Wine Advocate (96)

There are 10,000 bottles of the stunning 2016 Châteauneuf du Pape A la Gloire de Mon Grand-Père, which is good news for lovers of 100% Grenache. Drawn from a single parcel in the lieu-dit of Gardiole (mostly sandy soils), half of the fruit was destemmed. It's full-bodied and concentrated but silky and refined, with scintillating purity of cherry and raspberry fruit, backed by crisp acids and enlivening hints of orange zest on the long, reverberating finish. It's a terrific value that should drink well for more than a decade.

Wine Advocate (97)

The all whole-bunch 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante le Merle Vieilles Vignes is 85% Grenache, with the balance a mix of Mourvèdre and Syrah. The vines are all 80 to 90 years old, selected from parcels in Brusquières, Gardiole, Mont-Redon and Pignan. Glorious raspberry and cherry fruit picks up hints of mint and some stemmy notes, but they're remarkably well-integrated and should be completely absorbed within a couple of years. Full-bodied, rich and creamy in texture, this tour de force remains lively, silky and long on the finish. With 1,000 cases produced, it should be reasonably priced and reasonably available—an increasingly rare combination in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Wine Advocate (93)

The 2016 Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jesus offers up pretty aromas of cherries, cassis, sweet loamy soil, truffles and grilled game bird. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and supple, with a succulent core of fleshy fruit and a rich and textural profile. It's a giving, generous wine that should offer a broad drinking window, but don't let its early approachability deceive, as it should be long-lived too.

Vinous (94-97)

Dark red-ruby. Knockout high-toned nose combines dark raspberry, violet, minerals and gingerbread, plus a note of cherries macerated in alcohol. Offers a rare and almost painful combination of silky fullness, fruit sweetness and salty energy, filling the mouth with perfume while conveying a magical lightness. Finishes with noble tannins and outstanding floral lift and length.

Vinous (95+)

Knockout pure-but-reticent nose melds deep yellow fruits, oak char, baking spices and minerals (this always needs a lot more time than the Chevalier-Montrachet here, notes Frédéric Weber). Wonderfully silky and rich but light on its feet; a serious mouthful of lemon zest, crushed stone and spices with outstanding focus and supporting salty minerality. Really shines today for its inner-mouth tension and explosive palate-dusting finish. Bouchard's Montrachet production was off by more than 50% in 2016 (to around 23 hectoliters per hectare), but the Cabotte was less affected by frost, producing three barrels, vs. four in 2017. This wonderfully plush, fine-grained, concentrated wine is built for a long and eventful evolution in bottle.

Vinous (95+)

Knockout pure-but-reticent nose melds deep yellow fruits, oak char, baking spices and minerals (this always needs a lot more time than the Chevalier-Montrachet here, notes Frédéric Weber). Wonderfully silky and rich but light on its feet; a serious mouthful of lemon zest, crushed stone and spices with outstanding focus and supporting salty minerality. Really shines today for its inner-mouth tension and explosive palate-dusting finish. Bouchard's Montrachet production was off by more than 50% in 2016 (to around 23 hectoliters per hectare), but the Cabotte was less affected by frost, producing three barrels, vs. four in 2017. This wonderfully plush, fine-grained, concentrated wine is built for a long and eventful evolution in bottle.

Vinous (90-92)

(as Bouchard lost 90% of their fruit in En Orveaux, this year's wine was made almost entirely from purchased fruit from vines worked by the Bouchard team, located below the premier cru Vosne-Romanée Les Rouges): Good red-ruby color. Sexy, inviting scents of candied dark berries, raspberry, mocha and licorice. Then fat, plush and fine-grained but not as sweet as the nose suggests; there's even something a bit roasted here. Finishes with decent acidity and solid structure but comes across as rather disjointed today and hard to assess. Winemaker Weber says he may have used too high a percentage of whole clusters and gotten too much stem tannins as a result. (Incidentally, in 2017 Bouchard will have two different bottlings of Echézeaux, one domain and one négoce.)

Jancis Robinson (17+)

Confected, candied red fruit on the nose, with rich spices too. Tight tannin, long fruit concentration on the finish. Should unfurl in due course and develop secondary flavours from that intense core fruit.

