WOTYs--2019 Edition--and your Discovery of the Year

[patrick c albright]

1991 Marcel Lapierre Morgon was a revelation.

[Mike Grammer]

My drinking year is winding down now, so the list is beginning to solidify as follows. It is much less geographically diverse than last year's, which perhaps reflects badly on me. I confine myself to ten and exclude recent releases as I taste too many of those.

1919 Clos des Lambrays
1990 Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne.
1947 Coche-Vincent Meursault
NV Krug Private Cuvée (late 1940s)
1989 Dauvissat Preuses
1947 de Vogüé Musigny
1959 La Tâche
1990 Henri Jayer Cros Parantoux (en magnum)
2002 Guffens-Heynen Pouilly-Fuissé Clos de Petit Croux (en magnum)
1978 Château Rayas

That looks like a perfectly acceptable list to me

[ERPark]

WOTY to date has been the 2010 Gonon Vielles Vignes. In a murderer’s row of Northern Rhône superstars/rarities, the VV was outstanding.

Gotta about the discovery of the year aspect.......

[Greg K]

1996 Verset Cornas
2006 Gonon Vieille Vignes
2008 Roulot Mei Chavaux
1985 Chateau Magdelaine

In terms of discovery, I’ve been introduced to the Pinots of Williams Selyem and have dug them.

Had the 06 Gonon VV on Monday with a number of other Berserkers - fabulous wine. In a slightly inebriated moment I may have said “Gonon is never closed!”, though I think it’s pretty true.

[Scott Brunson]

top of my head
07 Scarecrow
98 Roumier Bonnes Mares
01 Fourrier Clos St Jacques
98 Grange
81 Yquem

[Craig G]

Gotta about the discovery of the year aspect.......

Dusty Bourbon?

[ERPark]

Gotta about the discovery of the year aspect.......

Dusty Bourbon?

Wrong forum!

[William Kelley]

1996 Verset Cornas
2006 Gonon Vieille Vignes
2008 Roulot Mei Chavaux
1985 Chateau Magdelaine

In terms of discovery, I’ve been introduced to the Pinots of Williams Selyem and have dug them.

Had the 06 Gonon VV on Monday with a number of other Berserkers - fabulous wine. In a slightly inebriated moment I may have said “Gonon is never closed!”, though I think it’s pretty true.

As I recall, I agreed with you!

[JeremyMullman]

WOTYs:
-) 2014 SQN Capo dei Putti Syrah
-) 2013 No Girls Grenache
-) 2009 Chateau Coutet Barsac
-) 2013 Rivers-Marie Summa Old Vines Pinot Noir
-) 2014 Pegau Cuvee Reservee

Discovery of the Year:
Bedrock. New to me, despite being on a "kindred spirit" list in Carlisle (which I also love).

Post Thanksgiving edit: Adding 2016 Carlisle Carlisle Vineyard Zin. Staggeringly good.

[Josh Grossman]

Opened a 1996 Domaine Tollot-Beaut Corton-Bressandes with the turkey and it was singing. Probably my second best wine of 2019 after the 1988 Catherine et Pierre Breton Chinon Beaumont.

[A1ex H]

It's tough to pick one. Some standouts this year for me include:
1999 Cathiard Malconsorts
2001 Engel Vosne Romanee Brulees
2008 Hudelot Noellat Romanee St Vivant
2001 Leflaive Batard Montrachet
1982 Gruaud Larose
1986 Ducru-Beaucaillou
1996 Pichon Lalande

A discovery for me this year was the 2010 Saxum Heart Stone.

[Vikrant Rachakonda]

1988 Rausan Segla: has this for an anniversary dinner with my wife; what a beautiful wine, especially on the nose; it was very floral, yet it held up well to a very rich, meaty meal.

I know 1988 was a reportedly cool vintage, but the fruit and acid in this wine were wonderful.

[Chris H.]

There are some great wines, and great notes in the thread! I've been on my wine journey in earnest for 3 years, so as much as I'd like some of these wines, some are hard to find and/or out of my price range.

Here are some of my favorites from 2019 (in no particular order) with some short tasting notes:

2007 A. Rafanelli Merlot: My friend Paul, who largely got me into this hobby, was generous to share this wine, and I provided a 2014 A. Rafanelli Merlot to compare. The 2007 still had plenty of fruit but had integrated beautifully, and had an etherial lightness compared to the 2014. Fun night!

2011 Ridge Monte Bello: Opened for 4th of July on vacation in Northern Minnesota (Lake of the Woods), such a classy wine with that deep cassis note that I enjoy, and ready to drink, but will age for years!

2014 Myriad Beckstoffer Dr. Crane: Opened for 4th of July, young/primary, packed with flavor, and structure, great Mike Smith wine

2014 Quivet Beckstoffer Las Piedras: Young/primary, interesting contrast to Mike's other wines, this has more minerality, gravel, spice. Followed this over the evening along with other wines, friends also brought a 2010 Far Niente Cabernet which was ready to drink, but seemed firmly out of its primary phase, unless this is how this wine drinks---less concentration, etc.

