1. 2006 Alto Moncayo Garnacha~Was there ever any doubt? Anyone who came in to the bar over the past year would be most likely to find me sipping a glass or three of the rich, full bodied wine.

2. 2007 McPrice Myers “Hommage to Stephan Larner”~ This wine was almost exclusive to the participants of Larnerfete in June, but those that were lucky enough to sample this Rhone blend always enjoyed it.

3. 2005 Blair Fox Syrah, “The Dare”~Perhaps one of the best Syrah’s I’ve ever tasted had a case production of just 25.

4. 2006 Chapoutier Invitare~This was a wine club selection in September only by fluke circumstance…at least on thing a bad economy helped. The best white wine I have ever had.

5. 2006 Bonaccorsi Syrah, Larner Vineyard~A classic style of syrah that embodies eveything I love about the varietal…strong fruit, a little pepper and just the right amount of earthiness.

6. 2006 Paul Hobbs Malbec “Bramare”~ Jody and I had this for my birthday, and thought it was so good we had it again for out first anniversary.

7. 2007 L’Aventure Cote a Cote~On a field trip to Paso Robles this was the best wine we tried, beating out Booker (barely) and Linne Calado (not even close). Yum.

8. 2007 Kenneth~Crawford Pinot Noir, Babcock Vineyard~The first pinot on this list is as savory as they come. I would bet this would be Jody’s #1 wine of the year…

9. 2007 Herman Story Syrah, White Hawk Vineyard~ This was a Wine Society selection in May and sold out way too quickly.

10. 2005 Paras Nebbiolo~I have since found out that this wine will no longer be made, which is tragic, as it may be the best Nebbiolo I’ve had that is not from Italy.

11. 2004 Luzon “Alma de Luzon”~ A mourvedre based blend that went perfectly with the cool spring weather.

12. 2007 Tyler Pinot Noir, Block 5, Dierberg Vineyad~The only Pinot we brought in from Santa Maria Valley

13. 2006 Plumpjack Merlot~A surprise standout on our trip to Napa Valley…we bought a magnum.

14. 2005 Vinedo de los Vientos Tannat~A wine from Uruguay that you would have to taste to believe.

15. 2007 J Dusi Zinfandel~If Jannelle Dusi keeps making wines like this, Turley may relinquish its crown.

16. 2007 Wandering Dog Brenna~ We actually sold out of this wine before I could grab any bottles for myself!

17. 2005 La Spinetta Barbera~This one too.

18. 2005 Zuccardi Zeta~ Fabulous dark fruit flavors and rich tones of chocolate and coffee…

19. 2007 Kenneth~Crawford Grenache, Larner Vineyard~ I can sum this wine up in one word: Wow!

20. 2006 Wandering Dog Pinot Noir~ Our most popular wine of the year.

21. 2005 Jalama El Capitan~ Caramel, cola and cherries from the first sip to the last.

22. 2007 Rancho Arroyo Grande Zinfandel~I must admit I was a little skeptical about a cool climate Zin, not anymore.

23. 2007 Herman Story Grenache, On the Road~ I love it when people tell me they don’t like Grenache because it is too light…

24. 2006 Kaena Hapa~For awhile, I felt like I was calling Mike Seguion every week to order more…

25. 2007 La Spinetta Moscato~I never like Moscato before, but this wine changed my mind.

26. 2007 McPrice Myers Beautiful Earth~ Spice and fruit, big and bold, delicious.

27. 2007 Flying Goat Pinot Noir, Rancho Santa Rosa Vineyard~ Thank you Norm for releasing this wine early for our wine club!

28. 2007 Paras Grenache~ Who said Mt. Veeder was only for Cabernet?

29. 2006 Chapoutier Les Gratis Blanc~ I only had one bottle of this wine, with crabs, and it may be the best food and wine pairing I have ever had.

30. 2008 Clesi Malvasia Bianca~ Many hot summer afternoons were tamed by this vibrant and crisp wine.

31. 2004 Michele Chiarlo Barolo, Cerequio~ I didn’t know Nebbiolo could taste like this…liquid velvet.

32. 2007 Kaena Hapa Blanc~ This wine was so popular we had people asking for it in Winter!

33. 2006 Montgras Syrah, Antu~ I love syrah, and now I have a whole new region to enjoy it from thanks to this little wine!

34. 2006 Denis Mortet Gevery Chambertin~For those people who think Burgundy is over-rated, you need to try this wine first.

35. NV Philliponnat Brut Royale~ Toasty and fruity…just the way Champagne should be.

36. 2007 Sleight of Hand “The Magician”~ A dry style gewurztraminer that just seemed to disappear from my glass every time I poured it…

37. 2008 Staete Landt Pinot Gris~ Dare I say it, the first wine I have ever really enjoyed from New Zealand.

38. 2002 Alka Carmenere~ Just the perfect amount of funk to make it unique and desirable.

39. 2005 Blair Fox Syrah, Tierra Alta Vineyard~ A classic style of Syrah that makes every bite of food taste better.

40. 2006 Aaron Petite Sirah~ A newcomer to Wandering Dog that we just can’t seem to get enough of.

41. 2006 Clesi Sangiovese~ Whether it is pizza or lasagna, no Italian dinner is complete without a bottle of this.

42. 2006 Nagy2 Pinot Noir~ With only 98 cases produced, and the pedigree of the winemakers, should I be surprised the wine sold out so quickly?

43. 2006 Dragonette Pinot Noir~ A bigger style of pinot with darker fruit flavors.

44. 2007 Eugene Wehreim Riesling Spatlese~ I was on a riesling kick all year, and this was the best of the bunch.

45. NV Bisol Prosecco “Jeio’~ If only I could count the number of weekends that started out with a glass of this…oh wait, i can….52.

46. 2006 L’Ecole No. 41 Apogee~ Jody and I didn’t think L’Ecole would be worth the hype…we were wrong.

47. 2007 Fairview Pinotage~ You could throw this wine in as a ringer in any Rhone style blind tasting

48. 2007 Osseus Sauvignon Blanc~ Crisp and refreshing with a great balance of citrus and tropical fruits.

49. 2006 Clos St. Jean Chateauneuf du Pape~ This wine is so good I never found another to replace it, even though it is my favorite region in France!

50. 2006 Vietti Barbera~ A different style of the varietal that I just can’t get enough of.

And that concludes the Top 50 for 2009! Have any favorites that I missed? Let me know!
Cheers!

Charles T. Williams