Marking the 15th annual edition of this global benchmark selection, Champagne Magazine and Tastingbook.combrought together an elite panel of international critics, sommeliers, and master tasters to establish the definitive ranking for the 100 BEST Champagnes of 2026. Here are the list. More to come!

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 1929 / An absolutely sensational bottle—youthful, highly elegant, and perfectly balanced between acidity and sweetness. Delicate, slightly salty caramel, malt, dried figs, and molasses weave together in a masterpiece of flavor. Simply brilliant—off the charts! 20+ points

Gaja's Favourite vintages of Costa Russi: Today, the 1979 Costa Russi displays a fully mature and complex expression, while retaining a remarkable presence of fruit and a structure that remains beautifully defined. On the nose, notes of cherry and orange peel intertwine with evolved aromas of coffee, chocolate, spice, forest floor and porcini mushroom, complemented by hints of smoke and game. The palate is full and enveloping, supported by a balanced acidity that preserves its vitality. The tannins are now perfectly resolved, seamlessly integrated into the wine’s texture. The finish is long, precise and persistent. A mature and refined Costa Russi, where tertiary complexity has not diminished its fullness, balance or distinctive character.

These notes from the tasting of Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru during last three years spans 18 vintages across three decades (2000–2021), illustrating the site's distinct ability to translate seasonal variance into fine Pinot Noir.

Domaine Faiveley's 2021 and 2022 vintages: 2021 is quintessential cool-climate vintage marked by high-toned classicism, tension, and historic rarity. Following a devastating spring frost and a cool, wet summer, yields were severely reduced, requiring meticulous sorting and yielding wines defined by lower alcohol levels, vibrant natural acidity, and a cool, mineral spine. In both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the 2021s showcase a light-on-their-feet transparency, delivering crunchy tart red fruit, high-toned floral aromatics, and fine, chalky tannins that cater to purists who favor razor-sharp precision and structural tension over broad power.

In stark contrast, the 2022 vintage delivered a bountiful, warm, and exceptionally balanced campaign that captured both generous concentration and surprising freshness. A sunny summer free from disease pressure yielded pristine, fully ripe fruit, while consistently cool nights preserved a mouthwatering line of acidity. The resulting wines are broad, rich, and supple on the palate without ever feeling heavy or flabby; the reds overflow with sweet cherry, plum, and polished, velvety tannins, while the whites offer satiny stone fruit and citrus oil driven by a firm mineral core. Where 2021 demands patience and offers chiseled, linear elegance, 2022 delivers seamless harmony, broad critical appeal, and immediate charm alongside long cellaring potential.

Tasted some lates releases from the world: The Pieria Eratini "Naked Queen" (Gymni Vasilissa) 2022 is a striking and aristocratic white wine from the foothills of Mount Olympus in northern Greece, crafted from a low-yield blend predominantly of Assyrtiko accented with Chardonnay. Entirely fermented and aged for roughly 12 months in new acacia wood barrels on its fine lees, the 2022 vintage pours a brilliant golden color and unfolds with a rich, complex nose of acacia blossom, honeysuckle, ripe bergamot, lemon peel, and subtle hints of honey, toasted nuts, and sweet spice. On the palate, it delivers a generous, medium- to full-bodied frame with a velvety, creamy texture that is kept impeccably poised by Assyrtiko's vibrant backbone of acidity and a delicate, saline finish. It is an exceptional gastronomic white that pairs wonderfully with sautéed scallops in butter, chicken roulade, pork tenderloin, or rich mushroom pasta dishes.

In a memorable Champagne tasting in Paris at my friends house, the lineup highlighted the brilliant diversity of Champagne’s top houses and prestigious terroirs. Krug stood out with its electric, tightly wound 2009 Clos du Mesnil and the voluptuous, approachable 2006 Clos d’Ambonnay. Philipponnat showcased exceptional depth and tension, particularly through its single-vineyard expressions like the intense 2014 Le Léon Aÿ and the powerful 2015 Clos des Goisses Juste Rosé.

Louis Roederer presented a remarkable study in elegance with the deep, multi-dimensional 2004 Cristal Vinothèque and the energetic, perfume-like 2018 Cristal. Laurent-Perrier displayed its masterful blending art with the vibrant, multi-vintage Grand Siècle releases, while Billecart-Salmon’s 2012 Nicolas François impressed with its rich texture and lively saline finish. Across all cuvées, precision, mineral drive, and impressive longevity defined the tasting.

Perfect 100 points Graham 80 year old Tawny Port – Only 600 bottles of the 80y old were bottled and the shelf price will be well above 1.000 GBP. For Charles Symington the blending process was very emotional, as his father, Peter Symington, was born in 1944. When turning 80, Peter very much enjoyed this special Port. Dark red colour with intense reflections and a green-gold rim. Gentle and perfectly balanced Douro Bake aromas on the nose with coffee, dried orange and tobacco. Complex, dense herbal notes in the bouquet, chocolate, malt, tobacco leaves and caramel, floral notes and a hint of chocolate and toffee in the background. Incredibly complex notes on the palate. Herbal mix, chocolate, tea, malt, honey, tobacco. Perfectly long, balanced and complex finish with many overlapping layers. A perfect Port! 100

Superb DRC La Tache 1978-2015 tasting / 37 vintages / “La Tache is an elegance and rigor. Beneath the frequent hardness of its tannins, passion is aflame, restrained by an implacable, courtly elegance.” I don’t know who said it, but it was in our booklet for an exceptional 37 vintage vertical of the one and only La Tache. Whoever said it, said it well! Shanghai was the setting, and while there would be some surprises, the best of the best flexed their muscles repeatedly throughout the weekend.

Fèlsina is an amazing place, a wine estate with a long history, for its Sangiovese. The year 2026 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the modern-day Fèlsina, when the historic estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga became part of the Poggiali family, setting in motion a journey destined to leave a profound mark on the story of Sangiovese in Chianti Classico. It also marks the fortieth anniversary of the first vintage of the Rancia and Fontalloro wines – first produced in 1983 and presented this year as the 2023 vintage – which over time have become two emblematic interpretations of the grape variety, capable of accompanying its evolution whilst always maintaining a deep connection with their territory of origin.

Brunello di Montalcino vintage 2020 Part II / Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli 2020

CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA. Vineyard Filari Lunghi, soils predominantly of Galestro, an imposing wine,intense and juicy. Pomegranate on the nose, hints of chinotto, touches of

eucalyptus and wild iris. The drink has a citrus and balsamic appeal, with red

fruits and balsamic notes. Great length. 98+

Historical Monfortino Vertical Tasting With Roberto Conterno 1929-2006. We had 38 vintages of Monfortino, Barolo’s greatest wine, on tap and ready to go at Legacy Records. There are few people in the wine world as intensely passionate and amicably knowledgeable as Roberto Conterno. He is precise and confident in his expertise, as he should be. He is one of the wine world’s greatest winemakers.