Wine stalkers of 2011

So, another year has come to an end, and it's funny to think of some of the wines that one has really gotten to know during this past year. Some wines, in a certain vintage has turned up several times, and its fun to see the difference and likeness between the bottles. One wine that I've tasted a great number of times this year, both from magnum and bottle is the 2000 Pontet-Canet. This is just starting to mature now, drinking beautifully, but I would like it to stay another four-to five years (or more) in the cellar as I think it will become even better. The 1999 has been tasted several times as well, drinking beautifully now, but I would save this for a few years as well.

The 2002 Dom Perignon has also been a frequent encounter, getting slightly more open every time I taste it, but still needs some years cellaring. The 2001 Yquem is splendid as always, and almost irresistible and will probably age for an eternity, with three tastings this year, the same as the still very youthful 95 Lafite Rothschild. Forget it for another ten years, at least. On the 1986 Mouton Rothschild I've seen some bottle variations, but magnificent at best, and 1989 Latour has been almost a house wine, both original release and late 2005 Château release, and Robert Parker is way out on the field on this one. Superb!

2000 La Conseillante has been a fantastic frequent guest with its stunning aromas and seductive whole, a beauty. The 95 Comtesse de Lalande as well, there is something about this estates flirting abilities together with the Pauillac notes that is messmerizing. The 1999 Château Margaux is also one of those flirters that you just fall in love with, while the 1995 Cheval Blanc is exotic and rich. 1986 Yquem is rich, noble and has a superb acidity. The 06 Mouton Rothschild have been tasted four times, still so youthful it's almost a waste to taste it now, 2002 Cristal has, like the DP, steadily been giving off some more of it's secrets.

The 2007 Clos des Papes is ungainly rich and alcoholic, the 2007 Gaja Barbaresco needs time to swallow some of the oak slightly overshadowing fine fruit, the 2008 AJ Adam Hofberg Kabinett is just a stunning kabinett, lively and elegant, 05 Dr-Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett (both Riesling) is comming back out of it's shell, give it another year. The 07 Schloss Johannisberg Rotlack (Kabinett as well) needs another year or two for my palate, but there is something behind there.

The 2008 Joseph Phelps Insignia tasted three times is powerfull, but feels more elegant and layered at this stage than the 06 and 05 did, a change of style? The 05 Caymus Special Selection is massive and forget it for at least ten years. The 1981 Ridge Montebello on the other hand is mature and drinking beautifully now, with some bottle variations as one needs to expect at thirty years of age.

The 2008 Smith Haut Lafitte blanc has been another massive visitor to my lips this year, probably a dozen bottles tasted with a rich, intense citrus and mineral note, I just love it. A close runner up is the 07 Olivier blanc, another superb white Pessac. Dry white Bordeaux is massively underrated.