Wines from the Week | 28th June - 4th July 2021
Truly a week full of wonderful offers and new releases, here are our top picks for wine investors, collectors and drinkers.
Our Recommendations
La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion 2020 | Outscoring most second wines from the First Growths yet available at a fraction of the cost. Our top recommendation of the week
The second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion, La Chapelle 2020 is yet another stellar EP release. Earning an impressive 92-94 points from the Wine Advocate and a highest-ever 94 points from Jane Anson, it could potentially be this cuvée’s greatest ever vintage. Anson admires the “confidence and sheer easy appeal” that oozes out of La Chapelle 2020, emphasising that the second wine “rivals plenty of first wines in this vintage”. Antonio Galloni (Vinous) cites the exceptional balance of La Chapelle 2020, finding that to be extremely impressive and calling it “an especially fine La Chappelle”.
Krug Grande Cuvée 169th Édition NV | This is no ordinary NV Champagne. Composed of 146 wines across 11 vintages, an uncommon score of 18.5/20 from Jancis Robinson MW should pique every buyer’s interest
Krug Grande Cuvée is no ordinary NV Champagne, with no other Maison blends as many wines, from as many years as Krug
Édition 169 is an astonishing blend of 146 wines across 11 years constituting the final wine, of which 2013 is the lead and 2000 the eldest. Hailed as “a Chardonnay year par excellence” by Michael Edwards (Decanter), Édition 169 reflects the exceptional harvest from 2013.
Expressing the fullness and elegance of 2013, Édition 169 is a “sleek and fresh and truly spring-like" Champagne, according to Jancis Robinson MW who awards the wine 18.5/20 points. Beguilingly complex as all the greatest Krug Champagnes are, 169 cannot help but “play the intellectual card” and gives drinkers reason to pause and contemplate.
Petrolo Galatrona 2016 | A worthy rival to the likes of Pétrus, Le Pin and Masseto, this is an iconic Merlot-based Super Tuscan representing some of the best value in Italy
Galatrona is the prestige cuvée from Petrolo. The undisputed king of these hills, this wine is sourced from a small vineyard of the same name. Planted in the 1980s with low-yielding Bordeaux clone Merlot vines, the vineyard’s soil is an archetypal composition of deeply rich clay with veins of schist, marl and sandstone imbuing stunning minerality to the effortlessly generous and elegant fruit. Inspired by the great producers of Pomerol, Galatrona has established itself as a worthy rival to the likes of Pétrus, Le Pin and Masseto.
In 2016, a legendary vintage for many regions, Petrolo produced a truly profound expression of Merlot in Galatrona. “A masterpiece to behold” in the words of Monica Larner (Wine Advocate), the 2016 unfurls with unfathomably layered and generous notes of gorgeous dark fruit, chocolate and hauntingly perfumed violets as well as wilted rose. As powerful and deceptively integrated as any world-class Merlot, Antonio Galloni (Vinous) was deeply impressed by the wine’s “serious fruit intensity and energy”, whilst providing collectors with the stern warning that patience should be exercised in respect for Galatrona’s structure, stating that “opening a bottle now is a crime”.
Read More
Wines from the Week | 28th June - 4th July 2021
Photo
AI Chat
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
South Australia | 1 | 20 (JR) |
Inc. TAX
€3,040.38 |
|||||
Jancis Robinson (20)Delivers absolutely everything you want from Grange: the fruit is knee-weakeningly gorgeous, the oak fits in beautifully, and there's endless length that gives a thoughtful, engaging aftertaste. |
|||||||||
|
|
South Australia | 1 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€154.38 |
|||||
James Suckling (96)A very fresh, piercing nose of sliced lemon with plenty of sweet perfume, too. The palate is similarly intense and vibrant with white stone-fruit and lemon flavors, delivered in an impressively intense and balanced mode. Drink or hold. Screw cap. |
|||||||||
|
|
Castilla y Leon | 1 | 94+ (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€392.77 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (94+)The youngest of the reds I tasted, the 2019 Pícaro del Águila Tinto is their most approachable red and is still serious, vibrant and aromatic with great length and still has good aging potential. They use the grapes from the warmest vineyards they have in the village of La Aguilera, form the northern part closer to La Horra, mostly Tempranillo but with some 5% of other varieties (red and white) interplanted in the old vineyards, fermented together with full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak barrels for 15 months. Like the 2019 Clarete, this is young and tender and has more tension than I expected for a warmer year. It has less oak than previous years (only 10% or 15% new barrels), and the wine feels better balanced and is floral and aromatic. It's medium-bodied with a very fine texture, a pretty wine that drinks very well and doesn't reflect a warm year at all, as it has incredible freshness. A great Pícaro. They produced 69,852 bottles and 850 magnums, a notable increase in volume... while they increase the quality! It was bottled in February 2021. |
|||||||||
|
|
