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.

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."

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

Tastingbook's Weekly 50 Wines tasting: Silvia Grasso Barolo 2020 / A refined and classically styled Barolo, the 2020 shows lifted aromatics of red cherry, wild strawberry and rose petal, layered with notes of orange peel, anise and dried herbs. Subtle hints of tar and earthy spice add complexity.

On the palate, it is medium-bodied and precise, with bright red fruit, firm yet polished Nebbiolo tannins and fresh acidity that gives clarity and drive. The finish is long, savoury and mineral, pointing to graceful evolution. An elegant, traditional Barolo that favours finesse over power.

Latest Australian Fine Wines: Xavier Avon Chardonnay 2024 / The Avon vineyard of just a single hectare was originally planted in 1987. It is located at Maffra in Gippsland. Fermentation was in barrel and the wine then spent a further ten months on lees. Maturation was in French oak, 30% new. Under Diam. 

The colour is a deep yellow straw. This is a spicy rounded style of Chardonnay, broad in structure – a little reminiscent of those crowd-pleasing, old fashioned Chardies and this will no doubt be very popular. Hints of oak still in the process of integration, along with nuts, mandarins, peaches, almonds and nectarines. A wine of medium length which lingers pleasantly. Enjoy over the next four to six years, but there is still room for it to improve. 92.

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.

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+

My first 100 tasting notes for Tastingbook / Joseph Drouhin Echézeaux Grand Cru 2020

A profound and expressive Grand Cru with intense aromatics of black cherry, blackberry and plum, layered with violet, forest floor and spice; full-bodied with finely structured tannins, vibrant acidity and a long, elegant finish showing dark fruit depth, savoury complexity and mineral tension.

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. ”

Brunello di Montalcino 2020 TOP WINES.

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

Now anyone that knows me, and knows White Burgundy, knows that Jean-Marc Roulot is one of my favorite producers, and one of Chardonnay’s masters. We started with a “degustation” of the 2018 vintage, a vintage that Jean-Marc compared to 1982 when I tasted it out of his cellar a few years ago. We had two village wines and three premier crus, even though village would be an understatement given the quality of these vineyards year after year in the hands of Jean-Marc.