Wines of the Decade...

My wines of the last 10 years in no particular order... not sure if I've even rank 'em...

1990 Champagne Dom Perignon
1975 Petrus
1990 Romanée-Conti
1989 Beaucastel CDP
1996 Conterno Barolo "Cascina Francia"
1994 Dominus
2004 Robert Weil Keidricher Grafenberg Riesling Spätlese (Magnum)
1990 Trimbach Clos Ste. Hune
2004 Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fumé Silex
1970 Vega Sicilia Unico
1982 Penfold's Grange
1990 Krug (Magnum)
1978 Petrus
1990 JF Mugnier Le Musigny
1990 Guigal La Mouline
1996 Gaja Sperss
1991 Dominus
1998 von Buhl Forster Ungeheuer Riesling Trockenbeerenauslesee
1989 Trimbach Cuvee Frederick Emile
1999 Tirecul Cuvee Madam Monbazillac
1994 Vega Sicilia Unico
1998 Penfold's Grange
1996 Krug
1955 Château Haut-Brion
1990 DRC Echezeaux
1990 Guigal La Turque
1989 Gaja Barbaresco
1987 Dominus
1964 Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg feinste Auslese
1976 Gewurztraminer "Cuvee des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre" 350th Anniversary
1998 Alvaro Palacious L'Ermite, Priorat
2004 Penfold's Grange
1990 Krug Clos du Mesnil
1961 Château Latour
1990 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne
1989 Jaboulet "La Chapelle" Hermitage
1985 Braida "Bricco del Uccellone" Barbera
1987 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
1998 Wolfberger Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Grand Cru, Vendange Tardive
1952 Castille Ygay Rioja
1998 Yalumba "Octavias" Shiraz
1979 Krug Collection (Magnum)
1982 Château Latour (ex-Château)
1999 DRC Montrachet
1990 Chave Hermitage
1982 Sassicaia
1987 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon
1985 Penfold's 707
1985 Salon
1990 Château Latour
1988 DRC Montrachet
1989 Chave Hermitage
1990 Tignanello
2001 Harlan Estate
2004 Henschke Hill of Grance
1985 Cristal (Magnum)
1982 Château Mouton-Rothschild
1983 DRC Richebourg
1988 Chave Hermitage
1967 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo
1995 Harlan Estate
1986 Penfold's Grange
1988 Krug (Magnum)
1955 Château Lafite-Rothschild
1995 Leroy Richebourg
1971 Ogier Cote Rotie
1994 Ca'del Bosco "Cuvée Annamaria Clementi"
2001 Shafer Hillside Select
2004 Penfold's Block 42
2002 Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Vieilles Vignes de Cramant
1990 Château Margaux
1952 Bouchard Charmes-Chambertin
1999 Guigal La Landonne
1999 Gaja Sugarille Brunello di Montalcino
2002 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon
1990 Dom Perignon Rose (Magnum)
1961 Château Haut-Brion
1976 Leroy Romanee-St.Vivant
1999 Guigal La Turque
1987 Ridge Monte Bello
1988 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill
1990 Château Gruaud-Larose
1989 Romanee-Conti
1999 Guigal La Mouline
1985 Phelps Backus
1982 Dom Perignon Rose
1947 Château Cailloux Sauternes
1989 DRC Romanée-St. Vivant MM
1995 Kistler Pinot Noir Cuvée Cathleeen
2002 Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Vieilles Vignes de Cramant
1953 Château d'Yquem
1985 DRC Echézeaux
1999 Peter Michael Moulin Rouge Pinot Noir
1990 Château d'Yquem
1999 DRC Richebourg
1994 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon
1982 Château Cheval-Blanc
2001 DRC La Tâche
2001 Dominus
1982 Château Pichon-Lalande
2000 Bouchard La Romanée
1994 Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard
1989 Château Haut-Brion
1966 Leroy Meursault "Poruzots"
1982 Chalone Pinot Blanc
1989 Château La Mission Haut-Brion
1998 Comtes Georges de Vogue Musigny VV
1959 Inglenook Charbono
1982 Château La Mission Haut Brion
1978 Hospices de Beaune "Beaune", Magnum
1952 Château Margaux
1992 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet
1988 Calon-Segur
1995 La Tache
1990 Château Lafite-Rothschild
1982 Château Pichon-Lalande

More on 09...

