Terrific Christmas present and Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2006
I realize that all of my readers want to get me something for Christmas. That sort of fawning attention comes naturally to you when you run a blog with about 8 readers.
So take note, all of you: One present I no longer need is a new wine fridge. I just got a second wine fridge, just like the first, and it should be delivered fairly soon. I can’t wait! I am clearly out of space and the wines I have at home are suffering without proper cellaring. I also have about 16 bottles in my friend’s basement, which isn’t optimal for either of us (and he’s out of space too).
I couldn’t be more excited about this gift, partly because the cost wasn’t bad (and the shipping was free). Mostly I’m excited because I don’t really need any presents. I can just buy myself whatever I need. It’s more about the surprise of receiving something unexpected, or receiving something I really want, that makes me enjoy Christmas now. I’m sure someday I will enjoy it even more when I can give presents to any children I might have…unless, of course, they cut into my wine budget, in which case it’s straight to boarding school with them!
Note: I went to a boarding school briefly and the few times I boarded there, I realized that Oliver Twist is a non-fiction story.
On another topic: The Wine Spectator has released its annual Top 100 list for 2006. There were some surprises in there along with some 90-point wines that cracked the top 100, which seems odd to me. But really this list is about positioning and marketing rather than a purely “best of the best” sort of thing.
Here are the names that stood out to me:
- A Kosta Browne Pinot clocks in at #7, the highest US Pinot Noir on the list
- Kongsgaard follows closely at #8 with their nearly untouchably expensive Chardonnay (and it’s not even The Judge!)
- A Shea comes in at #15. Good for them, bad for those of us who like Shea Vineyard wines for less than $40-$50/bottle.
- A Merry Edwards at #21. I need to try their wines!
- Krug at #26 with a 98-point wine. This proves my point about marketing, etc. How could a 98-point wine end up so low on the list otherwise? But these are the most “exciting” wines, not the “best.”
- Archery Summit Arcus at #29. For the money I’d take a Domaine Drouhin and a Lachini.
- Argyle Nuthouse Pinot at #49.
- All the way down at #51 is Domaine Alfred with their base Pinot release, not even the Califa! Weird.
- Sea Smoke’s Botella clocks in at #53. Duly noted for next year.
- #57 is a Ken Wright Pinot, the Canary Hill Vineyard release.
- #59 is Loring and their Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot. Interesting.
- Right after, at #60, is the Gary’s Vineyard Siduri Pinot. Two Santa Lucia vineyards at #59 and #60. You would think they could have spaced these out a bit better on the list, eh?
- An Elk Cove Pinot Gris at #77.
- Benton-Lane Pinot at #80.
Yes, slightly interesting, this list of the year’s most “interesting” wines. I should really read up on their criteria for the word “interesting.” With several wines in there, Oregon seems to be doing better than Washington State and about even with California in some ways. I find that interesting. France, Spain, Argentina, Italy, and Australia all seem to receive strong attention in this list, which makes sense.
Personally, I don’t want to see some of my favorite low-production wines appear here. I’d rather see Lachini and Radio-Coteau and Odisea fly under the radar so I don’t need to pay even more for those wines. But hey, I’m sure the wineries themselves would love to submit several cases of wine to the Wine Spectator and hope they get picked for this list. It must make a big difference in the valuation of their wines prior to release.