For me it is K Vintners The Boy. Not only is the wine nothing like a typical Grenache from Washington or the Rhone the label itself like the White Album with “The Boy” in bottom right corner.
2016 K Vintners The Boy - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (9/4/2021)
Day 1: One of the more unique wines from Washington I have tasted but delicious. Heavy perfumed wine featuring bramble, green olives, rose petals, iron, spices, smoked meat and Garrigue. Medium plus finish. 92 points (92 points)
2016 K Vintners The Boy - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (7/14/2021)
Day 1: Fragrant just like all the other bottles. Unique is a good way to describe this wine. Not everyone will like it but I love it. Floral, minerals, spice, smoked bacon and olives. Medium plus finish. 92 points
Day 2: Holding form and adds some soy sauce. Love the smoked bacon and olive combo. Medium finish. Lacks a bit of acidity as the only flaw on this wine. Again unique. 92 points
Day 3: Little less intensity and very nice. Floral, raspberries, smoked meats, black olives and minerals. Very nice finish. This is not for everyone but very unique wine as mentioned. 92 points
Recommendation: If you like Smith’s style you will enjoy this wine. (92 points)
2016 K Vintners The Boy - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (4/10/2021)
Day 1: Another stellar bottle. Fragrant featuring floral notes, green olives, minerals, red beats, mild spices and orange peels. Very expressive wine. I can see where some would not like the wine but there is some serious Northern Rhone Viognier in the house here. I love it!!! 93 points (93 points)
2016 K Vintners The Boy - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (2/12/2021)
Day 1: Very light in color. Super fragrant featuring rose petals, orange peels, spice and raspberries. I could see where some would be not for me but I like this wine. Medium finish and good acidity. 92 points
Day 2: Underbrush, raspberries, orange peel, rose petals, spices and floral notes. Unique and interesting wine. Not going to find a more interesting Grenache wine from the US for the money. 93 points
Recommendation: Drink now to 2026. (93 points)
1967 Fontanafredda Barolo. My first ancient Barolo. Really thought it was dead and sherry like when I opened it. It’s amazing how it transforms and the sherry notes disappear as it gets some air.
Kelley Fox Nerthus gets the win on this one for me. the aromatics and texture for it were so different than anything else ive had this year. would be a really interesting wine to see what a somm at a top end restaurant pairs it with, because i think there could be some incredible matches for it.
2004 Leclerc Briant Rubis de Noirs
N.V. Panevino Pikadé Isola dei Nuraghi IGT
Nice call out John on The Boy, domestic Grenache rarely excites me, but this was a great exception (and Saxum).
But the most unique wine? Easy call, I just posted a separate thread on it - the 2016 Raul Pérez Bierzo Ultreia Valtuille. Mind blown. I’m still thinking about it this am.