Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $16
Alsatian style Pinot Gris thats crisp, authoritative, dry and racy. The fruit mixes apple, pear, melon with a little spice then heads off into a finish that is underscored with mineral and light fennel. Well-balanced acidity, very refreshing and beautifully rendered.
Archive for January, 2008
30 Jan
2006 Willamette Valley Vineyards 91 points
29 Jan
2005 Hewitson Ned & Henry’s 91 points
Shiraz, Barossa Valley, $19
Ned & Henry’s is Hewitson’s best Shiraz to date with it’s lush, creamy-textured offering. Filled with dense chocolate and blackberry aromas round out this full bodied red wine. Hints of black pepper and coffee linger on the long, velvety finish. The price is fair, too. Drink now–2015
28 Jan
2003 Felipe Rutini Encuentro 91 points
Malbec-Merlot, Tupungato, $18
This blend of 53% Malbec and 47% Merlot is a bona fide winner, the polar opposite of boring, this lovely blend offers aromas of mint, herbs, flower petals and sandalwood. The palate, meanwhile, is all about pure, robust blackberry and plum. It’s a chunky, rich wine with a bit of burnt toast on [...]
27 Jan
2006 Punto Final Malbec 91 points
Renacer, Malbec, Perdriel, $11
Color, power, flavor and commendable balance; that’s pretty much the format for Punto Final, one of Argentina’s go-to brands for Malbec. This is a wine of rich bouquet, lively mouth-feel, lingering flavors of red and black berries with undertones of black pepper and vanilla, and a velvet texture throughout.
26 Jan
Meerlust Rubicon 2001 95 points
Bordeaux Blend, Stellenbosch, $30
Over a quarter of a century ago, this was one of the first South African Bordeaux blends. It is still one of the best, ultra dark, intense, opaque & concentrated. A classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this wine is the culmination of the Myburgh family’s dream of [...]
25 Jan
2005 Bernardus Chardonnay 91 points
Chardonnay, Monterey County, $20
Bernardus’s regular Monterey Chard offers lots of bang for the buck, hard to find a better Chard at this price. Bright yellow hue thats dry and crisp in citrusy acids, it has complex flavors of pineapple, grapefruit, kiwi, lime and spicy coconut macaroon, with delicious oak influence.
24 Jan
NOBILO Sauvignon Blanc 91 points
Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Regional Collection 2007 $13
Supple, intense and straightforward from the Marlborough region. With a suave array of grapefruit, lime, mineral, herb and guava tones. Strong hints of spice add complexity, with generous fruit and minerals fleshing out the finish. Drink now and buy it by the case! 200,000 cases
23 Jan
2004 Shingleback 93 points
Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, $22
This lizard-labeled wine puts other critter wines to shame, offering a well integrated and complex bouquet of coffee, leather, spice cake and dried fruit. Mouth coating flavors of dried cherries and plums are framed by coffee, spice and leather and carried across the palate by a lush, softly tannic texture. [...]
22 Jan
2005 Archetype Shiraz 90 points
Shiraz, Barossa, $14
Barossa doesn’t yield many Best Buys, but this one features aromatics that are complex with notes of pepper and spice atop stylish blackberry and blueberry fruit. With a little warmth, but also a pleasantly expansive mouthfeel. Drink now, great value.
21 Jan
Rocky Gully 2005 Riesling 91 points
Riesling, Frankland River, $14
This is a tangy full-bodied, richly textured Riesling with aromas and flavors of honey, grapefruit, crushed stone and citrus. It’s surprisingly long on the finish with zing. Imported by USA Wine West. Drink now through 2012.
