2017 Beaune Premier Cru Clos des Mouches Domaine Joseph Drouhin
The 2017 Clos des Mouches shows a refined and expressive profile, combining generosity with poise. The nose opens with ripe red cherry, raspberry, and hints of peach skin, layered with white flowers, light spice, and a subtle hazelnut note. There is an immediate sense of clarity and balance. On the palate, the wine is supple and polished, with silky texture and well-judged acidity giving it lift. The fruit is open and generous but remains precise, supported by gentle savoury and mineral notes. The finish is long and harmonious, leaving impressions of red fruit, floral tones, and soft spice.
⭐ Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆ (8/9)
London Supplier: Hedonism Wines
Approx. Price: £90–£150+, depending on stock and provenance
2000 Chateau Haut-Batailley
The 2000 Château Haut-Batailley is mature and classically structured, showing the strength of the vintage in a composed, traditional style. The nose reveals cassis, dried black cherry, and plum, interwoven with cedar, tobacco, and earthy nuances. On the palate, the wine is smooth and resolved, with softened tannins framing a core of dark fruit and savoury complexity. Notes of leather, graphite, and gentle spice unfold gradually. The finish is persistent and balanced, marked by mature fruit and classic Pauillac restraint.
⭐ Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆ (7/9)
London Supplier: Hedonism Wines / Montrachet Fine Wine Merchants
Approx. Price: £85–£120 per bottle
2022 Barbera d’Alba G.B. Burlotto
The 2022 Barbera from Burlotto is vivid and energetic, driven by freshness and purity of fruit. The nose bursts with sour cherry, red plum, and raspberry, lifted by floral notes and a hint of spice. On the palate, the wine is lively and mouthwatering, with bright acidity giving tension and drive. The fruit is juicy and transparent, supported by subtle savoury notes and a clean, linear structure. The finish is fresh and precise, leaving a vibrant impression of red fruit and mineral clarity.
⭐ Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆ (8/9)
London Supplier: Lea & Sandeman (Chelsea)
Approx. Price: £60–£90
2019 Barbaresco Albesani Roagna
The 2019 Albesani shows depth, precision, and a quietly powerful expression of Nebbiolo. The nose is complex and layered, offering rose petal, sour cherry, and redcurrant, underscored by notes of tar, dried herbs, and iron-rich minerality. On the palate, the wine is firm and structured, with finely etched tannins and vibrant acidity shaping the wine’s core. The fruit is concentrated yet restrained, unfolding slowly with savoury and earthy nuance. The finish is long and persistent, marked by floral lift, mineral grip, and classical Nebbiolo tension.
⭐ Rating: ★★★★★★★★★ (9/9)
London Supplier: Fine Wine Direct / specialist Italian fine wine merchants
Approx. Price: £200–£220+
