𝑨𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒃𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒈 𝑹𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑲𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒕, 1983

In perfect shape, this Riesling blew my mind. It was alive, mature but still very young with lots of freshness.

The aromas were very expressive and ripe, offering notes of preserved lemon, ripe peach, syruped kumquat, wax, wet stones, old eraser and mild smoke (like the oldschool cap guns with smoke - a little matchstick-like). No extreme petrol.

On the palate, it was medium-bodied, off-dry, highly acidic but very rounded on the edges. Lemon wine gum, lemon zest, a hint of honeycomb (but not sweet), tangerine, ginger sweets and salt in the finish.

Such a pure wine! In love with these +30 years old Rieslings, where the marriage between sweetness and acidity is reaches a unique level.

• “Kabinett” is one of six designated German wine classifications and indicates the lightest style of German wines. The grapes are picked at normal harvest, typically in September when they have ripened, and shows an off-dry style, unless “Trocken” (dry) is mentioned on the label as well, which indicates a longer fermentation leading to less residual sugar content (a drier wine) and a bit higher alcohol.

Behind this label is a story of the great Staatsweingute (state wineries) of Germany, which are owned by the state and works like umbrella wineries, where smaller wineries finished their vinification. This label refers to the old state winery Niederhausen-Schlossböckelheim, founded in 1901, but by the A.P. Nr. on the label (1 750 053/10/84), the 750 refers to the bottler/the specific winemaker, which is Gut Hermannsberg.

Since 2010, the winery has worked under the official name of Gut Hermannsberg. They are also founding members of VDP.

 ⭐️93+/100⭐️ 𝑨𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒃𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒈 𝑹𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑲𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒕, 1983

“𝑰𝒍 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒕” 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒆𝒃𝒃𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒐, 2005

📍Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Piemonte, Italy🇮🇹

Beautiful color with a fine orange rim that doesn’t seem too oxidized.

The bouquet started offering notes of port, brown apple and prunes, but after a bit of air it blew off and revealed quite a youthful and fresh Nebbiolo for its age. Strawberry (fresh and candied), dried sweet cherry, pressed flowers, orange peel, tar, thyme, mint, charcuterie and rusty metal followed on the nose. The oak is clear too.

The palate was medium(+)-bodied with well integrated tannins and a vibrant acidity. Cherry, cranberry, raw liquorice, dark chocolate, cloves, spicy vanilla and mint. A taste of chalk and iron in the finish.

• “Il Favot” means “the favorite”

• Grapes from different small (and younger) parcels at Bussia

• Fermented in steel tanks (8 days skin contact - brings a deep color but lower tannic level) with indigenous yeast

• Aged a few months in steel tanks followed by some months in barrique

• No clarifying and filtration before bottling

An estate of the elite in the Barolo area. The history dates back to 1969, when Aldo left him and his brothers (Giacomo Conterno) wine business to start his own adventure with more modern philosophies, following Angelo Gaja, meaning shorter maceration and some barrique next to the large Slavonian barrels.

Aldo Conterno passed away in 2012, leaving the winery to his three sons, France, Giacomo and Stefano, who were all working with their father during his last yeast.

They work organically without certification, farms 25 ha with very low yields - a total of 80.000 bottles pr. year.

 ⭐️90/100⭐️ “𝑰𝒍 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒕” 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒆𝒃𝒃𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒐, 2005 📍Monforte d’Alba

𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒆𝒃𝒃𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒐, 2006

Mario Minuto established Moccagatta in 1952 in the small village of same name located just south of the town of Barbaresco.

Today, the winery is run by Mario’s sons, Sergio and Francesco, and their children too.

Moccagatta is a modernist styled winery, using barrique for aging of which 20% are new (the rest 2nd and 3rd use) and short maceration (around 7 days).

The winery has worked 100% organically since 2014.

