/salty balance and no shortage of acidity. I like this!”

“The last vintage for a site that's due for replanting, the 2020 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts (Domaine Louis Jadot) wafts from the glass with aromas of freshly baked bread, buttered popcorn, citrus zest and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, taut and concentrated, it's chiseled and mineral, with tangy acids and a chalky finish.”

“This is very substantial on the nose. The oak is quite prominent too, at least in this sample. There is significant weight on the palate too, but in a sumptuous rather than heavy style. Fills out the back too with light acidity as well. Tasted: November 2021”

“Already golden in colour. Already extraordinary on the nose, despite being so, so young. Mango and yuzu, tendrils of honeysuckle cling to the nose; the scent of lemon blossom and silky yellow roses bruised in the mist-fine patter of early-morning rain. Already, the smells curl out the glass, slow wide ribbons that shimmer from flowers to earth to the limpid pearl glow of harvest moonrise. Such a golden wine. Like tasting a metallograph of golden crystals in microscopic detail by honey-hazed candle light. Candied citrus peel, saffron, bergamot. Ice-pick stilettoes of acidity deliver spine-piercing precision. And a stony chew, clad in almost-transparent jasmine skin, brushing fingertip slips of gentleness over a structure so defiant it clangs with the mountain-valley echo of a Tibetan gong. This has only just begun. The kind of wine you need to buy 12 bottles of and taste one a year. Exquisite, already. But oh, such a long way to go.”

“The 2019 Soave Classico blends savory and sweet with a spicy flair that completes the expression nicely. Ripe pear and nectarine mix with hints of ginger and sour green melon. It’s soft and pliant upon entry yet enlivened by salty minerals and brisk acids, making for a wonderfully balanced expression. The palate sizzles with residual tension, as hints of sour citrus resonate throughout the finale.”

“A toasty note on the nose underscores the palate's golden apple and pear, honeysuckle and lime blossom, pickled ginger and pineapple fruit flavours in this bright and buoyant white. Lightly chalky in texture, with smoke and spice notes playing on the well-cut finish. Alison Napjus”

“Light struck-match element on the nose. Excellent fresh acidity and some real purity of fruit. A good answer to the Trinity Hill 125 in a fresher idiom. Nicely judged, fleet of foot and very refreshing. Just what is needed of a New Zealand Chardonnay, I think. Some light chewiness on the end still but really pure, fresh fruit and no obvious oak.”

“The 2020 Chardonnay Keltern is taking no prisoners in 2020. It is an uncompromising, firm expression. Concentrated and textural, it remains clean, taut and athletic, pulled through from the starting gun to the finish line by a lime-like citrusy acidity alongside flinty notes and classy new-wood-derived hazelnuts (barrel fermentation). It's clearly had a lot of TLC in both the vineyard and the winery, but it's a little uptight and urgent at the moment; patience will be rewarded. ”

“Fantastic bouquet with piercing aromas of ripe stone fruits and gun-flint, fresh white fleshed orchard fruits, fine new barrel scents and soft baking spice moments. Complex, detailed and seductive. Even better on the palate with a pure fruit core showcasing flavours of grapefruit and stone fruits, citrus pith and wet pebble minerality. Fine tannins and plenty of acidity, a youthful complex and vibrant example.”

“The 2017 Ao Yun is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 4% Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Merlot (this latter used for the first time in Ao Yun). Although a relatively cool and wet growing season, the 2017 vintage benefited from a warm August with less cloud cover, and around 60% of the crop from 314 blocks of 28 hectares worked by 120 families from 4 different villages was deemed of Ao Yun quality. The precision of the viticulture is certainly paying dividends, providing winemaker Maxence Dulou with increasingly healthy, high-quality fruit. The 2017 Ao Yun has a very deep ruby appearance. It is extremely young on the nose and palate, with dark brooding cassis, black cherry and black plum fruit that is both perfumed and gently herbaceous (hints of green bell pepper and blackcurrant leaf). There is marked new oak (clove, toast, smoke) that marries impressively with the ripe core of fruit. On the palate, the wine has robust but refined, coating tannins, well-integrated high alcohol, some lifting acidity and a tremendous core of ripe, powerful fruit that harmonizes well with the savory new oak. This is undeniably long and polished and has that Ao Yun "puissance" that characterizes all vintages to date. 2017 shares with 2015 an impressive integration of ripe Cabernet-dominated fruit with robust structure, but the use of Syrah, Petit Verdot and Merlot has given a greater fruitiness and touch of spice to the 2017. This is certainly a vintage that is very young at present and will easily age for 15 years or more. Best approached from 2021 at the earliest. 2021 - 2032”

“Another step up in quality from 2016. Lots of blackberry and blueberry aromas with plenty of richness and ripeness on the nose. Spicy notes, too with dried chili, sweet tobacco and some pine. Very aromatic. Full-bodied and round with creamy, ripe tannins and lots of ripe fruit. Yet, it remains fresh and vivid. A little bit of merlot in the blend for the first time Mostly cabernet sauvignon with cabernet franc, syrah, petit verdot and merlot. Delicious now, but will age nicely. It’s more approachable than the 2016 now. Superb length here. Give it time in the bottle. Better after 2025. 3,000 cases made.”

“I was pleasantly surprised by the 2016 Numanthia, which is balanced and serious, with integrated oak and a soft palate with round tannins. It feels like a big improvement over the 2014 I tasted last time. 2016 was a rainy and cooler year with a later harvest when the old-vine Tempranillo was picked on September 25th and October 10th. It fermented with selected yeasts and matured in 225- and 600-liter French oak barrels, 60% of them new, for 18 months. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2018.”

“A dense, layered red with berry, chocolate and walnut character. It’s full-bodied and very luscious with power and richness, but shows some reserve and lots of polish at the end.”

“What a beautiful nose of elderberries, freshly picked blackcurrants, citrus, herbs, licorice and crushed stones, amidst a backdrop of coffee beans, cedar and vanilla. Full-bodied and very subtle and refined with tightly wound tannins and an impressive balance of fruit and acidity. Long, grainy and elegant on the finish. A masterpiece. Drink in 2020.”

“A blend of Merlot and Sangiovese in equal parts, the 2016 Siepi is a luscious and soft wine that oozes forth with dark berry intensity. The fruit is compact and dense. This wine performs beautifully in terms of aromas, but the mouthfeel is especially fine-tuned and elegant in this classic vintage. Dark fruit is followed by spice, tar, rose bud and sharp mineral nuances that recall the gravel and limestone-rich soils of Chianti Classico. This is perhaps the best vintage of Siepi I have tasted thus far.”

“(14.2% alcohol: made from vines in both Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo): Bright ruby-red. Pungent aromas of cassis, blackberry, herbs and grapefruit are pure and unadorned. Juicy and stylish in a European style, conveying an impression of delicacy and terrific penetration. This is sweeter and suppler than the 2015 Nicasia Vineyard Malbec but I'm not sure that it's deeper. Finishes with a powerful spine, strong supporting acidity and terrific length.”

