Wine Advocate (94)

A wine of grand cru depth and dimension even in this challenging vintage, the 2013 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens delivers a reserved bouquet of sweet red fruits, spices, candied peel and subtle espresso roast. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and layered, with excellent concentration, satiny tannins and a long, chewy finish that's lent delineation by the wine's tangy acids. The only missing ingredient is time.

Wine Advocate (94)

A wine of grand cru depth and dimension even in this challenging vintage, the 2013 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens delivers a reserved bouquet of sweet red fruits, spices, candied peel and subtle espresso roast. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and layered, with excellent concentration, satiny tannins and a long, chewy finish that's lent delineation by the wine's tangy acids. The only missing ingredient is time.

Wine Advocate (94)

A wine of grand cru depth and dimension even in this challenging vintage, the 2013 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens delivers a reserved bouquet of sweet red fruits, spices, candied peel and subtle espresso roast. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and layered, with excellent concentration, satiny tannins and a long, chewy finish that's lent delineation by the wine's tangy acids. The only missing ingredient is time.

From the exquisite cellars of Mongeard-Mugneret, we present the rare Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru 2013. Zealously crafted in the heart of Burgundy, France, this noble, award-winning pinot noir is steeped in rich viticultural heritage, resulting from lavish soils in the renowned Grands Échezeaux vineyard. Demonstrating remarkable finesse, it embraces traditional wine-making principles involving complete de-stemming followed by ageing in oak barrels, yielding the serene balance of fruit and structure.

Mongeard-Mugneret's meticulous, multi-generational expertise in oenology shines through in every sip, culminating in an expressive palate infused with cherry, violets, and vanilla, layered with mineral undertones. A remarkable demonstration of elegance and depth, the Mongeard-Mugneret Grands Échezeaux Grand Cru 2013 offers an intoxicating bouquet and an extraordinary ageing potential that complements the distinguished wine connoisseur's collection. Indulge in the sublime, harmonious symphony encapsulated within this peerless pinot noir.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91-94)

Graphite, camphor, incense, tobacco, smoke and game burst from the glass in the 2013 Montrose. A dark, brooding wine, the 2013 boasts notable depth and tannin considering its mid-weight structure. The 2013 will require at least a few years to come together. Graphite, scorched earth, sage and rosemary are some of the notes that inform the intense finish. This has real density for the year. Based on two tastings so far, the 2013 Montrose is making a very strong case for itself as one of the wines of the vintage. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, with quite a bit more Cabernet than the more typical 55%. Tasted twice.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91-93)

Raspberry jam, sweet spices, crushed flowers and smoke meld together in the 2013 Montviel. The oak is not yet totally integrated, but there is nevertheless a lot to like in the 2013, a wine that brings together expressive fruit and a terrific sense of focus. There is a lot to like here. Tasted twice.

James Suckling (95)

A warm and delicious Mouton with light spice, currant, and hints of chocolate. Very subtle and refined. Full to medium body. Seamless tannins that dissolve on the finish. Wonderful length for the vintage. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot, and 4% cabernet franc. Salty and delicately fruity. Better in 2020 but beautiful now.

James Suckling (95)

A warm and delicious Mouton with light spice, currant, and hints of chocolate. Very subtle and refined. Full to medium body. Seamless tannins that dissolve on the finish. Wonderful length for the vintage. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot, and 4% cabernet franc. Salty and delicately fruity. Better in 2020 but beautiful now.

James Suckling (95)

A warm and delicious Mouton with light spice, currant, and hints of chocolate. Very subtle and refined. Full to medium body. Seamless tannins that dissolve on the finish. Wonderful length for the vintage. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot, and 4% cabernet franc. Salty and delicately fruity. Better in 2020 but beautiful now.

Vinous (95)

Bright medium red. Lovely ineffable perfume of red cherry, raspberry, minerals and flowers, plus a darker suggestion of blackberry. Boasts great intensity to its flavors of red and black fruits and flowers, with captivating minerality and perfectly integrated acidity giving the wine outstanding inner-mouth tension without any hardness. Firm, even, late-arriving tannins frame the fruit on the rising finish of this very classy grand cru.

Vinous (95)

Bright medium red. Lovely ineffable perfume of red cherry, raspberry, minerals and flowers, plus a darker suggestion of blackberry. Boasts great intensity to its flavors of red and black fruits and flowers, with captivating minerality and perfectly integrated acidity giving the wine outstanding inner-mouth tension without any hardness. Firm, even, late-arriving tannins frame the fruit on the rising finish of this very classy grand cru.

Vinous (94)

Good bright, deep red. Complex, subtle aromas of raspberry, redcurrant and graphite minerality, plus some sexy oak tones. Ripe and silky, even plump for the year, but classically dry and light on its feet. Saturates the mouth and cheeks without leaving any impression of heaviness. At this point in my tasting, Marie-Christine Mugneret noted that these 2013s had been uncorked the previous evening. They are showing spectacularly now and I suspect they benefited dramatically from aeration. Finishes with very suave, even tannins and a suggestion of minty lift. Very classy juice.

Vinous (94)

Good bright, deep red. Complex, subtle aromas of raspberry, redcurrant and graphite minerality, plus some sexy oak tones. Ripe and silky, even plump for the year, but classically dry and light on its feet. Saturates the mouth and cheeks without leaving any impression of heaviness. At this point in my tasting, Marie-Christine Mugneret noted that these 2013s had been uncorked the previous evening. They are showing spectacularly now and I suspect they benefited dramatically from aeration. Finishes with very suave, even tannins and a suggestion of minty lift. Very classy juice.

