Jancis Robinson (17+)

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Very much in the Alter Ego mould – lively, fruit-driven with that vineyard-fresh feel but with a little more structure than previous years. Pure and appetising but will age. (JL) 13.7%

James Suckling (96)

Profound nose here with chili chocolate and sandalwood beneath the sweet blackberry background. A hint of violets, too. An opulent and densely packed palate with full body and concentrated blackberries. Very tight tannins rendered in a fine-grained and almost seamless way, with a lingering finish. Drinkable now if decanted, but better after 2025.

James Suckling (92-93)

A linear and polished young red with compact, silky tannins that are polished and beautiful. Lots of blackberry, blackcurrant, mushroom and spice character. Very solid wine from here.

In the realm of fine wines, the Benjamin Roblot Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 2020 holds an esteemed place. Distilled by esteemed vintner Benjamin Roblot in the world-acclaimed wine region of Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy, France, this wine embodies the perfection of its terroir. A first-class ('1er Cru') wine, it comes from the highly sought after 'Les Amoureuses' vineyard, famed for its superior quality fruits.

The 2020 vintage is an assertion of elegance and balance. Created using traditional vinification methods, the wines then mature in French oak barrels adding depth and complexity. Expect refined yet robust flavours, led by a stimulating mix of plump dark berries, a hint of woodland, and a vibrant, enduring finish.

A product of small yield and attentive cultivation, the Benjamin Roblot Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 2020 stands as an exemplary ambassador for Burgundian wines.

Esteemed connoisseur, indulge in the elegant allure of Benjamin Roblot Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuees 2020. Hailing from a top-tier vineyard in Chambolle-Musigny, a cherished commune known for its distinguished Pinot Noir, this laudable cru merits your consideration. Benjamin Roblot, a reputed Burgundy producer, employed a focused, low-intervention approach in crafting this gem. The wines mature in modestly-toasted oak barrels, giving an unsurpassed smoothness, without overwhelming the natural fruit notes.

Benjamin Roblot Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuees 2020 dances on your palate with sublime layers of juicy cherries, entwined with finer undertones of violets and delicately-spiced earth. The exquisite balance, vibrant acidity, and graceful tannins culminate in an enticingly long finish. La crème de la crème of 2020 Burgundy wines, this Benjamin Roblot offering promises a memorable gustatory journey for any discerning wine aficionado.

Decanter (97)

Wild roses and wild strawberries, the nose has a lovely fragrance and expression. Lifted and bright, this has such a beautiful delicacy to it, a creamy, chalkiness comes from the fine tannins with bright, succulent strawberry and raspberry leaf elements. You feel the savoury side too, the sweet vanilla spice and dried herb aspect which counter the fruit and the high acidity. I adore the finesse here, the sharp fruit giving the energy and the chalky texture giving the layers. Feels well controlled, powerful yet delivered with poise. It doesn't have so much overt weight, it's definitely more ethereal in terms of density, but the nuance of flavour is thrillingly captivating and this has a long lifted finish. A contemplative wine that keeps you wanting more and more. Made in new winery facilities in Fiesole. Grapes were picked from the best six vineyards; Vincigliata, Olmo, Londa, Lamole, Montefili and Siena with each divided into parcels and harvested up to eight times to get the perfect ripening points. Natural and indigenous fermentation in open top barriques (225l) for smaller parcels and 50hl cask or stainless steel tanks for larger plots. After 7-10 days of maceration, the parcels are moved into old barriques and 50hl casks for 20 months.

Wine Advocate (95)

The perfect Mediterranean vintage produced an outstanding Garnacha. The 2020 El Molar fermented with 35% full clusters and matured in a combination of 500-liter barrels and 5,000-liter foudres for one year. The wine is very young and tender; it feels more delicate despite having a little more alcohol than the 2019 (it's 15%) and with a slightly lower pH (3.49). It's super aromatic, extroverted and expressive, floral, elegant and complex. There is great balance, and the wine feels fresher and less ripe; it's refreshing and has a core of minerality and super fine tannins with pungent flavors. There is precision, elegance and balance, the three words that define the vintage. All the wines are very good value, but this is a steal. 40,000 bottles were filled in March 2022.

