I attend public tasting events for the same reason I tell my readers to attend them. They are simply the best way to educate the palate, discover new wines, and often the only way to get a chance to taste certain wines that you might not otherwise have a chance to afford. Such tastings can be quite exhausting and by the end of the event, I’m usually ready to take a nap.
At the end of the annual Wine & Spirits Top 100 tasting every year, however, I find myself wishing I had another couple of hours to wander around and taste wine. Perhaps this is partly because of the bottomless oyster bar with fresh kumamoto oysters, a welcome respite from rounds of tasting, but mostly the wines on offer are generally of such high quality that I simply would like to taste them all.
Put on by Wine & Spirits Magazine, the tasting is a showcase of (most, but not all) the wineries that have made the magazine’s annual list of Top 100 Wineries around the world. Such annual lists have only marginal value from my perspective, and often contain the same players over and over again, but it’s certainly hard to deny the quality of the wines on offer at this particular tasting, which inevitably, is one of the best public wine tastings all year in San Francisco.
Per the usual, the tasting was jam packed with fantastic wines from around the world, as well as tasty bites from the magazine’s top 25 San Francisco restaurants. This is such an enjoyable tasting, filled with not only fantastic wines but so many of the people I know in the industry it can sometimes be difficult to focus on tasting. The temptation to fill your glass with something great and then stand around chatting with everyone is significant. Nonetheless, I managed to get to a number of tables, and have highlighted my top rated wines from the event below, with the very brief notes on each that I took in the moment. I don’t usually write full tasting notes at such walk-around tastings.
SPARKLING WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9.5
2005 J. Lassalle “Brut Premier Cru Cuvee Speciale” Champagne, France Brioche, salty, buttery, leesy, gorgeous. $88. click to buy.
SPARKLING WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2002 Bruno Paillard “Extra Brut Nec Plus Ultra” Champagne, France Oaky, nutty, dry, crisp. $200. click to buy.
2009 J. Lassalle “Brut Premier Cru Cuvee Angeline” Champagne, France Appley, nutty, very dry. $80. click to buy.
2009 Louis Roederer “Brut Nature Philippe Starck” Champagne, France Tart, dry, bright $80. click to buy.
SPARKLING WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
MV Bruno Paillard Extra Brut Première Cuvée Rosé, Champagne, France Berry, bright, hint of sweetness
SPARKLING WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2009 Roederer Estate “L’Ermitage Brut Rosé” Champagne Blend, Anderson Valley, California
2011 Roederer Estate “L’Ermitage Brut” Champagne Blend, Anderson Valley, California
SPARKLING WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2014 Iron Horse “Ocean Reserve” Champagne Blend, Sonoma County, California
WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 10
1992 Estate Argyros “Vinsanto 20 Years Barrel Aged” Assyrtiko, Santorini Nutty, coffe nibs, mineral, honey $125. click to buy.
WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 9.5 AND 10
2015 Raúl Pérez La Vizcaina “La del Vivo” Bierzo Blanco , Spain Gorgeous complex nutty, lemon, apple, Long $37. click to buy.
2011 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht “Grand Cru Vendange Tardive Hengst” Gewürztraminer, Alsace, France Gorgeous, orange blossom, lychee, rose petals, sweet $70. click to buy.
WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9.5
2004 Iron Horse “Joy!” Chardonnay, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, California Brioche, lovely, buttery, saline, $82. click to buy.
2013 Weingut Dreissigacker “Kirchspiel” Riesling Trocken, Rheinhessen, Germany Gorgeous mandarin, wet slate, floral, citrus pith $65. click to buy.
2014 Domaine Marc Morey et Fils “1er Cru En Virondot” Chardonnay, Chassagne-Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy Gorgeous, lean, mineral, lime and lemon pith $70. click to buy.
2015 Domaine de la Vougeraie “1er Cru Monopole Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot” Chardonnay, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy Gorgeous as usual, lemon and juicy $135. click to buy.
2009 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht “Selection de Grains Nobles Rangen de Thann Grand Cru Clos Saint Urbain” Pinot Gris, Alsace, France Orange blossom, silky $100. click to buy.
2016 Estate Argyros Assyrtiko, Santorini, Greece Crisp bright, delicious $28. click to buy.
WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2005 R. López de Heredia “Viña Tondonia Reserva” Viura, Rioja, Spain Nutty, lemony parchment
2016 Hermann J. Wiemer “Single Select” Riesling, Seneca Lake, New York
2016 Hermann J. Wiemer “Reserve Dry” Riesling, Seneca Lake, New York Mandarins honeysuckle
2016 Fritz Haag “Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr” Riesling Spätlese, Mosel, Germany Pear and lemon and slate
2014 Domaine Marc Morey et Fils “1er Cru Les Caillerets” Chardonnay, Burgundy, France Bright lemony, mineral
2016 Yalumba “The Virgilius” Viognier, Eden Valley, South Australia Fresh, peachy, bright, apricot, lemon
2016 Elvio Cogno Nascetta, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy Nutty, flinty, mineral, smoky, steel
WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2014 Palacio de Fefinanes “III Anos” Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain
2017 Palacio de Fefinanes Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain
2016 Domaine Sigalas “Seven Villages Vourvoulos” Assyrtiko, Santorini, Greece
2013 Weingut Dreissigacker “Geyersberg QbA” Riesling Trocken, Rheinhessen, Germany
2017 Giant Steps Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
2015 Bouchard Père & Fils “1er Cru Beaune du Château Blanc” Chardonnay, Beaune, Burgundy, France Sweet lemon curd, bright
WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2014 Domaine Vincent Carême “L’Ancestrale” Chenin Blanc, Vouvray, Loire Valley, France
2016 Fritz Haag Riesling QbA Feinherb, Mosel, Germany
2016 Robert Weil Riesling Trocken, Rheingau, Germany
2011 Luis A. Rodríguez Vázquez “Escolma Vina de Martin” Treixadura, Ribeiro, Spain
2000 Blandy’s Verdelho, Colheita, Madiera, Portugal
2007 Kopke White Colheita Port, Porto, Portugal
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9.5
2011 Bouchard Père & Fils “1er Cru Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus” Beaune Grèves, Burgundy, France Sappy floral, bright $110. click to buy.
