The Domaine Boris Champy Beaune 1er Cru Les Vignes Franches 2020, a distinguished gem from the heart of Burgundy, is the epitome of exceptional winemaking. Born within the illustrious vineyards of Beaune, this complex Pinot Noir displays the tender balance between power and elegance that defines this prestigious terroir.

Boris Champy, the meticulous winemaker, observes an organic approach, practicing sustainable viticulture to foster the authenticity of this varietal's expression. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, it maturely unfolds its aromatic finesse and generous velvety texture.

The nose is dominated by ripe cherries and earthy spices, followed by a hint of toasted almonds. On the palate, it delivers a precise, fresh, and persistently savoury finish. With ageing potential until 2040, the Domaine Boris Champy Beaune 1er Cru Les Vignes Franches 2020 is a remarkable investment for dedicated wine enthusiasts.

The Domaine de Bellene Coteaux Bourguignons L'Eclos des Abeilles 2020 is produced in the heart of Burgundy, France. A delight to fine wine enthusiasts, this wine is an expression of the bespoke dedication and artistry of winemaker Nicolas Potel. Domaine de Bellene, founded in 2005, exemplifies Potel's commitment towards environmental sustainability and valorising terroir. This wine hails from vineyards cultivated using biodynamic principles, yielding an organic blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes.

The 2020 vintage is distinct, promising a bold yet nuanced profile. A nose of ripe cherries, spices and undergrowth, precedes a palate that boasts of juicy ripe tannins and crisp acidity. Seductive red fruit and earthy tones harmonise, culminating in a balanced, savoury finish - a testament to the high quality of Bellene's traditional winemaking techniques. The Domaine de Bellene Coteaux Bourguignons L'Eclos des Abeilles 2020 is a remarkable and essential addition to any discerning wine collection.

James Suckling (96-97)

Iron, black mushroom and dark berry with some burnt orange peel. Flowers, too. It’s full-bodied with round tannins that turn linear and tight at the end. Excellent energy. Brightness and purity.

Wine Advocate (99)

The 2020 La Tâche Grand Cru is magical, mingling notions of mulberries, cherries and cassis with scents of bergamot, black tea, licorice, exotic spices and peonies. Full-bodied, rich and resonant, with a broad attack, huge mid-palate amplitude and a supple, seamless, elegantly muscular profile, this is a remarkably powerful but also profoundly complex, intellectually and sensually thrilling young wine.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

The king of the cellar on the white side of the ledger is the 2020 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru Les Demoiselles (Domaine des Héritiers Jadot), a striking wine that unfurls in the glass with notes of citrus oil, white flowers, buttered popcorn, chalky soil tones, beeswax and spices. Full-bodied, multidimensional and layered, it's muscular and concentrated, with racy acids, an abundance of structuring dry extract and a long, resonant finish. It is worth a special effort to seek out.

Explore a genuine revelation created in the Alpine expanse of Savoie. A part of the innovative Belluard family legacy since 1947, Domaine Dominique Belluard Monsieur Gringet 2020 is a rare find, sculpted from organic Gringet grapes, an ancient Savoie variety, that flourish within the clayey chalk soils of Ayse. The meticulous nurturing of Domaine Dominique Belluard, both in biodynamic viticulture and manual grape harvesting, imparts it the distinct effervescence and character.

Matured in Burgundian casks, lees ageing elevates Monsieur Gringet 2020 depth and complexity. On the nose, chromatic spectrum of floral, mineral and spice accents unfurl. On the palate, the vintage thrills with vibrant notes of citrus, pear and honeysuckle. Structure, elegance, and high acidity make it ageworthy too. Domaine Dominique Belluard Monsieur Gringet 2020 most befits seafood, particularly shellfish, stimulating refined culinary moments. A quintessential representation of the Ayse terroir, this wine exhibits the Belluard's commitment to preserving the region's viticulture.

Vinous (97)

Opaque ruby. Vibrant blackberry, cherry, incense, Moroccan spice, potpourri and smoky mineral qualities on the expansive, seductively perfumed nose. Offers vibrant black and blue fruit, spicecake, olive and floral pastille flavors that show bright detail and energetic mineral lift. The floral and spice notes recur strongly on the youthfully gripping finish, which features mounting tannins and lingering smokiness.

Vinous (97)

Opaque ruby. Vibrant blackberry, cherry, incense, Moroccan spice, potpourri and smoky mineral qualities on the expansive, seductively perfumed nose. Offers vibrant black and blue fruit, spicecake, olive and floral pastille flavors that show bright detail and energetic mineral lift. The floral and spice notes recur strongly on the youthfully gripping finish, which features mounting tannins and lingering smokiness.

Decanter (98)

Probably the purest and most refined wine in the whole Ribera del Duero region, a jewel of balance and subtlety with a wonderfully persistent delicacy. The newest icon in Spain.

Jeb Dunnuck (99+)

Checking in as a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc that hit 14.3% alcohol, the 2012 Dominus is a sensational wine that certainly ranks with the all-time greats of this cuvée and is reminiscent of the 1991. Ripe, flamboyant, and incredibly sexy, it nevertheless shows the classic style of this estate, has nothing out of place and just glides across the palate. Blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, cedar box, new leather, and an almost garrigue-like character all emerge from this full-bodied, silky, seamless effort that has fine tannin, perfectly integrated acidity, tannins, alcohol, and a great, great finish. Drink it any time over the coming 2-3 decades. It's a tour de force in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and one of the greats.

