Guado Al Tasso 2021 - a top vintage of this beautiful Italian gem

2020 was a superb year in Bordeaux, yet as the third in the so-called trilogy of great vintages (2018, 2019, 2020), it perhaps didn’t receive the recognition it deserved. Perhaps it was down to Bordeaux buying fatigue...

Today’s offer on the underrated 2020 vintage comes at a price well below other highly regarded years, yet the reviews speak for themselves. This is a truly exceptional vintage from one of Saint-Emilion’s most legendary estates. As an added bonus, these are 1x75cl OWC giving you a chance to add singles to the collection. We have just 18 bottles at this price and format which are first come, first served.

100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck - "As usual with Cheval Blanc, it's primarily about finesse and elegance, as well as complexity, and exhibits a deep purple hue as well as a kaleidoscopic bouquet of sweet red and black fruits, spring flowers, spicy incense, loamy earth, and smoke tobacco. Absolutely flawless on the palate, it's full-bodied, has perfectly integrated oak, ripe, silky tannins, and a gorgeous finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. This powerful, concentrated Cheval Blanc offers pleasure even today (needs lots of air) but warrants 7-8 years of bottle age and will see its 40th birthday in fine form."

99 Points - Antonio Galloni - "The 2020 Cheval Blanc is eternal, seamless and exceptionally beautiful. All the elements are so well put together. Rose petal, blood orange, raspberry jam and cinnamon all take shape in the glass. Above all else, the 2020 Cheval Blanc is a wine of mind-blowing balance"

Chateau Cheval Blanc stands as a symbol of Saint-Emilion’s greatness, uniting power and grace like no other. Revered for its Cabernet Franc-dominant blend and profound ageing potential, it produces wines of exquisite perfume, silk-like texture and precision, embodying Bordeaux’s perfect balance between innovation, heritage and timeless craftsmanship.

Cheval Blanc 2020 is a masterpiece of balance, power and finesse. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it bursts with layers of dark fruit, violet, spice and graphite. Silky tannins, seamless texture and extraordinary depth make it one of the defining wines of this exceptional Bordeaux vintage.

We've put together a table below showing the top vintages and the main wine critics who move the needle on prices of Cheval Blanc. Both Jeb Dunnuck and Jane Anson loved the wine scoring it 100-Points with Galloni and Neal Martin not far behind.

 

Table accurate as of November 2026. Prices based on EU listings on Wine-Searcher.

 

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Cheval Blanc 2020
 

 

€425* In Bond per bottle

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100 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux
Intense, indelible, with layer upon layer of blueberry, raspberry, pomegranate, fennel, liqourice, pencil, espresso, crushed rocks, just so much character and poise. The driest year at Cheval Blanc since 1959, with 71% of production from the 39ha estate in this wine, technical director Pierre Olivier Clouet. This continues to be bottled as Premier Grand Cru Classé A until the 2022 vintage, following its withdrawal from the ranking, which will make an interesting footnote for collectors I would imagine, but makes zero difference to the brilliance of what is in the bottle.

100 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
The Grand Vin 2020 Château Cheval Blanc checks in as a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that was raised, as always, in 100% new French oak. As usual with Cheval Blanc, it's primarily about finesse and elegance, as well as complexity, and exhibits a deep purple hue as well as a kaleidoscopic bouquet of sweet red and black fruits, spring flowers, spicy incense, loamy earth, and smoke tobacco. Absolutely flawless on the palate, it's full-bodied, has perfectly integrated oak, ripe, silky tannins, and a gorgeous finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. This powerful, concentrated Cheval Blanc offers pleasure even today (needs lots of air) but warrants 7-8 years of bottle age and will see its 40th birthday in fine form.

99 Points | Vinous, Antonio Galloni
The 2020 Cheval Blanc is eternal, seamless and exceptionally beautiful. All the elements are so well put together. Rose petal, blood orange, raspberry jam and cinnamon all take shape in the glass. Above all else, the 2020 Cheval Blanc is a wine of mind-blowing balance. Hints of mocha, raspberry jam, pomegranate and spice emerge with time in the glass. Cheval is quite simply one of the truly great wines of the vintage.

98 Points | Vinous - Neal Martin
The 2020 Cheval Blanc has such a pretty, floral bouquet that you will instantly be smitten: very well defined and extremely pure with an almost Burgundian allure. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins and a cashmere texture. There's not an edge to be found on the persistent and graceful finish. Captivating. Mesmerizing. How many more adjectives do you need? Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

98 Points | The Wine Independent, Lisa Perrotti-Brown
A blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 Cheval Blanc has more Merlot than usual as some of the young Cabernet Franc that would normally be used was not suitable this year but the Merlot was outstanding! It has a deep purple-black color and a pH of 3.7. The nose is very closed and tight to begin, needing a lot of swirling to coax out notes of plum preserves, black cherry compote, and blueberry pie, followed by suggestions of pencil shavings, clove oil, candied violets, cast-iron pan, and fertile loam, with a waft of wild sage. The medium to full-bodied palate is locked-up tight, with loads of layers, bound with a firm frame of grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and earthy. It will need a lot of time!

