Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

It's that time of year again!

Past winners:

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

Needs a Right Banker.

I nominate the 2012 Barde Haut

Ha ha you guys know me better than I know myself.

Well since Jim is digging the ripe stuff these days....
This was no doubt the sexiest most exotic wine on release...the wine that came to inherit the name
'panty dropper'

Though I have to assume the wine is probably more closed today.

2010 clos de l'oratorie

I am going to repeat my stance from last year which is that I think the BWE wine of the year should come from the most recent Bdx vintage released, so for this year that works out to the 2013's. Now while the reds were severely overpriced and largely panned, the sweets from Barsac and Sauternes and the whites were really quite good.

Generally speaking I really like the sweet wines from Chateau Coutet and their 2013 was no exception, I tasted it at the UGC and it was right up my alley from the first sniff to the last sip and I subsequently bought a full case of splits from Zachys (between there really is no greater endorsement then buying) and it remains the only wine I purchased from the vintage (in Bdx).

My vote goes for 2011 Climens...

I'd also like to hear what your favorite wine was that you drank this year, even if it is not your proposed BWE wine if the year.

My personal WOTY top contenders are 2009 Merryvale Profile and 2004 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame.
Two other wines which really excited me this year are 2009 La Querciolina Istriciaia and 2015 Merryvale Sauvignon Blanc.
Honorable mention goes to 2010 Chateau Senejac, 2010 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley and 2010 Merryvale Cabernet Franc.
All are excellent to outstanding.
The Senejac and the Cab Napa both punch well above their price point.
The La Querciolina is a downright bargain at $18 per - if you like pure Sangiovese in this style, with a little age on it.

Although the year is not over yet...

My top wines of 2016 (94 pts and up):
1982 Haut-Brion - 97 pts
1982 Lafleur - 97 pts
1971 Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Ovello Cavalieri Tartufo - 95 pts
1986 Talbot - 95 pts
1986 Rausan Segla - 95 pts
1990 Leoville Poyferre - 95 pts
1996 Pichon Lalande - 95 pts
1996 Haut Brion - 95 pts
1982 Beychevelle - 94 pts
1990 Filhot Crème de Tête - 94 pts
1989 Leoville Poyferre - 94 pts
1990 Grand Puy Lacoste - 94 pts
1980 Montelena Estate Cabernet - 94 pts
1996 Lynch Bages - 94 pts
2001 Leitz Rüdesheimer Berg Schloßberg Riesling Spätlese - 94 pts

2001 La Fleur de Gay

If I had to go with a young wine, I would seriously consider a 2012 St Innocent pinot noir. They are so good.

I have yet to try any Bordeaux from 2011-2014, and the only 2010 of note that I've tried was the Cantemerle.

Given that, I nominate the 1989 Conseillante. A fantastic, mature Right Bank that I've had several times at various BWE events.

My second Right Bank nomination would be a classic vintage of Canon or Figeac.

I drank a bottle of '86 Talbot and '86 Rausan-Segla two years ago.
That Talbot is still the best Bordeaux I've had.

Talbot 1982 is my all time fav.

I'd vote for the 2012 Barde Haut too.

------

Although it does make some sense that recent vintages should be the kinds of things considered for WOTY, I'd extend it to the more nebulous "still broadly available at retail" definition.

I too hope the 2013 Sauternes get blown out eventually too, as they take on the valuation stigma that the reds have. But I'll wait. I think the dollar and time will work in to the consumers favor there. (jckba - how much were the 13 Coutet splits at Zachys btw? just want to get a sense of what a good print might look like)

Always tough to select some nominees.

If a Sauternes, I would go with the 2011 Chateau d'Yquem. We had it at the Chateau last year, and tried it back RDD's place last February, a glorious promising Yquem.

As for the red, depending how many have tried these, I have a very short list. The 2011 Chateau Calon Segur is clearly an excellent wine from that vintage. A very BWE wine. I also liked the 2009 Chateau Malartic Lagravière, an excellent affordable Pessac Leognan, with that nice Graves profile.

Also I just want to remind to everybody that if a Right Bank wine get the BWE Wine of the year Award, that would be clearly similar to elect Trump: not impossible but clearly an heresy!

