Good morning,
Please see the following End of Year Bin End stock selection with NEW ADDITIONS & FURTHER REDUCTIONS—available ex-LCB Tilbury.
10 cases – 6/75cl Champagne Rene Geoffroy 1er Cru ‘Expression’, Brut NV @ £220 £170 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £220++) now – Bargain 1er Cru Grower Champagne
1 case - 12/75cl Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru, Domaine des Beaumont 1999 @ £1,275 £1,195 per 12 duty paid & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,995++) now – rare & mature case – photo attached – 0.55ha c.150 cases
1 case – 6/75cl Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Toscana 1999 @ £1,560 £1,475 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,740++) now – photo attached – Mature icon
The 1999 Ornellaia (magnum) does not disappoint. This vivid, energetic wine emerges from the glass with a myriad of graphite, menthol, liquorice, leather and dark fruit wrapped around a powerful core. The bouquet alone is worth the price of admission. Though not as opulent as the 1997, the 1999 offers exceptional length and a finessed, regal close. The 1999 Ornellaia is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The wine spent 18 months in French oak (60% new) before being bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2021.
95 points Antoni Galloni, Wine Advocate, Jan 2010
1 case – 6/75cl Champagne Dom Perignon ‘Edition Jeff Koons’, Moet & Chandon 2004 @ £1,375 £1,275 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,490++) now – photo attached
Racy, silky and vibrant in the glass, the 2004 Dom Pérignon is all about energy. Here, the flavours are bright and delineated throughout, with veins of acidity and minerality that give the wine its sense of drive. Mint, rosemary and yellow-fleshed fruits linger on the finish with the classic DP reductive overtones that are such a signature. Once again, the 2004 Dom Pérignon truly shines. The 2004 Dom Pérignon is a wine to treasure over the next thirty years. Drink 2015-2044.
97+ points Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Jul 2015
1 case – 6/75cl Musigny Grand Cru, Domaine J-F Mugnier 2004 @ £10,595 £10,225 per 6 IB & OWC (SIB) (Lowest Wine Searcher £12,995++) now – photo available - 1.14ha, c.380 cases
A simply sublime mix of spicy, elegant, pure and sophisticated red and black fruit aromas that blend into supple, rich and again, incredibly pure, indeed crystalline medium full flavours that are restrained and backwards but not stern like those of the Bonnes Mares, all wrapped in a vibrant finish of exceptional intensity. This is superbly well-focused and almost etches itself into the palate, though the tannic spine is well-buffered by plenty of mid-palate sap. It is a complete wine that will also demand a bit of patience.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2007, 2014+
1 case – 6/75cl Vosne Romanee 1er Cru ‘Les Gaudichots’, Nicolas Potel 2005 @ £3,795 £3,495 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £4,995++) now – rare case – Baby La Tache! – photo attached
A distinctly different and explosively kaleidoscopic nose features red, black and blue fruit aromas with notes of anise, clove, soy, hoisin and a touch of oak merges into supple, detailed and admirably pure flavours that possess profound depth and a touch of finishing wood on the hugely long finish. Lovely juice.
91-93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound (01/07)
1 case – 6/75cl Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Domaine Pierre Damoy 2007 @ £1,695 £1,545 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £2,200-£2,495++) now – photo attached – bought EP UK agent
2007 Chambertin–Clos de Bèze: Here, the nose offers a small but clear step up in elegance with a wonderfully spicy and ripe aromatic profile of red, blue and black pinot fruit, underbrush and a touch of forest floor that can also be found on the equally spicy, pure, complete and delicious big-bodied flavours that possess excellent power and verve and this sense of drive flows through to the superb, long, dusty and sappy finish. A wine of style and grace with impressive material built to age over the next decade.
92 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2017+
2 cases – 3/75cl Vosne Romanee 1er Cru ‘Cros Parantoux’, Domaine Emmanuel Rouget 2008 @ £5,695 £5,595 per 3 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £6,093 loose++) 2-3 weeks – photos attached – rare ex-Domaine special OC3 packaging release
A beautiful and perfumed nose features notes of spice, dried flowers and sandalwood, and red and dark currant scents. There is excellent richness to the caressing medium-bodied and overtly mineral-driven flavours that culminate in a delicious, complex, balanced and lengthy finish that still exhibits a touch of austerity. Like many of the better 2008s today, this is still on the way up, and I would be strongly inclined to hold this for another 7 to 10 years first, as the firm tanninic spine is going to require time to resolve fully.