Jancis Robinson (17+)

Confected, candied red fruit on the nose, with rich spices too. Tight tannin, long fruit concentration on the finish. Should unfurl in due course and develop secondary flavours from that intense core fruit.

Wine Advocate (93)

The 2016 Meursault 1er Cru Genevrières is excellent, unfurling in the glass with notes of citrus oil, crisp Anjou pear, beeswax, wet stones and dried white flowers. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and incisive, with an elegantly satiny attack, a tangy line of acidity and a tight-knit, concentrated core, concluding with a beautifully delineated finish. This is a racy, acid-driven Genevrières that will evolve beautifully in the cellar. Bouchard's holdings in Genevrières amount to some 15% of the appellation, so it's reassuring to see that they are in good hands.

Wine Advocate (88-90)

The 2016 Beaune 1er Cru Du Château Blanc inexplicably did not finish its malolactic until June or July. It has a tightly wound, slightly resinous bouquet. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin, crisp acidity, quite minerally in the mouth with a brisk, slightly oaky finish that lingers. What a lovely white Burgundy!

James Suckling (94-95)

Extremely dense, fruity and full-bodied, yet it’s also tight and very refined with silky tannins and a flavorful finish. This is something in the making. Best in years.

Wine Spectator (96)

The core of this red is loaded with pure plum, blueberry and black currant fruit flavors. The polished structure is integrated, with alluring ganache, anise and sweet tobacco notes throughout, all in a polished and balanced frame. A very classy red that isn't shy about its power but pushes its purity to the fore. Best from 2024 through 2039.

Wine Spectator (96)

The core of this red is loaded with pure plum, blueberry and black currant fruit flavors. The polished structure is integrated, with alluring ganache, anise and sweet tobacco notes throughout, all in a polished and balanced frame. A very classy red that isn't shy about its power but pushes its purity to the fore. Best from 2024 through 2039.

Wine Advocate (96-98)

The 2016 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenere picked from 22 September until 17 October (the tiny parcel of Carmenere picked three days later). The yields came in at 51 hectoliters per hectare and it is matured in 75% new oak and 25% one-year-old barrels, the final alcohol level 13.3%. It has a beautifully defined, very detailed bouquet with mineral-rich black fruit laced with cedar and graphite notes, living up to its nom de plume as the Pauillac of Margaux. The palate is simply the best that I have ever tasted at the estate, without question. This has presence, but also weightlessness, filigree tannin and perfectly pitched acidity, with real intensity and drive. The tension here is outstanding and the persistence is incredibly long. It is not the showiest of all the 2016s by a long stretch, and yet it is everything you could possibly want from a Margaux. Like Beychevelle this year, the 2016 Brane-Cantenac puts recent vintages in the shade, thanks not only to the growing season, but also a new punching down system in their gravity-fed winery that was completed in 2015. The 2016 is a benchmark against which future vintages will be compared.

Wine Advocate (96-98)

The 2016 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenere picked from 22 September until 17 October (the tiny parcel of Carmenere picked three days later). The yields came in at 51 hectoliters per hectare and it is matured in 75% new oak and 25% one-year-old barrels, the final alcohol level 13.3%. It has a beautifully defined, very detailed bouquet with mineral-rich black fruit laced with cedar and graphite notes, living up to its nom de plume as the Pauillac of Margaux. The palate is simply the best that I have ever tasted at the estate, without question. This has presence, but also weightlessness, filigree tannin and perfectly pitched acidity, with real intensity and drive. The tension here is outstanding and the persistence is incredibly long. It is not the showiest of all the 2016s by a long stretch, and yet it is everything you could possibly want from a Margaux. Like Beychevelle this year, the 2016 Brane-Cantenac puts recent vintages in the shade, thanks not only to the growing season, but also a new punching down system in their gravity-fed winery that was completed in 2015. The 2016 is a benchmark against which future vintages will be compared.

Introducing Brown 2016, a remarkable vintage capturing the essence of the finest vineyards nestled in Napa Valley, California. As an expert wine connoisseur, I can confidently affirm that the Brown 2016 is an exemplar of premium and complex winemaking.

