"There is a new 2017 Chardonnay Gran Reserva, a serious, mineral and fresh expression of the grape with a nice balance between ripeness and freshness. The flavors are clean and focused. 71,800 bottles produced."

Cabernet Sauvignon "La Capilla Estate"

"The juicy and clean 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon la Capilla Estate has very good ripeness and moderate alcohol, integrated oak and a balanced palate. It's fresh and very pleasant. 13,000 bottles produced."

"There is a new old-vine blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Malbec, 12% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot called 2016 Viu 8. It feels serious and classical, with abundant fine-grained tannins and a powerful yet balanced mouthfeel. It looks very promising and should evolve nicely in bottle. 11,400 bottles were filled in February 2018. It matured in different-sized barrels and concrete eggs."

"The last vintage I tasted of this Carménère was the 2010, so it's been a while. The 2015 El Incidente Carménère is from alluvial and volcanic soils. It matured in oak for 16 months and was blended with 6% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. It's a serious and traditional red with power, concentration and balance. 3,800 bottles were filled in February 2017. It has the peppery and spicy varietal character."

"The 2015 Vibo Punta del Viento is a worthy follow-up to the 2014, a Mediterranean blend of 81% Garnacha, 10% Syrah and 9% Monastrell with aromas of herbs, spices and wild berries. The palate is juicy and with fine tannins and good harmony. 13,000 bottles produced."

"The ultra classical 2014 Viu 1 comes from the oldest pure Malbec centenary grapes in the heart of Colchagua. It's a well-oaked example with contained ripeness, good integration of the wood and some grainy tannins that are going to provide a slow and positive evolution in bottle. It is a full-bodied, powerful wine with spicy notes and an austere, deep expression of the grape. 4,200 bottles were filled in December 2015. It's evolving nicely."

Gigondas Vieux Clocher Nobles Terrasses

"Full-bodied and richly tannic, the 2017 Gigondas Vieux Clocher Nobles Terrasses shows considerable potential. Hints of pencil shavings appear on the nose, joined by black cherries and baking spices. The fruit comes through on the finish, always a good sign."

"This year, the assemblage has been changed to include Mourvèdre instead of Syrah. The 2017 Vacqueyras 1717, which marks the 300th anniversary of the house, is full-bodied and creamy, with intense raspberry fruit wrapped in a vanillin overcoat. Baking spices linger on the long, fresh finish. This should be solid when it's released in a couple of years and drink well for a decade thereafter."

Chateauneuf du Pape Seigneur de Lauris Vieilles Vignes

"Similar in quality to the CdP Vieux Clocher, Arnoux's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Seigneur de Lauris Vieilles Vignes hints at cedar and menthol on the nose, then delivers a full-bodied wine with ample cherry fruit, a supple mid-palate and a firm, mouthwatering finish. This traditional blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre should drink well for a decade or more."

Chateauneuf du Pape "Vieux Clocher"

"This venerable négociant in Vacqueyras has turned out a notable 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieux Clocher. A blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 5% Cinsault and 5% Terret Noir, it's a full-bodied effort that was aged just six months in foudre. Hints of rose petals and red fruits mark the nose, while the palate offers firm structure and solid depth. It should drink well for at least a decade."

Vacqueyras Château Lestours Clocher les Penitents

"From vines averaging 40 years of age on an 18-hectare estate, the 2016 Vacqueyras Château Lestours Clocher les Penitents looks to be a fine example of the appellation. Still in wood, it shows hints of cedar, vanilla and chocolate, plus hints of cherries and licorice. It's full-bodied and supple, with hints of warmth and a ripe, plush finish."

Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru

"The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru displays a creamy, intensely fruity and slightly reductive/yeasty bouquet of white fruit and floral/herbal aromas. Full-bodied and very elegant on the palate, this is a round, lush and textured yet tightly structured Chardonnay with a firm yet somewhat drying finish. Tasted August 2018."

Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

"The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru displays a luminous citrus color followed by a reductive yet intense bouquet with a concentrated lemon and chalky expression intertwined with fresh popcorn notes. Pure and fresh on the palate, with lemon and prominent chalky flavors, this is a full-bodied, complex, very elegant and refined yet pure and vital Blanc de Blancs with a persistent chalky and salty finish. Provided with a firm structure, this is an impressive Blanc de Blancs to be served as an aperitif but also with seafood and white fish. Tasted August 2018."

Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Opale

"Sourced in Cramant, Avize, Oger, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (Côte des Blancs), the De Saint Gall 2004 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Orpale offers a deep, intense, concentrated, complex and aromatic bouquet of ripe white and yellow-fleshed fruits along with lemon, brioche and nougat notes. Full-bodied, round and elegant on the palate, this is a pure, fresh, chalky, very complex and persistent Chardonnay from one of the most exciting (Mesnil) and charming terroirs of the Côte des Blancs. Stimulatingly salty, crisp and fresh in the aftertaste. Dosed as Brut with seven grams per liter. Tasted August 2018.

"A blend of 40% each Grenache and Syrah, plus 20% Carignan, the 2017 Ventoux is a plush, medium to full-bodied wine loaded with black cherries, cola and dried spices. The tannins are supple enough and the acids balanced enough to make this easy-drinking wine a sure-fire success."

Domaine Nathalie & Giles

Fevre-Fevre Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru

"The 2015 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru has a fragrant bouquet of white flowers, crushed stone and light green apple, all well defined and focused. The taut, fresh palate is very well balanced, with a fine bead of acidity, and the saline finish lingers in the mouth. There is a slight tightness and yet it bodes well for a long-term Chablis. Bravo! Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting."

"There is also a 2016 Malbec that is super floral and fruit driven, with a sense of warmth and juiciness, quite opposite to a mineral wine. The vineyards are high in altitude, but there is a very cold wind coming up from the ocean plus a cold one coming down from the mountains too. The grapes are really ripe and the grapes are harvested really late, so they are heady and high in alcohol, round, lush and textured. The wines I tasted had pungent flavors and very marked varietal aromas and characteristics. 14,400 bottles produced."

"Showing strong varietal notes of smoky bacon, black olives and violets, the 2016 Syrah comes from the Elqui Valley in the north of Chile. It's heady, ripe and voluptuous, very intense, with pungent olive flavors and a dense texture. These are powerful wines reflecting the grape varieties and the extreme conditions where the grapes are grown. 12,000 bottles."

"The 2017 Old Vine Pale is a bit of a geeky rosé/chilled red, perhaps a little more austere than in the previous year, from the same origin. It has a very tasty palate that literally makes you hungry for food. This has to be the best version of this unusual wine to date, which is especially remarkable given the conditions of the 2017 vintage. It has moderate alcohol and high acidity, which got me salivating... This was produced from 11 barrels of Carignan and one of Mataró. 3,518 bottles were filled in October 2017."

"A blanc de noirs in the Single Ferment series, the 2017 País is produced with País grapes and has a very faint rose tint. It has notes of small flowers and a nice mouthfeel. In reality, it also has some 15% Cariñena grapes, the first of a new series they are going to call The Field Craft bottlings. Like the rest of their wines, the process is not important and is not marked in the wine, which feels aromatic, approachable and complex but not complicated, with notes of pollen and dried flowers. It's bottled without malolactic, to keep the freshness. Some 2,800 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2017."

"The name of the País bottling changes with each vintage, and the one from 2017 is the 2017 País 215 BC Ferment, which refers to the time País arrived "before Cabernet" (215 years before!). 2017 was the year of the terrible fires in Chile, and many vineyards were affected; in many cases, the vineyards acted as fire breaks with their greenness. In this case, the grapes were too green when the fire occurred, and as a result, there are no traces of smoke here. The wines in the Ferment series are co-fermentations of grapes from different vineyards, and the vineyards that were used for this wine are different—both are from Portezuelo and were harvested earlier because of the heat of the year and the fires. The wine is super fresh and clean and is also softer, more floral, less rustic and with more finesse than the 2015 I tasted next to it. The quality of the tannins is superb. 7,872 bottles were filled in December 2017."

Single Ferment Series Cinsault

"The 2017 Single Ferment Series Cinsault has an addition to its name on the label, The Reset Ferment, which is a reference to a reset after the terrible fires from the year. This is definitely more serious than previous editions, possibly a result of the severe selection to avoid smoke. It comes from two vineyards, one in Portezuelo (where the berries are very small) and the other one in the vicinity of Guarilihue. There is an aromatic touch here and a light to medium palate with very fine tannins. 3,543 bottles were filled in February 2018."

