When are we getting a Konstantin Baum top 10..... With no more than one wine per region of a country and max budget of 150 Would be a great fun video and may stretch Leon's wine finding
Recommended wines by Konstantin never disappointed. This channel has higher credibility than any of the major magazines, hands down! Thank you for another indulgence!
I’m a bit mixed on German Rieslings being more prominent on lists like this. On the one hand, there is absolutely NO question that German Rieslings can be some of the greatest wines in the world, and absolutely deserve glowing recognition. On the other hand, the “Egoistisches Arschloch” in me, loves the fact that I can still afford GGs, and would love that to remain the case!!
As a long time Canadian fan of German wines and someone who generally resists hype and trends, I agree only partially with your sentiment. The availability of German wines where I live has dwindled almost into oblivion over the last 10 years. At any given time, there are only 1 or 2 auslese wines available in very small quantities in all of Quebec. I haven't seen Muller-Catoir or Maximin Grunhaus wines in many years. The offer seems to be better in Ontrario, but surely that can't be a good sign for the long-term health of the German wine industry. A small boost in international publicity would be in order.
Your descriptions and opinions are fantastic! I agree with you in the fact that the wines I tend to seek out are smaller producers who are hands on in every aspect of the wine making process!
Constantine- when the list comes out each year I source four wines as fast as I can for a blind tasting for my tasting group. It’s always a huge hit! I love this video (and literally all of your videos). Would love to meet you in Germany next year, maybe we will stop by the Hotel :)
I’m a huge not-fan of WS 100 as a concept. I personally think they do more harm than good. I appreciate you pointing out some of the oddities of the list. I pay less and less attention to it each year, your comments convince me that is the appropriate response as a consumer. Thanks, I loved the elementary school joke, BTW😂😂
I was surprised that you hadn't heard of Argiano. They are widely available in North America and is usually most people's introduction into Brunello. The interesting thing about it was that it was previously a modern take on Brunello being brought up in barriques and was always round and soft and lacked traditional Brunello characters. I think the availability, cost, quality and return to traditional style of Brunello without hiccups is the reason it recieved No.1 status
You should do a video on the recently released 2021 Molana- the first commercially available wine made using Iranian grapes since the Iranian revolution almost 50 years ago. It’s a piece of history and likely a very interesting wine utilizing the ancient varietal of rasheh.
I was at the Argiano Winery earlier this year, absolutely beautiful place and wonderful people making the wine. I tried both the BdM 2018 and 2017 and 100% preferred the 2017, it had so much more character and depth than the 2018. For me there was no contest so very interesting to see the 2018 make it to the number 1 slot but each to their own, that’s what makes wine so wonderful and interesting.
Love the content Konstantin! When will you do a deep dive in South Africa? Ancient soils, fascinating history and nature, exceptional value. Germans and French all over it. Get in there man!
Agreed 100%!! That's his "trouble spot" as he says but it's such a unique place. I'd love to see an Old World vs. ZA comparison- Stellenbosch has some excellent Bordeaux-style wines coming out from small producers, shoutout Natte Valleij's POW
I tasted the Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain and found it a wonderful example of the quality of Cabs from Napa. Far too young now, but cellaring will certainly allow for future benefits!
I used to really like WS. I liked the precise, no-nonsense reviews and even printed those of the wines I was blind tasting so that I could compare my takes with theirs and learn from them. However, it is very much US-focused, while it's hard for oversea competition to strive in Europe both because of import volumes and prices. They also evaluate quite a lot of tuscan and lombardy wines, Bordeaux and Burgundy, which can get particularly redundant if it equals to 'forgetting' a plethora of high end producing regions. So, I think it kind of makes us the wrong customer target for them. What about YOUR top 10, though?! 😜 I guess we're all eager to hear. Maybe some feinherb rieslings are sneaking in?
"Cats' pee" is also used with descrbing the aroma of Simcoe hops. It's strange that there is only one white. Brunello is great but there's so much else which is just as good and cheaper. Also explains why my in-law buy me it; which I appreciate.
I tasted the Argiano two days ago. I was familiar with the winery due to their IGT Solengo, which I quite like. I was positively surprised, I found it to be very approachable and not that of a typical brunello. I scored it similarly to you. However wine of year, no. But it isn't the worst wine in the top 10. The Greywacke scores quite a bit lower for me.
Hi Konstantin, you mentioned for the white wine you would have liked to see a wine from a location that’s a bit more under the radar and so I would be really interested to have your view on some affordable (maybe in the $25-$50 range) but lovely German wines. It’s always interesting to try different wines.
Hi Konstantin, how would you compare the Stem Zero glass to Zalto Denk’art in terms of aromatics? I found the Zalto to be excellent vs Riedel and other glasses. Unfortunately, I broke my Zalto Bordeaux glass last night washing it. Wondering if I should buy another or look at alternatives. Your glass looks beautiful and elegant so I was intrigued. I had the 2018 Occidental Pinot recently and was really impressed. Thanks for all the great content, as always.
Have had Argiano, not the one in this review but I like them very much! The Argiano in this review here is $79 here which shocked me usually double what they pay in the U.S. I may go purchase one and find out.A very good Pinot at that price is a steal.I love Sangiovese so I may give the Argiano 98 points! Lol! Great review and an honest opinion as usual.
