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Champagne |
5 |
92 (VN (AG)) |
د.إ996.00 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)The NV (2022) Brut Grand Cellier is another wine that benefits from a very strong base year. A burst of candied citrus peel, white pepper, mint, slate and chalk makes a strong first impression. Clean mineral notes extend the finish before wrapping it all together in waves of salinity. There's a feeling of exuberance in the Grand Cellier that is impossible to miss. This release is based on 2022, with 50% reserve wines from 2021 and 2020. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: July 2024.
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Champagne |
6 |
96 (VN) |
د.إ1,110.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2009 Blanc de Blancs Les Blanches Voies is every bit as stunning as it was last year. The combination of the warm year and the natural richness conferred by these 70+- year-old vines yields a powerful, vinous Champagne with tremendous character, depth and the pedigree to drink well for many years. Laurent Champs gave the Blanc de Blancs 7 years on the cork, as opposed to the 6 that are customary for the Coeur de Cuvée. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: March, 2017.
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Champagne |
5 |
95 (VN) |
د.إ795.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2012 Extra-Brut Les Blanc de Blancs Blanches Voies is stellar. It offers tons of brilliance and energy, especially for a year in which most wines are quite a bit more radiant. It's a style that works quite well here, though. Crushed rocks, white pepper, mint and lemon peel all build as the 2012 shows off its alluring, saline-infused personality. This is an especially chiseled, finely cut 2012. I loved it. Disgorged: June, 2020.
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Mendoza |
1 |
99 (JS) |
د.إ1,965.00 |
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James Suckling (99)Blackberries, ink and blueberries with black-tea and bark undertones. Full-bodied with density and richness that is well framed with beautiful, round and polished tannins and a seamless texture. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2026, but already great.
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Rioja |
1 |
96 (TA) |
د.إ1,180.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)The latest vintage of Etienne Cordonnier’s wine, made with the help of Rioja legend Jesus Madrazo, is every bit as exciting as the 2014. Now housed in its own winery in Languardia, this is fasting turning into one of the very best producers in the region. Combining Tempranillo with 7% Graciano, it’s wonderfully perfumed and refined with polished tannins, tangy acidity and orange peel and blackberry fruit flavours. Delicious.
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Rioja |
1 |
97 (TA) |
د.إ1,400.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)Now established in his own state-of-the-art modern winery and the owner of 19 hectares in Languardia, Navaridas and Lapueble de Labarca, divided into 19 different parcels, Etienne Cordonnier is producing one of Rioja’s most distinguished wines. The 2016 is the best release yet, made from Tempranillo and 8% Graciano and showing scented, floral elegance, fine tannins and subtle wood. Margaux meets Rioja?
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Castilla y Leon |
1 |
97 (TA) |
د.إ2,010.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)What a début! Even given the distinguished track record of consultant Jean-Claude Berrouet, this is a remarkable wine. Elegant and refreshing, it has very fine tannins, floral top notes, subtle oak and just a hint of leafiness from 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
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California |
1 |
97 (JD) |
د.إ2,530.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (97)The 2020 Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard is fragrant and layered with lemon verbena, toasted brioche, and white peach. It has detail and definition in its structure, with refreshing acidity and a stony, lifted finish. Drink it over the next 10 or more years.
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Burgundy |
3 |
92 (DC) |
د.إ704.00 |
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Decanter (92)William Fevre own 46ha of AP Chablis but there was lots of frost damage in 2021 - the yield was just 18hl/ha! Lovely floral notes here, very precise and focussed. This is already appealing although the acidity is certainly evident. Lingering spice notes on the finish. From a tank sample, with bottling due in November. Drink from next year and for many years.
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Burgundy |
1 |
96+ (WA) |
د.إ2,330.00 |
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Wine Advocate (96+)The 2022 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos is a serious, structured wine, unwinding in the glass with aromas of ripe, waxy citrus rind, crisp orchard fruit and white flowers, framed by a deft touch of youthful reduction. Full-bodied, dense and satiny, it's layered, concentrated and multidimensional, with the most structure and substance of any wine in the range, but also the greatest need for patience to realize all its considerable potential.
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Burgundy |
1 |
94-96 (VN) |
د.إ3,520.00 |
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Vinous (94-96)The 2021 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru comes from 2.5-hectares split over two parcels. This has one of my favourite aromatics from Fèvre this year with superb delineation and mineralité. The palate is harmonious and poised, very focused and tensile, plenty of energy with a touch of lime and clementine towards the persistent finish. This is an outstanding Chablis that should age supremely well in bottle.
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Burgundy |
1 |
96 (DC) |
د.إ1,405.00 |
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Decanter (96)Beautiful mix of richness, grace and drive. As always with Fèvre's Les Preuses, this is elegant, long-living and fine. Ultra-stylish and very mineral. From two sections of vines. One situated low down on Les Preuses next to Vincent Dauvissat's plot, on the flatter part facing south, the other on deeper soils, with both adding richness and totalling 2.5ha.
