James Suckling (95-96)

Full-bodied, layered and juicy young wine. Very tannic yet ripe and intense. Powerful finish. This will be excellent. Better than the 2015.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The 2015 Hermitage Ex Voto Blanc is certainly in the same league as the 2009 and 2010, and it’s going to be interesting to compare these vintages over the coming 2-3+ decades. The 2015 has all the hallmarks of a great vintage with its huge bouquet of quince, toasted almonds, brioche, liquid rocks, and honeysuckle as well as touch of licorice. Sensationally concentrated, opulent, and multi-dimensional on the palate, it has bright acidity and an awesome sense of minerality that keep the wine chiseled and focused on the palate. It has the structure of a red wine and will keep for 4-5 decades. Bravo!

Partake in the treasure that is the Guy Amiot Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 2019, a magnificent expression of Burgundy viticulture. This esteemed producer, known for its iconic, biodynamic practices, is located in the renowned Chassagne-Montrachet region where limestone and clay soils foster a perfect vine-growing microclimate. Displaying the highest craftsmanship, Guy Amiot's Chardonnay grapes are hand-harvested and pressed in whole clusters, undergoing fermentation in French oak barrels (partial new) for a layered richness.

Coming from the commendable 2019 vintage, this white wine exudes vibrant, succulent fruit aromas underscored by flinty nuances - a testament to its terroir. On the palate, you'll experience a finely-tuned balance of intense fruit character and refreshing minerality, with a lingering finish that echoes its superior quality. The Guy Amiot Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 2019 is a quintessential Burgundy masterpiece, brilliantly demonstrating the extraordinary potential of its cherished vineyard origin.

Vinous (93)

Shimmering violet. High-pitched red and blue fruit, violet and exotic spice scents are complemented by a floral nuance and a building mineral overtone. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, offering sappy raspberry, boysenberry, allspice and candied rhubarb flavors and a deeper licorice note on the back half. Closes long and precise, showing subtle tannic grip and repeating floral and mineral qualities.

Vinous (94)

Dark magenta. Assertive red and blue fruit and potpourri aromas are complicated by exotic spice, potpourri and smoky mineral accents. Finely detailed, mineral-driven raspberry, boysenberry, Asian spice and candied lavender flavors deepen with aeration while maintaining vivacity. Sappy, seamless and sharply focused on the impressively long, minerally finish, which is framed by polished, well-knit tannins.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2014 Haut-Bailly has turned out beautifully. Dark, sumptuous and expressive, the 2014 exudes depth and finesse. Ample and resonant on the palate, with striking depth, the 2014 possesses exceptional balance and class. Hints of smoke, tobacco and licorice infuse the deep, creamy finish.

James Suckling (98)

Wonderful aromas of tobacco, sweet fruit and licorice follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins that caress every inch of your palate. Love the length and subtlety to this young wine. Gorgeous. Drink after 2024.

James Suckling (99)

Complex and expressive nose, offering red and dark fruit, spices and pepper with wood and mushroom undertones. Fresh mussel shell and a hint of ink, too. Full-bodied with a fine texture and great balance between the acidity and the controlled, tannic structure. Very long finish. Goes on and on. Tiny production, 21 hectoliters per hectare. Try after 2025.

James Suckling (95-96)

Plenty of blueberry and chocolate aromas and flavors. It’s full and chewy with a powerful finish. Tar and graphite at the end. Solid core of fruit and tannin here. One of the most structured I have had from here. Cazes family making the difference.

James Suckling (95-96)

This is a very powerful and structured Haut-Brisson, showing incredible depth and richness. Full-bodied and layered with incredible depth and purity. Layers of fruit and tannin. Best ever.

James Suckling (93)

The reductive twist holds red and purple fruit, in fresh and slightly exotic mode, with a plum-compote edge. The palate delivers a linear shape with good persistence and focus on the finish. A blend of 65 per cent merlot and 35 per cent cabernet franc. Try from 2022.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2021 Echezeaux Grand Cru is powerful yet not fully developed. There's good energy throughout, that much is evident, but the mid-palate needs to fill out a bit more. It will be interesting to see if that happens in bottle, as the wine I tasted was at the end of its elevage in barrel. Dark red fruit, gravel, spice, leather and game lend quite a bit of darkness to this Echezeaux, which emerges from a parcel in La Combe d'Orveau. - Antonio Galloni

Wine Advocate (92-94)

Apparently, there's no Les Celestins in 2013, which was a challenging vintage in the Southern Rhône. That said, the barrel we tasted of the 2013 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Marie Beurrier was a bit light but elegant and silky in texture, with pomegranate-like red fruit and gentle spice.