I do agree for the Aglianico: a very good wine, but not everybody's darling. Somehow complicated and not eady to find access, but by knowing better and waiting for more maturity, worth the buy and worth the buy! I am happy that this wine landed in the top ten! Lynch bages is good, even very good, but imho too expensive today, sadly! Lynch-Bages is not my favourite taste, but there are people that like that style, The Argiano is good, but not more.
Just discovered the channel! Amazing work :) will binge watch your videos! Starting to work I finally have a budget for buying wines! Maybe you could do a video on YOUR top 10 wines under 200euros per bottle ? :) have an amazing day!
I don't use wine spectator as one of my tools, but I do watch your channel and Matthew Horkey's when you discuss the list. On Taurasi, I recently bought a case of 2012 Taurasi, drank one bottle and..... yep you guessed it, it just tastes too young or you have to pair it with a tomahawk steak or a beef cheek stew or something similar.
Lynch Bages was a longtime favourite of the Pall Mall gentleman's club (the wingback armchair kind, not the other kind). The superannuated aristos appreciated it as super classic Paulliac ar a sensible price vs the 1st growths. The pronunciation sounds like lunch bags, plus there is a tradition of completely ignoring the french pronunication. Hence lunch bags stuck.
Years ago a friend of mind in the car industry told me that before Car & Driver magazine would make its final choice for "Car of the Year" it would contact the five finalists and ask them to make a huge advertising commitment for the following year. Whichever manufacturer agreed first would end up being voted the top car! I got that same feeling when you got to the same choice for the number one wine on this list. And it wasn't what you said; it was what you didn't say. Wink, wink perhaps?? Hmmm...
If you follow my comments, you’ll know that I adore Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand; I think your rating for Greywacke was spot on - in no way this is the ‘best’ NZ has to offer. There are so many others that have much more complex tastes, this unique gunflint aroma is absent in Greywacke, I really don’t know how WS chose it to be at the top-10.
If you approach Aglianico/Taurasi as if it was a Barolo, you’re on the right path. Many people assume it's like Nero d'Avola or Primitivo just because it's from the south of Italy. Irpinia or the Vulture region in Basilicata are mountainous regions: It snows in winter!
As a confirmed cynic, I would suggest that the sobriquet 'Lunchbag' arises from those who would like to suggest that they are sufficient of a Happening Person to casually sling a relatively high end wine into thier bag as though this were a routine behaviour.. After all, we all know that this kind of thing is common, especially when it comes to things like wine or art or classical music etc.. These are all way beyond my price range, but a fascinating insight into how the other half lives nonetheless, and most enjoyable as ever. Nice one Konstantin! 🍷⭐👍
In American English, "Lynch" rhymes with "inch" and the "G" in "Bages" would be hard and the "S" not silent, so I'm pretty sure it's just a playful pronunciation thing.
I always find it hard to compare wines made out of different varieties, as under different circumstances I like different wines more or less and see such lists as more of a marketing tool than something useful. But it is fun to compare and argue for your favorites with friends
Enjoyed the video! Always look forward to your input. I know the video it’s about the wine, but I actually wanted to know what was the wine glass you were using….beautiful! Thanks!
I’m glad there are zero wines from Burgundy and (especially) Rioja, my two favorite regions. This might keep the prices from spiraling completely out of control. One can still buy perfectly drinkable Crianza for $12, and superb Reserva for $60 these days, a relative bargain. I’ve tried Lynch Bages, and have even been to the estate, and given the fact that a bottle is priced just below the vastly superior Pichon Baron, it seems overpriced to me.
I was in Pauillac recently and tried the 2014 Lynch-Bages. I thought it was good but very overpriced. There are much better buys in Bordeaux in general, and Pauillac specifically.
Great video! Please do the same for the Wine Enthusiast top 100 and James Suckling top 100! Would be great to hear your thoughts on those as well (currently drinking #4 from Wine Enthusiast 2023 tonight).
Allow me to add to the story of Argiano. Wine maker is Hans Vinding Diers. Hans's father is Peter Vinding Diers, famous wine maker also. Presently living in Sicily. He is a.o. known for involvement with Tokaj. Peter's cousin is Peter Sisseck who on account of same first name was called Pingus. Peter Sisseck is the wine maker of Flor de Pingus and the more expensive Pingus. Great wines from Ribera del Duero. Hans has a brother called Anders also wine maker in Spain. Hans is a 'traveling wine maker's, a.o. owner of a vineyard in Argentina. As far as I understand the manager (owner?) of Argiano is an Italian widow with whom Hans should be romantically connected (but don't quote me…).
May i inquire as to the temperature of the natural cellar? Your personality is so warm and your video's so personable, the temperature appears to be a balmy 21 celsuis
on the Argiano in the UK the wine would be around £40 / $ 50 which equates to an improved price / quality ratio(?) against Lynch Bages? . Also surprised that it wasn't 2016 which is a better vintage as per Wine Searcher. Loved your style of explaining wine on a more enjoyable level - with a modern viewpoint. Absolutely agree smaller winery would have been better. I think WS are choosing wines according to their readers 'tongue' profiles and to be accessible to buy. Ciao Magic Marci in London @ 6.55 gmt
I bought a bottle of the Radici based on this-looking forward to it in a month! :-) "Only" CAD 67, and in normally-overpriced Nova Scotia to boot... Do you think a long decanting would help?
