Search results for: 'chabli of while'

92-94 Points! The 2021 Chablis Le Bas de Chapelot comes across quite closed on the nose, though Edouard Vocoret mentioned how this cuvée has closed down at the time of my visit. The palate is complex with touches of apricot and white peach, plenty of minerals and flint, focused with a long tail on the finish. This is apparently mercurial during its barrel maturation but this bodes well. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

97 Points! Very dynamic and complex, with nervy acidity and a sleek, textured profile. Steely and mineral-driven in a Chablis-like style, this offers crushed lemons, white peaches and cracked stones, with fresh acidity and a refined, linear structure. The finish is long, focused and full of energy. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

95 Points! Last of the Chardonnays, the 2022 Chardonnay John Sebastiano Vineyard comes from a great vineyard on the eastern side of the appellation and was brought up in 28% new French oak. Ripe melon, salted citrus, crushed stone, and white flowers all define the aromatics, and this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, focused, chiseled mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It’s California's answer to a great Chablis! Drink bottles over the coming 7-8 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

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94 Points! Based on 100% Chardonnay and aged six months in stainless steel vats, the 2024 Chardonnay has a medium to light gold hue and offers exotic citrus, minty herbs, and subtle tropical flower notes that all define this clean, crisp, remarkably pure Chardonnay. It puts on weight and richness with time in the glass and is a terrific mix of both richness and freshness. This is a no-brainer purchase for those who love Santa Barbara County Chardonnay, and I love its purity. - Jeb Dunnuck

93 Points! This white’s sleek mix of ripe pear, ginger and pomelo flavors show striking restraint, coiled around a mouthwatering thread of acidity. Details of lime zest, white peppercorn and dried tarragon linger, along with a whiff of sea spray. - Wine Spectator

93 Points! This has a succulent texture, remaining pure and long throughout. Salinity, minerals and springtime blossoms stay taut alongside lemons and crunchy orchard fruit with a lingering kick of tactile melon pith. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! A sleek, elegant red, silky in texture and linear in profile. Rose, macerated cherry, strawberry, mineral and spice flavors abound, while a line of energetic tannins shows up on the long finish. This wine's purity and structure show the potential of the vintage. - Wine Spectator

94 Points! Pretty nose of dried red flower and herb, then to a palate of dried raspberry, tar and fine grained tannins. - Decanter World Wine Awards

90 Points! The NV Amontillado Escuadrilla Solera Reserva which is over 15 years of age reveals some caramel notes, a touch of raisins, and an overall sweet sensation in the nose, complemented by the recurring hazelnut notes, while the palate is very dry, full-bodied, powerful and even has some tannin in the finish. Very persistent. - Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com

96 Points! An intensely flinty, zesty, smoky and fragrant white. On the palate it’s salty, immensely concentrated and fresh, with heaps of crushed stone, flint and citrus rind flavors. Medium-bodied and electric, while packing a punch. Textured and creamy, too. A large proportion of the grapes comes from the Eola Amity Hills. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! While the 2022 Cabernet Franc Appellation San Carlos is bright and fresh at first blush, it also has a tension of tannin lurking beneath the surface, offering memorable twin powers of verve and intensity. Green tea and tomato leaf give it a savory, herbal edge that delights, contrasting well against a foundation of cassis and black plum. This one stays with you. Cellar through 2037. - Virginie Boone, robertparker.com

95 Points! Black cherry and blackberry fruit occupy center stage in this dense, muscular red. Beefy tannins provide support, while vibrant acidity keeps this lively and long on the finish, where iron, tomato leaf and Tuscan scrub add detail. All of the components are there; this just needs time. - Wine Spectator

94 Points! Herbal, showing red berries, lavender and stony austerity. Crunchy, linear and medium-bodied, with focused tannins. Wonderful precision and tension throughout. - JamesSuckling.com

96 Points! Disgorged without dosage, the NV Extra Brut Rosé Fac-similie (LC18) bursts with aromas of red berries, plums and spices mingled with freshly baked bread and dried white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and sapid, with delicate structure and an enveloping core of irresistibly succulent fruit, lively acids and a long, saline finish. While the Fac-similie shares the charm of its white counterpart, its gently phenolic grip seems to temper some of the exuberance of the vintage. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

98 Points! The Grand Vin 2018 Château Haut-Bailly checks in as 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It spent 18 months in 60% new French oak. This is a beautiful, classic expression of this terroir, and its dense purple hue is followed by gorgeous black cherry and cassis fruits interwoven with ample tobacco leaf, cedary herbs, earth, truffle, and floral nuances. While 2018 was a hot, dry year (at the end of the season anyway), this shows a mix of cooler-climate, vibrant aromatics paired with a rich, concentrated, fresh style on the palate. It has plenty of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. A beautiful, elegant 2018, it's going to need 5-7 years of bottle age and keep for 3-4 decades. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

99 Points!  Complex and expressive nose, offering red and dark fruit, spices and pepper with wood and mushroom undertones. Fresh mussel shell and a hint of ink, too. Full-bodied with a fine texture and great balance between the acidity and the controlled, tannic structure. Very long finish. Goes on and on. Tiny production, 21 hectoliters per hectare. Try after 2025. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com Learn More

