17 JR 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Very low yields of 18 hl/ha – each grape picked individually? Fermentation in temperature-controlled wooden vats. 13.8%. Dark but lively crimson. Enclave in...
96 WA / 96 JD / 96 WS / 94 JS The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac is 100% Grenache, but this parcel is located on the western edge of the appellation, in what Chapoutier describes as a hot, dry location—even in the...
97 JS / 95 AG / 95 WE / 94 WS Wine #65 James Sucklings Top 100 Wines of 2015 97 Points James Suckling: I believe that the 2005 DP is the best since 2002, which remains the best recent vintage and is probably only eclipsed...
98 JS / 96 AG / 96 WS / 96 DE / 94 WA / 18 JR This is a very thick, dense DP with layers of ripe fruit. Dried apple, pineapple and pie crust with some nougat undertones. Dense and layered with chewy tannins and a...
99 JS / 97 AG / 97 WS / 95 DE This shows incredible depth of fruit with strawberry, cherry and phenolics. Full-bodied and layered with an incredible, three-dimensional element to the wine. This is so transparent and...
94 WA / 92 JS Pale brick colour with fragrant scents of mossy wood, potpourri, cinnamon and dried mulberry plus a whiff of espresso. A mature, well balanced Port comes through in the mouth with high acidity cutting through...
95 WA / 93 VM The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines (1,500 cases produced) is a blend of 50% Grenache, a whopping 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah with the latter two components spending time in new oak barrels. All of the...
95 WA / 95 JD / 95 JS / 93 VM / 93 DE Made up of 75% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 La Gravette de Certan has a deep garnet-purple color and features lovely redcurrants, black raspberries and...
100 RP / 100 WA / 97 WS Another perfect wine, the 2009 Hermitage Ex-Voto is surprisingly supple and more approachable than the two single vineyard 2009 Cote Roties, La Turque and La Landonne. The massive Ex-Voto boasts...
95 JS / 90 RP The 1998 Right Bank are great now. Buy and drink!This is a phenomenal bottle with licorice, violet and berries on nose. Full body with soft and velvety tannins and a velvety finish. This is perfect now. A...
97 DE / 96 WE / 95 RP / 95 WA / 95 WS / 94+ VM / 19 JR Colour still tight and inky at 10 years old. Smooth, silky, very expressive; this is so powerful it almost lulls you into a false sense of security with the tannin...
94 RP / 93 WS / 92 VM Readers looking for a modern day version of Latour's magnificent 1962 or 1971 should check out the sensational 1999 Latour. It is a big, concentrated offering, exhibiting a dense ruby/purple color, and...
100 JS / 99 RP / 99 JD / 98 DE A classic Las Cases with masses of mineral, floral and blueberry character. Full and chewy, with so much power. It’s just opening now. - James Suckling This wine has put on weight and,...
93 WA / 91+ RP Tasted at 28-50 restaurant at the 1994 dinner. The Chateau Margaux was easily the best wine of the night of 1994 Left Banks and better than Mouton and even better than the same wine tasted at the property...
92 WS / 91 RP / 91 WA / 91 VM Very concentrated, with a dark gold color and dried pineapple, mango, honey, caramel and butterscotch. Full-bodied, with a long finish. Very, very thick and sweet. A bit monolithic on the...
96+ VM / 95 JS The 2009 dAlceo comes across as much more classic in style and structure than the 2008. According to Luca di Napoli, the trick to 2009 was harvesting on the early side. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries,...
96 WA / 96-97 JS / 93 VM / 93 DE Here is a high performance wine from Stefano Frascolla and his family. The 2015 Giusto di Notri is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The wine is...
98 JS / 97 DE / 96 VM / 95 WA Compelling aromas of chili pepper, nuts, beeswax and dark fruits with dried strawberries. Hints of black olives and meat. Full body with extremely thick, silky tannins and a long,...
95 WA95 Points Wine Advocate: Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 1995 Valandraud has a forward, fruit-driven, hedonistic bouquet with copious scents of kirsch, red plum, orange peel and blueberry...
90 WS Lots of ripe fruit, with tobacco, cherry and plum character. Medium- to full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Shows a surprising degree of harmony. - JS, Wine...