Top 10 wines in the US press

Will Lyons picks out a wine which is “what great California Chardonnay is all about” while Rebecca Murphy recommends a wine that “has everything you could want from a rosé”.

Writing in the Dallas Morning News, Murphy recommends a wine “that was originally developed for the US market, but now can be found around the world.

“It’s made by a cooperative winery with 350 growers located 55 miles north of Madrid in Calatayud, a rugged, rocky wine region in northeastern Spain. The growers farm healthy, flavourful grapes and the winemaker doesn’t let winemaking tricks get in the way. It’s a successful strategy.”

In the Washington Post Dave McIntyre is one of the few US wine writers to give a nod to 4 July, as he recommends five “all-American wines” which, he writes, “reflect the growth of high-quality wine throughout the country.”

Click through the following pages to find out more about these and other wines recommended in the US press over the last week.

Vidigal Vinho Verde Shocking Green 2011

Eric Asimov, in the New York Times, featured Vinho Verde, which “has soared in popularity” in the US. He wrote: “Look at the numbers. In 2012, Portugal shipped almost 5.5 million bottles of Vinho Verde to the United States, according to the Portugal Global Trade and Investment Agency. On its own, that’s not a huge amount. But it’s well more than triple the approximately 1.65 million bottles shipped 10 years ago, an enormous leap for a wine that many people know very little about.”

Asimov’s tasting panel voted this wine as number one, he wrote: “Our No. 1 wine, the 2011 Vidigal Shocking Green, had a particularly inviting texture,” adding, “tangy and refreshing with an inviting texture and crisp flavours of apple, citrus and nuts.”

Vera Vinho Verde 2012

This came second in Asimov’s tasting panel and he wrote: Our No. 2, the 2012 Vera, had mineral and citrus flavours that lingered.”

He added: “Fresh and lively, with clean, lingering mineral and citrus flavours.”

Talbott Vineyards Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Estate Grown 2011

This wine was recommended by Sandra Silfven in the Detroit News. She wrote: “This golden beauty is an essence of Chardonnay. It’s intense, dense, packed with fruit, made in all French cooperage. It’s pretty, and powerful, but it’s not like a hammer. It has grace and style for all that power. Think green apples, pears, white peach, pear and melon. The toast off the barrels permeates the aromas. The mouthfeel is creamy and lush.”

Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Dave McIntyre, writing in the Washington Post, picked out this as one of his all-American wines. He wrote: “A ‘great value’ at $27? Sure, given the price of Napa Valley Cabernet these days. The Robert Mondavi Winery’s basic Napa Cabs — there’s an Oakville bottling at $55 and a reserve at $135 — are consistently good. I recommend decanting this an hour or two in advance to let the black-fruit flavours emerge. If you can find the 2009 vintage on store shelves, it also is good and benefits from the additional bottle age.”

Old Westminster Winery Cabernet Franc 2011

McIntyre also recommended this wine, writing: “Maryland now boasts more than 60 wineries. Among the newest is Old Westminster, which opened to the public in June with an impressive debut lineup of wines. This delicious Cabernet Franc, from one of the most difficult, rainy harvests in local memory, bodes well for the future of the winery.”

2011 Inama Soave Classico

In the LA Times Irene Virbila recommended this wine, as “perfect summer drinking”.

She added: “The grapes for his Soave Classico come from 30-year-old vines, and the wine has an uncharacteristic intensity. The bouquet is gentle, mostly wildflowers, but the 2011 has a minerality reminiscent of Chablis along with a bright thread of acidity. And that’s what holds your interest, sip after sip. Drink this crisp, dry white with sushi and sashimi, crudo, seafood risotto and pasta, and grilled fish.”

2011 Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay

In the Wall Street Journal, Will Lyons wrote that this “is what great California Chardonnay is all about.”

He added: “Rich and buttery but with a steely, linear acidity running through it, the wine is ever changing. There are tropical notes, as well as apples, honeysuckle and a shifting, smoky oak. Superb.”

Las Rocas de San Alejandro, Calatayud, Rosado 2012

This is the wine recommended by Rebecca Murphy in the Dallas Morning News, she wrote: “This Spanish wine has everything you could want from a rosé. It’s delicious, made primarily from the best grape for a rosé, Garnacha, or Grenache.

She added: “It has a pretty pink rose colour and exciting strawberry, cherry and raspberry fruit aromas and flavours, with a touch of dusty minerals. It’s juicy and fresh in the mouth, with enough zesty acidity to keep it lively. Try it with tortilla chips; it’s a heavenly combo.”

2010 Holman Ranch Rosé of Pinot Noir

Fred Tasker in the Miami Herald, also picked out a rosé, writing: “Once cloyingly sweet and bland, most rosés today have the crisp, refreshing acid to be bright, light and lively — fruity summer wines meant to be drunk, chilled, with picnic fare — salads, sandwiches, quiches, tuna or salmon, sushi — or simply sipped on the back porch at dusk.”

He wrote of this wine: “Dark rose colour, floral aromas, black cherry and strawberry flavours, light body, crisp and dry.”

2009 d’Arenberg Grenache “The Beautiful View”

And finally this wine is recommended by Bill St John in the Chicago Tribune, he wrote: “From vines dating to 19th century; ‘sweet,’ with blue and black-red fruit aromas and flavours, and buckets of spice, minerals and richly-turned-out tannin; the death-bed Grenache, find it.”