Castilla y Leon | 1 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€440.77 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95)The juicy, velvety and aromatic red 2020 Pícaro del Águila Tinto is fine-boned and quite faithfully represents what they want to express with this cuvée; it's very tasty and has some chalkiness (perhaps through less ripeness than in years like 2018) with 14% alcohol and mellow acidity. The nose reveals some Côte-Rôtie-like notes of smoked meat and violets. 2020 delivered a good crop of healthy grapes that produced the finest wine to date for this bottling. This is superb, elegant and powerful, with everything in place (seems to be the signature of 2020) and perfectly integrated oak. 71,382 bottles and 1,979 magnums produced. It was bottled in September 2021. |
|||||||||
|
|
Veneto | 1 | 94 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€240.78 |
|||||
James Suckling (94)Very ripe Soave here with aromas of dried pineapple, honeycomb, pecan pie, light toffee and a wealth of fresh and dried flowers flitting around the edges. Medium-to full-bodied with a lovely, long palate of fruit syrup and caramel. Seamless, tasty and long. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rhone | 8 | 94 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€427.67 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (94)Mostly Grenache yet with 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with 10% Cinsault, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape boasts a vivid purple hue as well as a complex bouquet of red, blue, and black fruits as well as notes of flowers, spice, and peppery garrigue. It actually reminds me of the Cuvée Mon Aïeul with its ripe yet elegant profile. Full-bodied, balanced, and lengthy, it’s going to offer loads of pleasure over the coming 10-15 years. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rhone | 1 | 98+ (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€560.56 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)One of the top handful of wines in the vintage, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée De Mon Aïeul is all Grenache, from the different terroirs (one sand, one clay, and one limestone) that was 50% destemmed and aged all in older demi-muids. Reminding me of the 2007 with its incredible perfume of ripe black raspberries, strawberries, flowery incense, peppery and Provençal garrigue, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a round, expansive texture, gorgeous tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. A wine of incredibly purity, precision, and elegance, yet also with power and opulence, this sensational effort is in need of 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 10 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€912.78 |
|||||
Vinous (96)An enticing mix of exotic spice, crushed violets, medicinal black cherries and sweet mint wafts up from the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene. Its textures are silky and rich, nicely matched by depths of ripe red and blue berries, plus an enriching hint of almond paste. This stops just short of decadence, as salty minerals and bright acidity add a more savory twang, and fine-grained tannins slowly take hold. While structured, the long, dramatic finale is packed full of dark primary fruits, savory herbs and hints of mocha. I expect the 2016 Riserva Lupi e Sirene to be firing on all cylinders after only a short stay in the cellar. There will be no 2017 due to the drastic loss of fruit in that extremely dry and warm vintage. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 95+ (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€345.18 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95+)The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino offers a pure and classic expression of the vintage with bright fruit tones, wild cherry, toasted nut, blue flower and forest floor. Whereas the other wines in the Poggio Antico portfolio undergo aging in smaller tonneaux, this wine is aged in large Slavonian casks instead. You taste the lift and brightness of the fruit, and it's all quite lovely. Grapes are sourced across a 13-hectare site at a very high 500 meters in elevation. The name of this area is I Poggi, and the soils here are a bit lighter and rockier with both schistous galestro and limestone alberese. I love the delicate approach here, the intensity of those floral aromas, and the silky nature of the mouthfeel. Some 34,000 bottles will be released in January 2021. This classic Brunello really stands out. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€569.58 |
|||||
James Suckling (98-99)This is integrated, with superb density and beauty, offering blackcurrant, mineral and some bark. Full-bodied, yet so polished and refined. Crushed stone. Lots of expression and texture to this wine. Creamy. Pure and precise. Elegant, yet layered. Slightly plusher than the 2019. Dense, yet agile. Fresh as always. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. 50% new oak 15% old oak and 35% concrete amphorae. |
|||||||||
|
|
1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€671.99 |
||||||
|
The collection case contains of one bottle each of:
More Info
1. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Pora 2. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè 3. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello 4. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo 5. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Asili 6. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà 7. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota 8. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico 9. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano |
|||||||||
|
|
Piedmont | 2 | 94 (GS) |
Inc. TAX
