Weekly Saturday Tasting

Selections from
The Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2023

Saturday, December 9th
1:00 - 3:00

For over three decades The Wine Spectator has been one of the most popular outlets for wine reviews. Since 1988 they have put out a yearly list of their picks for the best 100 wines released that year. Now, wine criticism and wine reviews can be tricky business, as tastes are very subjective. Honestly we are usually more in favor of our customers coming in and talking with us, and letting us be their guide for recommendations, but the larger media outlets have their place as well, and can even help us in making selections if we haven't had the opportunity to taste a specific wine. Like we do here at the store, the best critics don't necessarily base their review on if they personally like the wine in question, but whether or not the wine is well made, and if it is a good representation of what that grape and region are about. One of the tricks of following wine criticism is to figure out which of the (growing) review magazines and websites to trust. To do that, often you have to compare your reaction to a certain wine to several critical reviews, and see which reviewer seems to share a similar taste profile to what you enjoy. That's not something a lot of casual wine drinkers get the opportunity to do, but this Saturday we'll give you at least a couple examples. We found four of the wines listed in The Wine Spectator's list this year, which came out about 2 weeks ago. This is not something we can always do, as often the wines in the Top 100 list are already sold out, or are such small production that they don't even come into North Carolina. We were really happy to find some excellent options that were available, and also most don't cost and arm and a leg. (The beautiful Martinelli Pinot Noir gets a bit pricey, but is soooo worth it!). So please swing by on Saturday, take a taste, and see if you agree with professional critic's opinions on these wines.

Domaine Carneros Brut
Carneros, Napa Valley, 2019
#33 Wine Spectator Top 100 2023
"Alluring for its sleek polish and precision, this sparkler has tiers of Asian pear, strawberry, fresh almond and ginger flavors that unfurl slowly. Drink now.
~ 93 Points"

Diatom Chardonnay
Santa Barbara County, California, 2022
#37 Wine Spectator Top 100 2023
"Offers grilled pineapple, white peach and lemon blossom flavors that are robust and effortless on a sleek, juicy frame, with fresh-cut green apple, tarragon and sea spray notes emerging on the mouthwatering finish. Drink now.
~ 92 Points"

Martinelli 'Bondi Home Ranch Vineyard' Pinot Noir
Green Valley of Russian Rive Valley, California, 2021
#19 Wine Spectator Top 100 2023
"Loaded with gorgeous, succulent, lush boysenberry, mulberry and açaí berry fruit seamlessly inlaid with spiced apple wood, anise and fruitcake details. Gains additional beguilement from a late flash of potpurri and black tea. Drink now through 2032.
~ 95 Points"

Bodegas Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina, 2021
#30 Wine Spectator Top 100 2023
"The stands out for its expressive, elegant bouquet of citrus blossoms, guava and red currant-flavors that are equally engaging and fresh on the palate, picking up mineral details and lingering nicely around polished tannins. Drink now.
~ 92 Points"