Search results for: 'mostly a one plot'

96–98 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2025 Château Langoa Barton is based on 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc. Darker currants, smoky tobacco, graphite, and tons of violet and floral nuances all shine on the nose, and it has remarkable purity, full-bodied richness, a broad, layered mouthfeel, and ripe, polished tannins on the palate. The finish is a blockbuster. It's probably the greatest Langoa ever.”

95 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Liquorice and blackcurrant aromas on the nose, smells quite dark and heady and seductive. Supple and filling with a really wide and ample expression. An impressive Langoa this year with some wood spice on the finish. Really a cool, classic, fresh, hands-off kind of style.”

94–95 Points – James Suckling
“Focused, with volume and drive, it shows aromas of berries, warm spices and some leather. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Structured and compact, with bright fruit at its core. Long, focused finish.”

93–95 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Black currant, cigar wrappers, cedar, peppery spices and herbs are already expressive in the nose. The palate is sweet, juicy, firm, and round, finishing with ripe blackberries and cassis in an almost forward, juicy, creamy style that really works here.”

92–94 Points – Wine Advocate (William Kelley)
“Cropped at a mere 20 hectoliters per hectare, one of the lowest yields ever recorded at this address, the 2025 Langoa Barton offers up aromas of dark berries, pencil shavings, spices and new oak. Medium- to full-bodied, with bright acids and chalky tannins.”

92–94 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
“The 2025 Langoa-Barton has a lively bouquet with blueberry and cassis scents, and just a background touch of peppermint. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a lovely caressing texture, very well balanced with a touch of pepperiness towards the persistent finish. What a gorgeous Langoa!”

92–94 Points – The Wine Independent (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Langoa Barton comes bounding out with exuberant notes of fresh red plums and black cherries, followed by hints of pencil lead, black olives, and bay leaves. Energetic and refreshing with fine-grained tannins and a savory finish.”

92 Points! The eponymous 2024 Artuke is a juicy and tasty carbonic maceration red, a modern rendition of the classical "cosechero" wines. It is perfumed, aromatic and heady, with aromas of bubble gum and flowers and a velvety palate with almost unnoticeable tannins. It's a young and unoaked Tempranillo with some 5% white Viura grapes from the village of Baños de Ebro and was kept in concrete until it was bottled...This is a bargain to buy by the truckload and drink unashamedly. - Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com

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

94–96 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Lafon-Rochet is classy and polished, as it so often is. Readers will find a Saint-Estèphe of nuance, delineation and understated class. Vibrant blue/purplish fruit, lavender, sage and menthol are some of the many nuances that begin to open with some coaxing. This is classic Lafon-Rochet all the way.”

94 Points – Georgina Hindle, Decanter
“Wonderful fragrance emitting out of the glass. Fruity and juicy straight away, clean, crisp, bright and fresh with a really cool, wet stone undercurrent. There’s firmness but also finesse with lovely structure and focus. Super long, with that cool fresh grip really extending on the finish. Joyous.”

93–94 Points – James Suckling
“A dense, chocolaty and focused red showing generous fruit and bark on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with ripe, chewy tannins. Textural, with nice concentration and a long, vivid, flavorful finish.”

92–94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A serious, focused wine from this Saint-Estèphe château, the 2025 Château Lafon-Rochet offers darker, juicy blue fruits, leafy herbs, graphite, and liquid violets and spring flowers on the nose. Medium-bodied on the palate, it's structured and concentrated, with integrated acidity and outstanding length.”

93–95 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Flowers, black currants, licorice, spice, mint and cedar aromatics emerge easily in the perfume. Medium-bodied, fresh, vibrant, and energetic, with chewy currants, a touch of cocoa, and classic Saint-Estèphe character on the finish.”

92 Points! From a single parcel of 65-year-old vines, the 2017 Cairanne Col du Debat features subtle cinnamon and clove notes on the nose. It's full-bodied, rich and velvety, with plenty of raspberry and cherry fruit, plus attractive resiny notes of rosemary and pine on the long finish. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

97 Points! A recurrent question with amply aged Italian classic reds like Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino is whether or not the extra ageing stipulations in place for the Riserva categories are truly necessary; it can often seem as if younger versions have the edge on older, 'grander' wines, since they show brighter fruit structures. This 2019 Riserva illustrates the benefits of extra age. It's pale, now, with some gentle bricking at the meniscus; the aromas are refined and harmonious, packed not just with red fruits but with autumnal warmth and oak-copse charm, as if the wine was evoking the landscape in which it came into being. On the tongue, it's still quite grandly structured and clearly has further development ahead; look behind those succulent if ample tannins, though, and you'll find beautifully articulated fruit supported by deft redcurrant acidity. Grand Barolo from this outstanding vintage. - Decanter World Wine Awards

93 Points! In the bottle with the red wax capsule, the Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno 2019 Barolo Riserva Cannubi shows a hint of tertiary definition with faded fruit, autumnal leaf and black tea. The wine is finely knit in terms of mouthfeel, and you get a slightly textured effect with granular tannins. Fruit is selected from one part, the Vigna Battista, of the three parcels farmed in Cannubi, with southern exposures on sand, silt and clay. That limestone sand is what adds the special finesse to Cannubi fruit, typically, although climate change has complicated things. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

