Top ten wines in the US Press

Inama Soave Classico 2012, Veneto, Italy

Irene Virbila of the Los Angeles Times looks to summer, and to Italy, with her wine choice of the week: “a summer basic that will see you through any occasion”.

She writes: “The packaging is classy, the flavor profile appealing. There’s honey and apricots in the scent, and it’s much more than just another pretty white. An underlying minerality and round ripe fruit give this classic Soave made from 100% Garganega some heft. It’s also tremendously food-friendly.”

Price: about $14

Bonny Doon Vineyard, ¿Querry? Pear-Apple-Quince Cider 2011

Rebecca Murphy in the Dallas Morning News turns the spotlight on a winemaker who has turned to fruit other than the grape for his latest venture:

Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard is now, she tells us, a cider maker, but “this is not just any cider: It’s made dry and sparkling from pear, apple and quince. It’s bright, crisp and refreshing and serious enough for the dinner table. Pair it with a spicy salume, grilled shrimp or a fresh goat cheese.”

Price: $14.99-$15.99

 Tarrida Cava Brut, Spain

With summer on the march, Dave McIntyre, writing in the Washington Post, focuses on ‘Bargain Bubblies’.

The organic Tarrida Brut, at 11.5% abv “offers precise bubbles and refreshing acidity, with a beautiful core of peach and apricot fruit. It’s one of the better cavas I’ve tasted in recent years.”

Price: $14

La Cappuccina Filòs Brut, Veneto, Italy

Dave McIntyre also looks to Italy for his Bargain Bubblies, with this sparkler from the Veneto to provide a ready alternative to the ubiquitous Prosecco:

“Made from Garganega grapes, this is essentially a sparkling Soave, and it offers the classic flavors of pear and apple with the added bonus of fizz. It should appeal to Prosecco fans.”

Price: $16

 J Vineyards Vin Gris Rosé of Pinot Noir 2013, California

Michael Dresser goes pink in the Baltimore Sun this week with this rosé from the Russian River Valley. Whatever you do, says Dresser, don’t associate pink wines only with sweetness:

“ It’s a classic dry rose, bordering on severe but very stylish and crisp. It offers lively flavors of cherry, strawberry and rosehips and a distinct mineral character. Its elevated 14.5 percent alcohol is well-masked by the fruit but could creep up on the unwary because one glass will lead to a desire for a second.”

Price: $20

 Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir, Central Coast 2012

Writing in The Detroit News, Sandra Silfven looks to Edna Valley Vineyard, bought by E & J Gallo in 2011. She believes the wines remain impressive, “especially for the price”.

“Twenty dollars is the suggested retail price. Bet you can find it for less, and if you do, snap it up. It’s a great buy: Flavors are intense cherry, blackberry, vanilla, dark chocolate infused with spicy oak. On the palate, the texture is creamy, flavors are intense, acidity is firm, tannins are like silk. It’s an A-plus Pinot Noir.”

Price: $20 or less                                  

 Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Chile

Dennis Sodomka of the Augusta Chronicle looks south for his pick of the week – and shares with us one of his “go-to” wines from Chile. Made with 5% Cabernet Franc to balance the Cabernet Sauvignon, he says this has “the intensity and depth of a much more expensive Cab”.

“It’s a rich, lush wine with a lot of fruit flavor, and smooth, sweet tannins. The wine is strong and powerful without overpowering you. It’s great as a sipper, but even better with food as the complex and concentrated flavor plays off the tastes of the food.”

Price: $19-21

 J California Pinot Gris, 2013

Colette Bancroft in the Tampa Bay Times is also flying the flag for J Vineyards, and in particular their 2013 Pinot Gris. She says this wine delivers a ‘toasty’ quality, surprisingly effective as a “cooling summer sipper”.

“The aroma of baked apple and all that toasty treat implies – spice, butter, brown sugar – tempered by cool ripe pear announces this soft white’s intentions at first sniff. On the tongue, the baked apple is scaled back a bit but the savor is still there. Pear and white peach come in at mid-palate and are closely followed by the snap of green apple.”

Price: from $13

Tacora Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenere, Colchagua Valley, Chile 2010

Gil Lempert-Schwarz in the Las Vegas Review Journal goes to Chile for his wine of the week, with 85% Cabernet and 15% Carmenere. Gil tells us that on the palate … “there is an immediate big, full-bodied mouth-feel with concentrated wild cherries, pepper-laced and spicy blackberries, huckleberries, bell peppers, massive phenol-laden structure, earthy minerals and oak references. The midpalate is highly affected by the liqueurlike cherry and elderberry fruit with notes of sloe fruit, herbs and earthy minerals and then the bombastic finish sets in lasting for a full minute with yet more licorice root, star anise and wood. That is quite a glass of wine!”

Price: $11.99

Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2012

Catherine Bugue in the Napa Valley Register recounts how she tasted three Joseph Phelps wines recently, and each was “a standout”.

“The 2012 sauvignon blanc is all estate fruit, sending ripe pear and gentle spice flavors across the palate in a silky smooth sip that is also a lively and fresh sip. While this wine is a great “hot weather” refresher, it can also be reserved as a cool-weather partner for crustaceans, pork tenderloin or white cream pasta dishes.”

Price: $35