10 - 2022 Ramey Chardonnay Russian River Valley
9 - 2020 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe
0 for 2 so far in my cellar.
The countdown seems to have less fanfare in the last few years. Or maybe I’m not the audience?
Tom
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I don’t have the 2022, but I have enjoyed numerous vintages of that Ramey wine. Pretty wild how they can make so many cases of it year after year, and it’s always spot on.
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The Albe is a great choice. A good Barolo at a great price that you can drink fairly early
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8 - 2022 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Eastside Road Neighbors
7 - 2020 Vieux Telegraphe CdP
Both of these are squarely in my wheelhouse!
Tom
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I have not had this bottling, but I have solidly enjoyed some of Ramey”s other Chardonnays - Fort Ross-Seaview, Rochioli, and the exquisite Hyde. @David_Bu3ker has been an influence on me taking a look at Ramey
As far as the lack of fanfare, Tom, here you go . . .
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6 - 2022 Drouhin Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir
5 - 2021 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon
Tom
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Seems like nobody cares anymore…
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How much of that W-S is made?
I’m calling the #1 to be a 2021 Napa cab, probably something classic like Opus One or Beringer PR.
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I like the Roserock quite a bit for the price. Unfortunately I could see the price jumping now.
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Just had this in a restaurant and put it on my list of wines to look for, I thought it was very enjoyable. I think the price just jumped…
Nice to see the Chimney Rock Stags Leap Cab make the list. I’ve always felt it was a dependable Stags Leap Cab made in a more elegant, medium body style that didn’t break the bank (which of course is all relative these days).
I wondered about a CA Cab, too.
WS gave Opus One a 95, and Beringer PR a 94. I’ll guess those scores won’t do it considering their price points and less expensive bottles available with similar ratings. The Salvestrin 2021 Cab (96, $95) was the least expensive wine of their top scoring Cabs in the recent 2021 tasting report, and its already on their radar as it was in the top 10 the year Dominus took the top spot. Other “value” possibilities might be Turnbull Reserve (95, $110) and BV Rutherford (94, $85).
While WS might put an uber-highly rated $500+ (Schrader/Scarecrow) or Unobtanium bottle (MacD/Kinsman) in the top 10, I just don’t see the top spot going to the likes of them.
I also agree that WS has valued classically styled Cabs higher than most raters. They picked Dominus for the top spot a few years ago. I wondered if VHR (98, $275) or Spottswoode (97, $285) might make the top 10 this year.
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What I love most about these lists are the retailers that blow up their distributors for wines they refused to carry in the past.
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Damn, we got close. @Tom_R_W Beaulieu Vineyard GDL makes #2…therefore, I think I need to change my prediction for #1, lol. Maybe a white sparkler? Dom Perignon 2015 maybe?
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4 - 2021 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon
3 - 2021 Antinori Tignanello
2 - 2021 BV GDL Cabernet Sauvignon
Tom
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Yep, Napa is still king (or at least takes the king’s share of this top 10 list).
Anyone ever have that Faust Cab Sauv? 50,000 cases produced - wowsa!
Cheers
It’s fine, it’s a wine of a style, not of a place.
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Had this one in Italy with them this summer. Its a good one. I am actually putting together an order with them. Guessing this will sell out pretty quick now.
$130 Euro direct.
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Not to stir anything up - but can’t this be said for many wines in the region these days? 
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