Wine Spectators Top 100 - 1st 25

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Top 100 Wines of 2009 (Show Tasting Notes)

Rank

Wine Vintage Score Release Price Select

1 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve 2005 95 $27

Ripe in flavor, with a vivid array of black currant, blackberry, violet, black tea and black pepper aromas and flavors that zoom through to a long, expressive finish. Shows subtlety in the layers of complex flavor against a refined structure. Tannins are present but nicely contained. Best from 2010 through 2015. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 6,000 cases made. - HS –HS Country:

Washington Region:

Washington Issue Date:

Feb 28, 2009

2 Numanthia-Termes Toro Termes 2005 96 $27

Austere yet alluring, this powerful red is thick and tannic, yet reveals a core of blackberry, mineral, hoisin and graphite that's dense and pure. Monolithic now, but has depth and balance. Modern, but shows a real sense of place. Best after 2012. 4,000 cases imported. - TM –TM Country:

Spain Region:

Spain Issue Date:

Web Only

3 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2007 95 $70

Packed, in a brawny, muscular style atypical for this lush vintage, with a gravelly undertow to the currant paste, braised fig and dark licorice notes. Picks up even more steam on the finish, with grilled mesquite, mineral and garrigue notes and a long, hot stone-filled finish. Best from 2010 through 2030. 17,000 cases made. - JM –JM Country:

France Region:

Southern Rhône Issue Date:

Dec 15, 2009

4 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2007 95 $52

Firm and focused, with a wonderful purity of flavor, offering a complex, focused mix of black cherry, raspberry, spice and anise. Full-bodied and concentrated. Long and persistent on the finish. Drink now through 2014. 3,069 cases made. - JL –JL Country:

California Region:

Sonoma Issue Date:

Aug 31, 2009

5 Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio 2006 96 $54

Shows amazing aromas of blackberry, with hints of vanilla and flowers, along with black licorice and crushed berries. Full-bodied, with wonderfully caressing, ultrafine tannins. Very balanced and long. Best after 2011. 6,170 cases made. - JS –JS Country:

Italy Region:

Tuscany Issue Date:

Oct 15, 2009

6 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Signature 2006 94 $42

Assertive herb, anise, blackberry and wild berry fruit is tight, firm, tannic and well-structured, picking up depth and length on the finish. Best from 2010 through 2016. 7,650 cases made. - JL –JL Country:

California Region:

Napa Issue Date:

Jul 31, 2009

7 Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2005 96 $44

This fabulous Nebbiolo displays aromas of very ripe strawberry and cappuccino. Full-bodied, with supervelvety tannins and incredible concentration. All the tannins are coated with gorgeous fruit. Best after 2013. 5,000 cases made. - JS –JS Country:

Italy Region:

Piedmont Issue Date:

Aug 31, 2009

8 Fontodi Colli della Toscana Centrale Flaccianello 2006 99 $110

Shows excellent color and richness for a Sangiovese, with aromas of sultana, coffee, toasty oak and vanilla bean. Full-bodied, with masses of fruit and chewy tannins. The concentration and depth of fruit and layers of tannins are breathtaking. A blockbuster. Best after 2014. 5,000 cases made. - JS –JS Country:

Italy Region:

Tuscany Issue Date:

Oct 31, 2009

9 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley 2007 96 $29

A rocket beam of vibrancy, with effusive honeysuckle notes and ripe honeydew melon, citrus, pear and apricot flavors that have amazing structure, depth and body. Ripe flavors end with a mouthwatering finish, where the mineral and spice details echo on and on. Drink now through 2012. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 3,880 cases made. - MW –MW Country:

California Region:

Sonoma Issue Date:

May 31, 2009

10 Brancaia Toscana Tre 2007 93 $20

There's wonderful intensity of fruit in this wine, with crushed raspberry and blackberry and hints of coffee and fresh flowers. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, soft-textured finish that shows loads of fruit. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best after 2010. 25,000 cases made. - JS –JS Country:

Italy Region:

Tuscany Issue Date:

Oct 31, 2009

11 Poggio Il Castellare Brunello di Montalcino 2004 96 $50

Dried dark fruit on the nose, verging on date and prune. Full-bodied, with a dense palate of ripe fruit and supersilky tannins. This is a deep and beautiful red, delivering lots of subtle character. Fascinating. One of the undiscovered treasures of the vintage. Best after 2011. 2,000 cases made. - JS –JS Country:

Italy Region:

Tuscany Issue Date:

Apr 30, 2009

12 Saxum Broken Stones Paso Robles 2006 96 $45

Offers waves of ripe, exotic dark berry fruit, with wild berry, raspberry and blackberry jam notes that are full-bodied, rich and intense, pure and focused, ending with a long, complex, persistent finish. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2015. 800 cases made. - JL –JL Country:

California Region:

South Coast Issue Date:

Mar 31, 2009

13 Fattoria di Felsina Toscana Fontalloro 2006 95 $52

Chocolate, blackberry and black cherry aromas lead to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a deep concentration of fruit. Powerfully rich and polished. Big and structured. A blockbuster Sangiovese. Best after 2012. 3,300 cases made. - JS –JS Country:

