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
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95.0 |
Inc. TAX
€1,778.77 |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€6,585.73 |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€4,076.77 |
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Wine Spectator (91)A solid, well-built '95. Lovely chocolate, berry and tobacco aromas, with a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. The best second label of Pauillac? Well, it is from Château Latour. Best after 2001. |
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Champagne | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€883.33 |
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James Suckling (97)From the family collection, disgorged ten years after harvest, slightly lower than original dosage. Shows some malolactic honeyed character (rare in Cristal at 20-25%), a cool late September harvest with a poor set and high millerandage in the vineyard. This shows more dominant chardonnay on the nose with sweet honey and nougat, some dried lime citrus too, it also has an earthy side and some deep spice. The palate has almost cognac-like fruits, toasted brioche and raisin bread flavours, very assertive, concentrated, a liqueur-like Champagne that has a lot of potential and great length. -NS |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€2,216.77 |
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Wine Spectator (94)A wine that continues to improve with age. Shows loads of ripe plum, almost prune, with hints of vanilla and mineral. Full, chewy and tight. Still needs time.--Lynch-Bages non-blind vertical. Best after 2008. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€8,600.77 |
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Wine Spectator (100)Dark color. Black licorice, coffee, currants and black olives. Complex nose. A full-bodied, chewy blockbuster of a wine that is not giving anything at all away. It is like buried treasure still; you have to search for the gold. And it's there. Fabulous. Please give this time.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2014. 18,000 cases made. -JS |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€9,980.77 |
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Wine Spectator (100)Dark color. Black licorice, coffee, currants and black olives. Complex nose. A full-bodied, chewy blockbuster of a wine that is not giving anything at all away. It is like buried treasure still; you have to search for the gold. And it's there. Fabulous. Please give this time.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2014. 18,000 cases made. -JS |
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€3,411.73 |
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€5,925.73 |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€346.93 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (92)Tasted at the vertical in London, I had never really warmed to the 1995 Montrose despite tasting its many times. However, this bottle seemed closed to Robert Parker's remarks from 2014. It is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that was harvested from 13 to 26 September. The bouquet is less vigorous and more approachable than the 1996 Montrose, initially quite taciturn, but gaining vigor with time and offering blackberry, briary and undergrowth scents, later just a touch of bay leaf and sandalwood. The palate is driven by the higher Merlot content, rendering this a relatively plush and comely Saint Estèphe, well balanced with very good depth, perhaps a Montrose for those with a penchant for headier and opulent styles of wine. Whilst the 1996 has the class and sophistication, the greatest virtue of the 1995 is the most fundamental: enjoyment. Tasted June 2016. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 18 (JR) |
Inc. TAX
€6,197.86 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)Harvested 12–27 September. 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc. Cabernet was rather compromised by rain during the harvest, while the Merlot was very successful. Even darker than the 1996, this Mouton is still remarkably youthful in appearance. More flamboyant on the nose, with cigar-box, spices and leafy blackcurrant notes all evident. There is plenty of concentration and weight for further ageing, although the tannins are a little dry – perhaps a reflection of the harvest conditions. Still a very impressive Mouton. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€432.89 |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,027.06 |
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Wine Spectator (93)Greatest wine ever made at this estate. A breathtaking wine to drink now, but please wait. Lots of fruit, spice and tomato character. Full-bodied and very velvety, with a long, flavorful finish. Now or later, it's hard to resist. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€26,860.45 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (97)This is like a genie in the bottle. Fascinating yet subtle aromas of blackberry, minerals, fresh flowers and Spanish cedar. Full-bodied, with wonderful layers of ultrafine tannins. It coats your mouth and tantalizes your palate. A gorgeous thing all around.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010. 3,200 cases made. -JS |
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|
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€25,216.38 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (97)This is like a genie in the bottle. Fascinating yet subtle aromas of blackberry, minerals, fresh flowers and Spanish cedar. Full-bodied, with wonderful layers of ultrafine tannins. It coats your mouth and tantalizes your palate. A gorgeous thing all around.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010. 3,200 cases made. -JS |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€2,786.77 |
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James Suckling (93)Château Pichon Longueville Baron Pauillac 1995 : This is surprisingly delicate and fine now with currant and spice character and hints nuts. It is full body with refined texture and a beautiful finish. No reason to wait on this red. It's ready to drink. |
