Jeb Dunnuck (98)

The 2010 Château Palmer offers a beautiful nose (it reminds me of the 2022, surprisingly) with darker black and blue fruits, violets, saddle leather, and incense notes, as well as a concentrated, rich, full-bodied style on the palate. It stays focused and pure, with beautiful tannins, a complex, layered texture, and a ripe, sexy profile that’s already impossible to resist. I might give the nod to the 2009 here, but this is a riveting Palmer that has so much to love. Drink bottles any time over the coming 3-4 decades. Drink 2025-2065.

James Suckling (100)

I am breathless with the dark-berry, lavender and burnt-orange aromas. Some salt. Just so formidable and deep. Stunningly sexy on the palate with a density and power, yet it leaves things so clean and bright. You want to drink it and enjoy it now, but it has the structure to last forever. Drink in 2022.

The Wine Cellar Insider (100)

Still showing the color of a barrel sample, the wine is full bodied, silky, polished, fresh, vibrant and pure. The wine tastes as if you ran into the vineyard and grabbed a handful of grapes off the vine, and you ate them just moments before they were crushed. The fruit has so much purity, energy and sensuality, it is impossible not to go back to the glass for another sniff, swirl and sip. Another interesting point is the addition of a gentle chalky minerality in the finish, adding a beautiful layer to the complexity. This is easily one of the great vintages of Chateau Palmer and will age for decades with no effort.

The Wine Cellar Insider (100)

Still showing the color of a barrel sample, the wine is full bodied, silky, polished, fresh, vibrant and pure. The wine tastes as if you ran into the vineyard and grabbed a handful of grapes off the vine, and you ate them just moments before they were crushed. The fruit has so much purity, energy and sensuality, it is impossible not to go back to the glass for another sniff, swirl and sip. Another interesting point is the addition of a gentle chalky minerality in the finish, adding a beautiful layer to the complexity. This is easily one of the great vintages of Chateau Palmer and will age for decades with no effort.

Wine Advocate (97+)

A blend of 54% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored, 2017 Palmer gives a very serious nose of pronounced blackcurrant cordial, warm plums and blackberry preserves with hints of cedar chest, pencil shavings, violets, dark chocolate and star anise plus exotic wafts of sandalwood and cassia. Medium-bodied, the palate features fantastically vibrant, crunchy black fruits with a firm texture of ripe, grainy tannins and tons of freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced. It will need a good 5-7 years to really blossom with all those tightly wound nuances, but it should be a stunner!

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

A memorable vintage for both good and bad reasons, with yields that dropped down to 11h/h after mildew, but with a concentration and precision that is remarkable. This truly is a briliant wine. There are hints of dried fruit character, wrapped in the complexity of a wine stacked with cigar box, ripe berry fruit, dark chocolate, marmalade zest, turmeric and black pepper spice, layer upon layer, all served up with fresh acidites that make it moreish at the same time. Unusual, and beautiful. Harvest September 13 to October 15, 60% new oak.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

A memorable vintage for both good and bad reasons, with yields that dropped down to 11h/h after mildew, but with a concentration and precision that is remarkable. This truly is a briliant wine. There are hints of dried fruit character, wrapped in the complexity of a wine stacked with cigar box, ripe berry fruit, dark chocolate, marmalade zest, turmeric and black pepper spice, layer upon layer, all served up with fresh acidites that make it moreish at the same time. Unusual, and beautiful. Harvest September 13 to October 15, 60% new oak.

The Wine Independent (99)

The Palmer 2019 is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs considerable shaking to unlock notions of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and crème de cassis, leading to wafts of rose oil and espresso. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with rich, seductive black and blue fruit, supported by heart-thumping tension and very fine tannins, finishing with epic length and jaw-dropping fragrance. Stunning!

The Wine Independent (99)

The Palmer 2019 is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs considerable shaking to unlock notions of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and crème de cassis, leading to wafts of rose oil and espresso. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with rich, seductive black and blue fruit, supported by heart-thumping tension and very fine tannins, finishing with epic length and jaw-dropping fragrance. Stunning!

James Suckling (98)

Great aromas of blackcurrants, black truffles, blueberries, lead pencil and hints of cedar. Full-bodied and powerful with fantastic tannin backbone giving it great length and power. Muscular. Toned. Flexing. This needs time. Best after 2028.

James Suckling (96-97)

There’s brightness and clarity to this young wine, with blackcurrants, violets, lavender and blackberries. Medium body with a sold core of fruit and a long, fresh finish. Fine tannins. Bright acidity. 56% merlot, 3% petit verdot and 41% cabernet sauvignon. From biodynamically grown grapes.

