The Top Red Wines Of 2020: An Exclusive Vino-Sphere List

Cheers to the end of 2020 and a new beginning in 2021. We’re celebrating with our year-end list of top wines.

Yes, it’s here – our annual listing of the best wines we’ve had in the last 365 days. In this  installment we look at our favorite red wines. Click here to see our list of Top 2020 whites, rosé, and sparkling wines.

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We’re anxious for that ball to drop ushering in 2021. Who wouldn’t be? Although the world faced an (yes, I’m going to use that word) unprecedented health crisis, wineries hung in there despite COVID tasting room closings, wildfires, and travel restrictions that forced wine patrons to stay at home.

We were able to do our share of Zoom wine sessions and opened bottles with friends in a socially-distant setting. This year has been memorable for many reasons, some of them good – like these bottles on our list of top 2020 red wines.

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Some of the wines are from historic producers and well-known vineyards. Others are lesser-known wines that captured our fancy. Pour yourself a glass and enjoy this list of our top 30 red wines of 2020.

Vino-Sphere Top 30 Red Wines of 2020

• Anchor Valley 2017 Petite Sirah, Rogue Valley
• Ashbourne 2016 Pinotage, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa
• Balgownie 2017 Black Label Cabernet Franc & Syrah, Bendigo Vineyard, Australia
• Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour 2016 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley *
• Bodega San Valero 500 Manos, Cariñena
• Chateau La Tour Carnet 2000 Grand Cru, Haut-Médoc *
• Donnachiara Winery 2016 Taurasi DOCG
• Dry Creek Vineyard 2017 The Mariner, Dry Creek Valley *
• Goose Watch 2015 Chambourcin, Finger Lakes
• Hanna 2014 Bismark Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Mountain District *
• Irvine & Roberts 2017 Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley *
• Jeff Runquist Wines 2018 Dick Cooper Vineyard Barbera, Amador County *
• Ken Wright Cellars 2014 Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola Hills *
• Kenwood 2013 Lone Pine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley
• La Petite Ferme 2013 The Verdict, Franschhoek
• Marked Tree 2017 Petit Verdot, North Carolina
• Maxville 2014 Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley *
• Megan Anne Cellars 2016 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
• Raffaldini 2015 Grande Riserva, Swan Creek
• Reyneke 2017 Syrah, Stellenbosch *
• Ricasoli 2015 Colledià Gran Selezione Chianti Classico *
• Ricasoli 2010 Gran Selezione Chianti Classico
• Rove 2018 Pinot Noir, Leelanau Peninsula
• Sinclair 2013 Vixen, Columbia Valley *
• Two Hands 2018 Angels’ Share Shiraz, McLaren Vale
• Union Sacré 2017 Le Clandestin, Central Coast
• Villa Bellangelo 2016 Cabernet Franc, Seneca Lake
• World’s End If Six Was Nine 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• Yatir 2016 Yatir Creek, Judean Hills *
• Youngberg Hill 2015 Jordan Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley *

The Top White, Rosé, And Sparkling Wines Of 2020: An Exclusive Vino-Sphere List

Cheers to the end of 2020 and a new beginning in 2021. We’re celebrating with our year-end list of top wines.

Yes, it’s here – our annual listing of the best wines we’ve had in the last 365 days. In this first installment we look at whites, rosé, and sparkling wines.

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This has clearly been a year unlike any other – at least in our lifetimes. Normally we’d be combing the countryside and trotting the globe searching for adventure and great wine. Alas, the COVID pandemic put the kibosh on that.

We were able to savor some really great wines despite the global health crisis. To fully “test-drive” a wine, we like to share with friends. We were able to do so on a limited basis with socially-distant tastings – but big wine dinner plans were put away for a future time. The year ahead, at some point, offers hope of normalcy.

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So, we’re proud to present to you our list of Top 20  White, Rosé, And Sparkling Wines. Some are from famed producers and wine regions, others are small producers or wines that just tickled our fancy. Pop open a bottle and savor our reviews and articles with all the details. An asterisk denotes a wine of distinction.

