Search results for: 'plot 2 updated release time'

96 Points! The 2019 Château Croix De Labrie is gorgeous and jumps out in the vintage. Almost all Merlot brought up in new barrels, it offers a beautiful bouquet of red and black currants, spicy oak, dried herbs, and flowers, with a beautiful loamy earth and chalky minerality emerging with time in the glass. With remarkable purity and finesse, it's full-bodied, has a great mid-palate, silky tannins, and a great finish. It could be drunk today with a decant but will ideally be given 4-5 years of bottle age. I suspect it will have 20-25 years of overall longevity. - Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com

98 Points! Fabulous aromas of blackberries, blueberries, pine needles and spices, such as nutmeg and allspice. White pepper, too. Full-bodied and very tight with a solid core of fruit and ultra-fine yet powerful tannins. It’s got so much energy and drive. Vibrant at every level. Precise and not overpowering, yet so structured. 97% merlot and 3% cabernet sauvignon. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. This needs time to soften. Try after 2026. - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

Perhaps the finest 'basic' Bourgogne we've tasted in quite some time. But. of course, the sourcing makes it not so 'basic. This Bourgogne Rouge comes from a 1.19 hectare parcel within the village Chambolle Musigny. The vines are on average 25 to 35 years old. Dominique destems entirely and is very careful not to over extract with his reds.

99-100 Points! The fantastic quality of the cabernet sauvignon really comes through here with black currant, blueberry and raspberry character. It’s full-bodied with such tightness. It’s so beautiful in the center palate. The tannins are wonderfully blended into the wine and flow across the palate. Rather leaner and racy. Ethereal. 37% of the production and 90% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

97-100 Points!The 2019 Château Margaux is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, accounting for 37% of the crop. The alcohol came in at 13.9%, the IPT was 75, and the pH was 3.66. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose begins with intense scents of crushed blackberries, warm cassis and plum preserves before fanning out into a whole array of floral, exotic spice and earth scents: iris, red roses, star anise, cassis, tilled soil, moss-covered bark and black truffles, with an emerging waft of crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate quivers with energy, emitting loads of mineral sparks, featuring bold freshness and fantastically ripe, finely grained tannins to support the delicate, perfumed layers, finishing very long and wonderfully poised. The juxtaposition between the acidity and the richness in this Château Margaux is just extraordinary! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

98 Points! This expands sideways, vertically and downwards, with a creamy mid palate and a rose petal, peony, raspberry and cassis collision on the nose. This is chewy in its tannic structure, full on and yet delicate and sappy. Fresh, elegant, perfumed and concentrated - clearly will age for decades. This is close in character to the 2009 or 2015, two exceptional vintages at Margaux and classic to the graceful yet concentrated signature of the property. 1% Petit Verdot to complete the blend, 100% new oak although barely discernible already. 37% of overall production in the 1st wine this year. - Jane Anson, Decanter

Expected ABV: Under 14%

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

100 Points! A benchmark modern Lafite showing tobacco, orange peel, cedar, pencil shavings, violets and cigar box—so perfumed. Medium-bodied with lots of graphite, stone and hints of redcurrants on the palate. It goes on for minutes. Reminds me of Lafites that I love made decades ago. Could be the great 1986. A blend of 94% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot and 1% petit verdot. - JamesSuckling.com

100 Points! The 2022 Château Lafite-Rothschild is based on 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot that was harvested between the 31st of August and the 24th of September. Just sensational in its power while remaining weightless, it offers utterly classic Lafite aromatics of crème de cassis, freshly sharpened lead pencils, spring flowers, and graphite. Full-bodied, concentrated, and seamless on the palate, it has a multi-dimensional mouthfeel, off-the-charts purity, and a finish that won’t quit. It’s shockingly accessible, yet there’s no shortage of structure, depth, or concentration. Aged in new French oak barrels, this is a monumental Lafite that should evolve for 50-75+ years. If this doesn’t do it for you, I can’t imagine what would. - Jeb Dunnuck

