Jancis Robinson (19)

A blend of 198 wines from 11 different years, with the youngest the acclaimed 2012, back to a precious, powerfully aromatic lot of Verzenay Pinot Noir 1996. The final blend – 52% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier – was bottled in 2013 and aged for seven years in Krug’s cellars in Reims. Yields in 2012 were 20% lower than usual because of a succession of meteorological events including frost, rain, storms and hail in winter and spring 2012, followed by the driest ripening season since 1974. Notably intense aroma with crème pâtissière dominant. Masses of extract and remarkable acidity underpinned by great depth of flavour and beautiful balance on the finish. I think this is going to be a really great, glamorous Krug Grande Cuvée that will continue to develop in bottle for many years to come. I suspect it will be even more enjoyable from the end of 2020. The length on the palate is remarkable. This is magnificently precise, a great tribute to the work of the old cellarmaster Eric Lebel, who is still in the background, and a wonderful welcome to his successor Julie Cavil, who has been learning from him since 2006.

Jancis Robinson (19)

A blend of 198 wines from 11 different years, with the youngest the acclaimed 2012, back to a precious, powerfully aromatic lot of Verzenay Pinot Noir 1996. The final blend – 52% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier – was bottled in 2013 and aged for seven years in Krug’s cellars in Reims. Yields in 2012 were 20% lower than usual because of a succession of meteorological events including frost, rain, storms and hail in winter and spring 2012, followed by the driest ripening season since 1974. Notably intense aroma with crème pâtissière dominant. Masses of extract and remarkable acidity underpinned by great depth of flavour and beautiful balance on the finish. I think this is going to be a really great, glamorous Krug Grande Cuvée that will continue to develop in bottle for many years to come. I suspect it will be even more enjoyable from the end of 2020. The length on the palate is remarkable. This is magnificently precise, a great tribute to the work of the old cellarmaster Eric Lebel, who is still in the background, and a wonderful welcome to his successor Julie Cavil, who has been learning from him since 2006.

Wine Advocate (96+)

Based on the 2013 vintage and complemented by some 40% reserve wines dating back to 2000, Krug's newly released NV Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition is showing very nicely, unfurling in the glass with notes of citrus oil, buttered toast, dried apricot, warm biscuits and marmalade. Medium to full-bodied, deep and incisive, it's a tauter, more chiseled rendition of Grande Cuvée by comparison with the richer, more textural and more demonstrative 168ème Édition (based on the 2012 vintage) that preceded it; but its bright spine of acidity is nicely cloaked in fruit. Concluding with a long and sapid finish, this is a very classically balanced Champagne that will reward bottle age

Wine Spectator (96)

A mouthwatering rosé that wraps a racy spine of acidity in the plushly creamy, cashmere-like mousse, offering a fine frame for the rich and finely meshed range of flavors, with baked raspberry, passion fruit and Mandarin orange peel fruit accented by chopped hazelnut, fleur de sel, candied ginger and lime blossom notes that echo for days on the vivid finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged autumn 2019. Drink now through 2030.

Wine Spectator (96)

A mouthwatering rosé that wraps a racy spine of acidity in the plushly creamy, cashmere-like mousse, offering a fine frame for the rich and finely meshed range of flavors, with baked raspberry, passion fruit and Mandarin orange peel fruit accented by chopped hazelnut, fleur de sel, candied ginger and lime blossom notes that echo for days on the vivid finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged autumn 2019. Drink now through 2030.

Wine Advocate (96)

Based on the 2014 vintage, complemented by some 33% reserve wines from six other vintages, Krug's new NV Brut Rosé 26ème Édition is showing beautifully, offering up aromas of tart red berries and plums mingled with notions of warm biscuits, dried fruits, flowers and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, taut and incisive, with terrific concentration, racy acids and a long, penetrating finish, it's an intensely flavored, electric wine that stands out as a particularly good recent release from this storied house.

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Fascinating aromas of plums, dried flowers and hints of toasty oak. Full-bodied and muscular, with a long finish. Very, very impressive. Racy and well-toned for the vintage. Very well structured. Score range: 95-100

Always one of the most eagerly awaited of the annual Special Releases, this latest edition of the Lagavulin 12 year old cask strength is perhaps one of the best to date. Bottled with even more vigour and classic intensity than the standard distillery bottling of the 16, the 2020 Special Release is quintessential Islay without a doubt. A whisky that offers wave after wave of citrus-and-clove-infused peat with a coastal salinity and nuanced power, this is a genre-defining Lagavulin that will no doubt become a sought-after darling of the collector's market before long, much as its predecessors have.

Vinous (96)

Tasted from magnum, the 2004 Grande Cuvée Rosé Alexandra, Laurent-Perrier’s flagship Rosé is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir (on the skins) and 20% Chardonnay vinified together that has only been bottled seven times since 1982. From the very first taste, the 2004 is utterly spectacular. Rich, ample and vertical in feel, the 2004 is dazzling. Dried rose petal, star anise, tobacco, dried flowers, red berry fruit and earthy notes all grace this utterly exquisite Champagne. As good as the 2004 is today – and it is fabulous – it will be even better in another few years’ time. The 2004 has been nothing short of magnificent on both occasions I have tasted it so far.

James Suckling (99)

Incredible aromas of apple skin, pie crust, praline and flowers. So young in the nose. Full-bodied with super-fine tannins. It’s tight and refined, yet structured and intense. Really long and beautiful. Still shy. Wonderful finish. 12 years on its lees before disgorging. Three vintages in the blend – 2008 (65%), 2007 (25%) and 2006 (10%). 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir. It’s the highest percentage of chardonnay ever.

Jancis Robinson (17)

Very vibrant, a bit of a brisk wake-up call. A cold shower of a wine! But very good zestiness. Very, very clean. Lovely aperitif, lots of character. Not that long though.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91)

The NV Trilogie was a fantastic wine, a blend of three vintages of declassified fruit from Le Pin. There are two or three different blends, this one comprising 2013, 2014 and 2015. Again, served blind, I stupidly guessed Saint-Émilion! I know that Jacques Thienpont and Fiona Morrison dislike the speculation that shrouds Trilogie due to its connection. Affordability was their original intention, but you cannot fight market forces and the truth is that this is a delicious, surprisingly complex multi-vintage blend. As one of the only people that ever tasted the declassified 2013 Le Pin, serving as a guinea pig for Jacques on one visit, I can vouchsafe that he made far better use of the fruit that year.

Trilogie is a secretive project that Château Le Pin has been pursuing for a number of years. Produced in only miniscule amounts, the current edition is a blend of the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Château Le Pin - all excellent vintages, and available at a fraction of the price of a regular Le Pin!

Containing:
2 bottles of Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2018
2 bottles of Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2019
2 bottles of Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2020

Discover the exquisite Lheraud Charles X NV, a veritable celebration of winemaking artistry. Nestled in the heart of France's famed Grande Champagne region, Maison Lheraud, a family-run distillery for generations, produces this divine elixir. This cognac comes from Ugni Blanc grapes, quintessential to distilling the highest quality brandy, ripened to perfection under the warm Grande Champagne sun.

Double distilled in traditional alambic charentais copper pots, it matures in French oak barrels, absorbing a beautifully balanced range of flavours. Testing reveals rich fruit, traces of citrus, and delicate floral notes, accompanied by a hint of spice and underlying woodiness. The meticulously crafted balance yields a silky, full-bodied cognac, reflecting the expertise of Maison Lheraud.

Lheraud Charles X NV is truly an expression of the Lheraud family's dedication to tradition and unyielding pursuit of quality. This cognac is a must-try for those seeking an authentic, timeless taste experience.

Decanter (97)

Softly shimmering straw gold, green tints, with a delicate filigree dancing at will around the glass. The nose is gently authoritative; spring flowers garlanding stone fruit, a hint of hawthorn maybe, then lemongrass. The palate has encyclopaedic depth, the intricacies of the Perpetual Reserve weaving their early magic; almond, sloe, gingerbread and apples; the finish has a pleasing twist of bitterness, courtesy the small percentage of oak-aged reserve wine. Maybe the dosage can come down even further, such is the engaging and subtle complexity harnessed elsewhere?

James Suckling (94)

Dried-lemon, apricot, green-apple, salted-almond, walnut and light caramel notes. Vinous and layered, with small and tight bubbles. Excellent focus and intensity. Based on 2018, with reserve wines going back to 2009. Dosage 8g/L. Drink now.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (100)

The 2004 Cristal has always been one of my favorites. It is all that again today. A Champagne of precision and nuance, the 2004 impresses with its linear cut and saline intensity. Readers will find a Cristal built on vibrancy more than power or opulence. In this tasting, the 2004 is an absolute stunner. These were the highest yields, even in Champagne. “We dropped half the crop on the Chardonnay and still picked 18,000 kilos (per hectare). That’s massive. We would have picked 25,000 otherwise.” I have always loved the 2004 for its purity. That quality is very much on display today. This is an especially fine bottle, the best I have tasted so far. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: 2011.