Vino-Sphere Top 20 White, Rosé, Sparkling Wines of 2020

• Alma Negra Brut Nature, NV Mendoza *
• Balletto 2013 Brut Rosé, Russian River Valley
• Cà Maiol 2018 Lugana
• Casal de Ventozela 2018 Vinho Verde
• Château Rombeau 2015 Andréa Vielle Vignes, Côtes du Roussillon
• Domaine Lauriga Le Gris 2019 Côtes Catalanes
• Donnachiara Winery 2018 Aletheia Greco di Tufo DOCG *
• Dr. Konstantin Frank 2019 Rkatsitelli, Finger Lakes
• Fathers + Daughters 2018 Sarah’s Rustic Bubbles, Anderson Valley *
• Famille Perrin 2019 Nature Côtes du Rhône Blanc
• Hand Of God 2012 Fingerprint Series White, Mendoza *
• Hans Wirsching 2017 Silvaner, Franken
• Jefferson Vineyards 2018 Petit Manseng, Virginia
• MAN Sparkling Chenin Blanc Brut, Agter-Paarl
• Plob 2016 Cliffhanger Riesling, Mosel
• Reyneke 2018 Vinehugger White, South Africa
• Segal 2019 Wild Fermentation Chardonnay, Galilee
• Tablas Creek 2017 Esprit de Tablas Blanc, Adelaida District Paso Robles *
• Tenuta di Fessina 2017 A’Puddara, Etna Bianco *
• Weis Vineyards 2019 Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes *

Fathers + Daughters Cellars Make Mark With Stellar Micro-Production Wines

Our first taste of this family winery showcases the terroir of Anderson Valley.

All In The Family

Fathers + Daughters Cellars is a boutique winery crafting wines from wines primarily from Anderson Valley’s Ferrington Vineyard. The output is a minuscule 600 cases, making each bottle of premium wine a true gem.

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The namesake fathers and daughters begin with patriarch Kurt Schoeneman, who is the owner of the storied Ferrington Vineyard. Daughter Sarah is married to Guy Pacurar. Together they have two daughters, Taylor and Ella. Together this clan has put its stamp on some truly magical wines.

We had the opportunity to sample three wines, all produced by winemaker Phil Baxter. Baxter studied enology at UC Davis and refined his skills in Burgundy before bringing his French Cellar methods and techniques back to northern California. Due to his dedication to the expression of terrier in Pinot Noir, Fathers + Daughters Cellars approached him to craft the inaugural release of their flagship wine, Ella’s Reserve Pinot Noir in 2012.

2018 Sarah’s Rustic Bubbles, Ferrington Vineyard, Anderson Valley

We were excited just looking at this bottle of sparkling wine. It is 100% Chardonnay sourced from the Roederer estate vineyard and the bright gold of the wine is cloudy with sediment. It is made using the Petillant-Natural method with fermentation started in stainless steel tanks and then finished in the bottle. Unlike the traditional method, there is no disgorgement and the wine is bottled unfiltered and unfined.

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Rustic Bubbles is closed with a crown cap, adding to its unique style. It’s a wonderful wine with rustic complexity and texture. The flavor profile is apples and citrus and in more abundance than Champagne. The perlage creates a pleasing froth, but the bubbles are not as persistent as a traditional method wine.

We would dub this casual chic and at $21 SRP, it’s affordable luxury.

2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Ferrington Vineyard, Anderson Valley

Fathers + Daughters has produced a beautiful bottle with this Sauvignon Blanc. There’s no cut grass flavor and instead of over-the-top acidity, it delivers balanced flavors of tart citrus with cooling minerality.

This is a dry wine with refreshing notes. An ABV of 12.8% and stainless steel finish makes it a breeze to pair with food. It’s perfect for a summer picnic or a stay-at-home meal of poultry or fish. A new favorite wine at $25.

2017 Ella’s Reserve Pinot Noir, Ferrington Vineyard, Anderson Valley

This wine makes us say, “Hurrah for Pinot Noir.” This is the flagship wine made by Fathers + Daughters. It’s artfully produced, made with Dijon, Pommard, and Waldenswil clones which contribute their nuanced flavors.

Thirty-percent of the grapes were fermented whole-cluster, adding interest and character. Ella’s Reserve is fermented naturally with native yeast and also undergoes malolactic fermentation. Aging is 20 months in 25% once-used and 75% neutral French oak barrels.

When the bottle is opened, it’s time to forget about the painstaking care by the winemaker and just enjoy this gem. Violet and black cherry greet you on the front end. The texture is smooth and rounded with a touch of graphite and herbs to create complexity and interest.

