Vintages Wine Picks January 19, 2008

White Wine

Richard Hamilton Almond Grove Chardonnay 2006, McLaren Vale, South Australia: A big ole' oaky chardonnay that's warm and comfy. Aromas of ripe pears and apples. Closed with a screwcap.  741009  13%  XD  750 mL  $16.85  Score: 89/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Viu Manent Reserva Chardonnay 2005, Casablanca Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This delicious chardonnay won a Gold Medal at the 2006 Concours Catad’Or Grand Hyatt Wine Awards. It displays peach, pear and pineapple aromas and flavors, with tasty ginger spice notes leading to a citrus finish touched by a hint of oak. Another fantastic value from the cool Casablanca Valley region. My note: A great value chardonnay with ample oak and aromas of ripe apples and pears.  48439  14%  XD  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 87/100. January 19, 2008 Best Value White Wine. Full Review


Featherstone Old Vines Riesling 2006, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Estate Btld., Ontario, Canada: A vivacious white with lively aromas of pears and citrus. Closed with a screwcap.  64584  10%  D  750 mL  $16.85  Score: 88/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Kruger-Rumpf Riesling Kabinett 2004, QmP, Münsterer Rheinberg, Estate Btld., Nahe, Germany: Gorgeous concentration of flavors with notes of peach, pear and minerals that dance on the palate.  991745  10%  MD  750 mL  $16.85  Score: 89/100. January 19, 2008 Favorite White Wine. Full Review


Empson & Co. Bollini Pinot Grigio 2005, D.O.C., Trentino, Italy: A simple, thirst-quenching wine with aromas of white peach and grapefruit.  951319  13%  D  750 mL  $16.85  Score: 87/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


DR. Pauly-Bergweiler Riesling Kabinett 2006, QmP, Bernkasteler Badstube, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: Bernkasteler Badstube is considered one of the finest terroirs in the whole of the Mosel region. According to Jancis Robinson’s The Oxford Companion to Wine (2005), Bernkastel Rieslings are known for their aromas and flavors of orchard fruit, vanilla, nut oils and a characteristic note of black cherry. My note: A pleasant-drinking, light-bodied white with aromas of ripe pears.  33407  8%  MD  750 mL  $21.80  Score: 88/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Featherstone Gewurztraminer 2006, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula, Estate Btld., Ontario, Canada: Exotic and lovely wine redolent of rose petals and lychee. Closed with a screwcap.  64592  13%  D  750 mL  $18.80  Score: 90/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Red Wine

Château D'Aiguilhe 2004, A.C. Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France: Terrific, beautifully concentrated wine with notes of cassis, plum, mocha and oak. Full-bodied. Decant 1-2 hours. Drink: 2008-2015.  670919  13%  XD  750 mL  $38.70  Score: 90/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Les Vignerons Côtes Du Rhône Villages Vieilles Vignes 2003, A.C., Rhone, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The hot 2003 vintage helped create flavorful, round and ripe wines, especially in the southern Rhône. This grenache-dominated wine is a prime example of that heat. Intense aromas of plum, blackberry and pepper dominate this crowd-pleasing wine. My note: A vibrant, full-bodied wine with notes of tart cherry and cedar.  34116  13%  D  750 mL  $17.80  Score: 88/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


De Bortoli Gulf Station Pinot Noir 2006, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia: Tart, ripe cherry aromas with a mouth-watering vibrancy in this medium-bodied pinot. Closed with a screwcap.  15511  13%  XD  750 mL  $19.80  Score: 89/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Weinert Merlot 2003, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Bodegas Weinert stands apart from many New World wineries in that they prefer to release their wines after they’ve had some time to mature in both barrel and bottle. Aged for two years in French oak casks, this ready-to-drink merlot features ripe plum, black currants, smoke and spice notes. My note: Great value in this full-bodied merlot with notes of blackberry and dark plums.  656371  14%  XD  750 mL  $14.85  Score: 89/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Château Ducla 2003, A.C. Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France: Lovely, balanced and full-bodied wine. Notes of cassis, blackcurrant and oak. A touch tannic so decant 1-2 hours. Drink: 2008-2012.  162461  12%  XD  750 mL  $15.85  Score: 88/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Brogal Vini Antigniano Montefalco Rosso 2004, D.O.C., Umbria, Italy: A full-bodied wine with a good grip. Notes of black cherries, mocha and oak.  51755  13%  XD  750 mL  $14.85  Score: 88/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Terrazas De Los Andes Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Famed Champagne house Moët & Chandon was one of the earliest international wine companies to invest heavily in Argentina. In the 1950s, they established Bodegas Chandon Argentina, which specializes in sparkling wines. In 1999, they launched another venture with Terrazas de los Andes to focus on still table wines. This cabernet shows the winery’s commitment to quality with its attractive flavors of dark berry fruit, earth, and spice. There’s lots of personality in this fruit-forward, well-structured, and hearty cabernet. My note: Fantastic red for the money! Full-bodied with delicious aromas of black plums and chocolate.  55251  13%  XD  750 mL  $13.85  Score: 89/100. January 19, 2008 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review


Reine Didon Pinot Noir Grand Cru 2005, A.O.C. Mornag, Tunisia: Vintages Wine Panel: Winemaking has been ongoing in Tunisia since the time of the Phoenicians. After the French occupation ended in 1956, the wine regions went into decline. With the influx of European investment beginning in the 1990s, wine production is on the upswing again. Tunisia’s AOC is modeled on the French system. This bright, smoky, berry-fruity wine is round and soft. My note: Lovely quality and taste for the money! Bright cherry notes and a smooth texture in this medium-bodied wine.  8946  12%  XD  750 mL  $13.85  Score: 88/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Château Belle-Vue 2004, A.C. Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France: A full-bodied wine of towering stature. Deep, rich layers of flavor and aromas of cassis, mocha, smoke and dried herbs with a long finish.  35592  13%  XD  750 mL  $31.70  Score: 92/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Nath. Johnston & Fils Château Malescot ST. Exupery 2004, Margaux, Bordeaux, France: A gorgeous wine redolent of black and red fruit perfectly balanced with subtle spices, oak and dried herbs. Wow!  675868  13%  XD  750 mL  $58.50  Score: 93/100. January 19, 2008 Favorite Red Wine. Full Review


