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Copyright © 2009
Forkmedia LLC
by Fred McMillin
for July 2004
Best Wines in 2004, So Far
Here are the most divine wines my San Francisco State University (College of Extended Learning) classes have tasted so far this year—the best Chardonnay, the best Merlot, etc. The highest rated bottle is listed last. That is the further you read, the better the wine.
The Winning Wines
| Rank | Wine | |
| 23rd | - | Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, Bolla, 2000, $8, Italy, Importer—Brown-Forman |
| 22nd | - | Sauvignon Blanc, Chalk Hill Winery, Sonoma County, 2001, $29 |
| 21st | - | Chenin Blanc, Ballentine, Napa Valley, 2003, $14 |
| 20th | - | The Collector Porto, Ramos Pinto, Portugal, Non-vintage, $19, Importer—MM&D |
| 19th | - | Viognier, Joseph Phelps, Napa Valley, 2002, $30 |
| 18th | - | Pacific Rim Riesling, Bonny Doon, American, 2002, $10 |
| 17th | - | Torrontes, Santa Julia, Argentina, 2003, $7, Importer—Winesellers |
| 16th | - | Rioja, Ramon Cardova, Spain, 2001, $10, Importer—Royal Wine Corp. |
| 15th | - | Vin Glacé Ice Wine, King Estate, Oregon, 2002, $18 (375 ml.) |
| 14th | - | Sangiovese, Chameleon, Napa Valley, 2000, $17 |
| 13th | - | Electra Red Dessert Muscat, Quady, California, 2003, $11 |
| 12th | - | Holbrook Mitchell Trio Red Blend, Rosenblum, Napa Valley, 2000, $35 |
| 11th | - | Ovation Chardonnay, Joseph Phelps, Carneros, 2001, $44 |
| 10th | - | Red Meritage, Trentadue La Storia, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, 2000, $45 |
| 9th | - | Merlot, Wild Horse, Paso Robles, 2001, $18 |
| 8th | - | Gewurztrarniner, Trimbach, Alsace, France, 2000, $15, Importer—Diageo |
| 7th | - | Syrah—R.H. Phillips, Dunnigan Hills, 2000, $10 |
| 6th | - | Petite Sirah, Silkwood, Stanislaus County, 2001, $35 |
| 5th | - | Electra Orange Muscat, Quady, California, 2003, $12 |
| 4th | - | Syrah, Joseph Phelps, Napa Valley, 2000, $40 |
| 3rd | - | Zinfandel, Lake Sonoma Winery, Dry Creek Valley, Saini Farms, 2001, $20 |
| 2nd | - | Pinot Noir, Robert Mondavi, Carneros, 2001 $40 |
And the best wine so far...
| 1st | - | Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Beaulieu, Napa Valley, 2000, $85 |
Comments
The best buys were the $7 Torrontes (white), the $10 Rioja (red) and the $12 Orange Muscat (dessert).
The winning region was the Napa Valley. About one third of our winners had Napa on the label, although 90% of the entries were not from that district.
The top winery was Joseph Phelps (and winemaker Craig Williams) with three winners.
WE'RE NUMBER ONE!
It has the best record in the history of California winemaking, so Beaulieu's De Latour Cab being the top bott1e is no shock.
 |
About the Writer
Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. For information about the wine courses he teaches every month at either San Francisco State University or San Francisco City College (Fort Mason Division), please fax him at (415) 567-4468. |
This page created July 2004
Copyright © 2004
electronic Gourmet Guide, Inc.