Favourites of 2007

'Favourites of 2007' are based on tastings throughout the year as documented in this blog. The basis for narrowing the 357 wines to the following is a combination of the rating shown and my recall of the aroma and textures invoked by the tasting writeups. If you have tried any of the wines and have similar conclusions - or not - it'll be based on your taste buds and bias, New World or Old, one varietal versus others, etc.. You can't be wrong and you can certainly differ.

Over the past year I have become sensitive to marketing influences on local wine critics - from their accepting luncheons or exclusive event hostings by the wine industry to partisan tastings by various boards or wineries. 'Wine' is a social custom: 'Wine evaluating' is a business. If you do the latter for a living the 'social' should be kept distinct and separate. Putting it another way: if a critic participates in an impartial, controlled tasting it's a tax claim: if not, it's not. But enticements are to be expected among self appointed purveyors of wine recommendations over which there are no legislated or group administered controls. It becomes a 'buyer beware' market and the more an individual consumer does to narrow down wine selections to the quality and values that do exist, the better the payback. Hosting your own wine tasting among friends, touring 'wine country' whether it be local or abroad develops an appreciation for terroirs and raison d'etre for wine varietals, blends and pairings. But not everyone can afford the time or expense. I suggest you skip over the tasting summaries in the wine articles/magazines and glean as much as you can vicariously from their many vineyard travelogs.

So protect yourself from other peoples' opinions, at least until you test them and are confident whatever statements are made or activity planned are in your best interests. And I mean a collective 'your' including friends, family or whoever may be sharing your enthusiasm for wines.

The 'rules' of last year are still valid and I would add a few more:

• Serious winemakers don't use gimmicks. Look past the name on the bottle unless it adds to a social happening, eg. a bottle of Fat Bastard for a bully of a boss (but find a new job first).
• Don't take 'Wine Competitions' at face value. The winners may be known beforehand. Personally I find taste-offs such as 'Bordeaux versus Niagara' professionally immature.
• Don't expect to locate value wines in anthologies of past vintages (including the list below). They are history by publication time.
• It's best to donate directly to a charity than buy a bottle of bad wine that contributes part of its price to a charity.

I hope the following is useful in some way. The date of the tasting is in brackets.

Happy imbibing! Ww

Reds - of 196 Tastings (including 6 Sparkling and 33 Retastings):

1. Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 'Special Selection' 2002, California, USA, #711663 $159.95 (Dec 25) 93
2. Pillar Box Red Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot 2004, South Australia, #685941 $14.95 (Dec 27) 90-2
3. Aramis Vineyards Shiraz 2004, McLaren Vale, South Australia, #041202 $20.95 (Dec 12) 92-2
4. Katnook 'Founders Block' Sparkling Shiraz 2004, South Australia, #053330 $19.95 (Dec 09) 89-1
5. Wyndham Estate Shiraz Bin 555 2005, South Eastern Australia, #189415 $16.15 (Dec 08) 91-2
6. Wyndham Estate Shiraz Bin 555 2004, South Eastern Australia, #189415 $16.15 (Dec 08) 90-2
7. Wyndham Estate Show Reserve Shiraz 2005*, South Eastern Australia, (in #049692) (Dec 08) 92-2
8. Step Rd Shiraz 2005, Langhorne Creek, Australia, #052993 $19.95 (Dec 04) 89-1
9. Rolf Binder Hales Shiraz 2005, Barossa Valley, Australia, #054239 $19.95 (Dec 03) 91-2
10. Miguel Torres Santa Digna Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005, Chile, #177451 $14.95 (Nov 27) 90-2
11. Kilikanoon 'The Lackey' Shiraz 2005, Penwortham, Australia, #005199 $17.95 (Nov 12) 92-3
12. Viu Manent Reserva Carmenere 2005, Colchagua Valley, Chile, #045161 $14.95 (Oct 23) 90-2
13. J & F Lurton Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Uco Valley, Argentina, #591735 $14.95 (Oct 21) 90-2
14. Bodegas Catena Alamos Malbec 2006, Mendoza, Argentina, #467951 $14.95 (Oct 25) 90-2
15. Valdiveso Reserva Syrah 2005, Central Valley, Chile, #045153 $17.95 (Oct 15) 90-2
16. Nepenthe 'The Rogue' Cabernet/Merlot/Shiraz 2003, Adelaide, Australia, #998542 $17.95 (Oct 03) 90-2
17. Vina Maipo Carmenere Reserva 2006, Rapel Valley, Chile, #663047 $13.95 (Oct 02) 90-2
18. Tedeschi Capitel Dei Nicalo Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2004, Piedmont Italy, #984997 $16.95 (Oct 01) 90-2
19. Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel Sonoma Heritage Vines 2001, Sonoma, USA, #434605* $19.95 (Sep 27)  92-2
20. Santa Julia Malbec Reserva 2005, Mendoza, Argentina, #665026 $13.95 (Sep 24) 90-2
21. Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Mendoza, Argentina, #677567 $15.95 (Sep 03) 92-3
22. Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2005, Mendoza, Argentina, #050849 $18.95 (Sep 02) 90-2
23. Lurton Malbec Reserva 2005, Uco Valley, Argentina, #903153 $14.95 (Sep 01) 93-3
24. Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir 2006, Casablanca Valley, Chile, #037937 $14.95 (Sep 01) 90-2
25. Hacienda Araucano Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Central Valley, Chile, #687681 $13.95 (Aug 23) GS90
26. Corte Zovo 'Sa Solin' Ripasso 2004, Veneto, Italy, #650713 $16.95 (Aug 20) NR
27. X&Y Shiraz 2004, Margaret River, Australia, #041194 $17.95 (Jul 24) NR
28. Penfolds 'Koonunga Hill' Shiraz/Cabernet 2004, Australia, #285544 $16.15 (Jul 12) NR
29. Vista Touriga Nacional Berias Red 2004, Portugal, #613919 $13.20* (Jul 05) GS89
30. Cave Spring Select Late Harvest Cabernet 2005, Niagara, Canada, #630244 $21.95 375mL (Jun 29) GS90
31. Vina Carmen Reserve Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Maipo Valley, Chile, #983106 $19.95 (Jun 01) NR
32. Marques de Casa Concha Syrah 2004, Peumo, Chile, #019042 $19.95 (May 02) WS91
33. Jackson-Triggs Proprietors Grand Reserve Meritage 2001, Jordan, Canada, #594002 $23.95 (Apr 24) NR
34. Scholz Vintners 'The Willows' Shiraz 2002, Barossa, Australia, #015826 $32.95 (Apr 01) RP93
35. Concha y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Merlot 2004, Rapel Valley, Chile, #939827 $19.95 (Mar 18) NM90
36. Trinchero Family Pinot Noir 2005, Napa Valley, USA, #025155 $20.95 (Mar 16)
37. Errazuriz Max Reserva Merlot 2004, Aconcagua Valley, Chile, #016170 $18.15 (Mar 15) GS90
38. Finca Flichman Paisaje De Barrancas 2002, Mendoza, Argentina, #017129 $16.95 (Mar 4) AG91
39. Chateau Des Charmes 'Equuleus' Paul Bosc Vineyard 2002 VQA, NotL, Canada, #Winery $35.00 (Mar 1) NR
40. Finca Flichman Expresiones Reserve 2005, Mendoza, Argentina, #507707 $15.75 (Feb 5) NM90
41. St Hallett Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Barossa, Australia, #015164 $19.95 (Jan 31) NR
42. Elderton 'The Ashmead Family' Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Barossa, Australia, #009175 $28.95 (Jan 29) NR
43. Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Grenache/Shiraz 2003, Australia, #009225 $18.95 (Jan 28) RP91
44. Finca Flichman Expresiones Reserve Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Mendoza, Argentina, #017111 $15.95 (Jan 20) NM90

Whites - of 161 Tastings (including 18 Sparkling and 12 Retastings):

