Ric’s Most Memorable Wines of 2009

From everything that I’ve tasted in 2009…

Best Unaffordable Red: A tie between 2002 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, as well as 2003 Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru. Now I understand why the best burgundies blow everything else.

Best Affordable Red: 1995 Ch Figeac, wonderful old-fashioned Saint-Emilion.

Most Memorable Red: 1988 Ch Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, a beautiful wine drunk at a most memorable venue – La Tour D’Argent, Paris. And I suppose 1988 Ch Le Pin as well, for it was the first time, and probably the last, I got to taste this unaffordable label.

Best Value Red: 2005 Ch D’Aiguilhe, followed closely by the 2005 Les Hauts de Smith, both at similar price points.

Most Disappointing Red: 1997 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru, reminding us again that label isn’t everything.

Worst Red: 1993 Ch Rauzan-Segla, an empty wine, unacceptable for a grand cru classe.

Best Unaffordable White: 2001 Domaine Leflaive Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru…expensive bastard.

Best Affordable White: 2005 Talbott Diamond Estate Monterey County chardonnay, followed closely by 2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series chardonnay.

Most Memorable White: I’ll opt for a bubbly here, the 1999 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses, memorable for its inviting draw and supreme elegance at an equally memorable dinner, sharing the stage with DRC and Petrus.

Best Value White: 2007 Jean-Marc Boillot Bourgogne Aligote, and 2007 JJ Christoffel Erben Uziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett, both performing way above their status.

Most Disappointing White: 2003 Maison Louis Latour Puligny-Montrachet. Not worth even the SGD20.

Worst White: None, really.

I must thank all friends and contributors who had so unselfishly made available these wines for tasting. Bon vin et merci beaucoup!