• Grapes from younger vines (also from their top crus) located in Barbaresco and Neive

Needed a bit of time to let go of some oxidized “damp basement” scent. Afterwords, a “classic” aged Nebbiolo appeard (maybe a bit too oxi still) with a bouquet offering as scent of aged port with lower alcohol, prunes, cherry, sweet liquorice, (very) old books, pencil shavings, truffle, wet wood, used leather sole, matured meat and black hibiscus tea.

On the tongue, the wine is medium-bodied and well balanced with silky tannins and vibrant acidity. Ripe cherry, warm prunes, dehydrated mushrooms, black tea with red berries, bresaola, juniper berry and iodine in the finish.

 ⭐️88/100⭐️ 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒆𝒃𝒃𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒐, 2006 📍Barbaresco, Piemonte

Gamay is exploding on the wine scene at the moment. It has to be the latest ‘new’ grape Australian winemakers are producing with an impressive flavour. For those unaware of Gamay, in simple terms, it very similar to Pinot Noir. And those Pinot Regions of Geelong, Yarra and Mornington are starting to produce some great versions of this variety.

 is from Tash Webster’s winery Empire of the Dirt.

This is very good. It’s dirty but in a good way, like a kid that has been playing all day at the park, covered in dirt, cut on the knees and shirt untucked. But as a cheeky grin that just says, “best day ever”...simple...

 Empire of the Dirt Ink Gamay 2018 Rating: B+ Price: $38

Buy Again: Yes, to put away in the Cellar

Spice, complex with a dry finish. The winemaker has really made this wine to last and develop over time. I think this will really be at its best after 10 years. Its great to see wines hitting the bottle shops with 4+ years under its belt. Just a very good Shiraz and unique to the

 Mitchell Peppertree Shiraz 2014 Rating: B+ Price: $24 Buy

Australian wine history and flavour in a bottle. Classic.

Dark, full body and just delicious. A mellow beast that has just aged gracefully.

I think it has peaked in potential but will steadily last a few more years.

BIN 28 is one of those perfect wines that you can buy 6 and just forget about them.

I think originally bought this for about $20 back in the day.

 From the Cellar: 2002 Penfolds BIN 28 Kalimna Shiraz

Rating: Strong Buy 🍷  2016 Turkey Flat Barossa Valley Shiraz. This wine won

Australian Red wine of the year but even more impressive, it scored 98 from

Grange. All this for $47. But it has been sold out and very hard to find since the release of Halliday’s wine companion. So while wondering the local

 I saw 3 of these and after checking and rechecking yes it was that wine.

I opened it last night and it was brilliant. Powerful but elegant. Love it and will cellar beautifully. If you see this wine, buy it. But as many as you can afford. ...simple...

 Rating: Strong Buy 🍷  2016 Turkey Flat Barossa Valley

Dark fruit, soft but enough moody spice to tick all the right boxes. A very good little number from

I reviewed their Barossa Shiraz back in October with a ‘Ridiculous Value’ recommendation. I give this the same recommendation, ‘Ridiculous Value’.

I do love and appreciate (even amazed) how a winery can deliver such a wine to the bottle shop shelf or your home for under $20. I find myself saying “that was $20 bucks” with the surprised excitement of finding a little pot of gold.

Actually considering both wines, they would be perfect for a side by side tasting at your own dinner party. These really show the difference between Heathcote and Barossa Shiraz. Either way this is a great little bargain for sub $20...simple...

 Smith's Lane Reserve Heathcote Shiraz 2017 Price: $18

This why I cellar wines. I originally bought 6 of these back in the day and been lucky enough to enjoy these over a decade. But it has now really hit a peak. Full, dark with a taste that I can only describe as sitting in a smooth vintage leather chair, open fire in one corner and a view to a mean but breathtakingly beautiful storm over the ocean.

Amazing development over the years. Nothing is out of place. Just loving

 🍷 I only have one more of this great vintage...simple...

 From the Cellar Grant Burge Filsell Old Vine Shiraz 2008

Rating: Strong Buy 🥂  2013 Tyrrell’s Stevens Hunter Semillon. Summer in glass during winter. Lime and a little 🍋. Just elegant and soft...simple...

