The Real Review (98)

James Suckling (97)

The Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bricco Visette 2012 is an exceptional red wine hailing from Nebbiolo grapes, grown in the hallowed hills of Langhe in Italy. Produced by Attilio Ghisolfi, a family-run winery with generations of rich heritage, this wine reflects the commingling subtlety of tradition and innovation. The 2012 vintage, renowned for its complex flavours, encapsulates an indulgent mix of cherry, rose, and herbal notes.

This noteworthy wine undergoes meticulous fermentation in stainless steel vats, followed by maturation in French oak for two years, strengthening its structured complexity. As distinct as its birthplace, the Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bricco Visette 2012 eloquently attests to Barolo's epithet, 'the King of Wines', with its robust yet nuanced profile. Revered by wine connoisseurs globally, this Barolo surely makes its mark on every discerning palate.

Experience the essence of grand Italian winemaking with Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bricco Visette 2013. This exceptional Barolo hails from the renowned Nebbiolo vineyards in Bricco Visette, Piedmont, a winemaking region celebrated for creating full-bodied, complex varietals steeped in tradition. Expertly crafted by the passionate Ghisolfi family, this exquisite vintage exhibits notes of intense cherry and cranberry mingled subtly with touches of tobacco, liquorice, and traces of balsamic. Beautifully aged in French oak barrels, the wine boasts a well-structured, harmonious palate that compels one to savour every sip. Producer Attilio Ghisolfi maintains meticulous attention to detail from vine to bottle to ensure the highest quality, thus, the 2013 vintage yields charming complexity and elegant balance true to its pedigree. Indulge in the sublime craftsmanship and rich heritage encapsulated in every bottle of Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bricco Visette 2013.

Indulge your palate with the exquisite Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bricco Visette 2014, a wine of unmatched complexity and elegance. Cultivated in the layered soils of the Piedmont region, its Nebbiolo grapes lend depth and balance. A product of company's commitment to traditional winemaking, this wine is a testament to Attilio Ghisolfi's mastery. The Bricco Visette undergoes meticulous fermentation, with a prolonged 12-day maceration to extract optimal flavour and colour. Aged for 24 months in oak barrels, the result is a richly layered wine that bursts forth with bold, berry-infused flavours and subtle earthy undertones. The wine's tannin structure is intricately woven, giving it longevity and the capability to elegantly evolve in the bottle. Hailing from one of Italy's top-rated vintages in 2014, Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bricco Visette 2014 offers robust character that's poised to impress, a perfect addition to any fine wine collection.

Delighting the palate of enthusiasts, the Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bussia Bricco Visette 2005 is a true embodiment of artisanal excellence from the famed Italian region of Piedmont. This full-bodied wine is crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, grown meticulously in the south-east facing Bricco Visette vineyard, renowned for its unique terroir. A true labour of love, it ages for thirty-six months in French oak, resulting in a mature, harmonious symphony of flavours.

Boasting a rich, ruby red hue, Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bussia Bricco Visette 2005 enchants with nuanced aromas of red fruits, wild rose, and subtle hints of vanilla. On the palate, it reveals depth and complexity, with beautifully integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish. This vintage showcases a harmonious interplay of power and elegance, testament to the winemaking genius of the Ghisolfi family who have passionately nurtured vineyards for over a century. A true Barolo, it is a sublime experience for the discerning oenophile.

Vinous (92)

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

The Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Isabelle 2020 heralds from California’s Santa Barbara County, bearing the distinct stamp of Au Bon Climat, a renowned name synonymous with craftsmanship and elegance. Counterfeit to traditional Burgundian practices, this luxurious gem undergoes meticulous hand-harvesting and sorting exercises, ensuring only the most ripened clusters are vinified. Aged in high-quality French oak barrels for 22 months, the winemaking process rewards us with a silky, velvety texture and remarkable depth.

Blended from different vineyards around California, the Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Isabelle 2020 epitomises the region's unique terroir. Succumb to its garnet hue, inviting layers of dark cherries, ripe strawberries, understated spice, and earthy notes. It's a splendid expression of a sophisticated, balanced Pinot Noir with exceptional longevity. This wine encapsulates the skill and passion of Jim Clendenen, Au Bon Climat's master winemaker, whose commitment to quality and detailed artisanship is met by global acclaim.

