It’s that time of year again…
…when everyone publishes their top cars, movies, books, TV shows, and wines of the year. Wine Enthusiast (#1 San Felice 2011 Il Grigio Gran Selezione Chianti Classico) revealed theirs, and Wine Spectator (# 1 Peter Michael Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Au Paradis’) unveiled theirs. Now it’s time to release ours.
Over the next few weeks we will be releasing our lists of the top wines that we tasted in 2015. We took the thousands of wines that we tasted and narrowed it down to the best of the best. Our rankings are based upon our staff’s ratings during tastings, as well as popularity with our clients. Lucky for us – and you – most are currently available.
#26 – 2012 Furthermore ‘Gloria’s Vineyard’
Pinot Noir | Russian River Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 93: This Sebastopol based vineyard is the estate vineyard for Freeman Vineyard & Winery. This popular wine leads with enticing aromas of red cherry pie glaze, cranberry and rose petals that lead into cherry and raspberry fruit flavors with sandalwood and baking spice notes. These harmonizing flavors hang on through a lengthy and silky finish. 164 hand crafted cases.
#27 – 2012 Araujo ‘Eisele Vineyard’
Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 97, Robert Parker 96-98+: The flagship offering, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is a much longer-term proposition, even for a 2012. It boasts a thick-looking, dense ruby/purple color, sensational extract and richness, abundant notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, blackberries, spring flowers and forest floor, and full body. However, it pulls back before it becomes heavy or overly extracted. The finish lasts 45-50 seconds. This beauty is still in barrel, and will warrant 5-6 years of patience after its release. Like most Cabernet Sauvignons made from the Eisele Vineyard, it should keep for 25-30 years. The only difference I could find between this effort and those made by the Araujo family is that the 2012 possesses slightly more density and structure.
In 2013, this historic estate was sold by the Araujos to the Groupe Artemis and François Pinault, the French entrepreneur/billionaire who is best known in the wine world as the proprietor of Bordeaux’s Château Latour as well as several other French estates, most notably the tiny diamond with its own appellation, Château Grillet near Condrieu. Pinault also owns Domaine René Engel in Burgundy. This is my first look at the wines under the new ownership. I was among the first to review these wines when the vineyard was owned by the Eisele family, who sold grapes to Ridge in 1971 for the first single vineyard offering from this site, and subsequently to Conn Creek in 1974 and Joseph Phelps for nearly a decade. The 38-acre vineyard protected by the Palisades Mountains sits in the northeast quadrant of Napa Valley. It was planted on low-yielding, gravelly, cobbly soils in the 1880s to both Riesling and Zinfandel. The first Cabernet Sauvignon was planted in 1964 with the Olmo Clone (believed to have originated at the nearby Larkmead Vineyard on the valley floor). Araujo has turned out some fabulous wines in 2012 and 2013, all incredibly young and primary, but bursting with potential.
#28 – 2013 12C ‘G3 Georges III Beckstoffer Vineyard’
Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Available Online
Wine Spectrum Rated 96+: With the success of the 2012 12C G3 and the amazing quality of the 2013 vintage, we decided to once again to make a reserve style wine. We produced barrels of old vine clone 4 Cabernet Sauvignon from block B2A and combined them with a barrel of clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon from block B1B to produce this wine and the results are nothing but staggering. Deep and dark to the core in color, aromas of blackberries, currants and barrel spice notes combine with a mid-palate that is awash with ripe fruit, exquisite balance and a powerful but fleshy feel in the mouth. The finish leans toward the structured side but also has a sense of balance and harmony which is a trademark of our natural winemaking style. Powerful, precise and purity is what defines this wine which flows into a finish that last seemingly forever. Age this wine for 3-5 years and look for it to hit maturity in 10-12 years. Only 70 cases produced.
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted by Mike Smith, who was mentored by the talented Thomas Rivers Brown, and has worked on labels such as Schrader, Maybach and Outpost!
