With the year drawing to a close, we asked our 2011 TOP|SOMM and Top New Somm finalists to highlight five favorite, impactful new releases from the past year, regardless of price. Selections from each finalist are not listed in any particular order. Price is approximate retail, with importers in parenthesis where appropriate.
Ian Cauble (The Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay, CA) TOP|SOMM 2011
Desi Echavarrie (French Laundry, CA) Top New Somm 2011
Great list of wines, and solid values there too!
Proves that wines do not have to be expensive to be good.
Wine trends are going in the direction of 'off the beaten path' of what is usually seen and expected on wine lists (and isn't that what we're here for??)
I have put these on my list of wines to look out for. Thank you for all the recommendations.