Vinous (95)

Rich, bold and effusive, the 2017 Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno shows the darker side of Nebbiolo from Verduno, as it always does. Black cherry, gravel, licorice, game, spice and cured meats are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop in the glass. Broad and ample, with tons of punch, the 2017 San Lorenzo delivers the goods, and then some.

Falstaff (100)

Medium yellow-green, silver reflections. An inviting bouquet of fine blossom honey underlaid with nuances of fresh apricot, fine tropical fruit and a floral touch. Juicy palate with fine fruit, silky structure, elegant acidity, all perfectly balanced. Mineral and long on the finish, this is extremely satisfying and will age beautifully.

Jeb Dunnuck (95+)

A pretty, perfumed example of this cuvee, the 2017 Barbaresco offers lots more red fruits as well as spice, dried flowers, incense, and loamy soil. With more licorice and minerality emerging with time in the glass, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, an elegant texture, plenty of firm tannins, and a great finish. It doesn't get more textbook Nebbiolo than this. This classic beauty is going to benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age and have 2-3 decades of longevity.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

From the estate’s property in Serralunga d’Alba, the 2017 Barolo Sperss is fresh with pine, perfectly ripe cherry, leather, and aniseed. It has classic Serralunga structure without being imposing, with ripe up-front fruit of dried raspberry as well as tea leaf, and refreshing acidity on the finish. It is layered with depth, but is remarkably drinkable now. This is a beautiful wine to finish out the Gaja lineup. Drink 2022-2042.

Wine Advocate (94+)

What a beautifully refreshing summer wine for ambitious wine freaks! Gantenbein's 2021 Pinot Noir opens with a deep, pure, slightly flinty and toasty yet intensely fruity bouquet with raspberry and blackberry as well as chocolate and oak aromas. Full-bodied, straight and fresh on the palate, this is a very elegant, juicy, silky textured and full-bodied Pinot with a straight, tight, long and saline finish that reveals fine but grippy tannins. Impressive wine! 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in Lütjensee in June 2023.

Wine Enthusiast (93)

Red berry, rose and camphor aromas waft out of the glass. Tangy and delicious, the smooth, full-bodied palate doles out ripe Marasca cherry, fleshy raspberry and hints of ground baking spice framed in taut, polished tannins. It's already accessible but also has good midterm aging potential.

Wine Enthusiast (93)

Red berry, rose and camphor aromas waft out of the glass. Tangy and delicious, the smooth, full-bodied palate doles out ripe Marasca cherry, fleshy raspberry and hints of ground baking spice framed in taut, polished tannins. It's already accessible but also has good midterm aging potential.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

Aromas of underbrush, pine forest, woodland berries and cedar form the enticing nose. Full-bodied and savory, the structured palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and cinnamon before closing on pipe tobacco notes. Tightly knit but refined tannins provide the backbone, while surprisingly fresh acidity for the hot vintage keeps it balanced.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

Aromas of underbrush, pine forest, woodland berries and cedar form the enticing nose. Full-bodied and savory, the structured palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and cinnamon before closing on pipe tobacco notes. Tightly knit but refined tannins provide the backbone, while surprisingly fresh acidity for the hot vintage keeps it balanced.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

Wild berry, menthol and tilled earth aromas mingle with whiffs of dark spice. Linear and savory, the lithe palate is already immediate, featuring juicy raspberry, red cherry, crushed mint and star anise accompanied by taut, polished tannins. Tangy acidity keeps it fresh and bright.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

From the township of Novello and from what is now widely recognized as one of the denomination's top vineyard sites, this is just stunning, offering intense aromas of wild berries, new leather, floral notes, camphor and grilled herb. The delicious, structured palate shows finesse and power, featuring ripe red cherry, blood orange, cedar, licorice and mineral notes suggesting tangy iron. Noble tannins provide support. Reflecting the vintage, this won't need years to come around but will also age well for at least another decade.