#29 – 2012 Wolf’s Head
Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Available Online
Wine Spectrum Rated 94+: Upon initial pour, the Wolf’s Head Cabernet has aromas of fresh leather, earthy minerals and dusty graphite. With some time in the glass these characteristics evolve into sweet, dark cherries, dried cranberries and red currants with hints of pencil shavings and dried tobacco. Flavors of fresh dark red cherries and black currants dominate the palate with notes of ripe black plums and graphite. This is an excellent first effort with great fruit extraction and long, chalky tannins. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. About 450 cases produced. Wolf’s Head is a brand new project from proprietor and winemaker Cameron Woodbridge, who also owns the Stormy Weather label.
#30 – 2012 Perfect Season
Cabernet Sauvignon | Knights Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 97: Exquisitely handcrafted by Philippe Melka, the 2012 vintage of Perfect Season is a wine that transports you to a place of quiet thought and reflection. Its intriguing layers reveal themselves slowly and purposefully, and at first, offer aromas of dark sensuous berries, baking spices and the soil from which the wine was born. Alluringly, these expand to include chocolate, fragrant vanilla, and a hint of jalepeno pepper in a long and rewarding finish. Philippe was joined by viticulturist Jim Barbour in capturing the essence of the 2012 growing season in this extraordinary 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine. 300 cases produced.
#31 – 2012 Ilaria ‘Dr. Reid Vineyard’
Malbec | Napa Valley | Available Online
Wine Spectrum 93+: The 2012 Ilaria Malbec bursts with aromas of huckleberry compote and black cherry followed by subtle undertones of spice and toasted oak. This dark and mysterious wine has an amazingly supple and voluptuous mouthfeel that builds to a sleek and polished finish. 95% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 425 cases produced.
Ilaria is Italian for ‘happy and cheerful’ and is the personal label from winemaker Anna Monticelli. Anna is a graduate of the UC Davis enology and viticulture program. She started her career doing a harvest in Bordeaux at Cheval Blanc, follow by assistant winemaker at Seavey Vineyards in Napa then onto assistant winemaker at Bryant Family for four years. She is the current winemaker at Pina and consults on a few other projects as well as making her own person label Ilaria (named after her daughter). Anna’s goal for Ilaria is “to produce small lot wines that will stand as testaments to my belief that fine wine comes from the earth, its sense of place a key component in shaping its character.”
#32 -2012 Ramey ‘Pedregal’
Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 97, Robert Parker 97+: As usual, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard is a great wine (a 650-case blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot). This sexy, full-throttle, opaque purple-colored 2012 boasts fabulous concentration along with copious notes of pen ink, blueberries, blackberries, and hints of graphite and espresso bean. Deep, full-bodied and multidimensional, this sensational Cabernet should drink well for 20-25 years.
“It’s hard to know where to start with this lineup, as David Ramey does so many things so well. The 2012 Chardonnays are beautiful, expressive and ready to go. This year sees the addition of a new Chardonnay, from Woolsey Road, a site farmed by Martinelli that replaces the Hudson in the lineup. Ramey also seems to have gotten the best of the 2012 and 2013 vintages with his Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet-based reds. The 2012s will drink well early, yet have the stuffing to age, while the 2013 are prototypical vins de garde, with all of the dark fruit and structure of this great vintage. Both the Chardonnays and Cabernets reflect a very Francophile sensibility. The Syrahs are a bit different, as they are quite explosive and intense, much like the Cabernets. It’s pretty hard to go wrong with anything in this superb range….” ~ Antonio Galloni
#33 – 2013 Conspire
Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 93+: The floral nose, minerality and viscous mouth-feel come from the Sauvignon Musque clone, which makes up half of the wine. The refreshing acidity, truffle and classic citrus fruit flavors are attributable to a traditional Sauvignon Blanc clone. The concentration, balance and length indicate the potential for aging. This vintage exhibits an intriguing tarragon aroma and beautiful texture. 290 cases produced.
