Thanks for all the responses. I like seeing all the different wines people placed on their best wines of the year lists.
This isn’t easy, but here’s the ten that first come to mind:
2008 Loring Divergence
2005 Aquilon
2006 El Nido
2006 Termanthia
2006 Pesus
2007 Maybach Materium
2006 El Nido Clio
2005 Numanthia
2005 Finca Dofi
2005 Aalto
2007 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT
2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
1999 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate
2004 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne
2006 Mount Eden Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate Bottled
2008 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Russian River
2006 Flowers Pinot Noir Grand Bouquet
2008 Peay Vineyards Chardonnay Estate
2006 Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Ürziger Goldwingert Riesling Spätlese
1995 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate
2008 Bouchard Père et Fils Chevalier-Montrachet La Cabotte
2008 Bouchard Père et Fils Chambertin-Clos de Bèze
2005 Château Cos d’Estournel
2007 Domaine Leflaive Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet
2007 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières
2004 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses
2001 Hétszőlő Tokaji Eszencia
2006 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
2007 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard
2007 Saxum Broken Stones
The list is decidedly different for wines I would actually drink day to day. Something like this:
2009 Domaine Bonnet-Huteau Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Les Dabinieres
2009 Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Vieilles Vignes Clos des Briords
2009 A.J. Adam Dhroner Hofberger Riesling Kabinett
2007 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett
2009 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese
2009 Coudert Fleurie Clos de la Roilette
2009 Daniel Bouland Chiroubles
2009 Domaine des Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) Fleurie
2009 Domaine du Vissoux / Pierre-Marie Chermette Fleurie Les Garants
2009 Domaine du Vissoux / Pierre-Marie Chermette Moulin-à-Vent Les Trois Roches
2007 Kapcsandy Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Grand Vin) State Lane Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville) 6/28/2010 Loren Sonkin 99
Tasting at Kapcsandy Winery (and is 08 even better than 07?): My first time trying this wine. Definitely an OMG wine. Purple core with some ruby on the rim. The nose is gorgeous and open. Cassis, leather, green tobacco, cigar box, and some toasty oak (but within reason). On the palate, every component is bold yet integrated. Very tightly layered, yet each layer is pronounced. I don’t remember a red wine that had as long of a finish. Just gorgeous. Not 100 points because it needs some age to spread out. I mentioned that to Lou Kapcsandy so he put a glass in the microwave for 4 seconds. I thought he had lost it, but, it really did open the wine up. Perhaps it was the extra oxygen or time or perhaps it was the microwave, or perhaps even just the power of suggestion, but the wine seemed even more open. In either event, this is an amazing wine.
2007 Kapcsandy Family Winery Roberta’s Reserve State Lane Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville) 6/28/2010 Loren Sonkin 99
Tasting at Kapcsandy Winery (and is 08 even better than 07?): I liked this even better than the Grand Vin and gave serious thought to scoring it perfect. I probably should have. There is no question in my mind, this is the best Merlot dominated wine I have ever had from any producer in any location in the world. The nose is initially tighter but unwinds to show some chocolate covered cherries. Also some vanilla and smoke. On the palate, this is smooth an velvety. Chocolate covered dark cherries, liqueur, and earth. Long finish. Stunning wine.
2008 Kapcsandy Family Winery Roberta’s Reserve State Lane Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville) 6/28/2010 Loren Sonkin 99
Tasting at Kapcsandy Winery (and is 08 even better than 07?): Wow. This may be better than that 07. No, this is better than the 07 and my new, best Merlot ever! The nose has cherries, dark cherries, camphor and leather. Velvety texture. On the palate, chocolate covered dark cherries. Finish that lasts forever. I no yields are low, but I hope I get allocated some of this!
2008 Kapcsandy Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Grand Vin) State Lane Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville) 6/28/2010 Loren Sonkin 98
Tasting at Kapcsandy Winery (and is 08 even better than 07?): This has potential to beat the 07, but today it was not. Still an incredible wine IMO. Inky purple in color. The nose has a lot of oak, also some camphor and a ton of cassis. Great texture. Velvety. On the palate, layered cassis and earth. Long finish. If the oak integrates, this will be as good or better than the 07 and if not, it is still great. I think it will and will hopefully be buying some.
