And your top wines of 2009 would be....?

[Jenise]

Someone always starts this thread and it's always a fun read. Since I haven't seen any lists yet, I thought I'd get one started. I'm off to put my own list together.

Will post soon - posted already on another forum, so will gather the notes up and post here.

regards

Ian

[David M. Bueker]

Going with white, red, sparkling and sweet my list would have to be:

1995 Nigl Gruner Veltliner Privat
1990 Chateau Latour
1996 Salon
1998 Zind Humbrecht Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain Pinot Gris Selection des Grains Nobles

Top wines of the year:

1999 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenhur Riesling Auslese
2000 Carraudes de Lafite
Duval-Leroy Champagne NV
2002 Chateau Fuisse Pouilly-Fuisse "Le Clos"
2006 Edmund's St. John Bone-Jolly (it's just such a happy little wine)


Wines that we consumed the most bottles of this year:

Chateau de la Chesnaie Muscadet - 19
Domaine de Bachellery Pinot Noir - 12

This year's list is rather all over the place (listed by vintage)

(1) 1980 Shown and Son Wineries, Napa Valley (this was very very good)
(2) 1981 Yquem (since I don't open these a lot, it is always special)
(3) 1990 Chateau Montrose (wow...I still remember that nose....)
(4) 1997 Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Spatlese Goldkapsel #20
(5) 2002 Clos Rougeard, Loire
(6) 2002 G. Roumier Clos de la Bussiere
(7) 2002 Gravner Riolla Gialla Anfora
(8) 2005 Gaja Sori Tildin
(9) 2005 Mongeard-Mugneret Echezeaux, Grand Cru
(10) 2005 Luigi Pira Barolo Marenca

It's not been a big year for big name wines and I've rather enjoyed that. Amongst others that I've really liked are Alain Graillot, the resergent Pesquera, many BC wines, Domaine Sigalas that I continued to love, Duval Leroy for the valued in bubbly that it brings, etc, etc,. I think I've drink more and better and actually spent less (well the 14 GBP that they charge in London for Musar helps to bring the average down...). Not a bad year!

Top wines of the year:

Duval-Leroy Champagne NV"

I agree completely. I've must have had at least a case if not two of these this year. It is the house sparkler for the hotel that I stay in in London (Grosvenor House). It is a very nice bubbly that is very high on the QPR scale and when I get home, I actually miss it so much, I buy it as my house white.....

Highlights in no particular order

Reds:
1996 Joseph Drouhin Musigny
2004 Truchot-Martin Morey St. Denis Clos Sorbes VV (two revelations that got me hooked into Burgundy)
1983 Chateau Margaux
1995 JL Chave Hermitage

White:
1957 Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-sec
2007 FX Pichler Riesling Unendlich
2005 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese Auction
1995 FX Pichler Gruner Veltliner Kellerberg Smaragd
Any of the Muller-Catoir Scheurebes from the Hans-Gunther Schwarz era I was lucky to drink thanks to Jay Miller and David Bueker - those are some of the most fun wines I've ever had

Sweet:
1998 Muller-Catoir Gimmeldinger Schlossel Rieslaner TBA

QPR:
2006 Wynn's Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon, any of the 07 Baudry Chinons I bought.

My own rather long and definitely idiosyncratic list is posted at viewtopic.php?f=29&t=28916


Best
Rogov

Wines that we consumed the most bottles of this year:

Chateau de la Chesnaie Muscadet - 19
Domaine de Bachellery Pinot Noir - 12

I liked this tips Sam, is an important thing find this kind of wine, Thanks! Unfortunately I don’t have this record...

My top list is:

red:
2007 Thierry Puzelat Touraine La Tesnière (Pineau d'Aunis)
2004 Movia Pinot Nero Slovenia Brda
2006 Jean-Paul Thévenet Morgon Vieilles Vignes
2001 Granato de foradori

white:
2004 Nicolas Joly Savonniè res Clos du Coulée de Serrant Chenin Blanc
2007 Monastero Suore Cistercensi S.O. Trappiste Coenobium Rusticum Lazio IGT
2007 Movia Lunar Ribolla Gialla Slovenia Brda
2006 François Pinon Vouvray Cuvée Tradition

desert:
1995 Domaine de la Bongran (Jean Thévenet) Cuvée Botrytis du 14 Octobre Mâcon Clessè Quintaine
1998 Jacques Puffeney Arbois Vin Jaune
2003 Domaine du Baumard Quarts de Chaume

