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