A hundred cases were produced and it’s the signature wine for a reason. It’s very, very good. SRP is $52.

These are beautiful and stylish wines. We encourage you to get to know the family!

Full disclosure: These wines were received as a marketing sample.

Consider These Holiday Treasure Wines

The holidays are here. What will you pour? Check out this quartet.

Spanning The Globe

Anyone remember The Wide World of Sports? The opening had a montage of sports clips and the punchy narration: “Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport... the thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat... the human drama of athletic competition...”

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We don’t pretend to do all that, but we do span the globe to taste some really exemplary wines so that you too may know the thrill of victory. Here are four that we recently tasted and enjoyed, from three different continents and all at a palatable price.

Kara-Tara 2018 Pinot Noir, Western Cape, South Africa

We opened this around a neighborly neighbor’s firepit. This is a South African spin on Pinot Noir. The name means “deep dark shadows” and indeed this wine tilts towards the earthy end of the Pinot spectrum. The vines average five years of age and grow at an elevation of 500 to 900 feet.

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This is a more substantial Pinot with malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak lending a beautiful body. In fact, I had to doublecheck the label to make sure I wasn’t drinking a bottle of Pinotage instead of Pinot Noir. A complex and exciting bottle priced at $21.99.

Tinto Negro 2018 Malbec, Uco Valley, Argentina

Talk about taking your Malbec drinking to new heights! This wine comes from the Los Arboles district of the Uco Valley, located at an altitude of 3,500 feet. The grapes are grown in shallow, sandy silt where their struggles result in a beautiful concentration of flavor.

This wine reflects the cool climate style of Malbec, with dark fruit and chocolate flavors. In fact, Tinto Negro means black wine in Spanish. There are rich flavors accented with oak, from six months in used French barrels. The complex Tinto Negro blows away the simply, jammy Malbecs but has an affordable $16.99 price tag.

Famille Perrin 2019 Nature Côtes du Rhône Blanc

This delightful white is a certified organic wine from the first family of the Rhône Valley. You are probably more familiar with the CDR reds – but the whites are intriguing and expressive.

The grapes come from the northern part of the Côtes du Rhône region and are harvested in the morning to preserve their freshness. Aging in stainless steel keeps the flavors precise. The body is round and soft.

The Nature Blanc is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne – all lovely grapes with which you should become acquainted. This is a beautiful light gold in the glass with honeysuckle notes on the nose. It flows with tastes of peach and lime.

A natural partner for fish, this would also rock spicy Asian cuisine. We recommend a multi-bottle buy, or maybe a case at the ridiculously low price of $14.99.

August Kesseler 2018 The Daily August Pinot Noir, Rheingau

Germany’s Rheingau region is rightly known for Riesling, which accounts for 80% of production. What you may not know is that Germany’s number one red grape is Pinot Noir, also known as Spätburgunder. The name of this wine encourages you to make this German Pinot part of your daily routine.

This is VDP Gutswein. VDP is a collection of Germany’s leading wine estates and Gutswein is their classification for good entry level wine. The Daily August is aged in barriques manufactured in their two-story cellar, which dates to 1792.

Oak aging makes a difference as this wine has more complexity than the Spätburgunder we’ve had before. There are dark cherry and blueberry notes. This wine evolved in the glass and we found ourselves liking it more as the wine in our glasses went up and the wine in the bottle went down.

The winery suggests the following meal pairing: guinea fowl with red wine butter, parsley risotto, and porcini mushrooms. That would certainly be a feast! SRP is $26.99.

Full disclosure: This wine was received as marketing samples.

Windsor Vineyards 2017 Viognier, California

Viognier offers a Chardonnay alternative – a great pick for holiday meals.

The Pronunciation Hurdle

Nine or 10 years ago, there was a lot of chatter about the next “it” grape. Malbec had its run, with consumers downing the smooth-drinking Argentinian red in mass quantities. Some sages thought that Viognier, a white grape with roots in France’s Rhone Valley, might be ready for the spotlight.

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I recall being at a wine conference in Charlottesville in 2011. Virginia had named Viognier as its signature grape and the closing meal had a four-course meal with two Viogniers for each course!

The first time I tried ordering Viognier in a restaurant I wasn’t familiar with the grape (many years ago, people!). As a result I butchered the pronunciation. The server had no clue what I was saying and probably didn’t know how to say it either.

