Decanter (96)

Brilliant wine that continues to impress three years on from the En Primeur tasting, with a creamy but restrained texture, precise black fruits with a spicy undertow. By this point Carmes had the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc on the Left Bank, and had really started to establish its own identity. It was also using a full 40% whole bunch winemaking, choosing only the ripest stems to include in the fermentation tanks, adding a twist of salinity on the finish and ensuring a dip of around 1% in potential alcohol levels at picking (this is a hot site close to the city centre). Owned by Patrice Pichet since 2011, with Guillaume Pouthier joining as director in 2012 - whose experience in the Rhône meant he was not afraid to use stems in winemaking, something traditionally shunned in Bordeaux. This wine shows the success of that approach, giving personality and poise. Needs another few years for the austerity to soften further.

James Suckling (95)

Juicy and spicy with fresh tobacco, redcurrants and crushed stone character. Medium to full body. Medium velvety tannins and a delicious finish. Will age beautifully as well. Better after 2026.

Vinous (95)

The 2017 Syrah continues to serve as one of the Cape's finest expressions of the variety. Gorgeous scents of raspberry, strawberry, Earl Grey tea and pomegranate seeds feature on the detailed nose; then the palate is lithe and silky, with perhaps more garrigue notes coming through with bottle age. Divine.

Wine Advocate (93)

The 2011 Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva reflects a warm and ripe year, and the wine is more evolved and already hints at some caramel and honey. It has a mellow palate without the vibrancy of the 2010 I tasted next to it. This wine matured in used, ancient American oak barrels for six years. 19,000 bottles were filled in November 2019.

James Suckling (95)

A traditional beauty that effuses iron, warm earth and savory tobacco leaves, together with plums, spices and orange zest. This is juicy and still tight, with firm but savory tannins. Medium-weight and quite zesty in texture, as is the case with the other López de Heredia reds tasted this session. Drink now or hold.

Vinous (91)

The 2017 Corton-Pougets Grand Cru has an attractive, wild strawberry, orange blossom and pomegranate bouquet, pure and charming and quite Chambolle-like in style. The palate is fleshy on the entry, delivering fine grip and decent red fruit laced with white pepper and graphite, but it tapers toward the finish, refusing to "kick on" and leaving you wanting more. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.

Vinous (92)

The 2017 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has a light and slightly earthy nose, a touch of orange pith emerging with time. The palate displays good weight and concentration, offering candied orange peel and lemon zest and turning a little peachy toward the finish, all underpinned by a fine bead of acidity and decent length. This should drink well for 12–15 years. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Savigny-lès-Beaune.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2017 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières 1er Cru has a fresh bouquet, quite vigorous compared to its peers, with yellow flower scents complementing the clear honey and subtle linseed aromas that gradually unfurl. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, and full of tension, displaying good depth and concentration toward the finish. This is quite a powerful Puligny, perhaps missing a little bit of nerve compared to its peers, yet satisfying and persistent in the mouth. (DIAM GC closure)

Wine Enthusiast (96)

This is a sumptuous wine, rich and full of both fruit and a cushioned structure. The generosity of this beautifully perfumed wine is considerable, giving juicy fruits as well as acidity. It has great aging potential so don't drink before 2026.

Vinous (94-97)

Good medium red. Extravagantly complex nose combines raspberry, wild rose, crushed rock, clove, mocha and wild herbs. Wonderfully subtle, spherical and nuanced, communicating an almost 3-D texture to the flavors of red berries, spices, licorice, herbs and flowers. The wine's firm spine of tannins is utterly covered by lush, fleshy fruit today. The thick, slowly rising finish washes over the palate like a wave.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-94)

Good medium red. Expressive aromas of black cherry, licorice and menthol; reduced today but very Clos Vougeot. Dense and vibrant, with very good underlying spine to its black fruit flavors. Finishes with substantial ripe tannins and excellent length. A serious Clos Vougeot in the making.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Cask sample. Bright mid crimson. Pale rim. Really quite heady and distinctive on the nose. Attractive savoury cut on the palate but quite full bodied. This does immediately taste like grand cru weight. Masses of fruit and a little bit of bitter cherry on the end. Lightly muscular in a good way. Clean and brisk and long.

