New Decade, New Wines

Vintners took wine-making smarts and artistry to new levels in the past decade. With help from Mother Nature, New World producers from Chile to Washington State and beyond served gold-medal notice to wine lovers with one great vintage after another. The Old World rang in a decade of wine bliss with the 2000 Bordeaux vintage, echoed by that year's Oregon Pinot Noir half a world away.

Here are a few notable vintages of the decade to seek out or uncork now:

2001: German Riesling
2002: Oregon Pinot Noir
2003: France, Northern Rhone
2004: California Chardonnay, Sonoma
2005: Spain, Ribera del Duero
2006: Tuscany (Brunello di Montalcino, Bolgheri, Maremma)
2007: Washington State reds
2008: New York Riesling (Finger Lakes)

We made room for a new decade of wine by saying good-bye to these fallen soldiers during our December bacchanalia. Thanks for the ride.

Alban Vineyards, Reva, Alban Estate Syrah 2003, Edna Valley
Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Le Mistral 2005, Monterey County
Otis Kenyon, Merlot 2006, Walla Walla Valley
TIKAL Malbec, Altos de Mendoza 2006 Amorío
Caymus Special Selection, Napa Valley 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon