Favorite Wines From 2009
After some hundred winery visits and thousand wines tasted, one thing is clear: enjoying wine is so much more than just what's in the bottle. It's exploring boutique labels, discovering up-and-coming sommeliers and winemakers, plus sharing good times with others.
These 20 wines stood out not solely by taste.
They're surrounded by indelible stories and experiences from this past year.
What's your favorite wine story of 2009? Red
2006 HEY MAMBO "Sultry Red" ($9)
California (Barbera, Syrah, Petit Sirah, Carignane and Alicante Bouchet)
Dry with cherry flavors.
Pair with pizza and hamburgers.
2007 Sobon Estate Amador County Zinfandel Hillside ($10)
Amador County, CA (Zinfandel)
Organic, remarkable value, shows off rich balance, juicy black fruit.
Pair with pasta.
2008 Santa Carolina Specialisties Carignan ($12)
Cauquenes, Chile (Carignan)
Lush, balanced red, "Old vine Carignans are absolute standouts."
Pair with aged cheeses.
2006 Abacela, Tempranillo Umpqua Cuvée ($20)
Umpqua Valley, OR (Tempranillo)
Rich complexity in the style of Rioja, drinks like a $35 wine.
Pair with grilled food.
2006 Toulouse Anderson Valley Pinot Noir ($39)
Anderson Valley, CA (Pinot Noir)
Lingering finish of smoke and earth from retired fire captain turned winemaker.
Pair with smoked chicken.
2005 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot ($40)
Walla Walla, WA (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc)
Made by globe-trotting, Pomerol vintner, Michel Rolland. Complex, dark berry, dense.
Pair with grilled meats.
2007 Relic Wines Artefact ($70)
Napa Valley, CA (Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah)
Exotically spicy, full of clove and dark berries, ultra smooth tannins.
Pair with a juicy steak.
2005 Gevrey-Chambertin "Les Champeaux", René Leclerc ($70)
Burgundy, France (Pinot Noir)
Fine, medium bodied, dark berry fruit and earthy.
Pair with salmon.
White
2008 Kung Fu Girl Riesling ($12)
Columbia Valley, WA (Riesling)
Delicate aromas of peach, winemaker Charles Smith thinks this girl truly kicks ass.
Pair with spicy Thai.
2006 Montinore Estate ($14)
Willamette Valley, OR (Gewürztraminer)
Dry, yet sleek and highly floral scents of grapefruit and orange.
Pair with anything spicy.
2008 Josef Rosch Leiwener Klostergarten Kabinett ($16)
Mosel, Germany (Riesling)
Sweet and spicy with a bit of peach, apple and grapefruit.
Pair with Tandoori Chicken.
2008 Tablas Creek Vineyard, Côtes de Tablas Blanc ($25)
Paso Robles, CA (Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc)
Châteauneuf du Pape style. Crisp, clean.
Pair with ceviche or halibut.
2008 Signorello Estate Seta ($32)
Napa Valley, CA (Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc)
Bordeaux-style blend, gentle spices with hints of melon and vanilla, "Seta" is Italian for silk.
Pair with pasta salad.
2006 Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay ($48)
Sonoma County, CA (Chardonnay)
Unfiltered, creamy, complex with aromas of peach.
Pair with lobster or sole.
2005 Domaine Benoit Ente Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Champ Gain" ($65)
Burgundy, France (Chardonnay)
Fine, fresh, understated with scents of white flowers and citrus.
Pair with seafood.
Sparkling / Champagne
2007 Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui ($20)
Piemonte, Italy (Brachetto)
Sweet, sparkling red wine, low in alcohol.
Pair with pumpkin pie or chocolates.
2002 Roederer Estate L'Hermitage ($45)
Anderson Valley, CA (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir)
Powerful and elegant.
Pair a magnum with a steak!
2000 Champagne Dom Pérignon, à Epernay ($120)
Champagne, France (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay)
Rich and balanced with tiny, elegant bubbles.
Pairs with anything.
Rosé & Port
2008 Château du Rouet Esterelle Rosé ($15)
Provence, France (Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault, Tinourenc)
Light and refreshing.
Pair with light barbequed meats.
Graham's Six Grapes Ruby Porto ($15)
Portugal (Touriga Nacional and Francesa; Tintao Cão; Tinta Roriz, Barroca, and Amarela)
Sweet, fruity, spicy way to warm your inner spirit.
Pair with chocolate and dried fruits.
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