€199.67 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (94)We all know when Produttori del Barbaresco decide not to bottle all their great nine grower crus, the resulting wines are all blended into the Barbaresco DOCG normale cuvee. 2018 is just such a vintage and sure enough, eager collectors have been waiting for this super charged Nebbiolo release. On initial examination, the wine shows the most pretty, lifted, inviting aromatics of dried rose petals, crushed coriander, tart red cherries, salty blueberries and a seductive red liquorice complexity. On the palate, there is an attractive translucent purity and silky filigree tannins that combine with a suave, lithe, harmonious concentration of red cherry candied fruits, touches of tar, saline cassis, sloe berries and a finish that typifies true, pure classical Nebbiolo fruit. While the seductive allure of the perfumed aromatics currently outpace the slightly backwardness of the palate fruit density and structure, all the signs in the glass point to another extremely fine and supremely attractive Barbaresco release. Drink from 2022 to 2034+. |
|||||||||
|
|
Piedmont | 2 | 92+ (GS) |
Inc. TAX
€162.78 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (92+)Produttori del Barbaresco makes its Langhe Nebbiolo with declassified Barbaresco fruit (often from parcels on lower slopes) so production volumes are notably reduced in the better vintages when more of the prime fruit finds its way into their delicious village Barbaresco DOCG or indeed one of the classy nine Cru Riservas. This young 2020 Nebbiolo certainly shows great promise with an immediately attractive array of aromatics that boast dark cherry, damson plum, sweet herbs, blood orange and a slight menthol top note. Always wonderfully intense and potent, the palate displays a medium bodied weight of red and black berry fruits, macerated strawberries and sweet cherries with an underlying cool, suave elegance and a fresh acid vitality. The finish is creamy and plush with soft plump tannins, subtle piquant black liquorice notes and a pure, weightless length. Delightfully streamlined and accessible, this 2020 continues a fine run of vintages for Produttori del Barbaresco. Drink from release and over 5 to 8 years. |
|||||||||
|
|
2 | 94 (CE) |
Inc. TAX
€198.61 |
||||||
Christian Eedes (94)65% Syrah, 13% Grenache, 13% Cinsault and 9% Carignan. The nose is particularly expressive with notes of red and black berries, cured meat, lavender, herbs and pepper while the palate is rich and flavourful but equally not short of freshness – a bit less foursquare than preceding vintages have tended to be. Complex and satisfying. |
|||||||||
|
|
2 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€195.25 |
||||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)The Swartland and Stellenbosch are the twin sources of this consistently outstanding white blend from Donovan Rall, made from a cuvée of Chenin Blanc with 32% Verdelho and a splash of Viognier. Nuanced, understated and focused, with wax, lanolin and aniseed top notes and a palate of citrus, pear and peach skin. Taut and refreshing. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rhone | 1 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€406.07 |
|||||
James Suckling (96)Deep, spicy and fragrant, this is a very concentrated and elegant Chateauneuf-du-Pape with remarkably fine tannins and floral delicacy alongside its earthy primacy. Mainly produced from grenache vines planted in 1901 and 1902. From Demeter-certified biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Oregon | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€385.79 |
|||||
Vinous (93)Deep red. Powerful aromas of ripe dark berries, cherry cola and pungent flowers are complemented by woodsmoke and mocha nuances. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering bitter cherry, blackberry and spicecake flavors that become livelier and sweeter with air. Finishes smooth, broad and impressively long, with delivering building spiciness and harmonious tannins that lend gentle grip to the intense berry fruit. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€198.78 |
|||||
Vinous (95)The 2018 Capstone (or Cornerstone, as it is labeled in the UK & Europe) presents an intense nose of copious black cherry, boysenberry and cassis scents; crushed violet and incense develop with minimal encouragement. The balanced palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, ripe but not overly sweet, and caressing toward the plush finish. Irresistible and quite cerebral. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€319.98 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)Any list of the world's greatest Sauvignon Blancs would be incomplete without this wine. Wood smoke and blackcurrant leaf aromas are a prelude to a palate of remarkable complexity and salinity, with savoury oak, fresh herb and pink grapefruit flavours and a finish that lingers on the palate for a minute |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 5 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€177.18 |
|||||
