Vinous (97)

The 2020 Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche Grand Cru is consistent with my previous tasting in January. Exquisite definition on the nose, real mineralité here. The palate is intense and penetrating, touches of orange zest and spice building wonderfully towards the finish. Excellent.

Vinous (97)

The 2020 Musigny Grand Cru is intense and focused on the nose with red berry fruit, undergrowth, plenty of wilted violets coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins that frame very pure, red berry fruit, a touch of sappiness as it fans out and deepens on the finish. There is something majestic about this Musigny, and the finish is extraordinarily long.

Indulge in the exceptional Kei Shiogai Gevrey-Chambertin Baraques 2022, a culmination of esteemed viticulture techniques and magnificent terroir in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits. The artisanal producer, Kei Shiogai, carefully handpicked each fruit, ensuring a deep, complex expression of Pinot Noir. The minimalist yet meticulous vinification techniques, including a whole-cluster fermentation and ageing in French oak barrels, bring forth elegant structure and earthy richness in this exquisite wine.

Redolent with bewitching aromas of dark fruit and wet stone, it offers lush waves of blackberry and cassis framed by a sensuous minerality on the palate. The spectacularly refined tannins depict Burgundy's grandeur and the uniqueness of Gevrey-Chambertin's 'Baraques' climat. Enjoy this wine's sublime evolution through the years, with its potential for ageing gracefully. Experience this glorious testament to Kei Shiogai's devotion to authenticity and quality with every solitary sip of Gevrey-Chambertin Baraques 2022.

Wine Spectator (98)

A profound wine of great depth and complexity. Its detailed flavors range from citrus and ginger to whole grain bread and woodsy richness, with accents of honey and nuts. Retains its focus thanks to a vibrant structure, all the time carrying its weight with authority and grace. Fine, smoky finish. Drink now through 2020. 15017000 cases imported.

Wine Spectator (98)

A very youthful '95. Delicate. Intense aromas of ginger, citrus, candied berry and multigrain bread turn to honey, roasted almonds and graphite on the palate. It's all underscored by a precise structure and creamy texture. Its structure keeps it persistent through the long finish. A picture of precision and intensity. Drink now through 2025. 1,700 cases imported. -BS

Vinous (99+)

Light gold. Remarkably perfumed nose projects an exotic bouquet of deep, leesy yellow fruit, minerals, honeycomb, smoked meat and flowers, with Asian spices building expanding in the glass. Almost painfully concentrated, offering a surreal parade of orchard and pit fruits, smoked meat, toasted brioche and marrow braced by intensely salty, stunningly incisive minerality. Imagine a Frankenstein's monster of Chablis Le Clos and Clos Ste. Hune-but one with perfect balance, of course-and you get an idea of what I found in my bottle. The energetic, stony character builds exponentially on the finish, which didn't seem to, well, finish. The best analogy I can come up with for the intensity, focus and clarity of this Champagne is liquefied barbed wire. Utterly hallucinatory and one of the most amazing wines I've ever been fortunate enough to drink. At the risk of sounding completely out of touch with reality, this is a value.

Wine Spectator (98)

This harmonious Champagne offers luxurious texture and powerful, focused acidity, showing aromatic accents of spring blossom, crushed thyme and chai, with rich notes of lemon meringue, hazelnut, black currant and fresh porcini mushroom. The full package. Impressive. Drink now through 2028.

James Suckling (100)

The much-anticipated 2002 has impeccable detail and depth with a lot of chalky, stony and flinty elements on the nose as well as a very fresh edge. The nose is very complex and wound up tight but presents itself as very integrated and compressed. There are aromas of lemon rind, lime juice and a lime custard all at once, complemented in turn by a super-restrained hazelnut-like edge. Undertones of brown mushrooms, chalky minerals and lemon leaf. The palate has a core of sizzlingly intense, concentrated chardonnay framed whitin a powerful phenolic structure that will underpin the future of this Champagne. Flawlessly fresh and as perfect as it gets. Give this time as it needs to settle: best from 2020 and then for another decade beyond.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)

The 2004 Vintage is a gorgeous Champagne that is just beginning to enter its first plateau of maturity. Dried flowers, brioche, mint, marzipan, tangerine peel and spice lend notable nuance throughout. A hint of reduction adds intrigue. As always, the 2004 is a linear, focused Champagne endowed with terrific energy. It is impeccably done. There's a bit more Chardonnay and Meunier than usual in this vintage, and that very much comes through in the wine's personality and overall feel. The blend is 37% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay and 24% Meunier as opposed to the more classic 50%/35%/15% blend. Disgorged: Summer 2018. Krug ID: 318031.

