2011 Top 100 Wines – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Here is my 2011 Top 100 wine list and as I have in my past top list the number 1 to 100 do not signfy that wine number 1 is not the highest ranking wine—rather this list is an alpha ordered list.  If you looked at all of my wine reviews there might be different wines if this was based only on highest to lower points.Now, this list might have looked differently if I would have had more experience with French, German, Austrian, Australian and to a certain extent could have tasted more Italian wines.  There were very few opportunities this year.  I am a perennial attendee at many wine events here in San Francisco and elsewhere.  I do look forward to an even greater diversity in 2012.

1. Adega da Covilha Beira Interior Conde Julião White – 2009 – 8.9
2. Alma Rosa La Encantada Vineyard Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir – 2009 – 9.2
3. Amphora Heringer Vineyard Clarksburg Teroldego 2008 – 9.2
4. Ancient Peaks Oyster Ridge Paso Robles Red Wine – 2008 – 9.1
5. Ahnfeldt Quid Pro Quo Napa Valley Proprietary Blend – 2008 – 9.1
6. Attila Gere Villany Olaszrizling – 2009 – 9.1
7. Auteur Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – 2009 – 9.2
8. Bacio Divino Napa Valley Pazzo – 2007 – 9.0
9. Ballentine Block 9 Reserve Napa Valley Zinfandel – 2007 – 9.2
10. Black Sears Howell Mountain Caberbet Franc – 2008 – 9.1
11. Cantina Valle Isarco EKK Alto Adige Südtirol Lagrein – 2009 – 9.2
12. Carmichael Sa Vini Monterey County Sangiovese – 2008 – 9.2
13. Château Flotis Fronton 2007 – 9.1
14. Colección Vivanco 4 Varietales – 2007 – 9.4
15. Cortes de Cima Alentejo Touriga Nacional – 2007 – 9.1
16. Delamotte Blanc de Blancs – 1999 – 9.4
17. Delectus Cuvee Julia – 2008 – 9.2
18. Diamond Creek Diamond Mountain Red Rock Terrace – 2007 – 9.3
19. Domaine de la Collone Saint Jean Gigonda Vacqueyas – 2007 – 9.1
20. Domaine Eden Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – 9.2
21. Domaniul Coroanei Segarcea Merlot – 2008 – 9.2
22. Dominus Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 2006 – 9.5
23. Duarte-Georgetown Mountain Estate El Dorado Petit Verdot – 2007 – 9.2
24. El Maestro Sierra Vina Viejo Amontillado – 9.1
25. Elena Walch Kastelaz Gewürztraminer – 2008 – 9.2
26. Emilio Lustau Oloroso Very Rare Emperatriz Eugenia 9.2
27. Eszterbauer Nagyapám Szekszárdi Kadarka – 2009 – 9.0
28. Eszterbauer Tüke Szekszárdi Bikavér – 2008 – 9.3 -
29. Fenestra Livermore Valley Port 2004 – 9.1
30. Field Stone Staten Family Reserve Alexander Valley Petite Sirah – 2009 – 9.1
31. Fischer Unity Red Wine – 2009 – 9.0
32. Flora Wild Boar Pope Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 – 9.4
33. Fog Crest Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir 2009 – 9.1
34. Gramercy Walla Walla Valley Syrah – 2008 – 9.2
35. Gramona Cava Brut Imperial Gran Reserva – 2006 – 9.3
36. Greg Graham Crimson Hill Vineyard Lake County Grenache – 2007 – 9.1
37. Guerri Rizzard Amarone della Valpolicella Villa Rizzardi – 2005 – 9.2
38. Hawk & Horse Red Hills Lake County Latigo – 2006 – 9.5 –
39. Hogl Engelburg Grüner Veltliner Federspiel – 2009 – 9.2
40. J&J Eger Eged-Hegy Dulo Kékfrankos – 2006 – 9.2
41. Jean Claude Beaune Beaune 1er Cru “Les Bressandes” – 2006 – 9.4
42. JF Lurton Quinta do Malho Douro Red – 2007 – 9.2
43. Kabaj Goriška Brda Amfora – 2007 – 9.3
44. Kenneth Volk Enz Valley Lime Kiln Valley Mourvèdre – 2007 – 9.1
