France
The vast and diverse wine regions of France, each with its own unique terroirs, grape varieties, and winemaking techniques, are a treasure trove.
In Bordeaux, the birthplace of some of the world's most iconic wines, esteemed vineyards such as Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Latour, and Château Haut-Brion produce exceptional red wines, showcasing the art of blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The region is also renowned for its exquisite white wines, with vineyards like Château d'Yquem and Domaine de Chevalier producing legendary sweet wines.
Moving to Burgundy, the vineyards of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy, and Domaine Armand Rousseau capture the essence of the region's revered terroir, crafting exquisite red wines from the Pinot Noir grape. Meanwhile, Domaine Leflaive and Domaine Coche-Dury are celebrated for their world-class white wines, predominantly made from Chardonnay.
The Champagne region, known for its sparkling wines, boasts illustrious houses such as Krug, Dom Pérignon, and Moët & Chandon, as well as grower-producers like Pierre Péters and Jacques Selosse. These vineyards create exceptional sparkling wines using the traditional method, offering a symphony of delicate bubbles, elegant flavors, and vibrant acidity.
In the Rhône Valley, iconic vineyards like Chapoutier, E. Guigal, and Château de Beaucastel produce remarkable red wines in the northern appellations of Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Cornas, showcasing the elegance and power of Syrah. Further south, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is celebrated for its rich and full-bodied red blends, with Château Rayas and Clos des Papes leading the way.
In Alsace, vineyards such as Domaine Zind-Humbrecht and omaine Trimbach craft exquisite white wines, including Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris, expressing the region's unique terroir and varietal character.
These are just a few highlights among the diverse array of wines that France offers. From the Loire Valley's crisp whites and elegant reds to the Languedoc-Roussillon's bold and robust wines, each region presents its own vinous treasures.
France
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Burghound (95-98)
(from an incredible 6.46 ha parcel, which doesn’t include the .67 ha section planted to chardonnay). As is often the case, this is aromatically similar to the Chambolle 1er but it’s less expressive and perhaps more densely fruited. There is notably better mid-palate concentration to the substantially sized big-bodied flavors that also possess a positively gorgeous mouthfeel while exuding an abundance of mineral character on the hugely long and impeccably well-balanced and youthfully austere finale. This Zen-like effort is superb and a wine that should also age gracefully over the next two decades. (95-98)/2040+Inc. TAX€2,953.45 -
Vinous (93-96)
A bevy of dark, baritone-inflected notes emerge from the 2013 Echézeaux. A rich, exotic wine, the 2013 is all about depth and towering structure. Echézeaux often yields relatively accessible Burgundies, but not here. Liger-Belair's 2013 is a big, big wine that is also going to require considerable cellaring. In 2013, this fruit did not come in until October 5, very late by Burgundy standards.Inc. TAX€8,401.48 -
Vinous (88)
Palish red. Lower-toned aromas of mocha, chocolate, truffle and tobacco. Then supple and sweet in the mouth, but simpler and less ripe than the Colombiere, showing a slightly saline character to its soil-driven flavors of smoke, earth and underbrush. This, too, hints at cherry liqueur. Finishes with fairly sweet tannins.Inc. TAX€2,929.40 -
Vinous (94)
The 2017 Volnay Les Santenots-du-Milieu 1er Cru was opened by Dominique Lafon just because he wanted to compare with the ensuing two vintages. Who was I to stop him? It is very different in style from those vintages: redder fruit, more transparency, charming, and it wears its heart on its sleeve. The palate is full of slightly peppery red berry fruit, saline and spicy with good grip and a long raspberry and wild strawberry finish. So unbelievably drinkable, even at this early stage you’ll finish bottle.Inc. TAX€581.05 -
Wine Spectator (100)
Cos is on top of it now. Very long and racy. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and big, racy tannins. The palate goes on and on. Very serious indeed. As good as or better than '00. Score range: 95-100Inc. TAX€740.59 -
The Wine Independent (100)
