Vinous (91)

Deep ruby. Vibrant, spice-accented red and blue fruit aromas are complemented by suggestions of cigar box and candied flowers. In a juicy, energetic style, showing very good clarity to the bitter cherry and cassis flavors. Turns sweeter with air and finishes long and smooth, with just a hint of fine-grained tannins.

The Real Review (98)

Deep red/purple colour with a very fresh, nuanced, aromatic bouquet loaded with blue and red fruits, cedar and high-toned flowers, violets to the fore. A totally gorgeous bouquet, very fresh and primary but also complex and detailed. Very fine tannins; extremely long carry. A supremely elegant, sublime wine that finishes right out with impressive extension. Clearly, the best Tom Cullity to date. (17% malbec; 1% petit verdot)

The West Australian (99)

Highly perfumed aromas strike immediately. There is that combination of fruit sweetness and fine chalky minerally tannins. Loads of blackcurrant and juicy plum with a dollop of chocolate and mocha cut with floral and dried herb notes. Bright and energetic at every turn with subtlety and elegance. Delivers with a degree of understatement and restraint yet gathers pace and momentum as it drives through to the finish. The tannins are more in the powdery space with that slightly aspirin-like oak influence bringing it all together seamlessly and harmoniously. This is classic cabernet in its varietal makeup with a firm spine and length. The malbec has brought a vibrant red fruit juiciness into the equation. The finest wine yet from Vasse Felix. It’s 2016 without the tannin and 2014 without the opulence.

The West Australian (99)

Highly perfumed aromas strike immediately. There is that combination of fruit sweetness and fine chalky minerally tannins. Loads of blackcurrant and juicy plum with a dollop of chocolate and mocha cut with floral and dried herb notes. Bright and energetic at every turn with subtlety and elegance. Delivers with a degree of understatement and restraint yet gathers pace and momentum as it drives through to the finish. The tannins are more in the powdery space with that slightly aspirin-like oak influence bringing it all together seamlessly and harmoniously. This is classic cabernet in its varietal makeup with a firm spine and length. The malbec has brought a vibrant red fruit juiciness into the equation. The finest wine yet from Vasse Felix. It’s 2016 without the tannin and 2014 without the opulence.

Vinous (91)

Deep ruby. High-pitched aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, lavender and smoky minerals, with a sexy spicecake quality emerging with aeration. Juicy and precise, with sweet raspberry and floral pastille flavors given lift and spine by tangy acidity. Silky tannins come up slowly on the long, sappy finish, which leaves spicecake and floral notes behind.

Vinous (91-93)

(aged in new and used demi-muids and barriques for 18 months): Brilliant ruby-red. Black raspberry, Indian spices and potpourri on the highly perfumed nose. Sappy and densely packed, offering supple red and dark berry compote flavors and a touch of lavender pastille that builds on the back half. Closes supple and broad, displaying harmonious tannins, resonating spiciness and excellent clarity.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Amiral G. is based all on Grenache and comes from a single plot of very old Grenache vines (all rolled stone soils) that was destemmed and brought up in demi-muids. Just screaming "Grenache!" at the top of its lungs with its sweet bouquet of black raspberries, candied violets, baking spices, and crushed rock-like minerality, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness and density, a weightless texture, no hard edges, and awesome length. It's a sensational, borderline perfect wine that has everything you want from a bottle of wine. Give it a year or three, and it's going to cruise for 15+.

The Wine Cellar Insider (99)

Make no mistake, this is off the hook! Deep in color, the wine pops with its array of kirsch, black pepper, black cherry, spice, herbs, plum and thyme on the nose. From there the wine coats your palate with layers of opulently textured, silky red fruits with a gorgeous sense of purity and refinement. The wine is made from 100% old vine, Grenache planted in sandy soils not too far from Chateau Rayas.

Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)

Always one of the top examples of Grenache in any vintage, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Amiral G. sports a more ruby/subtly purple-tinged color as well as an exotic bouquet of red and black fruits, nori, licorice, wildflowers, and sandalwood-like nuances. There's a touch of background oak, but it's all about exotic, pure fruit. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, and seamless, it's another beautiful, brilliant wine from this team.

The Wine Cellar Insider (96)

Powerful, lush, rich, opulent wine packed from start to finish with waves of back cherries, black raspberries, peppery spice, garrigue, and floral accents. One of the stars of the vintage, give it just a year or two in the bottle, and this is going to reward you with at least 15 or more years of sensuous pleasure. The wine is made from 100% old vine, Grenache planted in sandy soils not too far from Chateau Rayas. Drink from 2027-2040.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

All Grenache, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape L'Avenue is a slightly bigger wine, with more black cherry, cassis, sappy garrigue, pepper, and exotic floral notes in its beautifully balanced, layered, elegant profile. Its overall balance is spot on, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a focused, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I love it today, yet it deserves 2-4 years of bottle age. You can put this up with the crème de la crème of the vintage.

Wine Advocate (95)

A knockout bottle of wine, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Val de Dieu is made from 78% Grenache, 13% Syrah and 9% Mourvedre, is completely destemmed, and aged 18 months in new demi-muid, of which every trace is soaked up. Showing fabulous sweetness and purity on the nose, with black raspberry, black cherry liqueur, crushed flowers, white pepper and hints of licorice, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, solid mid-palate depth and ultra-fine tannin. I think it will age beautifully, but given its polish and seamlessness, it’s a superb drink even now.

Vinous (90-92)

(raised in new demi-muids and barriques for 18 months): Deep ruby. Fresh dark berries, cherry liqueur, licorice, woodsmoke and a strong note of vanilla on the deeply perfumed nose. Concentrated and powerful but energetic as well; juicy acidity gives lift to oak-accented blackberry and cherry-vanilla flavors. The long, smoky finish features supple tannins, a touch of mocha and lingering oak spice. There's plenty of fruit here but the lumber presence is pretty pronounced and I hope it learns to play nice by the time the wine is bottled.

The Wine Cellar Insider (97)

Rich, dense and intense, the ripe, spicy red berries, olives and garrigue get your attention quickly. Long, fresh, clean, refined and concentrated, the wine gets going quickly and stays with you. Purity, elegance, length and complexity are what you'll find here. Give it a few years for the tannins to soften and allow things to come together and this should be an even better wine. The wine was made blending 64% Grenache and 28% Syrah with 8% Mourvedre.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

The smaller production 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Val De Dieu is close to 60% Grenache blended with 30% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre. This is always the most modern styled cuvée from this great estate, and it’s aged in 70% demi-muids and 30% new barrels. Its deep purple color is followed by a gorgeous bouquet of cassis and black raspberry fruits intermixed with notes of new leather, graphite, spice, and peppery garrigue. Its oak is beautifully integrated, it’s full-bodied, has a terrific mid-palate, and a great, great finish. It’s probably not for the staunch traditionalist out there but is just a brilliant Châteauneuf du Pape in the making. It’s going to evolve for 15+ years.

The Vaudoisey-Creusefond Pommard 2020 is a fine masterpiece from the heart of France's tastefully iconic Burgundy region. This noble wine is the splendid work of a family-operated domaine, founded in 1920. Its history, intricacy and the producer's audacious commitment distinguish it. Crafted meticulously from the illustrious Pinot Noir grape, it presents an intriguing complexity and timeless quality.

The domaine, spearheaded by Christophe Vaudoisey, utilises organic viticulture, ensuring a perfect blend of tradition and sensitivity towards nature. The wine matures for eighteen months in oak barrels, imparting a robust and balanced character. Rich ruby in colour, Vaudoisey-Creusefond Pommard 2020 boasts an idyllic blend of ripe red berries, enwrapped in silky tannins. Expect subtle notes of cherries, violets, and touches of earthy undertones.

