Wilfred Wong, BevMo! Cellarmaster released his list of 10 favorite wines (of the more than 8,000 wines) he tasted in 2011.
| 1 | 2008 Duckhorn Vineyards CABERNET SAUVIGNON (NAPA VALLEY) | 95 PTS WILFRED WONG. Incredibly sexy, the ’08 Duckhorn Cabernet is their finest effort to date; rich, bright red and black fruit, polished leather, accent of lilacs; long and luscious in the finish. |
$ 65.99 |
| 2 | 2008 Altocedro Gran Reserva MALBEC (MENDOZA) | 99 PTS WILFRED WONG. Simply an amazing wine, the concentrated, stick-to-your-ribs ’08 Altocedro Grand Reserva Malbec shows incredible balance; abundant, black fruit flavors. |
$ 69.99 |
| 3 | 2000 Gloria Ferrer SPARKLING WINE Carneros Cuvée (CARNEROS) | 95 PTS WINE ENTHUSIAST. Held back for eleven years, the Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvee 2000 taste young and vibrant in acidity, with rich strawberry, orange, lime and yeast flavors. | $ 43.99 |
| 4 | NV Billecart-Salmon CHAMPAGNE Rosé | 92 PTS WINE ENTHUSIAST. The NV Billecart Salmon Rose is a bone-dry, delicious wine; red fruits and a color that just hints at rosé. Lovely acidity completes the serious and highly enjoyable wine. |
$ 79.99 |
| 5 | 2010 Zinnia PINOT NOIR Reserve (SANTA BARBARA COUNTY) | 95 PTS WILFRED WONG. Incredibly expansive from the nose to the finish, the thrilling ’10 Zinnia Reserve Pinot Noir is as good as it gets; explosive, ripe, strawberry flavors linger on. |
$ 34.99 |
| 6 | 2009 Domaine Philippe Livera GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN Clos Villages Réserve Vieilles Vignes Ni Filtré Ni Collé | 94 PTS WILFRED WONG. A wonderfully rich, yet refined effort, the impressive, ripe strawberry like ’09 Philippe Livera Gervery-Chambertin shows plenty of richness on the palate; persistent finish. |
$ 59.99 |
| 7 | 2009 Brown Estate ZINFANDEL (NAPA VALLEY) | 92 PTS WILFRED WONG. Simply a superb effort, the rich, yet elegant ’09 Brown Estate Zinfandel shows that powerful red need not be over-the-top; absolutely delicious, with berry goodness. |
$ 34.99 |
| 8 | 2010 Chateau Ste Michelle EROICA RIESLING (COLUMBIA VALLEY) | 92 PTS WILFRED WONG. The star performs again, the incredibly aromatic ’10 Eroica stands high above the rest with its fresh apple, jasmine and racy, slightly sweet style; long, delicious finish. |
$ 22.99 |
| 9 | 2010 Gina MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO | 91 PTS WILFRED WONG. Edging ever so slightly to the modern, New World way of bright fruit and a clean zesty style, the ’10 Gina Montepulciano delivers very fresh flavors. |
$ 12.99 |
| 10 | 2007 Markham Vineyards MERLOT (NAPA VALLEY) | 90 PTS WINE SPECTATOR. The ’07 Markham Merlot is sleek and well-focused, with appealing cherry and tomato leaf aromas; nicely layered red currant, herb and spicy caramel flavors. |
$ 16.99 |
Did any of your favorites make the list?
I’m so tempted to give their one cent wine sale a try but not sure what I’d like and don’t wanna be disappointed.
Red wines are always the best in my opinion.
comment bonus 1
Llian69@verizon.net
I used to think I knew my wines but things change so rapidly now. Thanks for sharing the list. I may have to have another look the next time I’m wine shopping.
Wow we have 3 of the wines on our list the restaurant where I bartend (the Markhan, Duckhorn and St. Michelle). I love the Duckhorn…of course at 145 a bottle at our restaurant I don’t get to enjoy very often!