The #1s

So have all 105 wines a score of 1, 2, or 3. 49 1's, 41 2's and 15 3's. The 2's and 3's are out... here are the 1' (in order from oldest to youngest).


1953 Chateau d’Yquem
1955 Chateau Haut Brion
1961 Chateau Latour
1975 Chateau Petrus
1976 Leroy Pommard Arvelets
1976 Leroy Romanee-St.-Vivant
1976 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Auslese
1982 Chateau Cheval Blanc
1982 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild
1982 Chateau Latour (#5)
1982 Chateau Margaux
1982 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild
1982 La Mission Haut Brion
1983 DRC Richebourg
1983 Reichgraff von Kesselstadt Schwarzhofberger Riesling Auslese
1985 DRC Echezeaux
1985 Louis Roederer Cristal (Magnum)
1988 Krug
1989 DRC Romanee-Conti
1989 DRC Romanee-Saint-Vivant Morey Monge
1989 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle
1990 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild
1990 Chateau Latour
1990 Dom Perignon Rose (Magnum)
1990 Dr. Burklin-Wolf Auslese Trocken
1990 Guigal “La Mouline” Cote Rotie
1990 Herm Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshole Riesling Auslese
1990 Krug
1990 Krug (Magnum)
1990 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne
1990 Montrose
1994 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon
1994 Vega Sicilia Unico
1996 Gaja Sperss
1998 Chateau Margaux Pavillon Blanc
1998 Penfold’s Grange
1998 von Buhl Forester Ungeheuer Riesling Trockenbeerenauslesen
1999 DRC Montrachet
1999 DRC Richebourg
1999 Guigal “La Landonne” Cote Rotie
1999 Guigal “La Turque” Cote Rotie
2000 Bouchard La Romanee
2001 DRC Richebourg
2001 Harlan Estate
2001 Shafer Hillside
2002 Chateau Latour
2002 Harlan Estate
2002 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
2004 Dagueneau Blanc Fume de Pouilly "Pur Sang"

2006 WOTY

Wow, what a year it’s been… I’ve been fortunate enough to try some amazing wines the past 12 months. So, I’ve broken them down by month to start. Please keep in mind, the year ends December 31st, so there is a lot of wine left to try before my list is complete.

January
1985 DRC Echezeaux
1998 von Buhl Forester Ungeheuer Riesling Trockenbeerenauslesen
1990 Krug
2002 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet “Clavillons” 1er Cru
1999 Franz Herzberger Rotes-Tor Smaragd Gruner-Veltliner, Wachau
1953 Chateau d’Yquem
1961 Chateau Latour
1982 Chateau Latour
2001 Harlan Estate
2001 Shafer Hillside
1999 Jacques Prieur Volnay-Santenots 1er Cru
1976 Leroy Pommard Arvelets
1995 Araujo Eisele
1990 Guigal “La Mouline” Cote Rotie

February
1994 Stags Leap Wine Cellars “Cask 23”
1990 Krug (Magnum)
1990 Dom Perignon Rose (Magnum)
1986 Chateau Cheval Blanc
1982 Chateau Cheval Blanc
1995 Chateau Latour
1990 Dr. Burklin-Wolf Auslese Trocken
1982 Chateau Margaux
2000 DRC La Tache
MV ZD Abacus
2003 Louis Jadot Chateau de Jacques Clos de Rochegres Moulin-a-Vent Cru Beaujolais
1966 Chateau Latour
1982 Chateau Latour (#5)
1990 Chateau Latour
2002 Chateau Latour
2000 Bouchard La Romanee
2000 Domaine de la Vougeraie Vougeot 1er Cru Clos Blanc de Vougeot Monopole
2000 Chateau Latour
1990 Montrose
1982 La Mission Haut Brion
1982 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild

March
1990 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild
1999 DRC Grands Echezeaux
1955 Chateau Haut Brion
2003 Dagueneau Blanc Fume de Pouilly “Silex”
2001 DRC Richebourg
1999 J. Drouhin Marquis de Laguiche Montrachet
1999 DRC Richebourg
1994 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon
1995 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill
2002 Louis Jadot/ Domaine du Duc de Magenta Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru "Morgeot" Clos de la Chapelle
1990 Alfred Gratien Brut
1975 Chateau Petrus
1983 DRC Richebourg

