My Ten Most Memorable Wine Moments in 2022
2022 is another year in transition as we crawl out of the pandemic and enter the endemic. I have tasted close to 3,000 wines (I may have passed that number, but some of my notes were still scribbled from crowded events when I used pen and paper and squeezed my way to get to the wines. Nevertheless, I should hit my annual goal of wines I needed to taste.
The extraordinary Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Laura Catena at the San Francisco Wine Society, March 23, 2022, San Francisco, CA
Here is the list: My Ten Most Memorable Wine Moments in 2022 (in alphabetical order)
· Bacio Divino Janzen Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 2018. Bacio Divino has eluded me over the years; I would taste the wines at events and always be impressed, but I never went back to the wines. Perhaps, I was focused on other things. In September, I attended a lightly attended trade tasting that showcased the wines from importer Gregory Condes. I was impressed by the exceptional wines poured that day. This wine was deep, extracted, and superbly built. Alluring blackcurrants, restrained beauty on the palate, nicely textured; berries, mineral notes, and a touch of oak. (My Score: 99 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $225.
· Catena Zapata White Bones Vino de Parcela Chardonnay, Mendoza – Argentina, Adrianna Vineyard 2019. The Catena White Bones is one of the world's inspirational Chardonnays. The 2019 vintage stayed the course and reminded me that France and the United States are not the only countries that can put this grape variety on a pedestal. I tasted this at the San Francisco Wine Society trade tasting and spoke with Laura Catena as she proudly poured the wine. As I tasted the new vintage, I could recall how incredible past vintages were and where I was when I enjoyed those wines. This wine is complete from start to finish. This wine explodes with savory spices, chalky notes, and tart apples; this wine stays long and lasts on the palate. (My Score: 98 Points) Suggested Retail: (My Score: 98 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $150.
· Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018. My earliest recollection of Chappellet Vineyard was the 1971 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon I sold at the Ashbury Market for $7.50. The wine sold well, and my first wine customers were happy to try something “new.” Over the years, I have kept a close eye on their wines. When I tasted the 2018 last June, I almost broke my mouth; it was simply incredible, and I knew that it would become one of the top wines I tasted in 2022. This wine hypnotizes the palate with unrelenting superior notes of black fruits, chalkiness, earthiness, and a suggestion of oak. Its long finish stays long after the wine has been enjoyed. (My Score: 100 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $300.
• Château Pichon-Longueville Baron, Pauillac 2019. One of my perennial picks among the Classified Growths. I tasted this wine at the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux Tasting Tour this past June in San Francisco. This wine was my wine of the night as it outclassed the competition in the room—I tasted 92 wines that afternoon and evening. This wine is packed and well-built, with deep color; powerful black fruit from start to finish; outstanding structure and balance; a hint of oak in the finish. (My Score: 100 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $225.
· Continuum Sage Mountain Vineyard Proprietary Red Wine, Napa Valley, 2019. When I first met Tim Mondavi, we were both young. I immediately knew that he would be producing incredible wines in the future that would be a signature of his artistry. This wine is more than the fruit from the vine; it is a history from the ground up that came from a family that cared. This wine is a force of nature with a plethora of black fruit, hints of violets, and licorice. Its weight carries it well on the palate and into a refined and elegant finish. (My Score: 100 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $280.
· Laurent-Perrier Champagne Grand Siècle Itération N°22 “1.5L bottle”. One of Champagne’s top producers, Laurent-Perrier has been a part of my life for decades. This wine sailed happily on my palate. Tiny, refined beads, steady mousse; complex, alluring green apples, mineral notes; satisfying on the palate; earth, chalky notes, and ripe fruit; a long finish. (My Rating: 99 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $400. (1.5L)
· Louis Jadot Chapelle-Chambertin, Domaine Louis Jadot 2020. I sometimes shudder when tasting with my colleague Tim Maron, MW, and Bernard Retornaz of Louis Latour. We have done a tasting of newly arrived wines annually. We tasted this in February. The wines were lined up for evaluation, and Bernard made a delicious lunch to follow. This wine stole the show on my scorecard. Demonstrative black fruits, hints of licorice, maybe some earthiness; long and satisfying; memorable. (My Score: 97 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $360.
· Penfolds Bin 95 Grange, South Australia 2018. I always look forward to my annual tasting of Grange. I traveled to Rutherford this time and met with Chief Winemaker Peter Gago. We have tasted together many times over the years; this time was the most memorable. The wine was out-of-the-world. Concentrated yet full of life and speaking South Australian; persistent black fruit, nice oak complement; lasting and bright finish. (My Score: 100 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $950.
· Nicolas-Jay L’Ensemble Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019. Burgundian winemaker Jean Nicolas Méo and music entrepreneur Jay Boberg have created an outstanding synergy. From Burgundy to the Willamette Valley, they have created an estate dedicated to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Is this wine French or is it American? Or is it simply caring for wine from one of America’s best Pinot Noir AVAs? Dried leaves, subtle berry notes; slightly elevated on the palate; superior balance; long, elegant finish. (My Score: 95 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $70.
· Ridge Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2012. My journey with Ridge Monte Bello has been long and memorable. Tasting almost from the beginning in the early 1970s, I found myself drawn to what Ridge was doing. I spent many a time tasting with Paul Draper and his team. The 2012 vintage offers oaky notes, a hint of coconut, and plenty of ripe berries followed by hints of licorice and dried leaves. (My Score: 98 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $175
When I went through my 2022 spreadsheet, these ten wines stood out as memorable. While many of these wines I track annually, the Bacio Divino Janzen Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 2018, and the Nicolas-Jay L’Ensemble Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 are new to me (I am looking forward to the next vintages). As I plan out my 2023 tasting calendar, I am wondering what surprises the new year will bring me. Happy Holidays to all!
The Catena White Bones… one of the world’s inspirational Chardonnays!
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