France

Les Heritiers Saint-Genys Mercurey 1er Cru Clos Marcilly Cuvee Clovis 2018 exemplifies the pinnacle of Burgundy winemaking. Sourced from the esteemed Clos Marcilly vineyard in Mercurey, this cuvée is crafted from meticulously selected Pinot Noir grapes. Hand-harvested to preserve their purity, the grapes undergo gentle destemming and are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, ensuring the vibrant fruit characteristics remain intact. After fermentation, the wine is aged for twelve months in French oak barrels, imparting subtle complexity and a refined structure. The 2018 vintage reveals a deep ruby hue, offering...

"When everything is right, and here it is, then Mercury can smell and taste like Grand Cru red Burgundy from further north. Enromous concentration and very fine tannins interlocked with dark minerality, the finish very energetic with so much drive. From vines planted in 1947 and 1956, sustainably grown with no use of herbicides. Drinkable now, but best from 2024." -  James Suckling, 96 points.   Produced in the fertile soils of Bourgogne's Mercurey region, Les Heritiers Saint-Genys Mercurey 1er Cru Clos Marcilly Cuvee Clovis 2020 stands as a testament to meticulous French winemaking. This exceptional monopole...

THE APPELLATION  Chambertin takes its name from a Burgonde who owned a field adjoining the Clos de Bèze. The property took so the name of Chambertin. The winemaker was gifted and his wine excellent. Everybody spoke about the “Champs de Bertin” (Bertin’s filed) to refer to his vineyard. In the 13th Century, Chambertin became a word used frequently in every language. In 1847, the name Chambertin was associated with that of Gevrey by a law ruled by King Louis-Philippe. Gevrey undoubtedly takes its name from its topography, a gorge coming out of a valley, gorge coming from latin word gaba and “gave”...

James Suckling 98 points. "Hold onto your hat for the breathtakingly deep, fresh and savory nose of this extraordinary Morgon. Gigantic concentration of black cherry and black raspberry fruit, plus a staggering mineral freshness in the finish that may be too much for some, but I find extremely exciting. The finish is as long as the universe is wide. Drink from release."

James Suckling 96 points. Redefines Santenay elegance! What a beautiful nose of dried citrus peel, summer flowers and red berries! This is an extraordinarily sophisticated and refined wine for the appellation, with super-fine tannins and uplifting freshness for the very warm year. Super- long and silky finish! Drink or hold. In old French "La Maladière" means establishment of assistance to the sick. These establishments received donations. This climat name in Santenay refers to one of them which belonged to the Maladière de Chagny, a few kilometers away. Years of planting 1963 (0.52 ha), 2005 (0.51 ha) and 1990...

James Suckling 98 points.  "Welcome to the dark side of the 2022 vintage in Burgundy. It has all the spicy and savory complexity, plus the giant structure we expect from a grand cru. But this only comes from Santenay, where there are 1er crus, but even they don’t get taken seriously. And everything is swathed in a blanket of velvet that you just want to sink into. Then comes the giant finish that almost knocks you off your chair in the nicest possible way. Drink from release." -  James Suckling.   Santenay produces mainly red wine from the Pinot Noir grape. Colour is a dark but brilliant...

• Vines planted by David and Arnaud Lavantureux’s grandfather from 1969 to 1978. • 100% destemmed • Whole-berry fermentation in stainless steel lasts one month and a half • Aged for one year in 75% barrels and 25% stainless steel.   Winemaker Notes Epineuil shares the prized Kimmeridgian marl that makes up the soils of Chablis, and this rouge echoes the bright, mineral backbone that characterizes Lavantureux whites. What's more, the brothers have shown to have real touch with the Pinot grape, yielding a wine of striking finesse that shows off the crunchy red fruit, floral notes, and peppery spice typical...

Wine Advocate 93 points. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of sweet blackberries and raspberries mingled with hints of rose petal and spices, the 2020 Mondot is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a pure, seamless core of vibrant fruit and a long, succulent finish. Derived from Merlot growing on recently acquired vineyards on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau, some 40% of the blend is matured in tank, with the rest in once-used barriques. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate   #BORD

Jeb Dunnuck 97 points. As always, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée De Mon Aïeul is all Grenache (from La Serres, La Crau, and La Guigasse) that was not destemmed and was brought up all in used demi-muids. It's an extraordinary wine, offering a mammoth bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black raspberries, ground pepper, white flowers, and spice. Full-bodied, concentrated, and opulent on the palate, with silky tannins, it's not going to match the 2010 or 2016, but t’s a magical, elegant, layered wine that does everything right. About 650 cases per year. 100% Grenache

VN 98 Vinous, February 2024 The 2021 Vieux Château Certan may very well be the wine of the vintage on the Right Bank. Intensely aromatic and nuanced, with exceptional balance, the 2021 is super-classy right out of the gate. Naturally, it doesn't have the richness or density of most prior vintages, but it more than makes up for that with its sublime harmony and overall freshness. All the elements are so well proportioned. Readers should plan on cellaring this beauty for at least another handful of years. -- Antonio Galloni  WE 98 Wine Enthusiast, June 2022 (WE 96–98 points) The wine has freshness and a fine perfume that...

The Wine Independent 97-99+ A blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc, Vieux Chateau Certan 2023 has a pH of 3.74 and it is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of fresh blackberries, juicy plums, and black cherries slowly emerge from the glass, opening out to fragrant notes of violets, star anise, and black truffles, followed by wafts of wood smoke and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is taut and muscular with firm, rounded tannins and seamless acidity, finishing with many, many layers of earth, spice, and floral notes. This is pure latent power.   Drinking Window:  2030 - 2060 Reviewer Name:  Lisa Perrotti-Brown Review...