Each Christmas Tom announces his Wines of the Year. See the 2024 awards.
Entries for Visitors’ Wines of the Year 2024 are now closed. Thank you to all who submitted their nominations.
Selection Below added 11th January 2025
Ben C
Red: 2010 Francois Berthaut Chambolle-Musigny 1er cru
White: 2015 Au Bon Climat Hildegard, USA
Budget Red: 2019 Mullineux Great Heart, Swartland , S Africa
Budget White: 2022 Jacques Mouton Chardonnay Madeleine, S Africa
Sparkling: 2010 Launois Special Club
Extra choice: 2004 Domaine de Chevalier rouge, Bordeaux
Dud: Fine red Bordeaux
Thing: Getting married
Comments: Berthaut: a wine so exquisite the room goes quiet. One can just sink into it. Soaring nose & a gossamer-fine texture on the palate: wow. The ABC was shared by another forumite recently. Electric & thrilling stuff. No stand-out budget reds but this Mullineux empowerment project was super & in a great cause. Great winery & lovely couple. White budget choice is S African too. Loved this & would have happily paid more than double the £11 it was. Terrific energy & balance. The Champagne converted me. Fresh and long and balanced. Yum. Extra is a Bordeaux. All the classic qualities but with real charm. I was smitten. Honourable mentions to a Taille aux Loups Clos de Mosny, Lopez de Heredia reds (1998/2009), 2007 Kanonkop Paul Sauer & 2008 Ridge Montebello. Thing was getting married to the woman I fell in love with 26 years ago, but only properly got together in 2021. Dud: Fine red Bordeaux. I’ve been lucky in others’ generosity but too many I find impressive but charmless & expensive.
Congratulations on the wedding Ben – too you long enough! 🙂 Happy to see the ABC wine – I still have fond memories of throwing a few hoops with the late Jim Clendennen when I visited the winery many years ago – he was an ex-pro basketball player and I am a qualified coach having played at junior Scottish level – Tom
Will Devize, UK
Red: Allemand Cornas Reynard 2006
White: Domaine Gourt de Mautens Blanc 2012
Budget Red: Domaines des Soulanes, Jean Pull, 2022
Budget White: The Foundry Grenache Blanc 2017
Rosé: Thymiopoulos Rosé de Xinomavro 2021
Sparkling: Louis Brochet Champagne Premier Cru Cuvée HBH 1996
Sweet: Samos Nectar 1980
Fortified: Fonseca 1977
Extra choice: Cask ales
Dud: Gladiator II
Thing: Richard Brendon / Jancis Robinson Universal Glasses
Comments: Perhaps mankind’s defining characteristic is our restless desire to answer the big questions the Universe throws at us. In our quest for knowledge and understanding, we have harnessed the power of fire, language and tools to create complex societies. We’ve invented music, central heating, the internet and sparkling shiraz, yet despite the wonders of the scientific and technological advances our species has made, I opened the curtains on 2024 with the firmly held belief that the perfect universal wine glass could never exist. I needn’t have worried. Not for the first time, the worldly solution to a grand philosophical quandary was just a timely Wine-Pages thread away, and the great Richard Brendon stampede of January 2024 yielded the incontrovertible proof! No longer must I worry about my disheveled collection of mismatched Riedels, Zaltos and Lehmanns, sullied by clouding and diminished by clumsiness. Long live Richard Brendon, long live Tom, and long live the W-P Forum!
Fabulous comments Will – you are clearly smitten by the glassware! I have so many glasses that I must not succumb 🙂 Lot of votes for that Greek pink this year, so I must try that one – Tom
Edward Bolland, UK
Red: Chateau Lafleur 2004, Pomerol France
White: Bachelet-Monnot Puligny-Montrachet Folatieres 2004, Burgundy, France
Budget Red: Roagna Langhe Rosso 2016, Piedmont Italy
Budget White: Chateau Musar Blanc 2007, Bekka Valley Lebanon
Rosé: Champagne Krug, Rosé Edition 25, Champagne France
Sparkling: Champagne Ruinart, Dom Ruinart2002, Champagne France
Sweet: Chateau Yquem 1990, Bordeaux France
Extra choice: Dom Rousseau, Gevrey Chambertin Cazetiers 1996, Burgundy France
Dud: Farming in 2024
Thing: Cycling in Mallorca, five years after a serious accident there.
Comments: In some ways a fairly modest year of drinking, in the sense that there weren’t too many highs to choose from. However my top picks were really very good. My ‘thing’ was revisiting the scene of a pretty horrible crash five years previously, it was good to go back and overcome my fears. As always I can say that my life continues to be enriched by the generosity and contributions of everyone on wine pages.
Lovely sentiments Ed. Thank you. And so glad you literally got ‘back on your bike’ in those circumstances. May I add: Pomerol, Premier Cru Burgundy, Krug, Dom Ruinart and Yquem. Not the most modest year of drinking I can think of 🙂 – Tom
Selection Below added 10th January 2025
Mike Bartlett UK
Red: Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du pape 2007
White: Chateau Olivier, Grand Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan, 2020
Budget Red: “No place like home” Syrah, 2021 Minimalist Wines, South Africa
Budget White: The Society’s Alvarinho, Vinho Verde 2022
Rosé: Rose de Xinomavro, Thymiopoulos, 2022
Sparkling: “Trouble with Dreams” Dermot Sugrue 2017, England
Sweet: Ulysse Cazabonne Sauternes (3rd release)
Fortified: Pasada Pastrana Manzanilla, Bodegas Hidalgo
Extra choice: Marc de Chateauneuf-du-Pape Chateau Mont-Redon Abeille et Fabre
Dud: Chateau Cantemerle 2009
Comments: 2024 was a tough year but I have enjoyed some lovely wines at different times. The “budget” red is hardly cheap but is incredible value and a great illustration of the quality of wines coming out of South Africa at the moment. Especially the Syrah! The Greek rose is well worth seeking out as it is uniquely delicious I feel. Dermot Sugrue is clearly a genius and that was my favourite fizz of the year by a distance. The Sauternes was sampled at a Wine Society tasting and is truly fabulous stuff (and I don’t drink a great deal of sweet wine). The Society also provides my budget white and I’ve long felt that some Portuguese Alvarinho is the equal of anything in Spain but at a much better price. The Marc was also enjoyed at the same Society tasting and was no less enjoyable back at home, following a purchase. Finally my dud was trying the first of my Cantemerle 2009…too young? Perhaps, but just gave very little pleasure despite a decent decant. Belated happy new year to you Tom!