 Rating: Strong Buy 🥂  2013 Tyrrell’s Stevens Hunter

Penfolds will be releasing the next wine superstar with the g4.

So at a powerball winning price of $3500 per bottle, What is it?

Well let’s call it the Grange of Granges. The g4 is a blend of four Grange vintages: 2016, 2008, 2004 and 2002, all in one bottle.

Penfolds Chief Winemaker Peter Gago outlines the wine will develop in the cellar until 2080. Yes that’s correct 2080. Which would make a perfect 100th birthday present for myself in 2078.

Only 2,500 bottles were produced, so I better win powerball...simple...

 Penfolds g4 Penfolds will be releasing the next wine

Hutton Vale Farm, where the hell have you been all my life?

My third wine from Hutton Vale Farm and it will not be my last. Beautiful wine in every way. Structured, powerful yet oh so smooth.

Hutton Vale Farm, I’m in love and this winery is definitely in the running for Winery of the Year...simple…

 Hutton Vale Farm Cabernet Sauvignon Eden Valley 2016

After only a glass of wine last night, I decided to grab something from the cellar and I don’t think the cork could have survived much longer.

Any guesses to the vintage, Bin or if it will be ‘corked’ or drinking well. Love to see your comments...simple...

 That was a nervous opening... After only a glass of wine

Please comment with your answer...simple...

Or whats your favourite Coonawarra Cab Sav?

 Question Time: Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, Which one?

Riesling Spätlese “Herxheimer Himmelreich”, 2011

12th generation of Petri winemakers are running this old winery located in the village of Herxheim am Berg in one of the 13 Anbaugebiete (wine growing regions) of Germany called Pfalz (the Palatine region), where they cultivate 21 hectares of vines. The business is dating back to 1655, when the Petris arrived from Tyrol working as barrel makers before starting the winemaking.

Ever since, the focus has been on environment-friendly cultivation with no chemicals in the vineyards and only harvest by hand to secure the health and natural development of their agricultural areas.

The wine undergo slow fermentation on steel to preserve the Riesling’s precious characteristics before maturation in big 80 years old wooden barrels of 3000 liters to gain some more complexity and balance the structure.

This wine’s aromas are what Riesling dreams are made of.

It brings notes of ripe pear and candied ginger followed by white fresh mushrooms, nice hints of old eraser or tennis balls and melted plastic, acacia honey and lemon peel and some nice petrol starting to show muscles without taking over yet.

The palate is oily, off-dry and fresh offering lovely notes of peach, dried apricot, lemon peel and mild honey. The balance between the sweetness and the acidity is just lovely.

I’ve been working with these wines for some years having tried most of their portfolio from different vintages. They all show fine quality, but this exact one (with this age) is the best experience I’ve had from Petri. For the price, their wines are really nice, btw.

If you’re ever searching for these wines, the labels have changed quite a lot, but the (aged) content doesn’t disappoint.

 ⭐️87/100⭐️ Weingut Petri Riesling Spätlese “Herxheimer

- La Morra, Barolo, Piemonte, Italy🇮🇹

Leather, dried rose, ground coffee beans, dried cranberry and raw liquorice.

 Aurelio Settimo Barolo “Rocche”, 2001 - La Morra, Barolo

- Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France🇫🇷

🍇70% Cabernet Sauvignon / 20% Merlot / 5% Petit Verdot / 5% Cabernet Franc

Well mature wine👌🏼 Cassis, cranberry, tar, tobacco, mint and gravel. At the beginning, it was quite light (I thought it was dead), but it opened up beautifully after a while and turned out being medium bodied and full of life.

