Your top 10 of 2021

[Blanquito]

All this talk of the BWE wine of the year got me thinking about all the incredible wine I enjoyed so far in 2021. It’s hard to narrow it down, with like 50 wines that merit mention, but that’s too many to really highlight. So let’s make it a top 10…

In no real order, here are mine:
1990 Le Pin
1996 DRC La Tache
1978 Lafite
1962 Ducru Beaucauillou
1982 Magdelaine
2014 Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet Vergers
1995 Figeac
1990 La Conseillante
1982 VCC
2014 VCC

[OrlandoRobert]

In no particular order:

2008 Chateau Rayas
1945 Chateau Kirwan
1943 Chateau Gazin
2005 Vatan Clos Neore - My WOTY
1998 Vieux Chateau Certan
1998 Chateau Figeac
1998 Magdelaine
2008 Cristal
2008 Krug
1955 Richebourg -

Honorable mentions:

1996 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou
1982 Chateau Leoville Las Cases
2017 Le Pin
1982 Prum W.S. Spatlese
1955 Chateau Lagrange
1999 Verset Cornas
2000 Dom Perignon p2
2004 Dom Perignon p2

[JimHow]

I'm never good at this, off the top of my head, if I were going with non-BWE-convention wines:

2001 Lafite
2014 Clerc Milon
2014 La Conseillante
2014 VCC
2008 Cristal

[OrlandoRobert]

I'm never good at this, off the top of my head, if I were going with non-BWE-convention wines:

2001 Lafite
2014 Clerc Milon
2014 La Conseillante
2014 VCC
2008 Cristal

Baby killing!!!

[JimHow]

Adding 2010 Troplong Mondot to the list.

2001 Lafite
2014 Clerc Milon
2014 La Conseillante
2014 VCC
2008 Cristal
2010 Troplong Mondot

[Dandersson]

Ok, this will be difficult but I will give it a shot, not in order.
2003 d'Armailhac
2003 Les Ormes de Pez
2016 Lafon Rochet
2014 Haut Batailley
2014 Phelan Segur
2016 Lacoste Borie
2018 Lilian Ladouys
2018 Les Ormes de Pez
2016 Lilian Ladouys
2018 Grand Puy Ducasse

[robert goulet]

My turn:
2000 Dom P2
1966 Poulet clos de malte
1966 Parisot Chambolle Musigny
1993 D'issan
1976 Petite Village
1999 D'armailhac
1959 Champy Chambolle Musigny
1998 George Lignier Gevrey Chambertin
2002 Raymond Launay Latricieres Chambertin
2014 Hors Category

[Blanquito]

My turn:
2000 Dom P2
1966 Poulet clos de malte
1966 Parisot Chambolle Musigny
1993 D'issan
1976 Petite Village
1999 D'armailhac
1959 Champy Chambolle Musigny
1998 George Ligonier Gevrey Chambertin
2002 Raymond Launay Latricieres Chambertin
2014 Hors Category

Lots of burg!

[OrlandoRobert]

My turn:
2000 Dom P2
1966 Poulet clos de malte
1966 Parisot Chambolle Musigny
1993 D'issan
1976 Petite Village
1999 D'armailhac
1959 Champy Chambolle Musigny
1998 George Ligonier Gevrey Chambertin
2002 Raymond Launay Latricieres Chambertin
2014 Hors Category

Lots of burg!

I don’t even know Bobby anymore….

[JoelD]

This was tough so the easiest way I found was to go through and just pick the WOTN from all of my tastings pretty much. Ordered by tasting date, oldest to recent. Year isn't over yet. Hoping I can sneak one more top 10 wine before all is said and done.

2005 Bouchard Ancienne Cuvee Caillerets
1999 Robert Chevillon Les St Georges
1985 Pichon Lalande
2008 Vilmart Grand Cellier D'Or
1996 Bernard Morey Chassagne Caillerets
1990 La Conseillante
2000 La Conseillante
1987 Montelena Estate Cab
2000 Haut Brion
1995 Charles Heidsieck Blanc De Millenaires

1975 Climens(needs to be inserted somewhere, will revisit later)

Just missed the cut:
1989 Pichon Lalande
1993 Haut Brion
1989 La Conseillante
1987 Spottswoode
1983 Jaboulet Chapelle Hermitage
1989 Lynch Bages
1990 Leoville Las Cases
1982 Bianco Luigi Barbaresco Rabaja
2001 Jadot Clos St Jacques

[Nicklasss]

This was tough so the easiest way I found was to go through and just pick the WOTN from all of my tastings pretty much. Ordered by tasting date, oldest to recent. Year isn't over yet. Hoping I can sneak one more top 10 wine before all is said and done.

