It's getting around to that time of year again....

[JimHow]

....I think you all know.

It's time to start thinking about the annual BWE wine of the year....

[Blanquito]

My impression is, unlike most years, there's not really a buzz for a particular chateau or vintage on the site at present. I assume the ho-hum 2017 and 2018 vintages are a big part of that. And most of us haven't had the chance to taste any/many 2019s yet.

Maybe that means we pick a back vintage this year?

[RPCV]

That '02 Palmer was quite a show-stopper at the convention.

[stefan]

I have not drunk anything this year that tops the 1982 Latour some of us drank in February.

[jckba]

I think I need a refresher of the past BWE WotY winners in order to better see which favorite BWE estates have been denied top honors.

[JimHow]

Past recipients of the most highly coveted wine award on the internet:

BWE WINE OF THE YEAR

2000: 1996 Sociando-Mallet
2001: 1989 Lynch-Bages
2002: 1995 d'Yquem
2003: 1999 Haut Brion Blanc
2004: 2000 Pichon Baron and 2000 du Tertre
2005: 2000 Margaux
2006: 2003 Pontet-Canet
2007: 2002 Leoville Poyferre
2008: 2005 Burgundy vintage (protest vote)
2009: 1989 Lafite Rothschild
2010: 2005 Cantemerle
2011: 2008 Leoville Poyferre
2012: 2009 Giscours
2013: 2004 Smith Haut Lafitte
2014: 2010 Chasse Spleen
2015: 2012 Leoville Las Cases
2016: 2012 Barde-Haut
2017: 2014 Calon Segur
2018: 2015 Brane Cantenac
2019: 2016 Tour Saint Christophe
2020: 2016 Leoville Barton and 2008 Dom Perignon
2021: 2014 Chateau La Conseillante

[Nicklasss]

It will be a tough one this year. But 2022 is not over yet.

Red Bordeaux i really liked this year:
2000 Montrose
2009 Pichon Baron
1999 Vieux Château Certan
1986 Léoville Las Cases
1996 Latour

And normaly, we'll have a smal Léoville Barton vertical tasting on December 1st...

[Dionysus]

Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you the first two-time winner of The Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts William "Stefan" Johnson Wine of the Year, Calon Segur 2014.

[JimHow]

Lol… I like it Conor! That wine is a stunner, I rated it 100 points. I have 17 bottles left, and will touch the next one after a blanquito or so.

[DavidG]

Jim, have you had the 2016 Calon Segur? How does it compare to the 2014?

[JimHow]

I have three bottles in my cellar David but have not tried it yet.

[Ognik]

La Lagune 2019 as a candidate.

[JimHow]

Interesting suggestion Ognik, I may have to try one.

[Nicklasss]

La Lagune 2019 as a candidate.

Surely a good proposal Ognik, but maybe the stars are "a bit too well aligned" with La Lagune as first William 'Stefan' Johnson Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts Wine of the Year...

Isn't it the time for a Montrose to win?

[JimS]

La Lagune 2019 as a candidate.

Surely a good proposal Ognik, but maybe the stars are "a bit too well aligned" with La Lagune as first William 'Stefan' Johnson Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts Wine of the Year...

Isn't it the time for a Montrose to win?

2005 I had earlier this year was lights out good

[Ognik]

There might be bigger wines but there can be only one.
La Lagune 2019 is all about finesse, thats all.....

[Blanquito]

You know, we’ve yet to honor Pichon Lalande, which is shocking as PLL is at the very top of my favorite wines. True, the Comtesse is reputed to have gone through a weak stretch staring around 2004, but by all accounts it is back in peak form as of 2014-present.

Which PLL young and old deserve the award? I agree with Joel about the wonderful 89, but of course the Comtesse has a strong argument to make as the chateau of the decade 1980-1989 (and 1970-1979 as well). I haven’t tried many young ones, but the 00-02 trio are terrific, and the 95-96 both can lay claim as top wines of the vintage.

[Ognik]

Forget about the past.
2019 PLL will surpass all.
Best in decades. Except 82 maybe?
But that's a different story to tell, not BWE story beeing WOTY. My 2 cts.

[Claudius2]

Guys
I think it is fair to give the award to a 2019 left bank. These wines are very good overall and deserve their place with such an award.

At the events I’ve been to, there were several standouts including Giscours and Beychevelle but I’ve not tried the most famous wines.

[Musigny 151]

The 2010 Pichon is quite good, but the ‘05 is nowhere near as good as Baron, which doesn’t happen very often.

I think the 1989 might be a good start, but still vote for Magdelaine.

[sisler]

I suggest Montrose (2014 or 2016) or Figeac (2014 and above). Both never made it onto the list.

[DavidG]

Any of the following 2016s would be worthy IMO:
Montrose
Pichon Comtesse
Figeac