Wine Review Weekly
February 25, 2008
The backlash against high alcohol California wines continues this week with an Associated Press article by Michelle Locke on the trend. In the article, vintner Randy Dunn and retailer Darrell Corti argue for wines with lower alcohol levels and better balance. On the other side of the argument, Clark Smith of Vinovation says (of practices like reverse osmosis) "...winemaking's just cooking." Which makes us feel so much better. John Gillespie
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Artezin Petite Sirah 2006.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Fonseca Bin 27 Porto.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas Rouge 2005.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Dona Rosa Rias Baixas Albarino 2006.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Spring Mountian Elivette.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Cantina Sociale Cooperative di Copertino 2001.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Seven Hills Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004.
Associated Press: Wine industry reporter Michelle Locke on the high alcohol trend in California (especially Napa Valley) wines. Vintner Randy Dunn and retailer Darrell Corti are quoted in opposition to the trend, while others, including Clark Smith of Vinovation, seem to be admiring the Emperor's new clothes.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on Chianti Classico. Many nice things to say, and panel favorite is Fontodi 2004. Best value is deemed to be Coltibuono Selezione RS 2005.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on Zinfandel wines under $20. General disappointment, but priaise for Francis Ford Coppola 'Director's Cut' 2005. Also, Sobon Estate 'Hillside' 2006 is cited for value.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on luxury hotels and restaurants in Sonoma County.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends Kim Crawford Chardonnay 2007, Peter Lehmann 'The Seven Surveys' 2005, Christian Moueix Pomerol 2005, Villa Cerna Chianti Classico Riserva 2004, Clos du Bois Rose 2006, Castello Banfi Fontanelle 2004, Placido Rosso di Montalcino 2005, Beringer Knights Valley Alluvium Blanc 2006, Souverain Alexander Valley Chardonnay 2006, Dry Creek Sonoma Fume Blanc 2006, Churchill's Finest Vintage Character Port, and Michael David 7 Deadly Zins 2006.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Hey Mambo 'Sultry Red' 2006, and Snoqualmie 'Whistle Stop Red' 2006.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer T. J. Foderaro responds to questions from readers. Nice mentions for Sauvignon Blanc wines from Kim Crawford, Casa Lapostolle, Geyser Peak, and Hogue Cellars Tasting notes also on Bonizio Sangiovese de Maremma 2005, Restoration 'Old Vine Red' 2006, Spanish Quarter 2006, and Rigatoni Red.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan on new wines from Portugal. Nice comment for Cortes de Cima 2002.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Shiraz wines from McLaren Vale. Highest rated is Yangarra Estate Vineyard Single Vineyard 2006.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne profiles vintner Jon Affonso and his newly opened winery - Rail Bridge Cellars in Sacramento.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on wines from the Casablanca Valley in Chile. Prasie for Sauvignon Blanc wines from Veramonte, Kingston Family Vineyards, and Cono Sur. Chardonnays from Carmen, Casa Lapostolle, Veramonte, and Arboleda are also recommended, as is the Gewurztraminer from Cono Sur. Red wines from Kingston Family Vineyards, Cono Sur, and Veramonte are also noted.
Los Angeles Times: Staff writer Corie Brown on the Climate Change & Wine confernce in Barcelona. Quotes from such notables as Australian consultant Richard Smart, Jacques Lurton, Bruno Prats, and others. Oh, and the news? Not good.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley runs reader comments of poor wine service in restaurants. In his tasting notes, highest rating goes to Sbragia Gamble Ranch Chardonnay 2005.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg respond to readers' questions. Karen's choice this week is Paul Jaboulet Aine Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45 2006, while Andrew goes for Ferrari-Carano Alexander Valley Chardonnay 2005.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers offers tips on entertaining with wine. No brand mentions.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on apres-ski wines. Highest marks go to Pileta '39' Malbec 2005, and Graham's 'Six Grapes' Reserve Porto.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on wines from Penfolds. Recommended are the Bin 51 Riesling 2007, Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2005, and Bin 128 Coonwarra Shiraz 2005.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on standout wines from the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Cited are Hitching Post 'Highlinger' Pinot Noir 2006, Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot 2001, and Antinori Tiganello 2004.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on red wine from Argentina. Top choice is Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Wine columnist Bill Ward on the Twin Cities Food & Wine Experience. Nice tasting note on Dry Creek 'Endeavour' Cabernet Sauvignon 2003.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Artezin Petite Sirah 2006.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Fonseca Bin 27 Porto.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas Rouge 2005.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Dona Rosa Rias Baixas Albarino 2006.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Spring Mountian Elivette.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Cantina Sociale Cooperative di Copertino 2001.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Seven Hills Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004.
