Those who read Wine Spectator know that this month’s issue has declared the 2005 Casa Lapostolle from Colchagua Valley to be the best in 2008. I have not had the privilege of tasting this Wine Spectator winner or many others on the magazine’s Top 100, so I thought I’d declare my own winner for 2008, and here it is:

The 2002 Twomey Merlot. This was my splurge purchase while visiting California wine country, and I poured it at a dinner party with an herb-crusted beef tenderloin. I posted about this one last month, so I will not repeat my notes here, but it was a real treasure to enjoy with friends!

Others on my list:

2005 Limerick Lane Pinot Noir

1998 La Mandria Chianti Classico

White Wines:

2007 Chrysalis Albarino

2006 Scott Chardonnay

NV Frank Family Blanc de Noirs

Anyone care to share their favorite pours of 2008? Please let us know!