Vinous (96)

"The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Annata is a real knock-out. Rose petals, mint, sweet spices and flowers are some of the first notes that open up in the glass. Almost indescribably beautiful, the 2010 is a classic, austere Biondi Santi Brunello built to age. Although the 2010 is going to require considerable patience, its pedigree is quite apparent today. The 2010 constantly changes in the glass, revealing different shades of its multi-faceted personality, while the long, saline-infused finish is a thing of real beauty"

James Suckling (97)

Fantastic aromas of coffee, tea leaf, ripe plums and ginger follow through to a full body, firm and silky tannins and a rich and subtle finish. The is dense and powerful yet very refined and reserved. It needs at least five years to show its true character. One of the most refined Biondi-Santi riservas I can remember. The tannin texture is exceptional. Try in 2020.

Vinous (97)

The 2021 Chardonnay Reed Vineyard is pure, harmonious and suave, caressing the mouth with its gentle texture and purity. It's not showy but a wine worth getting to know: it provides cognitive and sensory pleasure. You can expect almond, oatmeal, smoky nuts and party popper aromas. Yes, party poppers. I really love the smell of party poppers, so I want to keep smelling this and having a little party shimmy. Pure and textural with a gourmand character that will make you want to lick your cheeks to keep tasting it. Already good; this is going to be great.

Vinous (97)

The 2010 Vieilles Vignes Françaises dazzles from the very first impression with striking aromatic presence and utterly captivating balance. Mirabelle, sweet red cherry, jasmine and passion fruit are some of the many notes that give the 2010 its decidedly racy, exotic personality. The 2010 exudes rare energy for this vintage, which was hardly easy in the field, not to mention real pedigree. It is absolutely unforgettable. I only hope to have a chance to taste it again someday.

Distinguished by its eloquent expression of the Beaune terroir, the Boris Champy Beaune 1er Cru Aux Coucherias 2021 is a testament to fine French winemaking. Boris Champy, renowned agronomist and oenologist, meticulously harvests from the partially historic limestone-clay vineyards of Coucherias, in the heart of Burgundy's Beaune appellation. The wine displays the unique characteristics of biodynamic viticulture with sustainable vineyard management.

Hand-harvested grapes are vinified naturally, giving rise to a dazzling Pinot Noir unencumbered by excessive oenological intervention. The sublime balance of ripe fruit, integrated tannins and vivacious acidity render the Boris Champy Beaune 1er Cru Aux Coucherias 2021 an epitome of elegance. Its ageing potential, refined by 18 months in oak barrels, suggests a promising evolution. This wine delivers a brilliant representation of the vintage's idiosyncrasies, showcasing Burgundy's signature complexity and depth.

Vinous (91)

(mostly grenache, with mourvedre, syrah and cinsault): Saturated ruby. Blackberry, cherry and lavender on the intensely perfumed, spicy nose and in the mouth. Deep and expansive, with impressive back-end punch and slow-building smokiness. The spice and floral notes carry through a long, sweet, gently tannic finish. Decant this one if you can't resist opening a bottle now.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-95)

This is all on the red soil part of Bonnes Mares, vinified with 100% whole bunches. Pretty lighter brighter colour, some reduction, then whole bunch strawberries. Generous fruit on the palate, quite complex, very stylish and with fine promise. A fine long aftertaste.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-97)

A low key lemon and lime colour. Clean fresh and classic on the nose. A very typical fresh stony palate, lightly washed in citrus, with enough flesh to provide the body necessary for ageing, and a fine, long, persistently mineral finish. Drink from 2027-2035. Tasted: November 2022

Steeped in tradition from the sun-kissed hills of Piemonte, Italy, the Bricco Ernesto Vino Bianco 2021 is every connoisseur’s delight. This elegant white wine is born from a meticulous harvesting process carried out entirely by hand. Producer Bricco Ernesto injects passion and dedication into every bottle, delivering fine quality and consistency year after year.