As the year comes to a close, I feel incredibly fortunate to be doing what I do and I enjoy it more and more every day... As I said before, while I was fortunate enough to taste some amazing wine this year (probably more quality wine than any other year I've been in the business... but less "buzz" names...), I got to really enjoy wine this year...

So, for 2009... 1.) 1990 DRC Romanée-Conti 2.) 1967 Scarpa Barolo 3.) 1990 Paolo Conterno Barolo Riserva "Ginestra" 4.) 2002 Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Vieilles Vignes de Cramant 5.) 1999 Massolino Vigne-Rionda Barolo Riserva, Serralunga d'Alba 6.) 1986 Villa Sparina Gavi Spumante, LD 7.) 2004 Penfold's Grange 8.) 979 Lagler Gruner-Veltliner 9.) 2003 Lagler Steinworz Gruner-Veltliner (Magnum) 10.) 2004 Lagler Gruner-Veltliner Beerenauslese (still fermenting) 11.) 1993 Ridge Monte Bello 12.) 2004 Leeuwin Art Series Riesling 13.) 2004 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay

Best of 2009

Well... 2009 can be characterized by a year of transition... a year of change. While the overall quality and rarity of the wines I drank this year dropped off a cliff from the past several, those that I was fortunate enough to try sang to me in different ways... I was truly able to enjoy them this year rather than purely assess them. Here is the first part of the list (I'm still compiling my notes for the year...) This is by no means the final (or even initial!) order of the wines...


Top Wines of 2009
1990 DRC Romanée-Conti
1995 Harlan Estate
2005 Reveana
1967 Scarpa Barolo
1990 Paolo Conterno Barolo Riserva "Ginestra"
2002 Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Vieilles Vignes de Cramant
1990 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill
1990 Château Les Ormes de Pez
1999 Massolino Vigne-Rionda Barolo Riserva, Serralunga d'Alba
1986 Villa Sparina Gavi Spumante, LD
2004 Penfold's Grange
2002 Leth Gigama
2001 Wimmer-Czerny Gruner-Veltliner Eiswein
1979 Lagler Gruner-Veltliner
2003 Lagler Steinworz Gruner-Veltliner (Magnum)
2004 Lagler Gruner-Veltliner Beerenauslese (still fermenting)
1993 Ridge Monte Bello
2004 Leeuwin Art Series Riesling
2004 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay

Top Wines of 2009

Hello all... Time seems to have gotten away from me...
It's almost the end of the year and I haven't posted in a quite a while... shame on me. I hope to be able to continue to type going forward as things should be (emphasis on should!) calming down for a little while.

I'll being posting my top wines of 2009 shortly... but the list will include some fun wines and some unexpected as well...

Cheers!

ciao...

Barolo

So, the 2004 Barolos and Barbarescos... you should buy as much as you possibly can. I've been saying it for a while, but this is a vintage to cherish... to put away for your kids 21st birthday (or your retirement). This is a 25/ 30 year vintage.. such concentration, but such classic notes as well. This is why Barolo is the King and Barbaresco is the queen... long life - check! complexity found almost nowhere else - check - still in a reasonable price point for the quality - absolutely check... I got into them because my wife doesn't love (gasp!) Burgundy, but for some reason loved the Italians... so, there you go. Buy them and thank me in 20 years...

Changes...

So... I've been through so many changes in the last 2 months that life has gotten the best of me. I will still write this blog, but it will be on a much more limited basis, as I have numerous other responsibilities at the moment, both at home, and in the general wine community as whole (including business, volunteering, etc.). So... let me know what you'd like me to write about!!!!!!

