Best Selections of Wine Trade Tastings
from various wine industry portfolio tastings during the year.
SherryFest, NYC 2017
Best Picks: Barbadillo- Principe Amontillado, Cuco Oloroso, San Rafael Medium, La Cilla Pedro Ximénez, Principe Amontillado VORS, Cuco Oloroso VORS & Obispo Gascon Palo Cortado VORS.
Bodgeas Baron- Micaela Amontillado, Xixarito Oloroso, Micaela Cream, Xixarito Moscatel & Xixarito Pedro Ximénez Reserva de la Familia 90 años.
Viña La Callejuela- Blanquito Manzanilla Pasada & El Cerro Oloroso.
Delgado Zuleta- La Goya Manzanilla, Amontillado, Palo Cortado, Medium Dry, Cream, Moscatel & Pedro Ximénez.
Bodegas Díez Mérito- Amontillado Bertolda 12 yrs, Oloroso Bertola 12 yrs, Palo Cortado Bertola 12 yrs, Pedro Ximénez Bertola 12 yrs.
Bodegas Dios Baco- Elite Amontillado, Elite Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez, Imperial 20 y.o. Amontillado VOS & 30 y.o. VORS.
Fernando de Castilla- Manzanilla Classico, Fino Antique, Amontillado Antique, Oloroso Classic, Palo Cortado Antique & Pedro Ximénez Classic.
Gonzalez Byass- Tio Pepe Fino, Tio Pepe Fino En Rama Saca 2017, Viña AB Amontillado, Alfonso Oloroso, Leonor Palo Cortado 12 yr, Solera 1847 Cream, Nectar Pedro Ximénez, Del Duque Amontillado VORS 30 yrs, Aposteles Medium VORS, Matusalem Cream VORS 30 yrs, Noe Pedro Ximénez VORS 30 yrs, Una Palma Fino Saca 2017, Dos Palmas Fino Saca 2017, Tres Palmas Fino Saca 2017, Cuatro Palmas Amontillado Saca 2017 & Añada Palo Cortado 1987.
Gutiérrez Colosía- Fino En Rama 15%, Oloroso Solera Familiar, Cream Sherry, Moscatel, Pedro Ximénez & Pedro Ximénez Solera Familiar.
Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana- Napoleon Amontillado VORS, Wellington Palo Cortado VOS, Triana Pedro Ximénez VORS & La Gitana En Rama.
Lustau- Almacenistas Gonzales Obregón Amontillado del Puerto, Almacenistas Cayetano del Pino Palo Cortado de Jerez, Dry Oloroso Don Nuño, Emperatriz Eugenia Very Rare Oloroso, Obregón Fino del Puerto & Rare Amontillado Escuadrilla.
Osborne - Orleans Borbon- Single Vineyard Las Cañas 1830 Amontillado, VORS Capuchino 1790 Palo Cortado, VORS Venerable 1902 Pedro Ximénez, VORS Solera AOS 1903 Amontillado, RARE Solera India 1922 Oloroso, RARE Solera P∆P 1911 Palo Cortado & RARE Solera BS 200 1864 Oloroso.
Bodegas 501- VOS Zurbaran Cream, Gades VOS Pedro Ximénez & Gades Amontillado Viejisimo 30 Años VORS.
Tradición- Amontillado VORS 45 yrs, Oloroso VORS, Palo Cortado VORS 40 yrs, Cream VOS 20 yrs & Pedro Ximénez VOS 20 yrs.
William & Humbert- Dry Sack 15 yrs Sweet Oloroso, Dos Cortados 20 yrs, Don Guido Pedro Ximénez 20 yrs, Jalifa Amontillado 20 yrs, As you like it, Canasta 20 Cream & Añada Oloroso 2001.
Back To Bordeaux - Bordeaux Grand Tasting, NYC
Best Picks: (White Wine) Château Perron '16; Les Haut de Smith '15; La Pommeraie de Brown '14; Château Haut-Rian '16; Château Bonnet '16; Tour de Goupin '16; Caillou Blanc de Château Talbot '14; Château La Gravière '16; Château La Freynelle Blanc; Château de Parenchère '16; Lacroix Martillac de Château Latour Martillac '16; Château Carbonnieux '15; Les Hauts de la Gaffelière '16; Château de la Gravelière '15; Château de Castries '15; Château de Cruzeau '14; Château Luchey-Halde '13.
(Red Wine) Château Perron '10; Château Brande Bergère Cuvée O'Byrne '09; Château Viaud-Lalande '11; La Pommeraie de Brown '15; Château Simard '06; Château Paveil de Luze '13; Château de Sales '13; Château Loudenne Cru Bourgeois '11; Château de Pez Cru Bourgeois '14; Château Haut-Beauséjour '14; Réserve de la Comtesse '06; Château Coutet '12; Château Picque Caillou '14; La Chapelle de Mayney '11; Château Peymartin '12; Château Beau-Site '09; Château Tour Pibran '11; Margaux de Brane '14; Les Hauts de la Gaffelière '15; Château Jouvente '14; Château de Seuil '15; Château Tour Bicheau '14; Château de Rouillac '14; Château Olivier '08; Château La Garde '10; Château Brown '10.
(Sparkling) Jaillance Cuvée de L'Abbaye NV.
(Sauternes) Château Laribotte '11.
