90+ Points | Critical Acclaim | Wine & Sparkling Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018

Benujamin Lewin, MW of Decanter writes 95 Points | Great sense of fruit purity on the nose, showing a mélange of black fruits. This shows brilliance on the palate, it’s very flavourful, with almost savoury undertones lingering on a very long finish. A sensation of gunflint shows retronasally. This is a rare combination: the height of elegance combined with depth. Drinking Window: 2032-2052.

La Revue du Vin de France writes 94 Points | As for Le Bourg, it remains faithful to the generously toasted and hedonistic expression of its barrel ageing. A concentrated material, a sensation of sweetness and power accompany the salient tannic framework that the years will soften. 

Winemaker Description 

Clos Rougeard was created in 1664 on the land of Chacé, a village not far from Saumur. Eight generations have succeeded one another at the head of the estate, the most recent being the Foucault brothers. From the 1980s onwards, Charly and Nady adopted a singular philosophy to enhance the terroirs of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny: leave the wine in peace so it can expresses its own identity. No synthetic products are added to the vines, gentle vinifications are thought out like infusions and minimalist approach is claimed. In 2017, the Bouygues family bought the estate and has continued the work begun by their emblematic predecessors with a deep respect for the DNA of the winery and its identity. Today the estate has found its balance thanks to a passionate team who strives to preserve the excellence and uniqueness of the wines whose depth, finesse and precision are unparalleled.

Located in the heart of the village of Chacé, Le Bourg is composed of very old vines and lies on a predominantly limestone terroir on shallow clay loam, typical of the Saumur-Champigny appellation. This wine reveals riper, fleshier fruit and a dense, full-bodied texture. Le Bourg is from vines averaging 80 years old, planted on a thin layer of clay over a deep bed of tuffeau, also in Chacé. The combination of vine age and richer soil makes this the most powerfully structured wine in Clos Rougeard’s array.

Expert Review - Vintage 2016

92 Points Wine Enthusiast | Hints of crushed mineral and fresh herb persist from nose to finish in this intriguingly earthy yet elegant dry wine. The palate is vibrantly citrusy, offering shards of lemon and lime accented by dried-orange peel and spice. Medium bodied but silky in texture, it's freshened by pert lime acidity.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Charles Curtis, MW of Decanter Magazine 96 Points | In 2021 the domaine protected this site above all from frost but still lost half their crop despite being surrounded by the also well-protected vines of Domaine Leflaive. Accessible almost even now the aromas of green apple and passionfruit coconut butter and baking spice are almost opening even now. There is a lovely freshness and silky texture yet this is a powerful wine with impressive length and density at the end. This should open in five years and continue to improve for at least twenty-five more. (Drink between 2027-2050).

Expert Reviews 

Expert Review - Vintage 2010

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 98 Points  | Dinner starts with a fresh, briny oyster and a glass of 2010 Dom Ruinart. It’s a beautiful pairing. I have always loved the 2010 for the way it straddles the worlds of Champagne and still wine. It is absolutely glorious on this night. In fact, I could have had it for the entire meal. A deep, luscious morel broth and Brittany scallops are other highlights among the amuse-bouches. (Drink between 2023-2050).

Winemaker Description 

Indulge in the pure expression of Chardonnay with Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010. A vintage Champagne capturing the elegance and finesse of Chardonnay, with notes of citrus blossom, green apple, and a refined minerality. A perfect aperitif or accompaniment to delicate seafood dishes.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | Another beautiful Pessac from 2020, the 2020 Château Latour-Martillac has a textbook bouquet of smoky red and black fruits, spring flowers, truffly earth, and smoked tobacco. With a lush, round, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, it has ripe tannins, some classic Graves sexiness, and a great finish. It's going to benefit from 5-6 years of bottle age and keep for 15-20 years.

Decanter 94 Points | Chocolate, liquorice, some bitter points that accompany the fruit from beginning to end, this is one of the best in terms of focus and precision. There is clearly excellent colour extraction, you get real glass-staining purple, but the flavours are more austere and tannic than the colour might suggest. Well chosen coffee and chocolate expression that remains elegant and pointed. Good stuff, needs time, but will grow into a classic elegant wine. A yield of 38hl/ha.

Wine Advocate 92 Points | Complex aromas of cherries, raspberries, rose petals, bay leaf and spices introduce the 2020 Latour Martillac, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy, lively wine with good depth and excellent balance. It represents an improvement on the 2019.

Wine Spectator 91 Points |  Juicy and compact, with a solid core of dark currant and blackberry fruit waiting to unfurl, while sweet tobacco, tar and bittersweet cocoa notes flash around. Reveals a light cedary thread on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2033. 9,350 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

James Suckling 91 Points |  Juicy and compact, with a solid core of dark currant and blackberry fruit waiting to unfurl, while sweet tobacco, tar and bittersweet cocoa notes flash around. Reveals a light cedary thread on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2033. 9,350 cases made, 1,000 cases imported

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Jasper Morris MW of Inside Burgundy writes 91-94 Points |  90% whole bunch vinification. Mid purple, with a nose which shows the whole bunch a lot by giving some crushed strawberry on top of the darker fruit of Nuits-St-Georges. The latter appears further back on the palate but the tannins remain refined. Good length. Drink from 2028-2034.

Allen Meadows of Burghound writes 90-93 Points | Here the unreadable nose is marked by firm reduction. More interesting are the beautifully textured, rich and vibrant medium-bodied flavors that possess an abundance of sappy dry extract on the lingering finish that isn't quite as complex but is very well-balanced. (Drink starting 2031).

