Vintages Wine Picks August 4, 2007

White Wine

Schloss Schonborn Riesling Kabinett 2004, Rheingau, Germany: Gorgeous! Notes of apricot and honeydew melon.  928184  9%  MD  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 90/100. August 4, 2007 Favorite White Wine. Full Review


Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay 2006, Casablanca Valley, Chile: VC:: The Marnier-Lapostolle family, of Grand Marnier fame, has been involved in winemaking for generations. The same uncompromising approach to quality that has made their liqueur a world-wide success is applied to this winemaking endeavour. The exotic fruit and mineral aromas lead to a palate that is crisply dry, fresh and fruity. My note: A big old, oaky chardonnay is as comfy as your favortie jeans - buttery, round and accepting.  396986  14%  D  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 89/100. August 4, 2007 Best Value White Wine. Full Review


Red Wine

Joseph Drouhin Savigny-Les -Beaune 2005, Burgundy, France: VC:: Savigny-Lès-Beaune distinguishes itself by the spicy character of its ‘goût de terroir’.The village itself sits tucked away in a little valley between Pernand and Beaune, and the vineyards for the appellation are planted on two hills with different exposures. To the north is the Vergelesses slope, producing delicate and perfumed wines, while to the south is the beginning of the Beaune ‘Côte’. The wines from the latter tend to have that much more structure. Drouhin’s Savigny-lès-Beaune is fermented in both open wooden and stainless steel fermenters. This cherry- and plum-scented wine is elegant and flavorful with ripe tannins giving balance. My note: This is a lovely, soft, plush pinot. Medium-bodied with silky aromas of cherries and raspberries.  986406  13%  XD  750 mL  $37.95  Score: 91/100. August 4, 2007 Favorite Red Wine. Full Review


Juniper Crossing Shiraz 2003, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: VC:: Juniper Crossing, Juniper Estate’s second label, offers terrific value wines made in a ready-to-drink style. This well-made Shiraz delivers ripe, round black fruit flavors with some peppery spice and vanilla oak notes. My note: A terrific, full-boded wine. Notes of dark black fruit, mint and chocolate.  34231  14%  D  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 90/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


Maculan Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Veneto, Italy: VC:: This unfined and unfiltered wine is dominated by aromas and flavors such as blueberry, cherry, camomille tea and spices. My note: A simple, round and full-bodied wine with notes of chocolate and dark fruit.  987701  13%  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. August 4, 2007 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review


Clos Du Calvaire Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2003, Rhone, France: Full-bodied and luscious. This wine displays nuances of black plums and berries.  728139  14%  XD  750 mL  $34.95  Score: 90/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


Ètim Old Vines Grenache 2002, Montsant, Spain: VC:: This blend of 85% Old Vines Grenache and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon is filled with ripe red berry, licorice, vanilla and mineral aromas. It is dry, full-flavored, structured and concentrated. My note: A juicy generous & full-bodied wine. Grenache gives the wine a round suppleness.  30148  14%  D  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 89/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


Langmeil Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: VC:: This wine honors Christian Auricht who planted the first vines at Langmeil in the 1840s. A blacksmith by trade, his shop has been preserved at the winery. Today, winemaker Paul Linder crafts this Cab in a rich and generous fruit forward style. Aged for two years in French oak (20% new), this full-bodied Cab is loaded with blackberry and black currant aromas and flavors with notes of chocolate and a soft creamy texture. My note: Full-bodied with generous black fruit.  644039  14%  XD  750 mL  $22.95  Score: 90/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


Beringer Third Century Pinot Noir 2005, Central Coast, USA: VC:: Beringer’s Third Century line marks the beginning of their third century in business (they were established in 1876). For this elegant Pinot Noir, they use fruit sourced from Central Coast vineyards because they feel this region replicates the cool-climate of Burgundy.This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of cherry, plum, earth and oak spice. It is fruity, but ably balanced by fine grain tannins. My note: A New World style, full-bodied wine with vibrant aromas of cherry fruit.  43786  13%  XD  750 mL  $23.95  Score: 90/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


La Foret Royale 2004, Southwest, France: VC:: La Forêt is a blend of the indigenous Négrette (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) and Syrah (25%). The wine goes through fruit-enhancing and tannin-mellowing micro-oxygenation and acid-softening malolactic fermentation. The resulting wine is full of flavors and aromas, including raspberry, blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, licorice and a hint of tar. My note: This soft wine displays aromas of blackberries and black plums. It is full-bodied yet smooth.  41251  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 88/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


Domaine Parent Ladoix La Corvee 2005, Burgundy, France: This full-bodied wine has a nose of sour cherries and beetroot.  41079  13%  XD  750 mL  $39.95  Score: 90/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


Celler Piñol Sacra 2005, Terra Alta, Spain: Juicy yet tannic. Loaded with plums and berries.  30717  14%  D  750 mL  $21.95  Score: 90/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


Colognole Chianti Rufina 2003, Tuscany, Italy: VC:: Mostly Sangiovese with a bit of Colorino, Colognole’s Chianti is aged for 12 months in barrel and then spends another six in bottle before release. Though Chianti Classico receives much deserved praise, Chianti Rufina is quietly gaining a solid reputation of its own. Many believe, even though these wines are generally softer than the Classico versions, they have the ability to age longer. This version is an ideal candidate for mid-term aging 3-5 years. My note: Simple, rustic and classic. This Chianti displays aromas of sour cherries and is full-bodied. Drink: 2007-2012.  974501  13%  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 88/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


Ramirana Gran Reserva Syrah 2004, Maipo Valley, Chile: VC:: Layers of plum, chocolate, spice and blackberry aromas waft out of the glass. Dry and flavorful with fine mid-palate tannins and a pretty sweet spiciness on the finish. My note: A rich, full-bodied and chocolatey wine.  41715  14%  D  750 mL  $18.95  Score: 88/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2006, Barossa Valley, Australia: A full-bodied wine with round lush nuances of dark berries and plums.  531228  14%  D  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


Rosés

Julian Chivite Gran Feudo Rosado 2006, Navarra, Spain: A lovely and vibrant dry-rose with aromas of raspberries.  256149  13%  XD  750 mL  $10.95  Score: 89/100. August 4, 2007 Full Review


Perrin & Fils Tavel Rose 2006, Rhone, France: VC:: Tavel produces some of the richest, yet driest rosés on the market. They work beautifully as a sipper and are quite adaptable to a variety of foods. My note: I love this wine! Why don't I drink more of it?  680801  14%  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 92/100. August 4, 2007 Favorite Rose. Full Review