All France
All France
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)
A stunningly successful Lagrange, easily one of the best ever at the property, with complexity, density, and staying power. Combines the exuberant texture of the 2009 with precision and clarity of fruit. The conditions of the vintage meant the smallest size of beries in 35 years, and although the tannins are clearly present they are finessed and sappy. A very young wine, but balanced and seductive, with lush cassis and blackberry fruits. 3.47ph, 60% new oak - this is an upscore from my last tasting of this vintage, but it is really singing. Harvest October 3 to October 24 with a record (since Suntory purchase) 49% of production making it to the 1st wine. Eric Boissenot consultant.د.إ1,255.00 -
Wine Advocate (93-95+)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Lagrange opens a little closed and broody, slowly revealing cedar chest, tar, pencil shavings, camphor and fragrant earth scents with a baked plums and warm cassis core plus a hint of yeast extract. Full-bodied and jam-packed with black fruits and earthy accents, it has a solid frame of firm, chunky tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a persistent mineral note.د.إ1,970.00 -
Decanter (96)
Lovely deep red pink rim to the glass. Such freshness and floral lift on the nose, smells lively and welcoming with a cool blue fruit touch to the aromas alongside faint hints of liquorice. Amazing texture and mouthfeel - filling with a good density of chalky and textured tannins underpinning creamy red fruits with a juicy acidity that is so succulent and mouthwatering. Just giving everything - abundant, generous lively fruit, creamy velvet-textured tannins, bright acidity and gorgeous Cabernet aspects. Round and complete, excellent winemaking on show.د.إ938.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Absolutely beautiful with blackberry, walnut, crushed-stone and lavender character. It’s full-bodied and very layered with ultra fine tannins and an extremely long finish. Really well done for the vintage. Best in a long time.د.إ1,005.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)
Continuing a run of exceptional vintages where everything seems to be going right at this property. High Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, and it comes across in the sleek black fruits and peony character, very much floral and finessed. Good stuff, this is impressive, enjoyable, very St Julien and very good. 50% new oak for ageing, Eric Boissenot consultant, Mathieu Bordes director since 2013.د.إ1,040.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
The flagship from a 7-acre parcel in the estate vineyard, the 2016 Cahors Le Pigeonnier is another Pomerol look-alike with its beautiful bouquet of black cherries, blueberries, damp earth, white chocolate, and exotic spices. As with all these 2016s, it’s a ripe, powerful, opulent wine that doesn’t pull any punches, yet always stays balanced, elegant, and remarkably fresh. Made from 100% Malbec aged two years in new French oak, it builds beautifully with time in the glass, has a deep, layered mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. It’s possibly the finest Cahors I’ve ever tasted and would pass undetected in a blind lineup of top Napa Cabernets. While it’s no doubt beautiful today, I suspect it will develop even more nuance and complexity with 3-4 years of bottle age and keep for 15-20 years.د.إ2,775.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-95)
A vibrant crimson and ruby colour. There is more intensity of fruit on the nose than detail. A fractional reduction too. Very intense lifted red fruit up front, gentler behind where the nuances start to come out. Built on balanced acidity rather than tannins. Quite long.د.إ5,630.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (92-94)
A little more depth of cherry red colour here and a delicate but charming bouquet. Builds to the back, a little smokiness and a touch of pepper, a gracious and quite delicate Echezeaux of middling intensity but some length.د.إ4,445.00 -
(12x75cl) 2016Vinous (95)
The 2016 La Grande Rue Grand Cru has a very pure, almost pastille-like bouquet with copious red cherry fruit mixed with crushed strawberry and a little cassis. La Grande Rue? [Post script: Bingo!] The palate is very pretty with fine-grain tannin. This is surfeit with freshness and vitality, although it does not quite have the depth and structure of other Grand Crus from the appellation. It does fan out towards the finish. The persistence, and the saline aftertaste are very appealing. Excellent. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.د.إ24,675.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2017 La Grande Rue has a deep, introspective bouquet, offering more black fruit than red; touches of oyster shell and seaweed percolate through with time. The palate is where the quality shines through, in the filigreed tannins and the wonderful sense of symmetry. Fresh as a daisy without compromising intensity, especially on the pixelated finish, which seems to go on forever. Brilliant. This far exceeded my expectations. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.د.إ7,530.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2017 La Grande Rue has a deep, introspective bouquet, offering more black fruit than red; touches of oyster shell and seaweed percolate through with time. The palate is where the quality shines through, in the filigreed tannins and the wonderful sense of symmetry. Fresh as a daisy without compromising intensity, especially on the pixelated finish, which seems to go on forever. Brilliant. This far exceeded my expectations. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.د.إ9,660.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-98)
Perfect fresh mid red to purple in colour. There is an extra distinction to the bouquet, with a touch of spice and a little bit of blood orange. Very nuanced this year. Sweetly harmonious across the middle of the palate, iron-rich at the finish, supple and extremely persistent. Long, harmonious, with a silky touch.د.إ5,745.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Nicole is thrilled that La Grande Rue is producing at 80% of its capacity, even in this dry vintage. Of course, much less is made of this old vine cuv e – only two barrels. This has a touch more blush in its color than its counterpart. It's also showing some reduction so less perfumed at the moment. There's a strong flint note followed by pretty rose petals then sweet strawberries. The texture is marvellous, feeling of pure silk. Medium-bodied with integrated lift and soign tannins, this is seriously stylish. 2022-40د.إ8,705.00 -
Wine Advocate (85)
The 2015 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru les Suchots offers up aromas of plums, cassis and spice, followed by a medium-bodied, rather inscrutable palate without any real discernible concentration or depth. Perhaps the wine is simply closed down after bottling and will emerge from its shell with age?د.إ4,640.00 -
Vinous (97)
The 2018 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru does not quite have the amplitude of Magnien's Clos Saint-Denis, but it displays more vivacious red fruit, clarifying with aeration and eventually develops quite an ethereal quality. The palate is beautifully balanced with sappy red fruit laced with white pepper, sage and graphite notes. Superb structure on the finish - quintessentially Morey-Saint-Denis with wonderful sappiness. Bon vin! Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.د.إ6,170.00 -
Decanter (2027-2050)
It is hard to overstate my enthusiasm for this wine, with its impressive ripeness, plump, plummy fruit with notes of black cherry and liquorice. The texture is densely structured, firm but not hard, and long but not heavy. There is still the freshness and finesse to make this among the best wines of the vintage. This is the reunion of all the old-vine parcels in the Clos and a pretty convincing argument for director Jacques Devauges’ assertion that Lambrays is the pinnacle of Morey-St-Denis.د.إ13,920.00 -
Decanter (2027-2050)
It is hard to overstate my enthusiasm for this wine, with its impressive ripeness, plump, plummy fruit with notes of black cherry and liquorice. The texture is densely structured, firm but not hard, and long but not heavy. There is still the freshness and finesse to make this among the best wines of the vintage. This is the reunion of all the old-vine parcels in the Clos and a pretty convincing argument for director Jacques Devauges’ assertion that Lambrays is the pinnacle of Morey-St-Denis.د.إ4,515.00 -
Decanter (2027-2050)
It is hard to overstate my enthusiasm for this wine, with its impressive ripeness, plump, plummy fruit with notes of black cherry and liquorice. The texture is densely structured, firm but not hard, and long but not heavy. There is still the freshness and finesse to make this among the best wines of the vintage. This is the reunion of all the old-vine parcels in the Clos and a pretty convincing argument for director Jacques Devauges’ assertion that Lambrays is the pinnacle of Morey-St-Denis.د.إ10,730.00 -
د.إ5,045.00 -
د.إ9,320.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (96-98)
Eleven different cuvées combine to form the 2023 Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru, with every square meter contributing to the blend, to quote Jacques Devauges verbatim (as an aside, this is the same philosophy at Cheval Blanc, which is also on LVMH's mantelpiece). This vintage includes 80% whole bunch and was raised in 60% new oak. The bouquet is very expressive with ebullient red berry fruit, tobacco, forest floor and subtle aromas of ceps. The palate is medium-bodied with fine yet firm tannins that lend backbone and gentle grip. This fans out with style on the sapid finish with a liberal sprinkling of black pepper. The 2023 ranks alongside the 2022 and may even surpass it. Prices have skyrocketed in recent years and priced out many Lambrays-lovers, but one cannot deny the quality.د.إ6,050.00 -
