Wine & Spirits

Winemaker Notes The Grand Brut Rosé is a soft hue of salmon pink with a few ruby-cherry reflections. The nose is clearly marked by strawberries. Well-structured with a constant tension between freshness and fruity roundness, the wine is dominated by a red pulpy fruit — perhaps wild strawberry (cream or as a coulis) — giving a soft, coated sensation. It is round with a beautifully fresh finish. Due to the gentle nature of this champagne, fruit is an ideal match; as is foie gras for the daring and for the fat and sweetness of the base of this wine. The Grand Rosé Brut also pairs well with fish or shellfish. Critical Acclaim Wine Spectator Vibrant and with mouthwatering acidity, this racy rosé Champagne is fine like raw silk on the palate, layering a chalky undertow with a detailed range of white cherry, peach skin and raspberry fruit. Hints of Marcona almond, graphite and spice linger on the minerally finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now WE93 Wine Enthusiast Heading towards dryness, this pale-colored rosé Champagne is also rich. Its red-currant and crisp apple flavors are laced with citrus zest to give a wine that has fine balance.

Read more less

Rated 94 by James Suckling This has really nice tension with dried lemons with hints of apples and white peaches. It’s long and flavorful. A beauty. 81% sauvignon blanc and 19% semillon. Rated 92 by Decanter White flowers and grape aromas. Elegance and finesse with brightness. Good density of lemon here, this isn't so acidic but delivers a really well balanced wine with fruit expression, power and structure. I like the texture, smooth and well defined. Driving with a touch of spicy oak at the end. Have with oysters. Drinking Window 2023 - 2030. Rated 91 by Wine Advocate Composed of 70.9% Sauvignon Blanc and 29.1% Semillon, the 2019 La Réserve de Malartic Blanc was harvested from the 4th of September to the 16th of September. It is aging on the lees in French oak barrels for an anticipated 10-12 months. The nose is a little muted to begin, opening out with some coaxing to reveal subtle scents of fresh lemon juice, green apples, lemongrass and Bosc pears with touches of wet pebbles and allspice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is soft on the acidity with ripe, sensuous, approachable fruit and a pleasantly peppery finish.

Read more less

Chateau Maris Savoir Viellin Minervois 2018 Black cherry and blueberry on the nose with hint of blackberry (a good strong aroma). Flavour wise there’s (predominantly, as did change over time) cherry, cranberry and a good dose of peppery spice. Really long finish of peppery ripe cherry. Medium and soft tannins made it very drinkable without food (in fact, I probably got more out of it on its own), but also good with food ( pan fried lamb steaks for me). Could easily have given it 4 stars but for the slightly subdued flavour with food.

Read more less

98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate  There is no other wine in the world like it, and there is no other luxury wine that can possibly justify its price as much as Yquem. The remarkable amount of painstaking labor necessary to produce the nectar known as Yquem is almost impossible to comprehend. This is a fascinating effort. With greater evidence of botrytis than the colossal 1983, but less power and alcohol, the 1986 Yquem tastes reminiscent of the 1975, only more precocious, as well as more concentrated. Several highly respected Bordeaux negociants who are Yquem enthusiasts claim the 1986 Yquem is the greatest wine produced at the property since the legendary 1937. Its enthralling bouquet of pineapples, sauteed hazelnuts, vanillin, and ripe apricots is breathtaking. Compellingly concentrated, the breadth as well as depth of flavor seemingly know no limits. This full-bodied, powerful, yet impeccably balanced Yquem should provide memorable drinking for 40-55 more years. Like the 1983, this is another winemaking tour de force. (RP)  (1/1998) 96 points Vinous  Tasted several times, the 1986 Yquem is a sublime expression of the vintage. It was the opposite of the previous year as it saw widespread botrytis after 40mm of rain in late October followed by a sunny November. It comes armed with an effervescent bouquet with pure honey, almond, quince and saffron, that patisserie scent observed in previous bottles less present. The palate is very well balanced with perhaps even sharper acidic "bite" than the '1983, fanning out wonderfully towards its crystalline finish that has a citric edge. A point. Tasted at a private dinner in London. (NM)  (2/2022)