94+ Points! Another resounding success for the vintage, the opaque purple-colored 2008 Clinet (14.4% alcohol) is composed of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields of 38 hectoliters per hectare, while higher than in 2010, were still modest. Another powerful, big, large-scaled effort, the 2008 exhibits an inky/purple color as well as sweet creme de cassis, blackberry, plum, Asian spice, licorice and incense notes. Layered and full-bodied with stunning purity and a 40+ second finish, this beauty needs 3-5 years of bottle age and should keep for 25-30 years. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

95 Points! A seductive, textural and well-crafted blend of grenache, syrah and mourvedre. It exhibits aromas of currants, dried herbs, roasted meat, mushrooms and orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with fine-grained tannins. So velvety and refined on the palate. Poised and complete with a bright, succulent and long finish. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! Decidedly savory, with tugs of tar, dried sausage and warm soil surrounding plum, melted licorice and anise. Lifted and smooth, with gentle tannins paving the silky finish. Shows depth without heaviness, while sandalwood smoke drifts from beginning to end. Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. - Wine Spectator

95 Points! This has a lovely core of fruit with aromas of nectarines, grilled lemons and flint. The midweight, textural palate shows balanced acidity, finishing with a slight phenolic grip. Moving out of the cooler 2023 bottling, this is far more generous and open. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! For fans of Chardonnay without malolactic fermentation, Shafer's 2024 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch remains a standard-bearer. Ripe pineapple, pear and honeysuckle mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate is loaded with opulent mango fruit that's expansive and lush but brought back into focus on the crisp citrus-and-green-apple finish. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

93 Points! The nose is super smooth, offering the quintessential brioche aroma alongside notes of cold, fresh, sweet butter. With more air, hazelnut and gentle toast emerge. The palate broadens with increased butteriness and is saltier than expected, while lively bubbles embrace all of that 2012 generosity. All the joy and beauty of the wine reside on the nutty umami finish, underlined by exquisite freshness and length. - Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous

94 Points! Attractive toffee and caramel notes on the nose with pear tart, apple crumble, praline, chalk and nougat. Rich, creamy and delicious with soft and rounded bubbles. Well integrated. Caressing and delicious finish. Chardonnay from Chouilly. Dosage 3g/L. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! Bursts with juicy raspberry, mulberry and bitter cherry coulis flavors that stretch out lengthily, plus savory, red tea and rose petal notes that add energy and range. Shows a snap of red licorice and a singed apple wood frame on the finish while keeping its energy up. - Wine Spectator

93+ Points! The appellation wine and calling card of the house, the 2023 Chardonnay Wester Reach is fresh on the nose, with notes of light flint, lime zest, bright flowers, white pepper, and green apples. It has a compact feel but with electric energy and a fantastic oily citrus texture on the finish. It’s a blend from five vineyards and was aged for 12 months in 20% new oak barrels. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

94 Points! The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint comes from multiple vineyards across the Napa Valley but draws most heavily upon Rutherford. The separate lots are blended after approximately 12 months in barrel, then allowed to marry for a few months prior to bottling. Fruit-forward scents of blueberries, cassis and black cherries mark the nose, while the balanced, medium to full-bodied palate is silky, fine and elegant, with just the right amount of ripe, savory tannins on the finish. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

93 Points! The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint is brilliant, and readers looking for a great Cabernet Sauvignon under $100 should snatch up bottles. Cassis, blackberries, chocolate, spice, and graphite notes all define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a layered, seamless mouthfeel and a great finish. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! Blackberry, blackcurrant, dark chocolate and spices. Bright and vivid. Medium-bodied with firm, racy tannins and excellent length. There’s an energy and focused directness with lovely length. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 15% mablec, 7% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

92 Points! While the 2021 Proprietary Red could be released as a Cabernet Sauvignon (it's 75% Cabernet Sauvignon), they've opted to keep it as a Proprietary blend to allow for more flexibility in the future. It has a great nose of juicy blue fruits and subtle cassis as well as medium to full-bodied richness, some textbook Cabernet chocolate and tobacco notes, a round, mouth-filling texture, and outstanding length. It's a beautiful wine that will evolve for 10-12 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! A blockbuster in a showy, rich style, with bolts of iron grounding a lush stream of chocolate, cherry and blackberry. Mesquite and sandalwood smoke notes linger through the smooth finish, which is flecked with spices, herbs and salt. A long bolt of graphite adds to the well-built feel. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. - Wine Spectator

93+ Points! Aged in demi-muids, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Etienne Gonnet is drawn exclusively from la Crau, a blend of 70% Grenache and 15% each Mourvèdre and Syrah. The nose is toasty and cedary but balanced by scents of red raspberries and strawberries, while the mouth is full-bodied and supple, finishing smooth, sexy and long. It's already approachable, but the wood should integrate nicely over the next several years. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

94 Points! I love the nose of violets and blueberries. The delicate spice notes make this really fascinating. A bold and structured wine, but only medium-bodied and with stacks of berry fruit wrapped around a firm core. Keeps pumping out the flavors in the long, emphatic finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! This enchanting wine boasts a lovely perfumed nose with hints of plummy fruit and floral notes on the initial attack, while the palate features an impressively sweet fruit character, a silky, very fine texture and rewarding length. Godard observed that her Moulin à Vent is normally the ‘ethereal’ one, but the Corcelette seems to have usurped that role in 2022. The grapes come from three parcels in lieu-dit Bellevue and one in Montillet that total 1.5 hectares. - Decanter Magazine