Look at Viader. CSG Cinq Cepages.

I agree with benchland about Viader.

Thanks Greendrazi for the correction.

I guess the Clos will move from #3 to #2 to #1. As Miamiatty has said, this wine is an exception.

Sapril....true. Also, in '03 the Clos Apalta Rapel Valley '00 ranked #3. In '04, the Clos Apalta '01 Colchagua moved up a notch and was ranked #2. Both were grown in the same 49 acre vineyard.

Doh...I see GreenDrazi already stated this. Also, good call on the Lewis '02.

Will the '02 Clos Apalta rank #1? As, Pyang said, we'll have to see it's ranking.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MiamiAtty,

If the '02 Clos Apalta gets a 96, it probably will be WOTY. I think the WS wants to promote a new up and coming area.
It's not good for business to keep promoting French and California wines at the expense of other areas.
I agree that an Aussie is due for a high ranking.

quote:

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Originally posted by MiamiAtty:
Even though it is January, I am taking odds that the 2001 Don Melchor Cab will crack the top 10 of 2005. It received a WS 95 and costs between $30-37 down here. There is plenty to be had too. This qualifies it as a bonefide contender.

I thought the "00 Cab was fantastic for the price and availability, and now they've even topped that. I'll be stocking up now.

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I wouldn't bet on it. I figured the '00 Don Melchor had a shot at being the WOTY with the 94 rating they gave it, but it wasn't even in the top 20.

Steve8...I don't know that I said WOTY. (To early to tell though quite possible.) Cracking "the top 10" is more likely as it becomes exponentially more difficult to get to #1, and is really a crap shoot in the end.

I wouldn't bet on Lapostolle cracking the top 5 again.......WS likes to shake it up a bit. Lapostolle is no longer an unknown. I like the Don Melchor pick. But I'm still feeling that Australia is way overdue...I was shocked at Leeuwin's placement last year. '01 Art Series Chardonnay was highest ranked Chardonnay in years and highest ranked Aussie Chardonnay ever, with a decent price and volume combo. Perplexing placement for me...I would have guessed top 5.

i don't know if the beringer sbragia reserve 03 chard will make it because of the price. but it is one ass kicking drink. none of the usual lemon, pepper, oak, combos. more like leather and smoked ham with that trademark finish. yummy!

quote:

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Originally posted by GreenDrazi:
Lewis Syrah Napa Valley 2002 was reviewed in 2004 (Dec 31, 2004) and will not qualify for 2005.

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OK then, I vote it wins in 2004!

I doubt Casa Lapostolle will win, how often has a wine stayed at the top for three strait years?

quote:

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Originally posted by goofy Yno:
I doubt Casa Lapostolle will win, how often has a wine stayed at the top for three strait years?

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It depends on the review. If WS gives it 96+ then all bets are off.

Dave: Bet Clos Apalta does not get a 96 or higher. It would almost force WS to put them at the top after being a #3, then #2 on improving scores.

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Originally posted by slapshot:
Dave: Bet Clos Apalta does not get a 96 or higher. It would almost force WS to put them at the top after being a #3, then #2 on improving scores.

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You can't be suggesting that WS would fix the scores like that?

I haven't even seen the 02 round here yet. Online the 02 is going for more than the 00 - how much of that is hype and expectation is of course open to debate.

Just having a higher score and still at the same good price does not mean that it may be as “exciting” this year.

Just had 2001 Don Melchor for lunch. Even right out of the bottle had great structure, balance and aroma. Enticed me to a couple more ribs than I otherwise would've. Not sure of age worthiness, but for 29.79 from Costco, it's pretty damn good.

So what is it about this wine that you folks like so much (the Don Melchor)? When I had the ‘00 earlier this year, I was not as impressed as others and WS. I remember it having great structure and depth, but a thick, almost chewy quality that I didn’t find attractive - for the price anyways. I’m not saying your wrong, I just didn’t get it.

The only thing that really matters is Your Top 10

Thinking about the top 100 this year made me reflect on the '01 Melchor (and this post from Jan.), so I opened one with dinner. Still young...still good.

You'll have to excuse my ignorance here.

I was a wine store the other day and they had a
Casa Concha Don Melchor Resever Cab. Is this what everyone is a talking about? I thought it was a Conchy Atoro (sp?). Or are they the same thing?

It's Concha y Toro, IIRC.

Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Don Melchor Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Or something like that.

I thought it was more like a 93 point wine. Okay, maybe potential for 94. But for the money, I wouldn't say it was the best I'd had this year.

It's a very Chilean Cabernet - rough and manly. Maybe it would smooth out over time.

I liked the 1997 Zaccagnini San Clemente and the 2001 Brancaia Il Blu more for about the same price, although I'm sure neither was reviewed this year.

The 2003 Lewis Chardonnay Napa Valley is certainly fetching $$ like a top 10 wine. Got $80 a piece for four of them on the last winebid auction.

Judging from how orgasmic Suckling is over the 2001 d'Yquem, I'm figuring it's going to have to be #1 or 2. But then I wonder if they would rank Sauternes that highly 2 years in a row.

quote:

Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Don Melchor Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Don Melchior (WS 95) and the Marquis de Casa (WS 91) are two different Cabs.

quote:

Originally posted by haggis:
Judging from how orgasmic Suckling is over the 2001 d'Yquem, I'm figuring it's going to have to be #1 or 2. But then I wonder if they would rank Sauternes that highly 2 years in a row.

I think the release price will effectively keep it out of top 5 easily.