- > WSET Level 4 D3 Wines of the World
WSET Level 4 D3 Wines of the World
Tasted Tuesday, September 9, 2025 - Wednesday, May 13, 2026 by rkww with 253 views
Introduction
All notes based on the WSET lexicon; they are likely over-inclusive of aroma/flavor descriptors and overly enthusiastic about "quality" levels.
https://www.wsetglobal.com/media/11767/wset_l4wines_sat_en_aug2022.pdf
Flight 1 - Bordeaux White (6 Notes)
Flight 2 - Bordeaux Red (7 Notes)
2024 Château de Fontenille Cabernet Franc La Coucoute de Fontenille
France, Bordeaux
(9/16/2025)
Med ruby. Nose: Med(+) ripe plums, red cherry, violet, blackberry, red cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, capsicum. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13%), med(-) smooth tannin, med body, med intensity, med(-) finish cut slightly short by the alcohol. Youthful, fresh, and easy-drinking. Good; drink now for peak fruitiness.
Other notes: could even be enjoyed slightly chilled! Owned by the Defraine family in Entre Deux Mers, grown on loam & gravel soils at 4,000 vines/ha. 100% Cab Franc. Sustainable HVE-3. Short ferment, 10 days in vat, unfired, unfiltered, no added sulfites.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2020 Château Pierrail
France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur
(9/16/2025)
Med garnet. Nose: Med(+) black cherry, cooked black plum, blackberry, capsicum, dried poultry herbs, black pepper, cloves, cedar, vanilla. Palate: Dry, med(+) acid, med(+) ripe tannin, high alcohol (15%), med(+) body, med intensity, med finish. Good; not concentrated enough to age and already showing tertiary cooked fruit notes.
Other: Demonchaux family in Sainte Foy. 85% Merlot, 15% Cab Sauv. Clay and limestone slopes with a SE exposure @ 4,000 vines/ha. Sustainable HVE-3. Crushed, de-stemmed, pre-fermentation soak. 30 days in vat; 12 months in oak.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Château Magnol
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
(9/16/2025)
Deep ruby. Nose: med intensity, cassis, ripe black plum, black cherry, red plum, cranberry, vanilla, clove, coffee. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med(+) dusty tannin, med alcohol (though one would be forgiven for finding this 13.5% high), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity, which comes across more like red-fruited Merlot than the nose, which is more black-fruit Cab Sauv, and a med(+) finish. Good bordering very good; has the concentration and complexity to age, but I wouldn't give it long.
Other: Owned by Barton & Guestier. 47% Merlot, 46% Cab Sauv, 4% Cab Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Gravel and sand soils @ 7,500 vines/ha. Vatting time of 26 days, then 12 months in 350L oak barrels (30% new).Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2016 Domaine de Chevalier 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
(9/16/2025)
Deep ruby. Nose: Med(+) notes of ripe red & black cherries, red & black plums, cassis, thyme, eucalyptus, violet, potpourri, vanilla, clove, cedar, chocolate. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med(+) firm but fine-grained tannin, med alcohol (13.5%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity showing a little tart cranberry not present on nose, long finish. Outstanding; can drink now or age up to 20 years. A generous, mouth-filling wine of concentration, complexity, and freshness.
Other notes: Pessac Léognan. Olivier Bernard and family. 55% Cab Sauv, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cab Franc. Vineyard up against the Landes and in conversion to organic. Gravel on clay soils. Vinified in a mix of steel, concrete, and wood; Malo in barriques. Aged 16-20 months in 35% new oak.
Personally: Would (and recently did) buy when it's the best available, but above $100, there are better options.Read 3 Comments / Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2017 Château Gazin Pomerol Flawed
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
(9/16/2025)
Nothing about this read as Pomerol—it may have just been the year, or possibly TCA taint, but the nose was so muted and the palate so disjointed our class didn't even bother to evaluate it.
FYI: Bailliencourt family has 26 ha (one of the largest in Pomerol) farmed to HVE-3. 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Gunzian gravel on the surface and a subsoil of blue and green clay with iron oxides (iron residues). Vinified in concrete; malo in barrel. 15 months in barriques (40% new). 13.6% ABV.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2018 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
(9/16/2025)
Deep garnet. Nose: Med(+) red plum, cooked black plum, cassis, fresh blackberries, both red & black cherry, violet, eucalyptus, oregano, black pepper, vanilla, clove, cedar, chocolate. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, high ripe and fine-grained tannin, high alcohol (14.5%, but for me, well balanced enough that it read as below 14%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity with a bit of tart cranberry present on the palate, and a long finish. Outstanding; can drink now or age up to 20 years. WOTN for me.
Other: Owned by Stephan von Neipperg since 1983, who has 19.5ha @ 5,500 vines/ha on clay-limestone (molasse de Fronsadais) and clay-sand
soil at the foot of the slope. Certified organic since 2014. Vinified in temperature-controlled wooden vats for 28-35 days with gentle extraction, then malo in barrel. Aged 16 months in barriques (60% new).Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2016 Château Lynch-Bages 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
(9/16/2025)
Deep ruby. Nose: Med currently, though suspect that's not its true character. This felt rather closed down (at least when its only air was in glass). Classic cab notes of cassis, black plum, violet, black pepper, plus vanilla, clove, charred wood. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, extremely high, taught but fine tannin, med(+) body, med flavor intensity (at this moment/served this way), med finish. Currently a very linear wine all about its structure. Outstanding; needs age to drink its best.
Other notes: 5ème growth, Cazes family. 75% Cab Sauv, 19% Merlot, 4% Cab Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. 90 hectares on deep gravel outcrops farmed at 9,500 vines/ha using sustainable and mostly organic practices. Cold soak, then steel vats, gentle extraction of 7-10 days fermentation and 20 days vatting. Aged 18 months in barriques (75% new).
Personal take: Honestly? This should have been WOTN, but it really gave up nothing but those Pauillac tannins and served blind in this manner, its quality wasn't really obvious. Wine classes are not always ideal. I wouldn't touch this without many hours in a decanter or at least 10 more years in the cellar. It will easily drink through 2050—maybe longer.Post a Comment / 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
Flight 3 - Burgundy White (5 Notes)
All 2023 chardonnay
2023 Vincent Dampt Petit Chablis 87 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Petit Chablis
(9/23/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: Med, lemon peel, yellow apple, wet stones, bread dough, simple. Palate: Dry, high acid, med alcohol (12%), med(-) body, med flavor intensity matching nose, though with the addition of more green apple, med finish that builds to a final closing note of tangy acid. Good; neither complex nor concentrated enough to benefit from aging.
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2023 Vincent Dampt Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Léchet 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
(9/23/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: Med(+), lemon, grapefruit, apricot, pear, peach, bread dough, wet stones, saline. Palate: dry, high acid, med alcohol (13%), med body, med intensity with same flavors as nose and a lovely mouth-filling creaminess, med(+) finish cut slightly short by alcohol. Very good; would develop pleasant honeyed or nutty notes with more bottle age. Drink over the next decade.
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2023 Domaine Michel Barraud Mâcon-Villages 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Mâcon-Villages
(9/23/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: Med(+) lemon, lime, green apple, grapefruit, clementine, apricot, white peach, bread dough. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13%), med flavor intensity matching nose, mouth-filling and concentrated through the medium finish. Good; neither complex nor concentrated enough to benefit from aging.
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2023 Pierre Girardin Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chênes 92 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet
(9/23/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: Pronounced aromas of buttered popcorn, smoke, flint, wet stones, tomato leaf, lemon peel, apricot, white peach, honeysuckle, bread dough, and a hint of vanilla and clove. Palate: Dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (11.5%), med(+) body, pronounced flavors similarly diverse and delineated as those on the nose, med(+) finish. Outstanding; can age. Drink over the next decade or so.
Other notes: WOTN by far! I’m not always a fan of wines this made in this reductive a style, but it really works here, especially because of the wide range of accompanying exotic fruit flavors (also to stand out in a lineup of all white Burgundy). Would def enjoy this on my own dime.Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2023 Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon Pouilly-Fuissé En Chatenay 91 Points
France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Pouilly-Fuissé
(9/23/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: Med(+) ripe lemon, peach, and apricot alongside exotic grapefruit and pineapple, wet stones, bread dough. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13.4%, though honestly one would be forgiven for thinking it pushed up to high/14%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity matches nose, med(+) finish. Very good, but lacks the intense concentration of truly outstanding wine. Could age nicely over the next decade, but this is really about the primary fruit that is so present now.
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Flight 4 - Red Burgundy & Beaujolais (6 Notes)
(a truly disappointing selection...)
2023 Lucien Muzard Bourgogne 87 Points
France, Burgundy, Bourgogne
(9/30/2025)
Pale ruby. Med nose of red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, clove, vanilla, rose, a hint of smoke. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med and soft, ripe tannins, med alcohol (13%), med body, med flavor intensity, med finish. Balanced, fresh, and youthful. Good, but lacks concentration or complexity to benefit from age.
Other notes: 1950s plantings from 3 parcels across Santenay, Chassagne-Montrachet and Hautes Côtes de Beaune. Vinified with indigenous yeasts and 70% aged in barrel (50% new).Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Domaine Trapet Marsannay 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay
(9/30/2025)
Med ruby. Med(+) nose o fred cherry, cranberry, clove, vanilla, violets, brown sugar, earth, a hint of mushroom. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med tannins that grip in the back, med alcohol (13%), med flavor intensity, med(+) finish that emphasizes the oak. Very good; age this 3-5 years for better oak integration, to soften tannins, and get a little more flavor intensity. Drink over the next five after that.
Other notes: 30+ year vines, biodynamic, made with traditional methods (open vat & native yeast), 10-20% whole bunch, aged in barriques (10-20% new).Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2020 Domaine Cauvard Pommard Les Noizons Flawed
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard
(9/30/2025)
Med garnet. Med(+) nose of red & black cherries, plum, black tea, earth, cinnamon, clove, coffee, burnt sugar, matchstick. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, plush med tannins that only make themselves known on the slightly grippy finish, med alcohol (13%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity, med(+) finish, which shows an almost effervescent, Pop Rocks-y quality. This could have been an outstanding wine, but it's clearly flawed by VA. Bummer.
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2022 Lucien Muzard Santenay 1er Cru Gravières 89 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Santenay 1er Cru
(9/30/2025)
Med ruby. Med(+) nose of red cherry, red plum, raspberry, strawberry, vanilla, jasmine, violets. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med ripe/lush tannin, med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity, med finish. Very good—a soft, open and easy wine that is pretty, but not particularly complex. Age it 3-5 years and drink by 2035.
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2024 Domaine Dupeuble Pere et Fils Beaujolais 86 Points
France, Burgundy, Beaujolais
(9/30/2025)
Med ruby. Med(+) nose of red currant, raspberry, red cherry, jasmine, violets, dried thyme, kirsch, candied banana. Palate; dry, med(+) acid, med(-) soft tannins, med alcohol, med body, med(+) flavor intensity with an even more present cherry cola note, med finish. Good; don't age. Cheap and cheerful.