James Suckling (95-96)

This very refined with polished, chewy tannins and black olives. Medium-to full-bodied, the tannins are chiseled and energetic. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (98)

Extremely perfumed and beautiful with ripe strawberries and citrus fruit, as well as aromatic flowers. Full-bodied with plenty of fruit and creamy, chewy tannins that are polished and very impressive. Long and linear. One of the best of this bottling. Drink after 2023, but already a gorgeous bottle.

James Suckling (98)

Red cherries, strawberries, spiced plums, violets, cloves, dried herbs, undergrowth and a touch of smoke on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Firm, mineral and tea-like tannin quality. Very focused and structured. Needs time. Try after 2025. From biodynamically grown grapes.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The Grand Vin 2020 Château Cheval Blanc checks in as a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that was raised, as always, in 100% new French oak. As usual with Cheval Blanc, it's primarily about finesse and elegance, as well as complexity, and exhibits a deep purple hue as well as a kaleidoscopic bouquet of sweet red and black fruits, spring flowers, spicy incense, loamy earth, and smoke tobacco. Absolutely flawless on the palate, it's full-bodied, has perfectly integrated oak, ripe, silky tannins, and a gorgeous finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. This powerful, concentrated Cheval Blanc offers pleasure even today (needs lots of air) but warrants 7-8 years of bottle age and will see its 40th birthday in fine form.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91-93)

The 2020 Clos La Gaffelière is a super attractive second wine. It is a bit darker and more overt than the Grand Vin, both of which lend quite a bit of immediacy. Black cherry, plum, spice, chocolate and leather build nicely in the glass. This supple, juicy Saint-Émilion will drink well right out of the gate.

Tim Atkin MW (96)

Bona Fide comes from the Vrede vineyard, which also supplies fruit for Hannes Storm's top Pinot Noir. There was no 2019 release, but this is a roaring return to form: a medium-weight red with a haunting combination of perfume and structure. Complete, layered and nuanced with 50% whole bunch spices and layers of plum and summer berry fruit, 2023-28

James Suckling (93-94)

A fresh, layered red with blackberry and chocolate. It’s full and beautiful. Cool finish. Soft tannins spread across the finish. Savory.

Wine Advocate (91)

Despite having similar alcohol levels and acidity and freshness parameters, the 2020 Bonarda comes through as riper than the 2019 I tasted next to it. It reveals some earthy tannins and a faint rusticity, inherent to the variety. 25,000 bottles produced.

Vinous (96)

The 2020 Coyam is a blend of 38% Syrah, 37% Carménère, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Carignan, 4% Garnacha, 4% Mourvèdre, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec and 1% Tempranillo from the Los Robles vineyard in Colchagua. It was aged for 18 months, 75% in barrels and the rest in foudres and eggs. A rich purple in the glass. The complex nose features nuanced aromas ranging from blackberry to blueberry and currant with hints of cedar and spice. In the mouth, it’s juicy with a grippy texture and delicate, concentrated but relaxed tannins before the lengthy finish. It seems that the healthy biodynamic vineyard was able to withstand the warmth of 2020. An extremely well-made wine that handled the conditions with aplomb.

Decanter (95)

The 0.81ha vineyard for these grapes is at the top of the hill, resulting in very cool conditions for the vines. This terroir produces a spicy, vivacious wine with notes of cassis and mulberry, accented with smoke and new leather. The 2020 vintage was aged half in new casks and half in two-year-old barrels to give a wine with plenty of finesse and high-toned elegance, yet one that in no way lacks solid ‘Nuits’ character.

James Suckling (100)

A mesmerizing nose here with flowers such as violets and red roses, then shows cherries and currants with some mineral and black truffles. Full-bodied yet so refined and harmonized with ultra-fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Flavors of perfectly ripened fruit (al dente) with a hazelnut character that comes from the seeds. Incredibly transparent young red. Breathtaking. 37% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 31% cabernet sauvignon. Drink after 2028 and onwards. Magnificent.

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.

