Your best 10 wines for 2006

GrahamB · Post by **GrahamB** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:35 am

It is that time of the year when we contemplate the best wines we have consumed this year.

I have not kept a good record this year and will have to give it serious thought.

So ..... what are your 10 best wines this year?

Graham

monghead · Post by **monghead** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:33 pm

Hi all, in no particular order other than what comes to mind first,

1976 Grange
1996 Grange
1996 Latour
1996 Margaux
1991 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz
1995 Meshach
1995 Cullen Cab Sav
1996 Dom
1996 Cristal
Buller's rare muscat

cheers,

monghead

Lincoln · Post by **Lincoln** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:00 pm

Only 7 for me:
Bouchard Pere et Fils Corton-Charlemagne 2004
Domaine Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin Ã¢â‚¬Å“Clos St JacquesÃ¢â‚¬Â 1er cru 2001
Domaine du PegaÃƒÂ¼ ChÃƒÂ¢teauneuf du Pape CuvÃƒÂ©e RÃƒÂ©servÃƒÂ©e 2003
Torbreck "Run Rig" 2002
MoÃƒÂ«t et Chandon Dom PÃƒÂ©rignon 1996
Seppelt Para Liqueur Single Vintage Tawny 1983
Clos des Papes ChÃƒÂ¢teauneuf-du-Pape 2001

redstuff · Post by **redstuff** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:48 pm

not in any order

1996 Dom Perignon
1998 Dom Perignon
1991 James Irvine Grand Merlot
1982 John Riddoch (Thanks Gordo)
1986 John Riddoch
1990 John Riddoch
1978 Redman Imperial
2003? Domaine A Pinot (Thanks Craig, BWC)
1906 Seppelt 100 YO Para
1998 Wolf Blass Black Label

and my vote for best values:
Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz 2004
Veuve Amiot NV Brut

bacchaebabe · Post by **bacchaebabe** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:53 pm

What springs to mind, sort of in order:

01 Bass Phillip Premium Pinot Noir (the WOTY by a long shot so far - I can still taste it)
96 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz
96 BVE E&E Black Pepper Shiraz
83? (can't remember) somethingorother 5 puttonyas tokaji Got the bottle at home but god it was good.
94 St Hallet Old Block shiraz
94 Seppelts Reserve Sparkling Shiraz (I could drink this every day and not get sick of it)
04? (Current release anyway) Voyager Estate Chardonnay (this rocks)
98 Dom Perignon (more the occasion and place but the wine wasn't bad - 20th anniversary in a valley view suite in the Banff Springs Hotel with my gorgeous girlfriend)

Partagas · Post by **Partagas** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:02 pm

So much wine to think about

.

MossWood 1994 Cab Sav (best of year)
Majella Mallea 2003
Wolf Blass Black label 1998
Penfolds Kalimna 28 1998 (hard to believe I know but very good)
Leeuwin Estate art chard 2002
Vasse Felix Cab Sav 1999
Cullens Cab Merl 1996
Have to go and think about the rest

Mike Hawkins · Post by **Mike Hawkins** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:29 am

1985 Dom Perignon
1996 Dom Perignon
1988 Krug
1990 Krug
2003 Leoville Barton
1989 Jaboulet La Chapelle
1986 Henschke Mt Edelstone (it was on last year's list too !)
1986 Wynns John Riddoch
1991 Rockford Basket Press (alas all gone now)
1990 Penfolds Bin 90a

... and I would give a high high distinction to the barrel sample of 2005 Schubert Goose Yard Block Shiraz.....

dlo · Post by **dlo** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:37 am

A quick search through my notes this year revealed the following list of very highly rated wines - I've given the '75 Yquem the nod for my "wine of the year" by a whisker. If you think I'm gone a bit OTT for the best 10 wines of the year thread, all the 95 pointers came in as equal 10th! :wink:

98 points -

1975 D'Yquem - WOTY

97 Points -

1967 D'Yquem
1980 Krug Clos de Mesnil
1982 Ch. Leoville Las Cases (St. Julien)
1961 Ch. Malescot-St.-Expurey (Margaux)

96 Points -

1996 Dom Perignon
1967 Lindemans Classic Release Vintage Port
2001 Zind-Humbrect Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl SGN
1982 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon

95 points -

1984 Hollicks Cabernet Sauvignon
Morris Old Premium Muscat
1982 Paul Jaboulet Hermitage "La Chapelle"
1996 Jean-Jacques Confuron Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru
2005 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier
1988 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill
1989 Krug
1982 Cheval Blanc
1991 St. Huberts Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Select
1996 Pol Roger Vintage
1966 ChÃƒÂ¢teau Haut-Brion (Pessac)
1990 Leo Buring Leonay DWT17 Eden Valley Rhine Riesling
1995 Pol Roger Blanc de Blanc
Seppelt Rutherglen Rare Tokay DP59
1997 Louis Carillon Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Champs-Canet"
1985 Cheval Blanc
1985 Ch. Leoville Las Cases
1985 Ch. Canon
1994 Dr. Thanisch Berncastler Doctor Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese
1990 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Vendange Tardive
1990 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Jesbal Vendange Tardive

camw · Post by **camw** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:02 am

Geeze, has everyone given up on drinking something great between now and the end of the year?! :wink:

roughred · Post by **roughred** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:06 pm

Don't know about best, and not in any order, but the most memorable wines so far are as follows -

Morris Show Blend Tawny Barrel Sample -
This was simply the most astounding, hauntingly beautiful, memorable wine I have enjoyed all year. Purloined by a friend at Morris's, there are few wines that leave me probing around with my fingers in the glass looking to encourage the last few drops out...

1994 Howard Park Cabernet -
One of the finest Australian Cab/Blends I have had. Such a complete wine.

1996 Dom Perignon -
Utterly perfect. Poured for a special occasion, however that special occasion will now be remembered for the wine...

1994 Mount Mary Quintet -
Probably the first Quintet that I have 'got'. It all makes sense now...

1997 Grange -
From memory this year I have had the 1980, 87, 97 & 01, and the 97 was the standout. Despite the vintage knockers I did talk this up on release as a very good Grange and I have seen nothing to change my opinion.

2000 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir -
I think this has appeared for two consecutive year's now. Supple and balanced and everything I could hope for in a new world pinot.

1980 All Saints Estate Vintage Port
Sigh....the last bottle. This remains along with the 1964 All Saints, the best Vintage Port I have had, Australian or otherwise. Alas the vineyard which these beauties come from is long since gone. C'mon Smithy...I know you are still sitting on a couple of these....help a brother out...

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:59 pm

Roo...its Krug, you dont really have to ask that question

But the 88 has heaps to go, its very tight, more tight than the 89,90,95 at present.

pokolbinguy · Post by **pokolbinguy** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 4:58 pm

As a uni student the budget for wines in generally low for me but luckily working in the industry I have access to some fantastic wines.

Wines to note from this year are.... no particular order:

# 2005 McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon
# 1990 Krug
# 1996 Tattinger Comtes Blanc de Blanc
# 1995? Tattinger Comtes Rose'
# 1982 Wollundry (spelling?) Estate Chardonnay (BIG surprise.... could have swore this wine was 5 years old)
# 1943 Mount Pleasant Richard Hermitage (O'shea)
# NV Pol Roger @ 2.30am on morning after a rather large night.... that was a good evening :lol:

Favourite best value wine currently:

# 2005 McWilliam's Regional Collection Clare Valley Reisling

Can't think of any other stand outs in the last 12 months but that seems like a pretty good start.

Woody

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:10 pm

2003 Leoville Barton

hmm this make my duds of the year list. if the 05s are anywhere that bad they are going to auction

wolf · Post by **wolf** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:59 pm

94 Wynns Black Label
02 Penfolds Cellar Reserve Grenache
93 Henschke Mt Edelstone
04 Vasse Felix Cabernet
02 Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz
02 Punters Corner Cabernet
03 Howard Park Leston Cabernet
04 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz
02 Penfolds Bin 407
04 Pizzini Sangiovese

Some near misses

03 Henschke Euphonium
99 Kreglinger Sparkling

and a Meursault that I can't remember the details of.

Daryl Douglas · Post by **Daryl Douglas** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 1:21 am

Well, I had some upper wines (all Australian) over the last 12 months, Bin 707 98, Georgia's 99, Cullen Cab Merl 00, Stonewell 98, Tahbilk 1860s 95(magnum), Dorrien 96. All good but some disappointment with the 707's oakiness. The Cullen was probably the standout in this group; reputedly a poorer vintage but the length of the finish backed the quality of the wine.

My wine of the year though comes from the <$20 category. It's probably already reach it's maturity but for sheer quality drinkability, approachablity and value Stonehaven Rat&Bull 02 does it for me, even if the finish could be longer.

daz

Mike Hawkins · Post by **Mike Hawkins** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 3:26 am

Roo - I concur with Adam re 88 Krug. It'll outlast the last 4 releases IMO. Can't wait for the 96 to be released (whenever that might be).

smithy · Post by **smithy** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 8:10 am

Hey Roughred if thats the best VP you've ever had you need to get out more!