Other notes: cement & stainless. Clearly carbonic. No de-gassing of the CO2, so no SO2 used at all.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Michel Guignier Morgon Vieilles Vignes 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon
(9/30/2025)
Med ruby. Med nose of red cherry, red currants, raspberry, kirsch, faint dried oregano, violet. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med crispy/grainy tannins, med alcohol, med(+) body, med flavor intensity, med finish cut a bit short by tannins. Very good; age 1-2 years then enjoy over the next 5.
Other notes: Personally, I found this to be a bit closed—wonder if it will open up with some age? Vines of up to 70 years, all whole bunch, indigenous yeasts.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
Flight 5 - Northern Rhône (4 Notes)
2023 Saint Cosme Condrieu 90 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu
(10/7/2025)
Pale gold. Nose: Med(+) aromas of white peach, pear, honeysuckle, blossom, jasmine, green apple, lemon, tomato leaf, fennel, faint vanilla. Palate: Dry, med(-) acid, med alcohol (13.5%), med(+) body, med flavor intensity matching nose, med(+) finish that ends on an alcoholic note. Oily texture, fat on the palate. Very good; can enjoy youthful character now, but would benefit from 3-5 years to deepen in color and nuttiness.
Other notes: granite & sand soils, aged 8 months.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Alain Graillot Saint-Joseph 89 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Saint-Joseph
(10/7/2025)
Deep ruby. Nose: Med(+) aromas of blackberry, black plum, black pepper, violet, charred wood, clove, olive tapenade, smoked meat, vanilla, a bit of brett. Palate: Dry, med(+) acid, high tannins (disagreement in the group about whether these were ripe, or per me and two Michelin restaurant somms, grainy and grippy), med alcohol (12.5%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity matching the nose, and a med finish cut short by the astringent tannins. Good; age at least 5 years to allow for tannin polymerization and flavor development, but drink within the next decade, as it doesn't have the acid or intensity needed for the long term.
Other notes: 100% Syrah from two parcels in the pre-1994 St. Joseph linux dits, indigenous yeasts, fermented in concrete, aged in 1-3 year old barrels. The kicker: 100% whole cluster. And STILL those tannins!Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2021 Alain Voge Cornas Les Chailles 91 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas
(10/7/2025)
Deep ruby. Nose: Med(+) aromas of blackberry, black plum, black cherry, black pepper, violet, smoke, black olive, garrigue, meat, charred wood, clove. Palate: Dry, med acid, med(+) tannins that enter fine-grained and ripe but make their voluminous presence known on the finish, med alcohol (12.5%), med(+) body, med(+) intensity of flavors matching nose, long finish. Very good; age 3-5 years and drink over the next five.
Other notes: organic certified since 2016, biodynamic practices, manual harvest, destemming, indigenous yeasts, vilified in stainless with twice daily punch downs & pump overs, then aged in 228L barrels for 18 months. Production: 17k bottles & 249 mags. Winemaker notes aging potential of 10 years.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2021 Saint Cosme Côte-Rôtie 92 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
(10/7/2025)
Med ruby. Nose: Med(+) aromas leaning heavy on florals (violet, lavender, eau de parfum), with smoke, meat, olives, menthol, garrigue, and of course blackberry, black plum, and black pepper. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, high fine-grained tannins that build toward a gripping finish, med alcohol (13%), med body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, long finish. Outstanding; age at least 5-10 years for tannin polymerization and aroma development. Drink over next 10-20.
Other notes: 100% Sereines "ancient Syrah" from named vineyards. Whole cluster, 12 months of aging in 30% new oak.Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
Flight 6 - Southern Rhône (6 Notes)
2024 Domaine Lafond Tavel Les Queyrades 89 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Tavel
(10/14/2025)
Med pink-orange. Med(+) aromas of peach, apricot, melon, tangerine, cranberry, red currant, wet stones, just a hint of garrigue. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, light fine-grained tannins, med alcohol (13%), med body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, medium finish with a persistent oily texture. Good; drink now or age up to 5ish years to develop dried fruit aromas. A rare rosé that can stand up to flavorful foods.
Other notes: 60% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 20% Syrah from 40+ y/o vines. Certified organic. Grown on clay, sand, and limestone. Direct press rosé with significant maceration. Indigenous yeast. Aged in stainless and large, old oak barrels. An absolute steal at $15.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Domaine de Piaugier Côtes du Rhône La Grange de Piaugier 80 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
(10/14/2025)
Pale ruby. Indistinct red fruit aromas that oscillated between med and med(+) (red currant, red cherry, raspberry), plus red jolly rancher, garrigues, and... smoke. Room was divided on whether or not this may have been in proximity to the 2022 brush fires. In any case, palate was dry, med(+) acid, med(-) fine-grained tannins, med alcohol (13.5%), med flavor intensity, which was tarter than on the nose, and a med(-) finish. Acceptable but possibly tainted; don't age. (Honestly, don't drink.)
Other notes: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah/Cinsault/Carignan. Organic, 45-y/o vines on limestone and sand. Harvested by hand, destemmed (though the hint of carbonic makes me wonder if the tech sheet is being fully truthful about that), macerated for 1 week, and fermented in tank with indigenous yeasts.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Bieler Père et Fils Côtes du Rhône Villages La Jassine 89 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages
(10/14/2025)
Med ruby. Med(+) nose of red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, dried blackberry, dried black plum, dried herbs, clove, jasmine. Palate: dry, med acid, med ripe tannins with a dusty finish, high alcohol (14.5%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, med finish cut short by warming alcohol. Good, with reasonable intensity and clarity of fruit, but a warming quality; drink now.
Other notes: 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah. Native yeasts, concrete tanks. One-third whole cluster. Ultra-slow fermentation, 30 days on skins. 3% of wine aged in new French oak while the rest stayed in concrete.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas Terrasse du Diable 91 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
(10/14/2025)
Med ruby. Med(+) nose of black plum, blackberry, black & red cherries, red currant, clove, vanilla, dried poultry herbs, violet, blossoms. Palate: dry, med acid, med(+) ripe but persistently grippy tannin, high alcohol (14.5%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity with even more oak presence than on the nose, med(+) finish that builds toward a slight warmth. Palate coating. Very good complexity, intensity, and balance. Elegant, but lacks the acid to age for the long term. Give it 2-3 years or so for oak integration and further flavor development, then drink over next 5. WOTN! I'd really love to try a version of this from a cooler year. But in any case, exception QPR here.
Other notes: Low-yielding vines (avg age=45) from higher altitudes (250-400m) on red sandy clay, limestone, and scree. 90% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Clairette. Aged in vats for 10 months, foudres for 12. Organic. Estate has been family owned since the 15th century, but with no successors, the Roux family sold to Daniel Brunier of Vieux Télégraphe and Kermit Lynch.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Télégramme 90 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
(10/14/2025)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas of mixed fruits—red and black, fresh and dried—including raspberry, strawberry, cherries, blackberry, plums, plus a lot of dried herbs, violets, clove, and vanilla. Palate: Dry, med acid, med(+) ripe tannins, high alcohol (14.5%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, and a med(+) finish. This is a classic CdP that balances ripeness and acidity, but it needs more acid to go from Very Good to Outstanding or to stand up to long-term aging. Give it 3-5 years for oak integration; drink over next 5-7.
Other notes: 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre, 4% Cinsault. Brunier family, Kermit Lynch importer. Soils are alluvial deposits, limestone, silica, red clay with galets rouléts. 15-16 months in large foudres. Bottled unfiltered and it shows.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2017 Montirius Vacqueyras Le Clos 89 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras
(10/14/2025)
Deep garnet. Med(+) nose of dried black plums and black cherries, fresh blackberry, garrigue, balsamic, and LOTS of smoke, charred wood, tar, meat. A bit of barnyard; brett? Almost tastes smoke tainted, but clearly isn't—that's just the style. Palate: Dry, med acid, high, ripe tannins, high alcohol (14.5%), med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, med finish ends hot. Very good intensity and complexity, but needs more fruit and less alcohol to be truly balanced. Drink over the next 5-7 years depending on your preference for fruit vs. better integrated tannins.
Other notes: 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah farmed biodynamically from 8.5 hectares. Goblet or Royat cordon pruned vines, harvested manually. Traditional winemaking with full destemming, light crush, and indigenous yeasts. Aged in cement vats, no oak, no sulfites.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
Flight 7 - South & Southwest France (8 Notes)
Note: tasted from short plastic cups instead of our usual ISO tasting glasses.
2024 Château de Pinet Gaujal de Saint Bon Picpoul de Pinet Cuvée des Dames 87 Points
France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet
(10/28/2025)
Medium lemon. Med(-) nose of ripe lemon peel, lemon balm, lime, grapefruit, wet stones, blossom. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13.5%), med body, med flavor intensity matching nose but adding a stonier, more saline note too, med finish, creamy in the mouth. A good summer sipper, cheap and cheerful but also elegant; drink now.
Other notes: 100% Piquepoul grown sustainably with HVE-3 certification from family-owned vineyards across 3 communes. Soils: clay/limestone with sandy stone deposits. Low yields (40 hL/ha) compared to permitted (55 hL/ha). Winemaking: 100% de-stemmed, direct gentle pressing, steel, cool temps and natural yeasts. Aged on lees for 7-8 months.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2024 Commanderie de la Bargemone Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé 86 Points
France, Provence, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
(10/28/2025)
Medium pink-orange. Nose: med intensity apricot, white peach, strawberry, grapefruit zest, melon, pear, blossom, wet stones, a hint of tomato leaf. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13%), med body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose but with a bit more lemon, lime, and blood orange on the mid palate and melon lasting longest on the med(+) finish, which also ends a bit hot. Good, especially with the flavor layering, which might be enough to argue for very good; drink now.
Other notes: 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 22% Cab Sauv, 7% Caladoc (a couleur-resistant cross of Grenache x Malbec), 4% Counoise, all averaging 20 years old. Family-owned vineyard with 163 acres under vine 10 miles from Aix, on stony clay/limestone soils at high elevation. Certified organic since 2019. Harvested at night to retain acidity. Winemaking: direct press, 10 days maceration in INOX, malo blocked. Short time aging in vats before blending.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2021 Château de Pibarnon Bandol 89 Points
France, Provence, Bandol
(10/28/2025)
Deep ruby. Nose: Med(+) black currant, black cherry, both fresh and dried black and red plums, dried oregano, vanilla, clove, violet, charred wood, cocoa nibs, new leather, gamey meat. Palate: Dry, med acid, med(+) [class consensus, though I would call these high] ripe tannins with a dusty finish, high alcohol (14.5%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity building toward a med(+), very tannic finish. Very good. Age at least 5 years for greater integration and complexity and to calm those massive tannins. Drink over the following decade.
