Experience the refined elegance of Glandien L'Ouverture Blanc 2021, an exquisite work of vinicultural artistry hailing from the terroirs of France. This world-class white wine epitomises the dedication and passion of the Glandien family, renowned guardians in the world of fine wines. Crafted from the finest hand-selected grapes, this Blanc 2021 vintage offers an aromatic bouquet of green apple, fresh pear, and subtle almond undertones for a crisp yet smooth finish.

The Glandien L'Ouverture Blanc 2021 exudes a deep radiance with a hue of polished gold, a testament to its meticulous vinification process. Undertaken under optimal weather conditions, the white grapes are allowed to bask in prolonged summer sunshine enriching them with superior fruit consistency. This, along with careful cellaring, culminates in a wine that is a testament to its pedigree.

In your hand, a glass of Glandien L'Ouverture Blanc 2021 is not merely a wine, but an ambassador of a grand tradition of craftsmanship and heritage.

From the renowned French vineyard, the exquisite Glantenay Volnay 1er Cru Les Ronceret 2020 is a testament to the exceptional terroir of Volnay in Burgundy. Hailing from the 2020 vintage, the fragrant, vivid red fruits of this Pinot Noir are beautifully complimented by its mineral nuances and velvety tannins. Predominantly grown in calcareous-clay soils, the grapes are hand-picked, de-stemmed, then gently pressed, allowing extraction of sublime flavours and holding back excessive tannins.

This wine has spent 18 months maturing in oak barrels, crafted by the talented Glantenay family, who have been making wine in Volnay for several generations. With its deep ruby hue and the balance of fruit, spice, and earthy notes, Glantenay Volnay 1er Cru Les Ronceret 2020 is a captivating expression of its unique origin. Expertly crafted and reflecting the passion and dedication of its makers, this is a wine for true connoisseurs.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2016 Gloria is one of the undisputed stars of this vintage. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous intensity in all of its dimensions. Sweet red cherry, tobacco, menthol, licorice and dried rose petal all add complexity. In 2016 Gloria is a real head-turner. It should be a fabulous value as well. There is not much else to say.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Tasted blind. Complex nose with savoury layers. Aromatic ink. Smooth and polished. Lovely balance with really lively energy. Nothing forced. Very long. Almost pretty!

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2020 Gloria is another Saint-Julien with an unapologetically backward nose, yet it has razor-sharp delineation and superb mineralité. It's just tightly coiled at the moment. Very harmonious, the palate is medium-bodied and satiny in texture, with sapid black fruit and a precocious yet beautifully controlled and persistent finish. Outstanding. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Falstaff (97)

The nose of the golden wine immediately radiates creaminess, a soft richness that is reminiscent of freshly baked apricot and almond tart and red apple flesh, laced with fine, heady notions of freshly zested Tarocco orange peel. The palate is as creamy as the nose suggests, yet has the poise and the beautiful, salty depth of 2008. A lovely phenolic edge reminds of bitter almond and apple pip, this sits well with the sinuous, toned and lightly salty richness, the ultra-fine mousse and that lovely streak of ripe lemon zest. Gorgeous.

James Suckling (93)

Deep, dark and rich fruit, from plums to berries. Full bodied, layered, dense and very rich. Best after 2022.

Decanter (97)

Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Cinsault, Syrah, Muscardin; 14hl/ha yields; 30 months in large barrels before bottling. Already open and expressive, with black pepper and juniper married with liquorice, raspberry, plum and garrigue herbs. It’s full-bodied, but so lively and expressive, with a grand tannic structure and a powerful, grippy finish. It’s generous in alcohol but doesn't taste unbalanced. Just outrageously good.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92+)

Dark cherry, plum, lavender and violet are some of the notes that open up in the 2014 Grand Corbin Despagne. Medium in body, with a classic sense of structure and plenty of tannin, the 2014 is built for cellaring. It shows quite a bit more overall intensity today than it did as a barrel sample, which is quite positive for its long-term prospects.

Wine Enthusiast (93-95)

Powerful tannins and ripe fruits are the main characters here. With a solid, foursquare character, it is generous and opulent. Tannins and concentration are all there, resulting in a wine with serious aging potential.

The Wine Cellar Insider (94)

Quite youthful as you would expect, still it is difficult not to be impressed by the concentration, ripeness, elegance, freshness and energy here. Parked on the corner of elegance, freshness and opulence, the fruit shows good purity, length and vibrance. Kuch of what the wine has to offer is held in reserve at the moment. The wine be best after 2026.

