Wine Review Weekly
January 14, 2008
Corie Brown, writing in the Los Angeles Times, continues her ongoing critique of high alcohol California wines, with the focus on vintner Adam Tolmach of Ojai Vineyards, who is now moderating the alcohol levels of his own wines. Other notables quoted as favoring a more balanced style include Ray Coursen of Elyse and James Hall of Patz & Hall. And from the other coast, New York Times columnist Eric Asimov chimes in on the subject in The Pour, his weekly blog. John Gillespie
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Gallo Family Sonoma Reserve Pinot Gris 2006.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Trimbach Riesling 2005.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Cono Sur 'Vision' Pinot Noir 2006.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Bodegas Valdesil 'Val de Sil' Godello Valdeorras 2005.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Dehesa La Granja 2002.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Buena Vista Carneros Syrah 2005.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Paul Jaboulet Aine Cotes du Rhone Villages 2006.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Firriato Chiaramonte Nero d'Avola 2005.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on beer this week. However, on his blog - The Pour - he weighs in on the Corie Brown article regarding overblown California wines.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher look for bargains in 2005 vintge wines from Bordeaux. Highest rated is Chateau de Luganac, while best value is deemed to be Chateau Au Grand Paris.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker remembers vintner Alois Kracher, who died in December. Praise, too, for a few of Kracher's gems.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti on wines from Michele Chiarlo. Praise for the Barbera d'Asti 'Le Orme' 2004, and the Barbera d'Asti 'La Court' 2003. On another page, lots of nice comment on Phelps Insignia 2003, as a wine to cellar.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2006, Juniper Crossing Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2006, and Meridian Sauvignon Blanc 2006.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer T.J. Foderaro answers questions on fruit wines from New Jersey. Nice mentions for Tomasello Winery, Alba Vineyard, Amwell Valley Vineyard, and Cream Ridge Winery.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan on a new wine from Spain - Cims de Porrera Solanes 2003.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Chardonnay wines from Sonoma County. Surprisingly low scores on average, but top selection is Sonoma-Cutrer Les Pierres Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2004.
San Francisco Chronicle: Guest writer Gregg Carlstrom on winemaking in Lebanon. Focus is on Massaya winery and Chateau Musar, with tasting notes on several wines from each.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on boxed wines. Top choices are FishEye Shiraz 2005, Black Box Merlot 2006, and Delicato Bota Box Shiraz 2005.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel profiles the Cono Sur winery in Chile. Praise for the white wines, including the Viognier, Gewurztraminer, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Los Angeles Times: Staff writer Corie Brown on the backlash against high-alcohol, overblown California wines. Focus on vintner Adam Tolmach of Ojai Vineyards, and his move away from high alcohol wines. Comment also from Joe Davis of Arcadian Winery, Ray Coursen of Elyse, and James Hall of Patz & Hall.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg answer readers' questions. Nice mentions for St. Francis Red 2004, and Chardonnay wines from Chateau Ste. Michelle, Hogue Cellars, and Meridian. Praise also for Cartlidge & Browne Pinot Noir 2006, Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2005, and Osborne Solaz Tempranillo Cabernet 2004. Finally, a brief profile of Biltmore Estate wines is offered, with praise for the Chardonnay Sur Lie.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers profiles Jim Collins, director of coastal wine growing for Gallo.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell on good value wines made in the U.S. Sparkling wines from Domaine Carneros, Roederer Estate, Mumm, and Schramsberg are recommended. For Sauvignon Blancs the choices are Wattle Creek, Iron Horse, Hall, St. Supery, Geyser Peak, Joel Gott, and Araujo. Fish Eye Pinot Grigio gets a nod, and for Chardonnays, the chosen are Rombauer, Chateau St. Jean, Newton, Chateau Montelena, Hess, Heron, Bogle, and Beringer. Pinot Noirs mentioned are from Heron, Mark West, McManis, Chalone, Bogle, and Cartlidge & Brown. For Syrah, the choices are Hey Mambo, Rosenblum, Justin, Beckman, Bonny Doon, and Tablas Creek. Zinfandels from Joel Gott, Rosenblum, Ravenswood, Rombauer, Seghesio, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Easton, St. Francis, Francis Ford Coppola and Grgich Hills are listed, along with a final recommendation of Bonny Doon 'Vin de Glacier' Muscat.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Jennifer Rosen on experiencing a 'vinotherapy' spa treatment. Too much information.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on Pinot Gris wines. Recommended are Estancia Pinot Grigio 2006, MacMurray Ranch Pinot Gris 2006, and Tangent Paragon Vineyard Pinot Gris 2006.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Wine columnist Bill Ward has lots of nice things to say about Duckhorn Merlot 2005.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on wines to pair with boeuf bourguignon. Winners are Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sa uvignon 2004, Martin Codax Ergo Rioja 2005, and Dona Paula Estate Malbec 2006.