92 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Apr 2016, 2023+
2 cases - 12/75cl Mercurey 1er Cru ‘Clos des Myglands’ MONOPOLE, Domaine Faiveley 2010 @ £745 £645 per 12 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £960++) now – Liv-ex last trade £901 - 18/11
2010 Mercurey “Clos des Myglands”: (a monopole of Domaine Faiveley). Deep ruby. A similar but distinctly more complex nose complements the equally complex, more prosperous and slightly finer medium-bodied flavours with better phenolic maturity, all wrapped in a generous and naturally sweet finish. I like both the purity and the detail here.
87-90 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2015+
1 case – 6/75cl Volnay 1er Cru ‘Taillepieds’, Domaine Dublere 2010 @ £420 £370 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £560++) now
2010 Volnay “Taillepieds”: Compared to the nose of the Pictures, where the fruit is both redder and more astonishing and, as one would typically expect, even more, mineral-infused as well. This stony character continues onto the racy, intense, satin-textured flavours that enjoy plenty of tannin-buffering dry extract on the energetic, tension-filled finish that displays the classic austerity of a young Taillepieds. In a word, impressive.
90-93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2018+
1 case – 1/75cl Champagne Henri Giraud ‘Argonne’ Ay Grand Cru Brut Rose 2011 @ £780 £735 per 1 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £875++) now – 600-800 bottles produced – rare stocks – UK agent sourced
1 case – 6/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine du Clos Frantin (Bichot) 2011 @ £970 £910 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,100-£1,195++) now – photo available
2011 Grands Echézeaux: (from a .4 ha parcel). Noticeable but reasonably well-integrated oak is present on the very reserved, if overtly spicy, cool and distinctly floral nose. There is fine size and weight to the robust and muscular medium-bodied flavours that possess good muscle, yet the dense supporting tannins are also relatively fine. There is plenty of energy to the driving, even explosive finish that goes on and on. A classic Grands Echézeaux that will need a long cellar snooze to arrive at its full majority.
92 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2023+
5 cases – 6/75cl Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze 2011 @ £820 £775 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £900-£1,050++) now – photo attached – Bought EP UK agent – 2022 £1,100-£1,200/6
2011 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze: (from a parcel of 1.5 ha of vines planted in 1949). An extraordinarily spicy and complex nose evidences cool, fresh and admirably pure cassis, red berries and plum aromas. A floral note on the vibrant, concentrated, extract-rich flavours coats the palate on the dusty, long, and impressively deep finish. It's a classic Bèze and well worth considering.
92-95 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2023+
1 case – 3/75cl Romanee Conti Grand Cru MONOPOLE, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2011 @ £54,995 £51,995 per 3 bottles IB & OWC (SIB) (Lowest Wine Searcher £56,995-£60,000++) now – photo attached – bought EP C&B agent stock stored Octavian – 473 cases
Discreet wood sets off a wonderfully elegant, airy and ultra-pure dark Pinot fruit nose that is perhaps even more reticent and shut down than the La Tâche, and only seriously aggressive swirling can reveal stubborn notes of rose petal, spice and menthol influence. The ultra-silky but firm medium-scaled flavours are also blessed with an impressive abundance of dry extract that buffers the prominent but ripe supporting tannins on the moderately austere, deep, palate-coating finish. The length here is genuinely amazing, indeed even at this early juncture this is already the longest wine in the range. As it virtually always is at this point in its development, this is an exercise in understatement, poise and controlled power with an unrivalled purity of expression. In sum, this is Zen-like. As to whether it will ultimately be better than La Tâche in 2011 remains to be seen, but for now, the two seem to be neck and neck from a purely qualitative perspective.
