Domaine Armand Rousseau is a highly esteemed producer of top-quality red Burgundy, renowned for labels such as Chambertin and Charmes-Chambertin. The estate's ownership of 5.5 acres of the prestigious Premier Cru vineyard, Clos des Ruchottes, is a testament to the quality of their wines. The grapes undergo meticulous sorting and a cool maceration before being aged in barrel for 18-24 months. Armand Rousseau wines are bottled unfiltered, allowing the full expression of the terroir to shine through. These wines are highly coveted by collectors and investors due to their limited annual production of just 65,000 bottles. Burgundy is a highly respected wine region in east-central France, known for producing top-quality red and white wines. The region is home to famous producers such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Armand Rousseau, and Domaine Leroy. Burgundy's wines are some of the most prestigious in the world, with Grand Cru-designated vineyards being an essential marker for quality. The Côte d'Or is home to many of these Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines, including the Côte de Nuits and Gevrey-Chambertin. These wines are known for being finessed, earthy and age-worthy, making them highly desirable among fine wine investors and collectors. The Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Premier Cru 2020 is a wine that effortlessly combines power and elegance. The aromas of ripe black fruits, black cherries, spices and subtle woody notes create an unforgettable sensory experience. The velvety texture and tannic structure of this wine leave a lasting impression, making you crave more. The flavour profile is slightly riper, with the essence of black cherry and poached plum complemented by an array of spice, floral, earth and wood nuances. The medium-weight plus flavours are both elegant and bold, with a striking intensity and minerality that culminates in a powerful, focused and incredibly long finish. The harmony and balance of this wine are impressive and it is expected to age gracefully for several decades. Overall, the Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Premier Cru 2020 is a standout among Premier Cru wines. Its unique terroir and meticulous winemaking process make it a must-try for any Burgundy enthusiast. This wine is sure to impress even the most discerning of palates and is guaranteed to become a treasured addition to any collection.

With its distinctive East meets West blue and gold 1932-designed label, Rousseaus Chambertin is one of Burgundys and the worlds greatest and most sought after wines. With 2.56ha of Chambertin acquired at various times since the 1920s Rousseau is the largest owner of this historic 12.90 ha Grand Cru that lies between Latricieres Chambertin to the south and Clos de Bèze to the north at between 275-300 metres. Along with Rousseaus equally mesmerizing Clos de Bèze, the Chambertin is always amongst the best and most long-lived wines of any vintage and even when young you barely notice the 100% new wood given its power and complexity.

Thomas Bouley is very much the insiders secret, more famous with his fellow vignerons than with collectors chasing the next 'superstar' seen on social media. That Thomas resists putting his name on the front label of his wines (preferring to keep his father's) is typical of his humble and low key approach. Based in Volnay may also add to his relative anonymity, however we suspect this is changing rapidly as word gets out of just how spectacular his wines are, and of the continual improvement seen since he began working with his father in the early 2000's. Meticulous attention to detail in both the vineyard and winery are notable here, and key to why Thomas is so highly regarded by his peers. Yields are moderate, and in the cellar whole cluster ferments are used more with his clay rich sites (Pommard Fremiers, Volnay Clos des Chenes), while those with thin white soils (Pommard Rugiens-Hauts, Volnay Caillerets) are largely destemmed. New oak use is minimal, and each wine spend two winters on fine lees before bottling.

An enticing wine that will awaken your senses from the very first encounter. Leather, boysenberry and sweet spices combine. The supple palate with its transparent flavours of red fruit and earthy textures leads to a finish that is both balanced and intriguing.

POOLEY Jack Denis Pooley Pinot Noir, Coal River Valley, Tasmania

Camille was the ingenious widow at the helm of Louis Roederer from 1932 to 1975, successfully steering it through all the important events of that time. Camille had many strong cards up her sleeve: wines from the finest Champagne terroirs, a collection of crus that her husband Léon had shrewdly acquired after the phylloxera crisis. These exceptional plots in Aÿ, Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Cumières are the treasure troves and foundations of Louis Roederer’s unique style. Their still red and white wines are an authentic expression of the Champagne terroirs that Camille held so dear. Frédéric Rouzaud wanted to pay homage to the great-grandmother whose playful spirit he had so admired. He therefore decided to dedicate this collection of single-vineyard still wines to Camille, perpetuating the Champagne House’s inventive spirit. This new collection is the result of a twofold motion; a glance backwards, to the past, in homage to ancestor Camille; and a gesture to the future, to that which Nature offers and to receive it in order to render it even more beautiful. By working closely with the vines, using solar viticulture and bespoke vinification, they are able to reveal a new dimension hidden in their champagne terroirs. The team ast Louis Roederer identified a 43-ares plot lying in the Charmont lieu-dit in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. The idea of creating a 100% Pinot Noir from a sunny terroir where the vines grow in direct sunlight came completely naturally. They were seeking a mature wine, a wine that pushes back the boundaries of the usual winegrowing practice in Champagne, illustrating another way of approaching this terroir. After the harvest, the grapes are simply left to infuse. The juices are then transferred to French oak barrels where they continue to integrate and become more refined over the ensuing year. The result is a very intricate and delicately-perfumed Pinot Noir with a touch of salinity, a lively, sappy backbone and a precise texture. The 2020 season followed a similar trajectory to that of 2019: a mild, wet winter followed by a dry summer with several heatwaves, admittedly less extreme than in 2019, but which had an impact on the vines. Fortunately, a rather dull month of June brought us a wet interlude between two dry periods. Despite the hot spells and the impression of constant sunshine, the 2020 campaign ended up with relatively normal temperatures and sunshine levels. These continental weather conditions, but with “normal” annual averages, allowed us to produce ripe and well balanced wines! Garnet red hue with bright tints. Elegant, concentrated Pinot noir bouquet: sweet red fruit (blood orange), forest fruit and peonies. Then come spices (cocoa bean) and dried leaves accompanied by smoky, bacon-like notes. A magical and complex nose of fresh, ripe Pinot noir. The palate is velvety smooth with fresh red fruit and a soft and silky texture with noticeable but round, creamy tannins. The typical freshness of the Champagne region has made the tannins fairly vertical but these are nicely coated by the juicy, velvety texture which lends them a unique character: firm but not austere and sappy with a saline, umami finish. Magical and complex nose of fresh, ripe Pinot noir.

Tricia Byrnes and Kevin Bell from Hurley first planted vines at their Balnarring property in 1998 with the sole intention of creating three single vineyard pinot noirs. Their philosophy centres around respect of the environment as they see their most important role is viticulture. Briary flavours of raspberries, red and black currents and sage oscillate in the mouth, expressing the pure truth of this vineyard in this vintage. Well structured, generous and creamy. Judicious oak. Very layered with drying tannins giving way to a commanding finish of flaring red fruits and energetic acidity. In a word, complex.