If I had to pick a top 10, off the top of my head and in no particular order
Cambodia
David vs Goliath
Palau
Tocantins
Heroes vs Villains
Cagayan
China
Panama
Philippines
Pearl Islands
Descriptions with some spoilers, but I'll spoiler tag it incase anyone is worried about something minor. I don't outright spoil any winners, but some info may lead you to know which alliances come out on top.
I'm partial to seasons post-immunity idol, with Palau and PI being the only season that doesn't have it. Way too many pagoning where the game is dictated at the merge vote, with the exceptions being Vanuatu, Amazon, and Marquasas. I would say Vanuatu is one of the most underrated seasons, and has one of the most underrated winners. Truly one of the greatest underdog games ever played alongside the Foa Foa 4, Jalapao 3, the Tika 3 and the Matsing 2.
Tocantins: is on my list because they truly have some of the best characters in the history of the show. Tyson and Coach is my favorite duo in the history of the show. Fishbach and JT are also an iconic duo. Probably my favorite cast of all time, alongside Pearl Islands, China and Cagayan (SJDS also has an amazing cast, but only Keith and Natalie are great on that season, Jeremy and Wentworth established their reputations on return).
China: has Courtney and James, who are both iconic. Courtney is one of the few people I saw I could watch play every season (RIP Keith Nale, Sandra, Tony, Tyson, Coach, and Courtney would be that list).
Cambodia:, a lot of great characters return. Great theme, and I believe it probably has the most people legitimately playing to win out of any season. No one is there to sit back. Jeremy, Keith, Savage, Wentworth, Abi, etc. Tons of interesting people.
Cagayan: absolutely amazing cast. Tony is the best combo of player and personality in the show alongside Sandra. The Brains tribe being so dysfunctional is hilarious. Legitimately like 5 or 6 really interesting players, and two all time greats first season (even if she is very boring, a truly dominant player).
David vs Goliath: Best non-returnee season since Tocantins or China arguably. Legitimately 6 people or so you could tell me is your favorite player that season and I would understand (Nick, Mike, Angelina, Davie, Christian and Carl). My personal favorite was Davie Rickenbacker.
Palau: I agree with your points but the decimation of Ulong is priceless, and a truly iconic winner and one of the most interesting moves in the history of the show at final 3. RIP Jenn Lyon, always loved how positive she was and bounced back from being blindsided, gone way too soon.
Pearl Island: Absolutely amazing cast, even if Rupert ranks with Ozzy as the 4 time players I don't really like. Sandra, Fairplay, Burton and Savage are all great characters. Sandra is my favorite female player of all time, and this season is a large reason why.
Philippines: Amazing underdog journey, and some great characters in Malcolm, Abi and Penner. Abi hitting Skupin in the head with a coconut will forever be one of my favorite moments.
Heroes vs Villains: Truly the best cast the show has ever had. Has multiple of my favorite players of all time. Villains tribe has like 4 of my favorite players alone (Tyson, Courtney, Sandra and Coach).
Panama: The Casaya tribe is one of the best mess tribes of all time, and Terry Dietz's immunity run is iconic. Cirie's first season, and in my opinion my favorite version of her, even if you can argue she was more dominant in Micronesia.
Favorite New Era season is actually 43, as I think it has the most dynamic gameplay and is one of the more fluid season voting wise since Cambodia. Just missed this list would be SJDS, Blood vs Water, and Micronesia. My least favorite season will always be Edge of Extinction.