Vinous (92)

Full medium red. Captivating lift to the aromas of musky raspberry, flowers and white truffle. Wonderfully smooth on entry, then a bit reticent but fresh in the middle, showing good floral lift to the raspberry and cherry flavors. Really perfumes the aftertaste, but with its slightly edgy acidity this beauty will need time to open and blossom.

Vinous (91)

(completely destemmed): Bright, dark red. Red cherry and leather aromas are joined by strong menthol and pepper notes. Surprisingly silky and soft on entry, then rather closed in the middle, showing a captivating salinity to its sweet, chewy redcurrant fruit. Has the stuffing to buffer its serious building tannins but needs time.

Discover the fascinating Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf Du Pape 2013, a wine that reflects the mastery of French viticulture. Born in the sun-drenched vineyards of southern Rhône, this world-class wine stands on a legacy of 4 generations, skilfully crafted by the reputable vintner, Olivier Hillaire.

Made predominantly from Grenache, this vintage was barrel-aged for a year, giving it a rich and complex profile, full of ripe, dark fruit nuances. On the palate, it opens with a combination of black currants and spices, leaving a long and rounded aftertaste. The low-yielding vineyard, located on prime terroir, provides the ideal conditions to produce exquisite, full-bodied wine of immense depth.

The Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf Du Pape 2013, with its robust structure and harmonious grace, is a testament to the estate's notable reputation. A clear standout, it's to be savoured and celebrated in the world of fine wine.

The Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf Du Pape Les Petits Pieds d'Armand 2013 hails from the revered vineyards of Rhône Valley in Southern France. Passionate winemaker Olivier Hillaire, known for his mastery of Grenache, crafted the 2013 vintage using hand-harvested grapes from his oldest vines, yielding limited but exceptional quality. Largely composed of Grenache grapes paired with Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Counoise, this wine exhibits complexity and elegance.

Upon opening the bottle, a heady bouquet of blackberries, flower petals, and warm spices erupts, teasing the forthcoming robust flavours. With each sip, the palette is greeted by deep notes of ripe fruit, complemented by earthy undertones and a velvety mouthfeel leading to a notably long finish. This charming vintage is expertly balanced, with a gentle acidity making it an impeccable pairing for a variety of dishes. The Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf Du Pape Les Petits Pieds d'Armand 2013 indeed artfully encapsulates the essence of its distinguished terroir.

Wine Enthusiast (94)

This wine has considerable potential, with rich tannins and firm fruits. It is solid, very dry at this stage although this is balanced by dark plum skin and blackberry flavors. The wine will develop slowly, so don't drink before 2022. The first harvest at this estate was in 1252. The property is now owned by Bernard Magrez, a wine, art, culture and gastronomy patron.

Decanter (97)

Tasted at Château La Lagune, owner Caroline Frey's Bordeaux outpost. One of the legendary wines from Hermitage Hil, La Chapelle comes from pretty much the only spot on the Rhone's Left Bank where you find granite, along with the classic galet stones. The Jaboulet style is to blend their plots from across the hill, resulting in the stunning power of this wine. The complexity here is of the kind that reveals a truly great wine. There are so many things happening, graphite, slate, fleshy layers of blackberry fruits that collide immediately afterwards by a tightly controlled edge of tannins, then the whole thing finishes slowly, cleanly. Incredible.

Wine Spectator (93)

Tasting Note This has power but offers a greater display of purity overall, as the dense core of raspberry, cherry and plum preserves glides rather than rumbles, carried by a sleek structure before letting a fine chalky minerality linger on the finish. Shows length and depth, and should be among the longer-lived wines of the vintage.

Wine Spectator (93)

Tasting Note This has power but offers a greater display of purity overall, as the dense core of raspberry, cherry and plum preserves glides rather than rumbles, carried by a sleek structure before letting a fine chalky minerality linger on the finish. Shows length and depth, and should be among the longer-lived wines of the vintage.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (88-91)

Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries and mint meld together in the 2013 Pavillon Rouge. Understated, classy and impeccable, the 2013 stands out for its graceful personality. This is a very pretty, if somewhat light-bodied Pavillon Rouge. At just 21% of the chateau's total production, the 2013 is also the smallest vintage ever of Pavillon Rouge. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (88-90)

Moderately saturated ruby-red. Highly nuanced, aromatic nose offers black plum, raspberry, tobacco and nutty oak. Sweet, suave and wonderfully fine-grained on entry, then a little lean in the middle owing to firm but harmonious acidity. Finishes with lingering sweet notes of cherry and currant.

Vinous (90-92)

(no new oak): Bright, dark red. Deep aromas of raspberry, redcurrant, flowers and minerals. Rich, sweet and pliant; seamless and sappy, combining lovely fat and precision. Quite suave owing to its vinosity. From the northern corner of the appellation. An excellent showing today.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2013 Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes offers a gorgeous interplay of rich Chambolle fruit along with brighter aromatic notes and tension that are often found in the northern sector of the village, all backed up by silky tannins that confer finesse. The 2013 is mostly fruit from Les Bussières, along with three barrels that would have been the straight Combe d'Orveau Chambolle.

Vinous (93-96)

Elusive and ethereal, the 2013 Mazoyères-Chambertin captures the essence of this great site. Violets, lavender, sage, menthol and plums are all laced together in a deep yet weightless Burgundy endowed with stunning finesse and class. Today, the Mazoyères comes across as seriously tannic and closed, which is likely a good thing for the future.

Wine Advocate (92)

Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting in Beaune, the 2013 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts has a tightly wound bouquet, dark plum and raspberry fruit, a touch of blackberry, the oak nicely integrated although it is staying inside its shell for the time being. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red cherry and raspberry fruit, the tannins finer than I was anticipating, the acidity well judged as it segues into a backward but focused, quite structured finish. Christophe Perrot-Minot's Beaux Monts has very good potential. Tasted September 2016.