Mid-shoulder A sign of a weakening cork or a warning of a possible deterioration of the wine. Influence on the price of the wine: full price. A wine like this is usually on the market if the wine in question or its label is particularly rare. 6. Low-shoulder Usually a clear sign of already spoiled wine, especially if the wine is less than 80 years old. Influence on the price of the wine: - 3050%. Influence on the price of the wine: - 2025%. Wines from the late 18th and early 19th centuries make an exception to this rule.
Capsule
Capsule
Capsule Ullage: space between the cork and the wine.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Ullage: sp ace between the cor k and the wine .
Ullage: sp ace between the cor k and the wine .
3 cm 5 cm 7 cm
Since bottles used in Burgundy do not have "shoulders", it is not practical to use the same terms to describe the level of the wine as with the wines of Bordeaux. An especially good level for wines more than 50 years old. Especially good level for wines older than 20 years. 7. 5. Especially good level for wines older than 15 years. Mid-low-shoulder Already quite a risk, especially for wines not bottled on the estate. If the clarity and color of the wine and the position of the cork are in good shape, the wine is probably in good order, especially if it is more than 60 years old. For example in a 40-year-old burgundy red wine 56 cm can still be considered a good level, and not even an 8 cm drop in the level is necessarily a sign of a wine gone bad, though it has a great influence on the price. Influence on the price of the wine: - 1015%. Bottom neck Good level for wines of all ages. Top-shoulder Normal level for wines 15 to 25 years old. The bottle used in Burgundy is also often used in Rhône, in the Loire valley and in Southern France.. Influence on the price of the wine: - 5070%. 4. 3. This is quite a normal level for wines from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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1. By the neck the normal level of young wines, and often that of older wines recorked at the estate. Influence on the price of the wine: full price. The condition of the wine is less affected by the level in the slim bottles of Burgundy than in the shouldered bottles of Bordeaux. This level is not acceptable with wines less than 50 years of age. The level in these burgundy bottles is indicated with centimetres in relation to the cork. 2. Upper-shoulder Acceptable level for wines older than 25 years. Influence on the price of the wine: - 7080%
In our opinion all mature wines profit from decanting for two reasons. 14
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DECANTING Bordeaux / Burgundy
2007/2030 x 73
D2h/G3h
There are moments when we wonder at the praising comments that a wine we have just tasted now trivial and lifeless has received in the past from wine experts we respect. That is why with each tasting note we mention the time that the wine in question needed in our opinion to breathe and develop to its best. The time we have given is based simply on our own experiences with the wine, and should once again be read as guidance only, not as proved scientific truth.. There are no hard and fast rules so far as to the length of time needed for a wine to breathe, but because air literally breathes life into wine, and on the other hand also leads to its death, it is particularly important to know how much time to give to a wine in decanter and glass. Sometimes the reason for this is that the ratings of the wine date back several decades. But time and again we find the reason in ourselves; in our inexperience and ignorance We may have decanted the wine too early and it has "died", or too late denying it the time to even come to life before tasting. If possible, also see to it that the wine has been in an upright position before decanting for at least a day or two. However, even the best wine is too easily ruined by drinking it at the wrong time, and we are not talking about decades, or even years, but hours and minutes. Longevity is a fine quality in a wine. It can be close to magical when an old vintage is enjoyed at its prime. Firstly, to separate the wine from any sediment it may have thrown during its long maturation in the bottle, and secondly to allow the wine to breathe, which allows the wine to develop and show us all its complexities and subtleties
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W I N E S
F R O M
1
T O
1 0 0 0
The best wine we have ever encountered. 20
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Château Latour 1961. We take a low bow to it.
1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20. It is a truly unique, classic and perfect wine
Growth started in the first few days that is to say a month early. In the first three weeks of August the vineyards lacked both water and sun, but fine weather settled in on August 24th and continued without a break until September 28th (almost as dry as in 1949). It has a beautiful, dark-red, fully mature colour, which is almost orange on the rim. It is a truly unique, classic and
1. July was not good on the whole; overcast with no rain and no sun. The ideal decanting time seems to be 1.5 hours. The sensations we experienced in that moment are almost impossible to describe. The Latour 1961 has been tasted by us more than 70 times, and only on eight occasions has it an exceptional and perfect track-record as the Latour 1961.
not scored a faultless 100 points! No other wine from the approximate 60,000 wines we have tasted, has such
100 p 1961 Château Latour (Pauillac)
2007/2030 x 73
D 1.5 h / G 3 h
Although the year 1961 was not perfect at Château Latour, the wines were! A very rainy winter was followed by an exceptionally warm February. Yields were very poor, as had been expected, so the harvest was short. The flowers were frozen and the sterile grapes dried immediately after; three-quarters of the crop was lost. The end of May was very cold and on May 29th disaster struck. The best wine we have ever encountered. Only once before has there been frosts in May, in 1945. This last bottle of Latour 1961 lived up to the romantic memory of our previous experiences. Not only was the mouth-feel like drinking liquid silk, but the aristocratic finish of multi-layered Cabernet stayed on the palate for an eternity. Time lost its meaning. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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perfect wine. The first half of March was very warm and the first leaves were noted on March 10th. April was unstable and predominantly cold, slowing down growth. Almost all of the bottles we have tasted have been in very good condition with only a few of them top-shoulder or lower. This sublimely rich, firm, still quite tannic, full, very long, and abundantly fruity classic blew our well-educated senses of taste into new life. The scent is sound and open, classic, a perfectly merged bouquet. Perfect balance and structure. The weather was very hot, which caused problems with vinification. We take a deep bow to it.
1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20
NUMBER 1.
OUR UNANIMOUS, highest rating went to the fantastic Château Latour 1961. It rained on September 29th and 30th, and harvest took place from 19th until 28th September. What we love most about this Goliath was the endless awe-inspiring finish. The presence of fruit was unbelievably rich
Sound and wide-open, huge, incredibly sweet nose of black currant, coffee and eucalyptus. While most other vinegrowers had grafted their vines to resistant American rootstock decades earlier, the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti had fought against the aphid successfully for over 60 years with carbon disulphide. This marked the beginning of a series of specially designed labels for each vintage. Deep, dark and thick colour. To commemorate the Allied victory, Baron Philippe had the idea of embellishing the Mouton-Rothschild 1945 label with an artwork: on this occasion, a symbolic design intended to celebrate the return of peace. Apparently the Second World War had taken its toll and there were shortage of everything as well as the carbon disulphide. Maybe that something is the longest and richest aftertaste, which keeps coming back again and again, or perhaps it is the fact that it is the "Victory Vintage" that symbolizes the victory of good over evil. For each year a different artist was commissioned and the payment was in wine. Julian submitted several drafts for the label and the final one is based on the "V for Victory", made famous by Winston Churchill throughout the war. Vintage 1945 is the last ever made Romanée-Conti from the ancient Pinot Noir Fin vines dating back to 1585. He commissioned this work from a young unknown artist, Philippe Julian. These vines with their descendants had produced highly esteemed grapes for over 360 years. The vineyards begun to decline during the war and, due to the impulsion of the new partner Henri Leroy, the vines of Romanée-Conti were torn up after the harvest in 1945 and replaced in 1947 with grafted clones. The 1945 was tasted nine times during the last twelve months and it proved each time to be a very exclusive moment for our friends and ourselves. Luckily this harvest became a legend with its quality.
1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20. The last two bottles were in exceptional condition with fine labels. We do know that there is nothing quite like a Mouton-Rothschild 1945. 22
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NUMBER 2.
THE MOUTON-ROTHSCHILD 1945 has been tasted by us more than 30 times, and only on seven occasions has it not scored a faultless 100 points. It has almost as exceptional and perfect a track record as the Latour 1961.
100 p 1945 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
2007/2025 x 34
D2h/G2h
Although the Mouton-Rothschild wines from 1926, 1949, 1959 and 1961 are normally impeccable, the 1945 has always had something extraordinary, which for us is hard to describe without deep emotion. M. Thus, it was an inconvenient decision for the board of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti to renew the historic vines. All the pieces came together in perfect balance creating an extraordinary, highly concentrated, luxurious, and prosperous wine with a powerful, everlasting aftertaste.
NUMBER 3.
100 p 1945 Romanée-Conti Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits)
1995/2020 x 4 D1h/G3h
This wine will remain as a relic of the ancient times of the wine world. Levels were almost by the neck, and both bottles were decanted two hours before tasting. Unfortunately there was no other option since the
3
disastrous small aphid phylloxera, that had first appeared in Vosne-Romanée in 1882, had finally taken over also the Romanée-Conti and Richebourg vineyards
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23
...the "Victory Vintage" that symbolizes the victory of good over evil. We do know that there is nothing quite like a Mouton-Rothschild 1945...
1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20
At the same time so powerful and masculine.
1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20. 24
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A very gentle and soft wine, almost feminine in character
Excellent looking château-bottling. The great complexity, youthfulness, and refined muscular structure make this wine sensational. Tasting this wine three times during last year convinced us that there is something magical about it. Its track record falls below the Latour 1961s and Mouton 1945s mostly because there
are so many variable négociant-bottlings available. At the same time so powerful and masculine. Production was nearly 30 000 cases, which is almost exactly the same as in 1982. It is very difficult to find this vintage available anymore. Seems to still have great potential for further ageing.
1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20
NUMBER 5.
100 p 1900 Château Margaux (Margaux)
NUMBER 4.
100 p 1947 Château Cheval Blanc (St. Emilion). Intensive medium-bodied taste with moderately high acidity forming a great balance with the silky tannin. Fine looking bottle with 3 cm level. We can still sense it after two long days and nights. A very gentle and soft wine, almost feminine in character. Ripe fruitiness is attractively combined to velvety textured tannins, immensely long finish with walnut flavour. Excellent appearance with a deep and dark, mature The amount of almost overripe fruit was so appealing that it was hard to resist and not just drink the whole
colour. This vintage only produced 608 bottles. Incredibly pronounced chocolaty, leathery nose resembling port wine. Decanted one hour. At Château Margaux the grapes were turned into pure gold. It has everything a wine can offer in such a historical and exclusive package that it is challenging to find anything as stunning as it! ...And the celebrated aftertaste. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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The severe frosts in mid spring reduced the crop before the growing season had even started properly. This monumental wine is considered to be the wine of the century by many wine lovers. It was an absolutely perfect vintage that produced long-lived wines. And regrettably there are also quite a few frauds around. The
A good bottom-neck level château-bottled magnum. Good top-shoulder level. The grapes became super concentrated and the harvest was superb in quality but unfortunately restricted in quantity. The weather changed rapidly to beautiful during the end of the spring, and a hot and dry summer followed. Decanted one hour. Still surprisingly intensive tawny colour, the complex and rich aromas burst out of the glass blackcurrant, butterscotch, farmyard and animal aromas. Chewy, intense and showing not a trace of its age this wine will last forever! Magnificent in a good old-fashioned way! The best burgundy we have ever tasted.
2007/2030 x 53
D 2.5 h / G 2 h
The Cheval Blanc 1947 has been tasted by us on more than 50 occasions, but it has scored a faultless 100
points only 27 times. blend is about two-thirds Cabernet Franc and one-third Merlot. The harvest was delayed until the last moment raising the alcohol content to 2% above normal.
The Cheval Blanc 1947 was made from exceptionally ripe grapes with remarkably high sugar content. A perfect out-of-this-world experience.
4
D 45 min / G 2 h
2005/now x 15
The 1900 vintage can be called the vintage of all times in Bordeaux. Rich and ripe with great extract.
bottle right away. The wine is very deep, dark and richly coloured with a unique exotic nose of oriental spices, black truffles and plenty of depth very lively! On the palate a full, unbelievably concentrated and sturdy wine
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The 1900 vintage can be called the vintage of all times in Bordeaux.
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The taste has an extremely broad mouthfeel with elegant lively acidity, supple mellow tannins and ripe dark fruit aromas.
1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20
The vintage of the decade. A finely tuned red wine of finesse, superb structure and long, supple finish.
20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32 · 33 · 34 · 35 · 36 · 37. And the best wine of that year in Italy was Sassicaia. Refreshing acidity balances the concentrated and thick wine. Level was 2 cm. Light dark colour with a tight orange rim. Fine looking La Tâche. This full-bodied wine has a wonderful balance between all the elements. This wine is still clearly in a phase of constant improvement, opening up with time and showing new layers and angles each time tasted.
NUMBER 37.
99 p 1978 La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits)
2007/2020 x 6 D1h/G1h
Another super vintage that had first a cold spring and beginning of summer, which retarded the flowering and overall vegetative growth. Rich medium-bodied palate shows fresh acidity and intense sweet dark fruit alongside ripe velvety tannins. In the latter part of August, sunny weather finally arrived and lasted until the very end of harvesting, thereby guaranteeing perfect extraction. The 1982 Latour has it all. June and August were magnificent, yielding exceptional phenolic ripeness and high sugar content. A really elegant wine with enough energy to hold well for years or even decades.
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NUMBER 35.
2006/2020 x 8
D 1.5 h / G 2.5 h
NUMBER 36.
99 p 1982 Château Latour (Pauillac)
2006/2040 x 17
D4h/G2h
A legend of a vintage that is starting to drink very well now. Long lingering length with well-integrated oak nuances. Hot and stormy weather in May and June favoured vegetation and advanced ripening. A high level of tannins and concentration of the grapes. Very open and complex nose full of violets, ripe blackcurrants, dark chocolate, cedar wood, spices, and tobacco. Amazingly youthful nose with aromas of sweet cherries, violets, leather, and spice. Very expansive and feminine wine with flavours of candied cherries, raspberries and liquorice on the palate. Mouth-feel is structured due to firm but extremely ripe tannic backbone. Full body and impressive weight. Decanted for one and a half hours. The nose is expressive and rich, filled with blackcurrants, cigar box and oriental spicy notes. The taste is very concentrated, savoury and long-lasting. Deep and dark developing red colour. Moderately intense, ruby red colour. This vintage is in a different league from any other Sassicaia ever made, even the legendary 1972. 40
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99 p 1985 Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido (Tuscany)
The best vintage of the 1980s in Tuscany was by far the 1985. Due to this the crop was left relatively small
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This magnum bottle contained a special label made for the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana on the 19th of June 1981.
Full, rich and sweet wine with soft and well-balanced finish.. Very deep, dark and promising colour. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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Château Palmer 1961
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Château d´Yquem
Sweet, gentle but at the same time as classy as an old claret can be. Toasty and elegant wine with great acidity that keeps it still alive - what a presence. With age, the lack of natural acidity and grape sugar made some of them a bit sharp and bitter. An intense and very expressive nose with aromas of spices, leather and old wood. Otherwise it looked fine ullage was top shoulder! Decanted one hour. Has great complexity and rich flavours of cocoa, tobacco, vanilla, caramel lingering aftertaste.
with bright orange hints. A wonderful summer with early flowering. Full-flavoured, feminine and delicate on the palate. The blend had 60% Cabernet Franc, 34% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec. Chewy wine with vivid acidity and minerality, intense fruitiness supported by firm and ripe tannins. Dark, old brick colour Really silky and velvety taste. The immense concentration and the harmonious balance guarantee long ageing potential for this lovely wine.
2001/2010 x 3
D1h/G1h
This decade brought relief to the vinegrowers of Gironde who had made almost fatal financial and other sacrifices during the 1880s. Roasted coffee and chocolate flavours are dominating in a long finish. Excellent wine.
98 p 1917 Unico Bodegas Vega Sicilia (Ribera del Duero)
1999/2010 x1 D1h/G1h
The bottle was in a good condition with top-shoulder level. This blend produced a wine of intensive cherry red colour and an extremely elegant and charming complex nose of chocolate, mocha, ripe blackcurrants and hints of butterscotch. Earthy, mature but surprisingly open nose with complexity. Emilion)
2006/2025 x 4 D 2.5 h / G 3 h
This remarkable vintage ideally ripened the exceptional blend for Cheval Blanc. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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98 p 1982 Château Cheval Blanc (St. This bottle of Château Margaux came from New York without label and capsule. and wood. Harvest began August 18th - the earliest on record. Decanted for one hour. The crop was almost as large as the great 1875 - 547 544 tonneaux. Mature red colour with good depth. Long and
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60 · 61 · 62 · 63 · 64 · 65 · 66 · 67 · 68 · 69 · 70 · 71 · 72 · 73 · 74 · 75 · 76 · 77
NUMBER 73.
NUMBER 72.
98 p 1893 Château Margaux (Margaux)
NUMBER 71.. The wines were very appealing from the start. The 1893 was the first really good vintage since the unfortunate years of phylloxera and mildew. The medium-bodied palate is very delicate and classy but concentrated. Prices were also so ridiculously low that by Christmas all the classified growth wines had been sold
Sweet, voluptuous and long aftertaste. August was fine but cool, which delayed the véraison and slowed down the ripening
NUMBER 81.
98 p 1969 Côte-Rôtie La Mouline Guigal (Rhône)
2006/2010 x 3
D2h/G1h
In 1969 nature was very kind to the hard working winemakers in the Rhône. Level by the neck. Very classy and uncompromising in style. Very sexy and charismatic wine with extensive and gracious future.
80 · 81 · 82 · 83 · 84 · 85 · 86 · 87 · 88 · 89 · 90 · 91 · 92 · 93 · 94 · 95 · 96 · 97. Lots of ripe, spicy fruit and some rounded and ripe tannins. To us La Mouline 1969 The bottle was in a first-class condition, ullage was only two cm. Decanted for two hours. Highly coloured core and rim. Decanted for one hour. This has grand cru weight and expression. Bottle was in A1 condition. Exceptionally harmonious and fat in the mouth with sufficient concentration. Warm dry conditions during the whole of September produced ripe and healthy grapes. Good structure and balance. After this, in June, the growth was hampered by heavy rain. Very strong and spicy open bouquet. Loads of dark and red berries with exotic spices and hints of smoke on the palate. One of the best old-style Palmer ever made. Quite
an old-style nose, but very stylish and sweet with aromas of sweet black fruits. Mature, dark red colour. 60
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NUMBER 80.
98 p 1966 Château Palmer (Margaux)
2006/2015 x 23
D2h/G2h
process. Balanced and already very accessible. Decanted for one hour. Excellent, long and solid finish. 1966 wines are classic and long-lived, with fresh acidity and elegant fruit. Only the 1961 is more intense and powerful.
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is the wine of the year in Rhône.
At the beginning of June, the vines flowered quickly and evenly. Excellent, youthful colour. This medium-bodied and concentrated wine shows excellent balance between smooth tannin, wood aromas and sweet, delicious fruit. Powerful, open and intense nose. It was no wonder that most of them made excellent and long-lasting wines, and of course Guigal made no exception. A comprehensive and truly interesting wine, which seems to have reached its peak.
NUMBER 82.
98 p 1990 Musigny Comte Georges de Vogüé (Côte de Nuits)
2004/2020 x 2 D1h/G3h
Fine-looking bottle. Finish is refined with a rather sweet, feminine exit of raspberry, ripe red cherry and aromas with spicy mushrooms. Rich and silky, a perfect combination of beautiful flavours of autumn berries, fragrant bittersweet fruits and fresh truffles. Fortunately, at the end of August, the weather changed for the better
This was the prestige cuvee called Dom Pérignon.
20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32 · 33 · 34 · 35 · 36 · 37. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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This super vintage in Champagne escorted a new phenomenom to the world of glorious wines
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Champagne Bollinger
Stunning and one of the most memorable Monfortinos we have ever had.. Very vigorous, but silky and smooth wine all at once. Like sleeping in silky, but warm sheets.
Balanced and gentle, slightly spicy ending
The wine is drinking perfectly now but has the qualities to keep for another decade. But why wait, since it
NUMBER 140.
1971 Vintage Champagne Krug (Champagne)
2005/2015 x4 · D 15 min / G 30 min
97p
What a vintage! It gave the worst case scenario for vine growers throughout the growing period. Drink now to 2010.. An attractive nose of truffles, nuts, coffee, honey, and vanilla aromas. The quality in these cases has been outstanding.
This must be the best price-quality ratio Cheval Blanc that can be found. Just when vine growers were about to loose their faith, mother nature turned their frustration miraculously into celebration. Superbly fragrant, perfumed with minerals, exotic black fruits, toasty vanilla, truffles, and hints of white chocolate. Quite deep, bright golden colour. The crop was small and fierce selection was a key part in producing top Decanted for 15 minutes. The vintage was very good overall in Bordeaux but especially on the Right Bank. Severe hail storms in June were followed by a stormy and rainy August. Spring frosts were followed by storms in May. Decanted 1 hour. A warm spring and hot summer from June until the end of August ensured good vegetative growth to the vines. An exquisite wine to drink now.
NUMBER 141.
1967 Barbaresco Sorí San Lorenzo Angelo Gaja (Piedmont)
2007/2010 x5 · D 30 min / G 1 h
97p
Both bottles were like new. Almost full-bodied taste, it is very opulent and fleshy with velvety texture. 84
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and oak were well integrated decades ago and the overall impression is sweet fruit driven. The palate was full and harmonious, with beautiful purity and structure. Long, aromatic and elegant ending without being too biting. This first vintage of Sori San Lorenzo absolutely ranks with the finest wines in Italy. This wine has been always delicious when tasted. Tannins are gentle but firm and the finish is very balanced. An emotional wine with great strength and refinement. The best and most delicious bouquet we have ever experienced in Italian wines. Refined and stylish despite its full-bodied, prosperous personality. Only the cold September ruined the dreams of outstanding quality. Deep, clear brick red colour already indicates the richness of the wine. 1971 Krug has a prosperous personality and loads of character. Hot and humid weather caused uneven flowering. Powerful still elegant nose
reveals ripe dark fruits: mainly blackcurrants, dark chocolate, coffee, and spices. wines. A rich and solid claret.
NUMBER 139.
1952 Château Cheval Blanc (St.Emilion)
2005/2020 x14 · D 2 h / G 2 h
97p
139
definitely will not improve any longer. Extremely long and round, velvety tannins and a ripe fruity aftertaste. September brought hot and dry weather saving the suffering vines and vine growers
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Domaine de Chevalier tasting
This wonderful wine will last for another decade.. A very aristocratic and subtle wine with many more years if not decades to come.
NUMBER 147.
1990 Château Haut-Brion (Graves)
2005/2020 x22 · D 2 h / G 2 h
97p
At Château Haut-Brion the winter was warm and budding started exceptionally early. Full-bodied mouth-feel is completed with very firm and marked tannin, moderately high acidity compared to other first growths of the vintage and extensively rich fruit intensity of cassis, figs and plums. Lovely, perfumed, long, spicy and elegant finish. The long finish is highlighted with a range of appealing aromas of violets, coffee and dark chocolate. Deep, intense red colour with orange tint on the rim. Full-bodied, with tobacco, vanilla and liquorice aromas and a velvety mouth-feel of concentrated tannins and superb fruit. Impressive depth and layers of complexity. This has the most wonderful purity and depth of fruit. Deep, youthful colour. Harvesting began September 4th and ended September 28th. Wonderfully deep and complex, as rich in colour and aroma as it is on the palate. Decanted for 45 minutes. A wonderful magnum. May and June turned out well with good flowering period and the weather continued very hot and dry the whole summer, making the grapes very concentrated and thick-skinned. 1986 started with a mild winter that was followed by a damp and cool spring with a delayed bud-break. Very forward and nicely balanced. Classic Caymus flavours on the nose - herb and black cherry, ripe plum, aniseed, and earth notes. Caymus 1976 is an impressive example of amazingly mouth-watering thirty-year-old Napa Valley Cabernet. Nose develops temptingly in the glass starting from rich cassis, tar and cedar notes and then moving into complex and intense aromas of coffee, spices and violets. Refreshing showers were welcomed in September but violent storms with heavy rain took their toll on the ultimate concentration and quality of the grapes. Little rain in September allowed an abundant and very healthy crop to ripen. Decanted two hours before tasting. Silky and velvety with superb concentration. Nevertheless, the weather got better again and the harvest was done in superb weather. Marvellously open and fragrant nose of ripe fruit, mineral, tobacco, and spicy oak. Fat and rich wine with medium acidity. The start of the spring was cold but summer was especially hot and dry. Almost as good as the legendary 1989 Haut-Brion.
NUMBER 148.
1976 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection Caymus (Napa Valley)
2004/2015 x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
97p
The bottle was damaged from the outside, but happily the inside was almost pure gold. The tannins turn silky on the long, persistent aftertaste. 88
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NUMBER 146.
1986 Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac)
2005/2025 x24 · D 3 h / G 2 h
97p
Although 1986 yielded the biggest crop since the World War II, this vintage has been the underdog compared to the vintage 1985
A real charmer - a creamy, soft, crisp and fat wine with all the three dimensions of length, breadth and depth in order. Mature, healthy-looking colour. The best Suduiraut we have ever tasted. Level was high-shoulder. On the other hand the limestone is known to benefit further ageing compared to other premier cru sites in Meursault. This wine can easily live on for at least two more decades.
2007/2015 x4 · D 2 h / G 2.5 h
This was a year of a tiny crop (20 to 30 hl/ha), very ripe grapes and great concentration. Warm, golden colour. Its rich cold clay soil has a good capacity of retaining water beneficial on hot vintages like this. Pronounced nose is full of buttery aromas, nuts and ripe pineapple aromas with toastiness. The hot summer with a dry and sunny autumn resulted early harvest. Extremely smooth and silky, but at the same time fantastically massive and thick, almost too good to be true. Decanted for two hours. Intense bright yellow colour. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2002/2010 x2 · D 1 h / G 3 h
Old, dusty bottle with a tight capsule and a branded cork, no sign of label whatsoever. According to Dominique Lafon, these factors guarantee a long ageing potential for their wines of 1989. A stunningly mature wine that, thrilled the mind as much as the palate. A generous Pétrus that is very complex and harmonious. Meursault Charmes is the largest and best known vineyard in Meursault. In 1989 a generous winter lead into early bud break in spring. Superb balance. Dry and moderately crisp wine with great intensity and fatness. Ready of course, yet enough depth to last. Very fragrant and intense nose that has hints of blackberries and vanilla oak. Very rich, honeyed and sound bouquet with apricot and peach aromas. Very enjoyable currently but will keep another 6-8 years.
151
NUMBER 151.
1989 Meursault ler Cru Charmes Comtes Lafon (Côte de Beaune)
97p
NUMBER 150.
1950 Château Pétrus (Pomerol)
97p
NUMBER 149.
1928 Château Suduiraut (Sauternes)
97p. Elegant toastiness and long opulent finish. This solemn wine seemed as perfect now as it is ever likely to get, so just take pleasure in this pure gold!
2005/2025 x8 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Miserable looking château-bottled bottle, but the level was by the neck
Fabulous length and perfect balance. This rare 1941 Unico was found in Barcelona and its condition was almost equivalent to new. To some extent lighter than many other vintages. Definitely one of the greatest Unicos along with the 1942, 1957, 1962, 1968, 1970, and 1985!
NUMBER 153.
1929 Château Pétrus (Pomerol)
2001/2015 x11 · D 30 min / G 1 h
97p
Many wine critics consider this vintage to be the best since 1900. So every time we return from a trip to Spain it is tempting to carry along some hard-earned bottles. Intense and very expressive nose with aromas of eucalyptus and peppermint. Ullage was only 3 cm and it was Drouhin-bottled. Round, soft, rich, and big wine - has more concentration and weight than Leroy´s Chambertin 1929, which was a feminine and modest wine. Decanted for one hour. Good depth, with quite a mature hue. The nose is mystical and fascinatingly seductive. Currently at its peak, but should hold there for at least five to seven years. Certainly not the darkest wine from this gloomy coloured vintage. Very good, dark and deep colour. Surprisingly feminine wine on the palate - smooth and soft taste. Silky with a long, rich finish. This handsome and rare Pétrus was firstrate proof of that. However, the marvellous acidity keeps the wine fresh and very much alive. Hardly any sediment. A fabulously thick, soft and mature mouth-feel. Château-bottled with top-shoulder level. Decanted for two hours. Decanted for one and half hours before tasting, it still needed almost two more hours to open completely. The concentration in sweet wines was amazing as in this nectar-like TBA wine.. Level was by the neck. 90
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 152.
1941 Unico Bodegas Vega Sicilia (Ribera del Duero)
2001/2010 x2 · D 2 h / G 1 h
97p
It seems nearly impossible to find Unico outside mainland Spain. 10 Welschriesling "Zwischen den Seen" Alois Kracher (Burgerland)
2006/2030 x3 · D 30 min / G 3 h
97p
A great vintage in Burgenland. Sound and open with ripe fruit and gentle tannin. One truly wishes that they would still make more red Burgundies like this controversial wine: gigantic and powerful, but at the same time so velvety and persistent.
NUMBER 155.
2000 Trockenbeerenauslese No. The crop was very high in quality but regrettably low in quantity. Sensitive and fragile wine with fantastic structure and balance. Great depth and complexity. Intense and rich port-like aftertaste. This is a very good Pétrus indeed and one of the best wines of the vintage.
NUMBER 154.
1929 Chambertin Joseph Drouhin (Côte de Nuits)
2002/2010 x4 · D 1.5 h / G 1 h
97p
The bottle was in quite a decent condition. It combines style and class with exotic flavours of black cherries, coffee and cedar. Very dark, mature brown colour with only hints of red left
Full and masculine wine that has more appeal than Lafite 1949. Very good, dark and deep colour. The wines have proven to be highly long-lived and harmonious. Decanted for 15 minutes. Powerful yet harmonious, the 1990 promises a long life in the bottle.
NUMBER 160.
1955 Vintage Champagne Krug (Champagne)
2004/now x2 · D 15 min / G 30 min
97p
A large-sized crop was harvested in this first underrated vintage. The wine offers a powerful, muscular body, with velvety texture, sweet, big tannins and very long, persistent finish. As always it showed no sign of getting tired, needing another decade to hit its
NUMBER 162.
1985 Château Haut Brion Blanc (Graves)
2002/2025 x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h
97p
Decanted one hour. This is a white, long-distance runner. Many are drinking magnificently today with well preserved, elegant and subtle fruitiness, and lively acidic backbone. Krug Vintage is one of the masterpieces of this vintage. A concentration of fruit and, though fairly low in acidity, the tannins do just enough to leave it quite fresh and grippy. 92
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 159.
1990 Richebourg Domaine Leroy (Côte de Nuits)
2005/2020 x5 · D 2 h / G 2 h
97p
Decanted one and a half hours. Deep, beautiful golden colour. Very good integration of acidity that is still breezy and palate-refining into the long, very focused and sheer finish. Still complex and rich on the nose. The delicious flavours are enhanced by attractive layers on the complex mid-palate. Very promising appearance. Giving and lush, the 1990 Richebourg shows an opaque purple colour and intense aromas of blackberries, fresh herbs, plums, and spices. Will. Rich and elegant Latour with great intensity and balance. This rich, beautifully balanced and silky wine has fantastic ripeness of honeyed fruits and intense velvety texture. An exotic nose of freshly baked bread, warm butter, nuts, and soft vanilla aromas. Well balanced with an exquisite silky-smooth structure. Great concentration of sweet fruit, leather and tobacco. Decanted for two hours. A great bottle of Bordeaux! last at least two more decades.
97p
2006/2025 x21 · D 2 h / G 2 h
Fine looking bottle, level was high-shoulder. Open and exotic nose with buttery, melon, nut, and interesting fruit aromas. Very high in acidity. A very hearty and charming wine.
NUMBER 161.
1949 Château Latour (Pauillac)
161
peak. The colour is still quite light, with touches of bright gold and bronze. Superbly long,
smooth and enduring finish. Excellent definition and very lively. The 1955 Krug has a wonderful exotic richness and concentrated aftertaste, which is close to perfection. The taste is magnificently concentrated and developed
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93
The 1973 Collection we opened now had a clearly more youthful and fuller feel to it. The heart publicized on every label of Calon-Ségur commemorates this saying today. Light golden colour. Just as the de Ségur lost his heart to Calon, so did we. Small bubbles moving up slowly in tight strings. He was also the president of the parliament of Bordeaux. A balanced and noble champagne.
