Wine Review Weekly
February 11th, 2008
Following last week's tepid remarks for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines under $50, the New York Times tasting panel has nearly uniform praise for Bordeaux wines in the same price range. Stephen Meuse, writing in the Boston Globe, finds a good number of delicious new wines from Portugal. And, in the San Jose Mercury News, Laurie Daniel takes a close look a winegrape growing and winemaking in Marin County, California. John Gillespie
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks BV Century Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Layer Cake Shiraz 2006.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Clape 'Le Vin Des Amis' 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Townshend Cellars Columbia Valley Red Wine.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks St. Francis Red.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Fonseca Porto Terra Bella.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Ten Mile 'The Broken Road' Red.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on Bordeaux wines under $50. Top choice is Chateau Brane-Cantenac 2004, while best value is Chateau de Pez 2004.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on red wines from Austria. Highest praise goes to Gesellmann 'Creitzer' Blaufrankish 2003, Hillinger Zweigelt 2006, and Fischer 'Classic' St. Laurent 2003.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends wines for Valentine's Day. The list - Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve NV, Piper-Heidsieck Rose Sauvage, St. Francis Red 2004, Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Fonseca Bin 27 Port, Louis Jadot Santenay Clos de Malte 2005, Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine 2006, Beringer Nightingale 2004, Les Amours 2005, Domaine Pierre Morey Meursault 2005, and Paumanok Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2006.
New York Sun: Wine columnist Peter Hellman on a Valentine's Day dinner that includes several vintages of Chateau d'Yquem.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Clay Station Old Vine Zinfandel 2005, Cameron Hughes Lot 39 Shiraz 2005, and Clos du Bois Reserve Merlot 2004.
Boston Globe: Wine columnist Stephen Meuse on wines from Portugal. Tasting notes on Quinta dos Grilos Dao, Cabriz Dao 2005, Castello d'Alba 'Unoaked' Douro 2005, Castello d'Alba Douro 2005, and Jose Mari Fonseca Terras Do Sado Periquita 2004.
Baltimore Sun: Staff writer Rob Kasper on wines for Valentine's Day. Recommended are Braida Brachetto d'Acqui 2006, Cono Sur Vision Pinot Noir 2007, and Louis Latour 'Duet' Chardonnay Viognier 2005.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Pinot Noir wines from the Carneros distric t. Highest rating goes to Mayro-Murdick 2005.
San Francisco Chronicle: Guest writer Christiana Kelly on the red vs. white wine dilemma. No brands cited, but comment from K & L Wine Merchants and other notable retailers.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on current wine trends discussed at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento last week. Comments from several notables, including Marian Jansen op de Harr, from the Fleming's Steakhouse chain.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on grape growing and winemaking in Marin County, California. Praise for the cool climate, with tasting notes on Pinot Noir wines from Orogeny, Willowbrook Cellars, Pey-Marin, Stubbs, and Kendric. Merlot from Mount Tamalpais and Stubbs also garner praise, as does a Riesling from Pey-Marin.
Los Angeles Times: Guest writer Patrick Comiskey on Pinot Gris from Oregon. Nice comments for offerings from Ponzi, King Estate, Elk Cove, WillaKenzie Estate, and Chehalem Winery.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on wines for Valentine's Day. Top pick is Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on wines for Valentine's Day. Nice comments for Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Seifried Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne Brut 1999 (and Blanc de Blanc 2000), Sokol Blosser Meditrina, Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2005, and Peller Estates Riesling Icewine 2006. Top choice for Karen is Quady Elysium Black Muscat 2006, while Andrew goes for Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut NV.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs on the variety of wines coming from New Zealand. Nice mentions for Chardonnay from Kim Crawford and Villa Maria, Pinot Gris from Kumeu River, Lawson's Dry Hills and Mt. Difficulty, and Riesling from Allan Scott, Pegasus Bay, and Villa Maria. For red wines, there is praise for Pinot Noir from Craggy Range, Felton Road, and Mt. Difficulty. And Craggy Range gets another nod for Merlot.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on Pinot Noir. Highest rated is Bergstrom Winery Cumberland Reserve 2006.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on wines from small importers. Highest rated wine is Frederick Magnien Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2006.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Jennifer Rosen on the complexities of scent. Recommended this week are Zonin Primo Amore Pinot Grigio 2006, Bonterra Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Santandi Cala Silente Vermentino di Sardegna 2006, Pine Ridge Clarksburg Chenin Blanc Viognier 2006, Terra Rosa Mendoza Old Vine Malbec 2004, Rabbit Ridge Paso Robles 'Bunny Cuvee' Red Wine, L'Ecole No. 41 'Recess Red' 2005, and Alkoomi Frankland River Shiraz Viognier 2004.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on wines for Valentine's Day. The choices are Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (or the Reserve Cabernet), Sandeman's Vau Vintage Por t, Osborne Late Bottled Vintage Port, Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne, and Henriot Brut Souverain.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on Brunello wines. Highest rated are Fattoria dei Barbi 'Vigna dei Fiore' 2003, Castello del Romitorio 2003, and Tenuto Oliveto 2003.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Pinot Grigio wines. Favorite in tasting is Zenato delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Wine columnist Bill Ward on wines for Valentine's Day. Top choice is Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on pairing wine with salami. Top choices are Giacomo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Cascina Francia 2005, and Massimiliano Vivalda Barbera d'Asti Vivalda 2005.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on good value in wine. Cases in point are I Monili Primitivo del Tarantino 2006, and Saintsbury Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir 2006.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks BV Century Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Layer Cake Shiraz 2006.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Clape 'Le Vin Des Amis' 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Townshend Cellars Columbia Valley Red Wine.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks St. Francis Red.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Fonseca Porto Terra Bella.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Ten Mile 'The Broken Road' Red.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on Bordeaux wines under $50. Top choice is Chateau Brane-Cantenac 2004, while best value is Chateau de Pez 2004.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on red wines from Austria. Highest praise goes to Gesellmann 'Creitzer' Blaufrankish 2003, Hillinger Zweigelt 2006, and Fischer 'Classic' St. Laurent 2003.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends wines for Valentine's Day. The list - Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve NV, Piper-Heidsieck Rose Sauvage, St. Francis Red 2004, Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Fonseca Bin 27 Port, Louis Jadot Santenay Clos de Malte 2005, Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine 2006, Beringer Nightingale 2004, Les Amours 2005, Domaine Pierre Morey Meursault 2005, and Paumanok Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2006.