Associated Press: Wine industry reporter Michelle Locke on the high alcohol trend in California (especially Napa Valley) wines. Vintner Randy Dunn and retailer Darrell Corti are quoted in opposition to the trend, while others, including Clark Smith of Vinovation, seem to be admiring the Emperor's new clothes.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on Chianti Classico. Many nice things to say, and panel favorite is Fontodi 2004. Best value is deemed to be Coltibuono Selezione RS 2005.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on Zinfandel wines under $20. General disappointment, but priaise for Francis Ford Coppola 'Director's Cut' 2005. Also, Sobon Estate 'Hillside' 2006 is cited for value.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on luxury hotels and restaurants in Sonoma County.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends Kim Crawford Chardonnay 2007, Peter Lehmann 'The Seven Surveys' 2005, Christian Moueix Pomerol 2005, Villa Cerna Chianti Classico Riserva 2004, Clos du Bois Rose 2006, Castello Banfi Fontanelle 2004, Placido Rosso di Montalcino 2005, Beringer Knights Valley Alluvium Blanc 2006, Souverain Alexander Valley Chardonnay 2006, Dry Creek Sonoma Fume Blanc 2006, Churchill's Finest Vintage Character Port, and Michael David 7 Deadly Zins 2006.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Hey Mambo 'Sultry Red' 2006, and Snoqualmie 'Whistle Stop Red' 2006.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer T. J. Foderaro responds to questions from readers. Nice mentions for Sauvignon Blanc wines from Kim Crawford, Casa Lapostolle, Geyser Peak, and Hogue Cellars Tasting notes also on Bonizio Sangiovese de Maremma 2005, Restoration 'Old Vine Red' 2006, Spanish Quarter 2006, and Rigatoni Red.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan on new wines from Portugal. Nice comment for Cortes de Cima 2002.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Shiraz wines from McLaren Vale. Highest rated is Yangarra Estate Vineyard Single Vineyard 2006.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne profiles vintner Jon Affonso and his newly opened winery - Rail Bridge Cellars in Sacramento.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on wines from the Casablanca Valley in Chile. Prasie for Sauvignon Blanc wines from Veramonte, Kingston Family Vineyards, and Cono Sur. Chardonnays from Carmen, Casa Lapostolle, Veramonte, and Arboleda are also recommended, as is the Gewurztraminer from Cono Sur. Red wines from Kingston Family Vineyards, Cono Sur, and Veramonte are also noted.
Los Angeles Times: Staff writer Corie Brown on the Climate Change & Wine confernce in Barcelona. Quotes from such notables as Australian consultant Richard Smart, Jacques Lurton, Bruno Prats, and others. Oh, and the news? Not good.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley runs reader comments of poor wine service in restaurants. In his tasting notes, highest rating goes to Sbragia Gamble Ranch Chardonnay 2005.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg respond to readers' questions. Karen's choice this week is Paul Jaboulet Aine Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45 2006, while Andrew goes for Ferrari-Carano Alexander Valley Chardonnay 2005.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers offers tips on entertaining with wine. No brand mentions.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on apres-ski wines. Highest marks go to Pileta '39' Malbec 2005, and Graham's 'Six Grapes' Reserve Porto.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on wines from Penfolds. Recommended are the Bin 51 Riesling 2007, Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2005, and Bin 128 Coonwarra Shiraz 2005.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on standout wines from the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Cited are Hitching Post 'Highlinger' Pinot Noir 2006, Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot 2001, and Antinori Tiganello 2004.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on red wine from Argentina. Top choice is Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Wine columnist Bill Ward on the Twin Cities Food & Wine Experience. Nice tasting note on Dry Creek 'Endeavour' Cabernet Sauvignon 2003.
SHARE »
