98 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

"The 2020 Barolo Francia is fascinating to taste next to the 2021. A substantial young Barolo, the 2020 offers notable mid-palate density and tons of pure explosive energy. Savory and mineral notes abound, but at this stage, the 2020 is a Barolo of fruit and texture. Practically seamless tannins pull it all together. I have a slight preference for the 2021, but it is neck and neck between these two great Barolos. A second bottle enjoyed in a local restaurant a few days after this tasting was every bit as memorable."

97+ Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The Giacomo Conterno 2020 Barolo Francia shows balance and elegance with an especially mineral character that is specific to this wine. Red and blue fruit aromas add hints of sweetness, but the bouquet quickly moves to iron ore and dusty ferrous notes. Of these three single-vineyard Barolos, Arione has the finesse, Cerretta has volume and structured tannins and Francia, well, has an even greater sense of tannic intensity. These are age-worthy tannins that still feel quite firm and compact and will need more time to resolve."

93 Stephan Reinhardt - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Sourced from the fruit of 36 family-owned plots in Oger and Mesnil-sur-Oger, the NV Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is very fine and intense on the clear, precise and perfectly ripe nose, with lovely brioche and aromatic fruit notes. Beautifully intense but refined and highly elegant on the palate, this is one of the finest Blanc de Blancs I have had from Bruno Paillard in the past five years. This is so gentle, pure and chalky, with a long and intense but clear, crisp and salty finish. This is absolutely fabulous in its terroir reflection and great delicacy with beautiful length. Disgorged as Extra-Brut in January 2017. Tasted October 2018.

95-97 Neal Martin - Vinous Media

The 2023 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, which includes 80% whole bunch, has a beautifully defined bouquet that is more complex and terroir-expressive than the preceding Charmes-Chambertin. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy opening that disguises the insistent grip behind, a testament to Lignier-Michelot's more hands-off approach in extraction. It is refined, with lovely balance and a touch of allspice toward the finish. This is a worthy follow-up to his standout 2022. I would not be surprised if it ends up at the top of my banded score once in bottle.

100 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

Dreamy, subtle aromas of dried fruit such as apricots and mangoes, but also fresh lemons and pears. Then there are caramel and tart tatin undertones with some bananas, pineapple, tangerines and other tropical fruit. Full-bodied, yet it remains vivid and compact, giving it a lightness even though it is really structured. The tannins are throughout the palate but blend in perfectly, giving it a solid presence, like a a diamond. It’s tight at the end, but you know that it will linger for ages, with a lightly chewy and intellectual finish. Touches of sweetness, cloves and bitterness to make it interesting. Dynamic. About 54,000 bottles made. Relatively small harvest. 148 g/L residual sugar.

97 Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Independent

The 2021 d'Yquem is composed of 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. It has 148 grams per liter of residual sugar, making for a relatively rich style and the sweetest Yquem since 2017. Pale lemon-gold colored, perfumed notes of orange peel, juicy peaches, grapefruit, and honeycomb slowly emerge from the glass, followed by suggestions of jasmine tea, fresh ginger, and lime blossoms. The palate is fantastically satiny, with great tension and loads of spicy sparks complementing the citrusy flavors, finishing with epic length and a zesty lift. 54,000 bottles were made. The alcohol is 13.9%, and the pH is 3.79.

19 Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages

Beautiful primary fruit boasting tropical complexity: mango, pineapple. Saltiness, according to the winemaker – and there is definitely savoury contrast in there. The marvel of this wine is its completeness – the stitching is so fine between the sugar, acidity, rich fruit and length. Opens up in the glass, with white chocolate, caramel, clotted cream, mixed peel, five-spice. As prestigious as ever, and so gratifying to drink right now.

94 Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The Hamilton Russell Vineyards 2023 Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Chardonnay is made with pressed whole clusters. The juice is settled overnight and starts a wild ferment (to dryness) in barrel. It matures in oak for 10 months, with minimum stirring of the lees. This vintage saw 30% malolactic fermentation. Secondary fermentation is vintage specific, and some years it doesn't happen at all. This mineral-driven Chardonnay offers a drying signature of crushed oyster shell that folds softly into tropical fruits and pineapple. The mouthfeel is brimming with tension and energy. Acidity and minerality make this a distinctively marine Chardonnay.

