Fernandez Ribera de Duero Pesquera-My first come-to-Jesus experience of wine.
In 97’ I was a flat-broke post-Peace Corps grad student in New Orleans treated to dinner at Bayona. The Somm recommended Pesquera to pair against the gastronomic mosh pit of rabbit etouffee, jambalaya and duck on our table. It was like the skies opened up-the first time I’d experienced good wine+good food = more than the sum of its’ parts. It would be years before circled I back to wine, but this was my first.
Gouges 2009 NSG 1er Clos des Porrets - The one that woke me up to Burgundy.
Bought in 13’ with no real knowledge of Burgundy, a gamble at $70, the top of my price range in those days. It sat in storage for years while I drank Oregon Pinot until one day in 17’ I tried it on a whim and BAM! - that was all she wrote. I mostly foreswore other wines and started chasing Burgs. Amazing to think this wake-up call of a wine was just sitting downstairs waiting to be discovered. Makes you wonder what else might be down there…
2014 Tenuta Bendetta Etna Bianco - hand carried back from a trip Florence with my then-girlfriend, now my wife (who loves Oregon Pinot)
As others have written: There are pricier, rarer bottles sleeping in the cellar, but the precious ones have an emotional connection.