Gracefully maturing in stainless steel tanks, the Bricco Ernesto Vino Bianco 2021 offers a hint of zest that captivates from the first sip. Made primarily from Moscato grapes, it yields an aromatic, fragrant nose, whilst the careful inclusion of 10% Cortese and Favorita grapes balances this with herbal notes and a refreshing minerality.

A perfect partner for refined pallets and gastronomy, Bricco Ernesto Vino Bianco 2021 complements remarkably well with seafood dishes, cheeses and white meats. Raise your glasses to a sublime, Italian expression of terroir, transcending the ordinary to deliver a truly unforgettable white wine experience.

Vinous (97)

Smoke, tar, earthiness and licorice add gorgeous dimensions of complexity in the 2010 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia. Here, too, the flavors are remarkably bright and focused. The dark, brooding notes of Serralunga are very much present, but the 2010 impresses for its pure balance, harmony and class. Dried rose petals, spices, licorice and game add complexity on a huge finish supported by big, incisive tannins. This is another utterly vivid, dazzling Barolo from Brovia. Here, too, readers will note a slight name change.

Vinous (96)

Firm tannins support a core of bright red fruit, freshly cut flowers and crushed rocks in the 2010 Barolo Garblèt Sue’. Today some of the ferrous notes typical of this site are less obvious, as the fruit is incredibly rich and intense. Over time, though, it is the wine's pure energy that stands out most, another typical Garblèt Sue’ characteristic. This is one of the more polished vintages of the Garblèt Sue’ I can remember tasting. Iron, smoke, dark red fruit and a host of ferrous notes round out the huge, explosive finish.

Vinous (89)

The 2021 Pelaverga Verduno is classy and elegant to the core. Crushed red berry fruit, sweet floral notes and a kick of citrus are all laced together. Burlotto's silky, polished Pelaverga is about as good as it gets for this quirky variety. Aging in steel helped preserve quite a bit of freshness.

James Suckling (94)

A wine with blueberry and mineral aromas follows through to a full body, with fine tannins and a juicy finish. Best for years from here. Needs at least three years of bottle age to soften. Could be better than 2009 in the long run.

Wine Advocate (96)

The outstanding 2010 Brunello di Montalcino gives you everything you want to see in a great wine, a great Tuscan wine. This monumental expression of Sangiovese delivers top-notch intensity with seamless integration of aromas. They span from dark fruit and Morello cherry to chocolate, spice, licorice, balsam herb and rosemary sprig. The energy and vitality of the vintage is locked perfectly within. This Brunello exhibits especially soft, silky tannins with long persistence and momentum. There is nothing out of place and the price tag is certainly not exaggerated for this level of excellence.

Wine Advocate (100)

Here is a stunning wine that exudes excellence in primary material and winemaking craft. Man and nature come together with perfect precision and harmony in the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto. The balance is exquisite. Bold cherry and blackberry notes are followed by crushed mineral, licorice, smoke and lightly fragrant cedar. The wine also shows convincing power and volume. It spreads evenly over the palate, and its flavor intensity can be counted over many long minutes. Cerretalto is beautifully concentrated and rich, but it is never too heavy or dense. This is an Italian icon that is still drinking young now, but it has an exciting world of possibility ahead. I think we'd all like to come along for the ride.

Wine Advocate (100)

This is a gorgeous wine. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is just as impressive now as when I first tasted it three years ago. The only edit I would make to my original 100-point review is an extension to the drinking window. The bouquet is absolutely seamless, yet it shows pencil-point precision with dark fruit that flows into spice, tobacco and crushed mineral. The wine's aromatic intensity is forthright and compelling, as is the polished and fine nature of the mouthfeel. This is a cellar keeper.

