Favorite Wines - show your work

[David M. Bueker]

A thread I was reading elsewhere got me to thinking what are my favorite wines and why. Not in an "I like Bordeaux" kind of way, but more in a "I like Leoville Barton because..." kind of way.

So with that in mind here's what I would pick, and I reserve the right to add to this list later.

Trimbach Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile because of its intense mineral base, precision and balance of pure, dry essence of Riesling
Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese bacause of its magical (to me) combintation of minerals and fruit that conveys power without excessive weight/volume
Ridge Monte Bello because it conveys the virtues of classical Bordeaux yet is inescapably California
Chateau Leoville Barton & Sociando-Mallet because they are classical Bordeaux, even in the era of "supersize me" wines

There's more, but it's a start.

And yours?

I think this is a good topic, because it asks about favorite wines, not about "best wines"..

For me, my favorite wines are the ones that evoke the most emotion, memories, sentiments, and at this stage in my wine drinking career they are the ones that were my First Loves from a region.

As such, Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg kabinett and spätlese are the standouts from Germany, not because I don't love other rieslings, but because the sour ballet dance that these wines can do somehow hits me on internal levels and brings back so many memories.

The other big region that was my start in wine was Loire cabernet franc, especially C&P Breton (actually the Les Picasses bottling, which unfortunately they no longer make) and Baudry. Both of which send shivers of joy up my spine for their freshness and beauty.

Of course there are other wines (Foillard Cote du Py was one of the first Beaujolais wines I loved, and still holds a special place in my heart) and regions. But these are the first ones that come to mind.

OK, I'll give it a go even though I don't have the longevity in this hobby to have tried the same wine many, many times:

Jose Pariente Verdejo, Rueda: I've had this wine on two separate occasions, two different vintages, and although my notes were completely different for each vintage I enjoyed both immensely. It's bold and fragrant and confident without being cocky or obnoxious, and pretty darn food friendly too. Oh, and inexpensive.

Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo: At least the '03 vintage, I haven't tried others so I can't speak to the consistency of the producer. Food friendly, straightforward and rustic, it feels like a favorite comforter on a chilly night. Again, inexpensive.

Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie Poncie: Thanks to Florida Jim for this gem, it's got just the right balance of everything in my opionion, tastes like liquid rubies (but withouth the sharp edges!), it makes me smile and say, "Life is good" when I drink it.

I like Digioia-Royer Chambolle-Musigny (the regular export not one specially made for North Berkeley) because it is floral, feminine, charming, and just plain yummy.

I like Ridge Lytton Springs because it was my first love among Zinfandels and rarely disappoints. (And it has that "Draper perfume.")

I like some of the past vintages of Dr. Fischer Ockfener Bockstein Spatlese(Saar tributary of the Mosel) because they had that perfect acid-to-fruit balance. I have not been as enthused about recent vintages and I don't know if it's due to climate change or the death of the winery owner and a change in grapegrowing or winemaking under his widow's direction.

I like Sauvignon Blanc from Francois Cotat--just like his style but probably can't explain it especially since it's been awhile since I had one.


Among fortified wines I like Niepoort and/or Cockburn Ten-Year Tawny Port because they are not too sweet, they warm my cockles (wherever my cockles are) and they go so well with certain desserts such as creme brulee and almond tart.

Chave Hermitage: When it's on, nothing in the world matters
Barthod Chambolle-Musigny: All the best of Burgundy in one bottle
G. Mascarello Monprivato: Amazingly consistant Barolo for a great price
R Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Blanco Reserva: I can't drink it without sighing
Riojanas Gran Reserva: Always good and always affordable
Jasmin Cote-Rotie: The best Cote-Rotie still being made, IMO
Cune Imperial: I've never had one I didn't like
Cune Vina Real: See above

Actually, great lists everyone (don't know Digioia-Royer or Pariente, but sound good!). I could almost just say "ditto" to David's list, and reasons. But trying to come up with something new, I looked at my cellrtracker producers, ranked. A few in top 20:

Lafarge- I thought of Roumier, Chevillon, Mugnier, Pavelot, etc. And once I settled on Lafarge I thought of 1er crus or the village Volnay Vendanges Selectionees. But the distinctive, value-oriented, consistent wine that spoke to me is the simple Bourgogne. Old vines that were once Volnay (borders changed), a lovely straightforward look at Pinot, with lovely clear fruit and mineral. Never big, too acidic for some, but hits my sweet spot.

Ch. Lagrange (St Julien)- ok, I didn't like 2003. But for almost every other year since mid-80s this would be one of my favorite reasonably priced St Juliens. Classic Bordeaux, cassis fruit, leather and cedar with age. Not a blockbuster, but solid and fun.

