Now that we’re a couple of months into 2010, I took a look back at the wines I tried in 2009 and present to you my list of Favorite Red Wines of 2009! Fave 2009 Whites coming soon!

• Pine & Post Cab Sauv – $9
• Simonnet-Febvre Pinot Noir – ~ $10
• Finca el Origen Malbec – $11
• Lucky Star Pinot Noir - $9
• Mark West Sonoma County Pinot Noir – $12
• Memo Montepulciano – $11
• Morande Pionero Pinot Noir – $10
• Spellbound Petite Syrah – $13
• Alexander Valley Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – $?
• Angeline Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – $14
• Oyster Bay Pinot Noir – $15
• G5 Puerta Bonita Garnacha – $15
• Eos Estate Zinfandel and Petite Syrah – $15ish? and $16
• Bliss Cab Sauv – $15
• Chateau Fantin Bordeaux Superioeur – $16
• Big Fire Pinot Noir – $18
• Poppy Pinot Noir – $16
• Rivola Sardon de Duero Cab Sauv – $17
• Vina Robles Cav Sauv – ~ $18
• Le Signal Domaine Ligneres Carignan – $19
• Murphy-Goode Cab Sauv – $20
• Wirra Wirra Church Block Cab Sauv – $20
• Chateau Robin Cotes De Castillion – $22
• Louis M. Martini Cab Sauv – $15-$20
• L’Oustal Blanc Minervois – $21
• Twenty Rows Cab Sauv – $23
• Oberon Cab Sauv – $24
• Molnar Family Pinot Noir – $26
• Douglas Green Shiraz Reserve – $20ish?
• Obsidian Ridge Cab Sauv – $29
• Patricia Green Pinot Noir – $30
• Hartford Zinfandel – $30
• Chateau Rollan de By Medoc – $30
• Louis Latour Domaine de Valmoissine Pinot Noir – $??
• Anne Amie Pinot Noir – $??

This Angeline Russian River Valley Pinot seems to have taken Atlanta by storm lately. And for good reason – it’s amazing! We popped this bottle after the Memo ran out during the shrimp and cornbread casserole dinner with my parents. Just a fabulous flavor and moderately priced as well. The production is fairly limited, so if you see this wine – grab a few bottles or a case.

Origin: Russian River Valley, California
Where: Highland Wine
Price: $14
Next time: Get a case!

This Hartford Zinfandel deserves a blog post way before now. It’s no wonder it scored 92 points from The Wine News. I tried this Russian River Valley Zinfandel back in mid-August, and wow, was it fabulous. Supple, velvety tannins are a really great addition to the fruit backbone. Check out the Hartford website for info about how they farm and harvest their vineyards – some really interesting stuff. They describe this Zin as:

This old-vine Zinfandel provides captivating aromas of raspberry, boysenberry, blackberry and white pepper and anise, complemented by flavors reminiscent of black raspberries, bittersweet chocolate and cinnamon. Stunningly rich and concentrated, our 2007 Russian River Valley Zinfandel has incredible definition of fruit and sweet luscious tannins.

Origin: Russian River Valley, California
Where: Highland Wine
Price: $30
Next time: Get a glass! Special occasion!