Andrew

Does it get much better?

Sitting here, enjoying a glass of 2005 BV Georges de Latour, watching the Tivo'd version of the 2009 Masters Par 3 Contest, with Jack, Arnie and Gary all playing together... amazing place, Augusta National. Really, really nice. Had 2 different bottles of 1991 BV GDL this afternoon - one corked, one utterly beautiful. Cassis, cedar, leather, dusty, beautiful - simply great wine. Still youthful... The 2004 Sonoma-Cutrer Les Pierres is drinking perfectly... lovely subtle oak with minerals, golden delicious apples and mango. Long, clean pure finish. The 2006 Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay blows me away year in and year out. In my mind, he is the greatest Chardonnay producer in California. Stunning stuff.

Wine is good... but so is tequila!

2004 Sotor North Yamhill Pinot Noir was pretty - turned earth notes with balanced alcohol... pretty, long finish. Went great with Duck Confit. The 2007 Cederberg Bukettraube, South Africa was a really cool wine... some residual sugar to it, with a beautiful honeysuckle, apple skin and peach nose - almost a blend of Riesling and Chenin Blanc... long finish with just a hint of spice. The Gran Patron Platinum Tequila was served at just the right temperature, neat... so beautiful... a wonderful sip of smoke, lime, and intense florality. Beautiful...

Variety is the spice of life...

Sitting here, in my living room, watching the end of the Northern Trust Open on TV, enjoying a bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut NV (really nice stuff here, GDA, light toast and brioche, though a touch higher dosage(?) than I usually like) The 2006 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay is classic... mineral, leesy, buttered popcorn, toasted almonds, and loads of ripe apples. The 1999 Bollinger Grand Année is delicious... simply outstanding stuff. Vanilla, toasted hazelnuts, Golden Delecious Apples, ginger and exotic spices with citrus and a rich, mineral finish. A fabulous Champagne with years ahead of it. The 1993 Ampeau Volnay-Santenots was sampled from some 14 bottles, with severe variation between all of them. At worst, corked (quite a few), at best, a beautiful earth and barnyard cherry compote. Good, but ready to go. The 1998 Chateau Petite-Village was simply beautiful - tasted 16 bottles, with very little variation (2 corked). A very elegant Pomerol from this very under-appreciated Right-bank vintage. Cedar, dark chocolate, burnt cocoa powder, blackberry, wild red currant and black cherry. A nice, elegant finish. The 1989 Chateau Petite-Village was tasted from 6 magnums (1 corked) and 4 750ml bottles. There was some variation between the two, but not appreciable. Some brett on these, but the beautiful wet underbrush and black and red mixed berry fruit pushed it aside fairly quickly. Perfectly mature - these are not going to get any better, but the structure is still there to maintain for quite a while. The 1977 Dows Port en Magnum was simply beautiful... almonds, candied plums, cedar and molassas... a lovely, very long finish... still a baby, but nice to drink now! A lovely evening...

Had a Tiger beer this afternoon and boy was it good... lovely, light amber... had it in a spot I never would have thought would have had something like this. Great stuff.

Brilliance...

Sorry for the long delay in posts... last night had a marvelous selection of wines from brothers Jean & Pierre Trimbach. When I hear the name "Trimbach", my ears perk up, and I start salivating... the wines are sheer brilliance. The 2006 Pinot Blanc is refreshing, floral, with a bit of weight and moderately intense mineral notes. The 2001 Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling is perfection... incredible minerality - sharp and intense, with a classic bone-dry Riesling profile - petrol, flowers, unripe stone fruit, citrus (hello, lime!) and ginger spice. I had this wine a few months ago and it was almost too intense, but it has now just begun to open. Bravo... this is what Riesling is all about. Clos Ste Hune good? Maybe not, but at 1/3 the price, an incredible value. Though enjoyable now, this really needs at least another 2-5 years to come around. The 2001 Pinot Gris Reserve Personelle was outstanding, but not stunning like the CFE. A bit riper with more nectarine, apricot and Asian spice - intense mineral notes as well, and bone dry. Great wine. The 2001 Cuvee des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre Gewurztraminer is pure... that's the only way I can describe it. Ripe? Yes... but unlike so many others, this is very dry and not overdone. Beautiful lychee, stone and citrus with exotic spices oozing from the glass. A beauty and one of the great dry Gewurz in the world. The 2002 Vendange Tardive Gewurztraminer was much more floral, explosive and stony than the CSR and was a great way to end the meal - a lychee bomb! Awesome stuff... I had a bottle of 2000 Hors Choix (SGN) Gewurz that I kept open for almost a month once... amazing wines, and great to see Jean again...

