It's that time of year again when everybody and their uncle has a top 10 list - of the year, of the decade, whatever. So, it's going to be with great exhaustion that we all absorb these lists and try to decipher what makes sense for each of us. For me, that's part of why I put together a top wine list for my year - it really helps me remember what I've tasted, what I've liked the most and why. My list is made up of only wines that I've tasted and in that sense, it's not nearly as broad reaching as say a Wine Spectator or some other list that works from thousands of bottles every year. But, I try as much as I can to stay on top of trends, new wines and wines that are off the beaten track a bit, so hopefully it helps some of you along the way as well.
2006 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard Walla Walla Valley. The fruit on this wine is some of the most subtle I've ever tasted on a Washington Syrah. With 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier, there's definitely a nice fruit balance on the front end with blackberry, blueberry and raspberry, but when it hits the mid-palate, there is a truly unique minerality, leather and earthiness that takes over and subdues the fruit. Not a UFC-type submission, but more like a dinner with the Dalai Lama who convinces you that everything you ever thought about life was wrong...and it was all okay with you, even uplifting and motivating. Having enjoyed this wine with two good buddies who are true wine aficionados made it all that much better. My rating: 94- 2005 Chateau Plince Pomerol. This really is a beautiful wine. Definite blackberry, licorice, tea and oak, with a little touch of earth and leather. It's a complex wine that's incredibly well balanced, with just the right acidity and tannins to make it feel vibrant and alive through the strong finish. Amazingly velvety and textured for a 2005 - particularly since it was just released in early March. No doubt this will get better with age, but certainly a great wine now - I can only imagine what it would taste like if decanted for an hour or so before drinking. My rating: 92+
- 2006 Sea Smoke Ten Pinot Noir. This is, hands down, the best
Pinot Noir I have ever tasted. I first learned about Sea Smoke with the 2004 vintage and it continues to amaze me with this, my third vintage of Sea Smoke. This is not a faint, light Pinot - it's dense, rich and incredibly well balanced, with a complexity unrivaled in other Pinots (or, at least those I've tasted). Definitely one of those wines I'm sad to finish...my only consolation is the 4 other bottles in my cellar, but I think I'll wait a few years on those. My rating: 95 - 2008 Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir, Valle Central. Part of the Whole Foods Holiday Wine Top ten list...This is a light, fruity, spicy Pinot Noir, with blackberry, cherry, spice and toasted vanilla notes. You won
't find any stemmy qualities or rich complexities, but it is incredibly well balanced, with very little heat and a nice mid-range finish. It's definitely a wine that would work well in the early stages of Christmas dinner, just after a nice white and some cheeses. And, if you're thinking "how did a $6 wine make it to #4," I'll bet if you decant this bottle and just let people try it blind, you will find that they think it is a much more expensive bottle of Pinot Noir than it actually is. Tons of quality packed in this value wine. My rating: 89 / 90+ for a wine under $10. - 2005 Long Shadows "Pedestal" Merlot Columbia Valley. I've been a big fan of the Long Shadows wines for so
me time now and this one lived up to the expectation. A recommendation from a good, very trusted wine friend, I was actually more entranced by this wine than I thought I would be. Huge nose, with dark cherries, plum and mocha, followed by some mellow Christmas spice notes (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove). Tannins are a little chalky still, but will mellow over time and I'm glad I have a few more in the cellar so I can taste it when it does. My rating: 92 - 2004 Fattoria Poggiopiano Rosso Di Sera Toscana.