I had exactly the same reaction recently with BANFI wines (Montalcino). Bought by Americans and made a bit into a disneyland type of winery. Their Brunellos are certainly good but are missing flair. I am very very surprised not to see ANY wine from Burgundy in the top 10 since in the 50-100 USD range there are simply amazing reds and fantastic whites.
If you start going through the wines, you're going to have little trouble finding better wines at the same price point for some of them. Their scores are typically boosted precisely by the platform that promotes them. So when you look at reviews for, let's say that Chianti for example, the general consensus sans the CT review will be at around 90, and the CT review will be at 95. Conclusion; it's a commercial driver and not an actual review. I hope I didn't surprise anyone.
I know. A lot of white wines are just as a good as top red wines. I love me some Rioja Blanco, Bordeaux Blanc, Soave Classico, Greco and Finger Lakes Riesling.
It's unfortunate but not surprising. These lists cater to people with more money than taste and wine elitists don't value white wines unless they're aged in oak which suits me just fine. More delicious white wine for me!
Not happy that they chose argiano since it was one of my favorite modestly priced brunellos a few years ago. Still have a number that I bought at 45 bucks. At 100 you can buy 2 bottles of higher level chiantis and walk out the door with change!
When I’m told that a wine smells of cassis I find myself wanting cassis instead! The fruit is also called blackcurrant and for decades it was banned here in the USA (mostly) because the plant supposedly is a host for a disease affecting Pinus strobus. So it’s still a relatively rare flavor here (instead we get Concord grape in the purple niche), treasured by the few who know it. Of course I drink Kir.
Given your comments about the billionaires, lol, I think you'll have to have a blind tasting of billionaire owned vs. family owned from similar regions and see if the latter really does outperform the former, or, if it's the placebo effect of knowing it (belongs to a billionaire) that makes you enjoy the former less ! Lol, that would be fun.
Only a few wineries remain today that make wine in Northern California as they did in the "old days" (50s - 80s). Dunn leads that pack without doubt. To my understanding, Mike makes the wines today and leaves a different impression on each vintage than Randy. But there is a common thread of old-school, high quality, age-worthy winemaking throughout the decades of Dunn. These wines are exceptional and will last a very, very long time.
Unfortunately Dunn changes its style in 1998 and 1999. The wines used to be extremely mineral and animalic, but certainly not to everyone's taste. Now they are a little more modern but not so unique anymore.
Hey awesome stuff just try an older argiano you see it's amazing also get that thing in auction for $50 to $60 I think that's why he got 1st place ? I'm still waiting to see stella di campalto in the top 10 ❤
As always, I spent this summer in Montalcino, renting a house at the wine estate. More than that I met talked about Argiano as number one at the list of Wine Spectator. All where surprised and all talked about the raise of price of the Argiano wines. And more than one talked about comparing Argiano with other brunellos from the slope of southwest of Montalcino, and no one did place Argiano at the first place. Myself I have not tasted Argiano since the .take over of the guys with the big money, but according to my taste, is has never been a big thing. You talked about testing wines from smaller estates. Close to Argiano there is Caprili, Fattoi and Villa Santa Restituta, which should not be confused with Pieve Santa Restituta, a Gaja estate. The others, including Matè and Case Basse di Soldera (which i now more brand with prices of there own) are family owned, La Villa (the label is Castelli Martinozzi) has a very long history. Something to try?
Although I believe Wine Spectator may not be biased, their tastings are not blind. So like what I have experienced here in Washington state, ratings can tend to be influenced based on the reviewer. It seems odd that the number one pick didn’t seem to fit, but I enjoyed your take on the top 10.
Wine Spectator is completely biased. I was visiting the Bordeaux region recently, and was at one of the top chateau for a tasting. The chateau building is no longer used for making wine, so it’s used as a hospitality “hotel” for “wine dignitaries” (their term), and when pressed on the matter, our guide admitted that it was for major wine reviewers to stay for free while they’re in the Medoc. She mentioned one by name, a staff writer at WS. Would that guy EVER write a sub 95 score for that kind of free swag? No way.
I have had the 2016 Argiano and, for the money, it was a really good Brunello. Prices in Europe, in my case Sweden, are however half or less than the USD 90… The Greywacke is also good value and a solid SB from New Zeeland but I must admit I struggle to see how it can qualify to a top-10 list.
Dear konstantin, when you tasted the last wine (brunello) it seems to me there is still red wine left in the glass from wine before? Can that interfere the correct tasting of the wine? By the way, I like your tasting very mocht and enjoy watching!
It was cut out but I rinsed out the glass with a sip of the wine and then poured myself a glass. I prefer doing that to make sure that the previous wine does not impact the next.
I have had this Brunello a few times a few years ago, 2015 and 2016 vintage. Both good but as you say and I also thought when WS 2023 results came, not top 10 perhaps part of top 100. I also vaguely remember this going for around 40 euros as the time so 90 USD sounds quite expensive. I do think that their blend Solengo is a much better wine and belongs in the top 50(?) of this list.