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|
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€561.73 |
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Wine Advocate (96)What sumptuous pleasures await those who purchase either the 1996 or 1995 Pichon-Lalande. It is hard to choose a favorite, although the 1995 is a smoother, more immediately sexy and accessible wine. It is an exquisite example of Pichon-Lalande with the Merlot component giving the wine a coffee/chocolatey/cherry component to go along with the Cabernet Sauvignon's and Cabernet Franc's complex blackberry/cassis fruit. The wine possesses an opaque black/ruby/purple color, and sexy, flamboyant aromatics of pain grille, black fruits, and cedar. Exquisite on the palate, this full-bodied, layered, multidimensional wine should prove to be one of the vintage's most extraordinary success stories. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2020. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 85 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,234.49 |
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Wine Advocate (85)In my article on Ponsot's 1995s out of barrel, I heaped considerable praise on the Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes, describing it as prodigious, and going so far as to say that I would not be surprised if it deserved a perfect rating! At my recent tasting I found it to be light-to-medium ruby-colored with an amber edge. Its slightly alcoholic nose is reminiscent of cherry-flavored Bubbleyum bubblegum mixed with white pepper and grapefruit. On the palate, this wine is a pale shadow of its former self. Amidst an earthy, stony, red pit fruit-flavored, and medium-bodied core, there remains a ghost-like trace of the richness and ripeness I originally had seen in this wine. After it had been opened for 48 hours I re-visited it. To its credit, this Clos de la Roche had not deteriorated, yet it had not gotten any better either. I will not be drinking my remaining bottles in the near term as I want to see if Laurent Ponsot's assertion that these wines will regain their fruit in time is correct. However, I cannot recommend the same course of action to readers as I see no reason to believe that cellaring will help this wine. |
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|
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€2,012.77 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (94)Fabulous nose of crushed currants, blackberries and forest flowers. Full-bodied, with plenty of ripe fruit and silky tannins. This is really holding back.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010. 23,000 cases made. -JS |
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|
|
Cognac | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€578.99 |
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|
The Prunier Vintage Fins Bois Cognac 1995, made in the heart of France, is an exquisite expression of traditional craftsmanship. This unrivalled spirit hails from the famous Maison Prunier, a family-run house with an enviable lineage dating back to the late 17th century. Impeccably preserved in Prunier's antique cellars, this cognac is a true embodiment of the Fins Bois terroir, known for its tender, floral notes. Distillation of the 1995 crop was meticulously executed in copper pot stills, culminating in an eau-de-vie of remarkable finesse. It was then placed into oak casks where it matured for decades, extracting a complex array of flavours from the traditionally toasted wood. The Prunier Vintage Fins Bois Cognac 1995 is prominent for its robust, yet smooth character, boasting an enchanting palette of dried fruits, spice, and oak notes. If sophistication personified were a liquid, the Prunier Vintage Fins Bois Cognac 1995 would undoubtedly be that exquisite potion. |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€986.10 |
|||||
Vinous (94)Palish golden-yellow color. Classic aromas and flavors of citrus zest, white peach, crushed stone and savory flinty minerality, plus a complicating balsamic nuance. At once tactile and smooth, this impeccably balanced Chablis offers superb subtle aromatic complexity on the palate, opening with air to fill the mouth without leaving any impression of weightiness. Not quite velvety in texture but quite fine-grained, this wine is much more fun to drink than the '96 and is still in fine form. |
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|
|
Rhone | 1 | 96 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€2,019.73 |
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Wine Advocate (96)The 1995 is spectacular. When Emmanuel Reynaud said it was evolving quickly, in essence repudiating this vintage, I immediately drank two bottles of this glorious elixir. It does not reveal the over-ripeness of the 1990, bringing to mind a hypothetical blend of the great 1989 and 1978. Deeply-colored and still young, with black currant/creme de cassis-like characteristics, huge body, yet great structure and delineation, this is a classic Rayas that is totally different than the 1990. It should continue to improve in the bottle and may merit an even higher score. While it can be drunk now, it will be even better with 3-4 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020. |
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|
Rhone | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€4,238.92 |
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|
|
Burgundy | 3 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,021.16 |
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|
