The Cellar Book

Tasting Notes & Reviews

Structured reviews, sensory profiles, and scores for the wines that define their regions.

Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 'Les Cazetiers'

Domaine Faiveley

NoseCrushed black cherry, wild strawberry, violet, forest floor, a whisper of cedar and iron

PalateSilky and precise, with fine-grained tannins and a spine of bright acidity. Dark fruit gives way to earthy, mineral depth. Long, saline finish.

A benchmark Premier Cru that captures the brooding intensity of Gevrey with uncommon elegance. Drink 2026–2040.

€185

2026–2040

SparklingChampagne · 2014

R.N. Extra Brut

Bollinger

NoseBrioche, toasted hazelnut, green apple, lemon curd, chalk, and a faint smokiness

PalateCreamy yet taut, with extraordinary tension between richness and minerality. Tiny bubbles carry flavors of citrus peel, almond, and aged pastry. Endless finish.

One of the finest recent releases from Bollinger — a Champagne that rewards patience and commands attention. Drink now through 2035.

€320

Now–2035

All Reviews

Red

Piedmont · 2018

Barolo 'Brunate' DOCG

Giuseppe Rinaldi

NoseDried rose, tar, leather, dried cherry, anise, tobacco, and a haunting mineral note

A titan of Barolo. Rinaldi's Brunate is not for the impatient — but those who wait will be rewarded with something transcendent. Drink 2028–2055.

Nebbiolo

€240

Braised beef cheekWhite truffle pastaAged Parmigiano

White

Burgundy · 2020

Meursault Premier Cru 'Les Perrières'

Domaine des Comtes Lafon

NoseLemon blossom, white peach, crushed limestone, toasted almond, and a flinty mineral edge

The finest white Burgundy I've tasted from the 2020 vintage. Perrières at its most precise and profound. Drink 2025–2038.

Chardonnay

€210

Scallops with beurre blancRoast chickenVacherin Mont d'Or

Red

Rioja · 2015

La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

La Rioja Alta

NoseDried cherry, vanilla, coconut, cedar, leather, and dried herbs — the unmistakable signature of long American oak aging

A classic Gran Reserva that demonstrates why La Rioja Alta remains one of Spain's most reliable producers. Drink now through 2030.

Tempranillo

€65

Roast lambManchegoChorizo

Red

Napa Valley · 2019

Cabernet Sauvignon 'To Kalon Vineyard'

Robert Mondavi Winery

NoseBlackcurrant, dark plum, graphite, cedar, dried herbs, and a hint of dark chocolate

To Kalon remains one of Napa's most storied sites, and this bottling honors that legacy with power and precision in equal measure. Drink 2024–2038.

Cabernet Sauvignon

$185

Ribeye steakLamb rackAged cheddar

How We Score

All wines are scored on the 100-point scale. Notes are written blind where possible, with scores reflecting quality relative to the wine's category and price point.

Drink Windows

Drink windows reflect optimal enjoyment based on the wine's structure and development at time of tasting. Storage conditions will affect these estimates.

Food Pairings

Pairing suggestions are guidelines, not rules. We favour combinations that amplify the wine's character — not simply complement it.

Explore the regions behind these wines

Wine Regions