1990 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne Guigal (Rhône)
2003/2020 x2 · D 3 h / G 2 h
97p
Decanted for three hours. Superb ripe fruit with admirable intensity of flavour. Seemingly de Ségur preferred Calon to his other famous properties, and he is reputed to have stated "I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon". 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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tasted the same vintage a few months ago, the experience was different. Château-bottled with heart on the label. Firmer than the La Turque and not as sweet. As if you were enjoying velvety smooth thick cream blended with light toffee and layers of tropical fruit - a very intensive and pure taste experience. Decanted for 2 hours before dinner. A fascinating combination of elegance and power. The grapes came from Magill Estate,
NUMBER 169.
NUMBER 168.
1947 Château Calon-Ségur (Saint-Estèphe)
97p
NUMBER 167.. This 1947 Calon was the most generous and sumptuous Calon-Ségur we have ever tasted. Level was by the neck. This year the blend had 88% Shiraz and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. The broad mousse with a wide scope caressed the palate gently and peacefully. Dark, deep colour. Really full and dense mouth-feel. Although the wine was the same in both cases, the recorking had been made 16 years later to the benefit of the Collection. Finely balanced with a long, soft and very graceful aftertaste. At first it did not give much on the nose, but after two hours it really opened up: intense ripe dark fruit, a touch of caramel, some herbs, and a bit of vanilla aromas. Then it was an ordinary vintage bottling in a normal-sized bottle. A great effort.
2006/2015 x23 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Two centuries ago Calon was under the ownership of Marquis Nicolas-Alexandre de Ségur, owner of chateaux Lafite and Latour. Everything suggests it will age well. Constant power from beginning to the end. This was very, very good. Big-hearted wine.
1961 Grange Hermitage Penfolds (South Australia)
2001/2010 x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
97p
This very hot and dry year ended up in a moderately small crop, thus a rare vintage to see on markets nowadays. A refined long aftertaste. An intense, open bouquet with plenty of fruit. On the palate this is full, clean, hot, showing a firm tannic structure and nice acidity. Fine structure and well balanced as La Landonne always is. Really elegant, multi-dimensional nose with hints of nut, toffee, mint, and vanilla. Very chunky and loaded
Medium-bodied wine shows an exquisite elegance thanks to its vivid acidity, silky tannins and supple ripe black fruit character. Sound and perfumed nose with flavours of honeyed fruit, tropical fruits, mangoes, and pineapples. This was a powerful, velvety-textured and explosively prosperous wine. Long brioche-like flavour at the end invites you to take another sip of this mature and charming wine. Rich, layered with well-integrated acidity. The best, such as this Bollinger R.D., have aged with grace and possess outstanding youthfulness and liveliness today. This variable vintage has produced some very fine champagnes. Rich and nuanced toasty nose. Level was top-shoulder. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
97
mony. Firm acidic backbone and outstanding fruit intensity. Incredible persistence and overwhelmingly balanced lingering finish. We were taken by its grace.
2007/2015 x3 · D 15 min / G 45 min
Yet another remarkable proof of the potential of the 1975 vintage. Decanted for two hours. Dry, multi-dimensional, warm and long, full-bodied finish. Decanted one hour. An all experienced wine that gave a softly sweet taste of great depth and complexity. Beautiful deep golden colour. Elegance par excellence.
2000/2020 x3 · D 2 h / G 2 h
This noble bottle looked like new with the shining gold capsule topping it. Extremely elegant and delicate nose with spices, mint, soy, cigar box, and ripe blackcurrants. Fine-grained, elegant and soft mousse. Bollinger (Champagne)
97p. Spicy cinnamon and ginger flavours combined with elegant cedar and leathery aromas. Hazelnuts, dark fruits and mushroomy notes. Lively small-sized bubbles freshen up this concentrated wine. Moderately deep garnet colour with orange hue. It is fully mature but very much alive, promising the wine further 10-15 years aging capacity. Buy it when you see it.
(Pauillac)
2005/2015 x7 · D 1 h / G 2.5 h
Fine looking magnum. The elegant and complex nose is complemented by a matching palate. Very much a top wine, but so is the price tag.
175
NUMBER 175.
1959 Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Scharzhofberger Gold Capsule Egon Müller (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
97p
NUMBER 174.
1961 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
97p
NUMBER 173.
1975 R.D. A bright and deep golden colour
The youthfulness and balance of this remarkably full and sophisticated wine surprised us very positively. The nose was incredibly fresh, with lots of exotic fruit and warm nutty aromas. On the palate a rich, smoky creaminess supported and gave body to those lively bubbles. The expressive nose is stylish and intensely fruity: dried fruits, apricots, honey. Veuve Clicquot of this vintage has a truly fresh, rich apple-like bouquet. Decanted for ten minutes. Decanted for 30 minutes. Great complexity full of white chocolate, spicy yellow fruit and butter flavours. A long lasting fruity and layered aftertaste. 1 0 0 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
In 1923 the harvest was of good quality but small in size, and it took place exceptionally late in the season. The wine drinks exceptionally well now but has the harmony and struc-
NUMBER 185.
1982 Château Haut-Brion (Graves)
2006/2030 x9 · D 2 h / G 2 h
97p
This dream vintage was turned into liquid gold also at Château Haut-Brion. The bouquet of this deep, golden yellow wine was most seductive. This classically well-balanced Krug has firm structure with great finish bursting and sparkling with refreshing minerals.
NUMBER 184.
2001 Kiedricher Gräfenberg Riesling Auslese Robert Weil (Rheingau)
2006/2030 x4 · D 30 min / G 2 h
97p
Bright yellow developing colour. We do not remember having sniffed any other white wine as long! The anticipation of its taste grew higher with every moment, with the fear of disappointment waiting, but the fear was unnecessary. The dry and hot spring was followed by an extremely hot July reaching the temperature of 40°C. A perfect harmony of oily texture, marked acidity and rounding sweetness. Some delicate petrol notes are starting to emerge. Almost as good as the outstanding Clos du Mesnil 1979. Firm textured wine with high minerality that brings elegance to the wine. The season continued hot and dry over the harvest.. Bright, light golden colour. Without a doubt one of the best champagnes from the 1923 vintages.
182
ture to age for two more decades.
NUMBER 182.
1921 Niersteiner Riesling Hermannshof (Germany)
2003/2010 x2 · D 30 min / G 1 h
97p
The bottle was recorked in 1999. The palate was fantastic and sensual. Perfect harmony, length and finish - excellent quality!
NUMBER 183.
1979 Vintage Champagne Krug (Champagne)
2006/2018 x9 · D 10 min / G 1 h
97p
The 1979 vintage Krug was one of the greatest Krugs that we have ever had. Its clarity, golden yellow colour and numerous youthful bubbles spoke rather of an age of twenty years. This perfectly matured, well balanced, multi-dimensional wine plentiful with citrus fruit and with a pleasant, roasted touch to it was a most charming experience
This magnum was not the best example of this excellent wine, at least all the château-bottled wines that we have tasted have been better in every way. The long aftertaste is escorted with delightful minerality. Its reputation comes from M. M. But there is still some length, complexity and spicy aromatic flavours for enjoyment. Decanted 30 minutes before tasting. Highly concentrated palate with medium-bodied structure shows vivid acidity and rich, ripe fruitiness black currants, blueberries and brambles. Delicate, creamy - lots of class on the palate. Decanted 1.5 hours. Previous bottles were more fruity and more forceful. Fantastically rich, a little on the dry side, but very aromatic and voluptuous. Perfumed and luxurious finish. This bottle was by Barton-Guestier bottling with upper-shoulder level. Taste went on and on. Excellent looking négociant-bottled magnum. Highly irresistible exotic and sweet, floral nose. Concentration and elegance are the most expressive words to describe this delicious and harmonious wine which will easily keep another 25 years.
2001/2015 x5 · D 2 h / G 2 h The origin of the property is very old, since the first mention in official documents appears at the beginning of the 16th century. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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Intense ruby red colour with orange brown tints. Lacoste gave his name to the Château when he bought the property and kept it until the epidemic of phylloxera at the end of the 18th century. Perhaps a little quiet on the nose, but otherwise there was plenty of elegance around. Made from 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. Best supporting aroma nominations included chocolate, blackberries, tobacco, and earth. Velvety tannins are firm but deliciously ripe. Drink now.
NUMBER 188.
1928 Château Margaux (Margaux)
97p
NUMBER 187.
1953 Cristal Roederer (Champagne)
97p
NUMBER 186.
1945 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac)
97p. Full, very hopeful and youthful colour. Level was high-shoulder. Decanted 45 minutes. The estate extends over 225 acres in a single unit to the south of Pauillac on a rise, which is the origin of its name "Grand-Puy". Opulent, rich, smoky, and powerful nose full of ripe dark fruits and delicate spiciness from the oak. It has a beautiful silky seduction and gentle, soft finish. Great champagne that has held extremely well.
2003/2010 x12 · D 45 min / G 1 h The 1928 Margaux had a marvellous nose with astonishing perfumed fruit and smooth tannic presence. At best, a very good and enthusiastic example of this classic Château.
2001/2010 x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h This 1953 Cristal was in remarkably good condition. The finish is positive and quite long. The palate is pronounced and classic Margaux all through. Very rich wine with great balance and finesse. It has a divine nose. Raymond Dupin, a legendary figure in the Medoc wine world, who was proprietor until 1978. This bottle had great freshness and vividness
The nose shows the utmost complexity and meticulousness of all the wines that evening. It is produced from the grapes of one single vineyard in only the best years. Mellow, smooth and very elegant. A deep, very impressive colour, even brighter than the 1949 Mouton. An excellent looking bottle. The 1991 Harlan is a fabulous wine that more than lives up to its hype, if not exactly its ludicrous price tag. The texture was incredibly rich and meaty for a `91, more so than one normally tastes in a wine from that vintage. This Mouton looked like new.
Cork and capsule in fair condition. It is given all the time it needs to mature in the spacious Roman-built cellars of the estate. On the palate it was well balanced, very concentrated, not as complex
NUMBER 192.
192
NUMBER 191.
1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Screaming Eagle (Napa Valley)
97p
NUMBER 190.
1964 Clos des Goisses Philipponnat (Champagne)
97p
NUMBER 189.
1991 Proprietary Red Wine Harlan Estate (Napa Valley)
97p. Tiny, lively bubbles. The 1997 is a real treat to drink now, but there is no haste whatsoever, since you can easily keep it for 5-15 more years.
1947 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
97p
2004/2020 x19 · D 30 min / G 2 h
1947 was an amazingly good vintage of very ripe, full and age-worthy wines. Very massive and intense wine with an elegant and super ripe finish. A very special champagne!
2004/2025 x7 · D 2 h / G 3 h Lovers of big and powerful cult wines from Napa Valley will be thrilled with this already very enjoyable to drink vintage. The quantity produced is small for a champagne, on high-yielding years only 2,000 - 3,000 cases, and in some years the whole output remains in some hundreds of cases. In 1964 the production was 3,000 cases. Delicious now.
2000/2010 x2 · D 30 min / G 30 min The Clos des Goisses is a unique champagne. Screaming Eagle 1997 has a very youthful appearance, with a brilliant, deep, purple-red colour. Bright golden colour. Fine looking bottle. Lots of complexity and class on the nose. A long, fat and complex aftertaste that lasts forever. This multi-dimensional wine has a very long, silky aftertaste of spice and very ripe cassis fruit. The cork opened easily making a lively sound. Decanted for four hours. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2003/2020 x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h Decanted for one hour. What a great mix of flavours: red cherries, damp earth, smoked meat, blueberries, dark plums and currants, minerals, sweet tobacco, and a sophisticated dose of toasty oak. Clos des Goisses is matured for at least ten years before its launch on to the market. There are powerful, complex and very exciting aromas of blackberries, violets, sweet vanilla, as well as a toasty oaky overtone. Fabulous ripe, rich fruit, sweet vanilla nose. Very intense and super concentrated wine with a thick and mouth-filling structure. Extremely rich, round and complete champagne
However, no improvement to be expected.
NUMBER 194.
1985 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection Caymus (Napa Valley) 97p
2004/2015 x2 · D 2 h / G 1.5 h Decanted two hours. And due to the fairly high yields averaging 8 900 kg/ha there was good supply that kept the prices reasonable. Held in the glass for an hour and a half without drying up. Soft tannins and sweet ripe fruit created a deliciously flirtatious taste experience, reflecting quality in the form of a long and balanced aftertaste. Very developed golden colour with amber tints. Ripe dark fruit intensity of cassis, plum compote and cooked brambles. Dry, crisp and medium-bodied wine that develops amazingly in the glass. The best 1964s are very lively and enjoyable today. The nose is rich and round with dried fruits, apricots and nutty aromas. Charming and very appealing wine that may still age in perfect conditions. To drink the wine now decant well in advance for at least 2 hours.
NUMBER 195.
1890 Vintage Port Burmester (Douro)
2007/2025 x3 · D 30 min / G 3 h
97p
Slightly hazy pale ruby red colour. Fully mature wine that will keep for another 10 to 20 years due to its harmonious character and fruit intensity.. Perky acidity lifts up the wine and the sweetness level feels just perfect. Mineral finish with mint chocolate flavours. Flavours are getting richer and more complex as well as oxidated. This is a recommendable vintage if one wishes to enjoy mature champagne without taking too big risk. A wine that has certainly survived the test of time.
NUMBER 193.
1964 Vintage Champagne Krug (Champagne)
2007/2015 x3 · D 15 min / G 45 min
97p
A full five star vintage that can boast on the keeping potential as well as the full-bodied and structured nature of its wines. 1 0 4 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
as hoped, but had beautiful smoothness and structure. Wine is surprisingly youthful still. The youthful condition encourages also for further ageing. The nose is stylish and roasted with raisin and honey nuances. Very well balanced with toasty oakiness and refine firm tannins. The palate is extremely lively and harmonious. Long-lasting palate of dried fruit flavours and nuttiness. Intense ripe dark fruit nose of brambles and black currants combined deliciously with smoky and toasty coffee aromas. The finish is lingering long enhanced with lively acidity. Medium-intense, bright ruby colour with tawny tints. Full-bodied taste is voluptuous but still sophisticated. No bubbles detected
Malo-lactic is mostly avoided and the wine is never acidified nor chaptalised, a rarity in Champagne.
The hot vintage of 1975 produced a small, very concentrated harvest. Dense, ripe, powerful nose with notes of roasted herbs, smoky, toasty oak and sweet currants. Gracefully developed wine ready
203
NUMBER 203.
NUMBER 202.
1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Bryant Family Vineyard (Napa Valley)
97p
NUMBER 201.
1989 Château Lynch-Bages (Pauillac)
97p. Bright, golden yellow colour. Fine, opaque purple colour. Production of single vineyard wine had already begun at that time. A huge and rich wine, almost as good as Haut-Brion 1989, but not as elegant and refi ned. Initially it was planted with 50 percent Chardonnay and 50 percent Pinot Noir, but over the years most of the replanting has been done with Pinot Noir, that now comprises over 60 percent of the total. Decanted two hours. Long finish with flavours of leather, cassis and tobacco. Ever since its instant success release in 1992, the Bryant Family has produced a string of highly rated wines through the 1990s with the help of the cult winemaker Helen Turley. The wine was labeled as Vin des Goisses until 1959. Decanted for 4 hours. Almost black colour. The fruit really came out at a hugesized, pronounced finish.
1975 Clos des Goisses Philipponnat (Champagne)
2006/2010 x3 · D 10 min / G 30 min
97p
Philipponnat, a medium-sized champagne house, is famous for its single vineyard luxury cuvée Clos des Goisses, and deserves the credit for being the first major producer of a single vineyard champagne. The vineyard consists of 14 different plots with various planting dates. Stringent selection takes place at the blending phase conducted by blind tastings. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2006/2020 x17 · D 2 h / G 3 h
Excellent magnum. Firm and complex, this is drinking amazingly well now, but should go on for another 15 or 20 years.
2006/2030 x5 · D 4 h / G 3 h
Bryant Family Vineyard is located on Pritchard Hill, high above Lake Hennessy in the Napa Valley. The steep slope overlooks the river, and the exposure is so phenomenal that the wines manage to attain a 1-1.5% higher level of alcohol every year compared to the regional average. The difficult period of phylloxera, the First World War and the following depression brought the plot from Montebello to the hands of Philipponnat in 1935. The vast 5.5 ha parcel of Clos des Goisses in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ must be the most beautiful vineyard in Champagne. Rich and voluptuous nose with toasty, roasted coffee flavours and delicious aromas of toast and apricot marmalade. Clos terroir expression. Good ripe tannins and high acidity. This is a profound, inky wine that has the perfect expression of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Overflowing, fat body and well rounded with oaky, earthy and spicy cassis flavours. Lutte Raisonnée is practiced to maximize the ends up in the Clos des Goisses wine. Massively structured and loaded with glycerin. The history of the plot is complex. Big palate with crisp to be toasted on special events! acidity, rich honeyed fruitiness, toasty, round and complex taste with long mineral finish. On the nose wide and open with aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate and espresso. Their ideology of winemaking is to produce great "wine", not sparkling wine. Soft tannins and good acidity. Bottle like new. Only part of the wine from the parcel des Goisses is produced from very ripe grapes, picked at separate dates
1 1 4 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 210.
1921 Le Montrachet Bouchard Père et Fils (Côte de Beaune)
2000/2008 x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h
97p
This one had 4 cm ullage and the bottle was in a fine condition. At the end of May the weather got sunny and hot again and the summer continued this way. The extensive warm and dry summer was interrupted by rainstorms in mid August. This 100 percent Pinot Noir wine derives from rare ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines from three small vineyards owned by Bollinger. Moderately pale, straw yellow colour with lively bubbles. Deep, dark violet colour. This is a lovely, forthcoming, full, and attractive wine. Very concentrated medium-bodied palate with great volume. Rich and intense. Really fresh and opulent nose offers ripe apple
212
aromas combined with smoke and hints of wild red berries and depth from yeastiness. This vintage was launched with a new label designed by an Englishman Lewis Moberly aimed to reflect the same spirit as Bollinger R.D. If you have only a bottle or two of this, it is worth waiting patiently.
NUMBER 212.
1996 Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises (Champagne)
2007/2020 x4 · D 15 min / G 2.5 h
97p
This vintage has been generally assessed potentially as the best vintage of the century together with 1955 and 1928. Black currants, blackberries, cedar, black olives, dark chocolate, liquorice, and cigar with hints of violets. Pronounced nose with tremendous depth and complexity. The days remained warm and the cool nights guaranteed ideal acid levels in the grapes. Vineyards are nursed with ancient methods and vinification relies on ageing in 205 litres small oak barrels. However, waiting patiently for optimal maturations paid out superbly. Wine holds 7-9 grams residual sugar. After the second fermentation the wine was aged for five years before disgorging. Toasty and spicy oakiness with complex range of flavours supports discreetly the fruit. On the palate rich, nutty, steely, with underlying sweet fruit. Waxy, vanilla and honeyed nose. Gorgeous, bright golden colour. Although the wine offers all this now, it will certainly offer double pleasure after a decade or two or even three. Ripening turned out to be very uneven causing a prolonged harvest period at Latour. The weather improved in September with dry and sunny conditions. Apparently the early start was slowed down by a cold period mid spring. The winter was cold and dry with some frost occurring still in mid April. Excellent character and in wonderful condition. Very enjoyable and bottles with good level will last a few more years.
NUMBER 211.
1990 Château Latour (Pauillac)
2005/2025 x9 · D 3 h / G 3+ h
97p
Extraordinary warm winter encouraged the early bud break. Very firm super smooth tannins, vivid acidity and deliciously ripe elegant fruitiness of cassis and blackberries. The vineyards cover slightly less than 0.6 hectares. The wine seems to have an almost never-ending finish. Intense heat and drought formed a great threat for vines. In 1996 the total production was 2,600 bottles
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Long delicious aftertaste, not too sweet or dry. Ripe, fat and minty on the nose. Even more so as it developed in the glass. This goes on and on. Fine looking bottle with 2 cm level. Long intense finish. The blend is 87 percent Shiraz and 13 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Exceptionally fine.
1971 Grange Penfolds (South Australia)
2004/2015 x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h
97p
This vintage of Grange Bin 95 Shiraz has been highly rated for almost 30 years now after beating the best Rhône wines at the Gault-Millau Wine Olympiad in Paris in 1979. It is made from a single "clos", a walled vineyard owned exclusively by Philipponnat. The vineyard consists of steep hillsides facing south and it has a total surface area of 5.5ha. Clos des Goisses is always a vintage wine; it is vinified according to the tradition upheld by generations of cellar masters and aged for almost ten years in the cellars. Tiny bubbles. Lots of life ahead of it.
2004/2020 x2 · D 20 min / G 1 h
Clos des Goisses is a unique champagne in the whole Champagne region. Absolutely perfect balance in the mouth. Softly honeyed nose with amazingly complex aromas: chocolate, caramel, ripe pear, melon, and apple fruit flavours. Full-bodied and intense with refreshing acidity, rich set of ripe meaty tannins and fleshy ripe fruitiness of dark fruits. Very intense nose with ripe dark fruit aromas and vanilla flavours mixed attractively with smoke, bacon and cedar aromas. Decanted 20 minutes. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2006/2015 x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h
Bottle looked like new. Truly breathtaking wine drinking well now but
230
NUMBER 230.
NUMBER 229.
1966 Clos des Goisses Philipponnat (Champagne)
97p
NUMBER 228.
1945 Barolo Monfortino Riserva Giacomo Conterno (Piedmont)
97p. Mid-palate shows elegance keeping for a few more years. Great complexity of fruit. Fine, full, vigorous colour. of oak with chocolaty and mocha flavours. Very full and extensive. Its grape varieties are predominantly Pinot Noir, with the rest planted exclusively in Chardonnay. Surprisingly young light gold colour. The inventor of Grange and a legendary winemaker, Max Schubert, has said that this is the Grange of his lifetime, a wine, which fulfils the ambitions of Grange. On the average 15,000 to 20,000 bottles are produced on vintage years. This is a really excellent bottle. The colour is moderately deep with brick red tones. Decanted 30 minutes. Youthful, very rich and concentrated. This is quite a serious example of Monfortino. Elegant, full-bodied, balanced palate, with some spicy tannins providing structure
The only downside was the small crop. Attractive golden colour. This sweet, smooth and multi-layered wine unfolds on the palate seemingly endlessly with supple, refined flavours of sweet cherries, raisins, cedar, spices, and minerals. The wine possesses lively acidity, firm ripe tannins and intense fruit with an elegant lingering finish with flavours of chocolate, cassis, spices, and violets. Enticing flavours of ginger, cinnamon and chicken tikka. As the night grew older, the wine just got better in the glass. Decanted 45 minutes. This magnum had a slightly acidic finish but showed plenty of ripe, delicious fruit and elegance.
2003/2010 x5 · D 1 h / G 1 h
In 1947 the grapes were covered with botrytis exceptionally early, so this wine also received a beautiful, golden yellow colour and tasted almost like a dry Yquem. Layered and charming aromas of honey, toast, rosemary, and caramel. A wonderful acidic backbone with real grip. Steady stream of tiny slow bubbles. There was oak and caramel in the bouquet, and also tight fruitiness. Sheer perfection in the glass with a soft mousse refreshing the rich mouthful. Ripe and mature delightful nose. This rich, balanced, full, and dark wine did not leave much to hope for. Still surprisingly fresh, complex and seductive nose with blackcurrants, chocolate and mint aromas. Deep, royal purple in color. Indeed, very rich and long. On the nose intense flavours and aromas of currants, tobacco, raspberries, and spices. A perfectly balanced and elegant wine.
NUMBER 237.
1947 Le Montrachet Van der Meulen (Côte de Beaune)
97p
NUMBER 236.
1953 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pauillac) 97p
NUMBER 235.
1945 Hermitage Delas Fréres (Rhône)
97p
NUMBER 234.
1969 Cristal Roederer (Champagne)
97p. A seamless, chewy wine that invites you to taste it and to keep on sipping it.
2003/now x2 · D 45 min / G 1 h
In 1945 Northern Rhône was sharing the joy of whole of France. Not only were they celebrating the end of the Second World War but also an extraordinary vintage. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2007/2010 x9 · D 10 min / G 45 min
Yet another example of the greatness of Cristal. Amazingly youthful wine with great concentration.
2006/2030 x3 · D 1h / G 2 h
Fine-looking nécociant-bottled magnum. It is one of the best Montrachets we have ever tasted from a 1947 vintage. This fabulous Hermitage has a deep developing mahogany colour with orange tints on the rim
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This wine was tasted blind and it overwhelmed all of us with its energy. Poor spring, which was followed by miserable rainy summer. Acidity and tannins form a balanced chewy taste that lasts for long in the supple lingering aftertaste. The wine showed astonishing suppleness and vividness from the nose to The tremendously intense, rich and complex nose is marked by sophisticated style of the left bank. Very seductive nose. An intellectual, multilayered and balanced wine.
2005/2020 x6 · D 2 h / G 4 h
One can only close the eyes and imagine what sensations this wine raised in the mouths of three influential leaders when they were organising the new European and Asian borders after the Second World War in Yalta in April 1945. Nose
the long aftertaste. Winston Churchill, Josef Stalin and Franklin Roosevelt may not have analysed the wine specifically but it must have been extremely appealing, since 60 years later it is still very impressive. Good bottle with top-shoulder level. The opulent, full wine was so delicately perfect that it required its taster to really concentrate and put his soul into the exercise. Luckily ideal weather conditions in September turned the misery into happiness for the winegrowers and saved the vintage. A very balanced and charming wine.
NUMBER 247.
1896 Vintage Port Cockburn (Portugal)
96p
NUMBER 246.
1955 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
NUMBER 245.
1924 Château Latour (Pauillac)
96p. Intensely sweet, mellow tannins and moderate level of acidity with nuts and dark chocolate flavours. The mouth-feel was extremely refi ned. Moderately pale bright brown colour. The wine was not as aggressively full as Mouton sometimes is, but if you dare to close your eyes with this wine to see better, the result is almost a religious experience. Moderately high acidity together with ripe, refined and elegant tannins forms a firm structure to the wine. Very rich nose of sweet ripe plums, dark berries and buckthorn berries enhanced with chocolate tones. What an aristocrat! Drinking perfectly now but a well-kept bottle will keep over a decade.
245
96p
2007/2015 x9 · D 1 h / G 2 h
One hour of decanting had opened this lovely-looking 1955 Mouton wonderfully and its nose in the glass was forward and charming with lots of berries, vanilla and a touch of cellar. Warming long finish. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2007/2015 x13 · D 30 min / G 1.5 h
The vintage 1924 was not outstanding although a very good one. The condition was extraordinary suggesting a much younger wine. Bright, still moderately intense mahogany red colour.
shows roasted coffee, blackcurrant leaves, herbs, and chocolate
The toasty oakiness adds sweet exotic spicy flavours that remain long in the warming aftertaste. On the nose rich aromas of ripe fruit, tobacco and minerals. Plenty of white chocolate and smooth coffee flavours on the finish. Long leathery aftertaste with great intensity and harmony. Still very fresh and lovely. We tasted it blind and it was fairly uncomplicated to guess the vintage. 1 2 8 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 248.
1997 Merlot Pahlmeyer
(Napa Valley)
2005/2020 x2 · D 1 h / G 2 h
96p
Deep garnet red colour. Pronounced and ripe nose of blackcurrants and violets enhanced with complex bouquet of horse stable, earthiness and smoke. It possessed the characteristic sweetness and charm of the 1929 vintage. Very intense toasty, nutty and chocolaty nose with loads of ripe dark fruits - blackberries, dark plums. Decanted one hour. Perfectly balanced, rich and full wine, which has been developing beautifully throughout the last 15 years, building more and more intensity and complexity. Moderately intense brick red colour. Very youthful and deep bright colour. Full-bodied, with a fabulous balance of lovely, rich fruit flavours and silky texture and just enough grip to keep it alive. It is now a multi-dimensional, fat, thick, chocolaty wine with long, attractive, slightly tannic aftertaste. Very concentrated, rich and mellow full-bodied taste, delicious minerality with balancing acidity and firm tannins. Decanted for two hours. Full-bodied, immensely rich and extracted wine with super ripe and intense dark jammy fruit, big velvety tannins and still enough acidity to balance it all. A big wine with many years to go.
NUMBER 249.
1964 Château Latour (Pauillac)
2006/2015 x24 · D 2 h / G 2 h
96p
We have tasted Latour 1964 more than ten times in the last decade, and it has always been a first-class claret (all the bottles have scored 92-96 points). A harmonious wine with a long and glorious future to come.
NUMBER 250.
1929 Château Cheval Blanc (St.Emilion)
2007/2010 x13 · D 45 min / G 1 h
96p
Last time we drank this beautiful Cheval Blanc we were having dinner at Domaine de Chevalier. Very harmonious and balanced. Drink now.
NUMBER 251.
1959 Château Haut-Brion (Graves)
2004/2020 x11 · D 30 min / G 1.5 h
96p
Great vintage in Bordeaux, yielding very concentrated and ripe fruity wines this being one of the greatest examples. On the last occasion in 2006 it was still very vigorous and a lovely wine, maybe even better than ever before. The wine has reached its peak but will keep over a decade.. Rich, ripe and open nose with earthy and black fruit and truffle aromas. Excellent looking bottle with base neck level
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Elegant light effervescence left in the wine. Extremely ripe cassis nose with delicate flower aromas, capsicum and a touch of butterscotch. Dense and peppery on the palate. A deep, dark, hale, and hearty looking colour. Enormously rich and mature nose with some sweetness and black fruit. Rich and pronounced nose of toast, mushrooms and honey. Level was 5 cm and colour was pure and youthful. Few bubbles were present with wide and energetic mousse. Full, complex, open nose with bright, herbacious fruit and some animal character. This is drinking quite well now, but obviously has some years to go. Great depth of fruit and balance. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2007/2010 x2 · D 10 min / G 30 min
Old looking bottle. This wine turns out to be still very youthful and it will likely gain rich complexity with further ageing.
1985 Côte-Rôtie La Mouline Guigal (Rhône)
2005/2020 x2 · D 2 h / G 2 h
96p
Decanted 1.5 hours before dinner. It only lasted 15 minutes in the glass, but during that short time the wine was exceptional. Marked acidity on the palate. Top-shoulder level. Decanted ten minutes. Intense ruby colour with maroon tints. It reminded us a lot of Clos Vougeot 1821, which acted exactly in the same way and was also an amazing wine during those few moments.
NUMBER 274.
1874 Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac)
274
96p
NUMBER 273.
1966 Dom Pérignon Rosé Moët & Chandon (Champagne)
96p
NUMBER 272.
NUMBER 271.
1950 Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves)
96p
NUMBER 270.
1969 Vintage Champagne Krug (Champagne)
96p. Fantastically complex and long, and with a touch of mint chocolate. Fullbodied structure enjoys a moderate acidity, intense dark fruit and fine concentration. Decanted two hours. Opened instantly, then faded almost straight away. Full and round wine with a long toasty finish. Not quite as fine as the 1971 but still lovely to drink.
2006/2015 x16 · D 1.5 h / G 3 h
Fine looking château-bottling. However, slight drying of the wine is evident. Drinking very well now but declining slowly.
1999/now x2 · D 30min / G 15min
Top-shoulder, decanted 30 minutes before tasting. Well balanced with firm tannins and complex spicy ending. On the nose still very fresh, full and perfumed, like cherry blossoms at first, then developing into baked sour cherries in pastry. This is full-bodied, herbacious and complex with spice and leather notes. A developed orange-hued deep golden colour. Mouth-wateringly delicious.
