Wine Advocate (99)

The nose of the 2020 White Bones Chardonnay is an explosion of thyme and rockrose, aromatic, open, expressive, outspoken, showy and exuberant. It also has notes of white flowers and citrus, pine needles and incense, continuously developing new layers, curry, something smoky, more and more aromatic herbs, nuanced, complex and with a magnetic attraction that makes you go back to the glass over and over again. This was harvested all at the same time, whereas it was sometimes harvested over four different moments in the past; so this is a bit different and an extraordinary year for this wine, transcending the conditions of the year, with lower alcohol and pH (12.5% and 3.1) than the 2021, despite coming from a warmer year. This is very tasty and long, stony (more than White Stones!) and very persistent. Amazing juice! 5,760 bottles produced.

Vinous (95)

The clear highlight among these new releases, the 2008 Blanc de Noirs Côte de Béchalin is deep, powerful and beautifully layered in the glass. Resonant and generous yet with remarkable translucence, the 2008 is impeccable in its balance. There is plenty of nuance in the orchard fruit flavors, but above all else, the 2008 impresses with its total sense of harmony and proportion. The exuberant, racy finish only adds to the wine's inviting personality. Disgorged: April 2015.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2019 Riesling Auslese Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle is crystalline and flinty on the precise, ethereal and bright nose that represents the terroir of the Hermannshöhle beautifully and irresistibly. On the palate, this is a highly finessed, filigreed, playful and delicate Auslese with stimulating piquancy and salinity on the weightless and frisky but elegant finish. This is a fascinating Auslese with great detail and precision. Personally, I even prefer this clear and bright version (AP 17 20) to the richer, sweeter and more concentrated one that will be auctioned (AP 19 20) and possibly has the greater aging potential. However, both will live longer than I will anyway. Tasted in May 2020.

Vinous (96)

The 2020 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru conveys more tension and mineralité on the nose than the Criots, very well defined with wet limestone mixed with citrus fruit and apple blossom. The palate is medium-bodied with fine delineation, taut and fresh with a saline finish that has a lovely edginess. With great persistent and poise, this is a very impressive Bâtard-Montrachet.

Vinous (92)

The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Clos Saint-Murées 1er Cru, one of the slowest ripening of the Domaine’s vineyards, has a fragrant bouquet with white peach and honeysuckle aromas, a touch of orange blossom. The palate is well balanced with a honeyed texture, slightly lower acidity than other cuvées, lightly spiced and beautifully defined towards the finish.

Vinous (94)

The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Vergers 1er Cru from vines located on the Saint-Aubin side on shallow soils, has wonderful mineralité on the nose, crushed rock filtering through the citrus fruit. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh, lively and spicy on the finish with veins of stem ginger. I love this...you will too.

Vinous (94)

The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeots 1er Cru, over towards the Santenay side, usually takes longer to ripen. The nose is well balanced with fine delineation, touches of honeysuckle and pressed white flowers. The palate is well balanced with a lovely white peach and white chocolate opening, fine salinity, very poised and tensile towards the finish. Superb.

Founded in 1843, Krug is now in its sixth generation of family ownership with the inimitable Olivier Krug currently at the helm. The estate is famed for only producing the finest of Champagne without any compromise on quality and it is for good reason that the historic saying 'There is Champagne, then there is Krug' exists. They are the only Champagne house to still produce all wines using small oak casks – a major factor in producing their incredibly intense and complex Champagnes.

Krug buck the trend in Champagne as they stake their enviable reputation on the outstanding quality of their non-vintage wine, the Grande Cuvée, rather than their vintage or single vineyard offerings. Whilst they do indeed produce outstanding vintage and single vineyard expressions, these are no further up the hierarchy of importance at Krug. With one release made each year, each edition of Grande Cuvée is named after the number of years since Joseph Krug founded the estate with this cuvée being the 172st.

Vinous (98)

This stunning 2021 Margaret River Chardonnay Art Series shows beautiful racy lines with a slick and seamless style as it bursts with toasted cashews, melon, lemon peel and pith aromas lifted by mandarin rind. Fabulous fruit density with immense power yet retaining refinement and shape over a long, strong finish. Energetic, vibrant, perfectly formed and built for the long haul.

Wine Spectator (93)

Great purity, allowing the vineyard to shine through. Suggests apple, fig and citrus aromas and flavors, but is really about mineral, energy and fine balance. Everything is in the right proportion, and it glides to a long, detailed aftertaste. Drink now through 2015. 648 cases imported. -BS

Decanter (99)

Created in 1876 to satisfy the demanding tastes of Tsar Alexander II, Louis Roederer’s Cristal has since become a symbol of luxury all around the world. Produced only during the best years, it’s made from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, the grapes coming from 45 of the finest lieux-dits in the region. 2013 was a late bloomer, with flowering only taking place in July after a cool spring. The summer was ideal with long periods of dry and warm weather. One third of the wine is aged in oak and there’s no malolactic fermentation. Vincenzo Arnese: Packed with elegant yet powerful aromas of ripe orchard trees that merge with brioche and dry cookies. This is a harmonious and well-defined Champagne with integrated residual sugar and astonishing acidity. Divine! Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW: Lemon coloured with a pink hue. Like a blanc de noirs, with cherries and white fruit aromas. Balanced and suave. Goes from less to more, with an exceptionally long and complex finish. Amanda Barnes: Appealing notes on the nose of pastry dough and apple tart that are very open. On the palate there’s beautiful concentration with lingering savoury notes. Minerally and sophisticated. Nominated by Peter Liem

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2019 Burnside Vineyard Chardonnay is flinty, spicy and lean, with curry leaf, a hint of Champion Ruby (rolling tobacco in Australia—think Golden Virginia) and a bit of saltbush (local flora). It is very smart. The cooler year is moderated by the close proximity to the beach here—it is briny and so good. I could drink a lot of this. It has a beautiful clean finish. Excellent.

Indulge in the sumptuous experience of Oxer Marko 2021, exclusively crafted at the esteemed basque winery of Oxer Bastegieta. Located in Artadi, Spain, this boutique winery has produced a remarkable vintage, utilising age-old traditions complemented by innovative techniques. Exquisitely grown on calcium-rich clay and limestone soils, the hand-picked Hondarribi Zuri grapes are meticulously vinified via indigenous fermentation, yielding a wine that is resplendent with complexity and refinement.

The hearty essence of the Oxer Marko 2021 manifests impressive freshness, tangibility on the palate, with distinct notes of green apple, citrus, and blooming white flowers. This bottle encapsulates the essence of its terroir, reflecting the geographic singularity of its birthplace. Recommended for discerning connoisseurs, this captivating blend marvelously exemplifies Bastegieta's dedication to superior viticulture and relentless pursuit of perfection. The Oxer Marko 2021 is an unparalleled ode to Spanish wine-making majesty.

Vinous (98)

We started with the 2006 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, which is every bit as racy and seductive as it has always been. It’s a great, great vintage for Comtes.