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Top 100 Wines
Cult of St. Henri of Oz
2005 Penfolds Shiraz St. Henri (South Australia) $54.99
Aussie wines get big props in the March Food and Wine magazine. Their favorite “Collector’s Value” was the 2005 St. Henri from Penfolds, the elegant alternative to big and big-bucks Grange. “With its layers of blueberry, licorice and dark chocolate, can develop for years in a cellar just as gracefully.” And they say a bargain at $65.
I certainly agree (as did the Wine Spectator’s Top 100) on St. Henri at B-21, it’s even more of a steal: $54.95. Your own Down Under storage deserves one — or several.
- Chris Sherman, The Blogging Nibbler
SuperTuscans for all: A twenty-buck Top 100 Wine
2004 Brancaia Chianti Classico ($19.99)
We weren’t surprised to see Brancaia near the lead of the Wine Spectator Top 100. Brancaia is one of sharpest wineries in Tuscany, with vines in Chianti Classico and in Maremma. However I expected it to be the big-bucks Il Blu or Ilatraia, glorious stuff. Yet the Spectator tapped Tre, a sangiovese bolstered with cabernet and merlot. Even better for our times. This is intense, with lots of berries and earlthy shades of coffee, and a wrapper of merlot velvet. It’s a rich bargain when you can get a 93-pointer for $19.99.
2007 Argiano NC Non Confunditur (Tuscany)
2007 Argiano NC Non Confunditor (Tuscany) - 19.99
“Argiano’s 2007 NC is a Tuscan blend that shows exciting power, with the inherent sweetness of the Merlot component acting as a bridge between the firm earthiness of the Sangiovese, the spicy blackcurrant of the Cabernet and the warm red fruit of the Syrah. The result is a generous, round red wine for early to mid-term drinking with aromas of currant and generous fruit flavors, which are versatile enough to develop more depth in the bottle. It is an excellent value and was chosen as one of the top 100 wines of the year by the Wine Spectator.” (90WS)
90 Points, Steve Rayman
February 2010
New Arrival from Wolf Blass is a steal at a $13.99
2006 Wolf Blass Gold Shiraz - On sale for $14.99 at B-21 (for a limited time)
We hear “Beringer Blass” so much now we forget the first name of the modern Australian genius is Wolf, as inWolfgang. He landed Down Under more than 50 years ago, an East German sparkling winemaker who dreamed of making great reds. He blazed trails across Barossa in a green VW beetle consulting and preaching the new style of Australian wine we’ve come to love. He bought his own vineyards in 1969 and when the first wave of Australians hit the US in the ‘80s, one of the best was eagle-crested Wolf Blass. Oz shipments grew and grew; Wolf’s own label got bigger, too to join Mildarra, Beringer Wine Estates and ultimately oilcan Fosters.
As you can taste in the 2006 Gold Label Barossa Shiraz, Wolf Blass’s own brand just got better, big bold and smooth as back in the day. This is classic Shiraz, big and broad, full of berries and plums spiced with smoke, licorice, pepper and a touch of cocoa. It’s a hefty 15.5% ABV yet you won’t taste the alcohol. Tannins are invitingly soft. Put the lamb shanks on now.
The 2006 ’s also deserves the ultimate Aussie compliment “It’s good value.” An understatement worthy of Croc Dundee himself. Nowhere on the street or the internet is it a better deal than at B-21 if you can find this vintage at all. At $13.99 a bottle this is a Shiraz that ought to fill several rows of your cellar.
“This exhibits generous blackberry and raspberry fruit at the core, shading the edges with pretty white pepper, cream and floral overtones that insinuate themselves beautifully as the finish goes on and on. Drink now through 2016.” 91 Points, Wine Spectator
Top 100 Wine: 2006 Mas Doix Salanques
2006 Mas Doix Salanques was #53 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2009 (34.99)
Coming in at #53 is Spain’s 2006 Salanques by Mas Doix. The Doix family has been making wine for 5 generations in Priorat where the vineyards of Mas Doix represent Priorat at its best, with slate soils and very old vines. Salanques is a “mini” Mas Doix and has always been a favorite of mine. It is an awesome blend of of Grenache that will please many of you Rhone Rangers out there. ¡Feliz Navidad!
Check out Wine Spectator’s review:
”A plush texture carries rich flavors of brandied cherry, dark chocolate, cocoa and mountain herbs in this expressive red. The tannins are firm but well-integrated, and the finish is bright and juicy. Drink now through 2014.” 92 Points, The Wine Spectator
Not only does Spectator think its great, but Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate rated it 93 Points. Top 100 Wines are a great way to kickoff the new year. Cheers!
#53 on Top 100 Just Arrived – 2006 Mas Doix Salanques (Priorat)
2006 Mas Doix Salanques (Priorat) - $34.99
The 2006 Mas Doix Salanques is being unloaded as I type this blog, and should be showing in stock as soon as I hit “post”. This is exciting news, because it means one of my favorite wines will be here before Christmas! Mas Doix Salanques has long been a favorite of mine (and an affordable alternative to their big brother Mas Doix).
A little history behind Doix (by the way this is pronounced Doh-E-ch): The Doix family has been making wine for 5 generations in Priorat where the vineyards of Mas Doix represent Priorat at its best, with slate soils and very old vines. Salanques is a “mini” Mas Doix and an awesome blend of of Grenache that will please many of you Rhone Rangers out there. Its the first year it has made it into the Top 100 List, but its time was definitely due. At #53 on the list, this is a great present for that Spanish wine lover in your life. ¡Feliz Navidad!