2001/now x11 · D 15 min / G 1 h
All the six bottles were in good condition with perfect levels. Fruitiness remains high enough to balance it
Voluptuous, rich and youthful on the nose. What a sophisticated and refined moment. and vital colour. Fabulous honeyed nose, open, soft and complex. It is not as exotic and stylish as 1947 or 1950, but has an excellent, long finish. Level was high-shoulder. The dry weather continued in August and this led to widespread vine stress. Throughout the harvest the weather remained fine and dry. This 1874 Lafite had a fabulous complexity and intensity, and at the same time it was a very sensitive and fragile wine. Full, healthy
rainfall came in mid-September. Still has a fine future.
NUMBER 277.
1959 Château Palmer (Margaux)
2007/2015 x9 · D 2 h / G 1 h
96p
277
a decade or two.
At Château Palmer, flowering took place in excellent conditions thanks to a fine mild weather in the spring.
July was hot and dry with exceptionally high temperatures. Very inviting, rich and long. Brilliant deep-gold, bright and warm colour. A lovely and joyful experience.
NUMBER 276.
1945 Château Lafleur (Pomerol)
2004/2015 x15 · D 1.5 h / G 2 h
96p
Quite old and damaged-looking bottle with only the remains of the label and capsule left. Quite honest and powerful wine. Loads of blackcurrant, sweet fruit and gentle spiciness. Decanted two hours. As a result, the ripening process slowed down considerably until some welcome A good-looking château-bottled magnum. Excellent length and finish. Fine, very concentrated and intense nose with nuances of cedar, dark chocolate and eastern tobacco, but a core of ripe, sweet blackberries. Real class and complexity. Decanted two hours before tasting. The palate has elegance with a wonderful minerality giving a very clean, vigorous impression. Beautifully soft and round on the palate. 1.5 hours would be the most favourable decanting time. Château-bottled with top-shoulder level. Rich, full and lovely to drink. This beauty will still hold up for. 1 3 6 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
Those 15 minutes were glorious and lifelong. Good acidity and structure, but not as fat and complex as Yquem, but a very close match. We were very fortunate to share this unique moment with our best friends - a grand moment, a grand wine.
NUMBER 275.
1945 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey (Bommes)
2001/2015 x3 · D 2 h / G 2 h
96p
Excellent condition and level was by the neck. Full, vigorous colour. Well-structured with nicely balanced tannins and impressive underpinning acidity. Decanted at first for only 30 minutes, which was not enough
Dark colour to the rim. Will probably benefit from a few more years in the bottle, although wonderful right now.
2007/2020 x25 · D 2 h / G 2 h
Excellent bottle with by the neck level. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2003/2010 x11 · D 1 h / G 2 h
This is one of our much-loved Châteaux and the vintage is not bad either. Still tannic. The best characteristics of this wine were its elegance and its faultless mouth-feel, decadently silky and classy. With its light gold colour, this wine reveals a tight nose with white flowers and candied citrus fruits. Delicate, yet an intensely clean, vigorous nose. Long, hot and fresh finish. Crisp acidity with a strong mineral structure form a backbone to this delicious champagne which has expressive mousse and creamy intense taste and a long walnutty finish. Extremely elegant and complex developing nose. Its dense and lively palate conceals pears, peaches and gorgeous butterscotch fruit. This wine has high minerality and it is one of the most concentrated and complex Marcassins we have ever tasted. Walnuts, buttery aromas with cream and ripe pear aromas. It was Château-bottled and the level was top shoulder. A tremendous bottle!
2005/2015 x5 · D 30 min / G 1 h
Decanted 30 minutes. A very fragrant and smooth wine, almost as great as the 1955 Mouton, which merely has a slightly better balance and complexity, but they both share the same very long and concentrated finish. Very delicate and sensitive wine with sweet concentrated flavours of red fruits and chocolate. We opened this bottle to celebrate Christmas 2003, and it was the best Calon-Segur 1945 we have ever tasted (tasted 10 times previously). A genuinely classic and vigorous Mouton.
2006/2020 x11 · D 10 min / G 2 h
Bright, pale yellow colour with vivid small bubbles. Very full, long, and ripe on the palate with good fruit extract and backbone. A healthy, fresh-looking mature colour. A beautifully aged elegant wine with great potential for further ageing.
NUMBER 281.
1988 Salon (Champagne)
96p
NUMBER 280.
1953 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
96p
NUMBER 279.
1992 Chardonnay Alexander Mountain Estate Marcassin (Usa)
96p
NUMBER 278.
1945 Château Calon-Ségur (Saint-Estèphe)
96p. At 54 years of age, this Mouton is at its peak now, but should easily live on for at least one more decade
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It was just bottled in 2000 and those 300 bottles disappeared rapidly into the world markets. A cold weather in winter was followed by a cold and wet spring. Decanted 45 minutes. Absolutely perfect to drink now.
NUMBER 295.
1996 Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Rosé Billecart-Salmon (Champagne) 9 6p
2006/2020 x3 · D 10 min / G 1 h
Billecart-Salmon is one of the constantly rising and growing stars in Champagne. Rich and intense nose with prunes, raisins, orange peel marmalade, jammed cherries, and nutty aromas. On the palate it has plenty of those sweet fruit, tobacco and chocolate flavours. 1 4 2 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 292.
1929 Banyuls Grand Cru (Banyuls)
2006/2040 x4 · D 30 min / G 2 h
96p
It was Jan-Erik Paulson who found this unique fortified wine. The purity and intensity of its wines has much to do with the double settling of the must and a particularly cool fermentation tempera-. Bright, medium-intense maroon colour. Moderately intense, bright and deep yellow colour. A really delicious wine that has great complexity and medium-long, soft and stylish finish. Intense nutty and beautifully developed nose with butter, spices, pineapple, and truffles. Jadot nailed the vintage with their wonderful Bâtard-Montrachet. A surprisingly concentrated and lovely wine with an exquisite balance.
NUMBER 293.
1986 Bátard-Montrachet Louis Jadot (Côte de Beaune)
2004/2020 x2 · D 15 min / G 45 h
96p
This appealing wine derives from the vintage of the challenges. Well balanced with low levels of tannin. Concentrated, complex and harmonious taste with mineral, spicy, smoky, and vanilla flavours. A sweet full-bodied wine with gentle acidity, mellow tannins and well-integrated high level of alcohol (17%) forming an oily texture on the palate turning into silkiness in a long lingering finish. Rich, ripe and concentrated. A white wine with power and concentration to age still easily another ten years, if one just has patience to wait. The nose was immediately appealing with plenty of sweet fruit, mushrooms and truffles. Opulent and subtle long lingering finish. There was only one barrel left available of this Grenache Noir and Carignan-based wine made by co-operative wine producers in the Banyuls area 80 years ago. Medium-deep, a bit brownish but bright colour. Dry and crisp palate with sophisticated richness of tropical fruits, butter flavours and oakiness. For the ones that cannot, the wine offers great pleasure already now.
NUMBER 294.
1959 Chambertin Domaine Leroy (Côte de Nuits)
2005/2015 x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h
96p
Decent looking bottle with 3 cm ullage. The summer enjoyed ideally warm and sunny weather conditions until the heavy storms rolled over the area in late August and September causing severe rot problems. Towards the end of September the weather improved and the harvest ended as a large one and especially good for whites
A very delicate and balanced taste with delightful elegant acidity, great density and, rich creamy mousse. Attractive linear acidity gives the wine a firm backbone for few more years of aging. This is really very fine.
and tannins are well integrated. Very gentle and harmonious Pétrus. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
143
ture (13 °C). At peak now.
NUMBER 298.
1979 Clos des Goisses Philipponnat (Champagne)
96p
NUMBER 297.
1964 Château Pétrus (Pomerol)
297
96p
NUMBER 296.
1959 Grands-Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 96p. After an hour
2006/2010 x5 · D 10 min / G 1 h
Deep developed golden colour with elegant effervescence in the glass. What a huge depth and complexity! A fruity, rich, fleshy, and round stylish wine. Since its first vintage 1988, this Rosé has consistently been one of the best in Champagne. Layers of flavours. Open and sound nose with tobacco, exotic spices and mushrooms.
Almost too sweet and round on palate. Very impressive, youthful, vibrant colour. The 1959 are normally rich and complex like this Echezeaux. Without a doubt one of the best roses of the vintage.
2004/2010 x2 · D 45 min / G 2 h
In 1959 a big crop was expected from the beginning. Full, rich and perfectly ripe. Ullage was 3 cm from the cork. A harmonious wine with opulence and finesse. The DRC Grand Echézeaux 1959 we enjoyed here was in excellent condition. Mature aromas of honey, bruised apple and burned sugar. Lots of intense fruit underneath. Indeed the yields were remarkably generous, but at the same time the fruit was fully ripe. Drink in ten years.
2001/2010 x21 · D 2 h / G 2 h
Handsome magnum. The palate is consistent with the nose. Has very good grip and length at the end. Acidity in glass it became even slightly more full and tender. Excellent level, wine was almost touching cork. Dangerously easy to drink. Decanted 1.5 hours. Intense and medium deep salmon rose colour. This is much finer than the modern-day Echézeaux. Therefore it is no surprise that the magnificently ripe, fruity yet acidic vintage 1996 also produced a great Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Rosé. The summer was dry and not too hot, with just a little rain at the beginning of September. Superb concentration and lovely, harmonious long finish. The nose is wide open and appealing. Partial oak fermentation of the vintage wines brings complexity and a smooth silky texture. It is made of an equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with an addition of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ red Pinot Noir. Delicate nose with red fruit of cherries and raspberries with a dash of citrus
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
147
Bodegas Muga
1 4 8 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
The sweet fruit tones were elegantly in balance with complexity through 22 months of French oak barrel fermentation authentic
304
NUMBER 304.
1999 TBA No.10 Welschriesling Nouvelle Vague Alois Kracher
96p
NUMBER 303.
1931 Garrafeira Niepoort (Portugal)
96p
NUMBER 302.
NUMBER 301.
1978 Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves)
96p. Developed tawny-hued colour. Decanted three hours. The classic and elegant, almost feminine style continues on the palate. The vintage produced fruity and tannic wines, with a lot of ageing potential. Among other regions Neusiedlersee succeeded well with botrytis appearing on the grapes at the right time. The nose is stylish with leather, dark berries and a roasted complexity of aromas. Silky, smooth and elegant - perfectly harmonious mouth-feel. This balanced and pleasurable wine is at a great age for drinking today. But it has the structure to keep at least for another 10 years.
1982 Unico Bodegas Vega Sicilia (Ribera del Duero)
2005/2015 x2 · D 30 min / G 2 h
96p
Developed, deep and clear ruby-red colour. The palate is extremely fine and harmonious. The nose is fragrant and beautifully nuanced with tart berry aromas, herbs and farmyard notes. Astonishingly delicate and attractive!
(Neusiedlersee)
2006/2025 x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h
This vintage was astonishing all over Austria. In September the temperatures rose and some rainfall helped with slow maturation. The harvest started in late September, with perfect weather conditions. Fine looking bottle. Mature nose of dried fruit, almonds, fresh cherries, and toffee. Layered aromatics and a long delicious finish.
2006/2015 x2 · D 45 min / G 4 h
An exceptional Garrafeira from Niepoort. 1931 was an exceptional year, but one when most houses declared no vintage. Medium-bodied, delicate and silky mouth-feel. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
149
2007/2010 x18 · D 2 h / G 2 h
In our opinion it is La Mission-Haut-Brion which produced the best Bordeaux in the challenging year of 1978. A dry and warm flowering period was followed by a warm rainy summer until the weather turned into a mild and sunny autumn ensuring the best possible conditions for ripening. He managed to produce a broad range of TBA collection wines, in its This most concentrated wine of the year with residual sugar of 345,6 g/l reflected perfect golden bright colour with a pronounced, extremely intense nose of honey and apricot marmalade. Tannins are admittedly very firming, but there is enough fruit to match up. The winter was dry and the summer unusually cold. Deep, developing colour. The weather conditions were perfect with no frosts in spring. Alois Kracher, the king of entirety 10 cuvées.
sweet wines, was also relieved by this. Bottled in 1938 and decanted in 1975
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
155
The appearance is moderately
328
NUMBER 328.
1966 La Romanée "Réserve du Paul Bouchard" Bouchard Père & Fils (Côte de Nuits) 2007/2015 x2 · D 1 h / G 1.5 h 96p
NUMBER 327.
1966 Château Lafleur (Pomerol)
96p
NUMBER 326.
1977 Vintage Port Taylor Fladgate (Portugal)
96p. The yield was high in quantity as well as in quality. Medium-bodied and crisp taste with faint mousse. In 1966 the vineyards faced damaging spring hail and a poor beginning of the summer. This monopole vineyard has recently changed hands back to Vicomte Liger-Belair family after being long-term contracted to the exclusive use of Bouchard Père & Fils. A superb wine with an astonishingly long and graceful ending. Magic! We are more and more convinced that this is one of the finest wines of the vintage, if not the finest! Very rich and velvety texture with good acid and discreet tannin level. Excellent bottle with 2 cm level. Very lively and supple texture with dried fruits, hints of lemon and toasty flavours. Decanted 1,5 hours. Luckily the weather conditions improved
gradually towards the autumn and the harvest was completed in ideal conditions. One can only feel twice as privileged to be able to drink it now.
2001/2025 x4 · D 2 h / G 2 h
This vintage really took its time to form since the wet winter, cold spring and cool summer did not encourage the vines to work well. The high temperature during the rest of the month made this autumn the hottest since 1963. No rush to drink this divine bottle.
This Grand Cru vineyard is the smallest appellation in France with the size of only 0.85 hectares lying on the moderately steep slope with limestone-clay soil and chalk crumbles just few metres from the legendary Romanée-Conti vineyard. Fine-looking bottle. A high level of alcohol is very well integrated into the wine prolonging the youthful, spectacular aftertaste. Great balance and extract. Sound and open, very fragrant and complex nose. Decanted one hour. This should remain as it is until 2020.
2006/2030 x4 · D 2 h / G 2 h
Absolutely fine-looking magnum with by-the-neck level. Sipping this now, it is difficult to see this balanced, harmonious wine being made in the area, which was devastated by the war and forces of nature. Wonderfully deep and rich colour. Full-bodied, moderate acidity and big tannins are dominating this relatively young port. Lingering finish with great harmony. Decanted five hours. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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fruits, apples and apricots, toasty aromas, walnuts and truffles. Dark, purple colour with very pronounced and intense nose of fruitcake tones, anise, plum, liquorice, dark fruits, blackberries, and coffee. But by the beginning of September there were signs of improvement. On the palate very ripe, jammy dark fruitiness and violet flavours are accompanied with loads of spices, liquorice, smoke, and espresso flavours
Concentrated and complex full-bodied palate possesses very ripe and intense dark fruitiness of plums and blueberries. Dry, vivid acidity with elegant tannins and ripe red fruit flavours form satin-like texture that stands out moderately long in a very balanced aftertaste. A restrained style wine with great length and incredible finesse.
NUMBER 330.
1974 Barolo Granbussia Riserva Aldo Conterno (Piedmont)
2006/2015 x1 · D 30 min / G 1 h
96p
First class bottle. The mouth-feel is surprisingly well balanced, silky and smooth, firmed charmingly by ripe tannins and refreshing acidity. This wine is now harmonious and evolved but will not keep and improve any longer.
NUMBER 331.
1998 Hill of Grace Henschke (Eden Valley)
2005/2025 x2 · D 2 h / G 1.5 h
96p
A great vintage for producing elegant but intense wines thanks to the long growing season and overall moderate temperatures. Level was by the neck. Very refined, firm and chewy tannins and concentration of fruit and acidity give a promise of many years to come, but excellent to drink now.
NUMBER 332.
1983 Riesling Clos Ste. One of the warmest winters, wettest springs and driest summers in history. Beautifully intense and opulent nose delivers root vegetables, wild strawberries and ripe brambles. Sound and open nose with great expression of mint and chocolate, blackberries and earthy notes. Bright, clear, straw yellow colour. Pronounced and rich nose with plenty of ripe dark fruits, dark chocolate and sweet spices. The nose is distinctive Riesling with loads of minerals, lemon and a touch. 1 5 8 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
intense with hazy cherry red colour and tawny rim indicating mature age. Youthful but with lovely bouquet of tertiary aromas appearing. Very intense and deep garnet colour. Rich smoky and peppery finish with tarry and herbaceous notes. This tiny plot of pre-phylloxera Shiraz yielded quality-wise a wonderful crop. Touch of burnt chestnuts and sugared almonds, pencil shavings, cinnamon and even beef stock aromas. Well-developed, bright, medium-deep browning colour. Vegetal and earthy aromas of farmyard and cooked root vegetables. Decanted only 15 minutes. Hune Domaine Trimbach (Alsace)
2001/2015 x2 · D 45 min / G 1 h
96p
Fabulous vintage in Alsace. Pronounced, rich, complex, and developed nose. Crisp acidity, stalky tannins and a savoury taste with roasted almond aromas are dominant. A perfectly mature, extremely supple wine with delicious taste ideal for immediate pleasure, but will keep still another ten years.
NUMBER 329.
1994 Janus Pesquera Alejandro Fernández (Ribera del Duero)
2003/2015 x3 · D 2 h / G 2 h
96p
Clear, deep, tawny colour
1 6 0 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
Decanted two hours. Extremely appealing nose with a full range of exotic spices, flowers, ripe plums, blackcurrants, smoke and earthiness. The cool, clay rich soil in Lafleur coped well with the heat and yielded extremely ripe but still fresh Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes to this wonderful wine. 1 6 2 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 339.
1959 Château Lafleur (Pomerol)
2007/2015 x3 · D 45 min / G 2 h
96p
A hot vintage in Bordeaux. Massive in the mouth with a luxurious texture, very sweet tannins and herbaceousness. Medium-bodied, opulent and harmonious palate with lovely firm acidity and smooth tannins. Minerals and hints of smoke offer an astonishingly long and enchanting finish. This mind-blowing wine can be drunk between 2015 and 2025.. Intense earth, roasted coffee and ripe blackberry flavours are escorted with a persistent mineral finish. One of the best Dom Pérignons ever, a true surprise!
NUMBER 341.
96p
2001/2008 x2 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Fine looking bottle with bottom-neck level. The nose had already something magical about it. The wine is wonderful at the moment and will keep at this level probably a decade more before starting to decline.
340
1949 Château Haut-Brion (Graves)
profound and gigantic as the famous 1945, but very good indeed.
NUMBER 340.
1976 Dom Pérignon Moët & Chandon (Champagne)
2007/now x8 · D 20 min / G 1 h
96p
Fine bottle with good level. The 1999 Pingus will almost certainly put on flesh to rival the great 1995 during ageing. Decanted 30 minutes. Very dark, vivid colour. Not as
NUMBER 342.
1999 Pingus Dominio de Pingus (Ribera del Duero)
2006/2025 x3 · D 3 h / G 2 h
96p
Tasted at the Bodegas. A very masculine wine with a showy personality in addition to a massive, concentrated ending. Decanted 30 minutes. Very deep, rich purple colour. Full-bodied, charming with an almost chocolaty richness. The heaviness of the wine itself included ultra-light seduction, the depth had something interesting on the surface, and the sensitive generosity was moving, in one word - magnificent. Very dense, dark cherry red colour. A sensual and very elegant wine, despite the hot vintage. Commanding and intense nose with loads of blackberries, fresh herbs, coffee, truffles, and toasty new oak. Opulent and flattering complex nose with tobacco, earth and dusty blackcurrant aromas. Underneath, a very balanced, tight
and fruity structure started to reveal an endless amount of new layers that one could sense, but not one of us could determine them more specifically
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Cheval Blanc was one of the most successful châteaux in Bordeaux this year. Wine performs still nicely, chunky and elegant with alcohol level at a modest 12%.
NUMBER 348.
1986 Château Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien)
2006/2020 x12 · D 1.5 h / G 2.5 h
95p
The vintage 1986 yielded the biggest crop since the Second World War. The hot and dry summer was very promising until the September rains ruined the expectancy of an excellent vintage. The bouquet was immediately wide and sound, very tempting with burnt coffee and hot chocolate aromas. 1 6 6 1000
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This excellent looking bottle came from Langton´s Fine Wines Australia Auction some years ago. A dose of volatile acidity adds a nice edge to the ripe fruit and delicate finish. Ripe tannins still have a good grip on the medium-bodied palate with a mineral twist. Drinking charmingly now but still has attractive potential, thanks to its sturdy tannic structure.
NUMBER 349.
1989 Vintage Champagne Krug (Champagne)
2007/2010 x9 · D 15 min / G 1.5 h
95p
Very rich and developed deep yellow colour showing lively bubbles. Beautifully developed nose is full of biscuits, brioche and broad toasty aromas. Nicely balanced and the warm, strong alcohol came through giving a powerful kick to this eternal wine. A thought provoking wine!
NUMBER 347.
1964 Château Cheval Blanc (St.Emilion)
2005/2020 x21 · D 1 h / G 2 h
95p
One of the biggest harvests since the Second World War, this is considered overall to be very good, especially in southern Médoc and on the Right Bank. The greatest estate in Saint-Julien, Château Léoville-Las Cases, succeeded well. Opulent and restrained nose with sweet fruit tones, cedar and spices. Developing, moderately intense tawny colour. Decanted three hours. Northern parts of Médoc managed to avoid the heaviest rains and were able to produce the best wines of the vintage. This was the thickest port-style wine we have ever tasted. A much more refined and well-made wine than we were expecting. A rich and intense finish with gently mouth puckering tannins. Highly concentrated wine with spicy cigar box and floral flavours. A very refined and complex nose with cedar, blackcurrants, black olives, and toasty spiciness. Rich medium-bodied palate with moderate acidity, firm tannins and ripe fruitiness. Deep, ruby red colour. A very deep brown, almost black colour. The vintage started late due to the cool and poor spring. Fresh acidity balances the ripe, toasty and creamy character of. A very rich, smooth and concentrated wine with some exotic fruit characters. Hot, long and bittersweet aftertaste
The lingering finish is velvety and immensely long.
flavours. Many 1973s are still showing magnificently, Krug being the prime example. Very alive and voluptuous. Very vinous nose with cranber-
ries and strawberries. Musigny is known for its super elegant and feminine characteristics, but this hot vintage gave this fine "lady" some extra muscle that has given an extra dimension to it and structure lasting. It stunned us all!
2006/2015 x3 · D 15 min / G 1 h
This was a hot vintage that raised expectations. Such an elegant and complex nose full of ripe red fruits, anise and flowers enhanced with refined earthy aromas and spiciness. An extremely delicate bright orange hue. This is a fabulous old wine, with a soul of fruit flavour. A really opulent champagne - less elegance and more richness. Nevertheless, the richness of fruit combined with high levels of acidity has proven this to be a vintage, which matured well. A great wine from the legendary Leroy. Its terroir is much more complex than Clos de Vougeot lying just below of it. Full of personality and complexity. No capsule and the ullage was as low as seven cm. However, heavy rain in September caused a lot of damage by generating rot and dilution. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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the wine. Satiny texture with charming floral flavours, brambles and wild strawberries in lingering long finish. Intense ruby red colour with orange rim. Drinking splendidly now but will keep another eight to ten years.
2007/2010 x2 · D 30 min / G 1 h
Dirty, old-looking bottle. Hardly any bubbles detected. Long and positive aftertaste. An extremely delightful wine for drinking now!
2000/2015 x2 · D 1 h / G 2.5 h
Musigny Grand Cru grows some of the best grapes in the entire Burgundy. Our hopes were not very high, but we were positively surprised. Ripe, full, open nose with breathtaking fruit aromas. Cork was also very dry and powdery. Medium deep brick red colour. The palate shows a very intense dried fruit flavour enhanced with toasty and brioche moderately rich champagne. Although the mousse is weak, the crispiness and delicious freshness forms a great elegance to this
352
NUMBER 352.
1973 Vintage Champagne Krug (Champagne)
95p
NUMBER 351.
1937 Musigny Comte Georges de Vogüé (Côte de Nuits)
95p
NUMBER 350.
1964 Musigny Domaine Leroy (Côte de Nuits)
95p. Rich medium-bodied palate with great grip of minerals, vivid acidity and smooth powdery tannins. Broad, nutty and bread flavoured finish with lemony mineral twist
Well-made and still youthful. Full-bodied, concentrated and with a bouquet scented with sweet blackcurrants, roasted herbs, chocolate, and cedar, and with strong flavours that linger well on the palate. Very full-bodied with quite low acidity. The colour looked promising but there was a strong strange element in the bouquet - a hint of medicine seemed to obscure almost all of the other elements of the nose. Very elegant, fruity and slightly tannic a masculine style of wine (more so on the palate than on the nose). This is a very good example of the high eminence of this significant Château. A classic example of Montrose. The aftertaste lingered in the mouth as well as on the mind for an unprecedented length of time, leaving a memory of a particularly pleasant and unique experience. Taste-wise, it is a good example of the well-known femininity of the RSV. Level was by the neck. Excellent ripeness and mature, soft tannin. Intense, compelling and complex bouquet of herbs, dark chocolate, cassis, lead pencil, and cedar. Very deep, clear and full of promise with a red colour. Subtle and serious with good backbone on the finish. The level of the wine had dropped an unusual amount - 11.5 cm - so expectations were not very high, even though a good friend of ours had recommended the wine to us. Levels were all by the neck. After two hours in a glass this peculiar smell faded and gave way a little, and the bouquet started to correspond to the palate. This remarkably rigorous wine holds an exciting youthfulness. Deep, garnet purple colour with ruby and amber highlights. Wonderfully, sweet, cedary open nose. Decanted 1.5 hours. Attractive dark red colour. 1 6 8 1000
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NUMBER 353.
1952 Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves)
2006/2015 x22 · D 1 h / G 2 h
95p
La Mission-Haut-Brion made some mind-blowing wines in the 1950s together with the grand 1950, 1953, 1959 and even the superior 1955. This wine will keep for quite some time no rush.
NUMBER 354.
1929 Château Montrose (Saint-Estèphe)
2000/2010 x13 · D 1 h / G 2 h
95p
Good-looking Château bottling. A very balanced, elegant and surprisingly fruity, abundantly perfumed wine, which surprised us with its excellence. This very elegant and energetic wine will last well over a decade or two.
NUMBER 355.
1906 Romanée St.Vivant Bouchard Père & Fils (Côte de Nuits)
2004/now x4 · D 1 h / G 2 h
95p
This bottle of wine from a truly magnificent vintage had spent almost a hundred years in peace in the cellar of an Austrian castle. Well-balanced, complex with a good backbone. Decanted two hours. Bottle in good condition, top-shoulder. A wine that underlines the significance of storage conditions and the producer.
NUMBER 356.
1961 Château Gruaud-Larose (Saint-Julien)
2002/2020 x23 · D 2 h / G 3 h
95p
These three magnums were in textbook condition. It has a multi-layered thick
Lighter and not as creamy as we expected, but has great balance and marvellous complexity on the palate. Delicate mousse on the dry, crispy, light-bodied palate is showing a lemony twist with a delicious finish of walnut flavours.
1969 Belle Epoque Perrier-Jouët (Champagne)
2004/now x3 · D 10 min / G 30 min
95p
This attractive bottle was looking fantastically old and had some thin layers of dust on it, which made it appear somehow even more elegant and grand than the new ones. Refreshing acidity combined with firm velvety rich tannins and very ripe dark fruit form a beautiful balance in the medium-bodied wine. Although
NUMBER 360.
NUMBER 359.
1982 Vintage Champagne Krug (Champagne)
95p
NUMBER 358.
NUMBER 357.
1953 Vintage Champagne Krug (Champagne)
357
95p. Dry palate is
1955 Château Pétrus (Pomerol)
2007/2015 x8 · D 1 h min / G 1 h
95p
Fine looking Château-bottlings. In regular bottles count on it to continue to age well for an additional 10 years and in magnum bottles it should cellar nicely until 2025.
2006/2010 x3 · D 15 min / G 1 h
Bright and beautiful medium deep golden colour with lazy bubbles. Very fresh and youthful wine. Made from 50 percent Chardonnay and 50 percent Pinot Noir. Almost pale straw yellow colour with fine vivid bubbles. Developing, creamy nose with nutty and smoky characters with a zesty tinge. Very persistent long finish.
charms with sweet aromas reminiscent of crème brûlée, apricots, apple compote, and pears. Creamy fully ripe developed nose. Clear, bright, dark mahogany colour. This less delicate, more rustic style Pétrus is extremely appealing with its very good firm grip in the long aftertaste.
2007/2018 x4 · D 15 min / G 1 h
A marvellous high quality vintage with the biggest crop ever. Decanted 30 minutes. A deep honey-gold colour. It filled with a very refined mousse, crisp acidity and lemony mineral tones. Rose petals, dark chocolate and spiciness highlight the rich nose. The bouquet was immensely full, rich and wide with flavours of ripe pear, flower and honey. Deep intense nose with ripe dark fruits has even a hint of preserved brambles. Had lots of tiny, lively bubbles running eagerly to the top. This vigorous and delicious wine is perfectly ready for drinking now in either regular or magnum format bottles. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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texture and an intense, warm and long ending. Compared to the previous year it was three times bigger
Drinking perfectly now, but will still keep for few years.
NUMBER 374.
1970 Vieilles Vignes Françaises Champagne Bollinger (Champagne) 95p
NUMBER 373.
1999 La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits)
373
95p
NUMBER 372.
1988 Cristal Rosé Roederer (Champagne)
95p
NUMBER 371.
1975 Cristal Roederer (Champagne)
95p. Elegant, charmingly fruity wine with an acidic spine that can age harmoniously for another 10 years or more.
2001/2020 x3 · D 45 min / G 1 h
Roederer, which is one of the few producers in Champagne vinifying the rosés by the saignée method, has again managed to macerate a beautiful light salmon rose colour to this unique champagne. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2006/2020 x3 · D 15 min / G 1 h
There is a lot of variability in the 1975s. An opulent and vigorous wine with a long lingering finish. Small-sized bubbles on the mousse contribute to the feeling of roundness. Long, lingering finish.
2006/2030 x8 · D 4 h / G 2 h
Dense ruby-red colour. A very intense and complex nose showing great depth - dried fruits, ripe apples, smoke, and spices. There was attractive fruit intensity and high acidity, which should account for long-lived wines. In a very drinkable phase at the moment.
the palate. Lack of direct sunshine postponed the harvest, which averaged fairly high at 9,082 kg/ha. Very delightful nose with strawberries and biscuits, also hints of toastiness. Luckily the autumn was favourable resulting in some very good vintage wines like this one. The fine tannic structure is in perfect harmony with the smooth silky texture. Lightness of autolysis characters combined with a lemony tartness makes the wine appear incredibly youthful and lively. Charmingly rich palate with vivid acidity, moderate mousse with lemony bite and broad texture full of ripe apples, nuts, smokiness, and exotic spices. Well-structured and
2002/2010 x2 · D - / 45 min
This was a very good vintage despite the wet summer causing worries to the growers. The vintage witnessed a late bud break and hot summer weather. Fresh, spicy and bready aromatics. Clean, pure and fruity attractively developing nose. Nuanced and pure nose of raspberries, strawberries and black cherries highlighted
with minerals. Very crisp light-bodied wine with persistent and mouth-capturing mousse reflects a marked minerality and lovely brioche flavours that are enhanced by delicate strawberry aromas. Some still unintegrated yet stylish oak on the nose. Ripe attractive and powerful fruitiness on intensely fruity wine with enormous ageing and quality potential. Cristal alongside Clos des Goisses are in a remarkably youthful form today with no rush to open them. Pale golden yellow colour with refined vigorous bubbles
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As Cristal has not gone through malolactic fermentation, the acidity is phenomenal and to the liking of all high acidity champagne lovers. A complex wine with great length and fine acid structure. Certainly luscious palate with mint, eucalyptus, blackcurrant fruit, and firm tannins. Drinking well already but is still a baby on its journey.