And an even more belated Happy New Year from me! :). Cantemerle is such a funny one: it can produce fabulous, excellent value wines, and yet they can also disappoint, with an equal number of admirers and detractors. I still have a couple of ’89s I believe – Tom
David Band, Scotland
Red: Robert Oatley The Pennant Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
White: Yalumba The Virgilius Viognier 2019
Budget Red: Wirra Wirra Church Block 2020
Budget White: Iona Elgin Highlands Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Rosé: Pietradolce Etna Rosato 2023
Sparkling: Breaky Bottom Seyval Blanc 2015 Cuvée Jack Pike
Sweet: Thelema Vin de Hel Muscat 2022
Fortified: Tio Pepe Fino En Rama 2024
Extra choice: d’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2016
Dud: DPD Dom Perignon delivery
Thing: Return to The Grange after around 15 years
Comments: Exciting year for Leven with the railway opening, and a wine and tapas bar! Not the most thrilling selection of wines, but hopefully it will get better if it continues to be popular. Went on another Mediterranean cruise which included an outdoor Tuscan wine tasting. Hoping to book a holiday to visit somewhere in Greece this year. Dud – Splashed out on a bottle of Dom Perignon 2013 (I’ve never tried any DP before) which failed to turn up before Christmas, then got delayed by DPD and was too late for New Year too!
Bad luck on the DP, but I am sure if you save it for another occasion it will not disappoint :). That actually looks like a pretty solid year of good drinking to me! – Tom
Darren Band, Scotland
Red: Michael David Rapture Cabernet Lodi 2020
White: Framingham F-Series Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Budget Red: Showdown Man with Ax Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Budget White: Blind River Estate Gewurztraminer 2019
Rosé: Tra Mari Rosé di Primitivo 2023
Sparkling: Pol Roger Vintage Blanc de Blanc 2015
Sweet: Gonzalez Byass Nectar Pedro Ximinez
Fortified: Taylor’s Chip Dry White Port (paired with white chocolate)
Extra choice: Château Bandsville 2024
Dud: Equipo Navazos ‘I Think’ Amontillado
Thing: Live music – introduced my daughter to Weezer/Smashing Pumpkins in Glasgow and Ocean Colour Scene in Edinburgh.
Comments: Got to three festivals and several online tastings in 2024 so plenty of wines to choose from. Similar to the previous year, I seem to have “really” liked more whites than reds. Possibly our best vintage yet of the home grown and home made Château Bandsville where we were able to make two batches again; one still and one sparkling. My aim for this year is to try eating out at more nice restaurants and hopefully a couple of holidays since 2024’s plans went down the pan sadly.
Darren and his brother David are friends who live quite local to me and I am confident are Fife’s biggest and best wine producers 🙂 Keep music live! – Tom
Lisa Harlow UK
Red: Sadie Columella 2015, SA
White: Gangloff Condrieu 2020, France
Budget Red: 4 Manos La Danza del Viento La Isilla 2021, Spain
Budget White: Momento Wines – Grenache Gris 2023, SA
Rosé: Vine Venom Shining NV but second release, SA
Sparkling: Billecart Salmon Cuvee Nicolas François 2008, France
Sweet: Mullineaux Olerasay No.3, SA
Fortified: González Byass 30 year old Apostles NV, Spain
Extra choice: Thymiopolous Cuvée R Blanc de Rosé 2009 for it’s sheer uniqueness
Thing: Another successful month long trip to the Western Cape with so many good wines and meeting two of my wine gods. Eben Sadie and Andrea Mullineux
Comments: 2024 was another successful wine year, with many bottles shared with wine friends both here and in South Africa
It sure sounds like a great year of drinking, travelling and hero meeting :). Some of these excellent South African choices are not available in the UK, but luckily I am heading over there again soon and will seek them out – Tom
Paul Jaines
Red: 2004 Chasse Spleen – a total surprise!
White: 2012 Droin Chablis Montee de Tonerre (gotta love Diam!!)
Budget Red: 2022 Lautarul Pinot Noir Cramele Recas, Romania
Budget White: 2018 Jérémie Huchet Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie Clos Les Montys
Sweet: 2007 Château Rieussec
Extra choice: South African Pinot Noir – some excellent wines this year and great prices.
Dud: My 2010 Barolos – I have opened quite a few and they are almost all dull
Thing: Starting a new job at an exciting, kind company after the total horror of my previous employer!
Comments: I’ve been raiding my cellar in France on the few occasions I head back there as I have now been creating a cellar since 2004 so there are wines in there that need drinking. Some amazing surprises (The minor 2009/11 Chinons that have all aged beautifully and long forgotten SA reds that were superb – Cederberg 2006 Cab Sav was a deight) and some complete duds (Chablis under cork that are all knackered, 2010 Barolos are either stewed or grumpy) and vile peak-Parker Rhones (silly boy, I have learned my lesson!).
