James Suckling

Taking the No. 5 spot on our Top 100 World Wines 2026, the Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Margaret River Art Series 2023 reinforces Margaret River’s reputation as one of the world’s great fine wine regions. The 2023 vintage was exceptional in Margaret River – marked by a warm, dry growing season – resulting in wines of incredible depth, freshness and concentration. Staff Writer & Critic Ryan Montgomery was particularly struck by this release during recent tastings across the region. Finely layered with a flinty, reductive edge, it reveals aromas of salted lemons, grapefruit, oyster shells, wet stones, oatmeal and white flowers. On the palate, it is powerful yet tense and focused, with electric acidity cutting through dense fruit, fine phenolic structure and a long, mouthwatering mineral finish. Read more in our full Top 100 World Wines 2026 report here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti…

Claiming the No. 4 spot on our Top 100 World Wines 2026, the Figgins Walla Walla Valley Estate Red 2023 highlights the incredible dedication to farming by Washington wine pioneer Gary Figgins – who planted some of the area's first vines in the mid-1970s – and his son Chris Figgins, who crafts the wines today. Staff Writer & Critic Courtney Humiston praised this cabernet sauvignon-dominant blend as “wonderfully aromatic,” leading into a mouthwatering and persistent finish. From an exceptional 2023 growing season, it unfolds with layers of plum, boysenberry, lilacs and cocoa, framed by fine, silky tannins and a plush mouthfeel. What makes it especially remarkable is its balance of freshness and concentration; unlike many rich, powerful Washington reds that demand years of cellaring, this is wonderfully drinkable now while still possessing the structure to age effortlessly. Read our full Top 100 World Wines 2026 report here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti…

he Robert Weil Riesling Rheingau Kiedrich Gräfenberg Spätlese 2025 is our No. 3 on our Top 100 World Wines 2026 list. Germany’s Robert Weil winery is a true classic of its country, and the precision and attention to detail found here in Kiedrich – across the vineyards, the cellar and ultimately in the bottle – remain second to none. In fact, Wilhelm Weil told James this summer at his pristine winery that this year's bottlings might just be the finest Spätlese and Auslese of his career. A sophisticated Spätlese defined by subtlety and complexity, the 2025 opens with aromas of flint, smoke, stones, pears and white peaches. It flows to a lightly sweet, medium-bodied palate that is extraordinarily long and continuous, echoing with bitter lemons, botanicals, flowers and fresh herbs like lemongrass and thyme. Crafted from organically grown grapes, it is an astonishing achievement from a legendary Rheingau estate. Read our full Top 100 World Wines 2026 for free here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti…

The Eredi Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2021 is our No. 2 World Wine for 2026. James has been personally following this historic family estate—directed by Roberto Guerrini Fuligni on the northern slopes of Montalcino—since the mid-1980s. The 2021 vintage stands as one of the finest in the region over the past two decades, yielding wines with impressive structure, freshness, and balance, making it arguably the best Tuscan vintage since 2010. So perfumed and seductive on the nose, the 2021 opens with aromas of black cherries, minerals, and rose petals, leading into a medium-bodied palate defined by ultra-fine tannins, vivid length, and beautiful balance. Combining exceptional quality with strong availability—roughly 40,000 bottles produced at under $100 per bottle—it is a compelling reminder of why Brunello is truly great. Read our full Top 100 World Wines 2026 report for free here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti…

The Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2024 is our Wine of the Year for 2026. James first started going to Beaucastel in 1985 - paying just eight French francs a bottle for the 1983 when he moved to Paris - and has been buying and drinking the wines ever since. Rooted in Demeter-certified, biodynamically farmed vineyards dating back to 1549, it remains a classic, highly sought-after wine. When James and Marie visited the winery in July, the cooler, wetter growing season brought back a strong sense of déjà vu, recalling the complex, highly drinkable Châteauneufs of the 1970s and 1980s. It is rare today to discover a young Châteauneuf-du-Pape that displays such aromatics and finesse while wowing you with balance and beauty. The perfume in the 2024 Beaucastel is spectacular delivered on a medium body with fruit gracefully caressing the palate. Plus, it comes in at a refreshing 14 percent alcohol, standing out from the 15 or 15.5 percent levels that have become common across the region and Europe. Find out more in the full Top 100 World Wines 2026 report available to read for free here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti…

Torbreck remains a benchmark for the Barossa, producing pure, expressive wines from some of the region’s oldest vines. Staff Writer & Critic Ryan Montgomery tasted with the winemaking and viticulture team, led by chief winemaker and general manager Ian Hongell. The new releases show a clear understanding of changing drinking habits while retaining their unmistakable Barossa character. From ancient-vine shiraz to mature grenache aged in large formats, freshness and detail stood out across the tasting. @TorbreckBarossa #Torbreck #BarossaValley #AustralianWine #Shiraz

The Gonzague & Claire Lurton Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2018 is a full-bodied, savory cabernet driven by graphite, black currants, cedar and peppery greens. Framed by firm tannins, vivid acidity and savory tension, this Sonoma property owned by Bordeaux’s Lurton family delivers exceptional balance – making it Editor-at-Large Jim Gordon’s latest Wine Crush. Check it out.

