Wine Spectator Wine of the Year Top Ten: It’s Time For Number One!

November 14th, 2008

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2005 Casa Lapostolle, Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley, Chile. Who woulda thunk? Ummm, apparently contest entrant Richard, who had it on his list. Congrats! I was wrong about pretty much everything.

That leaves Richard and Tim in a dead heat, each with two correct answers. Though Richard has the number one wine on his list, he didn’t place his guesses in order. Tim did, and his two hits — the Telegraphe and the Quinta do Crasto — were positioned fairly closely to the actual results.

So I say we split the prize. Cheers to Richard from A Passionate Foodie and Tim from Winecast for taking part in this fun tradition to be. Next year I may go back to posting answers in the comments as I think it was better for encouraging dialogue.

In the meantime, I’d like to comment on what an odd Top Ten I think this is. No Chardonnay, from anywhere in the world. No Pinot Noir, from anywhere in the world. Not even a California Cabernet. In fact, in the whole top ten there’s just one wine from California, a mass-production Zin from Sonoma County. While the US, Italy, Chile and Australia are there, the list is clearly dominated by the wines of France. But apparently the Spectator couldn’t bear to put an 05 Bordeaux in the number one position?

The only thing these wines have in common is their large-ness, at least on paper. The tasting notes provided by the Spectator are full of descriptors such as “big,” “juicy,” “powerful,” “ripe,” and “seductive and vigorous.” They speak of unnoticeable, well-integrated tannins (except with the Rhones, where “structure” is apparently a virtue) and smoky, chocolately, oaky notes. Ultimately, this is an extremely parochial view of the wine world, even more so than I would have expected.

Wines 11 through 100 will be available for perusal on Monday, but I’m not expecting any surprises. That’s where all the Cali Cabs and Burgundies that didn’t make the top Ten will be, along with Bella’s Garden, a couple of Champagnes (Bollinger 2003?), and a token Riesling.

To recap, here are the top ten:

1. 2005 Casa Lapostolle, Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley, Chile

2. 2005 Chateau Rauzan-Segla, Margaux

3. 2005 Quinta do Crasto, Reserva Old Vines, Douro Valley

4. 2005 Chateau Guiraud, Sauternes

5. 2005 Vieux Telegraphe, Le Crau, Chateauneuf-du-Pape

6. 2004 Pio Cesare Barolo

7. 2005 Chateau Pontet-Canet, Pauillac

8. 2005 Chateau de Beaucastel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape

9. 2007 Mollydooker Carnival of Love Shiraz, McLaren Vale

10. 2007 Seghesio Zinfandel, Sonoma County

2 Responses to “Wine Spectator Wine of the Year Top Ten: It’s Time For Number One!”

  1. Gravatar Icon Ryan

    Wow, no Spain, but a Douro Red!!! Great news for Portugal! Oh and though I didn’t participate(no access to the WS) I still love that you do this contest! Keep up the good work!

    Cheers, r

  2. Gravatar Icon RichardA

    Thanks! I was just glad I got any of the wines correct after my dismal showing last year. I was fun and definitely hope you do it again next year.

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get your wine on

2007 Scholium Project Naucratis Verdelho

Abe Schoener strikes again, this time with a great Verdelho at a slightly lower price-point than the Gemella. This is 100% tank-fermented and a very dry, mineral-laden wine. This is one of the reasons why Schoener is earning status as a winemaker as a cult winemaker. It delivers. $28 for Scholium goodness.

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2007 La Fenetre “A Coté” Red Blend, Santa Barbara County from Timeless Palate Wines

This is astoundingly good for the money. It’s 60% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard, and 40% Merlot from the Bien Nacido Vineyard. The winemaker, Josh Klapper, is a mere 29 years old and one to watch. This is red, juicy and lush but not over the top. $18 and worth every penny.

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Just a couple of images for the now…

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