This had to be the fastest year on record. It feels like I was just writing this list for 2020 a few months ago. As I look back through the year, I remember moments of normalcy, weeks of expectation, much uncertainty, and a few times of tragedy.
And through it all there was wine. Most often than not, it was consumed in the presence of my closest friends. A gift of time together, hopefully but with an unknown future ahead.
Without further ado: Here are the Most Memorable Wines of 2021 in order of memorability.
Adelsheim 1981 Pinot Noir “Elizabeth’s Reserve”
#1 Most Memorable of 2021.
Last Summer I was lucky enough to be a guest of Elk Cove Vineyards at a dinner they co-hosted with Adelsheim. In an evening full of delicious old bottles, the 1981 Elizabeth’s Reserve was not only the standout, but my most memorable wine of the year.
David Adelsheim was personally pouring the wines and talking about how important this was to him. At this moment, “we had no idea what we were doing.” The label is an artists prediction of what their daughter would eventually look like.
The wine was delicate, fragile, ethereal. We held our glasses as if we were holding a newborn baby, which was ironic of course. I have no idea what Oregon Pinot Noir of this age is supposed by like, but it was unmistakable.
I may never get a chance to taste this again, but there was no better place or moment or company to experience it.
Produttori del Barbaresco 1978 Pori
#2 Most Memorable of 2021.
Birth Year Wines are always special, but rarely are they this good. Dark, spicy, and earthy with layer upon layer of beautiful complexity. Fully mature and at the top of its game. The best Birth Year Wine I’ve ever tasted.
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2006 Le Cigare Volant
#3 Most Memorable of 2021
While the name “Cigare Volant” still exists, new ownership has turned one of America’s great Rhone Blends to a solid, but unexceptional every day blend. However, for those of us who still have bottles of the original - especially in magnum - we can revisit the dark, complex, feral, earthy, wine that was. Another beauty.
Domaine des Baumard 1973 Quarts de Chaume
#4 Most Memorable of 2021
One of my closest friends, Bill Schuck, passed away this year after a long battle with cancer. He was a wine lover, fellow traveler, and a great guy. After paying our respects, a group of our friends, had dinner at Basil Wine Bar and drank this bottle (and many others.)
It is good to remember that some things don’t die.
Like Great Friendships and World-Class Dessert Wine.
Chateau Pape Clément 2014 Pessaic-Leognan Blanc
#5 Most Memorable of 2021
Been a fan of Pape Clément since having it during a long and decadent Bordeaux lunch. Poured by a good friend in celebration of vaccination with some cheese and bread he’d learned to bake during Lockdowns.
Rich and intense with a serious structure. This is layered with grapefruit, apple juice, but then luxurious toast, herbed, and buttered. Long and decadent.
Briedé Family Vineyards 2019 Arandell
#6 Most Memorable of 2021
A hybrid variety that Cornell University believes is ideal for its quality and disease resistance, The Briedé family was one of the first to grow this in 2013.
It is a exceptional version of a Virginia Red. Dark cherry. Tangy. Very smooth tannins with only a bit of noticeable oak. Delicious and unexpected.
Le Carrillon d’Angélus 2009 & 2010 Saint-Emilon Grand Cru
#7 (tied) Most Memorable of 2021
Its fitting that these beautiful right bank Bordeaux tie for #7, because they were consumed with good friends to celebrate the release of the newest James Bond movie.
The 2009 was lush, sexy, and full of refined fruit. The 2010 was forceful with prominent tannins, but still lush and giving. Two great years for Saint-Emilion strutting their style.
Chateau Musar 1991 Estate Blanc
#9 Most Memorable of 2021
Almost no wine in the world offers the level of complexity and profundity as an old Chateau Musar Blanc from the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. It has a medium-amber color. An explosive nose of dried apricots, candied apple, honeyed almonds, roasted carrots in balsamic. All that and more gets confirmed on the palate and the hauntingly long finish. This is a wine that sucks all of the attention out of the room.
Larmandier-Bernier Champagne ‘Rosé de Saignée’
#10 Most Memorable of 2021
The champagnes of Larmandier-Bernier are exceptional, but sometimes the moments of champagne are more important. At this year’s Wine Media Conference, a few of us were invited to share a moment of mourning, healing, friendship, and champagne with Christine Campbell. She writes eloquently about the experience in “Sadness Uplifted at the Wine Media Conference.” Go read that article.
Jean-Philippe Fichet 2018 Meursault ‘Le Mieux Sous le Chateau’
#11 Most Memorable of 2021
A small lieu-dit with vines planted in 1953, this was an exceptional Chardonnay. Cold and clear with a sense of eating frozen tropical fruit. A serious wine with a intense and focused structure. One of the best white burgundies I had in a very long time.
La Grand Vignolle 2019 Samur-Champigny
#12 Most Memorable of 2021
The beginning of the year was still a time of virtual wine tastings for work. Rarely does a wine jump out and grab me during one of these sessions, but the delicate ethereal nature of the Cabernet Franc was so enthralling that I had to talk a moment at just be present with the wine. This is great value and easy to find. Absolutely a gem to seek out and drink.
Disclosure 1: At the time of this writing, I work for a wholesale distributor that represents some of these wines in Ohio and Kentucky. Neither my representation of these wines or lack thereof, affects this list in any way.
Disclosure 2: The wines on this list were a combination of promotional samples, purchased at discount due to my industry status, tasted with friends who purchased them, or purchased by myself at full price.