Top 10 wines in the US press

Le Mesnil, Champagne AOC, Grand Cru, Blanc de Blancs NV

This grand cru Champagne with delicate aromas of “brioche, nuts and citrus pave” was recommended by Rebecca Murphy, writing for the Dallas News, who described it as an “incredible bargain”.

She said: “The village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Côtes de Blancs is classified as one of only 17 Grand Crus, or best quality vineyards, in the Champagne region. Grand Cru Champagnes are some of the most sought after and therefore some of the most expensive. It is possible to spend hundreds of dollars on a bottle from Mesnil. So, what we have here is an incredible bargain.

“The majority of Champagnes are made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. A blanc de blancs, literally white of white, is a white wine made from white grapes. In the Côtes de Blancs, Chardonnay is the grape, making some of the most ethereal fizz in the world. We now have a sublime steal of a bargain for welcoming the new year and enjoying for the rest of 2015. Its pale golden color and tiny bubbles are festive. Delicate aromas of brioche, nuts and citrus pave the way to layers of creamy, yeasty, nutty, citrusy flavors. In the mouth the fine bubbles and crisp acidity are invigorating.”

Price: $39 to $44.99

Washington Hills Merlot 2012, Washington State, US

Four “wallet-friendly” wines were showcased by Dave McIntyre, writing in the Washington Post, including this “seductive” Washington State Merlot.

He said: “Don’t dis merlot, and don’t forget Washington as a source of high-quality, high-value wines. This is a seductive little charmer, especially impressive for the price.”

Price: $10

Bulgariana Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah 2011, Thracian Valley, Bulgaria

Sligthly more left field was McIntyre’s recommendation for this Bulgarian blend of Cabernet and Syrah, which he said was a sign of things to come from Eastern Europe.

He said: “This is the second vintage of this excellent-value wine to come to the Washington area market, another sign that Eastern Europe will provide some delicious inexpensive wines in coming years.”

Price: $16

Fable Mountain Vineyards Jackal Bird 2012, South Africa

Named after the large raptors that have made their home at South Africa’s Fable Mountain Vineyards, the Jackal Bird is blend of Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Rousanne, Viognier and Chardonnay that Dennis Sodomka, writing in the Augusta Chroncicle, said “opens with some beautiful floral and pear aromas.”

He added: “When tasting the wine, you pick up hints of peach as well as a minerality that comes from the slate in the soil where the grapes grow. The complex wine unfolds in the glass, with each sip revealing a new taste. “The fruit is fresh and lively, but there is plenty of acidity to give this wine a firm structure. The wine offers lush flavors that will stand up to all kinds of food while still being pleasant to sip on its own.”

Price: $33 to 36

Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino and Lake Counties 2012

Two organic wines produced by Bonterra in northern California’s Mendocino County were recommended by Sandra Silfven in Detroit News. 

She said: “If you are looking for all-natural wines raised in a way to protect and nurture the earth you only have to look to Bonterra. The wines are in wide distribution in Michigan and are priced under $20 — the winery’s suggested retail price for the wines below is $16; you’ll probably find them for $14 or $15.”

Of its Cabernet Sauvignon, Silfven said: “Polished, supple tannins, a backbone of acidity and flavors that light up the palate — cherry, raspberry, plum, dark currant — make this a super Cab for the price. Throw in notes of toasted oak and vanilla, and a nice hit of alcohol for more body — and you have a very nice package.”

Price: $16

Bonterra Viognier Mendocino County 2013

Bonterra’s white wines, including this Viognier, display “a lot of minerality and are fermented in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak”, wrote Silfven.

“This Viognier has the trademark floral, herbal, citrus tones of Viognier spiked with the orange blossom of Muscat and a blast of stonefruit — peaches, apricot — on the midpalate,” she added.

Price: $16 

2012 Lang & Reed Wine Co. North Coast Cabernet Franc, California

This “vibrant and lush” Californian Cabernet Franc was rated highly by Irene Virbila, writing in the LA Times, who described it as “sturdy and delicious”, and therefore perfectly suited to the cold winter months.

She said: “Earthy and lush, this one has deep dark fruit, a whiff of wild herbs and berries and that black pepper punch so characteristic of Cabernet Franc. It’s a live one and changes in the glass. Open a bottle for a burger, grilled lamb chops, a pork roast. It’s also great with Moroccan tagines, any kind of barbecue and grilled sausages.”

Price: $20 to $28

2009 Château Poujeaux Moulis-en-Medoc, Moulis, Bordeaux, France

Will Lyons of the Wall Street Journal took a look at the year ahead in wine and what it might mean for some of Europe’s key regions, in particular Bordeaux which he said had experienced “three pretty flat years” following the “blockbuster vintages of 2009 and ’10”.

As speculation mounts as to the promise of the region’s upcoming en primeur campaign, Lyons recommended this 2009 from Château Poujeaux, of which he said: “The 2009 is such a rich, supple, easy-drinking vintage that you can be confident buying any Bordeaux from this year. Poujeaux is based in the Moulis, which sits inland from Margaux. Its 2009 is generous, smooth and packed with fruit.”

Price: £22 or €28

2007 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Lyons also recommended this 2007 offering from Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste in Pauillac.

He said: “I’m a big fan of this wine. For me, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste marries the power of Pauillac with the finesse of Margaux. This is drinking beautifully, with a stunning nose of cedar, blackberry and violets. It has beautiful poise, finesse and elegance.”

Price: £35 or €45

Les Trois Couronnes Côtes du Rhone 2010, Southern Rhone Valley, France

This “tremendous” 2010 Côtes du Rhone blend of Grenache and Syrah was recommended by Gil Lempert-Schwarz writing in the Las Vegas Review Journal. Produced in what was a “rock-star vintage”, and at just $10 per magnum, it gives a lot of “bang for your buck”.

He said: “There is tremendous richness upfront on the palate with lots of attractive crushed black fruits, especially plums, loganberries, elderberry fruit and sloe fruit, then comes spiced morello cherry juice, black tea, fig stew and licorice root. All this is going into the well-balanced midpalate, which shows this wine’s serious structure with smooth tannins and tons of stewed fruit character. The finish is long and lingers on the palate for a good 25-plus seconds with yet more herbs, pepper and cherry-infused gunpowder tea.”

Price: $9.99 for 1.5 liters