Top 10 wines in the US press

Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2013

With Fathers’ Day fast approaching, Sandra Silfven, writing for Detroit News, recommended this “delicious, brooding, intensely flavored wine” from Josh Cellars in Paso Robles. Currently, you are able to order a bottle with a custom label with a message to your old man.

“This Cab from Paso, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon filled out with Petit Verdot and Malbec”, said Silfven. “The 11% Petit Verdot deepens the color and softens tannins, and the Malbec adds a kick of spice. Flavors are dark berries, plum, dark chocolate and vanilla infused with spicy oak off French barrels, 50% new. It was aged 18 months.”

Price: $15.99

Justin Vineyards & Winery Rosé Paso Robles 2014

2012 vintage pictured

Staying in Paso Robles, Silfven also recommended this 2014 rosé from Justin Vineyards.

“Justin Vineyards & Winery Rosé Paso Robles 2014,  Rosés can be austere — or even on the sweet side — but this one is refreshingly dry and crisp with a beautiful core of ripe dark berries and herbs that lights up the palate”, she said. “It’s the pretty pale pink color of wines of the Mediterranean with a “sunny complexity” to match — that fine phrase is from the vintner’s notes and so perfectly captures the heart of this yummy summer wine. And I love the deep white label with the cut-out to show the color of the wine.”

Price: $20

La Bota de Manzanilla Pasada No. 50

Eric Asimov explored the world of Sherry writing in the New York Times, in particular Manzanilla – a variety of Sherry produced exclusively in the seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

“Try a glass of Valdespino’s Deliciosa manzanilla, an excellent example of the light, delicate, pale wine that comes to mind when thinking of a mainstream manzanilla”, he said. “It’s lovely as an aperitif, especially with some green olives and marcona almonds. But, as we confirmed in a recent wine panel tasting of 20 bottles, it’s far from the only definition of manzanilla, and it’s a long way from the apex of the genre.

“For a sense of the potential of manzanilla, one need only take a sip of Equipo Navazos’s amber-colored La Bota de Manzanilla Pasada No. 50, a brilliant wine of richness and intensity, gorgeously complex and oceanic. This is Manzanilla, too. We gave this wine a rare four stars, the panel’s highest rating.”

Price: $95

Laurent Martray Combiaty 2013, Brouilly, Beaujolais, France

Gamay got the attention it deserves from Dave McIntyre this week who recommended four wines made from this delicately fruity variety in the Washington Post.

Of this example from Brouilly McIntyre said: “Brouilly is one of the Beaujolais “cru” appellations — collectively, the crus are some of the greatest under-appreciated values in wine. This one opens a bit tight and reticent. Given time, it becomes expressive of bing cherry and woodsy aromas of autumn leaves.”

Price: $19

Chateau Grand Traverse Gamay Noir 2013, Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan, US

“This novelty wine has become popular with sommeliers and consumers, not just because it’s from Michigan but because it’s darn good”, said McIntyre of this US Gamay Noir.

“Grand Traverse and the Old Mission Peninsula in general are better known for Rieslings and crisp, aromatic whites, but this light-bodied red is delicious and food-friendly. Its tart-cherry flavors, laced with aromas of nutmeg and other wood spice, suggest fall. The Old Mission Peninsula was hit hard by the harsh winter of 2013-2014, so there will be very little 2014 in the market. Enjoy it while you can!”

Price: $19

Domaine Paul Autard, Côtes du Rhone AOC 2013

Rebecca Murphy, writing for Dallas News, recommended this Côtes du Rhone from Paul Autard, whose wines she said are worthy of your attention. His nearly 65 acres of vines are 40 to 95 years old, which Autard believes gives him concentrated and balanced fruit, said Murphy.

“Flavors of black cherries and strawberries from the Grenache grapes, black pepper from the Syrah and a rich earthiness from Mourvèdre are layered and harmonious in this wine”, she said. “It’s rich and textured in the mouth, with a fine balance of ripe fruit, tangy acidity and dusty tannins. It’s an amiable wine, happy to share the table with barbecue, grilled tuna or a pizza.”

Price: $14.99-$16

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2014, California

“This is one of those go-to wines I recommend to people who aren’t sure they like wine”, said Denis Sodomka of this Californian blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier, writing in The Augusta Chronicle.

“The unusual combination of Chenin Blanc and Viognier is light, fruity, crisp and just a little sweet, but not enough that you would call it a sweet wine”, he said. “It’s great sipping by itself or with just about any food you could think of.

“In the glass it is a pleasant pale yellow, with enticing aromas of citrus, peach and melon. The first sips deliver bright grapefruit and pear flavors, followed by lemon with hints of apple and key lime pie. The wine has a crisp mouthfeel and a pleasant, lingering aftertaste.”

Price: $12-16

Trapiche Malbec 2014, Mendoza, Argentina

Gil Lempert-Schwarz, writing in the Las Vegas Review Journal, recommended Trapiche’s 2014 Malbec – a winery that he said is, under the guidance of world-famous wine consultant and enologist Michel Rolland of Bordeaux, is making “inexpensive, delicious wines”.

“On the palate: There is great concentration of cassis fruit with lots of creamy crushed black fruit, especially cherries and blackberries, then marionberries, huckleberry sauce, minerals and vanilla bean notes. The midpalate has a lovely balanced play between solid fruit, fine acidity and ripe tannins with underlying hints of sweet cassis and oak. The finish is plentiful, with good amounts of fleshy fruit concentrate and herbs and minerals that linger for more than 15 seconds.”

Price: $4.99

Seghesio, 2013 Zinfandel, Sonoma, US

Finally Peg Melnik, writing for the Press Democrat, revealed this Sonoma Zinfandel from Seghesio to be her wine of the week.

She said: “A Zin with great structure and generous fruit. Briary, with black and red fruit, coupled with a steady current of spice. Firm tannins. Supple texture. Striking. A good Zin to have on hand as outdoor grilling season commences.”

Price: $24

Jeff Cohn Cellars, 2012 Cassata Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, US

Melnik cited this 2012 Zinfandel as a worthy alternative to Saghesio, a Zin she said was “dripping with fruit, bright, tangy bold and audacious fruit.”

“A big-boy Zin that makes quite an impression. This wine definitely works solo, as well as with a meal”, she added.

Price: $42