Vinous (93+)

(bottled the day before my visit; aged in 40% new oak): Complex, vibrant aromas of peach, orange zest and lemon accented by white pepper. Rich, ripe, tactile and sweet, with the intense citrus and stone fruit flavors accented by peppery spices and complicated by vanilla and leesy nuances. A very good showing today, but this is still a baby.

Vinous (93+)

(bottled the day before my visit; aged in 40% new oak): Complex, vibrant aromas of peach, orange zest and lemon accented by white pepper. Rich, ripe, tactile and sweet, with the intense citrus and stone fruit flavors accented by peppery spices and complicated by vanilla and leesy nuances. A very good showing today, but this is still a baby.

Vinous (92+)

Good bright medium red. The most complex and complete of these 2011s on the nose, offering scents of black cherry, menthol, wild herbs and sexy underbrush; sappy and ripe but with noteworthy medicinal reserve. Silky on entry, then thick, bright and highly concentrated, with the violet and licorice lift and firm spine of acidity of a top Cote de Nuits wine. Lovely focus and dark fruit intensity here. Finishes bright and long, with serious but fine-grained tannins. This should age beautifully.

Vinous (94)

Menthol, pine, sweet tobacco and incense are some of the many notes that take shape in the 2003 Barolo Sorì Ginestra. Deep, pungent and beautifully expressive, the 2003 has developed very well. The Ginestra has more fruit intensity than the Vigna del Gris, but also correspondingly higher tannin.

Vinous (94)

A rush of dark red and black fruit, menthol, mocha, spice, tobacco and cedar flesh out in the 2011 Barolo Sorì Ginestra. Some of the typical darker, more balsamic notes of Ginestra are covered by the pure intensity of the fruit. As always, Ginestra is a wine that is defined by its combination of expressive aromatics, rich fruit and incisive tannins. In 2011 readers should expect a Ginestra that will drink well a little earlier than normal.

Vinous (90+)

Medium red. Subdued aromas of red cherry liqueur and caramel oak. Richer and broader than the Monfalletto, but comes across as less sweet today and more backward. Slowly mounting finish shows substantial, slightly drying tannins. Very much in the style of a hot year.

Vinous (90)

Moderately saturated ruby-red. High-pitched aromas of blueberry, licorice, chocolate, leather and smoky, cedary oak; slightly liqueur-like. Then supple and sweet in the mouth but a bit youthfully disjointed and not quite as fine-grained as the '04 version, which Corison notes was less affected by heat spikes. Finishes with firm, dusty tannins and notes of chocolate and leather.

Savour the sumptuous elegance of Corte Saibante, Amarone della Valpolicella, Classico 2011, a testament to the art of Italian winemaking tradition. Corte Saibante crafts this quintessential Amarone in the heart of the Classico zone in Valpolicella, using the appassimento method whereby the grapes are air-dried before fermentation, intensifying the flavours. The handpicked Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes are meticulously harvested from select aged vineyards, ensuring superior quality.

The full-bodied Corte Saibante, Amarone della Valpolicella, Classico 2011 is characterised by an intense, ruby-red hue, and delivers exquisite notes of dried fruit, sweet spice and chocolate, flawlessly balanced by robust tannins and a lingering, velvety finish. A remarkable wine, it promises to age beautifully. With a reputation for crafting superior wines, Corte Saibante ensures this Amarone is an unforgettable experience, appealing to even the most discerning palate.

Vinous (92+)

Good bright red. Complex, ripe aromas of raspberry, cherry, iron, minerals, spices, pepper and truffley underbrush. The sweetest, supplest and most refined of these 2011s, offering lovely harmonious acidity to its red fruit, red licorice and mineral flavors. Really coats the mouth and vibrates on the long, firmly tannic finish, which features a late burst of ripe but lively red fruits. Winemaker Yves Confuron says the 2011s here have similar precision to the 2010s but more middle, although he believes that the wines have shut down following the September 2013 bottling.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

This is a fabulous gran reserva from a very good but lightly heralded vintage. Aromas of spiced plum, black olive, fig, tobacco and cassis come together like a puzzle. A deep, pure palate shows near-perfect balance, while this tastes of plum, berry fruits and earthy spice. Smooth, elegant and chocolaty on the finish, this delivers all one can ask for from Rioja. Drink through 2035.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

This is a fabulous gran reserva from a very good but lightly heralded vintage. Aromas of spiced plum, black olive, fig, tobacco and cassis come together like a puzzle. A deep, pure palate shows near-perfect balance, while this tastes of plum, berry fruits and earthy spice. Smooth, elegant and chocolaty on the finish, this delivers all one can ask for from Rioja. Drink through 2035.

