Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2024  and other Australian latest releases – The fruit used Yattarna was sourced from vineyards in Tumbarumba, the Adelaide Hills and Tasmania. Maturation was for eight months in French barriques, 56% of which were new.

The colour here is the palest straw. On the nose we have an array of intriguing and exquisite fragrances, including green apples, sea breezes, glacéd pineapple, jasmine, almonds and lemon curd. There is superb oak integration, with a nod to hints of oak spiciness. The wine has weight, density and balance with serious length and we see early hints of the complexity which is sure to emerge with time. Elegant and ethereal, it is already, a wine that is completely at ease with itself and harmonious in every aspect. There is a fine line of acidity, but perhaps what really stuns is the amazing length. A really exciting Yattarna that will provide pleasure for at least twenty years. Time in the glass simply saw a positive evolution with more gentle nectarine notes emerging and the texture exhibiting a wonderful creaminess. 98.

An extensive and diverse tasting showcasing the remarkable breadth of Niepoort’s portfolio, from mineral-driven whites and elegant reds to exceptional Ports across a wide range of styles and vintages. At the heart of this diversity is Dirk Niepoort, a boundary-pushing visionary whose curiosity, pioneering spirit and passion for experimentation have helped shape the evolution of modern Portuguese winemaking.

Dom Pérignon 2018 / The year unfolded under climatically ideal conditions, free from extremes, yielding a generous and balanced harvest. Chardonnay (54%) is anchored by fruit from Chouilly, while Verzenay and Aÿ provided the core of the Pinot Noir. This marks the inaugural vintage under Vincent Chaperon as Chef de Cave. The wine opens with striking aromatic purity and lush fruit tones of ripe peach, Madagascar vanilla, and lemon meringue pie. The nose remains somewhat reticent, hinting at further complexity to come. On the palate, it displays seamless harmony, textured yet precise, rich yet buoyed by a fine mineral tension. A subtle touch of phenolic grip firms the finish. Still holding much in reserve, this is a Dom Pérignon promising exceptional longevity

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!

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.

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.