The (Spit) Bucket List

[dan_smee]

Anyone else got a Spit Bucket List? Wines you want to try before you die?

A fun exercise anyway, try and keep it to a top 5 - has to be realistic (nothing that is just unobtainable), but shouldn't be too boring either. Can be a mix of specific vintages, or a holy grail wine where any vintage will do. My top 5 has changed considerably even in the last 2-3 months. Recent experiences have given me a much greater appreciation of certain wines and styles that I hadn't yet experienced, or hadn't liked previously. Here's my attempt at a top 5 as it stands right now (current tastes, wines I haven't had/don't own). This factors in my own preferences: some are modest goals, easily enough obtained, some are goals i will have to work a bit to achieve. I have added a reason to the wines as well:

1. Greenock Creek Roennfedlt Road Shiraz 1998 - RP 100. Interests me more than most RP 100s, given small producer, pedigree and style.
2. Billecart-Salmon Grand Cuvee - Any vintage. Have a soft spot for vintage Champagne, always loved my Billecart.
3. Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon 1989 - Last vintage bottled as 'Riesling'. By all accounts an incredible year, still drinking well if taken care of.
4. Chateau d'Yquem - Any vintage, with some bottle age. Would love to taste the greatest dessert wine in the world.
5. Seppelt Para Liqueur Port - Any 100 year-old vintage at time of consumption.

Could easily have mentioned a few goals like drinking a Maurice O'Shea made wine, or the 1976 Tyrrell's Vat 6 (voted worlds best Pinot in the 1979 'wine olympics' in France). I see myself achieving all of the above goals.

Who has had any of these - thoughts?

[Waiters Friend]

An interesting question. I'm sure I could do at least five postings with a different top 5 in each one. But here goes, and more importantly, why (and in no particular order):

1. DRC La Tache. A friend (who was the vineyard manager at Cullen at the time) told me about his DRC visit as part of a work junket (with Cullen). Without a lotto win, probably out of my league, but it's on the list as a result of his say-so.
2. A mid-60s Lindemans Hunter Burgundy. I believe Bin 3110 or similar has been honourably mentioned on occasion. Just to taste an iconic Hunter red. Not very fussy (or knowledgeable) about which one.
3. 1984 Lovedale (may have been Anne) semillon. I assiduously acquired well over a dozen of the 1986 (still the best Australian white I have ever tasted, and the last one has been consumed) but apparently the 1984 was better. Bugger!
4. Chateau D'Yquem. Allegedly so far and away superior to the other Sauternes and Barsac I have ever tasted. Can it really be THAT good? I hope to find out.
5. A really top Austrian TBA (yes, still on dessert wines) without taking out a second mortgage. I will be in Austria in early July - so can anyone recommend one, please?

Cheers

Allan

[TiggerK]

3. Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon 1989 - Last vintage bottled as 'Riesling'. By all accounts an incredible year, still drinking well if taken care of.
4. Chateau d'Yquem - Any vintage, with some bottle age. Would love to taste the greatest dessert wine in the world.
5. Seppelt Para Liqueur Port - Any 100 year-old vintage at time of consumption.

Who has had any of these - thoughts?

You may have seen our posts on some, but with some of my fellow GrapeMates (and via Shannon's RareWineDinners), we've enjoyed the d'Yquem 1997 and 1929. The 97 is great, but the 29 is easily in my top 5 of all time (OAT) best wines I've had, old yet young, long, luscious and truly memorable. As was the Seppelt Para 1908 and especially, the 1888, the latter easily in my top 5 OAT.

As for the Vat 1, never had the 89, and it's a cork lottery with the old ones, but they can certainly be amazing in the right condition! 98 is a star, but still so young. 96 Lovedale also amazingly good, but equally bottle variation dependant.

And speaking of 1929, at the RareWineDinners Burgundy dinner at Marque on Saturday night, a new entry to the top 5 OAT, and a true Burgundy epiphany (an experience that has been on my SpitBucket list). The WOTN for me was a 1929 Joseph Drouhin Clos de Vougeot. The perfume, the vibrancy, huge length, gentle elegance yet still fruit forward and just a complete wine. Been thinking it about it and many of the the others also now in my top wines OAT, like a 1919 Vosne-Romanee, a 1929 Clos de la Justice, 1937 Clos de Vougeot, a 1947 white Corton-Charlemagne which was superb, and a young star too, a fantastic 2000 Ramonet Batard-Montrachet. Star studded evening indeed. Will do a write up once I get my tax paperwork finished!

