Jeb Dunnuck (100)

One of the more muscular, concentrated 2022s in my tastings, the 2022 Château Larcis Ducasse sports a deep ruby/plum hue to go with serious aromatics of ripe red and black cherries, smoked tobacco, new leather, truffle, and an incredible sense of crushed stone-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and massively concentrated on the palate, this intense, flawlessly balanced, voluptuous 2022 has a stacked mid-palate, velvety tannins, and fabulous length on the finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see this close down with 3-4 years of bottle age only to re-emerge after a decade. Based on 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc raised in 40% new oak, this modern-day legend has a terrific pH of 3.48 and an alcohol of 14.8%.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

One of the more muscular, concentrated 2022s in my tastings, the 2022 Château Larcis Ducasse sports a deep ruby/plum hue to go with serious aromatics of ripe red and black cherries, smoked tobacco, new leather, truffle, and an incredible sense of crushed stone-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and massively concentrated on the palate, this intense, flawlessly balanced, voluptuous 2022 has a stacked mid-palate, velvety tannins, and fabulous length on the finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see this close down with 3-4 years of bottle age only to re-emerge after a decade. Based on 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc raised in 40% new oak, this modern-day legend has a terrific pH of 3.48 and an alcohol of 14.8%.

James Suckling (96-97)

This is really classic in character, with a fine tannin structure and medium body. It starts slowly and then accelerates quickly into intense black cherries, currants and a salty note. Savory and subtle. 86% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.

James Suckling (94)

This is a solid cab with a backbone of ripe and chewy tannins and lots of wet earth, black currant and autumnal leaf character. Full and powerful. This needs a few years to soften. Better in 2019.

Vinous (90-92)

Larkmead's 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep, inky and powerful, but with plenty of tannic backbone to back up the intensity of the fruit. There is plenty of potential here. This is a promising wine from Larkmead. Virtually all of the fruit for this wine was harvested in late August.

Wine Advocate - Robert Parker (96+)

The opaque purple 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Black Label) has a Château Latour-like nose of cedar wood, graphite, oodles of creme de cassis and forest floor, stunning concentration, power and structure. This is an amazing wine, and with 1,635 cases produced, has reasonable availability. This all is produced from the so-called clone 7, which became better known across the street and up on the Vaca hillsides as the Eisele Vineyard clone. This wine should really be laid down for 7-8 years and probably has a good 40-50 years of potential longevity.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2013 Firebelle Proprietary Red is a blend of 76% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. This wine shows loads of roasted espresso notes mixed with white chocolate, plum, black cherry and currant. The wine is ripe, opulent, full-bodied and a very sexy, lush example of 2013 to drink over the next 15 or more years.

Vinous (90)

The 2015 Firebelle shows the challenges of the growing season in its slightly roasted flavor profile and brooding, potent tannins. Just as it was from barrel, the Firebelle is decidedly virile. More importantly, the tannins feel not fully ripe. It will be interesting to see if the 2015 gains more polish over time. I have my doubts.

An exquisite offering from the famed Napa Valley, California, the Larkmead LMV Salon 2015 is nothing short of an oenophile's dream. Painstakingly crafted by Larkmead Vineyards, renowned for over a century of excellence in winemaking, this majestic Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend presents a harmonious fusion of power and finesse. Aged in French oak enhances the complexity and depth of flavour. Its bouquet unveils expressive notes of black cherries, plum and spices, culminating in a palate of great intensity and enduring finish.

Delivering year after year of consistent high scores from major wine publications, the Larkmead LMV Salon 2015 stands as a testament to Larkmead's meticulous viticulture and innovative winemaking. This luxurious libation, limited in production and highly sought by collectors, indeed reinforces why Napa Valley's reputation as a premier wine region remains unassailable. Truly, the Larkmead LMV Salon 2015 is a celebration of wine craftsmanship.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The 2019 Larmande has really come together during élevage. From bottle it shows remarkable breadth, power and persistence. Raspberry jam, mocha, dried flowers and spice build in this voluptuous, wonderfully expressive Saint-Émilion. The 2019 is not super complex nor structured, but it sure is delicious. Pretty floral accents lift the finish.

Wine Advocate (91-93)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Larmande has a beautifully bright perfume of kirsch, crushed black plums, fresh boysenberries and violets, plus suggestions of spice cake, Sichuan pepper and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate has lovely poise with bags of freshness and a soft texture supporting the elegant red and black fruit layers, finishing earthy.