James Suckling (97)

A big, rich red with blackberry, chocolate, toasted oak, peat and flowers. It’s full-bodied and layered and very flavorful in the finish. Still very youthful, but shows tension and focus. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate (97)

Here is a beautiful wine for the ages. The 2010 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe captures the timeless beauty and balance of the vintage with exuberance and authenticity. The wine makes a delicate but lasting impression on the senses with lingering tones of wild berry, licorice and white truffle. All the aromas are pegged to a concrete sense of place. There is a savory and warm side to the bouquet that builds in momentum. This is a very pretty wine that will embrace many long years of cellar aging.

Cave Tain Hermitage Epsilon 2010 is an exquisite wine produced by Cave de Tain, located in the heart of the famed Rhône Valley in South East France. This single vineyard Syrah offers a tight blend of elegance and power, with its intense purple hue reflecting the rich, full-bodied flavours. Produced from vines averaging 60 years of age ensures an unrivalled concentration and complexity, enhanced by the aging process in oak barrels for 18 months. Expect a fruit-forward palate with dark berry characteristics, underlined by subtle, spicy undertones and a lengthy finish.

Cave de Tain's reputation for crafting fine wines from Hermitage appellation is evident in the Cave Tain Hermitage Epsilon 2010. The vineyard's ideal southwestern exposure and unique granite terraces give the Epsilon 2010 its distinctive character. Savour this exceptional expression from one of Rhône Valley's most celebrated producers.

James Suckling (98)

Perfumed and floral aromas of rose petals, rose hips, wild strawberries, raspberries, sliced mushrooms and orange zest. Bright and succulent with a medium body and very fine, firm tannins. Delightful citrus and crunchy red-fruit character with pretty rose-petal notes throughout. Drink from 2024. From biodynamically grown grapes.

James Suckling (91)

Very pale apricot color with aromas of peaches, sliced apples, jasmine, wet stones and watermelon. It's medium-bodied with bright acidity and succulent layers of ripe fruit. Juicy and packed with flavor, yet fresh and elegant. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

James Suckling (100)

Aromas of plums, flowers, fresh mushrooms and violets. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long, long finish. Beautiful balance and length. Powerful tannins underneath the exquisite fruit. Great finish. Goes on for minutes. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate (92+)

The 2010 La Vina de Amalio is a single-vineyard wine from a plot planted 50 years ago on sand, lime and clay soils that provide elegance and brightness to the wine. It fermented and aged in new and used French oak barriques. It’s a concentrated and powerful old-vine Ribera with tantalizing aromas of black and blue fruit, ripe plums, blueberries and violets, showing a candied character and well-integrated spicy notes from the oak. It shows volatility that increases with time. The palate is full-bodied, quite powerful, with fine-grained, polished tannins and good acidity. A powerful Ribera to drink or to lay down. Drink 2015-2020.

Decanter (95)

An exceptional Clinet in 2021. Richly scented, dark and roguish, a touch of sour cherry and perfume to the nose. Round, supple, generous and vibrant on the palate - this has a lifeforce to it with nuance of red berry flavour and real persistency as well as juicy acidity. I love the upfront nature of this and the really quite vivid and expressive red fruits while the background gives the savoury, menthol, liquorice notes offering depth and wideness - lots of terroir and grape markers in the glass - particularly the high percentage (25%) of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Tannins are firm and supportive with the overall freshness lifting the frame, delivering a full mouthfeel with a density of tannins and black fruit that doesn't dip. Well worked and presented. A touch of wood on the finish but subtle and supportive. You also get the florality all the way through which is just so appealing. Supremely well worked, charming but also confident - I absolutely love it and it clearly stood out every time tasting it - four times in total. 45,000 bottles made, same production as 2020.

Wine Advocate (94)

Fans of old-school Beaujolais will adore the 2021 Fleurie Cuvée Tardive from the Clos de la Roilette. Bursting with aromas of crunchy red berries, peonies, spices and plums, it's medium-bodied, ample and enveloping, with succulent acids, melting tannins and a pretty, perfumed finish. Despite the challenges of the year, the Coudert family have produced a lovely classic, and it's a wine that's much more drinkable and vibrant than some of the recent banner vintages at this address.