I opened a bottle of the Clos des Papes 2003 for my daughter's wedding, it was the Wine Spectator's wine of the year and was sorely disappointed. It was a decent but not great wine... You can't rely solely on the wine rankings, buy what you like to drink?
The WS Top 100 list is always a bit esoteric. Back in the “old” days, WS paid a lot of attention to vintages. Thus, for 1991 or 1994 releases, Cal Cabs dominated. In 1998, 95 Bordeaux were well represented (as was Cal Cabs). At some point, it all changed and now, it’s a hodgepodge of different wines from different regions without a real thought to how good a particular vintage may be in a particular region. There are some really good excellent wines being made in Santa Barbara or in Sicily, but it’s pretty rare to find them on a WS list due to availability. And that is the key: WS is a US publication, so it’s the US availability that is a key. I don’t know if you’ll find Spottswoode Cab on WS because it’s so highly allocated (but the 2015, 2018 and 2019 all got 100 pts from the Advocate, granted that Parker has handed off tasting duties to others for years now).
My Top 10 would be completely different. All European (except for NZ), mostly whites, and all dry: vermentino, chablis, verdejo, albarino, sauv. blanc, cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo, etc.
Hard to see logic in this list. Availability in the US market probably explains something. About the Brunello, I wonder what your opinion is tasting back after 6 hours or a day later. I didn’t taste this one, but I am also surprised as it was a somewhat lesser Brunello vintage. Nice video!
Oh, Wine Spectator. Never change. Haha. Konstantin, are you familiar with the NYC-based online publication VinePair? They recently released their 50 Best of 2023. A little more "off-the-beaten-path" and intriguing in spots. Might be fun to explore those wines. A $38 natural Syrah (from 12 acres in the Northern Rhone) came in at #1.
I just can’t wrap my head around buying a wine now to drink in 10-15 years time, unless you’re a collector. ‘Needs a little more time’ I was thinking 6 months 😂
That is tricky and it depends on the wine style. Lynch Bages has a track record of aging very well so based on that I know that similar vintages have aged easily for 10 years.
@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine thanks for the insights. I think it would be nice to make a video once about how a wine critic assess potential of a wine and when is a wine too young vs just bad wine. I think it's a big mystery box for many here :D
Greywacke Wild Sauvignon is a lovely and interesting wine. I'm not usually a fan of Sauv B but I really enjoyed the 2018 vintage. Not tried the standard Sauv B and will seek it out. Would love your opinion on the Wild Sauv if you see it available. Love the channel Kon. Keep up the great work!
I think they have included quality price ratio into their score. For me greywacke, marchesi antinori CCR, andargiano BDM arent great wines like the other wines on the list, but quite affordable.
I'm a somm here in Italy and I canceled my subscription to WS a few years ago because it was so US-focused. Ever the Italian wines that they write about are often hard or impossible to find here in Italy. If you're in Europe, Decanter is better.
When are we getting a Konstantin Baum top 10.....
With no more than one wine per region of a country and max budget of 150
Would be a great fun video and may stretch Leon's wine finding
This would be awesome! 🤩
I 2nd this…
That would be outstanding!
Yes!! Would love this!🎉
Recommended wines by Konstantin never disappointed. This channel has higher credibility than any of the major magazines, hands down! Thank you for another indulgence!
I’m a bit mixed on German Rieslings being more prominent on lists like this. On the one hand, there is absolutely NO question that German Rieslings can be some of the greatest wines in the world, and absolutely deserve glowing recognition. On the other hand, the “Egoistisches Arschloch” in me, loves the fact that I can still afford GGs, and would love that to remain the case!!
exactly. we need to keep riesling off the radar of the masses.
As a long time Canadian fan of German wines and someone who generally resists hype and trends, I agree only partially with your sentiment. The availability of German wines where I live has dwindled almost into oblivion over the last 10 years. At any given time, there are only 1 or 2 auslese wines available in very small quantities in all of Quebec. I haven't seen Muller-Catoir or Maximin Grunhaus wines in many years. The offer seems to be better in Ontrario, but surely that can't be a good sign for the long-term health of the German wine industry. A small boost in international publicity would be in order.
This video is Perfection. Love this type of Video. Thank you Master
Great video Konstantin! Can you next taste James Suckling top 10 (or 5) 2023 wines? Cheers!!
I would LOVE that
Suckling is the least credible major critic in the U.S. I feel like he rates on a 10 point, rather than 100 point scale, from 90-100
Thanks, great tasting! The cab sounds fab
Your descriptions and opinions are fantastic! I agree with you in the fact that the wines I tend to seek out are smaller producers who are hands on in every aspect of the wine making process!
Top tens are fun, regardless. An evaluation of them, like this, is more fun.
10:30 - I like Aglianiko/Taurasi so much! Really great underrated wine!
Constantine- when the list comes out each year I source four wines as fast as I can for a blind tasting for my tasting group. It’s always a huge hit! I love this video (and literally all of your videos). Would love to meet you in Germany next year, maybe we will stop by the Hotel :)
Very nicely handled!
Thanks… very informative and yet tasty.
marchese antinori is one of my go tos. Imo can age for a good 10-15 years. Love it love it
Thanks a lot for the info on the Mastroberardino! Its great to learn those less mainstream producer!
