Neal Martin – now of Vinous, previously the Wine Advocate – is one of the world’s leading wine writers. Sophie Thorpe talks to the determinedly off-beat critic about his path into wine and why there’s much more to life than brilliant bottles Quiet, even subdued, cautious, the Neal Martin on my screen is quite different to the garrulous character I’d imagined from his writing. On the page (or more often these days, the screen), Martin pokes ...

The leading wine critic on why his offbeat style is key to his success

Neal Martin: striking a chord

Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)’s Jean-Sébastien Philippe speaks to Gavin Smith
about the benefits of collaboration amongst its châteaux – Lafite, L’Evangile, Rieussec and Duhart-Milon For many, the past 12 months meant working in isolation and big plans were shelved. At
Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), it was an extremely proactive year of change. These changes have resulted in the strongest line ...

The dynamism, tenacity and collaboration required to make wines of the utmost precision

Domaines Barons de Rothschild: a year of innovation

A region where producers were once known for using 200% new oak, Bordeaux has long championed the barrique. But at a time when winemakers around the world are looking to alternatives for ageing wine, we talk to a handful of Bordeaux’s leading names, asking whether their love affair with the barrique is over  In some parts of the wine industry, oak ...

We talk to Bordeaux’s leading producers about whether the barrique has fallen from favour

Is Bordeaux over oak?

As he approaches his 50th year in the industry, Colin Scott tells Holly Motion about the allure of well-aged whisky and plundering The Last Drop’s remarkable spirits inventory  Colin Scott should be one year into his retirement. After 47 years at Chivas Brothers, 31 of which were spent as the Master Blender, he should be enjoying a well-earned rest. Instead, the ebullient Scott is lighting up the screens of the FINE+RARE team as he talks ...

How a well-aged whisky lured Colin Scott out of retirement

The bewitching blend

You don’t need us to tell you that the First Growths made good wine in 2020 – but there’s plenty of brilliant value to be found beyond the grandest names. Here we’ve picked 10 of the more modest wines from our tastings so far that are firmly on our wish-list  2020 Ch. Tour Saint-Christophe, Saint-Emilion  There is lovely restraint to Tour Saint-Christophe this year, ...

Ten of the best-value wines of the vintage en primeur

Bordeaux 2020: top-value buys

There’s no doubt that the style of Bordeaux has shifted over the past two decades. But what’s caused the change – and are the wines better? We sat down with one of the world’s most influential wine writers, Wine Advocate Editor-in-Chief Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, to delve into what defines modern Bordeaux There are few people that get to taste Bordeaux ...

We talk to the Wine Advocate’s Editor-in-Chief about 20 years of change in the region

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW on the evolution of Bordeaux

Bordeaux produced some stunning wines in 2020. While we haven’t yet tasted everything – notably Chx Mouton and Lafite Rothschild – here’s our pick of our 10 favourites so far, wines that have really shone in this remarkable vintage 2020 Calon Ségur, Saint-Estèphe This has a lovely interplay of earthy, mineral notes with a touch of smokiness, fresh leather and ...

The top 10 wines from our team’s tastings so far

Bordeaux 2020: our favourites

Bordeaux 2020 was a vigneron’s vintage, a year in which strategic choices were key to success. Here we delve into how each of the main appellations on both the Left and Right Banks fared in this remarkable year. Talking to the Bordelais vignerons, there’s a recurring sense of relief and elation about the 2020 vintage. These fantastic wines don’t speak of the challenges that tested ...

A commune-by-commune guide to the vintage 

Bordeaux 2020: breaking it down

The 2020 vintage in Bordeaux was not easy – but the resulting wines are undeniably very good. After several weeks’ tasting and talking extensively, we give an overview of the eventful year and the impressive wines it produced  Talking to producers about the 2020 vintage in Bordeaux, their excitement is palpable. Dramatic gesticulation and unabashed grins made for little modesty, but there is also a certain amount of relief. This was not an easy season for the region’s vignerons – ...

Your one-stop guide to the vintage

Bordeaux 2020: vintage overview

After three decades in the whisky industry Tomatin’s Graham Eunson is more energised than ever. He tells Holly Motion why his latest role is the best yet There’s little Graham Eunson hasn’t seen in his 30 years in the Scotch whisky industry. From pushing barrels at Scapa straight out of school to managing one of the biggest names, the Orcadian ...

