98 Points

2020 M. Chapoutier Neve

Stuart Pigott, James Suckling, May 2023

“How is it possible to marry this kind of syrah power with the extraordinary refinement of this Cote-Rotie? It just glides effortlessly over your palate. Then, right at the end, the power creeps up on you and inexorably pulls you into its orbit, as if this was the planet Jupiter. Amazing mineral intensity at the dazzling finish. From a vineyard at the north of the appellation on pure mica-schist soil. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”

98 Points

2020 M. Chapoutier Le Méal Rouge

Stuart Pigott, James Suckling, May 2023

“Welcome to the dark side of the Hermitage force, complete with billowing smoke and a deep well of blackberry fruit. Staggering concentration and a massive structure that’s nonetheless very precise. Enormous depth and energy at the finish which moves across the palate like a giant wave, which you the drinker are surfing. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.”

98 Points

2019 M. Chapoutier Le Méal Rouge

James Suckling, James Suckling, February 2022

“At first very leathery and animal in the nose, then the smoke wafts in and is followed by candied-orange, tobacco-leaf and coffee notes. Very concentrated, but focused and elegant for this appellation. Invigorating freshness at the long, stony finish. So dynamic! From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.”

98 Points

2019 M. Chapoutier De L’Orée Blanc

James Suckling, James Suckling, February 2022

“Stunning nose of floral honey and brioche with a smoky tension. Enormous concentration of dried stone fruit, but also super-precise on the wide-screen palate. Long finish with an extremely complex texture and very subtle spice and minerality. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”

98 Points

2020 M. Chapoutier L’Ermite Blanc

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2022

“The 2020 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc boasts subtle aromas of crushed stone and toasted grain, while the fruit is more citrus than pear or melon, with a hint of white peach. It's full-bodied but without the massive concentration of either the 2018 or 2019 vintages. Balanced, elegant, long and harmonious, it's again my pick of the whites, but it’s not quite as mind-blowing as the 2019.”

98 Points

2019 M. Chapoutier L’Ermite Rouge

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, January 2022

“This delivers power, but in a refined and precise manner, with a stream of cassis, bitter cherry and raspberry coulis dotted with hints of dried flowers, singed alder and sweet savory notes. A long minerally spine ripples underneath, adding tension and cut and pulling everything together into a pinpoint finish. Best from 2026 through 2042. 13 cases imported.”

97 Points

2022 M. Chapoutier Le Méal Rouge

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, May 2025

“Currants, blackberries, smoked meats, leather, graphite, and crushed stone all define the 2022 Ermitage Le Méal. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, and beautifully balanced, it shows a more restrained, elegant style than usual. Mostly destemmed, this was raised in 70% puncheons and 30% demi-muids, with 15% being new, for 18 months. It will shine for 20-30 years. Drink 2025-2055.”

97 Points

2022 M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois

Stuart Pigott, James Suckling, April 2025

“Hard to get past the wide-screen bouquet with its aromas of pomegranate, candied oranges and fresh herbs. Rich and concentrated, showing supersilky fine tannins that mask the power of this full-bodied and deeply structured wine. Extremely long, refined finish. From a slope in the extreme east of Chateauneuf with very water-retentive soil that makes dry farming no problem. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold”

97 Points

2022 M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2024

97 Points

2022 M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, October 2024

97 Points

2012 Rare Millésimé Brut

Claire Nesbitt, James Suckling, August 2024

“Complex notes of buttered toast, orange rind, licorice, fig and brioche on the nose, followed by honey and salted caramel on the palate. It’s layered, powerful and rich, yet so fresh and lively, with very fine bubbles that are well integrated. Long and intense. 70% chardonnay and 30% pinot noir. At least 10 years on the lees. 8g/L dosage. Drink or hold.”

97 Points

2021 Isole e Olena 'Cepparello' Toscana IGT

Monica Larner, July 2024

“One of Tuscany's flagship wines, the Isole e Olena 2021 Cepparello immediately delivers ripe fruit flavors that are firm, even crunchy, and that bodes well for the future evolution of this classic vintage. The wine is packed with tart fruit flavors followed by balanced acidity. Compared to past vintages that are more extracted and dense, this edition is delightfully bright and transparent. I appreciation the age-worthy direction Cepparello is taking.”

