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.

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.

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.

Vinous (92)

The 2019 Sec Le Haut-Lieu is classy, polished and simply impeccable. Soft, silky contours wrap around a core of peach and lemon confit fruit. The first impression is all about texture. White flowers, pear and white pepper are some of the nuances that emerge over time, adding complexity, while clean, minerally notes grace the exquisite finish.

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.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Mid crimson. Immediately more complex on the nose with fruit and spice and hint of cigar box. Really tangy on the palate, vibrant and mouth-filling at the same time. Chewy tannins need time.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Barberino Tavernelle. 82% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, 3% Syrah. Lustrous mid ruby. A concentrated cherry nose loaded with dark spice. Succulent, tangy cherry fruit with a mint oak note. Building up in concentration on the finish but without losing its freshness or elegance. A wine that never disappoints, regardless of vintage.

Wine Enthusiast (94)

Made with 83% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 2% Syrah, this lovely, delicious red races out of the gate with enticing scents of perfumed berries, blue flowers, forest floor and baking spice. Smooth and savory, the juicy palate features ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and star anise alongside polished tannins. It's already drinking beautifully but will also offer several years of sheer pleasure. Drink through 2025.

Crafted within the distinguished region of Burgundy, J Thevenet Bongran Vire-Clesse 2011 is an exquisite testament to the mastery of its revered producer. Thevenet's acclaimed low-yield vineyard practices offer a rarity in the world of Chardonnay, yielding a rich, powerful expression. The painstakingly hand-harvested, native-yeast fermented grapes, matured on the lees in old oak barrels for up to two years, deliver an extraordinary opulence, its incredibly high natural sugar levels balanced by naturally occurring, ice-wine like acidity.

Bongran Vire-Clesse 2011 displays a luxuriously golden hue, capturing the essence of ripe apple, pears, and quince on the nose, with nuances of honey, marzipan and delicate spices. The wine intrigues the palate with its immense concentration, ushering in a kaleidoscope of complex flavours that carry through to a prolonged, invigorating finish. Remarkably age-worthy, the J Thevenet Bongran Vire-Clesse 2011 is an absolute gem of the Mâconnais district.

The J Thevenet Bongran Vire-Clesse 2015 is a divine manifestation of traditional Burgundian wine-making. Produced in the stunning vineyards of Quintaine, Mâconnais, France, this wine reflects the exceptional skill of Jean Thevenet, a craftsman who favours nature-friendly, manual wine-making techniques. The grapes are harvested late to ensure optimum ripeness before undergoing natural fermentation processes in oak casks, landing the wine with a rich, full-bodied profile.

Savour the unique character of J Thevenet Bongran Vire-Clesse 2015, as it boasts fruity notes, a hint of earthiness and minerality. Its engaging complexity, combined with a lingering honeyed finish brings forth elegant richness and timeless finesse. This Chardonnay's balance between acidity and residual sugar offers an excellent aging potential. To all fine wine connoisseurs, immerse yourself in the charisma of this single-varietal, achieving the perfect harmony between concentration and freshness.

Join us to embark on the tantalising journey of the J Thevenet Bongran Vire-Clesse 2015, a wine that truly encapsulates 'terroir' in a bottle.

Vinous (93)

The 2016 Viré-Clessé is the vintage currently on the market, although Guillaume Thevenet suggested that it will benefit from five to seven years in bottle. That’s easier said than done given the irresistible bouquet with gorgeous white peach, nectarine, blood orange and light minerally notes. The palate is very harmonious and smooth with ginger and white pepper notes interlaced with the very subtle tropical fruit of pineapple and a hint of guava. Great linearity and length here, this is only just beginning to show what it can do, so maybe heed Guillaume’s advice!

Vinous (92-94)

The 2017 Viré-Clessé, which will be bottled at the beginning of 2022, has a killer nose with an almost Germanic feel, intense nectarine, melon and damp earthy scents with just a hint of petrol. The palate is beautifully balanced with a line of acidity keeping everything taut and linear. The 2017 is a little waxy in texture with orange rind, stem ginger and white pepper furnishing the very persistent finish. This is superb - a Viré-Clessé with genuine substance and longevity.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Mid garnet. Heady mushrooms and violet nose. This is extraordinarily concentrated and tastes like a grand cru. Wow! Classic, top-quality red burgundy that's so vibrant, rich and yet elegant. Really rather thrilling. Perhaps the most exciting 2019 I have tasted in London.

Vinous (95)

Deep, shimmering violet. Powerful, spice-tinged red and blue fruit preserve and floral pastille aromas are complemented by suggestions of musky earth and licorice. Alluringly sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering sappy, mineral-driven black raspberry, cherry liqueur, lavender and five-spice powder flavors that expand through the back half. Finishes extremely long and nervy, with harmonious tannins building steadily and adding solid grip to reverberating cherry and floral notes.

James Suckling (95)

Racy wild strawberries and raspberries with white pepper, agave and dried herbs. Fresh, medium-bodied palate with silky, refined tannins spreading evenly across the palate. Juicy and bright finish with lovely, herbal allure. Extremely drinkable now, but will hold, too.

Vinous (93)

The 2021 Morgon Côte du Py, matured in used barrels, has a more complex bouquet than the Corcelette: a melange of red and black fruit, potpourri/lavender, and a faint hint of curry leaf that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a fine backbone considering the growing season. This is very fresh and saline with quite a strict finish. You could attempt this now though I would be intrigued to age this for another two or three years before broaching.