“The 2010 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino is a blend of grapes from Adrianna and Nicasia, from the deepest, coolest soils in those vineyards, in Gualtallary and Altamira. They were looking for something that represents the essence of Malbec. The first vintage for this wine was 2004, when they finally found the blend and character they were looking for. The name they wanted to use for the wine was Malbec Puro, but they didn’t want any confusion with cigars, so they called it Malbec Argentino instead! It is very aromatic with floral notes, mainly violets and blue fruit, and is nicely defined. It is opulent with sweet tannins but with the hallmark of the freshness found in all the wines from those two vineyards, precise and long.”

“(from 70-year-old vines): Bright, dark red-ruby. Superripe, slightly roasted aromas of kirsch, blackberry, licorice and minerals. Fat, velvety and rich; can't match the Adrianna Vineyard bottling for definition or lift but this is more opulent, glossy and sweet. Really stains the palate with dark fruits and licorice on the very long, smoothly tannic finish. Winemaker Alejandro Vigil describes this bottling as Catena's asado wine.”

“Packed with generous flavours of ripe red fruit and spices, this is a vibrant, full-bodied, tense Malbec; the vineyard (1,600m, one of the highest in the Uco Valley) delivers intense freshness and crisp acidity in a wine to cellar.”

“Shows a mature edge to the brambly and briary notes, with plenty of dried berry and cherry flavors accented by espresso and cream. Finishes plush and spicy. A refined and savory red from Argentina.”

“Jammy and mineral-smelling at the same time, this Malbec exhibits an ideal set of plum and berry aromas. The palate is full but juicy, fresh and alert. Raspberry, currant, toast and spice flavors finish elegant and long, with no break-up in the wine's totality.”

“In my last sighted review of the 2016 Cos d’Estournel, I wrote: "I suspect it will close down for a period in its youth." Perhaps it is already beginning to shut down, because though this wine was deeply impressive, it fell just a notch short of ethereal previous bottles, despite its "pixelated black fruit" on the nose and "sublime balance" on the palate. I tasted the wine twice thereafter, though this time with a 4-6 hour decant, and this revealed the Cos d'Estournel that has amazed since I first tasted it out of barrel. 2030 - 2070”

“The 2016 Cos d'Estournel is blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc aged in 65% new and 35% two-year-old French oak for 15 months. Bottled in July 2018, it is deep garnet-purple colored and starts off a little closed and reticent, opening out slowly and seductively to reveal beautiful lilacs, rose hip tea, crushed stones and camphor nuances over a core of crème de cassis, kirsch, wild blueberries and mocha plus wafts of incense and wood smoke. The palate is simply electric, charged with an energy and depth of flavors that seem to defy the elegance and ethereal nature of its medium-bodied weight, featuring super ripe, densely pixelated tannins that firmly frame the myriad of fruit and floral sparks, finishing with epic length. Just. Magic. Drink 2024-2068.”

“This is muscular yet so well defined and toned. Full-bodied with deep and dense fruit on the palate, yet powerful and rich at the same time. So much sandalwood and blackberry character. Chewy and rich at the finish. This is a warm and generous wine, but the alcohol is just over 13 degrees. Not that high. Love the finish. Extravagant. Magical. Try from 2025.”

““There’s a freshness in the wine and I’m not exactly sure where it came from,” admits Dominique Arangoits. And very tasty it is too. Graphite and orange zest aromas segue into a fine, elegant, leafy palate with stylish oak and filigree tannins. 2024-36”

“Tasted blind. Some rather exotic spice on the nose. Rich start melds into massive tannic structure. Bodes well for the future though there is no shortage of alcohol on this wine!”

“Blended of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot aging in 60% new barriques, the 2018 Haut Batailley is very deep purple-black in color and takes some coaxing to reveal profound notes of dark chocolate, crème de cassis, blueberry pie and anise with waves of raspberry pie, lavender and Indian spices. Full, very tightly would and jam-packed with layers of crunchy black and blue fruits, it has a firm line of ripe, grainy tannins and compelling freshness, finishing long with a mineral hint coming through.”

“Dark ruby, purple reflections and delicate brightening on the rim. Attractive dark berry fruit, subtle cassis and blackberry, background notes of tangerine zest and fine oak nuances. Juicy, elegant with concentrated fruit character, ripe sweet cherry flavours, integrated tannins, fresh and long, a balanced food wine with a promising future. (2020-2045).”

“The 2018 Haut-Batailley has come together well. Plump and juicy in feel, the 2018 possesses quite a bit of creaminess in its inky dark fruit, chocolate, spice and leather. The new oak is prominent at this stage. Even so, this is nicely done and promising. ”

“The 2018 Haut-Batailley has a sweet, opulent bouquet of macerated black cherries, blueberry, hints of fresh fig and pressed violets. The palate is quite full-bodied, exerting a gentle grip on the entry, and the layers of black fruit are framed by supple tannins. The acidity is nicely judged here (pH 3.61), and it fans out nicely toward the finish. This is an outgoing Haut-Batailley, a sophomore vintage that wants to make an impression, and a step up from the 2017, even if I think the Cazes family will make better in the future. ”

“I can’t remember a Haut-Batailley this tannic, yet the tannins are savory and very ripe with beauty and purity. Full-bodied, chewy tannins and a long and intense finish. ”

“This is a lovely wine from the second vintage under Lynch Bages’ ownership, full of power and poise and controlled precision. It has a slightly unusual blend owing to a greater proportion of Merlot than has been used in previous vintages, but it doesn't suffer in terms of concentration due to the thick skins and structure of the Merlots in 2018, and what you get instead is a creamy, velvety texture through the mid palate. It has lots of tannins but they have the enrobed quality that comes from the higher than usual alcohols, and are extremely seductive. It’s more lightly framed than the Lynch Bages, as it was in 2017, and is enjoyable. 3.61pH. 81IPT.”

“Dark and pure on the nose just a touch stony/smoky to add finesse to the fruit. Oak is quite evident on the palate but there's fruit to fill it out. Less aromatic than the second wine (new name: Verso) but there's still a restraint and subtlety in a powerful vintage. Long on the finish yet the persistence is gentle. Fine-grained tannin texture. (JH) 14.3%”

“The grand vin 2018 Château Haut-Batailley is a beauty and is comprised of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot brought up in 60% new French oak. It's an attractive, elegantly styled wine that has lots of juicy Merlot notes of black cherries, graphite, scorched earth, and spice. Rich, medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and with terrific purity on the palate, this brilliant Pauillac is going to be approachable in just a few years and will evolve gracefully. This wine hit 14.3% alcohol with 3.61 pH and an IPT of 81. My money is on it being one of the best to date from this estate.”

“Still a saturated ruby-black in hue, the 2010 Lynch-Bages offers up aromas of rich cassis fruit mingled with hints of pencil shavings, loamy soil and cigar wrapper. Full-bodied, deep and muscular, it's rich and layered, with a concentrated core of fruit that's framed by firm, powdery tannins and lively acids. The most brooding, backward Lynch-Bages of the decade and one of the real successes of the vintage, this is a vibrant, tightly wound wine that is still an infant at age 10. Readers with bottles in their cellars might try one now out of curiosity, but this 2010 won't begin to hit its stride until age 20.”

