Wine from France

Wine Spectator, 94 points: A touch of gaminess in the aroma gives way to blackberry, black cherry, earth and iron flavors in this rich, solidly structured red. Vibrant and balanced, though this needs a little time to integrate. Terrific length...

jebdunnuck.com, 93 points: Bollinger’s NV Special Cuvée knocks it out of the park. Made from 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Meunier, with 30% of the blend brought up in barrels, it boasts a rich, deep, medium to full-bodied style...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: 96+ Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Fonplegade opens with a very savory nose of smoked meats, tapenade, sautéed herbs and beef drippings over a core of plum preserves, chocolate-covered cherries and...

jamessuckling.com, 94 points: A gorgeous rosé Champagne with sliced strawberries, orange peel and hints of cream and pie crust. Medium body, tight and integrated tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Tangy acidity. The texture shows a fine bead and...

Wine Spectator, 91 points: This minerally Champagne is balanced and fresh, with a fine, lively bead and subtle flavors of Asian pear, pastry and pickled ginger. A light toastiness shows on the finish. Drink now through 2021.

jamessuckling.com, 100 points: Disgorged October 2016 and will be the first Cristal to be released ten years from harvest when it is offered in 2018. 35 parcels used from a possible 45 in this vintage. The assemblage is 60% pinot noir and 40%...

jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: The 2014 Igp Côtes Catalanes Infiniment de L'Ou is another terrific vintage for this cuvee. This inky colored beauty offers classic notes of blackberries, cracked pepper, tapenade and spice, full-bodied richness and a...

TheWineCellarInsider.com, 98 points: This just keeps getting better and better. Intensity, power, concentration, lush, soft, polished tannins and a finish that sticks with your for about 50 seconds, letting you delve into its dark, ripe, smoky fruits...

Wine Spectator, 93 points: A well-cut, minerally version, with a firm backbone of acidity and a lacy mousse, layered with flavors of baked currant, toast and lemon curd. Offers a racy, spiced finish. Disgorged January 2016. Drink now through...

Wine Spectator, 91 points: Aromas of mineral blackberry and licorice lead to a full body with lots of racy tannins and a long flavorful finish. There's plenty of character with a polished refined style yet tannic. Best after 2011. 9830 cases made...

jamessuckling.com, 97 points: This is a DP that shows the ripeness of the 2009 vintage yet remains full of energy. Gorgeous aromas of cream, apple, mango, honeysuckle, and chalk follow through to a full body and super fine, tight texture. Dense and...

Wine Spectator, 97 points: Impeccably balanced and silky, with finely honed acidity shaping the expansive flavors of toasted brioche, crushed blackberry, lemon preserves and honey, revealing hints of Frangelico liqueur and smoked nut. Rich and...

Vinous, 98 points: One of the unquestioned Sleeper jewels of the year, the 2016 Le Prieuré is off the charts beautiful. Silky and impossibly refined, the 2016 is a wine of pure and total precision. Today, the 2016 is a bit more restrained...

jebdunnuck.com, 91 points: Mostly Merlot blended with 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Arbalest was brought up 16 months in tank and 30% new oak. It offers a perfumed, gorgeous bouquet of plums, incense, spice and hints of...