Deep garnet in color, the 2016 Cos d'Estournel is quite closed to start, requiring a lot of coaxing to bring out profound notions of creme de cassis, wild blueberries, black cherry compote, and rose oil, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, crushed rocks, and dried lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is both opulent and energetic, revealing loads of perfumed black fruit layers and a plush, polished texture, finishing with epic length and depth.Inc. TAX€707.05 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The 2018 d'Yquem is all lime cordial, grapefruit oil and mandarin peel to begin. With a little coaxing, the fireworks really begin, letting off a whole array of honeysuckle, candied ginger, dried pineapple, lemon pastilles, chalk dust and sea spray scents, followed by a savory undercurrent of shaved almonds, allspice and baking bread. The palate is an exercise in polish and poise, featuring the most gorgeously creamy texture and bright, sparkling freshness, framing all the densely laden tropical and citrus fruit layers, finishing with a powerful BANG of profound floral and spice perfume. It is wonderfully sweet, yes, but that—paradoxically for a "sweet wine"—is almost beside the point.Inc. TAX€1,175.05 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2016 Dassault is a gorgeous wine. Plush, deep and beautifully resonant, the 2016 has so much to offer. A whole range of raspberry jam, cedar, espresso and white chocolate notes develop as this plush, modern Saint-Émilion shows everything it's got. I would give the 2016 a few years in bottle to allow the tannins to soften. There is so much to like and admire here. Tasted two times.Inc. TAX€205.76 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (93-96)
(100% vendange entier; 40% new oak): Good deep red. Much more backward and medicinal on the nose than the regular Malconsorts, offering scents of menthol, mint, licorice, violet and black pepper lifted by a piquant whiff of orange peel. Then brooding and dominated by its structure in the mouth, offer blueberry and blackberry flavors lifted by blood orange. Terrific cut and energy here, and even suaver than the previous wine. Finishes very spicy and impressively long, with serious fine-grained tannins starting drier than those of the Malconsorts but gaining sweetness as the wine opens in the glass. Both this wine and the first Malconsorts got a cold soak that lasted for five days. They were harvested on the same day, vinified entirely with their stems, and aged in the same percentage of new oak. The only difference is the location of the vines: The Cristiane comes from an enclave that on the map appears to be more La Tache than Malconsorts.Inc. TAX€1,897.45 -
Vinous (95-97)
The 2020 Vosne-Romanée Les Malconsorts Cuvée Christiane 1er Cru is 80% whole cluster, very different in aromatic profile to the regular cuvée, more ferrous with hints of red pepper infusing the red and black fruit. The palate is very well-defined and comparing side-by-side, this conveys more energy and tension than the regular cuvée, almost with greater precision towards the finish. Very long and tender, this is a marvellous Vosne-Romanée for long-term ageing. Closure: DiamInc. TAX€2,204.87 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
Another killer Cote Rotie is the 2009 Cote Rotie la Landonne and it's a bigger, rich, more opulent version of the 2010. Raspberries, chocolate, exotic flowers, violets and ample minerality all give way to a full-bodied, seamless, layered 2009 that has massive mid-palate depth and a monster finish. Raised all in new oak, it should be drinkable at an earlier age than the '10, yet have a similar evolution.Inc. TAX€413.06 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Every bit as profound as the 2010, yet in a more voluptuous, lower acid, hedonistic style, the inky colored 2009 Hermitage les Bessards (aged all in new French oak) offers incredible intensity and depth in its black raspberry, toasted bread, graphite and spice-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, massively endowed and with a wealth of raw material, it has high, yet sweet tannin and a finish that just won't quit. Give it 4-5 years and drink it over the following 3-4 decades. Unfortunately, this is made in tiny quantities, but count yourself lucky if you were able to grab a few bottles of either the '09 or '10.Inc. TAX€690.20 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (88-91)
