Wine Review Weekly
June 1, 2009
Baby Boomers will be especially interested in Eric Asimov's column in the New York Times this week on Valpolicella - a discovery wine for many in the 1960s. On the other coast, Patrick Comiskey surveys the best rose wines for summer enjoyment in a nicely detailed column for the Los Angeles Times. And Wine Review Weekly subscribers can now follow Wine Opinions on Twitter, where we offer tasting notes, links to wine columns, and wine market observations. John Gillespie
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Mumm Napa Brut Prestige NV. (Link)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Cellar No. 8 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. (Link)
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Cono Sur 'Vision' Gewurztraminer 2008. (Link)
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks White Rock Vineyards Napa Valley Claret 2004. (Link)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Fire Station 'Vintage Engine Collection' Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. (Link)
Business Week: Wine writer Nick Passmore recommends Ravenswood Vintners Blend Chardonnay 2007. (Link)
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan suggests Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Rose 2008. (Link)
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Renato Ratti Barbera d'Alba Torriglione 2007. (Link)
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on Valpolicella. Vaona Classico 2007 is the top wine in tasting, while Tommasi Classico Superiore 2006 is noted as a good value.(Link)
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on the evolution of rose wines in the U.S. An uneven recent history, but praise for some recent efforts. Best in tasting is Beckmen Vineyards Grenache Rose 2008, while best value is Toad Hollow Cellars 'Eye of the Toad' Pinot Noir Rose 2007. (Link)
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends wines for graduation celebrations. Nice comments for offerings from Castello Banfi, Sterling Vineyards, Casa Lapostolle, Inniskillin, Wild Oak, Brandlin, Rubicon, Warre's, Moet & Chandon, and Macari. (Link)
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on a tasting of the 2007 vintage Port wines, with a list of twenty favored producers. (Link)
Boston Globe: Wine columnist Stephen Meuse on rose wines for summer enjoyment. Recommended are Crios Rose of Malbec 2008, Cellar de Capcanes 'Mas Donis' Monsant Rosat 2008, La Valentina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Cerasuolo 2008, Domaine Pelaquie Cotes du Rhone Rose 2008, and Jaboulet Paralelle 45 Cotes du Rhone Rose 2008. (Link)
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on a line of Italian wines licensed to use the 'Sopranos' name, from the HBO series. Nice comments for several of these, including a 2008 Pinot Grigio, and a 2007 Chianti. (Link)
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews domestic Pinot Blanc wines. Recommended are Valley of the Moon Sonoma County 2007, Ponzi Vineyards Willamette Valley 2007, Etude Carneros 2007, Chalone Vineyard 2006, and Bethel Heights Vineyard 2008. (Link)
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on Semillon wines. Recommended are Saxon Brown Santinamaria Vineyards Sonoma Valley 2007, and Fortitude Luvisi Vineyard Napa Valley 2007. (Link)
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Chris Macias recommends Castello D'Alba Douro Reserva Branco 2007, Holly's Hill Vineyards Patriarche 2006, and Jargon Pinot Noir 2007. (Link)
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on red wine bargains. Praise for the value of Smith Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Chateau Chevalier Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Charles Krug Generations Family Reserve 2005, and Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007. Also, nice comments for new releases from Bandit wines in Tetra Pak containers. (Link)
Los Angeles Times: Guest writer Patrick Comiskey on rose wines. Recommended are those from Domaine L'Hortus, Faustino, Marques de Caceres, Ojai Vineyard, Solo Rosa, Domaine Tempier, Domaine Saint Andre de Figuiere, Gurrutxaga, Lopez de Heredia, Gaia, August Kesseler, and Point Concepcion. (Link)
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on the success of wines from Virginia in a tasting at the London International Wine Fair. Nice mentions for White Hall Vineyards, Barboursville Vineyards, and others.(Link)
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on wines to pair with chicken dishes. Types and varietals mentioned, not brands. Also, recommendation from a local somellier for Sanford Pinot Noir 2007. (Link)
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on new wine releases. Highest rated is Foris Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2007.(Link)
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on a Minnesota native - Dan Gustafson - and his winery project in Sonoma County. Also, nice comments on Della Scala Pinot Grigio 2007. (Link)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on seasonality and wines. Along the way, nice mentions for Bruno Clair Rose, Principessa Gavi di Gavi, Auka Torrontes, and Sonoma Vineyards Chardonnay. (Link)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on Cava sparkling wines from Spain. Recommended are Segura Viudas Aria Brut, Juve y Camps Brut Natural Reserva de la Familia, and Augusti Torello Mata Brut Rosat Trepat. Also, nice mention for Seven Deadly Zins 2007. (Link)
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on the wine interests of Jacques Pepin and new winer offerings from Bonny Doon Vineyards. (Link)
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Bordeaux varietal wines from Washington. Top choice is Nicholas Cole Graeagle Red Wing 2006. (Link)
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on sparkling wines from many places. (Link)
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow has nice things to say for Jack Larkin Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. (Link)
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman on the difficulties facing the Australian wine industry. (Link)
Bigger Than Your Head: Wine blogger Fred Koeppel on a new wine find - Domaine de Ballad Sauvignon Blanc Colombard 2008. (Link)
Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring on wine lists in New York. (Link)
Tasting room: Wine editor and blogger Ray Isle on a recent tasting of Gran Reserva wines from Rioja. (Link)
