John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 + other Australian new releases – One of our most iconic wines and a world famous Cabernet. It would be most people’s choice as the pinnacle from Coonawarra, every year. First made from the 1982 vintage, early examples from top years like 1982, still drink like a dream. From a stunning vintage like 2021, who knows the lifespan. The wine spent 16 months in a mix of French oak, 48% hogsheads and 52% barriques. 

An inky opaque maroon colour here, the nose gives us chocolate, blackberries, tobacco leaves, soy, licorice, mint, vanilla and dried herbs. This is impressively concentrated and balanced at the same time. The structure exhibits good focus, great length and fine, silky tannins. On the palate we see notes of coffee beans, root vegetables and mocha. This wine has power. It will give pleasure for twenty years, more if you want. 97.

Four wines have been tasted today, just released for the market. Two Riesling from Markus Molitor and two very special Sekt cuvées from Schloss Vaux. 

Visit at Château Laroze / 2010 Château Laroze, Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, scented, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, detailed, spices, long. Minerals. 93p

The VDP has again presented the new vintage of the GG wines in Wiesbaden. This time, I have focussed on Silvaner from Franconia, Riesling from the northern areas, Mosel, Saar and Ruwer, Middle-Rhine and Nahe. I tasted some very appealing Pinot varieties too. The vintage 2023 was rather challenging for the producers however they showed some very convincing wines.

Tastingbook Celebrates its founder’s birthday with an exceptional Petrus tasting event featuring 11 recent vintages. The collective average score from all participants was a remarkable 97.2 points—a truly outstanding result!

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