Vintages Wine Picks July 21, 2007

White Wine

Koura Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, New Zealand: Terrific! A grassy and herbal nuanced wine.  742866  12%  XD  750 mL  $20.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Cave Du Turckheim Gewrutztraminer Reserve 2005, Alsace, France: The full yellow-gold color leads to a classic nose of lychee, peach, spice and rose petal. It is just off-dry, full-bodied, rich and ripe. The finish is long and lush. My note: This is a stunning gewurtraminer! It has an exotic nose of spices, flowers and orange petals.  10397  13%  MD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 91/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Folie À Deux Menage A Trois Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Chenin 2005, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Ménage à Trois demonstrates what happens when you put three attractive, single grapes in one exquisite bottle. Chardonnay makes the wine rich and firm, the Sauvignon Blanc is wild and exotic and the Chenin soft and supportive. My note: A lovely wine that reminds me of Malvasia by Bonny Doon Vineyards. Has overtones of orange peel.  665166  13%  D  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 88/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Kim Crawford Sp Tietjen Chardonnay 2006, Gisborne, North Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine is bold with upfront aromas of ripe peach and pear fruit and toasty oak. It’s dry, medium full-bodied with lush fruit flavors and layers of nuts and creamy oak notes. My note: A gorgeous chardonnay that is not too heavy with buttery notes.  948166  13%  D  750 mL  $31.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Michel Gassier Les Piliers Viognier 2006, Vin de Pays D.O.C, France: Half the juice for this wine was fermented in new French oak barrels, the other half in stainless steel. The nose offers delicious aromas of apricot, tangerine and hints of vanilla. On the palate, it has a rich texture with ripe peach and candied fruits, with a long creamy finish. My note: A gorgeous viognier! Full-bodied with luscious, round and mouth-filling flavors.  669531  14%  D  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Best Value White Wine. Full Review


Simonnet-Febvre Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 2005, Burgundy, France: A lovely nose of green apples, butter and vanilla spices. Also available in the half bottle format (350 ml) for $16.95 (41152).  41160  13%  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Wegeler Riesling Kabinett 2005, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany: This delivers bracing acidity and aromas of vibrant pears along with deep minerality.  650994  10%  MD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 91/100. July 21, 2007 Favorite White Wine. Full Review


Red Wine

Cuvée Du Vatican Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Reserve Sixtine 2004, Rhone, France: A full-bodied and alcoholic wine with overtones of cherry liquor and spice.  740639  14%  XD  750 mL  $53.95  Score: 91/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Bodegas Ateca Rioja Reserva 1999, D.O.C. Rioja, Spain: This Rioja displays primary aromas of red cherry fruit and licorice, with mature flavors of dried fruit and torrefaction. It still shows some tannin but the flavors are definitely evolving with lots of spicy oak on the finish. My note: A medium-bodied wine with bright red fruit notes and a smooth, plush mouthfeel.  42929  13%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 88/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Chateau Bournac Syrah Grenache Carignan 2003, Corbieres, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This blend of Syrah, Grenache and a touch of Carignan displays all the aromatic virtues of Midi reds: garrigue (the unique smell of herbs such as rosemary, sage, lavender and lemon verbena that lingers in the Midi air), raspberry, blackberry and pepper. It is dry, flavorful with a nice cedar/fruit finish. My note: A short finisher but very quaffable wine loaded with dark red fruit and full-bodied.  36533  13%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 88/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Rivera Cappellaccio Aglianico Riserva 2002, Puglia, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Aglianico is grape found throughout southern Italy and produces some of the most aromatic wines of the area. This Aglianico from Puglia has flavors of blackberry and raspberry, with some leather and herbal accents. The tannins are plentiful, but ripe and not drying. My note: A lovely, juicy and generous wine. It is full-bodied and has aromas of dark red fruit.  984120  13%  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 88/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Clos Du Val Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Napa Valley, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon has generous aromas of ripe cherries and blackberries with a mild smoky/spice weaving its way through the fruit. Ripe tannins and balanced acidity keep the wine lively. My note: A terrific, balanced wine with Old World finesse and New World flair.  325779  13%  D  750 mL  $35.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz/Viognier 2005, Victoria, Australia: This wine gets a lift from the viognier and has notes of plums.  18887  14%  XD  750 mL  $25.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Les Hauts De Lynch-Moussas Gigondas 2003, Rhone, France: Lovely and balanced with full-bodied richness. This wine has nuances of dark red fruit and garrigue.  742551  13%  XD  750 mL  $44.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Santa Barbara Syrah 2004, Santa Ynez Valley, California, United States: This intensely flavored Syrah won a Gold Medal at the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Winemaker Bruce McGuire sources Syrah from three vineyard sites in the Santa Ynez Valley, the cool-climate Lafond Vineyard, the neighboring Hill Top Ranch and the warm climate Joughin Vineyard. The resulting wine shows concentrated black fruit flavors and white pepper notes. My notes: A hefty bfll-bodied palate whacker!  630616  15%  XD  750 mL  $20.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Kim Crawford Cabernet Franc Merlot 2005, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: This predominantly Cab Franc blend is medium ruby in color with a purple rim. The nose features blackberry, plum and raspberry aromas with notes of coffee, vanilla and bell pepper. Its dry & medium-bodied with vibrant ripe berry flavors, earth notes and a crisp medium long finish. My note: A wine with good acidity balanced by sweet cherry fruit overtones. Bottled with a screwcap.  36947  14%  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 89/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Domaine De Saint Paul Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2004, Rhone, France: An oaky wine, but one that is balanced with red fruit flavors and body.  41046  14%  XD  750 mL  $34.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Toussaint Remoissenet Premier Cru Beaune 2002, Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This Premier Cru Beaune displays flavors of red berries, beetroot and hints of earth. My note: A medium/full-bodied wine with Old World restraint and a nose of sour cherries.  36152  14%  XD  750 mL  $43.95  Score: 89/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Cesari Di Romagna Sangiovese Riserva 2003, Emilia-Romagna, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: A dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) is added to this wine to add fruit intensity without interfering with the aromatic nature of the Sangiovese. The palate shows black fruits and violets. My note: This is a gorgeous wine with mouthwatering ripe red fruit aromas. Full-bodied with round, plush flavors.  33399  12%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Andre Brumel, Domaine De L'enclos 2004, Cotes du Rhone, France: A balanced and full-bodied wine with notes of red berries, cedar and spice on the nose.  40972  13%  D  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Badia A Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2004, Tuscany, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Badia A Coltibuono's Chianti Classico has been certified organic since 2003. The wine has an intense ruby red colour with fragrances of ripe cherries and hints of dried leather.Our Quality Assurance laboratory has determined that this organic wine contains 12 mg/L of free sulphur. My note: A full- bodied organic wine with with aromas of bright red tart fruit.  295964  14%  XD  750 mL  $26.95  Score: 88/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Syrah 2005 2006, Maipo Valley, Chile: VC:: This robust Syrah won a Sillver Medal at the 2006 Indy International Wine Competition. With a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon for added complexity, it displays flavors of blackberry with hints of chocolate and spice, enhanced by vanilla notes. Full-bodied and long-finishing, this Syrah is rich and complex, elegant and well-balanced. My note: Rich, lucious and full-bodied.  34959  14%  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review


