December 10, 2010, 07:18 Sina Shangpin
This year's top 100 list can be considered as a wine ranking. In this hundred-wine list, we present the top ten for your reference.
This annual list of the top 100 wines can be traced back to 1988. In 2010, we tasted about 15,800 new varieties of wine from around the world, of which more than 3,900 kinds were selected for their classic taste, texture, and quality (scoring 90 points or more on a 100-point scale). Based on this, we used the following four criteria for further selection: quality (our scoring), value (the issue price of the wine), supply and marketing skills (whether it is imported or locally produced), and an indescribable wonderful experience - whether this wine will excite and enthuse connoisseurs.
In 2010, the main trend was expensive, limited edition products increased, while large-capacity, brand-value-focused products also increased. We hope this exciting list of the top one hundred wines takes you deep into the wonderful world of wines.
Saxum
1. Saxum
Paso Robles James Berry Vineyard 2007
Score: 98 / Price: $67
Production: 950 cases
Region: California
In 1998, when 28-year-old Justin Smith began his career in the Paso Robles wine industry, the coast was underdeveloped. Now, California wines have become one of the fastest-growing industries. The west side of Paso Robles has limestone soil, rolling hills, and a mild climate, giving grapes a thick yet charming berry flavor.
Two Hands
2. Two Hands
Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella’s Estate 2008
Score: 94 / Price: $55
Production: 2,400 cases
Region: Australia
Bella’s estate in the Barossa Valley has made the list six times. It uses 18% new oak barrels, and through the most detailed and refined tasting process, produces this refreshing and complex wine without any filtration.
Peter Michael
3. Peter Michael
When Lee Sonoma County Snow
Ma Belle-Fille Estate 2008
Score: 97 / Price: $85
Production: 2,100 cases
Region: California
Ma Belle-Fille is a very young and high-altitude estate where snow rapidly becomes the best source of wine profits. Here, there is both sunlight and cool temperatures. Natural wine yeast is used, and fermentation occurs in French oak vats.
Revana
4. Revana
St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Production: 2,000 cases
Score: 97 / Price: $125
Region: California
The winemaker ferments small portions of yeast in four separate new French oak barrels and finally blends 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with multiple varieties of Ka Na Fulang.
Altamura
5. Altamura
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007
Production: 3,000 cases
Score: 96 / Price: $85
Region: California
This wine comes from an unknown corner of the Napa Valley, a remote valley known as the small wood parts. Although foggy, the area has a relatively cool climate, making the growing season longer and the temperature about 10 degrees lower than the average in Napa Valley.
Paul Hobbs
6. Paul Hobbs
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2008
Score: 94 / Price: $45
Production: 3,644 cases
Region: California
For most winemakers, producing such a large capacity of this particular Pinot Noir is a challenge. The grape production comes from six different vineyards in the Russian River Valley.
Schild
7. Schild
Shiraz Barossa Valley 2008
Production: 5,000 cases
Score: 94 / Price: $20
Region: Australia
Schild’s entry-level Shiraz offers good quality at a variety of prices. However, other brands at a similar price produce a smaller portion of wine because its owner is the largest independent grape grower in the Barossa Valley. One brewer selects grapes from the cooler southern part of the Barossa Valley region, and the wine is aged in American oak.
Fontodi
8. Fontodi
Colli della Toscana Centrale Dela Pieve Jazz Vineyard 2007
Score: 95 / Price: $110
Production: 5,000 cases
Region: Italy
This pure Sangiovese comes from hillside vineyards Dela Pieve Jazz, aged 30 years or more vines. This wine should be stored in French oak barrels for 18 months but also in the market before the year in the bottle store.
CARM
9. CARM
Douro Reserva 2007
Score: 94 / Price: $27
Production: 8,500 cases
Region: Portugal
The Madeira family actually had a vineyard in the Douro Valley since the 17th century. The owner now has seven vineyards in the very dry Douro Valley. Reserva is a blend of many Portuguese local Douro varieties and some Touriga Nacional, fermented in a mixture of French and American oak barrels.
Clos des Papes
10. Clos des Papes
Pope Newcastle White Wine 2009
Score: 95 / Price: $100
Production: 1,000 cases
Region: France
Clos des Papes red wine has always been well known, but it also produces some of the world's best white wines. To keep fresh, winemakers barrel-ferment in stainless steel to avoid malolactic conversion. This white wine tastes better after being stored in the cellar for a few years.