Award will now be known as: The Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts William "Stefan" Johnson Wine of the Year.

[Blanquito]

This all inspired me to open one of my 98 Maggies. Giving it a little air first…

[JimHow]

Look at you!
I think I’ll uncork something tonight to begin holiday festivities.

[JoelD]

Very curious to hear how this is. Have you had any of the 98 Figeac score yet?

[Blanquito]

I’ll write up my impressions of the Magdelaine.

I had one of 98 Figeac winnings so far, and it was corked!

[Nicklasss]

I like Branaire since a long time, from many vintages, but tried the 2018 lately and... outch, that showed me how 2018 is wrong,contaminating even the normally nice Branaire...

In the past, i drank many 1994 that was... excellent by the way.

[JimHow]

When I think of Branaire in the context of BWE, I recall that 1996 Branaire you and I shared with Setab in the lobby of the Napa Marriott at BWE '02, Nicola, do you remember that Saturday afternoon? I bought six bottles of the 2016 Branaire Ducru based solely on BWE enablement, I thought I was done buying 2016s, I'm pretty sure these were my last six purchases from that vintages. I uncorked one and was not impressed, but it may have been in an awkward state. I will certainly double blanquito the remaining five bottles, as I will most of my 2016s.

[Blanquito]

Good to know about the 2018.. I see the 2019 in stock in denver for $52, I think I’ll buy two, one to try at home and the other to mail to Lewiston to get on the ballot.

[Blanquito]

When I think of Branaire in the context of BWE, I recall that 1996 Branaire you and I shared with Setab in the lobby of the Napa Marriott at BWE '02, Nicola, do you remember that Saturday afternoon? I bought six bottles of the 2016 Branaire Ducru based solely on BWE enablement, I thought I was done buying 2016s, I'm pretty sure these were my last six purchases from that vintages. I uncorked one and was not impressed, but it may have been in an awkward state. I will certainly double blanquito the remaining five bottles, as I will most of my 2016s.

The 82 Branaire is also part of BWE lore, at the Anonymous Benefactor night in 2003. The 82 Branaire is the shizzle.

[JimHow]

Oh yes, the 1982 Branaire is legendary. Not just from NYC '03 and the Anonymous Benefactor. A few years later I uncorked a 1982 Branaire. I've told this story before. It was the most putrid, disgusting, dead as a door knob of wines. I was absolutely convinced it was the most corked, dead wine I've ever tasted. I went out to the supermarket, and came back an hour later. The wine had blossomed, and turned into a magical wine of NYC '03 proportions.... Francois used to tell stories of such experiences.

[Nicklasss]

When I think of Branaire in the context of BWE, I recall that 1996 Branaire you and I shared with Setab in the lobby of the Napa Marriott at BWE '02, Nicola, do you remember that Saturday afternoon?

Yes i remember well, a nice moment. I opened that same afternoon a 1993 Malescot St-Exupéry (paid 18$ at that giant wine warehouse with the nice blonde). We were tasting these 2 wines and there was 2 persons working at a booth, where they made taste some California wines. We discussed a bit with them, taste their wines, while pouring some of our Bordeaux for them... typical for Bordeaux Wine Nutcases like us

[JimHow]

Setab…. He was a lawyer too.
He was WilliamP-like.
A solid guy.

[robert goulet]

Jeezus Christo Jim
..I thought stefan had died when I sw that ...phew

Happy Thanksgiving BWE

[JimHow]

Happy holidays Bobby G.
I am pleased to report that the great Stefan is alive and well.

[stefan]

>>
I am pleased to report that the great Stefan is alive and well.
>>

I am relieved to learn that. I've got a lot of wine to work through and heard that you cannot BYOW to That Great Tasting Room in the Sky.

[JimHow]

I've been giving it some thought lately, I've narrowed down my choices to about 3-4 wines.
Any last minute recommendations, put them in now, I'm thinking I'll make the announcement by the end of next week.