Gruner...

2007 Domäne Wachau (yes, it's spelled that way on the label) Gruner Veltliner Terrassen Federspiel, Wachau, Austria... nice on day one, better and revealed more classic GV style on day two... in screwcap. Pale straw to watery rim, m intensity, m+ viscosity, pear skin, apple rind and peach blossom with honeysuckle, white pepper and basil. Well balanced, clean finish. Not incredible, not too bad...

Continued thoughts on pricing...

I recently wrote a response to a question from a friend and vineyard owner in Oregon as to what kinds of pricing pressures I was seeing in Florida in general... I thought about posting it on here, but in the end felt it was far too one sided and opinionated (which is ok, but it's riddled with specific examples I'd rather not share in such a public fashion). I would love to hear someone else's thoughts on this topic... and would be happy to share my comments by e-mail.

Better to be buying than selling...

Just got an offer from a well-known (and well respected) retailer - they deliver the goods. While it still has a long way to go, prices are coming back - and though they are still too high - it is one of those buying opportunities to get in on some great wines at better pricing... just look around a little bit - someone else might have it cheaper!

New Year, New Direction...

So, as I write my first entry of 2009... I shoudl tell you a little of what I've been up to. On December 3rd, I had my last day at a fabulous and wonderful organization - one that I feel honored and humbled to have worked for. I enjoyed my time, and from what you can see from this blog - the tremendous wines that I tried in such quantites I can not ever expect to taste them in the same way again. I miss my friends, collegues, and others, but it was time to move on... So, we moved from West Palm Beach to Orlando (I still can't even THINK about moving someplace cold!) But, as life moves on, so do our values and views on the world - and on what's most important - and what will pose new - and interesting - challenges. So... I become a teacher. Somthing that combines my love and passion for all things drinkable with the joy and pride of helping to educate others and hopefully make an impact on their careers in this fabulous business that is wine (and beer, and spirits (especially Tequila!), and other concoctions).

So... it is with this first post... that we go towards a topic that has been covered numerous times - BEER! Drank an Aventinus (Weizenbock) this evening... so beautiful with it's wonderful sweet fruit and intense hoppiness... at 8.9% alcohol, not a beast, but not rediculous either. Very wonderful stuff... Also, as usual... Anchor Steam... I just love the stuff.

Interesting wines from the week include the 2004 Alvaro Palacios "Les Terrasas" which was spectacular - amazing depth and terroir-driven earth and spice. Much more "together" than the 2005, which was tasted side by side. For the money - an amazing wine and really a "baby L'Ermita". Capable of 10+ years and I'll probably stick a few away. The 2005 Joseph Drouhin Volnay (village) was spectacular - still showing an awful lot of wood characteristic right now - I hope the fruit comes through - but the structure is there. The 2006 Joseph Drouhin Clos des Mouche (Rouge) is beautiful - more acid and riper fruit, the wine is young, but pretty... The 2004 Chateau Plince (Pomerol) was chocolate, plums, and cedary anise. Great for the $$, and a testament to the quality that was blessed upon Bordeaux in this so-called "off" vintage... Have a bottle of 2004 Miguel Torres "Mas La Plana" Cabernet Sauvignon to open soon as well... enjoy, and I hope to be writing more soon!