How I Choose My Wine
I understand how choosing a wine can be very challenging. My husband and I are often asked how we pick out the best wines so I thought I’d use this list that I initially started, to highlight how I chose the wines I’d pick.
After looking at this list and choosing which wines we’d have on our list, I thought it would be a good idea to share why I’d pick out these 17 wines. There are qualities on the label that get me to continue reading the notes of what it will taste like (that I DO NOT describe here by the way). This is just how I’m first intrigued by picking up the bottle and continuing to read the tasting notes — you get the idea.
The idea of putting a list together from wines we’ve had in the past was too overwhelming which was my first idea. But where would I even start?
While scrolling through Wine Spectator’s top 100 wines of 2020 and picking out which ones I would have in my collection, sure enough, the top 100 wines of 2021 just came out. Regardless, I thought this would be a great time to describe why I choose the wines I did in order to help you decide which one is right for you.
If you find this helpful, maybe I’ll do another journal for the top 100 wines of this year.
Top 17 Wines To Look For (From Wine Spectator’s 2020 Top 100 List)
The first number is how they ranked on the top 100 list. The year after the name is the vintage. The rating is what Wine Spectator gave them from their 100 point rating system. (Basically anything over 90 points you should count on.)
#2 Aubert Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast UV Vineyard 2018
Rating: 95
$85
I’m not sure about Aubert honestly, other than they’re a high-quality wine but what I do know is that this winemaker was close friends with his vineyard manager, Ulysses Valdez (hence UV Vineyard).
Valdez was a highly regarded vineyard manager and one of the most sought-after for his style of growing grapes. His story is amazing. When we were just hearing about Valdez Sr., he had a tasting room in Healdsburg where we stopped in and his kids (although old enough to pour at the time) opened their doors for us to try his wines. It was one of the best pinot noir’s I’ve ever had. This wine was surely made from Valdez’s style. Not surprised it was #2 on this list.
#37 Bergström Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Cumberland Reserve 2018
Rating: 94
$42
The Willamette Valley is a great region for Pinot Noir and the fact that this is a Reserve is another plus.
The winemaker thought these grapes were so spectacular that they held them back which is what a reserve wine is: the best of the best.
Just look at how beautiful the bottle is too! The estate crest, the name, CUMBERLAND RESERVE capitalized in the description: you’d never know it was domestic at first glance, would you?
Your host of the dinner could be asking you where you got this fine French wine.
#39 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016
Rating: 94
$41
When visiting Tuscany, the wine I leaned towards the most was the wine from Montepulciano. I still have yet to learn about this region and why I was so attracted to their wine but the fact that this is a Vino Nobile meaning a rather noble wine, call me a sucker but I’m all over it.
Instead of your kid’s grape juice, think liquid velvet.
#53 Dry Creek Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Spencer’s Hill Vineyard Single Vineyard Series 2016
Rating: 94
$44
The Dry Creek AVA is known for its zinfandels and this is from a single vineyard to boot.
The grapes are not from a hodgepodge of grapes from different areas in California or even in Sonoma. This vintage was taken specifically from one single vineyard (hence the hint in the name). Zin from this AVA and a particular vineyard make for a great choice for zin; a grape that is known to have strong tannins or just a jammy unbalanced finish. However, this rating indicates the stars-were-in-its-moon.
#44 Hartford Court Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2018
Rating: 92
$30
I’ve recommended Hartford on lists as a special occasion wine after visiting the winery including their wine tasting room in Healdsburg.
After trying different wines one Sunday afternoon at a wine bar in Los Angeles, Richard went on a limb and just chose the Hartford Russian River Pinot without tasting it. For a Sunday afternoon hanging out with our ministry leaders, he made sure to choose wisely and it paid off.
This winery is a fantastic wine to bet on.
#33 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2017
Rating: 91
$22
The Willamette Valley is a great region for Pinot Noir and this one has a 91 rating. I’d bet on this choice and for the price, you can’t lose.
#6 Kistler Chardonnay Russian River Valley Vine Hill Vineyard 2017
Rating: 96
$90
One of our guests who are wine collectors talked very highly of Kistler so I’m not surprised to see this with a 96 rating.
The fact that it’s from the Russian River Valley and from a single vineyard makes this the top of its class.
If you have to have Chardonnay for Thanksgiving, why not knock everyone’s socks off with a sure-to-bet $90 bottle?
#64 La Crema Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2018
Rating: 92
$35
This is a stunning winery we’ve taken friends to in the Russian River. Sometimes they ask, La Crema? (Yes, La Crema.) After a tasting, everyone is wowed.
They make a great Pinot Noir so it’s no surprise they know where to plant them as the Willamette Valley is another great region for Pinot Noir.
With wines that are light and delicate, it’s the perfect intro to Sonoma wines just coming off a plane at the Charles Schultz airport.