2007 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville) 11/7/2010 Loren Sonkin 98
Dinner with Friends (Mawby, Chidaine, Pinson, Desaunay-Bissey, Nerthe, Maybach, Sineann): Decanted 12 hours. This was stunning. Purple in color. The nose has some oak on it, but decanting helped a lot. Toasty and some cocoa with tons of cassis and black raspberries. On the palate, this is so lush. It has more than enough structure to carry the fruit. Complex if still young. Long finish. This is a wine that demands you pay attention. I have a few more which will get properly aged but I am glad I looked in on this now.
1990 Krug Champagne Brut (France, Champagne) 8/9/2010 Loren Sonkin 98
Champagne, Fonseca and two Ohio Chards: Looking back at my notes, this is about the 10th time I have had this wine, but the first time in a few years. I don’t remember ever having a better bottle from this vintage. Outstanding, and for me, blew the doors off the other bottles. Why other felt different is mystery that I think is fascinating about taste, wine, and palate subjectivity. Golden in color. Lots of tiny, frothy bubbles. The nose is complex and deep. Seltzer and slight Vernor’s notes. Ont he palate, minerals, oranges, and incredible depth and complexity. Finish lasts a long time. Wow.
2007 Kapcsandy Family Winery Estate Cuvée State Lane Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville) 6/28/2010 Loren Sonkin 98
Tasting at Kapcsandy Winery (and is 08 even better than 07?): Again, this was better than the 07. It bears a striking resemblance to Lafite, IMO, in a good vintage. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has cassis, pencil lead and oak. On the palate, the attack is sweet. The midpalate complex. Long finish. The only nit picking off note was a slight prune note in the finish, but that is really being picky as it seemed to disappear with air. A remarkable wine again.
2007 Saxum James Berry Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) 12/12/2010 Loren Sonkin 98
Dinner with Friends (Bouchard, Hirsch, Vissoux, Brunello, Bea, Saxum, Kapscandy): Slightly better than a bottle consumed last week. That one had been decanted for around 12 hours. This was slow-o’d for the same time. Or maybe it was just such a great match to the food! Anyway, its nice to be able to share a bottle like this with friends. I remember barrel tasting with Justin and drinking his first vintage (2000), and its nice to see good things happen to good people and then share that across the country. As for the wine, lots of bold fruit; raspberries, black raspberries, plums with a bit of kirsch. You barely perceive the 15.8% alcohol except for the body. Very smooth long finish. The wine is velvety. Still too young to drink, but so it goes. Loved it anyway.
2005 Saxum Cuvée Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles) 12/30/2010 Loren Sonkin 97
Wow, wow , wow. Opened and poured. This is so smooth. The nose is awesome. Earthy, slightly like a humid barn, tons of black and red raspberries, a bit or scorched earth. On the palate, this is velvety. no hint of heat. Delicious. Just a wow wine. Its still young but is so worth opening right now. It goes down so easily.
2004 Sine Qua Non Syrah Poker Face (USA, California, Central Coast) 4/27/2010 Loren Sonkin 96
TN: SQN, Terry Hoage, Aalto, Turley: I had this wine a few years ago and its interesting to see how its changed. I think I would leave these alone for a while as it seems to be in a tweaner phase. Still, its delicious now and that is more that I think it shows glimpses of being even better. This bottle was decanted for a couple of hours prior to drinking. The nose is elegant. Not a monster in any way. Black raspberries, some cocoa, bacon fat, and even a white floral note. On the palate, this seemed subdued to an extent although air seemed to bring it back. Its complex and very smooth. I had to really stop and pay attention to this to really appreciate it. I generally don’t think of SQN as contemplative wines, but this one has become one. Great finish. More and more I am coming to the conclusion that for my tastes, the better Cal Syrahs, the monsters, need a lot more time and WILL age just fine.
