REUTERS/Tony Gentile
In 2014, they reviewed about 18,000 new wines and narrowed their list down to a manageable 100 they deemed the most "thought-provoking."
This year, the winner was surprising. Instead of the usual French or California bordeaux or chardonnay, the winning wine was a vintage port from Portugal - highly unexpected.
The ranking spans 14 countries (including the US) with an average price point of $47 (lower than last year's $51).
Below are the 20 best wines of 2014, according to Wine Spectator, based on quality, value, availability, and "x-factor."
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Dow Vintage Port ($82)
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Mollydooker Shiraz McLaren Vale Carnivale of Love ($75)
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Prats & Symington Douro Chryseia ($55)
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Quinta do Vale Meão Douro ($76)
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Leeuwin Chardonnay Margaret River Art Series ($89)
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Castello di Ama Chianti Classico San Lorenzo Gran Selezione ($52)
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Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($135)
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Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills ($40)
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Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Don Melchor ($125)
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Château Léoville Las Cases St.-Julien ($165)
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Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains ($60)
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Château Guiraud Sauternes ($50)
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Fonseca Vintage Port ($116)
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Fontodi Colli della Toscana Centrale Flaccianello ($120)
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Bedrock The Bedrock Heritage Sonoma Valley ($42)
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Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella's Garden ($69)
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Soter Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District Mineral Springs Ranch ($60)
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Château Doisy-Védrines Barsac ($35)
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Luca Malbec Uco Valley ($32)
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Peter Michael Chardonnay Knights Valley Ma Belle-Fille ($90)