I’m glad you had several Bordeaux wines plus Rhone on your list! And so many familiar wines and producers! Especially elated that you had a very impressive Margaux included! Pleased to hear that it was “sultry, silky, seductive, and smooth” with complex, alluring aromatics. I’m very happy about this list, particularly because your choices are truly excellent and stunning. As I have mentioned previously, I prefer to read and refer to your “top wines” list rather than wait for the lists of those so-called wine critics. I know I can trust your wine recommendations and reviews all the time! Santé et bon weekend, John!
Thanks very much, Margaux! Your namesake wine definitely showed out! 😅 I enjoyed that one on my birthday! Truly appreciate the kind feedback! Hope that your trip is going well! Cheers!
@@AttorneySomm So happy that my namesake wine did exceptionally well!😅 How nice that you enjoyed that ‘99 Margaux on your birthday - what a treat it must have been! You’re welcome, and thank you so much as well. Bonjour and santé from Burgundy!
Thank you. I definitely encourage everyone to try to assemble tasting groups if you can. It makes all the difference. I'm very fortunate we have such a good group in Dallas.
Thank you so much for the fantastic tips on Barolo and Barbaresco regions, it was marvelous, now for a week of skiing in France 😊. Merry Christmas and happy New year from France.
I have a top two, although the year is not quiet over yet. 1) Barolo, Mascarello, 2011; 2) Brunello di Montalcino, Val di Suga, 2015. Talking of the latter, I have been successful in my bid for Il Poggione, 2019, EP - a half case for £160 in-bond. Not sure if that's good value or not but I am very pleased. Thank you for your help, btw.
Thanks very much for weighing in! I forgot to ask people to do that in the video, so glad you did it on your own initiative! That is excellent news re: the Il Poggione! I think you will be very happy with it! Cheers!
@@AttorneySomm just looking through some other comments, you are fortunate to have such a tasting group. I used to run my own monthly tastings when I lived in and around London and there was always at least one wine that the none of the group would usually splash out for. Even when I moved to York I carried on for a while and also joined another tasting group based in the city. Now I have retired to a small market town in the north of England to be closer to my elderly mum. It's a lovely spot but its size means difficulty assembling like-minded aficionados. I joined a local wine circle when we first moved here but the members are more interested in having a cheap night's boozing than exploring the world of fine wine. I served on the committee for three years or so but resigned from the circle last year: I was finding that I enjoyed perhaps one or two of the seven or eight wines on show. The good outcome was that I became friends with the few who were more serious about their wine and we have an annual wine evening at our house each year, usually in February. I provide the wine and they the food. I hope to do it again in 2024. My wife doesn't drink but is quite happy for me to pursue my hobby - to a degree. I think investing in, say, 1982 classed growth clarets might test that tolerance to breaking point, though.
@@stevenholt4936 Thank you. Yes, we are certainly very fortunate to have a group of generous, like-minded wine collectors in Dallas. It definitely would not be possible without them. Sounds like you will have another good experience in February! Looking forward to hearing about it. Very glad that your wife does not detract from your wine pursuit! Your approach to buying undoubtedly makes that non-opposition easier. Happy holidays!
@@AttorneySommThanks. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family, too. I still haven't finally decided on the festive wines yet but Cote Rotie, Brunello di Montalcino and Musar are on the list.
Great wines covered in 11-25 and looking forward to the 1-10 beauties. I have lined up a 1982 Lynch-Bages, 1990 Grange and 2000 Margaux for over the holidays, not sure I will be able to match your 1-10 list, maybe some Brunello, a Super Tuscan, and a Riesling perhaps🙏
You had a note on the 2000 Ducru “This 2000 Bordeaux was not shut down.” Can you explain what this means? Thanks and I’m looking forward to your top 10!
Thanks very much! Yes, wines such as Bordeaux that receive extended bottle age do not express themselves in a linear fashion. At some points in their development, they can be less expressive and somewhat muted. But at other points, they can be vibrant and expressive. Within two weeks, I had a 2000 Conseillante and a 90 Conseillante. Both are excellent, highly-regarded wines. The 90 was beautiful and expressive and in my top 25. The 00 was not flawed, but was muted and was not showing well at that time. The decision about when to open bottles, especially aged bottles, can be a tricky one. Cheers!
Stunning bottles already on this part of the list 🤩 The cork from the 82 Penfolds Grange looked awful.. luckily the wine was in good shape 😅 Cheers, Tim
Pardon - but I have serious doubts that Champagne of red grapes is not capable of aging - I think you should try some old Champagnes of Bollinger, e.g. Vieilles Vignes Françaises. Cheers!🍾🥂
I did not say that a champagne made from red grapes is not capable of aging. Just that champagne made from Chardonnay can age longer. I have tried and enjoyed aged Bollinger, Krug's Clos d'Ambonnay and many more. But they won't last as long as wines like Salon. That was my point.
Thanks! The tasting groups are what make it all possible. Several times a year we have big tastings where 8 of us each bring a top bottle. That way we each just put in 1, but get to try 8. Works very well!
