Jeb Dunnuck (100)

I was blown away by the 2020 Ermitage Le Méal Blanc, which is certainly the finest vintage of this cuvée I’ve tasted. From the pure south-facing Méal lieu-dit (which is the warmest terroir on Hermitage), it was vinified and aged 70% demi-muids (10% new) and 30% in stainless steel. Straight-up heavenly notes of white currants, powdered rock, celery seed, honeysuckle, and toasted almonds all define the bouquet, and it’s full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with that rare mix of richness and freshness. Hermitage Blanc doesn’t get any better. I love this today, yet it will certainly benefit from a year or two of bottle age, drink well for 3-5 years, at which point, it’s probably best to wait until a solid 15 years after the vintage.

Wine Advocate (95)

Closer in style to the ’11, yet with more mid-palate depth and concentration, the 2009 Ermitage Les Greffieux is a voluptuous, decadent and seriously fruited Hermitage that has full-bodied richness and power, layers of sweet fruit and awesome concentration. It will drink well for over two decades.

Vinous (97)

Saturated violet color. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, potpourri, exotic spices and olive. Stains the palate with sweet black raspberry and cherry liqueur flavors that take on licorice, allspice and smoky mineral accents on the back half. Rich yet impressively lively in style, showing sharp precision on the wonderfully persistent, youthfully tannic and floral-driven finish.

Vinous (98)

Inky ruby. Smoke- and mineral-tinged aromas of ripe red and dark berries, pipe tobacco, olive paste, incense and vanilla, with a suave floral note building in the glass. Youthfully chewy and expansive on the palate, offering intense black raspberry, bitter cherry, licorice, cola, candied violet and allspice flavors that tighten up and become sweeter on the back half. Finishes sappy and extremely long, with resonating florality and mounting tannins that add shape and a firm closing grip.

Vinous (92)

(20% new oak): Opaque ruby. Intense, mineral-driven aromas of ripe blackberry, smoked meat and incense. Pliant, supple and sweet, with a distinct smokiness to its dark berry and spicecake flavors. Finishes with slow-building tannins, repeating smokiness and strong floral persistence. A very strong showing for this bottling.

Vinous (96)

The 2015 Vosne-Romanée Les Malconsorts 1er Cru seems to have been born to embarrass my rather tepid reaction to this wine from barrel. Wow! This has me smitten. It offers a very floral, seductive bouquet with pressed violet petals liberally scattered over the black cherry and wild strawberry fruit, and just a hint of vanilla in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin. This is very cohesive, harmonious and silky-smooth in texture, with a light touch of blood orange and brown spices that impart complexity on the finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.

Burghound (92-94)

A relatively deeply pitched nose offers plenty of both floral and spice elements along with notes of plum, dark cherry and a touch of Asian-style tea. As is usually the case there is excellent volume and a taut muscularity to the sappy broad-shouldered flavors that flash superb depth and persistence. Note well though that this classic example is definitely built-to-age and is going to need at least most of a decade to be approachable. Recommended.

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Vosne-Romanée Les Malconsorts 1er Cru is showing some reduction on the nose, slightly smudged red fruit, leather and undergrowth. It does seem to gain clarity with modest aeration though. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, taut and crisp, quite linear with fine sapidity on the structure, backward finish. A Premier Cru with a long future ahead. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.

Tim Atkin MW (96)

All destemmed, aged for 18 months in demi-muids. Remarkable aromatic finesse already, boding well for the future; it majors on rich, ripe fruit rather than oak. Very full and rounded, but full of life and energy, this is buzzing with vitality. It has fresh, lip-smacking acidity and tannin, and a very long finish. A fantastic balance between freshness, concentration and pure, regal Hermitage fruit. Whatever style of Hermitage you like, this shouldn’t disappoint - it has depth and power as well as finesse. Very impressive, complete wine.

Decanter (96)

From vines on clay-limestone soils in lieux dits Beaumes and Diognières, the fruit is fermented in concrete than aged for 18 months in demi-muids, 30% new and 70% second use. Rosemary and juniper sit amongst lifted blackberry and black cherry fruit. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated yet very fresh and lively, without excess oak or extraction. It buzzes with energy; lifted and drinkable. Really fresh, precise and crisp tannins lead to a long, saline and dynamic finish. A good year for Domaine du Colombier.

Vinous (95)

Glass-staining ruby. Pungent dark berry preserve, floral pastille, botanical herb and olive aromas are complemented by hints of woodsmoke, licorice and pipe tobacco. Round and expansive in the mouth, offering appealingly sweet, mineral- and spice-accented blackberry, cherry-cola and candied violet flavors and a bitter chocolate nuance. Closes chewy, smoky and impressively long, with lingering spiciness and youthfully firm tannins. The balance of weight and energy here is superb.

Vinous (95)

Inky ruby color. Powerful, mineral-accented black and blue fruit liqueur, incense, smoky bacon and potpourri aromas take on exotic spice and licorice nuances with air. Sappy, focused and deeply concentrated yet surprisingly lively as well, offering alluringly sweet blueberry, cassis, cherry-vanilla and candied violet flavors that are given back-end cut by building mineral and black pepper flourishes. The mineral and floral notes drive an extremely long, well-delineated finish, where dusty tannins provide shape and final grip.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Village contains 20% whole bunch from the La Violette lieu-dit and destemmed fruit from the Quartiers de Nuits and Basses-Maizière lieux-dits. Aged in 30% new oak, it is quite backward and surly on the nose at first, but opens to reveal white pepper and clove aromas tincturing the tightly wound black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit, and quite sweet at its core, with that white pepper leitmotif and a touch of graphite toward the crunchy finish.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-92)

Thomas has enough fruit to vinify two vats, using 40% whole bunches for Les Violettes and none for Quartiers de Nuits, to make 20% for the whole cuvée which is assembled as soon as the wine goes to barrel. Vibrant purple, a very heady nose, slightly heated lush raspberry. But the nobility of the terroir shows through in the mouth where the raspberries are less lush and are joined by a few strawberries. Good acidity, considerable length. Tasted: November 2021

Immerse in the splendour of the 'David Duband Vosne Romanee 2019', a truly majestic red Burgundy wine from the prestigious terroirs of Burgundy, France. Brought to life by renowned winemaker David Duband, the 2019 vintage echoes a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Each grape is hand-harvested and meticulously sorted to ensure only the finest contribute to this sophisticated potion.