Tomatin’s Distillery Operations Director on the pace, and people, that keep him in the industry

Graham Eunson: a life in whisky

The Bordeaux châteaux – and the world’s wine lovers – are waiting for the critics to give their verdict on the 2020 vintage. We’ll be adding to this page as their reports are released – offering a summary of what each of these prestigious palates are saying about the vintage and the wines they rated most highly James Suckling First ...

Our round-up of what the world’s top tasters are saying about the vintage

Bordeaux 2020: what the critics are saying

It’s 20 years since Bibi Graetz created Colore, one of Italy’s top wines. To mark the occasion, Gavin Smith tasted through 14 vintages – exploring the evolution of this rare Tuscan red, and its maker  Getting to taste a vertical of any one wine is undoubtedly the best way to understand it. It provides that rare opportunity to see how well ...

Tracing the evolution of this rare Tuscan red – and its maker

A story in Sangiovese: two decades of Colore

Since David Suire’s arrival in 2015, Château Laroque has become one of Saint-Emilion’s most talked-about estates. We caught up with the man behind the modest property’s soaring reputation (and scores) to find out more The skyline of the medieval village of Saint-Emilion is dominated by the spire of its 12th century monolithic church. Hewn from the limestone rock that imbues its wines with their shape and sinew, the 68-metre high ...

How David Suire is transforming this Saint-Emilion estate

Carving a new future at Laroque

The 2018 and 2019 vintages might be tough acts to follow, but Bordeaux 2020 seems to be more than up to the job. We spoke to producers about the year’s extreme conditions – and the stunning results it produced Bordeaux 2020 is the third in a trilogy of outstanding vintages for the region – but, talking to producers, one thing ...

The extraordinary conditions that shaped the vintage

Bordeaux 2020: a tale of two halves

For many, the words “American whiskey” conjure up images of Kentucky, Bourbon and Rye. Two equally innovative and candid producers tell Holly Motion why the Pacific Northwest is perfectly primed to create sensational American single malts The Pacific Northwest is the birthplace of some of the greatest innovations of the past 40 years. Microsoft, Amazon and Starbucks are just some of the multi-billion-dollar enterprises to come from the region with its spectacular mountainous ...

Two Pacific Northwest producers on the limitless potential of American single malts

A new flavour frontier

Oak has played a vital role in the changing history of fine wine. Gavin Smith spoke to Max Gigandet – Managing Director of leading Burgundy cooper François Frères – to explore the power of a good barrel and why oak isn’t going anywhere Oak barrels have been used in winemaking for thousands of years. While initially their purpose was simply ...

Exploring the power of a good barrel

Finding the balance: the art of the cooper

As Château Langoa Barton marks its 200th anniversary, Sophie Thorpe caught up with Damien Barton-Sartorius – the 10th generation of the Barton family to run the estate – about tradition, terroir and why Bordeaux remains the most exciting wine region in the world  Think of Bordeaux, and you probably don’t think of skateboarding and denim shirts. Damien Barton-Sartorius, however – Director of Château Langoa and Léoville Barton – manages ...

Talking terroir and tradition with Damien Barton-Sartorius, Director of Langoa and Léoville Barton

Keeping up with the Bartons

From traditional single malt Scotch to the weird-and-wonderful and everything in between, there’s every chance an independent bottler had a hand in bringing this liquid to your lips. Holly Motion spoke to four bottlers about the category’s rich history and the important role they play in the spirits world Dalmore, Mortlach and Macallan fetch tens of thousands of pounds at auction today – but they likely wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for an independent bottler. In times of great economic hardship, Gordon ...

Four spirits curators on their quest for the rare and remarkable

Message in a bottle

Each spring, the wine trade’s eyes turn to Bordeaux for en primeur. But – once more – the campaign looks to be shackled by Covid-19. Here, we look ahead, considering how we’ll be tasting Bordeaux 2020  A year after we went into lockdown, it’s hard to believe we’re still here. At the start of 2020, we were blissfully ignorant about facemasks, hand sanitiser and Zoom – but in a year the world has changed. And the wine ...