I love your honesty, keep saying what you think, regardless of any implications .
Thank you! Will do!
Love your informative takes on the wine world. Amazing channel!! Keep up the excellent work
I’m a huge not-fan of WS 100 as a concept. I personally think they do more harm than good. I appreciate you pointing out some of the oddities of the list. I pay less and less attention to it each year, your comments convince me that is the appropriate response as a consumer. Thanks, I loved the elementary school joke, BTW😂😂
I was surprised that you hadn't heard of Argiano. They are widely available in North America and is usually most people's introduction into Brunello. The interesting thing about it was that it was previously a modern take on Brunello being brought up in barriques and was always round and soft and lacked traditional Brunello characters. I think the availability, cost, quality and return to traditional style of Brunello without hiccups is the reason it recieved No.1 status
I won't even name it between third-string Brunellos.
You should do a video on the recently released 2021 Molana- the first commercially available wine made using Iranian grapes since the Iranian revolution almost 50 years ago. It’s a piece of history and likely a very interesting wine utilizing the ancient varietal of rasheh.
So happy my taste pallet is on en point with yours! (Insert happy dance)Tasted the Dunn last week. It was superb! Even without breathing.
I was at the Argiano Winery earlier this year, absolutely beautiful place and wonderful people making the wine. I tried both the BdM 2018 and 2017 and 100% preferred the 2017, it had so much more character and depth than the 2018. For me there was no contest so very interesting to see the 2018 make it to the number 1 slot but each to their own, that’s what makes wine so wonderful and interesting.
Would you say the year in bottle made the difference?
Love the content Konstantin! When will you do a deep dive in South Africa? Ancient soils, fascinating history and nature, exceptional value. Germans and French all over it. Get in there man!
Agreed 100%!! That's his "trouble spot" as he says but it's such a unique place. I'd love to see an Old World vs. ZA comparison- Stellenbosch has some excellent Bordeaux-style wines coming out from small producers, shoutout Natte Valleij's POW
I tasted the Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain and found it a wonderful example of the quality of Cabs from Napa. Far too young now, but cellaring will certainly allow for future benefits!
I have a 2010 Lunch bags, looking forward to opening it.🍷
I used to really like WS. I liked the precise, no-nonsense reviews and even printed those of the wines I was blind tasting so that I could compare my takes with theirs and learn from them.
However, it is very much US-focused, while it's hard for oversea competition to strive in Europe both because of import volumes and prices.
They also evaluate quite a lot of tuscan and lombardy wines, Bordeaux and Burgundy, which can get particularly redundant if it equals to 'forgetting' a plethora of high end producing regions.
So, I think it kind of makes us the wrong customer target for them.
What about YOUR top 10, though?! 😜
I guess we're all eager to hear.
Maybe some feinherb rieslings are sneaking in?
"Cats' pee" is also used with descrbing the aroma of Simcoe hops. It's strange that there is only one white. Brunello is great but there's so much else which is just as good and cheaper. Also explains why my in-law buy me it; which I appreciate.
Thank you. always appreciate the honesty. Love your "No fear or favor" review
I tasted the Argiano two days ago. I was familiar with the winery due to their IGT Solengo, which I quite like. I was positively surprised, I found it to be very approachable and not that of a typical brunello. I scored it similarly to you. However wine of year, no. But it isn't the worst wine in the top 10. The Greywacke scores quite a bit lower for me.
Hi Konstantin, you mentioned for the white wine you would have liked to see a wine from a location that’s a bit more under the radar and so I would be really interested to have your view on some affordable (maybe in the $25-$50 range) but lovely German wines. It’s always interesting to try different wines.
Great video, we need 2024, i felt that Brunello became better after a few hours of opening , i did love it .
Another great review!
I appreciate that
Been having the Argiano a lot this year - really satisfying and to its pricepoint really good, but an older vintage
Hi Konstantin, how would you compare the Stem Zero glass to Zalto Denk’art in terms of aromatics? I found the Zalto to be excellent vs Riedel and other glasses. Unfortunately, I broke my Zalto Bordeaux glass last night washing it. Wondering if I should buy another or look at alternatives. Your glass looks beautiful and elegant so I was intrigued.
I had the 2018 Occidental Pinot recently and was really impressed.
Thanks for all the great content, as always.
Have had Argiano, not the one in this review but I like them very much! The Argiano in this review here is $79 here which shocked me usually double what they pay in the U.S. I may go purchase one and find out.A very good Pinot at that price is a steal.I love Sangiovese so I may give the Argiano 98 points! Lol! Great review and an honest opinion as usual.
I do agree for the Aglianico: a very good wine, but not everybody's darling. Somehow complicated and not eady to find access, but by knowing better and waiting for more maturity, worth the buy and worth the buy! I am happy that this wine landed in the top ten! Lynch bages is good, even very good, but imho too expensive today, sadly! Lynch-Bages is not my favourite taste, but there are people that like that style, The Argiano is good, but not more.
Just discovered the channel! Amazing work :) will binge watch your videos! Starting to work I finally have a budget for buying wines! Maybe you could do a video on YOUR top 10 wines under 200euros per bottle ? :)
have an amazing day!
Dunn Howell Mountain is one of the only Napa Cabs I actually enjoy.