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on 'old vines' wines. Cases in point are Domaine Paul Janin et Fils Moulin-a-Vent 'Clos du Tremblay 2005, and Liberalia 'Tres' Tinta de Toro 2005.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Gallo Family Sonoma Reserve Pinot Gris 2006.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Trimbach Riesling 2005.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Cono Sur 'Vision' Pinot Noir 2006.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Bodegas Valdesil 'Val de Sil' Godello Valdeorras 2005.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Dehesa La Granja 2002.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Buena Vista Carneros Syrah 2005.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Paul Jaboulet Aine Cotes du Rhone Villages 2006.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Firriato Chiaramonte Nero d'Avola 2005.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on beer this week. However, on his blog - The Pour - he weighs in on the Corie Brown article regarding overblown California wines.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher look for bargains in 2005 vintge wines from Bordeaux. Highest rated is Chateau de Luganac, while best value is deemed to be Chateau Au Grand Paris.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker remembers vintner Alois Kracher, who died in December. Praise, too, for a few of Kracher's gems.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti on wines from Michele Chiarlo. Praise for the Barbera d'Asti 'Le Orme' 2004, and the Barbera d'Asti 'La Court' 2003. On another page, lots of nice comment on Phelps Insignia 2003, as a wine to cellar.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2006, Juniper Crossing Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2006, and Meridian Sauvignon Blanc 2006.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer T.J. Foderaro answers questions on fruit wines from New Jersey. Nice mentions for Tomasello Winery, Alba Vineyard, Amwell Valley Vineyard, and Cream Ridge Winery.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan on a new wine from Spain - Cims de Porrera Solanes 2003.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Chardonnay wines from Sonoma County. Surprisingly low scores on average, but top selection is Sonoma-Cutrer Les Pierres Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2004.
San Francisco Chronicle: Guest writer Gregg Carlstrom on winemaking in Lebanon. Focus is on Massaya winery and Chateau Musar, with tasting notes on several wines from each.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on boxed wines. Top choices are FishEye Shiraz 2005, Black Box Merlot 2006, and Delicato Bota Box Shiraz 2005.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel profiles the Cono Sur winery in Chile. Praise for the white wines, including the Viognier, Gewurztraminer, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Los Angeles Times: Staff writer Corie Brown on the backlash against high-alcohol, overblown California wines. Focus on vintner Adam Tolmach of Ojai Vineyards, and his move away from high alcohol wines. Comment also from Joe Davis of Arcadian Winery, Ray Coursen of Elyse, and James Hall of Patz & Hall.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg answer readers' questions. Nice mentions for St. Francis Red 2004, and Chardonnay wines from Chateau Ste. Michelle, Hogue Cellars, and Meridian. Praise also for Cartlidge & Browne Pinot Noir 2006, Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2005, and Osborne Solaz Tempranillo Cabernet 2004. Finally, a brief profile of Biltmore Estate wines is offered, with praise for the Chardonnay Sur Lie.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers profiles Jim Collins, director of coastal wine growing for Gallo.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell on good value wines made in the U.S. Sparkling wines from Domaine Carneros, Roederer Estate, Mumm, and Schramsberg are recommended. For Sauvignon Blancs the choices are Wattle Creek, Iron Horse, Hall, St. Supery, Geyser Peak, Joel Gott, and Araujo. Fish Eye Pinot Grigio gets a nod, and for Chardonnays, the chosen are Rombauer, Chateau St. Jean, Newton, Chateau Montelena, Hess, Heron, Bogle, and Beringer. Pinot Noirs mentioned are from Heron, Mark West, McManis, Chalone, Bogle, and Cartlidge & Brown. For Syrah, the choices are Hey Mambo, Rosenblum, Justin, Beckman, Bonny Doon, and Tablas Creek. Zinfandels from Joel Gott, Rosenblum, Ravenswood, Rombauer, Seghesio, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Easton, St. Francis, Francis Ford Coppola and Grgich Hills are listed, along with a final recommendation of Bonny Doon 'Vin de Glacier' Muscat.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Jennifer Rosen on experiencing a 'vinotherapy' spa treatment. Too much information.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on Pinot Gris wines. Recommended are Estancia Pinot Grigio 2006, MacMurray Ranch Pinot Gris 2006, and Tangent Paragon Vineyard Pinot Gris 2006.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Wine columnist Bill Ward has lots of nice things to say about Duckhorn Merlot 2005.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on wines to pair with boeuf bourguignon. Winners are Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sa uvignon 2004, Martin Codax Ergo Rioja 2005, and Dona Paula Estate Malbec 2006.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on 'old vines' wines. Cases in point are Domaine Paul Janin et Fils Moulin-a-Vent 'Clos du Tremblay 2005, and Liberalia 'Tres' Tinta de Toro 2005.
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