WOTYs 2021 Edition--And Your Discovery of the Year--TABULATIONS COMPLETE

WINE TALK
21

Great wine. Always was.

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22

Many good wines:)
These have been some of my favorites so far:
Lucien Le Moine Mazis-Chambertin 2005
Clos de Tart 2005 and 2008
Jacques Selosse Les Carelles (4 feb 2020)
Next of Kyn no 9 (2015)
Ridge Monte Bello 1997
Pichon Baron 2000
Trotanoy 2000
Yquem 2000
G Noellat bonnes mares 2020 (barrel)
G Noellat Grands-Echezeaux 2020 (barrel)
G Noellat Beaux Monts 2020 (barrel)

Honourable mentions:
Guillaume Selosse Largillier (5 sep 2019)
Pio Cesare Barolo 1961
Pape Clement 2005 and 2008
Lucien Le Moine Chambertin clos de beze 2005
Comtes Lafon Meursault clos de la barre 2017
Bernard Faurie Hermitage 1987
Colgin IX estate 2004
Continuum 2016
Figeac 2000
Tertre Roteboeuf 2000
Desauney Bissey Beaux Monts 2017

23

Only the very best, but the year is not over :slight_smile:
Champagne Selosse rosĂ© (dĂ©gorgĂ© en 2014) : 19/20 – 8/8/2021
Rayas rouge 2007 : 19/20 – 29/8/2021
ChĂąteauneuf-du-Pape Rayas rouge 2010 : 19/20 - 9/10/2021
St-Emilion Ausone 2009 : 19/20 - 9/10/2021


Maison Taylor’s Fladgate, Porto vintage 2009 : 18,5/20 – 9/1/2021
Domaine Haut-Bergeron, ‘CuvĂ©e 114’ , Sauternes 2010 : 18,5/20 – 9/1/2021
Sauternes Haut-Bergeron 2001 : 18,5/20 – 23/1/2021
Alvaro Domecq Palo Cortado 1730 VORS : 18,5/20 – 23/1/2021
Chñteau-Grillet 2002 : 18,5/20 – 14/2/2021
Trimbach Riesling FrĂ©dĂ©ric Emile 2008 : 18,5/20 – 12/3/2021
Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Santo Stefano di Perno 2009 : 18,5/20 – 12/3/2021

Arbois StĂ©phane Tissot 99 mois d’élevage 2011 : 18,5/20 - 23/5/2021
Vial-MagnĂšres Banyuls tuilĂ© Al Tragou 1990 : 18,5/20 – 23/5/2021

Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet 1991 : 18,5/20 – 8/8/2021
Dal Forno Amarone della Valpolicella 1994 : 18,5/20 – 29/8/2021
Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Bùze 2005 : 18,5/20 – 29/8/2021

Discoveries - I should me more precise but maybe :
VdF Domaine Guiot Famille Cornut Gard « je sais qu’on ne sait jamais » chardonnay 2020 : 16,5/20 – 1ÂŹ6/6/2021
Vins des potes x Matthieu Barret (Domaine du Coulet) Cornas Cayret (Nascor) 2019 : 17/20 – 24/4/2021
Cascina Sot Barolo Bricco San Pietro 2017 : 17/20 – 24/9/2021

24

wow, I used to be able to rely on memory for these thread but for some reason it’s gotten a lot harder in recent years.

Fortunately I have the Rougeard/Baudry dinner to fall back on. I need to type up my notes and add them to the thread but in the meantime here were my favorites for current drinking. All were fantastic:

2009 Baudry La Crois Boissee
2006 Clos Rougeard Poyeaux
2005 Clos Rougeard Poyeaux
1997 Baudry La Crois Boissee
1997 Clos Rougeard Clos


Other than that there was a 2004 Clos Roche Blanche Cabernet which miraculously survived its artificial cork to develop into a wine of enthralling beauty, an Etienne Calsac Revenants which stood out at a dinner for its vibrancy and complexity, and a 1982 La Dominique which has been coasting along on a plateau of delicious maturity for the last 20 years. I know I’ve forgotten others


Adding the 1984 Laurel Glen Cabernet which was stellar at the PDH Berserkerfest.

Adding the 1855 Gonzalez Byass 1911 Coronation Sherry which was easily WOTY for me.


Discovery would be Mencia. I had my first one - a La Vizcaina (Raul Perez) 2018 Lomas de Valtuille “La Vitoriana” and am intrigued.

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25

Having been fortunate to be with you for most of these wines, I can’t really disagree with any of them.

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26

Mencia can be excellent, in Ribeira Sacra and Bierzo. I will soon drink Bierzo Descendientes de J. Palacios Valdafoz. And I wish I could taste, from the same Producer, the expensive Bierzo La Faraona (about 1000 euros).

27

Several on the list were your bottles- so I should be thanking you [cheers.gif]

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28

Oh, and while we’re at it -and to be a total pedant - the title of this thread should be WsOTY, not WOTYs neener

29

Been a lighter year this year because I’ve worked evenings half of all days, so less time for nice bottles over dinner, and because there haven’t been many social gatherings.

But a few candidates for WOTY - hopefully this will help to balance the more Eurocentric posts:
2004 Peay Estate Chardonnay - first proof that I’ve personally tasted that truly ageworthy Chardonnay is made in California.
2014 Heitz Martha’s - elegance and perfume defined with decades ahead of it.
2018 Halcon Roussanne - bowls me over every time
2015 Baxter Oppenlander Vineyard Pinot Noir - so good at 4-6 years old.
2010 Leoville-Poyferre
2018 Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Blanc. This is probably my white WOTY if I have to pick just one. The most delicious thing I have tasted all year.
2014 Flowers Pinot Meunier Block 19 Sea View Ridge. Probably my red WOTY.

A couple QPR discoveries:
2018 Bucklin Bambino
2018 Penley Tolmer Cabernet Sauvignon

30

Hoping to drink a few more nice bottles until the end of the year, but these are my contenders so far


WOTY Red:
1988 Grippat Hermitage
1961 Conterno Barolo (a clear second)

WOTY White:
2008 Ganevat Vignes de mon pere
2011 Coche-Dury Meursault Rougeots
2019 BrĂŒndlmayer Riesling Heiligenstein Alte Reben

Discovery:
Bernaudeau (2018 Nourrissons and Ongles) – unfortunately too late

Jean-Michel Stephan (2017 Coteaux de Tupin)
Envinate (2018 Taganan Margalagua)

31

Red: 2012 Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet

White: 2014 Robert Mondavi Winery Fumé Blanc To-Kalon I Block

Discovery of the Year: 2015 Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia

32

Will try to list in descending order

Red:
1990 Pichon Baron
2004 Monte Bello
1996 Ducru Beaucaillou
2000 Pontet Canet
1998 Almaviva
(apparently i need to drink more outside the Cab/Bdx spectrum!)

White:
1999 Mayacamas Chardonnay
2011 Catena Adrianna Vnyd White Bones Chard
1998 Vina Tondonia Blanco
2011 Littorai BA Theriot Chard
2012 Anna et Andre Durmann Riesling Alsace Grand Cru Wiebelsbari

Discovery:
Nothing that you guys here don’t know about, but thanks to this board had our first tasting experience with Rivers Marie and it was exceptional. Also eagerly awaiting Goodfellow shipment :slight_smile:

33

I went back multiple times for that one, and I think I was kidding myself by getting just one or two each time. I now regret not getting a case, but I have to retrain my brain every few years to calibrate what a good price is (both personally and based on inflation). It was such a versatile red and so reliable in that price range.

34

This is great most every year, and the '13, '15 and '16 were especially great
I picked up 1-2 mags plus 4-6 750ml bottles in each of those years. I haven’t tried the '17 yet. One real surprise was to see one of these (I think the '15) improve greatly over night in bottle, where I typically always expect “second day Sangio” to be a bit of a dropoff from day 1. As an FYI, at the higher end of their range, the '08 Saffredi is drinking great right now!

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35

Going off the top of my head:

Reds:
2007 Mugnier Musigny
2007 Fourrier Griotte-Chambertin
2010 Mugnier Amoureuses
2008 Hudelot-Noellat Romanee St. Vivant
1991 Pousse d’or Cailleret 60 Ouvrees
2004 Allemand Reynard

Whites:
1997 Leflaive Chevalier Montrachet
1990 Raveneau Vaillons
2009 Ramonet Batard
2011 Lamy-Pillot Montrachet
2012 Ramonet Bienvenue-Batard-Montr
1990 Raveneau Vaillons

Rose/Champagne:

Facsimile LC13

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1997 Burlotto Monvigliero
1999 Roumier Les Cras
2011 Benetiere Cordeloux
1998 Allemand Reynard
1990 Fabien Coche Gouttes d’Or
1947 Borgogno Barolo Riserva (because I’ve never had anything like it)

Probably more to add

37

List in progress


Only listing new finds:

California


Patel and Longfellow suavignon blancs. This grape is usually not on my radar, but these are fine! Two thumbs up for both. (The Ellman sauv blancs are pretty great, too!) (Also, the Patel cab was a real ‘watch it develop in the glass’ find, also.)

The Zosia cabernet line up (and other Bordeaux grapes is just fantastic.)

The Julien Fayard 2017 Martinez Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was really wonderful.

‘On Q’ chardonnay was a nice new find.


I haven’t really ‘discovered’ any new French wines this year. hence, my skew to California.

38

Red and whites are tough, all special in their own ways. Can’t really pick a clear winner.

Reds:

2017 Comte Liger Chaumes
2010 Benetiere Dolium
2010 Gonon VV
2014 DRC RSV
2002 Leroy VR Beaux Monts

White:

2010 Coche Enseigneres
2018 Bernaudeau Nourrissons
2013 Moreau Batard Montrachet

Bubbles:

Prevost Fac Simile, esp the LC 15

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2012 MoussĂ© Fils Champagne Terre d’illite Blanc de Noirs
2016 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé
2014 François Lumpp Givry 1er Cru A Vigne Rouge
2007 Josef Walter Centgrafenberg SpÀtburgunder

40

As of now it is:

2010 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah In the Rocks - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (10/9/2021)
Day 1: Holy cow! This was the wine of the night at the last offline I went to prior to the Pandemic and this one is singing. Roasted meats, white pepper, blueberries, blackberries, Asian spices, mild funk and stone. Super concentrated wine and this rivals any Cayuse wine I have tasted. 95 points (95 points)

2015 Evesham Wood Chardonnay Mahonia Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/28/2021)
Brother in Town Lot’s of Wines!!!; 6/26/2021-7/4/2021: Day 1: One if not the best Domestic Chardonnay I have ever tasted. This is high end Burgundy without the price point. Flint, spice, shells, orange peel, saline, tart apples and dust. Aged in neutral French Oak. Medium to long finish and amazing acidity. This is a must have in a blind White Burgundy tasting. 95 points
Day 2: Has not lost any complexity and maybe even more vibrant than day 1. For under $40.00 this is an amazing steal. 95+
Recommendation: Buy this immediately. I can’t believe they still have 20 cases of this wine left but my brother and I just took one of their hands. (95 points)

2014 Davenport Cellars Mr. B - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (1/28/2021)
Day 1: Well there have been some amazing bottles but this one is off the charts. Cherry, dust, exotic spices, dark chocolate, cigar and crushed blueberries. Medium to long finish. Complexity off the charts. WOW! 95 points (95 points)

2019 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (10/8/2021)
Day 1: Stones, lemon rind, orange peel, spice, minerals and floral notes. Medium to long finish nice acidity. This is a back the truck up wine. 94 points
Day 2: Still vibrant. Amazing how good this is and not even two years in bottle. Floral, white peaches, lemon rind, orange peel, mild spice and minerals. What a refreshing wine on an 80 degree, October day in MN. 93 points
Day 3: Certainly not as good as day 1 or 2. Not surprised.
Recommendation: Drink now to 2028. This is an absolute Rockstar wine on sale for $23.99. (94 points)

