Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-94)

Full pale lemon. The bouquet is attractive with an intriguing note of liquorice. Quite full on the nose, with a little warmth as well as body, then brought back in to a beautiful finish. Good acidity. A little tension behind, needs time. A wine currently showing in two halves, but which may very well develop positively from here. A conservative score for now. Tasted: November 2021

Jancis Robinson (16)

Fermented in oak, 18–20% new, as for most village whites. Cask sample. Intense fruit aroma with notes of clementine and ripe lemons and a light touch of spice. Ripe and spicy. Super-creamy, with some almond and quite obvious oak on the palate – obvious at the moment but there’s freshness underneath. Not very subtle but lots of pleasure. Plenty of volume in the mouth, quite a powerful wine.

James Suckling (93)

A classically structured wine for this appellation with the weight and round generosity that we expect from it, but with plenty of bright citrus and pear fruit, something these wines can lack a bit of. Good depth with an excellent integration of chalky minerality and healthy acidity at the long and delicate finish. With aeration a touch of vanilla bean develops on the nose. Drink or hold.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-95)

Some light green reflections in the primrose yellow colour. A stricter nose, perhaps a touch of sulphur. This may also appear more backward coming after the Charmes. Then a vast wealth of fruit on the palate and now we see the real wine. It maintains the herbal note I associate with Genevrières, alongside golden fruit at a perfect degree of ripeness. The fruit and the acidity weave in and out of each other. I would not want the fruit to be riper but it is full of charm as it stands, and kept in place by the precision of the structure. Very fine. Drink from 2029-2037.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2017 Meursault Charmes 1er Cru comes from Domaine Prieur-Brunet, specifically two plots in Meursault Charmes-Dessus (1.2 hectares), one close to Les Referts and the other close to Genevrières. These are integrated with existing vineyards owned by Louis Jadot, so the label will be under Domaine Louis Jadot and not Prieur-Brunet. This has a pretty, quite precise bouquet of citrus fruit infused with yellow flower aromas; light touches of walnut emerge with time. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and a hint of black currant leaf toward the finish; certainly a more elegant take on this Premier Cru. The cru has clearly benefited from the addition of the new holdings. An excellent Meursault.

Adorning the esteemed vineyards of Burgundy, the Michelot Meursault 2018 originates from the exceptional terroirs of Meursault. This luxurious white wine emanates an enchanting aromatic complexity dominated by wood and spices. Lovingly nurtured by Domaine Michelot, this wine gains character over the years, demonstrating the Michelot family's commitment to the virtuous ideals of tradition, quality, and respect for nature.

The harvest is carried out manually ensuring a selection of only the healthiest grapes. Aged in oak barrels for 12-15 months, the Michelot Meursault 2018 carries a lingering finish with a zest of acidity, reflecting a perfect balance of richness and elegance.

To be enjoyed preferably between 2021 and 2026, each sip of this fine wine testifies the expertise of six generations of winemakers at Domaine Michelot. Michelot Meursault 2018 is truly an extraordinary ambassador of Burgundian Chardonnay.

Tim Atkin MW (96)

"The hardest wine to make," says Andrea Mullineux of this Chenin Blanc from a nutrition-poor vineyard on the Kasteelbeg. But the effort is certainly worth it. Showing aromas of white flowers and gunflint, it has amazing focus, salinity and depth with linear acidity and notes of green apple, kitchen spices and umami.

Tim Atkin MW (97)

We wine geeks love to discuss the relative merits of the three soil-specific Syrahs from the Mullineux. This is (just) my pick of the trio in 2019, sourced from a two-hectare block on the Jakalsfontein farm. Ginger and violet aromas segue into a palate of remarkable grip and persistence, with energetic acidity and a savoury, satisfying finish. 2022-29

Tim Atkin MW (95)

Chenin Blanc is the marquee variety here, with support from 26% Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Semillon Gris, Viura and Verdelho, most of which is sourced from 37 to 70-year-old vines. Lemon, lime and wet stone flavours with some phenolic grip and remarkable palate length.

