Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92-94)

The 2021 Lagrange has a ton of potential. Bright Cabernet inflections lead into a core of red/purplish fruit. This mid-weight, gracious Saint-Julien is all class, all the way. Layered and super-expressive, Lagrange is a winner in 2021. Tasted two times.

Decanter (2027-2050)

It is hard to overstate my enthusiasm for this wine, with its impressive ripeness, plump, plummy fruit with notes of black cherry and liquorice. The texture is densely structured, firm but not hard, and long but not heavy. There is still the freshness and finesse to make this among the best wines of the vintage. This is the reunion of all the old-vine parcels in the Clos and a pretty convincing argument for director Jacques Devauges’ assertion that Lambrays is the pinnacle of Morey-St-Denis.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93-95)

The 2021 Laroque is a standout. Bright and racy, with tremendous persistence, Laroque stakes its claim as Saint-Émilion's brightest rising star. Bright limestone accents run through a core of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint and white pepper. There is a linear intensity to Laroque that is hugely appealing. Technical Director David Suire fashioned a gem. Don't miss it.

The Laurent Habrard Saint-Joseph 2021 is a rare gem in the world of fine wines. Produced in the esteemed vineyards of Rhône Valley in France, this exquisite varietal embodies the rich terroir and meticulous vinification process. Laurent Habrard, a fourth-generation winemaker, ensures its traditional family techniques such as organic farming are safeguarded whilst innovating to consistently produce unprecedented quality.

The Laurent Habrard Saint-Joseph 2021 showcases the Syrah grape, presenting a wine laced with complex aromas of black fruits, pepper and licorice backed by a balanced, meaty palate. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, it acquires a subtle vanilla touch, coupled with a long-lasting, profound finish.

This wine is a quintessentially multidimensional, reflecting the passion, dedication, and craftsmanship of Laurent Habrard. Connoisseurs will find the Laurent Habrard Saint-Joseph 2021 a delightful addition to their collection, a testament to the sublime finesse and elegance of Laurent Habrard's winemaking philosophy.

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!

Tim Atkin MW (95)

This is "just" the basic Cabernet Sauvignon from Christo Le Riche, but it's a brilliant wine in its own right. Using grapes from ten different vineyards across Stellenbosch in Firgrove, the Helderberg, Jonkershoek, Raithby and the Simonsberg, it's a masterclass in blending. Matured in 18% new wood, it's wonderfully pure and scented, all violet, tar, tobacco leaf and liquorice, with plush yet structured cassis, black cherry and Asian spice flavours and the backbone to age for another decade in bottle.

Wine Advocate (93)

Has been through a few subtle iterations in recent years and this one reverts to a previous style which is more generous and immediately flavoursome. Has a creamy texture with a light lemon curd and peachy stone fruit all held with deliberate restraint to give it that extra polish and classy dimension.

Burghound (92-94)

(Sweet Spot Outstanding) Here the reduction is sufficient to overshadow the fruit. There is even better volume to the sleek and delicious middleweight flavors that are less mineral-driven but more powerful and slightly more persistent and bone-dry finish that is also exceptionally well-balanced. This is excellent and I would go so far as to observe that it's the best vintage for the Clavoillon in a long time. It is typically considered to be less interesting than the other 1ers (and not without reason) in the Leflaive portfolio and while it doesn't surpass them in 2021, it is most impressive nonetheless.

Burghound (94-96)

(Don't Miss! Outstanding) Firm reduction and a whiff of oak dominate the nose at present. Much more interesting are the beautifully textured, racy and detailed medium weight flavors that also possess a highly sophisticated mouthfeel while exhibiting stunningly good length on the bitter zest-inflected finish that goes on and on. This is terrific and easily delivers grand cru quality.

