This past year was a fascinating one for the wine industry which has never been one to rest on past successes. Great chefs have flocked to San Diego and brought with them menu formats that included great wines. The urban winery format has multiplied in our large communities where one brand is served, made from grapes brought in from the best vineyards in the state. The wines of Baja Mexico are finally showing what they are made of ( I have one in my Top 10). The list also includes 2 from Italy , 1 from Washington and 6 from California . An amazing 6 blends make up the majority of flavors, with 2 Pinot Noirs, 1 Chardonnay and 1 Sangiovese. Prices can vary, but the ones shown are the best I could find after sourcing. Wines are shown by alphabetical order. All are ranked Excellent by my guidelines of flavor, body and value. (5 are under $25.)
Arcanum Il Fauno Blend , Tuscany Italy , 2012. $20. Here’s what’s called a “Super Tuscan” in the old country, but at a price that can’t be beat! It’s a polished, flavorful red in a spicy, earthy style . Made #19 in Wine Spectator’s year end top 100.
www.winesearcher.com
Columbia Crest H3 Les Chevaux Red Blend, WA., 2012. $12. A lively blend named for the horses that roamed Horse Heaven Hills in Eastern Washington . Dark, fruity, cherry flavors, with smooth tannins. Another low priced triumph for Columbia Crest.
www.columbiacrest.com
North County Wine Company’s Bill and Jim Tobin poured samples of their Top Ten recently and it included the Arcanum Il Fauno 2012 from Tuscany, a TASTE OF WINE choice.
Enlace Pinot Noir, Monterey CA , 2014. $16. The values keep coming. This one fills a few bins at COSTCO. Deep, inky red. Fruit forward boysenberry sourced from several Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards. Long elegant finish. www.liparita.com.
Fattoria del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tuscany IT, 2012. $21. A rich handcrafted wine of Sangiovese clones. Flavors peak with beef and sharp cheeses. www.fattoriadelcerro.it
Frei Brothers Chardonnay, Sonoma CA , 2015. $12. Russian River Chardonnay with quality way above its price. Cool climate brings out the flavor of green apple and zesty orange with nutty notes. www.freibrothers.com
Ferrari-Carano Tresor Blend, Sonoma CA , 2012. $38. Bordeaux style wine from the vineyard’s finest lots of Cabernet, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec & Merlot. Dramatic sunset painting alone worth the price. www.ferrari-carano.com
Lewis Cellars Alec’s Blend, Napa Valley CA , 2014. $62. A big powerful red with candied black fruit flavors. Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet team up for this muscle wine. Lewis’s all-Cabernet was awarded the top wine in the world by Wine Spectator. www.lewiscellars.com
The lovely wine and bottle design of Ferrari Carano’s 2012 Tresor
Rafael Adobe Guadalupe Blend, Baja CA , 2012. $98. A south of the border red blend from 55% Cabernet and 45% Nebbiolo (yes, the legendary Italian grape from Piedmont , Italy ). Small production and strong, luscious flavor reminds me of Italy ’s Barolo. www.adobeguadalupe.com
The Prisoner Blend, Napa Valley CA , 2013. $36. Launched in 2003, this was the first of the new breed red blends, with mainly Zinfandel to go with Cabernet, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Charbono. Pure cherry and chocolate flavor. Delicious! www.theprisonerwine.com
Tolosa “1772” Pinot Noir, Edna Valley San Luis Obispo CA , 2014. $60. A favorite appellation with its rolling fog into the vines. Best grape blocks used to produce a wine of exceptional character. Aged in French oak. Rich mouthfeel. www.tolosawinery.com.
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