Greg Sherwood MW (95)

Bottled after 12 months, this is a very, very pretty vintage with lower yields but also beautiful fruit purity, precision and a wonderful fruit – acid balance. The aromatics are ripe, succulent and opulent showing honeysuckle, white blossom, lemon cordial, dried herbs and lovely white peach and pineapple pastille notes. Nevertheless, the stand out feature on the palate is undoubtedly the textural sophistication, harmony and chalky minerality combined with super tangy acids bursting with lemon rock candy, white peach and crystalline citrus flavours. Simply an incredible intensity with a harmoniously weightless balance combined with a long, piercing finish. This is definitely a noticeable step up on previous vintages and an incredible achievement for the Mullineuxs! Drink now to 2034+.

Tim Atkin MW (97)

My pick of the three top Mullineux Syrahs in 2018, this world-class red is the most perfumed and alluring of the trio right now. Combining fruit from the Kasteelberg and Roundstone, this has violet and lavender aromas, some sap and grip from 100% whole bunches, incredible focus and grip and a plush, seductive mid palate.

Tim Atkin MW (93)

One of my "go to" wines when I see it on a restaurant wine list, this intensely perfumed Syrah comes from seven vineyards, mostly on schist soils. Made with 90% whole bunches, it has more tannin than you think at first, layers of spice, violet and blackberry fruit and a refreshing tang.

Elegant sophistication defines the Pierre Girardin Meursault 1er Cru Porusot 2021, a masterful showcase from one of Burgundy's prestigious wine estates. This white wine hails from Meursault, an acclaimed wine village in Côte de Beaune, where Pierre Girardin, the 13th generation winemaker, meticulously crafts it. Painstakingly nurtured in French oak barrels, it embodies true artisanal winemaking.

The Pierre Girardin Meursault 1er Cru Porusot 2021 exhibits graceful, complex notes of orchard fruits, light citrus, and subtle touches of honied almonds, draped in luxurious minerality. This is the epitome of Pierre Girardin's commitment to sustainable viticulture, resulting in an expression that marries power and finesse with an exquisite finish.

With its extraordinary balance and long-lingering aftertaste, rest assured the Pierre Girardin Meursault 1er Cru Porusot 2021 is not just a wine, it's a remarkable Burgundian experience.

Discover the splendour of the renowned Pierre Girardin Meursault Les Casse-Têtes 2020. This Burgundy white, carefully crafted in Côte de Beaune, France, is a testament to Pierre Girardin's impeccable precision and detail. Pierre, a 13th generation winemaker, focuses on producing minimal intervention wines. Each bottle reflects the unique terroir through biodynamically-farmed, hand-harvested Chardonnay grapes.

This extraordinary bottle showcases the unmistakable identity of Meursault's Les Casse-Têtes vineyard. Undergoing 18 months of 228-litre French oak barrel maturation, where 10% is renewed yearly, this wine develops its complex and well-integrated oak profile. On tasting, expect a balanced blend of fresh orchard fruits, floral notes, rounded out by a bright, mineral backbone and persistent finish.

Whether enjoyed now or cellared for future pleasure, each sip of Pierre Girardin Meursault Les Casse-Têtes 2020 signifies an encounter with French winemaking at its finest. Beerens are proud to present this exceptional addition to our collection.

Tim Atkin MW (98)

Has any brand in South Africa achieved quite so much as Porseleinberg in less than a decade? This is the best vintage yet from this steep, brutal, extreme schist-rich site and that's saying a good deal. Big, bold and intense, with incredible, almost feral intensity, incense, tar and black pepper aromas and layers of inky dark fruit. A stunning wine from a stunning site, made by a gem of a winemaker.

