The 2016 Paveil de Luze is terrific. Wafting from the glass with notions of crème de cassis, loamy soil, cigar wrapper, pencil shavings, dark chocolate and rose petals, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with fine depth at the core and a more introverted, tightly wound profile than the 2019.

At twelve years old, this pre-teen is more than ready to be enjoyed! Bordeaux wines with dominant merlot tend to be more approachable and easier to enjoy as a younger wine. The merlot dominant wine is soft and smooth yet full of blackberry, plum, green pepper, smoke and vanilla aromas and flavours. 

Producer tasting notes: "Deeply complex and robust, the nose is layered with Seville orange marmalade, honeysuckle and ginger. Unctuously full bodied with intense flavours ranging from dried mango to fresh vanilla and lively citrus zest. These allow for the perfect balance on the palate, showing restrained concentration with a pithy astringency and a mouth-watering finish." -

Klein Constantia Golden orange in colour, with delicate aromas of nougat and honeycombe. The palate has a fresh acidity with rich flavours of Seville marmalade and dried apricots enveloping the mouth. These fruity notes are married with sandal wood and all spice flavours. Richly aromatic that tapers into a elegant and endless finish. This wine brings a spectacular finish to an exceptional meal.It can be paired with a cheese plate with a variety of soft and bleu cheeses and is equally well paired with berries and cookies.

Critic tasting note: "Dark ruby red colour. Fresh nose exuding freshly crushed plum and dark berries with dry spices and mild oak. Medium bodied with a youthful texture but ripe tannin, attractive dark berry flavours with a quite long finish." - 88/100, Andreas Larsson - Tasted

92 Points-Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The blend of this entry-level red from Rioja changes with the year, and the 2016 Sela is 87% Tempranillo, 7% Graciano and 6% Garnacha, reflecting a cooler year. The aim here is to produce a delicate and pleasant wine to have by the glass or with starters. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in oak barrels for 12 months. It's young and fruit-driven, has good freshness and is easy to drink, with almost unnoticeable tannins.

"The 2014 Prieuré-Lichine is just as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel. Silky, perfumed and gracious on the palate, the wine exudes class. Sweet floral and spice notes meld into a core of red stone fruit, and silky tannins and vivid flavors lead into a creamy and inviting finish. I would prefer to cellar the 2014 for at least a few years, but it is quite beautiful and polished even at this early stage." (AG) (2/2017) -Vinous (94 points)

93 points - James Suckling

93 points - Wine Enthusiast

90-92 points - Robert Parker

"Plum, soy, black currant, and underbrush characteristics comprise this attractive, elegant, mid-weight 2007. Drink it over the next 6-7 years." - Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate

The nose is deep and intense, yet discreet, with aromas of graphite, tarry red berries, cinnamon, mineral and a fine twist of savory oranges. Dense and juicy on the palate, with impressive mineral tension and power, followed by a lengthy finish. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but better from 2024.

Pale-to-medium lemon in color, with flecks of silver and green near the rim. Exuberant, opulent notes of fresh white peach, crisp pear, baked buttercrust lemon pie, and crushed-seashell minerality. On the palate, a lusciously juicy and crisp acidity plays off a smooth minerality seamlessly interwoven with citrus and tree fruit. On the finish, extended notes of fresh honeysuckle, chalky stone, and baked pears. A restrained oak presence enhances the fruit and savory notes, making this a perfect wine for fish with cream sauce or a rich triple-cream Brie. The robust acid suggests years of development ahead, which will likely produce additional complexity and layers of dried fruits, cheese-rind depth, and nutty tones.

The 2016 Château Olivier Blanc is a classic white Pessac-Léognan, characterized by complex aromas of lemon, citrus, elderflower, and pear, complemented by mineral notes of crushed rock and honeysuckle. Its palate is medium-bodied and balanced, offering a blend of freshness and richness with flavors of honeyed citrus, ripe peach, and a hint of beeswax. The wine is made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes, aged in stainless steel and French oak, and finishes with a bright, lingering acidity. 

Floral and black raspberry and coffee bean nose, medium bodied with an open easy to drink, soft and sweet personality. From yields of 25 hectoliters per hectare, the wine was produced from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 13% ABV and is aging in 50% new oak.

The Ybert family has owned the Château for over four generations, maintaining their Grand Cru classification since 1987 through a commitment to outstanding quality and craftsmanship. This 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Red boasts a deep ruby red color with purple and dense notes. It exudes delicate aromas of sweet spices, toasted notes, and intense black fruits. On the palate, it is rich and complex, generously full of fresh fruit aromas with silky tannins that lend it great finesse. The finish is sweet and leaves a memory of an elegant, tender, harmonious, and pleasantly outstanding wine, which can be enjoyed young but will benefit from aging for 8 to 10 years if stored correctly in a temperature-controlled environment.

