It's quiet today...

[Comte Flaneur]

At the risk of this degenerating into a willy-waving contest list your favorite wine from every vintage as far back as you like...can be restricted to Bordeaux or can include everything...doesn't have to be the best wine you ever drunk in that year just the most fondly remembered...

[RDD]

1990 Beausejour Duffau
With Susan, Jacques and Jill at Kittle House in Chappaqua.

[Houndsong]

Given the date you should restrict it to favorite 1918. Supposedly Jim has the Haut Brion but hasn't tried it.

[Tom In DC]

I feel a bit like Joe Walsh... (life's been good to me so far)

The 2000's are really hard to call, haven't tried that many and too early to tell (TETT) for the majority of interesting (to me) wines:

2009 - Actually had a New Zealand Sauv Blanc a couple of weeks ago...probably won't try any Beaujolais Nouveau (known hereabouts as "a headache in a bottle")
2008 - A nice Sancerre from a couple of nights ago. Not good enough to write down the producer, but what the hey...
2007 - Mostly TETT, maybe barrel samples at Pavie-Maquin with AlexR, probably a Chateauneuf du Pape down the line
2006 - Caymus Special Selection is indeed quite special; otherwise, TETT
2005 - Almost anything from Burgundy, despite a great vintage in Bordeax; most memorable: the lineup in Jim's hotel room in DC last spring
2004 - Any Barolo or Barbaresco. No, really...ducks in a barrel if you're a fan of the region...
2003 - Cos d'Estournel (even the Pagodes is a stunner), followed by Sauternes (honestly haven't tasted that many, as it was a wierd vintage in too many places)
2002 - Despite lots of fine burgs, I'm going with a couple of stunning Priorats -- probably Mas Doix at the top, followed by Roquers de Porrera -- tasted during a fun evening at Wolfe's in Coral Gables
2001 - Would like to go with the many stunning German wines, but the best I've tasted was Climens...haven't tasted d'Yquem, but can't imagine how it could be as much better as many suggest...
2000 - Margaux at the most amazing dinner a wine lover could ever imagine, courtesy of our own Geeman (and Corrinne, I guess!) during the BWE adventure in the promised land

More experience with the 1990's..

1999 - A Marcassin Pinot Noir -- don't recall which bottling -- courtesy of a friend from the Baltimore area (no, not he who must not be named...)
1998 - Despite some killer top drawer Bordeaux, you never forget your first Grattamacco
1997 - Great vintage in so many places, but I'll go with Quinta do Noval Vintage Port, best young port I've ever tasted... dream of trying the Nacional one day...
1996 - Great vintage for Barolo, but have to go with Lafite...
1995 - You never forget your first Screaming Eagle
1994 - You never forget your first Harlan, but Shafer Hillside Select Cab is at least as good for sooo much less money!
1993 - Fine year for Burgundy and old school Italians, but Kistler Kistler Chard rocked my world.
1992 - Leflaive Batard-Montrachet, no contest
1991 - Dominus breaks through to a place no Bordeaux lover ever thought Cali Cab could go
1990 - A tie between two Hermitage wines -- Jaboulet La Chapelle and Chave

Ah, the 1980's...now we're getting into my comfort zone...

1989 - I'd have said a tie between Haut Brion and La Miss (based on a dinner at Cabfan's house), but I've gotta go with Lafite in NYC last month, just the poster child for "balance"
1988 - Dal Forno Romano's Recioto, the closet red wine relative to d'Yquem
1987 - Avignonesi's Vin Santo
1986 - Mouton-Rothschild, although it's still not that different from a barrel sample
1985 - Probably not as good as I remember, but 1985 Krug was my benchmark Champagne for many years
1984 - First good vintage from Dominus, but Silver Oak Bonny's was killer in its youth
1983 - Some good Ports, but Palmer was a real stunner relative to it's 1982 version
1982 - This might be a shocker - Dunn Howell Mountain Cab...what an amazing wine from an off vintage in Napa!!! (Yes, I know about vintage generalizations...)
1981 - Beaucastel remains at the top of the heap after all these years; still a terrific wine
1980 - A close-out case of Climens for $120 seems memorable, but Conn Creek Cabernet gets the nod for being a cheap thrill over the next decade.

