Wine Review Weekly
October 27, 2008
Lots of love is shown to Pinot Noir this week, with Eric Asimov of the New York Times taking a look at clonal selection, while columnists Gaiter and Brecher of the Wall Street Journal find much to like in Pinot Noir wines from Oregon. And the San Francisco Chronicle tasting panel offers many notes on Pinot Noir wines from the South Central Coast of California. John Gillespie
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Ravens Run Red 2004.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Echelon Pinot Noir 2006.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Truchard Syrah 2005.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera 2007.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers suggests Clos de los Siete 2007.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Gordon Brothers Chardonnay 2007.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Palestra 2006.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan suggests Olvena Coupage Red 2004.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on clonal selection, especially concerning Pinot Noir. Comments from Gary Pisoni, whose Pinot Noir vineyard and winery in the Santa Lucia Highlands is highly regarded.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on the Pinot Noir wines of Oregon. Lots of praise for the evolution of quality, with highest marks going to Domaine Serene 'Evenstad Reserve' 2005, while both Foris Vineyards Winery 2006 and Yamhill Valley Vineyards 'Estate' 2006 are named good values.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on good value Riesling wines from Germany. Highest rated is Fritz Haag Riesling 2007.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist John Mariani on Chaddsford Winery in Pennsylvania.
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on wine tasting, losing one's sense of smell, and wine tasting terms.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti offers a cocktail recipe this week, but scroll down for the tasting note on Waters Crest Red Knight Merlot 2006.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Pinot Noir wines from the South Central Coast of California. Highest rated are Rusack Santa Maria Valley 2006, and two from Kenneth Volk Vineyards - the Garey Vineyard Santa Maria Valley 2006, and Santa Maria Cuvee 2006.
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on a tasting of the wines of importer Terry Theise. Numerous tasting notes on these.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on Riesling wines and a new sweetness/dryness scale coming into use. Nice comments for the 'Riesling Rules' booklet from Pacific Rim.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on anniversaries at California wineries with much history. The group includes Gundlach-Bundschu, Bargetto, E & J Gallo, and Louis M. Martini.
Los Angeles Times: Guest writer Patrick Comiskey on red wines from the Walla Walla AVA in Washington State.
On another page, recommendations for offerings from Va Piano Vineyards, Pepper Bridge, Leonetti Cellars, L'Ecole No. 41, K Vintners, Cayuse Vineyards, and Amavi Cellars.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on good value wines. Producers cited are Andeluna Cellars, Five Rivers, Solaz, Marques de Casa Concha, Hill of Content, The Wishing Tree, and Bellussi. Also, high ratings this week for Arboleda Carmenere 2006, Bridlewood Reserve Viognier 2007, and Provenance Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2007.
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on the red wines of Austria. Focus is on the Zweigelt grape variety, with comments from Terry Theise and Klaus Witauer.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson profiles Houston sommelier (and winemaker) Saree Mulhern. Also, recommendation from local restaurateur for Domaine Gardiew Tautavel Vieilles Vignes 2005.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on bargain wines. highest rated is Barefoot Zinfandel.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on wine importer Terry Theise. Praise for his Aubry Jouy-Ees-Reims Brut NV.
Dallas Morning News: Wine writer Kim Pierce on Oak Leaf wines from Wal-Mart.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on the effects of dieting on the palate. Recommended wines this week are Kendall-Jackson Vintners Select Chardonnay 2006, Cline Viognier 2006, Leeuwin Siblings Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2006, Vinavera Unoaked Rose 2006, Fleur Vin Gris 2006, Carneros Creek Pinot Noir Reserve 2006, Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier 2006, and Kendall-Jackson Highland Estates Syrah Alisos Hills 2005.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the wines of Chateau St. Jean. Praise for the Sonoma County Chardonnay 2007, and the Sonoma County Fume Blanc 2007. Also, nice comment for Morgan Metallico Chardonnay 2007.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Wine columnist Dan Berger on good value wines from Spain. Focus is on wine types and varietals, not brands.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on renowned Italian wine producers. Very high praise for examples from Antinori, Biondi Santi, Gaja, Lungarotti, Mastroberardino, Michele Chiarlo, Pio Cesare, and Umani Ronchi.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on the wines of Sancerre. Best example cited is Pascal Jolivet 2007.
Chicago Tribune: Wine r eporter Bill Daley on pairing wines with thin crust pizza. Highest praise goes to Botromagno Primitivo 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies takes a look back at the life and many accomplishments of vintner David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on the life and legacy of David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards.
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow offers tasting notes on wines from the Cadaretta winery in the Columbia Valley.
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Coleman continues the 'drink local' discussion and offers more thoughts on Beaujolais Nouveau and its carbon footprint.
Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring is blogging this week on the New York Times site, and offers a running saga of taking a turn as winemaker.
