I can’t believe it, but 2011 is halfway over. Time goes so fast it’s ridiculous. What’s also ridiculous is the incredible amount of top-notch wines I’ve been able to taste so far this year. At halfway through 2011, I looked back at my tasting notes and found my top five wines of the first half of 2011.
Interesting thing is: They’re all white wines. I’ve always loved whites, but so far this year I’ve found myself seeking out some great white wines. Maybe it’s just my palate shifting over time, but I can’t seem to get myself away from riesling, gruner veltliner and chardonnay. (and as you can see, i’ve fallen heavily for fx pichlers.) Here are my favorites so far this year. What are yours? This isn’t meant to be a pissing contest, I’m just curious where people’s palates are and what gems people are popping. Cheers!
1982 Pichon Lalande (tasting at Grailey’s in Dallas. Probably the first wine I would ever say was 100 points.) 100 pts
1997 Harlan (I thought this was on par with the 82 Lalande at the same tasting, second wine I would say was 100 points) 100 pts
2008 Bevan Ontogeny (maybe not a legend like the above wines, but probably best $59 wine I’ve had in years) 96 pts
1998 Grange (awesome, still very young, but amazing) 98 pts
1994 Dominus (lived up to the hype, popped for Dad’s 60th) 99pts
Also think 2007 Dominus is murderous, if you like the style. Shocked by how good the 2007 BV Georges DLT was. 2006 Ridge Monte Bello Chardonnay blew me away. One of my biggest shockers was a bottle of 2003 Quinta do Vale Meao. Awesome Duoro, and snagged three bottles at $29.99 a pop. What a deal!
1970 Buisson-Charles Meursault 1er Cru Gouttes d’Or
1990 Dujac Clos de la Roche
1998 Krug Clos du Mesnil
2002 Guy Charlemagne Champagne Mesnillésime Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut
1990 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
2001 Château d’Yquem
1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
1978 Château Haut-Brion
1966 Château Mouton Rothschild
1990 Château Montrose
(tied with the Montrose) 1991 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas
Here are my relatively humble (and surprisingly diverse) standouts from 2011:
2003 Coutet
2007 Beckmen Grenache Purisima Mountain
2002 Domaine Jean Jacques Girard Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru Les Fourneaux
2006 Field Stone Cabernet Sauvignon Staten Family Reserve
2005 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Clos Habert
I haven’t scored most of these, but for me, these were all 90-92ish…maybe 93 for the Coutet.
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