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 First let be start by saying that all wines have an individual expression, and held within the philosophy of winemaking and enjoying wine – there is no ranking scale of worst to best. In reality however, market forces determine that some wines are far more expensive than others. Wine Journalists also add to the mixing pot with their evaluations of wines often based on numerical scales. Wineries themselves press their history and brand in an ever more competitive market place.
So in making a top 10 list I have loosely used the following criteria;
• Wines often cited by critics as exceptional
• The most expensive wines
• History and Reputation Globally
• The strongest within Varieties or Terroirs
Ok, So without Further a do here is the Top 10 in Reverse Order
10. Penfolds Grange Hermitage / Barossa / Australia
This Beauty from The Barossa Valley in South Australia is a deep, bold red, predominantly the Shiraz Variety. In 1951 The Penfolds winemaker of the time – Max Schubert produced the first Grange Hermitage and changed the course of Australian winemaking History. A Grange has been produced every year since. Generally requires at least 10 years laying down. http://www.penfolds.com/
 9. Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc / Marlborough / New Zealand . Wow! Incredible Gooseberry/ Mint/ Meadow Fresh. Serendipity lead to farmers planting Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough in New Zealand about two decades ago now. Suddenly Sancerre, the same variety from France, looked all mineral and pale next to this zing buster. Cloudy Bay came out King of the Marlborough pond Globally, and came to be the New Zealand Icon for the rest of the world. This is one wine I can actually afford! http://www.cloudybay.co.nz/
8. Giuseppe Quintarelli - Amarone della Valpolicella / Veneto / Northern Italy.
In 1924, Giuseppe Quintarelli, produced the most exquisite red elixir of wine from the Noble Corvina Grape. The style is called Amarone della Valpolicella. Grapes are left to dry till almost rasined and the wines are aged for 7 years in Slavonian Oak, producing an incredibly unctuous big red wine – almost a meal in itself.
 7. Egon Muller / Mosel, Saar Ruwer / North Germany & Trimbach / Alsace / France
I couldn’t distinguish between these two great producers from Neighbouring Regions in Germany and France.
The Muller Family goes back to the 18th Century producing Rieslings of the most enduring quality both dry and also incredible ‘eiswein’, in the Mosel Region in Northern Germany. http://www.scharzhof.de/
The Trimbach’s date back to 1626 in The Alsation region of North Eastern France producing Great Rieslings and Gewurztraminer. http://www.maison-trimbach.fr/en_index.html For many connoisseurs Riesling is the Greatest Wine Variety.
6. Vega Sicila – Unico / Ribero del Duero / Spain. 
Vega Sicilia is indisputably one of the great estates of Spain. Vines were first planted in 1864 near the town of Valbuena in the Duero valley by Don Eloy Lecanda Chave s, who arrived from Bordeaux with Bordelais grape varieties and wine making techniques, thereby laying the foundations for what was to become one of the best wines of Spain. Since 1982 the property has belonged to the Alvárez Diez family, who have continued the traditions of the founder, with their wine maker, Javier Ausás. The wines are a blend Of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. http://www.vegasicilia.com/
 5. Krug / Champagne / France
Krug – The drink of Kings – Champagne – there is no need to say where Champagne is or what it is. But in a closely fought race Krug has to come top. Established in 1843, Its brand and unique taste have captivated all who have come across it. It is a bigger Champagne (bready/yeasty) – best with food, it dances and slams at the same time – elegant and strong. Produced from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. http://www.krug.com/en/Home.aspx
4. Chateau d’Yquem / Bordeaux / France
This Estate dates as far back as 1453, when it was in fact owned by the then King of England. A more Noble or more historical Winery one will not found. A sweet wine is produced from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. A special type of Fungus Botrytis Cinerea or more commonly known as Noble Rot is required to make this wine. The fungus appears during harvest in moist and humid conditions. The sweet wines then take on a complex nutty, fungal element that makes these wines so unique. http://www.yquem.fr/
 3. Chateau Latour / Pauillac / Bordeaux (Left Bank) / France
There are 5 Bordeaux Premier Cru on the left Bank of the Gironde (The left bank produces predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wines). The 5 are Latour, Lafite Rothschild, Margaux, Haut Brion and Mouton Rothschild (La Mission Haut Brion should also really be included). All these Chateaux have a right to be in the top 10 due to their pedigree and history. However of the 5 Chateaux, I have chosen Latour from Pauillac in Bordeaux. Its location close to the river allows the vines to mature at a perfect pace, and achieve a perfect blend of fullness, fruit and minerals. But be prepared to dig deep, the great 1982 Latour is now selling at about US$ 30,000 per case of 12. www.chateau-latour.com
2. Chateau Petrus / Pomerol / Bordeaux (Right Bank) / France
This Merlot dominant wine from Pomerol in Bordeaux defies all expectation. At 11.5 Ha and 9 times smaller than Lafite it is extremely good, extremely rare and extremely expensive. The richness of the wine that comes from a very clay soil is without comparison.