Tasting en primeur in the Covid era  

Bordeaux 2020: encore, mon ami 

Port is much more than just wine. “Brandy” or aguardente makes up 20% of every bottle – and some argue that a shift in the quality of this spirit is key to the wines’ superiority in the last two decades. Sophie Thorpe spoke to the region’s leading producers to find out more about the firewater that defines the Douro’s age-old fortified wines  Looking across the dramatic ...

The firewater that defines the Douro’s age-old fortified wines 

A spirited debate: the tale of Port’s 20%

With the release of 2018 Ornellaia on the horizon, we tell you everything you need to know about the estate – and why it’s become such an icon of the Italian fine wine scene   What is Ornellaia?  Ornellaia is one of Italy’s most respected wineries, based in the Tuscan foothills of Bolgheri. Its top wine – simply titled Ornellaia – is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, first produced in ...

What you really need to know about the Super Tuscan

Ornellaia: a cheat sheet

With two single malts about to launch and a study at long last proving terroir in whisky exists, Waterford CEO Mark Reynier should be cock-a-hoop. Holly Motion finds out why that isn’t the case   Mark Reynier is angry. After decades of shouting into the wind, his landmark Terroir Project – which scientifically proves the existence of terroir in whisky – has landed, and largely been derided or ignored by his peers.   ...

The quest for traceability in whisky is far from over

Mark Reynier uncensored

Ahead of St George’s Day – the day on which Port houses traditionally declare a vintage – we caught up with the Douro Valley’s leading producers to find out which vintage Ports you should be uncorking now  Quality in the Douro Valley has arguably never been higher – with a run of recent vintages universally declared (2011, 2016, 2017). The 2018 vintage was declared by some ...

The Douro’s leading producers advise on the wines to uncork – and those to keep

Port vintages to drink now

Age-worthy yet terroir transparent, Barolo is a fascinating region. Its complex, varied terroir often draws comparisons with Burgundy. Here we delve into “the king of wines and wine of kings” – from its aristocratic beginnings to the villages, vineyards and producers to look out for Barolo remains the most important region in the world for Nebbiolo. This variety is one ...

From the region’s origins to its most famous vineyards

Your definitive guide to Barolo

The 2019 vintage is significant at Domaine des Lambrays not just for its exceptional quality, but as the first full year under new winemaker Jacques Devauges. Late last year we visited the property to find out more  Humble yet with undeniable ambition, Jacques Devauges arrived at Domaine des Lambrays in March 2019 and has wasted no time in making small but significant adjustments at the estate. His appointment was the most recent in a flurry ...

The first full vintage under new winemaker Jacques Devauges 

Changing of the guard at Domaine des Lambrays

A new month brings another flurry of fine wine and spirits releases. While Bordeaux en primeur is on the horizon, March sees new vintages from Latour and the Grandes Marques, as well as releases from Tuscany, Burgundy and Ireland’s most exciting distillery: here’s our pick of the bunch The latest from Latour In the wake of last week’s launch of ...

The wines and spirits to have on your radar this month

What to look out for this March

As demand for single malt whisky continues to soar, the number of distilleries – big and small – preparing to fling open their doors increases at a bullish rate. Holly Motion talks to a few of the industry’s newest names to see if everything is as rosy as it seems It’s no secret that Scotch whisky is dominated by two giants ...

The risks and rewards of building a Scotch whisky distillery

Distilling dreams

In amongst the 18th century buildings and vineyards at Castello di Ama, you’ll discover striking modern sculpture. Disruptive and disarming, the art and wine of this Chianti Classico estate is at the cutting edge. Sophie Thorpe spoke to CEO Lorenza Sebasti and winemaker Marco Pallanti to find out more  The constant tension in wine is between art and science; the ...

Meeting the duo behind the cutting-edge Chianti Classico estate

Art and soul: Castello di Ama

Ahead of the release of the latest vintage from Promontory, owner Will Harlan took us on a virtual tour of this remarkable property tucked out of sight in the Napa Valley As the drone camera takes us up over the trees, you can see how dense the forest is around Promontory’s vineyards in the western hills of Napa’s Oakville district. ...