I’d read, Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir, La Crema…done.
#36 Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Chianti Classico Tenuta Perano 2015
Rating: 92
$24
Say what? (Try pronouncing that!) Let’s be real though, I like Chianti with pizza which is one of the first pairings I learned how to like wine. One of the first wines I used to drink, a Chianti Classico was always different than just the cheap Chianti (which I learned later what it was known for). You always want to go with the Chianti Classico and this one with a 92 rating for $24 is just enticing.
#7 Massolino Barolo 2016
Barolo is another good Italian wine that I held up and took photos of a couple of times when trying the wines in Italy.
With a 95 rating, I would bet on this. Take this to a nice Italian restaurant for maybe a $20 corkage and you’ve found yourself a deal.
Rating: 95
$53
#4 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 2016
Rating: 96
$135
The Mayacamas is a warm climate region that is great for Cabernet Sauvignon. This region sits between Napa and Sonoma and the fact that it made this list with a 96 point rating, gets my vote.
#51 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Goldrock Estate Rating: 2018
Rating: 95
$75
Paul Hobbs is one of the early winemakers in Sonoma and his wines are highly regarded.
I like the right wine from the right area PLUS, an estate wine which means, (again) you’re tasting grapes from his vineyards. A lot of wineries buy grapes other than their estate which is a common practice. However, some winemakers produce wines just from their specific estate and Hobbs bet on his estate to single-handedly produce his pinot noir and what-dya-know? He created a 95 rating and #51 on Wine Spectator’s list.
This one is a royal flush: excellent winemaker, a grape varietal from its perfect area, Estate wine, a 95 rating, and #51 on the top 100 wine list.
“It’s like encountering the cutest little girl in the perfect flower dress with flawless skin and a lot of charm.
#26 Quivira Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley Fig Tree Vineyard 2018
Rating: 93
$24
I’m not a big fan of Sauvignon Blanc but sometimes you’ll find a nice one in the Dry Creek Valley to drink on a hot day.
This has happened to me a couple of times. It’s like encountering the cutest little girl in the perfect flower dress with flawless skin and a lot of charm. This is probably one of those.
From a single vineyard means they made no shortcuts but a focus on the terroir.
This could be a steal for what joy this brings.
#55 R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Rioja Rosado Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva 2009
I would trust this one although I’ve never been tasting in Spain.
However, just by looking at this bottle, there is something we might miss. With the name of the owner right on the bottle of what is known as a less premium wine, (rosé), it’s celebrated.
This is R. Lopez de Heredia’s rosé, a reserve, and to prove it’s all that, it has a 93 rating.
Yes, this one is good to go. Just grab it.
Rating: 93
$33
#80 Reata Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2018
Rating: 90
$20
This seems like a good deal. It’s a Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast which is a good sign and for $20 bucks I would bet on this. I would bet on practically any Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast but one with a high rating for this price is worth picking up.
#19 Résonance Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2017
Rating: 93
$35
Another good price for a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley — a region that has been consistently producing good pinot and for good reason. It has the right climate these grapes demand.
#79 Stoller Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2018
Rating: 90
$20
Another Pinot from the Willamette Valley, and for $20 dollars this sounds like a steal.
Another good thing to mention is how beautiful this bottle is. The lettering, the logo, the fact that it says FAMILY ESTATE makes this bottle just shine.
No one will care that it’s a twist-off other than the fact that it’s quicker to open.
Never underestimate a twist-off but all the other qualities that were put into the showmanship of its presentation. It says,
“Here I Am,”
The point I hope you see here is that you can never decide which brand, grape, country, year, (or for Pete’s sake), which bottle to buy unless you’re a little familiar with the area. It really is true what the Europeans say about their terroir or region their wine comes from.
California likes to boast about the climate and what happens above the hills that help produce great wine but in the end, what makes a difference is the AVA or American Viticulture Area which is a designation that came about in 1981 right around when California truly started becoming a destination for great wine.
It became California law that if a bottle was going to label itself from these areas of origin (AVA’s), that it must have at least 85% of grapes from that particular region. This is similar to the designations that France and Italy have created designations for their wines for many, many….many years. These are called AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) for France and Vino da Tavola (VdT), Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT, Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG), for Italy.
I’m going to choose a bottle that I’m relying on the particular area like I’m picking up an item that is labeled organic (or gluten-free). I’m counting on the label that designates where the grapes are from.
I’m no expert at wines but the more we try different wines from different regions, we’re beginning to identify which regions are the culprits that get us to drink an entire bottle on a Tuesday night. Hence, this region becomes a good bet on our wine purchase.
I hope this helps to understand how we choose our wines in the store like how I choose my Pinot Noir. Choose a great wine when choosing for Thanksgiving dinner. We’re finally getting together after a long time and that’s enough to celebrate with a good bottle.
Cheers!
