Ogni anno, i recensori assaggiano alla cieca 25.000 vini da tutto il mondo alla ricerca di quelle bottiglie rare che lasciano senza fiato. Il risultato è la lista The Enthusiast 100, una vetrina annuale di vini che definiscono davvero il meglio dell’anno.
Una selezione di bottiglie stellari che superano le aspettative, sorprendono e ci ricordano perché ci siamo innamorati del vino. La lista di quest’anno ha qualcosa per ogni tipo di amante del vino. Troverete le Gemme Nascoste (bottiglie rare) e le scelte della redazione (vecchie fedeli), oltre a numerose selezioni sotto i 100 dollari e persino una manciata di vini che costano meno di 50 dollari senza lesinare sulla qualità.
Dalle regioni classiche a quelle emergenti, queste bottiglie rockstar sono accessibili, entusiasmanti e perfette per la stagione degli incontri e dei regali. Che stiate costruendo la vostra cantina, regalando una bottiglia o semplicemente cercando qualcosa di nuovo da degustare in una calda serata invernale, con questa lista non potete sbagliare.
L’Enthusiast 100 celebra i vini che brillano oggi e lasciano presagire sviluppi ancora più grandi in futuro. Quindi, prendete un bicchiere, lasciatevi ispirare e scoprite quali di queste stelle meritano un posto nella vostra lista.
About The Scores
98-100
94-97
90-93
87-89
83-86
80-82
This article originally appeared in the Best of Year 2025 here
Christina Pickard : 2020 was a stellar vintage across New York State, despite the challenges of picking in a pandemic year. This charmingly demonstrates Long Island’s prowess with Merlot. A fragrant fruit salad… Full review
Cody Wexler : Classic Provence robust peach aromas fill the glass with hints of petrol and stone. This wine is perfect to pair with food, lots of minerality and a lingering citric bitterness… Full review
Emily Saladino : Figs, almonds and pears headline this copper-colored Tokaj with a luxuriously viscous palate. The epic, elegant finish stays with you long after you’ve set down your glass.
Brandon Borcoman : Vibrant purple and red fruits, accented by alluring notes of dark earth. Mineral, but also plush, offering a relatively easy sipping experience. The most exciting aspect of the wine was… Full review
Elaine Chukan Brown : Concentrated flavor wraps supple tannins through a lengthy finish. Flavors of black fruits, spices, and flowering herbs bring boldness and beauty.
Jesica Vargas : Fruit from vineyards in the Uco Valley was selected to make this well-balanced blend of 71% Malbec and the rest of Cabernet Sauvignon. The bouquet includes aromas of ripe raspberries… Full review
What Is Blind Tasting?
All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are performed blind. Typically, products are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5-8 samples. Reviewers may know general information about a flight to provide context—vintage, variety or appellation—but never the producer or retail price of any given selection. When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted.
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About The Scores
*Products deemed unacceptable (receving a rating below 80 points) are not reviewed.
98-100
Classic
94-97
Superb
90-93
Excellent
87-89
Very Good
83-86
Good
80-82
Acceptable
Jeff Porter : Garden flowers catch the morning breeze while fresh-cut apples rest beside warm yeasted rolls on a stone kitchen counter. The palate mirrors this inviting start perfectly, then shifts into high… Full review
Anna-Christina Cabrales : Elegant and fresh, the nose of this wine unfolds with pear, straw, acacia, and crushed river rock. The palate strikes a balance between roundness and precision, with vibrant acidity giving… Full review
Jesica Vargas : The bouquet includes black fruit, star anise and cinnamon. Flavors of blackberry and strawberry are released on the smooth palate of this Syrah. After spending a few months in oak… Full review
Jesica Vargas : The winery’s icon is made primarily of Carignan and Carménère, along with other red varieties from Cauquenes in the Maule Valley. All grapes are vinified together, resulting in a flavorful,… Full review
Jeff Porter : Crushed red berries and fresh stems meet herbal notes and the spice of whole peppercorns being cracked. Bright and vibrant, the palate offers a beautifully structured experience that’s both lively… Full review
Tom R. Capo : This ripe and generous Cabernet leans into the variety’s fruitier side, with bright cherry, raspberry and chocolate aromas on the nose. The palate feels supple with silky tannins, zippy acidity… Full review
Brandon Borcoman : Dark magenta in the glass, with a nose that hints clearly at its maturity. Black and purple fruits take center stage on the palate, accompanied by a formidable structure that… Full review
Jesica Vargas : This Carménère delivers attractive aromas of strawberries, bay leaves and paprika. Flavors of black and red berries, nutmeg, peppercorns and thyme, combined with the velvety texture, make this wine delicious…. Full review
