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.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94)

The 2015 Clos l’Eglise needs encouragement on the nose. Initially surprisingly taciturn, it reveals well-defined blackberry, raspberry, leather and truffle scents. The palate is silky smooth with fine delineation, quite poised with dark chocolate and espresso complementing the lush red fruit. There is gentle grip towards the finish that gains length, though never achieves the heights of the following vintage. Still, this is going to give a lot of pleasure over the next 10-15 years. Tasted at the Clos l’Eglise vertical.

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

Jeb Dunnuck (94-97)

The 2017 Cornas La Sabarotte is similarly purple-colored and boasts more black fruits, spice, chocolate, and dried soil/earthy notes. It's full-bodied, powerful and rounded, with a terrific sense of balance and purity paired with ample meatiness, density, and classic full-throttle Cornas character. It might just rival the 2016, which is saying something.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

The 2018 Cornas La Sabarotte sees the most new oak (100% actually) and comes from a rocky, granitic southeast facing lieu-dit and vines planted mostly in 1947. Despite the new oak élevage, you wouldn't know it by tasting it. It offers a monster bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, roasted meats, ground pepper, and chocolate, with plenty of classic Cornas meatiness and minerality. Powerful, full-bodied, and opulent on the palate, with a stacked mid-palate, it’s certainly the biggest, richest wine in the lineup. It's going to take 7-8 years for this to shed its considerable baby fat.

Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)

From a cooler terroir in the northern part of the appellation, the 2017 Cornas Les Eygats is another brilliant example of this wine and the vintage. Thrilling crème de cassis, blueberry, and blackberry fruit notes give way to more ground pepper, granite-like minerality and liquid violet notes with time in the glass. Deep, rich, incredibly sexy, and voluptuous, it has remarkable purity of fruit, a supple, layered, sexy texture, and no hard edges. It's a brilliant, brilliant wine from this great estate.

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.

The de Lorient Cornas La Cabane des Chasseurs 2021 is a quintessential French wine, originating from the revered Rhône region. Renowned for its robust, full-bodied taste, this fine wine provides a distinguished combination of red fruit layers, underscored by subtle smoky and earthy undertones. An expression of the traditional winemaking techniques, the wine is matured in French oak barrels for peak refinement.

Produced by the distinguished de Lorient estate, a trusted standard-bearer in Cornas, a commitment to quality is conceptualised in every bottle. Notably, the de Lorient Cornas La Cabane des Chasseurs 2021, is made from 100% Syrah grapes, hand-picked from the estate's vineyards. Nestled on the steep slopes, the vineyards' granite-rich soils and optimal sunlight exposure influence the grapes' defining characteristics.

As an epitome of expert craftsmanship and Rhône tradition, the de Lorient Cornas La Cabane des Chasseurs 2021 adds a deserving jewel to any restricted wine collection.

Vinous (93)

Dark purple. Expansive aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, smoky Indian spices and olive, with a suave floral nuance that gains strength with air. Deeply concentrated but energetic as well, offering palate-staining blueberry and violet pastille flavors and building spiciness. Rounded tannins add gentle grip to a strikingly long penetrating finish that clings with strong tenacity.

Vinous (95)

Deep, brilliant violet color. Powerfully scented black/blue fruit liqueur, potpourri and exotic spice aromas, along with hints of woodsmoke, incense and olive paste. Supply, seamless and broad on the palate, offering deeply concentrated blackberry, mulberry, bitter chocolate and fruitcake flavors that become livelier and sweeter with aeration. Rich yet surprisingly energetic, finishing sappy and alluringly sweet, with lithe tannins, repeating florality and superb persistence.

Vinous (96)

Inky violet color. Pungent, mineral-tinged aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, candied flowers and olive paste turn spicier as the wine stretches out. Densely packed and expansive on the palate, offering bitter cherry, blackberry, fruitcake and espresso flavors that slowly turn sweeter on the back half. Tightens up on the impressively long, penetrating finish, which features chewy tannins and an echo of dark berry preserves.

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.