Nic

Nicklasss wrote:Always tough to select some nominees.

If a Sauternes, I would go with the 2011 Chateau d'Yquem. We had it at the Chateau last year, and tried it back RDD's place last February, a glorious promising Yquem.

As for the red, depending how many have tried these, I have a very short list. The 2011 Chateau Calon Segur is clearly an excellent wine from that vintage. A very BWE wine. I also liked the 2009 Chateau Malartic Lagravière, an excellent affordable Pessac Leognan, with that nice Graves profile.

Also I just want to remind to everybody that if a Right Bank wine get the BWE Wine of the year Award, that would be clearly similar to elect Trump: not impossible but clearly an heresy!

Nic

Nic...not if your drinking 1998 La Grave a Pomerol....crazy good

The 2011 d'Yquem and 2011 Calon Segur were high on my list of 2016 wine experiences.
Then again, I've been lucky to drink a lot of great wines in 2016.

Jim - Have you ever thought of inducing wines into the BWE Hall of Fame? As a separate Lifetime Achievement Award? To complement wine of the year? The obvious first candidate would be Lynch-Bages 1989. Another would be Mouton 82. It was the wine of the night at our 1982 event.

I have enjoyed an embarrassment of riches this year. My winner would be one of a number of 1982 Bordeaux. All of then would be worthy winners including the Haut-Brion. However I tried 1929 Lafite on Friday which was pretty special and a perfect example.

If it is Right Bank one estate I think deserves recognition is La Conseillante under Jean-Michel Laporte. My nomination would go to the 2012 vintage. It is almost as good as the five, nine and ten at a fraction of the price.

Comte Flaneur wrote:Jim - Have you ever thought of inducing wines into the BWE Hall of Fame? As a separate Lifetime Achievement Award? To complement wine of the year? The obvious first candidate would be Lynch-Bages 1989. Another would be Mouton 82. It was the wine of the night at our 1982 event.

This is a great idea.

Comte Flaneur wrote:If it is Right Bank one estate I think deserves recognition is La Conseillante under Jean-Michel Laporte. My nomination would go to the 2012 vintage. It is almost as good as the five, nine and ten at a fraction of the price.

Great minds and all that. I can live with the 2012 instead of the 1989 Conseillante.

Comte Flaneur wrote:.
.
.


If it is Right Bank one estate I think deserves recognition is La Conseillante under Jean-Michel Laporte. My nomination would go to the 2012 vintage. It is almost as good as the five, nine and ten at a fraction of the price.

Comte,

What a coincidence that I did think about 2012 La Conseillante as my nomination and went back and forth before my suggestion of 2011 Climens. But I got the impression that barring a couple, most of the BWErs did not get to taste recent vintages of La Conseillante based on postings. I could live with either selection. I have always called La Conseillante "The Jewel of Pomerol", and it certainly earned it based on its performance in the past as well as recent vintages...

Another vote for 2012 Conseillante here. Great wine, great house, recent vintage, has some special BWE connections. Plus I've got some in the cellar thanks to Ian and the BWEnablers.

CV

BWE did have a memorable visit to La Conseillante on Tuesday 19th May 2015. IIRC Jean-Michel opened the 2014 for us. The visit was also memorable for Danny's roman pose - damn those barbarians trying to beat down the gate - in the bespoke Star Trek-like vat room. But I really think J-M's wines have been under-appreciated. If the 2006 hadn't suddenly shot up I would own it...but I have four, eight, ten, 11 and 12.

Patrick

The 1980s was a magical vintage for this estate. There was so much less rigor with the loveable but chaotic Bernard Nicolas. But somehow he made magical wines: 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990 - even the 1991 tasted good when I visited in July 1993, and the 1983 and 1988 are decent too. Tim, Danny and I had a magical 1986 a couple of months ago here....and they say 1986 was not a great right bank vintage!

Ian

Eat your heart out baby!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/128424418 ... 770048646/

dstgolf wrote:Ian

Eat your heart out baby!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/128424418 ... 770048646/

You two need a room!