Vinous (97)

The 1981 Collection (Magnum) has begun to slowly enter a plateau of maturity marked by slightly oxidative, tertiary notes that give the wine its burnished, resonant personality. Open-knit and creamy on the palate, the 1981 is an ideal wine for current drinking, as it is not likely to improve much from here. Stone fruit, vanilla, hazelnut, truffle, orange peel brioche and dried flowers are some of the many notes that grace the exquisite finish. This is a tremendous showing.

Jancis Robinson (19)

A blend of 198 wines from 11 different years, with the youngest the acclaimed 2012, back to a precious, powerfully aromatic lot of Verzenay Pinot Noir 1996. The final blend – 52% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier – was bottled in 2013 and aged for seven years in Krug’s cellars in Reims. Yields in 2012 were 20% lower than usual because of a succession of meteorological events including frost, rain, storms and hail in winter and spring 2012, followed by the driest ripening season since 1974. Notably intense aroma with crème pâtissière dominant. Masses of extract and remarkable acidity underpinned by great depth of flavour and beautiful balance on the finish. I think this is going to be a really great, glamorous Krug Grande Cuvée that will continue to develop in bottle for many years to come. I suspect it will be even more enjoyable from the end of 2020. The length on the palate is remarkable. This is magnificently precise, a great tribute to the work of the old cellarmaster Eric Lebel, who is still in the background, and a wonderful welcome to his successor Julie Cavil, who has been learning from him since 2006.

James Suckling (97-98)

Lots of black-olive, crushed-berry and wet-earth aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, yet polished with a very fine, velvety texture from the tannins. It’s long and structured with a blue-fruit and stone undertone to the palate. Some sage, too. More balanced than in the past. Extremely persistent on the palate. 83.5% merlot, 16% cabernet franc and 0.5% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (99)

Aromas of black cherries, blueberries, licorice, dried lavender, nutmeg and grated milk chocolate. Pure raspberries, walnut husks and crushed peppercorns as well. It’s full-bodied with firm, racy tannins that go on for minutes. So sleek and polished with a long finish. Really amazing and perhaps the best wine ever from here. Same ownership as the legendary Le Pin from Pomerol. Slightly more cabernet franc (30% instead of 20%) in the blend may have made the difference. The rest is merlot. Clearly the best wine ever from here, since the official first vintage 2011. Try from 2026.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97+)

The 2019 L'If is the sort of wine I would like to spend hours with. There is just too much to it. At times the 2019 is opulent and quite racy, and yet in other moments its the underlying minerality and tension in the wine that are most evident. Black cherry, herb, incense, licorice and mocha gradually open over time. The 25% Cabernet Franc comes through nicely, both in the wine's aromatic profile and overall structure. L'If is a wine to buy and cellar for a decade or more. I loved it.

Wine Advocate (90)

A beautiful, soft, richly fruity wine with silky tannins, loads of blue fruits, and hints of smoky barbecue and graphite, the 2000 La Chapelle de La Mission is fleshy, evolved, and complex, a top-notch success that gets a slight upgrade from my original review. Drink it over the next 5-10 years.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91)

The 2012 Clarté de Haut-Brion is slightly more youthful than the Chapelle de la Mission with black brambly fruit, sandalwood and light rolled tobacco aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple entry. There is fine weight for a Deuxième Vin and a satisfying freshness with a judicious pepperiness adorning the tensile finish. Excellent. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting.

Hailing from the prestigious vineyards of Pomerol, Bordeaux, the La Connivence 2015 embraces old-school winemaking excellence. Exclusively produced by the acclaimed trio of wine experts: Pascal Chatonnet, Stéphane Derenoncourt, and Julien Lavenu, this wine stands as an emblem of their harmonious alliance. Crafted meticulously from the emblematic Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes, La Connivence 2015 embodies the quintessential Pomerol style. Aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 18 months, the wine reveals a complex, balanced character with each sip.

La Connivence 2015 mesmerises the senses with its intense ruby hue and captivating aromas of ripe fruit, accompanied by delicate notes of spices and truffles. Its palate offers a delightful harmony of concentration and finesse. La Connivence 2015, a testimony to Pomerol's rich viticultural heritage, is an outstanding companion to fine dining, resonating the true spirit of Bordeaux in every drop.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2018 La Conseillante is composed of 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc, with a 3.65 pH and 14% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a lot of swirling and coaxing to lure out the youthfully shy, incredible perfume of black raspberries, boysenberries, ripe plums and cinnamon toast, leading to notions of lilacs, clove oil and forest floor, plus a waft of iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate is a jaw-dropping exercise in finesse, slowly unfurling in the mouth to reveal layer upon layer of bright, crunchy red and black fruits, supported by a rock-solid frame of firm, fine-grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and with an impressive mineral and exotic spice firework display. It's an incredible expression of Pomerol that cannot fail to inspire a resounding "WOW" from whoever is fortunate to drink it. Tempting to broach now (albeit with a lot of air), try to keep your hands off it for a good 5 years and then drink it over the next 30 years or more.