Tim Atkin MW (100)

In the right hands, great sites produce great wines. Since its inception in 2010, Porseleinberg has been one of the Cape's most exciting reds, but nothing quite prepared me for the transcendent brilliance of this wine. In uenced by some time spent at Domaine Jamet in Côte Rôtie - particularly their use of a submerged cap during fermentation - Callie Louw has made a stunning Syrah, proving his skills as both a farmer and a winemaker. In 2018, the style has shifted, away from power and grip to something more scented and re ned. Focused, nuanced and very delicately oaked, with raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, clove and white pepper spice and textured tannins. Simply world class. 2023-35

Tim Atkin MW (99)

This remarkable site has established itself as one of the world's great Syrah vineyards in less than a decade. Sourced from four blocks totally 4.5 hectares, Callie Louw's stunning red is just short of perfection this year, but is still brilliant, confirming the evolution in style of the Jamet-inspired 2018. Leafy, spicy, rose petal aromas are supported by pure red berry fruit, detailed tannins and the faintest hint of oak.

Tim Atkin MW (98)

"We pick the vintage," says Callie Louw, whose 2020 Porseleinberg is the second lightest in alcohol he's ever made at 13.6%. Fermented with 100% whole bunches using the submerged cap technique that transformed the wine in 2018, this is another scented, seamless stunner from Callie Louw. Aged in large foudres and 5% concrete eggs, it's a spicy, sappy, hauntingly elegant Syrah from a brutal site, with kelp, rose petal and fynbos aromas, juicy bramble and red berry fruit, fine tannins and a wonderful sense of energy. 2024-32

Vinous (97)

The 2021 Syrah Ava comes from two schist vineyards, the main component from the parcel that forms the Rall Syrah, in a corner where the clusters are very small. It has a compelling bouquet with dark berry fruit, slate-like scents, hints of broom and Provençal herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with a dense yet paradoxically elegant frame of tannins, precise peppery black fruit with a persistent, beautifully proportioned finish. All this at just 11.9% alcohol. Brilliant.

Tim Atkin MW (93)

Donovan Rall has moved to two picks for this wine to give it more nuances. The same is true of the shift away from oak to separate fermentations in stainless steel, concrete and a solitary amphora. Complex, fresh and very pure, this has the variety's characteristic brightness and acidity, with some creamy lees and a long, focused nish. 2021-26

Tim Atkin MW (94)

"Massive acidities" is how Donovan Rall describes the 2019 white wines, and he's not exaggerating. This concrete egg-fermented Grenache Blanc comes from a single vineyard at 620 metres in Piekenierskloof and is a case in point. Peachy, pithy and linear with bready undertones and a tangy, textural finish. 2021-25

Tim Atkin MW (95)

Donovan Rall only used the first pick for this stunning Piekenierskloof Grenache Blanc in 2020, fermenting and ageing it in a combination of concrete eggs and amphoras. It's a salty, complex, dialled back white with notes of gunflint, wild herbs and greengage and high-altitude minerality and precision.

Tim Atkin MW (97)

'White Wine Discovery of the Year' - Donovan Rall has made a habit of winning one or more or my discovery of the year categories and he's done it again with this Chenin Blanc from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in the 1960s. Picked in four stages, it’s a stunning expression of the site, with saline grip, lots of extract and concentration, hay, pear and lime flavours and wonderful energy.

Decanter (98)

Complex nose already: beautifully exuberant nose of damsons and flowers – the Carignan really coming through at this early stage. A herbal, stemmy element is also quite noticeable but well balanced. Full-bodied on the palate but only just, with a lovely sense of fluidity, slightly granular tannins and fine acidity – everything is in its place, and is delicious now, but will improve and build further complexity. If possible, wait until 2026 to broach. Long, so expressive and unique. Various soils: granite, slate, clay, gravel. Three weeks' fermentation and three weeks maceration in 3,300L open-top concrete fermenters. Aged for 12 months on the lees in small barrels (5% new), then a further 12 months on fine lees in large wooden foudres. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Wine Advocate (98)

From the first sniff, the 2020 Columella is an instant champion that is pointing and swinging for the fence. With its fresh frame of fruit and expertly layered oaky essences, the wine is incredibly complex as it bursts from the glass with precision and finesse. Medium-bodied and with 13.5% alcohol, the Columella somersaults into a phantasmagoria of bright crunchy red fruit flavors and seductive floral essences that makes my head spin. Collectors will take note and add a couple of bottles of this to their cellar. It’s an absolutely stellar bottling that will age gracefully for decades.