97 Points

2014 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires

Decanter, June 2024

“Best In Show. The 2014 vintage was a mixed one in Champagne – a cool, wet July lingered into an indifferent August – and some parts of the region (notably the Marne Valley) struggled as they coped with twice the normal rainfall total. It soon became apparent, though, that the Côtes des Blancs was a winner zone in 2014, and time has only amplified the merits of this coolish but ultra-classical year for Blanc de Blancs from well-sited vineyards. Here’s a great example. Pale and fine-beaded, with a sumptuous aroma of cream, flowers, nuts and quiet orchard fruits – though it’s stealthy as yet, and further cellar time will certainly amplify the charm. On the palate, the wine is crystalline in terms of its focus and balance, while the flavours evoke the plant world – pressed spring leaf and sweet angelica – as much as fruit. The structure is impressive for a Blanc de Blancs, too. Stylish and assured Champagne.”

97 Points

2021 M. Chapoutier De L’Orée Blanc

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May 2024

“Hints of honeyed peaches join ripe apricot and melon on the nose of Chapoutier's superb 2021 Ermitage de l'Orée. As always, it's 100% Marsanne from the clay soils of the Les Murets lieu-dit. Medium to full-bodied, it's ripe and succulent, with a long, briny and refreshing finish. It may be closing down by now, so try to hold off opening a bottle until around 2030—or allow several hours for decanting.”

97 Points

2020 M. Chapoutier Le Méal Blanc

Stuart Pigott, James Suckling, May 2023

“If you like wines with exotic fruit aromas here is a beautifully exotic white Hermitage that’s not a jot too rich, much less heavy. In spite of all the power and ripeness this has a zesty orange appeal throughout. A pure Marsanne grown on a very steep south-facing slope with old Rhone gravel soils with some loess on top. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”

97 Points

2019 M. Chapoutier Neve

James Suckling, James Suckling, February 2022

“The bouquet of this is like a huge bunch of flowers, although many of the aromas go in the balsamic, leathery and spicy directions. With a little aeration smoke and cigar tobacco notes develop. Deep blackberry and black-cherry fruit on the expansive palate, the substantial core of fine tannins holding this extravagance together beautifully. Long, silky and spicy finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.”

97 Points

2019 M. Chapoutier Les Greffieux

Kristen Bieler, Wine Spectator, January 2022

“Offers up gorgeous fruit, with creamed açaí and blueberry mixed with warmed cassis and a flash of dark plum, which holds center stage while licorice snap, violet, apple wood and sweet bay leaf accents fill in the background. Shows terrific grip through the finish, setting this up for a long life. Best from 2025 through 2040. 10 cases imported.”

97 Points

2019 M. Chapoutier Le Méal Rouge

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, January 2022

“This covers a broad swath, with waves of warm humus, roasted alder and dark tobacco playing an equal part with the layers of steeped black currant and blackberry fruit. The finish features bay leaf, leather and warm stone accents, with a rumble of tannins buried in the background. A meal in and of itself. Best from 2025 through 2040. 8 cases imported”

96 Points

2022 M. Chapoutier Neve

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, May 2025

“Bringing more minerality as well as power, the 2022 Côte Rotie Nève exhibits brilliant aromatics of red, blue, and black fruits, crushed stone, graphite, liquid violets, and a kiss of bacon fat. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated Côte Rôtie that has a supple, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and the more foursquare, mineral-driven, concentrated, masculine style of this vineyard. This cuvée is all Syrah that was 75% destemmed and brought up in 20% new French oak. Drink 2030-2045.”

96 Points

2022 M. Chapoutier Les Greffieux

Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck, May 2025

“Ripe red and black fruits, roasted herbs, roasted meats, graphite, and chocolate notes emerge from the 2022 Ermitage Les Greffieux. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, it has a rich, textured mouthfeel, plenty of ripe tannins, and beautiful overall balance. Coming from deeper soils on the lower slopes of Hermitage, the 2022 was 90% destemmed and spent 18 months in a mix of puncheons and demi-muids, with 15% being new. Drink 2025-2045.”