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Ken's Wine Guide | This slightly cloudy midnight purple colored Zinfandel from Once and Future opens with a blackberry and red licorice bouquet with hints of red plum, black cherry, dried sage, and violets. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, and smooth. The flavor profile is blackberry, stone dust, and cinnamon blend with notes of boysenberry, black plum and nutmeg. We also detected hints of black tea and oak. The finish is dry, and its well-managed moderate tannins are very nicely sustained. The Tasting Panel would then pair this Zin with a nice New York strip steak along with a dark chocolate mousse. Enjoy – 

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Zinfandel Green & Red Vineyard is another wine in this range that is pretty closed today. It has plenty of energy, but the mid-palate is not quite as developed as it is in most vintages. Bottled on the early side, this feels a bit like it’s not fully developed. 

Finca El Origen · Malbec Reserva · Uco Valley, Mendoza · 2025

Finca El Origen Malbec Reserva 2025 offers violet and red-fruit aromas layered with vanilla and cigar notes. Blackberry and spice follow on the palate, where medium structure, silky tannins and natural acidity lead to a prolonged finish.

Producer & Terroir

Finca El Origen is situated in Los Chacayes, a winegrowing micro-region of Mendoza's Uco Valley. At approximately 1,200 meters above sea level, its rocky, sandy terrain provides the setting for balanced wines with concentrated color and aromas. The estate's philosophy brings together knowledge, passion and a close attention to place to create authentic mountain wines.

A Nautilus fossil discovered while preparing the land for vines connects the vineyard's story to its ancient marine origins and the formation of the Andes. This discovery is part of the inspiration behind the Finca El Origen identity.

Expert Review - Vintage 2025

James Suckling · 90 Points · Vintage 2025. Fresh aromas of vanilla beans, coffee, ripe blackberries and dark cherries. Flavorful and medium- to full-bodied with chewy tannins and a direct, flavorful finish. Try from 2027.

Winemaker Description

The intense violet color makes it a worthy representative of the wines from Los Chacayes. A wine of distinct aromatic complexity, with outstanding notes of red fruits, floral aromas of violets, vanilla and cigar. The mouth confirms the presence of black fruits like blackberries and spices. The medium structure and silky tannins are perfectly balanced with the delicious natural acidity, leading to a prolonged finish.

Pairing & Serving

Try grilled steak, roasted vegetables, mushroom empanadas or a hearty lentil stew. Serve slightly below room temperature and allow time in the glass for the fruit and spice to unfold.

Details

• Producer: Finca El Origen
• Wine: Malbec Reserva
• Vintage: 2025
• Country: Argentina
• Region: Mendoza
• Winegrowing area: Uco Valley / Los Chacayes
• Grape: Malbec
• Type: Red wine
• Bottle size: 750ml
• Attribute: Vegan

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | Hints of dried herbs accent raspberries and cherries on the nose of the 2021 Gigondas le Claux. All old-vine Grenache, this is a full-bodied, rich, concentrated effort, with a long, velvety finish oozing dark chocolate. It's exciting stuff, especially considering how difficult the vintage was for some growers.

Wine Spectator 95 Points | Opulent and broad, with a generous cascade of ripe plum and winey cassis notes wrapped in talc-fine yet sturdy tannins. Chewy, with strappy black licorice and cast iron moving in. A seductive, concentrated Gigondas, with impressive harmony as every element hums along toward the seemingly endless finish. Outstanding. Best from 2025 through 2040.

Vinous 94 Points | The 2021 Gigondas Le Claux is at eye level with the Hominis Fides from the same vintage. Powerful and refined, it bursts with intense ripe red fruits, followed by hints of blueberry and traces of cloves, cedar and licorice. This outstanding 2021 red is built around a massive tannic structure. Hence, don't even think about opening a bottle before 2030, as it would be a terrible waste of what eventually will merge into a substantial Gigondas of pedigree and class.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | The 2021 Gigondas Le Claux is elegant and refined, with medium-bodied richness and depth as well as ultra-fine tannins. It has an almost Pinot Noir-like quality in its ripe red fruits, spring flowers, camphor, and forest floor aromatics, and it has good concentration as well as length on the finish. As always, this single vineyard release is all Grenache that wasn't destemmed and was brought up in demi-muids.

Darioush · CARAVAN Cabernet Sauvignon · Napa Valley · 2020

Darioush's Napa Valley story is rooted in Persian heritage and taarof, the art of gracious hospitality. Founder Darioush Khaledi and his wife, Shahpar, brought that vision to California, establishing a winery with sites spanning Mount Veeder, Oak Knoll and the maritime-influenced valley floor.

The 2020 CARAVAN Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and concentrated yet well structured, with the balance and appetizing mouthfeel.

Red and black cherries mingle with cinnamon, cedar and toasted oak, offering layers of fruit and warm spice for a thoughtfully prepared dinner.

Expert Review · 2020 Vintage

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points: Very rich and concentrated but also well structured, this wine achieves good balance and an appetizing mouthfeel. Red and black cherries, cinnamon, cedar and toasted oak all contribute to its tasty flavor complexity.

Producer Story

Darioush is a story of the harmonious blending of traditions - a culture of graciousness and thoughtfulness and one rooted in the ideals of individualism and opportunity.

Uniquely shaped by a harmonious blending of traditions, our vision is rooted in taarof, the Persian art of gracious hospitality, and culminates in a worldly escape that transcends the comforts of home.

Our story began centuries ago in the Zagros Mountains, where Persian communities brought winecraft to life as early as 5000 BCE. Hailing from the foothills of those mountains, our founder Darioush Khaledi grew up immersed in the ancestral winemaking culture of Shiraz, the fabled city of gardens and poetry. The Darioush legacy stems from this foundational intersection of viticulture, hospitality, cuisine, and art.