NUMBER 379.
1959 Château Gruaud-Larose (Saint-Julien)
2005/2015 x14 · D 1 h / G 2 h
95p
Château-bottled. An excellent, rigorous and loaded Gruaud-Larose.
NUMBER 380.
1996 Cristal Roederer (Champagne)
2007/2030 x5 · D 30 min / G 1 h
95p
A dream-come-true vintage combining volume (10 356 kg/ha), ripeness and remarkable acidity. Dry and crisp, full and rich on palate. This south to southeast facing steep slope has the maximum inclination of 45 percent giving it a very particular microclimate. This great Clos des Goisses was supplied straight from the Philipponnat´s cellar. The palate is fresh and tart, slightly tight and closed still, but with remarkable concentration and length. Lingering, long, yeasty finish with mineral tones. This is as structured and long-lived as it gets, near immortal. This will undoubtedly develop into one of the best Cristals ever made.
380. Level was high-shoulder. Massal selection used to be the replanting method but clonal selection is utilised. Intense yellow colour with golden tints and tiny energetic bubbles. Exciting, youthful purple colour. Really dense. Rich, complex, yeasty nose with white peaches, ripe apples and honeyed overtones. The 70 percent Pinot Noir and 30 percent Chardonnay blend comes from vines that are 30 years old on average, planted at 8,300 vines per hectare. Very deep, heavy, gloomy nose of almost stewed black fruits and some chocolaty richness, lovely cedar and mineral components and liquorice notes too. 1 7 6 1000
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NUMBER 378.
1990 Clos des Goisses Philipponnat
(Champagne)
2005/2025 x5 · D 30 min / G 1 h
95p
The Clos des Goisses single vineyard parcel is situated in the 99 percent 1er Cru Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ. The ripe vintage of good acidity level produced yet another spectacular Clos des Goisses. Over recent years the share of Pinot Noir has increased on the parcel with PN 779 being the favoured clone. The nose is pure, pronounced and with some signs of development. Every Cristal vintage requires time, but usually, one should allow the 1996 a further 5-10 years in the cellar. Ripe fruitiness, lemon, brioche, and ripe apple aromas overwhelm the taster. Another positive characteristic is that there are still 1996s around to buy and stock for years to come. Persistent and fine small-sized bubbles in the glass. Decanted one hour. A very complex and big wine with delicious brioche flavours
Drinking well now but will easily keep another decade.
NUMBER 388.
1961 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou (Saint-Julien)
2004/2010 x22 · D 2 h / G 2 h
95p
Excellent château-bottling with top-shoulder level. A very long, finely tuned and elegant ending. Bouillon. Very concentrated, ripe blackcurrant nose with plums, cedar and spicy aromas. Very dark, deep and opaque in appearance. A medium-intense garnet colour with tawny tints. Full-bodied opulent palate with very ripe dark fruitiness and round tannins. Deep, dark, brick red colour. Full-bodied, fairly complex taste with good dimension and balance. Great quality. Winemaking was classically non-interventionist. A very warm early summer turned into a moderately warm ending enhancing the grapes to obtain their crisp acidity. A bursting, versatile, intensive nose with hints of spice, white chocolate and plenty of bouquet from ageing. Medium-bodied palate reveals moderately high refreshing acidity, firm tannins and herbaceous dark fruity aromas of cassis and plums mixed with hints of mint. Wide and open nose with lots of violets, minerals and tobacco aromas. A noble, yet forward, port.
NUMBER 387.
1987 Proprietary Red Wine Dominus (Napa Valley)
2002/2020 x3 · D 2 h / G 2 h
95p
The rainfall this year was half the average. 1 7 8 1000
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NUMBER 385.
1959 Château Cheval Blanc (St.Emilion)
2006/2015 x19 · D 1 h / G 2 h
95p
All four bottles were in excellent condition. This is excellently enjoyable right now.. Nicely balanced, elegant and flawless mouth-feel. Decanted three hours before tasting. High level of alcohol adds power and sweetness into the rich, spicy and toasty finish.
NUMBER 386.
1966 Vintage Port Graham´s (Portugal)
2000/2020 x3 · D 2 h / G 3 h
95p
The bottle was in a decent exterior condition, the level was by the neck. Blend of 88 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 percent Cabernet Franc and 3 percent Merlot. A full-bodied and sweet, intense port. Very rich and ripe fruity nose. Decanted one hour. Long and admirably balanced finish with spicy oak character. Plums, dark fruits, spices, chocolate, coffee, and toastiness. The wine spent 14 months in French oak, of which 25 percent were new. What a smooth and suberb finish. Decanted one hour. Bright brick red colour. Bottled by P
Moderately high alcohol is integrated so well that it is hard to even detect it from the concentrated taste. The palate was really very concentrated and grippy with super gentle tannins wrapped around a rock-hard core of red fruit. However, this wine has potential for prolonged aging due to its power, structure and grip.
2003/2010 x11 · D 30 min / G 1 h
Fine looking Château-bottling with upper-shoulder level. Good, deep, maturing colour. Expressive and forward nose of honey, dried apricots, white flowers, and petrol. A bit light and pale in colour. Primary aromatics of Riesling and botrytis prevail. Well balanced with medium-long, dry and slightly skinny finish. At its peak, but should easily hold for at least four to five years.
2007/2010 x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h
Deep, developing golden colour. Still a very youthful wine that is starting to develop. Intense, silky, coffee-edged aromas and berries and blackcurrant fruit. Wine is drinking well now, if decanted well before. Luscious palate that is refreshed by a linear, firm, acidic backbone. Very weighty and intense mouth-feel. Very elegant and with a good structure; however, we found this less rich and complex than previous vintages (1947 and 1950).
NUMBER 392.
1952 Château l´Eglise Clinet (Pomerol)
95p
NUMBER 391.
1994 Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Achleiten Prager (Wachau)
95p
NUMBER 390.
1961 Château Pavie (St.Emilion)
390
95p
NUMBER 389.
1990 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection Caymus (Napa Valley)
95p. Intense dark fruitiness reveals plum and blackcurrant notes. Oily mouth-feel and great body weight. Extremely intense, concentrated and youthful nose shows very dark aromas - dark cherry liquor, roasted sesame seeds, dark chocolate, and hints of coconut. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2007/2020 x5 · D 2 h / G 3 h
Truly an outstanding wine. Elegant, complex and soft wine - for our taste this is a perfect wine to drink now. Being restrained in style, the wine benefited from being in the glass for a long time. There was a little dark chocolate and vanilla depth present as well. Lovely fruit. Hardly any sediment. Mint and cassis aromas stand out after the wine has opened up in the glass. As full, rich and intense as we recalled. Long, elegant finish. Otherwise will reach its optimum in 15 years from now.
2004/2010 x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Decanted two hours before. Dark, medium intense ruby colour. Decanted 30 minutes. Refined, velvety and sophisticated tannins form a harmonious backbone to the wine with the fresh and crisp acidity
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181
Re-corked at the estate. Exceptionally full, refined and has very good acidity. An impressive experience, especially to many of our friends for whom this was their first Pétrus - not a bad vintage to start with, though it did not quite meet our highest expectations!
NUMBER 399.
1953 Krug Collection Champagne Krug (Champagne)
2007/now x4 · D 15 min / G 1 h
95p
Covered in dust, an old-looking bottle without a label. Decanted 15 minutes. Poor start, but then spring came early and summer was warm but not terribly hot. Spicy,
minty, ripe black fruit and hint of oak. Bottle was in A1 condition. Eternal!
NUMBER 400.
1978 Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido (Tuscany)
The 1978 was not only a very good year in Piemond, but also in Tuscany, where the first three months of the year were cold and wet. Petite lively bubbles. Otherwise in brilliant condition. Clear, mediumintense ruby colour. As rich and full as 1955, but a bit more like a dessert wine. No wonder, that Sassicaia 1978 got 20/20 scores from the judges at an international Cabernet tasting organised in London by Decanter.
400
95p
2006/2010 x4 · D 1 h / G 1 h. Small, a good quality crop. A very elegant, soft and even fruity wine. What bothered us, though, were the still harsh tannins, which made the wine a little tight and slightly imbalanced. We have not yet met these qualities in other Château-bottled Pétrus 1949 that we have tasted. Lively wine that can still keep for another 10 years.
NUMBER 398.
1949 Château Pétrus (Pomerol)
2004/2010 x11 · D 1 h / G 2 h
95p
Château-bottled. Very deep but bright gold colour. Long and youthful. Very concentrated taste with a lingering finish. Toasty, creamy and buttery nose - opened immediately. Deep dark, youthful colour. Top-shoulder level. Very Bordeaux-like nose. Decanted 1 hour. Decanted only 30 minutes. Loads of fruit. Very intense, partly closed, restrained nose is dominated by resin-like herbaceousness - sage and hints of horse saddle indicating ageing. Not as dark as 1955. Fat, complex and quite sweet. 1 8 2 1000
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NUMBER 397.
1955 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Bionti-Santi (Tuscany)
2007/2020 x6 · D 30 min / G 2 h
95p
Fine-looking bottle. Top-shoulder level. These are qualities that one would not expect to meet in a Pétrus. Decanted one hour. Fine growing season. A big, overwhelming and serious "old style" Sassicaia with a long, velvety ending. Medium-bodied palate shares crisp acidity, supple tannins and moderately intense raisiny sweet fruitiness with hints of plums. Excellent, far-reaching champagne
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185
Rubicon Estate
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sweet fruit flavours and soft tannins. One of the richest style Dom Pérignon ever made.
NUMBER 406.
1953 Château Haut-Brion (Graves)
2001/2015 x8 · D 2 h / G 2 h
95p
A good dark colour to the rim, showing a little age but excellent appearance. Ready now and will not gain from any further ageing. Pronounced spicy nose with jam and roasted aromas and blackberries. Long fruity finish with a slight alcoholic and spicy burn. Very delicate, complex and youthful nose. Full body and medium acidity. It has typical earthy, tobacco-like Graves taste. Mineral flavours and ripe
cherries with long savoury finish shows very good intensity still. A dry, crisp and light-bodied wine with silky texture due to the ripe mellow tannins. A surprisingly soft, elegant, round, and velvety wine with great balance, and a long and multi-layered aftertaste. Very developed medium-intense nose shows very complex and vivid aromas from ethereal, herbaceous, willow tree aromas to earthy and perfumed aromas with dark chocolate nuances. A delicious and complete Unico. Chocolaty and smooth, welcome finish. A real charmer.. At its peak and will no longer improve. Very crisp and dry on the palate with rich mousse. Spicy, open, forthcoming, caramel-sweet nose. Clear, bright brick-red colour. Long lingering finish is greatly balanced, elegant and silky in style. The wine has remained surprisingly fruity and firm for its age. This is certainly the best of all those red wines made in 1965.
NUMBER 404.
1984 Zinfandel Dickerson Vineyard Ravenswood (Napa Valley)
2001/2010 x3 · D 45 min / G 1 h
95p
Medium-deep developed brick red colour. Medium-bodied champagne with moderately intense dried fruit flavours and rich mineral tones. Very elegant and gentle to drink. Distinctive lovely aromas of toastiness, roasted coffee, toffee, creaminess, and dried fruits. A wine of distinction and class.
407
NUMBER 407.
1943 Romanée-Conti Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 95p
2007/2015 x4 · D 1 h / G 2 h
This elegant wine contains very unique features as being the last DRC wine made from ungrafted rootstocks. Definitely not a wimpy wine.
NUMBER 405.
1964 Dom Pérignon Moët et Chandon (Champagne)
2006/now x7 · D 30 min / G 2 h
95p
Bright, golden colour with slow, small, pearl necklace bubbles
The bottle was in a respectable condition, and the level was top-shoulder. Delicate, charming old Pinotnose. Certainly plenty of finesse in here. Decanted one hour. This is one of those peculiar wines which should be drunk very soon after opening. Red berries, cherries, animal and floral flavours rise up in long chalky mineral finish that is underlined with high level of alcohol. Very sweet, gentle and intense old-Pinot Noir on both nose and palate. Surprisingly ready to drink now and the wine actually delivers more maturity than expected. Pronounced and developed
nose with animal, horse saddle and sweaty aromas with intense aromas of red berries. Long and appealing finish.. Subdued, sweet and complex. Ullage was 5 cm. A very fine experience!
NUMBER 430.
1911 Le Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits)
2005/now x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
95p
Wonderful bottle with 4 cm level. Under the new ownership it has become one of the modern estates in Burgundy. The owner Jacques Seysses has introduced plenty of new viticulture and vinification techniques in the production. A charming old wine!
yards are treated organically and the vinification procedures occur as naturally as possible with no de-stemModerately intense, developing cherry red colour with a little hazy appearance. Lots of extract and ripe, intense, sweet fruit. Seysses has cultivated six different clones of Pinot Noir for this wine, which are grafted in three different rootstocks on the Clos-St.Denis Grand Cru. Very forward and mature. Very refined and complex with full-flavoured rich fruit. Fair amount of sediment. Dark, mature evolved colour. Denis Domaine Dujac (Côte de Nuits)
2007/2020 x3 · D 1 h / G 2.5 h
95p
Domaine Dujac was known until 1967 with the name of Domaine Graillet. An old-fashioned, chocolaty, fat, and voluptuous wine but fading very rapidly with massive loss of flavours and depth. The vine-
429
ming, natural yeasts and no clarification. Otherwise you will lose that magnificent and complete taste which is there during those precious first 15 minutes. A classic wine that is very soft, round and inviting.
NUMBER 428.
1917 Castillo Ygay Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta (Rioja)
2000/now x2 · D 15 min / G 15 min
95p
The oldest and the best Castillo Ygay we have ever tasted. Broad and elegant medium-bodied mouth-feel with intense silky texture and complex flavours. There is lots of charm and attraction here - seductive. 1 9 4 1000
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NUMBER 427.
1919 Clos-de-Vougeot Grivelet-Gusset (Côte de Nuits)
2001/2008 x1 · D 45min / G 1 h
95p
This Clos de Vougeot has a clean, mature dark red colour. A well spent 15 minutes.
NUMBER 429.
1997 Clos-St
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Very broad mouth-feel with moderately intense fruit on the mid-palate. Nevertheless, after half an hour the wine started to lose its edge. The colour was deep, mature and a little cloudy. Lovely crispy acidity with persistent minerality forms a firm backbone to this concentrated wine. Luckily the wonderful weather conditions with hot and dry weather during the summer enabled this small crop to reach really extraordinary ripeness and concentration. On the palate the wine is wide open and expanding. Tannins and woody flavours are taking a strong grip on the long aftertaste. Rich and harmonious wine with smooth and elegant tannins. The nose was exotic, smoky, almost over-mature. A fully mature classic Romanée-Conti.
NUMBER 447.
1961 Château Margaux (Margaux)
2007/2025 x7 · D 1h / G 2 h
95p
The superb 1961 vintage begun with a spring frost and due to a cold spell that was followed by very exceptional "coulure" reducing the crop size drastically. Rich and fresh aromatic nose with an intense menthol aroma. The taste is very crisp with moderate intensity of ripe dark fruitiness. A lovely
NUMBER 446.
446
wine to be enjoyed no later than now!
1940 Romanée-Conti Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 95p
2004/now x2 · D 45 min / G 2 h
Very old-looking bottle. The wine gives gradually more flavours after being in the glass. Decanted 45 minutes. The nose is very complex, elegant and fragrant bouquet with layers of ripe fruit, flowers and oak. A delicate and opulent wine with years ahead.. 2 0 0 1000
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Slightly cloudy, cherry-red colour with orange tints. Dark, deep and youthful colour. Bright yellow colour with green tints. The bud break and flowering occurred as normal but the following drought caused a water deficiency for the rest of the season. The cold winter had ensured that the dormant vines had a good rest. Classical and multi-layered long aftertaste, which appears almost sweet. Refined, gentle tannins and soft and silky texture. Good label and level. The aftertaste is impressively persistent.
NUMBER 448.
2002 Bâtard-Montrachet Domaine Ramonet (Côte de Beaune)
2007/2015 x3 · D 3 h / G 2 h
95p
2002 was a super vintage for the Montrachets. In the mouth: full-bodied, rich, spicy, and round. Lingering, long, elegant finish with beautiful spiciness from the oak. After some welcomed rain in September, the dry and cool northern wind and sunny weather dried the grapes guaranteeing a high concentration. A multitude of flavour nuances. The rich, developed nose gives soft ripe cherry flavours and a great deal of woody spicy notes. A well-balanced and elegant wine that is mature, but there is no hurry
2 0 2 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
A long buttery aftertaste and a very concentrated wine.
Good-looking bottle with 2 cm level. We have had this wine several times in the
past twelve months. Each time it was a spectacular and surprisingly youthful wine - generous and mouthwatering, with an unexpected aromatic dimension and character. This last bottle was remarkably opulent, still youthful and showing only a small sign of a brown edge in its colour, and a fragrant nose of cedar, volatile acidity, white chocolate, and fruitcake-like spices. The very toasty taste is balanced with ripe fruits. With any ancient vintage differences in quality is the rule, but these particular bottlings were all excellent.
455
2005/now x7 · D 30 min / G 2 h
NUMBER 455.
1896 Le Chambertin Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits)
95p
NUMBER 454.
2002 Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune)
95p
NUMBER 453.
1998 TBA No.13 Chardonnay Nouvelle Vague Alois Kracher (Wachau) 95p. The rich apricot marmalade and intensive fruitiness marry beautifully with spicy toastiness of new oak. This must be even more pleasant from a better bottle.
2005/2050 x4 · D 1 h / G 3 h
This is one of the most concentrated wines Alois Kracher has ever produced with residual sugar over 400 g/l. A taste of extreme. A bit dry and short, but otherwise an amazing wine. On the palate it has a gentle, harmonious texture and lovely sweetness. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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weight and richness, with blackcurrant fruit, a touch of mellow coffee and cedar flavours. The tannins are sweet and smooth, but it still has a firm backbone that gives it depth and structure. Lusciously sweet and dense like syrup, with a mouthfilling texture and full-bodied structure, which are well balanced with a high level of acidity. Clear, intense golden colour. Decanted 30 minutes. Very intense and complex nose full of ripe fruit aromas, pronounced toastiness, and spicy aromas with a touch of peppermint and melted butter. Explosive nose with huge intensity of ripe yellow fruits, honey and botrytis with hints of pencil shavings and cedar. A dry, medium-bodied wine with crisp acidity and mineral and lemon tones. This year DRC made 2,321 bottles of Le Montrachet. Very ripe and seductive. An extremely long, super-concentrated finish.
2006/2030 x3 · D 2 h / G 3 h
Difficult weather at flowering time led to a small crop and small sized berries with high quality. Bright yellow colour with golden tints
Dark and deep colour. The massive, super intense finish lasted forever. The previous five bottles have all been in immaculate condition; just like this one - bright deep colour and perfect top neck level. Rich and ripe Bordeaux style nose with cassis,
capsicum and mint complemented with sweet spicy notes deriving from 24 months ageing in American oak plenty of dark fruits. The final success can be attributed to the perfect weather all the way from late July to the beginning of October. Decanted for four hours. Solid and firm. The starting prices of the wines have been so high that they cannot be considered notable investments. A warm, humid summer led to fears of mould. Just the perfect amount of rain and the warmer-than-usual weather created concentrated grapes with thick skins. All vintage 2000 Bordeaux wines typically have an intensive fruitiness, plentiful aroma, high glycerol content, and powerful, ripe tannins. Well-balanced and long, dawdle aftertaste. Very powerful, almost too gigantic a wine with sweet tannins and a multilayered texture. Medium-intense brick-red colour. Decanted one hour before. The weather conditions caused concern early in the year. The warm, dry June however, put everything right. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
205
2006/2045 x4 · D 4 h / G 3 h
What could be a more perfect start for the new millennium than the 2000 vintage, already described as legendary. Surprisingly wide and open nose with loads of wild blackberries, smoky grilled meat, liquorice, and white truffle aromas. A very good start for the new millennium from Pétrus. These are absolutely balanced, full-bodied wines that will be at their best only after decades. Round, medium-bodied velvety texture with mellow tannins, moderate acidity and ripe fruitiness with
462
2005 / 2010 x 2 · D 30 min / G 45 min
NUMBER 462.
1971 Mas La Plana Torres (Penedès)
95p
NUMBER 461.
1947 Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac)
95p
NUMBER 460.
2000 Château Pétrus (Pomerol)
95p. These six bottles and the five previous ones have all been similar, so we have been fortunate. Opulent, long finish with appealing elegance. Drinking very well still.
barrels. Some people have said that Lafite 1947 can be inconsistent, because in those days they used to bottle each barrel separately rather than as an assemblage. Only 2,600 cases of this Millennium Pétrus were made.
2007/2010 x11 · D 1 h / G 2 h
These 1947 Médocs have matured much faster than the 1945s and some of them are now past their prime, but not this Lafite. In our judgment this is fuller and more intense than the great 2005 and has better structure than the outstanding 2003. This wine is at its absolute peak now.
Really adorable wine. All four bottles were as good as new. Charming, mature, wide yet ripe fruit impression of classic Pauillac on the nose. This is an elegant, soft, chocolaty wine with some tannin left
2 0 6 1000
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1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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Château La Mission Haut-Brion Garden
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
211
The youthful and full-bodied taste is characterised by nice acidity, ripe and surprisingly elegant tannins and a fairly strong, sweet fruitiness. However, this Barolo has the power and balance to age magnificently for an another decades.
NUMBER 476.
1931 Warre Vintage Port (Portugal)
2003/2020 x3 · D 4 h / G 4 h
95p
Beautiful, old-looking bottle in excellent condition. On the palate sweet flavours of raisins, wood smoke, oak, and a hint of bitter bark. Perfumery seduction continues on the palate. Bright, moderately intense mahogany colour. Still very young in character. Due to the limestone rich soil and Viognier grapes, La Mouline expresses delightful feminine subtlety. Good acidity and balance with a long and smooth finish. Nose is very complex and powerful showing moderate development. Sweet, full-bodied taste, with vivid acidity, intense fruitiness, ripe round tannins, and well-integrated high alcohol. Unlike La Landonne this wine carries 11 percent Viognier to complement the Syrah. The harvest started in the beginning of October with ideal climatic conditions. Nose offers various aromas that range from flowers, nuts, coffee and toastiness to intensive chocolaty aromas. 2 1 2 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 474.
1999 Côte-Rôtie La Mouline Guigal (Rhône)
2006/2030 x4 · D 4 h / G 4 h
95p
La Mouline located on the Côte Blonde side is privileged to represent the first single vineyard Côte-Rôtie of Guigal, established in 1966. Surprisingly open already. Expressive and charming nose of violets, tar, cherry, and liquorice. Elegant and seductive in style. Excellent bottle. Rather dark, deep colour. This is a magnificent example of what a mature Colheita should be like. The winter was dry and the spring was rainy. Overall this is a very balanced wine with good complexity and promising future.
NUMBER 475.
2000 Barolo Sarmassa Roberto Voerzio (Piedmont)
2007/2030 x4 · D 4 h / G 2.5 h
95p
Medium deep colour that is showing some development. Deep red colour, fading to tawny at rim. An attractively lively wine with a refined long finish.. Decanted three hours. Spicy nose of chocolate, black coffee and subtle vanilla notes. Very warm summer and some rainfall in September. Very enjoyable and fully mature now.
NUMBER 477.
1934 Colheita Niepoort (Portugal)
2007/2025 x2 · D 3 h / G 3 h
95p
The 1934 vintage produced exceptional quality fruity and mature wines. Decanted three hours. Medium-strong, slightly closed nose with a ripe, spicy fruit profile. Decanted four hours before tasting. Medium bodied palate with crisp acidity and firm, powdery tannic backbone
A good effort, but not nearly as good as the impressive 1961 or soon to be great 1990. Absolutely lovely open nose showing the transition phase of the wine from the first life to the second one. Full bodied and wonderful in its complexity. A rich, fragrant and wide, complex bouquet, which got better and better in the glass acidity. Madame Lalou Bize-Leroy produced only 805 Deep, almost opaque ruby colour. Impressive dark colour. Crisp acidity, velvety tannins and refined fruit flavours are combined with elegant spiciness and oak flavours. On the other hand, the earthy aromas with truffles are giving an indication of the development. The nose is explosive and ethereal. Sound, chunky and long. Ready now, but will last at least one more decade.
This Jadot was another treasure from a long-lost Belgian cellar. This wine had a very fine and
deep colour for its age. A lingering long mineral finish. The bottle looked very old, but the original château capsule and cork were in excellent condition. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
213
(Côte de Nuits)
bottles of this seductive wine in this fabulous vintage.
2006/2030 x4 · D 1 h / G 3 h
A true piece of art made by the queen of biodynamic viticulture. The intense, moderately sweet palate is highlighted with pronounced acidity. An astonishing Madeira from a top vintage!
1998/2015 x5 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Excellent bottle. A surprisingly rich wine that gave a sweet impression. Moderately pale with slightly hazy amber colour and olive green tints. The wine is drinking adorably now but will still have a great future for decades.
2005/2040 x8 · D 1 h / G 3 h
This fully mature wine shows the immortality of a great Madeiras extremely well. Still lovely, fresh and delicious floral red berry nose with Asian spices and seductive oak aromas. Medium-bodied, intense and concentrated palate with satin-like texture. Ullage was only 3 cm. A delicious, opulent, overripe old classic Pinot Noir taste. Chocolaty, and fleshy, elegant aftertaste. This lovely La Chapelle continues to demonstrate rich, thick, elegant flavours and aromas that range from blackberries, ripe plums, chocolate, and leather. Nutty with touches of burnt sugar. A complete wine and a very good example of the importance of first-class storage conditions.
and was still very alive after three hours. Decanted one and a half hours. Beautiful
481
2003/now x2 · D 30 min / G 1 h
NUMBER 481.
1892 Clos-des-Ursules Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits)
94p
NUMBER 480.
1966 Hermitage La Chapelle Paul Jaboulet Aîné (Rhône)
94p
NUMBER 479.
1795 Madeira Terrantez (Portugal)
94p
NUMBER 478.
1996 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes Domaine Leroy 94p. A touch of hazelnut, chocolate and caramel flavours in the long, mouth-warming aftertaste
Smooth, gentle and long finish. A surprisingly satisfactory wine with lots of life ahead.
NUMBER 499.
2000 Incognito Sine Qua Non (California)
2007/2025 x2 · D 3 h / G 2 h
94p
This Sine Qua Non has the capability to be a great wine, but it needs some more time. Level was top-shoulder. The vineyard had also suffered from serious attacks of grape worms. Decanted for two hours. The harvest, which began on September 27th, was of average volume. A convincing finale, substantial tannins still holding firm, great length pooled with class and freshness. Decanted three hours. The weather conditions in July and August had not been good and it was generally felt that the grapes had not received enough sunshine. Elegant and open sweet nose with a hint of earth and ripe raisins. A deep and bright golden colour. On the palate the wine still boasts aggressive tannins, with an almost fleshy structure. Clean, sound and ripe. Decanted 45 minutes. Attractive but rather infantile, dark and deep purple colour. A big, rich and fleshy wine with a long and perhaps somewhat too intoxicating ending. Sound and open nose. Only 263 cases were made. Surprisingly mature nose with toffee, flower, liquorice, pepper, earth, and exotic dark fruit flavours. The 2000 Incognito a blend of 95 percent Grenache and 5 percent Syrah has a wonderful artistic label. Ripe fruit and richness are its greatest assets. 2 1 8 1000
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NUMBER 497.
1937 Château Rieussec (Sauternes)
2003/2010 x4 · D 2 h / G 1 h
94p
The year 1937 was warm and dry. Dark brick red colour with a browning rim. Good intensity of ripe, sweet fruits. Definitely fully mature, for drinking over the next 5-10 years.. Will hold, but will not become any better. Begin to drink it now and enjoy over the next ten years.
500
1948 Château Léoville Barton (Saint-Julien)
NUMBER 500.
94p
2002/2020 x2 · D 45 min / G 1 h
A good-looking Calvet-bottled magnum. Most enjoyable now.
NUMBER 498.
1948 Château Latour (Pauillac)
2003/2010 x4 · D 1 h / G 2 h
94p
This vintage is something of a paradox. Both were in good condition, and levels were high-shoulder. In the Sauternes area the harvest gave a splendid crop and this lovely Rieussec is one of the very best examples of it. The bottle was like new, excellent level and promising colour. A deep ruby, healthy colour. An astonishing appearance for such an old wine. Very much alive, rich, fat and intense with good botrytis fruit. The tannins are still very firm but do not get in the way of enjoyment. Long, powerful ending showing lovely intensity, depth and balance. Rich and open bouquet. Decanted one hour. A typical Saint-Julien profile of ripe fruits, tobacco, cedar, and herb flavours.
Muscular body and a good concentration of mature tannin and fruit. However, its quality proved to be an excellent surprise. These two rare bottles came all the way from New York to Helsinki a few years ago
A very satisfactory Burgundy from this ordinary vintage.
514
1981 Grange Penfolds (South Australia)
NUMBER 514.
94p
2004/2010 x4 · D 2 h / G 3 h
This very hot and dry vintage produced really concentrated wine. It was made from superbly ripe Cabernet Sauvignon complemented by only 10 percent Merlot. The blend was 89 percent Shiraz and 11 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Immensely aromatic, wild meaty bouquet that reached all corners of the nose. Very closed at first. 2 2 6 1000
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NUMBER 511.
2005 Riesling Tradition Schloss Gobelsburg (Kamptal)
2006/2015 x6 · D 1 h / G 2 h
94p
A medium-intense, straw yellow colour. Dark, almost opaque black to the edge of the rim. Long mineral finish. Intensive and rich on the palate. Dry, crisp acidity and broad oily texture highlighted by ripe peachy and waxy flavours. On the palate it was powerful yet stylish with plenty of depth. True treasured experience to be uncorked after a few decades.
NUMBER 512.
2000 Château Margaux (Margaux)
2004/2050 x4 · D 8 h / G 5 h
94p
On this exquisite super-vintage, only 40 percent of the Château Margaux crop was used to this Grand Vin. Not a very robust or multi-dimensional wine but has a lovely sweetness of soft tannins and fruit at the end. After a few minutes the nose gains more toasty aromas with spices, roasted coffee and chocolate. Wine shows classic Margaux features being elegant yet restrained. An attractive and complex nose shows delicate blackcurrant and raspberry aromas combined with violets. Very sophisticated, medium-bodied structure, with marked acidity and minerality. Tannins are very firm but opulent and persistent. Rich, deep and dense spicy nose with ripe peachy fruitiness and flowers. After two hours it opened with delicious concentration of black fruit and a lot of jammy berry,
eucalyptus and peppery aromas. A long, rich, and spicy finish. This unique-style wine made by the ancient oxidative methods with natural yeasts of Kamptal, shows great complexity and persistent leanness combined with wonderful intensity. Due to this perfect vintage the fruit is extremely intense giving such tremendous potential for ageing that it could be paralleled to the 1900 Margaux. Delicate flavours of coffee, truffles and violets. Decanted two hours. On the palate the wine behaves aristocratically. The appearance of the wine is a bright, moderately intense, ruby red. If it behaves as this legendary vintage, it will keep easily for another 50 years and more.
NUMBER 513.
1929 Le Chambertin Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits)
2004/now x2 · D 1 h / G 1 h
94p
The bottle was in fine condition and ullage was only 3 cm. We have high hopes that this 1981 will ultimately be almost as good as 1976.. Deep colour, already mature at the rim. Decanted for one hour
Very rich and powerful. Together with high level of alcohol the wine is in beautiful balance. Persistent finish. Sound, full, fragrant, and distinctly floral bouquet. All the bottles came directly from Bodegas and were in mint condition. It was a harmonious and round wine. Very intense with raisin, honey,
burnt sugar, and hints of Crème Brûlée nuances. Long, lavish and meaty finish with mint and fresh rosemary flavours along with good acidity. We had a great time with this one!