Producer tasting notes: "Chateau Suduiraut 2002 presents a golden yellow colour with amber glints. The intense nose reveals aromas of nuts, such as hazelnut, with heather honey and candied citrus. The palate is both concentrated and light, combining unctuosity, fruit flavours and freshness. The finish is consistent, ending with mineral, minty and fruit notes." - Chateau Suduiraut

From the Piedmont wine region, Giribaldi 2014 is an intense and full-bodied Barolo with dark fruit, underbrush and earthy flavours on the palate and would benefit from a couple more years in cellar. The wine was aged in oak cask for 30 months and tannins are still quite firm

"For the vintage, this is a particularly rich wine. It is structured and firm with opulent black-plum fruit that gives the wine a ripe character. Dense with supporting tannins, the wine is going to develop well over the medium term. Drink from 2022. (RV)" (2/2017) -Wine Enthusiast (92 points)

Schweinhardt Riesling Kabinett is a fresh, fruity German white wine, typically light-bodied with vibrant acidity and notes of green apple, citrus (lime, clementine), apricot, pear, and minerality, often showing subtle herbal or smoky hints. Classified as a Kabinett, it's a lower alcohol, entry-level Riesling that's refreshing, balanced (can be off-dry), and great for everyday drinking or pairing with light dishes, offering a classic taste of German Riesling. 

Dense and layered red with berry and tobacco character, a full body and a savory finish. Got it all here. Deep garnet in color, the 2016 Gloria needs a little swirling before notions of blackcurrant cordial, kirsch, and stewed black tea spill from the glass, followed by hints of chargrill and wood smoke.

94 Points-Wine Enthusiast "Firm and still dry with the solid tannins, the wine's ripe fruitiness is developing well. The combination gives great potential. Black currant and berry fruits are both there with crisp juicy acidity. The aftertaste is a reminder that this wine has a long way to go. Drink from 2024. "

93 Poins-Vinous "The 2014 Lagrange is terrific. Bold, juicy and exuberant, the 2014 possesses striking balance and textural richness. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, iron, smoke and tobacco underpin a core of intense red-toned fruit in a super-expressive, layered wine endowed with real pedigree. The firm, muscular tannins need time to soften, but there is plenty to look forward to."

Chateau Suduiraut, classed as a Premier Cru in 1855, is made from grapes selected from the finest terroirs of the property. This wine is hand crafted at every stage of its elaboration and reveals remarkable finesse and complexity and a golden colour reminiscent of the sun that made it possible. With age the bright gold evolves to a dark amber colour. With an extensive life-span, it powerfully and harmoniously combines fruit and floral aromas with roasted and candied notes.

Chateau Laurence 'Petite Laurence' is made from 100% Merlot grapes and aged for 14 months in tank and barrel before release. The wine is soft and smooth and gentle with a savouriness and spicy taste.  There is a food friendly meaty and woody undertone, perfect for a variety of Autumnal dishes.

The nose of this wine is characterized by its fruity profile, offering a rich intensity of fruit with notes of fleshy red berries, crushed red berries, and hints of violet and blackcurrant. There are also nuances of fleshy plum, black tea, lily, saffron, and a subtle hint of vanilla. On the palate, it exhibits a mineral freshness and balance, with a defined fruitiness and roundness. The tannic structure is finely tightened, accompanied by a pleasant juiciness and a coating texture. Flavors of fleshy red berry, crushed raspberry, and pulpy red plum dominate, complemented by floral hints, iodine salinity, and subtle notes of liquorice, tobacco, graphite, and mocha. The tannins are smooth, with background nuances of toasted hazelnut and blueberry adding complexity.

"The 2016 Branaire Ducru has a fragrant bouquet of plush blackberry and graphite aromas, hints of bilberry and briar developing in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is quite succulent and multilayered, offering supple tannin and gentle grip on the finish. Real potential here. One of the best Branaire Ducru in recent years. Chapeau! Drink 2023-2055." -Neal Martin, vinous.com (Jan 2019)

96 points - James Suckling

The 2018 Bodegas Roda Reserva is an elegant, expressive Rioja blend (typically Tempranillo, Graciano, and Garnacha) from an exceptionally cool, rainy vintage. It highlights vibrant, fresh red fruits with perfectly integrated oak, culminating in a delicate, long, and silky finish.

