Wine Ratings

wines

The 2021 Chardonnay Zotovich Vineyard is a bright and focused from start to finish. Crushed rocks, lime, salt and white pepper are all beautifully delineated in this vibrant, intensely saline Chardonnay. All the elements are so nicely put together. This is another wonderfully translucent wine in the range.Vinous Media | 94 VMThis bottling sports a very pithy, citrus-rind-driven nose, with wet rock and tight apple flesh aromas also apparent. The palate is loaded with a rocky mineralitty, but also packed with citrus spray, Asian pear and mandarin flesh flavors.Wine Enthusiast | 94 WESamsara’s 2017 Zotovich Chardonnay is an excellent rendition of this top quality site. From the first vintage that Samsara produces white wines, it was fermented in all neutral oak and four barrels were produced. The nose is equal parts toasty, honeyed and saline, with aromas of cracker, coconut and sea spray. The palate is chiseled and linear, combining green apple, pineapple rind and salted caramel flavours. Chardonnay from this site seems to consistently marry weight and power with lift and focus, as is the case here.Decanter | 92 DEC

Layered, elegant, vivid and mineral-driven, this full-bodied wine paints a distinct picture of one of Sonoma County’s oldest, most iconic chardonnay vineyards. Stone, kiwi and crisp apple notes fill the aromas, while light accents of butter and vanilla bean highlight the vibrant green apple and lime flavors. It expands on the palate and echoes for minutes in the finish. This wine is known to age well, so drink or hold.James Suckling | 97 JSElegant and precise, this crisp expression offers plenty to admire -- apple, lemon zest and Sumo orange notes, plus an aromatic punch of yuzu, orange blossoms and sweet grass. A quiet toasted brioche detail lingers in the background, as does a savory thread of freshly grated ginger and toasted green tea hints. Drink now through 2032. 774 cases made.Wine Spectator | 95 WSThe 2021 Chardonnay Rochioli Vineyard is bright and focused, but also understated in feel. Sweet floral and citrus notes give the 2021 lovely aromatic presence to match the wine’s understated, mid-weight personality. Bright saline tones add energy and tension throughout. Lemon peel, white pepper and crushed rocks linger.Vinous Media | 93 VM

Lime and spicy pear with crushed stone. Kumquats. Smoke and iron. Kiwi. Full and rounded with bitter pear and steel. Dried limes. Unique minerality. Bright acidity. Touch of sweetness at the end that makes it fascinating. 65% sauvignon blanc and 35% semillon. September release. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 97 JSThe 2021 Y d’Yquem is a blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Sémillon, possessing 7.2 grams per liter of residual sugar. Strait-laced notes of struck flint and wet slate on the nose give way to a delicate core of lime blossoms and lemonade with hints of aniseed and grapefruit. The medium to full-bodied palate reveals a racy backbone and intense citrusy flavors with a compelling oiliness to the texture, finishing with a minerally lift. This should evolve beautifully over the next 15+ years.The Wine Independent | 95 TWISuave, with alluring acacia, elderflower and lemon pith notes backed by a long finish revealing racy and creamy aspects. Offers nice chalk and orange blossom details in the background, too. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2028.Wine Spectator | 94 WSFrom the same vines as its parent d’Yquem, the wine is fresh and full of ripe yellow fruits. Ripe apricots and honey come together with the beautiful texture in this rich, but dry, wine. Drink from 2027. Wine Enthusiast | 94 WEIn fact, the first pour was the dry wine, the 2021 Y de Yquem. This latest release has a more powerful bouquet, with a distinctive marine influence, a nuanced oxidative trait that lends freshness. The palate is, likewise, quite intense with razor-sharp acidity to the extent that I find this refreshingly penetrating in style, hints of tinned apricot and white peach filtering through on the finish. A lovely dry Sauternes.Vinous Media | 90 VM

The 2021 Chablis Vaillon 1er Cru Cuvée Guy Moreau comprises just five used barrels this year. The fine bouquet is a little more mineral-driven than the regular cuvée with touches of wet pavement and citrus lemon. The palate is well-balanced, fresh and taut, with a fine bead of acidity, growing a little more compact towards the finish but with slightly more salinity to get the tastebuds going. Very fine.Vinous Media | 92 VMHere too there is a vaguely exotic note to the pretty and very floral aromas of spice, pear, apple and quinine that are trimmed in subtle wood. The old vines are very much in evidence on the concentrated, palate coating and rich bigger-bodied flavors that possess focused power on the saline and intensely bitter zest-suffused finish. This should be excellent in time.Burghound | 92 BHThis white packs a mix of peach, melon, lime and pastry flavors, which pick up light smoke and mineral accents as this builds to the finish. Firm, crisp and long. Drink now through 2026. 20 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 90 WSThis and the Grands Crus were made entirely in wood so as to keep the existing stock of barrels full of wine. Pale yellow, with a little butteriness from the wood. This slightly dominates the palate with a note of acidity to finish. Will sort itself out in due course. Drink from 2025-2028. Tasted: June 2022.Jasper Morris | 90-93 JM