Yet again, the knowledge of the people on the wine-pages forum drive up my knowledge – it is such an incredible source of knowledge and enthusiasm. 2024 was another year of just being modest with wine purchasing – punctuated by the occasional grander bottles. I’m happy with this state of affairs – so many good wines out there now that dont need silly money to drink. No plans for 2025 specifically – lets see where the journey takes me!
A good philosophy I think Paul. I said in an earlier comment that I have always struggled a bit with Barolo – finding a great one rarer than finding a great red Burgundy! – Tom
Paul Matthews, UK
Red: Cordoba Crescendo, 1995, South Africa
White: Thirty Bench Steel Post Vineyard Riesling, 2006, Ontario Canada
Budget Red: Corte Alle Mura Chianti Riserva, 2019, Italy, Lidl
Budget White: Diemersdal Gruner Veltliner, 2020, South Africa, Majestic
Sweet: Mesenicher Deuslay Riesling Eiswein, Rudolf Cochems,1985, Germany
Fortified: Dow’s Vintage Port, 1983, Portugal
Extra choice: Concha y Toro Terrunyo Carmenere, 2018, Chile
Dud: Taille aux Loups Remus Montlouis, 2013, France
Thing: Retirement, and hence more time for travel
Comments: Some of these wines are selected after taking account of personal associations or memorable occasions rather than purely the quality of the wine. I think those are important factors in wine appreciation and enjoyment. Also I have gone for some unusual wines that probably won’t be in (m)any other cellars. I was keeping the Remus, hoping its fierce acidity would soften, but no, it’s just starting to turn orange. I don’t drink enough rosé or champagne to fill in those boxes. Looking forward to exploring South Africa in 2025.
Context of drinking is, if not everything, then certainly a huge part of making a wine truly memorable. Such a strong showing for South Africa this year, so you should have a happy year of exploration ahead – Tom
Neil H, UK
Red: 1989 Château Mouton Rothschild
White: 2001 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet
Budget Red: 2018 Lucien Muzard Santenay 1er Cru Maladière
Budget White: 2017 Wolf Blass Chardonnay Gold Label
Rosé: 2000 R. López de Heredia Rioja Rosado Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia
Sparkling: 2008 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Grand Cellier d’Or
Sweet: 1999 Château d’Yquem
Fortified: 1968 Bual d’Oliveira
Extra choice: NV Salmon Champagne Meunier Brut Rosé *
Dud: Corks (again!) too many spoiled wines and difficult to remove soaked older corks
Thing: Getting my father in law to WIMPS and further tasting with him at domaines in the Northern Rhone, Burgundy and Champagne
Comments: Been great to taste so widely with wine-pages forum folks in London, Reading, Bath and Bristol in 2024. Hoping for more of these in 2025. As my kids have grown up they are starting to take an interest in wine, both have had wow moments with birth year clarets so hoping that continues in the year ahead. This year’s wine travels should take me to Champagne (again) and the Mosel in February, to Burgundy in April and a May trip taking my father-in-law to his favourite Southern Rhone (with additional stops in the Northern Rhone, Burgundy and Champagne). The NV Salmon Rosé Fizz was a fascinating and gorgeous wine enjoyed at the Club Trésors shop / tasting room in Reims; a Rosé de Saignée and Rosé d’assemblage blend! 75% Blanc de Meunier, 20% Saignée de Meunier, 5% Rouge de Meunier. Wishing everyone a happy and health 2025.
And the same to you Neil. You had a great year of absolutely classic European drinking, so nice to see the Wolf Blass getting an honorable mention – one of those stalwarts that we tend to forget about – Tom
David White
Red: Chateau Musar Blend 2011 Lebanon
White: Creation Wines Walker Bay Chardonnay 2017 South Africa
Budget Red: Poderi Luigi Eniaudi Barolo 2018 Italy
Budget White: Tohu Riesling 2019 New Zealand
Sweet: Pillitteri Reserve Icewine 2016 Canada
Fortified: Grahams Late Bottle Vintage Port 2018 Portugal
Extra choice: Yabby Lake Pinot Noir 2022 Australia
Dud: Fortunately none this year
Thing: Difficult to try new English wine styles in Australia
Comments: Just a comment on the 2011 Chateau Musar – NYE 2024 was the 10th Anniversary of Serge Hochar’s tragic drowning and opened this to toast a departed icon and it has aged very well and was terrific.
Indeed, I was lucky enough to visit Musar and met Serge there and on other occasions and he was charming. I do hope his legacy lives on with the younger generation of the family who are taking over – Tom
Selection Below added 6th January 2025
Leon M, UK
Red: 2013 Ridge Monte Bello (USA)
White: 2001 Tondonia Gran Reserva (Spain)
Budget Red: 2019 Treloar Rescapé (France)
Budget White: 2021 Riverby OVB (New Zealand)
Rosé: 2012 Rare Rosé (France) (zero notes for still rosé this year)
Sparkling: 2004 Taittinger Comtes (France)
Extra choice: Would have to be the 1995 Latour kindly shared by Ian A at Xmas Wimps
Dud: TCA, and bad corks in general
Thing: UK Wine Forum Offlines! Very pleased to be able to share wine with friends – a lunch in Singapore was a particular highlight. What a special community.
Comments: This has felt to me like the first true “post pandemic” year – whatever the world is like now, is what it is. I suspect having teenage children who have their own – very clearly articulated – views of the world also adds to this feeling of change. In terms of my wine education, I’ve been diving into N Rhone (and to some extent Champagne) this year. Some wonderful offline dinners and lunches. Even more than last year I’m finding that more of my wine consumption happens at these events – the knowledge, the learning and the sense of community is fantastic. Buying-wise, I’ve been trying to follow the mantra of “fewer, better” as I’m at an age where there’s still some value in laying things down, but the runway isn’t infinite. I’d award myself an A on the “better” and a C- on the “fewer”.
