We had the great pleasure of re-visiting the Temecula Valley AVA in early 2024, so our ‘Best Of’ review is colored by our delightful experience in that lesser-known Southern California wine region. But our Top 12 list is also dotted with wines from France, Italy, Spain, and Australia. Some favorites are old friends, like the Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon and Penfolds Bin 138. But most are new discoveries, including the Grande Reserve Brut Champagne from Gosset [$60 if you’re looking for a nice New Year’s Eve pick] and 05035 Ciliegioloi Rosato from Narni, Umbria, whose name was…we kid you not…the inspiration for CS Lewis’ beloved Narnia chronicles. As we head towards an uncertain 2025, we say Salut, L’Chaim, Cheers, and Skoal to all the wine-lovers out there. Here’s hoping we have many occasions to celebrate in the coming year.
What was your favorite wine of 2024? Please leave a note in the comments.
| Wine | Review | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| WHITE | ||
| Albarino 2021 Neboa Eidosela Rias Baixas, SP | From the Galician region of Northwest Spain, this Albarino is floral and fruity, with enough minerality to enhance this off-dry refresher. | $19 |
| Zuri Txakoli 2022 Getariako Txakolina, SP | We discovered the easy-to-love, hard-to-pronounce Txakoli (chock-o-lee) wines from the Basque region of Spain in 2019 and continue to enjoy this brand’s slightly fizzy white or rosé treats. | $23 |
| Grande Reserve Brut Gosset, Champagne, FR | Gosset is the oldest wine house in Champagne [est.1584!] But all you need to know is that four of us downed a whole bottle of this smooth and toasty sparkler in under 45 minutes! It’s a huge bargain that out-classes Veuve Clicquot or Tattinger! | $60 |
| ROSE | ||
| Summer-Salters Rosé 2023 Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah!, Sonoma | We found this knock-out wine at Lune on Cape Cod. Everything about it is unusual, from the color, to the grape selection [50% Mourvèdre, 45% Primitivo, 5% Barbera], musty nose and fruit-herb flavor melange. Sold only via the winery. | $40 |
| 05035 Ciliegiolo di Narni Rosato 2022 Leonard Bussoletti, Umbria, IT | Our favorite new rosé. Delicate but intense aromas, rich and fruity, and made from a “lost” grape recently re-discovered in its native Umbria. | $18 |
| RED | ||
| Bin 138 2018 [Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre], Penfolds, Barossa Valley, AU | Quintessential Rhone GSM from Australia’s iconic winery. Dusty, with deep black fruit flavors and a hint of pepper. Smooth tannins and a satisfying finish. | $38 |
| Contadina Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Burgess Cellars, Napa | Silky smooth tannins blend beautifully with black currant, blackberry compote, and baking spices. Punches well above its weight, blowing away $100+ bottles. The 2016 is sold out but try the 2018. | $50 |
| Collinetta Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Edict, Napa | Dark and full-bodied Cab with hints of toasted vanilla, blackberry, and tobacco on the nose. Plush blackberry, black current, and licorice flavors and a silky smooth finish. | $45 |
| Lopez Ranch Old Vine Zinfandel 2018 Robert Renzoni Vineyards, Temecula | Beautiful red licorice/toasted cedar-vanilla nose with white pepper/blackberry jam finish. Only available thru the winery. | $38 |
| Pine Ridge Napa 2019 Pine Ridge Vineyards, Napa | Leather and tobacco on the nose, with black currant notes. On the palate, the wine was liquid silk with concentrated black cherry/blackberry notes but not overwhelmingly fruity. A perfectly balanced wine. | $79 |
| Primitivo Salento 2021 MGM Mondo del Vino Rinforzo, Puglia, IT | We bought six bottles of this delicious crowd-pleaser. Deep black fruit and licorice flavors with some baking spices on the palate. Great value, and an excellent example of Puglia’s iconic grape. | $20 |
| Wilson Creek Mourvèdre 2021 Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula | Outstanding balance of fruit and silkiness, with 82% Mourvèdre and 18% Zinfandel. The winery’s new winemaker is hitting home runs with this and her Petite Sirah. | $55 |
VinoDuo 