This is the time of the year when I pull out all of the wine “wish” lists that I have accumulated over the year and review them.  Mind you, these are not nice organized lists but rather “wants” scribbled on sheets of paper of all sizes…..post it notes, legal sized yellow pads, a stray napkin, etc.  My job, if I decide to accept it (paying homage to the original 1960’s Mission Impossible), is to consolidate this mish mash of paper into a readable 2010 list.

No surprise to those who know me are the Rhone Rangers, both south and north.  While Southern Rhone has gotten the majority of publicity for its stellar vintages over the last several years, Northern Rhone has some world class wines as well.  On my list I have Vieux Donjon 2007 ( the ‘03’s, ‘04’s and ‘05’s are excellent, as well), Vieux Telegraph (2005 & 2007), Chateau Beaucastel 2007, St. Prefert, Domaine Charvin, Domaine Janasse, Pierre Usseglio both ‘05’s and ‘07’s.  These are wines that range from $60-$150 and beg for a bargain.  The ’06 and ‘07 Tardieu-Laurent VV Gigondas and Vacqueyras, the ‘07 Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes du Rhone VV and the Domaine des Escaravailles Cotes du Rhone Sablieres are front and center for me with the latter running less than $20.  I’ll also keep an eye out for more of the affordable Northern Rhones such as the ’06 Jean Louis Chaves’s St Joseph Offerus and Silene, both of which are great wines for the price.  I would love to grab some of his Hermitage but it’s just too pricey right now.

One overlooked region of very affordable and delicious wines is the Languedoc-Roussillon, just south of Southern Rhone.  I just finished my last bottle of Mas du Soleilla La Clape Les Bartelles 2006 and will keep and eye out for the ’07 as well.  This wine is absolutely delicious.  While I can’t locate any more ‘06’s, the ‘07’s are available on the internet and priced mostly in the $20’s.

Over to Bordeaux, I still have the Chateau Pipeau, Puygueraud and d’Aiguilhe on my add on list.  These wines beg to be bought at these prices and tend to run in the $30’s.  They still need a couple of years of softening before drinking.  While I don’t need anymore of the top tier Bordeaux, I wouldn’t refuse a liquidation sale either, especially if it included one of my favorites, Pontet Canet.  With so much inventory coming on the market, there are apt to be some “can’t refuse” opportunities.

While the Loire whites (Chenin Blanc) get all the fame, the Cabernet Francs are simply wonderful and very affordable.  I’ll keep my eyes peeled for more Yannick Amirault Bourgueil.  This is another of the hidden gems of France.

My wife and I agree that more Spanish wines are a must for the upcoming year and fortunately, many of them are within reach.  We love the Bodega Felix Callejo Crianza and the ’04, ’05 and ’06 are all drinking well.  They should run in the $20’s.  The Tempranillo based Numanthia Termes 2005 from Castilla Leon runs less than $30 and is on our radar list and if any of the Numanthia or Numanthia Termanthia hits the discount aisles, I’ll back up the truck.

While I would love to grab some red Burgundy from the stellar 2005 and 2002 vintages, the pricing is just too steep for me at this point, most running above the $100 mark.  At this point, I’ll have to settle for waiting out the economic “rebalancing” on these wines and hope that some become available at better prices.  While the Burgundy wine market has seen some softening over the last year, the wines are produced in such miniscule quantities that the supply is meager.  Meanwhile, I might be better off scanning the Cotes de Beaune region for better pricing.  I’ll keep you updated but suffice to say, no visions of imminent buys.

I have some Barolos, Barbarescos and Brunellos on my list.  Producers such as Petro Galatrona (Merlot), Bruno Giacosa, Roberto Voerizo, Aldo Conterno, Antinori, Ornellaia, Siro Pacenti, Ciacci Piccolomini, Valdicava, Pio Cesare, Setti Oreno, Paolo Scavino, Vietti, Gaja and Marchesi di Frescobaldi are always on my radar screen.  As well, I am looking to replenish my Barbera and Chianti stash with producers such as Fontanafredda and Felsina, both very affordable.  These two are simply too tasty and affordable to pass up.

While I have a stash of German and a small bit of Aussie Riesling, I wouldn’t turn my back if a great deal came along.  As I have written so often, Rieslings are just the greatest and most diverse white wine for food pairing.  Look for producers such as Prum, Fritz-Haag, Donnhoff, Leitz, Muller-Catoir, Dr Loosen, Robert Eymael and others for the German variety and Pikes and Penfolds in the Australian.

Portugal is one country whose wines I want to further explore in 2010.  I have had a couple of the Quinta do Vale Meao’s.  These are big, meaty, substantial wines.  Depending upon which style you choose, they can go from the $20’s to $70.  If I stumble upon “ such a deal,” for the higher end….. I’m in.

Finally, while there is no lack of very affordable, yet tasty Malbec’s, here’s hoping that some great deals hit the market on the mid and higher range wines.  I love how Argentina has propelled itself into the fine wine race.

So there you have it….my wish list is out and ready.  What’s on your list for 2010?  Let us know on the Comments section or better yet, on the Community Forum.  And don’t forget to sign up for our Email Alert Network.

Tags: Barbaresco, Barbera, Barolo, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Cabernet Franc, Chianti, Loire, Malbec, Portugal, Rhone, Riesling, Spanish wine, Tempranillo