Dear Subscribers -
We've just published our Top 100 Wines of 2023!
The selection is based on a combination of quality, value, availability, and a little bit of Wow Factor. It was made by scrolling through thousands of reviews at JebDunnuck.com and painstakingly cutting the list to these 100 wines.
The list is led by Bordeaux's incredible 2020s as well as California's stunning 2021s from the Central Coast but includes wines from throughout the world including Napa, Sonoma, Oregon, Washington, the Rhône Valley, Champagne, Piedmont, and Tuscany.
As I say in the article, every producer on this list is worth your time and money!
Happy hunting, and wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season!
Jeb and the whole team at JebDunnuck.com
Breaking down the 2023s from barrel with a top 25 selection and the top wines from each region..Now that the latest En Primeur Campaign is at an end, it’s always interesting to look back at the top releases as well as prices. The selection below is built largely around wine quality and wines I felt stood out in the vintage, which is where I think the focus should be for En Primeur purchasing. Release price also plays a role but is not the sole factor. If you’re buying for consumption, I don’t think obsessing over a few dollars either way is the way to go, and you should buy wines you’re excited about and wines you want to have in your cellar. While I still believe 2023 is going to check in behind the trio of 2018, 2019, and 2020, as well as 2022, it’s a strong vintage. Reviewing wines from barrel is challenging, and readers should never forget that these are unfinished wines and that the rating should be taken with a grain of salt. /2024/06/the-top-bordeaux-2023-en-primeur/
Little Paso Robles (don’t @ me with York Mountain BS 😂) throw down to cap a terrific Central Coast trip… at a high level, 2021s are structured, classic, and age worthy, 2022s are ripe, sexy, and soft (and variable), and the 2023s appear to be concentrated, pure, and elegant.
Dear Subscribers -
We’ve just published @audrey_frick ’s latest report on Piedmont, which focuses on the 2019s, 2020s, and some 2021s. The report covers over 600 wines and 158 producers.
New Releases from Barolo and Barbaresco
“Starting with the bulk of the report, the high-level takeaway is that the 2020 vintage in both Barolo and Barbaresco is mainly characterized by finesse and elegance that harkens to the 2018 vintage, with fine tannins and an approachable feel. However, the wines have more substance and richness, with deeper concentration than the 2018s. In general, they will have a wide drinking window given…” - Audrey Frick
What some advice on how to spend your money? We’re here to help with some unbiased opinions. The latest report covers over 600 wines and close to 500 châteaux.
“Should you by 2023 En Primeur?
As I write every year, I believe there are four reasons to buy a vintage En Primeur: 1) If it is a great vintage; 2) If the wines are expected to increase in price; 3) If quantities are limited; and 4) If you are buying wines in formats other than 750-milliliter bottles.
Looking at 2023, it’s a borderline case. It’s not a truly great vintage, yet I believe there are a handful of gems in the vintage that will rival the best from 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020. While En Primeur has largely been a bust from an investment standpoint, with five of the past six vintages now selling for less than En Primeur prices, the prices for 2023 wisely appear to be coming…”
As always, happy hunting!
Jeb
Breakfast of Champions with #hospicedurhone in Walla Walla! Talking about the diversity, style, and quality of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with some incredible vignerons, wines, and wine lovers. 🙏🙏❤️
Still missing my girl, but as they say, the show must go on… We fostered this little guy (KC) and his brother for close to three months and when his brother was adopted, we couldn’t say goodbye and decided to have our first foster fail… little guy is pondering life’s mysteries this morning 😂