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

See all vintages and wines from Cheval Blanc.

d'Issan 2022 - Sucklings Top wine of 2025

We love a good top 100 wines of the year list, and love or hate the man, James Suckling, and his team taste a lot of wine (45,000 to be exact). This year, the top spot goes to a well-deserved d'Issan 2022. The other critics also love the wine with high scores from Decanter, Jeb Dunnuck and Lisa Perrotti-Brown, who wrote, “This is what Margaux is all about!”

“This has crunchy and lightly chewy tannins that are slightly austere but in an elegant, classical Bordeaux way. Chewy at the end. So much energy and vibe. So complex. Probably the greatest wine ever from here. " - James Suckling

Chateau d’Issan, a historic Third Growth estate in Margaux, has been producing refined, age-worthy wines since the 12th century, famously served at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. Under Emmanuel Cruse’s stewardship, the estate combines traditional elegance with modern precision, crafting Cabernet-led blends that capture Margaux’s hallmark perfume, texture, and graceful power.

The 2022 d’Issan is one of the finest vintages ever produced, combining opulence with classical Margaux poise. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, it shows layers of blackcurrant, violet, dark chocolate and spice. Silky yet structured, it delivers precision, vibrancy and impressive length. Rich, complex and full of energy, this is a truly exceptional d’Issan.

Stylistically, Chateau d’Issan crafts Margaux wines of classical elegance and refined structure, positioned between the depth and power of Palmer and the aromatic finesse of Chateau Margaux.

With the James Suckling Top 100 Wines of 2025 being announced Friday afternoon, we’re proud to present a small parcel of what critics are calling the greatest d’Issan ever made. This is your chance to secure a future legend of Margaux before the world takes notice, at a highly competitive €59* In Bond per bottle.

 

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“This is why I chose the Château d'Issan Margaux 2022 as our Wine of the Year for 2025. I just drank a bottle a couple of nights ago before finishing this article and I was elated to enjoy such a glorious young bottle of Bordeaux. The opulent and complex fruit in the wine just kept me coming back with every sip. It’s luxurious, to say the least, with velvety tannins and complex flavors of currants, spices and mushrooms. Marie and I and two other colleagues finished the bottle in 20 minutes at the dinner table as we discussed the virtues of the wine. All we could say when our glasses were empty was, “Where did the bottle go?”” - James Suckling

 

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Chateau d'Issan 2022

€59* In Bond per bottle

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98 Points | James Suckling

This is really luxurious, showing blackcurrants and orange peel with cedar and dried-mushroom aromas following through to a medium to full body that grows on the palate. This has crunchy and lightly chewy tannins that are slightly austere but in an elegant, classical Bordeaux way. Chewy at the end. So much energy and vibe. So complex. Probably the greatest wine ever from here. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 2% malbec and 1% petit verdot. Best after 2028 but already a joy to taste.

97 Points | The Wine Independent, Chris Kissack

The blend here is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, taking a lot of fruit from the parcels outside the clos, the grand vin in this vintage accounting for 54% of the total production. The élevage was in 50% new barrels. A very polished nose here, dark berries coated in dry dark chocolate, with tobacco, black olive and soot complexities, as well as a floral touch, suggestive of peony and mint. A nicely polished palate, medium-bodied, but with a fine and dry extract, with tightly knit tannins wrapped up in ribbons of dark and salted fruits, black olive, tobacco, leather and black pepper, which lies atop a dark and sinewy backbone of tightly knit and energetic tannins. Great length here, the length wrapped up in those tannins, finely defined and tight knit. A very convincing d’Issan which will surely evolve well over the next couple of decades. Absolutely delicious this – one of the best vintages from d’Issan I have tasted. The alcohol on the palate is 14.5%.

97 Points | The Wine Palate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot, aged in 50% new oak, d’Issan 2022 has a deep garnet-purple color. It opens with a gorgeous perfume of crème de cassis, black raspberries, and violets, giving way to hints of mint tea, dark chocolate, and underbrush. Full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully silky with bags of juicy red and black fruit flavors and a lively backbone, finishing long and fragrant. This is what Margaux is all about!

