Spectator Surprises with Wines 10 through 6
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Wine Spectator began revealing their Top 10 wines of 2012 today and there were more surprises than ever. Of the 5 wines revealed only 1 was guessed in our Scoop the Spectator 2012 contest - a shockingly low number.
Here are the 5 wines revealed today, along with some commentary on each along with Wine-Searcher links...
10. Achával-Ferrer
Malbec Mendoza Finca Bella Vista 2010
95 points / $120
1,250 cases imported
8. Beringer
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:
Here are the 5 wines revealed today, along with some commentary on each along with Wine-Searcher links...
10. Achával-Ferrer
Malbec Mendoza Finca Bella Vista 2010
95 points / $120
1,250 cases imported
Surprising because Spectator tends to favor wines south of $100 for attainability purposes, plus Argentine Malbec is a value driven category so this pick is seems particularly strange. Where's the value?
Wine-Searcher from $88.99
9. Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona
Brunello di Montalcino 2007
94 points / $60
3,750 cases made
Brunello di Montalcino 2007
94 points / $60
3,750 cases made
A bit of a surprise because it didn't hit 95 points. But $60 is a good price for a really nice bottle of Brunello and thanks to healthy availability it can be had south of $40. Definitely buy a bottle of this one.
Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley Reserve 2009
94 points / $45
3,602 cases made
This one was the only one that wasn't a surprise. In their 2009 Napa Cab report this wine sticks out like a sore thumb in a good way. It's hard to find a 94 point rated 2009 Napa Cab for less than $100 let alone less than $50. Expect this one to vaporize quickly. Buy buy buy!
7. Shea
Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Shea Vineyard Estate 200994 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)
Check back tomorrow as Wine Spectator reveals wines 5 through 3 tomorrow.