Skurnik - Bubbles: A Champagne Tasting, NYC 2017
Best Picks: Egly-Ouriet- Brut Rosé Grand Cru NV, VP Grand Cru Extra Brut NV, Brut Grand Cru Millésime '06 & Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Les Crayères VV NV; Aubry Fils- Le Nombre d'Or Campanae Veteres Vites 1er Cru Brut '13 & Sable Rosé Nicholas François Aubry 1er Cru Brut Nature '13; Champagne Doyard- Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Grand Cru '09; Pierre Callot- Chemin de Paradis Grand Cru NV & Les Avats Millésime Grand Cru Brut '09; Varnier-Fannière- Cuvée de Jean Fannière Origine Extra Brut NV; Champagne JL Vergnon- OG Grand Cru Brut Nature '10 & Resonance Grand Crut Extra Brut '08; Pierre Gimonnet & Fils- Cuvée Gastronome Brut '12, Spécial Club Brut '12, Spécial Club Brut '10, Cuvée Fleuron Brut '08, Cuvée Oenophile Extra Brut '08, Millésime de Collection Brut '06 & Spécial Club Oger Grand Cru Brut '12; Jean Lallement et Fils- Grand Cru Brut NV & Rosé Grand Cru Brut NV; Jean Milan- Transparence Brut Nature '13, Blanc de Blancs Grande Réserve 1864 Brut NV & Rosé Glamour Brut NV; Pehu Simonet- Face Nord Rosé Grand Cru Brut NV, Fins Lieux #3 Blanc de Noirs Mailly Grand Cru NV & Face Nord Millésime Grand Cru Extra Brut '08; Pierre Péters- Cuvée de Réserve Grand Cru NV, Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons Grand Cru '10 & Rosé for Albanne Brut NV; Marc Hébrart- Sélection 1er Cru Brut NV, Rosé 1er Cru Brut NV, Spécial Club 1er Cru Brut '12 & Rive Gauche-Rive Droite Grand Cru Brut '10; Chartogne-Taillet- Cuvée Heurtebise Extra Brut NV, Chemin de Reims NV, Cuvée Orizeaux Extra Brut NV & Rosé NV; René Geoffroy- Cuvée Volupté Brut '08, Les Houtrants Brut NV & Terre Millésime Extra-Brut '06; Gaston Chiquet- Rosé Brut NV; Vilmart & Cie- Grand Cellier 1er Cru Brut NV, Cuvée Rubis 1er Cru Brut Rosé NV, Grand Cellier d'Or 1er Cru Brut '12, '10, '09 & '07; Moussé & Fils- Anecdote Blanc de Blancs Brut NV, Effusion Rosé Brut NV & Spécial Club Rosé de Saignée Les Bouts de la Ville Brut '13; A. Margaine- 1er Cru Extra Brut NV; H. Billiot & Fils- Millésime Grand Cru Brut '12, Cuvée Laetitia Grand Cru Brut NV, Rosé Grand Cru Brut NV & Cuvée Julie Grand Cru Brut NV.
Opici - Fall Trade Show 2017, NYC
Best Picks: (Italy) Carpineto- Chianti Riserva '12 & St. Ercolano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano '09; Magliano- Poggio Bestiale & Maremma; Luiano- Ottantuno Chianti Classico Gran Selezione '12; Cesari- Amarone Il Bosco '10 & Amarone Bosan '08; Viberti- Barbera di Alba La Gemella '15.
(California/Napa) Raymond- Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Velvet '14 & Generation '13; Buena Vista- Chateau Cabernet Sauvignon '14; Peju- Cabernet Sauvignon '13; Parellel- Cabernet Sauvignon; Roy Estate- Cabernet Sauvignon '12.
(Cognac) Kelt- XO & Commodore Tour Monde; Cles Des Ducs XO.
(Spirits) Monopolowa- Gin & Vodka; Valentine- Vodka, White Blossom Vodka, Liberator Gin & Old Tom Gin; Prichard's- Double Barreled Bourbon & Fine Rum; Deadwood Bourbon; Brockmans Gin; VDKA6100; Bunnahabhain Single Malt Scotch- 18 yo & Toiteach; Deanston 18 yr Single Malt Scotch; Ledaig Single Malt Scotch- 10 yr, 18 yr & 1996 Vintage; Tullibardine Single Malt Scotch- 225 Sauternes Cask, 228 Burgundy Cask, 500 Sherry Cask, 20 yr, 25 yr & The Murray; Bones Aged Dark Rum; Santera Reposado Tequila; Cielo Reposado Tequila; 1921 Tequila- Blanco, Reposado & Añejo; Five & 20 Rye; StillTheOne- Comb Vodka & 914 Westchester Bourbon; Do-Me Vodka; Brinley Gold Shipwreck- Spiced Rum, Coconut Rum, Mango Rum & Coconut Cream.