Albamar Carmenere 2005, Casablanca Valley, Chile: VC:: Once mistaken for Merlot, Carmenère is now causing a great deal of excitment in Chile. This version from William Cole displays the soft ripe red and dark berry fruit with undertones of fresh herbs typical of the grape. My note: A fantastic value wine! It is full-bodied with notes of chocolate and black fruit on the nose.  32763  13%  XD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 89/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


J.L. Chave Offerus, Saint-Joseph 2004, Rhone, France: A plush, smooth wine with flavors of fleshy berries and plums.  937474  13%  XD  750 mL  $31.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Chateau Langoa Barton 2002, Saint-Julien, France: A densely concentrated, full-bodied wine with nunaces of black plum and blackcurrants. Drink: 2007-2012.  661787  12%  XD  750 mL  $57.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Favorite Red Wine. Full Review


Chateau Les Rigalets Cuvee Prestige Malbrc 2004, Southwest, France: VC:: The grapes for Prestige, a blend of 90% Malbec (known locally as Cot) and 10% Merlot, are from the property’s superior terraced and naturally sloping vineyards. Before bottling, the wines are matured in seasoned barrels for 15 months. My note: A black-as-the-night wine. Full-bodied with aromas of black, tarry fruit. Drink: 2007-2010.  993238  13%  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 88/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Bremerton Matilda Plains Cabernet/Shiraz 2005, South Australia, Australia: VC:: This juicy blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz is soft and supple with plush dark fruit flavours and toasty vanilla oak notes. My note: This is a great value, full-bodied wine with dark red fruit overtones.  25015  15%  D  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Château Bréhat 2003, Medoc, France: This wine is full of the promise of the hot 2003 vintage. Loaded with aromas and flavors of ripe berry fruit, pepper, vanilla and licorice, it is full-bodied and long finishing with a superb combination of complexity and balance. A couple of years in the cellar would reward the drinker, but it is definitely drinking well tonight. My note: A good value in this robust wine. It displays aromas of oak and black fruit.  35725  14%  XD  750 mL  $33.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Poderi Colla borolo Dardi Rose 2000, Piedmont, Italy: A tannic behemoth of a wine that is full-bodied with intense black fruit aromas. Drink: 2010-2015.  596890  13%  XD  750 mL  $57.95  Score: 90/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Folie À Deux Menage A Trois Zinfandel Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, California, United States: Ménage à Trois red brings together three strange bedfellows: Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine offers all the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Forward, silky and soft. My note: A delicous, full-bodied wine with chocolaty and round flavors.  665158  13%  D  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 88/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Trivento Reserve Syrah 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Trivento is Concha Y Toro's operation in Argentina. This Syrah shows dark berries and notes of light spice with some light oak on the finish. My note: Fantastic value in this wine. Its big nose displays dark red fruit overtones. Full-bodied  663112  14%  D  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 87/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Columbia Crest Winery Shiraz 2002, Columbia Valley Washington, United States: This soft wine is full-bodied with aromas of plums and pleasing round flavors. Not overly extracted.  674929  13%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 88/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review


Ramos-Pinto Duas Quintas Tinto 2004, Duoro, Portugal: They use the traditional port grapes Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional. It has an intense nose of blackberries with a hint of vanilla, and a long silky finish. My note: A full-bodied yet a touch tannic so it requires 1-2 hours of decanting. It displays aromas of black fruit.  359893  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 87/100. July 21, 2007 Full Review