"The expressive and aromatic nose of the 2016 Bagual Vineyard makes me think of a vermouth or a Barolo Chinato, with tons of aromatic herbs, spices and flowers. It has abundant, fine-grained tannins and a powerful mouthfeel, while at the same time, it has elegance and balance. This is definitely fresher than the 2015 I tasted next to it. 2,586 bottles were filled in December 2017."

Bagual Vineyard Garnacha Blend

"The 2016 Bagual Vineyard Garnacha Field Blend is floral, expressive and perhaps radically different, with notes I've never found in previous vintages. It was harvested very early, because ripening was very fast, and it has great tension on the palate (it has 7.17 grams of acidity!). The bunches of Garnacha here are very small, as Garnacha can be very variable. 2,584 bottles were filled in December 2017."

"The 2016 Las Higueras Vineyard bottling (Lot #82) is from a place close to Linares that they now manage entirely (and sell some fruit to others) and has some herbal aromas and a leafy, spicy personality. It has very fine tannins and good freshness. It's elegant, with some complexity. Some 4,000 bottles produced from 13 barrels. It was bottled in December 2017"

"The 2016 Pirque Vineyard is a little closed but feels very solid. It has varietal and zone character, without excessive mintiness, faintly balsamic. It's still very young, but it seems to have all the ingredients for a great development in bottle, with the textbook tannins. Derek Mossman described it quite accurately as an 'elegant blue-fruited gent with muscles inside a well-cut jacket.' There you go! 3,012 bottles were filled from 11 barrels in November 2017 as Lot #80."

"I enjoyed the texture of the 2016 Renacido Vineyard, perhaps a little less elegant but with great character. I looked at my note from the previous year and was very surprised to read that I commented on the texture then as well. I often associate minerality with texture (and/or vice versa), so this has to be an expression of the soil here, an expression of granite. Because it's also Cabernet Sauvignon... 5,000 bottles were filled in November 2017."

"The same as with other 2016s, the 2016 San Juan de Pirque Vineyard feels fresher than the 2015. That seems to be a pattern here. The 2015 has a more developed nose, but I like this very much; it's a little more austere. It shows great typicity and balance. 5,055 bottles produced from a blend of 11 barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon and one barrel of Cabernet Franc."

"As with other wines where I had the chance to taste the 2015 and 2016 versions side by side, the 2016 Sauzal Vineyard is more elegant and has more finesse and a nice texture, and even if the tannins are there, the quality is amazing. 2016 was not an easy year; it was challenging, but they picked these grapes two days before the rain. It's very fresh, and analytically, it has a lot of acidity. This is just great. 1,901 bottles were filled in November 2017. It's lot #75."

The Ploughmen Carignan Field Blend

"I love the 2016 The Ploughmen Carignan Field Blend, an elegant version of this field blend of Carignan, Garnacha and Mataró (Monastrell, they seem to use French, Spanish or American grape names interchangeably!) bottled exclusively for UK importers Bibendum. It has precision, elegance, balance and great freshness. It was bottled in November 2017."

"The really grand and elegant 2016 Truquilemu Vineyard starts off quite shy and takes some time to open up in the glass. They used a little more stems for the fermentation (stems are added rather than using the full clusters), as they don't like carbonic maceration. This is characterful, floral, subtle and really elegant while keeping the varietal profile. The tannins are very fine grained, and the palate feels really balanced. This has to be the stuff wine dreams are made of! 5,230 bottles."

"The 2016 Vigno from Garage Wine Co. really blew me away! This always reminds me of the Truquilemu bottling, as the source is the same. This is elegant and floral in a way that very few Cariñena are. It has subtle minerality and an earthy touch, with a rare combination of elegance and rusticity. There is detail, filigree, texture and gobsmacking balance. Grab it if you like Cariñena, because it is among the finest in the world! It was bottled in December 2017."

"I was able to compare the 2015 Bagual Vineyard with the 2016, and the difference of character is notable. This 2015 is a lot more powerful and has a little more ripeness, while the 2016 is fresher and more aromatic. This seems to be aromatically dominated by Carignan, and the palate reveals some earthy rusticity I also often associate with the grape. However, 2015 seems to be a quite tannic year. Lot #66 was bottled into 1,588 bottles in November 2016."

