Vinous (93-95)

The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Les Chaumes 1er Cru has an inviting and quite sensual bouquet of crushed ripe strawberries, cranberry, touches of cassis and violet, showing good intensity. The palate is intense on the entry. No hanging about here; just penetrating spicy black fruit with a satin-like texture and a vibrant sorbet-like finish that leaves the mouth tingling with pleasure. Superb.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2021 Vosne-Romanée Aux Brûlées 1er Cru has an exquisitely-delineated bouquet with black plum and raspberry fruit that unfold with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly flinty opening, compact, quite peppery with a deepening and rather grippy finish. There is something sultry about this Aux Brûlées, a Premier Cru that will repay 4-5 years in the cellar.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95-97)

The 2023 Vosne-Romanée Aux Brûlées 1er Cru is a little taciturn at first, but it only takes a little aeration to reveal brambly red fruit, briar, black pepper and light graphite scents. This is quite complex and, like Grivot's other 2023s, very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a pleasing crunchy texture on the entry. One of the more peppery Vosne-Romanées, again, you could be deceived into thinking there were stems in blend when there are none. It sashays toward a very harmonious finish. This is superb.

Decanter (95)

Always one of Etienne and Mathilde Grivot's stand-out Premier Cru reds, this is not the most immediate of their cuvées at a young age, often displaying some grip and tannic backbone as well as a hint of meaty reduction, but the fruit concentration and depth is remarkable here, supported by chalky minerality and scented 30% new wood. Wonderfully patrician and well-structured.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Les Rouges 1er Cru has "grown up a lot over the last 10 years," according to Etienne Grivot. It is one of the more reticent cuvées on the nose this year, reluctantly unfolding to reveal more tertiary red berry fruit laced with garrigue and iodine. Good complexity, but these aromatics will need time to open. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, lithe tannins. Quite compact at the moment, this has good grip and a saline, marine-influenced finish that fans out beautifully. A succinct, understated Les Rouge that will give 20-plus years of pleasure.

Decanter (95)

Always one of my favourite Vosne premiers crus from Mathilde and Etienne Grivot, this textured, stylish, deftly oaked red has all the most appealing features of the 2017 vintage, with lots of sumptuous, summer-pudding fruit, filigree tannins and a foundation of acidity. It's deceptively forward, as this has the minerality and focus to age.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2021 Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots 1er Cru perhaps has the most mineral-driven bouquet of Grivot’s Premier Crus: graphite-infused red fruit, touches of forest floor, very precise and detailed. The palate is medium-bodied with finely-sculpted tannins. There is unerring symmetry here and whilst it may miss a bit of substance on the finish, this may well be addressed by the time it finishes its élevage. Superb.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-95)

Clear bright ruby purple. The nose flickers in and out, and while there is a fine tensile line of red berry fruit, this is not too demonstrative. Perhaps some of the refined detail of an Echezeaux. A slight sucrosity of strawberry fruit, and very persistent. Very good and extremely typical of Suchots this year. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted: November 2023.

Vinous - Neal Martin (94-96)

The 2023 Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots 1er Cru has a lifted, perfumed, quite floral bouquet that is more flirtatious than the Les Beaux Monts. The red berry fruit comes out and hugs the senses. Its palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit and fine acidity, conveying a sense of symmetry. It's not a powerful Les Suchots and it just tapers in a little toward the finish. This is very controlled and perhaps more linear than presupposed. This should be intriguing to observe maturing in bottle.

Vinous (89-91)

The 2021 Vosne-Romanée Village has a very pretty nose with brambly red fruit briary and light sous-bois aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with tart red fruit, fine backbone, quite tannic with a touch of white pepper on the finish. A lovely Vosne-Romanée.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (89-92)

Not so deep in colour, but quite elegant on the nose. A lighter red fruit profile. Beautifully generous through the middle, perfumed strawberry and raspberry, with a structure built more on acidity than tannin. Drink from 2028-2035. Tasted: November 2023.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (90-92)

More of a garnet to crimson colour. The fruit is not immediately so flamboyant. A strawberry or two perhaps. The village Vosne is on the softer side but none the less very agreeable and the fruit builds to the back. Now more alpine strawberry, this is growing in the glass. Drink from 2028-2034. Tasted Nov 2024.

