'One of the historic names in California winedom' according to the Wine Advocate, and among the great Napa Valley wineries of the 20th century, Beaulieu Vineyard may have seemingly dropped off the radar but is now, without a doubt, seeing a decisive revival in its fortunes.

Once more at the top of its game, and assuming its natural place among the best in Napa Valley, thanks to legendary Bordeaux-based consulting oenologist Michel Rolland and new chief winemaker Trevor Durling, the Beaulieu Vineyard renaissance is underway.

The flagship of the estate, their Georges de Latour Private Reserve 2016 is 'utterly classic, world class juice' in the eyes of Jeb Dunnuck. This 2016 was released as part of the estate's 80th anniversary celebrations and is certainly a 'crowd-pleaser' (VN).

Vinous's Stephen Tanzer says that it is while it is hard to compare any wine, not just this 2016, to the legendary 1968 vintage, 'this may eventually prove to be the best vintage of the Private Reserve' since that magical release.

Scoring a huge 98 points from James Suckling, 97 points from the Wine Advocate, 97 points from Dunnuck and 96 points from Vinous, the 'intensity of fruit in the nose is so impressive' (JS) with this 2020 but these beautiful warm cassis, crushed berry and blackcurrants notes are wonderfully underlined by contrasting flavours of 'scorched earth, tobacco, and graphite, with a whiff of dark chocolate' (JD). Classically styled and 'rich, bold and energetic in the mouth', it offers wonderful balance between the 'ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness' (WA), indicating this will have a very long life, up to 2060.