Vinous - Neal Martin (92-94)

The 2019 Lilian Ladouys has a powerful, quite burly bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, wine gums, touches of blueberry and violet. It feels more Margaux than Saint-Estèphe! The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, fine grip, just a hint of piquancy and a lovely estuarine/briny influence that defines the classic finish. I prefer the palate to the aromatics at this juncture, but overall this is promising. Tasted thrice with consistent notes.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

This estate continues to deliver the goods, and the 2020 Château Lilian Ladouys is another smoking wine readers will love. Lots of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and damp earth give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, textured, beautifully balanced red that will drink well for 20 years or more.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

This estate continues to deliver the goods, and the 2020 Château Lilian Ladouys is another smoking wine readers will love. Lots of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and damp earth give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, textured, beautifully balanced red that will drink well for 20 years or more.

James Suckling (91-92)

A creamy and velvety red with redcurrants and spices. Some tobacco, too. Medium and juicy. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, 6% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (91-92)

A creamy and velvety red with redcurrants and spices. Some tobacco, too. Medium and juicy. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, 6% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc.

Vinous (97)

Vivid ruby-red. Highly perfumed aromas of ripe red and dark fruits, incense and potpourri, along with an exotic spice nuance and a hint of smoky minerality. Palate-staining black raspberry, cherry and fruitcake flavors show sharp definition and deepen steadily as the wine stretches out. Deftly plays richness off elegance and finishes impressively long and chewy, with repeating cherry and floral character and building tannins adding final grip. 8% whole clusters and 26% new French oak.

Vinous - Neal Martin (86)

The 2017 Linot has a well defined bouquet, not intense but endowed with pretty blackberry and redcurrant aromas. The palate is supple and lithe, not deep with fleshy red cherry and strawberry fruit that is tinged with vanilla on the finish. Fine.

Indulge in the exquisite Lioco Savaria Pinot Noir 2012, a testament to masterful winemaking. Born in the Anderson Valley, this vintage emanates California's pristine soil and microclimates, liquid poetry in a bottle. Lioco, respected for their artisanal, low intervention approach, handpicks every grape, ensuring robust flavours. Classic fermentation techniques employ native yeast, complemented by the use of neutral oak barrels, enhancing the wine's authentic character.

The Lioco Savaria Pinot Noir 2012 radiates a fine balance of fruit, acidity, and spice. Its burst of vibrant red fruit, cherries, raspberries, and cranberries, entwined with hints of cola and Asian spices, offer sensory intrigue. Impeccably structured, it has wise depth and harmonious acidity, making it a compelling choice for discerning palates. Experience this Pinot Noir's precision and clarity that gracefully articulate the characteristics of Anderson Valley. This is Lioco's beautifully orchestrated symphony of taste.

Expertly crafted, the Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee 2021 demonstrates the finesse of Northern Rhône's viticulture genius. Sourced from the revered terrains of Cornas, Lyonnet's centuries-old vineyards embody an exquisite balance between tradition and innovation. This syrah's dense-purple colour heralds a powerfully rich yet refined palate - ripe red berries, liquorice undertones and subtle spice notes, underscored by an assertive tannic structure. Meticulously hand-harvested grapes followed by 18 months ageing in French oak barrels create its unique charm.

Known for biodynamic methods, Domaine Lionnet utilises organic viticulture, reflecting their respect for nature's rhythms. This approach enhances the wine’s mineral heart, producing a complexity that has secured their reputation for superior quality wines. The Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee 2021 stands as a testament to such unwavering commitment to excellence. Experienced wine enthusiasts will relish the layers of depth this full-bodied red offers, perfectly expressing the “terroir” effect.

Hailing from France's most respected vineyard, Lionnet Cornas Pur Granit 2021 is a brilliant embodiment of the finest Syrah grape crafted by Domaine Lionnet. Renowned winemakers Ludovic and Corinne Izerable have meticulously cultivated this nectar in serpentine terrains of Cornas. The title ‘Pur Granit’ signifies the unique granite soil which profoundly influence the wine structure.

The winemaking process is environmentally friendly, adopting aggressive pruning and organic farming, adding no synthetic chemicals. The wine is aged for 18 months in oak barrels, lending complexity and distinction.

Lionnet Cornas Pur Granit 2021, with its deep ruby hue, offers a rich bouquet of ripe cherry, blackberry and subtle spice undertones. On the palate, it presents bold fruit flavours, finely structured tannins and a lingering finish. Exuding elegance and poise, this exquisite red wine captures the characteristic mineral edge of Cornas, making it a celebration for the connoisseurs.

