Top 10 wines in the US press

Vin Vault Cabernet Sauvignon, E and J Gallo, California

Sandra Silfven takes the box-wine route this week in her Detroit News wine column.

“This is a terrific wine with food – it’s packed with dark fruit flavours with a touch of spice; texture is smooth and oak is well-infused,” she writes.

“It’s an accessible wine that invites you to take another sip. It has a touch of Petite Sirah for added colour and complexity.”

Vin Vault Chardonnay, E and J Gallo, California

“The Chardonnay also has Viognier and Gewürztraminer blended in”, says Silfven of her second box wine choice.

“It’s a nice touch that adds some floral and spice tones to the apple/pear character of the Chardonnay.”

Castelmaure, Corbières AOP, Col des Vents, France, 2014

“Corbières appellation rules require at least 50 percent Carignan, which contributes the smoky, raspberry, pomegranate and black olive flavors, vivid acidity and chewy tannins,” to this wine, writes Rebecca Murphy of the Dallas Morning News.

“As 35% of the blend, Grenache provides strawberry fruit and roundness in the mouth,” she continues. “Syrah adds blackberry fruit, black pepper and anise spice. In all, a lot of flavour for a moderate price.”

Mt. Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Noir 2013, Central Otago, New Zealand

Next up, Dave McIntyre of the Washington Post wants a winter warmer from a country where it is summer: New Zealand.

“Central Otago, in the mountainous middle of New Zealand’s South Island, is ‘Lord of the Rings’ landscape, with spectacular scenery evocative of hobbits and orcs, and some of the world’s best Pinot Noir,” he writes.

“At first this wine seems delicate, even austere, but it quickly takes on a stony, earthy character that lingers on the palate and in the imagination. It’s new to the market; expect more stores to have it soon.”

Carrick Bannockburn Chardonnay 2014, Central Otago, New Zealand

Next, “Carrick makes excellent Pinot Noir as well, but this racy, invigorating wine is a good example of why New Zealand winemakers are so excited about Chardonnay,” McIntyre continues.

“Bursting with flavours of orchard fruit, such as peaches and apricots, it displays pinpoint balance of richness and elegance. Unfortunately, it is available in limited quantities.”

Old Coach Road Pinot Noir 2013, Nelson, New Zealand

“Nelson, at the northern tip of the South Island, is overshadowed by its larger neighbour, Marlborough, New Zealand’s star region for Sauvignon Blanc,” McIntyre writes of this winemaking region. “Nelson is more mountainous, its wines more introspective than Marlborough’s.”

“Old Coach Road is a second label of Seifried winery, one of Nelson’s leading producers. This is a softer and more generous style of pinot than those from Central Otago, yet with more structure than Marlborough’s typically fleshier wines.”

Aldo Rainoldi Valtellina Superiore Inferno Riserva 2010

The New York Times wine writer Eric Asimov described this Valtellina “earthy, deep and tannic, with flavours of red fruit, liquorice and earth.”

La Castellina di Fojanini Valtellina Superiore Sassella 2008

“Lingering flavours of red fruit, earth and liquorice” define this wine for Asimov. 

Alfio Mozzi Valtellina Superiore Sassella Grisone 2010

“Rich and tannic” is how Asimov describes this wine, complete with the typical flavours of “liquorice and minerals”.

Trivento Torrontés Reserve 2013, Argentina

“The Trivento Torrontés is one of the best” expressions of the variety, “and the price can’t be beat”, writes Dennis Sodomka of the Augusta Chronicle.

“In the glass, it is a bright golden yellow with lush floral and citrus aromas. The first sip reveals a crisp structure balanced by delicate tropical fruit and citrus flavours. The finish is fairly short but very pleasant.”