Inspired by his heritage and fueled by his entrepreneurial spirit, Darioush set out to California, where he and his wife, Shahpar, realized their dream of opening a boutique winery. The Khaledis ventured into the unexplored territory of the southern Napa Valley, selecting sites that span three distinct AVAs—high atop Mount Veeder, nestled in a pocket of Oak Knoll, and down in the maritime-influenced floor of the valley. In the years since, Darioush’s continued investment has empowered the craftsmanship of intriguing wines that delight guests known and new—a commitment that still guides us today.

Pairing Suggestions

Try with grilled steak, slow-braised beef, roast lamb or mushroom dishes. Its cherry fruit and cedar-spice character also make an inviting partner for aged hard cheeses.

Wine Details

• Producer: Darioush
• Wine: CARAVAN Cabernet Sauvignon
• Region: Napa Valley, California, United States
• Vintage: 2020
• Primary Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Size: 750ml
• Review: Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

Vinous 93 Points by Joaquín Hidalgo writes 93 Points | The 2023 Clio is composed of 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from Jumilla. It was aged for 23 months in French and American oak barrels. Recently bottled, the oak is at the forefront but will integrate. The wine opens with plum, soft herbal notes and blackberry. Intense with fruit complexity, the palate is creamy, flavorful and delicate in tannins, finishing with a touch of oak that will meld with time.

Winemaker Description 

The wine exhibits a glass-coating opaque purple color. The nose is expressive with pain grille, underbrush, brier, minerality, blueberry and blackberry fruit. On the palate is a plush, opulent wine with great density, savory flavors, and a lengthy finish.

The Bodegas El Nido winery is located in the Valle de La Aragona, inside the Murcia district of Jumilla. The vineyards are 76.8 acres of very old Monastrell vines (also known as Matar or Mourvdre) all vaso trained and oriented northeast, and 28.8 acres of 30-year old Cabernet Sauvignon vines on north facing hills. The vineyards have a foot deep layer of chalky stones over substrata of sandy soil. The Bodegas El Nido is a collaboration of the Gil Family and winemaker Chris Ringland, one of the best Australian enologists.

A blend of 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Aged 24 months French & American oak.

Memo Summary Notes

The Bodegas El Nido "Clio" 2023 is a powerhouse red from the Jumilla region of Spain. Created through a collaboration between the Gil family and legendary Australian winemaker Chris Ringland, it is famous for its "maximalist" style—intense, high-alcohol, and deeply oaked.

This wine will overwhelm delicate dishes. Pair it with heavy-hitters like venison, pepper-crusted ribeye, or wild boar stew.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate 99 Points | Colgin's 2021 IX Estate is a rich, opulent example, with layers of ripe black cherries and dark chocolate punctuated by hints of sage and bay leaf, plus some vaguely floral notes (violets?). Full-bodied, concentrated, velvety and long, it's another terrific wine that showcases the potential of Pritchard Hill, the investment by the owners and the talent of the winemaking team.

James Suckling 99 Points | Red currant, lead pencil and terra cotta aromas with some bay leaf and sage. Full-bodied with tight, firm tannins that are polished and very fine. Turns to graphite. Extremely long, refined, polished and exquisite. Best after 2028.

98+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | I’d wager a Napa Valley legend in the making, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon IX Estate comes from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill, and if there was ever a classification of terroirs in the valley, this would check in near the top of the list. Deep purple-hued, with awesome aromatics of pure cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and subtle floral hints, this has that rare mix of power and elegance that defines so many great wines. Full-bodied, concentrated, and flawlessly balanced, it has no shortage of structure and is going to need 7-8 years, if not a decade, to hit full maturity, where it will hold for 2-3 decade.

98 Points Vinous | The 2021 IX Estate is such an elegant wine. Sleek, aromatic and refined, the 2021 is one of the most polished young wines I have tasted from this site. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint abound. Silky and delineated, the 2021 is exceptionally beautiful and balanced. Clean saline notes and veins of tannin extend the explosive, sublime finish. 

Winemaker Description 

One of the "cult" producers to crop up in the early 1990s, Colgin Cellars' first vintage was in 1992, with fruit purchased from the Herb Lamb Vineyard, located on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain, just low enough not to be part of the Howell Mountain AVA. Colgin would later go on to buy land and develop vineyards at Tychson Hill (westside Saint Helena, purchased 1996) and IX Estate (Pritchard Hill, purchased in 1998). In 2017, Ann Colgin and her husband, Joe Wender, sold a controlling interest in Colgin Cellars to LVMH but remain active in the business.

Today, Colgin owns six acres of vines at Tychson Hill and 20 acres of vines at IX Estate, with 11 more acres there currently being developed. Cariad comes primarily from the Abreu-farmed Madrona Ranch, on the western side of Saint Helena. Director of Winemaking Allison Tauziet has been with Colgin since 2005, when she joined as assistant winemaker, so she is nearing 20 years of experience with these wines.

To put the new-release 2021s in perspective, Colgin, Wender and Tauziet presented three vintages each of the four wines reviewed this issue—2016, 2018 and 2021. I guess it will surprise no one that these are all gorgeous wines, given the positive press and numerous accolades bestowed on previous vintages, but it is encouraging to see that success and age hasn't slowed down the Colgin team's pursuit of excellence. I've included my ratings and reviews of the older vintages so readers can compare my impressions to those of my predecessor. Like many other producers, Colgin bottled no wines in 2020. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Allen Meadows of Burghound writes 91-93 Points | There is an interesting hint of white pepper to the cool and exceptionally pretty aromas of exotic tea, anise, violet and lavender. I very much like the caressing mouthfeel of the medium weight flavors that possess moderate austerity and excellent persistence, Lovely.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 98 Points | Loads of wet earth and grape aromas with hints of stems. Old vine aromas of bark and moss. Full-bodied, sweet and structured with a big kick on the end. Very impressive. Exceptional layers of fruit and energy. A stronger and more muscular Warre.