I don't use wine spectator as one of my tools, but I do watch your channel and Matthew Horkey's when you discuss the list. On Taurasi, I recently bought a case of 2012 Taurasi, drank one bottle and..... yep you guessed it, it just tastes too young or you have to pair it with a tomahawk steak or a beef cheek stew or something similar.
Like your reaction to the Occidental Pinot.
Sounds delicious
Lynch Bages was a longtime favourite of the Pall Mall gentleman's club (the wingback armchair kind, not the other kind). The superannuated aristos appreciated it as super classic Paulliac ar a sensible price vs the 1st growths. The pronunciation sounds like lunch bags, plus there is a tradition of completely ignoring the french pronunication. Hence lunch bags stuck.
Years ago a friend of mind in the car industry told me that before Car & Driver magazine would make its final choice for "Car of the Year" it would contact the five finalists and ask them to make a huge advertising commitment for the following year. Whichever manufacturer agreed first would end up being voted the top car!
I got that same feeling when you got to the same choice for the number one wine on this list. And it wasn't what you said; it was what you didn't say. Wink, wink perhaps?? Hmmm...
Wondering what you do with all the leftover wines?! A chance to use Coravin rather than opening everything?
I drink, share and/or dump it usually
I just have to say I really love the thumbnail! Text on it is awesome!
Thank you!
as far as know, the WS point is considering the price/quality ratio. So the antinory chianti get 95and the Napa cab 96 is reasonable in that point.
I love your videos :)
The Raen wines are fantastic. I wouldn’t be surprised if his sori Della sorba is in the top 10 next year
Fun vid, thanks.
Wondering what glass you were drinking from? Jancis Robinson’s looks a bit like it.
“Lunch Bags” reminds me how people remember how to say Gundlach Bundschu- Good luck wood shoe. 🤣
If you follow my comments, you’ll know that I adore Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand; I think your rating for Greywacke was spot on - in no way this is the ‘best’ NZ has to offer. There are so many others that have much more complex tastes, this unique gunflint aroma is absent in Greywacke, I really don’t know how WS chose it to be at the top-10.
If you approach Aglianico/Taurasi as if it was a Barolo, you’re on the right path. Many people assume it's like Nero d'Avola or Primitivo just because it's from the south of Italy. Irpinia or the Vulture region in Basilicata are mountainous regions: It snows in winter!
As a confirmed cynic, I would suggest that the sobriquet 'Lunchbag' arises from those who would like to suggest that they are sufficient of a Happening Person to casually sling a relatively high end wine into thier bag as though this were a routine behaviour.. After all, we all know that this kind of thing is common, especially when it comes to things like wine or art or classical music etc..
These are all way beyond my price range, but a fascinating insight into how the other half lives nonetheless, and most enjoyable as ever. Nice one Konstantin! 🍷⭐👍
In American English, "Lynch" rhymes with "inch" and the "G" in "Bages" would be hard and the "S" not silent, so I'm pretty sure it's just a playful pronunciation thing.
Great video, but the jar steals the show! Konstantin, you made my day!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice review!
Glad you enjoyed it
I always find it hard to compare wines made out of different varieties, as under different circumstances I like different wines more or less and see such lists as more of a marketing tool than something useful. But it is fun to compare and argue for your favorites with friends
Enjoyed the video! Always look forward to your input. I know the video it’s about the wine, but I actually wanted to know what was the wine glass you were using….beautiful!
Thanks!
I always add the name of the glass to the description. It was the Nude Stem Zero Powerful Red Wine Glass
I’m glad there are zero wines from Burgundy and (especially) Rioja, my two favorite regions. This might keep the prices from spiraling completely out of control. One can still buy perfectly drinkable Crianza for $12, and superb Reserva for $60 these days, a relative bargain. I’ve tried Lynch Bages, and have even been to the estate, and given the fact that a bottle is priced just below the vastly superior Pichon Baron, it seems overpriced to me.
I was in Pauillac recently and tried the 2014 Lynch-Bages. I thought it was good but very overpriced. There are much better buys in Bordeaux in general, and Pauillac specifically.
@@tekaldasagreed! The 2009 Vina Tondonia from Rioja is better than Lynch at $60.
Great video! Please do the same for the Wine Enthusiast top 100 and James Suckling top 100! Would be great to hear your thoughts on those as well (currently drinking #4 from Wine Enthusiast 2023 tonight).
Allow me to add to the story of Argiano. Wine maker is Hans Vinding Diers. Hans's father is Peter Vinding Diers, famous wine maker also. Presently living in Sicily. He is a.o. known for involvement with Tokaj. Peter's cousin is Peter Sisseck who on account of same first name was called Pingus. Peter Sisseck is the wine maker of Flor de Pingus and the more expensive Pingus. Great wines from Ribera del Duero. Hans has a brother called Anders also wine maker in Spain. Hans is a 'traveling wine maker's, a.o. owner of a vineyard in Argentina. As far as I understand the manager (owner?) of Argiano is an Italian widow with whom Hans should be romantically connected (but don't quote me…).
