Burghound (93)

A pungently earthy nose also offers supporting aromas of gentle wood, spice and both red and dark fruit components. There is excellent richness and body to the large-scaled, mineral-inflected and openly powerful flavors that possess plenty of tannin-buffering dry extract before terminating in a striking long finish. This is a robust and very serious effort that possesses excellent cellaring potential and note well that it will need it as this is presently a bruiser.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

Readers will find a rich, flamboyant wine in the 2016 Barde-Haut. There is not a ton of subtlety here, but I am not sure that matters all that much given how immensely pleasing the 2016 is. Crushed rocks, graphite, lavender, blackberry, plum, and violet infuse a Saint-Émilion that offers tremendous textural richness as well as vibrancy. Most importantly of all, the 2016 is flat-out delicious. This is a decidedly opulent, dark Saint-Émilion with all of the elements impeccably balanced. I loved it.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2019 Echézeaux Grand Cru contains 60% whole bunches. It comes from three plots that, still, only made two and a half barrels this year. It has a very well defined bouquet that seems to blossom in the glass, although it will need some time for the stems to be assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very peppery in style with touches of white pepper and bay leaf towards the persistent finish. This is a classy wine, one that is not unlike Dujac’s Echézeaux!

Jancis Robinson (18)

Cask sample. Mid dark crimson. Sweet oak spice entwined with really ripe cherry fruit. Dark, dry finesse on the palate. Extremely elegant but all hidden at the moment. Plenty of freshness like a seam through the dark, dry youthful reticence.

Wine Spectator (94-97)

Features seamlessly layered dark currant, fig and boysenberry fruit, infused liberally with a tobacco note and backed by a long, smoldering finish. Latent energy keeps this going. An impressive young wine.

Wine Advocate (95)

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Clos de Sarpe (composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc) is a little closed to begin, opening out to reveal provocative Black Forest cake, Chinese five spice and cigar box notes with nuances of sandalwood, kirsch, rose hip tea and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, rich and opulent in the mouth, the palate is oh-so-seductive with a beautiful velvety texture and tons of freshness lifting the decadent fruit to a long spicy finish.

Vinous (95)

The 2019 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru has a composed bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit, tobacco, forest floor, a touch of wild mint and much more clarity than its peers. Fleshy, ripe and beautifully balanced, the palate is medium-bodied and supple, building succinctly toward the focused and complex finish. Wow...where did this come from??? Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.

Burghound (95-98)

(from an incredible 6.46 ha parcel, which doesn’t include the .67 ha section planted to chardonnay). This too is quite aromatically restrained though aggressive swirling does eventually coax the pure and elegant aromas to emerge and when they do, they are almost a hypothetical blend of the Amoureuses and the Bonnes Mares. The concentrated, powerful and decidedly muscular flavors retain plenty of refinement and minerality that conclude in a wonderfully complex and superbly long finale. The mid-palate texture is akin to rolling rocks around in the mouth and the finish just goes on and on. This too is brilliant, and the word Zen definitely comes to mind. (95-98)/2041+

Vinous (92-95)

The 2015 Corton La Vigne au Saint Grand Cru exudes freshness and vivacity. Hints of orange peel, cranberry and white pepper from the whole clusters (45%) add a striking aromatic upper register. This is another wine with a super-appealing push and pull between ripeness of fruit and salivating acidity. Quite frankly, in a blind tasting, this would be very hard to peg as wine from a warm vintage. - Antonio Galloni

Vinous (94)

A sleeper in this vintage, the 2017 de Pressac is deep, plush and wonderfully expressive, with a bit more finesse than I have seen here in the past. The 2017 possesses terrific energy to match its translucent personality. Sweet floral, blood orange and spice nuances add striking aromatic top notes, The 2017 is pure class. Pressac remains one of Saint-Émilion's under the radar gems. The 2017 is pure class. Tasted three times.

