2006 Wines of the Year

A quick search through my notes this year revealed the following list of "exceptional" wines. There's a slight chance an additional wine or two may make the list before the year is out.

98 points -

1975 D'Yquem

97 Points -

1967 D'Yquem
1980 Krug Clos de Mesnil
1982 Ch. Leoville Las Cases (St. Julien)
1961 Ch. Malescot-St.-Expurey (Margaux)

96 Points -

1996 Dom Perignon
1967 Lindemans Classic Release Vintage Port
2001 Zind-Humbrect Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl SGN
1982 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon

95 points -

1984 Hollicks Cabernet Sauvignon
Morris Old Premium Muscat
1982 Paul Jaboulet Hermitage "La Chapelle"
1996 Jean-Jacques Confuron Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru
2005 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier
1988 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill
1989 Krug
1982 Cheval Blanc
1991 St. Huberts Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Select
1996 Pol Roger Vintage
1966 Château Haut-Brion (Pessac)
1990 Leo Buring Leonay DWT17 Eden Valley Rhine Riesling
1995 Pol Roger Blanc de Blanc
Seppelt Rutherglen Rare Tokay DP59
1997 Louis Carillon Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Champs-Canet"
1985 Cheval Blanc
1985 Ch. Leoville Las Cases
1985 Ch. Canon
1994 Dr. Thanisch Berncastler Doctor Riesling
Trockenbeerenauslese
1990 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Vendange Tardive
1990 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Jesbal Vendange Tardive

[James Roscoe]

Nice list David. When, I get to Australia I am definitely hanging out with you! Those are serious wines! Good on you!

[David M. Bueker]

No points here, so I have to go on memory, but the following really rocked my world in 2006

1994 Wittmann Westhofener Steingrube Albalonga Trockenbeerenauslese
1985 Leoville Barton
1995 Krug
1975 Chateau Latour
1986 Chateau Cos d'Estournel
1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
1999 Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese
2005 Maximin Grunhaus Abstberg Riesling Auslese

Among other things...

[James Roscoe]

David I had a '76 beerenauslese last night that was really great. I'm still trying to get my notes together. It really faded in the bottle after about ninety minutes. Before that it was glorious. It was a real riesling moment for me.

In order within each category.

Best Dry Whites:
1994 Domaine La Pinte Chateau Chalon
1997 Brundlmayer Gruner Veltliner Alte Reben
2002 Vatan Sancerre “Clos de la Neore”
1999 Carillon Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrieres
1976 R Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco
1993 Chateau Fieuzal Blanc
1988 R Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondona Reserva Blanco
1989 R Lopez de Heredia Vina Gravonia Reserva

Best Champagne:
1996 Bollinger "Vieilles Vignes Françaises"
1982 Bollinger RD
1979 Krug “Clos du Mesnil”

Best Sweet(ish) whites:
1989 Trimbach Clos Saint Hune “Hors Choix”
1997 Yquem
1996 Godineau (Petits Quarts de Chaume) Bonnezeaux 1er Trie “La Malabe”

Best Northern Rhone:
1991 M. Sorrel Hermitage Le Greal
1991 Clape Cornas
1998 Chave Hermitage

Best Southern Rhone:
1989 Beaucastel
1999 Marcoux VV

Red Burgundy:
1993 Meo Camuzet Clos de Vougeot
1990 Mugneret Clos de Vougeot

Rioja:
1981 Cune Vina Real Gran Reserva
1985 Contino Reserva
1973 Riojanas Monte Real Gran Reserva
1985 R Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva

Spain (other red):
1989 Vega Sicilia Unico
1994 Pesquera Gran Reserva "Janus"

Barolo:
1990 G. Mascarello Monprivato
1978 Ceretto Prapo

Fortified:
1885 Barbeito Malvasia Madeira
1964 Gonzalez Byass Oloroso
Valdespino Solera 1842 Solera Oloroso
Lustau Almacenista Oloroso Añada 1918 Pilar Aranda y Latorre

QPR white of the year:
1993 Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvee ($14)
2004 Rijckaert Mâcon-Bissy "Les Crays" Vieilles Vignes ($17.99)
2002 Freiherr Langwerth von Simmern Erbacher Marcobrunn Spatlese ($13)
NV Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Ca ($7.99)