James Suckling (97)

Deep and serious with black olives, blackberries, blueberries, tobacco leaf, sweet red capsicum, ash, dried meat and a hint of black chocolate. This is a more direct, full-bodied Don Melchor, filled with solid blackberries and wrapped by tight, fine-grained tannins. Long and deep. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc, 1% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Better after 2024.

The Donelan Cuvee Christine Syrah 2012 is an exquisite fine wine, crafted in the heart of Sonoma County, California. This unparalleled vintage stands as a testament to Donelan Family Vineyards' commitment to produce wines of exceptional quality and character.

The Syrah berries, grown in two vineyard locations, were handpicked and carefully sorted to ensure only the finest grapes were fermented in small lots. Aged for 20 months in French oak, the 2012 Cuvee delivers an elegant, nuanced palate of dark fruit, pepper and savoury herbs, beneath a graceful structure.

The wine reveals a layered complexity, a testament to winemaker Joe Nielsen's expertise. Its full-bodied richness and smooth tannins make the Donelan Cuvee Christine Syrah 2012 an excellent partner to robust dishes. A limited production wine that embodies the essence of the cool climate Syrah in the best vintage years, it represents the pinnacle of Donelan's ongoing pursuit of excellence in winemaking.

James Suckling (99)

Such a wide spectrum of super fine yellow-fruit aromas and a floral note that you struggle to take it in all at once. So sensual and silky that descriptors like “full” and “light” become redundant. Then the finish literally takes your breath and leaves you breathless for a long time. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (99)

What a nose! This smells like essence of peach with a delicate, floral-honey overtone. Seems to vibrate on the palate, thanks to the staggering minerality and totally vibrant acidity. Extremely complex and energetic finish that goes on and on. Very limited production. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (100)

Hit me with a flower! This starts very delicately with an incredibly subtle nose of fresh and dried flowers. Then comes the enormously concentrated yet totally filigree palate, which dazzles the senses with its thousand nuances and almost endless, super-silky finish. Decades of aging potential. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate (97)

Disgorged in May 2020 with two grams per liter dosage, the 2012 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is fabulous, bursting from the glass with notes of smoky pear, white flowers, walnuts and baking spices. Derived predominantly from holdings in Avize, it's full-bodied, layered and immensely concentrated, with a tightly wound, structured core and racy acid spine that mark it out as emphatically built for the long haul. Deep and vinous, I suspect that it will surpass the 2008 rendition at maturity.

James Suckling (95-96)

This is so refined with beautiful currant, berry and some subtle chocolate and coffee. It’s full and very subtle with fine tannins that have a long finish. Such purity and finesse with structure. Fresh and savory. 72% cabernet sauvignon and 28% merlot.

Jancis Robinson (16)

Deep cherry; less typically Chambolle than some, quite meaty actually. Floral later.

Vinous (94)

The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Combottes 1er Cru has a gorgeous bouquet with vibrant red fruit laced with pressed roses and peony. A 2020 with a spring in its step. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, taut and fresh, more defined than last year with a pinch of white pepper on the finish. Excellent.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-97)

The Malconsorts is still in barrel for a later bottling. Bright dense purple, this wine has a huge energy on the nose. Intense blossoming, fabulous in all regards even with a few peaches in the dark red fruit mix. Magical aftertaste. Doing its Malconsorts thing to a high degree. Tasted: December 2021

Christian Eedes (96)

From a tiny vineyard in Fish Hoek. The nose shows some flinty reduction before dark berries, pepper, kelp, sage and fennel. The palate is lean and a little angular – less immediately charming than previous vintages but still very striking. A precise wine with snappy acidity and fine tannins.

Tim Atkin MW (96)

The Savage Red is now a varietal Syrah from a vineyard on decomposed granite in Kuils River, right next door to the Polkadraai Hills. Peppery, pure and intense, with no new oak to occlude the flavours, lots of plum and blackberry fruit, detailed tannins and a stony, refreshing finish. Brilliant winemaking.

James Suckling (97)

Smelling this great Chateauneuf is like gazing into a deep chasm. Amazing complexity with aromas ranging from black raspberries through to candied orange, but also notes of raw meat and licorice. Super-concentrated, super-structured, but also more elegant than a wine built on this monumental scale can theoretically be. Extremely long, complete finish. A cuvee of 80% grenache, 10% syrah and 10% mourvedre. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

Wine Advocate (99)

Broad and powerful, Egly's 2012 Brut Grand Cru Millésime is a serious, vinous Champagne somewhat reminiscent of his brilliant 2002. Delivering complex aromas of pear, honeycomb, orange oil, sweet stone fruits, praline and freshly baked bread, it's full-bodied, deep and muscular, with a multidimensional core of fruit, racy acids and a long, resonant finish. Complex and compelling, readers will have a hard time choosing between the power and texture of 2012 and the quintessentially elegant, seamless 2013. Both are benchmarks for what contemporary Champagne can achieve.

Wine Advocate (99)

Broad and powerful, Egly's 2012 Brut Grand Cru Millésime is a serious, vinous Champagne somewhat reminiscent of his brilliant 2002. Delivering complex aromas of pear, honeycomb, orange oil, sweet stone fruits, praline and freshly baked bread, it's full-bodied, deep and muscular, with a multidimensional core of fruit, racy acids and a long, resonant finish. Complex and compelling, readers will have a hard time choosing between the power and texture of 2012 and the quintessentially elegant, seamless 2013. Both are benchmarks for what contemporary Champagne can achieve.