Celebrate intelligence, grace, and charm with Crystal Head Limited Edition Lunar New Year of the Snake. Featuring a stunning serpent-inspired design, this beautifully crafted bottle is both a work of art and a premium vodka, perfect for Lunar New Year festivities.

If you're looking for an alternative to the expensive Grange, try Bin 407. Still muscular with full flavours of blackcurrant, cedar, dark chocolate, and pepper, it's that big Australian style one might be looking for.

20% whole cluster and 80% whole berry fruit is hand-loaded into 225-500 liter new French oak barrels for a 100% barrel fermentation for a period of 28 days, allowing seamless oak integration. The fermentation temperature is kept low, extracting intense aromas, and the cap management is done by hand to ensure soft, gentle flavors and tannin extraction. Wild yeasts. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel leaves considerable lees and sediment. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

The nose of this wine is characterized by its fruity profile, offering a rich intensity of fruit with notes of fleshy red berries, crushed red berries, and hints of violet and blackcurrant. There are also nuances of fleshy plum, black tea, lily, saffron, and a subtle hint of vanilla. On the palate, it exhibits a mineral freshness and balance, with a defined fruitiness and roundness. The tannic structure is finely tightened, accompanied by a pleasant juiciness and a coating texture. Flavors of fleshy red berry, crushed raspberry, and pulpy red plum dominate, complemented by floral hints, iodine salinity, and subtle notes of liquorice, tobacco, graphite, and mocha. The tannins are smooth, with background nuances of toasted hazelnut and blueberry adding complexity.

"The 2016 Branaire Ducru has a fragrant bouquet of plush blackberry and graphite aromas, hints of bilberry and briar developing in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is quite succulent and multilayered, offering supple tannin and gentle grip on the finish. Real potential here. One of the best Branaire Ducru in recent years. Chapeau! Drink 2023-2055." -Neal Martin, vinous.com (Jan 2019)

96 points - James Suckling

It has a deep ruby color and a complex aroma of black fruits, spices, and a hint of vanilla. On the palate, it is full-bodied with a smooth and velvety texture, and flavors of blackberry, plum, and chocolate. The wine has a long and persistent finish with a touch of oak. It is a great pairing for grilled meats, stews, and strong cheeses. Overall, Montes Wings Carmenere is a well-balanced and elegant wine that showcases the unique character of the Carmenere grape.

96/100 Jeb Dunnuck
"I've always loved the Chardonnay from this team, and their Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch has that classic richer, full-bodied style while staying balanced and light on its feet. Buttered lemons, tangerines, green almond, and toasty notes all make an appearance, and it's incredibly textured, with nicely integrated acidity and one heck of a finish. This powerful Chardonnay is going to impress right out of the gate."

Winemaker Notes
Blend: 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon Product Description:
"Château Pavie Macquin owes its name to the grand-father of the current owners Albert Macquin (1852-1911), who used plant grafting as a way to save the Saint-Emilion vineyard, destroyed by phylloxera. The vineyard of Pavie Macquin, a family property of fifteen hectares, is located on the top of the Saint-Emilion plateau.
The clay and limestone soil, on a chalk/an asteriated limestone bedrock, allows a natural draining and an exceptionally continuous water supply. Strong clays result in fleshy, generous and powerful wines. The winemaker has to tame the natural power of the terroir in order to make this exceptional graceful wine." - Winery
Tasting notes:
Nose:violet, rose, truffle, earth, coffee, leather, tobacco, broccoli, berry, flower, currant, blackberry, cherry, cedar and cigar box
Taste:currant, black cherry, plum, bell pepper, olive, oak, smoke, toast, tar, tobacco, raspberry, cassis, violet, pepper, green bean, blackberry, cherry, asparagus, spice, ginger and vanilla

The palate is soft and seductive, with integrated, ripe tannins subsumed by fleshy black fruit. Oily black cherries with a long, fruit-laden finish, this will be approachable and moreish from the outset. Gorgeous aromas of currants, crushed stones, blackberries and flowers.