Jesica Vargas : A subtle citrus note shows on the nose of this Chenin from vines planted in the 1970s in Stellenbosch. It’s balanced and fresh, offering flavors of mango, and grapefruit, along… Full review
Danielle Callegari : The nose opens earthy, with aromas of top soil, dirt, brambles, herbs and rocks, then livens up with bing and black cherries and a bit of licorice. The palate is… Full review
Jesica Vargas : From the Cachapoal Valley, comes this lively Carménère blend. Aromatic herbs and dark cherries lead to a rich palate, where chocolate-coated blueberries intertwine with subtle hints of green bell pepper… Full review
Jesica Vargas : Floral notes and sweet spices make the bouquet enticing. The palate is structured, with muscular tannins supporting a rich blend of baking spices, raspberry jam and lavender. A light hint… Full review
Jesica Vargas : A portion of this wine is aged on untoasted barrels, as a result this Albarino offers a nose of floral and citrus notes. The lively palate shows depth and offers… Full review
Jesica Vargas : A star grape in the Douro, Tinta Barroca also grows in Swartland. The producer sources fruit from bush vines and makes a delightful wine with depth, freshness and grip. Crushed… Full review
Roger Voss : This wine, with its rich tannins and powerful structure is impressive. It has great promise with its black chocolate aroma and solid black fruits. Drink from 2028.
Jesica Vargas : Black currant jam is lifted by hints of licorice on the nose of this red. It’s vibrant, with excellent acidity and velvety tannins supporting delicious dark fruit and herbal flavors… Full review
Elaine Chukan Brown : Muscular and bold, this Malbec-based red blend delivers the succulent, ripe fruits of the variety brought together with the structure and depth of Petite Sirah and Cabernet. Oak spices and… Full review
Jesica Vargas : Laura Catena sources grapes from old vines in the Uco Valley to make this beautiful Malbec. A basket of berries on the nose set the stage for a fruit-driven palate…. Full review
Tonya Pitts : This wine is deep, concentrated, with aromas of boysenberry, blackberry confiture, cinnamon spice, dried florals, and notes of toasted vanilla on the nose. The flavors on the palate are mulberry,… Full review
Matt Kettmann : Lightly honeyed on the nose, this brilliant bottling pairs warmer butter and honeysuckle aromas with zesty frozen pineapple and cold steel on the nose. The palate shows a more generous… Full review
Danielle Callegari : The nose opens with blackberries, vanilla bean, coffee and wild mint, then turns savory and spicy with graphite, lots of fresh cracked peppercorn and chili pepper. That balance between spicy… Full review
Michael Alberty : This wine reminds me that I live in Oregon. It smells like the loamy soil and pine needles I encounter on forest walks. At the same time, the cherry-flavored pipe… Full review
Elaine Chukan Brown : Crushed hazelnut and pecan, citrus blossoms and honey comb swirl from the nose into the palate with flavors of alpine berries and honey pastry. Depth combines with a lengthy finish.
Jeff Porter : A very pale pink in the glass, this rosé is all about lightness and lift. Bright aromas of pink grapefruit, wild peach, and white strawberries burst forward, creating a fruity… Full review
Jesica Vargas : The aroma of jarilla evokes memories of the Andes Mountains. A warm mix of red plums, licorice and smoke adds depth to the nose of this Merlot-based blend. It’s elegant,… Full review
Michael Alberty : The Block 23, despite bearing Michael Jordan’s number, is becoming my favorite Shea Pinot Noir. The wine’s blackberry and orange-flavored pipe tobacco aromas are a powerful lull for me, as… Full review
Matt Kettmann : Lush boysenberry, blueberry and caramelized oak aromas draw the nose deeply into this rich bottling. The palate is suave in texture with just the right amount of tension, offering blueberry… Full review
Jesica Vargas : Limarí is a valley with low rainfall and lots of sunlight balanced by cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean. Chardonnay has shown excellent results in this region. This white begins… Full review
Christina Pickard : This is evocatively aromatic, like a berry patch in summer, all juicy black, blue and raspberry fruit with a scrubby edge of wild thyme and a sprinkle of cocoa powder…. Full review
Tonya Pitts : This wine is deep, concentrated with dark cherry, black plum, and strawberry aromas, and the bay leaf is dried in the nose. On the palate, the wine is super fresh,… Full review
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Elaine Chukan Brown : A cascade of juicy blackberries and mint, cedar and a sprinkle of cocoa fill the mouth with flavor, while firm, fine tannins and a full body bring intensity and length.
