Here in the final week of 2010, I looked back at the wines I tasted this year. I tasted many wines, but not nearly as many as I wish I had. Most were good, quite good. There were a number of exceptional wines. Today’s post is a list of my favorite wines, tasted in 2010, by varietal. I loved every wine on the list when I tasted it. More than one was tasted with food, many were tasted with the winemaker or winery owner, and every wine on my list was tasted for free at a tasting room or event. My tasting experiences led me to purchase several of these wines to enjoy at leisure. I recommend every wine on this list, if you are fortunate and find a bottle in your local wine shop. Enjoy.
Blush 2008 Toad Hollow Dry Pinot Noir Rosé, Sonoma, Eye Of The Toad $9
Bubbly 2002 Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards Royal Cuvee, Carneros $32
Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Trinchero Napa Valley, Clouds Nest Vineyard, Mt. Veeder $50
Chardonnay 2006 The Cutrer, Sonoma-Cutrer, Russian River Valley $35
Dessert/Port 2008 Carol Shelton Wines, Black Magic Zinfandel Sonoma County $20
Gewurtztraminer 2009 Mill Creek Winery, Estate Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley $19
Grappa 2007 Petroni Vineyards, Estate, Grappa di Cabernet Sauvignon $50
Grenache 2005 Parducci, Mendocino County $25
Meritage 2007 Trinchero Napa Valley, Napa Valley $50
Merlot 2005 Swanson Vineyards, Oakville, $36
Petite Sirah 2006 Parducci True Grit, Mendocino County $30
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio 2009 Kenwood Vineyards, Sonoma County $14
Pinot Noir 2005 Sonoma-Cutrer, Russian River Valley $34
Red Blend 2006 Saracina Atrea Old Soul Red (Zin, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Malbec) $25
Sangiovese 2006 Petroni Vineyards Rosso di Sonoma $28
Sauvignon Blanc 2009 The Natural Process Alliance, Russian River Valley $12
Syrah 2005 Saracina, Mendocino County $32
Viognier 2008 McDowell Valley Vineyards, (64%)Viognier/(36%)Rousanne $22
Zinfandel 2005 Carol Shelton Wines, Karma, Rue Vineyard, Wood Rd, Russian River Valley $33
