So far, mine’s the 2006 Taittinger Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne.
I should show more restraint and stop popping these corks, but can’t seem to help myself. Every bottle has been fantastic. Gorgeous and complex nose and palate, but I think it’s the balance, texture and mouthfeel that bring me back so often. Deep and dense, yet very lithe. Surprising choice, as I haven’t found any other '06 champagnes particularly stunning.
I’ll sign on (and play), Warren, in part to keep track of this thread for my end-of-year compilation
Arguably the 1996 Marcassin Hudson E Block Chard from May held top spot till last week, but it got kicked to the curb by two wines at the same lunch (which I haven’t, criminally, posted on yet—still seeking my notes!), the 1989 D’Yquem and the 1997 Huet Cuvee Constance. Hard to know which one wins, but both probably rate a 96 or 97.
Two mags from the same dinner compete for WOTY for me:
G. Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Riserva 1978
Chateau Latour 1970
Both were amazing. Honorable mention to Conterno Monfortino 2006 (also from mag) and Krug 2002
11’ rougeard Breze
Hands down the best wine this year, I didn’t
Want to buy the hype, but now I’m convinced not to buy the red anymore and just the white at these price points…
so many great wines this year
1988 J. Drouhin Marquis de Laquiche Montrachet
1990 Leroy Clos Vougeot
1985 Mugneret-Gibourg Ruchottes-Chambertin
1993 Dujac Charmes
2001 Rayas CdP
Have mostly been drinking younger wines so far this year, and those that were most eye-opening to me, and thus WOTY potential were the 13 Piper and the 13 Lail John Daniel Estate. 2012 Roger Craig Howell Mtn was not too far behind- honorable mention- at less than 1/2 the cost.
I’m kinda p-o’d about the high prices too of Rougeard reds these days, but the reds are no hype either. After having had a couple of mid-to-late 90’s Le Poyeux, these wines when properly aged, are the real deal.