April
1995 Chateau Leoville Las Cases
1999 Antinori Solaia
1994 Penfold’s Grange
1990 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne
2001 Dr. Burklin Wolf Riesling Kirchenstuck
1976 Leroy Romanee-St.-Vivant
1985 Louis Roederer Cristal (Magnum)
1991 Ridge Monte Bello
1999 Guigal “La Turque” Cote Rotie
1955 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
1983 DRC Echezeaux
2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia
2001 Clos Mogodor (Priorat)
1999 Gaja Sugarille Brunello di Montalcino
2002 Penfold’s RWT Shiraz

May
2001 Lewis Cabernet Sauvignon
1998 Chateau Figeac
1985 Chateau Haut Brion
1982 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild
1998 Sassicaia
1990 Gruaud Larose
1990 Chateau Clinet
1998 Penfold’s Grange

June
1994 Vega Sicilia Unico
1989 DRC Romanee-Saint-Vivant Morey Monge
1989 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle
1990 Herm Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshole Riesling Auslese
1983 Reichgraff von Kesselstadt Schwarzhofberger Riesling Auslese
1989 Chateau Montrose
1976 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Auslese
1985 Chateau Leoville Las Cases,
1990 Chateau Pichon-Baron


July
1999 Guigal “La Landonne” Cote Rotie
1988 Krug
2004 Didier Dagueneau Blanc Fume de Pouilly “Pur Sang”
2001 Chateau Rieussec
1952 Chateau Margaux
2002 Harlan Estate
1988 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill

August
2002 Quintessa
2002 Spottswoode

September
1970 Chateau Latour
1999 Louis Roederer Cristal
1999 Louis Roederer Cristal Rose
1994 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon
2002 Lewis Cellars Alec’s Blend
1985 Charles Heidseick “Champagne Charlie”

October
1998 Penfold’s Grange
2001 Rochioli River Block Pinot Noir
1996 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill
1996 Gaja Sperss
1970 Graham’s

November
1989 DRC Romanee-Conti
1999 DRC Montrachet
1976 Chateau d’Yquem
2004 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenberg, Cuvee Laurence
2002 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley

This is why

I don't do my wines of the year until the end of the year. I know they have to because it takes so long to publish it, but I have the benefit of instant publishing!

The 1997 Comunali Brunello di Montalcino was about as pretty as I've ever tasted. The last bottle that we had, it was dried black fruits, cedar, dried leaves and cedar. A classic Brunello with lots of tannin (but nicely balanced). If I had a bottle or two of this, I would be drinking it now. Great. The 2003 Flor de Pingus, Ribera del Duero, is awesome (as always), but was showing a little less intensity and a little more depth. Great wine with mocha, black plums, pepper, clove and vanilla. Yum. The 1999 Cristal was as before.

The wine of the night, and certainly a candidate for my top 10 is the 2002 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley. Wow. Opaque, with a purple-black center and little if no rim variation. About as intense a wine as I've ever seen (maybe the 2003 or 2000 Latour). On the nose - figs, black currants, black plums, graphite, stony-minerals, black earth, vanilla, and black pepper. On the palate - as above, but an incredible concentration and depth of flavors. The layers here are incredible. The only other California Cabernet that I've had that was better was the 2001 Harlan. The 2001 Hillside was good, but nowhere near this one. It's like this one goes to 11... Run away!!! One of the prettiest, yet biggest, most balanced (here is that balance thing again) wines I've ever tasted. Right before I opened it, the guest asked again - "This is a big Cabernet, right?" Nigh!!! Nigh!!! Bring me a shrubery!!! Sorry, back to the quest... This is why I would listen to Mr. Parker for California Cabs and not WS...

Vintage Comparison

Wow... some big names tonight. Not so much last night. Last night was a 1990 Pommard Pezerolles 1er Cru that was light but beautiful out of magnum. The 1999 Cristal needs to be put away for years... and was no match for the 1996 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Brut... so sweet with a long, elegant finish.