My top wines of the year would be:

2000 Pavie Decesse

2005 Andersons Conn Valley Cabernet

2006 Brian Loring Breausse (sp.) Pinot Noir

2006 Continuum

A good year with lots of choices, I might be forgetting a few but contenders would include:

Red
1959 Mouton
59 Ygay GR
93 Soldera C. Basse
00 Potel RSV
00 DRC RSV
83 Chave
62 Rousseau Chambertin
90 Giacosa Red label Santa Stefano
90 & 91 Jamet Cote Rotie
86 Rauzan Segla
83 Palmer

White
89 Trimbach CFE VT
96 Coche Drury Meursault
01 CFE 375 anniversary

Sweet
1959 Moulin Touchais
77 Taylor
89 Foreau Mllx Res.
1908 Cockburn Vintage Port
1908 Taylor Colheita tawny (unreleased)
86 and 89 Yquem

Bubbly
96 Pol Roger Winston C.
00 Taittinger Comtes Rose
81 Taittinger Comtes
90 Cuvee Louise

As promised, a categorised selection of wines that impressed this year

Sparkling Wine: Primo Joseph NV ~ 2004 release Sparkling Red Viscous and warmly fruited, but this has much more complexity than any sparkling red I've had to date.
Dessert Wine: Chambave Passito (Voyat) 1986 Fine complexity and a long finish. From Valle d'Aosta. Just edged a charming 1983 Ch Liot which had lovely balance to it's light and not especially sweet palate
Fortified Wine: De Bortoli Black Noble NV An old favourite and although using Semillon (as per Noble One) a very different production method produces a dark, viscous and almost violently complex wine.
Red Wine: FINALLY a worthy winner was xmas day's Guigal Hermitage 1983, which was in rude health (but perhaps not one for those that despise any 'faults' in wine. The fruit was still in good support, but in essence this was a lovely relaxed old wine, that reminded me as much of aged Nebbiolo as Syrah. Indeed often in older Rhone wines, the fruit can be a little simple & raspberryish, yet this had enough depth (and more rounded fruit) to support the prized tertiary elements. We left it late, but a worthy champion. The Lamartine below came surprisingly close to taking the honours here as well!
Cheap Red Wine: Ch Lamartine Cahors 2000 A wonderfully savoury black fruited wine, that I suspect needed the best part of a decade to become approachable. At under £4 for a half bottle (bought this year) it's a huge QPR success and wins despite strong competition from Best's Cabernet Franc 2004 and Rutherglen Estate Durif 2002.
White Wine: Blain-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 2002 I have enjoyed a number of white burgundies over the years and this had wonderful balance and restraint/complexity. If it weren't for the issues with prem. ox I'd be a keen buyer in this region. Honourable mentions to Ch Musar Blanc 1994 and a René Muré Riesling Vorbourg Clos Saint Landelin 1983, the latter of which was a wild gamble, but the 3rd bottle (of 4) was complex and interesting.
Cheap White Wine: JC Steingarten Riesling 2005 Cheap only through an attractive supermarket 'special'. I noted a textural creaminess rare in Aussie rieslings that hinted at a similar quality in Alsace.
Disappointing Wine: Sadly some strong competition this year, with a feeble and charmless Maso Cervara Teroldego Rotaliano Riserva Superiore 1997 just edging Cline Cellars Syrah Cool Climate Sonoma Coast 2005 and it's blackberry milkshake profile, along with an overblown & obvious Pago de los Capellanes Ribera del Duero Crianza 2001 that I'm sure certain US critics would enjoy.

regards

Ian

My top 10 in no particular order

1. Roederer Cristal 1988
2. Dominus 1997
3. Veuve Clicquot Grande Dame 1996
4. Cuvee Elisabeth Salmon Billecart-Salmon Rose 1998
5. Ridge Montebello 1999
6 Pegau 2004
7. Chateau Montelena 1986
8. Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003
9. Elias Mora 2V Premium (from Toro)
10. Royal Tokay Aszu Essencia 1993

There were many, many more wines that really deserve to be on this list: Beaucastel 1998, La Rioja Alta 890 1982, Murrieta Castillo Ygay 1998, Penafiel Vendimia Seleccionada 2005, Bodegas Tradicion PX, Quinta do Bomfim 1996 etc.