Jane Anson 96 Points for Inside Bordeaux: "The 2016 Fleur Cardinale is a muscular, beautiful and profound wine full of olive tapendade, tar, smoked earth, and tons of liquorice, bitter chocolate shavings, cassis and blueberry fruits. Things close in to a slate textured finish that gives balance and makes your mouth water, and as things open you get clearer peony floral aromatics curling out of the glass. This was the point at which the Decoster family were really making me sit up and take notice of what was happening at Fleur Cardinale, and it is starting to sing as five years old." (11/2021)

The 2001 Léoville Las Cases is a vintage I’ve encountered many times. Now at two decades old, it has a generous nose with those black plums still in situ, along with graphite and cedar; this bottle is a little more backward, probably due to the provenance. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, white pepper and sage and fine grip. Though it’s not as precise or chiseled as recent vintages, there is admirable complexity on the lightly peppered, tobacco- and rooibos-tinged finish. Excellent. 2021 - 2050

Decanter-96/100points
This has an expansive mid palate that promises raspberry, redcurrant, rosemary and orange peel notes, along with pulses of minerality and a slate-textured finish. Definitely not a wine that needs to be left just for the summer months, this is a brilliant rose that delivers on expectations.

The history of Chateau Duhart-Milon is not as well known as it should be. In the 18th century the wines of Milon became the "second" wine for Chateau Lafite. The 1855 classification awarded Duhart-Milon the only 4th growth in Pauillac, recognizing it for the quality of its soil. Sometime between 1830-1840 35 acres was left to the Casteja family who subsequently possessed a 99acre vinyard name Duhart-Milon. Over the years the property changed hands many times and suffered a decline in the quality of the wines. The property was acquired in 1962 by the Rothschild family who totally overhauled the vineyards and brought back the quality of the wine as a 4th growth. The 2019 Duhart-Milon is a red Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with an up front fruity nose of black currant and blackberry, along with typical Pauillac nuances of pencil shavings, forest floor and cedar. Round, layered and creamy through the palate this wine has excellent potential for great ageing Drink from 2025-2045.

"The 2016 Durfort-Vivens is gorgeous. Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics and structure play off the natural intensity of the year beautifully. Blackberry, grilled herbs, licorice, leather and crème de cassis are all vividly sketched in this layered, expressive Margaux. (AG) " --- Vinous (1/2019)

96 points - James Suckling

Pristine, attractive fruit with perfume and freshness. Dark-berry and plum notes, as well as cassis and brambleberries, define the character of both nose and palate. The tannins are saturated in ripe dark berries and plums and deliver a superbly fresh, shimmering, dark-fruited finish. Wow-factor is strong here in 2016.

Aged for a minimum of five years, the Padelletti Brunello di Montalcino Reserva is a premium red wine that is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes grown in the Montalcino region of Tuscany, Italy. This wine is characterized by its deep ruby color, intense aromas of dark fruit, leather, and spice, and its full-bodied, complex flavor profile that is marked by notes of black cherry, tobacco, and vanilla. The wine is aged in oak barrels for three years, followed by two years of bottle aging, which gives it a smooth, velvety texture and a long, lingering finish. This wine is a perfect accompaniment to hearty meat dishes, aged cheeses, and rich pasta dishes.

Another well known Chateau from Margaux, this popular third growth of the 1855 Classification offers great value/quality from Margaux. With a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 20% Merlot, this is a ‘pretty' wine with floral and black tea notes interwoven with the plum, red cherry, cassis, cedar, and graphite. A classy wine that can be enjoyed now.

The Ricasoli Ceniprimo Chianti Classico is a red wine made from Sangiovese grapes grown in the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, Italy. It has a deep ruby color and aromas of ripe red fruit, black cherry, and a hint of spice. On the palate, it is full-bodied with a balanced acidity and tannins, and flavors of cherry, plum, and a touch of vanilla. The finish is long and persistent, with a pleasant aftertaste of fruit and spice. This wine is perfect to pair with grilled meats, pasta dishes, and aged cheeses.

