Vinous (95)

Pulling yourself away from a glass of 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio Al Vento Riserva is an exercise in futility. It wafts up with a heady bouquet of dried cherries and clove complemented by brown spices, worn leather, tobacco and the slightest hint of mocha. There are silken depths here, ushering in intense, tart red currants, motivated by stimulating acidity, as saline-minerals and a burst of sour citrus provides lovely contrasts. It leaves a potent and persistent staining of primary fruit and sweet tannins, all under rosy inner florals and earth tones. Judged by the bright ruby color alone, you’d never guess this was a twenty-year-old wine, yet what you find within tempts the imagination even more. The 2001 Riserva has many years of evolution in store.

Vinous (95+)

A wine of remarkable finesse and nuance, the 2008 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio al Vento is exceptionally beautiful. The 2008 is refined, silky and nuanced, especially within the context of the vintage. Freshly cut flowers, cedar, tobacco and anise are all beautifully delineated throughout. I am quite impressed with how well the 2008 has come together over the last few years. Two thousand eight will be remembered as the year of the devastating mid-August hail. Quite miraculously, the Poggio al Vento emerged pretty much unscathed.

Vinous (94+)

Moderately saturated bright red-ruby. Raspberry, rose oil, sour red cherry, and Asian spices on the nose, with a note of cola gaining strength with air. Refined and concentrated at the same time, with sweet red berry, herbal and mineral flavors becoming fuller with air. Finishes with impressive energy and lingering red fruit and floral qualities that are nicely buffered by fine-grained tannins. Much less powerful but then again also more graceful than the 2010 Poggio al Vento. I also noticed this picks up considerable volume with air, so my suggestion is to decant an hour or two ahead, should you decide to pop a cork early. Lay this away.

Vinous (96)

The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio al Vento is coy at first, brooding, with dark dusty florals, exotic spices and a hint of brown sugar; yet time in the glass allows it to blossom and show its inner beauty, as wave after wave of crushed strawberry, cherry and sweet violets lifts from the glass. On the palate, soft textures envelop the senses in sweet and savory red berry fruits, so silky and refined, as it seems to hover weightlessly, while saline minerals and youthful tannins begin to saturate all that they touch. The finish is long and structured, closing in upon itself, tugging at the cheek and reminding me that this wine is just a baby today. Simply stunning, yet in need of five to ten years of cellaring to show its best. Wow.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Heady, perfumed, flattering nose. Very rich start and refined finish with real neatness. Reminds me of the 2005 but with possibly more precision. Long.

Crafted in the esteemed Burgundy region of France, the Comtesse de Cherisey Meursault 1er Cru Blagny La Genelotte 2016 is a masterful example of viticulture finesse. This radiant white wine embodies the time-honoured traditions of its monopole vineyard, nestled within Meursault's Blagny sub-region. With meticulous cultivation practices, Comtesse de Cherisey yields immaculate Chardonnay grapes that capture the region's terroir exquisitely.

Undergoing cautious vinification in French oak barrels, this enticing nectar lends itself to elegant complexity. Predominantly mineral, the palate unravels with tropical fruit and floral notes, sung alongside a harmonious, creamy length. The 2016 vintage, marked by its favourable growing conditions, delivers an exceptional balance of opulence and acidity.

The ensemble of traditional and avant-garde techniques undertaken by the revered Comtesse de Cherisey Meursault 1er Cru Blagny La Genelotte estate manages to create a truly distinctive tasting experience with the 2016 vintage. One that will captivate white Burgundy aficionados and discerning collectors alike.

Wine Spectator (94)

This sports some seriously delicious plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors, inlaid with ample brambly grip and backed by lively anise and tar accents on the finish. Vivacious. Best from 2019 through 2029. 200 cases imported.

Wine Advocate (93-95+)

The inky black/blue-colored 2015 Saint Joseph Les Royes from the Courbis team was brought up in one-third each of new, once and twice-used barrels. It offers sensational notes of crème de cassis toasted bread, licorice and pen ink in a massive, rich, concentrated, layered style that is shocking in its depth and richness. It's a crazy good St Joseph.

Wine Advocate (95)

D’Arenberg’s most famous wine is its flagship, The Dead Arm Shiraz. The 2005 The Dead Arm Shiraz is sourced from ancient head-pruned vines. It was aged for 22 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak. It is opaque purple/black with an expansive perfume of toast, smoke, spice box, mineral, pencil lead, tar, licorice, blueberry, and blackberry. Full-bodied, opulent, and super-concentrated, this structured, lengthy wine will benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring and drink well through 2025.

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Wonderful aromas of pineapple, apple and lemon, with loads of botrytis. Full-bodied, but very refined, superfresh and racy. Goes on and on. Fabulous. Incredible purity and brightness. Like a perfectly cut diamond. Pierre Lurton, the manager of Yquem as well as Cheval-Blanc, really wanted to mark his arrival at the legendary estate, so he went to draconian lengths to deliver something superb in 2004. (He reduced the crop by half, so probably fewer than 75,000 bottles will be produced). Score range: 95-100 -JS

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)

Depth and power through the mid palate, good quality tannins, this is classically restrained St Estèphe power, with savoury yet juicy black fruits. Living up to its potential En Primeur, one to look out for, and a strong 2nd wine that beats out many 1st wines in the vintage. If you liked the Dame de Montrose 2010, get on board with this.