96 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

The deep ruby/purple-hued 2022 Château D'Issan is rock star stuff, offering a massive array of red and black fruits, spring flowers, violets, smoky tobacco, and a beautiful sense of minerality. This full-bodied, powerful, concentrated Issan has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. The alcohol here is 14.6% and the pH is a solid 3.6. Give bottles 4-5 years if you can, and it will evolve gracefully over the following three decades.

96 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

Wonderfully intense fragrance on the nose - violets, blackcurrants and chocolate. Smooth and silky, almost creamy in texture with bite to the tangy strawberry and red cherry fruit. The grip from the tannins takes hold from the mid palate onwards, creating a funnel for the energy and power to surge through ending long and lifted. Lovely winemaking, this has thrust but is packaged really elegantly with the opulence of 2022 clearly on show - especially with a flash of heat on the finish - but balanced freshness and a light touch in the cellar. Bold but seductive nonetheless.

95 Points | Wine Advocate, William Kelley

The 2022 D'Issan has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of minty cassis, rose petals, pencil shavings and vine smoke. Medium to full-bodied, suave and velvety, it's deep, complex and well-balanced, with a sweet core of fruit and ripe structuring tannins. It's a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

View all vintages of d'Issan

M. Ant. De la Riva Macharnudo San Cayetano 2024

The name alone is enough to confuse, but this dry white from what is considered to be a Grand Cru site in Jerez is anything but ordinary. When we tasted the 2022 vintage a few years ago, it completely blew us away. The new 2024 release has earned even higher scores, and to give you the chance to experience it for yourself, we’re offering it at a very sharp price.

With a Wine Advocate score of 97 points hot off the press, and as an added bonus, it was also awarded James Suckling’s #1 Spanish wine of 2025.

“De La Riva keeps releasing some of the finest unfortified whites from Jerez and limited quantities of very old wines” - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

The story of M. Ant. de la Riva Macharnudo San Cayetano is one of rediscovery and revival. Founded in the 1920s by Manuel Antonio de la Riva, the estate once stood among Jerez’s finest before being absorbed by Domecq in 1970. Nearly fifty years later in 2017, visionary winemakers Willy Pérez and Ramiro Ibáñez resurrected the historic name, guided by De la Riva’s original vineyard notebooks that placed terroir and viticulture at the heart of quality.

Macharnudo is Jerez’s grand cru, a legendary vineyard first recorded in 1269 and famed for its brilliant white albariza soils. The three-hectare San Cayetano parcel lies on a limestone-rich slope of albariza de barajuelas, producing wines of piercing minerality and deep texture. Here, old-vine Palomino thrives under Atlantic breezes and long hours of sunlight, creating wines that are saline, poised, and unmistakably rooted in their place of origin.

Photo: Calcium carbonate–rich albariza soils and old vines in the Macharnudo Alto vineyard in Jerez

The 2024 vintage captures the essence of this terroir with extraordinary purity and tension. After gentle pressing, the wine was split between stainless steel and old American oak sherry casks, where a delicate veil of flor lent subtle complexity. The final blend, mostly from tank with a touch of barrel-aged wine, is electric and expansive. Layers of iodine, lime and crushed stone unfold with chalky precision, confirming it as one of Spain’s most thrilling whites.

With only 6,000 bottles produced, the 2024 is the highest-scoring vintage yet, earning 97 points from The Wine Advocate. Vibrant, mineral and alive with Atlantic energy, it stands as a defining wine of Jerez’s new-wave generation – proving how profound dry white wine from this region can be.

Photo: winemakers Willy Pérez and Ramiro Ibáñez

 

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M. Ant. De la Riva Macharnudo San Cayetano 2024

 

98 Points | James Suckling

This opens with iodine, crusted sea salt and a subtle touch of lime, wrapped in delicate floral notes. The palate is saline and expansive, yet ample and incisive, with a deep texture. There’s a solid and angular, almost architectural sense of salinity here, layered and persistent. One of the most compelling expressions of this style. Drink or hold.

97 points | Wine Advocate

The white 2024 Macharnudo San Cayetano comes from a very old plot of Palomino in Pago Macharnudo, San Cayetano, where the natural concentration is very high. San Cayetano has different exposures, and this is selected from the north-facing side, which gives more freshness and elegance to the wines. The year is much better; they have more experience with the vineyard and they gave it less flor, because the wine had the natural concentration and complexity. There might be some 10% of wine with flor (in previous vintages was 15% to 20%) to give it a little bit more salinity. The wine displays a bright, almost fluorescent yellow color and a complex nose, subtle and nuanced rather than explosive. It's still far too young and will gain complexity in bottle and also weight and depth. In two years, this should be a bomb! It has a vibrant palate with pungent sensations and is intensely mineral and very long and sapid. 6,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2025. This is sold exclusively through La Place de Bordeaux.

