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
I'm with Bates on this. I have been tasting to many European wines that are out or wack. The new world wines seem to be finding more balance. Hmmm. Could it be that it is more important that the wines are balanced then it is that they are less then 14% alcohol? Sorry, had to throw that in there.