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)

Lustrous mid gold. Dried apricot, orange blossom and citrus peels on the nose, suffused with nutmeg, clove and coffee cream, and an earthy, spicy, saffron-like note. Richly sweet and unctuouslyLustrous mid gold. Dried apricot, orange blossom and citrus peels on the nose, suffused with nutmeg, clove and coffee cream, and an earthy, spicy, saffron-like note. Richly sweet and unctuously textured, but with a streak of acidity that balances beautifully, and gives a preserved-grapefruit and lemon flavour. Fantastic length. Drinking range: 2020 - 2040 Rating: 18 Tim Jackson MW, www.jancisrobinson.com (Apr 2021)

An extremely polished and refined d’Yquem with lightly cooked peaches and mangos and an overlay of vanilla and cream with some lemon meringue. Orange peel, too. What is striking is the texture, whichAn extremely polished and refined d’Yquem with lightly cooked peaches and mangos and an overlay of vanilla and cream with some lemon meringue. Orange peel, too. What is striking is the texture, which is creamy and so fine. The tannins give the wine energy and beauty. The finish is extremely long and impressive. So clean and refined. Not heavy at all, but vivid and clean as crystal. Goes on for minutes. Elegance with stature is a good description. Drinking range: 2023 - Rating: 97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Mar 2021)

The approachable 2017 Nicolás Catena Zapata has a little more Cabernet Franc in the blend, even if the majority is Cabernet Sauvignon and there is some Malbec. In 2017, they sourced CabernetThe approachable 2017 Nicolás Catena Zapata has a little more Cabernet Franc in the blend, even if the majority is Cabernet Sauvignon and there is some Malbec. In 2017, they sourced Cabernet Sauvignon from Altamira and Gualtallary, and it fermented together with the juice of the Cabernet Franc. It has a touch of ripeness in the nose but without excess; it's balsamic, with the Cabernet dominating the aromatics. The palate comes through as really balanced and perhaps a little lighter. It has very fine tannins and a clean, focused finish. 78,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2018. Drinking range: 2019 - 2027 Rating: 95 Luis Gutierrez, www.robertparker.com (Oct 2019)

This is a very thoughtful Seña that shows unique aromas of warm earth, mushrooms and conifer, turning to dark berries and black olives. The palate is more glamorous with ultra-fine tannins thatThis is a very thoughtful Seña that shows unique aromas of warm earth, mushrooms and conifer, turning to dark berries and black olives. The palate is more glamorous with ultra-fine tannins that envelop your palate. Shows power and vibrancy at the end. Toned muscles. It’s a very intellectual wine that harkens back to the 2015. Blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 18% malbec, 15% carmenere, 7% cabernet franc and 5% merlot. Rating: 100 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Sep 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)

One of the flagship cuvées, the 2018 Côte A Côte checks in as 48% Grenache, 26% Mourvèdre and 26% Syrah that’s aging in plenty of new oak. Loads of blackberries, chocolate, ground herbs, and graphiteOne of the flagship cuvées, the 2018 Côte A Côte checks in as 48% Grenache, 26% Mourvèdre and 26% Syrah that’s aging in plenty of new oak. Loads of blackberries, chocolate, ground herbs, and graphite nuances give way to blockbuster style, powerful yet elegant beauty that has silky tannins and a great, great finish. It’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise over the following decade Rating: 95-97+ Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Sep 2020)

The 2018 Estate Cuvee checks 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot brought up in 90% new French oak. Tasting like the straight Cab, yet with more sex appeal, it offers a huge nose ofThe 2018 Estate Cuvee checks 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot brought up in 90% new French oak. Tasting like the straight Cab, yet with more sex appeal, it offers a huge nose of crème de cassis, white flowers, crushed stone, graphite, and crushed flowers. This carries to a full-bodied, gorgeously textured red with incredible balance, no hard edges, a thrilling mid-palate, and a great, great finish. It's going to benefit from 5-6 years of bottle age and keep for upwards of two decades or more. Hats off to winemaker Stephan Asseo on another incredible wine, as well as, I suspect the wine of the vintage. Drinking range: 2025 - 2045 Rating: 100 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Sep 2020)

Offers a chunky feel, featuring a mix of dark plum and black currant fruit, with singed mesquite, dried bay leaf, sage and licorice root notes. Shows youthful rambunctiousness, balanced by goodOffers a chunky feel, featuring a mix of dark plum and black currant fruit, with singed mesquite, dried bay leaf, sage and licorice root notes. Shows youthful rambunctiousness, balanced by good underlying structure and ample fruit.Should resolve easily with cellaring. Drinking range: 2022 - 2034 Rating: 92 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Sep 2020)

The 2017 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine is a barrel sample blended of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc, projected to age 24 months in 100% new French oak. Medium to deepThe 2017 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine is a barrel sample blended of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc, projected to age 24 months in 100% new French oak. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it features lovely crème de cassis, blackberry preserves and spice cake scents with touches of plum preserves and dried Provence herbs plus hints of tree bark and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with energetic fruit, framed by firm, grainy tannins and finishing with a lovely minty lift. 7,700 cases are expected to be made Rating: 94-97 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com (Apr 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)

56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot. 100% Estate grown fruit from L’Aventure Vineyard. Very low yield: 2.5 tons per acre. 60% new French oak and 40% 1-year-old French oak with56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot. 100% Estate grown fruit from L’Aventure Vineyard. Very low yield: 2.5 tons per acre. 60% new French oak and 40% 1-year-old French oak with malolactic fermentation in barrel. No fining, no filtering. Length of aging: 14 months. Drink:1-10 years.Winemaker's notes (Mar 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)

One of the more supple, sexy vintages I can remember for this cuvée, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin nevertheless has power to spare, offering a beautiful bouquet ofOne of the more supple, sexy vintages I can remember for this cuvée, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin nevertheless has power to spare, offering a beautiful bouquet of blueberries, ground pepper, smoked meat, truffle, and liquid violets. Full-bodied, opulent, and mouthfilling, it starts out relatively tame yet builds on the palate, showing good acidity, plenty of tannins, and a finish that makes you salivate. It’s a brilliant wine that was compared to the 2001 by Marc Perrin. Rating: 96-98 Jeb Dunnuck - www.robertparker.com (Aug 2019)

Just bottled, the 2017 Solaia is naturally going to need time to come together. Even in the early going, though, it shows all the richness and opulence that is typical of the year, with terrificJust bottled, the 2017 Solaia is naturally going to need time to come together. Even in the early going, though, it shows all the richness and opulence that is typical of the year, with terrific aromatic expansiveness and tons of persistence. I can't wait to taste it with a bit more time in bottle Rating: 95+ Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Sep 2020)

The 2017 Masseto is a spectacular wine in the making. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, the 2017 possesses off the charts intensity and plenty of structure as well. Red cherry jam, mocha, leather,The 2017 Masseto is a spectacular wine in the making. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, the 2017 possesses off the charts intensity and plenty of structure as well. Red cherry jam, mocha, leather, licorice and a dash of new oak are all fused together in an opulent, seamless Masseto endowed with magnificent balance. The 2017 is quite simply a remarkable wine for such a challenging year. I can't wait to taste it from bottle Rating: 96-99 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Sep 2020)