@@AttorneySomm Well. that whats happens. we meet maby ones every 2-3 yers or so. but we'r scattered all over the contry. But when we meet its the best we got. 😁
I've got a question Master. Could you explain the wonderful glass which was on the foto of the Barolo 2008, Fossati Case Nere Reserva 10 anni? Which brand is that glass and is it a Burgundy glass? I like that wonderful glasses, not only for their style. Much more fore their Elegance and I'm quite sure that the experience of the aromas as well is very good isn't it?
Great question! That was Roberto Voerzio's glass and I cannot not see the brand on my pictures, but believe it is the Zweisel Pinot Noir glass. That one is at least strikingly similar. And yes, I often use Burgundy/Pinot Noir glasses for Barolo/Barbaresco because they tend to be the best for accentuating the aromas!
I greatly prefer wines with age that are drinking at or near their peak. They can be extraordinarily complex. I don't get nearly as excited about primary fruit and oaky characteristics.
@@AttorneySomm yes, wine archives complexity in many different ways, aging is one of them, oak is another one but both, to me, are essentially cheating. I have had two year old wines without any oak that are incredible complex, sure they might not be silky smooth to drink but I rather eat 80% dark cocoa chocolate that might be slightly bitter but has so much complexity than milk chocolate thats 80% sugar but it is “ready to be eaten”… in other words, aging of wine is as overrated, just as is aging every red wine in oak. specially when these wine regions constantly talk about terroirs and how special their soils are… you are not getting anything from terroir after you soaked wine in oak for 83 months, neither are you when you age it for 60 years in a bottle.
So glad to see that you made a top 25 list! Was hoping you would make a video like this :)
Thank you! Definitely one of my favorite videos each year. Excited for the top 10!
Some absolutely beautiful wines on the list…..thank you!, Happy Holidays!
Thanks very much! Happy holidays to you as well!
I’m glad you had several Bordeaux wines plus Rhone on your list! And so many familiar wines and producers! Especially elated that you had a very impressive Margaux included! Pleased to hear that it was “sultry, silky, seductive, and smooth” with complex, alluring aromatics. I’m very happy about this list, particularly because your choices are truly excellent and stunning. As I have mentioned previously, I prefer to read and refer to your “top wines” list rather than wait for the lists of those so-called wine critics. I know I can trust your wine recommendations and reviews all the time! Santé et bon weekend, John!
Thanks very much, Margaux! Your namesake wine definitely showed out! 😅 I enjoyed that one on my birthday! Truly appreciate the kind feedback! Hope that your trip is going well! Cheers!
@@AttorneySomm So happy that my namesake wine did exceptionally well!😅 How nice that you enjoyed that ‘99 Margaux on your birthday - what a treat it must have been! You’re welcome, and thank you so much as well. Bonjour and santé from Burgundy!
That’s amazing that you get to try aged wines a lot. I wish I could do that as much as you do.
Thank you. I definitely encourage everyone to try to assemble tasting groups if you can. It makes all the difference. I'm very fortunate we have such a good group in Dallas.
Thank you so much for the fantastic tips on Barolo and Barbaresco regions, it was marvelous, now for a week of skiing in France 😊. Merry Christmas and happy New year from France.
My pleasure! Very glad you enjoyed it! Hope you enjoy your trip! That sounds fantastic! Merry Christmas and happy New Year!
96 Montrachet, 82 Grange, 99 Chave...what a year! Sounded sensational, thanks for sharing! Cheers
Thanks very much! A generous, like-minded tasting group makes it possible!
Happy Holidays! As always I enjoyed the video.
Thanks very much! Happy holidays!
I can agree 1973 was a particularly fine vintage :) Thanks John.
Thank you! Very much appreciated!
I have a top two, although the year is not quiet over yet. 1) Barolo, Mascarello, 2011; 2) Brunello di Montalcino, Val di Suga, 2015. Talking of the latter, I have been successful in my bid for Il Poggione, 2019, EP - a half case for £160 in-bond. Not sure if that's good value or not but I am very pleased. Thank you for your help, btw.
Thanks very much for weighing in! I forgot to ask people to do that in the video, so glad you did it on your own initiative! That is excellent news re: the Il Poggione! I think you will be very happy with it! Cheers!
@@AttorneySomm just looking through some other comments, you are fortunate to have such a tasting group. I used to run my own monthly tastings when I lived in and around London and there was always at least one wine that the none of the group would usually splash out for. Even when I moved to York I carried on for a while and also joined another tasting group based in the city.
Now I have retired to a small market town in the north of England to be closer to my elderly mum. It's a lovely spot but its size means difficulty assembling like-minded aficionados. I joined a local wine circle when we first moved here but the members are more interested in having a cheap night's boozing than exploring the world of fine wine. I served on the committee for three years or so but resigned from the circle last year: I was finding that I enjoyed perhaps one or two of the seven or eight wines on show. The good outcome was that I became friends with the few who were more serious about their wine and we have an annual wine evening at our house each year, usually in February. I provide the wine and they the food. I hope to do it again in 2024. My wife doesn't drink but is quite happy for me to pursue my hobby - to a degree. I think investing in, say, 1982 classed growth clarets might test that tolerance to breaking point, though.
