Top 10 wines in the US press

Shafer, 2012 Napa Valley Merlot, US

Peg Melnik, writing in The Press Democrat, picked this Napa Valley Merlot as one of a selection of “impressive wines” which didn’t quite achieve “wine of the week” status.

She said: “This bright Merlot is enticing. It has vibrant fruit of cherry, strawberry and blackberry, coupled with great minerality. Great mouth-feel. Nice length. Striking.”

Price: $52

Renwood, 2012 Amador County Premier Old Vine Zinfandel

Melnik’s top wine pick of the week was this Amador County Old Vine Zinfandel, made by Joe Shebl at the Renwood Winery in Plymouth, which she said was “terrific value for the price.”

She said: “This Zin will turn heads. It’s surprisingly good for the price. The Renwood is fruit-forward and jammy, with juicy blackberry fruit and notes of cocoa, vanilla bean and cracked black pepper. The fruit and the spice meld together seamlessly. It’s gorgeous.”

Price: $20

Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc “Regional Collection” Marlborough New Zealand 2014

Sandra Silfven, writing in the Detroit News, recommended a Sauvignon Blanc produced on the South Island of New Zealand in Marlborough – the country’s largest winegrowing region.

She said: “Yes, this baby is from the current year, but remember, the seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s a brand new release for the holidays. It’s a clean, crisp, dry wine packed tight with grapefruit, lime, passionfruit, minerality and a blast of herbs but also has a charming, almost creamy sweetnesss in the midpalate. It would pair nicely with entrée salads, seafood dishes — and yes, roast turkey. It’s widely available, including at Kroger, Meijer and independent wine shops.”

Price: $13

Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2012

A pair of wines produced by the Robert Mondavi Winery were also recommended by Silfven, who described the late Robert Mondavi as “instrumental in the revival and growth of the California wine industry.”

Of its 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon she said: “You don’t have to pay the high toll for the district wines from Robert Mondavi or the Reserves. For a taste of this winery’s quality, try the Napa Valley Cab. Of course, the 2012 vintage was all a winemaker could hope for. The 2012 Napa Cab is structured, complex, balanced, delicious. Inhale and catch that cassis (black currant), cherry, blackberry, brown spice, cocoa personality. In the mouth, you will experience firm acidity, supple tannins, creamy flavors. It’s a Bordeaux blend filled out with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. A third of the grapes are from the prized To Kalon Vineyard behind the winery.”

Price: $28

Frank Family Pinot Noir 2012, Napa Valley, US

With Thanksgiving just around the corner Dennis Sodomka writing in the Augusta Chronicle, recommended this Pinot Noir from Frank Family as the perfect aaccompanimentto a plump turkey.

He said: “The Frank Family Carneros Pinot Noir is one of the best I have tasted in years. It is a beautiful ruby color in the glass, with black cherry and raspberry aromas. You also pick up some floral and spice notes. The first sip gives you a hint of the silky, ripe fruit flavors to follow. Drinking this wine is almost like taking a bite out of a juicy plum, or a handful of cherries. The tannins are there, but very smooth, leading to a long, silky finish.

“Sometimes wine drinkers think because Pinot Noir is lighter than, say Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a wimpy wine. Once you taste this Pinot you’ll know that’s a laughable thought. This wine is big and bold, but because the fresh fruit flavors aren’t overpowered by tannins it doesn’t hammer your tastebuds into submission.”

Price: $34 to 36

Esporao Reserva 2012, Alentejo, Portugal

With the holidays approaching Dave McIntyre, writing in the Washington Post, took a look at a number of sparkling wines suited for celebrating Thanksgiving, including this Portuguese example.

He said: “This is an unusual blend of indigenous Portuguese white grapes — Antao Vaz, Arinto, Roupeiro — along with a judicious splash of Semillon, which might be a nod to winemaker David Baverstock’s Australian roots. The wine is taut and focused, with quince and talc flavors.”

Price: $20

Chehalem INOX Chardonnay 2012, Willamette Valley, Oregon, US

McIntyre also recommended this “soft, round and full” Chardonnay from Oregon.

He said: “Inox” is French for stainless steel, and Chehalem’s INOX was one of the first US Chardonnays to brag about not being fermented or aged in expensive oak barrels. The 2012 vintage in Oregon was riper than most, and this version of INOX is soft, round and full, with ripe peach and apple flavors.”

Price: $22

2012 Julien Sunier Regnie, Beaujolais, France

This “graceful and balanced” Beaujolais was recommended by Irene Virbila in the LA Times, who described it as “floral, spicy and complex.”

She said: “Beaujolais Nouveau is coming, and soon, but for wines of more character, look to Beaujolais cru for some wonderful Gamay for fall drinking. This Régnié from Dijon native (and avid surfer) Julien Sunier is a revelation. A gentler expression of Gamay, it is floral and delicately spicy. And yet it’s complex enough that you find something new in every sip. Sunier’s Morgon and Fleurie crus, like the Régnié, densely planted old vines farmed biodynamically, are worth seeking out too.”

Price: $24

Alma Negra, Argentina, Mendoza, M Blend 2010

This “luscious, juicy blend of Malbec and Bonarda” was recommended by Rebecca Murphy in the Dallas News.

She said: “M Blend is a combination of Argentina’s flagship grape, Malbec, and Bonarda, which in the United States is also called Charbono. This is a particularly luscious and juicy combination, with dense, rich, black fruit spiced with a bit of licorice, dried herbs and dark chocolate. It’s full and velvety in the mouth, brightened by Bonarda’s acidity, finishing with smooth, ripe tannins. Serve it with a grilled steak, venison chili or a roasted portabello mushroom.”

Price: $17.99 to $18.99

Menage a Trois Midnight Dark Red Blend 2013, Napa Valley, Calif.

Finally Gil Lempert-Schwarz, writing in the Las Vegas Review Journal, recommended a “menage à trois” of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Sirah and Petit Verdot.

He said: “The crushed black fruit simply jumps out of the glass and assaults the olfactory sensors with loads of black cherries, black plum skins, crushed boysenberries, brambleberry, blueberry sorbet, spices, mocha, blackberry jam, and all in a well-balanced sort of way with just hints of sweet tobacco and graphite, as well as charred embers.

“On the palate: The wine continues to impress with delicious crushed black fruits, including blackberries, cherries, plums, loganberries, juicy black currants, creme de cassis, allspice and licorice. The midpalate is full-bodied with loads of structure, giving just a hint of earth-driven minerals from the petite sirah and touches of chocolate. The finish lingers with soft, supple tannins intermingled with blackberry pastilles and hints of violets.”

Price: $7.99