Top 125 Wines of 2023 (Usually Annual Review is Top 100 Wines)

Welcome to the 13th edition of my Top 100 Wines of the years–this year it is Top 125 wines. Why 125 wines this year? I was looking at my raw list and there were so many more wines than the past two years. This is the most robust list post-Pandemic and with that many more opportunities to taste. I looked at all of the wines I tasted and it was not just about quantity but about a very nice list of wines that are lyrical, mesmerizing.

I created this nearly a generation ago because I thought top 100 wine lists don’t make sense in that many give a hierarchy–simply wine number one is the number one amongst all the wines reviewed/tasted. I am not sure how realistic or even sensicle it is to create a list like that. How is a number one or even top 10 list created when it is in a hierarchy–I have looked at such lists and have provided substitutes or even comparables to all of these lists. How is wine one so much better than wine two and so fourth? And I suggest if you see lists like this ask these questions. I have walked away instead of being inspired; I became tired of trying to understand their “logic.”

My list is different and I point it out–number one on this list is in alpha order and the entire list is not a hierarchy–it is to look at some superb wines that I wanted to call out as a set of selections. I have given some high scores but have never given a 100 points–I don’t anticipate that I will do that. Some wine reviewers–yawn–might give this routinely but I will not do this. I steer away because 100 might connote “perfect” and I believe nothing is perfect. We might run across “perfect” things everyday but we do not recognize it—but maybe, just maybe things can be good, great, excellent but perfection is one to stay away from because not everyone will agree. Perfection is in the eyes of the beholder.

San Martino sulla Marrucina Looking Towards the Appenines – Mt. Amaro

Where do I get to taste these wines–travel is the best way to taste wines and my favourite wine places are the Old World. I do seek those opportunities and as an inquisitive and curious person–wines do come to me and I do may fair share of searching. I go to perhaps an Anteprima in Italy and always taste something new (new producers, appellations and vintages and so forth). I do seek out wine merchants in my travels–I seek labels that I am not familiar with and for labels that don’t export to the US.

I also have wine producers, importers and distributors who reach out to me. I do seek to attend as many events as possible as well. I also know a ton of wine interested people always pointing me to a new wine. I take notes, take pictures, and research wines. I also seek wines that I don’t get to taste from very often in the old world (Germany, Spain, Croatia, Greece, and so many more).

Easily my favourite city anywhere – Venezia – visiting San Giorgio Maggiore

Italy is an amazing state—nation-state and current and future state. A place where newness and tradition is to be discovered. I keep track of DOC/DOCGs I have tasted and those that I am seeking to experience—I have spent a lot of time on the ground and it is exciting that a place can offer so much. Italy is magnetic–it is not just solely alluring but something so familiar, knowable and some aspects that remain an absolute mystery. Italy is a place where I am welcomed not just because I write and review Italian wines–but a place to discover the ever present regional cuisines and wines. I am history buff and endlessly fascinated about this story of Italy that is accessible on each visit.

Cantina Zýmē in Valpolicella Classica -A former sandstone quarry now an a stunning architectural piece

I have sought out more French wines and likewise they have been coming my direction. I need more ‘foot on ground’ in France to taste and discover more of this historical place. I have an open mind on wine and believe it is important to review and rate wines from all places.

In the quest for more French wines – a once in a lifetime experience of Muse de Miraval

The new world is elusive—and I am surprised it is that way. I do taste mainly California and Oregon wines… but rarely get wines from Washington, Texas, Virginia or New York. This year, I tasted an amazing wine from an Arizona producer of Mimbres Valley New Mexico fruit – Aridus New Mexico Cabernet Franc. As I said in my video review –it is not just a good Cabernet Franc but one of the best from the entire western US that I have tasted.

Southern hemisphere wines too are rare on my tasting table or trade tastings–I rarely get to taste wines from South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Australia. I can count on one hand how many wines from Australia that I taste on a yearly basis. No wines tasted from New Zealand…. What?!?

