Top 10 wines in the US press

Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy, Sancerre 2012

Rebecca Murphy, writing for the Dallas News, praised the wines of Sancerre writing that its was hard to find a more “refreshing, yet elegant white wine than Sancerre.”

She said: “This one from the Reverdy family in Verdigny, France, has flinty, herbal and grapefruit aromas that alert the taste buds to get ready for mouthwatering lychee and pink grapefruit flavors with chalky notes. Those bright flavors walk a tightrope of racy acidity, making the tongue tingle. This is the perfect wine for oysters on the half shell.

“Sancerre wines come from the Loire River Valley in central France. The vineyards of Sancerre are clustered around the medieval hillside town of the same name. The whites are made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape and the reds and rosés are made from the Pinot Noir grape.

“The Reverdy family has been involved in making wine for several generations, but as is the case with many farmers in France, grapes are just one of many crops they tended. It was only after World War II that Hippolyte Reverdy began focusing on wine production due to increasing demand. Today his son, Michel, farms the estate’s 35.5 acres of vineyards and manages all aspects of the wine production.”

Price: $25 to 28

2013 The Royal Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa

This “youthful” Chenin Blanc was picked by Michael Dresser as his wine of the week, writing in the Baltimore Sun this week..

He said: “This crisp but remarkably full-bodied white wine makes excellent use of the underrated Chenin Blanc grape — South Africa’s flagship white wine variety. This youthful version has just a touch of sweetness but not too much. It offers a generously floral aroma and a rich array of fruit flavors: citrus, tropical fruit, apple and peach, as well as a nice mineral component. This wine could easily be mistaken for a fine Vouvray from the Loire Valley of France.”

Price: $17

Over the Mountain Syrah 2010, Overberg, South Africa

Dave McIntyre, writing in the Washington Post picked out five wines for “warm-weather sipping” including this “exceptional” South African Syrah.

He said: “Here’s a lovely New World-style Syrah, with loads of blueberry and plum fruit and sweet spices (clove, allspice).

“The flavors and plush texture resemble those of Australian shiraz, but with a little restraint. This winery also produces a nice Pinot Noir.”

Price: $20

François et Jean-Marie Cherrier Les Chailloux 2013, Sancerre, France

McIntyre also recommended this rosé from the Sancerre region of France which he gave top marks to rating it exceptional.

He said: “This rosé of Pinot Noir is quite refined, its cherry and watermelon flavors guided with laser-beam precision. Keep it in mind for grilled salmon. Yes, I said it: pink wine with pink food.”

Price: $22

2012 Dancing Bull Sauvignon Blanc California, US

Sandra Silfven, writing for Detroit News, recommended this Sauvignon Blanc from California’s Dancing Bull winery this week, a wine she said was packed with fruit and would pair well with grilled foods.

She said: “Vibrant acidity, tons of fruit add up to a wine you can serve with marinated chicken on the grill or roast salmon in the oven. Think grapefruit, white peach, white nectarine, and lemon.

“It has a surge of grapefruit and pineapple on the palate. It’s dry, but in a lighter style.”

Price: $12

2011 Trapiche Broquel Malbec, Mendoza,  Argentina

Another of Silfven’s picks was this Malbec from Trapiche – an Argentine winery founded in 1883 boasting 1,075 hectares of vineyards across seven vineyards in the Mendoza region.

She said: “Produced off high-altitude vineyards and spending considerable time in oak, this Malbec is the real deal: complex, powerful, balanced, dry. One sniff, and you catch the berried fruit and the spicy, smoky oak.

“One taste and you experience the layers of flavor: cherry, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, black licorice, firm acidity and so much oak. And smooth, supple tannins. It’s still a young wine. Enjoy it with seared, grilled meats. Or just sip with a firm cheese and enjoy.”

Price: $15

2008 Rocca delle Macie Campo Maccione, Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany, Italy

Gil Lempert-Schwarz, writing in the Las Vegas Review Journal, picked this Tuscan red featuring a blend of Sangiovese Grosso, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

He said: “In the glass: Campo Maccione wine is a deep garnet-red color with a dense core going out into a fine light garnet to slight tinted antique rose rim definition with medium-high viscosity.

“On the nose: There is powerful mature black fruit, dominated by wild black cherries, loganberries, crushed sloe fruit and even anise and earthy mineral notes right off the bat, then underlying and quite supple hints of spice, aged wood and freshly tilled earth.

“On the palate: The wine is progressive in its black fruit flavors, dominated by crushed wild cherries and plums, but retains the typical Tuscan rounded, yet rustic cherry character without losing suppleness or balance. The small Merlot component helps keep the rustic tannins in check and embellishes the crushed aged cherry fruit. The wine finishes deliciously with slight clove spice, general smoothness and well-integrated character. This wine is medium-bodied in character and ready to drink now.”

Price: $13

2009 Snoqualmie Whistle Stop Red

Chris and Sherry Hardie, writing for Minnesota’s Winona Daily News, recommended this “approachable” Bordeaux blend made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  

They said: “This Washington wine comes under the umbrella of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, which has 10 brands alone in Washington, including Columbia Crest and Snoqualmie. A little clue on the bottle tells you whether the wine was made by the winery on the label. On the back label it says “cellared and bottled by” which means someone else made the wine; probably one of Ste. Michelle’s other wineries.

“The pedigree is good, as is this wine. It’s a very approachable classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) and Merlot from the Columbia Valley. Malolactic fermentation helps smooth the mouthfeel as does the year in oak barrels.

“Sherry: “Smooth and full-bodied with black cherry and black currant with clove on the finish.” (3½ stars)

“Chris: “Blackberry and currant bouquet with flavors of black cherry and raisins, with a very smooth finish.” (3¾ stars)”

Price: $9.50 to $12.50

2008 Turnbull Black Label Cabernet, Napa, California, US

Catherine Bugue, writing for the Napa Valley Register, praised Turnbull’s 2008 Black Label Cab, which she said was a “showstopper” at a recent roundtable of some of Napa Valley’s finest winemakers.

She said: “It was mentioned repeatedly as a favorite, with a good 30 wines being tasted. Deep aromas draw you in while the rich yet elegant blackberry fruit holds your attention through the long finish. Its incredible balance is what makes this such a great ($$$ treat) wine.

“The Turnbull name has an interesting story behind it. In a Scottish tale from the 1300s, a King’s subject put himself between the King and an attacking bull. To retrain the bull, the subject turned the bull’s head to the ground until further help arrived. Thereafter, he was called Turnbull.”

Storrs Winery 2009 Central Coast Zinfandel

Stacey Vreeken declared this cool climate Zinfandel as “jam for adults” writing in the Santa Cruz Sentinel this week.

She said: “While many zinfandels are all about jammy, sweet fruit, this wine is jam for adults. It appeals to adult sensibilities. Storrs wines generally have sophistication with full fruit flavors and structured tannins. It’s always enjoyable to see what Storrs will do with a varietal, bringing out its individual characteristics. Pamela and Stephen Storrs have been making wine from Santa Cruz Mountains fruit since the 1980s. Working in small lots, with minimal handling, the Storrs turn out consistent, medal-winning wines, knowing how to handle the cool-climate grapes after years of experience. The Storrs are currently working on an additional solar-powered, eco-designed tasting room and winery at their vineyard in Corralitos. This wine is like a cool mountain breeze on a hot afternoon carrying the scent of cedars. Inky in color, weighty in body, the strongly oaked wine carries a spicy aroma. Raspberry, tart cherry and plum flavors round out with a long finish, echoing the spicy beginning.”

Price: $22