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Rare and Fine Wine
Champagne Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2015 Magnum
"The 2015 Brut Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill shows off the savory side of the vintage to great effect. Hints of dried pear, sage, mint, dried flowers, lemon oil and chamomile open gradually in this mid-weight, lithe edition of Pol Roger's tête de cuvée. The 2015 unfolds nicely with time in the glass, but I wouldn't think of opening a bottle anytime soon. Readers will find a nervy Winston Churchill marked by notable freshness and vigor more than size. This is a fine effort in a vintage that has proven to be far trickier than most observers originally envisioned. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged September 2022." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Champagne Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2015
"The 2015 Brut Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill shows off the savory side of the vintage to great effect. Hints of dried pear, sage, mint, dried flowers, lemon oil and chamomile open gradually in this mid-weight, lithe edition of Pol Roger's tête de cuvée. The 2015 unfolds nicely with time in the glass, but I wouldn't think of opening a bottle anytime soon. Readers will find a nervy Winston Churchill marked by notable freshness and vigor more than size. This is a fine effort in a vintage that has proven to be far trickier than most observers originally envisioned. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged September 2022." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Ronco-Gnemiz Chardonnay Sol 2021
"The 2021 Chardonnay Sol is quite restrained and delicate in the glass with floral nuances, crushed stones and lime. It's much more expressive on the palate, with brisk acidity giving life to its mineral-inflected orchard fruits. This tapers off with a pretty inner sweetness offsetting its youthful concentration, leaving hints of floral-laced apple and pear. The 2021 will take some time to come fully into focus." - Eric Guido, Vinous
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2017 Magnum
"Masses of ashen earth, smoke, dusty cherry and roses with nuances of clove lift up from the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino. This is silky and pliant upon entry, presenting a rich display of intense red and hints of black fruits laced with chalky minerals that drenches the palate. Penetrating acidity and grippy tannins create a burst of cheek-puckering tension, clenching down hard with youthful poise, as notes of licorice and hard red candies linger through the structured, medium-length finale. There are some moments where the 2017 reminds you that it comes from an incredibly hot and dry vintage, yet overall, it’s a huge success for the year. That said, it needs time to unwind from its youthful state. Production was down 15–20% at Il Poggione in 2017 due to severe selection of bunches, and all of the fruit that would have been reserved for the Riserva Vigna Paganelli was added to the Brunello instead." - Eric Guido, Vinous
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2018 Magnum
"Impressing from the first tilt of the glass, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino makes itself known, with a heady burst of exotic spice and crushed ashen stone giving way to dried black cherries and grilled herbs. This combines the energy of the vintage with the dark balsamic-tinged fruits of Montalcino’s southern reaches, as zesty acidity maintains balance throughout, and flinty minerals saturate toward the close. It finishes long, savory and structured, yet its tannins are more rounded than anticipated, creating both a classic feel, but also leaving a mouthwatering sensation that tricks the taster back to the glass for more. Easily one of the top wines of the vintage, the 2018 is not to be missed." - Eric Guido
Damascene W.O. Stellenbosch Syrah 2022
"The 2022 Syrah from Karabib is 75% whole clusters matured for 11 months in 2,000-liter Austrian oak. This elegant nose of incense and pressed violets infuses the vivacious melange of black and blue fruit. The medium-bodied palate has fine structure, slightly chalky in texture, with real backbone and density, yet the elegance floods through on the black pepper and clove-infused finish. Very persistent in the mouth. Tuck bottles away for several years as this is a serious Syrah sculpted by its cooler microclimate." - Neal Martin, Vinous
Damascene W.O. Swartland Syrah 2022