 Chateau de Fieuzal Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru Classé,1988 -

Domaine Prieur-Brunet (Chateau Perruchot)

📍Santenay, Côte de Beaune, Bourgogne, France🇫🇷

Chateau Perruchet has been in the Prieur-family for more than two centuries, family-run generation after generation. In 1955, Guy Prieur merries Elisabeth Brunet from another big wine family of Meursault, and the relationship between the two domaines creates the historic Domaine Prieur-Brunet, covering some top 1er Crus in Santenay, Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet, Meursault, Pommard and Volnay.

From 2017, the estate is owned by Maison Louis Jadot, an the team aims to continue with same care and precision as the domaine’s former owners.

Perfect, pure granate color. Very bright and no sediments at all.

The bouquet opens slowly going crazy with the tertiary aromas. Dehydrated chanterelles, moss, wet gravel, cloves, orange peel, truffle and some dried herbs. There are almost no fruit left in the nose, but it’s somehow still charming and very interesting.

Unfortunately, the palate is more or less gone.

The bottle happened to be open for a few hours improving a bit, but not enough to make an experience out of it.

A tiny bit of cranberry showed up with a medium short finish of raw liquorice.

Some Bourgogne Pinots seem to just keep getting better and better year after year, and sometimes showing exceptional balance of youth, secondary and tertiary aromas.

In this case it was a wine to be enjoyed by the beautiful aromas, not to be consumed.

 ⭐️81/100⭐️ Domaine Prieur-Brunet (Chateau Perruchot) Beaune

𝑩𝒖𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒂 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒂 𝒅’𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒂, 1992

📍Castiglione Falletto, Barolo, Piemonte, Italy🇮🇹

Bussia is a large and legendary vineyard stretching from the village of Monforte d’Alba to somewhere in between Barolo and Castiglione Falletto. In fact, the cru is so big, that originally it was devided into 14 smaller parcels to make it easier to navigate and understand the terroir (which varies a lot), to know the altitude (ranging from 210-460 MAMSL) and exposure. All important markers for the style and quality, which also varies a lot.

Today, Bussia is mainly known for Nebbiolo, which is a great translater of terroir, which makes it possible for the producer to make very different Barolos from the same Cru, but with different lieu-dits (sometimes named on the label). Often, the outcome is well structured and powerful wines.

Through history, the Cru has hosted Barbera and Dolcetto too.

Fermented in steel tanks followed by 10-12 months in a mix of  barrique, big French oak casks and steel tanks.

Beautiful color - faded a bit during the years. Almost transparent now.

The bouquet is light and elegant, offering perfumed notes of pressed flowers and black hibiscus tea followed by dried raspberry, ripe cherry, dried chanterelles, mild truffle and orange peel with cloves.

The palate is super light with a mild refreshing acidity and no tannins at all. Cherry, cedar, red spicy lomo iberico, pepper and white mushroom on the tongue.  Funny stuff, but not a big thing.

Barbera isn’t famous for its aging potential, but fun to try.

 ⭐️88+/100⭐️ 𝑩𝒖𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒂 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒂 𝒅’𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒂, 1992 📍Castiglione

Margaux Grand Cru Classé (3rd growth), 1995

🍇 60% Cabernet Sauvignon / 32% Merlot / 5% Cabernet Franc / 3% Petit Verdot

100% French barriques (50/50 new and 2. fill) and 15-18 months of aging.

For most wine consumers, Cht. Giscours doesn’t need a bigger introduction.

This vintage is the first from winemaker Alexander van Beek at the chateau after his arrival the same year. Beek’s arrival marks a turning point for Giscours, increasing the quality in every way - most importantly today: an increased level of Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1. Cru and manual winemaking.

This is just a tremendous wine from the  magnificent Giscours.

The nose has so much balance between primary, secondary and tertiary aromas.  It started a little dusty and paper-like, but after short time in the decanter, it all blew off. It all turned better and better until a fantastic and very potent bouquet with huge complexity had opened up. The fruit is still clear with plums and dried strawberry, but it’s given a little more space for the spices and oak after 25 years of aging: Pencil shavings, old cigar box, cedar, cloves, star anise, truffle and roasted walnuts.  The earthy notes of dried mushroom, forrest floor and leather soften off the many spices, followed by a beautiful scent of dried violets (which is a lovely feminine touch to the bouquet, by the way). The palate brings a velvety soft body of medium intensity with round tannins and a fine acidic finish. The base of cassis and cherry is perfectly mixed with flavors of chocolate, coffee grounds and burnt caramel. A bit of liquorice and mint was brought to the tongue at some of the last sips from the bottle.