Other notes: 90% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache from an amphitheater-shaped terraced vineyard with slopes up to 300M overlooking the Mediterranean. Triassic limestone soils atop Santonian blue clay subsoil. Strict manual selection (30 hL/ha). Winemaking: Long, slow vatting (3 weeks), natural yeasts, aged 20 months in older oak casks, bottled unfined and unfiltered.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Domaine Antugnac Pinot Noir Turitelles 70 Points
France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc
(10/28/2025)
Med ruby. Nose: med(-) sour red cherry, cough syrup, red plum, simple. Palate: Dry, med(+) spiky acid, med ripe tannins that glide easily across the palate, med alcohol (13%), med(-) flavor intensity matching the simple nose, med body, short finish. Poor; don't age. (Really, don't drink.)
Other notes: 30-year vines from a 56 hectare sloped vineyard at 500 meters elevation, about 50km south of the Carcassonne. Shallow clay-limestone soils. Sustainable viticulture, and harvested. Winemaking: a few days of cold maceration in stainless steel, with a max temp of 25 degrees. Two weeks vatting. Aged a few months in INOX/cement. No So2.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Château de Lascaux Languedoc Garrigue Rouge 88 Points
France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc
(10/28/2025)
Med ruby. Nose: med intensity blackberry, ripe black cherry, stewed black plum, dried prune, black licorice, garrigue, dried flowers, gamey meats. Palate: dry, med acid, med(+) ripe, dusty, and chewy tannins, high alcohol (14%), med body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, med finish that ends a bit astringent. Overall, rustic. Good; age of 2-3 years would help tannin integration. Drink by 2030.
Other notes: 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache grown biodynamically on limestone soils in Pic Saint Loup—in the foothills of the Cevenne mountains, which protect the vines from the Mistral and Tramontane winds and create the coolest, wettest climate in the Longuedoc. Winemaking: de-stemmed, vatted for 3 weeks with pumpers, moderate fermentation temps, 14 months aging in cement vats before bottling unfiltered.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2020 Domaine de la Borie Blanche Minervois-La Livinière Terroirs d'Altitude 88 Points
France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois-La Livinière
(10/28/2025)
Deep ruby. Nose: Med intensity blackberry, black and red cherries, black pepper, garrigue, black licorice, charred wood, new leather. Palate: dry, med acid, med(+) succulent, chewy tannins, high alcohol (14.5%), med body, med flavor intensity matching nose, med(+) finish. Very good; could benefit from aging to develop additional flavor complexity. Drink 2027-2032.
Other notes: 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre grown on schist with pebbles and stones in a 16ha family vineyard. Certified HVE. Winemaking: cold maceration, partial carbonic, fermented separately in barrels and concrete vessels before blending and maturation.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2019 Château la Caminade Cahors La Commandery 88 Points
France, Southwest France, Cahors
(10/28/2025)
Deep ruby. Nose: Med(+) ripe black plums, dried prunes, black cherry, bramble, mulberry, violets, blueberry, black licorice. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med(+) grippy, stalk-y tannins, high alcohol (14.5%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, med finish that ends drying on palate. Rustic. Good; could age a few years and hold for several thereafter.
Other notes: 100% Malbec grown HVE on gravelly sands and clay limestone. 4th generation of Ressès family's 27ha vineyard. De-stemmed, fermented in stainless steel, vatted 5 weeks, aged 12 months in barrel (50% new).Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Camin Larredya Jurançon Sec Les Grains des Copains 89 Points
France, Southwest France, Jurançon Sec
(10/28/2025)
Med gold. Nose: Med(+) tangerine, clementine, honey, honeysuckle, dried orange peel. Palate: med-sweet, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, med(+) finish. Very good; could age delightfully.
Other notes: WOTN and it's not even close (wow this week was rough). If Graves weren't already so under-valued, this would be a good cheaper alternative. 50% Gros Manseng, 35% Petit Manseng, 15% Petit Courbu. Biodynamic SE-facing vineyard at 250-350m elevation with siliceous clay soils full of pudding stones. Hand harvested, whole bunch pressed, blended first, vilified in barrique, stockinged, and clay amphora. Matured 8 months sur lie.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
Flight 8 - Loire Valley (6 Notes)
2023 Domaine de la Louvetrie (Landron & Fils) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie 87 Points
France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie
(11/4/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: medium intensity, green and yellow apples, wet stones, bread dough, pastry [six months on lees]. Palate: Dry, high acid, med alcohol (13%), med(+) body, med flavor intensity matching nose and ending on a bruised apple note, creamy texture, med(+) finish. Good; open and generous, drink now.
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2024 François Chidaine Sauvignon Touraine Clos de la Grange 79 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine
(11/4/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: Med(+) intensity, gooseberry, grapefruit, capsicum, wet stones, flint. Palate: Dry, high acid, med alcohol, med body, med flavor intensity matching nose, med(-) finish. Acceptable given a challenging vintage, but acid too high, fruit unripe. Don't age. (Don't drink.)
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2024 Regis Minet Pouilly-Fumé Vieilles Vignes 81 Points
France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé
(11/4/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: Med(+) wet stones, flint, white pepper, capsicum, white grapefruit, gooseberry, keffir lime, asparagus. Palate: Dry, high acid, med alcohol, med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity slightly fruitier on nose (quince), good concentration, med(+) finish. Unbalanced acidity and clearly unripe grapes, but a valiant effort in an incredibly tough vintage. Acceptable; don't age. (Don't drink, but do seek out a better year.)
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2023 Domaine de Vigneau-Chevreau Vouvray Abbaye de Marmoutier Clos de Rougemont 90 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
(11/4/2025)
Med lemon. Nose: med intensity, yellow apple, white peach, nectarine, apricot, blossom, honeysuckle. Palate: off-dry (5.2g/L residual sugar), high acid, med alcohol, med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, med(+) finish. Very good, beautifully balanced; could develop honeyed notes with age or drink now.
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2023 Château d'Epiré Savennières Cuvée Spéciale
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières
(11/4/2025)
Med lemon. Nose: med intensity, yellow apple, wet stones, quince. Palate: dry, high acid, med alcohol, med(+) body, med flavor intensity matching nose, med(+) finish. Our instructor assures us this wine is outstanding but is not yet open and will develop marmalade flavors with age. I believe her, but tasted blind today, I'd find this elegantly made but simple in aromas/flavors and wouldn't be able to justify that quality rating or predict its future. Maybe revisit in 5-15 years?
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2020 Domaine de Pallus Chinon Les Pensées de Pallus 90 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon
(11/4/2025)
Medium ruby. Nose: med(+) intensity, redcurrant, red cherry, capsicum, tomato leaf, black pepper, a hint of clove. Palate: Dry, med(+) acid, med ripe soft tannins, med alcohol, med body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, med(+) finish. Very good; clearly developing, so age a few years. Drink 2027-2032.
Other notes: Low yields (34 hL/ha) and biodynamic farming on sandy soils with rock at the mid-slope. Vinified with indigenous yeasts, macerated 21 days in concrete, aged 6 months in tank and 12 months in burgundy barrels.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
Flight 9 - Alsace & Jura (8 Notes)
2024 Domaine Mittnacht Freres "Terre d'étoiles...' 87 Points
France, Alsace
(11/11/2025)
Pale lemon. Med(-) yellow apple, blossom, honeysuckle, pear, a bit of lemon. Young, tart fruit. Palate: Dry, med acid, med alcohol (12.5%), med body, med flavor intensity with more zesty citrus on the palate, med(-) finish that closes on saline and a slight bitter note. Good balance of fruit and bitterness. Lacks acidity and concentration to age; won't develop additional complexity. Drink over the next few years.
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2020 Marcel Deiss Burlenberg 92 Points
France, Alsace
(11/11/2025)
Med ruby. Nose: Med(+) primary red fruits (red cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, plums), flowers (roses & violets), clove, nutmeg, vanilla, charred wood, and a fine version of that Germanic Pinot earthy note. Palate: Dry, high acid, med(+) fine-grained tannins, high alcohol (14%) but wears it very well, med body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, med(+) finish carried through by the acid. Very good, with elegant, well-delineated fruit and remarkable balance of acidity and alcohol. Maybe even outstanding? Drink over the next decade, ideally with at least 1-2 years more bottle age to give the tannins time to integrate or longer if you'd like to enjoy the dried floral and dried fruit notes that are likely on the horizon. WOTN.
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2024 Paul Blanck Riesling 88 Points
France, Alsace
(11/11/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: Med intensity but fades over time in glass. Primary fits (lemon, yellow & green apples, pear, tangerine), blossom, and wet stone. Palate: Dry, high acid, med alcohol (12.5%), med(+) body, med(+) intensity on palate with more juicy apple and pear, med(+) finish carried by the acid. Good: structurally balanced and a pleasant, juicy palate experience, but lacking aromatic intensity to rate higher. Drink over the next five years; lacks concentration to age longer term.
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2020 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Häuserer 90 Points
France, Alsace
(11/11/2025)
Med lemon. Nose: Med(+) pear, bruised apple, lemon zest, wet stones, blossom, honey, smoke. Already developing a bit of petrol at five years. Palate: Dry, high acid, med alcohol (13%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity with even more bruised apple on palate, med(+) finish ending slightly bitter from the skin contact. Very good structure, balance, and concentration, but needs even more complexity to merit outstanding. Acidity will carry it forward, petrol will become more prominent. Drink now or age up to a decade.
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2020 Trimbach Muscat Reserve 88 Points
France, Alsace
(11/11/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: Med(+), white grape, apricot, tangerine, lime, rose, blossom, white pepper, smoke. Palate: Dry, med acid, med alcohol (13.5%), med(+) body, pronounced intensity on palate, med(+) finish. Very good concentration and balance, with phenolic grip. This is all about the primary fruit, so drink over the next 3 years.
Blind, my whole class confused this for a Gewürtztraminer and thought the Gewürtz a Muscat. The difference between white grape & lychee is subtle, but the tell for the future is that the Gewürtz had much more of everything (including some sweetness, another element that might have tripped some of us up).Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2020 Paul Blanck Pinot Gris Patergarten 88 Points
France, Alsace
(11/11/2025)
Pale gold (with a hint of rose color that gives away the gris). Nose: quite surprisingly high Med(+) intensity apple, pear, peach, tangerine oil, lime. Dry, again surprisingly med(+) acid, high but well-worn alcohol (14%), med(+) body, med(+) intensity. A very good, atypically concentrated pinot gris. Drink over the next 3-5 years.
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2019 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Hengst 91 Points
France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru
(11/11/2025)
Med lemon. Nose: pronounced lychee, ripe peach, peach liqueur, bloom, white pepper, passionfruit. Palate: off-dry, med acidity, med alcohol (13.5%), med(+) body, pronounced flavor intensity matching nose, lovely oily texture, med(+) finish. Very good; drink over the next decade, but not sure it has the acid to age long term (full disclosure: have very little experience with older Gewürtz).
