Wine Review Weekly
July 21, 2008
Excellent column this week from Laurie Daniel of the San Jose Mercury News, detailing the evolution of quality in Chilean wines at all price levels. In the Chicago Tribune, columnist Bill Daley takes a look at several styles of Sauvignon Blanc coming from leading California producers. And coverage of Dan Berger's column begins this week with his profile in the Sarasota Herald Tribune of vintner Mike Grgich. John Gillespie
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Maschio dei Cavalieri Prosecco di Valdobbiadene.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Chandon Rose.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Sincerely Sauvignon Blanc 2007.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Adega Cooperativa de Ponte de Lima Vinho Verde Adamado 2007.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Falesco Merlot 2006.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Sanford Pinot Noir 2006.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Schloss Thorn Elbling 2007.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers picks Etude Rose 2007.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Five H White Riesling 2006.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov writes in his column on cocktails this week, but in his blog he reports from Napa Valley on the curious growing season to date.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on physicians who receive wine gifts from their patients. Nice mentions for a number of wines, including Opus One and Pichon Baron.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on the wines of Domaine de la Janasse in Chateauneuf du Pape. Highest score is for the 'Vieilles Vignes' 2005.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist John Mariani on wines for summer grilling. The choices are Pacific Rim Solstice Riesling 2007, Enzo Bianchi Red Wine 2003, Hess Collection Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Charles Krug Peter Mondavi Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, and Beringer Third Century Cabernet Franc 1997.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Torres Sangre de Toro 2006, and Clayhouse Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan on a new Internet wine club that deals with the state store system there. Praise for WhisperWine.com, and nice comments on some of its offerings, such as Domaine Labet Cotes du Jura 2004, and Les Bois Chevaux Givry 2006.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on Chateau Faugeres and its St. Emilion wines. Very high praise for the 2005 vintage.
Subscribe to Wine Review Weekly: Start your personal subscription to this newsletter at this link.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews white wines from Northern Italy. Highest ratings go to Cascina degli Ulivi Filagnotti Gavi 2006, Pio Cesare Cortese di Gavi 2007, Villa Sparina Gavi 2006, Gumphof Praesulis Alto Adige Weissburgunder Pinot Bianco 2006, St. Pauls Egg Leiten Exclusiv Alto Adige Pinot Grigio 2007, Terlan Alto Adige Pinot Bianco 2007, Masi Masianco della Venezie Pinot Grigio & Verduzzo 2006, Borgo M Friuli Grave Tocai Friulano 2006, La Tunella Colli Orientali del Friuli Ribolla Gialla 2007, Livia Felluga Terra Alte Colli Orientali del Friuli Rosazzo Bianco 2006, Pierpaolo Pecorari Kolaus Venezia Giulia Sauvignon 2006, and Puiatti Zuccole I Classici Isonzo del Friuli Sauvignon 2007.
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on wine bargains found by a trio of San Francisco sommeliers. Many inexpensive wines are named, but the top choices are deemed to be Dibon Cava NV, Targovishte Traminer 2006, Blason de Bourgogne Cremant de Bourgogne NV, and Toad Hollow Rose 2007.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on the evolution of quality of Chilean wines at all price levels. Bargain recommendations for wines from Cono Sur, Montes Alpha, Alcance, Casa Lapostolle, Calcu, and Carmen. For higher priced wines, offerings from Almaviva, Concha y Toro, De Martino, Montes Alpha, and Errazuriz are the choices.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg answer readers' questions. Nice mention for Fess Parker Frontier Red No. 81, but Karen's favorite this week is Irony Monterey Pinot Noir 2005, while Andrew favors Chateau Ste. Michelle Canone Ridge Estate Merlot 2005.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on boxed wines. Nice mentions for offerings from Black Box, Delicato, Three Thieves, Hardy's, and Heath Wine.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas with advice for consumers on finding wines to their taste. Focus is on matching varietals and types to various foods, with no brand mentions.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on wines for summer enjoyment. Recommended are Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay 2007, Naia Rueda Las Brisas 2006, Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs NV, Fleur Carneros Pinot Noir 2006, Sierra Cantabria Rioja 2006, Louis Latour Marsannay 2005, and D'Arenberg Riesling 'The Noble' 2003.