“Deep, brooding damson in colour, a waft of crushed mint and pencil lead from the first moment, combined with liqourice, smoked earth, turmeric, cloves, orange peel and cassis fruit. This is an excellent wine that is subdued rather than generous but is built to last. 70% new oak.”

“The 2010 Lynch-Bages has a stunning bouquet with pixelated black fruit, crushed stone and graphite aromas that soar from the glass. This is just amazingly focused. The palate is medium-bodied with concentrated black fruit curiously tinged with cough candy, which here I find just a bit out of place. The acidity is extremely well judged and there is immense persistence on the finish. Bold, brassy and ambitious, this is an extremely impressive wine, although I suspect that there are better bottles out there. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.”

“Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Lynch Bages comes sailing out of the glass with notes of redcurrant jelly, black cherry compote and cassis plus wafts of smoked meats, tar, cigar box and dried roses. Full-bodied, the palate is stacked with red and black fruit layers, framed by ripe, firm, fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long.”

“Bright ruby-red. Classic Pauillac aromas and flavors of cassis, black cherry, menthol, minerals and licorice lifted by a violet topnote. Intensely flavored and sharply delineated, with terrific fruit intensity to support its very bright acidity. This firmly structured, gripping wine is a bit dominated by its serious tannic spine today, but the dark berry fruit gained dramatically in creaminess with some time in the glass. Potentially one of the best vintages for this large property in many years.”

“A wine with great beauty and finesse. Such elegance and ethereal quality for this estate. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a juicy delicious finish. Long and beautiful. This is the best Lynch in a long, long time. I love the precision here.”

“Potent blackcurrant and nettle scent. Loads of fruit power, but a savoury structure and high acidity that suggests Bordeaux. Long, firm tannins on the finish too – this is a serious, stately wine made generous by a ripe vintage. ”

“The 2010 Lynch Bages is an absolutely brilliant wine, and somewhat reminiscent at this stage in its development of the profound 1989. Jean-Charles Cazes, who took over for his father a number of years ago, has produced a magnificent wine with the classic creme de cassis note intermixed with smoke, graphite and spring flowers. It is a massive Lynch Bages, full-bodied and very 1989-ish, with notable power, loads of tannin, and extraordinary concentration and precision. This is not a Lynch Bages to drink in its exuberant youth, but one to hold on to for 5-6 years and drink over the following three decades.”

“Chateau Lynch-Bages 2010 offers a very good concentration of Cabernet fruits, rich and earthy, vibrant, vigorous flavours and packed with energy, a wine that once again justifies this château's reputation.”

“The 2010 Ch. Lynch Bages is densely packed, with loads of crushed fig, plum and blackberry. Shows ample tobacco, roasted apple wood and bittersweet cocoa notes as well, but stays defined, with a long, authoritative finish that delivers waves of grip, backed by even more grip.”

“The 2019 Château Lynch-Bages is stunningly good, and it's going to be interesting to compare this to the 2018 over the coming decades. Based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 75% new French oak, its dense purple hue is followed by an incredible bouquet of pure crème de cassis, freshly sharpened cedar pencil, spring flowers, smoke, and graphite, with an almost liqueur of rocks-like minerality. A massive, incredibly concentrated Lynch-Bages, Jean-Charles has hit a home run in the vintage, and this sensational wine has building, perfect tannins, insane purity, and a finish that won't quit. It has the purity, finesse, balance, and depth to offer pleasure not only today but to evolve for 40 to 50 years. Smart money will hide these for a good 7-8 years, but wow, what a wine. Bravo.”

“The 2019 Lynch-Bages is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a fair bit of swirling to uncover profound blackcurrant preserves, mulberries, and juicy plums scents with hints of crushed rocks, Indian spices, and fragrant earth. Medium to full-bodied, it is firm, very fine-grained with generous fruit and fantastic tension, finishing with epically long lingering exotic spices. This wine has high ambitions and it delivers!”

“A true classic from this estate, the 2019 Lynch-Bages has turned out brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis and sweet blackberry fruit mingled with licorice, mint, cigar wrapper and loamy soil. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it's a deep, multidimensional wine built around a chassis of rich, powdery tannins and succulent balancing acids. The last vintage produced in Lynch-Bages old winery, it will be interesting to compare this benchmark wine with subsequent vintages over the coming years.Drink Date 2029 - 2065”

“Tasted blind. Very dark crimson. Intense, layered nose. Complete, composed, a little spicy. Lots of interest here. Youthful, but with lots tucked in for the future. Interesting topnote. Satin texture on the mid palate before a mass of tannin makes its presence felt. Such a way to go! Rich with iodine notes. Bonfire aroma and really quite painful acidity. Lots of sandy tannin. Not married yet. 14.5%
Drink 2030 – 2050”

“The 2019 Lynch-Bages is a Pauillac that needs more encouragement from the glass compared to its peers, eventually revealing blackberry, pencil box and cedar scents that could only come from this appellation. Wonderfully delineated, and it seems to finally respond to aeration and gain intensity. The palate is medium-bodied and grippy, with concentrated black fruit, a liberal pinch of black pepper and an extremely persistent, almost Lafite-like finish. Jean-Charles Cazes has overseen a great Lynch-Bages of the modern era. 2026 - 2060”

“Tight black fruits, run through with espresso, cocoa bean and bitter black chocolate shavings. Brilliant quality, with tannic heft and precision. Takes a jump halfway through the palate and lifts right off. I have tasted this several times over the past few months, and it consistently performs. 75% new oak, Eric Boissenot consults.”

“70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Black almost to the rim. So dark the aroma is quite subdued but there's cassis and rocky purity. Extremely firm, thick, compact. A wall of tannins now, almost impassable, but there's a sense of balance, and a need for great patience. (JH) 14.5%
Drink 2030 – 2045”

“The 2019 is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 3% each of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The wine will be aged for 18 months in 70% new French oak, and has an abv of 14%. Harvest began on 23rd September with Merlot and ended with the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot on 9th October. Very deep, saturated purple in colour. The nose is rich and brooding, full of cassis, graphite, cedar and bitter cocoa. The palate has spectacular drive, with intense and focused cassis fruit at the core. The tannins are bold, mouthcoating and very grippy but fully ripe. They match the great density of the fruit, adding great depth. Layer upon layer of fruit and spice build to a spectacular, muscular finish that is extremely long and perfectly balanced. A true vin de garde that will be one of the longest lived in 2019. Outstanding.”

“Fantastic blackberries, blackcurrants, lead pencil and violets. So Pauillac on the nose! Full-bodied with a dense, layered palate and tight yet plush tannins that give the wine layers and gravitas. Compact. Long finish. Silky. Reminds me of a modern, classic version of something like the wonderful 1985 Lynch. Try after 2026.”

