Steven Spurrier’s top wine memories

A sold-out masterclass at the recent Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in London saw Steven Spurrier introduce 12 of his most memorable wines to a room full of enthusiastic attendees, Decanter's content editor, John Stimpfig tastes through them...

Steven Spurrier needs little introduction to anyone with more than a passing interest in wine.

Famed for organising the Judgement of Paris tasting in 1976, Decanter’s consultant editor has accumulated a lifetime of vinous memories, which he brought together for this masterclass on the Sunday afternoon of this year’s Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in London.

The 12 wines he picked represent people he’s met along the way, famed estates and even his own sparkling wine project in Dorset.

Decanter’s content editor, John Stimpfig, chaired this fantastic masterclass. See his tasting notes & scores below for an insight into Spurrier’s wine memories – exclusively for Decanter Premium members.

Steven Spurrier’s top wine memories:

Bride Valley, Blanc de Blancs – From Spurrier’s own winery in the Dorset countryside.Pol Roger, Blanc de Blancs – A rare wine from Winston Churchill’s favourite Champagne house – also the favourite of Spurrier.Domaine Georges Vernay, Les Chaillees d’Enfer, Condrieu – The man who saved Viognier, according to Spurrier.R López de Heredia, Vina Tondonia Blanco – The cellars have barely changed since his first visit in 1965.Château Prieuré-Lichine, Margaux – In memory of Alexis Lichine, ‘my hero’.Domaine Tempier, Cuvee Classique, Bandol – In memory of Lucien Peyraud, who helped to create the Bandol AOC. His wife, Lucie, is still going strong at 101 years’ old.Paul Jaboulet Aîné, La Chapelle, Hermitage – Spurrier did an internship here in 1965, when the 1961 Hermitage was the same price as a villages Volnay.Antinori, Tignanello – In memory of legendary consultant, Giacomo Tachis. Spurrier offered his own stocks of the 2006 for this tasting, which Piero Antinori had told him was their best ever vintage at the time it was made.

Errazuriz, Vinedo Chadwick – In memory of Eduardo Chadwick.

Penfolds, St Henri Shiraz – Spurrier calls Penfolds THE Australian icon, and states that he prefers St Henri to Grange or Bin 707.

Schloss Vollrads, Spatlese Riesling – In memory of Graf Matuska, who attempted to further the cause of trocken wines years before its time.

Hugel, Sélection de Grains Nobles Pinot Gris– In memory of Johnnie Hugel, who created this AOC, and also of Etienne Hugel. Spurrier worked here in 1965.

John Stimpfig’s Notes

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