Best wines of 2008 make a nice case

I recommended more than 35 wines in this column during 2008, so I thought it would be fun to sort through and see which were my favorites. I used a mix of my taste preference and the price to determine my rankings for quality and value. Here are my Top 12 wines, in order, for a nice mixed case:

1. Penfolds Bin 389 2004 Cabernet-Shiraz — This is a big, powerful wine from Australia that has loads of flavors such as blackberry, plum, pepper, cinnamon and tobacco. The Bin 389 is the sister-wine to the acclaimed Penfolds Grange, which usually costs several hundred dollars per bottle. It should cost about $25 to $30 depending on where you find it.

2. 2006 Eroica Riesling — This is hands down my favorite dry Riesling. It is a partnership between Washington State’s Chateau Ste. Michelle winery and Germany’s Dr. Loosen wine producer. It fills the glass with aromas of pear, green apple, white peach and even flowers. It also includes tropical fruit flavors, such as pineapple and lime. It costs about $25.

3. 2005 Bodegas El Nido “Clio” — This is one of my favorite wines from any country, and among the best Spanish reds. It comes from the Jumilla region and is mainly the Monastrell grape, with a little Cabernet Sauvignon added in. It boasts loads of flavors including raspberries, blackberries, leather and a hint of curry spice. This is a hearty wine with a silky texture. The price can be about $65.