Top 10 wines in the US press

Destro Terre Siciliane Nausìca I.G.T. Bianco 2012

In a bid to “drink adventurously” Eric Asimov, writing in the New York Times, this week picked out 20 winter wines for under $20. Included in his round up is this “fragrant” 2012 white from Sicily.

He said: “The reds from Mount Etna in Sicily get most of the attention, but the whites are fascinating.

“This one, from Destro, made of both Carricante and Catarratto, is provocatively fragrant, with an almost resinous, lemon balsam aroma.

“The wine blossoms as it warms in the glass, becoming pleasantly savoury.

“It will get even better with another year of age.”

Kabaj Goriska Brda Ravan 2010

A more unusual choice was this “green Sauvignon” from the re-emerging wine region of Slovenia.

He said: “Goriska Brda is in Slovenia, just east of the border with the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy.

“Many terrific wines come from this historic area.

“The bottle identifies the grape as “green sauvignon,” which makes sense.

“Green sauvignon is supposedly a synonym for tocai friulano, but this offers the brash snap of Sauvignon Blanc, too.

“Zesty and fresh with persistent, tangy flavours.”

Broadside Paso Robles Margarita Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Another of Asimov’s favourites  was this Californian Cabernet Sauvignon.

He said: “Fine California Cabernet Sauvignon is not restricted to Napa Valley.

“I’ve had wonderful cabernets from Sonoma and the Santa Cruz Mountains, and this one from one of the cooler areas in Paso Robles.

“I’ve enjoyed Broadside’s classically structured cabernet for several vintages now, and the ’11 is especially good: dry, rich and slightly tannic, with snappy red fruit and an herbal tinge.”

 Domaine Sainte Cécile du Parc Notes Franches 2010

Pictured: Notes d’Orpheé

Writing in the Washington Post, Dave McIntyre chose five wines for “glass experiments” to test if the shape of your glass really does affect the quality of the wine.

First up was this 2010 French Bordeaux from the Languedoc region which he deemed “exceptional”.

He said: “The Languedoc region has become France’s wine laboratory, and this beautiful wine shows what can be achieved with modern vineyard techniques (such as dense spacing) and organic farming on ancient soils (the land has been growing grapes for more than a century).

“The blend is Cabernet Franc with some Merlot, a Bordeaux mix unusual for this part of France.

“The wine is dense and heady, with savoury herbs and dark berries and grippy tannins that seem to come from deep within the earth.”

Botani Moscatel Seco 2011

McIntyre also chose this Spanish Moscatel which he rated “excellent”.

He said: “Fans of Moscato should enjoy this delicious dry wine made with the same grape; it shows the appealing floral fruitiness without the sugar.

“Moscato haters should enjoy it, too, for the same reason.” 

Restivo Silver Series Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Argentina 2012

Sandra Silfven of Detroit News this week took the opportunity to highlight the recently launched Restivo silver series from Argentina which squarely targets those looking for good value yet quality wine. 

The range is priced at $9.99 a bottle and features Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Torrontes varieties.

Of its Cabernet Sauvignon she said: “This is a tremendous buy with silken tannins and deep, intense flavours that romance the palate.

“Think sweet dark berries, ripe plums, cocoa and spice.

“A portion is aged in French oak.

“It has super structure and complexity for its price point.”

Restivo Silver Series Malbec Mendoza Argentina 2012

Of Restivo’s silver series Malbec, she said: “It has that dark as midnight, inky colour typical of Malbec, along with firm tannins and acidity for structure.

“The fruit is cherries, raspberries and dark plums, with spice and hints of dark chocolate.

“A portion is aged in American oak.”

2011 Luca Malbec, Uco Valley, Argentina

Wine of the week, as chosen by the LA Times’ Irene Virbila, was this Argentinean Malbec.

She said: “From respected winemaker Laura Catena, a rich, ample Malbec made from older vines from three vineyards in the Uco Valley of Argentina.

“The 2011 Luca Malbec, mostly aged in French oak, has an inviting bouquet of black cherries, strawberries, chocolate and tobacco. The wine is smooth and balanced, a classic example of Malbec.

“Of course, it’s a beautiful wine with grilled steaks or chops, with a hearty stew, or braised pork or lamb shanks.

“Go ahead, throw bold flavours at it.

“This Malbec can take it.”

Cordero di Montezemolo Nebbiolo 2012

Special contributor Rebecca Murphy chose this Nebbiolo as her wine of the week, writing in the Dallas News.

She said: “The Langhe wine region is in Piedmont in northwestern Italy, sharing a border with France.

“You won’t find tomato sauces here. Instead, the area’s cuisine is studded with truffles, wild mushrooms and egg-rich, hand-cut pasta.

“This is also the land of the Nebbiolo grape, the sole star of two of Italy’s greatest wines, Barolo and Barbaresco.

“These wines usually carry prices that many people would consider only for special occasions, if at all, so a Langhe Nebbiolo of this quality is a welcome find.

“This is an intense wine with dusty, ripe, black fruit aromas and flavours redolent with dried rose petals and smoke. In the mouth, the fruit is intensified by Nebbiolo’s decisive acidity and sturdy tannins.

“Enjoy it with a lamb roast or a wild mushroom risotto.”

2012 Martin Codax Albarino

Finally Michael Dresser, writing in the Baltimore Sun, recommended this 2012 Albarino from the Rias Baixas region in Spain.

He said: “This intensely flavourful dry white wine from Galicia in northern Spain delivers a lot of complexity and style for its price.

“It offers flavours of lemon, herbs, apples, minerals, smoke and pine.

“It’s made entirely in stainless steel so there’s no oak influence.

“What you get is pure fruit and a medium-bodied wine of impressive length.

“Thankfully, it’s available in generous quantities.”

He recommends serving with Bacalao (salt cod) or other fish.