Exploring the remarkable property with owner Will Harlan

  Uncovering Oakville’s hidden valley: Promontory

In a world filled with big brands, Clase Azul is a tequila producer looking to do things differently. Holly Motion finds out why the artisan brand is determined for tradition to trump trends It is little wonder there has been a veritable tequila gold rush, after celebrity-backed brands have sold in excess of $1bn, and the category continued to report double-digit growth during a global pandemic. This growth wasn’t just ...

The tequila producer that’s standing up for the region’s traditions

Authentic agave: Clase Azul

There is such domestic demand for the wines of Domaine Donatsch that they are rarely seen outside Switzerland. Tucked in amongst the Alps, this property makes world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that gives Burgundy a run for its money. Gavin Smith spoke to winemaker and owner Martin Donatsch about the extraordinary site and life on the slopes  Few people have ...

The man making great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Swiss Alps

The high life: Martin Donatsch

With the release of the 2017 Barolos fast approaching, Gavin Smith spoke to some of the region’s leading producers – Giovanni Angeli from Massolino, Giuseppe Vaira from Vajra, Emanuele Baldi from Prunotto and Ferruccio Grimaldi – about the vintage, its extreme conditions and the surprising results The world’s fine wine regions famously exist where the climate is just warm enough ...

Beyond all expectation – a year that defies logic

Barolo 2017: vintage report

Master distillers have been maturing whisky in oak barrels for centuries. While it is generally accepted that “the cask is king” and “the wood makes the whisky”, cask finishing – or second maturation – is a relatively new fashion. Here we look at what it is and why it matters  Maturation, distillation and the base grain combine to give whisky its character. But – while it only takes a week from ...

Digging into the double maturation of whisky

What is cask finishing?

Prunotto was one of the first Barolo estates to produce a single-vineyard “Cru” wine – kickstarting a trend that has transformed the region. We spoke to Emanuele Baldi to find out what inspired the estate Prunotto’s Emanuele Baldi has an encyclopedic knowledge of Barolo. Listening to his stories about the last century in the region is fascinating, providing context to how and why Barolo and the surrounding Piedmontese regions have developed as they have. Perhaps one of ...

The trend that transformed Barolo

The birth of Barolo’s Crus

A varied palette of releases in February will satisfy even the most esoteric of collectors. From some of the biggest releases of the year from Leroy and Domaine d’Auvenay to lesser-known beauties from Switzerland, these are wines and spirits you won’t want to miss Valpolicella from maestro Romano dal Forno   February sees the annual release from Valpolicella’s pioneering Dal Forno estate. The sad news is there will be no new Amarone ...

What to look out for this February

Over the last two decades, Emmanuel Cruse has transformed Château d’Issan. We caught up with Cruse to taste through key vintages from the Margaux Classed Growth, tracing its evolution  Château d’Issan might not be one of Bordeaux’s most famous addresses – but the Margaux Third Growth has seen huge investment since Emmanuel Cruse arrived in 1998, and it’s a name on the rise. Jane Anson – Decanter’s Bordeaux correspondent and ...

Tracing the Margaux Classed Growth’s evolution

Château d’Issan vertical

There’s been a buzz about the cult Montalcino estate Cerbaiona since it changed hands in 2015. Ahead of the release of the 2016 Brunello – the first under Matthew Fioretti’s ownership – Gavin Smith caught up with Fioretti to find out more about how and why he’s transforming the property Cerbaiona is widely recognised as one of the top estates ...

We talk to the man determined to modernise this cult Montalcino property

Cerbaiona: a new era

The world’s leading wine critics have spoken, and their verdict on Burgundy 2019 is in. No one was short of something to say about the fascinating year. Here, we round-up what they said about the vintage Wine Advocate – William Kelley 
There was such demand for Kelley’s official report on the vintage that the Wine Advocate site momentarily crashed under ...

What the leading wine critics are saying about the vintage

Burgundy 2019: the critics' verdict

Each month, we ask a handful of our team to pick a wine or spirit they’ve tasted recently – a bottle that surprised, delighted or merely lived up to high expectations. Here’s what they chose 2005 Charmes-Chambertin, Grand Cru, Dennis Bachelet “Denis Bachelet’s wines are part of our family history, and we have always followed the domaine. My family has ...