Not sure what's on my current spit bucket list... but these come to mind...

1971 Grange (could easily add 53/55/66/76/90)
1962 Bin 60A (but now in the realms of big time bottle variation, so too risky to contemplate for the big $$$)
1990 Hill of Grace (or another great old vintage)
An old Latour or Lafite (should be crossing this off in July at another RWD!)
2000 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella - friends have raved about this....

And of course all that DRC/Coche/Rousseau/Jadot top end Burgundy stuff....

Bring on a big tax return!

[camw]

Henri Jayer of some sort (ticking it off next month hopefully)
Woodleys Treasure Chest (maybe the 1949 but I'd happily try any of them at this point)
1970 Lindemans Bin 3875 Chablis (Semillon)
1947 Cheval Blanc (more fakes than real ones out there now so probably won't, but one can dream)
1989 Trimbach Clos Ste. Hune Vendanges Tardives Riesling (not especially renowned, but would love to try it, maybe the "Hors Choix" edition if you want to step it up to a dream wine)

[Craig(NZ)]

I guess the main one for me would be Ch Petrus from a good vintage.

Anything worthwhile Domaine Rominee Conti may be wishful thinking

Id also like to try a top Californian Cabernet from the likes of Harlan, Heitz, Groth or Araujo

From Spain Vega Sicilia

From NZ, I have never been able to be in the right place at the right time to try anything from Antipodean. Would kinda like to for the sake of curiousity

From Aussie, a good pinot from Bass Philip or Mt Mary Quintet.

[Wizz]

1. Greenock Creek Roennfedlt Road Shiraz 1998 - RP 100. Interests me more than most RP 100s, given small producer, pedigree and style.
2. Billecart-Salmon Grand Cuvee - Any vintage. Have a soft spot for vintage Champagne, always loved my Billecart.
3. Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon 1989 - Last vintage bottled as 'Riesling'. By all accounts an incredible year, still drinking well if taken care of.
4. Chateau d'Yquem - Any vintage, with some bottle age. Would love to taste the greatest dessert wine in the world.
5. Seppelt Para Liqueur Port - Any 100 year-old vintage at time of consumption.

Who has had any of these - thoughts?

The ones on your list I can recall with certainty:

The 98 RR Shiraz: Showed this blind in a big shiraz tasting about 10 years ago, and I had people wanting to give me bottles of top-vintage Grange for it. Yes, it was really really good and might even have deserved the RP 100 score.
d'Yquem: Had a few of these, including one memorable night in 2006 where I had the 67 and the 75 side by side. Yes, they really are that good. The 75 is still one of the best wines I have ever tried - I scored it 99 at the time. The 67 was apparently out of condition - I scored it 96. it was one of my bucket list wines. I'm yet to try any of the 88/89/90 trio.

I'm afraid I dont have a bucket list anymore. My trophy chasing days are over, I get more pleasure out of surprisingly good wines now.

[Michael R]

Yep, the 1888 para Tim mentioned was a real crackerjack, and a great example of a bunch of mates chipping in to try something very special. My only Yquem was the 97, and as someone said at the time, it's up there with the better German examples for balance....worthy praise.

My unrealistic dream is DRC Montrachet. But like Wayne's dream in Wayne's world I'm deluded enough to not let go of it! There's plenty of other stuff I long to try but this is easily #1.

[dan_smee]

3. Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon 1989 - Last vintage bottled as 'Riesling'. By all accounts an incredible year, still drinking well if taken care of.
4. Chateau d'Yquem - Any vintage, with some bottle age. Would love to taste the greatest dessert wine in the world.
5. Seppelt Para Liqueur Port - Any 100 year-old vintage at time of consumption.

Who has had any of these - thoughts?