Wine Advocate (97+)

The 2013 Brut Grand Cru Aÿ Argonne is the latest in a series of superb releases from Giraud. Unwinding in the glass with notes of buttered toast, crisp yellow orchard fruit, honeycomb, warm spices and ripe stone fruits, it's full-bodied, deep and vinous, with a layered core of concentrated fruit, incisive acids and an elegant pearly mousse. Long and penetrating, it's finer-boned than its richer, more muscular 2012 predecessor; but like that more structured wine, it will reward bottle age.

James Suckling (98)

Beautiful interplay of vivacity and silkiness. Vibrant and phenolic, yet also supple with long, caressing layers of crushed almond, brown butter, apricot, praline, white chocolate and hints of sage. Really opens up. Fantastic integration. 100% new barrels from selected parcels of the Argonne forest. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (95)

Gorgeous notes of hazelnuts, apricots, salted almonds, lemons and pistachio shells. Medium to full body with opulence, yet elegance, and a silky quality to the bubbles. Saline and gourmand finish. Nutty and light French-butter notes come through. Only 2,000 bottles. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (95)

Gorgeous notes of hazelnuts, apricots, salted almonds, lemons and pistachio shells. Medium to full body with opulence, yet elegance, and a silky quality to the bubbles. Saline and gourmand finish. Nutty and light French-butter notes come through. Only 2,000 bottles. Drink or hold.

The Henri Naudin-Ferrand Cote Nuits Villages Viola Odorata Vv 2018 is an exceptional Burgundian marvel to add a touch of grandeur to any special occasion. Produced by the renowned Naudin-Ferrand estate, nestled in the panoramic landscapes of Côte de Nuits, this vintage captures the intrinsic charm of the region. Henri Naudin-Ferrand is celebrated globally for their commitment to organic farming and refined winemaking skills which are clearly evident in this hand-harvested, carefully aged creation.

The Viola Odorata Vv 2018 whispers enchanting flavours of ripe strawberry, subtle earthiness, and an expressive perfume that’s reminiscent of violets, hence the name Viola Odorata. Its enticing palate combined with the perfect harmony of acidity and tannin structure extols the virtues of an exceptionally rich harvest of 2018. Reminiscent of old-world elegance, the Henri Naudin-Ferrand Cote Nuits Villages Viola Odorata Vv 2018 offers a striking representation of terroir-driven Burgundian craftsmanship, promising a transformative epicurean experience.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Champonnet 1er Cru comes from around 55-60 years old vines, matures in 30% new oak and 70% whole bunches. This has a ripe and refined bouquet with hints of blue fruit developing in the glass, very floral in style. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. This feels linear and precise, gradually building towards a very minerally and tensile finish. Great persistency here, a superb Gevrey-Chambertin Les Champonnets.

Vinous (91)

The 2018 Saint-Véran is a blend of vineyards that expanded with the acquisition of additional vines in 2016. It has a crisp, stony, surprisingly reserved bouquet with touches of gravel and flint. The very well-balanced palate offers a slightly oily/resinous texture, good definition and a long finish. Superb.

Savour the exquisite quality of Hospices de Beaune Meursault 1er Cru Genevrieres Cuvee Baudot 2014, a fine vintage underpinned by a rich tradition in Burgundian wine-making. Produced from the revered vineyards of the Burgundy region, it hails from the Meursault 1er Cru Genevrieres domain, bearing testament to the esteemed reputability of Hospices de Beaune, world-renowned for their exceptional commitment to viticulture mastery.

This critically acclaimed, full-bodied Chardonnay is expertly hand-harvested, preserving the purity and intensity of the fruit. The microclimate and rich soils have endowed it with exceptional terroir complexity, offering sophisticated layers of ripe apples, roasted nuts and hints of honeysuckle on the palate.

With age, Hospices de Beaune Meursault 1er Cru Genevrieres Cuvee Baudot 2014 develops bracing mineral undertones, becoming more nuanced and vibrant. This wine is a true representation of elegant French viniculture, an exquisite choice for the discerning collector.

Jancis Robinson (16)

Mid crimson. Open, fragrant and invitingly red-fruited. Lightish on the mid palate but balanced and juicy with appropriately subtle tannins.

Decanter (91)

Blended from a patchwork of 18 different plots, all opposite either Chambolle-Musigny or Gilly-lès-Cîteaux. This shows a bright red berry fruit character, with floral notes, light body and a silky texture. The fruit is destemmed and fermented on native yeasts, before ageing 16 months in used casks.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

Now the flagship of this estate, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is 75% Grenache and the rest Cinsault, Mourvedre, and a little Syrah. Sporting a deep ruby/purple hue, it offers a beautiful array of black raspberry and darker cherry fruit as well as lots of graphite, chalky minerality, Provençal garrigue, and spice. Beautiful on the palate as well, this medium to full-bodied effort has a layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, rock-solid underlying structure and concentration, building tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It needs to be forgotten for 2-4 years (although it certainly offers incredible pleasure even today) and will keep for two decades. Tasted twice.