I attend a lot of public tasting events for the same reason I tell my readers to attend them. They are simply the best way to educate the palate, and often the only way to get a chance to taste certain wines that you might not otherwise have a chance to afford. Such tastings can be quite exhausting and by the end of the event, I’m usually ready to take a nap.
At the end of the annual Wine & Spirits Top 100 tasting every year, however, I find myself wishing I had another couple of hours to wander around and taste wine. Perhaps this is partly because of the bottomless oyster bar with fresh kumamoto oysters, a welcome respite from rounds of tasting, but mostly the wines on offer are generally of such high quality that I simply would like to taste them all.
Put on by Wine & Spirits Magazine, the tasting is a showcase of (most, but not all) the wineries that have made the magazine’s annual list of Top 100 Wineries around the world. Such annual lists have only marginal value from my perspective, and often contain the same players over and over again, but it’s certainly hard to deny the quality of the wines on offer at this particular tasting, which inevitably, is one of the best public wine tastings all year in San Francisco.
Held at the City View event space at the Metreon building in San Francisco, this event particularly benefits from good weather, offering spectacular views of the city during the tasting.
Per usual, this year’s tasting, held on October 10th, was jam packed with fantastic wines from around the world, as well as tasty bites from the magazine’s top 25 San Francisco restaurants. As with many such public tastings, I can either take my time to write tasting notes on fewer wines, or I can rate a larger number. I decided to range widely and taste a lot, so what you get are just scores below, which you can take with the requisite grain of salt. I’ve provided links to purchase as many of the wines as I could dredge up retailers for on Wine-Searcher.
Enjoy!
WHITE & PINK WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 9.5 AND 10
MV Chambers Rosewood Vineyards Grand Muscat, Rutherglen, Australia. $70 (375ml)
NV Krug Brut Grande Cuvée, Champagne, France. $149
WHITE & PINK WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9.5
2015 C. von Schubert Maximin Grünhauser Abtsberg Riesling Superior, Mosel, Germany. $33
MV Chambers Rosewood Vineyards Rare Muscat, Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia. $200 (375 ml)
NV Dosnon Brut Rosé Champagne, France. $53
2014 Evening Land La Source Seven Springs Vineyard Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $80.
MV Hidalgo La Gitana Manzanilla Pasada Pastrana, Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain. $20.
2004 Iron Horse Joy!, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California. $95
2014 Terroir al Limit Pedra de Guix, Priorat, Spain. $70
WHITE & PINK WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
1980 Blandy’s Terrantez Medium Rich, Madeira, Portugal. $??
2014 C. von Schubert Kabinett Maximin Grünhauser Herrenberg Riesling, Mosel, Germany. $
2015 Champalou Les Tries, Vouvray, Loire Valley, France. $63.
2014 Domaine Chanson Les Chenevottes, Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy, France. $167.
NV Dosnon Brut Récolte Blanche, Champagne, France. $55
2016 Gaia Thalassitis, Santorini, Greece. $27.
2015 Inglenook Blancaneaux, Rutherford Napa Valley, California. $65
2014 Maison Louis Jadot Les Demoiselles Domaine des Heritiers, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Burgundy, France. $350
2009 Louis Roederer Brut Nature Philippe Starck, Champagne, France. $78
2012 Luneau-Papin Terre de Pierre, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Loire Valley, France. $24
2014 Movia Sauvignon, Brda, Slovenia. $33.
2013 Prinz Salm Felseneck Wallhausen Riesling Spätlese, Nahe, Germany. $30.
2015 Robert Weil Spätlese Kiedrich Grafenberg Riesling, Rheingau, Germany. $66
2015 Salomon Undhof Steiner Kögl Erste Lage Reserve Riesling, Kremstal, Austria. $28
2015 Salomon Undhof Von Stein Reserve Gruner Veltliner, Kremstal, Austria. $44
2015 Soalheiro Granit Mineral Selection, Vinho Verde, Portugal. $13
2014 Zind-Humbrecht Clos Windsbuhl Riesling, Alsace, France. $80.
WHITE & PINK WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2016 Anselmo Mendes Contacto, Vinho Verde, Portugal. $19
