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Cellar Favorite: 1989 Gaja Barbaresco
Italy: Tuscany, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Nov 2021
It is still one of the greatest tastings I have ever done. One chilly, late fall afternoon about a dozen years ago, Angelo and Gaia Gaja opened all of their 1989s and 1990s for an article I was working on, Piedmont’s Glorious 1989 and 1990 Vintages Revisited.
Cellar Favorite: 1995 Haut-Brion
France: Bordeaux, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Nov 2021
The 1995 Bordeaux vintage is one that I would like to revisit more often. It has not been forgotten about. After all, it was one of the most celebrated vintages of the decade, but it has been side-lined by subsequent growing seasons.
Cellar Favorite: 1949 Malartic-Lagravière
France: Bordeaux, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Nov 2021
Mature bottles of Château Malartic-Lagravière are rarely seen, and sadly the Bonnie family, proprietors of the château in Léognan, have few bottles in the cellar themselves. The 1949 Malartic-Lagravière came from a stash of six cases cellared in Switzerland that were sold back to the château.
Cellar Favorite: 1977 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Glen Ellen Vineyards
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California
, Oct 2021
Needless to say, readers who own or can find the 1977 will enjoy more than a wine, as the 1977 represents a piece of history.
Cellar Favorite: 1964, 1971 and 1974 Domaine Couly-Dutheil Chinon
France: Loire, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Oct 2021
During my June stay in Burgundy, I visited a friend in Beaune for supper. Rather than pouring Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, he served exceptional mature Loire wines from his personal cellar that all made a big impression.
Cellar Favorite: 1969 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio
Italy: Tuscany, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Oct 2021
Monsanto’s 1969 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio was a very pleasant surprise after a long day of visits and tastings. Monsanto is one of the historic estates of Chianti Classico.
Cellar Favorite: Domaines Delon: Recent Cellar Releases
France: Bordeaux, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Oct 2021
There is a growing trend for châteaux to keep a proportion of their stock for late releases, the two most notable being Palmer and Léoville Las-Cases. I recently tasted vintages of 2011 from Jean-Hubert Delon’s stable.
Cellar Favorite: 2006 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France: Rhône & Beaujolais, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2021
It isn’t too often that a Cellar Favorite is also a currently available library release. That’s the case with the gorgeous 2006 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a wine that I marginally underrated when I tasted it from barrel in November 2008 and then in bottle a year after that.
Cellar Favorite: 2001 Armando Parusso Barolo Bussia
Italy: Piedmont, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2021
I pulled the 2001 Barolo Bussia from the cellar while thinking back to a dinner with Marco Parusso at one of New York City’s long-lost, great establishments, La Pizza Fresca, back when I worked for a major retailer. That was the first time I was fully introduced to the Parusso style, and the first time I had the opportunity to taste the 2001 among a larger lineup of wines that were there for sale.
Cellar Favorite: 1983 Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Clos de la Dioterie
France: Loire, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2021
Though I have always adored the Loire, I never had the opportunity to devote time à la Burgundy or Bordeaux. However, in recent weeks, several exceptional mature Loire wines crossed my path. I would be remiss not writing about them.