Glass-staining ruby. An expansive bouquet evokes blue fruit preserves, potpourri and olive paste, and a hint of smoky bacon builds in the glass. A vibrant mineral nuance adds energetic lift to sappy boysenberry...

Enticing inky depths to the colour, slate tannins that are fully in control, adding precision and power to the cassis fruits. As it opens, the austerity recedes and sweet blackberry and loganberry fruit appear, along with...

Sun-baked garrigue and smoky notes of iron and earth accent intensely ripe black cherry and cassis in this wine. Made from 100% Syrah, it's a hulking powerhouse of black-fruit flavors but finessed by firm acidity and...

The 2016 Baga Poeirinho, sourced from Bairrada, underwent carbonic maceration and aged for up to 19 months in large barrels. With a garnet hue, the nose reveals ripe, Port-like aromas, featuring marmalade, chutney and...

A blend of 36% Viognier, 32% Marsanne and 32% Roussanne, the 2016 Blancaneaux delivers subtle notions of Bosc pears, Golden Delicious apples and honeysuckle with touches of coriander seed and white pepper. The palate is...

Intense aromas of black cherry, pomegranate and tamarind mark this juicy red. Smooth, with well-integrated tannins lending a dusty feel as the finish plays out. Already harmonious, this should develop well over the next...

An attractively layered nose combines notes of lemongrass, green apple, mineral reduction and a whiff of petrol. The highly energetic middle weight flavors possess an appealing mouth feel while delivering solid depth and...

This is a compact cylinder of ripe and fresh fruit with currant, fresh-herb and dry-earth character on the palate. So solid. Full-bodied yet refined and checked in every way. Well-defined, formed and perfect. Just a hint...

(94-97 points) Bright medium ruby. Initially closed nose opened somewhat with air to reveal powerful aromas of dark berries, black cherry, menthol, crushed rock, tobacco, violet and peat. Extremely primary and deep but...

Pure red berry fruit leads from the glass intermixed with heady cedar spices. Full-bodied, revealing a fantastic mid-palate depth of concentration with a spectacular vein of crushed stone minerality. The ripe, bright, red...

Inky ruby. Black and blue fruit and pungent floral qualities on the perfumed, spice-accented nose. Smooth and open-knit, showing very good clarity and a touch of smokiness to the sweet boysenberry, cassis and candied...

A prototypical Médoc wine with very good depth and beautiful harmony. I love the long, moderately dry and savory finish that pulls your hand instinctively back to the glass. A blend of 50 per cent cabernet sauvignon and...

The flagship release, the 2016 Syrah Royal City is all from the Stoneridge Vineyard on the Royal Slope (not far from the Frenchman Hills). It was not destemmed and spent 27 months in 60% new French oak. Offering a...

I am spellbound by the aromas of crushed blackberries, licorice, black tea and violets. It’s full-bodied yet so intense and linear. Powerful tannins with superb polish and focus give an amazing texture. Complex and...

The white of the vintage is the 2016 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, which comes from a high-density planting of 30-year-old vines located west and south of the town of Léognan. A blend of 75% Sauvignon and 25% Sémillon...

The 2016 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru confirms its brilliant showing from barrel, unwinding in the glass with aromas of wild berries, orange rind and peony that mingle with savory bass-notes of espresso roast, dark chocolate...

(92-95) The nose is composed by a special kind of reduction that the Burgundians refer to as bourgeon de cassis is trimmed in copious wood. Otherwise there is terrific energy and intensity to the markedly stony big-bodied...

(90-92) Strong wood/menthol influence all but overshadows the underlying plum, spice and discreet anise wisps. As would be reasonably expected there is more size, weight and power to the solidly concentrated medium weight...

Vibrant ripe purple. There is gentle graceful fruit on the nose then an easy going opulent fruit up front which builds beautifully behind. This is a plump and less savoury style of Gevrey-Chambertin.

The 2016 Alessio Proprietary Red is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot that was brought up all in new oak. It’s another ripe, incredibly sexy red that has loads of blackberry and currant...

Macerated cherry and plum flavors are married to a dense structure here, with ample sweetness and a supple texture. The finish is long and echoes the sweet fruit detail and picks up spice notes. Best from 2022 through...