2020 Vosne Romanee Villages, Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet

2020 Chambolle Musigny, Domaine Taupenot-Merme

2014 Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année Brut Vintage MAGNUMS 150cl

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 98/100
The 2014 La Grande Année is stunning. In fact, it is one of the best recent editions I can remember tasting. What comes through most is the wine's sizzling energy and tension, qualities that aren't often associated with Bollinger, where the Champagnes tend to show more breadth and volume. In 2014, readers will find a Grande Année built on linear intensity and drive. The 2014 is a blend taken from 19 villages, 61% Pinot Noir and 39% Chardonnay instead of the more typical 70/30 mix. For the second time in two decades (the first was 2007), Verzenay takes the lead in the Pinots over Aÿ, more or less an inverse from the norm. Verzenay, a north-facing village in the Montagne de Reims that saw less rain than Aÿ and most of the Vallée de la Marne, yields Pinots of energy more than volume. That, married with Chardonnays mostly from the Côtes des Blancs (predominantly Chouilly, Vertus, Oiry and Cramant), results in a truly magical Grande Année that will delight Champagne fans for several decades. I can't recommend the 2014 highly enough. It's a total knock-out. Disgorged: April, 2021. Dosage: 8 grams per litre. Drink 2024 to 2044 reviewed March 2022

2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge, Chateau de Beaucastel

Aidan Bell
A very beguiling Beaucastel, this has real charm and intensity, with beautifully textured tannins, no sign of heat, just terrific purity. A really successful vintage here.

2020 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac Léognan 6x75cl

Neal Martin, vinous.com 93-95/100
The 2020 Domaine de Chevalier, which was cropped at 38hl/ha, is deep purple with glints of blue. The bouquet is very clean, precise and focused, not dissimilar to the impressive Malartic Lagravière that I tasted alongside, touches of wet granite and truffle emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. This Domaine de Chevalier has a deeply impressive structure counterbalanced by equally impressive freshness and elegance, fanning out wonderfully on the finish, which is very persistent. Just a shade off the outstanding 2019... perhaps. 2026 - 2058

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate 95-97+/100
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Domaine de Chevalier comes skipping out of the glass with energetic scents of ripe red and black currants, fresh blackberries and boysenberries, plus nuances of wild sage, cloves and cedar with a waft of lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate surprises and delights with an unexpected richness and depth that remains locked away on the nose, revealing layers of fragrant earth and floral notions framed by fantastic freshness and firm, finely grained tannins, finishing with the most gorgeous, long-lingering perfume. Drink 2026-2053.

Jane Anson, Decanter.com 95/100
Concentrated ruby red colour, a little subdued on the nose, built with structure and power, concentrated and should age well. Classical, powerful, not exuberant, an impressive Chevalier that has tannins and fruit and freshness, nothing shouting too loud. As it opens, you see a peony floral edge that is very attractive. Easily among the best in Pessac. A yield of 38hl/ha. Drink 2027-2042

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com 17/20
Spicy nose. Pretty saline and mineral on the palate – non flashy but with lots locked in there. And no shortage at all of tannin but it's ripe enough. Very much a work in progress but with a certain lusciousness of embryonic fruit. Full bottle 1,360 g, Cask sample taken 6 April. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.13.5% Drink 2030 – 2050

2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge, Chateau de Beaucastel

Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com 95/100
Saturated violet color. Powerful, mineral-accented cherry, blackberry, licorice and -garrigue- scents, along with a hint of candied flowers. Deep, penetrating and alluringly sweet, offering cherry liqueur, dark berry, lavender, exotic spice and cola flavors that are given spine by a core of juicy acidity. In a concentrated yet lively, fluid style. Finishes extremely long and precise, with building tannins and a powerful echo of spiciness and florality. Drink 2026 to 2036

Grape/Blend
35% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 10% Counoise, 10% Syrah, 10% of Terret, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, 5% Cinsault

2009 Cote Rotie Cordeloux, Pierre Benetiere, Rhone

2017 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Sesti - Castello di Argiano

Michaela Morris, Decanter 92/100
Preserved strawberries and cherries are laced with orange and exotic helichrysum flowers. This is surprisingly trim and linear on the palate. Subtly textured tannins guide the wine effortlessly across the palate. Accents of tamarind grace the finish.

Walter Speller MW, Jancisrobinson.com 17+/20,
Palish mid ruby. A backward nose with only hints of minerals and a suggestion of gingerbread. Ripe, deep fruit palate that still needs to unfurl and with fine but firm tannins. Lots of juice on the finish.

2021 Ch La Gaffelière, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion 6x75cl

2015 Ch La Lagune, 3ème Cru Classé, Haut Médoc DOUBLE MAGNUM 300cl

Neal Martin 91/100
The 2015 la Lagune was a wine that left me perplexed out of barrel despite tasting it two or three times back in April 2016. Now in bottle, I am more optimistic, although I still have a nagging feeling that it could have been even better. It remains relatively sultry compared to its peers, with a subtle floral note accompanying the tar and cedar-infused black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and balanced, although I maintain that it would have benefited from more substance. For sure, there is a sense of energy here, but it is a La Lagune that plays it safe; it could have striven for greater things (as it subsequently did in 2016). Drink Date 2021 - 2040

2021 Ch Grand Puy Lacoste, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac 6x75cl

2020 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros, Domaine Joseph Drouhin