It
took a bit longer this January to put
together our collection of the Top 21
Wines of 2025. Honestly, there were so
many great ones. We finally narrowed our
selection from 85 to 60 and from there
down to 34. After revisiting wine note
after wine note, and in the process
opening a few bottles, we finally arrived
at our Top 21.
The following wines were chosen for their
charm, merit, value, virtue, and of course
their story.
We
begin with our Top 21 through 11
with the Top 10 arriving in your inbox
early next week.
Read,
Sip, Relax, Enjoy!
And
if you see anything you like let us know,
it just may be in stock.
#21
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2024
Bastide de la Ciselette Var Rosé
(France, Provence, Var)
$18.50
Right out of the gate this Mourvedre-based
Rose was the Summer’s best seller, and the
Fall’s best seller, and our best selling
Rose throughout the holiday season.
From the department of Var in Provence,
this 80% Mourvedre. 20% Merlot is
outstanding. Fresh, lively, well-balanced
with perfect mouthwatering acidity, and
enticing savory notes. A wine we
thoroughly enjoyed at the beach on a
perfect Monday afternoon, and with
uber-fresh ceviche at Clark’s in
Montecito.
#20
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2023
Domaine de Fenouillet Beaumes-de-Venise
Terres Blanches
(France, Southern Rhône,
Beaumes-de-Venise)
$24
Our
top GSM blend in 2025 (50% Grenache, 35%
Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre). Loaded with red
fruit (cherry, raspberry…), black fruits
(blackberry + Loganberry), garrigue, and
spice (think thyme with hints of herb de
Provence). Very classic for this region,
seductive with silky tannins, velvety with
a persistent finish.
Impressive depth! Excellent with braised
meat, shish kabob, hardy stews. Organic
too.
#19
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2023
Caravaglio Antonino Vignedimare Abissale
Salina IGT
(Italy, Sicily, Salina IGT)
$38
While
the Aeolian island Salina is well known
for its orchards, capers, and olive groves
there’s been a wine community here for
centuries. In fact Malvasia delle Lipari
is only grown in Sicily and specifically
on this small island (along with its
sister island Lipari). Volcanic soils are
this varietal’s friend imparting a
fascinating minerality much like the wines
from Mt Etna.
We discovered this wonderful wine from our
Kermit Lynch sales rep. We were so
enamored with it we ordered three cases on
the spot. And have since ordered countless
more.
Wonderful aromatics, tropical citrus, wild
mountain flowers/herbs, lychee, blood
orange, key lime, hints of pineapple, and
lovely minerality. Fresh, exotic,
tantalizing!
#18
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Parigot
& Richard Crémant de Bourgogne
Monocrome Rose
Brut
(France, Burgundy, Crémant de Bourgogne)
$36
We could count on 5, maybe 6 hands how
many times this Cremant was mistaken for
Champagne last year. It really is that
good.
We
first discovered Parigot & Richard in
a small café in Paris back when the franc
was still the currency of France. But it
wasn’t until recently that their Cremant
Rose really began to shine. Perhaps
switching to a 100% Pinot Noir base was
the answer.
Specifically from Savigny-lès-Beaune, this
gem has a crisp, salmon-colored profile
with notes of strawberry and cherry with
shades of the exotic. Vibrant,
mineral-driven, with a creamy mousse and
energetic finale.
#17
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2021
Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches
(France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon)
$34
A
few years ago at that crazy Kermit Lynch
anniversary tasting in San Francisco (650
people squished together in a 300 person
room) we met Anne-Charlotte Genet from
Charles Joguet. It was the single spot in
the event center that we could stand
without slamming into someone. We calmly
tasted through the line up and then left
the madness with one thought: these are
some of the best Cab Francs in the Loire.
Fast forward to this wine and the 2021
vintage and our minds have not changed.
Crunchy and classic, black currant and
raspberry, lovely aromatics, and a clean,
crisp finish. Free-run juice only for
maximum purity and finesse. Vineyards
planted between 1930 and 1940.
#16
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2023
Domaine Labbé Vin de Savoie Abymes
(France, Savoie, Vin de Savoie Abymes)
$18.50
One
amazing daily drinking white, crisp and
mouthwatering, made of 100%
Jacquère.
