Vintages Wine Picks May 12, 2007

White Wine

Gunderloch Jean-Baptiste Riesling Kabinett 2005, QmP Rheinhessen, Estate Btld., Rheinhessen, Germany: Lovely, vibrant mouth-watering white. Zesty notes of ripe citrus fruit and rose petals.  480517  MD  750 mL  $15.95  Score: 89/100. May 12, 2007 Best Value White Wine. Full Review


Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Terrific and refreshing herbal aromas with some citrus notes. Not too grassy.  734095  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. May 12, 2007 Favorite White Wine. Full Review


Dr Fischer Riesling Kabinett 2005, QmP, Ockfener Bockstein, Estate Btld., Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: The Fischer family has been involved in viticulture since the 18th century. Dr. H. H. Fischer established this Saar River valley estate near the legendary Ockfener Bockstein vineyards in 1950. The Fischer family has maintained the house style created by Dr. Fischer. A perfect balance of dry and sweet with pretty aromas of pear, apricot and lime. It is almost creamy on the palate with a nice balancing acidity. A very long finish. My note: A lovely light wine with mouth-watering zest and flavor of ripe tree fruit. Barely there sweetness softens the wine and makes it even more delicious and able to pair with a far wider range of dishes than a completely dry wine.  30122  MD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 87/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Red Wine

Villa Branca Chianti Classico Riserva 2003, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy: A lovely round chianti with great balance and ripe red cherries. Nice mouth-watering acidity makes it a terrific partner to tomato sauces and traditional Italian fare. Full-bodied.  23283  XD  750 mL  $26.95  Score: 89/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Morton Estate Ltd Morton Estate Pinot Noir 2004, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Bright aromas of raspberry, plum, mocha chocolate and leather dominate this ripe, round ready-to-drink Pinot Noir. A versatile food wine. My note: Vibrant notes of ripe cherries. Not too acidic as some pinots from New Zealand can be. Lovely and balanced.  27466  XD  750 mL  $26.95  Score: 91/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Adega Coop. de Cantanhede Marques De Marialva Baga Reserva 2003, DOC Bairrada, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: Baga is the most important red grape in the Bairrada region. The dark-colored berries create wines that, when fully ripe and matured in French and American oak, as in this example, show a superior balance between fruit, acid and tannin. My note: A simple and delicious full-bodied wine with aromas of dark red fruit. A touch tannic so let it breathe for an hour or so. Drink: 2007-2011.  677781  XD  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 87/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Clos Du Bois Merlot 2003, Sonoma County, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: Winemaker Erik Olsen blends in small amounts of Cabernet Franc (10%), Cabernet Sauvignon (3%) and Malbec (2%) to give this tasty Merlot some added structure and complexity. Made in a crowd-pleasing style, this elegant wine bursts with plush plum fruit flavors, smoky oak and vanilla notes leading to a long supple finish. My note: Alcoholic and full-bodied but tasty in a chest-hair-raising way. Dark fruit aromas.  124883  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Château Pesquié Les Terrasses 2004, AC Côtes du Ventoux, Rhone, France: A blend of 70% Grenache (60 years old) and 30% Syrah (30 years old). Aged in oak. A full-bodied whack to the palate that will please lovers of big fruit. A touch tannic so decant for a hour or two, or age for a few years. Drink: 2007-2010.  652313  D  750 mL  $14.95  Score: 90/100. May 12, 2007 Best Value Red Wine (Tied). Full Review


