Almost...

It's almost time for my "Wines of the Year"... While there's still a lot of time between now and the end of the year, and I'm sure a lot of great wine in that time as well, it's nonetheless time to start narrowing down my favorite bottles I've tried in the last year.

First, let's list the nominees...

Champagne & Sparkling Wines - 1990 Krug "Clos du Mesnil" Blanc de Blanc, 1979 Krug Collection en Magnum, 1990 Bruno Paillard "Nec Plus Ultra", 1996 Salon "Le Mesnil" Blanc de Blanc, 1990 Dom Perignon Rose en Magnum, 1995 Charles Heidsieck "Blanc de Millenieres", 1999 Cristal en Jerobaum, 1999 Cristal Rose, 1994 Ca'del Bosco Cuvee Annamaria Clementi Franciacorta... who could argue with a list like this?

Burgundy - 1990 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti, 1990 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Echezeaux, 2005 Clos de Tart, 1995 Domaine Leroy Richebourg, 1990 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne, 1999 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-St.-Vivant "Morey Monge", 2001 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Echezeaux, 1989 Remoissenet Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "Les Cazetieres, 2005 Domaine Leflaive Batard-Montrachet, 1966 Leroy Meursault 1er Cru "Pezerolles", 1998 Comte George de Vogue Le Musigny Vieilles Vignes, 1988 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg, 2004 Joseph Drouhin Musigny, 1990 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee St.-Vivant "Morey Monge", 1989 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grands Echezeaux (I think that covers all of the DRC Red Grand Crus, right?)... lots of yum in this bunch... I bet more than 2-3 will make the top 10 this year...

Bordeaux - 1982 Chateau Latour, 1995 Chateau Latour, 1955 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, 1993 Chateau Haut-Brion Blanc, 1986 Chateau Cheval-Blanc, 1985 Chateau Haut-Brion, 1986 Chateau Haut-Brion, 1961 Chateau Latour, 1983 Chateau Margaux, 1952 Chateau Margaux, 1995 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, 1990 Chateau Certan de May, 1990 Chateau Gruaud Larose, 1970 Chateau Latour, 1989 Chateau Palmer, 2000 Chateau Pichon Lalande... again, hard to imagine?

Other French & Sweet Wines (not just French) - 2000 Trimbach Clos Ste. Hune Riesling, 2004 Didier Dagueneau Silex, 1990 Chateau d'Yquem, 1999 Tirecul "Cuvee Madame" Monbazilliac, 1990 Guigal "La Turque" Cote-Rotie, 1975 Quinta da Noval "Nacional", 2000 Sparr Schoenenberg Grand Cru Riesling, 2001 Chateau Guiraud, 1900 Irmes & Borges Colheita Port, 2000 Madiran "Penillet"(not sure of the producer!!!), 2001 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle", 1989 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage "La Chapelle", ... not a great sweet wine year, for the most part.

German - 1998 Von Buhl Forster Ungeheuer Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, 2001 Dr. Burklin Wolf Kirchenstuck, 1990 Dr. Burklin Wolf Auslese Trocken "BB"... not a great Riesling year either, unfortunately...

Spanish - 1998 Alvario Palacios "L'Ermita" Priorato, 2002 Roda I Rioja, 1994 Vega Sicilia Unico... wow, didn't realize how little Spanish I've had this year, either...

Italian - now, this is an area I racked up the wines in... 1996 Gaja Sperss, 2001 Gaja Sperss, 1989 Gaja Barbaresco, 1989 Gaja Darmagi, 2001 Gaja Dagromis Barolo, 2004 Sassicaia, 2003 Gaja Ca'Marcanda Estate Ca'Marcanda, 1981 Cecchi Chianti Classico Riserva, 2001 Pio Cesare "Il Bricco" Barbaresco, 1985 Braida Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera d'Asti, 1997 Gaja Costa Russi, 2000 Gaja Conteisa, 1999 Guado al Tasso, 2001 Gaja Conteisa, 2004 Gaja Barbaresco, 2006 Martinetti "Martin", 2006 Sassicaia, 1995 Banfi Poggio All'Oro Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, 2001 Banfi Poggio Alle Mura "Brunello di Montalcino" Riserva, 1993 Banfi Poggio All'Oro Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, 1975 Bertani Amarone, 2003 Masseto (you may be asking how I can put this on here after the horrible review I gave it... well, it's on here for a reason - to be revealed later...)... again, a wonderful list...

Austria - 2004 Franz Hirtzberger Rotes Tor Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, 1999 Franz Hirtzberger Rotes Tor Gruner Veltliner Smaragd (short list...)

Australia & New Zealand - 1990 Penfolds Grange, 1998 Penfolds Grange, 1994 Penfolds Grange, 2004 Penfolds Block 42 Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon (I really should just stop here, because short of something like a fully Grange, 707, or Hill of Grace this is the best wine I've had from Australia this year.), 2004 Craggy Range "Le Sol" Syrah

United States - 1994 Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon, 1994 Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 1994 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, 1995 Pahlmeyer Red en Magnum, 1991 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon en Magnum, 1992 Chalone Pinot Blanc, 2004 Sea Smoke "Southing" Pinot Noir, 2005 Sea Smoke "Southing" Pinot Noir, 2005 Kongsgaard Chardonnay, 2003 Harlan Estate, 2003 Lewis Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001 Archery Summit Arcus Pinot Noir, 1996 Dalla Valle "Premiere Napa Valley" Barrel #41, 1997 Dominus, 1999 Gaja Barbaresco, 2005 Blackbird, 1994 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon en Magnum, 2005 Pride Cabernet Franc, 2003 Phelps Backus, ZD Abacus VII, - lovely stuff here... in all honestly again, it's going to be very hard to beat either the 1994 Colgin, 2002 Shafer Hillside, or 2004 Sea Smoke Southing...

Rest of the World - 1997 Almaviva, 2003 Almaviva, 2004 Almaviva (can you tell I love this wine!?!?)

Well... I'm sure I missed a few... I'd love to hear your thoughts... had any of these wines this year? I'd love to hear your impressions...