2017 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (10/2/2021)
Day 1: All all young Muga Reserva’s these improve over time. Earth, spices, floral notes, coffee beans, minerals and red currants. Tight wine that should open up over the next few days. 90-92 points
Day 2: Better. Nice concentration featuring roasted chestnuts, earth, spice, floral, cherry, sour raspberries and minerals. Medium plus finish and delicious. Great value at $25.00. 91 points
Day 3: Hoping for even more improvement and got it! This the real deal and for those who don’t like the wood/dill of some Rioja wines this one is for you! Raspberries, minerals, sour cherry, spice, mild wood note, roasted chestnuts and dried rose petals. Medium plus finish and complexity overload. Might be one of the better under $30 Spanish Wines in a long time. 93+ points
Day 4: A rare day 4 at 3 Day Wine Review headquarters. Amazing how good this is on day 4. Has not lost a step. 93 points
Recommendation: BUY IT! (93 points)

2014 Andrew Will Two Blondes Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (9/18/2021)
Day 1: Pop and pour. Black licorice, smoked meats, dark fruits, menthol and damp earth. A bit of heat on the nose a some cinnamon on the finish. Will be sampling this on day 1.5 to see if these blows over but still a tasty wine at this point with of course plenty of aging potential.
Day 1.5: Wow a two hour decant or half a day later this is rocking. Cassis, spice, graphite, menthol, stone and minerals. Complex effort and one of the better values for Washington State. 93+ points
Day 2: Not as good or even close. This needs to be consumed on day 1 or long term aging. Very chalky and not enjoyable. 82 points
Day 3: A split between day 1 and 2. Features sour cherries, minerals, dust and underbrush. Would be upset if this is the wine on day 1 but still drinkable. 88 points
Recommendation: This wine could be aged for 5 to 8 years although was really please on day 1 results. Decant for an hour or 2 and drink up on day 1. (93 points)

2013 Davenport Cellars Continuity - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (7/22/2021)
Day 1: Last bottle. This is rich and impressive. Disregard the high alcohol on these wines as it does not show. Blueberries, spices, cherry, minerals and mint. Medium plus finish and nice acidity. Excellent wine. 92 points
Day 2: Very nice and flavorful featuring blueberries, spice, menthol, mint, cherry and dust. Medium plus finish. 92 points
Day 3: Maybe a tade bit lower but still holding strong. 91 points
Day 5: Well sometimes patients is rewarded and in this case yes it was! Blueberries, Bing cherries, menthol, dust, minerals, dark chocolate and gravel. Medium to long finish and concentration is intense. I would put this against any Napa Valley wine under $60. 94 points
Recommendation: There is no hurry in drinking the 13 Continuity. (94 points)

2013 Figgins Estate Red Wine - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (6/28/2021)
Brother in Town Lot’s of Wines!!!; 6/26/2021-7/4/2021: This was amazing on just a pop and pour. Got better over the night however. Bing cherries, plum, spice, espresso, earth and subtle wood. Very balanced wine and amazing concentration. This should drink well for the next decade. Drink 2021 to 2031. (94 points)

2014 White Rock Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/3/2021)
Day 1: Wow! Bordeaux like funk along with cherry, minerals, tar, gravel and underbrush. Medium plus and concentrated finish. Wish every Napa Valley wine delivered at this price. 94 points
Day 2: Still showing that nice funk with cherry, plum, minerals, gravel and underbrush. Some nice spice on the finish. Very concentrated effort and a super solid wine for under $100. 94 points
Day 3: This wine is going to age through 2030. Beautiful on day 3. Gravel, mild funk, spice, blueberries, cherry, plum and bell peppers. Medium to long finish. One of the better Napa wines for under $100.00 I have tasted in the last decade. 94 points
Recommendation: Buy it! (94 points)

2018 Januik Syrah Ciel du Cheval Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (4/30/2021)
Day 1: Now we are talking! This is awesome. Roasted meats, blueberries in the house, cedar dust, crushed rock and floral notes. This is on a pop and pour. Just think what this will do over time. Super long, concetrated finish. Love the Red Mountain. 94 points
Day 2: Solid but not the wow of day 1. Roasted meats, coffee beans, cedar, black pepper, smoke and dark fruits. Normally a Syrah this young should improve on day 2 or 3 but not this one. Pop and pour. 92 points (94 points)

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