With an eye to restaurant wine lists, our cellar reconnoiterer Jeffery Lindenmuth picks ideal new releases recently reviewed by Wine Spectator.
Note: Wine Spectator rates on a 100-point scale. 95—100: Classic, a great wine. 90—94: Out standing, superior style and character. 80—89: Good to very good, a wine with special qualities. Prices listed are average wholesale case prices.Best Buys
Marc Kreydenweiss Costières de Nîmes Perrières 2003
This well-regarded Alsatian producer scores in the Rhône with a big red redolent of ripe plum and blackberry, with pronounced spice and licorice adding intrigue. Made with biodynamically grown Carignane, Syrah, and Grenache, the blend is robust enough for red meats, including beef, lamb, and game. 2,500 cases made.
Score: 88 Cost: $140 per case
Dominio del Plata Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Crios de Susana Balbo 2004
Raspberry, blackberry, and currant dominate the aroma of this large-production, fruit-forward Cab. On the palate the juicy berry flavors are accompanied by nice touches of chocolate and spice followed by a medium-long finish with mineral hints. 12,000 cases made.
Score: 88 Cost: $150 per case
Covey Run Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley 2004
The nose on this Sauvignon Blanc offers a good array of fruit—lemony citrus, apple, and pineapple—along with background notes of grass, gooseberry, and a touch of flint. On the palate the wine is bright, fresh, and medium-bodied, with nicely balanced acidity to accompany the tart green apple and quince fruit. 21,532 cases made.
Score: 87 Cost: $78 per case
Highly Recommended
Sbragia Family Chardonnay Dry Creek Valley Home Ranch 2004
Taking Beringer Vineyards winemaker Ed Sbragia as its namesake, this aromatic Chardonnay offers richly layered fig and pear, apricot and melon. On the palate the wine is generous and lush, the ripe fruit augmented by hazelnut and toast. Great complexity, bold flavor, and a long finish add up to a wine that tastes far more expensive than it is. 1,300 cases made.
Score: 92 Cost: $240 per case
Quinta de Roriz Douro Prazo 2004
Made from a blend of traditional Port grapes, this full-bodied Portuguese red offers effusive ripe fruit aromas that follow through on the palate. Nuances of smoke and toasty oak emerge from plum, blackberry, cherry, and blueberry, with chocolate and peppery spice coming in on the finish. 1,000 cases made.
Score: 90 Cost: $120 per case
Valentin Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon San Rafael Famiglia 2004
This Argentine Cab has plenty of New World flair. Aromas of black plum and wild berries are tinged with dark chocolate and pretty spice. Full-bodied, dark, and rich on the palate, the wine gets a boost from additions of Malbec and Merlot. 7,000 cases imported.
Score: 90 Cost: $141 per case
Specials
Aubert Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Lauren 2004
Rich and powerful from the onset, this Chardonnay offers aromas of stone and tropical fruit with bright lemon, white flower, nutmeg, and crème brûlée. On the richly layered palate dried date and apricot are interspersed with hazelnut. The chewy texture, full body, and long finish keep the flavors flowing. 900 cases made.
Score: 96 Cost: $849 per case
Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Pisoni Vineyard 2004
From the famous vineyard of Gary Pisoni, this dense and inky Pinot is packed with fruit. Pretty floral aromas, seductive spice, and smoke add complexity to a nose of raspberry, blackberry, and plum. On the palate the ripe jammy fruit is nicely imbued with earth and spice, a touch of tart rhubarb, and fine ripe tannins. 585 cases made.
Score: 95 Cost: $750 per case
Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon Yakima Valley DuBrul Vineyard 2003
Intense aromas of ripe fruit—black cherry and currant—are accompanied by smoke, spice, and a savory edge. With deft balance, lively acidity, and ample tannins, this hefty wine from the Pacific Northwest is one for the cellar. 630 cases made.
Score: 94 Cost: $720 per case
