The launch of the 2024 Penfolds Collection is a positive reminder that the Australian Wine Industry is making very high-quality wine that can be matched with the great houses of Europe and beyond. While the Penfolds brand has made significant steps to become and international wine producer, its values are steeped in Australian winemaking methods and a house style developed over several generations. The 2024 Penfolds Collection comprises 28 wines and this is likely to increase in the years ahead. Ultimately this is a classic and stylish Penfold’s release highlighting the best of both world’s – house style and vineyard provenance.

The 100 Best Champagne 2024 - The 5th tasting day - all the wines over 90 points!

Krug Grande Cuvee 158^th edition. Disgorged 2008. Oldest wine from 1988. Main part is 2002. Blend of 76 wines from 10 vintages. Rich nose with toasted almonds, orange peel and blossom. Highly aromatic. Wow effect on the palate. Depthless complexity and finesse. So fine and yet dense. Beautiful composed with lots of dark fruit and toasted notes, yet backed up by a massive ripe acidity. 97p.

Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015 / 100 points: Extremely complex on the nose giving notes of wet geranium, black tea leaves, juniper berries, cardamom and fondant chocolate in the primary profile. In the background hot asphalt dominates the secondary scene merging pleasurably with notes of cumin, white pepper, cedar chippings and orange blossom. Full bodied, refined tannins which are slightly raw in nature create the skeleton of this young and dynamic Riserva. The finale is of impressive length and remains juicy and fresh in the climax which is excitingly extended. Better from 2022. A divine wine.

Ruffino has been presenting a series of the top wines in Germany, an exciting journey in Tuscany.

Despite the challenge of the drought and scorching heat wave in Napa on 2022 vintage, Blankiet Estate managed to make wines that scored as high or one even higher than past top vintages!

Château Ramond-Lafon 1979-2023 / The owner of the Château Ramond-Lafon, Jean-Pierre Meslier, arranged this vertical with Bill Blatch, renowned for his great expertise in Bordeaux’s sweet wines. I tasted 21 vintages from youngest to oldest. It was an impressive display of high-quality wines, despite the fact that a couple of great vintages, like 2001 and 2003, were absent from the line-up. This unclassified property certainly rubs shoulders with the absolute top wines in the district.

Gundog Estate Hunter’s Shiraz 2021 – To be honest, if anyone mentions Gundog Estate, my thoughts immediately go to fine Semillon, not Shiraz, which is definitely an oversight on my part. Their Shiraz wines are at least as impressive as the Sems, perhaps even more so. This one hails from a pair of low-yielding, old vineyards – Will’s Hill and Tinkler’s. Fermentation is in open top fermenters before maturation for a year in French oak puncheons. Deep red/crimson in colour, the nose is all red fruits, cherries and raspberries, with lifted warm earth notes and hints of animal skins. Notes of coffee grinds and dry herbs emerge on the palate. Impressive stuff, the texture is simply gorgeous, supple and seductive. Tannins are abundant but ever-so-silky. And such length! This is a cracking red, giving pleasure now but which will surely drink superbly for the next ten to fifteen years. 94, but expect that to go even higher with time.

Château Suduiraut 2010 /Super nose with some exotic pineapple/mango/passion fruit undertones mixed with Vouvray-like blossom-tree and quince jelly, enormous body, but incredible purity and crystal-like transparency, great length, a masterpiece! Drink 2020-2070.

The 100 Best Champagne 2024 - Day II - wines over 90 points.

Large Symington´s Port tasting, back to 1950 /  Graham's Single Harvest Tawny 1950 / Amber. 356 bottles made, bottle no 68, Intense, dried fruits, nuts, figs, dates, raisins nose, some tobacco and caramel. Fresh acidity, dried fruits, anise, dried fruits, raisins, dried apricots, layered, deep and long. 96

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2024 edition: Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrazze San Leolino 2020 / A pure Sangiovese gem from a vineyard of the same name, a wine of impeccable tension and drinkability. The aroma has notes of red mulberry, wild iris and sage. On the palate savory, with a return of small red fruits,

floral nuances and a magnetic drink.