Help me pick 20

Going to the Wine Spectator Grand tasting next week. Over 200 wines available for tasting, which obviously is overwhelming. To try and get it more manageable, I’ve focused on just the Old World wines. I’m assuming I will only have the time/liver capacity to appreciate about 20-25 wines. Based on the list below, which are the “do not miss” wines. I do tend to favor the B’s (Burgundy/Bordeaux/Brunello/Barolo/Barbaresco):

Ramos-Pinto Tawny Port 20 Year Old Quinta do Bom Retiro NV 93

Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2013 93

Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Greppo 2015 95

Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga 2016 95

Bodegas Vega Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico 2011 95

Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Costa Grande 2016 93

Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune White Clos St.-Landry 2017 92

Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2016 95

Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vigneto Poggio Sant’Enrico 2012 94

Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto 2013 98

Castellare di Castellina Toscana I Sodi di San Niccolò 2017 96

Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura 2016 95

Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Il Poggio Gran Selezione 2016 96

Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Coltassala Gran Selezione 2017 92

Ceretto Barolo Bricco Rocche 2016 94

Barons de Rothschild Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne NV 92

Bollinger Brut Champagne La Grande Année 2012 97

Charles Heidsieck Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne NV 92

Henriot Brut Champagne Cuvée Hemera 2006 94

Krug Brut Champagne Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition NV 96

Louis Roederer Brut Champagne Collection 242 NV 92

Perrier-Jouët Brut Champagne Belle Epoque 2012 92

Pol Roger Brut Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2012 97

Taittinger Brut Champagne Prélude NV 92

Château Canon-La Gaffelière St.-Émilion 2016 95

Château Cheval-Blanc St.-Émilion 2011 94

Château Clerc Milon Pauillac 2015 91

Château Cos-d’Estournel St.-Estèphe 2016 96

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 96

Château de St.-Cosme Gigondas 2016 95

Château d’Esclans Côtes de Provence Rosé Garrus 2019 93

Château Duhart-Milon Rothschild Pauillac 2016 93

Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2017 96

Château Giscours Margaux 2016 92

Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2011 95

Château La Fleur-Pétrus Pomerol 2010 98

Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2006 95

Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Cadettes 2016 95

Château Léoville Barton St.-Julien 2014 95

Château Léoville Las Cases St.-Julien 2015 97

Château Lynch Bages Pauillac 2016 97

Château Margaux Margaux 2006 95

Château Montrose St.-Estèphe 2015 92

Château Pape Clément Pessac-Léognan 2016 96

Château Pavie St.-Émilion 2012 95

Château Pichon Baron Pauillac 2016 96

Château Pichon Longueville Lalande Pauillac 2010 95

Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2016 96

Château Quintus St.-Émilion 2016 92

Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Pessac-Léognan 2010 96

Clos Fourtet St.-Émilion 2015 96

Cune Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva 2014 93

Christian Moreau Père & Fils Chablis Les Clos 2018 94

Domaine des Sénéchaux Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2017 91

Domaine Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley 2016 96

Domaine Laroche Chablis Les Blanchots La Réserve de l’Obédience 2019 90

Domaine St.-Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud 2018 97

Albert Bichot Corton Clos des Maréchaudes Domaine du Pavillon 2018 95

Domaines Ott Côtes de Provence Rosé Château de Selle 2020 91

Dow Vintage Port 2017 96

E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d’Ampuis 2016 95

Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera 2017 93

Torres Conca de Barberà Grans Muralles 2016 94

Fattoria di Fèlsina Toscana Fontalloro 2018 92

Fonseca Vintage Port 2009 95

Fontodi Colli della Toscana Centrale Flaccianello 2016 97

Eredi Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015 96

Gaja Barbaresco 2001 93

Il Palagio Toscana 1530 2019 92

Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2016 96

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Constantia 2012 95

La Rioja Alta Rioja 904 Gran Reserva 2011 92

Le Macchiole Toscana Messorio 2017 94

Livio Felluga Rosazzo Terre Alte 2018 92

M. Chapoutier Ermitage White de l’Orée 2011 96

Champy Corton Le Rognet 2016 94

Joseph Drouhin Beaune White Clos des Mouches 2018 93

Louis Jadot Corton Pougets Domaine des Héritiers 2018 93

Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne 2018 95

Trimbach Riesling Alsace Cuvée Frédéric Émile 2012 93

Antinori Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso 2012 95

Marchesi di Barolo Barolo Cannubi 2015 93

Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Brunello di Montalcino Castelgiocondo 2010 93

Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Gran Reserva 1991 93

Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010 96

Marqués de Riscal Rioja Baron de Chirel Reserva 2016 93

Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Mazzano 2012 94

Masseto Toscana 2014 94

Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva 2011 95

Nino Negri Sforzato di Valtellina 5 Stelle Sfursat 2016 94

Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2011 96

Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric dël Fiasc 2014 93

Pio Cesare Barolo 2013 93

Aldo Conterno Barolo Granbussia Riserva 2009 95

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2016 93

Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 2018 97

Quinta do Vale Meão Douro 2018 95

Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne Rare 1998 98

Renato Ratti Barolo Conca 2016 94

Romano Dal Forno Amarone della Valpolicella 2013 95

San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucére 2016 98

Scala Dei Priorat Cartoixa 2015 91

Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino PS Riserva 2010 94

Taylor Fladgate Tawny Port 40 Year Old NV 95

Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia 2017 95

Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano Riserva 2001 95

Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2016 95

Graham Tawny Port Single Harvest The Apprentice 1994 94

Hans Wirsching Silvaner Franken Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg GG 2018 90

Wine & Soul Douro Pintas 2018 94

Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Sergio Zenato Riserva 2015 94

If it was me going, these would be on my list. Some of it is because I don’t drink a lot of Bordeaux and I’d be interested to try them (it’s a pretty good selection).

Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Greppo 2015
Bollinger Brut Champagne La Grande Année 2012
Krug Brut Champagne Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition NV
Pol Roger Brut Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2012
Château Cheval-Blanc St.-Émilion 2011
Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2017
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2011
Château La Fleur-Pétrus Pomerol 2010
Château Pichon Longueville Lalande Pauillac 2010
Domaines Ott Côtes de Provence Rosé Château de Selle 2020
Gaja Barbaresco 2001
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Constantia 2012
Louis Jadot Corton Pougets Domaine des Héritiers 2018
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne Rare 1998
Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia 2017
Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2016

This feels like about 20 that I’d like to taste. Even if the Masseto, Margaux, Cheval, La Mission, and Haut Brion aren’t from the best vintages I’d still taste them if given the chance.

Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Greppo 2015 95
Bodegas Vega Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico 2011 95
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2016 95
Bollinger Brut Champagne La Grande Année 2012 97
Henriot Brut Champagne Cuvée Hemera 2006 94
Krug Brut Champagne Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition NV 96
Pol Roger Brut Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2012 97
Château Cheval-Blanc St.-Émilion 2011 94
Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2017 96
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2011 95
Château La Fleur-Pétrus Pomerol 2010 98
Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2006 95
Château Léoville Las Cases St.-Julien 2015 97
Château Margaux Margaux 2006 95
Château Montrose St.-Estèphe 2015 92
Fontodi Colli della Toscana Centrale Flaccianello 2016 97
Masseto Toscana 2014 94
Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva 2011 95
Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2011 96
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne Rare 1998 98
Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia 2017
Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2016 95

20 wines, as you requested. Looks like the highlights are Champagne and Bordeaux. You could go stronger on either if you want more than 20.

Bollinger Brut Champagne La Grande Année 2012 97
Krug Brut Champagne Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition NV 96
Pol Roger Brut Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2012 97
Taittinger Brut Champagne Prélude NV 92 [Had the Prelude recently and it was excellent]
Château Cheval-Blanc St.-Émilion 2011 94
Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2017 96
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2011 95
Château La Fleur-Pétrus Pomerol 2010 98
Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2006 95
Château Léoville Las Cases St.-Julien 2015 97
Château Lynch Bages Pauillac 2016 97
Château Margaux Margaux 2006 95
Château Montrose St.-Estèphe 2015 92
Château Pichon Baron Pauillac 2016 96
Château Pichon Longueville Lalande Pauillac 2010 95
Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2016 96
Christian Moreau Père & Fils Chablis Les Clos 2018 94
Domaine Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley 2016 96
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2016 93
Taylor Fladgate Tawny Port 40 Year Old NV 95

Your list of options looks a lot better than the list of participating wineries on the website for the three events. Which one are you going to? (I ask because your list of options makes attending the Vegas event seem like a good idea.)

