Wine Spectator, one of the leading wine publications, just released its Top 10 wine list for 2023. This is a highly anticipated list that represents the most exciting wines released this year.
I have reviewed the list and unfortunately, most of the wines on the list are primarily available in the U.S. But there are some gems that you can still get from BC Liquor Stores which are listed below. You may also want to see if some specialty or private liquor stores have the wines listed by Wine Spectator.
Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc (#10, $37.99) – this a great consumer-friendly wine that is ready to drink now, fairly affordable and easy to find. This is a white wine produced by Greywacke, which was founded in 2009 and named after the grey river stones found in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Expect a wine that is a bit heavier than most Sauvignon Blancs, with not as much searing acidity. It has a 95-point wine rating, which is an exceptionally high rating for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Villa Antinori 2020 Chianti Classico Marchese Antinori Riserva (#7, $64.99) – this is a special bottling of Chianti Classico that uses grapes from the Tignanello estate. Tignanello is a Super Tuscan wine that costs about four times as much as this wine. The grapes used in this wine are from younger vines or are grapes that do not meet the selection criteria for Tignanello. Nevertheless, this wine provides outstanding value and rich, deep dark fruit flavours and aromas. The wine is mostly made with Sangiovese grapes with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for blending purposes.
Chateau Pichon Baron (#8, $375) and Chateau Lynch Bages (#3, $300) – both of these wines, from the Pauillac region in Bordeaux, will require patience and deep pockets! The 2020 Bordeaux vintage was a stellar year. Chateau Lynch Bages has just completed an overhaul of its entire winemaking facility and Pichon Baron has been making exceptional wines for years. Both of these wines will require a minimum of 10 years of aging before they will reach their drinking window so these are wines that you buy and store for a special occasion in the future.
Argiano 2018 Brunello di Montalcino (#1 $79.99) – Argiano was established in 1580 and has always produced excellent wines. In 2013, a Brazilian billionaire bought the winery and revamped both the winemaking facilities and the vineyard. He brought in a world-famous soil consultant and appointed Bernardino Sani as the CEO and winemaker. The revitalized winery is now rewarded with the honour of being selected as Wine Spectator’s 2023 wine of the year. I have recently tasted this wine at the Keg Steakhouse and unlike past vintages of this wine and other Brunellos, it is quite drinkable out of the bottle with a good decant. It has great vibrancy, with rose, plum and herb flavours and aromas that are distinct and precise. Most BC Liquor Stores are still selling the 2017 vintage so keep your eyes out for the change in vintage.
A reminder that Whistler Cornucopia is in full swing. I hope to be attending some events between Nov. 17 to 19, 2023. For more information about this festival, please visit their website at https://www.whistlercornucopia.com/.
My preferred place to stay when I visit Whistler is the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which is both luxurious and very convenient to get to different places within Whistler Village. Until next time, happy drinking!
Tony Kwan is the Richmond News' new columnist. Lawyer by day, food and wine lover by night, Kwan is an epicurean who writes about wine, food and enjoying all that life has to offer.