QPR red of the year:
1998 Riojanas Monte Real Reserva ($15)
1999 Ramon Bilbao Reserva ($13)
2001 Marques de Caceres Crianza ($11)

Best wine of the year: 1996 Bollinger VVF

1982 Ch. Leoville Las Cases (St. Julien)
1961 Ch. Malescot-St.-Expurey (Margaux)
1966 Château Haut-Brion (Pessac)

David, maybe you can clear something up for me. I've never understood why Bordeaux drinkers list the location within Bordeaux next to famous producers. It seems like a strange thing to do. There's only one Leoville Las Cases, and Haut Brion is the grand daddy of all others with the Haut Brion name, so why list the place when talking about Bordeaux but not other wines?

And, it isn't you, it's a lot of people. I'm just trying to understand how you strange Cab drinkers think...

My list is below, in rough order in each category. Sure I forgot a few.

Joe, while I didn't below (except for Lagrange, where there are 2, as there are multiple Clos de L'Eglise, Belairs, etc) I do generally list appellation. But I also write "Chambolle-Musigny" after "Les Amoureuses", "Kremstal" after "Nigl", "Mosel Saar Ruwer" after "Maximum Grunhauser' (and throw in the von Shubert for good measure), etc. If for not other reason sometimes I might want to search for my notes on 1998 Pessac-Leognan without having to search Haut-Brion, Pape-Clement, La Louviere, etc etc etc.

Bubbly Award
1975 Deutz (from magnum)
NV Jacquesson "Cuvee 729" Brut

Leading Actor, Mature Red
1978 Haut-Brion
1983 Cheval Blanc
1975 L'Evangile
1985 Cheval Blanc
1982 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo
1971 Haut-Brion
1982 l'Evangile
1993 Drouhin Clos de la Roche
1990 Terrabianca Campaccio Riserva
1979 Drouhin Chambertin Clos de Beze (1 bottle)
1982 Conseillante

Overachiever Award
1979 du Tertre
1990 Lagrange (St Julien)
2005 Filliatreau "La Grande Vignolle" Saumur-Champigny

Gonna be Great Award
1996 Leoville Las Cases
1996 d'Angerville Tallepieds Volnay 1er
1988 Armand Rousseau Chambertin
1996 Ducru Beaucaillou
1996 Pichon Baron

Whites
2000 Paul Pernot Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet
1999 Ramonet "Les Caillerets" Chassagne-Montrachet 1er
1995 Zind-Humbrecht "Clos Windsbuhl" Gewürztraminer  
1989 Drouhin "Folatieres" Puligny-Montrachet 1er
2001 Alzinger Loibner  Steinertal  Riesling Smaragd

Overachiever Award, White
2005 Pepiere Muscadet Briords
1999 Ch. Montelena Chardonnay
2005 Pepiere Muscadet
2005 Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Kabinett

Joe Perry said:

I've never understood why Bordeaux drinkers list the location within Bordeaux next to famous producers. It seems like a strange thing to do.

In addition to the practical reason given by Dale, I think it's a nice courtesy for others on the board who may not be as knowledgeable about wine regions. David Beuker has stumped me sometimes by listing a German village name that is not familiar to me and I can't place it as Pfalz, Nahe, Rheingau, etc. without stopping to look it up. Since I'm more into Burgundy than Bordeaux, I might be puzzled by some of the names (not the Leovilles but others). I usually get specific--sometimes to the point of adding "Sonoma County" after Russian River Valley.

[David M. Bueker]

Joe,

I try to list appelation as often as I can remember to do it. That was something JBL drilled into my head on the old board. Nothing more sinister than that.

White: probably Trimbach Clos Ste Hune 1996, possibly Musar 1990

Red: Musar 1972

Sparkling: Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Rosé 1982

Sweet: Barbeito Malvasia Madeira 1834

David,
Your notes must be more organized than mine.
And my favorite wine of the year will be whatever I open tonight.
Best, Jim

And my favorite wine of the year will be whatever I open tonight.

I guess it's safe to assume you don't have one of your few remaining Cal Cabs on deck?

