Very, very concentrated and dense with some salinity and really juicy. 'We call it the Chevalier-Montrachet of Champagne because it's discreet rather than showy', according to Lécaillon. Markedly savoury, and indeed not entirely unlike modern, slightly austere white burgundy. Definite chewiness on the end and a bottle that should ideally be kept awhile. But, presumably thanks to warmer summers and organically grown vines, it's more open than Cristal used to be on release.

The 2022 Gran Vino Albariño was cropped from a warm and dry year is the third vintage of this new cuvée from their 12 hectares in eight different plots (Cacheiro, Huerta, Besada, Eira, Ferradiña, Ferradura, Tomadiña and Souto) in the Valle del Salnés plus a further hectare rented from the archbishop. The destemmed grapes were pressed and the must left to settle and then fermented in stainless steel for around 43 days. The wine was kept with the lees in stainless steel for four months and then a further eight months without the lees. Fifteen percent of the volume matured in acacia wood barrels. It was kept in bottle for two years before being sold. It comes in at the usual 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.35 and 7.15 grams of acidity (tartaric). They consider 2022 an excellent vintage, with very healthy grapes. The wine is very pale and clean and seems to close in the glass. It has a textbook nose of aged Albariño, exuberant and ripe without excess, with perfect development of aromas and flavors, with yellow fruit, flowers and a balsamic touch reminiscent of moss. It has a round and juicy palate, but it's still a little austere, with very good freshness and balance and a salty twist in the finish. With time, it develops more complexity, even notes of licorice. It's still young and undeveloped, especially when tasted next to the 2020 La Comtesse, but it's serious and balanced. A total of 127,820 numbered bottles and 1,956 magnums were produced. It was bottled in July 2023.

An iconic, fruit-forward and refreshing expression of sauvignon blanc. Aromas of apricots, nectarines, pineapple and green mangoes. The palate shows honeydew melon and green apples, with tender sweetness in the finish balanced by bright, juicy acidity. This is a wonderful summertime favorite.

The Russian River Valley bottling from Merry Edwards continues to be a stunning, standard-setting example of California Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel fermented in French oak, this wine is on the fuller-side, but is still zippy enough to keep it refreshing. The palate bursts with tropical fruit like pineapple and passion fruit with notes of lime zest and grapefruit that add freshness. The oak aging adds a layer of vanilla and a rounded mouthfeel.

From the winery's flagship vineyard planted in 1997, this is a complex and delectable wine. So much umami on the nose—black olives and soy with dark fruit underneath. On the palate there’s richness, refreshing acidity and tension, with flavors of bitter chocolate and juicy oranges in the long finish.