James Suckling (98-99)

So much class in the nose with a sophisticated kaleidoscope of dark fruit such as blackcurrants, and spices such as salt and pepper, as well as cloves and nutmeg. Full-bodied. Compacted and dense yet weightless. It opens beautifully. The tannins go on and on with wonderful presence. Salty undertones.

The 2016 Palmer Historical XIX, a vintage now widely recognised as one of the greatest vintages in modern times in both Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley. Jancis Robinson suggests that 2016 is “the best Bordeaux vintage I will probably ever taste” across her extensive career as a Master of Wine.

Château Palmer was the pinnacle of success in 2016 achieving four perfect 100-point scores, giving Bordeaux collector’s even more reason than normal to eagerly add this sought-after wine to their collection.

This wine offers a rare, unique and fascinating historical insight into the history of Bordeaux. It is a collector’s gem, with around 4,500 bottles made.

The Wine Independent (97)

The 2015 Pangaea is composed of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) , 31% Merlot (Right Bank Bordeaux), 17% Malbec (Valle de Uco, Argentina), 4% Petit Verdot (Dehesa del Carrizal Vino de Pago, Spain), and 4% Cabernet Franc (Helderberg, South Africa). Deep garnet in color with a hint of purple, it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of cinnamon toast, clove oil, menthol, and dark chocolate, giving way to a gregarious core of creme de cassis, plum preserves, sandalwood, and rose oil with a waft of star anise. The full-bodied palate has a firm, grainy texture and seamless freshness framing the opulent black fruit and exotic spices layers, finishing long and sparkly.

Cultivated with immense proficiency, the Paolo Bea Sagrantino Montefalco Secco Pagliaro 2011 is an exquisite masterpiece from one of the most highly regarded wineries in Montefalco, Umbria. Assembled from 100% Sagrantino grapes, this exquisite vintage shines with a brilliant ruby hue, underpinned by aromas of wild cherries, plums, and a hint of spice.

This extraordinary wine is the result of meticulous craftsmanship, where each grape is hand-harvested, undergoes spontaenous fermentation with no temperature control, allowing the passionate terroir of the Pablirano vineyard to imprint itself into the wine. The ageing process in stainless steel and large Slavonic oak barrels for 4 years ensures the development of a complex and unique character.

Producer Paolo Bea is renowned for his organic and biodynamic practices, creating unrivalled wines that offer a true expression of their birthplace. The Paolo Bea Sagrantino Montefalco Secco Pagliaro 2011 is indeed a sublime testament to his unwavering adroitness and absolute devotion to tradition.

Wine Spectator (92)

Big, mouthpuckering Barolo. Give it time in the bottle to mellow. Aromas of plums, coffee and spices follow through to a full-bodied palate, with thick and chewy tannins and a long, long spicy finish. Best after 2005. 1,240 cases made. -JS

Vinous (95)

The 2015 Barolo Ginestra opens with scents of raspberry, orange peel, star anise and cinnamon. Powerful and wiry, the 2015 expresses the essence of Ginestra, with that combination of aromatic intensity and nervous energy that is such a signature. I would cellar it for a few years, as the tannins are a bit edgy at this stage. Alternatively, a few hours of air will to the trick.

Vinous (93)

The 2016 Barolo Ginestra shows all of the aromatic and flavor intrigue that is such a signature of this site. Pine, menthol, licorice, orange peel, mint and macerated red cherry all flesh out effortlessly. Mid-weight structure and a good bit of inner sweetness gives the 2016 a feeling of accessibility, until the firm Ginestra tannins kick in. Time in the glass brings out a nice kick of textural breadth. The 2016 is such a pretty wine. I would cellar it for a few years, though.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2017 Barolo Ginestra shows a fine and delicate bouquet with aromas of wild rose and crushed flowers that are not common in this hot and dry vintage. The Ginestra vineyard in Monforte d'Alba maintains its character despite the unpredictable swings of this unruly growing season. The wine builds considerably more power in the palate, where it shows tight tannins and a 15% alcohol content. The bouquet shows balance, but this hearty vintage punches strongest in terms of mouthfeel. Some 16,000 bottles were made.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2007 Barolo Riserva Ginestra is born in extremely difficult conditions. Fruit is sourced from a hillside plot with impossibly steep inclines and shallow soils (with white tufo and clay) for limited root penetration. These factors help curb the natural vigor of the grapevine and result in high quality fruit. This wine sees a long maceration period (up to 40 days) and almost six years of barrel aging in botte grande. The results are spectacular with rich floral and menthol aromas folded within the wine’s silky texture. This 2007 Riserva feels much younger than it really is. Drink: 2016-2035.

