The Levy & McClellan retrospective tasting (2004–2020) with Napa Valley’s legendary winemaker Bob Levy was an unforgettable experience. We tasted through all the estate wines crafted by him and his wife, Martha McClellan. As we sat with glasses in hand, Bob took us on a journey back in time through the 1970s to ’80s and '90s, sharing insights into how viticulture and winemaking in Napa Valley have evolved over those times and decades after.

Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz 1988-2020 tasting: 2019 vintage: Medium-deep crimson. Intense dark plum, black cherry, blackberry aromas with praline, vanilla, hint black pepper notes. Generously proportioned wine with superb pure blackberry pastille, cassis sage flavours, fine chocolaty firm tannins and beautiful integrated ginger, roasted chestnut oak. Finishes chocolaty and long. Wonderful follow-up vintage. Drink 2030–2048. 14.5% alc

The 2018 Vintage in Bolgheri was of great potential and charm, hot spells allowed the grapes to mature normally and never seriously worried the wine-makers. Our personal ranking goes to the Sassicaia 2018, an inexhaustable font of precision and elegance, finesse and complexity with a veil of austerity and a snobbish character. Followed by a pure Merlot produced by Iacopo Alfeo under the Sonoro 2019 label, a tiny production of only 6 tonneau refined over time in barriques has today reached it’s best form.

Four wineries with six wines faithful to their origin and terroir yet interpreted in a contemporary way have been tasted today. Very exciting tasting with excellent typicity.

Founded in 1956 by his father, Paolo Marchi took over Isole e Olena in 1976. He transformed the estate to one of the leading wine producers in Italy. The observation of his vineyards, the promotion of Sangiovese as the estate's leading variety, lower yields, denser plantation and Massale selection for the Sangiovese were his key to success. As the DOC rules of the time did not allow to produce a Chianti Classico with 100% Sangiovese he invented Ceparello, a Super-Tuscan but pure Sangiovese, unheard at that time. 2022 was the last vintage of Paolo Marchi, he sold the estate to the French EPI group, also owner of -amongst others- Champagne Piper Heidsieck and the Tenuta Biondi-Santi. In 2023 Emanuele Reolon took over the management of the estate, a gifted vintner with the aim to continue the extraordinary work which as done by Paolo Marchi.

Pomerol 2024/ Lafleur: 52% Cabernet Franc + 48% Merlot. Sometimes, this property shows its darker and unfriendly side, which happened on a rather cold Wednesday afternoon. The wine was oaky, closed, and reluctant to open up. I've no doubt there is great potential in it, and I’m looking forward to retasting it with a possible score upgrade. I give 94+p on credit. Tasted in April 2025.  2028 to 2042.

Château Haut Brion 2009 / Extravagant and exotic, but still lively, this is a super-concentrated and elegant wine that's already breathtaking, yet has enormous aging potential. Plenty of wet earth and mushroom character alongside the cassis and blackberry aromas. Super-long, perfectly balanced finish. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019) 100 points

Old Bordeaux Off-Vintage tasting: Château d’Yquem 1901 reflects the struggle of its year — more a gentle curiosity than a triumph. The nose offers shy traces of burnt sugar, bruised apple, beeswax, and damp hay, edged with oxidative notes of old sherry and dried orange peel. On the palate, sweetness has largely faded, leaving behind a lean, slightly bitter profile of caramelized nuts, marmalade rind, and tired honey. The texture is thin, lacking the usual opulent depth of Yquem, and the finish tapers quickly, tinged with oxidative sharpness. A wine more about history than pleasure — a fragile relic reminding us that even legends have their off years.

When you are fortunate enough to taste nineteen Rousseau Chambertins at one meal, you can be sure you will have some perspective. The range of vintages was 2018 back to 1990 with almost all the most heralded vintages (no 1991), and the one that stood out above the rest was the 2005 Rousseau Chambertin. Make no mistake about it, there were many standouts, but the 2005 hit the highest note. It was deep but more hi-toned than some of its younger brethren, in a bright red way. It has a raspberry, cranberry and citrus mélange. While rich and saucy, it wasn’t like the other saucy vintages as it had more tension and style. This was a wine to restore one’s faith in the often glacial 2005 vintage. It had enough spice to satisfy the entire House of Atreides (99, Paris).

Tastingbook had a superb Roederer Cristal 1959-2015 tasting: A masterpiece from a golden vintage, the 1959 Cristal reveals the regal aging potential of this iconic cuvée. In the glass, it shimmers with a deep amber-gold hue, hinting at its maturity yet retaining a surprising brilliance.

The nose is profoundly expressive, offering a layered bouquet of dried apricot, honeycomb, toasted brioche, marzipan, and aged white truffle. With air, subtle notes of chamomile, dried orange peel, and candied ginger emerge, all underpinned by a gentle oxidative complexity that adds depth without overpowering.

On the palate, the wine is ethereal yet persistent. The mousse has softened gracefully, giving way to a silky texture that carries flavors of preserved lemon, roasted nuts, caramelized apple, and hints of saffron. There's a remarkable tension still present—a ghost of the wine’s youthful acidity—keeping the richness in perfect balance.

The finish is hauntingly long, echoing with notes of hazelnut, dried fig, and fine chalky minerality.

Drink now – at peak maturity. A rare and unforgettable experience.

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+

Hot and sunny days yet cool nights have created an ideal situation for elegant and persistent wines. There is ripe fruit as well as appealing freshness in the vintage 2021 as shown by the two wines tasted from Vidal-Fleury. The house, founded in 1781 and therefore the oldest still existing winery in the Rhône valley, proves its skills for wines typical for its vintage and terroir.