Savour the full-bodied complexity of the Macallan Highland Single Malt Sherry Oak Cask 18YO Bottled 2023 NV, a distinguished spirit renowned globally. Matured exclusively in handpicked Spanish oak sherry seasoned casks for 18 years, this extraordinary dram embodies the Macallan's commitment to exceptional cask management from their Speyside distillery in the Highlands of Scotland.

The Macallan Highland Single Malt Sherry Oak Cask 18YO Bottled 2023 NV offers a symphony of sophisticated flavours. The nose will enchant you with the aroma of dried fruits, ginger, and toffee. Palate-wise, you're introduced to a balanced richness with notes of dried fruits and spice, complemented by hints of vanilla and dark chocolate. The finish is long lasting with a warming oak and a smooth velvety texture.

Hailed as a paragon of its kind, this whisky is the quintessence of The Macallan’s craftsmanship, promising a sublime taste experience.

There is a superb decadence to this first release of Montrose’s Grande Champagne Hors d’Age Cognac that brings to mind sultana and fig soaked in old Demerara rum. The signature of some extremely old spirit in the blend is instantly evident by virtue of an earthy complexity while the brightness and verve of younger cognac keeps the overall profile extremely lively and balanced. A fine brightness akin to mandarin orange with charred peel and candied bergamot adds character to the grape-driven palate. A long enduring finish brings in guava and honeyed mango as well as warming baking spices. A phenomenal effort from Montrose. If this is their first effort in Cognac then the future is very bright for this bottling indeed.

L’Eau de Vie de Prunes is yet another brainchild of the enigmatic Baron Phillipe who this time wanted to maintain the traditional biodiversity of Mouton by encouraging and cultivating a range of plants, not just vines. An orchard called Les Pruniers was planted with an incredible five varieties of plum tree, all of which are essential notes in the harmony of this spirit. Revealing both the essence of each single variety as well as the masterful skill of the blenders, this composition is the pinnacle of elegance and concentration. Aged for a whopping 15 years partly in oak barrels and partly in demijohns, this is a true reflection of Mouton terroir conveyed through a different fruit!

L’Eau de Vie de Vin is the most well-guarded secret of the Rothschild’s spirits, this Eau de Vie is a consequence of the Rothschild family’s ancient right to distil spirits from their own land for their own personal consumption – use it or lose it! Made with the same care and attention as the property’s legendary Grands Vins, this is a jewel in Mouton’s crown and a source of great pride amongst those involved in its production. The fruit undergoes a rigorous selection process before this spirit is double-distilled in a copper still. The individual spirits are then aged for between 15 and 30 years in oak barrel before finally being blended and bottled. Displaying the unique character of Mouton Rothschild, this spirit bursts onto the senses with layers of ripe fruit, liquorice and warming spices. Power and refinement balance each other in equal measure, before the finish concludes with another level of smoothness.

So often a tasting note of top wines from Pauillac, the gorgeous Liqueur de Cassis was created by Baron Philippe to reflect the mastery of his winemakers’ skilful blending, growing three varieties of blackcurrants within the Mouton estate. Hand-picked and sorted twice at the peak of ripeness in July, the berries are crushed and macerated in grape spirits before being placed in oak for 50 days. The result is a remarkably long, fruity and silky Cassis displaying epic generosity alongside a delightfully spicy core which restrains the sweetness like black pepper on fresh strawberries.

Jancis Robinson (17+)

58% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir, 11% Pinot Meunier. Vintages: 70% 2014, 4% 2013, 6% 2011, 9% 2010, 10% 2009, 1% 2008. Four years on lees. Disgorged May 2019. Outstanding nose, with all the bready complexity of great sparkling. Saline and zippy, with excellent apple and lemon fruit on the palate. Not at all sharp, with excellent balance and flesh on the body. Mature, mushroomy character on the finish. Expertly done. (RH)

Each case contains:

1 x 75cl Oddero Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2014 | 98 pts WE, 95+ pts VN, 95 pts WA

2 x 75cl Oddero Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2013 | 97 pts WE, 96 pts VN, 96 pts WA

1 x 75cl Oddero Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2012 | 97 pts WE, 94 pts VN

1 x 75cl Oddero Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2011 | 95+ pts WA

1 x 75cl Oddero Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2009 | 96 pts WA

Wine Advocate (96)

The estate's 2004 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is another awesome wine. Initially linear on entry, it explodes on the palate with a compelling array of dark fruit, smoke, tar, licorice, new leather, plums and baking spices. Although Bric del Fiasc is typically a wine that relies on power, the 2004 is notably refined and elegant, with sweet silky tannins that support the fruit from start to finish. Simply put, this is a remarkable wine from Enrico Scavino. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022.