Thursday 2 January 2014

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2013

While sipping on a glass of 2006 Fleur de Passion (post will follow), I recollect the wines tasted during 2013.
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

4 comments:

  1. Happy New Year !

    Thank you again for pass on all your comments to us.......great job !!

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    Replies
    1. The same to you! And thanks for all comments during the year!

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  2. The 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!

    Jana @ LaDolceVitaPreston.ca

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