Vinous (96)

The 2013 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vénus is a gorgeous and eccentric wine. Sweet floral and minty overtones give the Vénus its distinctive high-toned profile. The richness and depth of this Chardonnay from a parcel planted in 1959 that has always been manually farmed, comes alive with a bit of time in the glass. The Vénus is such a special Champagne, as it is elusive and constantly changing in the glass as it shows a different side of its personality with each taste. I very much admire the sense of precision here. Vénus remains one of the most distinctive wines in all of Champagne. No dosage. Disgorged: May, 2019.

Vinous (95)

The 2015 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Vénus Grand Cru is sublime. Lemon confit, menthol, dried herbs and white pepper all meld together in the glass. More of a wine than Champagne, the Vénus is creamy and open-knit, with lovely freshness and plenty of character. No dosage. Disgorged: May, 2021.

Wine Advocate (98)

From old vines in lieu-dit La Fosse that are planted at somewhat lower density (1.2 meters apart) but where there are consequently very few missing vines or replants, Agrapart's striking 2016 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vénus unwinds in the glass with scents of citrus oil, crisp stone fruit, toasted almonds, warm biscuits, orange zest and iodine. Full-bodied, concentrated and tightly wound, with terrific depth at the core, racy acids and a long, intensely saline finish, it's another brilliant wine from this benchmark grower-bottler.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91)

The 2015 Aile d'Argent Blanc has a lively, quite fresh bouquet with scents of pear, melon and touches of yellow flowers; there is plenty of energy here. The palate is well balanced with a spicy, lemongrass-tinged opening, not deep or voluminous but displaying a pleasant sharpness toward the finish. Enjoy this over the next decade, or possibly more. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

James Suckling (95-96)

The impressive ripeness and intensity combined with elegance and finesse are what make this wonderful white. Honeysuckle, apricots, glazed grapefruit, spices and nutmeg. Medium to full body and fleshy fruit that’s lifted by the delicious acidity to the long finish.

James Suckling (97-98)

A very exotic Aile d’Argent with dried-mango, fresh-pineapple, and sliced-lemon aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and very ripe, yet it’s framed by bright acidity. Tangy and vivid with a long, intense finish. Exciting. Contrastive. 38% semillon and the rest sauvignon blanc and gris.

James Suckling (95-96)

This is full-bodied with layers of fruit. Ripe and flavorful. Lots going on with a fleshy feel. No malolactic this year. Sweet peach, honeysuckle and citrus. Contrastive. 52% sauvignon blanc, 14% sauvignon gris and 34% semillon.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

Beautiful intensity and grip through the palate, this shows white pear, juicy citrus, and slate-filled salinity on the finish. Great stuff, with teasingly drawn out flavours, lift and tension, and hidden depths. Some frost meant the yields were lower than normal at 32hl/h. 15% malolactic fermentation to soften the acidities, with Sauvignon Gris vines included within the Sauvignon Blanc count, and no Muscadelle in the blend as the vines have now been uprooted, giving a slight break in style (for the better in my opinion). 3.25ph, 45% new barrels for ageing. First year with Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy as director from beginning to end of the growing season, after Philippe Dhaulluin's retirement.

Vinous (90)

Pale, shimmering orange. Bright and focused on the nose, displaying fresh red berry, nectarine and orange zest aromas, with floral and mineral overtones. Strawberry and nectarine flavors show good depth and a bracing jolt of juicy acidity. The floral note repeats on the lively finish, which lingers with very good tenacity. - Josh Raynolds

Vinous (89-91)

The 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes, the top village wine here, is terrific. Rose petal, lavender, spice and a core of red/purplish berry fruit all resonate on the palate. Aromatically intense and persistent, with tons of class, the Favorites is shaping up to be a winner from brothers Eric and Jean-Luc Burguet.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin "Symphonie" (tasted with classical piano tinkling away on the radio as I sat in their office!) has a delightful red cherry and bergamot bouquet that unfolds seductively in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious on the finish, which feels caressing. This comes highly recommended.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93)

Slightly the deepest in colour and the richest nose of the four premier crus. Some lemon notes and light plum, then white fruit. This has the most assured texture of the four. Good grip, as Clive Coates would have said, stretching out very nicely in a fine long finish.

