The Aurelien Verdet Morey-Saint-Denis Rouge 2016 is an exquisite Burgundy wine, exhibiting a delightful composure of elegance and depth. Bracing the standards of eco-conscious viticulture, Aurelien Verdet, the young noted producer, employs organic and biodynamic methods in the legendary terroirs Near Nuits-Saint-Georges. The grapes are handpicked at the peak of ripeness, ensuring that the wine's aromatic profile achieves a balance of ripe red berry expressions and earthy undertones.

The grapes are fermented in wooden vats then aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. This intensive process bestows the Aurelien Verdet Morey-Saint-Denis Rouge 2016 with its sophisticated character. Decanting is advised to unlock its full palate potential, which includes tones of raspberry, dark cherry and hint of spices, complemented by silky tannins. This wine's vivacious complexity serves as testament to Verdet’s commitment to traditional Burgundian winemaking standards. A gem for any serious aficionado of French Wine.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2016 Ausone is a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot and it has a deep garnet-purple color. It is incredibly closed to begin, offering glimpses of juicy blackberries, plum preserves, and cedar chest, before unfurling to offer a whole array of exotic spices, sandalwood, violets, and notes of crushed rocks, plus a touch of smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is so closed and tightly knit to start off, delivering peeks at mineral, floral, and opulent spice accents, with a rock-solid structure of grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic length. It needs a good 8 years+, but should cellar for at least 40 more!

The Auvenay Bourgogne Aligote Sous Chatelet 2015 is an expression of exceptional winemaking from the venerable house of Domaine d'Auvenay, owned by Lalou Bize-Leroy. Nestled in the prestigious wine region of Burgundy, this Aligote is an exquisite sample of the producer's skill and dedication to precision and organic farming. The wine is made with the Aligote grape variety, providing it with unparalleled freshness and minerality.

Elevated in oak barrels for 18 months, Auvenay Bourgogne Aligote Sous Chatelet 2015 exhibits not only a vivid, pale gold colour but also a sensational aromatic profile brimming with white flowers, apple, citrus, and a touch of buttery notes. On the palate, it is characterized by its stocky structure, bright acidity and vivid minerality, culminating in a lengthy, rewarding finish. Savour the brilliance of the Auvenay Bourgogne Aligote Sous Chatelet 2015, a quintessential French white wine for the discerning wine aficionado.

Savour an exquisite embodiment of Bordeaux's grandeur with the Badette Saint Emilion 2015. Born from the revered Saint Emilion region of Bordeaux, France, this remarkable wine represents the marriage of meticulous viticulture and masterful vinification. The estate cultivates a perfect blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, promising vibrant arrays of ripe, red fruits harmoniously balanced with notes of spice and silky tannins.

Born from the conviction of hands-on proprietors, Peters and Stephan von Neipperg, the Badette Saint Emilion 2015 encapsulates a dedication to extreme precision from vineyard to glass. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels before bottling, the wine exhibits the unparalleled fusion of fruit and oak, resulting in a balanced, full-bodied panache that lingers tantalisingly on the palate. Such rare elegance marks the Badette Saint Emilion 2015 as the epitome of vinous perfection.

James Suckling (95)

Lots of plum and dark-berry character with citrus, cedar and sandalwood. Very pure sangiovese. Full-bodied with firm, racy tannins and cool, vivid fruit at the finish. Some mineral, tar and steel undertones. Needs time to open and soften. Better than the 2015. Try after 2023.

James Suckling (97)

Lots of dried bark, cinnamon stick, forest floor and earth add to an impression of dried cherries and sandalwood. But there are also hints of caramelized oranges and preserved lemons. The attack on the palate takes immediate effect; the powerful tannins pucker the edges of the mouth with imposing depth, but equally fascinating detail. This is a robust, take-no-hostages style of Brunello with a modern twist of finesse and tension. Drink from 2025.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

An awesome Saint Emilion, the 2015 Château Barde-Haut showed even better on this occasion than on release. A huge nose of sweet crème de cassis, jammy blackberries, violets, leather, and dried herbs gives way to a full-bodied wine that has a great mid-palate, ripe, silky tannins, not a hard edge to be found, and a great, great finish. I love it even today, yet it has a full two decades of prime drinking ahead of it.