Relish the exquisite Jean Lionnet Cornas Rochepertuis 2005, a product of meticulously nurtured vineyards located on the fabled terraced slopes of Cornas in the Rhône Valley of France. Jean Lionnet, a legend amongst winemakers in the region, has implemented traditional methods passed across generations to curate this exceptional drink.

Characterised by a rich, inky hue, the Cornas Rochepertuis 2005 offers a distinctive palate of black plum, smoke, and savoury spice. Its full-bodied structure and robust tannin balance result from ageing in oak barrels, which also instil hints of toasted vanilla. This 100% Syrah wine, boasting a perfect combination of depth, complexity, and longevity, is testament to Lionnet’s commitment to old vines and sustainable cultivation practices.

Enjoy Jean Lionnet Cornas Rochepertuis 2005, a vintage hallmark of Rhône Valley wines that reflects the artisanal finesse amalgamated with the terroir's unique character in each sip. Truly a captivating experience for discerning oenophiles.

Wine Advocate (95)

Jean-Paul Brun's 66-year-old vines in this prime lieux-dit have yielded a superb 2018 Fleurie Grille-Midi, a striking wine that unfurls in the glass with complex aromas of black raspberries, rose petals, smoked meats and violets. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and satiny, with a bottomless core of concentrated fruit, velvety tannins and ripe acids, concluding with a long and sapid finish. This is a brilliant, age-worthy Fleurie worth special effort to track down.

Wine Advocate (95)

Jean-Paul Brun's 66-year-old vines in this prime lieux-dit have yielded a superb 2018 Fleurie Grille-Midi, a striking wine that unfurls in the glass with complex aromas of black raspberries, rose petals, smoked meats and violets. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and satiny, with a bottomless core of concentrated fruit, velvety tannins and ripe acids, concluding with a long and sapid finish. This is a brilliant, age-worthy Fleurie worth special effort to track down.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87-88)

(from 45-year-old vines in Concoeur, in the hills behind Vosne-Romanée; there was no frost here in 2016 but vines in a small valley just 500 meters away were decimated, according to Tardy; 12.1% natural alcohol chaptalized to 12.8%): Healthy dark red. Ripe, sappy aromas of black cherry, black raspberry and licorice. A medium-bodied wine with sweet berry and cherry fruit flavors framed by a firm edge of acidity and complicated by a leathery nuance. Lovely vinosity here, with an acidulated red fruit character and fine, dusty tannins that suggest this wine will evolve slowly. Tardy told me that Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet and Domaine Arlaud own vines in the same windy, rocky, essentially flat site.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-95)

100% new wood. Dense dark purple, the nose currently dominated by the oak, but it will integrate well without any sign of drying the ample fruit. We cannot see the detail yet but the 2022 Echezeaux finishes gracefully, with finesse. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted: October 2023.

Vinous (92-94)

Matured in around 40% new oak, the 2019 Nuits Saint-Georges Au Bas de Combe Vieilles Vignes has a very controlled, focused bouquet of raspberry and bilberry fruit, beautifully defined and very terroir-expressive. The palate is well balanced and stylistically equidistant between Nuits Saint-Georges and Vosne-Romanée, betraying its geographical location. The 85-year-old vines impart great concentration but also immense quality, more Premier Cru than Village Cru. Superb.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Bottled. Especially pale rim. Very floral and hedonistic. Sweet start and surely just what burgundy lovers currently seek. Really rather gorgeous fruit and precision with just a little dry finish so probably worth waiting a while. Very long.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Cask sample. Meaty, orange-peel nose with lots of edge and energy. Like essence of Morey. Really exciting but with a flourish rather than concentration. Great balance and refinement as well as depth. So well done! Oddly appealing already but certainly not simple.

