Looking back at 2024, the wines I drank feel like snapshots of the year — some moments just stand out. With so many incredible bottles on the market, the options can be overwhelming, making the highlights even more memorable.
Here, I’ve rounded up my top wine sips from the past year, spanning a range of styles and price points. Some of these were from formal tastings with my wine tasting group, some I came across while exploring stores and shelves, and others I found while traveling. While a few of these are rare or older vintages, I’ve tried to suggest more easily findable or contemporary alternatives.
2022 Brunner Müller-Thurgau
We drank this wine nonstop in Switzerland this past summer! Everyone in my group loved it. Müller-Thurgau is not commonly known but is a cross between Riesling and Madeleine Royale from Germany. It is an aromatic, approachable, easy-to drink wine — perhaps too easy!!
While I can’t find that exact bottle in the States, this one should be similar, and available.
Price: $27
2019 Pouilly-Fuisse “Quintessence” Domaine Sangouard-Guyot
A white Burgundy that the California Chardonnay fans are sure to like. Rich and elegant with notes of ripe orchard fruits, hazelnut and butterscotch, and a touch of minerality.
This newer vintage is more readily available.
Price: $30
2018 Louis Jadot Meursault
Another Burgundy, and a beautiful expression of Meursault. This is lemon gold in a glass, but the nose on this one is what stuck with me. It is super aromatic and so yummy with notes of citrus, honey, and a touch of toasted almond. It is balanced with minerality and lively acidity — a great all-around wine!
Price: $130
2009 Ruinart Dom Ruinart Rose
This is real “wow” bottle from Ruinart, which is always a winner in my book. It’s got a gorgeous coral-orange color and that lovely persistent stream of very fine bubbles that you like to see in champagne. You can smell actual orange, as well! Medium-full to taste and very complex.
I always enjoy Ruinart but it was a treat to try Dom Ruinart which is essentially their higher-end vintage offering. And 2009 was a year to remember!
Price: $325
2011 Penfolds Grange
My second bottle of Penfolds Grange and it is always a treat to try this! We had this at a tasting in my wine group this year. Grange is a bold, iconic Shiraz with layers of dark fruit, spice, and savory complexity, showcasing a lot of depth and structure.
This tasted impressive for the particular vintage which was a tough one in the area. This vintage (2011) and other vintages of Grange are at the link. Grange is not terribly hard to find, but is definitely an investment.
Price: $575
2021 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
This particular wine was a favorite designated by my wine tasting group, and I just love Kosta Browne wines in general.
If you know me you know I gravitate to California Pinot Noir, and this is the best of! It’s got those red cherry-cranberry-strawberry-baking spices aromas that you have to love about Pinot. The wine is beautifully balanced, and the finish is literal silkiness! A standout vintage from a highly respected producer.
Price: $130
2015 Château Figeac, St. Emilion
My friends and I tasted this wine in St. Emilion a few years ago and were blown away by the wines of Château Figeac in general. When we left the chateau, we anticipated they may make it to Classé A status the following year when the ratings were re-determined, and they did. In fact, they were the only producer to secure that coveted promotion in the St. Emilion 2022 classification. Of course the price on this shot way up right after that happened — and we wished we’d bought it on the spot — but I eventually bit the bullet and bought this amazing 2015 vintage again this year to share. It is a 100-point wine and worth every penny!
If you follow Bordeaux wines, you know that the right bank is known primarily for their Merlot-dominated blends, but this is Cabernet-dominated, which is unusual for the region.
Price: $270
2021 From the Sky Down Conner Lee Cabernet
We were recommended this winery by one of the members in my wine tasting group. We drove from Walla Walla to Milton Freewater to taste this first small-production vintage of the new label From the Sky Down. The recommendation was solid — these wines blew me away. They are very strong expressions of single varietal cabernets by famed Cabernet winemaker Todd Alexander. I can’t wait to open and drink these again!
I’m also looking forward to following this label to see how these make their way into the marketplace.
Price: $195
2016 Paul Hobbs, Sonoma Coast
I love just about everything I taste from Paul Hobbs who is known as a true visionary, or as some say “the Steve Jobs of wine”.
The 2016 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast is a total standout. Lush layers of dark cherry, plum, earthiness give it depth, while its silky texture and balanced acidity make it super drinkable. A great pick for a cozy night in or dinner with friends.
2016 was a great vintage in Napa, but alas, hard to find. A more recent (and strong) vintage is the 2021, more readily available.
Price: $95
2020 Justin Vineyard Isosceles
My wine tasting group votes on a favorite wine each time we taste a flight. This wine tied with the Opus One below — (pause for impact!) — for the group’s favorite one night. Enough said! But this truly is a great bottle. Packed with ripe blackberry, cassis, and a touch of mocha, it’s rich and smooth with just the right amount of structure. A great choice for a special dinner or to impress your wine-loving friends!
Price: $77
2014 Opus One
Opus One typically does not need much of an introduction. The 2014 Opus One is the elegance you might expect in a bottle. It’s a smooth, velvety blend with layers of blackcurrant, dark cherry, and a hint of espresso. This has great balance and you can see why it is always so popular. You’re probably not drinking Opus One on a random Tuesday, so I’ll go ahead and say this is great for a special occasion!
Price: $440
2021 Turley Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel
Turley Zins always deliver for me, hands-down. This is a great bottle (or producer, in general) to give, take, gift — it’s a crowdpleaser, and more unique than a big Cabernet. I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like a Turley Zin!
The 2021 Turley Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel is pure pleasure in a glass. Bursting with ripe blackberry, plum, and spice, it’s vibrant yet balanced, with a big mouthfeel and a finish that lingers just long enough. A classic Turley — bold, juicy, and absolutely delicious.
Price: $90
2021 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc
I love a good Cab Franc and the 2021 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc is a stunner. It’s full of dark cherry, blackberry, and subtle herbal notes, with a velvety texture that makes each sip feel perfect. Balanced with just the right amount of spice and earthiness, it’s a beautiful expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Franc—refined, approachable, and highly drinkable.
Price: $240
2021 BV Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
I featured the 2020 vintage of this very classic Napa Cab on my holiday recommendations list, and I think the 2021 might be even better. Fresh, friendly, and a great finish. Well-worth drinking, especially at this price!
Price: $37
2016 Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional
Quinta do Crasto was perhaps “the” standout winery visit from my trip to Duoro Valley, Portugal.
This Duoro red Touriga Nacional (aka, Tempranillo) is exceptionally dense and bright purple in the glass, with a strong nose. This is big and weighty, with rich fruit and tannins, and the finish lingers. A true expression of Portuguese charm and takes me right back to the amazing experience we had there!
Price: $75
Cheers to a year of memorable pours, and to more great bottles ahead in 2025!
xx—BB
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