Our early days...

1979 - Lafleur is as good as wine gets in any vintage (Thanks, Winona Chief, for my last taste and my next one!)
1978 - Either Grand Puy Lacoste or Domain de Chevalier, we went through a bunch of terrific bottles of these early in the "dawn of addiction"
1977 - Taylor or Fonseca, Fonseca or Taylor?????
1976 - You never forget your first Ausone
1975 - Branaire Ducru, an early experience with an estate that "punched above its weight class"
1974 - Yes, Virginia, Heitz Martha's Vineyard is THAT good
1973 - Sorry, but nothing rings a bell here...maybe a Cab from Mayacamas or BV?
1972 - A great bottle of DRC Grands Echezeaux -- courtesy of another friend from the Baltimore area (but again, no, not he who must not be named...)
1971 - An easy one - Cos d'Estournel, the wine that opened our eyes to why we might want to cellar some of this stuff
1970 - A long-ago consumed case of Ducru Beaucaiilou provided a lot of pleasure in its day

François-esque wines (we may skip some years here...)

1969 - A village Pommard was our first fine old Burg
1968 - BV Georges de Latour
1967 - A few great Barolo's, led by Bartolo Mascarello's version (another year where I haven't tasted the d'Yquem)
1966 - Palmer and Latour are great, but tasting Robert Mondavi's first vintage of Cabernet was special
...
1964 - Cheval Blanc was another early days "epiphany" wine
1963 - Re-run of 1977 -- "Taylor or Fonseca, Fonseca or Taylor?????"
1962 - I have actually tasted the d'Yquem (and the Climens and Coutet courtesy of sdr), but the La Tache is better
1961 - A plethora of choices, I have to go with Latour (Our shot at Petrus went down the drain a few days ago, but in the "no time like the present" spirit, we'll try La Chapelle some time this winter...)
1960 - Rouget was very good, but Dow's Vintage Port is likely the best we've tried
1959 - Lafite, Lafite, Lafite, Lafite, Lafite, and Lafite (reflecting the number of times we've had this wine and the number of time that the wine has been in my "Top XX" wines of all time.
1956 - A Charles Krug (i.e. Mondavi) Cabernet was still hanging tough near my 50th birthday.
1955 - Many, many stunning wines, but the Gilette Creme du Tete probably trumps then all
...
1953 - Lafite was as good as its stellar rep the one time we tasted it
...
1950 - Another BWE-Bdx bottle, our host the Comte von Neipperg blind tas6ted us on the Canon-la-Gaffelière at the end of dinner that just rocked. I think I came the closest to calling the vintage among the illustrious folk at our table.
1949 - Latour, the second best wine I've ever had after a bunch of bottles of 1959 Lafite
...
1945 - I've had better bottles, but the Rouget is most memorable (ask DavidG)
--.
1943 - Another neighbor (now a well known wine critic, but no, again not he who must not be named...) came to dinner with a bottle of Clos L'Eglise Rouchut Pomeral (Moreau, Proprietaire) that was a delight, particularly given the circumstances under which the wine must have been made
...
1934 - I've had a few of these, but the most memorable had to be the Latour at One Night in Copenhagen...what an amazing evening!!!
...
1931 - Quinta do Noval Vitage Port, as good as it gets...
...
1926 - Bouchard Echezeaux, I actually had this three times, but the last and best was at my father's 60th birthday. Folks at the dinner asked if this wine was just a curiousity, but I told them this was a great wine! My experience with this wine was my best motivation for attending the amazing Bouchard dinner that François arranged during the BWE adventure in France.
...
1904 - Rayne-Vigneaux Sauternes - just stunning (this was the wine we didn't open the night we had the 1931 Quinta do Noval)
...
1899 - Mouton, among the few 19th century Bordeaux I've ever tasted, an interesting experience
---
18?? - The wine François shared at BWE NYC (don't remember what it was, a Muscat?)
--
1834 - Barbeito Madeira Malvazia, just an amazing thing to taste...

