Top 10 wines in the US press

We round up the top 10 wines featured in the US press last weekend.

Lettie Teague in the Wall Street Journal says sommeliers have “received a great deal of praise in recent years”, as “the avatars of the modern wine world. Except that they’re not. Or at least no more than another, less talked-about group whose power is arguably greater and whose influence is more widely felt: wine retailers.”

Fred Tasker in the Miami Herald looks to Greece for his choices: “Greece today makes delicate whites from an aromatic varieties called malagousia and assyrtiko, and fruity reds from grapes called limnio, mavrotragano and mavroudi.

Bill Zacharkiw from the Montreal Gazette profiles the two Cabernets: Sauvignon and Franc and says: “I have noticed an increased interest in cabernet franc over the past couple of years. In France, which grows by far the most cabernet franc in the world, it is growing, especially in Bordeaux.”

Château de Fesles Vieilles Vignes Anjou 2011, (CA$18.35 SAQ)

Bill Zacharkiw from the Montreal Gazette praises this “simple and straightforward cabernet franc. Fresh and loaded with red field fruits, delicate tannins. You have to hunt for that little hint of green on the finish”.

Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2009  (CA$19.70, SAQ)

Bill Zacharkiw also loves “the dark fruit and chocolate notes one often finds in Californian cabs, but the difference here is slightly grittier tannin and good acidity — both good reasons to lay a few bottles down for later”.

Moric Blaufrankisch 2010 (US$20)

Lettie Teague in the Wall Street Journal says: “Joe Salamone of Crush Wines in New York has a soft spot for good, if slightly offbeat wines. This appealing Austrian red is an excellent example of his taste.”

Salomon Undhof Hochterrassen Gruner Veltliner 2011 (US$15)

Lettie Teague also wants to share this retailer recommendation: “Chris Adams at Sherry-Lehmann says this bright, lively dry white is his pick for a wine that delivers a lot for the price.”

Biblia Chora “Areti Red” Pangeon 2008 ($29)

Fred Tasker in the Miami Herald praises Greece and this example with “rich, full flavors of ripe black cherries and spice, smooth tannins, medium body”

Domaine Katsaros Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (US$48)

Fred Tasker also finds this “full-bodied and powerful, with intense cassis and mocha flavors and big, ripe tannins.”

Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Blanc 2011 (US$18-22)

Irene Virbila, in the Los Angeles Times says that “by blending their own grapes with their neighbors, Tablas Creek can produce this terrific Rhone-style white at a great price for the quality.”

Freixenet Elyssia Gran Cuvée Brut (US$18)

Katie Kelly Bell on Forbes.com enjoys this cava’s “bright racy bubbles and interesting pear and apple notes complimented by a charming perfume of honey and lemon.”

Efesté Feral Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (US$20)

Paul Gregutt in the Seattle Times says this wine “dazzles the palate with sweet grass, clover, grapefruit and mineral notes. It’s a lip-smacking style, tart and tangy, with a wet-stone finish.”

Avennia Arnaut Syrah 2010 (US$45)

Paul Gregutt in the Seattle Times finds this “sleek and focused”, with “raspberry and black cherry fruit, with excellent focus and length.”