Wow. This is fantastic with mangoes, lemons, pears and hints of vanilla. Mineral, too. It’s full-bodied with bright fruit and a vivid finish. Lots of minerals. A selection of the best grapes of Inama in the grand cru Foscarino. Much less use of barrels than in the past with large casks and stainless. Superb. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 97 JSThe 2021 Soave Classico I Palchi Foscarino Grande Cuvée is a platinum-golden color with a youthfully intense bouquet that blends raw almond with stone dust, dusty dried flowers and Asian pear. This seduces with its silken textures and supple personality, washing across the palate with crisp, ripe orchard fruits complicated by a salty mix of savory herbs and minerals. The 2021 tapers off dramatically long and fresh, leaving a resonance of mint and liquid stone.Vinous Media | 95 VMThis is the third vintage produced, and the team at Inama is happy with what they’ve learned along the way in order to get to this point. The 2021 Soave Classico Foscarino Grande Cuvée I Palchi is what they describe as the most representative of the goal for this wine. Made with 100% Garganega, the wine is beautifully textured and fresh, almost crunchy, and very detailed across with peach, honeydew melon, exotic fruit and crushed oyster shell. I Palchi consists of terraced vineyards with 50- to 60-year-old vines trained with the overhead pergola trellis system. Garganega tends to be a very vigorous grape. The choice of oak use here is carefully contemplated with 50% Stockinger oak casks, 10% new oak, 20% used wood and 20% acacia wood.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94+ RPI Palchi (first vintage, 2019) is the replacement for Du Lot, which Alessio Inama described as ’oily, powerful, oaky.’ The name means ’parcels’, referring to the terraces of pergola-trained old-vine Garganega which provide the fruit for this wine. ’Crazy selection is the game changer,’ he explained, noting that only bunches which have achieved a certain yellow hue are picked, as those grapes offer body combined with freshness. Ageing is for six months in 50% large casks, 10% new vapour-toasted barriques, 20% used barriques and 20% stainless steel. The wine is then blended before spending a further six months in stainless steel. Rich, round and flinty, it’s full of exotic and peachy yellow fruits, allied to lovely freshness and poised sapidity. Smoky and spicy hints emerge on the long, slightly woody finish. Class.Decanter | 94 DECGrown on wide terraces on the Monte Foscarino, this Soave showcases Garganega’s importance as one of Italy’s great and noble white grapes. The nose opens with aromas of fleshy white peach, Fuji apple, acacia honey, dried yellow flowers and subtle hints of baking spice. Rich and full in body, yet graceful at the same time, the wine has notes of roasted orange peel, apricot and pear all dusted with baking spices and finishing with a crushed stone minerality. Drink now–2035.Wine Enthusiast | 94 WEFresh and finely meshed, with minerally hints of chalk and saline underscoring flavors of yellow apple and pear, spring blossoms and grapefruit pith. This drapes the palate like raw silk -- textured but without excessive weight -- and lingers on the lightly spiced finish. Drink now through 2031. 25 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 91 WS