I really like the 1989 Conseillante - drank lots of bottles of that great one, and still have one or two left. I have not tried the 2012 Conseillante so I have no opinion on its merits.

I have had a lot of bottles (and half bottles) of 2012 La Fleur Bouard. Had another tonight, it tastes great and is cheap. My vote for BWE wine of the year goes to 2012 La Fleur Bouard. What do you think, Jim?

Chris Bublitz

I would say 2012 La Fleur de Bouard is a MAJOR contender for BWE wine of the year, Chris.

Isn't that the same Bouard, that Bought a "Grand Cru Classé A" label for his Saint-Émilion? His Lalande-de-Pomerol winning the BWE WotY in 2016? Hope the check is big for the BD.

Nic

The 2003 vintage came into it`s own in 2016. Initially panned for being too hot,low acid,over oaked/extracted etc etc and now with few excepetions the left bankers are drinking beautifully and at good value. 2003 Sociando Mallet and du Tertre are two great examples of the vintage and I'm sure enjoyed by many over the year. I'd vouch for the 2011 Calon Segur as it hit the right spot but hard to be a critical judgeafter being the 8 or 9th bottle drank just after midnight with other BWE'ers may have coloured the palate.

La fleur Bouard is a little too modern for wine of the year and stretching too far away from classic Bordeaux to get my vote even the its enjoyable it just doesn't scream Bordeaux to me.

For an oldie the 59 La Mission Haut Brion that Stu treated us to in Fort Lauderdale last Spring was one of the best of the year for my style and the 2000 Mouton a little young but had all the right stuff. The year before the 82 Latour outshone the Mouton on the night. Just a few treats from Stu and Kathy to add to our packed memory banks.

Danny

Enjoying the 98 La Fleur de Bouard tonight, my first time trying this chateau. I paid $21 for this and it is worth every penny. Smells the way Bordeaux should. The palate is a touch soft, so I bet this was better 5 years ago, but still very nice. I'll seek out more recent vintages to try.

I like fleur de bouard on some levels....but as a WOTY candidate?......a major major pass....for me, not even worth the discussion....but that's me

La Fleur de Bouard the BWE WOTY? Saint Émilion and Pomerol turning their vineyard over 50% Cabernet Sauvignon? Jeff Leve our next BWE BD?

Why not?

Nic

Nicklasss wrote:La Fleur de Bouard the BWE WOTY? Saint Émilion and Pomerol turning their vineyard over 50% Cabernet Sauvignon? Jeff Leve our next BWE BD?

Why not?

Nic

No....Michele Rolland!! Lol

When will St.Estephe show up for the title?

2001 Cos is a gem

The selection of BWE wine of the year, in the end, relies heavily upon faith in the kindness, wisdom and benevolence of the BD.

I really think we need to have a right banker this time.

The 2012 La Conseillante and the 2012 Barde Haut both have multiple votes so far. La Fleur de Bouard has a couple of mentions but also some serious opponents.

Picking a right banker sounds more like one of those phony lifetime achievement, accommodating some oversight awards. His benevolence is long on record saying that right bankers aren't really Bordeaux wine at all, merely basking in the proximate glow from the Medoc. Of course, we all serve at the pleasure of the BD, so whatever his choice, we can all rest assured that it will be a wise and indeed benevolent one.

Tom In DC wrote:Picking a right banker sounds more like one of those phony lifetime achievement, accommodating some oversight awards. His benevolence is long on record saying that right bankers aren't really Bordeaux wine at all, merely basking in the proximate glow from the Medoc.

Well said. Honestly, I feel this way when something outside of Pauillac wins (or maybe St. Julien, if I'm in an expansive mood). The Medoc is basking in Pauillac's glow.

Tom In DC wrote:Picking a right banker sounds more like one of those phony lifetime achievement, accommodating some oversight awards. His benevolence is long on record saying that right bankers aren't really Bordeaux wine at all, merely basking in the proximate glow from the Medoc. Of course, we all serve at the pleasure of the BD, so whatever his choice, we can all rest assured that it will be a wise and indeed benevolent one.

1998 la grave a pomerol would make even the harshest critic's rethink their statements. Glorious wine....cab franc addition is the ultimate wild card