The world is an interesting place–here iam in Gorizia, Italia and Nova Gorica, Slovenija

This list has a predominance of Italian wines 57.6%, US is two with 19.2% and thirdly is France with 12.8% of wines in the list. I’ll point out that most of the wines I tasted are primarily from these three wine producing countries and in many ways are weighted in terms of how much I tasted to what was represented in the list. I do seek out more French wines and on that quest will continue to make more requests in the future and other wine countries as well. For the first time wines from Serbia, Slovakia and Bosnia & Herzegovina were captured in this list. Greece had 4 wines that made the list as I was able to taste more Greek wines.

I hope you seek out these wines and get to taste some of them by the glass and hopefully if you like them enough you might select for a meal that you are hosting in the future.

Soave is a beautiful and tranquil town in The Veneto; lovely wines!

I also hope your year of wine enjoyment brought a diverse set of wines from different countries, styles, vintages and cuvées. Let me know your top wine picks and suggestions. Thank you and the best of the holiday season and the New Year to come.

1	Accordato Prosecco DOC NV – 94 Points
2	Antonella Lombardo Pi Greco Calabria IGT – 2020 – 93 Points
3	Apostolos Thymiopoulos Earth & Sky Naoussa Xinomavro – 2018 – 94 Points
4	Apostolos Thymiopoulos Rapsani Terra Petra Red Wine – 2019 – 94 Points
5	Aridus New Mexico Cabernet Franc – 2020 – 95 Points
6	Bailey Family Wines Chardonnay – 2018 – 94 Points
7	Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico – 2015 – 95 Points
8	BiancaVigna Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Superiore Nature Rive di Ogliano – 2022 – 95 Points
9	BiancaVigna Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Proseco Superiore Rive di Soligo Dosaggio Zero – 2022 – 95 Points
10	Bikicki Sfera Fruska Gora Serbia Dry White Wine – 2021 – 94 Points
11	Biondi-Santi Rosso di Montalcino DOC – 2020 – 97 Points
12	Brkić Mostar Bosnia & Herzegovina Wild Yeast White White Žilavka – 2021 – 94 Points
13	Calafia Mendocino County Graziano Vineyards Charbono 2021 – 95 Points
14	Calafia Rockpile Zinfandel – 2020 – 95 Points
15	Cataldi Madonna Malandrino Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC – 2021 – 94 Points
16	Cataldo Calabretta Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore DOC – 2019 – 94 Points
17	Champagne Delamotte Blanc de Blancs NV – 97 Points
18	Champagne Delamotte Rosé NV – 98 Points
19	Champagne Juillet-Lallement Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV – 96 Points
20	Champagne Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blanc Brut Nature NV – 95 Points
21	Chateau de la Jouselinire Muscadet Sevre et Maine – 2020 – 94 Points
22	Chateau Miraval Muse de Miraval Côte de Provence Rosé – 2021 Magnum – 98 Points
23	Chateau Miraval STUDIO by Miraval Rosé – 2022 – 94 Points
24	Chiusa Grande In Petra Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Vino Biologico – 2020 – 95 Points
25	Chiusa Grande Perla Nero Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Riserva – 2016 – 95 Points
26	Ciavolich Colline Pescaresi Cococciola IGT – 2022 – 95 Points
27	Ciavolich Fosso Cancelli Montepuliciano d’Abruzzo DOC – 2017 – 94 Points
28	Contesa Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC – 2022 – 94 Points
29	De Stefani Kreda Vigneto Singolo Da Uve Refosco Riserva Veneto IGT – 2020 – 94 Points
30	De Stefani Malanotte Vigneto Singolo Da Uve Raboso Del Piave DOCG – 2018 – 94 Points
31	De Stefani Rive Di Refrontolo Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Brut – 95 Points
32	Domaine Amirault Crémant de Loire Rosé Brut Nature NV – 95 Points
