The Wine Spectator experts made 17,000 blind tastings on their way to ranking the Top 100 wines for 2009. Landing on the prestigious list were two Sonoma Valley producers — Landmark Vineyards and Gloria Ferrer.
Kenwood’s Landmark Vineyards’ 2006 Steel Plow Syrah ranked number 19. Gloria Ferrer’s Sonoma Brut, the only California sparkling wine to make the list, placed number 78.
“We’re thrilled,” said Mike Calhoun, Landmark owner. “It’s our first red wine ever to make the list. It’s a real honor to be recognized.” Then again, “It’s a great bottle of wine.”
The label is named for the man who invented the steel plow tractor, Colhoun’s great, great, great-grandfather, John Deere. “A good name for a big, earthy red wine.”
The ranking of the Top 100 wines released in 2009 appears in the December issue of The Wine Spectator. The magazine said that the annual list, which debuted in 1988, reflects significant trends, spotlights successful regions and recognizes outstanding producers. Criteria included quality, value, availability “and an X-factor we call excitement.”
Calhoun said “It’s awesome for Sonoma Valley to have two wines on the list, competing against wines from all over the world.”
The Landmark Syrah received a 94-point rating. The Gloria Ferrer Brut, described as “lively and fun to drink,” got a 90-point score.
The Top 10 of the list included four American wines, two of which were from Sonoma County. The Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2007 was the top California wine, at number 4. The Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley 2007 was ranked at number 9.
Topping the list as the Wine Spectator Wine of the Year, from Washington State, is the Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve 2005.
