This wine is in peak condition. The tannins and the secondary flavors dominate this ripe leather-textured wine. The fruit is all there as well: dried berries and hints of black-plum skins. It is a major wine right at the point of drinking with both the mature flavors and the fruit in the right balance.

A wine that transcends the vintage's challenges, the 2021 Figeac is performing brilliantly in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries and cherries mingled with striking top notes of violet, rose petal, iris and mint. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and suave, it's pure and vibrant, its enveloping core of fruit framed by ultra-refined tannins, concluding with a long, floral finish. Readers in the habit of drinking top grand cru Burgundy are liable to find themselves seduced by this immensely elegant, perfumed Saint-Émilion, a wine I'll definitely be adding to my own cellar. It's the result of gamble that paid off, as Figeac's team chose to wait to pick their Cabernet Sauvignon despite the menace of forecast rain—a menace that, in fact, scarcely transpired. The 2021 saw a somewhat shorter-than-usual élevage of 16 months in barrel without fining. Drink 2027-2050.

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.

A serious, age-worthy vintage of La Mission Haut Brion here. With a deep, dark, rich hue, the wine pops from the glass with its smoky essence made even better by its layers of black currants, black plums, tar, herbs, cigar box, and tobacco accents. The palate is full-bodied, powerful, rich, intense, mouth-filling, and long. Everything is in balance, meshing power with precision, purity, freshness, length, and complexity. Like all the great vintages of La Mission Haut Brion , this is going to demand time in the cellar before it unfurls and displays all it has to offer. Drink from 2036-2060. 98 Points

Maison Louis Jadot is one of the most trusted and revered wine houses in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. Frédéric Barnier, Jadot’s esteemed winemaker, and his team balance tradition and technology, focusing on the purest expression of each wine’s terroir.  Founded in 1859, the house now owns 528 acres of vineyards, including 280 acres of the Cote d’Or’s most prestigious Premier and Grand Cru plots. The origin of Chambertin comes from one of the owners whose name was Bertin and who had the idea to plant vineyards close to the climat used by monks. Chambertin comes from Champ de Bertin. The Chambertin vineyard is situated on a chalky soil in the depth and clayey at the surface, which makes the wine both powerful and round. It boasts impressive body and depth, showcasing the true character of this esteemed Grand Cru vineyard. The flavors are intense and vibrant, with a remarkable hint of minerality.

The Grand Cru is a powerful wine with a structure similar to Côte de Nuits wines. The vineyard orientation allows to elaborate a wine with silky tannins and harmonious acidity. Les Grèves is a South east exposure vineyard based on a siliceous soil. This gives power and delicacy to the wine.

Named after the Roman emperor who restored vine planting in France, this wine has structure and a dense texture. It is balanced with a good freshness to it and a poise in its step.

The wine presents aromas of spice, black fruit, cherry and licorice. The tannins are dense, and the palate is fresh and elegant. Notes of jam and black cherry.

Cherry-red in appearance, the nose develops a fresh, light, subtly spicy aroma of white pepper. Dominantly fruity, with cherries and strawberries. This dominance is echoed on the palate, with a round, fruity attack and light tannins. The finish is supple, in keeping with the ensemble. An accessible wine with generous fruit.

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

"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

1 Bottle Each of the following wines:
Ausone 100 JS / 99 VM / 98+ WA
Cheval Blanc 100 WA / 100 JS / 100 VM 
Haut-Brion 100 JS / 98+ JD / 98 VM / 98 WA
Lafite Rothschild 100 WA / 100 JS / 98 JA 
Margaux 100 WA / 100 JS / 100 JA 
La Mission Haut-Brion 100 JD / 99 WA / 99 JA
Mouton Rothschild 99 JS / 99 AG / 98+ WA 
Petrus 100 JD / 98 VM / 98 JA / 98 DE 
Yquem 98 VM / 97+ WI / 97 JA / 97 DE

The wine has a rich colour with a garnet hue. The nose opens on blackberry notes mingled with refined hints of roasted coffee beans. With airing, noble and delicate notes of graphite, flint and cocoa round off this very attractive array of aromas.

This is really excellent with creamy tannins and a lovely berry, currant and blueberry character. Full and luscious for the vintage. Superb. Second wine of Ausone.

