JEAN-NOEL GAGNARD Cuvee L'Estimee , Chassagne-Montrachet

JEAN-NOEL GAGNARD Santenay 1er Cru Clos de Tavennes , Santenay

Deep, vibrant red. Red cherries with a citric tartness that is very appealing, along with minerals and a touch of anise. A little wildness. Quite savoury. The palate fans out on the finish and the wine is very persistent. A little oak in support. Very focussed and layered for the vintage.

say Vigne en haut meaning vineyard above. Exposed to the south this vineyard is still subject to the cooler valley air ensuring a fineness not seen further down the slope. Coste-Caumartin have a 0.55 hectare parcel planted on the local soil rich in fine limestone. An elegant nose with expansive, yet fine aromatics. Both the nose and palate are very mineral with a aerial character not seen in wines from further down the slope. Bright and structured and rather stylish.

WILLIAM DOWNIE Bull Swamp Pinot Noir, Baw Baw Shire

DOMAINE HENRI MAGNIEN 1er Cru La Coutiere, Aloxe-Corton

Subtle hints of menthol and wood toast can be found on the spicy liqueur-like aromas of plum, cherry and cassis. There is once again fine verve and delineation to the stony medium weight flavors that deliver very good length if less complexity on the very firmly structured finale. This may well surprise to the upside if it can add more depth with time in bottle, which it definitely needs. (Drink starting 2030)