Sarasota Herald Tribune: Wine columnist Dan Berger on vintner Mike Grgich and the evolution of his Chardonnay wine making style.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the pleasures of Shiraz. Recommendations for Leasingham Magnus Shiraz 2006, Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 2005, Banrock Station Shiraz 2006, and two from Grant Burge - the Mesach Shiraz and the Holy Trinity Shiraz.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on white wines for summer. Highest recommendations are for MacMurray Ranch Pinot Gris 2006, and Domaines Schulmberger Pinot Blanc 2005.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon. Top choice is Kunde Cabernet Sauvignon 2003.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on Sauvignon Blanc and the evolution of wine styles. Nice mentions for Robert Mondavi Winery and Dry Creek Vineyard. On another page, tasting notes on Sauvig non Blanc wines from Dry Creek Vineyard, Grgich Hills, Ferrari-Carano, Robert Mondavi, and Barnard Griffin.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on unusual summer wines. Cases in point are Chehalem Cerise 2006, and Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Classico 2007.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Maschio dei Cavalieri Prosecco di Valdobbiadene.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Chandon Rose.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Sincerely Sauvignon Blanc 2007.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Adega Cooperativa de Ponte de Lima Vinho Verde Adamado 2007.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Falesco Merlot 2006.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Sanford Pinot Noir 2006.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Schloss Thorn Elbling 2007.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers picks Etude Rose 2007.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Five H White Riesling 2006.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov writes in his column on cocktails this week, but in his blog he reports from Napa Valley on the curious growing season to date.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on physicians who receive wine gifts from their patients. Nice mentions for a number of wines, including Opus One and Pichon Baron.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on the wines of Domaine de la Janasse in Chateauneuf du Pape. Highest score is for the 'Vieilles Vignes' 2005.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist John Mariani on wines for summer grilling. The choices are Pacific Rim Solstice Riesling 2007, Enzo Bianchi Red Wine 2003, Hess Collection Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Charles Krug Peter Mondavi Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, and Beringer Third Century Cabernet Franc 1997.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Torres Sangre de Toro 2006, and Clayhouse Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan on a new Internet wine club that deals with the state store system there. Praise for WhisperWine.com, and nice comments on some of its offerings, such as Domaine Labet Cotes du Jura 2004, and Les Bois Chevaux Givry 2006.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on Chateau Faugeres and its St. Emilion wines. Very high praise for the 2005 vintage.
Subscribe to Wine Review Weekly: Start your personal subscription to this newsletter at this link.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews white wines from Northern Italy. Highest ratings go to Cascina degli Ulivi Filagnotti Gavi 2006, Pio Cesare Cortese di Gavi 2007, Villa Sparina Gavi 2006, Gumphof Praesulis Alto Adige Weissburgunder Pinot Bianco 2006, St. Pauls Egg Leiten Exclusiv Alto Adige Pinot Grigio 2007, Terlan Alto Adige Pinot Bianco 2007, Masi Masianco della Venezie Pinot Grigio & Verduzzo 2006, Borgo M Friuli Grave Tocai Friulano 2006, La Tunella Colli Orientali del Friuli Ribolla Gialla 2007, Livia Felluga Terra Alte Colli Orientali del Friuli Rosazzo Bianco 2006, Pierpaolo Pecorari Kolaus Venezia Giulia Sauvignon 2006, and Puiatti Zuccole I Classici Isonzo del Friuli Sauvignon 2007.
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on wine bargains found by a trio of San Francisco sommeliers. Many inexpensive wines are named, but the top choices are deemed to be Dibon Cava NV, Targovishte Traminer 2006, Blason de Bourgogne Cremant de Bourgogne NV, and Toad Hollow Rose 2007.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on the evolution of quality of Chilean wines at all price levels. Bargain recommendations for wines from Cono Sur, Montes Alpha, Alcance, Casa Lapostolle, Calcu, and Carmen. For higher priced wines, offerings from Almaviva, Concha y Toro, De Martino, Montes Alpha, and Errazuriz are the choices.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg answer readers' questions. Nice mention for Fess Parker Frontier Red No. 81, but Karen's favorite this week is Irony Monterey Pinot Noir 2005, while Andrew favors Chateau Ste. Michelle Canone Ridge Estate Merlot 2005.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on boxed wines. Nice mentions for offerings from Black Box, Delicato, Three Thieves, Hardy's, and Heath Wine.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas with advice for consumers on finding wines to their taste. Focus is on matching varietals and types to various foods, with no brand mentions.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on wines for summer enjoyment. Recommended are Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay 2007, Naia Rueda Las Brisas 2006, Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs NV, Fleur Carneros Pinot Noir 2006, Sierra Cantabria Rioja 2006, Louis Latour Marsannay 2005, and D'Arenberg Riesling 'The Noble' 2003.
Sarasota Herald Tribune: Wine columnist Dan Berger on vintner Mike Grgich and the evolution of his Chardonnay wine making style.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the pleasures of Shiraz. Recommendations for Leasingham Magnus Shiraz 2006, Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 2005, Banrock Station Shiraz 2006, and two from Grant Burge - the Mesach Shiraz and the Holy Trinity Shiraz.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on white wines for summer. Highest recommendations are for MacMurray Ranch Pinot Gris 2006, and Domaines Schulmberger Pinot Blanc 2005.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon. Top choice is Kunde Cabernet Sauvignon 2003.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on Sauvignon Blanc and the evolution of wine styles. Nice mentions for Robert Mondavi Winery and Dry Creek Vineyard. On another page, tasting notes on Sauvig non Blanc wines from Dry Creek Vineyard, Grgich Hills, Ferrari-Carano, Robert Mondavi, and Barnard Griffin.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on unusual summer wines. Cases in point are Chehalem Cerise 2006, and Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Classico 2007.
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