Wine Review Weekly
April 28th, 2008
Good week for German wines, with Eric Asimov in the New York Times offering praise for their dry Rieslings, while on the other coast the tasting panel of the San Francisco Chronicle finds much to like in the sweeter wines. In the Los Angeles Times, staff writer Corie Brown reports on the lively auction market for older California Cabernet Sauvignon wines. And Robert Parker, writing in Business Week, looks to Spain for outstanding quality red wines at great prices and finds them. John Gillespie
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Domaine Sigalas Santorini 2006.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc 2007.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Clos Lapeyre Jurancon Sec 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Il Volano Tuscan Red 2004.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Logan Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay 2006.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Domaine de Blanes 2007.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on dry German Riesling wines. Lots of praise in general, with nice comments for Keller Von der Fels 2006, and Donnhoff Grey Slate Kabinett Trocken 2006.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on white wines from South Africa. Highest marks for Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2007, and Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2006.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on value wines from Spain. Highest ratings go to Celler Baronia del Monstant 'Flor de Englora' 2006, and Bodegas Almansenas 'La Huella de Adaras' 2005.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on the auction market for rare and old Champagne. Mentions for Salon Le Mesnil, Krug, Pol Roger, and Perrier-Jouet.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Torley Gala NV, Blackstone Merlot 2006, Clos du Val Merlot 2005, Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot 2004, and Truchard Merlot 2004.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews sweeter German Riesling wines. Very highest rating for Erben von Beulwitz Kaseler Nies'chen Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Beerenauslese 2006.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on a tasting of Pinot Grigio wines. Nicest comments are for offerings from The Serenity, Windsor Vineyards, and Montevina.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on the Wente winery. Tasting notes on many new offerings, including the Nth Degreee Chardo nnay 2005, Syrah 2005, Pinot Noir 2006, and Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. Also noted are the Arroyo Seco Pinot Blanc 2006, Vigonier 2006,and Merlot 2006, as well as the Charles Wetmore Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Sandstone Merlot 2005, and Smith Bench Zinfandel 2005.
Los Angeles Times: Staff writer Corie Brown on the auction market for older California Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Nice mentions for many of the old guard, including Heitz, Chateau Montelena, Stag's Leap, and others.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on hard to find wines and how to seek them. Praise also for Morellino di Scansano Riserva 'Val delle Rose' 2004.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on Sauvignon Blanc wines. Nice comments for Domaine La Hitarie Hors de Saidon 2006, Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard 2007, Domaine Vincent Delaport Sancerre 2006, Diogenes Lake County 2006, Meridian Central Coast 2006, and Meridian Santa Barbara 2006. Karen's favorite, though, is Hanna Russian River Valley 2007, while Andrew favored Benziger Family Winery North Coast 2006.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on Texan and Paso Robles vintner Don Brady. Paso Robles wines recommended are Maddalena Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Robert Hall Syrah 2005, and J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Oaks 2006.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on Albarino wines. Recommendation for Ca' del Solo Albarino 2007.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on bargain wines. Highest rated is Bodegas Torroja Vina Requena 2004.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on 'fair trade' wines. Recommended is Soluna Premium Mendoza Malbec 2005.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on Pinot Noir wines from France. Recommended are three from Joseph Drouhin - the Vero 2005, Chorey-Les-Beaune 2005, and Gevrey Chambertin 2005.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on vintner Michel Chapoutier and his wines. Highest recommendations go to the Herminatge 'Chante Alouette' 2004, Cotes du Rhone 'Belleruche' Rouge 2006, and Hermitage 'Monier de la Sizeranne' 2004. On another page, recommendation for (oops) Carmenere Merlot 2005.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on wines from New Zealand. Top choice is Coopers Creek Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on Greek wines. Praise for the Assyrtico wine variety, but no brand mentions.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on wines with an individual style. Cases in point are Yamhill Valley Vineyards Estate 'McMinnville AVA' Pinot Noir 2006, and Chateau de la Roulerie Anjou Cabernet Franc 2006.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Domaine Sigalas Santorini 2006.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc 2007.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Clos Lapeyre Jurancon Sec 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Il Volano Tuscan Red 2004.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Logan Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay 2006.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Domaine de Blanes 2007.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on dry German Riesling wines. Lots of praise in general, with nice comments for Keller Von der Fels 2006, and Donnhoff Grey Slate Kabinett Trocken 2006.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on white wines from South Africa. Highest marks for Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2007, and Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2006.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on value wines from Spain. Highest ratings go to Celler Baronia del Monstant 'Flor de Englora' 2006, and Bodegas Almansenas 'La Huella de Adaras' 2005.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on the auction market for rare and old Champagne. Mentions for Salon Le Mesnil, Krug, Pol Roger, and Perrier-Jouet.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Torley Gala NV, Blackstone Merlot 2006, Clos du Val Merlot 2005, Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot 2004, and Truchard Merlot 2004.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews sweeter German Riesling wines. Very highest rating for Erben von Beulwitz Kaseler Nies'chen Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Beerenauslese 2006.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on a tasting of Pinot Grigio wines. Nicest comments are for offerings from The Serenity, Windsor Vineyards, and Montevina.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on the Wente winery. Tasting notes on many new offerings, including the Nth Degreee Chardo nnay 2005, Syrah 2005, Pinot Noir 2006, and Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. Also noted are the Arroyo Seco Pinot Blanc 2006, Vigonier 2006,and Merlot 2006, as well as the Charles Wetmore Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Sandstone Merlot 2005, and Smith Bench Zinfandel 2005.
Los Angeles Times: Staff writer Corie Brown on the auction market for older California Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Nice mentions for many of the old guard, including Heitz, Chateau Montelena, Stag's Leap, and others.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on hard to find wines and how to seek them. Praise also for Morellino di Scansano Riserva 'Val delle Rose' 2004.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on Sauvignon Blanc wines. Nice comments for Domaine La Hitarie Hors de Saidon 2006, Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard 2007, Domaine Vincent Delaport Sancerre 2006, Diogenes Lake County 2006, Meridian Central Coast 2006, and Meridian Santa Barbara 2006. Karen's favorite, though, is Hanna Russian River Valley 2007, while Andrew favored Benziger Family Winery North Coast 2006.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on Texan and Paso Robles vintner Don Brady. Paso Robles wines recommended are Maddalena Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Robert Hall Syrah 2005, and J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Oaks 2006.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on Albarino wines. Recommendation for Ca' del Solo Albarino 2007.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on bargain wines. Highest rated is Bodegas Torroja Vina Requena 2004.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on 'fair trade' wines. Recommended is Soluna Premium Mendoza Malbec 2005.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on Pinot Noir wines from France. Recommended are three from Joseph Drouhin - the Vero 2005, Chorey-Les-Beaune 2005, and Gevrey Chambertin 2005.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on vintner Michel Chapoutier and his wines. Highest recommendations go to the Herminatge 'Chante Alouette' 2004, Cotes du Rhone 'Belleruche' Rouge 2006, and Hermitage 'Monier de la Sizeranne' 2004. On another page, recommendation for (oops) Carmenere Merlot 2005.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on wines from New Zealand. Top choice is Coopers Creek Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on Greek wines. Praise for the Assyrtico wine variety, but no brand mentions.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on wines with an individual style. Cases in point are Yamhill Valley Vineyards Estate 'McMinnville AVA' Pinot Noir 2006, and Chateau de la Roulerie Anjou Cabernet Franc 2006.
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