“70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Barrel sample.
Big, bold and broad-shouldered. A wine that states its presence. Spicy, dark-fruit and graphite nose. Juicy and wholesome on the palate with layers of generous fruit and muscle-flexing tannin. All tight and contained. Long, dry finish. (JL)
Drink 2030 – 2050”

“The 2019 Montrose is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Rich, inky and towering in concentration, the 2019 possesses off the charts intensity and tons of structure to back it up. Succulent black cherry, plum, tobacco, gravel and licorice infuse the 2019 with striking depth. The 2019 is not quite as opulent as some recent vintages, and that's a good thing. Readers will find a regal wine that marries elegance with power. Unforgettable. Tasted two times. 2034 - 2069”

“The 2019 Montrose is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a lot of swirling to unlock a vibrant core of ripe, juicy blackcurrants, freshly picked blueberries, and redcurrants with touches of garrigue, iris, tilled earth, and Sichuan pepper, plus a waft of wood smoke. Medium to full-boded, the palate is taut and muscular, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing very long and achingly perfumed. This is a real head-turner!”

“Gorgeous rich colour here, a lovely wine full of pleasure. Chocolate, mocha, cappuccino, lots of toasted oak, great quality, with concentrated black fruits along with slate, crushed stone, smoked earth - measured, confident, delicious. I have tasted this a few times this year, and it has consistently been punching at the very top of its game. A no-brainer to recommend. 12% press wine, 47hl/ha yield, 60% new oak.”

“Tasted blind. Looks very youthful – dense crimson. Super-rich and almost Napa concentration! Fruit dominates tannin initially. Edgy and dramatic. Then, there is lots of tannin. Dry finish. Needs many, many years to take full advantage of what this wine has to offer. 14.5%. Drink 2033 – 2057”

“The 2019 Montrose has turned out very well in bottle, wafting from the glass with a dramatic, perfumed bouquet of wild berries and cassis mingled with notions of lilac, violets, pencil shavings and warm spices, framed by nicely integrated new oak. Full-bodied, layered and seamless, it's deep and multidimensional, with lively acids, beautifully refined tannins and a long, resonant finish. Checking in at 14.4% alcohol (rather higher than, for example, the brilliant 2009's 13.7% or the 2016's 13.3%), this is an undeniably powerful, ripe Montrose, but for now everything appears to be kept in check.Drink Date 2029 - 2065”

“The flagship 2019 Château Montrose is also brilliant, although it's not going to match the all-time greats from this estate. Gorgeous cassis, graphite, damp earth, cedar pencil, and tobacco are just some of the nuances here, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a pure, graceful, layered mouthfeel, building tannins, and a great finish. It doesn't have the overall density or mid-palate of the 2018 or 2016, but it’s flawlessly balanced and just incredibly impressive. Showing more and more tannins with time in the glass, it will need a decade of bottle age and will evolve for 30+ years.”

“Blueberries, cracked white and black pepper with dried flowers. Some crushed stone and slate, too. Full-bodied with tannins that grow on the palate and continue on. It’s polished and very fine with lovely length. Drink after 2027.”

“Oh this is good, it steals up on you with real depth of flavour, stately and concentrated in a way that reminds me of a 1996 or a 2016. Extremely measured, very clear that this is going to age effortlessly, it is extremely discreet and yet packed with persistent flavours. A masterclass in the flavours and aromatics that you expect in a great Médoc wine - slate, crushed stones, savoury blackcurrant, liquorice, hints of smoke and cold ash. After five minutes in the glass the sweeter berry fruit comes out, and the whole thing is sappy and mouthwatering, and makes you smile. 12% press wine, 3.77pH. A yield of 47hl/ha. 60% new oak. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Drinking Window 2029 - 2050”

“64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Barrel sample.
Deep purple-black hue. Slightly shy and reserved but clearly has plenty of depth. Elegant, dark-fruit fragrance as the wine opens. Clean and direct on attack with a marked note of salinity. Plenty of power but really refined tannins assisted by a bright, juicy quality to the fruit. Incredible length on the finish. (JL)
Drink 2030 – 2050”

“The 2018 Pichon-Lalande was given an hour’s decant and then observed over the next 24 hours. It has clearly retained the showstopping nose that I encountered from barrel, those same “gentle waves" of black cherries and blueberry, incense and violets lending it a Margaux-like allure. The palate is vibrant and full of tension from the start, the acidity slicing through the layers of quite plush black fruit, judiciously laced with tobacco and mint. There is a beguiling sense of harmony conveyed by this Pichon-Lalande and although there is clearly plenty of structure, the tannins are so pixelated and pliant that it might well be broachable in 4–5 years’ time. Personally, however, I would prefer to cellar it for 8–10 years (by which time I hope that the new Cure album is finally released). However long you decide to keep it tucked away, this is a quite brilliant Pauillac. 2025-2055”

“This has to be up there with one of the most seductive Comtesses on record with layers of alternating softness and concentration combined with a lot of 2016’s elegance and power.

The nose on this stands out a mile, getting it right up on the podium before you even take a sip. Rich raspberries combine with peonies and curls of woodsmoke while the appellation’s signature slate, cedar, liquorice and tannic grip slowly builds up on the palate.

I’ve tasted this several times with each conveying a juiciness and elegance that is quite different in style to many in Pauillac this year - it's a 98-100 for me, and I'm already looking forward to re-tasting it in bottle. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 60% new oak used. 13% press wine. 3.75pH, 88IPT – higher even than the 80IPT in 2016. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040”

“The 2018 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot with a pH of 3.85, an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 87 and 14% alcohol. The grand vin represents 50% of the crop this year. Deep garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the gate with bold scents of baked plums, ripe blackcurrants and wild blueberries, followed by hints of cedar chest, pencil lead, bouquet garni and charcuterie, plus a waft of lilacs. The medium-bodied palate is beautifully crafted with its seamless freshness and firm, grainy tannins supporting the compelling, finely knit black fruits and savory nuances, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note. This will need a good 5 years to come around and should easily cellar for another 30 years or more. Drink: 2026 - 2056”

“Brilliant violet. Highly perfumed aromas of ripe dark fruits, potpourri and incense are complicated by exotic spice and woodsmoke nuances. Sweet, seamless and expansive on the palate, offering densely packed blackberry, cherry-vanilla and rose pastille flavors that are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Finishes sweet and impressively long, showing outstanding clarity and fine-grained tannins that blend smoothly with the wine's sappy fruit.”

“Intense and brooding nose. Much edgier than the 2021, though arguably more burgundian. Quite a bit of tannin in evidence. Pretty serious and it will probably last longer than the 2021. Meat-and-veg sensation in this complex wine. Dry finish. Winemaker Liam Idzikowski thinks this is like the Octagon 2018…”

“The 2018 Flaccianello della Pieve is another stellar wine from Fontodi. It is the richest Flaccianello ever made (in terms of dry extract), with elevated acidity that trails the 2016 by just a touch, but it does not taste like that at all. Dark cherry, violet, lavender, spice, mocha and graphite build with a bit of time in the glass. Like the Sorbo, the 2018 Flaccianello is not a wine of size, as in most previous years, but rather a wine that exudes vibrancy, energy and class from start to finish. I absolutely loved it.”