Conspire is the passion project of Amy Aiken, who created the label in 2000. Named after her two sons, Mitchell and Andrew, Meander is an example of wines produced from vineyards that she believes have superior aromatics, flavors, textures and character. Amy was previously the winemaker at Joseph Phelps, as well as Oakville Ranch, Viader and Anomaly Vineyards.
#34 – 2011 Fairchild Estate ‘Sigaro’
Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 97: Sigaro is a spectacular hillside site from which we carefully coax just over 1.5 tons per acre of intense, lush fruit for Fairchild SIGARO Cabernet Sauvignon. Located on the steep slopes overlooking Lake Hennessey, high above Napa’s Valley floor, the vineyard’s well-draining hillside and southwest-facing aspect offer optimal growing conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. A full-bodied, masculine and structured wine, Fairchild SIGARO has shown to age beautifully in cellar.
The 2011 Fairchild Sigaro exhibits a beautiful nose of dark fruits with currant, black licorice, cedar, crushed stone and vanilla. The mouthfeel is extremely inviting with great energy. Full, dense, voluptuous. The combination of velvety texture, strong acidity, powerful tannins and complex flavors of asian spices, menthol, underbrush and dark smoky tones create a sense of extreme sophistication. Drink 2016-2035. 200 cases produced. Made by Philippe Melka and farmed by Jim Barbour.
#35 – 2013 David Arthur ‘Elevation 1147’
Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Available Online
Wine Spectrum Rated 96+: The 2012 Elevation 1147 is a massive wine with a dense, deep ruby color. Aromas of spicy, brambly baked fruits of blackberry and currants that transition to earth driven aromatics of forest soil, cocoa nibs, and spicy tones like wild sage, bergamot and hints of cedar. The palate is rich, broad and fleshy with seductively fine grained tannins and a rigid texture finishing with notes of baked cherries and licorice candy. Best from 2016-2036. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 677 cases produced.
#36 – 2012 Morlet Family ‘Passionnement’ Reserve
Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville, Napa Valley | Available Online
Wine Spectrum Rated 96+: Dark purple. Intense and complex bouquet of red, black and blue berries intermixed with notes of blueberries, Crème de Cassis, plum, cedar and a hint of cedar and cigar box. Full bodied, the palate is reminiscent of the nose, with a creamy texture and a great intensity. The luscious tannins, the intense aromatic complexity and its opulence create a flamboyant yet harmonious ensemble, leading to a very long, complex and smooth finish. This early charming and collectible wine represents the passionate, uncompromised and on-going pursuit of quality. Passionnement features the close interaction of both bench and hillside manicured vineyards, Morlet winemaking style and the very best of what Napa Valley and Knights Valley have to offer. It is simply the ‘ne plus ultra’ of the Morlet wine production.
“Luc Morlet has a new estate winery located in an old stone building on Route 29, north of St. Helena and across from the Markham Winery. A native of France, Morlet was mentored at Newton Vineyards between 1996 and 2001 by the likes of John Kongsgaard and Michel Rolland. From there, he became the key winemaker at Peter Michael Winery, where he still consults along with his brother, Nicolas. His Sonoma bottlings will be reviewed in the next issue of The Wine Advocate, but these Napa cuvées come from both estate vineyards and purchased fruit (primarily from the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville). All of these Cabernet Sauvignon as well as the Cabernet Franc are fabulous wines. Although they are undoubtedly expensive, they are all at the top end of the qualitative hierarchy in Napa Valley.” ~ Robert Parker
#37 – 2013 La Pitchoune
Chardonnay | Sonoma Coast | Available Online
Wine Spectrum Rated 95: This is the inaugural release of Chardonnay for La Pitchoune. Winemaker Andrew Berge simply outdid himself with this gorgeous 2013 offering. Sourced from the Cameron Vineyard in Sebastopol Hills and the Bootlegger Vineyard owned by Michael Browne (of Kosta Browne and Cirq), just 180 cases of this wine were produced. Fresh aromas of sea salt, meyer lemon chiffon, and limestone minerality are strikingly similar to a Grand Cru Meursault. On the palate, prominent flavors of lemon zest, limeade, and crushed rocks intermingle with a faint hint of vanillin and toasty oak. This Chardonnay is elegant, clean and mouth-watering, with bright, balanced acid and a long finish. With such a limited production, this wine is sure to sell out lightening fast.