The vineyard of Vosne-Romanée covers about 240 ha on Vosne-Romanée and Flagey-Echezeaux. The village of Vosne-Romanée, situated at the heart of the Côte de Nuits, is comprised of six fabulous Grands Crus such as Romanée-Conti, Tâche, Richebourg… whereas its neighbor, Flagey-Echezeaux, shelters Echezeaux and Grands-Echezeaux. The production of Grands Crus represents ¼ of the vineyard. Les Echezeaux itself covers only 34.8 hectares, at an altitude varying between 230 and 300 meters above sea level, with a rather complex mixture of soils: limestone, red silt, marl…

A mild and very wet winter led to an early and even budbreak. The damp weather lasted all the way through Spring accompanied by some very cool temperatures. Miraculously, full flowering took place between the 7th and the 11th of June which was a 5-day period of lovely weather and relatively hot temperatures. These conditions encouraged a quick and uniform flowering followed by a good return of fruit. The midpoint of the colour change of the berries happened around the 10th of August, with excellent uniformity across all the grape varieties. Despite these unpredictable swings of Nature; the heat and the absence of rain, the vines could maintain a healthy foliage right up to the beginning of the harvest thanks both to the water reserves and to the ploughing of the plots. Harvesting started 8 days late. Light showers at the beginning of September and a lovely Indian summer during the picking meant that all the grape varieties achieved perfect ripeness and a healthy condition placing the 2016 vintage among the great vintages.

Winegrowers since 1860, Domaine Barge continues its family owned business with 5.7 ha in Cote-Rotie, 1 ha in Condrieu and 1.5ha in Saint-Joseph. A typical Cote-Rotie with 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier delivers a refined, classic nose of raspberries, pepper, and a touch of cedar and spice. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, with fine-grained tannins, balanced acidity and grip.This has the elegant profile one finds often in bottlings made exclusively from the Côte Blonde vineyard of Cote-Rotie.

The Vignobles Dubard Estate, founded in 1977 by two brothers and their sister, now brings together four dynamic family-owned wineries located on the right bank of the river Dordogne in the South West of France: Chateau Laulerie, Chateau Les Farcies du Pech, Chateau La Croix Romane, and Chateau Bel-Air/ Vieux Barrail. This is malbec as it's meant to be: distinctive aromas of spice and herbs, elegantly structured, memorable.

The 2016 is a red wine blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The wine has notes of black fruit and cocoa bean on the noes with a dense texture and elegant tannins. The palate is full-bodied with notes of black currant, pencil shavings and spice that lead into a very pleasant long finish. Drink from 2026-2036.

This wine shows an earthy but fresh nose which evolves into fruity glimpses on the palate. The flavors' weight, from light to medium, contribute to a beautiful balance and length, one of the best in its range.

Louis Latour's vineyards cover 50 ha and includes the largest collection of Grand Cru in Burgundy, not to mention a name synonymous with quality. En Chevret vineyard is located in the Volnay appellation; an eastern exposition located close to Mersault. It has a bright ruby color and aromas of red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, as well as floral and spice notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and well-structured, with flavors of ripe fruit, earth, and subtle oak nuances. This is an elegant wine with supple tannins and a round, slightly woody finish.

Le Grappin began in 2011 with a vision to seek out special sites in the over-looked, under-appreciated reaches of Burgundy and to seek out viticulteurs who tend their vines throughout the year with exceptional care and attention, to give the grapes the best opportunity to shine. This wine comes from the Beaune Premier Cru, made from 100% Pinot Noir from 40 year old vines. It has aromas of red berries, black cherry, and a hint of earth. On the palate, it is dry, medium-bodied, well-balanced, and elegant, with flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and a touch of spice with a long smooth finish.

Bright deep purple colour. On the nose, it develops powerful aromas of red berries, cherry, and raspberry, enhanced by toasted and spicy nuances. Well-balanced, it is powerful and full-bodied with concentrated aromas of fruit and liquorice. Ripe tannins give the wine a velvety texture.

Appearance : Nice deep ruby robe, limpid and brilliant
Bouquet : Open and pleasant aromas on blackberry and other black berry fruits
so typical from the wines from Côte de Nuits, backed by nice touch of toasted
bread
In the mouth : Full of fruits, powerful and complex at the same time ! Flavours
of undergrowth and blueberry. Tannins are well integrated and the wine is very
elegant and long lasting

After a classic winter, spring settled down with warm températures, but fabulous weather in April slowed down the vines’ evolution. May was rainy and was followed by a warm summer with heat waves. However, a few thunderstorm épisodes brought enough rain to allow the maturation of the grapes to continue. The harvest started in early September with an excellent sanitary level of the grapes. Vinification: whole bunch fermentation for approximately two weeks; the wines are then aged in our XVth century cellar for a period between 14 and 18 months—moderate use of new oak.