Vinous (95)The 2019 Syrah Biodynamic is drop-dead gorgeous on the nose, offering blackberry, blueberry, crushed violet and light star anise aromas that blossom with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins and great depth and intensity, equaled by a finesse that leaves you wanting more on the finish. A sublime Syrah from Johan Reyneke. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rheingau | 1 | 96 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€239.58 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (96)Vinified in stück and doppelstück (1,200- and 2,400-liter barrels, respectively) and aged on the full lees until the end of July, the 2020 Kiedrich Turmberg Riesling Trocken shows a fascinating, deep, intense and generous as well as complex and aristocratic bouquet of ripe yellow fruits and crushed dark stones. The Turmberg is darker-toned and deeper than the Klosterberg, maybe also even more complex and provided with substantial but elegant fruit. Full-bodied, refined and elegant on the palate, this is a lush, intense and expressive, seriously structured, very long, complex and tensioned Turmberg with a spectacularly long, multilayered and persistently salty finish. Seriously, the Turmberg has never been better than in 2020. For the first time since its re-activation in 2005, the Turmberg premier cru is on grand cru level. Its aftertaste is incredibly dense and compact but also salivating and provided with the energy and expression of a great wine. A Must Buy of the vintage and a Best Buy as well! Magnums preferred. Tasted at the domain in August 2021. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rheingau | 1 | 93 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€277.98 |
|||||
James Suckling (93)A very classic dry Rheingau riesling with plenty of mineral depth, packed in a rather sleek body. Delicate white-fruit aromas with some yellow-peach and floral notes. Long and precise, dry finish, the freshness of which pulls you back for more. Drink or hold. Screw cap. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 2 | 94 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€294.47 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (94)The Castello Romitorio 2017 Brunello di Montalcino comes from an estate that is quickly becoming a leader in a special niche of the Montalcino market. The wine is modern and soft, showing lots of contained ripeness and creaminess, yet it successfully embraces the fundamentals of the appellation and Sangiovese, thanks to its bright acidity and finely tuned structure. Few wines reach this level of precision, especially in a challenging vintage such as this. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 95 (WE) |
Inc. TAX
€531.97 |
|||||
Wine Enthusiast (95)This enticing red offers alluring aromas of fragrant purple flowers, dark-skinned berries and crushed mint. The elegantly structured palate doles out succulent blackberry, orange zest, licorice and saline notes set against taut, refined tannins. It's nicely balanced by fresh acidity. Drink 2022–2029 |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€599.58 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)The purity and polish here shows wonderfully the moment you stick your nose in the glass, with complex aromas of plums, berries, cedar and violets. It’s full-bodied and ever so refined with elegant and intense tannins that take you deep into the wine. This is a thoughtful and finely crafted Brunello that needs time to show you its greatness. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2024. |
|||||||||
|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 89-92 (BH) |
Inc. TAX
€485.74 |
|||||
Burghound (89-92)An intricately layered nose freely offers up its combination of ripe white and yellow orchard fruit, especially peach, and less floral but spicier aromas. The rich, textured and vibrant flavors possess very fine mid-palate density that brims with dry extract on the sappy finish that is supported by lemon-tinged acidity. This is a big and powerful St. Véran that isn't elegant but offers much to like. 2024+ Sweet Spot Outstanding |
|||||||||
|
|
South Australia | 1 | 98 (HWC) |
Inc. TAX
€299.58 |
|||||
Halliday Wine Companion (98)Sourced from 3 vineyards in Piccadilly, Lobethal and the estate’s high-elevation Lenswood block. Whole-bunch pressed, fermented and matured on lees in French barriques and puncheons. The first thing that strikes you is an elegance that is so fundamental to the style and respectful to the elite fruit within. The faintest of oak lifts adds a complexity to start, but the energy and concentration of the fruit become the prime focus on the palate. It's all about chardonnay's finest flavours and a vibrant acidity to drive it long into the future. |
|||||||||
|
|
Champagne | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€436.38 |
|||||
|
The Siret Grand Cru is a serious wine with a decidedly aristocratic personality. A rich shade of lemony straw in the glass, the bead is impeccably fine and consistent, promising a great texture on the palate. Complex on the nose, the notes immediately tend towards the darker side of the spectrum, with slightly bruised Williams pear and a haunting perfume of forest floor after a downpour. Classically for its varietal (100% Chardonnay), there is a lovely aroma of freshly shucked sweet garden pea alongside charming florals, as if the breeze was carrying perfume from the rose bush down into the vegetable patch. There is a toasty aspect to the Champagne being made as it is in the méthode traditionnelle, but in the Siret it tends more towards freshly baked biscuits than yeasty bread - equally seductive but less dominant. The promise of the bead is certainly kept in the mouth, with its creamy enveloping texture arguably the most impressive component of the wine. Such is its structure that it almost feels oily on the palate, before lovely flavours of pistachio, stroopwaffle and granite minerality emerge behind ripe lemons and crisp pear. There is serious complexity in this wine, which is balanced by prominent acidity, and will allow it to age very well.
