The fall of communism in Hungary saw many new beginnings, and one of note for wine lovers was the formation of The Royal Tokaji Company by wine-writer Hugh Johnson, and a consortium of foreign investors with the sole vision of revitalising the magnificent sweet wines of Hungary. The Royal Tokaji Company today is a benchmark for the noble wines of the region, from their 3 Puttonyos wines at around 60-90 grams per litre of residual sugar through to the intense Essencia at 450-850 grams, they are wines that offer the drinker a unique insight to one of the great wine styles of the world. In truly exceptional years Royal Tokaji selects the finest berries from its finest vineyards and carefully produces a few barrels of Single Vineyard Aszú. 2017 was such a year, just the eighth this century, showing exceptional richness, structure and backbone balanced by lively acidity - a truly volcanic vintage. Summer was hot, so we began the Aszú berry harvest in early September and continued to pick steadily in the ideal autumn weather. In particular October provided three textbook weeks for fine quality Aszú, with day after day of early morning mists, afternoon sunshine and drying winds. The Aszú wines show great structure, plenty of botrytis, depth and freshness with excellent complexity, all attributes of long ageing potential. The excellent Aszú berries with good structure and perfect botrytis were macerated in fermenting must for two days. After pressing and finishing fermentation in barrel the wines were filled into Hungarian oak casks in our extensive, deep underground cellars to mature for over two years. The final blends were carefully crafted in the spring of 2020. Bottled at 203.3 grams of residual sugar per litre. Nyulászó (meaning “a good place to catch hares”) is a celebrated First Growth vineyard overlooking the village of Mád. Its volcanic bedrock is overlaid with rich, brown clay interspersed with lighter rhyolite tuff, consistently producing racy, perfumed, elegant wines with a steely backbone. This wine is lively and elegant, highly perfumed on the nose with ripe peach and apricot on the palate balanced by silky acidity. The finish is long and incredibly complex.

Domaine Sylvain Cathiard stands as a testament to the dedication and passion of the Cathiard family. This small domaine, established by Sylvain Cathiard's grandfather in the 1930s, carries with it a rich history rooted in the legendary Domaine de la Romanee Conti and Domaine Lamarche. Sylvain's father, Andre, lovingly nurtured the domaine from 1969 until 1985, when the reins were passed on to Sylvain himself. In the following years, Sylvain embarked on a journey to develop his own vineyards, renting parcels from his father and other vignerons. Soon after he acquired his father's original vineyards solidifying his commitment to the craft. In 2006, Sylvain's son, Sebastien joined him marking the beginning of a new chapter for the estate. Together, they formed Sylvain Cathiard et Fils, a collaboration that combines tradition with a fresh perspective. Since 2011, Sebastien has taken the helm, carrying on the family legacy while Sylvain enjoys a well-deserved retirement. Spanning across 5 hectares, the vineyards of Domaine Sylvain Cathiard grace the appellations of Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges and Chambolle-Musigny. Of significant note is their tiny parcel in Romanée-St-Vivant, situated just below the iconic Romanee Conti. Here, they proudly hold the title of the smallest land-owner of this magnificent Grand cru. Every aspect of vineyard work is executed with meticulous attention to detail by Sebastien, his wife, and a dedicated team. Embracing organic principles, they prioritize the natural harmony of the vines, although certification has not been sought. When it comes to winemaking, Sebastien adopts a hands-off approach, allowing the wines to evolve naturally. Whole-cluster fermentation takes place, with the juice cold settled for approximately 10 days. The wines then undergo a skin contact period of 22 to 30 days. Maturation occurs over 18 months in oak barrels, sourced primarily from tonellerie Remond and Francois Freres. The percentage of new oak used varies across the appellations, with village wines aged in roughly 1/3rd new oak and 2/3rds of 1-year-old oak. Premier Crus see a balance of 50% new oak and 50% 1-year-old oak, while Grand Crus are aged in two new barrels and one one-year-old barrel. Since 2000, the wines have not been fined or filtered, allowing them to express their true character. Sebastien Cathiard's wines exude an unparalleled sense of harmony, with a soft and elegant texture that speaks to their finesse. Since taking over the domaine, Sebastien has listened attentively to those fortunate enough to taste alongside him. As a result, he has gradually reduced the percentage of new oak used for aging, allowing the fruit to shine with natural intensity and balance. The Vosne-Romanées, in particular, have garnered a reputation as some of the finest in the village.Each bottle from Domaine Sylvain Cathiard is a testament to the fully mature vineyards that have yielded fruit of exceptional quality. With a limited production of around 50 barrels in a good vintage, these wines are a true embodiment of passion, tradition and the pursuit of excellence. The Sylvain Cathiard Bourgogne Aligote 2022 is a brilliant addition to the Cathiard range, showcasing the unique character of this grape variety. Crafted from a small amount of Aligote sourced from vines in the Hautes Cotes, with 95% coming from 30-80-year-old vines in the village of Villers-la-Faye above Corgoloin, and the remaining 5% from vines in Nuits St Georges planted in 2011. In the glass, this wine reveals a bright and pure white hue that invites exploration. On the nose, enticing aromas of fresh apple, citrus and greengage captivate the senses, offering a refreshing and invigorating experience. It is a medium-bodied wine with a forward nature, displaying excellent depth and polish. Fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks, this Aligote exemplifies Cathiard's commitment to preserving the wine's brightness and purity. The 100% destemming process, which is a characteristic of all Cathiard red wines, ensures the expression of intensity and purity that is synonymous with the winemaker's style. On the palate, the Sylvain Cathiard Bourgogne Aligote 2022 unfolds with a honeyed texture that is almost incisive, delivering juicy flavors that dance across the taste buds. There is a subtle presence of tannins that adds a touch of structure, lending a pleasing sensation on the tongue. The acidity is well-balanced, providing a refreshing lift without being overly sharp or astringent. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression of deliciousness. This wine embodies an uncomplicated yet nuanced style, capturing the essence of Aligote in its purest form.