2015 Domaine de la Pousse d’Or “1er Cru Clos de la Bousse d’Or” Volnay, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France Sappy, fantastic, juicy, herbal $90. click to buy.
2016 Terroir Al Limit “L’Arbossar” Carignan, Priorat, Spain Gorgeous berry, bright, Long, silky $60. click to buy.
2016 Drew “Valenti Ranch” Syrah, Mendocino Ridge, California Cherry and blackberry, mineral herbal $48. click to buy.
2016 Drew “Estate Field Selections” Pinot Noir, Mendocino Ridge, California Bright, berry, juicy, herbal and floral $60. click to buy.
2012 Elvio Cogno “Ravera Bricco Pernice” Nebbiolo, Barolo, Piemonte, Italy Mineral, bright, juicy, tight, great acid $120. click to buy.
RED WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2011 Domaine Sigalas “apiliotis” Mandilaria, Santorini, Greece $22. click to buy.
2017 Giant Steps “Applejack Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia $30. click to buy.
2015 Domaine de la Vougeraie “Les Petits Noizons” Pommard, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France Berry, herbs, nice floral notes $60. click to buy.
2014 Domaine de la Pousse d’Or “1er Cru Clos de 60 Ouvrees” Volnay, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, FranceHerbal, fantastic, bright, juicy, sappy $90. click to buy.
2015 Domaine Livera “Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes” Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France Sappy bright, berry, oaky
2014 Forjas del Salnés “Goliardo Tintos de Mar” Caiño, Rias Baixas, Spain Herbal, berry bright, sour cherry, yummy $80. click to buy.
2016 Raúl Pérez La Vizcaina “El Rapolao” Red Blend, Bierzo, Spain Bright briars, gorgeous $38. click to buy.
2014 Vega-Sicilia “Alion” Tinto Fino, Ribera del Duero, Spain $100. click to buy.
2015 Terroir Al Limit “Les Manyes” Grenache, Priorat, Spain Berry, nutty but juicy $220. click to buy.
2015 Comando G “Las Umbrias Rozas de Puerto Real” Grenache, Madrid, Spain Intense, floral $100. click to buy.
2016 Yalumba “Old Bush Vine” Grenache, Barossa, South Australia Juicy strawberry and herbs, long $22. click to buy.
2015 Delas Frères “Chante-Perdrix” Syrah, Cornas, Rhône Valley, France BlackBerry, smoky briar, awesomeness, velvety tannins $55. click to buy.
2015 Delas Frères “Domaine des Tourettes” Syrah, Hermitage, Rhône Valley, France Cherry, blackberry, leather, smooth $100. click to buy.
2015 Domaine du Pegau “Cuvée Da Capo” Red Blend, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France Silky, bright, powerful $480. click to buy.
2014 Rotem & Mounir Saouma “Arioso” Red Blend, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France Bright, juicy, finesse, silky $186. click to buy.
2013 Elvio Cogno “Ravera” Barolo, Piedmont, Italy Utterly floral bright juicy, tight $80. click to buy.
2011 Gulfi “Nerobufaleffj” Nero d’Avola, Sicily, Italy $48. click to buy.
2013 Gulfi “Nerojbleo” Nero d’Avola, Sicily, Italy $40. click to buy.
2011 Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy Cherry, citrus, sandalwood, bright $290. click to buy.
2014 Poggio di Sotto Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy Light, lithe cherry, sandalwood $155. click to buy.
2015 Errázuriz “Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon, Aconcagua Valley, Chile Cherry bright, juicy, nutty $150. click to buy.
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2016 Domaine Vincent Carême “Le Clos” Pinot Noir, Vouvray, Loire Valley, France
2010 Kabaj “Cuvee Morel” Red Blend, Goriska Brda, Slovenia Pretty, fresh, plush, cherry
2006 R. López de Heredia “Viña Tondonia Reserva” Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain Tight nutty, cherry leather
2015 Domaine Livera “Clos Village Vieilles Vignes” Pinot Noir, Gevrey Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France Oaky, bright
2016 Forjas del Salnés “Tintos de mar Bastión de la Luna” Red Blend, Rias Baixas, Spain
2016 Comando G “1er Cru” Grenache, Rozas, Spain Light, silky berry, floral
2015 Domaine du Pegau “Cuvée Réservée Rouge” Red Blend, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2015 Rotem & Mounir Saouma “Omnia” Red Blend, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France
2013 Conterno Fantino “Sori Ginestra” Nebbiolo, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy Tight, oaky
2011 Gulfi “Sanlore” Nero d’Avola, Sicily, Italy
2013 Le Ragnaie Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy Earthy, leather, cherry
2013 Le Ragnaie “La fornace” Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy Brett? But tasty
2014 Zuccardi “Altamira Aluvional” Malbec, Paraje, Mendoza, Argentina
1977 Blandy’s Malmsey, Portugal
RED WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2013 Zuccardi “Jose Zuccardi” Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
2014 Concha y Toro Carmenere, Carmin de Peumo, Chile
1941 Kopke Colheita Tawny Port, Porto, Portugal
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2016 Conterno Fantino Nebbiolo, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy
2013 Tenuta di Biserno “Lodovico” Red Blend, Toscana, Italy