Inspired by a small family property in the South of France, La Pitchoune means ‘the little one.’ The name speaks to small production, small lots, and the idea that our small size is our greatest asset. At La Pitchoune, we prize the special care we can apply to our craft. By combining passion, art and science, we ensure that each blend is expressed to its fullest potential. La Pitchoune wines are made by Andrew Berge, formerly the assistant winemaker at Chasseur , and the current winemaker at Spell Estate.
#38 – 2012 Coho ‘Michael Black Vineyard’
Merlot | Coombsville | Available Online
Wine Spectrum Rated 95: Dusty oak with aromas of blackberry pie and black raspberry fruit interplays with cocoa and vanilla to lead to a warm, cedary spice bouquet. In the mouth, rich black fruit is the theme, with layers of fruit complexity and silky tannins to give an incredibly lush and succulent texture on the palate. The fruity finish inspires another sip…, and another. This unique wine gives the overall impression of suppleness and intense fruit and lingering polished flavors. 95% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot.
#39 – 2012 Mithra
Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder, Napa Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 96+: One hundred percent estate grown fruit on the Mithra vineyard located on Lokoya road within the Mount Veeder AVA. Planted to cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and malbec, the vineyard continues to produce site-specific mountain fruit since Mithra’s inaugural 2006 vintage. The 2012 vintage is 100% Estate fruit from the Mithra Vineyard on Mount Veeder. Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2012 vintage has small percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec blended in the varietal composition. The wine is aged in predominantly new French oak.
This vintage of Mithra is an intricately complex Cabernet Sauvignon with intense aromatics. Deep, plush, dark red fruits such as black raspberries, creme de cassis and purple plums expertly integrate with soft, round tannins that coat the palate. Hints of floral notes and spice weave through the mid palate, enhancing an elegant, expressive finish.
#40 – 2012 Montagna ‘Tre Vigneti’
Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 95+, Antonio Galloni: Montagna’s 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Tre Vigneti has wonderful depth for an entry-level bottling. Dark blue/black fruit, iron, smoke and tobacco all flesh out in a gorgeous, layered wine endowed with terrific balance and overall harmony. The 2012 has an inner radiance and generosity that is hugely appealing, but at the same time there is plenty of precision and focus in the glass. The combination of richness and vibrancy is pretty much impossible to resist. In 2012, the Tre Vigneti is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 6% each Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
“Winemaker Nile Zacherle has done a terrific job with these wines from Montagna, the Pritchard Hill property owned by Robert Long. In 2011 Zacherle opted for short cold soaks, fast and hot macerations as the skins were thin and therefore degraded more quickly than normal, pretty much the opposite of 2012, where grapes were far healthier and longer cold soaks and fermentations were the rule.” ~ Antonio Galloni
#41 – 2008 Oasi degli Angeli ‘Kurni’
Montelpulciano | IGT Marche | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 96: Deep, dark black cherry color. Complex bouquet with aromas of ripe black cherry fruits, coffee and leather, and raisins. Smoky, ripe cherry fruits and spice on the palate. Multi-dimensional, with ripe, round tannins and a silky, velvety texture. Perfect balance and great length.
