Top 10 Livermore Valley Wines Reviewed In 2021: List

LIVERMORE, CA — Wine Enthusiast Magazine reviewed 81 Livermore Valley wines in 2021, covering vintages as far back as 2016 and prices as high as $125.

The top 10 scorers were fuller-bodied reds and included a range of price points, the most affordable of which was a $29 bottle. Several were recognized as "editors' choice" wines or "cellar selection" wines, indicating that they should get better with age.

All but two of the top 10 received ratings between 94 to 97 out of 100 possible points, earning them a spot in Wine Enthusiast's second-highest "superb" category.

Wondering if your favorite winemaker made the cut? Here are 10 of the top-rated wines reviewed by Wine Enthusiast's Jim Gordon in 2021.

1. L'Autre Cote 2017 Sachau Vineyard Cabernet Franc: This wine runs at $98 per bottle and received a score of 96 points. This wine received the "editor's choice" distinction.
2. Ruby Hill Winery 2018 Jewel Collection Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon: At $55 a bottle, this Ruby Hill reserve earned 95 points and was recognized by Wine Enthusiast as an age-worthy "cellar selection" bottle.
3. Mia Nipote Winery 2017 Lencioni Cineyard Cabernet Sauvignon: This $50 cab received 95 points from Wine Enthusiast and was also marked as a "cellar selection" wine.
4. Rubino Estates Winery 2018 Riserva Collection Cabernet Sauvignon: At $30 per bottle, this was one of the most affordable wines on the list. This 94-point wine was also recognized as an "editors' choice" bottle.
5. Steven Kent 2018 The Premier Cabernet Sauvignon: At the other end of the price spectrum, this was the priciest Livermore Valley wine reviewed by Wine Enthusiast last year at $125 per bottle. It received a rating of 94 points.
6. L'Autre Cote 2017 Ghielmetti Vineyard Cabernet Franc: This "cellar selection" wine received a 94-point score and costs $98 per bottle.
7. Rubino Estates Winery 2017 Riserva Collection Petite Sirah: This "editors' choice" wine offers value at $29 per bottle. Wine Enthusiast gave this wine a 94-point score.
8. Mia Nipote Winery 2017 I Fondatori Lencioni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon: At $85 for a bottle, this 94-point wine was recognized as a "cellar selection" wine.
9. Ruby Hill Winery 2017 Jewel Collection Estate Reserve Zinfandel: With a score of 93 points, this wine scored a spot in Wine Enthusiast's "excellent" category. A bottle will cost $50.
10. Rodrigue Molyneaux 2016 Chateau Molyneaux Petit Verdot: This "cellar selection" bottle costs $40 and received a score of 93 points, also earning it a spot in the "excellent" category.

View all Livermore Valley wines reviewed by Wine Enthusiast.

See also:

• New Livermore Valley Wine Heritage District Approved By Council
• Livermore's Wente Vineyards Gets First Driverless Tractor