This year has been remarkable for Taste of Wine and Food. Reflecting on the past decade, I can confidently say 2024 has been a banner year. Frank, who founded the column 19 years ago, agrees it’s been one of the best yet. We had plenty to savor, from wine festivals and elegant dinners to the premium “Beyond the Cellar” showcase at Torrey Pines and my solo trip to Napa Valley.
This Top 10 List highlights our favorite wines, starting with Rico’s selections, including four reds and a standout chardonnay, followed by Frank’s picks of four reds and a delicious chardonnay.
Caymus Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2022, $72: The 2022 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon celebrates 50 years of Chuck Wagner’s iconic winemaking. Known for low crop yields, dry farming, and harvesting at peak ripeness, Caymus delivers bold, fruit-forward wines. The 2022 vintage is rich and jammy, offering full-bodied blackberry flavors with hints of vanilla and caramel. I paired this with a filet mignon, and it was a harmonious pairing. Cheers to 50 remarkable years, Chuck! Caymus.com.
Far Niente, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2022, $130: Far Niente, an iconic Napa Valley winery with 140 years of history, is celebrated for its exceptional chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. At the “Beyond the Cellar” event, I enjoyed tasting the 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which paired exquisitely with prime rib and venison lollipops. The nose offered mixed berries, floral notes and baking spice, while the palate delivered lush berry flavors and a silky, spice-kissed finish. Farniente.com.
Harvey & Harriet, Red Blend, Paso Robles, 2022, $28: I revisited this red blend more than any other wine in 2024, often snagging it at Costco for $19.99. Harvey & Harriet is winemaker Eric Jensen’s tribute to his parents to create an affordable everyday wine. It is a Bordeaux blend with cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot and malbec, and some Rhône-style syrah and grenache, along with petite sirah for blending. Its blackberry, fig and currant notes, hints of cocoa, and bright finish make this an excellent value crowd-pleaser. Harveyandharriet.com.
La Magia, Brunello di Montalcino, 2018, $99: I enjoyed this DOCG Brunello at my monthly Italian Stallions luncheon at San Diego’s The Godfather restaurant, where six of us gathered to share food, wine, and lively conversation. Stallion Jeff Giglio brought the La Magia to our November meeting, which paired beautifully with my Veal Parmigiani entree. The sangiovese showcased bright cherry flavors with oak, tobacco, and vanilla undertones. Three years of aging in 500-liter French oak barrels produced bright acidity and soft tannins. fattorialamagia.it.
The Prisoner Wine Company, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2021, $40: A standout white wine comes from the makers of Napa’s most iconic red blend. Crafted by Chrissy Wittmann and her team, The Prisoner Chardonnay is a medium-dry blend with splashes of viognier and gewürztraminer. Sourced from Carneros’ San Pablo Bay fruit, it offers crisp flavors of baked apple and pear, complemented by subtle vanilla and pineapple notes on the nose. Malolactic fermentation adds creamy mouthfeel elegance. Theprisonerwinecompany.com.
Frank’s Picks
Rico and I have discovered the best wines to sip and savor. We hope you’ll enjoy them as much as we did. Let’s get to my four reds and one dreamy white leading off.
Amici, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, 2021, $30: In a rare wine moment, I have repeated my Amici pick from last year with the 2021 version. Amici’s promise of “a wine created by friends, for friends” again is a passionate best-of-breed statement. The Amici owner is Bob Shepard, with the great Anthony Biagi winemaker. Amicicellars.com.
Gelson’s Rutherford, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, 2022, $34: This remarkable Cab Franc undergoes traditional fermentation in stainless steel tanks under precise temperature control, followed by 18 months in new French barrels. The result is a richly hued, full-bodied wine from the top-rated Julien Fayard. Gelsons.com.
Molly Dooker Two Left Feet, Red Blend, South Australia, 2021, $30: Molly Dooker’s Two Left Feet has just the right combination of 70% shiraz, 15% cabernet sauvignon and 15% merlot. To enjoy this wine, serve at 60 degrees “with a hop and a skip in your step.” Mollydookerwines.com.
Poggi Amarone della Valpolicella, Italy, 2017, $35: This is a classic Italian government DOCG-rated wine with the coveted “appassimento” winemaking method. It’s your wine if you enjoy a big, bold red from the Veneto region of Italy. To give Amarone depth and complexity, the grapes are dried and fermented for 90 days to create intense fruit, balanced acidity and a slight sweetness. It is a compelling and unique wine. Cantinepoggi.it.
Rombauer Vineyards, Zinfandel, Napa Valley, 2021, $38: Considered the king of California zinfandel, sourced from some of the state’s oldest wine regions. All grapes are handpicked, sorted in the vineyard and again in the cellar using an optical sorter to ensure flawless fruit. Rombauer.com.
Rico Cassoni is the executive producer for Taste of Wine and Food. Cassoni and founder/advisor Frank Mangio, a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator, are two of the leading reviewers on the web. View their columns at tasteofwineandfood.com. Reach them at [email protected].
