Over 300 wines tasted in 2013 – My favourites so far…

I set out on an epic mission this year. The mission: to try and document 365 different wines during 2013. I am on the downhill slope now having over 300 tucked under my belt and less than 65 to go.

Is it challenging you ask? I would have to say, no not really. My aim is not to drink everyday but to try as many wines as I can to expand my drinking spectrum and to keep up my skills in writing tasting notes. Whether this be a glass at a restaurant, a tasting at a winery or on occasion sharing a bottle or two with Mr. Spittoon.

Everyone has different taste buds and it’s these glorious little creatures which tell us which wines we do and don’t like.  Don’t let pretentious snobs tell you that your Two Buck Chuck is rubbish, if you like it then it’s the best wine for you! Some wines can be made to perfection, but I don’t like them. It’s not a strike against my wine knowledge, it is simply me saying that yes it’s a great wine but not for me. Don’t ever be afraid to voice your opinion.

So here are a handful of my favourites this year…

• MyattsField 2011 Methode Champenoise from the Perth Hills, Western Australia – I literally fell in love with this gorgeous sparkling wine at first sip. Having spent 6 weeks in the Penedes in Spain studying the Spanish sparkling wine of Cava and having travelled through the Champagne region in France I do have a bit of a love affair going on with bubbles. This is good and bad as I have come to be a bit fussy! However this MyattsField bubbles literally made me take a second, a third and a final gulp before I could actually believe how good it was. Made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir it is just so smooth and silky with the loveliest delicate flavours. I am going to say it – currently this is my favourite New World bubbles! Click here to read my full tasting note.
• El Porvenir Laborum 2012 Torrontes from Salta, Argentina, AU$35 – I tried this as part of the Wine Century Club and I had honestly forgotten how great Torrontes is. I went through a Torrontes phase when living in Dubai, it just seemed to be the perfect wine for the 50 degree heat over there. It has such a lovely crisp, fresh and fruity personality that it’s just so darn refreshing. This is a summertime pleaser. Click here to read my full tasting note.
• Talijancich Julian James Reserve Muscat 1961 Solera from the Swan Valley, Western Australia. AU$16 a glass in restaurants approximately – I’m not really into my sweeties, I struggle through them and find them sickly. However this Reserve Muscat had me nearly licking the glass to get every last drop. Mr. Spittoon and I will always treat ourselves to a glass of this to finish a meal if we go to the Rose & Crown or Stewart’s at Brookleigh. Click here to read my full tasting note.
• Cake Wines 2013 Pinot Grigio from the Adelaide Hills, South Australia – A recommendation on Twitter, the Cake range of wines are a boutique independent wine business producing super palatable wines by up and coming young winemakers. They currently have 2 ranges: The Artist Series, a light to medium bodied approachable range of wines from the Adelaide Hills and the premium short-run release, the Young Wine Maker Series. Read my tastsing note of the Pinot Grigio here and read my Shiraz tasting note here.
• Talijancich 2006 Reserve Verdelho from the Swan Valley, Western Australia – Verdelho is the pride and joy of the Swan Valley. The grape thrives in the area and when handled correctly it can produce fabulous wines. There are actually quite a few I really enjoy however I have to say the Tali 06 really stands out for me. It is aged, yet still fresh on the palate. It’s a wine that can quite easily be drank by itself or with food. Read my full tasting note here.

Click here to see my full 365 wines in 2013 dedicated blog page.

If you think there are any wines that I must try before the end of the year – please comment below. I am also considering doing a similar challenge in 2014 however sticking to only Western Australian wines, what do you think?

If you like this post you may also like:

• How the 365 wines in 2013 started
• Wine tasting at MyattsField Vineyards in the Perth Hills
• Why spit at wine tastings?