Wine Spectator (94)

Shows exotic aromas of spice, meat and game as well as lots of ripe berry. Full-bodied, with soft, ripe tannins and a long, long finish. On the level of the stupendous 1990. Much better than from barrel. Drink now. 520 cases made.

The Wine Independent (98)

The 2020 La Gaffeliere is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it soars out of the glass with expressive notes of redcurrant jelly, plum preserves, and kirsch, plus nuances of dark chocolate, violets, pencil lead, and fragrant soil with a waft of crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is so tightly wound, featuring very fine layers of red and black fruit intertwined with floral and mineral nuances, supported by highly pixilated, super-ripe tannins and amazing tension, finishing very long and with the energy of an atomic bomb. This is stunning!

Vinous (92)

Vivid purple. Intense dark berry compote, anise and Indian spice scents show excellent power and depth. Stains the palate with sweet black and blue fruit flavors and picks up a sexy floral nuance with aeration. Atypically dense and complex for an entry-level bottling, this wine finishes with superb clarity and length and smooth, harmonious tannins.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 1990 La Mission Haut Brion is a wine that just gives so much pleasure that it seems almost immoral to criticize. For sure, it is not in the same league as the awe-inspiring 1989, yet it has such an engaging, quintessential La Mission bouquet full of warm gravel, chestnut, morels and bay leaf scents that you just fall instantly under its charms. It seems to just grow in the glass. The palate is beautifully balanced with great depth but is still a little grainy in texture, and I noticed how it evolved almost a Musigny-like personality with time in the glass. I suggested back in 2014 that it might improve with continued bottle age. Perhaps now I believe that it has reached the top of its plateau, yet the substance and the persistence—the energy—of this Pessac-Léognan suggests that it will give 20 years of drinking pleasure. No, it's not as good as the 1989 La Mission Haut Brion, then again, few wines are. Tasted May 2017.

The Wine Independent (100)

La Mission Haut-Brion 2018 has a deep garnet-purple color. It slowly unfurls to offer notes of blackcurrant cordial, plum preserves, and Morello cherries, leading to hints of menthol, cedar, pencil lead, and roses, plus a touch of unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied, rich and opulent on the palate, it is jam-packed with juicy black fruits and loads of fragrant accents, supported by ripe, grainy tannins, finishing long and earthy.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The 2019 Château La Mission Haut-Brion is Merlot-dominated, checking in as 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's a more opulent wine compared to Haut-Brion, and the Merlot is front and center here, with ripe, sexy black cherry and redcurrant fruits as well as licorice, scorched earth, cedar pencil, and graphite aromas and flavors. Rich, exuberant, and straight up sexy on the palate, it's full-bodied, has a deep, layered mid-palate, building tannins, and a heavenly finish. Just a prodigious, powerful, off-the-charts expression of this terroir, it actually reminds me slightly of the 2005 (or 1998?) with its mix of sexiness and opulence. This is one of the few 2019s that will make your eyes roll back in your head. It will need 10-15 years of cellaring, but it’s a sensational wine on every level and will have 40+ years of prime drinking.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

The 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has really blossomed since I tasted it from barrel. A brilliant, mesmerizing wine, the 2014 exudes personality and class. Lemon confit, white flowers, slate and orchard fruit give the wine its chiseled, expressive personality. Above all else, though, the 2014 is a wine that speaks to balance. There is quite a bit of ripeness and texture, but also vibrant acidity to keep things in check. The blend is 72 % Sémillon and 28 % Sauvignon.

James Suckling (98)

Blackberry, plum, mushroom and wood undertones. It’s full-bodied with firm, ripe tannins. Savory and fleshy texture on the palate. Well balanced. Flavorful finish with length. Such polish and composure for a young wine. So classy! Try after 2026.

Wine Advocate (80)

Given the overblown praise for the 1961, 1966, and 1970 Lafites, it seems as though the 1964, a wine obviously made after the rains, is a wine that has taken more criticism than it deserves. Not that it is sublime or profound, but it has consistently shown a chunky, fruity character, and a whiff of some of Lafite's fabulous bouquet. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 7/82.