Paul Howard’s Wines of the Year for 2006

Overall Best in 2006

• Palari, DOC Faro, 2002. Sicily.

Listen up - if I shared any of this wine with you in 2006 I must’ve thought you were a really very special person indeed…

Reds

• Matetic “EQ” Syrah, Rosario Valley, San Antonio, Chile, 2004. Biodynamic.

Truly exciting world-class Syrah

• Masi Tupungato “Passo Doble” Malbec/Corvina, Mendoza, Argentina, 2004.

Great imagination, great flavours, fine value

Whites

• Riesling, Nikolaihof, “Vom Stein”, Zu-Mautern, Wachau Smaragd, Austria, 1997, Biodynamic.

The world’s greatest white grape interpreted by a great wine maker. Result? Awesome

• St. Joseph Blanc, Domaine Florentin “Le Clos”, N. Rhône, France, 2002, Organic

Acacia, smoke, buttery apricot and peaches…unexpectedly divine 

Rosé

• Montes Cherub, Rosé of Syrah, Limited Selection, Viña Montes, Colchagua, Chile. 2005.

Fun, fun, fun…

Fortified

• Porto Krohn Colheita Tawny Port, Wiese & Krohn, Portugal, 1966.

“They think it’s all over. It is now.”

• Banyuls Grand Cru rouge, France, 1947

Life enhancing at nearly 60 years old, hope in a glass

• Rivesaltes, Domaine Gauby, France, 1995, Biodynamic.

Stunning with chocolate ice cream

Sweet

• Moscatel, Molino Real “Mountain Wine”. Telmo Rodriguez, Malaga, Spain. NV.

Liquid Crème Brulée

• AC Jurançon Moelleux “Cuvée Marie Kattalin”, Domaine de Souch, South West France. 2003. Biodynamic.

Pineapples, white truffle and Angelica all wrapped up in cream

Sparkling

• Champagne Jacques Selosse Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc, Brut NV, Biodynamic

Montrachet with bubbles

And finally, a dud

• Shiraz, Bethany GR6, Barossa Valley, South Australia, 1998.

What’s the longest custodial sentence for GBH these days?