Wine Advocate (97)

The star of the show is the 2012 Hermitage Les Bessards. Coming from the pure granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit, on the western edge of the appellation, it’s made from 100% Syrah and spent 16 months in 70% new French oak. It’s an incredible wine that offers classic powdered rock-like minerality, loads of crème de cassis and black raspberry fruit, smoked meats, spice and dried-flower nuances. Complex, pure and perfumed, it’s full-bodied and seamless on the palate, with fabulous density, ultra-fine tannin structure and impeccable overall balance. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it over the following two decades.

Wine Advocate (97)

The star of the show is the 2012 Hermitage Les Bessards. Coming from the pure granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit, on the western edge of the appellation, it’s made from 100% Syrah and spent 16 months in 70% new French oak. It’s an incredible wine that offers classic powdered rock-like minerality, loads of crème de cassis and black raspberry fruit, smoked meats, spice and dried-flower nuances. Complex, pure and perfumed, it’s full-bodied and seamless on the palate, with fabulous density, ultra-fine tannin structure and impeccable overall balance. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it over the following two decades.

Vinous (94)

Dark purple. A powerful, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, candied licorice, olive paste, exotic spices and incense and shows a vibrant mineral overtone. Stains the palate with intense blackberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that deepen and pick up a sexy floral element with air. Shows a compelling marriage of richness and finesse and finishes extremely long, sappy and sweet, with youthful tannins adding framework.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The top cuvée from Delas is the 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, and it's always 100% Syrah from the steep, broken granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit. Aged 18 months in 30% new barrels, its purple/plum color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants, graphite, toasted spice, crushed rocks and saddle leather. Powerful, massively concentrated, and tannic, it has a broad, expansive, heavenly texture, a thick mid-palate (you could almost use a fork for this beauty), and a great finish. Despite the richness level, it stays balanced and graceful on the palate, and is never over the top or heavy. It's a perfect Hermitage that will start to shine with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for three decades or more. Bravo!

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The top cuvée from Delas is the 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, and it's always 100% Syrah from the steep, broken granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit. Aged 18 months in 30% new barrels, its purple/plum color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants, graphite, toasted spice, crushed rocks and saddle leather. Powerful, massively concentrated, and tannic, it has a broad, expansive, heavenly texture, a thick mid-palate (you could almost use a fork for this beauty), and a great finish. Despite the richness level, it stays balanced and graceful on the palate, and is never over the top or heavy. It's a perfect Hermitage that will start to shine with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for three decades or more. Bravo!

Vinous (95)

Opaque purple. Mineral-accented dark berries, candied licorice, olive paste, exotic spices and pungent flowers on the explosively perfumed nose. Deeply concentrated yet energetic black raspberry, spicecake, smoked meat and violet pastille flavors are complicated by vibrant mineral and dark chocolate notes that build on the back half. Sweet, sappy and sharply delineated on an extremely long, floral- and dark-fruit-driven finish that shows superb clarity and steadily building, harmonious tannins.

Vinous (95)

Opaque purple. Mineral-accented dark berries, candied licorice, olive paste, exotic spices and pungent flowers on the explosively perfumed nose. Deeply concentrated yet energetic black raspberry, spicecake, smoked meat and violet pastille flavors are complicated by vibrant mineral and dark chocolate notes that build on the back half. Sweet, sappy and sharply delineated on an extremely long, floral- and dark-fruit-driven finish that shows superb clarity and steadily building, harmonious tannins.

Wine Advocate (98)

Boasting classic Les Bessards notes of sun-warmed cassis and crushed stone, the 2018 Hermitage Les Bessards has turned out to be a magnificent wine—a close rival to the potentially perfect 2015. Full-bodied and velvety, concentrated and tannic, overflowing with notes of grilled plums, grilled meat and black olives, it's all topped off by a forever finish that remains fresh and cleansing, courtesy of lingering salted-licorice flavors and the texture of finely ground stone dust. Try a bottle after 2025, if you can wait that long.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

My favorite release from this estate is consistently their Les Bessards Hermitage, and their 2019 is no exception. Coming from the western part and pure broken granite soils on the west side of this magical hill, it sports a dense purple hue to go with a brilliant perfume of cassis, graphite, scorched earth, burning embers, spring flowers, and peppery herbs. Incredibly complex, layered, and nuanced, with classic Hermitage characteristics, it still stays firmly planted in the ripe, sunny, sexy vintage. Full-bodied, concentrated, and structured on the palate, it has a wealth of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure Hermitage magic that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and will evolve for 20-30 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Delas for another incredible wine.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

My favorite release from this estate is consistently their Les Bessards Hermitage, and their 2019 is no exception. Coming from the western part and pure broken granite soils on the west side of this magical hill, it sports a dense purple hue to go with a brilliant perfume of cassis, graphite, scorched earth, burning embers, spring flowers, and peppery herbs. Incredibly complex, layered, and nuanced, with classic Hermitage characteristics, it still stays firmly planted in the ripe, sunny, sexy vintage. Full-bodied, concentrated, and structured on the palate, it has a wealth of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure Hermitage magic that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and will evolve for 20-30 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Delas for another incredible wine.