Blind, my whole class confused this for a Muscat (and vice versa). The difference between white grape & lychee is subtle, but the tell for the future is that the Gewürtz had much more of everything (including some sweetness, another element that might have tripped some of us up).Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2017 Domaine Rolet Arbois Vin Jaune 92 Points
France, Jura, Arbois
(11/11/2025)
Med gold. Pronounced nose of bread dough, almond, yogurt, ripe and dried lemons, bruised apples, walnut, caramel. Palate: dry, high acid, high but well-carried alcohol (15%), med(+) body, pronounced flavor intensity matching nose, and a long finish. Outstanding; could age through 2050 and gain additional complexity and concentration over time.
Editorializing: Fans of oxidation will find this a very well-made, food-friendly wine with the capacity for long term aging. For the rest of us normal people, it tastes like feet. But the good news is that a vin jaune would be identifiable blind from across the room, so at least that's something.Read 2 Comments / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
Flight 10 - Germany (7 Notes)
2022 Weingut Fritz Allendorf Riesling Save Water Drink Riesling 86 Points
Germany, Rheingau
(11/18/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: Med, lemon, wet stones, simple (to me, others got more apricot, peach, and petrol notes, though I think the wine's neither ripe nor old enough for those). Palate: dry, high acid, med alcohol, med body, med flavor intensity matching nose, med finish. Good, zippy everyday drinker. Don't age.
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2023 Weingut Robert Weil Riesling Tradition Rheingau 88 Points
Germany, Rheingau
(11/18/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: med(+) aromas of ripe lemon verbena, grapefruit, green apple, blossom, wet stones, white pepper, petrol, and flint (from reduction under SO2, a Weil signature). Palate: off-dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol, med body, med(+) flavor intensity, which is a bit more petrol- and bruised apple-focused than on the nose, slight hints of residual CO2, med(+) finish ending with pleasant tension between slight sweetness and tartness. Very good. Can drink now or age up to 10 years.
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2022 Fitz-Ritter Gewürztraminer Spätlese 89 Points
Germany, Pfalz
(11/18/2025)
Med gold. Nosed: pronounced aromas of lychee, lemon curd, grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple, peach, mango. Palate: med-dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol, med(+) body, pronounced flavor intensity matching nose, med(+) finish, weighty and substantial in the mouth. Very good; could age up to a decade and will develop more dried fruit and nut aromatics over time.
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2023 Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Großes Gewächs Alte Reben 92 Points
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
(11/18/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: med(+) aromas of ripe lemon, yellow apple, blossom, wet stones, petrol, honey. Palate: dry, high acid, med alcohol, med body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, med(+) finish. Lovely mid-palate depth. Very good; hold 5-10 years and drink through 2045.
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2023 Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 90 Points
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
(11/18/2025)
Med lemon. Nose: med intensity, with aromas of lemon, green and yellow apples, white peach, pear, wet stones, blossom, jasmine. Palate: off-dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol, med body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, med(+) finish. Very good; could cellar up to 10-15 years, but lacks the mid-palate concentration and acidic tension to age for the long term.
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2018 Dr. Loosen Riesling Beerenauslese 92 Points
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
(11/18/2025)
Med lemon. Pronounced on the nose and palate, with aromas/flavors of grapefruit, ripe lemon, ripe apricot, dried pineapple, orange marmalade, jasmine, honey, mushroom. Palate: sweet, high acid, low alcohol, full body, long finish. Outstanding now and could age 20 years or more. Tied with the Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Alte Reben GG for WOTN.
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2022 Weingut Fritz Allendorf Spätburgunder 88 Points
Germany, Rheingau
(11/18/2025)
Med ruby, with a garnet tinge. Med intensity on nose and palate, with aromas/flavors of cranberry, raspberry, red cherry, red currant, cloves, cedar, tomato leaf, rose petals. Palate: dry, high acid, med(-) soft, elegant tannins, med alcohol, med body, med(-) finish ending slightly hot. Good, reasonably complex everyday pinot with very high QPR; drink now.
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Flight 11 - Austria, Hungary & Greece (7 Notes)
2024 Weingut Setzer Grüner Veltliner Ausstich Weinviertel 86 Points
Austria, Niederösterreich, Weinviertel
(12/2/2025)
Pale lemon. Med(+) nose of green and yellow apples, wet stones, white pepper. Simple. Palate is dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol, med body, med flavor intensity matching nose, with a med(-) finish ending quite tart. Good (but really: not); drink now.
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2024 Rudi Pichler Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Terrassen 90 Points
Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau
(12/2/2025)
Pale lemon. Med nose of yellow apple, pear, white peach, nectarine, tangerine, lemon, white pepper. Palate is dry, high acid, med alcohol (13.5%), med body, med(+) flavor intensity that veers even more tropical than on the nose, med(+) finish. Spice-driven, with solid mid-palate concentration. Very good; can drink now, but will develop lovely honey and dried fruit notes with additional bottle age.
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2022 Weingut Familie Prieler Blaufränkisch Johanneshöhe 88 Points
Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee-Hügelland, Leithaberg
(12/2/2025)
Deep ruby. Med(+) nose of blackberry, black cherry, black currant, bramble, kirsch, clove, blood orange, dried herbs. Palate is dry, med(+) acid, med(+) firm tannins, med alcohol (13.5%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity matching nose, med(+) finish. Good; has the tannic structure and acid to age further, but the fruitiness is the wine’s best quality, so drink it now and over the next few years before the fruit fades.
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2024 Gaia Assyrtiko Wild Ferment 86 Points
Greece, Aegean, Cyclades, Santorini
(12/2/2025)
Pale lemon. Med(+) nose of ripe lemon, yellow apple, pear, apricot, tangerine, pineapple, saline, wet stones. Palate is dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13.5%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity that matches the nose and adds a fairly high amount of volatile acidity, med(+) finish starts fruity but ends bitter and acidic. Good for the style, though many would argue the amount of VA makes it flawed. Drink now (or drink one of many better examples of assyrtiko that isn't trying so hard to be weird!).
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2020 Kir-Yianni Xinomavro Ramnista 89 Points
Greece, Macedonia, Naoussa
(12/2/2025)
Medium garnet. Med(+) nose of fresh black plums and dried prunes, blackberry, kirsch, stewed raspberries, black pepper, clove. Palate is dry, high acid, med(+) fine-grained and grippy tannins, high alcohol (14.5%) that it balances quite well with acid and tannin, med(+) flavor intensity matching the nose, and a medium finish that is currently cut short by tannic astringency, but that will likely lengthen as those tannins polymerize over time. Very good; age 5+ years, though note quite as long as a Xinomavro with more density that might go 20+.
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2018 Royal Tokaji Wine Co. Tokaji Dry Furmint Vineyard Selection 81 Points
Hungary, Tokaji
(12/2/2025)
Med lemon. Med(+) nose of tart lemon, bruised apple, unripe pear, gooseberry, smoke, struck match, flint. Palate is dry, high acid, med alcohol (13.5%), med body with a juicy texture balanced by its acidic backbone, med(+) flavor intensity matching the nose, and a med finish. Ultimately, the high acidity and less than fully ripe fruit makes the wine nervy and keeps it from imparting much joy. Acceptable; drink now. (Or just don’t.)
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2018 Royal Tokaji Wine Co. Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 92 Points
Hungary, Tokaji
(12/2/2025)
Medium gold. Pronounced nose of orange marmalade, dried pineapple, tangerine, apricot, mango, nectarine, honey, nuts, and a very subtle hint of mushroom. Palate is sweet, high acid, med alcohol (11.5%), full bodied and succulent, with pronounced, complex flavor intensity, and a long finish. Outstanding (especially for the reasonable price, though in the world of Tokaji, there are many much better examples); drink now or age for 20+ years.
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Flight 12 - Northwest Italy (5 Notes)
2024 Enrico Serafino Grifo del Quartaro Gavi di Gavi 87 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Gavi
(12/9/2025)
Pale lemon. Medium intensity lemon, green apple, pear, blossom, wet stones, hints of grass and saline. Palate is dry, high acid, med alcohol (12.5%), med body, with a medium finish. Good; drink now.
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2024 Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy Barbera d'Asti 87 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti
(12/9/2025)
Med ruby. Nose: med(-) red cherry, red currants, raspberry, violets, black pepper, simple. Palate: Dry, high acid, med(-) fine tannins, high alcohol (14%), med body, med(-) flavor intensity, med(-) finish. Good, but all structure, no fruit concentration; drink now.
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2023 Francesco Boschis Dogliani Pianezzo 86 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Dogliani
(12/9/2025)
Med ruby. Nose: med red and black cherries, blackberry, violets, clove, dried meat. Palate: dry, med acid, med(+) ripe tannins, med alcohol (13%), med body, med(-) flavor intensity lacks in mid-palate concentration, med finish. Good; drink now.
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2022 Vietti Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco 88 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
(12/9/2025)
Med ruby. I found this closed, with med(-) aromatic and flavor intensity and a med(-) finish, yielding a good rating for a wine to drink now and over the next few years. Others (including the instructor) in my diploma class went med(+) intensities and finish, rating it very good and suitable for aging. We agreed on notes of red and black cherries, cranberry, spice box, mint, licorice, a hint of rose blossoms and a palate that is dry, high acid, with high fleshy tannins, and med(+) body.
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2021 Castello di Neive Barbaresco Albesani Santo Stefano 92 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
(12/9/2025)
Med garnet. Nose: med(+) red plum, dried red cherries, blackberry, violets, clove, cedar, black licorice, dried meat, dried oregano. Palate: dry, high acid, high and ripe but grippy tannins, high alcohol (14.5%) but wears it well, med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity, long, long finish. Border of very good/outstanding; age at least 5 years and drink over the next decade.
(WOTN by far, though in a weak field. I'd be interested to try a stronger vintage.)Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
Flight 13 - Northeast Italy (6 Notes)
2024 Elena Walch Pinot Grigio 87 Points
Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol
(12/16/2025)
Pale lemon. Med(-) nose of lemon pith, lime, apple, wet stones. A bit simple, though more melon on the med intensity palate, which is dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13%), med body, med finish. Good; drink now.
Sourced from steep slopes with calcareous, sand, and igneous rock soils at 250-600m. Low temp fermentation in stainless, a few months on the fine lees. 1.8g/L residual sugar. Not great, but so much better than most Veneto Pinot Grigio, especially if you can find it for $20.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco Versalto 87 Points
Italy, Trentino Alto-Adige / Veneto, Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
(12/16/2025)
Pale lemon. Med aroma/flavor intensity of green apples, pears, white peach, wet stones, and blossom, plus distinctly reductive flint. Palate: dry, med acid, med alcohol (11.5%), med body with a slightly oily texture, med(-) finish. Good; drink now (with a decant to help with the reduction). Will hold 3-5 years.
