This is my overall top 10, based on both quality and value. If someone asked me "What do you recommend?" I'd end up suggesting one of these wines, depending on the style and price point the person was looking for. I've numbered them starting at 1, but that's just to count - the list isn't in any particular order:
1. Tormaresca Bocca di Lupo $34
2. Château Bouscassé Vieilles Vignes $50
3. Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato $100
4. Perrin & Fils Les Christins $25
5. Pio Cesare Fides Barbera d'Alba $47
6. Frescobaldi Nipozzano Riserva Chianti Rufina $27
7. Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Syrah $24
8. Tormaresca Masseria Maime $34
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i only see 7 wines. are 8-10 'wines to be named later'?
ReplyDeleteMaybe. I'm only going to post wines that I really think belong - I'm not going add wines that don't deserve "Top 10" status just to round out the list to 10 (scroll down to "Top 10 Lists"). If I find three more wines to add, I will (but it won't get longer than 10).
ReplyDeleteMy Top 10 wines in ANBL that I have been Dying to Try:
ReplyDeleteAlmaviva
Montes Purple Angel
Feudi San Gregorio Rubrato
Feudi San Gregorio Falanghina
Pio Cesare Piodilei Chardonnay
Pio Cesare Ornato Barolo 2003
Guigal Crozes Hermitage 2004
Torres Mas La Plana
Arrowood Syrah
Chateau Beau Soleil
Love your recommend list, I would agree with the majority of it- I tend to also include:
ReplyDeleteMarques de Casa Concha Syrah $25
Palo Alto Reserva Red 13.50
d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab $20
Iron Chef,
ReplyDeleteInteresting list. I'd love to try the '03 Ornato, but I haven't quite been able to bring myself to do it (yet) - I spent way too much money on the '01 (and the Il Bricco). And once you get in that price range it's so disappointing if you don't love the wine. The Purple Angel looks very interesting and is a bit more reasonable - but the reviews I've found suggest it is still a bit young. Maybe worth a try anyway.
Iron Chef, I like your choices. The Palo Alto (2005) is a 5/5 for value, and an awesome wine at twice the price. A bit of pepper and berry on the nose, as well as another hard to pin down smell...something floral methinks. Very nice dark, full and smooth on the mouth with a long finish. It has a lot of fresh berry flavor with a hint of dark chocolate covered cherries. (BTW there's no 2005 left, but maybe the 2006 is starting to catch up.
ReplyDeleteAnother awesome find is the Marques Casa Concha 2005 Syrah that you mention... a great example of Syrah...very well balanced
Iron Chef, We had the 2004 Crozes-Hermitage at our class last night. This Northern-Rhone syrah was inky, robust, and had the most memorable nose of the evening. By that time we had done the rest of France (except for Bordeaux) so I didn't make many specific tasting notes.
ReplyDeleteI would highly recommed trying this wine, as it was probably the group's favorite of the night. At the end of the night we were going to open a bottle of the 2002, but used our better judgement and went home.
Thanks Luke, I was there with the Baseball hat- I really loved the Crozes, it was such a different wine- Syrah vs Shiraz I guess, but the wine that really struck me was the Chateauneuf du Pape Clos de l'Oratoire and the Chateau du cedre from Cahors. A special tasting that I will not soon forget. See you next week. Thats not better judgement btw, its age.
ReplyDeleteThe Chateau du Cedre Cahors doesn't seem to be listed at ANBL. Is it currently available?
ReplyDeleteSorry only at SAQ, for now.
ReplyDeletePalo Alto Reserva Red 2007
ReplyDeleteUPC #7804320214085
Retail Price: $13.49
Alcool 13.5%
Since the 2007s were on the shelf, I had to get it a try. The Cab/Syrah/ Carmenere blend is an annual All-Value nomination for me and the 2007 is again very good. The nose was dominated by Cracked White Pepper, some Vegetable notes – Red Peppers maybe and Black currants. The Eucalyptus was followed quickly by a nice warm vanilla wood smells to round out the aromas. The Palate was Black fruits mixed with tobacco and heady alcohol. The palate was a touch thinner than I remember but the white pepper was stronger than I had recalled maybe to even it all out. A really enjoyable wine. I can’t think of a better value at ANBL at this time.
Value: 5/5
Score 85