Please understand that I do not keep notes or lists or inventories. All I have rely on is my admittedly faulty memory. And so the ones that still stick in my mind include:

Bubbly:
Krug Grand Cuvee NV
Taitinger Comtes de Champagne 1995

Red:
Carruades de Lafite 2000
Beaulieu Georges de Latour 1990
Sea Smoke Ten 2003

White:
Fourchaume Chablis Premier Cru 2004
Crozes Hermitage 2002

Port:
Warre's 1983

Glenn

These come to my mind:

dry white:
-----------
Laville Haut-Brion 1983 - found on a restaurant wine list for a very fair price was a revelation to me, having had 0 experience with mature white Bdx on that level. It inspired a Vertical of Dom. Chevalier later in the year, with highlits such as the 90, 88, 85 (despite cork), 79, 67 plus Haut-Brion Blanc 85, and Laville Haut-Brion 88. An incredible tasting!

red:
----
Clos Rougeard le Bourg 1989 - part of another small vertical, which also included the superb 95,96,97, and the extremely promising 05. On the night, the 89 was in another league though.

sparkling:
-----------
Claude Cazals Blanc de Blanc Crand Cru 1998 - the essency of chalky champagne soil, in serious need for more ageing, very tight and focussed. On the night, I voted for Clos de Goisses 91 as my favorite, because it is ready to drink now. But I see them as on the same level.

sweet:
-------
Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Eiswein 1966 - my second 66 Eiswein from the master (and his dad), and even better than the first, which was sold under the Dieter Dönnhoff label (the Dieter Dönnhoff estate was run by Helmut's father too). This had gorgeous mocca notes, and dried fruit, and still retained lovely freshness. Yes, great Eiswein *can* age, but even Helmut admits it's a tricky thing to predict which one will trun out well. Also on the evening, we had the glorious 1966 Herrmannshöhle Spätlese from Dönnhoff, which offered an incredible minerality and freshness along its meaty aromas, with suggestions of roast potato and rosmary. I'm beginning to think that Spätlese may often be just as or even more ageworthy than Auslese. The must weight of this wine would in these days be Kabinett.


fortified:
----------
Anything from Equipo Navazos would be a good choice. Maybe most fun though was a botlle of unlabelled Manzanilla offered to me by a spanish friend. Appearently bottled from a la Guita solera by the Equipo, but not yet distributed officially as a "la bota". What ever they bottle, I just love the stuff.


Peter

Bubbly: Selosse Rose
White: 98 Musar blanc (my first Musar), 88 Kalin Chard LV
Rose: '95 Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Rosado
Red: 89 Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero
Biggest Surprise: 03 Movia Pinot Nero
Dessert: 89 Brunet Vouvray Demi, 05 Macullan Torcolato
Sake: Daishichi Houreki Daiginjo
cocktail: Mesquite bean martini
Single malt: Bunnahabhain 1968
beer: Shepard Neame Bishops Finger Kentish Strong Ale

Champer-1996 Bollinger Grand Annee (95/100)
Dry White- 2005 Peter Michael Point Rouge Chardonnay (97/100)
Red-3 way tie-1990 Chateau Latour; 1995 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve; 2007 Domaine Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Vielles Vignes (all 96/100)
Dessert-1998 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain SGN (98/100)

Interesting trends noted in compiling this list:
1-I was surprised to see Peter Michael hit the highs over Aubert in the Cal Chard world. And it was 3 different wines rated by me higher than any Aubert. Hmmm...
2-Pride Mountain gets honorable mention as it popped up the most on the search list but not high enough to get a top spot.
3-I don't drink Champagne as much as I thought.
4-I also was surprised that I didn't drink more dessert wines-(I am not counting some aged Auslese as they generally lose sweetness with age)

Best Reds:

1999 Rostain, Cote Blonde
1990 Haut Brion and Lafitte
1986 Unico
2006, De Montille, Pommard 1er Cru, Rugiens

Best Whites:

2004, Deiss, Mambourg, Schoenenbourg and Rotenberg

Best Sparkling

1996, Veuve Cliquot, Grande Dame

Best Dessert

2005, Keller, Monsheimer Silbergerg, Rieslaner Auslese

House Wines:

Villaine reds, Laprierre Morgon and Colombier Crozes.

Considering my bias for white wines, few non-sparkling, dry whites. I guess I'm just too picky .

