Spectator Surprises with Wines 10 through 6
Malbec Mendoza Finca Bella Vista 2010
95 points / $120
1,250 cases imported
Brunello di Montalcino 2007
94 points / $60
3,750 cases made
Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley Reserve 2009
94 points / $45
3,602 cases made
94 points / $40
3,555 cases made I think this was the most surprising of the surprising picks because none of the wines from the heralded 2008 vintage made the Top 10 and now a 2009 makes the list? Crazy. The availability, at least according to Wine-Searcher, is a bit quirky. I'd expect to see more of this wine around given its production level. Maybe they've moved on to the 2010s by now? I'd be up for trying some. < $40 for a 94 point Oregon Pinot Noir is hard to find. Shea puts out a classy bottle of wine. Wine-Searcher 6. Château Léoville Barton
St.-Julien 2009
95 points / $105
21,000 cases made Okay, this one wasn't a huge surprise in hindsight either. Bordeaux isn't cheap but the metrics here stack up well and the wine is still available. Wine-Searcher
I'd expect one more 2009 Bordeaux in the Top 5 (Pontet Canet maybe?) but I'd be really surprised if less than 2 2009 Rhones were in the Top 5. So as of now, Joe C is in the lead for the $200 Amazon gift card courtesy of Grapes the Wine Co. Further Reading:
- Check all of this year's guesses along with Wine-Searcher links (check the comment replies)
- This Washington wine retailer took a shot at guessing all 10 of the Top 10 wines and they're going for Rhones at both the #1 and #2 slots
- http://winespectator.com has free site access through November 27th, 2012. Tell your friends you're in it for the articles even if we know the only thing that matters is...scores! ;) (kidding of course)
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