Favorite Wines: James Suckling's Great Wines of the World

[@stevenholt4936]

Good stuff, John. You have a hard life but someone's got to attend these events. 😂 Most of the wines on your list will probably pass me by but a couple caught my attention, not least the Seña. Nuits Saint Georges is my chosen wine for this evening but an entry level, 2013, from Roche de Bellene. I am down to my last couple of bottles. Your mention of Taylor's brought back some happy memories. My first experience was a 1963 at a friend's 21st nearly 50 years ago. We were in a posh restaurant but the food was ordinary (the prices weren't) and the service terrible but the evening was saved by this Port. I later bought half a case of both the '70 and '77 when they came on the market (all long gone, I'm afraid). About 25 years ago I spent a happy afternoon at Taylor's Port lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia following a two-day jaunt up and down the Douro on the train. As for Brunello, we agree completely and, thanks partly to your recommendations, I have a modest stash of 2015, '16, '18 and '19s from various producers. I also have plenty of Claret but I might do a bit of research into the d'Issan: a 2014, if I can find it, might be drinking well now. Thanks again for another enjoyable video.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much Steven! The 63 Taylors sounds incredible! Think I may have 1 bottle of 77 left. Older port still sells for very reasonable prices and you don’t need to worry nearly as much about provenance. Can’t say enough about the strength of Brunello in 15, 16 and 19! Nice to be able to try some new names that I had not experienced previously. D’Issan has definitely been doing an excellent job and still sells for a very reasonable price. I definitely think the 14 would be in a good place now. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! Cheers!

[@Level-42]

Thanks John, great video as always. Lots of familiar bottles, and some favorites as well😎🍷

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks, Doug! Much appreciated!

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@16:35--"2019 Chevalier Blanc" ...The 2021 has higher scores, same price. $90-110 on Prearrival. I had the ($50, hot vintage)2003 in about 2014-15. Figured it was going to be over-the-hill, but it had great riper fruit & acidity. Not a classic style, but a 95-96 points for me. The 2021 should last until 2040. The Clos des Lunes-Lune d'Argent is also made by Chevalier. It's a different source(closer to Sauternes, 70% Sauv Bl, 30% Semillon), but also dry. About $20-25. 2021-Nice Wht Bordeaux. The 2016 (last bottle) in 2023, was more elegant. About 92 points.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks for weighing in! Looking forward to the 21 Chevalier Blanc as well! Also good to know re the Clos des Lune d’Argent.

[@rjo8500]

Thanks for sharing. Recently we enjoyed a 2014 Chateau Belair Monange. It was our first experience with this producer. We were super impressed with the complexity and incredible, intriguing nose. Just had the single bottle in the cellar, bought on a whim. Since I’ve been on the lookout for additional bottles.

[@AttorneySomm]

Sounds terrific! Appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Definitely an impressive producer!

[@Thesilverthunder777]

Excellent.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@margauxml]

Thrilled to see Domaine de Chevalier Blanc among your recommendations! I love their wines, both rouge and blanc! And as a big fan of Bordeaux blancs, I very much enjoyed this part of the video. Also, the Marjan Simic "Ramato" Pinot Grigio sounds fantastic! So many stellar recommendations, John! Well done!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much, Margaux! Appreciate all the support and feedback.

[@margauxml]

@@AttorneySommMy pleasure, John! Sunday cheers!

[@baileyklink1416]

So awesome that you mentioned chevalier blanc, I had it at a tasting recently and it was the best Sauvignon blanc I’ve ever tasted… the overall Balance, complexity, length and just completeness is amazing…. Great wine

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! They are firing on all cylinders!

[@margauxml]

Just started watching! Initial thought: considering how many wines were there at the event and how many wines you tasted, coming up with a list like this is, wow, nothing short of incredible. I’m truly impressed!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks, Margaux! It definitely requires some advance planning (e.g., studying floor plan before I go) and some diligence during the tastings, but it is well worth it! Cheers!

[@margauxml]

@@AttorneySommSo impressive, indeed! I can’t imagine the planning it entails and the strategic tasting. By the way, off topic, but I just noticed your polo shirt. Illinois Fighting Illini?!🤩

[@AttorneySomm]

@@margauxml Thank you! Yes, exactly right re : Illinois!

[@joe-zp7ge]

went to the wines of the world event in miami not to long ago and i found that the italian wines were top heavy on the list ...with some of the same brunellos you mentioned. I tried to taste the sena but it was sold out quickly. Im putting the wines you mentioned on my bucket list. the ratings are very high although suckling can ocassionally be overly generous

[@AttorneySomm]

Glad you were able to attend! Where possible I tried to include scores from others as well to provide more context. Even for the ones I would score a little bit lower, they are still outstanding wines well worth trying!