Italy Region:

Tuscany Issue Date:

Oct 31, 2009

14 Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella's Garden 2007 94 $60

Ripe, fleshy and generous, but not nearly over the top, with gorgeous cherry, pomegranate, black olive and bay leaf flavors arching beautifully and swirling through the long, supple finish. Best from 2010 through 2017. 6,500 cases made. - HS –HS Country:

Australia Region:

Australia Issue Date:

Jul 31, 2009

15 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Brunello di Montalcino Castelgiocondo 2004 95 $65

Shows a complex nose of blackberry, tanned leather, sandalwood and cedar. Fascinating. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a long, long finish. Concentrated yet balanced. Beautiful and complete. Best after 2011. 17,000 cases made. - JS –JS Country:

Italy Region:

Tuscany Issue Date:

Apr 30, 2009

16 Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino 2004 97 $65

Complex aromas of rose, blackberry, blueberry and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with wonderfully velvety tannins and focused, juicy, rich fruit. Long and intense. The finish shows berry, tobacco, toasty oak, berry and chocolate. Goes on and on. One of the wines of the vintage. Best after 2011. 1,890 cases made. - JS –JS Country:

Italy Region:

Tuscany Issue Date:

Apr 30, 2009

17 Carlisle Syrah Russian River Valley Papa's Block 2007 98 $43

This gorgeous Syrah has amazing complexity, depth and concentration, gushing with pure, rich wild berry, blackberry and boysenberry fruit that's simply delicious right now. Holds its tight focus and gains depth and nuance, with pepper, spice and savory flavors. Drink now through 2016. 307 cases made. - JL –JL Country:

California Region:

Sonoma Issue Date:

Jun 30, 2009

18 Argyle Extended Tirage Willamette Valley 1999 95 $60

Elegant, with very fine bubbles and complex spice, coffee, pear and toast aromas and flavors that are poised against lacy acidity and refined structure, letting the flavors sail on and on with finesse. Drink now. 1,115 cases made. - HS –HS Country:

Oregon Region:

Oregon Issue Date:

Dec 15, 2009

19 Landmark Syrah Sonoma Valley Steel Plow 2006 94 $30

Shows loads of pepper, beef, dark berry, teriyaki, mineral and spice. Intense, distinctive, full-bodied and focused, this is so complex and well-proportioned that all the flavors work together seamlessly. Drink now through 2015. 1,600 cases made. - JL –JL Country:

California Region:

Sonoma Issue Date:

Mar 31, 2009

20 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Kathryn Hall 2006 96 $75

A big, dense, concentrated wine, with wonderful aromas marked by chewy tannins, yet the core currant and blackberry flavors and savory herb and earth nuances provide a solid foundation. Best from 2010 through 2016. 3,040 cases made. - JL –JL Country:

California Region:

Napa Issue Date:

Aug 31, 2009

21 Neyers Chardonnay Carneros 2007 93 $29

Complex aromas of smoke, fig and citrus fold over to the palate. Full-bodied, with fine structure and acidity, along with flavors that end up giving this a delicate feel. The aftertaste is delicious. Drink now through 2012. 5,600 cases made. - JL –JL Country:

California Region:

Carneros Issue Date:

Feb 28, 2009

22 Tensley Syrah Santa Barbara County Colson Canyon Vineyard 2007 94 $38

Firm and musclebound, with rich, chewy tannins. Full-bodied, this is the most complex and potent of the 2007 Tensleys, offering layers of earthy wild berry, sage, mineral, dried currant and floral scents. Drink now through 2016. 1,259 cases made. - JL –JL Country:

California Region:

South Coast Issue Date:

Feb 28, 2009

23 Lewis Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2007 95 $48

This opulent, full-bodied Chardonnay delivers amazing richness, focus, complexity and range of flavor. Concentrated pear, fig and citrus notes have a nice smoky, toasty oak overlay. The finish is bold and complex, with touches of butterscotch. Drink now through 2011. 1,200 cases made. - JL –JL Country:

California Region:

Sonoma Issue Date:

Feb 28, 2009

24 Penfolds Shiraz South Australia St. Henri 2005 95 $65

Aromatic, complex and silky, slipping in its gorgeous blackberry, currant and plum fruit against a seething background of toast, spice, mineral and loamy earth. The texture is seamless, and the flavors just take off, sailing through the long, expressive finish. Best from 2011 through 2020. 1,000 cases imported. - HS –HS Country:

Australia Region:

Australia Issue Date:

Sep 30, 2009

25 Rodney Strong Chardonnay Russian River Valley Reserve 2006 94 $40

Wonderful perfumed aromas fold over to the palate, which is full-bodied and ultrarich without being heavy, delivering tiers of ripe fig, apricot and green apple, shaded by spicy, toasty oak. Better than previously reviewed. Drink now through 2012. 2,448 cases made. - JL –JL Country:

California Region:

Sonoma Issue Date:

Jun 30, 2009