The 2018 Ornellaia is an introvert at this stage. Medium in body, with terrific persistence and impeccable balance, the 2018 is not in any mood to show all its cards today. Hints of red berry fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and dried flowers emerge with a bit of coaxing. I won’t be surprised to see it put on weight with more time in bottle. There is certainly plenty to look forward to. Readers should expect a silky, aromatic Ornellaia in line with vintages such as 2004 that are more about finesse than raw power. This is the first time in which Merlot drives the blend in Ornellaia. Drink 2025‑2040. Rated 97. - Antonio Galloni, vinous.com January, 2021

The 2018 Tignanello is a wine of breathtaking purity. Impossibly silky and persistent, the 2018 is all class, all the way. In many ways, the 2018 reminds me of the 2004 because of its finesse, but it has an extra degree of nuance that reflects important strides that have been made at the estate in the intervening years. Winemaking today is more gentle, while new oak is also less intrusive. The result is a Tignanello that bristles with class. The purity of the flavors alone is mesmerizing. Bright red-toned berries, mocha, spice, cedar, new leather and licorice are some of the many notes that linger on a finish framed by silky, perfectly ripe tannins.

Aging was 16 months in oak, about 50% new. One of the recent developments at Antinori has been a move towards lower toast levels and a preference for longer aging of the raw wood. The blend is a very typical 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, with maybe just a touch more Franc than is the norm. At the same time, the Sangiovese is very much front and center. Production hovers around 330,000 bottles. Think about that number. It is more than any Bordeaux First Growth, more than any high-end Napa Valley wine, and equivalent to the production of 60 or so cult Cabernets taken together! Tignanello, in my view, is the single greatest high quality, estate wine made in scale. Drink 2028‑2043. Rated 97. - Antonio Galloni, vinous.com February, 2021

When they have the opportunity to celebrate a great vintage, Maison Louis Jadot places focus on the Premiers Crus of Beaune as a way to celebrate its origins and the foundation of the house there in 1859. Today they own 25 hectares (about 62 acres) across 17 different premier cru vineyards within the appellation of Beaune. The first release of the Beaune 1er Cru Célébration cuvée took place with the launch of the 2009 vintage, their 150th anniversary. The next releases were from the 2012 and 2015 vintages. And, now, Louis Jadot (and ourselves) are celebrating the excellent 2018 vintage in Burgundy — a vintage demonstrating great ripeness as a result of an exceptionally sunny growing season — with this blend of selected lots from various premiers crus, including Clos des Ursules, Boucherottes, Aux Cras, Clos des Couchereaux, Bressandes, Theurons, Grèves, Avaux, Chouacheux, Cent Vignes, Toussaints, Vignes Franches, Pertuisots, Aigrots, Clos du Roi, and Reversées. Deep ruby in color with alluring aromas suggestive of dark ripe cherry and Asian five spice, revealing more vivid red fruits along with a touch of reglisse as it opens in the glass; supple and silken in texture on entry, then building to reach a certain puissance with structure of pulverized stone-like tannins carrying gently bursting intense flavor long to the finish; this is indeed a célébration in the glass by way of this bevy of Beaune Premiers Crus. Quintessential Beaune, at that. And quintessentially Burgundy. While reservations last (expected arrival fall 2021):