2005 Bouchard Ancienne Cuvee Caillerets
1999 Robert Chevillon Les St Georges
1985 Pichon Lalande
2008 Vilmart Grand Cellier D'Or
1996 Bernard Morey Chassagne Caillerets
1990 La Conseillante
2000 La Conseillante
1987 Montelena Estate Cab
2000 Haut Brion
1995 Charles Heidsieck Blanc De Millenaires

Just missed the cut:
1989 Pichon Lalande
1993 Haut Brion
1989 La Conseillante
1987 Spottswoode
1983 Jaboulet Chapelle Hermitage
1989 Lynch Bages
1990 Leoville Las Cases
1982 Bianco Luigi Barbaresco Rabaja

I admit, it takes balls to have on BWE a California Cabernet on your top 10, and 1989 Lynch Bages (2nd Growth?) missed the cut...
R-E-S-P-E-C-T

[robert goulet]

My turn:
2000 Dom P2
1966 Poulet clos de malte
1966 Parisot Chambolle Musigny
1993 D'issan
1976 Petite Village
1999 D'armailhac
1959 Champy Chambolle Musigny
1998 George Ligonier Gevrey Chambertin
2002 Raymond Launay Latricieres Chambertin
2014 Hors Category

Lots of burg!

I drink alot of burg

[Blanquito]

My turn:
2000 Dom P2
1966 Poulet clos de malte
1966 Parisot Chambolle Musigny
1993 D'issan
1976 Petite Village
1999 D'armailhac
1959 Champy Chambolle Musigny
1998 George Ligonier Gevrey Chambertin
2002 Raymond Launay Latricieres Chambertin
2014 Hors Category

Lots of burg!

I drink alot of burg

For a guy evidently with a burg palate, I bet that 76 Petite Village was pretty darn fruity!

[Comte Flaneur]

Top 10 (9/12)

In no particular order:

Lafite 1978, 1996
Mouton 1985
Ch. Margaux 1983, 1996, 2010
Le Pin 1990
VCC 2014
DRC La Tache 1996
DRC Richebourg 2000
Leroy Vosne-Romanee Beaux-Monts 1993
Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero 2016

Honourable mentions:

Lafite 1995
Mouton 1996
Latour 1995, 1996
Ch. Margaux 1978, 1982, 1985, 1990, 2000, 2001
La Mission 1989, 1996
Cheval Blanc 2001
Leoville Lascases 1985, 1990
Ducru 1961,1962,1996
Gruaud-Larose 2005
Talbot 1985
Palmer 1989
Figeac 2000
VCC 2020
Magdelaine 1970, 1982
Rousseau Chambertin Clos De Beze 1995
Grivot Echezeaux 2001
Marc Colin Montrachet 2013
Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne 1991
PYCM Corton Charlemagne 2011
Tattinger Comtes 2008
Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero 2004, 2006, 2010
Burlotto Barolo Cannubis 2016
Canonica Barolo Paiagallo 2010
Dow Port 1977

So Chateau Margaux comfortably my producer of the year

My list might be tweaked because having VCC 98 tonight and a couple of Lafites on Friday.

[Racer Chris]

In no particular order:
'78 Palmer
'61 Latour
'82 Margaux
'70 Figeac
'83 Cos d'Estournel
'86 Gruaud-Larose
'82 Sociando-Mallet
'74 Heitz Martha's Vineyard
'64 Schloss Reinhartshausen Erbacher Honigberg Riesling Beerenauslese Cabinet
'90 Albert Boxler Riesling Sommerberg

[DavidG]

A number from the convention (and I missed Pomerol Thursday) made my top 10. Something about a BWE convention makes wines taste better. In vintage order:
1959 Leoville Poyferre
1995 Figeac
1986 Talbot
2000 Haut Brion
2000 La Mission Haut Brion

Rounding out my top 10, also in vintage order:
1988 Yquem
1989 Lynch Bages
1989 Haut Brion
2005 Screaming Eagle
2014 MacDonald

[JimHow]

Adding 2016 Sociando to my list, I'll get to 10 yet.

