Wines of the year 2010

It's time for the annual ritual of all important wine publications and writers to post their top wines of the year, due in no small part to the wildly popular Wine Spectator Top 100.

Here are my top wines, listed in no particular order. I'm doing this partly so I can recall years from now what I was enjoying the most this past year. Not unexpectedly, Washington/Aussie wines dominate.

• Columbia Crest 2005 Washington Red (WS 87?, $5, BevMo on sale). A medium bodied, super smooth drinking wine. Reminds me of the Monte Antico 2006 Toscana which was a WS top 100 for 2009 (which was a fantastic wine when I tried it back then after 30 min of air, but the last 4 bottles have lost their freshness/complexity). But this is better with more fruit density, yet equal amounts of floral, oaky, spicy complexity. At its best, an amazing, super friendly wine by itself or with food. I was stunned and bought 2+ cases. Probably the greatest wine value under $10 I've ever found. My score: 92.
  
  I tasted their latest release at the winery (I think it was 2007). It was a different blend but also extremely compelling. So this is a wine to look out for.
• Columbia Crest 2007 Merlot Horse Heaven Hills (WS 91, $12 various). This was initially overshadowed by the stunning Cab Sauv H3 from CC for 2007, but over time the Merlot has won out as the better wine. Super polished with dark berry, it tastes oh so refined, with floral and spice notes creeping in if I let it breathe long enough. My score: 92
  
• Marquis Philips 2008 Shiraz (WS 88, $10-12 Costco). Probably my wine of the year back in Sept. It is a major fruit bomb, but the flavors were perfect and it was so delicious. Sadly the last bottle was a bit unbalanced tasting too ripe. My score: 92

The winner is the wine I most wish I could buy another case of. My wine of the year:
Columbia Crest 2005 Washington Red