96 points Allen Meadows, Burghound (1/2014)
1 case – 1/150cl La Tache Grand Cru MONOPOLE, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2012 @ £10,995 £10,795 per 1 MAGNUM IB & BANDED OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £12,995++) now – bought EP C&B agent stock stored Octavian - photo attached
2012 La Tâche: Though this is by no means exuberant, it’s clear that there is good ripeness to the spiced green tea, hoisin, soy, anise, sandalwood and rose petal aromas. The cool, pure, seductively textured medium-weight plus flavours brim with
both minerality and plenty of dry extracts that buffer the substantial but not complex shaping tannins on the overtly austere, if seriously persistent, finish. This is perhaps best described as a block of stone at present, and while the tannins are exceptionally delicate, they are dense and coat the mouth. This will take a lot of time, and unlike several of the wines in the range, it’s not likely to be a good candidate for early drinking. Despite plenty of volume and muscle, I would still describe 2012 as a vintage of finesse for this storied wine. In a word, brilliant.
97 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2034+
1 case – 6/75cl Romanee St Vivant Grand Cru, Domaine Hudelot-Noellat 2012 @ £4,595 £4,475 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £5,100++) 2-3 weeks
2012 Romanée St. Vivant: A buoyantly spicy nose displays elegant red currant, raspberry, sandalwood aromas and soft floral nuances. As is almost always the case, chez Hudelot possesses the most refined mouth feel in the range, with ultrafine-grained tannins adding to this impression. Notwithstanding the refinement exhibited by the mid-palate, the strikingly long and well-balanced finish seems to flirt with a touch of rusticity. It is hard to say whether this quality will persist, but it would be fair to observe that 2012 isn’t the most refined vintage I have ever seen for this wine.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2027+
2 cases – 6/75 Volnay 1er Cru ‘Clos des Chenes’, Domaine Potinet-Ampeau 2012 @ £330 £295 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £349-£400++) now – Bargain Chenes
1 case – 6/75cl Cabernet Sauvignon ‘The Reserve’ To Kalon Vineyard, Robert Mondavi, Napa Valley, USA 2012 @ £745 £695 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £815++) now
1 case – 3/75cl Richebourg Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2013 @ £8,995 £8,745 per 3 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £9,200-£12,080++) now – bought EP C&B stock stored Octavian – photo attached – Liv-Ex last trade £9,395 – 15th Oct
2013 Richebourg: A distinctly cool and restrained nose is comprised of notes of both red and dark currant, cinnamon, violet, Pekoe tea, clove, hoisin and noticeable wood treatment. The imposingly-scaled, concentrated and almost painfully intense mineral-driven flavours possess a beguiling inner mouth perfume that continues onto the robust, earthy, dusty and moderately austere finish that, somewhat curiously, is noticeably shorter than usual. This dense, structured and ultra-serious effort feels as though it is only beginning to take shape, and as such, my score offers the benefit of the doubt that this will come together with time in a bottle, of which I underscore that plenty will be required.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2033+
1 case – 3/150cl Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Domaine Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 @ £945 £860 per 3 MAGS IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,000-£1,195++) now – photo attached
2013 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze: (from purchased grapes). Interestingly, this is not quite as ripe as the Chapelle, though it is notably spicier with its expressive nose of menthol, various red berries and earth. There is excellent intensity, punch, and minerality in the large-scale flavours that possess markedly better depth, particularly in the explosively long and beautifully well-balanced finale. This is wonderfully rich, yet a certain reserve and a firm tannic spine suggest that this should age effortlessly.
93-95 points Allen Meadows, Burghound 2028+
1 case – 6/75cl Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux 2014 @ £690 £645 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £743-£830++) now
1 case – 6/75cl Marsannay Rose, Domaine Bruno Clair 2014 @ £70 £60 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £180++) now – photo attached
1 case – 12/75cl Corton ‘Marechaudes’ Grand Cru, Domaine Chandon de Briailles 2014 @ £945 £845 per 12 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,295++) now – photo attached – 2022 £1,920 per 12
There is also enough reduction to prevent an examination of the nose, but I did note that floral elements are evident. There is outstanding volume and good phenolic maturity to the round, velvety, and overtly powerful middle weight, plus flavours that possess a firm core of tannins on the mouth coating and a dusty and impressively persistent finish. This is a serious Corton where patience will also be required.
