Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot) is a ripe, flamboyant and brilliantly proportioned effort that oozes kirsch, licorice, lead pencil shavings and dried spice on the nose. Showing the perfume and headiness of the vintage, it nevertheless stays vibrant and lively on the palate while delivering layers of fruit and texture. While formidably structured and tannic, it can be enjoyed now due to the overall tannin quality and purity of fruit. It will evolve and drink well for over two decades. (JD)

The 2013 Barolo Ginestra shows grace and purity, with significant power at the back that is partially fueled by the wine's well-integrated alcohol (recorded at 15%). The wine's texture is compact, and the flavor knitting is tight and carefully detailed. These qualities bode very well for the future evolution of this vintage that will undoubtedly soften and flesh out with more time in the bottle. (ML)

Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon bursts from the glass with bold notions of crushed blueberries, boysenberries and blackcurrant cordial plus a fragrant undercurrent of powdered cinnamon, pain grille, candied violets and melted chocolate with a waft of peppermint. Full-bodied, the palate is decadently fruited with a generous coating of black and blue fruit preserves and loads of spicy sparks, supported by beautifully ripe, plush tannins, finishing long and perfumed. (LPB)

The 2016 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru is showing brilliantly from bottle, unwinding with aeration to reveal a deep and brooding bouquet of plums, cassis and cherries mingled with notions of grilled meats, ceps, peonies and iodine. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, textural and enveloping, with a muscular chassis of ripe tannin that's cloaked in a core of vibrant and concentrated fruit, concluding with a long and thrillingly carnal finish.

Tasted blind at Flint Wines’ 2007/2012 Nuits Saint-Georges tasting in London. The 2012 Nuits Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Chaignots appears to have improved a great deal since I last tasted it. Here, it offers a detailed and composed bouquet with precise red cherry, cranberry and pomegranate fruit, an underlying mineralité that surfaces with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine delineation, precise and poised with a harmonious and pure finish that is a pure delight. Classy and thoughtful winemaking afoot here. (NM)

La Colombina's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a dark and sultry appearance, followed by aromas of blackberry, plum and dark cherry. Those dark fruit flavors are not heavy, and instead they show the lightness and lifted aromatic intensity that comes so uniquely to the Sangiovese grape, especially in a classic vintage such as this. Spice, tar and campfire ash come up on the finish. This is a well-priced 11,000-bottle release for medium-term drinking. (ML)

La Colombina's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a dark and sultry appearance, followed by aromas of blackberry, plum and dark cherry. Those dark fruit flavors are not heavy, and instead they show the lightness and lifted aromatic intensity that comes so uniquely to the Sangiovese grape, especially in a classic vintage such as this. Spice, tar and campfire ash come up on the finish. This is a well-priced 11,000-bottle release for medium-term drinking. (ML)

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Petrus comes galloping out of the glass with bold, expressive notions of Black Forest cake, blueberry preserves and Christmas pudding with nuances of molten chocolate, Chinese five spice, candied violets, licorice and kirsch plus wafts of roses and cinnamon stick. Full-bodied, rich, spicy and fantastically concentrated, the palate has compelling freshness and a solid base of wonderfully ripe, velvety tannins, finishing very long and opulent. The aromatics at this youthful stage are atypical for Petrus and quite stunning—this 2017 is a bombshell!

ARRIVING MID-MARCH 2021.

Tasted blind at the 10-Year On Tasting in Sauternes. The 2005 Château Climens just soars from the glass with layers of clear honey, marmalade, nectarine and minerals all beautifully carved. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh, vibrant honeyed fruit that builds and builds in the mouth in tandem with a killer line of acidity. Even though it is a convincing, great Climens, you also have the impression that it is only just beginning to show what it is capable of. Bérénice Lurton and her team excelled in this vintage and it comes strongly recommended. (NM)