Day One

The 2015 Petite Lune is in a beautiful place after 5 years. Notes of candied pineapple and a hint of wild honey on the nose, with a textured and silky, yet still lively palate. It's such a charming, giving wine to enjoy today. Lovely.

This is the flagship wine of the estate, and offers the best of Muscadet: pale lemon yellow, a little citrus and blossom on the nose, an elegant, defined length, with some savoury structure from lees ageing bringing it all together. This is an absolutely charming Muscadet. It bursts with lemons and limes, and has such a refreshing tension.

This is so atypical from Prosecco, the DOC wouldn't let Primo label it as such. But never mind: it's one of the best sparklings we know. Notes of orange blossom and iodine on the nose, and hints of wild strawberry and lots of salinity on the palate. So impressive.

Like her father, Bruna Giacosa is lauded for her mastery of red wines. But this, her Arneis, has long been underrated. In 2020, the wine is vibrant and penetrating with green pear and succulent peach notes complementing an expressive and creamy texture. This is a marvellous white wine from this venerable estate, sure to turn a few heads.

A small 7 hectare, family estate in the coolest part of the Colli Orientali region of Friuli and certified organic viticulture. There is a broadness to the 2021 Fruilano with fleshy orchard fruit notes and a juicy core, yet this is brought into focus with a zesty acidity and white flowers combined with minerals and dried pineapple on the finish.

RS refers to the natural sugar left from the grapes after fermentation, making this off-dry and most similar to a Kabinett from Germany. It's long and mouth-watering with juicy lemon and lime fruit. Soft and incredibly drinkable, it comes in at just 7.5% alcohol.

A juicy and finessed wine from Giovanni Almondo, that's the perfect way to discover their wines, and the Arneis grape. Crunchy pears and apples, and a citrus edge to this brilliantly drinkable white, from one of Piedmont's best producers.

Nicolas sees these vineyards, around Corgoloin just south of Nuits St Georges, as the future of his domaine. Land prices here aren’t impossibly high, yet the quality of terroir is terrific. It means he can make this enormously characterful and interesting wine for an outstanding price. This is a great success in 2019, with juicy, inky dark fruits, creamy tannins, and satisfyingly firm freshness. It shall no doubt continue to be one of the most popular wines on our list.

50% Refosco, 50% Schioppettino, this is a lively, silky red, with loads of whole berry, crunchy fruit, and a finish that lasts an age. Such a joy to behold, and a wine that will age brilliantly.

Donovan’s Cinsault was first released in 2015, and is a blend of fruit from Swartland, shared with David Sadie, and Darling, from the same vineyard as Duncan Savage’s Follow the Line. It’s a really lovely expression of this grape, with loads of rose petal and plenty of juicy berry fruit. Will also age well.

Orange peel and fresh beef tomatoes. And blueberry fruit and some violets. Lovely density: there's a weight and tannins to this, with such impressive length. Lovely acidity here, so much energy and a beautiful finish.

One can't help but be impressed by Château Ausone, set at the top of a tortuously twisted road, with its caves and chapelle dug into the limestone cliff. It is a fittingly romantic location for one of the world's greatest wines. A blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, this is dark and brooding in the glass. The nose is exceedingly rich and dense, with attractive black cherry and bramble fruit characters. The tannins are firm and structured, yet ripe and well integrated with the rich core of dark cherry, cassis and damson fruit. A stony minerality and a dart of refreshing acidity reflect the terroir and lend backbone to the rich succulent fruit.

Smells beautiful. Very delicate on the nose, beautiful drive and a very silky nose. Some dark berry fruit, plenty of floral character, and just a hint of herbal lift. Very saline on the palate, very finely judged tannins – talcum powder– this was just bottled but already showing plenty of potential.

When asked whether the Château was having to change anything to compensate for climate change, Marie Descotis, who heads up the Château's research and development department, explained that their terroir is proving to be perfect for the somewhat warmer and drier conditions over the last few years, allowing their Cabernet Sauvignon to flourish. The blend this year is made up of 86% of this Cabernet, 10% Merlot and the rest split between Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The resultant wine is the most concentrated they have ever produced, yet it is also incredibly poised and balanced. Dark berry fruits, notes of woodsmoke and spice come through on the nose. The palate is immediately fresh and pure, with a layered sense of fine tannin, depth and power. There is a graphite-like grip to the structure, a definite minerality and a core of cool-natured, classic fruit. Despite the concentration and density in the wine, the balance is such as to give it an almost approachable sensation. Beautiful rather than pretty, this is an elegant and refined wine that shows what could be achieved in 2011 with great terroir and a deft hand.