Vinous (89-92)

(no hail or frost here in 2015, according to Clair): Medium red. Musky, deeply pitched aromas of raspberry, strawberry and smoky, flinty minerality. Quite taut in the early going, even a bit tough, and not showing the vintage's fleshy side today. But this firmly structured wine finishes with palate-stimulating salinity and subtle length. I would not be surprised if this eventually merited a rating at the top end of my projected range.

Vinous (89-91)

The 2019 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Lavières 1er Cru shows evident whole bunch on the nose that slightly occludes the terroir expression, yet it is fresh and transparent. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp raspberry and blackberry opening. Leafy red fruit combines with a touch of graphite toward the finish. A nimble Savigny with a peppery finish. Should drink well over the next decade.

Vinous (98)

The 2016 Sancerre Clos La Néore is almost Riesling-like in its firm yet fine personality, its unswerving purity and its clear translation of place. Don't expect a seductive Sancerre, this is dry and steely with an appealing bitterness making for a very grown up white wine. It's starting to show early signs of development in its light almond/lanolin character alongside lemon tea. It offers exceptional concentration while being light bodied and provides a steely core of acidity, keeping the wine together and powering on. If you have any in your cellar, I can make myself available for dinner.

Crafted by esteemed winemaker Edmond Vatan, the Sancerre Clos La Neore 2017 is a fine example of terroir-driven vinification. Produced in the heart of France's Loire valley, it's one of the last remaining single plots of Sancerre, offering unrivalled purity and typicity of the region.

The Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos La Neore 2017 demonstrates an exquisite balance of ripe fruit, minerality, and palate-gripping acidity. Hand-harvested from vines averaging 50-years-old on Kimmeridgian marl soils, this prestigious Sauvignon Blanc ferments naturally in old wooden foudres to enhance its inherent complexity.

With a limited production, the wine reveals a striking, crystal-clear golden hue alongside an aromatic profile of citrus zest, ripe apple, and flinty undertones. It's exceptionally layered, showing vibrant fruit, precise acid, and a lingering finish. Best consumed after carefully decanting, Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos La Neore 2017 is a sought-after vintage deserving of a place in the cellars of discerning neophytes and seasoned collectors alike.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2020 Savigny-lès-Beaune Aux Vergelesses 1er Cru has a delightful bouquet with cranberry, raspberry and briary aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy, ripe black and red fruit, fresh and well-defined, the 30% whole bunch imparting a pleasant peppery note on the finish. This is worth seeking out. Closure: Screwcap, Diam or Cork

Inspired by the legacy of Burgundy, the Jean Guiton Savigny Beaune Peuillets 2019 is a testament to the vintner's passion for traditional wine craftsmanship. This wine is produced in limited quantities in the heart of Burgundy, France; a region known for its distinctive terroir and venerable viticultural traditions. Hand-picked from prime vineyards, Jean-Guiton uses environmentally-friendly methods, championing biodiversity to create exquisite wines.

The Jean Guiton Savigny Beaune Peuillets 2019, is celebrated for complex layers of hawthorn, raspberry, and liquorice aromas. Matured in partially new oak barrels for about a year, this Pinot Noir exudes elegance with a silken texture, bright fruit, and prolonged finish. It provides an enriching sensory experience that leaves a profound, lingering impression.

Produced by Guillaume Guiton, a respected innovator in the field, this wine maintains the enviable quality that embodies the Jean Guiton estate's renowned reputation.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

The 2019 Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières opens in the glass with pretty aromas of peonies, rose petals, sweet wild berries, orange rind, raw cocoa and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, supple and perfumed, it's sumptuous and melting, with lively acids and a charming, enveloping profile. This is one of the most seductive wines in the range.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2020 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Champs Chevreys 1er Cru does not quite possess the cohesion of the Les Lavières on the nose at the moment, but there is a nice touch of reduction here that I think is masking more mineralité. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. Good depth, there is more sinew compared to the Les Lavières and I suspect it will have more longevity.

Wine Advocate (94)

From 20- to 50-year-old vines in a south/southwest-facing vineyard, the 2019 Sancerre Les Romains offers a pure yet intense and iodine-scented bouquet of shells and oysters along with algae aromas. Full-bodied, rich and powerful on the palate, this is an elegant, refined, balanced and refreshingly mineral Les Romains with a long, juicy, pretty aromatic, seriously structured and persistent salty finish with stimulating grip. Impressive, as always. Tasted in February 2021.

Vinous (97)

As always at this early stage in its development, the 2019 Sancerre Chêne Marchand is a little bit reserved, but there's power and intensity within a focused mid-weight core. Expect aromas of spiced pears verging on nectarine, a touch of savory character and the merest whiff of white pepper. This has lots of substance and an almost tannic, structured finish. It is nowhere near ready but it is balanced, harmonious and on its way to a graceful long life. Impressive without being showy – and that's not easy to do. The lengthy finish is like riding a wave that never ends.