The Vaudoisey-Creusefond Pommard 2020 is a wine for the connoisseur, steeped in tradition and elegance. A true paramount of French viticulture, it is an investment centred on the simple delight of epicurean experiences.

Experience the splendour of the magical Tuscan Hills with a single sip of Vecchie Terre di Montefili Bruno Rocca 2000. This exceptional wine accentuates classic elegance through its robust and velvety taste. Hand-crafted meticulously in the famed Montefili vineyards, it showcases the passion of the Rocca family for creating wines that elevate one's palate. Blending traditional and modern winemaking techniques, this Tuscan gem hails from a vineyard noted for its distinctive microclimate and abundant sunlight, fostering a rich, balanced complexity.

The Vecchie Terre di Montefili Bruno Rocca 2000 boasts intricate layers of ripe berries and profound spices, underpinned by noteworthy tannins. Recognised globally for its superior quality, expect a lingering finish that celebrates the sophisticated beauty of its origin. Experience the intricate ballet of sensual delight, as you revel in the lingering after-effects of this beautifully orchestrated symphony of flavours. This wine truly exemplifies the iconic prowess and lasting legacy of Italian viticulture.

James Suckling (96)

Fresh and very floral with violets and berries. Blackberries and orange peel, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, linear tannins. Excellent length and structure. Seriously structured, Better after 2024, but already beautiful.

Wine Advocate (95)

2020 was drier than average until the harvest, when it rained and diluted the grapes, and they had to wait to regain concentration. The result is that the 2020 Alión is a wine with better balance and freshness. They felt the skins were very ripe and they could extract more and use a little more American oak (4%) in the élevage. From 2019, they kept the press wine separate until June, and they keep separate quantities of press wines that are aged in different containers depending on the quality of the wine. They used a percentage of concrete and oak vats for the élevage, which gives the wine more verticality and freshness. It's a subtle and elegant Alión, not as dense as some other vintages, but with nice balance and very elegant tannins. In 2020, they produced 285,485 bottles of this wine, 7,115 magnums and some larger formats. It was bottled in May 2022.

Tim Atkin MW (97)

Little by little, this no-expense-spared winery is approaching the peak of Rioja and now deserves to be considered among the region’s leading producers. Fine, perfumed, elegant and well balanced, with notes of blackberry and orange zest, complemented by sweet, aromatic oak and finishing with freshness and balletic poise.

Wine Advocate (94)

2019 was a more concentrated and powerful year, warmer and drier, but it was saved by the 80 liters of rain in the first half of September. They tried to select the higher-altitude vineyards to have more freshness, and they reduced the number of new barriques used (55%) and increased the use of foudre (45%) for the élevage of the 2019 Macán. It fermented in stainless steel with 10% of their own yeasts. It has a moderate 14% alcohol, mellow acidity and good freshness and balance. 2019 was a dry and warm year when they did a soft vinification to avoid harsh tannins. The wine is very powerful and dense, with a big structure, and it has plenty of tannins. The oak is still noticeable in the aromatics. Give it some more time in bottle and enjoy with powerful food. 87,377 bottles, 2,583 magnums and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in August 2021.

Wine Advocate (94)

Their second wine in the Bordeaux sense is the 2018 Macán Clásico, which in the cooler and late year (they picked between October 2nd and 14th) fermented in stainless steel and matured in 50% new French oak barrels, 10% American oak barrel and 40% used ones for 12 months. The wine has moderate ripeness and alcohol (14%) in a fresher, subtler and more elegant year with good freshness (a pH of 3.75) and balance. It's young and creamy, a baby that will improve as it burns down that fat. Separating the press wine by quality and aging it separately seems to have increased the precision. It has to be one of the finest vintages for this wine; it is round and nicely textured. It could be an improved version of the 2016. 151,411 bottles, 1,053 magnums and some larger formats were filled during August 2020.