It's that time of year again . . . .

I just got an email announcing the start of the Wine Spectator Top 10 countdown for 2008. #9 and #10 were announced today: #10. Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma County 2007 (93 pt, $24), and #9. Molly Dooker Shiraz Carnival of Love McLaren Vale 2007 (95 pt, $90).

I'm not going to reflect on the wines, neither of which I've tried (and probably won't get to now . . . .), but rather to note (1) how the hell did it get to be November already!?!, and (2) I guess this means we can expect nothing but plonk to be released in the nearly two months between now and the end of the year . . . . ?

I always smile when the Wine Spectator releases its 10 best of the year list in November, wondering of course whether they simply do not taste wines in November and December. As to my comments on the wine choices, let's hold until the full list is posted.

As to my own lists - to be posted on either 31 December or 1 January.


Best
Rogov

There was a time, a while ago, when I cared about the WS list.

Lists such as these, regardless of source, are rubbish unless you factor in the circulation impact.
Cheerio,
Bill Paumen

There was a time, a while ago, when I cared about the WS list.

I think it was 1989...

You can all make fun but after that list comes out there will be dozens of people coming into our store with that damn thing in their hand. We just smile and do the best we can. There are unfortunately many people who regard selections from WS to have been handed down by God, directly from heaven.

Just hope that one of your favorite wines is not on the list. Why? Because the price will double ASAP. When Thomas ran his wine store in NYC a few years ago, a wonderful Gigondas that he carried made the list. A week later he couldn't get any more for his store.

Don't get me wrong folks - I don't put a whole lot of stock in the WS list - I always enjoy getting to taste wines I know are on the list, but mostly just out of curiosity, to see what sorts of wines made the mysterious cut. As I implied in my first post, the impact of the list is mostly negative for us true wine lovers, as the wines quickly become unavailable and/or unaffordable to those of us who actually enjoy and appreciate the wines, rather than just the points and press attached to them. On the other hand, like the points system, such list have some useful value if you know have to use them intelligently.

More than anything, I was simply reflecting on the passage of time, on the annual rituals of the wine world, and above all the ephemeral nature of it all.

Ryan-
I think we all understood the intent of your post. Sometimes we just like to rant a bit.
Bill

[David M. Bueker]

Rant? Us? Nah.

But what goes up must come down (normally). Remember when Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages was #1 and the price tripled in a year? Well it's now back down almost to where it started.

The most use I ever got out of the Top 10 was a couple of years ago when Casanova de Neri Brunello was #1. I had two bottles in my cellar. I donated them to charity. I'm sure the #1 tag spurred some bidding (I wasn't there for the event, so I don't know how it turned out).

Chances are that an '05 Bordeaux won this year. Realistically, given that prices for '05 Bdx were ridiculously high to begin with and have been dropping 20 to 30% or more from their post-bottle score highs in light of economic conditions, I don't necessarily think WOTY will have the same impact on prices that it has had in past years.

PS - I think it's entertaining to try and figure out the wines, but other than that, I think the whole ranking think is bunk simply designed to generate circulation.

Sorry folks if I misinterpreted the tone of your posts. Anyway, today's installment:
#7. Pontet-Canet 2005 (96 pts, $100)
#8. Beaucastel C-d-P 2005 (96 pts, $95)

My only observation is: where-oh-where can you get the 05 Pontet-Canet for $100? Lowest price via winezap is $110. But, it's nice to see P-C getting good press, as they really have become a star in Pauillac. Almost exactly a year ago I had the 1997 - a tremendously underrated wine, with perhaps another decade left in it. Pity it's price went up - I might have gotten another bottle. We snagged it for $30 in summer 2007. It goes for $50 - $60 now. Beaucastel's still on my to do list, although I have a friend who has the '83, which I will probably get to taste eventually.

... just as long as they don't put Selbach-Oster or any of my other favourite Riesling producers in that top list.

... just as long as they don't put Selbach-Oster or any of my other favourite Riesling producers in that top list.

The day that a Pepiere or Luneau-Papin Muscadet, or a Brun Beaujolais, makes that list is the day that I dread.

Mark Lipton

The day that a Pepiere or Luneau-Papin Muscadet, or a Brun Beaujolais, makes that list is the day that I dread.
Mark Lipton

Mark-
I think you are pretty safe on those.
Redwinger

Just for the sake of completeness, here's the roundup of #2 - 10:

2. Rauzan-Segla Margaux 2005 (97 pts, $100)
3. Quinta do Crasto Douro Reserva Old Vines 2005 (95 pts, $40)
4. Guiraud Sauternes 2005 (97 pts, $57)
5. Vieux Telegraph C-d-P La Crau 2005 (95 pts, $55)
6. Pio Cesare Barolo 2004 (94 pts, $62)
7. Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2005 (96 pts, $100)
8. Beaucastel C-d-P 2005 (96 pts, $95)
9. Molly Dooker Shiraz Carnival of Love McLaren Vale 2007 (95 pts, $90)
10. Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma County 2007 (93 pts, $24)

I've had Crasto's LBV before - lovely stuff. I like Douro reds and would love to try this one (but probably won't ever get to now - thanks WS ). Rauzan-Segla has been on quite the upswing - weren't they an under performer for many years? Interesting to note that when Jefferson visited Bordeaux in the 1780s, he noted Rauzan-Segla as the best after the modern First Growths, and ahead of Mouton.

Just for the sake of completeness, here's the roundup of #2 - 10:

5. Vieux Telegraph C-d-P La Crau 2005 (95 pts, $55)
6. Pio Cesare Barolo 2004 (94 pts, $62)
7. Pontet-Canet Pauillac 2005 (96 pts, $100)
8. Beaucastel C-d-P 2005 (96 pts, $95)

*whew* You gave me a fright for a moment until I remembered that I'd already purchased the '05 Beaucastel and VT. I'm sure that they will both now triple in price and become scarcer than hen's teeth on the open market.

Mark Lipton

Crasto? I have been buying (past 3 yrs) everything that shows up on the shelf downtown so am a happy camper!

Well, Chile gets the top spot this year:

#1. Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley 2005 (96 pts, $75)

So there you have it folks, and don't bother to by any new releases for the rest of 2008, because they'll all be plonk!