New York Coffee Festival 2017
Best Picks:
Apes & Peacocks - New York
Ethiopian Natural "mango, pineapple, hops"
Bluestone Lane - New York
Nicaragua Jinotega "berry aroma, crisp apple sweetness, lime acidity"
Maverick (Brazil, Guatemala, Ethiopia) "rich cocoa notes, honeycomb, clove, black pepper"
Brooklyn Roasting Company - New York
Iris (Peru, Sumatra, Ethiopian Natural) "spiced cookie, ripe blueberry, citrus, chocolate"
Cafe Grumpy - New York
Momento "malted milk chocolate, caramel, orange zest"
Heartbreaker "salted caramel, dark chocolate, cranberry"
Coffee of Grace - New York
Kigoma (Rwanda) "cranberry, currants, milk chocolate"
Kivu (Rwanda) "balanced bright fruit, sweet, smooth"
Dallis Bros. - New York
Burundi "sweet caramel, cocoa, brown sugar, black cherry"
Limited Batch #336 (Panama)
Five Elephant - Germany
El Socorro (Guatemala) "blueberries, milk chocolate, jasmine"
Gotham Coffee Roasters - New York
Red Hook Espresso (Brazil, Guatemala) "dark chocolate, ripe plum"
Irving Farm - New York
Los Ninos Experiments Washed (El Salvador) "chocolate, dried cherry"
Los Lirios (Honduras) "mango, honey, cashew"
JOE - New York
Baragwi Guama (Kenya) "pineapple, cane sugar"
Hunapi Microlot (Guatemala)- "cocoa, malt, green grape"
Nobletree - New York
Dromedaire Cuvée (Brazil) "chocolate, hazelnut, creamy"
Abertura Blend (Columbia/Ethiopia) "chocolate, caramel, fruit, creamy"
Southdown Coffee - New York
Las Lajas Perla Negra (Costa Rica) "smooth, mellow"
Toby’s Estate - New York
Elevate (Guatemala) "pecan pie, caramel, red apple"
El Faldon (Colombia) "pineapple, orange, strawberry"
The House of Burgundy - 2017 Annual Grand Tasting, NYC
Best Picks: (France/Burgundy) Brzezinski St. Aubin Les Champlot '14; J. de Villebois Pouilly Fume '16; Philippe Cherson Gevrey Chambertin Les Seuvrees '15; Labry Hautes Côte de Beaune.
(France/Bordeaux) Château La Croix Chatecaille '12; Château Lalande Borie '12.
(France/Rhône/Cahors) Lariboisiere Cornas '14; Metairie Grand du Theron Malbec.
(Italy/Piedmont) Cascina Carrà- Barbera D'Alba Superiore Raviola '15; Tita Nebiola D'Alba Superiore '13.
(Italy/Tuscany) Casa Sola- Per Gli Rosato '16 & Chinati Classico Gran Selezione '11.
(California/Sonoma/ Napa) Dreyer Sonoma Compass Pinot Noir '13; Peter Paul- Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Gravenstein Highway '13, Pinot Noir Mill Station Road '18, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley '14 & Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder '13.
(Australia) Schild Estate Morooroo '15.
(South Africa) Olifantsberg- Pinotage '13 & Shilhouette '14.
(Sparkling) Fidora- Brut DOC Organic Prosecco & Moscato Bruto Nature NV; Peter Paul- Lallier Champagne Grand Cru NV.
(Spirits) Efe Raki Sari Zeybek.
Domaine Select Merchants - Fall Tasting, NYC 2017
Best Picks: (Italy) Borgogno- Barolo '12, Barolo Fossati '10 & Barolo Cannubi '10; Casa E. di Mirafiore- Barolo Lazzarito '08; Poggio di Sotto- Brunello di Montalcino '11 & Brunello di Montalcino Riserva '10.
(Champagne) Phillippe Gonet- Grand Cru Brut Millésime '09; David Léclapart- 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs L'Artiste '10 & 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs L'Apôtre; Lamiable- Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Phéérie.
Great Wines of the Andes - Master Tasting 2017, NYC
Best Picks: (Argentina/Malbec) Bodega DiamAndes- Malbec Valle de Uco Gran Reserva '09; Kaiken- Malbec Mendoza Mai '13; La Celia- Malbec Mendoza Heritage Single Vineyard '13 & Malbec Valle de Uco Pioneer '15; Bodega Piedra Negra- Malbec Valle de Uco Gran Malbec '13; Salentein- Valle de Uco Numina Gran Corte '14; Clos de Chacras- Malbec Mendoza Cavas de Crianza '15 & Malbec Mendoza Eredita '14; Domaine Bousquet- Malbec Tupungato Valle de Uco Reserva '16; Doña Paula- Malbec Valle de Uco Estate '16; Escorihuela Gascón- Malbec Mendoza Gascón '15 & Gascón Reserva '15; Fincas Las Moras- Malbec San Juan Paz '16; Luca- Malbec Mendoza '14; La Posta- Malbec Mendoza Fazzio '15; Luigi Bosca- Malbec Mendoza '14; Mi Terruño- Malbec Mendoza Mayacaba '13; Nieto Senetiner- Malbec Mendoza Barrel Select Don Nicanor '15; Pulenta Estate- Malbec Mendoza X '13; Tapiz- Mendoza Las Notas de Jean Claude '12; Terrazas de los Andes- Malbec Lujan de Cuyo Single Vineyard Las Compuertas '13; Trapiche- Malbec Gualtallary Valle de Uco Terroir Series Finca Ambrosia Single Vineyard '13; Tres 14- Malbec Mendoza Imperfecto '14; Viña Cobos- Malbec Mendoza Cobos Chanares Vineyard '14 & Malbec La Consulta Valle de Uco Bramare Rebon Vineyard '14.
(Argentina/Blends) Bodega Norton- Valle de Uco Lote Negro Unique Edition '15; El Enemigo- Mendoza Gran Enemigo '12; Tapiz- Las Notas de Jean Claude '12.
(Argentina/Pinot Noir) Chacra- Pinot Noir Patagonia Brada '16 & Pinot Noir Patagonia Cincuenta Y Cinco '16.
Winebow - Vintner's Harvest Portfolio Tasting 2017, NYC
Best Picks: (Italy/Tuscany) San Polo- Brunello di Montepulciano Riserva '10; Tua Rita- Redigaffi Toscana '14, Rosso dei Notri Toscana '15 & Syrah Toscana '13; Castellare- Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale '14; Castello di Bossi- Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo '12; Valdipiatta- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vigna d'Alfiero '12; Orman- Rosso Toscana '14.
