Comments on: Reflections on six of Wine Enthusiast’s top 100 wines of 2009

By: Jo Diaz

Jo Diaz — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:15:18 +0000

I don’t know WHY I’d do that… Sorry. Should have used the word “why” not “what.”

By: Jo Diaz

Jo Diaz — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:12:15 +0000

In my religious teachings, it was only a sin to covet thy neighbor’s wife, and I don’t know what I’d do that.

By: gillywine

gillywine — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:46:44 +0000

I agree with Kelkeagy’s comments about Top 100 lists–they aren’t all created equal. Each publication and the critics with whom they’re associated have criteria, just as consumers and wine buyers do. The key is in finding the right fit, just as you would with a retailer.

Some value grooviness and exclusivity above all else while others value accessibility and affordability. Certain critics dig big fat juice, and others like delineated wines. After twenty years in the business, what I respect the most is a voice that offers a balanced viewpoint, one that values the legitimacy of a broad range of wine experiences.

I love me some good Muscadet. And I dig stemmy, meaty Syrah. But I also like a good number of so-called “populist” wines. Is it wrong to enjoy a bottling just because it’s made in large quantities?

Hell no. There’s room for everyone in this brand new wine culture we’ve created. Let’s not blow it by being elitists.

By: Doug Margerum

Doug Margerum — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:44:42 +0000

Arthur writes

“Have you had Foxen’s Ma Mere Vineyard (SMV) Cab? 2001 blows all the Happy Canyon stuff (of the same vintage) away”

I think I made one of the first Bordeaux varietal wines from Happy Canyon Vineyards called PIOCHO in 2003. It was the first vintage and the production was tiny.

While I am a huge fan of the 2001 Ma Mere and promoted the wine in the Wine Cask futures program I would like to know what 2001 Happy Canyon wines the Ma Mere blew away?

I’m game to host a Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara Bordeaux varietals tasting anytime – after being in the business for 30 years I can tell you these wines are truly noteworthy.

By: steve

steve — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:06:14 +0000

Colin, thanks for asking smart questions. Obviously a “Top 100″ list is not a blind tasting. It is a measured judgment about who deserves what, why, and why now. Testarossa has provided me (and plenty of others) with years of enjoyment of single-vineyard Pinot Noirs at decent prices. As for Melville and Greg Brewer, I guess you could say that a Top 100 listing is like an Oscar for a great actor who’s turned in great performances over and over for years and deserves the award. There’s always an element of subjectivity in such rankings, but I hope the perception is that the subjectivity is based on real and shared perceptions among knowledgeable people.