Red-ruby. Reticent nose hints at coffee and sweet oak. Locked up tight today and revealing very little personality. I don't get a lot of sweetness here. Finishes with noteworthy persistence but today the tannins dominate. Seems clearly less successful than the Champeaux.Inc. TAX€1,784.87 -
Vinous (91)
The 2011 Brut Amour de Deutz is a gorgeous Champagne, especially for the year. Lemon confit, tangerine oil, brioche and tropical accents give the 2011 its extroverted personality. I would prefer to drink the 2011 sooner rather than later, just in case the vegetal notes typical of the year emerge, but today it is quite expressive. All the elements are nicely balanced in this rather slender vintage Champagne.Inc. TAX€513.85 -
Inc. TAX€583.39
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Inc. TAX€504.25
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Inc. TAX€607.45
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Inc. TAX€605.98
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Vinous (92)
The Buisson Renard tends to be a more supple, more aromatically restrained cuvée in the Dagueneau stable, and the 2019 is no different. It's probably the richer clay soils on this section of the domaine. There's a delicate savory, herbal and oak-derived nutty character. It is fine and fresh with a supple texture that holds the mouth like a gentle embrace.Inc. TAX€346.99 -
Vinous (94)
Sourced from a south-facing single vineyard on flint and clay over chalk, the 2018 Pur Sang is all white flowers and spiced apple pastry. Seemingly effortless and silken, its Sauvignon edges rounded out in barrels. It offers excellent concentration on the mid-palate, a line of acidity acting like a thread and holding the core together like a ball. Delectably textured, with a hint of tannic sensation holding the mouth gently on a lengthy conclusion that's drawn-out and precise. A complex, multifaceted wine.Inc. TAX€589.45 -
Vinous (96)
What I love most about the 2019 Pur Sang is its focus and precision; the compact, light bodied core carries masses of fragrance across the palate and beyond on the long finish. There's clarity and freshness, with a thread of acidity and minerality pulling the wine through like a needle and thread. It is starting to show the very first hints of time in bottle with a hint of almond alongside the ripe melon notes and nettle tea character. Impressive stuff from this three-hectare parcel in the village of Saint Laurent l'Abbaye, about 5km northeast of the Dagueneau domaine.Inc. TAX€489.85 -
Vinous (93)
The 2019 Pouilly Fumé Silex shows an initial tenderness, sitting quietly and not shouting that it's made it into your glass. This is a wine that has its act together, feeling integrated and balanced with plentiful concentration and a savory long finish. A delicate dill note, which is a characteristic of oaked Sauvignon peeks out amid the hush.Inc. TAX€642.25 -
Inc. TAX€591.85
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Inc. TAX€642.25
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Inc. TAX€4,496.95
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Jancis Robinson (20)
Magnum disgorged 1981 for the royal wedding. Pale amber. Amazingly it smells like Dom Pérignon. Notes of putty! Excellent mousse – hugely lively. You would really think this was decades younger than it is. Extraordinary. Lemony. Dry on the finish, but wonderfully vital, well-balanced fruit and autolysis on the mid palate.Inc. TAX€4,214.95 -
Wine Spectator (90)
A steely, full-bodied and complete Champagne, showing a touch of honey, cedar, butter and spice. Has fruit and lime flavors, with a long finish.Inc. TAX€2,059.45 -
Vinous (94)
The 2000 Dom Pérignon is a gorgeous wine to drink now, as it is already showing quite a bit of aromatic and flavor complexity. Although the 2000 doesn’t have the multi-dimensional personality or structure of the very best DPs, it does offer tremendous drinking pleasure today. Hints of pastry, baked apple and mint add nuance, with a touch of reduction that lends an added kick of freshness. Ultimately, the 2000 is a very drinkable and delicious Dom Pérignon.Inc. TAX€1,158.25 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2006 Dom Pérignon is a beautifully balanced, harmonious Dom Pérignon that strikes an incredibly appealing stylistic middle ground. Rich, voluptuous and creamy, the 2006 shows off fabulous intensity in a style that brings together the ripeness of 2002 with the greater sense of verve and overall freshness that is such a signature of the 2004. Bass notes and a feeling of phenolic grip on the finish recall the 2003, as the Pinot Noir is particularly expressive today. After an irregular summer that saw elevated temperatures in July followed by cooler, damp conditions in August, more favorable weather returned in September, pushing maturation ahead and leading to a long, protracted harvest. The 2006 falls into the family of riper, more voluptuous Dom Pérignons, but without veering into the level of opulence seen in vintages such as 2002.Inc. TAX€633.79 -