Tangy, chalky mineral notes with lemon,
green pear and white flower notes abound.
A classic white from Savoie.
Backtracking
to late 2025 and a seasoned traveler
nearly broke down in tears when he saw
this wine on our shelves. And he was
equally elated when we mentioned we were
happy to ship the wine to his home. Some
might say he was greedy with his order,
others would understand his love for the
wine.
#15
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2024
Alfred Merkelbach Riesling trocken
(Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer)
$24
Weingut
Alfred Merkelbach is a tiny, traditional
Riesling estate in Ürzig on the Mosel,
founded in 1867 and long regarded as one
of the most old‑school producers in the
region.
In the 20th century the estate came
to be run by brothers Alfred and Rolf
Merkelbach, who farmed and made wine
virtually alone and became cult figures
among Mosel traditionalists.
Alfred, the elder, had to take on major
responsibility very young, taking over the
estate after his father fell ill in the
early 1950s, and the brothers ultimately
amassed well over 100 vintages between
them.
Let’s credit Terry Theise for discovering
this great estate and for having the
courage to import their Riesling at a time
(the 80s) when honest Riesling in America
was a very tough sell.
This Trocken-styled wine from 2024 is a
symphony of texture and flavor. Day 1 it
is lean, beady acid-driven, energized. Day
2 more of the fruit arrives; slightly
under ripe tropics, hints of orchard
fruit, it seems more relaxed. Day 3 the
wine is still going strong; now it’s
asking for grilled swordfish with a
tropical salsa. A brilliant achievement
here.
#14
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2024
Tre Monti Sangiovese di Romagna
Superiore
Campo di mezzo
(Italy, Emilia-Romagna)
$18.50
We
ran some numbers while whittling our top
wines down to a manageable number. Turns
out for 8 years running this wine has been
our best selling Sangiovese, and for good
reason; there's value in its greatness.
Whether enjoyed with pizza, burgers,
bolognese, grilled pork, mushroom risotta,
it stood up to the challenge. It's the
type of wine you make friends with.
#13
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2023
Lo-Fi Wines Trousseau Clos Mullet
(Santa Barbara County)
$26
Mike
& Craig really knocked this one out of
the park, and from a fairly obscure French
grape. One of our regulars posted their
thoughts on cellartracker. We enjoyed
their review so much we simply had to
share:
"Holy
moly - where do we even start? Beautiful
light yet cloudy color. The nose is
spectacular! Freshness for days, light and
elegant. The fruit just dances seamlessly
on the tongue and the taste is just so
pure and delicious… Wow! And highly
recommend people to seek out this wine -
right now folks!"
There's
no higher praise than that.
#12
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2023
Castello di Verduno Verduno Pelaverga
Basadone
(Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Verduno Pelaverga)
$40
Speaking
of obscure varietals our number 12 wine is
made from the grape known as Pelaverga and
is grown only (as far as we know) in tiny
vineyards in Piedmont. 30 hectares
when we arrived at our final count. For
some perspective there are around 6,000
hectares of Nebbiolo planted in Piedmont.
We
love the bright acidity in this wine, the
crunchy texture, its snappy and succulent
body and the mouthwatering freshness. If
you've never tried this wine it may catch
you off guard in the best imaginable way.
#11
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2024
Nicole Chanrion Côte de Brouilly
(France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte de
Brouilly)
$26
This
may be the Gamay we bring home the most;
the one we share often, the one we love to
sip on at the end of the day. It's
classic, soulful, inviting. We love the
crunchy red berry fruit, the
volcanic minerality from the terroir,
the near weightless to the juice yet it
packs a wallop. Ethereal comes to mind.
It's an expressive creation and what's not
to love about the price.
And
now...hold your breath:
The
Top 10
Let's jump right in!
#10
2015
Michel Gonet
Champagne Grand Cru
Coeur du Mesnil
Blanc de Blancs
(France, Champagne)
$85
Delicate
aromas of citrus and
green apple are given
weight by a lightly
creamy, biscuit
texture. Acidity is
nervy and cutting,
still very fresh over
eight years after the
vintage. A long,
persistent, subtly
spicy finish completes
this keenly priced
wine. Round notes of
lemon curd, yeasty
brioche, and poached
pears. This is bright
and lean with a
lingering texture on
the palate. Fermented
in stainless steel.
