France

Alsace, France. Fruit for the Blanck Pinot Blanc d’Alsace was sourced from gravel, sand and south-facing clay and limestone vineyards. It was gently whole-bunch pressed before spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel. It shows aromas of flowers, peach and apricot pits, lemon and grapefruit peel. A fresh and balanced young wine...

Alsace, France.  The wine is delightful to look at, with a pale golden yellow hue. Beautifully limpid. Luminous flashes, a twinkling, of pale straw gold. A gentle nose, giving off a subtle aromatic mix of fruit flesh (peaches, nectarines) and cereal grain. The attack is both delicate and concise, conferring liveliness. Has tiny beads of gas, which vanish when confronted with this nicely fleshed-out and sappy body of wine. Exquisite feel, reminiscent of angora wool, with the flavours developing into a smooth balsamic style. A most pleasant wine to quench thirst and provoke meditation...

Alsace, France.  Bright pale green. Explosive nose of passion fruit, honey, vanilla and wet stone. Very deep, rich, round and long, with sweet mango and pepper nuances lingering impressively. This knockout opulent Schlossberg has extra fat in a good way, and an added measure of oomph. And it's already superb...

Côte de Beaune, France. ‘Here there is enough wood to notice though not enough to dominate the ripe, cool and airy aromas of Savigny style earth, wet stone, humus, dark pinot fruit and underbrush. There is outstanding richness and volume to the velvety and suppl e yet very serious flavors that display strikingly good persistence on the saline - infused finish. There is a hint of austerity but overall, this is a basically a Gravains of finesse, which is not always the case chez Pavelot.’

Côte de Beaune, France. ‘Moderate wood influence stops just short of inhibiting the clear expression of the pure extract of dark berry fruit, cassis, earth and sauvage hints. There is excellent richness to the laudably concentrated mid - palate that coats the mouth with dry extract and is given lift from the presence of an almost pungent minerality. This is a relatively powerful Guettes with outstanding depth and length on the mildly austere finish.’

Cotes de Provence, France.  Pale pink robe with brilliant hints. The nose has characteristic notes of citrus fruit and tropical fruit; a refreshing mouth...

Rhone Valley, France. A blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah and the rest Cinsault and other varieties, the Chateauneuf du Pape is a medium to full - bodied, fruit - loaded effort that has beautiful texture and richness. Sweet black raspberry, cassis, leaf tobacco and violets all come together nicely. This beauty should be approachable on release, yet evolve gracefully through 2026. Drink 2017 - 2026.'

Rhone Valley, France. ‘ One of the top estates in Chateauneuf-du-Pape is that of the two brothers Thierry and Jean-Pierre Usseglio. ’ Robert Parker  Note: 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 10% Cinsault. ‘This Côtes du Rhône is produced in one of the best terroir of the appellation. It has lovely red fruits aromas sublimed by its structure and depth. It should be drink in the next three to four years.’

Burgundy, France. It is lively and structured in the mouth with a well-rounded and supple backbone. Tannins and fruit go hand in hand and match the power of the secondary aromas. This wine has volume and flesh...

Rhone Valley, France. Grenache 75%, Syrah 15%, Mourvèdre 5%, Cinsault 5% From 8 different plots (Lieux-Dits) in Gigondas 'In the same ball park and a classic Gigondas with its rich, spice laced aromas and flavours and medium to full - bodied, structured palate feel, the  Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits is a foudre aged blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and the rest Mourvedre and Cinsault. Mouth fillin g, with ripe tannin and a solid length on the finish, drink bottles over the coming 7-8 years.