Devotees of superbly matured French vintages will adore the Robert Ampeau Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 1995. This opulent Pinot Noir hails from the idyllic commune of Volnay, in the heart of Burgundy. Crafted by famous Burgundy producer Robert Ampeau, whose winemaking tradition dates to the late 18th century, this wine embodies his signature approach of cellaring wines until they achieve optimal maturity before releasing them to the public. The 1995 vintage enjoys a prestigious reputation for its longevity and structure. In the glass, the Robert Ampeau Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 1995 presents a mesmerising ruby hue. Trademark notes of ripe cherries and wild strawberries are punctuated by earthy undertones and a delicate smoky whisper. Its well-structured tannins and vibrant acidity provide an impeccably balanced palate. For the discerning wine aficionado, the Robert Ampeau Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 1995 offers an exquisite opportunity to savour the zenith of Burgundian winemaking. |
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|
|
Rhone | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€699.32 |
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|
|
Champagne | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,929.73 |
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Vinous (95)The 1995 Salon, disgorged à la volée and naturally sans dosage, is rich, ample and creamy. In this vertical, the 1995 stands out for its broad, ample frame and tropically-leaning overtones. So often, Salon is a Champagne of tension and focus. Even without dosage, the 1995 is distinctly more ample than is the norm and yet all the elements come together nicely just the same. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94+ (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€5,402.77 |
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Wine Advocate (94+)A very powerful, concentrated Tertre Roteboeuf, but completely closed at present, this wine has a deep ruby/purple color, and a sweet nose of black cherry and plum jam intermixed with hints of vanilla, chocolate, and espresso roast. The wine is medium to full-bodied, quite tannic, powerful, and one of the more backward wines I have tasted at this estate. It requires much more cellaring than I originally anticipated. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020. Last tasted, 12/02. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (VN (ST)) |
Inc. TAX
€7,811.82 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (95)Superb, saturated dark ruby color. Knockout aromas of black raspberry, smoked duck and suave, smoky oak. Thick, sweet and velvety in the mouth; the fruit explodes with aeration, saturating those hard-to-reach places in the mouth. Really fabulous sweetness. A slightly roasted note suggests great ripeness (though I recall Thunevin telling me two years ago that this wine could have been even greater had he waited another few days to harvest!). Ultrasuave tannins are buried in a wave of fruit. One of the longest finishes of the vintage. Purists may argue that a wine like this cannot possible match such '95s as Latour or Margaux or Petrus for terroir character or class, but few wines can match the '95 Valandraud for sheer hedonistic pleasure. |
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Champagne | 1 | 92+ (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€2,260.42 |
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Vinous (92+)Deep but youthfully unevolved aromas of toffee apple, lemon and mint. Penetrating, rich and thick, with a deep, yeasty, baked bread component. At once brisk and seamless but brooding more than expressive today. Finishes long, dry and backward. This may ultimately merit a score in the mid-90s. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95.0 |
In Bond
€1,445.00 |
|||||
|
|
Burgundy | 1 | - |
In Bond
€5,485.00 |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (WS) |
In Bond
€3,360.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (91)A solid, well-built '95. Lovely chocolate, berry and tobacco aromas, with a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. The best second label of Pauillac? Well, it is from Château Latour. Best after 2001. |
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|
|
Champagne | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
€733.00 |
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James Suckling (97)From the family collection, disgorged ten years after harvest, slightly lower than original dosage. Shows some malolactic honeyed character (rare in Cristal at 20-25%), a cool late September harvest with a poor set and high millerandage in the vineyard. This shows more dominant chardonnay on the nose with sweet honey and nougat, some dried lime citrus too, it also has an earthy side and some deep spice. The palate has almost cognac-like fruits, toasted brioche and raisin bread flavours, very assertive, concentrated, a liqueur-like Champagne that has a lot of potential and great length. -NS |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94 (WS) |
In Bond
€1,810.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (94)A wine that continues to improve with age. Shows loads of ripe plum, almost prune, with hints of vanilla and mineral. Full, chewy and tight. Still needs time.--Lynch-Bages non-blind vertical. Best after 2008. |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WS) |
In Bond
€7,130.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (100)Dark color. Black licorice, coffee, currants and black olives. Complex nose. A full-bodied, chewy blockbuster of a wine that is not giving anything at all away. It is like buried treasure still; you have to search for the gold. And it's there. Fabulous. Please give this time.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2014. 18,000 cases made. -JS |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WS) |
In Bond
€8,280.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (100)Dark color. Black licorice, coffee, currants and black olives. Complex nose. A full-bodied, chewy blockbuster of a wine that is not giving anything at all away. It is like buried treasure still; you have to search for the gold. And it's there. Fabulous. Please give this time.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2014. 18,000 cases made. -JS |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | - |
In Bond
€2,840.00 |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | - |
In Bond
€4,935.00 |
|||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (WA) |
In Bond