A serious nose with great depth and complexity here. Fine oak spices, chalk, meringue, lanolin and a twist of praline/pistachio to the intense lemons, honeyed gooseberries and mineral. Extremely harmonious with a deliciously saline touch to the center palate. Medium- to full-bodied, with a persistent but elegant and subtle finish that lasts almost a minute. 70% sauvignon blanc and 30% semillon. Already a joy to taste and drink, but will hold well over the next 15 years at least. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 98 JSThe 2021 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is a dense, powerful dry white. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2021 is going to need quite a bit of time to be at its best. Today, the wine’s textural intensity and some oak are front and center. The 2021 is a Blanc of substance and real character. I can’t wait to see how it ages.Vinous Media | 96 VMThis grand Bernard family estate in Léognan is legendary for its white wine. This is a ripe, spicily wood-aged wine. Its background of young acidity brings out a tangy edge that will soften and fill out into a long-lived wine. Drink from 2026.Wine Enthusiast | 96 WEA blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon, the 2021 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc sails from the glass, after a swirl of two, with a gorgeous perfume of spiced apples, grapefruit oil, and orange blossoms, leading to wafts of sea spray and paraffin wax. The medium-bodied palate has a gorgeous satiny texture juxtaposing the racy backbone and supporting the apple and citrus layers, finishing long and perfumed.The Wine Independent | 96 TWIA rich honeyed apple and apricot nose with soft white blossom notes. So lifted and expressive on the palate, creamy lemon, pear, red apple and apricot. Gently round, this has a nice delicacy but also good weight - a refined palate with a soft creaminess. Easy to drink and enjoy with excellent structure and density for the vintage, you get enough acidity and texture to give a full mouthfeel without anything being too much or over the top but still with enough flavour that it’s interesting and compelling. A top buy.Decanter | 95 DECThe 2021 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc is a blend of 70% Sauvignon and 30% Sémillon that matured for 18 months in barrels, of which 35% were new. Delivering a deep, complex bouquet that features aromas of spices, white pepper, elderflower, citrus oil and wet stones, it’s full-bodied, round and generous, with a satiny attack that segues into a fleshy, vibrant palate, concluding with a pure and precise finish.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94+ RPMostly Sauvignon Blanc (there’s 30% Semillon), the 2021 Domaine De Chevalier Blanc offers beautiful tart citrus, honeyed minerality, and sappy, floral notes in a fresh, focused, racy style that still brings beautiful depth and richness. It’s more tight and reserved than the L’Esprit and needs 2-4 years in the cellar. It’s another classy, vibrant, age-worthy beauty from this brilliant estate.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDThis has a bit of flamboyance, with orange curd and elderflower notes rippling along the edges of a bright yellow apple and honeysuckle core. Shows a salted butter accent on the finish. A delightfully expressive white. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2031. 2,000 cases made.Wine Spectator | 92 WS

The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Grimm’s Bluff Vineyard brings more depth and richness, with racy citrus, toasted spice, honeyed mineral, and orange blossom notes that develop beautifully with time in the glass. Medium-bodied and balanced, with good concentration and awesome length, it’s a more mineral-driven, spicy, serious expression of Sauvignon Blanc that will evolve for 15+ years in cold cellars.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JDThe 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Grimm’s Bluff Vineyard was barrel fermented and matured for 16 months in 21% new French oak. Recently bottled under Diam 30 corks, it’s shy on the nose at this stage yet layered and generous on the palate. It balances weightiness and textural breadth with focused acidity and boasts a deep core of stone fruit and citrus. It has youthful streaks of matchstick, and its generosity and texture help extend the finish. Treat it like a Bordeaux Blanc and allow it 2-3 years in bottle. 140 cases were made.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPThe 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Grimm’s Bluff Vineyard is intensely salty and mineral. Those notes lend tons of vibrancy throughout. Crushed rocks, lemon confit, mint, white pepper and slate all build as this vibrant, chiseled Sauvignon shows off its undeniable class. This is a great vintage for the Grimm’s Bluff.Vinous Media | 93 VM

This is quite the Chardonnay from Brianne Day and the renowned Eola Springs Vineyard in the best Chardonnay appellation in America. Winemaker Brianne Day chose three different blocks and three different clones: Hyde Wente, Mount Eden and Chardonnay 96 (a Dijon clone). She picked the Hyde Wente and Mount Eden early for structure and acid, and the Dijon 96 was picked later to flesh out the palate with riper fruits. Captivating lemon curd aromas and rich, honeyed apricots are followed by almond pastry cream.—dollops of rich lemon cream, ripe peach fuzz, and rich apricot flesh.Decanter | 96 DECDistinctly savory, the 2021 Chardonnay Eola Springs Vineyard bursts from the glass with an array of crushed rocks and flint giving way to dried apricots and nectarine. This displays silky textures, seamless and lifted, with crisp orchard fruits and mineral tones cascading across the palate. It finishes with staining length yet is incredibly fresh, leaving a hint of candied citrus and a salty tinge. Nicely done.Vinous Media | 93 VMRich, creamy and full-bodied yet surprisingly elegant, this Oregon chardonnay glides over the palate, but also has the structure to age for some years. The tannins from the generous toasty oak build at the long, imposing finish. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 93 JSThe 2021 Eola Springs Vineyard bottling of chardonnay from Breeana Day is a lovely wine. It offers up a beautifully complex bouquet of pear, nectarine, a touch of almond, a lovely base of soil tones, gently musky floral tones and a discreet framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is vibrant, focused and full-bodied, with a beautiful core of ripe fruit, lovely soil undertow and grip, zesty acids and a long, poised, seamlessly-balanced and complex finish. This is really lovely juice, coming in at thirteen percent octane and offering a lovely synthesis of perfectly ripe fruit and structural tension on the backend. It should age beautifully. (Drink between 2024 - 2040)John Gilman | 93 JG

