In the world of wine, ratings are not only a measure of quality, but also a compass for wine lovers to explore unknown delicacies. From Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (RP) to James Suckling (JS) to Wine Spectator (WS), scores from authoritative wine critics always inspire our curiosity and yearning for those top wines. Today, let us embark on this journey of discovery together, explore those wineries that have received perfect ratings, and experience the ultimate feast they bring to your taste buds.
1. Château Pontet-Canet
In the Pauillac region of Bordeaux, France, Château Pontet-Canet stands out for its excellent quality and biodynamic practices. Since the Tesseron family took over in 1975, the winery has been completely renovated, not only improving the winemaking facilities, but also carefully cultivating the vines, making it one of the “Super Second”. In 2009 and 2010, these two vintages received 100 points from Robert M. Parker Jr. respectively. The 2009 was hailed as one of the best vintages in Bordeaux since 1982, while the 2010 was “The brew of the century.”
2. Bodegas Alto Moncayo S.A.
In Spain, Alto Moncayo has won world-wide acclaim for its superb winemaking skills and unique vineyard management. Helmed by Chris Ringland, a famous Australian winemaker, the winery insists on using grapes aged 40-70 years, fully demonstrating the terroir and charm of Campo de Borja D.O. The two wines in 2007 and 2009 received full marks from Robert M. Parker Jr.. The perfect balance between fruity and mineral flavors is amazing.
3. Paul Hobbs Winery
Paul Hobbs, known as the “Steve Jobs of the wine world,” founded a winery named after himself in the Russian River Valley in the United States. His wines have won 100 points five times, and his single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a favorite among collectors around the world. Paul firmly believes that every grape vine has a unique story and is committed to capturing the characteristics of the land and making every bottle of wine a work of art.
4. Henschke
Henschke is a well-respected family winery in Australia, and its Shiraz produced in single vineyards such as Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone is world-renowned. The 2016 Hill of Grace even received a 100-point rating from James Suckling. Its unparalleled richness, aftertaste and complexity are intoxicating.
5. Yangarra Estate Vineyard
At Yangarra Estate Vineyard, biodynamic farming and sustainable development concepts complement each other. The winery is famous for its old vines Grenache and Shiraz. Its flagship wine, Yangarra High Sands Grenache, has won many awards. The 2019 vintage even received a perfect score from James Suckling, demonstrating the winery’s ultimate pursuit of quality.
6. Standish
Australian winery Standish was founded by experienced winemaker Dan Standish. He inherited the family’s 96-year-old vine tree and brewed a wine with a rich body, smooth taste and dreamy aroma. These unique qualities earned Standish’s wine a perfect score from James Suckling.
7. Catena Zapata
Argentina’s high-altitude vineyards produce wines that are pure, rich, and richly layered. Catena Zapata’s Adrianna Vineyard, located nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, is South America’s first “Grand Cru”. The wines here are soft, silky, and multi-layered. Among them, the 2016 Adrianna Vineyard River Stones Malbec received a perfect score from Robert Parker, making history.
8. Sena
Sena was launched by Eduardo Chadwick, the owner of the famous Chilean winery Chadwick, and Robert Mondavi, the father of California wine. It is a wine that combines the soul of Chile with the blending style of Bordeaux. Sena has received ratings of over 90 points in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate for many years in a row, including two years in which it received full marks from James Suckling, demonstrating the excellent quality of Chilean wines.
9. Almaviva
Chile’s 「first-class winery」 Almaviva is jointly created by Baroness Philippe de Rothschild, the heiress of France’s Chateau Latour, and Chile’s Concha y Toro. This wine has been highly praised since its release. It has received more than 90 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate many times, and once received a perfect score from James Suckling. The addition of chief winemaker Michael Frio has taken Almaviva’s quality to a higher level, making it a strong contender for the world’s top Bordeaux Blend wines.
10. Clos Apalta
France’s Bournet-Lapostolle family realized their dream of making world-class wine in Chile’s Apalta Valley. Their Clos Apalta not only won the title of Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year, but also received perfect scores from James Suckling three times, demonstrating the perfect combination of French genes and Chilean terroir.
11. Vinedo Chadwick
Vinedo Chadwick is located at an altitude of 650 meters in Chile’s Alto Maipo Valley. Its vineyard is known as one of the most suitable terroirs for growing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery made history in its first vintage, beating many famous French wineries at the Berlin wine tasting. The 2004 wine received a perfect score from James Suckling, becoming the first Chilean wine in history to receive a perfect score. Founder Educardo Chadwick’s vision and determination put Chilean wine on the world stage.
These wineries have not only won world-wide praise for their excellent wine quality, but have also become shining pearls in the wine world for their ultimate pursuit of terroir characteristics and deep understanding of the art of winemaking. If you have the opportunity to taste these perfect wines, I believe it will bring an unforgettable feast to your taste buds.