90-93 points, Allen Meadows, burghound.com, 2026+
1 case – 6/75cl Chambertin Grand Cru, Domaine Tortochot 2014 @ £945 £885 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £995++) now – photo attached
2014 Chambertin: (from a .40 ha parcel). There are also menthol and wood toast notes that fight somewhat with the red currant, pungent earth, underbrush and overtly floral-infused nose. There is still more volume to the slightly denser and markedly more mineral-inflected flavours that deliver excellent length, though somewhat curiously, with less complexity. More depth will almost certainly develop if you have the patience to wait at least 7 to 8 years first.
92 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2026+
1 case – 6/75cl Hermitage Rouge, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, Rhone 2014 @ £1,475 £1,395 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,475-£1,725++) now – photo attached
As usual, I was able to taste the 2014 Hermitage in its components, with the Bessards and l'Hermite (which are the backbone of the cuvee) both showing full-bodied richness, plenty of mid-palate depth and no shortage of tannic grip. The Méal is always the most jammy, forward, and easily identifiable, given its sexy, supple texture, although it never has the definition or cut of the Bessards. The Peleat and Beaume barrels are typically smaller components in the final blend, with the Beaume always showing the most spice-laced and perfumed of the two. The 2014 shows the house's elegance and purity yet has solid ripeness and texture. All of the samples had solid tannic grip. Still, the overall impression was much more forward and approachable than in 2013, and I suspect it will be relatively accessible with short-term cellaring.
94-96 points Jeb Dunnock, Wine Advocate, Dec 2015
1 case – 12/75cl Vosne Romanee ‘La Colombiere’, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair 2014 @ £11,795 £11,495 per 12 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £14,000++) 2-3 weeks – photos available
2014 Vosne-Romanée “La Colombière”: (a .78 ha parcel of vines between 50 and 70 years of age). A restrained, almost mute nose only grudgingly offers notes of various red berries along with hints of plum, lilac and spice. There is a beguiling mouth feel to the generous yet sleek middle-weight flavours that are again shaped by refined tannins before culminating in a youthfully austere, firm, balanced, and solidly persistent finish. This is a first-rate Vosne village and is also worth considering.
90 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2021+
1 case – 12/75cl Domaine de la Grange des Peres (Blanc), IGP L’Herault 2014 @ £2,495 £2,295 per 12 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £4,808++) now – rare stock - 250-300 cases annual production – photo attached
1 case - 12/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine Emmanuel Rouget 2015 @ £10,995 £10,595 per 12 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £12,800++) now – photo attached
2015 Echézeaux: (from a total area of 1.06 ha with 60- to 65-year-old vines in Les Treux and Cruots climates that have .63 ha and .43 ha, respectively). Once again, subtle but not unnoticeable wood surrounds the slightly riper and liqueur-like aromas of black cherry, sandalwood, Asian spice elements and a lovely array of floral scents. There is excellent volume and concentration to the opulent and seductively textured flavours that coat the palate with dry extract on the markedly firm, built-to-age finish. There is a hint of warmth, but other than that, this is very impressive.
92-95 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2030+
6 cases – 6/75cl Champagne Cedric Bouchard ‘Roses de Jeanne Les Ursules’ Blanc de Noirs 2016 @ £1,495 £1,425 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,575 repack-£2,153++) now
Aromas of fresh bread, crisp orchard fruit, citrus oil, transparent honey and oyster shell introduce Bouchard's 2016 Blanc de Noirs Les Ursules, a medium to full-bodied, beautifully precise and tensile rendition of this emblematic cuvée. Fine-boned and elegant, it's seamless and penetrating. This is an incredibly delicate Urasule that will reward some bottle age.
96+ points William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Apr 2021)
1 case – 6/75cl Gevrey Chambertin ‘Clos du Chateau’ MONOPOLE, Domaine Armand Rousseau 2016 @ £3,195 £2,995 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £3,995++) now – photo attached
2016 Gevrey-Chambertin “Clos du Chateau”: A pretty, fresh and agreeably layered nose combines notes of various red berries and earth scents. The round, supple and attractively vibrant middle-weight flavours possess solid persistence if only average depth. This is certainly appealing in its fashion, but it’s much more fruit-driven than the regular cuvée.