A blend of 83% Sauvignon Blanc and 17% Semillon, Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2021 skips out of the glass with bright, carefree scents of lemon tart, fresh grapefruit, and lime leaves, leading to hints of coriander seed, white pepper, and sea spray. The medium to full-bodied palate is charged with electric citrus fruit flavors, supported by a racy backbone and silken texture, finishing long and minerally.The Wine Independent | 96 TWIThe 2021 Château Cheval Blanc Petit Cheval Blanc is gorgeous and comes from a parcel just to the west of the château. A blend of 83% Sauvignon and 17% Sémillon brought up in 50% new wood, it has a killer nose of crushed citrus, orange blossom, and chalky minerality to go with a medium-bodied, vibrant, racy, yet beautifully concentrated and textured style on the palate. I love its overall balance, it has remarkable purity, and I suspect it will provide over a decade of prime drinking.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDThe 2021 Le Petit Cheval (Blanc) is fabulous. Silky and intensely aromatic, with tons of Sauvignon Blanc character, the 2021 is all raciness. Pear, slate, mint, crushed rocks, lime and white pepper abound, all framed by brisk acids and gorgeous saline undertones. The 2021 is 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. It aged for 22 months, mostly in foudres and wood uprights. What a wine!Vinous Media | 94 VMVery Sauvignon nose, green peas, straw, lemon zest and elderflower - smells very expressive with cool citrus elements. Crisp and alive, so delicious, crunchy with mouthwatering acidity but then a weight - almost oiliness / fat from the wood and lees adds to to the texture that immediately counters the acidity and gives the mouth filling expression. Bitter grapefruit and lemon zest on the finish. Great energy and complexity. A touch green in some places, you know this isn’t from a warm vintage, a touch of metallic element on the finish, but extremely enjoyable.Decanter | 93 DECFresh, with a dusting of chalk over lemon pith and chamomile notes, backed by grapefruit peel and quinine accents on the lengthy finish. Nicely focused throughout. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2027. 2,466 cases made.Wine Spectator | 91 WSA rich and exotic blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, the 2021 Le Petit Cheval Blanc bursts with aromas of green mango, passion fruit, lime and white flowers, followed by a medium-bodied, ample and fleshy palate that’s satiny, textural and perfumed.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 90 RP

Brianne Day shows her winemaking skillset when it comes to Chardonnay and this wine speaks to Oregon’s Chardonnay potential, and her deft hand. Gorgeous layered lemon curd aromatics, notes of honeyed apricot flesh, beeswax and yellow flower pollen. The palate balannces hedonistic ripe fruit complexity with a brilliant acidity and fillagreed mineral lift. Rich grilled peaches, ripe apricot flesh and wet stones all lead to rich lemon cream and a gorgeous honeyed mouthfeel.Decanter | 95 DECThe 2021 Chardonnay Belle Pente Vineyard is highly expressive and exotic, with tropical citrus and mango complemented by hints of mint and brioche. This is round and supple with a balanced inner sweetness and ripe orchard fruits that envelope the palate. A mineral trace adds savoriness through the medium-length finale, as the 2021 tapers off with hints of apricot and lime.Vinous Media | 92 VMThis medium-bodied Oregon chardonnay has an enticing nose of Meyer lemon custard, then a generous creamy and silky palate. Interesting tension between floral honey character and a touch of citrusy freshness at the surprisingly firm finish. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 91 JS

