As the dust settles on the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2009 announced November 20 last year the Australian finalists need some recognition.

Ten brands made the cut (no Penfolds Grange) but four wines from the Barossa Valley. And you think that means the tasters are biased towards big, buxom wines.

That does not appear to be the case. Four wines are entry level shiraz and another two, viognier and viognier-pinot gris are entry level whites.

Nineteen Italian wines made the list; the greatest representation of any exporting country whilst Bordeaux managed four wines at Number 40, 64,84 and 96.

The top wine last year was a Washington State Cabernet from Colombia Crest, a 2005 (USD 27).

Number 14 and the first Australian is Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz 2007 (94); USD 60 one of their many super-premium shiraz from the Barossa Valley.

Number 24 is Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2005 995); USD 65, a South Australian blend.

Number 39 is Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier 2008 (92); USD 19, a lovely textured white made by the virtual inventors of this style in Australia.

Number 43 is Schild Shiraz 2007 (92); USD 20, an entry level wine from the Barossa Valley.

Number 51 is Shoofly Shiraz 2007 (91); USD 14, is primarily an export wine made by Ben Riggs using Barossa, Clare and McLaren Vale shiraz.

Number 54 is Peter Lehmann Shiraz 2006 (91); USD 16, the standard and very well made Barossa offering of this stalwart winery.

Number 59 is Thorne-Clark Shotfire Shiraz 2006 (92); USD 33, is the company’s standard Barossa shiraz named after descendent James Goddard.

Number 68 is Heartland Viognier Pinot Gris 2007 (91); USD 16, Ben Glaetzer-made, 68%/32%, Langhorne Creek (80%), Limestone Coast (20%).

Number 73 is Jacob’s Creek Reserve Riesling 2008 (90); USD 13, a terrific Eden/Clare Valley blend with great aromatic character.

Number 82 is d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache, Shiraz Mourvedre 2008 (90); USD 11, from old oak, a wonderful mouthful of spice and supple tannins

More info: http://www.winespectator.com/contentimage/wso/pdf/Top100list2009.pdf