Alain Coudert's Clos de la Roilette reminds me of a more Northern Rhone accented style than most - dark cherries, spice and black pepper predominate. The wines age exceptionally well and it is impossible to think of a better, more ageable wine for less money than the Cuvee Tardive

Alain Coudert's Clos de la Roilette reminds me of a more Northern Rhone accented style than most - dark cherries, spice and black pepper predominate. The wines age exceptionally well and it is impossible to think of a better, more ageable wine for less money than the Cuvee Tardive

Alain Coudert's Clos de la Roilette reminds me of a more Northern Rhone accented style than most - dark cherries, spice and black pepper predominate. The wines age exceptionally well and it is impossible to think of a better, more ageable wine for less money than the Cuvee Tardive

"Quintessential Charmes-Chambertin, full of exuberance. The palate is ripe and succulent on the entry: a sweet core of macerated dark cherries, mulberry and black plum; a saline notes lining the finish that lingers seductively in the mouth" Allan Meadows 90-93

"The 2011 Volnay “Clos des Chênes” from Domaine Michel Lafarge is again, very uncharacteristically red fruity in personality this year, but shows absolutely superb potential. The deep, pure and refined bouquet is a blend of red plums, cherries, cocoa powder, gamebirds, a touch of fresh nutmeg, a stunningly complex base of soil and a touch of violets in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very refined, with excellent mid-palate depth, very refined tannins, lovely focus and superb length and grip on the youthful and nascently complex finish. A great wine in the making! (Drink between 2025-2075) 94+ John Gilman

"As is the case with several of the 2011s in the Lafarge cellars this year, the Clos du Château des Ducs is a very red fruity rendition of this superb vineyard. The deep and classy nose offers up a reserved and classy mélange of cherries, blood orange, strawberries, raw cocoa, a touch of nutskin, a complex base of soil tones and a complex topnote of fresh herbs primarily redolent of thyme. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very pure, with a fine core of red fruit, a very soil-driven personality, suave tannins and great length and grip on the vibrant and elegant finish. This will be a dynamite vintage of Clos du Château des Ducs. (Drink between 2022-2060) 93+ John Gilman

Old vine Vosne next to Clos Vougeot and Grand Echezeaux. 25-30% new oak. From vines planted in the 40s and 50s. 

"Whilst I thought François and Denis Clair’s Dents de Chien was an okay wine at the price, this is on a completely different level, and to be frank, not that much more expensive…" Bill Nanson

"My goodness, where has the time gone? Here is a pinot noir from Frances and Terry Leighton that actually has its roots in the twenty-first century! It happens to be from the Demostene Ranch, home to Kalin’s finest pinot bottlings since at least the 1978 vintage (please see below) and it is flat out stunning. The deep, pure and beautifully developed bouquet offers up a complex constellation of red and black cherries, roasted gamebird, forest floor, beautiful spice tones (cinnamon, cardamom and cloves), woodsmoke, an exotic hint of eucalyptus and cedary oak. On the palate the wine is focused, complex and beautifully wide open and refined on the attack, with an excellent core of fruit, superb soil signature, still excellent, tangy acids, ripe tannins and a long, perfectly balanced and complex finish. This is still a relatively young wine on the palate (even at age nineteen!) and could do with a bit more time to relax in the cellar, but with decanting, it is awfully easy to drink today. But, witness the 1978 version listed below, it is still early days for this stunning bottle of pinot. This is one of the best vintages of the Cuvée DD I have ever tasted! 2019-2055+." 95+ John Gilman

"The new release of Kalin Cellars Cuvée W chardonnay comes in at 13.9 percent octane and offers up a beautifully mature and complex bouquet of fresh apricot, honeyed apples, tangerine, toasted almonds, salty soil tones, brown butter and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, bright and zesty, with a superb core of fruit, great soil signature and superb length and grip on the precise, complex and very classy finish. The octane does show just a bit on the backend, as there is a whisper of warmth, but I can forgive it this in the face of the climate change we have been living in the face of since the late 1980s. I would’ve loved to have seen this wine at 13.2 or 13.3 percent, but it was not to be in 1996, and these old Wente Clones have still turned out a superb wine even at their higher octane level. 2020-2035." 92 Points John Gilman

