December 2003
releases its Top 100 List. This is an annual
roundup of the “most exciting” wines of the year
according to their editors.
While all of these wines are very good, this is not
simply a list of the 100 highest scoring wines.
Quality is a major consideration of course, but
the editors also factor in the relative value and
availability of the wines. Lastly they consider
how “exciting” a given wine is. The editors said
they put special emphasis this year on value due
to the overall weak economy.
Any wine lover will find the Spectator’s coverage
an interesting read. You can find full coverage in
the December 31 issue or excerpts at
www.winespectator.com.
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only 100-rated wine in the list and
the most expensive at $170 a bottle
diversity of the wines in this list. A dozen countries were represented among these 100
wines. France led the way with 27 wines. The U.S. produced 25 of the wines with 19 of
those coming from California. Italy was the only other country that produced double
digit ranked wines, with 15 on the list.
So two-thirds of the ranked wines came from those three countries. That still leaves 33
wines from other countries including Spain (7 wines), Australia (7), and Germany (5).
Chile, New Zealand, Portugal and South Africa each produced three ranked wines. The
bottom line is that great wine is made around the globe.
There is also diversity of grape varietals on the list. This isn’t just a bunch of
Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots. Wines made from Syrah, Grenache,
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Malbec, Gewurztraminer and even Gruner Veltliner are
represented. Cabernets and Cab-based blends are abundant, but by my count, only
eight Chardonnays made the list. Let’s hear it for variety.
happy to find that several of my own personal favorites had made the list. The #2 wine
was the 2000 Chateau Cos-D’Estournal from St.-Estephe Bordeaux. This was a wine I
purchased as a futures contract back in 2001. I have magnums of this in my cellar
where they’ll stay for the next 20+ years to be served at my daughter’s wedding or
another celebration with her. She was born in 2000, and I hope she matures as well as
this wine will.
The Kumeu River Chardonnay Kumeu 2002 (#22) and the Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Icon
Series 2002 (#44) were wines that I discovered during my trip to New Zealand in March.
Peter Lehmann’s Clancy’s Barossa Shiraz 2001 (#62) has been one of my favorite
Aussie wines going back to the 1997 vintage.
On the other hand, there are some rankings with which I disagree. The Gini Soave
Classico Superiore is ranked #61 by the Spectator. We poured this at a recent party
and couldn't finish the bottle even with six people drinking white wine.
Overall the ratings are an interesting look at world of wine, albeit from the subjective
perspective of Wine Spectator’s editors. Keep in mind that nobody will fully agree as to
the best wines and your best guide is always your own palette.
