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2024 Burgenland and Austria's East: Heavenly Reds and Crisp Whites
Austria, featured
, Feb 2026
The central and Eastern Austrian regions of Carnuntum, Thermenregion and Burgenland delivered beautifully crisp whites and evocative, precise reds in 2024. Neither spring frosts nor September rains were as severe as in Lower Austria along the Danube. Despite record heat, which spelled an unprecedentedly early harvest for some, there is no lack of freshness in the whites, while most reds took the heat in stride. Near Lake Neusiedl, clean and early botrytis arrived in late October, ensuring concentrated Ausbruch and TBAs.
Salt of the Earth: Voliero Brunello di Montalcino 2006-2021
Italy: Tuscany, Verticals & Retrospectives, featured
, Feb 2026
A true wine of place, crafted by a man who applied a lifetime of acquired knowledge to conceptualize its creation, the Voliero Brunello di Montalcino reflects the potential of Montalcino's Southern territory. This 15-vintage retrospective explores the story behind the wine and Andrea Cortoneise, who created it.
It’s Rousseau’Clock: Grand Crus 1967-2019
Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, France: Burgundy
, Feb 2026
It’s Rousseau’clock! An epic tasting of Rousseau’s Grand Crus last November provided valuable insight into their Clos de la Roche, Ruchottes and Charmes-Chambertin. Whilst market prices have escalated in recent years, what has not changed is the calibre of their wines.
Remembering Pierre Trimbach
featured, Vinous Remembers, France: Alsace
, Feb 2026
It was with sadness and disbelief that I learned of Pierre Trimbach’s death on January 31, 2026, at the age of 69. His legacy will endure in his long-lived, pure and brilliant wines.
Northern Rhône 2024: One Hill Rises
featured, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Jan 2026
In 2024, the Northern Rhône delivered Syrahs of striking aromatic typicity, anchored by a distinctive peppery profile reminiscent of past cooler vintages. This report examines how an exceptionally challenging growing season shaped both red and white wines across all eight appellations. After a final word on the in-bottle 2023 reds, I look ahead to the extremely low-yielding 2025 harvest and the potential addition of a new cru to the region.
Going to California: Sonoma’s 2024s & 2023s
United States: California, featured
, Jan 2026
January is always such an exciting time in Sonoma, heavy rains and flooding excepted. The promise of the new year lies ahead. Many estates are releasing their latest wines. This year’s new releases are mostly from 2024 and 2023, two strong back-to-back vintages that provide fascinating contrasts, as the growing seasons were diametrically opposite. The best wines from both vintages are superb.
The Marcassin Mystique
United States: California, featured
, Jan 2026
There are few wineries in the United States, or the world for that matter, with the level of mystique that surrounds Marcassin. “Have you heard anything about Marcassin?” I am asked regularly. “When is the next release?” inevitably follows. A recent visit and tasting provided some answers during a wide-ranging conversation that ran the gamut from wine to vineyards to jazz.
2022 Barolo: Half-Full or Half-Empty?
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Jan 2026
Two thousand twenty-two is one of the most complicated vintages I have seen in the more than 25 years I have visited Piedmont on a regular basis. The 2022 Barolos are frustratingly erratic, wildly inconsistent wines, and yet some growers found a way to make the most out of the hand they were dealt by Mother Nature. It’s a vintage to approach with caution. There are some real gems in 2022, but they are very much the exceptions.
A Landmark Vintage: 2023 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia, featured
, Jan 2026
Margaret River is a miraculous region where both Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon can reach great heights. However, in 2023, the cool, long and particularly dry growing season was especially kind to the local Cabernet Sauvignon, creating the best vintage in recent memory. These wines display superb purity, effortless balance, unforced generosity of flavour and firm structure. The best of them will also age beautifully. Two thousand twenty-three is a genuine unicorn vintage for Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon.
Australian Syrah: The Quest for Refinement
Australia, featured
, Jan 2026
The common perception of Australian Syrah revolves around the classic full-bodied, full-flavoured expressions from warmer regions. Yet more terroir-driven styles have become increasingly common over the last two decades, especially in cooler areas. terroir-driven styles have become increasingly common over the last two decades. From perfumed and spicy coastal expressions to more savoury, brooding examples found in continental climates, these wines represent impressive diversity. The best of them are truly remarkable.