You may have seen our posts on some, but with some of my fellow GrapeMates (and via Shannon's RareWineDinners), we've enjoyed the d'Yquem 1997 and 1929. The 97 is great, but the 29 is easily in my top 5 of all time (OAT) best wines I've had, old yet young, long, luscious and truly memorable. As was the Seppelt Para 1908 and especially, the 1888, the latter easily in my top 5 OAT.

As for the Vat 1, never had the 89, and it's a cork lottery with the old ones, but they can certainly be amazing in the right condition! 98 is a star, but still so young. 96 Lovedale also amazingly good, but equally bottle variation dependant.

And speaking of 1929, at the RareWineDinners Burgundy dinner at Marque on Saturday night, a new entry to the top 5 OAT, and a true Burgundy epiphany (an experience that has been on my SpitBucket list). The WOTN for me was a 1929 Joseph Drouhin Clos de Vougeot. The perfume, the vibrancy, huge length, gentle elegance yet still fruit forward and just a complete wine. Been thinking it about it and many of the the others also now in my top wines OAT, like a 1919 Vosne-Romanee, a 1929 Clos de la Justice, 1937 Clos de Vougeot, a 1947 white Corton-Charlemagne which was superb, and a young star too, a fantastic 2000 Ramonet Batard-Montrachet. Star studded evening indeed. Will do a write up once I get my tax paperwork finished!

Not sure what's on my current spit bucket list... but these come to mind...

1971 Grange (could easily add 53/55/66/76/90)
1962 Bin 60A (but now in the realms of big time bottle variation, so too risky to contemplate for the big $$$)
1990 Hill of Grace (or another great old vintage)
An old Latour or Lafite (should be crossing this off in July at another RWD!)
2000 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella - friends have raved about this....

And of course all that DRC/Coche/Rousseau/Jadot top end Burgundy stuff....

Bring on a big tax return!

Thanks TiggerK, I look forward to the write-up!

Re the Vat 1's, I have had the 98 (and 96, 99, 00). It definitely stands out above those for mine. Just one bottle left... The 96 Lovedale was the bottle that got me into wine. Had an 86 recently as well - not showing as well as some other TNs I've read for it, but obviously a great wine at its peak.

Interesting notes re the d'Yquem's. I think I am going to have to find some like minded souls and leverage group buying power to achieve some of those!

[dan_smee]

1. Greenock Creek Roennfedlt Road Shiraz 1998 - RP 100. Interests me more than most RP 100s, given small producer, pedigree and style.
2. Billecart-Salmon Grand Cuvee - Any vintage. Have a soft spot for vintage Champagne, always loved my Billecart.
3. Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon 1989 - Last vintage bottled as 'Riesling'. By all accounts an incredible year, still drinking well if taken care of.
4. Chateau d'Yquem - Any vintage, with some bottle age. Would love to taste the greatest dessert wine in the world.
5. Seppelt Para Liqueur Port - Any 100 year-old vintage at time of consumption.

Who has had any of these - thoughts?

The ones on your list I can recall with certainty:

The 98 RR Shiraz: Showed this blind in a big shiraz tasting about 10 years ago, and I had people wanting to give me bottles of top-vintage Grange for it. Yes, it was really really good and might even have deserved the RP 100 score.
d'Yquem: Had a few of these, including one memorable night in 2006 where I had the 67 and the 75 side by side. Yes, they really are that good. The 75 is still one of the best wines I have ever tried - I scored it 99 at the time. The 67 was apparently out of condition - I scored it 96. it was one of my bucket list wines. I'm yet to try any of the 88/89/90 trio.

I'm afraid I dont have a bucket list anymore. My trophy chasing days are over, I get more pleasure out of surprisingly good wines now.

The RR is number one for a reason! I think a lot of people 'new' to wine (I have been serious for about 2 years now - only 26 so I have some time to catch up!) really want to see why RP rates some wines 100. I am sure once you top 95-96 it is a matter of personal taste and nuances the individual detects, however for such a respected source, I am still intrigued. It also interests me more than other Aussie 100RP wines - combination of ageability, region, vintage, label, style and makers make it very appealing to me.

[dan_smee]

Yep, the 1888 para Tim mentioned was a real crackerjack, and a great example of a bunch of mates chipping in to try something very special. My only Yquem was the 97, and as someone said at the time, it's up there with the better German examples for balance....worthy praise.

