Petrus 2018 / A Petrus of great dimension with a structure that gains in finesse with the passing weeks and an aromatic scope delivering spices, pepper, iris, marshmallow, violet. Alluring and shining tannins. A legendary vintage for the cru.

99 points

Albert Bichot Domaine du Pavillon Volnay Les Santenots 1er Cru 2019 – Discreet but perceptible wood sets off the overtly spicy aromas of dark cherry and raspberry that are trimmed in equally discreet nuances of violet and lavender. There is fine mid-palate concentration to the medium-bodied flavors that possess solid power and focus on the sneaky long, balanced and firm finish.

The tasting notes listed below, except 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2011, and 1946, are from the vertical of 26 vintages from this property, which took place in Copenhagen in November 2022. Wines for the vertical were purchased in Danish wine shops and European auctions. 

Ducru Beaucaillou is a famous second growth on the Left Bank located in the commune of Saint-Julien and close to the banks of the Gironde river. This ideal location means a perfect micro-climate, which prevents incoming frost, hail, and other weather caprices from attacking the vineyard.

2020  Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc / With the pop of grapefruit, white peach, lemon peel, flowers, orange rind and honeysuckle in the nose, and a creamy, sweet, fresh, juicy, slightly honeyed, lush, white peach and citrus finish, you have all the ingredients needed for a luscious, white Bordeaux wine. The wine was produced from a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon. 97  Pts

QUINTA DO NOVAL VINTAGE PORT NACIONAL 1963 – This is the Vintage Port which most people would like to take to their lonely island. High-scores everywhere and so much life ahead that it almost frightens you: The colour is easily 10-20 years younger of what you would expect. Deep, dark-red colour with lots of reflections. Perfectly balanced bouquet with finesse and intensity. Long and multi-layered aftertaste. Tasted last year at the Quinta. Port-Heaven! 100

Tastingbook tasted Paolo Scaviano's latest vintage and other great vintages in Barolo.

What a suprising tasting with such great experiences. The most intersting was Dominus 1992 (97p) vs Lafite 1988 (97p). Very close each others – flavours were almost the same, in texture Lafite showed more vibrant mineral savouryness. Still La Landonne 2009 (98p) overtook the two on the podium.  

The La Tâche was the palest of all the DRC 2017s, almost to the point of transparency. This is a floral, open knit expression of the monopoly Grand Cru, which is very far from being a blockbuster this year. Scented and appealing, with notes of avatar of roses, fresh leather and peat smoke on the nose, lots of whole bunch spice and structure, racy acidity, a hint of salinity, succulent red berry fruit and remarkable palate length. A layered, understated red.

Some wines from the centre of Italy arrived for tasting. A wonderful selection with some very positive surprises and great typicity. 

Krug Clos du Mesnil 1982 / The wine of the vintage. More Krug-like than Mesnil-like. The color is reminiscent of a big, white, toasted, oak-barrel Burgundy—even the scent points in that direction. It has an oriental, spicy nose. Toffee, honey, coffee, linden, cream, butterscotch, sun-ripened oranges: it's got everything! Enveloped in a Corton-Charlemagne-like fat, nutty, enormous taste. The acidity is incredibly high but it hides beneath a layer of sweet fruit. One of myWINNERS  at the Millennium Tasting. The last two bottles have shown a rich big maturity and less refinement so the gigant is now down on 98 points.

Penfolds Californian wines are typically opulent styles and show the kindred spirit of Californian and Australian vine stock. 2019 Penfold Bin 149, described as a wine of the world is a Napa Valley South Australian blend and works impressively well. It’s worth remembering that the Australian component was vintaged six months before California and so the concept of maturation time is blurred. All the same the components all integrate seamlessly, and the wine should enjoy a long cellaring career. The same also applies to the 2019 Penfolds Bin 600 Cabernet Shiraz which has hallmarks of South Australian winemaking but fully amplifies the power and energy of Californian Cabernet. The Shiraz component does the job of filling the mid-palate and adding plushness, but the torque in the Cabernet drives the flavours across the palate with impressive velocity. The wine is strangely familiar yet distant perhaps reflecting the cross-Pacific nature of the wine. 

Harewood Estate Flux I Shiraz 2016 / Fair throw of oak redolent here, new at that, dominating the palate. Light on the palate, as befits its 12%,oak remnants present and lending a sheen and gloss to the wine. Tannins are powder fine, almost cocoa like in profile, yet firmish and penetrating through the finish. Curious, certainly of interest. 93