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."

Shafer's latest vintages / The long 2023 summer offered ideal stretches of warm days and cool nights. In early September temperatures rose on cue, ushering in a harvest of rich, elegant fruit.

Colgin Vintage 2022 / The 2022 “IX Estate” vintage offers a flourishing bouquet of vivid fruits, fragrant florals, earth, and spice. Classic cassis and red currant emerge from the glass with subtle notes of crushed flowers and bergamot tea. The soul of the wine bursts with an invigorating energy. Botanical herbs, subtle tobacco, and a touch of bouillon enhance the intricacies of this stimulating vintage. Silky, succulently textured tannins drench the palate, while hints of salted caramel and cracked pepper add a salivating sensibility. Flavors continue for a refreshingly long finish. Seductive yet awakening, the 2022 “IX Estate” is a charismatic wine to behold early yet will reveal continued pleasure and vitality for decades.

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+

New Australian Releases: Henschke Tappa Pass 2022 ($127) – If someone said to me, pick a Henschke wine to drink tonight, any wine. Well, one would be a blithering idiot not to opt for Hill of Grace, but I would not be at all unhappy if this was the choice. It is, year after year, always a favourite among some exceptional wines. 100% Shiraz from 70-year-old vines, 68% Eden Valley and 32% Barossa. Maturation was for twenty months in French oak hogsheads, 10% new. From a top vintage, this will surely rank among the very best Tappa Pass that the Henschkes have released – and that is saying something! 

A vibrant maroon hue. The nose suggests a complete wine, utterly harmonious. There is focus, a seductive and seamless structure, an alluring and beguiling texture, impeccable balance and immense length. At the conclusion, there are silky tannins, though they seem to almost disappear on contact. Notes of cassis emerge on the palate. A wine with real persistence, this has twenty years ahead of it, if needed. Stunning. 97.

Dinners with friends: The 1975 Hill of Grace / 1975 vintage in South Australia was warm and generally dry, following a mild winter and spring. Flowering and fruit set were excellent, leading to healthy yields across the Eden Valley. The warm summer ripened Shiraz fully, producing wines of generous richness and ripe tannin structure. Compared to the finer, more restrained 1972, the 1975 Hill of Grace emerged deeper, denser, and more opulent—built for longevity and power.

Deep garnet core with brick-red edges and slight tawny fade, showing fine clarity for its age.

A rich, mature bouquet of dark plum, black cherry, and dried fig unfolds with layers of cedar, leather, mocha, and aged balsamic. Secondary and tertiary aromas—smoked meats, earth, menthol, and exotic spice—rise gracefully from the glass. There’s still a whisper of sweet fruit beneath the savoury complexity.

Full-bodied and beautifully balanced after five decades in bottle. Concentrated black fruits mingle with chocolate, roasted coffee, and savoury spice. The tannins are fully integrated yet still present enough to lend backbone, while the acidity remains lively, giving the wine an elegant, lifted finish. It shows both the power of the warm 1975 season and the finesse of Hill of Grace’s old vines.

A classic mature Hill of Grace showing warmth, generosity, and depth. The 1975 has aged with dignity, retaining its fruit core while developing layers of savoury complexity. A testament to the vineyard’s resilience and the winemaking craftsmanship of the Henschke family during this formative era.

At peak maturity; best enjoyed now to 2030.

94 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.

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

The 1999 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Montrachet Grand Cru presents a rich and ripe profile, with honeyed notes, burnt sugar, caramel, and yellow fruits on the nose. Upon aeration, the acidity becomes more pronounced, adding vibrancy to the wine. On the palate, it exhibits excellent concentration with flavors of yellow fruits, complemented by nuances of gunflint and clove spice. The finish is rich and complex, showcasing the wine's depth and structure.

Brunello di Montalcino 2020 TOP WINES.

2010 L'Extravagant de Doisy Daëne 100 points /

Peach, pineapples, apricots, detailed, layered and complex nose, intense. Fresh acidity, intense, layered detailed, tropical fruits, peach, stunning balance and freshness, incredible length. Only some 3000 half bottles made.

Tastingbook tasted Screaming Eagle 1997-2019 / Last Friday's tasting was a rare journey through Screaming Eagle’s legacy—Cabernet icons from 1997 to 2019, alongside the estate’s rarities: Blanc and Second Flight. The lineup highlights Napa’s defining vintages: the power of 1997 and 2013, the elegance of 2010 and 2019, and the charm of 2004 and 2014. The Blanc 2018 and 2019 reveal crystalline precision, while Second Flight 2019 shows approachability without compromise.

Together, these wines capture two decades of Napa Valley—its great vintages, its subtle shifts in style, and the consistent brilliance that makes Screaming Eagle a true modern icon.