2023 BWE WOTY

[JoelD]

I think in Jim's absence we should pick something outrageous, just to see if he swoops in with a BD edict at the last minute.

Maybe Meiomi Pinot Noir - that's about as anti-BWE as you can get.

HA! This is great. Well done, David. Although I think we can accomplish the same idea with something a bit better than Meiomi

[Comte Flaneur]

One way to do it in Jim’s absence would be to agree on an executive committee to agree on a finite number of choices which we could all vote on before the new year.

My suggestion would be an executive committee consisting of Jean-Nicolas as the closest soul mate and confidante of our absent Dear Leader, Joel, JC and DavidG - as an older ‘wiseman’ and long term BWE stalwart who never adopted the mantle of Brutus.

As a transatlantic Brit I would recuse myself

Then we can all submit our candidates for woty over the next couple of days then the Committees could decide.

Just a suggestion as we might - tragically - end 2023 without a BWE woty.

A democratic solution, a fairly new and perhaps unwieldy concept, when it comes to BWE but I think we should get our skates on.

Thoughts?

[jckba]

Ian, I like the idea of an executive committee / board moderators for both WOTY selection as well as the running of the site, after all, I think a shared responsibility approach is the right move.

[JoelD]

I think that Ian’s idea is solid in the absence. However I’d vote that he definitely needs to be part of this. I’m not sure what being across the pond has to do with this global forum? . Should we come up with a top 3-5 options and have a vote?

[Comte Flaneur]

Yes best case is that Jim reappears - like one of those bond characters emerging from the waves - in time to make his choice.

But I think we should prepared to vote in his absence.

I suggest you guys accept submissions and whittle it down to five options which we can all vote on.

I can get the ball rolling: I nominate - or second JC’s nomination of - DDC 2020

[JoelD]

Well you all know my nomination is the 2019 Montrose.

However if we're going a bit rogue, I could nominate almost the entire 1985 vintage, but specifically Pauillac.

Or the 1983 vintage honestly. My WOTY last year was the 1983 VCC and I hear the Trotanoy is even better. Might have to open one of those before the year is out.

[RPCV]

I like the idea of a newer vintage. I second the 2019 Montrose as the nominee.

[DavidG]

No objection to 2019 Montrose here. A few other worthy 2019s to consider:
2019 Palmer
2019 Vieux Chateau Certan
2019 Rauzan Segla

[JoelD]

No objection to 2019 Montrose here. A few other worthy 2019s to consider:
2019 Palmer
2019 Vieux Chateau Certan
2019 Rauzan Segla

I'd have zero objection to the Palmer and Rauzan Segla. Good thoughts. I'd recommend picking one, and probably the Rauzan for the QPR at 1/3 of the price. I'm not yet sold on any VCC post 2014 though. TBD until I try one, or even a Gravette that moves me.

[Nicklasss]

While I liked the 2019 we had in London, and the Montrose surely was great, but I remember the group preferring Giscours and d’Issan that night.

And thinking about it, yes they were big these 2019, so those who are proposing a 2020 I can understand that. The 2020 Calon Ségur is surely greater now (that will surely change in 15-20 years) than all the 2019 we had in London. I had the 2018 DDC and liked it, but I can imagine what the 2020, proposed by jckba and CF, must be something.

Just to compare 2019 to 2020, GPL is 14.5 % alcohol in 2019 and 13.5 % in 2020…

As time pass by, and not so much BWEers did sample some 2020, and I go for a 2019, d’Issan or Montrose would be my candidates.

If I go for 2020, Calon Ségur is amazing so that would be my candidate.

[DavidG]

I haven't had 2019 Giscours or d'Issan so can't comment from experience.
If they showed well at a BWE gathering, they warrant consideration.

[RPCV]

The 2019 Giscours is very, very good. I'd vote for that....

[JoelD]

Should we round out the 5 wines to vote on then?

2020 DDC
2019 Montrose
2019 Giscours
2019 Rauzan Segla
2014 or 2016 Montrose?

Just thoughts, open to other suggestions, then one of us can put a poll up and we can vote?

[jckba]

2 comments:

2 2019 Margaux’s.

And having 2 Montrose entries out of 5 possible choices seems a little biased, so I’d replace one of them with something like a Canon or one of the Pichon’s.

[JoelD]

2 comments:

2 2019 Margaux’s.

And having 2 Montrose entries out of 5 possible choices seems a little biased, so I’d replace one of them with something like a Canon or one of the Pichon’s.

Sure, I was just trying to get the ball rolling by including some wines that were mentioned during the debate. Can you propose an alternative list of 5 wines that you think makes more sense?

[Comte Flaneur]

How about

2020 DDC
2020 Canon - Mark’s suggestion
2019 - Montrose
2019 from the Margaux appellation - take your pick from D’Issan, Giscours, Palmer, Rauzan
Golden oldie - Pichon Lalande 1985? Or 1937?

[RPCV]

The only 2020 I have tried is Fontenil. Yes, I know....a Rolland wine. I purchased this on the suggestion of a friend and was quite surprised. Elegance is what I recall. So, if this is representative of the 2020 vintage, I may have to dip my toe.

On the WOTY. We need Jim...we miss you.

A very Happy Holiday season to all.

[JimHow]

Joel et al, I'm heading off to South Beach tomorrow through the new year, I'll review your recommendations and make a selection of the 23rd annual BWE wine of the year later in the week. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[Nicklasss]

I wanted to open the 2023 BWE WOTY last night, so opened a 2019 Château d'Issan. Even 3 hours decanting did not help, and it stays as hard as a "witch something" (can't remember exactly the expression used here sometimes). Deception!

The 2016 Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino was offering way more last night!

Any solid 2018 to add to the listing? DDC is also excellent in that vintage.

[Comte Flaneur]

Good suggestion Nic

Ducru is very good in 2018

As is Conseillante, Figeac, Troplong Mondot, Lafite and Mouton