It's that exciting time of year and Wine Spectator has come out with its annual list of Top 100 Wines. Amazingly, a port tops this list year which is great because I LOVE port. But let's take a look at the top 10 and see what we find below. Also, note we will be doing a series of these posts for some of the most popular varietals so check back soon. Enjoy!
Aromatic and floral, with an excellent balance of fruit, tannin and acidity. The palate starts off with fresh green figs and ends with bitter chocolate. There is fresh acidity and a notable minerality, and no hint of any raisining or overripeness on the very long finish.Dow's 2011 Vintage Port can be enjoyed anytime and pairs wonderfully with chocolate desserts and hard cheeses like mature Cheddar or even with a soft goat's cheese.
Score:99
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This is a big wine yet remains elegant. There are layers of rich cherry and blackberry fruits, creamy vanilla notes, chocolate and even some pepper and spice. It has great intensity and a silkiness that lingers over the palate.Very deep purple-black in color, the 100% Shiraz, single vineyard 2012 Carnival of Love exudes fragrant notes of warm blackberries, creme de cassis and dried mulberries intermingled with a lovely dried herb undercurrent, lavender, dark chocolate and anise. With a nice structure of medium to firm rounded tannins and a lively acid backbone, this very big, full and rich wine has a very long finish
Score:95
Deep garnet centre with vivid velvet-red rim. Aromas of plums and attractive resinous notes. Lush and mouth-filling with satisfying pure and compact black fruits, displaying undertones of mineral and spice, underscored by fine acidity.The second wine of the Prats and Symington partnership is rich and powerful in its own right. It is packed with blackberry, ripe tannins and a solid, dense structure.
Score:97
A lush, seductive red, filled to the brim with an array of dark fruit and kirsch flavors, accented by plenty of cream and spice notes. Silky tannins and molten chocolate hints add richness. The long finish echoes with mineral and white pepper details.Very concentrated in color, deep and complex. The nose is accented with many scented nuances, all balanced together. This is a vibrant and elegant wine with a very long finish.
Score:97
A youthful and expressive nose features pears, white nectarines, lime and jasmine notes. Beneath lies a myriad of toasted sesame, vanilla pod, cinnamon quill and cardamom aromas. The tight, seamless and elegant palate is highlighted with figs, quince and lemon rind characters that open towards a delicately textured and contoured mid palate. Blanched almonds and hazelnuts weave through the primary fruits and textural layers, leading to a long and defined finish.
Score:96
The Chianti Classico Castello di Ama San Lorenzo 2010 takes its name from the magnificent wide valley that their 18th century villas overlook. This is Castello di Ama's Gran Selezione, made from grapes that come from our older vineyards and from others that, having been planted at least ten years ago, have attained a perfect level of polyphenolic maturity at harvest. Castello di Ama's Gran Selezione is an extraordinarily elegant, powerful and intense wine. Undoubtedly it represents the perfect picture of the uniqueness of the territory.
Score:95
A stunner, with a gorgeous cassis aroma that soars from the glass, reinforced by a core of cassis, cherry and plum pâte de fruit, hoisin sauce, warm ganache and well-roasted apple wood notes. Hefty, but suave and seamless. The finish lets graphite and licorice elements glide through. The structure is dense, polished and perfectly integrated, resulting in lovely length. Should be a beauty after cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2032.
Score:97
The 2012 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir displays vibrant ruby color with floral aromas accompanied by red fruit and and hints of spice. Juicy and savory, this 100% whole cluster wine has a long and lasting finish.Pure, rich and vivid, with snappy wild berry, pomegranate, lavender, black tea and mint notes, ending with firm tannins and a stemmy edge, lending traction to the palate.
Score:94
Deep cherry red in the glass. The aroma of this wine is elegant and complex, brimming with notes of black currants and spice complemented by chocolate and tobacco. Soft tannins give way to evolving freshness with an elegant, persistent finish.Pretty aromas of blueberries with hints of sandalwood and cedar. Full body, with very integrated tannins and a wonderfully polished texture. The finish is extremely long and intense. Serious density and class to this. A blend of 97% cabernet sauvignon and 3% cabernet frac.
Score:95
Chateau Leoville Las Cases is one of the largest and oldest classified growths in the Medoc region of France. The fruit is harvested by hand. The fermentation vessels include a fascinating mix of wooden, cement and stainless steel vats. When finished the wine is pumped to the barrel cellar. Here it is transferred into oak barrique, between 50% and 100% new for the grand vin, depending on the vintage.
Score:95
Check out the Full list of the Top 100 Wines of 2014
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