The Bowmore Distillery, established in 1779 and located on Islay is so close to the sea, the Atlantic waves smash against the iconic sea-facing wall. This salt spray of this No. 1 Vaults release is a key tasting note. The aromas will give you bright orange zest and marmalade drizzled with the sea and the palate will give you salted honeycomb, iodine soaked blood orange, ocean spiced blackberry and kumquat. Ageing in ex-bourbon casks adds greater depth to this spirit.

Casa Raia was purchased in 2006 by Frenchman Pierre Jean Monnoyer who restored the old vineyards and began producing natural wines with three labels, the "supertuscan" Bevilo, a Sangiovese Rose and this Brunello di Montalcino. Made with 100% Sangiovese (as required by law) this ageable beauty is elegant with a nose of cherry, cinnamon, thyme and hints of pencil shavings and earth. Certainly one of the best "natural" wines out there.

1/2022: bright yellow color. The nose expresses, with almost violence, powerful smoky aromas, gun flint, crushed volcanic rocks… The Rangen is very present in this wine! The palate is intense, broad and the wine is already superbly expressive. It is difficult to explain the energy of this wine through numbers or words, but it is present, especially on the finish. Very long, this Rangen makes you salivate and becomes very enticing thanks to a synergy between the salified acidity and beautiful bitterness, typical of Rangen’s volcanic greywackes.

Passopisciaro is a small area (the name of a town) on Mt.Etna's north face on the property of the late Andrea Franchetti. Soils from this active volcano provides resulting wine with a vein of minerality that speaks of the terroir of this prestigious region. Rampante sits at 1000m asl and produces one of the finest, most aromatic of the volcano wines due to the sandy content in the soil. Dried flowers, smoke, sour cherries, and exotic spices dominate. It is the winery's most rarified and ethereal expression of Nerello Mascalese. Stunning.

A fleshy cuirassier with notes of licorice, spices, and dark fruits. Cherry, currant, and blueberry blend harmoniously, creating a velvety and sweetly ripe taste with splendidly integrated tannins. San Rocco exudes great power and austerity, with an incredible aging potential. A pure complexity and strong character, this wine is monumental.

The Lelarge-Pugeot Extra Brut Millesime 2008 is a sparkling wine made from a blend of Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%) grapes grown in the Vrigny Premier Cru subregion of Champagne. It has a golden color with fine and persistent bubbles and aromas of ripe fruit, citrus, and brioche. On the palate, it is dry, complex, and full-bodied, with flavors of white peach, apricot, toasted almonds, and a hint of honey. The wine has a long and mineral finish, which makes it a great pairing for seafood, white meat, and creamy dishes.

This unique product features cigar leaves fermented and aged in ex-bourbon casks, then used to age the rum for 8 years in this impressive decanter. Named for the Kuna tribe, one of Panama's oldest communities it is complex and luxurious with distinct tobacco aromas and flavours along with crunchy toffee, orange peel and roasted coffee. A rum sure to please any lover of fine rum.

Located in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the Dufuoleur family has been steeped in Burgundian winemaking and culture for more than 400 years. Their property of 30ha runs from the village of Fixin in the north to Santenay in the south. Whilst mostly Pinot Noir is planted, this very small vineyard of Chardonnay where only 1100 bottles are made. Wines are aged in French oak barrels, a third of which are new. The finished wine has an expressive nose of lemon chiffon, honey and fine herbaceous nuances. As the wine ages, it will develop a toasty, nutty aroma and flavour.

Wine Advocate-Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy- "This wine offers a unusual bouquest of candied cherry and cola aromas that are distinct to this wine. There is a savory side to the wine, with cedar and baking clove, its center of gravity defers to that candied cherry or creme de cassis characteristic."

Attractive, sensual, balanced. A soft and persuasive Barbaresco. Velvety tannins and great body define this wine, that ends with a fruity finish and floral note.

Color: Brilliant golden yellow with green reflections and silver rim.
Nose: The bouquet of the 2020 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot from Domaine l'Enclos is delicate and mineral, its aroma gaining additional expression with oxygen contact. Fruity hints of apple, lemon, lemon zest, honeydew melon, vineyard peach and a hint of wild strawberry combine with lime blossom, heather and anise as well as freshly churned butter and brioche. Its elegant and multi-layered attack invites you to enjoy it.
Palate: Juicy, playful on the palate, its fine acidity, pronounced fruitiness and fine tannin make you think of grapefruit and lemon peel. A truly great Burgundy that still seems a little shy on the palate, a real long-distance runner with a chalky orientation. The patient connoisseur will be rewarded if he puts a few bottles aside, because the fineness will clearly catapult forward with further maturity. The impatient will best forget it opened for a few days in the fridge before drinking it with classics of French cuisine.
Be sure to decant. Bellied Burgundy glasses let it win additionally.

