We have turned to some of our experts to inquire about their choices for the top ten wines they have tasted from the 20th-century. Their wine choices could come from any country, from any varietal. Some had no trouble listing their top ten, while others agonized. Clive Coates had no doubts and found it “relatively easy,” listing nine French and one German. Michael Broadbent found it a very thoughtful experience and even offered to list his top ten runners-up, a request not in keeping with the assignment. Hence, his top ten came with few sighs, yet is a generous and far-reaching list. Randy Sheahan, QRW’s editor, has a well known palate and has spent his days tasting the “greats,” but found that revising his list made for not a little neurosis. Eleanor and Ray Heald said “it was easy; we just sat down, talked, and never used our notebook—somehow, we believe that’s a true measure of great wine.”

Michael Broadbent, Master of Wine

• 1945 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
• 1921 Chateau d’Yquem
• 1962 La Tache,DRC
• 1966 Le Montrachet, DRC
• 1937 Wachenheimer Goldbachel-Gerumpel aller feinste Goldbeeren
• Trockenbeerenauslese Estate; J.L. Wolf-Erben
• 1961 Barbaresco, Gaja
• 1946 Pinot Noir, Beaulieu Vineyards
• 1931 Noval Nacional Port
• 1928 Krug Champagne
• 1920 Madeira, Malmsey, Cossart

Clive Coates, Master of Wine

• 1900 Chateau Margaux
• 1929 Chateau Latour
• 1949 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild
• 1953 Chateau Lafite
• 1961 Chateau Palmer
• 1949 Le Musigny, Comte De Vogue
• 1949 Richebourg, Domaine LeRoy
• 1949 Le Chambertin, Domaine LeRoy
• 1971 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Trochenbeernauslese, J.J. Prum
• 1971 Riesling Clos Sainte Hune, Trimbach

Jeff Frees

• 1997 Jeffrey Grosset Riesling, Polish Hill, Clare Valley, Australia
• 1961 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
• 1994 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Monte Bello
• 1971 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo, Brunate Riserva
• 1985 Amarone Riserva, Giuseppe Quintarelli
• 1988 Recioto dei Capitelli (sweet Soave), Roberto Anselmi
• 1996 Dao, Quinta dos Roques, Touriga Nacional
• 1962 Vega Sicilia, Unico Reserva
• 1986 Pesquera Janus, Reserva Especial
• __ Manzanilla Pasada, Vinicola Hidalgo y Cia (drawn from barrel)

Eleanor and Ray Heald

• 1939 Toro Albala Don PX Convento Bacchus
• 1958 Alfredo Prunotto Barolo Riserva
• 1963 Sandeman Vintage Porto
• 1974 Heitz Wine Cellars Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1975 Chateau Raymond-Lafon Sauternes
• 1976 Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler-Doktor
• 1979 Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne Rose
• 1982 Chateau Haut Brion
• 1985 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia
• 1988 Mongeard-Mugneret Grands Echezeaux

Randy Sheahan, Editor, QRW Editor

• 1931 Quinta do Noval Nacional Port
• 1961 Chateau Latour
• 1972 Musigny Vieilles Vignes, Comte de Vogue
• 1959 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
• 1961 Hermitage La Chapelle, Paul Jaboulet Aine
• 1964 Chateau Petrus
• 1961 Chateau Latour a Pomerol
• 1968 Heitz Cellars Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1959 Corton-Charlemagne, Domaine Louis Latour
• 1955 Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva

Richard L. Elia, Publisher, QRW

• 1931 Quinta Do Noval Nacional Port
• 1948 Taylor Fladgate Port
• 1945 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
• 1953 Chateau Lafite
• 1959 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
• 1959 Chateau Montrose
• 1961 Chateau Latour
• 1971 Domaine Romanee-Conti
• 1978 Domaine Romanee-Conti
• 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild