Favorite Wines of 2009?

My fake list goes like this. It actually leaves some stuff out that I forgot (3.14, '02 Huet), and listing wine is order is just sort of dumb.

16. 2005 Henri Gouges Pinot Blanc
15. NV Cammilo Donati Malvasia Dolce
14. 2008 Natural Process Alliance 2008 Skin Fermented Chardonnay
13. 2008 Thierry Puzelat Brin de Chevre
12. 2007 Arianna Occhipinti Frappato
11. 2001 Benanti Pietramarina
10. 2007 Dard et Ribo Pe de Loup
9. Marc Olliviers 2007 Muscadets
8. 2005 Massavecchia Bianco
7. 1996 Joguet la Dioterie
6. 1989 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero
5. 1996 Thierry Allemand Reynard Cornas
4. 2006 Leon Barral Faugeres Jadis
3. 2002 Thevenet Morgon Vielles Vignes
2. 2007 Overnoy-Houillon Arbois-Pupillin Poulsard
1. Anselme Selosse Substance, 2007 disgorgement
 
The dry donati Levi served me was better by far than any we get out here. It had none of the lambics I had associated with it before. Still prefer the dolce, however.
 
2007 Lapierre Morgon
2006 Pinon Vouvray CT
NV Andre Clouet Grand Cru Reserve

All three were serious, eye-opening, affordable, and wonderful wines I never thought I would have liked prior to trying them. Beaujolais? (Semi) Sweet whites? Grower champagnes? Who knew they were so good? You guys.

Thanks to everyone on this board. Without you, I would have never have tasted them, and my palate would have been the poorer for it.
 
Cos d'Estournel 75 sticks out as the biggest surprise of the year. There was noticeable St Estephe character was the surprise. And it was very pretty on the nose.

Biggest disappointment was a run of corked Fiorano Rosso 94.

This was the year that I really saw how great De Bartoli is.

And the wine area that held sway over my thoughts: Liguria. In fact, I'd say Vio Giobatta Rossese di Albenga "U Bastio!" for my wine of the year.
 
The backward 1970s Bordeaux. I would love to explore these. How did Listrac and Moulis do - have/done? What happened to 1970 itself? Have they freshened up? My only exposure to these years are in the form of Pauillac wine. (links: fail.)
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
originally posted by maureen:
Morot Beaune Marconnets 1988 - in a perfect spot
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Have you also had the 88 Teurons?

Not as perfect?
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My, how quickly you jump, Mr. Maxwell!

I did not have the 1988 Teurons in 2009, hence it did not make the list. I have had it before and recently purchased additional bottles of it so draw a conclusion from that!
 
originally posted by .sasha:
originally posted by maureen:
Trimbach CFE 1990 - twice and it showed beautifully each time
Morot Beaune Marconnets 1988 - in a perfect spot
Trimbach Pinot Gris Hommage Georgette Trimbach 1996 - just yum
Ch. Margaux 1979 - now this is nice Bordeaux!

all of the above bought by me upon release and cellared all these years to great effect - justifies the waiting

Maison Leroy La Romane 1955 - this one I found in the basement of a store that had acquired a cellar - paid all of $50 plus dc sales tax for it in 2001 - tattered label and big ullage - and delicious!
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I have always wondered about that 96 hommage georgette, which I've not touched since release - I understand it'a a fairly rich wine, how is the acidity ? And where is it in terms of evolution, colour, secondary aromatics, etc. ? Thx
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Apart from one bottle consumed a couple of years ago that was more advanced than others, it has been on a predictable (slow) evolution for a Trimbach wine. That said, I don't think the aging curve is as long as for CFE or CSH and if you've got more than a couple (and I suspect you do), it is time to try it. It is richly fruited but beautifully balanced and therefore doesn't seem to have high r.s. It has started to show a bit of darkening but not undue amounts. I'd love to see your take on it so try one soon please!
 
So many, but one of my favourite tastings was at Keller after a 12 hour flight. Stunning. The other standout was Weiser-Kunstler; honest, vivid wines. Sharing older Pichler and Zilliken with Daniel Vollenweider was a real treat as well. And at the end of the year, a '96 Chave which I had bought as a student, stored in my college cellars, and hand carried all the way to Singapore. Also '93 DRC Echezeaux in Hampshire at a countryside inn. Lots of great memories.
 
originally posted by Cory Cartwright:
. . . and 2007 Overnoy Poulsard were the wines for me that were in a class of their own. llivier's Muscadets for wines that are actually reasonable to find.
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Oh sure, pick a wine none of us can get; perfect.

FWIW, any year Overnoy, Poulsard would be my WOTY.

Best, Jim
 
originally posted by maureen:
originally posted by .sasha:
originally posted by maureen:
Trimbach CFE 1990 - twice and it showed beautifully each time
Morot Beaune Marconnets 1988 - in a perfect spot
Trimbach Pinot Gris Hommage Georgette Trimbach 1996 - just yum
Ch. Margaux 1979 - now this is nice Bordeaux!

all of the above bought by me upon release and cellared all these years to great effect - justifies the waiting

Maison Leroy La Romane 1955 - this one I found in the basement of a store that had acquired a cellar - paid all of $50 plus dc sales tax for it in 2001 - tattered label and big ullage - and delicious!
Click to expand...

I have always wondered about that 96 hommage georgette, which I've not touched since release - I understand it'a a fairly rich wine, how is the acidity ? And where is it in terms of evolution, colour, secondary aromatics, etc. ? Thx
Click to expand...

