As you know, from following this blog, wine plays a major role in all food experiences. I am Lawrence, the husband to the force behind The Whet Palette. My part is to (1) not touch the food until Brenda has photographed it, (2) occasionally hold a flash, and (3) pick the vino! With that being said, these are my 50 favorite sips of 2020, which also include some bubbly and brews.
Cheers!
Lawrence
1. 2010 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Saint-Julien, France
2. 2015 Sine Qua Non “Trouver L’Arène” Syrah, Central Coast, USA
3. 2009 Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, France
4. 2010 Hundred Acre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA
5. 2010 Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, France
6. 2016 Chappellet, Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley, USA
7. 2012 Diamond Creek, Gravelly Meadow, Napa Valley, USA
8. 2015 Promontory, Proprietary Red Blend, Harlan Estates, Napa Valley, USA
9. 2015 Dominus, Napa Valley, USA
10. 2015 Château La Fleur-Pétrus, Pomerol, France










11. 2012 Cardinale, Napa Valley, USA
12. 2012 Dalla Valle Maya, Proprietary Red Blend, Napa Valley, USA
13. 2005 Château Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien, France
14. 2014 Continuum, Napa Valley, USA
15. 2016 Ovid Syrah, Napa Valley, USA
16. 2010 Château Smith Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan, France
17. 2008 L’Espirit des Pavots, Peter Michael Winery, Napa Valley, USA
18. 2010 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer To Kalon, Oakville, USA
19. 2015 Sine Qua Non Syrah, Eleven Confessions, Central Coast, USA
20. 2008 Dalla Valle Maya, Proprietary Red Blend, Napa Valley, USA










21. 2014 Schrader Beckstoffer, Napa Valley, USA
22. 2017 Skipstone Viognier, Geyserville, USA
23. 1993 Dom Pérignon, Champagne, France
24. 1999 Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy
25. 2010 Saxum, Proprietary Blend, Paso Robles, USA
26. 2012 Piña Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, USA
27. 2020 Forever Stoned, Berliner Weisse, 3 Sons/Tripping Animals, USA
28. 2013 Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore, Veneto, Italy
29. 2015 Tenuta Guado al Tasso, Tuscany, Italy
30. 2003 Château d’Yquem Sauternes, Bordeaux, France









31. 2014 Continuum, Napa Valley, USA
32. 2014 Darioush Shiraz, Napa Valley, USA
33. 2016 Darioush Viognier, Napa Valley, USA
34. 2016 River Stones Malbec, Adrianna Vineyards, Argentina
35. 2013 Château L’Évangile, Pomerol, France
36. 2012 Vineyard House, Napa Valley, USA
37. 2012 Le Barrettage Syrah, La Sirena Vineyard, St Helena, USA
38. 2016 King Richard’s Reserve, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, USA
39. 2015 St. Henri Shiraz, Penfolds, Australia
40. 2016 Sinegal Reserve, St Helena, USA










41. 2012 Pine Ridge, Epitome, Napa Valley, USA
42. 2010 Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy
43. 2014 Revana Terroir Series, Napa Valley, USA
44. 2014 David Arthur Nebbiolo, St. Helena, USA
45. 2015 Chimney Rock, Ganymede Vineyard, Napa Valley, USA
46. 2019 Boysen Tha Hood, Berliner Weisse, 3 Sons Brewing, USA
47. 2012 Palmaz Gaston, Napa Valley, USA
48. 2015 Château d’Issan, Bordeaux, France
49. 2010 Charnu, St Helena, USA
50. 2011 Prado Enea, Rioja, Spain







If we’ve learned something this year, it’s to enjoy life to its fullest despite the roadblocks and detours. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Our passion for wine helped bring some normalcy during the quarantine days, and pleasure once dining out returned. A big thank you to the hubs for sharing some of HIS top wines. We don’t necessarily agree on every ranking here (just like he has his ideas on what the Top Bites should be- ha!), but we agree that every single one of these sips was exceptional and highly recommended.
Carpe diem, friends.
Cheers to a HEALTHY 2021!
Brenda
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