Wine Advocate (96)

The 2013 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard is produced with grapes from the vineyard that names it--a vineyard planted in 1997 in the Altamira zone of Valle de Uco. It's mostly Malbec with some 4% Cabernet Franc, but the two grapes fermented together. It has less Cabernet Franc than other years because 2013 was fresh enough that just that pinch provided enough of the character they are looking for. They call this the most Malbec of our Malbecs and it has the textbook aromas of violets and red berries with perfectly integrated oak. The palate is also elegant and fresh and showcases the telltale round tannins of Malbec. This is truly outstanding. Some 8,000 bottles were filled in December 2015.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2013 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard is produced with grapes from the vineyard that names it--a vineyard planted in 1997 in the Altamira zone of Valle de Uco. It's mostly Malbec with some 4% Cabernet Franc, but the two grapes fermented together. It has less Cabernet Franc than other years because 2013 was fresh enough that just that pinch provided enough of the character they are looking for. They call this the most Malbec of our Malbecs and it has the textbook aromas of violets and red berries with perfectly integrated oak. The palate is also elegant and fresh and showcases the telltale round tannins of Malbec. This is truly outstanding. Some 8,000 bottles were filled in December 2015.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2013 Nicolás Catena Zapata is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Malbec from the La Pirámide, Adrianna and Nicasia vineyards. It is perfectly clean and focused, a noticeable improvement over the 2012 vintage. The Cabernet Sauvignon from this cool vintage seems to have a more restrained character that made me think of Cabernet Franc, very classical and serious. They have been harvesting earlier and earlier in search of balance and freshness, and the strategy has definitely worked. It has great freshness and focus, and the lower alcohol and acidity seem to make the wine integrate the oak very nicely. This has to be one of the finest vintages of Nicolás Catena Zapata. 55,000 bottles produced.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2013 Nicolás Catena Zapata is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Malbec from the La Pirámide, Adrianna and Nicasia vineyards. It is perfectly clean and focused, a noticeable improvement over the 2012 vintage. The Cabernet Sauvignon from this cool vintage seems to have a more restrained character that made me think of Cabernet Franc, very classical and serious. They have been harvesting earlier and earlier in search of balance and freshness, and the strategy has definitely worked. It has great freshness and focus, and the lower alcohol and acidity seem to make the wine integrate the oak very nicely. This has to be one of the finest vintages of Nicolás Catena Zapata. 55,000 bottles produced.

Wine Advocate (96+)

Cavallotto is on a roll with some very impressive new releases. The 2013 Barolo Bricco Boschis is a tremendous effort that has an edge on the excellent 2010 vintage in my view. The wine shows a beautifully exuberant but elegant bouquet with the ethereal and undertone fruit and spice aromas you get with Nebbiolo. Although the wine is never overdone, it does show silky persistence and a long finish that comes from the noble nature of the tannins and the wine's textural finesse. Yet, it is playfully deceiving in a way because behind that polished grace, it delivers impressive depth and power.

Vinous (96)

The 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is fabulous. The aromatics alone are thrilling. This is what Barolo is all about. Rose petal, holiday spice cake, leather, blood orange and macerated cherry abound. Silky and powerful, the 2013 shows tons of density on the palate and yet remains light on its feet for such a big wine. The wine's sensuality offers a mirage of accessibility, but the 2013 is best cellared for at least a handful of years. There is nothing like Barolo, and this is a terrific example. The 2013 saw 36-38 days on the skins followed by five years in cask, with a preference for larger and more neutral oak that allows for a more gradual pace of aging in the cellar than smaller casks.

Vinous (96)

The 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is fabulous. The aromatics alone are thrilling. This is what Barolo is all about. Rose petal, holiday spice cake, leather, blood orange and macerated cherry abound. Silky and powerful, the 2013 shows tons of density on the palate and yet remains light on its feet for such a big wine. The wine's sensuality offers a mirage of accessibility, but the 2013 is best cellared for at least a handful of years. There is nothing like Barolo, and this is a terrific example. The 2013 saw 36-38 days on the skins followed by five years in cask, with a preference for larger and more neutral oak that allows for a more gradual pace of aging in the cellar than smaller casks.