The textural component to this wine, and all of those from Rhys, is worth the price alone. The nose starts with aromas of lemon curd, baked orange and a light nutty tone before the palate’s chalky texture engages the entire mouth as citrus flavors abound.Wine Enthusiast | 95 WEThe 2021 Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains is a peek at the stellar produce of Rhys’s 2021 single-vineyard white wines. The nose opens with fresh, racy aromas of sea spray, lemon curd and Granny Smith apple. The mid-palate displays a level of creamy richness that takes substantial cellaring to unlock in the rest of the lineup. The signature tension and angularity of the Rhys style are present, albeit with a welcomed softness and generosity of texture. Readers holding this admirable array of wines should start here and hold off on the single-site wines for at least a few more years.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RPI love the nose on the 2021 Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains, which feels lifted and briny with aromas of wildflowers, white peaches, honeycomb, and candle smoke. A blend of three vineyards, it’s medium-bodied to full-bodied and rounded through the midpalate, with a silky mouthfeel and a long, savory finish. As with the Anderson Valley Chard, this is going to drink well now or over the coming 6-7 years, and it’s a great value.Jeb Dunnuck | 93 JDThe 2021 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) is a gorgeous appellation level wine, and also a wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring, unlike most of the 2021s. Lemon confit, marzipan, dried flowers and chamomile all grace this soft, open-knit Chardonnay from Rhys. Bright saline notes extend the super-expressive finish. Terrific.Vinous Media | 92 VMBright and distinctive, with notes of tangerine, orange blossoms and lemon curd that show a hint of toasted sesame. Offers aromatic details of fennel, nutmeg and dried ginger, with a note of sea spray and a long, expressive finish. Drink now. 1,200 cases made.Wine Spectator | 92 WS

Tasted at the beginning of 2023, a reductive quality was still obscuring bright, penetrating green apple and kiwi flavours with a smoky, earthen veil. Still, it’s a gorgeously sleek, richly textured wine with a pulsating core of acidity and salty mineral intensity.Decanter | 95 DECLovely texture and density, showing dried apple, fresh ginger and pastry dough. Layered, with phenolic tension. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 94 JSThe 2021 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills has alluring aromas of white peach, freshly baked bread, panna cotta and matchstick with savory undertones. The medium-bodied palate has dynamic flavors that range from ripe fruit to matchstick and saline. It has a focused spine of acidity, a pleasing touch of textural grip and a very long, layered finish. It’s complex yet delicious straight from the bottle.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RPThe 2021 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is terrific. Citrus confit, white flowers, almond, chamomile and dried herbs all run through this super-expressive Chardonnay. There’s a touch of phenolic intensity, along with a kiss of reduction, that add character. Almost all of this fruit is now estate.Vinous Media | 92 VMComplex and seamless, there’s plenty to admire in this white wine. Shows spiced, poached pear, dried apple, grilled lemon and fresh tangerine flavors that are juicy and generous, with details of sage, white pepper and toasted sesame seed on the finish. Drink now. 4,536 cases made.Wine Spectator | 92 WSThere’s a strong streak of tarry minerality to the nose of this bottling, which shows brisk lemon peel and even petrol on the tightly wound nose. The palate is stony as well, with a potent acidity slicing through lemon-peel flavors. Wine Enthusiast | 91 WE

This Patz & Hall Chardonnay immediately gives the scent of golden kiwis and sponge cake with a marshmallow topper. It’s medium—to full-bodied with a chalky finish and great acid backbone. The Chardonnay has surprising flavours that are seemingly unrelated but meld fantastically together. It’s a surprising juxtaposition that adds dimension.Decanter | 95 DECA youthful medium yellow hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch is expressive on opening, with notes of toasted oak spice, bruléed pineapple, and preserved citrus. Medium to full-bodied, it brings forward fantastic balance and energy on the palate, with refreshing, ripe acidity and a long, chalky finish. It is a beautiful Chardonnay to enjoy over the coming 6-8 years and offers tremendous value. 2067 cases were produced.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDSilky and subdued at first, this elegant wine seduces you slowly with its subtle Meyer lemon, Bosc pear, mineral and ginger flavors lifted by tangy, appetizing acidity. As an alternative to the butter-bomb Chardonnays, this reasonably priced wine from the Patz & Hall portfolio is a breath of fresh air. Best through 2030.Wine Enthusiast | 94 WEVibrant and citrusy, with tangerine, lemon and yuzu notes on a sleek and juicy frame. A hint of pineapple emerges, showing lingering details of honeycomb, lemon thyme and vetiver on the finish alongside a mouthwatering grace note of sea salt. Drink now. 3,500 cases made.Wine Spectator | 93 WSThe 2021 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch was barrel fermented and matured for 16 months in 25% new French oak. Initial cedary tones give way to quince, tangerine peel and beeswax on the nose. The light-bodied palate is focused and energetic with creamy flavors, and the finish is driven by a touch of textural grip. 1,974 cases produced.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 91 RP

