10 bottles which left their mark on the wine history ! (2/2)

Many wines left their mark in our personal history, on the occasion of special occasions. But which ones are able to place themselves in the world story ? Then, by their singularity and the avant-gardism of their producers, here there are 10 bottles which left their mark on the history:

6) Château Montelena Chardonnay 1973: Improbable, unthinkable but true: the victory of the Chardonnay 1973 of Château Montelena in the Jugement of Paris in 1976, completly moved the wine industry, not only in the Napa Valley, but in the New World too. Blind, the Jim Barrett’s work defeated the greats from Burgundy. Likewise the Cabernet Sauvignon 1973 of Stag’s Leap beaten the Mouton or Haut-Brion. The charism of Steve Spurrier and a little page in the Time will be sufficient at that time to open the eyes and the taste buds of the consumers about this New World.

7) Opus One 1979: Speaking about this New World, the Baron de Rothschild is looking for a partnership to produce a great wine, out of France. The meeting with Robert Mondavi is decisive and gives birth to Opus One. As soon as the launch of the vintage 1979 in 1984, the price exceeds 50$. Mythical wine today, he has inheritors: Torres, Perrin or Drouhin invested outside, looking for the excellence and boosting the New World viticulture.

8) Petrus 1982: After a catastrophic decade in Bordeaux, 1982 looks like a miracle. At that time, an American wine critic, not really well knowned, is one of the first to recognise the quality of this vintage, contrary to his colleagues: Robert Parker. For the first time, the note of 100 is attributed to Petrus, Mouton and Léoville-Las-Casas. The Americans buy a lot of crates and the Châteaux get used to the American palate more opulent, named Parkerisation. Today, the Parker’s notes made a lot of emulators and the speculation continues to climb !

9) Château Lafite 1787: Among the closed club of the 5 first Premiers Crus Classés of Bordeaux, Château Lafite is one of the most expensive in the world. But in 1985, during an auction, Malcolm Forbes purchases the vintage 1787 for 160 000 $. A record at that time ! But more than its age, the initials “TH. J.” engrave in the glass, contributing to make this bottle a myth because indicating that it belonged no more, no less to Thomas Jefferson, the third President of United States and wine lover. Few years later, the authenticity of these initials were contested, prompting a scandal. And in all likelihood, these letters could be false. From that, producers and legislators continue to improve the methods against the fraud.

10) Ne Oublie 1882: Porto lover, this bottle is a myth ! Andrew James Symington decides in the XIXth century to leave United Kingdom for Portugal. In 1882, he arrives in the Douro and acquires 4 barrels of a unknowned Porto. With the time, “the part of angels” does its work. Until 2014, it were only 3 barrels, but one of its was bottled by the Symington family (Graham’s owner). 656 bottles are outputs for an experience, according to the amateurs, totally unforgettable: “Ne Oublie”.

Here, there is a non-exhautive list of the key wines in the history. Obviously, indulge youself in the comments to complete this oenological inventory, which is already salivating taste buds.