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
Plantagenet Shiraz Western Australia Omrah 2004
This cooler climate Shiraz from Australia's west coast is made in an exuberant, juicy, and fruit-forward style with blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry aromas that follow through on the palate. Notes of Christmas spice, white pepper, and coffee add intrigue. The wine is mouth filling with good length. 8,000 cases made.
Score: 89 Cost: $120 per case
El Coto de Rioja Rioja Rosado 2005
Rioja does rosé with this pink blend of equal parts Tempranillo and Garnacha. The fruit manages, with only moderate skin contact, to lend plenty of strawberry and cherry aromas, along with just enough tannins to create a bone dry finish laced with refreshing acidity and bright berry flavors. 500 cases imported.
Score: 87 Cost: $80 per case
Cline Viognier Sonoma Coast 2005
This charismatic Viognier shows all the hallmark aromas of the grape, with peach and apricot, honey, and spring flowers. On the palate the fruit flavors are rich and intense, eased along by the full body. Plenty of acidity offers balance and freshness followed by a tasty touch of toasted oak on the finish. 9,950 cases made.
Score: 86 Cost: $104 per case
Highly Recommended
Holbrook Syrah Santa Barbara County 2003
A fruit-forward and opulent Syrah with a bevy of berry flavors, including dense blackberry and bright blueberry aromas that mingle nicely with the warm vanilla notes and toasty oak. It's intense yet supple on the palate, with plummy fruit and a long finish. 2,250 cases made.
Score: 90 Cost: $160 per case
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2005
This sleeper grape shows real appeal, with its sophisticated zesty citrus aromas coupled with exotic spices, ginger, clove, and hints of toasted bread. With ample body, the wine washes boldly across the palate then strikes a nice balance with acidity and delicate oak before finishing quite dry. 4,700 cases made.
Score: 90 Cost: $115 per case
Pascal Jolivet Sancerre Les Caillottes 2005
Plenty of vivid, ripe fruit—citrus and kiwi—introduce this Sancerre, with hints of grass and pretty floral notes adding interest. On the palate the wine is juicy and vivacious, with bright acidity followed by chalky, mineral flavors. Shows great verve, making it ideal for solo sipping or with shellfish. 3,500 cases made.
Score: 90 Cost: $260 per case
Specials
Colgin Syrah Napa Valley IX Estate 2004
The initial fruit is quickly overcome by a mélange of secondary aromas, replete with meaty, gamy, peppery, spicy Syrah character. On the palate the inky wine ushers in waves of berry fruit along with earthy and herbal flavors that add plenty of depth and sense of place. This is a plush package with enough rusticity to keep it endlessly fascinating. 469 cases made.
Score: 96 Cost: $1,800 per case
Château Latour Pauillac 2004
The aroma of this first-growth serves up classic black currant and licorice, smoke and spice, with the fruit being especially bright and fresh. On the palate the wine is full bodied with plenty of acidity to lift it, well structured, and shows a very long finish with chewy tannins. 10,000 cases made.
Score: 95 Cost: $3,000 per case
Château Cos d'Estournel St.-Estèphe 2004
A second-growth Bordeaux and a perennial favorite for value, this vintage is brimming with black fruit flavors of berries and plum nicely accented by whiffs of spice and smoke and licorice. Full bodied and exceedingly supple on the palate, the fruit flavors are generous and long, with smooth, well-balanced tannins. 15,000 cases made.
Score: 94 Cost: $800 per case