Italy/Veneto) Zenato- Sergio Zenato Amarone Classico Riserva '10; Secondo Marco- Amarone '10.
(France/Rhône/Cahors) Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe- Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge La Crau '13; Montirius- Gigondas Terres des Aines '14 & Vaqueyras le Clos '14; Clos La Coutale- Cahors '15.
(California/Napa) Ladera- Howell Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon '13; Trefethen- Cabernet Sauvignon '14 & Dragon's Tooth '15; Shafer- Hillside Select Cab '13 & One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon '14; Pellet Estate- Cabernet Sauvignon Pellet Vyrd '13 & Henry's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Pellet Vyrd '15; Round Pond Estate- Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon '13; Spottswoode- Estate Cabernet Sauvignon '14.
(Champagne/Sparkling) Lauren-Perrier- Cuvée Rosé, Grand Siècle NV & Millésime Brut '07; Lanson- Extra Age Blanc de Blancs NV & Rose Label Brut Rosé NV; Marsuret- Prosecco Extra Dry NV.
(Cider) Orchard Hill- Gold Label NV & Red Label Sparkling Cider NV.
(Dessert) Altesino- Vin Santo Val d'Arbia '09.
(Spirits) Berkshire Mountain Distillery- Berkshire Smoke & Peat Bourbon & Greylock Gin; AD Laws- Four Grain Straight Bourbon & Secale Straight Rye; Dad's Hat- Pennsylvania Rye Vermouth Finish, Rye Whiskey & Pennsylvania White Rye; J. Rieger- Midwestern Dry Gin, Midwestern Vodka & Kansas City Whiskey; Southwell 12 Yr Straight Bourbon; Rough Rider- Bull Moose Rye Whiskey; Springbank 10 yr Single Malt Scotch; Longrow Peated Single Malt; Kirk & Sweeney 18 yr Rum; Uncle Val's Gin- Botanical & Peppered; Siete Leguas Tequila- Blanco, Reposado & Añejo; Tequila Fortaleza- Blanco & Reposado; Bozal Mezcal- Cuixe, Ensamble & Coyote Riserva; Del Maguey Mezcal- Wild Tepextate, An Pablo Ameyatepec, Wild Papalome & Wild Mountain Mountain Maguey; Yuu Baal Mezcal- Joven Espadin; Singani 63.
Frederick Wildman & Sons, Ltd. - Portfolio Tasting 2017, NYC
Best Picks: (France/Burgundy) Olivier Leflaive- Puligny-Montrachet '15, Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles 1er Cru '15 & Montrachet Grand Cru '11; Domaine Comte Armand- Pommard 1er Cru Clos de Epeneaux Monopole '14; Domaine Lignier-Michelot- Clos de la Roche Grand Cru '14; Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier- Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Clos de la Marechale Rouge '14; Domaine Burguet- Gevrey-Chambertin Symphonie '13 & Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Rouge du Dessus '11; Château de la Maltroye- Chassange-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot '14; Domaine Lamarche- La Grande Rue Grand Cru '13; Domaine Meo-Camuzet- Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Murgers '14; Domaine Faiveley- Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru '15, Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers 1er Cru '15, Clos-de-Vougeot Grand Cru '14 & Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley '15; Domaine Humbert Freres- Gevrey-Chambertin Vielles Vignes '15 & Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Poissenot '15; Domaine Jacques Prieur- Montract Grand Cru '14, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru '14 & Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru '14; Domaine Christian Moreau- Chablis Clos des Hospices dans les Clos Grand Cru '15; Château Fuissé- Pouilly-Fuissé Les Combettes Single Vyd '15, Pouilly-Fuissé Les Clos Single Vyd '15 & Pouilly-Fuissé Vielles Vignes '13.
(France/Bordeaux) Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge '12; Château Cantenac Brown '12; Château Phélan Ségur '12; Château Olivier '03; Château Pichon Baron '10; Château Suduiraut Sauternes '11.
(France/Rhône) Domaine de Bonserine- Côte Rôtie La Garde '12; Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet- Cornas '12 & Ermitage Red '11
(Italy/Tuscany) Fattorie Melini- La Selvanella Single Vineyard Chianti Classico Riserva '12; Le Chiuse- Brunello di Montalcino Riserva '09.
(California/Napa) Heitz Cellars- Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard '09 & '10; Cabernet Sauvignon Trailside Vineyard '04; Sinegal Estate- Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve '14; Chappellet- Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill '13 & Cabernet Franc '13; Harlan Estate- Napa Valley Estate Red '13; Bond Estates- Quella '13 & St. Eden '13; Arkenstone- Cabernet Suavignon NVD '13 & Obsidian Estate '14; Clos du Val- Cabernet Sauvignon Stag's Leap District '12.
(Champagne/Sparkling) Pol Roger- Brut Reserve "White Foil" NV, Brut Blanc de Blancs '08, Brut Vintage '08, Brut Rosé '08 & Cuvée Prestige Sir Winston Churchill '04; Besserat de Bellefon- Grande Tradition, Cuvée de Moines Brut, Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, Cuvée de Moines Brut Rosé & Cuvée de Moines Brut Vintage '06.
(Cider/Switzerland) Ciderie du Vulcain- Cidre de Fer '15.
(Cognac) Maison Prunier- 20 Year, Family Reserve XO & XO.