Vinous (98)
The 2008 Dom Pérignon is once again stunning. More than anything else, I am surprised by how well the 2008 drinks given all the tension and energy it holds. Then again, that is precisely what makes 2008 such a unique vintage namely that the best wines are so chiseled and yet not at all austere. Lemon peel, almond, mint, smoke and crushed rocks are all finely sculpted, but it is the wine’s textural feel, drive and persistence that elevate it into the realm of the sublime. The 2008 will be even better with time in the cellar, but it is absolutely phenomenal even today, in the early going. Three recent bottles have all been nothing short of magnificent.Inc. TAX€870.25
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Burghound (95-98)
(from an incredible 6.46 ha parcel, which doesn’t include the .67 ha section planted to chardonnay). As is often the case, this is aromatically similar to the Chambolle 1er but it’s less expressive and perhaps more densely fruited. There is notably better mid-palate concentration to the substantially sized big-bodied flavors that also possess a positively gorgeous mouthfeel while exuding an abundance of mineral character on the hugely long and impeccably well-balanced and youthfully austere finale. This Zen-like effort is superb and a wine that should also age gracefully over the next two decades. (95-98)/2040+In Bond€2,455.00 -
Vinous (93-96)
A bevy of dark, baritone-inflected notes emerge from the 2013 Echézeaux. A rich, exotic wine, the 2013 is all about depth and towering structure. Echézeaux often yields relatively accessible Burgundies, but not here. Liger-Belair's 2013 is a big, big wine that is also going to require considerable cellaring. In 2013, this fruit did not come in until October 5, very late by Burgundy standards.In Bond€6,995.00 -
Vinous (88)
Palish red. Lower-toned aromas of mocha, chocolate, truffle and tobacco. Then supple and sweet in the mouth, but simpler and less ripe than the Colombiere, showing a slightly saline character to its soil-driven flavors of smoke, earth and underbrush. This, too, hints at cherry liqueur. Finishes with fairly sweet tannins.In Bond€2,435.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2017 Volnay Les Santenots-du-Milieu 1er Cru was opened by Dominique Lafon just because he wanted to compare with the ensuing two vintages. Who was I to stop him? It is very different in style from those vintages: redder fruit, more transparency, charming, and it wears its heart on its sleeve. The palate is full of slightly peppery red berry fruit, saline and spicy with good grip and a long raspberry and wild strawberry finish. So unbelievably drinkable, even at this early stage you’ll finish bottle.In Bond€478.00 -
Wine Spectator (100)
Cos is on top of it now. Very long and racy. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and big, racy tannins. The palate goes on and on. Very serious indeed. As good as or better than '00. Score range: 95-100In Bond€611.00 -
The Wine Independent (100)
Deep garnet in color, the 2016 Cos d'Estournel is quite closed to start, requiring a lot of coaxing to bring out profound notions of creme de cassis, wild blueberries, black cherry compote, and rose oil, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, crushed rocks, and dried lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is both opulent and energetic, revealing loads of perfumed black fruit layers and a plush, polished texture, finishing with epic length and depth.In Bond€583.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The 2018 d'Yquem is all lime cordial, grapefruit oil and mandarin peel to begin. With a little coaxing, the fireworks really begin, letting off a whole array of honeysuckle, candied ginger, dried pineapple, lemon pastilles, chalk dust and sea spray scents, followed by a savory undercurrent of shaved almonds, allspice and baking bread. The palate is an exercise in polish and poise, featuring the most gorgeously creamy texture and bright, sparkling freshness, framing all the densely laden tropical and citrus fruit layers, finishing with a powerful BANG of profound floral and spice perfume. It is wonderfully sweet, yes, but that—paradoxically for a "sweet wine"—is almost beside the point.In Bond€973.