As we are only four days into the new year, we thought it worth having a look at the top wines in 2018.

Of course, "best" is almost always subjective – any grand title of recognition foisted on someone or something is bound to be met with an equal amount of derision. Just look at some of the more controversial Oscar winners or misguided stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, all guaranteed to draw as much ire as respect.

Hopefully our top ten won't be too divisive although they will undoubtedly still spark the usual "I've drunk better" to "oh no, not these lot again." But please remember the below wines are far from hand-picked, each wine has been carefully selected based on its aggregated critic score which is in turn determined by Wine-Searcher's trusty algorithms.

So yes, it's unlikely any of these will come as a surprise, it is, as usual, a world-class assortment of top Burgundy and Napa with the occasional Bordeaux. But their regular appearances on these lists does suggest they're really rather good – enjoy.

1. Domaine Leroy Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits

And the winner is… Domaine Leroy with their Chambertin Grand Cru. Not their most expensive offering but still reassuringly unaffordable at $7471 – it just wouldn't be Leroy if it wasn't luxuriously expensive. The Chambertin Grand Cru has an aggregated critic score of 97 points – you won't find higher on Wine-Searcher. However, it is worth noting that although most other wines on this list have the same '97' score, there is a difference at the decimal level which we don't show for simplicity's sake. So, in this case, the true score for the Leroy is 97.0455 and that is drawn from the verdicts of various critics like Jancis Robinson and Robert Parker.

2. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits

With a score of 96.75, which has subsequently been rounded up to 97, DRC is never far behind Leroy. And as befitting the second-best wine in the world, the Grand Cru is awash with rapturous praise from top critics but sadly when it comes to price at $19,662 it far surpasses anything else on this list so good luck tasting some.

3. Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune

Another Leroy wonder makes it into the top three with an aggregated score of 97 points and, perhaps more significantly, it is the only dry white to make it on this list. Like all Leroy wines, only a very limited amount is produced and these are highly sought after. At $6407, the d'Auvenay climbs down in price from DRC, that said it's still safely out of reach from mere mortals.

4. Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits

Yet another Leroy vying for pole position, with an aggregated score of 97, the Musigny Grand Cru lost out on third place by merely a hair's breadth. However, price-wise it far surpasses all other Leroy wines commanding an average of $15,248. Critics love it with Jancis Robinson describing the 2012 as "almost magical".

5. Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes

Finally Yquem flies the flag for Bordeaux breaking through the relentless tide of Burgundy. With a score of 96, this ancient estate proves they still have it when it comes to superior winemaking particularly in the realm of dessert wine. Once owned by the King of England, Château d'Yquem is now under the LVMH group umbrella but despite its illustrious heritage, Yquem is by far the most reasonably priced on this list with an average tag of $452.

6. Domaine Leroy Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits

The last offering from Leroy to make this list, the Romanee-Saint-Vivant is clearly brilliant with plenty of critics prepared to testify. However, with an aggregated score of 96, it has dropped a point from her other wines – sacré bleu! But at $4902 it's also a couple of grand cheaper while still remaining ludicrously expensive.

7. Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Screeching into seventh place is a regular on our listicles but with a score of 96 points, Screaming Eagle certainly makes the cut. The original cult wine of California, Screaming Eagle is made from a tiny plot in tiny quantities and is therefore very expensive – their Sauvignon Blanc is currently the most expensive wine from Napa on the Wine-Searcher database. And their Cabernet, which is making its usual cameo here, is no different commanding an average price of $3666.

8. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti La Tache Grand Cru Monopole, Cote de Nuits

Another legendary wine from DRC makes an appearance. In all of Wine-Searcher's collected scores and notes from various critics, it's hard to find a subpar score which naturally translates to a very respectable aggregate of 96 points. But again, perfection costs, and in this case a humble $4702.

9. Petrus, Pomerol

Bordeaux – pull your bootstraps up – with only two wines making this list, Burgundy is truly trumping it when it comes to critic scores. However, when it comes to affordability, Bordeaux might just have the edge – after all Yquem was by far the most affordable wine on this list and Petrus is – at $3202 – less than Napa's top offering let alone Burgundy's. And you're hardly sacrificing on name with Petrus recognised the world over as Pomerol's most significant estate. So, there you have it, buy Bordeaux.

10. Abreu Vineyard 'Thorevilos' Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Rounding up our list, also with 96 points is Thorevilos from David Abreu who has worked on the likes of Harlan Estate and Screaming Eagle. His wines now occupy cult status in their own right and the Thorevilos has received more than one 100-point score over various vintages. Now if you're thinking this is just going to be another uppity, unobtainable Napa Valley wine, think again. With an average price tag of $549, it's almost as friendly as Yquem and a quick look on Wine-Searcher shows there are clearly some deals to be had. So go on, treat yourself to one of the best wines in the world.

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