Every year, Wine Spectator, the influential American Wine publication releases their Top 100 Wines of the year. This year was no exception, although the criteria for making the list appears to have changed from
previous years. The focus this year is value driven wines as very noticeable that only a handful of wines on this list is over $100 while the majority are less than $25. Besides value, availability and the ‘X’ factor are the other criteria. However, given that the top two wines of the year have been unavailable for some time now, it almost defeats the purpose of naming the Wine of the Year that no one can get any of. Nevertheless, every wine connoisseur watches with interest to see they can acquire any of the wines..deVine has sixteen wines that made the grade for your attention.
It is heaven for lovers of American wines, as over thirty percent of the list is American! And it is wonderful for those of you looking for valued driven wines. Note what we have is limited, although there are probably another dozen wines or so on that needs to roll over to the correct vintage, it will not be here in time for Christmas so buy what’s available now. Here they are listed in descending ranking:
- 2006 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum (Napa Valley, California) – $149.99
- 2007 Two Hands Bell’as Garden Shiraz (Barossa, Australia) – $64.99
- 2005 Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz (South Australia) – $56.99
- 2006 Rodney Strong Reserve Chardonnay (Russian River, California) – $59.99
- 2006 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel (Paso Robles, California) – $49.99
- 2006 Peter Lehmann Shiraz (Barossa, Australia) – $21.99
- 2007 Trimbach Riesling (Alsace, France) – $25.99
- 2006 Santa Rita Medalla Real Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo, Chile) – $21.49
- 2006 Monte Antico Toscana (Tuscany, Italy) – $16.99
- 2008 Dr. Loosen ‘L’ Riesling (Germany) – $16.49
- 2008 Heartland Viognier-Pinot Gris (Langhorne Creek, Australia) – $21.49
- 2007 Catena Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) – $20.99
- 2006 The Magnificent Wine Company Syrah (Columbia Valley, Washington) – $33.99
- 2007 Clos la Coutale (Cahors, France) – $18.99
- NV Gloria Ferrer Brut (Sonoma, California) – $32.99
- 2006 Hijos de Juan Gil Monastrell (Jumilla, Spain) – $26.49
- 2007 Tohu Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand) – $37.99
- NV Louis Roederer Premier Brut (Champagne, France) – $64.99