The Speck's Top 100 are out. Your thoughts?

[Robin Garr]

This isn't specifically intended as an invitation to snark, although certainly that possibility lies open before us.

For the record, though, Wine Spectator announced its "Top 100" wines today, with these 10 leading the list. Let me know if the long link at the bottom works!

1 Cune Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva
2004 95 $63

2 Château Canon-La Gaffelière St.-Emilion
2010 96 $103

3 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Evenstad Reserve
2010 95 $65

4 Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford
2010 95 $92

5 Kongsgaard Chardonnay Napa Valley
2010 95 $75

6 Giuseppe Mascarello & Figlio Barolo Monprivato
2008 95 $110

7 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée
2010 97 $120

8 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2010 96 $120

9 Lewis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve
2010 96 $135

10 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley


http://2013.top100.winespectator.com/li ... 013%20(SND)

[Jenise]

It just pissed me off that two of my favorite producers, Cune and Pegau, are sure to see a price jump because of this attention.

A silly, contrived exercise. Of the hundreds of thousands of wines in the world, that someone would think they could pick one "best" is laughable. That an army of people suddenly have to have that wine and prices on that winery suddenly jump just makes me shake my head.

If I was still in the winecorp world, I'd have to pay attention and pretend this was meaningful.

What Matt R. said: silly and contrived.

Sells magazines and gets ad revenue. Doesn't really impact my world though.

[Robin Garr]

It kind of surprised me to see the Speck hailing some wines that I actually like! Not only the French, but Domaine Serene!

What's going on over there? Are they tiring of gobs and spoofulation?

[David M. Bueker]

Contrived-yes. They do not state these are the "best" wines though. They are quite clear that a number of factors play into the selections, including availability.

[Jenise]

It kind of surprised me to see the Speck hailing some wines that I actually like! Not only the French, but Domaine Serene!

What's going on over there? Are they tiring of gobs and spoofulation?

This trend toward wines of actual substance and sensibility was evident last year, if not the year before. I really wish they'd stop it.

I don't think I have that vintage of the Domaine Serene Evenstad but I do have some other vintages and tend to enjoy them. I got a good laugh on the Wine Berserkers board when right after the wine of the year was announced, a guy posted that he had snagged four bottles of the top wine but it took him awhile going to several places because the "vultures got there before him." I asked him if he numbered himself among the vultures?

[David M. Bueker]

Two of the top 10 are actually in my cellar. Both purchased a long time before the issue ever came out. There certainly is a herd mentality when the list comes out.

The `99 is here in town for $50 Cdn .

[David M. Bueker]

The '99 what?

ooops, the Cune Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva.

I hope I'm not being a provincial chauvinist (I live in the Northwest), but selecting the Quilceda and Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve or their ilk seem to me almost no brainers given the Quilceda and some other Washington Cabs' relatively modest prices when compared with their California and Bordeaux peers, and the Serene's and other Oregon Pinots' prices compared with California and Burgundy. When Screaming Eagle is selling for $750, the Quilceda price looks good.

[Jenise]

Interesting that the highest point wine on their list only placed #11.

[David M. Bueker]

All is right with the world-the token German wine is a J J Prum. That is the Spec's punt.

What's going on over there? Are they tiring of gobs and spoofulation?
The in thing today is “In pursuit of balance” (IPoB), wines with a “little bit” of everything.

Salute

My only thought is "HOLY SHIT, THE MRSP ON 2010 PEGAU IS $120".

My only thought is "HOLY SHIT, THE MRSP ON 2010 PEGAU IS $120".

K&L has it for $99. I agree that is still awfully high.

[David M. Bueker]

My only thought is "HOLY SHIT, THE MRSP ON 2010 PEGAU IS $120".

K&L has it for $99. I agree that is still awfully high.

I was offered some at $90. No thanks.

Two of the top 10 are actually in my cellar. Both purchased a long time before the issue ever came out. There certainly is a herd mentality when the list comes out.

Hmmmmm....none of the top 10 are in my cellar. I am such a loser when it comes to wine.
Isn't this part of a top 100 list??
Tom

[Jenise]

Two of the top 10 are actually in my cellar. Both purchased a long time before the issue ever came out. There certainly is a herd mentality when the list comes out.

Hmmmmm....none of the top 10 are in my cellar. I am such a loser when it comes to wine.
Isn't this part of a top 100 list??
Tom

Yup. The link in Robin's post goes to the rest. Not that it will change your life, but it's interesting to try to figure out what was going on in their heads when they, for instance, put Chateau Ste. Michelle's Sauvignon Blanc on there.

Here's another thought:
(I gotta stop thinking)

I stopped drinking alcohol 2 years ago and and after looking at some of those prices, I wonder why I don't have more $$$ in my wallet or bank account.

I don't pay any attention to the Top 100 at all anymore, except as a curiosity. But, one positive trend seems to be a greater focus on value over the past couple of years - look at how many under $20 wines are in the top 50, for example.

My only thought is "HOLY SHIT, THE MRSP ON 2010 PEGAU IS $120".

K&L has it for $99. I agree that is still awfully high.

I was offered some at $90. No thanks.

Envoyer offered it on pre-arrival at $80. I still passed, and this from an avowed Pegau-o-phile. I'll point out in passing that I also got an email offer for the '11 for $47.95, which kind of puts it all into perspective (IIRC, I bought the '08 for $28 a bottle during the fire sale)

Mark Lipton