May i inquire as to the temperature of the natural cellar? Your personality is so warm and your video's so personable, the temperature appears to be a balmy 21 celsuis
More like 15 degrees C at this time of the year
on the Argiano in the UK the wine would be around £40 / $ 50 which equates to an improved price / quality ratio(?) against Lynch Bages? . Also surprised that it wasn't 2016 which is a better vintage as per Wine Searcher. Loved your style of explaining wine on a more enjoyable level - with a modern viewpoint. Absolutely agree smaller winery would have been better. I think WS are choosing wines according to their readers 'tongue' profiles and to be accessible to buy. Ciao Magic Marci in London @ 6.55 gmt
I bought a bottle of the Radici based on this-looking forward to it in a month! :-) "Only" CAD 67, and in normally-overpriced Nova Scotia to boot... Do you think a long decanting would help?
amazing
Could you do a tasting from wines in BC Canada?
I had exactly the same reaction recently with BANFI wines (Montalcino). Bought by Americans and made a bit into a disneyland type of winery. Their Brunellos are certainly good but are missing flair. I am very very surprised not to see ANY wine from Burgundy in the top 10 since in the 50-100 USD range there are simply amazing reds and fantastic whites.
I find it so odd that there are so few white wines in this list when quality is usually better at a given price point 😓
If you start going through the wines, you're going to have little trouble finding better wines at the same price point for some of them. Their scores are typically boosted precisely by the platform that promotes them. So when you look at reviews for, let's say that Chianti for example, the general consensus sans the CT review will be at around 90, and the CT review will be at 95. Conclusion; it's a commercial driver and not an actual review. I hope I didn't surprise anyone.
I know. A lot of white wines are just as a good as top red wines. I love me some Rioja Blanco, Bordeaux Blanc, Soave Classico, Greco and Finger Lakes Riesling.
@@QualeQualeson r u saying money actually effects a review? I'm gob smacked!
Especially when you realize consumers are more into whites than reds these days. I also can't comprehend there is no German GG Riesling in the top 10.
It's unfortunate but not surprising. These lists cater to people with more money than taste and wine elitists don't value white wines unless they're aged in oak which suits me just fine. More delicious white wine for me!
Not happy that they chose argiano since it was one of my favorite modestly priced brunellos a few years ago. Still have a number that I bought at 45 bucks. At 100 you can buy 2 bottles of higher level chiantis and walk out the door with change!
When I’m told that a wine smells of cassis I find myself wanting cassis instead! The fruit is also called blackcurrant and for decades it was banned here in the USA (mostly) because the plant supposedly is a host for a disease affecting Pinus strobus. So it’s still a relatively rare flavor here (instead we get Concord grape in the purple niche), treasured by the few who know it.
Of course I drink Kir.
A nice glass by the way. What's the brand? I can't recognise it.
Jancis Robinson's?
Lynch Bages is one of my all time favorite wines.
Given your comments about the billionaires, lol, I think you'll have to have a blind tasting of billionaire owned vs. family owned from similar regions and see if the latter really does outperform the former, or, if it's the placebo effect of knowing it (belongs to a billionaire) that makes you enjoy the former less ! Lol, that would be fun.
The good and the bad, good, I learn about new wines, the bad, wines on the list sell out fast. Thanks
Only a few wineries remain today that make wine in Northern California as they did in the "old days" (50s - 80s). Dunn leads that pack without doubt. To my understanding, Mike makes the wines today and leaves a different impression on each vintage than Randy. But there is a common thread of old-school, high quality, age-worthy winemaking throughout the decades of Dunn. These wines are exceptional and will last a very, very long time.
Unfortunately Dunn changes its style in 1998 and 1999. The wines used to be extremely mineral and animalic, but certainly not to everyone's taste. Now they are a little more modern but not so unique anymore.
I’m excited to see what originality Alex will bring to the winery in the next few years!
Aren’t Dunn Howell Mt. covered in wax?
Hey awesome stuff just try an older argiano you see it's amazing also get that thing in auction for $50 to $60 I think that's why he got 1st place ? I'm still waiting to see stella di campalto in the top 10 ❤
Konstantin, you left some Pinot in the glass before pouring #1 wine! Oh no! It added 1 or 2 points to the Brunello I guess))
I usually rinse my glasses out before pouring the next wine. In the edit it looks like I poured it on top though
I can get decent Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Aldi here in Florida. 90 rated? Not quite but most are $10 or less.
Too young.......too young......and too young again......i feel with you Konstantin;)
As always, I spent this summer in Montalcino, renting a house at the wine estate. More than that I met talked about Argiano as number one at the list of Wine Spectator. All where surprised and all talked about the raise of price of the Argiano wines. And more than one talked about comparing Argiano with other brunellos from the slope of southwest of Montalcino, and no one did place Argiano at the first place. Myself I have not tasted Argiano since the .take over of the guys with the big money, but according to my taste, is has never been a big thing.
You talked about testing wines from smaller estates. Close to Argiano there is Caprili, Fattoi and Villa Santa Restituta, which should not be confused with Pieve Santa Restituta, a Gaja estate. The others, including Matè and Case Basse di Soldera (which i now more brand with prices of there own) are family owned, La Villa (the label is Castelli Martinozzi) has a very long history. Something to try?
Although I believe Wine Spectator may not be biased, their tastings are not blind. So like what I have experienced here in Washington state, ratings can tend to be influenced based on the reviewer. It seems odd that the number one pick didn’t seem to fit, but I enjoyed your take on the top 10.
