Wine Review Weekly
September 29, 2008
Columns devoted to finding bargain wines in tough economic times abound this week, with Eric Asimov of the New York Times focusing on French wines, while the tasting panel of the Dallas Morning News suggests bargain Merlots. At the San Francisco Chronicle, all the focus is on Chardonnay and the evolution of Chardonnay wine styles. And Bill Daley, writing in the Chicago Tribune, finds a wide variety of wines to pair with gumbo. John Gillespie
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks The Four Graces Pinot Noir 2006.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Palacios Remondo La Vendemia Rioja 2006.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Mas de Boislauzon 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Domaine Astruc Mourvedre 2007.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Maso Canali Pinot Grigio 2007.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Domaine Catherine Auther Pinot Auxerrois 2006.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers picks Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages 2006.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Kourtaki Kouros Patras.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Summers Alexander Valley 'Le Nude' Chardonnay 2007.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on affordable French wines. Producers named are Domaine des Aubusieres, Bernard Baudry, Pierre Chermette, Clos Roche Blanche, Marc Kreydenweiss, Marc Ollivier, Chateau d'Orschwihr, Thierry Puzelat, Domaine Rimbert, and Domaine Sainte Barbe.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on wines from Illinois and Arizona, just in time for the election. Praise in general for offereings from each state, with tasting notes on several.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on wines of the Loire Valley. Highest rated is Claude Branger Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie Les Gras Moutons 2006.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on the wine auction scene, with a focus on the astronomical prices fetched by sought-after vintages of Chateau Lafite.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends Castello di Borghese Pinot Noir 2005.
Boston Globe: Wine columnist Stephen Meuse on Italian wines. Recommended are La Corte Salice Salentino 2006, G.D. Vajra Lange Rosso 2006, Martilde Oltrepo Pavese Barbera 2006, Guicciardini Strozzi Chianti 2006, and Le Piane 'La Maggiorina' Colline Novaresi 2004.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on the wines of J Vineyards. Lots of praise, especially for the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006.
Subscribe to Wine Review Weekly: Start your personal subscription to this newsletter at this link.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Napa Valley and Carneros Chardonnay wines. Highest rated are Shafer Vineyards Red Shoulder Ranch 2006, Schug Heritage Reserve 2006, and Miner Wild Yeast Napa Valley 2006.
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on California Chardonnay. Praise for top producers includes Alma Rosa, Au Bon Climat, HdV, Mayacamas, Mount Eden Vineyards, Ramey Wine Cellars, Ridge Vineyards, and Stony Hill. On another page, a profile of Lioco Chardonnays. Kongsgaard Charodonnay wines are featured on another page. And on a final page, the Chardonnays of Varner are praised.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on the perils of being a small grape grower in California.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on the history of Concannon Vineyard. Tasting notes on several wines, with praise for the Petite Sirah offerings.
Washington Post: Guest writer Joseph Ward on the wines of Burgundy. First page is a nice overview of the region. On another page, recommendations in all price ranges, including Faiveley Chambertin Clos de Beze 2006, Etienne Sauzet Batard-Montrachet 2006, Marquis d'Angerville Volnay Clos des Ducs 2006, William Fevre Chablis Fourchaume Vignoble de Vaulorent 2006, Joseph Drouhin Chambolle Musigny 2006, Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin 2005, Louis Michel Petit Chablis 2006, Bertrand Ambroise Cote de Nuits Villages 2005, Domaine Rene Leclerc Bourgogne Rouge 2005, and Verget Bourgogne Blanc Terroirs de Cote d'Or 2006.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson offers high praise for d'Arenberg wines from Australia. Winner of red wine tasting is d'Arenberg 'Laughing Magpie' 2006. Nice comments, too, for white wine winner Lynmar Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2006.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on a variety of wines. Highest rated is Iron Horse Vineyards Green Valley Chardonnay 2005.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on wine closures, with comments from Rosemount winemaker Matt Koch. Featured wine this week is Desert Wind Wahluke Slope Columbia Valley 'Bare Naked' Viognier 2007.
Dallas Morning News: The tasting panel offers notes on Merlot wines under $20. Recommended are Merlots from Columbia Crest, Green Lion, Marquis Philips, Benziger, St. Francis, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Franciscan, and Concha y Toro.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on Syrah wines. Recommended are Paul Jaboulet Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45 2006, Domaine de Beaurenard Cotes du Rhone 2006, Clos Mimi Syrah Paso Robles Petite Rousse 2005, Novy Syrah Sonoma County 2006, Razor's Edge Shiraz 2006, Barnard Griffin Syrah Columbia Valley 2006, Jardin Syrah Stellenbosch 2005, Rosenblum Petite Sirah San Francisco Bay Heritage Clones 2006, and De Bortoli Petite Sirah Vat 1 2007.