2004 Saxum James Berry Vineyard
2004 Copain Kiser en Haut
2006 Rhys Alpine Hillside
2007 Kapcsandy Grand Vin
2005 Ridge Monte Bello
2001 Trimbach Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile 375th Anniversary
Reviewing my year’s notes. The runners-up at 96 points:
1990 Pichon Baron
2002 Peter Michael Les Pavots
2000 Angelus
1996 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
2001 Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Pittermannchen Riesling Spatlese
1990 Newton Cabernet Sauvignon
2002 Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
and the surpise winner is-at 97 points:
1997 Moccagatta Barbaresco Bric Balin
had two 97 pters, 2 96 pters, and 6 95 pt wines this year:
90 La Mission Haut-Brion
90 Leoville Poyferre
96 Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asilli
90 Pichon Baron
95 Dugat-Py Mazis Chambertin
87 Spottswoode Cab
94 Dunn Howell Mountain Cab
05 Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia
90 Alain Robert Blanc des Blancs Reserve le Mesnil
89 Giacomo Borgono Riserva
My list is finalized finally:
2005 Sine Qua Non Roussanne Atlantis Fe2O3~3e *
2007 Saxum James Berry Vineyard *
NV Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Unico Reserva Especial 1990 1991 1994 *
1982 Joseph Phelps Insignia *
2001 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard
1997 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L’Orée *
2005 Sine Qua Non Grenache Atlantis Fe2O3~2a, b & c
1982 Emilio Costanti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva *
2001 Paloma Merlot
2005 Giovanni Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini *
This is in no particular order, but here are my favorite ten.
2009 Marcel Lapierre Morgon Cuvee Marcel Lapierre-
The clear wotn on Thanksgiving. This enchanted me and everyone else at the table. I was able to sneak away and take in a half glass by myself in the company of my daughter and her Dora the Explorer video. I know it is not for the Beaujolais purist, but is an amazing wine nonetheless.
2008 Peay Estate Rousanne/Marsanne- A revelation which has made me completely rethink domestic white rhones, a category I had completely written off. It might be the classiest wine I tasted all year.
2008 Ceritas Pinot Noir Escarpa Vineyard- Last year Rhys was a revelation, this year Ceritas. In a very crowded field of California Pinot Noir where many wines struggle to be distinctive, this shines in the most modest way. Structured and brilliant.
1996 The Eyrie Vineyard Chardonnay- Also had the Pinot and loved it, but this was transcendent. Could be due to the fact that I had no expectations for excellence. Insane complexity with each sip. Stopped several “I only drink big red” guys in their tracks. 1996 is not considered a great vintage, but this is one of the greatest bottles I’ve ever tasted. Something to consider when thinking about 2007 in Oregon.
2006 Mount Eden Chardonnay- Brought this to our dear friend’s housewarming party over the summer. Drank it with him as he toured me around his new backyard and talked excitedly about all of his plans for his new property. We ended up having a long discussion about Chardonnay and how when it is great, there are few things better. This wine fits that bill.
1987 R Lopez de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Vina Tondonia- Received three bottles of this as a 40th birthday gift last January. Opened one that night and was possessed by it. Opened another one at a lunch two weeks ago before Christmas and still found it magical. Very memorable as it bookended the year with some of my oldest and dearest friends and a lunch with some new ones that I look forward to popping bottles with in 2011.
2005 Stephane Cossais Montlouis sur Loire Le Volgare-
No deep experience here, just an amazing bottle of wine. Amazing complexity and rapid evolution as it aerated. I heard this producer died this year. RIP Monsieur Cossais.
1996 Pascal Doquet Champagne Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Le Mensil sur Oger
It’s not often that the last bottle of the year is also one of the best. Got to enjoy a glass with my wife while the kids were asleep. A very rare moment that those if you with small children know can be fleeting.
2002 Cameron Pinot Noir Dundee Hills-
Just exactly what I want Pinot Noir to be. I found this to be a perfect bottle of wine. Not a svd, no massive scores, no real hype. Just perfect.