It’s so much easier to buy wine than resist the temptation! I totally agree that sharing a great with others can literally double the pleasure. It is perhaps part of the reason wine lovers tend to be such a singularly generous bunch! – Tom
Richard Zambuni UK/USA
Red: Château Lynch-Bages 1989 from magnum
White: Duc de Magenta, Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru Clos de la Garenne
Budget Red: Chorey-lès-Beaune Domaine Francois Gay 2017
Budget White: Oberhäuser Leistenberg Kabinett Dönnhoff 2015
Rosé: Bandol Domaine Tempier 2022
Sparkling: Dom Ruinart 1988
Sweet: Château Doisy-Daëne Barsac 2010
Fortified: Tio Pepe Fino en rama 2024 bottling
Extra choice: Terrantez J.R. Teixeira 1870
Dud: Barolo Paiagallo Giovanni Canonica 2011
Thing: My son getting the wine bug and starting a cellar
Comments: While in the wider world 2024 was a disconcerting year, in the narrower confines of enjoying wine all went swimmingly. Looking back, there was a lot of competition for the top red – it could have been Chave, Faurie, or Sorrel Hermitage Le Gréal 1999 or Château Haut Brion 1978 or indeed many others. The whites didn’t hit the same heights – I don’t recall anything being transcendental, but there were many in the 4/4.5 star category. For the sweet wine I nominated the Doisy-Daëne because it had so much energy and the proper Barsac lightness of touch. I really like sweet wine at the end of the meal although it is often not noted properly. Over the last year I drank more Barolo and Barbaresco than I can ever recall drinking before, but I’m afraid to say that the success rate was pretty low. It was probably a third good, a third meh, and a third really hard work or outright poor. So many of those whose palates I respect like nebbiolo, but I continue to struggle with it. At least I tried!
I have some sympathy with your take on Barolo/Barbaresco, even though I have had several outstanding wines and understand it is capable of greatness. But I’ve also had many that were a bit tough and unloveable – sometimes the same goes for other Piedmontese varieties including the supposedly softer Dolcetto and Barbera – Tom
Paul Day, UK
Red: Gentaz-Dervieux, Côte-Rôtie Côte Brune 1990
White: Coche-Dury, Corton Charlemagne 2016
Budget Red: Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco 2019
Budget White: Léon Beyer, Tokay Pinot Gris Cuvée Particulière 1985
Rosé: Louis Roederer, Cristal Rosé 2004 (magnum)
Sparkling: Krug, Clos du Mesnil 2002 (at its best, since not consistent)
Sweet: Hugel, Gewurztraminer “S” SGN 1997
Fortified: Blandy’s, Malvasia Fajã dos Padres 1839
Extra choice: Chartreuse, Une Chartreuse Jaune 2015 release
Dud: Ramonet, Montrachet 2010 (one premoxed, the other just not that good)
Thing: Retirement
Comments: Strangely both my top wines are the not the “best” vintages I’ve ever had of either, but great wines that I caught at a really opportune moment. For Gentaz, 1990 was always more forward than, say, 1988, 1989 or 1991, and I thought it might have been best around 8 or 9 years old. However, much to my surprise it has aged magnificently and the bouquet holds beautifully in the glass – it has astonishing vibrancy with a classical weight. Similarly, 2016 is just such a good vintage for Coche (maybe better than 2017!) and both the Perrières and Corton Charlemagne have the advantage to be open and restaurant friendly. The Corton Charlemagne was a impromptu indulgence, celebrating retirement, returning from Burgundy in early January, with Bernard Pacaud doing one of his last services aged 76 at L’Ambroisie, the restaurant in absolute top form. One of the greatest meals.
Congratulations on the retirement Paul – celebrated in some style. The only Gentaz-Dervieux I’ve tasted was the 1991 a couple of years ago, at a small dinner that also included DRC Grands Echezeaux and Latour, also quite a night! – Tom
Duncan McLean, Scotland
Red: Domaine Gigou, L’Ancêtre Coteaux du Loir, 2022, France
White: Nocturne, Treeton Chardonnay, 2022, Australia
Budget Red: Bacalhôa, Alabastro Vinho Regional Alentejano, 2022, Portugal
Budget White: A.J. Adam, Riesling Im Pfarrgarten Feinherb, 2022, Germany
Rosé: Ca N’Estruc, Catalunya Rosat, 2022, Spain
Sparkling: Laurent-Perrier, Champagne Brut Millésimé, 1999, France
Sweet: Château Saint-Jean Lez Durance, Que Ma Joie Demeure, 2018, France
Fortified: La Préceptorie de Centernach, ‘Des Pierres’ Côtes du Roussillon, NV, France
Extra choice: Thierry Delaunay, Casca Macération de Soif, 2021, France
Dud: Three bottles of By Farr Pinot Noir. Should’ve been great, but were dead.
Thing: White Mausu, Peanut Rāyu
Comments: Apart from the Champagne, these could all probably be classed as budget wines, but none the worse for that: all were bottles full of character, interest and pleasure. My Extra Choice is an orange Sauvignon Blanc. This year I’ve had enough good orange wines to start making useful comparisons; this one stood out for its joyous bittersweet complexity.