James Suckling (96-97)

This is really fantastic with so much intensity and focus. Firm, linear tannins frame the wine beautifully. Polished and fine. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and posed. Complex flavors of blackberry, black olive, mushroom and bark. Persistent finish. Best of the trilogy?

Halliday Wine Companion (98)

Top 100 Wines of 2021 The clarity, the purity, the elegance and the perfume that the Upper Yarra Valley Applejack Vineyard brings to the party is immediately recognisable. Equally insistent is the sheer power of the red fruits and spices hidden by the light colour of the cloak. 66 barrels/barriques.

Jancis Robinson (16.5++)

79% Merlot, 21% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc). Part of the Lafleur (Pomerol) stable. Cask sample. Pretty floral-violet nose with plenty of juice on the palate. Rich but sappy with a mineral edge. Tannins long and extremely fine. Clearly GV. (JL) Drink 2025 – 2035

Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)

The deep, inky-hued 2020 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse has a seriously impressive, balanced, full-bodied, structured style that's going to reward patience. Pure crème de cassis, black raspberry, graphite, lead pencil, and spring flower notes all define the bouquet, and it has plenty of background oak, a dense, chewy mid-palate, lots of tannins, and a great finish. It's going to need to be forgotten for 7-8 years but will evolve for 30 years or more.

Wine Pilot (97)

Mid cherry red in colour it opens with beautifully seductive aromas. Powerful sweet dark cherry fruit with prominent young oak are lifted by savoury mushroom consommé, and truffle with a dusting of spice. It’s then dry, finely balanced and quite light weight for Otago thanks to that vineyard altitude, yet still carries a powerful core of fleshy, gamey fruits with bright acidity and mouthcoating tannins. The finish is long and strong, with a classic peacock’s tail gaining more floral and spicy complexity as it lingers till the very end. It’s seriously impressive and an outstanding first release. It might not be cheap, but it is worth every cent, and more.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

Now the flagship of this estate, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is 75% Grenache and the rest Cinsault, Mourvedre, and a little Syrah. Sporting a deep ruby/purple hue, it offers a beautiful array of black raspberry and darker cherry fruit as well as lots of graphite, chalky minerality, Provençal garrigue, and spice. Beautiful on the palate as well, this medium to full-bodied effort has a layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, rock-solid underlying structure and concentration, building tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It needs to be forgotten for 2-4 years (although it certainly offers incredible pleasure even today) and will keep for two decades. Tasted twice.

Wine Advocate (99)

One of the wines of the vintage, but likely to prove slower evolving and more introverted than its 2019 counterpart, the 2020 Lafleur unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, raspberries, kirsch, black truffle, orange zest and vine smoke. Full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, it's deep and concentrated, with a tightly wound core of fruit framed by rich, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. This is another magical bottle from an estate that just seems to do everything right.

The Wine Independent (97)

A blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Laroque is deep garnet-purple in color. A little subdued to begin, offering subtle notes of crushed rocks and damp soil, it opens out to a core of ripe black and red plums and fresh blackberries, plus a fragrant waft of lilacs. The full-bodied palate is bursting with taut, muscular black fruits and amazing tension, framed by ripe, rounded tannins, and finishing with great length and depth.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)

Rch layer of damson and black cherry, raspberry coulis, saffron and white pepper, concetrated fruit while retaining the salinity of limestone, with grip and clear ageing-ability. 60ha estate with old vines on clay-limestone slopes, Nicolas Seillan winemaker, promoted in the 2022 ranking and this is the first vintage able to use it on the label. 52% new oak barrels (from 15 different forest. 3.6pH.

James Suckling (96-97)

Very plush and tannic with full body and lots of structure and intensity. Top second wine. Very solid and quite muscular with fine tannins and texture.

Wine Advocate (93)

The Ornellaia 2020 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia (a proprietary blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) is a generous and darkly toned red blend that has the extra fruit fiber, sweetness and generous plumpness of a warm vintage. The fullness of the fruit is on full display, but in a very relaxed and natural manner. The wine never feels like too much. The tannins are yielding and velvety, and this purebred Tuscan red wraps thickly over the palate. It's poised for near- and medium-term drinking.