Wine

Roll over: Pure crystalline nose, very little reduction - classical left bank Chablis. 

Here too the nose is elegant, pure and layered but with more floral and spice nuances adding breadth to the cooler and more restrained aromas. There is both excellent intensity and density to the mineral-driven flavors that terminate in a bone-dry, sneaky long and balanced finale. This too is really very good. 91-93 Burghound

Roll over: Full-bodied palate, with lovely roundness.

Derived from old vines in Les Minots (that are a source for the Fèvre massale selection), as well as holdings in Roncières and Chatains, the 2020 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons unwinds in the glass with notes of white flowers, crisp stone fruit and clear honey. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and enveloping, it's a beautifully vibrant, racy wine that concludes with a long, penetrating finish. It's the best young Vaillons I've ever tasted chez Fèvre. Robert Parker.com

Roll over: There is a saying that once you start to fall under wine's spell, that all roads will lead you to Burgundy.

Dominique Lafon was the first Côte d'Or superstar to expand his holdings into the Mâconnais followed by Domaine Leflaive. They have breathed new life and prestige into this cooperative dominated region. Les Héritieres du Comte Lafon produces wines ranging from generic Mâcon up to four single-vineyard wines. With the same biodynamic techniques as used in his Meursault domaine, Lafon has crafted a range of delicious wines that show the regions true potential.

Roll over: Full-bodied palate, with lovely roundness.

Roll over: There is a saying that once you start to fall under wine's spell, that all roads will lead you to Burgundy.

Dominique Lafon was the first Côte d'Or superstar to expand his holdings into the Mâconnais followed by Domaine Leflaive. They have breathed new life and prestige into this cooperative dominated region. Les Héritieres du Comte Lafon produces wines ranging from generic Mâcon up to four single-vineyard wines. With the same biodynamic techniques as used in his Meursault domaine, Lafon has crafted a range of delicious wines that show the regions true potential.

This Viré-Clessé from Héritiers du Comte Lafon has a delightful energy. Aromas range from green apple to nectarine and fresh white flowers, all marked with a smoky reductive quality. There is a lively acidity but enough richness to ensure a lingering finish. In 2021, the grapes came mainly from the ‘Clos Viré’ according to Pierre Lafon; this includes the oldest vines on the estate he rents in the commune of Viré. The result is refreshing indeed, yet it should hold well for several years. 92points Decanter

Roll over: The meeting of two winemakers from the two hemispheres.

The 2020 season was very cool—it snowed during vintage—and the wine spent an extended time in oak: 26 months, as opposed to 32 months for the 2019 and 17 months for the 2018. The yield this year was one barrel more than the 2019, another interesting point. So, the 2020 Cuvée Aux Antipodes Blanc feels the sweet spot in terms of minerality and savoriness—it is restrained and composed and aromatically voluminous. In the mouth, the wine touches both extremes. The composure of the fruit is enlivened by the electricity from the acidity, and the combination is a truly exciting and svelte drinking experience. It's really, really good. The phenolics are tightly woven and flowing through the finish, and these grab the flavor and propel it further into the finish. Remarkable wine. Superb. Nine barrels were made. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam. 97 Robert Parker.com

Prophet’s Rock know that great wines begin in the vineyard. That’s why they embrace an approach to winemaking that shares the splendour of the place rather than pronounced winemaking characteristics. The result Iconic wines that invoke Central Otago’s striking, unforgettable beauty.

Roll over: Full-bodied palate, with lovely roundness.

The 2021 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons reveals a perfumed bouquet of white flowers, citrus zest, crisp orchard fruit and shells, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and seamless palate that's bright and charming, with a pure, elegant profile. This has turned out beautifully. Robert Parker.com

Roll over: The meeting of two winemakers from the two hemispheres.

The 2022 Cuvée Aux Antipodes Blanc is a magnificent triumph of yields. Where previously this 1.8-hectare plot produced anywhere from six to eight barrels of wine, the 2022 produced 23 barrels of wine—very exciting for followers of this cuvée. On the nose, the wine is showing its youth, but far from being inchoate, it is long and polished through the very long finish. It's got lashings of stone fruit and preserved citrus, white pepper, star anise, shaved fennel, juniper and cold buttered toast. This is a wonderful wine of potential and kaleidoscopic complexity, although it is far tighter and more compact than previous years. Searingly good. This was an unlabeled bottle pre-release. 13% alcohol, sealed under Diam. 96+ Robert Parker.com

Prophet’s Rock know that great wines begin in the vineyard. That’s why they embrace an approach to winemaking that shares the splendour of the place rather than pronounced winemaking characteristics. The result Iconic wines that invoke Central Otago’s striking, unforgettable beauty.

Roll over: Weingut Egon Müller is a renowned wine estate based just outside the village of Wiltingen.

Lively and subtle nose of ripe yellow apple, white peach and wild flowers. Juicy and elegant with a vibrant acidity that lights this up beautifully. A touch of perceptible grape sweetness at the front of the medium-bodied palate, but the long, wet stone finish is admirably dry. Spot on balance. Drink or hold. 92 points James Suckling

Roll over: This is an elegant and immensely pleasurable vintage.

 "Our old vines are over 35 years old and produce an exceptionally intense and aromatic wine that reflects the unique character of its terroir. With its deep, clear ruby red hue, it reveals notes of black fruits and excellent strength and concentration. As with all Gevrey-Chambertin, it requires a few years of patience before reaching its full potential." - Domaine Faiveley

Roll over: A wine for Chablis lovers because of its freshness 

Consisting of roughly equal parts Montmains, Butteaux and Forêts (the three sous-climats of Montmains), the 2020 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains offers up aromas of crisp green apple, white flowers, bee pollen and oyster shell. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, it's taut and precise, concluding with a saline finish. Robert Parker.com

Roll over:  Red fruit and bubbles.

Fragrant wafts of smoke and spice accent the steeped raspberry and mandarin orange peel flavors of this tightly meshed rosé Champagne, which is backed by a vivid spine of mouthwatering acidity and is silky on the palate, with hints of dried herb, licorice and toasted almond playing on the finish. Drink now through 2025. Wine Spectator

Roll over: Weingut Egon Müller is a renowned wine estate based just outside the village of Wiltingen.

The famous Saar estate has been in the hands of the Muller family since 1797 and they currently own just over 8 hectares of the stellar Scharzhofberg vinyeard, the Saar's most qualified contender for the title of "great growth", challenging the famous sites of the Middle Mosel with ease.

Pie crust and hedgerow aromas with a touch of blackberry. The generous fruit is balanced by strident, but well-integrated acidity on the light-bodied palate. The racy finish is prototypical Saar riesling. Drink or hold. 93 pts JamesSuckling.com

Roll over: Weingut Egon Müller is a renowned wine estate based just outside the village of Wiltingen.

Roll over: Rich and Intense.

Deep ruby. Pungent red and blue fruit and floral scents are complemented by suggestions of succulent herbs and white pepper. Lively, penetrating and appealingly sweet, showing good depth as well as detail to the black raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors. Finishes long and smoky, with supple tannins coming in late. Vinous

Roll over: Excellent nerve and acidity with real cut and potential. 

One of the finest wines in the portfolio this year is the 2020 Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent, a taut, youthfully reserved bottling of immense promise. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus zest, beeswax, crisp white peach, white flowers, freshly baked bread and oyster shell, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and seamless, with terrific tensioning intensity in a tightly wound format. It's warmly recommended, though patience will be required. Robert Parker.com