Top Ten Wines of 2006

[Scoop]

Couldn't resist joining the fun, as it's been a good year for tasting some great, diverse juice. Also (for shame), I never posted anything from my Sonoma/Dry Creek trip in August, where I tasted some gems. Herewith, an eclectic, impressionistic Top Ten, some from technical tastings, some from dinners, in no certain order (except the first):

1982 Lynch-Bages (sublime, hedonistic)
1995 A. Rafanelli Terrace Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley (aromatherapy)
2005 Ponzi Pinot Gris Willamette Valley
2004 Caldaro "Vial" Pinot Bianco Alto Adige
2004 Thierry Puzelat Pinot d'Aunis Touraine
2003 Descendientes de J. Palacios Corullon "Las Lamas" Bierzo
2001 Alvaro Palacios "Finca Dofi" Priorat
2005 Michel-Schlumberger Pinot Blanc Dry Creek Valley (a lovely surprise)
2004 Dry Creek Vineyard Estate Fume Blanc DCV3 Dry Creek Valley
2004 La Tunella Verduzzo Colli Orientali del Friuli (obscure Vin Santo-like dessert -- delicious!)

There were, of course, many other worthy wines, and if I think too long, I'll probably change the above! Ponzi's entire line, for example, is just superb. So, I'll stop here.

Merry winter solstice,

Scoop