Wine Advocate (98)

From old vines in lieu-dit La Fosse that are planted at somewhat lower density (1.2 meters apart) but where there are consequently very few missing vines or replants, Agrapart's striking 2016 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vénus unwinds in the glass with scents of citrus oil, crisp stone fruit, toasted almonds, warm biscuits, orange zest and iodine. Full-bodied, concentrated and tightly wound, with terrific depth at the core, racy acids and a long, intensely saline finish, it's another brilliant wine from this benchmark grower-bottler.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91)

The 2015 Aile d'Argent Blanc has a lively, quite fresh bouquet with scents of pear, melon and touches of yellow flowers; there is plenty of energy here. The palate is well balanced with a spicy, lemongrass-tinged opening, not deep or voluminous but displaying a pleasant sharpness toward the finish. Enjoy this over the next decade, or possibly more. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

James Suckling (97-98)

A very exotic Aile d’Argent with dried-mango, fresh-pineapple, and sliced-lemon aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and very ripe, yet it’s framed by bright acidity. Tangy and vivid with a long, intense finish. Exciting. Contrastive. 38% semillon and the rest sauvignon blanc and gris.

James Suckling (95-96)

This is full-bodied with layers of fruit. Ripe and flavorful. Lots going on with a fleshy feel. No malolactic this year. Sweet peach, honeysuckle and citrus. Contrastive. 52% sauvignon blanc, 14% sauvignon gris and 34% semillon.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

Beautiful intensity and grip through the palate, this shows white pear, juicy citrus, and slate-filled salinity on the finish. Great stuff, with teasingly drawn out flavours, lift and tension, and hidden depths. Some frost meant the yields were lower than normal at 32hl/h. 15% malolactic fermentation to soften the acidities, with Sauvignon Gris vines included within the Sauvignon Blanc count, and no Muscadelle in the blend as the vines have now been uprooted, giving a slight break in style (for the better in my opinion). 3.25ph, 45% new barrels for ageing. First year with Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy as director from beginning to end of the growing season, after Philippe Dhaulluin's retirement.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91-93)

The 2023 Aile d'Argent contains a little more Sémillon than usual (44.5%) to add texture to the blend. It has a lovely bouquet with grapefruit, hints of lime cordial, chamomile and lanolin. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, fresh and focused, with just a slight bitter lemon note imparting tension. A hint of ginger rises on the aftertaste. Superb.

With an impeccable sense of balance, the Akitu A1 Pinot Noir 2013, produced by Akitu winery in the illustrious Central Otago region of New Zealand, manifests the exceptional terroir of its home ground. This vintage is derived from handpicked, hand sorted, and de-stemmed grapes, set apart by its compelling complexity and expressive dark fruit notes. The wine’s ageing in French oak barrels for 16 months only accentuates its wraparound texture, harmonising ever so elegantly with the layers of ripe red and black cherry, entwined with hushed whispers of lavender and earthy undertones.

Esteemed winegrower Andrew Donaldson's philosophy shines through - letting the vineyard express itself. Akitu A1 Pinot Noir 2013 brings to the fore the qualities of its specific clone mix and the unique sub-alpine climate it thrives in, culminating in a wine that's ethereal yet deeply rooted. Templating fine wine, it truly captures the essence and precision of world-class Pinot Noir.

International Wine Challenge (96)

Delightful, harmonious, elegant Pinot with complex flavours of a savoury, dark fruit, leafy notes and hints of smoky oak. Delicious; still in its youth. Vibrant, youthful wine with all to play for.

The Akitu Pinot Noir Blanc 2020 is a creation of exceptional brilliance from the famed wine region of Central Otago, New Zealand. Showcasing an expressive blend of high-altitude harvested Pinot Noir, Akitu meticulously ferments it as a white wine. Crafted by winemaker PJ Charteris, the grapes are hand-picked ensuring only the finest are selected. Minimal intervention natural yeast fermentation imbues a subtle complexity, enhancing the character of its premium fruit expression.