2001 Lafite
2014 Clerc Milon
2014 La Conseillante
2014 VCC
2008 Cristal
2010 Troplong Mondot
2016 Sociando Mallet

[JimHow]

I drank a 2000 Calon Segur after my murder case, it tasted oh so good.

2001 Lafite
2014 Clerc Milon
2014 La Conseillante
2014 VCC
2008 Cristal
2010 Troplong Mondot
2016 Sociando Mallet
2000 Calon Segur

[JoelD]

This was tough so the easiest way I found was to go through and just pick the WOTN from all of my tastings pretty much. Ordered by tasting date, oldest to recent. Year isn't over yet. Hoping I can sneak one more top 10 wine before all is said and done.

2005 Bouchard Ancienne Cuvee Caillerets
1999 Robert Chevillon Les St Georges
1985 Pichon Lalande
2008 Vilmart Grand Cellier D'Or
1996 Bernard Morey Chassagne Caillerets
1990 La Conseillante
2000 La Conseillante
1987 Montelena Estate Cab
2000 Haut Brion
1995 Charles Heidsieck Blanc De Millenaires

Just missed the cut:
1989 Pichon Lalande
1993 Haut Brion
1989 La Conseillante
1987 Spottswoode
1983 Jaboulet Chapelle Hermitage
1989 Lynch Bages
1990 Leoville Las Cases
1982 Bianco Luigi Barbaresco Rabaja

I admit, it takes balls to have on BWE a California Cabernet on your top 10, and 1989 Lynch Bages (2nd Growth?) missed the cut...
R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Sometimes its hard to pick Nicola. Thats why I specified that I chose mostly by picking the top 1 or 2 wines from all the awesome tastings I've been to this year. I'll say this though, the Montelena is nowhere near the bottom of the top 10. It probably falls somewhere 3-5 for the year. This was the WOTN at the Friday dinner for me and a few others (out of at least 50 wines!) If I have to kick one out, it would be one of the Burgundies or maybe the Vilmart. But alas, I forgot about the 1975 Climens from the Saturday tasting. Where the 89 Lynch was also at. So many great wines at the Saturday dinner that maybe it didn't get to be appreciated. The year isn't over and those two may get shuffled into the top 10. But I also wanted a balanced list that reflected all of the different wines that I've loved. Normally a Barolo or German Riesling would be in there, but I haven't had any this year that truly wowed me.

[s*d*r]

10.) 1966 Latour
9.) 1978 Ygrec
8.) 1989 La Mission Haut-Brion
7.) 2010 Coche-Dury Meursault Perrières
6.) 2011 Roulot Meursault Charmes
5.) 1996 Krug Ambonnay
4.) 1959 Calon Ségur
3.) 1961 Latour
2.) 1961 La Mission Haut-Brion
1.) 1971 Dom Pérignon P3

[DavidG]

1978 Ygrec… very interesting. I suspect you posted a note but what was that like?

[robert goulet]

Top 10 (9/12)

In no particular order:

Lafite 1978, 1996
Mouton 1985
Ch. Margaux 1983, 1996, 2010
Le Pin 1990
VCC 2014
DRC La Tache 1996
DRC Richebourg 2000
Leroy Vosne-Romanee Beaux-Monts 1993
Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero 2016

Honourable mentions:

Lafite 1995
Mouton 1996
Latour 1995, 1996
Ch. Margaux 1978, 1982, 1985, 1990, 2000, 2001
La Mission 1989, 1996
Cheval Blanc 2001
Leoville Lascases 1985, 1990
Ducru 1961,1962,1996
Gruaud-Larose 2005
Talbot 1985
Palmer 1989
Figeac 2000
VCC 2020
Magdelaine 1970, 1982
Rousseau Chambertin Clos De Beze 1995
Grivot Echezeaux 2001
Marc Colin Montrachet 2013
Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne 1991
PYCM Corton Charlemagne 2011
Tattinger Comtes 2008
Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero 2004, 2006, 2010
Burlotto Barolo Cannubis 2016
Canonica Barolo Paiagallo 2010
Dow Port 1977

So Chateau Margaux comfortably my producer of the year

My list might be tweaked because having VCC 98 tonight and a couple of Lafites on Friday.