96 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

Hold on to your hats, this is grippy, slim, intense, a slow burn white that reminds you just how brilliant the Palomino grape can be. Gunsmoke reduction on the opening, juicy and fleshy but so understated, soy, sea spray, white pear, grilled almonds, with a touch of Xeres tang. Limestone soils, 3.35ha, harvest August 30, fermented in 615l sherry butts, no temperature control, one year of flor ageing. From the brilliant De La Riva winery, with owners and winemakers Willy Perez and Ramiro Ibanez.

 

View all vintages of M. Ant. De la Riva

2024 Granietsteen - 97 Points - Tim Atkin

“Winemaker and Bordeaux lover Bernhard Bredell is a vanguard for the new wave of Stellenbosch producers alongside the likes of Lukas van Loggerenberg and Kaapzicht’s Danie Steytler. Under his slightly difficult-to-pronounce Scions of Sinai label his roster of wines exploits some of the most propitious sites in a style far removed from the ponderous over-oaked/overripe wines of old. […]  If you want to taste today’s South African wines from the top drawer Scions of Sinai comes highly recommended" - Neal Martin, Vinous

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A young talent bursting onto South Africa’s fine wine scene, Bernhard Bredell has rapidly made his mark as one of the most exciting voices in Stellenbosch. His label, Scions of Sinai, was born in 2016 from a mission to save the old, dry-farmed bush vines planted by his grandfather on the rugged slopes of Sinai Hill in the Lower Helderberg. A seventh-generation grower, Bredell channels deep family roots and a modern sensibility into creating honest, expressive wines that reflect the unique soils, climate and history of this special corner of the Cape.

Working in tiny quantities and farming organically, Bredell produces wines defined by purity, texture and restraint, far removed from the heavy-handed styles of old. Each vineyard site, whether Chenin Blanc, Syrah, Pinotage or Cinsault, is treated as a living expression of its terroir, yielding wines that hum with energy and transparency. Alongside producers like Lukas van Loggerenberg, Scions of Sinai stands as a beacon for the new generation of South African winemakers, an artisanal project that honours tradition while propelling the Helderberg’s fine wine reputation forward.

  Photo: The vineyards on Sinai hill

From a windswept vineyard planted in 1978 on decomposed granite soils on the slopes of the hill of Sinai in the Lower Helderberg, Granietsteen captures the very essence of its terroir. The site sits just next to Alheit Vineyards’ Nautical Dawn, making it one of the Cape’s most revered patches of Chenin soil. Old bush vines, farmed organically and yielding only a few tons per hectare, produce small, concentrated berries that give the wine its intensity and depth. Fermented with native yeasts and aged on lees in old oak, Granietsteen reveals layers of citrus peel, white pear, almond and crushed stone. As Greg Sherwood MW writes, “The Granietsteen Chenin Blanc tastes and smells just like the vineyard from whence it comes!” – a statement that perfectly encapsulates this wine’s sense of place and authenticity. Could there be a more terroir-driven wine than that?

Granietsteen 2024 - 97 TA

Granietsteen 2023 - 96 TA

Granietsteen 2022 - 94 TA

With its shimmering purity and understated complexity, Granietsteen has already achieved cult status among Chenin aficionados and confirms Scions of Sinai as one of South Africa’s most exciting new benchmarks for terroir-driven white wine. The wines are on a clear upward trajectory, with the 2024 vintage receiving its highest score yet of 97 points from Tim Atkin.

Produced in tiny quantities of just a few thousand bottles each year, we’re fortunate to have secured a small allocation of this exceptional Chenin Blanc. We tasted the wines a few weeks ago and absolutely loved them. Give them an hour in a decanter and you’ll be richly rewarded. We’re also offering a special introductory price of €37.50* inc VAT per bottle, as this is a new producer for us and we’d love for you to give the wines a try.

If you love truly authentic expressions of Chenin Blanc, this is one not to miss.

