Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

Beautiful intensity and grip through the palate, this shows white pear, juicy citrus, and slate-filled salinity on the finish. Great stuff, with teasingly drawn out flavours, lift and tension, and hidden depths. Some frost meant the yields were lower than normal at 32hl/h. 15% malolactic fermentation to soften the acidities, with Sauvignon Gris vines included within the Sauvignon Blanc count, and no Muscadelle in the blend as the vines have now been uprooted, giving a slight break in style (for the better in my opinion). 3.25ph, 45% new barrels for ageing. First year with Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy as director from beginning to end of the growing season, after Philippe Dhaulluin's retirement.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

Beautiful intensity and grip through the palate, this shows white pear, juicy citrus, and slate-filled salinity on the finish. Great stuff, with teasingly drawn out flavours, lift and tension, and hidden depths. Some frost meant the yields were lower than normal at 32hl/h. 15% malolactic fermentation to soften the acidities, with Sauvignon Gris vines included within the Sauvignon Blanc count, and no Muscadelle in the blend as the vines have now been uprooted, giving a slight break in style (for the better in my opinion). 3.25ph, 45% new barrels for ageing. First year with Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy as director from beginning to end of the growing season, after Philippe Dhaulluin's retirement.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

Great depth and freshness, fleshy nectarine and spiced pear, fennel and oyster shell, grilled oak and genersoity. Balances salinity and flesh, expertly judged. Harvest August 29 to September 6, 45% new oak for ageing. Co-fermented Muscadelle with Sauvignon Gris.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2011 Chambertin Clos de Bèze is endowed with serious depth, richness and power. Violets, plums, black cherries, mint and licorice all meld together in a deeply expressive, resonant Bèze. Totally alive in the glass, the 2011 impresses for the striking purity of its fruit. The 2011 Bèze is shaping up to be a beauty of a wine.

Vinous (92-94)

(one new barrel out of three and a half; from Pierre Damoy fruit): Healthy medium red. Very late-harvested aromas of ripe black cherry, red licorice and spices, complicated by nuances of honeysuckle, menthol, mint and leather. At once tightly wound and seamless, massive yet light on its feet, conveying terrific energy to its intense flavors of black cherry, raspberry and cinnamon. Finishes with suggestions of medicinal red cherry and licorice and excellent lift.

A notable embodiment of meticulous winemaking, the Alain Burguet Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Rouges du Dessus 2017 wine is a sophisticated choice for connoisseurs. Made in France's esteemed Burgundy region, this wine's essence narrates the rich story of Alain Burguet, a reputable producer known for his refined vintages and his devotion to traditional methods. Matured in Burguet's cellars, this particular cuvée hails from the prized Les Rouges du Dessus vineyard, identified for its superior terroir.

Nurturing Pinot Noir grapes organically with minimal intervention, Alain Burguet Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Rouges du Dessus 2017 bestows a rich, yet balanced profile with abundant fruit notes. The wine bewitches with an alluring nose of red berries and delicate spices, promising a tantalising experience. With an elegant finish and commendable ageing potential, this wine unequivocally exudes Burgundy's grandeur. Delve into the esoteric world of fine wines with this sublime vintage.

Embodying utter sophistication, Alain Burguet Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Rouges du Dessus 2018 originates from France's renowned Burgundy region. Esteemed vintner Alain Burguet meticulously combined traditional and modern winemaking methods to cultivate this exceptional wine. Renowned for their commitment to organic viticulture, their vineyards are tended without chemical intervention, ensuring the purest expression of the terroir.

The wine reveals intense aromas of ripe black cherries and earthy undertones, transcending into an alluring palate of red fruit tones balanced by a distinguished minerality. Its depth and complexity are a testament to the sandy limestone soils from which its Pinot Noir grapes were harvested. Well-structured with a delicately smooth texture, this wine exhibits an exquisite balance of opulent fruitiness and firm tannins, promising excellent ageing potential.