Aged on the lees for
over 7 years before
disgorgement. Bottled
without dosage as Brut
Nature. Vintage Blanc
de Blancs Champagne
from Grand Cru
vineyards? Yes please!
And
so the Top 10 begins.
#9
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2024
Collestefano
Verdicchio di
Matelica
(Italy, Marche,
Verdicchio di
Matelica)
$26
We
used to sell another
Verdicchio from
Marche, with a splashy
label, and a cool
name, then one vintage
just wasn't the same.
We couldn't put our
finger (taste buds) on
it; the energy was
lacking, the texture
missing its
textbook-ness. It was
like losing a favorite
risotto recipe. Then
out of the blue
lightning struck and
Collestefano filled
our palates with
minerally goodness,
energetic acidity,
cool tropical fruit,
and a tangy salinity.
So good is the wine
that it made our Top
10 list and was in the
Top 5 of our most
enjoyed Italian
whites.
A great way to begin
an evening? With this
one.
#8
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2022
Bernard Burgaud
Côte-Rôtie
(France, Rhône,
Northern Rhône,
Côte-Rôtie)
$88
While
there were many
outstanding wines in
2025 this Syrah blew
our minds. Vibrant,
packed with taunt
energy, hints of old
world rustic charm,
perfectly balanced,
intriguing, seductive,
wonderful.
"One
vigneron, one wine" is
how this wine was
pitched to us, and
that's what Pierre
Burgaud focuses on;
make the best wine you
can with the vines you
have.
Simply brilliant!
#7
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2024
Weingut Willi
Bründlmayer Grüner
Veltliner
Terrassen Kamptal
(Austria,
Niederösterreich,
Kamptal)
$32
There's
something about this
vintage that speaks to
the Gruner in all of
us, whether it's
the juicy citrus
and flinty minerality,
or the salty, crispy
mid-palate, or the
unspeakable charm of
the wine with, say,
grilled oysters or
wiener schnitzel.
It's a gosh darn work
horse of allurement,
fearlessness, and
exemplarism (an other
worldly word for an
other worldly wine).
Zum Wohl!
#6
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2022
Anne Sophie Dubois
Vin de France Sans
Detour
(France, Vin de
France)
$28
Anne
Sophie's vineyards are
in Fleurie so you may
wonder why the label
spells out 'Vin de
France' instead of
Fleurie? It's due to
the Beaujolais wine
laws.
This unique wine is
made from the rare
Gamaret grape and
therefore cannot be
labeled as a cru
Beaujolais. Anne
Sophie was curious
about this grape,
originally a Swiss
cross of Gamay and
Reichensteiner. And
when her curiosity
gets the better of her
wonderful things
emerge.
Such as this wine.
Rustic, floral, savory
with vibrant energy,
subtle forest floor
notes, cool herbs and
gentle tannins.
The grapes are from
pink granite soils in
the Les Labourons area
of Fleurie lending a
delicious minerality
to the wine as it
opens up.
All in all this is
quite a treasure.
#5
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2023
COS Nero di Lupo
(Italy, Sicily)
$30
Prior
to 1980 there was no
thought on Sicilian
wines; no discussion,
not even a whisper of
promise. They were, as
the great English wine
writer once exclaimed,
"PLONK".
Then
in 1980 three school
friends got together
to make some wine; it
was cheaper than
buying it (the
families had
vineyards), and again,
they hated what was
available; in other
words they thought
they could do better.
46
years later COS is
still going strong,
credited with shinning
a spotlight on what
Sicilian wines can
produce: exception
quality.
Their
2023 Nero di Lupo
(Frappato & Nero
d'Avola) is a heroic
effort in a climate
that can be merciless.
Violets,
lavender, wild red and
dark berry, stone
(stone?), lively,
soulful, a wine that
shows Will.
#4
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2023
La Ghibellina Gavi
Mainin
(Italy, Piedmont,
Gavi)
$26
Cortese.