Burghound (94)

The ripe and ultra-fresh aromas are from the darker side of the fruit spectrum while including plenty of spice, warm earth, menthol and plenty of sauvage character. There is both fine detail and a beguiling texture to the equally broad-shouldered and even more mineral-inflected flavors that possess even better complexity on the balanced and hugely long finish. Unusually, this appears to be just a bit less structured than the Bressandes and should also be approachable on the younger side if that's your preference.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 1971 Richebourg Grand Cru from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti was poured from magnum. It had a powerful, almost burly bouquet as you would expect from this vineyard—perhaps autumnal, brown leaves and a cold Sunday afternoon, touches of Earl Grey infused the dark berry fruit (darker than the 1971 Grands Echézeaux tasted alongside incidentally). The palate is medium-bodied with a fine line of acidity, hints of dried orange peel infusing the black and red fruit, all with impressive energy considering that this is now the same age as yours truly. Perhaps I found more breeding on the aforementioned Grands Echézeaux, and yet this is still a gorgeous mature Burgundy that will continue to give immense pleasure over the next decade for those privileged with the experience. Tasted November 2016.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2017 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru is completely de-stemmed and matures in 80% new oak. It has an expressive and aromatic bouquet with pretty blueberry, raspberry and iodine aromas that burst from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very effervescent from the start with vivid red and black fruit infused with orange zest and light fig notes. Very fine.

James Suckling (96)

The super fresh, sour-cherry nose leads you into a very concentrated and focused red with a lot of mineral and graphite character. The tannins are a shade firmer than in the other Grand Crus from Faiveley, but it was always that way. Deep, dark and cool finish that goes on and on. Better from 2023.

James Suckling (95-96)

Vivid and lively with blackberries, earth and some flowers. It’s full and layered with tannins that spread across the palate. Broader form to this young Bordeaux. Lots of tannins at the end.

Wine Advocate (96+)

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Fonplegade opens with a very savory nose of smoked meats, tapenade, sautéed herbs and beef drippings over a core of plum preserves, chocolate-covered cherries and cedar chest plus wafts of violets and cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate possesses both intensity and elegance, with the black fruit layers superbly framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.

Vinous (93)

Medium red. Dark raspberry, gunflint, peony and brown spices on the perfumed nose. Sweet but juicy and penetrating, with lovely focus to its generous flavors of raspberry, minerals and spices. The spice character carries impressively on the long finish, which features a fine dusting of tannins. This has turned out very well and has the balance to evolve at a leisurely pace.

Jancis Robinson (19)

Dark crimson. Juicy and alluring on the nose. And then wonderfully rich and exciting on the palate. Great intensity and majesty. Woo hoo! Long and gorgeous.

The Wine Cellar Insider (94)

Quite youthful as you would expect, still it is difficult not to be impressed by the concentration, ripeness, elegance, freshness and energy here. Parked on the corner of elegance, freshness and opulence, the fruit shows good purity, length and vibrance. Kuch of what the wine has to offer is held in reserve at the moment. The wine be best after 2026.

Dive into the world of elegance with the spellbinding Harmand-Geoffroy Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru 2011. Crafted meticulously in Burgundy, France, it's the epitome of the world-renowned Harmand-Geoffroy estate's wine-making mastery. A benchmark for Pinot Noir, the grapes went through meticulous manual sorting, followed by precise temperature-controlled fermentation. The wine matured for 18 months in French oak barrels, achieving a captivating equilibrium between fruit and firmness.

Gloriously mature, the 'Mazis-Chambertin' shows off an enthralling perfume of red berries mingled with subtle notes of earth and mushroom. The palate is complex and juicy, beautifully showcasing the soft tannins and a long, balanced finish. This wine signifies the essence of Gevrey-Chambertin, recognised for its power and longevity.

With only a limited production, the rarity of Harmand-Geoffroy Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru 2011 is alluring. A choice recommendation for those seeking a distinguished addition to their cellar.

