The Outsiders 2020: Modern Greats From Across The World

Release date: 2/9/2020

Le Petit Clos is the second wine of Clos Apalta, it even comes from the same vineyard as the 'Grand Vin', and benefits from the exact same care both in the vineyard and in the chai. However, this isLe Petit Clos is the second wine of Clos Apalta, it even comes from the same vineyard as the 'Grand Vin', and benefits from the exact same care both in the vineyard and in the chai. However, this is a very different expression of the place - with a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend it is a completely individual style and is totally delicious!. Organically certified this little sister is a superbly attractive wine - one of our favourites in a tasting of all these new releases - and also, refreshingly, it is one of the most well-priced. Excellent value and totally joyous.L&S (Sep 2020)

This is really sensational as always with dried-apricot, dried-pineapple and honey character with salted nuts and hints of white syrup. It’s very sweet, yet energetic and intense. It goes on for soThis is really sensational as always with dried-apricot, dried-pineapple and honey character with salted nuts and hints of white syrup. It’s very sweet, yet energetic and intense. It goes on for so long. And then again. Yet, it remains balanced. A great sweet wine through and through. Drink or hold Rating: 97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Sep 2020)

Average temperatures 2.7°C over average, combined with 20% of the normal rainfall from mid August to the end of July made makes this a naturally rich, low-yielding vintage (40% less than average, notAverage temperatures 2.7°C over average, combined with 20% of the normal rainfall from mid August to the end of July made makes this a naturally rich, low-yielding vintage (40% less than average, not helped by a hail storm in July), with a gloriously gourmet 145g/ha residual sugar, and a pH level of 3.95. As ever with Yquem, patience was the key, taking in the grapes slowly but surely over 17 days harvest that extended well into October. The results in the glass are intense and glossy, full of satin-textured apricot and white peach flavours. There are exotic fruits of pineapple and mango but winemaker Sandrine Garbay has kept a focus on fresher flavours of lime zest and citrus that balance out the natural richness and concentration. Pretty closed right now, but there is power and balance here, an excellent Yquem. Drinking range: 2022 - 2050 Rating: 97 Jane Anson, Decanter (Aug 2020)

Sweet tobacco, walnuts, blackberries and dried flowers on the nose. Full body, yet ultra-fine tannins and a super long finish. Superb finesse and polish. Drink after 2023, but already fabulous.Sweet tobacco, walnuts, blackberries and dried flowers on the nose. Full body, yet ultra-fine tannins and a super long finish. Superb finesse and polish. Drink after 2023, but already fabulous. Drinking range: 2023 - Rating: 97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Mar 2019)

The 2018 Seña shows the fresher side of the Ocoa zone of the Aconcagua Valley through a Bordeaux blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec, 15% Carmenere, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot;The 2018 Seña shows the fresher side of the Ocoa zone of the Aconcagua Valley through a Bordeaux blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec, 15% Carmenere, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot; there are small differences, but nothing substantial. As I've seen in other wines from the very complete 2018 vintage, the grapes ripened thoroughly and achieved more flavors and nuances, and the wines are slightly higher in alcohol (14% this year versus 13.3% in 2017, but in reality it's 13.8% ). But the wine seems to have more of everything. The grapes fermented in a combination of stainless steel and concrete vats and matured in new barriques and Stockinger foudres for 22 months, a similar formula as the one used for Viñedo Chadwick. This is a very elegant vintage of Seña, a year with a slow ripening so that the grapes achieved very good ripeness and full development of aromas and flavors, making the wine nuanced and complex, with depth but also freshness and finesse—floral and expressive. The tannins are very fine, polished and elegant, and the wine is long and complex, mixing the best of 2015 and 2016, coming through as a very complete year. It's still a little young and should develop nicely in bottle; it's approachable now, but if you can hold it a little bit more, it should be even better. This has to be the finest vintage of Seña to date. Comparing it with the Chadwick from the same year, there is more freshness and a little more complexity and clout coming form the cooler zone and the palette of varieties used that give more options to achieve more nuance. 100,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February and March 2020. Drinking range: 2021 - 2035 Rating: 98 Luis Gutierrez, www.robertparker.com (Aug 2020)