It’s a very harmonious wine, that keeps changing over time and has a long and delicious finish. Was it worth the price? Yes, indeed.

 ⭐️94/100⭐️ Chateau Giscours Margaux Grand Cru Classé (3rd

𝑷𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒏 𝑹𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒆, 1977

🍇 60% Cabernet Sauvignon / 33% Merlot / 6% Cabernet Franc / 1% Petit Verdot

Well, I’ll skip the introduction of this legendary winery and jump directly to the first vintage of “2nd generation Pavillon Rouge”.

Sold under the name of “Château Margaux 2nd wine”, it took its permanent name of “Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux” in 1908. But from the start 1930’s, no 2nd cru were made for decades, until 1977 (this vintage), when Pavillon Rouge returned to once again raise the quality of the 1st cru. A few years after, a 3rd cru joined the portfolio to increase the quality of the Pavillon Rouge too.

Well, the blend consists of the four main grapes of the region, but the percentages of each variety change a bit each vintage (those mentioned here are from the oldest vintage I could dig up for the Pavillon R.) - but like the 1st cru, it’s dominated by Cab. Sauvignon.

- Made from the estate’s younger vines.

- Spontaneous fermentation in steel and wooden vats.

The color is simply amazing and expresses a well stored mature wine.

The bouquet needed time to open up, starting with an overload of damp basement and wet newspaper. After 30 min, some fine tertiary notes of raw mushrooms, fresh wet topsoil, clay and gravel and some leather substituted the old funk. Slowly, some red mature fruit came to life followed by sweet tobacco, coffee grounds, black olives and matured meat.

In general a fine increase of the nose over time.

The palate offered a medium(-) body, quite a juicy (and impressive for the age) acidity and totally integrated tannins.

Mild red fruit (unripe cherry), raisins, cedar, leather, cayenne pepper, roasted mushrooms and an iron-like finish.

Passed its peak, but better than expected.

 ⭐️88/100⭐️ 𝑷𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒏 𝑹𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒆, 1977 📍Margaux, Bordeaux, France🇫🇷 🍇

𝑷𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒚-𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒕 1𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒓𝒖 “𝑳𝒆𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒔”, 1988

📍Puligny-Montrachet, Côte d’Or, Bourgogne, France🇫🇷

A tiny producer who’s only making a very small amount of white wine from very small holdings (e.g. 0,16 ha of Les Combettes). Only a Bourgogne Blanc, one Saint-Aubin, one Chassagne-Montrachet and four Puligny-Montrachet are produced.

I don’t know much about this winery. Not even, if it’s still in function.

“Les Combettes” is one of Puligny-Montrachet's most northerly Premier Cru climats. While not as steep as the vineyards higher on the hill, Les Combettes still benefits from a gentle slope, which gives it a good aspect to the morning sunlight, as well as good groundwater drainage.

Les Combettes are often considered as a kind of crossover between Puligny and Meursault, displaying features of both

Fermented in oak barrels and steel tanks, then matured in oak barrels (20-30% new) for 12-14 months.

This old fella is revealing some aged, plump and slightly oxidized aromas of brown windfallen apples (with a hint of fresh red apples too) caramel, dried apricot, red apple skin, dry hay, roasted nuts, honey, croissant and yeast. Smells like a flor-wine.

The palate is medium(+)-bodied with a smooth, vibrant acidity. It’s feels bone dry like a Fino Sherry in a bit odd way (probably because of the oxidation). Notes of vanilla poached pear, burnt caramel, orange peel, lemongrass, hay and wet stones.

