The Top 10 Wines In The World

For wines there is a constant battle to distinguish yourself against an impressive and expansive list of competitors. Vineyards, old and new, constantly reinvent themselves year after year to compete in the global market.

The worldwide appeal and desire for fine wine seems to be never-ending. Competition among wine makes and vineyards is as old as the craft itself, however, in the last 27 years the publication Wine Spectator has critiqued wines. The magazine has examined, tasted and tested wines for their annual “best of” list.

In the year 2015 the major emphasis appears to be on the evolution of wine. Wine has changed in the hearts and minds of people around the world since that first “Top 100” list published in 1988. Almost 30 years later wines from around the world round out the list, wines nowadays compete with the old standards and new upstarts.

1. Peter Michael Winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Au Paradis 2012

Produced by a Napa Valley vineyard, the Au Paradis is the wine country epitomized. The 2012 vintage is a classical Cabernet using French oaks to heighten the aromas within the wine.

2. Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2012

Another Cabernet on the list, this #2 listing features a fruity blend from four of the Quilceda Vineyards.

3. Evening Land Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Seven Springs Vineyard La Source

Atruly unique Pinot Noir from grapes planted on volcanic soil.

4. Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino

A well-balanced yet truly special red wine.

5. Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains

A vibrant Chardonnay and one of the few white wines on the list. The vintage consists of a mix of ripe and structured tones that age in French oak and undergo a full fermentation.

6. Bodegas Aalto Ribera del Duero

This wine represents the bottling of 100% Tempranillo and come from drought stressed grapes.

7. Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough Kupe

Single Vineyard – a Pinot Noir with concentrated and plush tannins, the result of warm, dry and early-ripening year.

8. Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Serègo Alighieri Vaio Armaron

An Italian wine that features grapes of the region, they are aged in Slavonian oak barrels for at least five years.

9. Clos Fourtet St.-Emilion

A 2012 vintage from low yield grapes, encouraged over the year to create a full bodied, yet subdued wine. Stainless steel tanks were used to enhance fermentation and then aged in light, young oaks.

10. Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Constantia

A South African dessert wine from the area’s most historic vineyard. The intensely sweet sample is produced from Muscat de Frontignan grapes, harvested late after they have shriveled on the vine to concentrate sugar content.

The Top 10 wines for 2015 represent a distinctive group of the genre. They entail well known vineyards and new, emerging labels. This creates a friendly competition among the producers and the aficionado benefits. This is a distinction of quality versus quantity, taking into account the value of the bottle for the taste.

Sometimes available in limited quantity check with your local store to sample these selections. They truly represent a best in class for wine in 2015.