Established in Germany’s prestigious Mosel region, Dr. Loosen is one of the world’s most celebrated and respected producers of Riesling in a range of styles. The house cultivates old vines in several historic vineyards, including Ürziger Würzgarten, a precipitous amphitheatre of red volcanic and slate-rich soils and old, ungrafted vines. Plants here were protected from the phylloxera plight that spread across Europe thanks to the rocky soils, which prevented insect damage. As such, many are classed as ancient vines, producing deep, concentrated, spicy wines.

The 2012 Ürziger Würzgarten (the second part of the name hints, in German at the spice that features in this vineyard’s wines) showcases intense ripe Mirabelle in a rich, complex, beautifully-structured palate balanced by classic Mosel Riesling freshness. Ready for enjoyment now, it can also cellar for a further five years.

Dating to 1872, Domaine Ponsot, founded in Morey-Saint-Denis, is one of Burgundy’s most esteemed family-owned estates. The domaine is renowned for its prestigious Grand Cru and Premier Cru holdings, including Clos de la Roche, Corton, and Clos de Vougeot. The latter site boasts vines with an average age of 50 years, with some parcels featuring centennials. Practising a traditional approach in the vineyard and winery, the domaine emphasizes a minimal interventionist philosophy.

The house’s 2012 Clos Vougeot Vv displays fine layers of cassis, spicy plum, exotic tea, and the warm, earthy notes typical of Burgundy Pinot Noir. An opulent, lush mouth is balanced by finessed yet muscular tannins, all closing in a persistent, dusty, pleasing finish. This Burgundy is on the cusp of its drinking window, reaching its peak in the next few years.

Established in the late 1960s by Aldo Vajra, G.D. Vajra is one of Barolo’s leading estates, famed for elegant, fragrant Nebbiolo wines that are often described as Burgundian in style, and sustainable, organic farming. The family winery cultivates around 40 hectares of vines, which include the “jewel in the crown”, Bricco delle Viole. This vineyard is one of the Barolo appellation’s highest at 400–480 meters and the closest to the Alps, located on a south-facing ridge. Old vines planted in 1931, 1949, and 1968 benefit from fossil-rich soils, ideal orientation, and a wide diurnal shift, supporting slow, steady ripening.

The 2016 vintage of the Barolo Bricco Viole has a classic Barolo style with delicate red fruit, wild rose notes, licorice, and tar hints, in a finessed, harmonious mouth that’s almost ethereal. This Barolo can cellar for another 25 years for full evolution.

Domaine Hubert Lamy is a family-run estate located in Saint-Aubin, with vigneron roots dating to 1640. Particularly admired for its precise, mineral-rich Chardonnays, around two-thirds of the 20-hectare holdings are planted to Burgundy's white grape in Saint-Aubin, Chassagne-Montrachet, and Puligny-Montrachet. The latter appellation boasts vines that date back to the 1930s, with a selection of old vines appearing in the winery’s exceptional namesake village wine.

The 2014 old vine Puligny Montrachet Tremblots showcases layers of fresh, white fruit, and a touch of appealing reduction in a middle-weight, finely-textured palate driven by minerality. The finish is well-balanced with elegant tension. The domaine’s white wines see aging in older and large barrels to encourage precise terroir expression.

Achaval Ferrer is a leading Argentine winery located in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, admired for its premium, high-altitude Malbec-based wines. Founded in 1998, the estate practises a low-intervention approach, with low-yielding old vines and hands-off winemaking for vineyard character expression.

The 2009 Finca Bella Vista was crafted from fruit sourced from a vineyard planted in 1910, producing a tiny, top-quality yield. This Mendoza Malbec displays deep, dark fruit in an opulent mouth of licorice, dark chocolate, violet notes, and a touch of tar. Dense and energetic, the tannins are well integrated and the finish deliciously endless.

Turley Wine Cellars is a California winery celebrated for rescuing and revitalizing abandoned, old-vine vineyards and the powerful, fruit-driven Zinfandels and Petite Sirahs that such sites yield. Founded in 1993 by former emergency room doctor Larry Turley, the estate cultivates many plots that are over a century old, for wines crafted in Napa Valley and Paso Robles. Its limited production has placed it in cult winery territory.

The 1997 Zinfandel Moore (Earthquake) Vineyard is a spectacular wine made from Centennial vines. Deeply concentrated and expressive, this Turley Zinfandel features ripe raspberry and kirsch in a bold, structured red that’s unapologetically indulgent, rich, and complex.

Henschke is an esteemed family-owned winery in Eden Valley, South Australia regarded as one of the finest in the country, with roots dating to 1862. Renowned for its iconic Shiraz, Hill of Grace, meticulously crafted from some of the world’s oldest vines, the estate makes a range of premium, expressive wines from biodynamically farmed vineyards across Eden Valley, Barossa, and Adelaide Hills.

The 2012 Hill of Grace Shiraz is a little reserved at first before opening to rich Forest cake, beef dripping, fertile loam, and tree bark on the nose, with dark fruit, spicy layers, black pepper, bay leaves, eucalyptus, licorice, and baker's chocolate on the mouth. Velvety tannins, lively minerality, and vibrant acidity frame the lush fruit, all closing in an epic finish. Enjoyable now and can be laid down for another 25 years for deeper development.