Wine Review Weekly
April 20, 2009
Blogs rule this week, with Alder Yarrow providing many notes and ratings of wines from Mendocino County on his Vinography site. Eric Asimov follows up his print column on Sancerre in the New York Times with further thoughts on Sauvignon Blanc on his blog, The Pour. And there are two fascinating contretemps involving Robert Parker currently running on Tyler Colman's Dr. Vino blog, which your editor high recommends. John Gillespi
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Bodega Septima Malbec 2007.(Link)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Ravenswood Vintners Blend Merlot 2006. (Link)
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Segura Viudas Aria Brut NV. (Link)
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Terra de Verema 'Triumvirat' 2006. (Link)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Robert Oatley Cabernet Merlot 2007. (Link)
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Vina Morande 'Pionero' Sauvignon Blanc 2008. (Link)
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends Macari Vineyards 'Katherine's Field' Sauvignon Blanc 2008.(Link)
Business Week: Wine writer Nick Passmore recommends Sea Smoke Cellars Botella Pinot Noir 2006. (Link)
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Flechas de Los Andes Gran Malbec 2007. (Link)
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on the pleasures of Sancerre. Lots to like, with the offering from Lucien Crochet deemed best of the group and best value, as well. (Link)
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on the emergence of the Grenache varietal in many forms. Offerings from Celadon, Alder, Paredon, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Sorellina, Tensley Wine, and Unti Vineyards are examined and recommended.(Link)
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on the qualities of the 2008 wines of Bordeaux. Nicest comments are for those from Pomerol. (Link)
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on Bouchaine Estate, with praise for the 2006 vintage Chardonnay. (Link)
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on the challenges facing producers of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Focus is on the 2005 and 2006 vintages, with nice comments for the 2005 offerings of Corison, Round Pond, and Caymus. (Link) On another page, tasting notes and recommendations for 2005 vintage Cabernets from Terra Valentine, Chateau Montelena, Conn Creek, D.R. Stephens Estate, and Bardessono. For the 2006 vintage, the recommendations go to Chappellet, Robert Craig, Trinchero, Buehler, and Tor Kenward. And a lone 2007 - from Once Wines - also gets a recommendation. (Link)
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Chris Macias on his latest finds. Recommended are Crios de Susana Balbo Malbec 2007, Guenoc Sauvignon Blanc 2008, and Corison Cabernet Sauvignon 2002. (Link)
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on the evolution of Pinot Noir wines grown in the Santa Cruz mountains and its specific sub-regions. Along the way, nice comments on the Thomas Fogarty Rapley Trail Block M 2007, Mount Eden Estate 2006, Muns Vineyard 2006, Cumbre of Vine Hill Raffanelli Vineyard 2006, Storrs Wildcat Ridge 2006, and Beauregard Bald Mountain Vineyard 2006. Mentions of a few others, too.(Link)
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on the results of the 2009 Monterey Wine Competition. Nice showing for wines from Ventana Vineyards as well as those from a few other producers, such as Starborough from New Zealand, Goose Watch from New York, Fallbrook Winery, Clayhouse, Robert Hall, Mettler, Valdubon, Navarro, and Rancho de Philo. (Link)
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on Nero d'Avola wines from Sicily. Highest praise is for Planeta La Segreta, for both its flavor and value. (Link)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers offers tasting notes on Stag's Leap Petite Sirah 2005, Guenoc Petite Sirah 2005, and Bogle Vineyards Petite Sirah 2006. (Link)
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on a tasting of Texas wines. Nice comments on wines from Brennan Vineyards, Llano, McPherson, Inwood Estates, and Texas Hills. (Link)
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on Cantina Terre de Trinci 'Cajo' 2005, and D. Verginie Carignan 'Very Old Vines' Vin de Pays L'Aude 2006. (Link
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on California vintner (with Minnesota roots) Shane Finley. Praise for the Shane 'Ma Ville' Sonoma County Rose 2008. (Link)
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy on the results of the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition. Gold medals given to inexpensive wines are awarded to Ravenswood Vintners Blend Petite Sirah 2006, J. Lohr Estates Wildfower Valdiguie 2008, Boulder Bank Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Fetzer Valley Oaks Pinot Grigio 2007, and Presidential Ruby Porto NV. (Link)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the Seven Hills Winery in Washington. Praise for the Merlot 2006, Malbec 2006, and Pentad Vintage Red Wine.(Link)
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on a trip to China and a few wines encountered along the way. (Link)
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on the growing respect for wines from Paso Robles. Top choice in tasting is J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. (Link)
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow on a comprehensive tasting of wines from Mendocino County. Praise for many, including several white wines from Navarro, red wines from Copain, Radio-Coteau, Baxter, and Sojourn. And, of course, praise also for sparking wines from Roederer Estate. (Link)
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman on the ethical standards of Robert Parker and those who review wine for him. Emperor misplacing clothes again? (Link)
Bigger Than Your Head: Wine blogger Fred Koeppel on Pio Cesare Cortese di Gavi 2006. (Link)
Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring on a blind tasting of Pinot Noir wines. (Link)
Tasting room: Wine editor and blogger Ray Isle recommends following the current Robert Parker spats taking place on Dr. Vino. (Link)
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson recommendes Cuvee Crunch NV. (Link)