Plenty of choices I just don’t know in this list Duncan – I need to get out more! I also had to look up your ‘Thing’ as I had no idea, but having done so, will be ordering some to try 🙂 – Tom
Stephen Pickles, UK
Red: Pibarnon, Bandol, 2001, France
White: Sadie, Skerpioen, 2014, South Africa
Budget Red: Chiara Condello, Sangiovese Predappio, 2020, Italy
Budget White: Schloss Reinhartshausen, Riesling Kabinett feinherb, 2022, Germany
Rosé: JP Gaussen, Bandol, 2023, France
Sparkling: Charlie Herring, Legion, NV, England
Sweet: Poggio al Sole de Brogioni, ‘Nettare Degli Dei’ Vin Santo Del Chianti, 2012
Fortified: Valdespino, SOLERA 1842 Oloroso VOS, NV, Spain
Extra choice: Chateau St Anne, Bandol blanc, 2021, France
Dud: Selection La Coste, La Bulle, NV, France
Thing: Cycling from Rotterdam to Konstance, what an excellent way to travel a fantastic river, and it’s countries.
Comments: Bandol heavy, but that is where I ended up , and drank a lot this year. The Rose was lovely, and a fine testament to Jean Pierre Gaussen who died last year. The Vin Santo is an amazing, miniscule production, that is quite extraordinary. The English sparkling was a revelation, trying to get some may be a tough task. The dud is from Chateau La Coste, near Aix, a fizz, that doesn’t fizz, maybe they should stick to the art. Cycling the Rhine was an utter joy, fabulous people, amazing scenery, and a route that a fat, unfit 50 something, could easily manage.
Two rarities in these lists – a Vin Santo as Sweet WOTY and a still rosé as WOTY as so many of us now ‘cheat’ by nominating an extra sparkling wine 🙂 I totally agree on Chateau la Coste – how they can have created such a mind-blowing vineyard experience yet make mostly very pedestrian wines – Tom
Andrew Stevenson, UK
Red: CVNE, Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva 1964, Spain
White: Eugène Meyer, Tokay d’Alsace 1988, France
Budget Red: Abadia Retuerta, Selección Especial 1999, Spain
Budget White: Weingut Hain, Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese #13 2003, Germany
Rosé: Gusbourne, Pinot Noir Rosé Cherry Garden Vineyard, 2021, England
Sparkling: Castlewood Vineyard, Chardonnay HIX Reserve Cuvée 2015, England
Fortified: Quinta do Noval, Unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage Port, 1997, Portugal
Extra choice: The premixed cocktails from Myatts Fields.
Dud: E. Guigal, Ermitage Blanc Ex Voto 2002, France
Thing: Although as yet merely thinking & planning, and facing space and carpentry logistical problems, my interest in railway modelling has been reawoken.
Comments: Looking at my notes for 2024, I see confirmed what I thought: that I’ve lost my wine mojo a little this year, and, for various reasons, too often it’s just seemed too much bother to open a bottle, and similarly various reasons have meant far fewer wines drunk in restaurants.
But a special birthday meant opening some special wines, and it would be most invidious not to mention a 1964 Chateau Beychevelle that equalled the score (and thrill) of the 1964 CVNE Gran Reserva, but I just preferred the CVNE. Next bottle in 2034? Similarly a Krug Grande Cuvée that I’ve had in stock for about 20 years (V511 on the cork, if that’s decodable) tied with the Castlewood Vineyard ESW in terms of score, but I went with the latter as my note on the Krug mentions how much more like ESW than Champagne the Krug is.
The Guigal Ex Voto was disappointingly completely oxidised, but I consoled myself by reading other notes on the wine on Cellartracker, which suggested it would have be the same 15 yrs ago.
Congratulations on the big birthday Andrew, and on finding two excellent ’64s. I like the inclusion of a 27-year-old LBV – Noval pride themselves on making an ageworthy LBV, and this certainly seems to prove their point – Tom
Selection Below added 2nd January 2025
Dan Vyvyan, UK
Red: Château Trotanoy 1998, France
White: Mount Mary Triolet 2009, Australia
Budget Red: Lamé-Delisle-Boucard, Bourgueil ‘Cuvée Prestige’ 2005, France
Budget White: Pichler-Krutzler, Fass No 43 Grüner Veltliner, Austria
Rosé: Larmandier-Bernier, Rosé de Saignée Extra Brut Vertus NV, France
Sparkling: Krug, Champagne Vintage Brut 2003, France
Sweet: Château d’Yquem 2015, France
Fortified: Fonseca, Vintage Port 1977, Portugal
Extra choice: Equipo Navazos, La Bota 110 Manzanilla Pasada ‘Capataz Cabo’ NV, Spain
Dud: Another Day In Paradise California Cabernet Sauvignon, USA
Thing: Breaking bread
Comments: For the second year in a row, my top white was a properly mature Australian. I don’t what this means but it’s interesting. The Trotanoy was majestic. It was a disappointing year overall for rosé, hence I’ve cheated and gone for a champagne, enjoyed with another forumite at a truly delightful impromptu grouse lunch at La Trompette. Conversely, it was an unusually rich year for fortified wines. In any other year the EN would have been a shoo-in in that category but was just pipped by a stunning Fonseca. My ‘thing’ is shorthand for all the thoroughly enjoyable offlines I’ve been to this year. Every single one (including one unforgettable one which came together in the most poignant of circumstances) have been irreverent, convivial, educational, generous. And you get to eat pretty well!
Lovely sentiments Dan. What a run-down of classic appellations and classic producers. I did have the opportunity to taste some old Australian whites on my recent visit to Australia, mostly Chardonnays and Semillons, and they held up really well – Tom
Jim Yorke, UK
Red: Chateau Rayas, 2011, France
White: Lopez de Heredia, Vina Gravonia Rioja Blanco, 2015, Spain
Budget Red: Denis Pommier, Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2019, France
Budget White: Prunier-Bonheur, Le P’tit Bonheur, 2020, France
Rosé: Bodega Vega de Yuco, Yaiza Rosado, 2023, Spain
Fortified: D’Oliveiras, Sercial Madeira, 1910, Portugal
Extra choice: Denis Mortet, Marsannay, Les Longeroies, 2017
Dud: Louis Jadot, Beaune Boucherottes 1er Cru, 2017, France
Thing: NHS – it might be a bit broken, but by god we need it and kudos to all who looked after me when I spent some time there.
