Top 10 wines in the US press

Eric Asimov recommends a wine that offers “just about everything we could want in a dry riesling,” while Fred Tasker picks out a “youthful and lively” Sauvignon Blanc.

In the New York Times Eric Asimov led a German Riesling tasting panel, writing, “I already know the first question, let me start with the answer: No, not all German rieslings are sweet. In fact, sweet German rieslings may soon be an endangered species.”

He added: “How can this be? Simple. The Germans themselves, as has been true for several decades now, overwhelmingly prefer dry wines without any trace of residual sweetness. But to say Germans prefer dry wines suggests that much consideration has been given to the issue. Rather, as Terry Theise, a leading importer of German wines, recently said, ‘The omnipresence of dry wines within Germany is a dubious example of this country’s temptation to do things in large, implacable blocs.’ He goes on to liken dry German rieslings to ‘a highly invasive species that wants to swallow up every other style.’

In terms of the results, Asimov wrote: “The top five is like an honour roll of producers, with the important caveat that our selection of 20 bottles is a representative cross-section rather than a comprehensive survey. So while these were our favourites in the tasting, that’s a long way from saying these are the best dry German rieslings. They are simply awfully good ones.”

Click through the following pages to end out more about the wines recommended by Asimov and other US wine writers over the last week.

Tenuta di Arceno, Chianti Classico 2010

This wine is recommended by Rebecca Murphy in the Dallas Morning News. She wrote: “You’ve most likely heard of Kendall-Jackson wines, the original wines of the late Jess Jackson. He was a bigger-than-life entrepreneur who created many a new wine drinker beginning with his K-J chardonnay in the 1980s. Over the years, he and his wife, Barbara Banke, and other family members have created an international wine empire. Tenuta di Arceno in Tuscany is part of that empire.”

In describing this wine, she added: “This is a rich and supple Chianti with ripe cherry and strawberry flavours and notes of liquorice and cedar. The ripeness of the fruit is balanced with zesty acidity and dusty tannins. It’s sophisticated enough for a formal dinner with roasted or grilled red meats, but it won’t talk down to a sausage pizza.”

Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

In the Detroit News, Sandra Silfven, wrote: “Even given the challenges of the cold, rainy 2010 vintage with the heat blast in late summer, this baby is sooo Alexander Valley with lush, intense berried fruit, lots of vanilla, lots of spice.”

She added: “It’s concentrated and paints your ivories a deep purple. Grapes are harvested off three vineyards in the Alexander Valley — Barrelli Creek, Timbercrest and Sherrer. It gets further embellishment with Petite Sirah to add blue fruit flavours (plums, dark berries) and sturdy tannins. To those of you who know your Alexander Valley Cabs, this one is true to form — and nicely priced.”

Jean Reverdy et Fils La Reine Blanche 2012

In the Washington Post Dave McIntyre picked out “wines to stimulate your palate during Labor Day cookouts and beyond.”

He described this wine as “a textbook Sauvignon Blanc in the mineral, earthy style of the Loire Valley.”

He added: “It’s fresh and crisp, with flavours of passion fruit and lime zest, but the overall impression is of stones. Jean Reverdy also makes a delightful rosé of pinot noir called Les Villots that is still available on area retail shelves at the same price.”

Haut Marin Cuvée Marine 2012

McIntyre also recommended this wine, writing: “I’ve recommended this wine in previous vintages. It is an excellent example of the fun, juicy-fruit whites that have emerged from Gascony, a region where most of the wine traditionally was distilled into Armagnac or brandy. This charmer shoves a squishy ripe peach into your maw and says ‘Summer!’”.

Mosel Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Trocken

This is wine was ranked number one by Eric Asimov and his New York Times panel. He wrote: “Our favourite was a mouthful: the Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg spätlese trocken from Karthäuserhof in the Mosel, a complex, deep and energetic wine that offered just about everything we could want in a dry Riesling.”

Nahe Dellchen Grosses Gewächs 2011

This wine was second for Asimov and his fellow tasters, he wrote: “The Dellchen Grosses Gewächs from Dönnhoff in the Nahe is a beauty. Though still closed up, its precision and depth were apparent. It will need a couple of years to unwind a bit.”

2011 Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

This wine is recommended by Will Lyons in the Wall Street Journal. He wrote: “Good winemaking can stand the test of time. And Château Mont-Redon is the proof – it has been making wine since the 14th century. Made from Grenache blanc. this is unbaked, with an easy, heavy style that makes it a joy to sip.

2010 André Perret Saint Joseph

Lyons also recommended this wine, writing, “André Perret is a collector’s dream, crafting world-class, characterful wines that rarely reach the price points of their peers. His Saint-Joseph is made from 100% Syrah and has a distinctive white pepper and red fruit nose, with a refreshing acidity.”

2012 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

In the Miami Herald, Fred Tasker encouraged his readers to consider something different for their Labor Day cook-out, suggesting a vegetable grill instead of meat.

In terms of wine, he wrote: “Wine matches for a vegetarian grill-out tend toward whites, rosés and light-bodied reds. The herbal flavours of Sauvignon Blanc go well with simply grilled vegetables. The smokey flavours of grilled romaine lettuce go well with an oaky chardonnay.”

In recommending this wine, he described it as, “youthful and lively, with aromas and flavours of fresh herbs and white grapefruit.”

Xplorador Carmenere 2008

And finally Dennis Sodomka, in the Augusta Chronicle wrote, “if you are unfamiliar with Carmenere, this is a perfect wine to begin your explorations.”

He added: “There’s an awful lot to like about the Xplorador Carmenere. It’s rich, full-bodied and very smooth. And it comes at a great price.

“The wine is a rich red-purple in the glass, with pleasant aromas of dark fruit, roasted red peppers and black pepper.

“It is a soft and approachable wine, but it retains good structure. Sweet plum and chocolate flavours are rich and full on the tongue.”