I said I was sure to forget a few, Otto's post already reminded me the 1973 Trimbach Clos Ste. Hune should be on my list.

And my favorite wine of the year will be whatever I open tonight.

I guess it's safe to assume you don't have one of your few remaining Cal Cabs on deck?

I

Dale,
Actually, I was serious about that organization thing. My notes are here but I couldn't find anything without looking at all of them. So, being that my filing sucks and my memory is poor, tonight's wine will be as good as it gets.
Best, Jim

[Jenise]

I don't keep lists, but I remember a few wines that I thought, "This is one of the best/neatest wines I've had all year" about:

1929 Margaux
1986 Hitching Post "Sierra Madre VY" made by Lane Tanner
1975 Y'Quem
2001 Tirecul La Graviere (a dry white wine)
1995 Chapoutier La Sizeranne
1983 Jaboulet La Chapelle
1999 Swan Mourvedre
1990 Vega Sicilia Unico
NV Rene Collard Carte d'Or from 100% pinot menuiere and 1992 fruit
1982 Salon Clos Mesnil
1975 Pontet Canet
2004 Copain "Arrowhead Mountain" Zinfandel
1992 Quilceda Creek Cabernet
1988 Lafite
1979 Haut Brion
The 2005 vintage of Beaujolais
2004 Blue Mountain Gamay
1999 Dalrymple Chardonnay (Tasmania)
2004 Dunham Lewis Vineyard Syrah
2004 St. Innocent White Rose pinot noir

Joe Perry said:

I've never understood why Bordeaux drinkers list the location within Bordeaux next to famous producers. It seems like a strange thing to do.

In addition to the practical reason given by Dale, I think it's a nice courtesy for others on the board who may not be as knowledgeable about wine regions. David Beuker has stumped me sometimes by listing a German village name that is not familiar to me and I can't place it as Pfalz, Nahe, Rheingau, etc. without stopping to look it up. Since I'm more into Burgundy than Bordeaux, I might be puzzled by some of the names (not the Leovilles but others). I usually get specific--sometimes to the point of adding "Sonoma County" after Russian River Valley.

I guess...

But, David even stumps the Germans sometimes with German village names.

I've just always found it odd for famous Bordeaux producers. I mean, I wouldn't write Trimbach Clos Saint Hune (Rosacker), as there is only one CSH...

Just me though, I can't begin to understand how Bordeaux drinkers think.

Best,
Joe

Here is my short list of wine drinking high points for the year:

Rubicon 2002. I know it was drunk way too young, but this wine rocked my world, and it was opened for a good cause (a friend's bachelor dinner)

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Fay Vineyard 1997-Awesome, awesome Stag's Leap Cab approaching perfection imo. Leather, dark black fruit, and even a touch of "pencil lead."

Cafaro Riserva 1999-Just a beautiful Napa Cab. Absolutely beautiful.

Mazzoco Matrix (2 bottles) 1999-a beautiful, beautiful Sonoma County Bordeaux Blend.

Chateau Beausejur Becot (sp?) 1999 St. Emillion. I know it was too young, but as it opened up, this was simply lovely in its strength and complexities and layers of flavor. I need to visit Berkeley this weekend (Arlington Wine Merchant has this!)

Riecine Chianti Classico Riserva 1999. A perfect (imo) dark, smooth, leathery riserva. Delicious!

Mauro Segaste Barolo Monvigliero 2001. Still too young, but drinking so beautifully I saw no need to wait.

I can't decide on the best wines of the year but here are some that are new discoveries (to me) or that I have especially enjoyed:

New to me:

Philippe Melka Metisse (2000?) a red blend Napa
Ferrari-Carano Tresor another red blend from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, CA
Schlumberger Gewurztraminer, Alsace
Calera Pinot Noir, Mt. Harlan, Napa Valley, CA
Elyse Chenin Blanc
Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
1998 Baroja Gran Reserva Rioja, Spain

older discoveries I enjoyed during the year
1999 Eric Ross Occidental Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel (Sonoma)
2003 Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel, Napa Valley
1999 Jayer-Gilles Cote de Nuits-Villages (Burgundy, France)


whites:
2000 Domaine Vincent Girardin Savigny Les Beaune "Les Vermots Dessus"
1999 Fichet Meursault "Les Gruyaches"
2002 J.J. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese
2002 Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Auslese
1999 Kurt Darting Durkheimer Hochbenn Muskateller Eiswein (Pfalz, Germany)

fortified:
Cockburn Porto Special Reserve
Graham's 1998 Malvedos Vintage Porto

[David M. Bueker]

Joe Perry said:

I've never understood why Bordeaux drinkers list the location within Bordeaux next to famous producers. It seems like a strange thing to do.