2007/2010 x5 · D 10 min / G 30 min
Deep, developed, orange-hued colour. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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roasted nuances, and delicate herb tones. Silky smooth and vinous texture. At peak today, but will keep for a number of years without great degradation.
2006/2020 x3 · D 15 min / G 1 h
The super warm vintage in Alsace generated the largest crop of late harvest wines of all time. Lasting, gentle finish on the tongue. The wine tastes much sweeter than it actually is with its 90 g/l residual sugar.
526
NUMBER 526.
1989 Pinot Gris Sélection de Grains Nobles Josmeyer (Alsace)
94p
NUMBER 525.
1979 Dom Ruinart Rosé Ruinart (Champagne)
94p
NUMBER 524.
1935 Viña Real Gran Reserva C.V.N.E. Truly one the best vintages ever in Alsace - if not the best! Bright, intense golden colour. Absolutely a luscious wine with impeccable concentration. We had more than twenty vintages to go through with the friendly and openhearted winemaker, Jesús Madrazo Mateo. Scattered September rain created circumstances for botrytis to evolve over the highly concentrated grapes. It was an impressive line up of wines that proved that the great reputation of C.V.N.E. (Rioja)
94p. Decanted one hour. The overall quality was impressive, and the best vintages were 1949, 1962 and this harmonious 1935. Solid and intense full-bodied palate, which is notably balanced between high acidity, soft tannins and ripe fruit. Elegant nose of ripe red berries, rich toastiness and earthy spicy notes. Warm and smooth but not without acidity. was well deserved. Decant and drink right away!
2004/2010 x4 · D 1 h / G 1 h
This 1935 was the last - and surprisingly the best - bottle for us at a vertical tasting of Viña Real. The wide-open nose with its layers of emerging aromas is consistent with the harmonious palate: great minerality, lively firming acidity and adequate fruitiness. Huge complexity in the developing nose. Beautiful, dark, a bit old-looking colour. Moderate acidity stands out as surprisingly crisp and fresh! Fine botrytis flavours of apricot marmalade and honeyed overtones are very intense. Delicate small-sized bubbles lasted long in the glass
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
231
Decanted 1 hour. An elegant and vigorous champagne!
550
1962 Château Haut-Brion Blanc (Graves)
NUMBER 550.
94p
2004/2010 x6 · D 1.5 h / G 3 h
Haut-Brion Blanc is for us the white wine of the vintage. Wonderfully creamy fruit and a lot of seductive sweetness on both the nose and aftertaste. We have had the opportunity to taste it several times, and it has never let us down. Very good balance and multidimensional aroma profile. Clear, golden colour with refi ned bubbles. Massively rich and intense wine with excellent complexity and balance. Elegant finish, still very fresh. Very fine grip and superb length. Probably the best Champagne of this vintage.
NUMBER 548.
1900 Cuvée Nicolas Rolin Louis Jadot (Côte de Beaune)
2004/now x2 · D 30 min / G 1 h
94p
Superior looking bottle. It had a superb, fresh nose of honeyed fruits and toasty oak. A very fresh, elegant and smooth, lingering wine. Lovely wine.
NUMBER 549.
1966 Vintage Heidsieck & Monopole (Champagne)
2004/2010 x5 · D 10 min / G 10 min
94p
Fantastically deep and full, fruity nose. Fully mature, bright colour. Drinking from a Magnum bottle the wine had reserved itself better than in a regular bottle. Sound and open nose with bitter chocolate and cherry flavours. Dry, moderately crisp taste is deliciously mineral with a broad range of flavours, such as rose petals, white chocolate, vanilla, and coco butter. Brilliantly balanced. Sound, clean and fresh bouquet full of nuts, honey and raisin flavours. Level was only 3cm. A very dark, bright golden colour. No hard edges. Decanted 30 minutes. This wine was disgorged in 2000. Top quality wine with a long, fruity and honeyed aftertaste - still a very intense and aristocratic experience.
NUMBER 547.
1951 Clos des Goisses Philipponnat (Champagne)
2006/2015 x2 · D 30 min / G 1 h
94p
For a weak vintage Clos de Goisses shows very well, thanks to its unique exposure. Not as mature as the previous bottle but otherwise quite alike, sweet, almost beerenauslese in style, with good acidity. While it did not possess the weight and body of blockbuster vintages such as the 1945 and 1959,. Always a real charmer - elegant and classic. Rich butterscotch nose with mineral and nutty tones. 2 3 6 1000
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NUMBER 546.
1967 Kiedricher Gräfenberg Riesling Auslese Robert Weil
(Rheingau)
2007/2010 x4 · D 1 h / G 2 h
94p
The bottle was in an unequalled condition, and the level was 1 cm. This one had a good lower-neck level and it was decanted one and a half hours before tasting. Half an hour after decanting the wine fully opened up and generated even greater complexities and flavours. Some volatile acidity, but otherwise very sweet, full and intense
Level was 2 cm below the cork. Clear, bright, beautiful brick red colour with an orange rim. Ready and mouth-watering now, but it will not get any better with age.
NUMBER 556.
1985 Le Chambertin Clos St. This wine has bright and clear, dark cherry red colour with tawny tints. Very seductive attack, but in the middle it was a bit soft, dry and fairly acidic with sweet tannin and fruit. The medium-bodied palate has a fresh acidity, refined firm tannins, moderate fruit intensity and delicate fragrant aromas with vegetal traces. Jacques Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits)
2002/2020 x2 · D 1 h / G 2.5 h
94p
This vintage is best recalled not only for its extremely cold winter in Burgundy with temperatures below -25 ºC, but also for the superb weather conditions throughout the rest of the year that generated one the greatest vintages in Burgundy. The lingering finish shows beautiful finesse.
NUMBER 557.
1986 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Château de Beaucastel (Rhône)
2001/2015 x2 · D 2 h / G 2 h
94p
The warm and dry summer turned into a miserable rainy September, delaying the harvest to mid-October. Very rich with farmyard and animal aromas, ripe dark berries and sweet leathery scents. Decanted one hour. Decanted for one and a half hours before tasting. Very deep, dark colour. An absolutely fine wine that will become greater with the. The elegant, medium-bodied taste combines medium-firm acids, fine ripe tannins and intensive fruitiness. Well-balanced with long, chocolaty and truffle-flavoured finish. Perrin succeeded well this year thanks to the old vines and low yields. A velvety, round mouth-feel; long aftertaste accompanied by firm tannins. Distinguished, intense and youthful nose. Full-bodied wine, vivid acidity, youthful, rich and ripe tannins, medium-intense sweet fruit character and long opulent finish.
NUMBER 558.
558
coming years.
1982 Château Calon-Ségur (Saint-Estèphe)
94p
2006/2025 x5 · D 2 h / G 2 h
A rather dark, brick-red colour. Excellent appearance. The nose is very complex, opulent, developed, and intensive with sweet root vegetable aromas, tints of café latte and pralines. A very classic Latour. 2 3 8 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 555.
1966 Château Latour (Pauillac)
2006/2015 x25 · D 1.5 h / G 2 h
94p
This bottle of Latour 1966 was in magnificent condition with base neck level. This wine is a great expression of this wonderful vintage. Super-concentrated, full and vigorous wine. Very refined classical nose with currants
Superb vintage in Vouvray as in many other Loire regions, the best since 1947. Very fresh, rich, nutty, ample, and creamy nose. Decanted 30 minutes. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
239
2005/now x5 · D 10 min / G 1 h
Bottle looked like new. Finally the wine turns into a fascinating bouquet of developed aromas such as tar, bacon and manure, reminiscent of red wine. A very peculiar and harmonious wine with great personality.
NUMBER 562.
1959 Vouvray Le Haut Moelleux, Huet (Loire)
94p
NUMBER 561.
1959 Amarone della Valpolicella Bertani (Veneto)
561
94p
NUMBER 560.
1921 Clos-de-Vougeot Regnier (Côte de Nuits)
94p
NUMBER 559.
1949 Dom Pérignon Moët & Chandon (Champagne)
94p. Decanted 10 minutes. Well-balanced with a very pleasant, lingering, endless chocolaty finish. Mature, orange-red colour, but much younger-looking than its age would suggest. A very big and heavy wine, almost too huge and intense. Our guests were very impressed. Very enjoyable now, but will probably last forever! A fascinating experience.
2005/2010 x2 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Both bottles were in decent condition with by-the-neck levels. It was naturally in excellent condition. Velvety, round and energetic fresh fruit palate with very soft, almost shadowy tannins on the palate. Decanted one hour before dinner. Fantastically feminine and sensitive but firm and full of energy at the same time. Fascinating mature champagne with great finesse. Open, spicy, fruity, and very complex, elegant bouquet. More or less black, deep ruby-garnet and youthful looking colour. Even though the taste was exceptional, the greatest thing about this wine was its amazingly complex, elegant and sensitive bouquet. Long lingering aftertaste with a mineral grip in the finish. Long, gentle aftertaste. Intense, rich and complex nose, which constantly developed in the glass. Intense, sound and woody
bouquet with a hint of ripe fruit and vanilla flavours. The medium-sweet taste has a balancing crisp acidity adjusted with rich and ripe fruit with red berries, caramel and touches of mushroom flavours. Light yellow, bright colour, slightly darker than the 1955. Complex and delicious. Clear, very intense golden amber colour. Extensive and elegant aftertaste.
2001/now x1 · D 1 h / G 1 h
This good-looking Clos de Vougeot had 4 cm ullage. A tribute to this great vineyard!
2002/2015 x2 · D 2 h / G 1 h
This 1959 was from the rare 1987 bottling. Perfumery and floral nose with apples changing soon to earthy and vegetal, foie gras notes. Decanted for two hours
before tasting
2 4 0 1000
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1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
241
The quardian sphinx of Château Mouton-Rothschild
2 4 8 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
Good, healthy, dark red colour with the barest tinge of tawny to it. Half an hour later the nose reveals very fragrant floral aromas with strawberries and raspberries.
2007/2015 x15 · D 2 h / G 2 h
The bottle was in A1 condition. Very complex nose with the wine evolving in the glass enor-
mously. Dry, moderately high acidity with firm persistent tannins and medium-bodied structure form a backbone to the wine. Intense fruit of blackcurrants balances the texture. The previous time we tasted this wine, we thought it was drying out badly, which shows how noticeably bottle variation can affect your opinion of a wine. This time it is ripe, intense and vigorous, exactly as fine as it should be.
NUMBER 591.
1975 Château Trotanoy (Pomerol)
94p
NUMBER 590.
1988 Romanée St Vivant Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
590
94p
NUMBER 589.
1997 Montrachet Domaine Ramonet (Côte de Beaune)
94p
NUMBER 588.
1999 Monte Bello Ridge (Santa Cruz Mountains)
94p. A rich and complex wine with a delightful opulence.
(Côte de Nuits)
2007/2015 x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Bright, cherry red colour with an orange rim. Decent acidity but it lacks a little intensity and grip. Peppermint, coffee and toasty aromas. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
249
2007/2020 x3 · D 3 h / G 3 h
This outstanding vintage in California was also the first vintage in Montebello that Petit Verdot was included. Opulent, ripe tropical fruit aromas with sweet and spicy tones. Long buttery finish. Sweet spices and a touch of green aromas stand out in the moderately long finish. Deep and intense aromas of ink, ripe black currants, cedar, sweet rum, coco, warming spices, and toastiness. A clear, medium-intense extracted ruby colour. Dry, medium-bodied, intense and very mineral palate with crisp acidity, fresh ripe yellow fruits, roasted coffee, and mint. Decanted 45 minutes. Starting from fragrant red fruit aromas with floral elegance, changing into smoky, gamey aromas afA light-bodied palate with crisp acidity, elegant, ripe tannins and an intense fruitiness of ripe cherries, wild strawberries and raspberries, all in great balance with a mineral twist and a long elegant finish.
ter a while. An adequate impact on the palate, showing a very rounded structure with a backbone of fine tannins. A really fine nose, displaying some almonds, oriental spices and coconut. A concentrated and powerful wine with an attractive elegance and in a very good phase at the moment.
2006/2025 x6 · D 1 h / G 3 h
Bright, yellow green colour with medium intensity
Sweet and intense fruit. Due to its surprising power and firmness, it is almost Pauillac in style. Level was by the neck. Profound and sound nose, perhaps a little old fashioned, in a good way. A long lasting wine that shows very well today but will keep for a decade or two more.
NUMBER 608.
1949 Château Margaux (Margaux)
2006/2015 x9 · D 1 h / G 2 h
94p
We have tasted this wine several times and it has always been very delicious and enjoyable. Very good indeed, if not great. This 1900 Lafite was a few decades past its peak, however, still very enjoyable. Very classic and comfortable to drink.
NUMBER 606.
1943 Barolo Monfortino Riserva Giacomo Conterno (Piedmont)
2003/2010 x2 · D 1 h / G 1 h
94p
Fine looking bottle. A splendid wine which still has some future left.
NUMBER 607.
1983 Musigny Vieilles Vignes Comte Georges de Vogüé
(Côte de Nuits)
2004/2020 x1 · D 1 h / G 1 h
94p
A developing medium-deep brick red colour. Very full, deep vigorous colour. Long, classy and harmonious. Decanted 45 minutes. Decanted 30 minutes. The youthfulness continues on the palate, intense and clean fruitiness with perfumery elegance. 2 5 6 1000
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NUMBER 604.
1949 Château Léoville Barton (Saint-Julien)
2007/2010 x4 · D 45 min / G 1 h
94p
Bottle in good condition. Some volatile notes. Decanted one hour. On the nose this fine bottle blended spicy, delicious plum, sweet cherry aromas and meaty undertones. The nose is loaded with primary fruitiness, dark cherries and cherry confectionary as well as fresh raspberries. Capsule and cork were in good condition. The finish was smooth and exceptionally long. The tannins are soft and the finish is fresh and long. Very rich and fat wine. Not very intense or powerful, but has a delicate, elegant structure and refined, mature fruit flavours. Good, clear colour. Now fading a little, so drink up.
NUMBER 605.
1900 Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac)
2007/now x2 · D 1 h / G 1 h
94p
Négociant-bottled Lafite with mid-shoulder level. The palate was wonderfully intense: full of fruits, very structured, keenly concentrated, and well-balanced. The nose displayed complex aromas. The colour is deep and intense. Acidity is starting to show now, so it is time to drink the wine soon.. Last time we sensed a touch of eucalyptus, earthy, and sweet strawberry aromas on the nose. Splendid combination of fruit and concentration. A full-bodied palate with lovely soft tannins and a long, elegant finish
Highly recommendable.
NUMBER 615.
1990 Grande Cuvée Billecart-Salmon (Champagne)
2004/2030 x4 · D 1 h / G 1 h
94p
Superbly well-made wine from this great fruity and structured vintage. Level was top-shoulder. 2 5 8 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 612.
1990 Solaia Antinori (Tuscany)
2006/2015 x8 · D 1 h / G 1 h
94p
A deep, intense, violet colour showing some development. Full-bodied and extremely well bound, with smooth tannins and a long, gentle aftertaste. Due to the heat, wines express more exotic fruitiness and less acidity compared to 1996 for instance. A fantastic old wine. The very refined medium-bodied palate shows. A bright, moderately pale yellow colour. Caramelised sugar and yeasty notes overwhelm the palate. An appetising and refreshing wine that is in a great phase of its life span. Tightly knit structure of crisp acidity and elegant fruitiness. The wonderfully intense and complex nose reveals ripe pineapples, butter, toastiness, and spices. Such is the case with this wine. A dark red with an amber edge. Reaching its peak but will keep well until 2015.
NUMBER 613.
1900 Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves)
2003/now · D 30 min / G 1 h
94p
The label is badly bin-soiled, illegible and, although the cork and capsule are embossed, the vintage on these is also illegible. The full-bodied palate shows balancing acidity along with intense and rich fruitiness and refined ripe tannic structure. Toasty bread aromas, cream, toffee, and gunflint notes. Silky texture, ripe firm tannins and refreshingly high firming acidity. Very youthful but enjoyable. Beautiful and harmonious.
NUMBER 614.
1996 Barolo Le Vigne Luciano Sandrone (Piedmont)
2007/2020 x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
94p
A medium deep developing brick red colour. Intense flavours of dark berries, cherries, spices, liquorice, and anise show great complexity while escorting the long lingering finish. The layered nose is full of interesting nuances: violets, tar, roasted aromas, sour cherries, and herbs. This was identified as the 1900 vintage from the old cellar book. This wine will develop and bloom over the
616
next ten years.
NUMBER 616.
1997 Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune)
2004/2020 x3 · D 30 min / G 1.5 h
94p
Very hot summer and good weather during the harvest guaranteed a third good year in a row for white Burgundy. The wine changes constantly in the glass bringing out new aromas over time. Pronounced nose of ripe dark berries: cassis, blueberry, blackberry, spiciness, pencil shavings, and hints of horse stable and tar. Lasted well in the glass. However, no rush to drink up. A silky texture and well-integrated bubbles. A refined and minerally nose packed with delicate fruitiness. Complex aromas of blackberry, mint and chocolate
Level was 2 cm. A restrained nose of cherries, earthy notes and spicy mushroom nuances. Decanted 1.5 hours. Drinking very well today, however, the balance is enough to carry the wine for another decade or two.
1979 Opus One Mondavi & Mouton-Rothschild (Napa Valley)
94p
2007/2010 x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h
Opus One was founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the famous proprietor of Château Mouton-
Rothschild, and the well-known Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi. The alcohol level of 14 percent is very well integrated with the spicy oakiness. This wine seems to have no best before date since its lovely crisp acidity generates backbone for long-term ageing.
2007/now x4 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Top vintage for Barca Velha. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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gentle acidity with rich minerality to balance the broad oily texture and exotic fruitiness. It is amazing how charming, youthful and intense this traditional and oxidatively vinified wine can be. 2,644 bottles produced.
2006/2025x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h
Champagne Bollinger launched the R.D. Good concentration and long finish. The blend is similar to the Grande Année but the wine is cellared for 8 to 25 years before launch. The 1996 was launched fairly young and therefore the difference to the regular Grande Année is not great but still significant. is its Extra Brut nature with a maximum of 5 g/l dosage. The other peculiarity of the R.D. Typical refined oxidative style combined with delicate Asian spiciness, lemon and exotic fruits. Ripe plums and violet aromas with figs and damsons enriched by leathery animal aromas with nuts, dark chocolate and a touch of tar. The very complex mediumintense nose offers an extensive range of charming aromas. A moderately intense yellow colour with a rich pearl necklace of refined bubbles. concept (Recemment Degorgé) with the 1952 vintage in 1961. A fleshy fullbodied palate with tightly-knit fruitiness with firm, ripe, velvety tannins and great length. Developed, clear, moderately intense tawny colour. It is always a lively and truly unique wine. A maturing garnet colour. Drinking perfectly now but it still has potential to age a few more years.
2006/2020x1 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Fine looking bottle. Not one of the most impressive Romanée-Contis, but the elegance and harmony of this wine are able to charm. A medium-bodied lively wine with silky texture, low ripe tannin and balanced high acidity. By combining the winemaking traditions and innovations of both families, their singular goal was to create an inimitable wine in the heart of the Napa Valley.
NUMBER 620.
620
NUMBER 619.
1976 Romanée-Conti Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 94p
NUMBER 618.
1983 Barca Velha Ferreira (Portugal)
94p
NUMBER 617.
1996 R.D. Some sweet appearing chocolate notes on the palate. Bollinger (Champagne)
94p. Drinking up perfectly already now. An open, extremely vivid and intense wine with lovely mousse
One of the best Brunellos from 1967.
A fine looking négociant-bottling with by the neck level. The variation between the different bottle formats grows greater as the decades go by, and some vintages that appear relatively tired in a bottle can be much more alive and fresh in a magnum. This is delicious enough to drink now but it needs another ten years to reach its peak.
2003/2010 x4 · D 1 h / G 30 min
After having pioneered château bottling in 1924, Baron Philippe de Rothschild commissioned architect Charles Sicils in 1926 to build the 100-meter long barrel hall known as the Grand Chai. Otherwise an excellent wine, but it dried out in the glass too fast, becoming more marked by acidity and hard tannin after 30 minutes. Anyway, a truly respectable example of this wine.
2007/2020 x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h
The bottle was like new. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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tration and balance. Decanted 15 minutes, some sediment. This is a subtle wine, but one with the sort
625
2006/2010 x 12 · D 1 h / G 1 h
NUMBER 625.
1959 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pauillac) 94p
NUMBER 624.
1967 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Il Poggione (Tuscany)
94p
NUMBER 623.
1926 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
94p. In the past we have tasted Mouton 1926 twice from a normal bottle, and both bottles were quite tired and did not reveal all of their qualities anymore. Long and smooth finish. Decanted two hours before tasting. Full-bodied and powerful but in a gentle way. A good-looking magnum with top-shoulder level. The bouquet has the spiciness of really ripe Cabernet Sauvignon, and a hint of of perfect balance and aftertaste that one wishes for every wine. A really great vintage at Pichon.
exotic fruit. This first year cellar, which is still in use today, measuring approximately 100 by 25 meters, regulates the temperature between 12° and 14°. This Mouton 1926 magnum proved that point well. A very long, fresh aftertaste gives an added dimension. Very good, dark and bright colour. Sweet fruit, complex and spicy nose. The finish was long and leathery with pleasant dryness and rich, earthy flavours. Excellent depth and ripeness with good balance. 1926 was a successful, small volume year for Mouton. Quite long on the palate, good grip, straightforward and well balanced. The colour is very deep and dark with ruby highlights. Still holding very well. Wonderful, classic old Cabernet nose with the touch of sweet black fruits, herbs and cedar. Light, weak colour typical for an old Brunello. Decanted 45 minutes
A bit modest, dry and short aftertaste. They have replicated that process today with their Tradition series Grüner Veltliners and Rieslings. Open and sound nose with glamorous, sweet fruit, chocolate, caramel, and old leather aromas. Will not develop positively any more, but will keep for a few more years.. No settling, fermentation in wood casks of local oak or acacia wood, and several rackings with an oxidative effect. Fill level 3 cm. A fairly intensive, slightly cloudy cherry red colour. A surprisingly youthful and imposing wine and great proof of aging capacity of Grüner Veltliner.
NUMBER 629.
1898 La Romanée Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits)
93p
2005/now x1 · D 30 min / G 1 h
629
Estate bottled. An excellent looking bottle with good label and top-shoulder level. The abundant taste is complemented by fairly high alcohol and slight volatility. An ancient wine from a great terroir.
NUMBER 627.
1929 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
2003/2010 x4 · D 1 h / G 1 h
93p
A kind and warm wine from this superb vintage. Rich and quite firm, and has good balance and complexity. Very interesting now and in good circumstances will still keep for a few more years.
NUMBER 628.
1969 Grüner Veltliner Spätlese Schloss Gobelsburg (Kamptal)
2007/now x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h
93p
The 1969 vintage Schloss Gobelsburg is an epitome of traditional style winemaking. It had a great balance and structure. Pleasant yet still powerful enough with some acidity and sweet fruit left. Sweet nuances of boiled root vegetables in the aftertaste. Decanted 45 minutes. We opened these two bottles, which were in excellent condition with only three centimetres ullage. Deep, clear, browning colour. Quite deep, bright and pure, brownish red colour. Has outstanding by-the-neck level. There was great charm and depth in the smooth yet fresh aftertaste. Well balanced but also a bit one-dimensional. Decayed meaty aromas create additional fragrance dimensions. The vividly acidic, fairly full taste is complemented by an intensive, silky mouth-feel. A long and giving finish. An incredibly vivid Burgundy with a lot of personality and a great expression of classic, refined Pinot Noir properties. On the palate gentle, sweet, with nice acidity. Decanted 45 minutes. 2 6 2 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 626.
1888 Clos-de-Vougeot Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits)
2004/now x4 · D 45 min / G 1 h
93p
Superb looking bottle, covered in dust and mud. A very delicious cherry nose with hints of violet and intensive fruit. A gentle and charming wine with lots of its fundamental power and backbone left. A rich nose of ripe dark berries, cedar and exotic spices with mineral tones. This fairly pale, clear yellow coloured wine has more character and complexity than many upper class Montrachets
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Nevertheless, it is still very easy to understand why this historical wine is responsible for launching the Super-Tuscan movement and it remains as one of the most hunted wines in the world.
NUMBER 649.
1922 Vintage Port Croft (Portugal)
2004/2010 x3 · D 3 h / G 2 h
93p
649
and well balanced considering the weak reputation of the vintage.
Decanted three hour before tasting. Open, harmonious and sound nose with a scent of truffles, blackberries and vanilla. A bit of a burn on the palate, but it keeps coming back with a very long finish accompanied by lingering complexities, tannins fully resolved. The palate has a very good intensity of fruit for a mature wine like this. High but balanced alcohol and moderate acidity. Decanted one and a half hours. Made with 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Unexpectedly enjoyable. A good effort, but not nearly as good as the impressive 1961, or soon to be great 1990. A very deep, dark and healthy colour. Not as massive and intense a wine as 1978 and 1979, but it was well balanced and had a lovely sweet, mature fruit and some soft, rounded tannins left. Impressive dark colour. 2 6 8 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 646.
1964 Hermitage La Chapelle Paul Jaboulet Aîné (Rhône)
2007/2015 x2 ·D 1 h / G 1 h
93p
Excellent bottle. Ready now, but will last for at least one more decade.
NUMBER 647.
1981 Zinfandel Swan (Sonoma)
2004/2010 x2 · D 45 min / G 1 h
93p
An attractive, stylish and developing nose of spicy blackberry and farmyard notes. Full-bodied and wonderful in its complexity. A pleasant nose with rich dark fruits, toffee and caramel. This lovely La Chapelle continues to demonstrate rich, thick, elegant aromas and flavours that range from blackberries, ripe plums and chocolate to leather. Expressive palate of firm ripe tannin, still with a good grip to it. A medium-weight wine with a good, firm, masculine structure. A bit dry and acidic with a short aftertaste. Good initial attack, ripe and smooth. An outstanding looking bottle. It was in excellent condition and the level was by the neck. Sound, chunky and long. A big and mature Zinfandel.
NUMBER 648.
1968 Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido (Tuscany)
2006/now x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
93p
This Sassicaia 1968 was one of those 3,000 bottles that were released to the market in the early 1970s
Only 1,800 bottles made. Top-shoulder, decanted for one hour. Delicious, fat and rich. Quite a lot of sediment. It was a mouth-filling Chardonnay, still lush and full of decadent, sweet fruit flavours despite its age. A fresh and rich nose full of vanilla, smoke, butter, and baked white fruits. 60-year-old Shiraz vines provide 80
percent of the blend. It was in the mid-1980s when we tasted it for the first time, and then it was quite difficult and considered a "green" wine. Reasonably long and smooth finish. The wine has been matured for 2.5 years in 55 percent new French and American oak. Decanted 30 minutes. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2006/now x4 · D 30 min / G 1 h
Very peculiar and old-looking bottle with a fine label and only 3 cm ullage. Sound, open, soft, and mature, vibrant nose that was backed by sweet fruit and dark raspberry scents. But during the last twenty years it has developed a lot. A big wine that reminds us very much of top quality Amarone. The palate is now stylish, almost sensual, with attractive, ripe fruit flavours. The rest comes from the 80-year-old Mourvedre vines. Some tannin still left, but has been at its peak already for several decades.
2006/2015 x7 · D 1 h / G 2 h
In Bordeaux this was a first-class year that has never achieved the reputation it deserves because it has always lived in the shadow of 1961. The full-bodied, explosive palate is robust that shows great integration into the beefy taste. The wines became rich and complex and they were slow to come around. Highly warming alcohol and preserved cherries flavours. A long and clean finish. Not a wine
653
NUMBER 653.
1998 Black Sock Magpie Estate (Barossa Valley)
93p
NUMBER 652.
1981 Estate Chardonnay Reserve Chalone (California)
93p
NUMBER 651.
1962 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
93p
NUMBER 650.
1926 Chambertin Joseph Drouhin (Côte de Nuits)
93p. On the palate, medium-full, round, a bit dry with velvety tannins and a decent length. A long finish highlights the sweet spices, bitter almonds for long term ageing but drinking greatly now.
and full of ripe, almost jammy dark fruitiness. An extracted, opaque, purple colour with ruby tints. Massive, edgy but softening tannins. Adequate acidity and a lingering, but crispy ending.
2002/2015 x3 · D 1 h / G 3 h
One of the adorable rarities from Australia. Wide and healthy nose. It still has a dark, but quite evolved colour. Those who have had the patience and trust to let this wine age in peace are now grandly rewarded.
2000/2010 x1 · D 30 min / G 1 h
A fine bottle with light and bright, yellow colour. Very deep, almost black colour. The powerful spicy nose is rich and full of ripe dark fruits, mulberries, blueberries, and wild strawberries
with chocolate, butterscotch, cinnamon, clove, and vanilla tones. The Mouton-Rothschild 1962 also came around fairly late. Decanted 15 minutes before tasting. A very meaty character. A pleasurable and intense wine
2 7 0 1000
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Chevalier-Montrachet
2 7 8 1000
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2 8 6 1000
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Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte
Perfectly approachable now, it even felt fairly youthful. Wide open roasted, leathery, earthy, and red berry notes. The hot weather in September, which continued through to harvesting, meant that the grapes were concentrated. Excellent double-magnum. After a fairly mild winter, growth started towards the end of March, but the vegetation was immediately and adversely affected by frosts at the beginning of April. Voluptuous nose, full of developing bouquet aromas. Rich and broad nose of menthol. The vintage does not come much better than this! A very good wine.
2004/2010 x38 · D 1 h / G 1 h
This very big harvest had the advantage of excellent weather conditions throughout the whole summer, right up to the end. Fully mature medium-deep brick red colour with browning on the rim. A generous, well made wine. Very thick and well-balanced. One of the best wines on this 1961 tasting, only Palmer was richer and more elegant. Good-looking, full, vigorous red colour. and lively acidity. Will not improve, but no hurry.
All the six bottles were in very good condition. Very ripe, full and intense. Drinking perfectly now but will hold for several years to come.
2004/now x 3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Ullage 3 cm, otherwise the bottle was as good as new. Farmyard, spices, leather, smokiness, and exotic fruits indicate the complex richness this wine possesses. Very smooth, round and full wine. A great example of the style and potential of the original Rioja wines. Deep, youthful and bright colour. June was fine and warm and July brought hot, dry weather with only occasional rain. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2005/2015 x4 · D 1 h / G 2 h
The bottles were like brand new. At peak now and will no longer
704
2007/now x 8 · D 30 min / G 1 h
NUMBER 704.
1958 Reserva Marqués de Riscal (Rioja)
93p
NUMBER 703.
1969 Bonnes-Mares Domaine Dujac (Côte de Nuits)
93p
NUMBER 702.
1970 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou (Saint-Julien)
93p
NUMBER 701.
1961 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac)
93p. Silky texture, medium tannin improve. Cedary, spicy and fruity nose. Levels were top-shoulder or better. Decanted 30 minutes. Still quite tannic and powerful. Medium-bodied taste shows surprisingly smooth tannins, ripe fruitiness, perfume and floral tones just before a refined but rustic long finish. The palate is charming with great harmony. Fine balance. Complex and evolved. This has a good concentration with sweet, attractive fruitiness. The alcohol level is admirably balanced and fully integrated. Medium-deep colour
A powerful wine with an immortal nutty finish. Excellent by the neck level. The taste was more like Montrachet than champagne. This wine is peaking now, but will have no problems hanging onto its top form for another 10 to 15 years. Good acidity and a long fresh, finish with white chocolate and apple flavours. The range of aromas spans from red berry, salted liquorice, wood, and leather all the way to earthy notes. Open and delicious, honeyed bouquet. A very powerful, aromatic wine, full-bodied and mouth-filling with toasty flavours, redcurrant and strawberry fruit. A beautiful, deep ruby red colour with a garnet rim. The youthful palate is firm and harmonious. Decanted ten minutes. A deep, golden colour with plenty of lively, small bubbles. Decanted 45 minutes. Full golden colour, only a slight pink hue. The nose is expressive and stylish, but not nearly as intense and seductive as the 1959. Delicate, intense and toasty nose with some perfumed tropical fruit and toffee tones. Very pleasant now but should develop well in the bottle.
