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 – $??

YUM! The Douglas Green is a new favorite! Their tasting notes say it best:

This elegant, complex and alluring wine was made from outstanding quality grapes, vinified and nurtured with infinite care. Matured in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 12 months this full-bodied wine displays typical Shiraz characteristics of dark berry fruit, clove, and cinnamon spice.

The thing I love best about this wine is that it’s a really balanced Shiraz that doesn’t hit you over the head with tannins and spice. They’re there but they’re done well!

Douglas Green also has a standard Shiraz (not the Reserve). I’ll be on the look out for this one to give it a try.

Origin: South Africa
Where: Highland Wine
Price:  $TBD
Next time: Special occasion

If you know me at all, you’ll know that I love the play on words that embodies this wine. Goats Do Roam is a South African red table wine playing off the hugely popular French wine region Cotes du Rhone … LOVE IT! First of all, Goats are cute, and puns are just fun.

However… Goats du Roam is primarily Syrah, which is often too bold for my taste. Too tannic (or “supple” as the label often says) is usually my interpretation. I was disappointed that Goats Do Roam fell into my stereotypical Syrah, so I’ll not be purchasing a bottle anytime soon.

Origin: South Africa
Where: Publix
Cost: About $9-$10
Next time: I’ll pass