Moscato d'Asti doesn't hold up? Merlot only produces simple, fruity wines? It's time to put an end to these prejudices.

We didn't expect Moscato d'Asti to last this long. The Ca' D'Gal 2006 Moscato d'Asti Lumine even needs a lot of air and then shows the typical notes of ripe Moscato with honey and dried apricots, as well as mint and nettle. The Moscato still has perlage, a medium body and is fresh, mineral and long. It's so incredible. And at 5% alcohol, the bottle is quickly emptied. 18/20 points.

The Roberto Voerzio 2010 Merlot Pissota is very similar to a Nebbiolo in terms of tannin. The wine has cherry, herbs, more cool fruit notes, full body, a Nebbiolo-like structure, an almost long finish and is still too young. It has so much potential that the next bottle won't be opened by us for another 5-10 years. 18/20 points.

Why Masseto when it can be cheaper and almost as good? The Casa Emma 2019 Merlot Soloio is apparently the best vintage of this Merlot to date. The wine has an intense nose with blood, blackberry, elderberry and full body, lots of structure, power, high density, a long finish and is very balanced and elegant. The wine appears youthful and has potential for more. 18.8/20 points.

This is the first perfect wine we taste in the new year 2024: The Kongsgaard 2016 Syrah is an extremely dense and concentrated wine with bacon, blackberry, herbs, blood, nettle, sweet blossom aromas, some elderberry, an enormous density, full body, perfect structure and perfect balance. The wine needs a really large glass to fully reveal its complexity, such as the Zalto Burgundy or the Riedel Performance Pinot Noir. Despite its intensity, this is an extremely elegant wine that is great fun to drink. 20/20 points.