Tasting: Dark ruby colour. Delicate floral fragrances (violet) mixed with red berries and plum aromas with a hint of vanilla. Well-balanced and complex. Dense and velvety texture. Well-integrated tannins. Long aftertaste. GUIDE BETTANE & DESSEAUVE 2020 : Score 16/20 - JANCIS ROBINSON : 16/20 - BURGHOUND : Score 88-91/100

Food pairing: Game (pheasant), poultry and all the classic cheeses (Epoisses, Langres).

Located in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the Dufuoleur family has been steeped in Burgundian winemaking and culture for more than 400 years. Their property of 30ha runs from the village of Fixin in the north to Santenay in the south. The Fraîches Eaux Nuits-Saint-Georges is a very small plot planted to Pinot Noir grapes with an average age of 45 years. Aromas of blackthorn, strawberry and cherry dominated with further nuances of tobacco, candied strawberry and forest floor notes on the palate. Nuits-Saint-Georges offers more full-bodied examples of Pinot Noir and this wine is no exception.

For six generations, Domaine Noellat has been farming their 20ha of land. With entreprenurial spirit, the family was always looking to adapt to new technologies, whilst respecting the traditions handed down from one generation to another. The cellar was built in 1980, then in 2007 an ultra modern winery was erected with state of the art stainless tanks and a dedicated tasting space in the cellar. Cousins Sebastien and Sophie work closely together making strategic decisions based on the nature of each harvest. The pinot noir grapes are all hand harvested and 100% de-stemmed, stainless steel fermentation, then ageing for 16 months in 70% new barrels. The wine shows ripe cherries, red currant and earthy notes with medium body, and silky tannins. Great ageability on this wine; put this away for a few years yet. Drink to 2060.

Violet combines in a most subtle fashion with gentle vanilla on the perfumed nose. A slight cloud of flinty reduction has nothing on them. The palate is supremely elegant, translucent and so subtle that every nuance of red-fruited finesse gets its moment in the light. This is elegance squared. Beautiful, poised, exquisite and lasting.

Domaine Harmand -Geoffroy is a family owned winery dating back to the 19th century. The family owns 22ha of vineyards in the prestigious Gevrey-Chambertin appellation. Most of the vines are over 50-years old, some reaching 85 years. The Lavaux St. Jacques is a Premier Cru vineyard located just west of the village of Gevrey-Chambertin. This 9.5ha vineyard is planted entirely to Pinot Noir and is considered to be one of the best Premier Cru in the region. The resulting wines are rich and lush. Matured in 50% new oak, this 100% pinot noir shows mineral intensity with spicy black fruit overlaying an earthy core. This powerful wine needs time to reveal its inner layers, but an underlying sense of freshness promises that this wine will age for decades.

The Tollot-Beaut family is a based at Chorey-Les-Beaune with vineyards located in Beaune, Savigny, Aloxe-Corton and a small holding in Corton Charlemagne. The 2020 Corton Grand Cru, which comes from Les Combes as usual (though not on the label), has a lovely nose with brambly red fruit, black truffle and subtle pencil box aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, very fine tension and an almost sorbet-fresh, quite mouth-coating finish. It will require time in bottle...but this Corton will be worth the wait.

The Premier Cru of Les Epenots is one of Pommard's best known names, referring to thethree climats of Les Grands Epenots, Les Petits Epenot and Clos des Epeneaux. These wines can be labelled under these individual names or as "Epenots". All vineyards are planted to Pinot Noir and are considered some of the best -rich and structured with spicy, earthy overtones and considerable elegance. The Parent Les Epenotsis 100% Pinot Noir and very expressive and complex with violet and red fruit aromas of cherry raspberry. The mouth is fleshy and concentrated, and the tannins are fine, velvety, and elegant.

This Chateau in St. Emilion was purchased in 2011 by Clarence Dillon, and renamed to Chateau Quintus. The 'V' as used in Quintus is the Roman numeral 5 that characterises the slopes and plots of the vines facing four cardinal points and bowing before the sky, yet also depicting the 5th winery owned within the Domaine Clarence Dillon family. The dragon statue with a 6-metre wingspan that sits atop the promontory, has become a symbol for the estate and is depicted on all the bottles of Chateau Quintus. The 2015 was warm and sunny and with this ideal weather, has become one of the greatest vintages of the Right Bank. A red wine blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc, the nose has a rich, complex bouquet of blackberries, currants and spicy plums with a touch of graphite. Perfectly balanced with plush tannins, stony minerality and a long finish. Ready to drink, but can be aged for another 10-15 years.