Wow strong list!...and Burlotto is so good

[robert goulet]

10.) 1966 Latour
9.) 1978 Ygrec
8.) 1989 La Mission Haut-Brion
7.) 2010 Coche-Dury Meursault Perrières
6.) 2011 Roulot Meursault Charmes
5.) 1996 Krug Ambonnay
4.) 1959 Calon Ségur
3.) 1961 Latour
2.) 1961 La Mission Haut-Brion
1.) 1971 Dom Pérignon P3

1971 P3 ...Baller!!!!

[Nicklasss]

2016 Clerc Milon
2016 Saint Pierre
2014 Domaine de Chevalier
2009 Suduiraut
2005 Haut Bailly
1996 Ducru Beaucaillou
2010 Cantemerle
2009 Calon Segur
2008 Dom Pérignon
2017 Philippe Colin Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Vergers

[JimHow]

Wow, Nicola. You are a Bordeaux wine enthusiast.

[barsacpinci]

SO hard to choose
Top 10 no order
2006 Krug
2014 Albert Boxler Riseling Sommerberg
1994 Shafer Hillside Select
2001 Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Auslese GK
1990 Leoville Las Cases
1986 Rieussec
1997 La Jota Anniversary
2002 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Cuvée Nicolas-François Billecart
1989 La Conseillante
2010 Marguet Sapience

Honorables
2006 Glaetzer Amon-Ra
2005 Daniel-Etienne Defauz Les Lys
2019 Maximan Grunhauser Herrenberg Kabinett
2012 Peter Michael Le Moulin Rouge
2014 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
2015 Marcel Deiss Gruenspiel
2007 Sullivan Vineyrds Coeur de Vigne
2015 Ulysse Collin Les Pierrieres
2004 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut
2017 Guigal La Turque

[JimHow]

Mmm Barsac, I absolutely LOVED that 2002 Billecart Salmon we had in DC, so much so that I'm tempted to spend $200 plus to drink it again.

[JoelD]

Mmm Barsac, I absolutely LOVED that 2002 Billecart Salmon we had in DC, so much so that I'm tempted to spend $200 plus to drink it again.

BD, if you would like some more enablement tonight. That can be had for $150 right now... I just ordered a couple bottles and am tempted to get more.

I agree, that bottle that you brought to the Thursday dinner was awesome. Really unfurled with air.

[robert goulet]

Almost forgot...Though I posted a top ten...this is one is def.worthy to be on the list...2009 Nicolas Joly les vieux clos

[s*d*r]

1978 Ygrec… very interesting. I suspect you posted a note but what was that like?

• 1978 Lur-Saluces "Y" - France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur (11/8/2021)
  By far the surprise of the tasting, this Ygrec proved conclusively how brilliantly white Bordeaux can age - and it isn’t even from the tenderloin district of Pessac. Pale to medium yellow and nicely fragrant of yellow stone fruits and long on the palate. The usual waxy odor and texture of the Pessac versions of the genre is nowhere to be found; it’s just about clean fruit. Fairly delicate but not feeble. Very easy to like for both connoisseurs and non-fanatics. (95 pts.)

[DavidG]

Thanks Stu. I’ve never had an aged Ygrec.

