The fall of communism in Hungary saw many new beginnings, and one of note for wine lovers was the formation of The Royal Tokaji Company by wine-writer Hugh Johnson, and a consortium of foreign investors with the sole vision of revitalising the magnificent sweet wines of Hungary. The Royal Tokaji Company today is a benchmark for the noble wines of the region, from their 3 Puttonyos wines at around 60-90 grams per litre of residual sugar through to the intense Essencia at 450-850 grams, they are wines that offer the drinker a unique insight to one of the great wine styles of the world. Fine quality Aszú berries with good structure and perfect botrytis were macerated in fermenting must for two days. After pressing and finishing fermentation the wines were filled into 300 and 500 litre Hungarian oak casks in our extensive, deep, underground cellars to mature for over two years. The final blends were carefully crafted in the spring of 2020. Bottled at 189 grams of residual sugar per litre. Rich intense nose with hints of orange peel and spice. Very fine and elegant wine, full-flavoured with vibrant acidity, citrus and peach on the palate with a long, balanced finish. Summer was hot, so we began the Aszú berry harvest in early September and continued to pick steadily in the ideal autumn weather. In particular October provided three textbook weeks for the development of fine quality Aszú, with day after day of early morning mists, afternoon sunshine and drying winds. The Aszú wines show great structure, plenty of botrytis, depth and freshness with excellent complexity, all attributes of long ageing potential.

Situated since its origin on Plateau de La Crau, in the southeast of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, the estate has grown, developed and matured on this vast stony terrace which, generation after generation, has imparted all of its character. Chateauneuf Blanc may not be on everyone's radar, but if you like big-boned, opulent an age-worthy whites, they are extremely hard to beat. This rendition comes from older vines of classic white Rhone varieties, grown on the La Crau plateau. Grapes for the Blanc are hand-picked, with double sorting at the vine, then a third sorting in the winery. Pneumatic pressing, then static settling. Fermented in barriques, demi-muids and 30 hl foudres. Maturation on the lees in barriques, demi-muids and 30 hl foudres. Bottled one year from harvest. As a young wine, fruit and impressive power is at the fore, but if allowed to cellar for 6 - 10 years, complex notes of toast, nuts, Asian spices and pastry and bees wax will emerge.

A sweet botrytis styled wine made from the grape varieties Furmint, Hárslevelű and Muscat de Lunel.

Domaine Chanson Savigny-Les-Beaune Hauts Marconnets 1er cru Blanc 2018 is a beautiful gold colour. Floral fragrances mixed with expressive aromas of citrus fruit on a smoky hint. Complex with a good balance. Tight texture. Long and refreshing finish with a hint of minerality. White wines are very unusual in Savigny-les-Beaune, the vineyards producing essentially red wines. The particular nature of the soil "Hauts Marconnets" with Marl, chalk and limestone encouraged Chanson to plant Chardonnay. The vineyard of 2,18 hectares is ideally situated high up on the hill of Savigny-les-Beaune, facing south-east, close to the hills of Beaune 1er Crus. After a rainy winter, spring started with a very warm episode in April followed by very cold temperatures in May. The warm weather settled down early June. The summer was punctuated by several heat waves which engendered a lack of water, compensated by the presence of clay in many plots. The harvest started end of August, in outstanding conditions with grapes fully ripe and healthy. The white wines are precise with a beautiful fruit combination. After a mild pressing, this wine was vinified and aged for 12 to 14 months in oak casks in our cellars of the. Moderate proportion of new oak.

