This article is a companion piece to my earlier post on the top wines by value. While much of my website focuses on affordable wines and highlighting the best value options, this post takes a different approach. I regularly attend tastings focused on specific countries or appellations, not only to discover under-valued gems but also to calibrate my palate against top-tier wines.
But what are the absolute best wines I’ve tasted, regardless of price? Perhaps you’re celebrating a one-off special occasion and want to experience something truly memorable. What should you go for in that case? Another way to frame this is which wines have left the most lasting impression on me? These are the bottles that continue to linger in my memory.
Naturally, this is a subjective topic. My personal tastes may not align with yours, and wine itself is a living thing, it evolves over time. A bottle I loved might actually taste different when you open it.
With that said, here are my personal picks for the best of the best, at any price:
Ayala ‘Le Blanc de Blancs’ Champagne 2016 £65
My top choice if want a full on flavoursome Champagne.
Único Reserva Especial 2025 Release £600
Bucks the old trend for tannic Ribera. Intensely fruit-forward character, paired with a smooth mouthfeel.
Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012 £250
Intense red and black fruit aromas with a silky balance of wood and fruit, finishing on a warming note.
Longridge Ultra-Premium Maandans Pinotage 2020 £95
Aromas of red cherry and cranberry and a slightly herbal lift, it openes into plums and black cherries with a very deep richness mid-palate.
Eisenstone Koonunga Shiraz 2021, Barossa Valley £50
Deep red-purple colour with an oaky aroma. Red fruit flavours complemented by dark chocolate, with a long, powerful finish. Hard to believe it’s actually a Shriaz.
Journey’s End The Cape Doctor Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 £23
Oak, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon notes. Blackberry, cassis flavour.
Tenuta Casadei Cabernet Franc Filare 18 Organic 2019 £49
Very aromatic, you can discern the wood barrels without it being overpowering. Intense red fruit comes through on the palate with great length. I liked it even more than the Tignanello IGT Toscana 2015 & 2018 in the same tasting. Since tasted 2020 and still as great.
Antica Masseria Jorche Primitivo di Manduria Riserva 2020 €29
Aromas of oak, spice, and chocolate, with an incredibly deep fruit profile that has a slightly herbal edge. Excellent, lengthy finish.
Munia Especial, Toro, Spain 2020 €25
Aromatic profile featuring smoke and leather, with a taste that includes juicy black fruit, a good body and a smooth texture.
Scipio Tenuta Sette Cieli 2019 £76
Musky, gamey aroma and herbal, balsamic notes.
A few observations stand out when looking over this list. Most of the wines that have truly stayed with me are big reds. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy whites or lighter reds, but in my experience, the gap in taste between expensive and more affordable options is much narrower in those categories. With full-bodied reds, however, the depth and complexity often makes a stronger impression.
Interestingly, not all of these wines are outrageously priced. Some are actually quite accessible. This goes to show that price isn’t always a reliable guide to quality or enjoyment. I’d go so far to say if you are buying expensive wines based on just price or famous name then you are probably missing out. What matters more is character, balance and the way a wine resonates with you in the moment and sometimes long after.
