The 2021 Léoville Las Cases has turned out beautifully in bottle and clearly numbers among the very finest wines of the vintage. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated with a deep and multidimensional core of fruit framed by beautifully refined tannins and girdled by lively acids, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Serious and structured without being austere, it's a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and a mere 5% Merlot. Drink 2031-2065.

Polished and refined with a firm, fine and linear tannin structure. Harmonious. Perfumed violets, roses and subtle licorice. All in balance here, with precise layers of black fruit, minerals and pencil lead. Rather seamless. Firm, yet fine and sleek to the end. Very classy. Fine-velvet texture. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

Offering up aromas of cassis, minty blackberries, lilac and pencil shavings, the 2021 Haut-Batailley is medium to full-bodied, supple and polished, with a succulent core of fruit and delicately chalky tannins. For many years, significant parts of this property were left unplanted, but as of 2022, all 41 hectares are now under vine; so, there'll be more of this Pauillac—with its new, more modern style—to go around. Drink Date: 2025 - 2041

The 2021 Gruaud Larose has turned out very nicely in bottle, unfurling in the glass with aromas of sweet wild berries, plums, violets and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and velvety, it's polished and seamless, with good depth at the core, supple tannins and lively acids. Drink 2025-2045.

The 2021 Duhart-Milon has turned out beautifully, offering up incipiently complex aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of orange zest, burning embers, pencil lead and iris. Medium to full-bodied, suave and polished, with a layered core of fruit, supple tannins and a long, sapid finish, it will offer a broad drinking window. Drink Date: 2027 - 2045

The 2021 d'Armailhac has turned out beautifully, bursting with attractive aromas of minty cassis and blackberries mingled with notions of pencil shavings and sweet pipe tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, ample and polished, it's supple and seamless, with a fleshy core of fruit and a licorice-inflected finish. En primeur, I compared this to a modern-day version of the estate's immensely charming 1999, and anyone who remembers the 1999 will find that the 2021 delivers just as wide a drinking window. Drink 2026-2041.

The 2021 Cos d'Estournel is one of the denser, more muscular wines of the vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, charcoal, sweet cigar wrapper and subtle hints of smoked meats, framed by a touch of toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's rich and quite concentrated for the vintage, with a chassis of sweet, generously extracted tannin and a long, lusty finish. Drink 2026-2045.

The wine has perfumed Cabernet Franc aromas with violet, spice and touches of black-fruit tannins. Smoky with tannins, a serious, dense structure and succulent richness, the wine is powerful, impressively rich, ready to drink from 2028.

Lirac Charles I, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, is sourced from both the estate's vineyards and selected terroirs. It has a bright ruby color and a lively aromatic profile with notes of raspberries, currants, black cherries, licorice, and spices. On the palate, it is fruity and full-bodied, with firm yet well-integrated tannins and a long, mineral-infused finish. This wine pairs well with game birds or grilled red meat and, while ready to drink now, it can evolve beautifully with a few years of cellaring.

Founded in 1942 by Désiré Rolet, Domaine Rolet stands as an iconic producer of Jura wines. Managed by Désiré’s children Eliane, Bernard, Guy, and Pierre, the estate expanded its vineyards across four Jura appellations - Arbois, Château-Chalon, Côtes du Jura, and Etoile. Since 2018, the winery has been under the direction of Cédric Ducoté. The estate's 65 hectares of vineyards predominantly grow Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau, and Pinot Noir grapes, all harvested by hand for their production. This particular wine has benefited from several years of bottle aging, displaying a slightly evolved character. Its color is a light garnet red at the core, fading into a brickish tinge at the rim. Aromas of wild blackcurrant, kirsch, forest floor, tobacco, and mushroom dominate the nose. The wine's fine tannins and dried sour cherry flavors are well-balanced by its prominent acidity, leading to an earthy and light finish.

This medium-bodied wine is fully mature, presenting a harmonious blend of cassis, cranberry, earth, tobacco, cedar, and forest floor notes. While displaying a hint of rusticity in its tannins and subtle green nuances in the red berry finish, it appeals to aficionados favoring a more traditional style. Successful for its vintage, it leans slightly towards the classic and austere end of the style spectrum. Given its current state, there is no need for further aging, making it ready to enjoy now.

