Classy California Cuvées For A Song - Robert Parker
Slide Show
Beringer 2005 Alluvium Blanc Knight's Valley
90 points
Beringer 2005 Chardonnay Napa Valley
86 points
These two whites from this huge operation are far superior to what their $16 prices might suggest. The Alluvium Blanc, a crisp blend of sauvignon blanc and sémillon, is filled with fig and grapefruit characteristics. It is Beringer's take on a dry white Bordeaux. The Napa chardonnay offers plenty of honeysuckle, pear, and tropical fruit notes.
Edmeades 2004 Mendocino Zinfandel
87 points
Edmeades 2005 Mendocino Zinfandel
89 points
This producer, working in the northern Mendocino frontier, has long created zinfandels of great character. While the single-vineyard zins are expensive, the basic cuvée, at $18, is always a strong effort that reveals plenty of this varietal's black pepper, sweet- and-sour cherry, and herbal notes.
Gallo Family Vineyards 2004 Chardonnay Sonoma Reserve
90 points
Gallo Family Vineyards 2005 Pinot Gris Sonoma Reserve
88 points
The Gallo winemaking empire is putting out better and better wines, and these are among the best values in the lineup. The gorgeous 2005 pinot gris, at $13, is a food-friendly crisp and fruity white. The refreshing 2004 chardonnay, also $13, reveals classic aromas of lemon butter, white peaches, and honeysuckle with little evidence of oak.
Kendall-Jackson 2005 Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay Jackson Estates
89 points
At $12, this may be the best value in American chardonnay. Moreover, you will have no trouble finding it. K-J produces hundreds of thousands of cases of this wonderful cuvée, which emphasizes fruit instead of wood.
Marietta Non-Vintage Old Vine Red Lot No. 41
89 points
You need not pay attention to the lot number. I have tasted every one since the early teens, and the wine's uniformity is always something to behold. This $10 offering has plenty of pepper, earth, and spice. Enjoy it with barbecue foods and pizza. It is puzzling why few California wineries try to emulate this great success story.
Château St. Jean 2005 Fumé Blanc Sonoma
85 points
Chateau St. Jean 2005 Pinot Blanc Alexander Valley
88 points
Where else can you find a beautiful, smoky, crisp, melony, dry white for $13? The fumé blanc is a perfect match for seafood and poultry. If you enjoy the taste of orange marmalade or fresh, ripe apples, check out the 2005 pinot blanc, which sells for $18.
Trentadue 2005 Old Patch Red Sonoma
87 points
Medium-bodied and fruity, at $14 it is an ideal bistro wine. This California version of a Côtes du Rhône reveals scents of strawberries, cherries, earth, and pepper. The name refers to a patch of old vines planted with different grapes as opposed to a single varietal.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Low cost Bordeaux
From Robert Parker
2004 Beaulieu Comtes de Tastes
88 points. This unfiltered offering from Bordeaux Supérieur is a blend of 50% merlot, 35% cabernet franc, and 15% cabernet sauvignon. The fleshy 2004 has an elegant, medium body with sweet raspberry and cherry notes. It confirms the fact that not all Bordeaux need be expensive or rare. $14
2004 Beaulieu Comtes de Tastes
88 points. This unfiltered offering from Bordeaux Supérieur is a blend of 50% merlot, 35% cabernet franc, and 15% cabernet sauvignon. The fleshy 2004 has an elegant, medium body with sweet raspberry and cherry notes. It confirms the fact that not all Bordeaux need be expensive or rare. $14
New Top Cheap Wine
A new list of top wines from Dr. Vino - his edited comments below.
Whites
Muscadet Sur Lie, Hautes Noelles. $9.99
The “sur lie” aging gives this muscadet a richer mouthfeel but it still has the characteristic crsip acidity, faint melon note, and gentle briney quality. Fire it up with grilled seafood on the deck.