Iris Hill Pinot Noir Reserve, 2005, Oregon, USA: A medium-bodied pinot with lovely cherry notes. Smooth-textured and perfectly balanced.  64808  12%  XD  750 mL  $29.70  Score: 90/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Austins Pinot Noir 2005, Geelong, Victoria, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Geelong is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions. A force to be reckoned with in the 19th century, the region lost its footing after being devastated by phylloxera. It eventually rebuilt itself and is now home to dozens of smaller, quality-driven producers like the Austin family. The ocean breezes keep the region cool and pinot noir is a star with intense, vibrant fruit aromas and rich generous flavors. My note: A rich, full-bodied pinot with sweet cherry fruit notes. Closed with a screwcap.  684142  14%  XD  750 mL  $26.75  Score: 90/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Delibori Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2003, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Delibori’s Ripasso is a blend of mostly the corvina grapes with about 25% rondinella and the remainder made up of molinara, rossignol and negrara grapes. Primary aromas and flavors include sweet cherry, plum, dried fruit and new leather. My note: A full-bodied, mouth-watering red with notes of cherries and mocha.  59246  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.85  Score: 87/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Del Fin Del Mundo Newen Pinot Noir 2006, Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina: An amazing pinot at this price. Aromatic notes of cherries and spice.  55202  14%  XD  750 mL  $12.85  Score: 87/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Finca El Retiro Tempranillo Reserva Especial 2004, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: In February of 2007, the first annual Wines of Argentina Awards were held in Mendoza and this wine won the trophy for best tempranillo. Tempranillo came to Argentina via Spanish settlers a long time ago and is widely planted throughout its wine regions. For decades, it was used in Argentina as a workhorse grape for the everyday, light table wines that the locals enjoyed. Today’s winemakers are unlocking the grape’s true potential to make rich, fruit-forward versions like this one. My note: A full-bodied, good value wine with aromas of chocolate and black plums.  57216  13%  XD  750 mL  $14.85  Score: 89/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Château De Gourgazaud Réserve 2004, A.C. Minervois La Livinière, Midi, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Château de Gourgazaud has a very simple philosophy summed up best in a quote from owner Roger Piquet: “You wouldn’t eat underripe fruit, why would you drink wine from underripe grapes?” The 70 ha of vineyards, of which 40 ha are under the AC, and the rest, Vin de Pays d’Oc, are some of the most beautiful in the wine world. The plateau where the majority of the AC grapes grow seems to stretch off until it meets the horizon. And true to the philosophy, the wines, especially the reds, are perfectly ripe, but never overripe. My note: A lovely, medium-bodied wine with a supple texture. Notes of cherries and plums.  986083  13%  XD  750 mL  $16.85  Score: 88/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Due Torri Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2003, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine is produced from a blend of corvina, rondinella and molinara that has been dessicated on specially ventilated drying racks. The result is a full-bodied red with generous, plummy, dried fruit and chocolate notes. My note: A gorgeous, full-bodied to the max wine. Notes of deep black cherry liqueur.  724740  14%  D  750 mL  $34.65  Score: 94/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Cursor S.A. Familia Mayol Cuatro Primos 2003, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: A tribute to owner Pedro Mayol’s four grandchildren, the Cuatro Primos (‘four cousins’) blends four grape varieties from four different vineyards in Mendoza. Comprised of 55% malbec, 35% syrah, 5% cabernet sauvignon and 5% bonarda, this complex wine displays concentrated aromas and flavors of cassis, ripe plum and blackcurrants that are balanced beautifully by toast notes imparted by the 12-14 months of aging in French oak. My note: Full-bodied with layers of black fruit and chocolate notes.  55434  14%  XD  750 mL  $23.75  Score: 90/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Cursor S.A. Familia Mayol Cuatro Primos 2003, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: A tribute to owner Pedro Mayol’s four grandchildren, the Cuatro Primos (‘four cousins’) blends four grape varieties from four different vineyards in Mendoza. Comprised of 55% malbec, 35% syrah, 5% cabernet sauvignon and 5% bonarda, this complex wine displays concentrated aromas and flavors of cassis, ripe plum and blackcurrants that are balanced beautifully by toast notes imparted by the 12-14 months of aging in French oak. My note: Full-bodied with layers of black fruit and chocolate notes.  55434  14%  XD  750 mL  $23.75  Score: 90/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Az. Agricola Di Italo Stupino Castello Di Neive Barbaresco 2004, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: Lovely richness and roundness on the palate with notes of black fruit and mocha. Full-bodied.  674044  13%  XD  750 mL  $21.80  Score: 90/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Taurino Salice Salentino Rosso Riserva 2003, D.O.C., Puglia, Italy: A medium-bodied and smooth-textured wine. Pleasant drinking with notes of cherry, mocha and spice.  411892  13%  XD  750 mL  $15.85  Score: 87/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review


Dessert Wine

Puklus Tokaji Szamorodni Dry 1997, Szentkereszt Dülö, Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary: Vintages Wine Panel: Szamorodni means “the way it was grown”. Since the botrytis-affected grapes are not separated from the bunches during the late-autumn harvest, the resulting wine will be either dry or sweet depending on the proportion of Aszú berries. My note: A wonderfully exotic white redolent of orange peel, rose petal and lychee.  48058  12%  D  500 mL  $13.85  Score: 87/100. January 19, 2008 Full Review