Bagual Vineyard Garnacha Field Blend

"The 2015 Bagual Vineyard Garnacha Field Blend shows the heat of the vintage quite transparently. I think these grapes from Caliboro tend to show quite ripe in warm years, and this is not an exception. It has the Caliboro firm tannins, and I feel this wine might benefit from some more time in bottle. Do not confuse this #69 with the #66 that is also a Bagual field blend. 1,717 bottles were filled in December 2016."

"As with many of their bottlings, I was able to compare the 2015 Las Higueras Vineyard with the 2016, and this was darker, more concentrated and powerful. It feels quite ripe and not that varietal. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with abundant, slightly dusty tannins. 3,764 bottles were filled in December 2016."

"The Maipo Cabernet Franc 2015 Pirque Vineyard is open and expressive and hitting on all cylinders. It feels very floral next to the 2016, which is shyer. It has polished, round tannins and feels quite gentle. 3,000 bottles were filled in November 2016."

"2015 was a tannic year, and the 2015 Portezuelo Vineyard manages to keep its poise. This is always very balsamic, and in this vintage, it feels super varietal, with the tree bark-like rusticity of the Cariñena and a slightly dusty personality. After some time in the glass, it takes off with lots of aromatic herbs and even flowers. This is lot number 68. 2,450 bottles were filled in December 2016. They didn't manage to produce this wine in the rainy 2016 vintage, so we'll have to wait for 2017 and 2018."

"The 2015 San Juan de Pirque Vineyard is very spicy, faintly herbal and a little more mainstream than the majority of wines from the Garage Wine Co. It's characterful and representative of the zone and variety and has a gentle, soft palate with integrated acidity and a soft texture. 2,453 bottles were filled in November 2016."

"A field blend of Carignan, Garnacha and Mataró, the 2015 Sauzal Vineyard is produced with grapes from the vineyard of Nivaldo Morales in the village of Sauzal. It's an expressive, powerful, very Mediterranean vintage for this wine. This has quite a lot of other grapes, but the imprint of the Cariñena seems to be quite strong. This lot #65 was put into 1,908 bottles in November 2016."

The Ploughmen Carignan Field Blend

"The 2015 The Ploughmen Carignan Field Blend is the exclusive bottling for Bibendum in the UK. It's a super expressive field blend of Carignan, Garnacha and Monastrell with varietal notes of the Cariñena (tree bark, an earthy touch) as well as some berries and flowers, intermixed with lots of Mediterranean herbs. It's a powerful yet balanced year, with fine-grained tannins. 1,908 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2016."

"The 2015 Truquilemu Vineyard reveals the wild and somewhat rustic character of the Carignan—a little earthy, with a touch of smoked meat. It's very tasty and has the granite texture on the palate. This year they started using some stems in the vinification, an innovation that continued in 2016. 5,230 bottles were filled in November 2016, as they always like to age their single-vineyard reds for two winters before they are bottled."

"Always a noteworthy example in the Vigno association, the 2015 Vigno from Garage Wine Co. is one of their 11 single-vineyard bottlings. It's produced from eight barrels of Carignan and one of Mataró (Monastrell) with traces of País from an old field blend in one of the freshest corners of the Maule "secano interior" in Truquilemu (the other two are Huerta de Maule and the coastal part of Cauquenes, in Pilén). There is a faint animal touch of leather and cured meat and a rustic twist of tree bark and earth. The palate is serious and has an austere texture provided by the granite soils; this could be lighter and fresher. This is the same base as the Lot #67, as this comes from their largest vineyard. 2,315 bottles were filled in December 2016."

"The special late-bottled 2014 Las Higueras Vineyard was kept for three years in barrel. The base wine is exactly the same as the regular bottling, but somehow nine barrels were left behind. This is quite classical, with more spice, cigar box and graphite, perhaps a little more marked by the élevage, in a López de Heredia way. It's a little different from their style. 2,618 bottles were filled in December 2017."

"Tasted blind, Bouchard's 2015 Montrachet Grand Cru put in a fabulous showing, making my tasting note from earlier this year seem decidedly conservative. Wafting from the glass with a complex bouquet of Meyer lemon, mandarin, orange blossom, dried white flowers and toasted hazelnut, the wine is full-bodied, ample and textural, with an incredibly elegant, pure and precise profile. Above all, it's beautifully balanced, with the ineffable sense of completeness that distinguishes Montrachet at its best."

