Jeb Dunnuck (98)

The 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a bright red color and shows more aromatic restraint than the 2021. The nose shows wild raspberries, darker berries, and dried floral tones, with a more muted, understated frame. Medium to full-bodied, it offers ripe tannins, balanced acidity, and solid length, although it feels a touch less polished than the 2021 at this stage. It should drink well over the next 12 to 15 years. Drink 2026-2041.

Incredible purity of bouquet; wild cherry, red licorice, dried herbs and soft earth tones – it is both fine and intense. Sweet and ripe on the attack, crisp acidity then kicking in to balance the generous fruit. Tannins are fresh, defined and well - integrated. Although suave, it is authentic and offers plenty of nuances. The finish is long and polished - it has longevity that other Rossos only dream of, but also delights immediately.

James Suckling (93)

Aromas of plums, oranges and cedar follow through to a full body with soft and velvety tannins. A juicy and luscious finish. Made from organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate (93)

Ceretto's classic 2017 Barbaresco opens quickly and nicely in the glass. That playful accessibility is a trait that I found in many of the Barbarescos from this vintage. Compared to the two vineyard-specific expressions (Asili from Barbaresco and Bernadot from Treiso), this wine offers broad brush strokes of wild berry, spice, licorice and iron ore. That's exactly the mission of this wine: It provides an authentic portrait of a grape. Fruit represents a blend from various sites, including young vines from Asili and the lower parts of Bernadot. This wine is poised for near and medium-term drinking.

Matthew Jukes (18)

The nose on this wine is a veritable mosaic of the amazing villages which make up blend. The blend is a super-complicated combination of La Morra (twoBrunates – La Morra and Barolo, Zonchetta), a Barolo plot in Cannubi San Lorenzo, Castiglione Falletto (2 parcels of Bricco Rocche, facing La Morra, and Rocche di Castoglione, Bussia in the Bussia Soprana section which is the finest and also Serralunga d’Alba (in Gabutti and Prapò). Federico would love to release these as three individual ‘village’ wines as opposed to a blended village Cru, but this will happen in the future. As far as this wine is concerned, it is a triumph of blending and the harmony here is extraordinary. This is a stunningly balanced wine which is forward, clean and refreshing. The fruit is cherry-soaked, tender, balanced and the tannins are crisp and juicy. This is a stunningly forward and expressive wine and it is a magnificent example of harnessing the most favourable characters of the vintage and gently coaxing these elegant tones from this myriad of vineyard sites. It is an incredibly impressive and also unnervingly sensitive Nebbiolo.

Vinous (93+)

Medium red. Complex, ripe aromas of cherry, plum, marzipan, dried rose, earth and peppery spices. Big, lush and expansive but adamantly dry. A very full, layered Barolo with lovely vinosity and balance. Finishes with lush, very fine but strong tannins and insinuating, impressively persistent flavor. Possesses more than enough material to handle the 100% new barriques A superb bottle. According to Alessandro, this cuvee is Ceretto's most complete Barolo, typically combining the character of the Brunate and Prapo.

Wine Advocate (98+)

These back-to-back vintages, 2015 and 2016, deliver knockout performances. The Ceretto 2016 Barolo Bricco Rocche has always been one of the benchmark wines in this revered portfolio. It offers a lovely bouquet that explores some of the more nuanced sides of Nebbiolo that veer into the realms of rose, ash, tar and smoke. These pretty little details frame a solid core of berry fruit, cassis and dried cherry. One of the most distinctive aspects of this wine is the mouthfeel, which manages to impart its power and length without subtracting from its profound elegance. Fruit comes from a 1.5-hectare site owned by the Ceretto family, with sandstone soils at 350 to 370 meters above sea level. This is a Barolo to remember—and save in your cellar.

Wine Advocate (97)

I wasn't sure how to order my tasting flight of Ceretto's four single-vineyard Baroli (from Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d'Alba and Serralunga d'Alba), so I decided to start with this wine from Brunate in La Morra, at the heart of the appellation. The 2016 Barolo Brunate shows a dark core of fruit, and you are immediately aware of the depth and profound nature of this wine. The bouquet is lifted by cassis, wild cherry and plum. The ferrous quality that we saw in some of the other wines is softer here, and I would describe Brunate as the most fruit-forward (at this young stage) with elegant tannins and impactful fruit weight on the finish. All of these wines are aged in new oak (just 10% of the total) and used oak barrel (90%) for the first 12 months. After that, the wine is racked into Austrian oak casks for an additional two years before going into bottle for one more year.

Jancis Robinson (17++)

Monforte d'Alba. Just mid ruby. Rich, full cherry fruit of great depth and focus. A little less sensuous and nervier on the palate than Brunate. Sappy raspberry and cherry fruit over a layer of firm, grainy tannins. The acidity lifts the fruit but right now it is a little austere and needs more time. Long, fragrant raspberry fruit turns up at the end.

James Suckling (95)

Quite a tight nose for now, but already showing lovely aromas of raspberries, together with perfumed, stony minerals and roses. Full-bodied with a compact palate and an array of firm, spicy tannins that builds steadily through the finish. This is excellent Barolo that’s only just beginning its journey. Tiny production. Cellar it until at least 2025.

