Wine Review Weekly

 

August 25, 2008

August 2008
 
by
 
 
Excellent article from Eric Asimov in the New York Times this week, putting the spotlight on Napa Valley wineries and winemakers who eschew the 'high alcohol fruit bomb' trend and are making wines of real elegance and balance. Nice comments in several places this week (including the San Francisco Chronicle) for the wines of K Vintners in Washington. And in the Miami Herald, wine columnist Fred Tasker offers a nice profile of Domaine Faiveley and their Burgundy wines.  John Gillespie

Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Merryvale Merlot 2005.

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Big House Pink 2005.

Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects J Vineyards Pinot Gris 2007.

Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Source Gamble Vineyard Napa Sauvignon Blanc 2006.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Hogue Cellars Pinot Grigio 2007.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Jekel Riesling 2007.

New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Golan Heights Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2006.

New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on Napa Valley winemakers who are returning to wines of old-school elegance and balance. Nice comments for several, including Clos du Val, Corison, Mayacamas Vineyards, and Dominus, but highest praise for John Williams and his Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher continue their annual August vacation.

Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on the wines of K Vintners in Washington. Highest rating goes to K Vintners Syrah 'The Hunter' Walla Walla Valley 2003.

Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on wine finds from Washington. Nice comments on Gorman Winery 'Evil Twin' 2006 (and others from Gorman), and three from DeLille Cellars - the Grand Ciel 2005, Chaleur Estate 2005, and Doyenne Aix 2005. Also, priase for Januik Klipsun Vineyards 2005, Betz Family La Cote Rousse Syrah 2006, Mark Ryan Winery Dead Horse 2006.

Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends Palmer Vineyards Pinot Blanc (hidden under a beer review).

Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer T.J. Foderaro on dry rose wines. Tasting notes on many, including offerings from Chateau de Campuget, Chateau Routas, Les Deux Rives, Clarendelle, Cune, Yalumba, Robert Hall, and Bonny Doon.

Subscribe to Wine Review Weekly: Start your personal subscription to this newsletter at this link .

San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Syrah wines from Washington State. Highest rating goes to K Vintners Pheasant Vineyard Wahluke Slope Syrah 2006.

San Francisco Chronicle: Guest writer Wolfgang Weber on experiments with minimal use of sulfuites in winemaking. Quite technical and extensive, but with a focus on winemaker Mike Dashe and praise for his L'Enfant Terrible Zinfandel 2007.

Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on a new wine from Chalone Vineyard and their committment to restoring the population of the California condor.

San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on wines for summer enjoyment. Nice mentions for Sauvignon Blancs from Bernardus, Voss, Charles Krug, Sterling, Kenwood, Sonoma Vineyards, Kendall-Jackson, and Penalolen. The Chardonnay choices are from Estancia, Taz, and Cameron Hughes. For Pinot Gris/Grigio, producers named are Taz, Cosentino, Hogue Cellars, and Ruffino. Other wines from Tangent, Ca' del Solo, Alba Rosa, Condes de Albarei, Thomas Fogarty, and Seven Daughters are also mentioned.

Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on wines from Oregon and Long Island. Nice comments on a number of wines from King Estate in Oregon and Wolffer Estate on Long Island. Karen's favorite is King Estate Signature Pinot Gris 2006 (and 2007), while Andrew favors Wolffer Estate Reserve Merlot 2005.

Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on importer Neal Rosenthal and his wines. Praise for his devotion to terroir, and nice comments on many of his wines, including the Paolo Bea Rosso de Veo 2002. Also, local Houston wine expert recommends Domaine Mardon Quincy 2006.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on the verstility of Sauvignon Blanc. Highest praise for Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve 2007, and Souverain Alexander Valley 2007.

Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell on cooking with wine and wine pairings. No brand mentions.

Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on wine tastings. Recommended wines this week are Familie Nigl Gruner Veltliner Kremser Freiheit 2006, Blackstone Monterey Chardonnay 2006, Eberle Paso Robles Chardonnay 2007, Hanzell Sonoma County Chardonnay 2005, and three from Ravenswood - Big River Vineyard Zinfandel 2006, Teldeschi Vineyard Zinfandel 2006, and Belloni Vineyard Zinfandel 2006.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on a variety of wines. Nice comments for Albarino wines in general, and recommendations for Starborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Ruffino Chianti Classico, and Zinfandel wines from Ravenswood, Ridge, Dry Creek Vineyard, and Bonterra.

Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on the wines of Domaine Faiveley. Highest rated are the Nuits-Saint-Georges 2005, and Montagny 'Domaine de la Croix Jacquelet' 2005. Further down the page, nice notes on Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Premier NV (and the Brut 'Cuvee Palmes d'Or 1997), and Bonterra Rose.

Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on wines for summer grilling. Top choice is Black Opal Shiraz Cabernet 2006.

Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on the movie 'Merlove' and its attempts to elevate the maligned Merlot varietal. Nice comments on Merlot wines from Dona Paula, Wente, Calina, Dry Creek Vineyard, and Concannon.
 
SHARE »
Close
 
Currently no comments posted for this article.
 
 
SEE OTHER EDITIONS OF THIS COLUMN » CURRENT COLUMN ARTICLES ยป