Wine Advocate (95)

Of the six wines I tasted from Thomas Coquard, it was the 2013 Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru that was the standout wine. It has a showstopping bouquet that unfolds with each swirl of the glass: blackberry, violets, small red cherries and a touch of vanilla. The palate has a gentle grip that allows the fine tannins that are wrapped in velvety red and black fruit. This grand cru is all about the build and the way it fans out on the finish. There is palpable energy and animation within this Clos-Saint-Denis, with exquisite precision on the finish. Sublime.

Nestled in the rich Southern McLaren Vale region, the Coriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz 2013 is an exquisite embodiment of Australian excellence. This pre-eminent Shiraz, crafted by prominent winemaker Coriole Vineyards, charms with a bold, full-bodied profile encapsulating intense fruit flavours dappled with notes of savoury spice and dark chocolate. Each grape is attentively selected from the oldest vineyard plantings, dating back to 1919, ensuring a superior quality yield. The meticulous fermentation process in open-top vessels, followed by ageing in French oak barrels, bestow a distinguished depth and complexity that leaves a lingering palate impression.

Bearing the name of the Lloyd family, who established Coriole in 1967, the Coriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz 2013 carries a legacy mirrored in its striking character and robust structure. Unquestionably, it's a testament to Coriole’s enduring commitment to create wines that captivate with their elegance and remarkable drinking pleasure.

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

Very, very impressive for the vintage with a dark fruits and impressive spice and mineral undertones. Full body, chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Tight and layered. Needs two or three years to open.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (87-90)

Inky violet. Seductive spice-and floral-accented blackberry and dark plum aromas, plus a gentle hint of cured tobacco. Reasonably ripe and surprisingly plush for the vintage, with sweet dark berry flavors, gentle if youthfully chewy tannins and impressive sweetness on the moderately persistent finish. This seems built to withstand aging better than most other Bordeaux of 2013, but I'd still drink it up within ten years of its release for maximum enjoyment.

Wine Advocate (94+)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2013 Le Sol (Syrah) has a very pretty nose of violets and red roses over a core of red and black cherries plus hints of cinnamon stick and star anise. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is beautifully crafted with elegant, perfumed red fruits supported by ripe, rounded tannins. It finishes with great length.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

Firstly, you notice the color, which is a touch deeper than recent vintages at this stage. The bouquet is quite honeyed and rich for Yquem at this early juncture, with subtle scents of peach skin, white flowers, and a puff of chalk and frangipane. The palate is viscous on the entry, all about the texture at first, coating the mouth with luscious botrytized fruit. There are touches of Seville orange marmalade, fresh apricot, a hint of spice and passion fruit. This is imbued with impressive depth and weight, perhaps an Yquem that is determined to make an impression after last year-s absence. It might not possess the finesse of a top flight Yquem, but it has immense power and persistency.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

Firstly, you notice the color, which is a touch deeper than recent vintages at this stage. The bouquet is quite honeyed and rich for Yquem at this early juncture, with subtle scents of peach skin, white flowers, and a puff of chalk and frangipane. The palate is viscous on the entry, all about the texture at first, coating the mouth with luscious botrytized fruit. There are touches of Seville orange marmalade, fresh apricot, a hint of spice and passion fruit. This is imbued with impressive depth and weight, perhaps an Yquem that is determined to make an impression after last year-s absence. It might not possess the finesse of a top flight Yquem, but it has immense power and persistency.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta is my favorite wine in the retrospective, along with the amazing 2011, 2009 and 1996 vintages. This wine was released at the beginning of this year, and because Dal Forno skipped over the 2014 vintage, this is the only Amarone we will see for a while (until the highly anticipated 2015 is released). The 2013 vintage is characterized by a slightly more streamlined mouthfeel (which isn't saying much given the baseline enormity of these wines) with carefully etched aromas of black cherry, rum cake, dark chocolate and toasted espresso. The 2013 vintage was balanced overall without the sudden heat waves we saw in the summers of 2011 and 2012. The grapes finished a slow and steady ripening process over an extended growing season. The effect is graceful and focused. Put this bottle aside in your cellar for the decades to come.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (87-90)

Opaque purple-ruby. Pungently aromatic notes of geranium, lavender, cilantro and violet dominate black fruits on the nose. Light and smooth in the mouth, with fresh black fruit flavors and better balance than the almost too perfumed nose suggests. The long finish features youthfully chewy tannins and a strong saline quality, not to mention very good juiciness.

Savour the unique elegance of the David Duband Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru 2013. Masterfully crafted by renowned vigneron David Duband, this vintage is a sublime representation of fine French Burgundy. Harvested from the prestigious Clos Vougeot vineyard, the pinot noir grapes are subjected to minimal intervention, wholly embodying the 'terroir' of its iconic region. Adored for its enchanting ruby hue, this wine marries complexity with refinement.

Delve into nuanced layers where delicate fruit flavours unfurl into distinct undertones of earth and spice, framed by supple tannins and a velvety texture. Matured meticulously in oak barrels, the David Duband Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru 2013 resonates with an enduring finish that lingers sensuously on the palate.

This exquisite Bottling by Duband speaks to the authentic charm and traditional savoir-faire of its maker, securing its celebrated status among the Grand Cru hierarchy. Revered by connoisseurs, this is a stellar addition to any sophisticated wine repertoire.

