Unfortunately, you can't always drink great wines, but sometimes it works out.

The Chartogne-Taillets 2017 Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Les Barres is made from Pinot Meunier from ungrafted vines and was disgorged in July 2022. The wine has brioche, a hint of caramel and vanilla from the ageing of the base wine in barriques. It has medium body, fine perlage, medium to long finish, balance and still a lot of potential. 18.8/20 points.

The Immich-Batterieberg 2020 Enkircher Batterieberg Riesling is an archetypal Riesling from the Mosel with a beautiful interplay of sweetness and acidity and a distinct residual sweetness reminiscent of a Spätlese. The wine has apricot, peach, a hint of powdered sugar, medium body, medium length, and balance. 18.5/20 points.

The 2020 Serriger Vogelsang Riesling from Domäne Serrig is somewhat austere, but with sensational minerality and structure. The crisp acidity is not unpleasant and is perfectly balanced by density and extract. The wine is complex with salty-mineral phenolics even without fruit notes and has almost full body, a long finish, and lots of potential. It will probably keep for decades. 19.3/20 points.

The Château Montrose 1989 St. Estephe 2eme Cru Classe is a perfect Bordeaux with hints of Dunn Howell Mountain. In addition to cassis, the wine has animal notes, a touch of powdered sugar, high minerality, full body, a long finish, and perfect balance and density. 19.8/20 points.