Wine Review Weekly
October 5, 2009
Wines of the Cote Rotie get some attention this week from columnists Gaiter and Brecher in the Wall Street Journal. They find quite a lot to like and offer some excellent recommendations. Over at the New York Times, columnist Eric Asimov takes note of growing interest in the market for Riesling wines and offers tasting notes on excellent examples from Washington and New York. And wine blogger Alice Feiring offers tasting notes, photos, and insights while she is in France this week. JG
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Loosen Brothers 'Dr. L' Riesling 2008. (Link)
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc 2008. (Link)
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Bodegas La Cana Albarino 2008. (Link)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Paraduxx Red 2006. (Link)
Business Week: Wine writer Nick Passmore recommends Johann Donabaum Setzberg Spitz Riesling Smaragd 2006. (Link)
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Bodegas Sucesores de Manuel Piquer Carinena Lelia Garnacha 2008. (Link)
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on the rising popularity of Riesling wines in the U.S. In tasting, wines from Washington and New York rise to the top, with special praise for Chateau Ste. Michelle Eroica 2007. (Link)
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg on Bedell Cellars and their current release wines. (Link)
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on the wines of Cote Rotie. Lots of praise in general for the style and value of the wines. Top choice in tasting is Domaine Georges Vernay 'Blonde du Seigneur' 2005. (Link)
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on a tasting of Tuscan wines from the 1999 and 2001 vintages. (Link)
Boston Globe: Wine columnist Stephen Meuse on wines from South Africa. Recommended are Man Vintners Coastal Region Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Excelsior Robertson Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Western Cape Pinotage 2007, Ken Forrester 'Petit' Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2008, and Rietvallei 'John B' Robertson Sauvignon Blanc - Columbard 2008. (Link)
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on the history and evolution of the Robert Stemmler winery. Nice coment for the Robert Stemmler Nugent Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005. (Link)
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel review
s Riesling wines from the West Coast, costing under $15. Recommended are Pacific Rim Columbia Valley Sweet Riesling 2008, Maddalena Monterey Riesling 2008, Jekel Vineyards Monterey Riesling 2008, Firestone Vineyard Central Coast Riesling 2008, and Fess Parker Santa Barbara County Riesling 2008. (Link)
San Francisco Chronicle: Guest writer Carey Sweet profiles winemaker James MacPhail and his MacPhail Family Pinot Noir wines. (Link)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Wine columnist Dan Berger on the lunacy of heavy glass wine bottles. Also, nice comments on Man Vintners Chenin Blanc 2009. (Link)
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on a variety of topics, with nice comments for Jarvis Winery 'Will's Science Project' Cabernet Franc 2007, Cupcake Riesling 2008, and Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc 2008. (Link)
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on wineries in farmer's markets. Focus is on Black Ankle Vineyards in Maryland, and others. (Link)
Houston Chronicle: Wine authority Kevin Zraly on white wines of Bordeaux. (Link)
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell on the quality evolution of Lambrusco wines, with Lini Lambrusco Rosso NV as a case in point. (Link)
Dallas Morning News: The tasting panel picks wines to go with crabcakes. The winners are Domaine Rougie Viognier 2008, Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut NV, Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc 2008, Marco Felluga Mongris Collio Pinot Grigio 2007, and Martin Codax Albarino 2008. (Link)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on wines from Chile and Argentina. Numerous producers mentioned, with special praise for wines from Bodegas Norton, Almaviva, Vina Santa Ema, Concha y Toro, Verramonte, and Cono Sur. (Link)
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Syrah wines. Top choice is Genesis Columbia Valley Syrah 2005. (Link)
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on evolving styles of Chardonnay wines in California. Three recommended are Scott Family Estate 2008, Chateau St. Jean Belle Terre Vineyard 2007, and Bridlewood Estate 2007. (Link)
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on limited-production wines. Cases in point are Pieropan Soave 2008, and Clos de la Briderie 'Vieilles Vignes' 2007. (Link)
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow offers tasting notes on many top Champagnes. Highest scores go to wines from Bollinger, Henriot, Dom Perignon, and Taittinger. (Link)
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman on a blind tasting of top wines from the 2005 vintage in Bordeaux. (Link)
Bigger Than Your Head: Wine blogger Fredric Koeppel on a fall dish and a very good Valpolicella - Campo Santa Lena Valpolicella Classico 2007. (Link)
Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring reports from France on the wines she is tasting. (Link)
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson recommends Warwick Estate 'The First Lady' 2007. (Link)
The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov on wines made primarily from the Carignan grape variety. Nice comments on California offerings from Lioco, Porter Creek, and Ravenswood. (Link)