Best Wines of 2009 So Far

On Wine

Best Wines of 2009 So Far

Wine

by Fred McMillin

We sip a lot of wines in our Fort Mason (S.F. City College) classes. Here are the best 23 we have tasted so far this year. That is, the best Chardonnay, best Cabernet Sauvignon, etc.

Did one of the highly-touted Napa Valley Cabs win, since they are usually the favorite?

On Wine: Rankings
*Best Wines of 2009 So Far*
23rd	Chenin Blanc, $12, Dry Creek Vineyards, Clarksburg, 2007
22nd	Zinfandel Rosé, $10, Pedroncelli Winery, Sonoma County, 2006
21st	Malbec, $14, Lockwood Vineyards, Monterey County, 2006
20th	Gewürztraminer, $11, Kenwood Vineyards, Sonoma County, 2007
19th	Riesling, $13, Royal Rheingau Vintners, Germany, 2004
18th	Sauvignon Blanc, $23, St. Supery Estate, Napa Valley, 2007
17th	Chardonnay, $16, De Loach Vineyards, Russian River, 2006
16th	Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, $36, Domaine Carneros, Napa Valley, NV
15th	Barbera, $22, Sunset Cellars, Napa Valley, 2004
14th	Cabernet Franc, $40, St. Supery Estate, Napa Valley, 2004
13th	Merlot, $30, Hawkes Vineyards, Alexander Valley, 2004
12th	Eisrebe (dessert), $50, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa Valley, 2007
11th	Trilogy (blend white), $65, Flora Springs Winery, Napa Valley, 2004
10th	Pinot Noir, $50, Gary Farrell Vineyards, Russian River Valley, 2004
9th	Pinot Gris, $17, King Estate, Oregon, 2007
8th	Petit Verdot, $40, Jarvis Wines, Napa Valley, 2005
7th	Zinfandel, $18, Sobon Estate, Amador County, 2005
6th	Red Bordeaux, $20, Chateau Greysac, (Diageo) France,(Medoc), 2003
5th	Deviation Aromatized (dessert), Quady Winery, Calif., NV
4th	Petite Sirah, $39, Silkwood Wines, Stanislaus County, 2004
3rd	Lake William (blend), $60, Jarvis Wines, Napa County, 2001
2nd	Syrah, $28, Steele Wines, Sonoma County, Parmelee Hill, 2005

*The Winner Is...*
1st	Cabernet Sauvignon, $70, Corison Vineyards, Napa Valley, 2004

Conclusion

Yep, a Napa Valley cab won as expected.

And a Final Gourmet Grin

In World War II, British Field Marshall Montgomery found cases of caviar in captured enemy quarters. He promptly had them distributed to his troops and then walked through their grounds to enjoy the smiles. Suddenly, one soldier popped out of his tent, saluted smartly, and reported, "Sir, this jam tastes fishy."

Credits: Edgar Vogt
Statistics: Ophie Mercado

Fred McMillin

About the Writer

Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He was voted one of the U.S.A's 22 Best wine writers by the Academy of Wine Communications. For information about the wine courses he teaches every month at San Francisco City College (Fort Mason Division), please fax him at (415) 567-4468.

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