In addition to the practical reason given by Dale, I think it's a nice courtesy for others on the board who may not be as knowledgeable about wine regions. David Beuker has stumped me sometimes by listing a German village name that is not familiar to me and I can't place it as Pfalz, Nahe, Rheingau, etc. without stopping to look it up. Since I'm more into Burgundy than Bordeaux, I might be puzzled by some of the names (not the Leovilles but others). I usually get specific--sometimes to the point of adding "Sonoma County" after Russian River Valley.

I guess...

But, David even stumps the Germans sometimes with German village names.

I've just always found it odd for famous Bordeaux producers. I mean, I wouldn't write Trimbach Clos Saint Hune (Rosacker), as there is only one CSH...

Just me though, I can't begin to understand how Bordeaux drinkers think.

Best,
Joe

Ah but I would write Trimbach Clos St. Hune (Alsace). Bordeaux has commonly associated communes, hence the specifity.

And doesn't everyone know where the Forster Schnepfenflug is?

[Robin Garr]

[quote="David Lole"]A quick search through my notes this year revealed the following list of "exceptional" wines.[/quote]

David, I usually print my annual "QPR" list of top wine values right around the First, so I'll hold my list of under-$20 wines until then, particularly since I hope to have a few more good ones during the rest of December. :)

But I did a quick database poll of the <i>more</i> upscale wines I've rated highly during the year. I'm kind of surprised, although perhaps I shouldn't be, to see how many California wines made my list of top wines over $20, given my personal tilt toward European wine styles. I guess I've got to give my buddies at California Wine Club credit for that, as I get a lot of <i>selected</i> California wines that fit my style preferences as a result of our connection with them.

Reverie Winery 2001 Napa Valley Diamond Mountain Red Table Wine ($75)
Elyse 2001 Morisoli Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($65)
La Magia 1999 Brunello di Montalcino ($51)
Delectus 2001 Napa Valley Stanton Vineyard Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon ($49)
Joseph Phelps 2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($48)
Cuvaison 2003 Carneros Estate Pinot Noir ($48)
Terre Rouge 2002 Shenandoah Valley California Sentinel Oak Vineyard Pyramid Block Syrah ($44)
Jaffurs 2002 Santa Barbara County Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah ($42)
Stolpman 2003 "Hilltops" Santa Ynez Valley Syrah ($38)
Ridge 2003 Sonoma County California Geyserville ($35)
A & P de Villaine 2002 Mercurey Les Montots ($34.99)
Robert Young Robert Young 2003 Alexander Valley Chardonnay ($34)
Terre de' Trinci 2001 "Cantina dell'Alunno" Sagrantino di Montefalco ($33)
Domaine Pierre Guillemot 2002 Savigny-Serpentieres Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru ($31.99)
Melini 1997 "Massovecchio" dai Vigneti Terrarossa Chianti Classico Riserva ($30)
Byron Vineyards & Winery 2001 "Io" Santa Barbara County Syrah ($30)
Domaine Tempier 2001 Bandol ($29.99)
Anselmi 2003 "I Capitelli" Veneto Passito Bianco ($29.99)
Rosenblum Cellars 2003 Sonoma County Hillside Vineyards Syrah ($28)
Pertimali 2004 Rosso di Montalcino ($26.99)
Laurel Glen 2002 "Counterpoint" Sonoma Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($25)
Domaine Jean-Luc Dubois 2004 Savigny-Les-Beaune "Les Picotins" ($24)
Angelini 2001 "TreRose" Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ($23)
Domaine des Baumard 1997 Savennières ($21.99)

Joe,

It's probably more an educational thing than anything else and draws special significance with the bevy of producer's of Bordeaux, Burgundy and German Riesling. Knowing whether a particular Chateau, Domaine or Estate is from "here or there" is a major part of the learning curve and a good habit to get into when publishing tasting notes. Perhaps the micro-climates of Burgundy being the paramount example where a large firm like Louis Jadot makes red and white Burgundy from hundreds of specific sites in just about every appellation throughout the Cote D'Or.