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson recommends Vinedos de la Posada Torrontes 2008. (Link)
The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov on sparkling wines made in England. Nice comments for the effort from Ridgeview. (Link)
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Mumm Napa Brut Prestige NV. (Link)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Cellar No. 8 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. (Link)
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Cono Sur 'Vision' Gewurztraminer 2008. (Link)
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks White Rock Vineyards Napa Valley Claret 2004. (Link)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Fire Station 'Vintage Engine Collection' Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. (Link)
Business Week: Wine writer Nick Passmore recommends Ravenswood Vintners Blend Chardonnay 2007. (Link)
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan suggests Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Rose 2008. (Link)
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Renato Ratti Barbera d'Alba Torriglione 2007. (Link)
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on Valpolicella. Vaona Classico 2007 is the top wine in tasting, while Tommasi Classico Superiore 2006 is noted as a good value.(Link)
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on the evolution of rose wines in the U.S. An uneven recent history, but praise for some recent efforts. Best in tasting is Beckmen Vineyards Grenache Rose 2008, while best value is Toad Hollow Cellars 'Eye of the Toad' Pinot Noir Rose 2007. (Link)
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends wines for graduation celebrations. Nice comments for offerings from Castello Banfi, Sterling Vineyards, Casa Lapostolle, Inniskillin, Wild Oak, Brandlin, Rubicon, Warre's, Moet & Chandon, and Macari. (Link)
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on a tasting of the 2007 vintage Port wines, with a list of twenty favored producers. (Link)
Boston Globe: Wine columnist Stephen Meuse on rose wines for summer enjoyment. Recommended are Crios Rose of Malbec 2008, Cellar de Capcanes 'Mas Donis' Monsant Rosat 2008, La Valentina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Cerasuolo 2008, Domaine Pelaquie Cotes du Rhone Rose 2008, and Jaboulet Paralelle 45 Cotes du Rhone Rose 2008. (Link)
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on a line of Italian wines licensed to use the 'Sopranos' name, from the HBO series. Nice comments for several of these, including a 2008 Pinot Grigio, and a 2007 Chianti. (Link)
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews domestic Pinot Blanc wines. Recommended are Valley of the Moon Sonoma County 2007, Ponzi Vineyards Willamette Valley 2007, Etude Carneros 2007, Chalone Vineyard 2006, and Bethel Heights Vineyard 2008. (Link)
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on Semillon wines. Recommended are Saxon Brown Santinamaria Vineyards Sonoma Valley 2007, and Fortitude Luvisi Vineyard Napa Valley 2007. (Link)
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Chris Macias recommends Castello D'Alba Douro Reserva Branco 2007, Holly's Hill Vineyards Patriarche 2006, and Jargon Pinot Noir 2007. (Link)
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on red wine bargains. Praise for the value of Smith Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Chateau Chevalier Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Charles Krug Generations Family Reserve 2005, and Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007. Also, nice comments for new releases from Bandit wines in Tetra Pak containers. (Link)
Los Angeles Times: Guest writer Patrick Comiskey on rose wines. Recommended are those from Domaine L'Hortus, Faustino, Marques de Caceres, Ojai Vineyard, Solo Rosa, Domaine Tempier, Domaine Saint Andre de Figuiere, Gurrutxaga, Lopez de Heredia, Gaia, August Kesseler, and Point Concepcion. (Link)
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on the success of wines from Virginia in a tasting at the London International Wine Fair. Nice mentions for White Hall Vineyards, Barboursville Vineyards, and others.(Link)
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on wines to pair with chicken dishes. Types and varietals mentioned, not brands. Also, recommendation from a local somellier for Sanford Pinot Noir 2007. (Link)
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on new wine releases. Highest rated is Foris Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2007.(Link)
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on a Minnesota native - Dan Gustafson - and his winery project in Sonoma County. Also, nice comments on Della Scala Pinot Grigio 2007. (Link)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on seasonality and wines. Along the way, nice mentions for Bruno Clair Rose, Principessa Gavi di Gavi, Auka Torrontes, and Sonoma Vineyards Chardonnay. (Link)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on Cava sparkling wines from Spain. Recommended are Segura Viudas Aria Brut, Juve y Camps Brut Natural Reserva de la Familia, and Augusti Torello Mata Brut Rosat Trepat. Also, nice mention for Seven Deadly Zins 2007. (Link)
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on the wine interests of Jacques Pepin and new winer offerings from Bonny Doon Vineyards. (Link)
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Bordeaux varietal wines from Washington. Top choice is Nicholas Cole Graeagle Red Wing 2006. (Link)
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on sparkling wines from many places. (Link)
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow has nice things to say for Jack Larkin Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. (Link)
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman on the difficulties facing the Australian wine industry. (Link)
Bigger Than Your Head: Wine blogger Fred Koeppel on a new wine find - Domaine de Ballad Sauvignon Blanc Colombard 2008. (Link)
Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring on wine lists in New York. (Link)
Tasting room: Wine editor and blogger Ray Isle on a recent tasting of Gran Reserva wines from Rioja. (Link)
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson recommends Vinedos de la Posada Torrontes 2008. (Link)
The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov on sparkling wines made in England. Nice comments for the effort from Ridgeview. (Link)
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