Vinous (90)

Inky ruby. Candied dark fruits, potpourri and olive on the nose, complemented by lively mineral and black pepper overtones. Deep-pitched cherry and blackberry flavors unfold slowly with air, picking up a subtle floral nuance and a touch of licorice. Closes chewy and long, displaying slow-building, youthful tannins and lingering spiciness.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

Coming from pure granite soils of the Patou lieu-dit, the 2019 Cornas Patou is another brilliant wine in the making from this small family estate. Revealing a dense purple hue as well as awesome black and blue fruits, ground pepper, beef blood, and spring flower-like aromatics, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mid-palate, building yet ripe tannins, and a monster of a finish. It might need a decade to hit maturity, but it’s a phenomenal Cornas that will evolve for 20-30 years.

Jeb Dunnuck (96-99)

From a miniscule one-hectare parcel right across from Clinet, on the upper plateau of Pomerol, the 2018 Enclos Tourmaline is a blockbuster in the making, and I suspect it’s going to give the 2016 a run for its money. Checking in as a 100% Merlot raised in new oak, which hit 14.7% natural alcohol, this inky color blockbuster boasts a massive bouquet of black fruits, smoke herbs, chocolate, and damp earth. It shows a more floral edge with time in the glass and it’s full-bodied, concentrated, and plush on the palate, with sweet tannins. It’s certainly one of the sexiest wines in this terrific vintage. Hats off to vineyard manager and winemaker Jérôme Aguirre as well as consultant Michel Rolland for another brilliant wine in the making. Tasted twice.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-98)

There's not much of the 2019 Enclos Tourmaline made, but it's a sensational wine in the making. Coming from a tiny one-hectare parcel next to Clinet, this inky purple-hued effort offers a wonderfully complex, vibrant bouquet of black raspberries, crème de cassis, licorice, toasted spices, and classy oak. Full-bodied, pure, and elegant, yet powerful on the palate, it has good acidity, remarkable purity (there's no overripeness here), sound underlying structure, and a great finish. It’s another brilliant, heavenly Pomerol from 2019.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)

The 2015 Feytit-Clinet is one of the most exciting, viscerally thrilling wines of the vintage. Graphite, smoke, charcoal, violets, and a host of intense, dark fruits make a strong first impression. Vertical and towering in the glass, the 2015 possesses magnificent intensity to match its virile, brooding personality. There is a sense of explosive energy in the 2015 that is simply compelling. Readers who can find the 2015 should not hesitate, as it is stunning. What a wine! The blend is approximately 96% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Tasted two times.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96-98)

The 2015 Feytit-Clinet is one of the most exciting, viscerally thrilling wines of the vintage. Graphite, smoke, charcoal, violets, and a host of intense, dark fruits make a strong first impression. Vertical and towering in the glass, the 2015 possesses magnificent intensity to match its virile, brooding personality. There is a sense of explosive energy in the 2015 that is simply compelling. Readers who can find the 2015 should not hesitate, as it is stunning. What a wine! The blend is approximately 96% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Tasted two times.

Jeb Dunnuck (96-99)

From one of my favorite estates in Pomerol, situated between Trotanoy and Latour à Pomerol, the 2018 Château Feytit-Clinet is currently sitting at 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc being raised in 70% new French oak. Sporting a deep purple/blue color as well as a massive bouquet of blackberries, smoked herbs, liquid violets, and graphite, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a weightless, seamless texture, thrilling purity, and a great, great finish. It’s a powerful wine hitting 14.9% alcohol yet there’s not a trace of heat. Offering beautiful purity and flawless balance, it reminds me of the 2010, only better.

Jeb Dunnuck (96-98)

Another blockbuster in the making from this tiny estate in Pomerol, the 2020 Château Feytit-Clinet is based on a normal blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, hitting 14.8% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.7. The aging will span 18 months in 70% new French oak. It boasts a dense purple hue as well as a stunning nose of crème de cassis, currants, tobacco, and damp earth. About as ripe, sexy, and opulent as they come, it still shows the purity and freshness of this great vintage. It reveals more and more tannins with time in the glass, but given its mid-palate as well as its overall density, it’s going to benefit from just 3-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 20-30 years.

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?

Wine Advocate (95)

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Gazin features a beautifully perfumed nose of violets, Ceylon tea, cigar box, sandalwood and fallen leaves over a core of plum preserves, kirsch and blackberry preserves plus a waft of aniseed. Medium-bodied and elegant, with compelling restraint, it has a seductively plush texture, finishing with bags of poise, perfume and persistence.