More Info
|
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98.0 |
Inc. TAX
€480.78 |
|||||
|
Scoring 98 points from the Wine Advocate's Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 97 points from Decanter's Jane Anson and 18.5/20 from Jancis Robinson MW, this 2009 "remains the benchmark Suduiraut of recent years". Still taking a while to open up fully, indicting a very long life ahead, it has a "divine bouquet... building layer upon layer" (NM) that "seductively unfurls" (WA) with gorgeous notes of honey, dried pineapple, chamomile tea, yellow flowers and nectarine. The rich, viscous and satiny texture of the palate is "effortlessly" countered by a "beautiful razor-sharp line of acidity" (NM) that gives this Sauternes bags of freshness. With "epic length and depth" (WA) on the finish, this is a wine that will span generations with Neal Martin giving it a drinking window up to 2070. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. TAX
€232.38 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (97)Very few recent South African releases have been as eagerly awaited as this 2018 red from the old Cordoba property on the flank of the Helderberg. And it doesn't disappoint in the slightest. Cabernet Franc-centred, with 24% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, the new crescendo is a beautifully refined, detailed red from 21-year-old vines. Violet and cut grass aromas lead into a palate that is fresh, bright and comparatively low in alcohol with filigree tannins, subtle wood, fine tension and the focus and balance to age. What a début! |
|||||||||
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
South Australia | 1 | 20 (JR) |
In Bond
€2,515.00 |
|||||
Jancis Robinson (20)Delivers absolutely everything you want from Grange: the fruit is knee-weakeningly gorgeous, the oak fits in beautifully, and there's endless length that gives a thoughtful, engaging aftertaste. |
|||||||||
|
|
South Australia | 1 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
€110.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (96)A very fresh, piercing nose of sliced lemon with plenty of sweet perfume, too. The palate is similarly intense and vibrant with white stone-fruit and lemon flavors, delivered in an impressively intense and balanced mode. Drink or hold. Screw cap. |
|||||||||
|
|
Castilla y Leon | 1 | 94+ (WA) |
In Bond
€290.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (94+)The youngest of the reds I tasted, the 2019 Pícaro del Águila Tinto is their most approachable red and is still serious, vibrant and aromatic with great length and still has good aging potential. They use the grapes from the warmest vineyards they have in the village of La Aguilera, form the northern part closer to La Horra, mostly Tempranillo but with some 5% of other varieties (red and white) interplanted in the old vineyards, fermented together with full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak barrels for 15 months. Like the 2019 Clarete, this is young and tender and has more tension than I expected for a warmer year. It has less oak than previous years (only 10% or 15% new barrels), and the wine feels better balanced and is floral and aromatic. It's medium-bodied with a very fine texture, a pretty wine that drinks very well and doesn't reflect a warm year at all, as it has incredible freshness. A great Pícaro. They produced 69,852 bottles and 850 magnums, a notable increase in volume... while they increase the quality! It was bottled in February 2021. |
|||||||||
|
|
Castilla y Leon | 1 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
€330.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95)The juicy, velvety and aromatic red 2020 Pícaro del Águila Tinto is fine-boned and quite faithfully represents what they want to express with this cuvée; it's very tasty and has some chalkiness (perhaps through less ripeness than in years like 2018) with 14% alcohol and mellow acidity. The nose reveals some Côte-Rôtie-like notes of smoked meat and violets. 2020 delivered a good crop of healthy grapes that produced the finest wine to date for this bottling. This is superb, elegant and powerful, with everything in place (seems to be the signature of 2020) and perfectly integrated oak. 71,382 bottles and 1,979 magnums produced. It was bottled in September 2021. |
|||||||||
|
|
Veneto | 1 | 94 (JS) |
In Bond
€182.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (94)Very ripe Soave here with aromas of dried pineapple, honeycomb, pecan pie, light toffee and a wealth of fresh and dried flowers flitting around the edges. Medium-to full-bodied with a lovely, long palate of fruit syrup and caramel. Seamless, tasty and long. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rhone | 8 | 94 (JD) |
In Bond
€334.00 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (94)Mostly Grenache yet with 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with 10% Cinsault, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape boasts a vivid purple hue as well as a complex bouquet of red, blue, and black fruits as well as notes of flowers, spice, and peppery garrigue. It actually reminds me of the Cuvée Mon Aïeul with its ripe yet elegant profile. Full-bodied, balanced, and lengthy, it’s going to offer loads of pleasure over the coming 10-15 years. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rhone | 1 | 98+ (JD) |
In Bond
