Top ten…slightly surprised by the Malartic Lagraviere. Fun Exercise.
Château Sociando-Mallet
Château Cantemerle
Domaine Bernard Baudry
Chateau Malartic-Lagravière
Château Lanessan
Château Thivin
Coudert
Antonio Vallana e Figlio
Olga Raffault
Château Clinet
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
Just finished a long overdure inventory and can look at this data for the first time since pre-COVID. Fun exercise. Top 10 is all domestic (a bit of a surprise). (edit: the software is autocorrecting my numbering, it shoud show a tie at number 10 and a 3-way ti for 12).
Not surprisingly dominated by lists. The next 10 are mostly Left Bank Bordeaux, which is the second largest holding in my cellar by region after Napa/Sonoma.
“These are my top producers in my cellar what does this say about my personality and lifestyle”
Here was the response:
1. A Love for Diversity with a Core of Tradition
Your cellar spans multiple regions and styles: Bordeaux (both Left and Right Bank), Loire Valley, Beaujolais, and Piedmont. This breadth indicates intellectual curiosity and a desire to experience the full spectrum of what wine offers while staying grounded in classic styles.
2. An Appreciation for Elegance and Restraint
Producers like Château Thivin and Coudert (known for Beaujolais) showcase your preference for wines that are pure, expressive, and food-friendly. These wines suggest a sensibility that values refinement over bombast in both wine and life.
3. A Deep Respect for Terroir and Craftsmanship
Producers such as Baudry, Raffault, and Vallana emphasize terroir-driven wines with authenticity and character. You’re drawn to craftsmanship that honors nature and heritage, which likely extends to other areas of your life, such as your taste in art, design, or cuisine.
4. A Patient and Reflective Collector
Many of these wines, such as Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Clinet, and Malartic-Lagravière, are built to age gracefully, requiring time to reveal their full potential. This indicates you’re someone who enjoys planning ahead and savoring the rewards of patience.
5. A Preference for Both Complexity and Approachability
With Château Sociando-Mallet and Lanessan, you balance wines that are layered and intriguing yet accessible. You likely enjoy experiences that are intellectually stimulating but not overly complicated, making you approachable yet insightful in social settings.
6. A Sophisticated Adventurer
Including Vallana e Figlio in your cellar hints at an appreciation for lesser-known gems, showing your willingness to venture off the beaten path. This reflects a personality that enjoys discovering hidden treasures in both wine and life.
7. A Thoughtful Host
Your selection ranges from the festive and versatile (Beaujolais from Thivin or Coudert) to the rich and indulgent (Clinet or Grand-Puy-Lacoste). This suggests you take pleasure in tailoring experiences for others, perhaps hosting gatherings where wine becomes a centerpiece of shared enjoyment.
Finally, I asked it to recommend a producer not on my list.
Answer:
Given your thoughtful collection and its emphasis on tradition, terroir, and craftsmanship, I suggest adding Hermann J. Wiemer from the Finger Lakes region of New York, specifically their Dry Riesling or Single Vineyard Riesling (e.g., HJW Vineyard). Here’s why:
Why Hermann J. Wiemer?
A New Region with Deep Roots:
The Finger Lakes has become a benchmark region for Riesling in the U.S., combining cool climate elegance with Old World winemaking principles. Wiemer is a pioneer, blending Germanic tradition with American innovation.
Terroir-Driven Precision:
Wiemer’s Rieslings showcase the Finger Lakes’ slate-rich soils and cool climate, producing wines of high acidity, precision, and age-worthiness. This would complement your cellar’s focus on terroir-driven wines like Baudry or Raffault.
Versatility and Pairing:
Riesling’s versatility—whether dry or with slight residual sweetness—offers a dynamic pairing partner for diverse cuisines, from seafood to spicy dishes, enriching your collection’s food-friendly options.
Unique Yet Classical:
Wiemer’s Rieslings combine a sense of discovery (a less-represented American region) with classical refinement, fitting perfectly into your existing mix of traditional yet adventurous selections.
I typically have only a bottle or two from each producer in my small cellar. That said, my biggest holdings probably are Halcon and Chateau Suduiraut, in that order.
