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.

Tastingbook tasted Kracher's latest vintage: This exclusive tasting highlights the remarkable breadth and mastery of Weinlaubenhof Kracher, celebrating both their world-renowned sweet wines and their exceptional dry portfolio. 

The tasting begins with Kracher’s crisp dry whites, structured single-vineyard Chardonnays (Blick and Kreuz), and elegant red blends, demonstrating their sophisticated wood management and precision. The experience then seamlessly transitions through delicate Spätlese and balanced Beerenauslese cuvées before reaching its crescendo: the legendary 2023 Trockenbeerenauslese Collection (No. 1–7).

From the vibrant, red-fruited Zweigelt No. 1 to the opulent, unctuous Chardonnay No. 7, these botrytized nectars display astonishing tension between intense sweetness and laser-sharp acidity. Together with mature gems like the 2015 Reunion Passion, this collection underscores the Kracher family’s unmatched legacy in crafting timeless wines of incredible purity, balance, and longevity.

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

Fèlsina is an amazing place, a wine estate with a long history, for its Sangiovese. The year 2026 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the modern-day Fèlsina, when the historic estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga became part of the Poggiali family, setting in motion a journey destined to leave a profound mark on the story of Sangiovese in Chianti Classico. It also marks the fortieth anniversary of the first vintage of the Rancia and Fontalloro wines – first produced in 1983 and presented this year as the 2023 vintage – which over time have become two emblematic interpretations of the grape variety, capable of accompanying its evolution whilst always maintaining a deep connection with their territory of origin.

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.

Mount Edelstone 70th Anniversary Tasting 1956-2022

Perfect 100 points Graham 80 year old Tawny Port – Only 600 bottles of the 80y old were bottled and the shelf price will be well above 1.000 GBP. For Charles Symington the blending process was very emotional, as his father, Peter Symington, was born in 1944. When turning 80, Peter very much enjoyed this special Port. Dark red colour with intense reflections and a green-gold rim. Gentle and perfectly balanced Douro Bake aromas on the nose with coffee, dried orange and tobacco. Complex, dense herbal notes in the bouquet, chocolate, malt, tobacco leaves and caramel, floral notes and a hint of chocolate and toffee in the background. Incredibly complex notes on the palate. Herbal mix, chocolate, tea, malt, honey, tobacco. Perfectly long, balanced and complex finish with many overlapping layers. A perfect Port! 100

Brunello di Montalcino vintage 2020 Part II / Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli 2020

CANALICCHIO DI SOPRA. Vineyard Filari Lunghi, soils predominantly of Galestro, an imposing wine,intense and juicy. Pomegranate on the nose, hints of chinotto, touches of

eucalyptus and wild iris. The drink has a citrus and balsamic appeal, with red

fruits and balsamic notes. Great length. 98+

Tb tasted the lates vintages of the TOR Wines - several 100 points wines! Tasting showcased an extraordinary lineup of Napa Valley powerhouses, highlighting pristine vintage variation and legendary site specificity. Across both whites and reds, the collection demonstrated a seamless balance between broad Napa Valley richness and laser-focused structural precision.

The Chardonnays (Cuvée Susan 2023–2024) set a high benchmark with their crystalline acidity, white stone fruit depth, and subtle oak integration. Meanwhile, the Cabernet Sauvignons from iconic sites like Beckstoffer To Kalon, Vine Hill Ranch, Vaca Ridge, and Melanson Vineyard delivered masterclasses in terroir expression. The cool 2023 vintage offered energetic, chiseled profiles with vibrant acidity and refined tannins, while the 2022s brought plush volume and ripe dark-fruit intensity. Unquestionable pinnacles were reached in the monumental 2021 vintage: the 100-point To Kalon and Black Magic cuvées stood out as timeless masterpieces of architectural depth, graphite minerality, and endless finishing power.

Australian New Releases / Claymore Wines The Fields of Anfield Road 2024 ($75) – When one thinks of Claymore wines, two things come to mind – cracking Clare Valley wines and an unfathomable devotion to the Liverpool Football Club (I guess you can’t have everything). Those who follow the sport will know that the mugsmashers, as they are fondly known, snuck in to win the competition earlier this year. To celebrate that, they have released this Shiraz Cabernet blend and a bottle can be yours for literally just 0.00000025% of what the Club has spent on players in the off-season. 

An inky maroon hue with a purple rim, there are notes of cocoa powder, blackberries, cassis, mocha, cold tea, dried herbs, chocolate and smoked meats. The oak is deftly handled and there is an intriguing saline/iodine notes running through the wine. Good balance and focus, with bright acidity, there is excellent length. It will drink well over the next decade and continue to improve. Those who are not fans of Liverpool are probably hoping that this is a one-off. 93.

The preview of the new vintages of VDP Grosses Gewächs was held in Wiesbaden and featured over 400 different wines. This year I was focussing on the grape varities Silvaner, Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc) and Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) of the vintage 2025 as well as some 2005 Rieslings from Franconia and the 2024 Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) from Baden.