Wine Advocate (97)

Wow, this is really quite a wine. The 2010 Barolo Riserva Ginestra is guided by three lucky stars: First, it is made by an excellent producer. Second, it comes from an excellent vintage. And third, it comes from an excellent vineyard site. This is a stunning achievement that is teeming with life, intensity, elegance, pedigree and sheer excitement. The bouquet achieves impressive balance with fruit, spice, mineral and tertiary tones that are all played forward with equal intensity. There is a spot of sweetness on the close (with 15% alcohol) that adds to the volume and fullness of the mouthfeel. This wine merits a special place at the back of your cellar where it can age undisturbed for the next decade or two. Only 4,000 bottles exist.

Vinous (94)

The 2012 Barolo Ginestra Riserva is gorgeous. Fresh, aromatic and beautifully lifted, the 2012 is all grace. Ginestra Barolos are often brawny and powerful. Conterno's 2012 stands out for its sensuality, finesse and total sense of harmony. Bright acids perk up a core of sweet red berry fruit as the 2012 gradually reveals its many charms.

Wine Advocate (95)

The headline wine from Paolo Conterno is the beautifully packaged 2013 Barolo Ginestra Riserva. I always appreciate the house style of this winery located in the heart of the Ginestra cru at the back side of Monforte d'Alba and looking toward Serralunga d'Alba. These wines always show an extra degree of richness and dark fruit. The delivery is broad and rich instead of vertical and sharp, and the wine wraps evenly over the palate. This expression from the cool 2013 vintage shows good structure, freshness, integrated tannins and a long succession of dark fruits. This was a release of some 4,000 bottles.

Wine Advocate (92)

The 2010 Barolo is sourced from five or six vineyards in Castiglione Falletto and Barolo. This is a gorgeous wine with a silky entry and loads of elegant fruit, cassis, licorice, tar and cola. There’s a real sense of energy and zest in the mouth that is not just due to the freshness of the acidity. It comes from the pristine quality of fruit in 2010. Drink: 2016-2028.

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.

Vinous (96+)

(the 30th anniversary for this cru, which was bottled on its own beginning in 1978; Scavino will offer just over 200 cases, plus a few magnums; bottled with the estate's old gold label): Good deep, youthful red. Deep, pure, almost shockingly primary aromas of black cherry and espresso. At once silky and vinous, saturating the entire palate under a wave of red fruits and smoky minerality. Wonderfully plush and sweet but powerful too, finishing with noble tannins and sexy building length. Impeccable balance gives this wine an almost magical light touch. This slowly evolving wine should gain in complexity for two decades or more. A small quantity of grapes were fermented in a special vertical tank; the fermentation lasted a week and Scavino used a submerged cap for another four or five days of maceration.

Vinous (96)

The 2016 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a powerful, muscular wine. Youthfully austere and tannic, the 2016 is going to need a number of years to come around, but it is magnificent, even in the early going. Layers of building tannins enshroud a core of dark Nebbiolo fruit, with hints of dried herbs, iron, leather and sweet tobacco that develop with a bit of coaxing. As always, Bric del Fiasc has a feral intensity to it. The 2016 is an especially fine edition and also a terrific example of the style of this Castiglione Falletto site.

Kerin O'Keefe (100)

The compelling 2019 Barolo Bric del Fiasc from Paolo Scavino is drop-dead gorgeous. Opening with heady scents of Alpine herb, iris, dark spice and perfumed berry, it showcases the magnificent site, the fantastic vintage and the generational experience of the Scavino family. Stunningly delicious and radiant, it delivers ripe red cherry, raspberry compote, blood orange and licorice set against firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Notes of tobacco and almond linger on the finish. Drink 2029–2059.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2010 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio bursts open with an immediate whiff of fresh flowers and crushed roses. Paolo Scavino bought the four-hectare, south-facing vineyard in 2001 the same moment he saw the listing. Crushed mineral tones appear at the back but those delicate fruit and floral tones take center stage. The wine is smooth and silky, although the tannic presence and acidity are very much in play. Drink: 2017-2030.

Vinous (96)

The 2008 Barolo Cannubi bursts from the glass with freshly cut flowers, black cherries, menthol and spices. It is a cool, reserved wine with plenty of Cannubi character. The 2008 is very young, but striking just the same. The delineation, textural elegance and complexity are all first-rate.