Vinous (92)

The 2016 Barolo Capalot Vecchie Viti is dark, beguiling and very pretty. Rose petal, orange peel, cinnamon, kirsch, sweet red cherry and sweet pipe tobacco give the Capalot striking aromatic nuance and a real sense of exoticism that is quite inviting. Medium in body and constantly changing in the glass, the Capalot captures all of the complexities that make Nebbiolo and Barolo so fascinating. The tannins need time to soften, but there is plenty to look forward to once that happens.

Vinous (94)

The 2017 Barolo Capalot Vecchie Viti is another fabulous wine from Burzi. Dark, mysterious and beautifully layered in the glass, the Capalot is just captivating from the very first taste. Macerated black cherry, lavender, sage, spice, coffee and leather are some of the many notes that open over time in a Barolo that is deep yet also wonderfully transparent. The 2017 is so nuanced, so complex, so beautiful. It is also easily the best wine I have tasted from Burzi.

Vinous (96)

The 2019 Solengo seduces with its richly decadent display of vanilla and mocha-tinged dark fruits and spices, which are wonderfully lifted by minty herbal tones and white smoke. This enters the palate like weighted velvet, smooth and fleshy at first, yet lively, as mineral-tinged black currants mix with fine-grained tannins, clamping down with youthful poise. Like the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove, this tapers off incredibly long and staining, with echoes of licorice beneath an air of cedar and tobacco; yet somehow, through it all, the palate is left watering for more. It will be many years before the 2019 is ready to show its best, but it will certainly be worth the wait. The Solengo is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese that spends eighteen months refining in a combination of 60% new to 40% second-pass barriques.

Wine Advocate (96)

All of the elements come together beautifully in the 2007 Barolo San Rocco, a wine that captures the essence of this great vintage as seen through the lens of one of Serralunga’s top sites. A dark, sensual Barolo, the San Rocco offers up a compelling array of blueberries, blackberries, smoke, licorice, spices and menthol. The finish is round, enveloping and powerful. There is an element of mystery to the San Rocco that is particularly intriguing. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

Moving to the two Châteauneuf-du-Pape releases and 35% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 12% Counoise, the rest other permitted varieties (Marc calls this a Mourvèdre vintage), the 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape sports an inky purple color as well as a textbook Mourvèdre nose of black, black fruits, smoked meats, crushed rocks, charcoal, and pepper. It's deep and full-bodied, with beautiful purity and building structure. Production is down 40%, but this brilliant wine is certainly in the same league as the 2016.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Cask sample, tasted at the domaine. What a stunning nose! Piercingly fresh and expressive notes of violet, garrigue and black-olive tapenade. Defined tannins support the fresh zesty mid palate and is all beautifully encased in a toasty cape of dark fruit.

James Suckling (92-93)

A linear and polished young red with compact, silky tannins that are polished and beautiful. Lots of blackberry, blackcurrant, mushroom and spice character. Very solid wine from here.

James Suckling (97)

Very attractive combination of dried fruit and spices with black cherries and plums. Aromas of flowers and sandalwood, too. Full-bodied and very refined, yet intense, with plush, velvety tannins that are wonderfully integrated and intertwined with the fruit. Ripe center palate. Tight at the end, suggesting the need for some serious bottle age. Very structured. Try after 2025.

Vinous (93)

Claudio Boggione's 2016 Barolo Brunate is all class. Beautifully perfumed and sensual, the 2016 captures all of the beguiling aromatic intensity that makes Nebbiolo and Barolo so captivating. Rose petal, mint, cedar, bright red cherry, dried flowers and star anise are some of the many notes that lift from the glass. Although Boggione's 2016 doesn't have the gravitas and power usually associated with Brunate, it is an archetype of traditionally-made Barolo that will delight readers with classically leaning palates. I loved it.

The Boggione Barolo Brunate 2017 is an epitome of finesse and sophistication from the illustrious Barolo region of Italy. Crafted by renowned producer Claudio Boggione, the vino exudes harmony and balance, reflecting the artisan's meticulous attention to detail. In the creation process, it undergoes fermentation in steel, followed by ageing in large Slavonian oak casks for a span of 15 months, imbuing it with undeniable character.