2017 Carter Cellars Beckstoffer To Kalon: Opened recently and this was my first Carter Cellars, wowzers, yes it's young, yes it's from a maligned vintage, but SO good. Probably my WOTY for sheer power/taste. I'll be waiting on my other bottles for at least a year (unless weakness besieges me).

2016 Rivers Marie Lore Cabernet: Packed and stacked. Serious cabernet in need of time or major decanting. I still enjoyed it, and followed it over several hours with good friends and food.

2016 William and Mary Cabernet: This is my discovery of the year, really a compelling wine, I cannot wait to see what a few years does to this vintage. Looking forward to trying 2017.

Other discovery of the year: Yes, I am probably behind the times, but as someone who is single, and enjoys wine with dinner, the Coravin has been a lifesaver (wine saver?). I am really sensitive to over oxidation, and this has been so great for the weeknights, when a glass or two will do.

[Billbell]

Best wines:
1978 Musar Rouge...unbelievably youthful and clean (for Musar)
1983 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese
2011 Paolo Bea San Valentino
2004 Paolo Bea Sagrantino di Montefalco Secco Pagliaro
1995 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Auslese
2010 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Bournais
2008 R. López de Heredia Rioja Rosado Viña Tondonia
1989 Château Coutet Cuvée Madame
2009 Scarpa La Selva di Moirano Freisa

New discoveries:
2016 Bodegas Forjas del Salnes Rías Baixas Leirana Finca Genoveva - a complex and brilliant albarino
Various Peter Lauer rieslings...I've tried them before but never realized just how good they can be

[Laurent Gibet]

Best wines:
1978 Musar Rouge...unbelievably youthful and clean (for Musar)
1983 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese
2011 Paolo Bea San Valentino
2004 Paolo Bea Sagrantino di Montefalco Secco Pagliaro
1995 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Auslese
2010 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Bournais
2008 R. López de Heredia Rioja Rosado Viña Tondonia
1989 Château Coutet Cuvée Madame
2009 Scarpa La Selva di Moirano Freisa

New discoveries:
2016 Bodegas Forjas del Salnes Rías Baixas Leirana Finca Genoveva - a complex and brilliant albarino
Various Peter Lauer rieslings...I've tried them before but never realized just how good they can be

I recently tasted :
Rias Baixas - Bodegas Forja Del Salnes "Genoveva Leirana" 2016 : good wine (15/20)

and also :
Rias Baixas - Bodegas Forjas Del Salnes "Goliardo A Telleira" 2016 : very good wine (16,5/20)

Sorry for my french (Sketch is produced by Raul Perez) :
Ce vin n’est autre que le frère jumeau de Sketch puisque les 2 vins sont exactement les mêmes, uniquement séparés en fin de processus d’élaboration pour une commercialisation distincte.
À la mise en bouteilles, celles étiquetées « Goliardo À Telleira » ne partent pas dans une grotte, mais sont plongées 3 mois, en cage, en pleine mer, à 30 mètres de profondeur.
Également 900 bouteilles produites.

Peter Lauer produces excellent wines on a magnificient terroir (the Ayler Kupp is a great soil and the landscape absolutly beautiful).

[Mike Grammer]

Some additions/replacements from weekend at Berto Dorta's---04 Dom Rose, 08 Cristal and 03 Huet Cuvee Constance all added.

[c fu]

1996 Verset Cornas
2006 Gonon Vieille Vignes
2008 Roulot Mei Chavaux
1985 Chateau Magdelaine

In terms of discovery, I’ve been introduced to the Pinots of Williams Selyem and have dug them.

Had the 06 Gonon VV on Monday with a number of other Berserkers - fabulous wine. In a slightly inebriated moment I may have said “Gonon is never closed!”, though I think it’s pretty true.

ironically, i thought the 2006 gonon VV Robert is talking about was a bit closed when he opened it.

[Brian Lynch]

WOTY:


Discovery: Red Cap Howell Mountain. We had a tasting with Tom in his home earlier this year with fresh baked bread. Amazing hospitality and great wine.

Good call on both fronts!

[Pat Esposito]

Want to take a minute to think about WOTY, but our Discovery of the year was thanks to the OP...Alpha Omega ERA. Mike set us up with a tasting when we were in Napa in September, and we went through a dozen or more wines. The Rockstar was the ERA, which I had never had or heard of before.

Thanks again Mike for setting this up.

WOTY

Champagne: '96 Salon, followed by '08 Cristal, then '08 Dom Perignon. '99 Salon and '04 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill were also excellent

White: 2013 Bouchard Pere & Fils Grand Cru Montrachet (with lobster pasta) was the clear winner here.

Red: '82 Jamet Cote Rotie at Berns with friends. '73 Ridge Monte Bello, '96 Clape Cornas, and '16 MacDonald Cab Sauv (though the '17 sample was excellent as well).