I may have the odd bottle in the cellar, but I've got to say some of the Durif based VP's we make now would walk all over the 80..like my 01...they just need another 21 years!

Had way better Gayfers (Durif based) than AS stuff..had way better Fairfields (Durif).

And had many way better Portugese (but it is a bit like comparing oranges and apples).
Also 64 AS was a bit of a dog..you sure you don't mean 65 which was probably the best of the early VP's or even 63 which was also quite good?

Smithy

Jay60A · Post by **Jay60A** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 9:59 am

Off the top of my head, the ones I have really enjoyed and have shown a touch of class -

Jacobs Creek Limited Reserve Shiraz Cabernet 1998
Penfolds Bin 389 1996
Penfolds Magill Estate 1998
Seppelts Dorrien Cabernet 1999
Seppelts Drumborg Riesling 2005
Seppelts Great Western Shiraz 1991
Seppelts Great Western Reserve Shiraz 1997
Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet 1990

The only one at peak would be the GW 1991 ... others all improving for 5 years or more.

707 · Post by **707** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 1:01 pm

Coming from a limited base this year but a handful would stand out in any company any year.

2004 Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz - may just be the best Barossan Shiraz I've tasted. It's got everything, power, complexity, seemlessness, lengtttthhhh. Don't know where a winemaker goes after producing this

2003 Kalleske Johann Georg - big wine, rich, luxurious, textured, maybe too much oak for some but the wine carries it easily. A superb wine from this new star label

2004 Kalleske Old Vine Grenache - this variety doesn't come any better than this example. Alot going on the glass, spices, earth, wafts of smoked meat, berries, it's all there to be enjoyed

2004 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz - I've learned to never judge Basket Press until it has substantial cellar age as they seem to blossom with time but this vintage made me think it could be the best yet. Complex black fruit palate but in a refined way, there's also hints of spice and oak and a lovely silkiness in the mouth. Was tasted at the end of a long day but I reckon I've got it right.

1991 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet - an absolute classic IMO. Delightful cigarbox nose leads to a still rich complex and silken powered palate of blackberry cassis licorice and even a touch of dark chocolate. Should have bought more

Honourable mentions to the following where I can't remember a better example of the label albeit a couple are from limited experience

2002 Tim Adams Aberfeldy
2004 Jasper Hill Georgias Paddock Shiraz
1998 Orlando Lawsons Shiraz

seddo · Post by **seddo** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 2:55 pm

In no particular order
97 Clonakilla Shiraz/Viogner
94 Saltrams No 1
04 Veritas Bulls Blood
91 Orlando Lawsons
NV Yalumba Black Sparkling D
05 Brookland Valley Verse 1 white blend
03 Heathcote Estate Shiraz
03 Torres Coronas Tempranillo

and I'll leave the last 2 spots open as there is 17 days till the end of the year

.

regards
Richard

roughred · Post by **roughred** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:13 pm

smithy wrote:8) Hey Roughred if thats the best VP you've ever had you need to get out more!

I may have the odd bottle in the cellar, but I've got to say some of the Durif based VP's we make now would walk all over the 80..like my 01...they just need another 21 years!

Had way better Gayfers (Durif based) than AS stuff..had way better Fairfields (Durif).

And had many way better Portugese (but it is a bit like comparing oranges and apples).
Also 64 AS was a bit of a dog..you sure you don't mean 65 which was probably the best of the early VP's or even 63 which was also quite good?

Smithy

Im getting the subliminal message that you like your VP to be made from Durif....fair enough, but if your VP's tasted anything like the 1980 ASE VP you would see a lot more of me...I'll say again, the best I have had bar none (and from memory it was a multiple trophy winner wasn't it? Doesn't mean a whole lot, but probably sorts the wheat from the chaff)

I'll give you a call to compare notes before I post next time.

Now...any mention of your favourite wines for the year?

Cheers,

LL

Baby Chickpea · Post by **Baby Chickpea** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 2:40 pm

I'll keep it simple. Off the top of my head, here are my top wines of the year (all great in the true sense of the word) in vintage order:

wine bloke · Post by **wine bloke** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:13 pm

Geez it's bloody hard,

Let's start with bubbles,

1986 Pol Roger Winston Churchill
1998 Moet Chandon Millesime Rose
1991 Croser

All very differnet in flavour profile but all outstanding.

And then God said," let there be white!!"

