Producer: Dehours et Fils
The Dehours Champagne Brut Grande Reserve is the result of an assemblage of Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with a great percentage of vin de rèserve, fermented according to Solera methods, embraced by Jerome in 1998.
Producer: Jacquesson
The NV Extra-Brut Cuvée No. 744 is soft, open-knit and caressing. The natural radiance of the vintage comes through in the wine's ample, creamy feel. Apricot, spice, dried flowers, hazelnut and lightly honeyed notes are all beautifully laced together.
Producer: Jacquesson
For the 2018 harvest in Aÿ, Dizy, Hautvillers (68%), Avize and Oiry (32%), the previous winter was exceptionally rainy, this was followed by a mild, stormy spring. The weather changed from June onwards, becoming fine and dry, resulting in a particularly early harvest: we started picking on 30 August and finished on 11 September. The vines were in perfect...
Producer: Jacquesson
NV Extra-Brut Cuvée No. 743 (2015 base) is soft, open-knit and caressing. The natural radiance of 2015 comes through in the wine's ample, creamy feel. Apricot, spice, dried flowers, hazelnut and lightly honeyed notes are all beautifully laced together.
Producer: Bouquin Dupont Fils
A wonderful champagne, 100% Chardonnay of Avize from vineyards more than 60 years old. A base of citrus fruit melted with the scent, and taste, of a custard where there are also two drops of lemon juice. Delicious and enjoyable.
Producer: Jacquesson
2017, the harvest from Ay, Dizy, Hautvillers (66%) Avize and Oiry (34%). Winter and Spring were exceptionally dry; the beginning of Spring was mild but, in April, destructive frosts ravaged the vineyards, especially in the Côte des Blancs. Temperatures then rose and the weather was good until July. The end of the growing season was hot but very wet. The...
Producer: Dehours et Fils
The Champagne Rosè Oeil de Pedrix is the result of an assemblage of Meunier and Chardonnay from old vineyards. Flowery Champagne Rosè Extra Brut, particularly fine and fresh with a very limited production.
Producer: Podere Poggio Scalette
The 2021 Il Carbonaione is a regal, elegant wine. Silky, beautifully perfumed and persistent, the 2021 is everything I want from Il Carbonaione. All the purity of Sangiovese caresses the senses in a wine that is both textually intense and also light on its feet. Dark red-toned fruit, rose petals, cinnamon, new leather and cedar are some of the many...
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Surprisingly open for a young Rinaldi Barolo, the 2011 is round, spherical and supple. Leather, smoke and tobacco wrap around a plump, juicy core of dark Brunate fruit. The pedigree of Brunate comes to the fore with further time in bottle.
Producer: Produttori del Barbaresco
The 2017 Barbaresco Muncagota is one of the lighter wines in this range. Floral and medium in body, the 2017 gives the impression of a wine that will open earlier than some of th eothers. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherry, mint and white pepper linger.
Producer: Angelo Gaja
Gaja's 1958 Barbaresco, initially somewhat closed, it improved dramatically throughout the course of the evening. Though fully mature it showed pretty, delicate layers of ethereal fruit on a medium-bodied frame of notable length. The finish seemed to last forever and we were all captivated by its seductiveness.
Producer: Giuseppe Rinaldi
Rinaldi's Barolo Brunate is refined and light on its feet in 2015, with a bit less structure and overall depth than is the norm. That is not at all surprising, as the 2015 Brunate has always been a relatively light wine by Rinaldi standards.
Producer: Cappellano
In 2017, Cappellano’s Barolo Piè Franco is back to being a wine of pure and total sensuality. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry, mint, chalk and white pepper are some of the man notes that grace this ethereal, elusive Barolo.
Producer: Produttori del Barbaresco
The 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè is marked by bright acids and expressive veins of spiciness that lend a much needed kick of energy to a core of translucent Nebbiolo fruit. There is so much to admire here.
Producer: Paolo Scavino
Scavino’s 2013 Barolo is a fresh, inviting wine that captures the mid-weight style of the year nicely. Sweet red cherry, anise, mint, blood orange and exotic spice notes are laced into the super-appealing finish.
Producer: Giuseppe Rinaldi
The 2020 Barolo Brunate is stellar. I especially admire its mix of soaring intensity and energy, and yet the wine also remains light on its feet. Ethereal, nuanced and classy, the Brunate is a super-classic Barolo with the refinement of the present day. Dark fruit, spice, leather, menthol and licorice build into the potent, substantial finish, with notes...
Producer: Giacomo Conterno
The 2013 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is brilliant, precise, focused and nuanced, with a classic sense of austerity.2013 is a vibrant Monfortino built along super-classic lines with more finesse that is the result of a the slight refinements.
Producer: Giovanni Canonica
Canonica's 2011 Barolo Paiagallo is a real knockout. A wine that embodies the ripe exoticism that makes this vintage so compelling, the Paiagallo simply has it all. Sweet, perfumed aromatics open into a core of sumptuous fruit. Black cherry, plum, sage menthol and licorice notes abound.
Producer: Giovanni Canonica
Giovanni Canonica's 2012 Barolo Paiagallo is lifted, gracious and nicely expressive. The sweet red cherry, tobacco, mint, spice and blood orange notes give the wine much of its aromatic presence. There is a slight hint of gaminess that lurks beneath.
Producer: Ferdinando Principiano
The 2019 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba is redolent of tar, incense, goudron, menthol, licorice and macerated black cherry. This potent, strapping Barolo pack a serious punch, that much is obvious. Sage, cloves, leather and a whole range of balsamic notes infuse the finish with tons of depth as well as character.
Producer: Bartolo Mascarello
Maria Teresa's 2013 Barolo is a stunning, drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Vibrant, crystalline and exceptionally nuanced, the 2013 speaks to elegance above all else, it simply has it all.
Producer: Bartolo Mascarello
The 2005 Barolo has come together beautifully in bottle. Over the years, the 2005 has gained body and depth, while the contours have softened nicely. Sweet dark cherry, plum, mint, licorice and spices meld together in an effortless, gracious Barolo that can be enjoyed now. Readers who like more tertiary complexity will want to give the 2005 at least...
Producer: Giacomo Conterno
A wine of breadth and grandeur, the 2010 boasts tremendous depth in every dimension. Time in the glass brings out kirsch, rose petal, menthol, leather and mocha nuances, but the 2010 is ultimately a wine to adore for its complete and profound beauty. From magnum it is truly mesmerizing. 100 points Antonio Galloni
Producer: Giuseppe Rinaldi
A Barolo of midweight structure and persistence, the 2014 Brunate comes across as a wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring. The 2014 offers fine balance in a decidedly gracious, understated style.
Producer: Angelo Gaja
The 1982 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo is laced with sweet red cherries, freshly cut flowers, mint, spices and pine. This is an especially polished, refined San Lorenzo that emphasizes finesse over the power that is more typical of this site, although there is no shortage of tannin. With air, the 1982 keeps getting better and better.
Surprisingly open for a young Rinaldi Barolo, the 2011 is round, spherical and supple. Leather, smoke and tobacco wrap around a plump, juicy core of dark Brunate fruit. The pedigree of Brunate comes to the fore with further time in bottle.