Prepare your palate for the Georges Lelektsoglou Crozes-Hermitage Vieilles Vignes de Gervans 2021, a majestic embodiment of French viticulture. Crafted in the celebrated Crozes-Hermitage appellation in the Northern Rhône region of France, this sumptuous wine is the brainchild of acclaimed producer Georges Lelektsoglou. True to its illustrious lineage, its grapes burgeon on vintage vineyards that nestle amidst the verdurous slopes of Gervans.

Georges Lelektsoglou hones traditional methods, using sustainable practices to venerate the terroir's complexity. This 2021 vintage enchants with expressive Syrah varietal, yielding pronounced dark fruit notes enveloped in a robust structure, soft tannins, and intoxicating spice accents. Enjoy its velvety texture, balanced acidity, and harmonious bouquet; manifesting an eloquent testament to the enduring artistry of Rhône winemaking. Experience the captivating allure of 'Georges Lelektsoglou Crozes-Hermitage Vieilles Vignes de Gervans 2021'—a wine of remarkable elegance.

Decanter (95)

Pale creamy white. Perfumed aromas of lemons and lavender. On the palate, the oak is well integrated, with notes of creamy, honeyed richness and white almonds, opening up to vibrant, ripe red berries and floral notes. The palate is intense and powerful with rounded ripe fruit, a well-balanced structure and mouth-watering, salted lemon concentration. Rebellious in terms of pricing and weighty complexity, the wine, despite being released when young, has a strong focus on ageability.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Les Fuées 1er Cru has an open-knit bouquet of red cherries, kirsch, orange zest and quince aromas, with notes of tobacco and sous-bois. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, touches of meat juices permeating red fruit that merges with darker fruit on the gently gripping, beautifully focused finish. The domaine’s best in show this year? Quite possibly.

Vinous (95)

Conterno's 2017 Barolo Cerretta offers a classic expression of this Serralunga site. The tannins are just a bit nervy today, which lends a feeling of energy and brightness that is palpable. Bright floral and white pepper accents lift bright red-toned fruit in a Barolo that is wonderfully translucent and nuanced.

Vinous (92)

The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is deeply expressive, showing peppery red berries and pomegranate plus hints of tomato leaf and sage, reminding me of that moment you add fresh herbs to a just-finished ragù. This is pure silk on the palate, rich and pliant, as it slowly saturates the senses with mineral-laced red and hints of blue fruit. Intensely primary and licorice-tinged, it tapers off grippy and classically dry to lasting rosy florals. The 2017 is a bit like a tamed beast of a Brunello.

Halliday Wine Companion (97)

From the Primavera vineyard at Woori Yallock, planted in 2001 on the same red soil as Wombat Creek. Both destemmed (55%) and whole-bunch components. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. A very bright crimson purple. So pure and perfumed with briary cherries, ripe redcurrants and freshly cut roses. Poised, juicy and energetic, the wine has so much tang and crunch, you barely notice that this is also structured finishing with long, gently puckering tannins. A wine with immediate appeal, but also one that will reward at least another 7-10 years in the cellar.

Discover the magnificent Gilles Bouton & Fils Saint-Aubin Les Argillers 2021. A heralded creation from the esteemed Bourgogne winery, this wine is a benchmark of quality craftsmanship, rooted in the deep traditions of French winemaking. This exceptional white wine is grown in the celebrated soil of Saint-Aubin, a vineyard nestled on the slopes of the Côte de Beaune. Gilles Bouton, a fourth-generation vintner, and his son, Julien, expertly oversee the vinification process using traditional methods, resulting in a rich, full-bodied wine exhibited in its truest form.

The Gilles Bouton & Fils Saint-Aubin Les Argillers 2021 showcases a delightful harmony of freshness and complexity. Its captivating bouquet reveals notes of mature golden apple, white flowers, coupled with a lingering minerality. The longevity in the bottle further enhances its lush, refined palate, making it a splendid accompaniment to your gourmet meals. Savour true wine mastery with this sublime French classic.

James Suckling (96)

A full-bodied Brunello with lots of plums and cherries, as well as orange-peel character. It’s creamy and round-textured. Soft and chewy tannins. Shows the warmth and ripeness of the 2017 vintage. Drink after 2023.