 

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Scions of Sinai Granietsteen 2024

€41.30 inc NL VAT per bottle

€37.50* inc NL VAT per bottle - Special introductory price

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97 Points | Tim Atkin MW

"I don't want it to be a collectors' wine," says Bernhard Bredell, but I fear his wish may not come true. This world-class Chenin Blanc from a 1978 parcel on the Sinai Hill just gets better with every vintage. Matured on lees in a 70/30 mix of concrete and foudres, it has remarkable focus and intensity, sea breeze, aniseed and juniper top notes, salty minerality and layers of hay, oyster shell and lemon zest. Bravo! 2027-35

93 Points | Vinous, Neal Martin

The 2024 Granietsteen is 100% Chenin Blanc, dry-farmed bush vines planted in 1978, mostly whole cluster pressed with ten months on the fine lees in foudres and concrete vats. This has a complex nose with almond, walnut and light smoky scents, hints of orange pith surfacing with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. Plenty of tension, quite animated with a touch of white pepper towards the finish, this has a little more vibrancy than the Gramadoelas with long sustain on the finish that urges you back for more. Excellent.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

View all wines from Scions of Sinai

2015 La Chapelle from Jaboulet

Only 3 vintages of Jaboulet’s La Chapelle have earned the perfect 100-Point rating from leading Rhone critic Jeb Dunnuck and they are 1961 (a unicorn wine), 1978 and 2015.

100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

“Lastly, and a legendary wine in the making, the 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle is reminiscent of the 1990 with its full-bodied, opulently, sexy, yet concentrated style. Offering sensational notes of blackcurrants, smoked herbs, beef blood, and chocolate, it’s a huge yet elegant wine that has masses of sweet tannin, incredible purity and finesse, and a killer finish. It’s the finest wine from this estate in close to 30 years. Hats off to Caroline Frey and Jacques Desvernois!"

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This is an exceptionally rare opportunity and we’re truly fortunate to be able to offer it at such an outstanding price. The 2015 vintage is one of the finest ever produced from La Chapelle. With newer releases like the 2022 now selling for €178 IB, our price of €169* IB for the higher-scoring, beautifully mature 2015 is remarkable value.

Provenance is impeccable, with bottles coming directly from the domaine. Each carries a back label stating “Released from the domain cellar in November 2025”. Available in 1x75cl OWC and 3x75cl OWC, they make an ideal addition to any serious cellar.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné stands as one of the Rhône Valley’s true legends, a benchmark for quality and tradition since its founding in 1834. From its historic base in Tain-l’Hermitage, the estate has crafted some of the region’s most celebrated wines, led by the iconic Hermitage La Chapelle. Under Caroline Frey’s meticulous stewardship, Jaboulet combines heritage with modern precision, producing wines that capture the Rhône’s depth, purity and timeless sense of place.

The 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle is a modern legend, recalling the monumental 1990 with its depth, precision and sensual power. A 100-point wine, it radiates dark fruit, smoked herbs, spice and graphite over a core of polished tannins and seamless texture. Under Caroline Frey, Jaboulet has redefined Hermitage, crafting a wine of purity, finesse and immense ageing potential that will endure for decades.

Opportunities like this rarely come twice. With perfect scores, pristine provenance and a price well below newer vintages, the 2015 La Chapelle stands as one of the Rhône’s greatest buys today. Available at this special price for one week only — once these few cases are gone, they’re gone for good.

 

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Paul Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle 2015

€169* In Bond per bottle

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100 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

Lastly, and a legendary wine in the making, the 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle is reminiscent of the 1990 with its full-bodied, opulently, sexy, yet concentrated style. Offering sensational notes of blackcurrants, smoked herbs, beef blood, and chocolate, it’s a huge yet elegant wine that has masses of sweet tannin, incredible purity and finesse, and a killer finish. It’s the finest wine from this estate in close to 30 years. Hats off to Caroline Frey and Jacques Desvernois! Drinking Window: 2026 - 2066

100 Points | The Wine Cellar Insider, Jeff Leve

So inky and unfathomably profound in shade, this wine may stain your stemware as well as your palate with its caliginous hue. With a decanter filled with crème de cassis, this full bodied, concentrated dream liquid fills your mouth and coats your palate while mesmerizing your senses for at least 60 seconds. The fruit bestows purity, intensity, length and precision. In its youth, it's intellectual; when it matures, it will be a hedonistic coup d’état. Is this the best vintage since 1990 or perhaps 1978? Yes! This is off the charts. If you you have the money, this is a wine to lay down. Once other people begin tasting this wine, and word gets out, it is only going to become more expensive.

100 Points | The Drinks Business, Colin Hay

This has an incredible poise and a wondrously cool, refined elegance on the nose. Inviting, enticing and alluring but not giving away all of its secrets – an invitation. Beautifully harmonious in its beguiling complexity, I find this difficult to describe and almost a crime to seek do so (it’s a tough job but someone has to!). Attaching descriptors to its considerable charms is like deconstructing what is entirely holistic and in perfect unity. Very dark chocolate, fennel seeds, lilac and just a hint of candied violet; there is a trace of cinnamon and nutmeg, that archetypally La Chapelle wild gamey-ness, garrigue herbs and aged armchair leather. The texture is fabulous – the epitome of the tannin management that marks the return to form of La Chapelle under Caroline Frey. Composed, pure, dense and compact but incredibly soft and seductive – cashmere more than silk. Utterly glorious. The best of these and very special indeed.