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2016 Dassault is a gorgeous wine. Plush, deep and beautifully resonant, the 2016 has so much to offer. A whole range of raspberry jam, cedar, espresso and white chocolate notes develop as this plush, modern Saint-Émilion shows everything it's got. I would give the 2016 a few years in bottle to allow the tannins to soften. There is so much to like and admire here. Tasted two times.In Bond€164.00 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (93-96)
(100% vendange entier; 40% new oak): Good deep red. Much more backward and medicinal on the nose than the regular Malconsorts, offering scents of menthol, mint, licorice, violet and black pepper lifted by a piquant whiff of orange peel. Then brooding and dominated by its structure in the mouth, offer blueberry and blackberry flavors lifted by blood orange. Terrific cut and energy here, and even suaver than the previous wine. Finishes very spicy and impressively long, with serious fine-grained tannins starting drier than those of the Malconsorts but gaining sweetness as the wine opens in the glass. Both this wine and the first Malconsorts got a cold soak that lasted for five days. They were harvested on the same day, vinified entirely with their stems, and aged in the same percentage of new oak. The only difference is the location of the vines: The Cristiane comes from an enclave that on the map appears to be more La Tache than Malconsorts.In Bond€1,575.00 -
Vinous (95-97)
The 2020 Vosne-Romanée Les Malconsorts Cuvée Christiane 1er Cru is 80% whole cluster, very different in aromatic profile to the regular cuvée, more ferrous with hints of red pepper infusing the red and black fruit. The palate is very well-defined and comparing side-by-side, this conveys more energy and tension than the regular cuvée, almost with greater precision towards the finish. Very long and tender, this is a marvellous Vosne-Romanée for long-term ageing. Closure: DiamIn Bond€1,830.00 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
Another killer Cote Rotie is the 2009 Cote Rotie la Landonne and it's a bigger, rich, more opulent version of the 2010. Raspberries, chocolate, exotic flowers, violets and ample minerality all give way to a full-bodied, seamless, layered 2009 that has massive mid-palate depth and a monster finish. Raised all in new oak, it should be drinkable at an earlier age than the '10, yet have a similar evolution.In Bond€339.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Every bit as profound as the 2010, yet in a more voluptuous, lower acid, hedonistic style, the inky colored 2009 Hermitage les Bessards (aged all in new French oak) offers incredible intensity and depth in its black raspberry, toasted bread, graphite and spice-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, massively endowed and with a wealth of raw material, it has high, yet sweet tannin and a finish that just won't quit. Give it 4-5 years and drink it over the following 3-4 decades. Unfortunately, this is made in tiny quantities, but count yourself lucky if you were able to grab a few bottles of either the '09 or '10.In Bond€569.00 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (88-91)
Red-ruby. Reticent nose hints at coffee and sweet oak. Locked up tight today and revealing very little personality. I don't get a lot of sweetness here. Finishes with noteworthy persistence but today the tannins dominate. Seems clearly less successful than the Champeaux.In Bond€1,480.00 -
Vinous (91)
The 2011 Brut Amour de Deutz is a gorgeous Champagne, especially for the year. Lemon confit, tangerine oil, brioche and tropical accents give the 2011 its extroverted personality. I would prefer to drink the 2011 sooner rather than later, just in case the vegetal notes typical of the year emerge, but today it is quite expressive. All the elements are nicely balanced in this rather slender vintage Champagne.In Bond€422.00 -
In Bond€480.00
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In Bond€414.00
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In Bond€500.00
-
In Bond€500.00
-
Vinous (92)
