Top rated wines this Christmas 2008

Below are the top wines rated by the Corkscore community over Christmas and the average scores:

Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz Cabernet

1995
1998

90.5 / 100
95.0 / 100

St. Henri is the most frequently rated Corkscore wine this Christmas. Great value, particularly compared to the Grange! The Corkscore community seems to agree with the winemaker that the 1995 is past its peak. 1998 apparently still going strong.

Taltarni Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Liquorice, tobacco, raspberry. Long finish. Piquant.

1986

94.5 / 100

This wine was made by Dominique Portet when he was still “régisseur” at Taltarni, the boutique winery in the Pyrenees. Portet’s connection to Pauilliac, where he learnt the ropes at Château Lafite-Rothschild, is unmistakable in this wine. Check it out if you can get your hands on an old bottle like this one!

New Year's Eve – Time of Fizz

For the fans of Dominique Portet’s sparkling style, check out the following:

Clover Hill
Taltarni's Tasmanian sparkling line developed under the leadership of Portet.

Dominque Portet – Tasmanian Cuvée & Yarra Valley sparklings
Portet now produces these sparkling wines of his own.

Happy New Year, Wine Lovers!

Lars