Jesica Vargas : This savory Malbec opens with herbal aromas that suggest rosemary and sage, followed by a dash of white pepper. It has an ample and velvety palate, offering strawberry and herbs…. Full review
Roger Voss : Since the first vintage in 2000, the Domini range has been this producer’s venture into the Douro. This wine, the equivalent of a Reserva, shows a dark coffee aroma and… Full review
Michael Alberty : Fleur de Vie’s genteel bubbles tickle the nose in a consensual fashion, as do the aromas of walnuts, figs and a touch of wet stones. A smooth and almost creamy… Full review
Reggie Solomon : Newcomer Domaine Mont Bessay continues to impress with every release. Lifted aromas of black cherry, briary blackberry and black olive roll around on the nose with layered hints of baking… Full review
Reggie Solomon : This fulsome wine delivers Chenin Blanc’s classic richness. Enticing perfumed aromas lure the nose with muddled golden apple, tangerine, white peach and dried lemon peel dusted with white blossom. The… Full review
Jeff Porter : Immediately this wine is one to contemplate. Aromas of Mexican cocoa dusted over roasted plums, mulling spices, sweet tobacco and the earthy notes of a freshly racked lawn with the… Full review
Matt Kettmann : This bottling, which benefits a regenerative farming nonprofit, comes from a hillside vineyard in a unique terroir. Crunchy aromas of wild raspberry, singed kelp and potpourri combine bold fruit with… Full review
Tom R. Capo : The nose of this Pinot is lifted by aromas of fresh berries, Bing cherries, pithy orange peel, and black tea. The palate brings neatly balanced tannin and acid, with ripe… Full review
Tom R. Capo : Aromas of macerated cherry, blackberry liqueur and black tea waft on the nose of this Pinot. The palate has a charming earthy richness and flavors of spiced berry gastrique, forest… Full review
Danielle Callegari : There is a purity to the aromas and flavors that come out of the fruit on Montosoli: perfectly ripe raspberries, the coppery, snappy skin of red plums, the leaden flint… Full review
Danielle Callegari : The careful work done at San Felice, especially on nearly lost varietals like Pugnitello, provides the impeccable raw materials that are then polished into a masterpiece. Like seeing the piece… Full review
Christina Pickard : Well crafted Riesling—but with fizz—what joy! Heady, hard-to-stop-smelling aromas of honeyed orchard fruits, lemon thyme and hibiscus flower culminate what could be the next great popsicle flavor. It’s dry and… Full review
Tonya Pitts : This is an opulent expression of Chardonnay grown in alluvial soils tended with great care by a producer long known for its commitment to organics, biodynamics, and regenerative farming. The… Full review
Michael Alberty : The wine’s golden aromas of yellow apples and juniper brush up against the earthy mineral scent of a high desert rain. This is a tick, viscous texture to revel in… Full review
Aleks Zecevic : A beautifully rich and layered expression, offering waves of candied citrus, quince paste, and golden peach. The sweetness is seamlessly woven into the wine’s structure, balanced by razor-sharp acidity that… Full review
Roger Voss : Toasty aromas and touches of spice are the openers in a seriously impressive wine. It has a mineral character that permeates the wine’s flavor and gives it texture. Apricot and… Full review
Cody Wexler : Earthy and spicy, the nose of this Rosé immediately grabs your attention. The palate opens with flavors of dried apricot and pear then the vibrant acidity kicks in. The finish… Full review
Brandon Borcoman : An immediately appealing nose opens up with vibrant green fruit and hints of white flowers. The first sip introduces an intriguing complexity, showcasing a sleek minerality and well-integrated acid profile…. Full review
Christina Pickard : Winemaker Ben Riccardi made four versions of this hybrid variety in 2023. “Bici” is the richest, while remaining mid-weight and refreshing. Enticing aromas of juicy cran-blueberry fruit and purple florals… Full review
Christina Pickard : This is an excellent sparkler, by all accounts; all toasty, yeasty goodness on the nose, the subtle citrus, stone fruit and floral characters tucked just beneath. There’s satisfyingly vigorous, long-lasting… Full review
Reggie Solomon : Alluring honey-dipped pear, bread dough and marmalade aromas swirl atop a warmed slice of green-apple pie. The creamy palate brings along medium-intensity flavors of dried hay and soothing wet stone… Full review