An embodiment of sheer sophistication, Daniel Rion Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Hauts Pruliers 2014 is an exquisite French fine wine from the prestigious Nuits-Saint-Georges region in Burgundy. Impeccably produced by the legendary winemaker, Daniel Rion, this vintage showcases a commitment to traditional wine-making techniques, matured for 18 months in partially new French oak barrels to promising an intricate and full-bodied taste profile.

The Hauts Pruliers vineyard sits on Jurassic limestone, hence the wine presents a delightful minerality accompanied by intense red berry, and spicy, earthy undertones. This lavish red Burgundy, robust yet balanced, promises a long, elegant finish. Daniel Rion, with roots in winemaking since 1955, operates on sustainable farming practices, ensuring every bottle produced truly reflects its terroir. For connoisseurs, Daniel Rion Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Hauts Pruliers 2014, is not only a wine; it's a sumptuous journey through Burgundy's viticultural heritage.

James Suckling (94)

Blackberry, blueberry and sweet-tobacco aromas. Full-bodied, dense and layered with ripe tannins and a chewy yet polished, tannic finish. A young Bordeaux with plenty of structure and focus. A blend of 71 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 29 per cent merlot. Try after 2022.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is linear and tight with beautiful concentration of tannins and dark fruit, as well as tar and dark chocolate. Full, yet racy and long. Very solid and structured with tannins that integrate well into the wine. Better than the 2018.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92-95)

(70% whole-cluster fermentation) Brilliant red-ruby. Initially reserved, pure nose exploded with aeration to reveal black raspberry, spices and minerals. Succulent, sharply delineated and solidly structured, with highly complex flavors of red fruits, wild herbs, flowers, smoke and earth. Finishes with very fine tannins and superb length and class. Here one senses a full expression of this vineyard's terroir

Wine Advocate (97)

With only about 100 cases produced each year, finding a bottle of the 2015 Cote Rotie la Landonne will prove much harder than drinking it. It's indeed a terrific wine but a bit closed and cedary at this particular moment, the 40% new oak standing out on the nose. But this cuvée has a long track record of excellence, so expect it to blossom with time in the cellar. It's concentrated and powerful but amazingly light on its feet, with firm, ample tannins that manage to convey a sense of ripeness as well. Tar, black olive, cassis and espresso elements all speak to the grape (100% Syrah) and the single lieu-dit origin.

Wine Enthusiast (92)

91-93 Barrel sample. Well structured, this has dry tannins over vivid black fruits. It shows acidity but also great juicy sweetness.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (90)

(a blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc; 13.4% alcohol): Deep red. Open-knit aromas of red cherry and cassis complicated by intense notes of clove, nutmeg, incense and bay leaf. Then creamy and soft on the palate, but with lovely lift to the flavors of dark berries, minerals and cedar. The silky-sweet finish shows lovely aromatic persistence, not to mention very good intensity for a 2004. Drinking deliciously right now; at its relatively reasonable price today, this would be an excellent choice for restaurant dining.

James Suckling (99)

The intensity and perfumes on the nose are extremely impressive, offering pure blackberries and violets, as well as bark, wild-mushroom and raw-tile notes. It’s full-bodied with creamy tannins that envelop the wine and a gorgeous, subtly complex center palate with all the flavors found on the nose. Endless finish. Love the finesse and length to this. Greatest ever. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 5% petit verdot. Try after 2026.

Jeb Dunnuck (96-98+)

Reminding me of the 2016, the 2019 Domaine De Chevalier checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that was brought up in 35% new French oak. Its vivid purple color is followed by a classy bouquet of crème de cassis, damp earth, tobacco leaf, and spring flowers. With medium to full-bodied richness, stunning purity of fruit, silky tannins, and a good spice of acidity, this beautiful, classic, quintessential Chevalier will need 5-7 years of bottle age yet keep for 4-5 decades in cold cellars. Tasted twice.

Wine Advocate (93)

A forward, sexy-style Cote Rotie that shows more oomph than most in the vintage, Jamet's 2000 Cote Rotie offers the hallmark complexity of the estate with its perfumed raspberry, game, flowers, olives and peppery bouquet. This carries to a full-bodied, voluptuously textured, seamless wine that has excellent purity, low acidity and tons of charm. Probably closest in style to the 1990, drink this character-filled beauty over the coming 5-7 years.

Vinous (92+)

Apricot pit, lime zest and clove on the beguiling nose. The delicate nectarine fruit and creamy texture are held aloft by nutmeg and mineral salts. Bright and lively wine, with a slatey element providing spice on a long, enticing finish. This in my favorite Riesling in this year's line-up.

James Suckling (99)

Fabulous aromas of crushed berries such as blackberries and blackcurrants, not to mention spices. Wet earth and cedar, too. Complex. Full-bodied, yet agile and complete. A dense center palate. Ultra-round tannins. Everything in the right balance. Wonderful to taste but better to drink in 2022.

Wine Advocate (94)

A magnificent sleeper of the vintage, the 2008 Duhart Milon is the shrewd consumer’s wine to purchase by the case as prices do not yet reflect its qualitative resurgence. Composed of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot that came in at 13.09% alcohol, it is a surprisingly intense effort displaying a marvelous texture, plenty of black currant, licorice, unsmoked cigar tobacco and earthy characteristics, a full-bodied mouthfeel and stunning purity as well as density. Enjoy this top-notch 2008 over the next 20-25 years.