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95 Points! A very elegant and polished Margaux with great structure and an attractive touch of herbal freshness, then a delicate touch of sweetness at the long, fine finish. A blend of 38 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 52 per cent merlot, six per cent cabernet franc and four per cent petit verdot. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! From an estate on the uptick and showing beautifully on two separate occasions, the 2016 Château Labégorce is a head-turner of a Margaux that’s based on 52% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that was brought up in 45% new oak, with the balance in once-used barrels. Sexy notes of blackcurrants, black raspberries, crushed flowers, sandalwood, and incense all flow to a medium to full-bodied, fabulously textured Margaux that carries ripe tannins, loads of fruit and richness, and a great finish. Since arriving in 2009, Marjolaine de Coninck has resurrected this estate and the wines now play with the top in the appellation. Give bottles 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

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94 Points! Darker in its ruby color, the 2019 Laurasie is a pure Cabernet Sauvignon from almost 20-year-old vines on the stony Jurassic plateau of Fosse-Sèche, where yields are not bigger than 20 hectoliters per hectare. This is fleshy and concentrated yet pure, fresh and elegant on the deep, terroir-driven and beautifully floral (violets) as well as graphitic nose that is absolutely distinctive in its delicate, pure and balanced style. Black and blue berries, dark cherries, green paprika, pencil lead and herbal, wet gravelly notes lead to a medium to full-bodied, highly elegant, refined and perfectly balanced palate that exhibits perfectly ripe, round and juicy fruit with a firm but ripe, very fine and elegant tannin/acidity complex. The finish of this concentrated red is tight, intense and spicy, showing black berry and chocolate as well as graphite and coal with dark cherry notes. Irresistible and, in 2019, possibly the finest wine from Fosse-Sèche. The wine was aged for 12 months in concrete eggs. Tasted in January 2021. - Stephan Reinhardt, robertparker.com

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98 Points! Cassis, tobacco, wet stones, iron and baking spices to the nose, showing class, restraint and complexity. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate with super fine tannins. Dry, super elegant and silky with a lengthy, polished finish. Really Bordeaux-like. Juicy and long. 54% cabernet sauvignon from Gualtallary, 25% cabernet franc from Altamira and 21% malbec from both areas. The highest portion of cabernet franc this year helped retain its nervy freshness! This is classy and beautiful. Harvested on March 12th and 13th. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

97 Points! Wonderfully aromatic and nuanced on the nose, so alive and open. Energetic and lively on the palate, this has so much spark and brightness to it. Really compelling from the first sip, the tannins ample and cushioning the slick black fruit and accompanying savoury spices. Feels lean and taught, but with so much flair. Really a lovely expression, so generous and well defined. Youthful as you'd expect right now but when this softens it will be a beauty. Just gorgeous, with a minty fresh finish. - Decanter Magazine

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100 Points! Gorgeous aromas of dark plums and violets. Orange peel, too. Some crushed stone. Bark. Stems. Iron shavings. Full-bodied, but very tight and compacted. The tannins are all here making it very structured, yet they are polished and melted together. Needs years to show all of its greatness. Incredible polish and structure. - James Suckling

100 Points! This has grip and poise, it edges forward with slate textured tannins, not givin too much away at first, but sit with it, because the future brilliance of this Margaux is there to be seen if you take your time. It displays a seriousness of intent that sets it apart in expression from vintages like the 2018, and has dense and powerful red and black fruits along with supple and plentiful tannins that have no intention of relinquishing their hold for decades to come. Gingerbread, liqourice root, grilled sandalwood, red peppers, mint leaf and peony flowers add waves of complexity as it widens and softens through the mid palate, along with raspberry puree and edges of patisserie cream. A Margaux for the ages. - Jane Anson

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93 Points! The super bargain of the portfolio has to be the red 2017 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza, which this year shows more development and faster aging, with more tertiary notes than the other reds from 2013 and 2014 that I tasted next to it. The frost of April 2017 killed 100% of the vegetal mass at Cubillo, and the grapes they picked were exclusively from the second generation, therefore fruit that ripened in a much shorter cycle, as the harvest was also earlier. It has notes of damp earth, mushrooms, truffles and forest floor, dry leaves and decayed flowers and herbs. It has a polished palate and is medium-bodied, with mostly resolved tannins, and it feels a little lighter. But it's still worth it. It was produced with a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo from vines averaging 53 years of age. It fermented in their old oak vats and matured in used American oak barrels for three+ years. It has 13.5% alcohol, a 3.0 pH and 6.5 grams of acidity. - Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com

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97 Points! The 2023 Guado al Tasso, composed of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 26% Merlot, pours an opaque purple/red hue and is somewhat reserved on opening before revealing layered aromatics of graphite, plum, ink, and dark cocoa. Full-bodied, it’s lush and polished, with velvety tannins, supple richness, and a seamless texture throughout. Despite challenges with peronospora earlier in the season, the harvest conditions allowed for excellent fruit quality. This is a strong, balanced vintage with the structure to age gracefully.  - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

96 Points! A carefully calculated blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 26% Merlot, the Marchesi Antinori 2023 Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso shows lovely fruit ripeness followed by elegant volume and depth. The wine consistently delivers an all-rounder profile, offering a 360-degree presentation that engages the palate and senses with controlled intensity. In what can be considered an underdog vintage, this bottling stands out with unexpected finesse, confirming the estate’s ability to keep standards high in a classic Bolgheri Superiore expression. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

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94 Points! The 2021 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo is unique, with a beguiling blend of ground ginger, young peach and grapefruit. It opens with a lovely inner sweetness, silky and supple, with ripe yellow pit fruits underscored by saline minerals as candied citrus traces resonate throughout. This finishes remarkably fresh yet staining and long, echoing with nectarine and sour green apple. This is absolutely fantastic, showing a warm vintage character yet with incredible balance. It will be an exciting vintage to follow and at just 12.5% abv. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media

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94 Points! The 2020 Château Marquis D'Alesme Becker showed well, and this tiny Margaux estate continues to producer fabulous wines under the helm of Marjolaine de Coninck. Based on 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, it has a juicy, medium-bodied, round, even sexy style that carries lots of cassis and assorted darker, blue fruits, notes of spicy wood, flowers, and violet, soft tannins, terrific balance, and great finish. Coming from a mix of gravelly, sandy soils and aged in 50% new French oak, this beauty hit 14% natural alcohol (no doubt helped by the large Merlot component) and is going to benefit from just a few years of bottle age. It's going to see its 20th birthday in fine form. - Jeb Dunnuck

93 Points! Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Marquis d'Alesme opens with vibrant notes of crushed black currants, Morello cherries, and mulberries, plus wafts of violets, star anise, and forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate is both elegant and intense with velvety tannins and compelling tension, finishing long and perfumed. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

 

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The 2011 vintage was shaped by one of the coolest and most challenging growing seasons of the decade in Napa Valley, producing wines defined by freshness, structure, and restraint. For Scott Palazzo, the year aligned naturally with his Right Bank inspired vision for Cabernet Franc, favoring balance and aromatic detail over ripeness. Sourced from Carneros and bottled in extremely limited quantities, the magnum format was held exclusively for Palazzo’s private members for more than a decade. This release marks the first time these library magnums have been offered to the public, offering collectors a rare opportunity to experience a cool-vintage Napa Cabernet Franc in its most age-worthy format.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with lifted, savory aromatics of dried herbs, violet, and red currant, accented by subtle notes of cedar and forest floor. On the palate, the 2011 is focused and linear, showing tart cherry, cranberry, and gentle spice carried by bright acidity and finely grained tannins. There is an underlying mineral tension that adds precision and length. The finish is clean, persistent, and quietly complex, with the magnum format preserving the wine’s energy, nuance, and sense of place.

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96 Points! The 2016 Millery is one of the most rapturously beautiful, seductive wines I tasted during my December trip to Bordeaux. Thierry Manoncourt, the late owner of Figeac, purchased this small property in 1942, when he was in the French Army. The tiny vineyard spans less than one hectare and is planted to 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. For decades, Millery remained more of a small family property, its wine destined for personal consumption, rather than a commercial venture. There are just about 4,000 bottles made each year, and most of it disappears very quickly. A wine of pure and total finesse, Millery is simply exquisite. The dark red fruit, floral, licorice and spice notes show the delineation of a pencil sketch in their fine lines and precision. Figeac Technical Director Frédéric Faye made the 2016 with input from consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos, who has helped Canon, Troplong Mondot and other estates make huge strides in quality in recent years. Most importantly, though, the 2016 is flat out delicious. Run, don't walk. And you heard it here first.... - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media Learn More

The 2006 vintage represents the first full commercial release of Scott Palazzo’s Cabernet Franc, built on his long-standing devotion to the wines of Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Sourced from Truchard Vineyard in Carneros, this wine reflects Palazzo’s belief that the region produces Cabernet Franc with greater nuance, balance, and aromatic complexity than other parts of Napa Valley. For years, this wine and its magnum format were available only through Palazzo’s private members list. This release marks the first time these magnums have ever been offered to the public, presenting a rare opportunity to experience a defining wine from the estate in the format best suited for long aging and graceful evolution.

Tasting Note:
Now beautifully mature, the 2006 opens with lifted floral aromas of violet and dried rose petal, followed by notes of crushed raspberry, red cherry, and gentle spice. On the palate, the wine is elegant and poised, showing purity of fruit, vibrant acidity, and finely resolved tannins. Savory undertones and a supple texture add depth, while the finish is long, fresh, and refined. In magnum, the wine’s balance and energy remain striking, highlighting the precision and restraint that define Palazzo’s Cabernet Franc.

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The 2009 vintage marks a moment of refinement and confidence in Scott Palazzo’s Cabernet Franc program, building on several successful releases rooted in his Right Bank inspired vision. Sourced from Carneros, the wine reflects a growing mastery of balance, structure, and aromatic expression, emphasizing elegance over excess. As with the earlier vintages, the magnum format was produced in very limited quantities and held back exclusively for Palazzo’s private members. This release represents the first time these mature library magnums have been offered to the public, making it a rare opportunity to acquire a fully developed Napa Cabernet Franc in its most expressive and age-worthy form.

Tasting Note:
The 2009 opens with a layered and inviting bouquet of violets, dried herbs, and ripe red fruits, accented by subtle notes of cedar and spice. On the palate, the wine is composed and seamless, showing red cherry, raspberry, and savory undertones carried by lively acidity and finely integrated tannins. The texture is supple yet structured, with a sense of freshness that belies its age. The finish is long and graceful, revealing depth, polish, and quiet power that are further amplified by the magnum format.

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The 2013 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc comes from a highly regarded Napa Valley vintage known for structure, clarity, and balance. Continuing Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired approach to white wine, the blend is built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, chosen for their ability to add texture, depth, and age-worthiness. Produced in very limited quantities, the magnum format was reserved exclusively for Palazzo’s private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these mature library magnums have been offered to the public, providing a rare opportunity to experience a Napa Valley white crafted for long-term evolution.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with focused aromatics of citrus zest, white peach, and subtle floral notes, layered with hints of almond and gentle spice. On the palate, it is precise and energetic, showing bright citrus and stone fruit flavors carried by vibrant acidity and a refined, creamy texture. Subtle mineral and savory nuances add complexity, while the finish is long, clean, and poised. In magnum, the wine retains impressive freshness and tension, highlighting both the strength of the vintage and the longevity of the blend.w

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The 2014 Proprietary White Cuvée Blanc comes from a warm, consistent Napa Valley vintage and reflects a confident expression of Scott Palazzo’s Bordeaux-inspired approach to white wine. Built around Sauvignon Blanc and supported by complementary Bordeaux varieties such as Sémillon, the blend emphasizes texture, balance, and long-term aging potential. Produced in very limited quantities, the magnum format was reserved exclusively for Palazzo’s private members and carefully cellared from release. This marks the first time these mature library magnums have been made available to the public, offering a rare opportunity to experience a Napa Valley white designed to evolve with grace and depth.

Tasting Note:
The wine opens with expressive aromatics of ripe citrus, white peach, and pear, layered with subtle floral notes and a hint of honeyed richness. On the palate, it is generous yet composed, showing stone fruit and citrus flavors carried by bright acidity and a smooth, rounded texture. Notes of almond, soft spice, and gentle mineral nuance add complexity. The finish is long, polished, and harmonious, with the magnum format preserving freshness while allowing the wine’s richness and structure to unfold seamlessly.

