The November 2007 edition of Robb Report showcases the magazine’s Top 100 Vintners, focusing exclusively on “vintners who have consistently turned out wines of the first rank for at least a decade.”

Written by Brett Anderson, the Robb 100 is not a numerically ranked list (unlike Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100). In his lead-in, Anderson indicates the magazine “structured (the) list to ensure a measure of geographic balance.” So the honored vintners are divided by country and then, where applicable, by regions or appellations, under which they appear alphabetically. A few choices we found of interest are detailed here.

Spain: “Some of the world’s best wines now come from Spain … (and) from innovative young winemakers in emerging regions,” Anderson writes. He notes Bodegas Artadi as an example. Winemaker Juan Carlos Lopez, the author writes, ”has raised the area’s traditional grape, Tempranillo, to the level of a fine Bordeaux.” (Note: Artadi’s Vinas De Gain 2005 Rioja scored 94 points with Wine Advocate and is a staggering value at $30 per bottle).

California/Napa Valley: Not many surprises here (including Harlan Estate, Screaming Eagle and Shafer). Two that fall just outside Robb’s requirement of performing at the highest levels for at least a decade are Colgin Cellars (1992) and Lokoya (1995). Releases of recent years worthy of acclaim include Colgin’s 2000 Cariad Proprietary Red blend ($339), and Lokoya’s 2004 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon ($164). The Colgin Cariad is made almost entirely of grapes sourced from the Madrona Ranch Vineyard of vintner David Abreu, who also rates among Robb Report’s Top 100.

California/Sonoma County: Only six made the cut from this region, including Peter Michael Winery and Verite. Peter Michael has been a powerhouse in recent years. Critics particularly rave about the Bordeaux-style ‘Les Pavots’. The 150-case, 2004 ‘Les Pavots’ from Sonoma’s Knights Valley ($175) was labeled simply “stunning” by Robert Parker Jr. Verite, founded by Frenchman Pierre Seillan in 1997, is known for three red blends, including a 2000 La Joie ($159) that is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Oregon: Anderson lists only three Pinot Noir makers from the state. Among them is Archery Summit, founded by Napa Valley vintner Gary Andrus (Pine Ridge). “Always richly layered,” he writes. One to add to the cellar is the 2004 Arcus Estate Pinot Noir from the Dundee Hills appellation ($90).

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