I agree with you. I’ve been loving a lot of wines from 2013, and I bought quite a bit from the vintage, especially from Côte de Blancs, with BdB’s both from growers like Larmandier Bernier, De Sousa, Claude Cazals, along with Vilmart in Rilly-la-Montagne, as well as from large houses like Taittinger (Comtes) and Ruinart. I also bought several of the grandes maisons’ tête de cuvées, including Bollinger, Dom Pérignon, Cristal, Rare and Deutz.
I think 2013 is a very good and potentially excellent vintage, but it fell somewhat in the shadow of 2012, much as 2009 did with 2008. Otherwise, ’09 and ’13 aren’t particularly similar. The former was a warm, ripe vintage, while the latter is much more taut and energetic. What they do share is having their reputations somewhat overshadowed by the universally acclaimed vintages immediately before them. Back to your comment; I also have high hopes for the 2013’s
We’ve been loving most 2013s, and have been surprised by how well they have shown young. So much so that I may go completely off my guardrails for Cristal and bring a ‘13 to a special meal Friday.
I agree on 2013 and actively seek them out. I feel like the consensus was that Chardonnay was the big winner of the vintage, which seems to be true. But at the same time, I personally have found many blends from great producers did just fine as well, and if anything, they just demand additional time. 2013 Rare is a fantastic wine, and drinks great today. Same for Comtes, just a little tighter. Krug’s 2013 vintage will be spectacular but needs quite a bit of time.
Thanks Blake. Not a Vilmart fan, except the Emotion on occasion, including the 2013. I have found too many of the wines boring to keep trying when I have so many other options I love.
I just purchased an ‘08 Churchill….then speaking with some friends sometime after, they mentioned it wasn’t showing well when they popped it recently. You would think this would be a slam dunk in 08.
I haven’t had it since release and my recollection was that it was inferior relative to its peers in 2008, though excelled in 2012. That said, with nearly 20 years on it, I would think it would be drinking wonderfully, even if not hitting the same highs as Dom P, Cristal, Comtes, Krug, Bolly RD in that specific vintage.
100% agree. I’ve had enough 08s in a muted state that I almost worry they’ll never turn the corner… I grabbed an 08 Krug recently and am prepared to cellar it for a good long while.