"The 2022 Syrah from Swartland comes from mostly shale and schist soils, 25% on granite soils, using 75% whole cluster fruit (the shale using submerged cap during fermentation). Aged in 2,000-liter Austrian oak, this leans more towards red berries, with touches of flint and white pepper with a hint of garrigues coming through with aeration. The medium-bodied palate has finely sculpted tannins. There’s a lovely symmetry and focus here, a gentle but insistent grip with the whole bunches imparting irresistible peppery notes towards the finish. Superb." - Neal Martin, Vinous
Damascene W.O. Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2022
"The 2022 Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch comes from vines on Greywacke, shale and granite soils planted between 1972 and 1981, whole cluster pressed and aged in oval Austrian foudres. This has a little more presence on the nose and is more outgoing with yellow plum, nectarine, peach skin and hints of red fruit. There is real complexity, becoming ever more minerally with aeration. The palate is very well-balanced with a little more viscosity and lees expression, lightly spiced with a vivacious saline finish. There is a sense of completeness here. Superb." - Neal Martin, Vinous
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2022
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2022, "Blending three different components from both sides of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, this is a beautifully judged Chardonnay from a South African master of the variety. Voluptuous and textured, yet focused and energetic at the same time, it has struck match top notes, 22% new oak, citrus and vanilla spice flavours and a pithy, salty finish." - Tim Atkin MW
J.L. Chave Sélection Hermitage Blanc Blanche 2019
"Another incredible white from this family is the 2019 Hermitage Blanc, a powerful, concentrated, and remarkably pure Hermitage that has laser-like focus as well as textbook Marsanne notes of quince, green almond, powdered rock, licorice, and spice. It’s still tight, focused, and inward at present, yet it reminds me of the 2018 with its purity and rare mix of power and elegance. It’s worth trying a bottle any time over the coming 3-5 years, but after that, I’d recommend waiting until after 2031. 98+" - Jeb Dunnuck
David & Nadia “Rondevlei” Chenin Blanc 2022
"As vineyards go, Rondevlei sounds relatively unexciting - it's a flat, 1.7-hectare parcel on red sand, but the wine it produces is thrilling. Made with five different components, it’s what David Sadie calls a "salt-driven" Chenin Blanc, with a noticeably maritime influence. Sappy and slightly ferrous, it has notes of kelp and citrus and a focused, tangy, engaging finish." - Tim Atkin MW
David & Nadia “Skaliekop” Chenin Blanc 2022
"Late picked from a parcel on shale and clay soils, Skaliekop is the richest and most exotic of David and Nadia Sadie's brilliant range of single vineyard Chenin Blancs. Showing some of the concentration of the 2022 vintage, it has layers of pear and stone fruit and the underlying freshness and minerality that are typical of the couple's wines." - Tim Atkin MW
David & Nadia “Elpidios” 2021 Magnum
"Elpidios is a red version of Aristargos in a sense, using five varieties from nine different vineyards. Fermented with 40% whole bunches, it's dominated by Grenache, supported by 31% Syrah, 13% Carignan and 1% each of Pinotage and Cinsault. Stony, grippy and chiselled, it has savoury tannins, lots of granitic intensity and plum, red berry and cranberry flavours. Will age well, too." - Tim Atkin MW
David & Nadia “Elpidios” 2021
"Elpidios is a red version of Aristargos in a sense, using five varieties from nine different vineyards. Fermented with 40% whole bunches, it's dominated by Grenache, supported by 31% Syrah, 13% Carignan and 1% each of Pinotage and Cinsault. Stony, grippy and chiselled, it has savoury tannins, lots of granitic intensity and plum, red berry and cranberry flavours. Will age well, too." - Tim Atkin MW
Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru “Les Pruliers” 2019
Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru “Les Pruliers” 2019, "There is plenty of sauvage elements to the ripe and fresh aromas of pungent earth, plum, wild black cherry and a hint of game. There is more volume, richness and power if less refinement to the broad-shouldered flavors that flash excellent depth and persistence on the very firmly structured finale. This is textbook Pruliers and built like it as well so plenty of patience is advised." - Allen Meadows, Burghound
Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Charmois” 2019
"The 2019 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Charmois has slightly more red fruit than the Aux Lavières, hints of potpourri and lavender complementing the cranberry and red currants; more cassis aromas develop later. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very sensual and harmonious. The sorbet-fresh finish delivers black cherry fruit laced with citrus fruits. Very fine."- Neal Martin, Vinous