1998 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape-
The first time I’ve ever been able to drink one with some age that wasn’t completely brettified. Stunning wine that makes me even angrier at all the bretty bottles I’ve had in the past.
I guess the list as much about personal experience with these bottles and a nice roadmap for 2010. I drank bottles with higher pedigrees, and more dramatic structure, fruit, etc, but these are the ones that as I went through my little notebook seemed to mean the most.
Happy new year everyone!
1937 Massandra Rose Muscat Gurzuf
1961 Domaine Henry Lamarche la Grande Rue
1990 Roumier Bonnes Mares
1991 DRC Richebourg
1999 Domaine Leflaive Bienvenue Batard Montrachet
2000 Roumier Bonnes Mares
2001 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier Montrachet
2001 Coche Dury Corton Charlemagne
2002 Raveneau Valmur
2004 Bouchard Corton Charlemagne
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard
1997 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Vigna di Pianrosso
1995 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese
1995 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée
2006 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard
2005 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard
1995 Chave Hermitage Rouge
2005 Sine Qua Non Grenache Atlantis Fe2O3~2a, b & c
1995 Ch. Pichon Lalande
2000 Château La Fleur de Boüard
2004 Torbreck RunRig
2004 Agharta
2004 Torbreck Les Amis
2004 Hundred Acre Summer’s Block
1998 Schoffit Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos St.-Théobald SGN
2004 El Nido Clio
2002 Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Altenbourg
2007 E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane
2004 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva Culmen
2006 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
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1964 Faustino I Gran Reserva* - All 3 bottles I’ve enjoyed were consistently great (from Miguel at his La Tienda birthday lunch, mine at a dinner in CiÇou, and, Aaron’s at La Tienda);
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1974 Contino Reserva - at Bodegas y Viñedos del Contino (Rioja Alavesa) from/with winemaker Jesús de Madrazo Mateo;
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1982 CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva - at El Rincon del Vino in Logroño (Rioja Alta) with Catha;
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1966 Château Latour - from fellow WBer Clem Nieto at CiÇou;
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1991 R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva* - particularly the bottle I shared with Catha over lunch in Restaurante Echaurren (Ezcaray);
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1994 R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva* - all 3 or 4 bottles I’ve had so far were fantastic;
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1949 Château Climens - at the Musée d’Art Contemporain à Bordeaux (Bordeaux) during the Ban du Millésime de la Commanderie du Bontemps;
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Añada '90 Emilio Lustau Oloroso Abocado - at Restaurante Fernandez (Barcelona), from/with María Antonia Fernández-Daza;
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2003 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese (Goldkapsel) - at a Chinese dinner by Tita Bella. Absolutely stunning. I bought this bottle from a friend who sold off his wine collection; and,
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1998 Bodegas Riojanas Viña Albina Gran Reserva** - from the producer. I’ve had this twice with Aaron and it amazed me with its traditional lines both times.
- Disclosure: My partner and I import these wines.
** Disclosure: My partner and I will be importing these wines in 2011.
2010 Runners-up:
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1995 Bodegas La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 - All bottles purchased from Spain (through Miguel) and, locally, from the Stockbroker’s shop. Every single bottle was stunning;
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2001 Château de Fargues - at Bodegas Can Ràfols dels Caus in Avinyonet del Penedès (Penedès), poured by Alexandre de Lur-Saluces himself;
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1997 Bodegas La Rioja Alta 904 - at Bodegas La Rioja Alta, from/with winemaker Julio Sáenz. He also gave me a bottle as a gift and I also got one from the Stockbroker, also as a gift. I also bought a few at one of the El Corte Inglés shops in Barcelona.
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& 5. 1995 & 1998 Vega Sicilia Único - at La Tienda, from Miguel and Rene, respectively.
