Tim Atkin MW (93)

First made in 2011, the Sadies' Grenache combines fruit from granite, iron and schist soils. It's a refined, racy, low pH style, with notes of red cherry, cranberry and wild herbs, savoury tannins and fresh, mineral finish. 2023-28

As an acclaimed French winemaker, David Duband casts a spell with his rendition of the Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Sentiers 2020, a quintessentially 'Burgundian' Pinot Noir. This elegant wine hails from Chambolle-Musigny, a highly reputed French appellation where winemaking has rich historic lineage. Meticulous vine management using biodynamic principles and the tinder care the Sentiers vineyard is given result in a wine marked with finesse and structure.

The David Duband Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Sentiers 2020 exhibits vibrant aromas of dark cherry, violet, and damp earth, underpinned by an enchanting minerality. Defined by its refined palate, this wine is a harmonious balance of intense fruit, silky tannins, and a lingering finish. David Duband's talent for harnessing the terroir's unique character is evident in each bottle, promising an extraordinary journey into the heart of Burgundy enjoyment. Due to its limited production, each bottle is a prized possession for any discerning wine enthusiast.

Experience the essence of Burgundy with the David Duband Vosne Romanee 2020. Made by the expert hands of David Duband, a respected French vigneron who has been making wine since 1991. He embraces the concept of terroir viticulture, incorporating principles of organic and biodynamic farming.

This exquisite Pinot Noir originates from the acclaimed Vosne-Romanée appellation, renowned for producing world-class wines. The 2020 vintage enjoyed superb weather conditions, producing complex, elegant wines of remarkable balance.

David Duband Vosne Romanee 2020 showcases a radiant ruby hue, enamoured with harmonious aromas of violet, blackcurrant and truffle. On the palate, one can savour spicy notes of liquorice and clove, accentuated by a silky-smooth texture and long finish. It exhibits excellence in its purest form.

This is an extraordinary wine, encapsulating the famed elegance of Burgundy in a single bottle. A remarkable testament to the mastery of David Duband and the exceptional terroir of Vosne-Romanee.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2020 Beaune Grèves 1er Cru is also one-third whole-cluster (based on fitting it on the cuve so it was more than intended). Dark berry fruit, a touch of black olive and hints of presses iris petal unfold on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, granular in texture with a fresh, slightly chalky finish. Very fine. Closure: Diam

Indulge in the exquisite experience of De Sousa Cuvee Umami Extra Brut Grand Cru 2012, a luxurious Champagne born in the eminent vineyards of Avize in France. Crafted by Erick De Sousa, a third-generation winegrower acclaimed for his biodynamic practices, this stellar wine evokes the essence of its terroir.

The exceptional 2012 vintage manifests a unique Umami character, thanks to Sousa’s meticulous ageing process on lees for seven years, endowing it with complex flavours and an impressive structure. This 100% Chardonnay, uniquely blended from De Sousa’s ancient vines, is distinguished by its natural yeasty fragrance, crisp acidity, and hints of toasted brioche, all perfectly balanced with a remarkably low dosage.

De Sousa Cuvee Umami Extra Brut Grand Cru 2012 is indisputably an embodiment of fine winemaking, perfect for connoisseurs seeking a profound taste experience. A delightful companion to oysters and caviar, it promises a euphoria for the palate.

Vinous (90)

Bright ruby-red. Sexy, soil-inflected scents of blueberry, tobacco, black tea and spices. Plush, pliant and sweet on the palate, offering considerable immediate appeal and finishing with a fine dusting of tannins and very good length. Not especially complex but delicious and perfumed right now; sweeter and more pliant than the 2013 version but without that wine's lift or tannic clout.

Vinous (91)

Straw-gold. Peach, honey, menthol, herbs and flowers on the complex nose and palate. Honeyed, thick and brisk, with penetrating, ripe acidity perfectly buffering the wine's sweetness. Finishes very long, smooth and surprisingly dry. Very rich and very well balanced chenin blanc, one of the best of my tastings this year.

Wine Advocate (90)

The 2012 Elevation 393 is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wine spent 23 months in new French oak and underwent spontaneous fermentation. The nose begins with complex dark fruits, smoky tones with a black spice and a fine dusty minerality, which Stellenbosch typically lends to a wine. There are bitter black tea and herbal notes that are expressed over the mid-palate and meshes well with the dark fruit and spice notes here. The finish is long and full-bodied, with a tight tannic grip. 3,504 bottles were bottled by hand, unfiltered and unfined.

Vinous (85)

The 2012 Merlot comes half from the estate and half from Keermont. It has a light blackberry and raspberry bouquet that feels a little timid and needs more vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with dusky red berry fruit, soft texture and moderate acidity, the one-third new oak neatly used, but it needs more vigor and vivacity on the tertiary finish.

Wine Advocate (91)

The 2012 Syrah 393 is de-stemmed and crushed gently, undergoing malolactic fermentation in the barrel. It has a tightly wound, mint-fresh, more floral bouquet compared directly to the 2012 Blueprint Syrah. The palate is well balanced with slightly lighter and more tensile tannin structure, brisk and lively with moderate depth. It offers vibrant black fruit towards the finish and a lingering balsam aftertaste, completing a well-crafted Syrah that should give 8-10 years of pleasure.

