Wine Review Weekly
January 12, 2009
This week, the San Francisco Chronicle tasting panel evaluates Riesling wines from Australia and New Zealand, finding several to praise. At the Washington Post, meanwhile, columnist Dave McIntyre lauds the work of the International Riesling Foundation and their new 'sweetness scale' to be included on back labels of Riesling wines. And Jancis Robinson, writing in the Financial Times, profiles Peter Sichel, who years ago made Blue Nun the first great phenomenon of wine marketing in the U.S. Pretty good week for Riesling fans. John Gillespi
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Luna Merlot 2005.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Cleebourg Pinot Blanc Auxerrois 2006.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Mark West Pinot Noir 2007.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Lane Tanner Pinot Noir 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Parejas Cellars Mourvedre 2007.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel 2007.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selections this week are Laboure Roi Vallon d'Or Pouilly Fuisse 2006, Drouhin Laforet Pinot Noir 2006, and Catena Zapata Malbec 2006 - all in half bottle.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Bodegas Hornillos Ballesteros Mi Bal Tinto 2006.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov offers a column on beer this week.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on American sparkling wines for inaugural celebrations. Deemed best in tasting is Iron Horse 'Wedding Cuvee' 2004, while J Vineyards 'Cuvee 20' Brut NV is cited for value.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist John Mariani on his favorite wines of 2008. They are Barbera d'Alba Torriglione 2006, Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires Brut 1995, Chateau Rocher-Calon 2005, Clos du Val Chardonnay 2006, Duckhorn Merlot 2004, Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Lucien Albrechet Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rose, Marchesi di Barolo 2004, Ehrhardt Estates Winery Petite Sirah 2004, and Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Auslese.
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on legendary wine man Peter Sichel.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends bargain wines. Those selected are Alice White 'Lexia" 2007, White Truck Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Red Truck Petite Sirah 2006, Ravenswood Vintners Blend Petite Sirah 2006, Kim Crawford Gisborne Rose 2007, Tamari Reserva Torrontes 2008, and Tamari Reserva Malbec 2007.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Riesling wines from Australia and New Zealand. Highest ratings go to Spy Valley Marlborough Riesling 2008, and Grosset Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2008.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Chris Macias on bargain wines. Cases in point are Quail Creek Chardonnay 2007, 2 Copas NV, and Penasol 2007.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on unusual white wines from Italy. Nice comments for Pinot Bianco wines from Alois Lageder, St. Michael-Eppan, St. Pauls, Weingut Niklas, and Cantina Terlano. Gewurzt raminers from Elena Walch and Abbazia di Novacella are also praised, along with Sauvignon Blanc from St. Michael-Eppan and Muller-Thurgau wines from Abbazia di Novacella and Cantina Valle.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley has a lot of nice things to say for the wines of Nickel & Nickel, especially the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Martin Stelling vineyard.
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on the movement started by the International Riesling Foundation to provide a sweetness scale on back labels of Riesling wines.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on new wine books from Alice Feiring, Anthony Terlato, Tyler Colman, and others.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on bargain wines worth investigating. More than a dozen ecclectic picks are listed, but the featured recommendation is for Mandolin Montery Pinot Noir 2007.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on good value wines from Bordeaux. Top rated is Chateau Aney Haut-Medoc 2005.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on wines that offer value. Recommended are Greg Norman Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV, Mouton Cadet Blanc 2007, Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc 2007, Joseph Drouhin St. Veran 2007, Napa Station Chardonnay 2007, Good Red Blended Red Wine 2005, Napa Station Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, and Earthquake Petite Sirah 2005.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the wines of Burgundy. Recommended are a number from Joseph Drouhin - the Chorey-Les-Beaune 2006, Gevery-Chambertin 2006, and the Puligny-Montrachet 2006.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Wine columnist Dan Berger on Blackstone wines. Praise for the Sonoma Reserve line of wines, especially the 2007 Chardonnay and 2006 Pinot Noir.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Washington. Top choice is Gordon Brothers 2005.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on how and where to shop for bargain wines. On another page, tasting notes on wines under $10 - Torres Sangre de Toro 2006, Salneval Albarino 2007, Bodegas Borsao Rose 2007, and Cusumano Nero d'Avola 2007.
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow previews the annual Zinfandel festival in San Francisco.
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman blogs this week on the subject of - wine blogs.
Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring has posted a video clip of vintner Abe Schoener of Scholium Project.
The Cellarist: Wine editor Jon Bonne of the San Francisco Chronicle reports from the annual Chronicle Wine Competition.