The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov follows up on his Sancerre article with more thoughts on Sauvignon Blanc, with special praise for the wines of Enzo Pontoni of Miani. (Link)
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Bodega Septima Malbec 2007.(Link)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Ravenswood Vintners Blend Merlot 2006. (Link)
Washington Times: Wine columnist Paul Lukacs selects Segura Viudas Aria Brut NV. (Link)
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Terra de Verema 'Triumvirat' 2006. (Link)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine columnist Bob Hosmon picks Robert Oatley Cabernet Merlot 2007. (Link)
New York Times: Wine writer Howard Goldberg's under $20 selection is Vina Morande 'Pionero' Sauvignon Blanc 2008. (Link)
Newsday: Staff writer Peter Gianotti recommends Macari Vineyards 'Katherine's Field' Sauvignon Blanc 2008.(Link)
Business Week: Wine writer Nick Passmore recommends Sea Smoke Cellars Botella Pinot Noir 2006. (Link)
Denver Post: Wine columnist Tara Q. Thomas recommends Flechas de Los Andes Gran Malbec 2007. (Link)
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on the pleasures of Sancerre. Lots to like, with the offering from Lucien Crochet deemed best of the group and best value, as well. (Link)
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on the emergence of the Grenache varietal in many forms. Offerings from Celadon, Alder, Paredon, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Sorellina, Tensley Wine, and Unti Vineyards are examined and recommended.(Link)
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on the qualities of the 2008 wines of Bordeaux. Nicest comments are for those from Pomerol. (Link)
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on Bouchaine Estate, with praise for the 2006 vintage Chardonnay. (Link)
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on the challenges facing producers of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Focus is on the 2005 and 2006 vintages, with nice comments for the 2005 offerings of Corison, Round Pond, and Caymus. (Link) On another page, tasting notes and recommendations for 2005 vintage Cabernets from Terra Valentine, Chateau Montelena, Conn Creek, D.R. Stephens Estate, and Bardessono. For the 2006 vintage, the recommendations go to Chappellet, Robert Craig, Trinchero, Buehler, and Tor Kenward. And a lone 2007 - from Once Wines - also gets a recommendation. (Link)
Sacramento Bee: Wine columnist Chris Macias on his latest finds. Recommended are Crios de Susana Balbo Malbec 2007, Guenoc Sauvignon Blanc 2008, and Corison Cabernet Sauvignon 2002. (Link)
San Jose Mercury News: Wine columnist Laurie Daniel on the evolution of Pinot Noir wines grown in the Santa Cruz mountains and its specific sub-regions. Along the way, nice comments on the Thomas Fogarty Rapley Trail Block M 2007, Mount Eden Estate 2006, Muns Vineyard 2006, Cumbre of Vine Hill Raffanelli Vineyard 2006, Storrs Wildcat Ridge 2006, and Beauregard Bald Mountain Vineyard 2006. Mentions of a few others, too.(Link)
San Diego Union Tribune: Wine columnist Robert Whitley on the results of the 2009 Monterey Wine Competition. Nice showing for wines from Ventana Vineyards as well as those from a few other producers, such as Starborough from New Zealand, Goose Watch from New York, Fallbrook Winery, Clayhouse, Robert Hall, Mettler, Valdubon, Navarro, and Rancho de Philo. (Link)
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on Nero d'Avola wines from Sicily. Highest praise is for Planeta La Segreta, for both its flavor and value. (Link)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers offers tasting notes on Stag's Leap Petite Sirah 2005, Guenoc Petite Sirah 2005, and Bogle Vineyards Petite Sirah 2006. (Link)
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson on a tasting of Texas wines. Nice comments on wines from Brennan Vineyards, Llano, McPherson, Inwood Estates, and Texas Hills. (Link)
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on Cantina Terre de Trinci 'Cajo' 2005, and D. Verginie Carignan 'Very Old Vines' Vin de Pays L'Aude 2006. (Link
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward on California vintner (with Minnesota roots) Shane Finley. Praise for the Shane 'Ma Ville' Sonoma County Rose 2008. (Link)
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy on the results of the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition. Gold medals given to inexpensive wines are awarded to Ravenswood Vintners Blend Petite Sirah 2006, J. Lohr Estates Wildfower Valdiguie 2008, Boulder Bank Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Fetzer Valley Oaks Pinot Grigio 2007, and Presidential Ruby Porto NV. (Link)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Wine writer Bob Hosmon on the Seven Hills Winery in Washington. Praise for the Merlot 2006, Malbec 2006, and Pentad Vintage Red Wine.(Link)
Miami Herald: Wine columnist Fred Tasker on a trip to China and a few wines encountered along the way. (Link)
Nashville Tennessean: Wine columnist Frank Sutherland on the growing respect for wines from Paso Robles. Top choice in tasting is J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. (Link)
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow on a comprehensive tasting of wines from Mendocino County. Praise for many, including several white wines from Navarro, red wines from Copain, Radio-Coteau, Baxter, and Sojourn. And, of course, praise also for sparking wines from Roederer Estate. (Link)
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman on the ethical standards of Robert Parker and those who review wine for him. Emperor misplacing clothes again? (Link)
Bigger Than Your Head: Wine blogger Fred Koeppel on Pio Cesare Cortese di Gavi 2006. (Link)
Veritas in Vino: Wine blogger Alice Feiring on a blind tasting of Pinot Noir wines. (Link)
Tasting room: Wine editor and blogger Ray Isle recommends following the current Robert Parker spats taking place on Dr. Vino. (Link)
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson recommendes Cuvee Crunch NV. (Link)
The Pour: Wine blogger Eric Asimov follows up on his Sancerre article with more thoughts on Sauvignon Blanc, with special praise for the wines of Enzo Pontoni of Miani. (Link)
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