Top 10 wines in the US press

Eric Asimov picks his favourites from a recent Slovenian wine tasting, while Dave McIntyre finds a wine with a “100% gulpability quotient”.

In looking at wines from Slovenia, Asimov wrote in the New York Times: “Hungarian wines, both sweet and dry, thrill once again. Croatia, too, is beginning to establish a global presence with its dry wines. But perhaps none of the former Communist countries have come quite so far as Slovenia in redeveloping a vibrant wine culture.”

Meanwhile in the Washington Post, McIntyre finds an “insanely priced” French red wine, which he said has: “Dark berry flavours; solid acidity, moderate tannin; reasonable length.”

Find out more about these and other wines recommended in the US press over the last week.

2008 Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden Syrah 74 “Applegate Valley”

In Los Angeles, writing for the LA Times S. Irene Virbila was impressed with this Syrah, she wrote: “One sip and I was ready to buy a case. Why? Because it’s tremendously food-friendly, not overly extracted, a Syrah that’s graceful and poised, bright with flavours of cherry and cassis and sporting a snazzy bit of acidity.”

Arbor Crest 2010 Four Vineyards Merlot

Paul Gregutt in the Seattle Times picked out this Merlot, which “draws grapes from Bacchus, Conner Lee, Dionysus and Klipsun vineyards – an all-star lineup at any price.”

He added that the wine is “sappy, spicy and loaded with black fruits, it delivers plenty of flavour across a thick mid-palate.”

Kaella 2010 Meritage

Although Gregutt was impressed by the Arbor Merlot he said this wine “is even better, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot sourced entirely from the Conner Lee vineyard. Here, super juicy black cherry fruit is set against generous acidity. Vibrant and full, long and fresh, this could age gracefully for a decade or more.”

2010 Les Truffieres Grignan-les-Adhemar, France

Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post wrote: “Sometimes much is hidden beneath the (grape) bushel basket. In 2008, a French nuclear power plant disaster at Tricastin, in the northernmost district of the southern Rhône winemaking region Côteaux du Tricastin, caused winemakers there to dissociate from that appellation.

In 2010, they successfully “re-baptized” their region Grignan-les-Adhemar. The insanely priced 2010 Les Truffieres Grignan-les-Adhemar France ($8-$10) is a delicious, juicy mix of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah with a 100% gulpability quotient.”

Kabaj Goriska Brda – Amfora 2006

This wine came top of the tasting list for Eric Asimov in the New York Times, he gave it three stars and described it as: “Rich, complex and distinctive with a raspy texture and herbal, anise flavours.”

Movia Brda – Collio Veliko 2007

This is another top-ranking wine (three-star) from Asimov’s look at Slovenia. This wine is described as: “Perfumed and juicy with lingering herbal and tropical fruit flavours.”

2009 Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni

Writing in the Miami Herald, Fred Tasker recommends this wine, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese.

He described the wine as having: “Ultra dark hue, aromas and flavours of black plums, tobacco and cocoa, powerful and smooth.”

2009 Brancaia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

Tasker also recommended this 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot blend, saying it is: “dark, rich and smooth, with aromas and flavours of black cherries, black plums and espresso.”

Chateau Caronne Ste.-Gemme, 2009

Also in Los Angeles, but writing for the LA Daily News, Michael Petersen chose this as his “red of the week”. He wrote: “This deep red Bordeaux blend is from the Haut-Médoc wine appellation in southern France. It has warm flavours of fig and cocoa with a powerful finish. Drinks very well with cheese and pairs nicely with fillet or lamb.”

Carménère 2010, Reserva, Maule, Calina

And finally north of the border in Canada Bill Zacharkiw writing in the Montreal Gazette, “Carménère gets smoothed out” and recommends this wine as one for “everyday drinking”.

He wrote: “A true wine of the week. Everything about this is right. Great fruit, moderate alcohol at only 13.5% and, overlaying it all, a slight greenish, minty note to add some complexity.

Refreshing, powerful, remarkably good for the price. And for a grape that gets trashed by many for being too rustic, remarkably finessed.”