Vinous - Neal Martin (89-91)

The 2020 Lions de Batailley has a tightly wound bouquet with blackberry, cedar and light cigar box aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite tinged black fruit on the entry, fine weight, quite sweet towards the finish whilst retaining Pauillac-like structure. This is a thoroughly decent Deuxième Vin.

Vinous (95)

The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino excites the senses with a wonderfully pure and fruity display of wild strawberries, woodland herbs, wet stone and flowery undergrowth. Both savory and sweet, the textures are like silk, with waves of ripe red fruits and spices which give way to salty minerals, licorice, hints of black tea and a coating of fine tannin. While youthfully structured, there’s a juicy freshness to be found throughout, creating harmonious balance and symmetry that makes the 2016 Lisini so easy to like already. That said, the best is yet to come.

Vinous (92)

Like a kid in a candy store, taking in the confectionary spices, medicinal cherry, blueberry compote and licorice aromas of the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is a total pleasure. While silky and elegant, this is also racy and with depths of character, as red and black berries are complicated by notes of cinnamon, clove and a bitter dusting of cocoa. The 2018 finishes potent and long, but only lightly structured, begging for some cellaring, but also placing all of its goods on display. Nearly a minute goes by, and nuances of violette pastille and hard red candies still echo throughout.

Immerse yourself in a truly Italian experience with the Lisini Brunello di Montalcino 2019. Hailing from one of the most prestigious wineries in Tuscany, Lisini Brunello di Montalcino 2019 is the embodiment of the region's rich viticultural heritage. This illustrious wine is composed of 100% Sangiovese grapes, meticulously hand-harvested to achieve impeccable quality. Special attention to detail is given during the fermentation process which occurs in large Slavonian oak casks, inducing a unique complexity and character.

Lisini's winemakers masterfully sculpt a wine of extraordinary balance - its potency, depth, and tannic structure harmonised with delightful acidity and an alluring aroma profile. Expect captivating notes of cherry, plum, and an earthy undercurrent. On the palate, it reveals a sophisticated blend of ripe fruit with fine-grained tannins and an excellent finish. Lisini Brunello di Montalcino 2019 offers a classic Italian wine experience, skilfully capturing the unapologetic spirit of Tuscany. A perfect choice for those seeking to explore the authentic soul of Italian viticulture.

Vinous (95+)

Good full red. Extremely backward but vibrant nose hints at raspberry, bitter cherry, mace and dried flowers. Gripping, sharply delineated and wonderfully light on its feet, with bitter cherry, dried flowers and spices dominating the palate. Offers outstanding focus through the very long, rising, classy finish, which stimulates the palate with a note of blood orange. A beauty, and a great expression of sangiovese from a top site, but not for drinking anytime soon.

Vinous (97)

The 2018 Estate Reserve Syrah contains 50% whole-bunch fruit and is aged in 500- and 700-liter barrels, 30% new. It has an extremely pure, slightly floral bouquet of bright blueberry and black currant fruit infused with scents of crushed iris petals and violets, almost Burgundian in style. The palate is extremely well balanced with perfectly pitched acidity and filigreed tannins. There is an unerring sense of weightlessness about this Syrah, which is one of the most precise Lismore reds I have encountered over several years of tasting. Absolutely stunning.

Vinous (94)

The 2021 Syrah Estate Reserve, which comes from the vineyard most damaged by the fire in 2020, is 50% whole bunches and aged of 500- and 700-liter barrels, 25% new. The potent nose has raspberry coulis, blueberry and touches of cough candy, taking its time to settle in the glass and lose its initial exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled, slightly chalky tannins. It’s fresh and vibrant, sapid towards the finish, with a long, Côte-Rôtie-like aftertaste and garrigue notes filtering through with time. This should be afforded a couple of years in bottle and will continue to evolve over the next 15-20 years. Just 12% alcohol, too.

Vinous (94)

The 2021 Syrah Estate Reserve, which comes from the vineyard most damaged by the fire in 2020, is 50% whole bunches and aged of 500- and 700-liter barrels, 25% new. The potent nose has raspberry coulis, blueberry and touches of cough candy, taking its time to settle in the glass and lose its initial exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled, slightly chalky tannins. It’s fresh and vibrant, sapid towards the finish, with a long, Côte-Rôtie-like aftertaste and garrigue notes filtering through with time. This should be afforded a couple of years in bottle and will continue to evolve over the next 15-20 years. Just 12% alcohol, too.

Vinous (95)

The 2017 Syrah continues to serve as one of the Cape's finest expressions of the variety. Gorgeous scents of raspberry, strawberry, Earl Grey tea and pomegranate seeds feature on the detailed nose; then the palate is lithe and silky, with perhaps more garrigue notes coming through with bottle age. Divine.