Tb's Monthly 50 wines tastings: New releases from Napa Valley / Darioush Signature Chardonnay 2023 / The 2023 growing season in Napa Valley was characterized by a generally balanced and steady progression, with cooler southern Napa and Los Carneros sites benefitting from morning fog and breezy conditions that preserved vibrant acidity in white grapes while achieving full phenolic ripeness. These conditions helped Chardonnay maintain freshness, clarity of fruit and aromatic precision. Darioush’s cooler-climate blocks naturally lend the 2023 Signature Chardonnay its bright profile and nuanced complexity. 

Tasting Note:

Pale straw with green highlights. Aromas of lemon zest, crisp Bosc pear and citrus blossom are layered with subtle white flowers and hints of clove and nutmeg. On the palate the wine is medium- to full-bodied with bright acidity and layered flavors of green apple, lemon curd and honeyed pear, framed by a touch of minerality and gentle oak spice. The texture is smooth and refined, leading to a long, balanced finish that marries freshness with richness.

The 1978 Roumier Bonnes Mares once again delivered an immaculate experience. It had a smoky nose full of deep, dark purple fruits. This oily red was a 99 point wine from the get-go with its smorgasbord of delicious fruits. It still felt so young but was so open, with great length and grit. This wine had impeccable concentration and zip, and it lingered on my palate effortlessly and endlessly (99).

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

Henschke Hill of Grace 2021 /Medium deep crimson. Expressive raspberry, blackberry, cassis, hint elderberry/violet/ sage aromas with mocha, marzipan notes. Elegant yet powerful, dense but buoyant palate with ample blackberry pastille, blackcurrant, raspberry fruits, fine supple/ grainy tannins, lovely mid palate volume/ richness and superbly balanced grilled almond, roasted chestnut notes. Finishes claret firm with a featherweight plume of bittersweet tannins. A beguiling and lasting landmark Hill of Grace vintage with wonderful definition, vinosity and torque."

Tim Smith Barossa Mataro 2023 / For all the hype, Mataro/Mourvedre from the Barossa is still a grumpy thing. It’s the dark, moody, reductive, fortified grape that helps fill out blends and only enjoyed a solo career in recent years. But Tim Smith has Barossan Mataro sorted. Old vines, old oak, and Tim’s knack for nailing texture means these wines just work. Same again with the Tim Smith Wines Mataro 2023. Sourced from two vineyards, 70 and 140 years old, on the Barossa Valley ‘floor’, and this has that old vine complexity on full show. Cola, ‘Provençal herbs’ as Tim says on the label, and this licoricey black fruit endless depth without a sense of heaviness. Instead, here’s a real medium feel to it – this isn’t an unapproachable dark and heavy thing at all. The palate just sings on through in that cola, dark chocolate and savoury grainy vibe. It’s a hit.

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

Dom Ruinart Rosé 1988 / “Onionskin-hued cherry red colour. Really powerful toast, spice, meat, and gunflint nose that comes with a charming coffee and cream note. A wild one. Ripe and massive, yet vibrant and super silky. Impressive in 75cl bottle and out-of-this-world in magnum. ”

Some of the most interesting wines from 2025 / Dow's Vintage Port 2017 / The 2017 was a very different year to 2016 in terms of the viticultural conditions and it was interesting to watch the progression of the wine and scrutinize its quality as it developed over its first two winters. Whereas 2016 had a very mild winter and exceptionally hot summer, this was compensated by abundant winter and spring rainfall. Conversely, 2017 was warm and drythroughout, although summer temperatures were closer to average, whichproved to be a very significant factor allowing for complete, balancedripening.

It is rare to see such tremendous depth and intensity in color as this winedisplays. The freshness of the floral aromas is very attractive with adominance of rockrose, a flower that grows wild around the hills of Senhorada Ribeira. On the palate, it is exceptionally full-bodied, rich andpowerful with black fruit coming to the fore. Gorgeous, ripe fruit isbalanced by the fine tannin structure. On the finish, it is typically Dow,austere and somewhat drier than many other ports. The intense fruit flavors linger long on the palate.

Tb's February 50-wines tasting I / Schramsberg – J. Schram Blancs 2015

A beautifully developed and refined California sparkling wine, the 2015 J. Schram Blancs from Schramsberg shows creamy complexity and vibrant freshness. Aromas of lemon curd, green apple, pear, and brioche are complemented by toasted almond, honeyed nuances, and subtle mineral notes. The palate is rich yet balanced, with fine mousse, bright acidity, and a long, elegant finish marked by citrus and saline undertones. Mature and expressive with excellent finesse.

Drinking Window: Ready now — 2028+

Score: 94 points

Four wineries with six wines faithful to their origin and terroir yet interpreted in a contemporary way have been tasted today. Very exciting tasting with excellent typicity.

Bond Estate 2022 + Harlan 2021 + Dominus 2021 + Inglenook 2021

2011 Château Margaux + 30 other wines / Ruby. Scented, blackberries, cassis, floal, bright, layered, detailed, intense, stunning nose, really opening up.Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, energetic, layered, has opened up a lot since last bottle, this was decanted for about two hours. Superb now, just showing secondary aromas now. 96