The story of Jean-Louis Chavy winery begins with Jean-Louis Chavy himself, who inherited the winery from his father. Jean-Louis was determined to uphold his family's legacy while also pursuing his passion for winemaking and striving to enhance the winery's reputation. Guided by his deep appreciation for the Burgundy region's terroir and microclimate, Jean-Louis embarked on a journey of innovation and meticulous craftsmanship. He embraced sustainable viticulture practices, carefully nurturing the vineyards with a strong commitment to environmental preservation. The winery's vineyards are home to decades-old vines that embody the essence of Puligny-Montrachet. At Jean-Louis Chavy winery, an unwavering dedication to quality is apparent throughout the winemaking process. Grapes are meticulously hand-picked at their peak ripeness and gently pressed to extract only the purest juice. Fermentation takes place in traditional oak barrels, imparting complexity and depth to the wines. The Chavy family believes in patience, allowing the wines to age gracefully in their cellars for several years, allowing the flavors to harmonize and reach their full potential. Renowned for their exceptional Chardonnay wines, particularly the Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru and Grand Cru offerings, Jean-Louis Chavy winery captivates the palate with a harmonious blend of citrus, stone fruit and subtle mineral notes. These wines are known for their longevity and can evolve in complexity over several decades. Jean-Louis employs classic winemaking techniques, including whole bunch pressing and temperature-controlled settling for 24 hours. He exclusively uses natural yeasts for fermentation and has discontinued the practice of battonage for several years. The estate's vineyards boast an impressive average age, with most vineyards aged between 20 and 40 years, while select vineyards in Folatieres and Clavoillons exceed 60 years. The use of new oak is restrained, with the village Puligny wines aged in 15% new oak and Premier Crus in 25%. In recent years, there has been a transition towards aging the wines in 350-liter barrels to minimize the influence of oak. While Jean-Louis does not own any Grand Cru vineyards, his Premier Crus are situated in proximity to some of Puligny's finest vineyards in the heart of the region. The Burgundy wine region in France is internationally renowned for its exceptional wines. Known for its terroir-driven approach, the region produces both red and white wines, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as the predominant grape varieties. The diverse soil types contribute to the distinct characteristics of the wines and the winemaking practices prioritize minimal intervention. Puligny-Montrachet, a renowned wine region in Burgundy, France, is celebrated for its exquisite white wines. Located within the Côte de Beaune subregion, it is one of Burgundy's most esteemed appellations. What distinguishes Puligny-Montrachet is its exclusive focus on Chardonnay, which thrives in the region's limestone and clay-rich soils. The terroir contributes to the exceptional quality and character of the wines, attracting wine enthusiasts worldwide. Admired for their elegance, complexity and finesse, Puligny-Montrachet wines strike a remarkable balance of fruit, acidity and minerality. Each bottle embodies the unique terroir, reflecting the meticulous work of winemakers who prioritize quality and expression. These wines exhibit a pale golden colour and a complex flavour profile. With a refreshing acidity, they offer delicate floral notes, ripe orchard fruits like apples and pears and hints of citrus and minerality. Puligny-Montrachet wines showcase a harmonious balance of fruit and structure, combining ripe fruit flavors with subtle oak influences. Oak aging contributes to a creamy texture and complex notes of toasted nuts, vanilla and spices. The Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy Puligny-Montrachet 2021 is a remarkable and intricate wine that embodies the essence of this renowned wine region. It displays a captivating bouquet of lemon peel, lemon curd and white grapefruit, accented by delicate hints of butter, yeast and bread dough. On the palate, it offers a velvety and creamy texture, complemented by flavors of hazelnuts, almonds, brioche and apple pie. The wine's impeccable balance and well-controlled acidity truly make it exceptional, with additional notes of lime, citrus, apple, pear, vanilla and peach enhancing its allure. The finish is nothing short of extraordinary, leaving a lasting impression of incredible minerality and vibrant acidity. With its commendable age, this wine showcases a remarkable complexity. A defining characteristic of this "village" Puligny-Montrachet is its enchanting floral and fruity aroma, which exudes both intensity and richness. The fresh acidity flawlessly counterbalances its richness, resulting in a wine that surpasses expectations. A harmonious blend of style and balance highlights the exceptional quality of this wine. Staying true to its Puligny character, it entices with notes of white peach and citrus, accompanied by subtle hints of nuts and baked bread. The distinctive minerality, a hallmark of Puligny-Montrachet, pairs seamlessly with shellfish dishes. It is the perfect companion for seafood, poultry, creamy sauces and subtly spiced dishes. Notably versatile, it can be enjoyed in its youth while also having the potential to age gracefully, allowing the flavors to evolve and develop even greater complexity over time. The 2021 vintage is sourced from ten small parcels, with vines ranging from 20 to 60 years in age. Noteworthy vineyards include Les Tremblot, Les Meix, Les Levrons, Corvée des Vignes and Les Reuchaux. These small vineyard holdings span the diversity of Puligny, from north to south and are situated just below the premier cru vineyards near the village. This wine is aged in only 20% new oak, allowing for excellent balance and early drinking pleasure. The Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy Puligny Montrachet 2021 stands as a symbol of excellence within the Burgundy wine region. The meticulous focus on Chardonnay, combined with the region's unique terroir, results in an outstanding white wine that truly captures the very essence of the land.