Wine Spectator 97 Points | Lush and inviting in feel, with a beautifully creamy texture that lets plum sauce, blueberry reduction and raspberry pte de fruit flavors glide along effortlessly. Notes of violet, anise and black tea are beguiling in the background before melding seamlessly on the finish. This shimmers with fruit, balanced by depth and spine. Best from 2035 through 2055.

Wine Advocate 96 Points | Relatively accessible, this still shows some impressive firmness to go with its fine concentration. An elegant wine this may be, as Charles Symington called it, but it is still admirable for its structure, even if the whole package is a little understated. Its fruit and mid-palate are nicely supported by moderate tannins. It evolves well with air, easily showing vivid and fresh fruit. It is beautifully textured as well. This is a fine Warre's Port, holding its own next to Dow, better than the 2016 Warre and a force in its own right. It is one of the best in a while. It is relatively accessible but not ready.

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | A ripe, floral wine that has many layers of black fruits with a fresh touch of acidity. The wine is dense while also elegant and poised with tannins and fruit already in balance. That suggests the Port will age relatively quickly. Drink from 2025.

Producer Description 

Deep violet in color with glints of ruby. On the nose, it shows intense and highly complex aromas that evolve in the glass, with notes of herbs, fresh red fruits, spices, and a touch of menthol. 

On the palate, it has a great elegant structure and excellent volume and acidity, giving it a long, pleasant finish. This is a special wine that represents the uniqueness of its vineyard with a real sense of place.

Expert Review - 2020 Vintage

Jesica Vargas of The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | This wine is predominantly Malbec, coming from old vines in Maule Valley. It has a nose of eucalyptus and earthy raspberries. Fine tannins and moderate acidity hold a palate full of cherries, herbs and tobacco. Savory notes shape the aftertaste.

Mas Martinet · Martinet Bru · Priorat, Spain · 2022

Martinet Bru brings together ripe fruit and freshness in a red blend from Priorat. The 2022 reviews highlight Garnatxa, Carinyena, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a winemaking approach that uses concrete and whole clusters to shape its expressive character.

Wine Advocate describes berries, licorice, Mediterranean herbs and spice, followed by a soft, juicy palate and abundant fine-grained tannins. Vinous finds balsamic aromas, sour cherry and marmalade, with a dry, compact texture and a long-lasting mouthfeel. Together, these notes suggest a fruit-driven wine with savory detail and a harmonious finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 Points · 2022: The 2022 Martinet Bru comes from a warm and dry vintage, so they did part with carbonic maceration and the rest with full clusters that were foot trodden all in concrete. The wine matured in concrete and only three months in used barriques. So, the wine has freshness and lightness but also ripeness (14% alcohol) and a very expressive nose with berries, licorice, Mediterranean herbs and some spices. It has a soft palate that is juicy and fruit-driven, with a notable mouthfeel and aftertaste. It has abundant, fine-grained tannins and a sense of harmony.

Vinous, 92 Points · 2022: Hailing from Priorat, the 2022 Martinet Bru is a blend of Garnatxa, Carinyena, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fermented with 100% whole clusters in concrete, this purple-hued wine reveals balsamic aromas with notes of sour cherry and marmalade, reflecting the warmth of the 2022 vintage. Dry and compact, it has a taut and long-lasting mouthfeel.

Wine Spectator, 90 Points · Warm cherry and fig fruit is fresh and juicy on the palate of this balanced red, which offers dusty tannins that create a lightly chewy frame. Shows accents of dried thyme and lavender, with cocoa powder and mineral hints lingering on the finish. Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pairing Suggestions

Try with grilled lamb, roasted vegetables, mushroom dishes or slow-cooked beef. Its juicy fruit and herbal accents offer an inviting match for Mediterranean cooking.

Wine Details

• Producer: Mas Martinet
• Wine: Martinet Bru
• Region: Priorat, Spain
• Vintage: 2022
• Grapes Named by Vinous: Garnatxa, Carinyena, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Maturation Reported by Wine Advocate: Concrete, followed by three months in used barriques
• Alcohol Reported by Wine Advocate: 14%
• Size: 750ml

Producer Description 

Like the rest of Quinta do Noval, the Nacional parcel ripened early in 2020 and was harvested in one day on 17th September. Deepest inky crimson-black colour; sullen and dense on the nose but with underlying opulence; amazing depth and concentration, nothing raw about this despite its youth. Broad, ripe, gravelly tannins, focused with glorious spice and richness. Big and broad on the finish but with remarkable freshness and finesse for a hot year. A ‘wow’ of a wine with a lifetime or more in bottle ahead.

Expert Review

Wine Spectator 99 Points | A bird of a different feather, this shows remarkable purity for the vintage, along with a rippling tension that sets it completely apart. Delivers a mix of cassis, plum sauce and açaí berry compote on the fruit side, along with bramble, salted licorice, cast iron and bittersweet chocolate notes filling in throughout. Massively structured, too, and there's even a flash of violet at the very end—which takes a while to get to. A special wine. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz. Best from 2040 through 2070.