87-89 points Allen Meadows, Burghound/2022+
1 case – 6/75cl Chambertin Grand Cru, Domaine Armand Rousseau 2017 @ £12,995 £12,595 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £13,500-£16,500++) now - photos attached – rare original wooden case
2017 Chambertin: (2.55 ha; 100% new wood). Discreet wood is present on the ultra-fresh and incredibly spicy, though even more restrained nose that reflects notes of red berries, Sauvage, earth, floral and exotic tea wisps. The gorgeous mouthfeel of the imposingly constituted and admirably concentrated flavours is one of the contrasts as the mid-palate is quite supple, yet the powerful, driving, austere and muscular finish is robust, serious and austere. This almost painfully intense wine is jaw droppingly good and somewhat curiously relative to how the Chambertin and the Clos de Bèze typically show at this stage, the Chambertin is the flashier of the two. We’ll see in time, though, as it’s usually the Chambertin that goes into a shell only to emerge 20+ years later. Be that as it may, this is a genuine ‘wow’ wine today.
97 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2037+
1 case – 6/75cl Chambertin Grand Cru, Domaine Dujac 2017 @ £15,495 £14,795 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £17,000-£18,690++) now – photo attached – back images available (proofing)
2017 Chambertin: (this consists of two well-separated parcels totalling .29 ha, mostly from Clos de Bèze with .24 ha and the remaining .05 ha in Chambertin proper; when both are blended in this fashion, the declared appellation must be Chambertin). A reticent, if beautifully complex, nose blends notes of various spice nuances with those of floral, red currant, plum and a hint of black cherry. The sleek, intense and wonderfully textured broad-shouldered flavours possess outstanding drive and power on the stony, austere, serious finish with stunningly good depth and persistence. Like the Bonnes Mare, though, this will mature very slowly.
93-96 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2037+
1 case – 1/75cl Musigny Grand Cru, Domaine Georges Roumier 2017 @ £13,895 £13,295 per 1 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £17,680++) 2-3 weeks
2017 Musigny: (one and one-half barrels produced). A breathtakingly spicy nose comprises aromas of black cherry, raspberry, exotic tea and a wide array of floral elements. The super-sleek, velvety and powerful mineral-driven flavours are imposingly-scaled flavours, which, despite the opulent richness, retain lovely delineation on the almost painfully intense and hugely long finish. The supporting tannins are the ripest in the range, though they make it indisputably clear that this is destined for a very long life. Indeed, 20 to 25 years would not surprise me—one of the crown jewels of the 2017 vintage.
96 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2037+
1 case – 6/75cl Musigny Grand Cru, Domaine J-F Mugnier 2017 @ £9,795 £9,495 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £11,000++) 3-4 weeks - latest release
A superbly spicy nose combines a wide range of elements, including red and dark cherry, raspberry, lavender, violet, tea and sandalwood, and a hint of herbal tea character. The super-sleek yet almost painfully intense and powerful big-bodied flavours are shaped by impressively fine-grained tannins on the youthfully austere finish, where the power does a slow build from the mid-palate. This is very classy juice; it's a Musigny of evident distinction.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2020, 2035+
2 cases – 12/75cl Schug Carneros Estate Pinot Noir, USA 2017 @ £320 £280 per 12 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £395++) now
1 case – 12/75cl Twomey ‘Bien Nacido’ Single Vineyard Pinot Noir (Silver Oak), Santa Maria Valley, USA 2018 @ £620 £570 per 12 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £795++) now
1 case – 12/75cl Silver Oak ‘Alexander Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon, USA 2018 @ £1,045 £975 per 12 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,195-£1,500++) now
1 case – 6/75cl Bonnes Mares Grand Cru, Domaine Bart 2018 @ £945 £825 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,050-£1,195++) now – photo available
2018 Bonnes Mares: (from a 1 ha holding comprised of two large parcels that sit just above those of Domaine de Vogüé). A ripe yet airy nose comprises a well-layered mix of red and dark berry fruit liberally laced with spice and floral nuances. There is fine intensity to the delicious and muscular middle weight plus flavours that evidence impressive power on the palate coating and reasonably dense finale. This, too, needs to add depth, but their underlying material appears to be up to the task.
