VM-94-96
2021 Domaine William Fevre, Chablis Grand Cru, Preuses 3x75cl
"The 2021 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru comes from 2.5-hectares split over two parcels. This has one of my favourite aromatics from Fevre this year with superb delineation and mineralite. The palate... is harmonious and poised, very focused and tensile, plenty of energy with a touch of lime and clementine towards the persistent finish. This is an outstanding Chablis that should age supremely well in bottle." 94-96 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£260 / Case£86.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2022 Chateau Gloria, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
“The 2022 Gloria was picked from 12-26 September and matured in 40% new oak, slightly less than the Saint-Pierre. It has a perfumed, floral nose with crushed violet infusing the black cherry and... blueberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with sumptuous tannins that belie the structure underneath. With pure fruit and well-judged acidity, this 2022 is sensual with a persistent and lightly spiced finish. Superb.” 94-96 pts., Neal Martin, vinous
£189 / Case£31.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Chateau Calon Segur 3eme Cru Classe, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
"The 2022 Calon-Ségur was cropped at 26hL/ha compared to 36hL/ha last year. Matured for 20 months in new oak, it has a well-defined bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, cedar and subtle tobacco... scents. The 2022 is tight at first but opens with aeration (winemaker Vincent Millet remarked how the wine was much more expressive the week I tasted it in mid-April compared to the previous week). The palate is classically styled with impressive mid-palate depth. With strict tannins and multi-layered graphite-infused black fruit, this is reminiscent of some postwar Calon-Ségur's I have tasted. I wonder if slightly less vin de presse would have been better? Uncompromising, perhaps that might be its virtue, but it means that patience will be required."
94/96 Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2023
£610 / Case£101.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 6x75cl
"The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is matured in 50% new oak for a planned 12 months, removed from barrel after 9 months with three months in vat after blending. It has a very perfumed nose with... yellow plums, jasmine, walnut and touches of fennel. The palate is medium-bodied with fine depth and acidity. Waxy in texture, with hazelnut and white pepper toward the saline, almost creamy finish."
94-96 Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2023
£720 / Case£120 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2019 Yann Chave, Hermitage 3x150cl
"A complex bouquet evokes ripe blackberry, cherry compote, licorice and violet, energized by a spicy cracked pepper nuance. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering densely packed, smoke-tinged... black/blue fruit, exotic spice and floral pastille flavors that pick up a minerally nuance as the wine opens up. Shows superb delineation and spicy lift on a long, silky finish framed by steadily building tannins. There were five demi-rnuids of this wine in 2019, all of them new."
94-96, Josh Raynolds, www.vinous.com
£370 / Case£123.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2019 Yann Chave, Hermitage 6x75cl
"A complex bouquet evokes ripe blackberry, cherry compote, licorice and violet, energized by a spicy cracked pepper nuance. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering densely packed, smoke-tinged... black/blue fruit, exotic spice and floral pastille flavors that pick up a minerally nuance as the wine opens up. Shows superb delineation and spicy lift on a long, silky finish framed by steadily building tannins. There were five demi-rnuids of this wine in 2019, all of them new."
94-96, Josh Raynolds, www.vinous.com
£370 / Case£61.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2021 Chateau La Gaffeliere Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
"The 2021 La Gaffelière was picked September 22 to October 15, and matured in 60% French new oak. There is a healthy 42% Cabernet Franc here. The nose is quite open with black cherry, blueberry and... touches of violet and peony; the oak is nicely integrated. In the mouth, this is medium-bodied with fine delineation, good focus and real midpalate weight. Conveying good intensity and vibrancy, this continues a strong run for this Saint-Émilion estate."
Drink 2028 - 2055 94-96, Neal Martin, vinous.com, (May 2022)
£288 / Case£48 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2021 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 3x75cl
"The 2021 Grand-Puy-Lacoste if fabulous. Bright and punchy, with terrific aromatic presence, the 2021 is a terrific example of the modern classicism of the year at its best. It’s the sort of wine... that needs years or maybe even decades to truly blossom, and yet all the requisites are there for that to happen. There is something about Grand-Puy-Lacoste that is absolutely striking in 2021. I can’t wait to taste it from bottle. Tasted two times."
94-96 pts, Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£150 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2021 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"The 2021 Grand-Puy-Lacoste if fabulous. Bright and punchy, with terrific aromatic presence, the 2021 is a terrific example of the modern classicism of the year at its best. It’s the sort of wine... that needs years or maybe even decades to truly blossom, and yet all the requisites are there for that to happen. There is something about Grand-Puy-Lacoste that is absolutely striking in 2021. I can’t wait to taste it from bottle. Tasted two times."
94-96 pts, Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£300 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur