200 posts on this blog, 762 wines tasted, the Brunello project concluded, lots of fantastic tastings and dinners, and the first 100p wine in a couple of years - 2013 has been good to me :-)
But it is always hard to etch out the 10 most memorable wines - but after a half bottle of Champagne the list is completed!
Here it is in vintage order.
A toast to an equally great 2014!
19?? Barolo, Giuseppe Mascarello
An unknown vintage of Barolo from Giuseppe Mascarello comes first, since I don´t know the vintage. But what a wine its was, with perfect maturity and a haunting complexity. I still think it was a great Barolo vintage, such as a 52, 58, 61 or a 64. The gamble on this bottle was richly rewarded.
94p (tasted 2013/02)
1954 Viña Tondonia, R. Lopez de Heredia
This old school Rioja was the star of a Spanish dinner, thrown by my friend Oscar. A privilege to drink and a fine recollection from the beginning of my foray into wine, when I in 1984 tasted a 1964 Riserva from an unknown producer. Aah, what memories! Thanks Oscar!
96p (tasted 2013/10)
1990 Barolo Brunate, Ceretto
Another perfectly mature Barolo makes the list. I really like the Ceretto style and this 1990 Brunate was a perfect example of the ethereal sensations of a mature Barolo. I need to drink more mature Ceretto - but wait a moment - I will! :-)
94p (tasted 2013/08)
1997 Brunello di Montalcino Cerbaiola, Salvioni
A lot of Brunello´s could have made this list, but as I said in my Brunello epilogue Salvioni really captured my heart during this project. And I can´t just choose one Salvioni, the 2001 comes further down the list. The 1997 is what dreams are made of and in 5+ years this will achieve perfection. I will definitely get back to it then!
98p (tasted 2013/05)
1998 Shiraz Reserve, Fox Creek
I remember buying several bottles of this when it was sold at the state monopoly for around 33 Euro. And had a 98p Parker score! :-) Several have been drunk over the years and while good I have never seen its greatness. Until this year. Tasted twice this year and performing stunningly both times. A pity I don´t have any left...
97p (tasted 2013/02 and /04)
1998 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, Guigal
This was probably the tasting of the year - nine vintages of La Landonne from Guigal. You don´t get to do that much, unless you are a millionaire.
Almost all vintages performed on the highest level but one was a truly perfect wine, the 1998. You couldn´t have a better time than then drinking this wine, at least with your clothes on...
The 1998 La Turque was tasted a few days ago and was stunning - 98p. I have to taste the 1998 La Mouline, usually my favourite of the three.
100p (tasted 2013/10)
2001 Brunello di Montalcino La Cerbaiola, Salvioni
Another candidate for a future perfect wine, the 2001 Salvioni was, in tough competition, the star of my last Brunello chapter - 10 bottles of 2001 Brunello. Brunello doesn´t get any better than this, and I´m in pursuit of more vintages of the nectar from Salvioni.
98p (tasted 2013/09)
2002 Meursault Les Perrières, Leroy
There are lots of opions of Madame Bize-Leroy, but when she gets everything right (which she most often does) no one can deny the quality of her wines. This semi mature Meursault proved that point - utterly gorgeous, intense and harmonious, it almost brought tears to my eyes.
97p (tasted 2013/11)
2004 Masseto
Nowadays Masseto is a bit rich for my wallet, but oh boy is it good to drink it when someone else has bought it! :-) Thanks Miran!
Ripeness, a firm aristocratic backbone and boatloads of hedonism - what not to like! As I said in the headline of that post - Pour Me More Fucking Merlot!
98p (tasted 2013/08)
2011 Rossese di Dolceacqua Galeae, Ka*Mancine
During our stay in Liguria in the summer of 2013 I visited Tenuta Anfosso and Ka*Mancine. The 2010 version of the Galeae was a splendid wine, and the 2012 was a very fine wine. A didn´t get to taste the 2011 at the estate, but found it later in a Enoteca. As good as the 2012 I then ordered a six pack and have drunk it during autumn. I now have ordered a second six pack of the 2011 and one of the 2012. I just love the drinkability of these wines and of Rossese in general!
90p (tasted 2013/07)
The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2012 - here
The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2011 - here
Happy New Year !
ReplyDeleteThank you again for pass on all your comments to us.......great job !!
The same to you! And thanks for all comments during the year!
DeleteThe title speaks for itself, as you have a great list of wines in here. It could be difficult to categorize wines from the most memorable and what’s not, as it might depend on the person tasting it. I usually have wine tasting when I’m in a restaurant. But you have been everywhere, so it might be possible. I hope you’ll have more wines to come this year. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteJana @ LaDolceVitaPreston.ca
Thanks! That I definitely will! :-)
Delete