A third growth in the 1855 Classification, Chateau Desmirail is located in the Margaux appellation on the left bank of Bordeaux. The name of this Chateau is unique as the property does not bear the name of its original owner, Marguerite Rauzan du Ribail, but rather that of her husband, Jean-Baptiste Desmirail. It is also one of the few chateaux with an ancient "Medocain" system - a gravity operated vat room that is still well-preserved. The red blend consists of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot and this 2014 is attractive and ready to drink now.

Chateau d'Armailhac showcases all of the hallmarks of its big brother, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, which is right next door. This is seriously juicy. Succulent ripe fruits dominate the palate, with a cool and racy undertone. The wine is ripe, showing flair and full of gravitas. Aged in 50 percent new and 50 percent old oak from Mouton itself, it has a creamy, fulfilling character. This is a wine which will certainly benefit from spending a few years in the cellar. This could be a treat and might just be a bargain too.

94 Points - James Suckling" Very minerally, silky and refined with a full body, firm tannins and currants, stones and citrus. Racy and fine. This has a little more Merlot in the blend but is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon as always. One of the best Armailhacs in a long time."

"This great St.-Estephe estate has turned out a succession of brilliant wines. The 2005, a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, has put on weight over the last year. An opaque ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a sweet nose of earth, smoke, cassis, and cherries as well as a textured, full-bodied mouthfeel. While the tannin is high, there is beautifully sweet fruit underlying the wine's structure. It will require 8-10 years of cellaring after release, and should drink well for three decades."

Benefiting from the same care as Château de Camensac, it is blended from carefully selected batches, specifically for the second wine, in accordance with its identity. Soft tannins, ripe fruit, elegance, and always excellent value! Château de Camensac's second wine is predominantly Merlot, subtly complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon.

The fruit is highlighted and offers an elegant aromatic palette.When young, the wine develops a crisp density that becomes patinated with a beautiful complexity as the years pass.

Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot 94 Points- Wine Enthusiast A solid effort, this is a wine with great fruit and firm structure to support it. Ripe and full in the mouth, it’s a firm and complex wine with a delicious juicy aftertaste.

93 Points- Wine Spectator This offers beguiling aromas of bergamot, roasted sandalwood and black tea, before giving way to a well-endowed core of plum, blackberry and raspberry reduction notes. The structure is remarkably fine-grained, showing seamless integration through the long finish. A really great showing.

93 Points -Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2012 Cantenac Brown, one of the most impressive Margaux I tasted, is the complete package – from the initial attack to the layered, rich finish. Dense ruby/purple-hued with notes of licorice, mulberries, black currants, asphalt and spring flowers, this medium to full-bodied, concentrated, rich effort does not reveal an excess of rusticity or astringency.

92 Points-James Suckling This is very intense for the vintage in the Médoc with blueberry, mineral and blackcurrant character. Full and chewy. Needs two or three years to soften but already there.

Chateau Quintus (St. Emilion) - With a good dollop of Cabernet Franc in the blend it gives it a dense, perfumed structured character. There is beautiful rich blackberry, violet, cassis, new leather and toasted spices on the nose and palate. The Chateau has made a considerable stride with this vintage. Drink now through 2026

"A consistently perfect wine every time I've had it, the 2009 Château Pontet-Canet is the greatest wine from this address to date as well as one of the greatest Pauillacs out there. Still youthfully ruby/purple and with a gorgeous perfume of blackcurrants, lead pencil, graphite, crushed rocks, and damp earth, it's still youthful but is just now starting to show more nuance and complexity. Full-bodied on the palate, with a powerful, concentrated mid-palate, incredible depth of fruit, and flawless balance, Bordeaux simply does not get any better." (11/2020) -Jeb Dunnuck (100 points)

100 points - Robert Parker

99 points - Wine Enthusiast

Clos du Marquis 2015 is a rich and structured Saint-Julien with expressive aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, mulberry, dark cherry, tobacco, and subtle spice. Concentrated and velvety on the palate, it combines ripe dark fruit with polished tannins, fresh acidity, and a long, persistent finish.