Made from cancerous and volcanic soils at 480-520m. Aged on the lees for 9 months in stainless steel and large, old oak casks.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2024 Pieropan Soave Classico 88 Points
Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
(12/16/2025)
Med lemon. Med aromas and med(+) flavors of lemon, lime, white peach, wet stones, blossom, honeysuckle. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (12%), med(+) body, med(+) finish, though it ends quite warm. Good; could age several years.
Fermented in glass-lined stainless steel tanks, aged 5-9 months on the fine lees. Solid, though obviously not quite as special as the Calvarino or La Rocca I tasted in early September.Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2023 Tenuta Sant'Antonio Valpolicella Nanfré 87 Points
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella
(12/16/2025)
Pale ruby with a light garnet tinge. Med(+) intensity on nose and slightly lower med intensity on the palate, with aromas/flavors of red cherry, red plum, black plum, dried cranberry, licorice, tomato leaf, rose petal, smoked meat, black pepper. Palate: dry, med acid, med(-) soft tannins, med alcohol (12.5%), med(-) finish. Good, light and refreshing with relative complexity for a $12 bottle. Drink over the next 2ish years.
Made from all fresh (not dried) grapes in stainless steel. Aged 4-6 months in tank, 3 months in bottle. 5g/L residual sugar, but you don't really notice it.Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2021 Tenuta Sant'Antonio Ripasso della Valpolicella Superiore Monti Garbi 89 Points
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Ripasso della Valpolicella Superiore
(12/16/2025)
Med ruby with garnet tinge. Med(+) aromatic/flavor intensity, with notes of red plum, red and black cherries, both fresh and dried, violets, tomato leaf, licorice, black pepper, clove, charred wood. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med(+) ripe tannins, high alcohol (14%), med(+) body, med(+) finish. Very good; could age a couple of years, but drink within the next 4-5.
70% corvina and corvine, 20% rondinella, 5% croatina, 5% oseleta. From 20-year-old vines on sand and silt with fossil-rich limestone at 300m. Aged 12 months in 500L French oak casks (30% new oak), then 2-3 months in stainless steel tanks and 6 months in bottle. 6g/L residual sugar.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2019 Tenuta Sant'Antonio Amarone della Valpolicella Antonio Castagnedi 90 Points
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella
(12/16/2025)
Med garnet. Pronounced aromas and med(+) flavors of red cherries, fresh red plums, prunes, anise, leather, clove, vanilla, tobacco, grilled meats. Palate: dry, high acid, high, sticky tannins, high alcohol (15%), med(+) body with a glossy texture, med(+) finish. Very good; drink now through 2033.
70% corvina and corvine, 20% rondinella, 5% croatina, 5% oseleta. From 20-25-year-old vines on sand and silt with fossil-rich limestone at 300m. Aged 2 years in 500L French oak barrels, all new, then in bottle for 8 months. 9g/L residual sugar and 6g/L total acidity.Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
Flight 14 - Tuscany & Umbria
(skipped)
Flight 15 - Central & Southern Italy (7 Notes)
2022 Garofoli Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Podium
Italy, Marche, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore
(1/13/2026)
Pale lemon. Medium intensity aromas & flavors of lemon, honeysuckle, blossom, wet stones, bread dough, beeswax, and green almond on the nose. Dry, high acid, high alcohol (14.5%), med(+) body, waxy texture that sticks to the palate, and med finish. Very good; drink over the next 3-5 years.
100% verdicchio, picked slightly overripe. 15 months on the lees in stainless steel, aged in bottle 4 months before release.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2021 Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Marina Cvetić Riserva
Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
(1/13/2026)
Deep ruby. Med(+) intensity aromas/flavors of black cherry, black plum, black currant, bramble, with some candied fruit character, black pepper, dried herbs, licorice, leather, game. Palate is dry, med(+) acid, med(+) rustic tannins, high alcohol (14.5%), med(+) body, med finish, closing tart. Good (but not really); drink now (really—won't even hold 5 years).
100% Montepulciano from 8 vineyards ranging from 480-1200 feet in altitude. Vinified in stainless steel, aged 12-18 months in barriques.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2024 Colli di Lapio Greco di Tufo Alexandros
Italy, Campania, Greco di Tufo DOCG
(1/13/2026)
Med lemon. Med intensity aromas, med(+) flavors of lemon, tart apple, white peach, wet stones, blossom. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13.5%), med(+) body, oily texture, med finish. Good; drink now.
Romano family from Avellino. 400m altitude vineyards planted in 2000. 830 cases. Stainless only.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2024 Colli di Lapio Fiano di Avellino
Italy, Campania, Fiano di Avellino DOCG
(1/13/2026)
Med lemon. Med(+) aromas of lemon, white peach, pear, apricot, honeysuckle, with a saline note. Dry, med(+) acid, oily texture, high alcohol (14%), med flavor intensity, med(+) finish. Very good; could age into something more honeyed, richer, weightier. (But personally, I think it needs more acid even now, let alone in a more tertiary phase.)
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2015 Salvatore Molettieri Taurasi Cinque Querce
Italy, Campania, Taurasi DOCG
(1/13/2026)
Deep ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of dark black cherry, black plum, blackberry, bramble, black pepper, charred wood, leather, violets, vanilla (and a bit of redder cherry on the palate). Palate: dry, high acid, high tannins (coarse, grippy), high alcohol (15%), med(+) body, med(+) finish that ends on tannic astringency. Very good; age at least a few more years and drink through 2040.
Estate makes 550 cases/year from 13 hectares at 550m. 100% Aglianico from 18-22 year-old vines. Maceration of 15-20 days on skins in stainless. Aged for 4 years in a mix of barriques and 30, 50, and 80 L casks.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Masseria Li Veli Salice Salentino Pezzo Morgana Riserva
Italy, Puglia, Salice Salentino
(1/13/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of red cherry, dried black cherry, plum, violet, vanilla, dried herbs, coffee, charcuterie. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med(+) rustic tannins, high alcohol (15.5%), med(+) body, med finish that ends quite hot. Good; drink now, though will hold through the decade.
Negroamaro vines planted in 202. Matured 12 months in large oak casks & barriques.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Feudo Montoni Nero d'Avola Sicilia Vigna Lagnusa
Italy, Sicily, Sicilia
(1/13/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of red and black cherries, fresh black plums, violet, lavender, thyme, and whatever that weird Robitussiny thing is in Sicilian reds. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med fine and ripe tannins, med alcohol (13.5%), med body, med(+) finish. Very good; drink now, though it will hold through the decade.
Among the better and more elegant examples of a varietal I don't particularly love. Interesting: apparently this vineyard has a unique biotype from the 16th century. The vines have always been surrounded by wheat and are always propagated by massal selection, so no crossing/mutation has occurred. Vineyard also benefits from rich clay soils. Wine is aged 20 months in cement, 2 months in barrels.Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
Flight 16 - Spanish Reds (6 Notes)
2023 Eulogio Pomares Quinta do Estranxeiro Ollo de Sapo
Spain, Galicia, Ribeira Sacra
(1/20/2026)
Med ruby. Med aromas/flavors of black cherry, sour red cherry, dried herbs, cinnamon, rubber tire, flint. Dry, med acid, med(-) but grippy tannin, med alc (12.5%), med(-) body, med(-) finish. Good (though definitely not); already leathery, so drink now (but don't, really).
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2022 Bodegas Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero
Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
(1/20/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of black cherry, blackberry, bramble, dried herbs, black pepper, clove. Dry, med acid, med soft tannins with light grip on the rear palate, med alc, med body, med(-) finish. Good (not really); drink now.
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2020 Bodegas Beronia Rioja Reserva
Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
(1/20/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) red & black cherries, black plum, black currant, dried thyme, black pepper, clove. Dry, med acid, med(+) fine tannins, high alc, med body, med(+) finish. Good; doesn't have the stuffing to age, but will hold for 5ish years.
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2005 Bodegas Valdemar Rioja Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
(1/20/2026)
Deep garnet. Pronounced aromas/med(+) flavors of dried black cherry, baked black plum, fresh red plum, blackberry, clove, cedar, vanilla. Dry, med(+) acid, high but fine-grained tannins, high alcohol but wears it well, long finish. Outstanding; will hold a few more years, but already well-developed, so drink up.
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2023 Alvaro Palacios Priorat Camins del Priorat
Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
(1/20/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of raspberry, red & black cherries, red & black plums, violets, clove. Fruit is both fresh and candied. Dry, med(+) acidity, med(+) fine tannins, high alcohol worn quite well, med body, med(+) finish. Very good; could age well over the next several years but pleasant to drink now.
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2023 Bodegas Olivares Monastrell Altos de la Hoya Ungrafted Old Vines Finca Hoya de Santa Ana
Spain, Murcia, Jumilla
(1/20/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) candied red cherry, black cherry, red plum, clove, cedar, dill, violets. Dry, med acid, med(+) ripe tannins, high alc, med body, med finish that ends quite hot. Good; all about the (semi-carbonic?) fruit, so drink now.
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Flight 17 - Spanish Whites & Portugal (8 Notes)
2024 Agro de Bazan Albariño Rías Baixas Granbazán Etiqueta Verde
Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
(1/27/2026)
Pale lemon color. Med aromas/flavors of lemon, lime zest, grapefruit, orange blossom, wet stones, eucalyptus, saline, touch of pastry dough. Palate is dry with med(+) acid, med alcohol (13%), med body, and med(+) finish carried by acid. Very good; will develop honeyed and dried fruit notes with additional bottle age.
Winemaking: 8 hours cold soak, free run + macerated juice, 4+ months of lees aging.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Telmo Rodríguez Rueda Basa Blanco
Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
(1/27/2026)
Pale lemon color. Med aromas/flavors of lemon, an herbal/grassy note, white pepper. Palate is dry with med(+) acid, med alcohol, med body, and a med(-) bitter finish. Good; drink now (or don't. blech.)
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2019 Faustino Rioja I Gran Reserva Blanco
Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
(1/27/2026)
Med lemon color. Med(+) aromas/flavors of verbena lemon, apples, pear, vanilla, clove, brioche, bread dough, coconut. Palate is dry with med(+) acid, med alcohol (12.5%), med(+) body with good weight and a creamy texture, med(+) finish. Very good; already developing flavors could benefit from additional bottle age. Drink through 2035 or so.
Winemaking: MLF blocked, twice daily batonnage, maturation in French & American oak.Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2023 Aphros Vinho Verde Loureiro Branco
Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
(1/27/2026)
Med lemon color. Med(+) aromas/flavors of lemon, lime, grapefruit, wet stones, saline, pastry dough (it spent two months maturing on the lees). Palate is dry with high acid, med alc, med body, juicy mouthfeel, and a med finish. Good; drink now.
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2020 Duorum Douro Reserva Field Blend
Portugal, Douro
(1/27/2026)
Deep ruby, verging on purple. Med(+) aromas/flavors of black cherry liqueur, black plum, blackberry, black currant, clove, vanilla. Palate is dry with med acid, med(+) ripe, velvety tannins, med alc (12.5%), med(+) body, and a med(+) finish. Very good; suitable for bottle aging.