2001 Wilson's D.J.W. Reisling
2005 Moorilla Rieslig
2005 Valminor Albrinilo - from Spain made by Thelmo Rodriguez-AKA the Spanin's Ben Glaetzer
1998 Petaluma Chardonnay
2006 Golding S/Blc - a blend from Adelaide Hills and Marlborough: unsual
2006 Joseph Pinot Grigio
2004 Cape Mentelle Chardonnay

We all come to a stop when the lights go RED,

2002 Mt Mary Quintet
2003 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir
2004 Kalleske Shiraz
2003 Mitolo Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon
1984 Lindeman's Cawarra Classic
2002 Lake Breeze Winemakers Selection Shiraz

Well they are the ones that truly stand out in my head, must get back to my glass of 98 Hunter Semillon.

Cheers, Wine Bloke.

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:08 pm

wine bloke wrote:Geez it's bloody hard,

Let's start with bubbles,

1986 Pol Roger Winston Churchill
1998 Moet Chandon Millesime Rose
1991 Croser

All very differnet in flavour profile but all outstanding.

And then God said," let there be white!!"

2001 Wilson's D.J.W. Reisling
2005 Moorilla Rieslig
2005 Valminor Albrinilo - from Spain made by Thelmo Rodriguez-AKA the Spanin's Ben Glaetzer
1998 Petaluma Chardonnay
2006 Golding S/Blc - a blend from Adelaide Hills and Marlborough: unsual
2006 Joseph Pinot Grigio
2004 Cape Mentelle Chardonnay

We all come to a stop when the lights go RED,

2002 Mt Mary Quintet
2003 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir
2004 Kalleske Shiraz
2003 Mitolo Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon
1984 Lindeman's Cawarra Classic
2002 Lake Breeze Winemakers Selection Shiraz

Well they are the ones that truly stand out in my head, must get back to my glass of 98 Hunter Semillon.

Cheers, Wine Bloke.

Not bad for a bloke with no liver and who doesn't drink :lol:

Mike Hawkins · Post by **Mike Hawkins** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 2:07 am

Craig, you're the first person I've come across who has anything other than superlatives for the 2003 Leoville Barton !! Until now, most have acclaimed it as the best from that label they've tasted. I guess each to their own, but perhaps you had a less than stellar bottle.

Mike

Finney · Post by **Finney** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:37 pm

There maybe others that have slipped the memory and I am not sure my order is set in concrete....

94 Mount Mary
96 Dom
93 Baron Pichon Longueville
88 Baron Pichon Longueville
98 St Peters
01 Masi Costasera - Amarone
91 Wynns Black Label
96 Classic Clare SS
95 Aberfeldy
98 Chateau Reynella BP Cab Sav

Merry Xmas ALL

Finney (Craig)

Sharkey · Post by **Sharkey** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 12:04 pm

Whilst I have enjoyed many aged wines from my cellar and have tried to buy more interesting wines from smaller wineries, the last year for me has been about experiencing the more unusual varieties available today. These wines seem to go so well with food, which suits my lifestyle.

So I will list my top ten alternative wines for 2006 (in serving order with a theoretical 10 course dinner)

Dal Zotto Prosecco (sparkling) 2004
Gapsted Petit Manseng 2004
Lost Valley Cortese 2005
Pizzini Arneis 2005
Chrismont La Zona Marzemino Frizzante NV
Mansfield Tinto Cao 2004
Symphonia Saperavi 2005
Freeman Rondinella Corvina 2002
Lowe Family Zinfandel 2004
di Lusso Aleatico 2005

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:09 pm

Craig, you're the first person I've come across who has anything other than superlatives for the 2003 Leoville Barton !! Until now, most have acclaimed it as the best from that label they've tasted. I guess each to their own, but perhaps you had a less than stellar bottle.

It wasnt bad but it got whipped by the montrose and cos i had beside it. I think the 00 LB was far superior, as were most 00's when compared to 03.

Mike Hawkins · Post by **Mike Hawkins** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:49 am

Craig, would definitely agree that many 00s are better than the 03s, especially on the right bank. I prefer 03 Pauillac's to the 00s though.

Funnily enough, I tossed up between putting the 03 LB and the 03 Cos on the list - I enjoyed both. For some stupid reason, my 03 Montroses still have not arrived.

Cheers

Mike

Brucer · Post by **Brucer** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:30 am

Looking at my list of wines drunk this year, there has not been a lot of amazing standout wines much at all.

It would be more interesting to list all the big name Oz reds Ive drunk that should be amazing, but were a letdown. And there were a bloody lot of them!
Bruce