Mighty Magnum Offer 2024

Andre Clouet Silver NV. A beautiful example of a zero dosage Champagne. With 100% Pinot noir this wine has great structure and richness. Fresh cut strawberries, stone fruits and hints of brioche present on the nose.
On the palate a racey and and fresh acidity is complimented by red berry fruits, pink lady apple and peach with fine creamy bubbles. Brioche and a nutty aftertaste persist long after the wine has left your mouth. A brut natural worth sharing. BILLY PWS

Jean-Francois Clouet's zero-dosage ideal is realised with magnificent clarity here.  Such is the concentration and richness of his pinot noir that it has absolutely no need for any sweetness.  The bouquet is delightfully fresh, lifted, pure and expressive, with lemon zest, yellow mirabelle plums and red apple fruits.  The palate follows impeccably, showcasing the concentration of Bouzy with exceptional purity and focus.  Its barrel work blends impeccably contributing nuances of nougat, brioche and honey.  Succulent yellow summer fruits pull seamlessly into a crunchy finish of red apple and lemon zest, concluding long and refined, with refreshingly taut acidity and soft, chalky minerality.  Classic Bouzy of the finest order.  TYSON STELZER, The Champagne Guide

2 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

Saint-Estèphe 2ème Cru Classé 
Extremely aromatic with currant, wild-herb and fresh-violet aromas. This is regal cabernet sauvignon at its finest. The palate has unwaveringly long and defined tannins that carry such fresh, piercingly pure, redcurrant and cassis flavors. A twin to the superb 2015? A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.(97) JAMES SUCKLING

The 2017 Montrose is a very pretty, polished wine that speaks much more to finesse than power. Expressive floral and spices notes add an attractive inner sweetness to a Montrose that in 2017 leans more into the red fruit spectrum. Gracious yet deep, with terrific overall balance, the 2017 Montrose is a total winner. What impresses most about the 2017 is its freshness and sophistication. I won't be surprised if Montrose turns out to be even better than this note suggests further down the road. Graphite, licorice, menthol and sage lead to a finish with real grip and freshness. The 2017 is such a classy and promising wine. (95+) ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2017 Montrose was so impressive from barrel and now, bottled since July, it continues to put in a strong case for being one of the best Left Bank wines. It has a very pure and intoxicating bouquet with intense blackberry, light cassis, juniper and violet aromas, almost Margaux-like in terms of personality. Although there is a patina of new oak after bottling, it is in sync with the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry. Tightly wound at the moment but supremely well focused, this is a classic Montrose, "cool" and reserved, demonstrating impressive tension and precision towards the finish. It will require less time in bottle than the 2016 for example, so broach this superb Saint-Estèphe after five or six years and then it will give 25 to 30 years of drinking pleasure, and knowing Montrose, probably longer. Tasted twice with consistent notes. (95) NEAL MARTIN

The highlight of the Bernard Magrez stable is also the most prestigious, and tellingly it has achieved consistent high scores. It's up 7% on the 2017 release, which is no surprise as it is perhaps the best releases to since 2010.  -Tom Portet
 
Lisa Perotti Brown 96-98
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Pape Clement is a little closed, slowly unfurling to reveal fragrant earth, crushed rocks, iron ore and tobacco notions over a core of crushed red and black currants plus kirsch, red roses and Ceylon tea. Full-bodied and wonderfully vivacious, it offers a solid line of firm and fine-grained tannins and amazing freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced.

James Suckling 97-98
This is a very driven Pape Clément with fantastic density and finesse at the same time. Linear and driven, the finish goes on for minutes with incredible tension and focus. More cabernet. Refinement with power.

3 BOTTLES AVAIALABLE

Antonio Galloni                                  97
The 2018 Haut-Bailly soars out of the glass, showing magnificent poise that only grows with time. Sweet, perfumed aromatics, silky tannins and mid-weight structure add to its considerable allure. Ripe red berry fruit, spice, blood orange, licorice, cedar, tobacco and menthol are all woven together in an effortless, classy Haut-Bailly that delivers the goods. I suppose the 2018 doesn't quite have the explosive energy of the very best years, but it more than makes up for that with its sensual, seductive personality.

James Suckling                                   97-98
Incredible depth of fruit to this with a center palate that shows superb character and texture. I love the hazelnut and coffee-bean undertones to the beautiful fruit, which shows great finesse. Full-bodied yet compact and tight, giving a sense of agility and flight to the wine. Extremely tight and polished tannins.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown            96-98
Deep purple-black in color, it opens slowly with profound notions of Black Forest cake, crème de cassis, roasted nuts and black olives, unfurling to reveal notions of menthol, crushed rocks, molten licorice and chargrilled meat plus a hint of lilacs. Full-bodied, rich and densely laden with layer upon layer of vibrant black fruits and mineral nuances, it has a solid backbone of firm, velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long with compelling restraint and exciting energy.