100 Points! In bottle, the 2022 Lafite Rothschild has turned out even better than I anticipated. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries, minty blackcurrants, violets and cigar box, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and suave, with a deep, enveloping core of lively fruit, beautifully refined tannins, and a long, perfumed finish. Even at this early stage, it's remarkably integrated and harmonious, and it's certainly the most elegant of the first growths this year, reminding me of a modern-day version of Lafite's magical 1953. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

100 Points! Deep, dark and restrained, offering cool black fruit with hints of cocoa and sea spray minerality. Poised and perfumed, it glides across the palate with Lafite’s signature elegance. Tannins gently frame the red fruit, achieving seamless balance. Subtle yet commanding, with layers of refinement, depth and completeness, and a minty, stony, crystalline purity. A masterpiece of understatement and precision. I love this wine. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Organic. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

100 Points! Deep garnet-purple colored, notes of freshly crushed black currants, ripe plums, and juicy raspberries pop from the glass, leading to a beguiling undercurrent of star anise, cardamom, iron ore, and iris, with a gentle waft of forest floor. The exquisitely elegant, medium-bodied palate is an exercise in finesse, delivering a laser-precise backbone of very fine-grained tannins and incredible tension to frame the multi-layered minerals, berries, and spices, finishing with epic length and depth. Legendary. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW

98 Points! The 2022 Lafite-Rothschild was picked from 31 August to 24 September and apart from the 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, there is 17.5% pressed wine in the blend. The IPT is slightly lower than 2020. There is 13.6% alcohol this year, higher than 2018 and 2019. It has an intense bouquet with blackberry, crushed stone, touches of pencil box and undergrowth, very Lafite-Rothschild in style. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, perfectly judged acidity, linear and focused. Compared to vintages a couple of decades ago, there is mid-palate weight, yet it retains classicism and transparency, while delivering quite a gentle but insistent grip on the finish. Perpetually the most deceptive of First Growth, one should not doubt its long-term potential. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

98 Points! The 2022 Lafite-Rothschild is a magnificent, thrilling wine. A Lafite for the ages, the 2022 possesses off-the-charts richness and yet never loses its unique Lafiteness. It's as if all the elements are dialed up to the maximum, but without sacrificing clarity. That's quite an achievement in my book. Inky red fruit, blood orange, spice and incense are some of the many notes that build in the glass. The 2022 is a Lafite of nearly indescribable beauty, driven by a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and spellbinding overall balance. Vinification was carried out over 22 days, after which the wine was racked into French oak, 100% new, for an élevage of 15 months. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

With the small amounts produced, the years of aging needed to produce each bottle and the centuries of experience crafting sake, Kikuhime has become one of the most renowned and sought after sake in the world, prized by chefs and restaurants for its nuanced pairings, and by collectors who enjoy the subtleties that develop over the years. 

BY or “Brew Year” references that unlike the extended aging for most Kikuhime this Daiginjo is released in the same year it was brewed to showcase its vibrancy. A complex, bold and dry sake. Has the fresh melon notes associated with highly polished sake, but contrasted by a big structure and chewy texture that broaden the flavor and make it exceedingly complex. Pairs beautifully with a broad range of food, excellent with simple preparations of white fish and vegetables but bold enough to pair with fatty tuna, pork and richer flavors.Can be consumed now to enjoy vibrant fruit or if aged will continue to develop earthy tones.

Region: Ishikawa Prefecture

Quality Grade: Daiginjo

Seimaibuai: 50%

Nihonshu-Do: N/A

Rice: Yamada Nishiki

Alcohol: 17.5%

96 Points! The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino is a dense, powerful wine. Black cherry, scorched earth, tobacco, licorice and incense showcase the darker, brooding side of Sangiovese. Readers will want to cellar the 2020 for at least a few years. Its relatively plush contours should start to soften by then. It's a stellar wine, one with a very bright future. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

