Top 10 wines in the US press

2013 Bedrock Wine ‘Old Vine’ Zinfandel, California, US

This old vine Zinfandel is “full of craggy character”, according to Irene Virbila of the LA Times. She said its “gorgeous fruit with a dark undertone” would pair with burgers and roast chicken to steak and roast duck breast.

She said: “The 2013 Bedrock “Old Vine” Zinfandel carries the taste of dark, wizened berries, wild herbs, spice and peppercorns. And yet for all its gorgeous fruit, the wine has a dark undertone that fascinates. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s not 100% Zinfandel but includes small amounts of not only reds such as Carignane, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Petite Sirah but also (get out your copy of Jancis Robinson’s “Wine Grapes”) Abouriou, Aubun and other relatively obscure whites.”

Price: $25

Barboursville Viognier Reserve 2013, Virginia, US

Dave McIntyre, writing in the Washington Post, recommended two wines from Virginian producer Barboursville.

He said: “Barboursville’s Viognier is consistently among my favorite Virginia wines. It seems austere at first taste, but it always recaptures my attention after I flirt with other wines. This is one of Virginia’s best, and also quite age-worthy. Winemaker Luca Paschina believes that Viognier tastes best at five to six years of age; his have excelled even longer.”

Price: $24

Barboursville Cabernet Franc Reserve 2012, Virginia, US

Moving onto its red offerings, McIntyre recommended this “stylish and polished” Cabernet Franc which he said is “consistently riper and fuller” than most examples produced in Virginia.

He said: “It is also a bit awkward when the cork is first pulled. I recommend aging this wine for several years or decanting it several hours before dinner. If, unlike me, you can plan ahead, I suggest decanting on Saturday afternoon to drink for Sunday supper. This is better the second day, always a sign of well-made wine.”

Price: $28

Wind Racer 2011 Chardonnay, Anderson Valley, US

The Wind Racer 2011 Chardonnay from the Anderson Valley in Mendocino shows the “cool climate characteristics that deliver elegant, refined wines”, according to Stacey Vreeken writing in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

She said: “This wine is like a river, smooth and flowing. Golden in color, with medium-body, citrus and floral aromas fill the nose. Lemon zest, apple, pear, vanilla cream, almond and a light banana are on palate yet still clean and fresh. This one goes down easy and smooth.”

Price: $40

Benovia Pinot Noir 2012,  Russian River Valley, California, US

Peg Melnik, writing in the Press Democrat, picked Benovia’s 2012 Pinot Noir as her wine of the week.

She said: “The Pinot Noir has great bones (structure), crisp acidity, and gorgeous fruit, but what makes it a standout is its complexity. It’s a touch earthy and has a nice undercurrent of spice. This Pinot Noir reels you in for another taste. It’s striking.”

Price: $38

Fifty Shades of Grey White Silk California 2013, California, US

Following the frenzy that followed the release of Fifty Shades of Grey last week, based on the saucy novel by E.L James, Sandra Silfven assesses the inevitable wine range it has spawned writing for Detroit News.

She said: “If you think this is going to be a sexy, sultry, love-driven wine intended to drive its drinkers to acts of reckless passion, you could be right. Or it could just be the choice of your great aunt who likes her wine to be approachable with a gentle hint of sweetness, some floral tones and an edginess from acidity. It’s a blend of Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc, giving it tones of sweet lichee nut tempered with grapefruit and melon. It’s medium-dry with a fair share of alcohol — 13.5%. It’s an unusual blend that is, well, entertaining.”

Price: $17.99

Chateau de la Chaize, Brouilly AOC 2011, Beaujolais, France

“If the only Beaujolais you’ve tried is the very fun and festive, first-of-the-harvest, drink-within-six-months Beaujolais Nouveau, you may be surprised to learn that this wine region of France also makes wines with finesse and staying power”, writes Rebecca Murphy in Dallas News.

She said: “Brouilly is one of 10 cru Beaujolais, considered the top tier of the region’s wine. This 2011 from Chateau de la Chaize shows how well a Beaujolais can age. The ripe raspberry and cherry fruit has evolved with savory, spicy notes. It is medium-bodied, with crisp acidity and integrated tannins making it smooth and satisfying. It is equally adept as a partner for a sautéed firm white fish, a chicken breast grilled with lemon, or a hard, nutty cheese like a Gruyère or an aged Gouda.”

Price: $15.36 to $18.49

Director’s Cut Zinfandel 2012, Dry Creek Valley, US

Produced by director-turned-winemaker Francis Ford Coppola, this Director’s Cut Zinfandel is perfect for the perfect accompaniment to the upcoming Oscars Academy Awards show on Sunday, says Dennis Sodomka in the Augusta Chronicle. 

He said: “Coppola has done more than dabble, turning out many great wines under several labels. His newest, the Director’s Cut brand, has come up with this stunning Zinfandel. It has everything you want in a Zinfandel: lush blackberry fruit, peppery notes, balanced acidity and good complexity. It is a wine you would recognize as a great Zinfandel from the first sniff and sip. The strong bouquet has notes of blackberry, raspberry, clove and pepper. On the palate you taste cherry, dark mixed berries, pepper and mocha. The finish is long and velvety.”

Price: $25 to 28

2012 Les Heretiques, Pays d’Herault, France

Michael Dresser, writing in The Baltimore Sun, recommended this medium-bodied red wine made from the Carignan grape from the south of France.

He said: “It’s a medium-bodied wine with bright black raspberry fruit and some delicious meaty, earthy overtones. It bears a certain resemblance to a well-made young Bordeaux from a lighter vintage.”

Price: $13

Eroica Riesling 2013, Columbia Valley, Washington, US

With aromas of “white peach flesh, pomelo pulp, white grape juice, crushed soaked apricots, brewer’s yeast, kaffir lime rind and cool chalky minerals”, this Washington Riesling was a hit with Gil Lempert-Schwarz of the Las Vegas Review Journal.

He said: “The wine is light, immediately refreshing and well-rounded on the palate, with sliced pears, apricots and red apples. There’s no discernable alcohol or wood, just pure white fruit meat with crushed white currants and applesauce through the midpalate. The finish is firm with the superb acidity playing a major role in its interplay with the white fruit with hints of minerality and just a lingering touch of white peach.”

Price: $13.99