Here's an interesting take on what it means to "Make the List" from Ryan Opaz of Catavino. "The List" in this case is the Wine Spectator Top 100 which featured a total of three Portuguese wines in their Top 10 and named the Dow Vintage Port 2011 their "Wine of the Year." I especially like his thoughts on the importance of brand building vs."cashing in" on the points. They will only take you so far.
http://catavino.net/portuguese-wines-top-100-2014/#comments
My own experience of this is the same-the exasperating nature of the treasure hunters needing
exactly those wines on the list
this year. Forget the fact that the Wine Spectator flat out states that they are making a statement about the strength of the 2011 vintage in the Douro. Have a great score? Happen to be from the same incredible vintage in the Douro and have been on this list multiple times in the past-maybe even in the Top 10
last year(and have the same winemaker??) No thanks...it can be exasperating.
Mr. Opaz only loses me when he starts Opining about the wines you will only appreciate or have access to if like him you live in Portugal, like Barca Velha. I would point out that Barca Velha did make a list- The Top 100 Cellar selections of 2014 from
Wine Enthusiast placed the 2004 in their Top 10. And they also include lots of appellations and varieties not so well known in the wine scene of the US if you don't happen to live in NY or CA. The Enthusiast list boasts a varietal Touriga Nacional from the Dão, a Beiras from Baga master Luis Pato, and a 2009 red from the Setubal Peninsula. This confirms something I have said before, Wine Enthusiast might not yet have the rubber stamp approval power of the Wine Spectator Top 100, but when it comes to Portugal they are in my opinion leading the US pack.
There are also plenty of 2011 Ports and Douro reds from the 2011 vintage on the Wine Enthusiast list and the Quinta do Vale Meao 2011 made both lists. Maybe this year, you could take a regional or vintage themed suggestion from your own favorite retailer in addition to what you can get your hands on from "the list?" Or maybe this is the year retailers finally get the message about the strength of Portuguese wines and.don't wait for these wines to "make the list" to have them in their shops and on their short list of best recommendations. And if one or two of their recommendations happen to make next year's list, they might have some on hand to sell to you without jumping through hoops or missing the boat. And lets be honest, what "I told you so" is more gratifying than the validation/vindication of the Wine Spectator Top 100 ?
Did you know that Wegmans was named "The Best Grocery Chain in America?" 
