Too many American wines in those lists

I think a beer would have tons of X Factor as #1.

quote:

Originally posted by LifeIsTooShortToDrinkCheapWine:
I see plenty of puerile comments from those that think this thread isn't worthy... but not many wish to opine as to what will be the # 1 WOTY ? My guess is a 2007 CNDP: Chateau Beaucastel

Too much great CDP the last few years to get #1. Kills the "X" factor. The '05 made #8 last year and I can't see the same wine that costs 25 dollars more leaping to the top of the pile. It will probably make the top 10 like the Melchor did for a few years in a row.

I'm thinking Italian. Probably the 06 Flaccianello but maybe an 04 Brunello.

2006 Liano (some bottle variations noticed, but the 1 1/2 bottles tonight drank very well)

OK, I'll play along:

2007 Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz

Don't be surprised to see multiple 2007 Cali Chardonnays on the list.

I heard Dogfish Head 120 minute Imperial IPA is #1. Heck...its as thick as a sauternes.

yea...ridiculous pick..kind of like this entire thread!

quote:

Originally posted by MiamiWineNovice:
1. Colli della Toscana Centrale Flaccianello 2006 2006 99 $110
2. Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 97 $115
3. Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve 2006 96 $135
4. Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2005 96 $44
5. Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006 95 $120
6. Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Signature 2006 94 $42
7. Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Don Melchor 2006 94
8. Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2007 95 $70
9. Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella's Garden 2007 94 $60 **
10. Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve 2005 95 $27

I got a bottle of 2004 Etude to send you if Driveway acid cleaner is #1 again so soon.

There is not one California white wine that would make my top 100 list, but I expect WS to come up with one in the top 10. That's palate and politics combined.

This may be the year that Argyle get a spot in the top 10 with the Extended Tirage.

Wash. deserves a spot, and I'd hope for Andrew Will Sorella or Gorman Evil Twin, and about fifty others, to place higher than the CC Cab Reserve.

If I were giving the placements, the top 10 spots would be 3 Italian, 3 Rhone, 1 sparkling, 1 white, 1 WA, and one CA Pinot.

quote:

Originally posted by sade58:
Ok.. here is my official predictions (top 10)..


10) 05 Columbia Crest Rsv cab (95) ($27) (6000)

9) 06 Robert Mondavi RSV (96) ($138) (10300)

8) 06 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou (95) ($145) (10,000)

7) 06 Chappellet Signature Cab (94) ($42) (7650)

6) 06 Katheryn Hall Cab (96) ($75) (3040)

5) 07 Vieux Telegraphe CDP (95) ($70) (17,000)

4) 06 Fontodi Flaccianello (99) ($110) (5000)

3) 07 Merry Edwards RRV S.B. (96) ($29) (3880)

2) 05 Renato Ratti Barolo (96) ($44) (5000)

1) 07 Kosta Browne Sonoma (95) ($52) (3069)

If you are right...I'm hittin wine commune! doubt it though since it might be good...but if anyone other than Laube tasted it...it ain't 95pts good.

We post the results on our northwestwinefan website every year, but I agree, most of the top ten are bought up long before publication.

quote:

Originally posted by Pinotlvr:

quote:

Originally posted by sade58:
Ok.. here is my official predictions (top 10)..


10) 05 Columbia Crest Rsv cab (95) ($27) (6000)

9) 06 Robert Mondavi RSV (96) ($138) (10300)

8) 06 Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou (95) ($145) (10,000)

7) 06 Chappellet Signature Cab (94) ($42) (7650)

6) 06 Katheryn Hall Cab (96) ($75) (3040)

5) 07 Vieux Telegraphe CDP (95) ($70) (17,000)

4) 06 Fontodi Flaccianello (99) ($110) (5000)

3) 07 Merry Edwards RRV S.B. (96) ($29) (3880)

2) 05 Renato Ratti Barolo (96) ($44) (5000)

1) 07 Kosta Browne Sonoma (95) ($52) (3069)

If you are right...I'm hittin wine commune! doubt it though since it might be good...but if anyone other than Laube tasted it...it ain't 95pts good.

Stieman rating not Laube.

I think one of the 06 Schrader bottlings will be in the top 5 or even top 3. They hit it out of the park across the board in an overlooked vintage for Napa Cab. The 99pt T6 would be my guess.

All the talk of an 07 CdP is off base IMO. Aren't they just now showing up on shelves? I don't believe my LWS even has any out yet. It's the 06s that seem to fit this year's contest. Also, JM was not as enthused about the vintage as RP. I do expect a few 07 CdRs to show up in the T100.

Finally, let's not forget the big focus WS put on value this year. My guess is #1 will be a 95/96 pt. wine around $50-60 and widely available and not some mailing list only wine.

quote:

Originally posted by Pinotlvr:
I heard Dogfish Head 120 minute Imperial IPA is #1. Heck...its as thick as a sauternes.

yea...ridiculous pick..kind of like this entire thread!

quote:

Originally posted by snipes:
I think one of the 06 Schrader bottlings will be in the top 5 or even top 3. They hit it out of the park across the board in an overlooked vintage for Napa Cab. The 99pt T6 would be my guess.

