Tasting notes arranged by DM score (20-point scale), then by producer and vintage.
DM18
Wines with a 17 to 19-point rating are grand wines amongst the finest in the world, showing breathtaking complexity and longevity.
DM17
Wines with a 17 to 19-point rating are grand wines amongst the finest in the world, showing breathtaking complexity and longevity.
DM16
Wines with a 13 to 16-point rating are excellent wines. Impressive harmony, remarkable depth, and high aging potential.- 1996 Château Suduiraut
- 1991 Knipser Großkarlbacher Burgweg Scheurebe Eiswein
- 2012 Maison Champy Pommard 1er Cru Hospices de Beaune "Cuvée Dames de la Charité"
- 2016 Petrolo Galatrona
- 2016 Tolaini Picconero
DM15
Wines with a 13 to 16-point rating are excellent wines. Impressive harmony, remarkable depth, and high aging potential.- 2001 Forey Père et Fils Vosne-Romanée
- 2016 Gaja Barbaresco
- 1997 Georg Breuer Rüdesheimer Bischofsberg Riesling Auslese
- 2016 Le Pupille Saffredi
- 2021 Maison Champy Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
- 2019 Maison Champy Corton Rognet Grand Cru
- NV Pio Cesare Vermouth di Torino
- 2012 Robert Mondavi Winery To Kalon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2020 Van Volxem Scharzhofberger Pergentsknopp "P"
DM14
Wines with a 13 to 16-point rating are excellent wines. Impressive harmony, remarkable depth, and high aging potential.- 2015 Benoît Ente Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Folatières "En la Richarde"
- 2020 Castello della Sala Cervaro della Sala
- 2002 Château de Fieuzal
- 2015 Château Suduiraut
- 2014 J.B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Riesling Kabinett trocken Alte Reben
- 2005 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese
- 2016 Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato
- 2022 Tolaini Picconero
- 2023 Tua Rita Redigaffi
DM13
Wines with a 13 to 16-point rating are excellent wines. Impressive harmony, remarkable depth, and high aging potential.- 2014 Château Batailley
- 2020 Domaine Hubert Lamy Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly
- NV Henri Giraud Hommage au Pinot Noir Aÿ (dég. 04/2021)
- 2007 Knipser Spätburgunder Reserve
- 2019 Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru Aux Cras (Domaine Gagey)
- 2019 Mark Haisma Chassagne-Montrachet
- 2018 Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett (Goldkapsel)
- 2023 Petrolo Galatrona
- 2022 Pio Cesare Chardonnay Piodilei
- 2019 Rings Kalk & Stein
- 2019 Robert Mondavi Winery To Kalon Reserve Fumé Blanc
DM12
Wines with a 9 to 12-point rating are very good wines, showing complexity, distinctive terroir character, and great balance.- 2017 Bernhard Huber Chardonnay Alte Reben
- 2014 Château Batailley
- 2013 Château Citran
- 2015 Château d'Armailhac
- 2013 Château Lagrange
- 2018 Duemani CiFRA
- 2015 Franco Fiorina Barolo
- NV Henri Giraud Dame Jane Rosé (dég. 04/2021)
- 2022 Le Pupille Saffredi
- 2019 Mark Haisma Chassagne-Montrachet
- 2018 Markus Molitor Wehlener Klosterberg Pinot Blanc *
- 2013 Philippe Pacalet Meursault
- 2019 Résonance Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
- 2018 Robert Mondavi Winery To Kalon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
DM11
Wines with a 9 to 12-point rating are very good wines, showing complexity, distinctive terroir character, and great balance.- 2013 Capaia One
- 2010 Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr Pinot Noir Cuvée 8
- 2002 Château Citran
- 2015 Château d'Aiguilhe
- 2013 Château d'Issan
- 2013 Dr. Heger Spätburgunder Sonett
- 2015 Künstler Hochheimer Hölle Auslese
- 2017 La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino
- 2019 Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva
- 2019 Mark Haisma Chassagne-Montrachet
- 2020 Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett (Goldkapsel)
- 2018 Martin Waßmer Dottinger Castellberg Pinot Noir GC
- 2020 Robert Mondavi Winery The Estates Chardonnay Carneros
- 2021 Thibault Liger-Belair Bourgogne-Aligoté "Clos des Perrierès la Combe"
- 2019 Valérie Courrèges Bois Carmin
- 2014 Van Volxem Riesling Alte Reben
- 2014 Wittmann Riesling trocken
DM10
Wines with a 9 to 12-point rating are very good wines, showing complexity, distinctive terroir character, and great balance.- 2011 August Kesseler Lorcher Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese trocken
