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 (94)

Vivid red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe, spice-accented red berries and cherry liqueur, smoky minerals and a hint of incense. Energetic, mineral-laced blueberry and bitter cherry flavors show very good depth and take on a hint of candied licorice with air. Smooth, harmonious tannins add framework to the impressively long, floral-tinged finish, which leaves behind a sweet touch of red fruit preserves.

The Belargus Anjou Quarts 2020 is an exquisite manifestation of the French viticulture traditions. Crafted in the historical Loire Valley, this seductive wine exhibits aromatic complexity and dynamic vivacity. It is a pure expression of the Anjou terroir, where each vine is nourished by the diverse soil composition of quartz and schist. Belargus, recognised globally, is renowned for producing distinctive wines of incomparable quality.

This 2020 vintage is made from 100% Chenin Blanc – revered for the intense honeyed floral and apple notes it imparts into the wine. Elaborated by organic winemaking methods, Belargus Anjou Quarts 2020 portrays an enthralling balance between acidity and sweetness. Its golden hue and rich texture resonate with the meticulous care and time-honoured technique devoted to its creation.

Belargus Anjou Quarts 2020 is a testament to the winemaker's commitment to sustainable methods and pure, keen attention to detail. It is truly a connoisseur's delight.

The Belargus Anjou Roueres 2020 is a paragon of finesse from the prestigious loamy soils of Anjou, in the Loire Valley, France. This esteemed wine, cultivated by Belargus' master winemakers, elegantly showcases the region's characteristic Chenin Blanc grape, exuding a bouquet of quince, chamomile, and acacia. The wine's concise minerality brims with the immensity of its terroir.

Belargus winery, a distinguished producer known for their sequencing of biodynamic principles, ensures every bottle reflects a purity of fruit with nuanced structure. A part of the 2020 vintage, the Anjou Roueres offers a sensibly dry palate with balanced acidity. The fermentation and maturation process in oak barrels underscores the delicate complexity of the genuine Chenin Blanc.

Whether accompanying a light repast or treasured solo, the Belargus Anjou Roueres 2020 deserves a spot in every discerning wine aficionado's cellar. It is an eloquent testament to the harmonious relationship between nature's generosity and masterful winemaking.

Explore the unique and luxurious delight of the 'Belargus Anjou Veau 2020'. Crafted with precision in the rich soils of Loire Valley, France, this remarkable wine carries the distinct regional essence. The producer, Maison Belargus, is renowned for quality wines matured through innovative techniques. Rigorously following sustainable viticulture, the Belargus Anjou Veau 2020 boasts of expressive local varietals, with handling that enhances its natural aromatics.

The wine was vinified naturally and aged in used wooden barrels to create an unfiltered, impeccably pure expression retaining its fruit intensity. With a nose braced by fresh citrus and a lively palate hinting at touches of exotic fruits, the Belargus Anjou Veau 2020 forms a perfect harmony of immense freshness and approachable depth. Bask in the classic elegance of this white, a delightful addition to any sophisticated wine collection.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

Deeply colored, with beautiful currants, chocolate, dried earth, and ground herbs, the 2017 Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Latour De France Visitare Interiore Terrae is full-bodied and has a rounded, sexy, opulent texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It’s a much more opulent, Southern Rhône styled effort compared to the more Syrah-dominated RI release.

Wine Enthusiast (94)

One of the single-vineyard wines from this producer, this wine delivers structure and intensity. Just now mature, its smoky fruits and ripe tannins are beautifully integrated. The wine could age further, but is totally ready now.

Vinous (94)

The phrase 'ripe yet precise' encapsulates the 2017 Brézé, Clos Rougeard's single and singular, dry white wine. It has two different fruit spectrums - there's citrus fruit from the north-facing vines and a later picked, riper, almost tropical, cooked pineapple character. Fermented in barrel, there are oak-derived vanilla flavors that join the fruit while a whiff of match stick indicates a lightly reductive character that needs air. It is round yet retains a bright, racy freshness that you often see in Brézé whites. Focused and fine, this has the substance and line to evolve gracefully.

Vinous (97)

The 2017 Le Bourg exemplifies the site's characteristic power and structure. This is not a wine that you should buy to drink now. This Cabernet Franc is almost beast-like compared with Les Poyeux, which is relatively accessible and graceful. It has rounded shoulders and finely woven yet structured tannins, which could be attributed to the clay topsoil of the Le Bourg site. It's a heady expression that displays the smoky bacon notes that can be found when it's a baby wine in barrel. It also offers mocha notes, and a heady perfume that lingers in the air as if you're in an Indian garden, followed with bergamot and tea leaf. This is a wine that moves with power and direction. Due for release - on allocation - to those lucky enough to be on the buying list for Clos Rougeard.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Elegant and poised with red-berry and floral notes. As is often the case, a burgundian feel. Huge intensity on the palate, the tannins tight and firm but fine as well. Lovely balance. Should age well.

