Very generous wood and menthol characters suffuse the spicy and markedly jammy liqueur-like dark berry fruit aromas. There is fine richness, power and concentration to the very firmly structured and long if slightly warm finish. This is particular in that it's very ripe and while it's a perfectly good effort, I can't say it appeals to me stylistically. Drink: 2035+. Score - 89-92. (Allen Meadows, burghound.com, Jan. 10, 2020)

Lemon and lime colour. The fruit comes across a little riper, with some plum skins. Notably generous on the palate but still with excellent acidity, an intriguing little touch of liquorice further back, quite complex. Drink from 2029-2035. Score - 93. (Jasper Morris, MW, insideburgundy.com, Jan. 2025)

The main reason the 2009 Lafite Rothschild did not receive a perfect score is because the wine has closed down slightly, but it is unquestionably another profound Lafite, their greatest wine since the amazing 2003. Among the most powerful Lafites ever made (it came in at 13.59% alcohol), the final blend was 82.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot. The selection was incredibly severe with only 45% of the crop being utilized. A tight, but potentially gorgeous nose of graphite, black currants, licorice and camphor is followed by a full-bodied wine revealing the classic elegance, purity and delineated style of Lafite. It is phenomenally concentrated with softer tannins than the 2005, the 2003's voluptuous, broad, juicy personality, and low acidity. There are several vintages that I thought were a replay of their colossal 1959, most notably 1982 and 2003, but 2009 is also one to keep an eye on. It is still extremely youthful and seems slightly more backward than I would have guessed based on the barrel tastings, but it needs 10-15 years of bottle age, and should last for 50+. Drink date: 2022-2072. Score - 99+. (Robert Parker Jr., robertparker.com, Dec. 22, 2011)

Fragrant and deeply herbal, a mixture of fresh and savoury. Clean and clear, immediately quite zingy with acidity to the fore and while this doesn't get any weightier, and is definitely not plush, it continues the same initial flavour from start to a long finish. Keeps direction and definition, finessed and so well delivered. Balanced and harmonious, it's not shouting as Lafite never does, but this maintains a well proportioned expression and you feel like you could drink this now as well as age it further - it's almost timeless in that aspect. Slightly grainy, mineral-edged tannins on the finish. Structured despite being quite light. I love it. Drinking window: 2024-2046. Score - 98. (Georgina Hindle, decanter.com, June 27, 2024)

Slightly younger fruit and according to Ray Signorello 'from less rocky sites' go into the 'Napa' label leading to a softer structure. That said its aged in 75% new French oak barrels that tend to lends firm support to the ripe, round, rich cassis fruit. The blend of Silverado Trail fruit is 94/6 cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. It has all the usual, tight ripe fruit held in check, restrained if you like for Napa, although in 2012 the fruit is bursting through the framework of acid and tannin. The finish is long and persistent and full of licorice, olives, tobacco and more dark fruit flavours. Serious stuff for sure. Score - 92. (Anthony Gismondi, winealign.com, July 3, 2016)

Marc-Emmanuel Cyrot and his brother, Olivier, are the fourth generation of the Cyrot family to be involved in wine. With a custom built, highly functional, bunker-like cellar, created by their father, Olivier was able to concentrate on their vineyards, striving to understand the varied terroirs they had inherited. This Meursault comes from the hot, dry 2018 vintage, which produced wines of almost incomparable concentration. The wine was fermented in barrel and matured in oak for 12 months.

The 2021 vintage saw a small volume of white wine produced, but the quality is superb, with Chassagne-Montrachet being called '... the most dynamic appellation in the Côte de Beaune' by Neal Martin of vinous.com in his 2021 Burgundy report (Jan. 5, 2023). Les Caillerets premier cru site was identified in 1855. The vineyard contains marl-limestone, clay-marl, sand, and the small pebbles from which it takes its name. This wine shows lifted white floral notes with layered, complex peach, pear, a touch of beeswax, and fine minerality. It has the potential to drink into the mid-to-late 2030s.

Pale lemon. Quite a classy nose, still restrained but you can see a lot more to come beneath. There's a lovely thread throughout, attractively ripe fruit, but no exotic flavours, fine tension in the middle of the palate and excellent length. Drink from 2030-2036. Tasted Oct 2024. Score - 94. (Jasper Morris, MW, insideburgundy.com, Jan. 2025)