If there is a world bible of wines, it would have to be the Wine Spectator, the publication that has been establishing each year’s outstanding labels and vineyards every year since 1988. Here are the top five in order of excellence.
First place: Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley 2005
This is one of the great wines of Chile, produced by the best vintage the country has had for many years. It comes from the Casa Lapostolle Vineyard, established in 1994 by the French family Marnier Lapostolle and the Rabat family from Chile. The master winemaker Jacques Begarie was responsible for blending Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot grapes in exactly the right proportions, then overseeing the aging in barrels of young French oak. Only 5,987 bottles of Del Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley 2005 were produced.
Second place: Margaux 2005
This most outstanding example of French wine in the selection is made of a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54.5%), Merlot (39%), Petit Verdot (5%) and Cabernet Franc (1.5%). Coming from the Bordeaux region, more precisely from Château Rauzan-Ségla, it stands out for its intense floral aromas and strong tannins. Those in the know say that this is one of the few great Margaux that can be drunk relatively young, and one of the most beautiful wines to have come out of Rauzan-Séglas in decades. Production was limited to 10,000 bottles.
Third place: Douro Reserva Old Vines 2005
The Douro Reserva, from the Quinta do Crasto winery in Portugal, is one of a new generation of young wines of high quality. Thirty grape varieties are involved in its production, which were foot pressed in the first stage of fermentation. The product was aged in casks, which were 85% French and 15% American during an 18 months period, and the resulting wine demonstrates intense, refined flavors and aromas, with medium tannins. 1,500 bottles were produced.
Fourth place: Sauternes 2005
Another French wine, produced by the Château Guiraud winery in the Sauterne region, which has become famous for the quality of its wines since being taken over by the Canadian Hamilton Narby. The winery stands out for the technological advances that it uses in wine production. The Sauternes 2005 is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (65%) and Semillon (35%). It was aged in barrels of new French oak for 24 months, producing a deep gold colored wine with dense, spicy aromas and a well structured flavor that lingers on the palate. Production totaled 9,165 bottles.
Fifth place: Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2005
This wine was produced in the south of France at the Vieux Télégraphe winery, which gets its name from the old telegraph office that operated in the 1700s on the land which now grows its grapes. This year’s production is characterized by its cherry red color and its flavors that, while simple, are nevertheless delicate on the palate. It provides mature tannins, well covered by the fruit and indicative of a first class vineyard, one of the best in the region. This is probably the most modest of the selection, reflected in the size of production, numbered at 15,830 bottles. It is nevertheless an outstanding wine, first class and high quality, worthy of consideration by the experts at Wine Spectator. The makers are worthy occupiers of their classification, as are all of the above named, and all deserve our congratulations. |