From New Zealand

Wine of the Year and Chardonnay of the Year: Church Road Tom Chardonnay 2006 from Hawkes Bay
Sauvignon Blanc: Astrolabe Kekerengu Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Riesling: Felton Road Block 1 Riesling 2009 from Central Otago
Gewurztraminer: Johanneshof Gewurztraminer 2009 from Marlborough
Viognier: Villa Maria Omahu Gravels Viognier 2008 from Hawkes Bay
Pinot Noir: Dog Point Marlborough Pinot Noir 2006 from Marlborough
Syrah: Awaroa Melba Peach Syrah 2008 from Waiheke Island
Full bodied Red: Esk Valley Winemakers Gimblett Gravels Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2007 from Hawkes Bay

Cheers,
Sue

Sue
Is the Tom chardonnay a new label (extending the brand from the original red)? I recall the Church Road Reserve Chardonnay was a (fun) OTT wine, but I'm guessing they'll have gone for more refinement in the Tom version?

regards

Ian

My top wines were always enjoyed with wonderful company, and in most cases, enhanced the experience.

All reds except for 1996 Pol Roger Winston Churchill and 2002 Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet Les Caillerets.

1998 Leoville Las Cases
2001 Fourrier Clos St. Jacques Vielle Vigne
1991 Montebello
1995 Arnoux Clos Vougeot
1999 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23
1997 Guigal La Landonne
2000 Hommage a Jacque Perrin
1990 Pignan
2001 EMH Vineyards Black Cat

Sue
Is the Tom chardonnay a new label (extending the brand from the original red)? I recall the Church Road Reserve Chardonnay was a (fun) OTT wine, but I'm guessing they'll have gone for more refinement in the Tom version?

regards

Ian

Yes a new wine, made from two exceptional components from the 2006 intake, winemaker Chris Scott thought these two components were too good to blend away.
I've had the Church Road Reserve Chardonnay 2006 several times in 2009 and it was improving with every month of age. The 'Tom' red is their pinnacle wine but now this sensational white Tom has been created. Named in honour of Tom McDonald, but you probably knew that. Tom Chardonnay is not cheap, about $NZ70 a bottle, but worth it.
Cheers,
Sue

Sue
Ta for this - I'll keep an eye out for it.
regards
Ian

Yes, Jenise, it is that time of the year again, and seeing I've been so busy with my music of late and not posting much, thought I may as well throw my lot in, too. Hope everyone has a terrific 2010!

For a year where I’ve, again, cut my alcohol intake, there’s been the usual culprits who’ve made their presence felt with stellar performances during 2009. The highest rated wine (97 points) that passed my lips was a rare Seabrook bottling of Chambers vintage port from 1971. I bought this at auction for the princely sum of $14! When you think of what needs to be paid these days for top Portuguese examples of a similar age, this has to be one of my luckiest bargains of all time. Another wine that rated as highly for a few nanoseconds was the 2005 mesh riesling. Disappointingly, subsequent bottles have not performed anywhere as brilliantly as my first bottle and I have downgraded the wine’s rating (to 92, averaged), but, boy, was that first bottle a ripsnorter.

The SA Prum Beerenauslese Riesling LGK 1976 was similarly exceptional and thoroughly deserved its 96 points. I’ve had correspondence with Prum, himself, who rates this wine as one of the great Wehlener-Sonnenuhr’s from their family’s long history in the M-S-R. For a wine to display such freshness, line, length and riveting aplomb on a decadently rich and complex frame is simply, as I mentioned in my report on this wine, a work of art. Trimbach’s magnificent 1990 Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling Vendanges Tardives appears regularly in my WOTY lists over the last several years. Unfortunately, I’m down to my last few bottles.

97 Points

Seabrook Vintage Port 1971

96 Points

S.A. Prum Wehlener-Sonnenuhr Riesling Beerenauslese Long Gold Kapsul 1976
Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling 1990 Vendanges Tardives

95 Points

Chambers Special Liqueur Tokay (Old Bottling)
Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon 1983
Domaine D’Ambinos Clos des Mulonnierres Coteaux du Layon Beaulieu 1982
Houghton Jack Mann 1995
Seppelt GR113 Rare Muscat
St Huberts Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon 1991

and close behind the above exceptional wines ……

94 Points

Penfolds Grange 1983
Jean-Marc Pavelot Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru “La Dominode” 1999
Francois Raveneau Chablis 1er cru “Montee de Tonnerre” 2002
Pierro Chardonnay 2003
Chateau Talbot 1986
Hermann Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese 1998
Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 1990