Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines of 2009

The Top 100 Most Exciting Wines of 2009 Every year Wine Spectator magazine publishes its highly anticipated list of Top 100 wines. What makes the Top 100? The Spectator team tastes more then 17,000 new releases from around the world in blind tastings each year and they narrow those down to a "best of" list based on four criteria: 1. Quality (represented by a score on the 100 point scale)  2. Value (represented by price) 3. Availability (based on cases produced) 4. X-factor (excitement about a wine) Many of the bottles on this list become the "most wanted" wines in the country. While many people love the whole rating system of the Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate, some people don't.  Personally, I think the important things to remember are that "best of" lists are fun and make great conversation and also that these lists are always a great way to discover some new wine.  On this years list I found several wines that were new to me.  In addition, it's a great way to try wines from a region you may not have explored.  The list below includes the top 100 wines we have in stock.  We have less then a case of many of these wines so if you are interested please send us an email or stop by!  Thanks, Chris

We either already had in stock or I ordered almost everything we could get that was the correct vintage (except for #1 and #2).  In many cases the vintage on the top 100 list was already sold out.  The price of these wines range from $11 to $80.  Enjoy! 1  Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve 2005  95 Points  Ripe in flavor, with a vivid array of black currant, blackberry, violet, black tea and black pepper aromas and flavors that zoom through to a long, expressive finish. Shows subtlety in the layers of complex flavor against a refined structure. Tannins are present but nicely contained. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 5,000 cases made.  We have the 2006 in stock.  The 2005 sold out nearly a year ago. $32.99 SOLD OUT 2  Numanthia-Termes Toro Termes 2005 96 Points Austere yet alluring, this powerful red is thick and tannic, yet reveals a core of blackberry, mineral, hoisin and graphite that's dense and pure. Monolithic now, but has depth and balance. Modern, but shows a real sense of place.  We have the 2007 in stock.  The 2005 sold out over a year ago.  The wine consistently gets scores in the 90's. $32.99 3  Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2007 95 Points Packed, in a brawny, muscular style atypical for this lush vintage, with a gravelly undertow to the currant paste, braised fig and dark licorice notes. Picks up even more steam on the finish, with grilled mesquite, mineral and garrigue notes and a long, hot stone filled finish. In Stock Now. $79.99 6  Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Signature 2006 94 Points.  We have the 2007 in stock. 18 Two Hands Bella's Garden 2007 94 Points In Stock Now $59.99 23 Lewis Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2007 95 Points This opulent, full-bodied Chardonnay delivers amazing richness, focus, complexity and range of flavor. Concentrated pear, fig and citrus notes have a nice smoky, toasty oak overlay. The finish is bold and complex, with touches of butterscotch.  This wine sold out last summer.  We have the 2008 in stock.  $64.99 24  Penfolds Shiraz South Australia St. Henri 2005 95 Points Aromatic, complex and silky, slipping in its gorgeous blackberry, currant and plum fruit against a seething background of toast, spice, mineral and loamy earth. The texture is seamless, and the flavors just take off, sailing through the long, expressive finish.  In stock now. $74.99 29  Chalone Chardonnay Chalone 2007 92 Points Exhibits a complex mix of subtle pear and mineral with pleasant earthy notes and floral scents. Tight and full-bodied, ending with a long, persistent finish.  In Stock Now. $36.99 30  Sette Ponti Toscana Crognolo 2007 93 Points Beautiful aromas of dried cherry, plum and blackberry, with hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins and a fruity finish. Balanced and delicious. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.   In Stock Now.  $36.99 32  Bodega Colomé Malbec Calchaquí Valley 2007 92 Points This Argentine red is quite ripe, with nearly exotic plum sauce, braised fig and crushed blueberry notes rolled together, while spice, mocha and incense hints help stretch out the juicy, dense finish. A flashy style, but well-balanced.  