Wine Review Weekly
March 10, 2008
The tasting panel of the San Francisco Chronicle rates numerous domestic Sangiovese wines this week, and the six top-rated wines each come from a different growing region. Which means the best place to grow Sangiovese in California is either Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Paso Robles, Sonoma Valley, San Benito County, or Napa Valley. Or maybe somewhere else. Like Tuscany, for example. John Gillespie
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Clean Slate Riesling 2006.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks SketchBook Mendocino County Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Marc Kreydenweiss 'Perrieres' Costieres de Nimes 2005.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Paolo Scavino Dolcetto d'Alba 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Torres Coronas Tempranillo 2004.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Duckhorn Vineyards Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Le Petit Vigne d'Avril.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Natura Valle Casablanca Chardonnay 2007.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on the Rueda wines of Spain. Lots of nice things to say for them as a whole, and special praise for top choice (and best value) Cuevas de Castilla Rueda Con Class 2006.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on red Burgundy wines from the 2005 vintage. Among the Volnay wines, best is judged to be Vincent Girardin Premier Cru 'Les Caillerets' 2005, while the Joseph Drouhin Volnay 2005 is cited as the best value. Among the Gevrey-Chambertin wines, Domaine Henri Rebourseau 2005 is rated best, and Maison Champy 'Vieilles Vignes' 2005 is deemed to be a good value.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on the wines of Israel. Highest rated is Domaine du Castel Grand Vin 2004.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine writer John Mariani has lavish praise for the Mumm Prestige Cuvee 1998.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends Musee 2005, from Bedell Cellars.
New York Sun: Wine columnist Peter Hellman profiles retailer Christy Frank, of Frankly Wines in New York City.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Round Hill 'Oak Free' Chardonnay 2007, and Round Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2006.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer T.J. Foderaro on the proper temperatures for serving wines.
San Francisco Chronicle: The C hronicle tasting panel reviews domestic Sangiovese wines and related blends. Top ratings go to Seghesio Family Vineyards Alexander Valley Sangiovese 2005, Muscardini Cellars Merlo Vineyards Dry Creek Valley Sangiovese 2005, Eberle Winery Paso Robles Sangiovese 2006, D'Argenzio D'Alfonso Sonoma Valley Sangiovese 2005, Bonny Doon Vinyeard Ca' del Solo San Benito County Sangiovese 2005, and Benessere Vineyards Phenomenon Estate Napa Valley Red Wine 2004.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne profiles Sacramento wine retailer Darrell Corti, newly inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines that are not overblown. Nice mentions for those from Charles Krug, Cosentino, Clos du Val, Corison, Clark Claudon, Regusci, Rocca Family, Barnett, Cafaro, V Madrone, Spring Mountain, Keenan, and Kapcsandy.
Los Angeles Times: Staff writer Russ Parsons on Prosecco. Nice history and geography lesson, with no brand mentions.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on affordable wines from Burgundy. Recommended are Duflouleur Cremant de Bourgogne 2004, Jadot Bourgogne Chardonnay 2005, Loboure Roi Pouilly Fuisse 2006, Pernot Bourgogne Chardonnay 2006, Domaine des Chazelles Vire Clesse 2006, Domaine Sylvain Langoureau Saint-Aubin 1er Cru 'Le Sentier du Clou' 2006, Chateau de Chamirey Mercurey 2005, La Chabliesienne Chablis 1er Cru 'La Singulire' 2005, Le Charmois Saint-Aubin 1er Cru 2005, Chanson Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005, Vincent Girardin Bourgogne 'Emotion de Terroirs' Pinot Noir 2005, Faiveley Mercurey 'Domaine de la Crois Jacquelet 2005, Bichot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005, Domaine Dominique Gallois Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005, Nicolas Potel Cotes de Nuits Villages 2005, Chateau de Chamirey Mercurey 2005, Bouchard Beaune du Chateau 1er Cru 2005, Les Fichots Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru 2005, and Aux Cras Beaune 1er Cru 2005.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on the hearty red wines of Spain. Nice comments for Cubero Tinto Calatayud 2006, Cubero Vinas Viejas Calatayud 2006, Monte Toro Roble 2004, Sexto 2005, and Museum Crianza 2003. Karen's top choice is Abadia Retuerta Rivola 2003 (and 2004), while Andrew favors Monte Toro Joven 2005.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on Open That Bottle Night. Star of the evening is Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1975.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on bargain wines. Top choice is Tiefenbrunner Pinot Bianco 2006.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on Zinfandel wines from Dry Creek Valley. Recommended are four from Dry Creek Vineyard - the Heritage Zinfandel 2005, Old Vine Zinfandel 2005, Somers Ranch Zinfandel 2005, and Beeson Ranch 2005.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on varying styles of Chardonnay. Highest recommendations go to Stonestreet 'Upper Barn' Chardonnay 2005, and Rodney Strong Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve 2005.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Wine columnist Bill Ward cites area retailers on bargain wine choices in red wine. Ward's favorite is Cycles Gladiator Central Coast Merlot 2005.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on Muscat wines. Highest rated are Benessere Muscat di Canelli Frizzante 2007, and Martin & Weyrich Moscato Allegro 2006.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on wine label information. Fully deciphered are Mayasara Winery Jamsheed Pinot Noir 2005, and Bodegas Aragonesas Castillo de Fuendejalon Red Wine Crianza 2003.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Clean Slate Riesling 2006.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks SketchBook Mendocino County Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Marc Kreydenweiss 'Perrieres' Costieres de Nimes 2005.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Paolo Scavino Dolcetto d'Alba 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Torres Coronas Tempranillo 2004.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Duckhorn Vineyards Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Le Petit Vigne d'Avril.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Natura Valle Casablanca Chardonnay 2007.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on the Rueda wines of Spain. Lots of nice things to say for them as a whole, and special praise for top choice (and best value) Cuevas de Castilla Rueda Con Class 2006.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on red Burgundy wines from the 2005 vintage. Among the Volnay wines, best is judged to be Vincent Girardin Premier Cru 'Les Caillerets' 2005, while the Joseph Drouhin Volnay 2005 is cited as the best value. Among the Gevrey-Chambertin wines, Domaine Henri Rebourseau 2005 is rated best, and Maison Champy 'Vieilles Vignes' 2005 is deemed to be a good value.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on the wines of Israel. Highest rated is Domaine du Castel Grand Vin 2004.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine writer John Mariani has lavish praise for the Mumm Prestige Cuvee 1998.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends Musee 2005, from Bedell Cellars.