Proudly hailing from Akitu's unique vineyard location, encircled by jagged mountain ranges, the mineral-rich soils and delicate microclimate contribute to its notable distinctiveness. Imparting a surprising depth for a white wine, this 'blanc de noir’ resonates with fresh red fruit nuances, gentle florals and a touch of spice. The Akitu Pinot Noir Blanc 2020 strikes a delightful balance, delicate and bold with a captivating, long, dry finish. A testament to Akitu's passion for transcending boundaries, it obtains global recognition for its innovative strain on classic vinification.

Vinous (89-91)

The 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes, the top village wine here, is terrific. Rose petal, lavender, spice and a core of red/purplish berry fruit all resonate on the palate. Aromatically intense and persistent, with tons of class, the Favorites is shaping up to be a winner from brothers Eric and Jean-Luc Burguet.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin "Symphonie" (tasted with classical piano tinkling away on the radio as I sat in their office!) has a delightful red cherry and bergamot bouquet that unfolds seductively in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious on the finish, which feels caressing. This comes highly recommended.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93)

Slightly the deepest in colour and the richest nose of the four premier crus. Some lemon notes and light plum, then white fruit. This has the most assured texture of the four. Good grip, as Clive Coates would have said, stretching out very nicely in a fine long finish.

Jancis Robinson (17)

Cask sample. Top-quality premier cru Puligny. Concentration and power on the nose/palate. Savoury edge, plenty of citrus keeping the palate fresh. Should age very well. Stony finish with an intriguing zesty character. GV.

Discover the refinement of the Alain Gautheron Chablis 1er Cru Fourneaux 2022, skillfully crafted in the picturesque Fourneaux vineyard located in the heart of Chablis, France. Alain Gautheron, esteemed for five generations of winemaking prowess, personally curates this wine which is a renowned treasure in his collection. This magnifique Chardonnay typifies the rich, limestone-clay terroir of Burgundy, yielding a fine minerality and pronounced fruitiness.

As the wine ages in stainless steel vats, it gains a remarkable depth and complexity. Expect a symphony of ripe citrus, blossom, and green apple on the nose, echoed by a vibrant, elegant palate that dances with lemon zest, oyster shell and a delicate streak of minerality. The Alain Gautheron Chablis 1er Cru Fourneaux 2022's well-balanced acidity and enduring finish render it an exquisite companion for any gourmet dining experience.

Immerse yourself in the exceptional veracity of Alain Gautheron Chablis 1er Cru L'Homme Mort 2021, a luminous embodiment of French winemaking mastery. Emanating from the distinct terroirs of Chablis in Northern Burgundy, this premier cru Chablis is meticulously crafted by Alain Gautheron, a family run winery with over seven generations of unparalleled expertise. Steeped in traditional winemaking practices, L'Homme Mort showcases the purest expression Chardonnay grapes, carefully hand-harvested to ensure optimal ripeness.

Under the skilful hands of Gautheron, the years-long journey from vine to bottle incorporates slow and controlled fermentation to exquisitely balance the wine’s acidity, body and complex flavour profile. The result is a fine wine with prominent minerality, embroidered with delicate notes of citrus and white flowers.

Exemplifying a reverence for authenticity and precision, Alain Gautheron Chablis 1er Cru L'Homme Mort 2021 is the quintessential addition to any sophisticated palette seeking the best of Burgundian winemaking.

Renowned for an impeccable artisan approach to winemaking, the Alain Gautheron Chablis 1er Cru Mont Milieu 2020 emanates from Burgundy's esteemed Chablis region. The family-run vineyard, managed for over seven generations, meticulously crafts this boutique wine ensuring the highest quality and sustainability standards. Gautheron's vines, resting on Kimmeridgian limestone soils, are key contributors for the rendition of this Chablis' unique minerality.

The Alain Gautheron Chablis 1er Cru Mont Milieu 2020 is a luminous testament to the vineyard's tradition of excellence. It showcases a complex bouquet of ripe citrus and green apple, interwoven with subtle notes of oyster shell and flint - the brand's hallmark expression of terroir. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve its freshness and purity, resulting in an intensely balanced and eloquently structured Chablis. Mastering a single vineyard production, these wines encapsulate the true essence of their origin whilst reflecting the dignified skills of the winemaker.