2014 Forjas del Salnés Leirana Finca Genoveva, Rias Baixas, Spain. $50.
2016 Gaia Wild Ferment Assyrtiko, Santorini, Greece. $28.
2011 Louis Roederer Brut Rosé, Champagne, France. $70.
2015 Radio-Coteau Wingtine Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California. $65.
2014 Red Car Hagan Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California. $58.
2015 Robert Weil Grosses Gewachs Kiedrich Grafenberg Riesling, Rheingau, Germany. $80.
2014 Skerlj Vitovska, Venezia Giulia, Italy. $27
2016 Skinner Grenache Blanc, El Dorado, Sierra Foothills, California. $24.
2015 Vadiaperti Aiperti, Fiano de Avelino, Campania, Italy. $??
2015 Yalumba The Virgilius Viognier, Eden Valley, South Australia. $84.
2014 Zind-Humbrecht Rangen de Thann Grand Cru Clos Saint Urbain Riesling, Alsace, France. $105
WHITE & PINK WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2014 Anselmo Mendes Expressoes, Vinho Verde, Portugal
2015 DeMorgenzon DMZ Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa
2014 Domaine des Baumard Clos du Papillon, Savennieres, Loire Valley, France
2016 Giant Steps Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
2016 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley, South Australia
2011 Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
2014 Luneau-Papin Sur Lie Clos des Allees, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Loire Valley, France
2011 Maison Louis Jadot Domaine Duc de Magenta Clos de la Garenne, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru, Burgundy, France
2014 Movia Sivi Pinot Grigio, Brda, Slovenia
2015 Ravines White Springs Vineyard Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes, New York
WHITE & PINK WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2015 Champalou Les Fondraux, Vouvray, Loire Valley, France
2013 DeMorgenzon The Divas Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa
2016 Soalheiro Alvarinho, Vino Verde, Portugal
2015 Vadiaperti Coda de Volpe, Irpinia, Campania, Italy
RED WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 9.5 AND 10
2013 Corison Kronos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California. $
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9.5
2012 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Monvigliero, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy. $
2014 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena Napa Valley, California. $
2015 Domaine Faury Vieilles Vignes, Saint Joseph, Rhone Valley, France. $
2015 Domaine Faury, Cote-Rotie, Rhone Valley, France. $
2014 Red Car Docs Ranch Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California. $
2014 Terroir al Limit Les Manyes, Priorat, Spain. $
2012 Yalumba The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz, Barossa, South Australia. $
RED WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2014 Adelsheim Quarter Mile Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $
2015 aMaurice Fred Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Washington. $
2014 aMaurice Owl and Crown, Walla Walla Valley, Washington. $
2013 aMaurice Night Owl, Walla Walla Valley, Washington. $
2014 Bernard Baudry Les Grezeaux, Chinon, Loire Valley, France. $
2014 Evening Land La Source Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $
2012 Fratelli Alessandria Gramolere, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy. $
2010 Fuligni Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. $
2015 Gaia Agiorgitiko by GAIA, Nemea, Greece. $
2010 Genium Celler , Priorat, Spain. $
2016 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia. $
2014 Gramercy Cellars John Lewis Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Washington. $
2014 Gramercy Cellars , Lagniappe Syrah , Washington. $
2012 Penfolds Grange, South Australia, . $
2012 Le Ragnaie VV, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. $
2012 Le Ragnaie Fornace, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. $
2014 Red Car Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California. $
2014 Reynvaan In the Hills Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Washington. $70
2014 Skinner Estate Mourvedre, El Dorado County, Sierra Foothills, California. $
2014 Tinto Negro Finca La Escuela La Piedra Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina. $
2014 Viña Undurraga T.H. [Terroir Hunter] Pirque Cabernet Sauvignon, Alto Maipo, Chile. $
2013 Vadio Wines, Bairrada, Portugal. $
2014 The Withers Mr. Burgess, El Dorado County, Sierra Foothills, California. $
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2014 Achaval Ferrer Finca Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina. $
2013 Andrew Will Sorella Champoux Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington. $
2016 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Pelaverga, Verduno, Piedmont, Italy. $
2014 Col Solare Collector’s Society Red Wine, Red Mountain, Washington. $
2016 De Martino Viejas Tinajas Cinsault, Itata Valley, Chile. $
2013 DeLille Four Flags Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Washington. $
2014 Gramercy Cellars Third Man Grenache, Columbia Valley, Washington. $
2013 Inglenook Cabernet, Rutherford Napa Valley, California. $
2014 J. Christopher Sandra Adele Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $
2013 Le Macchiole Messorio, Tuscany, Italy. $
2015 Le Macchiole Rosso, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy. $
2014 Penfolds RWT (Bin 798?) Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia. $
2014 Radio-Coteau Terra Neuma Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California. $
2014 Reynvaan In the Rocks Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Washington. $85
2013 Silverado Vineyards Solo Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California. $
2013 Silverado Vineyards GEO Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombsville, Napa Valley, California. $
2013 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District Napa Valley, California. $
2012 Tapiz Selección de Barricas Reserve San Pablo Vineyard, Mendoza, Argentina. $
2014 Tinto Negro Vineyard 1955 Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina. $
2014 Viña Undurraga T.H. [Terroir Hunter] Barrana Syrah, Limarí, Chile. $
2012 Vadio Wines Grande, Bairrada, Portugal. $
2012 Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5, Ribera del Duero, Spain. $
RED WINES WITH A SCORE BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2014 Adelsheim Breaking Ground Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $
2015 Bernard Baudry , Chinon, Loire Valley, France. $
2014 Col Solare Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Washington. $
2014 De Martino Las Cruces Old Vine, Cachapoal Valley, Chile. $
2014 DeLille D2 Red Wine, Columbia Valley, Washington. $
2015 Fratelli Alessandria Speziale Pelaverga, Verduno, Piedmont, Italy. $
2011 Fuligni , Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. $
2012 Genium Celler Poboleda Vi de la Vila, Priorat, Spain. $
2014 J. Christopher Nuages Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $
2015 Occhipinti SP68, Sicily, Italy. $
2011 Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy. $
2014 Produttori del Barbaresco , Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy. $
2014 Tapiz Alta Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina. $
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2005 Vega Sicilia Unico, Ribera del Duero, Spain. $
from Global Greats: Highlights from the 2017 Wine & Spirits Top 100
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