Check out this article in The Japan Times on our upcoming Great Wines World Tokyo 2026 event. Returning for its third edition next Wednesday on November 4 at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo in Roppongi Hills, this year’s walk-around tasting brings together around 130 top-tier producers pouring more than 260 wines from 40 regions curated by the JamesSuckling.com global tasting team. Reflecting on the energy and passion of local Japanese wine lovers, James notes: “The engagement here is extraordinary – wine enthusiasts in Tokyo bring an unmatched level of curiosity, focus, and appreciation to the tasting room.” Read more here: japantimes.co.jp/life/2026/1… @thejapantimes #greatwinesworldasia2026 #gwwasia2026 #jamessuckling

The Gonzague & Claire Lurton Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2018 is a full-bodied, savory cabernet driven by graphite, black currants, cedar and peppery greens. Framed by firm tannins, vivid acidity and savory tension, this Sonoma property owned by Bordeaux’s Lurton family delivers exceptional balance – making it Editor-at-Large Jim Gordon’s latest Wine Crush. Check it out.

A day dedicated to “2 Ps & 2 Cs” – pinotage, pinot noir, chardonnay and chenin blanc – with a few unexpected varieties thrown into the mix. As our South Africa tasting coverage continues in Stellenbosch, the mountain of wines behind Senior editors Aldo Fiordelli and Igor Lukovic keeps shrinking as they dive deeper into the fascinating world of South African wines. Hard work, but such an exciting journey! Stay tuned for more.

Leading our new Old-Vine California Cabernet report, the MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Oakville 2023 is a legendary wine from one of Napa’s greatest vineyards, offering an austerity that lends real sophistication and verve. Brothers Graeme and Alex MacDonald tend these historic, 72-year-old vines – originally planted in 1954 – within their family’s section of the iconic To Kalon Vineyard. Historically supplying grapes for Robert Mondavi’s landmark Reserve cabernets of the 1960s and 1970s, this site continues to produce handmade, small-production cabernet sauvignon of extraordinary depth. The 2023 bottling delivers intense aromas of black fruit, graphite, iodine, bay leaves and crushed stones. Full-bodied and layered, it pairs a weightless mouthfeel with velvety tannins, capturing both the purity of old-vine fruit and the classic character of its historic terroir. Read more in our new Old-Vine California Cabernet report here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti… #ToKalon #Oakville #NapaValley #CabernetSauvignon #CaliforniaWine

This plush yet restrained Ribera del Duero from Bodegas Portia is Senior Editor Zekun Shuai’s latest Wine Crush. Sourced from high-altitude soils, Portia Ribera Del Duero Alta 2023 delivers dusty, chalky tannins and vibrant freshness, showing the region's modern focus on balance and precision rather than heavy winemaking.

Our Portuguese Wine of the Year for 2026 is the Niepoort Vintage Port 2024. Capturing the ideal balance of a stellar 2024 vintage, fifth-generation head Dirk van der Niepoort noted that the season offered warmth without excess and a comfortable, unhurried harvest. Sourced from very old, mixed-variety plots, the grapes undergo 100 percent whole-cluster, foot-treading in shallow granite tanks. The resulting wine features a remarkably fresh aromatic profile of graphite, dark berries, violets and blueberries. On the palate, exceptional grainy tannins frame dark, delineated and precise fruit with a tender, seamless texture and remarkable depth. With 25,000 bottles produced at around $170, it delivers both outstanding quality and accessibility. See more in our full Top 100 Wines of Portugal 2026 report here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti… @NiepoortWines #PortugueseWine #VintagePort #PortWine #Douro #Top100WinesofPortugal

Ranking at No. 5 on our Top 100 Wines of France 2026 list, the Château Pavie-Macquin St.-Emilion 2023 reinforces the vintage’s theme of density framed by freshness. Managed by Cyrille Thienpont and Nicolas Thienpont, the estate’s elevated vineyards on the Saint-Émilion plateau derive distinct character from high chalk and limestone content. A blend of 84 percent merlot, 15 percent cabernet franc, and 1 percent cabernet sauvignon, the 2023 exhibits an electric, driven profile marked by lower pH and a notable saline freshness. On the nose, intense notes of plum, citrus, dried meat and oyster shell lead into a palate of quintessential chalky fruit that unwinds and dissolves through a long, precise finish. It stands as one of the most complete and energetic releases in the estate’s history. Read the full Top 100 Wines of France 2026 report here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti… #chateaupaviemacquin #StEmilion #Bordeaux #Merlot #CabernetFranc #Top100FranceWines