PS – The 2005 vintage of Mas Doix Salanques is on sale right now for 25% off! (Only $22.49!)
Top 100 just arrived – 2007 Argiano NC
2007 Argiano NC ($19.99) Rated 91 Points, and #80 on Wine Spectator's Top 100.
Argiano’s 2007 NC ($19.99) is a Tuscan blend that shows exciting power, with the inherent sweetness of the Merlot component acting as a bridge between the firm earthiness of the Sangiovese, the spicy blackcurrant of the Cabernet and the warm red fruit of the Syrah. The result is a generous, round red wine for early to mid-term drinking with aromas of currant and generous fruit flavors, which are versatile enough to develop more depth in the bottle.
It is an excellent value and was chosen as one of the top 100 wines of the year by the Wine Spectator.
The Top 100 Prisoner Has Arrived…
#47 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2009: 2007 Orin Swift the Prisoner ($34.99)
Winemaker Dave Phinney has a knack for sourcing great fruit from great vineyards and combining them in a way that offers something unexpected and unique. The 2007 Prisoner from Napa Valley ($34.99) combines five grape varietals and is the third vintage of this wine to achieve Top 100 status (2003 and 2005 were the previous two). The core of this wine is Tofanelli Vineyard Zinfandel and Charbono. Tofanelli’s vineyards are organically farmed and of significant age and provide exceptional concentrated fruit. Quantities are quite limited of 2007 so this may be a bit of a last call.
Wine Spectator scored the Prisoner 92 Points. Have you tried it? Tell us what you think.
No room for Scrooge: Holiday spirits are generous and prudent
Having 20 or 50 people over is no reason to cut corners or imagination. Buy wine you like to drink. You may have to drink more of it. Skip the $5 plonck unless you hired the Grinch to decorate.
We all have budgets, and wisely spent, you can set out a pretty respectable selection for $10 or less.
I like to keep it simple. One or two reds, and one or two whites and keep to something of a theme. Consider:
2006 Monte Antico is on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2009 ($8.99)
TOP 100 STEALS: Wine Spectator tightened its belt this year too and found some bargain goodies for Santa. The 2006 Monte Antico and D’Arenberg’s Stump Jump are easy stand-up drinking and flavor-bright at ($8.99) Top 100 whites will cost a little more, like the crisp and limey classic New Zealand Sauv Blanc 2008 Brancott Reserve ($14.99). The best bubbly buy from the Top 100 is Gloria Ferrer’s Brut for $12.99. (Top 100 wines)
NOCHE BUENA: Say Feliz Navidad with Spanish and Latin wines for great value and change of flavor that would go great with roast pork or tapas. For me that would be the 2007 Este table wine, a luscious meritage of Rhonish spice and Tempranillo style ($7.99) and a richfull 2007 Albarino from Martin Codax in Rias Baixas, either peachy Burgans or the apples’n’pears cuvee under Codax’s own label. Fruit yourself (both $11.99).
SURPRISE GIFTS: The 2008 Pillar Box Red two thirds Shiraz and all juice and spice, full round and the sweetheart of the party ($9.99). It comes in special delivery wrapping from Padthaway, the coolest address in South Australia. For a white that no one expects and everyone one loves (not just me, but the whole store) set out a lovely Hungarian furmint , the 2006 Chateau Derezla. This is a dry version of Hungary’s great Tokajis, not sweet yet generous with perfume, clean soft flavors and a friendly body to make a nutcracker swoon. ($8.99) Say you discovered these yourself. I won’t tell.
Have you got other ideas for buying quality in party quantities? What are your favorites?
If you really want to celebrate for a more exclusive affair, I’ll be back soon with more celebratory wines.
Perrin’s Tour de Rhone by fork not bike
Mathieu Perrin of Perrin & Fils
The parade of wine superstars never stops. This week Matthieu Perrin of the new generation of Perrins took B-21 fanciers at Currents restaurant in Tarpon Springs on a grand three-course, three flight tour of the southern Rhone. It’s the home country of Perrin & Fils and the grand Beaucastel.
For starters, the group wheeled their way through the simple Cotes of 2007, CdR ($9.99) then Cotes du Rhone Villages ($10.49), and the Perrin’s Nature ($10.49) a GSM which is certified organic as well as the family’s own biodynamic principles. Best food match of the appetizers was just as earthy – bruschetta with mushrooms, thyme and goat cheese.
2007 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape ($79.99)
More exciting was the roast pork-fueled middle stage through the Perrin’s favorite villages, Vacqueyras and Gigondas (mine too) and the far northerly commune of Vinsobres. Heckuva name for a place that is #89 on the Top 100. It is a luscious blend of Syrah and Grenache, but I think the licorice and pepper of that latter show best. Maybe the name scares people off, it’s still a bargain at $19.99.
The climax was Chateau Beaucastel CDP itself from the last two fabulous vintages (2006 and 2007). Beaucastel follows the old 13-grape step because it works, making a well-structured wine that is richly complex in flavors. More so in 2006, a voluptuously thick, dense wine, and at Currents a taste of the even more sumptuous 2007; best southern Rhone year in a decade.