What our team is drinking

In the glass

The spirits market has seen a decade of astounding performance – but what is happening, and what should you be looking to buy?  The spirits market is booming. In October 2019, a bottle of 1926 Macallan FINE+RARE 60-Year-Old became the most expensive bottle (of either wine or spirits) ever sold at auction in the world, going for £1.5 million ...

We take a closer look at the spirits market

In high spirits

The 2019 vintage has produced some stunning wines across France. As with Bordeaux and Burgundy, it has proven to be an excellent year for the Rhône – one in a series of stunning “nines” (joining the ranks of 1979, ’89, ’99 and 2009). We talk to some of the region’s leading producers to find out more about the vintage The ...

An excellent year that produced wines of concentration and balance


Rhône 2019: vintage report

Richard “the Nose” Paterson – the Master Blender behind Dalmore – has been crafting fine single malt Scotch for Whyte & Mackay for half a century. But now he’s launching a new project, Wolfcraig – a Highland distillery that has the industry awhirl. We caught up with the larger-than-life character to find out more “Right, Richard, what do you think ...

We talk to Dalmore’s Master Blender about his new project

On the nose: Richard Paterson

Premature oxidation has plagued the modern era of white Burgundy – but could it be a thing of the past? Recent research by Olivier Lamy – the experimental winemaker at the helm of Domaine Hubert Lamy – could hold the key to solving the problem. We caught up with him to find out more  When visiting the cellars of Domaine ...

Could premature oxidation be a thing of the past?

Solving the premox problem: Olivier Lamy

Burgundy continues to dominate as we kick off the New Year, but this month will also see a host of new releases from the Rhône, Tuscany, Spain and a special cask offering: here’s our pick of the bunch Burgundy  January tends to be dominated by the major new releases from Burgundy. With rave reviews from the critics, combined with the reduction in volumes, demand for the 2019s is set to be high. This month will see major releases from the likes ...

What to look out for this January

In our quest to source the finest wines and spirits from around the world, we sample some astonishing bottles. We asked a handful of our team to highlight the best thing they tasted this year – from 1926 Leroy to a special 60-year-old Glenfarclas 
 2012 Barolo, Vigna Rocchette, Cavalier Lorenzo Accomasso  “Lorenzo Accomasso is a true ’cavalier’, capable of carrying ...

The finest wines and spirits we tasted in 2020

The year’s best bottles


 This year saw us publish over 120 articles. From producer interviews and region guides to vintage reports, here are the five pieces that proved most popular Musar: a year-by-year vintage guide This summer we delved into the history of Chateau Musar – the iconic winery that has long proven the potential of Lebanese terroir. As well as offering a ...

The most popular articles we published

The five most read features in 2020

Rich, complex and deeply rewarding, at its best Port is one of the most age-worthy styles of wine produced today. Here’s a quick guide to the fortified wine – from the various styles made to the best vintages to buy What is Port? Port is a fortified wine made in the Douro Valley in Portugal. Traditionally the wines were shipped ...

Your essential guide

Everything you need to know about Port

There’s no better time than Christmas to open a treasured bottle or two. Ahead of the big day, we asked a handful of our favourite winemakers – from Saskia de Rothschild to Klaus-Peter Keller – to tell us what they’ll be uncorking For the aperitif For Domaine Long-Depaquit’s Matthieu Mangenot it is the energy and power of Champagne Brut Nature ...

From Saskia de Rothschild to Klaus-Peter Keller

What winemakers are drinking this Christmas

As Steven Spurrier publishes his memoirs, we talk to the wine merchant turned writer about a life dedicated to wine and why he can’t stop buying art  Steven Spurrier might be approaching 80, but his wit, quill and tongue are as sharp as ever. While – as is now the norm – we spoke on the phone, there is ...

The famous writer on wine, art and the Judgement of Paris

Steven Spurrier: a life in wine

Ahead of the publication of his full report in January 2021, the Wine Advocate’s Burgundy critic William Kelley offers his initial thoughts on the 2019 vintage The red wines are simply brilliant: most of what I’ve tasted so far has been beautifully balanced, combining a seductive depth of fruit with very classical levels of acidity; and nor is there any ...

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