“Generally speaking, I have reservations concerning the 2018 vintage that saw intermittent periods of hot and cold with some rain thrown in at the end of the growing cycle. The 2018 Flaccianello della Pieve blasted straight through any lingering doubt and is the result of a deft winemaking hand. This is a phenomenal and proudly confident vintage of the estate's top Sangiovese, which represents a blend of organic fruit from the best parcels. The wine's personality reveals brooding darkness and austerity, and these impressions are reinforced by savory tones of cigar smoke and earthy leather. The core of the wine is tight and richly concentrated with generous blackberry and plum. The velvety tannins are integrated but still youthful and grippy. You'll definitely need to give this elegant wine more time in the bottle. Production is an ample 60,000 bottles.

”

“Sophisticated aromas of lead pencil, graphite and blackcurrant. Hints of black olives and herbs, too. Full-bodied, yet tight and deep, with super precision and intensity to the tannins. Incredible balance of structure and finesse to this.
Give it time in the cellar. Better after 2027.”

“The 2019 Cepparello is super-impressive, even though it has just been bottled. Ample and creamy, with its classic sense of mid-weight structure, the 2019 has so much to offer. Silky tannins wrap around a core of red/purplish berry fruit. New leather, spice and a hint of oak meld together effortlessly in the glass. I can't wait to check in on it in another 6-12 months or so. The 2019 is shaping up to be positively stellar. 2027-2049”

“Paolo di Marchi’s leaving present to Tuscany is this delightful 2019 Isole e Olena Cepparello. Cepparello is a blend of Sangiovese from different vineyards, selected by Di Marchi on the basis of "the best exposure, elevation, soil, genetics and age. I feel this adds complexity.” The first vintage was in 1980 when 100% Sangiovese was not permitted under the Chianti Classico rules. Those rules have since changed but the wine remains an IGT Toscana. It has a supremely enticing nose with cream and exotic spice, reminding me of Arabian spice markets. With the 2019 there is an added precision to the aromas, less heavy oak, and no greenness on the palate. It is concentrated with a rich velvety texture but without any heaviness and with a gentle unforced quality. The tannins are fine and very well integrated, in fact finer and better integrated than even the excellent 2016 vintage. It is of course very young now but it’s almost too delicious not to drink! Supremely graceful, it just gets better and better. 2023-2042”

“Tasted twice, the 1995 Gran Reserva 890 is a blend of 95% Tempranillo (from Brinas, Labastida and Villaba), 3% Graciano and 1% Mazuelo, all aged in American oak for six years and delivering a headache-avoiding 12.7% alcohol. It has a heavenly bouquet that soars from the glass with soy, marmalade, a touch of Seville orange marmalade and cloves, all with superb delineation. The palate is very well-balanced with crisp, finely-tuned tannins that lend it wonderful focus. One can find vivacious flavors of strawberry, orange sorbet and citrus lemon while the finish is incredibly youthful and displays a level of tension that Alfred Hitchcock would be proud of. Outstanding traditional Rioja pulled out from the top drawer. Why? Because it whisks the drinker from wherever they are to, where the wine was born. Drink now-2030+”

“95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, 2% Mazuelo. 40-year-old vines from Rodezno (La Rioja). Hand-harvested with bunch selection. After the alcoholic fermentation, the wines are selected for the assemblage. Ageing for 72 months in American oak barrels, 20% new. No filtration. 15,900 bottles.
A classic rioja. Endless sweet spices and very marked aromas of vanilla, coconut, nutmeg and cinnamon. Wood dominates, but that is the delicious soul of rioja. The palate is exciting: deep, long, elegant, delicate, complex, with great class. What delicacy and softness of the palate! Its scent never ends and is at a precious stage of maturity. Very impressive. (FC)”

“I tasted the 2005 Gran Reserva 890 again, and I liked it better this time than in my previous review, even if I normally like the Gran Reserva 904 better than this bottling, as I find it better balanced. I tend to feel less energy in this wine, as it spends a very long time in barrel, six years in this case. 2005 was an excellent vintage, and they implemented some improvements in the harvest, introducing 350-kilo boxes and refrigerated transport to the winery, which they think provides better grapes and potentially better quality of the wines. The palate is medium-bodied, the tannins have mostly melted, and it has lively acidity that lift the wine up. This is a very classical and polished Rioja. 57,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2012.”

“The 2004 Gran Reserva 904 is Tempranillo from Brinas, Labastida and Villalba balanced with 10% Graciano from Briones and Rodezno. The grapes were fermented and macerated in inox vats for 14 days at 28º C, and malolactic fermentation lasted 28 days. The wine aged for 4 years in used American oak barrels averaging 4 years old, during which time it was manually racked 8 times. 150,000 bottles were filled. This 2004, from a superb vintage shows a beautiful light red color with a brick rim and a superb nose redolent of balsamic woods, spices, leather, well-hung meat, incense and truffles. The light to medium-bodied palate shows fully resolved tannins, great acidity and pure, pungent flavors that linger in the mouth forever and that can only be Rioja. This is a wine to smell over and over again. It might sound like an exaggeration, but this wine is still too young and you should wait a little bit and drink the superb 2001 vintage which should still be available on the market while this one matures in bottle. At this quality level the price is superb especially considering that the wine is being released 10 years after the vintage. Drink 2016-2024.”

“From an 'Excellent' vintage. 90% Tempranillo and 10% particularly successful Graciano from their own vineyards at least 40 years old in Briñas, Labastida and Villalba. Each plot is vinified separately. Aged for four years in four-year-old American casks. Manual racking 'by candlelight'(!) every six months. Barrel selection. Bottled February 2009.
Mid ruby. Intense strawberry fruit with very lively well-hung game notes. Super clean and fresh. Lovely energy and directness. Tannins receding but perceptible. Lots of life ahead of this. Very gentle finish. Real lift and briskness. Not a hint of soupiness! Like a particularly bright jewel.”

“The 2019 Le Volte dell’Ornellaia is terrific. Bold, juicy and wonderfully expressive, the 2019 will drink well right out of the gate. Juicy black cherry, lavender, spice, menthol and chocolate are all kicked up a few notches. In 2019 Le Volte is especially dark and sumptuous, both of which add to its considerable immediacy and overall appeal. This is an especially fine vintage for the Ornellaia's entry-level bottling.”

“A wine with huge potential is the 2020 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru (Domaine Louis Jadot). Unwinding in the glass with notes of raspberries, red cherries, vanilla pod, exotic spices and raw cocoa, it's full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with an immensely concentrated core, powdery tannins and a tightly wound profile. This will be among the slowest to evolve of all the wines in the cellar, and also among the most long-lived.”