Apart from one bottle consumed a couple of years ago that was more advanced than others, it has been on a predictable (slow) evolution for a Trimbach wine. That said, I don't think the aging curve is as long as for CFE or CSH and if you've got more than a couple (and I suspect you do), it is time to try it. It is richly fruited but beautifully balanced and therefore doesn't seem to have high r.s. It has started to show a bit of darkening but not undue amounts. I'd love to see your take on it so try one soon please!
Click to expand...

I had a bottle of the Georgette over Thanksgiving. Lovely. I'd agree with Maureen's comments. I like the 2000 Hommage Jeanne better, but both wines are great.
 
originally posted by Cory Cartwright:
listing wine is order is just sort of dumb.
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It is if your goal is to tell people the Objective Rank of the wines you drank.

But I like making lists as a way of thinking about the experiences I had with the wine. The point isn't so much to decide what was better than what but to think about what I like about the wines and why I like it. Lists help me with that.

What I discovered making this year's list is that I mostly like bright fruit, at least right now. I was hoping to have a less superficial palate, but at least my own current preferences are clear to me.

I also discovered that most of the wines I liked best were not the most expensive ones I drank. I had several three figure bottles this year; many were wonderful experiences that I treasure, but they weren't my favorites.

Yule, I'm with you, I learn so much here it's almost criminal they're giving it away. (But: what if they had a wine revolution and no-one came?)
 
The wines that really performed well above my imagination

Red
1991 Cornas Juge SC
2005 Cos Pithos (thanks to Levi)

White
1988 Clos des Briords in Stockholm with MarcO and Genevive (How is it possible to combine such pure minerality and the most powerful saffron nose I've ever encountered in a wine?)
La botta de Manzanilla n16, Equipos Navazos

Bravo et merci to these producers/negociants for bringing such joy into my glass.
 
In no particular order:

2006? Breton P'tit Max at La Verre Vole.
2007 Baudry Chinon regular, absolutely delicious.
2002 Cazin Cour-Cheverny, honey and acid, loved it.

And on a completely unrelated note, my favorite Serge Gainsbourg album of the year was definitely "Ballade of Melody Nelson." Serge at his lecherous best. And the bass guitar - phenomenal. Mid-year there was a chance that it may have been "No. 2," but I've been addicted to Melody Nelson for the last 6 months. This is coming after a 10-year "Initials B.B." phase.

Cheers,

Kevin
 
I might just begin and end this list with the 2007 Overnoy Poulsard. I bought four, I have two left. I tried to find more and I was completely unsuccessful. It was certainly the great memorable moment of my wine-drinking year. An wine epiphany and a conversion. I had a dream about this wine later.

Then there's a 1996 Thomas Pinot noir, which I had in February. I drank this, almost by myself, the night I found out that I would be, in effect, losing my situation. (I promptly turned to alcohol, of course.) I have had horrible bottles of this wine, but the bottle that evening contained a beautiful, limpid, pure expression of aging Pinot noir, faded, but gorgeously so. I'm a bit haunted by this wine, but that may have to do with why and when I drank it.

Why and when and with whom means so much, of course. Other bottles, shared:
A 1994 Ch. de Beaucastel with my wife, a Chateauneuf lover.
The 2005 Baudry Cuvee Domaine through an evening on the patio, watching Capitol Hill go by.
A 2007 Puzelat Tesniere (and about six other bottles), with old, old friends sitting around an old wooden table under the mountain stars in Saluda, NC.

Oh and then there's this: On one occasion, the Overnoy was offered to a group of pointy-minded gob lovers (who also happen to be close friends). They promptly pronounced it Robitussin. That'll stick in my craw for a while.

And as with Yule and Steven, I owe a great deal to the board for bringing some needed focus to my wine jones.
 
Wow - '91 Juge SC. I had it 10 years ago, and dismissed it as flawed. Then someone was kind enough to share a bottle of '88 Pierre Barge C-R, and the next time I had Juge (couple of '94s), I was hooked. I've finished all of my Juge, the last being a '99 C couple of years ago. Ranks alongside Gentaz as one of my favourite Syrahs ever.
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:
I got totally into "Variations sur Marilou" this year. That was a cool discovery.
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I still haven't listened to that album. Recommended? or just the song?

Cheers,

Kevin
 
originally posted by Marc D:
Jay, how is the 2007 CRB Gamay, compared to the 2008?
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I loved them both but never had them side by side to be able to really observe how they differ. and my palate memory isn't good enough to do it from memory.
 
Red:

'70 Ducru Beaucaillou
'88 Chave Hermitage
'90 Pichon Baron
'90 Mugneret Ruchottes-Chambertin
'90 Dom. de Pegau Cuve Rserve
'90 Joguet La Chene Vert
'94 Ch. de Beaucastel
'95 Capellano Otin Fiori
'98 Dom. Tempier La Tourtine
'99 Ridge Geyserville
'02 Breton Clos Senechale
'07 Causse Marines Marcillac
(and whichever Puzelat wine the Monkey opened for me)

White:
'89 Huet LHL Molleux
'99 Hirtzberger Hochrain Riesling Smaragd
'01 Prm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese
'02 Luneau-Papin Excelsior Clos de Nolles
'05 Ollivier Granite de Clisson
'07 Valdesil Valdeorras

Sparkling:
'89 Veuve Clicquot "La Grande Dame" (3 L)

Mark Lipton
 
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