Super-restrained nose here with candied lemon and lemon bush, tuberose, peach kernel and integrated toastiness. Full body with amazing weight and concentration, yet with vibrant, lemony flavor, zesty and integrated acidity and a warming but balanced finish. Drinkable now, but with aging potential of more than 10 years.James Suckling | 97 JSFor the first time, Ornellaia Bianco becomes a Bolgheri DOC wine in the 2021 vintage. It’s again 100% Sauvignon Blanc, vinfied in a mixture of 300L and 500L amphorae, barriques and tonneaux, with only 25% new wood. Perfumed, exotic, stony and honeyed, it’s nonetheless a vertical and focussed wine, its structure constraining rich aromas and flavours of mango, peach, white flowers, orange peel, papaya and passion fruit. It does feel like it’s being held back, with a touch of austerity and that stony, mineral authority that makes it a necessity to drink with food. ‘It has much more vibrancy than in the past...a better defined character than when the project began,’ notes Marco Balsimelli.Decanter | 96 DECPreviously a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, the Ornellaia 2021 Ornellaia Bianco is now all Sauvignon Blanc. The estate recently planted Semillon, so it is possible that we will one day see that grape in the blend (especially because it is known to thrive in hot vintages). This wine plays its best cards in terms of texture. It sports broad shoulders and enough texture to support those many creamy citrus and delicately tropical flavors. A dusting of crushed stone adds elegance. The wine should show its best results in five to 10 years from now.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPThe 2021 Ornellaia Bianco is alluring. I sense a bit more textural richness vis-à-vis prior editions, a positive in my book. White pear, jasmine, sage, mint, white pepper, peach and apricot fill out the layers. Light tropical accents appear with some aeration, adding a tropical flair that is quite attractive. This is impeccably done.Vinous Media | 95 VMVerging on creamy in texture, this silky white features floral, peach, sage and mint flavors, with a flash of grapefruit pith. Complex, balanced and long, with a salty component on the persistent aftertaste. Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2030. 100 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 94 WS

A classy wine with a profound and complex profile. The nose is fully focused on tension, with vibrant aromas of pink grapefruit, linden tree flowers, apricots, Mirabelle plums, green apples and toast. Oily texture with zesty, integrated acidity. It’s long, smooth, full-bodied and weighted in the finish. Candied fruit aftertaste. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but it will last for a decade.James Suckling | 96 JSIntense and complex, it displays slightly lifted scents of meadow blossom, bruised apple and lime, with suggestions of creamy pastries in the background. Great energy on the palate, where the youthful fleshiness is supported by firm, tangy acidity. Although still finding its feet, 2021 is a benchmark vintage for Löwengang Chardonnay – a wine with a radiant future.Decanter | 95 DECHints of graphite and smoke underscore flavors of persimmon, plum skin, white cherry and blanched almond in this clean-cut, salty white. There’s textural richness and density on the palate, though this is medium-bodied and elegant overall. Lightly honeyed throughout, with a long, fragrant finish of mountain herb and preserved lemon notes. Chardonnay. Drink now through 2031. 5,800 cases made, 230 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 93 WS

The 2021 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, located right above their Caillerets, comprises of a single 600-liter barrel that was racked into an old Stockinger to limit oxygen ingress. It has a taut and focused bouquet with crushed stone infusing the citrus fruit, hints of honeysuckle and pressed white flowers. The palate is medium-bodied with a very subtle reduction on the entry, orange rind and hints of yuzu; the 2021 is quite mineral-driven with a clean and precise finish. Excellent.Vinous Media | 94-96 VM1 x 600 litre barrel! Full lemon yellow. Plenty of weight apparent and a suggestion of class without having found its definition. Actually, it is pretty much complete on the palate, ripe apples, medium plus flesh, a certain juiciness over and above the natural austerity of the vineyard, and very persistent. Drink from 2027-2035. Tasted: October 2022.Jasper Morris | 94-96 JM This is even more floral on the slightly more expressive nose that features notes of Poire William, zest, green apple and soft spice nuances, especially anise. The round but almost painfully intense medium weight plus flavors possess a caressing mouthfeel along with almost as much mineral character as the Caillerets while delivering stunningly good length on the beautifully nuanced finale. This is very classy and somewhat surprisingly for a young Chevalier, not especially austere. With that said, this beauty is built to reward mid to longer-term cellaring.Burghound | 93-95 BH