Comments: This time last year I was wandering around the world of pinot noir not really landing in Burgundy, because of course it’s maddeningly expensive. Thanks to finding a few useful places (Fingal Rock, up wih the lark to grab TWS oddments) I found you can find decent stuff at a respectable price level and drank a lot of it. Most wines on my list are about a sense of place or people. The top tier wines were at a very generous dinner, and almost by default Rayas had to get the award, for all it was lovely, ditto the Sercial. In contrast the Rosado was much about happy times in the Canaries – and beat out a competitive field, with Pataille, Tondonia & Thymiopoulos not having the added benefit of sun-kissed drinking. The extra and the dud are the two sides of early drinking burgundy, 2017 is good to go right? – the Mortet was great and a second bottle confirmed initial positive impressions (one left) while the Jadot would have been overpriced at 1/4 of the list price. Some you win…
Context of drinking wine is, if not ‘everything’, certainly so important. Choosing your sun-kissed Canarian moment over more prestigious options is absolutely valid. So pleased the NHS was there for you and hope the outcome was entirely positive – Tom
Dave Dewhurst, Australia
Red: Vinedos de Paganos, La Nieta, 2006, Spain
White: Tahbilk, Old Vines Marsanne, 2007, Australia
Budget Red: Picardy, Merlot Cabernets, 2007, Australia
Budget White: Best’s Riesling, 2019, Australia
Rosé: Nicolas Feuillatte, Reserve Exclusive Rose Champagne, NV, France
Sparkling: Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, 2002, France
Sweet: Knipser Laumeshammer Kapellenberg TBA, 2003, Germany
Fortified: Graham’s Vintage Port, 2011, Portugal
Extra choice: Leoville Poyferre, 2004, France.
Dud: Churchview Wild Fermented Marsanne, 2015, Australia
Thing: Great friends sharing lots of amazing food and wine
Comments: These are just a few individual great wines, and five of them were had on a single night celebrating my retirement! I’ll have to retire more often!! A few honorable mentions in no particular order include: Jacob’s Creek Steingarten Riesling 2005, Picardy Tete de Cuvee, 1999, Prado Enea 2010, Picardy Chardonnay 2018, Brown Hill Bill Bailey 2014, Mauro Veglio Arborina 2010, Duke’s Magpie Hill Reserve Riesling 2022, 23 and 24, Duke’s K2 Riesling 2022, Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2015. The most unusual and unexpected success was a Cranswick Autumn Gold Botrytal Semillon 1994. Looked totally shot, like sump oil, so awful looking that I put a back up in the fridge with it. However, smelt like one of those rich old Spanish PXs and tasted of burnt orange and ginger!! Twas still slightly sweet and the acidity was still fabulously cleansing. Amazing old wine. Anyway, cheers to all, good luck, health and happiness for the New Year from Down Under.
And cheers to you Dave – once again your ‘Thing’ of the year sums it all up. I do love that Tahbilk Old Vines Marsanne, and what a bargain it is – could also have qualified as ‘Budget White’ of the year too – Tom
Chris Bunting, UK
Red: Porseleinberg, 2021, South Africa
White: Storm Wines, Vrede Chardonnay, 2023, South Africa
Budget Red: Shannon Vineyards, Rockview Ridge Pinot Noir, 2023, Souh Africa
Budget White: Duncan Savage Wines, Salt River Sauvignon Blanc 2023, South Africa
Rosé: Vinevenom, Shining, NV, South Africa
Sparkling: Vinevenom, Serenade, 2020, South Africa
Sweet: Boekenhoutskloof, Noble Late Harvest Semillon, South Africa
Fortified:Fernando de Castilla Antique Palo Cortado Jerez, Spain
Extra choice: City on a Hill, Sky and Earth, 2023, South Africa
Thing: Lunch at Spek and Bone in Stellenbosch with two generous, highly talented winemakers, Ian Naudé and Sam o’Keefe.
Comments: I continue to be amazed by what’s coming out of South Africa. Talented winemakers, young and old. Innovation, terroir expression and precision. My fifth trip this year and it was sensational.
I’m sure you could have shoe-horned in a South African Fortifed WOTY if you’d really tried Chris :). Yes, the Cape continues to produce some fantastic wines – and winemakers. It does have everything going for it in terms of climates, soils, winemaking history and attitude – Tom
Mark Carrington, UK
Red: Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2004
White: Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2012
Budget Red: Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée 2016
Budget White: Vollenweider Wolfer Goldgrube Spätlese 2017
Rosé: Francois Cotat Sancerre Chavignol Rosé 2020
Sparkling: Marteaux Guillaume Champagne Cuvée Infusion (rosé) NV
Sweet: Ch Coutet Cuvée Madame 2001
Fortified: Emilio Lustau Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Dry Oloroso (Morrisons) NV
Extra choice: Marie-Thérèse Chappaz Grain Pinot Chamoson 2021
Dud: Egon Muller Scharzhofberger 1999
Thing: A series of celebrations marking relatives’ anniversaries. Families: a central part of life.
Comments: Some of the wines had been drunk previously & confirmed my past appreciation. There were 2 other triumphant Grosset PH. No Burgundies but a Roumier themed lunch merits mention. Every time K&I open a Vollenweider we remember Daniel. Lots of cracking rosé, the Cotat was at a WIMPS. It was new to me & led to a purchase of 1/2 case of ’22. We drank ‘better’ fizz but I loved the fruit of the Marteaux. Coutet nominated for third year running. I don’t like sherry but bought this on a whim. (Weirdly didn’t drink any vintage port, to be rectified this week). M-T Chappaz wine lived up to her reputation – the only bright spot to a disastrous ‘lunch. Egon Muller was my final bottle. Took this to WIMPS – corked. All in all plenty of too-many-to-mention splendid wines during 2024, many enjoyed with others. You know who you are.