Matthew Jukes (20+)

Garrus is always awesome and, every so often, it is completely unpredictable. The 2019s from Château d’Esclans are sublime and Garrus ought to be the most obviously masculine and imposing in the portfolio but, strangely, I felt that the perfume and the initial attack was positively gentle and come-hither in its composure and allure. So, I did what any right-minded person would do and relaxed into another sip. I then realised that I had been tricked! Garrus is as structured and proud as ever and yet it is sporting a kindly disguise to lull you into a false sense of security. Many will drink this wine too early, fooled by the glossiness and initial enchantment on offer. But they will soon realise that this wine’s finish is firm and unyielding, pointing to a long and graceful life - as long as you have the patience. This is a sensational vintage for Garrus and I rate it as highly as the epic 2015 and that means that this is a perfect 20/20 in my notes. Nothing comes close in 2019 (apart from its sibling, Les Clans – you can find a write-up on this wine on this website) and I have tasted hundreds of bottles. The difference between this wine and the 2015 is the ’15 was very obviously statuesque with amazing flanks and bold musculature. By contrast, this 2019 is subtle, brooding, complex and intricately perfumed. While the nose is cool and soothing, the palate is a veritable iceberg of power and equilibrium and while we can only sense the scale of grandeur of this wine, the signposts on the surface are already devastatingly attractive. You simply must buy and keep this wine for at least twelve months before you pop a cork! 20+/20

Decanter (91)

From one of the most well-known rosé brands around the world, Rock Angel is the bigger, more intense and nuanced brother to Whispering Angel. Pale blush pink in colour, this is lively and refreshing with the depth and structure to pair well with food. A blend of Grenache and Vermentino, this offers white flower and raspberry notes on the nose and a blend of apple, pink grapefruit and summer berries on the palate. One to try if you like the other wines in the stable.

James Suckling (92)

Very pale apricot-pink color. Delicate aromas of sliced apple, pink grapefruit, peach, cream and stones follow through to a medium body and crisp acidity. Deliciously creamy and smooth. Drink and enjoy.

James Suckling (92)

Very pale apricot-pink color. Delicate aromas of sliced apple, pink grapefruit, peach, cream and stones follow through to a medium body and crisp acidity. Deliciously creamy and smooth. Drink and enjoy.

Vinous (92)

The Buisson Renard tends to be a more supple, more aromatically restrained cuvée in the Dagueneau stable, and the 2019 is no different. It's probably the richer clay soils on this section of the domaine. There's a delicate savory, herbal and oak-derived nutty character. It is fine and fresh with a supple texture that holds the mouth like a gentle embrace.

Vinous (96)

What I love most about the 2019 Pur Sang is its focus and precision; the compact, light bodied core carries masses of fragrance across the palate and beyond on the long finish. There's clarity and freshness, with a thread of acidity and minerality pulling the wine through like a needle and thread. It is starting to show the very first hints of time in bottle with a hint of almond alongside the ripe melon notes and nettle tea character. Impressive stuff from this three-hectare parcel in the village of Saint Laurent l'Abbaye, about 5km northeast of the Dagueneau domaine.

Jancis Robinson (17+)

Cool and without obvious richness. Really refreshing and with great substance and density. More approachable in youth than I remember some Silex bottlings. You could happily enjoy this layered wine now but it should age well too. It really does taste flinty!!

Vinous (93)

The 2019 Pouilly Fumé Silex shows an initial tenderness, sitting quietly and not shouting that it's made it into your glass. This is a wine that has its act together, feeling integrated and balanced with plentiful concentration and a savory long finish. A delicate dill note, which is a characteristic of oaked Sauvignon peeks out amid the hush.

James Suckling (98)

Stare into the abyss and it will stare back at you! This has such an incredible depth of dried-flower and fresh-herb notes that you could get lost in the bouquet, before reaching the sleek and enormously mineral palate. So pristine and dazzling at the super long finish. Drink or hold.

Vinous (94)

Single-vineyard from 120-year-old vines, aged nine months in concrete tank. Deep ruby. Savory and floral nose of violets, pepper and forest floor. There’s a charming earthiness throughout this wine. Flavors of blackberry and black cherry emerge at midpalate, along with a lovely fresh root vegetable note. Cool, stony finish. Fresh and precise.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Wonderfully leathery and savoury – almost Bordelais. Dried herbs with earth, chocolate and truffle. Absolutley on point – so complex and chewy. Long, medicinal finish.

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.

Wine Advocate (95)

Jean-Paul Brun's 66-year-old vines in this prime lieux-dit have yielded a superb 2018 Fleurie Grille-Midi, a striking wine that unfurls in the glass with complex aromas of black raspberries, rose petals, smoked meats and violets. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and satiny, with a bottomless core of concentrated fruit, velvety tannins and ripe acids, concluding with a long and sapid finish. This is a brilliant, age-worthy Fleurie worth special effort to track down.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2018 Morgon Côte du Py derives from both higher-altitude and lower-lying parcels, and it is a great success this year, offering up a lovely bouquet of dark fruits, cherries, smoked meat and licorice. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and layered, with a fleshy and concentrated core, fine girdling tannins and succulent acids, concluding with a long and sapid finish.

Wine Advocate (94)

Deep and complete, the 2018 Morgon opens in the glass with notes of cassis, plums, smoked meats and cracked pepper. Medium to full-bodied, supple and layered, it's seamless and beautifully balanced, with powdery tannins and succulent acids. This is another terrific wine from Julien Sunier.