Vinous (95)

The 2013 Barolo Prapò shows quite a bit more Serralunga muscle and power than it did when I last tasted it. The tension between the wine's elegance and its more natural leanings towards power is utterly compelling. Orange zest, cinnamon, dried flowers, iron and smoke infuse the deep, resonant finish. Not surprisingly, the 2013 appears headed into a period of dormancy. I wouldn't touch a bottle anytime soon.

Vinous (92)

: Bright medium red. Redcurrant, minerals, graphite, licorice and tobacco on the nose. A step up in depth, sweetness and intensity from the Bernadot, with more volume and a serious spine for aging. This mounts nicely on the back end and finishes with very good flavor impact and energy.

Renowned for its exceptional character, the Ceritas Bailhache Sauvignon Blanc 2020 hails from the prestigious winemaker Ceritas, set within the heart of California's esteemed Sonoma Coast. Each bottle encapsulates the ideal maritime climate and diverse soil, which culminate to produce nuanced acidity levels and complex flavour profiles. The Ceritas Bailhache Sauvignon Blanc 2020 boasts a vibrant mix of ripe citrus, stone fruits, and subtle mineral undertones, underpinned by a lively crispness that makes it exceedingly palatable.

The esteemed winemaker, John Raytek, adheres strictly to organic farming methods and minimalist winemaking; this approach lets the unique terroir of each carefully chosen vineyard express itself fully within the wine. Grown on mature vines that grace the high slopes of the Bailhache Vineyard, each grape is meticulously handpicked at peak ripeness, simultaneously ensuring the utmost quality and preserving the delicate balance of the wine.

Indulge in the Ceritas Bailhache Sauvignon Blanc 2020, an embodiment of the complexity and elegance of Californian terroir.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

From an esteemed vineyard planted in the 1980s, the 2022 Chardonnay Charles is a highly appealing and attractive wine out of the gate. On opening, it pours a bright silver straw hue and is forward and highly expressive with notes of salted pineapple, fresh citrus blossoms, orange zest, and lifted mineral accents. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, it boasts wonderful fresh, juicy intensity through the palate. It is emblematic of the 2022 vintage, which offers a wide drinking window, as it’s a pleasure to drink now, and it should have some real longevity over the coming 10-12 years.

Vinous (95)

The 2019 Pinot Noir Annabelle is a dark, brooding wine. Black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and cloves infuse the Annabelle with tons of depth. This well-exposed site on Fort Ross-Seaview produces rich, thick-skinned grapes. All of that intensity comes through in a broad, ample Pinot that will reward readers with years of fine drinking. All this needs is time in the cellar.

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

From an exceptionally windy, exposed site at 1800 feet, the 2020 Pinot Noir Cuvee Anabell is highly aromatic of fresh alpine herbs, wild raspberry, and fresh soil. The palate is more structured, with darker fruit of fresh red plum skin, turned earth, and spice. This wine will benefit from time in bottle to integrate its structure. Drink it over the next 15 years.

The Ceritas Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir 2021 is an enlightened expression of complexity and class. Cultivated in Sonoma County, California, Ceritas focuses on delivering wines of character rooted in the region's unique climates and soils. The 2021 release of their Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir is testament to their artisanal practices. Each grape is handpicked and fermented naturally, showcasing great dedication to traditional techniques whilst employing modern understanding.

The minimalist intervention approach employed by Ceritas allows for the Pinot Noir's true character to shine. Deeply aromatic with notes of wild berries and ground spice, this wine cascades across the palate with exceptional balance and textured depth. Its lingering finish delivers an unforgettable impression.

Made by the widely respected winemaker, John Raytek, Ceritas Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir 2021 offers an absorbing insight into the expressive beauty of California Pinot Noir. A captivating ensemble of craftsmanship and terroir - this is a wine of unmistakable pedigree and charm.

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Pinot Noir Elliott Vineyard is one of the more nervous, edgy wines in this lineup. Readers will want to give it a few years to soften, as it is reticent and tightly wound in the early going. Bright mineral and savory notes drive a core of sweet red berry fruit. When I taste the 2018 I think of a lyric tenor voice that, while maybe not big in size, has the resonance to be heard all the way in the cheap seats. The Elliot is a cool, introspective Pinot that will reward those who can spend some time with it.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

The 2021 Pinot Noir Elliott is packed with layered aromas of gravelly mineral earth, framboise, and wild herbs. Profound and balanced, with outstanding structure and gripping ripe tannins, it reveals notes of crunchy cherry, fresh earth, and a refined, elegant perfume on the finish. It continuously evolves in the glass and is an absolutely stunning and singular wine. Drink 2025-2045.

Jeb Dunnuck (98)

More tannic and chiseled, the 2022 Pinot Noir Elliott comes from the West Sonoma Coast AVA and offers a more compact profile on the nose at this youthful stage, with notes of wild raspberries, fresh wild herbs, roses, and pine. The medium-bodied palate boasts a wonderful structure, with soiled tension and a ferrous quality, with iron-rich notes of blood orange pith and a long finish. It’s going to need time in the cellar to unfurl. Drink 2025-2045.