€444.00 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)One of the top handful of wines in the vintage, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée De Mon Aïeul is all Grenache, from the different terroirs (one sand, one clay, and one limestone) that was 50% destemmed and aged all in older demi-muids. Reminding me of the 2007 with its incredible perfume of ripe black raspberries, strawberries, flowery incense, peppery and Provençal garrigue, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a round, expansive texture, gorgeous tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. A wine of incredibly purity, precision, and elegance, yet also with power and opulence, this sensational effort is in need of 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 10 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
€742.00 |
|||||
Vinous (96)An enticing mix of exotic spice, crushed violets, medicinal black cherries and sweet mint wafts up from the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene. Its textures are silky and rich, nicely matched by depths of ripe red and blue berries, plus an enriching hint of almond paste. This stops just short of decadence, as salty minerals and bright acidity add a more savory twang, and fine-grained tannins slowly take hold. While structured, the long, dramatic finale is packed full of dark primary fruits, savory herbs and hints of mocha. I expect the 2016 Riserva Lupi e Sirene to be firing on all cylinders after only a short stay in the cellar. There will be no 2017 due to the drastic loss of fruit in that extremely dry and warm vintage. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 95+ (WA) |
In Bond
€269.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95+)The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino offers a pure and classic expression of the vintage with bright fruit tones, wild cherry, toasted nut, blue flower and forest floor. Whereas the other wines in the Poggio Antico portfolio undergo aging in smaller tonneaux, this wine is aged in large Slavonian casks instead. You taste the lift and brightness of the fruit, and it's all quite lovely. Grapes are sourced across a 13-hectare site at a very high 500 meters in elevation. The name of this area is I Poggi, and the soils here are a bit lighter and rockier with both schistous galestro and limestone alberese. I love the delicate approach here, the intensity of those floral aromas, and the silky nature of the mouthfeel. Some 34,000 bottles will be released in January 2021. This classic Brunello really stands out. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) |
In Bond
€456.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98-99)This is integrated, with superb density and beauty, offering blackcurrant, mineral and some bark. Full-bodied, yet so polished and refined. Crushed stone. Lots of expression and texture to this wine. Creamy. Pure and precise. Elegant, yet layered. Slightly plusher than the 2019. Dense, yet agile. Fresh as always. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. 50% new oak 15% old oak and 35% concrete amphorae. |
|||||||||
|
|
1 | - |
In Bond
€532.00 |
||||||
|
The collection case contains of one bottle each of:
More Info
1. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Pora 2. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè 3. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello 4. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo 5. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Asili 6. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà 7. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota 8. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico 9. 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano |
|||||||||
|
|
Piedmont | 2 | 94 (GS) |
In Bond
€144.00 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (94)We all know when Produttori del Barbaresco decide not to bottle all their great nine grower crus, the resulting wines are all blended into the Barbaresco DOCG normale cuvee. 2018 is just such a vintage and sure enough, eager collectors have been waiting for this super charged Nebbiolo release. On initial examination, the wine shows the most pretty, lifted, inviting aromatics of dried rose petals, crushed coriander, tart red cherries, salty blueberries and a seductive red liquorice complexity. On the palate, there is an attractive translucent purity and silky filigree tannins that combine with a suave, lithe, harmonious concentration of red cherry candied fruits, touches of tar, saline cassis, sloe berries and a finish that typifies true, pure classical Nebbiolo fruit. While the seductive allure of the perfumed aromatics currently outpace the slightly backwardness of the palate fruit density and structure, all the signs in the glass point to another extremely fine and supremely attractive Barbaresco release. Drink from 2022 to 2034+. |
|||||||||
|
|
Piedmont | 2 | 92+ (GS) |
In Bond
€117.00 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (92+)Produttori del Barbaresco makes its Langhe Nebbiolo with declassified Barbaresco fruit (often from parcels on lower slopes) so production volumes are notably reduced in the better vintages when more of the prime fruit finds its way into their delicious village Barbaresco DOCG or indeed one of the classy nine Cru Riservas. This young 2020 Nebbiolo certainly shows great promise with an immediately attractive array of aromatics that boast dark cherry, damson plum, sweet herbs, blood orange and a slight menthol top note. Always wonderfully intense and potent, the palate displays a medium bodied weight of red and black berry fruits, macerated strawberries and sweet cherries with an underlying cool, suave elegance and a fresh acid vitality. The finish is creamy and plush with soft plump tannins, subtle piquant black liquorice notes and a pure, weightless length. Delightfully streamlined and accessible, this 2020 continues a fine run of vintages for Produttori del Barbaresco. Drink from release and over 5 to 8 years. |