[@MichaelH-ck4hg]

Nice video. I saw four wines that I’m familiar with and have bought. Some you just showed photos of. The Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino was one I enjoyed and I opened up a 2013 last September. You also mentioned Chateau Pontet-Canet, and I’ve bought a couple of cases of their 2020 vintage. You showed a photo of Don Melchor. I had two bottles of their 2017 vintage and am still holding on to a 2018. Lastly, Chateau D’issan. I really like this one. I’ve bought a total of a couple of cases of different vintages. I have also bought a quite a few of their second wine, which I think is a quite good.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Yes, those are all excellent choices! Glad the video was useful. Cheers! 👍🍷

[@margauxml]

I’m so glad you devoted a considerable amount of time to Seña Valle de Aconcagua. It’s something I’d love to taste, preferably in a wine tasting event. I think I’d love it! I don’t normally love Chilean wines that much, but I know this one’s different. Wish I could try it someday!

[@AttorneySomm]

Highly recommend it, Margaux! A very special wine! Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@margauxml]

@@AttorneySomm You’re welcome, John! Cheers!

[@dougronald561]

I took notes while watching this video. A lot of your recommendations aren’t even outrageously expensive. 🍷🍷🍷

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you. Yes, I tried to pick wines that were relatively affordable as well as very high quality. Cheers!

[@domainesalbertbichot]

Thank you for this great video. Cheers from burgundy!

[@AttorneySomm]

My pleasure! It was a real treat to taste the wines at the James Suckling event. Merci beaucoup! Santé!

[@kairodumba7924]

The wine store I frequent has a 1999 fuligni at around 118 USD. Contemplating if I should get it as I am afraid it may be over the hill

[@AttorneySomm]

Great question. Provided that it has been stored on its side in a climate controlled environment, it still should be showing well. But if they keep it upright or just in the general part of the store on a normal shelf I would pass.

[@margauxml]

Pleased to see Château d'Issan and Albert Bichot Nuits-Saint-Georges in this video! I’ll definitely seek out the 2019 or 2020 vintage of d’Issan!

[@AttorneySomm]

Merci beaucoup! Both vintages are outstanding! Santé!

[@margauxml]

@@AttorneySomm De rien, John! Avec plaisir! I’ll seek out both vintages then; merci!

[@megatrendy1]

Hi Jack! Maybe, the 2021 Domaine de Chevalier blanc could even be more interesting: Jeff Leve gave it a perfect 100 points, to the 2019 "only" 95 points. Best regards and cheers!

[@AttorneySomm]

Hello: Yes, I think so! I haven't been able to taste the 2021 yet, but it certainly sounds promising!

[@jonathanhart8046]

Belair Monange is excellent value. Moueix know how at a reasonable price. I like James Suckling, but I do struggle with his grade inflation !

[@AttorneySomm]

Completely agree with you re: Belair Monange! Yes, that is why I tried to include all the scores I could locate from others as well.

[@BowlinForWine]

Have you had any wines from Rudd estate in oakville?

[@AttorneySomm]

Yes! While I have not visited that winery yet, I have enjoyed several Rudd wines at various Premiere Napa Valley events over the years.

[@BowlinForWine]

@@AttorneySomm the vineyard is so beautiful. The tasting has some of the best add ons like the bread sticks and cheese they offer. Plus wool to sniff from their own sheep as a pallet cleanse. One of most favorite visits and inglenook rubicon is also a fucking banger of a wine

[@AttorneySomm]

@@BowlinForWine Agreed re Rubicon. Tasted a few vintages of that one last year. I will definitely reach out to Rudd next time I’m in Napa! Just added them to my list.

[@marshallhao6819]

Couldn't help notice your shirt! Are you from U of I?

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks! Yes, I graduated from the law school.

[@marshallhao6819]

@@AttorneySomm That's awesome!! I graduated from undergrad. I really enjoy watching your videos and also learn a lot from them. I'm based in Hong Kong now. If you're ever in the region, please let me know. Would love to meet up!

[@AttorneySomm]

@@marshallhao6819 Thank you! Very glad to hear it! I have been to HK a few times, but am definitely due to return. I would enjoy that! Cheers!

[@Ruirspirul]

“it is unusual for white wines to spend time on skins during fermentation” depends where my friend, depends where😅

[@AttorneySomm]

Ha! Very true. In some areas that is not unusual. As an overall percentage of white wine production it is fairly low.

[@jerzystruczak782]

suckling is over generous with point like parker-under grainf salt, folx cheers

[@AttorneySomm]

These wines are all wines I recommend based on my evaluation. I provide scores from Suckling and others for context and in case people have a palate that aligns with a particular critic. I didn’t just pick these based on Suckling’s scores.