Montepulciano vines are planted over a large part of central Italy, and it is an authorized variety in 20 of the 95 Italian provinces. But it is widely planted above all in two regions: Abruzzo, where it is the source of the excellent Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and the Marche, where it is an important component of DOC red wines such as Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno. It is cultivated as well in the regions of Molise and Puglia. Montelpulciano is capable of producing a reliable quantity of mature, deeply colored grapes that result in wines with a healthy level of alcohol and extract. The variety has a large quantity of anthocyanins (the substances that give color to red wine).
#42 – 2013 Martinelli ‘Jackass Hill’
Zinfandel | Russian River Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 96+: This Zinfandel from Jackass Hill Vineyard is made from 106-year-old, head-pruned, dry-farmed vineyards planted on one of the steepest slopes in Sonoma. This rugged section of the ranch is referred to by the Martinelli family as “Jackass Hill”, because only a jackass would farm a hill that steep. Jackass Hill is the steepest non-terraced hillside vineyard in Sonoma County. This Zinfandel is seriously full-bodied, showing notes of creme de cassis and dark berries combined with black peppery spice and anise flavors.
#43 – 2009 Edi Simcic ‘Kolos’ Single Cru Cuvee
Red Blend | Goriska Brda Slovenia | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 96+: If one ever desired to challenge Bordeaux in a blind tasting, Aleks’ Kolos would be THE competitor to knock any Bordeaux champion off its pedestal! Bold statement? Hardly – If you have Kolos as your secret weapon. Understanding the supreme pedigree of this transcending wine is simple as one taste vividly displays the entangled, sultry finese of pine oil, cherry liqueur, bilberry and dehydrated blueberries, blended with steeped tea leaves, liquid smoke, cinnamon stick, fern leaf and dirt road minerality. Kolos is truly Slovenian in its purest expression and not in fact at all Bordeaux! 1/3 Merlot, 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1/3 Cabernet Franc. 100 – 6-PACK CASES MADE
#44 – 2009 Dark Matter
Zinfandel | Howell Mountain, Napa Valley | Available Online
Wine Spectrum Rated 96: The luscious 2009 vintage, and our fourth offering, is an explosion of dark berries and white pepper, characteristics offered by the terroir of our “Four Sisters” Howell Mountain property. These aromas are seamlessly integrated with seductive tannins and an enticing intensity of flavors that has set our zinfandel apart from any others. From the ‘Four Sisters Vineyard’ on Howell Mountain managed by Jim Barbour! Made by Angelina Mondavi, assistant winemaker to Jayson Woodbridge of Hundred Acre!
#45 – 2012 Maldonado ‘Parr Vineyard’
Chardonnay | Sonoma County | Available Online
Wine Spectrum Rated 94: The 2012 Parr Vineyard Chardonnay is bright shiny gold in color, reminiscent of golden apples. Offering up aromas of vanilla, pear, candied lemon peel, maple, and a hint of barrel spice. A creamy entrance of spiced apple, buttered pastry, citrus and lemongrass. About 600 cases produced.
Forty-five years ago, the Maldonado Family arrived in Napa, and now, with four decades of grape growing experience, they produce less than 400 cases of several unique wines. With their Los Olivos Chardonnay breaking through 6 years ago, and leaving a memorable impression, they have expanded to release tiny amounts of other wines, both from their own estate in Jameson Canyon, as well as from a few select other vineyards they manage in the cooler micro climates of Sonoma County and Napa Valley. Hugo Maldonado and consulting winemaker, Jean Hoefilger, originally met at Newton, where the Maldonados still manage all of the vineyards.
#46 – 2012 Revana ‘Terroir Selection’
Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 96+: This is the Estate’s first release under winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, and the inaugural release of the Terroir Selection’ Cabernet. A luscious bouquet of bing cherries, bramble fruit, and cedar with just a hint of cigar box on the nose. Ripe red fruits, cassis, and toasted brioche dance on the palate and are framed by a structure of balanced minerality and supple tannins with a long, lingering finish. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. 1200 cases produced.
