My Wines of the Year 2017 follows a tradition begun in 1997. Reflecting on a year of wine is always a pleasure, but choosing the winning wines a huge challenge. I’ve whittled thousands of wines down to the best I have tasted in nine categories, plus two extra categories: ‘Dud’ of the Year, and ‘Thing’ of the Year. As always, I invited wine-pages visitors to send in their Wines of the Year 2017 for publication. The ‘Dud’ can be the worst, or most disappointing wine, and ‘Thing’ can be used as imaginatively as you like – it may or may not be wine related! See 50 lists from visitors to wine-pages here.
Entries for Wines of the Year 2017 are now closed.
Tom’s Wines of the Year 2017
Red Henschke, Hill of Grace 2010, Australia
White Gravner, Ribolla 2007, Friuli, Italy
Budget red Rustenberg, John X Merriman 2014, South Africa
Budget white Martincigh Family, Sauvignon, Italy
Rosé Champagne Ruinart, Dom Ruinart Rosé 2002, France
Sweet Disznókő, Tokaji 6 Puttonyos 2002, Hungary
Sparkling Champagne Dom Pérignon, Vintage Brut 2006, France
Fortified Quinta do Noval, 20-Year-Old Tawny Port, Portugal
Other style/extra choice Aneto, Colheita Tardia Branco 2010, Portugal
Dud A 1945 bottle of Hiedsieck Champagne, shot to pieces
Thing Inclusiveness; decline in bigotry/discrimination
Click to read full tasting notes for Tom’s Wines of the Year.
With the sheer number of excellent wines tasted, I’ve allowed myself my usual indulgence of a baker’s dozen ‘so very nearly made it’ contenders:
- Champagne Gosset, Grand Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, France
- Champagne Piper-Heidsieck, ‘Essentiel’ Cuvée Reservée, France
- Martin Schaetzel, Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg 2015, France
- Bannockburn, SRH Chardonnay 2011, Australia
- Torre de Oña, Martelo Rioja Reserva 2012, Spain
- Bodegas Roda, Roda 1 2005, Spain
- Yeringberg, Red Blend 2005, Australia
- Ashton Hills, Reserve Pinot 2014, Australia
- Opus One, Red Wine 1992, California
- Waterford Estate, The Jem 2011, South Africa
- Yarra Yering, Carodus Shiraz 2014
- Stanton and Killeen, Classic Rutherglen Muscat
- Riverby Estate, Eliza Riesling 2014, New Zealand
Just so
I’m so glad one of Kevin Coutney’s Riverby wines made your “BD” list. I’ve been perplexed, judging how well they are liked by those I’ve drunk them with, as to why Riverby does not have a bigger profile in the UK. These wines really are good. My favourites are the Chardonnays for class and the Gruners for sheer fun.
I agree David – the wines are really excellent and, yes, a bit under the radar. It’s a small company with limited distribution I suppose, but there are some retailers dotted around – even Glasgow has one in the shape of the GoodSpiritCompany 🙂