Top 10 wines in the US press

Carpe Diem Pinot Noir 2013, Anderson Valley, California

“Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley is rapidly earning a reputation for high-quality Pinot Noir”, believes Dave McIntyre of the Washington Post.

Recommending this 2013 example, he said: “The valley’s cool climate contributes the dark cherry and berry flavors resonating through this wine, leading to an expansive finish. I’m surprised this one isn’t more widely available.”

Price: $35

Domaine Berthet-Rayne Côtes du Rhône 2013, Rhone Valley, France

McIntyre also picked this “textbook” Côtes du Rhône as one of five wines to try this week, which he said offered the traditional “garrigue” flavours of “thyme and lavender over dark fruit and a nice stony quality over a medium finish.”

Price: $15

MacMurray Ranch Russian River Pinot Noir 2013

Many will know Fred MacMurray as the widowed patriarch, Stephen Douglass, on TV’s My Three Sons, which ran on ABC from 1960 to 1965. He appeared in more than 100 movies during a career that spanned nearly a half-century, and even has a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. Today he is perhaps better known for his work as a winemaker.

Sandra Silfven recommended his estate’s 2013 Pinot Noir writing in Detroit News, praising its soft tannins, rich fruit and great structure.

“Aromas of lavender and dark berries are followed on the palate by notes of dark cherry, boysenberry, pomegranate, cola and vanilla infused with spicy oak and framed in sturdy acidity and those wonderful tannins”, Silven said.

Price: $28

Remo Farina, Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC, Ripasso 2012, Veneto, Italy

Rebecca Murphy, writing in Dallas News, recommended this “robust” Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso from the Veneto region of Italy. Ripasso is a form of Valpolicella Superiore made with partially dried grape skins left over from fermentation of Amarone or Recioto winemaking.

“Made from Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes, it is fermented, like most wines, immediately after harvest”, she said, adding: “The Remo Farina estate is just outside of Verona, the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Established by the Farina family in the early 1800s, the winery is run today by Alessandro, Claudio and Elena Farina.”

Price: $18.99-$20.62

Backsberg Chenin Blanc 2012, South Africa

To celebrate Earth Day on 22 April Dennis Sodomka, of the Augusta Chronicle, recommended a wine from an estate that he said “takes conservation seriously.”

“Backsberg has become the first wine producer in South Africa, and one of only three in the world, to achieve carbon-neutral status by holding down carbon emissions”, said Sodomka.

“Lucky for us wine drinkers, the conservation efforts have helped produce even better-tasting wines.
The Backsberg Chenin Blanc is a great example of one of the featured varietals from South Africa. When it is made properly, Chenin Blanc is an exciting, tasty wine.
It is a gorgeous pale yellow in the glass with powerful, complex aromas that include pear, green apple and cashew. The green apple also comes through on the palate, along with ripe citrus. A crisp acidity balances the fresh fruit and makes this a perfect wine for food.
The wine has a clean, almost chewy, texture that leads to a pleasant, lingering finish. It is a delightful wine, and it comes at a great price.”

Price: $10-$14

Castello di Gabbiano Chianti 2012 DOCG, Tuscany, Northern Italy

Gil Lempert-Schwarz highlighted this 2012 Chianti writing for the Las Vegas Review Journal. Made with 90% Sangiovese, 5% Colorino and 5% Canaiolo, he noted aromas of “black fruit with crushed red cherries, red currant trifle and cranberry crush”, with hints of “star anise, dry flint and mineral undertones”.

“The wine is clearly medium-bodied, which is perfect for the hot summer months, but also shows character with fresh tasting red berry fruit, predominantly strawberry and red cherry, then wet stone and slight hints of acidity and hints of wood in the background”, he said. “It is very easy on the midpalate and goes through to a nicely balanced finish that seems rather uncomplicated by most Chianti standards. It is not a very complex wine by any stretch of the imagination, but it is excellent for drinking right away and with food.”

Price: $7.99

2013 Principessa Gavia, Gavi, Piedmont, Italy

Lettie Teague returned to a wine region she first tasted of 25 years ago – Gavi in Italy’s Piedmont region – writing in the Wall Street Journal this week.

“Gavi offered a more stylish alternative to other Italian whites such as Frascati and Orvieto, was almost as popular as Pinot Grigio and it was just as easy to say (“Gah-vee”). But perhaps more important, it was the favorite wine of my boyfriend back then. (Love stories of wine often begin with love stories of a different kind.)”

Recommending this wine from Principessa Gavia, she said: “The bottle may have become a bit more conventional over the years, but the Delft blue label and the romantic story on the back label remain. My favorite Gavi of long-ago is still a very pleasant white—a poolside drink or aperitif.”

Price: $14

2013 Pio Cesare Cortese di Gavi, Gavi, Piedmont, Italy

Another of Teague’s recommendations was this bottle from Pio Cesare – a “top Barolo producer” – that produces “crisp, citrus-inflected Gavi from select hillside vineyards.”

“It’s a lively and delicious white perfect for a warm spring night”, she said.

Price: $18

Anaba, 2013 Sonoma Valley, Turbine White

Peg Melnik, writing for the Press Democrat, chose Anaba’s Turbine White, a Rhone-style blend, as her wine of the week, which she said was “refreshing and light on its feet.”

“The wine is floral, with a bouquet of white flowers and honeysuckle”, she said. “It has stone fruit on the palate – nectarine and peach – with a kiss of honey in the mix.”

Price: $28

Monte Volpe, 2013 Mendocino County Pinot Grigio

Finally, Melnik recommended this Pinot Griogo from Mendocino noting its “appealing notes of cantaloupe, apple and mineral.”

“The sun-kissed fruit shows it was groomed on California turf, said Melnik. “But the crisp acidity keeps the wine’s balance in check. A nice take on Pinot Grigio. Greg Graziano at his best.”

Price: $15