The 2021 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Sauzet is a brilliant wine in the making. The bouquet is pure, precise and elegant, offering up scents of lemon, apple, a hint of peach, a complex base of limestone minerality, citrus blossoms, vanillin oak and a lovely topnote of citrus zest. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and soil-driven, with a lovely core of fruit, seamless balance, vibrant acids and a long, focused and complex finish that closes with outstanding energy and lift. (Drink between 2031 - 2075)John Gilman | 96 JGAn overtly floral-suffused nose features notes of lilac, carnation and acacia blossom that are trimmed in spice, citrus rind and soft wood wisps. The strikingly pure and beautifully defined larger-bodied flavors are not super-dense but I very much like the texture, all wrapped in a clean, bone-dry and compact finish that flashes plenty of focused power. This could also use a bit more depth but that shouldn’t be an issue. As an aside, for those readers who were Sauzet fans 25-ish years ago, the ’21 Bâtard reminds me quite a bit of the 1993, which is one of Sauzet’s all-time great vintages.Burghound | 93-96 BHPretty pale primrose. The nose has a reductive character than is not displeasing. It feels as though there is something more floral beneath. In any case, a wine of substance. This continues on the palate, with excellent acidity behind. Nothing meagre though, the grand cru character is certainly there. The flavours build to the back. Well done. There is a lot in reserve here. Two barrels made. Drink from 2028-2036. Tasted: October 2022.Jasper Morris | 93-96 JMThe 2021 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru unwinds in the glass with notes of confit citrus, nutmeg and light reduction. Medium to full-bodied, ample and satiny, with racy acids and a saline finish, this is another old-vine cuvée that’s a stalwart chez Sauzet, no matter the vintage.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 91-93 RPThe 2021 Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru had quite a lot of reduction on the nose that made it difficult to read. The palate is quite powerful, weighty and slightly creamy in texture, perhaps requiring a little more tension on the pithy, pear and nectarine-tinged finish. Fine, but a little outclassed by Sauzet’s best Premier Crus.Vinous Media | 91-93 VM

Deep nose with a wide spectrum of citrus peel and zest aromas, also a touch of lemon curd and vanilla bean. Concentrated and focused with great finesse, this shows why wines of this appellation have gained a special reputation. Super-long and exciting finish that’s driven by the wonderfully fresh acidity. From a 1.5 hectare plot on the border between Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 95 JSButter, cream, vanilla and apple pie flavors mingle in this taut white. Vivid acidity defines the long finish, where a bitter citrus accent reigns. This is balanced in a linear, angular way. Drink now through 2029. 27 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 92 WSAn elegant, pure and ultra-fresh nose offers up notes of lilac, rose petal, white peach, tea and citrus zest. There is a markedly more refined mouthfeel to the utterly delicious and highly seductive medium weight flavors that are more precise, all wrapped in a citrusy, impressively persistent and youthfully austere finale. This is very classy and I particularly like the underlying tension and balance that should also permit this beauty to age effortlessly over the next 12 to 15 years. In a word, excellent.Burghound | 92-94 BH

The 2021 vintage of Cour-Cheverny from François Cazin is an outstanding young wine, coming in at a classic thirteen percent octane in this vintage. This is in notable contrast to the 2020 version, where that hot summer pushed the wine’s ripeness all the way up to 14.5 percent alcohol. The 2021 offers up a bright, complex and utterly classical bouquet of fresh lime, quince, beeswax, orange peel, a lovely foundation of chalky soil tones and a topnote of white flowers. On the palate the wine is bright, focused and full-bodied, with a beautiful core of pure fruit, excellent mineral undertow and cut, zesty acids and impeccable balance on the long, complex and vibrant finish. It is so refreshing to taste an utterly classical rendition from these great old vines, as the hot summers of the global warming era have made these old school version fewer and farther between! Great juice. (Drink between 2024 - 2045)John Gilman | 94 JG

