—Top 10 Wines of 2016 Unveiled at WineSpectator.com, as Magazine Celebrates 40th Anniversary—
New York, NY (December 2, 2016)—Wine Spectator, the world’s leading authority on wine, today announced Lewis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013 as the 2016 Wine of the Year. The Top 10 list is now available on http://top100.winespectator.com, with the full Top 100 list to be revealed on Monday, December 5.
Randy Lewis was a successful racecar driver, but after he crashed during trials for the 1991 Indianapolis 500, he and his wife Debbie decided to change careers. In 1994, they released their first wine, and since then have achieved consistent success. Bootstrap entrepreneurs, they own no vineyards, but have established a winning style with their opulent yet graceful wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is their strength, and in the excellent 2013 vintage, their entry-level bottling achieved classic quality. Wine Spectator celebrates their down-to-earth character, their track record of excellence and their ability to capture Napa’s richness and generosity in their wines.
Following Lewis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013 (95 points, $90, 1,600 cases made), Wine Spectator’s Top 10 Wines of 2016 are:
- Domaine Serene | Chardonnay Dundee Hills Evenstad Reserve 2014 | 95 points | $55 | 2,000 cases made | Willamette Valley, Oregon
- Beaux Frères | Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge The Beaux Frères Vineyard 2014 | 95 points | $90 | 2,405 cases made | Willamette Valley, Oregon
- Château Climens | Barsac 2013 | 97 points | $68 | 1,417 cases made | Barsac, Bordeaux
- Produttori del Barbaresco | Barbaresco Asili Riserva 2011 | 96 points | $59 | 1,100 cases made | Piedmont, Italy
- Orin Swift | Machete California 2014 | 94 score | $48 | 15,500 cases made | California
- Ridge | Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains 2012 | 94 score | $175 | 5,243 cases made | Santa Cruz Mountains, California
- Antinori | Toscana Tignanello 2013 | 94 score | $105 | 2,500 cases imported | Tuscany, Italy
- Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte | Pessac-Léognan White 2013 | 96 score | $106 | 2,500 cases made | Bordeaux, France
- Hartford Family | Zinfandel Russian River Valley Old Vine 2014 | 93 score | $38 | 2,200 cases made | Sonoma, California
These bottles were selected from a pool of more than 18,000 wines by Wine Spectator editors in the magazine’s blind tastings. Selections are based on four criteria: quality (represented by score), value (reflected by price), availability (based on the number of cases either made or imported into the U.S.) and what Wine Spectator calls the “X-factor”—or, in other words, the excitement generated by the wine.
“Our Top 100 reflects Wine Spectator’s perspective on what was most compelling and exciting in the wine world during the past year,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher. “It is a mark of excellence to earn a place on this list, and we congratulate all the wineries on their achievements.”
An annual highlight since 1988, the Top 100 list presents a diverse group, ranging from emerging labels and regions to traditional estates exploring new directions. The list is a guide to wineries to watch in the future—a reflection of the producers and wines that Wine Spectator’s editors are most passionate about.
Coinciding with the unveiling, Wine Spectator has released two online videos from the magazine’s senior editors: How Wine Spectator Picks the Top 100 and In the Tasting Room at Wine Spectator.
The full Top 100 list can also be found in Wine Spectator’s December 31 issue, available December 13.
About Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches more than 3 million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web’s most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wine’s role in contemporary culture and delivering expert reviews of more than 18,000 wines each year. Parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily and Shanken’s Impact Newsletter.