98 Points! So floral and fresh with rose stem, sandalwood and orange blossom. Cherries, too. Full-bodied yet reserved and held back with creamy fine tannins and a beautiful finish. Shows brightness and finesse. Silky texture. One of the best I have had from here. A Brunello that emphasizes purity of fruit. Give this three to four years more. Try after 2026. - JamesSuckling.com

100 Points! The head-turning 2022 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 10% Mach One Vineyard fruit blended in, with the remainder coming from the famed Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The nose is beyond alluring with toasted walnut and gorgeous purple rose petals that combine with boysenberry cordial, Turkish coffee and shades of dark licorice. The crazy complex aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. Pillowy and opulent on the mouth, the seamless texture leads alongside outstanding weight and finesse.  This is a perfect wine in a vintage that shows what can be accomplished in a slightly cooler year. Savor this remarkable achievement over the next twenty plus years to come. - Owen Bargreen

92 Points! Bursting with aromas of pear, white flowers, citrus oil and freshly baked bread, framed by a touch of youthful reduction, the 2021 Montagny 1er Cru Vigne du Soleil is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated, with lively acids and a long, bright finish. Anyone expecting a qualitative step down in this more challenging vintage won't find one. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

92+ Points! The 2021 Constant Variable is sweetly satisfying on the nose, blending crushed blackberries and wild blueberries with autumnal spice. It's silky in texture yet lifted in feel, with liquid violet flowers that coat the senses. Ripe red and black fruits cascade throughout. It takes on a spicy tinge through the finish, leaving gently grippy tannins and exotic spice. - Eric Guido, Vinous

97–99 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A Merlot-heavy blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 Château Larcis Ducasse sports a dense purple hue as well as incredible aromatics of ripe currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with smoky tobacco, graphite, and crushed stone. Deep, rich, and full-bodied on the palate, it has a broad, layered mouthfeel, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It might end up being in the top handful of wines in the vintage.”

98–100 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Black cherries, plums, violets, licorice, espresso, caramel, black raspberries, and a hint of mint pop in the nose. Creamy, opulent, sweet, powerful, and also fragrant, fresh, and light on its feet. The palate is drenched in fruits, accompanied by a mineral essence that adds length and vibrancy to the long, intense finish. One of the wines of the vintage, this is in contention for the best vintage ever produced in the history of Larcis Ducasse.”

95–97 Points – Wine Advocate (Yohan Castaing)
“The 2025 Larcis Ducasse reveals an elegant, vibrant and gourmand bouquet of violet, dark berries, dark cherries and flowers, accented by delicate spicy notes. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and seamless, it’s built around a ripe core of fruit framed by velvety tannins, concluding with a floral, harmonious and ethereal finish. One of the most accomplished renditions produced here to date.”

95–97 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Larcis Ducasse is another exceptional wine from one of the most under-the-radar estates in Saint-Émilion. Dark red-fleshed fruits, rose petal, lavender, mocha, licorice, sage and graphite are all seamless in the glass. The 2025 marries power with finesse to a degree that is exceptionally rare. This is a stellar effort.”

95–97 Points –  Lisa Perrotti-Brown
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Larcis Ducasse prances out of the glass with showy notes of ripe, juicy plums, blueberry pie, and crushed black cherries, giving way to hints of violets, sassafras, and sandalwood. The medium-bodied palate is bright and juicy with great tension and firm yet velvety tannins, finishing long and perfumed.”

95–97 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
“The 2025 Larcis Ducasse has a gorgeous bouquet already, with pure blackberry and cassis fruit, seamlessly integrated new oak, retaining focus and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, with very fine lace-like tannins, perfectly judged acidity, bright acids towards the finish upholding tension and a silky texture that is totally disarming. Outstanding.”

Points – James Suckling
“Well composed, balanced, seductive and vivid. Medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Well shaped, with an inspired and focused mid-palate. Flavorful and lingering finish.”

98–99 Points – James Suckling
“A cool and perfectly integrated wine with a vivid and poised nature, superb focus and precision. It’s so perfumed and dense yet weightless and polished. Endless finish. 51% Cabernet Franc and 49% Merlot.”

97–99+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A powerful, inward, yet incredibly discrete and classy wine, the 2025 Château Lafleur reveals black raspberries, framboise, graphite, crushed stone, and floral notes on the nose. Based on 49% Merlot and 51% Bouchet, it's full-bodied on the palate, with a deep, rich, layered mouthfeel, remarkable length, and tons of polished tannins. It's an absolute dream of a wine, and I have no doubt this will check in with the top handful of wines in the vintage.”

97–99 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Truffles, flowers, cocoa, black cherries, smoke, and chocolate mint begin to define the nose. The wine coats your palate, covering your mouth, teeth, and gums with layers of pure, sweet, energetic fruit, marine influences, dark cocoa, and a touch of herbs. Long, intense, rich, and polished, this is one of the more sensuous offerings from Lafleur.” 

98–100 Points – Wine Advocate
“A wine of remarkable precision and intensity, the 2025 Lafleur delivers layered dark fruits, flowers, graphite, and mineral complexity with stunning persistence and structure.”

97–99 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Lafleur is captivating. Aromatic, layered, and incredibly nuanced, with remarkable persistence, energy, and finesse.”

96–98 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
“The 2025 Lafleur combines purity, energy, and precision with extraordinary finesse. Intensely mineral and beautifully proportioned.”

100 Points, Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year 1993! This is one of my favorite wines ever. Full-bodied, with layers of silky fruit and masses of currant, mineral and berry character. Amazing. It's a wine with perfect structure, perfect strength. It's 1961 Latour in modern clothes. It's hard not to drink it now. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. - Wine Spectator, 2005

On the palate: This unique Estate blend of 38% Pinot Gris, 35% Sauvignon Blanc and 27% Riesling incorporates notes of fresh passion fruit, crisp lime and wet concrete, putting the three varieties in harmony. The palate is lively fresh and fun, with passion fruit, citrus and more tropical tones. 

On the nose: Opens with aromas of anjou pear, white nectarines, and honeysuckle. A bouquet of spring flowers. 

99 Points! The 2019 Château Pavie is another beauty that offers more density and sexiness than just about every other wine in the vintage, yet it is still an unnecessarily restrained expression of this terroir, which is the fad in Bordeaux these days. Based on 50% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon that was brought up in 80% new French oak, this deep purple-hued effort has a great bouquet of ripe black cherries, darker currants, tobacco leaf, violets, and graphite, with a beautiful sense of minerality and salinity on the palate. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it has plenty of background oak, a deep, layered mid-palate, terrific tannins, and a great finish. It shows the more understated, elegant style of the vintage yet is still pure Pavie. Hide bottles for 5-7 years and enjoy over the following 30+. - Jeb Dunnuck

99 Points! Pavie has finally reached its replanting goal, and the 2019 Pavie is a blend of 50% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a little swirling before it tumbles effortlessly out of the glass with vibrant notes of cassis, fresh, ripe plums, crushed blackberries, and violets, plus suggestions of menthol, mossy tree bark, crushed rocks, and cumin seed. Full-bodied, it has a rock-solid frame of super-firm, grainy tannins and a racy backbone cutting through the densely layered black fruits, finishing with epic length and minerality. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

99 Points, Dunnuck's #19 Wine of the Year! Another wine I underrated on release, the 2020 Château Haut-Bailly is just about pure perfection, and whereas the 2018 is closer in style to the 2009, this plays things a little closer to its vest and is reminiscent of the 2010. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless cuts a focused, precise path across the palate and brings incredible purity in its darker fruits, smoked tobacco, cedar pencil, and Asian spice-driven aromas and flavors. The tannin quality here is off the charts, and this beauty has everything you could want from wine. It needs a solid 4-6 years (if not longer) to hit the early stages of its prime drinking window, and it's going to evolve for 50+ years. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

99 Points! A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Haut-Bailly is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a bit of swirling to coax out notions of black cherry compote, blackcurrant pastilles, and blackberry preserves, giving way to fragrant wafts of violets, dark chocolate, cardamom, and sassafras, with a touch of Indian spices. The medium to full-bodied palate is an exercise in poise, delivering tightly wrapped black fruit, exotic spice and floral layers, with a super-plush texture and seamless acidity, finishing very long with loads of mineral sparks and tons of energy. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

92 Points! Based on 81% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Malbec, the 2021 Cabernet Franc sports a vivid purple hue to go with impressive aromatics of cassis, black raspberries, spring flowers, and chocolaty oak. It's medium-bodied and has a supple, elegant mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a great finish. A beautiful wine, it might even be better in another year or two as it integrates its oak. Regardless, it's a terrific value that I'd happily drink any time over the coming 8-10 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

92 Points! A rich and fruity cabernet franc with creamy berries, vanilla and sweet oak spices on the nose. Medium body with plush tannins. Creamy berries and mocha on the palate with dried herbs and cedar in the finish. Try after 2025. - JamesSuckling.com

99 Points! The nose is like diving into a pool of violets and discovering a wealth of earthy, spicy nuances. Like a great Cote-Rotie on ice but with only a few similarities such as incredible finesse despite very deep, fine tannins. The finish is like climbing a mountain, going and going until you suddenly realize you’re standing on the peak of Everest. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

97 Points! So floral that you think you’re standing in a garden on a summer evening! Underlining deep black-cherry and blueberry fruit. Really fantastic concentration and freshness on the medium-bodied palate. The fine tannins build wonderfully at the simultaneously driving and brilliant finish. Doesn’t want to stop! From 50 to 90-year-old vines in a vineyard with chalky soil, gently sloping towards the east. Limited production. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

90 Points! Primary aromas of candied raspberries, cherries, lilacs, peonies and sweet spices introduce the 2022 Chiroubles Aux Craz, a medium-bodied wine, revealing further notes of eucalyptus, candied peel and slate on the palate. While the initial attack is more daring, the wine gracefully tapers off on the back palate, guided by an influence of fine-grained tannins. This is a suave wine that leaves you wanting more. - Kenna Wells, robertparker.com