Wine
Roll over: Full-bodied palate, with lovely roundness.
Roll over: There is a saying that once you start to fall under wine's spell, that all roads will lead you to Burgundy.
Dominique Lafon was the first Côte d'Or superstar to expand his holdings into the Mâconnais followed by Domaine Leflaive. They have breathed new life and prestige into this cooperative dominated region. Les Héritieres du Comte Lafon produces wines ranging from generic Mâcon up to four single-vineyard wines. With the same biodynamic techniques as used in his Meursault domaine, Lafon has crafted a range of delicious wines that show the regions true potential.
This Viré-Clessé from Héritiers du Comte Lafon has a delightful energy. Aromas range from green apple to nectarine and fresh white flowers, all marked with a smoky reductive quality. There is a lively acidity but enough richness to ensure a lingering finish. In 2021, the grapes came mainly from the ‘Clos Viré’ according to Pierre Lafon; this includes the oldest vines on the estate he rents in the commune of Viré. The result is refreshing indeed, yet it should hold well for several years. 92points Decanter
Roll over: The meeting of two winemakers from the two hemispheres.
The 2020 season was very cool—it snowed during vintage—and the wine spent an extended time in oak: 26 months, as opposed to 32 months for the 2019 and 17 months for the 2018. The yield this year was one barrel more than the 2019, another interesting point. So, the 2020 Cuvée Aux Antipodes Blanc feels the sweet spot in terms of minerality and savoriness—it is restrained and composed and aromatically voluminous. In the mouth, the wine touches both extremes. The composure of the fruit is enlivened by the electricity from the acidity, and the combination is a truly exciting and svelte drinking experience. It's really, really good. The phenolics are tightly woven and flowing through the finish, and these grab the flavor and propel it further into the finish. Remarkable wine. Superb. Nine barrels were made. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam. 97 Robert Parker.com
Prophet’s Rock know that great wines begin in the vineyard. That’s why they embrace an approach to winemaking that shares the splendour of the place rather than pronounced winemaking characteristics. The result Iconic wines that invoke Central Otago’s striking, unforgettable beauty.
Roll over: Full-bodied palate, with lovely roundness.
The 2021 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons reveals a perfumed bouquet of white flowers, citrus zest, crisp orchard fruit and shells, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and seamless palate that's bright and charming, with a pure, elegant profile. This has turned out beautifully. Robert Parker.com
Roll over: The meeting of two winemakers from the two hemispheres.
The 2022 Cuvée Aux Antipodes Blanc is a magnificent triumph of yields. Where previously this 1.8-hectare plot produced anywhere from six to eight barrels of wine, the 2022 produced 23 barrels of wine—very exciting for followers of this cuvée. On the nose, the wine is showing its youth, but far from being inchoate, it is long and polished through the very long finish. It's got lashings of stone fruit and preserved citrus, white pepper, star anise, shaved fennel, juniper and cold buttered toast. This is a wonderful wine of potential and kaleidoscopic complexity, although it is far tighter and more compact than previous years. Searingly good. This was an unlabeled bottle pre-release. 13% alcohol, sealed under Diam. 96+ Robert Parker.com
Prophet’s Rock know that great wines begin in the vineyard. That’s why they embrace an approach to winemaking that shares the splendour of the place rather than pronounced winemaking characteristics. The result Iconic wines that invoke Central Otago’s striking, unforgettable beauty.
Roll over: Weingut Egon Müller is a renowned wine estate based just outside the village of Wiltingen.
Lively and subtle nose of ripe yellow apple, white peach and wild flowers. Juicy and elegant with a vibrant acidity that lights this up beautifully. A touch of perceptible grape sweetness at the front of the medium-bodied palate, but the long, wet stone finish is admirably dry. Spot on balance. Drink or hold. 92 points James Suckling
Roll over: A wine for Chablis lovers because of its freshness
Consisting of roughly equal parts Montmains, Butteaux and Forêts (the three sous-climats of Montmains), the 2020 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains offers up aromas of crisp green apple, white flowers, bee pollen and oyster shell. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, it's taut and precise, concluding with a saline finish. Robert Parker.com
Roll over: Red fruit and bubbles.