This emblematic domain in Saint-Aubin is also a major producer in the Côte d’Or, and other quality areas of Burgundy. Their expertise has been handed down from father to son since the 19th century, along with groundbreaking work to help the appellation Saint-Aubin to shine. Domaine Roux was started in 1885 with a plot of vines bought by Louis Roux in the village of Saint-Aubin. His grandson Marcel Roux, born in 1927, played a pivotal role in the development of the domain, extending the holdings to over 25 hectares in Saint-Aubin, Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault and Santenay. He was a leading light in establishing the reputation and value of the Saint-Aubin appellation around the world. The Saint-Aubin appellation extends over an altitude vineyard that produces white wines of good quality, and whose reputation continues to grow. Its area is 1.6 square kilometres, on an area set back from those of Puligny and Chassagne. The wine landscape is very hilly and is therefore home to several climates with very variable exposures and soils. Local appellations and wines classified in Premier Cru are spread over four zones. This Saint-Aubin has a beautiful coloration with golden highlights. When young, it combines aromas of white flowers, flint, green almond, and orange-flower. Richer fragrances come with age: beeswax and honey, marzipan, ambergris, and cinnamon. This is a firm and flattering wine - it becomes fleshier and fuller with time. This is a wine with real breeding.

The fall of communism in Hungary saw many new beginnings, and one of note for wine lovers was the formation of The Royal Tokaji Company by wine-writer Hugh Johnson, and a consortium of foreign investors with the sole vision of revitalising the magnificent sweet wines of Hungary. The Royal Tokaji Company today is a benchmark for the noble wines of the region, from their 3 Puttonyos wines at around 60-90 grams per litre of residual sugar through to the intense Essencia at 450-850 grams, they are wines that offer the drinker a unique insight to one of the great wine styles of the world. Fine quality Aszú berries with good structure and perfect botrytis were macerated in fermenting must for two days. After pressing and finishing fermentation the wines were filled into 300 and 500 litre Hungarian oak casks in our extensive, deep, underground cellars to mature for over two years. The final blends were carefully crafted in the spring of 2020. Bottled at 189 grams of residual sugar per litre. Rich intense nose with hints of orange peel and spice. Very fine and elegant wine, full-flavoured with vibrant acidity, citrus and peach on the palate with a long, balanced finish. Summer was hot, so we began the Aszú berry harvest in early September and continued to pick steadily in the ideal autumn weather. In particular October provided three textbook weeks for the development of fine quality Aszú, with day after day of early morning mists, afternoon sunshine and drying winds. The Aszú wines show great structure, plenty of botrytis, depth and freshness with excellent complexity, all attributes of long ageing potential.