Viognier, although being one of our favorites, never really skyrocketed.  If you have missed out on Viognier, though, that’s your loss. For the record, it is pronounced Vee-yoh-N’YAY. Accent on YAY!

The Cork Comes Out

We recently opened a bottle of Windsor Vineyards Viognier during a socially-distant tasting on our patio. Thankfully the North Carolina weather gave us a night suitable for sitting out and sipping wine.

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Windsor Vineyards was founded by wine legend Rodney Strong back in 1959. One unique facet of the winery is their custom label program, which dates back to when so many customers asked Strong to set aside their favorite bottles that he began putting their names on the bottles. Today you can design your own label or have your bottle etched.

Viognier typically has a rich and full body with delicate, floral notes. It’s not stated anywhere, but it certainly tastes like it has some oak aging.  This Windsor Viognier has small amounts of Chenin Blanc and Muscat grapes in the mix.

The wine is bright in character with more heft than your typical California white. There are flowing citrus notes and tropical fruit accents with touches of orange peel and toasted almond. The ABV is 12%, about on par with a Riesling. Lower alcohol wines, in our experience, are food friendly. This will pair nicely with turkey, chicken or spicy Asian dishes.

At a mere $16, this is a tasty Viognier for your table. Yay for Viognier!

Full disclosure: This bottle was received as a marketing sample.

Marked Tree 2017 Petit Verdot, North Carolina

Think Petit Verdot is just a blending grape? Uncork this bottle and flip the script.

Not So Petite

Those who spend their time thinking or drinking wine, might be surprised with this bottle. At a recent tasting with Arthur Barham, of Merlot2Muscadine, he opened this bottle of Marked Tree 2017 Petit Verdot from North Carolina.

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Petit Verdot’s main claim to fame is as an important blending grape in France’s Bordeaux wines. It has intense color, beautiful aroma, and good tannic structure. It’s usually 10% or less in red blends – but there are some single varietal bottles out there.

So, this wine is a revelation in a couple of ways. First, it’s a 100% Petit Verdot. Second, if you are not familiar with the great wines made in North Carolina, you might be surprised at the smashing craftsmanship and quality.

Ancient Navigation

Marked Tree Vineyard is located in Flat Rock on the eastern Continental Divide. It’s in the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA and situated at an elevation of 2,300 feet. The sloped hills provide good drainage for the vines and the warm days and cool nights allow the grapes sufficient time to develop nuanced flavor and character as they ripen.

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Early settlers in the area noticed oddly shaped trees. The trees were formed and shaped by Native Americans to point out water, hunting grounds, a locations of food. The ancient navigation system now points directly to really outstanding wine.

The vineyard’s location and North Carolina’s climate allows the Petit Verdot to ripen more so than in France. The 2017 Petit Verdot is fermented in oak barrels and is a 75-barrel production.

Arthur and I savored this during a rainy, socially-distant tasting. The wine has 12.5% ABV, significantly lower than what you might expect from a bottle of red. To me, that means it can be a great food wine. “Hot” wines with high alcohol content often overpower the delicate flavors of a meal.

In the glass the Marked Tree PV has flavors of blackberry and plum. There is a striking note of minerality that we love plus floral and herbal notes. This wine cries out for an herb-crusted lamb chop! 

We can’t wait to visit this winery and check out their other great wines, including Cabernet Franc and Grüner Veltliner.

Plob 2016 Cliffhanger Riesling, Mosel

Looking for food-friendly, easy-going wine? Look no further than this Mosel Riesling.

Riesling Rendezvous

What is the world’s most versatile wine grape? Probably Riesling.

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It can be finished into austere, bone-dry wine, or into a succulent late harvest bottle. Depending on the winemaker, it can land anywhere in between.

Our most recent rendezvous with Riesling was during a socially-distant game night with relatives. As you can see, they had another traveler with them, Kiwi the parrot!

We opened the 2016 Cliffhanger Riesling. This is produced by PLOB, which is the project of winegrowers Axel Pauly, Thomas Ludwig, Sebastian Oberbillig and Markus Berres – hence the company name.

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The grapes come from the steep, rocky soils of the Mosel Valley. The vines root deeply into the soil. The slate rocks absorb, then radiate back, heat from the sun. The steep slopes guarantee added sunlight hours and the Mosel River helps moderate the chilly weather. The long growing season allows the grapes to develop aromatics and character.