Having finished pruning just eight days before the brutal trio of April frost days and having put out a ’shameful’ number of candles, Weber was rewarded (it’s all relative in this miserly vintage) with almost 20 hl/ha. And, it is a divine Montrachet with spiced pears, herbal tea, gingerbread and cream. It is all lace and flourishes. The bustling acidity drives the flavors into a seemingly eternal finish with a lightly crispy edge. Bravo! (2023)Tim Atkin | 97 TATOP QUALITY This is a wine of impressive concentration, with complex layers of fruit on the nose that range from citrus to green apple, apricot, quince and passion fruit. There are elements of cream, butter, flinty mineral and fresh flowers. The texture is dense and long, but there is no lack of freshness, and the balance seems nearly perfect. It is produced from 0.89ha of mature vines on the Puligny side, just south of the Ramonet parcel. Profound and ageworthy, it will doubtless also show well young.Decanter Magazine | 96 DECThe 2021 Montrachet Grand Cru is half the normal volume, pruned just before the frost with a massive number of candles, therefore it managed to produce 20hL/ha despite everything. This is unequivocally a step up from the Chevalier-Montrachet with greater definition and poise, more energy. The palate is well balanced with fine detail, light wild peach and citrus notes, fine mineralité with satisfying tension on the finish. Excellent.Vinous Media | 94-96 VMA bit better in yield as everybody protected their vines in Le Montrachet, with the 2016 disaster in mind. A fine mid lemon yellow, this begins discreetly but there is a wonderful concentrated intensity through the middle, a racy quality perhaps not quite there in the Chevalier. This time there is clearly a beginning, a middle and an end. Really enormously persistent and leaving a special taste in the mouth. I might just sip it to keep me company en route to my next tasting in Gevrey-Chambertin! Drink from 2030-2040. Tasted Nov 2022.Jasper Morris | 94-98 JMThe 2021 Montrachet Grand Cru opens in the glass with aromas of pear, confit orange, honeycomb, spices and freshly baked bread. Full-bodied, ample and satiny, it’s rich, fleshy and complete, with lively acids and a long, expansive finish.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93-95 RPReluctant if broad-ranging aromas include those of petrol, floral, spice, white orchard fruit, especially white peach, exotic tea and a suggestion of oak. The dense and powerful yet caressing large-scaled flavors coat the palate with sappy dry extract while displaying stunningly good length on the balanced, youthfully austere and compact finale. This is definitely built-to-age but the mid-palate density is so good that the 2021 Montrachet should be approachable after only 7 to 8 years of keeping.Burghound | 93-96 BH

This estate makes a bevy of terrific dry whites in addition to an incredible Sauternes. Starting with the 2021 Lions De Suduiraut Blanc Sec, which is a blend of 52% Semillon and 48% Sauvignon Blanc, it offers subtle grapefruit and citrus notes, a kiss of minerality, and a refreshing, vibrant, wonderfully balanced style on the palate. It’s a seriously good bottle of wine to drink in its youth.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDThe 2021 Lions de Suduiraut Blanc Sec is gorgeous. Rich, creamy and expressive, the 2021 is exquisite in its balance of textural richness and freshness. Orchard fruit, white flowers, mint, lemon oil and chamomile envelop the palate, while bright floral accents perk up the finish. Lions is the new name for the Blanc Sec, which is the same wine as before.Antonio Galloni | 91 AGA tangy white with sliced grapefruit, apple and celery character. Medium body. Fresh finish. White pepper. Dry and chalky.James Suckling | 91 JS

Cut grass, dark green herbs and yellow apple aromas show on the nose of this bottling. It’s very lean on the palate with a zippy, energetic acidity that cuts right through the cement, crushed stone and serrano flavors, engaging the palate on all sides.Wine Enthusiast | 93 WEThe 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Au Naturel is laced with hints of pear, mint, chamomile, spice and apricot. Racy and textured in feel, the Au Naturel has plenty of richness to play off the natural vivacity of the year.Antonio Galloni | 92 AGAll varietal, the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Au Naturel offers a touch more oomph in its white peach, melon, white flowers, and honeysuckle-like aromas and flavors. It’s rich, medium-bodied, balanced, and certainly an outstanding expression of Sauvignon Blanc.Jeb Dunnuck | 91 JD

The 2021 Meursault Les Vireuils Dessous has quite a strict nose at the moment. The 20% new oak well is integrated (Chassin cooperage), opening with bruised apple and Williams pear notes. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, slightly resinous in texture and Chassagne-like finish. Saline and more-ish.Vinous Media | 90-92 VM

The 2021 Meursault Le Limozin, matured in a prudent 20% new oak, has a wonderful and expressive nose with just a soupçon of reduction (Parigot was prudent with the SO2 addition). The palate has exquisite balance, beautifully integrated oak, grilled walnut and litchi, superb salinity towards the extended finish - the wine of the vintage from this address.Vinous Media | 92-94 VM

A pretty pale green tint to the colour. A clear cut, almost chiselled floral nose with greener notes, The floral side emerges more and more. Lean, long, lovely, if understated. Drink from 2025-2029. Tasted: November 2022.Jasper Morris | 90-92 JM