Vinous (95)

The 2015 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Vénus Grand Cru is sublime. Lemon confit, menthol, dried herbs and white pepper all meld together in the glass. More of a wine than Champagne, the Vénus is creamy and open-knit, with lovely freshness and plenty of character. No dosage. Disgorged: May, 2021.

Wine Advocate (98)

From old vines in lieu-dit La Fosse that are planted at somewhat lower density (1.2 meters apart) but where there are consequently very few missing vines or replants, Agrapart's striking 2016 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vénus unwinds in the glass with scents of citrus oil, crisp stone fruit, toasted almonds, warm biscuits, orange zest and iodine. Full-bodied, concentrated and tightly wound, with terrific depth at the core, racy acids and a long, intensely saline finish, it's another brilliant wine from this benchmark grower-bottler.

Wine Advocate (96)

Disgorged in August 2024 without dosage, the 2018 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vénus, as always, derives from La Fosse aux Pourceaux, a 0.6-hectare plot of land in Avize planted in 1959, which is farmed solely by man and horse, without the use of heavy mechanical equipment. With texture defined by the maturation in old 600-liter oak barrels, Vénus is more discreet than the broad shouldered Avizoise but more demonstrative than the crystalline Minéral, despite the short distance between La Fosse aux Pourceaux and Le Champ Bouton that defines Minéral. Unfurling from the glass with aromas of honeysuckle, pear, fresh hazelnut and iodine, it is a harmonious wine with an intensely chalky profile, laden with bright acids. More elegant than its 2017 rendition, Agrapart’s desire to capture freshness and precision is very well realized in this edition.

Vinous - Neal Martin (91)

The 2015 Aile d'Argent Blanc has a lively, quite fresh bouquet with scents of pear, melon and touches of yellow flowers; there is plenty of energy here. The palate is well balanced with a spicy, lemongrass-tinged opening, not deep or voluminous but displaying a pleasant sharpness toward the finish. Enjoy this over the next decade, or possibly more. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

James Suckling (97-98)

A very exotic Aile d’Argent with dried-mango, fresh-pineapple, and sliced-lemon aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and very ripe, yet it’s framed by bright acidity. Tangy and vivid with a long, intense finish. Exciting. Contrastive. 38% semillon and the rest sauvignon blanc and gris.

James Suckling (95-96)

This is full-bodied with layers of fruit. Ripe and flavorful. Lots going on with a fleshy feel. No malolactic this year. Sweet peach, honeysuckle and citrus. Contrastive. 52% sauvignon blanc, 14% sauvignon gris and 34% semillon.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

Beautiful intensity and grip through the palate, this shows white pear, juicy citrus, and slate-filled salinity on the finish. Great stuff, with teasingly drawn out flavours, lift and tension, and hidden depths. Some frost meant the yields were lower than normal at 32hl/h. 15% malolactic fermentation to soften the acidities, with Sauvignon Gris vines included within the Sauvignon Blanc count, and no Muscadelle in the blend as the vines have now been uprooted, giving a slight break in style (for the better in my opinion). 3.25ph, 45% new barrels for ageing. First year with Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy as director from beginning to end of the growing season, after Philippe Dhaulluin's retirement.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

Beautiful intensity and grip through the palate, this shows white pear, juicy citrus, and slate-filled salinity on the finish. Great stuff, with teasingly drawn out flavours, lift and tension, and hidden depths. Some frost meant the yields were lower than normal at 32hl/h. 15% malolactic fermentation to soften the acidities, with Sauvignon Gris vines included within the Sauvignon Blanc count, and no Muscadelle in the blend as the vines have now been uprooted, giving a slight break in style (for the better in my opinion). 3.25ph, 45% new barrels for ageing. First year with Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy as director from beginning to end of the growing season, after Philippe Dhaulluin's retirement.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

Great depth and freshness, fleshy nectarine and spiced pear, fennel and oyster shell, grilled oak and genersoity. Balances salinity and flesh, expertly judged. Harvest August 29 to September 6, 45% new oak for ageing. Co-fermented Muscadelle with Sauvignon Gris.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2011 Chambertin Clos de Bèze is endowed with serious depth, richness and power. Violets, plums, black cherries, mint and licorice all meld together in a deeply expressive, resonant Bèze. Totally alive in the glass, the 2011 impresses for the striking purity of its fruit. The 2011 Bèze is shaping up to be a beauty of a wine.

Vinous (92-94)

(one new barrel out of three and a half; from Pierre Damoy fruit): Healthy medium red. Very late-harvested aromas of ripe black cherry, red licorice and spices, complicated by nuances of honeysuckle, menthol, mint and leather. At once tightly wound and seamless, massive yet light on its feet, conveying terrific energy to its intense flavors of black cherry, raspberry and cinnamon. Finishes with suggestions of medicinal red cherry and licorice and excellent lift.

A notable embodiment of meticulous winemaking, the Alain Burguet Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Rouges du Dessus 2017 wine is a sophisticated choice for connoisseurs. Made in France's esteemed Burgundy region, this wine's essence narrates the rich story of Alain Burguet, a reputable producer known for his refined vintages and his devotion to traditional methods. Matured in Burguet's cellars, this particular cuvée hails from the prized Les Rouges du Dessus vineyard, identified for its superior terroir.

Nurturing Pinot Noir grapes organically with minimal intervention, Alain Burguet Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Rouges du Dessus 2017 bestows a rich, yet balanced profile with abundant fruit notes. The wine bewitches with an alluring nose of red berries and delicate spices, promising a tantalising experience. With an elegant finish and commendable ageing potential, this wine unequivocally exudes Burgundy's grandeur. Delve into the esoteric world of fine wines with this sublime vintage.

Embodying utter sophistication, Alain Burguet Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Rouges du Dessus 2018 originates from France's renowned Burgundy region. Esteemed vintner Alain Burguet meticulously combined traditional and modern winemaking methods to cultivate this exceptional wine. Renowned for their commitment to organic viticulture, their vineyards are tended without chemical intervention, ensuring the purest expression of the terroir.

The wine reveals intense aromas of ripe black cherries and earthy undertones, transcending into an alluring palate of red fruit tones balanced by a distinguished minerality. Its depth and complexity are a testament to the sandy limestone soils from which its Pinot Noir grapes were harvested. Well-structured with a delicately smooth texture, this wine exhibits an exquisite balance of opulent fruitiness and firm tannins, promising excellent ageing potential.

Exemplary of Burguet's consistent pursuit of excellence, Alain Burguet Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Rouges du Dessus 2018 truly is a magnificent wine encompassing the essence of Burgundy.

Vinous (93)

The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières 1er Cru has a very mineral driven bouquet, fresh but sharing some of the Zen-like characteristic that I discerned on the 2019. The palate is taut and fresh with a fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious, poised with a superb saline "tang" that pops up on the finish. Still, it needs a few years to cohere in bottle but it will be worth the wait. Needs cellaring.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93)

Slightly the deepest in colour and the richest nose of the four premier crus. Some lemon notes and light plum, then white fruit. This has the most assured texture of the four. Good grip, as Clive Coates would have said, stretching out very nicely in a fine long finish.

Jancis Robinson (17)

Cask sample. Top-quality premier cru Puligny. Concentration and power on the nose/palate. Savoury edge, plenty of citrus keeping the palate fresh. Should age very well. Stony finish with an intriguing zesty character. GV.