Wine Advocate (94)

This estate’s most renowned offering is their old vine (90+ years) Shiraz called The Dead Arm. The unfined/unfiltered 2000 The Dead Arm Shiraz is one of South Australia’s finest wines of the vintage. A perfume of grilled steak intermixed with blackberries, new saddle leather, earth, pepper, and melted licorice rises from this awesome red. With great power, richness, and no hard edges, it is still young and primary, but should hit its peak in 3-7 years, and last for two decades or more.

Wine Spectator (90)

Juicy red. Plenty of tobacco, berry and currant character in this. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a long finish. Best after 2008. 15,415 cases made. -JS

James Suckling (92)

The wine has a lovely softness to it with a chocolate, currant and blueberry character. Full body, with velvety tannins and juicy finish. Savory wine. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

James Suckling (92)

The wine has a lovely softness to it with a chocolate, currant and blueberry character. Full body, with velvety tannins and juicy finish. Savory wine. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

Wine Advocate (93)

Fresh red fruits and spices are found in the nose of the 2003 Bonnes Mares. Packed with cherries and raspberries, this medium-bodied wine is delightfully expressive, pure, and focused. Armed with outstanding depth of fruit, its forward character lingers in its ripe, angle-free finish. Anticipated maturity: now-2015.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2011 Meursault is totally alive in the glass. Gunpowder, slate and green pear notes emerge from a wine that impresses for its pure energy and drive. Next to some of the other wines in the range, the 2011 is a bit rough around the edges, but there is no lack of conviction and personality. It will be interesting to see if bottle age softens some of the contours. Still, there is a lot to like here.

Vinous (94-96)

The 2011 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières , on the other hand, conveys an impression of pure silk. Here the flavors are more sculpted and finessed than in the Richarde, while the minerality is also more apparent. With time in the glass the beauty and purity of the fruit emerges, but the Folatières convinces for its regal texture and personality alone. Readers who can find the 2011 are going to be thrilled.

Wine Spectator (99)

A lovely, creamy, tropical style, with mango, papaya and guava notes lending a caressing feel, while singed almond and warm piecrust accents blossom through the lush finish. Just when you think that's all there is, toasted coconut, fig, orange blossom and persimmon details kick in, lending length and dimension. The finish is ridiculously long. Best from 2020 through 2060. -JM

Decanter (99)

The blend for this wine, whose fruit is dried for three months, is 55 per cent Corvina, 15 per cent Rondinella, 20 per cent Croatina and 10 per cent Oseleta; all the vines are at least 10 years old. A black wine, and a velvet nosebox: pressed black fruits, seeping with fruit essences; smoke and cinders; herbal complexities; teasing floral notes, too, to lighten the tone a little. The alcohol level on the label might lead you to expect a gobstopper – so you’ll be taken aback by the fine-milled elegance of this wine, by its disposition and organization, by its fleet-footed elegance and freshness, even though its concentration, power and textural presence make it a wine of absolute authority. There isn’t a trace of superfluous fat in the mid-palate – though it’s tongue-coating, head-turning, inspiring: a gathering of sumptuous fruited energies. “It’s very difficult to for my father to feel happy about any of his wines; he’s very critical,” said Michele. “But with this vintage, he didn’t have anything to say.”

Decanter (99)

The blend for this wine, whose fruit is dried for three months, is 55 per cent Corvina, 15 per cent Rondinella, 20 per cent Croatina and 10 per cent Oseleta; all the vines are at least 10 years old. A black wine, and a velvet nosebox: pressed black fruits, seeping with fruit essences; smoke and cinders; herbal complexities; teasing floral notes, too, to lighten the tone a little. The alcohol level on the label might lead you to expect a gobstopper – so you’ll be taken aback by the fine-milled elegance of this wine, by its disposition and organization, by its fleet-footed elegance and freshness, even though its concentration, power and textural presence make it a wine of absolute authority. There isn’t a trace of superfluous fat in the mid-palate – though it’s tongue-coating, head-turning, inspiring: a gathering of sumptuous fruited energies. “It’s very difficult to for my father to feel happy about any of his wines; he’s very critical,” said Michele. “But with this vintage, he didn’t have anything to say.”

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Dark, rich, meaty cassis. Fine texture, spicy, a little leafy but deliciously fresh and alive. Broody, firm but all in place. Firm but fine-grained and some scent on the palate. This showed much better than en primeur – I may have scored it more highly as it was a contrast in style and balance to the preceding rather lack-lustre flight. I was certainly more generous than my fellow tasters.

Wine Spectator (91)

Solid wine here with plenty of ripe fruit and firm tannins. Well-structured and rich. Medium to long finish. Almost 92-94. Score range: 89-91

An exquisite exemplification of Burgundian finesse, the David Duband Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Gruenchers 2011 mesmerises with a symphony of sensory grandeur. Skillfully yielding the fruits of this prestigious vineyard, Duband, a dedicated viticulturist adhering to biodynamic principles since 2008, masterfully encapsulates the noble Pinot Noir grape's elegance.

This wine is intrinsically tied to the cool, east-facing slopes of Les Gruenchers; providing the perfect stage for the mineral-rich, limestone-clay soils to imbue the wine with remarkable terroir character. Evoking fragrances of wild red berries and violets, this aromatic ruby elixir gracefully unfolds on the palate with beautiful concentration of bright fruit, subtly interlaced with notes of earthy truffles and sweet spices.

A quintessential expression of Chambolle-Musigny’s charm, the David Duband Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Gruenchers 2011 elicits reverence in the heart of the discerning connoisseur with its harmonious bouquet and noteworthy ageing potential.

Immerse yourself in the depth of the French Burgundy with the David Duband Gevrey-Chambertin 2011. Expertly crafted by David Duband himself, a renowned winemaker famous for his artful rendition of Pinot Noir, this vintage emanates the rich complexity of the varietal. The grapes are harvested from the esteemed climats of Gevrey-Chambertin, bestowing a luxurious flavour profile to the wine. Adhering to organic farming practices, Duband meticulously nurtures each vine, ensuring its optimal health. Following traditional vinification methods, the wine undergoes a whole-cluster fermentation to enhance its texture and enriching depth.

Aged in oak barrels for a restrained influence, the David Duband Gevrey-Chambertin 2011 exhibits a harmonious balance of fruitiness and minerality, enveloped in silky tannins. This wine's enchanting bouquet of red fruits and earthy undertones unfolds gracefully on the palate, rendering it an ideal companion for refined gastronomic indulgences. Savour the excellence of David Duband Gevrey-Chambertin 2011 and revel in the true expression of Burgundy.

Wine Advocate (90)

Aromas of lead pencil, tobacco leaf, licorice, and creme de cassis are offered in an outstanding, medium to full-bodied, concentrated style. There is tremendous purity as well as flavor dimension. This opaque ruby/purple-colored offering is one of the finest de Fieuzals produced over the last decade. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2022.

Vinous (91-93)

(vinified entirely with whole clusters; 40% new oak): Good full red. Lovely high-pitched aromas of black cherry, blackberry, licorice and violet. Deep, sappy and vinous, with an enticing savory/sweet quality to the intense flavors of wild dark berries, violet and graphite. Finishes with firm-edged tannins, a very primary medicinal black cherry note, and lovely floral lift. This will need at least four or five years of bottle aging. Chef de cave Sieve noted that the domain owns parcels on either side of the tower in Clos Vougeot, with part of its vines located in a frost pocket that was hit hard in December of 2009.

Vinous (93)

The 2011 Pommard Les Rugiens 1er Cru feels clean and pure on the nose, elegant rather than powerful with brambly red berry fruit, undergrowth, chestnut and sage developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied, clean raspberry and wild strawberry with fine tannin all the way to the finish, especially for a Pommard. It fans out with confidence at the end, completing an accomplished Les Rugiens. Tasted at Flint Wines Burgundy 2011 tasting.