Annual Hijinks: Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2009 Guessing Game

October 16th, 2009

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It’s nearly upon us…the countdown to the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of the Year. For the third year in a row, I’ll be hosting a contest in which you’ll submit your guesses for the top ten that the Spectator will crown with honors. The first year, I asked you to post your guesses in the comments. Last year, I had you email me with your guesses. This year, I think going back to the original format will be best.

So, start commenting away on what you think will be in the top ten, one entry per individual (but feel free to leave as many comments as you wish; after all, this is meant to be a dialogue). I used to give a six-pack of really low scoring wines as the prize. Now I’m going to let you choose your own (don’t worry, I still carry many low scoring wines…) with the $75 gift certificate to domaine547.com or domaineLA that you’ll earn.

FYI, I would put some money on the Red Car Heaven and Earth Pinot Noir being in the list somewhere, but not the top ten since it’s too small production (let’s say it’s top 50). I also think we’ll see some 2007 Chateauneufs, very few (if any) wines from Bordeaux in the top 10, and perhaps a surprise appearance from a 2008 German Riesling.

Now, guess away!

15 Responses to “Annual Hijinks: Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2009 Guessing Game”

  1. Gravatar Icon SO

    Cassanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova 2004
    Antinori Bolgheri Superiore Tenuta Guado al Tasso 2006
    Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio 2006
    POGGIO IL CASTELLARE BDM WS96
    HALL Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Kathryn Hall 2006
    Fonseca Vintage Port 2003
    Chateau de Beaucastel CDP 2007
    Clos Des Papes CDP 2007
    Landmark Syrah Sonoma Valley Stell Plow 2006
    Croft Vintage Port 2003

  2. Gravatar Icon Robert Dwyer

    Great game! Love it.

    Here are some guesses (though I’m not sure that all of these are up for consideration this year vs. last vs. next):

    2007 Merry Edwards Sauv Blanc
    2005 Columbia Crest Reserve Cab
    2007 Paraiso Pinot Noir
    2006 Chappellet Signature Cab
    2006 Schrader T6 Cabernet
    2006 Villa Pillo Toscana Borgoforte

    I like the Kathryn Hall submission too, and agree with your take on the Red Car Pinot. Looking forward to seeing how this goes.

  3. Gravatar Icon RichardA

    2007 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape
    2006 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
    Here is my list.

    2005 Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
    2006 Fontodi Flaccianello
    2005 Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco
    2007 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc
    2006 Barone Ricasoli Brolio
    2003 Croft Vintage Port
    2007 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau
    2006 Schrader Cellars T6 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

  4. Gravatar Icon Jeff

    Hell, these are all guesses, right? I mean, it could really be all 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape as far as everyone else is concerned. Funny there seems to be a lot of people thinking that 07 CDP is going to be the saving grace of the wine industry. Becuase I’m sure that there wasn’t any other good wine made in the last couple of years…haha. I already got my bottles of Telegraphe weeks ago (and Telegramme too, that’s one smoking wine)…

    2007 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau
    2007 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape
    2004 Collemattoni Brunello di Montalcino
    2005 Viña Quebrada de Macul “Domus Aurea” Cabernet Sauvignon
    2007 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port
    2007 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc
    2005 Renato Ratti “Rocche” Barolo
    2007 Guigal La Doriane Condrieu
    2007 J.J. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese
    2006 K Syrah Walla Walla Valley Cougar Hills

  5. Gravatar Icon sara l

    what an awesome contest! wish i was a good guesser about these things.

  6. Gravatar Icon kevin keith

    Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau 2007
    Celler Mas Doix Priorat Salanques 2006
    La Massa Giorgio Primo 2007
    Owen Roe Syrah Lady Rosa 2007
    Red Car Pinot Noir Heaven & Earth La Boheme 2007
    Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
    Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
    Tardieu Laurent Gigondas V.V. 2007
    Chasseur Chardonnay Sangiocomo Green Acres Hill 2007
    Robert Biale Zinfandel Old Crane Ranch 2007

  7. Gravatar Icon Chris R

    I love this time of year. The anticipation is always greater than the outcome but that is what makes it fun. I’m hoping we are surprised like last year. I thought it was phenomenal that a wine from Chile (not Italy, France or California)took the top prize. Long overdue. Here’s hoping that its not another CDP that hasn’t been released yet (like Chateau Beaucastel) even though 2007 CDPs seem to be the headline.

    Kosta Browne Sonoma Pinot Noir 2007
    Fontodi Flaccianello 2006
    Ch De Beaucastel CDP 2007
    Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Kathryn Hall 2006
    Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2005
    Mondavi Reserve Cab 2006
    Vieux Telegraphe CDP 2007
    Leeuwin “Art Series” Chardonnay Margaret River 2005
    Columbia Crest Reserve Cab 2005
    Ch Ducru Beaucaillou 2006

    Sette Ponte Oreno 06, Concha Toro Don Melchor, Le Vieux Donjon CDP 07, Uccelliera Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 and the Merry Edwards SB are my honorable mentions. I’d love to see a Spanish wine or a Prum Riesling atop the list but year after year they get shut out.

  8. Gravatar Icon G C

    2007 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc R R Valley
    2006 Schrader Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Val T6 Kalon Vim
    2006 Jean-Louis Hermitage White
    2004 Penfolds Shiraz South Australia Grange
    2006 Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Classico Brolio
    2007 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape
    2004 Marcassin Chardonay Sonoma Coast Z10 Tony Ranch
    2008 Madrigal Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
    2007 Red Car Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Heaven&Earth
    2007 Tardieu-Laurent Gigondas Vielles Vignes

    What a great idea, so happy to participate. So interesting to read how many people included the same
    wines on their lists. This must mean something, did this also happen for the past 2 years?

  9. Gravatar Icon Robert Dwyer

    I submitted 8 guesses before- here’s 2 more:

    2005 Chateau de Pibarnon Bandol
    2006 Fontodi Colli della Toscana Centrale Flaccianello

    Good luck to everyone!

  10. Gravatar Icon Trevor Loomis

    Here is my Kiwi slant on the top 100 wines of the year
    Vidal Hawkes Bay Syrah 2007
    Newton Forrest Gimblett Gravels Cornerstone 2006
    Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2007
    The Doctors’ Riesling 2009
    No.1 Family Estate No.1
    Johanneshof Gewurztraminer 2009
    Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc
    Clayridge Wild Ferment Rose 2009

  11. Gravatar Icon Hugh

    Wow. Way to go RichardA

  12. Gravatar Icon G C

    Almost “Nailed It” Richard, impressive list!

  13. Gravatar Icon Glennis Malling

    After looking through this page I have made the decision to subscribe to your rss feed. I trust your coming content will come to be just as interesting.

  14. Gravatar Icon Chloe Bags

    First issue , A big thanks to you to open my eyes….

  15. Gravatar Icon cell tech pro series

    Good information over again! I am looking forward for more updates! Look at my website when you can http://www.effectivevitamins.com

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