“Among the best dry whites of Bordeaux and of Pessac Léognan, this wine combines richness, concentration and finesse. Like for the reds, the aromatic palette is both precise and full, with notes of citrus, green fruit, minerality and fine oak. On the palate, the concentration and length are exceptional.  Its potential for long ageing should be used to draw out all its quintessence.”  - Figaro Vin

The remarkable 2021 Montrose gets my nomination for the title of "wine of the vintage" in the Médoc. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis and dark berries mingled with subtle hints of mint, orange, pencil shavings and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered and multidimensional core of fruit underpinned by beautifully ripe, refined tannins. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, it entirely transcends the limitations of the year. This young classic, reminiscent of the estate's 1996 but far better, is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Drink 2031-2065.

The purity of fruit here is terrific, with redcurrants, blackcurrants, licorice, lead pencil and hints of fresh basil—so aromatic—that follow through to a full body with creamy, round tannins and lots of volume and fluidity in the center-palate for the vintage. Very structured at the end. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Leave this for at least five or six years. Try after 2030.

A deep, dark, opaque, glass-staining wine. Restrained, composed & perfumed on the nose with black fruits, cedar, raspberries, blackberries and violets. The palate is very concentrated & extremely refined. Its fine grained tannins are tightly knit, powerful & muscular but in harmony. An outstanding wine.

Polished and refined with a firm, fine and linear tannin structure. Harmonious. Perfumed violets, roses and subtle licorice. All in balance here, with precise layers of black fruit, minerals and pencil lead. Rather seamless. Firm, yet fine and sleek to the end. Very classy. Fine-velvet texture. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

Deep, dark, almost opaque ruby-red color with hints of purple at the rim. There are lovely licorice notes overlaying the bursting dark-fruit on the nose. The palate combines juicy dark fruit, licorice and some earthy grip. The wine has good acidity, warming alcohol & a very smooth texture on the finish. The fruit on the finish is ripe in character with black-cherry and black olive flavors.

" The 2016 Haut-Bages Libéral has turned out beautifully. Rose petals, lavender and sweet red cherry are some of the notes that grace this fine, translucent Pauillac. Medium in body and precise, with exquisite finesse and nuance, the 2016 is incredibly expressive today. This is a fabulous showing from proprietor Claire Villars Lurton. (AG)" (1/2019) -Vinous 95 points

The 2021 Gruaud Larose has turned out very nicely in bottle, unfurling in the glass with aromas of sweet wild berries, plums, violets and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and velvety, it's polished and seamless, with good depth at the core, supple tannins and lively acids. Drink 2025-2045.

The 2021 Duhart-Milon has turned out beautifully, offering up incipiently complex aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of orange zest, burning embers, pencil lead and iris. Medium to full-bodied, suave and polished, with a layered core of fruit, supple tannins and a long, sapid finish, it will offer a broad drinking window. Drink Date: 2027 - 2045

The 2021 Cos d'Estournel is one of the denser, more muscular wines of the vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, charcoal, sweet cigar wrapper and subtle hints of smoked meats, framed by a touch of toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's rich and quite concentrated for the vintage, with a chassis of sweet, generously extracted tannin and a long, lusty finish. Drink 2026-2045.

The wine has perfumed Cabernet Franc aromas with violet, spice and touches of black-fruit tannins. Smoky with tannins, a serious, dense structure and succulent richness, the wine is powerful, impressively rich, ready to drink from 2028.

Chateau Angelus in St. Emilion, Bordeaux's right bank has been in existence since 1782. Now operated by Stephanie de Bouard-Rivoal, who represents the 8th generation of the Bouard de Laforest family. Her goal is to ensure the Angelus name continues to represent excellence and timelessness. The Carillon d'Angelus is the second label of Chateau Angelus, this was first released fro the 1987 vintage. This wine is a red blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and is highly appreciated for its purity of fruit, velvety tannins and elegant finish. The high content of merlot makes it drinkable earlier in life, but can be aged for the next 8-12 years.

This wine is both weighty and stylish. Its power comes from luscious black fruits that are juicy and powerful. Expect this wine to age well and drink from 2024. Roger Voss

Aroma: An expressive bouquet featuring notes of ripe plum, honey, and almond, offering a complex and inviting profile. Palate: The palate is opulent and expansive, with captivating flavors of sweet plum, balanced acidity, and a hint of nuttiness. The palate is harmonious, with a long and subtle finish.