Of course way past it’s peak and not very balanced, but still fun to taste. It reminds me of Fino Sherry and Vin Jaune. Drink these old whites with cheese.

 ⭐️87/100⭐️ 𝑷𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒚-𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒕 1𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒓𝒖 “𝑳𝒆𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒔”, 1988

🍇70% Cabernet Sauvignon / 20% Merlot / 10% Cabernet Franc

Located in the Eerste River Valley (Stellenbosch) just next to the river, this world famous winery is surrounded by soils of decomposed granite and clay.

Its proximity to the sea allows its vineyards to benefit from the cooling effect of the prevailing south-east wind during the hot Cape summers, permitting a slow ripening of the grapes for a rich varietal aroma.

First of all, the color is amazing. Almost blood red with a purple depth and a light brown edge.

Leave it open for an hour at least, and the bouquet slowly opens with a black cherry and plummy  base, followed by tobacco, baked capsicum, pepper, cloves and forrest floor with a hint of pencil shavings. There’s a clear tone of toasted oak to it as well (makes sense: the wine is matured in 80% new Nevers barrique and 20% second fill).

The palate is medium bodied with an impressive freshness and tannic structure taken the age in consideration.

Together with flavors of blackcurrant, prunes, dark chocolate and an olive-like finish, this is all in all a very delicate and well balanced Stellenbosch wine.

 Meerlust Estate Rubicon, 2000 - Stellenbosch, South Africa🇿🇦

Since the employment of winemaker Alexandre Gélis back in 2007, Chateau de Caïx has built a reputation of producing well structured, classic, everyday-consuming Malbec-wines, after many years in the shadow.  The castle is located in the heart of Cahors (south-west France, three hours drive south-east from Bordeaux), just next to the Lot River. It’s owned and used by the Danish royal family, who bought it back in 1974 and fully restored the old chateau. The collaboration between the former Danish prince consort, Henry, and Gélis has resulted in today’s fine authentic Cahors-wine.

This case though, the 1982, is from the old times before the bigger restoral of the vineyards. Though, the vintage is legendary in the south-western corner of France, and it’s always with excitement, you uncork one of these very old bottles.

The color looks beautiful. Dark ruby with a fine fudgy edge. The bouquet opens quite fast with notes of cranberry juice, tobacco, pencil shavings, light mushrooms, beetroot and a bit of wet cellar. On the tongue, a very light-bodied and smooth-tannined wine offers wild strawberry, blackberry, sweet liquorice and menthol. Both bouquet and palate is in the very light scale.  It’s drinking well, but I think it has peaked 15 years ago or so. Though, it’s still charming and easy accessible, but not a wine I’ll remember for long.

 ⭐️82/100⭐️ Chateau de Caïx Cahors, 1982 📍Caïx, Cahors

“Black Label” Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005

In the beautiful and world-class winemaking area of McLaren Vale, Lee Flourentzou founded Aramis Vineyards in 1998, naming it after the great character, Aramis, from Alexandre Dumas’ legendary story about the three musketeers.

The team is dedicated to producing fine wines that reflect the area in the most elegant and precise way with both Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz as the main focus.

This is a single vineyard wine from one of Aramis’ best plots located 7km southwest of the township of McLaren Vale.

The wine is very classic and matured in a mix of French and American oak for 18 months (40% new).

This Cab is just perfectly matured showing great depth and energy with a bouquet offering heavy notes of blackcurrant followed by sweet tobacco, charcoal from the wood, matured and dried meat, eucalyptus and muddy iron.

The palate is rich and powerful with a dark fruity base of blackcurrant and prunes complimented by baked red bell pepper, dark chocolate, mocha and lots of vanilla with a minty finish.

The tannins a fully integrated and extremely velvety due to the age and there’s just enough acidity left to balance the full-bodied wine (it might have shown a slightly more elegant palate some years ago).

This wine really took me back to McLaren Vale. Miss this amazing place a lot!

