Reference

Country: US / Sangiacomo Vineyard Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: B.R. Cohn / Carneros This is Cohn’s reserve-style Chardonnay and it’s easily their best since the 1990s. Made from two vineyards in the cool Carneros district of Sonoma, it’s ripe in pineapple and green apple flavors enhanced with the toast of oak, the creaminess of lees […]

Country: US / Croft Vineyard Variety: Pinot Gris Oregon Winery: Arbor Brook / Willamette Valley Fruit is sourced from a 23–year-old, organically farmed vineyard. With wonderful texture and mouthfeel, it offers a luscious mix of pear, pear skin, and grapefruit—tangy and refreshing. Such a juicy, spicy, lip-licking wine, you can’t wait for the next sip.

Country: Italy / Trevigne Variety: Nebbiolo Piedmont Winery: Travaglini / Gattinara Harmonious and smooth, this ruby-colored Nebbiolo from the 2001 vintage shows an excellent evolution of aromas. Fresh fruit notes have turned into dried berry and the smoke and wood elements are well integrated. The wine ends with polished tannins and bright acidity.

Country: France / Laurus Variety: Rhône-style White Blend Rhône Valley Winery: Gabriel Meffre / Condrieu Meffre’s wines can be a bit variable, but this Condrieu is top shelf, starting from its seductive aromas of honey, apricot and truffle to its lingering, elegant finish. In between, it’s lush and mouthcoating without being overblown. Drink now-2012.

Country: France / Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend Bordeaux Winery: Domaine de Chevalier / Pessac-Léognan A great success, with its concentration, solid tannins and black, bitter cherry fruit flavors. The wine has spice, licorice and some layers of wood. Certainly, this would be worth aging for 4–5 years.

Country: France / Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend Bordeaux Winery: Château du Tertre / Margaux The wood that dominated during the futures tastings in 2008 has calmed down, merging more easily into the rich fruits. There is an attractive smoky character, focused berry flavors and delicious spice. It should age well over 3–5 years.

Country: France / Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend Bordeaux Winery: Château Branaire-Ducru / Saint-Julien This is a delicious wine already, not powerful, but charming and elegant. The acidity and fruit are easy and bright, the tannins light but properly in balance. That suggests this is not for aging. It’s already a pleasure to drink now.

Country: US / Espérance Variety: G-S-M California Winery: Andrew Murray / Central Coast A soft, easy wine for drinking now. Based on Grenache, it has cherry pie, mocha, red currant and baking spice flavors. Versatile for pairing with a wide range of foods that call for a medium-bodied red.

Country: US / Westside Reserve Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon California Winery: Moonstone / Paso Robles Dry, tannic and ripe, with flavors of black currant, raisin and a coating of spicy oak. The tannins are rich and thick and high alcohol gives this wine a slight burn, but richly sauced barbecue flavors balance that out.

Country: US / Sierra Bella-Chicago Park Variety: Red Blend California Winery: Montoliva / Sierra Foothills Montoliva’s Sierra Bella is a blend of Sangiovese, Teroldego, Dolcetto and Barbera. It’s not quiet in tannins, but boasts layers of bright acidity and dark, mouth filling fruit flavors. Limited in production but a good value.

Country: US / Limited Production Variety: Chardonnay California Winery: Magistrate / Santa Barbara County There’s good Santa Barbara character in this Chardonnay, with brisk acidity and minerality girding the tropical fruit and peach flavors. It’s a little thin, but elegantly structured.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Franc Virginia Winery: Hume / Virginia A pliant, lively wine to pair with roasted chicken or grilled salmon, this bears a forward note of red cherry, plus touches of cassis, char, herb and vanilla that add dimension. It’s light to medium bodied, with fine, dusty tannins and fresh acids.