Champagne:
Tie 1988 DP & 1996 Krug
White:
1995 F.X. Pichler Kellerberg GV
Red:
2001 DRC Richebourg
2004 Fattoria Petrolo Galatrona Toscana IGT
2007 Owen sullivan cab franc
2001 Bahan Haut Brion
1995 La Rioja Alta 904 gran reserva
2001 Clos des papes
2005 Domaine Weinbach Riesling Cuvée Théo
2000 Elio Altare Langhe Barbera Vigna Larigi
2001 Domaine du Clos des Fées Côtes du Roussillon Villages La Petite Sibérie
2006 Silex
1995 Gran Puy Lacoste
Honorable mentions
1989 Lynch bages
2000 barde haut
1999 Château d’Armailhac
2005 DuMOL Syrah Russian River Valley
2004 Alter ego
2001 Vieux ch. Champs Johanna
Deleted
I have the impression to have lived in 2010 a unique moment in my life, with “dreams come true”.
All what I dreamed was surpassed by this year.
I am sorry if this list is much too long, but none of these wines left me without a great emotion :
Tokay 1819
Vin de Chypre 1841
Château Lafite Rothschild 1844
Château Lafite Rothschild 1858
Beaune Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus 1865
Château la Tour Blanche 1869
Château d’Yquem 1874
Château d’Yquem 1890
Château d’Yquem 1899
Musigny Coron Père & Fils 1899
Château Lafite 1900
Blanc Vieux d’Arlay Caves Jean Bourdy 1911
Grand Chambertin Sosthène de Grésigny 1913
Richebourg Morin Père & Fils 1923
Château Haut Brion 1926
Château d’Yquem 1928
Château Lafite-Rothschild 1928
Château Palmer 1928
Château La Mission Haut-Brion 1929
Château Margaux 1929
La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1943
Château Haut-Brion blanc 1945
Château Latour 1945
Champagne Bollinger 1945
Champagne Veuve Clicquot rosé 1947
La Romanée C. Marey & Comte Liger-Belair 1949
Château d’Yquem 1949
Champagne Heidsieck Monopole Magnum 1952
Champagne Henriot Cuvée des Enchanteleurs magnum 1959
Château Ausone 1959
Corton Charlemagne Bouchard Père et Fils 1961
Champagne Salon 1961
Romanée Conti Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1962
Champagne Dom Pérignon Oenothèque magnum 1966
La Romanée Liger Belair 1966
Champagne Dom Pérignon Rosé Œnothèque 1966
Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1970
Champagne Comtes de Champagne Taittinger magnum 1971
Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1972
Romanée Conti Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1981
Romanée Conti Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1986
Champagne Krug Clos du Mesnil 1988
La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1990
Romanée Conti Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1996
Richebourg Anne Gros 1996
Château d’Yquem 2009
La Romanée Conti DRC 2009
La Romanée Grand Cru Domaine Liger-Belair 2009
I could add many other splendid wines like La Mouline 1990 for example or Margaux and Latour 1934. But this list is my little treasure, a memory for ever.
The 2009 were drunk from barrels of course but are extremely promising.
It’s impossible to follow Francois’ list…wow…but mine is so different I’ll pretend it’s a different thread. My hedonist list, in no order…
07 Futo
07 Dana Estates Helms
02 Abreu Madrona
04 Abreu Thorevilos
04 Sloan
06 Colgin IX
07 Jacquelynn BTK
07 Hobbs BTK
03 SQN Papa
07 Schrader Old Sparky
Can you tell that I’m not into Pinot?
As my list could be taken as “too much”, I have tried to shorten it :
1819 Tokay
1844 Château Lafite Rothschild
1869 Château la Tour Blanche
1899 Musigny Coron Père & Fils
1926 Château Haut Brion
1943 La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée Conti
1945 Château Haut-Brion blanc
1945 Champagne Bollinger
1961 Champagne Salon
1966 Champagne Dom Pérignon Rosé Œnothèque
1981 Romanée Conti Domaine de la Romanée Conti
1990 La Tâche Domaine de la Romanée Conti
I forget certainly some wonders, but it gives an idea about what I have cherished.