Fresh aromas of red fruit such as strawberries or cherry, with a floral touch. Round and fresh palate, which remind us of red fruits. It has a thin bubble and crown. The palate is fresh, cheerful and with a pleasant finish.

Cricova Cuvée Prestige Red Sweet offers a taste profile dominated by red and black fruit notes, with mentions of red currant, berry jam, and hints of apple. The wine also exhibits characteristics of currant jams and freshly crushed blueberries. It's described as sweet and tantalizing, with a good body and a long aftertaste.

The Johnnie Walker Discover Taste Pack offers a sampler of Johnnie Walker whiskies, each with distinct flavors and tasting notes. The pack includes: Johnnie Walker Red Label: A blend with vibrant, fresh, and spicy flavors, featuring apple and citrus notes, cinnamon, and pepper. Johnnie Walker Black Label: A smooth and rich blend, aged for at least 12 years, with notes of sweet fruit, spice, and vanilla, all wrapped in a cloak of smoke. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve: A smooth and luxurious blend with notes of honey, vanilla, and tropical fruit, with a subtle smoky hint. Other expressions: The pack may also include other Johnnie Walker expressions like Double Black, 18-Year-Old, and Blue Label, each with unique flavor profiles, according to The Beer Guy and Malt.

The Lochlea Ploughing Edition First Crop whisky features a nose of baked fruit with a subtle background of peat smoke. The palate offers notes of cooked apples, Brazil nuts, and a light, persistent peat smoke. The finish is described as having warming allspice and damp embers.

Triticale is a wheat/rye hybrid, which I guess appealed to the wheat-mad Dry Fly distillers. Aromas of grass, bubble gum, and oak. Taste is young, brashly sweet, but smooth enough to spread easily over the tongue. There’s spice—light cinnamon, a zip of allspice heat—and grassy brightness, but they’re dressing on the juicy sweet center. Not flawed, and well-made, but I wish it had more to say.

Nose: The Shetland Reel Blended Malt Scotch Whisky offers a delightful aroma of rich honey, vanilla, and caramel, with hints of dried fruits and a subtle touch of oak.

Taste: On the palate, this whisky reveals a smooth and creamy texture, accompanied by flavors of toffee, butterscotch, and a gentle spiciness. There are also notes of ripe apples and pears, complemented by a delicate smokiness.

Palate: The finish is long and warming, leaving a lingering sweetness of honey and vanilla, with a touch of oak and a hint of peat smoke. Overall, the Shetland Reel Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a well-balanced and flavorful expression, showcasing the best of Shetland's whisky-making tradition.

A discreet but appealing red wine, with firm tannins that already shows a great potential. The only Cote de Beaune appellation of the domaine.

Tbilvino Akhasheni is a semi-sweet red wine made from the Saperavi grape variety. It is known for its light berry color, ripe plum notes, and harmonious velvety taste with a subtle hint of chocolate. The wine has a pleasant acidity and is naturally sweet, with a finish that includes dark berries and spice notes.

This premium whisky is made with 4 grains: rye, wheat, barley and corn, and has been aged for 5 years. Notes of malt, vanilla, butter, caramel and citrus.

The XOP Macallan 30 Years Old 1993 whisky features a nose of beautiful sherry aromas, including raisins, plums, figs, and citrus notes like lemon and orange peels. The palate offers dark chocolate with pepper and coffee, alongside toasted brioche, leather, and subtle dried fruits. The finish is long, with tannins, cloves, and orange marmalade.

A wine with the complexity of an Estate, of two varieties and three vintages, which were made separately and aged in Bordeaux barrels, later to be blended in large 1,200-litre open barrels, or Fudres. There they were to remain for 16 months, allowing the wine to evolve, without tiring it too much due to its light contact with wood, respecting the essence of the Estate, gaining in complexity, and creating one of Finca Villacreces' most surprising wines.

R.Jelinek Premium Absinthe is characterized by a full-bodied aroma with a nose of fruity and fresh herbal notes. The palate offers a rich and balanced flavor, featuring soft, fresh, pure, fruity, aniseed, fennel, and herb notes. The finish is long-lasting and quite rich with a smooth texture.

With all the excellent qualities of this legendary wine from Pauillac, the blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot can be opened and enjoyed, especially if you like the Pauillac style of cassis, cedar, graphite and earth aromas and flavours.

