2013 Wines of the Year

My annual wines of the year which proved to be less impressive than the previous but still some excellent wines were consumed.

1.       1998 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (11/9/2013)

Australia Big Guns Shiraz Tasting (Kevin's (Minneapolis)): Outstanding wine and a real benchmark wine for anyone drinking Aussie Shiraz from mid 90s to present. Black licorice, black pepper, mild fruits, chocolate notes and wood. Soft tannins and fine sediment. Balanced and long finish with more secondary notes on this tasting than the last 3 plus years ago. This wine for $50 (purchased recently) is my QPR of the year and should be enjoyed within the next few years. (96 points)

 

2.       2006 Alban Vineyards Syrah Lorraine - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (12/22/2013)

Mini Offline at Mike's featuring Alban; 12/21/2013-12/22/2013 (Minneapolis, MN): Top five wine of the year and gives new meaning to the phrase LONG FINISH. Consumed 2 glasses over the course of 3 hours. Bacon, blackberries, charcoal, glycerin and exotic spices. Up front heat was a bit of an issue but blew off. This is a big time wine and one that will evolve for a decade or more. This would compare nicely against any of the Big Aussie wines we drank back in November. Outstanding! (97 points)

 

3.       2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley (3/22/2013)

 Early wine of the year candidate and a good call by WS. Floral, sour cherries, spice, blueberries and earth. Elegant wine on the nose and palate. Not the typical Cali Cab beast. Tannins present but fully integrated. This wine drink well for 15 more years. Decanted 3 hours. (96 points)

 

4.       2004 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge - USA, California, Napa Valley (3/22/2013)

 Great showing and got better over the night. Blueberries, smoke, floral, funk and minerals dominate this beauty. Balanced and soft tannins. Medium finish. Decanted 2.5 hours. (95 points)

 

5.        1990 Château Troplong Mondot - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru (4/27/2013)

Right Bank Bordeaux Tasting; 4/27/2013-5/5/2013 (Kevin's House (Minneapolis)): Decant 3 hours. Intense aromas and flavors. Cherry, blueberries, cigar, coffee, menthol and roasted beef. Complex and concentrated wine. Finish goes on for over a minute and the wine is balanced. Could go another decade! Top notch. (96 points)

 

6.       2009 Antica Terra Pinot Noir Botanica - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/11/2013)

 Wine of the year candidate. Amazing and complex wine. Minerals, blueberries, cranberry and earth. Long finish and balanced wine. This wine was decanted 2.5 hours and will develop over the next five to ten years. While I have not sampled Thomas it is safe to say this is the best producer of Pinot Noir in Oregon. 95+ (95 points)

 

7.        2005 Hexamer Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg Riesling Spätlese ** - Germany, Nahe (2/23/2013)

 Nice sweetness and more like an Auslese wine. Dark gold. Minerals, golden delicious apples, pinneapple and peaches. Nice acid to complement the sweet. Medium to long finish. Will age for a decade and a wonderful effort! 94 plus (94 points)

 

8.       2004 Alain Voge Cornas Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas (1/20/2013)

Northern Rhone (Shari's House): Most interesting wine tonight. Funk, tart cherries, tobacco, minerals and raspberries. Good acidity and medium to long finish. Improved throughout the night. (94 points)

 

9.       2009 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru (10/13/2013)

Minneapolis Wine Club Offline: Top notch stuff! Light gold. Elegant and features shells, minerals, golden apples and citrus notes. Really a balanced effort and drinking well now but will age for five plus years. I don't see much of a point to cellar this as it is great today!!! Wine of the night for this event. Excellent Gary!!! B.S. at 88 you are full of B.S. dude! (95 points)

 

10.   2001 Paolo Scavino Barolo Riserva Rocche dell'Annunziata - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (2/5/2013)

 Medium purple and changed over the course of the night big time. It showed mushrooms, tar, spice and dark fruits. The finish was multi-layered and complex. Over 3 hours and aerated it really blossomed. For sure cellar for five plus years. (94 points)