98 Points | Vinous

Bright purple. Explosive, smoke- and spice-accented blueberry, cherry cola, incense and smoky mineral aromas show outstanding delineation and pick up a hint of olive with aeration. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering deeply concentrated dark berry liqueur, fruitcake and floral pastille flavors, along with a suggestion of star anise. The remarkably long, penetrating finish features strong minerally cut, an echo of sweet blue fruit and harmonious tannins that come in late and fold effortlessly into the deeply concentrated fruit. At this stage, this is a contender for the wine of the vintage, at least by estimation. Drinking Window: 2028 - 2040

98 Points | Wine Advocate

The 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle is one of the estate’s finest recent efforts. It’s packed with firm tannins and will need to be lost in the cellar for a decade, but it will reward those with patience. Richly concentrated and full-bodied, it hits all the expected notes—cassis, black olive, smoke, crushed stone, pencil shavings and espresso—then finishes long, with an aristocratic sense of reserve and austerity. Winemaker Jacques Devernois compares it to a woman’s black dress, meaning it speaks of elegance and class.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

View all wines from Paul Jaboulet

2019 Jean-Marc Seleque

“As I've written before, Jean-Marc Sélèque is one of Champagne's most exciting and dynamic young producers. […]  As his viticultural progress bears dividends, these wines go from strength to strength, and I find myself more and more impressed with every passing release. […] Pierry enjoyed considerable historical celebrity, and thanks to Sélèque, it seems more than likely to regain it. Everything here comes recommended, and I warmly encourage readers to acquaint themselves with these wines” - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Jean-Marc Seleque is one of the most dynamic young producers in Champagne, crafting wines that combine energy, finesse and a deep sense of place. Based in Pierry, within the Coteaux Sud d’Epernay, he returned to his family domaine in 2008 and soon began shaping its modern identity. His defining shift came in 2012, when he realised that true greatness comes from the vineyard, not the cellar, and stopped using herbicides. Today, he farms around ten hectares divided into forty-eight plots across seven villages, primarily in the Coteaux Sud d’Epernay, with others in the Vallee de la Marne and the Cote des Blancs.

Seleque’s vineyards are farmed organically, with mechanical cultivation and even horses working certain sites such as Vertus and the Soliste parcels. Higher-than-average canopies help preserve freshness, while winter cover crops protect against erosion and retain soil moisture. In 2015, a new gravity-fed winery marked a major step forward, allowing for gentler handling and greater precision. Around forty percent of the wines are vinified in stainless steel, while the rest age in oak barrels of 350 to 600 litres from top coopers like Atelier Centre France and Bruno Lorenzon. Fermentation is carried out with native or vineyard-specific yeasts, and minimal sulfites are used only after pressing and at disgorgement.

The wines spend nine months on their lees before a short settling period and bottling, gaining texture and complexity while maintaining vivid purity. In recent years, Seleque’s commitment to longer lees ageing, particularly for Solessence, has elevated the depth and longevity of his Champagnes. With the estate’s expanded cellar completed in 2023, Seleque continues to refine his craft, producing Champagnes of remarkable clarity, texture and mineral focus. Through his vision, Pierry is reclaiming its historic prestige, and Jean-Marc Seleque stands firmly at the forefront of Champagne’s new generation.

Today, we have a beautiful selection of the single vineyard 2019’s as well as some large formats from 2015 and 2016. There is hardly anything to go around of these tiny production high-quality champagnes, so don’t miss them.

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Soliste Chardonnay 1er Cru Les Tartieres / Les Porgeons 2019

 

94 Points | Wine Advocate

Disgorged in March 2024 with three grams per liter dosage, the 2019 Soliste Chardonnay Pierry 1er Cru Les Tartières et Les Porgeons is drawn from two adjacent southeast-facing plots planted in 1985 and 1990, which are pressed and vinified together. Aged in approximately 30% new oak, it unfurls from the glass with aromas of candied lemon peel and early-blooming white flowers, mingling with notes of sandalwood and pastry. Full-bodied and generously structured, it is ample and enveloping, with a concentrated core of fruit supported by ripe yet vibrant acidity. Notably, this cuvée is served after the Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir during tastings—a reflection of its gastronomic gravitas and assertive power, which starkly contrasts with the more restrained style of its Côte des Blancs counterparts.

