Vinous (91)

The 2017 Beaune Epenottes 1er Cru is quite closed on the nose with raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, well defined but a little stubborn at present. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, crunchy, red berry fruit, fine acidity and good concentration. Not amazingly complex, yet it coheres nicely on the smooth-textured finish. This wine is closed under Diam 30. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2012 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, disgorged in May 2020 with two grams per liter of dosage, is aging gracefully, rising from the glass with aromas of pear, peach and mirabelle plum mingled with dried apricot and orange oil, overlaid by a subtle dried-fruit top note. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with a rich core of fruit and vibrant acidity, its generous and demonstrative profile flowing into a citrus-inflected finish heightened by the cuvée’s non-malolactic style. Predominantly derived from holdings in Avize, it is complemented by fruit from Oger, Cramant and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.

Wine Advocate (96+)

Disgorged in January 2021 with two grams per liter dosage, the 2015 Extra-Brut Premier Cru Clos de l'Abbaye has turned out brilliantly. Wafting from the glass with aromas of citrus oil, warm bread and honeycomb that are still a little reserved after its recent disgorgement, this is a full-bodied, layered and concentrated Champagne that's vinous and textural, displaying notable depth and mid-palate amplitude that's framed by lively acids and an enlivening pinpoint mousse, concluding with a long resonant finish. As I've written before, this cuvée derives from a walled 0.4-hectare plot of 60-year-old cordon-pruned vines just behind the winery in Vertus, and only the first and second "serres" of the press are used.

Wine Advocate (98)

Disgorged over a year ago with 0.8 grams per liter dosage, the 2008 Extra-Brut Grand Cru Les Lumières is a striking Champagne, unwinding in the glass with scents of pear, citrus oil, freshly baked bread, mandarin orange, almonds and buttery pastry. Full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, it's layered and muscular, with an immensely concentrated core of fruit, racy acids and a long, resonant finish. As I've written before, this cuvée is a blend of first-press juice: two-thirds Chardonnay from Mesnil-sur-Oger and one-third Pinot Noir from prime holdings in Aÿ.

Wine Advocate (98)

Disgorged over a year ago with 0.8 grams per liter dosage, the 2008 Extra-Brut Grand Cru Les Lumières is a striking Champagne, unwinding in the glass with scents of pear, citrus oil, freshly baked bread, mandarin orange, almonds and buttery pastry. Full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, it's layered and muscular, with an immensely concentrated core of fruit, racy acids and a long, resonant finish. As I've written before, this cuvée is a blend of first-press juice: two-thirds Chardonnay from Mesnil-sur-Oger and one-third Pinot Noir from prime holdings in Aÿ.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Quite deep crimson. Pretty damned dramatic on the nose! Very charmingly fruity and rich. There’s no doubt about this wine’s grand cru status. So sweet and smooth! But with spice underneath and real persistence. Very long and satisfying.

Wine Advocate (93-95)

The 2015 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru is raised in 80% new oak with 20% whole bunch. It has a very detailed and focused bouquet with precise blackberry, raspberry and morello cherry aromas neatly infused with mineral scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, powerful without losing control and building towards a very structured, spicy finish. Whilst I would still dial down the oak to 50-60%, nevertheless it remains a very well-crafted Chambertin with plenty of substance and ambition, and that ain't a bad thing when you are a Clos-de-Bèze.

Vinous (95-97)

The 2018 Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Grand Cru includes 30% whole-bunch fruit, though this is the one grand cru where you cannot detect the stem addition, just the copious dark cherry, raspberry, cedar and undergrowth aromas that gain intensity in the glass. The palate is supple on the entry, the acidity neatly counterbalancing the intensity of the fruit. This Clos-de-Bèze has real grip and an arching structure on the finish, suggesting that it will be a seriously long-lived wine. Excellent.

Domaine Drouhin-Laroze has some of the best sites in the Cote d’Or. The Clos de Vougeot 2011 has an exciting intensity throughout that engulfs the palate and exudes power on the long crafted finish. Plenty of wood and warm earth gives great balance to the very fresh red fruit.

Wine Advocate (93-95)

The 2015 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru, which comes from the upper slopes of the vineyard, has a rich and opulent bouquet with precocious mulberry and blueberry scents, violet and desiccated orange peel. The 30% whole bunches is discretely embedded in the black fruit, lending crunchiness to the texture. This displays impressive depth; notwithstanding infectious energy and a vibrant finish. Excellent - this is one of the best grand crus from Drouhin-Laroze this vintage.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (93)

Reserved, with finely carved architecture, captures Margaux appellation typicity, starting to open up but not fully in its drinking window yet, has plenty of time ahead. Feathered hedgerow brambled strawberry and blackberry fruits, with tighter kick of cassis and bitter black chocolate coming in through the mid palate. Good stuff. Albada Jelgersma family owners, Alexander van Beek director.