 ⭐️87/100⭐️ Aramis Vineyards “Black Label” Cabernet Sauvignon

Another one from Meerlust. This time something totally different from what I’d call a traditional Chardonnay.

Actually, I’m in doubt if the wine is a little bit off... in some weird (maybe not bad) way. No matter what, it was an exciting experience.

In the beginning, I couldn’t really place the spices of the nose. I clearly got some pineapple, kumquat, yellow apple and acacia, but there was a very special minerality and petrol-like scent. Also a bit of parmesan...

After a while in the glass it smoothed out a bit, and more classic notes showed up: Marzipan, lemon, toasted bread, buttercup and cloves.

But still with a little, weird camphor in the background.

The palate is round, medium+ bodied and has a lovely sharp acidity.

A mix of muskmelon, pomelo and lemon fromage is the main fundament of the wine, followed closely by browned butter, oak, hazelnuts, heather and clay pot. It’s also a bit petrol-like on the tongue.

I have to try it again, to see if it was off or not.

 Meerlust Estate Chardonnay, 2007 - Stellenbosch, South

Erdener Bußlay is the third vineyard connected to the village of Erden in the central part of Mosel.

Located on the same side of the Mosel River ad Erden, it’s facing the more famous Erdener Treppchen and Erdener Prälat.

Compared to Treppchen, Bußlay often deliver more fullbodied and less elegant Rieslings. Yet, they are very long living and have huge aging potential offering more structured and heavy wines.

Perfect color for a vintage white👌🏼

The nose is heavy and complex with exotic fruits like mango, canned pineapple, honeydew melon and peach. Flowers, beeswax and tertiary notes of old eraser and a touch of gasoline bring a classic vintage-Mosel style to the aroma.

The palate is round and soft (not much acidity left) with great depth. Fresh mango, papya, candied yellow/white fruits, ginger and honeycomb in a lovely relationship - and an endless finish of lemoncurd.

This winery keeps delivering high class with their matured vintages.

 ⭐️88/100⭐️ Weingut Bernhard Jakoby Erdener Bußlay Riesling

Margaux Grand Cru Classé (3rd growth), 1982

📍Cantenac, Margaux, Bordeaux, France🇫🇷

🍇Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Cabernet Franc / Petit Verdot

Winemaking at Château Kirwan dates back to 1710, when the famous negociant, Sir John Collingwood, bought the estate. His daughter married Mark Kirwan, who was in charge of the property at that time - he increased the quality in the vineyards and created the cháteau as it’s known today. Two centuries later, after changing ownership a couple of times, the property was sold to Schröder & Schÿler in 1925, another great negociant firm, who continue owning and managing the château until this day.

The wine appeared with a beautiful dark ruby color with no signs of too much oxidation. The bouquet needed a bit more than two hours of decanting to really show the potential behind well matured Margaux-wine. To me, Château Kirwan is often very feminine in style, offering classic Margaux characteristics in a very gentle and light way. A backbone of blackcurrant and dark cherry embraced by dark chocolate, vanilla, raisins and dried flowers. Deliacate spices such as truffle, mint and tobacco meet notes of leather and cedar to complete this Bordeaux’ aroma experience. The palate is soft and medium-bodied with creamy tannins and a still vibrant acidity. Cherry compote and plums with dark, dry chocolate, light smoke and some earthiness in the finish. It’s a textbook (but very well written) Margaux, and it did extremely well with 38 years age.

 ⭐️92/100⭐️ Château Kirwan Margaux Grand Cru Classé (3rd

“Erdener Treppchen” Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken, 1985

The vineyard of Erdener Treppchen (Mittelmosel) is extremely steep (stone steps are built into the hillside to make it easier for the workers to get around). The soil is based on red slate and is very iron-infused, which together makes Rieslings that are more powerful, muscular and complex with a high minerality.

It’s not famous for producing very elegant wines, but instead you get a masculine hard-body rock climber.

It appears very clear in the glass with a yellow/pale green color.