87 points

2008 Tinto Pesquera Millenium Reserva

Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast, August 2019

“This aged Reserva from one of Ribera's seminal names is reflective of the vintage, which was cold, rainy and difficult. This smells of mulchy blackberry, coffee and wood smoke. The palate feels clipped and impermeable, while barely ripe flavors of blackened berry fruits are aided by chocolaty oak and tea notes. While this is full in body and dark in flavors, a lot is missing for something of this price.”

91 points

2019 Luke Columbia Valley Syrah

Wine Enthusiast, March 2022

“Editor's Choice. Fruit for this wine comes principally from Stone Tree, Clifton Hill and Frenchman Hill vineyards. The aromas are fairly quiet, showing a sleek mix of pomegranate, grilled herb, smoke and bacon fat. The palate brings creamy flavors of smoked ham and olive—an intriguing mix. There's a lot of richness to be had, along with silky soft flavors.”

92-95 points

2017 Puech-Haut La Closerie

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, May 2019

“The 2017 Pic Saint Loup Chateau Lavabre La Closerie dials up the oak component, adding cedar and baking spices to a blend of cracked pepper and ripe blueberries. Full-bodied and supple, almost creamy in texture, this is long and plush, while retaining a welcome sense of freshness.”

90-92 points

2020 M. Chapoutier La Combe Pilate Viognier

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, January 2022

“From decomposed granite soils near Michel Chapoutier's private residence, the 2020 IGP Collines Rhodaniennes La Combe Pilate Viognier boasts lovely florals and beguiling apricot notes. Vinified and matured in used demi-muids, it's a wonderful expression of Viognier that won't break the bank. Medium to full-bodied, this vintage looks to be one of the best yet, featuring ample concentration and length. Drink Date: 2022-2024.”

89-91 points

2020 M. Chapoutier Les Meysonniers Blanc

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, January 2022

“Pear, melon, citrus and hints of white paste appear on the nose of the 2020 Crozes Hermitage Blanc Les Meysonniers. It's medium to full-bodied, clean, zesty and fresh, yet perhaps could use a bit more breadth and richness. My recollection is that the 2018 and 2019 were bigger, richer, more pleasure-giving wines at this stage of their evolution. Drink it over the next few years.”

88-90 points

2020 M. Chapoutier Les Meysonniers Rouge

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, January 2022

“The 2020 Crozes Hermitage les Meysonniers feature gorgeous blueberries and florals on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied and silky textured. It does appear to lack a bit of the richness shown by the 2019, with the flavors falling away quickly on the finish.”

87-89 points

2020 M. Chapoutier Petite Ruche Rouge

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, January 2022

“Chapoutier's entry-level Crozes is the 2020 Crozes Hermitage la Petite Ruche. It's peppery and fresh, marked by pretty raspberry and cherry aromas on the nose. In the mouth, it's medium-bodied and silky but lacking the richness of the preceding vintage. However, it shows fine delineation and purity. Drink it young.”

97 points

2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires

Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, December 2022

“Cellar Selection”

96 points

2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires

Decanter, March 2022

“Seven up for Charles Heidsieck; the seventh release of their magnificent Blanc des Millénaires Champagne, the 2007. Their charismatic chef de caves, Cyril Brun, describes the wine as ‘dangerous’, as in dangerously good, and it is hard not to concur. The legendary Daniel Thibault, who made the first Blanc des Millénaires in 1983, was aspiring to make a very specific style of Chardonnay, rich and indulgent at the same time as being classical and rigorous of construction, a deft paradox in other words. The 2007, child of a cooler, more linear vintage than the rather heady 2006, has achieved this ambition with great aplomb. Cyril is confident that stylistically the 2007 will be closest to the 2004 and the 1995, both greatly lauded and both of which have had an unfailing capacity to win virtually every competition into which they are entered. The pale gold shimmers invitingly, its mousse discreet yet persistent, its aromatics hitherto dominated by notes of grapefruit, yuzu, citrus and quince, behind that sourdough, flint-stone and intimations of toast and honey, both of which will become more pronounced over the splendours of a long life. 20% each of five great villages, all but Vertus ranked as Grand Cru, have provided the raw materials for this most magisterial of Blanc de Blancs Champagnes. Dosed at 7.3g/L (the lowest ever at Charles) and disgorged in July 2021, with a smart new bottle design.”

96 points

2019 M. Chapoutier Les Varonniers

James Suckling, James Suckling, February 2022

“This must be the best Crozes-Hermitage I ever tasted! Deep, smoky, minty and spicy nose that expands and expands as it aerates, gaining ever more earthy complexity. Stunningly concentrated and focused palate with so much bitter chocolate and black cherry, but even more power. Giant finish that’s astonishingly refined for this appellation. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.”