NUMBER 720.
1994 Meursault 1er Cru Charmes Comtes Lafon (Côte de Beaune)
Deep golden-hued developing eye. Very recommendable.
NUMBER 723.
1961 Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac)
2006/2015 x32 · D 45 min / G 1 h
93p
Fine looking magnum. A full and well-balanced wine with a lengthy, gentle finish. Deep, dark brick red colour. Fine degree of fruitiness left, dark berries, roasted aromas and spiciness. 2 9 4 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 719.
1979 Cristal Rosé Roederer (Champagne)
2006/2020 x2 · D 15 min / G 1 h
93p
Superb magnum. This wine has the structure to age for another 5 to 10 years.
720
93p
2007/2020 x3 · D 1 h/G 3 h
NUMBER 721.
1952 Vintage Bollinger (Champagne)
2006/2010 x5 · D 15 min / G 1 h
93p
The bottle was in a good condition, decanted 15 minutes. Well balanced, but not as complex and multi-layered as one. Rich and more flavour than you would ever expect in champagne. Showing its age, but gracefully.
NUMBER 722.
1961 Château Lynch-Bages (Pauillac)
2004/2015 x7 · D 1 h / G 2 h
93p
Harmonious and elegant are the best words to describe the style of Château Lynch-Bages. A great example of a maturing Meursault at a very interesting age. The rich and full oily mouth-feel is refreshed by medium acidity. A fruit driven wine with
delicate new oak aromas detectable on the nose and the palate. Soft, buttery and an astonishingly tropical nose. Therefore it is no surprise that the outstanding 1961 vintage has taken time so well. The nose is stylish and layered, opening up in the glass and revealing new nuances time after time
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Within 45 minutes this wine dried out. It will not get any better and needs to be drunk up. Not too short or cruel but it did not hold up well in the glass. A very fine effort, but not enough to be great!
2004/now x11 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Level 4 cm. Superlatively aromatic, meaty bouquet - almost like an old Burgundy. Decanted 30 minutes. A sweet and tender aftertaste. The Latour, which is usually such a slow developer, is less tight and coarse than many wines of this vintage. On the palate the wine shows generous amounts of dark, ripe fruit and soft tannins. Quite a good balance but not as complex or masculine as one would hope. Decanted one hour. Still a very good but not great wine.
2003/2010 x4 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Fine looking bottle with good level. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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A fine bottle. Pleasant experience, nevertheless.
2002/2015 x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
A good-looking bottle, top shoulder and a very promising deep, dark colour. Very good at best.
2004/2010 x2 · D 45 min /G 30 min
This 1967 was in very good condition - ullage was only 1 cm. Rich but lacking an element of real charm and was not as well balanced as expected. Smoky, rich and wide nose - opened up beautifully. This is attractive, sound and nicely balanced. Mature, healthy colour. Decanted 45 minutes. Ample, plummy and full of fruit. Very ripe nose. Round and opulent and with a very good grip and balance. Light and "too easy" to drink. Quite a powerful and fruity bouquet. So fresh and youthful, but not as concentrated and generous as the 1953. It has a very complex, solid and firm structure. This is very seductive. Open, sound and mature nose with aromas of leather and cocoa dominating. Tasted three times with similar notes.
NUMBER 744.
1962 Château Latour (Pauillac)
93p
NUMBER 743.
1967 Romanée-Conti Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 93p
NUMBER 742.
1955 Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Jules Belin (Côte de Nuits)
93p
NUMBER 741.
1942 Unico Bodegas Vega Sicilia (Ribera del Duero)
93p. Great chocolaty, spicy extract. The palate opened well with a gentle touch of mint and chocolate, finishing with soft tannins and charm
3 0 4 1000
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Domaine de Chevalier
Not huge, but packed with very ripe, sweet, cassis fruit and dark chocolate. A very delicate silky mousse. Round, soft, forward, and syrupy wine. This Charles Heidsieck Rosé was at a great age for drinking and showed very well. A developed orange-hued colour. Lovely, open and sound nose. Decanted 30 minutes before tasting. The palate is terrifically complex, and solidly packed with concentrated black fruit, yet it is composed and well balanced with a powerful, long, intense finish.
NUMBER 753.
1979 Charles Heidsieck Rosé (Champagne)
2005/2010 x2 · D 1 h / G 1 h
93p
Cold winter and May frosts characterised the early part of the 1979 growing season. A very long and hot, sweet aftertaste, as if some chocolate liqueur was added. All had very good top-shoulder levels and promising colours. 3 0 6 1000
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tons of fruit per acre, and production was a minuscule 150 cases. Attractive, dark, evolved colour. Decadent and delightful nose with strawberries, biscuit and hints of toastiness. Level was 5 cm and colour was extremely promising. Attractively soft and round on the palate, with perfectly balanced. These structured and elegant wines have matured graciously. Not much tannin but still has a good backbone. Wide watery rim suggests aging as well. Sound and wide open bouquet with chocolaty and ripe fruit flavours. A very crisp, light-bodied wine with a persistent and mouth-capturing mousse reflecting marked minerality and lovely brioche flavours that are enhanced by delicate strawberry aromas. No trace of oxidation. Very fresh and alive - almost too breezy. Rich, aromatic bouquet with aromas of roasted herbs, blackberry and smoke. Warm and inviting. Decanted four hours. Long,
NUMBER 756.
1947 Château Figeac (St.Emilion)
2007/2015 x17 · D 45 min /G 1 h
93p
Bottles were in decent condition. A pronounced entity that is refreshed by the lively acid structure.
NUMBER 754.
1875 Chambertin Bouchard Père et Fils (Côte de Nuits)
2006/now x3 · D 30 min / G 30 min
93p
Good-looking, very dusty bottle with only remnants of the label left. An unusual and curiously fascinating experience!
755
lingering finish.
NUMBER 755.
1982 Cristal Rosé Roederer (Champagne)
2005/2020 x3 · D 20 min / G 1 h
93p
Light salmon rose colour with refined bubbles. Solid, mature ruby colour with a wide, bright orange rim. In June and July the weather was very favourable and warm, ripening a healthy and unproblematic crop of good volume (11,061 kg/ha). Mushroom character on the palate as well. Rich and sweet aroma profile: roasted coffee beans, caramelized sugar and red berries
Almost perfect balance and structure. Deep garnet colour with tawny tints. Round, delicate and long, spicy, flavourful aftertaste. It is always somehow sad to drink a wine you are never going to find again - a memorable moment.
2003/2010 x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Fine looking bottle with top-shoulder level. A round and elegant wine. Somehow we could not find the balance and harmony that Margaux is famous for. Plenty of heat and concentration too, but lacks some complexity and weight. Recorked in 1999. Cheerful acidity balances nicely ripe and round, velvety tannins and intense, dark fruit. The vintage is reminiscent of 1986, 1991 and 1994, only showing a little warmer night time temperatures compared, for example, to 1994. Clear, bright-gold colour. The intense and rich nose serves ripe cassis combined with developed meaty, leathery and spicy aromas. Top quality and still in outstanding condition. Very nice wine, with a generous nature and sweet, dry, medium-long finish.
2004/now x5 · D 30 min / G 1 h
Excellent appearance. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
307
tannins and a good, supporting acidity. A very opulent, fullbodied wine maturing gracefully, but still showing a charming youthfulness. Fresh, sound and magnificently sweet nose with just a hint of petroleum. Decanted for 30 minutes. On the palate the wine is very open with a harmonious texture. The browning, deep colour looked and felt familiar. Thus the acidity levels are not as high but the balance and complexity are very apparent in this lovely wine. The blend is 92 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 percent Merlot and 4 percent Cabernet Franc. Silky, though some slightly harsh tannins regrettably interfere on the mid-palate. Good, but not quite the level one would expect from a magnificent 1945 first growth wine.
2003/2015 x2 · D 2 h / G 1.5 h
Cool weather conditions in the Napa Valley extended the ripening time, resulting in exceptional depth of flavours. A clean, yet quite closed and faint bouquet did not yet tell much about the wine. Very enjoyable at the moment but will keep for another ten years.
759
NUMBER 759.
1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Robert Mondavi (Napa Valley)
93 p
NUMBER 758.
1945 Château Margaux (Margaux)
93p
NUMBER 757.
1929 Hermannshof Auslese Franz Schmitt (Germany)
93p. Only after about an hour did the bouquet start to build up with depth and diverse layers
Layered with a kind undercurrent of barnyard and mushrooms - not too dry and quite well balanced. There were lots of earth and carob flavours and a touch of blackcurrant, along with secondary flavours of coffee and raisins. Long, concentrated finish is delightfully fresh and balanced. A charming, mature wine that will no longer improve but will keep for another 5 to 10 years.
NUMBER 763.
1997 Gewürztraminer Sélection des Grains Nobles Rimelsberg 93p Marc Tempé (Alsace) 2002/2015 x1 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Bright and rich yellow colour. Decent length. 3 0 8 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 760.
1943 Château Pétrus (Pomerol)
A wonderful-looking, château-bottled Pétrus. But after 30 more minutes rather simple, lacking intensity and complexity. The medium-bodied wine was softened attractively by the smooth silk-like mouth-feel. A subtle, integrated nose - earthy, slightly vegetal with faint blackberry and apricot fruit - appealing. It also has quite low acidity and a long, gentle finish. Drink now.
NUMBER 762.
1947 Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits)
2007/2015 x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
93p
Wonderful, old-looking bottle with 4 cm level. A very classic Mouton look.. Bright, developed, brick red colour. The refreshing and vivid palate suffered from a slight volatility and tart acidity. Bright and deep colour. Although not a big wine, it is charming, fruity and delicious. Decanted one hour. The nose is lively and roasted with the cherry aromas well preserved in this mature wine. Top-shoulder level. Luscious palate with incredible syrupy texture, refreshed by a tropical fruitiness and apricots. Distinguished, intense and youthful nose. Decanted 45 minutes. Enjoy whenever you find a bottle of this heart melting wine!
NUMBER 764.
1999 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
2006/2015 x3 · D 2 h / G 2 h
93p
Very deep, dark colour. Decanted 30 minutes. Fleshy, rich and nicely balanced, but the body was was certainly delightful now, it is not going improve, or even last for long.
colour. Dark, good, bright it opened and became a generous, open-handed wine. A very rich perfume nose with floral tones of roses and honey with hints of lyches. While it
760
2005/now x4 · D 1 h / G 1 h
93p
NUMBER 761.
1937 Chapelle-Chambertin Domaine Leroy (Côte de Nuits)
2005/2010 x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h
93p
Very old looking bottle with 5cm level. Although the wine shows a moderately low acidity, it is still enough to carry it. Full-bodied with intense flavours of black fruits, dark chocolate and gentle woody notes. Quite tight and tough right after decanting - blocked and tight on the nose
The bottle was in excellent condition. Decanted only ten minutes. Very slight effervescence detectable. Not a very deep colour, but bright and clear. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
309
Super-concentrated, full and vigorous wine. The bouquet did not reveal itself at once. The bouquet was quite modest and dry. Lively, small bubbles. Fine levels and labels. Acidity keeps the wine lively and attractive. Surprisingly light, pale colour. A rare and unique tasting.
2004/now x3 · D 20 min / G 15 min
Tasted as an aperitif a large Mouton-Rothschild dinner in Rheingau. Past its peak but very enjoyable, nearly still wine from Champagne.
2005/2010 x5 · D 1 h / G 1 h
An old bottle with only a few parts of the label left. A wonderful wine, full of life with a great, golden colour. An elegant, seductive wine.
2006/now x5 · D 10 min / G 10 min
All these five bottles were like new. The bottle was in perfect condition. A very rich, toasty and soft, at the finish, but otherwise almost liquid gold!
elegant wine. Perhaps not as complex and classy as Dom Pérignon 1959, but very close. In the mouth, the wine was extremely sensitive and light, but perfectly harmonious. The tannin was very well absorbed. Medium deep, mature golden colour. A little bit too dry and not very complex wine, but it had good length and a pure finish. On the palate, this well-matured, nicely balanced, a bit one-dimensional wine was ample with citrus fruit, white chocolate, and poached pear aromas. Decanted 30 minutes. Well-balanced with a long, chocolaty and truffle-flavoured finish. A bit tired and short
NUMBER 768.
1959 Brut Impérial Moët & Chandon (Champagne)
768
93p
NUMBER 767.
1876 Geisenheimer Rothenberg Auslese Weingut Langwerth 93p von Simmern (Germany) 2004/now x2 · D 15 min / G 30 min
NUMBER 766.
1922 Reserva Marqués de Riscal (Rioja)
93p
NUMBER 765.
1921 Vintage Champagne Fred Lerouix (Champagne)
93p. Medium-long, delicate finish. Another 30 minutes aeration in the glass opened it fully: rich bouquet of very ripe fruit, vanilla and spice aromas developed. Drink now.
This rare beauty was tasted at Rheingau Wine and Gourmet Festival in Hattenheim. Wide open ripe honeyed and toasty nose. Decanted 15 minutes. Ready and mouth-watering now, will get better with more age. Otherwise in excellent condition with top-shoulder level and a colour that raised our expectations. The nose promises a lot for the palate but fruitiness is almost on decline
3 1 2 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
Decanted one hour. Very fleshy and rich with good length and a dry finish, a touch of unpleasant bitterness. The flavours are pure, with no sense of the fruit having dried out. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
315
and orange peel flavours balanced nicely by savoury oak and razor-sharp acidity. Wonderful perfumed nose of sweet fruit, vanilla and truffles. A fairly deep appearance, but was showing an orange-rim maturity. Very concentrated palate with lots of fruit and acidity, but then followed by a long robust finish. This is now as good as it gets, so drink up before it dries out.
2005/2015 x4 · D 2 h / G 2 h
Decanted two hours. Level was by the neck. Around this time we noted some sweetness, cedar, vanilla, and spice on the nose. Deep, bright ruby colour, with small tawny orange hue. Bright pale tawny colour with just a hint of amber. Seemed quite promising and opened up fully in two hours. A medium-sweet and long finish. (Rioja)
781
93p
NUMBER 783.
1896 Colheita Quinta do Noval (Portugal)
93p
NUMBER 782.
1999 Chardonnay Three Sisters Vineyard Marcassin (Sonoma)
93p
NUMBER 781.. Enveloping and warm nose with richness of plums, white chocolate, jammy cherries, all lifted by little hints of smoke and tobacco. It has a super-expansive mid-palate, in addition to the luxurious richness for which this great property is well known. Velvety mouth-feel, silky
NUMBER 784.
1949 Viña Real Gran Reserva C.V.N.E. Overall, a bit tight and not very harmonious, but very promising. Not very complex or multi-layered, but has beautiful harmony and drinkability. Quite a big, serious wine, but almost too tannic for our taste. Bottled by Cordier. Interesting nose of citrus notes and butter. Much grander taste than the nose -lemon, tart apples and buttered popcorn. Decanted one hour. Good length and awareness. Smooth-textured and soft-edged on the palate, with a delicious sweetness. Decanted 45 minutes. Should be very good with aging and integration-probably needs 3-5 years.
2001/now x2 · D 1 h / G 3 h
Fine-looking bottle rarity. Will develop and last for decades.
1950 Château Gruaud-Larose (Saint-Julien)
2004/now x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h
93p
A fine-looking bottle, the level was top-shoulder. Excellent condition with by-the-neck level. Ripe, earthy, sound nose with some mushroom and truffle flavours. An elegant, soul-warming colheita.
2007/now x9 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Bottle came directly from the bodegas. Almost 60 years old, and still a beautiful Rioja.
This 1949 Viña Real is notable for its finesse, elegance and even more notable in the graceful way it has aged
The palate brings on lemony tartness in perfect harmony with the residual sweetness. Full, rich and lots of flavours of chocolate and truffles. At its peak but there is no hurry. Brilliant, dark colour. In shockingly good condition still.
record - the end of October. A lovely and soft wine. Ullages were around two centimetres. An extremely sweet, hot, wide-open nose. It was very difficult with the latest harvest on
788
end. Somehow Pontet-Canet managed to produce a wine that has lasted surprisingly well in to the 21st century from this irregular and overall poor vintage. Clear, medium-intense cherry red colour with brown hues. The nose is aromatic with honey, apricot and mineral nuances. A classic, elegant Pauillac
nose with ripe blackcurrants, brambles, cedar, a touch of minty herbaceousness, and delicate floral aromas. A top quality bottle.
NUMBER 787.
1961 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Devigneau (Rhône)
2004/2015 x 5 · D 1 h / G 1 h
93p
These bottles came from Belgium and were in good condition. Decanted four hours before tasting. This wine will keep for a number of years without declining noticeably.
NUMBER 786.
1942 Vintage Port Niepoort (Portugal)
2004/2010 x3 · D 3 h / G 2 h
93p
A perfect, fully mature port. Full and oily, yet refreshing. Velvety and very elegant on the palate. A medium-bodied classy wine with a moderate level of acidity and firm slightly green tannins. Lingering and almost too burning an aftertaste. Relatively low acidity, otherwise well balanced. A savoury wine with moderate fruit intensity and a touch of oxidation in the. Good fruit. Most enjoyable now, but will keep well past this decade. 3 1 6 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
smooth texture with flavours of old leather and white chocolate emerging over a firm background. A full-size, powerful, spicy, and well-balanced wine. Mushroomy and earthy developed flavours bring complexity to this well-preserved wine. The leathery, earthy nose indicates development. Very soft tannins and a long, sweet, but a bit too dry aftertaste.
NUMBER 785.
1949 Scharzhof Auslese Egon Müller (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
2005/2010 x2 · D 30 min / G 1 h
93p
Fully mature deep colour. Tasted five times with similar notes.
NUMBER 788.
1879 Château Pontet-Canet (Pauillac)
2004/now x6 · D 30 min / G 1 h
93p
This was the first vintage in Bordeaux afflicted by phylloxera. Good fruit and structure, and will probably last eternally. Very intense, ripe and spicy nose. Fine-looking bottle
3 2 0 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
321
Philipponnat Clos des Goisses
3 2 2 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
A wet growing season (rainfall 60 percent above average) was followed by a harvest in ideal conditions. A developing brick red colour. Voluptuous nose, full of developing bouquet aromas. It was in 1980 that he started production of Cepparello, a 100 percent Sangiovese from Chianti Classico labelled as Vino da Tavola. Very good looking bottle with the original label left. 62.5 percent Pinot Noir and 37.5 percent Chardonnay in a ripe vintage brought immense depth and roundness, even able right from its launch. A long aftertaste full of roasted and dark fruit nuances. Grange 1955 spent only nine months in oak. The silky texture is firmed by a stylish tannin structure. The winter of 1955 was mild to warm. Fruit-packed, voluptuous, solid, and mouth-filling. The fruit was sourced from Magill and Morphett Vale, Kalimna and McLaren Vale. This wine was astonishingly enjoy-
1990 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Château de Beaucastel (Rhône)
Beautiful, moderately pale, tawny red colour. Not very rich or firm any longer, but still has a good balance and complexity. It was a personal favourite of Max Schubert, partly because this was the vintage that vindicated him by winning a gold medal in the open claret class at the 1962 Sydney Wine Show. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
323
2002/now x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h
The 1955 is the most decorated of all the Granges, the winner of 12 trophies and 51 gold medals. A roasted and charming multi-layered nose. Still a fresh, gentle and suave wine with some of its original power and backbone left. Cepparello was one of the first in this now trendy and promising style of Tuscan wine. Open and sound nose with exotic sweet fruit, white chocolate and old leather aromas. A feminine and harmonious entity at a lovely drinking age.
1995 La Grande Dame Veuve Clicquot (Champagne)
2003/2020 x7 · D 20 min / G 1 h
92p
La Grande Dame 1995 was made of grapes from eight different Grands Crus around Champagne. It is a blend of 90 percent Shiraz and 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2000 is a very interesting vintage in its elegance and harmony. A truly Great Lady! heaviness to the wine. Farmyard, spices, leather, smokiness, and vegetal tones of bamboo shoots indicate the complex richness this wine
804
92p
2001/2015 x4 · D 1 h / G 1 h
NUMBER 804.
NUMBER 803.
NUMBER 802.
2000 Cepparello Isole e Olena (Tuscany)
92p
NUMBER 801.
1955 Grange Penfolds (South Australia)
92p. Top-shoulder level. On the palate surprisingly sweet and a bit spicy. Decanted 30 minutes. A medium-long, dry and smooth finish. A historic wine, which has lived up to its early promise.
2007/2015 x9 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Paolo De Marchi of Isole e Olena was one of the trendsetters of modern Tuscan wine. Quite deep, bright, dark red colour. No blockbusters but wines that will age graciously due to their balanced and fine nature. A stylish structure of a classical vintage
A full-bodied, rich and powerful wine that is even surprisingly developed for its age. Flowering occurred in these great conditions leading to a large crop. Dark-red, medium-intense colour. Silky structure with mellow tannins, ripe intense dark fruits and chocolate aromas. In Château Montelena this vintage is considered to be as perfect as it can possibly get. A pronounced nose of apples, sherry and old wood. The development of the grapes was so wonderful that for the first time in Latour history, a general crop thinning was carried out in July in order to improve natural concentration. The picking was done in very good weather. Great age for enjoyment but will continue to develop positively.. The house owns 95 percent of the vineyards for its own grape needs. Youthful, powerful and complex nose with smokiness, tobacco, cedar, liquorice, and preserved bamboo shoots. Mediumbodied taste is dominated by firm tannins and mild acidity. Full-bodied taste shows surprisingly stalky tannins, ripe fruitiness, perfume, and floral tones just before a refined but rustic warm finish. Earthy, long finish and very enjoyable now but will hold for a decade.
NUMBER 806.
1997 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Château Montelena (Napa Valley) 92p
2002/2015 x6 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Super vintage with very concentrated wines. Preserving terroir characteristics is the objective, with lutté raisonnée methods in the vineyards, no artificial cold stabilisation, no filtration, and minimal or no dosage in the cellar. Just before harvest heavy rainfall caused some harm to the crop diluting the grapes slightly, together with grey rot. The Chiquets
807
are interested in terroir wines and are strongly involved in developing champagne into a serious gastronomic wine. Dark, even, opaque ruby colour with high viscosity. The fruity, powerful and structured 1990 vintage was very successful at Jacquesson: A developed deep golden colour. 3 2 4 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
possesses. Sophisticated, long intense finish.
NUMBER 807.
1990 Grand Vin Signature Jacquesson (Champagne)
2004/2015 x8 · D 15 min / G 1 h
92p
Jacquesson is a true grower-producer whose champagnes have been constantly improving ever since the Chiquet brothers purchased this traditional estate in 1974. Drinking perfectly now but will hold for several years to come.
NUMBER 805.
1986 Château Latour (Pauillac)
2003/2020 x16 · D 3 h / G 2 h
92p
After a rainy and mild winter, May started by boosting the heat and dryness. Low effervescence both in the glass and on the palate. Mineral flavours are enhanced with tobacco leaves, leathery animal aromas and ripe dark berries. Open nose of blackcurrants, flowers and vegetal tones
Deep bouquet with enveloping flavours. Surprisingly rich and stylish wine with good complexity. Extensive and sweet aftertaste. Very impressive, dark, bright colour to rim, an even more brilliant colour than the famous 1958. Lovely concentrated red fruit, dusty minerals and butter to nose. Decanted three hours. A satisfying surprise!
NUMBER 813.
1927 Vintage Port Sandeman (Portugal)
2001/now x4 · D 2 h / G 2 h
92p
Fine looking bottle. And this was the first vintage ever made of this wine. Has held very well, but does not improve.
NUMBER 811.
1949 Château Pavie (St.Emilion)
2006/2010 x8 · D 45 min / G 1 h
92p
Négociant-bottled (Philippe Raymond), good condition and level was by the neck. Still very positive and vigorous at the end.
NUMBER 812.
1948 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
2007/2015 x2 · D 30 min / G 1 h
92p
Brilliant level and appearance. Ripe, classic, rich, warm, and concentrated nose. We cannot stop marvelling at the condition of these old Californian Cabernets, which seem to age exceptionally well. Decanted for one hour. Medium-bodied wine with ripe dark fruitiness combined with rich supple tannins and delightful sweet spicy flavours. Very fine, dark and healthy colour. Intense and most attractive. Ready and will not improve. Fully mature and healthy, dark colour. Will still keep for many years.
NUMBER 814.
1999 Aalto Bodegas Aalto (Ribera del Duero)
2002/2010 x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h
92p
This can be called the first ultra-modern bodega in Ribera del Duero. Chocolate and exotic old fruit flavoured. Quite complex, well balanced and thick yet lively. Full-bodied and well balanced with sweet and gentle finish. Still a reasonably fresh, round and gentle old wine, showing some oxidation, but not too much. Very full, but less tannic and dense than 1945 Pavie. A very balanced and enjoyable wine capable of ageing for a short while.. 3 2 6 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
This 1949 came from the New York auction house. Dark colour with just a hint of amber. Condition was excellent and level was high-shoulder. Very full, cedary and fruity wine. Big, even beefy and some soft tannin left. We enjoyed the wine very much. After being a wine maker in Vega Sicilia for 29 years, Mariano Garcia decided to create a new super-wine together with Javier Zaccagnini. This deep purple coloured wine has a very intense ripe blackberry and bramble nose with perfume and nutty almond flavours. Decanted only 15 minutes before dinner, but already had a quite open and robust bouquet
The most youthful and sinewy wine of the tasting, not a shining example of elegance, but with a long life ahead of it.
NUMBER 821.
1995 Vintage Champagne Krug (Champagne)
2007/2020 x22 · D 15 min / G 2 h
92p
Some will remember this very good vintage Krug as a farewell vintage for Remy Krug who retired in May 2007. Although the wine is crisp and fresh
NUMBER 822.
1968 Gran Reserva 904 La Rioja Alta (Rioja)
2003/2010 x2 · D 30 min / G 1 h
92p
Bright, pale tawny colour with a touch of brown. Lingering long and lemony finish being surprisingly one-dimensional but very balanced. Redcurrant and toffee aromas. Persistent and fresh nose delivers green apples, lemon and steely foie gras aromas. Fill level top-shoulder. Delicate texture with moderate fruit intensity of green apples and yeasty brioche aromas. Bright, green yellow and pale colour with rich amount of small bubbles. Decanted 15 minutes. The subdued fruitiness of the aftertaste is overpowered by tannins and acidity in the intensive mouth-feel. 3 2 8 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 819.
1990 Château Calon-Ségur (Saint-Estèphe)
2006/2030 x12 · D 1 h / G 2 h
92p
Fairly intensive cherry colour. Opulent and developed oxidative nose express rich and intense dried fruits, plummy and nutty aromas with tobacco and some waxiness. Spices and herbaceous flavours stand out more in long warming finish.. Intense ripe wild strawberry and cassis nose married harmoniously with dark chocolate, anise, sweet spices, and hints of fresh basil. Long, intensive aftertaste. Delicious but one-dimensional nose - toffee, milk chocolate and mocha complemented by sweet spices. Really prominent nose with blackcurrant and toffee. Lively acidity together with mellow tannins and moderately intense plummy fruitiness form a nice balance with good length. Extremely crisp taste with mineral rich mousse. Maturing will show whether it will get balanced or remain rather robust forever.
820
1898 Château Pavie (St.Emilion)
now, it has potential to grow in character up until the year 2020.
NUMBER 820.
92p
2006/now x3 · D 30 min / G 1 h
Négociant-bottled. Intensively fruity taste with firm acids and tannins. Delicate, clear ruby colour. The abundant, mediumfull taste is elegant. The wine is not as refined and balanced as the 1989, but then it is still young. Ripe, dried dark fruitiness enlightens delicately with firm acidity and stalky tannins. A good example of how well classic Rioja Gran Reserva can keep in the bottle.
NUMBER 823.
1989 Grange Penfolds (South Australia)
2003/2015 x11 · D 2 h / G 2 h
92p
Moderately deep garnet-red colour
Very mineral, less aromatic nose with waxiness and a touch of lemons and peaches. Powerful, tremendously deep and intense nose with game, white pepper and thyme aromas. Moderbouquet. Extremely balanced and persistent wine with lovely energy that may encourage still for further ageing.
827
2003/2015 x2 · D 30 min / G 1 h
NUMBER 827.
1976 Riesling Hugel (Alsace)
92p
NUMBER 826.
1998 Descendant Torbreck (Barossa Valley)
92p
NUMBER 825.
1973 Riesling Spätlese Schloss Gobelsburg (Kamptal)
92p
NUMBER 824.
1988 Monte Bello Ridge (Santa Cruz Mountains)
92p. Deep, dark, ruby colour. Crisp, light-bodied wine with immense mineral length and broad oily texture. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
329
2007/2015 x3 · D 30 min / G 1.5 h
Developed, bright and beautiful red colour with orange tints. The wine has a truly classic Pauillac nose with a gracefully developed bouquet. Broad oily texture with a great length. Ripe vegetal nose of blackcurrants, soy and bamboo shoots along with sweet spices, cedar, dark chocolate, and mint. Drinking perfectly now!
2004/2010 x 4 · D 15 min / G 1 h
This top vintage has produced some great wines in Austria. Ripe apricot and apricot stone flavours with a lemony twist balance the wine superbly. Both vine cuttings originate in the legendary old Runrig vineyard. This particular single vineyard wine presents the first co-fermented wine in Australia of a blend of Shiraz and a small portion of Viognier. A warm, even hot, and dry summer with a little
essential rain guaranteed the super quality grapes harvested in early October in ideal conditions. Beautiful balance and surprising youthfulness for its age.
2001/2015 x2 · D 2 h / G 3 h
Dave Powell established this cult winery in 1994 in the Barossa Valley. Pronounced, very stylish and complex nose with developing
Crisp, mineral light-bodied palate with concentrated apple and citrus aromas. Petrol, green apples and peaches, hints of lemon and honeyed waxiness.
ately pale, rich yellow colour with golden tints. Very silky texture on the palate with seductively long finish. Marked acidity with opulent and rich tannins on the medium-bodied palate creates the strong backbone, which is completed with ripe elegant fruitiness, chocolate, mint, and cocoa flavours. Full-bodied, intensely fruity almost jammy wine with huge ripe tannins and balancing acidity. A monster of a wine!
The vines had a good rest during the cold snowy winter. Long finish is sustained by herbaceous bramble notes. Among these is this late harvested wine from Kamptal with pale straw yellow colour
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
331
Almost too dry and tannic finish. An intense, bright colour but not exceptionally attractive on the eye. Drinking delicately well already, although opts for decades in cellar.
NUMBER 839.
NUMBER 838.
1999 Domaine de la Granges des Peres Rouge
92p
NUMBER 837.
1949 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac)
92p
NUMBER 836.
1962 Château Brane-Cantenac (Margaux)
836
92p. Long and spicy finish with attractive intense meaty taste. The mid-palate shows complex spiciness and toasty oak aromas before it turns into a lingering, mineral finish with cassis and coffee flavours. May still be kept for several years, but will not become any better.