94 points - James Suckling "The 2016 La Tour Blanche has an extremely well defined bouquet featuring intense honeyed, botrytis-rich fruit, supremely well focused and conveying fine terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with viscous honeyed fruit laced with orange zest, marmalade, ginger and quince. There is a wonderful sense of harmony here. Persistent in the mouth while maintaining superb tension. Impressive. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2023 - 2050" 96 points -Neal Martin, vinous.com, August 2020

93-96 points -Wine Spectator "This is packed with fig, boysenberry and raspberry fruit flavors that keep cascading over one another while enticing anise and plum cake notes fill in throughout. Gorgeous mouthfeel, with a creamy, rounded edge, yet never giving up a generally racy and focused feel. (JM)" (4/2017)

Winemaker Notes

A wine of good density ruby red, with brown, mahogany, biscuit hints. The rim is fairly thick and the legs are fine, clear, abundant and regular. At once expressive, forthright and complex. There are notes of all families of fragrance: fruit, flowers, and spices. The attack is forthright, round and suave, soothing even. The intense aromas initially recall the complexity of the nose. There is leather and lightly charred wood, and roasted notes. The beauty of the wine is revealed by its elegance rather than its full-flavor. The wine has an attractive aromatic range with a finish of remarkable elegance.

The watchword for this wine is style. Tannins underline the fruit. This rich structure, while not losing the swaths of berry flavors and crisp black currants, presents the balance between the ripeness and freshness of the vintage. Drink this wine from 2024. Roger Voss

The 2019 La Fleur-Pétrus dares to outshine Trotanoy this year, wafting from the glass with aromas of rich berry fruit, plum preserve, dark chocolate, cigar box and spices. Full-bodied, rich and enveloping, it's broad and layered, with beautifully polished tannins, a ripe core of fruit and a seamless, enveloping profile. This is an elegantly muscular, generous Pomerol whose sumptuous personality reflects the warm, dry vintage. Drink Date 2025 - 2055

Consecutive vintage of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This year’s blend consists of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 337 from their “Big K” vineyard, and 5% Cabernet Franc from their “Upper Bowl” vineyard. Deep aromatics, piercing and precise, a full rich saturated mouth feel, and a long-lasting multi-layered finish define this exemplary blend. Enjoy now or decades from now.

Pairs well with: Lamb

Winemaker Notes

A wine of good density ruby red, with brown, mahogany, biscuit hints. The rim is fairly thick and the legs are fine, clear, abundant and regular. At once expressive, forthright and complex. There are notes of all families of fragrance: fruit, flowers, and spices. The attack is forthright, round and suave, soothing even. The intense aromas initially recall the complexity of the nose. There is leather and lightly charred wood, and roasted notes. The beauty of the wine is revealed by its elegance rather than its full-flavor. The wine has an attractive aromatic range with a finish of remarkable elegance.

"The 2016 Durfort-Vivens is gorgeous. Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics and structure play off the natural intensity of the year beautifully. Blackberry, grilled herbs, licorice, leather and crème de cassis are all vividly sketched in this layered, expressive Margaux. (AG) " --- Vinous (1/2019)

96 points - James Suckling

Rich and dramatic, the 2019 Valandraud bursts with aromas of berry fruit, plums and licorice, framed by a lavish but far from exaggerated application of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, fleshy and sensual, it's broad and enveloping, its lavish core of fruit framed by ripe, polished tannins and succulent balancing acids.

There is 52% Merlot in the blend and it shows in an enticing, opulent aroma of plum and blackberry. A little more backward than the other wines in the Haut-Brion stable so far, but all the ingredients are there to make a brilliant wine. There is a great depth of ripe fruit, impressively fine tannins, lovely balance and excellent length. It is superbly fresh and has exceptional potential for the future.
(52% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot)

The 2019 Château Lascombes is a highly acclaimed, second-growth Margaux, generally described as a powerful yet balanced and elegant wine, often considered one of the best in recent years. It is characterized by its deep, opulent fruit and polished tannic structure.

