Wine & Spirits

Since 1983, Denis Durantou has been at the helm of this historic estate. He has quietly performed something of a revolution, introducing a host of innovations and bringing his wine-making philosophy to one of the greatest terroirs in Bordeaux. The 4.5 hectares used for the grand vin are situated next to the church in Pomerol on gravel and clay soils. A further 1.5 hectares of on sandy soils account for the excellent Petite Eglise. Denis' wines receive many accolades, all richly deserved. The grand vin is consistently amongst the best wines of the vintage; they are typically perfumed, nuanced and posses the structure to age gracefully for many decades.94 Points Wine AdvocateTasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 L'Eglise Clinet has long been a strong performer. Here, at a decade old, it offers gorgeous aromas of redcurrant, crushed strawberry, tar and truffle, a discrete mineralité that only surfaces with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with superb acidity, impressive cohesion and outstanding structure (for a 2007) towards the finish. It is brimming with sophistication, class and character—one of the standout Pomerols of the vintage. Tasted February 2017.

Read more less

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 La Gaffeliere is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to offer peeks at notions of stewed red and black plums, mulberries and Morello cherries, plus hints of damp earth, tar and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly wound, delivering crunchy red and black fruits with an approachable texture of fine-grained tannin's and loads of freshness, finishing long with a lifted perfume. This is a refreshing, beautifully perfumed and skillfully crafted expression of the vintage. Give it 4-5 years in bottle and then enjoy it over the next 20 years+."Wine Enthusiast - “This estate is on a roll. Replete with powerful tannins and dense black fruits, this latest release continues the succession of fine vintages. Perfumed, ripe with berry flavors and, more importantly, with rich tannins, the wine will age impressively. Drink from 2027.  Cellar Selection”

Read more less

93 James Suckling“Blackberry and blueberry aromas with black licorice and dark violets that follow to a medium to full body with ultra fine tannins and a pretty finish. Very fine texture. Drink after 2024.” 91 Decanter“Attractive, bright and bristling fruit, from grapes that were small and concentrated after a particularly dry summer in St-Julien, with rain at the right time in September. Things have been well-handled over ageing and this is rippling with life and succulent acidity. Previously known as Lalande-Borie. Drinking Window 2023 – 2038.”

Read more less

Decanter A lovely wine from vines averaging 44 years of age. It gets the balance pretty well nailed down, displaying the richness and power of modern St-Emilion with polish and lift. It shows a hint of elegance, with some salinity on the finish. 50% new oak. 47hl/ha yield. Consultant is Jean-Claude Berrouet. James Suckling Attractive red plums and roasting herbs with a stony and quite grainy edge. The palate has a punchy and grainy core of rich, dense tannins. Assertive, clear-cut finish. A blend of 80 per cent merlot and 20 per cent cabernet franc. Try from 2022.

Read more less

Neil Martin 92 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2016 Sérilhan has a wonderful, quite high-toned and generous bouquet with ample blackberry and raspberry scents laced with violet and hints of iodine. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip in the mouth, quite symmetrical and focused with impressive precision on the finish. This feels dialed back in terms of power to the benefit of this elegant Saint-Estèphe. Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London." 9/18 James Suckling 93 Points, James Suckling: "Layered and very intense with dark-fruit and spice character. Hints of chocolate. Full-bodied, juicy and fruity. Long finish. Best ever from here?" 4/17

Read more less

The 2019 Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru, which contains around 60% whole bunch, has a well-defined bouquet of ebullient dark berry fruit laced with light woodland and earthy scents. So much vigor and coiled-up energy! The palate is medium-bodied with wonderful balance, supple tannins, perfectly judged acidity and a crescendo of flavors toward the splendid, mineral-driven finish. The cooler microclimate really benefited this cuvée in 2019, and it is one of the Trapet’s finest contributions to the vintage.Vinous Media | 96-98 VM The 2019 Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru is the finest rendition of this cuvée I’ve ever tasted from Trapet. Unfurling in the glass with an incipiently complex bouquet that mingles dark berry fruit with nuances of coniferous forest floor, peonies, bergamot and exotic spices, it’s full-bodied, layered and velvety, with terrific depth and concentration, framed by powdery tannins and animated by a lively spine of acidity that carries through the mouthwateringly mineral finish. I wrote that Trapet’s 2018 Latricières was worth a special effort to seek out—I’m happy to have some in my cellar—and that applies a fortiori to this brilliant 2019.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95-97 RP