From 50 year old vines, destemmed, cold soaked, robot tread in stainless lagarres, then cool temp fermentation, long post-fermentation maceration, and 18 months maturation in 70% new oak.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2024 Niepoort Douro Redoma Branco
Portugal, Douro
(1/27/2026)
Pale lemon color. Med intensity aromas/flavors of grapefruit, lime, pear, saline, wet stones, bread dough, vanilla, and a hint of an herbal note. Palate is dry with med acid, med alc, med body, and a med finish. Very good; drink now.
Malo blocked. Lees aging but not batonnage.Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2021 Niepoort Bairrada Lagar de Baixo Quinta de Baixo
Portugal, Beiras, Bairrada
(1/27/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of black & red plums, kirsch, cranberry, black pepper, capsicum, dried herbs, clove. Palate is dry with high acid, high grippy tannins, med alc, med body, and a med finish. Good; drink now (but don't. Ick.) Carbonic.
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2021 Cortes de Cima
Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
(1/27/2026)
Med ruby with a purple tinge. Med(+) intensity aromas/flavors of black plum, black currants, tomato leaf, dried herbs. Palate is dry, and I stopped taking other notes other than wondering "carbonic?" and declaring "so weird!" so... do with that what you will.
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Flight 18 - California (10 Notes)
2023 Line 39 Chardonnay
USA, California
(2/10/2026)
Pale lemon color. Med intensity aromas/flavors of ripe lemon, pear, yellow apple, lime, grapefruit, unripe pineapple, yogurt, a touch of vanilla. Palate is dry with med acid, med alc (12.5%), med body, a rounded texture, and a med finish that ends sharply acidic. Good (not really); drink now (don't).
2021 Kosta Browne Chardonnay One Sixteen
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(2/10/2026)
Pale lemon color. Med(+) aromas/flavors of ripe lemon, juicy pear, yellow & green apples, bread dough, blossom, hazelnuts. Palate is dry with med(+) acid, med alc (13.5%), med(+) body and a feeling of weight, med(+) finish. Very good; could age.
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2022 Grgich Hills Fumé Blanc
USA, California, Napa Valley
(2/10/2026)
Pale lemon in color. Med(+) aromas and pronounced flavors of lemon, grapefruit, gooseberry, capsicum, smoke, cedar. Palate is dry with med(+) acid, med alc (13.5%), med body, med(+) finish. Very good; could benefit from a few more years of cellar aging to integrate the oak.
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NV Barefoot Cellars White Zinfandel
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
(2/10/2026)
Pale pink-orange. Med aromas/flavors of melon, strawberries, raspberries. Palate is med-dry with med(-) acid, low alcohol (9%), med body, short finish. Sugar not quite balanced with acid, cloying and confected. Acceptable (not really); drink now (don't).
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2022 Bogle Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel
USA, California
(2/10/2026)
Deep ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of blackberry, black plum, bramble, capsicum, black pepper, dill, clove, vanilla. Palate is dry with med(-) acid, med(+) ripe tannins, high alcohol (14.5%), med(+) body, med(-) finish. Good (not really); drink now (don't).
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2023 Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir The Estate Vineyards
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(2/10/2026)
Fairly earthy, smoky, but also destemmed whole berries so ever so slightly carbonic fruit character and a good amount of oak. 14% ABV. Winemaking: 5 day cold soak with 3 punch downs per day. All French oak (55% new / 45% one-year-old).
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2023 Oberon Merlot
USA, California, Napa Valley
(2/10/2026)
Deep ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors dominated by black cherry, red plum, vanilla, clove. Palate is dry with med(+) acid, med(+) very ripe fruit tannins but ending on slightly grippy oak tannin, med body, med finish clipped short by alcohol. Very good; could age a few years.
French oak (45% new) for 12 months. 9% Syrah + 2% Zin, rest Merlot.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines
USA, California
(2/10/2026)
Deep ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of fresh black plum, prunes, black cherry, violets, tart pomegranate and cranberry, cedar, clove. Palate is dry with med(+) acid, med(+) ripe tannins, heavy glycerol texture and sweetness, high alcohol (15.2%), med(+) body, med finish clipped short by the booze. Very good; could age several years. But hot hot hot.
From older, cooler vineyards with an average vine age of 89 years. Matured in 80% French oak, 20% American, with 10% new.Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2022 Jax Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
USA, California, Napa Valley
(2/10/2026)
Deep ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of black & red cherries, plums, vanilla, clove. Palate is dry with med acid, high velvety tannins, high alcohol (14.8%), full body, smooth glycerol mouthfeel, med finish ending hot. Very good, but lacks the structure for bottle aging. Hot.
4% Cabernet Franc. 12 months in French oak (65% new).Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2021 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
(2/10/2026)
Vinnut's note from March is spot on. Delightful, but needs a lot more time.
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Flight 19 - North America beyond California (4 Notes)
This is the best we could do with Oregon, Washington, and the Finger Lakes? Hm.
2021 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir Zena Crown
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
(2/17/2026)
Med ruby. Med aromas/flavors of red cherry, red plum, sassafras, violets, blood orange, vanilla and clove (though not reading as tons of new oak). Dry, med(+) acid, med fine tannins, med alc (13%), med body, med finish. Very good (though personally I think there's WAY better Eola-Amity out there for far less); drink over the next 5-ish years.
Aged 14 months in 100% French oak (33% new, 43%/57% with med/blonde toast).Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
(2/17/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors in all the usual cab notes. Dry, med(+) acid, med(+) astringent and stalky tannins, high alc (14.4%), full body, med(+) finish. Very good; could age. (This is... fine. Good QPR but not something I'd seek out.)
93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc. From various sites across the AVAs. Aged 20 months in oak (40% new French, 10% new American) and racked every 5 months.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Riesling
USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake
(2/17/2026)
Pale lemon. Med(+) aromas/flavors of lemon rind, grapefruit, green apple, blossom. Dry, med(+) acid, med alc (12%), med(+) body with round mouthfeel, med(+) finish. Very good; will hold several years, but not a riesling I'd intentionally age. I would, however, visit this producer on a trip to the Finger Lakes. Well done and incredible QPR.
Hand picked, indigenous yeasts, 4 months of the fine lees, 5 months maturation.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2019 Inniskillin Vidal Icewine Niagara Peninsula VQA
Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
(2/17/2026)
WSET likes this wine! And so do I, though I don't find it quite as balanced, complex, or concentrated as its competition from Rieslings or Sauternes. In any case, very good. Drink over next 5 years.
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Flight 20 - Australia 1 (6 Notes)
2024 Yellow Tail Chardonnay
Australia, South Eastern
(2/24/2026)
[Blind Australian Chardonnay Flight] Pale lemon color. Medium intensity aromatic and flavor intensity, with primary notes of yellow apples, pear, lime, grapefruit, blossom, and secondary notes of bread dough, cream, butter, and vanilla. The palate is dry with medium acid, medium alcohol, medium(+) body, a soft and round texture in the mouth, and a medium finish. The wine is good: it has just enough acid to keep its ripeness in balance and not flabby. It has moderate intensity and several flavor clusters. There is insufficient intensity or precision to make the wine very good or outstanding. The wine is not suitable for further bottle aging: it lacks the concentration to develop further complexity and the acid to maintain freshness. It is best enjoyed young and juicy.
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2022 Vasse Felix Chardonnay Margaret River
Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River
(2/24/2026)
[Blind Australian Chardonnay Flight] Pale lemon color. Med(+) aroma and flavor intensity with primary notes of ripe yellow apple, lemon, lime, blossom, honeysuckle, pastry dough, butter, vanilla, and struck matchstick. The palate is dry with medium(+) acid, medium alcohol (13%), medium(+) body, a creamy texture, and a long finish. It is very good, with sufficient acid to balance the ripe fruit, complexity from lees aging, reduction, and oak, and a long, acid-driven finish; however, it lacks the profound intensity and complexity of a truly outstanding wine. The wine is suitable to further bottle aging: bright acids will sustain freshness, the oak will integrate, and the concentrated fruit will develop further complexity through tertiary aromas of dried fruit and honey. Drink through 2032.
Vintage: cool spring that delayed development, then a warm and dry summer that promoted rapid ripening. 84% Gingin clone with loose bunches. Some batches were hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed—others Selectiv and direct pressed into barrel with a high amount of solids. Natural yeast and a high percentage of natural malo. Matured on the lees for 8 months in French barriques (44% new, 26% 1/yo, the rest 2-3 years old). Blended six months before bottling.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay Estate
Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula
(2/24/2026)
[Blind Australian Chardonnay Flight] Pale lemon color. Medium aroma/flavor intensity with notes of lemon, yellow and green apples, tart pear, blossom, flint, butter, pastry dough, and vanilla. The palate is dry with medium acid, medium alcohol (12.5%), medium body, a light yet creamy structure, and a medium finish. The wine is suitable for further bottle aging: it has sufficient acid to retain freshness while developing more complexity from tertiary dried fruit and honeyed aromas/flavors. It is very good: it shows balance of ripe fruit with acid and a structure that is light on its feet. It lacks the concentration and length of a truly outstanding wine. Drink through 2033.
Vintage: low yields, cool, stable summer. Dry farmed organically, hand harvested, and pressed in whole bunches. Fermented with wild yeast in French oak (10% new) with 100% natural malo. Matured 9 months in oak on the lees with one racking. Light fining and filtration.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2024 Oxford Landing Shiraz
Australia, South Australia
(2/24/2026)
No formal notes. Blech. Drink now if you must.
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2023 Clonakilla Shiraz O'Riada
Australia, New South Wales, Southern New South Wales, Canberra District
(2/24/2026)
No formal notes. Wouldn't buy, but it was the best of the three Shiraz this night. 13% ABV. Fermented in stainless, matured in French oak barriques and puncheons for 12 months. Bottled without fining. Could age several years.
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2022 Torbreck Shiraz The Struie
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
(2/24/2026)
No formal notes. Again wouldn't buy, but this doesn't a decent job of balancing the freshness of Eden Valley fruit with the ripeness of Barossa. 15% ABV. Drink over the next decade.
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Flight 21 - Australia 2 (5 Notes)
2014 Pewsey Vale Vineyard Riesling The Contours Museum Reserve
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley
(3/3/2026)
No formal notes, but HIGH acid, already petrolly on nose and herbaceous on palate
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2023 Brokenwood Sémillon
Australia, New South Wales, Hunter Valley
(3/3/2026)
Tell: Acid and nothing else, but we have to call the fruit "concentrated" for some reason. 11% ABV. Needs lots more age to be interesting.
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2022 Dalrymple Vineyards Pinot Noir
Australia, Tasmania, Pipers River
(3/3/2026)
Not bad but dramatically overpriced in the US. 13.5% ABV.