#47 – 2009 Collosorbo ‘Riserva’
Brunello di Montalcino | DOCG | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 96: Made only in excellent years using grapes selected from the best vineyards, aged for 31/2 years in 12-hectolitre Slovenian oak barrels, with 12 months of bottle aging. The 2009 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is an unctuous wine bursting with dark fruits. This is a seamless Brunello, with rich, smooth tannins, hints of toasty oak, Asian spices and balanced, nuanced fruit. This is a big wine-without being weighty on the palate- that shows a long finish and a full-bodied mouthfeel.
#48 – 2013 TOR ‘Cimarossa Vineyard’
Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 96+, Robert Parker 94+ : As amazing as previous Cimarossa Cabernets have been, this might be the best we have ever done. Hidden underneath an enormously structured and rich wine is a fantastic mix of blue and black fruit, floral qualities and a wine that is delicious now but that will be a fantastic candidate to hand down to your children. Any fan of Howell Mountain Cabernets will want this wine in their cellar. Anyone who is not a fan of Howell Mountain Cabernets will be a fan after tasting this wine. A monumental Howell Mountain Cabernet. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 225 cases produced.
#49 – 2013 Amizetta ‘Estate Reserve’
Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Inquire Here
Wine Spectrum Rated 96+: The 2013 ‘Estate Reserve’ Cabernet shows a similar profile to the Estate Cabernet, but with even more depth and intensity. Fresh black cherry, black raspberry and cassis aromas lead to enticing flavors of blackberry compote and red plum jam, with hints of mocha, graphite, and cocoa nibs. Well balanced tannins and a long, mouth-watering finish. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Only 192 cases produced.
#50 – NV Turgy ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Grand Cru
Brut | Champagne | Available Online
Wine Spectrum Rated 94+: From the same area of Champagne that boasts Salon, Krug and Launois….this Grand Cru bubbly is comprised of toasted brioche with creamy butter, crunchy toffee and bunches of wild blossoms—this persistent 100% Chardonnay pulsates with great energy and freshness. Grace, depth and beauty that are both a nod to its noble Le Mesnil terroir and the artisanal talents of winemaker Michel Turgy.
Winemaker Jean-Michel Turgy’s pursuit of nuance and delicacy in his Champagne balances the natural complexity and flavorful concentration of Le Mesnil grapes—characteristics sometimes muted by heavier wines. With age, Turgy Champagne takes on the characteristics of Meursault (white Burgundy from the Côtes de Beaune). For its pitch-perfect Le Mesnil aromas and flavors and its ability to age like vintage Champagne, Turgy non-vintage wine represents an unusual value.
Q. Why should I pay attention to the Wine Spectrum score?
A. The reason is simple. We taste and score wines with our entire sale’s team – the owner, the wine buyer, the sales manager, and all of our sale’s advisors. It’s not only one person’s opinion and rating of the wine, but a total average of the whole tasting panel. That adds up to decades of combined tasting experience to ensure that we bring only the BEST wines to our clients.
It is because of this and many other factors that our clients have come to respect our score and use it to help determine what wines they want to procure for their cellars and display on their tables. At Wine Spectrum you get a much better representation of how people will ENJOY a wine.
2015 wines of the year release schedule
December Schedule
12/10: #10, #9, and #8 ranked wines
12/11: #7, #6, and #5 ranked wines
12/15: #2 ranked wine
12/16: #1 ranked wine
12/18: #11 – #25 ranked wines
12/21: #26 – #50 ranked wines
12/21: 2015 Winemaker of the Year
12/22: #51 – #75 ranked wines
12/23: #76 – #100 ranked wines
January Schedule
1/4: Top Chardonnay’s of the Year
1/7: Top Pinot Noir’s of the Year
1/11: Top Cabernet Sauvignon’s of the Year
1/14: Top Other Domestic Red’s of the Year
1/18: Top International Wines of the Year
1/21: Top Wines of the Year under $60