In Stock Now. $29.99 38  Chateau Ste. Michelle Cab Sauv Horse Heaven Hills Canoe Ridge Estate 2006 92 Points Sturdy, ripe and generous, with a surprisingly soft edge to the explosive black cherry, currant, black olive and smoke flavors, lingering effortlessly on the big, round finish.  SOLD OUT.  $32.99 39  Yalumba Viognier Eden Valley 2008 92  Points Smooth and creamy, the polished texture supporting an explosive range of lemon meringue, pear, pineapple and spice flavors that ease into the long, vivid finish. 1,500 cases imported. In Stock Now.  $19.99 48  Quinta do Vale Meão Douro Meandro 2006 92 Points Offers a powerful aroma of crushed red fruits, with flavors to match. There's an intense minerality that's accented by notes of beef and pepper, with medium-grained tannins on the closed finish. Needs some time in the cellar. . The 2006 is not yet released, but we have the 2005 in stock now which got 91 Points and is fantastic.  $21.99   52  Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2007 93 Points Bold, aromatic and ripe, but very elegant, with racy acidity providing the ground wire for the rich black cherry, bramble, incense and sweet earth notes, followed by a long, multifaceted finish. In Stock Now.  $37.99 54  Peter Lehmann Shiraz Barossa 2006 91  Points Ripe and round, this is generous with its smoky cherry and black currant flavors, persisting against mildly grippy tannins to create a long, layered finish.  In Stock Now. $16.99  55  Trimbach Riesling Alsace 2007 91 Points  This subtle Riesling offers a finely woven mix of white peach and crushed pine needle flavors, with hints of brine and smoke. There's racy acidity, but it's well-meshed, and a mineral note lingers on the delicate finish. SOLDOUT.  $19.99 57  Viña Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Medalla Real Special Reserve 2006 91 Points.  A ripe, concentrated Chilean red, with a broad swath of macerated currant, fig paste, espresso, loam and black licorice notes all carried by dense but integrated tannins. The finish lets sage and mint notes chime in.   $19.99 SOLD OUT   61  Monte Antico Sangiovese-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana 2006 90 Points Bright plum, dried cherry and flowers on the nose. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and refined berry and cherry flavors. In Stock Now.  $13.99   63  Concha y Toro Carmenère Peumo Terrunyo 2006 92 Points Dark in profile, with plum and currant fruit, but very pure, with silky tannins and a long, stylish finish that lets incense, spice and mineral notes play out.  In Stock Now. 69  Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza 2007 91 Points A sleek, polished style, with alluring mocha and raspberry ganache notes leading the way, backed by dark plum, hoisin sauce and graphite flavors that push through the finish. This has serious weight, but stays focused and driven. In Stock Now.  $22.99 70  St.-Michael-Eppan Pinot Grigio Alto Adige 2008 90 Points Displays spicy apple and peach notes, with silky mineral character. Medium-bodied, with clean acidity and a fruity finish. Subtle and layered.  In Stock Now.  $12.99 76  Clos La Coutale Cahors 2007 90 Points There's a sense of elegance to the well-defined, concentrated flavors of dark cherry, blackberry and plum, followed by notes of sage, dark chocolate and tobacco leaf on the long, powerful finish. In Stock Now.  $17.99 80  Argiano Toscana Non Confunditur 2007 91 Points Offers an interesting combination of currant, raspberry and meat on the nose. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a spicy dried fruit aftertaste. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah.  In Stock Now $24.99 82  d'Arenberg Shiraz McLaren Vale The Stump Jump 2008 90 Points Ripe and open-textured, this is impressive for the way it packs in the cherry, blackberry and raspberry flavors and keeps its foot on the gas pedal through the mineral-inflected finish. In Stock Now. $10.99 83  Bodegas Juan Gil Jumilla 2006 90 Points This polished red shows black cherry, licorice, mineral and tobacco notes, harmonious and deep, supported by firm tannins. Medium-bodied, well-integrated and stylish.  In Stock Now $21.99 89  Perrin & Fils Vinsobres Les Cornuds 2007 91 Points Very pure, with superracy red cherry, raspberry and violet notes that stretch out through the lengthy, graphite-filled finish. There's lovely, integrated acidity. Delicious.  In Stock Now $24.99 91  Four Vines Zinfandel Paso Robles Biker 2007 91  Points Ripe and gutsy, but there's enough finesse and personality to make it a complete package. Aromas of wild berry and white pepper lead to briary but complex plum, anise and toasty sage flavors that finish with fine, loamy tannins.  In Stock Now $24.99