90-93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2030+
1 case – 12/75cl Vosne Romanee 1er Cru ‘Cros Parantoux’, Domaine Emmanuel Rouget 2018 @ £17,495 £16,695 per 12 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £18,970-£19,995++) now – photo attached
2018 Vosne-Romanée “Cros Parantoux”: (from a .70 ha parcel of 55+-year-old vines that for the last 5 years has been worked exclusively by horse). Once again, there is reduction present, and here, it’s enough to mask the fruit, though wisps of spice are perceptible. Otherwise, there is fine richness and volume to the velvet-textured medium-bodied flavours that combine with minerality and sappy dry extract before culminating in a substantial, youthfully austere, gorgeously persistent finish. But what impresses me the most is the excellent depth, and this outstanding effort should be amply rewarded with extended keeping.
93-96 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2033+
2 cases – 6/75cl Volnay 1er Cru ‘Santenots du Milieu’, Domaine Arnaud Ente 2018 @ £945 £825 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,220++) now
2018 Volnay “Les Santenots du Milieu”: (from vines planted in 1992). Discreet wood frames are ripe yet still agreeably fresh aromas of cassis, black cherry, violet, and spice elements. The sleek, refined, mouth-coating medium-bodied flavours exude a subtle minerality while displaying excellent depth on the sneaky long finish. This relatively forward example of Santenots could be approached on the younger side thanks to the abundance of dry extract.
90-93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2026+
1 case – 6/75cl Tenuta di Trinoro, Andrea Franchetti, Toscana IGT 2019 @ £1,640 £1,595 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,750++) now – photos attached
This is a stunning wine and one of the best in this report, covering the icons of Tuscany. The 2019 Tenuta di Trinoro is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Fruit is sourced from the best parcels, and the blending formula changes according to vintage and the style desired by vintner Andrea Franchetti. These vineyard parcels vary in altitude, ranging from 400 to 600 meters above sea level, and the soils are pretty varied, with pockets of clay, sand and rock. The Trinoro is profoundly deep and pure, with a solid black fruit core framed by an elegant contour of spice, tobacco, smoke and crushed stone. To the palate, the wine is long,g and the finish can be counted in minutes, but the entire experience is beautifully streamlined and velvety. This vintage saw an important freeze event on the 7th of May, and 9,000 fire candles were lit in the lower vineyard blocks to fight frost damage.
100 points Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Oct 2021, 2023-2048
2 cases – 6/75cl Barbaresco ‘Rabaja’, Bruno Giacosa, Piedmont 2019 @ £945 £880 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £985-£1,350++) now – UK stock bought EP
Next to the Asili, the Bruno Giacosa 2019 Barbaresco Rabajà has even more structure and power, promising more longevity. I suggest a longer drinking window for this expression, thanks to the wine's natural tannic grip and structure. The Rabajà will require more time in the bottle. This early stage displays a pretty ensemble of dark berries, crushed rose, white stone and dusty liquorice root. Patience is required here.
96 points Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Aug 2023
1 case – 3/150cl Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux 2019 @ £1,045 £995 per 3 MAGS IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,095-£1,180++) now
The 2019 La Mission Haut-Brion unwinds in the glass with aromas of inky berry fruit, wild plums and cherries mingled with notions of warm spices, burning embers and creamy new oak. It's rich and concentrated, full-bodied, deep and layered, with a deep core of fruit, bright acids, and delicate, powdery tannins. Powerful and tightly wound, this is less sumptuous and demonstrative out of the gates than its sibling, Haut-Brion, but I suspect it possesses even more significant potential.
