Search results for: 'plot 2 more ascendant'

96+ Points! The 2021 Syrah Larner Vineyard comes from a great site in the middle of the Ballard Canyon and spent 22 months in 22% new French oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by a tighter, more closed, yet incredibly promising Syrah that has ripe blackberry and cassis fruits interwoven with peppery spice, dried herbs, leather, and some chalky minerality. This full-bodied, concentrated, structured, and brilliantly pure Syrah deserves 2-3 years of bottle age and will blow you away over the following decade. - Jeb Dunnuck

95 Points! The 2021 Syrah Larner Vineyard is a heady, racy wine. Ripe red cherry, spice, cedar, new leather and tobacco open first. A kiss of Viognier and a touch of new oak add an element of raciness to this sleek Syrah. The 2022 is so expressive and inviting. It's another superb wine from Jaffurs. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

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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

95 Points! Really quite expressive on the nose, rich blackcurrants, bramble fruits, perfumed violets and irises. Lovely supple texture, smooth and grippy, holds interest from the first sip, concentrated and intense, this has a great fully fruit forward aspect with ripe tannins that fill the mouth, chewy, lively, bright and fun. So fresh and friendly, I love this expression, more structured and serious - you can feel the depth and weight and sophistication, the Cabernet shines and I love the soft, salty dark chocolate and flint touches too. Sweet, sharp, great acidity, layered and forward. Long and still a bit lean which gives focus on the finish. Will be delicious and great to enjoy when ready. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. 3.83pH. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

95 Points! Wow. This is really fantastic. It’s full-bodied with blackberry and blackcurrant aromas and flavors. Such intensity with superfocus and balance. Great center palate. The real deal. Best ever. - JamesSuckling.com

95+ Points! Beautiful Cabernet notes of currants, leafy tobacco, menthol, and lovely floral notes all define the 2022 Château Marquis D'Alesme, a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, seamless, elegant Margaux. It has a rich, upfront style, yet it nevertheless brings solid tannic grip. I love it today, yet it's going to take a decade to hit prime time. The blend is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, hitting 14.5% alcohol. It will see its 30th birthday in fine form. - Jeb Dunnuck

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A blend of Malbec from their three different soil types picked at different times within a 10 to 12-day span, it is for this that Laurent’s mid-range Cahors, Les Calades, is the most accessible and widely appealing. He describes it as the flagship of their range, “a pure Malbec with power and freshness that represents the king grape variety of our appellation on limestone, and the new generation of Cahors: more fluid, rich and balanced with a distinct and very present mineral and marine finish.”

Each plot has an average age of around 40 years (2023) and naturally ferments in separate concrete vats with 10% of whole bunches between three weeks to a month. Because Malbec already provides a lot of substance from its very thick skin, he does a single short pump-over every two days to preserve the hygiene of the cap of about 300 liters in total of the 50hl vat. After fermentation, the grapes are pressed and mixed with the free-run wine and aged for 11-13 months equally between Italian terracotta amphora, old 30hl French oak vats and six-year-old 225l French oak barrels. They’re lightly filtered at bottling without any added sulfites.

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A blend of Malbec from their three different soil types picked at different times within a 10 to 12-day span, it is for this that Laurent’s mid-range Cahors, Les Calades, is the most accessible and widely appealing. He describes it as the flagship of their range, “a pure Malbec with power and freshness that represents the king grape variety of our appellation on limestone, and the new generation of Cahors: more fluid, rich and balanced with a distinct and very present mineral and marine finish.”

Each plot has an average age of around 40+ years and naturally ferments in separate concrete vats with 10% of whole bunches between three weeks to a month. Because Malbec already provides a lot of substance from its very thick skin, he does a single short pump-over every two days to preserve the hygiene of the cap of about 300 liters in total of the 50hl vat. After fermentation, the grapes are pressed and mixed with the free-run wine and aged for 11-13 months equally between Italian terracotta amphora, old 30hl French oak vats and six-year-old 225l French oak barrels. They’re lightly filtered at bottling without any added sulfites.

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A picture-perfect example of the elegant complexity and aromatic intensity of the best of Vosne. Here the Vigots combine fruit from two plots, ‘La Colombière,’ near the heart of the village and planted in 1979/1980, and ‘La Croix Blanche,’ at the border with Nuits, planted in 1947/1948. (Know that Mugneret-Gibourg’s Vosne villages sources fruit from these same vineyards!) Silky, refined, sublime.

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Champ Divin’s cuvée of chardonnay is fresh and delicate; notes of pear, along with hints of yellow peaches and biscuit on a finely tuned finish. A delicious and very approachable example of Jurassien chardonnay.

VINEYARDS / SOILS: Clay-limestone of shallow depth over limestone /silica bedrock
FARMING: Biodynamic
WINEMAKING: Light sulphuring after picking, followed by gentle pressing (3h1/2) of grapes.
Fermentation with indigenous yeasts at temperatures maintained between 20 - 25 °C.
Malolactic fermentation followed by a light kieselguhr filtration.
AGING: Short period of barrel aging in neutral vessel with malolactic fermentation completed; low sulfur
at bottling (2 g/hl). Bottled un-fined and unfiltered.

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Located in the Sonoma Mountain AVA of California, the dry farmed Ellison vineyard planted in 1969 on a small 1.5 acre plot on volcanic soils is one of the oldest plantings of Sauvignon Blanc in California. Farmed using organic methods. Hand harvested and fermented in neutral barrels using native yeasts. The wine remained on its lees throughout fermentation and elevage.AGING12 months in neutral oak

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The vines are about 30 years old and are in a plot that is at the top of the hillside and is a direct extension of the Premier Cru Les Bréchons and the climat of Mourottes en Grand. Aging was done in 350L barrels, 1/3 new, 1/3 one-year-old and 1/3 two-year-old. 11 months in barrels then two months in stainless steel vats.

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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

98+ Points! Looking at the Grand Vin, the 2022 Château Haut-Bailly checks in as 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc all raised in 50% new French oak. Its deeper ruby hue is followed by a gorgeously classic Haut-Bailly nose of red and black currants, savory flowers, dried herbs, and chocolate. Reminding me of the 2009 (or maybe a mix of the 2009 and 2010) with its opulent, sexy, yet concentrated style, it still stays flawlessly balanced and light on its feet, with no sensation of weight, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It needs to be hidden in the back of the cellar for 5-7 years and will keep for 40+ years if well stored. - Jeb Dunnuck

97 Points! The aromas of blueberries, blackberries and sandalwood come through so clearly that they entice you before you taste. In the mouth, it has such an intensity of silky tannins caressing every inch of your palate. Very classy and extremely long, it goes on and on. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. - JamesSuckling.com

97 Points! The 2022 Haut-Bailly was picked between 7 and 27 September and underwent a four-week cuvaison, taking longer to consume the sugar and was matured in 50% new oak. It has a bouquet that compels you just to sit and contemplate. It gradually unfolds with blackberry, raspberry, potpourri and iris flower scents, well-defined, not showy but suave. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins. Minerals, black pepper and clove off a gentle grip with an impressive crescendo. It will need a decade in bottle. This Haut-Bailly has a haunting beauty, the kind of wine that will bring people to tears! - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

98 Points! Deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly unfurls in the glass to reveal powerful scents of crème de cassis, blueberry compote, and plum pudding, opening out to hints of star anise, incense, and dried roses. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and seductive with firm yet velvety tannins and wonderful tension, finishing very long and opulent. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW

97 Points! A youthfully reticent bouquet of licorice, pencil lead, spices and dark berries prefaces the 2022 Haut-Bailly, a medium to full-bodied, layered and structured wine with a concentrated core of lively fruit framed by youthfully firm tannins. Concluding with a long, energetic and pencil lead-inflected finish, the 2022 has gained in elegance and integration during élevage, yet it will require time to fully mellow and realize its full potential. - Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

97 Points! The 2022 Haut-Bailly is one of the most elegant wines I have tasted here in a very long time. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, rose petal and blood orange are all finely laced together in the glass. There's a new sense of polish at Haut Bailly these days. The 2022 is a great example of that. Readers will find a supremely finessed wine with striking fruit purity, gorgeous length and a slightly linear build that is not at all typical (in a good sense) for a warm, dry vintage. Clean mineral notes support the finish. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

96 Points! Fragranced nose, purple fruits, blackcurrants, juniper, liquorice, crushed stones, salt, violets, roses, dark chocolate and cherries - perfumed, alive and expressive. Smooth, but generous with crunchy fruit and salty touches that come in and coat the super fine tannins with a powdery sensation that really fills the mouth. Nice terroir aspects, smooth, well textured and elegantly weighted. Gives dark fruit, subtle savoury tones with dark chocolate and herbal aspects giving nuance. Excellent length and freshness, it's graceful but almost a bit light in terms of fruit density and plushness - although the tannins are exceptional, really so sleek and silky with definition and detail. Feels well worked, gentle, confident and shiny. It's missing a touch more excitement and juicy liveliness but it’s extremely finessed and you can't fault the attention to detail of the tannins and the moreish quality they give. Great potential. 3.92pH. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. A yield of 30hl/ha. Consultants Christophe Olivier and Axel Marchal. Harvest 7-27 September. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

 

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Gorgeous Blanco tequila aged in charred French oak barrels for 1-2 months before bottling. Not quite a Blanco and not quite a Reposado

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Armand Heitz Échezeaux Grand Cru 2021 at $599.98 is one of the most intelligent ways to buy into Grand Cru Burgundy right now. In a market where top Échezeaux bottlings routinely push well into four figures, this sits under $600 while delivering serious terroir, thoughtful regenerative farming, and a producer on the rise rather than one trading on hype. The 2021 vintage was frost-reduced and cooler, producing lower yields and more classical, red-fruited, finely structured wines with vibrant acidity and long aging potential. For collectors who value transparency, balance, and site expression over power and speculation, this is a savvy, allocation-worthy Burgundy that feels both disciplined and forward-thinking.

From Armand: My family owned and traded grand crus on the Cote de Nuit until the 1960s. It is therefore with great pride that I manage to pay homage to my ancestors by working these cuvées. The plots of this mythical grand cru are located between Clos Vougeot and Vosne-Romanée. At the time, they belonged to the Abbey of Cîteaux. With a very warm and very early vintage, I was quite worried about the style of the wines. With a nice mastery of the whole harvest, the wine reassures me completely. Incredibly dense, fresh and complex. This grand cru holds its own.

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For us, Matelica is THE spot for Verdicchio. And this is one of the most exciting new wineries in this area, having been founded in 2004. The vines are planted around the winery on a hillside above the valley of Matelica with sight line to the mountains of the Faggi Secolari di Canfaito national forest. The plots were replanted with mix clones in 2007, covering approximately 9 hectares over calcareous clay soils with substantial slope.

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A single plot of land, but two different age vines (60 and 80 years!), gives this wine a consistent character, made up of ripe fruit aromas and very soft tannins. Les Epenottes referred to places where thorns and thorny bushes grew. The vineyard borders Pommard Epenots to the south of Beaune, where the deep marl and surface silt allow Pinot Noir to demonstrate its beautiful breadth of flavor and express its power.

 

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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

99 Points, Jeb's #5 Wine of the Year 2025! Awesome levels of blackcurrants, darker cherries, roasted herbs, chocolate, and scorched earth all emerge from the 2022 Château Malartic-Lagravière, an incredibly concentrated, rich, layered beauty that has velvety tannins, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. It's easily the finest I've tasted from this château and is a riveting 2022 that deserves 4-6 years in the cellar and will keep for two decades or more. The 2022 is based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, with the élevage spanning 20 months in 60% new French oak.  - Jeb Dunnuck

97 Points! A fascinating Malartic-Lagraviere from this hot vintage, but the wine is surprisingly fresh, showing depth, innate balance and complexity. The mineral-etched fruit turns glossy, with fine aromas of cassis, berries, plums, spices and a hint of violets. Almost full-bodied, with a complete package of fruit and chalky tannins. Long, juicy and posh. One of the best ever. - JamesSuckling.com

96 Points! Round, concentrated, vibrant and dynamic, a lovely burst of intense red and black fruits before quite serious tannins take hold in the mouth. Fine but full, they give the frame and the structure, setting the tone for a serious wine while the fruit and freshnes softly expand giving an aerial element to the finish. A lovely wine with intensity and detail, not the most demonstrative or juicy and appealing right now, but really well made and delivered. Supple, bright, chalky, chewy, this wine has intensity and precision. A little bit serious towards the end, the fruit just losing some focus, where it becomes more about the tannins and freshness but lots to like here with good potential. 1.5% Cabernet Franc. A yield 27hl/ha. HVE3 certified. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

95 Points! The 2022 Malartic Lagravière exudes class. Bright, layered and wonderfully vibrant, the 2022 is so alive. Rose petals, lavender, crushed rocks, mint and red/purplish fruit race across the palate. All the elements are so well balanced. Malartic Lagravière has all the potential to be one of the great wines of the year. This is a fabulous showing. Tasted two times. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

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80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio from various estate vineyards in Passopisciaro. Each plot is fermented separately with native yeasts in stainless steel. A selection of the resulting batches is then assembled and aged 50% in stainless steel, 50% in 50HL Slavonian neutral oak. A classic Etna Rosso, offering juicy wild berry aromas wrapped in the signature mineral notes typical of volcanic soils. Grilled, smoked herbs close a delicious finish. “Mofete” means “it’s erupting” in Sicilian. Learn More

Aged 2-3 months in American oak bourbon casks. Rich, baked agave and candied yams, hints of toffee and caramel, with a long, exceptionally smooth finish.

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95+ Points! The 2020 Ferrière is a powerhouse. Gravel, scorched earth, licorice, cloves, lavender and inky dark fruit saturate the palate. A virile, potent wine, Ferrière shows the more virile side of Margaux off to great effect. Readers will find a wine of tremendous gravitas. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous 

95 Points! Complex aromas of crushed berries, walnuts, wet earth and spice follow through to a full to medium body, chewy yet juicy tannins and a savory finish. This needs time to soften but I like the character and intensity. 68% cabernet, 27% merlot, 3% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink after 2025. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! Seductive fragrance on the nose, perfumed, clean and pure. Rich yet direct too, I like the sleekness with clarity, energy and a vibrancy to the dark fruits edged with clove and liquorice. Tannins are firm and grippy, taking hold of the palate, showing off the muscular side. Feels well made with a full body and persistence from start to finish. Nicely approachable. - Decanter Magazine

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The nose on this “Specially Limited” sake is an amazing array of rose water, peach, papaya, sweet rice, nougat, and sugar aromas. It’s not fair! I’m sure when brewery owners taste sake that is not of their own making, they become jealous if they taste a sake like this. It’s simply not fair! How can rice and water taste like the best flavors in your life? Smooth, round, and velvety, this masterpiece is lush and sumptuous. So expressively smooth and layered, that flavors start counting themselves 1. Honey 2. Papaya 3. Maple syrup 4. Mango 5. Lemon sorbet. And on and on. This is more of an experience than a libation, as you feel your way to the soul of this brew. The take away from this sake is that there is a big difference between balance and perfect balance. This sake is a great lesson in rice umami goodness that rests on a seamless fluid which excels in a wine glass.

Region: Fukui Prefecture

Quality Grade: Junmai Daiginjo

Seimaibuai: 35%

Nihonshu-Do: +4.0

Rice: Yamada Nishiki

Alcohol: 16%

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