Wine Review Weekly
December 20, 2010
Lots of holiday wine gift and entertaining suggestions this week, most notably from Eric Asimov at the New York Times, who puts together an eclectic and interesting group. Port wines are given their due by Dave McIntyre of the Washington Post. And wine bloggers Alder Yarrow (Vinography) and Tyler Colman (Dr. Vino) voice serious concerns over a new advertising campaign for cork producers. JG
Baltimore Sun: Wine writer Michael Dresser picks Picos del Montgo Old Vines Garnacha 2009. (Link)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Staff writer Donald Rosenberg picks Antigal Uno Malbec 2008. (Link)
Los Angeles Times: Wine writer Irene Virbila picks Domaine Sigalas Asirtiko Athiri 2009. (Link)
Business Week: Wine writer Nick Passmore recommends Francois Baur Cremant d'Alsace Brut Reserve NV. (Link)
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Wine writer Gil Lempert-Schwarz chooses Finca Flichman Malbec 2009. (Link)
Philadelphia Inquirer: Staff writer Craig LaBan suggests Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve Brut NV. (Link)
Dallas Morning News: Wine columnist Rebecca Murphy picks Shoo Fly Buzz Cut 2008. (Link)
New York Times: Wine columnist Eric Asimov on gifts for wine and cocktail lovers. Recommendations for Champagnes from Charles Heidsieck, Camille Saves, Ulysse Collin, and Cedric Bouchard, as well as Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs. Off-beat choice is a Sicilian wine from Arianna Occhipinti. Napa partisans are steered toward offerings from Frog's Leap, Heitz, and Mayacamas. Other mentions for wines from William Fevre, Schafer-Frolich, and Giacomo Conterno. (Link)
New York Times: Wine writer Howard G. Goldberg on 2010 vintage white wines from Macari Vineyards and Paumanok Vineyards. Lots to like. (Link)
Wall Street Journal: Wine columnist Jay McInerney on Barbera wines. Tasting notes on those from Giacomo Conterno, Massolino, Giuseppe Mascarello, Bricco dell Uccellone, and Vietti. (Link) Staff writer Will Lyons offers holiday wine suggestions, which include fine vintages from Opus One, Hyde de Villaine, Bollinger, Pol Roger, Etienne Sauzet, Chateau Gruaud Larose, and others. (Link) Wine columnist Lettie Teague interviews Mark Wessels of MacArthur Beverage. Along the way, nice mentions for wines from Muga, Randy Dunn, and others. (Link)
Bloomberg News Service: Wine columnist Elin McCoy on the most notable wines of the year. The chosen are Fia Nobile Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2007, Massandra Gurzuf Muscat Rose 1939, Soldera Case Basse Brunello Riserva 1980, Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon 2003, Schloss Gobelsburg Heiligenstein Riesling 2004, Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Stag's Leap District Oak Vineyard 2002, Argyros Estate Vinsanto 1989, Jacques Selosse Initiale Brut NV, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Montrachet 2007, and Chateau Palmer 1989. (Link)
Financial Times: Wine columnist Jancis Robinson on fortified and sweet wines for the holidays. Recommendations include a number of sherries, Port wines from Taylor and Graham, and Sauternes from Chateau du Levant, Chateau Doisy-Daene, and others. (Link)
Newark Star-Ledger: Wine writer John Foy on Gamay wines in the Loire Valley with a recommendation for Domaine de la Charmoise 2009. (Link)
San Francisco Chronicle: The Chronicle tasting panel reviews Madeira wines. Recommendations for those from Blandy's, The Rare Wine Co., Barbeito, Cossart Gordon, Broadbent, Henriques & Henriques, Leacock's and Vinhos Justino. (Link)
San Francisco Chronicle: Wine editor Jon Bonne on Madeira wines and renewed interest in them. (Link)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Staff writer Peg Melnik on the wines of Roederer Estate and their dedication to classic style. (Link) On another page, tasting note on Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut Rose NV, by staff writer Michele Anna Jordan. (Link)
Napa Register: Wine columnist Dan Berger on older wines. Also, recommendation for Sobon Estate Zinfandel 2008. (Link)
San Jose Mercury News: Guest columnist Jessica Yadegaran on non-vintage wines, with nice mentions for those from Candor, ZD, Marietta Cellars, and Sean Thackrey. (Link)
Washington Post: Wine columnist Dave McIntyre on giving Port wines for the holidays. (Link) On another page, highest recommendations for Barros Porto 2007, Fonseca Terra Bella Reserve, and Noval Black. (Link)
Houston Chronicle: Wine columnist Dale Robertson has nice things to say about Big House boxed wines, and also recommends a few others, such as Alamos Malbec, Chateau Ste. Michelle Syrah, and Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir. (Link)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Wine writer Gil Kulers on wine gifts, with a recommendation for box wines from DeLoach. (Link)
Arizona Republic: Wine columnist Mark Tarbell offers tasting notes on wines for the holidays. Highest rated is Brophy-Clark Pinot Noir 2008. (Link)
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wine writer Bill Ward has nice things to say about Vina Ventiquero Root: 1 Carmenere. (Link)
Nashville Tennessean: Guest columnist Paul Patel on Burgundy wines, with recommendations for Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc Les Setilles 2008. Michel Dutour Pouilly Fuisse La Roche 2008, Louis Latour Chassagne Montrachet Cailleret 2008, Nicolas Potel Bourgogne Rouge Cuvee Gerard Potel 2006, Maison Champy Signature Bourgogne Rouge 2006, and Domaine Tollot Beaut Aloxe-Corton 2007. (Link)
The Oregonian: Wine columnist Matt Kramer on wines for entertaining and gift giving. Recommended are sparkling wines from Torre, Baumard, and Argyle. Also suggested are Adelsheim 'Elizabeth's Reserve' Pinot Noir 2008, Domaine des Demoiselles 'Cairo' 2008, and Paolo Saracco Moscato d'Asti 2009. (Link)
Vinography: Wine blogger Alder Yarrow on controversial ads launched by an association representing cork producers. (Link)
Dr. Vino: Wine blogger Tyler Colman also weighs in on the cork ad campaign, and a variety of other wine industry subjects. (Link)
Bigger Than Your Head: Wine blogger Fredric Koeppel offers praise for Toad Hollow Unoaked Chardonnay 2009, and The Highflyer Centerline 2007. (Link)
The Feiring Line: Wine blogger Alice Feiring offers a video of Laura Maniec (MS) opening and tasting a Liger-Belair Clos Vougeot 1947. (Link)
Wine Review Online: Wine writer Mary Ewing Mulligan on vintner Alessio Planeta and his Planeta Carricante wine. (Link)
1WineDude: Wine blogger Joe Roberts offer several mini reviews of wines from Ramos Pinto. (Link)
Gray Market Report: Wine blogger Blake Gray on Port wines, including tasting notes on several from Taylor Fladgate. (Link)
Snooth: Wine blogger Gregory Dal Piaz on outstanding wines from the southern Rhone Valley, and Languedoc Roussillon. (Link)
Zester Daily: Wine blogger Elin McCoy recommends Jaillance Cuvee de l'Abbaye Brut Cremant de Bordeaux. (Link)
JancisRobinson.com: Wine blogger Jancis Robinson recommends Emilio Valerio Navarra 2009. (Link)