Wine Advocate (99)

While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future.

Wine Advocate (99)

While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future.

Vinous (97)

Inky ruby color. Expansive, smoke- and mineral-accented black and blue fruits, licorice, smoky bacon, mocha, violet and licorice on the highly perfumed nose. Appealingly sweet, mineral-accented cassis, boysenberry, fruitcake, floral pastille and vanilla flavors show superb depth and become spicier with aeration. Shows superb detail and mineral lift on the youthfully tannic, extremely persistent and incisive finish, which features resonating floral and exotic spice notes.

Vinous (93-95)

A highly fragrant bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-accented black/blue fruits, Moroccan spices, olive and candied flowers, along with a smoky mineral element that builds as the wine opens up. Juicy, energetic and focused on the palate, offering appealingly sweet boysenberry, cherry preserve and violet pastille flavors that deepen steadily through the midpalate. The floral note resonates on the impressively long finish, which features well-knit tannins and a smoky mineral quality.

Relish in the rare elegance of Liber Pater Graves Denarius 2018, a truly unique wine hailing from the storied vineyards of Graves in Bordeaux, France. Produced by Loïc Pasquet, Liber Pater is revered for embracing traditional viticulture practices, reverting back to indigenous grape varieties while maintaining atypical planting density. As a result, each vine of Liber Pater enjoys an uncompromised access to nutrients, enhancing fruit quality and complexity.

The Liber Pater Graves Denarius 2018 is no exception. Hand-harvested and subjected to meticulous vinification process, this luscious blend embodies sumptuous notes of blackcurrant, cherry, and hints of earthy truffle, underpinned by subtly opulent oak aromas. The finish is elegantly long and nuanced, a testament to the wine's superior craftsmanship and time-honoured methods.

From its ethereal quality to its striking richness, the magic of Liber Pater Graves Denarius 2018 is an example of Loïc Pasquet's relentless pursuit of authenticity, making it an indispensable addition to any discerning connoisseur’s collection.

Distinguished for its charm and finesse, Liber Pater Graves Denarius 2019 is truly a wine connoisseur's delight. This exceptional Bordeaux blend is sourced from the prestigious Graves appellation, renowned for its gravelly soil that contributes to the wine's distinctive minerally undertones. Produced by the revered Liber Pater estate, headed by the audacious and dynamic Loïc Pasquet, this 2019 vintage is a testament to the long-standing winemaking traditions of this eminent vineyard.

Handpicked and rigorously selected, the grapes are meticulously vinified, ensuring that each bottle of Liber Pater Graves Denarius 2019 encapsulates the best expression of its terroir. Delightful on the nose with aromas of ripe berries and earthy spices, it culminates in a lingering, balanced palate marked by silky tannins and an enduring finish. This is an extraordinary wine, made for the educated palate. Savour this magnum opus of French viticulture that embodies the perfect marriage between tradition and innovation.

Vinous (96)

The 2002 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru is an outstanding expression of both vineyard and vintage. It has a stunning, exquisitely defined bouquet with pure, ethereal red cherry and crushed strawberry scents infused with crushed stone aromas, later incense and potpourri. The palate is beautifully defined with filigree tannin, elegant yet delivering the concentration you expect from Bachelet's ancient vines. There is nigh perfect acidity here and it fans out in consummate style on the effortless finish. This is a gem! Tasted at the Gevrey-Chambertin lunch at China Tang in Hong Kong.

Wine Advocate (96-97)

The 2005 Charmes-Chambertin (from 80-year-old, tiny-berried, tiny-clustered vines in the core Charmes) is destined to become one of the benchmarks of this great vintage as well as of Bachelet’s career. Too bad there will only be around 200 cases! A gorgeous nose of black cherry, blackberry, violets, rowan berry and licorice leads to a deeply black-fruited, expansive, satin-textured palate with undertones of bitter black chocolate, bitter-sweet roasted nuts, chalk, and iodine. (The iodine lends these black fruits a slightly medicinal aspect – and what wouldn’t this cure, I wonder?!). This Charmes exhibits amazing density and low-toned flavors in combination with lift, elegance and persistently engaging primary fruit juiciness. The carnal side of Pinot is entirely sublimated for now and the tannins so fine as to melt into the background. Save this for 2020 or beyond, please!

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92-94)

Bright red-ruby. Wild aromas of dark berries, tobacco, dried flowers, licorice and brown spices. Like liquid silk in the mouth, combining superb intensity with a weightless, seamless mouth feel. With its compelling sweetness and personality, this may well give pleasure early. Finishes very long, with notes of licorice and chocolatey torrefaction. A lot of these tiny grapes were not crushed and thus released their sugar late in the fermentation, noted Bachelet, who expected this to be around 12.5% alcohol and was shocked to find that it went a full degree higher than that.

Vinous (92)

Ruby-red. Deep aromas of black plum, licorice and flowers, with complicating hints of truffle and underbrush. Broad, silky and sweet, with impressive volume for the vintage. Bright acids frame but do not dominate the dark fruit, smoke and mineral flavors. Finishes long and suave, with fine-grained tannins. This will give early pleasure for a Charmes-Chambertin from Bachelet.