Wine Review Weekly
February 18th, 2008
In the last light of Valentine's Day, Washington Post writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg offer a long and thoughtful look at sparkling rose wines. On the other coast, San Francisco Chronicle wine editor Jon Bonne offers tasting notes on Syrah and Pinot Noir wines grown in the same areas and made by the same vintners. And Elin McCoy, writing for Bloomberg News, reports lovingly on a preview tasting of the 2005 vintage wines from the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, where Syrah is quite simply not allowed. John Gillespie
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay 2007.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Gruet Brut NV.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2005.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Chateau Marquis de Calon 2005.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies this week recommends a book - 'Wine Trails of Washington'.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks St. Francis Red.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Twenty Bench Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on the benefits of getting to know 'lesser' vintages. Nice mentions for Leoville-Barton 2001, Fourrier Morey-St.-Denis 2004, Giuseppe Mascarello Monprivato 1993, and Joseph Phelps Insignia 2000.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on regional wines of the U.S. and where to find them. Nice mentions for the Yadkin Valley Wine Bar in the Charlotte, NC airport, Vinocruz in Santa Cruz, Wines of Colorado, the Oregon Wine Tasting Room in McMinnville, Vintage New York in NYC, the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, and others.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on inexpensive wines produced by Cartlidge & Browne. Highest rated is 'Dancing Crow' Sauvignon Blanc 2006.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on the 2005 vintage wines of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. High praise all around, especially for La Tache.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends wines for Valentine's Day. The list - Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine 2006, Beringer Nightingale 2004, Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve NV, Piper-Heidsieck Rose Sauvage NV, St. Francis Red 2004, Spring Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Fonseca Bin 27 Port, Louis Jadot Santenay Clos de Malte 2005, Hugel Cuvee Les Amours Pinot Blanc 2005, Domaine Pierre Morey Meursault 2005, and Paumanok Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2006.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose, and Inniskillin Vidal Sparkling Icewine 2005.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan on the Torrontes wines of Argentina. Recommended is Norton Torrontes 2004.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc wines. The lone '3 star' rating goes to Voss Vineyards Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2006.
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on Syrah wines grown in what are usually considered Pinot Noir locations. Tasting notes on Cristom Eola-Amity Hills Estate Syrah 2005, Cristom Jessie Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 2005, Melville Carrie's Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2005, Melville Donna's Sta. Rita Hills Syrah 2005, Ojai Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005, Ojai Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah 2005, Peay La Bruma Sonma Coast Syrah 2005, Peay Scallop Shelf Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2005, Failla Estate Sonoma Coast Syrah 2005, and Failla Occidental Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2005.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on wines for Valentine's Day. Focus is on varietals, types and styles, with no brand mentions.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on Port wines for Valentine's Day. Tawnies from Cockburn's, Warre's, Dow's, and Hardy's are recommended, as are 20 Year Tawny Port wines from Warre's and Sandemans. Among 10 Year Tawny Port wines, the picks are from Warre's, Taylor Fladgate, Royal Oporto, and Grahm's. Nice mention also for Hugel Cuvee Les Amours Pinot Blanc 2005.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on Napa Valley restaurateur Cindy Pawlcyn. Also, in tasting notes section, high praise for Sauvignon Republic South Africa Sauvignon Blanc 2007.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on sparkling rose wines. Nice mentions for those from Iron Horse, J Vineyards, Taittinger, Louis Roederer, Nicolas Feuillatte, Krug, and Segura Viudas. Karen's top pick, though, is Roederer Estate Brut Rose NV, while Andrew opts for Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose Brut NV.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on wine for Valentine's Day. The choice is Banfi Rosa Regale 2006.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers wine suggestions for Valentine's Day. Highest rated wine is Argyle 'Extended Tirage' 1997.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Wine writer Jeff Siegel on rose wines. Recommended are SoloRosa California Rose 2006, Anime Pink NV, Chateau Marouine Rose 2006, Louis Bouillot Rose NV, and Menage a Trois Rose 2006.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Jennifer Rosen on wines for Valentine's Day. Mentions for every cleverly named wine that alludes to romance, including Haart to Heart Mosel Riesling, Hartford Court Chardonnay Four Hearts Vineyard, Tortoise Creek Les Amoureux, Primo Amore Juliet, Hugel Cuvee Les Amours Pinot Blanc, Snoqualmie Naked Riesling, JC Cellars First Date, Seven Deadly Zins and countless (really) others.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on wines for Valentine's Day. The choices are Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Sandemans Vau Vintage Port, Osborne's Late Bottles Vintage Port, Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (and the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon), Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champage, and Henriot Brut Souverain.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Wine columnist Bill Ward on the Sacre Bleu line of French wines. Nice comments for Sacre Bleu 'CMV Barrique' 2006.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on cleverly named wines that seem appropriate for Valentine's Day. Long list includes offerings from First Drop Wines, Clos de la Brosse, Fetish Wines, Terra Valentine, Red Heads Studio, Quady, and Chateau Ste. Michelle.