Last Friday evening, we attended the New York Wine Experience held at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, hosted by Wine Spectator. This event is a huge deal in the wine business and is held only once every other year. It's a night when over 250 of the world's top producers gather to showcase their wines that the world knows and loves. In fact, in order for a winery or chateaux to participate, it is requested that the representatives pour a wine rated at least 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator and that the winemaker or owner be present to pour his/her wines. For attendees, this means they have the rare and special opportunity to meet the celebrities of the wine business. And yes, we spotted and chatted with a few of them, including Angelo Gaja, Tim Mondavi, Kathleen Heitz and many others.

It's hard to describe an event so incredible and mind-blowing as this one. You walk down the aisles in awe as the names just jump out at you...Mouton, Margaux, Lafite, Cheval Blanc, Salon, Sassicaia, Vega Sicilia, d'Yquem, Taylor Fladgate, and the list goes on. It's hard to believe all of these legends can actually be in the same location together at once. Most members of our team had their own strategies mapped out as to which wineries/chateaux they wanted to visit first. As seasoned veterans know, many of the wineries and chateaux run out of their wine before the night is over. So, if you want to taste the top, top names, you have to make your move. Naturally though, we can only taste a very small percentage of the wines featured. Here are some of our highlights from the night:

1999 Salon: When it comes to premium Champagne, Salon is where it's at. We knew we had to get there quickly. This Champagne house produces only one wine, and it's only produced in the best vintages. Since it was founded in 1905, only 37 vintages have been released. That's just plain incredible. When you taste Salon, you know for a fact you are getting the highest quality possible. This vintage was elegant and refined with just the right amount of grip. You especially come to recognize the super high quality of this wine when you taste it next to other Champagnes.  

1998 Lafite: Due to huge demand for Lafite from the Asian markets, this wine has seen super high prices that we never imagined. We tasted this wine, and wow, it was incredible. A total Pauillac with the signature characteristics of graphite, lead, smoke, saddle leather and subtle dark fruits poking through.

2005 Cheval Blanc:  After tasting young Bordeaux with their classic blends most of the night, you sip the Cheval and you understand why people chase this wine. Made with an equal part blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, it makes a statement about how good Bordeaux can really be from start to finish. The full-bodied wine showed no hard edges as it floated over the palate like pure silk. The flavors of dark fruits, charcoal, spices and sweet oak make this wine a total standout. BRAVO!!!!

2000 Haut Bailly: Poured by the winemaker herself, Veronique Sanders, this wine from the excellent 2000 vintage was more than we expected. Everything came together so perfectly to make one heck of a wine. In fact, some of us stopped back for a second sampling - that's how great it was. It had the perfect balance of fruit, acidity and tannin.

1981 Ridge: Back-vintage Cali is very reminiscent of Bordeaux, and 1981 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is a prime example. The older Cali wines were built to age and required patience. Today's California wines (for the most part) tend to be much more fruit forward and approachable early in their life and a big question mark on a 30-60 year shelf life. When we first smelled this wine, Bordeaux immediately came to mind. We could have easily mistaken this Cali for a Bordeaux. This single vineyard wine was a definite stand-out of the night.

2000 Vega Sicilia Unico: This wine is a Spanish legend with at least another 50 years of pleasurable drinking. The nose alone hinted at perfection with sweet fruit and floral elements. The wine then coats the palate with a wonderful full body immersed in dark fruits, Asian spices and saddle leather.  The wine is so powerful and complex, yet it has this elegant flare that just makes you smile.

2006 La Mission Haut Brion: Charming is the best way to describe this wine. Even in an off-vintage, this wine captured our attention with its personality and liveliness. It was creamy, soft and so round. We tasted it side-by-side with the 2006 Haut Brion and concluded that we liked the 2006 La Mission better.

It is a great privilege to have experienced these wines!