Sarasota Herald Tribune: Wine columnist Dan Berger on the growing popularity of Riesling. Along the way, nice comments on Riesling wines from Trefethen.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the Tintara winery in Australia. Recommended are Tintara Shiraz 2005, Tintara Grenache 2005, and Tintara Reserve Grenache 2004.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Riesling wines from Washington. Top choice is Columbia Winery Cellarmaster's Riesling 2006.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on wines to pair with gumbo. Highest rated are Salneval Albarino 2007, McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, and Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2006.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on good value wines. Cases in point are Bodegas Otero Valleoscuro Prieto Picudo & Tempranillo 2006, and Cono Sur Sauvignon Blanc 2007.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks The Four Graces Pinot Noir 2006.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Palacios Remondo La Vendemia Rioja 2006.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Mas de Boislauzon 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Domaine Astruc Mourvedre 2007.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Maso Canali Pinot Grigio 2007.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Domaine Catherine Auther Pinot Auxerrois 2006.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers picks Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages 2006.
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Kourtaki Kouros Patras.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Summers Alexander Valley 'Le Nude' Chardonnay 2007.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on affordable French wines. Producers named are Domaine des Aubusieres, Bernard Baudry, Pierre Chermette, Clos Roche Blanche, Marc Kreydenweiss, Marc Ollivier, Chateau d'Orschwihr, Thierry Puzelat, Domaine Rimbert, and Domaine Sainte Barbe.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on wines from Illinois and Arizona, just in time for the election. Praise in general for offereings from each state, with tasting notes on several.
Business Week: Wine critic Robert Parker on wines of the Loire Valley. Highest rated is Claude Branger Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie Les Gras Moutons 2006.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on the wine auction scene, with a focus on the astronomical prices fetched by sought-after vintages of Chateau Lafite.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends Castello di Borghese Pinot Noir 2005.
Boston Globe: Wine columnist Stephen Meuse on Italian wines. Recommended are La Corte Salice Salentino 2006, G.D. Vajra Lange Rosso 2006, Martilde Oltrepo Pavese Barbera 2006, Guicciardini Strozzi Chianti 2006, and Le Piane 'La Maggiorina' Colline Novaresi 2004.
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on the wines of J Vineyards. Lots of praise, especially for the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006.
Subscribe to Wine Review Weekly: Start your personal subscription to this newsletter at this link.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Napa Valley and Carneros Chardonnay wines. Highest rated are Shafer Vineyards Red Shoulder Ranch 2006, Schug Heritage Reserve 2006, and Miner Wild Yeast Napa Valley 2006.
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on California Chardonnay. Praise for top producers includes Alma Rosa, Au Bon Climat, HdV, Mayacamas, Mount Eden Vineyards, Ramey Wine Cellars, Ridge Vineyards, and Stony Hill. On another page, a profile of Lioco Chardonnays. Kongsgaard Charodonnay wines are featured on another page. And on a final page, the Chardonnays of Varner are praised.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Mike Dunne on the perils of being a small grape grower in California.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on the history of Concannon Vineyard. Tasting notes on several wines, with praise for the Petite Sirah offerings.
Washington Post: Guest writer Joseph Ward on the wines of Burgundy. First page is a nice overview of the region. On another page, recommendations in all price ranges, including Faiveley Chambertin Clos de Beze 2006, Etienne Sauzet Batard-Montrachet 2006, Marquis d'Angerville Volnay Clos des Ducs 2006, William Fevre Chablis Fourchaume Vignoble de Vaulorent 2006, Joseph Drouhin Chambolle Musigny 2006, Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin 2005, Louis Michel Petit Chablis 2006, Bertrand Ambroise Cote de Nuits Villages 2005, Domaine Rene Leclerc Bourgogne Rouge 2005, and Verget Bourgogne Blanc Terroirs de Cote d'Or 2006.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson offers high praise for d'Arenberg wines from Australia. Winner of red wine tasting is d'Arenberg 'Laughing Magpie' 2006. Nice comments, too, for white wine winner Lynmar Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2006.
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on a variety of wines. Highest rated is Iron Horse Vineyards Green Valley Chardonnay 2005.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on wine closures, with comments from Rosemount winemaker Matt Koch. Featured wine this week is Desert Wind Wahluke Slope Columbia Valley 'Bare Naked' Viognier 2007.
Dallas Morning News: The tasting panel offers notes on Merlot wines under $20. Recommended are Merlots from Columbia Crest, Green Lion, Marquis Philips, Benziger, St. Francis, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Franciscan, and Concha y Toro.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on Syrah wines. Recommended are Paul Jaboulet Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45 2006, Domaine de Beaurenard Cotes du Rhone 2006, Clos Mimi Syrah Paso Robles Petite Rousse 2005, Novy Syrah Sonoma County 2006, Razor's Edge Shiraz 2006, Barnard Griffin Syrah Columbia Valley 2006, Jardin Syrah Stellenbosch 2005, Rosenblum Petite Sirah San Francisco Bay Heritage Clones 2006, and De Bortoli Petite Sirah Vat 1 2007.
Sarasota Herald Tribune: Wine columnist Dan Berger on the growing popularity of Riesling. Along the way, nice comments on Riesling wines from Trefethen.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the Tintara winery in Australia. Recommended are Tintara Shiraz 2005, Tintara Grenache 2005, and Tintara Reserve Grenache 2004.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Riesling wines from Washington. Top choice is Columbia Winery Cellarmaster's Riesling 2006.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on wines to pair with gumbo. Highest rated are Salneval Albarino 2007, McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, and Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2006.
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on good value wines. Cases in point are Bodegas Otero Valleoscuro Prieto Picudo & Tempranillo 2006, and Cono Sur Sauvignon Blanc 2007.
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