My Best Wines of 2025: 5 Unforgettable Bottles
In 2025, I drank 76 bottles of “good” wine, but only five reached the level of a truly magical, transformative experience. In this video, I’m breaking down the top five bottles that defined my year—ranging from an unexpected $43 treasure to an ethereal experience that felt like the Northern Lights in a glass.
As a certified Sommelier, I look for more than just technical perfection; I look for evolution. These are wines where the first sip and the last sip tell two different stories, evoking memories of everything from fine Italian leather to sweet pipe tobacco and the Alaskan oil fields.
Whether you are looking for a high-end Napa Cabernet or an obscure Portuguese Baga, these recommendations are battle-tested and ready for your 2026 cellar.
Video Highlights:
The $43 Surprise: How a bottle from the team behind one of the world’s most famous estates delivered massive value.
The “Walter White” of Wine: A mountain fruit powerhouse that starts slow but ends in the stratosphere.
The Cool Guy Factor: An aged, rustic selection that feels like wearing a fine leather jacket.
The River of Flavor: A $400 bottle that required “iron discipline” to not chug.
The Best Wine of the Year: A violet-hued masterpiece that costs significantly less than you’d expect.
Chapters
0:00 The Truth About My 2025 Wine Journey
0:55 Wine Number 5: The Unexpected $43 Saint Emilion Bordeaux Treasure
2:49 Wine Number 4: The “Walter White” Napa Cabernet
3:48 Wine Number 3: The $70 Baga Portuguese Steal
4:59 Wine Number 2: A River of Memories & Sweet Tobacco
8:20 Wine Number 1: The Best Wine I’ve Had in 2 Years
10:41 Join the Unforgettable Wine Project
The Unforgettable Wine Project
I’m building a community-sourced database of magical wines! If you’ve had a bottle in the last two years that took you on a journey from the first sip to the last, I want to hear about it. Leave your recommendation in the comments, and I’ll add it to our living Google Doc for all subscribers to enjoy.
1 Comment
Very curious to try Quinault L'Enclos 2018! Not a big fan of this vintage but you made me curious. The Beiras wine also sounds like a treat (and I love the label). I might order a bottle. Thanks for the recs!