Read more less

Terroir: Domaine Jacques Prieur owns just under two acres of Grand Cru Musigny. This is one of the greatest terroirs in the world for Pinot Noir. The 2-acre vineyard sits high on the hillside overlooking the larger Grand Cru of Clos de Vougeot in the village of Chambolle-Musigny. Soil composition is very thin and made primarily of small stones. Drainage here is optimal. Vinification: Grapes are hand harvested, strictly sorted and de-stemmed. The must will sit on the skins for 23 days prior to fermentation. The wine ages for a total of 16 months in oak barrels, located deep in the cellars of Domaine Jacques Prieur.

Read more less

This shows the purity of Angelus. I have never tasted a wine from here with such incredible clarity. Full body, full fruit and full beauty. Super silky tannins. A joy to taste. Makes you want to drink it. 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc. --James Suckling A total blockbuster is the 2015 Angelus and it’s reminiscent of a slightly more elegant 2009. Made from 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc brought up in new barrels, this rich, opulent beauty boast killer notes of blackcurrants, blackberry liqueur, truffle, chocolate and scorched earth. With full-bodied richness, building, ripe tannin and a stacked profile on the palate, this hedonistic Bomb of a wine from Hubert de Boüard needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will keep for three decades or more. --Jeb DunnuckRating: 97+

Read more less

100 points Wine Spectator  Absolutely fantastic. This is one of the most exciting young reds I have tasted in a long, long time. It shows intense aromas of berries, currants and minerals, with hints of mint. Full-bodied and packed with fruit and tannins, its long finish is refined and silky. A benchmark for the vintage. Las Cases has always wanted to make first-growth quality in a top-notch vintage, and it certainly did in 2000. *Collectibles, Ranked No. 5 on Top 100 Wines of 2003* (JS)  (3/2003) 99 points Jeb Dunnuck  The 2000 Leoville Las Cases is another brilliant wine and, like most 2000s, appears to just now be at the early stages of its drink window. Smoky black fruits, crushed rocks, lead pencil, and menthol notes all emerge from this brilliant, blockbuster beauty that still tastes like it's just 5-6 years old. Beautifully concentrated, ripe, sexy, and seamless, it has the classic elegance and regal quality of this domaine front and center. It has another 3-4 decades of longevity. (JD)  (6/2019)

Read more less

A biodynamic Priorat comprising Garnacha & Carignan, this was quite unlike many other examples I’ve tried, reminding of Nebbiolo. Pale ruby. Pronounced aroma intensity w. cherry, black cherry, raspberry & dried red flowers. Quite tarry w. loganberry & earthy plum & liquorice root. Blind I’d be in Piemonte. Developing. Dry. Quite rustic w. structured m+ tannins, m+ alc & juicy m+ acid. Grippy cherry, raspberry, raspberry pip, loganberry & plum. M+ bodied w. a m+ finish. An all round very enjoyable drop. -- Andy B

Read more less

Vinyes Domènech is a family project started Joan Ignaci and his wife, Rita, in Capçanes, in the south of Priorat. Together with their sons, they biodynamically farm 15 hectares of recovered old-vines vineyards. From an amphitheatre vineyard surrounded by forest at 600m, this biodynamic garnacha is rooted in red clay and limestone, and is produced without adding SO2. After a native ferment, this aged in 300L amphora. An intoxicating nose of perfumed wildflowers, musk, scrubby herbs, rockrose, pink peppercorns continues through this medium bodied wine, shaped with a finely grippy amphora texture and fine, sculpted tannins. There is an easy, buoyant, mountainous acidity streaming this to the botanical finish. Very characterful.

Read more less

WINERY NOTE: "In the glass this wine shines translucent red with amber hued edges. Herbs and dried flowers greet the nose, then give way to black cherry and watermelon. As it opens up, traces of pencil shavings give this wine incredible aromatic intrigue."

Read more less