CALIFORNIA
CENTRAL COAST
Paso Robles
J. Lohr Estates
2008 Los Osos Merlot; $15
13/20 — Black cherry and pomegranate aromas are complemented by an oak signature reminiscent of cedar and dark chocolate.
Steinbeck Vineyard
2008 Syrah; $21
14/20 — Spicy aromas of clove and cardamom fill the nose, while flavors of dried cranberries, bing cherry and tart plum linger on the palate with a hint of sweet toasted oak.
San Luis Obispo
Tower 15
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; $15
13.5/20 — Classically structured and medium in body, this wine is ripe and balanced with notes of red-currant.
CENTRAL VALLEY
Ceres
Crane Lake Cellars
Brut Sparkling Wine; $8
12/20 — Clean and fruity aromas with lemon, green apple and pear flavors are followed by a lengthy finish with a touch of caramel.
NORTH COAST
Napa Valley
Ravenswood Winery
2008 Napa Valley Old Vine Zinfandel; $16
14/20 — Expressive with notes of warm spice and vanilla, this wine has powerful blackberry flavors and structured tannins.
Spring Mountain Vineyard
2005 Elivette; $150
16.5/20 — Darker flavors of cocoa and espresso intertwine with cherry and raspberry to add depth and complexity to this rich wine.
Russian River Valley
Healdsburg Ranches
2009 Russian River Valley Chardonnay; $15
13.5/20 — Aromas of stone fruit and honeydew melon lead to a palate of apricot, nutmeg and white peach.
J Vineyards and Winery
Brut Rose NV; $35
14/20 — The wine opens with flavors of cherry, blood orange and tropical fruit, ending with a lively and lingering finish.
Perception Winery
2007 Bacigalupi Zinfandel; $53
15/20 — The beautiful nose is dominated by blackberry jam, toffee and coca powder. The palate is elegant with harmonious layers of black cherry and dark chocolate, leading to a long and elegant finish.
Perception Winery
2007 Russian River Valley Zinfandel; $38
14/20 — This complex wine starts with ripe dark fruits on the nose with flavors highlighting blackberry, cocoa and pepper.
Sonoma
Gloria Ferrer
2006 Gravel Knob Vineyard Pinot Noir; $40
14.5/20 — Vibrant, pure fruit aromas are echoed in the cherry and raspberry flavors leading to a persistent, bright finish.
SIERRA FOOTHILLS
Amador County
Andis Wines
2008 Zinfandel; $23
13/20 — Big without being unwieldy, this well-structured zinfandel exhibits flavors of red ripe fruits with a hint of pepper.
MULTIPLE AVAs
Ghost Pines
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; $23
14/20 — Aromas of dark fruit jam, sweet nuts and black pepper combine with dark berry fruit flavors for a dense palate.
Schramsberg
2007 Brut Rosé; $41
14/20 — The berry bouquet in this sparkler is complemented by flavors of mango and cantaloupe, leading to a long, lingering finish.
TEXAS
BRAZOS VALLEY
Messina Hof Winery
Gewürztraminer; $11
12.5/20 — This wine is spicy, floral and very aromatic with tantalizing ginger overtones.
WASHINGTON
COLUMBIA VALLEY
The Hogue Cellars
Genesis 2008 Syrah ; $15
13.5/20 — Aromas of grape, bramble and strawberry are followed by up-front flavors of black cherry and earthy oregano.
FRANCE
BORDEAUX
Le G de Chateau Guiraud
2009 Bordeaux Blanc Sec; $20
14.5/20 — Ripe white fruit aromas on the nose are followed by peach and oak flavors, leading to a clean finish with good acidity.
BURGUNDY
Louis Bouillot
Perle de Vigne Grande Reserve Extra Dry; $19
12.5/20 — Flavors of vanilla, almond and toasted bread are followed by a long finish touched by honey and gingerbread.
CHAMPAGNE
Champagne Lanson
1995 Noble Cuvée Brut; $19
16/20 — Aromas of candied mandarin and white flowers give way to honey and citrus flavors in this full-bodied and complex wine.
LOIRE VALLEY
Charles de Fère
Cuvée Jean-Louis Blanc de Blancs Brut; $9
12/20 — Bright and fruity, this wine exudes flavors of apples, apricots and a hint of honey, followed by a smooth, fruity finish.
Trocadero
Blanc de Blancs Brut; $10
13/20 — This elegant wine has lots of fruit and floral aromas with mineral notes and a touch of toasted bread.
HUNGARY
TOKAJ
Demeter Zoltan
Szerelmi; $16
14.5/20 — A green-gold wine with intense aromas of spice, pollen and elderflowers, this wine is dense and full-bodied.
ITALY
TRENTINO
Cavit
Lunetta Prosecco; $10
13/20 — Fragrant with aromas of apple and peach, this sparkler is refreshing and dry with crisp fruit flavors and a clean finish.
SOUTH AFRICA
WESTERN CAPE
Vergelegen
2008 Vin de Florence; $15
14/20 — This fragrant wine has grape, ginger spice and sultana sunshine aromas which are echoed on the palate.
BAROSSA VALLEY
Penfolds
2005 Grange Shiraz; $500
17.5/20 — This bottle displays fully ripe, intensely flavored and textured Shiraz grapes, resulting in a powerful expression of the Penfolds mixing philosophy.
MCLAREN VALE
Shingleback Winery
Sparkling Shiraz; $20
13.5/20 — Black fruit aromas of plum and berries lead to a balance of fresh, tart and sweet in the mouth.
ARGENTINA
MENDOZA
Alamos
2006 Catena-Zapata; $15
16.5/20 — Flavors of plum and blackberry dominate this wine, finishing with medium length and smooth tannins.
CHILE
CENTRAL VALLEY
Terrapura
2008 Merlot; $10
12.5/20 — Intense on the nose with aromas of cherries and pepper, this wine is soft and silky on the palate with a long, pleasant finish.
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PJC122210 |
(Updated: 05/17/12 BH) |