A varietal rarely
mentioned, even in
Piedmont. The wine is
simply called Gavi as
in, "I'll have another
Gavi". We heard that a
lot last year; on a
near daily basis.
People scrambling
through the door
asking us to direct
them to "that" Gavi.
And "that" Gavi is
this Gavi.
We
came across the wine a
bit by chance. We were
walking a client out
to the car with a box
of Summer Roses when
she mentioned that we
shouldn't miss the
latest Lettie Teague
column on Roses.
What
we came across first
when searching WSJ was
an article with the
long winded title:
Pre-Pinot Grigio,
This Wine Was the
Chic Italian White.
Is It Time to Give
Gavi Another Chance?.
We
skimmed it quickly and
thought it was, time,
for a second chance.
Lettie and staff chose
La Ghibellina as their
favorite wine from
Gavi in their article.
We managed to track
down the source, and
eventually run the
importer dry of the
wine.
We
still have a bit on
the shelves, and many
bottles in the fridge
at home. It's a wine
that is pretty great
with everything.
#3
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2023
Domaine des
Aubuisières Vouvray
Cuvée de Silex
(France, Loire Valley,
Touraine, Vouvray)
$28
You
know there's charisma
in a wine when even
the most staunch
opponents of Chenin
Blanc named this wine
their 'New
Favorite' in
2025.
Chenin Blanc has a
little of that
Riesling reputation.
"Is it going to be
sweet?", you hear. "I
don't like oxidation
in my wines, why would
I like Chenin Blanc?",
spoken quite often.
Then there's those in
the know or the
adventurous amongst us
that say, "just pour
the wine in the glass
and I'll decide".
To
date it seems everyone
decided in favour of
this one.
#2
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2021
Istine Chianti
Classico Riserva
Levigne
(Italy, Tuscany,
Chianti, Chianti
Classico DOCG)
$65
In
her young career
Angela Fronti has
already made a name
for herself. Scores of
articles have been
written about her,
high praise -and high
points- have been
awarded for her wines.
But that's not why
this wine is here, in
the number two spot,
today.
A
handful of Sangiovese
geeks/wine-lovers/brilliant
local winemakers have
been enthused with
this Sangiovese from
Istine for most of
last year. And we
thought it was only
us.
When
we got together and
talked about the wine
others thought we were
speaking in tongues.
"Day 3 the CC
intensity really
presided".
"...scattante baby!"
And on and on.
In
more sensible moments
we enjoyed the wines
with appropriate
risottos at dinner and
verses
from Vittorio
Alfieri afterwards.
For
now let's just say
this is Chianti at its
peak; its rarest form.
And what excites us
the most with Istine
and Angela? This is
only the beginning.
and
the #1 wine of 2025
is...
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2023
Lingua Franca Pinot Noir Avni
(USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola
- Amity Hills)
$36
We
can guess what your thinking. Number
One wine of 2025? You're saying to
yourself, OREGON???. Believe
you me, if it hadn't been for a
luncheon at Bettina with the
owner/winemaker Larry Stone we would
have missed out on a day quite
profound.
First
off, if you are not familiar with the
name Larry Stone please look him up.
He has had a storied career. First
American to win the Grand Prix de
Sopexa (pissed off the French to no
end), was the wine guy at Charlie
Trotter’s in Chicago &
later Rubicon Restaurant in SF, and
has won multiple James Beard
Awards. That's the first paragraph of
a very long biography.
Between
the staff at Renegade we spent the day
talking with him, tasting his wines,
and becoming reinvigorated with PINOT
NOIR!
We'll
admit it, we taste tons of wines made
from Pinot Noir and after a good solid
year it becomes old news. So when we
took our first sip of this one our
hats flew off, tears welled, smiles
broadened; it was a moment.
The
end of the day was spent just shooting
the breeze; old friends, new
discoveries, travel and restaurants.
It wasn't until much later in the year
that we realized that the best story,
the best wine day, was this one.
We
appreciate everyone's support in 2025
and look forward to another banner
year full of new discoveries, new
travels, brilliant wines, shared with
family and friends.
Cheers!
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