In no order, price irrelevant:
Burt Williams era (pre-1998) Williams Selyem, all of them.
Ken Burnap-era Santa Cruz Mt. Vineyards Estate bottling.
One bottle of David Bruce Estate Reserve 1992, in a special box, wax capsule, the last vintage before the vines were ripped out, drank it 2005 or so. I’ll buy every bottle I see but there aren’t any.
J Thomas 2002 and 2008. Wow.
Gavin Chanin’s Lutum Sanford and Benedict 2013. Lutum is no more. Gavin Chanin’s Chanin wines with a few more years aging for the oak and sweetness to settle down? I think. Not certain.
Young Hagen Riddle Vineyard, unique, terrific. BTW absurd Berserkerday prices, offer closed. Addictive terroir driven wine.
All of Paul Lato’s pinots but his Santa Ritas are my favorite. (Not sure about the Pisoni)
Arterberry Dundee Hills but not the more expensive single vineyards (the Maresh Chard though is terrific)
With food, anything from the savory Ladd lineup.
Calera with tons of age.
A bottle of Arcadian Charlie Fu served blind and I was certain it was Burgundy.
Radio Coteau Marsh. Two vintages made 2002 and 2003.
August West but it’s vineyard by vineyard.
Rhys…hmm…the Swan Terrace might be my favorite American pinot with ten years age, and it sets the bar impossibly high for the rest …Skyline is on its own planet …they all need ten years plus except maybe Horseshoe…all of the 2006’s and 2008’s are terrific despite the very young vines…the 2009’s are not my style…2023-on I’ll be very happy when the post-2009’s are ready, with more mature vines
I’m thinking of a few other wineries but they are “correct” more than they resonate. Anyone reading this, who suggests other wineries? I suspect that will be my reaction. Golf clap.
Marcassin: every one I’ve had has been youthfully disjointed, based on the Chard I think they need 20 years to settle down
Au Bon Climat: I missed the boat. A year ago I had two together, nothing like each other, I suspect Clendenen is a genius. But I don’t known enough. I have one bottle of Chanin Au Bon Climat, 2011 I think, I might never find the right time to open it
Santa Lucia Highlands, all of it: no. Indistinct soup.