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99 Points! Decadent and rich aromas of black cherries and plums with wet earth and sandalwood. Turns to dried mushrooms. Full-bodied, tight and closed with big, polished tannins, yet this is very closed and shy right now. Despite this, underneath it shows such depth and beauty. Tangy acidity. This is a combination of 2005 and 2009. - James Suckling

99 Points! The crème de la crème from the northern Médoc is the 2015 Mouton Rothschild and this incredible wine flirts with perfection. Made from 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, this inky purple-colored effort offers sensational Cabernet flare in its crème de cassis, graphite, lead pencil shavings, floral, and Asian spice aromas and flavors. It is full-bodied, dense, and incredibly concentrated, yet still has the sexy, opulent, seductive style of the vintage front and center. It will be a candidate for perfection in 10-12 years and is going to be one of the longest-lived wines in the vintage. Hats off to Philippe Dhalluim and his team for this incredible effort that’s a step up over just about every other northern Médoc out there! - Jeb Dunnuck

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98+ Points! Helms vineyard consists of five acres on gravelly loam, right on the northern edge of the Rutherford bench, planted in 1997 and 1998 to Cabernet Sauvignon clones See and 337. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged for 21 months in French oak barrels, 100% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls out of the glass with seductive scents of Morello cherries, blackcurrant pastilles and mulberries with hints of chocolate mint, violets and forest floor, plus a waft of cinnamon toast. Full-bodied, the palate has an ethereal weight, dancing with bright, vibrant black and blue fruits and a lively line of freshness, textured with beautifully ripe, velvety tannins, finishing long and mineral laced. Wow. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com

99 Points! Sweet white chocolate with currant, plum and subtle hazelnut on the nose. Some other spices, such as nutmeg and cloves. Floral. Full-bodied with extremely fine tannins that go on and on. Beautiful center plate that is dense yet polished and fine and continues on. Exceptional. Fantastic finish. Drinkable now, but needs four or five years to show it’s true greatness. - JamesSuckling.com

 

 

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94 Points! This is really complex and perfumed, with an extremely attractive bouquet of flowers and dark fruit, such as currants. Full-bodied with crushed stones and chewy tannins, yet there’s polish and sophistication to it. Serious bottle here. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! The 2019 Tronquoy-Lalande is made from 50% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to offers fragrant notes of rose oil, Indian spices, and licorice over a core of creme de cassis and stewed plums, plus a hint of lavender. The full-bodied palate is firm and sturdy, with grainy tannins and plenty of freshness to match the muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

93+ Points!  The 2019 Tronquoy-Lalande has turned out beautifully, and it continues to show very well, offering up inviting aromas of wild berries, spices, rose petals and cassis. Medium to full-bodied, layered and sensual, with lively acids, ripe tannins and a long, vibrant finish, it's reminiscent of a somewhat more sun-kissed and extroverted sibling of the terrific 2016 at this address. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

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97 Points! The 2021 Carmignano Riserva Piaggia takes its time in the glass, tempting the imagination with dried violets and flowery underbrush that evolve into peppery wild berries, autumnal spices and a dusting of cocoa. Elegant and velvety in feel, this sweeps across the palate, gaining contrast through a core of mineral-inflected yet pleasantly ripe red and black fruits. Tantalizing acidity guides the experience. The 2021 finishes with dramatic length and concentration, leaving a bitter blackberry resonance to mingle with edgy tannins, while a hint of blood orange forces the mouth to water for more. The contrasting nature and sheer depth of the 2021 leave me in awe. Bury this deep in the cellar.

The Piaggia vineyard was planted in 1972. The only changes this wine has seen since then, other than the age of the vines, took place in 2004 when the winery switched from using 100% new Garbellotto barrels to a mix of 50% new and 50% second-pass oak. This was a fantastic tasting that showed the prestige of this location and demonstrated the remarkable value of the Piaggia Riserva. It’s a blue chip in the cellar. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media

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97+ Points! Moving to the tiny production 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Quartz, which is mostly Grenache with around 25% or so of Syrah, it has a rich, full-bodied, dense, and almost backward style to go with powerful black fruits, ground pepper, and violet aromas and flavors. I love its purity of fruit, and it builds nicely with time in the glass, showing more mid-palate depth as well as ripe tannins. It’s a stunning bottle of wine, but patience will be required. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades. - Jeb Dunnuck

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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

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