Characterised by an enticing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, Brown 2016 is hand-harvested and aged for 18 months in French oak barriques, lending it a lush, full-bodied profile. Its striking bouquet of ripe blackberries, toasted spices, and a hint of mocha deliver palate-pleasing complexity. The exhilaratingly long finish leaves a lasting impression on the taste buds.

Produced by Brown Estate, a family-owned entity with a rich winemaking heritage, Brown 2016 embodies their commitment to sustainable viticulture and meticulous craftsmanship, transcending ordinary oenological boundaries. This wine exemplifies what can be achieved when tradition meets innovation, a symphony of flavours in a bottle. Savour the Brown 2016 experience, an unmissable addition for discerning collectors and wine enthusiasts alike.

Vinous (96)

The 2016 Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Grand Cru has a generous and pleasing nose with scents of strawberry preserve, crushed stone, rose petals and subtle orange-blossom. This is refined and transparent. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins. Beautifully balanced, this has a symmetry that is beguiling and classic. A little austere finish suggests it will benefit from several years in bottle. Utterly beguiling with enormous ageing potential. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos du Fonteny, a monopole of the domaine, has a beautiful bouquet with dark berry fruit, blackberry and light orange blossom scents. This just blossoms with a couple of swirls, displaying impressive vigor while maintaining detail. The palate is stunning: wonderful focus, so much tension and you can really feel the calcaire on the tensile finish. This represents an outstanding offering from Bruno and it comes highly recommended.

Vinous (88-91)

(losses to frost were only 30% here, vs. 80% for the Grasses Têtes): Good dark red. Very ripe aromas of black cherry and mocha. At once sweeter and sappier than the Grasses Têtes, offering noteworthy concentration and definition to its juicy dark fruit flavors. Showing much more early personality too. Finishes with serious but pliant tannins.

The Bruno Clair Marsannay Rouge 2016 is a splendid embodiment of fine French winemaking. Expertly crafted in the heart of Burgundy, this charming Pinot Noir captures the essence of its Marsannay terroir with finesse. Its brilliance stems from Bruno Clair's philosophical winemaking approach, one that emphasizes minimal interference and meticulous attention to detail. An advocate of sustainable viticulture, Clair's respect for the soil affords a robust concentration of flavour.

This wine displays vibrant ruby hues, exuding ripe red fruits, including cherries and currants on the nose. On the palate, it impresses with its elegant tannins, the subtle spiciness of clove blending with its fruit-driven core. The wine's natural acidity and balance make it accessible within its youthful stage, whilst indicating a long life ahead.

The Bruno Clair Marsannay Rouge 2016 is a testament to the producer's profound understanding of the vine and a dedication to the authentic expression of its origin.

Expertly crafted, the Bruyere & Houillon Arbois Les Tourillons 2016 is a benchmark in organic viticulture. Hailing from the renowned Jura wine region in eastern France, each bottle exhibits a fusion of tradition and innovation mastered by its creators, Emmanuel Houillon and Anne-Claire Houillon. Following Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic approach, every vine is meticulously cultivated to produce fruits preserving their inherent character, body, and flavour.

This wine showcases the intensity of Savagnin and Chardonnay grape varieties, matured in old oak for 24 months, enhancing its complexity and mineral edge. Evident in every sip is its elegant bouquet with notes of crisp citrus and jasmine, complemented by a harmonious balance of acidity and ripeness. Truly, the Bruyere & Houillon Arbois Les Tourillons 2016 transcends beyond being a mere beverage - it's a testament to the land from which it was born and the passion of those who crafted it. A sublime addition to any connoisseur's collection.

Unveiling one of Burgundy's exquisite creations, the Buisson Charles Meursault Les Tessons 2016, an outstanding testament to the appellation's esteemed reputation. Crafted meticulously in the rural, eastern French town of Meursault, this sublime vintage exhibits intensely noble traits characteristic of its terroir.

Under the expert stewardship of Eric and Armelle Buisson, a pedigreed lineage of vintners, the wine signifies a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. Its evolution commences with manual harvesting, ensuring optimised maturity, which then proceeds to age subtly in oak barrels to invigorate its intrinsic flavours.

