Tasting Notes
Posted: May 22, 2008
Best Buys
Rosenblum Château La Paws Côte du Bone Roan California 2005
Made up mostly of Syrah, this loosely Rhône blend gains a little California influence from Zinfandel. Big juicy purple fruit—blueberry and blackberry—takes charge of the aroma, underscored by hints of meat and flowers. On the palate, the jammy fruit is nicely balanced with bright acidity and firm tannins that make the wine a good match for grilled meats. 6,699 cases made.
Score: 87 Cost: $128 per case
Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley Reserva 2005
Known for its Sauvignon Blanc, reds from this Chilean producer offer equally good value. The Cab is dark and deep, with flavors of cherry, blackberry, and currant. Notes of licorice, earth, and toasty oak add aromatic intrigue, while the addition of 12 percent Merlot keeps it soft, fleshy, and inviting. 25,000 cases imported.
Score: 87 Cost: $96 per case
Cline Syrah California 2005
This red shows great Old World character, offering, along with its bright berry fruit, aromas of savory herb, exotic spice, and gamey notes. On the palate, the wine shows good intensity of black and dried fruits, giving way to a firm tannic finish. 25,500 cases made.
Score: 86 Cost: $104 per case
Highly Recommended
Erath Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Estate Selection 2005
This Pinot has generous fruit while remaining supple, balanced, and seamless. The red cherry flavor comes wrapped in smoke and spice, with hints of wild berry and mocha on the back palate. Nice hints of earth and gravel add to the complexity. 6,871 cases made.
Score: 91 Cost: $290 per case
Argyle Brut Willamette Valley 2002
The collapsing dollar be damned. With sophisticated American sparklers like this, popping corks will continue to unleash citrus and spiced-pear aromas coupled with orange blossom and vanilla custard. The fine bubbles and lacy texture carry crisp Asian pear and honey flavors across the palate through a long lively finish. 10,200 cases made.
Score: 90 Cost: $209 per case
Raats Family Chenin Blanc Coastal Region Original Unwooded 2007
Given the abundance and variety of high-quality Chenin from South Africa, this varietal is poised for the mainstream. Here fresh white peach and pineapple, apple, and honey aromas come through with chiseled crispness. The fruit is bright and clean on the palate with great acidity and stony minerality. 1,500 cases imported.
Score: 89 Cost: $130 per case
Specials
Marcassin Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Zio Tony Ranch 2003
The fresh aroma of this wine billows with complexity, beginning with all manner of fruit—melon and fig, citrus and stone fruit—with whispers of spice, nuts, and honeyed butter. On the palate, the rich full body is pierced by bright acidity, keeping the intense fruit nimble and vibrant through the long finish. 98 cases made.
Score: 96 Cost: $900 per case
Bertagna Corton Les Grandes Lolières 2005
Power and concentration are immediately apparent in this Grand Cru Burgundy. Great intensity of red fruit runs throughout, including raspberry syrup and cherry liqueur, underscored by aromas of dried flowers, licorice, and earthy oak. The finish offers good length and assertive tannins that will benefit from cellaring. 25 cases imported.
Score: 95 Cost: $1,400 per case
Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Adrianna Vineyard 2004
The debut vintage of this wine sourced from high-elevation vineyards is testimony to Argentinean Malbec's ascent, literally, to world-class status. Unabashedly New World in its pure explosive aromas of blueberry, blackberry, and plum fruit, the wine also evokes graphite, molten chocolate, smoky oak, and meaty flavors. Modern and massive with great complexity. 200 cases made.
Score: 94 Cost: $1,000 per case