The Drinks Business (93-96)

Léoville-Barton (St Julien; 84% Cabernet Sauvignon; 11% Merlot; 5% Cabernet Franc; 13.1% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with very similar notes). A special vintage here in all kinds of way and a fitting tribute to the legendary creator of the modern history of this property. Graphite rods and pencil-shavings; dark black cherry and raspberry fruit; walnut oil; wild herbs, almost a wild garrigue herbal element. Wonderful sapidity on the long and rolling juicy fresh, cool and chewy finish. Great density and compactness and more delineation and pixilation than Langoa. This seems appropriately endless on the finish

The Drinks Business (93-96)

Léoville-Barton (St Julien; 84% Cabernet Sauvignon; 11% Merlot; 5% Cabernet Franc; 13.1% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with very similar notes). A special vintage here in all kinds of way and a fitting tribute to the legendary creator of the modern history of this property. Graphite rods and pencil-shavings; dark black cherry and raspberry fruit; walnut oil; wild herbs, almost a wild garrigue herbal element. Wonderful sapidity on the long and rolling juicy fresh, cool and chewy finish. Great density and compactness and more delineation and pixilation than Langoa. This seems appropriately endless on the finish

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.

We are pleased to have secured a number of 2021s in a year when many distillers are severely cutting their allocations of casks to the market and it is a particular coup's barrels specially selected for us; bourbon-sized barrels previously used for top-grade Oloroso sherry giving a smaller surface area than ex-sherry hogsheads, butts or puncheons. Therefore the whisky will develop relatively quickly, rewarding the years more profoundly than lower-quality, lower-cost refill barrels.

Vinous (94)

The 2021 Syrah Estate Reserve, which comes from the vineyard most damaged by the fire in 2020, is 50% whole bunches and aged of 500- and 700-liter barrels, 25% new. The potent nose has raspberry coulis, blueberry and touches of cough candy, taking its time to settle in the glass and lose its initial exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled, slightly chalky tannins. It’s fresh and vibrant, sapid towards the finish, with a long, Côte-Rôtie-like aftertaste and garrigue notes filtering through with time. This should be afforded a couple of years in bottle and will continue to evolve over the next 15-20 years. Just 12% alcohol, too.

Vinous (94)

The 2021 Chardonnay Estate Reserve is 100% from Greyton matured for 11 months in 500-litre barrels, 40% new. It has a wonderful bouquet with honeydew melon, apricot blossom and light crushed stone scents that percolate through with time. The palate is very well balanced with tropical hints of passion fruit and guava, but the acidity keeps everything on a tight course, very minerally on the finish. Top class.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2021 Corton-Pougets Grand Cru has a wonderful bouquet with transparent red cherry, raspberry and floral notes. This wine is classy and seductive. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins. It's lithe and agile in the mouth with a mineral undertow towards the finish. Often one of Jadot's classiest offerings, this Pougets is no different and one of their stars in 2021.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Garenne 1er Cru is more perfumed and floral than the La Garenne. Peach skin and rosewater touches make this very seductive. The palate is composed and harmonious but needs a little more nervosité, yet the finish is very harmonious and tender. Excellent.

Jancis Robinson (17)

Cask sample. Pale garnet. Slightly smudgy nose. Still quite chewy with fine tannins and marked but not excessive acidity. Needs time but should be a vigorous pleasurable drink eventually.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2021 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru has a pastille-like purity on the nose with sensual red cherries, redcurrant and cranberry aromas all deftly entwined with the new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins. It's structured and bold, though it lacks the finesse that is implied by the bouquet. Solid, but a bit unwieldy at the moment.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2021 Echézeaux Grand Cru feels a little reduced on the nose, with earthy red fruit, baked cherries, wild mint and sage. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. This wine is cohesive with a little more flesh and complexity compared directly with the Clos de Vougeot. Once the aromatics kick into gear, this should develop into a decent Echézeaux.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Cask sample. Bright mid garnet. Sweet, jewelly, bright-fruited nose. Superior density and great fragrance. Real impact on the palate. Great persistence. Refined but not scrawny. Lifted and elegant on the nose with real breadth on the palate. Just gorgeous already even though one knows that it will just go on getting better and better.