The Pursuit of Perfection: An Insider’s Guide to 99+ Point Masterpieces
- andersonstonewine
- 2025年12月26日
- 讀畢需時 4 分鐘
By Anderson & Stone
In the world of fine wine, the "perfect" score is more than just a number—it is a testament to a unique alignment of soil, season, and the hand of a master. At Anderson & Stone, we have curated a selection of wines that have transcended the "excellent" to reach the "sublime."
These are the 99-point icons: wines that demand a place in every serious cellar. From the biodynamic heart of Margaret River to the historic gravel of Margaux, we explore five labels that represent the pinnacle of modern winemaking.
The Zenith of Australian Chardonnay
Cullen 'Kevin John' Chardonnay 2021
The Vineyard: Sourced from the Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River, these dry-farmed vines were planted in 1976. Under Vanya Cullen’s pioneering biodynamic stewardship, the vineyard follows the lunar calendar to ensure the fruit is harvested at its most vibrant.
Why it Scores High: The 2021 vintage is being hailed as one of the greatest in decades. The wine achieves a rare "intensity without weight," fermented in a mix of concrete eggs, amphorae, and French oak to create unparalleled texture.
Awards & Scores: 99 Points (Ray Jordan), 98 Points (Wine Pilot).
Tasting Notes: A breathtaking bouquet of orange blossom, white peach, and a hint of curry leaf. The palate is electric, vibrating with grapefruit zest, toasted cashew, and a flinty, saline minerality.
Vintage Potential: While thrilling now, this has the structure to evolve gracefully for 15–20 years.
Food Pairing: Butter-poached lobster or a decadent seafood risotto with truffle shavings.
The White Knight of Bordeaux
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) 2016
The Vineyard: Located in a clearing surrounded by forests in Pessac-Léognan, this estate is unique. The "Blanc" is produced from a small 7-hectare plot of gravel and black sand, planted with approximately 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon.
Why it Scores High: 2016 was a "miracle" vintage for dry whites in Bordeaux. This wine is famous for its "hidden power"—it starts shy but builds to a crescendo of complexity. Critics praise its incredible acidity and its ability to age as long as the great First Growth reds.
Awards & Scores: 99 Points (James Suckling), 97-98 Points (Wine Advocate).
Tasting Notes: A sublime nose of honeysuckle, lemon curd, and crushed stones. On the palate, it is crystalline and precise. The Sémillon provides a waxy, silken weight, while the Sauvignon Blanc brings a laser-like focus of lime zest and flint.
Vintage Potential: This is a 30-year wine. It is just entering its prime drinking window now and will remain magnificent through 2045.
Food Pairing: Grilled turbot with a lemon-butter sauce or creamy veal blanquette.
The Regal Thoroughbred of Margaux
Château Rauzan-Ségla (Margaux 2ème Cru) 2018
The Vineyard: Situated on the prized gravel terraces of Margaux, Rauzan-Ségla is a historic Second Growth that has undergone a qualitative revolution under the ownership of Chanel. The vines are managed with surgical precision to reflect the elegance of the appellation.
Why it Scores High: 2018 was a year of "power meets poise" in Bordeaux. While many estates produced overly alcoholic wines, Rauzan-Ségla managed to maintain its signature violet-scented finesse while packing in an incredible concentration of fruit. It is widely considered a "super-second" that performs at First Growth levels.
Awards & Scores: 99 Points (James Suckling), 98+ Points (Wine Advocate), 98 Points (Decanter).
Tasting Notes: An inky, purple-hued masterpiece. The nose is an explosion of black cherry, crème de cassis, and wilted violets. On the palate, the tannins are "seamless"—silky yet authoritative—with a finish that echoes with cedar, dark chocolate, and crushed stones.
Vintage Potential: This is a 40-year wine. While its fruit is seductive now, its true glory will be revealed between 2030 and 2055.
Food Pairing: Classic herb-crusted rack of lamb or a slow-braised venison shank with a red wine reduction.
4. The Rhone-Inspired Masterpiece
Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2015
The Vineyard: Perched in the cool, granite-rich soils of the Canberra District, Clonakilla is the pioneer of the Shiraz-Viognier co-fermentation style in the Southern Hemisphere.
Why it Scores High: 2015 was the "Goldilocks" vintage—not too hot, not too cold. This wine is the antithesis of the "big, jammy" Australian Shiraz. It is ethereal, medium-bodied, and incredibly aromatic, proving that Shiraz can be as elegant as Pinot Noir when grown in the right hands.
Awards & Scores: 99 Points (James Suckling), 98 Points (James Halliday).
Tasting Notes: A soaring aromatic profile of white pepper, rose petals, and boysenberry. The palate is "satiny," with fine-grained tannins and a complex spice profile of star anise and clove.
Vintage Potential: Now entering its "sweet spot," it will remain in peak condition until 2035.
Food Pairing: Char-grilled quail, roasted duck with Five Spice, or Cantonese-style stir-fried beef.
5. The Terroir Titan of the Andes
Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita 2018
The Vineyard: Located in Altamira, Uco Valley, this vineyard is a feat of engineering. Sebastian Zuccardi had to move over 1,000 truckloads of stone to plant these vines in soils rich in calcium carbonate.
Why it Scores High: The 2018 vintage is a legendary "Perfect 100" wine. It represents a shift away from oak-heavy Malbec toward a style that emphasizes "mountain precision" and chalky minerality. It is a pure expression of stone and sun.
Awards & Scores: 100 Points (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate), 99 Points (Tim Atkin).
Tasting Notes: Deep, brooding, yet incredibly fresh. It offers aromas of blueberries, wet stones, and wild mountain herbs. The texture is the star—it has a "chalky" grip that is sophisticated and unique, with a finish that feels endless.
Vintage Potential: A monumental red that will age effortlessly for 25–30 years.
Food Pairing: Prime Argentinian Ribeye (Ojo de Bife) or slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary.
Curating the Extraordinary with Anderson & Stone
At Anderson & Stone, we believe that these wines are more than just beverages; they are liquid history. When a wine consistently scores at this level, it confirms its flawless technical execution and its potential to tell a story for decades to come.
Our Promise to the Collector
Provenance: Every bottle is sourced and stored in pristine, temperature-controlled conditions.
Expertise: Our team of WSET-certified professionals hand-selects these icons to ensure they meet the "Anderson & Stone" standard.
Discover the collection that has left the critics breathless. Shop the 99+ Point Collection at www.andersonandstonewine.com