Vintages Wine Picks November 24, 2007

White Wine

W. Gisselbrecht Gewurztraminer Réserve Spéciale 2005, AC Alsace, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Exceptional varietal character with aromas of lychee, dried roses, pear, sweet apple and fine perfume. Off-dry with very good aroma replays. My note: A classic gewürztraminer with everything you expect.  678003  13%  D  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 90/100. November 24, 2007 Best Value White. Full Review


Studert-Prüm Riesling Spätlese 2005, QmP, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Estate Btld., Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany: A wonderfully aromatic wine that's packed with flavor but gloriously free of heavy alcohol. Nose of lime and citrus.  912659  9%  M  750 mL  $23.95  Score: 93/100. November 24, 2007 Favorite White. Full Review


Freiherr Heyl Zu Herrnsheim Riesling Spätlese 2004, QmP, Baron Heyl Nierstein, Estate Btld., Rheinhessen, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: An exceptional riesling with a superb collection of aromas including peach, pear, white pepper, mineral and a hint of petrol. My note: A zippy delicious, mouthwatering wine.  721985  10%  M  750 mL  $23.95  Score: 90/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Red Wine

Château L'arrosée 2003, AC St-Émilion Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France: A supple, full-bodied wine with generous notes of plums and dark berries. Drink: 2007-2015.  46730  13%  XD  750 mL  $61.95  Score: 92/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Viña Herminia Excelsus 2004, DOCa Rioja, Spain: Supple and full-bodied with aromas of blackberries and plums.  50567  14%  XD  750 mL  $22.95  Score: 91/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Rosenblum Annette's Reserve Zinfandel 2004, Redwood Valley, California, USA: Fantastic berry concentration in this full-bodied wine.  686204  15%  XD  750 mL  $55.00  Score: 91/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Seghesio Barolo La Villa 2003, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy: A hot, alcoholic and full-bodied wine for the steam room. Displays notes of black fruit and spice.  50799  14%  XD  750 mL  $53.95  Score: 90/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Henschke Keyneton Estate The Euphonium 2003, Barossa, South Australia: An elegant and balanced blend with a long finish. Notes of blackcurrant and cassis.  720433  14%  XD  750 mL  $51.95  Score: 92/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2004, AC, Rhone, France: A very full-bodied wine with a long finish. Aromas of blackcurrant, cedar and dark spices.  43026  14%  XD  750 mL  $35.95  Score: 91/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Cantina Tollo Aldiano Montepulciano D'abruzzo 2004, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy: Garrigue and red fruit on the nose with rich chocolate notes on the palate.  51706  13%  D  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 89/100. November 24, 2007 Best Value Red. Full Review


El Coto de Rioja Coto De Imaz Gran Reserva 1996, DOCa Rioja, Spain: A lovely, dry wine with aromas of herbs and red fruit. Full-bodied.  976811  13%  XD  750 mL  $31.95  Score: 89/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Barossa Shiraz 2005, South Australia, Australia: Gorgeous concentrated wine with ripe plums and berries.  18796  14%  XD  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 91/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Lamborghini Campoleone 2003, IGT Umbria, Umbria, Italy: A full-bodied, mouth-watering and puckering wine with aromas of cherries and cedar.  716043  13%  D  750 mL  $49.95  Score: 90/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Barossa Valley, Australia: Lovely with aromas of dark fruit and plums.  39537  14%  XD  750 mL  $39.95  Score: 91/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Punt Road Pinot Noir 2005, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Attractive light-to-medium-ruby color with a classic Pinot nose of cherry, cola, raspberry and a hint of beetroot. There is a fine structure between the pretty fruit and the acids and tannins. My note: A lovely medium-bodied wine with sweet cherry fruit.  47654  13%  XD  750 mL  $26.95  Score: 90/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2004, IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy: Lovely, vibrant and full-bodied wine with notes of cassis, smoke and dark chocolate.  727636  13%  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 93/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Argiano Solengo 2004, IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy: Wonderfully rich, aromatic wine with meaty aromas of black fruit, spice and oak.  43398  14%  XD  750 mL  $85.95  Score: 94/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


