The 43rd annual Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience was held on last October 17-19. It was three days of wine seminars and a Critics Choice grand tasting. The proceeds were for benefit of The Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation.

The Grand Tasting was held on two days and had over 250 international winemakers pouring their wines in a walk around tasting.

This event is probably, if not the best consumer wine tasting of the year with two floors of over 200 international wines rated 90+ points on the Wine Spectator ratings scale.

This year I was lucky enough to attend the event on both days. As is usual for me at these mega tastings, I focused my energies on one floor each night prioritizing Bordeaux and Napa Valley wines.

The event was held at the Marriott Marquis hotel at 1535 Broadway in the heart of Times Square, Manhattan.

Some of what I sampled:

New World

2004 Ridge Monte Bello (Santa Cruz Mtns.): Opaque black, tar, graphite and black leather on the nose, silky fruit with graphite notes ending with silky tannins.

2008 Pahlmeyer Merlot (Napa Valley): Opaque black fruit, brick rim, crushed raspberry and mint on the nose, juicy, smokey fruit and nicely balanced.

2014 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, roast nuts and bacon on the nose, juicy black fruit with mint notes, firm tannins.

2015 Opus One (Napa Valley): Opaque black, brick rim, earthy crushed dark fruit with mint notes on the nose, concentrated, stoney black fruit ending with a great grip and balance with a long finish.

2016 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Lot No. 1 (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed blueberry, wet stone and graphite on the nose, chunky, juicy dark chocolate fruit, great grip, long finish.

2019 To Kalon Vineyard Co. Cabernet Sauvignon H.W.C. (Oakville): Opaque black, purple rim, closed nose of crushed blueberries, juicy crushed fruit with firm acids.

2019 Bond St. Eden (Napa Valley): Clear medium red, purple rim, tarry nose, bright black fruit, firm tannins.

2021 Dominus Estate (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, graphite and black fruit on the nose, juicy and silky with silky tannins and a firm grip.

2021 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mt. District (Sonoma): Opaque black, purple rim, gritty dark chocolate on the nose, very concentrated black fruit with herb and mint note ending with firm crisp tannins.

2021 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard The Reserve (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed red fruit and stone on the nose, juicy black fruit ending with big tannins.

Old World

2012 Chateau Cos d’Estournel (St. Estephe): Opaque black, brick rim, nose of dirt and stinky dark chocolate, tight concentrated fruit ending with big tannins.

2015 Chateau Canon (St. Emilion): Opaque black, brick rim, big nose of barnyard, chunky dark chocolate fruit ending with lip smacking tannins.

2015 Chateau Giscours (Margaux): Opaque black, brick rim, tar and dried leaf on the nose, concentrated black fruit with mint notes ending with firm but balanced tannins.

2016 Chateau Talbot (St. Julien): Opaque black, brick rim, toasted roast nuts on the nose, concentrated fruit with raspberry notes, silky and firm tannin.

2017 Chateau Pavie (St. Emilion): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed black stone on the nose, silky black fruit with graphite notes, great balance, long finish.

2018 Chateau Phelan Segur (St. Estephe): Opaque black, brick rim, crushed blueberries on the nose, concentrated, silky red fruit ending with a great grip.

2018 Chateau Pichon Longueville Lalande (Pauillac): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed stone on the nose, concentrated and silky black fruit with mint notes, silky tannins, great balance.

2019 Chateau Leoville Barton (St. Julien): Clear dark red, purple rim, crushed black fruit and dark chocolate on the nose, silky red fruit with tar notes, firm grip.

2019 Chateau Montrose (St. Estephe): Opaque black, purple rim, stone and crushed black fruit on the nose, juicy red fruit, firm tannins.