Jancis Robinson (16.5+)

Cask sample. Bright, light crimson. Quite a meaty nose but the fruit is bright and energetic. Pure, fresh fruit – lighter than the average Gevrey from another vintage but a very approachable, lively wine. Lots of ripe-tomato perfume.

Vinous (91)

Opaque ruby. Primary cherry, cassis, peony and olive qualities on the perfumed nose, along with hints of cracked pepper and licorice in the background. Sweet and seamless in texture, offering concentrated black and blue fruit flavors that unfold slowly and turn spicier with air. The long, velvety finish features supple tannins and leaves behind a sweet dark berry note.

Inspired by the old world allure of Burgundy, Jean-Claude Ramonet Monthelie 1er Cru 2020 captivates the senses. From the renowned producer Ramonet, this remarkable wine reflects the essence of the premier cru vineyards in Monthelie. Regarded for their delicate balance, it is crafted with attention to traditional methods and employing meticulous cultivation standards. The result is a striking blend of elegance and complexity.

Year 2020 was particularly favourable, endowing the wine with exquisite intensity of flavour. This French beauty enchants the palate with sophisticated minerality and smooth tannins. On the nose, it bears the signature fragrance of cherries, along with compelling earthy undertones.

Whether you are an avid oenophile or an occasional wine lover, the Jean-Claude Ramonet Monthelie 1er Cru 2020 sets the benchmark for a classy drinking experience. Its alluring subtlety and characteristic intensity truly represent the high-quality commitment of Maison Ramonet. A true masterpiece that graces the world of fine wine.

Decanter (96)

Planted way back in 1926, this 0.5ha parcel is always the most complex wine at the domaine. Violet and aniseed scents segue into a palate that's smooth, glossy and textured with bramble and black cherry fruit, some chalky undertones, stylish oak and subtle reduction. Supple, refined winemaking with appealing underlying precision and freshness. One of the best examples of the Grand Cru in 2018.

Vintage Tastings (95)

. Next up was a superb wine that most were convinced was a Guigal La La wine. There was so much menthol, bacon and violety fruit it had to be! The palate was meaty, fine and long with great purity

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

I’ve rated the 2003 Hermitage perfect on numerous occasions, and while sound bottles are still as good as it gets, I’ve also had some tired bottles here in the States, so provenance is critical with this vintage. Still youthfully colored yet just starting to show some maturity in its aromatics of blackberries, dark currants, licorice, spice box, and leather, this fabulously textured, opulent 2003 hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a wealth of sweet tannins, and a monster of a finish. Clearing 15% alcohol (and I think the pH is probably around 4), it should be a required tasting for all those touting the low alcohol nonsense. This singular beauty can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for another two decades, if you’re so inclined.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

I was blown away by the 2018 Hermitage from barrel, and it unquestionably doesn't disappoint from bottle. Reminding me slightly of the 2009, it possesses off-the-charts richness and depth, but like all great wines, stays pure, balanced, and light on its feel. Extraordinary notes of cassis, blue fruits, graphite, violets, and flowers define the bouquet, and this full-bodied, layered, multi-dimensional beauty has ripe tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure Hermitage magic. Given its extravagant richness and texture, it should be relatively accessible in just a handful of years yet evolve for three decades or more.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

A powerhouse of a wine that flirts with perfection, the 2019 Hermitage reveals a dense purple hue as well as an extraordinary bouquet of sweet blue fruits supported by notes of crushed stone, lead pencil, leather, and ground pepper, with hints of flowers in the background. Full-bodied, stunningly pure, and massively concentrated, yet with riveting precision and elegance, it needs to be hidden in the back of the cellar for a decade and will evolve for 30, 40, if not 50 years. Tasting the trilogy of the 2018, 2019, and 2020 over the coming decades will be the equivalent of wine nirvana.