M. Archimbaud/M. Bouteiller Château De Montmirail gigondas Cuvée De Beauchamp 2004, AC, Rhone, France: A rich, dark and powerful wine that remains balanced despite the alcohol. Aromas of cherry liqueur and black plums. Drink: 2008-2020.  685198  15%  XD  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 93/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz 2005, Barossa, South Australia: A rich, full-bodied red. Drink: 2008-2012.  725127  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Famille Joseph Janoueix Château Haut-Sarpe 2003, AC St-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France: A full-bodied wine that would benefit from 2 hours of decanting. Plentiful aromas of black fruit. Drink: 2010-2020.  959882  13%  XD  750 mL  $52.95  Score: 90/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Wolf Blass Black Label Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec 2002, South Australia, 30th Vintage: Extraordinary wine of deep concentration and black fruit.  960468  15%  XD  750 mL  $89.95  Score: 95/100. November 24, 2007 Favorite Red (tied). Full Review


Antica Napa Valley La Braccesca Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2003, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy: Dark and brooding like an Italian Heathcliffe. Decant for 2 hours to smooth out the tannins. Drink: 2010-2015.  566216  13%  XD  750 mL  $32.95  Score: 91/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Bodegas y Vinedos Montecastro Montecastro Y Llanahermosa 2004, DO Ribera del Duero, Spain: A dark, deeply concentrated and rich wine with mouth-watering aromas of black fruit.  15016  14%  XD  750 mL  $34.95  Score: 92/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Grant Burge Barossa Vines Shiraz 2004, Barossa, South Australia: A lovely value wine with juicy, red ripe fruit notes.  738567  14%  XD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 88/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


D’Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings Grenache/Shiraz/ Mourvedre 2005, McLaren Vale, South Australia: Full-bodied wine with notes of red currant and raspberries.  974816  15%  XD  750 mL  $49.95  Score: 90/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Aldegheri Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Sant'Ambrogio 2004, DOC, Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Their Ripasso is a classic example of that style, exhibiting aromas of red berry fruit, truffle, cocoa and a hint of raisin. My note: A lovely, medium-bodied red.  59022  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Domaine De Champ De Cour Moulin-À-Vent 2005, AC, Beaujolais, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Single vineyard Moulin-à-Vent Gamay, such as this, are generally more intensely flavored than other beaujolais gamays. Yields are kept to a minimum which results in maximum flavors in the finished wines.This vintage of Champ de Cour exhibits aromas of spring flowers, red berry, black cherry and spice.The wine is exuberant and richly structured. My note: A simple, light wine that's perfect for unanalytical drinking (read: vegging on the sofa in front of the TV). A touch tannic so decant for an hour.  430876  13%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Château De Pez 2003, AC Saint-Estèphe, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, Bordeaux, France: A full-bodied wine with notes of black fruit and toasty oak. Drink: 2007-2012.  102798  13%  XD  750 mL  $51.95  Score: 92/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserva 2004, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: I love this wine. It has a concentration and flavor depth beyond belief with notes of mocha and currant.  501247  14%  XD  750 mL  $79.95  Score: 91/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Rolf Binder Hales Shiraz 2005, Barossa Valley, South Australia: Robust and delicious with notes of black raspberries and currants.  54239  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review


Sella & Mosca Marchese Di Villamarina Alghero 2000, DOC, Sardinia, Italy: A gorgeous, well-structured red with notes of black fruit, coffee and spice.  954081  13%  XD  750 mL  $48.95  Score: 94/100. November 24, 2007 Favorite Red (tied). Full Review


Step Rd Shiraz 2005, Langhorne Creek, South Australia: Fantastic value for this full-bodied, lip-smacking red. Aromas of black plums and berries.  52993  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 93/100. November 24, 2007 Full Review