45. Kenneth Volk Nevarez Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Roussanne – 2008 – 9.1
46. Lambert Bridge Rock Pile Zinfandel – 2009 – 9.2
47. Lancaster Estate Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 2007 – 9.2
48. Luis Ochoa Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon  - 2005 – 9.2
49. Luis Pato Casta Baga – 2007 – 9.0
50. Maroon Napa Valley Shiraz – 2007 – 9.2
51. Martian Santa Ynez Valley Grenache Blanc – 2009 – 9.0.
52. Masperie Les Escures Cahors Malbec – 2009 – 9.2
53. Mercy Arroyo Zavala Vineyard Arroyo Seco Syrah – 2009 – 9.1
54. Merry Edwards Flax Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – 2008 – 9.1
55. Monşer Dobrogea Fetească Neagră – 2009 – 9.0
56. Mount Horrocks Watervale Riesling Clare Valley – 2006 – 9.0
57. Muscardini Ukiah Valley Barbera – 2009 – 9.1 -
58. Nals Margreid Alto Adige Südtirol Lagrein – 2009 – 9.1
59. Navarro Anderson Valley Edelzwicker– 2010 – 9.0
60. Novy Family Rosella Vineyard Santa Lucia Highland Syrah – 2008 – 9.2
61. Ontañon Reserva – 2004 – 9.1
62. Ortman Family Turner Vineyard Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir – 2008 – 9.1
63. Paloma Napa Valley Merlot – 2009 – 9.2
64. Patland Stage Coach Syrah – 2008 – 9.1
65. Patricius Tokaji Furmint – 2008 – 9.2
66. Pazo San Mauro Rias Baixas Albariño 2009 – 9.2
67. Pheasant’s Tears Kakheti Rkatsiteli – 2009 – 9.2
68. Pedro Romero Oloroso Viejisimo 50 – 9.2
69. Pelerin Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir – 2007 – 9.1
70. Piper-Heidsieck Rare – 2002 – 9.5
71. Pisoni Santa Lucia Highlands Gary’s Vineyard Pinor Noir- 2009 – 9.1
72. Prahiva Valley Feteasca Neagra 2009 9.1
73. Prince Michel of Virginia Mount Juliet Vineyard Petit Manseng – 2008 – 9.0
74. Quinta da Cabriz Dão Reserva – 2008 – 9.1
75. Quinta do Pôpa Douro Preffáccio – 2007 – 9.1
76. Quivera Fig Tree Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc – 2009 – 9.0
77. Quixote Napa Valley Petite Sirah – 2005 – 9.3 –Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva – 2001 – 9.3
78. Robert Biale Aldo’s Vineyard Oak Knoll Zinfandel – 2009 – 9.4
79. Ruinart Brut Rosé – NV – 9.3
80. Sergio Mottura Brut 2005 – 9.1
81. Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir – 2009 – 9.1
82. Sierra Cantabria Finca El Bosque – 2008 – 9.4
83. Sierra Madre Santa Maria Valley Block 216 Pinot Noir – 2008 – 9.2
84. Singularis Red Blend – 2008 – 9.2
85. Talley Arroyo Grande Rosemary Vineyard Pinot Noir – 2000 – 9.3
86. Tentimenti Ruffino Brunello di Montalcino Grappone Mazzi – 2005 – 9.1
87. Terra Savia Mendocino County Petit Verdot – 2008 – 9.1
88. Terracruda Ortaia Marche Pergola Rosso – 2008 – 9.3
89. The Cornerstone Napa Valley Red Wine – 2009 – 9.3
90. Törley Grand Cuvee – NV – 9.1
91. Tyler Dierberg Block 5 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir – 2009 – 9.2
92. Umathum Zweigelt Classic – 2008 – 9.0
93. Vazart-Coquart et Fils – 2004 – 9.3
94. Velonisi Rossi Piceno Sup Roggio de Filare – 2007 – 9.1
95. Villa Mongalli Sagrantino Della Cima – 2006 – 9.2
96. Viña Bosconia Reserva – 2002 – 9.3
97. Viña Ijalba Graciano – 2007 – 9.2
98. Von Holt Suacci Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – 2008 – 9.2
99. Widmann Alto Adige Vernatsch – 2010 – 9.2
100. Zenaida Paso Robles Petite Sirah – 2008 – 9.2

Wishing you a great holiday season–wonderful wine wishes to you and yours!

¡Salud!

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Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

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