Christina Pickard : A delicate yet enticing perfume of white peach, ginger and lemongrass—with something more stony and mineral at its core—lead on this lucid and complex Riesling from a promising new boutique… Full review
Danielle Callegari : The nose is earthy and umami, with aromas of damp soil, herbs, coffee, pencil shavings and blackberries. Sweet and tart blackberries are layered with herbs on the palate, while the… Full review
Jeff Porter : Like following a winding trail through the forest, this Monvigliero unfolds with purpose and precision. Fresh-crushed cherries and strawberry preserves lead the way, while wild violets and roses scatter their… Full review
Anna-Christina Cabrales : The nose is complex and layered, with deep black cherry, dried cranberry, anise, iodine, saffron, truffle, leather, and earthy garrigue. On the palate, balanced acidity lifts the focused flavors of… Full review
Jeff Porter : A captivating bouquet of candied red cherries and raspberries intertwines with wild mint and delicate floral notes reminiscent of violet and rose petals. The palate demonstrates both power and finesse,… Full review
Cody Wexler : This rosé smells like strawberry pastries, it is warm and rich and inviting. The palate is super textural and the fruit and bitterness are expertly balanced. This is a great… Full review
Danielle Callegari : It’s unusual to have the first word that comes to mind for a Brunello be “springtime”—it’s a full, rich wine after all, but Salvioni projects the delight of clean linens… Full review
Reggie Solomon : This wine is a showstopper. It’s not only dessert; it’s a destination. Deep-amber in color, the wine has an alluring nose of dried fig, caramel, macerated black plum and apricot… Full review
Jeff Porter : This Verduno Pelaverga lifts from the glass with delicate floral notes, as if walking through freshly crushed petals. Light strawberry notes dance with crushed raspberries while subtle herbal undertones add… Full review
Anna-Christina Cabrales : Aged for 18 months in oak, this rich, full-bodied wine exudes a seductive spicy nose of mulled black plum, blackberry, cherry, lavender, and clove, framed by a firm granitic edge…. Full review
Jeff Porter : This is Barolo’s soul in a glass, capturing the region’s magic through carefully blended vineyards. Wild cherries and crushed raspberries dance with fresh mint and bay leaf, while sweet and… Full review
Matt Kettmann : Dense and dark in the glass while penetrating on the nose, this blend pairs blackberry, singed mint and roasted cocoa aromas into a very inviting approach. Expert tannin management gives… Full review
Danielle Callegari : Pencil lead and coffee grinds give way to mandarin blossoms, strawberries and cherries on the nose. On the palate, blackberries accentuate the cherry element, before bitter citrus, soil and graphite… Full review
Elaine Chukan Brown : A Cabernet that exemplifies how the variety became so popular: classic, structural, aromatic, and finessed. An impossible find for the price, enjoy now for palate cleansing structure, or continue to… Full review
Anna-Christina Cabrales : Complex and layered, this wine strikes a beautiful balance between power and elegance, with ripe citrus, white wildflowers, and earthy white mushroom aromas. Its freshness is stunning, with bright acidity… Full review
Tom R. Capo : Concentrated aromas of black cherry, plum and coffee lift the nose of this blend. The palate delivers a punchy wave of raspberry acidity, supple tannin and flavors of berry compote… Full review
Danielle Callegari : A fresh, invigorating nose of new car, crushed herbs, wet slate, moss, cracked black pepper and tart blackberries leads into a palate where sweet blackberries and dark chocolate join continuing… Full review
Reggie Solomon : If you’re looking for premium wine from Languedoc, you’ve found it. The wine shines in multiple dimensions and opens with a perfumed nose of rhubarb, black cherry and enticing baking… Full review
Aleks Zecevic : Initially showing a flinty, reductive note, this Riesling bursts into an electrifying palate of kiwi and mangosteen, all lifted by razor-sharp acidity. Layers of fleur de sel and lime create… Full review
Emily Saladino : The beautifully textured palate of this creamy, amber-hued wine has nuanced lemon, tangerine, clove, honey, and gently oxidative flavors. Expect velvety tannins on the long, citrus-driven finish.