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2022 Thistledown Grenache Thorny Devil
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
(3/3/2026)
No formal notes, but disappointed that old vine Grenache from McLaren Vale didn't have more to show. Decent QPR though. 14% ABV, drink over next 5 years.
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2023 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon Filius
Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River
(3/3/2026)
No formal notes. Not particularly exciting. Just have to go up VF's ladder to make it worth seeking out these Australian wines. Or move over to Coonawarra!
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Flight 22 - Practice Tasting Exam (6 Notes)
No notes, just wines for posterity
2025 Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
(3/17/2026)
WSET Diploma D3 Practice Tasting Exam: Sauvignon Blanc Flight
2024 Fournier Père & Fils Sancerre Les Belles Vignes
France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
(3/17/2026)
WSET Diploma D3 Practice Tasting Exam: Sauvignon Blanc Flight
2023 Inglenook Sauvignon Blanc
USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
(3/17/2026)
WSET Diploma D3 Practice Tasting Exam: Sauvignon Blanc Flight
2014 Pewsey Vale Vineyard Riesling The Contours Museum Reserve
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley
(3/17/2026)
WSET Diploma D3 Practice Tasting Exam: Australia Flight
2022 Shaw and Smith Chardonnay M3 Vineyard
Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
(3/17/2026)
WSET Diploma D3 Practice Tasting Exam: Australia Flight
2019 Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon Sanctum
Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
(3/17/2026)
WSET Diploma D3 Practice Tasting Exam: Australia Flight
Flight 23 - South Africa (6 Notes)
This flight also started with a blind tasting of a $21 Chenin Blanc:
Pale lemon. Med intensity aromas (med+ flavors) of lemon zest, yellow apple, pear, wet stone, and saline. Dry, med(+) acid, med alc (12.3%), med body, med finish. Good; drink now. Made from 4 vineyards in Cape South Coast on shale soils. Aged 2-4 months in concrete tanks on the fine lees.
2023 Damascene Chenin Blanc Old Bush Vines Stellenbosch 91 Points
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
(3/31/2026)
Pale lemon. Med(+) aromas/flavors of lemon, yellow apples, pear, grapefruit, wet stones, bread dough, flint, faint hints of vanilla and clove. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13.67%), med(+) body with a rounded texture and good concentration, med(+) finish, building in tartness and heat, ending somewhat steely. Very good; could age nicely, maybe up to a decade? WOTN for me.
From three sites. Whole bunch pressed, INOX and Austrian oak founders. Aged on lees for 11 months with restrained bâtonnage.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Savage Wines Sauvignon Blanc Salt River 88 Points
South Africa, Western Cape
(3/31/2026)
Pale lemon. Med(+) intensity aromas/flavors of lemon, tart apple, capsicum, asparagus, flint, struck match, and saline. Palate: dry, high acid, med alcohol (13.5%), med body, med(+) finish, building toward warmth, tang, and slight bitterness. Acid well balanced by concentration (both in texture and flavors), but lacks precision. Class says good, I think could go very good. Drink now over the next 2-4 years.
50/50 Stellenbosch & Stanford fruit. Mix of steel, concrete eggs, and old barrels for four months, then two more months in bottle prior to release.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Crystallum Pinot Noir Peter Max 86 Points
South Africa, Western Cape
(3/31/2026)
Medium ruby verging on garnet. Med(+) aromatic and med flavor intensity, with notes of fresh red currants, stewed red cherry, baked strawberry, forest floor, cedar, and clove. Palate: dry, high acid, med smooth tannins, med alcohol (13.5%), med body, med finish driven by acid and ending bitter. Good; aged as much as it can benefit from, so drink now.
From several Walker Bay vineyards. 50/50 destemmed/whole cluster. Four week extended maturation. Aged in 228L and 500L, lightly toasted French oak barrels for nine months.Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2023 Lievland Estate Pinotage Lievlander Vineyards Bush Vine 88 Points
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
(3/31/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of black and red plums, baked black cherries, clove, cedar, smoke. Palate: dry, med acid, med(+) ripe but grippy tannins, med alcohol (13.5%), med(+) body, med(+) finish. Good; drink over the next 3-4 years.
93% Pinotage + 7% Grenache from two bush vine vineyards of 20-year old vines in Paarl. Destemmed but not crushed, two day cold soak, 3 pumpers / day. Pressed off skins and into barrel immediately post-fermentation, then matured 15 months. 3.57 pH, 2.9 RS.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Beaumont Family Wines Pinotage Jackals River 87 Points
South Africa, Cape South Coast, Walker Bay, Bot River
(3/31/2026)
Med ruby. Med intensity aromas/flavors of black and red plums, baked black cherries, bay laurel, vanilla, cedar, clove, leather, smoked meat. Palate: dry, med(-) acid, med(+) ripe but stalky tannins, high alcohol (14.5%), med body, med finish. Good; could age another 5-8 years.
100% Pinotage from two Bot River WO vineyards established in 1974 and 2019. Destemmed, open fermenters, 3x daily punchdowns, tank for malo fermentation. 10 months in 225L French oak barrels with 20% new oak.
All that and... honestly? Pinotage really just doesn't lend itself to this medium-bodied, attempting to be refined style. Sometimes the fruitier, easier drinking version is just better.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Mullineux Cabernet Sauvignon Leeu Passant 90 Points
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
(3/31/2026)
Deep ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of cassis, black cherry, red plums, laurel, clove, cedar, vanilla, violets, tar, licorice. Palate: dry, high acid, high chewy tannins, high alcohol (14%), med(+) body, med(+) finish. Very good; drinking well now but could benefit from 3-9 more years.
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Flight 24 - New Zealand (6 Notes)
2024 Te Pa Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 89 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
(4/7/2026)
Pale lemon. Pronounced aromas/flavors of passionfruit, pineapple, tangerine, lime, capsicum, wet stone. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med all (13%), med body, smooth glycerol-driven mouthfeel, med finish ends tangy. Good; drink now.
Sourced from Lower Wairau and Awatere Valley. Half hand-harvested, mainly stainless fermentation/maturation, light lees.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Te Pa Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc The Reserve Collection "Hillside" 90 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
(4/7/2026)
Pale lemon. Med(+) aromas/flavors of lemon, lime, green apple, gooseberry, grass, capsicum, subtle notes of sour cream and a bit of bitterness. Palate: dry, high acid, med alcohol (13%), med body, creamy texture, med(+) finish carried by acidity. Very good; drink now but will hold several years.
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2023 Kumeu River Chardonnay Estate 90 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Auckland, Kumeu
(4/7/2026)
Pale lemon. Med(+) aromas/flavors of lemon, green apples, lime, bread dough, vanilla, struck match, a hint of cream. Dry, high acid, med alc (12.5%), med(+) body, med(+) finish. Very good; age 1-3 years, drink over next 3.
Comes from 6 clones across 6 vineyards, hand harvested, whole bunch pressed. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak (none new, but many 1-2 year old barrels), full malo, then matured 11 months in French oak. Heavy rains four weeks before harvest; lovely potential, but a bad year. Try one of the prior 3-4.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Mahi Pinot Gris 86 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
(4/7/2026)
Med lemon with a slight pink tinge. Med aromas/flavors of pear, melon, hint of cream, simple. Dry, med acid, med alc (13%), med(+) body but flabby structure, med(-) finish ending slightly bitter. Good; drink now.
From a single vineyard, 100% free run press, portion fermented in old oak. From a cooler year that suffered rainfall at véraison.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2024 Felton Road Pinot Noir Bannockburn 91 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Bannockburn
(4/7/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of red & black cherries, kirsch, stewed strawberry, red plum, clove, cedar. Dry, med(+) acid, med(+) fine but grippy tannins, high alc (14%), med body, med(+) finish. Very good; would benefit from 2-4 years bottle age, drink through 2034. (Personally, I get the appeal of Otago's concentration, but the alcohol's always a bit much. Not worth the NZ premium.)
Organic/biodynamic. Sourced from 4 sites that experienced very cold nights in this vintage, maintaining freshness. Matured 13 months in French oak (20% new), no fining/filtering.Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2020 Villa Maria Cabernet Sauvignon Ngakirikiri 92 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels
(4/7/2026)
Deep ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of black & red plums, cassis, cedar, cloves, black pepper, capsicum. Dry, high acid, med(+) grippy tannins, high alc (14%), med(+) body, med(+) finish. WOTN. Very good; drink 2028-2035. (Except not really because it would never make sense to pay almost $90 USD for this, lovely as it is.)
From Gimblett Gravels Vineyard. 60% new French oak.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
Flight 25 - Chile (6 Notes)
2024 Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc 87 Points
Chile, Casablanca Valley
(4/14/2026)
Pale lemon in color. Med(+) aromas/flavors of lemon, tart apple, tropical grapefruit, capsicum, wet stone. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med alc (13.5%), med body, med finish builds toward a slight phenolic bitterness. Good; not suitable for bottle aging.
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2024 Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Chardonnay Los Vascos 86 Points
Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley
(4/14/2026)
(blind) Pale lemon. Med intensity aromas/flavors of lemon, green apple, pear, bread dough, blossom, struck match. Palate: dry, med acid, high alcohol (14%), med body, med(-) finish. Good (not really); not suitable for bottle aging.
From sites all over the valley. Low temp fermentation in stainless. Part of the blend aged on lees.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2024 Concha y Toro Chardonnay Amelia Quebrada Seca Limarí Valley 88 Points
Chile, Limarí Valley
(4/14/2026)
(blind) Pale lemon. Med(+) aromas/flavors of ripe lemon, ripe apple, Asian pear, jasmine, butter, bread dough, vanilla, clove. Palate: dry, med acid, med alc (13.5%), med(+) body, med(+) finish ending a bit hot. Very good (not really: the winemaking is too overt, the fruit not intense enough); suitable for bottle aging for oak integration/tertiary development (but not too long, as the acid's a bit weak). Drink 2028-2033.
From limestone & red clay soils 22km away from the Pacific. Whole cluster pressing. Warmer fermentation temps. Aged 12 months in French oak (10% new, the rest 2-3 years old).Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Montes Alpha Pinot Noir 85 Points
Chile, Aconcagua Valley, Zapallar
(4/14/2026)
Med garnet. Med(+) aromas/flavors of redcurrant, red cherry, stewed strawberry, kirsch. Palate: dry, high acid, med(-) but grippy tannins, high alc (14%), med body, med finish ending quite hot. Good (not really); not suitable for bottle aging (or dinking ever, quite frankly).
From four areas. Destemmed, 5 days of cool pre-fermentation maceration, 79-82F fermentation temp, matured in stainless and concrete eggs for 8 months. Sterile filtered.Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2023 Lapostolle Carménère Cuvée Alexandre 89 Points
Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley, Apalta
(4/14/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of black plum, stewed blackberries, bramble, violets, capsicum (honestly a lot less of this than you'd expect for a Carménère), clove, cedar. Palate: dry, med acid, high grippy tannin, high alc (14%), med(+) body, med finish ending both hot and tannic. Very good; could really benefit from bottle age for the tannins to soften. Drink 2028-2035. Fairly strong QPR.