1. Brancott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, NZ, #129528 $14.95 (Dec 24) 91-2
2. Codorniu Non Plus Ultra NV, Penedes, Spain, #053660 $20.95 (Dec 16) 91-2
3. Konzelmann Sparkling Riesling NV VQA, Niagara, Canada, #031401 $14.95 (Nov 30) 89-2
4. Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Marlborough, NZ, #426601 $16.95 (Nov 25) 91-2
5. Belcanto Di Bellussi Valdobbiadene VSQPRD, Italy, #053215 $19.95 (Nov 04) 91-2
6. Aveleda Follies Vinho Verde 2006, Moncao, Portugal, #059048 $15.95 (Oct 24) 90-2
7. Pillitteri Gewurtraminer/Riesling 2006 Fusion VQA, Niagara, Canada, #349126 $12.95 (Oct 18) 89-2
8. Angove's Vineyard Select Riesling 2005, Australia, #597054 $12.85 (Oct 14) 89-2
9. Concha y Toro Winemaker's Lot Chardonnay 2006, Limari Valley, Chile, #030940 $15.95 (Oct 12) 89-2
10. Mountain Road Wines Co. Reserve Chard 2003 VQA, Beamsville Bench, Niagara, #Winery $26.15 (Oct 09) 92-2
11. Cousino-Macul Antiguas Reservas Chardonnay 2006, Maipo Valley, Chile, #730044 $14.95 (Oct 02) 90-2
12. Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay 2005, Columbia Valley, USA, #232439 $17.95 (Sep 26) 90-2
13. Anakena Single Vineyard Viognier 2006, Rapel Valley, Chile, #045138 $15.95 (Sep 17) 90-2
14. Mount Riley Chardonnay 2005, Marlborough, NZ, #032318 $22.95 (Aug 04) GS90
15. Ramirana Reserva Chardonnay 2005, Casablanca Valley, Chile, #041434 $14.95 (Aug 02) NR
16. Vina Carmen Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Casablanca Valley, Chile, #031096 $13.95 (Jul 20) NR
17. Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, NZ, #981670 $18.95 (Jul 19) NM90
18. Las Moras Chardonnay Reserva 2005, San Juan, Argentina, #032896 $11.95 (Jul 15) NR
19. Allimant-Laugner Cremant D'Alsace Brut, Alsace, France, #030593 $19.95 (Jul 11) NR
20. Yalumba 'The Y Series' Viognier 2006, South Australia, #624502 $15.95 (Jul 08) NR
21. Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006, New Zealand, #293043 $15.25 (Jul 01) NR
22. Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, NZ, #735043 $19.75 (Jun 28) NR
23. Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay 2006, South Australia, #283457 $11.00 (Jun 28) NR
24. Mike Weir Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Niagara, Canada, #686972 $15.15 (Jun 08) NR
25. Sileni Cellar Selection Pinot Gris 2006, Hawkes Bay, NZ, #032393 $15.95 (May 27) NR
26. Mumm Carte Classique, Champagne, France, #308064 $53.15 (May 20) NR
27. Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, NZ, #734095 $19.95 (May 15) NM90
28. Ninth Island Pinot Grigio 2006, Tasmania, Australia, #683193 $20.95 (Apr 02) NR
29. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, NZ, #035386 $19.95 (Apr 2) NM90
30. Grove Mill Pinot Gris 2005, Marlborough, NZ, #001693 $19.95 (Mar 25) NR
31. Montresor Capitel Alto Soave Classico 2004, Veneto, Italy, #531673 $12.85 (Feb 26) NR
32. Laxas Albarino 2005, Rias Baixas, Spain, #021477 $19.75 (Feb 07) NR
33. Clover Hill Sparkling Wine 2001, Tasmania, Australia, #588236 $34.95 (Jan 24) NR
34. La Crema Chardonnay 2005, Sonoma Coast, USA, #962886 $26.95 (Jan 7) NR
35. Robert Mondavi 'Napa Valley' Fume Blanc 2004, Calif, USA, #221887 $24.96 (Jan 04) NR

AG - Anthony Gismondi, GS - Gord Stimmell, NM - Natalie MacLean, NR - Not Rated, RP - Robert Parker, WS - Wine Spectator