Choosing just one wine in each of our eight Wines of the Year categories does not get any easier. This year I have travelled extensively, visiting and tasting in some of the best estates of South Africa, Australia, the USA and Canada, Spain Italy and France. I have attended some fantastic tastings, including veriticals of top Bordeaux châteaux stretching back to the 1930s, and have made serious inroads into my own cellar, liberating gems such as 1985 Cheval Blanc and 1990 Dom Perignon. But as always, I have buckled down to the task with the same spirit of gritty determination.
To see visitors’ Wines of The Year 2005 click here.
Tom’s favourite wines of 2005
| Red – Guigal (France) Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 2000 White – Katnook (Australia) Sauvignon Blanc 1980 Budget red – Rocca di Montegrossi (Italy) Chianti Classico 2003 Budget white – Heartland (Australia) Viognier Pinot Gris 2004 Sweet – Dönnhoff (Germany) Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese 2003 Sparkling – Taittinger (France) Comtes de Champagne 1995 Fortified – Mas Amiel (France) Maury 1980 Dud – Close de los Siete (Argentina) Red Wine 2004 Thing – Antony & The Johnsons, I am a Bird Now (music) |
click to read my full tasting notes for my Wines of the Year 2005
This was so tough this year, with so many great wines, that I have indulged myself with a baker’s dozen of other wines that could easily substitute for any in the list above. Webmaster’s privilege!
Ch de Chasseloir (France) Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine “Cuvée de Ceps” 2003
Fritz Haag (Germany) Braueneberger Juffer Sonnenhur Riesling Auslese 2003
Cheval Blanc (France) St Emilion 1985
Château Margaux (France) Margaux 1985
Château Beychevelle (France) St Julien 1959
Canon Le Gaffelière (France) St Emilion 1945
Glaetzer (Australia) AMON-Ra Shiraz 2003
Dominus (California) 1987
Shafer (California) Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Colonial Estate (Australia) “Emigré” Barossa Shiraz 2002
Foillard (France) Morgon Côte de Py 2004
Domaine Sol-Payré (France) “Imo Pectore” 2001
Heidi Schröck (Austria) Ruster Ausbruch 2002
To see visitors’ Wines of The Year 2005 click here.