Huet Le Haut Lieu Demisec- I love the other Huet vineyards, and I really like the drier and sweeter wines. But demisec pushes my Chenin button, and the LHL wines are so mineral-driven and toothy. Yum

Zilliken (Forstmeister Geltz-sp?just typing) Saarburger Rausch Kabinett- I know Zilliken's supposed to be an Auslese master. But I tend to drink mostly Kabinett, and these ring my bells. Brillant clear acidity, slatey minerals, looooong finish. Everything I want in German Riesling (this is an estate I've only discovered in last few years, but I've had lots of wines).

Nice idea

in broad terms Old Nebbiolo for the ethereal qualities that I guess others get from old Burgundy. If I had to choose a specific wine to date, it would be Vallana Montalbano, though the old is that it might not all be nebbiolo. Who cares when it offers so much.

Moscato D'Asti Wine enthusiasts aren't meant to like sweet, lightly sparkling wines made from muscat. Surely it's too simple, too sweet, too 'grapey', yet beyond that there's classic acidity, surprising creamy textured complexity and it's a wine that can do a great job before a good meal, or as a great way to close it out. It's a good wake up call to ensure we don't get too narrow-minded. Plenty of good producers, yet to have a poor bottle.

Bleasdale, Frank Potts, Langhorne Creek, Australia My first real interest in wine was Australia and this for me offers great complexity, admirable restraint (presumably very easy to make a BIG wine in this area) and the value is excellent. There's a good ongoing tradition of family wineries in Australia and they're often a source of interesting wines.

De Bortoli Black Noble Not the famous De Bortoli wine 'Noble One', but a wine much more under the radar. Dark, intense, complex, vibrant - I went to one of the big scrum tastings in London a few years ago and tasted a good number of wines - perhaps 90. Palate fatigue had definitely set in and it took a fortified wine like this to shake my senses back in to life - and how!

other stuffI'm still enjoying discovering new stuff and actively looking to ensure that there is a balance of old favourites, familiar styles and voyages into the unknown - like a 1980's Bulgarian wine we drank a couple of months ago that was a real pleasure.

[David M. Bueker]

Now we've got some traction. There's some wines listed above (especially Lytton Springs and Lagrange...I have not drunk enough Huet yet) that I could list as well.

Another that I have to add to my list is J. J. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese. I've tasted it back to the '71 (not counting the tiniest sip of a '49 one time), and it always speaks to me of the Mosel. The slatey, lemon cream flavors strike an effortless and heart-gripping balance that is hard to match and impossible to surpass for me.

I think this is a good topic, because it asks about favorite wines, not about "best wines"..

For me, my favorite wines are the ones that evoke the most emotion, memories, sentiments, and at this stage in my wine drinking career they are the ones that were my First Loves from a region.

Absolutely agree with you. In that respect I have a few ....

Cloudy Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 1988 .. my New Zealand 'epiphany' wine. Tasted again very recently, 19 years on .... still evoked the emotion, the memory, the sentiment (as you can see on my blog)

A Dole (or several) from Switzerland , tasted in Switzerland in the early 1970's - no idea of vintages or names - but having, until that time, only having ever imbibed foul tasting NZ reds made from hybrid grapes, or communion 'wine', which was more like a port, the delicate fruitiness, the savouriness and the cleanliness of the Dole can still be savoured. My sisters bought one back from Switzerland after a trip to Europe a few years ago. It was Chanteauvieux Dôle du Valais AOC 1999. It tasted like a lovely light Pinot Noir. Perhaps this is why I always appreciate the lighter styles of the PN grape.

Mission Estate Jewelstone Chardonnay 1994 (Hawkes Bay, New Zealand) accompanied by a fresh peach straight off the tree.

I'm sure there are some French or German wines, but none that specifically come to mind in this context. Although I do remember tasting a 1947 Vouvray in 1997, opened for someone's 50th. It was intensely sweet and concentrated - like honey and apricot jam. I've never tasted anything like it since.

[David M. Bueker]

The 'epiphany' wines are interesting. I honestly wonder how I would feel about an Arrowood Merlot these days. It's the wine where I really 'got it', and now I don't much care for Merlot or California wine (with some very fine exceptions - ESJ & Ridge to name two from a very short list).

The other epiphany wine for me is the 1995 Selbach-Oster Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese. These days I prefer their Zeltinger Sonnenuhr (yes there is a noticeable difference) and Zeltinger Schlossberg bottlings, but still love the Wehlener Sonnenuhr as a site for great Riesling (see the Prum above).

