The Cellar Journal

Documenting the World of Wine

TCJClassification
Editorial system

Reviews

Words before
numbers.

Review archive

03 reviews

Opened magnum of Château La Fleur-Pétrus 1955 beside the wine in a glass

Bordeaux · France

Château La Fleur-Pétrus
Pomerol 1955

Profound, graceful and remarkably alive after more than seven decades.
Exceptional · 05 / 05Fully Mature
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Domaine Les Astrelles Gevrey-Chambertin 2022 bottle

Burgundy · France

Domaine Les Astrelles
Gevrey-Chambertin 2022

Expressive red fruit, floral detail and a firm, precise structure.
Excellent · 03 / 05Developing
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Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2009 bottle

Champagne · France

Dom Pérignon
Rosé 2009

Fine, persistent and elegant, with a strikingly youthful character.
Outstanding · 04 / 05Youthful
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Our position

Wine cannot be meaningfully reduced to mathematical precision.

Every review states what was observed, the circumstances of the assessment and why the conclusion matters.

TCJ Classification

Five windows of quality

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03 / 05

Excellent

A highly accomplished reference.

Precision, balance and a clear sense of origin or style.
A complete review

The classification is only the beginning

01

Context

Origin, vintage, producer, setting and relevant comparison.

02

Assessment

A clear account of structure, identity and the evidence behind the conclusion.

03

Classification

An editorial window, never a numerical score hidden behind a word.

The rule
“The classification guides. The writing explains.”