 
Soliste Meunier 1er Cru Les Gouttes d'Or 2019

 

93 Points | Wine Advocate

Disgorged in April 2024 with a dosage of two grams per liter, Sélèque’s 2019 Soliste Meunier Pierry 1er Cru Les Gouttes d'Or is produced from old Pinot Meunier vines—planted between 1951 and 1968 with heritage massal selections—rooted in a mere 35 centimeters of clay-silt topsoil overlying soft chalk bedrock. This is a warmer vineyard site, situated near the city, and it is typically among the first plots harvested. The wine opens with an expressive bouquet of orange zest, blanched almonds, toasted bread and a faint hint of coriander seed. On the palate, it is full-bodied, textural and enveloping, with a concentrated core of fruit underpinned by vibrant acidity, concluding with a persistent, subtly perfumed finish.

 
Soliste Pinot Noir 1er Cru Les Gayeres 2019

 

95+ Points | Wine Advocate

The standout bottling in the Soliste series this year, the 2019 Soliste Pinot Noir Pierry 1er Cru Les Gayères originates from west-facing Pinot Noir vines planted in 1974, where clay and silt rest atop chalk subsoils. Fermented and matured entirely in oak barrels (approximately 20% new), it was disgorged in March 2024 with a dosage of two grams per liter. The nose is redolent of peach, bitter orange and dried flowers mingled with pastry and a faint hint of resin. Medium- to full-bodied, it is concentrated and layered—ample and balanced—with succulent yet racy acidity and a long, saline finish. Like the rest of the Soliste range, this wine is sourced from a parcel cultivated exclusively by horse.

 

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Bramito 2024

“You can count the best Orvieto producers on one hand. Castello della Sala undoubtedly ranks among them. The level of quality and value this estate provides continues to surprise. Any lover of traditional Orvieto but also Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc owes it to themselves to explore the Castello della Sala portfolio” - Eric Guido, Vinous

We’re thrilled to unveil the latest release of one of Italy’s most loved and consistently brilliant whites, Bramìto della Sala 2024, crafted by the iconic Antinori family (from Tignanello).

Perched in the rolling hills of Umbria, Castello della Sala embodies the elegance and precision of Italian winemaking. Founded in the 14th century and owned by the Antinori family since 1940, its medieval castle overlooks vineyards rooted in fossil-rich clay and limestone soils that bring a striking mineral backbone to the wines. With a winemaking approach that marries freshness with gentle texture, these high-altitude sites deliver vibrant fruit, subtle oak influence and a sense of quiet sophistication shaped directly by place..  

The 2024 Bramito del Cervo captures the spirit of Umbria’s hills with clarity and poise. A mild winter and steady spring rains set the stage for gradual ripening, giving the wine fine acidity and vibrant aromatics. Fermented partly in oak, it balances freshness with subtle creaminess. Notes of pear, almond, and hazelnut flow into a long, mineral finish that reflects the fossil-rich, clay-veined soils surrounding the medieval Castello della Sala.

Once thought of as a second wine to Cervaro, often nicknamed the “baby Cervaro” thanks to its origins from younger vines, Bramìto has long since stepped out of that shadow and earned its own strong reputation, all while remaining a true bargain.

With its beautiful balance of freshness, texture and unmistakable terroir character, the 2024 release shows exactly why Bramìto has become a staple for Italian white wine lovers around the world. At €17.11* In Bond per bottle, it is a bottle you will want to have on hand all year long. Secure a few bottles or a case while you can.

 

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Castello della Sala Bramito della Sala 2024

€17.11* In Bond per bottle

€21.50* inc NL VAT per bottle

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Fine Wine Library Tasting Note:

Castello della Sala Bramìto della Sala 2024 is bright and inviting, opening with notes of pear, apple blossom and a touch of toasted almond. The palate is sleek and lively, mixing ripe orchard fruits with zesty citrus lift and a gentle creamy texture beneath. A clean mineral line keeps everything focused, finishing long and refreshing with hints of lemon zest and subtle spice.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

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2023 Clos des Papes - A top vintage 

99+ Points - Wine Advocate
“layered and textured, it’s denser than usual, with a more pronounced structure and a lovely, fleshy core of fruit. Concluding with an ethereal, saline and weightless finish, this is a strong candidate for wine of the vintage—one that should evolve with grace over the coming years to attain a likely perfect score”

Clos des Papes is one of the great names of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a true benchmark for classic southern Rhone winemaking. Founded in 1896 by Paul Avril and now run by his son, Paul-Vincent, the estate has perfected the art of balance—combining tradition, precision and unwavering respect for its historic terroir across more than 30 organically farmed parcels.

