James Suckling brought over 300 world-renowned wine producers to Miami Beach for the Great Wines of the World 2023 Grand Tasting – one of the USA’s best and largest wine gatherings featuring the top wine regions in the world. This tour of top-scoring wines, which were all rated at least 92 points (most scoring 95-98 points) featured many of the JamesSuckling.com Top 100 Wines of 2022 list. The event featured celebrated winemakers from iconic wineries sharing their valuable insights.
Beaulieu Vineyard’s Ruterford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($85) dubbed “Baby George” held up quite nicely beside their signature 100-point Georges de Latour Private Reserve 2019 ($150)
FUTO Estate Vineyards pours their 2019 FUTO OV | SL ($270) 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and FUTO Oakville Cabernet ($480) 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
I’ve always enjoyed Daou Vineyards’ signature Soul of a Lion ($150) and was equally impressed with their 2019 Estate Mayote ($125)
Long-time favorite Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro poured their 2019 and 2020 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon ($145)
After 24-months barrel aging, Vik Millahue ($149) from Chile’s Cachapoal Valley perfectly pairs with wagyu steak and herb rubbed roasted lamb ribs.
Seña ($150) is a unique Bordeaux-style red blend with a very Chilean soul backed by family heritage, Eduardo Chadwick and Robert Mondavi. Its predominant variety is Cabernet Sauvignon while Carmenere ties it to Chile.
Baronesa P. ($68) is a full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere with Cabernet Franc from Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s operation in Maipo, Chile
Florence and Daniel Cathiard of Bordeaux’s Smith Haut Lafitte recently acquired Cathiard Vineyard, a historic property in Napa Valley. The prestigious estate is situated in Rutherford and St. Helena at the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, and the winery’s tasting boutique offers on-site experiences featuring Cathiard Vineyard’s new range of limited-production wines.
2020 vintages of Saint-Émilion’s Château Tour Saint Christophe ($35) and Château Haut-Brisson ($30) under stewardship of Peter Kwok and his daughter Elaine.
Château Mouton d’Armailhac ($75) and Château Clerc Milon ($105) Fifth Growth neighbors located between two prestigious First Growths, Château Mouton Rothschild and Lafite in Pauillac.
Ruffino Super Tuscan Modus ($29) features a blend of three noble grape varieties and punches way above its weight class.
Second Grand Cru Classé Château Pichon Baron ($200) and their second wine Les Griffons de Pichon Baron ($60) hail from one of the great historic vineyards of Bordeaux.
Sons of Eden Remus 2019 Eden Valley ($80) and Romulus 2019 Barossa Valley Old Vine Shiraz ($80) showcase an exceptional Barossa vintage for old vine Shiraz that should age gracefully for many years to come.
Prats + Symington Chryseia ($106) and its second wine, Post Scriptum ($36), are consistently amongst the most highly rated Douro wines
Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny ($50) and Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port ($53) provide the perfect finish to any tasting
To cap off our night, Jesus opened a pair of exceptional bottles of Dunham Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Host Jesus Cabarcos in his wine rooom
Back into the tastings as we explored the French and found a new definition for “Bait and Switch”… A French Discrepancy marked our night at the French Cafe, “Oui, we like wine but, we charge corkage…” Our night at Buena Vista Bistro also marked Wesley’s first wine club event as a member.