Decanter 99 Points | Like the rest of Quinta do Noval, the Nacional parcel ripened early in 2020 and was harvested in one day on 17th September. Deepest inky crimson-black colour; sullen and dense on the nose but with underlying opulence; amazing depth and concentration, nothing raw about this despite its youth. Broad, ripe, gravelly tannins, focused with glorious spice and richness. Big and broad on the finish but with remarkable freshness and finesse for a hot year. A ‘wow’ of a wine with a lifetime or more in bottle ahead.

Vinous 99 Points | The 2020 Nacional was picked from 1 to 22 September, a relatively short harvest. It has a magnificent, exquisitely defined bouquet with a purity that bowls you over, perhaps even more intense than the 2019 Nacional tasted alongside. The palate is extraordinarily pure and intense, slightly viscous in texture, with layers of cassis, black cherries, blood orange and a dab of spice. Seamless on the finish. This is a worthy follow-up to the stellar 2019 Nacional. The two will fight between themselves for supremacy. Tasted at the Quinta do Noval tasting at Spring restaurant in London.

Stag's Leap · Napa Valley · 2021

Petite Sirah | Napa Valley, California | United States | 750ml

Producer & Place

The Stags’ Leap estate has a colorful Napa Valley history, with grape plantings dating to 1872. Its historic manor, wine caves and sensory garden offer a backdrop to this Napa Valley Petite Sirah.

Tasting Profile

The reviews retained below describe blackberry, blueberry and boysenberry alongside stone and ink, with richly spiced notes of cinnamon, clove, fig and dates. A generous, structured red for the dinner table.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

James Suckling, 94 Points: Lots of blackberry, stone and ink aromas that follow through with blackberry, blueberry, and boysenberry notes. Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of flavor but not overdone. Shows balance and beauty. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points: This mouthwatering and structural Petite Sirah is built to accompany juicy cuts of steak, mushroom risotto or richer pastas. The flavors are bright, mouthwatering and also richly spiced with cinnamon, clove and candied ginger. Notes of fig and chopped dates emerge with further sipping.

Food Pairings

Serve with juicy steak, mushroom risotto or richer pasta dishes, as suggested in the Wine Enthusiast review.

Wine Details

• Wine: Stag's Leap Petite Sirah
• Vintage: 2021
• Region: Napa Valley, California
• Country: United States
• Varietal: Petite Sirah
• Type: Red wine
• Size: 750ml

Expert Reviews

Allen Meadows Burghound 91-93 Points | Here too the nose is quite fresh with its combination of apple, white flowers and just sliced citrus, especially lemon. There is both excellent punch and a lovely texture though only average density to the lingering and balanced finish where a touch of youthful austerity slowly emerges. While this could be enjoyed young, it has apparent development potential so at least a few years of keeping are recommended. (2022). 

Vinous 93-94 Points | The 2022 Meursault-Blagny 1er Cru had a lot of reduction when I tasted it from barrel though its intensity was clear. The palate is very promising: wonderful tension here steely and spicier than the Meursault Village with touches of fennel and white pepper on the finish. Quite feisty and surely one for long-term aging. (Drink between 2026-2048).

Domaine Antoine Jobard · Meursault · 2024

Antoine Jobard crafts his Meursault from meticulously tended parcels in one of Burgundy's most prized white wine villages, adhering to a hands-off, terroir-first approach in both vineyard and cellar. The 2024 village Meursault is an excellent expression of the appellation's hallmark richness and minerality.

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2024 (Barrel Sample)

Allen Meadows, Burghound, 89-92 Points — A very Meursault nose of white fleshed fruit, acacia blossom, hazelnut and a whiff of citrus character introduces rich and seductively textured medium weight flavors that flash a lovely minerality that adds a sense of lift to the bitter lemon-tined finale. This is also an excellent villages and worth considering.

Jasper Morris, 90-92 Points — Mid lemon and lime. The bouquet is not overtly weighty. The hillside vineyards and those below complement each other. There is certainly excellent energy beneath here a fine thread to freshen the weight of white orchard fruit. Impeccable village Meursault.

Specs

• Producer: Domaine Antoine Jobard
• Vintage: 2024
• Appellation: Meursault, Burgundy, France
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Size: 750ml

Winemaker Description

Produced from a small walled vineyard close to the Lanson winery in Reims, this is a splendid wine. Its richness is balanced by the intense freshness and minerality of the Chardonnay, with apple and citrus flavors that still in the background. Now mature, this wine is ready to drink.

Expert Reviews

Wine Enthusiast 97 Points | Produced from a small walled vineyard close to the Lanson winery in Reims, this is a splendid wine. Its richness is balanced by the intense freshness and minerality of the Chardonnay, with apple and citrus flavors that still in the background. Now mature, this wine is ready to drink.

Wine Advocate 94 Points | Disgorged in July 2016 with only three grams per liter dosage, the 2007 Brut Blanc de Blancs Clos Lanson is showing very well indeed, unwinding in the glass with notes of dried white flowers, citrus oil, toasted brioche, oyster shell and smoke. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and vibrant, with a racy spine of acidity, good concentration and chalky structuring extract. This is quite a tightly knit, tensile wine, despite the warm mesoclimate and two years on cork, which suggests it will enjoy a long future.

Vinous 93 Points | Clos Lanson's 2007 Brut Blanc de Blancs is a very pretty, soft Champagne that can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. Bright citrus and floral notes, along with soft contours, give much of its immediacy and sheer allure. Understated and classy, the 2007 will drink well for a number of years, but it is also remarkably giving and enjoyable today for a relatively young Blanc de Blancs. Although it is not super-complex, the 2007 offers quite a bit of freshness and character. An open bottle was still in great shape when I re-tasted it a few days later. Disgorged: July 2016.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Fragrant, featuring lime blossom and ground spice notes, this fine and creamy Champagne offers a broad range of lemon parfait, chopped hazelnut, spun honey and dried cherry flavors, underscored by chalky minerality. Elegant and well-knit, with a firm, focused finish. Disgorged July 2016. Drink now through 2030. 665 cases made.