(Languedoc-Roussillon)
2004/2015 x4 · D 2 h / G 2 h
This small family winery with 15 hectares of vineyards is owned by Laurent Vaillé and is located in heartlands of Hérault province near Aniane village. On the palate, cheesy aromas, vanilla, predominantly woody with a bit of dried fruit. The medium-bodied palate charms with its delicacy - a vivid acidity, firm refined tannins and intense dark fruitiness. Skilfully made fine wine. Fairly full as opposed to the more common lighter body. Complex and in a good balance. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
333
rounded wine with smooth tannins. Top-shoulder. At first it was a bit too tight and dry, but awkward and dry aftertaste. Still quite an intense, massive wine with tannins backed by an evident, fixed acidity. Opulent, intense but delicate nose of roasted coffee, toastiness and ripe dark fruits with floral tones. The rich ripe intensive fruitiness is beautifully balanced with firm tannins. Medium-bodied and well-balanced wine, which has already lost some of its sweet fruitiness and volume. Medium intense, dark ruby colour. Also has some sharpness at the finish, but otherwise a splendid and very drinkable mature Montrose.
2004/2010 x4 · D 1 h / G 1 h
They made first-rate wine in 1962; dark colour, earthy, chocolaty, open and fine bouquet. Will not improve, but will still last well. after one hour it opened up and developed richness and beautiful fruit flavours. Full-bodied palate with moderate acidity. Decanted one hour. The yields are kept very low, only 20-25 hl/ha, to express the terroir and obtain the high concentration. Good and long, but a bit of an
2001/2004 x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Fine looking château-bottling. Rich complex nose with loads of ripe brambles and black currants, earthy, animal, tar, and pepper aromas. Vaillé, who has worked formerly for Domaine de Trévallon and Chave, produced his first Granges des Peres red in 1992. Peaking now, no further ageing.
1999 Chambertin Domaine Dugat-Py (Côte de Nuits)
2006/2020 x1 · D 2 h / G 2 h
92p
Opaque, purple colour. High alcohol gives the wine roundness and sweet tones. The wine is made of the blend of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
Very elegant style.
(Sonoma Valley)
2001/2010 x2 · D 30 min / G 45 min
This wine gave a complete new perspective to ageing potential of Zinfaldel. Decanted one hour. Crisp acidity and refined firm tannins take hold in the mouth before delightfully intense red fruit of ripe lingonberries and raspberries forms a balance in a medium-bodied palate. Thanks to 65 years old Zinfandel vines this wine succeeded apparently well. However, in this fine vintage the wine possesses intense fruitiness with cassis and red berries complemented with herbaceous flavours. Long discreet finish. Very persistent and long aftertaste where green apples and celery can be detected alongside charming mineral bite.
2004/2015 x7 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Good château-bottling with upper-shoulder level. We can hardly wait.
2006/2025 x5 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Moderately deep, ruby colour. Medium-long intense finish.
mouth-filling wine still has a playful acidity, rich tannins and velvety texture with meatiness. The ripeness of the grapes was immense, resulting in 27.3 Brix when harvested. The whole production of 2,863 cases of this wine was aged for 18 months in old Yugoslavian oak adding no extra spiciness or additional tannic structure to the wine. Decanted 30 minutes. Rich, intense and ripe dark fruity nose of blackcurrants, spices, pepper, smokiness topped with an elegant touch of floral aromas. The wine will be moving into its second phase of life with more open bouquet aromas. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
335
lemon flavoured mousse. Deep, dark, clear brown colour. Moderately high acidity together with elegantly stalky tannins and rich mineral flavours form a typical restrained style Sassicaia. Elegant, ripe and developed nose. Ripe dark fruiti-
1988 Musigny Vieilles Vignes Comte Georges de Vogüé
(Côte de Nuits)
2002/2015 x2 · D 1 h / G 1 h
92p
Lovely bright moderately pale brick-red colour. The powerful, rich and opulent nose has a beautiful bouquet of secondary and tertiary aromas: farmyard, leather, dates
NUMBER 848.
1976 River West Old Vines Zinfandel Sonoma Vineyards
92p
NUMBER 847.
1997 Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido (Tuscany)
92p
NUMBER 846.
NUMBER 845.
1945 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron (Pauillac)
845
92p. Has a fresh and elegant style. Very ripe strawberries, hints of tobacco and nuttiness combined with cheesy Brie aromas. Fine looking bottle with top-shoulder level. The year was very tough especially for young vines with a less evolved root system, since the drought caused heavy stress for wines. Stylish nose is moderately intense, perfumed and roasted with nutty vanilla aromas. Very dark, almost opaque mature red
colour. Full-bodied and ness marries well with spicy Asian flavours and a little harsh tannin
3 3 8 1000
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339
Schloss Gobelsburg
One of the best white Smith-Haut-Lafitte we have tasted.
2001/2008 x2 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Very dirty, old-looking bottle. All of the tasted bottles have shown extremely well preserved. Fine bottles that came directly from the Château. Rich, concentrated and full-bodied wine with lively acidity and crisp fruit. The average potential alcohol level was nearly 13 percent. Fermentation in barrel (50% new oak) went very well. Decanted one hour. The Sauvignon Blanc grapes were picked from the 7th to the 21st of September. The well-balanced, long finish delivers charming intensity and ripeness that appeal still for a few more years before declining.
2007/2015 x5 · D 1 h / G 3 h
After a wet, mild winter, bud break took place normally in the last week of March. Full-bodied, but a little astringent on the palate. Decanted 45 minutes. Good level. On the nose nicely perfumed aromas of honey and exotic citrus fruits. The vines began growing vigorously during the hot, sunny weather in May and June, largely making up for the slow start to the year. It was necessary to go through the vines several times to select the ripest bunches. August was very dry and hot, especially towards the end of the month. The winter was wet and mild. An opulent and elegant nose with red fruits, plums, cherries, herbs, and hints of sweet spicy tones. This brought on a quick, even véraison (colour change). A round, soft, still quite vigorous, and well-balanced wine. Elegant, complex, delicate nose with sweet
redcurrant, plum and mineral notes. Very intense, silky and well-balanced mouthfeel. Medium-bodied harmonious taste with lovely acidity, mellow tannins and intense ripe, almost sweet fruitiness. The spring frosts caused some worries for the growers. The appearance of the wine is moderately pale with tawny, bright, beautiful colour. Very light, bright colour. Drink now.
NUMBER 862.
1947 Château Haut-Brion (Graves)
862
92p
NUMBER 861.
2001 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc (Graves)
92p
NUMBER 860.
1962 Viña Real Gran Reserva C.V.N.E. Quite good but does not have the weight and intensity of the 1945. Hot summer and the autumn was favourable and the harvest yielded a moderately large but high quality crop. The cool weather in April slowed down vine growth considerably. Both the red and white wine grapes ripened at an excellent rate. (Rioja)
92p. Flowering took place one week later than in 2000. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
341
2007/2010 x6 · D 30 min / G 1 h
This was an extremely successful vintage in Rioja ranking right behind the 1964. Elegant and very long, gentle finish. Red berries, hints of cherry chocolate and a dash of vanilla flavours. Perhaps a little oxidation as well. A bit short and dry aftertaste. There was also good acidity, averaging 5 g/l (with variations depending on which vineyard the grapes came from). The wines were then aged on the lees and stirred (bâtonnage) once a week to bring out their richness and intrinsic elegance
The quality is rising steadily vintage-by-vintage as the vines age. ful 1959. It almost bankrupted the Cruse family and top-quality vintages. Spicy, unmistakable old Pinot Noir nose. The aroma profile was complex with a great bundle of tertiary aromas. During the ownership of the Cruse family, the estate had many successful years, such as 1928, 1934, 1945, 1949, 1953, and this beautiquality was accelerated by the Bordeaux wine scandal of 1973. Deep mature colour. The nose is restrained and cool. The fall of Pontet-Canet
led to the suicide of the head of the family. A refined wine of medium body with some attractive oiliness on the mouth-feel. The other two bottles - ullage 4 cm were better and more alive. A bit short but pleasant enough. By law, the Grand Cru appellation could be used today but Comte de Vogüe still considers the vines to be infants for Musigny production. Improving in glass after 30 minutes. The nose opens up with time but the palate gives a great expression of fino sherry, floral notes, oak, and hazelnuts. The palate was thick and chocolaty with low tannin and a balanced acidic backbone. An outstanding wine today that will easily keep and develop for the next 5 to 10 years.
2001/now x5 · D 1 h / G 1 h
All the bottles had good levels. The wine has still fruit to it and a structure to keep for another decade or so.
Château Pontet-Canet produced many legendary wines between 1920 and 1960. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
343
to be partially replanted in 1986, 1987, 1991, and 1997. We tried first the bottle with the lowest ullage 7cm. And, as there is no white Chambolle-Musigny appellation, the wine was downgraded to a mere Bourgogne Blanc. Quite an elegant, open and mature nose. Very much alive, rich, full, quite solid. A tightly knit, firm and mineral structure. Fuller and more delicious with a lovely ripe fruity flavour that seemed to extend and get richer in the glass.
2004/2015 x2 · D 30 min / G 1 h
A fine looking bottle with 2cm level. Only the remnants of the labels remained. An amazingly deep and dark, youthful colour for its age. A soft and chocolaty nose of tar, dust and plums. Only after 1989 have their wines been able to compare with their Nice-looking négociant-bottling and the level was by the neck. A fully mature medium-deep brownish colour. Decanted for half an hour. The long nutty finish has a moderate oak influence and refreshing lemony acidity. Pale gold lemony colour. But there have also been some very dramatic years since the late 1960s. The cork came out in one piece - the 1934 vintage was clearly legible. Relatively complex and
870
2005/2010 x27 · D 30 min / G 1 h
NUMBER 870.
1959 Château Pontet-Canet (Pauillac)
92p
NUMBER 869.
1914 Le Chambertin Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits)
92p
NUMBER 868.
1934 Clos-de-la-Roche Armand Rousseau (Côte de Nuits)
92p. Soft and gentle with some sweet fruit still left
Fabulous rich nose, open, soft and complex. Highly pronounced nose of flowers, fruits and rose oil. Nice ripeness. A fabulously rich nose of sweet vanilla, cassis and herbs. Apple jam and nuts. 3 4 4 1000
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has some lively fruit beneath. The palate is rich, open and stylishly mineral. Very balanced palate, refreshing acidity and voluptuous fruitiness. Very demanding. The 2006 vintage was warm and ripe in Austria, which is also well shown by the Singerriedel Riesling Smaragd. An admirable length and finish. The quality was slightly compromised by the vast quantities produced. Hirtzberger is famous for the purity and elegance of its wines, and the Singerriedel is consistently the best and the most famous Riesling they produce. Brilliant deep, dark, bright, and warm colour. It did not offer much complexity, but instead a lot of body and depth were evident. Good acidity and structure, not as fat and complex as 1985, but a very close match. This Martini looked as good as new. Fully ripe fruitiness is supported by the steely fine acid structure. A stylish wine from the beginning until the very end. The finish was reasonably long, but somehow too dry and modest. A lovely and memorable experience.. On the palate it was well balanced and concentrated. Enjoy now.
NUMBER 873.
2006 Riesling Smaragd Singerriedel Hirtzberger (Wachau)
2007/2020 x3 · D 30 min / G 2 h
92p
Weingut Franz Hirtzberger and the magnificent "Singerriedel" vineyard lie on the western part of the Wachau valley in the tiny village of Spitz. A deep, impressive colour, even more brilliant than the 1964 Martini we tasted before it. A wine that has certainly survived the test of time.
NUMBER 872.
1970 La Grande Dame Veuve Clicquot (Champagne)
2005/2010 x2 · D 10 min / G 20 min
92p
This massive vintage produced a record crop of 13,800 kg/ha. Held in the glass for an hour without drying up. Still very enjoyable, however.
NUMBER 871.
1968 Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Creek Louis M. The best wines have survived well and the La Grande Dame was still in great condition: Elegant lusciously sweet appearing nose. Martini (USA) 92p
2003/now x4 · D 30 min / G 45 min
1968 was an amazingly good vintage that produced ripe, full and age-worthy wines. The cooler microclimate of this area is able to produce some of the finest, lightest and most mineral wines of the valley. Long, intensely fruity and pure taste. A wine for
NUMBER 874.
874
prolonged bottle maturation.
1983 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
2006/2015 x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h
92p
Excellent condition and level by the neck
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The mousse is already weak. A fine, elegant and complex wine. Dark, and cloudy colour. Nevertheless, it is an elegant, old, vigorous wine that is still capable of showing its class.
1924 Château Margaux (Margaux)
A fine vintage in spite of a relatively rainy August. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
347
balance with good crisp fruit and some phenolic astringency nicely blended. Delicate complexity comes from well integrated toasty earthy flavours. Today, the wine in bottles has tired, but the magnums have retained some
882
92p
2006/now x4 · D 1 h / G 1 h
NUMBER 882.
NUMBER 881.
1935 Grands-Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
92p
NUMBER 880.
1928 Vintage Perrier-Jouët (Champagne)
92p
NUMBER 879.
1928 Château Cheval Blanc (St.Emilion)
92p. Drouhin bottled this wine and the ullage was 6 cm. Decanted 30 minutes. Decanted only for 15 minutes. Bright golden colour with hardly any bubbles left. Very ripe dark fruitiness, moderate-level of acidity with mature, softened, smooth tannins give the wine great structure. Deep, bright and clean colour. Soft and round old wine intensity. A delicate and beautiful old wine that has seen its best days many decades ago. One could argue that it was solely the wonderful vintage that made this wine - it could be since Perrier-Jouët suffered a long recess period after the First World War and the death of the head of the house Henri Gallice. Very intense and powerful nose with ripe blackberries, liquorice, spices, and chocolate. This bumper harvest produced pleasant, harmonious, and fine wines, which have proved to possess a remarkable capacity for ageing. The lean, moderately light-bodied taste has sharp lemony acidity. Anyway, this wine has wonderful appeal to it. The nose is still intense with flowers, dried fruits and complex yeasty aromas. Slow degradation is evident.
2006/now x2 · D - / G 20 min
A superb example of the greatest Champagne vintage ever. Quite a developed wine that has already seen its best days. However, the lovely intense and long mineral aftertaste manages to convince us of the quality of Perrier-Jouët in this great vintage.
(Côte de Nuits)
2006/now x3 · D 15 min / G 1 h
J. The finish is long but a bit dry and jumpy. At first a little diffuse and one-dimensional on the nose, but it opened up and improved a lot after an hour in the glass. The picking began on the 19th of September at Château
Margaux. A long and fresh finish with a kind fatness of texture.
2001/now x3 · D 30 min / G 30 min
Wonderful château-bottling, the level was upper-low shoulder. The mediumbodied and soft palate is highly concentrated
This legendary single vineyard wine from Barolo shines out with its moderately intense ruby colour with brick red tints. The nose explodes from the glass with underlying aromatic and perfumery aromas. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
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2007/2015 x4 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Developed wine that is lively and fresh. Violets, ripe dark berries and some herbaceous aromas are complimented with a touch of roasted oak and dark chocolate. Maturing brick-red colour with browning on the rim. A full and velvety wine, which has a lot of personal-
890
92p
2004/2015 x3 · D 30 min / G 30 min
NUMBER 890.
NUMBER 889.
NUMBER 888.
1967 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Biondi-Santi (Tuscany)
92p
NUMBER 887.
1998 Sperss Angelo Gaja (Piedmont)
92p
NUMBER 886.
1989 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
92p. A very intense grip on the palate with firm acidity and supple, fresh tannins balanced well with ripe dark berries. Very open, tasty and intense bouquet - highly promising. An immensely long and warming finish with great balance.
1964 Grands-Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
(Côte de Nuits)
Fine looking bottle, level was three centimetres down. Decanted 30 minutes. Very good acidity and balance. This is a well-designed, rich and very ripe Mouton, and not too oaky. A very fleshy, full-bodied mouth-feel, with high alcohol pushing the aftertaste to great lengths.
2007/now x3 · D 15 min / G 30 min
Fine looking bottle with by the neck level. There is a very intense, ripe, dark fruitiness and violet-like flavours combined with spicy aromas. Decanted for one hour. Medium long length. Not the most concentrated and richest Mouton, but a profound drink now and in the near future.
2002/2020 x2 · D 2 h / G 2 h
After 1996 Angelo Gaja has classified his single vineyard Barolo along with the single vineyard Barbarescos under the Langhe IGT denomination. Very classical in style and great harmony. A lovely complex nose. Full-bodied, moderate acidity and big stalky tannins are dominating this youngster. The wine is slightly past its peak but will remain enjoyable despite evident slow decline.
2000 Vintage Port Taylor Fladgate (Portugal)
2006/2050 x6 · D 4 h / G 4 h
92p
Opaque, purple colour with very pronounced and intense nose of medicinal tones, anise, violets, liquorice, dark fruits, blackberries, and spices. Open and roasted nose of sour cherries, tar and leather. Good, dark and healthy colour. It has a deep, dark-ruby colour that is a touch more developed than the 1986. Very firm with the tannins dominating the fruit. Fully alive with power and persistence
Still has some pleasant fruit with kind tannins left. We enjoyed the wine very much. Cool, restrained and sophisticated. Not much weight, but has an excellent balance. Decanted only 15 minutes before dinner, but it had already a quite open and robust bouquet. Interesting wine, but not one of the greatest.
NUMBER 899.
1995 Dom Pérignon Moët & Chandon (Champagne)
2004/2025 x4 · D 30 min / G 1 h
92p
The 1995 vintage is a blend of 48 percent Pinot Noir and 52 percent Chardonnay. Spicy, round blackcurrant nose, very forward. 3 5 2 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 898.
1970 Hermitage Chave J. Powerfully spicy and satisfying finish, but the overall quality is quite far from the best vintages. Quite open and clean, fresh nose with hints of ripe fruit and smoky, roasted, almost burnt flavours. Decanted 20 minutes. Extensive sweet aftertaste. The wine is still holding well
NUMBER 901.
1966 Château Laroze (St.Emilion)
2004/now x2 · D 1 h / G 1 h
92p
Brilliant level and appearance. Good, dark and deep colour. A satisfying surprise!. Every taste brings new subtle nuances. Very dynamic and meaty wine, but if it lacks something, it is charm and roundness. It has some good leather aromas and black fruit flavours left, but it lacks the complexity and depth of a really great Cabernet Sauvignon. Still quite powerful and tannic, and it has a lot of character and complexity. Ready and will not improve. Claret style. Sweet, soft and stylish wine. (Rhône)
2005/2015 x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h
92p
The bottle was in decent condition with a good-looking label and by-the-neck level. Strong looking, dark and mature colour. Very youthful when tasted and will need ten more years to show its full potential.
900
but it was not nearly as tasteful and intense as we had hoped.
NUMBER 900.
1961 CS Buena Vista Haraszthy Cellars (Napa Valley)
2004/2010 · D 20 min / G 1 h
92p
Good appearance, level top-shoulder. L. The wine is mineral yet intense and charming. A very skilful blend of the two with perfect harmony. Fully mature and healthy colour
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1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
355
Château Valandraud
Drink now. Very open and sound nose with a lot of ripe fruits - very promising indeed. Although Turley has a very peculiar range of single vineyard wines, we prefer this blend of old vines for its modest level of alcohol compared to the others (only 15.1%!). Spicy, complex nose of cherries, forest floor, and leather. The wine develops in the glass, giving aromas of tar, root vegetables and teak wood. A bit alcoholic but long, rich and full. Only a quarter of the barrels are new. Dark, intense, ruby red colour. Decanted 30 minutes. The full mouth-feel and silky texture go well with the marked acidity and round fruitiness. A fully satisfying experience.. The vines vary from 56-105 years of age and not more than 800 cases of the wine have been made. Intense jammy nose full of mint and wild strawberries. Great concentration and ripeness. A very meaty and balanced long finish is turning towards the more restrained Old World style than overripe and jammy.
908
NUMBER 908.
1926 Clos-des-Mouches Range Drouhin (Côte de Beaune)
2000/now x1 · D 30 min / G 30 min
92p
Good looking bottle with top-shoulder level. 3 5 6 1000
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NUMBER 905.
2005 Riesling Unendlich FX Pichler (Wachau)
2006/2015 x4 · D 30 min / G 1 h
92p
Lively and almost overwhelmingly pure fruity nose. Levels were by the neck. The wine is rich and complex with a multitude of flavours - plums, raisins, cherries, spices, mocha, and hazelnuts. A bodybuilder-like structure with a lot of muscle. The wine remains very youthful with some of the particles still waiting for integration. Not as concentrated as the 1945, but with less aggressive tannins. Good, but not as great as it was ten years ago.
NUMBER 907.
1998 Old Vines Zinfandel Turley
(USA)
2001/2015 x4 · D 1 h / G 1.5 h
92p
The legendary Zinfandel winemaker Helen Turley produces only 6,000-6,500 cases per year. The wines go through oak ageing in 75 percent French oak and 25 percent American oak. Good, full red colour, not much browning. Light and charming, and beginning to show signs of age. The name Unendlich must refer to the unending aftertaste. It requires five more years to show its best and it will keep for a decade more.
NUMBER 906.
1947 Château Belair (St.Emilion)
2005/now x7 · D 45 min / G 1 h
92p
These last two négociant-bottled 1947 Belairs came from Belgium, and they were both in good shape. Medium-red colour, pale rim. The full-bodied and tightly-knit palate is dominated by high level of alcohol, firm rich tannins and very well balanced, appealing sweet fruit. This wine has held incredibly well for a 74-year-old Burgundy
The wine is elegant and stylish. Decanted only for 15 minutes. It also has some sharpness in the otherwise long and warming finish. It ends quite hard and dry but with a long and warm finish.
917
NUMBER 917.
1995 Grand Vin Signature Jacquesson (Champagne)
2006/2015 x4 · D 15 min / G 1 h
92p
The 1995 Signature was a blend of 55 percent Pinot Noir and 45 percent Chardonnay. Quite tight and hard when first opened - closed and shy on the nose. Pronounced and open raisiny nose with hazelnut and honey complexity. An attractive and fascinating, historical wine.
NUMBER 914.
1904 Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves)
2001/now x2 · D 15 min / G 15 min
92p
A very good-looking château-bottling with base neck level. This ripe vintage produced a Signature that is open and charming right now, the Chardonnay characteristics turning towards
the creamier and nuttier side. While it was certainly good, it was not nearly as great as a Mouton can be, not even in a Magnum.
NUMBER 916.
1900 Château Haut-Bailly (Graves)
2006/now x4 · D 30 min / G 1 h
92p
Like the first bottle of Haut-Bailly 1900 we tasted, this one looked as good as new. After a while it became a lovely, open and giving wine. A fine level and colour. Decanted two hours. A soft and nicely rounded wine with ripe, smooth tannins. It opened in five minutes. It dried out displeasingly quickly in the glass. Complex and well balanced, long-lived wine with light structure soon to be forgotten. Light-bodied, well-balanced, but has already lost some of its sweet fruitiness and freshness. Well integrated high alcohol and a substantially aromatic nature. Luscious sweetness, which is not able to mask the lively acidity. Decanted 30 minutes. Elegant creaminess and oxidised apple nuances.. Quite brownish, maturing colour. An elegant, gentle and very pleasingly well made wine. The wine has preserved remarkably well and there is absolutely no rush to enjoy it. Rich colour and nose. Meaty, rich and quite well balanced, but the fruit seemed weak, lacking intensity, making us seriously doubt if this wine is ever going to be any better than it is today. Dark, good, healthy colour - looked like velvet. Lots of cedar, mint, earth, and chocolate on the nose. However, the first ten minutes were rewarding
NUMBER 915.
1952 Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac)
2006/2010 x3 · D 2 h / G 1 h
92p
Wonderful-looking magnum, level by the neck. 3 5 8 1000
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NUMBER 913.
1834 Madeira Bual Malvasia (Portugal)
2006/2040 x4 · D 2 h / G 4 h
92p
Well-kept bottle with good level. Brown, fully mature colour with high viscosity
This vintage is not one of the longest-lived. A youthful and refreshing champagne that has clear future potential. On the palate the wine is very playful with delicate but intense flavours. The wine is pleasant and open now and will
2005/2010 x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h
The tiny winery run by Rick Kinzbrunner produces fabulous wines on the foothills of the Victorian Alps at 400 metres altitude. Attractive ripe fruitiness with some bitter tones on the finish. The palate is consistent with the nose offering spiciness, burnt match aromas and nuances of undergrowth. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
359
Intense and fruity palate with a delicate and charming velvety texture. This charming Chardonnay is different from most of the New World Chardonnays by being more restrained than opulent in style. Rich medium-bodied palate is really subtle with an elegant, vivid acidity and moderate tannins. The upfront nose shows a whole lot of peppery spiciness and ripe dark fruits - plums and cherries mixed with floral tones. Intense, ripe dark fruits marry well with the spiciness from the oak ageing and the finish is very harmonious and seductive. Required some time to open up in the glass but lasted well developing positive characteristics.
2006/2015 x2 · D 2 h / G 1 h
An opaque, dark ruby colour. A refreshing acidity makes the wine feel perform well until 2015.
lively and attractive. The medium-bodied palate is full of tropical fruits, supported with a mouth-drying
NUMBER 921.
1999 Chardonnay Giaconda (Victoria)
92p
NUMBER 920.
2003 Meursault Genevrières 1er Cru Comte Lafon (Côte de Beaune) 92p
920
NUMBER 919.
1998 Paleo Le Macchiole (Tuscany)
92p
NUMBER 918.
1996 Richebourg Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits)
92p. The hotness of the vintage can be sensed in a higher than usual alcohol with a wide, oily palate. The best Italian 100 percent Cabernet Franc wine by far.
2007/2015 x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Youthful, medium-deep lemony colour. Stylish and balanced wine with mineral elegance and long finish. Soft and mild, sophisticated nose of new French oak, spices, nuts, and apple. The same flavours escort the dry gently crispy taste. A medium-bodied wine with a smooth and viscous texture and well-rounded, mature tannins. The wine with bright, moderately pale yellow colour has an extremely refi ned lemony and buttery nose with smokiness, toasted bread and coffee. Lemony acidity and a long nutty aftertaste with light mineral smokiness. Traditional and nuanced in style.
2006/2020 x4 · D 3 h / G 2 h
Developing a harmonious nose of red berries, cherries and strawberries
The wine itself though was a slight disappointment, tasting edgier, thinner and less balanced compared to many other Montrachets from top producers from this great vintage. Some CO2 in the bottle. Fresh, lean and mineral nose with rich buttery notes, tropical fruits and biscuit notes. The family Le Bault de la Morinière owns 11 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards out of the 33 hectares in the entire Grand Cru appellation. 3 6 0 1000
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toastiness and warming alcohol in the spicy, delicate finish. Epitome of a great Riesling. Moderately pale, straw yellow colour. Very firm structure with high balanced alcohol and marked acidity. Aromatic and fragrant expressive nose of flowers, honey and delicate petrol-like complexity. The malolactic fermentation takes place very late. Drinking perfectly today but will develop positively for a few years and keep for a decade.
NUMBER 924.
1996 Corton-Charlemagne Bonneau du Martray (Côte de Beaune)
2006/2020 x3 · D 1.5 h / G 2 h
92p
Bonneau du Martray is an exceptional winery in Burgundy. Dry taste with crisp acidity, oily texture and very concentrated minerality. Really aristocratic white wine with charming complexity. The bouquet was youthful, flowery, lively, and very promising. Broad taste with lemony and mineral tones and lovely depth with tropical fruitiness. They vinify separately all 14 parcels of Chardonnay in low temperatures. Long-lasting consistent finish. One reason is of course that it is one of the few domaines focusing only on making one white and one red wine. We brought this bottle straight from Burgundy and it seemed to be in superb condition. It is somehow more aristocratic than any other winery in Burgundy. Pichler (Wachau)
2007/2015 x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
92p
Deep developing golden colour. Great concentration, lovely balance and lingering long aftertaste. The reason for it being such an aristocrat is that both of the wines are Grand Cru wines from the same hillside. Great concentration of pure fruitiness. We tasted this at a blind tasting that included quite a few Montrachets from the same vintage. Drinking wonderfully now but will easily keep and evolve for the next 10-15 years.
924. The DRC came in next to last with an average score of 92. This is by no means a poor wine, but a small disappointment compared to our expectations.
NUMBER 923.
2000 Von den Terrassen Riesling Smaragd F.X. Decanted one hour. A lovely Burgundy style wine with a sophisticated appearance and a soul full of strength.
NUMBER 922.
1989 Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune)
2004/2015 x4 · D 1 h / G 4 h
92p
An excellent vintage, especially for white Burgundy. This very good vintage was formed by the superbly long growth period in dry and cool weather
Floral and spicy flavours with hints of earthiness and black olives. A rewarding wine, which charms with each sip. Very long mineral finish with good tannic grip. It was not until the 1996 vintage that Solare stood out from the exclusivity of Enoteca Pinchiorri being available for domestic and international markets. Well-balanced with velvety tannin and a vivid acidic presence into the long and solid finish.
NUMBER 927.
1994 Opus One Mondavi & Mouton-Rothschild (Napa Valley)
927
92p
NUMBER 926.
1996 Clos des Cistes Domaine Peyre Rose (Côteaux du Languedoc)
92p
NUMBER 925.
1990 Solare Capannelle (Tuscany)
92p. The blend is 85 percent Syrah and 15 percent Grenache. Developed, medium-intense cherry red colour with brown tints. Some herbs and delicate toasty nuances. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
361
2005/2010 x4 · D 30 min / G 1 h
This wine was officially made as an exclusive house wine for the three Michelin star restaurant Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence. Cedar and vanilla toned intense nose, with sound earthy and blackberry aromas. Big palate with broad texture, moderate acidity, refined big tannins, and ripe dark fruits of black currants, blueberries, brambles, and plums. Beautifully matured and harmonious wine that will improve for few more years before starting its decline.
2006/2015 x2 · D 1 h / G 1.5 h
Domaine Peyre Rosé winery has been owned by Marlene Soria since 1973. A dark, deep ruby colour. Deep, dark, blood red colour with mahogany hue. Truly opulent and complex in style. The medium-bodied palate is completed with fresh acidity, firm powdery tannins and moderately intense fruitiness with cherries and plums. The wine is based on Sangiovese grapes and has been aged for almost two years in French oak. This single vineyard wine from 7 hectares Clos des Cistes parcel gave name to the estate for its pink stones on the topsoil. She became interested in winegrowing as a hobby but found herself involved in business after bottling her first vintage in 1990. Although the wine derives from the heart of the Chianti Classico zone in Gaiole, it is still labeled as IGT Tuscany wine due to its non-traditional vinification methods. Wonderfully developed nose with nut, leather and cherry aromas with hints of violets and spiciness. Rich, meaty, violet and spice nose with tar, smoke and liquorice. Decanted two hours. Summer was cooler than average, extending the growing season and hang time of the grapes. Perfect harmony and balance. This textbook Opus One is full-bodied and more complex, richer, and more luscious than all the other vintages in the early 1990s. Drinking exquisitely now but this wine will develop nicely for ten more years.
2006/2015 x5 · D 1 h / G 1 h
The longest, coolest growing season recorded in a decade, 1994 started with a sunny and dry March and
an early bud break. Very mineral, long restrained finish true terroir Sangiovese, authentic style for Capannelle wines. The well-developed nose expresses notes of horse saddle and earthiness
Late July brought along sun and the warm sunny weather continued throughout most of August. Very stylish and persistent toasty finish. The 2000 Pichon Lalande blend consists of 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 36 percent Merlot, 6 percent Cabernet Franc, and 8 percent Petit Verdot. Deep dark ruby colour. Rich, layered and pronounced nose of red cherries, blackcurrants and some spicy new oak. Deep, golden colour with red tints. Elegant yet intense and persistent. The deep and dense palate is ripe and round but the marked acidity is slightly too much for the mouth-feel. For once they had it all: phenolic ripeness, round and voluptuous fruitiness, and firm tannin. The balanced and refined structure is perfect for ageing for another 1020 years.. Impressive structure of fine-grained and fully ripe tannin. Fascinating and stylish subtle nose of wild forest berries, undergrowth and oriental spices. Despite this, a great white wine rarity to be consumed today. May be kept for a few more years.
NUMBER 929.
