Wine Spectator’s TOP 100 for 2009
#42 - ORIN SWIFT “THE PRISONER” 2007 (in stock!)
#50 - TABLAS CREEK ESPRIT DE BEAUCASTEL 2006 (available soon)
Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines they’ve reviewed over the past 12 months and select the most exciting for our Top 100.
This annual list, which debuted in 1988, reflects significant trends, spotlights successful regions and recognizes outstanding producers. In 2009, they reviewed more than 17,000 new releases from around the world in blind tastings. More than 3,800 of these wines earned outstanding ratings (90 points or higher on our 100-point scale). They narrowed the list down based on four criteria: quality (represented by score); value (reflected by release price); availability (measured by case produced or imported); and an X-factor we call excitement. But no equation determines the final selections: These choices reflect our editors’ judgment and passion about the wines they’ve tasted.
Since 2009 was a year of economic retrenchment, they focused even more on value as we made our choices; the average price per bottle is $40, down from the past two years. Quality remains high, with an average score of 93 points, matching the previous three years, and 13 countries are represented. Please enjoy this list of exciting values, emerging stars and classic wines and that are WS’ Top 100 of 2009 leads you to more deeply explore the world of wine.