“Brisk deep purple, this is a solid multi-textured wine with depth of flavour and a certain darkness to it but it remains superbly balanced, tannins and acidity present but behaving, and with a fine long aftertaste. Dark raspberry, mulberry without the over richness, dark plums too. Tasted: November 2021”

“Very generous wood and menthol nuances still allow the liqueur-like aromas of red currant, violet and range of spice elements to be appreciated. There is first-rate power and punch to the moderately dense and beautifully textured flavors that display superb length on the sappy finish where the only nit is a hint of warmth. Note: 100% from the Chambolle side that combines about one-third terres rouges and the remainder from terres blanches”

“The 2015 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru has an open red cherry, crushed strawberry and sea spray-scented bouquet that perhaps does not quite have the complexity, nor the intrigue of the Mazis-Chambertin at this stage. The palate is refined with grippy tannin and a commendable sense of energy and tension. The salinity comes through on the finish and lends this grand cru fine sappiness, urging you back for another sip. For those with patience...”

“”

“One of the highlights of the range, the 2019 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru (Domaine Louis Jadot) mingles aromas of sweet red berries with hints of raw cocoa, spices, licorice, loamy soil and truffles. Medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, it's velvety and concentrated, with considerable depth and mid-palate amplitude despite its elegant, seamless profile.”

“The 2019 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru has a perfumed bouquet of raspberry coulis, wild strawberry and crushed limestone aromas and a little singed leather in the background; there is fine complexity and focus here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, soy-tinged red fruit and a slightly conservative, restrained finish. More cohesive than the Charmes-Chambertin, it doesn’t quite convey the complexity of the Clos-de-Bèze, yet it should still age with style. ”

“Cask sample. Transparent garnet. Briary, demanding nose. Marked acidity. Not very happy in itself at the moment. Acid dominates fruit and there is a medium charge of well-handled tannins. Not the sweet charm of most Jadot 2019s but without the real gravitas of their best grands crus. ”

“The 2015 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru has a voluminous and extravagant bouquet with blooms of red berry fruit, although I found myself more drawn to the complex and intellectual Clos Saint-Denis. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin. This is a masculine, assertive Clos de la Roche, quite saline in the mouth with a feisty, spicy finish. This is a fine grand cru from Louis Jadot, though not one of their top releases this vintage. Drink 2019 - 2035”

“Tank sample. Pure, bright crimson. Racy ripe fruit – almost doesn’t try! Not one of the most concentrated, but impressive in a hands-off way. Lots of juice. Just the finish is a bit less distinct and long than some. Drink 2028 - 2042”

“The 2018 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru (Domaine Gagey) is fulfilling all the promise it showed in barrel, unwinding in the glass with aromas of pomegranate, red berries, rose petals, sweet soil tones and warm spices. Full-bodied, velvety and enveloping, with a vibrant core of fruit framed by fine, youthfully chalky tannins, this will repay extended cellaring.”

“The 2018 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru has a cohesive, focused bouquet of intense red currant, wild strawberry and crushed stone aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and slightly angular tannins that will be softened with time. I appreciate the energy and backbone of this Grand Cru. Excellent.”

“The 2020 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru (Domaine Gagey) is one of the best wines in the cellar chez Jadot this year. Mingling aromas of red berry fruit with hints of rose petal, exotic spices, vanilla pod and raw cocoa, it's full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with a layered core of concentrated, vibrant fruit that's framed by velvety tannins. It's well worth seeking out.”

“This is the only Jadot bottling of Clos St-Denis this year, as there is no longer a negociant version. A fine bright pink edged purple, far from the deepest but very fine. The nose too shows more elegance than supercharged weight. This wine is giving its love right at the start and it is very classy all the way through, with very few overt tannins and just the right acidity. A few whole bunches explain the purity and length. Tasted: November 2021”

“Cask sample. 18–20 months in French oak.
Mid crimson. Relatively dark-fruited and rocky on the nose but the fruit shows its sweetness as it opens. Firm, dry and very finely textured, more chalky than chewy. This has depth and, most noticeable of all, excellent persistence. Lingers on and on in its dark, embryonic state. Balanced now and so much more to come. (JH) ”

“Bright medium red. A bit less expressive and deep on the nose than the Pougets, dominated by medicinal dark fruits. Showing considerably less early sweetness, with the red berry and salty mineral flavors coming across as rather bit austere compared to the Pougets. Best today on the pungent, spicy, firmly tannic finish. This is from deeper soil than the Pougets.”

“The 2016 Corton Grèves Grand Cru was showing quite a bit of oak on the nose but there was more than enough fruit packed behind it. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity with a subtle marine influence surfacing toward the finish that just tapers in when I want it to fan out. But this is a pretty Corton Grèves in the making.”

“The 2010 Beaune Boucherottes, from a parcel on the lower part of the hill, emerges from the glass with sweet roses, red cherries, raspberries and white flowers. This is a relatively bright, focused style that shows the more feminine side of Beaune. Clean mineral notes give the finish an attractive element of pure energy. The Boucherottes should drink well upon release.”

“Medium red. Pure but subdued aromas of medicinal cherry and smoky, spicy oak. The richest and broadest of these Beaune wines but reticent today and in need of more élevage to gain in precision. This very backward wine finishes with ripe, building tannins. Barnier noted that he probably won't bottle the "serious" 2015s until May.”

“Always one of the high points of the portfolio, the 2019 Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Ursules (Domaine des Héritiers Jadot) offers up aromas of berries and plums with hints of warm spices and orange rind, framed by a deft touch of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, round and fleshy, with elegantly muscular structuring tannins and lively acids, this will age with grace.”

“The 2019 Beaune Clos des Ursules 1er Cru has a fragrant bouquet featuring a mélange of red and black fruit intermingled with orange blossom and iodine aromas. Good intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with a stocky opening, fine structure and symmetry and a fine bead of acidity. There’s a dark fruit flourish toward the finish, which leaves behind a subtle marine-themed aftertaste. Excellent. ”

“Cask sample. Bright garnet. Racy, rather sophisticated minerally note on the nose. Very fine-boned, juicy start on the palate with still a very light hint of oak but this should all settle down. More transparent and ethereal than the other Jadot 2019 Beaunes with no shortage of fine tannins on the end. Very creditable. ”

“Medium red. The nose suggests a more angular wine than the Baudes, offering scents of black cherry, cola and fresh flowers. Then wonderfully sweet and broad but firmly built, conveying superb density of texture and inner-mouth lift without any rough edges. The serious but refined tannins saturate the palate and leave the taste buds refreshed. Really captivating sweetness here.”

“The 2015 Echézeaux Grand Cru has a perfumed bouquet, a mixture of black and blue fruit, perhaps just a little smudged compared to others I have tasted, but with very impressive vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red berry fruit, rounded and velvety in texture, gently building to an assured finish. If it can muster a notch more precision on the nose, then it may well deserve a higher evaluation, but it remains a very delicious and enticing prospect. Drink 2020 - 2045”

“Tank sample. Bright crimson. Nose seems more evolved than some, with some meat and two veg on the nose and very smooth tannins. Rather relaxed and glamorous somehow. Just a bit astringent on the end at present. Drink 2028 - 2040”

“The 2020 Beaune 1er Cru Aux Cras (Domaine Gagey) is very promising, unwinding in the glass with notions of raspberries, orange rind, clove and vanilla pod. Medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety, with a bright spine of tangy acidity, it's beautifully balanced. On paper, this is a site that should suffer in dry vintages, but Jadot's old-vine holdings (formerly belonging to the Château de Chorey) have turned out a fine performance all the same.”