1990 Cuvée Louise Pommery (Champagne)
2004/2025 x9 · D 15 min / G 1 h
92p
A stylish nose of toasty autolysis character, white flowers and fudge. Judging by the performance of this wine, the appellation also deserves its status for whites. May and early summer were cool. Harmonious, already promising great future potential for this sensational and sensual wine.
931
(Côte de Nuits)
NUMBER 931.
1990 Grands-Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
2006/2025 x3 · D 2 h / G 2 h
92p
A great vintage for premium red Burgundy. At Pichon Lalande the vendange commenced on September 21st and continued until October 9th. The palate does not reach the level of the nose. Dried fruit and wax aromatics. The rich and velvety mouth-feel is firmed up by substantial tannin. Deep, purple coloured eye. The Grand-Echezéaux is well balanced and attractive but a bit restrained for the
time being. A long and fine aftertaste. Still at a very youthful state and will need a further 5 to 10 years to reach full potential.
NUMBER 930.
2000 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pauillac) 92p
2005/2030 x5 · D 8 h / G 3.5 h
The new millennium gave a precious gift to Bordeaux in the form of a perfect growing season and superb wines. July continued colder than usual with occasional showers. A magnificent nose that resembles mature champagne: overwhelmingly rich aroma of toast, apples, nuts, and dried fruits. Muscular and elegant at the same time. 3 6 2 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 928.
1953 Clos Vougeot Blanc Phorin (Côte de Nuits)
2007/2010 x3 · D 45 min / G 1 h
92p
This real rarity of a white Clos de Vougeot was a unique experience. The particularly sunny September was able to ripen the phenolics fully and to concentrate the anthocyans. Fine mousse and a smooth velvety texture. A very well made, balanced and faultless wine from this excellent vintage
The wine has aged wonderfully and is at a great stage right now. Linear structure with oily viscosity and a full-body. High alcohol and refreshing acidity. Fresh overall taste that lingers long with nut and dried fruit flavours.
2004/2015 x4 · D 1 h / G 1 h
Sweet, soft and pronounced nose of passion fruit, petroleum and beeswax. Drink now.
2007/2040 x2 · D 3 h / G 3 h
Paolo de Marchi makes an astonishing Vin Santo in Chianti Classico. Astringent and chewy tannins show masculine power while delicate floral and perfumery flavours add to the delicate feminine side of the wine. On the palate the wine explodes! Rich full-bodied style with moderately high acidity refreshes a very concentrated texture of fruit, oak and alcohol. A classy giant!
2004/2010 x3 · D 1 h / G 1 h
1949 was an excellent vintage in the Rhône. Peculiar, opulent and very intense nose shows ripe dark
fruits, toasty coffee aromas included with lead pencil and root vegetables. Charming sufficient acidity in balance with the residual sugar. Ripe cherries, figs, brambles, and violets combine well with harmonious toasty oak aromas. The body is viscous with the alcohol dominating slightly. Full-bodied, seductively rich tex-
ture with ripe dark fruits, attractive toastiness and a warming sweet sensation of high alcohol. Roasted and nutty nose with light oak nuances. A long, fleshy finish with an intense and spicy aftertaste. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
363
2005/2015 x3 · D 1 h / G 3 h
A clear, deep ruby red colour. Perfumery nose with roasted coffee beans, salted liquorice and spicy aromas. Dark chococonsumption but will still keep for a decade.
late and hints of liquorice flavours push through in a long, less crispy finish. The Chapoutier Hermitage has stood the test of time well, however it is in decline. But there is no hurry to enjoy this white wine monster.
2001/2015 x4 · D 1 h / G 2 h
Moderately intense ruby colour with purple tints. Extremely pleasing wine for early
NUMBER 936.
1997 Case Via Syrah Fontodi (Tuscany)
936
92p
NUMBER 935.
1990 Loibenberg Riesling Smaragd Alzinger (Wachau)
92p
NUMBER 934.
1999 Vin Santo Isole e Olena (Tuscany)
92p
NUMBER 933.
1949 Hermitage Chapoutier (Rhône)
92p
NUMBER 932.
1997 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella (Veneto)
92p. The powerful spicy and jammy nose sets us up for a big wine. Very clean, fruit-driven and extremely intense taste. Medium-deep brick red colour. Medium deep shiny amber colour. Soft and sweet raisiny characters on the rich and concentrated palate. Softened tannin and balanced acidity
3 6 8 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
369
Tinto Pesquera
Superb varietal characteristics of Merlot on the nose: vegetal notes, pepper, tar, chocolate, and dark berries. Forward, but healthy and perfumed nose. Elegant and vibrant nose of toast, cream and ripe fruitiness. Very rich, chocolaty and sweet old Barolo with a firm backbone of softened tannins. Even a bit cloudy. Pronounced palate that corresponds to the nose. The nose expresses smoky new oak and a soft ripe jammy style. Rich and round harmonious mouth-feel, well integrated with the bubbles. A tiny production of 600 cases vanishes quickly into the cellars of collectors all around the world. Long taste and a refined mousse. At peak from 2010 onwards.
NUMBER 953.
1945 Barolo Riserva Borgogno (Piedmond)
2006/now x4 · D 15 min / G 1 h
92p
The bottle was in excellent condition, and level was by the neck. Rich and nuanced nose of tar and dark berries. Not the most complex but filled with pleasing fruit and acidity. An outstanding wine that is starting to show its full potential.
NUMBER 951.
1985 Belle Epoque Perrier-Jouët (Champagne)
2007/2010 x9 · D 10 min / G 1 h
92p
Deep maturing yellow colour with fine bubbles. A little bit of edge, maybe even a hint of oxidation, although the finish was pleasant and long. The first experiences were from normal sized bottles but the last bottle tasted was a magnum. Although this wine does not reach the concentration and intensity of Yquem, it is still marvellous.. Tannins are admirably powerful with perfect phenolic ripeness. Apples, white flowers and stone fruits. Medium deep brick-red colour. A very good example of Borgogno´s old Barolos.
954
1921 Château Coutet (Barsac)
NUMBER 954.
92p
2007/now x4 · D 1 h / G 2 h
This vintage can certainly be named as the vintage of the 20th century in Sauternes and Barsac regions. Juicy, vinous mouth-feel and full body. Decanted one hour. There was quite a difference with the magnum holding on very well, worthy of more than 92 points.
NUMBER 952.
1999 Messorio Le Macchiole (Tuscany)
2004/2020 x3 · D 1 h / G 2 h
92p
100 percent Tuscan Merlot can be very exiting, especially if the producer is the Bolgheri-based Le Macchiole. Pale, light brown, unhealthy looking colour, but quite typical for old Barolos. The palate is refreshing and firm with mouth-filling rich fruitiness. A great wine at peak. Alcohol feels high but balanced and the taste is delightfully persistent. Nuances of eucalyptus and herbs. 3 7 0 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 950.
1999 Corullón Descendientes de José Palacios (Bierzo)
2005/2015 x2 · D 1 h / G 1 h
92p
Dark purple colour
3 7 6 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
He manages year after year to produce great wines from his 5.5 hectare plot on the steep hills of Cornas. A lingering long chewy finish with minerality and spiciness. After a good summer, conditions were ideal throughout the harvesting. Delightful toastiness and spiciness of anise and tobacco adds complexity into the nose. Medium-bodied palate delivers rich flavours of ripe dark fruits, refined toastiness, crisp acidity, and rich velvety tannins. Dry and cool mornings with gradually warming days ensured fresh acidity and delicate ripe fruitiness and tannins. 3 8 0 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
NUMBER 982.
1995 Clos de la Roche Joseph Drouhin (Côte de Nuits)
2001/2020 x6 · D 3 h / G 2.5 h
92p
Very good vintage for red Burgundy, limited in quantity but high in quality. Very deep violet and ruby colour. Elegant, moderately intense ripe cassis nose is peculiarly refreshed with herbaceous leafy aromas. Moderately pale cherry-red colour. Full-bodied palate shows many layers of flavours with great structure formed by moderately high acidity, big ripe tannins and intense dark fruitiness.
The aromas shown on the nose are repeated on the palate along with hints of white pepper, smoked ham and leathery flavours. Pronounced explosive nose full of ripe dark fruits, wild strawberries and
984
now but keeping over a decade still.
blueberries enhanced with smoky, spicy, liquorice, and tar aromas. Medium-bodied palate enjoys vivid acidity, very elegant tannins and a good amount of ripe dark fruit. Very intense wine with great length.
NUMBER 984.
1996 Cornas Auguste Clape (Rhône)
2005/2020 x2 · D 1.5 h / G 3 h
92p
Auguste Clape is without a doubt the king of Cornas. A mild winter turned into a cool spring delaying bud-break. A cool winter delayed bud break and cool temperatures with rain affected the flowering and fruit set in May, reducing the crop size. Opulent and deep nose with plenty of ripe cherries, raspberries and brambles, violets, liquorice, and smokiness. The wines express always the purity and concentration of old Syrah vines from a unique terroir of limestone, marl, sand, and granite. A big terroir wine drinking well. The celebrated 25th harvest of the winery resulted in the blend with 77 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 17 percent Cabernet Franc and 6 percent Merlot. Thanks to the rapid harvesting the vintage turned out to be very good with non-diluted grapes. Then came the frost, interrupting the flowering. Luckily the hot summer gave some relief until the rain ruined hopes of a dream vintage. Very aromatic and complex taste with a long lingering finish.
NUMBER 983.
1990 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Robert Mondavi (Napa Valley)
2003/2010 x4 · D 30 min / G 1.5 h
92p
This was a cool vintage producing elegant style wines. Medium intense, bright and beautiful brick-red colour
Perfect time to drink up.
987
NUMBER 987.
1966 Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves)
92p
NUMBER 986.
1996 Cuvée William Deutz Rosé Deutz (Champagne)
92p
NUMBER 985.
1977 Grange Penfolds
92p. Does not benefit from further ageing, although, the wine will keep for another ten years. Decanted one hour. Medium-bodied palate with high level of acidity and minerals. This wine is a brilliant example of this. On the palate very densely-textured with fine tannins that are ripe and of high quality. Subtle and elegant nose of spices, minerality and extreme purity. The mouth-feel is creamy and the wine has a lovely balance. The steely acidity is a benchmark to this terrific vintage. Very deep, concentrated fruit on the nose: a seam of rich blackcurrant and mulberry dusted with spice and black coffee. The growing season remained stable until September when the sunny weather with hot temperatures took place boosting the ripening of the grapes. Very developed and pronounced nose with plenty of flavours: leather, dark fruit, chocolate, cedar, and strong volatile aromas. Firm tannic structure gives still good backbone to this restrained wine. Dark, opaque crimson. Ethereal nuances and dried fruit characters brought extra dimensions to the wine. Classical and very fine in style. Extremely glamorous and harmonious already but will improve significantly with extended cellaring.
2005/2015 x12 · D 45 min / G 1.5 h
A moderately dry and cool summer followed a mild winter and an early spring. Volatile flavours take a hold on the lingering finish reducing the elegance of the wine but adding at the same time vividness to it. Moderately intense brick red colour. Floral and smoky flavours with blackberry and blackcurrant notes. Surprisingly good still.
2007/2020 x2 · D 30 min / G 1 h
Beautiful pale orange onionskin colour with fine bubbles. Good length, with drying tannins coating the tongue as it finishes. Background of cedar and pencil-shavings. Still quite tight, very focused. 1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
381
2007/2010 x2 · D 45 min / G 1 h
Fine looking bottle with top-shoulder level. The result was a very good vintage, which has shown good ageing potential
3 9 2 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
78 185 53 147 115 550 162
1961 1982 1989 1990 1929 1962 1985
Château Haut-Brion (Graves) Château Haut-Brion (Graves) Château Haut-Brion (Graves) Château Haut-Brion (Graves) Château Haut-Brion Blanc (Graves) Château Haut-Brion Blanc (Graves) Château Haut-Brion Blanc (Graves)
98p 97p 98p 97p 98p 94p 97p 96p 98p 97p 96p 92p 92p 96p 100p 96p 93p 93p 94p 92p 95p 95p 99p 98p 93p 98p 97p 93p 96p 100p 95p 94p 96p 97p 98p 92p 94p 92p 93p 93p 99p 96p 95p 93p 95p 98p 98p 92p 98p 96p
2006/2020 x23 2006/2020 x9 2007/2030 x29 2005/2020 x22 2004/2010 x2 2004/2010 x6 2002/2025 x3 2001/2015 x3
275 1945 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey (Sauternes) 1784 1787 254 1812 1000 1832 850 1858 243 1864 9 1870 274 1874 643 1892 634 1899 605 1900 739 1945 461 1947 412 1949 31 1953 98 1959 723 1961 64 1982 146 1986 674 1989 276 21 458 597 327 156 119 1945 1947 1950 1955 1966 1975 1982 Château Lafite (Pauillac) Château Lafite (Pauillac) Château Lafite (Pauillac) Château Lafite (Pauillac) Château Lafite (Pauillac) Château Lafite (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Lafleur (Pomerol) Château Lafleur (Pomerol) Château Lafleur (Pomerol) Château Lafleur (Pomerol) Château Lafleur (Pomerol) Château Lafleur (Pomerol) Château Lafleur (Pomerol)
2006/now x3 2007/now x5 2005/now x2 2000/2010 x3 2001/2010 x6 1999/now x2 2005/now x4 2005/now x2 2007/now x2 2007/2015 x11 2007/2010 x1 2005/2025 x18 2007/2020 x24 2007/2020 x23 2006/2015 x32 2005/2020 x9 2005/2025 x24 2007/2020 x11 2004/2015 x15 2007/2020 x16 2006/2020 x7 2004/2010 x4 2006/2030 x4 2003/2015 x14 2006/2025 x5 2002/now x4 2003/now x1 2001/now x2 2000/now x3 2000/now x2 2000/2015 x19 2006/2015 x16 2006/2015 x22 2006/2010 x8 2007/2015 x10 2006/2010 x24 2004/2020 x32 2005/2015 x12 2007/2030 x21 2007/2010 x18
960 1874 Château Lagrange (Saint-Julien) 613 914 778 641 33 271 353 729 408 59 76 967 69 301 1900 1904 1918 1926 1945 1950 1952 1953 1955 1959 1961 1966 1975 1978 Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves)
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
393
63 28
1982 Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves) 1989 Château La Mission-Haut-Brion (Graves)
98p 99p 92p 92p 93p 95p 92p 94p 96p 96p 94p 98p 98p 95p 97p 94p 97p 92p 93p 99p 100p 93p 96p 94p 98p 99p 92p 97p 94p 95p 97p 92p 98p 94p 94p 94p 93p 95p 94p 98p 97p 93p 94p 96p 95p 96p
2006/2035 x16 2006/2035 x17 2004/now x3 2004/now x2 2007/now x4 2005/now x2 2000/now x2 2007/now x2 2005/2015 x13 2005/2015 x13 2003/now x2 2007/2025 x7 2001/2020 x17 2004/2010 x5 1998/2030 x10 2003/2010 x4 2006/2025 x21 2000/2010 x3 2006/2010 x5 2005/2030 x33 2007/2030 x73 2002/2015 x3 2006/2015 x24 2006/2015 x25 2007/2030 x26 2006/2040 x17 2003/2020 x16 2005/2025 x9 2006/2025 x4 2006/2015 x4 2006/2020 x14 2004/2010 x2 2007/2015 x10 2007/2015 x3 2002/2020 x2 2007/2010 x4 2004/2010 x38 2004/now x2 2004/2015 x2 2004/2010 x5 2004/2020 x12 2003/2015 x12 2007/2010 x21 2006/2020 x24 2006/2020 x12 2004/now x3
939 1899 Château Langoa-Barton (Saint-Julien) 901 1966 Château Laroze (St.Emilion) 713 466 876 536 264 245 523 58 61 364 133 498 161 903 632 44 1 744 249 555 107 36 805 211 573 465 131 840 113 1870 1897 1908 1911 1921 1924 1926 1928 1929 1934 1945 1948 1949 1950 1953 1959 1961 1962 1964 1966 1970 1982 1986 1990 1998 1945 1950 1952 1961 Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour (Pauillac) Château Latour-à-Pomerol (Pomerol) Château Latour-à-Pomerol (Pomerol) Château Latour-à-Pomerol (Pomerol) Château Latour-à-Pomerol (Pomerol)
495 1966 Château Laville Haut-Brion (Graves) 500 1948 Château Léoville Barton (Saint-Julien) 604 1949 Château Léoville Barton (Saint-Julien) 702 1970 Château Léoville Barton (Saint-Julien) 452 572 118 129 666 505 253 474 1900 1926 1928 1945 1947 1961 1982 1986 Château Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien) Château Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien) Château Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien) Château Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien) Château Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien) Château Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien) Château Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien) Château Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien)
261 1900 Château Léoville Poyferré (Saint-Julien)
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
395
57 630 266 483 886 639 336 423 764 731 277 45 80 902 586 675
1982 1985 1986 1988 1989 1994 1995 1998 1999 2000 1959 1961 1966 1982 1983 1990
Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac) Château Palmer (Margaux) Château Palmer (Margaux) Château Palmer (Margaux) Château Palmer (Margaux) Château Palmer (Margaux) Château Palmer (Margaux)
99p 93p 96p 94p 92p 93p 96p 95p 93p 93p 96p 99p 98p 92p 94p 93p 93p 92p 92p 92p 95p 92p 99p 97p 97p 95p 94p 93p 98p 100p 93p 95p 97p 95p 95p 98p 100p 96p 97p 98p 97p 97p 98p 100p 99p 95p
2007/2032 x7 2007/2015 x11 2007/2030 x35 2006/2015 x5 2007/2015 x4 2007/2015 x10 2006/now x3 2006/2030 x7 2006/2015 x3 2006/2040 x4 2007/2015 x9 2006/2020 x22 2006/2015 x23 2006/2020 x9 2007/2015 x9 2000/2020 x8 2004/2006 x3 2006/now x3 2003/now x5 2006/2010 x8 2004/2010 x3 2004/2030 x4 2005/2015 x15 2007/2025x3 2001/2015 x11 2006/now x2 2003/2020 x4 2005/now x4 2007/2025 x6 2007/2015 x34 2006/2015 x5 2004/2010 x11 2005/2025 x8 2007/2015 x7 2007/2015 x8 2006/2020 x39 2007/2020 x19 2001/2010 x21 2006/2020 x3 2007/2015 x22 2006/2025 x12 2006/2020 x6 2007/2040 x7 2006/2040 x22 2006/2030 x12 2006/2045 x4 2004/2015 x7 2006/2030 x5 2006/2020 x5
659 1949 Château Pape-Clément (Graves) 820 864 811 390 891 34 170 153 451 587 760 70 7 645 398 150 418 358 56 14 297 196 87 179 225 54 19 49 460 1898 1947 1949 1961 1999 1921 1928 1929 1934 1937 1943 1945 1947 1948 1949 1950 1952 1955 1959 1961 1964 1966 1970 1971 1975 1982 1989 1990 2000 Château Pavie (St.Emilion) Château Pavie (St.Emilion) Château Pavie (St.Emilion) Château Pavie (St.Emilion) Château Pavie (St.Emilion) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol) Château Pétrus (Pomerol)
845 1945 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron (Pauillac) 92p 242 1989 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron (Pauillac) 96p 974 1996 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron (Pauillac) 92p
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
399
430 1911 Le Chambertin Clos de Beze, Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits) 869 1914 Le Chambertin Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits) 513 1929 Le Chambertin Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits) 180 1964 Chevalier-Montrachet Les Demoiselles Louis Jadot (Côte de Beaune) 556 1985 Le Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Louis Jadot (Côte de Nuits) 293 1986 Bâtard-Montrachet Louis Jadot (Côte de Beaune) 912 1970 Corton-Pougets Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot (Côte de Beaune) 410 1985 Chevalier-Montrachet Leflaive
95p 92p 94p 97p
2005/now x3 2004/2015 x2 2004/now x2 2004/2015 x2
94p 96p 92p 95p
2002/2020 x2 2004/2020 x2 2006/2010 x3 2007/2015 x6
966 1928 Corton Domaine Louis Latour (Côte de Beaune) 92p 851 1949 Pommard Domaine Louis Latour (Côte de Beaune) 92p 142 1959 Corton-Charlemagne Domaine Louis Latour (Côte de Beaune) 97p 761 1937 Chapelle-Chambertin Domaine Leroy (Côte de Nuits) 801 1937 Romanée St.Vivant Domaine Leroy (Côte de Nuits) 294 1959 Chambertin Domaine Leroy (Côte de Nuits) 350 1964 Musigny Domaine Leroy (Côte de Nuits) 375 1969 Le Montrachet Domaine Leroy (Côte de Beaune) 262 1976 Clos de Vougeot Leroy (Côte de Nuits) 333 1985 Corton-Charlemagne Leroy (Côte de Beaune) 159 1990 Richebourg Domaine Leroy (Côte de Nuits) 592 1996 Musigny Domaine Leroy (Côte de Nuits) 478 1996 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes Leroy (Côte de Nuits)
2004/2015 x6 2005/now x4 2000/2010 x3
93p 92p 96p 95p 95p 96p 96p 97p 94p 94p
2005/2010 x3 2000/2008 x3 2005/2015 x3 2000/2015 x2 2002/2015 x4 2004/2010 x11 2007/2015 x6 2005/2020 x5 2006/2030 x2 2006/2030 x4 2002/now x2
865 1918 Le Montrachet Lupé-Cholet (Côte de Beaune) 91p 90 1949 Romanée-St.Vivant Domaine Marey-Monge (Côte de Nuits) 681 1969 Romanée-St.Vivant Domaine Marey-Monge (Côte de Nuits)
98p 93p
2005/now x4 2003/now x2 2004/2010 x4 2000/now x4
957 1937 Bâtard-Montrachet Marcilly (Côte de Beaune) 92p 654 1964 Clos-de-Tart Mommessin (Côte de Nuits) 448 2002 Bâtard-Montrachet Domaine Ramonet (Côte de Beaune) 589 1997 Montrachet Domaine Ramonet (Côte de Beaune) 382 2004 Montrachet Domaine Ramonet (Côte de Beaune) 93p
95p 94p 95p
2007/2015 x3 2006/2025 x6 2006/2015 x3
4 0 0 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
661 2001 Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre Raveneau (Chablis) 560 1921 Clos-de-Vougeot Regnier (Côte de Nuits) 309 1998 Bâtard-Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune) 762 1947 Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 463 1989 Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 881 1935 Grands-Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 426 1937 Grands-Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 296 1959 Grands-Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 890 1964 Grands-Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 931 1990 Grands-Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 999 2000 Grands-Echézeaux Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 769 105 440 749 515 32 16 145 581 445 37 27 13 373 40 47 575 922 616 663 454 582 92 112 209 918 680 24 1947 1949 1950 1952 1953 1959 1962 1969 1971 1976 1978 1985 1990 1999 1966 1986 1987 1989 1997 2000 2002 2003 1929 1937 1964 1996 1997 La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune) Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune) Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune) Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune) Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune) Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune) Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune) Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Beaune) Richebourg Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) Richebourg Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) Richebourg Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) Richebourg Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) Richebourg Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits)
93p 94p
2006/2015 x3 2001/now x1
96p 93p 95p
2006/2015 x1 2007/2015 x3 2006/2015 x3
92p 95p 96p 92p 92p 92p 93p 98p 95p 93p 94p 99p 100p 97p 94p 95p 99p 99p 100p 95p 99p 99p 94p 92p 94 p 93p 95p 94p 98p 98p 97p 91p 93p
2006/now x3 20072010 x2 2004/2010 x2 2004/2015 x3 2006/2025 x3 2006/2030 x2 2005/2010 x4 2000/2010 x2 2007/now x2 2005/2015 x5 2006/2015 x2 2000/2020 x8 2005/2015 x4 2006/2030 x8 2007/2020 x7 2007/2015 x6 2007/2020 x6 2006/2020 x4 2006/2025 x9 2006/2030 x8 2001/2020 x5 2004/2015 x1 2006/2015 x3 2004/2015 x4 2004/2020 x4 2007/2015 x3 2006/2030 x2 2007/2015 x3 1998/2010 x4 2007/now x1 2001/2020 x2 2006/2020 x4 2002/2020 x3 2007/now x7
1923 Romanée-Conti Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits) 99p
4 0 2 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
898 1970 Hermitage J.L. Chave (Rhône) 92p 176 1990 Hermitage J.L. 1985 Côte-Rôtie La Turque Guigal (Rhône) 144 1988 Côte-Rôtie La Turque Guigal (Rhône) 791 1996 Côte-Rôtie La Turque Guigal (Rhône)
730 1955 Hermitage La Chapelle Paul Jaboulet Aîné (Rhône) 93p 8 1961 Hermitage La Chapelle Paul Jaboulet Aîné (Rhône) 100p 646 1964 Hermitage La Chapelle Paul Jaboulet Aîné (Rhône) 93p 480 1966 Hermitage La Chapelle Paul Jaboulet Aîné (Rhône) 93p 535 1970 Hermitage La Chapelle Paul Jaboulet Aîné (Rhône) 94p 74 1978 Hermitage La Chapelle Paul Jaboulet Aîné (Rhône) 98p 291 1990 Hermitage La Chapelle Paul Jaboulet Aîné (Rhône) 96p 980 1990 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée Domaine du Pegau (Rhône)
2003/2010 x4 2007/2030 x17 2007/2015 x2 1998/2008 x5 2001/2010 x9 2005/2030 x3 2006/2025 x6
92p
2001/2015 x2 2001/2020 x2 2004/2030 x3 2007/2015 x3
518 1978 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Château Rayas (Rhône) 94p 77 1990 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Château Rayas (Rhône) 98p 683 1990 Domaine de Trévallon (Rhône) 93p. Chave (Rhône) 97p 231 1990 Hermitage Cuvée Cathelin J.L. Chave (Rhône) 97p 984 1996 Cornas Auguste Clape (Rhône) 539 1999 Côte-Rôtie Les Grandes Places Domaine Clusel-Roch 787 1961 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Devigneau (Rhône) 235 1945 Hermitage Delas Frères (Rhône) 990 1990 Cuvée Syrah Château de Fonsalette 92p
2005/2015 x3 2005/2020 x3 2004/2025 x2 2005/2020 x2
95p 93p 95p 92p
2002/2020 x1 2004/2015 x5 2003/2008 x2 2004/now x3
946 1999 Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude Alain Graillot (Rhône) 92p 167 1990 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne Guigal (Rhône) 494 1999 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne Guigal (Rhône) 81 108 272 963 136 474 774 1969 1976 1985 1987 1988 1999 2000 Côte-Rôtie La Mouline Guigal (Rhône) Côte-Rôtie La Mouline Guigal (Rhône) Côte-Rôtie La Mouline Guigal (Rhône) Côte-Rôtie La Mouline Guigal (Rhône) Côte-Rôtie La Mouline Guigal (Rhône) Côte-Rôtie La Mouline Guigal (Rhône) Côte-Rôtie La Mouline Guigal (Rhône) 97p 94p 98p 98p 96p 92p 97p 95p 93p 99p 97p 93p
2005/2020 x3 2003/2020 x2 2006/2040 x3 2006/2010 x3 2003/2020 x3 2005/2020 x2 2007/2015 x4 2005/2025 x9 2006/2030 x4 2007/2020 x2 2003/2025 x2 2004/2025 x9 2004/2025 x3
46
4 1 8 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
911 1998 Mount Edelstone Shiraz Keyneton Vineyard Henschke (Eden Valley) 653 1998 Black Sock Magpie Estate (Barossa Valley) 996 1994 Quintet Cabernet Blend Mount Mary 801 664 937 169 109 711 896 230 97 985 514 585 823 734 1955 1959 1960 1961 1962 1965 1970 1971 1976 1977 1981 1986 1989 1998
92p 93p 92p
2004/2010 x2 2002/2015 x3 2006/2015 x2 2002/now x3 2006/2015 x2 2005/now x3 2001/2010 x3 2002/2010 x8 2001/now x3 2007/now x3 2004/2015 x3 2003/2010 x3 2007/2010 x2 2004/2010 x4 2003/2020 x9 2003/2015 x11 2006/2025 x7 1999/2040 x1 2001/2015 x2 2006/2015 x4 2005/2020 x3 2005/2015 x4 2007/2020 x4
Grange Hermitage Penfolds (South Australia) 92p Grange Hermitage Penfolds (South Australia) 93p Grange Hermitage Penfolds (South Australia) 92p Grange Hermitage Penfolds (South Australia) 97p Grange Hermitage Penfolds (South Australia) 98p Grange Hermitage Bin 95 Penfolds (Australia) 93p Grange Hermitage Penfolds (South Australia) 92p Grange Hermitage Penfolds (South Australia) 97p Grange Hermitage Penfolds (South Australia) 98p Grange Hermitage Penfolds (South Australia) 92p Grange Penfolds (South Australia) 94p Grange Penfolds (South Australia) 94p Grange Penfolds (South Australia) 92p Grange Penfolds (South Australia) 93p 95p 92p 93p 95p 93p 93 p
346 1879 Seppelt Para Liqueur Port (Barossa Valley) 826 1998 Descendant Torbreck (Barossa Valley) 752 1996 Run Rig Torbreck (Barossa Valley) 441 1996 Three Rivers Shiraz (Barossa Valley) 693 1997 Duck Muck Shiraz Wild Duck Creek (Heathcote) 776 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra John Riddoch Limited Release Wynns
NEW ZEALAND 940 1999 Pinot Noir Vineyard Fromm Winery (New Zealand) 92p 973 1996 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) 92p SOUTH AFRICA 62 1870 Vin de Constance (South-Africa) CHILE 698 1996 Almaviva (Maipo) RUSSIA 368 1938 Ai-Daniel Tokay Massandra Collection (Crimea) 490 1928 Livadia White Muscat Massandra Collection (Crimea) 126 1895 Red Port Livadia Massandra Collection (Crimea) 307 1937 Tavrida Black Muscat Massandra Collection (Crimea) LEBANON 738 1960 Château Musar (Lebanon)
2005/2015 x2 2006/2010 x19
98p
1998/2020 x2
93p
2006/2010 x3
95p 94p 97p 96p 92p
2006/2010 x4 2006/2010 x2 2005/2020 x4 2006/2010 x4 2003/2010 x3
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
419
4 2 0 1000
FINEST WINES EVER MADE
1000 FINEST WINES EVER MADE
421
For example the assessment of Château Mouton-Rothshild 1945 is based on 43 tasting experiences, Château Pétrus 1959 on 39 and Dom Pérignon 1961 on 45 individual judgements. T H E
1 0 0 0
E V E R
F I N E S T M A D E
W I N E S
FINE the most prestigious wine magazines in the world awards the 1000 Finest Wines Ever Made. Instead, they judge all wines by their drinkability and capability to give pleasure today, essential information for those of us who wish to enjoy our wines now. The team members share with us their extensive knowledge, experience and vision about the finest and most sought-after wines of all times. f i n e - m a g a z i n e s . 1000 Finest Wines Ever Made is the essential guide for all fine wine enthusiasts, investors and lovers of rare and mature wines for making the best of the great bottles today.
w w w . The book lists to how many tasting experiences the judgement is based on in order to eliminate the effect of faulty or forged bottles. The tasters do not award additional points for future potential. The expert editorial team of the FINE magazines has selected and ranked the 1000 top wines out of their over 60 000 fine wine experiences. Bi-annual up-dates and re-rankings are done to bring new top performers in the classification and to lower the ranking of those wines that are moving past their peak. The FINE way to appreciate wine differs from all others. 1000 Finest Wines Ever Made is intended to function as the "Michelin Guide of wines". One of the greatest assets of this book is the up to date nature of all tasting notes. Only wines tasted after the year 2000 are included in the assessment. In addition to identifying, describing and analysing the 1000 wines, this comprehensive book provides expert advice on care of fine and mature wines, their optimum drinking time decanting and durability in the glass totally unforeseen in the scene of wine writing. c o m. As with rare and mature wines, there are no perfect wines, only perfect bottles