Wine Review Weekly
May 5, 2008
Columnists Gaiter and Brecher of the Wall Street Journal go looking for good Sauvignon Blanc wines this week, and find many from around the globe. At the San Francisco Chronicle, the tasting panel turns its attention to single-vineyard Pinot Noir wines from the Russian River Valley and finds many worthy of high praise. And if you've ever wondered what wine to choose when you whip up a batch of bacon-wrapped shrimp and serve them over warm cheese grits, the tasting panel of the Dallas Morning News has your answer. John Gillespie
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Boho Chardonnay 2006.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Badger Mountain Organic Riesling 2006.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2007.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Clos de los Siete 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Arnoux & Fils Crozes-Hermitage 2004.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Baileyana Firepeak Chardonnay.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Chateau Lamothe de Haux Blanc 2007.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward picks Hedges 'CMS' Columbia Valley White Wine 2006.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends J. Lohr Wildflower Valdiguie 2007.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Domaine de la Fruitiere Muscadet Sevre et Maine Cuvee Petite M 2006.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on flavored vodkas this week.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on Sauvignon Blanc wines from many sources. Nice comments for La Poussie Sancerre 2005, as well as New Zealand offerings from Cloudy Bay, Babich, Brancott, Stonleigh, and Villa Maria. Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc is also praised, and other Chilean producers named are La Playa, Anakena, and Miguel Torres. From South Africa, nice mentions for Mulderbosch, Neil Ellis, Thelema, and Buitenverwachting. And U.S. producers getting a nod include Groth, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Geyser Peak, Hogue, Kenwood, Kunde, R.H. Phillips, Joseph Phelps, Bernardus, and Voss.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on the wines from Seavy Vineyard. Highest rating goes to the Cabernet Sauvignon 2003.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Domaine du Tariquet Cotes de Gascogne 2006, and Clif Bar 'The Climber' White Wine 2007.
Baltimore Sun: Staff writer Rob Kasper on wine book author Courtney Cochran and her pairing recommendations. Top choice wine is Elio Perrone Moscato d'Asti 20 07.
Boston Globe: Wine columnist Stephen Meuse on rose wines. Chosen for praise are Goats do Roam South Africa Rose 2006, Regaleali IGT Sicilia 'Le Rose' 2006, Crios Mendoza 2007, Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rose 2006, and Les Lauzeraies Tavel 2006.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer T.J. Foderaro on a variety of topics, including Chappellet winery. Nice comments for the Chardonnay 2006, Mountain Cuvee 2005, and others.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews single vineyard Pinot Noir wines from the Russian River Valley. Highest ratings go to Siduri Keefer Ranch 2006, Sapphire Hill Vineyard 2005, Merry Edwards Coopersmith 2005, De La Montanya Tina's Vineyard 2006, D'Argenzio Thorn Road Ranch 2005, and Connor Brennan Cellars Amber Ridge 2005.
San Francisco Chronicle: Staff writer Amanda Gold profiles vintner Mac MacDonald and his Vision Cellars wines. Tasting notes on several of the current release wines.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on wines at local Sacramento restaurants to pair with dozens of brunch menu items. Perhaps a hundred wines named with none receiving comment.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel profiles Trefethen Family Vineyards on the occasion of their 40th anniversary. Nice comments for the Chardonnay 2006, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, and Late Harvest Riesling 2006.
Los Angeles Times: Guest writer Patrick Comiskey on Cabernet Franc wines. Comments from Napa Valley stalwarts Tony Soter and John Skupny. Praise for a number of Lang & Reed wines, and nice comments as well for Little Creek 2004, and others.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on a variety of topics this week, with nice mentions for Horton Vineyards Rkatsiteli 2006, Dr. Konstantin Frank Rkatsiteli, Boho Vineyards Chardonnay 2006, and Dtour Macon Villages 2004. Karen's top selection this week is Cave Springs Niagara Peninsula Riesling 2006, while Andrew likes Hijos de Alberto Gutierrez Cascarela 2005.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on wine grape growing in Texas. Also, recommendation of Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra Verdicchio 2006 by a Houston wine buyer.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on a tasting of meritage wines. Winner is Englebrecht Els Vineayrds Proprietor's Blend 2004.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on bargain wines from Cost Plus. Top ratings go to Aaku Chardonnay 2005, and Bohemian Highway Chardonnay 2006.