“Louis Jadot has never adopted whole bunch vinification, but this year the decision was made to experiment with two cuvées, one picked earlier (Beaune Cras) and one later (Santenay Maladière). For each wine, there were three vinification vats, one without stems, one with 30% and one with 50%. The sample tasted was from a blend of the three. Fresh clear purple, very prettily perfumed nose, considerable distinction, fine texture all the way through despite the evident fruit concentration, a little pinpoint of acidity and then a long harmonious finish. Tasted: November 2021”

“A moderately high-toned yet ripe nose displays a lovely range of floral elements on the aromas of red cherry and raspberry coulis. The sleek, delicious and more mineral-driven middle weight flavors that possess excellent underlying tension on the relatively fine and less overtly austere finale that isn't quite as structured. Recommended, provided you have the patience to hold it at least 5 to 7 years first. Drink: 2030+”

“Bursting with aromas of sweet red berries, rose hips, peonies, raw coca and spices, the 2019 Beaune 1er Cru Les Theurons (Domaine Gagey) is medium to full-bodied, bright and lively, its fleshy core of fruit framed by powdery tannins. This has turned out nicely.”

“The 2019 Beaune Les Theurons 1er Cru (spelled or misspelled with an "h" instead of "Les Teurons”!) has a generous nose of morello cherries and orange blossom, a little airier than the Les Grèves. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins; not a deep or grippy Les Theurons. Lightly spiced with a pleasant bitter note that gets the saliva flowing on the finish. Not long-term but attractive. ”

“Dark red cherry, plum, menthol, licorice and new leather explode from the glass in the 2012 Echézeaux. A rich, layered wine, the 2012 boasts superb depth and pure power, with tons of richness, breadth and volume. Today, the Echézeaux is simply magnificent. However, it will require bottle age to show at its best. Jadot's Echézeaux emerges from parcels in Les Rouges du Bas.”

“The 2012 Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru is more mild-mannered and serious on the nose when compared to the Echezeaux - poker-faced black fruit hand in hand with tertiary aromas. The palate is very refined with silky smooth tannins. This is very harmonious with impressive weight and sensuality towards the finish that fans out with more precision and grace than the Echezeaux, retaining tight control at every moment. Excellent.”

“The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques (Domaine Louis Jadot) is shaping up brilliantly, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries and plums mingled with sweet spices, orange rind and peonies. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, it's bright and precise, with a layered core of fruit and a long, penetrating finish.”

“Excellent full red colour. The bouquet really grows on me from a discreet start. A weight of more than raspberry, but without the extra acidity of loganberry, very juicy, a little barrel toast, length over and above its predecessors, and personality too. Very fine. Tasted: November 2021”

“Opening in the glass with scents of cherries, cassis and blackberries complemented by hints of forest floor and raw cocoa, the 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Estournelles Saint-Jacques (Domaine Louis Jadot) is medium-bodied, bright and fine-boned, underpinned by lively acids and displaying a delicate, elegant profile. This is shaping up very nicely.”

“The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Estournelles Saint-Jacques 1er Cru has an arresting and very vanilla-y bouquet that is showing too much new oak at the moment. This is very high-toned, with orange blossom and bunches of violets rendering it Vosne-like in style. The palate is by far the sweetest and feels ostentatious in style, at the expense of terroir expression when juxtaposed against the Lavaux Saint-Jacques. Long and candied on the finish. I hope this will become more toned down with bottle age. ”

“Cask sample. Deep garnet. Intense ferny undergrowth on the nose and pretty exciting vivacity on the palate. More concentrated than most. Closer perhaps to the traditional view of red burgundy. There is so much fruit that you could, with murder in mind, drink this even sooner.”

“Tank sample. Dark crimson. Much more appetising than the Clos de Rochegrès. Great freshness and energy on the end. But still lots of chew – and personality.”

“The 2020 Moulin-à-Vent Clos de Rochegrès unwinds in the glass with scents of cherries, cassis, dark berries, sweet soil tones and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's bright and seamless, with powdery tannins, lively acids and a saline finish. It's less ethereal than the 2019 without being as muscular as the 2018, striking a nice balance.”

“The 2018 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Boudots 1er Cru has a fragrant bouquet of perfumed red berry fruit mixed with rose petals. The medium-bodied palate delivers supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity. Well balanced, with a judicious dash of white pepper and clove toward the finish. A lovely Boudots.”

“The 2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Boudots (Domaine Gagey) is showing nicely in bottle, bursting with aromas of cherries, sweet berries, orange rind, plums and sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with an enveloping core of fruit, melting tannins and succulent acids, it's forward and giving out of the gates; indeed, this is unusually demonstrative for a young Boudots.”

“This is aromatically similar to the Clos des Chênes but with a touch of menthol. The suave, round and utterly delicious flavors are shaped by relatively fine tannins and plenty of sappy dry extract yet the finish is exceptionally firm, intense and highly persistent finish, that is at present overtly austere. Somewhat curiously, this is not quite as refined as the Clos des Chênes and is actually on the robust side at present. Note further that this will require a very long cellar snooze before it is completely ready for prime time."”

“The 2010 Volnay Clos de la Barre is a huge, implosive wine loaded with fruit. This explosive Volnay bursts onto the palate with black cherries, tar, licorice, smoke and incense. The aromas and flavors take on a decidedly exotic quality as the wine sits in the glass. This is another wine with a bright future. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028.”

“Mid ruby. Scented and subtle on the nose. Very firm and fine with great precision. Great line of fruit, most impressive. Real delineation.”

“The 2020 Crozes Hermitage les Meysonniers feature gorgeous blueberries and florals on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied and silky textured. It does appear to lack a bit of the richness shown by the 2019, with the flavors falling away quickly on the finish.”

“100% Syrah. Cask sample.
Good, deep colour to the rim. Zesty, dark and red-fruit notes. Spicy and ripe on the palate. Freshness maintained. Grainy tannins but honed, giving some grip on the finish.”

“The inky colored 2017 Ermitage Le Pavillon comes from the biggest, baddest part of Hermitage and was brought up all in 20-25% new French oak barrels. Huge crème de cassis, crushed flowers, graphite, and liquid rock notes all dominate the bouquet, and this massively rich, powerful, yet pure and classic Hermitage builds incrementally on the palate, has a wealth of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. Showing the sexy, expressive style of the vintage, it has some upfront charm, yet I suspect it will close down (as has the 2015) with a few years of bottle age and require a decade or more of cellaring. There are just 894 cases of this magical elixir.”