98-100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Independent

After a little shaking, notes of orange blossoms, fresh grapefruit, and just-ripe pineapple slowly emerge from the glass, followed by hints of fennel seed, wet pebbles, and blanched almonds. The medium-bodied palate is so silky and seamless, melting in your mouth with saline-laced citrus and tropical fruit layers, finishing with epic length and depth. Incredible.

98-99 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

Minerally and understated nose, but it’s so pure and bright, showing lots of purity and precision this year. Subtle aromas of seashells, green kiwis, wet stones and meringue follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate. Lots of texture and energy, yet it remains dry and really long. 56.1% semillon and 43.9% sauvignon blanc.

95-97 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2024 Haut-Brion Blanc is seamless and textured in the glass. Silky and creamy in feel, with fabulous balance, Haut-Brion Blanc is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Marzipan, chamomile, spice, lemon confit and a kiss of French oak are all beautifully woven together. The long, sustained finish is a thing of beauty.

95-97 Neal Martin - Vinous Media

The 2024 Haut-Brion Blanc also has a reserved bouquet like the La Mission Blanc and demands more encouragement than usual. Eventually, there are lime, gooseberry, crushed stone and mirabelle scents that start to gain intensity after ten minutes. The palate is very well balanced with a slightly more pithy texture. It is quite peppery, with fine grip and hints of green olive toward the persistent finish. This is excellent.

97 Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

Honeysuckle, green apples, orange rind, white peach and flower aromatics are easy to spot. Elegant, refined, and fresh, the wine is filled with sweet fruits that gently caress your palate, lingering in the zesty finish. The wine is made from a blend of 56.1% Semillon with 43.9% Sauvignon Blanc. 13.75% ABV., 3.2 pH. Drink from 2027-2042

95 Andreas Larsson - Blindtasted.com

Medium deep garnet with a ruby rim. Fragrant and complex nose, good intensity showing aromas of fine leather, tobacco, wild herbs, sweet cherry, plum and black pepper. Dense and concentrated palate with good proportions, young but ripe tannin and a refreshing backbone of acidity, layered spiciness, savoury fruit and a long lingering finish, great potential.

94 Nicolas Greinacher - Vinous

The 2020 Bandol is a gorgeous rendition from Château Pradeaux, bursting from the glass with pronounced and highly complex notes of molten stems, wild strawberry, licorice and blackcurrant leaf. Made from 95% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache, the 2020 is medium-bodied yet remarkably vivid, with the whole bunch integrated beautifully and the tannins already rounded into a lovely, textural shape. There is tremendous energy. The 2020 finishes long, fresh and full of beguiling verve, leaving a lasting impression of character and finesse.

90 Tim Atkin, MW

This Syrah and Touriga Nacional rosé, due for release in the summer, is straightforward but very well executed. Fermented in stainless steel, it offers bright strawberry supported by refreshing acidity and considerable concentration which belies its pretty, pale pink colour. Highly drinkable. 2026-2028

88 Wine Enthusiast

Imagine a rose, just beginning to bloom while wild sun drenched raspberries peek out from beneath dried leaves creating a subtle aromatic landscape. On the palate, it's like biting into a hard sour cherry candy infused with dried mint. Dusty tannins and a savory finish, with a slight astringent twist, make this a Barbaresco to contemplate from 2027 onward.

90 Joe Czerwinski - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Volumes of the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley are close to what they were in 2021, about 11,000 cases. Sourced from estate vineyards and purchased fruit, this vintage contains a bit more mountain fruit and stuff from southern Napa, according to winemaker Kristy Melton. Cedar and mocha shadings accent ripe cherries on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is soft and velvety. Forward and probably not meant for the cellar, this is still a tasty wine, with just a hint of dried fruit on the finish.