€286.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (92)Tasted at the vertical in London, I had never really warmed to the 1995 Montrose despite tasting its many times. However, this bottle seemed closed to Robert Parker's remarks from 2014. It is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that was harvested from 13 to 26 September. The bouquet is less vigorous and more approachable than the 1996 Montrose, initially quite taciturn, but gaining vigor with time and offering blackberry, briary and undergrowth scents, later just a touch of bay leaf and sandalwood. The palate is driven by the higher Merlot content, rendering this a relatively plush and comely Saint Estèphe, well balanced with very good depth, perhaps a Montrose for those with a penchant for headier and opulent styles of wine. Whilst the 1996 has the class and sophistication, the greatest virtue of the 1995 is the most fundamental: enjoyment. Tasted June 2016. |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 18 (JR) |
In Bond
€5,140.00 |
|||||
Jancis Robinson (18)Harvested 12–27 September. 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc. Cabernet was rather compromised by rain during the harvest, while the Merlot was very successful. Even darker than the 1996, this Mouton is still remarkably youthful in appearance. More flamboyant on the nose, with cigar-box, spices and leafy blackcurrant notes all evident. There is plenty of concentration and weight for further ageing, although the tannins are a little dry – perhaps a reflection of the harvest conditions. Still a very impressive Mouton. |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | - |
In Bond
€357.00 |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (WS) |
In Bond
€831.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (93)Greatest wine ever made at this estate. A breathtaking wine to drink now, but please wait. Lots of fruit, spice and tomato character. Full-bodied and very velvety, with a long, flavorful finish. Now or later, it's hard to resist. |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WS) |
In Bond
€22,365.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (97)This is like a genie in the bottle. Fascinating yet subtle aromas of blackberry, minerals, fresh flowers and Spanish cedar. Full-bodied, with wonderful layers of ultrafine tannins. It coats your mouth and tantalizes your palate. A gorgeous thing all around.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010. 3,200 cases made. -JS |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WS) |
In Bond
€20,995.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (97)This is like a genie in the bottle. Fascinating yet subtle aromas of blackberry, minerals, fresh flowers and Spanish cedar. Full-bodied, with wonderful layers of ultrafine tannins. It coats your mouth and tantalizes your palate. A gorgeous thing all around.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010. 3,200 cases made. -JS |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (JS) |
In Bond
€2,285.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (93)Château Pichon Longueville Baron Pauillac 1995 : This is surprisingly delicate and fine now with currant and spice character and hints nuts. It is full body with refined texture and a beautiful finish. No reason to wait on this red. It's ready to drink. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (WA) |
In Bond
€465.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (96)What sumptuous pleasures await those who purchase either the 1996 or 1995 Pichon-Lalande. It is hard to choose a favorite, although the 1995 is a smoother, more immediately sexy and accessible wine. It is an exquisite example of Pichon-Lalande with the Merlot component giving the wine a coffee/chocolatey/cherry component to go along with the Cabernet Sauvignon's and Cabernet Franc's complex blackberry/cassis fruit. The wine possesses an opaque black/ruby/purple color, and sexy, flamboyant aromatics of pain grille, black fruits, and cedar. Exquisite on the palate, this full-bodied, layered, multidimensional wine should prove to be one of the vintage's most extraordinary success stories. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2020. |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 85 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,025.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (85)In my article on Ponsot's 1995s out of barrel, I heaped considerable praise on the Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes, describing it as prodigious, and going so far as to say that I would not be surprised if it deserved a perfect rating! At my recent tasting I found it to be light-to-medium ruby-colored with an amber edge. Its slightly alcoholic nose is reminiscent of cherry-flavored Bubbleyum bubblegum mixed with white pepper and grapefruit. On the palate, this wine is a pale shadow of its former self. Amidst an earthy, stony, red pit fruit-flavored, and medium-bodied core, there remains a ghost-like trace of the richness and ripeness I originally had seen in this wine. After it had been opened for 48 hours I re-visited it. To its credit, this Clos de la Roche had not deteriorated, yet it had not gotten any better either. I will not be drinking my remaining bottles in the near term as I want to see if Laurent Ponsot's assertion that these wines will regain their fruit in time is correct. However, I cannot recommend the same course of action to readers as I see no reason to believe that cellaring will help this wine. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94 (WS) |
In Bond
€1,640.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (94)Fabulous nose of crushed currants, blackberries and forest flowers. Full-bodied, with plenty of ripe fruit and silky tannins. This is really holding back.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010. 23,000 cases made. -JS |
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|
|
Cognac | 2 | - |
In Bond
€467.00 |
|||||
|
