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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The 2019 Il Carbonaione is silky and racy in the glass. Scents of new oak are a clear sign the 2019 doesn't quite have the density of the very best years, but Il Carbonaione has a brilliant track record of aging.
Producer: Tenuta Antinori
Tignanello, is always elegant, but 1990 brings a surprising richness that’s balanced by the wine’s piquant acidity. Absolutely stunning and drinking for the next decade or two.
Producer: Montevertine
The 2018 Pian del Ciampolo is a glorious wine. The purest essence of Radda emerges in a wine with striking translucence and captivating balance. The 2018 offers notable depth with opulence and freshness.
Producer: Jurij Fiore & Figlie
Occhioroso Difori is a intriguing wine. Just bottled, the 2021 is heavily reduced, and yet behind that lies a serious core of fruit laced with savory and floral notes. Exotic and wild but certainly intriguing.
Producer: Jurij Fiore & Figlie
The 2021 Chianti Classico Sonocosì is fresh and light in body, all of which make it a good choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. This north-facing site at 550 meters in altitude yields a lithe, aromatically expressive Classico loaded with character. Vinification and aging in oak keeps the flavors vibrant.
Producer: Tenuta San Guido
Saturated dark ruby. Sultry aroma of crushed blackberry complicated by a whiff of cinnamon. Layers of earthy, mouthfilling blackberry flavor are supported by gauzy tannins and a welcome core of acidity, followed by white pepper and graphite on the pliant finish. Supple and elegant.
Producer: Montevertine
The 2021 Pian del Ciampolo is racy, supple and textured, with lovely up front and plenty of charm. In this vintage, the Pian del Ciampolo is quite generous and forward.
Producer: Biondi Santi Tenuta Il Greppo
It’s almost impossible to imagine that the 1985 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva has just celebrated its thirty-sixth birthday. It displays a brilliant ruby red color and amazing clarity in the glass, with only the slightest bricking around the rim. The bouquet alone is enough to keep you at the edge of your seat, as if opening a cedar treasure box to find...
Producer: Podere le Boncie
The 2018 Le Trame is a wine of striking translucent energy and nuance. Lifted aromatics and silky tannins let the purity of the Sangiovese fruit come through beautifully. Bright acids and a sense of energy add to the wine's many virtues.
Producer: Fontodi
The 2019 Chianti Classico is bright, fresh and vibrant. Crushed flowers, spice, sage and red berry fruit give this bold, pungent 100% Sangiovese tons of aromatic and flavor intensity.
Producer: Biondi Santi Tenuta Il Greppo
The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Annata is bright, finely sculpted and capable of drinking well for another 20+ years. Sweet red cherry, chalk, mint, rose petal and cedar add shades of nuance on the finish. The 2004 is a gorgeous, vivid wine that still needs time.
Producer: Biondi Santi Tenuta Il Greppo
The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is gorgeous. The estate's preference for picking on the early side is one of the factors that help balance some of the fleshiness of the vintage. This is an especially silky, supple Brunello from Biondi-Santi. The overt personality of the year comes through, but not at the expense of the house's style. Floral notes reappear...
Producer: Tenuta Antinori
Much the same can be said about the 2000 Solaia, another wine with plenty of near and medium-term appeal, but less potential for aging.
Producer: Jurij Fiore & Figlie
Jurij is the son of the great Tuscan oenologist Vittorio Fiore and he's today one of the most exciting and promising wine makers in Tuscany. Less than 100 cases are made for each of these rare gems.
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...
Producer: Podere Poggio Scalette
The 2020 ll Carbonaione comes across as a touch slender in this vintage, which might explain why the oak is so pronounced. Dark fruit, leather, tobacco and incense struggle to emerge. It will be interesting to see how this ages. Slightly oxidative and sweet notes are distracting.
Producer: Jurij Fiore & Figlie
The 2020 Lassù a Lamole is an eccentric white. White flowers, mint, and exotic floral notes abound. This white field blend from vineyards at 600 meters in altitude is incredibly distinctive and inviting.
The 2019 Il Carbonaione is silky and racy in the glass. Scents of new oak are a clear sign the 2019 doesn't quite have the density of the very best years, but Il Carbonaione has a brilliant track record of aging.
