Today’s arrivage came from the southern Rhône valley. Domaine de la Vieille Julienne presents a very convincing collection, both white and red. 2022 proves to be a very successful vintage for this biodynamic estate.

The 2022 Bordeaux arrivage wines were tasted during January 2025.

The 2022 Bordeaux arrivage wines were tasted during January 2025.

In 2006 some sommeliers were invited to prepare the jubilee tasting of the auction at Kloster Eberbach. This first encounter resulted in a tradition which has seen the 19th edition on January 26th, 2025. There were some amazing wines to be discovered.

Claire Janoueix & Audouin d’Aboville are the young couple who is responsible for the renaissance of Château de Panisseau in Bergerac. This medieval castle is at the foothill of 47ha of vines planted with the classic grape varieties of the south-west, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec for the reds, Semillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle for the whites. The new collection arrived just for the new year and shows the positive evolution of the winemaking since the young couple took over.

Italy is following the trend of white wines too and therefore it was time to taste some excellent white wines from mainly central Italy but also from two islands. The tasting was a first highlight in this new year.

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

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.

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.

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. 

There are sometimes pleasant surprises when you organise a Sunday lunch “bottle pary” with friends. This was the way how an excellent bottle found its way in our glasses. It was clear that the wine had great maturity, however it still displayed freshness and was very elegant. When the comments were made and the wine revealed it turned out to be a very special bottle.