Gee, David, I wonder what thread you could have been reading? So, first my favorite wines:

Ridge Geyserville and Lytton Springs
Caymus Estate Cabernet ('76-'94)
Phelps Insignia
Domaine du Pégaü Cuvée Réservée
R & V Dauvissat Chablis
Chave Hermitage
Luneau-Papin L D'Or
1988 Dujac Clos de la Roche (only had it once -- wish I had a broader perspective on it)
J P Brun L'Ancien VV
Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc

And my list of "epiphany" wines, which partly overlaps the earlier list, taken mostly from a post made in '03:

1974 Concannon Sauvignon Blanc -- opened my eyes to the beauty of a
well-made white
1974 Heitz Martha's Vineyard & 1978 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet -- defined for me the potential for greatness to be found in wine
1978 Ch. de La Gardine Chateauneuf-du-Pape -- my first quality wine from France, my first Rhone wine, my first inkling that fruity wines were not restricted to California...
1985 Rene Dauvissat Chablis "Les Preuses" -- my first encounter with greatness in a white wine
1990 Ridge Geyserville -- my epitome of Zinfandel
1990 Chateau Margaux -- my introduction to the elegance and beauty of the Médoc
1959 Ch. Meyney -- an object lesson in how well Bordeaux ages and my only birthyear wine
1999 Dom. du Gros Noré Bandol (in barrel) -- an introduction to the appeal of barrel samples
2000 Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc -- a redefinition of the potential of this variety for me
1982 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet -- an education about the ageworthiness of old school Napa Cabernet
2004 Luneau-Papin L D'Or -- A reeducation about what Muscadet could be, and a birthyear wine for my son

Mark Lipton

So for this year,

(1) A 1966 Trimoulet (Bordeaux) that improved in the glass for well over an hour was fascinating to me and pointed out what wines look like near the end of their lives.

(2) 1994 Vega Scilia is one of my all time favs with it power and lithe elegance.

(3) 1970 l'arrosee that was well stored and was as solid as any 10 year old bottle, showing me the value of proper storage

(4) 2002 Heitz Martha's Vineyard which I find a bit of elegance in an area that could be more extracted, and....

(5) 1997 Harlan which I found that highly extracted wines can be pretty too.

(6) 2002 Clos Rougeard Saumur Champigny which is a Cab Franc that thinks its a burgundy.... at $42, seriously impressive.

(7) Domaine Etxegaraya, Irouleguy, Cuvee Lehengoa which I love to show friends and ask them to pronouce.

( 8.) Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Alsace Grand Cru Clos Des Capucins which leaves everyone that has tried this speechless

(9) Dr. Frank Konstantine Rkatsitelli....incredible and I hope more people get to try this thing.

(10) Favourite Red producer G. Roumier, Favourite White Comte Lafon...huh...two burgs.. hmmm maybe something to that......

2002 Clos Rougeard Saumur Champigny which is a Cab Franc that thinks its a burgundy.... at $42, seriously impressive

I thought it was the Loire Cab Franc that thinks it's a Bordeaux.

easy to miss others with at least equal, if not better claims. One I must add in
Chateau Musar There are so many reasons. My first experience of this wine was near the start of my interest in wine. Back then everything was effectively tasted blind - no preconceptions, no reputations, just a glass and a blank canvas. Back then, and even to this day, there isn't a wine in the same style slot. Maybe I've tasted a few in recent years that have strong similarities, but when first tasted, this offered up so many new flavours - perhaps the first wine where complexity was an obvious phrase.

In addition there are I'm sure other factors, not to do with the wine per se, that may also have influenced me. So much crap is talked about the 'romance of wine', but here's a wine that established it's name from a region most people would have been wary of even tasting a glass. The 'wine from a war zone' aspect (oddly considering there are other wines that have been produced in war zones, that the image doesn't stick as it does for Musar. Hardly romantic, but it's easy to have respect for people that deliver such quality in circumstances I don't ever want to experience. Finally the way that the wine so often polarises people, yet has been one of the most accessible wines for people new to an interest in wine. When put on at a tasting, it's amazing in how many newbies it lights a fire of interest - "so this is what wine is all about!"

and finally Musar was the wine I first discussed with a (now) good friend. He owned/ran a wine shop in Norwich and I popped in one day on the offchance they might stock Musar. "I don't suppose you stock a Lebanese wine called Chateau Musar do you?". The reply - "yes, which vintage would you like?" music to my ears!

Just a bit surprised that Jamet Cote Rotie hasn't garnered any love yet.
'Winger

My Epiphany wines over the years:
1967 Ch. Haut Brion
1967 Ch. Lafite
1974 Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon
1975 Ch. Lafite
1976 DeChaunac - made by a home winemaker in Buffalo (aged 3 years in a barrel - 2 years in the bottle)
1976 Weingut G. Breuer, Auslese Rudesheimer Berg Rottland
1979 Chateau La Lagune
1989 Domaine Bourillon de Orleans Selection de Grains Nobles (Vouvray)
1990 Champagne Delamotte Blanc de Blancs

Musar both red, white and pink. They are such interesting, vibrant, unique wines that have all the aromas and tastes I like in wines: funk, oxidation, high acidity - and they all seem so natural, unforced.

Ch. Haut-Bailly because it is (was? - I admit I was rather disappointed with what I perceived to be a stylistic change in '04) a classic Graves, earthy and savoury and elegant.

I don't have enough experience with them, but I still feel quite comfortable putting both CSH and CFE of Trimbach on the list because they have such a profound sense of Rieslingness, such power and elegance combined - just read what David said, I'm just parroting him with what I write...

[David M. Bueker]

I don't doubt your love of Musar Otto, but your description doesn't exactly scream "buy me" to someone who has never tried it.

Favorite Wines
2001 Niepoort Redoma in close to 20 years of wine this is my first multicase purchase of a single vintage. I could talk of its flavor, blanace, and complexity in a medium body that can stand up to a variety of foods but what really gets it for me is that it makes me think. It is easy to sit back and enjoy this wine but I always find myself reflecting on different aspects of it.

Pierre Peters I am not a bubbles person while my wife is one. This use to present problems. However, once we found Pierre Peters that has changed. Be it the NV or one of the vintage bottles it never seems to miss.

Epiphany Wines
Ridge Zin Not sure but I think it was the 1986 Paso Robles this was the first Zin that showed me what Zin could be when done right.

1996 Cloudy Bay This was the first time that I had a wine that had such fruit but with other flavors such as Jalapeno.

Martinelli Reserve PN Another lost vintage but had to be early to mid 90's. Another wine that included flavors outside the normal profile that intrigued me. In this case the taste was of baked ham. May not sound pleasing but I found it amazing. Unfortunately this lead to many years of buying Martinelli monster wines trying to find another one like this to no avail. Finally gave up.

1989 Puligny Montrachet from Bouchard Pere First wine I had that clearly changed flavors in the mouth. Started off with a tart green apple taste but turned smokey.

1991 Leroy Musigny Quite simply the most amazing thing I have ever smelled in my life.

This is a great idea. Here are a few wines I've been thinking about lately:

I love the F.X. Pichler Smaragd Rieslings. They are so pure and vibrant and finely textured. Never has wine come so close to bottled gemstones.

I love Louis Carillon Puligny-Montrachet (pc's and even village) I get so much satisfaction from these wines. They really leave nothing to be desired. They have precision, grace, intense fruit, mineral and are so savory. They make you feel guilty when you drink them.

A.J. Adam Rieslings -They are monumental in that they taste so ancient and alive at once. They taste like bottled passion.

Pöckl-Not only can these wines be amazing, but they are always very good. They are quietly confident wines that are versatile with food, rarely out of balance and always give me a sense that this is REAL red wine with substance but without arrogance.

[David M. Bueker]

Just a bit surprised that Jamet Cote Rotie hasn't garnered any love yet.
'Winger

I've only ever had Jamet one time.

Wines that I like to buy almost every year:

1. Jermann Vintage Tunina--a fun white blend that fills the mouth with flavor and ages well.

2. Donnhoff HH Spatlese--no explanation necessary, getting harder to source. I was late getting to good German wines, one of David's notes got me started on Donnhoff.

3. A.P. Vin Garys'--my annual Thanksgiving wine (since the initial '03 release).

4. Jadot Ursules--once useful to judge a vintage because of quality, price and early ease of drinking (for a Jadot).

5. Clos des Lambrays--reasonably priced GC on a roll since '98.

6. Rosenblum Sauret--always a hit with non-wine geek guests.

7. Alban Reva--just the nose alone would make the list

8. Pepiere Briords--often searing acids and minerals and it all works, I'm told these <$15 wines will go decades so I'm trying to save a few each vintage.

9. Mascarello Monprivato--my first exposure to aged Barolo.

10. Beaucastel--who's got the funk, we want the funk.


In a few years the Quinta do Crasto Old Vines Reserva makes the short list. My personal find of the year.

As to wines that started it all--excluding the Dandelion homebrew (in old washing machines, not by me), Zapple and Italian Jug Wines of my carefree years--I'd go with the '85 Fonseca. A .375 after dinner at the Italian Village in Chicago shortly after release completely changed my approach to wine.

I thought we were listing our favorite wines, not the best wines we have ever had?

Just a bit surprised that Jamet Cote Rotie hasn't garnered any love yet.
'Winger

Too olivey.