A bit of a good year for Australian Riesling so far for this this year’s White WOTY, including my own nomination. Sad that a potential wine was corked, though it was a 1999, and hopefully the picture has improved since then among wines still bottled with natural cork – Tom
Nick Amis, UK
Red: 2017 Domaine Armand Rousseau Charmes-Chambertin
White: 2011 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets
Budget Red: 2020 Domaine des 3 Cellier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Marceau
Budget White: 2022 Gaia Assyrtiko Wild Ferment
Rosé: 2013 Thymiopoulos Rosé de Xinomavro (Late Release)
Sparkling: 2006 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut
Sweet: NV Mullineux Chenin Blanc Olerasay N° 1
Fortified: NV Ferreira Porto Dona Antonia 20 Year Old Tawny
Extra choice: 1952 Château Latour Grand Vin
Dud: 2016 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso
Thing: Red wine from France
Comments: Doesn’t feel as though 2024’s wines were as exceptional as some other recent years, but there were some stand-out occasions, including the Rousseau lunch, the dinner with the 1952 Latour (and three others, Rayas etc), Graham’s memorial dinner (that PYCM was superb), a Rhone dinner with an incredible Allemand/Michel/pigeon combo (food match of the year), the memorably disappointing Ciacci Piccolomini vertical, and a Rhone paulee at which a 2020 no-name £25 CNDP bested another bottle of Rayas. The 2006 Comtes was opened on my birthday and was a savoury delight; I’m so glad I loaded up on them. Hoping for lots of excellent whites and Champagne in 2025, as well as getting stuck into 2005 red Burgundy and Bordeaux. Cheers!
Looks like a rather fine year of drinking to me Nick! 1952 is a relatively unheralded vintage for Bordeaux, certainly compared to the legends like ’45 and ’61, so what a treat to taste a range of them and come up with a winner – Tom
Selection Below added 31st December 2024
Richard Ward, UK
Red: Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1990
White: As Sortes Godello 2022
Budget Red: Burlotto Verduno Pelaverga 2023
Budget White: Ruppertsberger Hoheburg Riesling Kabinett 2017
Rosé: San Marzano Tramari Primitivo Rosé 2023
Sparkling: A 15+ year old bottle of Krug Grand Cuvee
Sweet: Chateau D’Yquem 2003
Fortified: Dow Vintage Port 1963
Extra choice: Magnum of Chateau Latour 1983 at Bordeaux WIMPS
Dud: Horribly corked mag of Roederer Rosé 2012 at summer WIMPS
Thing: I finally ate at The Ledbury!
Comments: My choice of the As Sortes Godello was maybe due to the location as much as the wine. This year I’ve definitely rediscovered my love of certain wines and styles that I’d moved away from – wild ferment cuvees have reignited my interest in NZ Sauvignon Blanc, the new wave of cooler climate Aussie reds, the lush fruit and intense colour of Spanish and Italian rosés, food friendly Greek reds & Hunter Valley Semillons. At the higher end, I’ve probably drunk more top level claret this year than in any other I can recall. Some great Ports too. Burgundy has provided the usual soaring highs and crashing lows. I hope 2025 brings just as many memorable opportunities to share great bottles and meals with friends old and new.
I think the Sauvignon winemakers of Marlborough sensed the winds of change over a decade ago – that the “ABC” phenomenon for Chardonnay could become “ABSB” 🙂 Hence a proliferation of new styles and of other varieties in Marlborough – Tom
Ian Hampsted, UK
Red: Meo Camuzet Vosne Romanee Aux Brulees 2001 (Burgundy, France)
White: Michel Bouzereau Meursault Perrieres 2011 (Burgundy)
Budget Red: Chateau de la Charriere Santenay 1er Cru La Maladiere 2021 (Burgundy)
Budget White: Sharpham Dart Valley Reserve 2022 (Devon, England)
Rosé: Thymiopolous Rosé de Xinomavro, late release, 2013 (Greece)
Sparkling: Piper Rare 2002 (Champagne, France)
Sweet: Chateau Doisy-Deane 2005 (Bordeaux, France)
Extra choice: Cremisan Hamdani Jandali 2020 (from The Holy Land)
Dud: Unconscionable Starmer
Thing: Lamborghini Urraco P300
Comments: Wine of the year contenders were once again dominated by Bordeaux top guns – seven this time, all first growths – so to avoid tedious repetition I awarded the gong to the entrancing Meo Camuzet Vosne Romanee Aux Brulees 2001, which has a nose that will make you crease up and melt. It was that or Cappellano Franco. My highlight though, in a chain of bizarre coincidences, was buying a 1979 vintage Lamborghini, the second last Urraco ever produced, one of a handful left in the UK. Reckless and ruinous it may prove, but life is finite and about taking risks. I felt the hand of fate tapping me on the shoulder. Likewise, release from the corrosive daily grind enabled me to step back and replenish my powers of critical thinking. We are in a lot more trouble, and much closer to the brink of a catastrophe of our own making, because of our reckless complacency, than we realise. In this ever more fraught world, my abiding wish is that you can all stay healthy, safe and free.