David Duband, known for crafting beautiful Pinot Noirs, presents a refined balance of ripe, dark fruit and aromatic spices in the Vosne Romanee 2019. Aged in French oak barrels to develop complexity, every sip greets the palate with an elegant interplay between sweet black cherries, rich spices and fine-grained tannins. This distinctive wine embodies Vosne Romanee's characteristic opulence harmoniously blended with a controlled potency that lingers on the palate.

A bottle of 'David Duband Vosne Romanee 2019' is no less than experiencing the enchantment of Burgundy encapsulated in a glass.

Experience the essence of Burgundy with the David Duband Vosne Romanee 2020. Made by the expert hands of David Duband, a respected French vigneron who has been making wine since 1991. He embraces the concept of terroir viticulture, incorporating principles of organic and biodynamic farming.

This exquisite Pinot Noir originates from the acclaimed Vosne-Romanée appellation, renowned for producing world-class wines. The 2020 vintage enjoyed superb weather conditions, producing complex, elegant wines of remarkable balance.

David Duband Vosne Romanee 2020 showcases a radiant ruby hue, enamoured with harmonious aromas of violet, blackcurrant and truffle. On the palate, one can savour spicy notes of liquorice and clove, accentuated by a silky-smooth texture and long finish. It exhibits excellence in its purest form.

This is an extraordinary wine, encapsulating the famed elegance of Burgundy in a single bottle. A remarkable testament to the mastery of David Duband and the exceptional terroir of Vosne-Romanee.

Wine Advocate (94)

One of the gems in the vintage is the 2013 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes, which comes from both the Bessards and Grandes Vignes lieux-dits on Hermitage Hill. Completely destemmed, then vinified in stainless steel and concrete tanks, the wine is aged 18 months in 30% new French oak; it offers terrific notes of dark fruits, graphite and ample minerality in a full-bodied, layered, ripe profile. It’s more approachable than the Les Bessards, yet will still have three decades of longevity.

Vinous (92)

Glass-staining ruby. Vibrant, mineral-accented dark fruit and floral pastille scents are complemented by hints of woodsmoke, allspice and incense. Juicy, penetrating and lively on the palate, displaying excellent vivacity and spicy lift to the gently sweet blackberry, cherry and spicecake flavors. Delivers a suave blend of power and finesse and finishes smoky and very long, with sneaky tannins coming in late.

Vinous (95)

Opaque purple. Mineral-accented dark berries, candied licorice, olive paste, exotic spices and pungent flowers on the explosively perfumed nose. Deeply concentrated yet energetic black raspberry, spicecake, smoked meat and violet pastille flavors are complicated by vibrant mineral and dark chocolate notes that build on the back half. Sweet, sappy and sharply delineated on an extremely long, floral- and dark-fruit-driven finish that shows superb clarity and steadily building, harmonious tannins.

Wine Advocate (99)

While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future.

Wine Advocate (99)

While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future.

Vinous (95-97)

The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Aux Malconsorts 1er Cru has a more savory bouquet than the Les Beaux Monts, the whole bunch less integrated by direct comparison and yet it also delivers more terroir expression and mineralité. Touches of cracked black pepper and sage lend complexity to the dark berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, very harmonious with white pepper and clove, a lovely grainy texture and perhaps more refinement compared to the Echézeaux. The kind of Vosne-Romanée that you want to elope with.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-97)

The Malconsorts is still in barrel for a later bottling. Bright dense purple, this wine has a huge energy on the nose. Intense blossoming, fabulous in all regards even with a few peaches in the dark red fruit mix. Magical aftertaste. Doing its Malconsorts thing to a high degree. Tasted: December 2021

Vinous (95-97)

The 2021 Vosne-Romanée Aux Malconsorts 1er Cru has a little more fruit intensity on the nose; it is slightly darker by direct comparison. Fine delineation, quite bold in the context of the vintage. The palate is very intense, fine acidity, very sensual with just a hint of dark chocolate and black truffle shavings on the finish. Wonderful.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Barrel sample. Very dark crimson. Rich and voluptuous nose. Spicy with savoury edges and then very sweet. Polished and subtle. Very appetising. Really long and interesting. Builds on the finish.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Les Beaux Monts 1er Cru has a perfumed and enticing bouquet with brambly black fruit, black truffle and Earl Grey aromas gently wafting from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins. The whole bunch influence is discrete here but lends an attractive white pepper and clove note towards the finish that fans out wonderful whilst maintaining freshness and tension. Just outflanked by the Aux Malconsorts, nevertheless, this is a brilliant Les Beaux Monts.

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.

Wine Advocate (85)

The 2015 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru les Suchots offers up aromas of plums, cassis and spice, followed by a medium-bodied, rather inscrutable palate without any real discernible concentration or depth. Perhaps the wine is simply closed down after bottling and will emerge from its shell with age?