Beaune Grèves Vigne de L’Enfant Jésus 1er Cru

"The 2015 Beaune Grèves Vignes de L’Enfant Jésus 1er Cru is one of Bouchard's finest Premier Crus, and given past experience, I think I just caught this at the wrong moment. It is missing some energy on the nose, lacking the vivacity and brightness conveyed by four other wines from this vineyard tasted alongside. The palate is medium-bodied with quite bold and grippy tannin that lends it volume and mass. However, it lacks some detail and sophistication and comes across rather monochromatic on the finish. Allow this three or four years in bottle and I am certain that it will regain charm and personality. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting."

Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru

"The 2015 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru has quite a precocious bouquet of ample white peach, citrus lemon, smoke and flint aromas that gather momentum in the glass. The palate is saline on the entry. There is fine depth here, and good tension, if not quite the complexity and precision of its peers on the finish. A fine Grand Cru if not a Chevalier from the top drawer. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting. (DIAM 10 closure)"

Chevalier-Montrachet La Cabotte Grand Cru

"The 2015 Chevalier-Montrachet La Cabotte Grand Cru has a tightly wound bouquet with apple blossom, flint, smoke and a touch of orange peel. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, saline in the mouth, and displays moderate depth, though it feels a little conservative on the finish and does not deliver that coup de grâce that is demonstrated in barrel. That said, this is still a serious Chevalier-Montrachet from Bouchard. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting. (DIAM 10 closure)"

"The 2015 Montrachet Grand Cru has a really wonderful bouquet that sprints out of the blocks, with scents of citrus fruit, dried quince, honeysuckle and just a touch of vanilla. The palate is well balanced with a crisp opening, and then... and then it sort of loses interest and saunters the rest of the way. Displays fine concentration that I hoped for, and there is a nagging bitterness on the delineation but not the energy and finish. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting. (DIAM 10 closure)"

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

"The 2015 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has a straightforward lime flower and orange blossom bouquet with fine delineation, although I would have liked more terroir expression. The palate is smooth and waxy in texture, with a fine bead of acidity, and more phenolic than the nose implies. revealing a subtle tang of spice on the finish. It finishes with more aplomb than I anticipated and does seem to improve in the glass. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting. (DIAM 10 closure)"

Volnay Les Caillerets "Ancienne Cuvée Carnot" 1er Cru

"The 2015 Volnay Les Caillerets "Ancienne Cuvée Carnot" 1er Cru has a beautiful, enticing, engaging bouquet, featuring marvelously detailed red berry fruit laced with crushed stone and black truffle. The palate is very detailed and precise, with crisp acidity, an insistent grip, and blacker and sappier fruit emerging toward a finish that lingers in the mouth. This is more backward on the palate than the nose, so I would afford it three or four years in bottle. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting."

Nuits Saint-Georges Les Cailles 1er Cru

"The 2015 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Cailles 1er Cru has an attractive, open-knit, almost warm bouquet of lovely raspberry and crushed strawberry scents and hints of marmalade and fig. The palate is very well balanced, with firm, saturated tannins that lend both fatness and velvety texture. Fortunately, the acidity is such that it retains admirable balance and there is enormous depth toward the finish. Great potential. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting."

"The 2015 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru has a smudged, slightly reduced bouquet that just needs more definition and energy. The palate is well balanced, displaying judicious use of oak and well-judged acidity, and offers the detail that is missing on the nose at the moment. I would bunker this for a couple of years because I can see room for improvement. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting."

"A firm and creamy Rose Champagne, with rich pastry cream and sweet brioche notes followed by candied grapefruit peel, white peach and smoke accents. Offers a clean-cut, mouthwatering finish."

"An elegant version, featuring expressive ripe white peach and strawberry fruit flavors, layered with biscuit, kumquat, smoky mineral and ground ginger notes. Finely knit and creamy in texture, with vibrant acidity driving the racy finish."

"Tight and austere, focused on brisk grape flavors and the savory richness of its lees, this is a finely blended wine with pale yeasty flavors that last."