Fragrant wafts of smoke and spice accent the steeped raspberry and mandarin orange peel flavors of this tightly meshed rosé Champagne, which is backed by a vivid spine of mouthwatering acidity and is silky on the palate, with hints of dried herb, licorice and toasted almond playing on the finish. Drink now through 2025. Wine Spectator
Roll over: Weingut Egon Müller is a renowned wine estate based just outside the village of Wiltingen.
The famous Saar estate has been in the hands of the Muller family since 1797 and they currently own just over 8 hectares of the stellar Scharzhofberg vinyeard, the Saar's most qualified contender for the title of "great growth", challenging the famous sites of the Middle Mosel with ease.
Pie crust and hedgerow aromas with a touch of blackberry. The generous fruit is balanced by strident, but well-integrated acidity on the light-bodied palate. The racy finish is prototypical Saar riesling. Drink or hold. 93 pts JamesSuckling.com
Roll over: Weingut Egon Müller is a renowned wine estate based just outside the village of Wiltingen.
The 2021er Wiltinger Braune Kupp Riesling Kabinett is a fruity-styled wine with a subtle nose of peach, citrusy fruits, herbs, and a hint of creaminess and apricot blossom. The wine proves incredibly playful and precise on the palate, where its creamy side is wrapped into beautiful acidic and fruity elements. The finish is simply stunningly pure, focused, and silky. A kick of acidity then provides the right freshness and elegance to the aftertaste. This Kabinett is a huge success! 2029-2041 94/100 - Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines
Roll over: Excellent nerve and acidity with real cut and potential.
The 2021 Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent is another of the range's highlights, bursting with aromas of white flowers, sweet citrus oil, white peach and blanched almonds. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and seamless, it's concentrated and complete, with racy acids and a saline, orange blossom-inflected finish. Robert Parker.com
Roll over: A wine for Chablis lovers because of its freshness
The 2021 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre is a lovely classic, unwinding in the glass to reveal aromas of white flowers, citrus zest, crisp green apple and oyster shells, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive palate that's pure, layered and structured, concluding with a penetrating finish. This will reward a bit of patience. Robert Parker.com
Roll over: Excellent nerve and acidity with real cut and potential.
Subtle wood influence can be found on the almost as elegant but beautifully layered nose of citrus confit, acacia blossom and wet stone scents. The rich, very generous and solidly powerful larger-bodied flavors are not quite as mineral-driven though they are even more concentrated, all wrapped in a beautifully balanced, long and complex finale. This is also impressive and one to consider, especially if you intend to age it. Burghound
Roll over: Very tight and earthy, a worthy and unconventional Amontillado
The most aged of the Palmas series, Cuatro displays powerful, almost fiery aromas of caramel and briny stone fruits. The palate is so charged up and acidic that it's no walk in the park to get through, while nutty flavors of rancio and burnt toast finish with heat. Of all the Palmas wines, this is the one that shows afterburners.
Roll over: Described by Nicholas Bryant (National Business Review) as "the best red wines produced in this country."
Fine "old world" wine of first growth quality from a single vineyard planted in the 1970s at Matakana, Northland, New Zealand. The Antipodean -- "New Zealand's Lafite" -- is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec, with harmony, fragrance, length and seamless integration of character.
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Roll over: Rich and Intense.
Using roughly 10% whole-clusters during fermentation, the 2021 Saint-Joseph offers a red-fruited profile paired with earthy gradations and leafy undertones. Medium-bodied and well balanced by bright acidity, the seamlessly sculpted 2021 comes with absolutely no hard edges and concludes with a clean finish. Chave bottled the 2021 slightly earlier than usual in order to help maintain its freshness. 91pts Nicolas Greinacher – Vinous
In an amazing example of vinous lineage, the Chave family has been growing grapes on the hill of Hermitage since 1481. Today the estate is run by Gerard Chave and his son Jean-Louis and they produce some of the regions finest wines including a red & white Hermitage, a St-Joseph and a Côtes du Rhône Mon Coeur. Superb vineyard holdings including prime slices of Bessards, L'Hermite, Peleat and Meal in Hermitage, and incredibly high standards in both the vineyard and cellar, the wines are made in a very hands-off fashion and show great detail, nuance and regional typicity.