The Wine Cellar Insider (94)

Quite youthful as you would expect, still it is difficult not to be impressed by the concentration, ripeness, elegance, freshness and energy here. Parked on the corner of elegance, freshness and opulence, the fruit shows good purity, length and vibrance. Kuch of what the wine has to offer is held in reserve at the moment. The wine be best after 2026.

Wine Advocate (93-95+)

Opaque purple-black in color, the 2020 Grand Mayne slowly unfurls in the glass to reveal gorgeous notions of ripe black plums, dark chocolate-covered cherries and blackberry pie, plus hints of licorice, cracked black pepper and unsmoked cigars with a touch of tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of rich black fruits, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and beautifully perfumed.

Wine Advocate (96)

With the 2017 Gigondas le Coteau de Mon Reve, Yves Cheron has taken his flagship property to another level. A blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre, it's full-bodied and rich yet remains exceptionally fine and elegant. Mouthwatering raspberries and blood orange notes are joined by star anise on the long, silky finish. Drink it anytime over the next decade.

Wine Advocate (95)

Half of the fabulous 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee les Origines was aged in new barriques, the rest in concrete vats, so there is some oak in play here, but the blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah has absorbed much of it. This full-bodied wine is tannic and rich, with fruit shading from cherries and red plums all the way through to plum and cola. Mocha and baking spices appear on the long, velvety finish.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is up with the crème de la crème of the vintage and in the same league as the perfect 2010. Awesome notes of blackberries, crème de cassis, charred meats, licorice, and violets all soar from the glass. It's powerful, opulent, and structured, with building tannin, a huge mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish, yet it never loses its sense of purity and elegance. It's an incredible achievement from this estate. The blend is 45% Grenache, 45% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah, all aged in 55% new French oak.

Wine Advocate (96-98)

I was blown away by the prospective blend I tasted of the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes. Already delicious, it combines raspberries and cherries with vanilla cream and baking spices. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, it shows great length and freshness, ending in hints of garrigue and licorice.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is based on 45% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, with the balance Syrah, all destemmed and raised in 55% new French oak. Gorgeous cassis, violet, graphite, fruitcake, and peppery herbs define this brilliant effort, and it's full-bodied, with a pure, seamless texture, wonderful tannins, and one heck of a great finish. This magical 2019 is going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age (it's brilliant even today) yet keep for 20 years or more. Châteauneuf du Pape lovers need to have this in their cellar!

Vinous - Neal Martin (89)

The 2017 Grand Village comes mainly from the clay-limestone plateau that survived the frost that reduced production to only 9% of normal. "We were hit quite badly with frost in 2017 but we found by June that some vines were acting weird" Omri Ram told me when I visited Lafleur. "So we pruned back very early to help the vines get back into shape." It has a potent bouquet with mulberry, lavender and hoisin aromas. The floral aspect becomes stronger and stronger with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly hard tannins on the entry, quite spicy and a little chewier than recent vintages. Slightly bitter towards the finish with a strong black pepper note on the aftertaste. There is in fact, less Grand Village than Lafleur this year!

Decanter (94)

A gorgeous dark nose with some perfumed black cherries, it smells faintly sweet and softly floral - so welcoming. A similar soft, sweetness follows on the palate straight away with such perfumed edges that are completely captivating. Succulent with clarity and soft chalky tannins plumping up the blackcurrant, Morello cherry and raspberry fruit. There's also a very specific iron filing, iodine salinity that lingers giving such texture and nuance to the overall frame. The finish is fresh and direct with a cooling sensation that lingers. Sophisticated and refined, but above all so joyous to drink. A top buy. From the same winemaking team and philosophy as Château Lafleur in Pomerol.

Decanter (94)

Softly floral-touched blackcurrants - violet and lilac, quite a subtle perfumed tone to them but giving such expressive aromas to the nose with touches of smoked earth and sweet milk chocolate. Juicy and succulent, a whoosh of bright fruit juice - red cherry and strawberry - really so lively then straightens and becomes more direct. Lots of minerality and salinity on show, lifted and aerial. The structure and frame comes more towards the end rather than on the mid-palate, growing in depth and density until a noticeable weight appears with a mineral, salty, iodine finish. Elegant from the start however, finessed with freshness and such supreme approachability. Utterly lovely.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91)

The 2019 Grand Village Blanc, 25% Sémillon and 75% Sauvignon Blanc (Bordeaux clones and massal selection) has a perfumed bouquet of yellow plum, nectarine and honeysuckle. The palate is well balanced with a waxy texture, dried apricot and pear, lovely weight and salinity surfacing on the finish. It is one of the finest Grand Village Blanc that I have tasted.