|||||||||
|
|
2 | 94 (CE) |
In Bond
€147.00 |
||||||
Christian Eedes (94)65% Syrah, 13% Grenache, 13% Cinsault and 9% Carignan. The nose is particularly expressive with notes of red and black berries, cured meat, lavender, herbs and pepper while the palate is rich and flavourful but equally not short of freshness – a bit less foursquare than preceding vintages have tended to be. Complex and satisfying. |
|||||||||
|
|
2 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
€144.00 |
||||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)The Swartland and Stellenbosch are the twin sources of this consistently outstanding white blend from Donovan Rall, made from a cuvée of Chenin Blanc with 32% Verdelho and a splash of Viognier. Nuanced, understated and focused, with wax, lanolin and aniseed top notes and a palate of citrus, pear and peach skin. Taut and refreshing. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rhone | 1 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
€316.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (96)Deep, spicy and fragrant, this is a very concentrated and elegant Chateauneuf-du-Pape with remarkably fine tannins and floral delicacy alongside its earthy primacy. Mainly produced from grenache vines planted in 1901 and 1902. From Demeter-certified biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Oregon | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€303.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)Deep red. Powerful aromas of ripe dark berries, cherry cola and pungent flowers are complemented by woodsmoke and mocha nuances. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering bitter cherry, blackberry and spicecake flavors that become livelier and sweeter with air. Finishes smooth, broad and impressively long, with delivering building spiciness and harmonious tannins that lend gentle grip to the intense berry fruit. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
€147.00 |
|||||
Vinous (95)The 2018 Capstone (or Cornerstone, as it is labeled in the UK & Europe) presents an intense nose of copious black cherry, boysenberry and cassis scents; crushed violet and incense develop with minimal encouragement. The balanced palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, ripe but not overly sweet, and caressing toward the plush finish. Irresistible and quite cerebral. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
€248.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)Any list of the world's greatest Sauvignon Blancs would be incomplete without this wine. Wood smoke and blackcurrant leaf aromas are a prelude to a palate of remarkable complexity and salinity, with savoury oak, fresh herb and pink grapefruit flavours and a finish that lingers on the palate for a minute |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 5 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
€129.00 |
|||||
Vinous (95)The 2019 Syrah Biodynamic is drop-dead gorgeous on the nose, offering blackberry, blueberry, crushed violet and light star anise aromas that blossom with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins and great depth and intensity, equaled by a finesse that leaves you wanting more on the finish. A sublime Syrah from Johan Reyneke. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rheingau | 1 | 96 (WA) |
In Bond
€181.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (96)Vinified in stück and doppelstück (1,200- and 2,400-liter barrels, respectively) and aged on the full lees until the end of July, the 2020 Kiedrich Turmberg Riesling Trocken shows a fascinating, deep, intense and generous as well as complex and aristocratic bouquet of ripe yellow fruits and crushed dark stones. The Turmberg is darker-toned and deeper than the Klosterberg, maybe also even more complex and provided with substantial but elegant fruit. Full-bodied, refined and elegant on the palate, this is a lush, intense and expressive, seriously structured, very long, complex and tensioned Turmberg with a spectacularly long, multilayered and persistently salty finish. Seriously, the Turmberg has never been better than in 2020. For the first time since its re-activation in 2005, the Turmberg premier cru is on grand cru level. Its aftertaste is incredibly dense and compact but also salivating and provided with the energy and expression of a great wine. A Must Buy of the vintage and a Best Buy as well! Magnums preferred. Tasted at the domain in August 2021. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rheingau | 1 | 93 (JS) |
In Bond
€213.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (93)A very classic dry Rheingau riesling with plenty of mineral depth, packed in a rather sleek body. Delicate white-fruit aromas with some yellow-peach and floral notes. Long and precise, dry finish, the freshness of which pulls you back for more. Drink or hold. Screw cap. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 2 | 94 (WA) |
In Bond
