2019 Gallica - Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is shaping up be another jewel of a wine from Rosemary Cakebread. Ample and explosive, the Cabernet shows all of the natural richness of the vintage in spades. Whereas the 2018 is bright and somewhat reticent, the 2019 is ver...

2020 Gangloff - Cote Rotie Sereine Noire

Glass-staining violet. Displays expansive, highly perfumed aromas of black raspberry and boysenberry, with exotic spice, violet oil, smoky mineral and incense notes building in the glass. Densely packed yet almost shockingly energetic on the palate, of...

2019 Georges Noellat - Grands Echezeaux

For the first time, Maxime Chuerlin decided to use stems in his crown jewel, the 2019 Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, settling on 25% whole bunch for this year. This was an astute decision, because it lends freshness and more complexity to the bouquet of blac...

2018 Guigal - Hermitage Ex Voto Rouge

Last of the 2018s, the 2018 Hermitage Ex Voto shows a riper, more sunny profile and has a killer nose of ripe blackberries, cassis, spice, game, woodsmoke, and bacon fat. The tannins from Hermitage always have a different feel from the Côte Rôtie releases...

2016 Guigal - Cote Rotie La Landonne

The 2016 Cote Rotie La Landonne is showing a bit more grip than last time I tasted it, with hints of green coffee bean on the nose alongside ripe black cherries and a heap of dried spices. Medium to full-bodied, with ample concentration and plenty of tann...

2019 Guigal - Cote Rotie La Mouline

The 2019 Côte Rôtie La Mouline is a bigger, richer Côte Rôtie. Co-fermented with a solid chuck of Viognier and around 85% destemmed (the same as the La Turque), this full-bodied effort has a kaleidoscope-like bouquet of bloody black and blue fruits, tapen...

2017 Jaboulet - Hermitage La Chapelle

2021 Karl Erbes - Urziger In der Kranklei Beerenauslese HALF BOTTLE (375ml)

Based on 90% to 95% botrytised grapes, the golden-yellow 2021 Ürziger In der Kranklei Riesling Beerenauslese offers a concentrated, piquant and minerally fresh nose with stewed apricot, candied lemon and flinty slate aromas. Rich but fine, the palate is v...

2021 Lail - Cabernet Sauvignon Napa J.Daniel Cuvee

Lail's 2021 J. Daniel Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon blends lots from several high-end vineyards, including Heimark (Calistoga), Vine Hill Ranch (Oakville) and Steltzner (Stags Leap), plus Lail's own Mole Hill on Howell Mountain. It's an exciting wine, starting...

2004 Lopez de Heredia - Rioja Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco

I was very much looking forward to the 2004 Viña Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva, the next vintage of this wine after the spectacular 2001. 2004 was a perfect climate year. This is a developed white that was matured in well-seasoned, neutral American oak bar...

2022 Louis Jadot - Chambertin Clos de Beze (PRE ARRIVAL)

The 2022 Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Grand Cru is an exquisitely defined bouquet with layers of pure red fruit, crushed rock, and a light sea spray influence, very focused and conveying a sense of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins...

2020 Louis Jadot - Chambertin

The 2020 Chambertin Grand Cru has a magnificent bouquet with delineated redcurrant, raspberry and strawberry scents, quite pixelated in style, very focused and shimmering with tension. The palate is extremely well balanced with fine but firm tannins that ...

2020 Louis Jadot - Bonnes Mares

The 2020 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru is very pure and harmonious on the nose with plush black cherry and cassis fruit, well-integrated oak and a floral aspect that becomes more prominent with time. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut ...

2020 Louis Latour Chevalier Montrachet Demoiselles

Some people think that Grand Cru white Burgundy is always big and rich, but this shows how certain of those sites are all about elegance and refinement. On the mid-palate there's wonderful silkiness, then the minerality builds and builds at the finish. A ...

2017 Massolino - Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda

The 2017 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda is flat out stunning. All the purest essence of Rionda comes through in a captivating Barolo that dazzles. Sweet red cherry fruit, kirsch, rose petal, licorice and blood orange are some of the many aromas and flavor...

2019 Quinta Do Noval - Porto Nacional Vintage Port

The 2019 Vintage Port Nacional is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz, aged for 18 months in old wood. It was bottled May 4, 2021, with 100 grams of residual sugar and 19.4% alcohol. This opened rathe...

2019 Rampolla - Toscana Rosso IGT Vigna d'Alceo

This is a classic beauty. The 2019 d'Alceo, made with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, is dark and enriched, but magically, it is never heavy or bulky. It carries its weight with feather-like grace backed by dry tannins and lovely fruit layeri...

2012 Rayas - Chateauneuf du Pape (750ml)

The 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réservé is at the start of its broad drinking window. Prominent kirsch liqueur, forest floor, strawberry compote, dried meat, rosemary, pressed violets and sage are only some of the many aromas and flavors that jump out of ...