Vinous 93 Points | The 2023 Morey-Saint-Denis Les Ruchots 1er Cry offers the most transparency on the nose among Arlaud's Morey Premier Crus, with intense, well-defined blackberry and raspberry fruit and fine mineralite. The medium-bodied palate features pliant tannins and commendable depth, though it may not reach the complexity of the Aux Chesaux or Blanchards on the finish. Give this two or three years in the bottle.

"A fine even purple. The bouquet is beautifully, florally, perfumed. This seems to be one of the riper wines but still has the quintessential cool balance of an Arlaud wine. Heady roses, with a ripe raspberry underlay. The acidity is sufficiently present and the tannins refined A long, supple finish. Drink from 2031-2038. Tasted Dec 2024."

Jasper Morris 92-95 Points

Expert Reviews

Allen Meadows of Burghoud writes 94-96 Points | As with several wines in the range, there is a subtle touch of wood evident on the ripe and ultra-pure floral-inflected nose of violet, lavender, rose petal, exotic tea and red cherry scents. There is impressive concentration to the middleweight plus flavors that brim with dry extract that imparts a seductive mouthfeel as well as buffers the borderline robust tannins shaping the hugely persistent and strikingly powerful finish. This is brilliant but it's also very much built-to-age so buy it and forget it.

Critic Notes

Charles Curtis MW of Decanter writes 96 Points | The Clos de la Roche from Arlaud is from the lieu-dit Mochamps; the parcel runs from the road up to Domaine Ponsot. 20% of the grapes are fermented as whole clusters, and the wine is ageing now in cask, 20% new. The wine is charmingly aromatic, with a ripe, peony-scented cherry fruit and earthy notes. The texture is silky, round, and velvety; there is more aromatic expression but less depth than the Charmes-Chambertin. The wine should start to open in five years and will continue to improve for a further twenty.

Vinous 95-97 Points | The 2022 Clos-de-la-Roche Grand Cru has all the tropes you expect from this vineyard, with exuberant wild strawberry, raspberry confit and blood orange scents bursting from the glass. The oak is very well-integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins and darker fruit than the Charmes-Chambertin, with impressive precision on the finish. This is extremely promising.

Allen Meadows of Burghound writes 93-96 Points | Note: from a .43 ha parcel in Mochamps; 75% from 25+ year old vines and the remainder are from 40+ year old vines. A discreet application of wood sets off the herbal tea and markedly floral-inflected red currant-scanted nose where a background touch of freshly turned earth lurks. I like the sense of energy and volume to the bigger-bodied and more powerful flavors that manage to be both denser and super-sleek, all wrapped in a moderately austere and very tightly wound finale that delivers simply superb length. This is flat out terrific and a wine that should amply reward extended cellaring, indeed I would suggest not even thinking of opening a bottle before 10 years have passed."
*Burghound Don't Miss!*

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2022

Decanter — 96 Points (Charles Curtis MW)
"The complex blend of exotic Asian spice, forward pomegranate fruit, and savoury, earthy notes make the Chambolle Sentiers an intriguing wine. Some oak is still showing through, but this will integrate with time. There is more density and extract than one might think for a Chambolle at this level, which draws this out to a forceful and long conclusion — charming wine. The grapes come from a parcel of 0.23 hectares that are partially destemmed and aged in a combination of new and used casks. Drinking 2025 to 2050."

Burghound — 92–94 Points (Allen Meadows)
"A slightly more elegant nose combines notes of red cherry and raspberry with discreet touches of earth and discreet wood. The slightly finer and succulent middleweight flavors possess very good verve while exhibiting very fine depth and persistence on the finish, dusty, youthfully austere and built to age. Patience strongly suggested — this should make for a beautiful bottle in time."

Vinous — 91–93 Points (Neal Martin)
"The 2022 Chambolle-Musigny Les Sentiers 1er Cru has a complex bouquet with black cherries, blood orange, sous-bois and an overall pastille-like purity. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit. With a good backbone, this leans towards Morey in style with a grippy, quite deep, almost obdurate finish. It has the substance to age with style. Drinking 2026 to 2046."

About Les Sentiers

Les Sentiers is a Premier Cru vineyard in Chambolle-Musigny situated on the southern border of the appellation, adjacent to Morey-Saint-Denis — which explains the slightly more structured, grippy character that distinguishes it from the more ethereal, perfumed wines of the village’s northern Premier Crus. At Domaine Arlaud, Les Sentiers is farmed as a micro-parcel of just 0.23 hectares — producing a wine of extraordinary concentration and site specificity. Partially destemmed and aged in a combination of new and used casks, it is built for the long haul: a wine to cellar and revisit over decades.

About Domaine Arlaud

Domaine Arlaud is one of the Côte de Nuits’ most exciting and critically acclaimed estates, based in Morey-Saint-Denis and farming vineyards across some of Burgundy’s most prestigious appellations — from Bourgogne Rouge through Chambolle-Musigny, Gevrey-Chambertin, and multiple Grand Crus. Under the direction of Cyprien Arlaud, the domaine has converted entirely to certified organic and biodynamic viticulture, with a winemaking philosophy centered on minimal intervention, whole-cluster fermentation, and the purest possible expression of each terroir. The results have drawn consistent praise from the world’s leading critics, with scores regularly reaching the mid-to-high 90s for their Premier and Grand Cru bottlings.