Located in Graves, to the southwest of the Gironde Estuary, the Domaine itself is located in a clearing in the middle of forest which protects the vines from extreme temperatures, sometimes called a secret garden in the Graves. This is the concept of terroir that is so dear to many in France, especially Bordeaux. The terroir of Chevalier is like a greenhouse, a unique ecosystem that the grapes (mostly) benefit from.  ight bank of Bordeaux, to the east of the Gironde Estuary, the Domaine itself is lcoated in a clearing in the middle of forest which protects the vines from extreme temperatures, sometimes called a secret garden in the Graves. This is the concept of terroir that is so dear to many in France, especially Bordeaux. The terroir of Chevalier is like a greenhouse, a unique ecosystem that the grapes (mostly) benefit from. The 2014 Chevalier is a blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, and 5% petit verdot, giving a wine of great structure that will be a decade old next year. Refined, yet opulent with a full array of blackberries, blackcherry, earth, forest floor and spicy oak notes. 

This wine is bright and focused, with a lasting finish. Its aromas and flavors of black fruit and pinpoint minerality should pair it beautifully with rosemary-accented lamb kebobs. 

Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is a little broody and reticent at this very youthful stage, slowly unfolding to reveal profound plum preserves, crème de cassis, black raspberries and star anise with hints of moss-covered bark, truffles and tilled loam plus a waft of red currants and raspberry leaves sparks.

Merlot 100% , Red dark colour, the nose is rich, fresh and fruity, the mouth is full-bodied with spicy notes, the tannins are soft, the end of the mouth is well balanced and round.

Luscious fragrance of apricot and ginger jam, peaches and cream, honeysuckle, and orange blossom with a lovely light touch of warming spice. An assertive and imposing texture with a rich palate of candied and tropical citrus fruit, while a layer of new Hungarian oak adds toasted, woody notes.

After two years of drought, 2013 proved to be an excellent vintage with expressive black and red fruit in this 100% Tempranillo.

Producer tasting notes: "Colour: Medium-high layer, with red background. Nose: Very good intensity with notes of black and red fruit that are interspersed. It is very expressive, with the life and freshness of the coldest vintages as it is the case of 2013. Depth is transformed into expressiveness and more aerial character marked by a lighter fruit. Palate: Medium volume, where black and red fruits appear alternately. Sensation of herbs and leaves in the forest, typical of the Atlantic vintages. Very fresh, aerial and enveloping at the same time. Tannins are fine and the fruit endures in the aftertaste with a magnificent sensation of freshness." - Bodegas Roda

The history of Château Durfort-Vivens is linked to the Durfort-Duras family. The consecration of Château Durfort-Vivens took place in 1855 with the obtaining of the prestigious title of Second Cru Classé. The owners who have succeeded one another until today have never ceased to improve the quality of the wine and extend the reputation of the château. The vinification is in cement and wood vats. Aging in 40% new barrels for 18 months. The result is a Margaux full of finesse and freshness.

The bouquet of Durfort-Vivens 2014 opens with clear aromas of black fruits such as cherry and blackberry to evolve towards more subtle aromas of truffle. In the mouth, the wine is revealed, silky and elegant. It is definitely a wine that carries the colors of the prestigious Margaux appellation.

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

This elegant wine has a balanced density that comes from the firm layer of tannins. Its situation in the southern Médoc gives it a final softness and balance. Drink from 2028. — Roger Voss

Structured, full of promise and with layers of black fruits and tannins, this ripe wine is set for aging. The texture, with its dry core, is dense and powerful. Drink this wine from 2026. Organic. — Roger Voss

Chateau Changyu Moser XV Helan Mountain Blanc de Noir White Cabernet Sauvignon Ningxia - The colour of this Cabernet comes with a hue of rose, just a touch to indicate its provenance. Surprisingly peachy on the nose with a cornucopia of floral aromas - it certainly enlarges the spectrum of fragrance in wine. On the palate it offers a stunning lusciousness of peach and exotic fruits with a hint of violet. The vibrancy comes from its perfectly embedded acidity.

The 2012 Château de Camensac is an elegant, approachable 5th Growth Haut-Médoc Bordeaux, characterized by soft tannins and a vibrant fruity profile (cherry, raspberry) with notes of cedar and spice. It is a well-structured yet supple wine that matured well, often described as having a pleasant, medium-bodied, and slightly "meaty" palate.

Aromas of tilled soil, underbrush and dark berry lead the nose. On the savory easygoing palate, fresh acidity and pliant tannins frame black cherry, clove and a hint of licorice- KERIN O'KEEFE ( Wine Enthusiast)

The wine's richness is paralleled by its generous character and ripe blackberry flavors. Its texture is delicious, balancing structure and vibrant black fruits. Drink from 2025. Roger Voss

“Showing the character of the best Cabernet Sauvignon berries I have ever worked with”, says Lenz. Spice of China, concentrated fruit aromas and flavours you would never expect from such a young Cabernet. The small berries occur in this desert climate to protect themselves from evaporating the water – hence a fantastic skin to juice ratio.