Wine Review Weekly

 

August 20, 2007

August 2007
 
by
 
 
Lots of attention paid this week to the Priorat region of Spain, with an in-depth piece by Corie Brown in the Los Angeles Times and praise also from Fred Tasker in the Miami Herald. In the San Diego Union-Tribune, columnist Robert Whitley joins those decrying high alcohol levels in California wine, and cites the views of retailer Darrell Corti and vintner Randy Dunn. And Laurie Daniel files a report in the San Jose Mercury News on outstanding wines from the Rhone Valley. John Gillespie

Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Estancia Pinot Grigio 2006.

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Francis Ford Coppola 'Director's Cut' Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2005.

Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2005.

Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Michael Lonsford chooses La Posta del Vinatero Bonarda 2004.

Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Domaine Laffont Madiran 'Hecate' 2004.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Chateau Ducasse Bordeaux Blanc 2006.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers has nice comments for Little Penguin Shiraz 2004.

San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley gives a high rating to Kumeu River 'Village' Chardonnay 2006.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Wild Oak Old Vine Zinfandel 2004.

Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Chateau d'Aqueria Tavel Rose 2006.

New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on the production of Eau de Vie in Oregon.

Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti on Lieb Family Cellars. Recommended are the 2004 Chardonnay Reserve and 2005 Pinot Blanc Reserve. An assortment of other wines from around the globe are also mentioned as party favorites.

New York Sun: Wine columnist Peter Hellman profiles Anthony Mazzola and his new Accademia di Vino in New York.

USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Crane Lake Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Il Mionetto Prosecco, and Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2006.

Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on Chateau de Chamirey wines, with praise for the Mercurey 2004.

San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Chile. Highest rated are Santa Rita Medalla Real 2004, and Montes Alpha Colchagua Valley 2005.

San Francisco Chronicle: Guest writer W. Blake Gray on winemaker Alex Cose and the wines he makes at Purple Wine Co. Nice mentions for the Mark West and Avalon brands, among others.

San Francisco Chronicle: Guest writer W. Blake Gray on inexpensive wnes from France. Recommended are Domaine de la Fruitiere Cuvee Petit M Muscadet 2005, Hugel Alsace Gentil 2005, Joseph Drouhin Laforet Chardonnay 2005, Maison Nicolas Reserv e Vin de Pays d'Oc Chardonnay 2006, Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence Rose 2006, La Vielle Ferme Cotes de Ventoux Rose 2006, French Rabbit Vin de Pays d'Oc Pinot Noir 2005, Jean-Luc Colombo 'Les Abeilles' Cotes du Rhone 2005, Montirius Cotes du Rhone 2005, and Mouton Cadet Bordeaux 2004.

Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on Riesling wines. Discussion of several types and sources, with nice mentions for Jim Trezise of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and Pey-Marin Vineyards.

San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on wines from the northern part of the Rhone Valley. Lots of praise and many tasting notes on wines from M. Chapoutier, Yves Cuilleron, Guigal, Yves Gangloff, Ogier, and Rene Rostaing.

Los Angeles Times: Staff writer Corie Brown on the red wines of Priorat. Nice mentions for Clos Mogador, Clos Erasmus, Finca Dofi, Vall Llach, and L'Ermita, among others.

San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on the backlash against high alcohol wines from California. Cited as voices of reason are retailer Darrell Corti and vintner Randy Dunn.

Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on wines to pair with tomatoes. On another page, tasting notes on B.R. Cohn Chardonnay 2005 (and 2006), B.R. Cohn Grieve Family Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Lagaria Pinot Grigio 2006, and Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2006.

Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Michael Lonsford on wines of the Loire Valley. On another page, tasting notes on an eclectic collection, with highest praise for Domaine des Huards Cour-Cheverny 2002.

Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell on wine terminology. Several recommended wines - highest rated is Verget Pouilly Fuisse 2005.

Dallas Morning News: Wine writer Kim Pierce profiles vintner Peter Mondavi Jr. and the wines of Charles Krug.

Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Jennifer Rosen on wine in cans and boxes. Recommended are Sofia Blanc de Blancs, Floot Sparkling, Three Thieves Bandit Pinot Grigio, Casara Pinot Grigio Pinot Blanc 2004, Wine Cube Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Shiraz, Killer Juice Chardonnay, Black Box Chardonnay, Banrock Station Shiraz, Delicato Merlot, Chateau des Alouettes Syrah Grenache, and Chateau de Pena Vin de Pays d'Oc.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on Zinfandel wines from Lodi. Recommended are Westwind Gnarly Zinfandel 2004, M2 Soucie Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel 2004, Macchia 'Mischievous' Old Vine Zinfandel 2005, and Michael David 'Earthquake' Zinfandel 2005.

Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on the wines of Priorat. Highest recommendations for 'Salmos' Priorat Red Wine 2005, and Vall Llach 2004.

Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Italian white wines. Top pick is Banfi Fumaio Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay 2006.

Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on the legislative fight in Illinois over direct shipment of wine to consumers.

The Oregonian:
Wine columnist Matt Kramer on the acqusitions of Duckhorn and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.
 
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