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).

San Leonardo is not only celebrating its 300 jubilee as a wine estate but was also awarded the “Winery of the Year” award of Gamber Rosso, the famous Italian wine guide. A tasting of the actual vintages was hold in Essen with some excellent wines.

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 Best 100-Champagnes 2024 -tasting Day I - Champagnes that received over 90 points.

Niepoort Redoma Reserva Branco 2021 / Mineral, lemon, lime and flint on the nose. Reductive and fascinating. Medium to full body with creamy texture. Lemon rind and curd. Some nougat and stone. Flavorful and driven finish. Drink or hold. 94p

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

Yalumba The Cigar 2019 / A delightful, dense black fruited mass is what greets you here. Suggestive oak lurks furtively, framing not dominating.The palate shows a lick of black licorice, a slick and glossy feel shows it gliding across the palate. It feels composed, graceful in how it presents itself - yet not without some gruff tannins, somewhat acting as a counterpoint to how it presents otherwise. Generous length. Go the years here easily. Drink now to 2032 92p

2021 Petrus: 99% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc: Fermented in cement, 50% new oak. Harvest: September 30 to October 9. As suggested by its lighter color, this Petrus displays rather red berry fruit, cranberries, and red currants, along with a splendid note of licorice. Behind that, there are also delicate floral hints of lilies and violets. On the palate, it is surprisingly slender and energetic with juicy, finely spiced red berry fruit, crafted entirely for freshness and focus, without revealing the seductive melt or erotic fleshiness typically seen in its youth. I am curious to see if it develops these characteristics with bottle aging. A subtle, perhaps too slender Petrus for some, with silky tannins, delicate elegance, and a finish rich in finesse and spiciness. 99 points

2024 Bekkers Release / Emmanuelle and Toby Bekkers have forged an impressive mark on the McLaren Vale landscape through their highly skilled vineyarding and winemaking. Rather than going down the alternative grape variety route, they have harnessed the region’s magnificent heritage to build a reputation for their Bekkers brand. Their attention to detail, especially during the maturation phase, brings an extra resonance to the wines. This masterful Stradivarius-like touch is what makes these wines so graceful and special.

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.

The Screaming Eagle 2012 is an exceptional display of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at its finest. On the nose, it offers an alluring bouquet of ripe blackberries, cassis, and dark cherries, layered with subtle hints of graphite, tobacco, and dark chocolate. The palate is full-bodied yet incredibly elegant, with silky, finely integrated tannins that frame the fruit beautifully.

Flavors of juicy black currants and black plums unfold alongside delicate notes of crushed violets, cedar, and a touch of espresso, adding complexity and depth. The balance between its rich fruit profile and the fresh acidity creates a sense of lift and grace, leading to a long, persistent finish with a whisper of minerality and earthy undertones.

This vintage shows remarkable finesse and aging potential, making it both powerful and refined, with layers that will continue to evolve for decades.

The La Tâche was the palest of all the DRC 2017s, almost to the point of transparency. This is a floral, open knit expression of the monopoly Grand Cru, which is very far from being a blockbuster this year. Scented and appealing, with notes of avatar of roses, fresh leather and peat smoke on the nose, lots of whole bunch spice and structure, racy acidity, a hint of salinity, succulent red berry fruit and remarkable palate length. A layered, understated red.