 1. Domaine De La Romanee Conti – Romanee Conti / Burgundy / France
Domaine De La Romanee Conti or DRC as it is more affectionately know is the Greatest wine Estate in the world. Named in 1631, this domaine produces the most exquisite forms of Pinot Noir, otherwise known as the divine nectar of wine. Imbibing this wine is as close as it gets to the holy grail and the elixir of life all rolled into one. Unfortunately I am unlikely to taste a Romanee Conti in the near future, although I did sit on the wall of the vineyard once….
|
Rank |
Winery |
Producer |
Top wines |
Great Vintages |
Cost per bottle in a Great Vintage |
Year Established |
Approx Annual Production of greatest wines |
Comment |
|
10 |
Penfolds |
|
Grange Hermitage |
1976, 86, 98 , 01 |
1951 bottle sold for $US 15,000 recently |
1838 |
Not Disclosed - V Limited |
Put Australian Reds On the Map |
|
9 |
Cloudy Bay |
|
Sauvignon Blanc |
1990, 02, 05 |
US$ 40 |
1985 |
Not Disclosed / 10 Tonnes/Ha |
Incredible Expression of Sauvignon Blanc |
|
8 |
Quintarelli |
Giuseppe Quintarelli |
Amarone della Valpolicella |
1985, 90, 98 |
US$ 600 |
early 1900's |
4,500 cases |
Corvina Grape - Very long / diligent winemaking process |
|
=7 |
|
Egon Muller |
Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese A P # 11 Wiltinger Braune Kupp Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule
Bottom of Form
|
2005 |
US$ 4,000 |
18th Century |
a Few Cases - V Rare |
Riesling |
|
=7 |
|
Trimbach |
Riesling Clos St Hune |
1983, 98, 00 |
US$ 2,000 |
1626 |
a Few Cases - V Rare |
Riesling |
|
6 |
Vega Sicilia |
|
Unico |
1968, 70, 75, 94, 95 |
US$700 |
1864 |
Max 7,500 cases |
Tempranillo / Cabernet Sauvignon |
|
5 |
Krug |
|
Krug Brut / Krug Clos du Mesnil |
1982, 85, 90, 96 |
US$3,000 |
1843 |
40,000 cases per year all Krugs |
Chardonnay / Pinot Noir / Pinot Meunier |
|
4 |
Chateau d'Yquem |
|
Yquem |
1986, 88, 90, 95, 01, 05 |
US$15,000 |
1453 |
5,000 cases per year |
Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc |
|
3 |
Chateau Latour |
|
Latour |
1945, 61, 82, 90, 00, 05 |
US$ 7,000 |
16th Century |
18,000 cases per year |
Cab Sav / Merlot / Cab Franc / Petit Verdot |
|
2 |
Chateau Petrus |
|
Petrus |
1921, 1929, 47, 61, 89, 90, 00 |
US$5,000 |
16th Century |
5,000 cases per year |
Merlot Dominant |
|
1 |
Domaine De La Romanee Conti |
|
Romanee Conti / La Tache |
1985, 88, 90, 05 |
US$25,000 |
1631 |
450 cases |
Pinot Noir |
Author: Puneet Dhall
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