No, no experience with the Jefferson bottles or Riesling from the 14th century, but a lot of memories...

Thanks for bringing up the topic, Ian!

Ciao,
Tom

[AlexR]

Tom,

Utterly fascinating reading.

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to write such a detailed report.

I think I'll sneak away quietly before anyone notices that I haven't answered the question...

Alex R.

[jal]

From memory:

2007 Sauvignon Blanc Clos de la Roche Blanche Touraine
2006 Mugnier Nuits Clos de la Marechale, Lagrange
2005 Pernot Puligny Folatieres
2004 Dugat Charmes Chambertin
2003 Ramonet Chassagne Caillerets
2002 Leflaive Chevalier Montrachet
2001 de Montille Puligny le Cailleret
2000 Leflaive Puligny Pucelles
1999 So many; Palmer, or maybe Rouget Echezeaux, DRC Echezeaux, winner is Dujac Clos de la Roche
1998 Angelus, l'Evangile, Tertre Roteboeuf, Haut Brion
1997 Araujo Eisele, Mugnier Musigny, Niellon Chassagne Champgains
1996 Ceretto Bricco Rocche Barolo; Antinori Solaia
1995 Angelus
1994 Harlan (Thanks DavidG)
1993 Haut Brion
1992 Beringer Cabernet Private Reserve
1991 I'm with Tom, Dominus
1990 Beausejour Duffau with Rob
1989 Lafite from two weeks ago
1988 Dal Forno Romano Recioto that DavidG brought to the Brunello tasting
1987 Dominus again
1986 Talbot
1985 Lynch Bages
1983 Margaux (DavidG you spoil us)
1982 Gruaud Larose, Giacosa Santo Stefano Barbaresco
1981 Pichon Lalande
1978 Stag's Leap Cask 23
1977 Heitz Martha
1975 Yquem
1974 Mondavi Reserve

[Comte Flaneur]

Thanks Tom and Jacques, it's sad than am inclined to do this when I am bored

Bordeaux only

2006 – Pavie Macquin, Haut-Bailly
2005 – Moulin De La Rose (had one yesterday and it was lovely)
2004 – Lafite (supreme) otherwise Sociando Mallet
2003 – Rieussec (lets see what Ducru is like, taking delivery today)
2002 – Leoville Barton/Lagrange (St-J)
2001 – Rouget – not opened many, but this is lovely Pomerol
2000 - Sociando Mallet –have tried very few 2000s
1999 – Palmer – every time (though Le Pin aint too shabby)
1998 – VCC – every time – it even beats Lafite
1997 – Poujeaux – punches like a heavyweight – Rothchilds pick of the firsts
1996 – Margaux, LLC
1995 – GPL, all the firsts are amazing and level pegging
1994 – Pontet Canet
1993 – not sure
1992 – none
1991 – none
1990 – tough one – probably Petrus or Le Pin 
1989 - Hard to beat Haut-Brion/La Mission, but la Conseillante too (and Lafite)
1988 – no contest: Yquem, of the reds the two Pichons are tied
1987 – Mouton, no contest
1986 – Margaux, Ducru my favourite of the non-firsts
1985 – La Conseillante
1984 – Latour was good
1983 – Prieurie Lichine
1982 – Pichon Lalande of course, otherwise Figeac
1981 – La Mission HB
1980 – none
1979 – Haut-Brion, Palmer
1978 – Lafite, Palmer, GPL
1976 – Yquem, Ausone
1975 – Yquem, Mouton
1973 – Latour, Pape Clement
1971 – Petrus
1970 – Latour, La Lagune, Calon Segur (which we had at Jacques' pool party)
1967 – Latour
1966 - Latour
1964 – Petrus
1962 – Pape Clement
1961 – Pape Clement
1959 - Haut Brion
1955 - Lafite
1953 – Cos D’Estournel
1952 – Lafite, Montrose
1947 – Haut Brion
1945 – LLC
1943 – Mouton
1937 – Yquem (nothing will ever beat this)
1929 - Lascombes
1924 – Gruaud Larose
1908 - Yquem