Wine Spectator is completely biased. I was visiting the Bordeaux region recently, and was at one of the top chateau for a tasting. The chateau building is no longer used for making wine, so it’s used as a hospitality “hotel” for “wine dignitaries” (their term), and when pressed on the matter, our guide admitted that it was for major wine reviewers to stay for free while they’re in the Medoc. She mentioned one by name, a staff writer at WS. Would that guy EVER write a sub 95 score for that kind of free swag? No way.
I have had the 2016 Argiano and, for the money, it was a really good Brunello. Prices in Europe, in my case Sweden, are however half or less than the USD 90…
The Greywacke is also good value and a solid SB from New Zeeland but I must admit I struggle to see how it can qualify to a top-10 list.
Dear konstantin, when you tasted the last wine (brunello) it seems to me there is still red wine left in the glass from wine before? Can that interfere the correct tasting of the wine? By the way, I like your tasting very mocht and enjoy watching!
It was cut out but I rinsed out the glass with a sip of the wine and then poured myself a glass. I prefer doing that to make sure that the previous wine does not impact the next.
The only Top10 I can afford is a top10 of my local "Jacques Wein-Depot" here in Germany. LMAO
I have had this Brunello a few times a few years ago, 2015 and 2016 vintage. Both good but as you say and I also thought when WS 2023 results came, not top 10 perhaps part of top 100. I also vaguely remember this going for around 40 euros as the time so 90 USD sounds quite expensive. I do think that their blend Solengo is a much better wine and belongs in the top 50(?) of this list.
I opened a bottle of the Clos des Papes 2003 for my daughter's wedding, it was the Wine Spectator's wine of the year and was sorely disappointed. It was a decent but not great wine... You can't rely solely on the wine rankings, buy what you like to drink?
I would love to see you rate these blind, then re-taste them seeing.
The WS Top 100 list is always a bit esoteric. Back in the “old” days, WS paid a lot of attention to vintages. Thus, for 1991 or 1994 releases, Cal Cabs dominated. In 1998, 95 Bordeaux were well represented (as was Cal Cabs). At some point, it all changed and now, it’s a hodgepodge of different wines from different regions without a real thought to how good a particular vintage may be in a particular region.
There are some really good excellent wines being made in Santa Barbara or in Sicily, but it’s pretty rare to find them on a WS list due to availability. And that is the key: WS is a US publication, so it’s the US availability that is a key. I don’t know if you’ll find Spottswoode Cab on WS because it’s so highly allocated (but the 2015, 2018 and 2019 all got 100 pts from the Advocate, granted that Parker has handed off tasting duties to others for years now).
Did anyone notice that Konstantin poured the Argiano into a glass with the previous wine still in it?!
I usually rinse my glasses out before pouring the next wine. In the edit it looks like I poured it on top though
My Top 10 would be completely different. All European (except for NZ), mostly whites, and all dry: vermentino, chablis, verdejo, albarino, sauv. blanc, cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo, etc.
The lunch bags nickname totally makes sense. Its only about how to pronounce it. Think of the English calling Ypres, Wipers.
Hard to see logic in this list. Availability in the US market probably explains something.
About the Brunello, I wonder what your opinion is tasting back after 6 hours or a day later.
I didn’t taste this one, but I am also surprised as it was a somewhat lesser Brunello vintage. Nice video!
Oh, Wine Spectator. Never change. Haha. Konstantin, are you familiar with the NYC-based online publication VinePair? They recently released their 50 Best of 2023. A little more "off-the-beaten-path" and intriguing in spots. Might be fun to explore those wines. A $38 natural Syrah (from 12 acres in the Northern Rhone) came in at #1.
This is a super weird list
I just can’t wrap my head around buying a wine now to drink in 10-15 years time, unless you’re a collector. ‘Needs a little more time’ I was thinking 6 months 😂
Welcome to the wonderful world of Bordeaux!
I am curious, how is too young defined? And how do you decide what's the right amount of years to put it back?
That is tricky and it depends on the wine style. Lynch Bages has a track record of aging very well so based on that I know that similar vintages have aged easily for 10 years.
@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine thanks for the insights. I think it would be nice to make a video once about how a wine critic assess potential of a wine and when is a wine too young vs just bad wine. I think it's a big mystery box for many here :D
Yes, that would be very interesting😊
Greywacke Wild Sauvignon is a lovely and interesting wine. I'm not usually a fan of Sauv B but I really enjoyed the 2018 vintage. Not tried the standard Sauv B and will seek it out. Would love your opinion on the Wild Sauv if you see it available. Love the channel Kon. Keep up the great work!
what's the producer of that wine glass!?
Argiano: abillionaire's wine of course!!! Where are Chateauneuf du Pape and Cannonau and Viogner???
The Occidental is amazing and the Kistlers are very kind people.
I think they have included quality price ratio into their score. For me greywacke, marchesi antinori CCR, andargiano BDM arent great wines like the other wines on the list, but quite affordable.
Why don't you Coravin these way too young wines?
I'm a somm here in Italy and I canceled my subscription to WS a few years ago because it was so US-focused. Ever the Italian wines that they write about are often hard or impossible to find here in Italy. If you're in Europe, Decanter is better.