Italy is following the trend of white wines too and therefore it was time to taste some excellent white wines from mainly central Italy but also from two islands. The tasting was a first highlight in this new year.

Despite the challenge of the drought and scorching heat wave in Napa on 2022 vintage, Blankiet Estate managed to make wines that scored as high or one even higher than past top vintages!

Among the best wines produced in Bordeaux in the 2022 vintage are Château Canon and Cheval Blanc, two legendary expressions produced with the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé denomination. Followed by Château Langoa Barton and Château Leoville Poyferre both produced in Saint-Julien. Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé is the denomination that emerges bringing more references into the Top 10, but it is Margaux that benefits from a great exploit in terms of consistency after two slightly subdued years (vintage 2020, vintage 2021).

Mitchelton – celebrating 50 years / 2023 Michelton Blackwood Park Riesling, Nagambie Lakes - Victoria / Pale colour. Fresh camomile, hint lime aromas with hints of ginger and tonic water. Fresh lime cordial, touch honey, camomile, jasmine flavours, underlying ginger/ tonic water notes, fine slinky textures, very attractive mid-palate volume and pure long indelible/ crunchy acidity. Very precise with a touch of phenolic twist at the finish. Lovely density, definition and mineral length. Screw cap. Drink now – 2032 12.% alc 95 points

Romanée-Conti Montrachet 2016 / A masterpiece in a glass, this Montrachet reveals unparalleled elegance and complexity. The nose is a symphony of ripe stone fruits—peach and apricot—intertwined with fresh citrus zest, delicate white flowers, and a touch of honeyed brioche. On the palate, it is profound yet ethereal, with a creamy texture balanced by vibrant acidity. Layers of minerality unfold, evoking crushed oyster shells and chalky finesse, while subtle hints of hazelnut and fine spices linger endlessly. The finish is transcendent, a testament to its grandeur and potential for decades of aging. Simply divine.

Beaulieu tasting at Arctic Wine Festival / 2021 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon / Ruby. Cassis, vanilla, spices, liquorice, fruit forward, detailed, nuanced, layered, intense nose, vanilla, such finesse even at this very young age. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blackberries, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, layered, nuanced, deep, rich yet subtle and complex, long. 97p

Masseto 2021 / 98 Points / Blueberries and black olives with violets and hints of sage, as well as rosemary flowers. Full and powerful with lots of fruit and vanilla on the palate. A rich and flavorful red, yet held together beautifully. Muscular and powerful. Needs five or six years to come together. Give it time.

2024 saw lots of great nights and lots of great bottles shared all over the world. Amazingly, most of the wines highlighted below were sampled this past Fall. It just goes to show you that no matter how good a year you are having, there is always time to make it a better one! I definitely missed a few notes along the way this year as my diligence in this regard became a bit overdue, but I still kept track of the significant majority of the great dinners I had the privilege to attend or the pleasure to organize. Some wines sampled had different scores on different nights, the biggest variability for me being the 1999 Rousseau Chambertin, but always remember that every bottle and every night is different.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2024 edition: Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrazze San Leolino 2020 / A pure Sangiovese gem from a vineyard of the same name, a wine of impeccable tension and drinkability. The aroma has notes of red mulberry, wild iris and sage. On the palate savory, with a return of small red fruits,

floral nuances and a magnetic drink.

The 100 Best Champagne 2024 - The 5th tasting day - all the wines over 90 points!

Henriot Blanc des Blancs NV ($) – As it seemingly always is, the Blanc des Blancs is my favourite of the trio of NVs from Henriot. The Chardonnay is all from a variation of twelve crus, with around 40% of the wine coming from their reserves. Time on lees is around five years. The team have recommended that this be enjoyed from a quality Chardonnay glass rather than a typical champagne flute and I could not agree more. Dosage is under seven grams/litre. 

The freshness and focus stand out here. Linear in style, with notes of lemon curd, jasmine flowers, ginger and various stonefruits, it is exuberant and joyful. The champagne has excellent length, fine balance, seabreeze acidity and pinpoint focus. There is some early complexity already evident. Seriously impressive, enjoy this any time over the next decade. 94.

Château d'Yquem 1816 / Recorked. 1816 is known as the "year without a summer." However, there is no indication of this in the wine. It is still surprisingly fresh, with a fine note of mocha, malt, and bitter orange. Incredibly youthful and elegant. The sweetness is still very pleasant and, along with the slight touch of alcohol, provides an incomparable variety of aromas. A timeless monument and a unique privilege to be able to enjoy this wine over 200 years old. 18.5p