My Top 15 Wines of 2023: A Year of Extraordinary Discoveries
You know that feeling when a year just seems to outdo itself? That was 2023 for me and Dio, especially when it came to wine experiences. Before I dive into my top 15 wines of the year, I need to share some of the highlights that made this year truly exceptional.
Picture this: 40 days road-tripping through Europe, hopping between iconic cities like Paris, Barcelona, Venice, Vienna, Copenhagen, and Berlin. Between museum visits and private art collections, we managed to squeeze in some absolutely surreal wine experiences in Bordeaux and Piemonte. And the food? Let's just say that when you find yourself at places like Amador in Vienna and Cocina Hermanos Torres in Barcelona (both sporting those coveted three Michelin stars), you know you're living right.
Speaking of memorable meals, we couldn't resist hitting up The French Laundry in Yountville and Addison in San Diego during our two California trips. Here's a pro tip I picked up this year: when you're at these world-class restaurants, just "do the wine pairing!" I used to think I knew my way around wine and food pairings (and I do), but putting myself in the hands of these talented sommeliers has been eye-opening. Sure, I discovered I still don't care for pet nat or orange wine, but the unexpected combinations and new discoveries have been worth every penny.
2023 also marked our entry into the Sommelier Guild of Atlanta, which has introduced us to a wonderful community of wine enthusiasts through their monthly dinners. We returned to the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction (our second year), where the winemaker's dinner at the Delta 747 Exhibition featuring Paso Robles wineries was a standout moment, especially getting to experience the amazing wines from Talley Vineyards. And speaking of highlights, sharing dinner with Matthieu Bordes of Chateau Lagrange at Cherokee Town & Country Club completely changed my perspective on Bordeaux “second wines”.
In what felt like a natural progression of our wine journey, we took the plunge and invested in two wineries – Arrow and Branch in Napa and Borgo Bonelli in central Tuscany. I also knocked out my WSET Level 1 certification and am planning to tackle Level 2 soon.
Last but certainly not least, I launched this blog, heavypourwine.com. It's been a labor of love these past few months, and I hope you've been enjoying the content as much as I've enjoyed creating it.
Now, onto the main event – my top 15 wines of 2023. I've gotten much better at keeping detailed tasting notes this year, so I figured it was time to start sharing my annual favorites. These aren't necessarily the "best" wines I've had, but rather the bottles that created lasting memories and stories worth telling.
The List
Note: Wines #1, #2, and #3 now rank among my top 10 wines of all time!
#15 - 2008 Elio Grasso Barolo Riserva Rüncot
Sometimes the best wine experiences happen right at your kitchen table. This bottle had been waiting patiently in my cellar, and sharing it with an old friend I hadn't seen in ages proved that timing is everything. No fancy setting needed – just good wine, good company, and good conversation.
#14 - 2021 Hirsch Vineyards Chardonnay
My introduction to Hirsch Chardonnay couldn't have been more perfect. Sitting next to Jasmine Hirsch herself during dinner, getting to know the person behind the wine while experiencing it – these are the moments that make wine special. Her passion for winemaking was evident in both the glass and conversation.
#13 - 2019 Pahlmeyer Merlot
During our first High Museum Wine Auction Cultivation Trip (what an honor to be invited!), we experienced this exceptional wine while taking in the breathtaking views of Stagecoach Vineyard. This Merlot was a masterclass in what the variety can achieve in the right hands.
#12 - 1982 Château Sociando-Mallet
This wine holds a particularly poignant place in my heart. A fellow Guild member shared it at a dinner, and sadly, he passed away just weeks later. It serves as a powerful reminder to open those special bottles and share them with people who matter. Life is too short for "someday."
#11 - 1977 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage
The same generous Guild member who shared the '82 Sociando-Mallet brought this port. As someone who never particularly cared for port, this bottle was a revelation. Sometimes it takes the right bottle at the right moment to change your perspective entirely.
#10 - 2021 Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras
Talk about perfect timing – being among the first to taste the '21 vintage of my favorite Napa Cab, made by Benoit Touquette (my favorite US-based winemaker), was a bit of wine geek heaven. The whole flight was stellar, but this one? Let's just say the order practically wrote itself.
#9 - 2022 Château Léoville Barton
My first taste of the '22 Bordeaux vintage at the Château was enough to convince me to jump into Bordeaux futures for the first time. While Dio fell for the '22 Langoa Barton, this one captured my heart. The entire lineup was impressive, but this wine had that extra something special.
#8 - 1990 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa
After discovering this gem at a Somm Guild event, I managed to track down three bottles online. Sharing one with friends during a lovely dinner on an Atlanta rooftop was magical. The remaining bottles are calling my name, but timing is everything with wines like these.
#7 - 2019 La Caccia di San Giovanni Toscana
There's something special about sharing wines from a winery you've invested in. Watching friends and family fall in love with this Tuscan beauty has been a joy. The 2020 vintage is already showing promise too – we might need to make more room in the cellar!
#6 - 2019 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard
Sometimes a wine is so compelling it leads to bigger things. This was the standout of our recent Napa trip, and it ultimately led to our investment in the forthcoming Arrow & Branch Winery. Watch this space – exciting things are coming.
#5 - 2016 Oremus Tokaji Aszú 3 Puttonyos
Leave it to a passionate Hungarian sommelier at Restaurant Amador in Vienna to introduce me to my new favorite dessert wine. His pride in sharing this cultural treasure was infectious, and the wine itself was a revelation. I've since started building a little Tokaji collection – these wines are too good not to share.
#4 - 1983 Château Puyanché Francs Côtes de Bordeaux
Some wine experiences transcend the liquid in the glass. When Joseph Arbo pulled this bottle - specifically chosen because it's Dio's birth year - from his cellar during our dinner at his home, it was special enough. But when he gifted us another bottle so Dio (who wasn't feeling well that night) could experience it too – that's the kind of generosity that makes the wine world so special. We opened it in Barcelona with family, and both bottles showed beautifully.
#3 - 2020 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon
Walking the vineyard and tasting with Alex MacDonald at his kitchen table changed my perspective on the 2020 vintage in Napa. His explanation of how their old vines, drawing from the water table, avoided smoke taint was fascinating. The wine itself? Simply stellar. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll get an allocation - that would feel like winning the wine lottery.
#2 - 2019 Charles Heidsieck Coteaux Champenois Ambonnay Rouge
Sometimes the best discoveries come from left field. A still red wine from Champagne? This Pinot Noir opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn't considered. After falling in love with it at a Somm Guild dinner, I learned it wasn't available for purchase in the USA. Tracking down bottles in France became a mission – one that was happily accomplished.
#1 - 2015 Vieux Château Certan
My first 99-point wine, and what an experience it was. Alexandre Thienpont hosted us in the barrel room, and his approach to sharing his wine was refreshingly different from other Bordeaux tastings. He seasoned the glasses (a first for me), insisted on proper aeration, and shared the entire bottle with us. His genuine joy in drinking his own wine was contagious – it's hard to imagine a more perfect wine moment.
Looking back at this list, I'm struck by how many of these wines are connected to people and places rather than just scores and tasting notes. While every bottle here is exceptional in its own right, it's the stories and memories attached to them that truly make them special. Here's to another year of discoveries, shared bottles, and stories worth telling!
*If you're interested in detailed tasting notes for any of these wines, you can find them on my CellarTracker profile. Cheers!*