“Potentially perfect and quite likely a 30-year wine, Chapoutier's 2017 Ermitage le Pavillon makes a strong case for the vintage. From its compelling aromas of crushed stone, cassis, licorice and chocolate and the incredibly intense notes of salted licorice to the full-bodied, concentrated, chewy palate and tremendous length, there's absolutely nothing to find fault with. 2025 - 2045”

“The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Marchese Antinori is rich, layered and exceptionally polished. This is an especially serious vintage for the Marchese Antinori. All of the fruit comes from the Antinori family's Tignanello estate. Silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red cherry/plum, spice, leather and tobacco. There's tremendous weight, power and depth, that much is pretty clear”

“Antinori's 2010 Tignanello is stunning, as it has been since I started tasting the component wines in 2011. Firm yet sweet, silky tannins form the backbone for this gorgeous, vivid wine. Dark red cherries, plums, cloves, mint and sage inform a Tignanello that impresses for its delineation, nuance and power. Clean, saline notes support the mineral-drenched finish. The 2010 isn't huge, but rather is a vertical wine endowed with tremendous energy and vibrancy. I can't remember a Tignanello with this much crystalline tension and pure energy. Simply put, the 2010 Tignanello is a magnificent, towering wine from Antinori.”

“Humming with energy and life from the very moment you put your nose in the glass, Marchesi Antinori’s 2010 Tignanello shows magnificent aromatic layering and an enormous capacity to peel back and reveal itself in beautiful slow motion. This is an articulate wine with a long story to tell about the quality of its profound 2010 fruit. This Tignanello has the elegance of 2004 and the structure of 2007. A brief note on the structure: The mouthfeel here is not broad and big. Instead, it shows a sharp and elegantly streamlined feel with impressive persistency. Compared to 2009, the Sangiovese component is slightly higher with 80% of the noble Tuscan variety followed by 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.
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“This wine brought to mind precise imagery of tailcoats, striped dress pants, wingtip collar shirts and other gentlemen's fashion choices from the Roaring Twenties. Sporting a retro but classic personality, the Marchesi Antinori 2018 Tignanello is quite the dapper and jovial wine that hits the market just as much of the world is emerging from a dark chapter of lockdowns and coronavirus curfews. I love the optimism that springs bright with such clarity and detail from within this blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The 2016 vintage was a benchmark for sure, but I prefer the 2018, thanks to that tinge of nostalgia or emotion that is so deftly rendered in this cool, long growing season.

The 2018 vintage offers a deconstructed Tignanello upon first inspection because you can clearly make out the varietal typicity of the grapes, especially the green spice and white pepper of the two Cabernets, along with aromas of crushed limestone that recall the white rocks carefully placed in the vineyards to protect the rows. The wine's fruit weight is contained and polished, and there are no exaggerations, excesses or loose ends. The results are calculated and exacting, especially if you consider the tannic management (with aging in both new and used Hungarian and French oak for up to 16 months) and the quality of the elegant mouthfeel. With time in the glass, those deconstructed elements converge to create unity and balance. The Tignanello vineyard is 57 hectares and sits at a breezy 390 meters above sea level with alberese and galestro soils. Those elevations proved important for shedding excess humidity at the end of this 2018 growing season. Production for this excellent wine is an impressive 345,000 bottles.”

“The 2018 Tignanello is a wine of breathtaking purity. Impossibly silky and persistent, the 2018 is all class, all the way. In many ways, the 2018 reminds me of the 2004 because of its finesse, but it has an extra degree of nuance that reflects important strides that have been made at the estate in the intervening years. Winemaking today is more gentle, while new oak is also less intrusive. The result is a Tignanello that bristles with class.

The purity of the flavors alone is mesmerizing. Bright red-toned berries, mocha, spice, cedar, new leather and liquorice are some of the many notes that linger on a finish framed by silky, perfectly ripe tannins.”

“The 2017 Barolo is a gorgeous, harmonious wine. In this vintage, the straight Barolo is a bit lighter than normal, as most wines are, but it is so impeccably balanced. Pliant and inviting, the 2017 will be pleasurable to drink in another year or two. The purity of the flavors is just striking. Red berry fruit, rose petal, mint, cinnamon and crushed rose petal are some of the many aromas and flavors that grace this exquisite Barolo from the Massolino family. So many 2017s are marked by sinewy tannins, here, they are especially fine.”

“Massolino's classic 2017 Barolo sees most of its fruit come from Serralunga d'Alba, although a small percentage of the blend comes from Castiglione Falletto. Compared to its peers from this hot and dry growing season, this wine is delicate and almost fragile. It softly reveals cassis, red berries and exotic plum. A second wave of aromas introduces spice, red earth and rusty notes. These results achieve very good balance overall.”

“Jaboulet's 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle features scents of crushed stone, violets and cassis. It's a classic trio, backed by a wine that's full-bodied, rich and powerful yet also airy, somehow carrying intense plum and black olive flavors without any sense of heaviness or excess weight. Then the wine finishes long and softly dusty, with tannins that accentuate its savory character, picking up delicious hints of licorice at the very end. The proportion of new oak has been trimmed back to a very reasonable 20% and is hardly noticeable in the wine. 2023-2045”

“A deep, powerful, primordial wine (which is exactly what you’d expect for a great vintage of this cuvée), the inky hued 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle offers tons of crème de cassis as well as a liquid rock-like minerality, peppery herbs, burning embers, and graphite aromas and flavors. The palate mirrors the intensity of the bouquet and is full-bodied, concentrated, and tight, yet still packs a huge amount of baby fat. The 2018 is a beautifully pure, balanced, massively endowed La Chapelle that will need a decade of cellaring and keep for 3-4 decades with no problems.”

“Opaque ruby. Displays powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black/blue fruit preserves, licorice, cola, baking spices and potpourri, along with an exotic suggestion of incense. Utterly stains the palate with intense blackberry, cherry, cassis, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that deliver a suave blend of weight and energy. Youthfully solid tannins add shape and grip to an extremely long, mineral- and floral-accented finish that shows outstanding clarity and dark fruit thrust.”

“The 2018 Geyserville is an infant. That much is obvious, especially in this lineup of otherwise more settled 2018s. Ripe Zinfandel flavors drive the overall profile. A blast of wild cherry, leather, tobacco, smoke, licorice, menthol and spice hit the palate first, followed by swaths of tannin and a touch of new oak that suggest the wine still needs time to come together. Readers should be in no rush. I am not sure the 2018 will ever be truly refined, as it is quite burly today. Aeration helps to some degree. The fermentations at Geyserville were slow to start and slow to finish. That longer time of extraction comes through in potent tannins that will likely always mark the wine.”

“The 2020 Geyserville is quite soft in this vintage. Bright red-fleshed fruit, crushed flowers, cedar, spice and sweet pipe tobacco all grace this mid-weight edition of Geyserville. All things considered, the 2020 is nicely done.”

“69% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 8% Petite Syrah, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Mataro.
Plummy, ripe and fresh. Super-smooth texture. Milk chocolate, a few drops of liquorice. There's a little herby character on the dry, moderately long finish.”

“The 2018 Lytton Springs is magnificent. Elegant, layered and so complete, the 2018 has a lot to offer, but it needs time to fully come together. Sweet red cherry, red plum, blood orange, spice, mint and rose petal open up in the glass. Bright acids and beams of tannin give the wine its vibrant energy. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2018 for at least a few years. Wow!”