€223.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (94)The Castello Romitorio 2017 Brunello di Montalcino comes from an estate that is quickly becoming a leader in a special niche of the Montalcino market. The wine is modern and soft, showing lots of contained ripeness and creaminess, yet it successfully embraces the fundamentals of the appellation and Sangiovese, thanks to its bright acidity and finely tuned structure. Few wines reach this level of precision, especially in a challenging vintage such as this. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 95 (WE) |
In Bond
€406.00 |
|||||
Wine Enthusiast (95)This enticing red offers alluring aromas of fragrant purple flowers, dark-skinned berries and crushed mint. The elegantly structured palate doles out succulent blackberry, orange zest, licorice and saline notes set against taut, refined tannins. It's nicely balanced by fresh acidity. Drink 2022–2029 |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
€481.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)The purity and polish here shows wonderfully the moment you stick your nose in the glass, with complex aromas of plums, berries, cedar and violets. It’s full-bodied and ever so refined with elegant and intense tannins that take you deep into the wine. This is a thoughtful and finely crafted Brunello that needs time to show you its greatness. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2024. |
|||||||||
|
|
Burgundy | 1 | 89-92 (BH) |
In Bond
€360.00 |
|||||
Burghound (89-92)An intricately layered nose freely offers up its combination of ripe white and yellow orchard fruit, especially peach, and less floral but spicier aromas. The rich, textured and vibrant flavors possess very fine mid-palate density that brims with dry extract on the sappy finish that is supported by lemon-tinged acidity. This is a big and powerful St. Véran that isn't elegant but offers much to like. 2024+ Sweet Spot Outstanding |
|||||||||
|
|
South Australia | 1 | 98 (HWC) |
In Bond
€231.00 |
|||||
Halliday Wine Companion (98)Sourced from 3 vineyards in Piccadilly, Lobethal and the estate’s high-elevation Lenswood block. Whole-bunch pressed, fermented and matured on lees in French barriques and puncheons. The first thing that strikes you is an elegance that is so fundamental to the style and respectful to the elite fruit within. The faintest of oak lifts adds a complexity to start, but the energy and concentration of the fruit become the prime focus on the palate. It's all about chardonnay's finest flavours and a vibrant acidity to drive it long into the future. |
|||||||||
|
|
Champagne | 1 | - |
In Bond
€345.00 |
|||||
|
The Siret Grand Cru is a serious wine with a decidedly aristocratic personality. A rich shade of lemony straw in the glass, the bead is impeccably fine and consistent, promising a great texture on the palate. Complex on the nose, the notes immediately tend towards the darker side of the spectrum, with slightly bruised Williams pear and a haunting perfume of forest floor after a downpour. Classically for its varietal (100% Chardonnay), there is a lovely aroma of freshly shucked sweet garden pea alongside charming florals, as if the breeze was carrying perfume from the rose bush down into the vegetable patch. There is a toasty aspect to the Champagne being made as it is in the méthode traditionnelle, but in the Siret it tends more towards freshly baked biscuits than yeasty bread - equally seductive but less dominant. The promise of the bead is certainly kept in the mouth, with its creamy enveloping texture arguably the most impressive component of the wine. Such is its structure that it almost feels oily on the palate, before lovely flavours of pistachio, stroopwaffle and granite minerality emerge behind ripe lemons and crisp pear. There is serious complexity in this wine, which is balanced by prominent acidity, and will allow it to age very well.
More Info
|
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98.0 |
In Bond
€382.00 |
|||||
|
Scoring 98 points from the Wine Advocate's Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 97 points from Decanter's Jane Anson and 18.5/20 from Jancis Robinson MW, this 2009 "remains the benchmark Suduiraut of recent years". Still taking a while to open up fully, indicting a very long life ahead, it has a "divine bouquet... building layer upon layer" (NM) that "seductively unfurls" (WA) with gorgeous notes of honey, dried pineapple, chamomile tea, yellow flowers and nectarine. The rich, viscous and satiny texture of the palate is "effortlessly" countered by a "beautiful razor-sharp line of acidity" (NM) that gives this Sauternes bags of freshness. With "epic length and depth" (WA) on the finish, this is a wine that will span generations with Neal Martin giving it a drinking window up to 2070. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
€175.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (97)Very few recent South African releases have been as eagerly awaited as this 2018 red from the old Cordoba property on the flank of the Helderberg. And it doesn't disappoint in the slightest. Cabernet Franc-centred, with 24% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, the new crescendo is a beautifully refined, detailed red from 21-year-old vines. Violet and cut grass aromas lead into a palate that is fresh, bright and comparatively low in alcohol with filigree tannins, subtle wood, fine tension and the focus and balance to age. What a début! |
|||||||||