96 Points! The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Marcellino is made from 88% Sangiovese and the balance Pugnitello, which contributes richness to the blend. Pugnitello, meaning fist, refers to the compact size of the grape clusters, which have thick skins, give good extract of color, and are the last harvested. In the glass, the wine pours a deep yet bright red hue, while aromas of ripe cherry, resinous herbs, pine, and gravelly earth lead into a full-bodied palate with a firm backbone of acidity, rich tannins, and savory depth. Structured and persistent, it shows both power and freshness (hallmarks of the estate), with a long, mineral-driven finish. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

This is a delightful rendition of the genre! Easy, breezy, accessible. We're talking 100% Nebbiolo from Barolo vineyards in La Morra planted on clay and limestone soils. Fermentation in stainless steel with a maceration time of 5-6 days. The wine ages in stainless steel for 6 months, plus 3 months in large oak cask and 6 months in bottle

95 points Luca Maroni! 90 points James Suckling! Roasted cherry, licorice and walnut on the nose, with a touch of muscovado sugar. It’s full-bodied, rich and flavorful with ripe, broad tannins. Drink now.

Sourced from Barbera grapes that have been lightly dried for a short period of time (not as long as Amarone) to concentrate their flavor and intensity.

94 Points! The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Bel Air 1er Cru is overtly floral on the nose with raspberry, cranberry and light loamy aromas, more oyster shell scents emerging with time. The palate is well balanced, very terroir-driven with great tension and vibrant red cherry and strawberry fruit bursting forth on the finish. Superb. - Neal Martin, Vinous

93 Points! The 2023 Chardonnay Cuvée Tan Fruit opens with saline and flint aromas that give way to quince, beeswax and chamomile. The light-bodied palate opens to more expansive, peachy flavors and honeyed accents. It has a luxurious, silky texture, vibrant acidity and a long, energetic finish. It will benefit from time in a decanter. - Erin Brooks, robertparker.com

100 Points! The nose is fresh, bright, and dense. With aromas of violets, minerals, spices, cool stones, mint, dark fruits, and plum skins, this is beautiful. Very much still a baby right now, it needs much more time. This is a wine for the next generation. Finesse and elegance, truly a wine that makes you contemplate life. This is not about power, there is really nothing like it. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon. - JamesSuckling.com, February 2011

100 Points! A brilliant, heavenly wine that simply couldn't be any better, the 2000 Château Lafite-Rothschild is based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. Ripe currants, lead pencil, cedary spice, leather, and tons of tobacco and truffle all emerge on the nose, and on the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with a broad, layered, deep yet at the same time weightless and seamless mouthfeel. It still has tannins and structure but is so complex and nuanced, with that classic Lafite elegance. It has another 30-40 years of prime drinking and will most likely see its 100th birthday still offering pleasure. Drink 2026-2066. - Jeb Dunnuck, April 2026

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

100 Points! A sensational Pauillac as well as the finest wine from this château since the 2009 (although the 2010 might have something to say about that), the 2022 Château Pontet-Canet sports a deep purple hue as well as a heavenly perfume of crème de cassis, smoke, incense, leafy tobacco, and chocolate. This beauty has sensational purity, a deep, layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, flawless balance, and incredible precision and detail in its aromas and flavors. Despite its opulence and power, it has a solid underlying structure, and its tannins are sweet and polished; it has remarkable depth and concentration, and it just does everything right. I wouldn't be surprised to see this firm up slightly over the coming 3-5 years, although I don't expect it to truly shut down. It should have 40, 50, if not 60 years of overall longevity. The 2022 is based on 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new barrels, 35% in amphora, and the rest in once-used oak. - Jeb Dunnuck

99 Points! The concentration of dried herbs such as thyme, sage and mint with blackcurrants and Spanish cedar is mesmerizing. Full-bodied with a dense and intense palate, this has creamy, crunchy tannins and a long and flavorful finish that goes on for minutes. Punchy and rich with lots of power. The real identity of Pontet-Canet comes through despite the hot and dry growing year. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. - JamesSuckling.com