"Rich hints of baked plum and marzipan are enlivened by sleek, well-knit acidity in this harmonious Champagne. The fine, lively mousse carries flavors of poached quince, honeysuckle, smoked hazlnut and lemon pith.

"Impressive for the polish and presence, offering impeccable structure and expressive raspberry and pomegranate flavors, accented by anise and dark tea notes."

Pinot Noir Canary Hill Vineyard

"Polished and elegantly complex, with expressive rose petal, raspberry and orange peel accents that glide on a long, supple finish."

94(Best Buy)

Walla Walla Valley Summit View Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

"Summit View, upslope from Seven Hills Vineyard, puts up with plenty of wind. This cabernet seems to capture that element in its impression of wind-driven fruit - of purple flowers and dark purple skins, grippy and vinous. It feels fresh, focused and lean, the texture dominated by invigorating tannins and mouthwatering acid."

"Limpid ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes raspberry and cherry preserves, along with hints of garrigue, potpourri and licorice. Appealingly sweet red fruit liqueur and floral pastille flavors show excellent delineation and clarity and pick up a subtle smoky element with air. Shows darker fruit character on the impressively long finish, where smooth, slow-building tannins add gentle grip."

Domaine de la Charbonniere

"(fermented in tronconic oak vats and aged in barriques and demi-muids, most of them used) Bright ruby-red. Expressive aromas of black raspberry, cherry compote and candied lavender are enlivened by a smoky mineral topnote. Appealingly sweet and focused on the palate, offering juicy red and blue fruit flavors that spread out slowly with aeration. Shows hints of candied licorice and five-spice powder on the very long, nervy finish, which features silky tannins and resonating florality."

Domaine de la Charbonniere

"(made with 25% whole clusters and aged in large oak casks and demi-muids) Mineral-laced red berry liqueur, spicecake and floral pastille aromas are complicated by smoky minerals and succulent herb flourishes. Juicy, sharply focused raspberry and bitter cherry flavors show excellent depth and become sweeter with air. The penetrating, impressively long finish is given shape by supple, slow-building tannins that fold smoothly into the wine's energetic red fruit."

Domaine de la Charbonniere

"(fermented in tronconic oak vats and aged in barriquesand demi-muids, most of them used) Youthful violet. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes red fruit liqueur, exotic spices and lavender, along with subtle woodsmoke and incense flourishes. Sweet, seamless and energetic on the palate, offering intense raspberry, cherry, spicecake and cola flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Delivers a solid punch of flavor but comes off lively. A suave candied lavender note builds on the gently tannic finish."

Domaine de la Charbonniere

"(raised in large oak casks and demi-muids, all of them used) Lurid ruby. Vibrant, mineral-accented red fruit, potpourri, blood orange and incense aromas show excellent definition and pick up a hint of star anise with air. Shows superb clarity and lift on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry, cherry preserve and spicecake flavors that deepen on the back half. Conveys a suave blend of power and elegance and finishes extremely long and floral, with subtle tannins coming in late."

Vacqueyras Blanc Chateau Lestours Les Penitents

"Pale gold. Ripe orchard and pit fruits on the deeply perfumed nose; a minerally nuance builds slowly and adds energetic lift. Silky and broad on the palate, showing good clarity to the pear nectar, peach and honeysuckle flavors. A late touch of gingery spiciness adds back-end cut to a long, smooth finish."

"(aged in large oak barrels for six months) Brilliant ruby. Expansive dark berry and floral scents, along with hints of cracked pepper and licorice. Tightly wound bitter cherry and blackberry flavors show very good depth, and a smoky nuance builds as the wine opens up. Chewy tannins add grip to the focused finish, which lingers with strong, spicy tenacity."

Vacqueyras Blanc Vieux Clocher

"Brilliant straw-yellow. Bright, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit scents reveal a hint of jasmine. Fresh and incisive on the palate, offering juicy pear and Meyer lemon flavors that deepen slowly on the back half. Nicely concentrated yet lively, showing impressive clarity and firm mineral bite on the long, penetrating finish."

Wine Enthusiast

Los Alamos Vineyard Chardonnay

"Warm almond, white peach and sweet oak aromas on the nose of this wine from legend Jim Clendenen. There is solid tension to the palate, where edgy flavors of lemon skin are balanced by the warmth of hazelnut."

