What's your wine of the year?

[Thraz]

I mean a wine that is obviously really good, but also not the usual suspects. If I had had a Petrus that had blown me away this year (which I have not) (I mean I'm sure it would have blown me away, I just have not had a Petrus), it would still not qualify as wine of the year for me. In order to qualify, it needs an element of reality to it - a wine that I would purchase on my own, not an expense account thing or a "why-don't-I-try-life-without-a-car" type purchase. To each their own criteria of course. Basically, the only rule is: you know it when you taste it. So, what's yours?

Mine: Dupere-Barrera Chateauneuf du Pape 2001. I've posted on the winemaker in the South of France forum before, it's a small negociant house that also owns a small bit of vineyard (their Chateauneuf du Pape is all negociant though). They were named winemakers of the year by a well-known French publication, so they are not unknowns anymore, but they have only been making wine for a few years. This was $23 in 2003, in a store in NJ. I think I saw the 2003 for $30 in CA, although I have not had it. Amazing black fruit on the nose, and a taste I just can't describe - which is why I have not posted on it before. Beautiful and incredibly smooth from beginning to end - three or four different mouthfeels and associated tastes in different parts of the mouth at different times, including a very, very long finish. All distinct, so I'm sure they all have names, I just don't know them. I'm amazed everytime I have this wine. It clearly could use more time, I've just been lacking discipline because it's so good now. I have just one bottle left, my new year's resolution will be to keep it for six years (it's the resolution that keeps on giving), and to buy a case of the 2004.

[This message has been edited by Thraz (edited 12-25-2005).]