The Buisson Renard tends to be a more supple, more aromatically restrained cuvée in the Dagueneau stable, and the 2019 is no different. It's probably the richer clay soils on this section of the domaine. There's a delicate savory, herbal and oak-derived nutty character. It is fine and fresh with a supple texture that holds the mouth like a gentle embrace.In Bond€283.00 -
Vinous (94)
Sourced from a south-facing single vineyard on flint and clay over chalk, the 2018 Pur Sang is all white flowers and spiced apple pastry. Seemingly effortless and silken, its Sauvignon edges rounded out in barrels. It offers excellent concentration on the mid-palate, a line of acidity acting like a thread and holding the core together like a ball. Delectably textured, with a hint of tannic sensation holding the mouth gently on a lengthy conclusion that's drawn-out and precise. A complex, multifaceted wine.In Bond€485.00 -
Vinous (96)
What I love most about the 2019 Pur Sang is its focus and precision; the compact, light bodied core carries masses of fragrance across the palate and beyond on the long finish. There's clarity and freshness, with a thread of acidity and minerality pulling the wine through like a needle and thread. It is starting to show the very first hints of time in bottle with a hint of almond alongside the ripe melon notes and nettle tea character. Impressive stuff from this three-hectare parcel in the village of Saint Laurent l'Abbaye, about 5km northeast of the Dagueneau domaine.In Bond€402.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 2019 Pouilly Fumé Silex shows an initial tenderness, sitting quietly and not shouting that it's made it into your glass. This is a wine that has its act together, feeling integrated and balanced with plentiful concentration and a savory long finish. A delicate dill note, which is a characteristic of oaked Sauvignon peeks out amid the hush.In Bond€529.00 -
In Bond€487.00
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In Bond€529.00
-
In Bond€3,740.00
-
Jancis Robinson (20)
Magnum disgorged 1981 for the royal wedding. Pale amber. Amazingly it smells like Dom Pérignon. Notes of putty! Excellent mousse – hugely lively. You would really think this was decades younger than it is. Extraordinary. Lemony. Dry on the finish, but wonderfully vital, well-balanced fruit and autolysis on the mid palate.In Bond€3,505.00 -
Wine Spectator (90)
A steely, full-bodied and complete Champagne, showing a touch of honey, cedar, butter and spice. Has fruit and lime flavors, with a long finish.In Bond€1,710.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2000 Dom Pérignon is a gorgeous wine to drink now, as it is already showing quite a bit of aromatic and flavor complexity. Although the 2000 doesn’t have the multi-dimensional personality or structure of the very best DPs, it does offer tremendous drinking pleasure today. Hints of pastry, baked apple and mint add nuance, with a touch of reduction that lends an added kick of freshness. Ultimately, the 2000 is a very drinkable and delicious Dom Pérignon.In Bond€959.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2006 Dom Pérignon is a beautifully balanced, harmonious Dom Pérignon that strikes an incredibly appealing stylistic middle ground. Rich, voluptuous and creamy, the 2006 shows off fabulous intensity in a style that brings together the ripeness of 2002 with the greater sense of verve and overall freshness that is such a signature of the 2004. Bass notes and a feeling of phenolic grip on the finish recall the 2003, as the Pinot Noir is particularly expressive today. After an irregular summer that saw elevated temperatures in July followed by cooler, damp conditions in August, more favorable weather returned in September, pushing maturation ahead and leading to a long, protracted harvest. The 2006 falls into the family of riper, more voluptuous Dom Pérignons, but without veering into the level of opulence seen in vintages such as 2002.In Bond€522.00 -
Vinous (98)
The 2008 Dom Pérignon is once again stunning. More than anything else, I am surprised by how well the 2008 drinks given all the tension and energy it holds. Then again, that is precisely what makes 2008 such a unique vintage namely that the best wines are so chiseled and yet not at all austere. Lemon peel, almond, mint, smoke and crushed rocks are all finely sculpted, but it is the wine’s textural feel, drive and persistence that elevate it into the realm of the sublime. The 2008 will be even better with time in the cellar, but it is absolutely phenomenal even today, in the early going. Three recent bottles have all been nothing short of magnificent.In Bond€719.00