The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2018

Another year has passed, 921 bottles tasted and drunk, of which 355 was a Barolo (a Barolo a day keeps the doctor away...).

It is always tough to narrow it down to ten wines but with a glass of 2009 Estate Cuvée, Kapcsándy it becomes a tad more easy!
As always a lot of great dinners and tasting with friends - thanks all!

Here they are, in vintage order.
A toast to a equally great 2019!

1890 Malmsey, Freitas Martins
Old Madeira have a special place in my heart, and when they are this good, you just surrender to its etheral beauty.
99p   (tasted 2018/11)

1952 Barolo, Cappellano
Pinch me hard! Here I am, sitting at a table in La Coccinella with the Barolo Boys and Maria Teresa Mascarello, Roberto Conterno and Augusto Cappellano.
The occasion? A dinner with 14 bottles of Barolo, Cappellano, vintages ranging from 1947 to 2004. There were a lot of stunning bottles but one was perfect, the 1952. Words can´t to do justice to this wine.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do (but in this instance you maybe can figure it out...)   (tasted 2018/04)

The 1952 to the right and Roberto Conterno in the background... Note the label on the 47 - a Super Barolo!

Three happy winemakers after a fantastic Cappellano dinner!

1990 Barolo Cannubi Boschis, Sandrone
I arranged a vertical tasting of Cannubi Boschis a couple of months ago and it turned out to be a great event. The bottle that was my favourite was the 1990, a wine which I fourteen years ago gave a perfect score. On this night it came close...
98p   (tasted 2018/09)

The bottles tasted 

The man himself, Luciano Sandrone, from our visit in November 2018

1998 Côte-Rôtie La Turque, Guigal
It is nice to have friends who opens bottles like this! Roderick turned 50 in 2018 and treated us with an array of great bottles - this La Turque towered over the rest. Thanks Roderick!
99p   (tasted 2018/03)

2010 Syrah Vieilles Vignes, Simon Maye
The 2007 of this wine made last years list but the 2010 is an even greater bottle of Swiss Syrah. In a tasting with lots of fine wines this was the shining star. Thanks Sverker!
98p   (tasted 2018/02)

2010 Barolo Riserva Granbussia, Aldo Conterno
It is always a treat to visit Giacomo (twice in 2018!) and when we were there in November we got to taste all the 2015 Baroli (and probably the best Barbera I have ever tasted, the 2016) but despite their greatness they had to take the backseat to this perfect specimen. When released, I will buy. Plenty.
100p   (tasted 2018/11)

Giacomo with some of the bottles tasted...

2012 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie, Il Marroneto
In May David and Ulf - thanks! - attanges a great tasting of 2012 Brunello di Montalcino. We tasted 10 bottles and there were many fine wines poured but the one that shone the greatest was this one. Give this 8+ years and you surely will have perfection in your glass.
98p   (tasted 2018/05)

2013 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons, Aubert
Having never tasted anything from Aubert, but heard a lot about them, I was very glad to the opportunity to taste this beauty.
A lot of ripe Chardonnay fruit with melted butter, lemon cream and fried spices, but it keeps everything in check with a fantastic acidity and a stern structure. Thanks Marcus for bringing this bottle!
97p   (tasted 2018/08)

2013 Petrucci, Poderi Forte
Everything I want from a Sangiovese! Stunningly pure, ripe and with a rigid backbone, this gorgeous Tuscan really was delivering the goods at this tasting, held at Operakällaren, one on Swedens best restaurants. Thanks Jörgen!
96p   (tasted 2018/11)

2017 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata, Paolo Scavino
I know. This isn´t a "real" wine yet, since it still lies in those beautiful 50 hl casks in Scavino´s cellar, and who will know which parts will go inte the final blend? And will it as usual be a Riserva? These are some questions, but there is none regarding the quality of this nectar. This may very well rival the perfect 2010 in due course...
~97p   (2018/11)

Elisa Scavino pouring Rocche dell´Annunziata from the cask

Earlier years:
The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2017

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2016

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2015

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2014

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2013

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2012

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2011