New York Sun: Wine columnist Peter Hellman profiles retailer Christy Frank, of Frankly Wines in New York City.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Round Hill 'Oak Free' Chardonnay 2007, and Round Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2006.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer T.J. Foderaro on the proper temperatures for serving wines.
San Francisco Chronicle: The C hronicle tasting panel reviews domestic Sangiovese wines and related blends. Top ratings go to Seghesio Family Vineyards Alexander Valley Sangiovese 2005, Muscardini Cellars Merlo Vineyards Dry Creek Valley Sangiovese 2005, Eberle Winery Paso Robles Sangiovese 2006, D'Argenzio D'Alfonso Sonoma Valley Sangiovese 2005, Bonny Doon Vinyeard Ca' del Solo San Benito County Sangiovese 2005, and Benessere Vineyards Phenomenon Estate Napa Valley Red Wine 2004.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne profiles Sacramento wine retailer Darrell Corti, newly inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines that are not overblown. Nice mentions for those from Charles Krug, Cosentino, Clos du Val, Corison, Clark Claudon, Regusci, Rocca Family, Barnett, Cafaro, V Madrone, Spring Mountain, Keenan, and Kapcsandy.
Los Angeles Times: Staff writer Russ Parsons on Prosecco. Nice history and geography lesson, with no brand mentions.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on affordable wines from Burgundy. Recommended are Duflouleur Cremant de Bourgogne 2004, Jadot Bourgogne Chardonnay 2005, Loboure Roi Pouilly Fuisse 2006, Pernot Bourgogne Chardonnay 2006, Domaine des Chazelles Vire Clesse 2006, Domaine Sylvain Langoureau Saint-Aubin 1er Cru 'Le Sentier du Clou' 2006, Chateau de Chamirey Mercurey 2005, La Chabliesienne Chablis 1er Cru 'La Singulire' 2005, Le Charmois Saint-Aubin 1er Cru 2005, Chanson Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005, Vincent Girardin Bourgogne 'Emotion de Terroirs' Pinot Noir 2005, Faiveley Mercurey 'Domaine de la Crois Jacquelet 2005, Bichot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005, Domaine Dominique Gallois Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2005, Nicolas Potel Cotes de Nuits Villages 2005, Chateau de Chamirey Mercurey 2005, Bouchard Beaune du Chateau 1er Cru 2005, Les Fichots Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru 2005, and Aux Cras Beaune 1er Cru 2005.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on the hearty red wines of Spain. Nice comments for Cubero Tinto Calatayud 2006, Cubero Vinas Viejas Calatayud 2006, Monte Toro Roble 2004, Sexto 2005, and Museum Crianza 2003. Karen's top choice is Abadia Retuerta Rivola 2003 (and 2004), while Andrew favors Monte Toro Joven 2005.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on Open That Bottle Night. Star of the evening is Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1975.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on bargain wines. Top choice is Tiefenbrunner Pinot Bianco 2006.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on Zinfandel wines from Dry Creek Valley. Recommended are four from Dry Creek Vineyard - the Heritage Zinfandel 2005, Old Vine Zinfandel 2005, Somers Ranch Zinfandel 2005, and Beeson Ranch 2005.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on varying styles of Chardonnay. Highest recommendations go to Stonestreet 'Upper Barn' Chardonnay 2005, and Rodney Strong Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve 2005.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Wine columnist Bill Ward cites area retailers on bargain wine choices in red wine. Ward's favorite is Cycles Gladiator Central Coast Merlot 2005.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on Muscat wines. Highest rated are Benessere Muscat di Canelli Frizzante 2007, and Martin & Weyrich Moscato Allegro 2006.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on wine label information. Fully deciphered are Mayasara Winery Jamsheed Pinot Noir 2005, and Bodegas Aragonesas Castillo de Fuendejalon Red Wine Crianza 2003.
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