The 10th Plague

Bordeaux 2021 in barrel

Just over one year after that ominous first frost plague descended upon the Bordeaux 2021s, the 10th Plague arrived, far more terrifying and damning than all those that came before. The scores… the scores…

The Missing Pieces

Bordeaux 2019 in bottle

Not just another great vintage. In an era of ultra-sensitive, precision winemaking, this is perhaps the most terroir expressive vintage Bordeaux has ever crafted.

DRINKING

1953 Ch. Angélus

During my visit to Château Angélus to taste the 2021 Primeurs in April this year, I had the opportunity to try once again the 1953

1981 Beau-Séjour Bécot

Don’t you love it when “off” vintages surprise you?

In the Nick of Time

Sauternes 2019 in bottle
2019 was an outstanding year for Bordeaux red wines. Still, the necessary weather conditions for the forging of the region’s high-quality reds are counterproductive to great Sauternes and Barsac production. Much of the 2019 growing season was warm to hot and dry. By the end of September, the prospects for significant noble rot—the beneficial face of Botrytis necessary for producing truly great sweet whites—were looking quite bleak. It had thus far been too warm and dry when cooler, humid/wet conditions are required to kickstart the measured infection of the fungus.

Not To Be Different, But

Chateau Figeac, 1979-2019
Not to be different, but Thierry Manoncourt was different. Unashamedly bucking trends, questioning the status quo, unafraid to speak his peace – different. With an eloquent, gentlemanly demeanor that belied his stubbornness, Manoncourt certainly wasn’t short on opinions nor passion for his vineyard.

If you love fine wines and you’re looking for a truly independent wine review publication, this is it.

Subscribe here

Napa Kaizen

Dominus latest releases
Coming up to the spring releases of 2019 Napanook and Dominus, Lisa Perrotti-Brown took the opportunity in March to taste with the estate’s director of viticulture and winemaking, Tod Mostero. They also discussed amongst other things why the consistency of quality at Dominus, particularly over the last two decades, is so impressive it’s almost annoying.

Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

Latour’s releases
In March 2022, three new wines from the Châtea Latour stable will be available to purchase for the very first time. Latour’s strongest line-up of annual releases since they opted out of the En Primeur system ten years ago.

Where The Wild Things Are

Promontory’s 2016 release

At the very pinnacle of wine culture, what we drink should be equal parts deliciousness and captivation. Case in point; In the 80s, Bill Harlan went hiking and stumbled across an abandoned prohibition-era bootlegger’s cabin and a small vineyard amidst the remote wilderness…

About TWI

Whether you’re a professional buyer, a serious collector or a private connoisseur, TWI brings you reliable reviews of the wines you love, just when you need them. Our review section is led by Lisa, one of the industry’s top critics. The photos are taken by Johan, one of the industry’s best known visual storytellers.

Prepare to be stimulated and surprised every time you visit The Wine Independent!

That Mona Lisa Smile

Château d’Yquem’s new release
2019 was one of those nail-biting vintages for Yquem. Come mid to late September, no botrytis. Pickers’ thumbs twiddled over their secateurs, anxiously awaiting an appearance from their mercurial fungal friend. But the growing season had thus far been too dry to spark its presence. Lisa Perrotti-Brown reviews Yquem’s new release.

The Wine Independent