Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

More bloody meat, black raspberries, wood smoke, spice, and truffle notes emerge from the 2017 Hermitage Le Méal, a massive, opulent effort that has loads of opulence and fruit, building tannins, a gorgeous mid-palate, and a monster finish. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate! It’s already approachable yet promises to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more.

Marvel at the magic of Guiberteau Saumur Les Arboises 2017. A rarity from the renowned Loire Valley region, this gem is the fruit of organic vineyards nurtured by Romain Guiberteau. Employing a minimalist approach, the grapes are hand-harvested, after which they undergo a gentle pressing, followed by natural fermentation in neutral oak barrels. The result? A wine that shines in its complexity and balance.

Guiberteau Saumur Les Arboises 2017 features a vibrant hue and distinctive mineral-rich aroma, a nod to the limestone-rich, south-facing vineyards of Les Arboises. On the palate unfolds a fine play of ripe cherries, dark berries, and earthy undertones — an encapsulation of the vineyard's terroir. Endowed with refined tannins and a prolonged aftertaste, it's a wine that expresses its character with grace and quiet confidence.

An unfiltered and unfined marvel, Guiberteau's star is justly rising in the global wine world. Experience the illustrious Guiberteau Saumur Les Arboises 2017 — a symphony of quality craftsmanship and authentic Loire Valley imprint.

Immerse yourself in the world-class offering from a cherished German wine-making tradition with Knewitz Hundertgulden Riesling 2017. The vineyard, situated in Appenheim, has been nurtured by the Knewitz family for generations. The Hundertgulden vineyard, revered for its top-quality soil, provides the ultimate condition for the cultivation of Riesling grapes. In the accurate hands of Tobias Knewitz, these hand-picked grapes are crafted into a magical experience.

The Knewitz Hundertgulden Riesling 2017 is a testament to this meticulous craftsmanship. This dry Riesling is invitingly fragrant, bursting with zesty lime and minerality. Its lasting finish, echoing notes of white peach, mirrors the elegant complexity common in wines of the Rheinhessen region. Aged meticulously in stainless steel tanks, its purity and high minerality, unspoiled by wood, rise to the fore.

This fine wine is a gem for Riesling enthusiasts, displaying exemplary tradition and innovation in each bottle. Experience the Knewitz Hundertgulden Riesling 2017 and savour the essence of Rheinhessen winemaking.

Wine Spectator (97)

Not shy, this pumps lush, dark plum, cassis and fig fruit forward, backed by contrasting waves of grippy tobacco and licorice snap. Dense and muscular until the finish, when a well-buried chalky minerality begins to emerge, adding refinement and cut. A big style, built for the cellar. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2042. — JM

Decanter (96)

Brilliant wine that continues to impress three years on from the En Primeur tasting, with a creamy but restrained texture, precise black fruits with a spicy undertow. By this point Carmes had the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc on the Left Bank, and had really started to establish its own identity. It was also using a full 40% whole bunch winemaking, choosing only the ripest stems to include in the fermentation tanks, adding a twist of salinity on the finish and ensuring a dip of around 1% in potential alcohol levels at picking (this is a hot site close to the city centre). Owned by Patrice Pichet since 2011, with Guillaume Pouthier joining as director in 2012 - whose experience in the Rhône meant he was not afraid to use stems in winemaking, something traditionally shunned in Bordeaux. This wine shows the success of that approach, giving personality and poise. Needs another few years for the austerity to soften further.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2017 Pommard 1er Cru Les Grands Epenots has also turned out beautifully, mingling aromas of cherries, raspberries and orange rind with nuances of peonies, smoked meat, grilled ceps and espresso roast. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, succulent and enveloping, with terrific depth and concentration at the core, framed by lively acids and an elegantly muscular chassis of powdery structuring tannins. Like all Gaunoux's wines in 2017, this Grands Epenots marries seriousness with structural charm to very appealing effect.

Wine Advocate (95)

More brooding than the Grands Epenots, the 2017 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens unfurls in the glass with a deep-pitched bouquet of cassis, black cherries, rich soil tones, peonies and dark chocolate, deftly framed by a discreet touch of oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a textural attack, muscular but velvety structuring tannins and a long, resonant and intensely sapid finish. This is a brilliant wine from Gaunoux, and one of the wines of the vintage along the Côte de Beaune this year.

Vinous (93)

The 2017 Napanook is forward, lush and quite giving - in other words, very much in keeping with the style of the year. Silky and radiant, with plenty of bright, red-toned fruit, the 2017 Napanook is one of the very finest Napa Valley Cabernets readers will find in this price range. Savory, earthy and licorice undertones add striking shades of nuance, with silky tannins that extend the finish effortlessly. This is such a gorgeous and inviting wine. When just opened, the 2017 mostly offers density and opulence, but a few hours of air brings out layers of subtlety and aromatic nuance.

James Suckling (96)

Stunning blueberries and mulberries here with a wealth of baking spices and red berries, as well as tarry notes and blackberries. It is all here. The palate has a super plush, rich and quite compressed tannin feel. Some firm and powerful moments, as the palate builds with plentiful spiced summer berries. Red plums and blackberries to close. Try from 2025.

The Stephane Magnien Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2017 is the epitome of fine Burgundy wine, crafted by the fourth-generation vintner, Stephane Magnien. Cultivated in the renowned vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin, this luxurious Grand Cru elegantly embodies the region's famed terroir. The wine’s cultivation is traditional, with the vineyards possessing an average age of 65 years, ensuring deep root growth and contributing a distinctive complexity to the wine.

The vinification processes involve thoughtful, gentle extraction techniques to preserve the wine's unique, full-bodied flavour. Matured in oak barrels for 15 to 18 months, it develops an irresistible blend with notes of wild berries, earthiness and compelling spices.

The Stephane Magnien Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2017 is an exceptional representation of Magnien's commitment to authenticity and his ability to subtly translate the vineyard's specificity into this spectacular cuvée. This collectable wine brings together tradition and sophistication, offering connoisseurs an extraordinary tasting experience.