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 Australia, Chile, New Zealand, California and all over Europe, and I have attended some fantastic tastings, including veriticals of Opus One, the top Bordeaux first growths and many more. I’ve also enjoyed many fine bottles at home and with friends of course, so there is bewildering choice of good drinking to sort through. Still, I’m sure many wine-pages visitors will face a similar challenge when considering your own wine highlights of 2006, so below is my best effort at naming the highest points of my wine tasting year.
Again this year, by popular demand, we have a ninth category: ‘Thing’ of the year. For a bit of festive fun this allows you one extra free vote for absolutely whatever you want – an extra wine if you think you need it, but equally it might be a beer, a movie, a piece of music, a sporting event – the choice is yours.
See wine-pages Visitors’ Wines of The Year
Tom’s favourite wines of 2006
| Red – Château Haut-Brion (France) Pessac-Léognan 1976 White – Donnhoff (Germany) Riesling Oberhauser Brocke Spatlese 2005 Budget red – Wild Rock (New Zealand) Gravel Pit Red 2002 Budget white – Quinta de Simaens (Portugal) Vinho Verde 2005 Sweet – Domaine Ostertag (France) Gewurztraminer Frohholz VT 2004 Sparkling – Bollinger (France) Champagne RD 1990 Fortified – Joan d’Anguera (Spain) Vi Dolc 2001 Dud – Zonte’s Footsteps (Australia) Shiraz/Viognier 2004 Thing – Antony & The Johnsons, I am a Bird Now (music) |
click to read my full tasting notes for my Wines of the Year 2006
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!
L’Angelus (France) St Emilion 1995
Penfolds (Australia) Grange 1989
Penfolds (Australia) Bin 90a Cabernet Shiraz 1990
Trapiche (Argentina) Malbec La Consulta 2003
L’Avenir (South Africa) Pinotage Grand Vin 2004
Felton Road (New Zealand) Pinot Noir Block 5 2000
Selbach-Oster (Germany) Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling 2005
St. Jodern-Kellerei (Switzerland) Heida Visperterminen 2003
Zind-Humbrecht (France) ‘Zind’ 2003
Etienne Sauzet (France) Bourgogne Blanc 2004
Neudorf (New Zealand) Moutere Chardonnay 2004
Suavia (Italy) ‘Acinatium’ Recioto di Soave 2003
Krug (France) Vintage Champagne 1985
See wine-pages Visitors’ Wines of The Year