Wine Of The Week: The Daily Sip's Top Picks
Today we bid farewell to 2010 by looking back on all the delicious and curious wines we consumed during the past year. We sipped, savored and guzzled a wide variety of vinos so, of course, we had to ask ourselves which one was the best.
After much deliberation, Team Daily Sip brings you the best wines each of us tasted in 2010. Some–but not all–of these bottles come with hefty price tags, but we stand by our conviction that these wines are worth every penny since they stood out as the most memorable. Here's to 2011!
Alyssa
Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 1996 ($250). This was the absolutely perfect bottle of bubbly with which to toast a major life milestone. It's subtly yeasty with super-fine beads–absolutely lovely. Find it here.
Andy
Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 ($70). This is everything I could hope for in a Cabernet. Absolutely fabulous wine with layers of complexity. It's no wonder that year after year this is one of the top-scoring Chilean wines. Aromas of dark fruit and currant. Beautiful structure and soft tannins. A slight hint of smokiness. This wine is drinking nicely after ten years. Find the wine here.
Eric
Escarpment "Over The Edge" Pinot Noir Martinborough 2009, New Zealand ($15). Best wine of the year might be an overstatement, but this is certainly the best value Pinot Noir I've had from New Zealand–or anywhere–in ages. If a Pinot can be this pleasant, easy-drinking, balanced, integrated and bright for $15, that speaks volumes about what an incredible year 2009 is for Pinot Noir up and down the country, at all price points. Find the wine here.
Erin
Cardinale Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ($660).
I was lucky enough to join a private tasting hosted by Cardinale at the Toast of the Town event earlier this year in San Francisco, where I fell in love with this Cabernet. I actually believe that it's worth the $660 price tag. This is literally smooth as silk, with chocolate, coffee bean and vanilla notes. The toasty new-oak flavor leaves you with a slightly dry finish. It is definitely the best wine I have tasted this year. Find it here.
Jonny
Vineyard 29 Sauvignon Blanc 2008 ($199). My favorite wine in the 'I will never be able to afford this' category. The wine was barrel-aged for 19 months, so it's full-bodied and rich with an absurdly long finish. Find the wine here.
Leta
Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir 2008 ($130). This bottle rocks. Luscious and rich with flavors that continuously come at you from every angle. This has a gorgeous nose of rose petals and ripe, warm cherries. It's velvety on the palate with a finish that lasts forever. I received this bottle as a Christmas gift and popped it on my birthday to share with my entire family four days later. What an incredible addition to an already fantastic dinner. Find the wine here.
What was the best wine you drank in 2010? Tell us about it here.