Wines

93 Points! A blend of 77% Malbec and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Ilaria Malbec has a deep garnet-purple color. It needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock powerful notes of plum preserves, chocolate-covered cherries, and lilacs, leading to suggestions of clove oil and fallen leaves. The full-bodied palate is jam-packed with bright, energetic black fruits and captivating floral sparks, framed by velvety tannins and lovely tension, finishing with great persistence. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

94 Points! Coming mostly from the Dr. Reid Vineyard in Coombsville, the 2021 Malbec is based on 77% Malbec and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon. A smoking wine, it offers juicy black cherry and blueberry fruits as well as some tobacco, chocolate, and graphite nuances. Medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins, balance, and a great finish, it's a gorgeous wine. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! From a lower section of the Ink Grade Estate, below 425 metres, this vineyard sits just outside the Howell Mountain AVA, making it part of the Napa Valley AVA. Intentionally made in a more reductive style, it is fermented partly in barrel and concrete, then racked to stainless steel for six months before completing full malolactic fermentation. This wine showcases a generosity of fruit, leaning towards the stone fruit spectrum, with layers of spicy ginger and cool wet slate or flinty mineral notes. The palate is rich and textured, with warming spice nuances of ginger and turmeric, leading to a leesy, lingering finish. Very elegant and exceptionally food-friendly. - Decanter Magazine

99 Points! 2018 saw the introduction of ceramic vessels in the winery, along with the addition of another large cask. The 16 micro-vinifications this year took place completely in stainless steel using wild yeasts, then matured for 22 months in tonneaux (80% new) and 15hl barrels. It then spent eight months in ceramic (rather than the cement used in previous vintages) before bottling. This 2018 brilliantly combines the darker fruit of 2016 with the mega-freshness of 2015, finishing it off with super-fine tannins. Creamy, earthy and chocolatey notes are lifted by a balsamic waft, overlaid with ripe, sapid red and black cherries, a touch of black tea and a long, sweet, pure cherry and wild strawberry finish. Superb. - Decanter Magazine

94+ Points! Bursting with a gorgeous, seductive nose of fresh, spiced red and black fruit, the 2020 Conflict is a blend of 56% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Beyond the fresh fruit aromas, elegant oak essences vibrantly dance out of the glass. Full-bodied, lively and expressive, the palate is plummy, with elegant baking spices uncoiling before ending with an ever-evolving, lingering, spicy finish. I'm going back for a second sip. Just over 18,000 bottles were produced from grapes that grew at Dionysus and Connor-Lee vineyards. - Anthony Mueller, robertparker.com

96 Points! The 2021 Syrah Kimsey Vineyard is ample and full-bodies, as most wines from this site are. Dark-toned fruit, leather, cedar, spice, menthol and dried flowers build nicely, leading to an expansive, broad finish. All of this fruit was destemmed, an approach that worked so well here. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

94 Points! The 2021 Syrah Kimsey Vineyard is all varietal (100% destemmed) that spent 22 months in just 13% new French oak. It has a beautiful, fruit-driven perfume of red and blue fruits, sandalwood, and exotic flowers. This carries to a plush, seamless, medium to full-bodied Syrah that picks up more meaty, gamey notes on the palate, has ripe, polished tannins, and just about flawless overall balance. It's another killer Syrah in the lineup. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! Bing cherries, wild strawberries, and even some blue-like fruits emerge from the 2021 Syrah Thompson Vineyard, a medium to full-bodied Syrah revealing classic pepper, violet, and gamey, meaty aromatics, ripe, polished tannins, and a gorgeously textured, dense mid-palate. This perfumed, exotic, complex Syrah will evolve for 10-12 years at a minimum. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! The 2021 Syrah Thompson Vineyard is a bright, savory wine. Black pepper, lavender, mint, spice and graphite meld into a core of blue-toned fruit. This vibrant, sculpted Syrah captures all the energy of the cool year without any excesses. This is the first year with some stem inclusion, about 17%. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

94 Points! Even better is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard, perhaps eastern Washington’s finest site for this varietal. Purple/black in color, it sends up a soaring nose of pain grille, pencil lead, espresso, licorice, violets, black currant, and blackberry. Full-bodied, dense, smooth-textured, layered, and plush, the tannins and oak are totally integrated, and there is at least 7-8 years of aging potential. Give this large-scaled offering 5-7 years of cellaring, and drink it through 2032. - Jay Miller, robertparker.com