The intense ruby red beauty encapsulates the authentic essence of Nebbiolo grapes, offering a rich bouquet of dried rose petals, tobacco leaves, and ripe fruits. On the palate, Boggione Barolo Brunate 2017 presents a robust yet elegant flavour profile of red cherries, plums, and spices, underlined by soft tannins and an enduring finish.

With a limited production, each bottle is genuinely exclusive, making Boggione Barolo Brunate 2017 a must-have for those seeking rarity and quality in fine wine.

Wine Enthusiast (98)

The wine's name stands for recently disgorged and this vintage Champagne was taken off its lees in 2018. That gave many years for it to develop its depth of flavor, richness and beautifully memorable toasty flavors. Drink through 2028.

Decanter (99)

A distinctive bouquet with notes of iodine, flowers, fresh fruit and graphite, but its floral character takes on a dominant role with airing. Gorgeously juicy mouthfeel brimming with energy lengthening a finish that consolidates its profound substance but also reveals surprising subtlety and delicacy. This 2018 is perhaps an atypical Calon Ségur in the context of recent vintages, but it joins the ranks of the great ones and should gain in elegance over time. Cellaring may be required for up to twenty-five years.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)

The 2018 Canon is every bit as magnificent from bottle as it was from barrel. Maybe more so. Vertical and explosive in the glass, Canon sizzles with tension and vibrancy. Readers will find a majestic, soaring Grand Cru Classé that captures all the magic of Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau. Canon exudes mind-blowing precision and deliciousness. It is another magnificent effort from Technical Director Nicolas Audebert and his team.

The Wine Independent (100)

Composed of 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Canon is deep garnet-purple in color. It offers up fragrant notes of mocha, violets, and licorice over a core of plum preserves and wild blueberries, plus a waft of Indian spices. The full-bodied palate is full-on gorgeous, delivering bright, energetic black and blue fruit layers with a lively backbone and super-fine, perfectly ripe tannins, finishing long, long, long.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

From the team at Calon Ségur, the 2018 Château Capbern is another smoking good Saint-Estèphe. In 2018 it’s a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that will spend 18 months in 60% new French oak. This ripe, sexy wine (it hit 14.6% natural alcohol) sports a deep purple color as well as blockbuster notes of crème de cassis, jammy blackberries, crushed flowers, and scorched earth. Despite all the fruit and texture, it stays beautifully balanced, has classic Saint-Estèphe earthy minerality, ripe tannins, and a great finish.

Vinous (96)

The 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Rose delle Casasse is one of the most distinctive wines in all of Piedmont. It emerges from a tiny parcel in Neive first planted in 1913 with the Rose clone of Nebbiolo known for its aromatic intensity, that is rarely seen these days. Deeply bright and perfumed, the 2015 offers up an exotic mélange of sweet red cherry, blood orange, mint, spice, rose petal and kirsch. There's terrific depth and plenty of substance to wrap it all together. The 2015 spent four years in wood, a combination of small barrels and medium-sized casks. I wonder what this wine would like taste like if it was aged in more neutral oak, as there is a bit of oak tannin here. Even so, the 2015 is an exquisite wine and a Barbaresco of real character.

Wine Spectator (96)

Toasty oak gives way to bright cherry, blackberry and violet aromas and flavors in this sleek, vibrant red, with wild herb, tobacco and mineral notes adding complexity. Supple, yet there's a firm matrix of refined tannins and the finish is defined by lively acidity and finesse. Sangioveto and Malvasia Nera. Best from 2024 through 2045. 2,500 cases made.

James Suckling (99)

This is made from over 100-year-old vineyards and offers blackberries with blue fruit and dark chocolate. Shows bark and black truffle undertones, too. Tight and more focused than in past vintages. The quality of the tannins is more precise and fine. Blackberries and black truffles at the end. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

The 2017 Barolo Bricco Boschis is highly aromatic with anise, dried leather, and burnt orange. Ripe and structured, it offers ripe cherry, turned forest floor, and a long finish. The warmth of the vintage is felt while remaining fresh. Drink 2024-2042.