Vinous (93)

Deftly crafted by celebrated winemaker Jim Clendenen, Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Knox Alexander 2019 teems with elegance and character. Produced in Santa Maria Valley, California, the wine beautifully encapsulates the terroir's microclimate, rich soils, and precise viticulture. Matured, primarily, in François Frères cooperage hailing from Burgundy, this Pinot Noir imparts an extraordinary balance between opulent fruit and earthy depth.

Worthy of its high acclaim, Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Knox Alexander 2019 blossoms with alluring aromas of cherries, raspberries, and hints of subtle spices. On the palate, it delivers harmonious layers of ripe berries, exotic spices, distinctive minerality, and supple tannins that weave into a long, embracing finish — a testament to its 14-month French oak maturation.

This wine is a fitting tribute from the Terrain à Côtes vineyard, reinforcing Jim's mastery of Pinot Noir production revered worldwide. Sophisticated and enticing, this wine illustrates the exquisite legacy of Au Bon Climat.

Indulge in the balanced complexities of the Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir La Bauge Au-Dessus Estate 2019. Crafted by legendary winemaker Jim Clendenen, his meticulous attention to detail unfolds in a spectrum of ochre and maroon hues that enliven the senses. Originating from the eminent Santa Maria Valley in California, this splendid vintage sings of the region's maritime climate and sandy loam soil.

Clendenen's Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir La Bauge Au-Dessus Estate 2019 was barrel-matured on lees for 18 months, adding an exquisite depth of flavour. Medium-bodied and elegantly structured, the wine presents a vibrant palette of wild berries, forest floor, and clove underpinned with a whisper of sumptuous French oak and supple, elongated tannins. A triumph in the art of winemaking, Au Bon Climat's 2019 Estate is a testament to the harmonious symphony possible in pinot noir.

The Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Sanford Benedict 2013 is a superior offering from the artisan winemaker, Jim Clendenen. Crafted in California's Santa Barbara County, this voluptuous varietal showcases the depth of flavour that characterises the region's Pinot Noir. Employing traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques, aged 24 months in François Frères barrels, the Sanford Benedict exhibits a vivid ruby hue. The nose carries sophisticated notes of cassis and dried cherry mingled with earthy undertones. The medium-bodied palate is beautifully balanced, an amalgamation of red berry fruitiness enveloped by soft tannins and a lingering mineral finish. The producer, Au Bon Climat, renowned for their meticulous viniculture, further enhances the wine's allure. The Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Sanford Benedict 2013 is regarded by wine connoisseurs as a mesmerising exemplar of new world wine with an old world charm.

Featuring a brilliant profile of sumptuousness, the indulging and refined 'Au Sommet Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2013' truly stands at the zenith of red wine. From the renowned winemaking expertise of Heidi Barrett, a luminary in the world of Napa Valley viticulture, this precious liquid art is crafted at the picturesque vineyard located on the paradisiac Atlas Peak Appellation.

The vintage year of 2013 was of particular distinctiveness, basking in an idyllic climate that allowed for perfectly ripe, incredibly concentrated and harmoniously balanced grapes. Evoking an arresting bouquet of blackcurrants, cherries, graphite, and a whisper of spicy oak, the Au Sommet Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is a stunning testament to Barrett's incredible mastery of coaxing power and elegance from this classic varietal.

As a prominent offering from the distinguished vinous portfolio of Au Sommet, this 2013 iteration of its Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon unreservedly represents fine winemaking at its uttermost expression.

The Aubert et Pamela Villaine Rully 1er Cru Les Cloux Rouge 2020 emanates with an elegance typical to the Côte Chalonnaise region of Burgundy. Created by the illustrious house of Domaine A.&P. de Villaine, this red wine epitomises the finesse associated with its terroir. The marriage of Aubert de Villaine's unwavering commitment to organic viticulture and meticulous grape selection delivers a wine capturing the cooler vintage condition of 2020, noted for its restrained power. With a predominantly Pinot Noir blend, the Aubert et Pamela Villaine Rully 1er Cru Les Cloux Rouge 2020 offers vibrant cherry notes, augmented by hints of strawberry and spice, balanced with seamlessly integrated tannins. What makes this wine truly resonate is its ethereal minerality, a fascinating result of its prime location, nested in the marly clay and limestone soils. The ageing capacity of this wine promises a splendid evolution over time. It is indeed a distinguished ambassador of Burgundy's winemaking tradition.

Vinous (90)

Wine Advocate (96)