Vinous (96)

The 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is fabulous. The aromatics alone are thrilling. This is what Barolo is all about. Rose petal, holiday spice cake, leather, blood orange and macerated cherry abound. Silky and powerful, the 2013 shows tons of density on the palate and yet remains light on its feet for such a big wine. The wine's sensuality offers a mirage of accessibility, but the 2013 is best cellared for at least a handful of years. There is nothing like Barolo, and this is a terrific example. The 2013 saw 36-38 days on the skins followed by five years in cask, with a preference for larger and more neutral oak that allows for a more gradual pace of aging in the cellar than smaller casks.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2013 Barolo Riserva Vignolo surprises for the sheer darkness and saturation of its color. Upfront and without too much bother, the wine offers immediate richness and concentration with dark berry fruit, plum and dried cherry. There is a lot of intensity here, but the wine is more horizontal and broad in character than it is vertical per se. In other words, it shows a heavy center of gravity, and its very character is focused on richness and power. This wine ages in 20- and 100-hectoliter Slavonian oak botti for up to five years before its commercial release. Production is exactly 6,666 bottles.

From the skillful hands of winemaker Cecile Tremblay springs the renowned Cecile Tremblay Bourgogne Croix Blanche 2013, hailing from the heart of the Côte de Nuits in Burgundy. Crafted meticulously with Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, this exquisite gem reveals layers of depth, delicacy, and constant character throughout, reflective of the terroir's calcareous soils. Tremblay, known for utilising organic and biodynamic principles, exerts her mastery to create this unique cuvée, adhering to rigorous hand-harvesting, whole-cluster pressing and natural, minimal intervention wine-making techniques.

A marvel to behold, the Cecile Tremblay Bourgogne Croix Blanche 2013 features a gentle straw hue with fleeting golden nuances, artfully intertwining fresh white flowers, ripe pears and toasted hazelnuts on the bouquet. On the palate, it builds a remarkable balance of generous minerality and corrected acidity. The finish, elegant, lengthy yet poised, affirms its undeniable appeal to the discerning wine connoisseur.

Vinous (89-91)

(from three parcels of vines, in Les Fremières, Aux Echanges and Les Maladières, ranging in age from 6 to 95 years): Good medium red. Fresh aroma of wild raspberry complicated by exotic notes of peach and lees. Juicy and fresh on the palate, and tighter than the village Morey; less opulent but more gripping. Still a bit youthfully clenched on the back end but I find the notes of vineyard peach and blood orange fascinating.

Immerse yourself in a bottle of Cecile Tremblay Nuits-Saint-Georges Albuca 2013 - a fine Burgundian wine from one of the region's most illustrious winemakers. Crafted from grapes grown in the heart of Nuits-Saint-Georges, this vintage exhibits a beautiful dark cherry hue. Made by Cecile Tremblay, granddaughter of iconic Burgundy producer Henri Jayer, its provenance is certainly remarkable.

The traditional wine-making methods stand out; grapes handpicked and vinified in oak barrels for 18 months. These practices result in a complex yet balanced wine, rich in dense black fruit and earthy undertones, supported by firm tannins and a hint of spice. On the palate, it reveals a persistent finish that lingers, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

As you savour the Cecile Tremblay Nuits-Saint-Georges Albuca 2013, you're not just tasting a wine; you're experiencing a piece of Burgundy's rich wine heritage.

Vinous (89-92)

Good full red. A raspberry aroma is complicated by wild notes of game and smoky lees. At once dense and juicy, showing excellent creamy depth for village wine. Really spreads out on the back end to saturate the entire palate. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and serious structure. This wine is always large-scaled and reduced in the early going, notes Tremblay, and is generally the last to be bottled. Should make a superb village wine.

Vinous (95)

The 2013 Barbaresco Serracapelli Dedicato a Paolo emerges from the estate's oldest vines, planted in 1956. Deep and sensual, with striking layers of nuance, the 2013 hits all the right notes. Readers will find a lifted, savory, intensely mineral Barbaresco built on persistence and energy. Tobacco, worn-in leather, spice, menthol and crushed rose petal add myriad shades of complexity. The 2013 can be enjoyed now, but it also has enough pedigree to drink well for another decade.

Jancis Robinson (17.5+)

Cask sample 1: Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Still a little progress, but finer on the nose than the 2012. Subtle cherry and a hint of tea leaves. Proper Burgundian in style, think Marroneto but with added ripeness. Spectacular balance and ends on austere tannins. This just needs more time but is already exciting. Cask sample 2: A shade deeper. More slumbering and with a little more concentration on the nose than cask sample 1. Intense, ripe raspberry and oatmeal notes. Juicy and almost a little racy, and with firmer tannins than sample 1, and a touch bitter at this stage. Shares breed and elegance with no 1, even if the tannins are more upfront. Yet the length and elegance are impressive.

Vinous (96)

The 2013 Barolo Bricco Rocche is the most expressive of the Ceretto single vineyard Barolos at this stage. Pliant, supple and quite giving, the 2013 is tempting to drink early, but it really needs time to be at its very best. Silky, polished tannins add raciness in this beautifully layered, exquisite Barolo from Ceretto.

