WINE CHAT 2008 Wines of the Year

I've had the chance to try many good wines in 2008, so choosing the top 10 isn't easy.  This year I once again chose 5 from California, then added 2 each from Italy and France, with one appearance from a South African.  If I did a top 20 you'd see a lot more from Italy, as I've really delved into its rustic food-friendly wines.  I'm afraid I wasn't methodical as I could have been; I fear some good Cote du Rhones and Spanish reds for instance might warrant consideration as well but I tried them without taking notes!  Methodological considerations aside, I think you'd enjoy any of my Wine Chat 2008 Wines of the Year!

2002 Volnay 'Les Champans' Premier Cru, Vincent Girardin  Forced to choose among these wines for my favorite, I'd probably give this one the nod.  Bouquet of violets, a nuanced, well-balanced taste with plenty of berry fruit and good structure.  An excellent wine for food, but wonderful to sip alone too.  Comes from the hillside village of Volnay, near the prestigious Pommard.  I had this at a Meritage wine tasting where we sampled 4 Burgundies for $30, so I guess it cost me $7.50 for a glass, but that is a steal!  I can't seem to get a price for this bottle but I'm sure it would be well over $50.

2005 Meursault, Pierre Matrot ($40)  This white Burgudy from Meursault had an ethereal feel in the mouth, gently gliding over the tongue.  An element of butter and oak, but very restrained and subtle.  2005 has been described as an historically great vintage throughout France, and this wine certainly won't dispell that notion.  Also had this at the Meritage tasting mentioned above, it was served with a lobster corn salsa, the touch of butter in the wine a nice match for the rich lobster meat.

2005 Gaja Sito Moresco Langhe ($60) A wonderful blend of nebbiolo, cabernet sauvignon and merlot from the Piedmont.  This gives the Volnay a run for the money for my #1 wine of the year.  Winemaker Angelo Gaja ruffled some traditionalists' feathers by blending cab and merlot with nebbiolo, but I'm glad he did as the results are very good!  Actually one of his most affordable offerings.

2003 Ronchi Barberesco ($45)  As our host at a Spirited Gourmet tasting put it, this wine is not for beginner's.  Austere, well-structured with dark fruit and leathery texture.  Fit for hearty winter fare.

2006 Francis Coppola Director's Cut Zinfandel ($19)  This drinks just like a zinfandel should.  Big fruit taste, with a nice peppery element on the finish.  It was a perfect match for the Steak au Poivre I made earlier this fall.  From Sonoma County.

2004 Copain Arrowhead Mountain Zinfandel  Big heady bouquet, very delicate for a zin.  Taste of chocalate, spice and blackberries.  From Sonoma County, this was a great birthday gift!  Served with this Leek Mac & Cheese from Food & Wine which suggested serving with a zin.

2006 Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc ($24), half the price of their more widely sought out chardonnay.  This one features a lively taste of citrus and a bit of butter.  More full bodied than some of this varietal.

2005 Spier Vintage Selection ($20).  This interesting red blend from South Africa was primarily shiraz (91%) but blended in enough mourvedre and viogner to add complexity and brightness along with the spicy shiraz.

2004 Moniz Vineyards Syrah ($30) Features lush, soft fruit.  At this point, I've just had a sample of it at a tasting, looking forward to a good excuse to open the bottle I picked up!  From the Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley.

2005 Four Vines Peasant ($38)  I enjoyed this Rhone-style blend from Four Vines Vineyard in Paso Robles at a winemaker dinner at Summer Winter.  It was matched with my favorite course of the night, Pheasant Breast with Leek Mousse and Truffles.  Mourvedre and Syrah are the dominant grapes here, along with Grenache, Counoise and Tannat.  The deep earthiness of this well-structured wine went well with the truffles.  Though it has tannic backbone to give it heft, it still has a nice velvety finish.

Now, some of these wines can be had for close to $20 if you buy them as part of a case discount.  But I realize that some of these are pricey in these tight economic times.  But I'd note that several I originally sampled for free or close to it as part of tastings available at local wine shops and restaurants, so that's a good way to get a taste of some higher end wines without breaking the bank.  Also, keep in mind that you can order a very mediocre bottle of wine at a restaurant for $60, the same price as the Gaja that we'll enjoy tonight with a home cooked meal of Fettucine with Short Rib Ragu.

I hope that you too have had a chance to enjoy some good wine in 2008, and I raise a virtual glass to a Happy New Year for you and yours!

David Crowley, Gather Food Correspondent

David enjoys sharing good food and wine with family and friends.  David writes about his wine explorations and discoveries in his column, "Wine Chat", a twice-monthly feature of Gather Essentials:  Food.   He also blogs at Cooking Chat.  By day, David is the President and Founder of Social Capital Inc.