Wine Spectator's Top 100

Wine Spectator magazine puts out an annual Top 100 list based on wines they've tasted in the past year. Rankings are based on quality, value, and availability. Sonoma County did well this year.

 

Sonoma County has eleven wines in the Top 100 including four in the top ten. Also, congratulations to Oregon's Willamette Valley for placing five Pinot Noirs on the list, with all five in the top 41. Note that SoCo wines took the second, third and fourth spot in the rankings.

#2      Aubert 2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, $100. Out of my price range, but I'm sure curious about a Chard that's ranked this high. Anybody want to buy one and share?

#3      Ridge/Lytton Springs 2023 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, $56. Yes, a Zin! Ridge puts out many classic Zinfandels. This one you should be able to find. I'm going to be looking for it.

#4      Williams Selyem 2023 Russian River Valley Eastside Pinot Noir, $72. A top producer of Russian River Pinots for decades.

#8      Wayfarer 2023 Fort Ross-Seaview Estate Pinot Noir, $100. A pricey one from a winery I'm not familiar with. 

#12    Bedrock 2023 Sonoma Valley Heritage Red Wine (primarily Zinfandel), $60. A rock solid producer of red wines. Just 1,200 cases made.

#22    Patz & Hall 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, $35. An under the radar winery, and at a great price!

#24    Dry Creek Vineyards 2023 Clarksburg Chenin Blanc, $18. Chenin Blanc? $18? DCV has been making Cheinin Blanc from Clarksburg grapes since their beginning over 50 years ago. If you want something different in a white wine, give this a try. 

#39    Hartford 2022 Russian River Valley Old Vine Zinfandel, $50, 1,300 cases made. They make stylish Zinfandels.

#42    Ravenswood 2023 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, $27. This winery was founded by Zin-master Joel Peterson in the 1970s. It's currently owned by Gallo, but with Joel back onboard again. It's a good price for a quality Dry Creek Zinfandel. 

#46    Dehlinger 2023 Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir, $50. A legendary producer of Russian River Pinot and at a decent price. Less than 1,000 cases made, all of their wines are limited production. 

#98    Platt 2023 West Sonoma Coast Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, $165. I'm not familiar with them, maybe because I don't shop in this price range. Just over 300 cases made.

Great job, Sonoma County! 

The #1 wine is Chateau Giscours 2022 Margaux, $68. 

The Top 100 list.