Wine Advocate (94+)

A worthy successor to the super 2008, Delamotte's 2012 Blanc de Blancs is performing very well—despite the fact that it was disgorged as recently as June 2019. Opening in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, dried white flowers, smoke and wheat toast, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a bright girdle of acidity, well-integrated dosage and a fine mousse, the muscularity of the vintage rendered with uncommon finesse. While this is quite expressive for such a recently disgorged vintage Delamotte, the rewards of even only a few years' patience will be considerable.

Vinous (90)

The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Village, which this year contains the measly amount of Les Evocelles harvested, has superb concentration on the nose with black cherries, bilberry and light oyster shell scents, all beautifully-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and is very pure and concentrated, maybe just needing a little more mineralité to come through on the finish. Give this 3-4 years in bottle.

Wine Advocate (89-91)

Notes of cherries, red berries and peonies introduce the 2020 Marsannay Les Longeroies, a medium-bodied, bright and lively wine with a pretty core of fruit and ripe, melting tannins.

James Suckling (98)

A Bierzo with great depth and soft-spoken complexity, but still upbeat, effusing a mineral twist to the smoked herbs, iron, raw meat, black cherries, blueberries, dried botanicals, violets and slate. Medium to full body with an ethereal and layered mid-palate that leads to a super-long, lingering finish. The tannins are so dusty and polished. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but better after 2024.

Wine Advocate (97)

I was blown away by the 2020 wines in barrel in June 2021 and found the 2020 Villa de Corullón very ready, open, expressive, floral and ethereal. It destroyed the idea I had of a warm and ripe 2020. Ricardo Pérez Palacios told me he was thinking of bottling the 2020s earlier, as they didn't need a long élevage, just nine or 10 months in barrel. The wine is pale, the palest Corullón ever, with 13.7% alcohol—perhaps the vines got blocked and didn't develop more color compounds or sugar. The wine makes me think of a red from Jura; it has a different profile and is more delicate, ethereal and full of light and energy. Pérez, who hates comparisons with other regions, couldn't stop saying that it felt like a Morey Saint Denis! It's all flowers and red fruit, with a lot of super fine tannins (the 2019 tannins are rougher) that are round and give it a velvety texture with no rusticity—elegant and balanced. There is a nice balance between tannin and acidity, something this has in common with the 2019, which makes the vintages quite unusual, because being warm, the wines show balance. Today, it feels more like Moncerbal than the Moncerbal bottling; nevertheless, Corullón is around 40% from Moncerbal. ... It has to be my favorite Corullón to date. 22,183 bottles and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in October 2021.

Vinous (93-94)

While this was a warm season leading to richness in many wines from the region, the Silex 2020 shows ripe fruit, but there's no sense of being overblown. The fine line that races through many wines relying on flint-based parcels is there, carrying the nectarine and oak-derived vanilla flavors, but its influence never tips into austerity nor firmness. There's a sense of tenderness that runs through its core while remaining light in body.

Envelop your palate in the taste of premium champagne with Diebolt-Vallois Fleur de Passion Brut 2012. This exceptional bottle emanates from the famed Champagne region of France, meticulously crafted by the prestigious Diebolt-Vallois winery. A family-run venture, Diebolt-Vallois's illustrious heritage dates back to the 15th century, and their expertise is truly reflected in this vintage.

The Diebolt-Vallois Fleur de Passion Brut 2012 is made using 100% Chardonnay grapes, purely selected from the house's oldest vines — a testament to the meticulous attention to quality and detail. The result is the embodiment of elegance: a profound golden hue, a bouquet brimming with sublime harmony, and a palate offering hints of ripe fruits and toasted almonds, making this vintage a symphony for the senses. Its vibrant acidity, perfectly complemented by an expressive minerality, showcases the beautiful complexity of this champagne.

This is a wine for true connoisseurs, offering a remarkable tasting experience that encapsulates the legacy of Diebolt-Vallois.

Decanter (98)

What a magnificent bouquet for this Dom Pérignon 2012! Pastry, a hint of smoke and autolytic notes provide a compelling counterpart to eager yet elegant aromas of citrus (lime, tangerine and kumquat) joined by those of fresh fruit, herbs, liquorice, and menthol. There is even a refreshing note of ivy. The palate is tense, vibrant, and very fresh despite its impressive density, which meets its match with an unending finish. This 2012 incarnates the very essence of Dom Pérignon with such a concentrated degree of intensity, along with a capacity for ageing, that it is surely destined for a second life in a P2 edition.

Decanter (98)

What a magnificent bouquet for this Dom Pérignon 2012! Pastry, a hint of smoke and autolytic notes provide a compelling counterpart to eager yet elegant aromas of citrus (lime, tangerine and kumquat) joined by those of fresh fruit, herbs, liquorice, and menthol. There is even a refreshing note of ivy. The palate is tense, vibrant, and very fresh despite its impressive density, which meets its match with an unending finish. This 2012 incarnates the very essence of Dom Pérignon with such a concentrated degree of intensity, along with a capacity for ageing, that it is surely destined for a second life in a P2 edition.

One of the top expressions from 2012 was the imperious Dom Pérignon awarded a huge 98 points by Yohan Castaing alongside 97 points, courtesy of Antonio Galloni (Vinous) and 96+ points from William Kelley (Wine Advocate).

 

An outing which “incarnates the very essence of Dom Pérignon with such a concentrated degree of intensity”, this blend of 51% Pinot Noir and 49% Chardonnay is a great pick right now for both superb drinking in a number of years' time and more immediate appreciation given the current explosive market for Champagne.

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.