Special Designation

94 points James Suckling"A pretty red with density and richness, offering cherry and chocolate aromas and flavors, as well as hazelnuts. Yet, it’s tight and so fine and focused. Very polished tannins run the length of the palate." 93 points Wine...

92 points Vinous"Opaque ruby. Mineral-accented aromas of blackberry, cherry-cola and violet are complemented by a hint of exotic spices. Sappy and appealingly sweet, offering palate-staining black and blue fruit, floral pastille, smoky mineral and...

98 points Decanter"Here is one of the stars of this challenging vintage. A muscular wine, leading with tremendous freshness on the palate, restrained red-toned fruit, and very subtle yet elegant cedar wood intermixed with red-rock minerality. Medium to...

92 points Vinous"The 2017 Chianti Classico is bright, floral and beautifully lifted, with lovely red berry and rose petal character. Pliant and supple, with terrific balance, the Querciabella 2017 is one of the more refined, restrained Chianti Classicos...

96 points Wine Advocate"More backward, concentrated and closed, yet just loaded with potential, the 2015 Ermitage Le Reverdy is—I suspect— the finest white I’ve tasted from this estate. Coming from the Beaume and le Méal...

99 points James Suckling"So much sweet tobacco, stone, brambleberry and currant on the nose. The palate is full and compact with very polished tannins, yet they are solid and sturdy and run the length and width of the wine. Energetic acidity. Very...

95 points Jeb Dunnuck"My money is on the 2018 Château Pédesclaux being the best to date, and this estate has made leaps and bounds in terms of quality over the past decade. The 2018 is made from 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5%...

95 points James Suckling"A very serious St.-Estèphe with excellent concentration, firm tannins and a dark soul. I love the earth, walnut, bark and smoke aromas that pour out of this. Very long, dramatic, dry finish. Better from 2021." 94 points...

93 points Decanter"Majoring on black pepper spice, damson and raspberry fruits, this is austere right now, with plenty of tannic heft. A wine that is going to age well but needs another five years in bottle to really open up. But there is juice...

95 points Jeb Dunnuck"Coming all from sedimentary soils on the eastern side of the hill and brought up in 20% new barrels, the 2016 Ermitage Les Dionnières is a gem in the lineup. Blackberries, currants, roasted herbs, cured meats, and spice notes...

96 points Wine Advocate"The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (400 cases produced) will be the last vintage of this cuvee. A fabulous wine fashioned from 50-100-year old vines (80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre), its dense purple color...

94 points Wine Advocate"The 2021 Niederberg Helden Spätlese opens with a clear, intense, very elegant, savory and classic Spätlese nose, with blue slate splinters in its ripe but crisp and crunchy fruit. Lush and saline on the palate, this is a...