Stephen Brook’s top scoring fine wines of 2018
See the wines that have made Stephen Brook's end-of-year highlights, with exclusive tasting notes for Decanter Premium members...
Scroll down to see Stephen Brook’s top fine wines of 2018
Stephen Brook has tasted hundreds of good wines from across Italy, France, Austria and California for Decanter in 2018, for articles in the print magazine and on Decanter Premium.
This has covered vertical tastings of some of Barolo and Barbaresco‘s top estates including Poderi Aldo Conterno and Gaja’s single-vineyard Costa Russi.
Stephen also took an in-depth look into Bordeaux‘s Left Bank and tasted his way through a number of Burgundies from Anne Gros including the top Grand Crus of Richebourg, Clos Vougeot and Echézeaux – spanning several vintages.
We’ve gathered his top-scoring wines, all 96 points and above, culminating in Stephen’s top 10 fine wines from 2018.
There are naturally several Italian greats in the following list, as you’d expect from our Decanter World Wine Awards Regional Chair for Piedmont, but you’ll also find top wines from Burgundy as well as Pauillac, St-Julien and Pessac-Léognan.
Stephen Brook is a wine writer and contributor to Decanter since 1996, he is also the Regional Chair for Piedmont at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Introduction by Decanter.com staff
Stephen Brook’s top fine wines of 2018:
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Gaja, Sorì San Lorenzo, Barbaresco, Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy, 2013
Under the ethereal nose is an imposing structure supported by mighty, yet elegant tannins. Beguiling aromas of oolong tea, spiced plums, cloves and potpourri. Needs...
2013
GajaBarbaresco
Anne Gros, Richebourg Grand Cru, Burgundy, France, 1999
A vintage with very generous yields, yet many magnificent wines were made - this Richebourg included. The colour shows no sign of age, and the...
1999
Anne GrosRichebourg Grand Cru
Anne Gros, Richebourg Grand Cru, Burgundy, France, 2005
Great site, great vintage. The colour shows no evolution, while the nose is an intense expression of pure raspberry fruit. It's less aromatically overt than...
2005
Anne GrosRichebourg Grand Cru
Gaja, Costa Russi, Barbaresco, Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy, 2013
A glorious Nebbiolo nose of cascading damask roses straight from the garden after a heavy rain. On the palate, red plums and mulberry juice are...
2013
GajaBarbaresco
Gaja, Costa Russi, Barbaresco, Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy, 1990
This great vintage delivered a wine of fabulous complexity. There's little primary fruit on the nose, which instead is a concoction of woodsmoke, leather and...
1990
GajaBarbaresco
Château Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 2015
The Graves wine of the vintage (along with Haut-Brion's red). A structural, sensual, expansive wine. Dense but deft, 3.75pH, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and...
2015
Château Haut-BaillyPessac-Léognan
Aldo Conterno, Granbussia, Barolo, Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy, 2009
Opulent but far from jammy, with aromas of leather and cherries. It’s velvety, with lovely depth of flavour and luxurious tannins, a harmonious wine with...
2009
Aldo ConternoBarolo
Château Léoville Barton, St-Julien, 2ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2016
The nose offers sun-kissed raisin and plum, while the palate is juicy and energetic with fleshy bramble fruit, exotic spices and a hint of blue...
2016
Château Léoville BartonSt-Julien
Aldo Conterno, Bussia Romirasco, Barolo, Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy, 2013
Sumptuous aromas of raspberries and cherries, with a touch of mocha despite the lack of new oak. It’s bold and forthright, very compact, with tannins...
2013
Aldo ConternoBarolo
