Review of the Year 2018 - Neal Martin

 BY NEAL MARTIN | DECEMBER 18, 2018

Wine of the Year: 1955 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru – Domaine Georges Roumier

There are several candidates for my wine of the year. In the end, one glistens in my vinous memory bank more than any other. Unannounced, Christophe Roumier poured the 1945 and 1955 Bonnes-Mares blind at the culmination of a decades-spanning vertical last February. Even before their identities were revealed, there was no doubting we were in the realm of the ethereal. The 1955 Bonnes-Mares, made by Roumier’s grandfather, stopped the clocks and prompted choirs of angels. It is unlikely that I will drink it again; once is more than I could ever have dreamed.

Runners-Up – The Top 40 

This is embarrassing, but here it goes. Many of these wines have not been published on Vinous… yet. I list them in chronological order, not by merit. Are they the best or the most memorable? Probably a mixture, and if you think I am showing off, you should see the bottles not on this list. Thanks to all those who shared these remarkable wines - you know who you are. 

1846 Terrantez Madeira – Lomelino

1868 Lafite-Rothschild

1900 Rauzan-Ségla

1906 d’Arche Crème de Tête

1906 Malvasia Madeira – Lomelino

1928 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge

1929 Lafaurie-Peyraguey

1945 La Tâche – Domaine de la Romanée-Conti

1947 Figeac (en jeroboam)

1947 Grand-Echézeaux Grand Cru – Domaine René Engel

1948 Taylor’s Vintage Port

1949 Ausone

1949 Forster Jesuitgarten TBA – Bassermann Jordan

1953 Angélus

1953 Haut Brion (en magnum)

1955 La Mission Haut-Brion

1957 Musigny Grand Cru – Domaine Georges Roumier