All time favourites

2007 – Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
2006 – As above
2005 - Volnay 1er Cru, Marquis D'Angerville
2004 – Lafite (as per Tom honourable mention to many barolos)
2003 – Rieussec
2002 – Robert Arnoux Vosne Romanee
2001 – DRC Romanee Saint Vivant
2000 - DRC Richebourg
1999 – Palmer
1998 – VCC
1997 – Chave Hermitage Blanc
1996 – Henri Jayer Vosne-Romanee Cros Paratoux/Ch.Margaux
1995 – GPL
1994 – Pontet Canet
1993 - DRC La Tache
1992 – Leflaive Chevalier Montrachet
1991 – Guigal La Landonne
1990 – Le Pin/Petrus
1989 – Haut-Brion/La Mission/La Conseillante/Lafite
1988 – Yquem
1987 – Mouton
1986 – Coche Dury Meursault Perrieres
1985 – DRC Romanee Conti
1984 – Guigal La Mouline
1983 – Ramonet Montrachet
1982 – Ramonet Montrachet
1981 – Guigal La Mouline
1980 – DRC La Tache
1979 – Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino
1978 – Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle
1977 – Fonseca Port
1976 – Penfolds Grange
1975 – Yquem
1974 – Aldo Conterno Barolo Granbussia
1973 – Latour, Pape Clement
1971 – Angelo Gaja Barbaresco Sori San Lorenzo

Beyond that mainly Bordeaux as per the other list with the odd Taylors Port thrown in (1948, 1927)

[Blanquito]

Wow, great stuff, wine-wise and for reading. Makes me realize how much of a rookie I am when it comes to the “great-bottles” list. Looking over my list makes me realize how lucky I am to be part of BWE, given how many of these wines I enjoyed as part of BWE’s unparalleled generosity. FWIW, here's my list (with the caveat that my vote is often the only bottle I've had from that year for many older vintages):

BORDEAUX:
2005 – Carbonnieux Rouge or Vieille Cure, hadn't tried many
2004 – La Lagune
2003 – Duhart Milon (right now, it beats out the Montrose, Pontet Canet, Sociando and a multitude of others)
2002 – d’Issan, the rest are TETT although I have high hopes for the Leoville Barton
2001 –Rieussec, La Tour Blanche and Lafaurie Peyraguey (all other-worldly good)
2000 – Figeac, Pontet Canet, Branaire and d'Issan are all wonderful
1999 – Ducru Beaucaillou
1998 – Angelus (still a baby), Lafite
1996 – Cos, LLC, Lagrange
1995 – Pichon Lalande, GPL
1990 – Giacomo Conterno Montfortino 1990 (I know it’s not Bordeaux, but I don’t care)
1989 – Lynch Bages, Branaire-Ducru, Meyney (in that order)
1988 – Rausan-Segla (seriously good and under the radar, methinks)
1986 – Mouton, with Lafite a close second
1985 – Margaux
1983 – Pichon Lalande, Gruaud Larose
1982 – Pichon Lalande, Leoville Poyferre, Certan de May
1978 – GPL
1975 – Haut Bages Liberal and many surprisingly good bottles of Lascombes
1973 – Mouton
1970 – Conseillante
1959 – Suduiraut
1934 – Leoville Barton