The Kevin John Chardonnay is Cullens flagship white from their biodynamic vineyards. A refined and elegant style brimming with white peach and citrus, showing bakery nutty complexity and deft oak integration. The wine is named in honour of Vanya Cullens father, the late Kevin John Cullen. Grapes are harvested on a flower or fruit day and whole-bunch pressed to obtain the highest quality juice. It is then barrel fermented with native yeasts in French oak barriques and matured for approximately 7 months in one- third new and two-thirds seasoned oak barrels.

Sourced from dry-grown, hand tended vines in the north east of Victoria, this Beechworth Chardonnay from Savaterre will surely convince even the most hardened Chardonnay critic that modern Australian Chardonnay is of supreme world-class standard. Keppell Smith handcrafts a Chardonnay of utmost power and concentration that produces a length of flavour that borders on the immortal.

At the foot of the majestic Schlossberg hill, in a setting of vines and roses, the Domaine Weinbach "wine stream", named after the small stream that crosses it, was built in 1612 by the Capuchin monks. Sold as national property during the French Revolution, the Estate was acquired in 1898 by the Faller brothers who passed it on to their son and nephew Théo. A great figure in the Alsatian vineyard and ardent promoter of its recognition as an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, Théo Faller works for the quality of Alsace wines and the development of their incomparable terroirs and grape varieties. In love with his property, he develops it, enlarges it and embellishes it. From 1979, his wife Colette and his daughters Catherine and Laurence demonstrated the same passion for the great wines of Alsace and the same unfailing attachment to quality. Since 2016, Catherine Faller has been running the Domaine with her sons Eddy and Théo. Primarily responsible for the Weinbach we know today, Catherine Faller’s mother, Colette Faller, was one of the legends of Alsatian wine. Sadly, Madame Faller passed away in early 2015 and, like her daughter Laurence and husband Théo before her, is now immortalised by a wine bearing her name. This comes from 50-60-year-old vines in the Bonnes Terres terroir, lower down on the Schlossberg slope, where the soils are deeper and sandier. The fruit here also tends to be picked a touch later. Accordingly, the register of flavours here (running from white flowers through to tropical fruits and citrus fruit zest) is more intense, yet the wine balances its power with great freshness and verve. Even though it comes entirely from Schlossberg, some of the vines fall outside the Grand Cru boundary, which is why it cannot be labelled as a Grand Cru. The domaine has now applied for Premier Cru status. But no matter, it certainly offers Grand Cru quality in the glass. Raised for 14 months in old oak casks, it’s statuesque and full of life, packed with the joie de vivre of citrus and stone fruits, salty minerals and a flicker of white flowers. The texture is generous yet stony and compact, and the palate glows with energy and tension with tingling rocky minerality and a nip of bite on the lingering, mouth-watering finish. Biodynamic.

The harvest began very early, on the 5th September, and lasted 9 weeks. This made is possible to reflect all the diversity of a year in which both flowering and veraison were very spread out. Picking began especially early at Yquem in 2014. Some 25% of the crop was brought in before the 15th of September, providing a rare and precious background of acidity.