Top 10 wines in the US press

Kellerei-Cantina Andrian Pinot Bianco Alto Adige DOC 2011

Sandra Silfven, writing in the Detroit News, recommended a number of wines from northern Italy’s Alto Adige – a German-speaking region known for producing aromatic white wines. 

She said: “Though affordable, these wines are still rare and somewhat of a curiosity for consumers because of their Italian origin and German names. It takes a well-schooled wine retailer to stock them and hand-sell them to you.”

Of this Pinot Bianco from Kellerei-Cantina, Silfven said: “This Bianco is crisp, refreshing, dry: a cocktail of lemon zest and grapefruit with a blast of mineraltiy. Cantina Adriano is the oldest collective of growers in the South Tyrol dating to 1893. It merged in 2008 with Cantina Terlano. Their slogan is nicely put: “Tradition in motion.”

Price: $16.99

Tramin Sauvignon Südtirol Alto Adige DOC 2012

Another white from the Alto Adige which came highly recommended by Silfven was this Tramin Sauvignon Blanc.

She said: “This Sauvignon Blanc is from the districts of Tramin and Montagne. It is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. This beauty is herbal, floral, packed with tropical fruit such as melon, grapefruit and gooseberry. It’s rich, dry and charming. Cantina Tramin is a wine collective that uses the grapes of 300 farmers to make its wines.”

Price: $14.99

HandCraft 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, California

This “budget friendly, approachable” Californian Cabernet Sauvignon is perfectly suited for a Thanksgiving feast, according to Rebecca Arnn of the Sacramento Examiner.

She said: “Rich aromas of dark cherry are the most prevalent, but spend a little time and you will also get spicy and oak aromas. On the palate, the wine is somewhat delicate with fruit forward flavors, most notably cherry, followed by vanilla and a long peppery finish. The HandCraft 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon spends two months aging in a blend of French and American barrels.”

Price: $13

Wente, 2013 Arroyo Seco Monterey Riverbank Riesling, Monterrey, California

This Californian Riesling was among Peg Melnik’s “wines of the week” writing in the Press Democrat. For more of the best Rielsings check out the results of the drinks business Riesling Masters 2014.

She said: “A lovely riesling with aromas and flavors of grapefruit, honeysuckle and spice. Its sweet character is reined in with crisp acid, giving it great balance. A nice take on Riesling.”

Price: $15

Turley, 2012 California, Old Vine Zinfandel

Melnik called this old vine Zinfandel a “smart pick for the quality”, coming in at $25.

She said: “A ripe zin that shows its muscle. Notes of black cherry, black raspberry, herbs and snappy spice. Briary, but most of all juicy. You have to love that bold concentration of fruit.”

Price: $25

Graham’s Six Grapes Old Vines Special Edition Port NV, Portugal

Graham’s recently launched Six Grapes Old Vine Special Edition Port was a winner for Dennis Sodomka, writing in the Augusta Chronicle. 

He said: “Some people are intimidated by the traditions and mystique of Port, but there is no need for that. New techniques and marketing have given port a new life as a fun, exciting wine. There is no better wine for sipping in front of a crackling fireplace on a frosty evening, or drinking with cheese and nuts after a special dinner. Port makes special occasions even more special.”

Of Six Grapes, Sodomka said: “It is rich, deep and complex, flooding the senses with pleasure. It starts out a deep purple in the glass with complex floral aromas. Black plum, licorice and mineral tastes are balanced by a fresh acidity. It all comes together with a long, velvety finish. The wine is young and fresh, with a subtle complexity usually found only in vintage ports.”

Price: $41 to $43

2004 Champagne Lebrun-Servenay “Vieilles Vignes” Brut Grand Cru

For those looking to raise a glass of bubbly this holiday weekend, Irene Virbila, writing for the LA Times, has the answer – grower Champagnes.

She said: “The Grande Marques — those well-known Champagne houses such as Taittinger, Pol Roger, Moet-Chandon, Krug and more — are always welcome. But what about showing up with something less obvious? The bottle may not be as elegantly packaged, but what’s inside can be thrilling and revelatory. Most good wine shops have at least a few grower Champagnes, made by the family that grows the grapes. Some of these smaller estates own Grand Cru or other notable vineyards, and the prices for their top Champagnes can be a relative bargain”

Of this example she said: “A Grand Cru made from 100% Chardonnay sourced from 40 to 80-year-old vines in the Côtes des Blancs, this elegant Champagne spends nine years on the lees. The 2004, scented with honey and hazelnuts, is crisp and fresh, and yet wonderfully complex and creamy, with a long-lingering finish. A class act.”

Price: About $70

2009 Guy Charlemagne Champagne “Cuvée Charlemagne” Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut

Virbila also suggested searching out a bottle of Guy Charlemagne’s blanc de blanc, a Champagne produced only in top vintage years, in this case 2009.

She said: “The grapes for the 2009 originate from Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger and Oger in the Côtes des Blancs. Of course, this Grand Cru is Blanc de Blancs — all Chardonnay. With its mass of fine bubbles, inviting scent of lemon and sun-dried fruit, and its long, silky finish, Cuvée Charlemagne holds its own with the big boys.”

Price: About $50

Jean-Maurice Raffault, Chinon AOC, Blanc 2013

“This exquisite white wine made from Chenin Blanc grapes is a rarity in the wine world”, wrote Rebecca Murphy in the Dallas News.

She said: “It’s from the Chinon region of the Loire Valley, where 95% of the grapes are Cabernet Franc. Wines made from Chenin Blanc seem to be under appreciated, but this one is everything you might expect from an exquisite white. It has ethereal flavors of white grapefruit, lemon zest, honey and chalky mineral notes highlighted by floral aromas. According to the winemaker’s notes, there are a few grams of residual sugar, but the wine tastes bone dry due to the vibrant acidity. Enjoy it with poached or sautéed sole, or crab cakes.”

Price: $18.99

2014 Neethlingshof Estate Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Finally Michael Dresser recommended this very young 2014 South African Chenin Blanc, writing in The Baltimore Sun, proclaiming “the joys of youth in wine.”

He said: “It’s always a pleasure to recommend the first grown-up (non-nouveau) wine of the vintage. Chenin Blanc is South Africa’s premier white grape, and this is an exceptionally well-made version. In contrast to many wines from this varietal, it’s quite dry, but with a floral nose that creates the impression of sweetness. It delivers pure, racy flavors with hints of cherry, apple, melon and citrus fruit. This would be excellent for drinking on its own at holiday parties.”

Price: $12