Exemplary of Burguet's consistent pursuit of excellence, Alain Burguet Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Rouges du Dessus 2018 truly is a magnificent wine encompassing the essence of Burgundy.

Vinous (93)

The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières 1er Cru has a very mineral driven bouquet, fresh but sharing some of the Zen-like characteristic that I discerned on the 2019. The palate is taut and fresh with a fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious, poised with a superb saline "tang" that pops up on the finish. Still, it needs a few years to cohere in bottle but it will be worth the wait. Needs cellaring.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93)

Slightly the deepest in colour and the richest nose of the four premier crus. Some lemon notes and light plum, then white fruit. This has the most assured texture of the four. Good grip, as Clive Coates would have said, stretching out very nicely in a fine long finish.

Vinous (88-90)

The 2019 Puligny-Montrachet Les Charmes has a fragrant bouquet with apricot, candle wax and light saffron aromas that are already very seductive. The palate is well balanced with good weight, though oddly I find a little more elegance on the Puligny Village comparing the two side-by-side. Hopefully it will gain a little more complexity once in bottle.

Vinous (87-89)

The 2020 Puligny-Montrachet les Charmes is matured in 20% new oak. It has a reserved bouquet with light grass clipping and malic scents, a touch of lime. The palate is balanced but straightforward, modest depth, quite saline on the entry with just the right amount of bitter lemon towards the finish and a saline aftertaste.

Nestled in the heart of France's distinguished Burgundy region, the Alain Geoffroy Chablis 2022 is an exceptional embodiment of elegance, displaying the trademark sophistication and finesse of Alain Geoffroy's acclaimed viticulture. Expertly curated under the attentive hands of the reputable Geoffroy family, this Chablis upholds an illustrious tradition dating back to the 19th century.

A characteristic harvest of the esteemed Kimmeridgian soils, the Alain Geoffroy Chablis 2022 betrays an enchanting chalky minerality. Fragrant lemon, crisp green apples, and an intoxicating floral bouquet entrance the senses. Its adroit fermentation in stainless steel vessels grants it an exquisitely zesty palate, softened by a supple, creamy undertone.

Alain Geoffroy Chablis 2022 is distinguished by its measured balance of acidity and fruit, rendering each sip a captivating journey within the realms of French winemaking excellence. An indispensable addition to any discerning connoisseur's collection, it aptly personifies the Geoffroy family's unyielding commitment to crafting the extraordinary.

Indulge your senses with a rare taste of the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990. A superb vintage from an esteemed producer, this French delight is beautifully matured in oak barrels, boasting complex aromas of ripe fruit and spices that give way to subtly earthy undertones. Hailing from the prestigious Crozes-Hermitage appellation in Northern Rhone Valley, the wine features Syrah grapes that are meticulously hand-harvested.

This stimulating vintage is a testament to Alain Graillot's exceptional winemaking methodology. Founded in 1985, Graillot's winery quickly gained acclaim for producing high-quality, distinctive wines. This offering, the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990, truly embodies the Graillot house style - it is robust yet approachable, with elegant tannins and fullness of flavour.

Painstakingly vinified and patiently aged, the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990 is indeed a luscious specimen, deserving a place in the finest of cellars.

Vinous (94)

Inky ruby. Heady blackberry, cherry and olive scents show excellent definition and a smoky mineral flourish. Densely packed but energetic black and blue fruit liqueur flavors are complemented by a candied violet flourish; an exotic spice nuance emerges with air. Shows excellent concentration and no excess weight, finishing with bright mineral cut, harmonious tannins and floral-driven persistence.

Vinous (94)

The 2020 Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude outperforms the 2022 in a landslide. Precise black cherry, red plum, cedar and pencil shaving come alive in the glass. Full-bodied, polished and complex, the 2020 engages the palate with ample personality and spot-on balance. It terminates with outstanding length on the fresh, savory finish. This is Crozes-Hermitage at its finest.