Quick post today. Wines 4, 3 and 2 were just posted at the Spectator…

4. 2005 Chateau Guiraud Sauternes - 97 points, $57. In line with our follow-up comment yesterday that if there would be a white this year, it would be a Sauternes.
3. 2005 Quinta de Crasto, Douro Reserva Old Vines - 95 points, $40, this is the dark horse of the top ten and was astutely predicted by Tim Elliott of Winecast (he had it in 7th position, but we’ll forgive him that minor discrepancy).
and
2. 2005 Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux - 97 points, $100 according to the Spectator but try finding it for under $150 (and after today, we’re guessing closer to $200). Not surprisingly, another Bordeaux.

And this should give the top spot to a Napa Cab, unless the Spectator is completely dissing California this year, which is highly unlikely. My guess is for the new Mondavi Continuum project or the 2005 Scarecrow, but what do I know? Italy with all its Tuscan drama seems left out in the cold.

#8: 2005 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape
#7: 2005 Chateau Pontet Canet Pauillac

Looks like the Spectator is going heavy on a couple of things this year:

First, the 2005 vintage in France (and likely California for Napa Cabs) reigns. They’re just avoiding 2006, which makes sense for Bordeaux given that the 2006 stock hasn’t really hit the marketplace yet, but not so much for the Rhone where the 2006’s are plentiful. I guess they just don’t find the 2006 Clos des Papes as good as the 2005 Beaucastel?

Second, the Bordeaux shaped bottle dominates the Top Ten. I noticed this yesterday when I first looked at the silhouettes of the bottles, and Tim pointed to it in his comment as well. The Spectator does really seem to telegraph their choices through the graphics. Of the wines revealed thus far, only one of four is in a Burgundy-shaped bottle (the Beaucastel, of course). Of the six still to be announced, there’s but one lonely Burgundy-shaped bottle left. I’d expect this to be either a 2005 (Red) or 2006 (White) Burgundy, or a California Chardonnay.

Pinot Noir from stateside is probably a non-starter, as nobody has raved about the 2006 offerings from Kosta Browne and the likes, which were under-performers from a point-perspective.

FYI we have a contestant on the boards, with one entrant listing the 2005 Pontet (but no “Canet”) in his entry. Good for at least partial credit!

More madness follows tomorrow.

Today, we find ourselves the victims of our own “price check” feature. We had to pick a few items up at Costco, and as is our habit, we also perused the wine aisles. Sadly, we found ourselves in the position of Whole Foods, seeing one item in common with Costco that we’re far from competitive on from a price perspective. In fact, Costco not offers a better price. They offer a much, much, much better price. Like, ridiculously good. What some wine stores might bill in email blasts as “an out-and-out steal” worthy of a “five case buy!” Read more…