Renowned for its finesse and impeccable balance, Alain Gautheron Chablis 1er Cru Montmains VV 2020 hails from the esteemed Premier Cru Montmains of Burgundy, France. Pinned at the heart of revered winemaking artistry, centuries-old vineyards nestle in the iconic Kimmeridgian limestone soil that imparts unique mineral accents into the wine.

Alain Gautheron, a wine artisan of esteemed lineage, meticulously oversees the growth, harvesting, and vinification of exclusively handpicked Chardonnay grapes. The wine is aged to perfection in stainless steel vats, endowing it with crisp, well-aged characters. Brimming with a distinct green apple aroma and bracing lemon freshness, the 2020 vintage has a classic Chablis personality infused with a complex, flinty minerality in its finish.

An exemplary range from the illustrious house of Alain Gautheron, the Chablis 1er Cru Montmains VV 2020 triumphs in uniting innate traditions with a modern twist. A beautiful embodiment of sophistication and subtlety, indeed a fine connoisseur's delight.

Indulge your senses with a rare taste of the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990. A superb vintage from an esteemed producer, this French delight is beautifully matured in oak barrels, boasting complex aromas of ripe fruit and spices that give way to subtly earthy undertones. Hailing from the prestigious Crozes-Hermitage appellation in Northern Rhone Valley, the wine features Syrah grapes that are meticulously hand-harvested.

This stimulating vintage is a testament to Alain Graillot's exceptional winemaking methodology. Founded in 1985, Graillot's winery quickly gained acclaim for producing high-quality, distinctive wines. This offering, the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990, truly embodies the Graillot house style - it is robust yet approachable, with elegant tannins and fullness of flavour.

Painstakingly vinified and patiently aged, the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990 is indeed a luscious specimen, deserving a place in the finest of cellars.

Vinous (94)

Opaque ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented black and blue fruit, olive and allspice aromas are energized by a suave floral overtone. Fleshy, juicy and broad in the mouth, offering concentrated black currant, cherry liqueur, fruitcake and floral pastille flavors that tighten up with aeration. Densely packed yet energetic as well, finishing with sharp delineation, steadily building tannins and excellent persistence.

Vinous (94)

Inky ruby. Heady blackberry, cherry and olive scents show excellent definition and a smoky mineral flourish. Densely packed but energetic black and blue fruit liqueur flavors are complemented by a candied violet flourish; an exotic spice nuance emerges with air. Shows excellent concentration and no excess weight, finishing with bright mineral cut, harmonious tannins and floral-driven persistence.

Vinous (94)

Inky ruby. Heady blackberry, cherry and olive scents show excellent definition and a smoky mineral flourish. Densely packed but energetic black and blue fruit liqueur flavors are complemented by a candied violet flourish; an exotic spice nuance emerges with air. Shows excellent concentration and no excess weight, finishing with bright mineral cut, harmonious tannins and floral-driven persistence.

Vinous (95)

Glass-staining ruby. Cassis, cherry-cola, olive paste, exotic spices and pungent flowers on the highly expressive nose. Shows impressive depth as well as energy to its sweet black and blue fruit, allspice, salty olive and candied violet flavors, which take on a mineral aspect with air. Youthfully chewy tannins add grip to an impressively long and focused finish that emphatically repeats the floral and mineral notes. I've no doubt that this wine will reward patience, and my drinking window is probably overly conservative.

The Alain Gras Auxey Duresses Crais Blanc 2022 is a sublime expression of its terroir, lovingly crafted in the idyllic Burgundy region of France. This fine wine is masterfully created by esteemed winemaker, Alain Gras, whose meticulous dedication to quality ensures a product of remarkable finesse. The Auxey Duresses vineyards, located on the high slopes of the Côte de Beaune, give a natural acidity, balanced by lush fruitiness from the Chardonnay grape.

The 2022 vintage benefitted from a mild summer, ensuing a wine of beautiful complexity and depth. Alain Gras employs traditional winemaking methods, ageing the wine for over 12 months in French oak barrels, creating a harmonious blend of buttery, mineral and floral notes.

Alain Gras Auxey Duresses Crais Blanc 2022 is a testament to the rich, nuanced world of Burgundian wines, possessing both the heritage of its region and the innovative touch of its producer.