33	Domaine Delaporte Chavignol Sancerre Rosé ‘- 2021 – 95 Points
34	Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria -2019 – 96 Points
35	Donum Single Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir – 2020 – 95 Points
36	EILA Scarlet Willamette Valley Pinot Noir – 2021 – 95 Points
37	Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera DOCG – 2018 – 96 Points
38	Enzo Boglietti Brunate Barolo DOCG – 2017 -95 Points
39	EQ Cool Climate Valle de San Antonio Syrah – 2017 – 94 Points
40	Famille Perrin Les Christins Vacqueyras – 2019 – 94 Points
41	Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Cornuds – 2018 – 94 Points
42	Alessandro Fedrizzi Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto Frizzante DOCG NV – 94 Points
43	Franco Conterno Cascina Sciulun Langhe DOC Freisa – 2021 – 94 Points
44	Gentilini Rhombus Robola of Kefalonia – 2021 – 94 Points
45	Giusti Umberto I Tenuta Abaxia Montello Rosso DOCG Superiore – 2019 – 95 Points
46	Goosecross State Lane Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 2019 95 Points
47	Goosecross Napa Valley Chardonnay – 2022 – 95 Points
48	Gradis’ciutta Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC – 2021 – 95 Points
49	Hoopes Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – 95 Points
50	Il Colle Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG – 2020 – 94 Points
51	Il Conte Villa Prandone Navicchio Offida Pecorino DOCG – 2022 – 94 Points
52	J. de Villebois Sancerre Rosé – 2021 – 94 Point
53	Karavitakis Klima Kotsifali Crete Kotsifali-Mavrotragano – 2019 – 94 Points
54	Kettmeir Alto Adige-Südtirol Pinot Bianco DOC – 2021 – 94 Points
55	Krasno Rdeče Goriška Brda Red Blend – 2020 – 94 Points
56	Lange Estate Freedom Hill Mount Pisgah Pinot Noir – 2021 – 96 Points
57	Lapone L’Escluso Orvieto Classico Superiore DOC – 2021 – 95 Points
58	Le Cadeau Vineyard Chehalem Mountain Willamette Valley Chardonnay – 2019 – 94 Points
59	Le Cadeau Chehalem Mountains Côte Est Pinot Noir – 2021 – 94 Points
60	Le Dix de Los Vascos Colchagua Valley – 2003 – 97 Points
61	Leo Steen Dry Creek Valley Saini Farms Chenin Blanc – 2022 – 95 Points
62	Les Alexandrins Crozes- Hermitage Rouge – 2020 – 95 Points
63	Les Alexandrins Crozes-Hermitage Blanc – 2021 – 96 Points
64	Librandi Duca Sanfelice Cirò DOC Riserva Rosso Classico Superiore – 2020 – 96 Points
65	Librandi Segno Librandi Cirò DOC Bianco – 2022 – 94 Points
66	Loimer Niederösterreich Extra Brut Reserve NV – 97 Points
67	Loimer Niederösterreich Extra Brut Rosé Reserve NV – 96 points
68	Madrevite C’osa Gamay del Trasimeno Riserva DOC – 2020 – 95 Points
69	Malaspina Pellero Rosso IGT – 2016 – 94 Points
70	Marchesi de Cordano LuSciabli delu Marchese Cococciola Colline Pescaresi Riserva IGT – 2018 – 94 Points
71	Martin Woods Jessie James Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir – 2021 – 96 Points
72	Martin Woods Koosah Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay – 2021 – 96 Point
73	Masciarelli Marina Cvetić Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC Riserva – 2020 – 96 Points
74	Masciarelli Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC Superiore – 2022 – 95 Points
75	Masciarelli Villa Gemma Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Riserva – 2018 – 97 Points
76	Masseria Flavo Cire Terre di Cosenza Magliocco – 2021 – 93 Points
77	Monte Tondo Soave Classico DOC – 2020 – 94 Points
78	Monte Zovo Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG – 2018 – 96 Points
79	Mossio Bricco Caramelli Dolcetto d’Alba DOC – 2020 – 94 Points
80	Oenops Apla Drama Rosé – 2022 – 94 Points
81	Once & Future Dry Creek Valley Frank’s Block Teldeschi Vineyard Zinfandel – 2019 – 96 Points