Wine Enthusiast

Le Pre du Col Vineyard Pinot Noir

"The name means meadow on the hill. This is a compelling mix of black raspberry fruit, savory meat stock and a touch of sour plum. Details of fresh herbs come through the residual flavors, and the overall balance extends the enjoyment."

Wine Enthusiast

"Possibly the most sought-after vineyard in the Willamette Valley. Shea fruit shines everywhere. This example is delineated with lively aromas of roses and raspberries. A taut, earthy flavor of beetroot runs through the palate, with a kiss of cinamon coming up in the finish. This wine should continue to improve over many years."

Wine Enthusiast

88 (Best Buy)

"Fine, dusty tannins give this wine a warm feel. its rich structure is matched by the ripe blackberry fruits and given a lift by acidity."

Wine Enthusiast

92 (Editors Choice)

Domaine de la Charbonniere

Vacqueyras "Cuvée Speciale"

"Fragrant whiffs of black-tea leaf, bramble and sandalwood accent this opulent Grenache. It's intensely fruity, offering generous layers of ripe black plum and cherry flavors. Fresh acidity and fine, integrated tannins lead a long, supple finish. An open-knit yet complex wine to enjoy now."

"This packs a lot of fun, with a wallop of blackberry, fig, boysenberry and açai berry compote flavors working together, laced with a mouthwatering licorice snap note and driven by a fresh, well-detailed finish. A roasted apple wood accent is integrated as well, lending textural contrast through the vivacious finish."

Wine Enthusiast

97 (Cellar Selection)

"Very floral, intense and ripe, this is a wine that is based around big black fruits as well as fine acidity. It is obviously destined for long aging with its powerful dry tannins and perfumed acidity."

"A vibrant core of black cherry, black currant, cedar and tobacco flavors is framed by refined, if dusty, tannins in this red. In need of a bit of polishing in the bottle. Shows fine length."

Colli della Toscana Centrale I Pini

"Sleek and supple, exhibiting blackberry, black currant, iron, cedar and thyme flavors. This shows power and grace, lingering on the aftertaste, with fruit and spice notes. Fine harmony. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot."

Wine Enthusiast

96 (Cellar Selection)

"Only produced in the top years, this wine, named apparently after the Greek goddess of daylight, has just achieved maturity. It is rich in notes of almonds and toast that meld together with the ripe white fruits. It's a great wine that is impressive and ready to drink, although it will also easily age further."

Wine Enthusiast

"Packed with fruit while hinting at mature toastiness, this wine is now in perfect balance. Its white fruits are from half-and-half Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, shot through with acidity while having a ripe character. Rich while also crisp, it is ready to drink."

Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Canary Hill Vineyard

"Polished and elegantly complex, with expressive rose petal, raspberry and orange peel accents that glide on a long, supple finish."

Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District Shea Vineyard

"Impressive for the polish and presence, offering impeccable structure and expressive raspberry and pomegranate flavors, accented by anise and dark tea notes."

Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Bushnell Vineyard

"Broad and briary, showing raspberry and pomegranate flavors, with underbrush and licorice accents, finishing with zesty tannins."

"This is ripe, in a sweet vein and slightly high-pitched, with a stream of raspberry, cherry and plum pâte de fruit notes gilded with floral and incense accents. A light warm cocoa hint through the finish adds a touch of bass. Shows lots of charm and elegance. Seductive."

"This is packed with racy plum, açai and blueberry reduction notes, all seamlessly layered with licorice snap and plum cake flavors. Shows a lovely graphite hint through the finish. Very focused and driven."

Wine Enthusiast

Hatschbourg Grand Cru Riesling

"A subtle nose of lemon defines the faint nose. The palate then brings a kind of honeyed citrus where lemon zest has an edge of candied richness. The finish is wonderfully clean and citric, lip smacking and juicy in its fruity dryness. Lovely."

New Zealand

"The 2016 Sauvignon Blanc has a fresh bouquet with lifted yellow flower and undergrowth scents that complement the red apple and pear fruit; hints of gooseberry emerge with time. The palate is well balanced with a fine line of acidity, good weight and a fine sense of energy, but I am seeking more personality and depth towards the finish, which just feels a little conservative here"

New Zealand

"The 2015 Pinot Noir has a lovely bouquet with black cherries, raspberry, soy and a touch of struck match - all well-defined and focused. The balanced palate offers a crisp bead of acidity, gentle grip and more black fruit towards the plush, lightly spiced finish. It needs another year in bottle but it should give several years of drinking pleasure."