The Kevin John Chardonnay is Cullens flagship white from their biodynamic vineyards. A refined and elegant style brimming with white peach and citrus, showing bakery nutty complexity and deft oak integration. The wine is named in honour of Vanya Cullens father, the late Kevin John Cullen. Grapes are harvested on a flower or fruit day and whole-bunch pressed to obtain the highest quality juice. It is then barrel fermented with native yeasts in French oak barriques and matured for approximately 7 months in one- third new and two-thirds seasoned oak barrels.

Product Information: From a single 2.9ha plot of vines that goes from the very bottom of the slope to close to the top of the vineyard. This remarkable holding is arguably the most representative Les Clos from the whole vineyard. Vines here are aged mostly from 45-75 years of age. Expect an excellent richness and concentration from Les Clos, balanced with salinity and tension delivered with superb precision towards the finish. At least moderate patience will be required. The wine is aged about 1/3rd in barrel (about 10% new) and 2/3rds in stainless steel tanks. Maker: Domaine Christian Moreau is a historic name in the world of Chablis. The current generation, led by Christian Moreau and his son Fabien, continues to uphold the family's legacy. With their exceptional vineyard holdings, which include nearly 8 hectares of Grand Cru out of Chablis' total 92 hectares, this small yet remarkable estate has quickly established itself as one of the leading producers of Chablis, consistently crafting outstanding wines. Their holdings in Petit, village and 1er cru Chablis are impressive and relatively small, but the true highlights lie in their range of Grand Cru vineyards. They possess a single holding of approximately 3 hectares in Les Clos, along with 41 hectares in Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos, as well as smaller holdings in Valmur, Blanchots and Vaudesir. Christian Moreau are consistent producers of the classic must-try climats of Chablis. Vineyard: These exceptional vineyard sites, combined with old vines, meticulous winemaking and careful attention to every step of production, have resulted in wines that are widely regarded as some of the finest in Chablis. The estate's commitment to organic farming, certified since 2013, has further enhanced the expression of their vineyards. With investments in new tanks and other winemaking techniques, the results are evident in each vintage. The wines of Domaine Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are known for their precision, clear typicity and elegance. They have the ability to age gracefully while providing immense pleasure throughout their lives Fabien Moreau, who took over as winemaker in 2002, has already made a significant impact. With previous experience in New Zealand and a deep respect for terroir, Fabien is a visionary winemaker. The wines of Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are authentic, distinctive and of exceptional quality. Nose - White Fruit, Yellow Plum, Wet Stone Smelling of ripe citrus and passion fruit laced with toast, Palate - Intense, Ripe Fruits, Bursting Acidity Lushly ripe fruits are spun by bustling acidity on the palate, keeping everything fresh and bright. Finish - Saline, Mouth Coating, Stony There is excellent richness and concentration to the markedly powerful larger-scaled flavors that coat the palate on the overtly stony, dry and compact finale.

Product Information: In 1814 barrel maker in Montbard, Jean-Joseph Moreau starts the wine merchant company J. Moreau et Fils in Chablis. With time, the family buys several prestigious parcels of Premier and Grands Crus, and among them the parcel of Clos des Hospices bought from the Hospices of Chablis in 1904. In the past, this single parcel was enclosed within walls of dry stones and belonged to the monks of Chablis Hospices, hence its name. Clos des Hospices dans les Clos is a family monopole, this parcel a tiny 0.41 ha at the bottom of Grand Cru Les Clos has always been vinified separately. Maker: Domaine Christian Moreau is a historic name in the world of Chablis. The current generation, led by Christian Moreau and his son Fabien, continues to uphold the family's legacy. With their exceptional vineyard holdings, which include nearly 8 hectares of Grand Cru out of Chablis' total 92 hectares, this small yet remarkable estate has quickly established itself as one of the leading producers of Chablis, consistently crafting outstanding wines. Their holdings in Petit, village and 1er cru Chablis are impressive and relatively small, but the true highlights lie in their range of Grand Cru vineyards. They possess a single holding of approximately 3 hectares in Les Clos, along with 41 hectares in Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos, as well as smaller holdings in Valmur, Blanchots and Vaudesir. Christian Moreau are consistent producers of the classic must-try climats of Chablis. Vineyard: These exceptional vineyard sites, combined with old vines, meticulous winemaking and careful attention to every step of production, have resulted in wines that are widely regarded as some of the finest in Chablis. The estate's commitment to organic farming, certified since 2013, has further enhanced the expression of their vineyards. With investments in new tanks and other winemaking techniques, the results are evident in each vintage. The wines of Domaine Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are known for their precision, clear typicity and elegance. They have the ability to age gracefully while providing immense pleasure throughout their lives Fabien Moreau, who took over as winemaker in 2002, has already made a significant impact. With previous experience in New Zealand and a deep respect for terroir, Fabien is a visionary winemaker. The wines of Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are authentic, distinctive and of exceptional quality. Nose - Oyster Shell, Apple Blossom, Grilled Walnut Its well-defined bouquet is more precise than the regular cuvée, with oyster shell-infused citrus fruit, apple blossom, and hints of grilled walnut coming through with time in the glass. Palate - Rich, Bodied, Sappy more richness and volume to the slightly bigger-bodied and more concentrated flavors that also brim with sappy dry extract Finish - Saline, Deep, Crème Patisserie Very saline towards the finish, with great depth, this is another very impressive wine.