For six generations, Domaine Noellat has been farming their 20ha of land. With entreprenurial spirit, the family was always looking to adapt to new technologies, while respecting the traditions handed down from one generation to another. The cellar was built in 1980 while in 2007 an ultra modern winery was erected with state of the art stainless tanks and a dedicated tasting space in the cellar. Cousins Sebastien and Sophie work closely together making strategic decisions based on the nature of each harvest. Vosne-Romanee is more of an "elegant" appellation, where you'll find soft red fruit of cherry and strawberry and hints of mint and vanilla-chocolate.

93/100 Wine Enthusiast
"Sealed with string, the traditional 18th-century technique of closing Champagne corks, this rich wine is from three Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs. Richness is offset by intense mineral freshness that lies in the background. This well-balanced wine is ready to drink. Roger Voss"

Award tasting note: "Opulent, fresh, intense flavours and aromas of linseed oil and smoky flint. This has huge complexity and length." - Silver, International Wine Challenge

93 points Neal Martin for Vinous: "The 2016 La Lagune has a classic tobacco and cedar bouquet with fine delineation and nicely integrated oak. The medium-bodied palate offers gentle grip on the entry and plenty of tarry black fruit. A touch of mint emerges toward the linear but impressively focused finish. I like the vivacity and penetration here. This should drink well over the next two decades." (01/2019)

92 points - Robert Parker

94 points- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate" Blended of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Clos du Marquis has a very deep garnet-purple color and is a little broody to begin, giving way to notes of crushed blackcurrants and black cherries with touches of warm plums, pencil shavings, earth and new leather with a waft of yeast extract. Medium-bodied with a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins, it has bold fruit matched by freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. (LPB)" (11/2018)

95 points - Jeb Dunnuck

The 2019 Chablis Vaudésir Grand Cru has a bit of SO2 reduction on the nose, though this gradually blows away. It doesn't reveal much, and I find others convey more personality. The palate is well balanced with a fine lime and orange pith entry and good weight, yet it needs more detail and mineralité towards what feels like a rather conservative finish.

Pairs well with: Shellfish, Lobster and Crab

Tasting notes: Rich, concentrated and muscular, yet wonderfully balanced with big tannins and deep tiers of cherry, plums and wild berries, and nuances of spice, vanilla and licorice. A long flavorful aftertaste echoes with juicy fruit and mouthwatering tannins for minutes afterwards. Sensual and young, this wine promises a long life in the bottle. Note: Some sediment may occur in the bottom of the bottle as the wine is not filtered

Taittinger Prestige Rosé is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, with a small proportion of still red wine added to give it its delicate pink color. The wine is aged for three years on its lees to develop its complex aromas and flavors. It offers a nose of red fruit, such as strawberries and raspberries, with notes of brioche and vanilla. On the palate, it is creamy and full-bodied, with a lively acidity and a long, persistent finish. Taittinger Prestige Rosé is a luxurious and elegant champagne that is perfect for special occasions, as well as for pairing with seafood, sushi, or light desserts.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberries, black cherries, and plums, with hints of tobacco and cedar.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of dark chocolate, blackcurrants, and espresso.

Palate: Velvety smooth tannins, well-balanced acidity, and a long, lingering finish.

Mature plum, vanilla, toast and toasted oak sensations lead the nose. The palate opens with juicy black cherry and plum layered with coffee, dense chocolate and bitter espresso that slightly diminish the impact of its Nebbiolo pedigree and purity. It's already accessible but should also age well.- Wine Enthusiast

TASTING NOTES:

COLOUR:INTENSE RUBY RED COLOR WITH A LIGHT GARNET HUE.
AROMA:THE PERFUME OF WILD ROSES, SWEET THYME, TOBACCO, LIQUORICE, ALONG WITH RASPBERRIES, CHERRIES AND MINERALS.
TASTE:THIS MEDIUM + BODIED DRY RED HAS SOFT AND ROUND MEDIUM+ TANNINS, FLAVOURS OF RIPE CHERRIES, PLUMS WITH HINTS OF VIOLETS, LEATHER, LICORICE AND MINERALS.
PAIRING:POULTRY, RED MEAT, RED SAUCE PASTA, AND CHARCUTERIE.

Wine Advocate-Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy- "This wine offers a unusual bouquest of candied cherry and cola aromas that are distinct to this wine. There is a savory side to the wine, with cedar and baking clove, its center of gravity defers to that candied cherry or creme de cassis characteristic."

Nose: Intense aromas of ripe red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, with hints of floral notes and a touch of spice.

Taste: Rich and velvety on the palate, with flavors of blackberries, plums, and a subtle earthiness. Well-balanced acidity and smooth tannins.