New York Sun: Wine columnist Peter Hellman on a Valentine's Day dinner that includes several vintages of Chateau d'Yquem.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Clay Station Old Vine Zinfandel 2005, Cameron Hughes Lot 39 Shiraz 2005, and Clos du Bois Reserve Merlot 2004.
Boston Globe: Wine columnist Stephen Meuse on wines from Portugal. Tasting notes on Quinta dos Grilos Dao, Cabriz Dao 2005, Castello d'Alba 'Unoaked' Douro 2005, Castello d'Alba Douro 2005, and Jose Mari Fonseca Terras Do Sado Periquita 2004.
Baltimore Sun: Staff writer Rob Kasper on wines for Valentine's Day. Recommended are Braida Brachetto d'Acqui 2006, Cono Sur Vision Pinot Noir 2007, and Louis Latour 'Duet' Chardonnay Viognier 2005.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Pinot Noir wines from the Carneros distric t. Highest rating goes to Mayro-Murdick 2005.
San Francisco Chronicle: Guest writer Christiana Kelly on the red vs. white wine dilemma. No brands cited, but comment from K & L Wine Merchants and other notable retailers.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on current wine trends discussed at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento last week. Comments from several notables, including Marian Jansen op de Harr, from the Fleming's Steakhouse chain.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on grape growing and winemaking in Marin County, California. Praise for the cool climate, with tasting notes on Pinot Noir wines from Orogeny, Willowbrook Cellars, Pey-Marin, Stubbs, and Kendric. Merlot from Mount Tamalpais and Stubbs also garner praise, as does a Riesling from Pey-Marin.
Los Angeles Times: Guest writer Patrick Comiskey on Pinot Gris from Oregon. Nice comments for offerings from Ponzi, King Estate, Elk Cove, WillaKenzie Estate, and Chehalem Winery.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on wines for Valentine's Day. Top pick is Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on wines for Valentine's Day. Nice comments for Saint Clair Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Seifried Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne Brut 1999 (and Blanc de Blanc 2000), Sokol Blosser Meditrina, Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2005, and Peller Estates Riesling Icewine 2006. Top choice for Karen is Quady Elysium Black Muscat 2006, while Andrew goes for Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut NV.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs on the variety of wines coming from New Zealand. Nice mentions for Chardonnay from Kim Crawford and Villa Maria, Pinot Gris from Kumeu River, Lawson's Dry Hills and Mt. Difficulty, and Riesling from Allan Scott, Pegasus Bay, and Villa Maria. For red wines, there is praise for Pinot Noir from Craggy Range, Felton Road, and Mt. Difficulty. And Craggy Range gets another nod for Merlot.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on Pinot Noir. Highest rated is Bergstrom Winery Cumberland Reserve 2006.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on wines from small importers. Highest rated wine is Frederick Magnien Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2006.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Jennifer Rosen on the complexities of scent. Recommended this week are Zonin Primo Amore Pinot Grigio 2006, Bonterra Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Santandi Cala Silente Vermentino di Sardegna 2006, Pine Ridge Clarksburg Chenin Blanc Viognier 2006, Terra Rosa Mendoza Old Vine Malbec 2004, Rabbit Ridge Paso Robles 'Bunny Cuvee' Red Wine, L'Ecole No. 41 'Recess Red' 2005, and Alkoomi Frankland River Shiraz Viognier 2004.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on wines for Valentine's Day. The choices are Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (or the Reserve Cabernet), Sandeman's Vau Vintage Por t, Osborne Late Bottled Vintage Port, Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne, and Henriot Brut Souverain.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on Brunello wines. Highest rated are Fattoria dei Barbi 'Vigna dei Fiore' 2003, Castello del Romitorio 2003, and Tenuto Oliveto 2003.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Pinot Grigio wines. Favorite in tasting is Zenato delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2006.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Wine columnist Bill Ward on wines for Valentine's Day. Top choice is Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on pairing wine with salami. Top choices are Giacomo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Cascina Francia 2005, and Massimiliano Vivalda Barbera d'Asti Vivalda 2005.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on good value in wine. Cases in point are I Monili Primitivo del Tarantino 2006, and Saintsbury Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir 2006.
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