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2009 |
2000 Chateau Rayas, Reserve Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone Valley |
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2004 Maison Louis Latour,
Volnay “en Chevret”, Burgundy
NV Piper
Heidsieck, Brut Champagne
1992 Dominus, Napa Valley
2004 Chateau Mont-Redon,
Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Rhone Valley
1998
Stony Hill, Chardonnay (Magnum) Napa Valley |
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Special Note:
Since 1990 I have been picking my five best wines of the year. This
year, however, I have six because I could not decide which of the 2009
wines should be dropped. Further, my best wine of the year, Chateau
Rayas, may well be one of the five best wines I’ve ever had. It was
brilliant.
I got the idea of picking my top wines from the Wine Spectator
which has been picking their top 100 wines since 1988. For the past
several years Wine Spectator has had some strange selections;
2009 was no exception. Their number 2 wine was the 2005
Numanthia-Termes, Toro Region. I have had 3 bottles of that wine in
the past 6 months and, while it is very good, to place it that high is
strange. What is going on at this magazine?
I will also point out that Piper Heidsieck was Marilyn Monroe’s
favorite which makes it even more enjoyable! |
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2008 |
1996 Louis
Latour, Corton-Charlemagne, Burgundy - March |
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1992 Opus One, Napa
Valley - June
2002 Leitz, Riesling
Spätlese, Rheingau -October
2002 Nicolas Joly,
Savenniẻres, Coulée
de Serrant, Loire Valley -October
2005 Antinori,
Tignanello, IGT Tuscany - October |
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2007 |
2004 Melville, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
2002 Twomey, Merlot, Napa Valley
2006 Qupé, Roussanne, Bien Nacido Hillside Estate, Santa Maria Valley
2002 Kistler, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
1998 & 2003 Alión, Ribera del Duero |
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2006 |
2002 Domaine V. Girardin, Pommard Les Vignots |
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1997 Trimbach, Riesling Frederic Emile
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2003 Avignonesi, Vino Nobile de Montepulciano
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2004 Zind-Humbrecht, Gewurztraminer
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2003 Kosta Browne, Pinot Noir, Russian River
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1982 Chateau Margaux
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2005 |
Lustau, East India Solera Sherry |
From Bodegas Lustau, Spain, one of the
major Sherry producers in Jerez de la Frontera. |
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1996 Penfolds Grange
1994 Rubicon
2002 Charles Schleret, Gewurztraminer
1992 Banfi, Brunello di Montalcino
Back to Top |
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2004 |
1991 Caymus, Special Selection (Caymus dinner
with a 10 vintage vertical) |
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1997 Avignonesi, Vino Nobile Montepulcino,
Reserva Grand Annate |
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1997 Topolos, Zinfandel Piner Heights |
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1999 Pesquera, Reserva |
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| |
1999 Bouchard Pere & Fils, Beaune Le Clos de la
Mousse (a gift from Bouchard for discovering an error in their
website) |
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2003 |
1999 Domaine Weinbach, Gewurztraminer Cuvee
Theo |
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1989 Chateau Pichon-Lelande |
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1986 Chateau Haut-Brion |
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1989 Chateau de Beaucastel (Magnom) |
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1999 Wolf Blass, Shiraz Platium |
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2002 |
Grahan, 40 year Tawny Oporto |
The port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia
taken from across the Douro River from Oporto, Portugal. |
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1998 & 1999
Domaine Chandon, Pinot Meunier
1996 Matanzas Creek, Merlot
1986 & 1994 Vega Sicilia, Valbuena
1996 Antinori, Brunello de Mantalcino, Pian della
Vigne
Back to Top |
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2001 |
1996 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Pinot Gris,
Turchheim Clos Jebsel |
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1994 Oremus, Tokaji Aszu, 5 Puttonyos |
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1990 Domaine Maume, Gevrey-Chambertin |
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1983 Chateau de Beaucastel |
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1998 Witford, Pinot Noir |
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2000 |
1995 Fritz Wieninger, Chardonnay
Trockenbeerenauslese |
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1995 Alion |
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1989 Chatuea Pichon-Baron (at a dinner along with
1990 in Magnum & 1995)
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1998 R. Pichler, Gruner Veltliner Hochrain |
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1996 Saucelito Canyon, Late Harvest Zinfandel
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1999 |
1996 Leonetti, Merlot |
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1996 Clarendon Hille Chardonnay Norton |
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1986 Beaulieu Vineyards, Georges de Latour
Reserve
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1996 Panther Creek, Pinot Noir Freedom Hill
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1997 Martin Schaetzel, Tokay-Pinot Gris |
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1998 |
1992 Weingut Hubertushof, Riesling, gau-Opernheimergotspfap.
Trockenbeerenauslese |
The steep slopes along the Mosel River at Bernkastel, Germany. |
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1990 Domaine Weinbach, Gewurztraminer Cuvee Theo
1996 Claredon Hills, Chardonnay Norton
1992 Stonestreet, Legacy
1986 Silver Oak, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander
Valley
Back to Top |
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1997 |
1994 Talbott, Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow |
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1995 Swanson, Sangiovese |
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1989 Drouhin, Volnay Clos de Chenes |
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1994 Mac Rostie, Pinot Noir Reserve |
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1991 Hanzell, Pinot Noir |
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1996 |
1983 Vega Sicilia, Unico |
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1985 Chateau L’Angelus |
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Charles Heidsieck, Brut Monopole |
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1982 Penfolds, Grange Hermitage |
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1970 Warre, Oporto |
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1995 |
1955 Chateau Mouton Rothschild |
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1976 Guigal, Cote Rotie La Mouline |
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1985 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Richebourg
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1981 Domaine du Grand Tinel |
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1990 & 1991 Forman, Chardonnay |
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1994 |
1986 Chateau Haut-Brion |
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1984 Jayer-Gilles, Echezeau |
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1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild |
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1985 Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Rose
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1959 Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases
Back to Top |
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1993 |
1978 Gallo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Private
Reserve |
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1989 Chateau Montelena, Chardonnay |
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1986 Beringer, Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve
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1990 Vidal-Fleury, Condrieu |
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1988 La Jota, Zinfandel |
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1992 |
1989 Chateau Woltner, Chardonnay St. Thomas |
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1978 Chappellet, Cabernet Sauvignon |
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1987 Spottswood, Cabernet Sauvignon |
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1985 Mondavi, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
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1985 Schug, Pinot Noir Reserve |
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1991 |
1985 Il Poggione, Brunello di Montelcino |
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1970 Fonseca, Oporto |
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1985 Jaboulet, Hermitage La Chapelle |
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1985 Heitz, Cabernet Sauvignon Bella Oaks
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1987 Caymus, Pinot Noir Special Selection
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1990 |
1989 Caymus, Cabernet Franc |
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1983 Domaine du Grand Tinel |
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1985 L. Latour, Chassagne Montrachet |
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1985 Guigal, Cote Rotie |
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1985 Mondavi, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Back to Top
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