Dallas Morning News: The tasting panel pairs wines with bacon-wrapped shrimp and cheese grits. Yes, really. Wines standing up to this test were Spann Vineyards 'Betsy's Back Acre' Red Wine, Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir 2006, Hanna Estate Grown Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007, Macon Lugny 'Les Charmes' Chardonnay 2006, and Canella Prosecco di Conegliano.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the wines of Columbia Winery. Recommended are the Pinot Gris 2007, Riesling 2006, Red Willow Vineyard Syrah 2005, and Red Willow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on the wines of Bodega Norton in Argentina. Highest recommendation is for Bodega Norton Privada 2005. On another page, bargain wine of the week is Red Rock Winery Reserve Merlot 2006.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on organic and biodynamic wines. Top choice is Marimar Torres Estate Don Miguel Family Vineyards Pinot Noir 2004.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on new wines to enjoy. Cited are Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Rose 2007, Domaine Brusset Cotes du Ventoux 'Les Boudalle' 2006, and Itsas Mendi Bizaiko Txakolina.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Boho Chardonnay 2006.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Badger Mountain Organic Riesling 2006.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2007.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Clos de los Siete 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Arnoux & Fils Crozes-Hermitage 2004.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Baileyana Firepeak Chardonnay.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Chateau Lamothe de Haux Blanc 2007.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward picks Hedges 'CMS' Columbia Valley White Wine 2006.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends J. Lohr Wildflower Valdiguie 2007.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Domaine de la Fruitiere Muscadet Sevre et Maine Cuvee Petite M 2006.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on flavored vodkas this week.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on Sauvignon Blanc wines from many sources. Nice comments for La Poussie Sancerre 2005, as well as New Zealand offerings from Cloudy Bay, Babich, Brancott, Stonleigh, and Villa Maria. Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc is also praised, and other Chilean producers named are La Playa, Anakena, and Miguel Torres. From South Africa, nice mentions for Mulderbosch, Neil Ellis, Thelema, and Buitenverwachting. And U.S. producers getting a nod include Groth, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Geyser Peak, Hogue, Kenwood, Kunde, R.H. Phillips, Joseph Phelps, Bernardus, and Voss.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on the wines from Seavy Vineyard. Highest rating goes to the Cabernet Sauvignon 2003.
USA Today: Wine columnist Jerry Shriver recommends Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Domaine du Tariquet Cotes de Gascogne 2006, and Clif Bar 'The Climber' White Wine 2007.
Baltimore Sun: Staff writer Rob Kasper on wine book author Courtney Cochran and her pairing recommendations. Top choice wine is Elio Perrone Moscato d'Asti 20 07.
Boston Globe: Wine columnist Stephen Meuse on rose wines. Chosen for praise are Goats do Roam South Africa Rose 2006, Regaleali IGT Sicilia 'Le Rose' 2006, Crios Mendoza 2007, Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rose 2006, and Les Lauzeraies Tavel 2006.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer T.J. Foderaro on a variety of topics, including Chappellet winery. Nice comments for the Chardonnay 2006, Mountain Cuvee 2005, and others.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews single vineyard Pinot Noir wines from the Russian River Valley. Highest ratings go to Siduri Keefer Ranch 2006, Sapphire Hill Vineyard 2005, Merry Edwards Coopersmith 2005, De La Montanya Tina's Vineyard 2006, D'Argenzio Thorn Road Ranch 2005, and Connor Brennan Cellars Amber Ridge 2005.
San Francisco Chronicle: Staff writer Amanda Gold profiles vintner Mac MacDonald and his Vision Cellars wines. Tasting notes on several of the current release wines.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on wines at local Sacramento restaurants to pair with dozens of brunch menu items. Perhaps a hundred wines named with none receiving comment.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel profiles Trefethen Family Vineyards on the occasion of their 40th anniversary. Nice comments for the Chardonnay 2006, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, and Late Harvest Riesling 2006.
Los Angeles Times: Guest writer Patrick Comiskey on Cabernet Franc wines. Comments from Napa Valley stalwarts Tony Soter and John Skupny. Praise for a number of Lang & Reed wines, and nice comments as well for Little Creek 2004, and others.
Washington Post: Wine writers Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg on a variety of topics this week, with nice mentions for Horton Vineyards Rkatsiteli 2006, Dr. Konstantin Frank Rkatsiteli, Boho Vineyards Chardonnay 2006, and Dtour Macon Villages 2004. Karen's top selection this week is Cave Springs Niagara Peninsula Riesling 2006, while Andrew likes Hijos de Alberto Gutierrez Cascarela 2005.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on wine grape growing in Texas. Also, recommendation of Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra Verdicchio 2006 by a Houston wine buyer.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on a tasting of meritage wines. Winner is Englebrecht Els Vineayrds Proprietor's Blend 2004.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on bargain wines from Cost Plus. Top ratings go to Aaku Chardonnay 2005, and Bohemian Highway Chardonnay 2006.
Dallas Morning News: The tasting panel pairs wines with bacon-wrapped shrimp and cheese grits. Yes, really. Wines standing up to this test were Spann Vineyards 'Betsy's Back Acre' Red Wine, Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir 2006, Hanna Estate Grown Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007, Macon Lugny 'Les Charmes' Chardonnay 2006, and Canella Prosecco di Conegliano.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the wines of Columbia Winery. Recommended are the Pinot Gris 2007, Riesling 2006, Red Willow Vineyard Syrah 2005, and Red Willow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on the wines of Bodega Norton in Argentina. Highest recommendation is for Bodega Norton Privada 2005. On another page, bargain wine of the week is Red Rock Winery Reserve Merlot 2006.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on organic and biodynamic wines. Top choice is Marimar Torres Estate Don Miguel Family Vineyards Pinot Noir 2004.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on new wines to enjoy. Cited are Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Rose 2007, Domaine Brusset Cotes du Ventoux 'Les Boudalle' 2006, and Itsas Mendi Bizaiko Txakolina.
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