Tonight was the real fireworks though. The 1994 Guigal Hermitage Blanc rocks... such fresh melon, honeysuckle, pears and apples with tons of flowers and oak spice. A great, fresh wine at 12 years of age. Makes you wonder what's going on in California that a long-lived white is 4 years... Crazy. The 1983 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild stinks... a little corked, but the wine had no fruit. OTH. The 1982 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild was finally opening 3 hours after I decanted it... beautiful cedar. Not the best bottle, but really good. The 1983 Chateau Latour was good, but not spectacular. The magnums in February were far superior, but this bottle too was from the cellars of Chateau Latour. Perfect condition, just a light wine. The 1995 Chateau Leoville Las-Cases, IMO, was the wine of the night. So tightly wound, the cedar and power of Las Cases came through in this bottle. It needs another 10 years easily, but it has all of the stuffing to make you go cold turkey on any other Chateau (except Latour and the occaissional Margaux). Re-tasted the 1999 Cristal tonight with 24 hours of air and wow... what a difference. Amazing brioche and intense and powerful mid-palate with an incredible finish. An amazing wine.

Forgot a few things....

From this past weekend... The 1999 Gosset Grand Millésime Brut was pretty darn good bubbles... nice and yeasty with sage, biscuits and pears. Nice. The 2001 Domaine de Baumard Savienierres was nice. Not great, but nice. A touch of residual sugar kind of threw off the balance here, but lots of wet wool, stones, pear, apples, and apricots. Nice Chenin Bland.

Goodies

The 2002 Dauvissat Chablis Premier Cru "Montmains", half-bottle was so pretty. Lots of limestoney-minerals and pears with lemon and bright fruit... this wine will go for a long time. The 2002 Chablis are terrific... wish I had some. The 2004 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenberg, Cuvee Laurence, half-bottle is a simply rockin' Gewurz. So spicy and classic with a hint of residual sugar, but the balance is perfect. Lychee, tons of Bosc pear and graphite. Awesome wine... The 2003 Domaine Weinbach Altenberg Vendage Tardive was a bit alcoholic but very well balanced and a nice dessert wine.

Last Night

Ok... all of the tasting notes... The 1999 Niebaum-Coppola Rubicon was one of the best from this winery I've ever had. Lots of anise, blackberries and spice. A very nice finish... I'd be glad to have some of these in my cellar. The Champagne Ruinart Brut Rose NV (NOT Dom Ruinart) is outstanding... a pronounced berry flavor but completely dry. Very full bodied, arguable the best non-vintage Rose (along with Billecart-Salmon) on the market today. The 1985 Charles Heidseick "Champagne Charlie" is wonderful. So rich and yeasty, but plenty of apples and pears. Tiny little bubbles as well... outstanding. The 1999 Fontodi Syrah, Tuscany was ok. Not great, certainly not the 1996 but a wonderful wine nonetheless. Blackpepper and classic Italian dried fruits. Lovely.

The 1976 Chateau d'Yquem was awesome. Amber-brown in color in the bottle, it had a slight rose-color to it in the glass. The nose was pure botrytis, caramel and baked apricots. On the palate the wine had the slightest hint of TCA, but to be honest, it really didn't detract from the overall quality that much. Stony caramel, baked apples, honey and layers of exotic spices. A wonderful d'Yquem, though far from the best I've had. Two DRCs... the 1999 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Montrachet is the single greatest white wine I have ever tasted. Still a baby, but it was giving so much. The DRC plot is entirely in Chassagne-Montrachet and the slightly rugged quality of that village comes through in this wine. It's a poweful, monolithic wine with layers and layers of Granny Smith Apples, Bosc Pear, unripe white peaches, honeysuckle, clove, cinnamon, lemon peel, tangerine, and pineapple. The palate was unbelievable... the length on this wine is astonishing, and it's likely that as this baby grows up, it will put on even more weight and length and would blow away just about anything else at the table. Simply stunning. Nearly equally as stunning and certainly among the greatest red wines I've ever had was the 1989 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti. This too is still young, but had a perfectly clean, amazing nose. It's been a few years since I've had Romanee-Conti, and it was what I remember (though the last one I had was the perfect 1985). Layers of clove, truffles, cedar, leather, spice box, cinnamon, strawberries, raspberries and rhubarb. The nose is completely exotic and is about as perfect a nose as I've ever had the pleasure to smell. The palate was exceptional, though perhaps fell a tiny bit short of the nose - I thing for no other reason than the wine still showed a bit of tannin and was clearly a baby. It could have been decanted and the palate might have opened up a touch, but I think the nose then would have died - and that's really what this wine was all about - the nose. The length was mindboggling and is a wonderful example of the greatest vineyard site in the world. To try either of these DRCs is an amazing experience. I can't even begin to describe the experience of trying both of these together. You will see both of these wines on my "Wines of the Year" list.