James Suckling (92-93)
Bright and vivid with blackcurrants, dried flowers and hints of spice to the energetic fruit. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, racy tannins and a long finish. Very well done.د.إ766.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (95)
The 2010 Langoa-Barton has a very pure and quite intense bouquet with black cherries, blueberry and star anis aromas that are typically Langoa. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, impressive body and grip with a liquorice-tinged, saline finish that maybe just lacks a little flesh and needs more on the aftertaste. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.د.إ4,220.00 -
James Suckling (94)
Lovely aromas of chocolate and currants with bright cherries. Full body, tight and compacted tannins and a fresh and fruity finish. Crisp acidity. Linear and refined. Start drinking in 2021.د.إ1,690.00 -
Decanter (97)
Langoa Barton’s gravelly vineyard plots are still owned by the Barton family, who founded the estate in 1722. A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, fermented in thermo-regulated wooden vats for 7-10 days, and aged 16-18 months in barriques, 60% new. Georgie Hindle: Seductive, beguiling nose. Taut, defined, precise, detailed. Soft, exotic spices add texture and frame to the fruit with silky, almost imperceptible tannins. Energetic, but not showy at all. Vincenzo Arnese: Ripe and concentrated fruit aromas with blackcurrant and maraschino cherry. The palate opens up to chocolate and coffee. Intense and deep finish. Andy Howard MW: A wonderful combination of classic Bordeaux style with modern winemaking. Intense palate, with integrated oak and hints of menthol, graphite and spice. Effortlessly graceful.د.إ885.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Very finely textured with pure blue fruit and lavender and violet undertones. It’s full-bodied with pure, focused fruit. Extremely long and refined. Clearly better than the 2018.د.إ1,815.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Very finely textured with pure blue fruit and lavender and violet undertones. It’s full-bodied with pure, focused fruit. Extremely long and refined. Clearly better than the 2018.د.إ918.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (95)
The 2020 Langoa Barton has a wonderful, precise, mineral-driven bouquet with subtle marine scents (oyster shell and Crustacea) that emerge with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins. Stylistically, it's not unlike the Léoville Barton, though this has more control and tension toward the persuasive finish. Glorious—one of the finest releases in recent years and better than the showing just after bottling. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.د.إ859.00 -
The Drinks Business (93-95)
Langoa-Barton (St Julien; 61% Cabernet Sauvignon; 36% Merlot; 3% Cabernet Franc; 13% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with very similar notes). Another wine that is very true to its own style here. Nutty, with a pleasing ripe natural sweetness to the fruit; a little hint of the oak and a trace (but only that) of vanilla and of grated dark chocolate, almonds and frangipane, alongside the dark plump black cherry and bramble fruit – mulberries too. There is good depth and density to the fruit, which is very pure, though I find the mid-palate a little less defined and precise than with the leading handful of wines of the appellation. My second tasting suggests that’s just a little harsh (and I revise my score up a notch). A great mouthful – with sapid gobbets of fresh fruit. Full and rich, bright and tense. Promising in the context of any vintage and very fine indeed in the context of this one.د.إ1,365.00 -
The Drinks Business (93-95)
Langoa-Barton (St Julien; 61% Cabernet Sauvignon; 36% Merlot; 3% Cabernet Franc; 13% alcohol; tasted at the UGCB press tasting and at Lagrange with very similar notes). Another wine that is very true to its own style here. Nutty, with a pleasing ripe natural sweetness to the fruit; a little hint of the oak and a trace (but only that) of vanilla and of grated dark chocolate, almonds and frangipane, alongside the dark plump black cherry and bramble fruit – mulberries too. There is good depth and density to the fruit, which is very pure, though I find the mid-palate a little less defined and precise than with the leading handful of wines of the appellation. My second tasting suggests that’s just a little harsh (and I revise my score up a notch). A great mouthful – with sapid gobbets of fresh fruit. Full and rich, bright and tense. Promising in the context of any vintage and very fine indeed in the context of this one.د.إ843.00