Vinous (95)

The 2021 Pinot Noir Hellenthal Old Shop Block is another searingly intense wine in this lineup of young Pinots. Accordingly, readers should be in no rush. Chalk, white pepper, incense, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, blood orange and mint meld into a core of red-toned fruit. Bright acids and vibrant tannins give the wine its shape and overall drive.

Decanter (94)

Ripe nose with some black truffle, dark chocolate and blackcurrant. On the palate this is juicy and succulent, a lighter fresher wine than the two before, cooling mint, minerality, bright strawberry and raspberry leaf. lifted still with concentration and pomerol power but also glossy with some confidence shining through. Nicely integrated tannins and long length.

James Suckling (95-96)

This very refined with polished, chewy tannins and black olives. Medium-to full-bodied, the tannins are chiseled and energetic. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon.

Wine Advocate (94+)

The 2018 El Rapolao was produced with the grapes from the adjacent plot to the one from Castro Ventosa. It has maybe 5% white grapes and a faint reductive character—a flinty or gun powder note, turning into sesame seeds á la Coche-Dury with time—that the vineyard can have, with a lot less alcohol (13%) and is lighter and more ethereal and elegant. This is floral, clean and fresh, fulfilling the fresher and more elegant style of the 2018s. It follows the style of 2016, perhaps with a touch more depth and complexity, and it is more elegant, with more refined tannins and a chalky sensation. 984 bottles were filled in December 2019.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2018 Sufreiral is one of the very few reds from limestone soils from Bierzo. This year, it comes from a higher-altitude plot (he now works with five separate plots in the paraje, but the rest go to the Parajes bottling) and in a vineyard with some white grapes. It fermented with full clusters and a longer maceration, resulting in a wine with less color and more tension. If Bierzo is somewhere between the Northern Rhône and Burgundy, this one gravitates more toward Burgundy. It's floral and textured, with a fine thread, very fine tannins and the sapidity of the limestone, very tasty. It's a more ethereal version of 2017. It matured in a well-seasoned, neutral 600-liter oak vat for one year. Only 721 bottles were filled in December 2019.

From the grandeur of French winemaking tradition comes the CG Paris Chiroubles Vieilles Vignes 2013, a remarkable product of expertise and dedication. Nestled in the heart of Beaujolais, the CG Paris winery, renowned for meticulous viticulture, curates this noble expression of Gamay grapes stemming from time-honoured, old vineyards. Vinified through traditional practices, the wine matured for 12 months in French oak to enrich its inherent intricacies. With each pour, the CG Paris Chiroubles Vieilles Vignes 2013 reveals an alluring garnet hue, signalling a luxurious palate blending dark fruits, pepper, and baking spices. Its delicate structure adds an element of finesse, while the wine’s underlying minerality echoes its terroir—a testament to the vineyard’s granite soils. Depicting an admirable marriage of passion and craftsmanship, the CG Paris Chiroubles Vieilles Vignes 2013 is a treasure of the French viticulture legacy—perfect for discerning palates craving an exploration of Beaujolais wines replete with sophistication and subtlety.

Elevate your celebration with a bottle of the exquisite CG Paris Fleurie Champagne 2019. Crafted in the prestigious Parisian wineries of CG Champagne, this mature sparkling wine embodies French sophistication. Surpassing distinguished Champagne standards, the Fleurie 2019 uses hand-picked grapes to accentuate its full-bodied flavour profile. This vintage spent 24 months maturing on lees, heightening its complex nuances and deep fruity flavour.

Hailing from Fleurie, the renowned Beaujolais sub-region, this champagne is a testament to its rich heritage. Famed for its fertile, granitic soil, Fleurie produces wines with an unmatched depth of character. The creators, CG Paris, are renowned for their avant-garde approach to winemaking, establishing a stellar reputation within the industry for their exclusive collections.

This CG Paris Fleurie Champagne 2019, elegant and timeless, is the embodiment of luxury, making every occasion memorable. A tasteful choice for wine connoisseurs who fancy exceptional champagnes.

Experience the ebullience of the CG Paris Fleurie Champagne 2019, an exquisite experience wrought with elegance. Produced within the auspices of the renowned Champagne region of France, this delicacy guarantees the pedigree of a classic vintage.

The creation process champions traditional methods. Carefully selected grapes are hand-picked at the optimal moment to ensure flavour purity. Rigorous attention throughout fermentation and distillation accentuates distinctive fruity accents, whilst a two-year repose in vaulted cellars achieves enveloping maturity.

The producer, CG Paris, has cultivated a well-deserved reputation for producing high-quality Champagnes. Their dedication to the craft, in tandem with the advantageous Fleurie terroir, contributes to the prominent, complex palate featuring cherry, kirsch, and smoky undertones impeccably balanced in the CG Paris Fleurie Champagne 2019.

This fine wine is the embodiment of sophistication with an unwavering commitment to quality and tradition – a must-have addition for any Champagne connoisseur's collection.