Vinous (96)

The 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is fabulous. The aromatics alone are thrilling. This is what Barolo is all about. Rose petal, holiday spice cake, leather, blood orange and macerated cherry abound. Silky and powerful, the 2013 shows tons of density on the palate and yet remains light on its feet for such a big wine. The wine's sensuality offers a mirage of accessibility, but the 2013 is best cellared for at least a handful of years. There is nothing like Barolo, and this is a terrific example. The 2013 saw 36-38 days on the skins followed by five years in cask, with a preference for larger and more neutral oak that allows for a more gradual pace of aging in the cellar than smaller casks.

Wine Enthusiast (98)

Aromas of underbrush, camphor, new leather and woodland berries mingle with a whiff of pressed rose petal on this compelling red. Still youthfully austere but already incredibly delicious, it delivers raspberry compote, truffle, tobacco and licorice framed in tightly knit, noble tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Another fantastic showing from this wonderful estate.

Wine Enthusiast (99)

A combination of an extraordinary vintage and a fantastic producer are behind this stunning wine. It opens with aromas recalling woodland berry, pipe tobacco, forest floor, balsamic notes of camphor and new leather. Still youthfully austere, the firmly structured palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, licorice, ground clove and iron notes set against tightly knit, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it well balanced

Wine Advocate (100)

Marked by sensationally deep notes of crushed stone, cassis and blueberry, the 2019 Ermitage l'Ermite is a tremendous effort and a worthy rival to the wines produced in the past four vintages. Full-bodied, it's rich and restrained, expansive yet structured—just a complete wine from mouthwatering aromas to velvety mouthfeel and long, stony finish. While delicious now, I'd expect it to close up shortly, yet still be going strong two decades from now. Wow!

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Meursault Les Perrières 1er Cru is very harmonious on the nose. Yellow flowers, Japanese yuzu, quince and orange zest open with aeration whilst maintaining superb focus. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh with a welcome bitter lemon note that upholds tension and salinity on the finish. I like where this Perrières is going - one to watch. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 white tasting.

Wine Spectator (96)

Lots of taut sinew here supporting the beam of black cherry, plum, tar and mineral flavors, with sweet earth, tobacco and cocoa powder on the finish. This wine has gotten progressively bigger over time and still seems in its ascendancy. Terrific focus and purity.--1995 Châteauneuf-du-Pape retrospective. Drink now through 2020. 8,330 cases made. -JM

Crafted in the esteemed Burgundy region of France, the Comtesse de Cherisey Meursault 1er Cru Blagny La Genelotte 2016 is a masterful example of viticulture finesse. This radiant white wine embodies the time-honoured traditions of its monopole vineyard, nestled within Meursault's Blagny sub-region. With meticulous cultivation practices, Comtesse de Cherisey yields immaculate Chardonnay grapes that capture the region's terroir exquisitely.

Undergoing cautious vinification in French oak barrels, this enticing nectar lends itself to elegant complexity. Predominantly mineral, the palate unravels with tropical fruit and floral notes, sung alongside a harmonious, creamy length. The 2016 vintage, marked by its favourable growing conditions, delivers an exceptional balance of opulence and acidity.

The ensemble of traditional and avant-garde techniques undertaken by the revered Comtesse de Cherisey Meursault 1er Cru Blagny La Genelotte estate manages to create a truly distinctive tasting experience with the 2016 vintage. One that will captivate white Burgundy aficionados and discerning collectors alike.

Wine Advocate (98+)

The 2018 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new oak barriques. The alcohol weighs in at just over 14.5%. Sporting a deep purple-black color, it needs a lot of swirling to begin to unlock a powerful nose of crème de cassis, stewed plums, wild blueberries and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by nuances of Sichuan pepper, star anise, tree and clove oil, plus a waft of charcoal. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with taut, muscular black fruits and earthy layers, framed by super firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully earthy. A very impressive behemoth, this is going to need a good seven to 10 years to truly show its stuff and should drink for a good 40 years and beyond.

Vinous (93-96)

Bachelet's 2013 Charmes-Chambertin is striking. Translucent and pulsating in the glass, the 2013 possesses notable energy and fabulous overall balance. Dark red cherry, violet, leather and smoke gradually unfurl in a mysterious, beguiling Charmes that will provide fabulous drinking for many years.