What are the five greatest 'New World' wines you have ever had the pleasure of drinking?

WINE TALK
21

1977 Heitz Fay Vineyard Cabernet
1977 Sutter Home Amador County Reserve Zinfandel
1982 Au Bon Climat Reserve Chardonnay
1985 Groth Reserve Cabernet
1985 Williams Selyem Rochioli Vineyard Pinot

22

1974 Heitz Martha’s
1974 Mayacamas Cabernet
1994 Harlan Estate
1974 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet (for sentimental reasons)
1994 Shafer Hillside Select (along with other vintages)

That’s off the top of my head. I have lots of Aussie’s, but that really a separate list for me.

Bruce

23

In no particular order:

1971 Ridge Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
1992 Williams & Selyem Leno Martinelli Zinfandel
1991 Dominus
1992 Edmunds St. John Durell Vineyard Syrah
1974 Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

24

Absolutely one of my top five!

25

A phenomenal wine. The '69 ain’t bad, either!

Interesting that you chose this wine given your comments on the “other” thread. Were this wine made today exactly as it was made back in '68, would we say it was more “old world” or “new world” in style?

My bent is clearly “old world” but I no longer view old world as Europe and new world as everything else, like California, Australia, etc. I use those terms to connote a style. I would call the '68 BV PR old world. I would call recent vintages of Lascombes, Cos d’Estournel, totally “new world”. Pavie is clearly new world.

Some other California wines that have rocked my world, all of which I think are more old world in style, are:

1991, 1992 Dunn
Ridge Monte Bello (so many different vintages)
1991-94 Dalle Valle Cab Sav.

26

1970 Ridge Monte Bello
1974 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard
1985 Cask 23
1971 Ridge Petite Sirah York Creek
1979 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay magnum

27

Tough one, but for this week:

Poker Face
2004 Carlisle Zinfandel Tom Feeney Ranch
1998 Penfolds Grange
1994 Colgin Herb Lamb
2001 Pavie

28

Indeed, Robert, some of the most new world wines on the planet are made in Sicilia and Priorat these days.

29

1980 Kalin Semillon (drank in 1991)
1985 Groth Reserve Cab (best right at release)
1986 Kalin Brut Rose
1979 Martha’s
1970 BV Latour

30

A nice set of wines. I really want to like the 1974 Heitz Martha’s, but I’ve never been able to get past the eucalyptus, which is the same reason I’ve consistently disliked older Henschke Hill of Grace and Mt. Edelstone. Each time I’ve had any of these wines, I’m torn between deep appreciation for the generosity of the person sharing a legendary wine and disappointment that I just can’t stand to drink it.

31

Glad to hear, since this is my birth year (and my wife’s) and we have a few bottles of this we’re saving for our 50th. Not much great from 1968 unfortunately.

32

Sorry Larry, just went back to review notes, had them backward. Love them both alot, but I thought the '69 was better. If your '68 is as good as my bottle, you will enjoy your 50th immensely!

33

RED
2003 Cayuse Bionic Frog
2005 Cayuse Cailloux Neutral Barrel
2008 Cayuse Bionic Frog
2009 No Girls Syrah
2011 Horsepower Syrah

WHITE
2008 Chaleur Estate Blanc
2009 Cameron Clos Electrique
2011 Reynvaan Queen’s Road White
2012 Reynvaan Queen’s Road White

34

'68 Beaulieu GdL
'71 Ridge York Creek PS
'91 Dominus
Seppelt 1905 Para Liqueur Port
'74 Cask 23

35

Thanks Robert. It won’t be the only thing at the party that was better in its youth, but hopefully still somewhat enjoyable in its age [cheers.gif]

36

1974 Heitz Martha’s
1991 Ridge Monte Bello
2002 Shafer Hillside Select
1974 Mayacamas
2000 SQN Incognito grenache

37
38

1991 Ridge Monte Bello
1978 Mondavi Reserve from Imperial
1994 Harlan
1962 Penfolds Bin 60a
1985 Ridge Monte Bello

39

1968 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard (on release)
1969 Hanzell Estate PN (on release)
1991 Dominus - a few yrs ago
2006 Littorai Summa PN
2004 Togni Cabernet
1998 Hanzell Estate Chardonnay

40

1971 Penfolds Grange
1982 De Bortoli Sauternes (aka Noble One)
1990 Wendouree Shiraz (magnum)
1995 Mt Mary Quintet
1998 Martinborough Reserve Pinot Noir

Brodie