John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 ($175) – From its very first release with the 1982 vintage, this has invariably been one of Australia’s great Cabernets and its status seems to soar every year. Forty years later, this wine will only enhance that reputation. Maturation was for seventeen months in a mix of French oak barriques and hogsheads, 43% of which were new. If anyone thought that attempting to follow the amazing 2021 would be a bridge too far, this wine will have confirmed that nothing is impossible. Another stunning effort, which I have actually scored a touch higher than its wonderful predecessor. 

Opaque maroon, there is a refinement and suppleness to this wine, which is all a bit thrilling. There is finesse and immaculate balance. The nose exhibits an array of flavours, black fruits throughout, notably blackberries, with chocolate, tobacco leaves, plum pudding, blueberries, cassis and aniseed. The oak integration is of the highest order and the tannins are simply silk. There is great length here and while the elegance is a highlight, the intensity here never wavers. A brilliant John Riddoch which has at least twenty years ahead of it – even more if you have the patience or are keen to make your grandkids think very highly of you. 98.

Tastingbook tasted champagnes at Taittinger, Krug, Bollinger, Philipponnat, Ruinart etc.

1994 Vintage Ports - Anyone who has had the privilege of tasting vintage Port from the 1960s or earlier will agree that these are some of the best wines they have ever tasted, and the 1994 Vintage Ports have all the ingredients to follow in the footsteps of those great years.

Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillion 2015 / This is the top dog from the Brokenwood stable (does one use a stable for dogs?). ILR, released only after a long spell in the cellar, is a tribute to their long term, peripatetic, former chief winemaker, Iain Leslie Riggs. It is whatever is the best wine from any of their vineyards. For the first time, the wine from their Murphy’s Vineyard, planted back in 1966, won the gig. If you are not familiar with that vineyard, it is in the Lovedale sub-region, so not a bad pedigree. Hand-harvesting, the fruit is crushed, chilled and pressed, neutral yeasts, no oak, no malo. Sounds so simple. And if any wine exceeds the vintage in 2015, this is it. There is a fine minerally background with serious length and a persistent finish. Notes of citrus, lemons and limes, pears, crisp green apples and more. Finely balanced, a seductive texture, excellent length and even the emergence of some early complexity. It already has some development, but it has many years ahead. In the year since first tasted, this has already picked up a little and shows every sign of doing so to a greater extent. 95p

Dom Pérignon 2003 P2 / Medium deep golden colour with rather small and vivid bubbles. Pure and intense nose, fine development without oxidation, roasted pine and pistachio nuts with confit de citron, fresh peach and brioche notes. The palate is ample and rather opulent with a rounded acidity yet with a nice fresh bite from fine extract, mild creaminess, nice layers of finely spicy yellow fruit, nougat and nutty flavours with a long and embracing finish. 95p

Château Pétrus 2024 + other great St.Emilion and Pomerol red wines from vintage 2024.

Petrus 2024 /Ruby. Scented, blueberries, floral, nuanced, red fruits, detailed, bright and lifted nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, fruit forward, detailed, elegant, bright, lovely balance, wonderful texture that builds up elegantly throughout the palate, long finish. Refined.  96-98

The new collection of Martin Korrell showed excellent qualities although the vintage was quite challenging.

Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz 1988-2020 tasting: 2019 vintage: Medium-deep crimson. Intense dark plum, black cherry, blackberry aromas with praline, vanilla, hint black pepper notes. Generously proportioned wine with superb pure blackberry pastille, cassis sage flavours, fine chocolaty firm tannins and beautiful integrated ginger, roasted chestnut oak. Finishes chocolaty and long. Wonderful follow-up vintage. Drink 2030–2048. 14.5% alc

Tastingbook tasted Gaja vintages from 1958 to 2021, which reveal a remarkable journey through time, showcasing the evolution, resilience, and timeless elegance of one of Italy’s most iconic wine families. The older vintages offer a nostalgic glimpse into history, often fragile yet rich with complex tertiary aromas, while the younger wines burst with vibrant fruit, structure, and refined precision. Across the decades, Gaja’s unwavering commitment to quality and terroir shines through, delivering wines that combine power with finesse and promise enduring aging potential. Together, these notes paint a vivid portrait of Nebbiolo’s majestic expression under Gaja’s masterful hand—wines to be treasured, cellared, and celebrated across generations.

So, how is the Bordeaux 2024 red vintage? It is better than I expected. Regarding weather challenges, it is similar to 2013, but 2024 was saved by modern technology, the dry and sunny month of August, and a long ripening process. Adjectives such as fresh, elegant, delicate, lively, gentle, and silky characterize most wines. Many wines, especially from properties that couldn't afford treatment costs against mildew, etc., deviate from this description by being over-extracted, green, unripe, and showing dry flavors. In my view, the Right Bank slightly outperforms the Left Bank in terms of wine quality.

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

Barolo 2019 is an excellent vintage—classic and balanced. It shows great structure, freshness, and aging potential, with refined tannins and vibrant acidity. One for the cellar.