Two Baroli - 1970 Barolo, Luigi Marengo & 1971 Barolo Riserva Speciale, Tenuta Carretta

1970 Barolo, Luigi Marengo

A light, earthy nose with notes of dried red fruit, root vegetables, red apple skin and a hint of VA.

The taste is warm and soft with notes of moist undergrowth, cold coffee and dry licorice. A nice dry finish.

81p   (tasted 2026/05)

1971 Barolo Riserva Speciale, Tenuta Carretta

A deep, finely mature nose with notes of Langhe earth, plums, dried strawberries and sunwarm gravel. Very good.

The taste is steady and fine with still perky tannins and notes of dried cherries, ink and tobacco. A long, sandy finish. Will go on for 10+ more years.

88p   (tasted 2026/05)

2017 Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Lilbert-Fils

2017 Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Lilbert-Fils

A waxy, stony, handsome nose with notes of white peach, flower water, slate and matchbox. Very fine.

The taste is pure and racy with a fresh acidity and beautiful yellow fruit, notes of dry fudge and wet stones. Lovely.

93p   (tasted 2026/05)

2016 La Dame de Montrose

2016 La Dame de Montrose

A laid back, deep, aristocratic nose with notes of black currants, leather, coffee powder and graphite. Restrained, even after several hours and even on day two. Needs plenty of time.

The taste is tight and backward with lots of black fruit, finely polished tannins and a long, distinct finish. High quality but not much fun right now. 10+ years.

90p   (tasted 2026/05)

A lot of fun was when we tasted 100 years of Château Montrose - Barolista: 100 Years Of Château Montrose - 1911-2011 - The Notes

Two Burgundies From Nicolas Potel

2023 Bourgogne Chardonnay, Nicolas Potel

A young, fresh, spicy nose with notes of peach, cold butter, gravel and birch sap. Very good.

The taste is cool and stony with a good acidity and nice yellow fruit. A fine warmth in the finish.

87p   (tasted 2026/05)

2023 Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Nicolas Potel

A herbal, linear nose with notes of red currants, violets and assorted herbs. 

The taste is light and seedy with notes of dried raspberries, root vegetables and earth. A good acidity.

84p   (tasted 2026/05)

2021 Pinot Noir Réserve Caroline, Schlossgut Diel

2021 Pinot Noir Réserve Caroline, Schlossgut Diel

An upfront, elegant nose with notes of ripe strawberries, incense, smoke and red beets. Very fine.

The taste is tight and refined with a fresh acidity and notes of dried strawberries, rhubarb and herbs. Long and silky. Lovely.

94p   (tasted 2026/05)

2006 Caroline - Barolista: A Top Notch Spätburgunder - 2006 Cuvée Caroline, Schlossgut Diel

2010 Caroline - Barolista: Seven Pinots

2020 Barolo Bussia Sprun, Orlando Rocca

2020 Barolo Bussia Sprun, Orlando Rocca

A high, refined nose wit notes of red currants, hard cherry candy, dried flowers and a touch of cinnamon. Very fine.

The taste is finely tuned with silky tannins and notes of Langhe earth, herbs, cherry pips and tobacco. Long and lingering. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2026/05)

2020 Barbaresco Riserva Vecchie Vite Serraboella Sorì Paitin, Paitin

2020 Barbaresco Riserva Vecchie Vite Serraboella Sorì Paitin, Paitin

A very handsome, layered nose with notes of dried roses, shoecream, licorice, fir wood and moist Langhe earth. Just lovely.

The taste is racy and refined with gorgeous cherry and cranberry fruit, polished tannins and a long, long, balanced finish. Great wine.

96p   (tasted 2026/05)

2017 Chardonnay, Mount Mary

2017 Chardonnay, Mount Mary 

This Aussie Chardonnay offers up a cool, creamy nose with notes of yellow flowers, cap gun smoke, candle grease and dry fudge. Very, very good.

The taste is high and silky with notes of oranges, pickled ginger, smoke and butter biscuits. Long and fine.

91p   (tasted 2026/05)

2022 Apricot Block Syrah, Greenock Creek

2022 Apricot Block Syrah, Greenock Creek

An upfront, broad nose with notes of raw meat, tomato paste, black plums, bonfire smoke, decaying flowers and a hint of toothpaste. Very fine.

The taste is big and taut with rich black fruit, sweet tannins and a very fine balance. Great to drink now and the coming 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2026/05)

2021 Il Carbonaione, Podere Poggio Scaletto

2021 Il Carbonaione, Podere Poggio Scaletto

A very handsome, delicate nose with notes of sour cherries, Tuscan gravel, expensive leather and hints of moccha. Very, very fine.

The taste is tight and seedy with notes of violets, tobacco and the taste of chewing on cherry pips. Finely polished tannins. Very long. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2026/05)

2019 Gigondas, Château de Saint Cosme

2019 Gigondas, Château de Saint Cosme

A fine, earthy nose with notes of blackberries, dark raspberries, licorice and old forrest floor. Very fine.

The taste is spicy, warm and earthy with notes of dried up raspberry jam, undergrowth, fir wood and tobacco. A long, warm finish. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2026/05)

Two Fine Whites - 2023 Ihringer Winklenberg Grauburgunder, Dr. Heger & 2023 Señora de las Alturas Blanco, Viña Zorzal

2023 Ihringer Winklenberg Grauburgunder, Dr. Heger

A low keyed, nice nose with notes of grey pears, gravel, white currants and assorted spices.

The taste is cool and delicate with notes of dried flowers, gravel and dried lemons. A fine, fresh acidity.

89p   (tasted 2026/05)

2023 Señora de las Alturas Blanco, Viña Zorzal

Only the second vintage made, this 75% Viura and 25% Garnacha Blanco jumps out of the glass with notes of ripe peach, sweet minerals, candle grease and sun warm grass. Very fine.

The taste is broad and juicy with gorgeous yellow fruit, a fine acidity and a long, lingering finish. Lip smacking good.

93p   (tasted 2026/05)

2023 Crozes-Hermitage, Franck Balthazar

2023 Crozes-Hermitage, Franck Balthazar

An open, smoky nose with notes of cranberries, red beets, violets and a touch of white pepper.

The taste is tight and linear with white pepper sprinkled red fruit, silky tannins and a medium long finish.

89p   (tasted 2026/04)