This recently released bottle from Ducru Beaucaillou boasts a modern design and offers a remarkable tasting experience akin to a stellar 1982 Ducru. Full-bodied and elegant, it presents a rich and complex profile with notes of tobacco, cedar, currant, and wet forest on the nose. The palate is adorned with layers of ripe, lush fruits and silky, refined tannins that steal the show. While allowing some time for aeration would enhance the experience, even a quick pour offers ample satisfaction, with the wine evolving beautifully in the glass.

This biodynamic producer has hit in two consecutive vintages. The 2011 is a bit funky at first, so you may want to decant it before serving, but once some cabbage-like aromas dissipate, the wine delivers plenty of blackberry fruit, some garrigue notes and a touch of licorice. It's full bodied and creamy in texture, with a long, silky finish.

Color: Brilliant ruby Aromatic: Fully ripe wild berries with a spicy undertone, slightly roasted from the ageing which also brings out a complex bouquet of red flower floral notes. Palate: Fruit forward at the beginning with a balanced tannic structure showing later. Fresh and consistently aromatic finish.

Color: Brilliant ruby Aromatic: Crisp, fresh red fruits with a chalky note Palate: Fresh linear fruit initially, medium weight on the middle palate with a smooth, subtle finish.

The Corton Grand Cru Les Maréchaudes from Domaine Michel Mallard stands as an exceptional wine, marrying strength and elegance effortlessly. Its bouquet is rich and complex, offering notes of wild strawberry, faded rose, humus, cigar, and toasty nuances. On the palate, this complexity is further enhanced by a delicate and well-balanced structure, culminating in a long and persistent finish that leaves a lasting impression of finesse.

The Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru La Toppe au Vert presents vivid red cherries and black plums on the nose, displaying focus alongside refinement and poise. With time in the glass, blue fruits emerge, adding depth to the aroma profile. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with fine tannins, initially displaying a subtle ferrous character. There's a fine grip in the mouth, with chalky tannins on the finish that provide a long and satisfying conclusion.

Named after the Roman emperor who restored vine planting in France, this wine has structure and a dense texture. It is balanced with a good freshness to it and a poise in its step.

An elegant and perfumed bouquet graced with delightful essences of red cherry, raspberry, violet, and lavender is subtly framed by moderate wood and menthol influences. The palate begins with a caressing mouthfeel that swiftly transitions to a firm, muscular structure, showcasing well-detailed and comparatively robust flavors. This dynamic leads to a vigorous and more harmoniously balanced finish, maintaining its intensity throughout.

The wine presents aromas of spice, black fruit, cherry and licorice. The tannins are dense, and the palate is fresh and elegant. Notes of jam and black cherry.

Maison Louis Jadot is one of the most trusted and revered wine houses in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. Frédéric Barnier, Jadot’s esteemed winemaker, and his team balance tradition and technology, focusing on the purest expression of each wine’s terroir.  Founded in 1859, the house now owns 528 acres of vineyards, including 280 acres of the Cote d’Or’s most prestigious Premier and Grand Cru plots. This is a wine of delicacy and finesse, with notes of berries, earth and oak in a silken texture.

Maison Louis Jadot is one of the most trusted and revered wine houses in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. Frédéric Barnier, Jadot’s esteemed winemaker, and his team balance tradition and technology, focusing on the purest expression of each wine’s terroir.  Founded in 1859, the house now owns 528 acres of vineyards, including 280 acres of the Cote d’Or’s most prestigious Premier and Grand Cru plots. Brisk deep purple, this is a solid multi-textured wine with depth of flavour and a certain darkness to it but it remains superbly balanced in tannins and acidity. An extremely perfumed and exotic wine.

This wine is both weighty and stylish. Its power comes from luscious black fruits that are juicy and powerful. Expect this wine to age well and drink from 2024. Roger Voss

"Medium-bodied, forward, soft, classic and floral, the red fruit is sweet, fresh and juicy, with a good sense of purity and refinement." - 92/100, Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

"While this wine has density and richness, the structure gives it an ageworthy shape. Its power is tamed and given sophistication, while acidity and black-plum flavors give freshness. The wine will be impressive. Drink from 2024. Roger Voss" - 96/100, Wine Enthusiast