Taking the No. 4 spot on our Top 100 Wines of France 2026 list is the Château Trottevieille St.-Emilion 2023. Following a top 2022 release, Philippe Castéja and Frédéric Castéja have produced another exceptional red, distinguished by its balance, drinkability and value. The 2023 benefits significantly from near-perfect cabernet franc in the blend. It features 53 percent cabernet franc, 44 percent merlot and 3 percent cabernet sauvignon. The nose opens with deep aromas of sweet black plums, blackberries, cocoa powder, chalk and refined spices. On the palate, juicy, compressed fruit is framed by fine, dusty tannins that lend texture and character to a racy, persistent finish. It is already approachable now, with the balance to age gracefully. Read the full Top 100 Wines of France 2026 report here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti… @chateautrottevieille #ChateauTrottevieille #StEmilion #Bordeaux #FrenchWine #CabernetFranc #Merlot #Top100Wines #JamesSuckling #WineTasting

The Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2023 takes the No. 3 spot on our Top 100 Wines of France 2026 list. The 2023 is the third perfect wine in a row from the estate, completing a trilogy of 100-point releases that includes 2021 and 2022. Lorenzo Pasquini, CEO and general manager at Château d’Yquem, describes the 2023 as a “synthesis” of the structure and richness of 2022 with the freshness and precision of 2021, comparing the 2021–2023 trio to the landmark Bordeaux trilogy of 1988, 1989 and 1990. The wine delivers aromas of orange peel, honey, butterscotch, saffron, smoke and peat, alongside hints of coffee and dried apples. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet weightless and silky, balancing 154 grams per liter of residual sugar with freshness and spice. It is a dream to drink now, with the structure to age for decades. Read the full Top 100 Wines of France 2026 report here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti… #Sauternes #Bordeaux #FrenchWine #Top100WinesofFrance @Yquem_Official

Puglia has never seen a cabernet sauvignon quite like the Tenuta Liliana 2024. Senior Editor Aldo Fiordelli tasted the vintage in Milan alongside passionate founder Antonio Intiglietta, exploring a wine shaped by two winds on a 200-meter ridge between the Adriatic and Ionian seas, where Salento’s red earth meets tufa limestone. Aldo found the 2024 vintage delivers pristine cassis fruit, nuanced with balsamic notes and exceptionally elegant tannins – a striking expression of cabernet sauvignon from the heart of Salento. @tenutaliliana @aldofiordelli #CabernetSauvignon #Puglia #Salento #ItalianWine #PugliaWine

The Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2024 is our French Wine of the Year. It is not often today that you discover a young Châteauneuf-du-Pape that displays such aromatics and finesse while wowing you with balance and beauty. The perfume in the 2024 Beaucastel is spectacular – with notes of rose petal, cinnamon, raspberry and blueberry – delivered on a medium body with fruit caressing the palate. Plus, it comes in at just 14 percent alcohol, standing out from the 15 or 15.5 percent that has become common across the region and Europe. “The 2024 vintage is not a typical year for sure,” says Charles Perrin, whose family owns Château de Beaucastel. “It was cooler and wetter, and we had to do a lot of work in the vineyard and cellar. It was an unusual, challenging vintage. It reminds me of vintages in the 1980s, like 1988. It’s nice to drink now, but it will be wonderful in 10 years.” Read the full Top 100 Wines of France 2026 report here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti… @chateaudebeaucastel @familleperrin #ChateauneufDuPape #RhoneValley #FrenchWine #frenchWineOfTheYear #Top100Winesoffrance

Proving that Argentina’s top-tier wines thrive far beyond Mendoza, the El Esteco Valles Calchaquíes Chañar Punco 2021 claims the No. 10 spot in our Top 100 Wines of Argentina 2026 report. Sourced from Chañar Punco - a remote, arid sub-region in Salta sitting at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level – this release represents one of the finest bottlings in the estate’s history. A blend of 70 percent malbec (incorporating some whole-cluster fermentation), 28 percent cabernet sauvignon and 2 percent merlot, the 2021 vintage delivers a refined, savory profile. Slightly syrah-like in its expression, it opens with aromas of wild herbs, meat, red peppercorns, dark cherries and roasted red peppers. On the palate, it is full-bodied and concentrated, supported by abundant structure and a long, dusty finish shaped by its high-altitude mountain site. Explore the complete Top 100 Wines of Argentina 2026 report here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti… @bodegaelesteco #ArgentinaTop100 #SaltaWine #CalchaquiValleys #ArgentineWine #Malbec

DAOSA (Dedicated Artisans of South Australia) is a premier traditional-method sparkling wine producer located in the high-altitude Piccadilly Valley of the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Winemaker Xavier Bizot’s laser focus on cool-climate sparkling wines yielded standout releases in our latest Weekly Tasting Report. In the Daosa Sparkling Adelaide Hills Piccadilly Valley Blanc de Blancs Late Disgorged 2018, Staff Writer & Critic Ryan Montgomery found citrus, oyster shell and stone fruit framing a seamlessly integrated mousse, bright acidity and a long, focused finish. The Daosa Sparkling Adelaide Hills Piccadilly Valley Blanc de Blancs 2022 spent 44 months on tirage, delivering a brighter, more energetic palate that captures the distinct terroir of these high-altitude vineyards. Read the full report here: jamessuckling.com/wine-tasti…