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by Fred McMillin
for January 2003
Our Top Twenty Five...
BEST BUYS OF THE YEAR
Prologue
When asked what wine I like the most, my reply is, SOMEBODY ELSE'S!
Diogenes, Greek philosopher
350 B.C.
THE PRICE IS RIGHT...NONE OVER TEN BUCKS.
My panel likes bargains, too. Here is the best of each type they tasted in 2002, the best Merlot, the best Chardonnay, etc. that cost no more than $10.
The Top Twenty-Five
| Rank | Varietal or Other Category | Winery, Etc. | |
| 25th | - | Viognier | Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Pays d'Oc, France, '00, $10, Importer—Caravelle |
| 24th | - | Pink | Stone Creek's White Zinfandel, California, '01, $6 |
| 23rd | - | Merlot | Falling Star, Argentina, '00, $5, Malbec, Importer—F. Wildman |
| 22nd | - | Lemberger | Covey Run, Washington, '00, $7 |
| 21st | - | Pinot Grigio | Danzante, Italy, Joint Robert Mondavi-Frescobaldi, '00, $10 |
| 20th | - | Sangiovese-Merlot | Folonari, Italy, '99, $7, Importer—F. Wildman |
| 19th | - | White Blend | Carmel, Israel, Emerald Riesling and Chenin Blanc, '00, $8, Importer—Talbert |
| 18th | - | Sangiovese | Bella Serra, Italy, Gallo project, '98, $8 |
| 17th | - | Petite Sirah | Bogle, California, '99, $10 |
| 16th | - | Chenin Blanc | Windsor, California, '00, $8 |
| 15th | - | Sparkler | Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut, Spain, No Date, $10 |
| 14th | - | Merlot | Rothbury, Australia, Beringer Blass, '01, $7 |
| 13th | - | Riesling | Charles Mitchell, El Dorado, '00, $8 |
| 12th | - | Cotes-du-Rhone | B&G Tradition, France, '99, $9 |
| 11th | - | Zinfandel | Chateau Julien, Monterey County, '99, $10 |
| TheTop Ten |
| 10th | - | Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah Blend | Kendall-Jackson, California, '00, $9 |
| 9th | - | Chardonnay | Reynolds Vineyards, Australia , '01, $10, Importer—Trinchero |
| 8th | - | Gewürztraminer | Covey Run, Washington, '00, $7 |
| 7th | - | Cabernet Sauvignon | Chateau Julien, Monterey County, '99, $10 |
| 6th | - | Dessert Muscat | Quady Electra Orange Muscat, California, '01, $8 |
| 5th | - | Pinot Noir | Duck Pond, Oregon, '00, $10 |
| 4th | - | Syrah | Camelot, California, '99, $9 |
| 3rd | - | Malbec | Michael Torino, Argentina, '00, $10, Importer—F. Wildman |
| 2nd | - | Dessert Riesling | Mt. Palomar, Temecula, '01, $9 |
| And here is number one! |
| 1st | - | Sauvignon Blanc | Geyser Peak, California, '02, $10 |
Comments
* Only 30% of the entries were from California but they won over 40% of the spots on the list.
* When there's no price limit, white table wines don't make the best ten on the list. But, in the universe of $10 wines that taste best right now, whites are much more competitive. Three made it this time, including the #1 spot.
Conclusion: When company arrives, I'm greeting them with a glass of the latest release of Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc.
CREDITS
My friend and fellow wine teacher, Edgar Vogt, did the heavy lifting on all the year 2002 tastings.
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About the Writer
Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. For information about the wine courses he teaches every month at either San Francisco State University or San Francisco City College (Fort Mason Division), please fax him at (415) 567-4468. |
This page created January 2003