Product Information: Valmur is the valley between two other grand crus - Les Clos and Vaudesir. Christian Moreau's two parcels benefit from two exposures one 70 acres southeast and 30 acres northeast (1 ha in total). The vines are more than 60 years old. They produce a very full-bodied and powerful wine. Sourced from vines with an average age of over 40 years old. Half of the holding of the estate has been re-planted in recent years so quantities of this wine are reduced making them quite scarce. Valmur is one of the seven Climats of the Chablis Grand Cru appellation, covering 10.5 hectares. Shaped like an amphitheatre, it enjoys an exposure going south to west. Because of this particular shape, it soaks in the sun during the hottest hours of the day. An area facing northwest adds a fresh quality, as well as a later maturity. The Climat of Valmur has a double personality, constantly juggling between remarkable freshness and a distinctive fruit concentration. Maker: Domaine Christian Moreau is a historic name in the world of Chablis. The current generation, led by Christian Moreau and his son Fabien, continues to uphold the family's legacy. With their exceptional vineyard holdings, which include nearly 8 hectares of Grand Cru out of Chablis' total 92 hectares, this small yet remarkable estate has quickly established itself as one of the leading producers of Chablis, consistently crafting outstanding wines. Their holdings in Petit, village and 1er cru Chablis are impressive and relatively small, but the true highlights lie in their range of Grand Cru vineyards. They possess a single holding of approximately 3 hectares in Les Clos, along with 41 hectares in Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos, as well as smaller holdings in Valmur, Blanchots and Vaudesir. Christian Moreau are consistent producers of the classic must-try climats of Chablis. Vineyard: These exceptional vineyard sites, combined with old vines, meticulous winemaking and careful attention to every step of production, have resulted in wines that are widely regarded as some of the finest in Chablis. The estate's commitment to organic farming, certified since 2013, has further enhanced the expression of their vineyards. With investments in new tanks and other winemaking techniques, the results are evident in each vintage. The wines of Domaine Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are known for their precision, clear typicity and elegance. They have the ability to age gracefully while providing immense pleasure throughout their lives Fabien Moreau, who took over as winemaker in 2002, has already made a significant impact. With previous experience in New Zealand and a deep respect for terroir, Fabien is a visionary winemaker. The wines of Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are authentic, distinctive and of exceptional quality. Nose - Immense Precision, Lemon-Lime, Mineral Reduction Distinctive sun-drenched concentrated fruits, flint inflections. Palate - White Peach, Zesty Fruits, Balanced The exceptionally white fleshed fruits, rich yet intense and powerful and bold with a hint of quinine. Finish - Taut, Muscular Structure, Impressive Length Taut muscularity on the impressively long, very dry and impeccably well-balanced finale. Christian Moreau and his son Fabien describe the 2022 vintage as having generous fruit set as well as good fecundity of the secondary buds, we still brought in good yields... Overall, the style of the 2022s is generous and forward but with reasonably good typicity and balance. They should be attractive young but be capable of repaying short to mid-term cellaring. - Burghound, October 2023