- 2020 Benoît Ente Antichtone
- 2021 Bodega Viñerón (Samuel Párraga) Blanco 0981
- 2019 Bodegas Rodríguez y Sanzo Tempranillo "Whisba"
- 2015 Château Le Reysse
- 2014 Château Montlandrie
- 2018 Château Rieussec R
- NV Delamotte Blanc de Blancs Brut
- 2021 Felix Weber Wiltinger Braunfels Volz Senior Kabinett lieblich
- NV Henri Giraud Esprit Nature (dég. 07/2021)
- 2019 Irene Söngen Spätburgunder Brut Blanc de Noir
- 2021 Maison Champy Meursault
- 2020 Markus Molitor Riesling Alte Reben (White Capsule)
- 2017 Markus Molitor Wehlener Klosterberg Riesling Spätlese (Green Capsule)
- 2017 Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi
- 2019 Robert Mondavi Winery The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
- 2017 Robert Weil Kiedricher Riesling trocken
- 2019 Valérie Courrèges Zinzolin
DM9
Wines with a 9 to 12-point rating are very good wines, showing complexity, distinctive terroir character, and great balance.- 2020 Bio Weingut Maier SI Riesling
- 2020 Cantina Tramin Gewürztraminer Nussbaumer
- 2015 Château Brun
- 2020 Château de Durette Régnié "The M Line"
- 2019 Château Lagrange Les Fiefs de Lagrange
- 1978 Château Siran
- 2006 Crociani Rosso di Montepulciano
- 2018 Domaine Pardon Fleurie
- 2010 Faustino I Gran Reserva
- 2013 Forey Père et Fils Vosne-Romanée
- 2016 Frank Brohl Spätburgunder Sekt Blanc de Noir Brut
- 2015 Gut Oggau Joschuari
- 2021 Jeux de Vins! Bonne Mine
- 2019 Maison Albert Bichot Fixin
- 2017 Maison Champy Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Ile des Vergelesses
- 2019 Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva
- 2019 Marchesi Antinori Villa Antinori Rosso
- 2021 Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Ockfener Bockstein Kabinett
- 2015 Pio Cesare Barolo Pio
- 2019 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
- 2018 Robert Mondavi Winery Chardonnay Napa Valley
- 2020 Salwey Oberrotweiler Weißburgunder "RS"
- 2021 Seckinger Weißburgunder vom Kalkstein
- 2014 Tenuta San Guido Le Difese
- 2015 Van Volxem Schiefer Riesling
DM8
Wines with a 5 to 8-point rating are good wines. Pure, balanced, and expressive of grape variety or regional typicity.- 2013 August Kesseler Rüdesheim Rheingau Riesling
- 2015 Bernhard Huber Malterdinger Spätburgunder
- 2005 Bodegas El Coto Coto de Imaz Reserva
- 2024 Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner Kamptal Terrassen
- 2014 Le Marquis de Garraud
- 2022 Domaine AMI A-MIAMI VICE
- 2020 Dominique Lafon Bourgogne Aligoté
- 2020 False Bay Pinotage Bush Vine
- 2021 Felix Weber Wiltinger Klosterberg Hundsbuckel Kabinett feinherb
- 2021 Felix Weber Wiltinger Braunfels Volz Junior Spätlese feinherb
- 2018 Friedrich Becker Pinot Noir Schweigen
- 2021 Hinterland Connection Rosé trocken
- 2020 Landerer Sauvignon Blanc Fumé
- 2022 Muri-Gries Lagrein
- 2020 Pio Cesare Barbaresco Pio
- 2020 Pio Cesare Barolo Pio
- 2017 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Bronzelack trocken
- 2016 Toni Jost Riesling Devon-S
- 2015 Van Volxem Schiefer Riesling
- 2021 Weingut Kurek Nonnenhorner Seehalde Spätburgunder
DM7
Wines with a 5 to 8-point rating are good wines. Pure, balanced, and expressive of grape variety or regional typicity.- 2022 Alexander Laible Grauer Burgunder *** "SL"
- 2022 Bio Weingut Maier SP Riesling "Spriesling"
- 2018 Château de Ribebon Secret de Ribebon
- 2021 Château Lagrange Les Fiefs de Lagrange
- 2013 Collovray et Terrier Verger des Feuillants
- 2020 Domaine Robert-Denogent Mâcon-Villages "Les Sardines"
- 2019 Dr. Heger Grauburgunder Oktav
- NV Dreissigacker Vintages Rot
- 2020 Dönnhoff Tonschiefer trocken
- 2022 False Bay Chenin Blanc Slow
- 2024 Fattoria di Sammontana Primo Fuoco Rosato
- 2021 Felix Weber Wiltinger Braunfels Lorenz Kabinett
- 2020 Friedrich Becker Grauer Burgunder
- 2017 La Ferme du Mont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Cuvée "Le Ponnant"
- 2020 Markus Schneider -only Sansibar- Jubiläumswein Udo Lindenberg
- 2017 Prinz Hallgartener Frühernberg Riesling trocken
- 2018 Remoissenet Père et Fils Bourgogne-Aligoté
- 2019 Robert Mondavi Winery Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
- 2020 Schloss Neuweier Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa Cuvée Blanc
- 2020 Tement Sauvignon Blanc Only Sansibar
DM6