94 Points! A tasting of the four main parts (Les Challaix, Le Clos, La Dardouille and Bachasson) suggests that this will be a vintage that combines power – black fruits and thick tannins from La Dardouille – and more lifted, fleshy, fragrant, low acid elements from Les Challaix, plus Bachasson's rose and raspberry. A little richer and more velvety than a typical year. - Decanter Magazine

94 Points! Leading off the 2022s, gorgeous red and black fruits, spice, pepper, and bouquet garni define the 2022 Saint Joseph. Very focused and layered on the palate, it shows medium to full-bodied richness and elegant tannins. It's very much in the sunny yet structured style of the vintage and will have 10-12 years of prime drinking. Drink 2025-2037. - Jeb Dunnuck

92-94 Points! I tasted numerous components that will form the final blend of the 2022 Saint-Joseph. Ripe red and blue fruits usher in, complemented by licorice, violets, cedar and pencil shaving elements. Medium-bodied, juicy and refined, all 2022 samples display wonderful freshness within an intricate web of polished tannins. If all continues down this path, this will be a terrific Saint-Joseph. - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Media

94 Points! The 2022 Les Inseparables is based on 43% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, and the rest Viognier, from vineyards throughout California. Its medium gold hue is followed by a medium-bodied, elegant, yet richer wine from Cohn that has a gorgeous nose of ripe lemons, honeysuckle, toast, and white flowers. It brings some classic Cohn richness, but this stays pretty and elegant, with a terrific sense of freshness. It's going to shine on the dinner table for 2-3 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

96 Points! Disgorged without dosage, the NV Extra Brut Rosé Fac-similie (LC18) bursts with aromas of red berries, plums and spices mingled with freshly baked bread and dried white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and sapid, with delicate structure and an enveloping core of irresistibly succulent fruit, lively acids and a long, saline finish. While the Fac-similie shares the charm of its white counterpart, its gently phenolic grip seems to temper some of the exuberance of the vintage. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

94 Points! A juicy and fruity red with blackberry and some dark chocolate and graphite character. Lead pencil, too. Medium-bodied with creamy and integrated tannins and a juicy finish. Savory and delicious. Some iodine. A blend of grenache, shiraz and mourvedre. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! The 2021 Plexus comprises 48% Shiraz, 28% Grenache and 24% Mourvèdre. This is the first wine that John Duval made when he left Penfolds; the first vintage was 2003. This is polished and juicy, the long and mild 2021 season on show here. There are notes of raspberry pip and cocoa, a hint of chocolate-covered licorice and tobacco, brine and star anise. It's a lovely wine, as ever. And it's potentially a superstar release, given the inherent balance and length of the season and, therefore, the wine too. - Erin Larkin, robertparker.com

93 Points! This quite serious 2021 Red Plexus is a Rhone blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre with an almost Gigondas feel. It delivers exceptional value with its brooding blackberry, meat stocks and licorice aromas, plus a dusting of spices. Dry with excellent focus and concentration, the cooler 2021 vintage provided a tighter and tannic package delivering waves of meaty olive tapenade and peppery complexity. The length is excellent, but it needs a little time to blossom. - Angus Hughson, Vinous

93 Points! Beautifully perfumed notes of violet and lavender add an effusive quality to the core of blackberry, kirsch and fresh plum, with accents of star anise, sage, masala chai and tapenade, plus a touch of bittersweet chocolate that lingers on the long finish, where the plush tannins add further elegance. Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre. - Wine Spectator

94 Points! There's also a village red from Labastida, of which I tasted two vintages. The 2021 Viñedos en Labastida is a blend of different plots with some 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha and 5% white grapes fermented with indigenous yeasts and some whole clusters in search of balance and elegance. The wine matured in 500- and 600-liter oak foudres in their cold cave. This was my favorite of the village reds, with a perfumed and elegant nose, complex, deep and nuanced. It's serious, harmonious and with very fine tannins. It has medium ripeness and good balance. 3,600 bottles were filled in September 2022. - Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com

94 Points! Very vibrant and assertive wine with a sense of unhindered power and depth. The palate has such succulent fruit with terrific weight. Moves between citrus and stone fruit with handy acidity driving it through. Will be released in 2021. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

94 Points! Savory, meaty and rustic on the nose, with an array of olives, tomato leaves, wild cherries, paprika and dried spices. It’s full of flavor, spicy and driven, with a medium to full body and a wild earthy minerality coming through. Drink after 2025. - JamesSuckling.com

99 Points! A blend of 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Estate Cuvée is another outstanding wine from L'Aventure in the challenging 2020 vintage, offering singular concentration and elegance. Deep ruby-purple, it has a pure core of cassis and slowly unfolding accents of licorice, cured meats, tobacco leaves, cedar and truffle. Full-bodied, juicy and alluring, it floods the mouth with layers of blue fruit, floral perfume and spice. It is supported by powdery tannins and boasts a tremendously long, detailed finish. - Erin Brooks, robertparker.com

