By
Vic Poulos
I often hear and read wine aficionados declare “the best wine” on the market today. Well, what does that really mean? Wine Spectator Magazine released its “Best of the Best” from the world’s benchmark regions, noting that while the magazine’s annual “Top 100” is a balance between availability, price and quality that sometimes one just wants the “The Best.”
While their list of the “Best of the Best” is based on their internal wine scores, they note that many are rarities that are hard or impossible to find.
Price?
When their Best of Burgundy has multiple listings over $1800 per bottle with a white wine Jean-Claude Ramonet Montrachet 2020 listing at $3500 per bottle, it makes me wonder if these are truly recommendations, or just an effort at moving the wine market in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Miami, or other large metropolitan areas where the majority of magazine subscribers live.
Having my own winery in Italy – and being somewhat familiar with my neighbors in Montalcino and their outstanding Brunellos – I found Wine Spectator’s listing of Brunellos such as Siro Pacenti ($60) Le Regnaie ($215) and Casanova Di Nero ($260) wines that I might splurge on for a special occasion, and they are excellent wines. The most expensive Tuscan gem was Masseto 2021 listed at $900.
Again, a fabulous wine – but how often do we spend this kind of money on a wine?
Wine is the only beverage where we let so-called “experts” tell us what we should like, and even what is the “Best of the Best”? To me, too many factors play into the choices of Best of the Best, as many great wines can often vary in quantity and quality by vintage years across the world.
I am often asked what my favorite wines are, and that is a question I can answer without hesitation. But ask me to “declare” which is the “Best of the Best” … well I can’t. They are all good and depending on what you like, there will be vast differences of opinion.
Here is my list of favorites, all available locally or by calling the winery. The following wine recommendations are readily available but some of them cost more than $100.
Pinot Noir: Sequitur from Oregon. Rochioli from California. Brewer Clifton from California. Dumol from California. Ken Wright from Oregon and Golden Eye from Anderson Valley California.
Brunellos: Uccelliera from Montalcino. Stella di Campalto. Mastrojanni. Biondi-Santi and also Casanova di Nero.
Chardonnay: Dumol from California. MacRostie from California. J. Rochioli from California. Brewer-Clifton from California. (And for a special treat: The Glories 1-5 series made by Maggie Harrison out of Dundee, Oregon. Ultima Pietra from Italy for a special Italian Chardonnay and Elk Cove Vineyards in Oregon for all other white wines.)
Blends/Meritage: Sine Qua Non or Fingers Crossed from California if you can find them. Dad makes SQN and son makes Fingers Crossed.
Sauvignon Blanc: Cloudy Bay from New Zealand or Merry Edwards from California.
Spanish: Pingus
Cabernet Sauvignon: Get out of the California rut and try Quilceda Creek from Washington State.
Zinfandel: Seghesio Winery in Healdsburg, CA.
My favorite of all time? “Penfolds “Grange” Any year, anytime!
Too many wines and too little time! Splurge and try something new.
Salud!
Vic Poulos
Owner, Fattoria Svetoni Winery and Zin Valle Vineyards.