@@stevenholt4936 Thank you. Yes, we are certainly very fortunate to have a group of generous, like-minded wine collectors in Dallas. It definitely would not be possible without them.
Sounds like you will have another good experience in February! Looking forward to hearing about it.
Very glad that your wife does not detract from your wine pursuit! Your approach to buying undoubtedly makes that non-opposition easier.
Happy holidays!
@@AttorneySommThanks. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family, too.
I still haven't finally decided on the festive wines yet but Cote Rotie, Brunello di Montalcino and Musar are on the list.
@@stevenholt4936 A few of my favorites for sure! Thank you!
I would love to see you redo the 1855 classification, the red wines. From First to Fifth Growths. Who moves up, who moves down, who falls out etc.
Thanks! Appreciate the suggestion. I have definitely been thinking about doing such a video.
Hi John, I appreciate when you mentioned the prices as this gives us an idea, thanks 😊
Thank you. Appreciate the feedback!
Great wines covered in 11-25 and looking forward to the 1-10 beauties. I have lined up a 1982 Lynch-Bages, 1990 Grange and 2000 Margaux for over the holidays, not sure I will be able to match your 1-10 list, maybe some Brunello, a Super Tuscan, and a Riesling perhaps🙏
Sounds like you have a fantastic lineup for the holidays! Tremendous wines! Hope you enjoy them and happy holidays!
You had a note on the 2000 Ducru “This 2000 Bordeaux was not shut down.” Can you explain what this means? Thanks and I’m looking forward to your top 10!
Thanks very much! Yes, wines such as Bordeaux that receive extended bottle age do not express themselves in a linear fashion. At some points in their development, they can be less expressive and somewhat muted. But at other points, they can be vibrant and expressive. Within two weeks, I had a 2000 Conseillante and a 90 Conseillante. Both are excellent, highly-regarded wines. The 90 was beautiful and expressive and in my top 25. The 00 was not flawed, but was muted and was not showing well at that time. The decision about when to open bottles, especially aged bottles, can be a tricky one. Cheers!
Stunning bottles already on this part of the list 🤩
The cork from the 82 Penfolds Grange looked awful.. luckily the wine was in good shape 😅
Cheers, Tim
Thank you! Yes, that cork did its job! No TCA at all, not oxidized and still plenty of life left!
Pardon - but I have serious doubts that Champagne of red grapes is not capable of aging - I think you should try some old Champagnes of Bollinger, e.g. Vieilles Vignes Françaises. Cheers!🍾🥂
I did not say that a champagne made from red grapes is not capable of aging. Just that champagne made from Chardonnay can age longer. I have tried and enjoyed aged Bollinger, Krug's Clos d'Ambonnay and many more. But they won't last as long as wines like Salon. That was my point.
Wow John. i wish i had your vine buget, and friends. 😁
Thanks! The tasting groups are what make it all possible. Several times a year we have big tastings where 8 of us each bring a top bottle. That way we each just put in 1, but get to try 8. Works very well!
@@AttorneySomm The one i was in, kinda died. kid's and wifes :)
@@henriklindhansen6456 Oh no! Sorry to hear that. That is definitely the reason we only meet 3 or so times a year. 😅
@@AttorneySomm Well. that whats happens. we meet maby ones every 2-3 yers or so. but we'r scattered all over the contry. But when we meet its the best we got. 😁
I've got a question Master. Could you explain the wonderful glass which was on the foto of the Barolo 2008, Fossati Case Nere Reserva 10 anni? Which brand is that glass and is it a Burgundy glass? I like that wonderful glasses, not only for their style. Much more fore their Elegance and I'm quite sure that the experience of the aromas as well is very good isn't it?
Great question! That was Roberto Voerzio's glass and I cannot not see the brand on my pictures, but believe it is the Zweisel Pinot Noir glass. That one is at least strikingly similar.
And yes, I often use Burgundy/Pinot Noir glasses for Barolo/Barbaresco because they tend to be the best for accentuating the aromas!
Yessss 👌🏻
Thank you kindly! Cheers!
👍
Thank you kindly! Cheers!
super long aged wines must have been started as a meme and later people took it seriously… there is no other explenation😅
I greatly prefer wines with age that are drinking at or near their peak. They can be extraordinarily complex. I don't get nearly as excited about primary fruit and oaky characteristics.
@@AttorneySomm yes, wine archives complexity in many different ways, aging is one of them, oak is another one but both, to me, are essentially cheating. I have had two year old wines without any oak that are incredible complex, sure they might not be silky smooth to drink but I rather eat 80% dark cocoa chocolate that might be slightly bitter but has so much complexity than milk chocolate thats 80% sugar but it is “ready to be eaten”… in other words, aging of wine is as overrated, just as is aging every red wine in oak. specially when these wine regions constantly talk about terroirs and how special their soils are… you are not getting anything from terroir after you soaked wine in oak for 83 months, neither are you when you age it for 60 years in a bottle.
@@Ruirspirul Appreciate you sharing your opinions.