Top 10 wines in the US press

Dr Konstantin Frank Finger Lakes Dry Riesling 2012

In the New York Times, Eric Asimov led a tasting panel through a range of Finger Lakes Rieslings. He wrote: “I’ve had excellent Rieslings from Oregon and Washington, and terrific Rieslings from Michigan, though they are hard to find. But no American wine-growing region excites me about Riesling as much as the Finger Lakes of New York.”

On this wine, he added: “Our favourite was the 2012 dry Riesling from Dr. Konstantin Frank, now run by Frederick Frank, the grandson of the founder. It was energetic, harmonious and deep, and it was also our best value at $16.”

Anthony Road Finger Lakes Dry Riesling 2012

This wine was ranked second by Asimov’s tasting panel, and he wrote: “Number two was the balanced, focused and complex 2012 dry riesling from Anthony Road, which also made our number three bottle, the higher-end 2010 Art Series, a weightier wine but nonetheless textured and savoury.”

2012 Arnot-Roberts Trout Gulch Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

In the San Francisco Chronicle Jon Bonné recommended this wine, writing: “Nathan Roberts and Duncan Meyers, The Chronicle’s 2012 winemakers of the year, found a gem in this loamy site near Aptos, outside Santa Cruz. It’s a sweet spot for the grape, especially in this new release, one that preserves astonishing acidity to match a dense mouthful of fruit: lime and nectarine, with a charming herbal aspect, like yerba buena, and stark salinity. The right mix of textural flesh and mineral power.”

2011 Varner Bee Block Spring Ridge Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

Bonné also picked out this wine, writing: “The typically ripest parcel of the Varner brothers’ pristinely farmed estate outside Portola Valley did well in this forthcoming release from a cold vintage. There’s an edgy mineral aspect to the Bee’s plusher fruit: quince, tarragon and Charentais melon. A richness is there, too, but since it’s a bit wound-up, another six months in the bottle wouldn’t hurt.”

2009 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo

In the LA Times, Irene Virbila picked this as her “wine of the week”, writing that “at a time when Barolo prices edge ever upward, it’s hard to believe this classic example of straightforward Barolo comes in at less than $45.”

She added: “A splurge, certainly, but it’s a good bottle for any Nebbiolo d’Alba drinkers who want to upgrade to a bona fide Barolo. It has all the virtues of Barolo — silken texture, taste of violets, cherries and earth, and ripe but firm tannins. This is a bottle to reserve for a big steak or chop, a hearty stew or a roast bird.”

Tiefenbrunner, Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Pinot Grigio 2012

This wine was recommended by Rebecca Murphy in the Dallas Morning News, she wrote: “This vibrant and charming wine comes from the Tiefenbrunner family, whose estate is in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of northern Italy. Its captivating fruit flavours of pears, peaches, limes and apples are layered with a smattering of fresh herbs, dusty minerals and a subtle floral note energised by zesty acidity. Pair it with a dish with delicate flavours, such as a leek and potato soup.”

Nine Stones Barossa Shiraz 2010

In the Detroit News, Sandra Silfven wrote: “If California has Napa Valley and France Bordeaux, then Australia has the Barossa Valley in South Australia — one of the prime wine regions in the world.”

She added: “This Shiraz, a bargain for $15, has big showy flavours — blackberry, boysenberry, espresso, bittersweet chocolate, spice. Tannins are supple, balance is spot-on. It has all the right stuff to age in your cellar if you can resist twisting off the screw cap.”

2011 Chateau Bonnet

This is the wine picked out by Michael Dresser, in the Baltimore Sun. He wrote: “Dry white Bordeaux, when done well, is one of the most food-friendly wines on the planet, especially when served with a delicate preparation of white-fleshed fish or shellfish. The sterling example — a classic Bordeaux blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle — boasts a smoky aroma and excellent intensity, character and edginess. It offers vibrant flavours of pear, green apple, herbs and very subtle hints of figs and honey. It would be a great restaurant selection.”

La Posta Campodifiori 2012

This is one of the autumnal wines recommended by Dave McIntyre in the Washington Post. He wrote: “This lovely wine from central Italy sings for its supper of seafood, with briny minerality and pinpoint acidity backing its core of citrus. It’s a food wine, though I can hardly resist gulping it.”

2009 Trapiche Malbec Finca Suarez Lastra

And finally this is wine is recommended by Will Lyons in the Wall Street Journal. He wrote: “Argentina’s top wine estate, Trapiche, chooses three single-vineyard Malbecs that best represent the vintage. This example from Finca Suarez Lastra has a deep red-purple colour and an unctuous, sweet-leather nose. Ultrasmooth, this is rich and warming.”