Food Pairings

Roasted squab, duck breast with cherry reduction, venison, wild mushroom dishes, aged Epoisses, and classic Burgundian preparations. A Premier Cru built for the finest occasions — drink 2025 through 2050.

Product Details

• Producer: Domaine Arlaud
• Vineyard: Les Sentiers (Premier Cru) — 0.23 hectares
• Appellation: Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Farming: Certified organic and biodynamic
• Vinification: Partially destemmed, aged in new and used casks
• Vintage: 2022
• Drink: 2025–2050
• Style: Structured, age-worthy Premier Cru Chambolle-Musigny
• Format: 750ml

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Burghoud Allen Meadows 93-96 Points | An expressive, ripe and airy nose features the relatively primary essence of plum liqueur, kirsch, spice and earth notes. The strikingly intense and sleek larger-bodied flavors possess only average concentration yet there is impressive power on the moderately austere and beautifully long finish that tightens up noticeable as it sits on the palate. I suspect that this will flesh out and add richness with time in bottle though like several wines in the range, this is going to require extended patience.

Winemaker Description

While the 2021 vintage is defined by concentration and fine tannins often found in warm, dry vintages, it is nuanced by the freshness and liveliness typical of this cool growing region. The balance of elegant, forward profiles from the Bearman Bend Vineyard with the structured, spice-driven qualities from Monument Tree Vineyard come together to create a compelling snapshot of the Anderson Valley. Aromas of ripe wild strawberry rose and cedar on the nose are complemented by supple tannins and a long, lifted finish.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 93 Points | Nicely deep in black fruit and savory flavors, this well-balanced wine offers excellent focus, depth and length. It’s medium- to full-bodied, moderately tannic and delicious. Stays fresh with good acidity from the first sip to the lingering finish.

Decanter 92 Points | A Pinot Noir blend of grapes from Bearman Bend, the Twomey estate in Anderson Valley, along with Ferrington Vineyard and Monument Tree Vineyard fruit. Lovely, bright, crunchy red fruit, rich cedar spices, dried floral notes, and dusty minerals. Satiny fruit races across the palate, along with plump tannins, electrified by terrific acidity. The fruit concentration is penetrating but never overpowering and is framed by a clove powder and cedarwood dusting on the long finish. Director of Winemaking Justin Hirigoyen has moved the program further away from whole cluster fermentations to avoid too much vintage variation, and readers should expect a consistent fruit-forward, structured style in Twomey's Anderson Valley Pinot Noir.

Eyrie Vineyards | Estate Pinot Noir | Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon | 2022 | Organic

Eyrie Vineyards is one of Oregon's most historically significant wineries — the estate that put Willamette Valley Pinot Noir on the world map. Founded in 1966 by David Lett, who planted the first Pinot Noir vines in the Willamette Valley, Eyrie has been at the forefront of Oregon wine for over half a century. Today, Jason Lett continues his father's legacy with the same commitment to minimal intervention, regenerative farming, and wines of extraordinary purity and terroir expression.

The Estate Pinot Noir is a blend from Eyrie's five certified-organic estate vineyards in the Dundee Hills — one of the Willamette Valley's most celebrated sub-appellations, known for its ancient Jory volcanic soils, gentle slopes, and the ideal combination of warm days and cool nights that allow Pinot Noir to ripen slowly and develop remarkable complexity. Farming follows the precepts of regenerative no-till viticulture, with strict attention paid not just to the vines but to the healthy networks of soil organisms that support them — capturing atmospheric carbon, avoiding artificial irrigation, and nourishing the vines without additional fertilizer.

Harvested by hand, the Pinot Noir is destemmed and fermented natively in a variety of vessels, from small one-ton bins to a 5-ton wooden cuvée. Barrels are predominantly neutral (only 8% new for this vintage), preserving the purity and transparency of the fruit. After native malolactic fermentation and nearly two years of aging, the wine is blended, racked once without filtration, and bottled under Diam cork.

The 2022 is transparent ruby in the glass. The nose is pure, floral, and lifted — fresh red cherries, roses, blackberries, violets, pine needles, forest floor, and dried herbs. On the palate, weightless yet structured, with fine-grained tannins, bright acidity, and flavors of raspberry, cherry, black tea, cinnamon, cacao nibs, and a hint of bone marrow. Elegant, defined, and built to age. Drink now through 2034.

Pair with roast duck, mushroom risotto, salmon, lamb, charcuterie, and aged Pinot-friendly cheeses.

• Producer: Eyrie Vineyards
• Appellation: Dundee Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2022
• Farming: Certified Organic; regenerative no-till
• Vinification: Hand-harvested; native fermentation; predominantly neutral oak; unfiltered; Diam cork
• Drink: Now through 2034
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Critical Acclaim — Vintage 2022

• Jeb Dunnuck — 93 pts: Pure and lifted — fresh red cherries, roses, spices, and fresh forest herbs. Fine-grained, well-defined tannins. Weightless but with a juicy feel. Should be very appealing over the next 8–10 years.
• James Suckling — 93 pts: Pure, elegant, complex and savory — red cherries, black tea, savory herbs. Medium body and moderate tannins support fresh red fruit, cloves and minerals. Tangy and well balanced.
• Wine Enthusiast — 93 pts: Blackberries, violets, pine needles, duff and mushroom. Tart black cherry and lemon zest joined by cacao nibs and bone marrow. Crisp acidity and silky tannins.
• Wine Spectator — 93 pts: Elegantly refined — raspberry and cherry accented with cinnamon, black tea and spice. Fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2034.