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.

Wine Spectator (91)

A layer of resinous oak shades the cherry and raspberry fruit. Spice and mineral accents show up, but for now this is austere. Should come together nicely, as the finish shows promise. Best from 2017 through 2030. 200 cases made.

Wine Advocate (93)

From a difficult year (no Cristal, no Vintage) with a wet summer and a harvest already in August (like 2017 and most probably also 2018), Roederer's soon-to-be-released 2011 Blanc de Blancs offers a clear, bright, fresh and very delicate and floral bouquet with almond, hazelnut and nougat aromas. Sourced entirely in Avize (toward Cramant in the north and Oger in the south), where Chardonnay behaved quite well that year, as Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon put it. He noted that the 2011 Blanc de Blancs comes along like a Crémant from the Loire Valley rather than a Champagne from the Côte des Blancs due to its low pressure. Thirty percent of the cuvée was fermented in oak (in 2017, it's 32%) to give a more rich and round style of Blanc de Blancs since the characteristic salinity comes in the finish anyway. We like texture! That's why we pick very ripe grapes at 11% alcohol. We don't chaptalize, and—since 1930—we don't need malolactic fermentation here. We just reduce the pressure to ensure a fuller, richer flow of bubbles. In fact, the 2011 is deliciously rich and charming but also pure, highly delicate (if not tender) and lifted by an airy freshness. The finish is pure and salty and underlines the great elegance, finesse and supple lightness of the 2011. To tell you the truth, this is a damn good 2011! Disgorged in January 2018; tasted May 2018.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Aromas of menthol, pressed rose, wild berry and grilled herb are front and center in this stunning wine along with a whiff of forest floor. Combining structure and finesse, the savory, full-bodied palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, blood orange and licorice before an espresso finish. Firm, refined tannins provide tight support.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Fragrant and delicious, this gorgeous wine opens with inviting aromas of rose, sandalwood, camphor and perfumed berry alongside whiffs of truffle and French oak. The full-bodied palate combines elegance and structure, featuring ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and a dollop of vanilla alongside firm, refined tannins. It's already tempting but hold for more complexity.

Vinous (95+)

The 2017 Barolo Baudana is such a gorgeous wine. It, too conveys the power of Serralunga, but with a bit less heft than is typically the case. Sweet dark cherry, iron, cedar, rose petal, mint and white pepper give the 2017 its effusive, inviting personality. This is such a tremendous showing.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)

One of the original garage wines, the 2017 Magrez Fombrauge is a blockbuster made from 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc that will see 18 months in new barrels. It offers a huge nose of chocolaty dark fruits, crushed rocks, and sweet oak as well as full-bodied richness, impressive mid-palate depth, and sweet tannin. Deep, rich, gorgeously textured, and lengthy, it could be a true superstar and up with the crème de la crème in the vintage.

James Suckling (95-96)

A fantastic 2017 from Margaux with a deep and ripe core of fruit in the center palate. Silky and juicy tannins. Full body, plenty of fruit and a long, flavorful finish.

James Suckling (95-96)

A fantastic 2017 from Margaux with a deep and ripe core of fruit in the center palate. Silky and juicy tannins. Full body, plenty of fruit and a long, flavorful finish.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2017 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru stays with Domaine Marc Colin as it as owned by Damien's godfather and he wished for it to remain with him, therefore a fermage agreement remains in place. It has a clean and precise bouquet, a little more expressive than some of its peers with crushed stone, sea spray and light citrus peel scents. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, the oak neatly integrated (one out of two barrels new) with a precise tangy orange rind finish. Sophisticated and compelling. (DIAM closure)

Decanter (98)

I think it's the best vintage I've ever made', says Marc, and you can see why. It's 100% whole-bunch fruit, harvested at a yield of 25hl/ha from lieux-dits Les Greffieux and Le Méal. It has resinous rosemary notes on the nose, and it's so fresh, vibrant and full of energy. The palate is beautifully concentrated, with lovely berry acidity. It's a totally natural and unforced expression of Hermitage with real length and persistence. It has slightly softer tannins than the 2015, but is just as good. So refreshing and enlivening.