Vinous (94)

The 2017 Barolo Bricat is delicate, understated and very pretty. A quiet wine, the Bricat offers lovely mid-palate pliancy and depth. The tannins need to soften a bit, but that should not be an issue in another few years' time. Sweet red berry fruit pomegranate and spice nuances flesh out nicely. This soft Barolo is not an obvious wine, but it will delight readers who appreciate finesse. I very much like the brightness and floral lift here.

Vinous (96)

The 2017 Barolo Castelletto captures all of the savory and mineral complexity of this high-altitude site. Ethereal and gracious, the Castelletto has so much to offer. Pine, mint, blood orange, crushed raspberry and star anise are all finely sculpted throughout. This is one of the best Barolos I have ever tasted from Manzone. Don't miss it.

Vinous (95)

The 2017 Barolo Gramolere is broad and ample, yet retains the gracious style that is typical of the Manzone Barolos these days. The fruit profile is a bit darker, though, and there is a bit more of an oak imprint. Black cherry, new leather, menthol and spice all meld together effortlessly as the 2017 blossoms with a touch of aeration.

Vinous (93)

The 2017 Barolo Monprivato is elegant, classy and nuanced. Crushed red berry fruit, spice and blood orange lend and exotic flair to this silky, mid-weight Barolo. The 2017 loses some of its persistence with air, but it offers tons of immediacy and sheer allure. Best of all, the 2017 will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is one of the better recent vintages of Monprivato the Mascarello family has released.

Kerin O'Keefe (97)

Fermented with wild yeasts, this gorgeous red opens with alluring aromas of rose petal, star anise, tobacco and ripe wild berry. The expressive, delicious palate boasts juicy fruit flavors of crushed raspberry and Morello cherry accented by truffle, baking spice and camphor. Firm but polished tannins provide support.

Vinous (93)

Deep, shimmering ruby. Aromas of ripe blackberry, blueberry, cherry-cola and espresso, along with building floral, spice and cola notes. Offers concentrated, spice-tinged dark fruit preserve and violet pastille flavors that show impressive energy for their heft. Round, well-judged tannins add shape to a very long, smoky finish that repeats the blue fruit and floral notes.

Greg Sherwood MW (97)

If the 2015 Lady May resembled a powerful, dense, Pauillac-styled Cabernet Sauvignon led red blend, and the 2016 a broader, softer expression from a warm dry vintage, then the 2017 is pretty much the antithesis, boasting the most elegant, silky, seamlessly harmonious texture combined with an attractively fragrant, Margaux-esque delicacy, an understated density and graceful precision. While super youthful, the wine inevitably displays some of the lush, alluring and reassuringly expensive new oak creaminess, boasting layers of warm buttered brown toast smothered in black currant preserve, fresh espresso, hints of mocha dust and delicate vanilla pod spice notes. But probably the most pleasing element about this wine is the way ex-winemaker Luke O’Cuinneagain captured the truest essence of the 2017 vintage with its extreme purity, weightless fruit concentration that dances across the palate together with a focused, piercing intensity on the long, silky, luxurious finish. This is class personified and I for one am completely smitten. Drink on release and over 25+ years.

Decanter (98)

Based on Touriga Franca from south-facing slopes at Quinta dos Malvedos, with Touriga Nacional from quintas Vila Velha and Vale de Mealhadas (both predominantly north-facing), topped out with fruit from old vines at Quinta da Tua and 10% Sousão. It's a very deep blue-black colour with an expressive, super-ripe nose of plum, mint and bergamot which springs from the glass. The palate is rich, velvety and voluptuous in typical Graham’s style. The initial richness makes the tannins, which show up on the ripe, broad, mouthwatering finish. Wonderful purity and definition. A real wow of a wine! 3.9 Baumé.

James Suckling (100)

The aromas here are amazing: crushed blueberries and raspberries with wet earth and dried flower. Orange blossom. Tar and stone. Full body, very sweet but the powerful and fine-grained tannins balance the wine out. Tannins and fruit envelop your mouth with each sip. Great potential. Single vineyard port. 600 cases. Try after 2030.