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Tasted blind at the 2012 Southwold tasting, the 2012 Ausone took more time to settle in the glass than its peers, eventually deciding upon briary, violet and cassis scentsvery floral and Margaux-like in style, not powerful but insistent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a crisp line of acidity, blackcurrant pastille mixed with cedar and a dash of spice, the wine finally revving up towards an intense and persistent finish that almost stains the mouth with its opulence. It is a gorgeous Saint Emilion from Pauline and Alain Vauthier. Tasted January 2016. - Rober Parker Jr

Another terrific success for the flagship estate (a 92-acre vineyard situated on the famed limestone and clay-rich slopes of Cote Pavie) of Chantal and Gerard Perse, the 2011 Pavie is composed of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 2011 may be the biggest, richest, most massive wine of the vintage. With thrilling levels of concentration, tremendous purity, high but sweet tannin, a skyscraper-like mouthfeel, and terrific intensity, depth and palate presence, this larger-than-life effort will require 5-8 years of cellaring, and should age effortlessly over the following 25-30 years.

Bass Phillip Reserve Pinot Noir shows remarkable puissance and elegance with gorgeous fruit density and beautiful silken tannins. It is a madly rare, profoundly intense and exquisitely balanced wine which reflects the nuances of an exceptional vineyard site. The Reserve is made from five rows of 'precocious' Pinot Noir vines in the centre of a closely spaced (9000 vines/hectare) north-east facing vineyard planted on silty loams. The unfiltered Reserve, matured for 20 months in new Alliers oak, is a brilliant example of Australian terroir showing plenty of concentrated spicy/black cherry fruit, savoury mocha oak and supple tannins. It is widely regarded as Australia's most evocative and characterful Pinot Noir.

The harvest began very early, on the 5th September, and lasted 9 weeks. This made is possible to reflect all the diversity of a year in which both flowering and veraison were very spread out. Picking began especially early at Yquem in 2014. Some 25% of the crop was brought in before the 15th of September, providing a rare and precious background of acidity.

DOMAINE DUJAC Aux Malconsorts 1er cru, Vosne-Romanee

Clos Vougeot is renowned for being one of the finest red wines in Burgundy with superlative depth, richness and power. Domaine d'Eugenies Clos Vougeot comes off a small holding of 1.36ha within the large walled Clos Vougeot vineyard. The plot is located in one of the best positions at the top of the slope and is managed along biodynamic principles. The fruit is handpicked, 50% is then destemmed with fermentation taking place in small vessels, before undergoing maturation in approximately 90% new French oak barrels.