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson recommends Domaine Wachau Gruner Veltliner 2007.
The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov tells the story of President Nixon's taste for Chateau Margaux while others at the table are served a decidedly pedestrian wine.
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Luna Merlot 2005.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Cleebourg Pinot Blanc Auxerrois 2006.
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Mark West Pinot Noir 2007.
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Lane Tanner Pinot Noir 2006.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Wine columnist Richard Kinssies selects Parejas Cellars Mourvedre 2007.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel 2007.
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selections this week are Laboure Roi Vallon d'Or Pouilly Fuisse 2006, Drouhin Laforet Pinot Noir 2006, and Catena Zapata Malbec 2006 - all in half bottle.
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Bodegas Hornillos Ballesteros Mi Bal Tinto 2006.
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov offers a column on beer this week.
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on American sparkling wines for inaugural celebrations. Deemed best in tasting is Iron Horse 'Wedding Cuvee' 2004, while J Vineyards 'Cuvee 20' Brut NV is cited for value.
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist John Mariani on his favorite wines of 2008. They are Barbera d'Alba Torriglione 2006, Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires Brut 1995, Chateau Rocher-Calon 2005, Clos du Val Chardonnay 2006, Duckhorn Merlot 2004, Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Lucien Albrechet Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rose, Marchesi di Barolo 2004, Ehrhardt Estates Winery Petite Sirah 2004, and Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Auslese.
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on legendary wine man Peter Sichel.
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends bargain wines. Those selected are Alice White 'Lexia" 2007, White Truck Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Red Truck Petite Sirah 2006, Ravenswood Vintners Blend Petite Sirah 2006, Kim Crawford Gisborne Rose 2007, Tamari Reserva Torrontes 2008, and Tamari Reserva Malbec 2007.
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Riesling wines from Australia and New Zealand. Highest ratings go to Spy Valley Marlborough Riesling 2008, and Grosset Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2008.
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Chris Macias on bargain wines. Cases in point are Quail Creek Chardonnay 2007, 2 Copas NV, and Penasol 2007.
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on unusual white wines from Italy. Nice comments for Pinot Bianco wines from Alois Lageder, St. Michael-Eppan, St. Pauls, Weingut Niklas, and Cantina Terlano. Gewurzt raminers from Elena Walch and Abbazia di Novacella are also praised, along with Sauvignon Blanc from St. Michael-Eppan and Muller-Thurgau wines from Abbazia di Novacella and Cantina Valle.
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley has a lot of nice things to say for the wines of Nickel & Nickel, especially the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Martin Stelling vineyard.
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on the movement started by the International Riesling Foundation to provide a sweetness scale on back labels of Riesling wines.
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on new wine books from Alice Feiring, Anthony Terlato, Tyler Colman, and others.
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on bargain wines worth investigating. More than a dozen ecclectic picks are listed, but the featured recommendation is for Mandolin Montery Pinot Noir 2007.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on good value wines from Bordeaux. Top rated is Chateau Aney Haut-Medoc 2005.
Rocky Mountain News: Wine columnist Ben Weinberg on wines that offer value. Recommended are Greg Norman Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV, Mouton Cadet Blanc 2007, Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc 2007, Joseph Drouhin St. Veran 2007, Napa Station Chardonnay 2007, Good Red Blended Red Wine 2005, Napa Station Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, and Earthquake Petite Sirah 2005.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the wines of Burgundy. Recommended are a number from Joseph Drouhin - the Chorey-Les-Beaune 2006, Gevery-Chambertin 2006, and the Puligny-Montrachet 2006.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Wine columnist Dan Berger on Blackstone wines. Praise for the Sonoma Reserve line of wines, especially the 2007 Chardonnay and 2006 Pinot Noir.
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Washington. Top choice is Gordon Brothers 2005.
Chicago Tribune: Wine reporter Bill Daley on how and where to shop for bargain wines. On another page, tasting notes on wines under $10 - Torres Sangre de Toro 2006, Salneval Albarino 2007, Bodegas Borsao Rose 2007, and Cusumano Nero d'Avola 2007.
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow previews the annual Zinfandel festival in San Francisco.
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman blogs this week on the subject of - wine blogs.
Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring has posted a video clip of vintner Abe Schoener of Scholium Project.
The Cellarist: Wine editor Jon Bonne of the San Francisco Chronicle reports from the annual Chronicle Wine Competition.
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson recommends Domaine Wachau Gruner Veltliner 2007.
The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov tells the story of President Nixon's taste for Chateau Margaux while others at the table are served a decidedly pedestrian wine.
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