Vintages

Question 1

Napa Vintages, last 10 years

Answer 1

Ranked: 2013 & 2007 then 2016,2010,2009, 2008,2012,2014, then 2015,then 2017,2011

2007: EXCELLENT: ideal ripening, small crop,complexity and plush tannins
2008: GREAT low yields but high quality, dense, concentrated
2009: GREAT late, cool year, but pure, opulent wines
2010: GREAT cool, steady year, high quality, tight but dense, layered
2011: VARIABLE very rainy
2012: VERY GOOD 1st of the drought years, good, steady weather, high yields, fruit driven, diminished acidity
2013: EXCELLENT ideal weather, large and early, harvest, powerful, structured wines
2014: VERY GOOD. good weather, very dry, large early harvest, concentrated but balanced acidity, aromatic
2015: VARIABLE cold flowering, poor fruitset, heat spike during harvest, low yields. some wines overripe, high abv
2016: GREAT. good weather, last year of the 5yr drought. Aromatic, natural acidity, elegant tannins
2017: VARIABLE. difficult, heat spikes near harvest, followed by fires in October, tendency toward overripe-ness

Question 2

Napa best and worst vintages of the 2000’s

Answer 2

Best: 2007. Worst: 2003 and 2000. Everything else was very good to great

Question 3

Napa best and worst vintages of the 1990’s

Answer 3

Best ranked: 1997. then 1995, 1994, 1999, then 1996. Worst: 1998

Question 4

Oregon best and worst through 2000

Answer 4

Best: 2016, 2012, then 2014, 2008. Worst: 2007, 2011, then 2003, 2013

Question 5

California PN best and worst

Answer 5

Best: 2009, 2016, 2004. Worst: 2011, 2006

Question 6

Declared Port vintages of the 2000’s

Answer 6

2000, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016

Question 7

Declared Port Vintages of the 90’s

Answer 7

1991, 1992, 1994, 1997

Question 8

Declared Port Vintages of the 80’s

Answer 8

1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989

Question 9

Declared Port Vintages of the 70’s

Answer 9

1970, 1975, 1977, 1978

Question 10

Declared Port Vintages of the 60’s

Answer 10

1960, 1963, 1966, 1967

Question 11

Best Port Vintages of the last century

Answer 11

1912, 1927 (arguably the best, 1945, 1948, 1963, 1970, 1985, 1994

Question 12

Rioja Best and Worst of the 2000’s

Answer 12

Best: 2010, then 2001, 2004, 2005, 2016 (promising). Worst: 2006, 2007, 2002

Question 13

Rioja Best and Worst of the mid-late 90’s

Answer 13

Best: 1995 Worst: 1997, 1998

Question 14

Champagne vintages through 1996

Answer 14

2009: VERY GOOD. warm season. generous, approachable
2008: VERY GOOD. growers overcame disease. structured, classic, age-worthy
2007: POOR. few declarations, challenging growing season
2006: VERY GOOD
2005: OK. Chard fared best
2004: VERY GOOD. Sleek, bright, great for Chard
2003: POOR. few declarations, April frosts, little Chard
2002: EXCELLENT. Best of the decade. complexity, richness, structure, age-worthy
2001: TERRIBLE. no
2000: GOOD
1999: GOOD
1998: VERY GOOD
1997: OK
1996: EXCELLENT

Question 15

Champagne Best and Worst of the 2000’s

Answer 15

BEST: 2002, then 2008, 2009, 2004; then 2006, 2000 WORST: 2001, then 2003, 2007

Question 16

Champagne Best and Worst 1990’s

Answer 16

BEST: 1990, then 1996, then 1995, then 1998. WORST: 1994

Question 17

Champagne Best of the 80’s

Answer 17

1988, 1985, 1982

Question 18

Champagne best of the 70’s

Answer 18

1971, 1973, 1975 1979

Question 19

Champagne Best vintages of the 60’s

Answer 19

1961, 1964

Question 20

Kid turns 21, best wines from 1998? 1999?

Answer 20

1998: right bank Bordeaux and CDP. 1999: Italy, Rhone, especially northern, Burgundy, Champagne

Question 21

Napa best and worse of the 80’s

Answer 21

average decade at best. Worst: 88, 83, 89

Question 22

Tuscany vintages 2010’s

Answer 22

BEST: 2016, 2015, 2013, 2010
WORST: eveything else OK
2016: Excellent, especially Chianti CC. Montalcino NT
2015: Excellent: Powerful, concentrated but balance. will likely age well. Montalcino NT
2014: OK. cool, wet summer, lighter wines
2013: Excellent. especially in Montalcino “classic” vintage, cool, aromatic, vibrant
2012: OK, Very Good in Montalcino. hot. dense, firmly structured
2011: OK. Exceptionally hot. Ripe rich fruity forward
2010: Very Good, Excellent in Montalcino. cool. best are ripe with structure, balance and elegance.

Question 23

Tuscany vintages 2000’s

Answer 23

BEST: 2007, 2006, 2004, 2001
WORST: 2002
2009: OK. warmer. Soft fruity ripe wines. jammyness may effect ageability
2008: OK. cooler. high acidity and tannin
2007: Very good
2006: Very Good in CC, Excellent in Bolgheri and Montalcino
2005: OK in CC and Bolgheri, Poor in Montalcino. Rainy harvest
2004: Very Good. Excellent in Bolgheri. perfect weather
2003: OK record heat wave. Thick, ripe, jammy, some over ripe
2002: Poor. very rainy
2001: Very Good. poweful but balanced with aromatics
2000: OK. hot and dry. fruity open wines, early drinking

Question 24

Tuscany best and worst of the 90’s

Answer 24

BEST: 1999, 1997, 1990
WORST: 1992, 1994