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on unoaked wines. Cases in point are Dominio de Tared Albares Mencia 'Bierzo' 2005, and King Estate Pinot Gris 'Domaine' 2006.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay 2007.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Gruet Brut NV.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2005.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Chateau Marquis de Calon 2005.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies this week recommends a book - 'Wine Trails of Washington'.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks St. Francis Red.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Twenty Bench Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on the benefits of getting to know 'lesser' vintages. Nice mentions for Leoville-Barton 2001, Fourrier Morey-St.-Denis 2004, Giuseppe Mascarello Monprivato 1993, and Joseph Phelps Insignia 2000.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on regional wines of the U.S. and where to find them. Nice mentions for the Yadkin Valley Wine Bar in the Charlotte, NC airport, Vinocruz in Santa Cruz, Wines of Colorado, the Oregon Wine Tasting Room in McMinnville, Vintage New York in NYC, the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, and others.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on inexpensive wines produced by Cartlidge & Browne. Highest rated is 'Dancing Crow' Sauvignon Blanc 2006.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on the 2005 vintage wines of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. High praise all around, especially for La Tache.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends wines for Valentine's Day. The list - Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine 2006, Beringer Nightingale 2004, Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve NV, Piper-Heidsieck Rose Sauvage NV, St. Francis Red 2004, Spring Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Fonseca Bin 27 Port, Louis Jadot Santenay Clos de Malte 2005, Hugel Cuvee Les Amours Pinot Blanc 2005, Domaine Pierre Morey Meursault 2005, and Paumanok Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2006.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose, and Inniskillin Vidal Sparkling Icewine 2005.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan on the Torrontes wines of Argentina. Recommended is Norton Torrontes 2004.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc wines. The lone '3 star' rating goes to Voss Vineyards Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2006.
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on Syrah wines grown in what are usually considered Pinot Noir locations. Tasting notes on Cristom Eola-Amity Hills Estate Syrah 2005, Cristom Jessie Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 2005, Melville Carrie's Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2005, Melville Donna's Sta. Rita Hills Syrah 2005, Ojai Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005, Ojai Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah 2005, Peay La Bruma Sonma Coast Syrah 2005, Peay Scallop Shelf Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2005, Failla Estate Sonoma Coast Syrah 2005, and Failla Occidental Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2005.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on wines for Valentine's Day. Focus is on varietals, types and styles, with no brand mentions.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on Port wines for Valentine's Day. Tawnies from Cockburn's, Warre's, Dow's, and Hardy's are recommended, as are 20 Year Tawny Port wines from Warre's and Sandemans. Among 10 Year Tawny Port wines, the picks are from Warre's, Taylor Fladgate, Royal Oporto, and Grahm's. Nice mention also for Hugel Cuvee Les Amours Pinot Blanc 2005.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on Napa Valley restaurateur Cindy Pawlcyn. Also, in tasting notes section, high praise for Sauvignon Republic South Africa Sauvignon Blanc 2007.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on sparkling rose wines. Nice mentions for those from Iron Horse, J Vineyards, Taittinger, Louis Roederer, Nicolas Feuillatte, Krug, and Segura Viudas. Karen's top pick, though, is Roederer Estate Brut Rose NV, while Andrew opts for Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose Brut NV.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on wine for Valentine's Day. The choice is Banfi Rosa Regale 2006.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers wine suggestions for Valentine's Day. Highest rated wine is Argyle 'Extended Tirage' 1997.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Wine writer Jeff Siegel on rose wines. Recommended are SoloRosa California Rose 2006, Anime Pink NV, Chateau Marouine Rose 2006, Louis Bouillot Rose NV, and Menage a Trois Rose 2006.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Jennifer Rosen on wines for Valentine's Day. Mentions for every cleverly named wine that alludes to romance, including Haart to Heart Mosel Riesling, Hartford Court Chardonnay Four Hearts Vineyard, Tortoise Creek Les Amoureux, Primo Amore Juliet, Hugel Cuvee Les Amours Pinot Blanc, Snoqualmie Naked Riesling, JC Cellars First Date, Seven Deadly Zins and countless (really) others.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on wines for Valentine's Day. The choices are Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Sandemans Vau Vintage Port, Osborne's Late Bottles Vintage Port, Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (and the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon), Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champage, and Henriot Brut Souverain.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Wine columnist Bill Ward on the Sacre Bleu line of French wines. Nice comments for Sacre Bleu 'CMV Barrique' 2006.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on cleverly named wines that seem appropriate for Valentine's Day. Long list includes offerings from First Drop Wines, Clos de la Brosse, Fetish Wines, Terra Valentine, Red Heads Studio, Quady, and Chateau Ste. Michelle.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on unoaked wines. Cases in point are Dominio de Tared Albares Mencia 'Bierzo' 2005, and King Estate Pinot Gris 'Domaine' 2006.
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