And the winner is.............

[Drew]

The following are Wine Spectator's Top Ten "Wines of the Year"....any thoughts?

#1 Score Price
ANTINORI Toscana Solaia 1997 98 $115

Dark ruby in color, with extremely ripe raisin and spice aromas. Full-bodied and very chewy, with loads of polished tannins and a long, long finish that's big and fruity. A solid, muscular red from Tuscany, this is the greatest Solaia ever made. Best after 2004. 7,000 cases made. --(JS)


#2 Score Price
VIADER Napa Valley 1997 97 $60
Beautifully proportioned, rich and complex, with ripe, concentrated plum, currant, black cherry, mocha, toasty oak and spice nuances. Turns smooth and silky on a long, elegant finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2002 through 2012. 4,800 cases made. --(JL)


#3 Score Price
WHITEHALL LANE Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve 1997 97 $60
Deliciously ripe, rich and deeply flavored, with juicy layers of coffee, herb, currant, sage, chocolate, toffee and spice, with a long, complex, integrated finish. Best from 2002 through 2012. 2,850 cases made. --(JL)


#4 Score Price
LE VIEUX DONJON Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1998 97 $25

An explosive and racy Châteauneuf, bursting with roasted game, wild berry, grilled bread, black chocolate and espresso character. Ripe and sweet-tasting, with enough opulent fruit to balance the firm tannin structure that rises like an impenetrable wall on the spectacular finish. Best from 2005 through 2020. 4,165 cases made. --(PM)


#5 Score Price
JOSEPH PHELPS Insignia Napa Valley 1997 96 $120

Super rich and seductive version of this prestigious red, its layers of currant, black cherry, chocolate and ginger turning smooth and polished, with a long, intricate aftertaste. Best from 2002 through 2012. 20,000 cases made. --(JL)


#6 Score Price
JUSTIN Isosceles Paso Robles 1997 95 $40

Absolutely delicious, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (mostly), Cabernet Franc and Merlot is brimming with ripe and juicy currant, black cherry, wild berry, plum and anise flavors that are complex, deep and polished. Finishes long and flavorful. Best from 2002 through 2012. 8,000 cases made. --(JL)


#7 Score Price
CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Cadettes 1998 96 $75
Seductive and sexy, this world-class red is rich, opulent and ripe, with layers of superb mocha, toast and spice. Loaded with blackberry and cassis, its fabulous balance leads to a long fruit-and-oak finish. Very tempting now. Best from 2005 through 2030. 3,905 cases made. --(PM)


#8 Score Price
MERRYVALE Profile Napa Valley 1997 97 $85
Massive, with wonderful richness, depth and concentration, this Cabernet blend has layers of complex currant, black cherry, plum, vanilla and blackberry and a long, detailed, firmly tannic finish. Best from 2002 through 2012. 5,200 cases made. --(JL)


#9 Score Price
TENUTA DELL'ORNELLAIA Bolgheri Ornellaia 1997 96 $100

This Tuscan gem is black in color, with complex aromas of black currants, minerals and wet earth. Full- bodied, with lots of tannins, but very polished. Long, long finish. Super well-made -- a great Ornellaia. Best after 2004. 11,415 cases made. --(JS)


#10 Score Price
CASTELLO DEI RAMPOLLA Toscana Sammarco 1997 97 $73
Black color. Aromas of blackberries, minerals and mint. Very subtle. Full-bodied, with amazing concentration of silky tannins and a finish that goes on and on. Monumental Sammarco. Best ever for me. Best after 2005. --(JS)

Drew