The Prunier Vintage Fins Bois Cognac 1995, made in the heart of France, is an exquisite expression of traditional craftsmanship. This unrivalled spirit hails from the famous Maison Prunier, a family-run house with an enviable lineage dating back to the late 17th century. Impeccably preserved in Prunier's antique cellars, this cognac is a true embodiment of the Fins Bois terroir, known for its tender, floral notes. Distillation of the 1995 crop was meticulously executed in copper pot stills, culminating in an eau-de-vie of remarkable finesse. It was then placed into oak casks where it matured for decades, extracting a complex array of flavours from the traditionally toasted wood. The Prunier Vintage Fins Bois Cognac 1995 is prominent for its robust, yet smooth character, boasting an enchanting palette of dried fruits, spice, and oak notes. If sophistication personified were a liquid, the Prunier Vintage Fins Bois Cognac 1995 would undoubtedly be that exquisite potion. |
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|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€818.00 |
|||||
Vinous (94)Palish golden-yellow color. Classic aromas and flavors of citrus zest, white peach, crushed stone and savory flinty minerality, plus a complicating balsamic nuance. At once tactile and smooth, this impeccably balanced Chablis offers superb subtle aromatic complexity on the palate, opening with air to fill the mouth without leaving any impression of weightiness. Not quite velvety in texture but quite fine-grained, this wine is much more fun to drink than the '96 and is still in fine form. |
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|
|
Rhone | 1 | 96 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,680.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (96)The 1995 is spectacular. When Emmanuel Reynaud said it was evolving quickly, in essence repudiating this vintage, I immediately drank two bottles of this glorious elixir. It does not reveal the over-ripeness of the 1990, bringing to mind a hypothetical blend of the great 1989 and 1978. Deeply-colored and still young, with black currant/creme de cassis-like characteristics, huge body, yet great structure and delineation, this is a classic Rayas that is totally different than the 1990. It should continue to improve in the bottle and may merit an even higher score. While it can be drunk now, it will be even better with 3-4 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020. |
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|
|
Rhone | 1 | - |
In Bond
€3,510.00 |
|||||
|
|
Burgundy | 3 | - |
In Bond
€814.00 |
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Devotees of superbly matured French vintages will adore the Robert Ampeau Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 1995. This opulent Pinot Noir hails from the idyllic commune of Volnay, in the heart of Burgundy. Crafted by famous Burgundy producer Robert Ampeau, whose winemaking tradition dates to the late 18th century, this wine embodies his signature approach of cellaring wines until they achieve optimal maturity before releasing them to the public. The 1995 vintage enjoys a prestigious reputation for its longevity and structure. In the glass, the Robert Ampeau Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 1995 presents a mesmerising ruby hue. Trademark notes of ripe cherries and wild strawberries are punctuated by earthy undertones and a delicate smoky whisper. Its well-structured tannins and vibrant acidity provide an impeccably balanced palate. For the discerning wine aficionado, the Robert Ampeau Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 1995 offers an exquisite opportunity to savour the zenith of Burgundian winemaking. |
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Rhone | 2 | - |
In Bond
€538.00 |
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Champagne | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,605.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 1995 Salon, disgorged à la volée and naturally sans dosage, is rich, ample and creamy. In this vertical, the 1995 stands out for its broad, ample frame and tropically-leaning overtones. So often, Salon is a Champagne of tension and focus. Even without dosage, the 1995 is distinctly more ample than is the norm and yet all the elements come together nicely just the same. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94+ (WA) |
In Bond
€4,465.00 |
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Wine Advocate (94+)A very powerful, concentrated Tertre Roteboeuf, but completely closed at present, this wine has a deep ruby/purple color, and a sweet nose of black cherry and plum jam intermixed with hints of vanilla, chocolate, and espresso roast. The wine is medium to full-bodied, quite tannic, powerful, and one of the more backward wines I have tasted at this estate. It requires much more cellaring than I originally anticipated. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020. Last tasted, 12/02. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (VN (ST)) |
In Bond
€6,480.00 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (95)Superb, saturated dark ruby color. Knockout aromas of black raspberry, smoked duck and suave, smoky oak. Thick, sweet and velvety in the mouth; the fruit explodes with aeration, saturating those hard-to-reach places in the mouth. Really fabulous sweetness. A slightly roasted note suggests great ripeness (though I recall Thunevin telling me two years ago that this wine could have been even greater had he waited another few days to harvest!). Ultrasuave tannins are buried in a wave of fruit. One of the longest finishes of the vintage. Purists may argue that a wine like this cannot possible match such '95s as Latour or Margaux or Petrus for terroir character or class, but few wines can match the '95 Valandraud for sheer hedonistic pleasure. |
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Champagne | 1 | 92+ (VN) |
In Bond
€1,865.00 |
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Vinous (92+)Deep but youthfully unevolved aromas of toffee apple, lemon and mint. Penetrating, rich and thick, with a deep, yeasty, baked bread component. At once brisk and seamless but brooding more than expressive today. Finishes long, dry and backward. This may ultimately merit a score in the mid-90s. |
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