Wines

93 Points! Orange peel and fruit with chocolate. Medium-bodied with round and polished tannins. Very pretty fruit and finesse. So pretty. Drink or hold. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

93 Points!  Cooler soils can be a little austere in this structured vintage of 2020, and you'll find angular tannins on the opening beats, speaking of the limestone, along with salinity, energy and clear purity of blueberry and raspberry fruit. Lovely, a lyrical take on St Emilion limestone from the Durantou family, Olivier Gautrat director. The first year with Noemie Durantou as winemaker, having taken over from her late father Denis. Cellar master Olivier Gautrat. - Jane Anson

92 Points! Focused and nicely structured, with aromas of red plums, forest floor, crushed violets and tobacco that carry into a medium- to full-bodied palate. The tannins are firm but integrated, holding a vivid line of acidity that gives the finish clarity and tension. From organically grown grapes. - JamesSuckling.com

94 Points! Expressive and expansive nose of fresh plums, cherries, cloves, nutmeg, flowers and sandalwood. It’s so transparent and vibrant, with a medium to full body and fine, tight tannins. Gorgeous fruit. From organically grown grapes. Try from 2024. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! The San Polo 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Podernovi shows a very earthy side that evokes savory spice, smoke and gamey aromas. The core of this organic wine is colored by black fruit and baked plum, but the wine is primarily driven by the aromas it has picked up during oak and bottle aging. This adds a medium-heavy constitution and a good amount of warm-vintage fruit weight for a Sangiovese. The wine also has an accessible character that makes it best to drink over the next 10 years. The fruit represents a selection from over two hectares. - Monica Larner robertparker.com

96+ Points! This estate has been on fire of late and that doesn't appear to have changed with the 2018 Château Sansonnet. Revealing a dense purple hue as well as a young, unevolved bouquet of pure crème de cassis, graphite, crushed violets, bouquet garni, chocolate, and distinct chalky minerality, it delivers remarkable purity, full-bodied richness, silky tannins, and flawless balance. A wine that builds slowly with time in the glass, offering a beautiful mix of richness, elegance, and length, it's as good, if not even better than the 2016. Don't miss it! - Jeb Dunnuck

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

92 Points! Elegant in style, with notes of gently warmed strawberry puree, cherry preserves and red licorice infused with rose hip and sandalwood on the charming finish. Drink now through 2027. - Wine Spectator

92-94 Points! The 2022 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Marconnets 1er Cru is a little more fruit-driven on the nose than Bize's other cuvées, offering lifted blueberry and bilberry scents and hints of wild heather. The medium-bodied palate has fine-grain tannins, a little riper than the Aux Fournaux. There’s more flesh yet with plenty of structure exerting a huge grip, rending this approachable but with the ability to age in bottle. Classic Pinot Noir. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

93 Points! Coming from Sonoma and based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and smaller amounts of Petit Verdot, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Details is a smoking bottle of wine, as well as an incredible value. Darker berries, currants, scorched earth, lead pencil, and hints of chocolate all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a plush, layered mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It's from Sonoma but will stand toe to toe with any number of Napa Cabernet Sauvignons that run two to three times the price. - Jeb Dunnuck

92 Points! Cherry stones, currants, tobacco and lemon peel on the nose. Sleek and focused, elegant, with fine-grained tannins, a medium body and a creamy, linear finish. Try from 2024. - JamesSuckling.com

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

92-94 Points! The 2024 Smith Haut Lafitte was picked from September 18 to October 9 and matured in 60% new oak. It has an understated bouquet that I appreciate, with scents of blackberry, raspberry, light rose petal and India ink that gradually unfurl in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, extremely well balanced and very refined, with a linear and correct finish. This is a classy Smith Haut Lafitte that will provide up to 20 years of drinking pleasure. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

94 Points!  This has a pretty nose of chocolate, praline, blueberries, lavender and bramble berries. It’s medium-bodied with firm, compact tannins. Firm and focused with an enticing bitter chocolate character throughout. Some smoked wood. Intense and tightly wound. Opens on the palate. Try in 2027. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

94 Points! One of the best Haut-Médocs out there, and a wine that competes with any number of classified growths, the 2019 Château Sociando-Mallet is ruby/plum-hued and has a great nose of ripe red and black currants, spice, smoked tobacco, and loamy earth. It shows the more expressive, open, seamless style of the 2019 vintage and is medium to full-bodied, has beautifully polished tannins, and just about perfect balance. Smart readers will buy a case (or more) of this beauty, and it will have an incredibly broad drink window, with 30-35 years of overall longevity. - Jeb Dunnuck

92 Points! A fragrant red with notes of dried raspberries, strawberries, earth and dried flowers. Medium body with silky tannins and fresh acidity. Crunchy, with plenty of redcurrants in the finish. Not quite complex, but tasty, laid-back and easy to drink. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - Eric Guido, Vinous

93 Points! This supple but structured wine is sourced from various parts of the valley, yet still has the gentle power of the Stags Leap District. Suave oak spices, rich dark fruit and a full body give a generous, broad feel that is nicely freshened by fine-grained tannins. Drink now or hold. - James Suckling

93 Points! A consistently good value, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec and Merlot. Its deep purple hue is followed by a gorgeous perfume of crème de cassis, spicy oak, and flowers. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, pure, balanced, silky 2021 that has the vintage's pure, focused, elegant style, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. - Jeb Dunnuck

92 Points! The only one of these releases to contain purchased fruit, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis draws from such diverse sources as Atlas Peak, Calistoga, Coombsville, Saint Helena and Wooden Valley. It's rather fresh and primary, with almost grapey notes, black cherries and cassis. In the mouth, it's full-bodied and plush, with a soft, velvety finish. A nice step up in quality over the 2020 version, it should drink well for up to a decade. - Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

A must-have for all you footballers!