Had to look up the Lamborghini; quite a thing so I wish you many hours of happy motoring in what I presume was a long held dream! Classic wine choices, and good to see the Piper Rare getting a vote – the vintages I’ve tasted have always been superb but perhaps a wine that has been marginally overlooked? – Tom
Christopher Piper, UK
Red: Henschke, Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley 1996 Australia
White: Trefethen, Katie’s Acre Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2019 California
Budget Red: Château la Négly, La Falaise, la Clape, 2019 France
Budget White: Zenato, San Benedetto Lugana, Peschiera del Garda 2023, Italy
Rosé: Sancerre Rosé, Malice, Domaine Serge Laporte, Loire 2023, France
Sparkling: Veuve Fourny, Clos Faubourg de Notre-Dame 2008, Vertus, Champagne
Sweet: Dönnhoff, Oberhäuser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2010, Germany
Fortified: Campbell’s, Merchant Prince Rare Rutherglen Muscat, Australia
Extra choice: Domaine Hudelot-Baillet, Bonnes-Mares, Côte de Nuits, 2010 France
Dud: Rémi Dufaitre, Beaujolais Villages ‘Super Rémi’, 2022 France
Thing: Arrival of first grandchild, Benjamin!
Well, congratulations on Benjamin first of all 🙂 Nice to see a Lugana white in there: I presented a masterclass on them to the trade just a few months ago and a most impressive selection it was too – Tom
David Ludlow, UK
Red: Clarendon Hills Astralis 1996, Australia
White: Domaine Jean Louie Chave Hermitage Blanc 2010, France
Budget Red: Mullineux Syrah 2015, S Africa
Budget White: Duncan Savage Salt River Sauvignon Blanc 2022, S Africa
Rosé: Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2023, France
Sparkling: Louis Roederer Cristal 2008, France
Sweet: Chateau Rieussec 1997, France
Fortified: Churchill’s Vintage Port 1985
Extra choice: Artemis Karamolegos Papis 2018, Greece
Thing: Our 3rd Labrador, a chocolate so we now have all the colours!
Comments: Wonderful year of fantastic wines and some great tastings including a 2008 Vintage Champagne evening where the Cristal just outshone the Dom Perignon. Also a wonderful 09 v 10 Bordeaux tasting where it was plushness v structure. Both years have many years ahead of them. A Greek Assyrtiko tasting was a fantastic evening of tasting of wines from Santorini and other islands. S Africa continues to excite and I also continued to taste weird and very rare grape varieties. This time from Italy.
I’m a bit of a sucker for chocolate brown labs, but on to wine: have been tasting a few 2009 Bordeaux recently, Left and Right bank, and have found them lovely and open for business – though of course still youthful – Tom
Mark Priestley, UK
Red: Domaine Tempier, Bandol Cabassaou 1994, Provence, France
White: Pieropan, Calvarino 5 NV, Veneto, Italy
Budget Red: Selvapiana, Chianti Rufina 2016, Tuscany, Italy
Budget White: M&S, Found Verdil 2023, Valencia, Spain
Rosé: Thymiopoulos, Rose de Xinomavro 2013, Paros, Greece
Sparkling: Piper Heidsieck, Rare Brut Cuvee 2002, Champagne, France
Sweet: Montesquiou, Jurancon Grappe d’Or 2019, Jurancon, France
Extra choice: Chateau de Pibarnon, Bandol 2001, Provence, France
Thing: Walking the Ruta de los Volcanes on the island of La Palma
Comments: The annual Bandol offline (this year at the Harwood Arms) yielded two wines in the list. Cabassaou is the wine from the Tempier stable that I least get along with, yet this bottle of 1994 was just perfection and deservedly took the Red Wine slot. Pibarnon 2001 was also terrific that night; a bottle of the same vintage also featuring as one of my Christmas Day wines. It’s been really great exploring some of the less well known producers from the Bandol area this year, with a trip definitely on the cards for 2025. Budget wise M&S continue to offer interesting and great value wines under their “Found” range. Highlight was a 100% Verdil from Valencia; a skin contact White, great for summer drinking with lots of texture and bite.
Not sure I’ve ever experienced a bottle of dessert wine getting demolished so quickly but that accolade fell to an exquisite bottle of Montesquiou Jurancon Grappe d’Or that was enjoyed at a dinner party with a homemade tarte au citron.
I’ll be attending the Edinburgh replay of the Bandol offline in February with fingers crossed for such impressive wines. Nice to see a sweet Jurançon make the list: I have a soft spot for these from producers like Cauhape and Charles Hours – Tom
Kevin Heatherington, UK
Red: Ch Margaux 1996, France
White: Meulenhof Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese ** 2010, Germany
Budget Red: Domaine de la Boisselière Chiroubles Les Eaux Vives 2023, France
Budget White: Oliver Zeter Sauvignon Blanc Fumé 2021, Germany
Rosé: Domaine Maby Tavel Libiamo 2022, France
Sparkling: Lanson Gold Label Brut 2008, France
Sweet: Cloudy Bay Late Harvest Riesling 1991, New Zealand
Fortified: De Bortoli Barrel Aged Tawny 21 Years, Australia
Extra choice: Ch de Pressac (St Emilion) 1956, France
Comments: I drank a wide range of wines this year including a few remarkable old bottles. Bordeaux from 1973 and 1976 were a pleasant surprise but the 1956 Ch de Pressac from St Emilion was remarkable in both quality and condition from one of the worst vintages of the last century. I also drank a fair number of old German, Australian and New Zealand sweet Rieslings, the highlight of which was a 1991 late harvest Cloudy Bay. I finally managed to get to my first Wimps offline this year in both October and November. There were many great wines at both but the Ch Margaux 1996 at the Bordeaux Wimps was not only my wine of the year but the best wine I’ve had in about a decade.
Isn’t it wonderful when an old wine, with no great reputation, exceed expectations? Sadly they often don’t (!) but I’ve had some remarkable successes over the years with wines I gambled on, and which turned out so well. Keeps this hobby interesting! – Tom
See Tom’s own 2024 awards.