Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year
Anyone see the 2009 Wine Spectator Wine of the Year??? No, it is not from Bordeaux… Nope, not from Napa…Italy you say? No, I say! It is from Columbia Crest in Washington state!!! Yes, that Columbia Crest. Wine from the same maker that you would see toward the bottom of the racks at the grocery store. I’ve actually been a fan of the Columbia Crest Two Vine series of wines. They are always rated a best value and I am all about the value these days.
This particular wine is the Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve 2005. A blend of Cabernet, with 5 percent Merlot and 4 percent Cabernet Franc. The Winemaker, Ray Einberger, has worked at Chateau Mouton-Rothchild and Opus One, not a bad pedigree!
Here’s the kicker! The wine scored a 95 on the Wine Spectator 100 point scale…and the price? $27 retail! Yes, you read that right, $27. It took down all of the heavy weights from around the world. When you consider that the average price for a Napa Valley Cabernet is over $100 per bottle, I really like this pick. As a matter of fact, I like the top ten that they chose. Take a look!
1. Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve 2005…95 points…$27
2. Numanthia-Termes Toro Termes 2005…96 points…$27
3. Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2007…95 points…$70
4. Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2007…95 points…$52
5. Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio 2006…96 points…$54
6. Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Signature 2006…94 points…$42
7. Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2005…96 points…$44
8. Fontodi Colli della Toscana Centrale Flaccianello 2006…99 points…$110
9. Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley 2007…96 points…$29
10. Brancaia Toscana Tre 2007…93 points…$20 (Costco had this for awhile and the price was well under $20)
