France

Chablis, France.  A notably floral nose enjoys excellent breadth with its nuances of citrus, algae, pear and ocean breeze. This is notably richer than the Séchets with more volume as well to the mineral-inflected flavours that terminate in a clean, dry and beautifully complex finale. This is really quite pretty and should drink well both young and with 5 to 7 years of age...

Chablis, France. This is riper still with notes of yellow orchard fruit, citrus blossom, ocean breeze and a hint of iodine. The attractively textured flavours possess both good energy and an appealing salinity before concluding in a finer but not nearly as long or complex finale. This is certainly good but the old vines Butteaux offers another dimension...

Chablis, France. A notably ripe yet cool array is composed of citrus, orange peel, sea breeze and floral scents. There is excellent cut and delineation to the mouth coating and terrifically intense middle weight plus flavours that possess an incredibly fine mouth feel on the almost pungently mineral-driven finish. This explosive effort will need a few years but the potential is clearly present. Worth considering...

Chablis, France. It reveals notes of white fruit such as peach, with a mineral structure. In the mouth, a stony sensation complements this pure, rounded wine...

Chablis, France. Petit Chablis expresses citrus and floral notes reminiscent of hawthorn and vine flower. Pronounced liveliness in the mouth, with a chalky and saline finish...

Chablis, France.  Light to mid crimson. Very sweet-fruited on the nose, almost a touch of caramel. Then more savoury on the palate and the tannins counteracting that initial sweetness. Tannins are dry but fine-boned. Not particularly rich but there’s freshness and harmony...

Beaujolais, France. This domaine is superbly successful: the wines are generously perfumed, ample and expressive of their terroirs. The vieilles vignes of La Roilette has surpassed itself but the revelation comes from the superbly successful Chiroubles...

Alsace, France. Almost a passionfruit crême brule sweetness, well rounded, hessian, soft and dripping, almost like a chardonnay for weight, spicy and phenolic finish, with savoury lathed wood and such. You’ll either love it or not love it, I’m thinking...

 

Alsace, France. Lovely complex, rich perfumed nose with smooth, sweet herb-tinged fruit. The palate is concentrated and full with lovely fruit richness, a bit of nuttiness and a spicy finish. Just off-dry...

Alsace, France.  Intense, rich nose is grapey with a grapefruit freshness and some floral characters. The palate is very rich and smooth. Fat textured in an off-dry style. Impressive wine...