Joe, I always add as much label info as possible -- it can help wine lovers of any level of sophistication find the wine -- unnecessary for many, but certainly helpful for beginners -- and for old codgers like me with senior moments.

It's also useful for retrieval purposes -- I sometimes like to search on all of the wines I've had from a particular area to review them for one reason or another -- all the Saint-Emilions for example.

You enjoyed a nice list of great wines this year.

In order within each category.

Best Dry Whites:
1994 Domaine La Pinte Chateau Chalon
1997 Brundlmayer Gruner Veltliner Alte Reben
2002 Vatan Sancerre “Clos de la Neore”
1999 Carillon Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrieres
1976 R Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco
1993 Chateau Fieuzal Blanc
1988 R Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondona Reserva Blanco
1989 R Lopez de Heredia Vina Gravonia Reserva

Best Champagne:
1996 Bollinger "Vieilles Vignes Françaises"
1982 Bollinger RD
1979 Krug “Clos du Mesnil”

Best Sweet(ish) whites:
1989 Trimbach Clos Saint Hune “Hors Choix”
1997 Yquem
1996 Godineau (Petits Quarts de Chaume) Bonnezeaux 1er Trie “La Malabe”

Best Northern Rhone:
1991 M. Sorrel Hermitage Le Greal
1991 Clape Cornas
1998 Chave Hermitage

Best Southern Rhone:
1989 Beaucastel
1999 Marcoux VV

Red Burgundy:
1993 Meo Camuzet Clos de Vougeot
1990 Mugneret Clos de Vougeot

Rioja:
1981 Cune Vina Real Gran Reserva
1985 Contino Reserva
1973 Riojanas Monte Real Gran Reserva
1985 R Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva

Spain (other red):
1989 Vega Sicilia Unico
1994 Pesquera Gran Reserva "Janus"

Barolo:
1990 G. Mascarello Monprivato
1978 Ceretto Prapo

Fortified:
1885 Barbeito Malvasia Madeira
1964 Gonzalez Byass Oloroso
Valdespino Solera 1842 Solera Oloroso
Lustau Almacenista Oloroso Añada 1918 Pilar Aranda y Latorre

QPR white of the year:
1993 Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvee ($14)
2004 Rijckaert Mâcon-Bissy "Les Crays" Vieilles Vignes ($17.99)
2002 Freiherr Langwerth von Simmern Erbacher Marcobrunn Spatlese ($13)
NV Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Ca ($7.99)

QPR red of the year:
1998 Riojanas Monte Real Reserva ($15)
1999 Ramon Bilbao Reserva ($13)
2001 Marques de Caceres Crianza ($11)

Best wine of the year: 1996 Bollinger VVF

Joe,
Where are the Italian wines? You got something against Italians? You got something against a little acid? You got something against wine that goes well with food?

I would definitely have some Fruili whites on my list and the '95 Felsina.

Walt

[James Roscoe]

Joe,
Where are the Italian wines? You got something against Italians? You got something against a little acid? You got something against wine that goes well with food?

I would definitely have some Fruili whites on my list and the '95 Felsina.

Walt

Walt,
Instead of giving Joe crap about his list (and I need to hang with Joe if he is drinking that kind of quality) why don't you get your own list together? Or can't you get it together? Do you have some weak Florida Jim excuse? I, on the other hand, will sit here and razz you.
Cheers!
James

Joe,
Where are the Italian wines? You got something against Italians? You got something against a little acid? You got something against wine that goes well with food?

I would definitely have some Fruili whites on my list and the '95 Felsina.

Walt

2006 was a suprisingly slow year for me and Italian wines. I had no Fruili whites, no "great" Barbaresco, no great Tuscans, and the rest of the Italian wines I tasted (Barbera, Taurasi, Dolcetto, etc) would fall under the QPR range.

Sad.

Let's hope 2007 is more like 2005 for Italian wines.

Best,
Joe