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson has nice things to say about Urban Uco Mendoza Malbec 2007.
The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov on retail pricing of high end wines in New York. Case in point is Turley Dusi Ranch Zinfandel.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Ravens Run Red 2004.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Echelon Pinot Noir 2006.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Truchard Syrah 2005.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera 2007.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers suggests Clos de los Siete 2007.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Gordon Brothers Chardonnay 2007.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Palestra 2006.
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan suggests Olvena Coupage Red 2004.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on clonal selection, especially concerning Pinot Noir. Comments from Gary Pisoni, whose Pinot Noir vineyard and winery in the Santa Lucia Highlands is highly regarded.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on the Pinot Noir wines of Oregon. Lots of praise for the evolution of quality, with highest marks going to Domaine Serene 'Evenstad Reserve' 2005, while both Foris Vineyards Winery 2006 and Yamhill Valley Vineyards 'Estate' 2006 are named good values.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on good value Riesling wines from Germany. Highest rated is Fritz Haag Riesling 2007.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist John Mariani on Chaddsford Winery in Pennsylvania.
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on wine tasting, losing one's sense of smell, and wine tasting terms.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti offers a cocktail recipe this week, but scroll down for the tasting note on Waters Crest Red Knight Merlot 2006.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Pinot Noir wines from the South Central Coast of California. Highest rated are Rusack Santa Maria Valley 2006, and two from Kenneth Volk Vineyards - the Garey Vineyard Santa Maria Valley 2006, and Santa Maria Cuvee 2006.
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on a tasting of the wines of importer Terry Theise. Numerous tasting notes on these.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on Riesling wines and a new sweetness/dryness scale coming into use. Nice comments for the 'Riesling Rules' booklet from Pacific Rim.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on anniversaries at California wineries with much history. The group includes Gundlach-Bundschu, Bargetto, E & J Gallo, and Louis M. Martini.
Los Angeles Times: Guest writer Patrick Comiskey on red wines from the Walla Walla AVA in Washington State.
On another page, recommendations for offerings from Va Piano Vineyards, Pepper Bridge, Leonetti Cellars, L'Ecole No. 41, K Vintners, Cayuse Vineyards, and Amavi Cellars.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on good value wines. Producers cited are Andeluna Cellars, Five Rivers, Solaz, Marques de Casa Concha, Hill of Content, The Wishing Tree, and Bellussi. Also, high ratings this week for Arboleda Carmenere 2006, Bridlewood Reserve Viognier 2007, and Provenance Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2007.
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on the red wines of Austria. Focus is on the Zweigelt grape variety, with comments from Terry Theise and Klaus Witauer.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson profiles Houston sommelier (and winemaker) Saree Mulhern. Also, recommendation from local restaurateur for Domaine Gardiew Tautavel Vieilles Vignes 2005.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on bargain wines. highest rated is Barefoot Zinfandel.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on wine importer Terry Theise. Praise for his Aubry Jouy-Ees-Reims Brut NV.
Dallas Morning News: Wine writer Kim Pierce on Oak Leaf wines from Wal-Mart.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on the effects of dieting on the palate. Recommended wines this week are Kendall-Jackson Vintners Select Chardonnay 2006, Cline Viognier 2006, Leeuwin Siblings Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2006, Vinavera Unoaked Rose 2006, Fleur Vin Gris 2006, Carneros Creek Pinot Noir Reserve 2006, Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier 2006, and Kendall-Jackson Highland Estates Syrah Alisos Hills 2005.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the wines of Chateau St. Jean. Praise for the Sonoma County Chardonnay 2007, and the Sonoma County Fume Blanc 2007. Also, nice comment for Morgan Metallico Chardonnay 2007.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Wine columnist Dan Berger on good value wines from Spain. Focus is on wine types and varietals, not brands.
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on renowned Italian wine producers. Very high praise for examples from Antinori, Biondi Santi, Gaja, Lungarotti, Mastroberardino, Michele Chiarlo, Pio Cesare, and Umani Ronchi.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on the wines of Sancerre. Best example cited is Pascal Jolivet 2007.
Chicago Tribune: Wine r eporter Bill Daley on pairing wines with thin crust pizza. Highest praise goes to Botromagno Primitivo 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies takes a look back at the life and many accomplishments of vintner David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on the life and legacy of David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards.
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow offers tasting notes on wines from the Cadaretta winery in the Columbia Valley.
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Coleman continues the 'drink local' discussion and offers more thoughts on Beaujolais Nouveau and its carbon footprint.
Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring is blogging this week on the New York Times site, and offers a running saga of taking a turn as winemaker.
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson has nice things to say about Urban Uco Mendoza Malbec 2007.
The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov on retail pricing of high end wines in New York. Case in point is Turley Dusi Ranch Zinfandel.
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