My unrealistic dream is DRC Montrachet. But like Wayne's dream in Wayne's world I'm deluded enough to not let go of it! There's plenty of other stuff I long to try but this is easily #1.

I'm sure you could find 4 like-minded souls to share the burden? My only issue with DRC in general is that you are paying SO much, I don't think I could drink a bottle of wine again if it was faulty.

[dave vino]

71 Grange
DRC Romanee-Conti
Any O'Shea Wine
DRC Montrachet

[dan_smee]

Henri Jayer of some sort (ticking it off next month hopefully)
Woodleys Treasure Chest (maybe the 1949 but I'd happily try any of them at this point)
1970 Lindemans Bin 3875 Chablis (Semillon)
1947 Cheval Blanc (more fakes than real ones out there now so probably won't, but one can dream)
1989 Trimbach Clos Ste. Hune Vendanges Tardives Riesling (not especially renowned, but would love to try it, maybe the "Hors Choix" edition if you want to step it up to a dream wine)

Cam,

As someone who has had a number of old/rare/curio bottles, have you ever had the fabled Lindeman's 1965 Bin 3100 or 3110? These would be on my list, but again, I am trying to maintain a semble of realism!

[dan_smee]

And I just found your note for the Bin 3110. Must be so rare these days.

[griff]

Hmm...have attained most of the reasonable goals now and a few more besides but a few remain:

1. DRC, what is the fuss?
2. Jayer, ditto.
3. 1931 Noval Nacional, standard would be fine however.
4. 1976 Grange, birth year and all that.
5. 1976 Salon/Dom Perignon, ditto

cheers

Carl

[Mike Hawkins]

Griff, the 76 DP is my favourite from the 70s when on song, but many havent been cellared well.

Make sure you find out the provenance before buying. Or better yet, have someone else buy it.....


Mike

[Craig(NZ)]

DRC Montrachet

Saw one of these being cleared at about $600 about 5 years ago. I wasn't so up on how rare and revered it was at the time so left it. Regret

[camw]

And I just found your note for the Bin 3110. Must be so rare these days.

Yep truly great wine, was provided by a friend as one of many amazing wines at his birthday party. Have encountered so much unbelievable generosity over the years.

[griff]

Griff, the 76 DP is my favourite from the 70s when on song, but many havent been cellared well.

Make sure you find out the provenance before buying. Or better yet, have someone else buy it.....


Mike

Thanks Mike. I shall simply hope that my fairy Godmother was simply very tardy in missing my 21st and will turn up next birthday with the goods

cheers

Carl

[griff]

DRC Montrachet

Saw one of these being cleared at about $600 about 5 years ago. I wasn't so up on how rare and revered it was at the time so left it. Regret

Me too about 6 years ago but it was almost double that. 2001 vintage. But that paid for a lot of wine on student wages.

cheers

Carl

[wheel]

1962 60A
1996 block42
1998 armagh
2008 laird
Grange 83. Birth yr

[phillisc]

1. Another 55 Wynns Michael.
In 1984 paid $180 dollars, (equal to 8 bottles of 79 Grange),it was nearly a weeks wages for a 19 year old at the time... surreal experience can still taste it.
Two last year at Langtons for around 4g and sadly nearly 30 years on I don't earn anywhere nearly that.

2. Would like to have a look at another 74 Leo Buring Watervale....sublime

3. 1954 Wynns BL, the first release and a 60th birthday next year,will be in a 60 year 2014 Wynnsday media tasting for a select few hacks, beautiful people who know nothing and the inevitable hangers on who get a gig due to snout troughing or on the junket train ...perhaps I can bribe Sparky or get a job with Rupert Murdoch.
Clear that one will find its way into Langtons at some stage.

4. A first growth, anyone of the 5...does not matter just to say I have done it

5. 1992 Krug Clos de Mesnil (sic) my wedding year and like the above....just to say i have done it

Of course if I come into some coin, 10gs should cover this lot.