Jancis Robinson (17)

Cask sample. Top-quality premier cru Puligny. Concentration and power on the nose/palate. Savoury edge, plenty of citrus keeping the palate fresh. Should age very well. Stony finish with an intriguing zesty character. GV.

Indulge your senses with a rare taste of the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990. A superb vintage from an esteemed producer, this French delight is beautifully matured in oak barrels, boasting complex aromas of ripe fruit and spices that give way to subtly earthy undertones. Hailing from the prestigious Crozes-Hermitage appellation in Northern Rhone Valley, the wine features Syrah grapes that are meticulously hand-harvested.

This stimulating vintage is a testament to Alain Graillot's exceptional winemaking methodology. Founded in 1985, Graillot's winery quickly gained acclaim for producing high-quality, distinctive wines. This offering, the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990, truly embodies the Graillot house style - it is robust yet approachable, with elegant tannins and fullness of flavour.

Painstakingly vinified and patiently aged, the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990 is indeed a luscious specimen, deserving a place in the finest of cellars.

Vinous (94)

Opaque ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented black and blue fruit, olive and allspice aromas are energized by a suave floral overtone. Fleshy, juicy and broad in the mouth, offering concentrated black currant, cherry liqueur, fruitcake and floral pastille flavors that tighten up with aeration. Densely packed yet energetic as well, finishing with sharp delineation, steadily building tannins and excellent persistence.

Vinous (94)

Inky ruby. Heady blackberry, cherry and olive scents show excellent definition and a smoky mineral flourish. Densely packed but energetic black and blue fruit liqueur flavors are complemented by a candied violet flourish; an exotic spice nuance emerges with air. Shows excellent concentration and no excess weight, finishing with bright mineral cut, harmonious tannins and floral-driven persistence.

Vinous (94)

Inky ruby. Heady blackberry, cherry and olive scents show excellent definition and a smoky mineral flourish. Densely packed but energetic black and blue fruit liqueur flavors are complemented by a candied violet flourish; an exotic spice nuance emerges with air. Shows excellent concentration and no excess weight, finishing with bright mineral cut, harmonious tannins and floral-driven persistence.

Vinous (95)

Glass-staining ruby. Cassis, cherry-cola, olive paste, exotic spices and pungent flowers on the highly expressive nose. Shows impressive depth as well as energy to its sweet black and blue fruit, allspice, salty olive and candied violet flavors, which take on a mineral aspect with air. Youthfully chewy tannins add grip to an impressively long and focused finish that emphatically repeats the floral and mineral notes. I've no doubt that this wine will reward patience, and my drinking window is probably overly conservative.

The Alain Gras Auxey Duresses Crais Blanc 2022 is a sublime expression of its terroir, lovingly crafted in the idyllic Burgundy region of France. This fine wine is masterfully created by esteemed winemaker, Alain Gras, whose meticulous dedication to quality ensures a product of remarkable finesse. The Auxey Duresses vineyards, located on the high slopes of the Côte de Beaune, give a natural acidity, balanced by lush fruitiness from the Chardonnay grape.

The 2022 vintage benefitted from a mild summer, ensuing a wine of beautiful complexity and depth. Alain Gras employs traditional winemaking methods, ageing the wine for over 12 months in French oak barrels, creating a harmonious blend of buttery, mineral and floral notes.

Alain Gras Auxey Duresses Crais Blanc 2022 is a testament to the rich, nuanced world of Burgundian wines, possessing both the heritage of its region and the innovative touch of its producer.

Indulge in the elegance of the Alain Gras Saint Romain Rouge 2022, a classic embodiment of fine French winemaking. Originating from the renowned vineyards of Saint-Romain, Burgundy, the Alain Gras winery has nurtured this richly layered red, crafted predominantly from handpicked Pinot Noir. The grapes are cold-soaked and fermented with natural indigenous yeasts to ensure an authentic, diverse palate.

Exemplifying the meticulous approach of winemaker Alain Gras, this wine reflects the nuances of the limestone-rich terroir. Alain Gras Saint Romain Rouge 2022 presents a harmonious blend of blackberries, cherries, and spice, entwined with delicate earthy undertones. The texture is satisfyingly smooth, with well-integrated tannins and a long-lasting finish.

This Burgundian beauty promises an enchanting journey of taste, thus establishing Alain Gras's reputation as a true craftsman of premium wines. Enjoy Alain Gras Saint Romain Rouge 2022 now, or let protract storage unlock its full potential.