Top 10 wines in the US press

2012 Prosecco Superiore Col de L’Utia

In the Wall Street Journal, Will Lyons wrote that “Prosecco has always been a regular in my cellar.” He added: I think the best time to serve it is toward the end of an afternoon, as its natural sugar gives a welcome lift. This example delights with its gentle style.”

Alamos, Argentina, Mendoza, Red Blend 2012, $8.99-$10.49

This wine was recommended by Rebecca Murphy in the Dallas Morning News. She wrote: “Malbec is not the only grape in Argentina, and this wine shows that it plays well with others — namely Bonarda, also known as Charbono, and Tempranillo. It’s a veritable fruit bowl of flavours: black plums, red cherries, black cherries and strawberries, doused with a sprinkle of woody spices. It’s all corralled by savoury acidity and mellow tannins. Enjoy it with a burger or a side of baby back ribs.”

She added: “The high altitude means more direct sunlight, which means more colour and flavour in the grapes. It’s also high desert, with warm daytime temperatures to ripen fruit and very cool nighttime temperatures to maintain acidity that makes for freshness in a wine.”

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir California 2012, $9-$14

In the Detroit News, Sandra Silfven wrote: “presuming you might find this wine on sale, do give it consideration.”

She added: “It’s very true to the variety; it’s medium-bodied and packed with Pinot’s typical cherry, strawberry, rose petal fruit and cola notes. It’s nice on the palate — good texture, good integration of oak. It’s a big, affordable step up for new enthusiasts experiencing the Holy Grail of wines — Pinot Noir.”

2012 Jaboulet Parallèle 45 Côtes du Rhône rosé

Irene Virbila wrote in the LA Times, that “the 2012 Jaboulet Parallèle 45 Côtes du Rhône rosé is dry and clean, and it goes with almost everything.”

She added: “Made from a blend of Grenache and Cinsault with a little Syrah, this rosé from the Côtes du Rhône is a bargain at $10. It’s not going to outclass Domaine Tempier rosé, but for a big dinner party, this is the one. Dry and clean, it tastes of wild strawberries and gentle spices, a good foil for classic tapenade spread on toasts, vegetarian dishes, late summer pasta dishes and more. I’ve been enjoying a glass as an apéritif with some olives and toasted almonds.”

Pieropan Soave

This is one of the wines recommended by Jon Bonné in the San Francisco Chronicle. He wrote: “Veneto’s Soave region has been rallying in recent years thanks to a quality push from its top producers. Their family’s wines were always a great example of Soave, even when the area was known mostly for plonk, and the wines coming from Andrea and Dario Pieropan should woo back even skeptics. Aged in glass-lined concrete, it’s the perfect mix of soaring acidity and ripe texture: fresh sorrel and mint, plus richer pear and sweet corn flavours.”

Le Fraghe Bardolino

Bonné also recommended this wine, writing: “Even compared to their cousins from Valpolicella, the wines of Bardolino have gotten scant attention in recent years, during the era when wine had to be either deep red or bright white. Today we live in a more complex world. Not far from Lake Garda, Matilde Poggi grows her Corvina and Rondinella to make the perfect fresh red for an age of nuance. Fragrant with candied violets and lilies, and full of tangy strawberry, it’s got a sass – especially with a slight chill – to fit San Francisco’s belated summer.”

Dehesa Gago G 2012

Dave McIntyre recommended this wine to his readers in the Washington Post, he wrote: “I’ve been a fan of winemaker Telmo Rodriguez for several vintages. This year’s edition of his 100% Tinto de Toro (a local clone of Tempranillo) is the best yet: lush and intense with black cherry and blackberry flavours, perfectly balanced with acidity and earthiness. It’s modern in style, unoaked and intended to be drunk young. Fist-pumping, table-thumping good.”

Domaine des Baumard Savennières 2009

McIntyre also recommended this wine, writing: “Savenièrres is an unheralded appellation that produces stunning Chenin Blanc, dry and sweet. This lovely (dry) example is subtle in flavour and limpid in texture. I liked it immediately, and my affection grew with each sip as the wine’s minerality demonstrated that it dances well with a variety of foods: fruity or spicy, tart or sweet.”

2011 Chateau Fontane Cuvee M

In the Baltimore Sun, Michael Dresser wrote: “This Grenache-Syrah red blend from the south of France delivers a lot of black cherry, blackberry and Mediterranean herb flavour. It’s a full-bodied, moderately complex, earthy wine with enough tannic backbone to age and improve, but it’s smooth enough to drink now. It’s a Kysela Pere & Fils import, which is always a good sign. Serve with: Grilled red meat, hearty stew.”

2009 Scherrer Vineyard Zinfandel “Old & Mature” Alexander Valley Sonoma

And finally this wine is recommended by Bill St John in the Chicago Tribune. He wrote”‘Goldilocks’ Zin: not too aggressive, not too shy; just enough tannin, perfume and persistence of flavour to take you back to it repeatedly. $30.”