My 10 most memorable wines for 2013 so far, all from bottles enjoyed over long meals with family and/or good friends. Some were mine, some from my friends (as credited). No trade tasting or “tasting pours” here:
1971 Latour (from Alex Tiu)
1983 Cheval Blanc (from Clem Nieto)
Champagne Jacques Selosse Initial (from Clem Nieto)
2010 Bernard Baudrie Chinon Blanc La Croix Boisée (mine)
2011 Couly-Dutheil Chinon Blanc Les Chanteaux (mine)
1989 Montrose (from Keiichi Miki - the best bottle of '89 Montrose I’ve had to date)
1990 Daniel Rion Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Chaumes (mine)
1985 Pothier-Rieusset Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens (mine)
1970 Château La Fleur-Pétrus (mine)
1983 Oremus Aszú Eszencia (from Jay Labrador)
My most memorable wines of the year:
1996 Château d’Yquem (thanks Nick!)
1966 Château Beychevelle (thanks David!)
1996 Château Angélus
1977 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill
1978 Clos du Val Merlot
2009 Zepaltas Chardonnay Hanzell
I guess this is where under-$50 shame enters the picture. My favorite wines this year have been rather modest and related at least in part to occasion/company. They’d include:
B. Defaix 2010 Chablis 1er Lechet
S. Bize 2007 Savigny les Beaune aux Vergelesses - both red and white
Belliviers 2010 Jasnieres les Rosiers
de Moor 2007 St. Bris
Castagnier 1999 Charmes Chambertin
Villaine 2005 Chalonais Digoine
Taluau 2002 St. Nicolas de Bourgeuil vv
Pepiere 2010 Muscadet Clisson
Jadot 2007 Corton Pougets
Fourny NV 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature
True, I slipped in two Grand Cru Burgundies, but I snagged them both for about $50 each.
'10 Pott Arsenal Greer
'09 Carter Grand Daddy To-Kalon
'09 Corra
'06 Quilceda Galitzine
'10 Maybach Eterium Chardonnay
'07 MacCauley To-Kalon
'09 M’Etain
'10 Myriads (the entire lineup is excellent!!)
'10 Quivet Kenefick Ranch
'10 Hourglass Blueline Merlot
I searched CT for my top reviews for 2013 and was very surprised to see how many '09s and '10s are on the list. Especially given the expectations/ratings for the vintages.
Not apologizing, poking fun - I disagree with the idea recently floated that we need a separate forum for wines under $50. An emoticon would have helped.
I’d have been happy to share any of these bottles with either of you, or, I dare say, most of the folks here; and feel fortunate to have enjoyed them.
Damn right you all envy me. And I purposefully didn’t list Layer Cake, Belle Glos Meiomi and Santa Margherita, because I didn’t want to sound like a showoff.
89 Beaucastel (found a magnum in a bargain bin for $70, not kidding, just a torn label and a low shoulder fill)
80 BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve
75 Beychevelle
81 Palmer
77 Ridge York Creek
08 Rancia
01 Tondonia Reserva
