Wine Advocate (93-95)

The 2020 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots-du-Milieu is excellent, wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of wild berries, plums and cassis mingled with hints of spices, grilled meats and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's deep and tightly wound, with powdery structuring tannins and lively acids. This is a serious Santenots that will require some bottle age, and it's among the best that I can remember tasting chez Lafon over the last decade.

Decanter (94)

The Santenots du Milieu from Lafon is marvelous wine and among my favourites among the Volnay premier crus, with its perfumed red and black fruit and pleasant floral notes. The texture on the palate is dynamic, with fresh acidity that carry the wine to a pleasantly lingering finish. There is enough extract and ripeness to the tannins to avoid any astringent notes. This wine represents the best of the 3.8 hectares of Santenots du Milieu in the heart of the appellation—a magnificent parcel that consistently produces one of the best red wines south of Corton.

Decanter (94)

The Santenots du Milieu from Lafon is marvelous wine and among my favourites among the Volnay premier crus, with its perfumed red and black fruit and pleasant floral notes. The texture on the palate is dynamic, with fresh acidity that carry the wine to a pleasantly lingering finish. There is enough extract and ripeness to the tannins to avoid any astringent notes. This wine represents the best of the 3.8 hectares of Santenots du Milieu in the heart of the appellation—a magnificent parcel that consistently produces one of the best red wines south of Corton.

Decanter (94)

The Santenots du Milieu from Lafon is marvelous wine and among my favourites among the Volnay premier crus, with its perfumed red and black fruit and pleasant floral notes. The texture on the palate is dynamic, with fresh acidity that carry the wine to a pleasantly lingering finish. There is enough extract and ripeness to the tannins to avoid any astringent notes. This wine represents the best of the 3.8 hectares of Santenots du Milieu in the heart of the appellation—a magnificent parcel that consistently produces one of the best red wines south of Corton.

Decanter (94)

The Santenots du Milieu from Lafon is marvelous wine and among my favourites among the Volnay premier crus, with its perfumed red and black fruit and pleasant floral notes. The texture on the palate is dynamic, with fresh acidity that carry the wine to a pleasantly lingering finish. There is enough extract and ripeness to the tannins to avoid any astringent notes. This wine represents the best of the 3.8 hectares of Santenots du Milieu in the heart of the appellation—a magnificent parcel that consistently produces one of the best red wines south of Corton.

Vinous (94-96)

For the first time, the Volnay Les Santenots-du-Milieu contains 50% whole clusters, which they believe adds more freshness to the wine. I think it gives another layer of complexity: black plum, violet, briar and just a touch of graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins and gentle grip, gaining body and depth towards a harmonious and minerally finish. Excellent. NB In 2023, they de-stemmed 100%, so the whole bunches are subject to the growing season.

The epitome of refined elegance, Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2019 hails from the prestigious vineyards of Bordeaux. This Margaux wine, masterfully produced by Château Prieuré-Lichine, represents the pinnacle of French viticulture, crafting a distinct charm in every bottle.

This indulgent red blend exudes a rich bouquet of ripe blackcurrant, plum, and subtle spice notes, capturing the essence of the vineyard's terroir. Hand harvested and aged in 50% new French oak, it showcases a velvety texture drawn from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2019 is noted for its robust structure and luscious finish, making it an alluring choice for wine enthusiasts appreciating quality. An embodiment of graceful opulence, this exceptional wine stands as testimony to Château Prieuré-Lichine's dedication to innovative viticulture and skilled craftsmanship acquired over centuries. Sip and savour this magnificent expression of Bordeaux's legendary wine prowess, the Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2019.

The Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2020 is an exquisite expression of the prestigious Margaux appellation, hailing from the renowned vineyards of Château Prieuré-Lichine. Masterfully crafted from the classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, this embodiment of fine French winemaking reveals a stunning breadth of vibrant dark berry flavours enriched by subtle oak undertones.

The wine's enticing palette is testimony to the austerely traditional vinification techniques employed. Each grape is hand-harvested at optimal maturity, followed by meticulous fermentation and an aging process in French oak barrels, enhancing the inherent complexity of the wine.

The Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2020 pays homage to its legendary winemaker, Alexis Lichine, famed for his revolutionising influence on the wines of Bordeaux. The result – a robust, yet elegant, wine bearing an intelligently crafted balance of intensity and refinement. It truly delivers an unparalleled vinous experience.

The Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2021 is a sophisticated blend from the world-renowned Bordeaux region of France. This exquisite wine is gracefully composed of premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, offering an unparalleled drinking experience. The producer, Château Prieuré-Lichine, a respected fourth growth Margaux, remains committed to traditional winemaking methods. Each stage, from meticulous vineyard management to slow barrel ageing, is artfully handled to author a dynamic, full-bodied wine.

Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2021 showcases a harmonious meld of dark fruit and spice character, encapsulating the classic elegance of the Margaux appellation. Its multi-layered palate underlines seductive notes of ripe berries, integrated with velvety tannins and a lingering finish. The nuanced, luxuriant vintage does justice to its storied lineage, affirming its place amongst the elite Bordeaux wines. An indulgence for any fine wine connoisseur, Confidences de Prieure Lichine 2021 invites you to experience the quintessence of refined French winemaking.

Exuding elegance and prestige, the Confuron Gindre Vosne Romanee Brulees 2022 is an exquisite addition to the realm of fine Burgundy wines. Crafted in the heart of Vosne-Romanée, this distinct wine is a triumph of artisanal winemaking. The Confuron Gindre estate, renowned for its meticulous vinification processes, has produced a wine that capture the quintessence of its terroir. Composed from 100% Pinot Noir, this wine is aged meticulously in French oak, bolstering its complex flavour profile.

Confuron Gindre Vosne Romanee Brulees 2022's bouquet flaunts layers of black cherries, wild herbs, and subtle hints of spice. The palate presents a riveting composition of red fruit nuances, married with autonomous minerality. A fine grain tannin structure, presents the imbiber with a velvety mouthfeel and a stellar finish. A timeless bottle for the discerning collector, Confuron Gindre Vosne Romanee Brulees 2022 encapsulates the art of fine French winemaking beautifully.

Vinous (90-92)

Moderately saturated ruby-red. Blackberry, cassis and menthol aromas are lifted by a mineral element. Juicy, saline and youthfully tight, even a bit clenched, but with harmonious bright acidity giving verve to the wine's dark berry flavors. Serious building tannins saturate the entire palate on the rather suave, fine-grained finish.

Vinous (93)

Deep red-ruby. Tight but tangy scents of black fruits, crushed stone, minerals and licorice, plus an exotic suggestion of white stone fruits. Wonderfully sappy, precise and energetic, conveying an impression of density without weight. This silky, refined wine is still a baby but its ripe, granular tannins and finishing juiciness suggest it will be a beauty with six or eight years of cellaring.

Burghound (91-94)

Little else is discernible beyond strong reduction and wood toast. More positively is the lovely mid-palate mouthfeel to the medium weight flavors that display fine power and verve before culminating in a lingering if moderately strict and austere finale. This too is going to require extended bottle age as it's exceptionally firm, indeed even robust.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots 1er Cru has a gorgeous bouquet with perfumed black cherry and blueberry fruit, wilted iris petals and just a faint of lavender scent. The palate is rounded on the entry with juicy ripe red fruit laced with clove and white peppers, quite savory towards the finish that just lacks the sophistication of other Les Suchots that I tasted. Not a bad Vosne-Romanée by any means, but it needs more finesse in the final quarter.

Emanating refined elegance, the Constant-Duquesnoy In Fine 2019 is a harmonious symphony of quality and tradition. Created in one of France's most respected regions, Vinsobres, this wine speaks of the rich harmony between the diverse Rhône Valley terroir and meticulous vinification. Cultivated in the sun-drenched vineyards of Domaine Constant-Duquesnoy, the Grenache and Syrah varietals impart delectable expressions of ripe red fruits and a hint of spiced undertones.

Under Dominique Constant's expert guidance, only hand-selected grapes undergo a perfect blend of traditional and modern fermentation methods, aged meticulously in French oak casks. This process imbues the Constant-Duquesnoy In Fine 2019 with a splendid complexity, deeper hues and multi-layered nuances of flavour to delight the discerning palate.

With depth, elegance and a potent yet graceful finish, the Constant-Duquesnoy In Fine 2019 is a radiant testament to the domain's passion for winemaking excellence.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2021 Alma Contador, produced with 91% Tempranillo and 9% Garnacha, feels very ripe, and the label states 15% alcohol. It has notes of stewed fruit, dark spices, smoke and toast. It has a full-bodied palate with abundant tannins and is very powerful and concentrated but with all the components in good balance. This is going to require a little more time in bottle and/or powerful food. 14,000 bottles produced. It was bottled after 20 months in new French oak barrels.