Some wine tastings are good. Some are great. And then some whisk you off your feet, spin you around the ballroom, and leave you woozy with joy—and that was exactly the vibe at Waddesdon Manor this week.
Curated by Pete (a man with more wine knowledge than most libraries) and hosted with his signature flair, we embarked on a flight of wines that ranged from elegant French classics to bold New World beasts. It was a tasting flight with altitude, elegance, and the odd punch to the palate (in the best possible way). Let’s dive in.
Le Merle Blanc de Château Clarke 2023
This was our graceful opener. It is a white Bordeaux that sings like springtime in a glass—citrus, pear, peach, and floral aromas do a delicate dance. It’s 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Sauvignon Gris, 10% Sémillon, and 10% Muscadelle.
The backstory? This wine hails from Château Clarke, a Left Bank estate owned by Edmond de Rothschild. The white vines were only planted after a surprising soil analysis in 1978 revealed a sandy, lighter patch perfect for whites—completely out of character for red-dominated Médoc. Only about 800 six-packs were made.
My take: Clean, bright, textured, and subtly nutty. The sort of wine that would turn heads at any garden party. A must-have summer white.
St Aubin 1er Cru Frionnes 2021
This Chardonnay had all the charm of a well-cut linen suit: mineral-driven, lemon peel, and a touch of honeysuckle. Imagine sourdough toast with lemon curd and maybe a touch of butter. That’s the vibe.
Made by Nicolas Potel, this Premier Cru from Saint-Aubin is about terroir and tradition. He only works with biodynamic vineyards and the fruit comes from a tight three-hectare parcel, fermented using indigenous yeasts.
My take: Elegant, crisp, and quietly complex. It’s a rare case buy for me of a white wine!
Penfolds Yattarna 2019
Yattarna doesn’t whisper; it announces itself like being slapped by a Chardonnay holding a vanilla-scented bouquet. Creamy hazelnut, peach, citrus blossom—this had structure, intensity, and a finish that lingered longer than your poshest dinner guest.
This is Penfolds’ flagship white. Born of a quest to create Australia’s finest Chardonnay, it pulls fruit from Tasmania, Adelaide Hills, and Tumbarumba. Aged in 55% new French oak for 8 months, it’s big, brash, and unapologetically bold.
My take: Still young and a bit aggressive on the oak, but it’s a powerhouse with serious future potential.
Anseillan 2020
Lafite’s third wine, but don’t let that fool you. This was suave, smoky, and silkily tannic. A Bordeaux that doesn’t need 20 years in the cellar to be charming.
The story? It’s from a specific plot identified within Château Lafite’s 112 hectares. Historically reserved for experimentation, it only became commercially available in 2018. It still carries that Lafite DNA—gravelly soil and finesse-first winemaking.
My take: Subtle Merlot swagger and juicy enough to keep even the pickiest dinner guests smiling. One of my favourite Waddesdon wines.
Stargazing Pinot Noir 2022 (Summer Dreams)
Bold, generous and wrapped in a label you’d expect on a progressive rock album. This Sonoma Pinot is made by Jason Woodbridge, the mad genius behind Hundred Acre. High-altitude fruit and high-energy style: it’s floral, peppery, with that signature Cali richness.
A blend of cross-border vineyards from western and eastern Sonoma, with vines originally cloned from Burgundy’s Pommard. De-stemmed, 100% new French oak, and not exactly shy.
My take: Would pair beautifully with animated dinner debates.
Penfolds Bin 707 2022
Australia’s answer to Napa Cabernet is textbook Penfolds. Deep, dark, and brooding, it features American oak wrapping cassis, black cherry, and vanilla into a perfectly structured wallop.
Named after the Boeing 707 in the ‘60s, this is Penfolds’ boldest Cabernet. 100% A-grade fruit, with a pedigree that makes collectors swoon. 2022 was a standout vintage.
My take: The drinking window stretches out decades. The 2005 was one of my highest-scoring wines ever. So with another few years? This could be legendary.
Penfolds Quantum 2018
This one’s a stunner. A blend of Napa and South Australian fruit, Quantum straddles continents like a vinous James Bond. It’s complex, finely structured, and already delivering pleasure, but make no mistake—this wine is just getting started.
It’s Penfolds’ most ambitious red yet. 87% Napa Cabernet meets 13% Barossa Cabernet. Barrel-aged for 18 months in French and American oak. The ambition? A wine of the world. The result? Something uniquely poised and elegant, despite its power.
My take: The oak is integrated, the fruit is plush, and the potential is off the charts. It scored highly, but I suspect it’ll soar with time. I would absolutely have it in my collection if I could afford it. Negotiations with the wife have commenced.
Hundred Acre Wraith 2016
And then came the titan. Wraith isn’t a wine. It’s a statement. 100-point pedigree, tiny yields, and an ageing regime that borders on obsessive (40 months in French oak, each barrel hand-picked).
Crafted by Jason Woodbridge from the best parcels of three Napa vineyards: Kayli Morgan, Ark, and Few & Far Between. Ultra-low yields—half a glass per vine. The detail is astonishing.
My take: Dark fruit, tobacco, pepper, caramel—a velvet sledgehammer. Rich, exotic, and utterly unforgettable. I gave it one of my highest scores. Again, if the budget allowed, I’d buy cases.
Final Thoughts
From crisp Sauvignon to brooding Napa icons, the tasting was a masterclass in diversity, craftsmanship, and sheer indulgence. Waddesdon Manor was the perfect magical stage, Alison’s boards kept hunger at bay, and the company was as refined as the wines (with slightly less tannin).
Big thanks to Pete and Goedhuis Waddesdon for guiding us through this flight of fancy. Same time next week? I’ll bring the notepad and the wine metaphors.
Cheers,
Damon – WineGuide101