Martin Scott Wines - Grand Portfolio Tasting 2017, NYC
Best Picks: (Italy/Tuscany) Poliziano- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Selezione Asinone '13; Casanova di Neri- Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova '12; Capanna- Brunello di Montalcino '12; Agricola San Felice- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Poggio Rosso '11; Campogionvanni- Brunello di Montalcino '11; Ormanni- Chainti Classico Riserva Borro del Diavolo '12.
(Italy/Piedmont) Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy- Barbaresco Gaiun Martinenga '11 & Barbaresco Camp Gros Riserva '11; G.D. Vajra- Barolo Bricco delle Viole '12.
Italy/Sicily) Masseria Setteporte- N'Ettaro Etna Bianco '15 & Etna Rosso '15.
(France/Burgundy) Domaine Jean-Noel Gagnard- Chassange-Montrachet Rouge 1er Cru Morgeot '14; Domaine Pierre Morey- Volnay 1er Cru Santenots '14; Domaine Alain Chavy- Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champs Gains '14.
(California/Napa) Bevan Cellars- Ontogeny Red Wine '15; Perus- Alessio Proprietary Blend '15; Cimarossa Vineyards- Cabernet Sauvignon Riva di Levante '14 & Cab Sauv Riva di Ponente '13; Flora Springs Winery- Trilogy Estate Cab Blend '14; Cliff Lede- Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District '14; Curvature Wines- Cabernet Sauvignon '13; Emerson Brown- Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville '15; Kerr Cellars- Red Reserve '14; Rudius Wines- Cabernet Sauvignon Savory Estate Howell Mountain '14.
(Champagne/Sparkling) Champagne LeClerec Briant- Brut reserve NV, Brut Rosé NV, La Croisette Brut NV & Les Chevres Pierreuses 1er Cru Brut NV;; Llopart Cava- Brut Reserva '14, Brut Rosé Reserva '14 & Leopardi Brut Nature Grand Reserva '10.
(Cider/France) Domaine de la Minotiere- Brut Organic Cider Fermier NV; Le Brun Cider de Bretagne- Cider de Bretagne NV.
(Spirits) Breckenridge Distillery- Bourbon Port Cask Finish, Gin & Vodka; Corsair Artisan Distillery- Ryemageddon Rye Whiskey & Hydra 5 Smoke Blend; Hillrock Estate Distillery- Single Malt, Solera Aged Bourbon Cabernet Finish & Double Cask Rye Sauterne Finish; Kilchoman- 100% Islay Scotch Whiskey & Loch Gorm Scotch Whiskey; Tamdhu- Batch Strength Single Malt Scotch Whiskey; Peloton del la Muerte Mezcal; T1 Tequila Uno- Excepcional Reposado & Sensacional Extra Añejo; Tear of Llorna- Extra Añejo Tequila; Tequila Tapatio- Blanco 110 Proof; Rey Campero- Mezcal Jabali & Mezcal Madre Cuishe; Real Minero- Mezcal Barril; Osocalis- Rare Alambic Brandy; Kaapse Dief Caperitif.
Wine Tasting Tour of the North Fork, L.I., Summer 2017
Best Picks:
Shinn Estate Vineyards - (Red) Cabernet Franc Reserve 2014, Petit Verdot Reserve 2013, Malbec Reserve 2013, Grace Three Barrel Reserve Blend 2012, Clarity Three Barrel Reserve Blend 2012.
(White) Haven 2013. (Rosé) Rose Hill Rosé 2016. (Sparkling) Brut 2013.
Bedell Cellars - (Red) Cabernet Franc 2015, Merlot 2014, Taste Red 2013. (White) Gallery 2014. (Sparkling) Sparkling Rosé 2016.
Castello di Borghese - (Red) Pinot Noir Select 2014 & 2015, Merlot Reserve 2013, Cabernet Franc Reserve 2014, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2014, Cabernet Franc Estate 2014. (White) White Meritage 2016, Founder's Field Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Barrel Fermeneted Chardonnay 2014, Chardonnay Estate 2015. (Rosé) Rosé For The Bays 2016.
Sparkling Pointe - (Sparkling) Brut Seduction 2007, Topaz Impérial Sparkling Rosé 2013, Cuvée Carnaval Blanc NV.
Kontokosta Winery - (Red) Cabernet Franc Reseve 2014 & 2016.
(White) Sauvignon Blanc 2016. (Rosé) Rosé 2016.
Lieb Cellars - (Red) Petit Verdot Reserve 2014, Meritage Reserve 2015. (White) Bridge Lane White Merlot 2016, Bridge Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2016.
(Rosé) Bridge Lane Rosé 2016.
Meunier Institut - Champagne Tasting 2017, NYC
Best Picks: André Heucq- Extra Brut Tradition & Originel; Eric Taillet- Le Bois de Binson; Serveaux Fils- Meunier d'Antan, Raisins Noirs Extra Brut & Les Méandres Extra Brut; Roger Barnier- Cuvée 100% Meunier 2012, Cuvée Selection Brut, Exquise Cuvée 2008 & 2012; Météyer Père et Fils- Carte Argent; A & J Demiere- Egreg'Or, Solera 23 & Inno'Sens; Moutardier- Cuvée Pure Meunier, Cuvée Millésime 2008 & Carte d'Or; R.C. Lemaire- Millésime 2008.