"This perfumed wine shines with black fruits. Against this, the wine's tannins are solid and firm, promising long-term aging. The wine's structure—black fruits against tannins—is a classic for this estate. Drink from 2024. Roger Voss" - 96/100, Wine Enthusiast

1 Bottle Each of the following wines:
Ausone 100 JS / 99 VM / 98+ WA
Cheval Blanc 100 WA / 100 JS / 100 VM 
Haut-Brion 100 JS / 98+ JD / 98 VM / 98 WA
Lafite Rothschild 100 WA / 100 JS / 98 JA 
Margaux 100 WA / 100 JS / 100 JA 
La Mission Haut-Brion 100 JD / 99 WA / 99 JA
Mouton Rothschild 99 JS / 99 AG / 98+ WA 
Petrus 100 JD / 98 VM / 98 JA / 98 DE 
Yquem 98 VM / 97+ WI / 97 JA / 97 DE

The 2019 Pavie is a blend of 50% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is a little subdued to start, soon opening out to deliver notions of black cherries, blueberry compote, and molten licorice, followed by hints of hoisin, tar, and cracked black pepper.

The 2016 Palmer is a blend of 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Opaque garnet-purple colored, it slowly glides out of the glass with compelling notes of blueberry compote, warm cassis and kirsch with emerging hints of violets, cigar box, black tea, sandalwood and Sichuan pepper.

This is a prodigious effort. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot and Cabernet Franc (only 37% of the crop qualified for Las Cases), this dense ruby/purple wine has a stunningly pure bouquet of dark fruit, wet rocks, graphite, and subtle background toast/vanillin. Full-bodied, masculine, and very deep and concentrated, this titanic effort is at least 8-10 years away from its plateau of maturity. The Delon family have produced another legend. Anticipated maturity: 2023-2050+.

Spiced sandalwood, white pepper, saffron, cigar box, oyster shell salinity, orange peel, and still juicy blackcurrant and blueberry fruit, even as it heads towards 35 years old. Utterly gorgeous, effortless even, the word beguiling comes out of nowhere. Love this, and provides a glimpse into what this wine can acheive when you are lucky enough to catch it at the right moment. 50% new oak, Michel Delon owner. Harvest September 5 to 25, after a hot dry year.

The 2019 La Fleur-Pétrus dares to outshine Trotanoy this year, wafting from the glass with aromas of rich berry fruit, plum preserve, dark chocolate, cigar box and spices. Full-bodied, rich and enveloping, it's broad and layered, with beautifully polished tannins, a ripe core of fruit and a seamless, enveloping profile. This is an elegantly muscular, generous Pomerol whose sumptuous personality reflects the warm, dry vintage. Drink Date 2025 - 2055

Harvest took place this year from 23rd September to 8th October. The wine was aged for around 12 months in two-thirds new oak. Medium brick-brown in color, the 1990 Ducru-Beaucaillou is quite evolved, offering notions of incense, tree bark, tilled soil and tobacco with nuances of preserved plums, kirsch, tapenade and leather. Medium to full-bodied, the palate still possesses a good amount of earth-laced savory fruit with a bit of chew to the texture and a stewed tea finish.

Rich and dramatic, the 2019 Valandraud bursts with aromas of berry fruit, plums and licorice, framed by a lavish but far from exaggerated application of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, fleshy and sensual, it's broad and enveloping, its lavish core of fruit framed by ripe, polished tannins and succulent balancing acids.

The 2016 vintage of the Château Cos Labory is adorned with a pretty garnet-red color. Its nose is an expressive bouquet with aromas of blackberry, flower and brioche. On the palate, the attack is dense and round, the tannins are fine and quite supple releasing aromas of red fruits, bramble and strawberry.

The wine has a rich colour with a garnet hue. The nose opens on blackberry notes mingled with refined hints of roasted coffee beans. With airing, noble and delicate notes of graphite, flint and cocoa round off this very attractive array of aromas.

Extremely floral with blackberry and blueberry character plus hints of violets. Full-bodied yet always in check and reserve with fine tannins and bright acidity that goes on for minutes. Limestone undertones. The finish is particularly long this vintage. Super Clerc. Try in 2021.

The second wine of Ausone comes from specific parcels of the vineyard. With 60% of Cabernet Franc in the blend with Merlot, the wine is structured and firm, perfumed and rich. It will age well, drink from 2026. — Roger Voss