Andrew Caillard, MW                                     97
Deep colour. Perfect claret style with intense blackcurrant plum graphite aromas with some savoury notes, fine graphite grainy tannins and underlying vanilla oak. Tannins are plentiful but perfectly ripe with some al dente notes and plenty of thrust. Elemental but voluminous needing time to meld. Sine inky mineral notes at the finish.

 

Albero is the passion-project of local Spanish importer, Scott Wasley in conjunction with famed Manzanilla Bodega, Delgado Zuleta, and more specifically, a separate 275 year old solera called Barbiana solera - purchased in 1978 and kept separately ever since. Essentially, each year Wasley is given access to the solera to put together his own blend from this amazing vinous resource. In the first year, the blend was a mix of 5 of the 34 bota. That wine was a revelation, the en rama or non filtered Manzanilla is, in and of itself, such a departure from the water-clear, racy salty sherry we've become accustomed.

2 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

Keeping the classical profile, the 2016 Clos Mogador has been fine tuned, reducing the French grapes, and it matured approximately 18 months in oak foudre and barriques. There is a lively sensation on the palate, vivacious and with very fine tannins. It has a meaty touch and feels really young , despite the long élevage. There is a strong mineral sensation on the palate, something that is a texture and mouthfeel rather than a flavor. This is an unusual, fresh vintage. LUIS GUTIERREZ, Robert Parker

5 BOTTLE AVAILABLE
A markedly more elegant blend features notes of admirably pure red and dark pinot fruit, violet and subtle spice nuances. The sleek, intense and precise middle weight flavors exude noticeable salinity on the lingering, balanced and nicely harmonious finish. Lovely and very Chambollesque. OUTSTANDING. BURGHOUND

3 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

Slightly more deeply pitched aromas are comprised by notes of violet, plum and dark raspberry. The texture of the sweet, delicious and caressing medium-bodied flavors contrast markedly with that of the firm and slightly chewy finish that offers excellent depth and persistence. This isn't especially refined but it works anyway plus it's a wine that should repay 7 to 10 years of cellaring. OUTSTANDING. BURGHOUND

2 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

An elegant, pure and airy nose freely expresses the blend of red and dark berries, violet, lavender and rose petal. A touch of earth can be found on the delicious and bright middle weight flavors that exude an appealing minerality on the sappy finish that tightens up noticeably. This understated effort is lovely. BURGHOUND

The 2019 Barolo EnPiasì is a tiny bottling of just 150 magnums, done with hand destemmed fruit. There's good depth, but I don't see the freshness of the best years, while the volatile acidity is problematic. Making wine on a very small scale presents a number of technical challenges, and that unfortunately shows here. ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2005 Léoville Las Cases is a classic that numbers among the wines of the vintage in the Médoc. Wafting from the glass with notes of dark berries, cassis, incense, burning embers, sweet soil tones, dark chocolate and cigar wrapper, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a vibrant core of fruit, lively acids and sweet, powdery tannins. More elegant and refined than the hulking, uncompromising 2006, the 2005 is nevertheless a powerful, tightly wound wine that will reward further bottle age, even if it's actually quite expressive today. (98) WILLIAM KELLEY, The Wine Advocate

The 2005 Léoville-Las-Cases is one of my favorite wines of the night. Now, after 17 years, the 2005 is in a place where it is not a crime to open a bottle. Elegant and regal in bearing, the 2005 Las-Cases is simply everything Las-Cases can and should be. This is a great, great bottle. I loved it. (98) ANTONIO GALLONI, Vinous

The 2020 Barbaresco Albesani has more substance and depth than the straight Barbaresco. The differences between the two wines today aren't that marked at the outset, but that comes with aeration. Macerated cherry, plum, spice, lavender, rose petal and sage develop with time in the glass. All of the richness and power of Albesani comes through. For readers who want to understand what Albesani is all about, this is it! ANTONIO GALLONI, Vinous

From the village of Neive, the Massolino 2020 Barbaresco Albesani shows more balance at this young age next to the estate's classic Barbaresco. This single-vineyard expression also has more depth with dark berry nuances, cassis, blue flower and crushed limestone. Those floral aromas emerge with pretty intensity. The wine's tannins are very fine and silky. Some 4,000 bottles were made. (94) MONICA LARNER, The Wine Advocate

2 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

The 2019 Barolo Monvigliero is stunning. What a wine. Rich, heady and explosive, the 2019 is a gorgeous, spherical Barolo that dazzles right out of the gate. Aromatically broad and expansive, the 2019 fleshes out beautifully in the glass. Bright red-toned fruit, orange zest, mint, spice and bright saline notes saturate the palate on the back end. The 2019 is a total stunner, even in this stage of youthful austerity. It comes across as a bit rustic compared to the 2018, but the final verdict on that won't be evident for at least a number of years. This is the first vintage that includes a second parcel in Monvigliero. In the cellar, one lot saw submerged cap maceration, the other did not. (97+)ANTONIO GALLONI, Vinous