La Nuit En Rosé - Rosé Cruise, NYC 2017
Best Picks: Barton & Guestier- Côtes de Provence Rosé '16, Passport d'Anjou '16 & Patriache Veuve du Vernay NV; Château D'Esclans- Whispering Angel '16, Rock Angel '16, Les Clans '15 & Gamus '15; Triennes '16; Château de Berne- Grande Recolte '16 & PUR '16; Château des Bertrands '16; La Chapelle Gordonne '16; Château Léoube- '16, Secret de Léoube '16, La Londe '16 & Sparkling de Léoube NV; Château de Jonquières '15, Domaine Camaisette L'Aurélienne '16 & Le Val Sparkling Rosé Pinot Noir; Hecht & Bannier Côtes de Provence Rosé '16; Gérard Bertrand- Côtes de Rosés '16, Gris Blanc '16, Sauvageonne Volcanic Rosé '16, Sauvageonne la Villa '15, Hedonism(e) '16 & Crémant Thomas Jefferson Rosé '16; Remy Pannier- Sancerre Rosé '16 & Rosé d'Anjou '16; Ackerman Crémant de Loire Rosé Brut Sparkling; Château les Valentines Caprice de Clementine '16; Montrose Prestige '16; Domaine de la Chaise '16; Rive Rosé Salon de Provence Brut; Dancing Mermaids Rosé '16; Bolla Sparkling Rosé; Castello Banfi Centine Rosé '16; Cantine Maschio Sparkling Rosé; Ammiraglia Alle Rose Toscana IGT '16; Bridge Lane Rosé '16.
United States Trade Tasting (USATT) 2017, NYC
Best Picks: (Spirits) Cadée- Vodka, Gin, Traditional Rye & Deceptivus Port-Finished Bourbon; Naud French Vodka, Gin & Ron Naud; Catoctin Creek- Roundstone Rye & Cask Proof Rye; Mahon Gin; Sash & Fritz Vodka; Mezcal Nucano- Cuishe, Tobala & Espadin; Amor de Agave Mezcal; Amrut Two Indies Rum; Sin Picado Concerdido Organic White Rum; Kafi Feni; Get Hot Tequila; Son Tinh Rice Liqueur- Red Sticky Rice, Mộc Sa Pa & Nhất Dạ; Brothers Vilgalys- Krupnikas, Zaphod, Beebop & Jabberwock.
(Cognac) Cognac Maxime Trijol- XO, Elegance Grande Champagne, VSOP Grande Champagne, XO Grande Champagne & Extra Grande Champagne; Cognac Naud- VSOP, XO & Extra; Drouet XO Ulysse Cognac.
David Bowler Wine - Clavelier, Damoy & Niellon Burgundy Tasting, NYC 2017
Best Picks: (Red) Domaine Bruno Clavelier- Bourgogne Passetoutgrain Vielles Vignes '14, Vosne-Romanée "La Combe Brûlée" Vielles Vignes '14, Vosne-Romanée "Les Haut Maizières" Vielles Vignes, Vosne-Romanée "Les Hauts de Beaux Monts" Vielles Vignes '14, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru "Aux Brûlées" Vielles Vignes '14, Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Aux Cras" Vielles Vignes '14, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "Les Corbeaux" Vielles Vignes '14, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru "La Combe d'Orveaux" Vielles Vignes '14 & Corton Le Rognet Grand Cru Vielles Vignes '14.
Domaine Pierre Damoy- Marsannay "Les Longeroies" '14, Gevrey-Chambertin "Clos Tamisot" '14, Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru '14 & Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru '14 .
(White) Domaine Michel Niellon- Chassange-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers '14, Chassange Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champgains '14, Chassange-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jean '14, Chassange Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Montroie '14 & Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru '14; Domaine Pierre Damoy- Bourgogne Blanc "Les Ravry" '14.
Polaner Selections - Soil & Soul Tasting 2017, NYC
Best Picks: (Oregon/Willamette Valley) The Eyrie Vineyards Dundee Hills- Pinot Noir Original Vines 2013 & '14, Pinot Noir Roland Green Vineyard '14 & Pinot Noir Daphne Vineyard '14; J.K. Carriere- Pinot Noir Antoinette '14, Antoinette Family Vineyard '14 & Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard '14.
(California) Peirson Meyer- Chardonnay Charles Heintz Sonoma Coast '14, Pinot Noir Bateman Vineyard '14 & Cabernet Sauvignon Napa '14; Forman and Rossi Wallace- Cabernet Sauvignon Napa '14, Chardonnay Napa '15; Larkmead- Cabernet Sauvignon Napa '14 & Cabernet Sauvignon Dr Olmo Napa '13; Wenzlau- Chardonnay Estate Santa Rita Hills '14 & Pinot Noir Estate the Perch Santa Rita Hills '14.
(Italy) Cascina delle Rosé- Barbaesco Tre Stelle '12; Castello di Verduno- Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva '10 & Barolo Riserva Monvigliero '10; Salicutti- Brunello di Montalcino Piaggione '12 & Brunello di Montalcino Piaggione Riserva '11; Felsina- Chianti Classico Riserva '13, Chianti Classico Rancia Riserva '13 & Fontalloro '12.
(France/Burgundy) Fontaine-Gagnard- Chassange Montrachet '15, Chassange Caillerets 1er Cru '15, Chassange Clos St Jean 1er Cru '14 & Chassange Maltroie 1er Cru '13; Picq- Chablis Dessus la Carriere '15.
(Champagne) Pierre Moncuit- Hugues de Coulmet Blanc de Blancs NV, Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Grand Cru NV & Brut Rosé Grand Cru NV.