New Cocktail

Not really a cocktail, but after the night, I needed to have a drink just to try and take in what just happened (read above). My new drink? A double Patron tequila on the rocks (silver, please). Tonight? Probably Cabo Wabo on the rocks...

Wine Of The Year

Well, WS declared theirs... I'm not quite ready to put my list together yet, but there are a ton of strong contenders... at this point, my WOTY is between about 4 or 5 different things. I'll just have to see what my favorite is come January 1st. There is still a lot of wine to taste between now and then... As for WS, I think that they probably made a good choice. I was betting on the 2003 Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, but not a bad choice at #4. I have 1 bottle of the Kosta Browne RRV in my cellar (#8 - I think). I won't go near the 2003 Leoville-Barton or the 2003 Sauternes. As I haven't tasted the 2001 Casanova di Neri Tenuto Nuovo Brunello di Montalcino, I really can't comment on it. Except I know how Brunello falls in my favorite wines....

Forgot One

The 1952 Chateau Margaux (first one in a while) was pretty good. Just a hint of stewed fruit with nice cedar, violets, tobacco and leather.

Not a lot going on except

Had a great night last night for the bubbles... but first, the 1990 Chateau Gruaud Larose, St. Julien is simply outstanding. One of the best drinking 1990 Bordeaux there is. So cedary - a very classic Gruaud Larose. The 1995 Opus One from 3L was showing as it was last spring. Lots of cedar, not a lot of fruit, maybe a hint of green. Not a great bottle of wine, but not bad either. The 1999 Opus One from 3L was much better, but still on the weak side. Lots of black plums, currants, cedar and anise. Those were all great, but the star of the show was the Champagne. First, a vertical of Taittinger Comte de Champagne Blanc de Blancs - 1995, 1996, 1998. The 1995 is a fairly full-bodied wine. Lots of toasty brioche and sour apples. Pretty... the 1996 is showing really well. Very biscuity with Granny Smith Apples, apricots, and toast. Very powerful for a BdB. The 1998 is relatively weak. Very floral on the nose with just hints of toast, the wine is less than outstanding on the palate (as most 1998s are). The 1999 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Rose from Magnum was excellent. A baby with very pronounced red berry notes, this needs time, but will drink well for a long time. The 1988 Krug from Magnum was outstanding - nearly bringing tears to my eyes. Simply one of the greatest Champagnes I've ever tasted... and yes, it was better out of Magnum than it was a few months ago out of bottle. Very oxidized classic Krug style - very elegant with toast, baked apples, white flowers and apricots. Layers and layers of fruit and spice. Amazing... Krug never dissapoints. The vintages are behave like they should - varying more from year to year - but all outstanding in their own right. I could drink another Champagne, but why would I want to?!? Completely blows away any of the other Champagnes I tasted last night.

Bolli

I love the Bolli... that's Bollinger Special Cuvee, Brut, NV... such a pretty, slightly oxidative nose. Not quite as intense as Krug (but at 1/5 the price, one would expect that). Also tried the last two bottles of 2003 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon and the wine is starting to shut... The 1996 Gaja Sperss (yup, another one) was not nearly as good as the first time around. This time it was completely shut and angular with none of the beauty of the first bottle... I'll give this one some time.