Taste the Icons Tasting Kit

From the celebrated Monvigliero site, a natural sun‑trap amphitheatre at 300 to 400 m, with cooling nocturnal breezes drawn in by the nearby river, this 2016 Riserva from Castello di Verduno showcases the elegance and precision of an exceptional vintage. Extended ageing has allowed its firm tannins and complex flavours to integrate fully. The bouquet reveals a vivid core of sweet red and dark berries, complemented by hints of citrus peel and floral perfume. On the palate, spice, tobacco leaf and gentle earthy notes have emerged, layered over a silky yet structured framework. Poised acidity and persistent, fine-grained tannins carry the wine to a long, balanced finish. A refined and expressive Barolo Riserva, combining energy, depth and finesse, ready to be enjoyed now.

Under winemaker Nicolas Audebert, we are seeing a subtle shift in the character of the wines from this fine property. Refinement and purity are the watchwords, with notes of blueberry and cedar in 2016. Beautifully balanced, it always shows well against its peers in this top vintage.

This cuvée of old vines is only made in top vintages. The 2015 had immense power and presence to begin, with flavours of tapenade and blackberry that are still present and a structure that, while time in bottle has softened the edges, still has a long future ahead.

Successful early-picked style with fresh fruit and ripe but firm tannins. 45% new oak is used, while 85- to 90-year-old vines produce a graceful old-vine texture.

The 40th anniversary vintage of this iconic wine pays fitting tribute to Cyril Henschke, a pioneer of single-vineyard and varietal expression in Australia. First produced in 1978, ‘Cyril’ now comes from Stephen and Prue Henschke’s north-facing vineyard, planted in 1988 with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. The 2018 vintage, one of the great modern South Australian vintages, delivers depth, structure and plushness in equal measure. The nose is mellow yet powerful, with notes of iron, bay leaf, dark chocolate, earth and mocha, all wrapped in a savoury warmth. The palate is full and fine, offering layered dark fruit, cedar spice and fine-grained tannins, finishing long and precise. This is arguably the cabernet counterpart to Mount Edelstone shiraz, showing Eden Valley’s class through a different lens. A serious, ageworthy wine that balances elegance and power with ease. Quite simply one of Australia’s finest expressions of cabernet. Drink this year to 2040. 14.5%

The 2001 is perfectly, but not precariously, mature, exquisitely perfumed, silky on the palate and gloriously long and smooth on the finish. Exquisitely perfumed, silky on the palate and gloriously long and smooth on the finish, this is one of the greatest traditionally framed Riojas and it is made from 80% tempranillo and 20% garnacha, mazuelo and graciano, aged 36 months in barricas.