99 Points! A blend of 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Estate Cuvée is another outstanding wine from L'Aventure in the challenging 2020 vintage, offering singular concentration and elegance. Deep ruby-purple, it has a pure core of cassis and slowly unfolding accents of licorice, cured meats, tobacco leaves, cedar and truffle. Full-bodied, juicy and alluring, it floods the mouth with layers of blue fruit, floral perfume and spice. It is supported by powdery tannins and boasts a tremendously long, detailed finish. - Erin Brooks, robertparker.com

98 Points!  A linear and transparent red with violets and dark fruits with sliced tangerines. Full- to medium-bodied with firm and racy tannins. Brightness and energy. Hints of chocolate and malted milk. Lovely purity to it. Drink after 2026 and onwards. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

99 Points!  The 2020 L'Eglise-Clinet, made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. It opens with wonderfully fragrant notes of violets, dark chocolate, aniseed, and forest floor, leading to a core of preserved plums and black cherry preserves, plus a touch of cast-iron pan. The medium to full-bodied palate explodes with tons of juicy black fruit layers, supported by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with a whole array of baking spice, black berry, and minerally accents. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

97-98 Points! Really impressive concentration for the vintage with dusty tannins that give density and intensity. Medium-bodied, this shows dark fruit and chocolate plus walnut and hazelnut undertones. Juicy and flavorful but always in reserve. Winemaker Noemie Durantou Reilhac likens it to the 2015 but with finesse. 90% merlot and the rest cabernet franc. - James Suckling

95-97 Points! The 2024 L'Eglise-Clinet is brilliant and intensely aromatic in its first impression. Vibrant red-toned fruit, blood orange, cinnamon, cedar and rose petal soar from the glass. Readers will find a vertical, explosive L'Eglise-Clinet that impresses with its poise and balance. The 2024 deftly marries finesse and power to a degree I have seldom seen here in the past. Superb. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

94-96 Points! The 2025 L'Eglise Clinet was picked on September 21, 23 and 24 apropos the Merlot and September 23, 24 and 28 for the Cabernet Franc, which constitutes 10% of the blend. It matured in 85% new oak (90% Darnajou and 10% Taransaud). This takes time to unfurl generous black cherry, mint and cassis aromas that blossom in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with chiseled tannins that frame the mineral-driven black fruit. It's not the most powerful L'Eglise-Clinet I have ever tasted at this stage, but you have to admire the manner which this just builds toward the finish whilst retaining poise and tension. The 2024 is a wonderful Pomerol that will age effortlessly in bottle. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

93-95 Points! Based on 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, and aging in 80% new barrels, the 2024 Château L'Eglise Clinet is one of the deeper-hued Pomerols in the vintage. It offers rocking aromatics of dark berries, black cherries, graphite, scorched earth, and violets. Medium-bodied on the palate, it brings serious richness, with ripe, round, layered tannins and a great, mineral-laced finish. This is one of the denser, more concentrated wines in the vintage, yet it stays balanced and precise. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! A 2,700-case blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc cropped at a low 27 hectoliters per hectare (compare that with 39 hectoliters per hectare in 2009 and 31 in 2010), this superb claret was aged 18 months in 75% new French oak. Mulberry, spring flower, black cherry and raspberry characteristics as well as hints of spice and coffee emerge from this full-bodied, opulent, structured beauty. It should age effortlessly for 15-20 years. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

99 Points! Very classy and refined with subtle complexity and linear structure. Floral and perfumed. Medium- to full-bodied. Fine velvety tannins and a bright finish. Racy and fine. Really intense. Juniper and fresh sage. Bitter lemon. Botanicals. Bright. 88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc. Drink or hold. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

98 Points!  Glamour and seduction in spades at L'Evangile giving classic Pomerol typicity with a kick. Floral and expressive on the nose with pink and purple flowers, pink peppercorns, white and dark chocolate, raspberries and black cherries. Gorgeous texture on the palate, rich, deep, potent in the weight and tannic frame - chalky, ripe, mouthfilling, gently chewy giving bounce to the blackcurrant, plum, strawberry and cherry fruit while the minerality and salinity give a cool, fresh undercurrent. Clearly youthful and strict but such long length, really direct and focussed. Sleek yet muscular, everything feels precise and sculpted with a lingering clove and cinnamon edge giving the angles and tension right now. Clean and straight with precision, shape and style, tons of energy and juiciness. A great wine. - Decanter Magazine