I've been seeing way too many people wander into a wine store, having that defensively inquisitive look on their faces, and asking the store owner: "I don't know anything about wine. What should I buy?...." Only to be replied something that's equally annoying, with something like "Well, I gotta know what i'm working with, what budget do you have, what food are you serving etc.)
So to help ease that mutual pain just a little bit, I compiled the list below.
This year I was able to track almost every bottle (and glass) of wine I had. Out of the list, here's my TOP 5 Red Wines list of the year. I don't really have a particular style that I like, but this list definitely ended up veering towards more dark, inky, full-bodied reds. A nice detail is that each wine ended up being from a different country. All big players except France for some reason..:
1.''''2005 Marquis Philips "The Grail of Lisa"'''' (Australia) ($49)
Dense, intensely perfumed on the nose: Vanilla pudding, rose water, and graham crackers.. Inky, stain your teeth dark color. An explosion of stewed fruit, vanilla and milk chocolate on mid palate with a finish that will literally stay in your mouth for the rest of your day. Over the top? Yes. But in the best way possible.
2.''''Mouton Noir Montgomery Place Napa Red 2006'''' (California) ($22)
Classic Bordeaux nose (if a little alcoholic). Incredibly balanced, black fruit supported by just the right amount of oak. Reminds me of highest quality blends from Languedoc too. Long finish, solid tannic structure for aging. Serious stuff.
3.''''Monteviejo Lindaflor 2003 Malbec'''' (Argentina) ($31)
Dark and thick in appearance, this malbec has notes of vanilla pudding, and grape jelly and empty inktank. It's a 'bomb' of sorts, but it manages to be that in such a smooth way that you can't dislike it.
4.''''Juan Gil Monastrell 2006'''' (Spain) ($29)
Carmenere like nose. Perfect balance of fruit and spice. Reduced dark berry juice with allspice. Great concentration, and i don't mean the kind you need for an exam. Great backbone and tannins balanced by a TRUCKLOAD of fruit. After 4 days of opening, sill in tact with lots of fruit an d tannins. GREAT WINE, PERIOD.
5.''''Luca Ferraris Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato Bric D'Bianc 2007'''' (Italy) ($22)
VERY pronounced rose petals on the nose. LOADS of cloves and rose water drive the midpalate. Incredibly unique, and terroir driven wine. Harsh, but somewhat enjoyable tannins.