The 2021 Léoville Las Cases has turned out beautifully in bottle and clearly numbers among the very finest wines of the vintage. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated with a deep and multidimensional core of fruit framed by beautifully refined tannins and girdled by lively acids, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Serious and structured without being austere, it's a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and a mere 5% Merlot. Drink 2031-2065.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 70%, Merlot: 30%
Drinking Window: 2014-2045

96 Points - Neal Martin, Vinous
"The 2009 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux is a splendid example of this second wine’s quality. It presents an expressive bouquet of dark fruits, floral notes, and cedar. On the palate, it is full-bodied and well-balanced with velvety tannins and a seamless texture. Layers of blackcurrant, plum, and subtle spice build through to a long, refined finish. This wine is seductive yet structured, demonstrating excellent ageing potential and the hallmark elegance of Margaux.”

Blend: 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2020-2047

96 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2012 Château Cheval Blanc is an exceptional wine from this renowned Saint-Émilion estate. It displays a deep, vibrant ruby color and a complex bouquet that combines aromas of ripe black cherries, blackcurrants, and plums with hints of graphite, fresh tobacco, and spice. Floral notes of violets and subtle hints of cedar and sweet baking spices emerge with aeration. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with silky, well-integrated tannins providing a plush texture. The wine shows remarkable purity and freshness, combining vibrant fruit intensity with an elegant structure and an underlying minerality characteristic of the estate’s terroir. Flavors of black fruit are layered with nuances of dark chocolate, licorice, and a touch of earthiness. The finish is long, refined, and persistent, with balanced acidity giving the wine excellent aging potential. This vintage is a classic example of Cheval Blanc’s finesse and power and is expected to evolve beautifully over the next two decades."

Blend: 30% merlot and 5% cabernet franc and petit verdot combined
Drinking Window: 2028-2045

96 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 Lascombes represents another important step for Lascombes under its current leadership. Silky and elegant, with notable depth, the Grand Vin impresses with its textural resonance and persistence. New leather, licorice, lavender and incense weave through a core of dark-toned fruit. Lascombes is shaping up to be one of the sleepers of 2024. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. Impressive. Tasted three times."

Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2027-2045

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
"The Grand Vin is based on 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc that included 11.3% of press, saw malolactic fermentation in barrel, and will spend 18 months in 80% new barrels. Its deeper ruby/purple hue is followed by a beautifully pure, layered, elegant, and medium-bodied Margaux that has both red and blue fruits, some violet, spicy wood, and cedar pencil nuances, fine, polished tannins, and outstanding length. This hit 12.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.53."

Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2026-2045

97 Points - James Suckling
"A precise, classic vintage showing depth of fruit, but with beautiful austerity and minerals. Mostly red fruit, with touches of dark cherries and currants. Medium- to full-bodied with very fine-etched tannins and lots of brightness. So long and refined in the finish, showing restraint. 51% cabernet sauvignon, 46.5% merlot and 2.5% cabernet franc."

Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2026-2045

97 Points - James Suckling
"A precise, classic vintage showing depth of fruit, but with beautiful austerity and minerals. Mostly red fruit, with touches of dark cherries and currants. Medium- to full-bodied with very fine-etched tannins and lots of brightness. So long and refined in the finish, showing restraint. 51% cabernet sauvignon, 46.5% merlot and 2.5% cabernet franc."

Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2027-2055

96 Points - James Suckling
"Good, pure fruit with scented violets, black cherries and some currants. Full-bodied and richer than most from the vintage, with lots of fresh, dusty tannins and impressive concentration. Fresh, pure, compact and long."

"While this wine has density and richness, the structure gives it an ageworthy shape. Its power is tamed and given sophistication, while acidity and black-plum flavors give freshness. The wine will be impressive. Drink from 2024. Roger Voss" - 96/100, Wine Enthusiast