Tastingbook's Weekly 50 Wines tasting: Silvia Grasso Barolo 2020 / A refined and classically styled Barolo, the 2020 shows lifted aromatics of red cherry, wild strawberry and rose petal, layered with notes of orange peel, anise and dried herbs. Subtle hints of tar and earthy spice add complexity.

On the palate, it is medium-bodied and precise, with bright red fruit, firm yet polished Nebbiolo tannins and fresh acidity that gives clarity and drive. The finish is long, savoury and mineral, pointing to graceful evolution. An elegant, traditional Barolo that favours finesse over power.

Tim Smith Barossa Mataro 2023 / For all the hype, Mataro/Mourvedre from the Barossa is still a grumpy thing. It’s the dark, moody, reductive, fortified grape that helps fill out blends and only enjoyed a solo career in recent years. But Tim Smith has Barossan Mataro sorted. Old vines, old oak, and Tim’s knack for nailing texture means these wines just work. Same again with the Tim Smith Wines Mataro 2023. Sourced from two vineyards, 70 and 140 years old, on the Barossa Valley ‘floor’, and this has that old vine complexity on full show. Cola, ‘Provençal herbs’ as Tim says on the label, and this licoricey black fruit endless depth without a sense of heaviness. Instead, here’s a real medium feel to it – this isn’t an unapproachable dark and heavy thing at all. The palate just sings on through in that cola, dark chocolate and savoury grainy vibe. It’s a hit.

Dom Ruinart Rosé 1988 / “Onionskin-hued cherry red colour. Really powerful toast, spice, meat, and gunflint nose that comes with a charming coffee and cream note. A wild one. Ripe and massive, yet vibrant and super silky. Impressive in 75cl bottle and out-of-this-world in magnum. ”

Latest Australian Fine Wines: Xavier Avon Chardonnay 2024 / The Avon vineyard of just a single hectare was originally planted in 1987. It is located at Maffra in Gippsland. Fermentation was in barrel and the wine then spent a further ten months on lees. Maturation was in French oak, 30% new. Under Diam. 

The colour is a deep yellow straw. This is a spicy rounded style of Chardonnay, broad in structure – a little reminiscent of those crowd-pleasing, old fashioned Chardies and this will no doubt be very popular. Hints of oak still in the process of integration, along with nuts, mandarins, peaches, almonds and nectarines. A wine of medium length which lingers pleasantly. Enjoy over the next four to six years, but there is still room for it to improve. 92.

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+

Tastingbook monthly tasting: Ridge Monte Bello 2020 98 points, is a superbly structured and deeply expressive Cabernet-dominated blend that reflects the cool, mineral-inflected character of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The nose opens with layered aromas of cassis, black cherry and dark plum, interlaced with graphite, cedar, dried herbs and a fine floral lift. Nuances of tobacco leaf, sweet spice and crushed stone add complexity without overshadowing the core fruit.

On the palate the wine is medium- to full-bodied with a taut, finely grained tannic framework and vibrant acidity that gives the wine energy and precision. Concentrated dark fruit unfolds alongside savoury layers of black olive, espresso, and subtle oak spice, with a mineral thread that brings focus and tension. The texture is seamless yet powerful, carrying the wine to a long, poised finish marked by persistent fruit and refined structure.

A classic Monte Bello that combines depth, elegance and longevity—richly endowed yet impeccably balanced, with tremendous cellaring potential.

Now anyone that knows me, and knows White Burgundy, knows that Jean-Marc Roulot is one of my favorite producers, and one of Chardonnay’s masters. We started with a “degustation” of the 2018 vintage, a vintage that Jean-Marc compared to 1982 when I tasted it out of his cellar a few years ago. We had two village wines and three premier crus, even though village would be an understatement given the quality of these vineyards year after year in the hands of Jean-Marc.

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

Henschke Hill of Grace 2021 /Medium deep crimson. Expressive raspberry, blackberry, cassis, hint elderberry/violet/ sage aromas with mocha, marzipan notes. Elegant yet powerful, dense but buoyant palate with ample blackberry pastille, blackcurrant, raspberry fruits, fine supple/ grainy tannins, lovely mid palate volume/ richness and superbly balanced grilled almond, roasted chestnut notes. Finishes claret firm with a featherweight plume of bittersweet tannins. A beguiling and lasting landmark Hill of Grace vintage with wonderful definition, vinosity and torque."

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

Tb monthly 50 Wines tasting/ Burgundy: Domaine Ponsot – Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 2019. A strikingly expressive Chapelle-Chambertin, the 2019 from Domaine Ponsot shows both depth and finesse in equal measure. Aromas of dark cherry, black raspberry, and plum are layered with rose petal, exotic spice, and subtle earthy notes. The palate is expansive and seamless, with ripe fruit concentration, silky yet persistent tannins, and vibrant acidity that brings lift and balance. The finish is long, resonant, and gently mineral.

Drinking Window: 2028–2055+

Score: 97 points

BWW2025 tasting Day III