2024 saw lots of great nights and lots of great bottles shared all over the world. Amazingly, most of the wines highlighted below were sampled this past Fall. It just goes to show you that no matter how good a year you are having, there is always time to make it a better one! I definitely missed a few notes along the way this year as my diligence in this regard became a bit overdue, but I still kept track of the significant majority of the great dinners I had the privilege to attend or the pleasure to organize. Some wines sampled had different scores on different nights, the biggest variability for me being the 1999 Rousseau Chambertin, but always remember that every bottle and every night is different.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2024 edition: Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrazze San Leolino 2020 / A pure Sangiovese gem from a vineyard of the same name, a wine of impeccable tension and drinkability. The aroma has notes of red mulberry, wild iris and sage. On the palate savory, with a return of small red fruits,

floral nuances and a magnetic drink.

Masseto 2021 / 98 Points / Blueberries and black olives with violets and hints of sage, as well as rosemary flowers. Full and powerful with lots of fruit and vanilla on the palate. A rich and flavorful red, yet held together beautifully. Muscular and powerful. Needs five or six years to come together. Give it time.

The 100 Best Champagne 2024 - The 5th tasting day - all the wines over 90 points!

Henriot Blanc des Blancs NV ($) – As it seemingly always is, the Blanc des Blancs is my favourite of the trio of NVs from Henriot. The Chardonnay is all from a variation of twelve crus, with around 40% of the wine coming from their reserves. Time on lees is around five years. The team have recommended that this be enjoyed from a quality Chardonnay glass rather than a typical champagne flute and I could not agree more. Dosage is under seven grams/litre. 

The freshness and focus stand out here. Linear in style, with notes of lemon curd, jasmine flowers, ginger and various stonefruits, it is exuberant and joyful. The champagne has excellent length, fine balance, seabreeze acidity and pinpoint focus. There is some early complexity already evident. Seriously impressive, enjoy this any time over the next decade. 94.

Château d'Yquem 1816 / Recorked. 1816 is known as the "year without a summer." However, there is no indication of this in the wine. It is still surprisingly fresh, with a fine note of mocha, malt, and bitter orange. Incredibly youthful and elegant. The sweetness is still very pleasant and, along with the slight touch of alcohol, provides an incomparable variety of aromas. A timeless monument and a unique privilege to be able to enjoy this wine over 200 years old. 18.5p

The 100-Best Champagne 2024 Finalists reviewed!

Levy&McClellan vertical tasting from the first vintage with Bob Levy

Ruffino has been presenting a series of the top wines in Germany, an exciting journey in Tuscany.

Tertre Roteboeuf 21 vintages / I arranged a truly memorable vertical tasting of one of Saint Émilion's most iconic wines, Tertre Roteboeuf, at the excellent restaurant Møntergade in Copenhagen. We tasted Tertre Roteboeuf from the vintages 2022, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1985 and 1982. Francois Mitjaville, the owner of Tertre Roteboeuf, attended the tasting.

The launch of the 2024 Penfolds Collection is a positive reminder that the Australian Wine Industry is making very high-quality wine that can be matched with the great houses of Europe and beyond. While the Penfolds brand has made significant steps to become and international wine producer, its values are steeped in Australian winemaking methods and a house style developed over several generations. The 2024 Penfolds Collection comprises 28 wines and this is likely to increase in the years ahead. Ultimately this is a classic and stylish Penfold’s release highlighting the best of both world’s – house style and vineyard provenance.

Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015 / 100 points: Extremely complex on the nose giving notes of wet geranium, black tea leaves, juniper berries, cardamom and fondant chocolate in the primary profile. In the background hot asphalt dominates the secondary scene merging pleasurably with notes of cumin, white pepper, cedar chippings and orange blossom. Full bodied, refined tannins which are slightly raw in nature create the skeleton of this young and dynamic Riserva. The finale is of impressive length and remains juicy and fresh in the climax which is excitingly extended. Better from 2022. A divine wine.