I loved the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain on release. Tonight, it is every bit as compelling. Deep, virile and explosive, the 2014 is so expressive today. It is a young wine, but one with tremendous potential. Dark fruit and layers of Howell Mountain minerality take shape in the glass. The 2014 has long lived in the shadows of surrounding vintages, but it has always been a special wine. Some recent bottles have shown traces of low-level Brettanomyces that might bother readers who are especially sensitive. (96) ANTONIO GALLONI, Vinous

Dark ruby. Captivating violet lift to the aromas and flavors of cassis, kirsch, licorice and mocha. Plush and fine-grained; extremely deep in the middle palate but this extremely rich wine impresses as much for its finesse as for its sheer density and power. Finishes with wonderfully harmonious tannins and great slow-mounting length. Owing to its sheer density and baby fat, the wine is edge-free from the start, but it's likely to evolve at a snail's pace and last for decades. (13.9% alcohol). STEPHEN TANZER

1 BOTTLE AVAILABLE

The 2018 Barolo Villero is laser sharp and etched with ferrous mineral notes next to wild berry, cherry, cola, campfire ash and grilled rosemary. This elegant, mid-weight wine shows a very long finish and should not disappoint on the cellar-aging front. It should hold well past the 20-year mark. (95+) MONICA LARNER, The Wine Advocate 

1 BOTTLE AVAILABLE

Pleasant, nutty red fruit on the nose. Medium-bodied with lightly firm tannins that carry mainly the savory elements for now. Nice intensity, though. Give it time to settle. Best from 2024. JAMES SUCKLING

1 BOTTLE AVAILABLE

The Brovia 2018 Barolo Garblèt Sue' reveals a fine texture with seamless aromas of purple and red forest fruits that appear delicately and softly. Those lifted primary notes are followed by a filigree of spice, tar, truffle and fragrant earth. The wine closes with a pretty floral note that is a mix of rose and violet. This is one of the most elegant wines of the vintage. (95) MONICA LARNER, The Wine Advocate

The 2021 Chianti Classico is fabulous. Bright and punchy, with terrific resonance, this wine shows just how compelling the vintage is. Readers will find a Chianti Classico of dynamic energy and volume. Dark red cherry, purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, spice and a gentle kiss of French oak build into the sumptuous, vibrant finish. Superb. The 2021 was aged in 500-liter barrels (5-6% new) for 14 months and is a blend of fruit from Greve, Gaiole and Radda. ANTONIO  GALLONI, Vinous

This has a fresh character with ripe cherries and raspberries as well as dried flowers, bark and stones. Polished and textural with a medium body and vivid acidity. Focused and fresh with chalky tannin structure and a linear finish with notes of citrus and minerals. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. JAMES SUCKLING

A saturated purple/magenta hue, the 2021 Chianti Classico is lush and fresh with aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, violet, and fresh leather. Plush and inviting, with bright acidity along the sides of the palate shining through, it offers a velvety texture with a long finish. It’s polished but not oaky and has a very refined feel, with medium to full body and a long and balanced finish. Drink 2026-2040. JEB DUNNUCK

This red is precise, offering cherry, raspberry, rose, iron and tobacco flavors fused to a steely, dense and vibrant structure. Balanced and intense, building to a long aftertaste infused with fruit and mineral notes. Best from 2026 through 2045. BRUCE SANDERSON, Wine Spectator

2 BOTTLES AVAILABLE

The 2023 Chablis Village has a perfumed floral bouquet with Clementine, peach skin and light lanolin aromas. The palate is fresh and crisp with a pithy entry. It's well-balanced and has a good weight on the finish. Certainly, it is one of the better examples of this vintage, though it is missing some persistence. Tasted blind at the BIVB tasting in Chablis. NEAL MARTIN, Vinous

1 AVAIALABLE

The 2022 Estate Chardonnay is nutty and svelte, with white peach, pastry, apricot kernel, brine and even a hint of malt biscuit through the finish. The wine has breadth and girth to it; it's not at all compact, but it's tight in texture. So, all things being equal, it's an exciting Chardonnay. This is from six different sites in the Kumeu area, with wine aging on lees in 20% new oak (just about all François Frères) for approximately 11 months. Everything goes 100% malolactic fermentation, wild primary ferment, and malolactic fermentation is a mixture of inoculation and wild. From 2024, they will not be inoculating malolactic fermentation, as "the wild yeasts seem to be the most reliable," explains Michael Brajkovich. Lovely acid. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. ERIN LARKIN, The Wine Advocate