Top 10 wines in the US press

Wines from all over the world have featured in the US press during the last week.

In the Los Angeles Times, S Irene Virbila says the 2009 Dierberg Chardonnay has “a bright acidity that sends you back to the glass for another sip”.

At Bloomberg John Mariani has enjoyed the change of season and the early autumn robust reds that have come with it. He said: “A fine brisk autumn is upon us and thoughts turn from cold white summer wines to robust red wines that go with the stews, braised meats, and roast chicken whose pots and pans were put away in May.”

But it is not all about autumnal reds as Gregory Dal Piaz from the Huffington Post enjoys some bubbly, saying, “I prefer Prosecco and more specifically Prosecco frizzante, which is super gently carbonated. This more gentle carbonation makes the wines easy to drink.”

La Croix de Beaucaillou St Julien 2009 (US$44)

Eric Asimov in the New York Times says this wine is “fresh, bright and lip-smacking with lingering flavours of plummy fruit and minerals”.

Château Lusseau Graves 2009 (US$25)

Eric Asimov describes this wine as “structured yet inviting with lively, pure flavours of red fruit and tobacco”.

Dos Cabezas El Campo Pronghorn Vineyard Sonoita Red 2009 (US$30)

In the San Francisco Chronicle, Jon Bonné said: “El Campo is a single blend of all Pronghorn’s plantings: Tempranillo, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Grenache and more, and it shows serious complexity and grip. Coriander seed, fennel, lemon zest and lilac all add to robust, sweet red fruit and deep tannins.”

Chateau du Pin 2009 (US$11)

Bloomberg’s John Mariani said: “I always enjoy simple Bordeaux with everyday food, so I picked out a Chateau du Pin 2009, whose straightforward, medium-bodied, uncomplicated flavour of predominant merlot was just right for thick roasted veal chop with the last of the summer’s corn on the cob.”

Fincas Las Nubes Rosé 2011 (US$21)

In the Huffington Post Gregory Dal Piaz says, “You might not think of Malbec as a great rosé grape, but it produces a nice, meaty style with richness and complexity.”

Cortesia Prosecco Frizzante (US$10)

Gregory Dal Piaz says of this bubbly, “Cortesia is my kind of pick me up. Gently fizzy and very pure, it’s a classic example of the Frizzante style”.

Dierberg Chardonnay 2009 (US$25)

S Irene Virbila in the Los Angeles Times said that this Chardonnay from the Santa Maria Valley is, “elegant and minerally, with some sass to it and a bright acidity that sends you back to the glass for another sip”.

Stephan Vineyards “Stephan Ridge by L’Aventure” 2010 (US$25)

Moving onto reds S Irene Virbila says of this wine, “it’s got a beautiful nose of black cherries and red plums, a smooth velvety texture, firm tannins and sweet sweet fruit, making it just the wine for barbecue. It would be great with Chinese barbecued pork or a seared skirt steak”.

Sawtooth, Skyline Red 2010 (US$11)

Paul Gregutt in the Seattle Times said: “This Snake River Valley, Idaho, producer scores with this lushly fruited red blend. It’s mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of seven other grapes. Smooth and flavourful, it finishes with a dash of cocoa.”

Le Pupille Morellino di Scansano 2010 (US$23)

Jason Wilson in the Washington Post says this Italian red is “fresh and juicy, but also structured with fine tannins. There’s cherry, herbs and cool minerality on the finish. Wonderfully food-friendly, especially with hard-to-pair tomato-based sauces.”