Quinta Do Vallado Vinho Tinto 2004, DOC Douro, Portugal: A mouth-watering wine that needs food. Notes of blackberries, vanilla and smoke.  694992  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 88/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Coppi Siniscalco Primitivo 2001, DOC Gioia del Colle, Puglia, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Gioia del Colle is a large DOC that stretches from the Basilicata border to the town of Bari on the Adriatic coast. This Primitivo (a.k.a., Zinfandel) is rich, ripe and robust, as befits the nature of the grape. My note: Notes of chocolate and ripe berries on the nose. Very New World styling, almost cabernet-like. Full-bodied and delicious.  26674  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 90/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Errazuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2005, Casablanca Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: As the name suggests, this Pinot is fermented using native yeasts that are naturally present on the grapes. This natural fermentation process is prolonged so the color and concentration of this wine is more pronounced. This wine displays intense aromas and flavors of raspberry, strawberry, loam and toast. The ripe fruit is well-balanced by the oak and smooth tannins. My note: Notes of ripe cherries. Simple and lip-smacking good.  510396  D  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 87/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Eldredge Blue Chip Shiraz 2004, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: A highly extracted wine (big, black ripe fruit, alcohol, flavor) but delicious. If you like E&E Black Pepper Shiraz, save yourself some money and buy this one. Closed with a screwcap, yay.  963678  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 90/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Farina Amarone Classico 2003, DOC, Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: The Farinas have been working the land for four centuries. Remo Farina married tradition and new technology in his winemaking. Today, a new generation carries out his vision, creating flavorful, lively wines. My note: Aromas of rich cherry liqueur. Powerful.  33365  XD  375 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Dao Sul Sociedad Vitivinicola Cabriz Colheita Seleccionada Vinho Tinto 2005, DOC Dão, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: This Cabriz wine uses only local grapes; what gives it an interesting twist is the use of French oak barrels. This blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, plus Alfrocheiro is matured for six months in new French oak. The result is an intense, balanced ripely fruity wine with a fine core of tannin for balance. My note: A simple, rustic wine with dark red fruit aromas. Drink: 2007-2010.  949974  D  750 mL  $12.95  Score: 87/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Lurton Château Des Erles La Récaoufa 2004, AC Corbières, Midi, France: A full-bodied, smooth wine with elegant balance. Notes of black cherry and smoke.  29009  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 89/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Greg Norman California Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, North Coast, California, USA: Round, smooth and inoffensive. Full-bodied goodness from the golfing king Down Under.  8722  XD  750 mL  $24.95  Score: 89/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Lurton Mas Janeil Le Tiradou 2004, AC Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Midi, France: Gorgeously full-bodied, with deep robust dark fruit flavors. A long finish keeps you returning to this bottle ... you just don't want it (or the evening) to end.  28993  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 92/100. May 12, 2007 Favorite Red Wine. Full Review


Sogrape Reserva Douro Vinho Tinto 2001, DOC, Portugal: A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca. A juicy, lip-smacking red with ripe red fruit.  335208  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 88/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Fazio Torre Dei Venti Nero D'avola 2004, IGT Sicilia, Sicily, Italy: A huge, tannic wine with full-bodied richness and dark ripe fruit with some notes of chocolate.  962308  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 88/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Robert Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Paso Robles, California, USA: Vintages Wine Panel: This ripe and juicy Cabernet won a Gold Medal at the Tasters Guild International Wine Judging 2006. With its plush blackberry, plum, cocoa and coffee flavors. My note: Round and rich with notes of chocolate and plums.  25205  XD  750 mL  $29.95  Score: 90/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


William Cole Alto Vuelo Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Carménère 2005, Central Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: William Cole is an ex-pat American who made his fortune as a software developer before establishing his winery in Chile’s Casablanca Valley. An excellent value, this approachable wine’s ripe cherry and plum fruit flavors mingle with savory pepper and herb notes. It’s great with gourmet burgers or sausages. My note: Terrific taste and quality for the money! A perfect party wine. Notes of black cherries and plums. Ripe, round and full-bodied.  30817  XD  750 mL  $13.95  Score: 89/100. May 12, 2007 Best Value Red Wine (Tied). Full Review


Quinta do Crasto Crasto Douro Tinto Vinho 2005, DOC Douro, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: Owned for over 100 years by the Roquette family, Quinta do Crasto has developed a worldwide reputation for producing quality red dry table wines. These wines are made with grapes one normally associates with Port, namely Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional. These full-flavored grapes create table wines of structure, impact and intensity. My note: A round, plummy wine with delicious depth and warmth. Drink: 2007-2010.  998286  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Zeni Vigne Alte Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2004, DOC, Veneto, Italy: Elegant and balanced with a long finish. Gorgeous dark fruit aromas. Finesse.  23176  XD  750 mL  $16.95  Score: 90/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Viña Carmen Reserve Syrah 2004, Maipo Valley, Chile: Richly layered, full-bodied goodness. Aromas of black fruit, plush and round.  590737  XD  750 mL  $19.95  Score: 89/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review


Gemtree Vineyards Bloodstone Shiraz 2005, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: This vibrant Shiraz won a Gold Medal at the 2006 New Zealand International Wine Show. Packed with blackberries, cassis, coffee and earth flavors, this round and supple wine is medium full-bodied with enough acidity to balance its ripe fruit flavors. My note: Aromas of black plums and smoke.  22111  XD  750 mL  $17.95  Score: 90/100. May 12, 2007 Full Review