I posted this on the “other” BB yesterday, but since Jorge beat me up earlier today at Posner’s place about how I should post on this BB, how about if we test BB quality by posting the same message here and see what happens.
On the train this morning (actually yesterday, by now), I sat next to a kid who was reading The Great Gatsby. I first thought about the classics of Western literature that everyone needs to read, which then morphed into consideration of whether there is, or should be, a wine canon. Wines that everyone who ascribes to be a serious wine hobbyist/expert/collector etc. should try at least once. Not a list of great wines, but a list of classics, exemplars, benchmarks and standards by which other wines must be judged. Thus, although I really like Aquilon and have written about it twice in the past few weeks, the first vintage was 2002 and just hasn’t been around long enough.
Here’s my off the cuff list of nominees, assuming that money is not an issue. I have omitted vintages in most cases, but assume it must be one of the better ones. Comments? What would you add?
Australia: Penfolds Grange
Bordeaux: Lafite Rothschild, Petrus and d’Yquem - although I can make a special case for 1945 Mouton
Burgundy: Any Le Montrachet and any DRC, but probably best La Tache
Northern Rhone: Jaboulet La Chapelle
Champagne: Dom Perignon
Port: Quinta do Noval Nacional
Barolo: Conterno Monfortino
Spain: Vega Sicilia Unico and an Amontillado (in deference to Poe)
US: Montalena Estate; Ridge Montebello
Alsace: Any Z-H SGN
Madeira: Any well-aged D’Oliveras Boal.
Germany: I can’t pick a producer, but everyone should have a TBA.