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Sassicaia from Magnum at Vinous Icons: Italy
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, May 2026
I have tasted Sassicaia from magnum a few times over the years. But never ten vintages at once. This vertical of tasting Tenuta San Guido’s Sassicaia held at the inaugural edition of Vinous Icons: Italy provided an incredible opportunity to do just that. The selection of vintages spanned many of the classics, with some lesser-known vintages sprinkled into the mix. And of course, in Vinous style, we finished with the 1985, the wine that put Sassicaia and Bolgheri on the map.
Cellar Favorite: 2016 & 2008 de Millery
France: Bordeaux, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, May 2026
The 2016 de Millery is every bit as impressive as it was the first time I tasted it nearly ten years ago, and the 2008 de Millery is a wine I had not tasted before.
Champagne: The 2026 Spring Preview
France: Champagne, featured
, May 2026
Champagne is one of the brighter spots in a world fraught with uncertainty. I continue to be impressed with the dynamism and overall energy that is palpable here, even in the current environment. Young, quality-minded growers keep popping up at a pace that is hard to keep up with. Not to be outdone, the larger players continue to invest and innovate.
2025 Bordeaux En Primeur: Le Freak
featured, France: Bordeaux
, Apr 2026
After a problematic vintage in 2024, Bordeaux bounces back with the 2025s. It’s too soon to know where 2025 will land relative to most highly regarded recent vintages, but the finest 2025s are nothing short of thrilling. There is some inconsistency, which is to be expected in a large appellation and in a year with challenges that led to different approaches and decisions. While top names tend to get most of the attention this time of year, readers will find countless gems among Bordeaux’s lesser-known châteaux.
Vinous Table: Villa Crespi, Lago d'Orta, Italy
Vinous Table, Italy: North
, Apr 2026
Lago d'Orta is one of Italy’s hidden jewels, far off the normal tourist itineraries that have made some destinations far too crowded to enjoy. Villa Crespi sits confidently on its shores, an oasis of relaxation and a temple to the very finest Italian hospitality.
Cellar Favorite: 2008 & 1982 Bollinger Blanc de Noirs Vieilles Vignes Françaises
France: Champagne, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Apr 2026
Bollinger's Vieilles Vignes Françaises, 100% Pinot Noir, is one of Champagne's rare birds. Production is just a few barrels, increasingly less, the result of decreasing yields tied to the effects of accumulated heat stress. I tasted these two wines during my most recent visit to Bollinger in March 2026.
2026 Tuscany Preview
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, Apr 2026
Spring is a time of renewal. Vines are awaking from their winter dormancy while new releases start appearing in the market at a rapid pace. This report looks at some of the year’s most anticipated releases, along with some newer projects, with an emphasis on the Tuscan Coast. Full coverage will follow later in the year.
Mas Jullien: A Languedoc Tale
France, featured
, Apr 2026
Olivier Jullien is one of the trailblazers in the Languedoc. Jullien founded his domaine in 1985 with just three hectares of vineyards. At the time, Languedoc was known mostly for turning out volumes of largely undistinguished wines. But Jullien had a different vision, a vision of an estate focused on sustainable farming, low yields and minimalist winemaking. It was a radical departure from the world Jullien grew up in, where vignerons like his father sold grapes to the local cooperative. This collection of mini-verticals back to 1989 provided a terrific opportunity to taste new releases as well as revisit many older vintages
Ferrando: The Essence of Carema
featured, Italy: Piedmont
, Mar 2026
Nebbiolo is such a beguiling, complex, mysteriously beautiful grape. In Carema’s best sites, the indigenous biotype of Nebbiolo known as Picotendro yields wines like no other—aromatic, structured reds that capture the essence of place and vintage. The Ferrando family has turned out compelling wines here since the 1960s, wines that define what Carema is all about. Two recent vertical tastings provided an incredible opportunity to survey Ferrando’s wines all the way back to 1964, prior to the creation of the Carema DOC.
Michel Rolland Remembered
United States: California, featured, Vinous Remembers
, Mar 2026
Everyone who loves wine, and everyone who works in wine or in a related field, owes Michel Rolland a tremendous debt of gratitude for his life’s work. Some people gain influence because of their accomplishments, but a few others completely reshape the landscape of their industry. Michel Rolland falls squarely into the latter category.