Omni - Spring Summer Selections 2017, NYC
Best Picks: (Italy/Red) Cordero di Montezemolo- Barolo "Monfalletto" '12 & Barolo "Enrico VI" '12; Cascina del Torcc- Barolo '12; Ca' Del Baio- Barbaresco "Pora" '13 & Barbaesco "Asili" Riserva '12; Tenuta Buon Tempo- Brunello di Montalcino '11, Brunello "P. 56" '12 & Brunello Riserva '10; San Fabiano Calcinaia- Chianti Classico '14 & Chianti Classico "Cellole" Gran Selezione '11; Castello di Sonnino- Chianti Montespertoli '13; Accordini- Amarone Riverva "Il Fornetto" '10; Antonelli- Sagrantino "Chiusa di Pannone" '09; Quintodecimo- Taurasi "VignaQuintodecim" '12 & Taurasi "Grande Cerzito" '11; Barone di Villagrande- Etna Rosso '15.
(Italy/White) Il Nuraghe- Vermentino "Don Giovanni" '15.
(Dessert) Marion- Passito Bianco '07; Castello di Sonnino- Vin Santo del Chianti '09.
(Sparkling) Corvezzo- Raboso Frizzante NV & Prosecco Millesimato Extra Dry; Giovanni Gregoletto- Rosé di Pinot Brut NV.
VOS Selections - 30th Anniversary Celebration Tasting, NYC 2017
Best Picks: (France/Burgundy) Henri Clerc- Chassange-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot '13; Christian Clerget- Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Charmes '13, Vougeot Les Petits Vougeots '13 & Vosne-Romanée Les Violettes '13; Dupont-Tisserandot- Gevrey 1er Cru Les Cazetiers '12.
(France/Rhône) Domaine du Pesquier- Gigondas '14; Domaine Paul Autard- Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cote Ronde 2015, '12, '03 & '00.
(Champagne) Baron-Fuenté- Brut Rosé & Millésime '08; Alexandre Bonnet- Expression Rosée & Blanc del Noirs Extra Brut; Benoit Lahaye- Blanc de Noirs NV, Naturessence NV & Jardin de la Grosse Pierre NV.
(Spain/Sherry) Pérez Barquero- Amontillado Gran Barquero, Amontillado Solera 1955, Gran Barquero Fino en Rama, Palo Corado 1955 & Oloroso 1905; Hidalgo- Manzanilla La Gitana.
(Dessert Wine) Pérez Barquero- Pedro Ximenez Gran Barquero; Domaine des Schistes- Rancio Sec; Domaine Berthet-Bondet- Vin de Paille '09; Domaine Orenga de Gaffory- Muscat du Cap Cosre Impassitu '10; Chateau Pajzos- Tokaji Aszu 5 Putonyos.
(Calvados) Roger Groult- Calvados Réserve Pays d'Auge 3 yrs, Vieux Calvados 8 yrs, Calvados Age d'Or 30+ yrs.
(Cognac/Armagnac) Normandin-Mercier Cognac- Prestige 15 yrs & XO 30 yrs; Jean Fillioux Cognac- Tres Vieux 25 yrs & XO Grand Reserve 32yrs; Marie Duffau Armagnac- Hors d'Age & 1979; Delord Armagnac- 25 yr.
(Spirits) SILO- Vodka & Cucumber Vodka; Copper Fox- Wasmund's Single Malt Whiskey & Rye Whiskey; Diplôme Gin; Distiller's Art- Craigellachie 20 yr Single Malt Scotch Sherry Finish; Old New Orleans- Amber Rum 3yr & Creole King 20th Anniv Blend Rum; Espiritu Lauro Mezcal- Joven, Reposado, Añejo, Silvestres Tepeztate & Silvestres Arroqueño.
Baron Francois - 35th Anniversary Portfolio Tasting 2017, NYC
Best Picks: (France/Loire Valley) Domaine des Caves du Prieuré- Sancerre Blanc '16; Domaine Chavignol- Sancerre Blanc '16; Château de Montqueret- Rosé d'Anjou '16.
(France/Rhône) Domaine Le Clos des Cazaux- Cuvée des Templiers Vacqueyras '14; Domaine de Font-Sane- Tradition Gigondas '12; Domaine de Nalys- Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Classique Rouge '12 & Reserve '12.
(France/Provence & Lanquedoc) Château de Pourcieux Blanc '16 & Rosé '16; Château de la Clapière- Rosé '16; Château de Pennautier- Rosé '16.
(Sparkling) Château Moncontour- Vouvray Brut NV.
(Spirits) Rozelieures Single Malt Whiskey- Brown Smoked & Black Peated; Ferdinand's Saar Dry Gin; HSE Rhum Agricole- XO, Highland & Sauternes; Cognac Park- Single Vineyard Borderies 15 yrs & XO; Château de Laubade Bas-Armagnac- XO, Intemporel No.5, 1997 & 1982; Christian Drouin Calvados- Coeur de Lion XO, Coeur de Lion 25 yr, 1992, 1984 & 1964.
David Bowler Wine - Spring Portfolio Tasting 2017, NYC
Best Picks: (France/Burgundy) Voillot- Volnay 1er Cru les Champans '14 & les Rugiens '14; Bachelot-Monnot- Puligny Montrachet '14; Chavy-Martin- Puligny Montrachet "Les Charmes" '14; Arnoux-Lachaux- Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Procès '14 & Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Chaumes '14; Domaine Bruno Clavelier- Vosne-Romanée Combe Brûlée '14, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Beaux Monts '14 & Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Combe d'Orveuax '14; Domaine Pierre Damoy- Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru '14; Dom. Michel Niellon- Chassange-Montrachet 1er Cru Champsgains '14 & Chassange-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Maltoie '14; Berthaut- Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaut-Saint-Jacques '14.