Vinous (96)

Like the Prapò, the Barolo Brunate is much less expressive than it was immediately after bottling. Gracious and super-classic in feel, the Brunate has a lot to offer. In the glass, the wine is delicate and sensual. Even so, its best days are far off into the future. The Brunate is the least expressive of Ceretto's 2013 Barolos today. Then again, that is Brunate.

Vinous (95)

The 2013 Barolo Prapò shows quite a bit more Serralunga muscle and power than it did when I last tasted it. The tension between the wine's elegance and its more natural leanings towards power is utterly compelling. Orange zest, cinnamon, dried flowers, iron and smoke infuse the deep, resonant finish. Not surprisingly, the 2013 appears headed into a period of dormancy. I wouldn't touch a bottle anytime soon.

Vinous (85)

Ceretto's 2013 Barbaresco Asili is marked by a high level of volatile acidity that totally masks the fruit. This is a perplexing wine that I have a hard time reconciling with the Ceretto style.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-91)

The 2013 Certan de May is lovely. Mid-weight, gracious, finessed and expressive, the 2013 is laced with sweet red and black cherries, smoke, dried flowers, tobacco and spices. Naturally, the structure is that of the year, but all the elements are nicely balanced just the same.

Indulge in the sumptuously rich elegance of CG Paris Chiroubles Vieilles Vignes 2013, a French masterpiece bestowing a distinctive tasting experience. CG Paris masterfully crafts this exquisite jewel from century-old vines in the foundational soil of the Beaujolais region, lending an exceptional quality that transcends the norm. The 2013 vintage, a particularly zealous year, gives birth to apply, ripe red berries, and subtle spice undertones, mingling delicately with structured tannins and a remarkably fresh finish.

Made using traditional viticulture methods, the heritage of the craft shines through in every sip; the dedication in following an organic ethic takes the forefront of this producer's approach. CG Paris Chiroubles Vieilles Vignes 2013 graces the palate with a harmonious balance of intensity and elegance, embodying the essence of traditional French winemaking. Matured for ten months in oak barrels, it's not just a wine; it's an expressive narrative of an age-old tradition, bottled. An ideal choice for those seeking wine of refined taste and unrivalled depth.

Vinous (92-94)

Bright red. Sexy, high-toned aromas of strawberry, raspberry, crushed-stone minerality, rose petal and truffle, complicated by an exotic suggestion of white fruits (Claude de Nicolay compared it to a riesling!). Wonderfully perfumed and stylish, with bright acidity giving definition and lift to the strawberry and rose petal flavors, with the exotic quality carrying through in the mouth. More youthfully imploded than the Bressandes, but the tannins arrive late, allowing the wine's perfume to fill the mouth and linger.

Vinous (92)

Full, dark red. Urgent primary red fruit and sandalwood aromas suggest a distinctly exotic carbonic maceration quality that reminded me of Beaujolais. More classic on the palate: broad, spicy and dry, with superb aromatic perfume to the flavors of red fruits, earth and crushed stone. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and a captivating light touch.

Vinous (90-92)

(vinified with 30% whole clusters; this finished its malolactic fermentation in August): Bright, dark red. Aromas of cherry, flowers, spices and pepper are lifted by a pungent limestone topnote. Juicy, sappy and sweet; more evolved and showy today owing to the earlier malo. The building tannins are firm but elegant and not at all dry, with the finish delivering lovely length and grip. I like the influence of the stems here.

Wine Enthusiast (95)

Powerful and structured, this wine is dark with black fruits. The rich fruit and acidity are surrounded by firm tannins provide a solid scaffolding. With acidity and tannins at the end, this complex wine will age slowly, so don't drink before 2022.

Wine Advocate (94)

Slightly more ripe, voluptuous and textured than the more Syrah-dominated l’Esquerda, the translucent purple-colored 2013 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Occultum Lapidem comes from the schist soils around the village of Latour de France. A blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Carignan that was harvest on September 15 and aged all in concrete tanks, it’s a fabulous wine that offers elegant notes of red and black raspberries, roasted herbs, pepper, melted licorice and asphalt. These flow to a medium to full-bodied 2013 that has a full, layered mid-palate, beautiful fruit, fine tannin and a classically focused, dry finish. It continues to freshen up in the glass, has integrated acidity and lots of class. Buy this brilliant wine by the case and drink it over the coming decade.

Wine Advocate (94)

Showing beautifully from barrel and now from bottle, the 2013 Côte Rôtie la Mordorée comes from schist soils, was completely destemmed and spent 18 months in 25% new French oak. Its deep purple color is accompanied by classic notes of raspberries, bay leaf, olive tapenade and violets. Possessing beautiful minerality, a full, layered mid-palate and building tannin, drink this beautiful wine anytime over the coming 15 or more years.