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2019 Chateau d’Yquem Premier Cru Superieur, Sauternes 3x75cl
"For certain, it has a highly-aromatic bouquet that is beguiling in purity, enticing aromas of honeysuckle and saffron, soon joined by camomile, white flowers and orange blossom. It has wonderful... delineation and gains intensity with aeration. The palate is supremely well-balanced with fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious and armed with just the right amount of viscosity, this Yquem is surprisingly understated at first but gains presence, offering irresistible flavours of layers of honey, lemongrass, lemon thyme and orange pith. Yquem is so tempting in its youth, but I feel that this vintage will repay those with the nous to cellar for at least a decade." 98 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£750 / Case£250 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2019 Catena Zapata, Adrianna Fortuna Terrae Malbec, Tupungato 3x75cl
"The 2019 Malbec Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae is made with grapes from parcel 6 of the Adrianna Vineyard, Uco Valley, planted in Gualtallary at a height of 4,400 feet and aged for 18 months in... new and second use French barrels. The pure, intense and precisely judged nose offers delicate fruit such as sweet and sour cherry alongside hints of lavender and violet and faint herbal aromas. It’s relaxed and juicy on the palate with subtle, finely grained tannins and a little chalk. The finish is elongated by fruity flavors. The year helped with the nuanced freshness in this Malbec." 95 pts., Joaquin Hidalgo, vinous.com
£195 / Case£65 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2009 Chateau Talbot Saint Julien Quatrieme Cru 12x75cl
£725 / Case£60.42 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Penfolds, Grange, South Australia 6x75cl
"This wine comes with high expectations—as does the vintage. The 2018 vintage across South Australia (and cheekily, we could probably extend the accolade to all of Australia) was excellent. It was... warm, but without incident, and responsible for powerfully ripe, serious wines. Many producers made some of their best wines in this vintage. So here, to the 2018 Grange: there is spiced raspberry, lashings of salted licorice, red curry paste, layers of forest berries, rendered lamb fat and crushed pink peppercorns to start. In the mouth, the tannins close around the fruit with the same polish and seamlessness as the 2008, possibly the 2004? Very different vintages, but there is a textural similarity for me. This is polished and glossy and so very pretty. It contains 3% Cabernet Sauvignon this year, and 69% Barossa, 18% McLaren Vale and the balance from Clare Valley. Each of the regions brings with it its own characteristics. Barossa brings the red dirt, blood, deli meat and rust. McLaren Vale brings the plush purple fruits with a side of meat and licorice. Clare brings the polish, the opulence and the velvet texture. With their powers combined, this is an extraordinary Grange. One of the true greats, which will only get better as it ages." 99 pts., Erin Larkin, robertparker.com
£2,175 / Case£362.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2014 Chateau Beychevelle 4eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
“The 2014 Beychevelle has a very comely, pure bouquet with heightened dark cherry, blackcurrant and wilted violet scents rendering it almost more Margaux-like than Saint Julien. The palate is... medium-bodied, svelte in texture with light tannin. It is a nimble Beychevelle, light on its feet with wonderful freshness and tension towards the finish. This is a very well-crafted wine from Philippe Blanc and his team, a St. Julien that is nimble on its toes.” 92 pts., Neal Martin, robertparker.com
£485 / Case£80.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur