Top 10 wines in the US press

Ecco Domani “Zac Posen” Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT 2014, Italy

This “eye-popping” bottle design is the work of fashion designer Zac Posen, who worked with Ecco Domani to produce this Pinot Grigio, recommended by Sandra Silfven in the Detroit News.

“Aromas of lemon-lime, green apple and melon with a kiss of honeysuckle and sage tickle the nostrils”, she said. “Flavors are dry and crisp with an infusion of minerality and touch of floral/herbal tones. The wine is blended with a small amount of Chardonnay. It’s produced off vineyards in Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto.”

Price: $14

Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2009, Italy

Silfven also recommended a wine produced by one of Tuscany’s big hitters – from Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi – which has a winemaking history that spans 700 years and 30 generations.

“Their CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is one of Italy’s most celebrated wines grown at the estate-owned vineyard in one of the most prized areas of the Brunello zone of Montalcino”, said Silfven.

“This famous Brunello from the village of Montalcino is powerful and full-bodied, with huge tannic structure, massive dark fruit, sturdy acidity and charming spice — all infused with smoky, spicy oak. It’s got so much texture and density you can almost chew it.

“Flavors are intense and concentrated from the sun and the age of the vines. It tastes of blackberry, cherry, plum, spicy black pepper and roasted coffee and hazelnuts. It has great aging potential. Brunello is a clone of Sangiovese, considered the ultimate expression of this grape.”

Price: $69

Triennes Rosé 2014, Méditerranée, France

Dave McIntyre, writing for the Washington Post, recommended three rosé wines, including this pale example from Provence.

He said: “What a lovely rosé. It’s pale pink, barely any color when you hold it up to the light. It has bright flavors of watermelon and cantaloupe, with a hint of orange peel to give it zest and complexity.”

Price: $18

Domaine de la Mordorée Rosé 2014, Côtes du Rhône, France

This “rich and deep” Côtes du Rhône rosé was also a favourite of McIntyre’s.

“In terms of style, this delicious rosé strikes a welcome middle ground”, he said. “Its rich salmon-peach color signals ripe fruit flavors, while its good French-style acidity keeps the wine refreshing.”

Price: $20

Barnard Griffin Rosé of Sangiovese 2014, Columbia Valley, Washington, US

Finally, McIntyre recommended this “New World” rosé from Washington’s Columbia Valley.

McIntyre said: “It is ripe with strawberry, cherry and watermelon flavors, with a sappy texture that gives an impression of sweetness while remaining on the edge of dry. Barnard Griffin is a long-standing producer of quality wines at reasonable prices – a fitting ambassador for Washington state wines.”

Price: $15

Benoit Gautier, Vouvray AOC, Argilex Sec 2013, Loire Valley, France

Vouvray is a region in the Loire Valley that produces some of the best examples of Chenin Blanc, wrote Rebecca Murphy in Dallas News.

“This one is quite intense and lean, with ripe pear, apple and dried straw flavors and slate-like mineral notes, a trademark of the region”, she said. “It is bone dry, with a creamy mouthfeel, and blessed with brilliant acidity. It will complement any dish that is brightened with a squeeze of lemon, particularly shrimp cocktail, poached fillet of sole or grilled halibut.

Price: $16.99

Robert Mondavi Chardonnay 2013, Napa Valley

Dennis Sodomka, writing for the Augusta Chronicle, selected a wine from the Robert Mondavi Winery, founded by the late Californian wine pioneer, as his wine of the week.

“After nearly 50 years, the death of the founder and purchase of the winery by a conglomerate, the winery continues to pump out great wine”, said Sodomka. “From $5 Woodbridge to reserve wines costing more than $100, Mondavi offers value at all price levels. The Robert Mondavi line is particularly good, with top flight wines at moderate prices, such as this Robert Mondavi Chardonnay.”

Of this Chardonnay, he said: “It is a gorgeous pale yellow in the glass, with a pleasant, fruity aroma. Pear and apple dominate the palate, with a wide range of tantalizing supporting flavors such as ginger, melon and hazelnuts.

“The velvety, textured finish is long and creamy with perfect acidity to give the wine a nice balance. The grapes are from the great 2013 vintage when growers throughout California reported near-ideal conditions.”

Price: $18-20

2012 Marchesi Antinori Santa Cristina Campogrande Orvieto Classico

Scott Greenberg, of Washington’s WTOP.com, explored the vast world of Italian wine, recommending this Orvieto from one of the country’s most famous producers – the Antinori family.

“Their 2012 Marchesi Antinori Santa Cristina Campogrande Orvieto Classico provides one of the best values in white wines and worth tracking down”, he said. “It is a made from a blend of white wine grapes from the Umbria region in Tuscany. The bouquet opens with luscious fruity-floral aromas reminiscent of lemon zest and white flowers. Soft and well-balanced on the palate, flavors of nectarine, white peach and fresh citrus glide across the tongue on a carpet of bright acidity. The finish is zesty and refreshing.”

Price: $12

Sebastiani, 2012 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Finally Peg Melnik, writing for Santa Rosa’s Press Democrat, picked Sebastiani’s Cabernet Sauvignon as her wine of the week, praising its “seamless texture” and “lingering finish”.

“A gorgeous cab with tangy, high-toned fruit and crisp acid” said Melnik. “Aromatic with enticing notes of cherry and cranberry. On the palate it has red and black fruit, but it’s weighted to red. Notes of cherry, black cherry, herbs and spice. ”

Price: $40

Honig, 2012 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Melnik offered Honig’s 2012 Cabernet as an alternative to her top pick, describing it as a Cab with “great structure that manages to be exceedingly supple”.

“Elegant with aromas and flavors of cherry, berry, herbs and spice. What makes it a standout is its generosity. It’s packed with fruit. Graceful, yes, but oh so juicy.”

Price: $45