James Suckling (99)

There is ripeness and opulence to this, in an almost exotic and sassy way. Crushed berries with chocolate and spice. Floral and cashmere undertones. This starts off slowly and just rolls off the palate with beautifully polished tannins and a salty, minerally note to the long, extended tannins. Really brilliant. So classy. Structured. Try after 2025.

James Suckling (99)

There is ripeness and opulence to this, in an almost exotic and sassy way. Crushed berries with chocolate and spice. Floral and cashmere undertones. This starts off slowly and just rolls off the palate with beautifully polished tannins and a salty, minerally note to the long, extended tannins. Really brilliant. So classy. Structured. Try after 2025.

Intriguingly seductive, the Markus Molitor Brauneberger Klostergarten 3 Sterne Pinot Noir 2017 emanates from Germany's famed Mosel wine region. Masterfully crafted by celebrated vintner, Markus Molitor, this extraordinarily rare and exceptional wine blends the illustrious tradition of the region with innovative eco-friendly vineyard practices. Delicately nurtured in the original hundred-year-old vineyards, this wine epitomises understated elegance.

The molten ruby red essence of the Markus Molitor Brauneberger Klostergarten 3 Sterne Pinot Noir 2017 seduces the senses, while layers of ripe berry, spiced cherry and touches of subtle oak charm the palate. Exquisite terroir influences integrate with sustainable vineyard practices to elevate the expansive body and brooding complexity of this extraordinary Pinot Noir. With a breathtaking balance of acidity and rich tannins, this wine culminates in a lingering, resonant finish. A remarkable testament to its distinguished heritage and the inherent quality of the Mosel region, this Markus Molitor Pinot Noir 2017 is a treasure to be savoured.

Revered for its captivating expression of terroir, the Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 3* White Capsule 2011 is a genuine marvel from Germany's renowned Mosel wine region. Markus Molitor, a revered artisanal vintner who assumes a minimalist approach in the vineyard and winery, meticulously crafts this Riesling from the esteemed Sonnenuhr vineyard, famed for its blue Devon slate soil. Hand-picked at perfect ripeness, the grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation before a veritable slumber in large oak foudres, allowing for a harmonious fusion of fruit, acidity and mineral nuances.

The Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 3* White Capsule 2011 radiates opulence through its expansive, multi-layered profile. Laden with tropical fruit, honeyed notes and a thread of profound minerality, this Auslese culminates in a prodigious finish. Beverage connoisseurs can anticipate decadent sipping, particularly when paired with dishes of piquant complexities.

Experience the transcendent ethos embodied by the Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 3* White Capsule 2011, a testament to the grandeur of German Riesling.

Vinous (91)

Opaque ruby. Oak-spice-accented red and blue fruits, vanilla, roasted coffee and a hint of smokiness on the perfumed nose. Supple and expansive in the mouth, offering concentrated black raspberry and cherry-vanilla flavors that turn sweeter with air. The vanilla and cherry notes linger on the sweet, persistent finish, which is shaped by supple, harmonious tannins. Definitely showing its oak right now, but there's plenty of fruit to back it up.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2017 Volnay Les Taillepieds 1er Cru has perhaps the most "airy" bouquet, it is very transparent at the moment, but the palate is much tighter and backward. There is good backbone here, but it is sulking and it is probably one of the Domaine’s wines that will require the longest bottle age. It has an almost Pommard-like austerity towards the finish. Excellent but one of the more challenging wines from the domaine.

Vinous - Neal Martin (83-85)

The 2017 Marsau, 14-hectares on clay soil, offers light brambly red fruit on the nose that lacks a little depth and concentration compared to other vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, sharp on the entry with quite high acidity, leading to a straightforward, slightly austere finish.