Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2022 / 98p / Pale colour.  Lovely intense grapefruit, grilled nut, marzipan, vanilla aromas and flavours. Taught yet sinuous in structure with ample grapefruits and limes, underlying tonic water, grilled nut flavours, fine lacy textures, superb mid-palate volume and fresh high pitched indelible acidity. A thoroughbred of remarkable richness and torque. A beautifully focused and classic Margaret River Chardonnay showing off the fidelity of the Gin Gin Clone and precision vineyard sourcing. Drink now – 2032

1970's tasting with Cristal, Krug, Jayer, Chave, Sassicaia, Guigal, Haut-Brion etc.

Tastingbook tasted Dom Pérignon vs other prestige champagne! 

The 1996 Dom Pérignon P2 is a Champagne of electrifying intensity, born from a vintage of contrasts. The year saw a capricious summer, with wet spells that failed to fully make up for earlier dry conditions. Yet, the heat in the months leading up to the harvest worked its magic, creating a vintage defined by its extraordinary balance between power and searing acidity.

On the nose, the wine leaps from the glass with vibrant aromas of citron, green apple, and white peach, layered with more complex notes of toasted hazelnuts, fresh brioche, dried figs and a touch of flint. A subtle hint of smoke lingers, adding depth and intrigue to the aromatic profile.

The palate is where this Champagne truly shines—it’s a dance between richness and precision. The first sip explodes with flavors of crisp green apple, lemon curd, and candied ginger, wrapped in a luxurious, creamy texture. The hallmark of the 1996 vintage, however, is its razor-sharp acidity, which cuts through the richness, leaving the palate refreshed and craving the next sip.

As the wine evolves, notes of dried apricot, almond, and a touch of honey emerge, adding layers of complexity. The minerality is pronounced, delivering a chalky finish that seems to go on forever, with a final whisper of citrus and toast.

The 1996 Dom Pérignon P2 has a rare balance of power and acidity ensures it has aged beautifully, and it promises to continue captivating for years to come.

The 1966 Heitz Vineyard Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was an epic bottle, a testament to the heights that Napa can achieve, pun intended!  There was a minty and sexy nose that seeped caramel and eucalyptus.  There was this great herbal complexity that was so expressive.  Insane expression!  ‘So good’ was written over and over in my notes.  The palate was creamy, long and smooth with tasty and fresh caramel flavors.  Divine stuff (98).

Château Suduiraut 2010 /Super nose with some exotic pineapple/mango/passion fruit undertones mixed with Vouvray-like blossom-tree and quince jelly, enormous body, but incredible purity and crystal-like transparency, great length, a masterpiece! Drink 2020-2070.

Château Musar 2015 / The vines that provided the grapes they were able to harvest were between 50 and 70 years of age. Ruby/garnet in color, the nose is dominated by red fruits with spicy notes, leather, bay leaves, warm earth and tobacco box hints. Attractive cherry notes on the palate. Serious concentration, balance, and intensity that travels the full length of the wine. Good complexity is already evident, and it finishes with plenty of grip. Unquestionably, a good future. Sure, perhaps a little more rustic than those who like the squeaky clean may prefer, but this is a wine full of interest. The longer you can give it in your cellar, the better. 94 for me, though this should improve with time.

2014 A.F. Gros Richebourg / Bright ruby. Scented, red berries, fresh, fruity, detailed, elegant and nuanced, superb nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, bright, fruity, refined, detailed and elegant, lively, spices, superb length. Just as gorgeous as I remember it from Grand Jours a few weeks back. 95 points

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.

2021 Petrus: 99% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc: Fermented in cement, 50% new oak. Harvest: September 30 to October 9. As suggested by its lighter color, this Petrus displays rather red berry fruit, cranberries, and red currants, along with a splendid note of licorice. Behind that, there are also delicate floral hints of lilies and violets. On the palate, it is surprisingly slender and energetic with juicy, finely spiced red berry fruit, crafted entirely for freshness and focus, without revealing the seductive melt or erotic fleshiness typically seen in its youth. I am curious to see if it develops these characteristics with bottle aging. A subtle, perhaps too slender Petrus for some, with silky tannins, delicate elegance, and a finish rich in finesse and spiciness. 99 points

Tasted very finen and rare wines like Penfolds 60A 1962, Latour 1962, Lafon Montrachet 1990, Ramonet Montrachet 1990, Harlan 1997 etc.

The Best 40 wines tasted in 2023 Part II, exclusively for readers of Tasting Book. It has been quite a year, with far more ups than downs, especially when it comes to wine. I am lucky as well as blessed to be able to taste older, mature wines, as well as young wines and barrel samples, all of which allows me a fun look at a myriad of different wines at all ages and stages of maturity.

By ratings, these are a look at the 40 best wines tasted, so far. I have two more special nights coming up, but as we already closing in on the second week of December, this is a good snapshot of the best wines from 2023.  I hope you have at least half as much read it, as I did tasting them.

Bordeaux white and sweet wines 2023 vintage: Château Climens 2023: This is the second vintage under new ownership. It is a staggeringly stylish wine with great finesse and richness, a sophisticated touch, great sweetness, and remarkable acidity. 98p.