Going to the Vegas event later in the year. Probably not the same list but they haven’t put the list out yet that I can find.

Biondi Santi would definitely be on my list to try. It would be hard to pass up Cheval Blanc, Margaux, LMHB any time you could try those.

I don’t know if this means you should try it, but I just had a bottle of the 2012 P-J Belle Epoque last week, and it was absolutely gorgeous. It would fit well in a lineup with Cristal and Vilmart Coeur de Cuvee and at least hold its own there.

Some of the very young ones I would probably skip, unless you want to try them because you’re thinking of buying them to cellar.

Do you mind if I ask what the tariff is on the tasting? I didn’t realize the lineup was so strong.

I’m pretty sure my list would change if I was to read your post again, but going through the list once (and not going back), here are my 20 for various reasons:
Bodegas Vega Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico 2011 95
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2016
Bollinger Brut Champagne La Grande Année 2012 97
Krug Brut Champagne Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition NV 96
Pol Roger Brut Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2012 97
Taittinger Brut Champagne Prélude NV 92
Château Cheval-Blanc St.-Émilion 2011 94
Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2017 96
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2011 95
Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2006 95
Château Margaux Margaux 2006 95
Gaja Barbaresco 2001 93
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Constantia 2012 95
Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne 2018 95
Trimbach Riesling Alsace Cuvée Frédéric Émile 2012 93
Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Gran Reserva 1991 93
Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2011 96
Aldo Conterno Barolo Granbussia Riserva 2009 95
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne Rare 1998 98
Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano Riserva 2001 95
Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2016 95

A lot of very fancy wines, and easy to see such an opportunity as a chance to taste as many as possible, so I respect your approach.

Personally I’d choose these as and why:

• Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2016. Interested in this vintage and this is a good benchmark producer to get a feel for the vintage from
• Krug Brut Champagne Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition NV. It’s Krug, one of the few champagnes that have excited me. Whilst it would make a brilliant start point, a tip from a friend was to always try and finish a largish tasting with a glass of bubby / champagne. It refreshes the palate, giving a lift at the finish. Any will do for this purpose.
• Aldo Conterno Barolo Granbussia Riserva 2009. The additional age might be a blessing or a curse, but this one would be a personal choice, having had some major Aldo Conterno disappointments in the mid-late 1990s, I’m intrigued as to where they are now, especially as those disappointments involved them falling over in a heap at this age. I hope they are much better now.
• Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Gran Reserva 1991. Anything with some age on it is a joy at such events, so this would be high on my list, even though it’s seemingly outgunned by other wines here.
• Gaja Barbaresco 2001. Not a producer I’ve sought, not that I could justify the prices, but a decent vintage, with 2 decades on it, would be a useful way to challenge my perception of this producer.
• Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2011. This used to be a guilty pleasure, as the price used to be vaguely justifiable and it’s so approachable that it feels a little plush/soft, when those terms usually scare me off. Everyone should have a little guilty pleasure.

Just 6, as you’ll have loads of suggestions. To these I’d certainly want to add a couple of whites, most probably white burgundy to remind me what I’ve sworn off due to the premox issues, but probably also the Trimbach as it’s a wine I have bought on rare occasions.

Going to the WS Wine Experience in NY. I trimmed down about 90 wines, so this is just an Old World centered list.

Appreciate the recommendations you all have provided. This really helps to narrow my choices down.

I’d go with the following, after leaving out a lot of good wines. * means it’s on the cut line and may be dropped if I have had my full of wine, but I would at least sip and spit those.

Bodegas Vega Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico 2011 95 A baby, but only had it once or twice.

Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2016 95 It’s Giacosa. "Nuf said.

Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto 2013 98 Too young, but I have the 2010, so would try this to check in on it.*

Pol Roger Brut Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2012 97 Big fan, have lots of the 2006, served the 1998 at my son’s wedding, would like to try the 2012

Château Cheval-Blanc St.-Émilion 2011 94 I cannot turn down a classic and the 1975 was quite good this summer.

Château de St.-Cosme Gigondas 2016 95 I have had this. It is outstanding. I would pass because I have had it, but you should not.

Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2017 96 It’s Yquem]

Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2011 95 See above re: Cheval Blanc]

Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2006 95 See above re: Cheval Blanc]

Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Cadettes 2016 95 have not had this for over a decade. I would say this is close to the cut line. Depends on how I was feeling after the others.]*

Château Margaux Margaux 2006 95 See above re: Cheval Blanc]

Château Pavie St.-Émilion 2012 95 I had the 2001 and thought it was Meh bordering on bad, so I would give it one more chance]*

Christian Moreau Père & Fils Chablis Les Clos 2018 94 If I’m going to mix in a white burg, this is a good choice.

E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d’Ampuis 2016 95 Always love this wine

Fontodi Colli della Toscana Centrale Flaccianello 2016 97 Another fav and drinks OK young*

Gaja Barbaresco 2001 93 See above re: Giacosa

M. Chapoutier Ermitage White de l’Orée 2011 96 Always love this wine

Trimbach Riesling Alsace Cuvée Frédéric Émile 2012 93 Tough to pass up*

Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Gran Reserva 1991 93 Something with real age. Go for it.

Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010 96 Never had it. Must try.

Masseto Toscana 2014 94 The top of my list, I had it once at a merlot only blind dinner. It made the La Fleur taste like a fourth growth.

Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric dël Fiasc 2014 93 I have a bottle - Free taste to see if it is ready.*

Romano Dal Forno Amarone della Valpolicella 2013 95 Never had Dal Forno

Taylor Fladgate Tawny Port 40 Year Old NV 95 The VPs have no age, so I would try this to round out the choices*

Interesting problem to have. Putting myself in your place, I think I would generally approach my tasting around several themes or categories and taste a few bottles within each. For example, in the “Top Champagne” category I’d go for:
-Bollinger Brut Champagne La Grande Année 2012
-Krug Brut Champagne Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition NV
-Pol Roger Brut Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2012
I’d supplement this approach and also go for some appealing bottles that may not easily fit into a grouping. For example, I’d taste the d’Yquem.

Have a great time!

Here’s my suggestion:

Louis Roederer Brut Champagne Collection 242 NV 92
Pol Roger Brut Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2012 97
Taittinger Brut Champagne Prélude NV 92

Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2006 95
Château Cheval-Blanc St.-Émilion 2011 94
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2011 95

Christian Moreau Père & Fils Chablis Les Clos 2018 94
Joseph Drouhin Beaune White Clos des Mouches 2018 93

Domaine Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley 2016 96

Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Greppo 2015 95

Hans Wirsching Silvaner Franken Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg GG 2018 90

I question the wisdom of any list that doesn’t include Vega Sicilia Unico. Off vintage Haut Brion and Cheval Blanc are fine if you just want to check the estates off a bucket list, but if I’m limiting the number of wines I’m going to taste I’m aiming for wines that represent a producer’s best performances, not its also-rans.

I made all these choices based on wines that are prohibitively expensive, aged, or iconic producers or wines. These are not the 20 wines I would pick for myself, these are 20 wines I’d pick for anyone that has an interest in wine, learning about wine, and experiencing some of the key wines in a region.


Bordeaux - I chose the two first growths available, La Mish & Cheval Blanc because they are often compared to the first growths. d’Yquem is a wine that everyone should taste at some time in their wine experience, it is a singular wine.

Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2006 95
Château Margaux Margaux 2006 95
Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2011 95
Château Cheval-Blanc St.-Émilion 2011 94
Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2017 96

Piedmont - I chose the Gaja because it’s a great vintage & should be a good representation of why Nebbiolo deserves to be aged. The Granbussia is a wine that I think deserves attention on this list and is from a vintage that should be approachable early. The Vigna Rionda Reserva is a vineyard that is often described as a benchmark for what is classic Serralunga. You may not like it, but it should give you a clear idea if you will like Barolo from Serralunga. Lastly I have a pair of 2016 from Iconic producers, in an exceptional vintage. Hopefully it will give you an idea of what these wines are like in their youth…and with the span of vintages & wines that are 5, 10, 12, & 20 years old…you could get a good idea of what the wines can be like at different ages. I hope you have some pocket cheese to manage the tannins.

Gaja Barbaresco 2001 93
Aldo Conterno Barolo Granbussia Riserva 2009 95
Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva 2011 95
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2016 95
Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2016 95

Tuscany - Starting with the 2001 trying an aged Brunello is something I would think is nice for people to get to try. It was a toss-up between this & the Biondi Santi. Masseto is like $450/bottle, and if you want to try a Tuscan Merlot…this would be the one I’d want to try. Even in an “off year”. Ornellaia & Sassicaia are iconic wines for Tuscany.

Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano Riserva 2001 95
Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2011 96
Masseto Toscana 2014 94
Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia 2017 95

Champagne - One aged…and the other a wine I’ve loved across multiple vintages. When you factor that SWC is usually $250+ it’s nice to get a chance to taste it without having to buy it.
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne Rare 1998 98
Pol Roger Brut Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2012 97

Burgundy - Two wines from Burgundy that are well known, and for GCs, still a value in my mind.
Domaine Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley 2016 96
Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne 2018 95

Rhone
M. Chapoutier Ermitage White de l’Orée 2011 96

Spain
Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2010 96

Veneto
Romano Dal Forno Amarone della Valpolicella 2013 95

If you want to follow this thought and taste younger wines from a top vintage then try the 2016 Bordeauxs.

Here’s my list of 20:
Bollinger Brut Champagne La Grande Année 2012 97
Henriot Brut Champagne Cuvée Hemera 2006 94
Krug Brut Champagne Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition NV 96
Pol Roger Brut Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2012 97

• Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne Rare 1998 98

Christian Moreau Père & Fils Chablis Les Clos 2018 94
Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne 2018 95
Domaine Laroche Chablis Les Blanchots La Réserve de l’Obédience 2019 90
Trimbach Riesling Alsace Cuvée Frédéric Émile 2012 93

Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Greppo 2015 95

• Bodegas Vega Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico 2011 95
  Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2016 95
• Gaja Barbaresco 2001 93
  Château Margaux Margaux 2006 95
• Château La Fleur-Pétrus Pomerol 2010 98
  Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2006 95
  Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Gran Reserva 1991 93
  Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva 2011 95

Taylor Fladgate Tawny Port 40 Year Old NV 95
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Constantia 2012 95

• Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2017 96

A few notes:

• the 5 * are the ones I’d try to prioritize.
• I can’t imagine wanting to drink more than 6-7 young hugely tannic reds - I’d aim more towards champagne and sampling the few whites.
• 2006 Bordedaux are drinking nicely now (my sample set is only non 1st growth, admittedly)
• Never had a Gaja, and don’t think I’d buy myself, so a good opportunity to try one with age
• The Yquem is probably the wine I’d want to finish the event on!

You are, of course, right about Vega Sicilia. But at least in my case it showed that you read the list more carefully than I did. I also missed the Yquem.

I would try Haut Brion and Cheval Blanc just because I can’t afford to do so outside of a context like this anymore and I miss them.

Appreciate all of your recommendations. Now just have to collate this data.

Don’t and I mean DON’T miss out on the Wine and Soul Pintas. Especially if Sandra Tavares is pouring. One of the nicest people in the Douro. One bonus is that everyone will be fawning over the Champagne, Bordeaux, and Burgundy and won’t be around. You’ll actually have the chance to chat with her. The Ramos Pinto 20 year old is one of the top of the category. The Vale Meao is the vineyard where Barca Velha was created.