89% Carménère, 6% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fermentation 75-82F in stainless, matured 13 months in second and third use French oak.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2018 Viña San Pedro Altaïr 90 Points
Chile, Rapel Valley, Cachapoal Valley
(4/14/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of black plum, red plum skins, black cherry, capsicum, violet, clove, cedar. Palate: dry, high acid, high ripe grippy tannins, high alc (14%) but wears it well, med(+) body, med(+) finish. Very good; drink 2028-2035.
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Carménère, 1% Syrah. Grown on mixed soils oof volcanic, sand, clay, gravel. Protected with "carbonic snow." 3-5 days of pre-fermentation maceration. Many fermentation vats. Max fermentation temp 79F with daily pumpovers. Post-fermentation maceration of 5-10 days. Matured 16 months in French barrique (50% new, 35% end use or older, 15% foudres). Final blend, then another 6 months in 2000L foudres.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
Flight 26 - Argentina (7 Notes)
2024 Dos Minas Torrontés 70 Points
Argentina, Valles Calchaquíes, Salta, Cafayate
(4/21/2026)
Pale lemon. Med aromas/flavors of lemon pith, blossom, chamomile, salt. Palate: dry, med acid, med alc (12.5%), med(-) body, med finish building in bitterness. Good (ew, no); drink now (save yourself).
The worst wine all year? The winemaking is fine and the aromas, well, whatever. But that intense bitterness is just downright unpleasant. Absolutely no joy here.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2020 Altaluvia Chardonnay 88 Points
Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Gualtallary
(4/21/2026)
Pale lemon. Med aromas/med(+) flavors of lemon, apple, baked pear, wet stone, struck match, vanilla, white chocolate, brioche, butter, cream. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13.5%), med body with an oily glycerol-driven texture indicating solidity, med(+) finish though it ends bitter. Very good, though the winemaking seems to be overtaking the fruit; could age (though not really worth the investment).
From 1350m elevation. Aged 7 months in French oak + 7 months in concrete.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2025 Altos Las Hormigas Bonarda Colonia las Liebres Clasica 85 Points
Argentina, Mendoza
(4/21/2026)
Med ruby. Med(+) aromas/flavors of black raspberry, red plum, black plum, capsicum. Palate: dry, med(+) acid, med(+) ripe but stalky inelegant tannins, med alc (13.5%), med finish. Good; drink now.
Sourced 80% Lujan de Cuyo (800m), 20% Paraje Altamira in Uco Valley (1200m). Vintage was initially cool then experienced a heat wave. Winemaker prioritized acidity over phenolic ripeness. 5% whole cluster, 5 days on skins, pressed, then 10 days off skins at 65F, matured 6 months in concrete.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2024 Trivento Malbec Reserve 83 Points
Argentina, Mendoza
(4/21/2026)
Med ruby. Med aromas/flavors of plum, blackberry, violets, something quite medicinal, and oaky vanilla/clove. Palate: dry, med acid, med ripe tannins, med alc (13%), med(-) finish. Good (not really); drink now (only if you must). Dilute and a bit confected.
Sourced from across Uco Valley (1200m), Lujan de Cuyo (900m), and Junin (680m). Harvested mechanically and destemmed. Pre-fermentation maceration of 20days in stainless, fermented at 79F. "20% of the wine is kept in contact with French + American oak for 6 months," whatever that means.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2022 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Gualtallary 90 Points
Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Gualtallary
(4/21/2026)
No formal tasting notes, but on WSET scale, this is "very good" but lacks the concentration and complexity to age further in bottle (though will hold for 5+ years).
1,400m pebbly soil with a high percentage of free calcium carbonate. Double selection process, gravity fed into concrete tanks. Fermentation at 26C for 15 days. Total maceration of 25 days with manual pipeage. Matured 15 months: 2/3 in concrete vats with no epoxy, 1/3 in 3,500L untoasted foudres. Minimal filtration, 10 months in bottle before release. 13.5% ABV.Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2023 Bodega Catena Zapata Cabernet Franc San Carlos 88 Points
Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, San Carlos
(4/21/2026)
No formal tasting notes. This was WSET "very good" and could improve with age, but not really worth that investment. Notable that the Franc green notes really only hit subtly on the palate. Nice enough, but the Loire exists, so?
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2021 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Catena Alta Historic Rows 90 Points
Argentina, Mendoza
(4/21/2026)
No formal tasting notes. This was WSET "very good" and could age through 2035. Decent value, but not something I'd seek out. A bit of oak, not too much. High tannins but soft texture. Med(+) finish.
Sourced across Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo), Tupungato (Uco Valley), and Altamira (San Carlos, Uco Valley). 93% Cab Sauv + 7% Cab Franc. Fermentation in barriques and barrels. Macerated 30 days with punchdowns. Aged 18 months in French barriques (new to 2 y/o). 24 months bottle aging. 13.5% ABV.Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
Flight 27 - Tasting Exam (12 Notes)
2023 Thistledown Grenache Thorny Devil
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 1: Same Varietal (Grenache) - Wine 1
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2024 Torres Catalunya De Casta Rosado
Spain, Catalunya
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 1: Same Varietal (Grenache) - Wine 2
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2022 Domaine La Bouïssiere Gigondas
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 1: Same Varietal (Grenache) - Wine 3
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2023 Klippenkop Pinotage
South Africa, Breede River Valley, Robertson
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 2: Same Country (South Africa) - Wine 1
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2022 Lismore Chenin Blanc
South Africa, Cape South Coast, Overberg
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 2: Same Country (South Africa) - Wine 2
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2025 Ataraxia Sauvignon Blanc
South Africa, Cape South Coast, Walker Bay, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 2: Same Country (South Africa) - Wine 3
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2024 Pio Cesare Dolcetto d'Alba
Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 3: Same Region (Piedmont) - Wine 1
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2022 Vigne Marina Coppi Sant' Andrea
Italy, Piedmont, Colli Tortonesi
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 3: Same Region (Piedmont) - Wine 2
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2020 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 3: Same Region (Piedmont) - Wine 3
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2023 Domaines Schlumberger Gewurztraminer Les Princes Abbés
France, Alsace
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 4: Wildcard - Wine 1
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2025 Luigi Bosca Torrontés Finca La Linda
Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 4: Wildcard - Wine 2
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2023 Dönnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese
Germany, Nahe
(5/13/2026)
May 2026 WSET Diploma D3 Tasting Exam - Flight 4: Wildcard - Wine 3
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2023 Château Reynier Blanc
France, Bordeaux
(9/9/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: med(+) with primary aromas of citrus (lemon, grapefruit) and stone fruits (peach, apricot), as well as wet stones, blossom, tomato leaf, bread dough. Palate: dry, med alcohol (12%), high acidity, med body, med(+) intensity, with additional tropical fruit notes of mango or pineapple, and a med finish. Good quality; drink now.
Other notes: from the Lurton family in the Entre Deux Mers. Loamy clay, clay, and limestone soils. Certified organic. 70% Sauv Blanc, 25% Sémillon, 5% Muscadelle. Vinified in stainless steel; 6 months lees aging and bâtonnage.
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2023 Château Graville-Lacoste Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves
(9/9/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: med(+) with primary fruits (lemon, pear, grapefruit, tangerine, lime), bread dough, flint, honeysuckle. Palate: dry, med alcohol (12%), med(+) acid, med body, med(+) flavor intensity, with a new saline note on the med(+) finish. Good quality; don't age.
Other notes: R&C's standard white. Dubourdieu family from Pujols in Graves. 60% Sémillon, 35% Sauv Blanc, 5% Muscadelle grown on clay and limestone soils on fissured rock, with a cooler exposition than typical in Graves. HVE-3 sustainable viticulture. Vinified in stainless steel, aged 5 months on the lees, and bottled unfiltered.
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2023 Château Carbonnieux Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
(9/9/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: med(+) with a grande mélange of primary citrus fruits (lemon, tangerine, lime), stone fruits (apricot, white peach), apples, blossoms, honeysuckle, wet stones, grass, asparagus, and just a bit of bread dough and vanilla. Palate: dry, med alcohol (13%), med(+) acid, med(+) body, pronounced (and more honeyed) flavors, and a long finish. Very good; drink now or age.
Other notes: Perrin family in the Léognan commune. Clay-limestone slopes. 65% Sauv Blanc, 35% Sémillon. Old vines (70 years), sustainable viticulture. Starts fermentation in vats, finishes in barrels of varying sizes. Matured in 25% new oak for 10 months with lees stirring. WOTN!
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2023 Château Rieussec R
France, Bordeaux
(9/9/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: med, riper stone and tropical fruits (peach, apricot, tangerine, grapefruit, pineapple, cantaloupe), blossom, flint, light vanilla, tomato leaf, grass, butter. Palate: dry, med alcohol (12.5%), med acid, med(+) flavor intensity, and med(+) finish. Very good; drink now, as this is all about the fruity, fresh vibrancy.
Other notes: sourced from one of the highest points in Fargues, Sauternes with river terrace soils (alluvial deposits, gravel, over sandy clay) and limestone subsoil. 56% Sauv Blanc, 44% Sémillon. Organic farming. 80% fermented in second-use oak barrels, 20% in stainless steel (3 weeks). 5% Malo. Aged 7 months in barrel with lees stirring. Dry whites are about 20% of production.
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2020 Château Les Charmes-Godard Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux
(9/9/2025)
Pale lemon. Nose: med, with idiosyncratic notes of lime, lemon, peaches, wet stones. Hard to pin down. Palate: dry, med alcohol, med acid (a bit flabby), med body, med finish. Good; don't age.
Other notes: from 100% dry white production in the hamlet of Godard, Francs. Limestone-clay soils over marl subsoil. 54% Sémillon, 23% Sauv Blanc, 23% Sauv Gris. HVE-4 sustainable. Fermented in 500L barrels, aged 7 months on lees.
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2021 Château Rieussec Carmes de Rieussec
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
(9/9/2025)
Med gold. Nose: pronounced notes of honeysuckle, blossom, dried peaches, dried apricot, saffron, candied tangerine, dried pineapple, marmalade, just a bit of mushroom. Palate: sweet, med(+) acid, med alcohol (13.6%), med(+) body, med(+) flavor intensity, and a med(+) finish. Very good (needs more concentration, structural precision, and acid to get to outstanding); can age.
Other notes: this second hints at a lovely grand vin from this 1st growth in Fargues, Sauternes. Grown on river terraces with alluvial deposits, gravel over sandy clay, sloped limestone subsoils. 61% Sémillon, 39% Sauv Blanc. Organic viticulture. Slow pressing, barrique fermentation, barrel aging for 12 months. Residual sugar: 110g/L.
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