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
Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Reserva 2006
This Chilean winery churns out copious quantities of this vibrant, expressive wine. There's a nice green edge to the citrus fruit, with grass, hay, mint, and chive aromas to keep things crisp and exciting, as well as mineral qualities on the dry finish. 80,000 cases made.
Score: 87 Cost: $90 per case
Pierre Sparr Riesling Alsace 2005
This wine shows delicate Riesling aromas of apple, pear, and lemon. On the palate it has a generous body, considering the reticent fruit flavors, and lots of mouthwatering acidity. While restrained in style, it excels in its balance and subtlety, finishing dry with a hint of almonds. 4,100 cases made.
Score: 85 Cost: $120 per case
Snoqualmie Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley 2005
Good varietal aromas lean toward the fruity side, with plenty of citrus, pear, and melon. It's refreshing on the palate, with crisp acidity that makes it appealing for a variety of foods and a spicy finish that adds some depth. 15,000 cases made.
Score: 85 Cost: $60 per case
Highly Recommended
Joseph Phelps Syrah Napa Valley 2003
A dark purple hue reveals this Syrah's concentration even before the first whiff of mixed berries, cola, and distinct white pepper. On the palate the spice and herbal flavors barely manage to peer through the ripe blackberry fruit, followed by fine tannins that coat the mouth on the long finish. 1,000 cases imported.
Score: 92 Cost: $315 per case
S. A. Prüm Riesling Kabinett Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2005
An incredible mouthful of wine for the money, this dry Riesling shows good concentration of fruit, including apricot and peach tinged with the tropical flavors of passion fruit. Generous in body, with rich nicely layered fruit, spicy notes, and bright acidity, this is a well-balanced and age-worthy wine. 2,500 cases made.
Score: 92 Cost: $190 per case
Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Marqués de Casa Concha 2004
A powerful wine from Chile offering a solid core of red and black fruit wrapped tightly in aromas of tobacco, cassis, vanilla, and spicy oak. The aromas follow through in the flavor, with fleshy fruit and big tannins offering structure. The long finish reveals flavors of dried herbs and chocolate among the ripe fruit. 19,200 cases made.
Score: 90 Cost: $153 per case
Specials
DuMOL Pinot Noir Sonoma County Green Valley Ryan 2004
This is a ripe and ready Pinot with sophisticated aromas of red berry fruit—raspberry, strawberry, and cherry—augmented with pretty spice and smoky oak. On the palate the fruit is intense, concentrated, and juicy, with very fine tannins and good depth of flavor. The silky texture and long finish keep the flavors coming. 576 cases made.
Score: 94 Cost: $650 per case
Vincent Girardin Bâtard-Montrachet 2004
A robust Chardonnay, with fresh lemon and citrus fruit balancing rich aromas of hazelnut, exotic spice, sweet vanilla, toasty oak, and mineral nuances. The wine is almost viscous on the palate with its plump body and plush texture, yet the fruit remains vibrant and lively through the long finish. 50 cases imported.
Score: 94 Cost: $1,800 per case
Marcel Deiss Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim 2002
This Alsatian blend is aromatic and opulent, with lovely dried fruit aromas of apricot and peach coupled with mineral and zesty citrus. It's rather full bodied and lush on the palate, with rich fruit, balanced to the sweet side, along with good structure and great length. 150 cases imported.
Score: 93 Cost: $900 per case