This was a beautiful Tuscan wine. Extremely well balanced, with dark berries, coffee and hint of maple syrup and rich spice, this is one of the best wines I tasted yet in Italy. If I let my wine sit for a few minutes, it became better balanced, gentler and more silky. Once I swirled it, it became hot, tannic and angry. This can happen with most wines, but the transformation was much more pronounced on this wine than I've seen in others. It's as if all the wine wanted to do was sit back and unfold, no pressure, no worries. The second I asked it to do something it didn't want to, it let me know and became a different and lesser wine. It really did feel pissed off when riled up. A true lesson in letting wine develop as it needs to, no matter what you think is right for it. My rating: 92 
2008 Michel Schlumberger Pinot Blanc. It's clearly a French-style wine, not a sweet or oakey California white - one of the cleanest, most refreshing and simple white wines that has had the pleasure of meeting my palate...as the person pouring said "drinks like water, doesn't it?" That's partially true, but only in regards to the ease with which it goes down. But, there is some complexity here, as nuanced as it is. Good subtle fruit and touch of mineral and metal, almost a zinc-like quality, that does add some interesting qualities to the wine. My rating: 89- 2007 Fontanafredda Barbera Piemonte Briccotondo. On the nose I got dirt and grass and plum and cherry and chocolate, all mix
ed up like a rich, aromatic stew. A good solid swirl and I also pick up some crushed black pepper and even just a hint of menthol. Great nose on this wine. It's big and intense and complex, which, for me, is exactly what I like - builds so much expectation for tasting the wine. As for taste, definitely on the earthy and not entirely old school, but on the older school side of red wine. Some good solid young fruit, nice acidity and strong tannins that are drinkable now, but should also be good with a few years of aging. On the palate - front, mid and back all powerful and lasting. Are you getting the point here? I love this wine. Hard to believe this is going for $11. My rating: 90 
2007 D.R. Stephens Chardonnay. For some reason, I did not review this wine on my blog in 2009, but, regardless, I was truly impressed by how well made it is. I couldn't find my original tasting notes for this wine, so I've included notes from Wine Spectator: Rich and full-bodied, this is framed by smoky, toasty oak, but also offers a delicious core of pear- and nectarine-laced flavors that are pure and elegant. Although I don't remember the core elements of the wine from my tasting, I do remember being pleasantly surprised by how rich, complex and non-oakey this was for a CA Chardonnay - very distinct from most of the other Chardonnay's I've tasted from Califonia. My rating: 91- Sancerre. This is an interesting entry for the list as I believe it's still a work in progress. I was first introduced to Sancerre this
year and it absolutely captured my imagination. The Sancerre region in France is known for its whites, particularly those using the Sauvignon Blanc grape, and is unique in its landscape of chalky limestone and flint-filled hills. Most Sancerrre's are 100% Sauvignon Blanc, unblended and made without much, if any, oak. The reason I'm so intrigued by Sancerre is that I have liked every one I've tried and yet I am not a fan of most Sauvignon Blanc's. For me, Sauvignon Blanc is usually a little too thin and overoaked, particularly the California versions. But, the Sancerre brings something very different to the table. It feels more pure to me and doesn't try to hide the glory of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. My rating: varies by bottle
If you want to go back in time, you may want to check out my top ten wine list for 2008.
What's on your list this year?
What's on your list this year?
Gadget
The Pepperwood Grove is proving to be a very solid cooking/drinking while cooking wine. I've been using it in sauces and dishes today and it's working great. And the occasional glass for the cook hits the spot.
it would be a shame not have some of the wine while you're cooking...a little bit for the sauce, a little bit for the chef. tried and true.
i picked up some more of the pepperwood this week and it stayed consistent. and, i was happy to have a sub-$10 on my top 10 - it was pretty slim pickin's this year, at least of the wines that i tasted in that price range.
also cool because i kind of gave up on pepperwood grove a while back - i'll need to pay attention a little more to see if there are any other gems in their collection.
happy holidays!
Yes, I agree. The Pepperwood has tasted great consistently, consistently, consistently. No duds; no bottles that had to be poured down the drain---out of the 10 bottles I've tasted to date and which were purchased at different times from different locations.
Cheers
cool that you've tried 10 of them already. i've only gotten into 3 but all 3 have been bery consistent. and one i even accidentally put in the fridge for a week before realizing that was stupid - even so, tasted just like the other two bottles.
hmmm, you're making me want to get more.
cheers.
What's cool about this is that I've only had one of these. More to try!
Cheers!
that's cool. let me know what you think if you try some of these.
cheers!
I love Sancerre and I love your blog - so surprised you were just introduced. Also - awesome job on the D.R. Stephens Chard, have you had his son Justin's HUNNICUTT Chard? It's delightful and VERY small production!
thanks for the kind words. glad you like the blog.
sancerre took me totally off guard this year - i'm surprised i was just introduced too. i'm all about exploring new sancerre's, so if you have any suggestions, let me know.
the d.r. stephens blew me away - great chardonnay. i shared it with my whole family and they all loved it too. have not had the hunnicutt chard, but will definitely check it out on your recommendation.
cheers!