Top 10 wines in the US press

The Wall Street Journal’s Will Lyons picks a wine, which he says is “Chardonnay in its highest expression”, and a Pinot Noir that is “a joy to taste”.

Lyons also sets out some of his new year resolutions and admits that he must “suspend judgment” on wines and taste what is inside the bottle rather than what is on the label. He wrote: “Keeping an open mind is as important as evading the common cold.”

In the Seattle Times Paul Gregutt recommends his readers take a look at rosé as an option for winter drinking. He says: “Perhaps you just don’t feel like meeting the challenge of that massive red wine sporting alcohol at 15 or 16 percent. Rosé meets your need for red – OK, reddish – wine without putting your liver through the ringer.”

Find out which wines these two writers, plus others across the US press have recommended this week.

Steininger Gruner Veltliner Loisium Reserve 2011

Writing in the Washington Post Dave McIntyre lists a selection of wines that “should grab your attention for their quality and their value”. He rates this wine as “exceptional”, adding: “Karl Steininger is best known for his sparkling wines, or sekt, but this delightful Gruner shows his talent with Austria’s flagship white. Racy and firm, it is searingly dry and vibrant with lime, quince and lemon grass flavours.”

Patient Cottat, Le Grand Caillou Sauvignon Blanc 2011

McIntyre also picked this wine from the Loire Valley, which he rated as “excellent”. He write: “This is a delightful mini-Sancerre from a noted Sancerre producer. Grown in vineyards outside the region that can be called Sancerre, it still has the stony character of Sauvignon Blanc from the more prestigious vineyards, with some of the rough-and-tumble character of younger vines.”

2009 Etude Wines, Pinot Noir

In the Chicago Tribune Bill St John focused on Sonoma County, writing: “Much of Sonoma’s new-won honour is due to its Pinot Noir. Sonoma makes everything in wine – notable sparkling wines, renowned Chardonnay, killer Cabernet and Zinfandel – but it’s the Pinot Noir that is snapping back heads.” He recommends this wine, saying that “this cool vintage accentuates Pinot Noir’s calling to the table, its refreshing, cleansing acidity; the strawberry scents and savours are flecked with spice notes”.

Syncline 2011 Subduction Red

Paul Gregutt of the Seattle Times advocates still thinking about rosé as a winter drink. He writes: “Mid-winter is not traditionally a time when you reach for a rosé. But,” he adds, “wine traditions are made for breaking, and there is no obvious reason to wait for summer when a rosé can answer for so many other occasions.” Gregutt picks out this rosé, writing: “This six-grape, Southern Rhône-style blend is especially good in this new vintage. It features a broad array of red and purple fruits, juicy, forward and immediately delicious, along with the structure to age.”

2007 Clarendelle Bordeaux Rouge

Fred Tasker in the Miami Herald tells his readers that “Bordeaux need not break the bank to be good”, adding that “if you need to impress your friends, consider that the labels look nearly as fancy as those from the region’s most expensive wines”. This wine comes “highly recommended” and Tasker adds that it has ” floral aroma, spicy cassis and earth flavours, firm tannins and acids, smooth finish”.

Marimar Estate, Pinot Noir 2006, Russian River Valley

Will Lyons in the Wall Street Journal said: “This Pinot, made by Marimar Torres, sister of Spanish winemaker Miguel A. Torres, has a bright, cherry fruit and raspberry feel on the nose and a lively acidity. In short, it is a joy to taste and will cellar for many years.”

Hyde de Villaine Chardonnay 2008, Carneros

Lyons also recommended this Chardonnay, writing that, “it is by no means an inexpensive Chardonnay but it more than justifies its price tag.” He added: “There is an obvious stone fruit, mineral character but also a seductive creaminess. This is Chardonnay in its highest expression.”

2006 Cougar Crest Reserve Syrah

Craig LaBan in the Philadelphia Inquirer recommends this Australian red wine, writing: “The fruit is New World ripe, brooding, figgy, round, and deep. But then echoes of the Rhône kick in, with smoke, tobacco, anise, black olives, and firm-yet-polished tannins ideal for Provençal-roast lamb, or some good old Yankee barbecue.”

Trentadue “La Storia” Cuvee 32 red 2009

Bill Ward in the Minneapolis Star Tribune recommends this red as his wine of the week. He wrote about the wine: “A deep, dark, lush beauty, this California blend gets a nice jolt of acidity from the Sangiovese playing off the Cab and Merlot. The finish is long and plush.”

Viticcio, Toscana IGT, Bere Rosso 2009

Writing in the Dallas Morning News, Rebecca Murphy recommended this Italian red as her wine of the week. She wrote: “It’s an easy-drinking blend with flavours of cherry and strawberry. It has the zesty acidity of Sangiovese, the blackcurrant fruit and solid structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, and the velvet texture of Merlot. Enjoy it with a sausage pizza or a roast beef sandwich.”