Top 10 wines in the US press

2011 Bergstrom Cumberland Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 

Jon Bonné in the San Francisco Chronicle recommended this wine, writing: “The blended Cumberland may be Josh Bergstrom’s largest production wine, but this is the finest vintage in several years – densely flavoured and brooding, full of beetroot and mineral and sweet spice with a tremendous density to the fruit, all plum flesh and cherry skin. ($42, 13.3%)”

2011 Brick House Les Dijonnais Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir

This is another wine recommended by Bonné, he wrote: “Doug Tunnell has been growing Pinot in Oregon for nearly a quarter-century, and a parcel of organically farmed Dijon clones 113, 114 and 115 planted in 1995 are responsible for this bottle. Spicy and radiant in its flavors, with a bit of coppery bite that marks great Pinot, plus cinnamon, smoky sage and a violet-like perfume to match the ethereal red fruit and impressively fine tannins. A perfect snapshot of what Oregon does best. ($52, 13%)”

Roanoke Vineyards 2012 DeRosa rosé

This wine was recommended by Howard Goldberg in the New York Times, who wrote: “Named for Mr. Pisacano’s paternal grandmother, Marie DeRosa, is a serious year-round wine blended from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Chateau de Berne, Cotes de Provence, Impatience Rose 2012

In the Dallas Morning News, Rebecca Murphy recommended this wine from Provence, writing that the area is “the place where it’s easy to imagine oneself sipping a pale pink wine instead of a café au lait with the morning croissant.”

She added: “It’s the home of this delightful wine, with fetching strawberry and raspberry aromas and flavours from Grenache and spicy cherry flavour from Cinsault. It is light and lacy in the mouth, with lively acidity. Enjoy it as an aperitif or with chicken salad.”

2009 Palacios Remondo ‘La Montesa’ Rioja

This is the “food-friendly wine” that was chosen as “wine of the week” by Irene Virbila in the LA Times. She wrote: “Spain’s Alvaro Palacios is that rare winemaker who makes great wine at every price level. This happens to be one of his lower-priced wines, yet this 2009 Rioja from the La Montesa Vineyard has all the right stuff.

“The smooth blend of 65% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo tastes of cherries, plums and white pepper, an elegant Rioja for well under $20. It’s a versatile, food-friendly wine that goes with just about anything: burgers, barbecue, tapas, paella, grilled meats.”

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc

In the Detroit News, Sandra Silfven wrote that “this dry white is driven by vivid acidity.” She added: “The fruit is profoundly dry and tart — lemon, lime, grapefruit with grassy tones. In the mouth, the grassy-herbal, dry citrus notes continue to rule. It’s obviously stainless steel-fermented to highlight the bright fruit. Most of the grapes are from Monterey County. A nice wine for any seafood dish or hors d’oeuvres.”

Barboursville Vineyards Octagon 2009

In the Washington Post, Dave McIntyre recommended a selection of local wines to his readers. He wrote of this wine: “This flagship Merlot-based blend won the Virginia Governor’s Cup competition this year and was released to the market in late summer. It is the best version yet of winemaker Luca Paschina’s effort to forge an iconic Virginia wine. Supple and elegant, yet powerful and refined. Alcohol by volume: 13.5%.”

Ingleside Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2007

McIntyre also recommended this wine, writing: “The commonwealth’s Northern Neck does not get much attention for its wine, but Ingleside, one of the state’s oldest wineries, has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. This award-winning Cabernet — Best of Class at Atlantic Seaboard — has textbook blackcurrant flavour with hints of smoke and spice. Drink with steak, roast beast or conversation by the fire.”

2012 Jen Pfeiffer The Rebel Cabernet Sauvignon

In the Wall Street Journal, this wine was recommended by Will Lyons, who wrote: “This Australian wine is luxurious and ripe, with a smooth, easy drinking style. Though it immediately hits you with a wave of blackcurrant, it isn’t over the top. It has a little structure and firmness when sipped.”

2011 S’Andrea in Colle Il Rosso

And finally this wine is recommended by Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun. He wrote: “This medium-bodied Italian red shows plenty of the fine character of the Sangiovese grape even though it doesn’t carry the name of an exalted wine region. It’s a floral wine with good, up-front black cherry fruit and an appealing spiciness. The vibrant acidity makes it a natural to serve with tomato-based sauces. It’s a solid choice for near- and mid-term consumption.”