CALIFORNIA
CENTRAL COAST
Infinity
2008 Central Coast Red Blend; $10
14.5/20 — Approachable dark fruit and ripe berry flavors mingle with notes of cocoa, black pepper and baking spices; The finish is clean with a hint of smoky bacon.
Paso Robles
Bianchi
2006 Heritage Selection Zen Ranch Zinfandel; $26
14.5/20 — Aromas of berry with a hint of raisin and dried cherry are followed by spicy notes of cinnamon.
NORTH COAST
Anderson Valley
Breggo Cellars
2007 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir; $40
15/20 — Displaying a mouth with rich texture and dense tannins, this pinot noir offers flavors of black cherry, cola and smoke, complimented by hints of orange peel and black tea.
Carneros
Patz & Hall
2007 Hyde Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir; $60
14.5/20 — This vintage is big and rich with a palate of soft, coating tannins. Aromas of cherry and bittersweet chocolate lead into red fruit flavors of raspberry, cranberry and framboise.
Dry Creek Valley
Dashe Cellars
2007 Florence Vineyard Zinfandel; $32
14.5/20 — Aromas of lavender, violets and black raspberry lead into flavors of raspberry, cassis, chocolate and clove; the finish is long and persistent.
Napa Valley
Duckhorn Vineyards
2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; $65
14.5/20 — Classic Cabernet elements of black currant, dark cherry, plum and raspberry are accented by subtle layers of mint and black olive.
Girard
2008 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc; $16
13/20 — Abundant citrus and green apple flavors are followed by a refreshing and smooth finish.
St. Supery Virtu
2006 Napa Valley White Meritage; $26
13.5/20 — A white meritage blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, this full-bodied wine is a delicious combination of crispness and softness.
Red Hills Lake County
Seventy-Five Wine Company
2006 Amber Knolls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon; $20
14.5/20 — Notes of blueberry and ripe cherry are interwoven with subtle graphite and toasty oak.
Russian River Valley
Merriam Vineyards
2005 Windacre Vineyard Russian River Valley Merlot; $25
14/20 — Aged 18 months in French oak, this Merlot is blended with 5 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 2 percent Cabernet Franc to round out its full body.
Tandem
2007 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay; $45
15/20 — This wine exhibits a weighty mouthfeel and complex flavors of exotic fruits, vanilla and toast.
WASHINGTON
COLUMBIA VALLEY
Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen
2008 Eroica Riesling; $21
13.5/20 — This sweet wine is aromatic, fresh and crisp with mineral notes and intense citrus and stone fruit flavors.
RiverAerie
2007 Fête; $20
13.5/20 — A nose of blackberry and black cherry leads into a velvety entry on the palate with soft tannins.
WAHLUKE SLOPE
The Bunnell Family Cellar
2007 à pic; $32
13/20 — This thick red wine exhibits a harshness that would benefit from aging.
ONTARIO
NIAGARA PENINSULA
Pillitteri Estates Winery
2003 Vidal Sparkling Icewine; $60
14/20 — Made in the Méthode Cuvée Close, this wine offers a complex nose of toasted almonds, stewed fruits, lemongrass, and mild petrol notes; Sweet fruit flavors burst on the palate.
RUTHERGLEN
Campbells
Rutherglen Muscat; $15 (375 ml)
14/20 — Drawn from Campbells' aged reserves, this luscious dessert wine displays raisin fruit flavors and a sweet, full finish. Perfect with rich puddings or as an after-dinner drink.
FRANCE
CHAMPAGNE
Champagne Perrier-Jouet
2002 Fleur de Champagne Rosé; $299
16.5/20 — A light bouquet of delicate floral notes opens into fresh, balanced flavors with hints of strawberry and raspberry. The Brut wine also displays silky texture and great finesse.
Champagne Delbeck
Brut Heritage Rosé; $85
15/20 — Gold with a hint of salmon-pink, this elegant rosé offers roundness and finesse.
HUNGARY
TOKAJ-HEGYALJA
Oremus
Tokaji Aszu 3 Puttonyos 2000; $40
15/20 — From Oremus's first growth on hillside vineyards in the heart of the Tokaj-Hegyalja appellation, the grapes for this wine were grown in volcanic tufa soils.
ITALY
MARZENO
Fattoria Zerbina
2004 Scacco Matto Albana di Romagna Passito; $48
14/20 — Golden-yellow in color, this dessert wine offers an elegant nose with hints of peach jam. On the palate, it is sweet but not cloying, displaying freshness and a persistent finish.
CENTRAL OTAGO
Rippon
2003 Pinot Noir; $45
13.5/20 — This focused and elegant wine from Rippon's Lake Wanaka vineyard shows suppleness and finesse.
PAARL
Avondale
Green Duck – The Duke 2005; $19
14.5/20 — Complex in flavor, this blend shows notes of cassis, cedar and olive leaf. On the palate, the wine is full, wide and long.
STELLENBOSCH
Stellekaya
2006 Hercules; $17
14.5/20 — This blend of 49 percent Sangiovese; 30 percent Merlot; and 21 percent Cabernet Sauvignon offers an earthy nose and a soft yet complex palate of red berry fruit flavors.
WESTERN CAPE
Vergelegen Wines
Vin de Florence 2008; $6
13.5/20 — Pale yellow-green in color, this wine displays notes of green apples, tropical fruit, ginger and Muscat.
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(Updated: 05/23/13 BH) |
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