Producing just one red and one white, Clos des Papes focuses entirely on purity and harmony rather than power. The red, typically Grenache-led with Mourvedre and Syrah, is aged in old foudres to preserve finesse and aromatic depth. Silky, refined and built for long aging, it remains a timeless reference point for the appellation, embodying the soul of Chateauneuf-du-Pape with grace, structure and quiet confidence.

The 2023 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a masterful expression of the vintage, showing greater depth and definition than usual. Aromas of red berries, blood orange, violet and sweet spice unfold beautifully, leading to a layered palate of refined power and silky structure. A year marked by ideal balance between ripeness and freshness, 2023 has delivered a Clos des Papes of exceptional poise, purity and aging potential, perhaps one of the estate’s finest in recent memory.

Scoring 99+ points from The Wine Advocate, which praised it as “a strong candidate for wine of the vintage—one that should evolve with grace over the coming years to attain a likely perfect score,” this is a remarkable release.

We all know 100-point vintages soar in price, making now the perfect time to add this epic Chateauneuf-du-Pape to your collection. Don’t miss it.

 

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 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2023

€69.50* In Bond per bottle

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99+ Points | Wine Advocate

The 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape from Clos des Papes is exquisite, wafting from the glass with a captivating bouquet of sweet red berries, iris, dark cherries, menthol, blood orange and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and textured, it’s denser than usual, with a more pronounced structure and a lovely, fleshy core of fruit. Concluding with an ethereal, saline and weightless finish, this is a strong candidate for wine of the vintage—one that should evolve with grace over the coming years to attain a likely perfect score.

97 Points | Decanter, Matt Walls

Deeply coloured and quite dark in character, with damson and liquorice notes. It’s generous, full-bodied, quite spicy and fairly potent, with lovely bright, sappy acidity and very fine, soft tannins. There are some similarities with 2022 and 2020, though it’s not as punchy as 2022 nor quite as energetic as 2020. This should be very good, and will drink before both of these recent vintages. All destemmed, aged in old foudres. The estate had a good yield this year, at 25hl/ha.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

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2019 La Lagune 2019 - A Bordeaux Bargain:

“it's reminiscent of a modern-day version of the brilliant 1990" - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Chateau La Lagune is one of the Left Bank’s great overachievers, producing wines of grace and precision that rival far pricier neighbours. Situated at the southern edge of the Haut-Medoc, its gravel-rich soils and organic, increasingly biodynamic farming yield Cabernet-based wines defined by purity, freshness and poise. Under Caroline Frey’s stewardship, La Lagune has cemented its reputation for producing classically structured yet beautifully supple Bordeaux of remarkable consistency and charm.

The 2019 La Lagune is a stunning example of the estate’s modern brilliance, combining depth, freshness and finesse. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, it opens with aromas of black cherry, violet and graphite. The palate is taut and finely layered, balancing ripe fruit with mineral precision and polished tannins. Elegant yet powerful, it’s one of the finest La Lagunes in years, promising decades of graceful evolution.

The scores and tasting notes speak for themselves, but we’ve taken the liberty of highlighting a few standout remarks below for you.

Coming in at a very competitive €30.50* In Bond per bottle, this is an absolute steal for Bordeaux lovers. Cases of 6x75cl OWC are also available.

 

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La Lagune 2019

€30.95* In Bond per bottle

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95 Points | Vinous - Neal Martin

The 2019 La Lagune offers exquisite transparency on the nose - one of the most terroir-expressive Pessac-Léognan wines this vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, taut and fresh, quite saline with a very integrated and poised finish that lingers in the mouth. Wonderful - could this be the best La Lagune in years? Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

94 Points | Wine Advocate, William Kelley

Wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries, wild berries and cassis mingled with hints of dark chocolate, pencil shavings and violets, the 2019 La Lagune is medium to full-bodied, broad and sensual, its ample core of fruit framed by polished tannins and succulent acids. In its elegant, generous style, it's reminiscent of a modern-day version of the brilliant 1990.

94 Points | Vinous - Antonio Galloni

The 2019 La Lagune is fabulous. A wine of power, depth and tension, the 2019 is compelling right out of the gate. Black cherry, plum, rose petal, sweet pipe tobacco and blood orange lend striking complexity. Persistent and engaging, the 2019 is a thrilling La Lagune loaded with classy, personality and pedigree. It's one of the best recent vintages I can remember tasting. Don't miss it!

94 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

The 2019 Château La Lagune is terrific and well worth seeking out. Ripe dark cherries, currants, smoky tobacco, and cedar pencil notes define this utterly classic, medium-bodied, balanced Haut-Médoc. With plenty of tannins as well as good concentration, it's going to hit maturity in 7-8 years and have two decades or more of longevity if properly stored. It's an impeccably put together wine. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

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