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Varietal Composition of Wine Spectator’s 2012 Top 100 Wines – REDS

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I mentioned the other day that I’m a chart nerd; it’s an occupational hazard (I’m a marketing researcher by day). Well, when the Top 100 issue of Wine Spectator showed up in my mailbox a couple of weeks ago, I found myself wondering what you’d end up with — varietally speaking — if you did a master blend of them all. An equal blend, one bottle of each of the 73 reds on the list.

Would all the Napa Cabs and Bordeaux mean a Cabernet-dominated blend?

Would the Rise of Pinot push it to the top, aided by the fact that it is almost always bottled as 100% Pinot Noir?

Or would there be a surprise to uncover?

My curiosity was piqued. I had to find out. So I fired up Excel and started a spreadsheet.

Here’s the result:

So what do you think? Syrah/Shiraz at #1 was a mild surprise for me. Any surprises for you?

This was a fun little exercise. Next year, let’s hope for a little more Mourvèdre in this blend.

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Price: 11-15 bucks, Tasting Notes

Viña Zaco 2006 Rioja

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VinaZaco_Stilleto_screengrabVinaZaco_bottleshotThis wine is #71 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 for 2009, making it one of the most exciting wines of the year in their view. They rated it 90 points.

This winery is trying very hard to make this wine seem young/hip/sexy/cool/rebellious. The bottle and website are stylish black, red and white. On the website they talk about pairing the wine with modern music (including a press release about a psychologist’s study on the subject). They talk about being “a new generation of Rioja”, “a contemporary twist” and “not constrained by the rules.”

I can forgive some over-eager marketing if the juice is good. Let’s see…

Producer: Bodegas Bilbainas

Grapes: 100% Tempranillo

Appellation: Rioja (DOC, Spain)

Vineyards: from the Rioja Alta region

Winemaking: Assuming they used a similar oak program as 2005 (website doesn’t have details for 2006), this wine spent 9 months or so in American and French oak.

Alcohol: 14%

Price: Around $10-12 at Costco. ($15 according to WS)

My tasting notes: Sweet blue & red fruit with hints of chocolate/mocha and herbs on the nose. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and a bit empty – the fruit is on the thin side and disappears quickly leaving just a slight cool mint kind of impression and dry woody tannins.

Overall impression: Style over substance in my opinion. Not sure what Wine Spectator saw in this one. Nothing special. C

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Other reviews at Slashfood and Good Wine Guru.