James Suckling (93)

A little bit shy on the nose, but the balance of good concentration and powdery tannins creates a creamy impression that extends through the long finish — one that’s already smooth enough to give a lot of pleasure. Try drinking in 2020.

James Suckling (94-95)

A wine with definition and refinement. Hints of tobacco and chocolate. Full body, super fine and flavorful. Juicy and savory. The walnut and spice on the end is gorgeous.

Wine Enthusiast (95)

Made by the same team as Giscours, this is a fine wine. Its rich structure combines with acidity and dense, plummy fruit to give a wine that charms now but is sure to age well.

James Suckling (95-96)

A fantastic du Tertre with blackberries and blueberries. Very pure fruit character in general. Stone and tea undertones. It’s full-bodied with a tight, focused tannin backbone. Excellent structure. One of the best ever from here. So precise. A blend of 54% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 13% cabernet franc and 6% petit verdot.

James Suckling (95-96)

This is really clear and bright. Medium- to full-bodied with a solid tannin structure. Tight layers of phenolics to this. Racy and long finish. Firm and focused. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 23% cabernet franc, 15% merlot and 5% petit verdot.

Presenting the Duclaux Cote Rotie La Germine 2016, an exemplary wine hailing from the renowned valley of Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhone, France. This top-tier wine is a testament to the superior winemaking skills of Duclaux Family, master vintners for seven generations. Expertly crafted from a blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier, it is known for its elegance and finesse.

The Duclaux Cote Rotie La Germine 2016 embodies a meticulous approach to vinification, matured in French Oak barrels for varying durations to create a unique profile. Renowned for its highly concentrated, multi-layered character, this wine exhibits a striking bouquet of wild berries, blackcurrant, and violet along with distinctive notes of black olives, peppercorn, and graphite.

Savour a bottle of Duclaux Cote Rotie La Germine 2016, a wine that promises an unparalleled tasting experience of superior complexity, richness, and longevity. An undeniable delight for truly discerning wine enthusiasts.

Contains 1x75cl bottle of each:

Pétrus 2014 - 93 pts | Neal Martin (Wine Advocate)

Lafite 2014 - 95 pts | Neal Martin (Wine Advocate)

Mouton Rothschild 2014 - 97 pts | Antonio Galloni (Vinous)

Margaux 2014 - 95 pts | Neal Martin (Wine Advocate)

Haut-Brion 2014 - 97 pts | Antonio Galloni (Vinous)

La Mission Haut-Brion 2014 - 96 pts | Neal Martin (Vinous)

Cheval Blanc 2014 - 95 pts | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate)

D'Yquem 2014 - 96-98 pts | Neal Martin (Wine Advocate)

Pétrus (98+WA)
Lafite Rothschild (97+WA)
Ausone (98WA)
Mouton Rothschild (96+WA)
Cheval Blanc (96+WA)
Haut-Brion (97WA)
Margaux (98WA)
La Mission Haut-Brion (96+WA)
d’Yquem (97-99WA)

It contains one bottle 1x75cl of each:

 

Château d'Yquem

Château Haut-Brion

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Château Mouton Rothschild

Château Lafite Rothschild

Château Margaux

Château Ausone

Château Cheval Blanc

Petrus

The Wine Cellar Insider (98)

One of the recently released bottles from Ducru Beaucaillou, which you can tell, as it sports the modern design, was about as good a bottle of 82 Ducru as you are ever going to have. Full-bodied, elegant, rich, multi-layered, and multi-faceted, the tobacco, cedar, currant, and wet forest profile on the nose was great. But the layers of ripe, lush, rich fruits with their silky, refined tannins stole the show. Popped and poured, perhaps 30 minutes or so would have improved the experience, but as the wine developed in the glass, we were more than happy.

Wine Spectator (95)

A monster in its infancy. Almost black in color, with intense cassis, herb and mint aromas and superrich, dense cassis and licorice flavors. May last forever.--Ducru-Beaucaillou vertical. -TM

One of the oldest estates in the Medoc their wine structures very well to age, a characteristic of the best Bordeaux wines. The 1996 is full bodied with typical muscularity and good concentration. There is lots of ripe tannin but even more fruit presence.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Starting a duo of magical vintages, the 2009 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is one of those wines that always seems to deliver the goods. A normal blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that hit 13.5% natural alcohol, it has a soaring bouquet of sweet blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, minty herbs, graphite, and assorted spicy nuances. It's full-bodied, broad, expansive, and flawlessly balanced, and has still present yet sweet, fine-grained tannins. It's in a much sexier, more showy style compared to the 2010, but I suspect it will nevertheless be just about as long-lived. This is pure perfection in wine.