Bellavista is a single vineyard wine produced only in the very best years. The Bellavista vineyard comprises 22.82 hectares on an elevated plot with clay and gravel soils. A blend of Sangiovese with small amounts of Malvasia Nera, the wine undergoes a temperature controlled fermentation, pumping over and maceration over a 26 day period to build tannin structure. Following pressing, the wine is transferred to a mix of new and seasoned French oak barriques for 15 months maturation. Bellavista is typically a powerful yet profoundly elegant wine replete with red fruit, savoury earthy forest floor notes and polished tannins, with superb ageing potential.

GIUSEPPE MASCARELLO E FIGLIO Monprivato, Barolo DOCG

Preda is nestled between Cannubi and Vignane at the end of the Bussia Valley. Myers’ parcel faces east at the top of the hill, where the thin Sant'Agata soils are laced with a high portion of active lime. It’s this combination of exposure and rocky soils that, in part, allows him to craft such an aromatic, mineral-edged expression of Barolo. The other half of the calculation lies in Myers’ innovative winemaking, for Nebbiolo at least. The winemaking notes read more like Burgundy than Barolo (which, in turn, tells you much of what you need to know about the wine). Myers worked with 55% whole bunches, and the wine spent 18 days on skins. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered after 18 months on fine lees in a thick-staved Garbellotto botti, with no racking and late malolactic fermentation. The wine opens with loads of red fruits, gentle bunchy goodness, some sweetness and all kinds of flowers. A wine built on perfume! It changes quite a bit with air, building depth and dialling up the dark cherry and spice. In short, don’t be in a rush and give it plenty of air. It really made us think of top, old-vine Chambolle—as though Roumier made Barolo! Regardless of who made it, this is one of the most perfumed, silken and downright charming Barolos you’re likely to lay your hands on.

99 points by Vinous.<br>From fifth-generation producer Vietti, this 2010 Rocche di Castiglione hails from one of Barolo’s greatest vintages. Powerful yet elegant, it shows depth, structure and longevity. A rare chance to secure a true “King of Wine” from one of Piedmont’s most iconic estates.

100 points by Vinous.<br>From fifth-generation producer Vietti, the 2016 Ravera hails from one of Barolo’s greatest modern vintages. Powerful and precise with structure built for decades of ageing, it’s a rare opportunity to own a benchmark “King of Wine” from one of Piedmont’s most celebrated estates.

Guigal are one of the cornerstones of the Côte Rôtie appellation after Etienne Guigal founded the estate in 1946, tending vines that have produced world class wines for over 2,000 years. The 2005 Côte Rôtie is a blend of 89% Syrah and 11% Viognier is a truly remarkable wine from vintage that was considered difficult by many. That is impossible to tell when enjoying a bottle of this 100 Robert Parker pointed Côte Rôtie that is voluptuous and complex. Still tightly wound and a little shy, the 2005 will age easily for 20+ years which should be considered mandatory.

Simply a wine of true perfection. 2009 in Bordeaux has bestowed many a Châteaux with a wine for the ages and in iconic estates like Château Haut-Brion, the wines have been lifted to 'nirvana-ish' levels. One wouldn't be adverse to simply sitting on the nose of this wine for hours without having a want to taste it such is the complexity and aromatic waves that are present. In the mouth though, this Pessac-Léognan boasts flavours of cigar, raspberries, plums, figs and blueberries with a finish that seems to go on for decades. Breathtakingly stunning.

Cos d'Estournel remains today one of the true icons of Bordeaux, and the trademark of Saint Estèphe. With it's pagoda like house (as it's one of the rare Bordeaux's without a Château) it is a must visit for all travelling along the route des châteaux. Always of great reputation, the wines soared in esteem throughout the tenure of Bruno Prats through 1971 to 1998 and continue to this day with their Cabernet Sauvignon based wines of extreme purity and elegance. The 2009 vintage will be highly sought after with the conditions in the left bank region at their very best. Showing a more riper, plump fruit nature than the usual masculine, long-lived trademark, this years Cos will be quick out the door.