99 points William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
6 cases – 6/75cl Champagne Legrand-Latour ‘Eocene’ Brut Nature 2019 @ £425 £390 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £442 loose++) 3-4 weeks
10 cases – 6/75cl Barolo DOCG, Bruno Giacosa, Piedmont 2020 @ £835 £780 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £976-£1,050++) now
10 cases – 6/75cl Barolo ‘Falleto’ DOCG, Bruno Giacosa, Piedmont 2020 @ £935 £880 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £1,106-£1,290++) now
1 case – 3/75cl La Tache Grand Cru MONOPOLE, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2020 @ £14,495 £13,995 per 3 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £15,500-£15,995++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
2020 La Tâche: (a monopole of 6.06 ha). Much like the Romanée St. Vivant, here the equally reserved nose is overtly floral with a beautifully layered array of hoisin, soy, clove, anise, black cherry coulis, sandalwood and exotic jasmine and pekoe tea scents. Once again, the texture of the rich and impressively concentrated broad-shouldered flavours is super-sleek, and they, too, exude an almost pungent minerality on the clean, bright and exceptionally persistent finale where the only nit is a touch of backend warmth. Despite being very firmly structured, the mid-palate density is such that this could probably be approached after only 12 to 15 years. That said, the 2020 LT should be capable of at least 25 years of improvement, and 30 would not surprise me unduly. This is quite simply exquisite.
99 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2045+
20 cases – 6/75cl Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri, Toscana DOC 2020 @ £1,020 £990 per 6 IB & OWC now
The 2020 Sassicaia is a bold, rapturous wine. Dark, fleshy and expansive on the palate, 2020 offers scents of blackberry jam, gravel, spice, new leather, liquorice and crème de cassis. The sheer intensity of the fruit nearly buries potent tannins. Sassicaia is never a huge wine, but 2020 does seem to have an extra dimension of textural intensity. It's an intensity that is hugely appealing. Estate Manager Carlo Paoli describes 2020 as a year with a long, rainy winter and a cold spring. "Temperatures warmed up in the middle of June," he explained. "July was very hot, but heat moderated in August. Even so, it was a year in which ripeness moved quickly, as opposed to 2021, when ripeness was more gradual. We picked the entire estate in 22 days instead of the 29-30 that is more typical." The 2020 spent 15-18 days on the skins, followed by 25 months in French oak, 50% new. Production is down about 30% because of selection in the vineyard. Drink 2028-2050.
97 points Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, February 2023
1 case – 6/75cl Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Lavaux St Jacques’, Domaine Armand Rousseau 2021 @ £2,995 £2,895 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £3,500++) now
A spicy, if restrained, and exceptionally cool nose grudgingly gives up its aromas of red and dark currant, the Sauvage, newly turned earth and humus. The racy yet dense and powerful big-bodied flavours flash excellent minerality on the beautifully long and chiselled finale. This could use better depth, but the Rousseau LSJ has an acceptable ageing track record. Fine potential here.
92 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2024
4 cases – 12/75cl Kistler ‘Russian River’ Pinot Noir, California, USA 2021 @ £745 £725 per 12 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £780-£1,200++) now
21 cases – 6/75cl Guidalberto (2nd wine of the Sassicaia estate), Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri, Toscana IGT 2022 @ £175 £160 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £178-£250++) now – 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
10 cases – 6/75cl La Difese (3rd wine of the Sassicaia estate), Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri, Toscana IGT 2022 @ £100 £85 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £105-£125++) now – 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 55% Sangiovese
2 cases – 6/75cl Monthelie Rouge, Domaine Roulot 2022 @ £435 £395 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £513 loose++) 3-4 weeks
3 cases – 6/75cl Oisly-Tourraine ‘Utopie Créative’, Domaine Nicolas Barbou, Loire 2022 @ £570 £535 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £640++) 3-4 weeks – 450 cases produced, 3rd vintage, latest release.
4 cases – 6/75cl Oisly-Tourraine ‘Insolent’, Domaine Nicolas Barbou, Loire 2022 @ £570 £535 per 6 IB & OC (Lowest Wine Searcher £640-£850++) 3-4 weeks – 350 cases produced, 3rd vintage, latest release.
Payment Terms – Strictly 14 days on invoice for physical stocks (payment upon landing for later arrivals), and before stock transfer. Offered ex-LCB Tilbury deliveries to other bonds charged at cost.
Subject to remaining unsold and final invoice confirmation. E&OE.
For all enquiries & photo's please contact david@corkingwines.co.uk
