At de Rayne Vigneau, I tasted vintages 2017-2016-2015-2013 and 2012 of Grand Vin, plus 2017 and 2015 of dry white. 2017 dRV has already been mentioned above, so I go straight to 2016. Not so refined and well-proprtioned as 2017, less acidity, botrytised flavours and complexity. 92-93p. 2015 however, showed same fine qualities like 2017, was more potent, stronger, with more acidity and length. 94p. 2013 displayed great potential and may edge 2015 in the long run. 94-95p. 2012reminded of 2016, pleasant, round and tasty. Perfect as aperitif wine for receptions. 92-93p.

Our 2015 “IX Estate” is exotic and intoxicating. Dark notes of chocolate truffle are infused with bright, lively aromas of lavender, mint, and dark cherry. A gorgeously savory aroma of fresh and dried herbs fuses together with the soil driven flavors of iron and crushed rock. A sumptuous sexy texture coats the palate alongside a satisfying touch of acidity as the aromas expand in the mouth, then linger for a very long finish. This vintage of the “IX Estate” exudes liveliness with its bright, bold fragrances, reflecting a vintage with full ripeness that hits every level of satiation.

The 2015 “IX Estate” is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.

Jasper Hill Emily's Paddock 2016 / Medium deep Crimson. Intense lifted blackcurrant menthol aromas with chinotto inky notes. Well concentrated blackcurrant blackberry fruits, with menthol sage like notes, fine chocolaty but vigourous tannins and underlying mocha ginger oak complexity. Finishes firm with plenty of fruit persistency. Elemental with plenty of richness and density to offset the muscular structure. Should age for decades. 15.5% Alc 94 points

A large Keller Hubacker vertical from 1997 vinte to 2016.

Taylor's Vintage Port 2011 / Intricate and fine aromas display classic Taylor elegance and poise. Dense and pure, complex blackberry and cassis fruit shows fragrant violet traces. Resin-like garrigue and subtle notes of of licorice and black coffee emerge. Taut, linear tannins form a framework for fine dark berry flavors which linger into the finish, where tannins re-emerge with an austere note. Textbook Taylor’s: fine aromas and distinctive floral character of Vargellas blends with Terra Feita's dense, dark woodland fruit and herbal scents. 97 points

2017 is a vintage bringing back Bordeaux to its roots, offering a very classic wine style with lower alcohol levels than in the previous years but with often excellent aromatic expression. 2015 and 2016 have surely been better vintages than last year, but based on a first impression 2017 seems to be better than 2014. The evolution will show, that 2017 is far from becoming a "forgotten vintage". Some nice surprises will be waiting for us.

Petrolo Galatrona 2013 / Great nose! Sensual, dark, lush and very enticing. Extremely complex on the palate with tons of fruit, tobacco and the most velvety tannins ever. Violets, vanilla, layers of lush fruit. Never ending! … Sex in a bottle! 97p+

2015 Ten minutes by Tractor Coolart Road Pinot Noir Mornington Peninsula. On the appearance it looks pale ruby with a hint of garnet on the edges. On the nose it is very fragrant and pronounced. It shows a primary fruit character focus on red fruits such as ripe Cranberry and ripe strawberry cherry and red currants secondary aromas of
Cinnamon cloves and nutmeg. Some tertiary aromas started to emerge : games, tobacco, savory notes, dried prune. On the palate it is dry and has high acidity with low tannins,  thought hey are very ripe,  the wine has an high level of alcohol and is a medium in body.
The finish is long on the palate,complexity and structure of the wine make this Pinot Noir outstanding.Tasted in 2018 8/10

Romanee Conti 1971 / A wine of a life-time on this showing. A spellbinding perfume of Vosne spices, tea and dark cherries, all “riffing” together splendidly. Round and velvety, abounding with nuance and depth, rich with a ravishing core of sweet fruit, superlatives are readily exhausted. At the mid palate, incense, cranberries, pepper and forest floor. The wine is mesmerizingly beautiful with a further “gentle” eruption of cinnamon, ginger and pomegranate. The finish is long, seductive, pure, lithe and smooth, reverberating with passion and poise. 100 Points+ (the “+” is for alternate life-form factor)

Domaine Leroy Les Beaux Monts Vosne-Romanee 2012 / A seductive wine that is clearly filled with power and concentration yet wrapped around sumptuous, velvety tannins and firm acidity. There are plenty of dark berry and violet flavours that changes in the glass. Very long finish. An intense, energetic wine with a long life ahead. Tasted in: Burgundy, France. Maturity: Young. 97p