Wine Advocate (91)

The 2013 De Fieuzal Blanc has quite a candied nose with hints of brown sugar lurking behind that veneer of tropical fruit. For Fieuzal I find this refreshingly vivacious in style. That comes through on the palate with nectarine and peach skin, a keen line of acidity with a slightly overworked finish that is more phenolic than its peers. It needs 3 or 4 years in bottle to really show its mettle, though instinct tells me that it will be worth waiting for.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

The 2013 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru, which was two-third whole-cluster fruit, has a well-defined bouquet with very fine mineralité. These aromatics just speak of class. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh and supple tannins, finely-tuned acidity and commendable precision on the finish. This is a refined and sophisticated Clos du Roi in the making and one of de Montille's standouts of 2013.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

The 2013 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru, which was two-third whole-cluster fruit, has a well-defined bouquet with very fine mineralité. These aromatics just speak of class. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh and supple tannins, finely-tuned acidity and commendable precision on the finish. This is a refined and sophisticated Clos du Roi in the making and one of de Montille's standouts of 2013.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

The 2013 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru, which was two-third whole-cluster fruit, has a well-defined bouquet with very fine mineralité. These aromatics just speak of class. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh and supple tannins, finely-tuned acidity and commendable precision on the finish. This is a refined and sophisticated Clos du Roi in the making and one of de Montille's standouts of 2013.

Vinous (91+)

(completely destemmed): Healthy deep, bright red. Very expressive, slightly metallic perfume of red berries and iron. Delivers a stimulating combination of sweet, almost candied fruits and penetrating acidity, with an herbal element contributing to the impression of inner-mouth lift. This very savory, intense Rugiens finishes a bit tough; in fact, it went into a shell in the glass.

Vinous (91)

Bright, dark red. Much riper on the nose than the Beaune Grèves but still with a medicinal aspect to the complex aromas of black cherry, crushed rock and flint. Plush, dense, savory wine with excellent purity and lift, conveying strong mineral cut to the raspberry and redcurrant flavors. There's something Vosne-like in this wine's salinity. The slatey finish features suave, well-integrated tannins; really glistens and rises on the aftertaste. This has turned out very well.

Vinous (91)

Bright ruby-red. Lovely floral lift to the aromas of blackberry, blueberry, tobacco and licorice. Plush, very ripe aromas of medicinal black cherry, dark berries and licorice. An almost creamy style of Cabernet Franc but with a restrained sweetness. Not hugely deep but finishes with sneaky length. Ultimately more complex and gripping than the 2012 version.

Vinous (91+)

(15% alcohol): Bright medium ruby. Perfumed scents of blueberry, cassis, violet, pepper and licorice. Juicy, brisk and concentrated, with the dark berry and licorice flavors showing surprising energy and lift for the high alcohol. At once powerful and fine-grained, finishing with dusty, building tannins and lingering black fruit and violet perfume. This very young wine possesses a serious tannic spine for aging but is already nicely delineated. An excellent Syrah in a black fruit style. The tannins turn a bit dusty with aeration.

Wine Advocate (94+)

The 2013 Côte Rôtie la Landonne is a longer term prospect that will require patience. It offers youthful, yet beautifully pure notes of black cherries, roasted herbs, licorice and distinct minerality to go with a medium to full-bodied, structured, tannic yet balanced feel on the palate. Completely destemmed and aged in 40% new French oak, I followed this bottle for multiple days and it continued to gain more and more mid-palate depth, without losing purity or freshness. Give bottles 5-6 years of cellaring and enjoy through 2038.

Wine Advocate (94)

One of the gems in the vintage is the 2013 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes, which comes from both the Bessards and Grandes Vignes lieux-dits on Hermitage Hill. Completely destemmed, then vinified in stainless steel and concrete tanks, the wine is aged 18 months in 30% new French oak; it offers terrific notes of dark fruits, graphite and ample minerality in a full-bodied, layered, ripe profile. It’s more approachable than the Les Bessards, yet will still have three decades of longevity.

Vinous (93-96)

Bachelet's 2013 Charmes-Chambertin is striking. Translucent and pulsating in the glass, the 2013 possesses notable energy and fabulous overall balance. Dark red cherry, violet, leather and smoke gradually unfurl in a mysterious, beguiling Charmes that will provide fabulous drinking for many years.

Vinous (93-96)

Bachelet's 2013 Charmes-Chambertin is striking. Translucent and pulsating in the glass, the 2013 possesses notable energy and fabulous overall balance. Dark red cherry, violet, leather and smoke gradually unfurl in a mysterious, beguiling Charmes that will provide fabulous drinking for many years.

Vinous (90-92)

Bright and delineated, the 2013 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is a terrific example of the year. Wild flowers, dark stone fruits, mint, crushed rocks, spices and leather are all given an extra kick of brightness in an energetic, chiseled Gevrey that delivers the goods. There is a lot to like here.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

Matured entirely in new oak, the 2013 Chambertin Grand Cru has a beguiling, elegant bouquet that is beautifully defined with superb mineralité coming through with aeration. Nothing flamboyant, nothing overstated here. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, very harmonious, with a svelte texture and it positively glides toward the pure sorbet-like finish. The small number of owners will be glad they have some of this nectar - for me, one of the wines of the vintage.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

Matured entirely in new oak, the 2013 Chambertin Grand Cru has a beguiling, elegant bouquet that is beautifully defined with superb mineralité coming through with aeration. Nothing flamboyant, nothing overstated here. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, very harmonious, with a svelte texture and it positively glides toward the pure sorbet-like finish. The small number of owners will be glad they have some of this nectar - for me, one of the wines of the vintage.