Upon indulgence, one senses the underlying notes of ripe yellow fruits, interwoven immaculately with subtle nuances of white flowers, minerals and richly toasted hazelnuts. Its remarkable complexity confirms the Buisson Charles Meursault Les Tessons 2016 as a tour de force; a captivating narrative of Meursault’s soil, climate, and vinicultural heritage.

Embodied with a harmony of rich characteristics, Calicem 2016 exhibits the marvellous elegance of a finely crafted Bordeaux red wine. The beauty of this blend starts in Bordeaux's celebrated vineyards of Medoc, where the most delicate Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes flourish. Using traditional French winemaking practices with an exquisite touch of modernity, the wine is matured for 18 months in oak barrels, infusing it with an intricate infusion of spiced and woody notes.

The genius behind Calicem 2016 is Patrice Lévêque, a renowned oenologist who cultivates his wines with an unwavering focus on precision and quality. The result is an enchanting wine with a remarkable structure and a complex bouquet of black fruit, cedar and spice, underpinned by velvety tannins. A seamless fusion of depth and balance, Calicem 2016 captures the essence of Bordeaux's terroir, offering a distinguished drinking experience to refined palates. A witness to the timeless art of French viticulture, Calicem 2016 is pure pleasure poured into a glass.

James Suckling (98-99)

Wow. This is the Calon we have been waiting for! Intensity and power. Chewy and polished tannins. Full body, great depth. It goes on for minutes. Shows a classic, historical character that really excites me. The essence of this estate and St.-Estèphe. Best ever?

Sample the essence of Burgundy with Camus Pere et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru 2016, a stunning testament of French viticulture. Renowned vintner, Camus Pere et Fils, utilises Pinot Noir grapes, handpicked from Gevrey-Chambertin, an esteemed wine commune located in the Côte de Nuits. This elegant 2016 vintage embodies 150 years of Camus family's wine mastery.

The grapes undergo meticulous fermentation, often unfined and unfiltered to maintain original flavours. Ageing in French oak barrels yields a complex, multi-faceted wine - its bold red fruit notes harmonising perfectly with earthy undertones. With balanced acidity and a rich tannic backbone, this wine offers a robust long-lasting finish.

Its robust character sets it apart, attracting global acclaim. The Camus Pere et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru 2016 is not just a wine; it's a remarkable solitaire encapsulating the spirit of Burgundy in each bottle. Savor it today for an exclusive taste of fine French winemaking.

Wine Advocate (98+)

Composed of 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc and aged for 18 months in 70% new French barriques, the 2016 Canon is medium to deep garnet-purple in color, and—WOW—it opens with the most stunning perfume of violets, red roses and kirsch, giving way to a core of black cherry preserves, chocolate box, licorice, warm plums and Chinese five spice plus an earthy waft of underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely filled with expressive, perfumed black berry layers accented by lively red fruits and exotic spices, supported by impressively fine-grained tannins and fantastic tension, finishing very long with jaw-dropping energy. Tasted three times, I had one opportunity to taste the 2015 and 2016 Canon side by side. While I love the bold, rich, seductive nature of the 2015, this 2016 kicks it up a notch in terms of polish, precision, depth and persistence. Most notably, the superbly ripe, exquisitely fine-grained tannins on this 2016 bring to the table a whole other level of sophistication. Bravo!

Wine Advocate (98+)

Composed of 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc and aged for 18 months in 70% new French barriques, the 2016 Canon is medium to deep garnet-purple in color, and—WOW—it opens with the most stunning perfume of violets, red roses and kirsch, giving way to a core of black cherry preserves, chocolate box, licorice, warm plums and Chinese five spice plus an earthy waft of underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely filled with expressive, perfumed black berry layers accented by lively red fruits and exotic spices, supported by impressively fine-grained tannins and fantastic tension, finishing very long with jaw-dropping energy. Tasted three times, I had one opportunity to taste the 2015 and 2016 Canon side by side. While I love the bold, rich, seductive nature of the 2015, this 2016 kicks it up a notch in terms of polish, precision, depth and persistence. Most notably, the superbly ripe, exquisitely fine-grained tannins on this 2016 bring to the table a whole other level of sophistication. Bravo!