Campania's favourite winemaker, Mastroberardino's entry level white is a blend of four native varieties: Coda di Volpe, Greco, Fiano and Falanghina. The nose recalls fresh flowers, pineapple, peach and citrus fruits, while on the palate, good freshness with balanced acidity and notes of citrus and exotic fruit.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is one of the smallest regions in Italy, yet also one of the mightiest. With a plethora of indigenous grape varieties not grown outside of the region, and even fewer producers that are embracing them, Zidarich is truly one of the best.

There are many “malvasia” named grapes within Italy, with some more quality than others. One of the best Malvasia grapes is Istriana, grown in the Friuli region as well as neighbouring Slovenia. Benjamin Zidarich practices biodynamic viticulture, picking grapes and bottling wine according to the phases of the moon. He will tell you that the grapes are grown by the sun and the earth, and the wine is grown by the moon.  The nose has notes of white peaches, oriental mixed spices, mineral, and stony notes. Maceration on the skins will give the wine slight tannins that overlay crunchy stone fruits, savoury herbs, and crushed stony minerality. 

This 12-year old brings a rich seam of subtle sweetness, serving its delightful repertoire of notes including red berries, rich vanilla caramel and peaches. Its gentle maturation in meticulously chosen Oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon casks give it an intriguing yet inviting complexity.

Bowmore 15 Year Old Sherry Oak is a single malt Scotch whisky matured for 15 years in European oak oloroso sherry casks and American oak ex-bourbon barrels, and finished in European oak oloroso sherry seasoned casks. It offers a rich, complex flavor profile with notes of dark chocolate, dried fruit, baking spice, and a subtle hint of smoke. The palate features flavors of licorice, clove, toffee, and Turkish delight.

The Château Prieuré-Lichine 2016 is a Margaux wine known for its elegant, floral, and silky character. It offers a medium-bodied palate with notes of black fruit, red fruit, and spices, complemented by a long finish with fine, grippy tannins. The wine is described as having a rich and velvety red color with deep violet reflections.

The Château Cos Labory 2016 offers a vibrant and balanced experience, described by critics as "bold, racy, and flamboyant". It showcases red-toned fruit with notes of bright red cherry, blood orange, spice, and wild flowers, along with aromas of cassis, plums, and herbs. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant, and fresh, with fine-grained tannins. The finish is long and persistent, leaving a lasting impression.

The 2016 Pagodes de Cos is deep garnet in color. It gallops out with vibrant notes of crushed blackcurrants, warm blackberries, and Morello cherries, plus suggestions of tilled soil, tapenade, and iron ore. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is wonderfully elegant, with delicately played, silky tannins and fantastic tension framing the perfumed fruit, finishing on a mineral note.

The 6th release in Truth Malters Lunar Zodiac series: The Year of the Snake, is a cask of Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Malt Whisky. Drawn from Cask #001, this is Kavalan’s first-ever Fino sherry private cask, and it is 11 years old!

The roots of Domaine Parent date back to the 17th century. Currently the domaine is being run by the 12th generation - Anne Parent and her sister Catherine Fages-Parent. Anne is self-taught, following the lunar cycle and principles of biodynamics to express all the peculiarities of each plot. The small 1.3ha site of Les Croix Noires is located just south of Pommard village. Strong, yet elegant, this Pinot Noir is well-balanced in structure between wood/tannins and acidity.

Les Charmots is a lieu-dit in the north of the village of Pommard. The soils are clay and limestone-based and add a structure to this bolder red Burgundy. The vines have an average age of 100 years and the wines from here are among some of the best in Pommard. This 100% Pinot is expressive and charming with red berry spice notes.

Etienne Julien presents a high-quality Nuits-Saint-Georges with his balanced 2019 vintage! The nose reveals black fruit lard notes, violets and undeniable minerals. Spices and slightly woody notes take over as it evolves. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and drinkability despite everything. It has a potential to be kept for 10 years.

The Le Clarence Haut-Brion is the 2nd wine of the first growth Chateau Haut-Brion. It was in 2007 that this wine was renamed Le Clarence Haut-Brion as a tribute to Clarence Dillon, who acquired the property in 1935. This blend of 73% Merlot, 16% Cabernet France and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon has fruity red fruits on the nose with a smooth, concentrated palate.This a charming, pleasant wine.

At the tasting, the wine reveals a dress of a pretty peach pink, pale and bright. Its delicate aromas bring very refreshing fruit notes such as pink grapefruit, vine peach and red berries. On the palate, the wine expresses freshness and greed through a subtle balance. The finish, elegant and refined, revives the taste buds.