WS top 100.. 10,9,8,7,6,5,4

WINE TALK
1

The following is the list of wines that will be more expensive the next time you see them…
[head-bang.gif]


10. Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape White 2009
9. CARM Douro Reserva 2007
8. Fontodi Colli della Toscana Centrale Flaccianello 2007
7. Schild Shiraz Barossa 2008
6. Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2008
5. Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007
4. Revana Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena 2007

2

Flacco is already pricey enough.

3

Right, and I don’t see a lot of room for upward movement of southern Rhone white pricing.

4

Are they already doing this? I thought this always happened later in the year, no?

btw, the way you frame WS’s list is exactly how I think of it. [suicide.gif]

5

So, what are the candidates for WOTY for WS? Anyone?

6

It is a lock for the 2007 Banfi Modus. 96 points, under $30 release price and thousands of cases.

7

Chatter over there seems to be the 2007 Ruffino Modus or the 07 Dow. There’s also some chatter about how a Suckling review might 86 a wine from consideration. That seems silly to me, but an interesting thought.

8

Hope you’re right Evan. Can’t imagine paying $105 next year for Clos des Papes Blanc. [swoon.gif]

9

With Suckling gone from WS, who’s going to push for the wines he liked? Doubt a Port will be in the top 10.

10

I haven’t noticed that much upward price pressure for wines that fall in the Top 10, other than the one that ends up at #1. I’m guessing they often sell through faster, especially the more inexpensive bottles that make it (e.g. Seghesio Zinfandel or Columbia Crest cabernet) but I don’t see that much price inflation, particularly with the many wines in it that aren’t mass appeal wines (e.g. Port, Barolo, CdP).

For example, last year’s #7 was the Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2005. It’s still widely available for $47+. It’s release price was $44, and I think before the WS, it sold as low as about $40.

Last year’s #5 was the Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio 2006, release price of $54. It’s still widely available starting at $48 on wine-searcher.

11

I can see the Dow being near the top. Great score (100), acclaimed vintage, reasonable price $75, and moderate production 6,000?. The 94 Fonseca and Taylor shared the top spot. Even with Suckling gone they have to support their angles/reviews throughout the year.
So I can also see an 07 Cal cab being in the remaining wines. They loved Maybach and Schrader, though they’re pretty pricey and limited.
I’d imagine we have to see a high ranking southern rhone, maybe Beauscastel again. I could also see some love for a Wash Syrah (K, or Cayuse) as they scored well, and have value on their side. There’s probably another italian red to come, and maybe another cal darling like Aubert (08 chards did well) or Saxum.

12

FWIW, in the past, the bottle shapes were accurate so Port won’t be the winner.

13

+1 on the bottle shapes. If WS holds true to years past, I recall the label sizes and shapes were about right, but the red/white indications were not. Also, after the 2001 Paloma Merlot won WOTY, the Wine Spectator Top 100 has become decreasingly significant each year in terms of hype and sales impact. Flippers beware.

14

I’ll update the thread each morning as the next two are revealed. I’d love to see the 07 Dows get in there… I’ve actually got a bottle of that.

15

I know the folks with Lapostolle expected the 07 Clos Apalta to place highly this year, always a great bottle (given enough air time), wouldn’t mind seeing it pop up again.

16

Will go 1 or 2. I can’t see an Italian wine making it this year, there have been 3 or 4 Italian WOTY in the past 10 years. They did the “budget” thing last year, I think they’ll put less emphasis on that this year. All the high flying cult stuff is too low in production, I think after Paloma they resolved never to pick a wine that’s impossible to get. Hasn’t been a Port since the 94 vintage, my money’s on Dow.

17

Joe Flacco?

18

I was really hoping that modus was going to be released before this stupid list came out!!!

19

Mount Eden Chard 06?

20

My guess due to bottle shape and also it’s time for it to be WOTY: Pinot Noir

WS loves Kosta Browne and it was the #4 wine last year. It’s going to the the 2008 Kosta Browne Russian River Valley 94 pts. Over 3600 cases…