Wine Advocate (92)

The 2021 Larmande has turned out well in bottle, wafting from the glass with notes of raspberries, rose petals and plums, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and suave palate that's layered and seamless, with a vibrant and enveloping core of fruit, ripe tannins and a perfumed finish.

Jancis Robinson (17+)

The first time that Larmandier-Bernier has made this wine. 100% Pinot Noir from old vines in Vertus. Spontaneous vinification in old vats and casks, 11 months on lees. Tirage end of July 2016. Six years sur lattes. Dosage 0 g/l. Baked sour cream, smoke and bay leaf. A powerful, bone-structured rigidity. Fennel and chalk dust and bitter rain and baobab. Pretty uncompromising. Tastes like a glacial waterfall. Maritime. No curves, no corners – a cliff face of a wine.

Vinous (97)

The 2013 Extra Brut Les Chemins d'Avize Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is floral and gracious, much more so than is common in Avize Champagnes, which tend to have more body. The 2013 is beautifully perfumed and ethereal from start to finish, with striking beams of salinity that confer tension. Candied lemon peel, white flowers, spice, hazelnut, dried flowers and chamomile are some of the many notes that are laced together. This subtle, wonderfully nuanced Champagne has so much to offer. It is the most restrained wine in this range. The Chemins d'Avize is a blend of fruit from Chemin de Plivot and Chemin de Flavigny, done in neutral oak. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: October, 2019.

Vinous (95)

The 2014 Extra Brut Les Chemins d"Avize Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is fabulous. Rich, ample and potent, the 2014 possesses tremendous density from start to finish. Apricot, spice, dried flowers, graphite and lemon confit all build in a Champagne of enormous resonance. The pedigree here is evident. Chemins d"Avize is a blend from the Chemin de Plivot and Chemin de Flavigny lieux-dits. It was vinified in neutral oak and bottled with dosage of two grams per liter. Disgorged: June, 2021.

The Larmandier-Bernier Chemins d'Avize Extra Brut Grand Cru 2015 is a remarkable addition to any finewine collection. Produced by the revered Larmandier-Bernier house, nestled in the prestigious Champagne region of France, this exceptional Grand Cru embodies supreme eloquence. Crafted entirely from Chardonnay grapes sourced from esteemed vineyards in Avize, the 2015 vintage boasts an ethereal blend of minerality, acidity and lingering citrus notes.

Aged in oak barrels and bio-dynamically farmed, the wine encapsulates harmonious precision, exhibiting years of masterful expertise. Its extra brut nature, denoting minimal dosage, allows for unblemished expression of terroir. The harvest of 2015 only deepens this wine's allure, offering an impactful taste profile that compels with every sip. Such complexity attaches distinguished character to the Larmandier-Bernier Chemins d'Avize Extra Brut Grand Cru 2015, securing its rightful place in the pantheon of extraordinary champagnes. A testament to the unerring pursuit of excellence by Larmandier-Bernier.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The NV (2022) Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude 1er Cru is stellar in this range. Broad and ample, the Latitude is so impressive. Lemon confit, marzipan, tangerine peel, mint and chalk are dialed up. More than anything else, I am so impressed with the wine's sheer palate presence. There's gorgeous density and character here. This release is based on 2022, with the addition of 40% reserve wines. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: September 2024; multiple disgorgements throughout the year.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The NV (2022) Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude 1er Cru is stellar in this range. Broad and ample, the Latitude is so impressive. Lemon confit, marzipan, tangerine peel, mint and chalk are dialed up. More than anything else, I am so impressed with the wine's sheer palate presence. There's gorgeous density and character here. This release is based on 2022, with the addition of 40% reserve wines. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: September 2024; multiple disgorgements throughout the year.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The NV (2021) Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Longitude 1er Cru shows the lighter, airier side of the year. Crushed rocks, lemon peel, white pepper, slate and chalk all confer brightness. This sculpted, saline Blanc de Blancs is impeccable. The Longitude is a blend of parcels in Vertus, Cramant, Avize and Oger. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: April 2024; multiple disgorgements throughout the year.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

The NV (2021) Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Longitude 1er Cru shows the lighter, airier side of the year. Crushed rocks, lemon peel, white pepper, slate and chalk all confer brightness. This sculpted, saline Blanc de Blancs is impeccable. The Longitude is a blend of parcels in Vertus, Cramant, Avize and Oger. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: April 2024; multiple disgorgements throughout the year.