Cheers
Craig

[Mike Hawkins]

I was thinking the 55 Michael as well Craig. It doesnt come to auction very often........ Even if I could afford it

[George Krashos]

The unattainable bucket list would be:

1961 Chateau Palmer
1945 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc
1955 Wynns Michael
1962 Penfolds Bin 60A

The doable bucket list is:

Bordeaux first growth
DRC
D'Yquem - have the 2004 waiting in the wings
Vega Sicilia
Rhone La La - did Rayas and Chave last year

-- George Krashos

[Panda 9D]

DRC (I've had a few but never the top one.. having the Romanee St. Vivant next month!)
61 Petrus (unlikely)
47 Cheval Blanc (unlikely)
85 Sassicia
85 Guigal Cote-Rotie (any of them)
80 Grange and HOG (birth year)
That old 1880something Seppelt Para Liqueur Port that everyone talks about.
47 Vina Tondonia
Screaming Eagle

Lots more too...

[simon1980]

What a great post. No vintages from me, but many dreams...

A "great" Krug. Be it vintage, or one of the more exclusive Clos wines. Maybe Mike can tell me which one...
Very old Semillion, under cork, in cracking condition. Probably Vat 1...but the condition is what I really want!
DRC Tache. Not too young, not too old.
Guigal la la. Not bothered which one, or which vintage...again one in tip top condition.
Properly mature Vintage Port (maybe a '66?), from a top producer, direct from the cellars.

And no Bordeaux, no Quintarelli, no Bin80A (my birth year), no Yquem...the list could probably be 20 or more wines!

simon1980

[mjs]

1. Another 55 Wynns Michael.
In 1984 paid $180 dollars, (equal to 8 bottles of 79 Grange),it was nearly a weeks wages for a 19 year old at the time... surreal experience can still taste it.
Two last year at Langtons for around 4g and sadly nearly 30 years on I don't earn anywhere nearly that.

2. Would like to have a look at another 74 Leo Buring Watervale....sublime

3. 1954 Wynns BL, the first release and a 60th birthday next year,will be in a 60 year 2014 Wynnsday media tasting for a select few hacks, beautiful people who know nothing and the inevitable hangers on who get a gig due to snout troughing or on the junket train ...perhaps I can bribe Sparky or get a job with Rupert Murdoch.
Clear that one will find its way into Langtons at some stage.

4. A first growth, anyone of the 5...does not matter just to say I have done it

5. 1992 Krug Clos de Mesnil (sic) my wedding year and like the above....just to say i have done it

Of course if I come into some coin, 10gs should cover this lot.

Cheers
Craig

Ditto on the 54BL (birth year). Almost got one at auction a couple of years ago, but I suspect virtually unobtainable now

[phillisc]

Yes Malcolm,
had a look on langtons, 350 ish in 07, 450 ish in 08 and 1200 in 2011.

Have heard that many of the old black labels that come up for auction are actually being purchased by TWE!
Still , I think there will be one next year just to see what someone will pay for a 60 year old red.

[Mike Hawkins]

What a great post. No vintages from me, but many dreams...

A "great" Krug. Be it vintage, or one of the more exclusive Clos wines. Maybe Mike can tell me which one...
Very old Semillion, under cork, in cracking condition. Probably Vat 1...but the condition is what I really want!
DRC Tache. Not too young, not too old.
Guigal la la. Not bothered which one, or which vintage...again one in tip top condition.
Properly mature Vintage Port (maybe a '66?), from a top producer, direct from the cellars.

And no Bordeaux, no Quintarelli, no Bin80A (my birth year), no Yquem...the list could probably be 20 or more wines!

simon1980

1979 Clos du Mesnil or the 1928 Krug!

Failing that, the 88, 90 and 96 krugs are superb, and the 02, which will probably be released next year, should be too.

Mike

[BlaCkAdDa]

I wont even get specific... but good vintages of the following wines are on my 'to try at somepoint' list

Penfolds Grange
Henschke Hill of Grace
Krug Champagne
a pre 1980 Vintage port of good pedigree
Seppeltsfield 100yr tawny


Anything else to go on my list I've probably got but havent opened

[monghead]

Wow, where to start...

For me, I probably must admit to being quite a francophile in terms of wine. Not many wines thus far have achieved my OMG Strap Me Down Good rating, and all which have are French. Thus, my bucket list would be:

- Henri Jayer
- DRC Romanee Conti and le Montrachet
- Petrus
- Lafite
- Krug CdM