 A Few Favorites
Here are a few of our favorite wines. Order of information in each review: Winery, Region, type of grape, vintage, Country, our enlightened (?) comments, our grade. As always, use this list as a starting point, but don’t forget that others using the same varietal, from the same region, and if possible that same vintage, are likely to offer a similar experience.
Wines like these are covered in our regular Wine Hotlist tasting report.
Australia
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New Zealand
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Penfolds, South Eastern Australia, Koonunga Hill, Shiraz Cabernet, 2006, Australia, $10. Check out this gorgeous blend from Penfolds. Apricot, cherry, cinnamon, blackberry, all wreathed in a smoky room. Run; don't walk, to pick up a few of these. Put a few in the cellar and see how it's doing in a few years. Delicious. A
Oyster Bay Wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2006, $ 12. Crisp refreshing wine with lemon, watermelon, and grapefruit flavors. This is a good example of a wine with big distribution that’s still very good. A-
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South America
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Gouguenheim Winery, Mendoza, Merlot, 2004, Argentina, $10. Looking for an affordable merlot with grace and finesse? Imagine an earthy wine, with a dusty charcoal nose, followed by flavors of mint, black cherry, and earth. Wow. A
Astica, Cuyo, Chardonnay, 2005, Argentina, $8. Grapefruit, lemon zest, kiwi, lime... and (don't laugh) gin & tonic. This is really good. A-
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France
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Cave de Saumur, Saumur, Lieu-dit les Pouches, Chenin Blanc, 2006, France, $10. A citrus bowl with clear and delightful ruby red grapefruit front and center, with hints of orange, lemon and, wait, is it kumquat? Perfect with chili. A-
Domaine Rene Rostaing, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes, Les Lezandes, Syrah, 2004, France, $27. Resin, pomegranate, leather, strawberry, licorice, tar, and... hot pavement in a summer rain. Are you with me? B+/A-
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Italy
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Pago, Tierra de Castilla, Florentino, Cencibel, 2002, Italy, $16. 100% Cencibel- the local name for our old friend Tempranillo, the varietal behind Rioja. Leather, baked fruits, pencil, earth, charcoal. Yum! A
Tenuta Mormoraia, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Vernaccia, 2005, Italy, $15. Vernaccia most commonly refers to the famous Tuscan wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano. There are other Vernaccia's out there (and not all white or even the same grape), so if you're looking for the San Gimignano sensation, look for the full name. This one offers delicious tangerine, flinty, lemon, grass, mineral, and green flavors. A-
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Spain & Portugal
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Luzon, Jumilla, 2005, Spain, $10. Cocoa, coffee, chocolate, plum, cinnamon & mint. Delicious, and only ten bucks! A
Vina Real, Rioja, Tempranillo, 2002, Spain, $17. Take a deep breath. Okay, first think of violets on the nose. Got it? Now take a sip. Pomegranates, raspberry liqueur, concentrated fruit, plums, and cloves. An overstuffed cushion of a wine. A-
Casa de Santa Vitoria, Alentejano, Trincadeira, Aragonez and Syrah, 2003, Portugal, $13. This grape commonly grown in Portugal in this manifestation tasted of pepper, mulled plums, and black cherry. A- |
United States
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Hahn, Meritage, 2004, United States, $15. This wine includes a range of grapes found in Bordeaux blends: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. The flavors? Leather, dried Cherry, herbs, sage, wood, oak, vanilla syrup. Yum. A-
Turtle Creek, Littleton, MA, Cabernet Franc, 2004, United States, $17. Cabernet Franc might not be unusual, but one vinified outside of Boston certainly is. Caramel, cherry, chocolate, clove, a dusting of nutmeg. A-
MacMurray Ranch, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Gris, California $13. Bright clean, and refreshing, with melon, grape and grapefruit flavors in a juicy crisp glass. Wow. A
Toad Hollow, Paso Robles, Erik's the Red, United States, $14. Can you believe the laundry list of grapes in this wine? Cabernet Franc, Petit Sirah and Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Refosco, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Rubired, Barbera, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Counoise, Chardonnay, and Sangiovese. Sheesh. Cherry jam, spice, pepper, and a touch of butter. I’m sure I could taste the Rubired... B
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Other World Wines
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Oracle, Pinotage, 2006, South Africa, $7. Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, and is most commonly grown in South Africa. This version is floral, with bright fruit, Concord grape, and licorice flavors. A fun weeknight wine. B
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