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NA |
1 |
96 (JD) |
د.إ393.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (96)The NV Vin de France Arcane Le Fou is another unique wine from this incredible winemaker. This cuvée focuses on different clones of Grenache as well as just about every permitted variety out there (although it’s 85% Grenache). It has a big, sweet nose of blueberries, black cherries, lavender, and peppery incense as well as a full-bodied, layered, powerful yet seamless style on the palate. With no hard edges, silky tannins, and a big finish, it’s a singular wine (it’s mostly from vines in Châteauneuf Du Pape) to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years.
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Bordeaux |
1 |
97 (JA) |
د.إ2,245.00 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)Give this 5 or 10 minutes to open in the glass because it has a pretty serious structure, deftly weighted, full of white pear, quince and apricot pit, balanced by savoury rosemary, straw and fennel notes, successful and totally moreish. A vintage that had the freshness necessary for great white wines in Bordeaux, and Y pulls away from the pack with this wine.
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Bordeaux |
2 |
97 (JA) |
د.إ4,000.00 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)Give this 5 or 10 minutes to open in the glass because it has a pretty serious structure, deftly weighted, full of white pear, quince and apricot pit, balanced by savoury rosemary, straw and fennel notes, successful and totally moreish. A vintage that had the freshness necessary for great white wines in Bordeaux, and Y pulls away from the pack with this wine.
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South Australia |
1 |
98 (JS) |
د.إ2,210.00 |
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James Suckling (98)This is a strong cross-regional combination. Immense depth of olives, cassis, blue plums and iodine with blackberries, earthy nuances, fragrant baking spices and chocolate. The palate is beautifully assembled with deep-set tannins that carry long and majestic. Rich dark-fruit flavors. A landmark first release that will drink well for decades. Drink from 2024.
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South Australia |
1 |
19.5+ (MJ) |
د.إ1,930.00 |
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Matthew Jukes (19.5+)2013 is a powerhouse, with density, structure and presence, but it is not a heavy wine! Instead, this is a cerebral, through-provoking number with layer upon layer of savoury, noble fruit. The differences between the yin and yang of these two vintages is also evident in the blend. 2012 was made of 79% Cabernet (of which 27% was Barossan and the lion’s share was from Coonawarra) and 21% Barossa Shiraz. In 2013 KG marries 55% Coonawarra Cabernet with 45% Barossa Shiraz. This is a more ‘historical-Aussie-claret-shaped’ wine and the extra splash of Barossa Shiraz helps to bring flesh to the upright, masterful Cabernet.
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South Australia |
1 |
98 (TRR) |
د.إ2,210.00 |
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The Real Review (98)This wine is continuing to build, and is now showing a glorious perfume, the aromatics similar to the 2012, which set a very high standard that this vintage reaches and arguably surpasses. Spicy and ultra-complex, with shiraz and Barossa both evident in the wine. It's very intense, taut and concentrated, as well as finely-textured and incredibly long in the mouth. A great wine of wonderful purity and harmony. (74% Coonawarra cabernet, 26% Barossa shiraz)
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South Australia |
1 |
20++ (MJ) |
د.إ2,210.00 |
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Matthew Jukes (20++)You have seen my MoneyWeek article above and this time that is all you are getting. This wine WILL feature in my 100 Best Australian Wines Report 2021-22, which WILL be released this year. Forgive me for the capitals, but I have had enough of this pandemic and so I am pressing on regardless. You already know my score, but here it is again and it certainly bears repeating. But before I type this perfect number again I would like to inform you that I tasted 450 bottles of 2020 En Primeur Bordeaux this year and I would, of course, love you to download this Report from this website. The reason for mentioning this is that none of them warranted a perfect score, so I hope that this underlines just how remarkable it is that The Caley has done this twice in five years and also, with an average of 19.6/20, this accounts for my lofty headline at the top of this article.
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South Australia |
1 |
96 (JS) |
د.إ1,120.00 |
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James Suckling (96)A very youthful vintage, this is taut and will age very well. Aromas of blackcurrants, tar, blackberries and baking spices lead to a palate that has such an intense, gently smoky thread with a succulent, juicy red-plum, berry and spice finish. Light espresso. Super long-aging Signature here. A blend of Barossa cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Try from 2024.
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Shimamoto |
2 |
93 (WHA) |
د.إ632.00 |
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Whisky Advocate (93)The first thing you notice is the elegant fragrance of lychee, spring blossoms, lily, rosewater, and raspberry meringue. Deeper in, grassy notes with star fruit, kumquat, and kaffir lime leaves. The flavors offer perfection in their simplicity: silky honey, soft spices, crystalized pineapple, barley sugar, lemon, and orange. On the finish, the spices chatter on and on as the sweet citrus and honey fade in and out. One to cherish.
