#3-#2: My 25 Most Exciting Wines of 2010

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

#3 2004 Cigliuti Barbaresco Vigne Erte

I first tasted this wine in 2009 which gave way to this controversial post on Corkd about supporting local retailers versus buying online.  I shared this wine with guests on the first day of 2010 and it had me thinking I may have tasted the best wine I'd try all year.  It sure came close.

My Notes: A stunningly good Italian red wine. Medium-dark ruby color. Candy-like fruit on the nose- reminded me of Luden's Wild Cherry Cough Drops in a good way. Gets serious on the palate. Rustic but complex and balanced. Medium-high acidity makes it food-friendly but absolutely delicious and enjoyable on its own. Appreciated by everyone who tasted it. Highly recommended.

$60 release price, 91 WS, 95 points for me.  A very memorable wine.  Loved it. 

#2 2008 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Las Alturas

I'd seen the name "Belle Glos" around for a few years but didn't know what it was about.  This wine did exactly what I hope a step up in price does from their entry-level bottling, delivering depth of flavor and site-specific nuances.  Their $25 Meiomi (MAY-oh-mee) bottling landed at #12 on my list and their vineyard-designated wines carry a release price of $44.  It may not be quite worth roughly 2x in my book -but- value hounds know you can always find a wine for less if you look around.

The first one is always free as they say.  I got a sample of this wine for an online Pinot Noir tasting.  Then I purchased a mixed case of their three single-vineyard designated wines it at a ridiculously low price from JJ Buckley.  The case has dwindled quickly.  The wine strikes the perfect balance between deliciousness and quality.  This wine also wound up at #2 on Drink Nectar's Top 10 of 2010 list.  Further reading on why this wine fared so well against #16 on my 2010 list in this post.

Wine.com: 2008 Belle Glos Taylor Lane Pinot Noir $34.99
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Other Posts in This Series:
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What do you think of these picks?  What were some of your favorite wines of 2010?

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