(France/Loire) Nicolas Joly- Savennières Roche aux Moines Clos de la Bergerie '15, Savennières Clos de la Coulée de Serrant '14 & '15; François Pinon- Vouvray Silex Noir '15; Domaine Du Closel- Savennières Clos du Papillon '15;
(France/Rhône) Monardiere- Vacqueyras Vielles Vignes '14; J. Boutin- Côte-Rôtie "Bonnevaux" '14 & Hermitage '14; Domaine St.-Préfert- Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc '16, Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Vielles Clairettes" '15 & Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Reserve Auguste Favier" '15; Domaine Isabel Ferrando- Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Colombis" '14, Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Charles Guiraud" '14 & '15; Domaine Cristia- Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vielles Vignes '15; Chante Cigale- Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vielles Vignes '13.
(France/Cahors) Combel-La-Serre- Cahors Peyres Levades '14 & Cahors Le Lac Aux Cochons '14.
(Italy/Tuscany) Candialle- Chianti Classico "Candialle" '10; La Gerla- Brunello di Montalcino '11 & Brunello Riserva gli Angeli '11;
(Italy/Piedmont) Gagliardo- Barolo Lazzarito "Vigna Preve" '13; Schiavenza- Barolo Broglio '12 & Barolo Prapo '12; Enzo Boglietti- Barolo Brunate '08 & Barolo Riserva '04.
(California) Bucklin- Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch "Ancient Field Blend" '13; Engel- Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley '13; Togni- Cabernet Sauvignon '14 & '11.
(Champagne) Ployez-Jacquemart- Extra Quality Brut NV, Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs '08, Extra Brut Vintage '05 & Liesse d'Harbonville 1999; Jacquesson- Cuvée 735 Dégorgement Tardif NV; Lilbert-Fils- Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs "Perle" NV; Tarlant- La Vigne Royale Extra Brut '03, Cuvée Louis Brut Nature NV & Vigne d'Antan Brut Nature '02.
(Spirits) DSP CA 162 Flavored Vodkas; Oro de Lidia Tequila; Mezcal Unión; Vivacity- Fine Vodka, Native Gin & Bankers' Gin; Great Lakes Distillery- Rehorst Gin & Kinnickinnick Whiskey; Alipus Mezcal; Russell Henry Gin; The Exceptional - Scotch Blend; Albany Distilling- Ironweed Rye, Straight Malt & ALB Vodka; Gilles Brisson- Cognac XO; Porto Menéres- 20 yr Tawny NV & 40 yr Tawny NV; Quinta do Infantado- Vintage Port '11.
Great Wines of Italy 2017 by James Suckling - New York City
Best Picks (Barolo): Poderi Aldo Conterno- Barolo Bussia Cicala '12; Bruno Giacosa- Falletto Vigna Le Rocche '13; Ca' Rome- Cerretta '12; Cordero di Montezemolo- Monfalletto '12, Bricco Gattera '12 & Enrico VI '12; Fontanafredda- Vigna la Rosa '10; Giovanni Sordo- Monvigliero '12; Mauro Molino- Bricco Luciani '13; Negretti- Bricco Ambrogio '12 & Rive '12; Oddero- Villero '`12; Paolo Conterno- Ginestra '12; Prunotto- Bussia '11; Renato Ratti- Marcenasco '12; Roberto Voerzio- Fossati Case Nere Riserva 10 Anni '07; Rocche dei Manzoni- Perno Cappella di S. Stefano '12 & Bricco San Pietro Vigna D'La Roul '12.
(Barbaresco): Bruno Giacosa- Rabaja '13; Pio Cesare- Il Bricco '12.
(Brunello di Montalcino): Altesino '12 & Montosoli '12; Andretta '12; Vitanza Tradizione '12; Argiano '12; Banfi '12 & Poggio alle Mura '12; Bellaria- Assunto '12 & Assunto Riserva '10; Caparzo- Riserva '11 & Vigna La Casa '12; Casanova di Neri- Tenuta Nuova '12; Castello Romitorio '12 & Filo di Seta '12; Castiglion del Bosco '12; Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona- Pianrosso '10; Collosorbo '12; Cordella '10 & '12; Elio Grasso- Gavarini Chinera '12; Eredi Fuligni '12; Il Bosco di Grazia '12; La Leccaia- Riserva '10; La Magia '12; La Rasina '12; Livio Sassetti- Pertimali Dieci '07; Poggio Antico '12 & Altero '12; San Filippo- Le Lucere '12; Tony Sasa- Martina '12; Uccelliera '12; Valdicava- Madonna del Piano Riserva '10.
(Chianti Classico): Castello di Gabbiano- Chianti Classico Bellezza Gran Selezione '12; Castello di Meleto- Chianti Classico Vigna Casi Riserva '13; Castello Monsanto- Chianti Classico Il Poggio Riserva '11; Colle Bereto- Chianti Classico Riserva '13; Fontodi- Chianti Classico Sorbo Gran Selezione '13; Lamole di Lamole- Chianti Classico Riserva '12; Le Filigare- Chinati Classico Lorenzo '13; Marchesi Antinori- Chianti Classico Badia a Passignano Gran Selezione '11; San Fabiano Calcinaia- Chianti Classico Cellole Gran Selezione '13; Viticcio- Chinati Classico Il Prunaio Gran Selezione '13.
(Vino Nobile di Montepulciano): Boscarelli- Sotto Casa Riserva '11; Tenute del Cerro- Riserva '12.
(Amarone): Allegrini '12; Masi- Classico Costasera Riserva '11; Tommasi '12;
(Etna): Tony Sasa- Etna Rosso '14; Tornatore- Etna Rosso Trimarchisa '14 & Peitrarizzo&