[marcs]

This year wasn't a huge wine drinking year, find it hard to remember the candidates, but in no particular order --

2010 Conseillante -- maybe my favorite 2010 so far, that Conseillante lightness was just enough to leaven the heaviness of this vintage
1995 Figeac -- 'nuff said
1982 VCC -- am starting to have a slight aversion to the VCC cult around here, but this one was great
1993 Haut Brion -- very rare for me to drink first growths (e.g. I have never drunk Lafite, Latour, or Margaux) but to see what HB did in this off vintage was stunning. Incredible lightness of touch and subtlety. The adjective "Burgundian" is 99% misused but fits here.
2005 Thibault Liger-Belair Chambolle Gruenchers -- one of several wines that reminded me of the greatness of aged Burgundy, although this one is comparatively young. Not super "Chambolle-y" -- more coffee/cocoa than red fruit -- but amazing depth and layering. Glad to have a few bottles more
1999 Chevillon Les Saints Georges -- another aged Burgundy stunner, just opening up, truly superb in its depth and complexity. Maybe Burgundy of the year for me. Glad to have five more bottles. Most of my other Chevillon is Vaucrains/Cailles, hope it can live up to this with age.
2009 Camille Giroud Latricieres Chambertin -- not sure if I loved this one so much because of the auction bargain I got on it or because it really is so promising, but I really really enjoyed it even though it is still very young and fruity
1998 Clos L'Eglise Pomerol -- a wow wine in part because of storage -- this auction lot (another huge bargain, maybe my biggest ever) must have been superbly stored because every bottle I've had out of it has come through in Technicolor precision and vividness. Bottles from other sources were good, this one was great.
2001 Keller Spatlese -- not sure this one is going to lead to any purchases given Keller's price, but since it's the best Riesling I've ever had it needs to be included.
2011 Chave Hermitage -- this was the best Syrah I've ever had, quite a testimonial after 20 years in wine. Based on this bottle anyway Chave really is all that. Still young, but as sophisticated and subtle as Northern Rhone, as intense and powerful as Aussie Shiraz. Have two cases of Chave and if others are as good as this I'm going to be selling other wines to buy more of this. Glad I splurged on a case of the 2005 which should be even better, haven't tried it yet.

[marcs]

A few more honorable mentions --

2004 Dominus -- almost a dead ringer for a Pomerol
2004 Pichon Baron -- 2004 is wildly underrated in Bordeaux, there's a softness and charm to the fruit that is remarkable
2001 Pichon Lalande -- motivated me to reload, some intense exotic fruit elements here that are rare for 2001 and PLL both
1986 PLL -- actually the whole vertical we had at this dinner was very good

Also went to a great aged Burgundy dinner at Dallas' house which had a fantastic Rene Engel from the 80s that should almost make top 10, but can't remember the exact wine...

[Blanquito]

My honorable mentions:
2000 LMHB
1987 Montelena Estate
1990 La Conseillante
1985 Talbot
2020 VCC
1970 Magdelaine
1991 Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne
1995 Lafite
1982 Talbot
1977 Dows Port
1978 Domaine de Chevalier (rouge)
1982 Girard Certan
2009 Huet Clos du Bourg Sec
1989 l’Evangile
2008 Taittinger Comtes
1996 Dom Perignon
2007 Saxum James Berry Vineyard
1952 C.V.N.E. Viña Real Reserva Especial
1967 Guiraud Sauternes
1989 Pichon Lalande

[marcs]

I forgot I had the 2008 Taittinger Comtes. Concur that it's a spectacular Champagne. Champagne is just not my favorite drink so it didn't make my top 10, but it was pretty remarkable -- my champagne of the year I think, although the 2005 Comtes Rose was also very good.

[jal]

French only, go figure

2018 Jacques Carillon Puligny Montrachet Les Referts
2018 Jacques Carillon Puligny Montrachet Les Champs Canet
1982 La Lagune
1989 Gruaud Larose
1982 Calon Segur
2001 Lafite Rothschild
1979 Pichon Lalande
2001 Domaine de La Vougeraie Bonnes Mares
2001 Domaine Bruno Clavelier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru La Combe d'Orveau Vieilles Vignes
2017 Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Les Pucelles


Honorable mentions:
1968 Marqués de Murrieta "Castillo Ygay" Gran Reserva Especial Rioja
2002 Leoville Las Cases
2000 Nicolas Potel Volnay 1er Cru Pitures
1998 Chateau Montelena Estate
2017 Elio Grasso Langhe Nebbiolo Gavarini
2014 Domaine de La Vougeraie Clos de Vougeot
2007 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne
2016 Ultramarine Blanc de Noirs (Best Champagne outside of France I've had and can easily go head to head with Dom, Cristal, and the rest)