Winemaker Description

Exclusively crafted under the meticulous care of the Herzog family and Herzog Wine Cellars’ head winemaker, David Galzignato, the Yesod wine series features three ultra-premium single-vineyard wines. Each wine is sourced from some of the most acclaimed vineyards in Napa Valley, California, and are a testament to the family’s rich history and the ambitious vision for Herzog Wine Cellars.

Expert Reviews

Robert Parker 95 Points | Brilliant aromas of black cherries and cassis jump from the glass, as the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Peak Edcora Vineyard bursts with fruit. All Cabernet Sauvignon, from a site that neighbors Stagecoach Vineyard, this is a medium to full-bodied, densely concentrated example of mountain fruit, yet it's one that is not harsh or tough, with well-ripened tannins and a plush, lingering finish. Bravo. 

Jeb Dunnuck 94+ Points | All varietal, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Peak Edcora Vineyard is another deep purple-hued wine in the lineup with tons to love. Pure cassis, graphite, leafy herbs, and damp earth-like nuances all shine here, and it's medium to full-bodied, with beautiful mid-palate depth, ripe, integrated, yet ample tannins, and a great finish. It offers pleasure today, yet I see no reason this shouldn't evolve for 15+ years if well stored. It's another gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon in the vintage. 

The Wine Independent 97+ Points | Deep garnet-purple in color, the single-varietal 2021 Peak Edcora Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon charges out of the gate with bold notions of creme de cassis, blackberry pie, and boysenberry preserves followed by nuances of dark chocolate, camphor, and black olives. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with black fruit and savory layers, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering minty note. 

Winemaker Description

Leclerc Briant was an early adopter of organic practices beginning in the 1960’s and pioneered the concept of single-vineyard Champagne starting in the 1970’s. Fifth generation vigneron, Pascal Leclerc began to follow biodynamic principles in 1988, with part of the production Demeter certified since 2003.

Expert Review

Wine Advocate 94 Points | The 2018 Les Monts Ferrés Blanc de Blancs derives from vines planted in the eponymous parcel in the 1er cru village of Vertus. It reveals a delicate, fine bouquet with aromas of fresh bread, acacia, spring flowers and ripe orchard fruits. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced, it’s enveloping and structured with both racy and bright acidity. This is a tension-filled, ethereal Champagne with a dosage of 1.4 grams per liter.

Winemaker Description

For its 170th anniversary, Maison Besserat de Bellefon gave its cellar master, Cédric Thibault, the freedom to imagine an exceptional cuvée expressing the best of his style. Perfect for special occasions, this extraordinary champagne will pair perfectly with lobster or haddock.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | This limited-edition wine is a blend of grand cru Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Aged for 10 years in bottle, it is a steely, structured wine that brings sophistication to the white fruits and lively acidity. Drink now.  

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Wine Spectator 93 Points | The 2020 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts opens in the glass with notes of plums and wild berries mingled with aromas of orange oil, exotic spices, smoked duck and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, layered and muscular, it's finer-boned and less overtly powerful than its 2019 and 2018 predecessors, even if it's still a serious, structured, concentrated wine.

Barrel Sample: 93-95 Burghound 93 Points | This is the first wine to show any appreciable reduction though the whole cluster vinification does peek through the funk. Once again, the bigger-bodied and much more muscular flavors possess a highly attractive texture thanks to the generous dry extract that partially buffers the prominent tannic spine supporting the robust, powerful and gorgeously complex and persistent finish. This is a classic Malconsorts which is very much built to reward longer-term cellaring.

Barrel Sample: 93-95 Decanter 96 Points | A dense, almost creamy, concentrated cassis fruit, adorned with notes of smoke, spice and salt. Focused, with plenty of tannin and extract, this is a wonderful wine. 2020 saw tiny yields from Dujac's 1.55ha in Malconsorts - no more than 10-15 hl/ha. The fruit was partially destemmed and fermented slowly prior to ageing. The wine gets the same 16 months in 70% new casks that the grand crus receive. 

Expert Reviews

Burghound Allen Meadows 95 Points | A subtle touch of wood serves as a suitably discreet backdrop for the exceptionally floral-infused and perfumed nose that offers up additional notes of spice, red currant and pekoe tea. The round, refined and lilting if impressively intense flavors are blessed with excellent punch and power while exhibiting a lovely salinity on the built-to-age finish. This refined effort is very classy, indeed the word Zen comes up mind.

Neal Martin of Vinous 95 Points | The 2016 La Grande Rue Grand Cru has a very pure, almost pastille-like bouquet with copious red cherry fruit mixed with crushed strawberry and a little cassis. La Grande Rue? [Post script: Bingo!] The palate is very pretty with fine-grain tannin. This is surfeit with freshness and vitality, although it does not quite have the depth and structure of other Grand Crus from the appellation. It does fan out towards the finish. The persistence, and the saline aftertaste are very appealing. Excellent. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.

Jasper Morris 94-97 Points | A little more density to the colour. Impressive intensity of floral notes, even some slightly darker fruit notes for a change. Fine density to this, as discreet as you want up front, but nonetheless more detail than the earlier wines, very silky texture across the middle, not an extra burst of intensity but still a thread of velvet which endures for much longer. Red fruits, not quite the blood orange I have noted in some vintages, and certainly the exquisite elegance that Nicole is searching for. Very classy, is it quite intense enough? The little traces of acidity are entirely woven in, a faint sign of whole bunch in the final texture. Fruit comes back behind. You could miss the point of this or adore it. Tasted: October 2017