"Soon to be released, the 2001 Sémillon was produced from vines planted in the 1880s in the Livermore Valley. As it approaches its 17th birthday, the wine is still remarkably youthful, opening in the glass with aromas of lemon oil, beeswax and honeysuckle, subtly framed by new oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, textural and bright, with impressive concentration and a vivid, chalky finish. This is quite a bit more reserved than the 2001 Sauvignon Blanc that Kalin Cellars released from the same Livermore Valley site a few years ago." 94 Points John Gilman

"The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is opaque purple-colored with aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, scorched earth, black currant, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by an opulent, very intense, complex Cabernet with gobs of savory fruit, exceptional depth, and enough structure to evolve for 6-8 years. This lengthy, classy effort will be at its best from 2015 to 2035.Don Melchor has been considered one of Chile's iconic wines since its inception in 1987" Jay Miller

"There were a handful of bottles of the 2002 Perrières still available at one of the best retailers in New York for Loire Valley wines, and when I was asked to do a Loire tasting for a gentleman’s fiftieth birthday soon after my return, I was ecstatic to find them in sufficient quantity for our crowd. The 2002 Perrières is a stunning bottle of wine that soars from the glass in a blaze of black raspberries, woodsmoke, tree bark, leather, a touch of game that recalls Morey St. Denis, a fine base of soil and a pungent topnote of violet. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, deep and intensely flavored, with beautiful focus and purity, great balance, melting tannins, tangy acids, and great length and grip on the finish. This is a beautiful bottle that may not possess the same power of the top 2005s here, but will always give them a run for their money with its boundless elegance and intensity of flavor. That this glorious bottle could still be found on a retailer’s shelf five years out from the vintage is almost incomprehensible. Certainly the stealth nature of Bourgueil cannot last forever, and one would be well-served to take advantage of the opportunities now, as some day the world will wake up and wines like this are going to be much more difficult to find." 94+ John Gilman

A lovely wine - from the Vendee - the closest appellation to the sea where the maritime influence rules. The jewel of the estate - the Clos Saint Andre, was purchased from the Taittinger family in 2006. Aged it concrete eggs, it's a Chenin-Blanc / Chardonnay blend from a vineyard that has historically been prized - but has only just been replanted and is producing at an elite level.

"Full-toned, black fruit jam aroma that persists pretty well, and is surrounded by some leather and mineral trimmings that bring a clear air to it. Decisive black fruit start to the palate, the fruit is very well modelled, has good integrity and rolls on well. A wine of classic structure, comes in an upright shape with a peppery end. The black fruit has a menthol tone that reins it in, and there is a little dark chocolate also present in the flavour. The balance is good, the tannins are fine. It has character of its own, not mainstream. Wait and enjoy its later harmony – it will be singing from 2012 on. 15.5°. 2024-26" **** John Livingstone-Learmonth

"Shiny, bright and inviting robe. Has a cool and calm bouquet that is quite open already – it gives menthol with grilling, smoky tea, violet and leather, is a good mixed bag. The palate offers fine juice black fruit, comes along in a sure, wavy way, picks up crisp tannins, a dentelle effect near the end. Interesting wine that has different facets; it possesses very good airborne qualities, and impresses me, as did the 2011; I really take to its purity. Châteauneuf-du-Pape in a Burgundian vein here, has chalky cut on the finish. Very good, stylish and classy. It is close to 6 stars. €40 at the cellars." ***** John Livingstone-Learmonth

"dark red; pistachio-caramel air to the nose, and baked fruits – red berry jam with a flash of cassis - with a spot of sweetness. The palate also has a sweet debut, with a spurt of tannin from half way. It suggests the lower River Ouvèze levels with its soft fleshiness (tasted blind). Blackcurrant comes into play especially near the end. A wine of some character that keeps going. It is a bit more intricate than it seems on first inspection" *** John Livingstone-Learmonth

"The nose gives a sweet central air of cassis with wood smoke, pine in attendance. The attack is tasty, and its suave black fruit, laced with oak, propels itself well. The oak overrides the finish for now. The finish is clear, long, has lift. This will have good style once the oak has absorbed. 13°. From mid-late 2017. 6,000 b. 2022-24" **** John Livingstone-Learmonth