TOP 15 Wines of 2009

I have decided to list my top 15 wines that I got to taste or drink in the year 2009. I decided on 15 because lets face it, I couldn't stop adding more and more wines to the list. Not to mention that I am probably missing 5 or 10 more good ones.

A light estimate on how many wines I tasted in 2009 would be between 175 to 250 plus wines. Give or Take! Some of the bottles are from my personal collection while most are from my friends, family or wine shops that I frequent.

So without further delay, here is my list;;;;;;

#15 - 2007 Zolo Torrontes

Crisp, Clean and inexpensive. This new varietal that I got experience with makes perfect sense in tough economic times. I tasted several different Torrontes wines in 2009 with some as high as $15.00 per bottle. The Zolo Torrontes was $9.99 per bottle and my favorite over the year.

#14 - 2007 Atteca Old Vine Garnacha

A great value wine over the year. I bought several bottles of this wine every time I needed a solid, "ready to drink now" wine. I have always loved Spanish wines, but this one was a "winner" at $15.99 per bottle.

#13 2005 Numanthia-Termes

This wine blew me away when I got a taste of it. I was able to taste this wine at a great wine event and I was able to take the bottle home and taste it again the very next day. Both times the wine impressed me with it's flavors. The wine was chosen as Wine Spectators #2 wine for 2009 and it shows why. Again! this is why I love so very much Spanish wines. Especially Tempranillo.

#12 2005 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel

Many thanx to all of my wine friends and there generosity. This wine poured from a friend's

private collection was the highlight of a day filled with great wines. Zinfandel isn't one of my favorite varietals, but the Rafanelli showed perfect balance of fruit that kept me coming back.

#11 2006 Kelly Fleming Sauvignon Blanc

I love Sauvignon Blanc. Kelly Fleming delivered me a perfect bottle of California wine. Perfect balance of acidity and fruit make this wine very french in style. I only wish I would of bought more of it. Lets hope that it returns at Mission Wines.

#10 2007 Peter Michael "Cuvee Indigene"

I am not a huge Chardonnay fan, but after finally tasting Peter Michael for the first time. Yeah! California makes a pretty good Chardonnay. I bit on the pricey side but many thanx go out to my friends for allowing me a taste of perfection.

#9 2007 Paul Lato Pinot Noir - Gold Coast

This was my one perfect pairing that I personally created this year. Pork Tenderloin crusted in pistachios. The first bottle of Paul Lato Pinot that I opened from my personal collection. I have high hopes for the quality of this wine to come over the next few years.

#8 2001 Opus One Cabernet

I have lots to be thankful for when it comes to Opus. It was the very first bottle of expensive wine I ever had back in 1996. This bottle was a huge treat and in good form at the time of opening. My best friend should be proud to have held on to a few of these.

#7 1999 Spottswoode Cabernet

Every year I open a bottle, and every year I love this wine. I wish I had the wallet to buy more of it. The wines are ageing gracefully, and should bring more "Wine Tears" to me personally over the next few decades.

#6 1999 Demoiselle Vranken Vintage Champagne

Maybe because it was the first taste of the day I had, or maybe it was looking across the table at my wife on her birthday, or maybe it's the fact the my friends over in Whittier know a thing or two about bubbles. This wine made perfect sense for my night out! 4 people tasted her and all 4 came to my table to thank me. The wine is at a perfect age for consumption.

#5 1989 Chateau Angelus Bordeaux

Pouring it into the glass and see that beautiful color brought a smile to my face. Many many thanx to my friend for all of his great wines, but this one stuck out the most. The only thing missing was a perfectly cooked Lamb Shank. FRENCH PERFECTION~

#4 1997 Dunn Family Howell Mountain Cabernet

I am so glad that these wines that continue to collect dust in my wine locker over the last 15 years are developing sooooooo nicely. Dunn will probably be the wine I drink on my death bed. Not because it is the greatest, but because she ages so gracefully. She just might last another 50 years.

#3 - 2002 Clio Bodega Jumilla

It is a sad day when you crack open the last bottle in your collection of a certain wine. We almost wanna savor every bit of juice in the glass for eternity. This 2002 was the last yes, but I have several other vintages put away for many years to come. Clio is one of the very best Spanish wines I ever tasted. I would of thought that this wine could of aged for 20 more years, I just couldn't hold onto the original 6 pack that I bought that long. Twice I opened this bottle in 2009. Both times the wine did not disappoint.

#2 - 1997 Peter Michael "Les Pavots"

Just so thankful for the many friends that I have. My best friend of 34 years has a big heart and a small but GREAT wine collection. For his birthday he graced me with 97 "Les Pavots", so I returned the favor by buying and opening 06 "Les Pavots". I great day of tasting wines. It is fun to able to taste 2 separate vintages of the same wine that are 9 years apart. We savor the flavors and try to determine that quality of the ageing. The 97 shows great California fruit ageing in a French Style. Showing perfectly, I only wish I had the wallet to buy a bit more of the 2006. What might she taste like in 2016.

#1 - 2003 Sea Smoke Botella Pinot Noir

Maybe it is the fact that I have always respected a winery that opens it's doors and allows us in. Friendship goes a long way when drinking wine. I am the kind of guy that never forgets when someone does something special for me.

Maybe it is the fact that I have collected this wine for over 5 years now and patience is starting to pay off in a PERFECT way. As I said earlier, when you open the last bottle in your collection of a certain wine you want to savor ever ounce of juice to the last drop. How ironic that this was my last great bottle of the year. Opened for Christmas day dinner and again, with a pork dish. The wine showed a perfect balance of fruit and aromas that make me love Pinot oh so much. This wine probably still had the potential of ageing another few years, but I am glad that I had the chance to drink a wine in a perfect state. I will continue to buy Sea Smoke till the day that I can't buy wine no more.

So there is my list.

Wine Geek? - Wine Snob? - Wine Collector?

Don't listen to me!! I know nothing!!

Cheers~