Wines with a 5 to 8-point rating are good wines. Pure, balanced, and expressive of grape variety or regional typicity.- 2020 Alice et Olivier De Moor Bourgogne-Aligoté
- 2013 August Kesseler Rüdesheim Rheingau Riesling
- NV Balthasar Ress Rosé Sekt Brut
- 2021 Bio Weingut Maier Tamino
- 2019 Bodegas Gran Sello Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Edición Especial
- 2012 Bodegas Valdemar Conde Valdemar Reserva
- 2019 Château Hauchat
- 2018 Domaine Gassier Nostre Païs
- 2019 Dreissigacker Weißburgunder "Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten"
- 2022 Guy Amiot et Fils Bouzeron "Les Bouillottes"
- 2022 Karl Pfaffmann Chardonnay
- 2017 Markus Schuller St. Laurent
- 2021 Martin Waßmer Weißer Burgunder
- 2020 Martin Waßmer Markgräflerland Riesling Kabinett trocken "Kalkstein"
- 2019 Patrizi Barbera d'Asti
- 2021 Robert Weil Riesling Kabinett halbtrocken
- NV Viticoltori Acquesi Asti Spumante
- 2021 Weingut Bernhard Wolfspakt Cuvée Weiß
DM5
Wines with a 5 to 8-point rating are good wines. Pure, balanced, and expressive of grape variety or regional typicity.- 2017 Abadal Merlot 5
- 2023 Bio Weingut Maier Saisonauftakt
- 2021 Bodega José Pariente Sauvignon Blanc
- 2016 Bodegas Agronavarra Agramont Crianza
- 2019 Bodegas Gran Sello Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Edición Especial
- 2020 Château Haut-Gaudin
- 2021 Dambach Cuvée Rosé
- 2018 Friedrich Becker Der kleine Fritz
- 2020 Klumpp Chardonnay Muschelkalk
- 2017 Louis Jadot Monthélie "Sous Roches"
- 2020 Louis Latour Bourgogne Blanc
- 2018 Markus Molitor Haus Klosterberg Cuvée Maximilian
- 2019 Patrizi Barbera d'Asti
- 2019 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet
DM4
Wines with a 3 to 4-point rating are average on a fine wine level. Well-made without apparent flaws, but lacking distinct intensity or depth.- 2024 Achim Ritter und Edler von Oetinger Riesling Edition
- 2023 Alde Gott Granit Riesling (Weitblick)
- 2022 False Bay Chardonnay Crystalline
- 2015 Forster Frühburgunder Johannisberg
- 2020 Karl-Hermann Milch Chardonnay & Weißer Burgunder vom Kalkstein
- 2021 Kesselring Gewürztraminer trocken
- 2021 Reef Vinum Virgo
- 2021 Weingut Stein Riesling & Gewürztraminer Spätlese
DM3
Wines with a 3 to 4-point rating are average on a fine wine level. Well-made without apparent flaws, but lacking distinct intensity or depth.- 2021 Bettina Schumann Badisch Rotgold
- 2023 Bio Weingut Maier Scheurebe
- 2015 Château Haut Girard Ange Noir
- 2022 Franz Keller Weißer Burgunder "Edition Fritz Keller"
- 2021 Markus Molitor Composition "M"
- 2023 Reef Grauburgunder
DM2
Wines with a 1 to 2-point rating are subpar on a fine wine level. They have no technical flaws, but are one-dimensional or lack balance.- 2022 Markgräflich Badisches Weinhaus Weißburgunder Bodensee "Edition Schloss Salem"
- 2021 Wine Girls United Sunny Cuvée Weiß trocken
DM1
Wines with a 1 to 2-point rating are subpar on a fine wine level. They have no technical flaws, but are one-dimensional or lack balance.- 2021 Wine Girls United Yummy Riesling trocken
DM0
Wines with a 0-point rating have serious faults or impurities that stand in the way of any enjoyment. An undrinkable wine.
NR
Sometimes I don't give a rating to a wine. In that case you'll read "not rated" or the abbreviation "NR" in the tasting note. I might not give a rating if I tasted a wine only quickly without taking notes - at a winery, for example. Sometimes I might still want to note down an indication for a possible rating. In that case, I'll write a provisional score in the tasting note, but I'll always make that clear in the written note.- 2022 Georg Breuer Riesling "Estate" Rauenthal
- 2022 Georg Breuer Riesling "Estate" Rüdesheim
- 2022 Georg Breuer Terra Montosa
- 2011 Kühling-Gillot Nierstein Riesling
- 2020 Salwey Oberrotweiler Weißburgunder "RS"
- 2019 Salwey Oberrotweiler Eichberg Grauburgunder GG
- 2019 Salwey Oberrotweiler Kirchberg Spätburgunder GG
- 2016 Salwey Sieben Winter
flawed
I mark bottles as flawed when there is a fault outside of the control of the winemaker. This might happen if a wine is corked or it is spoilt because of bad storage conditions. I don't rate these wines.- 1996 Château de Fieuzal Blanc
- 1989 Château Lagrange Les Fiefs de Lagrange
- 2008 Domaine Cachat-Ocquidant Ladoix Blanc
- 2017 Domaine Lamy-Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Grande Montagne