Vinous (96)

Good full ruby-red. Captivating nose combines, ripe red cherry, black plum, minerals, herbs, mocha and sexy brown spices. Juicy and sweet, with refined, suave blackberry, raspberry, minerals and tobacco flavors dominating. Finishes extremely long, with a steely quality, fine-grained tannins and a multifaceted personality. Another great Brunello from Baricci.

Wine Spectator (97)

Fresh and vivid, this red features cherry, raspberry, plum, floral, black tea and mineral aromas and flavors. The well-defined fruit character is nicely balanced by earthy, savory elements, lively acidity and refined tannins. This is complete, with terrific finesse and complexity.

James Suckling (97)

There’s lots of clove character here, but the fruit really shines through, offering up intense hibiscus, orange rind, cranberries, Thai basil and dark chocolate. Full-bodied and really structured and refined with an agile core of red berries and savory undertones. Long but minerally on the finish. Drink from 2024.

James Suckling (98)

I love the purity of fruit to this Gran Selezione that shows hibiscus, orange peel, violets, lavender, early grey tea, cloves, tobacco and wet earth. Elegant and flowing with lithe yet structured tannins, intensely refreshing acidity and a long, complex finish. Superb sangiovese. Drink from 2023.

Vinous (93)

The 2016 Barbera d'Alba is fabulous. Rich in its first impression, but sustained by terrific energy, the 2016 is all finesse. Rose petal, lavender, mint and dark red and purplish fruit develop in the glass, but more than anything else, the 2016 is a super-classic, mid-weight Barbera that will thrill readers who enjoy traditionally made wines.

James Suckling (94-95)

Wow. The shows a new level of excellence with mint, mineral and currant character. Full body, super fine tannins and a savory finish. New definition here. Precision. New second wine from this estate moved up the quality.

James Suckling (96)

Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024.

Wine Spectator (97)

A stunner from the get-go, with waves of thoroughly seductive boysenberry, plum, blueberry and raspberry reduction forming the core, while roasted apple wood, rooibos tea, bergamot, and anise notes flash throughout. This has plenty of bass, with a Turkish coffee accent and a hint of alder driving underneath. Everything moves in lockstep through the seriously long finish. Best from 2020 through 2045. 12,500 cases made.

James Suckling (99)

This is a stunning Beaucastel. A classic! Has a superb array of fruit, ranging from red, through to blue, darker purple and black. Nuances of dark, stony minerals, spices, wild flowers and herbs. So fleshy. This has impeccable balance, super-silky tannins and an extraordinarily long finish. This has decades ahead of it. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Also bottled two weeks ago, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Roussanne Vieilles Vignes is utterly killer and is as good as it gets. Huge notes of orange blossom, peach, tangerine, honeysuckle, and caramelized citrus flow from this insanely good, unctuous, heavenly textured white that possesses full-bodied richness and power, yet stays light, graceful and perfectly balanced on the palate. Drink bottles anytime over the coming 4-6 years, or cellar for a decade or more. Robert Parker once famously called this the Montrachet of the Rhône, and I wholeheartedly agree with him. Don’t miss this wine!

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The flagship is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin, 75% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and the rest Counoise, brought up all in foudre. Blueberries, Peking duck, new saddle leather, black cherries, scorched earth, and an incredible sense of minerality all flow to a massive, concentrated, pure, perfectly balanced 2016 that is a prime example of the old saying, “an iron fist in a velvet glove.” It's a heavenly, perfect wine that's going to live for 30-50 years.

