Top 10 wines in the US press

We round up the top 10 wines featured in the US press in the past week.

Eric Pfanner in the International Herald Tribune looks at the French supermarkets’ Annual Wine Fairs which are starting now across the country. What to buy? “Basically, Bordeaux”, says Pfanner. Unlike Burgundy, he says, “it makes huge amounts of wine, even at the high end. The wine fairs are a good way to unload some of it in a way that doesn’t undermine higher prices in export markets.”

Eric Asimov in the New York Times says that “California winemakers share a calling with the Cistercian monks of the Middle Ages: a relentless quest to find the best places to grow pinot noir. Over centuries, the monks settled on the heart of Burgundy, now famous as the Côte d’Or, along with a few scattered sites in Germany that may only now be coming to fruition. In California, the search goes on.” He looks to Alexander Valley, as does Jon Bonné in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Lettie Teague in the Wall Street Journal tries to counter the view that “to many wine drinkers, a light red is anathema, a wine defined by an absence of structure, tannins and wood.”

Anthill Farms Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2009 (US$37)

Eric Asimov in the New York Times says this is “fresh, vivacious, light and well balanced with aromas of spicy red fruit.”

Twomey Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2009 (US$50)

Eric Asimov applauds this as a wine that’s “well-rounded with finesse and intensity, lingering flavors of licorice, herbs and red fruit.”

Nash Mill Vineyards ‘Husch’ Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2009 (US$40)

Eric Asimov also rates this Pinot as “pretty and elegant with spicy, floral aromas and flavors.”

Rouvre Saint Leger “Laudun” 2010 (US$17-19)

Irene Virbila in the LA Times says: “It’s 100% Viognier, pale yellow with an extravagant nose of ripe apricot and citrus. Lush and creamy, this is a wine to roll around the tongue, savoring every nuance.”

Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (U$10)

Katie Kelly Bell on Forbes.com highlights this wine as “pleasing and ripe, soft and approachable with a nice balance of fruity black cherry and vanilla.”

Chateau Potelle VGS Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (US$70)

Katie Kelly Bell describes this as “silky and smooth, with cedar, vanilla, black cherry and cassis aromas, the tannins are nicely woven around the fruit, making this an easy wine to open now.”

Drew Morning Dew Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2010 (US$48)

Jon Bonné in the San Francisco Chronicle says “its mysterious, fecund nature comes forward, full of plum skin and dark loam and anise, with fantastic energy and minerality. It’s ready for a long life.”

Straight Line Mendocino Pinot Noir 2010 (US$28)

Jon Bonné says this is “perfumed and savory, it brims with raspberry and talc, and those lifted aromas so classic to Mendocino.”

Andrea Baron Widmann Vernatsch 2011 (US$20)

Lettie Teague in the Wall Street Journal says: “this small Alto Adige producer turns out a lovely, lively red that’s a bit like an earthy Beaujolais with a savory edge.”

Bedell Cellars First Crush Red 2011 (US$18)

Lettie Teague likes this “pretty, uncomplicated red marked by soft tannins and bright red berry fruit.”