98 Points! The 2022 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, aged 50% in new oak barrels, 35% in amphoras, and 15% in used barrels. Deep garnet-purple in color, this slumbering titan needs a lot of prodding and swirling to unlock scents of plum preserves, blackcurrant jelly, and juicy blackberries, leading to an undercurrent of mint tea, tapenade, and rose bud tea. The medium to full-bodied palate is densely packed with muscular black fruit layers and minerally accents, framed by firm, velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering anise note. With so much latent, minerally energy compacted into a tight frame, be prepared for this masterpiece of nature and nurture to go atomic following 5-7 years in bottle, then enjoy its expressive ebbs and flows over the next 50 years+. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW

97 Points! The 2022 Pontet-Canet is a super-refined wine from the Tesseron family. It is perhaps a touch less opulent than in years past, but in exchange, it boasts more energy, focus and cut, all qualities that are so welcome here. Bright red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and mocha all build effortlessly in the glass. In 2022, Pontet Canet is shaping up to be an absolute gem. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

97 Points! Dark and ripe on the nose, with deep blackcurrant, cocoa powder, and espresso notes alongside fragrant dried herbs, adding a savoury elegance. The palate is clean and crisp, offering a streamlined weight and a lovely bite to the tannins — powdery yet refined, with hints of milk chocolate and bitter orange. Restrained power meets finesse, with a touch of spice and soft warmth on the finish. Still youthful and compact, but incredibly detailed, with pure, bright fruit shining through. One of the finest Pontet-Canets in years - round, complete, and beautifully textured. Bright, finessed, and highly accessible. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

96 Points! The 2014 Troplong Mondot is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage, and this beauty has more intensity, richness, and exuberance than just about every other wine in 2014. A blend of 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc brought up in 85% new French oak, it sports a deep purple/plum color as well as a smorgasbord of blackcurrants, blackberries, scorched earth, toasty oak, graphite, espresso, and earth. With full-bodied richness, beautiful purity of fruit, and a rich, yet weightless texture, it’s a big, yet classy, elegant, and seamless wine from Xavier Pariente that should be snatched up by readers. It’s already drinking well but has 20-25 years of prime drinking to go. - Jeb Dunnuck

95 Points! The 2014 Troplong Mondot is medium to deep garnet-brick in color. Scents of cedar and unsmoked cigars are followed by nuances of dried blackberries and plum pudding with a waft of spice cake. The medium-bodied palate is chock full of mature black fruit and spicy layers, support by firm, lightly chewy tannins and great tension, finishing with impressive length. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, TWI, 2024

Looking for a glass that delivers an exceptional nosing and drinking experience but comes in slightly more casual package? That's our tumbler. It's machine-made with lead-free crystal and weighs in at a rather hefty half-pound.

Whether it's for daily drams or special pours, your spirits deserve beautiful glassware.

Lobos 1707 Tequila, Extra Añejo is the alpha Tequila – over four hundred years of refinement that harkens back to 1707. Born of 100% pure Blue Weber agave Tequila, it is aged to perfection for three years in American white oak and finished in historic PX wine barrels using the solera method, permitting the Tequila time to evolve into its most lasting, flavorful experience. Superbly unorthodox.

95+ Points! Made with mostly Sangiovese plus tiny parts Canaiolo and Colorino, the 2021 Montevertine reveals a very tight textural approach with pinpoint aromas of blue currant, iris root and red rose. The wine takes a moment or two to open, but it does succeed in showing its full bouquet in little time. Montevertine remains elegantly tight and streamlined in terms of mouthfeel. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

92 Points!  Floral notes redolent of iris and violet mingled with peony preface the 2023 Vacqueyras from Domaine Santa Duc, a moderately weighted, tense and straight wine with a lot of energy, a juicy texture and a long, ethereal, tangy and endless finish. With time in the cellar, this wine promises to develop greater complexity, revealing its full potential. - Yohan Castaing, robertparker.com

95 Points! The 2021 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU has a ton of density and power. Racy and deep, the 2021 packs a serious punch. This mineral, savory Chardonnay has so much to offer, but it also needs time to come together. Citrus, orchard fruit and savory notes abound in this very serious Chardonnay from Foxen. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media