Stocking Up - The Best Wines of 2010

Over a crisp dry white I’ve been talking with some dear friends about the year’s highlights. The setting? A glorious summery Melbourne evening. The conversation veered in lots of directions, as good gatherings do. But among the hot topics was the vote for our top tipples of the year - the best bottle we’d shared in 2010. Wish I could share the full list with you, but I was enjoying the topic so much I didn't stop to write it down!

But it got me thinking: sometimes we need some inspiration to shake up a celebration, or wind things down - depending on the event. So in the absence of our evening’s (very subjective) listings, I offer instead a selection of 2010 award winners, as judged by fine Australian and international experts. Who are probably far less subjective and incidentally, remembered to write it all down…

Winning Wines of 2010

Here’s some suggested winners, from awards throughout this year. It’s by no means exhaustive but might help you out when you’re standing in the local wondering what’s going to be a hit for your guests at the next dinner party / end of year celebration.

CHARDONNAY

2009 Thomas Hyland Chardonnay - Penfolds

2009 Heytesbury Chardonnay - Vasse Felix

2008 Reserve Bin 08A Chardonnay - Penfolds

2009 Ishtar Chardonnay – Balthazar of the Barossa

2009 Bin 1 Chardonnay – Leura Park Estate

RIESLING

2010 Riesling - Heggies

2009 Riesling – Moores Hills

2004 Wigan Eden Valley Riesling - Peter Lehmann

2008 Riesling – Wild Earth

SAUVIGNON BLANC

2009 Sauvignon Blanc - Bay of Fires

2010 Glazebrook Sauvignon Blanc - Ngatawara

2010 Sauvignon Blanc – Leura Park Estate

2010 Sauvignon Blanc - Fratelli

SEMILLON

2009 Semillon - Pooles Rock

2007 Winemakers Reserve Hunter Valley Semillon - Cellarmasters

2003 Bin 9000 Semillon – McGuigan

PINOT NOIR

2009 Pinot Noir – Wild Earth

2009 Pinot Noir – Moores Hill

2009 Pinot Noir - Coldstream Hills

SHIRAZ

2008 Canberra District Shiraz - Tyrrell’s

2008 Shiraz – Balthazar of the Barossa

2006 Shiraz - Mount Langi Ghiran

2007 Heathcote Shiraz – Fratelli

2008 Wynns Michael Shiraz - Wynns Coonawarra

2008 Awakening Shiraz – Watershed Premium Wines

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Fuddling Cup

2008 Yublong Cabernet Sauvignon – Leura Park Estate

Selections taken from personal favorites and 2010 Awards:

Royal Adelaide Wine Show

Dan Murphy’s National Wine Show of Australia

Decanter Wine Awards – Australian Regional Winners

Shanghai International Wine Challenge