Won't even make the list at 250 cases.

quote:

Originally posted by snipes:
I think one of the 06 Schrader bottlings will be in the top 5 or even top 3. They hit it out of the park across the board in an overlooked vintage for Napa Cab. The 99pt T6 would be my guess.

All the talk of an 07 CdP is off base IMO. Aren't they just now showing up on shelves? I don't believe my LWS even has any out yet. It's the 06s that seem to fit this year's contest. Also, JM was not as enthused about the vintage as RP. I do expect a few 07 CdRs to show up in the T100.

I've seen 2008s already

quote:

Originally posted by Icewino:

quote:

Originally posted by snipes:
I think one of the 06 Schrader bottlings will be in the top 5 or even top 3. They hit it out of the park across the board in an overlooked vintage for Napa Cab. The 99pt T6 would be my guess.

Won't even make the list at 250 cases.

Agreed. You've gotta be able to find it.

quote:

Originally posted by Gigond Ass:

quote:

Originally posted by Pinotlvr:

quote:

Originally posted by sade58:
1) 07 Kosta Browne Sonoma (95) ($52) (3069)

If you are right...I'm hittin wine commune! doubt it though since it might be good...but if anyone other than Laube tasted it...it ain't 95pts good.

Stieman rating not Laube.

Referring to the KB and not the Columbia Crest?

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:

quote:

Originally posted by mareff:
the list is merely a marketing gimmick whose whole purpose is to inflate a market and sell more wine.

I fundamentally disagree. The whole purpose is to sell magazines and raise awareness for the Wine Spectator brand. I think they do The List because readers like to read and analyze The List. It's no different than the annual restaurant best-of issue your local newspaper might do; or the round up of the best doctors and health spas the local monthly magazine could write about.

Journalism, no matter how fluffy and lightweight it might be, is not advertising- - -at least not for anything other than the publisher's product.

I'll echo much of what IndyBob has already suggested in his posts on this matter. The "list" helps sell additional magazines and online subscriptions because so many wine drinkers find it of interest. I don't post here very often but every year this topic pops up and the arguments from the naysayers always amuse me. It's as if they can't stand the fact that there are those that enjoy the rankings and, brace yourself, actually go and purchase some of the wines. Finally, their inability to comprehend basic economic and business principles is pretty frightening.

Originally posted by gigabit:


2007 Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz

QUOTE]

An excellent wine indeed.

quote:

Originally posted by BSpdx:

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:

quote:

Originally posted by mareff:
the list is merely a marketing gimmick whose whole purpose is to inflate a market and sell more wine.

I fundamentally disagree. The whole purpose is to sell magazines and raise awareness for the Wine Spectator brand. I think they do The List because readers like to read and analyze The List. It's no different than the annual restaurant best-of issue your local newspaper might do; or the round up of the best doctors and health spas the local monthly magazine could write about.

Journalism, no matter how fluffy and lightweight it might be, is not advertising- - -at least not for anything other than the publisher's product.

I'll echo much of what IndyBob has already suggested in his posts on this matter. The "list" helps sell additional magazines and online subscriptions because so many wine drinkers find it of interest. I don't post here very often but every year this topic pops up and the arguments from the naysayers always amuse me. It's as if they can't stand the fact that there are those that enjoy the rankings and, brace yourself, actually go and purchase some of the wines. Finally, their inability to comprehend basic economic and business principles is pretty frightening.

Bravo!... you should post more often! Agree, except for the inability to comprehend basic economics part. I'm sure naysayers do understand but are probably on the payroll of The Wine Advocate wanting to spoil the party.

My vote is the Flaccianello.

quote:

Originally posted by Pinotlvr:
I heard Dogfish Head 120 minute Imperial IPA is #1. Heck...its as thick as a sauternes.

yea...ridiculous pick..kind of like this entire thread!

I wonder what people would make of the bottle shape.

How about a Barleywine... that would be simply transgressive!!

PS - "Best of" lists are marketing (for the mag), not journalism. Certainly they can't be faulted for taking advantage of mass psychology, but I think it's equally true that the issues really don't have alot of value for consumers (lots of value for flippers, WS, and retailers though). I'm not sure there's much value for the suckers willing to overpay either. Maybe a bit initially, but not when the buyer's remorse sets-in.

Definition A
Definition B
It doesn't have to be Woodward and Bernstein.

X-factor ate my baby.

This was late-starting this year. I was missing it and all the usual stances on the subject.

Here is a thought on predicting top 10 wines. When you have a reviewer get high on a category (e.g., Cali Cabs or Chat du Papes) for one of his beats, the group that makes the Top 100 selection probably tries several of the best candidates from that category. But I doubt the group usually agrees on which the best is.

So just blindly selecting Molesworth's favorite '07 Chat du Pape, for example, as a Top 10 candidate doesn't inspire me with confidence in the pick... Only b/c that was one reviewer's opinion.

But if you have a wine like the Merry Edwards that got a huge score, and that other reviewers have weighed in on positively... and that everyone I know who's tried has liked... That strikes me as believable. Previous vintages were #37 last year, #40 two years ago, so we know the profile appeals to Top 100 selectors.

I'd guess Merry Edwards SB is in the Top 10, or they get schilded out of the Top 100.

Where will Yellow Tail Shiraz go? top 10?