Clos Apalta 2017 remains inherently true to its origins. Deep garnet in appearance, the wine reflects the intense colour of carmenere grapes and typical aromas of ripe fruits. On the bouquet, anClos Apalta 2017 remains inherently true to its origins. Deep garnet in appearance, the wine reflects the intense colour of carmenere grapes and typical aromas of ripe fruits. On the bouquet, an abundance of aromas, including redcurrant, raspberry and wild strawberries, reflects the stunning complexity of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and carmenere. On the palate, the initial wave of berry fruits, underpinned by soft, silky tannins, is pursued by contrasting touches of black olive, blackcurrant and liquorice. Incredibly long and taut on the finish, revealing exquisite, delicate tannins, and expressing the great elegance of the Apalta terroirs. • 48% - Carmenère• 26% - Cabernet Sauvignon• 25% - Merlot• 1% - Petit VerdotWinemaker's notes (Sep 2020)

In the last few years, a handful of wines from Chile and Argentina—often French owned—have been released in September through the Place de Bordeaux, the network of négociants that sell most of theIn the last few years, a handful of wines from Chile and Argentina—often French owned—have been released in September through the Place de Bordeaux, the network of négociants that sell most of the Bordeaux wines and some of the leading wines from other regions. The 2017 Cheval des Andes is one such wine. 2017 saw an early harvest, but they started picking on the 6th of March and continued until the 10th of April, more or less normal dates, early but not so much. The varietal break down this vintage comes to 62% Malbec and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the wine is slightly riper and higher in alcohol than 2016 (this 2017 is 14.2% alcohol). The different plots fermented separately with selected yeasts, and the élevage lasted for 15 months and was in 50/50 new and second use barrels, 90% of them French and the rest made with wood from Eastern Europe. They used 45% Bordeaux barrels, 45% 400-liter barrels and, for the first time, a 2,500-liter oak foudre. This is clearly the darkest of the trio of vintages I tasted together here—2015, 2016 and 2017—but all three have the elegant and powerful profile, the luxurious and creamy character found in the best Bordeaux wines in the last few years, wines of power with precision, concentration, energy and finesse. This seems to combine the clout of the 2015 and the freshness of the 2016 and feels something in between those two vintages. Their work in the vineyard toward the maturity of the tannins meant the challenge in 2017 was to not let the grapes ripen too fast and too early. The work is different for Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, to get round tannins in Cabernet and get some tension in Malbec, the contrary of the normal tendency of the varieties. 2017 has less ripeness than the 2015 but more density than the 2016. The texture is velvety, precise and harmonious. This year, they introduced a larger foudre for 10% of the wine, with the aim to reach 20%, so that volume is increasing every year. I think this is showing more precision, and in a more challenging year, they managed to keep the quality on par with 2016. They have changed the label this year, to a cleaner and more elegant label that also reflects the direction the wine is going in. 81,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2019. Drinking range: 2020 - 2034Luis Gutierrez, www.robertparker.com (Aug 2020)

The 2010 Palmer is one of the superstars of the vintage, a blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, which is just slightly different than what I indicated two years ago. TheThe 2010 Palmer is one of the superstars of the vintage, a blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, which is just slightly different than what I indicated two years ago. The alcohol level hit 14.5%, and the wine comes across like a more stacked-and-packed version of their 2000. It is tannic and backward, but has a sensational black/purple color and a gorgeous nose of camphor, barbecue smoke, blackberry and cassis. Full-bodied, with oodles of glycerin but a relatively healthy pH, this wine has a precision and freshness that belie its lofty alcohol and extravagant concentration. This is a sensationally rich, full-throttle Palmer that could well end up being one of the all-time great wines made at this estate. It needs a good 7-10 years of cellaring and should keep for 50 or more years. There’s no question that Thomas Duroux and the staff at Palmer are producing wines of first-growth quality, and have been for nearly a decade. Rating: 98+ Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Mar 2013)

51% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, 23% Syrah 100% Estate grown fruit from L’Aventure Vineyard. Very, very low yield: 1 ton per acre for Mourvedre, 2 tons per acre for Grenache and Syrah (with 2100 vines51% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, 23% Syrah 100% Estate grown fruit from L’Aventure Vineyard. Very, very low yield: 1 ton per acre for Mourvedre, 2 tons per acre for Grenache and Syrah (with 2100 vines per acre). 37% 1-year-old French oak, 35% new French oak, 23% in concrete tank and 5% in amphora No fining, no filtering. Length of aging: 14 months. Drink: 15 +years.Winemaker's notes (Mar 2020)

45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot. 100% Estate grown fruit from L’Aventure Vineyard. Very low yield: 1.5 to 2 tons per acre (with 2100 vines per acre). 90% new French oak and45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot. 100% Estate grown fruit from L’Aventure Vineyard. Very low yield: 1.5 to 2 tons per acre (with 2100 vines per acre). 90% new French oak and 10% 1-year-old French oak with malolactic fermentation in barrel. No fining, no filtering. Length of aging: 15 months. Drink: 15+ years.Winemaker's notes (Mar 2020)

The 2017 sashays out of the glass with open-knit, alluring baked plums, stewed cherries, mulberries and warm cassis with hints of spice cake, cracked pepper and tobacco leaf. The palate delivers aThe 2017 sashays out of the glass with open-knit, alluring baked plums, stewed cherries, mulberries and warm cassis with hints of spice cake, cracked pepper and tobacco leaf. The palate delivers a great intensity of black berry and exotic spice layers, framed by soft tannins and lively freshness, finishing with impressive length Rating: 91 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com (Sep 2020)

7 600 cases made. Delivers showy fruit, with layered flavors of warmed boysenberry, blackberry and açai berry paste, framed by a subtle aider hint and backed by warm earth and cast iron details on7 600 cases made. Delivers showy fruit, with layered flavors of warmed boysenberry, blackberry and açai berry paste, framed by a subtle aider hint and backed by warm earth and cast iron details on the finish. Not shy, and well-built for the vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon; Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drinking range: 2022 - 2038 Rating: 94 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Jul 2020)

A remarkable wine for the year, the 2017 Opus One is a dense, full-throttle beauty. Plush fruit and soft, silky contours give the 2017 its racy personality. Exotic, beautifully perfumed andA remarkable wine for the year, the 2017 Opus One is a dense, full-throttle beauty. Plush fruit and soft, silky contours give the 2017 its racy personality. Exotic, beautifully perfumed and impeccable in its balance, Opus One is one of the most complete wines of the vintage. In 2017, Opus One has a distinctly red-toned fruit profile that distinguishes it from the surrounding vintages. Rating: 95+ Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Sep 2020)

All the 2018s were tasted from barrel. The 2018 Optimus shows both the style of the estate as well as the purity of the vintage with its rich, power-ful, full-bodied style and loads of black fruitsAll the 2018s were tasted from barrel. The 2018 Optimus shows both the style of the estate as well as the purity of the vintage with its rich, power-ful, full-bodied style and loads of black fruits and chocolate aromas and flavors. A blend of 53% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot and a splash of Mourvèdre, drink it on release and over the following decade. Rating: 92-94 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Sep 2020)

This is such a beautifully nuanced red with tobacco, dried herbs, wet earth and currants. Some leather and rose petals, too. Full-bodied and chewy, yet refined with great polish. It’s rich andThis is such a beautifully nuanced red with tobacco, dried herbs, wet earth and currants. Some leather and rose petals, too. Full-bodied and chewy, yet refined with great polish. It’s rich and intense at the same time. Very focused center palate. Broad layers of tannin and fruit. A blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon, 19% carmenere, 6% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Better after 2024, but already a joy to tasteJames Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Sep 2020)

Opaque ruby. Powerful dark berry, cherry cola, incense, potpourri, musky earth and spicecake aromas show outstanding clarity and pick up a smoky mineral nuance with aeration. Sweet and seamless inOpaque ruby. Powerful dark berry, cherry cola, incense, potpourri, musky earth and spicecake aromas show outstanding clarity and pick up a smoky mineral nuance with aeration. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated but energetic black raspberry, cherry preserve, five-spice powder and lavender pastille flavors given lift and spine by a core of juicy acidity. Blends richness and finesse with a deft hand and finishes incredibly long and precise, with youthfully firm tannins adding shape and final grip. Rating: 95-98 Josh Raynolds, www.vinousmedia.com (Dec 2019)