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Loire |
1 |
94 (WA) |
د.إ785.00 |
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Wine Advocate (94)From low-yielding Cabernet Franc vines that average 45 years of age and root in the silex clay soils of the côte, the 2019 Bourgueil Le Grand Clos opens with a pure, fine and intense, concentrated but also aromatic and fragrant bouquet of dark and red fruits and crushed stones along with refreshing lemony and spicy notes. Round and very elegant on the palate, this is a beautifully balanced Grand Clos with a concentrated finish with tight but fine tannins and a fresh acidity that gives a positive astringency. The aftertaste is long and intense but always in balance and underlines the remarkable finesse of this wine that aged for 12 to 18 months in 400-liter tonneaux. Tasted in June 2021.
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Loire |
1 |
93+ (WA) |
د.إ1,230.00 |
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Wine Advocate (93+)From vines averaging 45 years of age on the slopes of the Coteau and aged in oak barrels for 20 months, the 2018 Bourgueil Les Quartiers opens with a deep, intense and toasty bouquet of ripe, black berries and blackcurrants intermixed with spicy tones, cigar box and graphite. Silky, refined and fresh on the palate, this is an elegant, tight but vivacious, silky-textured Cabernet Franc with crystalline tannins and a long finish that is still oak-influenced in its flavors, but the structure, finesse and intensity and the very delicate raspberry flavor in the aftertaste indicate excellent aging potential. Personally, I prefer the crus that were partly aged in stoneware (amphorae) and also for a shorter period, whereas Les Quartiers represents the old Amirault style, before 2014.
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Marlborough |
2 |
95 (DC) |
د.إ540.00 |
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Decanter (95)Floral, mineral, complex bouquet of peach blossom, apple, herbs and stony almost silty minerals. A satin texture is contrasted by crisp acidity and a core melon, white peach and gooseberry fruit. Enticing and complete with a lick of sea salt, mineral and blossoms on the finish. Delicious and complete. Drinking Window 2021 - 2026
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Alsace |
1 |
95 (JS) |
د.إ1,180.00 |
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James Suckling (95)This self-confidently atypical pinot gris has astonishing acidity that’s got the intensity of a lightning strike. Tons of pineapple and toast character, but also gigantic, lemony freshness at the exceptionally bright finish. May be too extreme for some, but we find this amazing. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
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Alsace |
1 |
97 (JS) |
د.إ1,865.00 |
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James Suckling (97)A unique dry riesling with an astonishing combination of mini banana, mirabelle, baking spice and sea salt. Super concentrated and super elegant, this has a level of poise that’s very rare in the 2018 vintage. I love the way the silky finish caresses the palate. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
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Mendoza |
4 |
100 (WA) |
د.إ1,270.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)I was blown away by the 2016 Finca Piedra Infinita, a wine I have been anticipating because I’ve seen the progression of the wine over the last few years. They use almost 40 different components to make this wine from small plots within the vineyard, especially the soils they call "supercalcáreo" (super limestone). The other type of soil they use is what they call "gravas calcáreas" (limestone gravels), and they don’t use any of the grapes from the deeper soils that go into the Q range. The wine has reached a stratospheric level of precision, symmetry and elegance in 2016 that is really captivating. Everything seems to be in its place; there is great harmony, the aromatics are clean and pure and the texture is like liquid chalk. There is power and elegance, energy and finesse. This is a really outstanding wine that summarizes the hard work at Zuccardi in the last few years. Bravo! 6,400 bottles were filled in February 2017.
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Mendoza |
2 |
98 (WA) |
د.إ1,360.00 |
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Wine Advocate (98)They use some specific soils for the 2017 Finca Piedra Infinita, up to eight different plots, but not all plots contribute to the wine every vintage; in general, the zones with 20 to 60 centimeters of soil and then large stones with calcium carbonate are reflected in the wines. So, they deconstruct the vineyard, and then they build the blend with the plots they like for each wine, up to eight here but only a specific one for the Supercal and Gravascal. There's a little more ripeness and exuberance here within the general austerity of the whole Piedra Infinita range, especially when compared with the 2018s. They harvested 15 to 20 days earlier than in 2018 (or in 2016) and they had to run, but the separation they have by soil helped them to harvest earlier the earlier-ripening parts of the vineyard. That gave them a great advantage and they produced very good 2017s, but the condition of the year, a shorter cycle and a more hurried year was what it was. This 2017 is not as long as the 2018, and there is a strong chalkiness in the finish. 7,300 bottles were filled in August 2018.
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Mendoza |
1 |
98 (WA) |
د.إ3,950.00 |
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Wine Advocate (98)The 2017 Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal is produced with fruit from a very balanced plot with some 50 centimeters of soil before reaching the stones and limestone. This half-hectare plot had very low yields, so they had to harvest it very early. The plants here are very balanced, and the wine produced has a marked herbal sensation, always combined with the stoniness. There is less difference between the 2017 and 2018 here than in the other Finca Piedra Infinita wines. This is precise, fresh and harmonious, with very fine chalky tannins and a combination of fruit, spice and minerality that make it really attractive. 1,500 bottles were filled in August 2018.
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