Aleofane (Natacha Chave)

"Bright violet, raspberry and cassis notes streak along in unison, with a sanguine flash on the finish. Not big, but sleek and enticing."

Domaine Notre Dame des Pallières

Cotes du Rhone Villages Sablet Blanc

"The 2017 Cotes du Rhone Villages Sablet Blanc Montmartel contains 50% Roussanne, 25% Viognier, 15% Clairette and 10% Marsanne. Seventy percent of the blend fermented in new oak barriques, then aged in demi-muids, while the rest was done in stainless steel. It's a medium to full-bodied, plump, soft wine, with notes of fig, melon and guava, with just enough lime zest on the finish to keep things lively."

Domaine Notre Dame des Pallières

Cotes du Rhone Villages Sablet Rouge

"The complex, elegant 2017 Cotes du Rhone Villages Sablet l'Olivet boasts aromas of spiced orange zest, cherries and raspberries. It's medium to full-bodied but soft and silky in texture, with a lingering finish. No, it's not a muscular powerhouse, but instead it shows uncommon grace and finesse."

Domaine Notre Dame des Pallières

"The 2016 Gigondas Bois des Mourres spent ten months in barrels (one-third new), giving it a definite oaky sheen. Cola and plum notes get a dusting of baking spices on the nose of this full-bodied blend of 80% Grenache and 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah. It's similar to the plain les Mourres bottling but with more intensity and a longer, cedar-accented finish."

Domaine Notre Dame des Pallières

"This property has turned out two fine 2016s. The 2016 Gigondas les Mourres is full-bodied, rich and velvety, with layers of mocha and baking spices over cola and plum fruit. A blend of 80% Grenache and 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah aged in concrete tanks and older oak barrels, it's plush and long on the finish."

Domaine Notre Dame des Pallières

"Raising the bar a notch from the very good 2015, the 2016 Lirac is a stunning effort, combining subtle garrigue notes with black cherries. Full-bodied and supple, it turns velvety on the finish, picking up enlivening hints of orange zest. It adroitly balances ripeness and freshness, delivering both with aplomb and elegance. Drink it over the next 6-7 years."

Domaine Notre Dame des Pallières

"A terrific value, the 2016 Rasteau les Ribes is a blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault, most of which matured in tank, but 40% of the blend went into used barriques. The result is a wine with fascinating spice aromas of cinnamon, pepper and anise, fruity notes of cherries and stone fruit and plenty of velvety richness and depth on the palate. It should drink well for 5-6 years."

Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun Rouge

"The frankly delicious 2016 Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun should be enjoyed young for its ripe cherries and stone fruit. It's full-bodied, open-knit and lush, with waves of fruity goodness underscored by a hint of almond paste on the vibrant finish."

"The pale but medium to full-bodied 2017 Tavel features hints of crushed stone on the nose. It's silky and refined on the palate, with fresh fruit flavors and a crisp, lime-zest finish. It should drink well through at least mid-2019."

"The 2017 Sauvignon Blanc is composed of 94% Sauvignon Blanc with 3% Sauvignon Musque, 2% Sémillon and 1% Viognier. It features zesty notes of lemon and lime peel with nuances of crushed rocks, struck match and oyster shell. Medium-bodied with a wonderful racy line supporting the intense citrus and stony layers, it finishes on a lingering mineral note."

"Henriot's 2008 Brut Millesime is rich, creamy and super-expressive, all of which make it an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next few years. Pastry, apricot, lemon confit, green pear and white flowers all grace this subtle, inviting Champagne from Henriot. The 2008 has enough fruit to drink well now, but also more than enough vibrancy to develop nicely in bottle."

"The 2005 Brut Cuvée Hemera is a very pretty wine, especially within the context of the year. Warm toasty notes, candied lemon, vanillin, baked apple and a touch of oak sweetness are fused together."

"The 2013 Cépage Arbane VV is a vivid, expressive Champagne that captures all of the exoticism that is typical of this indigenous yet rarely seen white variety. Bright and focused, with tremendous aromatic lift and plenty of cut, the Arbane has much to offer. Dosage is 10 grams per liter. Disgorged: July 2018."