82	Penner-Ash Willamette Valley Pas de Nom Pinot Noir – 2018 – 96 Points
83	Phelps Creek Region Pinot Gris – 2019 – 94 Points
84	Podere Costantini Antonio Febe Passerina Abruzzo DOC – 2020 – 94 Points
85	Poggio Scudieri Officium Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – 2017 -96 Points
86	Portalupi Mendocino County Graziano Vineyard Arneis – 2021 – 94 Points
87	Rabottini Ed e Fine Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC – 2017 – 94 Points
88	Rodica Truške Refošk – 2019 – 94 Points
89	Rombauer Vineyards El Dorado Twin Rivers Zinfandel – 2020 – 94 Points
90	Ronchi di Cialla Friuli Colli Orientali DOC RiNera Schioppettino – 2019 – 95 Points
91	Roncolato Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG – 2016 – 95 Points
92	Sandar & Hen Santa Cruz Mountains Bald Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay – 2021 – 95 Points
93	Seghesio Todd Brothers Ranch Alexander Valley Zinfandel – 2020 – 95 Points
94	Sensi 18K Prosecco DOC Pas Dosé Velvet Edition – 2021 – 94 Points
95	Serego Alighieri Possessioni Bianco IGT – 2021 – 94 Points
96	Smith-Madrone Spring Mountain District Riesling – 2018 – 95 Points
97	Statti Lamezia Bianco DOC – 2017 – 94 Points
98	Stefania Pepe Nero Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva – 2007 – 95 Points
99	Stéphane Ogier Côtes du Rhône Le Temps Est Venu Rosé – 2021 – 94 Points
100	Stéphane Ogier Viognier de Rosine – 2019 – 94 Points
101	Talamonti Trabocchetto Abruzzo DOC Pecorino – 2020 – 94 Points
102	Tenuta Bellafonte Collenottolo Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG – 2015 – 95 Points
103	Tenuta Bellafonte Sperella Montefalco Bianco DOC – 2021 – 94 Points
104	Tenuta di Fessina a’Puddara Etna Bianco DOC – 2018 – 96 Points
105	Tenuta Tre Gemme Renascenza Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC – 2020 – 94 Points
106	Tenuta Ulisse Pecorino Terre di Chieti IGT – 2022 – 94 Points
107	Terre Margaritelil Freccia degli Scacchi Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG – 2018 – 97 Points
108	Tinazzi Aureum Acinum Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG – 2018 – 95 Points
109	Tinazzi Duca Delle Corone Salento IGT Primitivo – 2022 – 93 Points
110	Tinazzi Valpolicella Rovertondo Ripasso Superiore DOC – 2019 -94 Points
111	Tocco Capostazione Cerasurolo d’Abruzzo DOC – 2021 – 94 Points
112	Tocco Enisio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC – 2017 – 94 Points
113	Torre dei Beati Cocciapazza Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Riserva – 2020 – 95 Points
114	Torre dei Beati Rosa-ae Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC – 2022 – 95 Points
115	Tenute Ugolini Monte Solane Valpolicalla Ripasso DOC – 2016 – 95 Points
116	Tenute Ugolini San Michele Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC – 2015 – 95 Points
117	Tenute Ugolini Valle Alta Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico DOCG – 2011 – 95 Points
118	Umani Ronchi CaSal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore – 2022 – 95 Points
119	Valle Martello Brado Cococciola Collino Teatine IGT – 2021 – 94 Points
120	Villa Mattielli San Giacomo Valpolicella Ripasso DOC – 2019 94 Points
121	Wynns Coonawarra John Riddoch Estate Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon – 2020 – 98 Points
122	Youngberg Hill J Block Willamette Valley Pinot Noir – 2018 – 95 Points
123	Zýmē Oseleta IGT Provincia di Verona – 2013 – 95 Points
124	Zýmē Amarone Classico della Valpolicella DOCG – 2016 -95 Points
125	Zýmē Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC – 2018 – 94 Points

Click on hyperlink to see video review

Salute – Santé

James, JamesTheWineGuy

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