Palate: Full-bodied and elegant, with a long and persistent finish. Notes of dark chocolate and a touch of vanilla add complexity to the wine.

Adelphi presents this bottling of 2015 vintage Welsh whisky from the lovely Penderyn Distillery. It was aged for 8 years in a single cask which filled 247 bottles at 56.9% ABV. This single malt is presented without chill-filtration and with its natural colour.

Aromas of newsprint, damp foliage, and wood spice dominate on the nose. Confident, almost fizzy sherry notes on the full palate, with sultanas, figs, and fruit spices. It becomes progressively more citric. The lengthy finish produces dark chocolate dipped in chili sauce. A sherry-soaked dram.

"Deep, dark, very nearly opaque, purple red color. Aromas have toasty ripe red-plum fruit, tobacco-leaf hints & meaty touches. The palate is a vibrant marriage of red-fruit & chocolate with a silky texture. Tannins are very fine, chocolatey-smooth & underpinned by cedar notes. The mid-palate is of mid-weight & comprises concentrated, opulent cassis & ripe black-cherries. Alcohol is balanced & a long, lean finish combines graphite touches & high-ripeness black-fruit." - 04/22 DCAMW

The 2020 Echo de Lynch-Bages is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, aging for around 12 months in one year-old French oak barriques. It has an alcohol of 13.03%, a pH of 3.78 and an IPT (tannin index) of 80. Deep garnet-purple in colour, it rolls out of the glass with expressive, upfront notes of baked black and red cherries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial, followed by hints of new leather, tobacco leaf and a medicinal waft. The medium-bodied palate is chock-full of savoury flavours, with a chewy texture and just enough freshness, finishing a little rustic.

Always one of the top performers in Margaux, this dense and concentrated wine has a bold, ripe character from the plum and berry fruits. It has the weight to develop. Drink from 2020.

A left-bank Bordeaux blend that comprises 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petit Verdot and 8% Merlot, this Cabernet-dominant blend could be placed from the Washington Rocks area in a blind tasting fairly easily. It is terroir-driven, expressive on the nose, gorgeous on the palate and downright delicious. Let's start with the nose - imagine aromas of black plum, wild black currant, unsweetened chocolate, espresso powder, sweet toasted cinnamon and just a touch of cedar bark.

Pairs well with: Venison & Deer

This wine is in peak condition. The tannins and the secondary flavors dominate this ripe leather-textured wine. The fruit is all there as well: dried berries and hints of black-plum skins. It is a major wine right at the point of drinking with both the mature flavors and the fruit in the right balance.

The Cakebreads exemplify their dedication to quality through years of family teamwork, sustainability, and a sharp focus on fruit and terroir expression, earning them certification as a Napa Green Winery since 2008.

Flowers, cherries, licorice, leafy herbs, spice, tobacco leaf and dark chocolate create the perfume. On the palate the wine is lush, soft, fresh, clean and most importantly, the wine expresses a gorgeous sense of purity in the red fruits that you sense in the mid-palate, which carries all the way through to the elegant, fresh, vibrant, long, energetic, sensual finish. The wine blends 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% ABV. The harvest took place September 21 - October 12. Drink from 2025-2050. 94-96

A blend of 44.7% Merlot and 55.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion has an alcohol of 14.3%. It rolls effortlessly out of the glass with seducing notes of warm black plums, black cherry compote and blackberry pie, plus suggestions of lavender, crushed rocks and underbrush with a hint of sassafras. The medium bodied palate is delicately played and refreshing, offering lots of soft spoken black fruit and earthy layers with a soft texture and seamless acidity, finishing with a spicy kick.

Cigar box, smoke, herbs, cassis, espresso and blackberries with a savoury edge open the wine aromatically. The palate offers freshness, layers of ripe, spicy currants and peppery blackberries with chewy tannins that hang with you, providing length, vibrancy and refinement in the finish. This is going to age and evolve for decades.

Chateau Gazin is a high quality winery located in the Pomerol AOC on the right bank of Bordeaux, representing five generations of owners and growers. With 23ha of vineyards, the clay-gravel plateau is perfect for merlot and cabernet franc. The 2019 is a blend of 89% merlot, 7% cabernet sauvignon and 4% cabernet franc. A solid Pomerol that has spicy red and black cherry fruit, notes of cedar, violets and plum with a vull-bodied, velvety and textural palate. This will no doubt age incredibly over the long haul!

92 points James Suckling:
Outer quote mark This has aromas of blackberries, porcini mushrooms, tobacco and charred bark. It’s medium-bodied with fine, supple tannins. Savory, with plenty of earth and mineral character. Fresh finish. Inner quote mark