Wines of the Year 2005

Choosing just one wine in each of our eight Wines of the Year categories does not get any easier. This year I have travelled extensively, visiting and tasting in some of the best estates of South Africa, Australia, the USA and Canada, Spain Italy and France. I have attended some fantastic tastings, including veriticals of top Bordeaux châteaux stretching back to the 1930s, and have made serious inroads into my own cellar, liberating gems such as 1985 Cheval Blanc and 1990 Dom Perignon. But as always, I have buckled down to the task with the same spirit of gritty determination that I hope you will muster when choosing your own WoTY list, to settle for just seven wines that represent the highest points of my wine tasting year.

New this year is an ninth category, following animated discussions on the UK Wine Forum of extra things that people wanted to be included. I have decided to make this category simply 'thing of the year', allowing you one extra free vote for absolutely whatever you want: a different category of wine (rosé for example); a beer; a movie; an album; a person - the choice is yours.

To see visitors' Wines of The Year click here.

Tom's favourite wines of 2005

Red - Guigal (France) Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 2000
White - Katnook (Australia) Sauvignon Blanc 1980
Budget red - Rocca di Montegrossi (Italy) Chianti Classico 2003
Budget white - Heartland (Australia) Viognier Pinot Gris 2004
Sweet - Dönnhoff (Germany) Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese 2003
Sparkling - Taittinger (France) Comtes de Champagne 1995
Fortified - Mas Amiel (France) Maury 1980
Dud - Close de los Siete (Argentina) Red Wine 2004
Thing - Antony & The Johnsons, I am a Bird Now (music)

click to read my full tasting notes for my Wines of the Year 2005

This was so tough this year, with so many great wines, that I have indulged myself with a baker's dozen of other wines that could easily substitute for any in the list above. Webmaster's privilege!

Ch de Chasseloir (France) Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine "Cuvée de Ceps" 2003
Fritz Haag (Germany) Braueneberger Juffer Sonnenhur Riesling Auslese 2003
Cheval Blanc (France) St Emilion 1985
Château Margaux (France) Margaux 1985
Château Beychevelle (France) St Julien 1959
Canon Le Gaffelière (France) St Emilion 1945
Glaetzer (Australia) AMON-Ra Shiraz 2003
Dominus (California) 1987
Shafer (California) Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Colonial Estate (Australia) "Emigré" Barossa Shiraz 2002
Foillard (France) Morgon Côte de Py 2004
Domaine Sol-Payré (France) "Imo Pectore" 2001
Heidi Schröck (Austria) Ruster Ausbruch 2002

To see visitors' Wines of The Year click here.