The four producers ferment their grapes separately and then the wines are blended together. Then it is aged “sur lee” on the dead yeast and sediment to gain a creamy texture.

This is a feinherb (slightly sweet) wine, but one that we find to be balanced. In the glass this is a pale yellow with green highlights. There are flavors of apple and peach wound together with mineral notes.

The wine is vibrant and a good pick with seafood or Asian cuisine. Of course, it is great on its own.

Full disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.

Let Your Holidays Shine With These International Sparkling Wines

Are you anxious to celebrate the holidays and ring in a hopeful new year? Take your pick from these seven sparklers from around the globe.

Global Values In Bubbles

As thoughts turn to holiday celebrations after a difficult 2020 (hang in there, people!), it’s time to reach for a bottle of bubbly. Champagne is the most famed sparkling wine by far, but there are plenty of options for bubbles that won’t put a hurt on your bank account. We recently received seven non-vintage sparklers to review which are sure to tickle your nose and bring a smile to your face. Each is priced below $25.

La Vielle Ferme Réserve Brut and Réserve Rosé

La Vielle Ferme is the best-selling brand of French wine in the United States. It consistently delivers great taste and affordability. We tasted two different bubblies, both created with a unique process. The technique, dubbed Méthode Contemporaine, captures CO₂ during the fermentation process and reintroduces it right before bottling.

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These bottles, each with an SRP of $14.99, have plenty of pop. The Réserve Brut is 100% Chardonnay that undergoes battonage (stirring on the lees) for an extra dollop of complexity. Lots of peach and limestone with this bottle. The rosé is Grenache Noir (40%), Cinsault (40%), and Pinot Noir (20%). Look for raspberries and a dash of citrus on the palate. These wines are dependable and delicious.

MAN Sparkling Chenin Blanc Brut and Méthode Cap Classique Brut

We had no idea South Africa had sparkling wine – until we visited there a few years ago. We were introduced to Méthode Cap Classique wines, the country’s finest sparkling wine produced in the traditional method. Minds blown! MAN Family Wines is known for producing widely distributed quality South African wines at value prices.

We had never had a sparkling Chenin Blanc before and really savored this bottle from MAN. Locally known as Steen, the grapes were grown in a dry-farmed vineyard in the Agter-Paarl region. Perfect with seafood, it has luscious notes of tropical fruit. SRP is $15.99.

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The Méthode Cap Classique Brut is also 100% Chenin Blanc and aged four months in French oak. For added complexity, it spent a total of 18 months on the lees. The time and effort is worth it. On the palate there are persistent bubbles with lime, pear and toast notes. A wonderful value at $24.99, this is a great celebratory bottle.

Marqués de Cáceres Cáva Brut

Why do we love Cava? Simply because it’s awesome. Cava is Spain’s traditional method sparkling wine that is produced mainly in the Penedès region.

Marqués de Cáceres is one of the best-known names in Rioja, and this Cava will not disappoint. The grapes are the traditional trio of Xarel.lo, Macabeo, and  Parellada and are hand harvested from vines that average 25 years of age. Apples and floral notes delight the palate as you enjoy the fine, streaming bubbles SRP $14.99.

Alma Negra Brut Nature

This wine from Argentina captivated us from the start with its label. Alma Negra means “dark soul” and the label features a mysterious, shadowy mask.

Inside the stylish bottle is Malbec and Pinot Noir. We enjoyed this with a patio dinner and could have easily consumed a second bottle. The taste is flowing with strawberry and lime accented with a crisp acidity.

This is a wine from Argentine wine icon Ernesto Catena and is a steal at $21.99.

J. de Villebois Crémant de Loire

We’re big fans of crémant. By law, sparkling wine cannot be called Champagne unless it is produced in France’s Champagne region. There’s plenty of good bubbly from other areas of France and in many cases it’s called crémant. You can get the French grooviness with a crémant without the Champagne price tag.

The wine is 60% Chenin Blanc, 35% Chardonnay and 5% Cabernet Franc. It’s aged for 12 months in underground limestone caves.

We uncorked this tasty bottle to celebrate the birth of our first grandchild. This wine has bountiful, foamy froth and delicate bubbles. On the palate it’s creamy with distinctive vanilla notes.

At $20.99, it is a stylish sparkling wine. Perfect to toast that special occasion.

Full disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.