Domaine Trapet Père et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin “Ostrea” 2019
Domaine Trapet Père et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin “Ostrea” 2019, "More deeply pitched and slightly less elegant aromas are comprised by notes of plum, dark currant, forest floor and whiffs of game and herbal tea. There is excellent density and power to the broad-shouldered yet still reasonably refined flavors that flash a bracing salinity on the refreshing and impressively long if slightly warm finale. This is always a solid Gevrey villages and 2019 is no exception." - Allen Meadows, Burghound
Bodegas y Viñedos Alion Ribera del Duero 2018 Magnum
"The 2018 Alión follows the path of the 2016: it is fresh and elegant and from a cooler (more Atlantic) vintage with more rain than the average and a relatively late harvest between September 28th and October 12th. They used 80% new barrels, with up to 10% made of American oak looking to (in their own words) give more sucrosity and sweetness to the wine, as it's a more vertical, tense and elegant expression of Alión. Part of the wine matured in concrete (something they started in 2016), and in 2021 they are experimenting with a 4,000-liter Rousseau foudre, as they want to keep working the texture and freshness. The wine is ripe at 15% alcohol and has a pH of 3.8 and a mellow 4.6 grams of acidity, round and soft. The wine matured until it was bottled in June 2020. The truth is that the wine comes through as subtle, elegant and balanced, with very integrated oak and a nice texture. It's one of the finest vintages for Alión. 257,257 bottles, 7,005 magnums and some larger formats produced." - Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate
Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine Garden 2022
"The only grapes that Chris Alheit sources from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge are from the vineyard planted around his Hemelrand winery. Showing the cooler conditions of the region in what was a sweltering vintage in many parts of the Cape, this a cleverly judged cuvée of Chardonnay, 29% Roussanne, 20% Chenin Blanc, 18% Verdelho and 2% Muscat. Lily, ginger and talcum powder aromas segue into a palate of orange zest and tropical fruit, some peachy sweetness and a fresh, well-balanced finish." - Tim Atkin MW
Alheit Vineyards Hereafter Here 2022
"Hereafter Here is Chris Alheit's biggest-production Chenin Blanc, made from five different sources in Stellenbosch and the Swartland. The vines are mostly younger, producing a wine that's comparatively immediate, with a nice interplay between peach an green apple fruit and impressive brightness for a 2022 release." - Tim Atkin MW
Alheit Vineyards Cartology 2022
"It was a vintage that gave you the chance to show what you were made of," says Chris Alheit of the "middling 2022 growing season". It certainly did. This is a brilliant cuvée of Chenin Blanc with 8% Semillon, sourced from ten different vineyards. Showing lots of energy from early picked grapes on granite soils, it has fennel, fynbos and lanolin aromas, citrus, green herb and wet stone flavours, and good ageing potential, despite the heat of the vintage." - Tim Atkin MW
Domaine Jean Grivot Échezeaux Grand Cru 2020
"Touches of bitter chocolate and kirsch are present on the spicy aromas of plum, violet and soft wood. The finer if not denser flavors possess a velvety texture while also coating the palate with dry extract on the dusty and chalky finish that is likewise youthfully austere. I very much like the depth and persistence and this beauty should also age gracefully for as long as most anyone would like." - Allen Meadows, Burghound
Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru “Aux Boudots” 2020
"Dense rich black purple. The nose is very heady but Boudots can carry it. Black cherry but there are nuances here, not just power. A wonderful depth, length and breadth to this, brilliantly energetic fruit, tannins just in the right place, refreshing mineral acidity. Finishes on black fruit with a touch of liquorice but wafts of redder notes are never far away." - Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru “Les Pruliers” 2020
Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru “Les Pruliers” 2020, "Slightly riper aromas of black cherry, raspberry and earth are fresh if brooding. There is both excellent delineation and vibrancy suffusing the delicious medium-bodied flavors that culminate in a chalky, palate drenching and youthfully austere finish. Lovely and very Pruliers in character." - Allen Meadows, Burghound