Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2022 vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) dominates, blended with 31% of Merlot and 4% of Petit Verdot. Malleret has a very long history, and it has been in the hands of the same family for 150 years. In this exceptional vintage, Malleret is a sheer beauty. Deep, dense dark red with purplish rim. Blackberries, cassis, flowers and very subtle oak. Seriously concentrated, with layers of black fruit and delicate spices, embedded in a firm structure of velvety tannins, balanced by fresh acidity. Long, fresh finish. A lovely wine that sells for a song. Abv. 13,5%. Stéphane Derononcourt consults. — 2 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

Contrary to what the app says, there is no Grenache here, " Les Espinasses" 2020 is 90% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Or should I say " Shiraz", because this wine could be easily mistaken for a Barossa Shiraz, with perhaps more acidity. It seems that Australian owner Paul Gordon got slightly homesick crafting this wine. This 2020 is a beauty, with jammy black fruit and spices, but still fresh and vibrant. A great Faugères, just a different style. — 12 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2023 vintage. "Le Jardin de Paul" ( named after Paul Cadenat who curated this vineyard for 75 years) made from a 110 years old Carignan vineyard in the Languedoc ( Faugères). Juicy, fresh and amazingly elegant for Carignan. An impressive effort from Isla and Paul Gordon, owners of Domaine La Sarabande, a small 10 hectares estate in Faugères. — 12 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.5

2015 vintage. From the Antoine Moueix stable (also Patache d'Aux). A simple, light, fresh and very quaffable Merlot-dominated petit Bordeaux. The rustic finish can be compensated by some food. One would expect more complexity and concentration from a Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois in a very good year, but at 7,95 euro, there is no reason to complain. Ab. 13%. — 2 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2013 vintage. The Premier Cru "Clos du Roi" (or sometimes spelled "Roy") is considered by many the best vineyard in Mercurey. 2013 was a challenging vintage in many respects, but this is delicious. Intriguing nose with coffee beans and cherries, intertwined with floral and herbal impressions. Very fresh in the mouth, with juicy sour cherries, subtle spices, and a slightly rustic tannic backbone. Very good length. No signs of fatigue, I wouldn't be surprised to see this holding up well for another decade. Abv. 13%. — 7 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

"Bousigue" 2022. This is a Mourvèdre dominated Faugères, blended with 15% Syrah. A complex, spicy delight. Ab.14.5 %. — 12 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2009 vintage. 109 years old vines. — 13 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2020 vintage. A blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. A little timid in the beginning, but opened up fine after 15 minutes in the glass. Purity of fruit ( both black and red), 2020 freshness, Pessac-Léognan spiciness and high quality tannins.Long finish with a nice licorice touch. Great value too, somehow Fieuzal remains somewhat under the radar. Stephen Carrier makes the wine, Thomas Duclos consults. — 3 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

7.0

2022 vintage. Estate owned by the Aubert family ( also La Couspade, Saint- Emilion Cru Classé). A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasted alongside Teyssier Saint-Emilion 2022. strange smell and total lack of charm and drying. The kind of experience I have often had with Diam corks, but this is not Diam, it only mentions " G2". But it is obviously one of those " technological corks", chopped fine and glued together. Also, the cork doesn't smell as neutral as the Teyssier natural cork, so I wonder if it's the glue that interacts with tannins? — 9 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

" Les Rabasses" 2020, a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache Noir. Ab. 14,5%. — 12 days ago