The Marchesi Antinori 2017 Solaia offers a uniquely floral personality with wild rose and lilac that comes as a surprise, especially if you are expecting the more robust and opulent dark fruitThe Marchesi Antinori 2017 Solaia offers a uniquely floral personality with wild rose and lilac that comes as a surprise, especially if you are expecting the more robust and opulent dark fruit associated with this vintage. To use a word that is popular now, the aromas are absolutely lifted. This is a bouquet-driven wine, showing great oak choices that are synergistic with the light and considerably thinner palate. Dried or pressed flowers cede to cherry, blueberry, some red meat char and a light touch of cinnamon. My impression is that the dry extract from the oak ultimately plays a bigger role in the overall flavor profile, preserving its red fruit core nevertheless. The wine is very accessible in terms of mouthfeel, showing a comparatively thinner and shorter approach. With more time in the glass, it offers some of the white soil dust that is a standard Solaia signature. It will be released the first week of September. Wine writers like myself tend to refer to 2017 as a "hot" vintage, but we stand corrected by winemakers who choose the word "dry" instead. In truth, the 2017 growing season was both hot and dry, but the lack of moisture in the atmosphere and in the soils is ultimately what had a lasting impact on the vintage. It pushed concentration, color and flavor extract, resulting in visibly smaller, dark berries and raisins with thicker skins and a reduced ratio of watery pulp inside the berries. Indeed, the growing season kicked off with a frost event on April 23-24 that damaged fruit. Following the frost and the drought, yields for the vintage were reduced by as much as one-third at the Tenuta Tignanello, where the Antinori team farms fruit for Solaia, and in much of the rest of the Chianti Classico region. In a vintage such as 2017, the gap between sugar ripeness and phenolic ripeness is enlarged, creating difficult water to navigate for those seeking to achieve balance in their wines. The expertise of a vintner comes into play in a vintage like 2017. Renzo Cotarella, managing director at Marchesi Antinori, goes over some of the strategies employed by his team in 2017. For one, skin contact during fermentation was reduced to about 12 to 14 days, as opposed to the 20 days of maceration seen in the previous year (the 100-point 2016 vintage). The fruit came in dark, so there was no need to extract further. Pump-overs were replaced with punch-downs that tend to be extra soft and fluid, especially in the conical-shaped fermenters used at the Solaia winery. The tiny element of Cabernet Franc was increased to 7% in this vintage, climbing up from 5% in past editions. That increased Cabernet Franc works to increase freshness and the so-called "fruit energy" of the wine. The grape also delivers sweeter tannins, thus taking away from some of the astringency of the two principal grapes used in this blend. These are of course Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. In a sense, the added Cabernet Franc serves to make vintages such as 2017 less tannic. "Cabernet Franc is really the key to a vintage like 2017," says Mr. Cotarella. The wine completes its malolactic fermentation in neutral barrique, left over from the previous year. All new barrel acquisitions are made after the harvest. This is important in a year such as 2017, because Cotarella and his team can opt for the sweeter tannins of coopers Remond or Taransaud and match their oak selections to the vintage. In a nutshell, the 2017 Solaia is a balanced, albeit more accessible, wine. The bouquet offers robust dark fruit and plum, and the mouthfeel is silky and streamlined Rating: 95 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com) (Sep 2020)

There’s a meaty character to this intense, polished red, adding a seriousness to the dark plum, blackberry, iron, vanilla and chocolate flavors. A beam of bright acidity keeps this focused and drivesThere’s a meaty character to this intense, polished red, adding a seriousness to the dark plum, blackberry, iron, vanilla and chocolate flavors. A beam of bright acidity keeps this focused and drives the fruit- and spice-filled finish. Merlot. Drinking range: 2022 - 2042Bruce Sanderson, The Wine Spectator (Sep 2020)