[B Smith]

WOTYs:
-) 2014 SQN Capo dei Putti Syrah
-) 2013 No Girls Grenache
-) 2009 Chateau Coutet Barsac
-) 2013 Rivers-Marie Summa Old Vines Pinot Noir
-) 2014 Pegau Cuvee Reservee

Discovery of the Year:
Bedrock. New to me, despite being on a "kindred spirit" list in Carlisle (which I also love).

Post Thanksgiving edit: Adding 2016 Carlisle Carlisle Vineyard Zin. Staggeringly good.

Yes! Had the 16 Carlisle Carlisle Vineyard the other night and it blew me away. Greatest Carlisle I have opened and one of my wines of the year.

[T. Altmayer]

Sparkling: 2005 Dom Perignon Rose; 2006 Taittinger Comtes
While: 2009 Rhys Horseshoe Chardonnay
Red: 2011 SQN Patine

[John H.]

WOTY:
2013 Eyrie Pinot Meunier

Discovery:
Kelley Fox

[Brian S t o t t e r]

WOTYs in my signature.

No big discoveries for me this year.

[J.Vizuete]

WOTY(so far):
Bubbles: NV Prevost Beguines - incredible nose, a real WTF moment for me that got me looking for more Pinot Meuniere
White: 2015 PYCM Corton Charlemagne - BTG at L'Assiette Champenoise in Reims. Liquid purity. I don't see how chardonnay gets better in terms of raw material, only in time.
Red: 1974 Bertani Amarone - I've never had an amarone with age like this before. It overperformed, challenged my expectations and captured my attention.
Discovery: Liquid Farm chardonnay - went through a half case of them from various sources and I just love the space of full bodied fruit, striking mineral notes, low alcohol, with bright acid that these wines play in. It's something different altogether in Chardonnay and it's perfect for my palate right now. Plus they seem to age very well

RUNNERS UP and honorable mention:
Bubbles: 2008 Bollinger La Grande Annee. I'm a believer in this wine
White: 2009 LdH gravonia. Astoundingly interesting and one of the most unique whites available, changes in your glass every 10 minutes. Also 2017 Francois Cotat Rose - very special
Red: 1982 La Mission HB. It was flawless but has a long way still to go. 2010 Pichon Baron (tasted at the estate) a complete blockbuster that will one day outshine the first growths. 16 Pontet Canet (recent memory, but I hope this wine stokes controversy and a return to classicism).
Discovery: more of a theme, the use of carbonic maceration and low/no sulfer by Pax Mahle in wines like his Valdigue and Trousseau Gris. I love the freshness and matching the right technique with fruit to yield a unique expression.

Looking back, this was my best year of wine related travel, learning, and tasting with new producers and styles so far. And it better be for all the time and money spent on this hobby!

[Blake Brown]

Discovery of the the year: 2012 BERTAGNA les MUGERS NUIT SAINT GEORGES 1er Cru

An outstanding red Burgundy consumed solo in a half bottle on the wine list at La Rive Restaurant in the Intercontinental Hotel in Amsterdam.

WOTY= 85` Sassacaia. Perhaps the WOALT= Wine of a life time

[Greg K]

1996 Verset Cornas
2006 Gonon Vieille Vignes
2008 Roulot Mei Chavaux
1985 Chateau Magdelaine

In terms of discovery, I’ve been introduced to the Pinots of Williams Selyem and have dug them.

Had the 06 Gonon VV on Monday with a number of other Berserkers - fabulous wine. In a slightly inebriated moment I may have said “Gonon is never closed!”, though I think it’s pretty true.

ironically, i thought the 2006 gonon VV Robert is talking about was a bit closed when he opened it.

Hah! I think it was opened on the other side of the table from me, so maybe that's what accounts for it.

[Tim Heaton]

tonight I finish my 3month trip in Italia. In depth visits to 6 regions, each with a special message.

My 'last meal' wine choice tonight... 2018 Burlotto Aves

my DOTY is a 100% Cannaiolo from San Casciano in Val di Pesa- as close as one can get - with this variety - to a really nice 1er rouge. 1459 tasted these last 3 months in Italia, maybe more.

[Subu Ramachandran]

WOTY (so far):

Bubbles: 1988 Krug (thanks to Greg)
Red: 1983 La Mission HB. Opened twice, first time was the highlight, second time wasn't quite upto the mark.
Whites: 2013 Alzinger Riesling Smaragd Steinertal

Honorable Mention:
1964 Oddero Barolo
2014 Ramonet Ruchottes
2012 Marguet Les crayeres
1982 Margaux


Discoveries:

Tribute to Grace: Was blown away by the Shake Ridge Ranch vineyard bottle. Was reminded of Grand Cru red burgs by HN or Jouan for that seductive power.
Joblot Givry's: If there was any "value" still left in red burgs, its here.
Girardin's whites: Thanks to William Kelley.
Many Grower Champs: Val Frison, Apollonis, Vincent Couche

[Bob Hughes]

My WOTN this year is pretty easy - the 1971 DRC La Tache in magnum - that was one heck of a wine dinner.