Vinous (97)

The MV 16 is bright, fresh and airy and yet has the natural richness of Aÿ that Giraud fans have come to expect. Apricot, tangerine oil, nutmeg, cinnamon, chamomile and dried flowers all meld together in a creamy, ample Champagne that hits all the right notes. A Champagne of towering presence, the MV 16 is classy, understated and undeniably alluring. It is also one of the most impressive Champagnes I have ever tasted from Claude Giraud. Even in the early going, the 70% new oak is so well-integrated. This set of new releases is full of highlights, but the MV 16 is especially fine. Don't miss it! Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: December 11, 2020.

Vinous (94-96)

(these were the last chardonnay vines harvested in 2010): Very pale yellow with a green tinge. Brilliantly pure, high-pitched aromas of chalk, lime blossom, peppermint, spearmint, white pepper, anise and wild herbs. Delicate on entry, then saline, dry and rich in the middle, with outstanding cut and precision to its flavors of crushed rock, spices and truffle lifted by mint oils. Classic east-facing Corton-Charlemagne from marne blanche soil in Ladoix. For all its energy, this wine already boasts a remarkably silky texture. The palate-staining finish leaves the salivary glands humming.

Vinous (92-95)

A rich, deeply layered wine, the 2012 Echezeaux covers every corner of the palate. Dark red cherries, plums, menthol, licorice, smoke and new leather are some of the many notes that blossom in a wine that stands out for its superb balance and potential. This is another wine with significant promise for the future.

Indulge your senses with the Jerome Prevost Grand Cru NV, an emblematic reflection of the terroir of La Closerie, Reims. Jerome Prevost, highly admired within Champagne circles, is revered for his meticulous practice and devotion to the craft. This impeccable Grand Cru NV, predominantly made from Pinot Meunier, captures the quintessence of his artisanal approach, encapsulated in a single vineyard plot.

Bottled without fining or filtration, and fermented solely from natural yeasts, the wine exemplifies an unadulterated expression of Prevost's philosophy. The decades-old vines, deeply entrenched in calcareous soils, yield a wine of profound depth and complexity. Bright acidic backbone, entwined with nuances of chalky minerality and rich pear notes, the Jerome Prevost Grand Cru NV is a touchstone for boutique Champagne production.

Appreciated by wine purists, this beguiling wine faithfully represents the work of an innovative winemaker dedicated to precision and purity, and the eternal appeal of the Grand Cru designation.

Vinous (90-92)

Good dark red. Very shy nose hints at crushed stone, menthol, flowers and licorice. Then surprisingly round and charming in the mouth, with a distinctly silky, open-knit texture to the fat dark berry fruit. Not hugely complex but developing nicely. This should give pleasure early.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

The 2015 Echézeaux Grand Cru, of which there are two barrels this year, has a fragrant wild strawberry, Morello and woodland-scented bouquet that is beautifully defined and neatly enmeshed with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied, here showing a little more of the wood influence than the nose, though there is good depth with a slightly savory finish that just needs to develop more persistence once in bottle. There is energy packed into this Echézeaux and I can see it repaying those sage enough to cellar it for 6-8 years.

Wine Advocate (97)

I'm increasingly convinced that Pierre Larmandier produced Champagne's wines of the vintage this year, and the 2011 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant only compounds that suspicion. Unfurling in the glass with a deep and complex nose of citrus zest, crisp yellow apples, smoke, warm bread, mandarin oil and oyster shell, it's full-bodied and fleshy but incisive, with huge concentration, bright acids and a long, intensely saline finish. Totally transcending the reputation of 2011, it has many of the textural properties of a great white Burgundy, married with the cut and chalky grip of Champagne's Côte de Blancs.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2016 Laroque is blended of 95% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines more than 50 years old and aged in 50% new French and Austrian oak. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly unfurls to reveal a beautiful core of redcurrants, Morello cherries, wild blueberries and fresh plums with touches of lilacs, oolong tea, chargrill, bay leaves and yeast extract plus a hint of wet slate. Medium to full-bodied, taut and finely textured with ripe, grainy tannins, it has bold freshness cutting through the densely packed red and black fruit layers, finishing on a lingering mineral note.