92 Points! Fresh croissants, green apples, grapefruit and light walnuts on the nose of this crisp, balanced Champagne. Medium-bodied, seamless and sleek. 40% chardonnay, 35% pinot noir and 25% pinot meunier. - JamesSuckling.com

The aging of Brut Reserve on the lees for almost 4 years more than doubles the legal minimum of 15 months. This extra time in the cellars allows the wine to reach the peak of aromatic maturity, and the result is a delicately balanced Champagne, known for its consistently excellent quality.

95–96 Points – James Suckling
“This is juicy and incisive, with expressive dark fruit and fine-grained, almost grainy tannins. A savory quality in the long finish. Persistent and cohesive.”

93–95 Points – Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“Flowers, smoke, cigar box, black with red currants, and an array of spices fill the perfume. The palate delivers ripe, soft, round, creamy-textured fruits with refined, elegant dark berries and a touch of chalk.”

93–95 Points – Neal Martin, Vinous
“The 2025 Talbot has a generous bouquet with red and black fruit intermixed with mocha and light undergrowth scents. Fine tannins, well judged acidity and satisfying density on the mid-palate.”

93 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“This is good quality, with lovely power, black fruits, campfire edges and grilled sandalwood.”

92–94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2025 Château Talbot is a beautiful Saint-Julien with spicy red and black fruits, dried flowers, and graphite. Medium-bodied with soft tannins, wonderful balance, and a great finish.”

92–94 Points – The Wine Independent (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“The 2025 Talbot zips out with notes of wild blueberries and red cherries, giving way to bay leaves, graphite, and tapenade. Firm structure with lively acidity and savory finish.”

92–94 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Talbot is a huge, potent wine. Blackberry, gravel, incense, dried herbs, menthol, licorice and dark spice soar out of the glass.”

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

90-92 Points! A Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Tempo d'Angélus charges out of the gate with bold notions of plum preserves, fresh blackberries and Morello cherries, plus hints of tilled soil, black olives and truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate has a beautifully velvety texture and a racy backbone supporting the generous black and red berry layers, finishing earthy. Very impressive for this price point! - Wine Advocate

89-91 Points! A value-priced release from this brilliant estate, the 2020 Tempo D’Angélus comes all from vines owned by Château Angélus and is based on 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc aged 18 months in barrel. It’s well worth seeking out and has a dense purple hue to go with classic Right Bank Merlot black cherry and black raspberry fruits, tobacco, cedarwood, and floral nuances. Rich and medium to full-bodied, with good mid-palate density and a great finish, it should certainly be an outstanding wine. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! A cedary twist to the typical notes of black olives, tobacco, paprika and black fruit. Medium- to full-bodied with prominent, fine-grained tannins and fruit. Long, demure and tight. Needs at least one more year to soften and open up. Drink from 2026. - JamesSuckling.com

92 Points! The Tenuta di Biserno 2022 Il Pino di Biserno delivers a ripe fruit profile with blackberry confit and sweet cherry pie. Those warm vintage tones are followed by an ample use of oak that adds baking spice and toasted nutmeg. There is a hint of campfire ash or something blackened or toasted at the core of this full-bodied Tuscan blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot. I pick up a note of dryness on the otherwise velvety tannins. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

92 Points! The 2022 Le Difese is plump, juicy and expressive, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Crushed flowers, succulent red cherry fruit, mint, spice and blood orange all race across the palate. This exuberant yet mid-weight coastal Tuscan red is a total pleasure bomb. The 2022 is an especially fine edition. It benefits from a warm year - which can be a positive for entry-level wines - earlier bottling and selection. Le Difese is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (both estate and non-estate sites) and Sangiovese, all purchased. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

92 Points! Le Difese 2022 is a blend of 55% Sangiovese and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, the former brought in from long-standing partners based in Chianti and Chianti Rufina – ‘In Bolgheri it's not easy to find Sangiovese,’ third-generation Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta explained. 2022 saw slightly lower production than 2021 due to a warm spring and a rainy autumn. Macerations were shorter than previous years, and the wine retains the same blend as last year as part of the estate's continuing plans to make Le Difese approachable almost immediately and give it its own Tuscan identity. Bright red and purple scents with a creamy backdrop and herbal touches lead to a soft and textured palate full of fresh, tangy cherry and dark hedgerow berries. Ripe, precise and sapid with a long, breezy, balsamic finish, Le Difese should be enjoyed over the next decade. - Decanter Magazine