James Suckling (91-92)

A juicy and pretty wine with berry and chocolate character, a medium body and a clean finish. Clearly better than the 2015.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Cassis, crushed rocks, graphite, and liquid violet notes all emerge from the 2016 Château Beauséjour, one of the magical wines in this great, great vintage. Possessing full-bodied richness, building tannin, world-class purity of fruit, and an incredible finish, it’s one of those “iron fist in a velvet glove” wines that carries awesome richness and depth, yet just glides over the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness. This legendary Saint-Emilion needs 6-7 years of cellaring and will keep for 3-4 decades. Don’t miss this wine!

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Cassis, crushed rocks, graphite, and liquid violet notes all emerge from the 2016 Château Beauséjour, one of the magical wines in this great, great vintage. Possessing full-bodied richness, building tannin, world-class purity of fruit, and an incredible finish, it’s one of those “iron fist in a velvet glove” wines that carries awesome richness and depth, yet just glides over the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness. This legendary Saint-Emilion needs 6-7 years of cellaring and will keep for 3-4 decades. Don’t miss this wine!

James Suckling (100)

Blue fruits, minerals, lavender and licorice aromas are wonderful. Full body and ultra-refined tannins with an integration and refinement that make the wines seamless and beautiful. The powerful tannins hide from you at first, but what structure in the end. It goes on for minutes. Try in 2024.

Vinous (98)

Bellevue Mondotte is magnificent in 2016. Stunningly rich and concentrated, with tremendous structure, the 2016 has so much to offer. Crème de cassis, raspberry jam, lavender, graphite, game, menthol and a whole rush of inky blue/purplish fruit emerge from this explosive, captivating Saint-Émilion. In 2016 Bellevue Mondotte balances sumptuousness with saline-infused energy and persistence. It is without question one of the truly great wines of the vintage.

Vinous (98)

Bellevue Mondotte is magnificent in 2016. Stunningly rich and concentrated, with tremendous structure, the 2016 has so much to offer. Crème de cassis, raspberry jam, lavender, graphite, game, menthol and a whole rush of inky blue/purplish fruit emerge from this explosive, captivating Saint-Émilion. In 2016 Bellevue Mondotte balances sumptuousness with saline-infused energy and persistence. It is without question one of the truly great wines of the vintage.

Vinous (94)

Ashen stone and animal musk give way to dusty florals, spiced citrus and dried black cherries, as the 2015 Etna Rosso Serra della Contessa Riserva dramatically opens up in the glass. It’s deceptively soft and juicy in feel, casting a pure display of ripe red and black fruits across a core of zesty acids, yet with fine tannins that slowly saturate toward the finale. This finishes with persistence, but also with a hulking structure that will require years to resolve, as inner rose notes and tart woodland berries linger longer. This is the inaugural vintage of the Serra della Contessa Riserva, a single-parcel selection of pre-phylloxera vines.

The Benanti, Rovittello Riserva Particella No 341, Etna Rosso 2015 is a glorious manifestation of Sicilian viticulture. Benanti, a renowned producer, located on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, have understatedly crafted this exquisite red wine. The grapes for this vintage are handpicked from the particular vineyard plot No.341 in Rovittello, lending distinctive nuances to the wine's profile.

The careful vinification process involves ageing in French oak barrels, bestowing complex layers of flavour and silky tannins. In the glass, it unfolds an impressive bouquet of spices, ripe berries, tobacco, and balsamic notes. The undercurrent of minerality testifies to its volcanic terroir. On the palate, it's harmonious with impactful freshness and an enduring finish.

A compelling example of Etna Rosso, the Benanti, Rovittello Riserva Particella No 341, Etna Rosso 2015 offers an enchanting taste of its rich geographical and historical provenance. A fine wine connoisseur's treasure worth exploring.

Vinous (92-94)

(one of the four barrels was new in 2016): Musky, noble reduction to the aromas of pear, minerals and flowers. At once thick and juicy, boasting lovely concentration and clarity to its soil-driven flavors of stone fruits and saline, rocky minerals. Tight in the middle at present but this fine-grained wine broadens out on the very long, glistening, palate-saturating back end. Leroux told me he made between 25 and 30 hectoliters per hectare from these very old vines, which he noted is the normal yield here.