Read more less

98-99 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com "The tannins and phenolic tension are very impressive to this. Dried-lemon undertones and burning botrytis. Full-to medium-bodied, linear and racy. Beautiful fruit and intensity. Such clarity. Extreme but wonderful style." 97-99 Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "There was no frost at d’Yquem in 2017, and botrytis was very regular and even this vintage. The nose opens with very pure notes of freshly sliced oranges, yuzu and lemon barley water with hints of white pepper, fresh ginger and lime cordial. The incredibly rich, unctuous sweetness (148 grams per liter of residual sugar) is beautifully marbled with bright, vivacious citrus fruit and spice flavors, while lifted by well-knit freshness, and it finishes with epic length and great depth." 95 Wine Spectator "White peach and lemon peel notes mingle out front in this slightly exotic and very seductive white. A flash of shortbread caresses the finish, allowing white ginger and yellow apple notes to glide in for added range and length. Everything ripples, with finely beaded acidity. Beautiful and distinctive. Drink now through 2028. — JM"

Read more less

Description Decanter Magazine: A muscular wine from an all-female winemaking team. Powerful, structured with strong tannins reinforced by the limestone terroir. Freshness on the finish. Drink 2018-2030 Wine spectator 92 pts This sports very flashy raspberry ganache, pastis-soaked plum and steeped currant fruit, but stays vibrant, thanks to a backdrop of mouthwatering wood spice and a racy graphite spine that really holds the finish tightly. Very solid grip. Best from 2015 through 2025. 2,916 cases made James Sukling 91 pts Attractive pure dark fruit in the nose. Plums, vanilla and wild strawberries. Beautiful bright fruit on the palate. Refined and elegant on the palate with finely knit tannins and good length. Very enjoyable already now, but tannins would benefit from a few more years of aging to soften.

Read more less

Notes from the Winemaker The hand-made prestige cuvée of Maison Collet is a sparkling interpretation of Haute Couture. A rare assemblage of 11 Premier and Grand Crus selected in 2012. 60% Chardonnay from Grands Crus villages like Avize, Chouilly and Cramant contributes to the freshness, the tonicity and the elegance of the Esprit Couture. Vinification and ageing of the Chardonnay in champenois oak barrels allowed their aromas of brioche to develop fully. 40% Pinot Noir brings structure, softness and tenderness to the wine through iconic Grands Crus such as Aÿ, Mailly- Champagne or Verzy. Reviews and Accolades 94 Points/Wine Enthusiast This is the prestige cuvée from this co-op producer. Coming in a attractive, Art Deco-style bottle, the wine plays its elegant part. A strong toast flavor doesn't detract from the ripe green-fruit tone and bright acidity, while the palate feels rich and smooth. Drink now.

Read more less

Tasting: Comments Pascal CHATONNET December 2018: L'Archange 2016 has an intense and deep colour. The first nose is characteristic of the expression of the great Merlot on clay soil with a simply perfect summer: blackberry liqueur, liquorice and black pepper rise together. The palate attacks with a powerful but extremely velvety tannin; it develops like a real liqueur, without heaviness but with a lot of freshness. The finish is powerful and very long. Vanilla and black fruit compote linger in the mouth on a particularly persistent spicy finish. A great wine, definitely made for laying down but already extremely fine; ARCHANGE 2016 is simply fantastic.

Read more less

45% Merlot 37% Cabernet Sauvignon 18% Cabernet Franc Very complex aroma - black ripe cherries, tobacco leaves and cedar wood. The taste is medium long, full with hints of chocolate and dark fruit. The tannin is firm, pleasant. --Libor Finger "Some stewed berries with walnut and light sultana undertones. Chocolate, too. It’s full-bodied with a nice core of fruit and a medium finish. Soft tannins. Try after 2023." (89 pts.) --JamesSuckling.com 

Read more less

Tasting Notes: The wine is full-bodied with thick tannins. Woody aromas with hints of spice, red and black fruit. Suitable for beef, denim and pasta.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes Rock Angel is partially barrel fermented in large oak barrels and made from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino). This rosé bears a more complex and structured taste profile than Whispering Angel bringing it into a more premium realm giving rosé lovers a bigger and richer wine that is fabulous as an aperitif or paired with a broad range of fine cuisine. If you like the minerality of a Sancerre, you will love this wine. Critical Acclaim James Suckling A pale peach-colored rosé with aromas of roses, strawberries, raspberries and nectarines. It’s medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a juicy, creamy palate. Deliciously fruity with good concentration and length. Decanter Nuanced flavours and aromas of tangerine, peach, fresh dried petals, citrus, honey and gentle spice. Very rounded, soft and appealing, whilst maintaining freshness and depth. Vey good. Blend: 68% Grenache, 22% Vermentino, 4% Cinsault.

Read more less