Vina Sila, Naia, Verdejo, Rueda (Spain), 2005. $10
Fresh citrus notes, though not as much acidity as a kiwi sauvignon blanc, notes of honeysuckle and white flowers make this wine a great one as a warm-up (with light, salty appetizers) or as a cool down (poolside).
Creta Olympias, Vilana, Crete 2006, $10.
With delicate white flower aromas, the wine had a certain lush mouthfeel, with pleasant minerally verve. This wine + Greek salad + outside under umbrella on a sunny day = life is good.
Rosé
Domaine Houchart, Cotes de Provence rose, 2006, $9.
This dark, vibrant, and dry rose has notes of strawberry and watermelon. This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre gets the job done on the deck in the summer.
Reds
Bodegas las Hormigas, Colonia las Liebres, bonarda, Mendoza (Argentina). 2006. $4.49
This ridiculously priced bargain is one to buy with both hands. This surprisingly light and lively, unfiltered old-vine bonarda from importer Marco de Grazia’s project in Mendoza. It’s now our house burrito wine.
Terra Rosa, Malbec Mendoza (Argentina), 2004. $10
a wine of character, with good fruit and a pleasant and unusual level of acidity, at a very reasonable price. It calls out for grilled meat.
Castaño, Hécula, monastrell, Yecla (Spain), 2004 $9.
People thought it was a $30 wine. It has the wonderful mourvedre game quality on the nose, and serious but not aggressive tannins on the finish. Try it now with game or sausage.
Castillo de Jumilla, monastrell, Yecla (Spain). 2006. $9.
It’s a gobs-of-fruit, beef-drippings kind of wine but with a pleasing lushness. According to the wine’s importer, there are only a few hundred cases of this excellent BBQ companion wine available.
Trentadue, Old Patch Red, Sonoma, 2004, $8.
A gulpable bargain with hints of dark fruits and faint spice. The biggest plus here is that the wine has broader availability.
Whites
Muscadet Sur Lie, Hautes Noelles. $9.99
The “sur lie” aging gives this muscadet a richer mouthfeel but it still has the characteristic crsip acidity, faint melon note, and gentle briney quality. Fire it up with grilled seafood on the deck.
Vina Sila, Naia, Verdejo, Rueda (Spain), 2005. $10
Fresh citrus notes, though not as much acidity as a kiwi sauvignon blanc, notes of honeysuckle and white flowers make this wine a great one as a warm-up (with light, salty appetizers) or as a cool down (poolside).
Creta Olympias, Vilana, Crete 2006, $10.
With delicate white flower aromas, the wine had a certain lush mouthfeel, with pleasant minerally verve. This wine + Greek salad + outside under umbrella on a sunny day = life is good.
Rosé
Domaine Houchart, Cotes de Provence rose, 2006, $9.
This dark, vibrant, and dry rose has notes of strawberry and watermelon. This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre gets the job done on the deck in the summer.
Reds
Bodegas las Hormigas, Colonia las Liebres, bonarda, Mendoza (Argentina). 2006. $4.49
This ridiculously priced bargain is one to buy with both hands. This surprisingly light and lively, unfiltered old-vine bonarda from importer Marco de Grazia’s project in Mendoza. It’s now our house burrito wine.
Terra Rosa, Malbec Mendoza (Argentina), 2004. $10
a wine of character, with good fruit and a pleasant and unusual level of acidity, at a very reasonable price. It calls out for grilled meat.
Castaño, Hécula, monastrell, Yecla (Spain), 2004 $9.
People thought it was a $30 wine. It has the wonderful mourvedre game quality on the nose, and serious but not aggressive tannins on the finish. Try it now with game or sausage.
Castillo de Jumilla, monastrell, Yecla (Spain). 2006. $9.
It’s a gobs-of-fruit, beef-drippings kind of wine but with a pleasing lushness. According to the wine’s importer, there are only a few hundred cases of this excellent BBQ companion wine available.
Trentadue, Old Patch Red, Sonoma, 2004, $8.
A gulpable bargain with hints of dark fruits and faint spice. The biggest plus here is that the wine has broader availability.
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