Anna-Christina Cabrales : This wine evokes a perfect summer day by the ocean—crisp, fresh, and effortlessly bright. Aromas of fresh citrus and orchard fruit shine, with lemon verbena and white peach elegantly woven… Full review
Reggie Solomon : This wine is a delicious amalgam of complexity in a glass. The sensual yet soulful wine slips through the back door like Janet Jackson’s, “That’s the Way Love Goes.” Black… Full review
Tom R. Capo : Ripe, round aromas of cranberry, Bing cherry, balsamic, forest floor and anise burst from the glass on the nose of this Pinot. The palate features bright, energetic acidity and silky… Full review
Christina Pickard : Drawn straight from its cask, the oldest continually produced wine on the planet is an exercise in time travel. Treacle in color, texture, even flavor, it’s astoundingly complex and evocative…. Full review
Danielle Callegari : Plums, figs and juicy blackberries on the nose, then wild fennel and soil tilled with herbs and rocks. Pure but dense fruit on the palate that’s still savory, saline and… Full review
Tonya Pitts : Aromatics of crisp citrus, juicy melon, and dried herbs cascade across the nose. The mouthfeel is fresh with high energy, saline, and mouth-watering lime blossoms, White grapefruit, and fennel, creating… Full review
Danielle Callegari : Putting aside the thrashing Merlot got from Hollywood, there is in fact good reason to be skeptical of Merlot thanks to its general mistreatment from winemakers far and wide, apart… Full review
Matt Kettmann : For fans of cool-climate Syrah, this bottling is always a benchmark and this version is tops. Wispy strawberry aromas are decorated with delicate seaweed and sansho pepper perks that pop… Full review
Elaine Chukan Brown : Enticing aromas and a silken mouthfeel deliver a Tempranillo that is full bodied, full of flavor, and refined. Fresh herbs, mixed berries and plums, and a pleasing dusting of cocoa… Full review
Matt Kettmann : This iconic vineyard in a stellar vintage reaches epic heights in the hands of this regionally pioneering producer. Lavish aromas of black cherry, chai cream and fennel pollen make for… Full review
Jesica Vargas : Winemaker Sebastián Zuccardi describes his creations as “mountain wines,” and this Malbec truly embodies that spirit. The nose evokes the essence of a winter morning at the foothills of the… Full review
Reggie Solomon : If you’re a Sherry lover, you don’t need me to tell you this wine is one to seek out. Complex aromas of almond skin and brioche fill the nose of… Full review
Danielle Callegari : The thing that makes Poggio di Sotto stand out from the pack is its substance. Brunello is always a wine with weight and heft, but this one has a density… Full review
Anna-Christina Cabrales : This wine bursts with energy, where dark fruits entwine with hints of garrigue, creating an intriguing depth. Floral notes of lavender and violets wrap around ripe blackberry and plum, while… Full review
Michael Alberty : The Red Mountain’s boysenberry and graphite aromas were not unexpected. The earthy, nutty, starchy note that reminded me of cassava was not, but I enjoyed it. Dark raspberry, Bosc pear,… Full review
Christina Pickard : French winemaker Damien Yvon and his team have a knack for lucidly expressing site in their Sauvignons (the biodynamic farming helps, too). The power from the weathered clay soils of… Full review
Roger Voss : This beautiful, harmonious wine is powerful, textured and full of black fruits. The wine’s structure is impressive, made for aging but also with a density and concentration. Drink this great… Full review
Michael Alberty : As black as squid ink, The Black Square is balance personified. A concentrated blackberry aroma seems as dark as the wine’s name, with equally dark espresso, olive and charred steak… Full review
Danielle Callegari : Aromas of vanilla, tobacco leaf, wild blackberries and blueberries gust on the nose, while the palate brings more sweet berries and vanilla but also has an unexpected bouncy, lively, almost… Full review
Matt Kettmann : For being so bold, dense and ripe, this is a masterfully made blend of 31% Syrah, 29% Grenache, 22% Graciano and 18% Mataro. Intense aromas of blackberry, mocha, maple butter… Full review
Christina Pickard : England’s most premium sparkler is all it’s cracked up to be. It walks a line between classic and modern. The bright, lucid nose of lemon curd, ricotta and toasted brioche,… Full review
Danielle Callegari : An irresistibly savory nose with hot tar, low tide and petrol, then bursts with juicy, almost spicy figs and plums. The palate turns warmer and sweeter with bright ripe red… Full review
