France

This mouthwatering crowd-pleaser is named after a grove of cherry trees that flank the vineyard. The fruit is drawn from 30- to 40-year-old Gamay vines, grown in dark granite soils around the Chermette homestead in Saint-Vérand, southern Beaujolais. In contrast to his age-worthy Crus from Moulin-à-Vent and Fleurie et al., Chermette aims to produce something light-to-medium-bodied, bright and cherry-fruited with reach-for-another-glass charm.

The winemaking has remained unchanged for decades, with traditional whole-bunch, semi-carbonic fermentation in concrete tanks followed by maturation in tank and old oak casks still the order of the day. The nose is so exuberant you could be tasting out of barrel, flush with easy-going, lip-smacking red fruit flecked by red floral notes. The palate tells the same story through waves of vibrant, tangy berries and cherrystone fruit. As always, it is a delicious, moreish wine and fabulous value.

ANDRE CLOUET (9/10) 

Bouzy and Ambonnay are the epicentre of pinot noir in Champagne, and the Clouet family is the priviledged custodian of eight hectares of estate vines in the best middle slopes of both villages.  These are rich and concentrated expressions of pinot noir, wines of deep complexity, multi faceted interest and engaging character, yet with remarkable restraint and sense of control.  Recent tastings confirm my impression that this small and relatively unknown grower ranks high among Champagne's finest practitioners of pinot noir - and expresses one of the best value of all.

100% Bouzy and Ambonnay pinot noir.  6g/L dosage
Release after release, year after year, I have always marvelled at the lemon blossom freshness that Clouet manages to capture in pinot noir from two of Champagne's most powerful terroirs.  Here it is again, in a captivating interplay of fleshy mirabelle plums, white peaches, crunchy golden delicious apples, and even a hint of pepper.  Wild honey and mixed spice join the maelstrom along the way, gliding obediently into a well defined finish of soft minerality and integrated dosage.  TYSON STELZER, The Champagne Guide 2014-2015

(100% Pinot Noir)The NV Brut Grande Reserve offers up layers of mineral-infused red fruits on a silky, mid-weight frame, with gorgeous length and a refined, subtle mousse. This impeccable, elegant wine shows terrific overall balance as well as complexity. I loved it. Andre Clouet is based in Bouzy, a village where Pinot Noir speaks with great eloquence, as is evident in these superb, pedigreed Champagnes. ANTONIO GALLONI, Robert Parker

Sauternes (1st Growth)

The Chateau Lafaurie Peyraguey has an ebullient nose of Tropicana, dried honey and quince that intensifies in the glass whilst maintaining impressive definition. The palate is very well-balanced with superb tension and focus, a Sauternes built of minerality and poise, leading to a citrus, almost spicy finish that leaves the mouth tingling with pleasure.  NEAL MARTIN

Over the past 10 years or so, this estate has been producing finer and finer wines. We are now a long way from the heavier styles of the 90s. This '10 is a lively, fine, fresh-kiwi / quince-fruited example, all minerality and vibrancy, with controlled sweetness and fine acidity, and finishing with a lovely almost Nairac-type tanginess.  BILL BLATCH

A wine of stunning beauty, the 2017 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is so remarkably vivid from the very first taste. All the elements simply fall into place effortlessly. Orchard fruit, tangerine, passion fruit mint and exotic floral overtones all grace this precise, wonderfully inviting Sauternes from Silvio Denz. Lafaurie-Peyraguey is pure and total finesse. (97) ANTONIO GALLONI

A wine with fresh, clean botrytis influence and lemon curd, sliced apricot, dried apricot and apricot confiture. This has striking purity with such intense flavors of peach and apricot custard, apricot pastry and a very elegant and supple, fleshy-fruit texture with acidity that holds such freshness on the finish. Elegance and freshness meets power and purity. Concentrated in every respect - flavors, sugar and acidity. Drink now or age for a considerable time, as you prefer. (97) JAMES SUCKLING